New York Fashion Week, which kicks off September 6, draws models, designers, reporters, influencers, and, of course, celebrities to Manhattan.
And many come with an appetite. That’s not terribly surprising, after all, traipsing from show to show and later to afterparties can require a good amount of energy. Plus, New York City does boast an impressive culinary scene.
Part of the fun amid all these festivities is finding a new, exciting place to eat, or revisiting an old favorite. This year, many of the best options are Italian restaurants, from buzzy hot spots like Sartiano's to classic see-and-be-scenes like Sant Ambroeus.
If you’re in search of an Italian dining option during NYFW, which officially runs between September 6 and September 11, here are a few options to keep in mind as you look into bookings through New York’s chicest week of the season.
Editor’s note: This list has been adapted and updated from a 2023 version. It remains subject to change.
Altro Paradiso
Located in Hudson Square, Altro Paradiso hits the exactly right ratio of hip and classic. The interior is stylish yet understated, and the vibes are immaculate.
With options like spaghetti pomodoro and cacio e pepe and great specials as well, Altro Paradiso is suitable for a casual dinner or an elevated evening. Paired with an excellent wine list, the full bar offers unique and innovative cocktails that riff off of ever-popular options including the “Calabrian Daisy” which gives a spicy marg feeling with an Italian twist.
Don’t skip dessert, either.
Caffe Dante and Dante West Village
It’s no secret that Caffe Dante and Dante West Village are among the best bars in New York City.
Both locations are fun, trendy, and very Instagram-friendly. The drink menu is superb with seasonal options, divine martinis made a number of ways, and plenty of variations on classics like the Negroni and the espresso martini.
Reservations, which open a month in advance, are hot at both locations throughout the year, so try on Resy. If you can’t snag a table but you’re willing to endure a short wait, space often opens up at the bar.
Dante also serves brunch and dinner.
Ci Siamo
Situated in Manhattan West, Ci Siamo “bridges the traditional with the contemporary” according to its website.
The restaurant from Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group and Executive Chef Hillary Sterling features live-fire cooking, house-made pastas, and a well-rounded Italian wine list too. Sterling draws inspiration from her travels in Italy to inform the Ci Siamo menu.
King Restaurant
“Relaxed, simple and elegant” King Restaurant is a self-dubbed neighborhood restaurant that doubles as a serious dining destination.
The trio of women who run King, chefs Jess Shadbolt and Clare de Boer, and restaurateur Annie Shi, are respected in the fashion world as well as throughout the city—they were among the groups tapped to revive the dining options at Rockefeller Center, opening Jupiter last year. Shadbolt and de Boer, alumni of revered Italian restaurant the River Cafe in London, populate their menus with thoughtfully created Italian and Mediterranean dishes. (Try their spiedini from Jupiter, a recipe they shared with Appetito.)
Sant Ambroeus
With multiple locations across the city, Sant Ambroeus is a stylish option with a nearly nine-decade history.
The original location in Milan opened in 1936 and, according to the restaurant’s website, Sant Ambroeus quickly drew a crowd becoming a “meeting place for the local intelligentsia.” And the restaurant became a New York City staple just a few decades later with its first location opening in 1982.
Sartiano’s
On Prince Street, Sartiano’s is a modish and luxe option that opened in June.
Headed up by culinary director Alfred Portale and executive chef Chris Lewnes, the restaurant is located at The Mercer and was crafted by lifestyle architect Scott Sartiano.
This high-end spot includes a dress code and offers reservations on Resy but only before 6 p.m. and after 10 p.m., otherwise it’s best to reach out via email, according to the restaurant’s website.
Raf’s
A French-Italian bakery that opened earlier this year, Raf’s is open for quick stop-ins and sit-downs for pastries and more and also hosts a dinner service that kicks off at 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
The new Elizabeth Street spot comes from the team that is also behind ever-popular and Michelin-starred The Musket Room.
The Rhymers' Club
There’s an air of elevated intrigue around The Rhymers’ Club, a newer bar that lives behind Cafe Maud at 37 ½ St Marks Place in New York City.
Intended to reflect the secrecy of its namesake 19th century poets-only club, The Rhymers' Club is a Prohibition-style Irish bar and lounge that feels debonair upon entrance. The recent opening is sure to draw a high fashion crowd this September (and if you can’t make it in, check out a recipe the restaurant shared with Appetito for its Coole Swan cocktail).
Cucina Alba
Chelsea’s Cucina Alba is inherently trendy. With its swooping interior, delicious cocktails and elevated menu - all of which contributes to an Italian holiday vibe - it already attracts quite the hip crowd.
Meant to be “seductive and polished” the restaurant delivers a vibe suitable for a dressed-up dinner and a chic catch up all at once.
L'Avenue at Saks
L’Avenue at Saks is a great option for those who love a luxe dining experience. Located in Saks Fifth Avenue it has an inherently fashion-forward feel.
The full menu is delightful. And it’s worth highlighting L’Avenue’s Miss Saint Germain cocktail, made with vodka, strawberry, elderflower, mint, lemon, and sparkling wine is truly divine - the perfect celebratory sip for fashion-lovers following a long day of shows, previews and other NYFW events.
Bottino
Also in Chelsea, Bottino provides coolly elevated indoor and outdoor Italian dining. The restaurant’s Salvia Spritz lived in my head rent-free after trying it in July — and I am dreaming of the day I can return. With (hopefully pleasant) September temperatures, this is a great option for those seeking an al-fresco dine.
