Beacon Restaurant

(212) 332-0500

25 W 56th St (Between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue)
New York, NY 10019 40.7628 -73.9753

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Neighborhoods: Midtown Center, Midtown

www.beaconnyc.com

Hours:

Mon-Friday 11:30 a.m. - 10:00 pm

Saturday 4 -10:30 pm, Sun 10:30am-2:30pm, 4pm-9pm

Price:

$$$$

Last updated 10.17.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Private Rooms, Theater District Dining, Online Reservations, Group Dining, Dine At The Bar

Cuisine:

Hamburgers, Traditional American, French

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Beacon Restaurant

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – Set up like a college lecture hall with three tiers overlooking a smoking wood-fired kitchen, this midtown lunch favorite is too decorous for jeans and too laid back for suits. Tables are well spaced, and the high ceiling seems to vent clatter. A mile-long bar a safe distance from the flames is ideal for solo dining. – – The Food – Chef Waldy Malouf goes lumberjack here with skilled, incendiary cooking. He grills and rotisserie cooks everything that's not nailed down, including oysters. Among the best main courses are the roasted sucking pig with a thick…

Editor's Tips

The Extras:
For more information on midtown restaurants, check out our guide to the area.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “This place was so romantic; I took my boyfriend here for Valentine's Day and we had such an amazing time.”
  2. “Give it a try but do not expect it to be a quiet romantic place and you might have to "remind" the staff a few times as to what you want.”
  3. “Great decor and very good food”
  4. “and low and behold were impressed with the ambiance, service(by at least 6 attentive and personable) wait staff, tasty food and decadent dessert (chocolate-chip souffle)mmmmm.”
  5. “The ambience feels like this was probably a nice restaurant when it opened, but hasn't done much to keep itself up-to-date.”
  6. “highly recommend Beacon to anyone that enjoys excellent atmosphere, food and outstanding cocktails.”
  7. “felt very comfortable dressed casually.”
  8. “the atmosphere is nice.”
  9. “Validated parking is a HUGE plus.”
  10. “Although the restaurant is beautiful, I wouldn't recommend it for a romantic dinner--it seems better suited for larger groups.”
dessert
80.0% positive
  1. “The alcoholic milkshake that is served with one of the chocolate desserts was pretty good.”
  2. “the deserts were also subpar.”
  3. “The coffee cheesecake was pretty good to end things with but we left feeling pretty much disappointed.”
  4. “and low and behold were impressed with the ambiance, service(by at least 6 attentive and personable) wait staff, tasty food and decadent dessert (chocolate-chip souffle)mmmmm.”
  5. “and the BEST chocolate chip souffle - light and delicious!”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “The food was exquisite, the service was flawless and the wine list impressive.”
  2. “excellent coffee-the true measure of a good restaurant and nice music to enjoy and have a conversation.”
  3. “The semollier was very helpful in picking out fantastic wines to go with our entrees.”
  4. “Pizza was the best in town, oysters were fantastic, spinch was cooked perfectly, trout was out of this world and cocktails were so great we asked for the recipe!”
  5. “The bar drinks were great (though pricey) but they gave us free grilled cheese with our drinks!”
  6. “highly recommend Beacon to anyone that enjoys excellent atmosphere, food and outstanding cocktails.”
  7. “The coffee cheesecake was pretty good to end things with but we left feeling pretty much disappointed.”
  8. “Friendly staff, starting from the pleasant greeting by the hostess who saved our table while we sat at the bar waiting for our friends to meet us.”
food quality
92.18999862670898% positive
  1. “Food was good, especially our fire grilled pizza.”
  2. “Desserts were very good, and very fresh.”
  3. “and low and behold were impressed with the ambiance, service(by at least 6 attentive and personable) wait staff, tasty food and decadent dessert (chocolate-chip souffle)mmmmm.”
  4. “Side dishes were an additional $7--the au gratins were good but the asparagus tasted bland.”
  5. “In general, the service was good (the busboys were particularly attentive) but the food (with the exception of the lamb) was average, especially for the prices.”
  6. “Great food & Service with Ambiance”
  7. “Drinks and steaks were excellent but the mushrooms were so salty as to be inedible.”
  8. “The roasted oysters are heavenly, the wood roasted trout is heavenly and the bourbon souffle provided the perfect ending to a wonderful meal.”
  9. “Salads were tasty but overly seasoned.”
  10. “For our entrees, the lamb was excellent--very flavorful and tender.”
  11. “The food was amazing.”
  12. “The wait staff was fantastic, and all of our food was delivered promptly, hot.”
  13. “The service was friendly and attentive, but the food was below average.”
  14. “highly recommend Beacon to anyone that enjoys excellent atmosphere, food and outstanding cocktails.”
  15. “have found the steaks here to be much better than the ones served at some of the big name steak houses.”
  16. “Our food was fabulous!”
  17. “but given the poor quality food and mediocre service your money is better spent elsewhere.”
  18. “my gf's filet was oversauced and the chicken i had was much too dry.”
  19. “We went in a party of 10 and I don't think one person enjoyed their dish.”
  20. “The food and service are beyond what I have come to expect in a good NYC restaurant.”
  21. “The food is interesting and the portions are quite large.”
  22. “The food was exquisite, the service was flawless and the wine list impressive.”
  23. “My salmon was decent but drenched in oil.”
  24. “The food was great, just a bit pricey!”
  25. “Great decor and very good food”
  26. “The food was tasty and the courses well timed.”
  27. “We started with their famous oysters and Waldy's famous pizza.”
  28. “Overall, the food is very interesting and tasty.”
  29. “great food”
  30. “and the BEST chocolate chip souffle - light and delicious!”
  31. “The oysters were delicious.”
  32. “the only decent dish was the oyster appetizers.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “good american style menu that has a lot of traditional favorites that are excellent.”
  2. “Kudos to Waldy Malouf for incorporating NY's bountiful harvest into the delectable menu at Beacon.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “The ambience feels like this was probably a nice restaurant when it opened, but hasn't done much to keep itself up-to-date.”
  2. “This is a great place to eat.”
service
93.47999572753906% positive
  1. “Friendly staff, starting from the pleasant greeting by the hostess who saved our table while we sat at the bar waiting for our friends to meet us.”
  2. “The service was very friendly and professional.”
  3. “They have excellent service.”
  4. “Service was friendly but somewhat slow.”
  5. “Even though several larger groups were in the room we were able to have a conversation and their staff was very attentive to our every need.”
  6. “The staff (waiters, hostesses, bus boys, bartenders) were all very friendly and extremely attentive, which I think is exceptional and rare at most of the restaurants in that area.”
  7. “The food was exquisite, the service was flawless and the wine list impressive.”
  8. “The service was friendly and attentive, but the food was below average.”
  9. “The service staff was attentive, friendly and knowledgeable.”
  10. “In general, the service was good (the busboys were particularly attentive) but the food (with the exception of the lamb) was average, especially for the prices.”
  11. “but given the poor quality food and mediocre service your money is better spent elsewhere.”
  12. “The only downside was the service was a little slow, but extremely courteous.”
  13. “and low and behold were impressed with the ambiance, service(by at least 6 attentive and personable) wait staff, tasty food and decadent dessert (chocolate-chip souffle)mmmmm.”
  14. “The service is very professional and they greet you at the door with a smile, which made me feel welcome, and like they were glad I was there, which is unusual in so many NY restaurants.”
  15. “He made great recommendations and was very attentive.”
  16. “Give it a try but do not expect it to be a quiet romantic place and you might have to "remind" the staff a few times as to what you want.”
  17. “The food and service are beyond what I have come to expect in a good NYC restaurant.”
  18. “The wait staff was fantastic, and all of our food was delivered promptly, hot.”
  19. “Hostess was friendly and polite (which you don't usually find in NY) Definately found a new favorite in Manhattan!”
  20. “Amanda, our server, was delightful and professional.”
  21. “Staff very friendly and Chef make's his presence.”
  22. “Our server Colby was amazing.”
  23. “The service was great.”
value
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. “The bar drinks were great (though pricey) but they gave us free grilled cheese with our drinks!”
  2. “The food was great, just a bit pricey!”
  3. “The prices are ridiculous!”
  4. “In general, the service was good (the busboys were particularly attentive) but the food (with the exception of the lamb) was average, especially for the prices.”
  5. “The food is interesting and the portions are quite large.”
  6. “but given the poor quality food and mediocre service your money is better spent elsewhere.”
wait time
75.0% positive
  1. “The only downside was the service was a little slow, but extremely courteous.”
  2. “Service was friendly but somewhat slow.”
4 Star Rating: Recommended

