Our Must-Visit Spots to Shop, Dine, and Explore on the Upper East Side

Shop and Stroll on Madison Avenue: No visit uptown is complete without a stroll on the most celebrated avenue on the UES: Madison Avenue. Our favorite route ranges from 65th Street to 86th Street, and you should prepare to stop at the many designer boutiques as you walk uptown. The star of this stretch of Madison is the new Something Navy store, which is ideally situated between 80th and 81st Streets.

Walk Through Central Park: Summer is prime time for a trip to Central Park, and the Upper East Side gives you easy access to many of the park's best spots. Enter Central Park on 72nd Street and Fifth Avenue. From there, you can head slightly north to the Model Boat Pond on 75th Street–you can sit back, relax, and watch people race mini model boats across the water.

Just a few steps away is the legendary Loeb Boathouse, where you can rent a rowboat to take out on the lake or have a delicious meal at the Loeb Boathouse restaurant. Your next destination should be the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, which starts on 86th Street and offers breathtaking views of the cityscape.

Ralph’s Coffee: 888 Madison Avenue

Start your day with a coffee and pastry at Ralph Lauren’s ultra-chic coffee outpost, Ralph's Coffee. If you're lucky enough to snag one of their coveted outdoor seats, you'll get to enjoy prime people-watching with your coffee.

Sant Ambroeus: 1000 Madison Avenue

It's no surprise that Upper East Siders flock to the uptown Sant Ambroeus location. Expect classic Italian food and an impressive wine list at the neighborhood mainstay. They have a delicious selection of items served at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Sant Ambroeus any time of the day.

Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle Hotel: 35 East 76th Street

Bemelmans Bar is the quintessential New York spot, with a storied history and a signature menu of cocktails, wine, and shared plates. The whimsical murals on the wall by Ludwig Bemelmans make this a truly one-of-kind destination. The legendary spot just reopened after being closed for over a year, and it’s truly better than ever.