NYC Guides, Upper West Side

Below, you will find restaurants/specialty shops that have been categorized by their respective cuisines.  I have only included venues where I have personally either dined-in or ordered-out.  

*For listings without links, please refer to Menupages or New York Magazine for further information.

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American 

• Dovetail  One of The Lunch Belle's two favorite restaurants in Manhattan~slightly random nabe and location, but definitely a welcome addition to the Upper West Side~outstanding green-market American fare
• Henry's
  
• Landmarc  Set amidst the chaos of the Time Warner Center, Landmarc is a chic, yet busy, oasis of solid American fare~home of the city's best grilled shrimp salad
• PJ Clarke's  American, burgers

Asian fusion

• Asiate  One of, if not the most gorgeous restaurant in town. Delicious Asian inspired cuisine served overlooking Central Park, thirty-six floors above the bustling Columbus Circle.

Bakery

• Beard Papa  Japanese bakery selling the most delicious cream puffs in the world...a must-try experience!
• Bouchon Bakery  My favorite pit-stop in The Shops at Columbus Circle! What's better than being able to eat Thomas Keller's food and not paying Per Se prices? Lovely soups, salads, sandwiches and some of NYC's best sweet treats.
• Buttercup Bakeshop  Hands down, Buttercup makes the best cakes in town. Adorably old fashioned bakery with fantastic cupcakes, bars, puddings, etc.
• Grandaisy Bakery
• Levain Bakery
• Magnolia Bakery
  

Cocktails/light bites

• Lobby Lounge  at The Mandarin Oriental: Order a light lunch, high tea, or a fancy cocktail in the lively lobby lounge of this uber luxe hotel. View the city from thirty-six floors above street level
  

FASSt food

• Gray's Papaya  hot dogs, fruit drinks

French/bistro

• Nougatine, at Jean-Georges  An off-shoot (and neighbor) of the famous Jean-Georges restaurant, Nougatine serves similar high-caliber French cuisine at a fraction of the price. $35 prix-fixe dinner menu is the way to go!
• Picholine

Indian

• Hampton Chutney Co  For a quick bite...wonderful Indian-inspired sandwiches, dosas and uttapams

Italian

• Salumeria Rosi

Mediterranean

• Gazala's

Mexican

• Cafe Frida  Middle-of-the-road-authentic Mex served in a festive bi-level space~strong margaritas and tasty grub
• Rosa Mexicano  Beautiful atmosphere and tasty food within a stone's throw of Lincoln Center. Sometimes I prefer the intimacy of this location to the majestic space at Union Square.
• Taqueria y Fonda La Mexicana

Pizza

• Famous Original Ray's Pizza

Sandwiches/salad/soup

• Lenny's  Yummy sandwiches & salads~eat-in, take-out or delivery

Thai

• Spice