There are perhaps more well-known actors, celebrities, and writers living in the leafy, peaceful West Village than in any other enclave in the city. So it can be easy to spot one if you keep your eyes peeled. Julianne Moore, Liv Tyler, Julia Robert, and Rosie O’Donnell are a few of the well-known people who live in the beautiful townhouses lining Greenwich Village streets.
If you’d like to increase your odds of spotting a celebrity, try to get a table at the exclusive Waverly Inn (pictured). Owned by Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter, this uber-hip restaurant has pulled in media moguls, Hollywood stars, and other assorted A-listers since it opened several years ago. It can be tough to get a reservation – there’s no phone, and front-of-house management is discerning. Instead, try getting a seat at the small bar when the restaurant opens at 6pm, or past 11pm when the dinner crowds begin to thin. Be warned, the drinks are not cheap. You’ll always know the celebrity power inside by the number of paparazzi hanging around outside.
Another place to spot celebrities, fashionistas, and power-players, is Keith McNally’s Morandi, just a few blocks away. In the warmer months, the terrace of this rustic Italian restaurant overflows with the tanned and beautiful, and a quick scan often produces a celebrity sighting. Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Modine, and Cameron Diaz have all been spotted having breakfast or lunch here during the day when things are quieter.
French Roast nearby is also a favorite among celebrities for its relaxed and unpretentious atmosphere. Recent sightings include David Byrne, Sean Lennon, an Olsen Twin, and Gabriel Byrne.
