Celebrating Mother's Day 2024 in Lincoln Square

Mother's Day, which falls on Sunday, May 12 this year, is a time to honor the incredible women who have shaped our lives with love, wisdom, and care. And what better way to celebrate the special mother, grandmother, or mother figure in your life than by treating her to a day filled with delicious food, thoughtful gifts, and fun activities, all right here in Lincoln Square? Here's your guide to creating a memorable Mother's Day experience.

Let Someone Else Do the Cooking
Planning to celebrate the holiday early? At Porter House Bar and Grill (10 Columbus Circle), join a special Champagne Lunch at noon on Saturday, May 11, overlooking Central Park, complete with Billecart-Salmon Champagne and a three-course menu. On May 12, enjoy a delectable brunch at one of Michelin-starred Chef Antonio Alfredo Salvatore’s two restaurants, Atlantic Grill (50 W 65th Street at Broadway) and Rampoldi (49 W 64th Street at Broadway), both of which are offering special three-course prix-fixe menus. Lincoln Ristorante (142 West 65th Street between Amsterdam Ave and Broadway) is also offering an exclusive three-course prix-fixe brunch for Mother’s Day, with menu items like avocado crostino, smoked salmon, flat iron steak, halibut, and lemon custard tart. Just be sure to reserve a table early!

Other neighborhood restaurants will have specials all day long. Visit Bar Boulud (1900 Broadway at W 64th Street) for a French-inspired spring menu, make a reservation at Café Fiorello (1900 Broadway between W 63rd and 64th Street) to try dishes like lobster and red shrimp ravioli, or enjoy a three-course menu with a view at Robert (2 Columbus Circle). Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten is offering a three-course prix-fixe menu at Nougatine (1 Central Park West) and three different tasting menu options at Jean-Georges (1 Central Park West) this Mother’s Day. For a truly indulgent experience, consider dining at the renowned Per Se (10 Columbus Circle), where a seven-course luxury menu awaits.

Holidays are always a busy time for our restaurants, many of which serve specials, so plan ahead to avoid waiting in lines or not getting a table. 

Thoughtful Gifts
A heartfelt gift is another way to show your appreciation on Mother's Day. To brighten your mom's day with a stunning bouquet, visit Gourmet Garage (155 W 66th Street between Amsterdam Ave and Broadway), Morton Williams (2015 Broadway between W 68th and W 69th Street), or Venus Et Fleur and Whole Foods Market, both at The Shops at Columbus Circle (10 Columbus Circle). You can also stop by the Richard Tucker Park Greenmarket (W 66th Street & Broadway) on Thursdays and Saturdays for a beautiful selection of blooms that will make her smile.

If you want to give a gift that will shine, you can get elegant jewelry at Monica Rich Kosann, Swarovski, and UNOde50, all at The Shops. For unique and one-of-a-kind gifts, explore The Emporium Antique Shop Ltd. (20 West 64th Street between Broadway and Central Park West), the American Folk Art Museum Shop (2 Lincoln Square on Columbus Avenue), and The Store at MAD (2 Columbus Circle). And, of course, some moms will most appreciate an upgrade on their favorite gadgets, which you can find at Apple (1981 Broadway at W 67th Street).

For beauty lovers, consider gifting skincare products from Kiehl's (154 Columbus Avenue at W 67th Street), Aveda (10 Columbus Circle), and Sephora (1863 Broadway at W 62nd Street). A few other stores in the neighborhood also have great selections of makeup, including MAC (10 Columbus Circle), Whole Foods Market (10 Columbus Circle), and Target (1863 Broadway at W 61st Street). For a mother figure that takes extra pride in her home, check out gifts from the Mother’s Day collections at Pottery Barn (1965 Broadway at W 67th Street) and West Elm (1870 Broadway between W 61st and W 62nd Street), or get her a fragrant candle from Diptyque (10 Columbus Circle). 

Still can’t decide on the perfect gift? Chocolates from La Maison du Chocolat or macarons from Ladurée (both at The Shops) are a sweet reminder that you care. You can also find macarons at Amorino (44 W 63rd Street between Broadway and Columbus Ave), which offers both gelato-filled macaroons and boxes of assorted regular macarons.  Jean-Georges Restaurants is also offering limited edition Mother's Day chocolate boxes. For cookies, pastries, and other baked goods, stop by Rosetta Bakery (1928 Broadway at W 64th Street), Épicerie Boulud (1900 Broadway at W 64th Street), or Breads Bakery (1890 Broadway between W 62nd and W 63rd Street). You can even have Mother's Day treats delivered from Maman (152 Columbus Ave between W 66th and W 67th Street). And, of course, be sure to pick up a card at Paper Source (10 Columbus Circle) to go with your gift!

Make Memories Together
For a more interactive Mother's Day experience, consider participating in special activities around Lincoln Square. Unleash your artistic side at Color Me Mine's Mother's Day Tea Party (177 Amsterdam Ave at W 68th), treat your mom to a relaxing spa day at Mandarin Oriental, New York (80 Columbus Circle), or have fun in the kitchen at a pasta-making class hosted by Williams Sonoma (10 Columbus Circle). Williams Sonoma is also a great spot to grab a gift for her home! 

A world-class performance at one of Lincoln Square's renowned venues would also make for a perfect Mother’s Day. On Sunday, May 12, Juilliard Drama presents Abingdon Square at 2:00pm (155 W 65th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave), and legendary soprano Kathleen Battle returns to the Metropolitan Opera (30 Lincoln Center Plaza) for a special recital performance at 5:00pm. The New York City Ballet (20 Lincoln Center Plaza) will put on Robbins’ piano ballet, Dances at a Gathering, and Balanchine’s Brahms-Schoenberg Quartet during the 3:00pm “Masters at Work” performance. You can also get tickets to Uncle Vanya or The Keep Going Songs at Lincoln Center Theater (150 W 65th Street at Amsterdam Ave). At 5:00pm and 7:30pm, the Juilliard Jazz Orchestra will perform Duke Ellington’s music from the 1930s through the 1970s at Dizzy’s Club (10 Columbus Circle).

While we’ve rounded up quite a few ways to celebrate Mother’s Day in Lincoln Square, these are not the only gifts, experiences, and meal options around the neighborhood. Check out our Neighborhood Guide to browse other great stores and restaurants and our Events Calendar to see what else you can enjoy this Mother’s Day and beyond.

Photo Credit: Venus Et Fleur