(646) 736-1239

131 Duane St (nr. Church St.)
New York, NY 10013 40.7162 -74.0073

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Neighborhoods: Tribeca, Downtown

CITYHALLNEWYORK.COM

Years in business

Established in 1996

Hours:

Mon 12pm-10pm

Tue-Thu 7:30am-10pm

Fri 7:30am-11pm

Sat 10am-11pm

Last updated 10.17.11

Category:

Restaurants, City Offices

Payment Methods:

American Express, Diners Club, Discover, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Breakfast, Romantic Dining, Lunch Spot

Cuisine:

Steakhouse, Traditional American, Seafood

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About City Hall

The Owner

City Hall

Owner

In the Heart of Tribeca lies an 1863 landmark cast iron building surrounded by century old warehouses. This elegant, carefully restored building is City Hall Restaurant. Once home to the Lester Pinkus Shoe Corporation, this restaurant now exudes a timeless feel harkening to past generations. The Menu reflects our commitment to working with local organic farmers and artisans. It changes with the seasons as we continue to bring the freshest ingredients to our table. City Hall's wine list has been recognized by Wine Spectator with the Award of Excellence for 2001, 2002, and 2003 as well as…

Provided by CityGrid

Read more from the owner

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – From the white pillars that line the exterior to the large black-and-white period photos that circle the walls, it's clear that much effort has gone into creating a facsimile of timelessness. The dining room presents a vista of rich leather chairs and banquettes, with great chunks of meat displayed proudly next to the open kitchen and a raw bar tucked in a corner. The adjacent lounge features a long, shiny bar, exposed-brick walls and a charming elevated nook. – – The Food – There are few surprises on the traditional American menu, but enough refinements to…

