Gramercy Tavern

(212) 477-0777

42 E 20th St (nr. Park Ave. South)
New York, NY 10003 40.7386 -73.9884

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Neighborhoods: Flatiron District, Midtown

GRAMERCYTAVERN.COM

Hours:

Mon-Thu 12pm-2pm, 5:30pm-10pm

Fri 12pm-2pm, 5:30pm-11pm

Sat 5:30pm-11pm

Sun 5:30pm-10pm

Price:

$$$$

Last updated 10.17.11

Category:

Restaurants, Bars & Pubs, Brew Pubs, Bars & Clubs, Taverns

Payment Methods:

American Express, Diners Club, Discover, Visa, MasterCard

Catering Services:

Restaurant Management

Restaurant Special Features:

Private Rooms, Lunch Spot, Romantic Dining, Special Occasion Dining, Fine Dining, Online Reservations, Dine At The Bar, Notable Wine List, Prix Fixe Menu

Cuisine:

New American, Traditional American

What People Are Saying About Gramercy Tavern

Featured Review

Josh Ozersky

Contributor

Gramercy Tavern was already a New York institution under founding chef Tom Colicchio. But Colicchio's replacement, Michael Anthony, took the restaurant's vision of classical American cookery and commitment to local seasonal ingredients to another level. The service is still the very definition of unforced, relaxed hospitality and the cooking understated, masterful and imaginative in every way. But it's the way that everyone in the restaurant seems to share a sense of mission--of consecrating themselves to creating a perfect three-star restaurant--that sets Gramercy Tavern apart. That and the…

