Best Restaurants for People Watching in Upper West Side

Price

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Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

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BronxBrooklynHudsonManhattan

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BelmontChelseaColumbus CircleDUMBOEast VillageFinancial District

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

82 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

1. Cafe Luxembourg

4.8

Exceptional(8871)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• French American • Upper West Side

Booked 166 times today

Cafe Luxembourg offers reservations for indoor dining. Walk-ins are welcome and will be seated according to availability. The outdoor cafe is open from April 1st to November 1st, weather permitting. The restaurant offers outdoor tables on a first come basis.Due to demand, we are unable to hold your reservation more than 10 minutes past the time it has been booked. If you are not present at the time of your reservation, the table is offered to waiting guests. If you are running late or wish to cancel, please call us at 212-873-7411. Please note, we do not seat incomplete parties. If your party is incomplete for more than the 10 minute grace period given to reservations, the table will be offered to waiting guests and your name will be added to the wait list. Thank you for your understanding.Per the rules of the FDNY and our Permit of Assembly, we are unable to accommodate strollers in the dining room. Guests are welcome to store them near the outdoor entrance.Thank you.

2. Sempre Oggi

4.7

Exceptional(527)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • Upper West Side

Booked 63 times today

At Sempre Oggi, we believe there is no greater joy in life than taking time to enjoy food and wine with the ones we love. Our focus is on market-driven, authentic Italian cuisine, reinterpreted for New York City diners. From Sempre A Casa, our at-home experience, to our daily Aperitivi Hour, our menus make the most of what's in season and whatever is most delicious that day.

3. Nice Matin

4.6

Exceptional(4869)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• French • Upper West Side

Booked 101 times today

For nearly two decades, Nice Matin has been the Upper West Sides most elegant, beautifully designed and sophisticated dining destination. Featuring a Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning Wine List and an extraordinary, inventive, French Provençal-inspired menu created by Chef Andy D'Amico, who was named "Best Chef" by New York Magazine food editor Gillian Duffy, Nice Matin is the essential French Brasserie and Wine Destination of the Upper West Side.

4. Quality Meats

4.7

Exceptional(10741)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Midtown West

Booked 133 times today

Quality Meats is the best steakhouse in New York City. Located in Midtown Manhattan near Central Park, MOMA, Carnegie Hall, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, and Times Square, Quality Meats features modern interpretations of familiar dishes and flavor combinations, resulting in unique tastes, innovative presentations, and a distinctive Quality Meats style. The warm, industrial décor by award-winning designers AvroKO draws on cues from traditional New York City family-owned butcher shops, in the use of warm wood, stainless steel, and white marble.

5. Pappardella

4.7

Exceptional(2922)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Upper West Side

Booked 51 times today

Welcome to PappardellaPappardella restaurant brings to you the flavors and food of Tuscany. Established in 1983, Pappardella offers a romantic setting of timeless charm with 20 foot ceilings, French doors; a stunning mural of Florence.Menu and service reflect the warmth and attention of the old world, as well as the diversity and techniques of today. we feature homemade pasta, artisanal pizza; other great Italian staples, like chicken parmagian, grilled branzino; scrumptious tiramisu.A beautiful outdoor terrace makes for great people watching in the warm months. Pappardella is conveniently located near the beacon theater, the museum of natural history &Central Park offering lunch; dinner pre fix, brunch.

A photo of BG - Bergdorf Goodman restaurant

6. BG - Bergdorf Goodman

4.7

Exceptional(4789)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary American • Midtown West

Booked 58 times today

Sophistication on the Seventh Floor of Bergdorf Goodman with afternoon into evening Central Park views. BG is a modern interpretation of the aristocratic social salon. Like a Park Avenue residence from the age of cosmopolitan glamour. Well-appointed and bright, the drawing room atmosphere is an intimate conversational setting for lunch, tea and early supper or cocktails. The light and sparkling menu is a modern take on classic New York fare. All Day menu served Mon - Sat from Noon-6 PM , and Sunday from Noon -5 PM*Enjoy Afternoon Tea service Mon-Sat from Noon:-5:00 PM and Sun from Noon-5:00 PM, reservations required.

