My New York with Alyssa Kapito

TRAVEL GUIDES | CABANA TRAVEL | WORLD OF CABANA

New York-based interior designer Alyssa Kapito, known for her elegant, refined style and curator's eye, shares an insider's guide to her hometown. Read on to discover her favorite spots in the city - from the antique stores where she sources special finds, the best bar for an Aperol Spritz and her go-to for vintage fashion.

BY ALYSSA KAPITO | CABANA TRAVEL | 4 SEPTEMBER 2025

© The Frick Collection

My Favorite Restaurant: The Grill

There’s nothing that captures New York City glamour as authentically as The Grill, and it’s still one of the few places you can get dressed for dinner in Manhattan. Get a martini to start and the Flambé for dessert.

My Favorite Museum or Gallery: The Frick

The Frick has just reopened and was sorely missed during its renovation. The Vladimir Kanevsky flowers are not to be missed. Afterwards, take a walk to Via Quadronno where you can get a casual sandwich or a soup, or head over to Fleming by Le Bilboquet for a cocktail and a whole artichoke with a side of beurre blanc to dip.

My Favorite Cozy Bar: Bar Pisellino

Bar Pisellino in the West Village is the Italian bar child of Rita Sodi and Jody Williams, the two chefs behind Via Carota and I Sodi, and has the most fabulous Aperol Spritz. I love to go when it's still light outside and the weather is good, it's the perfect location for people watching and you can sit talking with a friend for a while.

© Bar Pisellino, Ian Gittler

My Favorite Coffee Shop or Café: Café Sabarsky

I adore Café Sabarsky, located in the Neue Gallery on the Upper East Side. It’s the best spot for a coffee and strudel with whipped cream. Ask to sit in their deep banquets and get cozy with a book or a friend you want to catch up with. Don’t miss the bookstore and shop on the same floor, which carries Lobmeyr and some Josef Hoffman gems.

My Favorite Book Store: Dashwood Books

I used to live right across the street from Dashwood Books on Bond Street. It’s for the real book connoisseur and specializes in art, fashion, and design books that have either no distribution, or very limited distribution, in the U.S. Be prepared to find some very cool books on photography from Japan and the Netherlands, or artists' self-published books that only ever had a limited run.

Dashwood Books, photos by Ayako Moriyama.

My Favorite Shop: Desert Vintage

Desert Vintage on the Lower East Side has all the cool girl vintage finds you can dream of and is pre-curated by style genius, Roberto Cowan. You’ll find the Romeo Gigli blouse you wish your mother had saved for you in the 90s and some great Calvin Klein.

My Favorite Park or Green Space: Central Park

Central Park in the 70s by the conservatory pond is such a beautiful little oasis. There’s often live music and you can catch a mini boat race by the Central Park Model Yacht Club in the warmer months. It’s also the best spot to enjoy the cherry blossoms in that very short spring window New Yorkers go crazy for.

Magen H, photos by Studio TBE

My Favorite Hidden Treasure: Antique Shops

On 10th and 11th Street between Broadway and University Place you can find some of the most incredible antique shops in New York focusing on French, Italian, and Scandinavian mid-century design. Some of my favorites are Magen H, Maison Gerard, Bernd Goeckler, Karl Kemp, Hostler Burrows, and Gallery 1950. Be sure not to miss Demisch Danant too, which is just a few blocks away.

My Favorite Thing to Do in NYC: Auctions

I love to visit the auction houses during sale season. Christie's, Sotheby's, and Phillips are some of my favorites and they are always on a rotation of some great sale. I'm usually there for the Design and Modern Art sales. I think most people would be surprised to know that the auction houses are way less intimidating than one would assume, and not everything is insanely priced. The specialists are so helpful if you want to learn, but also let you roam freely if you just want to enjoy the aesthetics.

My Favorite Place to Stay: The Aman

The Aman in NYC is really an oasis from the craziness of New York and the spa is fantastic.

Hostler Burrows images photographed by Joe Kramm.

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