To say that Taylor Swift is a “tastemaker” might be the understatement of the century. Whether she’s producing record-smashing hits or inspiring Swifties to wear a red lip, Swift has mastered the art of trend-setting. When it comes to food and restaurants, Swift’s influence is equally powerful. When Time’s 2023 ‘Person of the Year’ gushed over her love for Levain Bakery’s cookies or Momofuku Milk Bar’s iconic birthday cake, the sweet treats instantly attained cult status.
It’s no wonder that people pay close attention to where Swift dines out, accompanied by the likes of boyfriend Travis Kelce, or girl squad members like Blake Lively, Cara Delevigne, or Selena Gomez.
Here, the MICHELIN Guide shares Inspector takes on nine spots around the world that T-Swizzle can’t get enough of.
Lower Manhattan’s iconic Battery Maritime Building, a 1906 ferry terminal in an ornate Beaux-Arts style, is the venue for Casa Cipriani, a members’ club and luxury boutique hotel by the legendary Italian restaurateurs and hoteliers. Inside is probably the purest dose of contemporary Italian luxury design available this side of Milan; the rooms and suites are remarkably restrained in their opulence, in contrast with the building’s exterior ornament, and those that face the river offer a view unlike any other hotel in town.
Step inside the narrow, weathered space, where owner Emilio Vitolo and son, Anthony, offer each guest a personal welcome and a genuine Italian-American experience. Here, the menu is filled with pasta classics like Roman cacio e pepe, tossed with sharp pecorino and freshly ground black pepper.
Inspector notes: "Signature specialties include pollo Emilio, a delicately breaded chicken cutlet draped in lemon-caper sauce; and clams oreganata speckled with garlicky breadcrumbs."
Hotel Barrière Fouquet's New York
Hotel Barrière Fouquet’s New York brings together two worlds we never expected to see combined. The renowned Parisian luxury hotel brand has made its mark in Tribeca, seamlessly blending French Art Deco elegance with the raw, post-industrial charm of Lower Manhattan’s iconic brick structures. The result is an irresistible fusion that resonates with both the fashion-forward and food-savvy crowds, capturing the essence of what makes both Tribeca and Paris so beloved.
This classic downtown haunt will make you long to be Italian. Start by browsing the front alimentari to pick up some artisanal goodies, then make your way to the cozy, rustic dining area in the back for an unforgettable meal.
Inspector notes: "Perfectly chewy spaghetti, tossed with lemon zest, bottarga di mugggine and red pepper flakes, is simple yet wholly devourable."
Nestled in the heart of sunny South Beach, Lucali serves a rustic charm reminiscent of its original Brooklyn location (famously frequented by Taylor Swift and Blake Lively). The wood-fired brick oven at the back sets the perfect scene, offering the same mouthwatering pies that made the Brooklyn outpost a pizza institution.
Inspector notes: "The 20-inch pizza is lusciously charred and sports a light crust crowned with fresh pomodoro sauce, a combination of cheeses, and fragrant sprigs of basil. Various toppings are offered to embellish the pie, and one may even choose to have just half dressed with say, meatball crumbles and green chili slivers."
Although it's located in sunny South Beach, Lucali exudes a charming rusticity that calls to mind its original Brooklyn locale (the one that Swift went to with Lively). The wood-fired brick oven at the rear is sure to stoke the appetite.
Inspector notes: "The 20-inch pizza is lusciously charred and sports a light crust crowned with fresh pomodoro sauce, a combination of cheeses and fragrant sprigs of basil. Various toppings are offered to embellish the pie, and one may even choose to have just half dressed with say, meatball crumbles and green chili slivers."
The first Nobu in Europe, this iconic London restaurant opened its doors in 1997, offering Nobu’s signature blend of Japanese-Peruvian cuisine. Here, the dining experience is both luxurious and timelessly cool. [Note: Taylor Swift recently dined at Nobu Downtown in New York with fellow football spouse Brittany Mahomes, adding another star-studded visit to Nobu’s legacy.]
Inspector notes: "Like seeing a favorite popstar on stage, you can expect all the greatest hits, from seafood toban yaki to rock shrimp tempura and, of course, the dish that’s been copied a thousand times: black cod miso."
Since debuting in the 1980's, Spago has become an American institution that never seems to age. The market-driven menu, as conceived by venerated Chef Ari Rosenson, is focused on the state's bounty with modern classics and perennial signatures.
Inspector notes: "Veal schnitzel, pounded flat and fried until golden, is another time-honored item that just so happens to be the recipe of the chef’s grandmother."
Occasionally, predictability can be a beautiful thing, especially when it comes to rave-worthy Italian cooking. Via Carota is not so much robotically perfect as it is pleasing—in fact it’s the kind of place where dishes can (and should) be piled on. Italian style and artistry combine in this homey space that features bare wood farm tables, sideboards and whitewashed brick.
Inspector notes: "A luscious (and unmissable) risotto cacio e pepe arrives loaded with pecorino and fresh pepper."
Address book:
Casa Cipriani New York
10 South St, New York, NY 10004
Emilio’s Ballato
55 E Houston St, New York, NY 10012
Hotel Barrière Fouquet's New York
456 Greenwich St. New York, NY. 10013
Il Buco Alimentari e Vineria
53 Great Jones St, New York, NY 10012
Locanda Verde
377 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013
Lucali
1930 Bay Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Nobu London Old Park Lane
19 Old Park Ln, London W1K 1LB, UK
Spago
176 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Via Carota
51 Grove St, New York, NY 10014