Editor's Tips

What to Drink:
The wine list goes on for pages, but the maitre d' can provide amazingly detailed background and advice.
The Extras:
City Hall boasts two luxurious private dining areas, the intimate Rose Room and the larger Granite Room downstairs.
Know Before You Go:
The dining room closes at 2:15pm, but you can still grab a low-key lunch (hamburgers and steak sandwiches are on the menu, too) until 4pm in the lounge.
ambiance
88.33000183105469% positive
  1. “The atmosphere is beautiful and normally we don't mind sitting at a nice bar for some time before dinner, but this was ridiculous.”
  2. “Lovely decor,nice servers,food was distinctly horrible.”
  3. “Nice decoration with lots of wood.”
  4. “The atmosphere at City Hall was very nice, as was the food itself.”
  5. “The food, service and ambiance are truly the best in the city.”
  6. “Our waiter was nice but the ambience was stale.”
  7. “My friend and I had always considered City Hall just a comfortable neighborhood eatery that appeals to families and young professionals and the political elite, but I guess it's a celebrity haunt as well.”
  8. “The ambiance was nice and the service was excellent.”
  9. “The decor and overall ambience was delightful.”
  10. “The food is fresh, the wine list is enviable, and the ambience is comfortably elegant.”
dessert
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. “Went with a group of friends and everything from the appetizers, to the main courses to the desserts were very tasty.”
  2. “The waiter was fine, but the spineless manager would not come over to hear our complaints (crab cakes that smelled and tasted like spoiled cat food, tasteless brisket that was billed as short ribs).”
  3. “Though the cost may scare some away (meal for two with shared appetizer and desert, drinks, 1/2 bottle of wine and coffee totalled about $150) it's a great place to dine for a special occasion.”
drinks
96.30000114440918% positive
  1. “Though the cost may scare some away (meal for two with shared appetizer and desert, drinks, 1/2 bottle of wine and coffee totalled about $150) it's a great place to dine for a special occasion.”
  2. “The wine list, while long and of decent quality, is confusing.”
  3. “The staff is pleasant and professional, and the wine list is extensive.”
  4. “The food is fresh, the wine list is enviable, and the ambience is comfortably elegant.”
  5. “Decor was GREAT and so was the wine.”
  6. “the pre dinner drink at the bar was very pleasant, good start, although we waited up to about an hour before our table was ready.”
  7. “Our waiter was very helpful in selecting a fine wine to providing recommendations on selections offered.”
  8. “amazing steak & raw bar.”
  9. “The atmosphere is beautiful and normally we don't mind sitting at a nice bar for some time before dinner, but this was ridiculous.”
food quality
68.00000190734863% positive
  1. “the waiter overly theatrical (when present, which was rare), the food was super slow coming out, none of our 30 and 40 dollar steaks were cooked right (burnt on the outside, rare in the middle), and the manager was blahse about his appology.”
  2. “Basically, we had a $400 meal and there was nothing memorable about it except the horrible service and the horrible food.”
  3. “Extremely rude and worse yet, marginal food”
  4. “The colossal shrimp were very tasty.”
  5. “I've never tastes such delectable oysters; the filet mignon was the most tender meat i've ever had.”
  6. “good american food but noisy place”
  7. “From the food to the service, City Hall was dreadful.”
  8. “We've been everywhere more than once and we like to give feedback whenever we have a great food and service.”
  9. “The steak was extremely tasty and filling,as well as reasonably priced.”
  10. “Amazing food, but they were booked so it was hard to get a good table.”
  11. “Great food and much more!”
  12. “The steak was greasy, the fish was gross, and the chicken dumplings looked like cat food.”
  13. “The food was fantastic (a brussel sprout side that was amazing), and the portions were generous.”
  14. “The food was incredible.”
  15. “Though the cost may scare some away (meal for two with shared appetizer and desert, drinks, 1/2 bottle of wine and coffee totalled about $150) it's a great place to dine for a special occasion.”
  16. “The food was good although we waited a while for our order to be taken then waited even longer between courses.”
  17. “Oh yeah, the food was stellar and that staff was enjoyable.”
  18. “The food they served during the week was so bad, and stingy.”
  19. “Let's not judge on what others say, and certainly give good food more than one chance.”
  20. “From the vulgar, surly waiter unfit to be near paying customers to overpriced food poorly cooked this was the worst restaurant meal ever.”
