Five essential New York restaurants from Sex and the City Stories > Food & Drink > Five essential New York restaurants from Sex and the City Nick PapaEveryone knows that Manhattan is the fifth star of Sex and the City. The iconic TV series, which aired from 1998-2004, painted a picture of life at a pivotal time in the history of New York. The city had recently shed its reputation as a gritty, dangerous place, with the spotlight turning to the flashy, fabulous lives of characters like Carrie Bradshaw, Miranda Hobbes, Charlotte York and Samantha Jones. When the girls weren’t writing an acclaimed sex column, scoring partner at the law firm, discovering artists or running a successful PR firm, they often appeared out on the town in big, bustling restaurants — swanky settings packed with well-heeled models, socialites and oversized, brightly-coloured martinis. Although this era of the New York restaurant scene ended along with the show, many of the most famous filming locations (read: real New York restaurants) are still going strong today. Travel back in time to the early aughts at these five essential Sex and the City restaurants that are still worth a visit more than 20 years later. Tailor Made JourneyTravel Like a VIPMr Hudson designs unique and exclusive vacations for sophisticated gay travelers who prioritize beauty, style and belonging. BOOK WITH US abc Kitchen: for a celebrity-chef driven menuCharlotte confronts Trey’s overbearing mother, Bunny, at abc Kitchen. In the popular downtown restaurant, she stands firm on this point: modern beds don’t need dust ruffles. Since this 2001 episode aired, it’s been out with the dust ruffle and in with a farm-to-table menu by acclaimed chef Jean Georges Vongerichten. Start with the crab toast with lemon aioli — probably the most famous dish on the menu.35 E 18th St, 212-475-5829, abchome.com/dine/abc-kitchen/ abc Kitchen | Photo courtesy of abc carpet & homeCity Bakery: for the city’s best browniesIt wasn’t all Michelin-starred restaurants. The girls dined at plenty of accessible spots, like City Bakery. Remember when Carrie and Miranda run into Nina Katz (the “face girl”) when queuing to pay for lunch and the best brownie in New York? Carrie’s bruised ego has long been healed, but the bakery’s big, famous brownies remain. Bring the Samantha to your Carrie for lunch, but don’t forget — you’re paying for the brownie.3 W 18th St, 212-366-1414, thecitybakery.com Loeb Boathouse Central Park | Photo Loeb Boathouse Going to New York? The same team that brings you the content you love designs your perfect tripLoeb Boathouse: for skyline views in a serene settingCarrie promises Miranda that she will not kiss Mr Big in the Season 3 finale. In true Carrie fashion, avoiding a kiss leads the pair to take a dramatic tumble into the lake. The bucolic setting is the Loeb Boathouse, located in the middle of Central Park. A renovation in 2018 gave the 64-year-old boathouse a facelift, but the seafood-heavy menu isn’t necessarily renowned. Go for a meal with a lake and skyline view, and don’t leave without snapping an Instagram-worthy photo.Park Drive North, 212-517-2233, thecentralparkboathouse.comThe Modern: for Michelin-starred dining with an art biasIn this sleek, modernist restaurant overlooking the Museum of Modern Art’s sculpture garden, Charlotte screams when Carrie announces that, after 10 years of dating, Mr. Big has finally proposed. Charlotte’s scream leaves Carrie feeling mortified, but could it actually be because she went to The Modern for a tiny salad? With slow-cooked sea bass, Berkshire pork and dry-aged duck on the lunch menu, there’s no shortage of dishes as rich as the art and culture upstairs. With two Michelin stars, The Modern’s dinner menu is a pricier affair (a 6-course menu for $228 per guest).9 W 53rd St, 212-333-1220, themodernnyc.com The Modern | Photo: Nathan RawlinsonPete’s Tavern: for a laid-back beer and burgerThere’s nothing like a New York joint with history. Pete’s Tavern has been around since 1864, making it the city’s oldest bar in continuous operation. The Gramercy Park pub serves jumbo burgers for lunch and dinner, weekend brunch and drinks any time. This is the spot where Miranda proposes to Steve on the outdoor patio. Whatever you do, don’t attempt to reenact the memorable scene. A celebratory cocktail, beer or glass of wine, however, is always in order.129 E 18th St, 212-473-7676, petestavern.com Hotels - New York City Sixty Soho This boutique hotel in Manhattan’s SoHo District features a restaurant and a seasonal rooftop bar with stunning views. All rooms boast a well-stocked minibar and marble bathrooms with mosaic floors. Book on Booking.com Hotels - New York City The Greenwich Hotel This hotel is located in Tribeca. It features an underground pool and fitness center, as well as an on-site restaurant and spa. Book on Booking.com Hotels - New York City Crosby Street Hotel Located on a cobbled street in the SoHo neighborhood, this design hotel features a beautiful inner courtyard and an on-site terrace restaurant. Book on Booking.com Hotels - New York City The Ludlow Hotel Featuring spectacular views of the skyscrapers and bridges of New York City, this hotel is located in the Lower East Side neighbourhood of Manhattan. Book on Booking.com Hotels - New York City The Beekman The Beekman is located 500 m from the Brooklyn Bridge and the Westfield World Trade Centre. The rooms and suites boast custom beds, oak floors and marble bathrooms. Book on Booking.com Hotels - New York City The Mercer Located in Soho, this luxury hotel is a 5-minute walk from Washington Square Park and Little Italy. It features 24-hour concierge service and loft-style rooms. Book on Booking.com Hotels - New York City The Bowery Hotel Featuring a lobby bar, The Bowery Hotel is located at the intersection of the Lower East Side and East Village. Each room at this boutique hotel features floor-to-ceiling windows and city views. Book on Booking.com Hotels - New York City The Assemblage John Street The air-conditioned units at the hotel feature city views and have a seating area, a kitchen, a dining area and a private bathroom with free toiletries. Select rooms offer a balcony. Book on Booking.com Hotels - New York City Franklin Guesthouse Franklin Guesthouse offers accommodation in Brooklyn, New York. Each guest room at this hotel has a work desk and select rooms have a private patio. Book on Booking.com Hotels - New York City 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge Every room in this waterfront hotel has a coffee machine with recyclable pods, mattresses with a hemp blend filling and organic cotton sheets. Book on Booking.com Explore more hotels like this in New York City View on Booking.comPowered by Booking.comWant to simplify luxury travel planning?Whether you want a resort vacation, wildlife safari, city break, luxury cruise, wellness retreat, honeymoon, once-in-a-lifetime adventure or weekend escape, the trip curation experts at Mr Hudson make travel planning a breeze. Find out how we can handle the finer details of vacationing in style.Special SelectionExclusive Mr Hudson offersOut now from gestaltenMr Hudson Explores Browse the Book share abc Kitchen | Photo courtesy of abc carpet & home Loeb Boathouse Central Park | Photo Loeb BoathouseDid you enjoy this article? Then sign up for our newsletterDid you enjoy this article? The same team that curates our content designs your perfect trip Explore more Madrid City GuideA cultural melting pot since the turn of the 17th Century, modern-day Madrid is a formidable European capital playing host to rich history, pioneering fashions and social progress. To access this content, you must purchase City Guides subscription. Explore > Meet our partners: Mandarin OrientalEmbrace contemporary luxury steeped in traditional oriental charm by staying with Mandarin Oriental, a collection of acclaimed hotels, resorts, and private homes in the world’s most enticing destinations. Read story > The best brunch in BarcelonaUntil recently, brunch wasn’t an activity generally associated with the Catalan capital. But in a culture that reveres long, lingering meals, one has to wonder why it has taken this long to catch on. Read story >
