New York Fashion Week is usually a blur, fueled by countless Diet Cokes and iced coffees, downed in between runway hopping, dodging influencers desperate to get in front of street style photographers, and parties that last late into the night (did you wear the right shoes for all this? Of course not.) That is to say, it’s a marathon, not a race, and if you’re in it for the long haul, your body deserves more than eight almonds and four espresso martinis.
There’s nothing more chic than a power lunch or a cheeky nightcap—these are, after all, where the deals are really made. We tapped some of the most fashionable people we know—including model Lila Moss, designers Joseph Altuzarra, Kim Shui, and LaQuan Smith, critic Rachel Tashjian, editor Ludwig Hurtado, stylist Caitlin Burke, and more—to spill all their best kept NYFW food secrets.
Best Martini
“I don’t drink classic martinis, but I do love an espresso martini. My favorite is at Monsieur, just make sure to get it without the banana.”—LILA MOSS
“Donahue’s, on the Upper East Side, is the only bar that knows how cold a martini glass and its attendant gin need to be: frigid! Frigid as a lonely witch! Conveniently, it’s right next to the Marc Jacobs show!”—RACHEL TASHJIAN
“I’m more of an espresso martini girl, but San Vicente has the best of all varieties.”—CAITLIN BURKE
“Downtown: Minetta Tavern—Victoria (one of the maitre d’s) is one of my favorite people in New York. Uptown: Caviar Kaspia. The Vesper will put you in an Uber back downtown.”—AVA VAN OSDOL
“I know it’s really known for its seafood, but Cervo’s is a place that really knows its vermouth! And I love vermouth. For some reason, even in 2026, many bartenders will still look at you weird when you order your martini wet. Thankfully Cervo’s makes an excellent 50/50 martini.”—LUDWIG HURTADO
“Claudia’s in East Williamsburg has a $6 happy hour martini…”—ELLA SNYDER
Best Coffee
“I’m not a coffee drinker, but I take my matcha very seriously. If you’re up early enough to skip the queue, 12 Matcha is worth the hype.”—MOSS
“Decompressing midday is better than going turbo. Anywhere that will serve me a green tea in a non-disposable cup, that I can sit and sip while pondering the mysteries of the great cigarette pant comeback or whatever, is ideal. When chaos is swirling, you need to ground yourself with elegance! Sant Ambroeus, for example, has the most delicate teacups. The handle is like a large but angelic spider’s arm, and I prefer to relax in an arachnid-adjacent fashion whenever possible.”—TASHJIAN
“Drip Drop Cafe.”—KIM SHUI
“Francesco on Greene St (conveniently right across from the Kallmeyer showroom, where I’ll be parked all week!)”—BURKE
“Porto Rico Importing Co.”—LYNETTE NYLANDER
“Not to be too woo-woo, but especially when I’m working, I prefer celery juice or bone broth over coffee—sorry! Smile To Go or Springbone always. Madhufalla is the OG Nolita, unpretentious juice spot.”—VAN OSDOL
“The Monroe.”—SOPHIA LAMAR
“I don’t drink coffee, but I do drink matcha, and the best place for those is Matchaful. Get the oishii berry iced matcha—you won’t regret it.”—JOSEPH ALTUZARRA
“Laughing Man.”—MERUERT TOLEGEN
“They do takeaway too, but Abraço is my favorite place to grab coffee when I have the rare luxury of 30 minutes to sit and sip. I’m lactose intolerant and they straight up do not offer dairy alternatives, so there’s something sort of masochistic about it for me too.”—HURTADO
“I’m really into Derby Cup off of Canal St. Any horse girl will love their interior design.”—SNYDER
“Blue Bottle. Simple, precise, does the job.”—LAQUAN SMITH
“Culture 307 on West 38th street. My go-to order is a black Americano. The coffee is good but I mainly like it because it’s right next to our studio in the garment district.”—ASHLYNN PARK
Best Place to See and Be Seen
“If you want to be seen, go to Bar Pitti.”—MOSS
“On the subway. Taking a car in Manhattan is foolish—although if a show is far-flung, I love to share a car with a pal or three and gossip.”—TASHJIAN
“People’s or the Eighty Six just to flex that you nabbed a res.”—BURKE
“Right now in New York, the interiors world is throwing the chicest, sexiest parties. Anything the Apparatus Room or Alex Tiwa is hosting—I want to be there.”—VAN OSDOL
“Tawny.”—LAMAR
“Balthazar, the Odeon, any Keith McNally spot.”—TOLEGEN
“The part of Chinatown many refer to as ‘Dimes Square’… the specific spot changes frequently.”—SNYDER
Best Place To Go Incognito
“If you don’t want to see anyone and eat dinner in peace go to May Kaidee for delicious authentic Thai food cooked by May herself.”—MOSS
“Manuela.”—SHUI
“I love how intimate Titsou, inside Fouquet’s is.”—BURKE
“The backseat of an Uber… or Red Hook.”—VAN OSDOL
“Bolzot Bar.”—LAMAR
“The subway.”—ALTUZARRA
“The New World Mall food court in Flushing, Queens.”—SNYDER
