16+ Best Celebrity Restaurants in NYC

Looking for celebrity restaurants in NYC? Keep reading for all the spots in Manhattan and Williamsburg where you may just spot your favorite a-list actor or famous musician, and where you’ll definitely have a memorable meal or cocktail.

If you’re in New York City and hoping to spot a celebrity, you really could run into one anywhere. But you’ll have better luck in lower Manhattan such as Soho and the West Village.

Additionally, Williamsburg in Brooklyn with all it’s great restaurants and fun bars can increase your chances of celebrity sightings.

You’ll notice most of these restaurants are also known for serving up delicious (and expensive) dishes.

When I first moved to NYC, I checked out Deuxmoi’s Instagram Stories for celeb sightings with the belief that if a wealthy actor or musician chose to visit a certain restaurant it must have a pretty good reputation and service since they could really go anywhere in the city that never sleeps.

And while I love a good dive bar and cheap eats, these are some fun (and often impressive) spots to add to your list to check out in NYC.

15 Celebrity Restaurants in NYC

American Bar

At this contemporary American bistro you might just spot BJ Novak dining with with one of his many dates, including Kiernan Shipka, plus Novak’s bestie, John Mayer. This spot is also popular with Glee star, Dianna Agron.

American Bar: 33 Greenwich Avenue

Balthazar

You might recognize the name, Balthazar, due to the controversy when talk-show host James Corden was banned from the restaurant for his alleged rude dining behavior. As someone who’s worked in restaurants, I wish I had that power and respect the move from Keith McNally, the Balthazar restaurateur.

In addition to Corden, Paul Wesley of Vampire Diaries fame, has also been spotted here enjoying the French bistro vibes.

Balthazar: 80 Spring Street

photo credit: Bar Pisellino

Bar Pisellino

Right by Via Carota (also on the list) is Bar Pisellino, a cozy Italian cafe with lots of sidewalk seating. This is an adorable spot that’s often busy but if you’re stopping by with a date you can usually get a small table for two pretty quickly.

The drinks are lovely and the hot chocolate is absolutely divine on a cold winter night. While you’re sipping your cocktail you might just make eyes with Justin Theroux who’s been spotted here, likely waiting for his table at Via Carota.

Bar Pisellino: 52 Grove Street

Bar Pitti

This small Italian spot is cash only and doesn’t take reservations, but don’t let that deter you from enjoying it’s highly rated pastas and apps. The restaurant brings in the celebrity clientele as well including Taylor Swift, the Kardashians, Demi Moore and more.

Bar Pitti: 268 6th Avenue

Bemelmans Bar

Inside the sophisticated Carlyle Hotel, you’ll find this upscale piano bar with walls adorned by murals from Ludwig Bemelmans, the creator of the classic Madeline books. He painted the walls decades ago in exchange for a stay at the hotel for him and his family. It’s honestly breathtaking to see in person even if you don’t spot a celeb.

You’ll enjoy white-glove service and impeccable martinis here, plus you might just spot a celeb or too, like Taylor Swift and Jeff Goldblum and even royalty like Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. While jeans are permitted, I do suggest dressing up and avoiding anything too casual – you’ll understand why once you step inside this iconic bar.

Bemelmans Bar: 35 E 76th Street

Buvette

Buvette is a French style tapas spot in the West Village that also serves up an outstanding brunch. The dining room decor and ambiance is lovely and worth the wait. It also just so happens to be a restaurant favorited by Timothee Chalamet who’s been spotted here multiple times.

Buvette: 42 Grove Street

Carbone

Carbone is synonymous with being a celeb hot spot and also *the spot* for spicy rigatoni vodka. In fact, Carbone is where Kanye and Julia Fox had an impromptu photoshoot to the delight (or amusement) of fellow diners.

Carbone brings out a lot of love-hate with New Yorkers debating if the pasta and reservation process is worth the price, but in my opinion it’s worth visiting at least once to dine on pricey pasta for the scene and incredible service. All the Kardashians have been spotted at this Italian restuarant along with The Biebers, Jennifer Lopez and more.

Carbone: 181 Thompson Street

The Corner Store

Gigi Hadid and other celebs have been spotted at The Corner Store, one of NYC’s newest buzzy spots. Located in SoHo, you can find elevated versions of pizza rolls and French dips, as well as lobster frites. Plus, a bougie martini cart, serving up immaculate versions of the classic cocktail, plus some of their own unique twists like a tomato martini.

