Travel

YOUR INSPIRATION TO EXPLORE THE WORLD

Trending Now on Galavante

Best Restaurants on the Upper West Side

Christine Drinan, Founder

Essential by Christophe

As an Upper West Sider for 24 years who has been denial that I’m an Upper West Sider, I wouldn’t say that the neighborhood is a foodie destination. However we just got a Chanel, albeit a makeup store, so you never know when the tide will turn to attract downtown level restaurants uptown.  So without further adieu, this is my list of best restaurants on the Upper West Side.

A Quick Note About the Ratings

I’ll caveat that it’s limited to the neighborhood, and most of my ratings are in the 7.3-7.4 range. Generally I’ll go back to a restaurant at a 7.0/10 rating, but it’s no great shakes. I am a hard grader though so keep this all in mind.

The Restaurant: Essential by Christophe

The Cuisine: French

Rating: 8/10

What to Order: If you’re not sitting in the dining room for the tasting, grab a seat at the bar for the a la carte menu. Current highlights are the hamachi, scallop, blue prawns, cheese soufflé and the burger. The burger and cheese soufflé are fixed on the menu, but the other items are seasonal.

The Restaurant: Fiorello’s

The Cuisine: Italian

Rating: 7.3/10

What to Order: The Margherita pizza and the baked clams.

El Fish Upper West Side

The Restaurant: El Fish

The Cuisine: Mexican

Rating: 7.4/10

What to Order: Lobster aguachile, tacos de langosta, grilled oysters, brochetas de salmon kung pao and the langosta ensenada.

The Restaurant: Cafe Luxembourg

The Cuisine: French

Rating: 7.4/10

What to Order: Egg white omelet with gruyere and herbs with a split of salad and French fries, salmon, fish and chips and the burger.

Felice Upper West Side Brunch

The Restaurant: Felice

The Cuisine: Italian

Rating: 7.5/10

What to Order: Tonnarelli cacio e pepe, Nizzarda di Salmone and an espresso martini


The Restaurant: Pop Up Bagel

The Cuisine: Bagels

Rating: 8.3/10

What to Order: A dozen bagels, a few schmears and the special butter. Add in the trout roe and you have yourself a decadent breakfast, lunch or afternoon snack.

Cipriani Upper West Side

The Restaurant: Harry’s Table by Cipriani

The Cuisine: Italian

Rating: 7.2/10

What to Order: Truffle pizza, baked white tagliolini, and pasta e fagioli. Also consider the cheese plate or take cheese to go.

What is Not Included on the List

I will do a full review on Tatiana, which is not on the list of the best restaurants on the Upper West Side. Most of you who are foodies are probably wondering why it’s not. In all fairness to Tatiana, I’ll explain more on the formal review. To disclose now though it’s not like Tatiana isn’t good. It just wasn’t my cup of tea. I was really cheering for it though. It would give me great joy to give a higher mark than 8 to a restaurant on the Upper West Side.

Other NYC Articles You’ll Like

Holiday Bar 
Best Brunch in Union Square 
Hav + Mar 

FAQs

Q: What are the best restaurants on the Upper West Side?

A: Our best restaurants on the Upper West Side list include Fiorello’s, Essential by Christophe and El Fish.

Q: What are the best restaurants on the Upper West Side that serve Italian food?

A: The best restaurants on the Upper West Side that serve Italian food are Fiorello’s, Felice and Harry’s Table.

Q: What are the best restaurants on the Upper West Side that serve French food?

A: The best restaurants in the neighborhood  that serve French food are Essential by Christophe and Cafe Luxembourg.

Previous Post
Lake Como: Where to Visit for Your First Time
Next Post
Best Restaurants in Tribeca

NYC Reviews You'll Like

Previous Post
Lake Como: Where to Visit for Your First Time
Next Post
Best Restaurants in Tribeca

BOOK MY TRIP NOW

Expedia - Book My Trip

Powered by Expedia

TRENDING ON GALAVANTE

THE WEEKLY

BE IN THE KNOW.
TRAVEL. FOOD. LIFESTYLE.
ENTERTAINMENT.
DELIVERED TO YOU

Book My Trip
Destinations to Inspire
Discover

Abigail Hanley, Staff Writer

Designer Beach Clubs

Apparently, it’s a fashion designer’s world out there, and we’re just living in it. Living large in it, that is, if that means this summer is filled with locals like…

What to Know Now

NYC Restaurant Reviews

Round trip One-way Multi-city
Travelers
No. of Adults (18 and older)
No. of Children (Age 2 through 17)
No. of Infants (Younger than 2) On lap In seat
Nonstop Refundable
expedia

Powered by Expedia

Book My Trip
Close