The Ultimate Guide To NYC's Murray Hill And Kips Bay
Chances are you’ve heard the near-endless stereotypes about Murray Hill and Kips Bay, such as that they’re full of guys who work in finance, recent college graduates and rowdy 20-somethings up drinking beer until the morning. But the truth is, there’s lots to love about Murray Hill and Kips Bay, including safe, clean streets, great real estate, excellent bars and restaurants and a convenient location.
We’ve created our ultimate guide to Manhattan’s Murray Hill and Kips Bay so you can enjoy all that these neighborhoods have to offer. Happy exploring!
See also: The Ultimate Guide to NYC's East Village
Where To Eat
Sarge’s Delicatessen & Diner
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583 3rd Ave. / 212.679.0442 / Website
When in Rome do as the Romans do, and when in New York, do as we do and eat at delis. Sarge’s is one of the best delis in the whole city and serves up our favorite classics, such as cured corned beef, pastrami, matzo ball soup and smoked fish.
Le Parisien Bistrot
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163 E 33rd St. / 212.889.5489 / Website
This neighborhood favorite serves up delicious French fare in cozy, intimate interiors. Steak frites, escargots and moules marinieres await for dinner or opt for the delicious $19.95 pre-fixe brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
Norma
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438 3rd Ave. / 212.889.0600 / Website
We will never turn down Italian food, which is why we love Norma’s traditional Sicilian pizza, pastas and more all served in quaint, rustic interiors. This is the kind of place you take a first date, or perhaps your grandma when she comes to visit.
Where To Stay
The Kitano Hotel New York
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66 Park Ave., E. 38th St. / 212.885.7000 / Website
NYC glamor gets an Asian flare at the Kitano Hotel New York, a gorgeous boutique property with luxurious amenities such as valet parking, multiple restaurants and bespoke furnishings. Perhaps best of all? The ultra-central location puts all of NYC at your fingertips.
The Redbury New York
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29 E. 29th St. / 212.689.1900 / Website
Originally opening as the Women’s Hotel in 1903, the Redbury New York has a long and storied past. The Renaissance Revival architecture, complete with a brick and limestone facade, balconettes with iron railings and Palladian windows will have you feeling like you stepped back into the glamor of the Roaring ‘20s. The hotel has been temporarily closed, so be sure to call before booking.
Library Hotel by Library Hotel Collection
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299 Madison Ave., E. 41st St. / 212.983.4500 / Website
You’ve never seen a hotel quite like this. The Library Hotel boasts a collection of over 6,000 books organized by the Dewey Decimal Classifications. Each floor of the hotel is dedicated to a different category, including literature, history, philosophy and more, and each room is adorned with between 50-150 books exploring a niche within the category.
Where To Relax
Bryant Park
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New York, NY 10018 / 212.768.4242 / Website
Whether it be musical performances, a carousel ride or juggling, there’s always something going on at Bryant Park. With tons of green space and plenty of locals and tourists alike, time at Bryant Park is always well spent.
AMC Kips Bay 15
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570 2nd Ave. / 212.447.0638 / Website
Who doesn’t love an afternoon at the movies? This theater has tons of showings and the option to reserve your seat in advance when you buy your tickets online, so grab some popcorn, kick back and enjoy the show!
Silver Mirror Facial Bar - Bryant Park
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431 5th Ave. / 212.970.7009 / Website
Silver Mirror Facial Bar quickly took NYC by storm after opening its first location on the Upper East Side in 2016 and has since opened a Flatiron location and, most recently, a Bryant Park location. You’ll walk away with gorgeous, glowing skin. Choose services such as micro-needling, a decompression facial massage and hand revival to take your self-care to the next level.
Where To Shop
Dover Street Market
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160 Lexington Ave. / 646.837.7750 / Website
This multi-brand retailer is known for its urban, streetwear selection and collection of high-end fashion products (think Gucci, Miu Miu, Loewe and more). The offerings are always on-trend and constantly updated, so you never know what you’ll find!
For Pre-Dinner Drinks
Park Avenue Tavern
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99 Park Ave. / 212.867.4484 / Website
With tons of beers on tap, a lengthy wine list and plenty of delicious signature and classic cocktails, you can’t go wrong with a drink at Park Avenue Tavern. The bar is also beautiful, making this one a no-brainer.
Cask Bar & Kitchen
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167 E. 33rd St. / 212.300.4924 / Website
If you love cozy, dimly lit bars with great drinks, this one’s for you. Cask Bar & Kitchen’s buttery warm interiors full of wood panels will have you feeling nostalgic, and plenty of excellent beer, wine and cocktail offerings are just the cherry on top.
The Flying Cock
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497 3rd Ave. / 212.689.6900 / Website
Open all afternoon long, the Flying Cock is a great spot to grab a beer and enjoy some fresh air in outdoor seating. We also love their shareable menu for appetizer lovers (guilty!). Be sure to try the pork belly dumplings, a dish of six pan-fried dumplings complete with ginger, scallions and chili garlic soy dipping sauce.
Where To Hit The Town
Paddy Reilly’s Music Bar
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519 2nd Ave. / 212.686.1210 / Website
A true NYC icon, Paddy Reilly’s Music Bar has been bringing Irish culture to Kips Bay for nearly 40 years. With live Celtic music and plenty of Guinness to go around, Paddy Reilly’s is always a good time. Pub lovers, look no further.
Bella Union
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411 3rd Ave. / 646.627.7841 / Website
This Kips Bay hotspot will have you feeling like you stepped out of NYC and into the wild, wild west. This classic American saloon boasts a cozy ground floor and a gorgeous rooftop featuring excellent cityscape views, plenty of heat in the winter and fully retractable canopies for shade in the warmer months.
Tara Rose
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384 3rd Ave. / 929.602.5983 / Website
With an excellent happy hour, delicious cocktails and plenty of espresso martinis to go around, Tara Rose never disappoints. We love this spot for catching up with friends while sipping Instagrammable drinks such as the Lady Luck complete with vodka, elderflower, lemon and blackberry.
Cultural Experience
The Morgan Library & Museum
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225 Madison Ave. / 212.685.0008 / Website
Home of Pierpont Morgan’s personal library of early printed books, manuscripts and master drawings, the Morgan Library & Museum boasts tons of rare and noteworthy pieces that are well worth a visit. Reserve tickets one week in advance for free admission on Fridays between 5PM to 7PM or visit its historic rooms for free on Tuesdays and Sundays between 3PM and 5PM.
AKC Museum of the Dog
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101 Park Ave. / 212.696.8360 / Website
If you’re as obsessed with dogs as we are, an afternoon spent learning about all things history of the dog is practically a dream come true. The American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog is full of interesting art and exhibits that explore the unique human-canine connection.
Can’t Miss
Penelope
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159 Lexington Ave. / 212.481.3800 / Website
With fabulous breakfast, lunch, weekend brunch and dinner, Penelope is a go-to for soul-filling American comfort food such as chicken pot pie and lobster rolls. This hotspot doesn’t take reservations so be sure to arrive early to enjoy the comfy goodness.
So whether you choose to eat and drink your way through Kips Bay and Murray Hill or explore museums and shop until you drop, we hope you enjoy all that these incredible neighborhoods have to offer.
Photography by: Bo Zaunders / Getty Images
