New York Dearest
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The Best of New York · Eat · Restaurants by neighborhood

The best restaurants on the Upper East Side.

Every one from my own visits, updated September 2026. 15 places.

On the hunt for a great Upper East Side restaurant? As a resident local, I can help with that.

Few New York City neighborhoods are as famous as the Upper East Side (UES). Featured in a tons of films and TV shows (any Gossip Girl fans here?) the neighborhood is esteemed for its opulence, wealth and status.

Antonina PattizI went to every one · how I decide

Best restaurants on the Upper East Side, 2026

  1. Cafe d'AlsaceRestaurant · Upper East SideAs one of the Upper East Side's most sought-after restaurants, the ambiance consistently delights, with locals filling the space with lively chatter, making it an ideal spot for drinks with friends.
  2. JG MelonRestaurant · Upper East SideEstablished in 1972, JG Melon stands as an iconic UES restaurant, revered in the New York City food scene.
  3. NRRestaurant · Upper East SideAs one of the top Upper East Side restaurants, NR offers fresh, steaming plates that are as tantalizing in appearance as they are in smell.
  4. SojournRestaurant · Upper East SideSojourn excels in various roles, all under one impressive umbrella.
  5. The PenroseBar · Upper East Side
  6. Xi'an Famous FoodRestaurant · Upper East SideXi'an Famous Foods, named after the easternmost city in China, stands out as one of the best and most affordable Upper East Side restaurants.
  7. A.O.C EastRestaurant · Upper East SideAs one of the best restaurants in the Upper East Side you'll find it's easy to lose track of time.
  8. BoqueriaRestaurant · Upper East SideBoqueria, a Spanish restaurant and tapas bar, is a top choice for date nights on the Upper East Side.
  9. Flex MusselsRestaurant · Upper East SidePrince 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.
  10. Luke's LobsterRestaurant · Upper East SideThe quality leaves little room to wonder how Luke's Lobster became one of the best restaurants in the Upper East Side.
  11. MayaRestaurant · Upper East SideInternationally renowned chef Richard Sandoval has transformed Maya into a top Upper East Side restaurant, specializing in step up Mexican cuisine that goes beyond what you're used to.
  12. Mission CevicheRestaurant · Upper East SideA hidden food treasure on the Upper East Side, Misson Ceviche is well-known for its vivid mix of flavors and commitment to providing a genuine Peruvian dining experience.
  13. THEP Thai RestaurantRestaurant · Upper East SideOffering an authentic taste of Thailand in a contemporary way, the UES restaurant has become a local favorite in short amount of time.
  14. Up ThaiRestaurant · Upper East SideIt's one of the cutest restaurants in the Upper East Side adorned by rustic furniture, greenery and colorful lanterns hanging from the ceiling.
  15. UvaRestaurant · Upper East SideNamed after the Italian word for grapes, "Uva" is a charming restaurant with the ambiance of an old Tuscan villa, making it an ideal setting for a romantic date night.

On the map

Where they are.

All in Upper East Side.

Upper East Side

Best restaurants on the Upper East Side, 2026

The seal

If you're on this list, this is yours.

I went, and I said in my own words that it's worth your time. Nobody paid for that and nobody can. The seal says so, and it links back here, so anyone who sees it reads the whole list and how I decide.

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Best restaurants on the Upper East Side, New York Dearest, 2026

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Best restaurants on the Upper East Side, New York Dearest, 2026

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The files

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SVG for the web, the 1200 px PNG for print and social. Both carry the year.

Is one of these yours? and I confirm it's you and send the files.

The full guide, with the ones that didn't make it and why: 17 Best Restaurants on the Upper East Side (Local’s List).