Alyona's Guidebook
Pasta, Italian
Pasta, Italian $$$
306 East 81 st, NY
If you’re looking for the kind of UES night that involves long crunchy breadsticks and overhearing six Italian men argue over many glasses of red wine, you can’t do better than Sandro’s. Between the Roman pastas and lemon-y veal scallopini and the friendly servers walking around pouring everyone grappa, remember this place the next time you’re having a bad day. The bucatini amatriciana should help.
Pasta, Italian $$$
306 East 81 st, NY
If you’re looking for the kind of UES night that involves long crunchy breadsticks and overhearing six Italian men argue over many glasses of red wine, you can’t do better than Sandro’s. Between the Roman pastas and lemon-y veal scallopini and the friendly servers walking around pouring everyone grappa, remember this place the next time you’re having a bad day. The bucatini amatriciana should help.
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sandro's
322 E 81st StPasta, Italian $$$
306 East 81 st, NY
If you’re looking for the kind of UES night that involves long crunchy breadsticks and overhearing six Italian men argue over many glasses of red wine, you can’t do better than Sandro’s. Between the Roman pastas and lemon-y veal scallopini and the friendly servers walking around pouring everyone grappa, remember this place the next time you’re having a bad day. The bucatini amatriciana should help.
Italian $$
1486 2nd ave, NY
Uva is the best choice if you’re looking for an Italian restaurant in the neighborhood that doesn’t feel like you’ve broken into a diplomat’s house. Uva’s food is pretty simple, but their enclosed back garden happens to be one of the most ideal settings for an affordable date in the city. So the next time you want to appear classy without looking like you’re trying too hard, this is where you should go to eat salads, gnocchi, and plates of cured meats.
161 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Uva
1486 2nd AveItalian $$
1486 2nd ave, NY
Uva is the best choice if you’re looking for an Italian restaurant in the neighborhood that doesn’t feel like you’ve broken into a diplomat’s house. Uva’s food is pretty simple, but their enclosed back garden happens to be one of the most ideal settings for an affordable date in the city. So the next time you want to appear classy without looking like you’re trying too hard, this is where you should go to eat salads, gnocchi, and plates of cured meats.
Great sandwiches, tiny cups of espresso, excellent pasta, and even some gelato, all in a charming Italian cafe. Via Quadronno is the best lunch spot near the Met, but it’s also highly useful for a last-minute dinner with a friend.
19 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Via Quadronno
25 E 73rd StGreat sandwiches, tiny cups of espresso, excellent pasta, and even some gelato, all in a charming Italian cafe. Via Quadronno is the best lunch spot near the Met, but it’s also highly useful for a last-minute dinner with a friend.
Italian $$$
1621 2nd ave, NY
You might know Elio’s as the place where you went with your family once in 2009 or where Gwyneth Paltrow had her 40th birthday party. This classic Italian restaurant is consistently full of loud groups crowded around circular tables, plenty of people wearing jackets, and servers balancing martinis on trays. Even though the food is better at Sandro’s, Elio’s is more fun because it feels like a celebrity hangout from the ’80s. Just be sure to make a reservation ahead of time - it gets packed in here (even on weeknights).
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Elio's
1621 2nd AveItalian $$$
1621 2nd ave, NY
You might know Elio’s as the place where you went with your family once in 2009 or where Gwyneth Paltrow had her 40th birthday party. This classic Italian restaurant is consistently full of loud groups crowded around circular tables, plenty of people wearing jackets, and servers balancing martinis on trays. Even though the food is better at Sandro’s, Elio’s is more fun because it feels like a celebrity hangout from the ’80s. Just be sure to make a reservation ahead of time - it gets packed in here (even on weeknights).
Italian $$$
1402 Lexington ave, NY
Is this the best Italian restaurant on the Upper East Side? If you’re looking to eat a plate of $22 bolognese anywhere near the 92nd Street Y, it probably is. Sfoglia feels slightly nicer than your average neighborhood Italian spot, but it’s not quite formal. Bring a date, and focus on the pastas.
20 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sfoglia
1402 Lexington AveItalian $$$
1402 Lexington ave, NY
Is this the best Italian restaurant on the Upper East Side? If you’re looking to eat a plate of $22 bolognese anywhere near the 92nd Street Y, it probably is. Sfoglia feels slightly nicer than your average neighborhood Italian spot, but it’s not quite formal. Bring a date, and focus on the pastas.
