Sullivan Bistro

(212) 228-6091

169 Sullivan St
New York, NY 10012 40.7279 -74.0011

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Neighborhoods: SoHo, Downtown

sullivandiner.com

Hours:

Mon-Thu 8am-11pm Fri 8am-12am Sat 9am-12am Sun 9am-11pm

Last updated 3.15.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

Cash

Restaurant Special Features:

Breakfast, Brunch, Outdoor Dining

Cuisine:

Traditional American

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Sullivan Bistro

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – The traditional diner look is updated with red suede banquet seating and granite tables by a petite countertop. The menu covers a breadth of comfort-food cravings including macaroni and cheese, hamburgers to taste and daily specials like free range chicken stuffed with goat cheese and wild mushrooms. The diner's specialty: thin Danish pancakes smothered in a choice of sweet or savory toppings, like Nutella with bananas or bacon.

Editor's Tips

Parking:
Parking garages on Bleeker east of Sullivan and at Bleeker and 7th Ave. If you can find street parking, you won't have to feed any meters.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “While the decor is refreshing and sleek, the food is warm and comforting.”
dessert
75.0% positive
  1. “It's not really, everything I've ordered has been delicious but this dessert is incredible.”
  2. “slices of warm homemade banana bread with chocolate chips and nuts, topped with banana ice cream and carmelized bananas.”
drinks
55.56000232696533% positive
  1. “Overall a friendly charm and flavorful food and a full bar.”
  2. “They serve breakfast most of the day, and their coffee is pretty tasty.”
  3. “The diner (actually less diner and more restaurant) is shaped like a "U" with a bar/counter in the front (hey, a diner with a full bar.”
food quality
87.18000411987305% positive
  1. “owner/chef. The old place was really horrible--lousy food, surly service.”
  2. “Our meals were really delicious (actually memorable), our server was terrific (very friendly, pleasant & attentive), and we sat at one of the outdoor tables (charming).”
  3. “Excellent food and fantastic service!”
  4. “Grilled cheese, french fries, and mac & cheese are all delicious.”
  5. “particularly enjoy the french toast (best I've had), the Monte Cristo, the Tillapia, and the spinach ravioli.”
  6. “While the decor is refreshing and sleek, the food is warm and comforting.”
  7. “They serve breakfast most of the day, and their coffee is pretty tasty.”
  8. “Overall a friendly charm and flavorful food and a full bar.”
  9. “Has a great feel about it, the staff is awesome and very friendly and the food is way above diner's food, just delicious.”
  10. “Great service, great food”
  11. “The mac & cheese was delicious, taken back to its simple roots, not complicated with over-the-top ingredients or uncommon cheeses.”
  12. “slices of warm homemade banana bread with chocolate chips and nuts, topped with banana ice cream and carmelized bananas.”
  13. “These guys have great food and decent service.”
  14. “The food is wonderful- fresh, intricately prepared, and obscenely tasty.”
  15. “My friend got the BBQ ribs with some fries (cause what diner doesn't offer fries), which were also delicious.”
  16. “The food was fast and the service was impeccable which is a rarity in this city!”
  17. “we do actually have another pancake that isn't on the menu- it has nutella and banana on top it's actually my favorite"- being a Nutella fan I decided on the Dutch Nutella and Banana, and my friend went with the Dutch Bacon.”
  18. “It's not really, everything I've ordered has been delicious but this dessert is incredible.”
  19. “got the Chicken Guacamole sandwich with a fresh spring salad with balsamic dressing.”
  20. “Homemade corned beef and hash was the best.”
  21. “Not sure what was worse--the creature that crawled from the underside of the plate right into my food, or the nasty response of the”
  22. “It was served with sauted broccoli,spinach, safran rice-and some incredible sauce-not bad for a diner.”
  23. “The food is delicious!”
  24. “The food is delicious.”
  25. “the food is amazing and the people are super-friendly.”
  26. “The "home fries" are lightly sauteed red skin potatoes with some delectably fried onion pieces, both at the perfect degree of crispy without being dry.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “we do actually have another pancake that isn't on the menu- it has nutella and banana on top it's actually my favorite"- being a Nutella fan I decided on the Dutch Nutella and Banana, and my friend went with the Dutch Bacon.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “Definitely a great place.”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “The four of us all enjoyed our meals which were excellent and the service was wonderful will definitely go back!”
service
89.73999977111816% positive
  1. “owner/chef. The old place was really horrible--lousy food, surly service.”
  2. “These guys have great food and decent service.”
  3. “Great service, great food”
  4. “the food is amazing and the people are super-friendly.”
  5. “Has a great feel about it, the staff is awesome and very friendly and the food is way above diner's food, just delicious.”
  6. “Excellent food and fantastic service!”
  7. “Besides the great pancakes, we were made to feel very welcome here- both waitresses were very attentive and friendly.”
  8. “Our meals were really delicious (actually memorable), our server was terrific (very friendly, pleasant & attentive), and we sat at one of the outdoor tables (charming).”
  9. “The four of us all enjoyed our meals which were excellent and the service was wonderful will definitely go back!”
  10. “When we entered the restaurant we were greeted by two very friendly waitresses.”
  11. “The food was fast and the service was impeccable which is a rarity in this city!”
  12. “Staff is friendly, prices are very fair, and it's perfect for quiet, tete a tete with you and a special friend.”
  13. “Overall a friendly charm and flavorful food and a full bar.”
value
100.0% positive
  1. “Staff is friendly, prices are very fair, and it's perfect for quiet, tete a tete with you and a special friend.”
  2. “Reasonable prices, great portions.”
  3. “Good eats at decent prices”
4 Star Rating: Recommended

06/08/10

Made MY Homegirl's Bday!!!

by Noel A at Citysearch

Very Nice Place!

