The Best Department Stores in NYC (and Where to Eat While You Shop)
New York City is renowned for its world class shopping and world class department stores. Here is our guide to the seven best department stores in New York City and where to eat while you shop! Many of these department stores have storied histories and many have even been featured in movies and TV shows.
Macy’s – 151 West 34th St & 422 Fulton St, Brooklyn
Macy’s is one of the premier department stores in New York City. In fact with 2.2 million square feet of space in the flagship store in Herald Square, it was the largest department store in the world until 2009. Macy’s is truly a one stop shop and it has something for everyone so it is no surprise that it draws visitors from around the world.
Where to eat: Macy’s flagship store has a food court called Chef Street (Lower Level) and a good Italian restaurant Stella 34 Trattoria on the sixth floor.
Bloomingdale’s – 1000 Third Avenue & 504 Broadway
Bloomingdale’s is a chain of luxury department stores and they have locations across the United States. They have two locations in NYC and one outlet (2085 Broadway). Walking around Bloomingdale’s is like walking around a little city with mini stores of designer brands so it is very easy to get lost in the moment.
Where to eat: Bloomingdale’s on Third Avenue has a 40 Carrots for delicious snacks and David Burke at Bloomingdale’s for lunch and dinner.
JC Penney – 100 W 32nd St
JC Penney located in the Manhattan Mall is the go to place for good deals. You just never know what you may find here!
Where to eat: Manhattan Mall is close to the Pennsy (2 Pennsylvania Plaza) and Koreatown, both have a ton of options for food.
Lord & Taylor – 424 Fifth Avenue
Lord & Taylor is the oldest luxury department store in the United States and in fact, it was one of the first stores on Fifth Avenue, a mecca of shopping. Lord & Taylor has all the designer brands you love in one building.
Where to eat: Lord & Taylor has the Sarabeth’s Restaurant on the 5th Floor and Sarabeth’s Cafe on the 6th floor.
Saks Fifth Avenue – 611 Fifth Ave
Saks Fifth Avenue is simply iconic. It is every shopper’s dream and it should be on every shoppers to do list. Don’t be surprised if you spend a whole day here.
Where to eat: Cafe SFA is on the 8th floor of Saks Fifth Avenue and it has breathtaking views of Rockefeller Center and Fifth Avenue.
Bergdorf Goodman – 745 5th Ave & 754 5th Ave
Bergdorf Goodman is a luxury goods and high end fashion department store also on Fifth Avenue. You can expect an excellent selection and excellent customer service, making this a great spot to shop for that special someone.
Where to eat: Bergdorf Goodman has a full service fine dining restaurant of the 7th floor. It is a good spot for afternoon tea and has great views of Central Park.
Henri Bendel – 712 5th Ave
The final icon of Fifth Avenue is Henri Bendel. It is a women’s specialty store known for their jewelry and fragrances, some which you can only get here. Here is a fun fact. Henri Bendel was first to use the shop within a shop model that many department stores use today.
Where to eat: You have to step out of Henri Bendel for food but the Burger Joint (119 W 56th St) at the Le Parker Meridien Hotel which has the best burgers in NYC and The Modern (9 W 53rd St) in the Museum of Modern Art are both nearby.