NYFW Restaurant Guide
Last Updated: March 29, 2025
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Dining during New York Fashion Week is as much about seeing and being seen as it is about the cuisine. Fashion Week Online® presents the ultimate guide to NYFW-worthy dining destinations, from legendary power lunch spots to the latest plant-based hotspots frequented by models and influencers. Whether you’re looking to spot fashion royalty between shows, network with industry insiders, or simply refuel in a stylish setting that might land you in a street style photo, our curated selection highlights the most fashionable places to dine during the industry’s biggest week.
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West Chelsea & Hudson Yards: Dining Near Fashion Week’s Newest Hub
With the Starrett-Lehigh Building emerging as a key NYFW venue and Spring Studios maintaining its importance, restaurants in West Chelsea and Hudson Yards offer both convenience and scene-making potential between shows.
The Clocktower
Located in the EDITION Hotel, this Michelin-starred restaurant by Stephen Starr combines British-inspired cuisine with a sophisticated atmosphere. Its wood-paneled rooms and art-filled walls create a discreet yet fashionable environment for industry power meals.
Fashion Week Advantages:
- Private dining rooms perfect for designer team dinners
- Exceptional cocktail program for post-show celebrations
- Celebrity chef cachet attracting fashion editors and buyers
- Late-night service accommodating fashion’s notorious schedule
The Clocktower regularly hosts fashion executives like Eva Chen, who appreciates its combination of refined cuisine and Instagram-worthy interiors.
Electric Lemon
Perched on the 24th floor of the Equinox Hotel in Hudson Yards, this sleek restaurant emphasizes seasonal, clean eating without sacrificing flavor—making it a favorite for health-conscious models and editors needing to maintain energy throughout the week.
Fashion Week Advantages:
- Strategic location near Hudson Yards venues
- Wellness-focused menu with plenty of model-approved options
- Spectacular views providing natural content opportunities
- Quick service for tight between-show schedules
Electric Lemon is a known favorite of fitness-minded fashion insiders like Karlie Kloss, who values its health-conscious approach.
Pastis
The revival of this Meatpacking District institution brings back one of fashion’s most beloved gathering spots. Its Parisian bistro atmosphere and reliable French classics continue to attract the industry’s elite just as they did in its original incarnation.
Fashion Week Advantages:
- Historic fashion industry credentials
- Prime location for Meatpacking and West Chelsea venues
- All-day service from early breakfast meetings through late-night dinners
- Sidewalk seating perfect for street style spotting
Pastis remains a perennial favorite among designers like Diane von Furstenberg, who was a regular at both the original and current incarnations.
SoHo & Tribeca: Fashion’s Downtown Dining Scene
SoHo and Tribeca remain essential neighborhoods in the NYFW ecosystem, with their concentration of showrooms and presentation spaces. These restaurants place you at the center of downtown’s creative energy while offering prime opportunities for fashion-world networking.
Balthazar
Keith McNally’s timeless French brasserie continues its reign as SoHo’s see-and-be-seen destination. Fashion editors have been holding court in its red leather banquettes for decades, making it a reliable spot for industry sightings.
Fashion Week Advantages:
- Legendary fashion breakfast scene with editors plotting the day
- Central SoHo location accessible to multiple venues
- Consistent celebrity clientele during fashion week
- Late service accommodating post-show dinners
Balthazar has long been a favorite of Anna Wintour, who is frequently spotted at her regular table during NYFW mornings.
Locanda Verde
This Robert De Niro-backed Tribeca restaurant continues to draw fashion insiders with its sophisticated Italian comfort food. Its proximity to Spring Studios makes it an essential fashion week dining destination.
Fashion Week Advantages:
- Quick walk from Spring Studios for between-show meals
- Private dining room for designer dinners and presentations
- Reliable celebrity sightings during NYFW
- Exceptional lunch service ideal for industry meetings
Locanda Verde often hosts fashion events during NYFW, with designers like Marc Jacobs frequently seen at its tables.
