New York Fashion Week moves fast, and between shows, fittings, and late-night parties, the city’s dining rooms became our reset button. This season, we planned our calendars around meals as carefully as the runways, with each reservation woven into the NYFW itinerary. From Tribeca to Williamsburg, Soho to Midtown, the DSCENE team followed the city’s culinary circuit to uncover the restaurants that defined dining during Fashion Week.
RESTAURANTS
From Michelin-starred Indian fine dining and elevated Korean barbecue to French brasserie classics and coastal Indonesian flavors, these are the places where fashion insiders gathered, toasted, and lingered long after the last look left the runway. Together, they shaped a culinary snapshot of the week, proof that during NYFW, the table is just as important as the front row.
Musaafer
Musaafer made its New York debut this season, opening in TriBeCa’s historic Hope Building after establishing its reputation in Houston. The Michelin-starred Indian fine dining restaurant is the vision of founders Mithu and Shammi Malik, inspired by Executive Chef Mayank Istwal’s 100-day journey across India to collect recipes, stories, and ancient techniques. True to its name, derived from the Hindi and Urdu word for “traveler,” Musaafer explores the breadth of India’s culinary traditions while reimagining them for the city’s most discerning diners. Spanning over 10,000 square feet across two levels, the space houses a grand dining room, the subterranean Saaqi bar, and the Chef’s Studio for more intimate, adventurous experiences. The menu reflects India’s diversity with a bold, modern edge: New York exclusives like the Nihari Birria Taco sit alongside Musaafer signatures such as Lychee Ceviche, Beef Vindaloo, and the two-part Butter Chicken Experience.
The setting is no less ambitious. Designed with Delhi-based Chromed Studio, Musaafer envelops guests in a world of Indian artistry and opulence. Marble walls, patterned glass, antique décor, and mother-of-pearl details frame the space, while highlights like Sheesh Mahal, a breathtaking all-mirror dining room inspired by traditional palaces, create a sense of wonder rarely found in the New York dining scene. The cocktail program is equally inventive, with drinks like The Truffle Master and Bombay Velvet turning mixology into performance.
HOWOO
HOWOO has quickly become one of Manhattan’s most sophisticated Korean barbecue destinations, elevating the tradition with a laser focus on premium cuts and precise technique. Located in Nomad, the debut concept from Urimat Hospitality Group takes the familiar KBBQ ritual and reframes it with a luxury edge. The menu showcases an impressive roster of beef, from dry-aged ribeye and snow-marbled short rib to A5 Miyazaki wagyu, each cut carefully prepared and presented for grilling at the table. Three rounds of banchan accompany the meal, artisanally made kimchi, seasonal sides, and delicate bites that underscore the restaurant’s attention to craft. Stews and kettle pot rice sourced directly from Korea round out the experience, while an à la carte menu provides plenty of additional options for diners who want to go beyond beef.
The space itself mirrors the precision of the menu. Spanning 7,700 square feet, HOWOO accommodates groups of every size, from intimate parties seated at grill-equipped bar counters to larger gatherings tucked into sleek booths or private dining rooms on the mezzanine. The open kitchen layout adds energy to the room, offering diners a glimpse into the butcher’s station and the choreography of service. With its refined design and uncompromising approach to ingredients, HOWOO redefines Korean barbecue for a city that thrives on reinvention, a Fashion Week dinner spot where the food feels as polished as the clothes on the runway.
Le Crocodile
At Le Crocodile, the French brasserie inside the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg, the atmosphere is as much a draw as the food. The restaurant, run by chef Aidan O’Neal, has become a Brooklyn favorite for its grand scale and its unpretentious yet sharply executed menu. It’s the kind of place where NYFW crowds can unwind over oysters and champagne at the bar before diving into a meal that feels simultaneously classic and fresh. Staples like roast chicken with pommes frites, steak au poivre, and a towering seafood platter showcase the brasserie’s commitment to French tradition, while seasonal specials and playful desserts add a modern touch. Every dish comes generously portioned and thoughtfully prepared, perfect for sharing with a group post-show.
The space itself leans into brasserie elegance with high ceilings, exposed brick, and tall windows that flood the dining room with natural light by day and give it a sultry glow at night. A mix of locals, hotel guests, and industry insiders keeps the energy lively without losing its refined edge. The wine list is dominated by French producers, paired with a cocktail menu that riffs on classics with a Brooklyn sensibility. Le Crocodile is the kind of restaurant that makes an impression whether you’re there for a celebratory dinner or a casual late-night bite, a reliable anchor during Fashion Week where the food, setting, and energy converge effortlessly.
Sartiano’s
Sartiano’s brings a dose of Italian glamour to Soho, offering a dining experience that feels equal parts old-world romance and downtown cool. Helmed by restaurateur Scott Sartiano, the restaurant takes inspiration from classic Italian cuisine while layering in contemporary flourishes that keep the menu dynamic. Handmade pastas anchor the offering, from rich truffle-laced tagliatelle to perfectly al dente spaghetti pomodoro. Signature dishes like veal Milanese and branzino al forno arrive as showpieces, crafted with precision and a clear respect for tradition. Even the smaller plates, crudo, burrata, seasonal vegetables, are presented with a sense of occasion.
