French Roast Uptown

(212) 799-1533

2340 Broadway (at 85th St.)
New York, NY 10024 40.7874 -73.977

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Neighborhoods: Upper West Side, Midtown

Hours:

Daily 24 hours

Price:

$$

Last updated 6.24.11

Category:

Restaurants, Certified Green Restaurant(R), Coffee & Tea Shops, Coffeehouses, Cafes

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Debit Card

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Breakfast, Late Night Dining, Brunch, Outdoor Dining, People Watching, Dine At The Bar

General Info:

Open 7 Days, Open 24 Hours

Cuisine:

Traditional American, French

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About French Roast Uptown

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

Great for people-watching, this Upper West Side branch of the French Roast Cafe is virtually identical to its downtown double, with omnipresent cafe au laits served in big white bowls to a bustling, stylish crowd. The menu (which changes depending on the hour of day) features primarily light cafe fare, like waffles, croque monsieur / madame, and a grilled chicken salad served with piles of mesclun greens dressed in a tasty, twangy vinaigrette. A can't-miss cheeseburger or the onion soup always hit the spot, with a variety of other sandwiches, salads and rotating daily specials.

Editor's Tips

When to Go:
French Roast is open 24-hours, so you can dine 'round the clock.
Where to Sit:
In warmer weather, sidewalk tables overlook the hustle and bustle of Broadway.
Fun Fact:
French Roast is part of the "Tour de France" group of restaurants, which also includes L'Express, Cafe D'Alsace, Nice Matin and several other eateries.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “The cafe itself was really nice with comfortable outdoor chairs and tables, but the service could have been better.”
  2. “As much as I enjoy the food, I think the ambiance and service are what charm me most.”
  3. “bottom line is this is the best bistro around, particularly for a good atmosphere & value”
  4. “The service was friendly and the atmosphere was casual.”
  5. “Great location, wonderful ambiance, excellent food”
  6. “Charming location serving only the best food.”
  7. “am a regular because the service is so great and atmosphere is a nice break from the hustle of working in mid-town.”
  8. “While the place has a great atmosphere, I cannot say the same for its wait staff.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “candle light, knowledgeable staff, just the right amount of flair and personality, and a warm chocolate cake that is to die for!”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “choose to go with one of the special, the braised lamb shank in red wine, which was excellent.”
  2. “Their french cuisine is delicious, and their wine list really has some nice finds on it.”
  3. “One time we were told (after being seated) to go to the bar instead because one of us didnot want to order dinner.”
  4. “it offers far more than a casual dining experience (quality wine list at good prices, variety of beers, great lunch & dinner specials, various french items as well as more traditionally approachable stuff, and always friendly service.”
  5. “go there everyother week, I really like this place the service is really good and friendly, the menu is well priced and the drinks are always good”
  6. “Also, they serve the best cafe au let in town & do make coffee to-go, for those who need their morning caffeine fix (like me).”
food quality
78.42000007629395% positive
  1. “The food was horrible, cold, tasteless and unimaginative.”
  2. “Not a bad experience - I've never had a bad meal there, but never had anything GREAT, reasonable prices, open 24 hours.”
  3. “Whether I take something to go, or eat it in their cute bistro, the food is always great.”
  4. “The food is decent, but not memorable, and the service when I go is never consistent.”
  5. “Their french cuisine is delicious, and their wine list really has some nice finds on it.”
  6. “The restaurant is a bit noisy but that is something that can be overlooked once you sit down and enjoy a great meal”
  7. “As much as I enjoy the food, I think the ambiance and service are what charm me most.”
  8. “To start, the food is a great value and the menu has a lot of variety.”
  9. “But French Roast is perfect at 3am on a Sat night on your way home from a night out - they have great burgers.”
  10. “With so many good restaurants on the UWS, I don't need overpriced food, absurdly arrogant wait-staff who don't recognize they work at a glorified diner, clumsy service, and management that doesn't care.”
  11. “The warm goat cheese salad is one of the best I've ever had (the goat cheese is in peko breading, and it is gooey and wonderful.”
  12. “The food was authentic.”
  13. “also highly recommend their burgers, croque vegetarian, steak au poivre and hummus.”
  14. “choose to go with one of the special, the braised lamb shank in red wine, which was excellent.”
  15. “Bad food.”
  16. “The food is not great and is not really worth the prices.”
  17. “Charming location serving only the best food.”
  18. “thoroughly enjoy sitting watching people walk by while enjoying some of the most delectable french food i have had in awhile.”
  19. “Great location, wonderful ambiance, excellent food”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “To start, the food is a great value and the menu has a lot of variety.”
  2. “it offers far more than a casual dining experience (quality wine list at good prices, variety of beers, great lunch & dinner specials, various french items as well as more traditionally approachable stuff, and always friendly service.”
  3. “go there everyother week, I really like this place the service is really good and friendly, the menu is well priced and the drinks are always good”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “good place to go at 3am”
service
88.33000183105469% positive
  1. “The service was friendly and the atmosphere was casual.”
  2. “Bartender was attentive and pleasant though.”
  3. “The food is decent, but not memorable, and the service when I go is never consistent.”
  4. “candle light, knowledgeable staff, just the right amount of flair and personality, and a warm chocolate cake that is to die for!”
  5. “The service was excellent - friendly and attentive.”
  6. “After being seated, my friend and I were greeted by an extremely rude waitress.”
  7. “Since I started frequenting this place I have never had bad service.”
  8. “With so many good restaurants on the UWS, I don't need overpriced food, absurdly arrogant wait-staff who don't recognize they work at a glorified diner, clumsy service, and management that doesn't care.”
  9. “The staff is fantastic and they will get to know you and almost predict what you will have.”
  10. “As much as I enjoy the food, I think the ambiance and service are what charm me most.”
  11. “it offers far more than a casual dining experience (quality wine list at good prices, variety of beers, great lunch & dinner specials, various french items as well as more traditionally approachable stuff, and always friendly service.”
  12. “The cafe itself was really nice with comfortable outdoor chairs and tables, but the service could have been better.”
  13. “While the place has a great atmosphere, I cannot say the same for its wait staff.”
  14. “The service was intially really fast.”
  15. “The waiters are uncannily friendly for nyc, as well as warm and knowledgeable.”
  16. “am a regular because the service is so great and atmosphere is a nice break from the hustle of working in mid-town.”
  17. “thoroughly enjoy sitting watching people walk by while enjoying some of the most delectable french food i have had in awhile.”
  18. “go there everyother week, I really like this place the service is really good and friendly, the menu is well priced and the drinks are always good”
value
73.33000183105469% positive
  1. “it offers far more than a casual dining experience (quality wine list at good prices, variety of beers, great lunch & dinner specials, various french items as well as more traditionally approachable stuff, and always friendly service.”
  2. “Not a bad experience - I've never had a bad meal there, but never had anything GREAT, reasonable prices, open 24 hours.”
  3. “With so many good restaurants on the UWS, I don't need overpriced food, absurdly arrogant wait-staff who don't recognize they work at a glorified diner, clumsy service, and management that doesn't care.”
  4. “The food is not great and is not really worth the prices.”
  5. “bottom line is this is the best bistro around, particularly for a good atmosphere & value”
  6. “To start, the food is a great value and the menu has a lot of variety.”
3 Star Rating: Average

