The Best Things to Do, See and Experience in NYC’s Upper East Side
There is something about New York that feels deeply personal to me.
I’ve always said this city is very simple: you either love it, or it overwhelms you. It either fuels you or exhausts you. And for me? It fuels me every single time.
After visiting New York more than twenty times over the years, I’ve had the chance to explore it far beyond the obvious tourist stops. I have my rituals, my favourite corners, my coffee orders, and the exact streets I love walking when I want to slow down.
During this past New York Fashion Week, I unexpectedly had a few free hours with my team — and instead of rushing between meetings, we decided to do something different: we became tourists again.
And we spent the day on the Upper East Side.
If you’re visiting New York and want a slower, elegant, aesthetic day – this is exactly how I would recommend spending it.
Start Your Morning at Ralph’s Coffee (888 Madison Avenue)
My Upper East Side mornings always begin here.
There is something so comforting about Ralph’s – the deep green branding, the polished yet cosy atmosphere, and the mix of impeccably dressed locals and their impossibly well-groomed dogs.
I always grab a coffee to go first, then if the weather allows, sit outside for a little while. It’s prime people-watching territory. Upper East Side residents have a very specific elegance about them – understated, polished, effortless.
This is not a rushed New York morning. This is a slow one.
Breakfast at Sant Ambroeus (1000 Madison Avenue)
If you’ve ever been to Milan, you’ll recognise the name instantly.
Sant Ambroeus has long been one of my favourite brunch spots in Milan, so finding it here on the Upper East Side always feels comforting. Despite its Milanese elegance, it actually originated in New York – which makes coming here feel like a full-circle moment.
I always stop by when I’m in the city.
Cappuccino, something sweet, maybe eggs – and no rushing. It’s one of those places where I allow myself to slow down and simply enjoy the atmosphere.
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Image credits: @santambroeus
Late Morning at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
You cannot spend a day on the Upper East Side without visiting The Met.
Even after all my visits to New York, it still inspires me every time. The scale, the architecture, the art – it’s overwhelming in the most beautiful way.
If you’re planning this day, I strongly recommend booking your ticket online in advance to avoid queues. Focus on a few sections rather than trying to see everything. European paintings, fashion exhibitions, sculpture – choose what genuinely interests you and take your time.
A Cultural Stop at Neue Galerie New York
Just a short walk away is one of my favourite smaller museums in the city.
The Neue Galerie focuses on German and Austrian art, and it houses the iconic Woman in Gold by Gustav Klimt. Seeing it in person is truly special – the gold detailing, the presence, the history.
It feels intimate compared to The Met, which makes the experience even more personal.
Madison Avenue Shopping & Matcha Break
Afternoons on the Upper East Side are made for strolling.
Madison Avenue is elegance in retail form – polished storefronts, quiet luxury, and that very specific Upper East Side composure. If you love designer fashion, this is where you’ll find almost everything. From Totême to heritage houses and contemporary labels, it’s all beautifully curated along one stretch.
For vintage designer treasures, I always stop by The RealReal. It’s one of my favourite places to hunt for unique pieces – you never quite know what you’ll find, which makes it even more exciting.
And somewhere between browsing and window-shopping, I take a little pause at Butterfield Market. A matcha, sometimes a frozen yoghurt if I’m in a sweet mood – something light, refreshing, and very “local New York”.
It’s the perfect Upper East Side rhythm: shop a little, sip a little, slow down.
Pre-Dinner Drinks at Bemelmans Bar
For that classic New York moment.
Bemelmans Bar, inside The Carlyle, feels timeless. The murals, the piano, the dim lighting – it’s cinematic in the best way.
Order a martini or whatever you love, sit back, and soak in the atmosphere.
Dinner at The Polo Bar
If I’m ending the day on the Upper East Side properly, it’s at The Polo Bar.
Tucked just off Fifth Avenue, it has that unmistakable old-school New York glamour – dark wood, equestrian details, low lighting, perfectly pressed jackets and that quiet hum of conversations that feel important. It’s refined without being intimidating, polished but still warm.
The menu leans into classic American comfort – beautifully done steaks, the famous Polo Bar burger, generous salads – the kind of dishes that feel timeless rather than trendy. It’s not about theatrics here; it’s about atmosphere.
Dinner at The Polo Bar feels like stepping into a very specific version of Manhattan – elegant, confident, and slightly cinematic. And for me, it’s the perfect way to close a day on the Upper East Side.
Why I Love the Upper East Side
The Upper East Side is not chaotic New York.
It’s refined New York.
Tree-lined streets. Beautiful townhouses. Museums. Old-school glamour. Polished women in tailoring. Tiny dogs in perfect coats.
If you’re visiting New York and want one day that feels aesthetic, cultural, elegant and slightly slower – this is exactly how I would spend it.
And every single time I return, I fall in love with the city all over again.
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