If you look closely at recent paparazzi photos of Taylor Swift, in addition to trendy outfits, Travis Kells, and Swift’s own magnetic field, you’ll notice something: They’re almost always taken outside the same restaurant in New York City. It’s a surprising thing (Goddess Swift, going to a place we could all theoretically go to?), and not surprising. After all, New York is a place where “eating out” is the main social activity. Of course, Swift — a Gothamite so devoted that she once sang “The lights are so bright, but they never blind me” —
But what exactly are these Taylor-approved attractions? Eskum details it all below. (Yes, there’s more than one location within walking distance of Cornelia Street.)
Corner store
Taylor Swift and Gigi Hadid dined at The Corner Store in SoHo on Saturday night. This new restaurant in SoHo serves classic dishes like wagyu sausages, pizza rolls and lobster fries. But what’s the real appeal? There’s a rotating martini cart at the table, serving up classic versions of cocktails as well as more adventurous interpretations. (The Tomato Martini, for example, comes with house-made tomato water, celery, horseradish and jalapeños and a delicious vermouth, including a Cosseret, garnished with pickled cherry tomatoes and basil oil.)
local
When Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce wanted to go out for a celebratory meal after the Kansas City Chiefs’ opener against the Baltimore Ravens, they went to the acclaimed Lucali Pizza in Carroll Gardens. Since opening in 2006, the 30-seat eatery has attracted stars with its slices: Jay Z and Beyoncé skipped the Grammys in 2012 and dined at Lucali. (Jay Z told Jimmy Kimmel that Beyoncé loves his jalapeño poppers with extra ketchup.) Last year, Swift also went to Lucali with friend Selena Gomez.
Carrot alley
Taylor Swift and Sophie Turner posed for a viral paparazzi photo outside the acclaimed West Village restaurant Via Carlotta, a Tuscan-style restaurant run by Chu, designed by Jody Williams and Rita Sodi. Since opening in 2014, it has been one of the hottest tables in the city. In addition to Swift, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jennifer Lawrence and Andy Cohen have also been regular visitors. (In fact, Swift’s first public photo after her split from Joe Alwyn was taken in front of Via Carlotta.)
Depending on the season, you can’t go wrong with the menu. But what is their most famous dish? Pepper cheese and insalata verde.
Emilio of Barato
In October 2023, Turner, Blake Lively and Brittany Monez were photographed hanging out at Emilio’s Ballato, an old-school family-owned restaurant in the middle of the city run by an Italian restaurant. The owner’s son, Emilio Vitolo Jr., was considered one of New York City’s best hosts, often entertaining high-profile guests in the back room of the restaurant and making sure there was never an empty glass or glass of wine in the place. Order anything slathered in red sauce…especially the chicken.
Zero bond
Swift has been spotted (multiple times) at the private NoHo members’ club Zero Bond. It’s run by Scott Sartiano, founder of Sartiano’s, a restaurant at The Mercer Hotel whose celebrity clientele includes Tom Brady and Kim Kardashian.
The Bill Sofield-designed space features an omakase room, a full-service restaurant, a members’ lounge, and a wine and whiskey cellar with baccarat details. But what do we think is Swift’s most striking feature? The club operates a no-photography policy and strictly guards privacy.
Fouquet’s
Swift, Turner, and the Haim sisters dined at the Tribeca Hotel Fouquet, built by the same family behind the Hotel Barriere Le Fouquet in Paris. Designed by Martin Brudnizki, the hotel features two restaurants: Par Icy Café, which focuses on vegan and plant-based cuisine, and Brasserie Fouquet, a quintessential Parisian bistro designed by Pierre Gagnaire, as well as a lobby and rooftop bar. There’s no news on where the celebrity group went, but I can definitely say the brasserie’s French onion soup is the best in the city.
Mulberry sticks
Swift and Turner enjoyed a girls’ night out at the Mulberry Bar, which is run by Phil Mennell, Leo Jacobs and Justin Sivers and opened last February. (And that’s an exaggeration: The opening party included Camila Mendes, Sebastian Stan, Margot Robbie, Taika Waititi, Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio · DiCaprio.
This nightlife spot is famous for its Emilie Torling mural, which depicts moody Jean Cocteau-style figures.
