The NYC Fashion Girl's Travel Guide For NYFW

And just like that, New York Fashion Week is upon us yet again, kicking off on September 7. This week, which is followed by fashion month shows held in London, Milan, and Paris, transforms the historic city, filling it with street style photographers, celebrities, fashion insiders, and influencers alike. It also sees a flurry of brand activations, dinners, and pop-ups. In other words, it’s a very chic time to be in town if you enjoy a festive occasion.

If you’ll be here for NYFW and need a few recs for where to eat, sleep, sip, or something in that vein, it’s a good idea to bookmark (and reserve) a few spots ahead of time. To help you prepare, TZR compiled a travel guide to the city, with input from attendees who have memorized all of the best spots to hit in between shows and meetings.

And if you’re here only to learn about the newest, flashiest openings in the city — that’s not what this is. Instead, enjoy the insider’s take on locales both new and tried-and-true. From steak au poivre at an iconic 50-year-old joint in Soho to a chic natural wine bar in the village, there’s a little something for everyone. Let fashion month commence.

Where To Stay

Out-of-towners coming from overseas or elsewhere in the states need a pied-à-terre to return to each night — NYC has plenty of stylish options for that. The Bowery Hotel is a no-brainer place to start (it’s also fashion insider Jenny Walton’s pick for accommodations in the city). It’s at the East Village intersection of Bowery and 3rd Street and is best described as quintessential New York. You can also book a room at The Ludlow, a New York Fashion Week go-to for Net-a-Porter Market Director Libby Page (think: upscale boutique hotel in Manhattan’s trendy Lower East Side). And speaking of trendy, the new Hotel Barrière Fouquet's New York in Tribeca is noteworthy. Designed by Martin Brudnizki, the hotel exudes the same magical sensibilities as its Parisian counterpart with room details such as Art Deco–inspired furniture, parquet floors, Instagrammable Toile de Jouy wallpaper, and marble baths.

If you’re setting your sights further uptown, NoMad has a couple of notable spots — The Ned NoMad and The Ritz-Carlton New York NoMad as well as The New York EDITION in nearby Flatiron. Or, if you’re on the hunt for something affordable but equally as stylish as the aforementioned, the newly-opened Moxy Lower East Side is a smart pick. Beyond that, you can’t go wrong with staples like The Beekman, A Thompson Hotel in lower Manhattan, The Mark in the Upper East Side, The Crosby Street Hotel in SoHo, or The High Line Hotel in Chelsea. And if you prefer a Brooklyn home base, Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg is a boutique property beloved by locals and visitors alike (it was originally a factory that opened in 1901).

Where To Have Dinner

Fashion week is essentially jolting from one runway venue to the next, praying you’ll make it before the lights dim. By the end of the day, the idea of a hearty dinner sounds downright heavenly. “After a long day of shows, there’s nothing like cozying up in a booth and ordering a martini and steak au poivre at Raoul’s,” Who What Wear Editor at Large Nicole Akhtarzad Eshaghpour says of the 1970s-era SoHo institution. Also in the neighborhood is Sant Ambroeus, another favorite of Page’s.

In Nolita, freelance fashion writer Aemilia Madden points to Thai Diner as the spot. “No matter where I'm trying to grab a bite during fashion week, I've learned to expect a wait,” she says. “Thai Diner is one of my favorite dinner spots; I usually throw my name down and grab a drink nearby while I wait.” Over in the West Village — beloved for its charming narrow streets and equally pleasant restaurants — classics like I Sodi and Via Corota or always reliable reservations. If you’re in the mood for a pizza and spritz on the sidewalk, head to L’antica Pizzeria da Michele on Bank Street. A few blocks up, recently-opened Cafe Chelsea is a new bistro in the landmark hotel that serves French fare in a Parisian-inspired setting.

If you find yourself on the east side, book a table at Bar Lula for the roasted octopus and extensive mezcal list. Or head to Claud for an unforgettable meal that nods to European dining (kampachi with kumquat and yuzu and seafood sausage with lobster jus are current highlights, but the menu changes).

