City Crab & Seafood Company

(212) 529-3800

235 Park Ave S (at 19th St.)
New York, NY 10003 40.7377 -73.988

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Neighborhoods: Gramercy Park, Midtown

Hours:

Mon-Thu, noon-11pm

Fri, noon-midnight

Sat, noon-4pm and 5pm-midnight

Sun, noon-4pm and 5pm-11pm

Last updated 10.17.11

Category:

Restaurants, Food & Dining, Catering

Payment Methods:

Gift Certificate, American Express, Discover, Visa, MasterCard

Catering Services:

Restaurant Management

Restaurant Special Features:

Brunch, Group Dining

Cuisine:

Chowder, Steakhouse, Seafood

What People Are Saying About City Crab & Seafood Company

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – City Crab successfully approximates the good cheer of a seaside lobster house. Go with office mates or take the family--anybody in front of whom you won't be embarrassed to wear a lobster bib. The room is bright, clean and attractive, with huge windows that open to Park Avenue South and a bustling raw bar off to the side. – – The Food – Diners choose from a variety of oysters, crabs, chowders, and seafood standards like crab cakes, catfish and salmon. In addition, there are limited salads and meat dishes for those without a hankering for the sea's bounty.…

Editor's Tips

The Extras:
On Saturday and Sunday head to the jazz brunch for a live musical accompaniment to your meal.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. The food is really good, the wait is never too long, the atmosphere is family friendly.
  2. Great food, great service, great menu, great location.
  3. After going to 4 restaurant in the area on a busy Sat night we wanted good food and a table for two where we weren't smushed and we got it, a nice table upstairs which was actually cozy.
  4. Great for elegant and romantic dinners.
  5. The atmosphere, and service were good.
  6. The service is good considering the area you are in, the ambience is nothing great, but fits the establishment.
  7. not a romantic place for a date but a good place for a big group.
  8. The meal was delicious and the atmosphere is fun, relaxing and comfortable.
  9. recommended this restaurant to two of my co-workers and they went there and have been raving about how good the food and atmosphere is ever since.
  10. Low key, great service, funny helpful waiter and so much fun.
  11. Outstanding sea food at a great location near union sq.
  12. great place that is most definitely known in NYC for their quality food and great atmosphere.
  13. Great atmosphere
  14. many other great restaurants for great fish, service and decor.
dessert
75.0% positive
  1. The chocolate mousse was rich and indulgent.
  2. Oysters were fresh & tasty, crabcake was outstanding - lots of crab meat not lots of filler, tuna steak was perfectly seared, sea bass cooked to perfection, and the desserts (key lime and peach cobbler) were even top notch.
  3. The tiramisu for dessert was very good, but the chocolate torte was dense, bitter and soggy - the only lowlight of the evening.
  4. Apps were fantastic and the desert was good too.
  5. My roommate's crab cakes were good, with actual big pieces of crab, which is not so common (I don't think she liked them so much, but I thought they were yummy).
  6. The fish entree was tasteless and the sides are presented poorly and in tons of heavy cream.
  7. They tried comping our kids with desserts (of course well received by my little devils), but this can not make up for poor svc, mediocre food (maybe burgers & fries were ok) & ineptitude of it's staff.
  8. key lime pie not bad.
drinks
77.77999877929688% positive
  1. The tables are a little high, and the bar stools you have to sit on, (if you sit at a high table) are a little uncomfortable.
  2. There is only a tap downstairs though, and my beer brought up from downstairs was warm (one of the reasons for only 4 stars).
  3. If you want to eat some tasty oysters and are to far from from the oyster bar in grand central this is the place to go.
  4. City Crab & Seafood has an extensive food and drink menu.
  5. we had a great appetizer, some good wine and our entrees were delicious.
  6. The service was superb, the drinks were wonderful and the food was delicious.
  7. washed them down with a cold beer
  8. The perfect meal; delux combo raw bar as an appetizer, King crab as your entree.
  9. The seafood was great and there is a tremendous wine selection.
  10. We started with a Spicy Tuna Roll from the sushi bar, which was fresh, cold and nicely spicy.
  11. The popcorn shrimp was good but not the crab legs or the mixed raw bar.
  12. We went on a busy Friday night and ate in the bar area downstairs the place was packed but our service was still great.
  13. Only thing I didn't like was the uncomfortable high bar table seatings towards the front of the restaurant.
  14. Whilst it wont happen for everyone, they didn't have our first choice of wine and so we were offered a fantastic (more expensive) bottle at the same price.
  15. We sat at one of the bar tables near the front and the place was packed, but it was a great dining experience.
food quality
77.2700023651123% positive