06/27/10

Nice spot for Brunch

by Wayne B Charles at Citysearch

I went here one early afternoon with a friend. The cafe itself was really nice with comfortable outdoor chairs and tables, but the service could have been better. We ordered coffee and omlettes . I'm told that it is open 24hrs which is good.

  • Pros: good Atmosphere
  • Cons: Service not the best
1 Star Rating: Poor

04/02/10

Grossed out

by Linda Herlihy at Citysearch

At the bar with friends we saw how 3 employees hung over a chocolate dessert in a cocktail glass. 1 was (rightly) compaining that it was congealed, so all 3 of them were scraping away at the surface, then disguised it with whipped cream out of a can. This was at approx. 10:30pm on Friday 4/2 - well past April Fools Day. Totally gross.

  • Pros: Nice bar staff
  • Cons: Out of customers view, disgusting practices
4 Star Rating: Recommended

08/03/09

New Cheese Course!

by jgoodlight123 at Citysearch

I have been coming here forever since I live right across the street. I am a regular because the service is so great and atmosphere is a nice break from the hustle of working in mid-town.

They just started a new cheese course and I just thought it was amazing. I am a cheese lover and the cheeses they chose were perfect. I really enjoyed the additon and thought I would spread the word! GOGOGO!

  • Pros: Love New Addition!
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

07/22/09

The Recessionista's Paris

by Jindigo at Citysearch

I have to say, every summer I have travelled to Paris, but this summer due to some financial straits I haven't been able to go..luckily French Roast is here!!

The decor is right on par, and the restaurant is far enough uptown that you are away from the hustle and bustle and when I came on to review I was happy to see the tag-line.

No one rushed me as I read the baby and drank my coffee. The eggs were just like the ones on the Champs de Elyssee. Perfect! Love it here!

  • Pros: Manhattan or Paris
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

07/10/09

A Toast to French Roast!

by Kathysmith229 at Citysearch

I can't believe i just discovered this place. Somewhere that's open 24 hrs a day this high uptown makes it a gem within itself, but the food, service, and decor makes this place unbeatable.

I thoroughly enjoy sitting watching people walk by while enjoying some of the most delectable french food i have had in awhile. I really savored every bite.

This restaurant should not be missed!!

  • Pros: Setting, French Onion Soup
  • Cons: Leaving at the end of the meal

Green Restaurant All Certified Green Restaurants® meet the minimum certification criteria of the science-based standards of the Green Restaurant Association (GRA), a national non profit dedicated to Greening Restaurants since 1990. Certified Green Restaurants® implement transparent and verified environmental steps in seven environmental categories: Energy, Water, Chemicals, Food, Packaging, Waste, and Building. Learn more about the GRA's standards and how to Dine Green.

The Details on French Roast Uptown

Place Categories:

  • friendly service
  • delectable french food
  • not really worth food
  • great place
  • horrible experience
  • never bad great meal
  • great location
  • attentive bartender
  • great burgers
  • great value
  • great atmosphere
  • wonderful little bistro
  • fantastic staff
  • uncannily friendly waiters
  • highly recommend steak au poivre
  • always good drinks
  • awesome treat
  • nice finds
  • nice brunch
  • best cafe au
  • memorable nothing
  • best breakfast quesadillas
  • not overpriced arrogant waitstaff
  • good prices
  • not overpriced management
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