A tiny, bustling eatery known for its big brunch.

(845) 694-4535

156 Chambers St (nr. Greenwich St.)
New York, NY 10007 40.7159 -74.0101

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Neighborhoods: Tribeca, Downtown

KITCHENETTERESTAURANT.COM

Hours:

Mon-Fri 7:30am-10pm

Sat-Sun 9am-10pm

Last updated 10.17.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Family-Friendly Dining, Breakfast, Romantic Dining, Brunch

Cuisine:

Traditional American

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What People Are Saying About Kitchenette

The Owner

Kitchenette

Owner

Kitchenette has grown from its tiny beginnings in a 9 stool diner to become a bustling cornerstone of hearty American cuisine. Touted as having the best brunch in NYC by Citysearch as well as Time Out magazine, Kitchenette serves up stacks of fruited pancakes and fluffy scrambled eggs with melt in your mouth biscuits to neighborhood people, business people and tourists alike. Dinner is also served 7 nights a week so if Turkey Meatloaf with gravy and mashed potatoes or Chicken and Biscuits is what you crave, Kitchenette is sure to please. Catering has also become an integral part of…

Provided by CityGrid

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Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – Tribeca locals jam the long rows of small, tightly-packed tables in this popular brunch spot. The all-day breakfast menu boasts a long list of casual classics: Scrambled eggs, home fries, bacon and the like. A Midwestern streak--evidenced in the melting of fresh strawberries into the butter--ennobles the signature french toast. With bottomless cups of coffee, it's the kind of place where regulars linger.

