There’s no city like New York! Every corner of the city is bursting with character. From chic modern rooftops to floral-covered interiors, there’s really something for everyone and every vibe. Here are my favorite aesthetic and instagrammable restaurants in New York WHICH ALSO serve incredible food. In this list, you’ll find rooftops, restaurants, cocktail bars, and dessert shops. Go for the vibes, but definitely stay for the food! Happy browsing
Best Restaurants in New York
- 1. Magic Hour Rooftop Bar and Lounge
- 2. Ladurée
- 3. PHD Terrace Rooftop
- 4. Serra by Birreria
- 5. Fleur Room
- 6. Cecconi's Dumbo
- 7. Felix Roasting Co
- 8. Pietro Nolita
- 9. Restoration Hardware Rooftop Restaurant
- 10. Beauty & Essex
- 11. Dear Irving on Hudson
- 12. Taiyaki NYC
- 13. Popular at Public Hotel
- 14. Electric Lemon
- 14. Milk & Cream
- 16. Sweet Rehab
- 17. Bryant Park Grill
- 18. Press Lounge
- 19. Anita – La Mamma del Gelato
- 20. Rag Trader & Bo Peep
1. Magic Hour Rooftop Bar and Lounge
Magic Hour Rooftop is perched atop the Moxy Hotel. Entering the hotel through the colorfully lit tunnel sets the scene. The rooftop is a sight to behold: the all-pink rooftop rose garden is decked out with over 10,000 roses. Their menus continue the pink theme with rose cocktails, pink pancakes, pink s’mores and more. Tucked in a corner is their miniature putt-putt course, Foreplay. This is undoubtedly one of the most instagrammable restaurants in New York. Magic Hour’s decor changes with the season, so be sure to check their website for the latest.
2. Ladurée
Laduree needs no introduction. The famous Parisienne patisserie has multiple locations in Manhattan, but their boutique and tea salon in Soho is absolutely gorgeous. In their pastry display, expect to see ispahans, millefeuilles, fraisiers, eclairs, macarons, and countless other sweet treats. Their outdoor garden offers a larger menu of brunch and lunch items.
3. PHD Terrace Rooftop
Vibes are on point at PHD rooftop. PHD Terrace is located at the top of Dream Hotel Midtown. Their indoor/outdoor setup offers breathtaking views of Manhattan & Times Square. They’re known for their craft cocktails and larger-format cocktail buckets, perfect for large groups and a good time. Their impressive decor features a flower tunnel that changes with the season.
4. Serra by Birreria
Serra by Birreria is located on the rooftop of Eataly Flatiron. They rotating menu of seasonal dishes inspired by the Italian countryside is carefully curated and served family-style. Their decor also changes with the seasons, which means you have to visit this instagrammable restaurant throughout the year. Get their calamari, spiedini, or skewers, and seasonal pasta dishes like Cavatelli di Spinaci con Agnello e Piselli, featuring housemade spinach pasta with a lamb and spring pea sauce
5. Fleur Room
Fleur Room is a gorgeous rooftop bar. Come for the craft cocktail bar vibes and stay for the club that it becomes at night. The floral decor, high ceilings, and disco balls make it the perfect place for after-work drinks or a wild night out on the town. Don’t skip their bites, we got the cheese boards, caviar sando, and a few other plates and they were so good.
6. Cecconi’s Dumbo
Front row views of the Brooklyn bridge, A+ pizzas, and a tiramisu that’s as good as the best ones in Italy? Need I say more? Cecconi’s Dumbo is a New York classic
7. Felix Roasting Co
@felixroastingco has an incredible selection of coffees. They’re known for their Whipped Ricotta Toast and cocktail-esque coffee drinks. Try their Espresso Tonic which features house made tonic water, reduced Campari, rose water, Thai basil, mint, lemon, espresso. For more coffee recs, check out my instagram post
8. Pietro Nolita
Pietro NoLita is an Italian restaurant. The restaurant is painted rosy pink from floor to ceiling, everything from their outdoor booths to their indoor seatings. Come for their pastas and home-made tiramisu.