The Mercer Kitchen
Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s subterranean restaurant beneath The Mercer Hotel maintains its position as a fashion industry stronghold. Its discreet atmosphere and reliable cuisine make it a perennial favorite for confidential industry conversations.
Fashion Week Advantages:
- Direct access from The Mercer Hotel, a fashion industry favorite
- Discreet tables suitable for confidential industry discussions
- Reliable model and designer sightings throughout NYFW
- Late-night menu for post-show refueling
The Mercer Kitchen remains a trusted meeting point for international editors and designers who stay at the hotel above, including regulars like Edward Enninful.
Carbone
This theatrical Italian-American restaurant has established itself as fashion’s special occasion destination. Its dramatic atmosphere and throwback service style create memorable fashion week celebrations and power dinners.
Fashion Week Advantages:
- Celebrity-filled room during fashion week
- Exceptional service for VIP fashion clients
- Theatrical environment perfect for celebration dinners
- Private dining options for exclusive fashion gatherings
Carbone is a known favorite of celebrities like Kendall Jenner, who often dines there during NYFW.
Lower East Side & NoLIta: Fashion’s Edgier Eateries
The Lower East Side and NoLIta represent fashion’s more experimental side. Restaurants in these neighborhoods offer distinctive character and creative cuisine while remaining accessible to downtown venues.
Dirty French
This Major Food Group restaurant inside The Ludlow Hotel combines French techniques with bold flavors and a distinctly downtown energy. Its lively atmosphere and fashionable crowd make it a regular stop for the industry’s younger, edgier contingent.
Fashion Week Advantages:
- Vibrant scene attracting models and younger designers
- Proximity to Lower East Side presentations and events
- Direct access from The Ludlow, a fashion-forward hotel
- Late-night scene extending beyond dinner service
Dirty French is popular with younger fashion creatives and has hosted impromptu gatherings with models like Bella Hadid.
Café Altro Paradiso
This airy, elegant Italian restaurant from the team behind Estela offers sophisticated yet unfussy cuisine in a refined setting. Its clean aesthetic and thoughtful service appeal to fashion’s more sophisticated palates.
Fashion Week Advantages:
- Minimalist, photo-friendly interiors
- Fashion editorial teams frequent its tables
- Quick service when needed for tight schedules
- Well-spaced tables allowing for discreet conversations
Café Altro Paradiso has been spotted hosting fashion editors from publications like Vogue during previous fashion weeks.
Dimes
This bright, California-inspired spot has become a hub for fashion’s health-conscious crowd. Its photogenic, plant-forward dishes and minimalist aesthetic make it a magnet for influencers and models between shows.
Fashion Week Advantages:
- Model-approved menu with abundant healthy options
- Highly Instagrammable food presentation
- Quick service ideal for tight fashion week schedules
- Frequent model and influencer sightings
Dimes is a regular haunt for models and influencers seeking healthy options during the demanding NYFW schedule. Fashion and lifestyle influencers including Emily Ratajkowski, Reese Blutstein, and Grece Ghanem are frequently spotted documenting their colorful, health-conscious meals here between shows.
Midtown: Fashion’s Power Lunch Territory
Midtown Manhattan represents fashion’s traditional business center, with iconic restaurants that have hosted industry power players for decades. These establishments offer classic New York experiences and opportunities to dine alongside fashion’s established powers.
The Grill
The reimagined space in the former Four Seasons Restaurant continues the tradition of midtown power dining. Its theatrical service and mid-century glamour attract fashion’s establishment figures and executives.
Fashion Week Advantages:
- Iconic Philip Johnson-designed space creating memorable dining experiences
- Fashion industry executives maintain regular tables
- Private dining options for confidential industry gatherings
- Classic service style ideal for important client meetings
The Grill frequently hosts fashion executives and designers like Michael Kors during NYFW.
Le Bernardin
Eric Ripert’s three-Michelin-starred seafood temple represents the pinnacle of fine dining in New York. Its flawless service and sophisticated cuisine make it the ultimate destination for celebrating major fashion week deals and milestones.
