3. Cafe Lalo, 83rd Street and Amsterdam
Walking into Cafe Lalo for the first time, the amount of pies, cakes, and tarts on display is frankly overwhelming. The patisserie, which opened in 1988, has a European-style entrance facing 83rd Street. On its opening, the Cafe was a sign of the gentrification of the Upper West Side but it eventually became a staple of the area. Like many restaurants in New York City, Cafe Lalo was hit hard by the COVID lockdown. The cafe has been closed since 2020, with a sign on the door saying it is closed for renovation. There is currently a court battle between the landlords of the building and the cafe owners over rent payment and repairs.