Editor's Tips

Where to Sit:
Try to eat in the front "tavern" room, which is more lively and relaxed and a truer reflection of the restaurant's spirit than the slightly stuffy main dining room.
The Extras:
Leave room for chef Nancy Olsen's desserts, which come from the dead center of the American tradition (chocolate cake, strawberries, cookies), but raised to an almost unprecedented level.
What to Drink:
Gramercy Tavern is one of the very few restaurants in New York to have a vintage beer program. They're concentrated, flat and very, very good.
ambiance
98.83999824523926% positive
  1. Staff were wonderful, food even better and ambience from the smell that greets you to the beautiful dim lighting is fantastic.
  2. finally found the perfect combination of service, ambiance and food.
  3. The smell of the wood burning stove and warm hues creates a perfect atmosphere for an intimate experience.
  4. Excellent food and service complimented the the great atmosphere and set the mood for a special evening.
  5. love the Tavern Room with its rustic charming decor.
  6. The place also makes for a very romantic setting or comfortable to hang with friends.
  7. One of the best places I have been for classic good food, great wine (at reasonable prices) and a great atmosphere.
  8. The atmosphere is warm with lots of class, but it is not so upscale that you feel uncomfortable.
  9. The ambience was elegant if not somehow oddly casual.
  10. The ambiance was outstanding, as was the service.
  11. Alway good food and atmosphere.
  12. Excellent food and the highest of service standards without the stuffy formal atmosphere of other high end restaurants.
  13. There are far too many restaurants in New York city that offer exquisite food, ambience, and friendly service.
  14. Even the bathrooms merit praise, they are cozy, elegant, and offer privacy.
  15. You shouldn't be if you're just looking for a good night out - it's unpretentious, you are filled up to the gills for the amount you pay and its finger licking good, the service is great and the atmosphere can be loud but you know, I like it that way rath
  16. The food was good (small portions) but the service and the ambiance/vibe/atmosphere was electric.
  17. Gramercy Tavern always presents the most amazing meals, with the perfect atmosphere.
  18. The atmosphere is very nice.
  19. The seating is "cozy" to say the least so we were able to overhear other patrons with the same type of comments.
  20. The ambience was the best.
  21. I've been to several so-called nice romantic restaurants in NY, but this one was the first ever to either meet or exceed my expectations.
  22. The waitstaff are extremely friendly and knowledgeable, and the ambience is a wonderful combiniation of luxe and relaxed.
  23. have had many excellent meals around the world but I have yet to see another restaurant that combines excellent food and service in an elegant setting with a low key, comfortable atmosphere the way Gramercy Tavern does.
  24. The staff is wonderfully cordial and attentive, the food is delicious and varied (you can get inventive dishes besides just run-of-the-mill chicken), and the atmosphere is at once homey and spectacular.
  25. While the room is great, grand and cozy at the same time and the service is right on, the food was just ok.
  26. The food here is great, the atmosphere is nice, but every time I've been here, the service has been unfriendly.
  27. My first meal was a romantic dinner with my boyfriend, and the second was with my boss and his wife.
  28. The ambience is exceptionally warm, inviting, and relaxing.
  29. The ambience is perfect.
  30. My boyfriend and I chose this spot for a date and not only was the food perfect, but so was the service and the atmosphere.
  31. liked the atmosphere of this place.
  32. loved the fact that they serve top notch food in a comfortable atmosphere.
  33. The servings were generous, the selection was really good and the food and atmosphere were fantastic.
  34. The service, food, the ambience all combined to make it our favorite experience of the trip.
  35. The restaurant was lovely, with beautiful Christmas decorations of fresh arrangements and hanging baskets of ribbons and vine and nuts.
  36. The decor is incredibly beautiful.
  37. We wanted to dine in the classy area with a romantic setting in the back but they told us reservations had to be booked 28 days in advance.
  38. However, we really enjoyed the privacy and relaxing ambience of the dining room and would recommend splurging for the 3 course menu.
  39. The menu is sophisticated, but at the same time accessible, the atmosphere is elegant and but at the same time cozy.
  40. but it is suppose to be, the food was average and the ambiance amazing.
  41. The atmosphere in the front is charming enough, but the dining rooms have the ubiquitious over-designed David Rockwell feel.
  42. the food is always great, the atmosphere is awesome and the service is always very professional.
  43. Excellent for any occasion - whether taking your parents out for a special meal - or your lover out for a romantic dinner.
dessert
92.8600025177002% positive
  1. desserts are satisfying but not amazing.
  2. The desert was good but Mathew was the highlight.
  3. But the dessert were delicious.
  4. My favorite dessert is the coconut tapioca with cilantro syrup and I almost always order it if it is on the menu.
  5. Service was good, and we were happy to see our uneaten desserts were deducted from our bill.
  6. Also a great desert menu.
  7. The desserts were fabulous, and the coffee cake reminded us the next morning how much we had enjoyed the evening.
  8. Thanks to all the wonderful staff for taking care of us and the details they added (including inscribed 'happy anniversary' on our dessert plate was very touching.
  9. took my girlfriend here for her birthday and while we waited over an hour for a table the meal was memorable - we got a lot of food becuase there were a lot of things we wanted to try and it was worth every penny - i liked the pastrami, me lady liked th
  10. Great wine list and desserts too.
  11. Taking yummy coffee cake home at the end of the meal was a nice treat!
  12. the service was outstanding as well; the hostess told the kitchen it was my birthday and they brought out a chocolate brownie sundae with "happy 21st birthday" written across the plate.
  13. The filet mignon was perfect, and small enough that there was still room for dessert.
  14. And I recommend the Pineapple Upside Down dessert.
  15. The desserts were outrageous, pineapple upside down cake was delicious.
  16. food was really good, esp the deserts.
  17. By the way, the former pasty chef, Claudia Fleming, still has a dessert on the menu which is over-the-top good.
  18. Chocolate cake is the best in town.
  19. from my first sip of my horrible (and hard to mess up) dirty martini, to the dry, gravel-like pear cobbler, to the way-too-bitter, instant-pudding-like, chocolate pot-de-creme.
  20. service was the best i'd ever seen - from the hostess to all of the waiters that served us (they even gave us a a couple of deserts to sample on since the chocolate tart was taking longer than expected).
