About the neighborhood

Nestled between office-dense Midtown and the Flatiron District, NoMad is a recently minted microneighborhood brimming with trendy bars, top ranked eateries, unique cultural attractions, and specialized boutiques. Like other popular New York neighborhoods, the area’s name originates from a syllabic abbreviation; here for being situated north of Madison Square Park. The well-maintained green lung anchors premium stores, prestigious restaurants, the iconic Flatiron Building on all sides while also playing host to a robust program of thought-provoking outdoor art installations. Its meticulously designed dog run isn’t half bad either. With proximity to Penn Station and ideal centrality, NoMad is also chock full of hip hotels and an ever-growing raft of high-end design showrooms.

Though there’s so much happening in these compact 25 blocks, the area isn’t overrun by tourists or college crowds. This once nondescript epicenter of wholesale retail has emerged as a sophisticated pocket of Manhattan with plenty to draw in the more discerning professionals that work nearby or are just visiting. Looking past the obvious attractions, one needs to open a few discrete doors and know where to look when seeking out everything NoMad has to offer.

Where to get a coffee catchup

Stocking every Italian food product imaginable, Eataly is an expansive gourmet food market managed by the Italian Tourism Board. Containing specialized food counters and cafes, this massive store is an essential spot for morning coffee and pastries. After a quick meet up with a friend or colleague, one can pick up premium provisions for that dinner party later on.

Where to book a power lunch meeting

Designed by award winning architect David Rockwell with a fresh and eclectic aesthetic, Zaytinya is a next generation Mediterranean haunt at the foot of the new, prestigious Ritz-Carlton NoMad Hotel. Top ranked chef José Andrés serves up a sophisticated, albeit playful and relaxed menu of reimagined Turkish, Greek and Lebanese classics. Reservations are a must.

Where to go for post-work drinks

NoMad has the same concentration of distinct watering holes as the East Village but for a decidedly more mature and less ruckus crowd. A long-established anchor of this scene is Oscar Wilde, a Victorian style pub evoking cheeky exuberance of its namesake. Its specialty cocktail list holds true to the historical touchpoint.

Tucked beneath yet another top ranked Italian restaurant, Lupetto, Soto is a classy yet moody negroni bar masterfully imagined by sought-after interior design studio Parts and Labor. This intimate, backlit, yet somewhat effortless boîte also nods to New York’s everlasting love for the Art Deco style.

So many of NoMad’s top haunts are nestled within its extensive crop of boutique hotels. Case in point: the Flatiron Room at the Sonder, a sensuous red velvet bar with rare spirits, live jazz, and a rooftop terrace framing stunning skyline views.

Go-to fast casual options

Low-key but still adventurous, Barn Joo Nomad is a gastropub on the edge of New York’s Koreatown or K-Town. Fresh takes on classics from this Asian country fuse well with American flavors and generous proportions.

Where to celebrate a win

Also low-key but constantly booked, Hillstone is an upscale American eatery with the vibes of Old New York but the reimagined comfort food menu of a trendy downtown haunt. Opening this fall under the leadership of Top Chef winner Danny Garcia, Time & Tide offers a similar surf and turf offering but a completely different twist.

Where to impress your client

Among the highest rated fine dining establishments in the city, and the world for that matter, Eleven Madison Park is a three Michelin Star institution with an ever-innovative American fare tasting menu and cocktail list masterfully curated by owner/chef Daniel Humm and served in a stately, triple height Art Deco-style dining room. Fair warning: getting a table here for a special occasion might take a few months. Nearby, Andrew Barlow’s first Manhattan restaurant, Borgo is another great fine dining option with upscale Italian trattoria fare.

Where to pick up a last minute gift

Mainstay publisher of art, architecture, design, and style books Rizzoli maintains its storied flagship right off Madison Square Park. This picturesque, cathedral-esque storefront abounds with the specialized titles and obscure magazines. It also plays host to a robust program of talks, readings, and other events throughout the year. Head to the ground floor of Dover Street Market, where the charming Rose Bakery offers light bites like toast, eggs, salads, and sweet scones, along with teas, coffees, and wines—perfect for a break or picking up a thoughtful, last-minute gift.

Where to indulge in midday retail therapy

Located in the historic, monumental New York School of Applied Design for Women building, Dover Street Market is a multi-brand retail space showcasing the latest high-end looks from a number of prominent fashion houses alongside other accessories, home products, and printed matter.

Where to grab a last-minute bouquet

It just so happens that the stretch of 28th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues is the city’s unofficial flower market: a seemingly endless string of stores selling fresh cut blooms from Upstate New York and elsewhere. If looking to pick up an expertly arranged bouquet, one need go no further than Il Fiorista.

Where to have a cultural enrichment day

For those seeking something a little alternative when it comes to their personal enlightenment, there’s the Museum of Sex, a long-established but oft-overlooked institution exploring different facets of human sexuality; its history, evolution, and ever-changing cultural significance.

Where to sweat off a busy day

Offering its guests a chance to cut away from the hustle and bustle outside, Flatiron Bathhouse is a full-service spa with sleek and serene interiors. Accessed with day passes or treatment packages, its thermal pools and marble hammams give way to state-of-the-art saunas and steam rooms.