(212) 677-4787

168 Ave B (nr. 11th St.)
New York, NY 10009 40.7273 -73.9798

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Neighborhoods: Alphabet City, East Village, Downtown

Hours:

Tue-Thu and Sun, 5:30pm-10pm

Fri-Sat, 5:30pm-11pm

Mon, closed

Price:

$$

Last updated 7.25.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Romantic Dining, Date Spot, Hidden Find

Cuisine:

French

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About 26 Seats

Featured Review

Justin Hartung

Contributor

The Scene – This pantry-sized restaurant crams in an unbelievable amount of chairs--26 of them, to be exact, and not one of them the same. A homey handpicked feel prevails throughout, as if the antique-framed photos and teapots filling the space were scavenged from a flea market. Service is a little spacey, with a touch of Gallic indifference, but the perpetual crowds of boisterous neighborhood vets don't seem to mind. – – The Food – If the decor has a flea-market vibe, the cooking resembles a French country cafe you'd stop at on the drive home. Crunchy apples contrast…

Editor's Tips

What to Drink:
The mostly French wine list features a good selection of bottles under $30. Try the velvety Les Salices Pinot Noir ($26), which pairs well with the hearty fare.
When to Go:
All 26 seats fill up most nights, so make reservations, or show up right at the opening time.
The Extras:
The entire restaurant is available for private party rentals.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “like both the ambiance and the wait staff.”
  2. “The atmosphere is romantic, the food is exceptional, the prices can't be beat -- you are doing yourself an injustice if you don't give this place a try.”
  3. “Funky, yet romantic atmosphere, and friendly service.”
  4. “The environment is cozy.”
  5. “This place is definitely very romantic, with outstanding food and pretty good service.”
  6. “Although the restaurant is very small (only 26 seats) the atmosphere is dark and intimate and the food is always amazing.”
  7. “It's a lovely gem on avenue B. Truly an ideal date place, candle lit interior with a wonderful atmosphere.”
  8. “The ambiance was soft and warm and romantic, made you feel you were at a cozy dinner at your French friend's house.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “Best of all was dessert, with everything quite tasty.”
  2. “And the desserts were wonderful as well.”
  3. “Please try to order a dish that is served with the corn cake.”
  4. “*Dessert - Great chocolate mousse”
  5. “We had a delicious duck for entrees but the appetizers & desserts are equally as good.”
  6. “They had a prix fixe menu with the most amazing cooked quail appetizer, then lobster bisque, followed by a divine choice of entree, and then the chocolate mousse dessert.”
drinks
50.0% positive
  1. “French wine was nice, service was very warm & friendly.”
  2. “And the wine selection was good, but the price was affordable.”
  3. “Our water glasses were always full and our beers were ice cold.”
  4. “On a cold recent evening we were seated right away and served our wine.”
food quality
85.65999984741211% positive
  1. “but the Riesling could've been better, but that hardly ruined my duck with some amazing sauce, and the sweet potatoes.”
  2. “pinot was perfect with the fish.”
  3. “My husband got the duck confit, which was amazing, and I loved the sweet potato side.”
  4. “Great food, middling service”
  5. “The waitress was so nice and replaced it with a tasty lamb dish.”
  6. “We were seated as soon as we entered, she took our order 5 minutes later, the food was delicious.”
  7. “must try if you like authentic French Fare.”
  8. “All in all, I would not recommend the restaurant unless you like terrible food.”
  9. “This was hands down, one of the worst meals I've had in NYC - the service was very friendly, but service aside, I'm sorry to say the food was just really poor.”
  10. “The atmosphere is romantic, the food is exceptional, the prices can't be beat -- you are doing yourself an injustice if you don't give this place a try.”
  11. “Personally, this is one of my favorite NYC places for a quiet inexpensive tasty dinner.”
  12. “As for appetizers, the French Onion soup was good, as was the sausage and potato dish (though I wasn't as big as a fan as others).”
  13. “Although the food is usually great, we might never go back because the service was so bad.”
  14. “Great food, poor service”
  15. “There are plenty of places with good food and no attitude.”
  16. “The lobster bisque is warm and rich and the chocalate mouse is delicious.”
  17. “Food is absolutely authentic French bistro- really fresh and delicious.”
  18. “Then the girls had the Bass, Lamb Shank, Duck and Steak, the latter two being my fav's of the night, but overall everything was very tasty.”
  19. “My bass was even worse - smothered in some kind of tomato sauce that just did not go with fish and the spinach that accompanied the dish was extremely dry and flavorless.”
  20. “The flavor was so good, and the meat was very tender and moist.”
  21. “The special asparagus with melted cheese and quail in a sweet brown sauce were outstanding.”
  22. “We had a delicious duck for entrees but the appetizers & desserts are equally as good.”
  23. “Everything is yummy.”
  24. “The food is outstanding and the prices are a steal.”
  25. “grilled asparagus, lobster bisque, striped bass, salmon, every bite was scrumptious.”
  26. “The food was delicious, with excellent portions.”
  27. “The food wes served steaming hot and the service was excellent.”
  28. “The music is great, but most important are the quality of the food, the low prices on the menu ( I still have money in my pocket after paying the bill)and the warm hospitality of the owners.”