Fashion Week Advantages:
- Discreet service catering to high-profile fashion figures
- Private dining room for exclusive industry celebrations
- Proximity to midtown showrooms and corporate offices
- Elevated lunch experience for important client meetings
Le Bernardin is where major fashion brands often celebrate successful collections, with executives like François-Henri Pinault hosting important dinners.
L’Avenue at Saks
This Paris import brings European fashion dining culture to Fifth Avenue. Located inside Saks Fifth Avenue, it offers a convenient midtown refueling spot with reliable model and celebrity sightings.
Fashion Week Advantages:
- Direct access from Saks Fifth Avenue for shopping breaks
- International fashion crowd creates a Paris fashion week atmosphere
- Elevated people-watching from the dining room
- Proximity to midtown fashion offices and presentations
L’Avenue at Saks has quickly established itself as a fashion week staple, with celebrities like Gigi Hadid making regular appearances.
Brooklyn: Fashion’s Creative Culinary Frontier
As NYFW continues expanding beyond Manhattan, Brooklyn has emerged as an important location for forward-thinking presentations and events. These restaurants offer distinctive Brooklyn character while maintaining the level of service and scene expected during fashion week.
Lilia
Missy Robbins’ acclaimed Italian restaurant in Williamsburg draws fashion insiders across the bridge with its impeccable pasta and sophisticated setting. Its consistent excellence has made it a destination for industry celebrations.
Fashion Week Advantages:
- Exceptional cuisine worthy of special fashion week gatherings
- Spacious setting accommodating larger industry groups
- Regular celebrity clientele during NYFW
- Proximity to Brooklyn fashion presentations and events
Lilia has hosted post-show dinners for designers like Proenza Schouler when showing in Brooklyn.
The River Café
This Brooklyn institution offers one of the city’s most spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline. Its timeless elegance and Michelin-starred cuisine make it ideal for significant fashion week celebrations and milestone moments.
Fashion Week Advantages:
- Iconic skyline views creating memorable dining experiences
- Exceptional service for VIP fashion clients
- Private dining options for exclusive industry gatherings
- Romantic setting perfect for celebrating collection successes
The River Café has long been a special occasion destination for fashion luminaries like Donatella Versace during New York visits.
Le Crocodile
Located in the Wythe Hotel, this French brasserie combines Parisian classics with Brooklyn sensibilities. Its relaxed elegance and reliable cuisine make it a favorite for fashion teams staying in Williamsburg.
Fashion Week Advantages:
- Direct access from the Wythe Hotel, a fashion industry favorite
- All-day service accommodating irregular fashion week schedules
- Private dining rooms for team dinners and informal presentations
- Proximity to Brooklyn Navy Yard shows and events
Le Crocodile frequently hosts fashion photographers and creative teams like Tyler Mitchell who are based in Brooklyn during NYFW.
Plant-Based & Wellness-Focused Spots: Fashion’s Healthy Side
The fashion industry’s embrace of wellness culture has elevated plant-based and health-focused dining to essential NYFW status. These restaurants offer nourishing options that help maintain energy and appearance during the demanding fashion week schedule.
abcV
Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s plant-based restaurant within ABC Carpet & Home combines sophisticated vegetable-forward cuisine with an elegant, airy setting. Its emphasis on organic, sustainable ingredients resonates with fashion’s increasing focus on ethical practices.
Fashion Week Advantages:
- Model-approved menu with energizing, clean options
- Proximity to Flatiron district presentations and events
- Visually beautiful food perfect for social content
- Regular model and influencer sightings
abcV is a documented favorite of models like Adwoa Aboah, who appreciates its wholesome yet sophisticated approach.
Blossom
This vegan institution offers sophisticated plant-based cuisine in an elegant setting. Its dedication to creative, satisfying vegan dishes has made it a longtime favorite of fashion’s conscious consumers.
