With so much to do and see and eat, it is hard to see even a part of Manhattan in just one week, let alone one day. But if you were to have a limited time in the city that never sleeps, and happen to find yourself uptown (often referred to as the Upper East Side and Upper West Side) you’re definitely going to find yourself hungry. So to save you time (and effort) here are some of the best restaurants you can grab a bite at uptown. Instead of wasting time trying to figure out where to eat you can just pick one (or more) of these restaurants and then spend your time exploring the surrounding sights.
1. Boqueria - Upper East Side
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
The Boqueria is a tapas bar and restaurant serving authentic Spanish cuisines in a vibrant and lively space. The specials are always changing based on what is available in the local markets, but signature tapas are equally as fresh and delicious. They have plenty of tapas for vegetarians and carnivores alike, making this a great restaurant for groups of all sizes and even the pickiest of eaters. And they have great brunch specials and desserts as well.
Boqueria
Address: 1460 Second Ave, New York, NY 10075
Website: Boqueria
2. Candle West - Upper West Side
The Candle Cafe West is here to bring delicious vegan eats to upper Manhattan. The Candle Cafe team is committed to delighting guests with fresh, wholesome, plant based foods that are extraordinary and bursting with flavor. Even the most dedicated carnivore will be convinced once they try dishes like the candle nachos, summer vegetable risotto, or the seitan piccata.
Candle West
Address: 2427 Broadway, New York, NY 10024
Website: Candle West
3. Vaucluse - Upper East Side
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Vaucluse is a beautiful brasserie with food that will transport you straight to France but a decor and ambiance that drips with New York sophistication and glamour. Chefs Michael White and Jared Gadbaw have created a wonderful French-inspired menu that balances classic dishes with a modern touch. Vaucluse features daily specials, but also has a raw bar, hors d'oeuvres, seasons dishes, pasta, meats and fish, and of course freshly baked bread. Vaucluse also has a bar with an extensive wine and cocktail menu.
Vaucluse
Address: 100 East 63rd Street @ Park Avenue, New York, NY 10065
Website: Vaucluse
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4. DANIEL - Upper East Side
Chef Daniel Boulud combines contemporary French cuisine with flavors from Spain, South Asia, East Asia, and Italy. DANIEL features a seasonally inspired menu that’s also accompanied with year round signature dishes like black truffle and scallops. Additionally, DANIEL can accommodate dietary needs, even having a complete vegetarian menu as well. There are two main spaces at DANIEL - the Bellecour Room which is meant for private dining and then the Bar & Lounge Space for a more casual, yet still sophisticated dining experience complete with hand crafted, innovative cocktails. DANIEL is also a popular venue for special events, like weddings, and is one of the only restaurants in New York City with a two star Michelin rating.
DANIEL
Address: 60 East 65th Street New York, NY 10065
Website: DANIEL
New York Tour Guide
Annie Leguennec
My name is Annie. I am a local Tour guide based in Philadelphia enjoying fully what the city has to offer with its deep history, street arts, murals, architecture, traditional food, black history, Farmer Markets, green space, a melting pot of neighborhoods and its great locals. I am looking for to welcome you and show you this incredible city where you will gain a better understanding of the city's rich heritage and its continuing legacy as the birthplace of the United States of America. Book my tour. Explore and learn about this unique city where you will walk on the footsteps of our America's founding Fathers. My tours are conducted in English, French and Italian.
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5. Jean Georges - Upper West Side
Jean Georges (owned by world renowned chef Jean Georges Vongerichten) is thought to have the top rated food in the city, and the quality has not let up since its opening. Jean Georges takes part in every step of his restaurant, from ambiance, to concept, to staff, to (obviously) food. Jean Georges is always serving up innovative dishes, providing his guests with a unique and impactful culinary experience.
Jean Georges
Address: 1 Central Park West, New York, NY 10023
Website: Jean Georges
6. Boulud Sud - Upper West Side
With his second restaurant (on this list), Chef Daniel Boulud brings flavors from the south of France, Egypt, Turkey, Greece, and more to his Mediterranean cuisine at Boulud Sud. While many of the dishes feature seafood, there are also plenty of other options like saffron linguine, moroccan chicken, and ratatouille - plus there’s a pasta happy hour, where all house made pasta are half off from 9 pm till close in the bar and lounge!
Boulud Sud
Address: 20 West 64th Street (Between Broadway and Central Park West), New York, NY 10023
Website: Boulud Sud
7. Tessa - Upper West Side
Tessa, a rustic and elegant tavern, serves some of the most delicious Mediterranean cuisine. Chef Nicholas McCann and his culinary team have carefully curated an innovative and fresh menu, using a combination of local and imported ingredients. The menus change seasonally to accommodate fruits and vegetables in season, so you know everything you’re eating is fresh.
Tessa
Address: 349 Amsterdam Avenue (between W76th and W77th Streets), New York, New York 10024
Website: Tessa
8. Porter House - Upper East Side
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Porter House is an award winning restaurant and has been rated one of the best steak houses in New York. While overlooking Columbus Circle, you can enjoy classic, yet seasonally inspired American cuisine paired with the perfect cocktails and wine list. The menu includes delicacies by chef Michael Lomonaco, like prime steaks, seafood, pasta, and more that all boast incredible flavors that you will savor.
Porter House
Address: 10 Columbus Circle, 4th Floor New York, NY 10019
Website: Porter House
9. Carmine's - Upper West Side
While Carmine’s is not an exclusively uptown restaurant (with several locations around Manhattan) it is still a crowd favorite. Carmine’s is a family style restaurant serving delicious Southern Italian cuisines. There are just so many options, it may be hard to choose just one so the four pasta special (only on Sundays) is a great way to sample multiple pastas. And if you’re feeling ~extra~ hungry, Carmine’s is definitely the place to go because of their huge portion sizes.
Carmine's
Address: 2450 Broadway New York , NY 10024
Website: Carmine’s
10. Pizza Beach - Upper East Side
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
What would a list of upper Manhattan’s best restaurants be without even a mention of pizza? But Pizza Beach is much more than just your run of the mill pizzeria. Instead of just serving up the classic New York slice, which you can basically get anywhere, the chefs at Pizza Beach serve up creative pies with an island-y vibe like the Salad Pizza topped with colorful veggies like summer squash and raddichio and the Crushed Avocado. Pizza Beach also serves plenty of other options like tacos and burgers. It’s really a great place to grab a delicious meal in a more casual, colorful, and fun environment.
Pizza Beach
Address: 1426 3rd Avenue, New York, NY
Website: Pizza Beach
Were you able to pick just one?
Or are you now extending your trip? Because if it were me, I would definitely extend my trip/never leave the city because of all the food.
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