ELLE Escapes: New York City
They say New York is the city that never sleeps—and we’re pleased to confirm that its signature buzz is very much alive. With spring in full swing, this is the place to see and be seen—whether you’re strutting the sidewalks, gliding down the West Side Highway in a Blacklane, or holding court at the corner table of the city’s latest hotspot. With that in mind, we’ve curated a guide to the essential stops in what many still hail as the greatest city in the world. Blame it on Carrie Bradshaw; we don’t make the rules.
What to SeeThe Whitney
If you’re in the mood for a dose of culture, the Whitney Museum is a must—where cutting-edge American art meets a polished downtown backdrop (even the stairwells are Instagram gold). Currently on view: “Amy Sherald: American Sublime,” an exhibition that weaves together intimate portraits of everyday Black Americans with images of Michelle Obama and Breonna Taylor.
Cannes Cinema at Fouquet’s New York
Tucked inside Fouquet’s New York, the Cannes Cinema is one of the city’s best-kept secrets—previously reserved for fashion’s inner circle, now open to the public. The hotel debuted its “Cozy Classics” series late last year, offering guests a dinner-and-a-show experience that starts at the Brasserie or Titsou Bar upstairs and ends with a curated film screening of their choosing. These special showings, now regularly listed on Resy, bring a touch of cinematic glamour to your night out.
Puttery
When it’s too cold for the green, try something a little more playful. An immersive mini golf course in the Meatpacking District pairs putts with craft cocktails and elevated eats—so you can sink a hole-in-one with a transfusion in hand.
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Taylor Swift was absolutely right: The Corner Store, nestled in the heart of Soho, is every bit worth the buzz. Brought to life by Catch Hospitality Group, the restaurant features a menu that reimagines American comfort food, from Five Cheese Pizza Rolls to a Wagyu French Dip that feel both familiar and entirely new. Martini lovers in particular will appreciate the bar’s standout cocktail lineup. Every drink feels as thoughtfully crafted as the space itself, which nails that perfect mix of old-school glamour and downtown cool, with plush vintage-inspired booths and the cheeky charm of Oli, the bar’s signature martini man. The only challenge? Scoring a reservation—this one’s already a scene.
Coqodaq
From the masterminds behind the renowned Korean steakhouse Cote, Coqodaq is likely the most stylish fried chicken spot in existence. Think: nuggets topped with luxurious caviar and truffles, and crispy thighs and wings bathed in indulgent soy-garlic and gochujang glazes. All this is served in a sleek Flatiron venue, complete with designer soaps and sinks at the entrance—because here, eating with your hands is not only welcomed, it’s encouraged.
Crazy Pizza
The newest celebrity haunt in Soho is Crazy Pizza, thanks in large part to Heidi Klum, a partner in the restaurant. A-list names like Anne Hathaway, Irina Shayk, and her Project Runway co-star Christian Siriano have all been spotted here. The venue blends pizzeria and nightclub vibes, complete with live DJ sets. Don’t miss the “Spinning Chefs” tossing dough into the air, or the quirky portraits of celebs indulging in pizza, created by artist Arianna Margulis (a.k.a. @butlikemaybe), adorning the walls.
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Housed in the elegant Fifth Avenue Hotel, The Portrait Bar is the ideal date night spot. Cozy up by the fireplace with cocktails and bar snacks and see who you can recognize on the walls, and if you feel like continuing the conversation over dinner, try making a reservation at Café Carmellini down the hall. Both the menu and the setting are a master class in sophisticated luxury.
People’s
For a night that feels equal parts timeless and thrillingly new, make your way to People’s—a new cocktail lounge in Greenwich Village, already drawing the likes of Suki Waterhouse and Robert Pattinson. Set in a century-old townhouse, the three-room space channels the spirit of New York’s avante-garde past with a distinctly modern edge. Founded by Emmet McDermott and Margot Hauer-King, it delivers candlelit intimacy, a stylish, in-the-know crowd, and a late-night menu curated by the Michelin-starred teams behind Raf’s and Musket Room. It’s less a scene, more a salon—no photos allowed.
Chez Margaux
With a hint of Parisian decadence and a nod to London’s old-world charm, Chez Margaux is the newest address redefining New York’s burgeoning private club scene. Located in the former Spice Market space in the Meatpacking District, this velvet-clad sanctuary from the teams behind Casa Cipriani and Jean-Georges fuses high design with top-tier hospitality. Spanning 12,000 square feet of layered, maximalist glamour, with de Gournay walls and red lacquered ceilings, every room tells a story. Jean-Georges Vongerichten himself leads the culinary program with a menu of his signature dishes, alongside elevated takes on everything from sashimi to a midnight omelet. The only thing harder than getting in is leaving.
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For the uninitiated, the London mainstay in the heart of Mayfair fittingly debuted its East Coast home on East 16th Street during New York Fashion Week, with Hailey and Justin Bieber, Kendall Jenner, and more stars on-hand to fête the occasion. With 77 rooms and suites available for anyone to book, a gym, and Café Zaffri, a Middle Eastern restaurant led by the all-female Musket Room and Raf’s team, it’s not only a hot spot, but a welcome respite from the rapid pace of city life. Fun fact: The Twenty Two used to be the Margaret Louisa Home, a historic building that once served as a short-term hotel for single working women, and features work by female artists on its walls and stocks literature from prolific women writers for guests to read.
The Standard, High Line
The Standard, High Line remains an iconic downtown destination not only for its modern exterior, floor-to-ceiling windows, and prime location in the Meatpacking District, but also for its awesome food and beverage offerings (The Standard Grill and The Standard Biergarten in particular) and programming. From Not Your Standard Bingo every Sunday night starting at 10 P.M. to late-night dancing at BOOM, this place has it all.
The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad
With its legendary service and unrivaled elegance, The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad offers expansive living spaces with seriously breathtaking views of the city. Once checked in, explore its 6,800-square-foot spa and fitness center, check out the rooftop bar Nubeluz, or treat yourself to a relaxing bubble bath in your suite, where all guest rooms come equipped with bathroom amenities by Diptyque, adding an extra touch of luxury. When all that relaxing leaves you hungry, there’s no better way to conclude your stay than with DJ brunch at Zaytinya, offering a mezze menu by Michelin-starred chef José Andrés.
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The perfect eye cream for the city that requires all your energy. Relieve those tired eyes with this fast-absorbing cream that’s packed with aloe to soothe and peptides to plump.
Long live second (or third or fourth) day hair. Give your roots a spritz of Ouai’s Super Dry Shampoo and you won’t ever need to stop back at your hotel. Key ingredients like rice starch and volcanic minerals work to detoxify strands and cleanse the hair so it will appear stronger and healthier between washes.
If you make it off the island of Manhattan to the land of hipsters and a never-running G train, you’ll find yourself in Brooklyn. This fragrance, inspired by the borough’s jazz club scene, has woodsy notes of smooth cocktails and smoking cigars. To answer the question of the most notorious BK resident, “Where Brooklyn at?” Bottled, in this fragrance.
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