A Morning In: Chelsea
What doesn't Chelsea have? With galleries, shopping, the High Line, restaurants, nightlife and riverside parks the answer is: not much. While you could spend a month exploring the ins and outs of one of Manhattan's most eclectic and energetic neighborhoods we picked out a few of our favorite spots to hit on a leisurely morning on the west side of the island. Here's your guide to a morning in Chelsea.
Start the day at Chelsea’s most photogenic coffee and brunch spot. Designed and founded by a charismatic pair of Australian pals, Citizens brings a taste of the Land Down Under to the corner of 25th and 9th. Carefully poured lattes fill a fleet of sea green mugs beside brunch dishes like avocado toast and baked eggs that wouldn’t be out of place on display at one of the neighboring art galleries.
Citizens of Chelsea
401 W 25th St
citizensofchelsea.com
No two Aesop stores are alike, and the cult skincare brand’s 9th Ave outpost is our favorite in the city. The intimate and welcoming space is inspired by the headquarters of nearby art magazine The Paris Review—with hundreds of past covers lining the ceiling in a floating collage. The staff will kindly serve you tea while you browse and if you play your cards right they'll send you home with a few extra Aesop samples to try.
Aesop Chelsea
174 9th Ave
aesop.com
Many gallery-goers walk right by one of the best galleries in Chelsea simply because it’s not visible from the street. Head into the building at 508 26th Street and ask the man in the manually operated elevator to bring you to the 8th floor. Here you’ll find cavernous bright white gallery space with soaring views of Midtown’s skyscrapers to the north and the High Line below thanks to a tall wall of oversized industrial windows. Apartment goals, anyone?
Greene Naftali Gallery
508 W 26th St
greenenaftaligallery.com
West Chelsea’s preeminent brunch swoon, Cookshop’s delicious food is outdone only by its potent cocktail list—featuring a bacon-infused bloody mary and a “hard core” rye and cider blend. If the weather is frightful visit the luscious plant-filled dining room but on a warm day make sure to request a table outside for some A+ sidewalk style-gazing while you dine.
Cookshop
156 10th Avenue
cookshopny.com
