The Fashion Set’s Favorite New York Hotspots
New York is a city synonymous with style, so where are the favorite hangouts of the fashion crowd? Below, KATIE BERRINGTON asks three insiders to share their most beloved bars, restaurants and hotels – for fashion week and beyond
Chrissy Rutherford, writer, podcaster and content creator
Cafe Zaffri, Union Square
“This has quickly become one of my new favorite spots – not surprising though, because it’s from the same women who created fashion’s fave restaurant, Raf’s. Cafe Zaffri has a glamorous and sexy vibe without feeling pretentious – from the gorgeous marble bars and the low lighting to the velvet banquets and floral wallpaper in the main dining room. I love the skewer service at lunch and the half chicken for dinner.”
Sant Ambroeus, SoHo
“I am a regular at Sant Ambroeus. The Lafayette Street location can be really touristy because of its proximity to Broadway, but sometimes you’ll see Frank Ocean or Lauren Santo Domingo having lunch there. It is undoubtedly the best spot for people-watching, provided you’re lucky enough to get a table outside on a nice day.”
11 Howard, SoHo
“Since I live in the suburbs outside NYC, I typically stay in a hotel for a few days during fashion week, and 11 Howard is my go-to. I appreciate that the rooms are designed with a very clean and minimalist aesthetic, the room service is great, the lighting in the bathroom is optimal for filming videos, and you really can’t beat the location. There’s a great café, Butler, just around the corner for an early-morning coffee and pastry run on the way to a show or appointment.”
Jac Cameron, creative director and founder of Rùadh
The Odeon, Tribeca
“This place is a true New York classic – I’m here at least three times a week (perks of living around the corner). It’s got that old-world charm that wraps around you the moment you step inside. Think vintage French-American comfort food, warm lighting and a giant clock above the bar that feels like it’s seen decades of stories unfold.
“After reading Keith McNally's memoir, I’ve developed a whole new level of respect for the interiors. The design details aren’t just pretty – they’re iconic. And while the food hits all the right notes – especially the vegetarian niçoise salad – it’s the crowd and the vibe that really make this place sing. Artists, bankers, downtown creatives and uptown eccentrics all go here to sip martinis and dine together.
“My ideal scene? Parked at the bar on a rainy evening, cocktail in hand, watching the city’s characters drift in and out.”
Souen, East Village
“I first came to Souen over 20 years ago, during my early days in New York, and it’s been a steady part of my life ever since. The food is macrobiotic, Japanese and consistently nourishing – simple in the best way. My favorites include the yuba (tofu skin) macro plate, kimpira cold noodle salad and their surprisingly great pad thai. When I’m feeling under the weather, the puréed veggie soup and a cup of twig tea always seem to do the trick.
“Souen has never needed to shout to be noticed. It’s calm, familiar and deeply New York in the way only long-established places can be.”
Bemelmans Bar, Upper East Side
“Bemelmans is one of those rare places that feels more New York than anywhere else I’ve ever been. A legendary jazz bar tucked inside The Carlyle hotel on the Upper East Side, it offers live jazz seven nights a week – and every night feels like a scene from a classic film.
“There’s something magical about this place. Maybe it’s the setting, or the elegance, or perhaps it’s the sense that anything could happen here. Dressing up and heading to Bemelmans always feels like an event. You never know who you’ll bump into.
“The atmosphere is famously glamorous, with Art Deco touches and those beloved murals by Ludwig Bemelmans. I always make my friends try to find the tiny dachshund hidden in the artwork. Bemelmans also holds a special place in my heart – it’s where my husband and I had our wedding party. Coming back for our anniversary, sitting in the same room where our friends and family once danced to jazz, makes it feel even more special.”
Bambi Northwood-Blyth, model
Embriago Coffee, Lower East Side
“Located just off Bowery, Embriago is where I like to get my morning coffee after a walk. Robin, the owner, is incredibly kind, and the space has a calm, easy-going energy. I always opt for a hot Americano – even in the summer – although I’ve heard the cold brew is great, too.”
Kettl, NoHo
“I wasn’t a matcha person until I tried Kettl. This little window spot has completely changed that. I’ll do just about anything to swing by for an afternoon matcha. My order is the iced Hukuju cortado with a splash of pistachio milk – it's light, balanced and gives me the energy boost I need to make it through the afternoon.”
Elvis, NoHo
“Ideal for a golden-hour pause, Elvis is intimate and cinematic. I like the little window seat inside, where you can sip, snack and people-watch like you’re in a stylish film. Outdoors, there are larger tables for groups – but inside feels like a secret.”
The Polo Bar, Midtown
“A forever New York classic. Start with a drink upstairs at the bar – the lighting, the details, everything feels considered. Downstairs, the dining room sets a rich mood with emerald-green walls, polished silver and Ralph Lauren plates with Polo motifs throughout. You really can’t go wrong with the menu – I tend to order the Santa Barbara salad and a glass of white Burgundy.”
Fouquet’s Spa Diane Barrière, Tribeca
“When the week takes its toll, this is the place to reset. It’s elegant without being overdone, and the entire space is beautiful. After just an hour here, I feel fully recharged. The spa features a full range of treatments, or you can enjoy the sauna and steam room. Make sure you’re camera-ready when you leave – the hotel lobby and surrounding area are always full of people.”
RELATED READING
11 of the most stylish New York hotels
How I curate my space: Athena Calderone’s elegant and homely NYC atelier
The people featured in this story are not associated with NET-A-PORTER and do not endorse it or the products shown