Tracing John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's New York City Haunts

A look back at the couple's favorite restaurants, bars, and shops in 1990s Manhattan.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In honor of the new series "Love Story" chronicling the romance between John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, this article takes a deep dive into the couple's favorite haunts around New York City in the 1990s. From the Tribeca restaurant The Odeon where they rekindled their relationship, to the legendary Italian eatery Rao's that Kennedy frequently biked to, the piece provides a detailed map of the places that defined Bessette and Kennedy's whirlwind courtship and marriage.

Why it matters

As one of the most famous couples of the 1990s, Bessette and Kennedy's relationship and lifestyle captured the public's imagination. Tracing the specific locations they frequented in New York City not only provides insight into their personal lives, but also reflects the cultural and social landscape of Manhattan in that era.

The details

The article highlights several of Bessette and Kennedy's go-to spots, including the French-American brasserie The Odeon in Tribeca where they rekindled their romance, the cozy brunch spot Bubby's that they were frequently photographed outside of, the legendary Italian restaurant Rao's in East Harlem that Kennedy would bike to, the Tribeca Grill where they celebrated Kennedy's 35th birthday, and the Tribeca dive bar Mudville 9 where they threw an all-night dance party. The piece also mentions that Bessette was known to shop for her signature tortoiseshell headbands at the historic Greenwich Village pharmacy C.O. Bigelow.

  • In the early summer of 1994, Kennedy and Bessette reconnected at a private event for Calvin Klein at The Odeon.
  • By the end of the summer of 1994, Kennedy and Bessette were "going steady".

The players

John F. Kennedy Jr.

The young, handsome scion to the prestigious Kennedy name who was considered the most eligible bachelor in 1990s Manhattan.

Carolyn Bessette

A Calvin Klein publicist who started dating Kennedy in 1992 and quickly became part of the "it couple" of the decade.

The Odeon

A French-American brasserie in Tribeca that opened in 1980 and became a fixture in the neighborhood, where Bessette and Kennedy had date nights and rekindled their romance.

Bubby's

A cozy brunch spot in Tribeca that Bessette and Kennedy were frequently photographed outside of.

Rao's

A legendary Italian restaurant in East Harlem that Kennedy would frequently bike to.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“By the early summer of 1994, John Jr. had been seeking to reunite with Carolyn for some time. It finally happened one evening when Carolyn was working a private event for Calvin Klein [at The Odeon], to which John showed up. Carolyn intervened before he could be turned away at the door, and the pair then spent the rest of the night talking. But by the end of the summer, they were going steady.”

— Tim English, Author (Thrillist)

The takeaway

The detailed map of Bessette and Kennedy's favorite New York City haunts provides a vivid window into the couple's personal lives and the cultural landscape of 1990s Manhattan, reflecting their fame, mystique, and the public's enduring fascination with their whirlwind romance.