12 of the Most Stylish Restaurants in New York City
Jennifer Calais Smith1/12With over 24,000 eating establishments to choose from, diners in New York City could eat at a different restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day for 8,000 days—or 22 years— straight. We’re narrowing down the prospects with a list of 12 restaurants that not only quell your hunger but also satisfy your visual appetite. From chic neighborhood joints to Michelin-starred masterpieces, these high-design restaurants have been crafted by such luminaries as AD100 firm Roman and Williams, architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and buzzy studio AvroKO.
Shown: Four Seasons RestaurantFor 57 years the Four Seasons Restaurant has delighted foodies and architecture lovers alike. The restaurant is not only an architectural icon, designed by Philip Johnson and Mies van der Rohe in the modern International Style, but also a haven for art. Works by Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, and Roy Lichtenstein, among others, have graced its walls over the decades. The Four Seasons’ lease expires on July 31, however, so hurry to catch a last glimpse of its marvelous design and a last taste of its elegant menu.
99 East 52nd Street, New York; fourseasonsrestaurant.com
2/12L’Amico
A bold geometric floor takes center stage in this rustic-chic Italian restaurant designed by Brooklyn-based firm Crème. “I’ve taken my memories of meals with family and friends and re-created the experience in Chelsea,” chef Laurent Tourondel told AD in November. Exposed beams and floor-to-ceiling windows add to the charm of the space.
849 Avenue of the Americas, New York; lamico.nyc
3/12Beauty & Essex
Capitalizing on the popular speakeasy vibe, this two-story restaurant hides behind a real pawnshop. Open the door in the back and you’ll enter a swanky spot decorated by local hospitality design firm AvroKO. In one room, sumptuous red walls are capped with a sculptural beaded canopy. In another, dark wood chairs and silver banquettes sit beneath a bold skylight. A third showcases antique mirrors and frames that surround decorative pendants.
146 Essex Street, New York; beautyandessex.com
4/12La Chine
In November 2015, the Waldorf Astoria New York opened its newest culinary endeavor, La Chine, which replaced Oscar’s American Brasserie. As evidenced by its name, the restaurant serves sophisticated Chinese cuisine, and local firm Studio Gaia tapped into Chinese aesthetics for the space’s design. The dining room’s features a calm lavender-and-chartreuse palette, and golden cherry blossoms and classical ink paintings accent the walls.
540 Lexington Avenue, New York; lachinenyc.com
JOSHUA McHUGH5/12Polo Bar
Brass, wood paneling, and leather abound in signature Ralph Lauren style at the Polo Bar, created by the famed designer. “I love the mix—the elegance of the atmosphere and the comfort of good food,” he said of the restaurant, which serves classic American fare, to Architectural Digest last year. “There is a warmth and rusticity that is very special to the place.”
1 East 55th Street, New York; ralphlauren.com
NOAH FECKS6/12Lafayette
At this NoHo brasserie and bakery, casual elegance reigns supreme. Decorated by Roman and Williams, Lafayette is housed in a landmark building designed by Henry J. Hardenbergh, who also built the Dakota Apartments near Central Park. The restaurant’s lofty ceilings and massive windows create an airy atmosphere that welcomes diners for a relaxed meal.
380 Lafayette Street, New York; lafayetteny.com
7/12Piora
Korean, Italian, and American tastes collide at this West Village eatery. Though the dining room is quite intimate, wall-to-wall windows in the back of the space look out onto a lush garden, making it feel much larger. Leather-top tables, exposed wood ceiling beams, and simple, swirling wall decorations complete the space.
430 Hudson Street, New York; pioranyc.com
8/12Ginny’s Supper Club
Head uptown to visit this lively spot that captures the hip vibes of Harlem. Beneath the famed Red Rooster Harlem restaurant is this retro supper club, complete with patterned screens, funky curtains, and mirrored panels. Don’t expect a quiet evening—the place is known for its live music, ranging from Latin to jazz, which is sure to have you up on your feet.
310 Lenox Avenue, New York; ginnyssupperclub.com
marchphoto20149/12Upland
Another Roman and Williams design, Upland’s decor reflects the rustic menu that chef Justin Smillie’s derived from his Californian roots. Natural oak dominates the space, which also features blown-glass and copper elements. Artist Wayne Pate painted murals for the restaurant depicting Californian produce.
345 Park Avenue South, New York; uplandnyc.com
©gabrielestabile/LP10/12Momofuku Ko
In 2014 David Chang’s Momofuku Ko reopened in its new space off a tiny alley in the East Village. The polished interiors feature a black-walnut counter surrounding the open kitchen and a bold multimedia work by graffiti artist David Choe. 8 Extra Place, New York; ko.momofuku.com
11/12Cherche Midi
Channeling a French countryside aesthetic, this bistro, which appropriately serves French fare, is the latest project by legendary New York restaurateur Keith McNally. Behind the brick-and-pine façade you’ll find painted-tin ceilings, patterned floors, and subway-tile columns. A creamy yellow palette is accented by red leather seating and olive green shelving.
282 Bowery, New York; cherchemidiny.com
© 2011 Francesco Tonelli - All Rights Reserved12/12Eleven Madison Park
As one of the highest-rated restaurants in New York (and, in fact, in the world), it comes as no surprise that Eleven Madison Park has a dazzling interior, devised by Locust Valley–based firm Bentel & Bentel. The grand double-height dining room, housed within the landmarked Metropolitan Life tower, impresses with its elaborately decorated molding. To the side of this space is the cozy bar, which sits beneath a sculptural gold-leafed ceiling.
11 Madison Avenue, New York; elevenmadisonpark.com
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