By Valerie Butler ·Updated February 27, 2026 Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…

One of the best things about New York City is the range of options on tap. From restaurants to museums to theatres to events, there’s always something to do and somewhere to try. While every New Yorker will tell you they know the best route, deli or stylist, we’ve compiled a list of the most thoughtful, design-driven nail studios in the city.

Sundays Studio

A 100% vegan nail salon, Sundays Studio is a spa-like environment rooted in wellness. With six locations (and counting), Sundays continues to create little sanctuaries across NYC without compromising its meditative signature services or nontoxic proprietary varnishes and dissolvents. One of the most popular offerings at Sundays is the Signature Manicure: a 2-in-1 treatment that couples a manicure with guided meditation. My favorite part of the experience is the noise-cancelling headphones provided to drown out the hustle of the city and help you settle into your service. 

The serene atmosphere, along with Sundays’curated space to shop wellness partners including Grown Alchemist, Intelligent Change and WTHN acupuncture tools, makes this salon an ideal space to wind down while you pamper. 

Chillhouse

You know that friend whose nails you always compliment, only for her to exclaim, “They’re press-ons!”? It’s more than likely she’s wearing Chill Tips. Perhaps owing its popularity to its range of press-on nails and equally impressive nail designs, Chillhouse is a bold, fun salon with treatments for the “minimalist to the maximalist and everyone in between!”

In addition to their traditional regular and gel salon services, Chillhouse offers a Chill Tips mani as well as infrared sauna sessions and a range of face and body services. From their cafe offerings to the private massage rooms, the studio is just as inspired as its Instagram feed. 

But it’s not all tips and treats. Chillhouse is known to partner with brands that champion women. Most recently, they’ve collaborated with Opill, the first and only daily birth control pill available without a prescription in the U.S. The goal of this partnership is to make birth control pills as accessible as picking up a set of press-ons. So not only does Chillhouse empower women in their Soho location, but also across the U.S.

Tina Green Nails

From the outside, Tina Green may look like your standard nail salon—you know the type that makes you feel like just another hand to be polished. TGN, however, differentiates itself by two key models: its waiting list and green card. 

Similar to many NYC restaurants, Tina Green does not take reservations. Instead, they encourage walk-ins and offer an online waitlist that opens from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. When you join the waitlist, it provides estimates as to how many people are ahead of you and alerts you when your “table is ready.” At the end of the appointment, you receive a green card that notes the date of service, technician and total due. This card serves as a loyalty card, a discount card and helps both the client and technician recognize each other—not to mention, with every $180 spent, you receive $10 off.When I want to leave the nail salon with an intricate nail art or hard gel overlay, Tina Green Nails is my go-to. Equipped with my inspiration in hand and no shortage of nail technicians ready to bring the design to life, the team at Tina Green has ingrained themselves in my routine. 

Primp and Polish 

Primp and Polish has made a name for itself with consistent, luxurious service. As someone very particular in all things, but especially at the nail salon, I can never fully relax. Yet I found myself curling up in their big, plush, single-seater sofas used to designate the pedicure stations. The salon was peaceful and the service was easy. No cross talk, loud music or distraction—unless you consider being offered water or tea a distraction.One of the key design features of the shop is its bar seating where they offer simple, classic or spa manicures and a range of enhancements. With four nearly identical locations across Brooklyn, a seamless online booking system as well as availability through Classpass, Primp and Polish is ready to do just what its name says.

Suite Eleven

Suite Eleven is a Black-owned vegan nail salon based in the heart of Brooklyn. Founded in 2018 by Ari Smith, the salon is all things chic and zen. Not only can you book everything from a hot stone foot massage to an Aprés Gel mani with art, you can also shop teh Suite Eleven collection. Need a re-up on non-toxic polish or a fresh batch of mango butter? This salon has got you covered.

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Author: Akili King

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