10/14/11

Best oysters!

by michaelanino

I loved the way they treat their customers. I love the staff, they catered us properly, very polite and kind. the place was very nice, I loved the atmosphere of the whole restaurant. You can see that people are really enjoying their experience in the place. The oysters were wonderful! They were the best of all that I have tasted so far. I am so glad that because of the previous reviews, I was tempted to visit the place. So I did, and I had a wonderful experience.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

12/31/09

Great Place for a New Years Eve Dinner!!!

by Missy1234

Went here with a friend on New Years Eve and was very pleasantly surprised...the reviews read before going were questionable at best...so we went as sceptics..and low and behold were impressed with the ambiance, service(by at least 6 attentive and personable) wait staff, tasty food and decadent dessert (chocolate-chip souffle)mmmmm.... excellent coffee-the true measure of a good restaurant and nice music to enjoy and have a conversation. We will definitely go back and recommend going!!!

  • Pros: excellent service, good food,,scrumptous dessert!!
  • Cons: nothing worth mentioning...
1 Star Rating: Poor

08/31/09

SeafoodDebtor

by SeafoodDebtor

This restaurant has been placed for collection by one of it's seafood suppliers. According to chef, Waldy Malouf, he acknowledges the debt but states he doesn't know when he can re-pay it.

  • Pros: None
  • Cons: Debtor
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/05/09

Delicious

by tasteofasia

I had dinner at Beacon last night with family members from overseas. I was impressed with the service first and foremost. The staff (waiters, hostesses, bus boys, bartenders) were all very friendly and extremely attentive, which I think is exceptional and rare at most of the restaurants in that area. The food was tasty and the courses well timed. I would definitely dine at Beacon again and would highly recommend it.

  • Pros: delicious food, great service
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

05/11/09

Mother's Day Success

by fastchimes

Ate there for Mother's Day yesterday with wife and 3 daughters. The food was amazing. The service was great. Good value as well. Would highly recommend. Mom was very happy.

  • Pros: Food, ambience, service

The Details on Beacon Restaurant

Place Categories:

  • great service
  • great food
  • famous roasted oysters
  • chef wait staff
  • good experience
  • good nyc restaurant
  • great place
  • enjoys cocktails
  • not recommend beacon
  • professional server
  • attentive service staff
  • great bar drinks
  • cool tres
  • only decent dish
  • nice music
  • drenched salmon
  • helpful management
  • famous pizza
  • delectable american style menu
  • polite hostess
  • professional amanda
  • very fresh desserts
  • like types
  • very helpful semollier
  • best chocolate chip souffle
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