The 10 best restaurants on the Upper East Side right now

What is it? The Frick Collection’s first-ever restaurant is a 50-seat jewel box named after founder Henry Clay Frick’s private railway car. Like the museum itself, it leans into elegance: poached trout, tuna Niçoise, and a crustless club sandwich are among the refined, no-fuss options ideal for a leisurely lunch between galleries.

Why we love it:  It’s exactly the kind of restrained luxury you’d expect from the Frick—a serene spot where you can sip a French 75 or daiquiri in a room as artful as the galleries next door. There’s a clever nod to the museum’s popular Cocktails with a Curator series, and the menu manages to strike a balance between timeless (chicken Milanese) and TikTok-adjacent (avocado toast with pistachio butter). 

Time Out tip:  A museum ticket is required to dine here, and reservations can only be made in person. Go early, see the art, and put your name down before the midday rush.

Address: 1 East 70th St, New York, NY 10021 

Hours of operation: Wed–Mon 10:30am–5:30pm

What is it? Tucked into the Carlyle Hotel, Bemelmans Bar first opened in 1947. All these years later, it continues to shake up some of New York City’s best drinks in one of its most beautiful spaces. While it has inspired many imitators all over New York City and beyond, you just can’t beat the original. 

Why we love it: Nobody is gatekeeping Bemelmans. Its iconic murals and truly excellent cocktails make it a must-do for anyone who wants an old-school New York City experience. Here’s the thing: There will be a line. There will be influencers taking pictures of themselves, and of the drinks, and probably of you. Each cocktail will cost more than an entrée in most restaurants. And yet—once you have your martini in hand, you’ll never, ever want to leave. 

Time Out tip: Come for the stiff drinks, stay for the snacks. You might want to skip the market price caviar, as that won’t do much to soak up the liquor. Instead, go for the sliders and chicken wings, which make for ideal bar food. 

Address: 35 E 76th St, New York, NY 10075

Opening hours: Mon–Wed, Sun noon–midnight; Thu noon–12:30am; Fri–Sat noon–1am. 

What is it? At Bayon (which was opened by the husband-and-wife owners of the beloved restaurant Angkor, and in the same location), be sure to order the baked amok, which is one of Cambodia’s best-known dishes. This souffle-like meal is steamed, fragrant with scallops, coconut milk and lemongrass, and totally transportive.

Why we love it: It’s tough to find Cambodian food in NYC, so it’s a treat to get to taste it when you venture to the Upper East Side. Bayon makes a meal ideal for sharing, so start with the prahok crudite, which combines the salted, fermented fish paste that adds an umami burst to every bite with fresh veggies, eggs, curry and relish, and then move on to shareable apps like green mango salad with coconut and peanuts and prawn-stuffed summer rolls. 

Time Out tip: Bayon is conveniently located just a couple of blocks from the tram to Roosevelt Island, so grab a bite and then head to the Tramway Plaza at E. 60th St. and 2nd Ave. to cap off your night with a high-flying adventure (and dessert looking over the water). 

Address: 408 E 64th St, New York, NY 10065

Hours: Mon, Wed, Thurs 4pm–10pm; Fri–Sat 2pm–10:30pm; Sun 3:30pm–9:30pm

What is it? Chez Fifi is a chic, 12-table French bistro on the Upper East Side from the team behind Sushi Noz. Named after the owners’ mother, Firouzeh Foulquier, the intimate spot offers bistro classics like filet mignon with fries, a rotating omelette, and a much-discussed $78 roast chicken. But its true standout is the elegant charcuterie board featuring foie gras, jamón ibérico and salmon rillettes.

Why we love it: It’s the rare uptown spot that draws a downtown crowd, thanks to its impeccable food, romantic ambiance, and serious buzz. Desserts are flawless—crackling crème brûlée and rich chocolate mousse with chantilly cream—and somehow, in this economy, the bread and butter are still free.

Time Out tip: You don’t need to land an elusive reservation to enjoy Chez Fifi. Swing by the bar after a museum stroll for a rhubarb sour and some fries—you’ll still get a taste of the magic, no midnight Resy refresh required.

Address: 140 E 74th St, New York, NY 10021

Hours of operation: Mon–Sat 5:15–11:30pm

What is it? A Hamptons-style pop-up from Jean-Georges and Caviar Kaspa, the Mark’s Clam Bar brings a laid-back seafood shack vibe to the Upper East Side, right on the corner of Madison and East 77th. 

Why we love it: It’s both transportive and totally New York. The checkered decor and breezy aesthetic channel coastal charm, while the food delivers real flavor: Expect elevated versions of beachy favorites like lobster rolls, baked clams and hand-cut fries—all served in a stylish, street-corner setting that’s more polished than your average roadside stop.

Time Out tip: You’ll find caviar all over the menu here, but don’t feel like you have to go for the caviar blinis. It’s just as good in small portions on top of the crispy crab arancini and mini tartare tacos. 

