Every New Yorker has a celebrity encounter story. If you spend even just a bit of time in the city, you’re likely to bump into a famous actor or singer. It’s an exciting feeling when you see Hugh Jackman walking his dog or Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds running errands. Even more exciting is going to dinner and realizing you’re shoulder-to-shoulder with Anna Wintour.
While we can’t coordinate your celebrity encounter, restaurants are a common spot to see your favorite star. And celebrities certainly flock to certain restaurants over others. So if you’re wondering where do celebrities eat in NYC, keep reading for a list of 12 spots for celebrity sightings.
1. Carbone
Celebrity Sightings: Kardashians/Jenners, Drake, Adele, Jennifer Lopez, Leonardo DiCaprio, Rihanna, Jay-Z, Barack Obama
Kicking off with the most obvious celebrity hot spot, Carbone. This Greenwich Village Italian restaurant has been a celebrity magnet since it opened in 2013. Everybody is going for the famous spicy rigatoni, but the veal parmesan and complimentary antipasto are amazing as well.
Be sure to make a reservation, or you might be turned away like Justin and Hailey Beiber, who recently showed up without a reservation and weren’t given a table.
2. Odeon
Celebrity Sightings: Angelina Jolie, Taylor Swift, Ben Affleck, Katie Holmes, Robert De Niro, Steve Martin, Martin Schwartz
This Tribeca restaurant is less flashy than some SoHo or West Village restaurants, but it’s definitely on the celebrity radar with seemingly every big name coming through their doors. Odeon has been the place to hang out for decades, with the likes of Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat spending much of the 1980s enjoying the bistro food of this charming French restaurant. Odeon is so loved that actress Lena Dunham even got the logo tattooed!
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3. Nobu
Celebrity Sightings: Timothee Chalamet, Kanye West, Howard Stern, Hailey Beiber
Nobu is America’s most famous sushi joint. Although it has a Michelin star, it’s rather casual and approachable, yet the A-list stars who frequent the 30 locations around the world have made it more difficult to get a reservation here.
On the menu, you’ll find classics like sushi and the famous miso-marinated black cod, as well as a Nobu Now menu which offers seasonal options based on local ingredients and tastes. Nobu has drawn a large celebrity crowd, especially during the pandemic. Hailey Beiber was even reported to fly to London to have some Nobu.
4. L’Artusi
Celebrity Sightings: Sarah Jessica Parker, Bradley Cooper, Brooke Shields
Located in West Village in the midst of posh townhouses, you’ll find L’Artusi, one of the best Italian restaurants in town. A line forms before the restaurant opens to snag a reservation. It’s been frequented by many celebrities, including Bradley Cooper and Brooke Shields, who live in the neighborhood.
5. Balthazar
Celebrity Sightings: Mary Kate Olsen, James Cordon, Meryl Streep
This bustling, old-school French brasserie is the perfect spot for a celebrity sighting in SoHo. From the bar to the cozy dining room to the tables on the street, you can bump into a whole range of celebrities at Balthazar.
And there’s always something happening here, although the latest and most notable drama is James Cordon’s omelet drama.
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6. Locanda Verde
Celebrity Sightings: Harry Styles, Beyonce, Drew Barrymore, Bradley Cooper
Locanda Verde is a top-tier Italian restaurant in Tribeca. The restaurant is partly put on the map by celebrity chef Andrew Carmellini and co-owner Robert DeNiro, but it’s the impeccable food that keeps locals and celebrities flocking back. This a great spot for dinner or brunch.
7. The Polo Bar
Celebrity Sightings: Hillary Clinton, Gwyneth Paltrow, Serena Williams, Rihanna, Andy Cohen, Meghan Markle, Alex Rodriguez, Tom Hanks
An extension of the Ralph Lauren brand, The Polo Bar is a sophisticated and upscale classic American dining experience. You’ll need to make a reservation in advance by calling their reservationist. Be warned, bookings open up once a month and fill up almost instantly. It’s no wonder so many celebrities flock here!
If you’re lucky enough to snag a table, try the famous burger and fries.
6. Little Owl
Celebrity Sightings: Steven Spielberg, Michelle Pfeiffer
Little Owl is a cozy West Village restaurant located on a quiet, local street. Despite the tourists that come through to snap photos of the Friends apartment, which is located on top of the same building Little Owl is in, the restaurant maintains neighborhood hangout spot vibes. You’ll often spot celebrities here but without the fuss of some of the flashier restaurants.
7. Sant Ambroeus
Celebrity Sightings: Taylor Swift, Demi Moore, Billy Joel, Timothée Chalamet, Diane Kruger, Olivia Palermo, Sarah Jessica Parker, Calvin Klein
Sant Ambroeus is a chic Italian restaurant with multiple locations around Manhattan. Its pastas and desserts never disappoint, calling in frequent celebrity visitors. If it’s good enough for Timothée Chalamet, it’s good enough for us!
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8. Via Carota
Celebrity Sightings: John Mayer, Judd Apatow, Timothée Chalamet, B.J. Novak, Steph Curry, Sabrina Carpenter, Maggie Gyllenhaal
Another West Village restaurant, Via Carota is a rustic Italian restaurant focused on fresh and seasonal ingredients. It has a cozy dining room and sidewalk tables where you’ll have a fair chance of spotting a familiar face or two. Don’t miss the cacio e pepe which is debated to be the best in town!
9. Altro Paradiso
Celebrity Sightings: Dakota Johnson, Lily Rose Depp, Zoë Kravitz, Jennifer Lawrence, Christopher Abbott
Altro Paradiso is a SoHo favorite among celebrities. This upscale Italian restaurant is easier to get a spot at than some of the other restaurants we’ve mentioned. Drop in and enjoy the buzzy atmosphere, which is especially fun when you’re sitting elbow-to-elbow with a star.
10. Morandi
Celebrity Sightings: Sarah Jessica Parker, Amal and George Clooney, Cameron Diaz, Benji Madden, Amy Pohler, Anderson Cooper, Tina Fey
Want to eat dinner at the restaurant Sarah Jessica Parker is a regular at? Check out Morandi, Keith McNally’s West Village restaurant serving up rustic Italian fare. You’ll quickly see why it’s such a favorite once you try the hand-rolled spaghetti, meatballs, and arancini.
11. Fanelli Cafe
Celebrity Sightings: Chris Rock, Chloe Sevigny, Nicholas Braun, Christopher Mintz-Plasse
Opened in 1847 on Mercer and Prince Street, one of SoHo’s liveliest corners, is Fanelli Cafe. It’s not at all fancy or fussy, serving up classic bar food like burgers and tuna melts, but it has earned its place as a mainstay in New York culture. Over the years, it has drawn in quite a long list of celebrities too!
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12. Bar Pitti
Celebrity Sightings: Leonardo DiCaprio, Heidi Klum, Jennifer Lopez, Jim Carrey, Michelle Trachtenberg, Alessandra Ambrosio
Bar Pitti was once considered to serve the best pasta in West Village but has since been replaced by newer restaurants. It remains, however, a hot spot among locals and celebrities alike. This casual spot is great for a weekend brunch or dinner, with excellent people-watching both in the restaurant and on the busy NYC corner.
And there you have it! If you ever found yourself wondering where do celebrities eat in NYC, these 12 spots are some of the most popular celebrity favorite restaurants!
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