  21. had the striped bass which was quite good, my chocolate soufle was also excellent.
  22. Gosh, even the nicely wrapped chocolate ribbon muffins they gave us with the bill intended for the next morning's breakfast were the best I have ever had (and who does that anayway?
  23. Food is layered with flavor and the desserts are exquisite.
  24. Every thing rocks, the appetizers, entrees & exquisite desserts.
  25. The food was fabulous, the wine was exciting, the dessert was a treat for the palate.
  26. Quail and dessert were a bit disappointing, but they couldn't overshadow the high points.
  27. The desserts were all great and the atmoshere was wonderful, but I just thought that a person should enjoy anything they order from a place like this and this was not the case with me or my guests.
  28. At the Tavern, you can have a fantastic cocktail and a delicious appetizer and entree with wine as well as dessert for under $50, anytime between 12pm and 11pm.
drinks
88.73000144958496% positive
  1. The food in the bar is great if you just want to check it out without a reservation.
  2. Sure, the house salad is nothing to write home about, but feeling cheated over this is like buying an expensive bottle of wine and wondering why you paid so much.
  3. Our meal, wine & Dessert dishes were divine.
  4. There is also a bar area with a much less expensive menu.
  5. The desserts were fabulous, and the coffee cake reminded us the next morning how much we had enjoyed the evening.
  6. Get there between 6 and 7:15PM if you can, and be prepared to wait amiably at the beautiful bar.
  7. We ordered from the wine list, a very reasonable red blend from Spain and it was very nice.
  8. The drinks are terrific.
  9. Had two fantastic bottles of wine for about 80 each, very reasonable prices for the quality.
  10. The perfect date place, they provide wonderful service and explain the detailed and complex wine list.
  11. Great wine list and desserts too.
  12. colicchio's food is always very satisfying, he never goes for style over substance, & the wine list is decent, another downfall of many area restaurants.
  13. The bar is beautiful.
  14. ahd the Our waitress brought me the wine label on a beautiful card from the restaurant (remember, it was only $28!)
  15. The sommelier has always chosen the perfect wines for every course and we always feel we can put our taste buds in their skilled hands.
  16. The pecans at the bar are heavenly!
  17. We sat in the front room within the buzz of the lively bar scene and enjoyed 4 courses all of which were delicious.
  18. At the Tavern, you can have a fantastic cocktail and a delicious appetizer and entree with wine as well as dessert for under $50, anytime between 12pm and 11pm.
  19. The best food in town and there wine list is out of this world.
  20. The house cocktails are not to be missed - the peach basil fizz is a delicious original.
  21. It's interesting but after eating dinner here once the only thing I remember is that the bar was nice, drinks expensive and food was only average.
  22. The waitress was a little rude and wasn't very helpful esp with the wine selection and I was surprised that there was no sommelier.
  23. went here for my 21st birthday and the food was amazing and the cocktails delicious--the cranberry daiquiri especially.
  24. like boxed wine), but I drank it because I paid a pretty penny for it.
  25. Everything was delicious and the wine list had choices at all price points - we had a very reasonably priced bottle and loved it.
  26. Pricing is always fair;their wine list extensive with wines in every price category.
  27. Taking yummy coffee cake home at the end of the meal was a nice treat!
  28. Staff was very friendly, drinks were great.
  29. The food was fabulous, the wine was exciting, the dessert was a treat for the palate.
  30. The summer tasting menu is phenomenal, the wine pairings and suggestions terrific (and when we merely mentioned that a particular pairing wasn't great, we were promptly offered alternative wines and a repeat of the course).
  31. One of the best places I have been for classic good food, great wine (at reasonable prices) and a great atmosphere.
  32. The food the delicious, the drinks were perfect, and the servers/staff were extremely attentive and polite.
  33. would suggest dining in the beautiful and comfy bar in the front instead.
  34. Our server also suggested the perfect wine.
food quality
88.21999549865723% positive
  1. Food was absolutely amazing, highly recommend ordering the breads, lamb and lemon crepe.
  2. The food was amazing i had the foie gras and it melted in my mouth, as a main i chose wild king salmon.
  3. Overall, the food here is not quite great enough to make this the best restaurant in the world, but it is worth a visit, especially because the prices are reasonable.
  4. The desserts were outrageous, pineapple upside down cake was delicious.
  5. When we got to the restaurant, we were seated promptly, and we enjoyed a sumptious meal with excellent service.
  6. Really nice meal
  7. We have never had a bad meal or dining experience at Gramercy.
  8. The casual menu seemed to only have appetizer-like entrees and the classy menu had the good stuff, such as lamb, steak, etc.
  9. finally found the perfect combination of service, ambiance and food.
  10. My favorite thing to do is to indulge in a delicious meal at a fine restaurant.
  11. Great place with great food, and great service.
  12. Awesome food, ridiculously careful and comfy service, and great martinis.
  13. The servings were generous, the selection was really good and the food and atmosphere were fantastic.
  14. The food here is impeccable.
  15. Alway good food and atmosphere.
  16. Everything here is the best, from the unbelievably attentive and friendly staff, to the food that is so delicious, it tastes like magic.
  17. One of the best places I have been for classic good food, great wine (at reasonable prices) and a great atmosphere.
  18. The food was out of this world good - especially the special that day - a poached egg sitting in white truffle buerre blanc with seasoned bread crumbs and fresh white truffles.
  19. Effortless service, excellent food
  20. food was really good, esp the deserts.
  21. Unfortunately, the food was overpriced.
  22. The food is consistently great - simple yet flavorful preparations that are not overdone.
  23. At the end of our meal, we ordered Chocolate Martinis which were warm and the best I've ever had.
  24. have had many excellent meals around the world but I have yet to see another restaurant that combines excellent food and service in an elegant setting with a low key, comfortable atmosphere the way Gramercy Tavern does.
  25. There are far too many restaurants in New York city that offer exquisite food, ambience, and friendly service.
  26. While I favor the food at Craft, the overall experience at Gramercy was amazing.
  27. great food, great service
  28. It's interesting but after eating dinner here once the only thing I remember is that the bar was nice, drinks expensive and food was only average.