  29. “tried both and definitley thought the duck was amazing, I'm not generally not a big fan of lamb shank but thought they did a good job here.”
  30. “great date spot for cuisine magnifique!”
  31. “Please try to order a dish that is served with the corn cake.”
  32. “The food is quite good, but what really makes this restaurant is the value.”
  33. “We eat here often (early) and love the food.”
  34. “The best French food at a great price!”
  35. “This place is definitely very romantic, with outstanding food and pretty good service.”
  36. “The mussles appetizer was delicious along with my peppercorn steak.”
  37. “The food rivals many well known more expensive restaurants I have tried.”
  38. “*Appetizer-Snails in garlic sauce, which was so good, we confused the snails for mushrooms”
  39. “It is the best food you can get for the least money anywhere in the city if you ask me.”
  40. “It is hard to find good, inexpensive French food in the city, but 26 seats has it all!”
  41. “When she told the waitress that the meat was inedible, she was told "that is the way it is cooked”
  42. “Although the restaurant is very small (only 26 seats) the atmosphere is dark and intimate and the food is always amazing.”
  43. “Best of all was dessert, with everything quite tasty.”
menu variety
93.33000183105469% positive
  1. “They had a prix fixe menu with the most amazing cooked quail appetizer, then lobster bisque, followed by a divine choice of entree, and then the chocolate mousse dessert.”
  2. “tend to get duck a lot when I see it on the menu and this one was the best duck meals I've had.”
  3. “The music is great, but most important are the quality of the food, the low prices on the menu ( I still have money in my pocket after paying the bill)and the warm hospitality of the owners.”
  4. “The menu was very interesting, and prices were very reasonable.”
  5. “And the wine selection was good, but the price was affordable.”
overall
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. “I'm almost afraid to give it such a good review b/c I'm afraid of being unable to get reservations in the future, but this place is truly the best find in the city.”
return potential
50.0% positive
  1. “Although the food is usually great, we might never go back because the service was so bad.”
service
76.66999816894531% positive
  1. “The service is a perfect balance; it is 100% attentive yet non-intrusive.”
  2. “have never been to a restaurant where the staff was more charming or gracious.”
  3. “This place is definitely very romantic, with outstanding food and pretty good service.”
  4. “Although the food is usually great, we might never go back because the service was so bad.”
  5. “This was hands down, one of the worst meals I've had in NYC - the service was very friendly, but service aside, I'm sorry to say the food was just really poor.”
  6. “Hostess was rude and couldn't deal with the volume.”
  7. “Service is friendly though harried, since there is only one waitperson for all 26 seats.”
  8. “I've worked in a restaurant and I know how important it is to turn tables and I never linger longer than I need if people are waiting, but having reservations on tables 1 hour apart is poor management.”
  9. “When she told the waitress that the meat was inedible, she was told "that is the way it is cooked”
  10. “Charming, friendly, tiny.”
  11. “We even started friendly conversations with the tables to our left and right.”
  12. “Great food, poor service”
  13. “Funky, yet romantic atmosphere, and friendly service.”
  14. “Our waitress had a French accent and her caring and knowledgeable attitude she discplayed with each table led us to beleive she was the owner.”
  15. “The waitress was so nice and replaced it with a tasty lamb dish.”
  16. “Great food, middling service”
  17. “French wine was nice, service was very warm & friendly.”
  18. “like both the ambiance and the wait staff.”
  19. “all in between very friendly service.”
  20. “The food wes served steaming hot and the service was excellent.”
value
86.26999855041504% positive
  1. “Service was great and the best thing is the price!”
  2. “The best French food at a great price!”
  3. “The food rivals many well known more expensive restaurants I have tried.”
  4. “Personally, this is one of my favorite NYC places for a quiet inexpensive tasty dinner.”
  5. “great value”
  6. “The food is quite good, but what really makes this restaurant is the value.”
  7. “It is hard to find good, inexpensive French food in the city, but 26 seats has it all!”
  8. “The menu was very interesting, and prices were very reasonable.”
  9. “And the wine selection was good, but the price was affordable.”
  10. “The food is outstanding and the prices are a steal.”
  11. “The food was delicious, with excellent portions.”
  12. “Good value, but be prepared to hear everything your annoying neighbor is saying whether you like it or not- the space is really tight!”
  13. “The atmosphere is romantic, the food is exceptional, the prices can't be beat -- you are doing yourself an injustice if you don't give this place a try.”
  14. “It is the best food you can get for the least money anywhere in the city if you ask me.”
  15. “An enjoyable dining experience and great price.”
  16. “26 seats also has the most reasonable prices in NYC, it is a true gem.”
  17. “The music is great, but most important are the quality of the food, the low prices on the menu ( I still have money in my pocket after paying the bill)and the warm hospitality of the owners.”
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. “We were seated as soon as we entered, she took our order 5 minutes later, the food was delicious.”
4 Star Rating: Recommended