  1. Great seafood, great service
  2. The chowder was rich and tasty.
  3. The Clam Chowder was decent, but could have used more potatoes.
  4. Outstanding sea food at a great location near union sq.
  5. had 5 meager scallops with a bunch of cold, soggy potatoes and some sugar snap peas (the best thing we ate).
  6. The seafood is outstanding, Alaskian King Crab legs is the way to go.
  7. Service was a little slow but the food is worth the wait.
  8. Awesome seafood!
  9. We started with a Spicy Tuna Roll from the sushi bar, which was fresh, cold and nicely spicy.
  10. The fish entree was tasteless and the sides are presented poorly and in tons of heavy cream.
  11. broiled lobster is always good and suprisingly tasty french fries.
  12. The portions are just right and the food is so rich that it only takes a little to fill you.
  13. Oysters were fresh & tasty, crabcake was outstanding - lots of crab meat not lots of filler, tuna steak was perfectly seared, sea bass cooked to perfection, and the desserts (key lime and peach cobbler) were even top notch.
  14. was stuck with cold crab claws, and the rest of the table was served cold swordfish or cod with cold mashed potatoes.
  15. Not the greatest food but good enough.
  16. From the waitstaff (who must think they are above everyone else on the planet) to the overrated food (lobster bisque/crabcakes - you name it), its just not worth the time nor the experience.
  17. After going to 4 restaurant in the area on a busy Sat night we wanted good food and a table for two where we weren't smushed and we got it, a nice table upstairs which was actually cozy.
  18. ate at City Crab 6 months ago and the food and service were excellent, but on my most recent visit (8/22/09) the standards had dropped so low that it was a shell (pun intended) of its former self.
  19. had the jumbo shrimp cocktail which was very good.
  20. Good service, good sorbet, bad seafood.
  21. overall they did good job, just not the best food in town.
  22. The service was impeccable and the alaskan king crab legs were delicious!
  23. The seafood is definitely not fresh.
  24. The food is really good, the wait is never too long, the atmosphere is family friendly.
  25. great place that is most definitely known in NYC for their quality food and great atmosphere.
  26. Will be going back for good food and good times again soon.
  27. AVOID if you really enjoy seafood.
  28. atmostphere/service. However my boyfriend's meal (alaskan king crab legs) was excellent.
  29. love seafood and so does my bestfriend.
  30. Great food.
  31. Hard to get up on the stool if you're not tall enough and you're legs feel numb once you get down from stuffing yourself with a wonderful meal.
  32. Wonderful food but a little pricey.
  33. I've never had a bad meal.
  34. Great lobster and terrific crab legs.
  35. Don't bring friends who don't like seafood.
  36. My roommate assured me that her claw was good, but I think that perhaps for restaurant week they give you one fresh lobster and one not as fresh.
  37. The raw oysters were not so great and the soft shell crabs were not fresh.
  38. This is my favorite seafood in NYC.
  39. Great food, great service, great menu, great location.
  40. Try the delicious seafood at this place.
  41. many other great restaurants for great fish, service and decor.
  42. When food came, some dishes were already cold.
  43. recommend the alaskan king crab legs in garlic butter.
  44. Casual, friendly & tasty
  45. The meal was delicious and the atmosphere is fun, relaxing and comfortable.
  46. The Lobster Bisque appetizer was not too fresh.
  47. Pricey but good food.
  48. The rawbar offerings are fresh, cold and succulent.
  49. They tried comping our kids with desserts (of course well received by my little devils), but this can not make up for poor svc, mediocre food (maybe burgers & fries were ok) & ineptitude of it's staff.
  50. My roommate's crab cakes were good, with actual big pieces of crab, which is not so common (I don't think she liked them so much, but I thought they were yummy).
  51. However, last night the food was so bad it will definitely be our last visit there.
  52. The food is good, but definitely not worth the price.
  53. The salmon with horseradish was really good.
  54. good selection of seafood that was fresh and delicious.
  55. The fish I ordered was a little on the dry side but the services was pretty good.
  56. This seafood restaurant is excellent.
  57. was not impressed with the salmon, which was dry and tasteless.
  58. The perfect meal; delux combo raw bar as an appetizer, King crab as your entree.
  59. Jumpo shrimp with crabmeat filling was absolutely divine, Everything was Great!
  60. All that trouble for changing our orders numerous times and the food wasn't impressive in the least.
  61. The seafood was great and there is a tremendous wine selection.
  62. OK this place is called city crab that might have been good information to give us at the door.
  63. The food was very good but the service made it now worth returning.
  64. The food is absolutely delicious and fresh.
  65. It is simply great seafood for a reasonable price.
