Russian Tea Room

(212) 581-7100

150 W 57th St (nr. Seventh Ave.)
New York, NY 10019 40.764938 -73.978629

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Neighborhoods: Clinton, Midtown

russiantearoomnyc.com

Hours:

Mon-Fri 11:30am-3pm, 4:45pm-11pm

Sat 11am-3pm, 4:45pm-11pm

Sun 11am-3pm, 4:45pm-10pm

Price:

$$$$

Last updated 8.16.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, Diners Club, MasterCard, Debit Card

Restaurant Special Features:

Romantic Dining, Celeb Hangout, Fine Dining, Brunch, Theater District Dining, Historic Setting, Private Rooms, People Watching, Business Dining, Lunch Spot, Group Dining

Cuisine:

Eastern European, Russian

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Russian Tea Room

Featured Review

Justin Hartung

Contributor

Reopened after a four-year closure, this New York landmark hasn't changed much. Its surreal mix of bohemian quirkiness and slightly garish extravagance remains intact, from Christmas-ornament decorations to samovars to the upstairs dining room's 15-foot revolving glass bear-shaped aquarium filled with fish. The menu provides updated takes on old-world classics, including apple wood-smoked duck, borscht with short ribs and cocoa dusted venison loin. To round meals out, the restaurant still offers a massive selection of caviars, vodkas and teas. – – Photo: Albert Betici

Editor's Tips

Fun Fact:
In the famous movie scene, Dustin Hoffman's "Tootsie" character revealed herself to her agent at table No. 2.
What to Drink:
In addition to its famous list of 40 vodkas, cocktails also fare splendidly. Though it may feel corny to order, the Moscow Mule delivers a gingery kick in the pants. The Cavitini comes with a cucumber slice topped with 10 grams of wild American Hackleback caviar floating over chilled Imperia vodka. Other cocktails of note inclide the Cosmonaut and Ivan the Terrible.
Lunch:
The a la carte lunch menu includes dishes like the Burger Pojarski ($25) and a caviar omelet ($28). There's also a $35 three-course "business express" lunch.
Where to Sit:
The red booths in the main dining room are perfect for surveying the entire room, as they all face outward.
ambiance
71.4300012588501% positive
  1. “Once again, marked up ridiculously for inadequate food, service, and decor.”
  2. “Prices, along with the decor, is too rich for everyday dining.”
  3. “Earlier, the chef attempted to be more contempary and progressive with the cuisine, but it didn't match the traditional face of the restaurant along with the awful dated decor.”
  4. “The Russian Tea Room is nice to the eye and comfortable for sitting.”
  5. “And it's a great location, ne.”
  6. “The decor is fantastic and very Russian.”
  7. “The Russian Tea Room with its lavish period decor, warm and attentive service and lovingly prepared food would make any evening special.”
dessert
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. “Desserts were wonderful and we opted for the Cheese and Cherry Blintzes and the Chocolate Mi-Cuit both amazing although being a chocolate lover I preferred the Mi-Cuit To wrap it up this was a marvelous experience that we both thoroughly enjoyed plan to r”
  2. “The tea comes with cookies which were very good.”
  3. “We were full so we didn't order a dessert.”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “Great place to bring a group and hang out, enjoy the food and the drinks, especially the drinks!”
  2. “The bar is a wonderful place to wait after arriving early for a concert; the drinks are imaginative and potent, and despite all the extra attention, not pricier than anywhere else in the neighborhood.”
  3. “. .the drink menu is great.”
  4. “The tea comes with cookies which were very good.”
food quality
58.69999885559082% positive
  1. “Both dishes were disgusting.”
  2. “The staff did not bother us at all and showed just the right amount of attention - assuring us that they would be able to answer any questions we may have regarding the signature dishes.”
  3. “The most horrible and unauthentic Russian food I've ever had”
  4. “highly recommend the salmon "blinchiki" and the Kobe Burger.”
  5. “Amazing food.”
  6. “In short, do not go there: food is extremely overpriced and it has nothing to do with Russian cuisine.”
  7. “The food is good as is the service.”
  8. “Although the food was good, the service left much to be desired.”
  9. “My boyfriend has always wanted to eat there and last night was a special occasion for him and I wanted to treat him to a great meal.”
  10. “The blintzes were so fresh and steaming straight from the ove.”
  11. “(I guess in this, these guys are providing a "true" Russian experience - you are charged too much for disgusting food and at the end, you're cheated on the check.)”
  12. “Each bite heavenly, portions were a good size, certainly not a large one but likewise not skimpy in any way either, We also had the traditional Stroganoff which was bite after bite delicious.”
  13. “The food is very tasty and beautifully presented.”
  14. “The sauce was quite good.”
  15. “Great place to bring a group and hang out, enjoy the food and the drinks, especially the drinks!”
  16. “Earlier, the chef attempted to be more contempary and progressive with the cuisine, but it didn't match the traditional face of the restaurant along with the awful dated decor.”
  17. “had the Venison and it was the best meal I've had in the city in a long time.”
  18. “Once again, marked up ridiculously for inadequate food, service, and decor.”
  19. “The waiter didn't ask how we liked our meat for the Boeuf a la Stroganoff.”
  20. “The food was not bad, but overall the experience was disappointing.”
  21. “recommend the smoked salmon, caviar and quail egg appetizer.”
  22. “my sister's immediate response was "i have never tasted so many wonderful flavors in one dish.”
  23. “The Russian Tea Room with its lavish period decor, warm and attentive service and lovingly prepared food would make any evening special.”
menu variety
80.0% positive
  1. “The brunch menu is amazing.”
  2. “The caviar is top notch, even when it comes to the less expensive varieties.”
  3. “Tea menu and dinner menu are both impressive.”
  4. “. .the drink menu is great.”
  5. “The Winter Restaurant Week menu options were quite good.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “This is my favorite restaurant in New York City.”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “Desserts were wonderful and we opted for the Cheese and Cherry Blintzes and the Chocolate Mi-Cuit both amazing although being a chocolate lover I preferred the Mi-Cuit To wrap it up this was a marvelous experience that we both thoroughly enjoyed plan to r”
  2. “Great service will definitely return for the caviar.”
service
81.82000160217285% positive
  1. “Although the food was good, the service left much to be desired.”
  2. “The waiter didn't ask how we liked our meat for the Boeuf a la Stroganoff.”
  3. “The food is good as is the service.”
  4. “Bartender is attentive, informed and a talented mixer.”
  5. “Once again, marked up ridiculously for inadequate food, service, and decor.”
  6. “Our waiter was very pleasant, friendly, knowledgeable and attentive.”
  7. “That said the service is also friendly and effective.”
  8. “Great service will definitely return for the caviar.”
  9. “Afterwards the manager even took the time to show us the amazing second floor dining room.”
  10. “The staff did not bother us at all and showed just the right amount of attention - assuring us that they would be able to answer any questions we may have regarding the signature dishes.”
  11. “The Russian Tea Room with its lavish period decor, warm and attentive service and lovingly prepared food would make any evening special.”
value
0.0% positive
  1. “In fact, dinner at the Russian Tea Room, although definitely not cheap, is not that much more expensive than the other neighborhood restaurants.”
  2. “In short, do not go there: food is extremely overpriced and it has nothing to do with Russian cuisine.”
  3. “The caviar is top notch, even when it comes to the less expensive varieties.”
  4. “Each bite heavenly, portions were a good size, certainly not a large one but likewise not skimpy in any way either, We also had the traditional Stroganoff which was bite after bite delicious.”
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. “had the Venison and it was the best meal I've had in the city in a long time.”
1 Star Rating: Poor

