(212) 219-2592

18 Spring St (Between Elizabeth Street and Mott Street)
New York, NY 10012 40.7214 -73.995

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Neighborhoods: NoLita, Downtown

ROOM18NY.COM

Hours:

Sun-Wed 12pm-1am

Fri-Sat 12pm-3am

Price:

$

Last updated 4.16.09

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Late Night Dining, People Watching, Date Spot, Dine At The Bar, Bar Scene

Cuisine:

Tapas / Small Plates, Latin American, Asian

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Room 18

Featured Review

Erin Behan

Contributor

The Scene – A neighborhood dinner-and-date crowd morphs into a singles scene as the night wears on and the DJ gets going. The hopping classic-style bar is backed by an antique mirror; leather chairs sidle up to tables; and low clubby seating flanks the bar. A harried staff does its best to accommodate but is often distracted. – – The Food – The menu makes liberal use of Latin and Asian flavors; steer to the south for the more satisfying experience. Start with seafood empanadas, bursting with a medley of fish, or the shrimp with honey-guava dipping sauce, made savory by…

Editor's Tips

What to Drink:
All the wines on the list are serviceable at under $34 a bottle, but you're just as well served by a mojito from the bar.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “My friends and I love this little place - friendly and relaxed atmosphere.”
  2. “The seats by the windows with the pillows are really comfortable and the atmosphere is really chill.”
  3. “Candle lit/brick walled/cushy stooled atmosphere, combined with great food at a VERY reasonable prices.”
  4. “This review is really just for service and atmosphere- we went with a group one Sunday night for drinks after Pizza after Lombardi's- wonderful atmosphere- comfortable and warm.”
  5. “The wait staff was friendly and the decor was beautiful.”
  6. “must go if you're looking for an atmosphere that's warm and sangria that's COLD!”
  7. “Nice and cozy little restaurant just off of SoHo.”
  8. “Super cozy with from its lighting and atmosphere.”
  9. “My boyfriend and I went here for his b-day since it was rated as one of the top 10 most romantic restaurants on citysearch.”
  10. “Everything is just about perfect - from the atmosphere to the food - I can't recommend it highly enough.”
  11. “On the flip side, good food, good ambiance and the service got better once we had a different waiter.”
  12. “18 has a cozy romantic atmosphere that's very comfortable to enjoy myself in; whether I want to have a drink at the bar or get together with a group of friends for dinner, suitable accomodations are available.”
  13. “Great and cozy place to catch up with friends, excellent place to bring a date, and food is really good.”
  14. “the regular crowd consists mostly of locals and we enjoy the inviting and cozy atmosphere that room 18 provides thanks in large part to the wonderful owners who are always on duty.”
  15. “Ever since, I have always recommended Room 18 to friends for any occassion (holidays, a romantic dinner, a casual get together, an event for friends)!”
  16. “The place may be romantic, but we were the only people in the place.”
  17. “Great atmosphere.”
  18. “The atmosphere and ambience was perfect for an intimate evening with a large group of friends.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “Everything from the soup to the dessert was amazing.”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “And the drinks are very unique + fresh.”
  2. “Packed when we arrived but the gracious owner, attentive staff, awesome drinks and delicious tapas made the wait worthwhile!”
  3. “This review is really just for service and atmosphere- we went with a group one Sunday night for drinks after Pizza after Lombardi's- wonderful atmosphere- comfortable and warm.”
  4. “the delicious tapas and wine selection is just the cherry on top!”
  5. “All we did was have cocktails, but it was a very pleasant experience.”
  6. “My friends and I were wandering around looking for a nice chill place to grab some drinks, and we passed by Room 18 which was outstandingly cute.”
  7. “First, must mention that this is a perfect "date" bar.”
  8. “tapas with an asian flare and a wonderful wine selection is satisfying and complete.”
  9. “The service is always warm, drinks are always made perfectly, good wine selection, and tasty tapas.”
  10. “This is the greatest little bar - it's the perfect combination, trendy but not pretentious.”
  11. “Even though it was small, we were seated right away, and the waiter was very friendly and knowledgeable about their wine selection.”
  12. “18 has a cozy romantic atmosphere that's very comfortable to enjoy myself in; whether I want to have a drink at the bar or get together with a group of friends for dinner, suitable accomodations are available.”
food quality
91.30000114440918% positive
  1. “And the drinks are very unique + fresh.”
  2. “Fabulous food, highly recommended!”
  3. “The beef in the ropa vieja was a bit dry.”
  4. “The food is outrageous - everything just about melts in your mouth (try the crispy crab roll and the teryaki calamari salad).”
  5. “The food is amazing.”
  6. “Great and cozy place to catch up with friends, excellent place to bring a date, and food is really good.”
  7. “the delicious tapas and wine selection is just the cherry on top!”
  8. “Everything from the soup to the dessert was amazing.”
  9. “This place has character and really good food.”
  10. “Amazing food, Amazing Staff, Amazing All Around”
  11. “Packed when we arrived but the gracious owner, attentive staff, awesome drinks and delicious tapas made the wait worthwhile!”
  12. “Their food is great!”
  13. “The fish wrap was so fresh and tasty.”
  14. “Everything I've eaten was tasty.”
  15. “The service is always warm, drinks are always made perfectly, good wine selection, and tasty tapas.”
  16. “love this place, the food is excellent and the employees there are just wonderful and sweet.”
  17. “Candle lit/brick walled/cushy stooled atmosphere, combined with great food at a VERY reasonable prices.”
  18. “If you like tapas and asian food, you'll love this place.”
  19. “On the flip side, good food, good ambiance and the service got better once we had a different waiter.”
  20. “Great mojitos, good food”
  21. “Food was great, a fusion in every little dish.”
  22. “Everything is just about perfect - from the atmosphere to the food - I can't recommend it highly enough.”
  23. “The place was not crowded and there was no other apparent reason for the horrible service for I would have loved to eat some of the cuisine others rave about.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “The service is always warm, drinks are always made perfectly, good wine selection, and tasty tapas.”
  2. “the delicious tapas and wine selection is just the cherry on top!”
  3. “tapas with an asian flare and a wonderful wine selection is satisfying and complete.”
  4. “Even though it was small, we were seated right away, and the waiter was very friendly and knowledgeable about their wine selection.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “My friends and I were wandering around looking for a nice chill place to grab some drinks, and we passed by Room 18 which was outstandingly cute.”
  2. “Service was nice and the place is cute but make sure they get rid of the r*ach problem before going!”
service
86.11000061035156% positive
  1. “My friends and I love this little place - friendly and relaxed atmosphere.”
  2. “It's true that we only write reviews when we have a great experience or a poor one, and I have to say that this was a terrible experience, with the waitress seeming cold and unattentive.”
  3. “contrary to a few of the reviews found here, i find the service to be extremely warm and friendly.”
  4. “Our bartender/server was charming as can be.”
  5. “Nice and friendly staff.”
  6. “On the flip side, good food, good ambiance and the service got better once we had a different waiter.”
  7. “Even though it was small, we were seated right away, and the waiter was very friendly and knowledgeable about their wine selection.”
  8. “The wait staff was friendly and the decor was beautiful.”
  9. “Most importantly, the staff and owners were warm and accommodating.”
  10. “The place was not crowded and there was no other apparent reason for the horrible service for I would have loved to eat some of the cuisine others rave about.”
  11. “Terrible service ruins good name”
  12. “The service is always warm, drinks are always made perfectly, good wine selection, and tasty tapas.”
  13. “The service was excellent.”
  14. “This review is really just for service and atmosphere- we went with a group one Sunday night for drinks after Pizza after Lombardi's- wonderful atmosphere- comfortable and warm.”
  15. “love this place, the food is excellent and the employees there are just wonderful and sweet.”
  16. “Packed when we arrived but the gracious owner, attentive staff, awesome drinks and delicious tapas made the wait worthwhile!”
  17. “The bartender was friendly, if bored, and served everything promptly once we got his attention.”
  18. “The place may be romantic, but we were the only people in the place.”
value
100.0% positive
  1. “This place is a huge hit for me and my friends.”
  2. “Good value for the quality and cost.”
  3. “Candle lit/brick walled/cushy stooled atmosphere, combined with great food at a VERY reasonable prices.”
4 Star Rating: Recommended

