This post is all about what to do on the Upper East Side.
The Upper East Side, or UES, is a special part of New York City.
The “old school” version of NYC, if you will. Where you’ll find the seasoned New Yorkers who have lived in the city for decades, luxury shopping, and charming townhouses. It’s home to many of the city’s museums and Central Park, with great cafes and restaurants in between.
I’ve rounded up all of the best spots in the neighborhood. Keep reading for what to do on the Upper East Side as I dive into what to eat, see, and do.
Museums
I’m a museum junkie, so I have to start with museums!
1. Met Museum
The Metropolitan Museum is the crown of the city’s museums. It’s two million square feet covering four city blocks, and is packed with 1.5 million pieces spanning 5,000 years of world culture.
There’s truly something for everyone – European paintings, Egyptian temples and mummies, contemporary work, one of the world’s largest collections of Asian art, a room full of musical instruments, a sculpture hall, and much much more.
This is a must-visit for anybody who visits or lives in New York!
2. Guggenheim
You might recognize the Guggenheim for its unique spiral shape, which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. In fact, the museum is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Inside, you’ll find rotating exhibits featuring contemporary art. Check out the website to see the current exhibit. No matter what the exhibit is, I’m never disappointed because the open spiral shape is so mesmerizing to follow and makes the museum a great spot for people-watching.
3. Neue Galerie
The Neue Galerie is one of those places that makes you want to get fancy. It’s set in a mansion, and inside, you’ll find early twentieth-century German and Austrian art.
On the Austrian floor, you’ll find work from artists including Gustav Klimt, what the gallery is most famous for, and Oskar Kokoschka. On the German floor, you’ll find work from The Bahaus with artists like Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, and Otto Dix.
You don’t want to miss the gallery’s restaurant, Cafe Sabarsky, which is inspired by classic Viennese cafes. On the menu, you’ll find wiener schnitzel, goulash soup, and decadent desserts. Don’t skip the famous Sachertorte (chocolate cake).
4. Cooper Hewitt
Design lovers can’t miss the Cooper Hewitt!
This Smithsonian Design Museum explores all things related to design – textiles, graphics, furniture, pottery, and more. Fun fact: it’s the only museum in the United States devoted to to historical and contemporary design.
It’s located in the beautiful former mansion of Andrew Carnegie. I always feel inspired after a visit here.
Food
Okay, let’s talk about the food on the Upper East Side. Here are the best restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and markets you’ll find in the neighborhood.
5. Ralph’s Coffee
The Ralph’s Coffee on the Upper East Side just hits different. The people-watching is great, I love to come here and catch up with a friend, read a book, or just admire all the cute dogs out for walks.
6. Pastrami Queen
Everybody thinks Katz is the place to go for pastrami, but I will specifically make the trip from downtown to eat at Pastrami Queen. The restaurant is small and unfussy, but the pastrami is spectacular. I love to get it with the thick, diner-cut fries and some cole slaw.
7. The Odeon
There are many French restaurants in New York City, but I’m always looking for the ones that give the brasserie feeling – the woven bistro chairs, simple but tasty food, and a buzzing atmosphere.
The Odeon checks all of these boxes and always makes me feel like I’m in Paris. I dream of their lyonnaise salad, but you can’t go wrong with the French onion soup, steak frites, and of course, chocolate mousse or creme brulee for dessert.
8. Breads Bakery
You can find Breads Bakery throughout the city, but keep this one in your back pocket if you’re on the Upper East Side and need a quick bite or want to treat yourself to a pastry!
I’ve never been disappointed with anything I’ve tried here – from croissants to the famous chocolate babka to the open-faced sandwiches to the mezze bowl. I love that the Upper East Side location is always filled with locals. It’s a great place to meet a friend for coffee or spend an hour reading a book.
9. JG Melon
JG Melon is a time-honored establishment on the Upper East Side where you’ll find locals and celebrities alike.
It’s the perfect place to go when you just want a good burger and fries. The place isn’t fancy with the green-checked tablecloths, but the burger and cottage fries are somewhat of a local legend.
I promise when you try it, you’ll be planning your next visit. Just don’t forget it’s cash only!
10. Anita la Mamma del Gelato
In my humble opinion, Anita la Mamma del Gelato is the best gelato spot in the city. You might have a hard time choosing from the 150+ flavor options, but my recommendation is the watermelon mint gelato. It’s a dream!
11. Butterfield Market
I love to come by Butterfield Market to stock up for a Central Park picnic.
This upscale grocery store has a grocery section, but I love all of the prepared food options. Sushi, sandwiches, salads, and a Chef’s Table section where you can order freshly prepared foods like steak, crab cakes, and pasta.
12. Glace & Noglu
The Glace hot chocolate has taken the internet by storm. You’ve probably seen the cups that have a thick layer of marshmallow lining the rim of the cup. It’s as good as it looks, but I recommend coming on a weekday, as the line can get pretty long.
What most people don’t realize is that just a block down, there’s a Noglu cafe which is entirely gluten-free and has a delicious selection of pastries and sandwiches.
13. Bemelmans Bar
Put on your fancy attire and enjoy cocktails, live jazz, and beautiful murals at Bemelmans Bar.
The bar is located in the Carlyle Hotel and is named after Ludwig Bemelmans, the author of Madeline, who was hired in 1947 to cover the walls of the bar with his art. It’s been preserved to this day and adds a playful charm to the bar.
Among New Yorkers, Bemelmans is considered one of the best places to get a martini, but there are other drinks and cocktails on the menu.
The bar fills up quickly, so try to get there when they open or on a weekday. It’s all worth it, though, when you’re settled in and listening to the jazz band just feet away from you.
Things To Do
If you’re still looking for something to do in the Upper East Side, here are some recommendations.
14. Central Park
Perhaps one of the most popular things to do on the Upper East Side is visit Central Park.
It’s the largest and also the most popular park in the entire city. The park runs from Central Park South (59th Street) up to 110th Street and from Central Park West 8th Avenue to 5th Avenue and covers over 800 acres.
I always make a point to stop by the park when I’m visiting uptown because it feels so serene. If you want to spend a few hours reading or picnicking, head to Sheep Meadow, where you’ll find all of the locals. Or take a walk around the Reservoir.
15. Albertine
Albertine is a French bookstore that’s a hidden gem on the Upper East Side located in the Cultural Services of the French Embassy. This small but mighty bookstore is actually the largest French-language book collection in the United States!
Even if you don’t speak or read French, the bookstore is worth a visit to see the celestial-painted ceilings.
That concludes what to do on the Upper East Side.