New York City is chock full of amazing neighborhoods and each one has its own charm and appeal. The Upper East Side gives residents and visitors access to some of the city’s best museums, restaurants, and shopping – and provides a notoriously relaxed pace compared to the rest of the city. While we could go on and on about what the Upper East Side has to offer, here are some of our favorite spots:
Coffee Shops & Bakeries
Maman
On the way to the MET, Maman is the place for a coffee and a buttery croissant. With a French-inspired interior, it is the ultimate relaxed, slow-paced environment in the city. Perfect for reading a book by the window.
Levain
Initially first opening its doors as a bakery to serve bread, it has become quite famous for its chocolate chip cookies. It is a must when on the Upper East Side if you are in the mood for dessert or warm bread for breakfast.
Restaurants
Sant Ambroeus
A traditional Italian trattoria, Sant Ambroeus is best known for its Milanese dishes. It has a wide selection of fish dishes options ranging from Sogliola di Dover to Branzino. After a long meal, be sure to order a gelato and a cappuccino before paying your tab. If you are not in the mood for a full meal, you can always grab a panini to-go at the coffee bar.
Daniel
Near Central Park, Daniel is an extravagant Michelin-starred French restaurant. The inside resembles a French theater with grand pillars and a decorative ceiling. It is the ultimate luxurious dining experience on the Upper East Side. On Christmas and Thanksgiving, Daniel creates special menus for its customers.
Jo Jo by Jean Gorges
Jo Jo by Jean Gorges invites you into an elegant townhouse where you can dine on French seasonal cuisine. With modern decorations and mood lighting, it is the perfect place to indulge in a fan favorite – the dumplings stuffed with peekytoe crab.
Boqueria
An elevated modern space, Boqueria serves paellas and tapas. Inside, you will feel the social atmosphere and hear the sounds of people cheers-ing wine as waiters serve hot iron pans filled with food. It’s a great place to go for dinner, or even their weekend brunch with bottomless mimosas.
Bars
Bemelmans Bar
Inside the Carlyle Hotel, Bemelmans Bar is a sophisticated piano bar. A historical spot on the Upper East Side, it has been open since 1940 with murals from Madeline. A perfect place to dress up and grab their famous martini with a date, while enjoying the soft jazz music coming from the piano.
Serena’s Wine Bar
Unlike Bemelmans Bar, Serena’s Wine Bar has a relaxed ambiance, better for a low-key night. The local bar offers an assortment of small plates and salads to share accompanied by wine.
The Sutton Bar Room
With rustic decorations and amazing cocktails ranging from a Gin Fizz to an Aperol Spritz to choose from, The Sutton Bar Room is the ultimate place to go to socialize on an indecisive Friday night with friends. People can bring their own food to the bar and enjoy their own preferred cocktail while munching on their take-out orders.
The Penrose
Brick-red walls with accents of vintage wallpaper and reclaimed wood flooring, this old-timey bar offers old-fashioned cocktails, beer, and an extensive whisky list. With a more relaxed ambiance, The Penrose is a great place to sit down to enjoy conversations with friends over drinks.
Grocery Stores & Markets
Citarella Gourmet Market
Citarella is a great place to go when you are feeling lazy and do not want to cook. Citarella has amazing pre-cooked meals that have even gone viral on TikTok. Ranging from chicken curry to sushi you can find anything you’re looking for at Citarella.
Eli’s Essentials
Eli’s Essentials is a sister market and restaurant to Zabar’s, featuring a great salad and soup bar. After making a salad, there is space upstairs to sit and eat while sipping on some coffee or tea.
Butterfield Market
Butterfield Market is the go-to spot for produce and dairy products. Whether you are preparing for a wine and cheese board night or want to make an apple pie, Butterfield Market is the place to go. Don’t forget to stop by their frozen yogurt window for a sweet treat to snack on while you make your way home with your groceries.
Parks
Central Park
Central Park resides a couple of blocks down Park Avenue. During the summer, it is the ultimate location to soak in nature, picnic or socialize. In the wintertime, the park has a cozy holiday feel with an ice skating rink to skate on.
Fitness
Equinox
Equinox has an abundance of classes to choose from for anyone who is interested in changing their workout routine. After an intense workout, they have a spa, sauna, and meditation rooms to decompress.
Barry’s Bootcamp
If you are looking for an intense workout Barry’s is the ultimate choice, each day focusing on a different muscle group. Be sure to grab a protein-fueled smoothie after from their smoothie bar.
Rumble Boxing
Combined with HIIT Training, Rumble is a group boxing experience. It is an all-in-one workout.
Museums
The MET
The museum with the widest range of art in the city is attached to Central Park, The MET is the most popular tourist spot on weekends.
Guggenheim
Best known for its architecture, the Guggenheim, is the museum to visit for its continued expanding collection of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and contemporary art.
Shopping
Nordstrom Local
Forgot to buy a gift for a birthday party? Nordstrom Local is a convenient location to shop for last-minute gifts and for your home.
Bloomingdale’s
Bloomingdale’s is an upscale department store. From David Yurman to Louis Vuitton, Bloomingdale’s has you covered from your head to your home. After a day of shopping, the purchases from the day are placed into the iconic Little Brown Bag that many New Yorkers are seen carrying around.
Madison Avenue
The longest street on the Upper East Side with lots of high-end designer stores available for shopping. From ready-to-wear at Missoni to fine art at the Gagosian, Madison Ave features many boutiques and art galleries to splurge on (or go window shopping).
Call the Upper East Side Home
If you’re interested in living in the Upper East Side, Platinum Properties is proud to offer some amazing exclusive options to our clients. Whether you’re looking to rent a newly renovated unit at 266 East 78th Street or purchase a charming property at 969 Park Avenue, we have you covered.
If you’re curious about what else the Upper East Side has to offer, or if you’re interested in kicking off your home search, please reach out to Platinum today to connect with one of our trusted agents.