  29. wouldn't say it was the most expensive meal I've had in the city but it wasn't exactly cheap.
  30. Every dish has become a favorite of mine.
  31. loved the fact that they serve top notch food in a comfortable atmosphere.
  32. Desserts were great - but the rest of the food, while beautifully presented, was just very good.
  33. The best food in town and there wine list is out of this world.
  34. delicious meal is worth it.
  35. The food was really good, wonderfully presented and the service was perfect.
  36. the other dishes were small but well-presented/flavoured (i dont remember everything we ate but i do remember an excellent white fish in a lemony broth).
  37. The waiter was very kind, the food fantastic, yet still interesting and the service is pretty much the best I've ever experienced.
  38. went here for my 21st birthday and the food was amazing and the cocktails delicious--the cranberry daiquiri especially.
  39. ...The food was mediocre and a bit on the dry side (we both had fish).
  40. He recommended a black pasta with seafood, yummy.
  41. The lamb was absolutely wonderful and melted in my mouth.
  42. Excellent food and the highest of service standards without the stuffy formal atmosphere of other high end restaurants.
  43. This was the best and most memorable meal we've ever had!
  44. The food the delicious, the drinks were perfect, and the servers/staff were extremely attentive and polite.
  45. Excellent food and service complimented the the great atmosphere and set the mood for a special evening.
  46. Kudos to Danny Meyer for creating restaurants with great food without the "snobbery"!
  47. We like to do more than just fill our gullets or be "seen", we like to make it an event because we love food and see it as an adventure.
  48. service, in fact, does stand out in the midst of mediocre cuisine and decore, however unfortunate, service is the only facet of our dining experience that does stand out.
  49. good food, great service, but not cheap
  50. the food is always great, the atmosphere is awesome and the service is always very professional.
  51. My first meal was a romantic dinner with my boyfriend, and the second was with my boss and his wife.
  52. The food in the bar is great if you just want to check it out without a reservation.
  53. Still, the most memorable aspect of the meal here is the service.
  54. enjoyed my lamb but my boyfriends was slightly disappointed in his fish.
  55. The filet mignon couldn't have been much more than 1 ounce of meat - truly a ridiculous size portion.
  56. The food was excellent, and we loved the complimentary dishes between courses as well as the yummy muffins sent home with us.
  57. GREAT place to have a wonderful meal.
  58. This place trys to hard to invent unique taste, the result was tiny portions of inadequate over spiced food.
  59. yes it is expensive, but if you enjoy fine food and excellent service look no further.
  60. The food is fantastic.
  61. We sat in the front room within the buzz of the lively bar scene and enjoyed 4 courses all of which were delicious.
  62. The food excellent and well prepared.
  63. The cold lobster salad was more than I could eat, and my girlfriend's corn chowder was the best starter ever.
  64. Taking yummy coffee cake home at the end of the meal was a nice treat!
  65. The food is good, but the prices are ridiculous.
  66. The restaurant was lovely, with beautiful Christmas decorations of fresh arrangements and hanging baskets of ribbons and vine and nuts.
  67. The house cocktails are not to be missed - the peach basil fizz is a delicious original.
  68. took my girlfriend here for her birthday and while we waited over an hour for a table the meal was memorable - we got a lot of food becuase there were a lot of things we wanted to try and it was worth every penny - i liked the pastrami, me lady liked th
  69. There are always fresh flowers.
  70. The last time I was there I had a mouthwatering pork with this incredible parsley sauce and the duck terrine was amazing and had a nice, rustic texture peppered with pistachios.
  71. The food was good (small portions) but the service and the ambiance/vibe/atmosphere was electric.
  72. Not only was the food bland, all the meals were cold and boring.
  73. Was prepared for small portions and good food.
  74. have been to many high end restaraunts in the city and this was by far and away the best meal I have had in NYC.
  75. for that meal was ridiculous.
  76. fresh ginger and gin with some soda.
  77. Every dish was perfection.
  78. The service was superb, the food was amazing, everything was fantastic.
  79. Flawless everytime and we eat here quite regularly and when we need to bring foodie friends for a great meal!
  80. The only drawback was that the meal was expensive.
  81. The elegant dinning room and exception cuisine have made it a favorite of mine for many ye.
  82. great meal!
  83. the service is excellent (like all the danny meyer restaurants) when i told them that i dont eat lamb, they offered me any choice from the menu as a substitution.
  84. The food was tasty and with a touch of flair.
  85. Words are inadequate to describe a meal here, so all I'll say is save your money (for years, if necessary), and treat yourself to this experience, because it's quintessential New York.
  86. Staff were wonderful, food even better and ambience from the smell that greets you to the beautiful dim lighting is fantastic.
  87. Beautiful place to eat - just not amazing enough food for the price tag.
  88. The food was delicious.
  89. The service, food, the ambience all combined to make it our favorite experience of the trip.
  90. My boyfriend and I chose this spot for a date and not only was the food perfect, but so was the service and the atmosphere.
  91. The food was fabulous, the wine was exciting, the dessert was a treat for the palate.
  92. Lastly - to send you over the edge and catapult you into heaven, the food is "divine
  93. good food & service
  94. The appetizers were nice; my halibut ceviche didn't have much of a bite - but luckily I love sushi, so it tasted great to me.
  95. The quality of the food was excellent.
  96. Everything is so amazing, the details, the service, impeccable food combination, the experience is simply unforgettable.
  97. Service was fantastic, thought the traffic was light, but the food, my God the food was divine!
  98. Everything was delicious and the wine list had choices at all price points - we had a very reasonably priced bottle and loved it.
  99. You can usually count on this place for great, cordial service and delicious food.
  100. Excellent service and delicious food.
  101. colicchio's food is always very satisfying, he never goes for style over substance, & the wine list is decent, another downfall of many area restaurants.
  102. Attentive staff, excellent food, etc.
  103. The food here is great, the atmosphere is nice, but every time I've been here, the service has been unfriendly.
  104. Our meal, wine & Dessert dishes were divine.
  105. great dish for every taste.
