Restaurants & Dining
Bareburger
4.9 out of 5Price level $$
Since 09, Bareburger has blended extraordinary flavors with an unwavering commitment to the environment. We're dedicated to sourcing premium-quality, organic, and sustainable ingredients.
Livable. Bagel-obsessed. Family-proud.
Best Bars & Restaurants in Upper West Side (UWS)
Intellectuals, Zabar's bagels, and brownstone-lined streets between Central Park and the Hudson.
- Intellectual
- Family-Friendly
- Cultural
- Leafy
- Classic
More top places in Upper West Side
Restaurants, bars and cafes, ranked by rating and how many reviews back it, after the three above.
- Rank 4
- Rank 5
Coffee & Casual
Venchi Chocolate and Gelato Columbus Av
4.9 out of 5Venchi Chocolate and Gelato Columbus Av is a favorite frozen desserts spot in Upper West Side, Manhattan. Perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed break.
- Rank 6
Restaurants & Dining
Nai Brother Sauerkraut Fish 奈哥酸菜鱼 (Columbia University)
4.9 out of 5Price level $Pickled green mustard. Sliced fish fillets. Fragrant and spicy aromatics. Nai Brother has spent more than 20 years perfecting these components for his pickled mustard fish soup, and his dedication to his craft was respected throughout his township in Southwestern China.
- Rank 7
Coffee & Casual
NaiSnow Tea and Bakery (Columbia University）
5.0 out of 5Price level $$NaiSnow is a Chinese teahouse and bakery chain combining traditional Chinese tea with modern bakery products, featuring health-focused drinks and freshly made pastries.
- Rank 8
Restaurants & Dining
Pig and Khao - UWS
4.9 out of 5Price level $$Pig and Khao - UWS is a well-known asian fusion restaurant in Upper West Side, Manhattan. Serving quality food in a welcoming atmosphere.
- Rank 9
Restaurants & Dining
Mala Town
4.9 out of 5Price level $$Mala Town is a well-known chinese restaurant in Upper West Side, Manhattan. Serving quality food in a welcoming atmosphere.
- Rank 10
Restaurants & Dining
SAPERAVI UWS
4.9 out of 5Price level $$Explore Saperavi, an authentic Georgian restaurant, for a delicious experience. Our fresh and delightful dishes bring the comforting vibes of our country, Georgia, to your table.
- Rank 11
Restaurants & Dining
Florentin
4.9 out of 5Price level $$AN UPPER WEST SIDE LOCAL EATERY SERVING NEW AMERICAN MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE 7 DAYS A WEEK.
- Rank 12
Restaurants & Dining
Bosino
4.9 out of 5Price level $$Bosino is a well-known italian restaurant in Upper West Side, Manhattan. Serving quality food in a welcoming atmosphere.
What to do in Upper West Side
Every category, narrowed to this neighborhood.
Photo: ProhibitionDrinks & Nightlife in Upper West SideBest bars, cocktail lounges, rooftop bars, dive bars, and late-night drinks in Upper West Side. Happy hour deals, speakeasies, wine bars, and where the locals actually go after midnight.Cocktail bars, Rooftop bars, Speakeasies, Wine bars
Photo: Sala ThaiFood in Upper West SideBest restaurants and places to eat in Upper West 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: French RoastCasual & Social in Upper West SideBest coffee shops, cafes, bakeries, and chill hangout spots in Upper West Side. Great for working remote, catching up with friends, or pretending to read while people-watching.Coffee shops, Tea houses, Bakeries, Study spots
Photo: Metropolitan Opera HouseLive Entertainment in Upper West SideLive music, comedy shows, jazz clubs, karaoke bars, and performances in Upper West Side. Open mics, ticketed events, and the kind of nights that become stories.Comedy, Live music, Jazz, Karaoke
Photo: Zabar'sActivities & Experiences in Upper West SideFun things to do in Upper West 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: Hudson River Waterfront GreenwayOutdoor & Fresh Air in Upper West SideBest outdoor spots, parks, rooftop bars, patios, waterfront walks, and gardens in Upper West Side. Fresh air, skyline views, and places to actually sit outside without a reservation.Rooftops, Patios, Gardens, Waterfront
Photo: European Wax CenterWellness & Fitness in Upper West SideSpas, gyms, yoga and pilates studios, and other places to move or unwind in Upper West Side.Spas, Yoga, Pilates, Gyms
Photo: 5 Napkin BurgerDate Night in Upper West SideBest date night spots in Upper West 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: Le Vin CoeurGroup Hangouts in Upper West SideBest places for groups in Upper West 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: Alice's Tea CupQuick & Easy in Upper West SideQuick plans in Upper West 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: Metro DinerTourist Friendly in Upper West SideBest things to do in Upper West 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 West Side one of the best neighborhoods in NYC
Bagels, brownstones, and the natural history museum — peak NYC living
The Upper West Side is the most livable neighborhood in Manhattan, and the residents will tell you that within 30 seconds of meeting you. It has the best bagels in the city (this is not debatable, and yet everyone debates it), world-class museums on either side, Riverside Park for sanity, and a restaurant scene on Amsterdam and Columbus that covers everything from red-sauce Italian to omakase. It's family-friendly without being boring.