9. Restoration Hardware Rooftop Restaurant
Restoration Hardware Restaurant is as swoon-worthy as their curated furniture, making it one of the most instagrammable restaurants in New York. The rooftop is nestled on the 6th floor of the luxury furniture store. A glass elevator takes you to the rooftop, where you’re greeted to an indoor oasis. Guests dine amidst glittering chandeliers, trickling fountains, and indoor trees. The menu is ingredient-driven and offers a long list of artisan wines and craft beers. Popular items are the avocado toast, cheese boards, and truffled grilled cheese, and the RH burger.
10. Beauty & Essex
It’s the secret entrance for me @beautyandessexnyc is hidden behind the most unassuming pawn shop. You walk through the pawn shop (which is a real pawn shop!) and enter the gorgeous 2-level space. It’s vibey with a skylight and the food in incredible! End the meal with the wonder wheel dessert.
11. Dear Irving on Hudson
Dear Irving on Hudson is located on the 40th and 41st floor of the Aliz hotel. It is the highest open-air hotel bar & lounge Manhattan. The decor is chic, the views are breathtaking, and the drinks are solid
12. Taiyaki NYC
Taiyaki NYC serves luscious asian-inspired soft serve. Expect flavors like hojicha and matcha along with seasonal specialities. They’re known for their legendary fish-shaped ice cream cones, but you can skip the Japanese fish-shaped waffle cone and get an equally instagrammable unicorn cone instead. Their soufflé pancakes are also very popular.
13. Popular at Public Hotel
Dining at POPULAR feels like dining in at luxurious lush tropical jungle. Helmed by Chef Diego Muñoz from the World’s 50 Best restaurant Astrid Y Gastón in Lime, the restaurant serves up an impressive globally-inspired Peruvian menu. The main dining area is lush. Come for the pisco cocktails, ceviches, and wood-fired delicacies.
14. Electric Lemon
Electric Lemon is located on top the Equinox Hotel in Hudson Yards. The indoor-outdoor space offers brunch, lunch, and dinner menus.
14. Milk & Cream
@milkandcreambar is located in New York’s Chinatown. They make luscious soft serve by blending your favorite breakfast cereals right in front of you! Treat yo self indeed. Select the base, your favorite breakfast cereals, and toppings, and they dump it all into a mc-flurry-esque machine. It’s nostalgic and delish. Featured here are the french toast crunch and honey bunches of oats. This is not much of an instagrammable restaurant but their pretty all-dressed ice creams deserve a mention!
16. Sweet Rehab
Sweet Rehab is a pastry shop offering beautiful and delicious French pastries. Their dessert jars and millefeuille are all created right in front of you after you order. Their giant millefeuille serves 2: it’s a thick crispy pate sablée layered with 100% vanilla cream, homemade compote, vanilla chantilly, fresh fruit cubes, and garnishes. Their dessert jars are filled with dollops of chantilly, biscuit, fruit, and toppings.
17. Bryant Park Grill
Bryant Park Grill is located within the lush Bryant Park. The restaurant facade is decked out in florals, and offers an elegant & sophisticated dining experience. Bryant Park Cafe next door offers a more casual fare.
18. Press Lounge
The Press Lounge offers some of NYC most dramatic skyline views. Located atop of the Ink48 Hotel, the Press Lounge is the sister venue to PRINT.
19. Anita – La Mamma del Gelato
This is HANDSDOWN my favorite gelato in the New York. They have fun and classical flavors.
20. Rag Trader & Bo Peep
Rag Trader and Bp Peep is an underground cocktail and piano bar. Expect plush velvet seating, dimly lit lampshades, a serious cocktail program, and small plates. The live piano is really the highlight. You’ll even see guest appearances from the ever-so-talented waiters and waitresses.
Hope this guide to the most instagrammable restaurants in New York helped you plan your next meal! check out my other city foodie guides for inspo: Foodie’s Guide to the Most Instagrammable Restaurants in San Francisco, Top 20 Bakeries in San Francisco
If you have any questions, leave a comment below or message me on Instagram @croissantsandcaviar!
And as always, thanks for stopping by!
Shway