How to Spend a Perfect Day in the Upper East Side of Manhattan

I spend most of my time in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, and I absolutely love it. It is quieter than downtown, there are less tourists, and you don’t need to book a restaurant at least 4 weeks in advance at 8am and still end up only being able to snag a dinner reservation for either 4pm or 10pm. It’s more local, we have clean streets and we have Central Park! Below is how I would choose to spend my ideal day in the Upper East Side. 

Morning

I would start off my morning getting a coffee from one of the many coffee shops in the Upper East Side. I would just choose the one that is the closest to you. A few of my favorites include: Variety, Ralphs, 787, and the Le Pain that’s in Central Park. I also love to walk through Butterfield Market in the morning before it gets chaotic in the afternoon.After this, take a long walk through Central Park and make sure to see the Bethesda Fountain, the Mall and take a row boat ride if the weather permits. I also love visiting the bow bridge and the reservoir. 

Afternoon

Start off your afternoon with lunch at the Loeb Boathouse in Central Park. You will want to make a reservation for this restaurant and I recommend sitting on the patio with a view of the water. This is the restaurant thats been featured in many movies and TV shows, including Sex in the City, I went here for my 25th birthday and it absolutely didn’t feel like a tourist trap - it is by far my favorite restaurant in New York when considering ambiance alone. After lunch, head to the MET to experience some of the world’s best artwork. You could spend a full day at the MET, I’m only factoring in 3-4ish hours in the afternoon. When the weather permits, the MET has a bar on the upstairs patio - in my opinion, this bar has the best view of the city. On your way out, stop by the Hot Dog stand directly outside of the MET for a quick bite. It’s the best hot dog in the city :) 

Evening

After the MET, make your way to walk Madison Avenue and stop in the stores. The only word to describe the shopping on Madison Ave is - elegant. The stores have beautiful window displays and are home to some stores that make you understand why people travel to shop on Madison Ave. My favorite place to eat on the Upper East Side  is UVA, an Italian restaurant. The inside is SO cozy and the food is some of the best Italian I’ve had in the city.  After dinner, head to Anita Gelato for dessert! 

Night

There are lots of fun bars on the Upper East Side! My personal favorite is Kaia Wine Bar - it’s the perfect place to go if you want apps and wine. The restaurant is South African based and the wine is the best in the upper east. If you are looking for a divey bar that really provides a neighborhood vibe is Phil Hughes. I love going here with my friends on a chill night out. There’s also a big Irish pub scene, and my favorite is Dylan Murphy’s. I don’t think i’ve ever had more fun chatting with bartenders in my life than at this bar.