New York’s Upper East Side may be known for its quiet luxury and hushed museums, but don’t let its calm exterior fool you. Filled with both fine dining restaurants and surprisingly affordable eats, it’s one of NYC’s most exciting food destinations. Take a stroll through the tree-lined blocks and you’ll find some of the world’s best cocktail bars, laidback burger joints where everybody knows your name and what’s probably the highest concentration of excellent omakase anywhere in the five boroughs.
So wander through a world-class museum or two, then grab a laidback lunch before moving on to your next destination. Whether you’re in the mood for a twist on classic French food, sushi from a beloved neighborhood institution or just a place to toast to the city with a cocktail or two, you'll find it all within a few blocks.
July 2025: Summer always slows down uptown, and that’s good news for anyone trying to score a reservation. With the city’s record-breaking heat driving locals to their summer houses (or just into the A/C), tables at buzzy spots are suddenly a little more in reach. You might still he to wait in line at Bemelmans or fight for a reservation at Chez Fifi, but you’re sure to find a new warm-weather fe or score at a table at a well-loved spot that—much like a classic six on Lex—never goes out of style.
How we curate and review at Time Out