Fashion Week Advantages:
- Entirely vegan menu appealing to fashion’s ethical eaters
- Multiple locations convenient to different fashion week venues
- Substantial options providing necessary fashion week energy
- Allergen-friendly menu accommodating dietary restrictions
Blossom has been recognized as a favorite of vegan fashion advocates like Stella McCartney during her New York visits.
The Butcher’s Daughter
This “vegetable slaughterhouse” combines plant-forward cuisine with a highly Instagrammable aesthetic. Its bright, California-inspired spaces in NoLIta and the West Village have made it a content creator’s paradise during NYFW.
Fashion Week Advantages:
- Highly photogenic food and interiors for content creation
- Quick, energizing options for busy fashion week schedules
- Regular influencer and model patronage
- Multiple locations convenient to different NYFW venues
The Butcher’s Daughter regularly appears in fashion influencer content during NYFW, with personalities like Camila Coelho, Aimee Song, and Danielle Bernstein making it part of their fashion week routine. It’s become almost a required stop for fashion influencers who need both photogenic content and plant-based fuel during the hectic week.
Fashion Week Quick Bites: Between-Show Refueling
Fashion week’s demanding schedule often requires strategic quick dining options between shows. These establishments offer efficient service and fashion-approved cuisine that won’t derail your schedule or your style.
Sant Ambroeus
With strategic locations in SoHo, the West Village, and Madison Avenue, this Italian café chain has become fashion’s favorite quick refueling spot. Its reliable coffee, elegant pastries, and efficient service make it an essential fashion week pit stop.
Fashion Week Advantages:
- Multiple locations near key fashion week venues
- Efficient service understanding fashion week time constraints
- Reliable fashion editor and celebrity sightings
- European atmosphere appealing to international fashion visitors
Sant Ambroeus is a documented fashion industry staple, with editors like Laura Brown making it their regular meeting spot.
Sweetgreen
This salad chain has revolutionized quick, healthy eating options for the fashion crowd. Its customizable bowls and efficient service make it a runway model staple during the hectic fashion week schedule.
Fashion Week Advantages:
- Multiple locations near fashion week venues
- Nutritious, energizing options for maintaining stamina
- Mobile ordering to minimize wait times
- Consistent model and fashion team sightings
Sweetgreen has become a fashion week essential, with models like Kendall Jenner frequently spotted picking up orders between shows.
Café Gitane
This tiny French-Moroccan café in NoLIta has maintained its fashion credentials for decades. Its avocado toast (one of the city’s first) and efficient service continue to attract models and editors seeking quick, photogenic sustenance.
Fashion Week Advantages:
- Prime people-watching on Mott Street
- Highly photogenic food presentation
- Quick service understanding fashion week time constraints
- Proximity to NoLIta and SoHo presentations
Café Gitane has long been a favorite of models seeking quick, camera-ready meals, including regulars like Lily Aldridge.
NYFW Dining Strategy
Navigating New York’s dining scene during fashion week requires strategic planning and insider knowledge. Fashion Week Online® recommends these approaches to optimize your NYFW dining experience:
Reservation Timing Considerations
- Book 4-6 Weeks Ahead: Prime fashion week restaurants fill quickly, especially for peak times
- Consider Off-Hours: 5:30pm or 9:30pm reservations are often easier to secure
- Use Industry Connections: Many restaurants hold tables for fashion professionals
- Utilize Concierge Services: Hotel concierges can often secure otherwise unavailable tables
Dining Logistics During NYFW
- Factor Transit Time: Allow at least 30-45 minutes between reservation and next show
- Communicate Time Constraints: Inform servers of your schedule upon arrival
- Consider Sharing: Order several dishes for the table to accommodate varying dietary preferences
- Have Backup Options: Keep a list of walk-in friendly spots near each venue
Networking Opportunities
- Dine at the Bar: Solo diners can often make valuable industry connections at restaurant bars
- Research Owner Backgrounds: Many fashion figures have invested in restaurants
- Look for Industry Tables: Certain restaurants maintain dedicated areas for fashion regulars
- Check Social Geotags: Identify where industry influencers are dining in real-time
Additional NYFW Planning Resources
Complete your fashion week preparations with these essential Fashion Week Online® guides:
- NYFW Venues Guide – Comprehensive information about show locations
- NYFW Schedule – Up-to-date show timings and locations
- NYFW Tickets – Exclusive access to fashion week events | NYFW Tickets Buying Guide
- NYFW Hotel Guide – Fashionable accommodations near venues and hotspots
- NYFW Insider Guide – Expert tips for navigating fashion week
Frequently Asked Questions About NYFW Dining
When should I make restaurant reservations for New York Fashion Week?
