Polished. Cultural. Money talks quietly.
Best Bars & Restaurants in Upper East Side (UES)
Museum Mile, Park Avenue wealth, and the most classic New York neighborhood there is.
- Classic
- Upscale
- Cultural
- Residential
- Diverse-Dining
More top places in Upper East Side
Restaurants, bars and cafes, ranked by rating and how many reviews back it, after the three above.
- Rank 4
- Rank 5
Restaurants & Dining
Dear Margo
5.0 out of 5Price level $$Mediterranean restaurant from restaurateur Dean Pashalis, named after his Greek grandmother. Shareable mezze plates, grilled skewers, and small plates in a cozy UES corner spot. Former Neil's Coffee Shop space.
- Rank 6
Coffee & Casual
Green Mandala
5.0 out of 5Price level $Handcrafted juices, smoothies, shot and acai bowls made with the freshest ingredient for your health lifestyle. Indulge in our expertly crafted cold-pressed juices, potent wellness shots, and vibrant acai bowls—designed to nourish and energize.
- Rank 7
Restaurants & Dining
Osaka Sushi NYC
5.0 out of 5Price level $$Osaka Sushi NYC is a well-known japanese restaurant in Upper East Side, Manhattan. Serving quality food in a welcoming atmosphere.
- Rank 8
Coffee & Casual
Venchi Chocolate & Gelato UES
4.9 out of 5Price level $$$1117 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10075
- Rank 9
Coffee & Casual
INCREPEABLE - Crêpe Cafe
5.0 out of 5INCREPEABLE - Crêpe Cafe is a favorite bakery spot in Upper East Side, Manhattan. Perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed break.
- Rank 10
Restaurants & Dining
SAPERAVI UES
4.9 out of 5Price level $$Explore Saperavi, an authentic Georgian restaurant, for a delicious experience. Our fresh and delightful dishes bring the comforting vibes of our country, Georgia, to your table.
- Rank 11
Restaurants & Dining
Krispy Chickpea
5.0 out of 5Price level $$Krispy Chickpea is a well-known middle eastern restaurant in Upper East Side, Manhattan. Serving quality food in a welcoming atmosphere.
- Rank 12
Bars & Nightlife
Shaken Not Stirred
4.9 out of 5Price level $$$Shaken Not Stirred is a bar in Upper East Side described by visitors as drinks-focused, relaxed atmosphere, known for excellent service. Based on 10 reviews.
What to do in Upper East Side
Every category, narrowed to this neighborhood.
Photo: The Penrose BarDrinks & Nightlife in Upper East SideBest bars, cocktail lounges, rooftop bars, dive bars, and late-night drinks in Upper East Side. Happy hour deals, speakeasies, wine bars, and where the locals actually go after midnight.Cocktail bars, Rooftop bars, Speakeasies, Wine bars
Photo: THEP Thai RestaurantFood in Upper East SideBest restaurants and places to eat in Upper East Side. From brunch spots and cheap eats to fine dining, pizza, sushi, and the holes-in-the-wall you won't find on TripAdvisor.Pizza, Sushi, Brunch, Steakhouses
Photo: Levain BakeryCasual & Social in Upper East SideBest coffee shops, cafes, bakeries, and chill hangout spots in Upper East Side. Great for working remote, catching up with friends, or pretending to read while people-watching.Coffee shops, Tea houses, Bakeries, Study spots
Photo: The Comic StripLive Entertainment in Upper East SideLive music, comedy shows, jazz clubs, karaoke bars, and performances in Upper East Side. Open mics, ticketed events, and the kind of nights that become stories.Comedy, Live music, Jazz, Karaoke
Photo: The Metropolitan Museum of ArtActivities & Experiences in Upper East SideFun things to do in Upper East Side — escape rooms, bowling alleys, art classes, arcades, pop-ups, and interactive experiences that don't involve staring at a menu.Escape rooms, Bowling, Art classes, Arcades
Photo: St. Catherine's ParkOutdoor & Fresh Air in Upper East SideBest outdoor spots, parks, rooftop bars, patios, waterfront walks, and gardens in Upper East Side. Fresh air, skyline views, and places to actually sit outside without a reservation.Rooftops, Patios, Gardens, Waterfront
Photo: Yihan SpaWellness & Fitness in Upper East SideSpas, gyms, yoga and pilates studios, and other places to move or unwind in Upper East Side.Spas, Yoga, Pilates, Gyms
Photo: Tony's Di NapoliDate Night in Upper East SideBest date night spots in Upper East Side — romantic restaurants, intimate cocktail bars, cozy wine bars, and vibey spots that do the heavy lifting so you don't have to.Romantic dinners, Cocktail bars, Speakeasies, Rooftops
Photo: Treadwell ParkGroup Hangouts in Upper East SideBest places for groups in Upper East Side — sports bars, beer gardens, karaoke rooms, bowling alleys, and spots that can actually fit your whole crew without a 2-hour wait.Sports bars, Beer gardens, Bowling, Karaoke
Photo: Caffe AronneQuick & Easy in Upper East SideQuick plans in Upper East Side that require zero effort. Happy hours, grab-and-go coffee, fast casual spots, delis, and solid options for when you've got 30 minutes and no ideas.Coffee, Happy hour, Delis, Fast casual
Photo: La Pecora Bianca UESTourist Friendly in Upper East SideBest things to do in Upper East Side for first-time visitors. Iconic restaurants, famous bars, must-see landmarks, and spots worth the hype — no tourist traps, we promise.Famous pizza, Iconic bars, Broadway area, Landmarks
What makes Upper East Side one of the best neighborhoods in NYC
Museum Mile, Madison Avenue, and brunch that requires a reservation
The Upper East Side is the Manhattan neighborhood that everyone has an opinion about, and half those opinions are wrong. Yes, there's old money. Yes, there's Madison Avenue shopping. But there's also a 2nd Avenue bar scene that goes hard on weekends, Museum Mile that holds the Met and the Guggenheim, and residential side streets so beautiful they make you reconsider every life choice that didn't lead to a townhouse here.