A few newcomers of note include l'abeille à côté in Tribeca (sister restaurant to l’abeille) with its 20 seats and chef Mitsunobu Nagae's French-Japanese fare (order the Iberico Jamon Serrano with grilled eggplant ice cream). There’s also Casa Lever on Park Avenue, housed in a historic midtown building and featuring artwork by Damien Hirst, diners can feast upon Milanese-style Italian fare.

If you’re heading to Brooklyn, Walton suggests Rule of Thirds in Greenpoint. “I recently went there and it was great. A nice bar, too, that you don't need a reservation for.” There’s also Fulgurances, Laundromat, a tasting menu restaurant that began in Paris and is now an outpost of its chef residency in Greenpoint where each rotating chef works with New York State’s finest seasonal produce. And if your day ends closer to Williamsburg, a meal at elNico is a must — Mexican fare like caviar sope, clam tostadas, and pink mole can be enjoyed with views of the Brooklyn and Manhattan skyline. Also in Williamsburg: the much-buzzed-about Chanel Lucky Chance Diner which will be free and open to the public from September 8 to September 10. Visitors can enjoy diner bites (think soft-serve ice cream) while experiencing a fragrance journey of Chance Eau Fraîche Eau de Parfum.

Where To Eat Lunch

If you can manage to carve out an hour to have lunch during fashion week, there are a few spots to seek out (otherwise, pack those protein-heavy snacks). “It’s hard to find a big chunk of time for a sit-down lunch on a busy show day, so I love to grab an açaí bowl from Playa Bowls on Macdougal Street and eat it while responding to emails and keeping up with social media,” Minkoff shares. There’s also Jōji Box for sushi to-go or delivery found within One Vanderbilt and by Chef George Ruan. For Walton, La Mercerie is always the go-to. “They have a great salad and a great vegetarian quiche,” she notes.

If you’re craving something creative and healthy, Madden points to Dimes. “It’s been my go-to lunch spot since it first opened in 2013. The quirky, healthy-ish meals like the big salad, açaí bowl, and pozole all leave me feeling energized.” In the realm of amazing salads, head for American Bar in the West Village (Page is a fan of the chopped salad). If you find yourself with a longer time slot, grab a table at Union Square Cafe and order the gazpacho verde and grilled shrimp basilicata for a fresh, light lunch.

Where To Have A Drink

If you find yourself grabbing a drink with friends (or yourself, really) at the end of a long day of shows, you’ll need a few locales bookmarked across town. For those who end their day uptown, Madden recommends Lodi. “If I end up near Rockefeller Center for a show, I love Lodi for a mezcal negroni or glass of wine,” she says. Further up at The Plaza Hotel near central park, a toast at The Champagne Bar (which has been around since 1907) is always a good idea. If you’re looking for a sip with a side of entertainment, head around the corner to the new Aman New York’s Jazz Club or to Parker’s (named after the late Charlie Parker) where live music is played Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings.

Itching for a martini? Newly-opened Madeline’s Martini in the East Village should be on your radar, as should Jac’s On Bond (order the Schwarzwald Wasser martini, you won’t be disappointed). And for a classic fix: Bemelmans Bar has the city’s best classic martini. For those who enjoy their cocktails with a side of views, Le Vaux is a new rooftop spot at Fouquet’s New York and was inspired by the French gardens of Vaux-Le-Vicomte and Versailles. Bar Pisellino is also great for sidewalk views and people watching (the West Village staple is perched on a bustling corner). And when you just need a really great, borderline-whimsical cocktail, head for Double Chicken Please in the Lower East Side (it was named the top bar in North America this year).

Or, if your idea of the perfect wind-down is a wine bar, newly-opened bar56 in Dumbo is steps from the picturesque Brooklyn Bridge and offers 56 wines by the glass. Other staples that you can always count on: The Ten Bells in the Lower East Side, June Wine Bar in Cobble Hill, Ruffian in the East Village, and Moonflower in the West Village.

