How much can you fit into a New York minute? This is everything (and everywhere) you should bookmark for your next stay in New York City according to the insiders.
We asked four incredible women who live in the city and work across the arts, design, and food scenes to share their favourite spots in New York. From old school glamorous restaurants to dive bars in the Lower East Side as well as where to spot the city’s most exciting contemporary artists and where to get creative yourself, this is how to see the city like a local.
So, here is everything you need to book, see, shop, eat, and do this winter in New York City.
Christiana Ine-Kimba Boyle: Curator, Art Dealer, Founder of Gladwell Projects
I was born in San Francisco but raised in New York from the age of two, so the city is the foundation of my eye and my drive. I’m an art dealer and gallerist behind Gladwell Projects – a gallery committed to institution-level exhibitions, intentional storytelling, and championing artists whose practices shape culture. I work closely with artists such as Kylie Manning, Trevor Warren, Haejin Park, and Chiffon Thomas. New York has always been my greatest collaborator; its pulse mirrors my own.
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Exciting spots you’re booking for lunch?
For lunch, I love Il Buco Alimentari for its bright, relaxed atmosphere and consistently beautiful food. La Mercerie is another favourite – the cooking is elegant, and I always wander into the Roman and Williams Guild home and bookstore after. Uptown, Via Quadronno is a staple for me: cosy, classic, and perfect for a quick panini or a quiet pause between meetings.
How about dinner? Any supper clubs to know about?
For dinner, I love Barbuto – it’s timeless New York: vibrant, relaxed, and always delicious. Ernesto’s is another staple for its beautiful energy, and Bacaro is ideal when I want something intimate and candlelit. I’m also drawn to the art-centered dinners Mina Stone creates around the city – often in partnership with institutions like Storm King. Her gatherings bring together great food, thoughtful people, and a sense of creative community that I love.
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Where / what to shop this season?
This season, I’m drawn to pieces with clean lines and quiet confidence. Kirna Zabête is my go-to for a beautifully curated mix of designers, and The Frankie Shop always has strong, easy essentials. Loewe brings the sculptural touches I love, while Wynn Hamlyn is perfect for standout knitwear. For jewellery, I love Amber Sceats and Alexis Bittar for bold, modern pieces. And, for the home, Coming Soon is a longtime favorite – playful, smart, beautifully designed.
Favourite bars for a glass of wine / cocktail / mocktail?
For cocktails, I love Attaboy – it’s intimate, polished, and the drinks are always exceptional. Bar Pisellino is another favourite for a beautiful glass of wine and that effortless, European energy. Downtown, Corner Bar has a warm, refined vibe that consistently feels right. And when I’m in the mood for a true dive, Holiday Cocktail Lounge is my go-to, it’s simple, low-lit, and authentically New York.
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Shows on your radar for autumn /winter?
I’m excited for Performance Space New York’s holiday event on 12 December, especially Mandy Harris Williams’s Critique Cabaret. On 11 December, I’m seeing Claire Chase and Annea Lockwood premiere Elwha! at The Kitchen – a 40-minute electroacoustic work built from the sounds of the Elwha River. It resonates deeply with me since one of the painters I work with, Trevor Warren, is from the Pacific Northwest. And Paris Theater’s screening of Pan’s Labyrinth on 20 December.
Your favourite gallery and an exhibition to see this winter?
Three shows I’m excited about this season: Nicole Eisenman at 52 Walker, Faith Ringgold at Jack Shainman, and Janis Provisor at Magenta Plains.
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Favourite creative classes to book?
I love the in-person courses at the New York Academy of Art – I have a special place for the institution, as one of the artists I work with, painter Kylie Manning, is an alum.
Courtney Brannan: Principal at Champalimaud Design
I moved to New York 14 years ago to work for Champalimaud Design and have lived in the West Village for the past 12 years. This city will always be my favourite. The hustle and bustle, ever evolving, there is always something exciting happening and always something to discover and be inspired by. I love going to new places and seeing new things, but also love the old school New York establishments. They have been around so long for a reason!
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Exciting spots you’re booking for lunch?
Pastis, Jeffreys Grocery, or Joseph Leonard – restaurants in my favourite Happy Cooking Group – or the Italian trattoria Via Carota in the West Village.
How about for dinner?
I can’t want to go Wild Cherry in the West Village – the newly opened Cherry Lane Theater restaurant by the Frenchette team. Monkey Bar is always a go-to for uptown.
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Where to shop this season?
I love the shops in the East Village and Lower East Side – my favourites are Coming Soon and Rose Mary Home for gifts and fun home items. Uptown shopping will always be special – Madison Avenue is so beautiful and they have every store you could ask for. The new Printemps in the Financial District is also stunning and lovely for dream shopping with a glass of champagne in hand.
Favourite bars for a drink?
King Cole Bar at the St. Regis New York is one of my favourite spots and a recent Champalimaud Design project. It is always a nice vibe and has the best martinis. Bemelman’s is another uptown classic, and I love sitting until sunset at the picturesque Bar Pisellino near my home in the West Village.
Shows on your radar for winter?
Going to the ballet at Lincoln Center has been one of my favourite things to do this winter. It is a stunning theatre and the performances are so inspiring.
