A great restaurant bathroom never goes unnoticed—at least not by me or just about everyone else I asked. Around New York City, some restaurants have taken their bathroom game so seriously that it’s become part of their brand, complete with their own hashtags and cult followings.
Few people understand this better than Patricia Howard, co-owner of the acclaimed NYC restaurants Lord’s, Dame, and the newly opened Crevette. If anyone knows how to design a restaurant W.C. that breeds conversation, it’s her. She even found a way to make a Department of Health requirement both stylish and humourous (the employee hand-washing reminder is framed as a quote).
“Bathrooms present an opportunity to be playful in a way that might seem ridiculous or over the top if applied to the dining room,” she shared with us.
After seeing the selfie phenomenon at Dame, she made “designing the bathroom photo” a priority for her next two spots. With more space at Lord’s and Crevette, she had more room to play—and four years later, she still loves seeing the photos diners take.
“It reinforces our belief that every little detail that goes into designing a space is important and the guests notice,” she explained.
So what makes a restaurant bathroom worth a pit stop? We took notes from Patricia’s designs and polled our fellow editors for their own favorites. Whether you’re looking for wallpaper recs, tile inspo, or a reason to upgrade your sink fixtures, these NYC restaurant bathrooms have plenty to steal.
Dame
A snug British seafood spot with an equally charming bathroom, Dame makes the most of its small space. Patricia covered the walls in Liberty London’s signature blue floral print, added a brass faucet, and topped it off with a triptych-style antique folding mirror. It’s a masterclass in giving a tiny bathroom a big personality.
Lord’s
Patricia explained that Lord’s overall vibe is hunting lodge meets English cottage, with its bathroom leaning hard into the latter. The walls are wrapped in lush, floral wallpaper from House of Hackney—Autumn Hollyhocks for the larger restroom, and the William Morris Blackthorn print for the smaller one (fitting for the British fare they serve). Looking for another way to add some shine? Paint the pipes gold or add in a flower-shaped sconce.
Crevette
When Patricia and her husband, chef Ed Szymanski, took over the space, all four bathrooms were covered in black tile. Instead of starting from scratch, they leaned into the challenge, painting the tile in vibrant hues inspired by Amalfi and Saint-Tropez beach umbrellas.
One bathroom pops in lemon-lime with a green floor and yellow walls. Two others got coats of soft pink with matching green floors, tied together by a striped bench in the waiting area. The boldest of the bunch? A sky-blue room covered in playful lobster print. Scalloped shell sinks and a vintage Campari poster add to the space’s maximalist charm.
Ella Funt
You might just want to spend your entire night in the bathroom at this East Village haunt. A neo-bistro with inventive takes on French cuisine, certain pockets feel like an intimate Parisian café, while others lean full-on disco. One bathroom is entirely decked out in glittery gold tile, including the toilet. The other bathroom features wallpaper with sketches by London-based artist Roland Kassar. Both are a reminder that Hollywood vanity lighting is the best lighting.
Cervo’s
This cozy Portuguese wine bar proves that bold pattern-mixing pays off. Cervo’s) employed custom tile and a marbled toilet seat to add unexpected pops while a bright blue sink brings in even more personality. Designed by Russell Perkins, it’s a great example of how even the smallest details—like a lacquered toilet paper holder or a simple wooden strip—can make a big impact.
Rhodora
This Fort Greene natural wine bar nails the art of ambient lighting. Low-lit mirror selfies? Check. A charming corner table with a Keap Wood Cabin candle burning all night? Check (apparently people inquire about the scent all the time). Vertical subway tile? Check. It’s proof that warm lighting and intentional decor can make even the tiniest bathroom feel inviting. And, no need to skimp on the framed art.
Elsa
A Cobble Hill cocktail bar with an Art Nouveau flair, Elsa’s bathroom was inspired by the French designer Jean Royère and the entire place was named after Elsa Schiaparelli. Designed by Home Studios (who also did Rhodora’s bathroom), it’s such a standout that they regularly post roundups of customer selfies. Opt for warm, diffused lighting around your mirror, or use mirror slats, to create the same flattering glow.
Cafe Mars
This quirky Gowanus Italian spot is full of unexpected design choices, from neon pink-legged chairs to its moody, arched bathroom. Designed by local studio Format Architecture, the black tile, hand-painted walls, and warm lighting make a strong case for embracing darker colors. If you’re working with a powder room that doesn't have windows, you can play around with the lighting to set the vibe.
S&P Lunch
A no-fuss deli across from the Flatiron Building, S&P Lunch leans into nostalgia in all the right ways. Its baby blue and white tiled bathroom—complete with a matching blue toilet bowl—proves that patterned tile can make just as much of a statement as wallpaper. If florals and prints aren’t your thing, take a cue from this retro diner look and go for classic checkerboard or geometric designs.
Which restaurant bathroom would you steal design ideas from?
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