Editor's Tips

The Extras:
Kitchenette offers catering for business events and weddings, but more exciting is the idea of picking up a picnic basket and heading over to one of the area parks.
ambiance
80.0% positive
  1. “Nonetheless, the food is good (though not by any means the best around) and the atmosphere is cheery enough to help relieve the annoyance of spending an hour waiting outside.”
  2. “The atmosphere is comfy and cute, the food is flavorful and fresh and they serve your drinks in adorable little jars.”
  3. “I'll admit that there's better strawberry butter to be had in NYC, but the excellent food, service, and ambience make this a worthwhile downtown stop anyway.”
  4. “Though the decor is cute, the food and service consistently disappoint me and everyone I take there.”
  5. “I'm drawn by the comfy atmosphere, but will no longer go.”
dessert
81.25% positive
  1. “The value is excellent for the city and the desserts are top notch.”
  2. “The food was great and the deserts were even better.”
  3. “Down home American home cooking - and don't forget the yummy desserts!”
  4. “especially enjoyed the chocolate cake!”
  5. “Choc mousse dessert was very good.”
  6. “but the sweets are usually really good -- coconut pie is yum!”
  7. “the best cornbread, macn cheese, shepards pie, coconut cake, fish cakes, fried chicken.”
  8. “The food is overpriced, and the service is pretty horendous, but the desserts are good and you'll want to shag the waitstaff.”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “Need better beer selection for us non-wine drinkers.., though tried a good italian beer.”
  2. “Good food, good value, great coffee, nice selection of the usual breakfast fare as well as some unique offerings.”
  3. “The atmosphere is comfy and cute, the food is flavorful and fresh and they serve your drinks in adorable little jars.”
food quality
64.53000068664551% positive
  1. “the best cornbread, macn cheese, shepards pie, coconut cake, fish cakes, fried chicken.”
  2. “Good food, long wait.”
  3. “Wife had bland mixed salad with oil and vinegar, and very good pasta with eggplant.”
  4. “Good food, good value, great coffee, nice selection of the usual breakfast fare as well as some unique offerings.”
  5. “NY loves cheap, fresh and delicious food!”
  6. “The eggs were runny, the turkey sausage was dry and almost brick-like and the potatoes were odd.”
  7. “its just the cutes little place with cute food, big portions( well mostly) all very tasty.”
  8. “The potato kugel that comes with the roast was disgusting.”
  9. “The atmosphere is comfy and cute, the food is flavorful and fresh and they serve your drinks in adorable little jars.”
  10. “The food is overpriced, and the service is pretty horendous, but the desserts are good and you'll want to shag the waitstaff.”
  11. “good comfort food, but you can't leave without that brownie, nothing comes close.”
  12. “Creative combinations of ingredients and flavors - especially the omelettes and sandwiches.”
  13. “This meal was literally inedible.”
  14. “The potroast was flavorless and the meat was incredibly dry.”
  15. “Nonetheless, the food is good (though not by any means the best around) and the atmosphere is cheery enough to help relieve the annoyance of spending an hour waiting outside.”
  16. “don't recommend this dish.”
  17. “Go for the red pepper and artichoke omelette, or maybe the blackberry pancakes, or maybe just a huge scone with strawberry butter and a plate of New York's best bacon!”
  18. “they got 2 of our orders wrong and whomever delivered the food was so rude when this was pointed out, we were afraid she was going to defile our new (correct) orders.”
  19. “Burgers, salads, sandwiches, and the mac and cheese are all highly recommended.”
  20. “the portions were large and the food was satisfying.”
  21. “the food is just too subpar.”
  22. “The food tastes as good as your childho.”
  23. “The food was great and the deserts were even better.”
  24. “Great food, always well prepared.”
  25. “Though the decor is cute, the food and service consistently disappoint me and everyone I take there.”
  26. “The French toast was dry and lacked any flavor.”
  27. “While the omelet and toast were excellent, the pancakes were very disappointing.”
  28. “Great service, great food”
  29. “Down home American home cooking - and don't forget the yummy desserts!”
  30. “The food was decent, but I probably wouldn't go back for dinner.”
  31. “While I have waited my fair share for service, I've never been disappointed with the meal, expecially when I was in need of some good ol' comfort food.”
  32. “Terrible service, disgusting food”
  33. “I'll admit that there's better strawberry butter to be had in NYC, but the excellent food, service, and ambience make this a worthwhile downtown stop anyway.”
  34. “live by Kitchenette and love the food.”
  35. “Baked fries good.”
  36. “The Huevos Rancheros are bland and were served over stale tortillas and without any sauce, beans, or cheese.”
  37. “$10 was alot to pay for this terrible misleading dish.”
  38. “Biscuits, bacon, and garlic oven fries are all wonderful, and someday I'll have room to try and comment on the heavenly-looking baked goods in the display case.”
  39. “Trust me - visit kitchenette, prepare for a leisurely meal, and enjoy the best biscuits in New York!”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “Good food, good value, great coffee, nice selection of the usual breakfast fare as well as some unique offerings.”
  2. “Amazing menu with tons to choose.”
  3. “Need better beer selection for us non-wine drinkers.., though tried a good italian beer.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “great place for some good down-home country cooking.”
  2. “This is a great little brunch place, but plan on waiting up to and over an hour for a table on weekends.”
  3. “lunch and breakfast are pretty good, but this is the kind of place that can be really great one day and just so-so the next.”
  4. “good place for breakfast”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “The food was decent, but I probably wouldn't go back for dinner.”
service
58.33000183105469% positive
  1. “Terrible service, disgusting food”
  2. “Though the decor is cute, the food and service consistently disappoint me and everyone I take there.”
  3. “Ok, service is not the best, but we're not talking the 21 club here people.”
  4. “they got 2 of our orders wrong and whomever delivered the food was so rude when this was pointed out, we were afraid she was going to defile our new (correct) orders.”
  5. “While I have waited my fair share for service, I've never been disappointed with the meal, expecially when I was in need of some good ol' comfort food.”
  6. “Busboys and service though was excellent despite mute waiter.”
  7. “The service was delightful.”
  8. “was left speechless by the terrible service.”
  9. “Friendly staff.”
  10. “The food is overpriced, and the service is pretty horendous, but the desserts are good and you'll want to shag the waitstaff.”
  11. “The service was quick, the waiter was friendly.”
  12. “But the other reviews are totally right about the terrible service.”
  13. “Order it for delivery, and you won't have to deal with the bad service!”
  14. “Great service, great food”
  15. “Terrible waitress”
  16. “I'll admit that there's better strawberry butter to be had in NYC, but the excellent food, service, and ambience make this a worthwhile downtown stop anyway.”
  17. “Our server was so helpful - he went out of his way to make us happy.”
  18. “Staff was friendly and responsive, something that has been rare on all my trips to the city.”
value
96.14999771118164% positive
  1. “The food is overpriced, and the service is pretty horendous, but the desserts are good and you'll want to shag the waitstaff.”
  2. “the portions were large and the food was satisfying.”
  3. “The catfish has been recommended and because the price is right I'll probably try again another time.”
  4. “Go for the red pepper and artichoke omelette, or maybe the blackberry pancakes, or maybe just a huge scone with strawberry butter and a plate of New York's best bacon!”
  5. “Once you get over the price shock you will love Kitchenette.”
  6. “Great prices too.”
  7. “its just the cutes little place with cute food, big portions( well mostly) all very tasty.”
  8. “The value is excellent for the city and the desserts are top notch.”
  9. “My fiance screamed and I jumped as I saw the huge creature, which did not run or jump, it walked very slowly.”
  10. “NY loves cheap, fresh and delicious food!”
  11. “No big loss, there are plenty of other little breakfast dives all over the city that deliver plenty of taste and value.”
  12. “Good food, good value, great coffee, nice selection of the usual breakfast fare as well as some unique offerings.”
  13. “Huge portions, awesome!”
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. “The service was quick, the waiter was friendly.”
  2. “Good food, long wait.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/27/11

Great for locals and visitors

by Liat S at Citysearch

I go to Kitchenette all the time. Visitors go on the weekends for Brunch, which is traditional, delicious and has long lines.