The Upper East Side is old-money Manhattan at its most iconic. Museum Mile along Fifth Avenue—the Met, the Guggenheim, the Neue Galerie—is one of the greatest cultural corridors on earth. Park and Madison Avenues are lined with pre-war co-ops that cost more than some towns. But get east of Lexington and the UES loosens up: Second and Third Avenues have a thriving bar and restaurant scene, especially for the 20-something crowd. The dining ranges from white-tablecloth French to neighborhood sushi to excellent pizza. It's more fun than people give it credit for—especially on the avenues, where the density of good restaurants rivals any downtown neighborhood.
Best for
A cultural Saturday: Met Museum until you're overstimulated, then a long Italian lunch on 2nd Avenue with a bottle of wine
Insider tip
2nd Avenue is the real UES dining scene. Forget Madison — that's for shopping, not eating.
Upper East Side is known for
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Museum Mile
- Park Avenue
- Second Avenue bars
- Guggenheim Museum
Local lingo: “UES isn't stuffy — it's polished. There's a difference. (OK, it's a little stuffy.)”
Neighborhoods near Upper East Side
Every neighborhood has its own character. Here is what's close by.
Photo: 787 CoffeeLenox HillUpper East Side polish with Park Avenue addresses, upscale dining, and museum-adjacent living.
Photo: Solomon R. Guggenheim MuseumCarnegie HillOld-money elegance between Museum Mile and the reservoir—Manhattan's quietest flex.
Photo: Kossar's Bagels & BialysYorkvilleThe Upper East Side's laid-back cousin—German roots, neighborhood pubs, and Carl Schurz Park.
Photo: Central Park ZooCentral Park843 acres of green in the middle of the madness—NYC's backyard since 1858.
Photo: Museum of the City of New YorkEast HarlemEl Barrio's proud Latino soul—murals, cuchifrito counters, and a neighborhood in transition.
Photo: Metropolitan Opera HouseUpper West SideIntellectuals, Zabar's bagels, and brownstone-lined streets between Central Park and the Hudson.
Photo: Dig InnLincoln SquareLincoln Center's grand plaza, pre-show dining, and Upper West Side cultural polish.
Photo: Sylvia's RestaurantHarlemThe capital of Black America—Apollo Theater, soul food legends, and cultural renaissance.
Photo: Cathedral of St. John the DivineManhattan ValleyThe UWS's low-key neighbor—diverse eats on Broadway and a neighborhood that still feels like one.
Photo: Dinosaur Bar-B-QueMorningside HeightsColumbia's campus, Cathedral of St. John the Divine, and the smartest brunch crowd in town.
Frequently asked questions about Upper East Side
What are the best restaurants in Upper East Side?
Ranked by rating and number of reviews, the top restaurants in Upper East Side on Moodap are Oyishi Sushi 80 ST (Japanese, 5.0 stars), Dear Margo (Mediterranean, 5.0 stars) and Osaka Sushi NYC (Japanese, 5.0 stars).
What are the best bars in Upper East Side?
Ranked by rating and number of reviews, the top bars in Upper East Side on Moodap are Shaken Not Stirred (Cocktail bar, 4.9 stars), Avoca (Dive bar, 4.8 stars) and City Swiggers (Beer bar, 4.8 stars).
What are the best cafes in Upper East Side?
Ranked by rating and number of reviews, the top cafes in Upper East Side on Moodap are Figo Il Gelato Italiano (Frozen Desserts, 5.0 stars), Charlotte Cafe (Coffee/Tea, 5.0 stars) and Spoonable Spirits (Frozen Desserts, 5.0 stars).
Where can I eat or drink cheap in Upper East Side?
211 places in Upper East Side are marked budget-friendly ($). The best-ranked are Figo Il Gelato Italiano (Frozen Desserts, 5.0 stars), Charlotte Cafe (Coffee/Tea, 5.0 stars) and Spoonable Spirits (Frozen Desserts, 5.0 stars).
What kind of food is Upper East Side known for?
Of the 467 restaurants Moodap lists in Upper East Side, the most common kinds are Italian (77), American (74), Japanese (54) and Pizza (37).
How many places does Moodap list in Upper East Side?
467 restaurants, 83 bars and 182 cafes, each with its own page. The best-ranked are at the top of this page.
What neighborhoods are near Upper East Side?
Lenox Hill, Carnegie Hill, Yorkville and Central Park are next door. Each has its own guide on Moodap, linked on this page.
How does Moodap rank places in Upper East Side?
By star rating, weighted by how many reviews back it: a place with hundreds of strong reviews ranks above a perfect score from a handful. Places with few or no reviews come after well-reviewed ones. Not sure which fits your plans? Find Your Vibe™ picks one for your mood in about 25 seconds.
Find your Upper East Side spot
Answer a few quick questions and Moodap narrows the neighborhood down to places that fit your mood.
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