By Rachel Feinblatt By Rachel Feinblatt | January 21, 2025 | Culture, Lifestyle, Culture Feature, Lifestyle Feature,
From designer splurges to dining at the neighborhood’s trendiest spots, this is your ultimate cheat sheet to the Upper East Side.
Casa Tua’s lounge is the ultimate see-and-be-seen spot on the Upper East Side.
Avra
Avra Estiatorio whisks you away to the shores of Greece with every bite. Its menu is an ode to Greek cuisine, where recipes dazzle in creations like crispy Avra chips, Chilean sea bass souvlaki and lobster pasta. Opa! 14 E. 60 St.,theavragroup.com
Butterfield
Each product on Butterfield Market’s shelves reflects a legacy of quality and creativity. From a mouthwatering sushi bar to a tempting frozen yogurt section and an array of prepared dishes, this one-stop dining destination offers endless options for every craving. Multiple locations,butterfieldmarket.com
Café Boulud
Designed by Jeffrey Beers, Café Boulud exudes the refined charm of the Upper East Side, blending contemporary elegance with garden-inspired freshness. Its globally influenced menu feels eclectic and familiar, while its partnership with Maison BARNES adds a salon-like sophistication. 100 E. 63 St.,cafeboulud.com
Casa Tua
Casa Tua brings its signature blend of flavor and sophistication to Manhattan. Its public restaurant offers a refined dining experience, while the second floor provides members with exclusive access to private event spaces and curated experiences, including art showcases, live music, wellness retreats and master classes. 20 E. 76 St.,casatualife.com
JG Melon
JG Melon, an Upper East Side staple, charms locals and visitors with its iconic burgers and cozy vibe. Its green-and-white tablecloths and vintage jukebox exude nostalgic warmth. 1291 3rd Ave.,jgmelon-nyc.com
Mezzaluna
Since 1984, Mezzaluna has been a cherished spot for authentic Italian cuisine, offering delights like the Polanca salad, irresistible pizzas and indulgent pasta dishes—now that’s amore. 1295 3rd Ave.,mezzalunanyc.com
Nightly’s
In Tune Hospitality, led by Massimo Lusardi, brings European elegance to a reimagined dining experience. The menu features creative spins on bistro classics, like a cod and inventive Smash Burger. Designed by Lusardi and Jayne Moore, the stylish space boasts custom lighting and checkered wood floors, exuding European charm. 1496 2nd Ave.,nightlysnyc.com
T Bar
Tony Fortuna and Derek Axelrod introduce T Bar to the Upper East Side, serving innovative bites like crispy sushi and seared Spanish octopus, alongside classics like thin-crust pizza and shrimp cocktails. The chic interiors, designed by Axelrod and Lesly Zamor, include an inviting upstairs lounge for post-dinner mingling. 116 E. 60 St.,tbar.nyc
Chanel
Chanel’s Upper East Side boutique exudes luxury and sophistication, with meticulously curated decor and layout showcasing the brand’s iconic fashion, eyewear, watches, and fine jewelry. 737 Madison Ave.,chanel.com
elysewalker
Celebrate 25 years of elysewalker, the Pacific Palisades boutique turned luxury powerhouse now on Madison Avenue. Featuring premier labels like Saint Laurent, Chloe, and Valentino, it’s a chic destination for fashion-forward locals. 926 Madison Ave.,elysewalker.com
FoundRae
FoundRae’s Madison Avenue store showcases the brand’s unique charms and treasures
FoundRae’s second New York store on the Upper East Side blends striking jewelry with rich interiors of walnut wood, camel leather and red accents. Bookcases add to the creative atmosphere. The location at 777 holds special meaning for founder Beth Hutchens. 777 Madison Ave.,foundrae.com
Jimmy Choo
Jimmy Choo’s newly relocated flagship is the ultimate storefront for luxury footwear and accessories. Embodying the brand’s legacy of elegance and craftsmanship, it’s the perfect spot for stilettos or accessories in this stylish neighborhood. 667 Madison Ave.,us.jimmychoo.com
Johanna Ortiz
Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz debuts her Manhattan flagship, a four-story, 3,422-square-foot showcase of Latin American artistry. The store offers gowns, ready-to-wear, vacation essentials, and exclusive New York pieces. 799 Madison Ave.,johannaortiz.com
Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren’s flagship embodies timeless style with a curated selection from Polo Ralph Lauren to the refined Ralph Lauren Collection. The store reflects the brand’s dedication to craftsmanship and quality, symbolizing Upper East Side sophistication for men, women and children. Multiple locations,ralphlauren.com
Zadig & Voltaire
Zadig & Voltaire’s Madison flagship boutique reflects the brand’s chic aesthetic.
