Today marks the start of the most stylish of weeks in a city where the sartorial bar is high year-round: New York Fashion Week. But even if you don’t have front-row tickets to the runway shows, you can still get a piece of the fashionable action—just grab a table or a barstool at one of these stylish hangouts. (BYO Instagram husband.)
Where to Eat (and People Watch) During New York Fashion Week
Claudette
Greenwich Village or the South of France? It’s a toss-up at this Provençal charmer, which boasts one of the city’s loveliest sidewalk cafés in summer (though the interior is plenty Instagrammable too). Be sure to order the roasted beet salad, summer vegetable tagine and superlative pommes frites.
24 Fifth Ave.; claudettenyc.com
The Pool Lounge
The cocktail component of the Seagram Building’s acclaimed dining room, the Pool, is easily one of the best places to drink in Midtown, and for good reason: Its luxurious AF space and artfully designed cocktails (like the Pistachio, with gin, lemon juice, honey syrup, egg white, muddled kumquat and pistachio) will make you feel like a million bucks.
99 E. 52nd St.; thepoolnewyork.com
Chinese Tuxedo + Peachy’s
Inside an old opera house in Chinatown, you’ll find a contemporary restaurant where you can feast on honey-glazed pork belly and Hong Kong–style whole lobster with egg noodles. Head to the downstairs speakeasy, Peachy’s, for Gucci tiger wallpaper, pink neon lights, DJ-spun beats and superfood cocktails.
5 Doyers St.; chinesetuxedo.com
Bagatelle
The Meatpacking hot spot perhaps best known for its particularly lit brunch knows that the party doesn’t stop in the post-mimosa hours, which is why it’s offering a special #FashionablyLate menu from 9 to 11 p.m. during Fashion Week. For $45, you’ll get a glass of bubbly, an appetizer and an entrée (with an option to add dessert for $10).
1 Little W. 12th St.; bagatellenyc.com
Nomo Kitchen
With an inviting, secret garden—esque entrance smack dab in the middle of Soho, it’s no wonder this hotel restaurant is always packed. Stop by for the $1 oyster happy hour (5 to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday) and stick around for more substantial fare like pork belly with pickled rhubarb and strawberry.
9 Crosby St.; nomosoho.com
Santina
Located down the street from fashion hub Milk Studios, this breezy oasis under the High Line is guaranteed to attract an even more stylish crowd than usual. Though you may be too distracted by the fresh Amalfi—coast inspired menu (think spicy lobster pasta and burrata with tomato-almond pesto) to notice.
820 Washington St.; santinanyc.com
Armani Ristorante
You can’t get much more fah-shun than a restaurant inside the eponymous luxury brand’s Fifth Avenue store. Much like the designer’s wearable goods, the food and ambience are lavish, modern and Italian (don’t miss the epic bread basket).
717 Fifth Ave.; armani.com
Philippe Chow
This upscale Beijing-style eatery on the Upper East Side is famous for its Peking duck (carved at your table), “green prawns” (spinach-infused shrimp stir-fried with green chilis), decadent desserts (like cotton-candy baked Alaska) and celeb fans including Cardi B and Rihanna.
33 E. 60th St.; philippechow.com
The Loyal
Chef John Fraser (the guy behind chic veggie-forward eateries Narcissa and Nix) goes for classic tavern vibes at his newest offering. Settle into a cushy booth for hearty fare like a Comté-topped burger with duck-fat tater tots, truffle polenta and a DIY sundae that comes with an assortment of candy toppings.
289 Bleecker St.; loyalrestaurant.com
Miss Lily’s
The festive Caribbean spot attracts a gorgeous crowd on an average night, so it’s sure to be even more photogenic than usual when the fashion mobs descend. Order some jerk chicken and mac-and-cheese pie, and soak up the reggae soundtrack and Jamaican-diner vibes.
132 W. Houston St.; misslilys.com
Bubby’s
Where do A-listers go to eat fried chicken and pancakes? Bubby’s, of course (just ask Chrissy Teigen and John Legend, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin). But if you ask us, the real celebrities here are the Southern-inspired menu items and some of the city’s best pies.
Two locations; bubbys.com
The 18th Room
This sexy new speakeasy from the owner of nearby Bathtub Gin takes its name from the 18th Amendment (which ushered in Prohibition). While the decor is Jazz Age—inspired, the menu has a decidedly modern twist: a selection of sustainable cocktails that use kitchen leftovers that would otherwise be discarded.
134 Ninth Ave.; the18throom.com
Maman
Need a quick caffeine fix between celeb sightings? Grab a cappuccino or a lavender hot chocolate from Maman: The charming French café is collaborating with equally charming French brand Sézane for limited-edition, begging-to-be-’Grammed floral to-go cups through September 20. And for each drink sold, $1 will be donated to Sézane’s nonprofit, dedicated to creating opportunities for underserved children around the world.
Multiple locations; mamannyc.com