9 New York restaurants to see celebrities

New York likes to call itself the greatest city in the world, so it’s no wonder so many celebrities call it home. Here, the rich and famous can find the same level of privacy and exclusivity as LA, but with a metropolitan lifestyle. While the city’s lack of paparazzi means you won’t find out much about their whereabouts in the press, at these nine restaurants you’re likely to see them in the flesh. Some eateries on this list are totally casual, while others will require some finesse to wrangle a seat. Happy celeb spotting!

The Smile

(NoHo) $$
26 Bond St, New York, NY 10012

Many A-list celebrities own apartments on Bond Street, so it’s no surprise that The Smile is a frequent hot spot for a casual meal. Its cavernous basement-level location also affords celebs a more private ambiance while reducing the number of potential star-struck walk-in tourists.

Celebs spotted: Justin and Hailey Bieber, James Franco, Sam Rockwell, Sara Bareilles

How to snag a table: Reservations are fairly easy to get; you’ll see plenty of availability on OpenTable. Walk-ins are also often possible without a wait.

Sant Ambroeus

Flickr CC: TatiAna Zemliakova

(West Village) $$$
259 W 4th St, New York, NY 10014

Just a stone’s throw from the Sex and the City apartment facade of Carrie Bradshaw, you will find the equally elegant Sant Ambroeus cafe. Known for its $7 lattes and deliciously simple homemade pasta, this Italian restaurant group is popular among art-world authorities and players alike. In fact, they even have a location uptown at Sotheby’s. To ensure a celeb sighting, make sure to book a primetime seating.

Celebs spotted: Tom Ford, Larry Gagosian, Marc Jacobs, Pat McGrath

How to snag a table: Weekend brunch and primetime dinner seatings are coveted and need to be planned at least two weeks in advance via OpenTable. Walk-ins are welcome, but plan to wait an hour or more.

Milos Escritorio

(Midtown) $$$$
125 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019

Besides almost surely being star-struck, visit this restaurant and you are sure to also be awe-struck at the extravagant fish-filled “ice-wall.” While the fish you order may cost $200, at least your server will give you the option to pick it out personally. Their food preparation is consistent and meticulous, so it’s no wonder so many dub it the best Mediterranean food in Manhattan.

Celebs spotted: Val Kilmer, Donna Vekic, Martha Stewart, Kerry Washington, Stan Wawrinka

How to snag a table: Come for dinner if you are hoping for a celebrity sighting. Book at least one week ahead on OpenTable, especially for Friday and Saturday reservations.

JG Melon

(Upper East Side) $
1291 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10021

Not for the faint of heart, this spot beckons hungry visitors to come for the burgers and stay for the Bloody Bulls (a Bloody Mary made with beef broth). JG Melon has been around since 1932 (and at this location since 1972), consistently holding a reputation for having the best no-nonsense burger; any Manhattanite will agree.

Celebs spotted: Kendall Jenner, Nick Jonas, Gigi Hadid, Mike Bloomberg, Andrew Zimmern

How to snag a table: Tables are on a first come first serve basis; expect to wait 45-plus minutes for a seat. Tech savvy diners can outsmart the host by using the Seated app, which also earns users a percentage back on their meal.

The Mark

(Upper East Side) $$$
25 E 77th St, New York, NY 10075

Far from the ordinary, The Mark hotel and its Jean-Georges restaurant were imagined by renowned interior designer Jacques Grange. The hotel is known to host Met-Ball attendees and remains a go-to for many local and visiting celebrities. While a $37 personal pizza may seem like a lot, we promise the delicately shaved truffle on top will make this dish your new go-to order.

Celebs spotted: Lady Gaga, Maria Grazia Chiuri, Nina Garcia, Meghan Markle, Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen, Vera Wang, Tracee Ellis Ross

How to snag a table: It’s quite easy to get a reservation on OpenTable, and without a doubt you can walk in for lunch, so if you happen to be spending an afternoon at the Met, just drop in. Unlike many other restaurants, you’re actually more likely to see a celebrity during a lunchtime spot; the space between tables and huge multi-room dining area makes the experience quite intimate.

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4 Charles Prime Rib

(West Village) $$$
4 Charles St, New York, NY 10014

When nationally acclaimed Chicago hospitality group Hogsalt decided to open a restaurant in New York, they created this supper club to make their small entrance in a big way. Since opening in 2016, this 10 table restaurant has been dubbed one of the best restaurants in NYC. While the name may lead you to order their famous prime rib, regulars argue their burger is the best in the world.

Celebs spotted: Kevin Bacon, George and Amal Clooney, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber

How to snag a table: The tables that aren’t saved for their A-list customers open up 30 days in advance on RESY, and most are taken within minutes. While you may be unlikely to see a celebrity at the 5pm or 11pm seating you’ll likely be left to choose from, it is still a great spot to dine. Best bets for getting a primetime seating: Set an alert for the times you are interested in on RESY and make sure you book it ASAP if you get an availability notification.

Waverley Inn

(West Village) $$
16 Bank St, New York, NY 10014

Owned by former Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter, it’s no surprise this restaurant is filled with the fashion friendly. This American brasserie is known for its consistent dishes and lovely outdoor summer seating. Don’t bother trying to find the menu online; it changes too much, plus snapping photos of it while dining is strictly prohibited.

Celebs spotted: Marie-Chantal of Greece, Rami Malek, Julianne Moore, Mark Ronson, Brooke Shields, Fran Lebowitz

How to snag a table: OpenTable reservations are not hard to come by if you plan at least a week ahead. Walk-ins are possible but your’re looking at over an hour wait time, especially in summer. The brunch is to die for but the crowds keep the celebrities away, so show up for a weekday dinner if celeb sightings are your goal.

The Office at the Mandarin Oriental

(Upper West Side) $$$
80 Columbus Cir, New York, NY 10023

If you’re looking for an intimate setting for drinks and some bites, The Office is the place. The favored drink here is “Dealer’s Choice,” a one-of-a-kind creation based on your preferences (we are sure you will be happy with the result). This speakeasy-style setting is the quiet offshoot of the Aviary restaurant next door in the Mandarin Oriental hotel and is still somewhat of a secret, which is perhaps why so many celebrities seem to pick the location for a quiet drink.

Celebs spotted: Cecilia Bartoli, Leonardo DiCaprio, Morgan Freeman

How to snag a table: This restaurant is one of the few that uses Tock to get a reservation in advance. Expect to pay $20 per person to reserve your seat, which will be applied to your final bill and forfeited if you’re a no show. Not looking to commit? Walk-ins are possible, but not guaranteed, especially on a Friday or Saturday night.

Le Mercerie

(SoHo) $$$
53 Howard St, New York, NY 10013

Located inside retailer Roman and Williams Guild, this chic restaurant not only impresses with ts decadently creative dishes, but also with its floral and home decor. The ambiance is welcoming and the tables are comfortable, so plan to spend 2 hours or more to fully soak in and digest.

Celebs spotted: Amy Astley, Martha Hunt, Gwyneth Paltrow, Meg Ryan, Rachel Zoe

How to snag a table: It’s nearly pointless to try to walk-in. Instead, use RESY to book your seat in advance, and come for lunch on a weekday if you are hoping to spot a celeb.