An UES Guide

dressed for the city

Making the UES a home means I’ve developed a pretty solid routine of favorite spots I return to again and again. From my go-to iced coffee and breakfast orders to the stores I always pop into, the martinis worth ordering, and the little luxuries that make everyday life in the city feel special these are my recs!

but first, coffee

Starting with the obvious: coffee. Grace's Deli on 72nd and Lex is my go-to for an easy iced coffee (always with flavored creamer), Ralph's is perfect for sitting outside and has a great matcha, and Butterfield Market they always have coconut and Hazleneut flavored iced coffee and I switch off. For a real treat, nothing beats a Saint Ambroeus iced cappuccino. Bel Ami is one of my favorite spots for an iced coffee and a small bite, it feels like you're sitting at a little European café. Birley Bakery is another recent favorite. It’s absolutely adorable and feels like a little slice of Europe on the Upper East Side. I stopped in the other day and tried the matcha, ordering it half water and half almond milk, which made it super refreshing and not too heavy. It’s also conveniently right next to La DoubleJ’s new townhouse that opened last week.

start the day off strong

Now let’s talk breakfast and lunch spots because I have so many that I really love. Starting off strong with Via Quadronno where I grab the tomato basil mozz on toasted baguette, Casa Tua surprisingly has my most favorite yogurt parfait, Orsay is a truly classic UES institution with excellent French food - the shrimp salad is delishhhh. Wouldn’t be an UES runthrough without mentioning Butterfield Market for grab and go sandwiches, my personal fav is the new veggie sandwich and the salmon and cream cheese on whole wheat is delicious, and Serafina Juice Bar has great to go sandwiches and it’s the probably the cheapest sandwich in the city. Honorable mention Mezzaluna was about to close but got saved, thank god!!

retail therapy

If you’re gonna go shopping, which I definitely am, we have some pretty good stops on the lineup so here are my personal picks. Casa Salmaa for unique home stuff right on Lex, Still Here New York have my fav drawstring toggle jeans and they got in cute pastels for the Spring, and Edit New York up in the 90s totally deserves their name because the selection is so well curated. Of course you have Khaite, The Row, all the big names on Madison. Moving a little east of Madison you have Brandy Melville and Katie J for the teens - Coco love’s their jeans! Also can’t forget The Westside, the only store to carry Cocoincashmere x Agolde ;)

sweet tooth

One thing about me is I’m always ready for a sweet treat. Fro yo has taken over the city and I’m not mad about it. My forever favorite is Butterfield Market half coffee half peanut butter, Mimi’s is coming to the UES, Madison Fare never fails and Van Leeuwen on 96th and Madison now does fro yo too! If you want a delicious treat but don’t love frozen yogurt, Glace has the best frozen hot chocolate with a candy store next door. Nuts Factory for the best dried fruits and candy, Coco and Steele are obsessed with swedish candy so BonBon is the winner, and Lady M multi level pastry that they are known for never disappoints. Honorable mention the Saint Ambroeus principessa cake of course!

dinner time

For dinner, these are the reservations I find myself making on repeat. Chez Fifi feels like an instant trip to Paris. Café Commerce is worth it for the birthday cake and the chips with sour cream and caviar. At The Mark Restaurant by Jean-Georges I can never resist a crisp glass of wine and the poached shrimp salad. Kappo Masa is definitely a splurge, but the vibe is unmatched, while Tokugawa is my more low-key spot for cold sushi, sake, and wine. Dear Margo is one of the newest additions to the neighborhood and already a favorite, and Elio’s is a family classic I’ll never get tired of. Marcel in the iconic Sotheby’s Breuer building is as chic as it sounds. For omakase that doesn’t feel outrageous, Sushi Ishikawa is always a good idea, especially with a glass of orange wine. And Mykonian House is perfect when I’m in the mood for Greek and one of the best martinis on the Upper East Side.

self care

When I need a little reset, these are the places I trust completely. ORA Space has the calmest energy and is my go-to for acupuncture, Sage + Sound feels like an instant exhale and does the best lymphatic drainage, and Brightwood Skin is where I book my favorite dermaplane and diamond facial and always leave glowing.

These are the places that make me fall in love with New York over and over again. If you’re spending a day on the Upper East Side, this is exactly where I’d send you.