A photo of Ocean Prime - New York restaurant

7. Ocean Prime - New York

4.8

Exceptional(6615)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Seafood • Rockefeller Center

Booked 82 times today

Located in Midtown on 52nd between 6th & 7th, Ocean Prime is a nationally acclaimed, dynamic seafood & steakhouse from the award-winning Cameron Mitchell Restaurants. Ocean Prime delivers an elevated experience with exceptional ambiance, a chef-curated menu, signature handcrafted cocktails, Wine Spectator honored wine list and genuine hospitality. Reservations are recommended. Ocean Prime strives to provide an elegant, fine dining atmosphere. Our associates’ priority is to ensure your experience is memorable. We ask that our guests choose attire that is both polished and suited to our restaurant.THANK YOU FOR NOT WEARING: Clothing emitting excessive marijuana odor Excessively revealing clothing or exposed undergarments Clothing with offensive language or graphics Admittance to Ocean Prime is at the discretion of management who reserves the right to refuse service to patrons who are inappropriately dressed.

A photo of Russian Tea Room - NYC restaurant

8. Russian Tea Room - NYC

4.4

Awesome(5754)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Continental • Midtown West

Booked 38 times today

For ninety-nineth years, New York's defining cultural moments have taken place at Russian Tea Room. Ever since members of the Russian Imperial Ballet founded the restaurant in 1926, it has been a second home for boldface names and the intellectual elite-an exclusive enclave where actors, writers, politicians, and businessmen planned their next deals and feted their friends' latest Carnegie Hall performances.

9. The Odeon

4.8

Exceptional(3785)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• French • TriBeCa

Booked 170 times today

The Odeon offers reservations for indoor and outdoor dining for parties up to 6 guests. Walk-Ins are welcome. Due to demand, we are unable to hold your reservation past the time it has been booked. If you cannot be present at the time of your reservation, we will offer the table to waiting guests. If you are running late or wish to cancel, please call us at 212-233-0507. The Odeon takes the last “Open Table” Reservation at 10 pm on Sunday and Monday and 10:30 pm Wednesday through Saturday. Should you like to visit the restaurant after that time, please call 212-233-0507 to check availability. We allow 1 hour 45 minutes dining time for parties up to 2 guests and 2 hours for parties of 3-6. guests.The Odeon does not reserve or take requests for outdoor tables. They are sat on a first come, first served basis.

A photo of Chalong Southern Thai restaurant

10. Chalong Southern Thai

4.8

Exceptional(86)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Thai • Hell's Kitchen

Booked 69 times today

Southern Thai and Seafood | Celebration of Flavors by Chef Nate Lim

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

B
Benjamin
New York City •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Went here for our anniversary, amazing service, the food was the best I’ve had in a long time and all around a great experience! Well worth the time and money if you’re looking for a great meal!
More info
Sempre OggiPrice: Very Expensive• Italian• Upper West Side
•
4.7
D
DavidVIP
New York City •40 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Salmon was a little dry. Chef might consider either a sauce or shorter cooking time.
More info
PappardellaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Upper West Side
•
4.7
B
Billy
New York City •1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Everything was fantastic - The crab and avocado appetizer is amazing and so was the bone-in sirloin!
More info
Quality MeatsPrice: Expensive• American• Midtown West
•
4.7
R
Rachel
New York City •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
As always, the server and other staff were lovely, attentive, informative, and enhanced the overall experience.
More info
Cafe LuxembourgPrice: Expensive• French American• Upper West Side
•
4.8
J
JamesVIP
Portland / Oregon •8 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Each time we come to NYC we make a point of having dinner at Nice Matin. The food is very good and very French. The atmosphere is excellent whether we are inside or outside (in good weather).
More info
Nice MatinPrice: Moderate• French• Upper West Side
•
4.6

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