Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi
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"A Flavorful Meal"
Having recently dined at Chef Kwame’s Dogon in DC — an experience that was spectacular in every way — we arrived at Tatiana with understandably high expectations, especially given its reputation as “the highest rated restaurant in NYC.” While the meal was good overall, several dishes were underwhelming. The atmosphere also felt far more casual and less special than we had anticipated, which was surprising considering how difficult it is to secure a reservation. That said, there were definite highlights: the Oxtail & Crab Rangoon and Curried Goat Patties were excellent, and the Short Rib Pastrami Suya was nothing short of sublime. For dessert, the Golden Rum Cake and the Bodega Special were so good we couldn’t resist ordering seconds. Ultimately, Tatiana offered some memorable moments, but for us, it didn’t quite live up to the extraordinary benchmark set by Dogon.
"Dinner at Tatiana- at last!"
After two years of trying to snag a reservation at Tatiana during my visits to New York — even with hotel concierges unable to help — I finally decided to try for a bar seat instead. I arrived at 4:20 pm, joined the line on a pleasant shaded afternoon, and even met some wonderful people as we strategized together about getting seated. I was lucky enough to secure a spot at the bar, where the bartender was fantastic, walking me through the menu and helping with recommendations. The atmosphere felt warm and family-like, making it easy to chat with those seated around me. I ordered a mocktail, crispy okra, the patties, Wagyu beef entrée, and finished with the white chocolate cheesecake. Every dish was excellent — bold, spicy, and full of flavor, perfectly complemented by the tart mocktail. Portions were generous, and my leftovers were carefully packed to take home. In true communal spirit, I shared some of my beef with my neighbors and they shared oxtails with me — all delicious. Chef Kwame Onwuachi has created a truly masterful menu here, and I can’t wait to return on my next trip to New York, as well as try his new restaurant at the Salamander Hotel in DC.
"Not Worth the Wait"
After two years of trying, I finally secured reservations at Tatiana. Was it worth the wait? Honestly, no. The menu is certainly creative, with its take on Caribbean flavors, but overall I’d give the experience a solid B. The mushrooms large plate stood out as tasty, while the goat patties were just average and the fish was fair. On the plus side, service was attentive, and the space itself — though noisy — was comfortable. A decent meal, but not one I’d rush back for.
"An unforgettable dinner"
I’ve been wanting to try Tatiana ever since it opened, but reservations are nearly impossible — so I was ecstatic to finally snag a table on a weekday night! Every dish we tried was excellent, with standouts being the curried goat patties (served piping hot, so be cautious) and the oxtail, which was rich and flavorful. We also ordered the egusi dumplings and okra — both enjoyable, though I’d note the okra leans quite sweet. For dessert, the Bodega Special absolutely delivered, with the powdered donut–flavored ice cream being especially innovative and memorable. Service throughout the evening was fantastic, though the music was louder than I’d prefer. Prices are definitely on the higher side and portions aren’t huge, but the creativity and bold flavors make the experience worthwhile. I’d happily return — if I’m lucky enough to score another reservation!
"Great restaurant but awful and loud music"
We booked the private room for a birthday dinner with 13 guests, and while the food was excellent — creative, flavorful, and served family-style, making it perfect for sharing — the overall experience was mixed. There was plenty of food, so much that we ended up taking six boxes home. Cocktails were fantastic, including some thoughtful non-alcoholic options, and the wine list, though short, featured solid choices. The champagne section, however, felt uninspired, highlighting familiar labels instead of truly standout bottles. Service was friendly but uneven. While the staff was accommodating with our late arrivals, the execution during dinner lacked polish. The servers were pleasant but inexperienced, often forgetting who was drinking what and overlooking empty glasses — I ended up pouring wine throughout the meal myself. Not ideal for an upscale setting, but tolerable. What was not tolerable was the music. The volume was far too loud, and the choice of commercial hip hop clashed completely with the setting. It felt jarring to enjoy a fine meal at the home of the New York Philharmonic while listening to that soundtrack. Unfortunately, the music was such a deal-breaker that despite the excellent food, we wouldn’t return.
"Expensive but worth the money"
After failing to walk in a few months ago, we made sure to secure a reservation well in advance this time. The lack of prices on the online menu was a clear sign it would be an expensive night, but we’d heard enough buzz to give it a try — and I’m glad we did. The cocktails were excellent, especially the Karaoke Honeymoon and the skin-contact sangria. For three people, we ordered four small plates and two large dishes, which left us with plenty to take home but also let us sample a wide range of flavors. Even my friends who usually don’t enjoy okra said it was the best they’d ever had. The goat patties and jerk lamb rib were standouts, while the shawarma chicken was some of the best I’ve ever eaten — tender, flavorful, and literally falling off the bone, much like the braised oxtails. I’m even planning to make soup with the leftover bones. The atmosphere was lively yet relaxed, with smooth R&B setting the tone. Overall, a fantastic night out, and I’d happily return.
"Expected a better experience"
We were excited to finally dine at Tatiana, but the experience turned out to be disappointing and fairly average. On the positive side, the service was excellent, and even without a reservation, the front team managed the process seamlessly — we were seated in under 20 minutes. The ambiance was pleasant, and the drinks were solid. The real letdown was the food, particularly the misleading “egusi dumplings,” which listed Jonah crab as the primary ingredient. As our server explained, it was actually just “the essence of crab” — in reality, there was no crab at all, and no discernible essence on the plate either. While Chef Kwame has much to be proud of, the menu felt underwhelming and his larger-than-life persona overshadowed the meal. Instead of leaving with excitement to return, we left feeling this was a one-and-done experience rather than an “OMG, can’t wait to come back.”
"You need to experience this restaurant! Spectacular!"
There’s so much to say about the food at Tatiana, but ultimately it’s something you need to experience for yourself. The flavors are bold, unique, and truly spectacular — making every dish feel special. This is not just a meal, it’s an experience. Without a doubt, Tatiana is a must-visit if you’re in New York.
"Overrated and Overhyped. The location is small so hard to get a Reservation but the Bar is a better option. The Bartenders are"
Tatiana may have a prime location in Lincoln Center, but that seems to be what justifies its inflated prices. As a foodie and a lover of Nigerian cuisine, I came in with high expectations for this much-hyped fusion concept. Unfortunately, the experience didn’t deliver — the food felt more style than substance, leaving it overpriced and overrated.
"Experiência gastronômica."
We went as a group of six and ordered several dishes to share, and everything was very tasty with wonderful service throughout. The standout was the rabbit, which was simply divine — tender, flavorful, and falling off the bone. That said, this place may not be ideal for those who dislike bold seasoning, as the food is slightly spicy. The real downside, however, was not the food but the bathrooms: only two for a packed restaurant, unisex, poorly lit, and unfortunately very dirty — a huge mismatch for the standard and price of the restaurant. I even mentioned it to the staff, as immediate action was needed. Hopefully this was just an isolated incident, because despite that, the overall dining experience was excellent and definitely worth it.
Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi
A buzzy and creative place in the Upper West Side that offers bold flavor combinations and an exciting, modern menu.
Address
10 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023, United States
Website
https://www.tatiananyc.com/
Email
https://www.tatiananyc.com/
Telephone
+12128755222