  21. “i've been to city hall on several occasions in the past and if it wasnt great it was atleast a decent meal however last night was the final straw.”
  22. “The waiter was fine, but the spineless manager would not come over to hear our complaints (crab cakes that smelled and tasted like spoiled cat food, tasteless brisket that was billed as short ribs).”
  23. “Went with friends last night for dinner and really enjoyed our meal.”
  24. “The food wasn't bad but I've had much better at a even much better price.”
  25. “am a big time steak connoisseur so if you are going for the steak, I would suggest you go somewhere else.”
  26. “There is something to be said of a place that offers you warm sushi towels after eating chilled seafood.”
  27. “If you don't want to invest too much then you MUST go for the burger and fries, it is quite possibly the best hamburger you have ever had, made from a special recipe that can't be put down!”
  28. “happen to love the steaks and seafood offered at the quintessential New York eatery!”
  29. “The atmosphere at City Hall was very nice, as was the food itself.”
  30. “City Hall is one of the landmarks of manhattan, how many shoe factorys you see these days transform to a great restaurant, only one thats is city hall , service,food, hospitality and Great Chef Henry Meer, and many more.”
  31. “The food is awful.”
  32. “The food is fresh, the wine list is enviable, and the ambience is comfortably elegant.”
  33. “We can always count on a good meal here - whether it be steaks or seafood.”
  34. “After going to a cocktail party/dinner in the "Granite Room" (downstairs) at City Hall Restaurant for a very delicious work function I decided to bring the family there for dinner.”
  35. “The food, service and ambiance are truly the best in the city.”
  36. “Watermelon Gazpacho soup was tasty.”
  37. “The doggie bag (I couldn't finish my raw meat) was left with the coatcheck because the waiter informed us that they "don't like the food smell in the restaurant area”
  38. “Food was mostly delicious, including shrimp bisque, handcut french fries and rib eye steak.”
  39. “There are a few restaurants that you return to again and again for a favorite dish - City Hall has many.”
  40. “If I combined all of my bad dining experiences into one nightmare, it wouldn't be as bad as a recent business meal.”
  41. “The chopped salad is terrific, and the oysters are always wonderfull.”
  42. “Mediocre food.”
  43. “Lovely decor,nice servers,food was distinctly horrible.”
  44. “Went with a group of friends and everything from the appetizers, to the main courses to the desserts were very tasty.”
  45. “Great steacks, french fries, onion rings and mashed potatoes.”
  46. “Then when you are ready order some steak and seafood because you will leave full and satisfied!”
  47. “The chicken was dry and bland.”
  48. “Both the waitstaff, and bus-staff failed to refill water or clear the table at all during the meal.”
  49. “amazing steak & raw bar.”
  50. “Three of our four steaks had to be returned twice ans still were inedible.”
menu variety
75.0% positive
  1. “am a regular customer , i love this place , their take out menu is great.”
  2. “Didn't have a choice for the regular menu and was basically stuck with an overpriced dinner.”
  3. “Our waiter was very helpful in selecting a fine wine to providing recommendations on selections offered.”
  4. “The staff is pleasant and professional, and the wine list is extensive.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “Though the cost may scare some away (meal for two with shared appetizer and desert, drinks, 1/2 bottle of wine and coffee totalled about $150) it's a great place to dine for a special occasion.”
  2. “City Hall is one of the landmarks of manhattan, how many shoe factorys you see these days transform to a great restaurant, only one thats is city hall , service,food, hospitality and Great Chef Henry Meer, and many more.”
  3. “good american food but noisy place”
  4. “Being recognized by the staff at one of your favorite restaurant is so welcoming.”
  5. “We had nothing but good expectations given the length of time the restaurant has survived in Tribeca,which tends to be rather unforgiving,as in your place gets shut inside a year if you don't have what it takes.”
  6. “This is our favorite restaurant to go to in NYC.”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “There are a few restaurants that you return to again and again for a favorite dish - City Hall has many.”
service
56.25% positive
  1. “Being recognized by the staff at one of your favorite restaurant is so welcoming.”
  2. “The service was NOT good.”
  3. “From the vulgar, surly waiter unfit to be near paying customers to overpriced food poorly cooked this was the worst restaurant meal ever.”
  4. “Both the waitstaff, and bus-staff failed to refill water or clear the table at all during the meal.”
