Reservations, Please: A Sex and the City Dining Guide to NYC

By: Mia Dubin

I have to confess, Sex and the City (SATC) has taken over my life. I am rewatching the show, and it is still safe to say I am obsessed. With all the glitz, glam, and gossip, I feel like we, as an audience, do not give the food and restaurant scene in the show enough credit. From the girls’ iconic brunch gossip sessions to Carrie’s birthday party, some of the most memorable scenes from the show take place in chic New York City restaurants. So, it got me thinking, can I make a reservation? The short answer to this question is yes. Here is a list of some of the SATC restaurants that are still open in NYC!

Cafeteria

Is it just me, or have you also wanted to re-create the legendary lunch scenes from SATC? Cafeteria in Chelsea feels like a character of its own in the show. It is the setting for some of the most iconic and memorable lunch scenes, often dishing drama about men, work, and gossip. This restaurant gives off a casual vibe that’s ideal for bringing your friends to grab a quick bite to eat and pretend to channel your inner Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda.

Il Cantinori

I will never forget snagging a reservation at Il Cantinori, the small Italian restaurant nestled in the heart of Greenwich Village. This small but iconic restaurant was featured in Season 4, when Carrie was throwing her much-anticipated 35th birthday party. Known for its cozy ambiance, Il Cantinori offers elegance, class, and, more importantly, delicious pasta. It’s a great place to bring your girlfriends, enjoy a romantic date, or even have a birthday dinner (up to you), as it perfectly blends Italian glamour with authentic, high-quality food.

Cipriani Downtown 

Cipriani is the epitome of NYC chic. The food. The ambiance. The location— all the reasons why it continues to be a star-studded restaurant in NYC. But I cannot help but wonder, did Carrie start the Cipriani craze? Cipriani Downtown in SoHo appears in Season 3 when Charlotte spots Mr. Big and Natasha’s wedding announcement in The New York Times wedding section. This scene had it all: bellinis, eye rolls, and SATC-style commentary. So, on the SATC NYC food tour, you should make sure to grab a drink or two, but maybe don’t bring The New York Times.

Magnolia Bakery

Yes, Magnolia Bakery is known for its banana pudding, but some of its most iconic menu items were its scenes from SATC, of course. From pastel-topped cupcakes to laughs, Magnolia Bakery has shared some of its prime moments with Carrie and Miranda, as the two sat outside the Bleeker Street location indulging in a pink-sprinkled cupcake. Luckily, we can try the signature Carrie cupcake, as Magnolia has popped up with several locations in the NYC area.

Manolo Blahnik

They say save the best for last, right? Carrie did mention that fashion feeds her, so if you are trying to mimic Carrie Bradshaw’s NYC favorites, no trip is complete without browsing around Manolo Blahnik. In many of the episodes, Carrie is wearing a pair of Manolo Blahniks, so whether you are only wanting to window-shop or even splurge on a pair of your own, stepping into Manolo Blahnik feels like the ultimate SATC moment, and I hope it feeds you, too.

So next time you plan a trip to NYC, grab your girlfriends and your appetite, and live out your inner SATC moments in these iconic (and delicious) spots, and if you need any help choosing where to go, just go back and watch the show!