08/21/09

Love, Love, Love it!

by CelestialNYC at Citysearch

My friend and I randomly decided to give this place a try after doing a search online for a place to eat around LES. So glad we did! We came on a Tuesday night, was pretty empty when we got there around 7 pm but more people filled in later on. It's small and charming, very quaint inside. There is small outdoor seating in the front. Service was fine, there was only one waitress/hostess there the night we went and didn't have any problems. She was quite knowledgable on wine recommendations and we each had the special of the day. I had the duck confit (2 legs) w mashed potatoes. It was incredible! The flavor was so good, and the meat was very tender and moist. The potatoes were creamy. I tend to get duck a lot when I see it on the menu and this one was the best duck meals I've had. My friend had the Chilean sea bass which was also deliciously tender and full of flavor. I would totally come back and try other stuff on the menu. An enjoyable dining experience and great price. The specials of the day were $18 each. I'm surprised I've never heard of this place before, think I will have to check out more places around Alphabet City to find more local good spots to try!

  • Pros: Food, ambience, wine
  • Cons: nothing
2 Star Rating: Below Average

02/14/09

Great food, poor service

by lady177812 at Citysearch

26 Seats has been one of our favorite restaurants since moving here 5 years ago and we go often. Last night's experience will make us think twice about going back. We had an 8 pm reservation and were seated a bit later at 8:25pm - which was completely fine with us, except that there was a 9pm reservation on our table. We had ordered 2 apps, 2 entrees and a bottle of wine and had planned on dessert - enough to buy us a fair 1-1.5 hour meal...The 9pm party was of course impatient which I understand after waiting 30 minutes and they all came in and stood by our table - we agreed (before finishing our last bite of our dinner) to move to another table to finish our bottle of wine. Our waitress did not apologize for making us move, did not offer us dessert or coffee and brought our check while we were still finishing our last glass - the rudest service we've received in a long time. The apps were great (garlic sausages & escargot), but our Duck Confit was undercooked - in an attempt to rush us further. I've worked in a restaurant and I know how important it is to turn tables and I never linger longer than I need if people are waiting, but having reservations on tables 1 hour apart is poor management. Although the food is usually great, we might never go back because the service was so bad. If you want to try the food, my advice - go on a weekday!

4 Star Rating: Recommended

02/09/09

Like Paris

by AMandK at Citysearch

We eat here often (early) and love the food. We are always surprised every time we come here that we feel like we are in Paris again. On a cold recent evening we were seated right away and served our wine. A big cowboy and his wife came in and had a tough time, I think, acclimating to the fact that there were only 26 seats. I think they moved to 22 of the seats trying to find the right one. The staff really worked with them. I was in awe. We had a lovely meal, too.

1 Star Rating: Poor

03/02/08

Time Limit (although they don't tell you) and Bad service

by merilerock at Citysearch

They fail to tell you, just expect you to know, there is a strict time limit on tables. We were virtually ignored. Customers seated after us were served entrees by the time we had our orders taken. I asked for bread 3 times before it was brought (and it was icy cold inside and hot on the outside). I was still drinking my coffee when we were told to leave because they needed the table. We didn't sign fast enough so the hostess yelled at us. When my friend told her what we thought she started an argument! In order to get up from the table they table has to be wiggled out into the isle. I asked her to finish pulling the table out so I could leave and she refused! The couple at the next table had been contemplating desert but decided to go elsewhere. i suggest you do too.

  • Pros: Nice customers
  • Cons: Poor wait staff, Rude Hostess, food not so great
1 Star Rating: Poor

05/29/07

Can't even handle 26 seats...

by jen0603 at Citysearch

What a horrible experience for a place that we were expecting to be a great dinner out. Made a reservation which they did not uphold and then lied and said they called to confirm (which I am 100% positive they did not). Hostess was rude and couldn't deal with the volume...and it's only 26 seats!! They need to get their act together and hire better service or AT LEAST teach staff how to run a restaurant. I don't care how good the food is (am not sure of that since we didn't have any). There are plenty of places with good food and no attitude. Would never even give it a second chance.

The Details on 26 Seats

Place Categories:

  • great terrible food
  • friendly middling service
  • favorite restaurants
  • good overall everything
  • great price
  • like wait staff
  • definitely very romantic place
  • truly enjoyed experience
  • romantic atmosphere
  • warm lobster bisque
  • great value
  • great music
  • delicious duck
  • loves everyone
  • like authentic french fare
  • wonderful desserts
  • great flavor
  • really great gem
  • amazing garlic sauce
  • great dinner
  • nice small unpretentious spots
  • amazing duck confit
  • good attitude
  • extremely dry dish
  • bad service