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If the new FX series Love Story has you suddenly craving martinis, moody lighting and a little ’90s Tribeca nostalgia, you’re not alone. The show’s debut has sparked a fresh wave of interest in John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s favorite New York haunts—and yes, many of them are still serving.
How to eat like JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette in NYC
The Odeon
Start downtown, where the couple essentially built their unofficial dining circuit. The Odeon, the red-banquette brasserie that has anchored West Broadway since 1980, was a go-to for date nights and dramatic reunions alike. It’s easy to picture them sliding into a corner booth, ordering burgers or something French-leaning and lingering over drinks. Even today, it remains one of the easiest ways to channel that particular downtown cool.
Bubby's
Just a few blocks away is Bubby’s, the cozy Tribeca staple where Kennedy and Bessette were frequently photographed grabbing breakfast. Regulars say blueberry pancakes and matzo ball soup were among their orders, which feels refreshingly unfussy compared to the era’s velvet-rope nightlife. If you’re recreating the vibe, go early, claim a window seat and enjoy the comfort-food energy.
Panna II Garden Indian Restaurant
Of course, Love Story has also pushed fans farther afield. Panna II Garden Indian Restaurant in the East Village, depicted as the pair’s first date spot in the series, has seen a rush of visitors since the show aired. Owner Bashir Khan told the New York Post that reservations jumped dramatically, with diners asking for the exact booth featured onscreen. The string lights and maximalist decor make it feel like stepping into a time capsule, even if the series’ version of events is more fiction than documentary.
Rao's
For a more old-school New York pilgrimage, head uptown to Rao’s in East Harlem. The legendary Italian restaurant was reportedly one of Kennedy’s favorites, with the future publisher known to bike there despite the near-impossible reservation scene. You may not snag a table, but walking past—or grabbing a Negroni at the bar—still feels like part of the ritual.
Tribeca Grill
Back in Tribeca, Tribeca Grill, co-founded by Robert De Niro and Drew Nieporent, played host to Kennedy’s 35th birthday dinner before the night continued at Mudville 9, the divey neighborhood bar where the celebrations reportedly stretched until morning. Even Manhattan’s most photographed couple balanced polish with a little downtown grit.
The main lesson here: eating like JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette today is less about scoring impossible reservations and more about the flow of the city, whether that means brunch nearby, a downtown classic after dark or a last-minute nightcap when the mood hits.