The Corner Store: 475 W Broadway

photo credit: Laser Wolf

Laser Wolf

Laser Wolf is located on the rooftop of the Hoxton Hotel in Williamsburg. Even if you don’t spot celebs, it’s worth visiting for the Manhattan skyline views alone. The food is Israeli cuisine which is cooked over hot charcoal – so you’ll choose your skewer meat option and then enjoy an array of vegan mezze with pita, hummus and more.

With the straightforward menu, the fun vibes and the outstanding view, this is a great spot for groups or to bring your out-of-town friends before bopping around Williamsburg the rest of the night.

Laser Wolf: 97 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn

Lilia

Lilia is a well-known restaurant regardless of celebs, because the food is phenomenal. However, due to it’s reputation for delivering mouthwatering pastas you might spot a celeb – such as Pete Davidson who brought Kim Kardashian herself on a date here, and Taylor Swift’s bestie, Jack Antonoff.

If you’re able to score a table, let me suggest the cacio e pepe fritelle, agnolotti filled with sheep’s milk cheese and the pink peppercorn mafaldini. This VIPlist review really covers the must-haves.

Lilia: 567 Union Ave, Brooklyn

Pastis

Located in the Meatpacking district, Pastis is a large restaurant serving up traditional French fare including a great steak frites. Matt Damon and Hugh Jackman have also been spotted here.

After dining, I suggest walking over to the Starbucks Reserve Roastery (61 9th Avenue) to grab a drink at the bar, like their espresso martini flight.

Pastis: 52 Gansevoort Street

photo credit: The Polo Bar

The Polo Bar

This American restaurant is owned by Ralph Lauren so you know the vibes are old-money and preppy. The burger is one of the best in the city and it’s a challenge to get a reservation.

But if you do score a table you might just see Anne Hathaway, Zendaya or Jake Gyllenhaal, all who have been spotted here. Before dinner, take a walk through Central Park for full a complete NYC experience.

The Polo Bar: 1 E 55th St

Ray’s

Ray’s is described as a casual hangout spot, like your local dive bar with a pool table serving up plenty of beer and some craft cocktails. But, it’s actually owned by Justin Theroux, and Nicholas Braun (aka Cousin Greg!) is also a partner.

So there are often celebs at Ray’s like Zoe Kravitz and Dua Lipa. I also have read mixed reviews online about the door guy. Go in with low expectations and hope you’ll be pleasantly surprised. And if the line is too long, I recommend Gem Wine and Attaboy, both a short walk away.

Ray’s: 177 Chrystie Street

Temple Bar

Beauty queen Selena Gomez has been spotted here along with Sophie Turner and Dianna Agron enjoying the cocktails under their dim lights and mahogany walls.

Cocktails here start at $21 and up so it may not be the place you stay all night, but worth getting a reservation for a round to people watch and split the fries with your drinks.

Temple Bar: 332 Lafayette Street

Via Carota

The food here is amazing and even just walking by you might spot a celeb enjoying their delicious, fresh pasta al fresco. But I highly suggest getting a table and enjoying the cacio e pepe.

Taylor Swift was spotted here shortly after kicking off her Eras tour. If it’s good enough for Taylor it’s definitely good enough for me. Julianne Moore, Adam Driver, Bono and many more celebs also have been spotted here too.

Via Carota: 51 Grove Street

Waverly Inn

You’ll find high-end comfort food here along with cocktails and a clubby vibe. Plus, your odds are high for spotting a celeb such as Channing Tatum, Zoe Kravitz, Tyler Cameron, Katie Holmes, Robert Pattinson, or even Jennifer Coolidge.

The ambiance is old-school New York and the outdoor covered garden is just dreamy. The prices are not so dreamy, but the service is impeccable and the dishes make this a special occasion spot.

Waverly Inn: 16 Bank Street

Celebrities’ Favorite Restaurants in NYC recap list

American Bar
Balthazar
Bar Pisellino
Bar Pitti
Bemelmans Bar
Buvette
Carbone
The Corner Store
Laser Wolf
Lilia
Pastis
The Polo Bar
Ray’s
Temple Bar
Via Carota
Waverly Inn

Map of New York City Celebrity Hot Spots

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This post was all about the popular celebrity-loved restaurants and bars in New York City and Brooklyn.
Happy dining and drinking!