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The Fashion Set’s Favorite New York Hotspots

Cafe Zaffri

New York is a city synonymous with style, but where does the fashion crowd really go? Here, five insiders reveal their favorite restaurants, bars, wellness spots and hidden shopping gems

Lifestyle
A favorite spot of theatergoers, Wild Cherry is conveniently located inside the newly reopened Cherry Lane Theatre

Julia Ferentinos, jeweler and founder of Juju Vera

Wild Cherry, Greenwich Village

“Another great new restaurant that just opened is Wild Cherry inside the old iconic Cherry Lane Theatre, which is from the same owners as Frenchette, Le Rock and Le Veau d’Or. I draw a lot of inspiration from old films for my jewelry designs, so I love this addition to the neighborhood. It’s a perfect night out for dinner and a movie and has a great retro vibe with good food.”

The Commerce Inn, West Village

“If I’m grabbing a drink before dinner with a friend, we usually start out at The Commerce Inn. It’s tucked away on one of the most charming corners of the West Village. You can usually walk in and grab a seat at the bar, and the ambiance is usually a nice balance between quiet and buzzy.”

The West Village is home to some of New York’s best restaurants and vintage shops

Chelsea Flea Market, Chelsea

“This amazing outdoor flea market happens only on Saturdays and Sundays. I go there to source inspiration while sifting through old antique jewelry and always come home with an obscure vintage hat, a piece of art for my apartment and some other random little knickknacks.”

Madame Matovu, West Village

“This is one of my favorite hidden-gem vintage stores in my neighborhood. The owner, Rosemary, is a dear friend, and I stop in all the time to see what new pieces she has. She sources from France, Japan and all over the world. I usually go in if I have a special event coming up and want a unique accessory. I just recently bought an 1920s beaded purse and an old brooch.”

SkinSpoke, West Village

“I’ve been going to SkinSpoke, a small, unpretentious, women-owned facial spa for years. I always see Carol and get the salt exfoliating facial. It’s not painful but it’s definitely not pleasurable, yet I opt in for the torture because the results are truly amazing. She’s very focused on more natural remedies for the skin.”

At the stylish Cove restaurant, a taste of local farmers’ produce and fish is served

Rajni Jacques, global head of fashion and beauty at Snapchat

Cove, Hudson Square

“The menu at Cove evolves constantly, always spotlighting the best seasonal ingredients in a way that feels thoughtful and refined rather than fussy. It’s one of those places where the food is so strong it almost steals focus from the beautifully designed space – and that’s saying something. It’s understated, elegant and effortlessly cool. I love going there to catch up with friends. The tasting menu is the way to go, but the black cod is also a must if you go for the à la carte.”

AIRE Ancient Baths, Tribeca

“Right in the heart of Tribeca, this place is truly heaven. From steam rooms and saunas to jacuzzis and cold plunges, it is the perfect spa for a reset. I always get a 90-minute massage and then go straight to the sauna and steam room.”

Ramen by Ra, East Village

“There is so much creativity in chef Rasheeda Purdie’s soulful approach to ramen. I love the intimate, calm setting, which feels made for slowing down and savoring the food. My favorite dish at Ramen by Ra is the Bacon Roasted Tomato Ramen. I love to go for a quiet late lunch, when it’s usually packed with locals. Please come hungry, take your time and be ready to eat.”

Café Chelsea, Chelsea

“This French American bistro sits inside the iconic Hotel Chelsea, which already gives it an undeniable pull. What keeps me coming back is the ambiance. Café Chelsea’s atmosphere is electric – a mix of history, creativity and modern New York energy – and it always feels alive without being overwhelming. The food is consistently excellent, classic but confident, and the salade niçoise is my personal go-to because it never disappoints. It’s the kind of place where you want to linger and people-watch. Get there around 5pm to see the crowd rush in.”

Reservations are a must at the highly celebrated Ramen by Ra in the East Village
Sant Ambroeus presents a contemporary take on traditional Milanese cuisine, referencing Italy’s fashion capital with its bold décor and outdoor dining space
11 Howard introduces Danish design principles to one of New York’s most desirable shopping districts

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.”

Inside Bemelmans Bar: an Upper East Side establishment famed for its whimsical murals and live music

Jac Cameron, creative director and founder of Rùadh

The Odeon, Tribeca

“The Odeon restaurant 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. While the food hits all the right notes, it’s the crowd that really makes 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. 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 feels like a scene from a classic film. There’s something magical about it. 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.”

Elvis is a Parisian-style café and wine bar serving everything from grilled cheese to steak salad

Bambi Northwood-Blyth, model

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.”

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.”

The pool, steam room and sauna at Fouquet’s Spa Diane Barrière is a calming retreat from the city’s bustling crowds
Fouquet's Spa Diane Barrière is the epitome of relaxation in New York’s Tribeca neighborhood

Fouquet’s Spa Diane Barrière, Tribeca

“When the week takes its toll, Fouquet’s 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.”

The Polo Bar, Midtown

“The Polo Bar is 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.”

Designed with Ralph Lauren’s signature refinement, The Polo Bar offers classic cocktails and delectable dishes

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