  66. It wasn't drowned in sauce or overcooked, and it was a good portion, enough that I ate about half and took the other half home with me.
  67. City Crab & Seafood has an extensive food and drink menu.
  68. The service was superb, the drinks were wonderful and the food was delicious.
  69. My advice: There are MANY great seafood places in the city all competing for your business in this economy, and there is NO reason to settle for a place this awful when you're spending that much money.
  70. After such a crappy experience, we expected a good chunk of our meal to be comped, but we merely received a random $38 credit toward our $270 bill!
  71. My king crab legs were cold and dry.
  72. with dirty dishes?
  73. The management and waiters are rude, the food took almost an hour and there were no apologies given, only "its busy so its going to take a while
  74. Service was great and the food was really, really good.
  75. The lobster was a bit dry but pretty tasty.
  76. went here for a company lunch and the food was absolutely delicious, especially the seafood.
  77. The popcorn shrimp was good but not the crab legs or the mixed raw bar.
  78. Overall, I was very pleased with the food for restaurant week, especially as I mentioned I usually only like lobster straight out of the ocean in Maine; and the service was wonderful - it meant a lot to us that they didn't try to rush us or get upset that
  79. The food wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great either.
  80. King crab, oysters, mixed greens, clam chowda, calamare & virgin banana/strawberry daiquories were good.
  81. But if you want great crab legs this is the place to be.
  82. The caramelized banana on the creme brulee was great, but the creme brulee itself lacked a firmness I'm used to.
  83. great svc, food ok
  84. recommended this restaurant to two of my co-workers and they went there and have been raving about how good the food and atmosphere is ever since.
  85. love seafood and am very impressed with City Crab.
  86. If you want to eat some tasty oysters and are to far from from the oyster bar in grand central this is the place to go.
  87. we had a great appetizer, some good wine and our entrees were delicious.
  88. The stone crab was good (if you are a Northerner), but not really good if you've ever spent time down south.
menu variety
77.77999877929688% positive
  1. good selection of seafood that was fresh and delicious.
  2. Went to celebrate my sisters birthday on 9/11 was 1st taken back on the waiters rude answering of a question we had about the menu.
  3. This restaurant located in gramercy has an excellent variety of entrees.
  4. City Crab & Seafood has an extensive food and drink menu.
  5. Service was slow and when we finally had changed our order to the regular menu, we were also informed that our selections from it were unavailable.
  6. Great food, great service, great menu, great location.
  7. The seafood was great and there is a tremendous wine selection.
  8. Good selection but disappointed soft shell crabs not available.
  9. City Crab isn't cheap and I couldn't afford to go every Friday night but it is good, and the Maryland 'tini's are delish (they're strangely not on the menu)
overall
100.0% positive
  1. think the only pleasant experience I had was meeting our waiter, because the service was the best thing that came out of the restaurant.
  2. My advice: There are MANY great seafood places in the city all competing for your business in this economy, and there is NO reason to settle for a place this awful when you're spending that much money.
  3. wouldn't dismiss the place because after all it is a nice restaurant and the staff does try to make it a nice evening.
  4. The cole slaw was outstanding, we consider it the best restaurant cole slaw we've ever had.
  5. I've been residing in the NYC for 16 years, this place was my favorite restaurant until things started to change.
  6. great place that is most definitely known in NYC for their quality food and great atmosphere.
  7. not a romantic place for a date but a good place for a big group.
  8. But if you want great crab legs this is the place to be.
service
81.19999885559082% positive
  1. The management and waiters are rude, the food took almost an hour and there were no apologies given, only "its busy so its going to take a while
  2. The atmosphere, and service were good.
  3. The service is wonderful and the establishment is very clean.
  4. To top it off, a 20% gratuity was added to a check for 5 people, which I thought to be improper, especially in light of the mediocre service.
  5. Casual, friendly & tasty
  6. ate at City Crab 6 months ago and the food and service were excellent, but on my most recent visit (8/22/09) the standards had dropped so low that it was a shell (pun intended) of its former self.
  7. Low key, great service, funny helpful waiter and so much fun.
  8. You can't go wrong with anything you order, and the service is fantastic!
  9. The waitress was very attentive and a pleasure.
  10. We went on a busy Friday night and ate in the bar area downstairs the place was packed but our service was still great.