Temple Bar
What’s most striking about NoHo’s Temple Bar? It was dark — which might explain why Swift and Turner headed there after their much-discussed dinner at Via Carota. (You can barely see your elbows, let alone the table ahead.) The pair reportedly had a few glasses of wine amid the bar’s art deco interior and Temple Bar’s famous caviar. If you’re planning on going there alone, we recommend ordering steak cubes and grilled cheese from them.
Letter
When Taylor Swift and Travis Kelsey decided to surprise “Saturday Night Live” in 2023, they first dined at Nobu. This perennial celebrity favorite is known for its black miso cod, jalapeño ganache and, of course, sushi. It’s served in a massive 4,300-square-foot space — including several private rooms that we’re guessing Swift and Kelsey opted for. With that said, they left hand-in-hand.
The Waverly Inn
In another high-profile date night, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were spotted at the Waverly Inn, a unique hotel in a brownstone on Bank Street Popular West Village restaurant. The interior is warm and gloomy, decorated with Ed Sorel graffiti, and outside is a garden with ivy-covered walls. Order their signature chicken pot pie, especially when the weather gets cold.
Minetta Tavern
Taylor Swift wore a Gucci sweater while having dinner with her friend Phoebe Bridgers at Minetta Tavern, a popular restaurant in Greenwich Village. Thanks to Minetta restaurant owner Keith McNeely, the world has detailed photos of their night: The couple dined on grilled oysters, scallops, Dover sole, and lobster rolls, he wrote on Instagram. If Swift wants to come back, she might also consider the Famous Burger — often considered the best in Manhattan.
Bunster
Since opening in the late Nineties, BONDST has been one of the city’s most popular restaurants for its central location, charming atmosphere and top-notch sushi served in a NoHo brownstone. (Though the wagyu skirt steak is also worth the expense.) Give Taylor Swift a chance to enjoy a higher prize, though: The last time she married Gigi Hadid, Selena Gomez, Cara Delevingne and Sophie Turner had a girls’ night together. Maybe they had drinks before or after dinner at another of Swift’s favorite spots, Zero Bound, which is just two doors down.
conspiracy
Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift enjoyed a girls’ night out at the Lower East Side’s natural and rare wine hotspot, Parcels Wine Bar. Once you’ve ordered a bottle of wine, your waiter will gently tell you which items on the menu are best, including a toastie and a fried chicken sandwich. The interior is also a design lover’s dream, with everything from green Gio Ponti chairs to dark de Sade sofas.
Freeman
Swift took her Eras Tour opener Gracie Abrams to dinner at Freeman’s on the Lower East Side. Located at the end of a graffiti-adorned alley, it serves new American classics like mac and cheese, whole grilled brook trout and pork chops with honey-nut squash polenta. (Save room for dessert, which includes sticky toffee pudding and Basque cheesecake with steamed Turkish figs.) Restaurateur Taavo Sommer is a favorite of fashionistas at the Hudson Valley Hotel. He’s also the guy behind Ines.
that day
Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff and a friend occupy a booth near the Paros Bar, a lush restaurant run by Tribeca-based top chef George Pagonis. This bright and airy space has a blue and white interior in the Cycladic style of the Greek islands. The menu focuses on fresh seafood: swordfish kebabs, seafood pasta, churro lettuce and lobster pasta.
overflow
Taylor Swift decided to celebrate her 34th birthday at the acclaimed cocktail bar Banjarbar above Freeman. Her guest lineup is full of stars, including Blake Lively, Zoe Kravitz, Gigi Hadid, Sabrina Carpenter (Sabrina Carpenter) and more. “Can’t believe this happened… this year? Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes yesterday,” she wrote on Instagram.
Banjarbar is known for its modern and creative take on traditional 19th-century cocktails. (The Shackleton’s Urn is so addictive that the menu is limited to two per person.) Meanwhile, the Midnight Revolver is brewed with bourbon, allspice and cinnamon bark, bringing warmth to cold winter nights. That doesn’t mean Banjarbar is old-fashioned: they also have a section of the menu dedicated to “ultra-modern” drinks. Think the Tom Cage Soupy Martini or the “umami-packed” gin with ginger lemon and shiso leaves.