  106. know nothing of the NYC dining scene, but I do know that the great food, wonderful service, and a clientele that (for a girl from Kentucky) could qualify as a spectator sport make Gramercy Tavern a place I would visit during every trip to the city.
  107. The food is always of the highest quality,beautifully prepared whether in the main restaurant ,or in the less expensive foreroom.
  108. think because I like good food but not stuffy places, this was a perfect match for me.
  109. Service has always been outstanding; food sublime.
  110. The food was overall fantastic: smoked trout tasted like PERFECTION, sweet and buttery and simply melted in your mouth, veal was similarly exquisite.
  111. Gramercy Tavern is great food for reasonable prices.
  112. The entrees were both too salty, but the lamb shank was pretty tasty.
  113. cold food, bad service
  114. We have gone to the Gramercy Tavern several times now because while we have tried a lot of other nice places, Gramercy is the one place where we are always treated with grace, a welcoming smile, and perfect food and service.
  115. At the Tavern, you can have a fantastic cocktail and a delicious appetizer and entree with wine as well as dessert for under $50, anytime between 12pm and 11pm.
  116. Sure it was good, but I know of many places where I could have eaten food just as good or better for literally a fraction of the price.
  117. Excellent for any occasion - whether taking your parents out for a special meal - or your lover out for a romantic dinner.
  118. But the dessert were delicious.
  119. I've been in New York for two months, eating out frequently, and this is the best food I've had.
  120. but it is suppose to be, the food was average and the ambiance amazing.
  121. Best mashed potatoes I've ever tasted.
  122. Great food but less than friendly service
  123. Sure, the house salad is nothing to write home about, but feeling cheated over this is like buying an expensive bottle of wine and wondering why you paid so much.
  124. While the room is great, grand and cozy at the same time and the service is right on, the food was just ok.
  125. The staff is wonderfully cordial and attentive, the food is delicious and varied (you can get inventive dishes besides just run-of-the-mill chicken), and the atmosphere is at once homey and spectacular.
  126. Both dishes were very good but I will get the lobster salad next time we go.
  127. have to say I highly recommend the lobster salad.
  128. The service was superb, food was amazing.
  129. Excellent service and delicious food
  130. Amazing food - every dish is unique and delicious, every bite is wonderful.
  131. The food was great.
  132. First the good: the food is interesting and innovative.
  133. Due to our constraint on time (we were off to see a musical after) our waiter recommended the three course meal.
menu variety
91.94000244140625% positive
  1. We had the summer tasting menu which was wonderful.
  2. Pricing is always fair;their wine list extensive with wines in every price category.
  3. By the way, the former pasty chef, Claudia Fleming, still has a dessert on the menu which is over-the-top good.
  4. After being seated, we enjoyed our surroundings while the waiter inquired if we would like to see the menus or wait.
  5. The menu is sophisticated, but at the same time accessible, the atmosphere is elegant and but at the same time cozy.
  6. Everything was delicious and the wine list had choices at all price points - we had a very reasonably priced bottle and loved it.
  7. The cocktail menu was nice, prices at $12 per and I ordered the Gin-ginger something.
  8. The casual menu seemed to only have appetizer-like entrees and the classy menu had the good stuff, such as lamb, steak, etc.
  9. Excellent dining experience and the menu is always changing.
  10. The tasting menu I had shortly after the special was utter perfection.
  11. Get reservations in the main dining room, order off the price-fixed menu, and plan to make an entire evening of it.
  12. The service excellent and with complete knowledge of the menu.
  13. great tasting menu
  14. My favorite dessert is the coconut tapioca with cilantro syrup and I almost always order it if it is on the menu.
  15. We had the summer tasting menu, which, while very good, was somewhat bland and over-salty in the savory courses.
  16. This tasting menu was perfect.
  17. The winelist is extensive and has a great selection.
  18. The waitress was a little rude and wasn't very helpful esp with the wine selection and I was surprised that there was no sommelier.
  19. The tasting menu was incredible and the flavors were diverse but extremely coherent.
  20. the service is excellent (like all the danny meyer restaurants) when i told them that i dont eat lamb, they offered me any choice from the menu as a substitution.
  21. Service was good but we ate in the dining area instead of the more extensive/appropriate formal dining room.
  22. Also a great desert menu.
  23. There is also a bar area with a much less expensive menu.
  24. Fantastic menu filled with outstanding courses!
  25. We enjoyed the seven course tasting menus which were beautifully executed.
  26. The servings were generous, the selection was really good and the food and atmosphere were fantastic.
  27. The vegetable tasting menu is, in my opinion, the best option on the menu, I order it every time - Michael Anthony knows his veggies.
  28. However, we really enjoyed the privacy and relaxing ambience of the dining room and would recommend splurging for the 3 course menu.
  29. Their tasting menu was superb, service at its finest, we were immersed in true luxury for the shortest 2.5 hours I can remember.
  30. The summer tasting menu is phenomenal, the wine pairings and suggestions terrific (and when we merely mentioned that a particular pairing wasn't great, we were promptly offered alternative wines and a repeat of the course).
  31. Impeccable service, great menus, great setting, what else can I add?
overall
98.03999900817871% positive
  1. Agree with the other reviewer - good place for to take a parent or a date.
  2. have heard this place referred to as the best restaurant in New York.
  3. and it is a great place.
  4. know nothing of the NYC dining scene, but I do know that the great food, wonderful service, and a clientele that (for a girl from Kentucky) could qualify as a spectator sport make Gramercy Tavern a place I would visit during every trip to the city.
  5. We have gone to the Gramercy Tavern several times now because while we have tried a lot of other nice places, Gramercy is the one place where we are always treated with grace, a welcoming smile, and perfect food and service.
  6. My favorite restaurant for special occasions.
  7. Our favorite restaurant in NYC
  8. This review is long overdue~ Gramercy Tavern is my favorite restaurant in NYC.
  9. Prices are a little higher than I would have liked, but is a nice place to treat yourself or someone special.
  10. Overall, the food here is not quite great enough to make this the best restaurant in the world, but it is worth a visit, especially because the prices are reasonable.
  11. My favorite restaurant in 2001 and it still is my favorite resturant.