12/13/10

Great Place for Drinks

by Jody06 at Citysearch

Room 18 has a nice, relaxed atmosphere and is great for a mellow night out . The drinks are pretty affordable, and the food fresh and tasty. Nice and friendly staff. I'd definitely go back.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/09/10

my favorite restaurant in nyc

by sammy9850 at Citysearch

I work close by and have been going for 4 years. I recommend it to everyone. tI has such a laid back feel and the staff is great. Crab rangoon and shrimp dumplings are the best! Love everything about it atmosphere, drinks, food and staff. I've never been let down

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

12/09/09

Amazing food, Amazing Staff, Amazing All Around

by Citygirl67 at Citysearch

I discovered this place on Halloween two years ago when the bar I was supposed to go to was crowded and unbearable. Walking in Room 18 was delightful. While there were a lot of party goers, the bartenders were on top of their game and the tapas we ordered were perfect. Order the Spicy Tuna Sushi Roll (so so so good)!

Ever since, I have always recommended Room 18 to friends for any occassion (holidays, a romantic dinner, a casual get together, an event for friends)!

And to the woman who commented on the roaches in one of the reviews, I am appalled! I have been there REPEATEDLY, and never witnessed one critter! The restaurant is clean and impeccable.

  • Pros: The food and Scene
  • Cons: None
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

12/09/09

Ideal date spot!

by summer422 at Citysearch

I was pleasantly surprised when me and my bf stumbled into this hole in the wall. The wait staff was friendly and the decor was beautiful. What surprised me more was how reasonable the drink prices were! I definitely will be coming back here for some weekend pregaming and tapas!

  • Pros: romantic, cheap drinks, friendly staff
  • Cons: hard to get a drink at the bar at times
1 Star Rating: Poor

01/21/09

beware

by meredithkl at Citysearch

My boyfriend and I went here for his b-day since it was rated as one of the top 10 most romantic restaurants on citysearch. Since I really appreciate citysearch and have found the site to be very useful i thought it was necessary to report this since this place is so well reviewed. As we began eating, we saw a r*ach on the wall. I jumped (I'm so scared of creepy crawlies) and then my boyfriend let me know that he had already taken care of a r*ach running by his plate on our table but didn't tell me at first b/c he knew I'd be so upset. Then about 30 sec later we saw a r*ach crawling on our menu sitting on the table! So we saw three X's in a matter of a few minutes - on our table or an arms length from our table! Food was nothing special. Service was nice and the place is cute but make sure they get rid of the r*ach problem before going!

The Details on Room 18

Place Categories:

  • good fabulous food
  • warm wonderful atmosphere
  • nice chill place
  • nice amazing staff
  • nice little restaurant
  • great experience
  • delicious tapas
  • amazing everything
  • fresh fish wrap
  • great highly
  • warm owners
  • fantastic pomegranate mojitos
  • awesome drinks
  • very friendly waiter
  • terrible service ruins
  • crispy teryaki calamari salad
  • dry beef
  • bad sangria
  • beautiful decor
  • perfect combination
  • crispy crab roll
  • perfect fit
  • nice service
  • sweet employees
  • disappoint nothing

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