New York · Salon directory · Updated July 2026

The best nail salons in New York

A shortlist of the New York salons that come up again and again in public reviews and local coverage — what each is known for, and where it sits on the map.

Nail work representative of New York salons
Where to start in New York — then use the checks below to pick.

The researched shortlist

How this list was built — and its limits. These salons were compiled in July 2026 from public reviews, booking-platform listings and local coverage. We have not personally visited every one, and salons change hands, techs move, and menus change — so treat this as a researched starting point, not a guarantee. Always confirm current hours and prices before booking, and run the five-minute sanitation check when you arrive. Nobody paid to be on this list; the only paid position on this site is one clearly labeled featured placement per city.

SoHo

Marie Nails

Calgel manicures said to last about two weeks; internationally known nail artistry.

155 Prince St, Floor 2, New York, NY 10012

SoHo

Sundays Studio

non-toxic polishes and a calm, wellness-focused manicure experience.

70 Spring St, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10012

Flatiron

Paintbox

seasonal editorial nail-art collections in a bilevel studio.

184 Fifth Avenue, Floor 2, New York, NY 10010

Upper East Side

Gilded Ritual

Russian manicures and Japanese naked manicures.

1210 Third Ave, New York, NY 10021

West Village

JINsoon

founder is a Fashion Week manicurist; natural hand and foot spa treatments.

23 Jones St, New York, NY 10014

Lower East Side

Akiko Nails

Japanese gel polish and detailed freehand nail art.

135 Eldridge St, New York, NY 10002

Lower East Side

Vanity Projects

gallery-like nail art atelier with video-art programming.

99 Chrystie St, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10002

Williamsburg

TOMOKO Nail NYC

Japanese nail studio.

85 N 3rd St, Ste 15, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Williamsburg

Primp & Polish

high-end feel at affordable prices with walk-in nail art.

189 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

East Village

VIBLiSSiMO

Japanese gel nail art; formerly Sakura Nail & Spa.

35 E 1st St, BSMT E, New York, NY 10003

Flushing

The Nail Bar

detail-oriented technicians; appointments recommended.

133-60 41st Ave, Flushing, NY 11355

Black-owned nail salons in New York

These are the 2 New York nail salons we could verify as Black-owned — each one either says so itself, or is identified as such by local press or a Black-owned business directory. We do not infer ownership from a name or a neighborhood, so this list is shorter than a scraped one would be.

Flatbush, Brooklyn

Barry's Beauty Bar

bold nail art; a Caribbean beauty staple for 15+ years.

1429 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11210

Central Harlem

The Nail Suite by Lisa Logan

boutique salon by celebrity manicurist Lisa Logan.

2388 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd, New York, NY 10030

How we verify this. A salon appears here only when a credible source explicitly identifies it as Black-owned — the business's own website or social account, local press, or an established Black-owned business directory. We never infer ownership from an owner's name, a salon's name, a neighborhood or a clientele. If we are missing your salon, or something here is wrong, tell us and we will fix it: thenailguideco@gmail.com.

How to choose between them

A list gets you candidates, not a decision. The fastest way to narrow it: pick the service first, because the best custom-art studio and the best fast-gel shop are rarely the same business. Then check the salon's own photos for consistency across all ten nails, and ask how they remove a set — the full method is in our guide to finding a salon.

What you should expect to pay

Before you book, know the going rate so an upcharge doesn't surprise you at the register. Our New York price guide lists 2026 ranges for gel manicures, Russian manicures, extensions, pedicures and art — plus what moves the price across the metro.

Where these salons sit on the map

New York isn't one nail market, and neighborhood usually predicts both specialty and price. The New York neighborhood guide breaks the city into pockets with $–$$$ signals, and the city overview ties it together.

Know a New York salon that belongs here? Nominations genuinely shape our review queue — thenailguideco@gmail.com. Salon owners welcome.

← The New York guide · New York prices · The Nail File