New York City Guide: Stylist Zoey Radford Scott’s favourite spots to eat, drink and shop
image via @zoeyradfordscott/instagram
AS TOLD TO LARA DALY
“The best thing about New York is you can just leave the house and something fun always happens.”
Here at Fashion Journal, we want to unearth the hidden spots in Australian cities that only the locals know about. We also want to sniff out the best spots people find overseas. With the first New York Fashion Week for 2026 only days away, we had to share fashion stylist Zoey Radford Scott‘s favourite spots in the city.
Nine years ago, Zoey left New Zealand for New York City to chase her dreams of working in fashion, and she’s since made a name for herself in a notoriously hard-to-crack industry.
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Known for her nostalgic take on streetwear, Zoey’s styling work has appeared in the pages of i-D, Dazed and Interview magazine (to name a few), and she’s dressed countless music icons including Ice Spice, Yung Lean, Bad Bunny and 2hollis.
An East Village local, Zoey describes the vibe in NYC leading up to Fashion Week as busy and “kind of dramatic”. “[There’s] lots of fashion people running around. Lots of parties. A lot of ‘fit pics in Soho. All that aside there are some amazing shows and New York really lights up during this time,” she tells us.
While she’s excited to be joining in some of the backstage chaos next week, her ideal day in the Big Apple is one spent with friends, walking the streets and seeing where they go. “The best thing about New York is you can just leave the house and something fun always happens.”
Perhaps that’s true if you’re as immersed in the downtown it-crowd as she is. But if you’re just visiting and looking for some guidance, Zoey’s long list of recommendations (including the best bar to overhear the uptown gossip) will to get you off to a good start.
Where to begin
Tom’s Juice
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75 East 4th Street, New York, 10003
“Usually the first stop is Tom’s Juice, my boyfriend’s juice shop in East Village. We’ll hang out there, drink some juice and then go for a mission.”
Where to shop
A Bathing Ape (BAPE)
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163 Mercer Street, New York, 10012
“I love everything Bape. It’s fab streetwear.”
Polo Ralph Lauren
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109 Prince Street, New York, 10012
“Classic, perfect polos, perfect logo. Just simple classic pieces which I love.”
Cafe Forgot
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29 Ludlow Street, New York, 10002
“Lots of young designers in one place which is quite rare these days. Always something new and interesting to find here.”
Prada
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575 Broadway, New York, 10012
“A fun place to dream.”
SC103
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25 Henry Street, New York
“They just opened a store and everything they do is so intentional and beautiful. Every piece is an artwork.”
Star Team
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436 East 9th Street, New York, NY, 10009
“The legend Kyota owns this shop. Very inspiring, young and fresh streetwear. Not many doing it like him.”
Where to shop (vintage)
Lara Koleji
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70 Orchard Street, New York
“She has the best taste. This is the only store I go in and always try something on. She has the best sunglasses, too. A very dangerous shop to enter. All my favourite pieces are from here, I highly recommend!”
Procell
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5 Delancey Street, New York, NY 10002
“Amazing streetwear, archive, rare, exciting pieces here. I always see something special.”
194 Local
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86 Eldridge Street, New York, NY 10002
“Another amazing streetwear, archive store.”
Sumshitifound
Archive viewable by appointment only.
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“Abe has the best distressed vintage pieces. I always rent here for work, but he also sells and is a sweetheart. Big supporter of Abe!”
Kabi
Home shop open by appointment only.
“Rare and beautiful archive Japanese and European designers. Amazing vintage books too.”
TheRealReal
80 Wooster Street, New York, NY, 10012
If your visiting New York start shopping online ahead of time and it’ll arrive when you’re here. Best prices, best selection, the funnest place to hunt and they do really fast shipping. Also so easy to return in stores, there’s a few around NY.
Chelsea Flea Market
29 West 25th Street, New York, NY 10010
“Open on the weekends. Lots of trinkets, random homewares and vintage. Always come away with something random.”
Where to drink
Monkey Bar
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60 East 54th Street, New York
“Sex and the City vibes. I get a Cosmo here ’cause you have to! And you have to sit at the bar. It’s been around since 1936. The waiters are just how you imagine in the movies. A very special place and also the best place to eavesdrop. There’s always crazy Uptown New York City convos going around.”
Grand Central Oyster Bar
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Grand Central Station, 89 East 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10017
“Martinis and oysters. It’s in Grand Central Station, only open during the week. Its just fun and cool and there’s no place like it.
Josies
520 East 6th Street, New York, NY, 10009
“Classic neighbourhood dive bar. Juke box and pool table. No frills and easy.”
Where to go for a dance
Signal
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175 Morgan Ave., East Williamsburg, Brooklyn 11237
“This ones hard, it really depends where the gig is at. It’s always changing but recently, I went to Signal and that was really fun. Deep club vibes. Otherwise someone’s living room – that’s probably the best dance floor.”
Where to go for a hangover cure
Dimes Deli
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143 Division Street, New York, 10002
“Get a breakfast burrito and the ginger limeade, that’ll set you straight. Dimes is the best for any time though, the deli or the restaurant. It’s chill, healthy and delicious which I think is really hard to find here.”
Best spot for people watching
“Our living room window or if you want to get involved, then Washington Square Park. A melting pot of characters here.”
Where to eat
Maretta
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27 Ave B, New York
“This is my local spot. We go here about once a week. The staff are amazing, it’s chill and cosy. I love the interior and the food never misses. Sit at the bar and get the olive oil martini and the fennel salad.”
Bacaro
136 Division Street, New York
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“This is a special spot. The owners Kama and Alain are New York icons and Kama is from Napier, New Zealand. Best vibes, best food and drinks. I always meet someone special and interesting here, it’s a magical place.”
The Odeon
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145 West Broadway, New York
“So fabulous. A very chic spot for a cocktail and dinner. I get the oysters, a shrimp cocktail and always a martini.”
Lavagna
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545 East 5th Street at Ave B, New York
“A new spot for me but a very old spot for my neighbourhood in the East Village. I love the people that work here. So genuine and classic New York. Food is insane and the wine is always a heavy pour. Share the fish or get the Margarita pizza, I don’t know what they do to this, but its insane. Best pizza I’ve had for sure.”
Cafe Chelsea
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218 West 23rd Street, New York
“Have to get the Nicoise Salad. I love meeting friends here and then going to the Chelsea Flea Market.”
Cafe Gitane
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242 Mott Street, New York, NY, 10012
“They have my most favourite salad I’ve ever eaten, the Heart of Palm salad. I eat this a lot.”
For more New York City recommendations, try this.
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