The 11 best restaurants on the Upper East Side

The erstwhile East Village institution now located in Murray Hill has also expanded its chopped liver, corned beef and pastrami operation to the Upper East Side. Brothers Josh and Jeremy Lebewohl, the founder's nephews, stay true to the original with the same menu of Jewish standards at this 70-seat location.

That one of NYC’s best sushi restaurants would also be among its most expensive is mostly expected, but it but it was surprising when Sushi Noz added this considerably more affordable alternative. Noz Market's top tier is $145 per person for a seated 12-course omakase, and temaki sets at the standing hand roll bar start at $33 for three.

The home of an NYC classic burger since 1972, J.G. Melon’s saloon-like decor still appears to pre-date even that decade. Outside, its vertical neon sign creates a tableau that’s equal parts postcard picture, album cover and Hopper painting. Inside, the wood-lined barroom is punctuated with stained glass insets and a collage of framed prints throughout, including more than a few melon interpretations. Its menu also includes a few salads, a couple of steaks and several bottles of wine under $50. 

One of the most classically opulent of the city’s rarified fine dining restaurants, Daniel's four-course prix fixe starts at $188 in its elegant space. Its current menu includes selections like Maine peekytoe crab, foie gras, duck and guinea hen.

Though it’s easy to think of as a splurge, plenty of NYC cocktail prices are reaching for (and sometimes exceeding) Bemelmans’, without the impressive environs. Its murals are legendary, its drinks are best in class and it continues to inspire newcomers even after 56 years in operation. 

Also one of the best bars in NYC, East 75th Street’s NR is the second venture from the team behind ROKC uptown. Like the original, NR has terrific cocktails, ramen and raw bar items. Deceptively simply drinks cocktails and and a few more elaborate flaming options are as tasty as they are eye-catching. 

Fresh fish tops warm rice at this UES offshoot of a popular Los Angeles sushi spot. Omakase starts at $52 for six pieces of sushi, a hand roll and a miso soup at lunch and ranges from $57 to $70 to MP at dinner. À la carte options are also available if you aren’t yet ready to commit. 

Peruvian menu items are served amid leafy potted plants and accent walls with climbing vines inside and out at Mission Ceviche. Follow your catch of the day ceviche with seafood paella and sip drinks like the literally smoking, whiskey-based Witch Hunter cocktail. 

This lovely corner Thai restaurant has a pretty sidewalk patio where colorful flowers wind down from overhead. Natural light shines through large windows and onto more flora inside. And the crowd-pleasing menu includes plenty of curry, wok, rice and noodle options. 

NYC’s first Sushi of Gari location has been working with lesser-seen ingredients and creating unique combinations since 1997. Crowds still file into the small spot for the Gari’s Choice tasting menu. Expect pairings like seared foie gras with daikon, salmon with tomato and onion and spicy tuna with mayo, Tabasco and sesame oil. 

Xi’an’s 12 NYC locations presently span three boroughs, and its other three Manhattan spots are farther downtown. Order your dumplings and spicy hand-ripped noodle bowls at the register and snag a seat at one of the wall-hugging counters to promptly savor the flavors.