Zadig & Voltaire’s Upper East Side boutiques combine French sophistication with timeless elegance. Located on Madison Avenue, they feature luxurious fabrics, signature cashmere, and rock ‘n’ roll-inspired accessories, embodying the brand’s chic, understated luxury. Multiple locations,zadig-et-voltaire.com
The Mark
At The Mark, guests enjoy iconic black-and-white interiors, a serene atmosphere, and dining at Caviar Kaspia and The Mark Restaurant. The luxury extends to Frederic Fekkai salon, The Mark Haute Dog Cart, Jean-Georges’ Pedicab & Picnic in the Park and Le Shop, offering elegance at every turn. 25 E. 77 St.,themarkhotel.com
The Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel
relax and unwind at The Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel
The Surrey is making waves with its 16-story redesign by Martin Brudnizki. Featuring 70 rooms, 30 suites and 14 private residences, it blends luxury and comfort with highlights including Casa Tua’s NYC debut, a Sisley Paris spa and art collection. 20 E. 76 St.,corinthia.com
The Carlyle
Since 1930, The Carlyle Hotel has epitomized luxury and elegance. Designed by Bien & Prince and named after British essayist Thomas Carlyle, it remains a Manhattan landmark. Guests can dine at Dowling’s, Café Carlyle, The Gallery, or Bemelmans Bar. 35 E. 76 St.,rosewoodhotels.com
Keys & Heels
Hidden behind an old shoe repair shop, Keys & Heels transports guests to another world. Go beyond the “closed” door sign and discover a plush cocktail lounge with live DJs, secret Magic Shows, and inventive cocktails that capture the venue’s charm. Playful names like the Late Night Lover, Midnight Maverick and The Alchemist, each offer a taste of mischief and allure. 1488 2nd Ave.,keysandheels.com
Le Bar Penelope
From The Avra Group comes Le Bar Penelope, a chic new lounge next to Avra. Its stylish design features custom furnishings, hand-blown Italian glass, and murals, creating an unforgettable ambiance. Enjoy luxurious offerings like caviar, raw bar selections, and curated small plates paired with inventive cocktails and a curated list of wines and champagnes for a night of indulgence. 14 E. 60 St.,theavragroup.com
Ralph’s Coffee
Facade of Ralph’s Coffee, where Ralph Lauren’s timeless American spirit shines.
Ralph’s Coffee stands out as the best and most Instagrammable coffee shop on the Upper East Side. Representing the timeless American spirit of the Ralph Lauren brand with a fresh, bright, authentic atmosphere, Ralph’s Coffee creates the perfect ambiance for guests to relax and savor their coffee. 888 Madison Ave.,ralphlauren.com
The Formula x Meredith
With 16 years in the fitness industry, Meredith Shumway introduces The Formula x Meredith, a dynamic 60-minute workout blending HIIT, Pilates, functional training, and barre for a balanced, versatile routine that builds strength and flexibility. 1651 3rd Ave., Fl. 3,theformulaxmeredith.com
Natural Pilates
Natural Pilates, founded by Laura Wilson, opens its second NYC location on the Upper East Side this January. Blending classical Pilates with athleticism and the intensity of personal training, the studio offers accessible, effective workouts with cutting-edge equipment for all fitness levels, including celebrities. 244 E 84th St., 4th Floor, naturalpilates.com
SLT
SLT, standing for Strengthen, Lengthen and Tone, is a 50-minute, muscle-quivering, heart-pumping, total body workout. The method is a reformer-based strength training—and for more than a decade, it has been a go-to fitness routine on the Upper East Side, offering a results-driven approach to physical well-being. Under the guiding philosophy of being “better sore than sorry,” these classes welcome anyone looking to engage in a diverse and enriching exercise experience. Multiple locations,sltnyc.com
Maison Orveda New York
Orveda, the French skincare brand celebrated for its biotech innovations, has debuted its first U.S. flagship, Maison Orveda New York. This elegant 3,840-square-foot boutique blends science and sophistication, offering advanced skincare treatments, exclusive products, and the debut of the Haute Parfumerie collection, Infiniment Coty Paris. With its spa, retail space, and events like masterclasses and art exhibitions, the boutique is a luxurious haven of beauty and innovation, continuing Orveda’s global expansion. 1020 Madison Ave.,us.orveda.com
Photography by: PHOTO BY JONATHAN MALONEY/INGA BECKMANN FOR WHAT THE FOX STUDIO; PHOTOS: BY AARON WEISS; COURTESY OF BRAND