The Beekman Hotel and Bar

Restaurant Rolodex: Restaurants to Instagram

You’ve got friends and relatives in from out of town. They’ve already Instagrammed The Oculus, The Freedom Tower, their feet on a cobblestone street, and graffiti on the Lower East Side. Now what? They want more. Luckily, NYC’s restaurants bring a lot to the Insta-game, their design and style can be just as inspirational and delish as the food they’re serving. Here are our favorite snap-worthy spots right now — where we’re going to be savor the gorgeousness as well as the gorge-a-bels. Go to be inspired or, to impress your out-of-town visitors, or, let’s get real, to just look like you’re really cool.

Fowler and Wells at The Beekman
The new Tom Collichio restaurant inside the renovated Beekman Hotel combines old world New York grandeur combined and industrial details and the result is extra special. The food is “New York food” with a little French flair: think sweetbreads, foie gras, oysters Rockefeller. Go for a special occasion or drink at the bar and feel like you’re so, so glamorous..

The Beekman Hotel
5 Beekman St. New York, NY 10038
(212) 658-1848

Pietro Nolita
This all pink, brightly monochromatic Italian restaurant on Elizabeth Street was basically made for Insta. Set on a quiet block near Little Italy, the Italian owner, Pietro Quaglia, left the fashion world to create something unique, casual, and inspired by his mother’s simple home cooking. This little gem is a must for lunch or dinner with your girlfriends or a shopping date with Mom.

174 Elizabeth St. New York, NY 10012
(646) 998-4999

Santina
We’re still not over the decor at Santina, our fave coastal Italian restaurant, with the all glass facade lined with palm trees, colorful Murano glass chandeliers, and orange awning that make you feel like it’s a sunny day on the Amalfi Coast, even when it’s negative two and raining. Also, more beauty lies nearby — hit the Whitney first, then grab brunch.

820 Washington St. New York, NY 10014
(212) 254-3000

Sadelle’s
The cult-fave Jewish bakery and Russian inspired restaurant is bright and festive during the day (who knew smoked fish towers could be chic?) and becomes intimate and moody with candlelight by night. It’s sort of like you’re in your super-glam-grandmother’s home, only no one is asking you when you’re going to give her grandchildren.

463 W Broadway New York, NY 10012
(212) 776-4926

The Nomad Hotel
The Nomad Hotel has long been a favorite place for drinks by the bar or a fancy date night. The design is emulated and adored around the world. If you’re looking to feel a little bit French, this is the place to go.

1170 Broadway New York, NY 10001
(212) 796-1500

Le CouCou
Rustic French style, fixtures with just the right amount of patina, a famous French chef: New Yorkers eat this *&#t up.  The restaurant is in the Howard Hotel and was designed by the peeps who’ve done other inspiring spaces like Upland and features a hand painted mural on the bar’s wall and a custom country kitchen inspired bar in back. See and be seen, folks. See and be seen.

138 Lafayette St. New York, NY 10013
(212) 271-4252

Baccarat Hotel Restaurant and Bar
Dazzling glass and refined touches everywhere you look, the Baccarat is THE place for your fancy night uptown, stop, snap, and sip martinis.

28 W 53rd St. New York, NY 10019
(212) 790-8800

Polo Bar
Walking into the Polo Bar feels exactly like walking into Ralph Lauren’s own country estate. We know. We go all the time. JK. Lush but completely refined, the dark wood and gold accents are fancy but still cozy. The pain of getting a a reservation is worth the effort for a date night or pal’s birthday.

1 E 55th St. New York, NY 10022
(212) 207-8562

For more restaurant recommendations, check out our Restaurant Rolodex

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