Onieal's Restaurant

(212) 941-9119

174 Grand St (Between Lafayette and Mulberry)
New York, NY 10013 40.7196 -73.9979

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Neighborhoods: Little Italy, Downtown

ONIEALS.COM

Hours:

Daily 12pm-2am

Price:

$$$

Last updated 1.24.11

Category:

Restaurants, Catering

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, Diners Club, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Romantic Dining, Business Dining, Lunch Spot, Date Spot, Group Dining, Dine At The Bar, Bar Scene

Cuisine:

Traditional American

What People Are Saying About Onieal's Restaurant

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

Dressed-up American tavern serving brunch, lunch and dinner fare, with specialty cocktails and a noted wine list.

ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “The decor is beautiful and the staff is friendly, helpful and makes you feel right at home.”
  2. “Great atmosphere, coctails, and food.”
  3. “The wine list is presented with great knowledge by the manager and the decor of the place is beautiful.”
  4. “Cozy restaurant area with comfortable seating and friendly staff.”
  5. “the music was great, the bartenders/waitstaff were awesome, and the atmosphere was perfect for a friday night!”
  6. “Onieal's has history behind it, good food, great cocktails, and a dim romantic setting.”
  7. “hidden gem right on the edge of town, ONieal's serves up some of the best food in a cozy, friendly and casual (but not TOO casual) atmosphere.”
  8. “Also a comfortable lounge/bar area is a nice place to hang out before or after a dinner in the area.”
  9. “The service is friendly, the food is delicious and the decor is so comfortable.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “The staff was courteous and very sweet, the food was outstanding (get the short ribs or the crab cakes) and the cocktails were out of this world.”
  2. “and for dessert we all split the bread pudding, blueberry cobbler, and this outstanding creme brulee.”
drinks
89.46999549865723% positive
  1. “The cocktails are like dreams and the service is friendly and efficient.”
  2. “On another note, as you sip your cocktail, music in the background, making gaga eyes over the bartender, you might be surprised when approximately 50 women pour into the bar as they order cosmos, ask you to take their photos, and gab over S3x and the City”
  3. “The crowd was diverse and unpretentious and the the hot, cool bartenders kept the crowd going by making great drinks.”
  4. “Our waitress was fantastic and the bartender made me a special drink when I asked for something not as sweet as they were offering.”
  5. “but when I went with a friend to actually have dinner, the noise in the bar was so loud that we couldn't hear each other in the dining area--and when we asked if the doors to the bar could be closed to block out some sound (tv AND music, and drunk, dancin”
  6. “Filet Mignon was very good and the appetizers and wine were just as good.”
  7. “The staff was courteous and very sweet, the food was outstanding (get the short ribs or the crab cakes) and the cocktails were out of this world.”
  8. “Onieal's has history behind it, good food, great cocktails, and a dim romantic setting.”
  9. “Also a comfortable lounge/bar area is a nice place to hang out before or after a dinner in the area.”
  10. “They have a balanced wine list and the cocktails are so creative and imaginative.”
  11. “had this amazing endive, avocado, and crabmeat salad with a cilantro-lime vingrette dressing to start and then potato wrapped salmon in a bed of lentils with a wine reduction sauce.”
  12. “The wine list is presented with great knowledge by the manager and the decor of the place is beautiful.”
  13. “Interesting facts about the place, used to be the police station's speakeasy destination including underground wine cellar that used to be the tunnel that connected to the old police station.”
  14. “Went here for drinks, seems like a great afterwork bar.”
  15. “This is a nice bar/restaurant in Little Italy.”
  16. “There are 2 flat screens by the bar to watch games and they usually download music from a computer that plays in the background.”
  17. “Gorgeous bar, hot bartender, great drinks”
  18. “Great drinks, fantastic service.”
  19. “Exciting menu, great drinks.”
food quality
88.6400032043457% positive
  1. “had this amazing endive, avocado, and crabmeat salad with a cilantro-lime vingrette dressing to start and then potato wrapped salmon in a bed of lentils with a wine reduction sauce.”
  2. “There are great specials and even better soups.”
  3. “The food here is cartoonishly bad.”
  4. “Everything was very, very good but our faves had to be the filet mignon, the oysters, and chopped salad.”
  5. “The fish is absolutely amazing and the steaks are cooked to perfection.”
  6. “For starters, we were told that they were out of the lobster bisque for the first course, and no substitution was offered, so we would have to order the salad.”
  7. “Attractive staff and great food and service make this one of the best places in the area.”
