Home to over 8 million people, New York City is one of the biggest celebrity hot spots besides Los Angeles. Spotting an A-lister while in the Big Apple has always been a fun activity for numerous tourists. Since celebrities are just like us, it's safe to assume they also like to take a walk in the Central Park, visit shows at the Madison Square Garden and shop at the Brookfield Palace. They typically dress down and wear no make up, so it's way harder to spot them than it seems. It's especially those celebrities who were born and raised in NYC that know just how the city works and ways to avoid attracting attention, for example Scarlett Johansson, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez, A$AP Rocky, Lady Gaga, and David Duchovny.

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Those who know which neighborhoods their favorite celebrities live in will have the most luck if they simply stroll around the block. When low on energy, tourists can always sit down at restaurants and bars. Some are notorious for being a celebrity magnet. They prefer to go where people don't freak out when they are spotted.

10 Dean & DeLuca

Dean & DeLuca is a fancy grocery store where NYC residents often spotted celebrities during late lunch hours. But that was before the doors of the store had closed. The sign on the door assures the customers that it's only temporary, but with the pandemic and crippling debt that has been piling up for the last year, it's hard to say for sure.

Even though it is closed, its prime SoHo location still makes for a great spot to go celebrity hunting. Dakota Fanning, Alicia Keys, Daniel Craig, John Legend, and Justin Timberlake are all said to live in the neighborhood.

9 Rockefeller Center

While it's highly unlikely that celebs will mix and match with tourists at the Top of the Rock, you can definitely spot them scurrying through the door of Rockefeller Center as this is where they film the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and SNL. This is where loads of celebrities and talk hosts go to work on a daily basis.

The SNL has had numerous hosts throughout the years. Who you might see really depends on when you are visiting. Celebrities who are most likely to be spotted here are the band members of The Roots, Jimmy Fallon, and Seth Meyers. Christmas sure is busy at the Rockefeller Center, but it's also the best time to try your luck spotting an A-lister.

8 West Village

Located in the Lower Manhattan, West Village is home to Sarah Jessica Parker, Julianne Moore, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Sienna Miller and Liv Tyler. The area looks like a typical New York movie set. It's worth visiting for dining and entertainment options alone; a chance at seeing a celebrity is just a cherry on top.

Before it closed down in January 2020, The Spotted Pig used to be the #1 place where tourists had the most luck seeing celebrities. Taylor Swift, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West were all seen enjoying a meal there, but obviously not at the same time since Taylor is known to have feuds with fellow celebrities. These days, they go to Waverly Inn instead.

7 21 Club

21 Club went from being a speakeasy in the Prohibition era to one of the most exclusive eateries in the Big Apple. Until 2009, men were required to wear a tie. These days, a jacket will do. Even celebrities weren't exempt from the dress code. If you want to try the Italian fare that Jay-Z is a big fan of, you will have to be willing to dig deep into your pockets. It's temporarily closed due to the pandemic, but it's an incredibly safe bet otherwise.

In the past, 21 Club was frequented by Frank Sinatra, Ernest Hemingway and a lot of American presidents. It's an unofficial tradition for every new president to come and eat in this historic place.

6 Park Side Restaurant

Located in Queens, Park Side Restaurant is an Italian restaurant where people have spotted countless celebrities: Selena Gomez, Ray Romano, Adam Sandler, Hugh Grant and the list goes on. The restaurant owners are proud that they have been making waves among the A-listers and they proudly share who exactly visited their place.

Unlike many other NYC restaurants, Park Side Restaurant has reasonable prices. Why not go see it for yourself and try the very same dishes that celebs seem to like so much?

5 Joyface

Joyface is East Village's hotspot for spotting celebrities, and there also exists a slight chance you even see some simply walking down the street. Tom Cruise, Julia Roberts, Amanda Seyfried, Russell Simmons and many more all live in the area.

Joyface is a charming cocktail bar with a '70s' velvet aesthetic. They even have a disco ball and a water bed. If you don't know what to drink, you can pick random keys from the so called swingers bowl and get the bartenders to mix you a surprise drink. While sipping on your drink, there is a fair chance you might spot celebrities who often visit the place: Charli XCX, Brittany Snow, Sam Smith, and Kate Bosworth.

4 Barclays Center

Celebrities are just like regular people: they enjoy watching the Brooklyn Nets play just the same, which means they often visit the Barclays Center. When a game is on, you can rest assured that at least several celebs will be attending. Among those spotted so far are 50 Cent, Emily Ratajkowski, Naomi Campbell, and Amy Schumer.

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A quick Google search will reveal whole galleries of celebrities watching a game. It's your choice whether you want to try your luck outside or actually also attend the game. Chances are, they won't be sitting with the rest of people, though.

3 Bar Pitti

South Village is home to Bar Pitti, a quaint Italian place that writes down its special on a blackboard. It might not look like it at first sight, but this is a popular place where models and other gorgeous women meet. Think Heidi Klum, Beyoncé and Alessandra Ambrosio. The place is insanely crowded and you can't make a reservation. While there, look around. If there are no celebrities sitting at the actual tables, there might be some in the nearby establishments.

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If you're lucky, you might even spot Jim Carrey or Leonardo DiCaprio! They probably won't attend during the weekend when it's swarming with locals. Celebs typically sneak in during the week unnoticed.

2 The Polo Bar

It's no surprise that Ralph Lauren's own prestigious American restaurant will lure in celebrities who love high-end fashion, for example Rihanna and Naomi Campbell. Then, there are other A-listers who like to visit, such as J.Lo, Gwenyth Paltrow, Bradley Cooper, and Andy Cohen. If you're planning to visit, best book a table far in advance. The inside of this restaurant is like a huge celebration of everything Polo: from oil paintings to Lauren's designs, it exudes pure Ralph Lauren class.

It's divided into a bar and a bustling restaurant downstairs. Celebrities are said to frequent both places, so keep your eyes peeled.

1 Locanda Verde

When in TriBeCa, stop at Locanda Verde on Greenwich St. and you might get to see the power couple Jay-Z and Beyoncé in flesh as they apparently live nearby. Bradley Cooper has also been spotted there more than once.  This heavenly Italian restaurant is co-owned by Robert De Niro, just one of those fun facts most people don't know about him.

Locanda Verde is not as exclusive as the Polo Bar, but the food is excellent.  After all, the award-winning Chef Andrew Carmellini himself works there.

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