  12. for service alone, an area where many restaurants fall ridiculously short these days, it's still the best place in town.
  13. Gramercy Tavern is by far my favorite restaurant in New York.
  14. Though the main dining room can be tricky to get rteservations, the Tavern is the best place to wander late afternoon.
  15. great place to get ripped
  16. The desserts were all great and the atmoshere was wonderful, but I just thought that a person should enjoy anything they order from a place like this and this was not the case with me or my guests.
  17. My favorite thing to do is to indulge in a delicious meal at a fine restaurant.
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. In a town with so many great places to dine, Gramacy Tavern amazes every time you go back.
service
92.77999877929688% positive
  1. great service
  2. My boyfriend and I chose this spot for a date and not only was the food perfect, but so was the service and the atmosphere.
  3. best service in the city with danny meyer restaurants.
  4. Excellent service and delicious food.
  5. had one primary waiter, Stafford, who was great.
  6. My boyfriend and I went for our anniversary and WOW talk about attention to detail our server Mathew was awesome.
  7. Further confused about there reputation for excellent service.
  8. Everything here is the best, from the unbelievably attentive and friendly staff, to the food that is so delicious, it tastes like magic.
  9. Absolutely excellent service, almost too attentive.
  10. Impeccable service, great menus, great setting, what else can I add?
  11. The service is excellent.
  12. The perfect date place, they provide wonderful service and explain the detailed and complex wine list.
  13. good restaurant can be ruined by an incompetent staff.
  14. The aromas divine, the service excellent and precise (thank you, Alan!)
  15. ahd the Our waitress brought me the wine label on a beautiful card from the restaurant (remember, it was only $28!)
  16. The service was wonderful.
  17. There are far too many restaurants in New York city that offer exquisite food, ambience, and friendly service.
  18. felt as if everyone on staff was tuned to providing a wonderful dining experience--just for me!
  19. The food the delicious, the drinks were perfect, and the servers/staff were extremely attentive and polite.
  20. Effortless service, excellent food
  21. Thanks to all the wonderful staff for taking care of us and the details they added (including inscribed 'happy anniversary' on our dessert plate was very touching.
  22. finally found the perfect combination of service, ambiance and food.
  23. yes it is expensive, but if you enjoy fine food and excellent service look no further.
  24. Excellent food and the highest of service standards without the stuffy formal atmosphere of other high end restaurants.
  25. The service was nearly perfect.
  26. The service was outstanding and the entrees were excellent.
  27. Excellent service and delicious food
  28. The service excellent and with complete knowledge of the menu.
  29. The service was impeccable.
  30. The ambiance was outstanding, as was the service.
  31. The service was superb, food was amazing.
  32. Beautiful restaurant and great service!
  33. for service alone, an area where many restaurants fall ridiculously short these days, it's still the best place in town.
  34. The service was attentive.
  35. Why do I keep seeing reviews about their "great" service?
  36. The service was superb, the food was amazing, everything was fantastic.
  37. Im shocked that people think it is outrageous to have to make reservations!
  38. love customer service at its best!
  39. You shouldn't be if you're just looking for a good night out - it's unpretentious, you are filled up to the gills for the amount you pay and its finger licking good, the service is great and the atmosphere can be loud but you know, I like it that way rath
  40. We both agree that the service was perfect.
  41. The waitstaff was attentive, but not vulture-like.
  42. Staff was very friendly, drinks were great.
  43. Our waitress, Faith, was very friendly and extremely knowledgable (her run through of the cheese tray was a thing of beauty).
  44. The owners obviously understand what good service truly is and how acheive it consistently.
  45. service was the best i'd ever seen - from the hostess to all of the waiters that served us (they even gave us a a couple of deserts to sample on since the chocolate tart was taking longer than expected).
  46. We have gone to the Gramercy Tavern several times now because while we have tried a lot of other nice places, Gramercy is the one place where we are always treated with grace, a welcoming smile, and perfect food and service.
  47. Our waiters were polite, friendly, and eager to help.
  48. Down to earth friendly staff
  49. The waitstaff are extremely friendly and knowledgeable, and the ambience is a wonderful combiniation of luxe and relaxed.
  50. The food was really good, wonderfully presented and the service was perfect.
  51. Finally, The service was impeccable.
  52. The staff is wonderfully cordial and attentive, the food is delicious and varied (you can get inventive dishes besides just run-of-the-mill chicken), and the atmosphere is at once homey and spectacular.
  53. the service was good, and the bathrooms are nice!
  54. Excellent food and service complimented the the great atmosphere and set the mood for a special evening.
  55. Attentive staff, excellent food, etc.
  56. Our service was incredible.
  57. good food, great service, but not cheap
  58. After being seated, we enjoyed our surroundings while the waiter inquired if we would like to see the menus or wait.
  59. The service was outstanding.
  60. took my girlfriend here for her birthday and while we waited over an hour for a table the meal was memorable - we got a lot of food becuase there were a lot of things we wanted to try and it was worth every penny - i liked the pastrami, me lady liked th
  61. The food here is great, the atmosphere is nice, but every time I've been here, the service has been unfriendly.
  62. The waiter was very kind, the food fantastic, yet still interesting and the service is pretty much the best I've ever experienced.
  63. good food & service
  64. When we got to the restaurant, we were seated promptly, and we enjoyed a sumptious meal with excellent service.
  65. The waitress was a little rude and wasn't very helpful esp with the wine selection and I was surprised that there was no sommelier.
  66. Great food but less than friendly service
  67. service, in fact, does stand out in the midst of mediocre cuisine and decore, however unfortunate, service is the only facet of our dining experience that does stand out.
  68. know nothing of the NYC dining scene, but I do know that the great food, wonderful service, and a clientele that (for a girl from Kentucky) could qualify as a spectator sport make Gramercy Tavern a place I would visit during every trip to the city.
  69. The Danny Meyer service reputation is certainly well deserved; I think "Good evening" and "welcome" were said to us by five different people on the 10 second walk from the hostess to our table.