Where To Get A Quick Mani

While a hearty meal ranks higher on the list of NYFW priorities than a manicure, that doesn’t mean it’s not a worthy consideration. If you forgot to get one pre-travel (or simply need a quick self-care situation), there are a few addresses to have on your radar. “I'm a forever fan of Chillhouse, which started out as a small spot on the LES but now has its flagship in SoHo,” Madden says. For Page, Glosslab’s many locations make it an easy one to pop into anytime. Jinsoon Tribeca for Walton, and Paintbox for Eshaghpour (“it’s a mani that will last you the full duration of NYFW and beyond”). As for Minkoff, her staple spot for a fast manicure is TenOverTen on Houston Street (“though anyone who has seen my nails knows that it’s impossible for me to get a quick mani — graphic nail art on powder acrylics!”).

Where To Grab Coffee In Between Shows

Ah yes, coffee. The lifeline of NYFW. “There is a coffee shop on almost every block in New York so this shouldn't be a problem and it's hard to go too wrong (anywhere but Starbucks should suffice because c'mon, you're in NYC — support somewhere local),” Walton says. “If in Tribeca, Interlude is great and in the West Village Bar Pisellino is very sweet (especially if you're like me and in a constant state of missing Italy).” If you’re near Union Square, Minkoff points to the matcha and to-go cold cups at Blue Bottle on University Place.

If you’re in LES, Madden’s former stomping grounds, she recommends Ludlow Coffee Supply. “It's casual and has outdoor seating, which is especially nice in summer. I'm generally a cold brew person year round, but when I'm feeling particularly decadent I spring for a cappuccino, which is always perfectly rich and foamy here.” La Cabra in the East Village and The Elk in the West Village are both picks for Jane, and Eshaghpour’s favorite has locations throughout the city. “Whether your show schedule takes you uptown, downtown, or — most likely — all over town, you can never go wrong indulging in a quick coffee and, perhaps, slice of Princess Cake from Sant Ambroeus."

A couple of other staples that also happen to have delicious pastries to accompany your caffeine include Buvette New York in the West Village and Daily Provisions with locations across the city (side note, the everything croissant will change your life).

Where To Find A Moment of Zen

To the outside observer, the idea of ‘finding zen’ during something as seemingly glamorous as New York Fashion Week might illicit an eye-roll — but don’t be fooled, these attendees are working hard and definitely working overtime. Plus, everyone deserves a moment of calm, especially during such a frenetic, demanding time. “Urban Asanas is the best-kept secret in New York City for acupuncture, infrared sauna, and yoga,” stylist Rachael Wang shares. “Try an Unwind class with Jyll, the owner.” If your skin needs a little love, book the Sculpt & Chill facial at AMEŌN Skin at EQUINOX Rockefeller Center; founder Alina Mehrle created the company after her journey with breast cancer and chemotherapy in pursuit of healing her damaged skin.

For Minkoff, physical movement is the best medicine. "During NYFW in September, I take any opportunity to walk between shows that I can. Walking, rather than getting in a cab or an Uber, allows me to reflect on the trends and collections I have seen that day and make little mental notes about standout pieces and designers for the season to come.” Walton also finds calm during the show commute. “I find a lot of zen riding the subway and listening to music (although I'm sure most people wouldn't think of the subway as a zen experience),” she says. “I also get a Citibike and just cycle everywhere — it’s the best way to see the city.” On top of that, she suggests a quick museum visit in between shows. “I would go to the MoMA and enjoy an exhibit, grab a sandwich at Pret, sit in Central Park with a little picnic, and then wander over the The Met after. I did this a few months ago and it was a lovely, peaceful day.” And for the literary-inclined, Madden says McNally Jackson book store is a must. “The smell of new books instantly makes me relaxed.”