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From romantic florals to colourful murals and lots of velvet banquettes, these are the prettiest restaurants in New York right now.
1. Temple Court at The Beekman, A Thompson Hotel
Swedish designer Martin Brudnizki (he of Annabel¡¯s fame in Mayfair, London) is behind the epicurean interiors of this restaurant at The Beekman, just around the corner from 1 World Trade Center. Inside, all is plush, moody and softly lit by dangling chandeliers and natural sunlight filtering through candy-coloured stained glass.
Address: Temple Court at The Beekman, A Thompson Hotel, 5 Beekman Street, New York, NY 10038, United States
Website: templecourtnyc.com?
2. Popular at PUBLIC Hotel, Lower East Side
Not many hotels are famous for their escalators. But PUBLIC Hotel, on the Lower East Side, is an exception to the rule for its iconic neon staircases. The prettiest restaurant in this Ian Schrager-imagined stay was new in 2021 ¨C a foliage-lined Peruvian-spiced spot from Diego Mu?oz, the chef at Lima¡¯s Astrid y Gaston, a fine-dining super spot that was once number one on The World¡¯s 50 Best Restaurants list.
Address: Popular at PUBLIC Hotel, 215 Chrystie St, New York, NY 10002, United States
Website: publichotels.com
3. Bakeri, Brooklyn
The floral wallpaper at Bakeri¡¯s Williamsburg location has gained a life of its own on social media, and the newer Greenpoint location is just as charming. Settle in at a wooden table for one of the freshly baked pastries and admire the small, thoughtful details of the space: the arched wooden ceiling, the shabby-chic wooden panelling, the menu on the antiqued mirror and, of course, the floral wallpaper.
Address: Bakeri, 105 Freeman Street, Brooklyn NY 11222
Website: bakeribrooklyn.com
4. Bar Pisellino, West Village
Ciao, bella! Sit at the marble-topped counter to order a morning espresso and bombolini or relax into the slatted banquettes for an aperitivo Aperol Spritz. The floor-to-ceiling windows mean that the delicately tiled floor is on display, brightening up the small space (they also allow you to gauge the wait outside sister restaurant Via Carota across the street as you sip).
Address: Bar Pisellino, 52 Grove Street, New York NY 10014
Website: barpisellino.com
5. Serra by Birreria, Madison Square Park
A very smart greenhouse on the rooftop of the original Eataly by the Flatiron Building, Serra is a seasonal space that totally transforms with the change of weather several times a year. The rustic menu changes with the seasons too, but you can always expect hearty plates influenced by the Italian countryside. The current Serra Alpina captures the cosy atmosphere of an Alpine apr¨¨s-ski experience, with snowflake-encrusted trees bowing over the tables.
Address: Serra by Birreria, 200 Fifth Avenue, New York NY 10010
Website: eataly.com
6. 1803, Tribeca
Let the good times roll: there¡¯s a little slice of?New Orleans?in downtown Manhattan with interiors as bold as its Cajun flavors. The bi-level interior of 1803 combines bright botanical wallpaper with black and white chequerboard floors for a fun, semi-tropical vibe. After dinner, make your way downstairs to the intimate (read: sexy) jazz club.
Address:?1803, 82 Reade Street, New York NY 10007
Website:?1803nyc.com
7. Balthazar, Soho
Keith McNally¡¯s Soho institution has been a New York staple since it opened its doors in 1997. It¡¯s grand and opulent, with high ceilings and mirrors as big as the walls. Come during the festive season and settle into the deep red booths under Art Deco lights with an order of steak frites.
Address: Balthazar, 80 Spring Street, New York, NY 10012
Website:balthazarbakery.com/soho
8. Indochine, NoHo?
Indochine is celebrating 35 years on the New York dining scene. With its history of regulars including Warhol and Basquiat, it¡¯s easy to see why people keep coming back. And what¡¯s not to like about lychee Martinis, tropical palm-print wallpaper, rattan furniture and potted greenery? It almost feels as if you¡¯re on a Hollywood set for a French-Vietnamese film with actors and singers perched in each booth. The food is every bit as good as it was in the restaurant¡¯s heyday, so come for the spicy beef salad and stay for that cloud of cool.
Address: Indochine, 430 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10003
Website:indochinenyc.com
9. Le Coucou, SoHo
American-born chef Daniel Rose had already conquered the fine-dining scene of Paris, with Spring and La Bourse et La Vie, when he brought his culinary genius to New York with Le Coucou in 2016. Still a hard reservation to snag, the space is as well-known as the menu, thanks to a sprawling painted mural of a rural scene in muted colours that would look at home in a French chateau. The dramatic chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows keep the elegance going in this Roman and Williams-designed space.
Address: Le Coucou, 138 Lafayette Street, New York NY 10013
Website: lecoucou.com
10. La Mercerie, SoHo
A favourite of the fashion set, La Mercerie is located inside the beautiful Roman and Williams Guild boutique in SoHo (in case you want a side of high-end interiors shopping with your supper). With soaring ceilings, elegant banquettes and warm, glowing lighting, this French caf¨¦ is the perfect spot for a chic business lunch or cosy weekend brunch ¨C don¡¯t miss the house-made pastries and the florist putting together bespoke arrangements by the front door.