02/01/12

Rude Managment and Low Class Customers

by birdie100 at Citysearch

I went for a late New Year's Eve After Party this year and found that the only place to stand in the entire room was taken over by obnoxious drunk dancers. Two dancers were flailing their arms around by the bar like they were at a greatful dead concert. So, I told the managment that I wanted a place to be safe and enjoy the evening. The management allowed this problem of dancers taking over the only standing area. There were seats for the people who had bought the full night ticket with dinner incuded, but no place to go for those who had bought only the after hours party ticket. I asked for a nice place to go to enjoy the evening and a rude manager just tired to get me to stand right by these inebreated dancers or sit in a pitch black corner in the back of the hall. I spoke to another manager and asked for a refund for my ticket. I was told that I could get a full refund in the form of a gift certificate but they are really rude to wait over a month to give it to me.

I left to enjoy my night. What a waist to go there and have planned to spend New Year's Eve in this place! It was so low class to let waisted tourists dance around that place like it was such a cheep hotel bar. It was not the fine club atmosphere that was advertised. I could have been safer and had a better time in any bar in New York City! I'm making sure that the management gives me the full refund. I know I deserve it. I would never want to go there again!

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/09/11

beautifull!!

by richardb11 at Citysearch

i felt as if i was home in russia again

food was great and i had a great time

1 Star Rating: Poor

11/11/10

Its not Russian in any way

by shelley1974 at Citysearch

Food was good, service was partially very good. The wine Master appeared little rude. But the rest of the team made up for him. Ambiance was perfect , choice of food wasn't as one would expect of a Russian restaurant. Overall experience was good. Worth trying once for those who are curious. Not worth half the money that you pay for the food.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

06/01/10

Russian Tea Room on Behind the Burner

by lovingfood15 at Citysearch

I was just reading about the Russian Tea Room on Behind the Burner's site. Interesting stuff!

3 Star Rating: Average

02/27/10

Nice decor, is the food really Russian?

by TardyKat at Citysearch

The decor is definitely over-the-top! You feel as if you've stepped inside a genie bottle. The Winter Restaurant Week menu options were quite good.

I started with the Tea Room Red Borscht (too sweet), which came with tiny fish/meat empanadas (?!). The waiter didn't ask how we liked our meat for the Boeuf a la Stroganoff. Mine came out to be medium well and my friend's portion was medium rare. The sauce was quite good. The best, I have to say, was the Chocolate pyramid.

Prices, along with the decor, is too rich for everyday dining. A Bud was $10!!

  • Pros: Decor, boeuf a la Stroganoff, Chocolate pyramid
  • Cons: Pricey, tourist trap

The Details on Russian Tea Room

Place Categories:

  • good prepared food
  • inadequate service
  • disgusting russian food
  • very pleasant waiter
  • fantastic decor
  • amazing desserts
  • comfortable russian tea room
  • awful dated decor
  • wonderful experience
  • great meal
  • amazing second floor dining room
  • great ne
  • great location
  • wonderful memory
  • not good size
  • highly recommend kobe burger
  • quite good winter restaurant week menu options
  • great hommage
  • quite good sauce
  • favorite restaurant
  • not bother staff
  • thoroughly enjoyed plan
  • impressive dinner menu
  • fantastic chef gary robbins
  • enjoyable ny