Best Bodega Order
“Smoked turkey, crispy turkey bacon, jalapeño, lettuce tomato mayo on toasted rye. Or grilled chicken, lemon, olive oil, capers, black pepper, lettuce tomato mayo on toasted roll.”—SHUI
“An everything bagel, scooped out, with just avocado and butter (don’t knock it until you’ve tried it)”—BURKE
“I’m gluten-free and dairy-free… until you give me a BEC. Luckily, more places have GF toast now—just don’t give me the cheese.”—VAN OSDOL
“Whatever you need, as soon as possible.”—LAMAR
“Toasted everything bagel plus scallion cream cheese plus cucumbers, and dill.”—TOLEGEN
“A turkey club with avocado, a La Croix, and a pack of Parliaments.”—HURTADO
“A deli sandwich: pepper turkey, cheddar cheese, onion, mayo, salt and pepper, oil and vinegar on a roll, with cheddar and sour cream Ruffles chips on the side.”—LAQUAN SMITH
“A BLT.”—PARK
Best Place To Put It On Someone Else’s Tab
“Reporters always pay their own way!”—TASHJIAN
“Polo Bar.”—BURKE
“The Grill.”—VAN OSDOL
“Clandestino.”—LAMAR
“Torrisi! A chic spot with actually fantastic food which encourages you to count neither calories nor dollar signs.”—HURTADO
“Lucien.”—SNYDER
“Tatiana, or I really would like someone to take me to Little B.”—NYLANDER
Best After-Party Haunt
“Anyone’s apartment where we can still listen to music and where I can order 7th Street Burger loaded fries to.”—MOSS
“Eckhaus Latta hosted a party at the Russian Tea Room during a snowstorm last February. We danced around an enormous translucent polar bear fish tank. Fabulous.”—TASHJIAN
“Jean’s.”—BURKE
“A spacious, dimly lit Tribeca loft.”—VAN OSDOL
“The most secretive one.”—LAMAR
“Someone’s apartment… anyone in a tax bracket higher than me. Or any 24 hour diner.”—SNYDER
“Basement! And no one’s checking the time.”—SMITH
Best Room Service
“Fouquet’s mashed potatoes.”—MOSS
“I haven’t slept in a New York hotel since I first visited in 2000! But I love the breakfast at Fouquet’s in Tribeca. Terrific bacon.”—TASHJIAN
“Nine Orchard.”—SHUI
“The Greenwich Hotel.”—BURKE
“Club sandwich, fries, and a Coke. If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.”—VAN OSDOL
“The Mercer.”—LAMAR
“The Bowery Hotel or Hotel Chelsea.”—SNYDER
“Fries, buffalo wings and a glass of champagne. Reliable. Always hits.”—SMITH
“I rarely stay in hotels or order room service. But when I do… the best thing is always burgers and fries.”—PARK
Best Emergency Bag Snack
“Justin’s dark chocolate peanut butter cups.”—MOSS
“Almonds.”—SHUI
“Fruit that I stole from the airport lounge of my last trip.”—BURKE
“Justin’s almond butter sachets.”—VAN OSDOL
“Nora Seaweed snacks.”—LAMAR
“Gummy bears, perfect for both cranky grownups and kiddos.”—ALTUZARRA
“Peanut M&Ms.”—TOLEGEN
“I hate to admit it, but the private equity protein bar actually tastes good.”—HURTADO
“Chomps. Processed meat may be what kills me.”—SNYDER
“Dark Chocolate, at least 70 percent.”—PARK
“Orange Tic Tacs. They aren’t strictly a snack, but I eat them like they are.”— NYLANDER
Best Hangover Cure
“The best hangover cure is Blue Ribbon Sushi tuna crispy rice.”—MOSS
“Fashion critics famously get up at 5 or 6 a.m. to write—you file your piece and take edits on the go, which takes a deranged amount of focus and delusion—so I don’t really drink during fashion month. But sunglasses indoors and a seat at a show next to someone who really makes you laugh will do the trick.”—TASHJIAN
“Coffee!”—SHUI
“Magnesium and coconut water. As a snob, I think Once Upon a Coconut has officially surpassed Harmless Harvest.”—VAN OSDOL
“Bone broth for breakfast! Brodo makes one that has ginger in it, and it really brings you back to life. Or, when you really want the indulgence, the best breakfast sandwich in the city is Thai Diner’s Egg Sandwich.”—HURTADO
“The aforementioned bodega bacon, egg, and cheese with an Advil, iced coffee and a gallon of water.”—SNYDER
“Another drink and a pickle/pickle juice in that order. It works every time.”—SMITH
“I was once brought back to life by an extra large Pho Tai from the Pho 2 with a lot of chilis and a salted lemonade.”—NYLANDER
Best Excuse To Get Out Of A Party
“‘I’m on deadline.’ Everyone should use that, even if they’re not a reporter. It’s so old school. On deadline for what? Who knows! We all need to cultivate a bit more mystery!”—TASHJIAN
“I Irish exit a lot… Sorry, Uber is here!”—SHUI
“Being employed. No one should have to apologize for getting up early to work the next day—it’s cool to have bookings!”—VAN OSDOL
“I need to relieve the babysitter.”—ALTUZARRA
“When any of the reality TV you binge is airing, ‘Sorry I can’t, my show is on that night,’ is a super valid excuse in my circle.”—SNYDER
“No excuses needed. Just ghost.”—NYLANDER
“Anything involving my kids!”—PARK
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