  8. “hidden gem right on the edge of town, ONieal's serves up some of the best food in a cozy, friendly and casual (but not TOO casual) atmosphere.”
  9. “We stayed and had another delicious cocktail (strawberry collins) in the outdoor cafe.”
  10. “The staff was courteous and very sweet, the food was outstanding (get the short ribs or the crab cakes) and the cocktails were out of this world.”
  11. “Onieal's has history behind it, good food, great cocktails, and a dim romantic setting.”
  12. “The food is pretty good as well as decently priced and the staff is”
  13. “The appetizers that were passed around were a terrific start to a delicious dinner that was to come.”
  14. “My fiance and I went to Onieal's last year for Valentine's Day and felt like we had discovered a real gem - good food, good service.”
  15. “The worst meal I've had in NYC”
  16. “Great atmosphere, coctails, and food.”
  17. “and for dessert we all split the bread pudding, blueberry cobbler, and this outstanding creme brulee.”
  18. “The bread was STALE and that is a big turnoff for me.”
  19. “just got done having dinner at Onieal's Bar and Restaurant and had the best meal I've had in a long time.”
  20. “The service is friendly, the food is delicious and the decor is so comfortable.”
  21. “I'll take the beet salad antime and their seriously good Burger with blue cheese.”
  22. “LOVE the salmon!”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “The crowd was diverse and unpretentious and the the hot, cool bartenders kept the crowd going by making great drinks.”
  2. “The new fall menu has a black cod with miso broth so good I thought I was at Nobu.”
  3. “Exciting menu, great drinks.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “This is a nice bar/restaurant in Little Italy.”
  2. “The best restaurant in the area”
  3. “Also a comfortable lounge/bar area is a nice place to hang out before or after a dinner in the area.”
  4. “The wine list is presented with great knowledge by the manager and the decor of the place is beautiful.”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “We loved the experience and will be back.”
service
84.61999893188477% positive
  1. “the music was great, the bartenders/waitstaff were awesome, and the atmosphere was perfect for a friday night!”
  2. “The service is friendly, the food is delicious and the decor is so comfortable.”
  3. “Cozy restaurant area with comfortable seating and friendly staff.”
  4. “bridge and tunnel crowd, rude service”
  5. “The crowd was diverse and unpretentious and the the hot, cool bartenders kept the crowd going by making great drinks.”
  6. “Our waitress was fantastic and the bartender made me a special drink when I asked for something not as sweet as they were offering.”
  7. “Great drinks, fantastic service.”
  8. “The staff were friendly, efficient, and quite attractive.”
  9. “The food is pretty good as well as decently priced and the staff is”
  10. “staff is friendly and the cocktail list is amazing!”
  11. “Attractive staff and great food and service make this one of the best places in the area.”
  12. “The decor is beautiful and the staff is friendly, helpful and makes you feel right at home.”
  13. “The service was on time and the waiter was very nice and personable.”
  14. “the service wasnt bad, but it wasnt good.”
  15. “The wine list is presented with great knowledge by the manager and the decor of the place is beautiful.”
  16. “but when I went with a friend to actually have dinner, the noise in the bar was so loud that we couldn't hear each other in the dining area--and when we asked if the doors to the bar could be closed to block out some sound (tv AND music, and drunk, dancin”
  17. “Gorgeous bar, hot bartender, great drinks”
  18. “Stuart the bartender was very cool.”
  19. “The cocktails are like dreams and the service is friendly and efficient.”
  20. “had an especially nice experience because the latino bartender working that day was my eye candy and he certainly knew how to take care of me.”
  21. “Awful service, Disappointing experience”
  22. “On another note, as you sip your cocktail, music in the background, making gaga eyes over the bartender, you might be surprised when approximately 50 women pour into the bar as they order cosmos, ask you to take their photos, and gab over S3x and the City”
  23. “hidden gem right on the edge of town, ONieal's serves up some of the best food in a cozy, friendly and casual (but not TOO casual) atmosphere.”
  24. “the waitress was very friendly and attentive even as busy as they were.”
  25. “My fiance and I went to Onieal's last year for Valentine's Day and felt like we had discovered a real gem - good food, good service.”
  26. “The staff was courteous and very sweet, the food was outstanding (get the short ribs or the crab cakes) and the cocktails were out of this world.”
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. “just got done having dinner at Onieal's Bar and Restaurant and had the best meal I've had in a long time.”
3 Star Rating: Average