  11. wouldnt recommend the lunchtime service here at all.
  12. Went to celebrate my sisters birthday on 9/11 was 1st taken back on the waiters rude answering of a question we had about the menu.
  13. Sometimes the service is weak, but I've also had some of the best service.
  14. The service was superb; our waiter was attentive, but not in our faces every 2 seconds either!
  15. The service was impeccable and the alaskan king crab legs were delicious!
  16. Great seafood, great service
  17. They tried comping our kids with desserts (of course well received by my little devils), but this can not make up for poor svc, mediocre food (maybe burgers & fries were ok) & ineptitude of it's staff.
  18. The food is really good, the wait is never too long, the atmosphere is family friendly.
  19. Overall, I was very pleased with the food for restaurant week, especially as I mentioned I usually only like lobster straight out of the ocean in Maine; and the service was wonderful - it meant a lot to us that they didn't try to rush us or get upset that
  20. many other great restaurants for great fish, service and decor.
  21. Our waitress was fabulous and never kept us waiting or looking around for her (and we were even sitting outside).
  22. The service was just horrible!
  23. The only thing I can think of that could use a bit of improvement was the fact that the waiter talked a bit too fast so I couldn't understand what he was suggesting, it seemed like he just wanted to move on to the next table.
  24. The service was very friendly.
  25. The service was great and very friendly and t.
  26. The service was mediocre -- my waitress didn't know anything about oysters.
  27. think the only pleasant experience I had was meeting our waiter, because the service was the best thing that came out of the restaurant.
  28. atmostphere/service. However my boyfriend's meal (alaskan king crab legs) was excellent.
  29. Jason our server was very good though.
  30. The service was superb, the drinks were wonderful and the food was delicious.
  31. wouldn't dismiss the place because after all it is a nice restaurant and the staff does try to make it a nice evening.
  32. The manager, Sue, is radiant and her warm personality resonates throughout the restaurant.
  33. He agreed that, yes, the service was indeed bad, and quickly scampered back to his booth after assuring us he would fix the situation.
  34. The service was great, we were very attentively waited on.
  35. Good service, good sorbet, bad seafood.
  36. our waiter could have been a little more attentive.
  37. Great food, great service, great menu, great location.
  38. The food was very good but the service made it now worth returning.
  39. The service is good considering the area you are in, the ambience is nothing great, but fits the establishment.
value
78.94999980926514% positive
  1. hate it when chowder has huge chunks of potatoe and is REALLY thick like gravy.
  2. It is simply great seafood for a reasonable price.
  3. definetly recommend City Crab, but if you're looking for the biggest lobsters in nyc The Palm is worth checking out.
  4. Not a good value -
  5. Otherwise an enjoyable and affordable eatery.
  6. The portions are just right and the food is so rich that it only takes a little to fill you.
  7. It has no unique flavor, it has no taste to set it apart or even make it worth it.
  8. Whilst it wont happen for everyone, they didn't have our first choice of wine and so we were offered a fantastic (more expensive) bottle at the same price.
  9. Wonderful food but a little pricey.
  10. We didn't wait long during the lunch rush and the portions are pretty decent.
  11. The food was very good but the service made it now worth returning.
  12. The food is good, but definitely not worth the price.
  13. My advice: There are MANY great seafood places in the city all competing for your business in this economy, and there is NO reason to settle for a place this awful when you're spending that much money.
  14. Service was a little slow but the food is worth the wait.
  15. Being forced to choose from City Crab's regularly overpriced fare, we told our waited we'd skip on the prix fixe.
  16. The prices are reasonable for NY.
  17. From the waitstaff (who must think they are above everyone else on the planet) to the overrated food (lobster bisque/crabcakes - you name it), its just not worth the time nor the experience.
  18. All in all it was a bit pricey, but a nice dinner.
  19. City Crab isn't cheap and I couldn't afford to go every Friday night but it is good, and the Maryland 'tini's are delish (they're strangely not on the menu)
wait time
40.0% positive
  1. Service is very very poor and slow.
  2. The food is really good, the wait is never too long, the atmosphere is family friendly.
  3. We didn't wait long during the lunch rush and the portions are pretty decent.
  4. Service was a little slow but the food is worth the wait.
  5. Service was slow and when we finally had changed our order to the regular menu, we were also informed that our selections from it were unavailable.
1 Star Rating: Poor