Went to dinner for a close friend Birthday. The four of us all enjoyed our meals which were excellent and the service was wonderful will definitely go back! :)

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

05/26/09

Fabulous Brunch

by tnfoodie at Citysearch

Homemade corned beef and hash was the best. I get it in cities across the country and this is one of the best. To top it off, they gave me two poached eggs perfectly cooked. We also had the eggs benedict - perfect. Quaint size - tables big enough - and room between others. opens to street. Love it and will be back

  • Pros: Great food, great service,
  • Cons: nothing
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/28/09

Simply delicious!

by JaneKSD at Citysearch

The Sullivan Diner a classier diner with all the perks of breakfast and comfort foods. It a cute, classy little place with definite diner inspirations. Its very charming.

The menu included classic dishes and great breakfast items. I got the Chicken Guacamole sandwich with a fresh spring salad with balsamic dressing.The sandwich was made with tender grilled chicken breast and the freshest guacamole. It was so flavorful. My friend got the BBQ ribs with some fries (cause what diner doesn't offer fries), which were also delicious.

Overall a friendly charm and flavorful food and a full bar. Definitely a great place. I'll be back soon!

  • Pros: Reasonable prices :-)
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/25/09

I love Sullivan Diner

by susyqnyc at Citysearch

Sullivan Diner is very charming, and a wonderful find!

The diner (actually less diner and more restaurant) is shaped like a "U" with a bar/counter in the front (hey, a diner with a full bar...not bad!) and seats on either side. One wall is red velvet banquettes; there are small cafe tables lined up in a row, a few freestanding bar tables, and seasonal outdoor seating.

The omlettes are very good, the perfect size, and fluffy. The "home fries" are lightly sauteed red skin potatoes with some delectably fried onion pieces, both at the perfect degree of crispy without being dry. Try the homemade lemonade if you desire a brunch drink with more gravitas that a mimosa. Grilled cheese, french fries, and mac & cheese are all delicious.

But perhaps what I love most about Sullivan Diner is the lovely atmosphere. Jazzy French tunes (Edith Piaf? I think so...) were playing last time I was here; if not, there'll probably be something like classy Big Band sounds or some very nice jazz, Louis Armstrong, something atmospheric and simply perfect. Staff is friendly, prices are very fair, and it's perfect for quiet, tete a tete with you and a special friend. I'll be a customer for years.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/28/08

PUT YOURSELF INTO A MOVIE SET

by KAMILLADARLING at Citysearch

REMEMBER "THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE" IN "MY FAIR LADY"?

PUT YOUR SELF IN THAT MOST RELAXING AND ROMANTIC ATMOSPHERE!

ON THE OUTSIDE PATIO,

HAVE A DRINK FROM THEIR FULL BAR

.OR INSIDE AT THE COMFORTABLE TABLES

CHAT WITH THE OWNER-CHEF, RICHARD TAKE HIS SUGGESTIONS, TRY HIS SPECIALS.

I'VE TRIED ALMOST EVERYTHING AND NOTHING DISAPPOINTED.

MY FAVORITE IS THE VEAL PARMESEAN. JUST LIKE THE BEST YOU'VE EVER TASTED, ONLY DIFFERENT.

AND THOSE SULLIVAN ST. BURGERS, YUM. AND DO NOT SKIP THE FRIES. I HAD SOME ON THE PATIO AND SEVERAL WALKERBYS STOPPED TO TAKE IN THE AROMA! AND SOME CAME IN AND HAD SOME.

THE WAIT STAFF ARE STUNNING. VERY EUROPEAN. NEVER HOVERING, BUT DEFINITELY AVAILABLE.

GREAT PLACE TO MEET WITH FRIENDS OR A QUIET DINNER FOR TWO.

OFF THE BUSY, TOURIST BLEEKER ST. BUT STILL CLOSE TO THE ACTION.

I NOTICED A LOT OF LOCALS AND REPEAT DINERS.

AND BY THE WAY, I'M AN EX NEW YORKER, EXILED TO LOS ANGELES.

NO PLACE LIKE THE SULLIVAN DINER HERE.

SINCE I DO SPEND 1-2 MONTHS IN NY, LATE SUMMER, THE SULLIVAN DINER IS THE FIRST PLACE I GO.

NEED I SAY MORE.

TRY IT. YOU'LL BE PLEASED. AND IF YOU NEED ANYTHING TO MAKE YOUR DINNER BETTER, JUST ASK RICHARD. HE'LL SURELY TAKE CARE OF YOU.

AND MIGHT I ADD, THE PRICES!!!!

DEFINITELY WILL LEAVE SOME MONEY IN YOUR WALLET

I'LLBE BACK NEXT AUGUST AND I CAN HARDLY WAIT.

  • Pros: AMBIENCE, CLOSE TO BLEEKER ST IN GREENWICH VILLAGE, BUT OFF THE BEATEN PATH ON A VERY ROMANTIC, MOVIE-LIKE SETTING TO ENJOY SOME OF THE BEST FOOD IN NY
  • Cons: NONE THAT I CAN SEE.

The Details on Sullivan Bistro

Place Categories:

  • delicious food
  • very friendly wait staff
  • great place
  • excellent meals
  • loved american breakfast
  • all delicious grilled cheese
  • very attentive waitresses
  • full bar
  • lousy surly service
  • loved dinner
  • love sullivan diner
  • delightful pretty flower baskets
  • disappointed everything
  • all delicious mac
  • sleek decor
  • decent prices
  • fresh spring salad
  • favorite nutella
  • pretty tasty coffee
  • terrific server
  • bad incredible saucenot
  • incredible dessert
  • very nice louis armstrong
  • fantastic service
  • all delicious french fries