  5. “We've been everywhere more than once and we like to give feedback whenever we have a great food and service.”
  6. “Our waiter was very helpful in selecting a fine wine to providing recommendations on selections offered.”
  7. “Basically, we had a $400 meal and there was nothing memorable about it except the horrible service and the horrible food.”
  8. “Our waiter was nice but the ambience was stale.”
  9. “the waiter overly theatrical (when present, which was rare), the food was super slow coming out, none of our 30 and 40 dollar steaks were cooked right (burnt on the outside, rare in the middle), and the manager was blahse about his appology.”
  10. “The doggie bag (I couldn't finish my raw meat) was left with the coatcheck because the waiter informed us that they "don't like the food smell in the restaurant area”
  11. “service is great.”
  12. “Lovely decor,nice servers,food was distinctly horrible.”
  13. “Oysters were good(but not hard to mess up) and service was good too.”
  14. “Waitstaff is very friendly and efficient but you get the impression management is less then stellar.”
  15. “don't take any enjoyment in writing this,as I am a lifelong downtown resident,and I have nothing but love for businesses who showed continued commitment post 9/11,but this place is exceptionally horrible and people should be warned in order to save thei”
  16. “From the food to the service, City Hall was dreadful.”
  17. “The food, service and ambiance are truly the best in the city.”
  18. “Food was good but the service left a bad taste in my mouth.”
  19. “City Hall,a gorgeous space with decent waiter service (the "barmaid" is a disgrace to the trade),is on it's last legs as far as I can see.”
  20. “The staff is pleasant and professional, and the wine list is extensive.”
  21. “asked how the chef prepared them and the waiter was nice enough to find out every detail for me and now I (try to!)”
  22. “City Hall is one of the landmarks of manhattan, how many shoe factorys you see these days transform to a great restaurant, only one thats is city hall , service,food, hospitality and Great Chef Henry Meer, and many more.”
  23. “Oh yeah, the food was stellar and that staff was enjoyable.”
  24. “Extremely rude and worse yet, marginal food”
  25. “Despite snags, the main server never apologized once, nor were we offered any compensation, which is poor for an expensive, upscale establishment.”
  26. “witht the exception of the hostess and the bartender everything about the place was laughably bad.”
  27. “The waiter was fine, but the spineless manager would not come over to hear our complaints (crab cakes that smelled and tasted like spoiled cat food, tasteless brisket that was billed as short ribs).”
  28. “The ambiance was nice and the service was excellent.”
  29. “Delivery is fast and friendly, I used the taken care by Turkish Maitre"d , he was the best.”
  30. “pushy service”
  31. “recommend you ask for Mark he's the best server I have ever experienced anywhere!”
  32. “The service was great on a Saturday night; the sommelier was helpful and the servants were attentive to whatever we wanted.”
value
28.570001125335693% positive
  1. “Despite snags, the main server never apologized once, nor were we offered any compensation, which is poor for an expensive, upscale establishment.”
  2. “Didn't have a choice for the regular menu and was basically stuck with an overpriced dinner.”
  3. “The food was fantastic (a brussel sprout side that was amazing), and the portions were generous.”
  4. “the waiter overly theatrical (when present, which was rare), the food was super slow coming out, none of our 30 and 40 dollar steaks were cooked right (burnt on the outside, rare in the middle), and the manager was blahse about his appology.”
  5. “The food wasn't bad but I've had much better at a even much better price.”
  6. “don't take any enjoyment in writing this,as I am a lifelong downtown resident,and I have nothing but love for businesses who showed continued commitment post 9/11,but this place is exceptionally horrible and people should be warned in order to save thei”
  7. “From the vulgar, surly waiter unfit to be near paying customers to overpriced food poorly cooked this was the worst restaurant meal ever.”
wait time
50.0% positive
  1. “slow delivery”
  2. “The wine list, while long and of decent quality, is confusing.”
  3. “However, we were made to wait 20 minutes for our table, even though we had a reservation and the restaurant was not full.”
  4. “the waiter overly theatrical (when present, which was rare), the food was super slow coming out, none of our 30 and 40 dollar steaks were cooked right (burnt on the outside, rare in the middle), and the manager was blahse about his appology.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