03/28/12

Worst Dining Experience Ever

by Chubby Restaurant Goer

Walked in and have to wait 15 minutes at the bar before any acknowledgement whatsoever. The kitchen is closing but there was no last call or any announcement so I couldn't order food. My beer came but was not what I ordered. I finally gave up and wanted to get the check but bartender nowhere to be found. Wait another 15 minutes before she comes back but shes having personal conversation. She sees me waving frantically my credit card, but ignores me and continues her personal conversation. This is probably first time I gave no tip at a restaurant.

1 Star Rating: Poor

01/31/12

Can't enjoy the food if it is not served!

by Scott KK

Happy hour. Quite empty. 2 bartenders, not really doing anything. 15 minutes, no service, not even a Hi. Walked out with my wife. Most likely will not be back, too many places with good food AND good service.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/16/11

ONE WORD

by Modern Man 2010

AWESOME FOOD!! I will eat here again soon!

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

04/18/11

Great Seafood

by Danny Green

It doesn't matter what you get here it's going to be awesome. Every time I go here I try to have something new and haven't been disappointing at all. There's a good crowd and the service is good as well.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

04/07/11

Seafood Hit the Spot

by ghost98

Took a few clients here for a late lunch and had a very enjoyable meal. Started off with the deluxe cold combination which came with maine lobster, alaskan king crab, shrimp cocktail, atlantic oysters and little neck clams. Great atmosphere and the manager is very attentive and friendly. Good business spot!

The Details on City Crab & Seafood Company

Place Categories:

  • great lunchtime service
  • good sea food
  • great seafood
  • favorite seafood restaurant
  • great atmosphere
  • slow service
  • recommend place
  • rude medicre food
  • recommend alaskan king crab legs
  • nice dinner
  • rude waiter
  • never bad meal
  • good stone crab
  • good portion
  • worst dining experience
  • decent clam chowder
  • cold rawbar offerings
  • fresh lobster
  • cold spicy
  • favorite entrees
  • cold mussels
  • reasonable prices
  • extensive drink menu
  • tasty raw oysters
  • really good salmon
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