Upper East Side

The Upper East Side is a classic New York City neighborhood covering the area of Manhattan between Central Park and the East River. Fifth Avenue is the Upper East Side’s most famous address. This stretch of the neighborhood is home to the Museum Mile and some of NYC’s most sought-after historic mansions and luxury apartment buildings. The parallel stretch of Madison Avenue is a world-famous shopping street featuring a first-class collection of designer boutiques. The neighborhood also boasts an exceptional array of upscale restaurants and a sophisticated bar scene.

 

The Upper East Side’s housing options include lavish townhouses and luxury apartments in classic doorman buildings along the prestigious streets of Fifth Avenue, Madison Avenue, and Park Avenue. Recent years have seen newer high-rise towers on these avenues recording real estate deals. Moving further east from Central Park, the Upper East Side offers spacious apartments in pretty pre-war buildings. Real estate in this timeless Manhattan neighborhood is always a great investment.

 

No neighborhood in New York City is more synonymous with affluence and refinement than the Upper East Side. The neighborhood’s vaunted reputation stretches back to the establishment of Central Park in the 1850s. The late 19th Century and early 20th Century saw some of the world’s wealthiest families build grand homes here. Prominent early residents included members of the Carnegies, Kennedys, Roosevelts, and Rockefellers. The famous avenues close to Central Park are perennially counted among the world’s most expensive and sought-after addresses while the streets further east are home to many young professionals.

 

The Upper East Side is home to a world-class dining scene featuring some of the most celebrated restaurants in New York City. Daniel has been an icon of NYC fine dining since the early 1990s. With two Michelin stars, this standout continues to wow diners with their inventive takes on contemporary French cuisine. 

 

Other dining highlights include the upscale omakase spots Sushi Seki and Sushi of Gari, JoJo by Jean-Georges for elegant seasonal French fare, Yefsi Estiatorio for elevated Greek meze dishes, classic celeb hangout Elio’s for sophisticated Italian dishes, and Sfoglia for rustic Italian dining beneath ornate chandeliers. There are also plenty of more casual options dotted around the neighborhood. These include JG Melon for mouthwatering burgers, Via Quadronno for gourmet Italian paninis and pastries, and Teranga for flavorful bowls of West African eats at the African Center in the northwest corner of Central Park. 

 

The Upper East Side’s nightlife spots include the Carlyle Hotel’s exquisite Bemelmans Bar and classy cocktail bar The Penrose. Madison Avenue is the epicenter of haute couture shopping in NYC. The many world-renowned designers and fashion houses represented here include Alexander McQueen, Bottega Veneta, Christian Louboutin, Hermes, Tom Ford.

 

The Upper East Side’s proximity to Central Park has been a key factor in establishing park-facing Fifth Avenue as one of the most prestigious addresses on the planet. This iconic green space covers an area of 843 acres. This huge park contains many unique areas and attractions. Some of the highlights include the picturesque Ramble and Lake, the relaxing picnic space of the 15-acre Sheep Meadow, the wintertime Wollman Skating Rink, and the Central Park Zoo. Across the street from Central Park, Fifth Avenue’s Museum Mile is home to some of NYC’s most visited cultural attractions. The spectacular Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is one of the top attractions here. Designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, this stunning building houses a huge collection of many Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, Modern, and contemporary artworks.

 

The Upper East Side is served by the New York City Department of Education.