  70. You can usually count on this place for great, cordial service and delicious food.
  71. was highly frustrated that they could not accommodate our needs, had such poor service, and were horrible in the manner in giving us correct information.
  72. hated the service--no warmth, again too corporate.
  73. wonderful dining experience, everything was perfect and the staff was not obtrusive nor full of themselves.
  74. Our server also suggested the perfect wine.
  75. the waiter helpfully recommended 6 different cheeses ranging from mild to strong.
  76. the service is excellent (like all the danny meyer restaurants) when i told them that i dont eat lamb, they offered me any choice from the menu as a substitution.
  77. While the room is great, grand and cozy at the same time and the service is right on, the food was just ok.
  78. We were seated promptly, the waiter acted truly interested and eager to give the best service he could.
  79. The service, food, the ambience all combined to make it our favorite experience of the trip.
  80. Anything negative that is said about this God-send of a dining experience is an insult to people who love fine dining.
  81. Awesome food, ridiculously careful and comfy service, and great martinis.
  82. Still, the most memorable aspect of the meal here is the service.
  83. the service was outstanding as well; the hostess told the kitchen it was my birthday and they brought out a chocolate brownie sundae with "happy 21st birthday" written across the plate.
  84. The service was also among the best I've encountered - extremely polite, attentive, and respectful.
  85. have had many excellent meals around the world but I have yet to see another restaurant that combines excellent food and service in an elegant setting with a low key, comfortable atmosphere the way Gramercy Tavern does.
  86. Everything is so amazing, the details, the service, impeccable food combination, the experience is simply unforgettable.
  87. The hostess was extremely nice and we were seated within five minutes.
  88. The food was good (small portions) but the service and the ambiance/vibe/atmosphere was electric.
  89. Possibily the best service out there; professional, friendly, knowledgable, unintrusive yet attentive and available when we needed it.
  90. Secondly, the service is the best i've ever had - outstanding.
  91. Their tasting menu was superb, service at its finest, we were immersed in true luxury for the shortest 2.5 hours I can remember.
  92. Due to our constraint on time (we were off to see a musical after) our waiter recommended the three course meal.
  93. great food, great service
  94. Great place with great food, and great service.
  95. the food is always great, the atmosphere is awesome and the service is always very professional.
  96. cold food, bad service
  97. The staff was very friendly and helpfull.
value
64.0399980545044% positive
  1. Unfortunately, the food was overpriced.
  2. Overall, the food here is not quite great enough to make this the best restaurant in the world, but it is worth a visit, especially because the prices are reasonable.
  3. The cocktail menu was nice, prices at $12 per and I ordered the Gin-ginger something.
  4. The servings were generous, the selection was really good and the food and atmosphere were fantastic.
  5. My husband and I ate at Gramercy Tavern to celebrate his birthday, and we had a wonderful dining experience (we were nervous the restaurant would be overrated, as many of the more expensive restaurants are.)
  6. It was a mediocre experience and not worth the hype or the price.
  7. Get reservations in the main dining room, order off the price-fixed menu, and plan to make an entire evening of it.
  8. This place is awesome and awesome places in the city cost you a lot of money.
  9. The only drawback was that the meal was expensive.
  10. Food was served cold, small portions, bad/awful/ inattentive waitstaff, waste of money, waste of an anniversary dinner.
  11. Expensive but worth every penny!
  12. Words are inadequate to describe a meal here, so all I'll say is save your money (for years, if necessary), and treat yourself to this experience, because it's quintessential New York.
  13. Was prepared for small portions and good food.
  14. It is expensive but worth every cent.
  15. good food, great service, but not cheap
  16. yes it is expensive, but if you enjoy fine food and excellent service look no further.
  17. took my girlfriend here for her birthday and while we waited over an hour for a table the meal was memorable - we got a lot of food becuase there were a lot of things we wanted to try and it was worth every penny - i liked the pastrami, me lady liked th
  18. hate large portions, or small portions that are too rich that by the time you get to the third course you're feeling too full.
  19. Everything was delicious and the wine list had choices at all price points - we had a very reasonably priced bottle and loved it.
  20. There is also a bar area with a much less expensive menu.
  21. delicious meal is worth it.
  22. Sure it was good, but I know of many places where I could have eaten food just as good or better for literally a fraction of the price.
  23. wouldn't say it was the most expensive meal I've had in the city but it wasn't exactly cheap.
  24. The food is always of the highest quality,beautifully prepared whether in the main restaurant ,or in the less expensive foreroom.
  25. It is definately pricey (this was a big splurge for us) but I tell you now that it was worth it.
  26. Had two fantastic bottles of wine for about 80 each, very reasonable prices for the quality.
  27. Sure, the house salad is nothing to write home about, but feeling cheated over this is like buying an expensive bottle of wine and wondering why you paid so much.
  28. The food was good (small portions) but the service and the ambiance/vibe/atmosphere was electric.
  29. This place trys to hard to invent unique taste, the result was tiny portions of inadequate over spiced food.
  30. One of the best places I have been for classic good food, great wine (at reasonable prices) and a great atmosphere.
  31. For an expensive restaurant like this there is no excuse to have customers sweating during dinner.
  32. The front dining room is nice and worth it if you can get a table.
  33. Gramercy Tavern is great food for reasonable prices.
  34. Pricing is always fair;their wine list extensive with wines in every price category.
  35. It's interesting but after eating dinner here once the only thing I remember is that the bar was nice, drinks expensive and food was only average.
  36. The food is good, but the prices are ridiculous.
  37. Beautiful place to eat - just not amazing enough food for the price tag.
  38. The appetizers were very good, but the entrees (we tried six) were very average, and at the prices this is a BIG disappointment.
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. This review is long overdue~ Gramercy Tavern is my favorite restaurant in NYC.
  2. The hostess was extremely nice and we were seated within five minutes.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