Address: La Mercerie, 53 Howard Street, New York NY 10013
Website: lamerceriecafe.com
11. RH Rooftop Restaurant, Meatpacking District
Set atop the stunning new Restoration Hardware store in the trendy Meatpacking district, this is a chandelier-lover¡¯s dream inspired by the stately gardens of Europe. With its lush greenery, twinkling crystal and panoramic views of the Hudson River, the indoor/outdoor space is equally gorgeous day or night. The classic American menu with Italian accents is date-night perfect ¨C go for a prosciutto and cheese platter followed by a lobster roll or steak.
Address: RH Rooftop Restaurant, 9 Ninth Avenue, New York NY 10014
Website: restorationhardware.com
12. Legacy Records, Hudson Yards
The way-west side is enjoying a major resurgence in Manhattan, and Legacy Records can take some of the credit for being an early pioneer in the neighborhood. It was designed by San Francisco interiors supremo Ken Fulk, and every detail, nook and cranny is exquisitely considered (even the bathroom is stunning). The signature of the multi-level space is the sweeping, sexy bar with seats begging to be swivelled on before you move on to the dining room for an Italian-influenced dinner with dishes such as cavatelli verde pasta with sausage ragu, pecorino and mint and honey lacquered duck with grape and pistachio.
Address: Legacy Records, 517 West 38th Street, New York NY 10018
Website: legacyrecordsrestaurant.com
13. The Fulton, South Street Seaport
Jean-Georges Vongerichten¡¯s seafood-focused restaurant draws on its Seaport location for its nautically inspired interiors. Hand-painted murals by Chandler Noah and Diego Casta?o of En Viu lend whimsy to the bi-level space, while light fixtures reminiscent of buoys bob above quartz countertops. And of course, the views of the East River from the tip of Manhattan are pretty good too.
Address: The Fulton, 89 South Street, New York NY 10038
Website: thefulton.nyc
14. While We Were Young, Greenwich Village
The sort of place Carrie Bradshaw would come for Sunday brunch, this West Village jewel box is known for its lavender-velvet banquettes filled with pretty young things tucking into lemon poppy seed French toast. Grab a signature While We Were Young cocktail (which matches the seating) at the flower-laden bar while you wait (or snap a selfie, we won¡¯t blame you).
Address: While We Were Young, 183 West 10th Street, New York NY 10014
Website: whilewewereyoungnyc.com
15. Cecconi¡¯s Dumbo, Brooklyn
The views from the terrace of the new Cecconi¡¯s Dumbo (part of the Soho House group) are widescreen panoramas of the Brooklyn Bridge over the East River, with lower Manhattan glittering in the background. But the interiors will keep you asking to sit inside, thanks to crisp black-and-white striped flooring, teal leather bar stools and warm crystal chandeliers.
Address: Cecconi¡¯s Dumbo, 55 Water Street, Brooklyn NY 11201
Website: cecconisdumbo.com
16. The Lobster Club, Midtown East
Located inside Mies van der Rohe¡¯s Seagram building in the former space of famed The Brasserie, The Lobster Club has the distinction of being the first North American restaurant designed by renowned retail architect Peter Marino. Picasso serves as the grounding inspiration for the interiors, with his art appearing on priceless plates behind the bar and drawings inspired by him scattered throughout the space.
Address: The Lobster Club, The Seagram Building, 98 East 53rd Street, New York NY 10022
Website: thelobsterclub.com
17. OXOMOCO, Brooklyn
Recently awarded its first Michelin star, this relatively new Mexican restaurant in hip Greenpoint is as well known for its wood-fired tacos as its signature sculptural bar. The airy, vine-laden ceilingis a counterpoint to the artfully deconstructed plaster and exposed brick walls. Order a mezcal cocktail and settle in for unexpected twists on traditional Mexican cooking.
Address: Oxomoco, 128 Greenpoint Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11222
Website: oxomoconyc.com
18. The Garden at Marche Maman, SoHo
Step outside the intimate restaurant at the original branch of mini-chain Maman into a petite garden space begging for celebratory brunches and long leisurely summer dinners. Strands of twinkling overhead lights blend with the climbing flower-strewn vines over the walls for the perfect backdrop to a traditional French caf¨¦ supper, or just a cafe latte and one of the famous nutty chocolate-chip cookies.
Address: The Garden at Marche Maman, 237 Centre Street, New York NY 10013
Website: mamannyc.com
19. Waverly Inn, West Village
Tables at Graydon Carter¡¯s West Village hotspot are still some of the most coveted in the city. It¡¯s the scene of all things Vanity Fair, but add in Manhattan¡¯s socialites and you¡¯ll be among the who-knows-who crowd at this dimly lit supper club. The main room¡¯s murals of famous poets, First Ladies, authors, composers and the like were created by caricaturist and cartoonist Edward Sorel. It¡¯s a beautiful, intriguing space ¨C and the burger is delicious.
Address: Waverly Inn, 16 Bank Street, New York, NY, 10014
Website: waverlynyc.com
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