The Best of The Upper East Side: Shopping, Nightlife, Sweets and more

As one of New York City’s most affluent areas, the Upper East Side is home to the city’s elite. A prime location for top-tier destinations in the luxury market, here we highlight our favorite places to dine, shop and unwind on the Upper East Side.

Best Shopping

Madison Avenue
From the most coveted fashion houses like Lanvin and Tom Ford to more contemporary retail destinations like Intermix, Madison Avenue is New York’s prime location for the hautest assortment of luxury goods. And with New York’s unparalleled reputation for all things dazzling, Madison Avenue is a central hub for the city’s elite.

Best Bar

Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle
35 East 76th Street, New York, NY 10021, 212-744-1600
Legend has it that Bemelmans Bar was named after legendary artist Ludwig Bemelmans. The watering hole on New York City’s Upper East Side attracts socialites, politicians, celebrities and the like. Featuring both a bar and tea menu, some of the bites to choose from include Croque Monsieur, a traditionally French dish, and the restaurant’s namesake Mini Burgers, a fan favorite.

Best Coffee & Pastry Shop

Lady M Confections
41 East 78th Street, New York, NY 10021, 212-452-2222
From taste to appearance, Lady M Confections tantalizes the senses through expertly crafted recipes and intricate presentations. The posh boutique coffee and pastry destination serves an array of sandwiches, salads, cakes and crepes using the highest quality ingredients available.

Best Restaurant

Daniel
60 East 65th Street, New York, NY
10065, 212-288-0033
It’s no secret that Chef Daniel Boulud has a bit of a Midas’ touch in the kitchen. Not surprisingly, Daniel, the Chef’s namesake contemporary French restaurant, is one of most acclaimed dining destinations in the city. The extensive menu offers vegetarian and tasting options, as well as a selection of specialty cocktails and fine wines. For intimate affairs, Daniel’s Bellecour Room creates a private setting to enjoy the restaurant’s exquisite cuisine.

Harry Cipriani
781 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10022,
212-753-5566
Cipriani establishments are the epitome of authentic Italian cuisine, serving namesake classics such as the Baked Tagliolini or the Triple Layer Chocolate Cake. Here, you’ll find both restaurant regulars and first time patrons. Harry Cipriani on the Upper East Side is strikingly similar to the brand’s first outpost in Venice, creating a superb sense of charm and tradition.

Best Gym

Exhale
980 Madison Avenue #201, New York, NY
10075, 212-561-6400
Aligning the mind and body, Exhale’s signature Core Fusion classes combine the fundamentals of Pilates, yoga, ballet and dance to create a challenging full-body workout. Founders Elisabeth Halfpapp and Fred DeVito created the signature method for both athletes and gym novices.

Best Cultural Destination

[highlight_text] Museum Mile is assuredly the cultural headquarters of New York City and attracts countless art lovers, tourists and visitors each year. [/highlight_text]

Museum Mile
5th Avenue from 82nd to 105th Street
New York, NY
The stretch of more than 20 New York City blocks known as Museum Mile is home to countless cultural destinations and museums, including the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Museum for African Art, El Museo del Barrio, Museum of the City of New York, The Jewish Museum, the Guggenheim, Neue Galerie New York, Goethe-Institut New York/German Cultural Center and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, among others. Museum Mile is assuredly the cultural headquarters of New York City and attracts countless art lovers, tourists and visitors each year. The destination celebrates the annual Museum Mile Festival, where countless attendees step out to admire the arts.

Best Hotel

The Surrey
20 East 76th Street, New York, NY 10021, 212-288-3700
Since opening its doors as a residence hotel in 1926, The Surrey has been recreated with the help of renowned interior designer Lauren Rottet, who expertly blended traditional elements of the hotel with a modern aesthetic. The $60 million renovation introduced impressive works of art, sleek décor and nostalgic black and white photography. The hotel is also home to Café Boulud, a haute culinary outpost by acclaimed chef Daniel Boulud serving decadent French cuisine seven days a week.

Plaza Athenee
37 East 64th Street, New York, NY 10065,
212-734-9100
After a multimillion dollar renovation, the 142- room hotel features plush accommodations with a European twist. The hotel boasts two Presidential Suites for the hautest of guests, an acclaimed Asian-themed spa and an eclectic restaurant and lounge scene at Bar Seine and Arabelle.

Best Brunch

Café Boulud
20 East 76th Street, New
York, NY 10021, 212-772-2600
Inspired by tradition, French cuisine, vegetables gardens and the flavors of the world, Café Boulud is a food lover’s dream. The Café’s two or threecourse prix fixe menu includes delicacies such as Belgium Waffles, Crêpes Suzette, Poached Eggs and Vanilla Honey Panna Cotta.