04/19/11

Great

by Amanda Drumm at Citysearch

One of my favorite places to go in the city. Great and comfortable atmosphere that makes you feel somewhat relaxed. The food, service and atmosphere is great all around. I absolutely recommend this place.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/25/11

Always Spot On.

by mrmikec at Citysearch

Everytime I come here, they get it right. Gramercy Tavern is an excellent restaurant. Very good consistent quality and service. This is always a good choice, whether for dinner or lunch (the sandwich and soup lunch special is excellent all around). I always recommend this place.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/07/10

Worth every penny

by Felicia M Castro at Citysearch

Excellent food and the highest of service standards without the stuffy formal atmosphere of other high end restaurants. Very relaxed setting. Would recommend anytime for special occasion lunches. Loved the baby beets with spiced nuts and the mushroom lasagna. Will definitely try to come back soon.

  • Pros: Excellent in every way
  • Cons: Long wait for table if you don't get there by noon
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/15/10

My favorite New York City Restaurant

by adamlipson at Citysearch

Simply said, "THIS IS MY FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN NEW YORK." Wow. The decor is incredibly beautiful. There are always fresh flowers. The bar is beautiful. The ceilings are high and the colors put you at rest. The service....it is the best in New York City. The food is fantastic. The drinks are terrific.

You can dine in the dining room or in the bar area. They have two different menus...depending of where you sit. I like the bar area for lunch and the dining room for dinner.

I take my daughter to Gramercy Tavern every year for her birthday because I know it is special. Try it....you will see. Adam Lipson

  • Pros: Decor, Service and Food - Overall Incredible Experience
  • Cons: None....
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

12/11/09

Why does this restaurant not have five full stars??

by snandan at Citysearch

I have had many excellent meals around the world but I have yet to see another restaurant that combines excellent food and service in an elegant setting with a low key, comfortable atmosphere the way Gramercy Tavern does. I also think the wine list is top notch.

  • Pros: Excellent food and service
  • Cons: Hard to get a table (understandable)

The Details on Gramercy Tavern

Place Categories:

  • great good food
  • excellent best service
  • great place
  • favorite new york restaurant
  • best memorable meal
  • comfortable atmosphere
  • wonderful dining experience
  • great everything
  • friendly staff
  • exquisite desserts
  • inviting ambience
  • divine dish
  • great cocktail menu
  • perfect wine
  • best birthday dinner
  • nice appetizers
  • eager waiters
  • not like good restaurant
  • nice front dining room
  • not amazing enough food
  • incredible summer tasting menu
  • ridiculous meal
  • reasonable prices
  • terrific drinks
  • beautiful bar