If you’re a Sex and the City fan like me, you know that New York City is just as central to the story as Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha.The city is always there in the background, and so many scenes take place at restaurants and bars around town. A lot of those places still exist today, so if you feel like following in Carrie’s Manolos for a little SATC-inspired foodie tour, here’s where to go.
Magnolia Bakery
Season 3, episode 5 – “No Ifs, Ands or Butts”
Carrie and Miranda are outside the Bleecker Street location, eating cupcakes and Carrie declared that “Big wasn’t a crush, he was a crash”. It’s just a quick scene, but it was enough to turn Magnolia into a global cupcake phenomenon. The cupcakes are cute, but people come for the nostalgia.
My blog post about Magnolia Bakery >>
The Modern
Sex and the City: The Movie (2008)
The Modern is restaurant where Carrie tells the girls that she’s getting married. The Modern is inside MoMA and still one of the most elegant places in the city for a special occasion. The dining room overlooks the sculpture garden, and everything feels polished and quietly fancy. The Modern has two Michelin stars (2025) so a dinner there doesn’t come cheap, but it’s an amazing restaurant and definitely worth a visit.
My blog post about The Modern (2010) >>
My blog post about The Modern (2012) >>
Pastis
Season 6, episode 17 – “The Cold War”
Carrie and Petrovsky are having brunch, sitting at one of the best tables in the room. The scene is intimate and very New York City, with oysters, champagne and that unmistakable Pastis buzz in the background. The original restaurant closed in 2014 but made a comeback in 2019, reopening just around the corner from the original spot with the same white tiles, mirrored walls and French bistro charm.
Buddakan
Sex and the City: The Movie
This is where Carrie and Big have their rehearsal dinner. The place is huge and dramatic with moody lighting and long tables, perfect for scenes where things are about to happen. Buddakan is in Chelsea and serves upscale Asian fusion, and while the vibe is more nightlife than fine dining, it totally works.
Onieal’s Grand Street
Seasons 3 and 4
In the show, it’s called Scout and owned by Aidan and Steve. In real life, it’s Onieal’s and the interior still looks like it did back then. It’s dark wood, a long bar and low lighting. A proper bar you’d actually want to hang out in, even without the SATC reference.
The Loeb Boathouse, Central Park
Season 3, episode 18 – “Cock a Doodle Do!”
Carrie and Big are in the middle of yet another dramatic conversation when they both tumble into the lake. The Boathouse is right in the heart of Central Park. You’ve got rowboats, brunch, and a bunch of old-school charm. No need to fall in to get the full experience.
Il Cantinori
Season 4, episode 1 – “The Agony and the ‘Ex’-tacy”
This is where Carrie’s 35th birthday dinner goes completely off the rails—none of her friends show up, and she ends up alone at the table with a birthday candle and a very awkward moment. Il Cantinori is still open and still charming, with white tablecloths, candlelight and that classic Italian menu. It’s in Greenwich Village, not the East Village, and it’s exactly the kind of place you’d book for a quiet night out or a romantic dinner with someone who actually shows up.
Russian Samovar
Season 6, episode 12 – “One”
Carrie and Petrovsky go here on their first real date, and it’s all very Russian; vodka, piano music, and late-night conversation. The restaurant is on 52nd Street and still has the same moody charm, with red velvet, live performances, and an old-school vibe that hasn’t changed much. The food is classic Russian, with borscht, pelmeni, and enough infused vodka options to keep things interesting. A little over the top, a little theatrical, but in the best possible way.
Da Marino
Sex and the City: The Movie
Season 2, episode 8 – “The Man, the Myth, the Viagra”
This is where Big calls Carrie his girlfriend for the first time, then gets up and sings “It Was a Very Good Year”. Da Marino is still open in the Theater District.