We recommend securing reservations 4-6 weeks in advance for prime fashion week dining destinations, particularly for dinner hours between 7pm-9pm. Fashion industry hotspots like Carbone, Lilia, and Le Bernardin are often fully committed during NYFW without advance planning. For September NYFW, aim to book by early August; for February NYFW, make reservations by early January.
Which restaurants offer the best celebrity and industry sightings during NYFW?
For reliable fashion celebrity spotting, focus on established industry favorites like Balthazar for breakfast, Sant Ambroeus for lunch, and Carbone or The Grill for dinner. The lobby bar at The Mercer Hotel and The Mark Restaurant also consistently attract fashion’s elite. Remember that industry patterns shift seasonally, with new hotspots emerging each fashion week.
Do restaurants offer special menus or experiences during fashion week?
Many New York restaurants create special menus, cocktails, or experiences during NYFW. Fashion-focused establishments like The Clocktower and L’Avenue at Saks often develop themed offerings aligning with the season’s trends. Some restaurants partner with specific designers or brands for invitation-only dining experiences, though these are typically reserved for industry insiders and VIPs.
What dining options are available for specific dietary needs during NYFW?
New York’s fashion week dining scene is increasingly accommodating of dietary restrictions. Plant-based diners should explore dedicated venues like abcV, Blossom, and The Butcher’s Daughter. Most fashion industry favorites now offer robust gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options. For specific requirements, contact restaurants in advance—many will prepare special menus for industry VIPs with dietary restrictions when given notice.
What Fashion Professionals Say About NYFW Dining
“I always start my day at Balthazar during NYFW. The morning fashion crowd offers better networking than half the shows, and their breakfast keeps me energized through a packed show schedule.”
— Rebecca M., Fashion Buyer
“As an influencer, restaurant selection is key to my NYFW content strategy. The Butcher’s Daughter and Dimes provide not just healthy fuel but gorgeous backdrops that my followers have come to expect in my fashion week coverage. I plan my dining reservations with the same care as my show schedule.”
— Jordan K., Fashion Influencer with 1.2M followers
“After years of fashion weeks, I’ve learned to make Sweetgreen orders between shows and save proper dining for strategic networking at Carbone or Lilia. The industry connections made over dinner often prove more valuable than the shows themselves.”
— Thomas D., Fashion Editor
Celebrity & Influencer Dining Guide: Where the Fashion Elite Eat
Fashion Week transforms New York restaurants into impromptu gatherings of the industry’s biggest names and most influential content creators. Here’s our insider guide to where you’re most likely to spot fashion celebrities and top influencers:
The Mark Restaurant by Jean-Georges
This Upper East Side restaurant inside The Mark Hotel becomes fashion central during NYFW, particularly for breakfast and late dinners. Anna Wintour, Gigi Hadid, and international designers are frequently spotted at its tables. Fashion influencers like Aimee Song and Camila Coelho often document their power breakfasts here during fashion week.
Celebrity Sighting Potential: ★★★★★
Influencer Sighting Potential: ★★★★☆
Best Time: Breakfast (8-10am) or post-show dinners (10pm-midnight)
Indochine
This fashion industry classic has maintained its status as the go-to for designer after-parties and celebrations since the 1980s. Its iconic banana-leaf wallpaper has appeared in countless fashion week social posts by everyone from Kate Moss to newer stars like Kaia Gerber. Top-tier influencers including Danielle Bernstein of WeWoreWhat and Leandra Medine of Man Repeller frequently host gatherings here during NYFW.
