New York Dearest
The guide, $35
A restaurant · Upper East Side · on two New York Dearest lists

Flex Mussels

Worth it. Prince Edward Island, globally known for its seafood, particularly mussels, is the birthplace of the original Flex Mussels, now acclaimed as one of the best Upper East Side restaurants.

Antonina Pattiz
Antonina PattizFrom my list Best restaurants on the Upper East Side
Address
1431 3rd Ave Directions
Subway
6 to 77 St, 5 min
Website
flexmussels.com

Every list it’s on

Worth it. Been? Say if you agree.
Worth it
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Don’t let the cheeky name fool you, Flex Mussels means business. Hailing from Prince Edward Island, the charming shack-turned-Upper East Side haunt specializes in mussel-forward dishes.

Sourcing the best mussels this side of the Atlantic, you’ll find more than a dozen variations of the bivalve on the menu. Brunch is a little more tame with time-tested classics like french toast, omelettes and proper breakfast sandwiches.

However, it’d be a shame to stray too far from seafood at this popular Upper East Side brunch destination. I recommend the Shelly Benedictowitz (potato latke, poached egg, smoked salmon, dill creme fraiche), but whatever you decide on, just make sure an order of mussels opens the meal.

In a city obsessed with brunch, these spots actually deliver on the promise.

Worth it

Thanks to strong ties with mussel farmers on the island, Flex Mussels secures access to the plumpest mussels available.

What I wrote thereFold it away

Prince Edward Island, globally known for its seafood, particularly mussels, is the birthplace of the original Flex Mussels, now acclaimed as one of the best Upper East Side restaurants. Thanks to strong ties with mussel farmers on the island, Flex Mussels secures access to the plumpest mussels available.

The menu offers these incredible mussels in ten sauces, with the standout being the dijon mussels. Featuring a mouthwatering blend of dijon mustard, creme fraiche, white wine, and parsley, the sauce is so irresistible that you’ll find yourself savoring every last bit long after the mussels are gone.

Best of New York 2026, New York Dearest
On The Best of New York

I put Flex Mussels on two of my best lists

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