The Ned NoMad, The Frick Collection
Just ahead of Bridal Fashion Week, we’ve mapped a route through New York that doesn’t follow the obvious. It’s cafes and restaurants that whisk you straight to Italy with every sip and bite, boutiques that unfold like private oases tucked between city streets, and the most iconic experiences you don't want to miss. From morning coffee to afternoon wandering, from quiet museum corners to evening dinner reservations, we’ve gathered our favorite spots throughout the city below. For anyone seeking the authentic side of New York, these are the must-save spots.
Hotels
Warren Street Hotel
Tucked into the creative fold of Tribeca, Warren Street Hotel is Kit Kemp’s new accent of color in downtown Manhattan. With 69 individually designed rooms, bold patterns throughout the hotel, sculptural lighting, and even private garden terraces in select suites, you feel like you’re staying in a living art gallery. Despite its playful aesthetic, the property is surprisingly serene—rooms are notably quiet even though the skyline views and an animated street life make you aware you’re still in NYC.
The Ned NoMad
In NoMad, The Ned NoMad combines the vintage glamour of the Johnston Building (circa 1903) with the vibrancy of a modern hotel. Its 167 rooms range from compact “crash pads” to full studios with generous living space, and many include freestanding bathtubs or luxurious walk-in showers. While hotel guests have access to Cecconi’s restaurant and Little Ned bar, access to Ned’s Club and some rooftop areas is reserved for members, so staying here gives you a taste of exclusivity without full membership. Restoration here was sensitive with original architectural details like the antique flooring being preserved and woven into the new design narrative.
Public Hotel
Down in the Lower East Side, Public Hotel by Ian Schrager offers a chic and modern counterpoint to classic luxury. With over 350 guest rooms laid out around a dynamic, multiuse lobby and lounge space, it’s as much a social hub as a hotel. The rooftop venue, “The Roof,” is famously panoramic and transitions from daytime lounge to nocturnal hotspot, making it a must-visit even if you’re not staying. The design ethos here is stripped back but bold: minimal ornamentation, sharp lines, subtle lighting, and carefully calibrated zones for work, rest, and interaction.
Restaurants
Monkey Bar
Monkey Bar is a Midtown institution dating back to 1936 that feels like dining in an old jazz bar, with moody lighting, wraparound murals, and plush red banquettes. The menu leans classic with prime steaks (including a gorgonzola-aged rib), French dip, seafood, and boldly composed cocktails. Service is polished, the ambiance feels straight out of a movie set, and the bar section continues to pulse with energy long after the dining room slows.
Zou Zou's
At the intersection of modern and Mediterranean is Zou Zou's: an open-kitchen, live-fire grill space in Manhattan West. Serving Eastern Mediterranean flavors with a fresh and shareable plates, their menu features an abundance of dips, plated vegetables, seafood, lamb, and vibrant salads, often with an element of playful spice or surprise in each dish. The restaurant feels grand but comfortable, making it an ideal choice whether you’re bringing friends or hosting a special evening.
Ci Siamo
Ci Siamo is Daniel Meyer’s refined Italian outpost tucked into the Manhattan West development—unobtrusive in location but unmistakable in presence. It offers consistent, authentic Italian cooking across lunch, dinner, and even late-night drinks or desserts. The interior is bright and composed, with windows, tilework, and an open kitchen that keeps you connected to the rhythm of the space.
Cafes & Coffee Shops
Fellini
What began as a tiny 16-square-foot espresso window in the West Village has expanded into the chicest coffee shops in Chelsea, SoHo, and an upcoming Upper West Side location. Though each Fellini site retains a tight footprint, the brand preserves a consistent Italian savoir-faire and romantic vibe. The menu remains deliberately narrow—espresso, signature lattes, a couple of savory bites or pastries—but every sip feels like a small Italian getaway from the city.
From Lucie
For a quick bite of heavenly cake and a sip of coffee, try From Lucie, the confectionery haven on E 10th Street where Lucie Franc de Ferrière engineers whimsical layered cakes and delicate desserts. Walk in and you’ll find pastel tiers, seasonal flavor shifts, and cakes that feel like works of art. Slices and small pastries sit behind glass, while coffee is available as the perfect accompaniment.
Oases Café
Oases Café in Chelsea is a sun-drenched sanctuary shaped by curved walls, soft tones, and an Ayurvedic philosophy that flows through every detail. The all-day menu celebrates whole ingredients while consciously leaning towards plant-based and avoiding seed oils. Stereoscope coffee from LA and premium Uji matcha are the stars of the drinks list, joined by elixirs, natural wines, and botanical cocktails that blur the line between ritual and pleasure.
Shopping
Stroll the Streets of SoHo
Strolling through the cobblestone streets of SoHo feels like navigating an open-air art gallery. This neighborhood is renowned for its eclectic mix of boutiques, designer showrooms, and art galleries. With everything from high-end fashion houses to independent designers, SoHo offers a diverse shopping experience that caters to a variety of tastes and styles. The area's artistic vibe and historic architecture add to the charm, making it a must-visit for fashion enthusiasts and art lovers alike.
Gohar World
For the ultimate homeware and gifts destination, check out the recently opened Gohar World on Orchard Street. The shop’s devotion to materials like mother-of-pearl, porcelain, and silver offers heirloom pieces in the form of bold, whimsical silhouettes. Gohar is a treasure trove for someone seeking something singular: sculptural, statement, luxury, and unlike anything you’d find in the generic boutique aisles.
Bergdorf Goodman's
Located on Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman epitomizes luxury retail. This iconic department store offers an unparalleled selection of designer clothing, accessories, and home goods. With its opulent interiors and personalized shopping services, a visit to Bergdorf's is an experience in itself. Whether you're in search of the latest collections or timeless classics, this multi-level store provides a curated selection that reflects the pinnacle of fashion.
Vintage Shopping in Williamsburg
For the ultimate vintage treasure hunt in some of NYC's most iconic vintage shops, hit up the Williamsburg neighborhood in Brooklyn. Here you'll find highly curated pieces at every price point: Amarcord Vintage’s polished Chanel tweeds and silk blouses sit alongside hand-selected rarities while Awoke Vintage draws in casual shoppers and celebrity browsers into a labyrinth of worn-in classics. Two other favorites are Seven Wonders Collective and By Liv Handmade, beckoning wandering hands through antique remakes, 70s sequins, and pastel knits.
Seven Wonders Collective, By Liv Handmade
Experiences
The Frick Collection
For a more intimate alternative to the famous Metropolitan Museum of Art, try The Frick Collection, located in a Fifth Avenue mansion. Former home to steel magnate Henry Clay Frick, the private art collection has been made public again in 2025 after multi-year renovations and a café addition. A must-visit oasis in the city, you can visit collections of Old Masters, decorative arts, sculpture, and furniture now live both in formerly public rooms and in the once-private upstairs quarters, allowing visitors to walk paths once reserved for the Frick family.
The Frick Collection, Leila Brewster
The High Line
The High Line is Manhattan’s elevated promenade and trail of greenery that threads through the city above the streets. Once an abandoned rail line, it is now home to wild gardens, contemporary art installations, and curated seating areas with sweeping skyline views. Walking it feels less like sightseeing and more like a slow, meandering exhibition with the city shifting beneath you.
Guggenheim
A stark contrast to Manhattan's structured skyline, The Guggenheim is arguably the city’s most iconic museum with its curved and spiraled architecture. Perched on the Upper East Side along Museum Mile, you'll discover modern art in a building that feels all at once futuristic, timeless, and minimalist. Inside, light pools and bends, changing the way you see each work as you move.
