(212) 375-8483

351 East 12th Street (nr. Second Ave.)
New York, NY 10003 40.7307 -73.9845

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Neighborhoods: East Village, Downtown

Hours:

Sun-Thu, 5pm-11pm

Fri-Sat, 5pm-midnight

Price:

$$$

Last updated 8.16.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express

Restaurant Special Features:

Private Rooms

ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “The staff, food, decor and music were all near perfection!”
  2. “Leon is an East Village gem: casual but hip, with well prepared basic French bistro fare, good specials, a warm and lively atmosphere.”
  3. “Sit outside in the warm weather; inside for cozy winter.”
  4. “The atmosphere is so charming: warm and cozy for a first date or chilled out to meet up with a friend.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “They also have some nice desserts and a good wine selection”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “Decent wine at reasonable prices.”
  2. “They also have some nice desserts and a good wine selection”
  3. “The only glitch was the espresso, and the fact that the menu is a little different from the one on citysearch, but altogether a highly enjoyable experience!”
food quality
100.0% positive
  1. “The chicken lollipops were amazing, and the chicken dish with parmesan polenta was outstanding.”
  2. “Outstanding squids, and the fish special was superb!”
  3. “we landed upon Leon somewhat randomly on the 4th of July and were pleasantly surprised by the tasty, inexpensive cuisine.”
  4. “The food was perfect (bistro, comfort fare), and the wait staff was super friendly and warm.”
  5. “The staff, food, decor and music were all near perfection!”
  6. “The service is friendly, if not the most prompt in the world, the food is great, and the prices, while not cheap, won't put your wallet out of commission.”
  7. “our meal at Leon last weekend was great - and the wait staff is very prompt and proactive.”
  8. “It is not pricey, but the food is good and there are some cool dishes on the menu.”
  9. “actually discovered Leon after staff at Juliette (in williamsburg) told me that the ex-manager owned the place - I have grown extremely disappointed with Juliette, and was looking for a nice, laid-back, RELIABLE place to have a nice meal, and friendly c”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “The only glitch was the espresso, and the fact that the menu is a little different from the one on citysearch, but altogether a highly enjoyable experience!”
  2. “It is not pricey, but the food is good and there are some cool dishes on the menu.”
  3. “They also have some nice desserts and a good wine selection”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “It's a great place for a date or to hang out, we'll definitely be going back.”
  2. “I've been going to leon for 1 year ,,, great place”
  3. “actually discovered Leon after staff at Juliette (in williamsburg) told me that the ex-manager owned the place - I have grown extremely disappointed with Juliette, and was looking for a nice, laid-back, RELIABLE place to have a nice meal, and friendly c”
service
100.0% positive
  1. “the wait staff is very friendly, if your not rude or picky.”
  2. “While the staff at this little bistro is very friendly, I have never experienced more incompetency.”
  3. “My wife and I always enjoy the young, not always well trained but nevertheless friendly, staff, all of whom have a story.”
  4. “actually discovered Leon after staff at Juliette (in williamsburg) told me that the ex-manager owned the place - I have grown extremely disappointed with Juliette, and was looking for a nice, laid-back, RELIABLE place to have a nice meal, and friendly c”
  5. “The service is friendly, if not the most prompt in the world, the food is great, and the prices, while not cheap, won't put your wallet out of commission.”
  6. “The bartender was also playing some great music.”
  7. “Our waitress was amazing.”
  8. “our meal at Leon last weekend was great - and the wait staff is very prompt and proactive.”
  9. “The food was perfect (bistro, comfort fare), and the wait staff was super friendly and warm.”
  10. “The staff, food, decor and music were all near perfection!”
  11. “The (very) nice french bartender (beret and all!)”
value
100.0% positive
  1. “The service is friendly, if not the most prompt in the world, the food is great, and the prices, while not cheap, won't put your wallet out of commission.”
  2. “Decent wine at reasonable prices.”
  3. “we landed upon Leon somewhat randomly on the 4th of July and were pleasantly surprised by the tasty, inexpensive cuisine.”
  4. “It is not pricey, but the food is good and there are some cool dishes on the menu.”
4 Star Rating: Recommended

05/02/10

I'm going back!

by Dorothy0202 at Citysearch

My boyfriend and I had just gotten off work and we were hungry for a steak and decided to take a walk and find somewhere to sit down and relax after a long day. After blocks of delis and closed restaurants (at 11:00 on a Sat?!) we stumbled upon Leon's. They sqeezed us in at a table in the middle of the floor, but we had as much room as we needed. It took a while for them to take our order but the waiter paid for our drinks for the delay and the food was well worth it. Steak was cooked perfectly and the salad complemented it to a tee. I can't wait to go back. The Leon's Cafe Au Lait was the best part!

  • Pros: Amazing drinks, great food
  • Cons: Tight quarters...or "cozy"
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/10/10

Incredible French Bistro

by NYCjax7 at Citysearch

You will like Leon because of it's incredible charm, but once you sit down and try the food you will fall in love.

Ownership changed hands in early 2008 and this small French bistro has knocked it out of the park. It's a hidden NYC gem that doesn't get nearly enough recognition for it's wonderful cuisine and superb customer service.

Just try it once and you'll always be coming back for more. I've been trying to taste every dish on the menu and I haven't been disappointed thus far.

  • Pros: Delicious cuisine, great ambiance
  • Cons: Small, but cozy
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/10/10

Incredible French Bistro

by NYCjax7 at Citysearch

You will like Leon because of it's incredible charm, but once you sit down and try the food you will fall in love.

Ownership changed hands in early 2008 and this small French bistro has knocked it out of the park. It's a hidden NYC gem that doesn't get nearly enough recognition for it's wonderful cuisine and superb customer service.

Just try it once and you'll always be coming back for more. I've been trying to taste every dish on the menu and I haven't been disappointed thus far.

  • Pros: The ambiance and the delicious food
  • Cons: Very small, but cozy
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/21/08

Best french bistro in the east village

by billyburgfood at Citysearch

I actually discovered Leon after staff at Juliette (in williamsburg) told me that the ex-manager owned the place - I have grown extremely disappointed with Juliette, and was looking for a nice, laid-back, RELIABLE place to have a nice meal, and friendly conversation.

I cannot tell you how I LOVED it! The (very) nice french bartender (beret and all!), the cute waiter, both very attentive and so charming, took pain in explaining the menu, and making sure that I was taken care of (I was having dinner by myself). Outstanding squids, and the fish special was superb!

The only glitch was the espresso, and the fact that the menu is a little different from the one on citysearch, but altogether a highly enjoyable experience!

  • Pros: Great atmosphere, good food
  • Cons: amex only
4 Star Rating: Recommended

10/10/08

Just Try...

by thoughjp at Citysearch

Resto Leon is an excellent place for some fine dining in the city. It is not pricey, but the food is good and there are some cool dishes on the menu. They also have some nice desserts and a good wine selection

The Details on Resto Leon

Place Categories:

  • great reliable place
  • very friendly wait staff
  • warm atmosphere
  • enjoy experience
  • outstanding squids
  • great music
  • outstanding fish special
  • nice meal
  • great neighborhood
  • friendly next door restaurant
  • nice french
  • outstanding chicken dish
  • gem leon
  • cozy winter
  • perfection decor
  • tasty cuisine
  • french place
  • amazing chicken lollipops
  • great new restaurant
  • nice desserts
  • reasonable prices
  • decent wine
  • great food
  • friendly conversation
  • friendly service