Food scene
Bar&Grill $
1291 3rd ave, NY
J.G. Melon’s burger is iconic. It’s griddled and crispy on the outside, peachy pink and soft in the middle, and apparently, it’s Gigi Hadid’s favorite burger in the entire city (rightfully so, Gigi). You’ll think about it every time you need a cheap lunch near the Met or feel overwhelmingly sad, happy, or drunk. Also, the J.G. Melon cottage fries are just as important as the burger itself. They’re round, tiny, and will make you wonder why more burger places don’t make fries like this.
102 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
JG Melon
1291 3rd AveBar&Grill $
1291 3rd ave, NY
J.G. Melon’s burger is iconic. It’s griddled and crispy on the outside, peachy pink and soft in the middle, and apparently, it’s Gigi Hadid’s favorite burger in the entire city (rightfully so, Gigi). You’ll think about it every time you need a cheap lunch near the Met or feel overwhelmingly sad, happy, or drunk. Also, the J.G. Melon cottage fries are just as important as the burger itself. They’re round, tiny, and will make you wonder why more burger places don’t make fries like this.
Pizza restaurant $$
1631 2nd ave, NY
You’ll find the UES’s best slice at PQR. The rectangular pizza here has a crispy crust covered in things like broccoli rabe, burrata, sausage, and pumpkin (which is infinitely better than it sounds). You could theoretically sit down at PQR, but more likely you’ll pick up a slice and eat it at or on your walk home.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
PQR
1631 2nd AvePizza restaurant $$
1631 2nd ave, NY
You’ll find the UES’s best slice at PQR. The rectangular pizza here has a crispy crust covered in things like broccoli rabe, burrata, sausage, and pumpkin (which is infinitely better than it sounds). You could theoretically sit down at PQR, but more likely you’ll pick up a slice and eat it at or on your walk home.
Gastropub $$
308 E 78th st, NY
If you live near Heidi’s House By The Side Of The Road, it might already be your second home. Maybe you even call it “(your name)’s House By The Side Of The Road.” This place is the most reliable spot in the East 70s for a solo dinner or casual catch-up involving some wine and perfectly crispy mac and cheese. If you want to prove to someone that you know the best under-the-radar spots in the neighborhood, bring them here.
29 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Heidi's House
308 E 78th StGastropub $$
308 E 78th st, NY
If you live near Heidi’s House By The Side Of The Road, it might already be your second home. Maybe you even call it “(your name)’s House By The Side Of The Road.” This place is the most reliable spot in the East 70s for a solo dinner or casual catch-up involving some wine and perfectly crispy mac and cheese. If you want to prove to someone that you know the best under-the-radar spots in the neighborhood, bring them here.
Sandwiches, Deli $$
1125 Lexington ave, NY
If you find yourself in the East 70s wishing for a perfect deli sandwich, let Pastrami Queen be your north star. These sandwiches come on soft rye with exactly the right amount of lean meat. All you need to do is add mustard. Not feeling pastrami? The roast turkey here is also worth your respect and affection, even though it’s objectively a less sexy option. Either way, get some matzo ball soup and a plate of half-sour pickles in the mix, too.
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pastrami Queen
1125 Lexington AveSandwiches, Deli $$
1125 Lexington ave, NY
If you find yourself in the East 70s wishing for a perfect deli sandwich, let Pastrami Queen be your north star. These sandwiches come on soft rye with exactly the right amount of lean meat. All you need to do is add mustard. Not feeling pastrami? The roast turkey here is also worth your respect and affection, even though it’s objectively a less sexy option. Either way, get some matzo ball soup and a plate of half-sour pickles in the mix, too.
French $$$
160 E 64th st, NY
JoJo used to be a stuffy Jean Georges French restaurant. Then it got a makeover, and reopened as a much more modern version of itself (still run by the same people). The French-leaning dishes are still excellent, including one of our favorite roast chickens in the entire neighborhood. Come here for a nice date, or direct someone here who wants a cool uptown spot with great food but needs a break from Flora Bar.