Address: 25 E 77th St, New York, NY 10075

Hours of operation: Daily noon–10pm

What is it? The home of a totally classic, extremely satisfying NYC burger since 1972, J.G. Melon’s saloon-like decor makes it seem a place out of time (or at least, out of a ’70s sitcom). Outside, its vertical neon sign creates a tableau that’s equal parts postcard picture, album cover and Hopper painting. Inside, you’ll find a charmingly kitschy assortment of—you guessed it—melon decor. Its menu also includes a few salads, a couple of steaks and several bottles of wine under $50. 

Why we love it: While many of the city’s best burgers have soared to $30 and beyond, J.G. Melon’s basic hamburger remains priced at $14.25, and comes simply served with a few slices of red onion and pickles. The price isn’t the only throwback: several of the genial bartenders, hosts and servers (in genteel ties and sweater vests) have been greeting patrons by their first names since the pub opened in 1972.

Time Out tip: Don’t skip their cottage fries (AKA round, ridged French fries, which caused a minor panic when they briefly went off the menu). 

Address: 1291 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10021

Opening hours: Daily 11:30am–3am

What is it? One of the most classically opulent of the city’s fine dining restaurants, Daniel’s three-course prix fixe starts at $195, and their five-course prix fixe starts at $235. 

Why we love it: You’re already uptown—why not go all out? While Daniel opened in NYC’s fine dining heyday of 1993, it’s the sort of spot that’ll never really go out of style. Its current menu includes high-end seafood, like Montauk black bass and king salmon, alongside quail and Wagyu beef. 

Time Out tip: If you really want to splash out on a special night on the Upper East Side, opt for the seven-course tasting menu for $295. You’ll eat your way through foie gras with Michigan cherries, Maine lobster, soft shell crab with local corn, veal tenderloin and your choice of decadent desserts 

Address: 60 E 65th St, New York, NY 10065

Opening hours: Tue–Sun 5pm–9:30pm

What is it? This Peruvian spot serves up ceviche in a greenhouse atmosphere. While it has opened a buzzy new restaurant downtown, the original location is a little more laid-back. Follow your catch of the day ceviche with seafood paella and sip drinks like the (literally smoking with palo santo) Japanese whiskey-based Witch Hunter cocktail. 

Why we love it: While excellent sushi can be had all over the Upper East Side, good ceviche is much rarer, and this spot does it right. Seafood, including octopus, rock shrimp, yellowfin tuna and more, is served in “tiger’s milk,” a spicy, citrusy marinade that is the hallmark of Peruvian ceviche. 

Time Out tip: Make sure to order a pisco sour, the national cocktail of Peru. Pisco, a South American brandy, is frothed with lemon juice, egg white and sugar cane to create a tart and sweet drink that pairs perfectly with your tiger’s milk ceviche. Mission Ceviche makes a standout classic pisco sour, or opt to add passionfruit, pineapple or ginger and bitters for a new take on the drink. 

Address: 1400 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10021 

Opening hours: Mon–Tue, Thu noon–10pm; Wed noon–10pm; Fri noon–10:30pm; Sat 11am–10:30pm; Sun 11am–10pm

What is it? NYC’s very first Sushi of Gari location has been crafting high-quality, surprising dishes with exceptional ingredients to create a unique omakase experience since 1997. Crowds still file into the small, simply decorated spot for the omakase menu, which starts at $160 per person. You’ll find pairings that include foie gras, tomato tartare, white truffle oil and quail egg—every one of which will expand your idea of what sushi can be.  

Why we love it: The Upper East Side boasts many excellent sushi counters, many of which offer omakase menus that we keep returning to. Sushi of Gari makes the list for its straightforward setting combined with its anything-but-straightforward menu. 

Time Out tip: Not hungry enough for the full omakase menu? Opt for the “Gari’s Special,” which gets you eight pieces of signature sushi for $72. Or stop by for lunch, where four pieces (plus a spicy tuna roll or spicy shrimp tempura roll) can be had for $55. 

Address: 402 E 78th St, New York, NY 10075

Opening hours: Daily noon–2:15pm, 5pm–9:45pm

What is it? Japanese speakeasy NR is another venture from the team behind Harlem’s ROKC. Like the original spot, NR is more than just a spot to meet for cocktails—the ramen and curries make for a delicious dinner. It is purportedly inspired by Meiji-era port towns, but the nitro espresso martini and funky blue cheese and sauvignon blanc cocktail might beg to differ. 

Why we love it: There are plenty of deceptively simple cocktails on the menu, but it might be more fun (and better for your fans, friends and followers to watch on your story) to order one of the more elaborate options, some of which arrive on actual fire or are poured out of a fake perfume bottle. 

Time Out tip: The raw bar’s happy hour seafood tower is a deal, but don’t sleep on the other snacks, like the truffled egg sandwich and deviled egg with caviar. They’re small but satisfying, giving you just enough energy to power through another cocktail. 

Address: 339 E 75th St, New York, NY 10021

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 5pm–11pm; Thu–Fri 5pm–midnight; Sat noon–midnight; Sun noon–10pm

Expect to pay: Most cocktails are $18; ramen starts at $19.