Celebrity Sighting Potential: ★★★★☆
Influencer Sighting Potential: ★★★★★
Best Time: Dinner and late-night (9pm-1am), especially after major shows
Lucien
This intimate French bistro in the East Village has become an unexpected fashion industry favorite. Models, photographers, and designers appreciate its unpretentious atmosphere and discreet service, making it a regular spot for Bella Hadid and Off-White team dinners. Rising fashion influencers like Christie Tyler (@nycbambi) and Sophia Roe are frequently spotted at its tables capturing content for their minimalist aesthetics.
Celebrity Sighting Potential: ★★★★☆
Influencer Sighting Potential: ★★★★★
Best Time: Late dinners (9pm-11pm)
Emilio’s Ballato
This old-school Italian restaurant with no website or reservations system has paradoxically become a favorite of fashion’s elite. Rihanna, the Hadids, and various designers frequent this understated spot for authentic Italian in an atmosphere that feels worlds away from the fashion circus. Fashion influencers with authentic, non-flashy aesthetics like Reese Blutstein and Tyler Joe appreciate its under-the-radar vibe.
Celebrity Sighting Potential: ★★★★☆
Influencer Sighting Potential: ★★★☆☆
Best Time: Mid-week dinners during NYFW
Sadelle’s
This upscale Jewish deli-inspired brunch destination in SoHo is a content creator’s paradise with its iconic towers of bagels and photogenic interiors. Fashion influencers make this a priority stop, especially during weekend mornings of NYFW. Tezza Barton, Hannah Bronfman, and Olivia Palermo are regulars who frequently document their visits.
Celebrity Sighting Potential: ★★★☆☆
Influencer Sighting Potential: ★★★★★
Best Time: Weekend brunch (10am-1pm)
Dr. Clark
This Hokkaido-inspired hotspot in Chinatown has quickly become a magnet for downtown fashion creatives and influencers since opening. Its lamb skewers and stylish minimalist interior have made it a favorite among next-generation fashion voices like Emma Chamberlain and sustainability influencers like Aditi Mayer, particularly for post-show gatherings.
Celebrity Sighting Potential: ★★★☆☆
Influencer Sighting Potential: ★★★★★
Best Time: Dinner (8pm-11pm)
Strategic Dining: Restaurants Near Key NYFW Venues
Maximizing your fashion week experience requires strategic dining near show venues. Here are our recommendations for exceptional restaurants within quick reach of NYFW’s primary locations:
Spring Studios Proximity
- Locanda Verde – 3-minute walk for Italian comfort food
- Bubby’s – 5-minute walk for reliable all-day American classics
- The Greek – 4-minute walk for Mediterranean in a lively setting
- Two Hands – 6-minute walk for quick, healthy Australian-inspired fare
Starrett-Lehigh Building Proximity
- Pastis – 8-minute walk for French bistro classics
- Empire Diner – 5-minute walk for elevated diner fare
- Porchlight – 3-minute walk for craft cocktails and southern bites
- The Cookshop – 10-minute walk for farm-to-table American
Hudson Yards/The Shed Proximity
- Electric Lemon – On-site at Equinox Hotel for clean, seasonal cuisine
- Wild Ink – 3-minute walk for Asian-inspired cuisine with skyline views
- Mercado Little Spain – 4-minute walk for quick Spanish market options
- Milos Wine Bar – 5-minute walk for Greek small plates and exceptional wines
SoHo/Chelsea Gallery District
- Sant Ambroeus SoHo – Central location for Italian cafe fare
- The Mercer Kitchen – Fashion industry stronghold in SoHo
- Motel Morris – Stylish option near Chelsea galleries
- Feroce – Italian dining near Chelsea venue cluster