The interiors lean into drama, with plush banquettes, marble accents, and low lighting that set the stage for a night out as much as a meal. The energy shifts seamlessly from intimate dinners to buzzy, late-evening gatherings, making Sartiano’s a magnet for Fashion Week crowds. It’s the kind of restaurant that encourages lingering over a bottle of Barolo and dessert, whether that’s a glossy tiramisu or an inventive seasonal gelato. Sartiano’s captures the spirit of Italian dining, generous, stylish, and just a little indulgent, but reinterprets it through a distinctly New York lens.
Ma•dé
Ma•dé, meaning “second born” in Balinese, is the follow-up to Chef Cédric Vongerichten and Ochi Latjuba Vongerichten’s beloved Wayan. Located in Soho at 22 Spring Street, the restaurant brings the coastal flavors of West Sumatra to downtown New York. The menu follows the traditions of Padang-style dining, a format where dishes are served all at once, designed for sharing. Bold flavors define the experience, with gulai (curry), lado (chili pepper), and bareh (rice) forming the foundation, accented by coconut milk and fiery spice. Influences from Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines further shape the offerings, making Ma-dé a vivid introduction to Indonesian food culture.
The interiors, designed by Linda Daniels LCD, channel the elegance of Indonesian coastal beach bars. Bright, airy, and warm, the dining room features glassware, plateware, and other details sourced directly from places tied to the Vongerichten family’s travels. The space feels both personal and transportive, a setting where sunlit charm meets intimate dining. As a sibling to Wayan, Ma-dé expands the family story, inviting guests to gather, share, and connect through food that balances vibrancy with comfort.
Palermo Argentinian Bistro
Palermo Argentinian Bistro has expanded from Hell’s Kitchen into Gramercy Park, bringing with it the energy of Buenos Aires and the expertise of owner Orhan Cakir and Executive Chef Carlos Barroz. The new location blends Argentine tradition with New York polish, specializing in open-fire grilled steaks, crudos, ceviches, and generous mixed grills designed for sharing. Highlights include the Parrillada for Two, an abundant platter of skirt steak, sirloin, short ribs, chicken, chorizo, morcilla, and sweetbreads, served with house-made chimichurri and salsa criolla. Dishes like NY Strip Milanese, Halibut with salsa gaucha, or the dry-aged Palermo Burger pay tribute to Argentina’s culinary roots while nodding to New York’s own dining sensibilities. A raw bar anchored by a seafood tower and starters like beef tartare with quail egg and caviar further broaden the menu, underscoring Palermo’s balance of opulence and approachability.
The space itself reflects Argentina’s vibrant spirit. Guests are welcomed by a striking L-shaped marble bar clad in deep blue tile and lined with tan-gold stools, setting the stage for a cocktail program that reinvents classics with South American flair, think a dirty Chimichurri Martini or a smoky mezcal-and-passionfruit concoction called Fuego. Inside, navy velvet banquettes, sculpted gaucho heads, and whitewashed brick walls create an atmosphere equal parts rustic and refined. A large alfresco patio invites long afternoons of people-watching over Malbec, Torrontés, or a glass of Zuccardi sparkling. With its convivial atmosphere and fire-kissed flavors, Palermo Argentinian Bistro Gramercy feels tailor-made for group dinners during Fashion Week.
Avra Madison
Just steps from Central Park, Avra Madison Estiatorio delivers Greek fine dining at a scale and polish that makes it a mainstay during Fashion Week. Known for its sprawling seafood displays and impeccable sourcing, the restaurant flies in fresh fish daily from the Mediterranean, which can be grilled whole and served tableside with olive oil, lemon, and herbs. Alongside the catch of the day, the menu offers classic Greek specialties, spanakopita, moussaka, grilled octopus, and a wide selection of mezze, all executed with a refined touch. It’s a place designed for long, celebratory meals where the emphasis is on fresh ingredients and clean, bold flavors.
The dining room, with its soaring ceilings and contemporary elegance, matches the drama of the menu. Neutral stone, wood, and soft lighting create a warm yet sophisticated atmosphere, while the bar offers a more vibrant scene fueled by inventive cocktails and an expansive wine list. Avra Madison balances spectacle and intimacy, making it equally suited for a power lunch or a late-night table packed with friends. During Fashion Week, it feels like a Greek island transplanted to Midtown, an escape that keeps you firmly in the center of the action.
K’Far
Meaning “village” in Hebrew, K’Far lives up to its name by creating an all-day gathering place in the heart of Williamsburg’s Hoxton Hotel. Chef Michael Solomonov, drawing on his hometown of K’Far Saba, has built a space that works seamlessly from morning through late evening. There’s no downtime here, whether you’re rushing in for a bagel and coffee before a show, pausing over Kubaneh toast and a salad midday, or settling into the bar for cocktails and dinner, K’Far’s rhythm matches the pace of New York without losing its warmth. The restaurant’s layout mirrors that village spirit: a sit-down dining room at the center, a casual takeaway counter, and a full-service lobby lounge, all connected under one roof.
What makes K’Far stand out during Fashion Week is its ability to offer both comfort and atmosphere. The glass-enclosed atrium floods the dining room with natural light, even in the colder months, and doubles as a year-round patio that feels like a retreat from the city outside. The food, meanwhile, balances tradition and modernity, drawing on Israeli flavors with precision and ease. From freshly baked breads to inventive small plates, the menu feels grounded yet transportive. It’s a place where you can recharge without losing the energy of the week, part pit stop, part escape, and very much part of the scene.
