Friends, Seinfeld, Sex and the City – TV Show Filming Locations in NYC
Your favorite TV shows were filmed on real NYC streets. Here is where to find the actual buildings, diners, and apartments from the most iconic shows set in New York.
Friends (1994-2004)
The Apartment Building
Location: 90 Bedford Street, Greenwich Village (corner of Bedford and Grove). The exterior of Monica and Rachels building. The ground floor is now a restaurant called The Little Owl. Always has fans taking photos outside.
Central Perk
The interior was a studio set in LA, but theres a replica Central Perk cafe at 199 Lafayette Street (Warner Bros pop-up, check if still open). For the vibe, try any Village coffee shop on a cozy couch.
Seinfeld (1989-1998)
Toms Restaurant (Monks Cafe)
Location: 2880 Broadway at 112th Street (Upper West Side, near Columbia University). The exterior of the diner where Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer had every conversation. Still open — get coffee and a burger. The neon sign is iconic.
Jerrys Apartment Building
Location: 129 West 81st Street (Upper West Side). The exterior establishing shot. Its a real residential building between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues.
Sex and the City (1998-2004)
Carries Apartment
Location: 66 Perry Street, West Village. The brownstone stoop where Carrie sat in the opening credits. The owners have put up a chain across the steps (too many tourists sitting there) but you can still photograph it from the sidewalk.
Magnolia Bakery
Location: 401 Bleecker Street, West Village. Made famous by the cupcake scene. Still open, still has a line, and the banana pudding is actually better than the cupcakes.
Gossip Girl (2007-2012)
The Met Steps
Location: Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 5th Avenue. Where Blair and Serena held court. Sit on the steps with a yogurt and pretend youre Upper East Side royalty. Free to sit, museum is pay-what-you-wish for NY residents.
The Palace Hotel (The Van Der Woodsen Residence)
Location: Lotte New York Palace, 455 Madison Avenue. The courtyard entrance is recognizable from dozens of scenes.
Law and Order (1990-Present)
The Courthouse
Location: New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street. The exterior shot used in every episode. You can walk up the steps — its a real working courthouse.
How I Met Your Mother (2005-2014)
MacLarens Pub
Location: Based on McGees Pub, 240 West 55th Street (Midtown). The real bar that inspired the show. Interior looks different but the vibe is right. Affordable drinks for Midtown.
Self-Guided TV Tour Route
- Start at Toms Restaurant/Seinfeld (112th and Broadway)
- Subway to 81st — walk past Jerrys building
- Subway to West 4th — walk to Friends building (Bedford St)
- Walk to Carries stoop (Perry Street)
- Walk to Magnolia Bakery (Bleecker Street)
- Subway to 86th — walk to The Met steps (Gossip Girl)
We walked this entire TV tour on camera — watch on NewYorkNoNavro YouTube.