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Your favourite gallery and an exhibition to see this winter?
Monet and Venice at the Brooklyn Museum (open now until 1 February 2026) looks like an amazing exhibition and I’m looking forward to seeing it! Our office is located in the Financial District and I always love to gallery hop on the way home. Tribeca has grown such a rich gallery scene, from Bortolami and Jack Shainman to Mendes Wood DM.
Favourite creative classes or activities?
I love an activity class, especially one where I will learn something – Roscioli’s wine & cheese experiences are so much fun, and they also offer a mozzarella making class which is a special treat.
Kim Manocherian: Art Collector
Photo by Romer Pedron
I’m a New Yorker born and bred. I love this city – the people are my wildflowers – it’s a melting pot of languages and cultures.
Where / what to shop this season?
As I have gotten older, I have become more daring in how I dress. I do a lot of vintage shopping, but stores where I find my treasures are Dover Street Market (see Hanako), IF Boutique (Mizuyo) in Soho, and Vivienne Westwood in Midtown (tell Koolie Kim I sent you!).
How about dinner reservations?
Unlike many New Yorkers, I do like to eat at home, but I’m very loyal to chef Dan Kluger and his restaurants Loring Place and Greywind. I’m not a fan of anything too fancy, so the places I choose tend to be both fabulous and comfortably casual – one of the things I appreciate most about this city.
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Exciting spots you’re booking for lunch?
If I am out and want to eat outside, Bergdorf Goodman Men’s Store has a fabulous place to eat on the 2nd floor. My other favorite spot for lunch is Empire Diner in Chelsea. I found a bakery in Cooper Square that is my Saturday-morning vice: Librae – female-owned. I will get there at 7am to be first in line for their pistachio croissant. Incredible.
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Favourite bars?
Although I am not a late-night person by nature, the Kimberly Hotel has a bar called Upstairs where I love to go with friends, and the small dishes are also amazing.
Shows (cinemas / theatres / happenings) on your radar for autumn / winter?
If you are catching a show, don’t miss & Juliet and Oh, Mary on broadway. Both are clever, stellar, great shows, and Oh, Mary will have you laughing. The Jonathan Groff show is also fabulous, but beware of flying spit, which he is known for. Gracie Lawrence is a new talent who plays Connie Francis and is spectacular.
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Your favourite gallery and an exhibition to see this autumn / winter?
If I was to say one gallery would guarantee you a great show, it would be David Zwirner Gallery. Always museum-worthy work and worth the visit. However, the real New York is going to be found on the subways and by walking everywhere – the West Village, East Village, Soho. Venture to parts of Brooklyn like Williamsburg. Many boutique hotels have fabulous lobby bars with fireplaces. New York is in the people-watching – when I travel, it is not the main sites I want to see; it’s the real culture that can only be found by getting lost.
Lucie Franc de Ferriere: Founder of From Lucie Bakery
I’m a baker and owner of From Lucie, a cake shop in the East Village. I moved to New York City to work for an art gallery and immediately fell in love with it. I got let go during Covid and baking started as a hobby, but what I love about New York is you can do anything as long as you put your heart into it, people will come and want to try.
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Exciting spots you’re booking for lunch?
Cafe Gitane is a friendly French bistro with an excellent striped-awning covered terrace for those sunny (albeit wintry) days. You’ll find French classic mixed in with American brunch favourites across the menu. They also have locations in LA and Tokyo. Head to Raf’s, the French x Italian bistro for a wine lunch or to pick up patisseries from their bakery. Lovely Day is the Thai restaurant in Nolita you’ll want to bookmark for a quick bite – it’s always packed with New Yorker locals, but remember that it’s cash only. Sunday to Sunday on the Lower East Side is great for a relaxed brunch on weekends.
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How about dinner? Any supper clubs to know about?
For dinner; Dhamaka serves up rustic Indian dishes (gluten free options too!), Fiaschetteria Pistoia has a menu full of Tuscan classics, made “nonna style” (and a long wine list to match). A trip to New York isn’t complete without a trip to a burger joint, but Superiority Burger does things differently with their incredible vegetarian and vegan menu. Chez Fifi serves up a fusion of Parisian bistro classics with San Sebastian twists (lots of excellent seafood involved). Jonah Reider hosts lots of supper clubs – keep an eye out on his page.
Where to shop this season?
Buci’s new store, Maryam Nassir Zadeh to browse the great curation of designers, Laura Koleji for select vintage pieces. Edith Machinist is another excellent vintage clothes store, and always has great jewellery pieces too. Sandy Liang for timeless but elevated pieces.
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Favourite bars?
You can’t get more classically New York than a drink at a beautiful hotel bar, like Swan Room and Nine Orchard. Schmuck has a young, dive bar vibe on the Lower East Side. Book Club Bar is – as you can imagine – a book club that serves up espressos in the morning and cocktails come night.
Shows on your radar for winter?
I always love seeing Swan Lake this time of year!
Your favourite gallery and an exhibition to see this autumn / winter?
Bortolami Gallery always has an exciting programme featuring the coolest artists working in the city.
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Favourite creative activities to book?
Happy Medium! You’ll find everything from life drawing and large canvas painting to pottery and even lamp making.
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Any Questions or Tips to add?