Locals go at 3 pm with their kids for cookies, which are also delicious, or for early dinners. I really do think I have eaten most things on their menu, (I live 3 doors up) and their macaroni and cheese is to die for, their shepherds’ pie great, their burgers juicy.

They are lively, fun, great cakes, fab milkshakes (I usually stick with Vanilla, though the coffee one is also excellent) and nice staff. They are very kid friends, not so stroller friendly (it's too small for open strollers they make you leave them outside or fold up at the front, you can't have them open near the table)

I'm a regular, and I bump into neighborhood folk there all the time. It's a lovely local space.

1 Star Rating: Poor

03/29/10

Good Food, BIG ROACH!

by TreyGSR at Citysearch

I was dining there with my fiance this morning and we enjoyed a nice breakfast. Pancakes, eggs, grits, biscuits, you name it. Unfortunately just as we finished our meal, along side our wall (sitting at a small table next to the wall) a roach about 2.5 inches long is crawling up along the wall. My fiance screamed and I jumped as I saw the huge creature, which did not run or jump, it walked very slowly. It was quite a scene, but it just made us think about what we didn't see, and what we ate.

  • Pros: Nice Portions, Nice Diner menu
  • Cons: Bugs
2 Star Rating: Below Average

02/26/09

Not what it used to be

by travelingsalesman at Citysearch

I had breakfast at Kitchenette (Tribeca location) a few years ago and remember the food being great and the portions being so large I could barely finish my meal. Today, I ignored the chance to have a full, complementary breakfast at my hotel and hoofed it down to Kitchenette for another visit. Wow, what a disappointment. I ordered an omelette with potatoes and a biscuit and when the food arrived I almost cried. Although it was still tasty, the portions were ridiculously small. I'm a big guy and wasn't expecting a plate fit for a sumo wrestler, but the child's plate was not what I had in mind. Making matters worse, the tab came to just under $14 and I noticed after I ordered they have a $5 special during the week that probably was as much food. Needless to say, I was very disappointed and will not return. No big loss, there are plenty of other little breakfast dives all over the city that deliver plenty of taste and value.

  • Pros: tasty food
  • Cons: small portions, expensive
2 Star Rating: Below Average

01/04/09

I am so disappointed...used to be one of my favorite Tribeca brunch/lunch spots but has gone downhill...was there on New Year's Eve and was treated poorly by staff, food was so average and tastless

by ny10013 at Citysearch

a huge let down...they got 2 of our orders wrong and whomever delivered the food was so rude when this was pointed out, we were afraid she was going to defile our new (correct) orders...sad to say, I won't be recommending or returning any more - Walkers, Greenwich St Tavern are both far superior - even Bubby's is much better and Kitchenette used to be a far superior...

  • Pros: chili, french toast
  • Cons: rude, crowded, tasteless
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/30/07

Best breakfast - AMAZING biscuits

by cufldhcky at Citysearch

I recently looked up this site to recommend Kitchenette to my little sister, and the only two reviews I saw were 1 star! Ok, service is not the best, but we're not talking the 21 club here people. This is a home-cooked, local-yocal, true new york experience type of place. While I have waited my fair share for service, I've never been disappointed with the meal, expecially when I was in need of some good ol' comfort food. Trust me - visit kitchenette, prepare for a leisurely meal, and enjoy the best biscuits in New York!

  • Pros: great food
  • Cons: slightly pricey, slow service

The Details on Kitchenette

Place Categories:

  • good ol comfort food
  • terrible service
  • overpriced food
  • great little brunch place
  • nice breakfast
  • especially good square biscuit
  • love crisp bacon
  • most wonderful brunch
  • enjoy best biscuits
  • comfy atmosphere
  • big portions
  • not yummy desserts
  • excellent value
  • recommend kitchenette
  • not recommend misleading dish
  • yum coconut pie
  • almost brick-like turkey sausage
  • huge plate
  • huge creature
  • best cornbread
  • great coffee
  • stale tortillas
  • very disappointing pancakes
  • friendly staff
  • great everything

Message from Kitchenette

  • Comfort Food at its best
  • Great for Brunch and Breakfast
  • Take-out & Delivery available

Kitchenette has grown from its tiny beginnings in a 9 stool diner to become a bustling cornerstone of hearty American cuisine. Touted as having the best brunch in NYC by Citysearch as well as Time Out magazine, Kitchenette serves up stacks of fruited pancakes and fluffy scrambled eggs with melt in your mouth biscuits to neighborhood people, business people and tourists alike. Dinner is also served 7 nights a week so if Turkey Meatloaf with gravy and mashed potatoes or Chicken and Biscuits is what you crave, Kitchenette is sure to please. Catering has also become an integral part of Kitchenette. Whatever the occasion-business or personal, Kitchenette will customize just the right menu. Stop by any time and you will be transported you from your busy NYC life to a relaxed country diner in the heart of New England.

Kitchenette