The Upper West Side is the thinking person's Manhattan. Home to Columbia professors, Lincoln Center patrons, and families who've lived in the same rent-stabilized apartments for decades. Zabar's is a food institution—lox, bagels, and the best rugelach in the city. Columbus Avenue and Amsterdam Avenue are lined with restaurants that range from neighborhood Italian to acclaimed fine dining. The American Museum of Natural History anchors the cultural scene. Riverside Park runs along the Hudson, offering some of the city's best running and biking paths. It's less flashy than the East Side, more intellectual, more comfortable in its own skin. Sunday mornings here—coffee, the Times, a walk through the park—are peak NYC.
Best for
A perfect NYC Sunday: bagels, a walk through the Natural History Museum, Riverside Park, and dinner on Amsterdam
Insider tip
Amsterdam Ave between 72nd and 86th is the food corridor. Columbus Ave is the backup plan.
Upper West Side is known for
- Zabar's
- American Museum of Natural History
- Riverside Park
- Lincoln Center access
- Brownstone streets
Local lingo: “UWS parents will fight you over the best bagel spot. And they're all right.”
Neighborhoods near Upper West Side
Every neighborhood has its own character. Here is what's close by.
Photo: Dig InnLincoln SquareLincoln Center's grand plaza, pre-show dining, and Upper West Side cultural polish.
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: Central Park ZooCentral Park843 acres of green in the middle of the madness—NYC's backyard since 1858.
Photo: Dinosaur Bar-B-QueMorningside HeightsColumbia's campus, Cathedral of St. John the Divine, and the smartest brunch crowd in town.
Photo: BeccoHell's KitchenTheater kids, global eats on 9th Avenue, and the gritty-turned-great west side neighborhood.
Photo: St. Patrick's CathedralMidtownGrand Central to Times Square — corporate power lunches, Broadway marquees, and everything in between.
Photo: Sylvia's RestaurantHarlemThe capital of Black America—Apollo Theater, soul food legends, and cultural renaissance.
Photo: The Metropolitan Museum of ArtUpper East SideMuseum Mile, Park Avenue wealth, and the most classic New York neighborhood there is.
Photo: 787 CoffeeLenox HillUpper East Side polish with Park Avenue addresses, upscale dining, and museum-adjacent living.
Photo: Fumo HarlemHamilton HeightsHarlem's historic hilltop—stunning rowhouses, CCNY campus, and a neighborhood finding its groove.
Frequently asked questions about Upper West Side
What are the best restaurants in Upper West Side?
Ranked by rating and number of reviews, the top restaurants in Upper West Side on Moodap are Bareburger (American, 4.9 stars), Nai Brother Sauerkraut Fish 奈哥酸菜鱼 (Columbia University) (Chinese, 4.9 stars) and Pig and Khao - UWS (Asian Fusion, 4.9 stars).
What are the best bars in Upper West Side?
Ranked by rating and number of reviews, the top bars in Upper West Side on Moodap are Le Vin Coeur (Wine bar, 5.0 stars), The Hoptimist (Beer bar, 4.9 stars) and The Throwback (Sports bar, 4.8 stars).
What are the best cafes in Upper West Side?
Ranked by rating and number of reviews, the top cafes in Upper West Side on Moodap are Rito Gelato (Frozen Desserts, 5.0 stars), Posh Pop Bakeshop (Bakery, 5.0 stars) and Royal Coffee (Coffee/Tea, 5.0 stars).
Where can I eat or drink cheap in Upper West Side?
227 places in Upper West Side are marked budget-friendly ($). The best-ranked are Rito Gelato (Frozen Desserts, 5.0 stars), Posh Pop Bakeshop (Bakery, 5.0 stars) and Royal Coffee (Coffee/Tea, 5.0 stars).
What kind of food is Upper West Side known for?
Of the 430 restaurants Moodap lists in Upper West Side, the most common kinds are American (65), Japanese (43), Chinese (42) and Italian (42).
How many places does Moodap list in Upper West Side?
430 restaurants, 63 bars and 160 cafes, each with its own page. The best-ranked are at the top of this page.
What neighborhoods are near Upper West Side?
Lincoln Square, Manhattan Valley, Central Park and Morningside Heights are next door. Each has its own guide on Moodap, linked on this page.
How does Moodap rank places in Upper West 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 West Side spot
Answer a few quick questions and Moodap narrows the neighborhood down to places that fit your mood.
Find Your Vibe™