Best Watches to Wear to NYC Restaurants

New York City is renowned worldwide for its incredible culinary scene, highlighting the best of global flavors and dishes from around the world. Choosing a favorite among these restaurants is a bit like, well, choosing a favorite luxury watch – there are countless options, each with their own unique touches and features to love. That said, there are certainly some New York City spots that catch the eyes of any foodie, whether you’re in town for the weekend or you’re a local checking the city’s hottest off your bucket list.

As you explore New York’s sumptuous restaurants, bars, and diners, don’t forget to dress the part. This is the Big Apple, after all… You never know who will be seated at the next booth over. Today, we’re taking a tour of New York City’s favorite places to snack, sip, and savor. But more importantly, we’ll give you some tips on matching your watch to the atmosphere of each locale.

No matter what metrics, news source, or food critic you’re following, there is no doubt that Manhattan’s Gramercy Tavern is a classic among even the most iconic New York City haunts. Whether you’re enjoying the five-course tasting menu in the upscale dining room or supping a la carte in the equally lovely tavern area, Gramercy Tavern is the place to be for a meal that feels celebratory and comforting in equal measure.

This NYC hotspot is a staple of “Manhattan’s Best” lists, and patrons from around the globe are drawn to its warm and inviting atmosphere. With colorful and beautiful plating, exceptional service, and memorable flavors, you’ll never have a bad meal at Gramercy Tavern. Plus, the business casual dress code is the perfect opportunity to show off your favorite luxury timepiece and complement your great taste in food with your great taste in fashion.

A New York classic like Gramercy Tavern deserves a classic watch. Our pick? The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, a 1970s sports watch initially created in stainless steel that has since expanded its repertoire to include a variety of metals, dial colors, and finishes. We love the timeless look of this 18K rose gold timepiece with a black dial and index hour markers. Its sleek silhouette and masculine look will perfectly complement a night out with Manhattan’s finest.

There are countless delicious Italian spots in New York City, but the West Village’s Via Carota is certainly a standout selection. Sure, it’s competing with cult favorites like Carbone, Carmine’s, and Torrisi, but Via Carota’s menu offers a revelatory combination of iconic classics and new takes on the oldies but goodies. Via Carota is also one of the few spots left in town where it truly may seem impossible to get a reservation. Are you going to wait in line for two hours, hoping to luck into a seat at the bar? Or will you try to snag that 4:15 p.m. reservation, which is somehow the only one left by the time you get online?

Dining at Via Carota on a weekend night also tends to be a who’s who of Manhattan. While the eatery has always been a neighborhood staple, hot press in recent years has transformed it into a must-try spot for any big names in town. The dress code here is upgraded casual – you’re likely to see most patrons wearing jeans and sweaters or low-key business wear. Still, you need a watch worthy of this New York Times top five restaurant of 2024.

For an Italian neighborhood staple, it’s only right to highlight an Italian watch. With that in mind, we can’t help but recommend a timepiece from hallowed Italian brand Panerai. This revered watchmaker specializes in two noteworthy lines, the Luminor and the Radiomir. Where the Luminor adds a sporty edge to classic Italian design, the Radiomir honors the brand’s many decades of rich history and tradition. (Fun Fact: Sylvester Stallone is a known fan.) As you enjoy sumptuous dishes with friends at Via Carota, strap on a limited edition Panerai Radiomir:

Ranked #7 on the New York Times list of “100 Best Restaurants in New York City,” Semma is a South Indian eatery by the Unapologetic Foods group that seems to be taking over the Big Apple as of late. Head chef Vijay Kumar perfectly straddles the line between refined and rustic, with Indian comfort food, a lengthy wine list, and memorable decor (rattan ceiling, anyone?).

Set in trendy Greenwich Village, Semma feels like it’s one step ahead of New York City’s dining and drinking scene. The cozy dining spot has been lauded by the likes of Bon Appétit, Eater, Zagat, and many others. While the dinner menu is not exactly inexpensive, the restaurant’s intimate setting and laid-back atmosphere lend themselves to a casual dress code. In fact, you’ll find the staff wearing colorful – and compostable! – t-shirts. But don’t worry, you can still show off your sense of style with an equally colorful piece of wristwear…

For an eye-catching pop of color worthy of Semma’s inventive and delectable menu, we love the Rolex Oyster Perpetual – a classic timepiece with a twist. Sure, there are the standard dial colors, like silver and black… but for a dinner like this one, your wrist deserves something a bit more unusual. At Avi & Co., we have a variety of dial colors available for this special watch, including coral red, forest green, marigold yellow, dreamy turquoise, and rosy pink. All you need to do is choose your favorite!

You could easily walk right past Superiority Burger on Avenue A in the East Village… but you shouldn’t! This restaurant, a new addition to the New York Times’ decisive list, skyrocketed to #8, making us think we should probably take the classic burger and fries a bit more seriously. Still, Superiority Burger might just surprise you. Despite its name, the eatery is a vegetarian paradise, serving up offerings like grab-and-go veggie burgers, hippie poutine, and fried tofu sandwiches. Plus, you’ll fall head over heels in love with luscious gelato in unexpected flavors like saffron-labneh or tahini fudge.

Some would argue that eating at Superiority Burger makes you better than everyone else – and frankly, we would have to agree. If you’re in the East Village, you simply must make a pit stop at this unconventional burger stand. You won’t regret it! While you’re enjoying your superiority, make sure to show off your best-in-class taste in watches, too. A fun, unexpected twist on a classic is a no-brainer at this innovative eatery.

If you’re looking for a watch that is a conversation starter in its own right, we love this fun and funky Richard Mille RM 032. This timepiece departs from the classic tonneau-shaped case that Richard Mille has been known for, flying a bit more under the radar. Still, the limited edition watch offers a substantial 50 mm case crafted from titanium and showcases its incredible artistry through a skeletonized dial. With a flyback chronograph complication for precise timekeeping and an annual calendar for effortless organization, this watch is ready to accompany you on any adventure… including a trip to Superiority Burger!

If you’re really looking for the best of the best in New York City, head over to Michelin-starred Yoshino, a Japanese tasting counter on the Bowery. Tokyo chef Tadashi “Edowan” Yoshida has taken NoHo by storm, and for good reason. It is near-impossible to get a spot at the ten-seater restaurant, but if you can finagle a reservation, you’ll be glad you did. After a seemingly infinite repertoire of sumptuous appetizers, you’ll finally get your hands on the first piece of sushi of the night… and you’re sure to be smitten.

Dinner at Yoshino comes with no small price tag – it’s $625 per diner, to be exact – so it should come as no surprise that most guests dress up a bit to savor this luxurious meal. Make sure your watch fits in with the distinguished crowd as diners drool over nigiri and revel in tamago.

With a dinner this delectable, there is no other choice than the best of the best. A watch from Swiss horologist Patek Philippe will showcase your commitment to the finer things in life and perfectly match the intricacy and artistry of the meal you’ll be enjoying at Yoshino. After all, a Michelin-starred dinner deserves nothing less. We love the chic look of this Patek Philippe Complications “World Time” watch in a suave green hue:

At Avi & Co., we specialize in timepieces from the world’s most elite brands, including Patek Philippe, Rolex, Richard Mille, and Audemars Piguet. Our friendly and knowledgeable team is excited to help you pinpoint the watch of your dreams as you build the life of your dreams.

We have three upscale boutiques located in Manhattan, Miami, and Aspen – so wherever you’re located, there is an Avi & Co. store near you. Make an appointment today to visit us in person.