Barack Obama was spotted in Manhattan on Friday, marking the first time the former president has been seen since he took his wife on a post-White House vacation to the Caribbean.

The former president was treated like a rock star, with a crowd of hundreds cheering him on as he left a meeting at an office building in the Flatiron District.

Mr Obama looked to be in full retirement mode, forgoing a tie with his black suit.

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Former President Obama was spotted in Manhattan on Friday, leaving an office building in the Flatiron District

Hundreds gathered outside the building and cheered Mr Obama on as he got into his car

It's still unclear what Mr Obama is doing in the city.

The Simons Foundation, an organization that funds research in mathematics and basic sciences, has an office in the building.

The foundation's founders, Marilyn and James Harris Simons, have donated $670,000 to the Obama Foundation and were invited to several events at the White House during his time in office.

Photos surfaced last night, showing the former president having dinner with his daughter Malia at Emilio's Ballato, an Italian restaurant in Soho.

Malia is currently living in the city while she interns at the Weinstein Co.

On Thursday night, Obama (third left) was spotted getting dinner with his daughter Malia (second right), at an Italian restaurant in Soho

The eldest Obama daughter is currently living in the city while she interns at the Weinstein Co. Above, another picture from the daddy-daughter dinner Thursday night

Malia looked to be in good spirits when she showed up to her internship on Friday morning

The restaurant is a hot spot for celebrities such as Rihanna, Billy Joel, Naomi Campbell and David Bowie.

The restaurant is known for its club-like feel, and a New York magazine reporter said that newcombers are 'scritinized' by owner Emilio Vitolo from his corner table.

Michelle Obama does not appear to have joined her husband for this trip. On Thursday, the former first lady was pictured leaving a Soul Cycle class in Washington, DC.

The Obama family have chosen to remain in DC so that their youngest daughter Sasha can finish high school.

Malia, 18, is set to start at Harvard this fall. She has spent the past year on a gap year, traveling South America and taking on this new internship.

Last weekend, she was spotted partying in Aspen with a cohort of fellow rich kids.