Shopping near the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

The Upper East Side actually has something cooler than a Botox membership: The Herbal Care. Opened in January 2024 as the Upper East Side’s first legal dispensary, The Herbal Care instantly upgraded the neighborhood’s offerings from “wine bar or blowout?” to something with a little more edge. This isn’t your average transactional cannabis stop. It’s a curated experience with rotating product drops, weekly deals and just enough insider cool to make you feel like you discovered something—without the gatekeeping. Bonus: they won’t judge you for asking what “solventless” means. Inside, you’ll find a sleek shop that doubles as an art gallery, because buying pre-rolls under bad lighting is over. They’ve hosted events with NYC legends like Havoc of Mobb Deep and Tony Yayo of G-Unit, so don’t be surprised if your weed run includes a live DJ set. The staff knows what they’re talking about, and they’re not trying to upsell you on a $90 eighth you’ll regret later. Whether you’re there for flower, edibles or just need to vibe out before a dinner you didn’t want to go to, they’ve got you covered. More than a dispensary, The Herbal Care has planted itself firmly in the culture—hosting art shows, performances and generally giving the UES a reason to loosen its collar a bit. It’s approachable, it’s elevated and yes, it smells amazing inside. In a city full of overpriced options and underwhelming vibes, The Herbal Care is local and legit. You don’t need a password or a plug—just a plan to...

This UES family-owned shop has been in the haute couture–recycling business since 1954 and is the place to go if you want to score Dior, Prada and Dolce & Gabbana dresses for 70 to 90 percent off retail price. While you shouldn’t schlep your bags of less-than-luxe stuff here expecting a trade (they only buy first-tier designer labels that are less than two years old and in great condition), come here if you want to treat yourself to something luxurious without breaking the bank.

Ranking among the city’s top tourist attractions, Bloomie’s is stocked with everything from bags to beauty products, homewares to designer duds. The cosmetics hall, complete with an outpost of globe-spanning apothecary Space NK and a Bumble and bumble dry-styling bar, recently got a glam makeover. The compact Soho outpost concentrates on young fashion and cosmetics.  

For the past 40-odd years, father-and-son team Lal and Harry Bhambi have been making sure every single hand-sewn garment under their banner is made precisely to look attractive. When you pick up garbs from them, you have the advantage of their veteran touch.

This Upper East Side wine standout has been tugging at New Yorkers’ heartstrings for over 20 years, and for good reason—it’s cheap and convenient. Not only does Garnet house an awe-inspiring selection of wines between $10 and $25 from nearly every viticultural region in the world, it also offers free delivery anywhere in Manhattan with a minimum purchase of $50. Stop by for free in-store wine tastings every Friday and Saturday from 3-6pm.

Stocked with a wide variety of foodstuffs and organic products, this large, health-conscious grocery store on the Upper East Side offers a huge selection for most dietary needs. Besides offering staples and specialty items, take-away meals include fresh smoothies and juices, soups and made-to-order salads perfect for a quick and easy bite.

This Paris-based gourmet chocolate shop has multiple locations in New York.

The beloved NYC women’s apparel and accessories brand opens a third outpost, located inside a three-story prewar townhouse. Joining the Soho and Flatiron District stores, the nearly 7,900-square-foot shop houses the entire collection of whimsical handbags ($98–$598), clothing ($58–$698), accessories ($19–$498) and home goods ($30–$249). The decor suits both the label’s modern aesthetic and the elegance of the boutique’s zip code (emblazoned on tote bags, $698) with mod gold-and-oak furniture, oversize Sputnik-themed chandeliers, mirror-tiled stairs and a bow-inspired facade. Standouts include patterned party frocks ($268–$448), floral linen tanks ($248), leather flats ($198–$328) and bangle watches ($250–$295).

Get that Saint-Tropez look without ever leaving the Upper East Side at Crémieux's Madison Avenue store. After stints in Soho and Hudson Yards, the American outpost of the luxury French menswear company has now relocated to Madison Avenue (enter at 16 East 60th Street). Shopping there offers exquisitely tailored clothing, of course, but also an experience.  The store's design is intended to evoke the ambiance of a French Riviera boutique, providing an opportunity for Creative Director Stéphane Crémieux to engage with clients and share his insights on contemporary menswear style. Expect to see a blend of vintage and modern aesthetics, incorporating wooden shelves alongside brass racks and glass elements. Curated vintage pieces, such as haberdashery cabinets sourced from Paris and London flea markets, add a retro charm, while accents of Crémieux's signature navy blue reflect brand's ethos, the company explained in a statement. There's even a custom bar and a dedicated made-to-measure area where shoppers can have clothing tailored to their individual tastes. In terms of pricing, shirts range from $225 to $995, while trousers are priced between $300 and $700. Deconstructed blazers cost $1,000 to $4,500, while lightweight outerwear is priced between $1,400 and $2,500. "Through this new destination, that blends fashion and hospitality, we aim to present the finest aspects of our brand to the American market by recreating the intimate atmosphere of our European boutiques and...

For nearly half a century, Fred Kooby has been running this prim-and-proper stationery boutique, and though he’s watched as paper companies shrink their lines and e-cards replace formal invitations, his own business has grown from a single storefront to the better chunk of the block. Attribute this to his loyal clientele, who appreciate proper etiquette and classic taste—tenets that are best represented by the wall of Crane & Co. place cards (ten for $9–$100), and selection of Caspari greeting cards ($3–$9) and Charing Cross leather-bound calendars ($32–$49). Kooby’s daughter, Vanessa, oversees the custom-design department, whose shelves are jammed with sample books from lines as mid-range as William Arthur and as elaborate as C’est Papier. Aside from paper products, the store also stocks Kolo photo albums ($17–$50), Tizo picture frames ($17–$150) and fine writing instruments ($39–$495) from Waterman, Parker and Cross.