45 Best Public Restrooms In New York City

We know the protocol to leaving your apartment: turn off the lights, grab your keys, but most importantly, go to the bathroom because who knows when you'll get the next chance to.

Justine Golata - Senior Staff Writer • January 27, 2023

Exterior of Macy's Herald Square — Shutterstock / pio3

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45 Best Public Restrooms In New York City

Because when you gotta go, you gotta go!

We took a poll on Instagram asking if you had trouble finding public restrooms in NYC. 83% answered yes, and for the 17% who said no, tell us your secrets!

In fact, thank you, because since so many had trouble locating a restroom, we asked for everyone’s best known spots and suggestions.

We received a plethora of responses (thank you very much), proving that though NYC can seem like a terrible place to be when your out and about and in need of a restroom, you just need to know your surroundings and the spots we’re about to share!

via GIPHY

We took all of your helpful responses and curated 45 of the best public restrooms in NYC to keep on your radar, plus we made a map! And trust us—you’ll definitely want to keep it handy.

Best public restrooms in NYC

1. Bryant Park

2. Hudson Yards

3. Starbucks (they have a policy at all locations permitting the public access)

4. Grand Central Terminal

5. Macy’s Herald Square

6. Whole Foods (any location)

7. Bloomingdale’s

8. Union Square Barnes & Noble

9. NYPL

10. Washington Square Park

11. Mall at Columbus Circle

12. Crate & Barrel (any location)

13. Chelsea Market

14. Pier 17

15. Riverside Park

16. The Ludlow Hotel

17. Bed Bath & Beyond

18. Target (any location but we prefer the new SoHo one)

19. Apple Store (preferably the Meatpacking District location)

20. Harry Potter Store

21. Home Depot, Flatiron

22. Central Park

23. Eataly

24. Moynihan Train Hall

25. AMC Empire 25

26. M&Ms store in Times Square (plus you’ll get treats)

27. Trader Joe’s (any location)

28. Little Island

29. Nordstrom Rack Union Square

30. Ralph Lauren (72nd & Madison)

31. Joe & the Juice (preferably the SoHo location)

32. The American Girl Doll Store

33. Bergdorf Goodman

34. The Ace Hotel

35. McDonald’s (any and all)

36. Essex Market (1st floor)

37. H&M Times Square

38. Aritzia (SoHo)

39. Time Warner Center

40. Gregory’s Coffee (26th & 6th)

41. Midtown Hilton (first floor)

42. Katz’s Deli

43. REI

44. Saks Fifth Avenue

45. Plaza Lobby

You can also check out this TikTok account entirely dedicated to sharing all of the free public restrooms around NYC here.