12/04/09

Lillias White on New Year's Eve

by mjslive at Citysearch

The Granite Room is beautiful and to see and hear Lillias White on New Year's Eve in this setting will be unforgettable!

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

12/03/09

Great Place, Check out The Granite Room

by tgordon1968 at Citysearch

Went there the other night. Amazing food, but they were booked so it was hard to get a good table.

I'm going back for New Year's Eve this year, where my favorite artist Lillias White is going to be performing.

  • Pros: Amazing staff, performances
  • Cons: Hard to get a table
1 Star Rating: Poor

01/24/09

AWFUL - Go somewhere else!

by bdorfman at Citysearch

I ate at City Hall last night with five others. The food is awful. The waiter was fine, but the spineless manager would not come over to hear our complaints (crab cakes that smelled and tasted like spoiled cat food, tasteless brisket that was billed as short ribs). I am not one to focus only on a restaurants bad points, but you should not be drawn in by the elogant interior - it is only lipstick on a flabby, snotty, inedible pig. This is New York - a restaurant needs to be a lot more. Go somewhere else. Other reviewers had the same opinion - this is not a single incident.

  • Pros: Nicely decorated
  • Cons: Awful food
4 Star Rating: Recommended

10/29/08

Delicious Steaks

by trebor125 at Citysearch

I happen to love the steaks and seafood offered at the quintessential New York eatery! I had to write because I was reading the latest review and am a bit dumbfounded. This person makes some serious accusations and claims and I eat here regularly and these food items are not on the menu. If you are going to lash out at a restaurant publically (which you are well within your rights to do) you should know what you are speaking about. I have never had a "bad" experience there, have there been bumps, of course as is with the case with all restaurants. The constant is that the service, ambience and food are always on - and if they are off, they more than make amends for it. Again, if you want to criticize a restaurant, you are well within your rights, but at least get your facts straight - it just makes it seem that you are just putting up a negative comment to be negative or vindictive.

  • Pros: food, service, ambience
  • Cons: at times too many kids
1 Star Rating: Poor

08/18/08

Lovely decor,nice servers,food was distinctly horrible.

by CormacMacAirt at Citysearch

I will admit,I got into the game rather late,only dining at City Hall in the past 18 months,but every meal I had there was ,more or less,inedible. Incidentally,i am not one of the types who love tearing apart restaurants,etc. in online reviews.We had nothing but good expectations given the length of time the restaurant has survived in Tribeca,which tends to be rather unforgiving,as in your place gets shut inside a year if you don't have what it takes. City Hall,a gorgeous space with decent waiter service (the "barmaid" is a disgrace to the trade),is on it's last legs as far as I can see. My wife and I found it hard to believe,ergo giving it a second shot,only to be repulsed again by raw chicken,wasabi mash potato "special" that were made from "instant' mash mix,cold and hard as a brick. My wife ate pork loin ,another special,which was burnt to grizzle and cold again !! I met a colleague there weeks later for a drink,who was determined to have some appetizers at the bar,once again,horrible. It appears to me CH is existing on the vapors of former greatness,it appears no one is minding the shop anymore. I don't take any enjoyment in writing this,as I am a lifelong downtown resident,and I have nothing but love for businesses who showed continued commitment post 9/11,but this place is exceptionally horrible and people should be warned in order to save their money.

  • Pros: Ambience is ok,nice lighting,decor.
  • Cons: The food would be turned away in a prison.

The Details on City Hall

Place Categories:

  • good american food
  • great waiter service
  • overpriced marginal food
  • wonderful initial experience
  • favorite place
  • worst dining experience
  • extremely tasty steak
  • very professional staff
  • favorite established restaurant
  • disorganized service
  • nice waiter
  • beautiful granite room
  • very nice atmosphere
  • decent meal
  • fast delivery
  • failed waitstaff
  • very pleasant good start
  • never delectable oysters
  • nice ambiance
  • delightful overall ambience
  • bland chicken
  • love seafood
  • nice server
  • great decor
  • overpriced dinner

Message from City Hall

  • Henry Archer Meer
  • Over 10,000 bottles of wine
  • Private Dining

In the Heart of Tribeca lies an 1863 landmark cast iron building surrounded by century old warehouses. This elegant, carefully restored building is City Hall Restaurant. Once home to the Lester Pinkus Shoe Corporation, this restaurant now exudes a timeless feel harkening to past generations. The Menu reflects our commitment to working with local organic farmers and artisans. It changes with the seasons as we continue to bring the freshest ingredients to our table. City Hall's wine list has been recognized by Wine Spectator with the Award of Excellence for 2001, 2002, and 2003 as well as the recent and notable. "Best of - Award of Excellence" for 2004, 2005, and 2006. With and inventory of over 10,000 bottles to offer our guests, we have created a showcase for American Winemakers.

City Hall