NEW YORK CITY GUIDE
Late last year, the MAISON ESSENTIELE team packed up our favourite pieces and landed in the city that has inspired artists, designers, and dreamers for decades. We shot our R25 and SS25 collections across its iconic streets, chasing that fleeting New York feeling — raw, vibrant, cinematic.
Between shoots, we explored — always on foot, hunting down bagels, vintage stores, natural wine bars, and sun-drenched corners to rest our feet.
This guide is for the MAISON girl in New York: curated by founder Olivia and team Rosie and Lilli, a love letter to good coffee, great clothes, and the in-between moments that make the city unforgettable.
Where to stay?
Public Hotel — The MAISON ESSENTIELE base. Located on the Lower East Side, it’s close to our go-to vintage stores, wine bars, and hidden cafes.
Think minimalist interiors, a giant communal workspace, and rooftop drinks with Manhattan at your feet.
Where to Dine & Drink
Breakfast
La Cabra — Your go-to for morning matcha, buttery pastries and a quiet moment before the city wakes up.
Good Thanks — A little slice of Australia in the Lower East Side; flat whites and avocado toast.
Russ & Daughters — Iconic New York bagels stacked with lox, best eaten while walking to your next spot.
Pizza
Prince Street Pizza — Crispy, square slices that have achieved cult status — an essential Soho pitstop.
Cuts & Slices — A Brooklyn secret where pizza toppings go rogue (in the best way possible).
Dinner & Drinks
Le Dive — A French-leaning wine bar with natural wines, small plates, and a late-night scene that slides into dancing.
Gem Wine Bar — Candlelit, communal, and quietly one of the best wine-and-small-plates spots downtown.
Kiki’s — Greek classics served in a tightly packed space — loud, chaotic, and absolutely worth the hour plus wait.
Los Tacos No.1 — Tucked inside Chelsea Market, these tacos are fast, messy, and perfect.
Skin Contact — A hidden LES wine bar that feels like a friend's living room — if your friend knew a lot about wine. The sommelier will often have a glass with you.
Lucien — A French bistro famous for its steak frites and equally famous clientele.
Fanelli’s — One of the oldest bars in Soho, perfect for a burger and a beer between shopping sprees.
Layla (Brooklyn) — Discovered serendipitously after a shoot; spritzes in the sun, dogs at your feet, no tourists in sight.
Where to Shop
Vintage
2nd Street Vintage — Designer finds and rare gems, perfect for those "one of one" moments.
The RealReal (Soho) — A curated selection of pre-loved luxury pieces, it was so good to shop IRL versus online.
Procell (Lower East Side) - Loved by Bella Hadid, a cult archive y2k pieces and early 2000s streetwear.
Boutiques
Miista — Sculptural shoes and accessories that double as art.
Dover Street Market — A multi-level playground for fashion obsessives.
Maryam Nassir Zadeh — A sun-drenched boutique that feels like stepping into your most stylish friend's wardrobe.
The Webster — Bold, curated luxury in a space that feels more like a hotel or gallery than a store.
Aimé Leon Dore — Elevated streetwear with a nostalgic New York twist. Traditionally a menswear brand, every element of the store is considered, including the cafe attached.
Bomi NYC — A concept lifestyle store set above the main streets of SOHO.
Glossier, SoHo - A light-filled beauty playground where blush tones, mirrored walls and cult favourites collide.
What to See & Do
The High Line — Walk through the city's west side on a reimagined, elevated rail track.
Central Park — Still the best way to escape the noise without leaving the city.
The Guggenheim Museum — The building alone is worth the visit; the art inside is a bonus.
MoMA — Home to some of the world's most famous modern artworks — take your time here.