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
JoJo
160 E 64th StFrench $$$
160 E 64th st, NY
JoJo used to be a stuffy Jean Georges French restaurant. Then it got a makeover, and reopened as a much more modern version of itself (still run by the same people). The French-leaning dishes are still excellent, including one of our favorite roast chickens in the entire neighborhood. Come here for a nice date, or direct someone here who wants a cool uptown spot with great food but needs a break from Flora Bar.
Greek $$
1482 York ave, NY
An upscale Greek restaurant on York Avenue that dates, your niece, and potato lovers all generally approve of. Not to mention, our absolute favorite Greek spot in the neighborhood (and one of the best in the whole city). Order the zucchini chips, lamb souvlaki, and anything that comes with a side of Greek potatoes - they’re lemony and inexplicably soft. We’d just suggest saving Yefsi for dinners where you’re comfortable spending about $50 per person. The seafood and meat entrees are expensive, but especially good for sharing
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Yefsi Estiatorio
1481 York AveGreek $$
1482 York ave, NY
An upscale Greek restaurant on York Avenue that dates, your niece, and potato lovers all generally approve of. Not to mention, our absolute favorite Greek spot in the neighborhood (and one of the best in the whole city). Order the zucchini chips, lamb souvlaki, and anything that comes with a side of Greek potatoes - they’re lemony and inexplicably soft. We’d just suggest saving Yefsi for dinners where you’re comfortable spending about $50 per person. The seafood and meat entrees are expensive, but especially good for sharing
You should not go to eat Indian food at Moti Mahal Delux without ordering their famous butter chicken. It’s cooked in a clay oven, deep brown in color, and incredibly rich. The UES location is part of a huge chain that spans across Asia (and the owners also run Awadh on the UWS and Bhatti Indian Grill in Midtown East). There’s a reason it’s so globally successful. Eat the butter chicken, and it’ll become obvious to you, too.
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Moti Mahal Delux
1149 1st Ave.You should not go to eat Indian food at Moti Mahal Delux without ordering their famous butter chicken. It’s cooked in a clay oven, deep brown in color, and incredibly rich. The UES location is part of a huge chain that spans across Asia (and the owners also run Awadh on the UWS and Bhatti Indian Grill in Midtown East). There’s a reason it’s so globally successful. Eat the butter chicken, and it’ll become obvious to you, too.
Sushi $$$
1372 York ave, NY
As you’ve probably gathered from this guide already, the UES has its fair share of incredible places to have a sushi omakase experience. Tanoshi is yet another one, but it stands out because of its BYOB policy. Their omakase costs $95, and comes with 10 pieces of excellent fish, a hand roll, and an open forum to drink whatever you want by yourself or with a date
Tanoshi Sushi Sake Bar
1372 York AvenueSushi $$$
1372 York ave, NY
As you’ve probably gathered from this guide already, the UES has its fair share of incredible places to have a sushi omakase experience. Tanoshi is yet another one, but it stands out because of its BYOB policy. Their omakase costs $95, and comes with 10 pieces of excellent fish, a hand roll, and an open forum to drink whatever you want by yourself or with a date
Thai in East Harlem $$
2051 2nd Ave, NY
Out of all the casual Thai restaurants on the UES, we’ll consistently send you out of your way for Bangklyn. Partly to experience the food (like Southern fried chicken, creamy green curry, and tamarind coconut milk noodles with crab) and partly to experience the unusual set-up. The owner of the restaurant used to be a big deal in the Thai street fashion world, and he uses the restaurant as a vintage clothing shop for his collection. Before coming to Bangklyn, we had personally never eaten noodles next to a pile of vintage jumpsuits. And, now that we’ve done it, we’d recommend everyone do the same.
Bangklyn East Harlem
2051 2nd AveThai in East Harlem $$
2051 2nd Ave, NY
Out of all the casual Thai restaurants on the UES, we’ll consistently send you out of your way for Bangklyn. Partly to experience the food (like Southern fried chicken, creamy green curry, and tamarind coconut milk noodles with crab) and partly to experience the unusual set-up. The owner of the restaurant used to be a big deal in the Thai street fashion world, and he uses the restaurant as a vintage clothing shop for his collection. Before coming to Bangklyn, we had personally never eaten noodles next to a pile of vintage jumpsuits. And, now that we’ve done it, we’d recommend everyone do the same.