Gramercy Tavern
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"Does not disappoint!"
Once again, I had an amazing meal and experience at this restaurant. Two of the servers even remembered me, which made me feel truly welcome. The wine selection is among the best in the city, and every meal we ordered was thoughtfully prepared with top-quality ingredients. Combined with superb service, this place continues to impress!
"Best food & staff!!!!!"
For the second year in a row, we celebrated our anniversary here, and once again it was perfect! Sarah and Alec were outstanding—friendly, attentive, and made the evening so special. We enjoyed the set menu with wine pairing, which was absolutely fantastic. Incredible staff, amazing food—highly recommend! Can’t wait to see you again next year!
"a bit expensive"
The restaurant has a warm and welcoming vibe, and the attentive staff made the experience enjoyable. The menu offers a fair variety, and while the food was tasty, it wasn’t particularly memorable. Portion sizes were decent, though the prices felt a bit high for what was served. Overall, it’s a good spot if you’re willing to pay a little extra for the atmosphere and service. On a side note, the space could benefit from a renovation to refresh its look.
"Great staff, expensive, average food"
We were excited to try Gramercy Tavern’s 5-course seasonal dinner with wine pairings. The staff was exceptional—attentive, thoughtful, and knowledgeable. Out of the five courses, the gnocchi stood out as fantastic—I’d return just for that. Two of the other courses were fine, but the fish was dry, and the lamb, which we were most looking forward to, was flavorless and tough. While this might sound picky, for a restaurant of Michelin-level reputation and high prices, the food fell short of expectations. On the positive side, the wine pairings were excellent, and the sommelier added a lot of fun to the experience.
"The decor is still lovely, but don’t forget to tip"
Back in New York City since before COVID, Gramercy Tavern was at the top of our must-visit list. The decor remains sumptuous, and the service is impeccable. I appreciated the ability to customize the menu to create a personalized dining experience. The shellfish starters were inventive, fun, and delicious, though most of the courses, while tasty, weren’t particularly memorable. The highlight for me was the consommé in the dumpling course, while the final lamb course with quinoa was underwhelming—less flavorful and tender than the lamb loin at Seasons 52. The wines were a standout; we chose all New York Finger Lakes wines, which made for a memorable experience for our sommelier as well. Desserts were fantastic and nearly saved the meal’s finale. One note: Gramercy Tavern has reinstated its tipping policy after years without it, which led to some awkward exchanges at the end of our meal. If you’re used to the no-tipping policy, be aware that it’s back.
"Deserves a second visit…"
We sat outside on a Saturday evening and enjoyed a really pleasant meal. Both the food and wine were very good, with highlights being the meatballs, the swordfish, and the pork shoulder, which was melt-in-the-mouth tender.
"Good discovery!"
The food was excellent, and the staff provided a warm welcome along with helpful advice. Everything about the experience was perfect—except for the noise in the room, which was the only downside.
"Wonderful service"
We enjoyed the tasting menu in the dining room and had an excellent experience from start to finish. Cocktails at both the bar and table were well crafted, with just the right balance and alcohol content. Our server, Mary Beth, was attentive and personable—absolutely a 10/10. The food was beautifully presented and delicious throughout the courses. Since it was my wife’s birthday trip, the team surprised us with a small birthday cake and candle alongside dessert, which made the evening feel even more special. We had requested quick service to make a theatre show, and they accommodated perfectly without rushing us. As a final thoughtful touch, we were sent home with portions of poppy seed cake with crumble topping for breakfast. A truly memorable dining experience—we would 100% visit again.
"Tavern in the Gram"
I managed to snag a same-day reservation on Sunday for a late lunch/early dinner at 4 PM. The restaurant is stylish and fun, with an interesting layout and clean, spacious bathrooms. I had a seat in the middle of the tavern facing the street, perfect for people-watching. I started with a lemon ginger spritz mocktail ($12), followed by the tavern burger ($35) with a dipping sauce, homemade chips, and a side of pickles (a tip I picked up from other diners). The burger was solid, the chips were crunchy and delightful, and the pickles were fine but not remarkable. For dessert, I had the chocolate cookie ($9) with chocolate malt milk—it was warm, gooey in the center, and crisp on the edges. While delicious, I might try a different dessert next time. The real highlight was the service—everyone was prompt, friendly, and well-trained. Overall, it was a great experience, and I would happily return and recommend it to friends.
"Very good fine dining restaurant"
Very good restaurant in downtown Manhattan with a pleasant atmosphere and nice outdoor seating. We were served complimentary pesto focaccia bread, which was excellent. For mains, I had the chicken—especially the crispy skin, which was delicious. The ricotta fritters were a nice addition as well. Dessert was fine but not particularly memorable. Overall, a solid dining spot with good food and inviting ambience.
"Good not great"
The restaurant has a bar area serving casual fare and a dining room with a more formal menu—we were in the latter. The ambience was quieter and less buzzy, though the lack of windows made it feel a bit closed off. Service was slow; it took too long for our orders to be taken. The bean soup was overly salty, and the tilefish, which followed, tasted bland in comparison. Overall, the experience was mixed.
"The most amazing evening – fantastic food and service!"
We celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary at Gramercy Tavern and it was truly one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had in NYC. We chose the tasting menu, and every dish was a standout — seasonal, beautifully plated, and above all, delicious. Nothing felt overdone or pretentious; just confident, thoughtful cooking from start to finish. The real highlight of the evening was our server, Carolyn. She was absolutely fantastic — warm, funny, and attentive without ever hovering. She struck that perfect balance that makes you feel completely taken care of. The sommelier also deserves a shout-out: the wine pairings were exceptional and presented in a way that felt fun and approachable while elevating each dish. The atmosphere was equally impressive — cozy, buzzy, and elegant without being stiff. It’s the kind of place where you immediately feel at ease and could happily linger for hours. Highly recommend. And if you’re lucky enough to get Carolyn as your server, you’re in for an even more memorable night.
Gramercy Tavern
A classic spot in the Flatiron District offering seasonal American cuisine in a warm, welcoming atmosphere; has both a more formal dining room and a casual tavern side.
Address
42 E 20th St, New York, NY 10003, United States
Email
https://www.gramercytavern.com/reservations/
Telephone
+12124770777