03/13/11

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by sunaryohadi

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1 Star Rating: Poor

04/02/09

bridge and tunnel crowd, rude service

by melissamist

I had been to Onieal's for drinks a couple of times and shrugged off the indifference of the staff as annoyance that I wasn't eating...but when I went with a friend to actually have dinner, the noise in the bar was so loud that we couldn't hear each other in the dining area--and when we asked if the doors to the bar could be closed to block out some sound (tv AND music, and drunk, dancing patrons), our slightly dim, very rude server refused.

I can't imagine that real patrons actually wrote these other reviews! There are many other options in the area--avoid this place!

  • Pros: attractive spot, great neighborhood
  • Cons: Ruderuderude staff and very noisy!!!
4 Star Rating: Recommended

02/22/09

the food is top notch

by georgehall49

The food is top notch. You get to choose a 3, 4, or 5 course dinner, it just depends on how many things you want to try. Everything was very, very good but our faves had to be the filet mignon, the oysters, and chopped salad. There's plenty of wines to choose from so don't worry about that.

  • Pros: food
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/16/09

Amazing Service

by callon

My experience was better than I had even hoped. I called and spoke to the manager a day beforehand and he put a vegetarian option on the VD menu to accommodate vegetarians! The place is small but we received the best table in the house in the corner by the window. Our waitress was fantastic and the bartender made me a special drink when I asked for something not as sweet as they were offering. The chef prepared a special appetizer for me and the salad, the vegetarian entree were terrific. Everyone was so accommodating and pleasant and ready to smile. We loved the experience and will be back.

  • Pros: Great manager, great staff, good food
  • Cons: Small space, need reservations
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/28/08

Great drinks, fantastic service. and a whole lotta fun!

by blackbird12

Having been undecided as to where to plan a surprise party; I finally took the advice from a co-worker to plan the party at O'nieal's-and I was truly not dissapointed. The bar manager, Dennis, was so accommodating as to the specifications that I requested in making this night a special occasion. The staff were friendly, efficient, and quite attractive. The appetizers that were passed around were a terrific start to a delicious dinner that was to come. The music selection was superb- for dinner it created an ambiance and for the after party it got all the guests on off of their seats and shaking their booty's! The cocktail selection is a must try and the restaurant itself is quite an eyesoar. At first, from the outside, it appeared to me that it was going to be quite expensive and a little on the stuffy side for my taste, but to my surprise I was entirely wrong and would reccommmend this great find to anyone wanting to turn a surprise party into unforgettable memory for a loved one. Actually, I am definitely coming back even just for a drink or two-ladies-Dennis is pretty hot and really down to earth. hmmm hmmm

  • Pros: service, music, ambiance
  • Cons: night not long enough

The Details on Onieal's Restaurant

Place Categories:

  • great food
  • friendly service
  • wonderful experience
  • friendly staff
  • nice place
  • great atmosphere
  • creative cocktails
  • great little restaurant
  • fantastic waitress
  • great drinks
  • beautiful decor
  • great nothing
  • worst meal
  • cool music
  • great downtown spot
  • not recommend strawberry collins
  • amazing crabmeat salad
  • very nice waiter
  • not recommend bell pepper margharita
  • great specials
  • absolutely amazing fish
  • good miso broth
  • very cool stuart
  • really enjoy candle lit room
  • highly recommend crabcake appetizer
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