All your favorite cuisines on the Upper East Side of Manhattan
Classic architecture, Central Park, the Met. The Upper East Side is one of the most beautiful parts of Manhattan. Everywhere you walk, you are sure to spot some hidden garden or an antique brownstone apartment. Aside from its charm, the Upper East Side is also a great area for eating. It is filled to the brim with amazing restaurants and a huge variety of cuisines. These are some of the top spots for Upper East Side eats.
Vella Wine Bar + Kitchen – Italian and Wine
1480 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10075
Photo: Courtesy of Vella Wine Bar + Kitchen
This chic bar and restaurant specializes in bringing you the best tapas, Italian specialties, and an expansive wine selection. The Tuna Tartare and Truffle Mac and Cheese are by far the favorites of the restaurant, but they also have cheese platters if you’re looking to pair something with a delicious bottle of their Barolo Pertinance. The ambience is very relaxing – darker colors, low light, and attentive staff are sure to bring a calmness to your night.
Hummus Kitchen – Mediterranean
1613 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028
Photo: Courtesy of Hummus Kitchen
Hummus Kitchen draws from traditional Mediterranean cuisine – focusing on simplicity and raw, natural ingredients. Their pride and joy, if you can guess it, is their hummus. Full of vitamin b6, vitamin c, protein, and tons of of flavor, their hummus is prepared fresh everyday and served with warm pita bread. Right around the corner from Central Park, this is the perfect spot to go to after a nice run or a trip to the Met!
Caffe Buon Gusto – Brunch
236 E 77th St, New York, NY 10075
Photo: Courtesy of Caffe Buon Gusto
This cozy little gem, complete with a floral outdoor seating area, is the perfect place to be for a NYC weekend brunch. The restaurant itself specializes in Italian, but the brunch is so good, it deserves to be in a category of its own. Caffe Buon Gusto has everything from French Toast, to Paninis, to Eggs Pomodoro (and traditional Italian if you’re feeling dinner). So come on by and relax on their patio with a mimosa and one of their fantastic brunch options.
Persepolis – Persian
1407 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10021
Photo: Courtesy of Persepolis
Named after Persia’s beloved capital, you can bet Persepolis is serving up the works when it comes to traditional Persian food. This restaurant is known for its incredible service and savory meals. The ambience is very relaxed with a romantic yet casual feel. The dishes to get here are the Sour Cherry Rice, Eggplant Mirza, and the Saffron Chicken marinated in saffron, lemon, and onion. But don’t forget to order their classic Baklava for dessert!
Sushi Para NYC – Sushi
1461 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10028
Photo: Courtesy of Sushi Para NYC
This sushi joint is a hit in the Upper East Side with their chic, modern décor and Zen ambience. Sushi Para is known for their delicious variety of rolls, sashimi, and nigiri. There is really no wrong answer when it comes to ordering, but their favorites include the Pork Gyoza, Spicy Tuna roll, and Sapporo roll. The best part is, it all comes served on a sushi boat. It’s definitely a fun time, great for a night out on the town. Be sure to finish off your night fresh with their Green Tea Ice Cream.
