Nothing captures the mood of New York City quite like the sea of blue and orange that flooded the streets this summer: euphoric Knicks fans celebrating a basketball victory more than half a century in the making. The city is having something of a renaissance, with optimism surrounding Zohran Mamdani’s first year as mayor; the pop-and-sport wedding that turned Madison Square Garden into the world’s most glamorous chapel; and Louis Vuitton’s three-year partnership with the newly restored Frick Collection, where it recently staged its Cruise 2027 show.
The dining scene has never felt more vibrant, either – from the arrival of Mūje to the hotly anticipated opening of Straker’s, where reservations are set to be among the hardest to secure. Elsewhere, Ferrari’s first lifestyle flagship in SoHo is giving shoppers fresh reasons to linger, while Issey Miyake is expanding its New York footprint with the opening of a new flagship at 45 Madison Avenue. And next month, the film world is set to descend on the Lincoln Center for the New York Film Festival, while in October, Broadway welcomes Tom Hiddleston in Much Ado About Nothing and MoMA unveils Brancusi: The Artist and His Studio. In short: New York is the city break to take this year.
Here, its most stylish insiders tell us where they’ll be eating, drinking and shopping this season.
The Ultimate Guide To New York, By Locals
Molly Blutstein, Fashion Influencer
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‘I love Jacqueline Sullivan Gallery. It has a beautiful assortment of furniture and objects on display. I have yet to see a show there that I didn’t like. Cafe Kestrel is the cutest restaurant in Red Hook, Brooklyn, with delicious food, good design and the best service. It also has its back patio open in warmer months, which is really lovely.’
Sophie Roe, Chef
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‘The coolest listening bar in Tribeca is All Blues. It has got an amazing but very simple bar menu, the most unbelievable sound system and such good vibes. I love this place. And the Django is underneath the Roxy Hotel and has a jazz-cellar-type vibe. The acoustics are next level, and the vibes are so freaking sexy. It’s a tone-setter for a night out and the perfect place to get dressed up with all your friends without feeling like you need to go to the club all night.’
Sofie Pavitt, Facialist
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‘I’m a bit biased, but I always recommend a stop at my facial studio, Sofie Pavitt Skincare Studio. After treating yourself, wander over to Orchard Street, where some of my favourite shops are. I stop at Sandy Liang – it always has the coolest selection. Then, visit Regina’s Grocery across the street for a sandwich before heading to Eel Bar for a martini.'
Rajni Jacques, Fashion Director
‘I love the Afro-Caribbean cuisine at Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi and how exciting and intriguing each plate is. The ambience always feels right, too. Dimes Square can be a bit much, but it boasts some great food. Or head to Nine Orchard – Corner Bar has a wonderful neighbourhood feel, and the cocktails always provide a conversation starter. For an upper-echelon feel with the same high quality, you can go right next door to Swan Bar. And for the best atmosphere, go to Bar Oliver. This San Sebastián-inspired spot is a fantastic place to hang out and chill with friends. They have a great wine selection and even better snacks.’
Marjon Carlos, Podcast Host and Journalist
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‘I live in Ridgewood and local restaurant Rolo’s brings the girls out, far and wide. The food is excellent and never disappoints, and its famous burgers sell out quickly. It’s perfect for date nights with your friends or your boo. I love Climax Books by Isabella Burley, too – the curation is excellent and so pointed. It’s always a treat to find a good bookstore that serves as a cultural nerve centre. And while I know New York is full of members’ clubs right now, I have really been loving Moss in Midtown. Its subterranean hammam is such an oasis.’
Lynette Nylander, Editor
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‘Straker’s is one of my must-visits when I’m in London, and I’ve been waiting for its NYC outpost on Grand Street a long time. It’s the sort of delicious but un-fancy fare I really love. I’ve been furiously checking Instagram, and it seems like its launch has been pushed back, but as soon as it’s open, I’ll be first in line.’
Nell Diamond, Founder of Hill House Home
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‘The streets of New York are calling, and my three picks are in my favourite neighbourhood, the West Village – all with outdoor tables where you can sit and watch the city go by. In the morning, head to Café Panino Mucho Giusto on Hudson Street. I’ve been getting coffee here since before my children were born, and now I tote them along for freshly squeezed orange juice at the weekend. The staff are lovely and the paninis are objectively perfect.
'Walking the West Village on any given afternoon is to wonder, “Does anyone here have a job?” – and then, “Should I order an Aperol spritz?” May I suggest pausing at the brand-new Le Dive, where it is impossible not to feel lucky: to snag a perfectly positioned bistro table; to people-watch down 7th Avenue; to simply exist in the greatest city on earth. And by evening, move over to Tartine; it’s a West Village classic that still feels like a secret. Try the spicy chicken and fries before enjoying a stroll down the prettiest street in the West Village – West 11th, which the city temporarily renamed “Jalen Brunson Boulevard” in honour of our Knicks captain.’
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