Cafe Luxembourg

(212) 873-7411

200 W 70th St
New York, NY 10023 40.7771 -73.9829

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Neighborhoods: Lincoln Square, Midtown

CAFELUXEMBOURG.COM

Years in business

Established in 1984

Price:

$$$$

Last updated 8.16.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Breakfast, Celeb Hangout, Brunch, People Watching, Group Dining, Dine At The Bar, Bar Scene

General Info:

Open 7 Days

Cuisine:

French

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Cafe Luxembourg

Featured Review

Kathleen Squires

Contributor

The Scene – Two decades have made the yellowed walls with that tobacco-stained feel, red banquettes, art deco lighting, tiled and mirrored columns, and bamboo chairs feel even more authentic. A sophisticated 30-50 year-old set of celebs, homesick Euros, politicians and loyal locals bask in the blend of Manhattan glamour and Parisian bistro food. – – The Food – Dishes that might seem passé on paper become brand-new once on the palate. Just when you thought you were tartar-ed out, fresh salmon chunks sitting on hot-chili marinated cucumbers bring a kimchee-like…

Editor's Tips

Save Money:
Daily prix-fixe menus include $30 for a three-course lunch and $44 for a three course dinner.
Know Before You Go:
Specialties like duck hash with eggs any style and smoked salmon benedict make this a popular brunch and breakfast spot, too.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “The atmosphere has not changed much - a good thing since it's a nice, relaxed vibe.”
  2. “Great spot- fun casual bar scene- great food- great service- great atmoshpere.”
  3. “Great food, service and atmosphere for a meal.”
  4. “There's an insane scene at the suit-and-stiletto-packed bar, but if you can slide past and get a table (and bear with the occasional inadvertent jostle from the crowd) the food and the service are worth it -- as is the scene, viewed at a comfortable, non-”
  5. “This is one of our favorite neighborhood standbys for a good meal, excellent service, casual yet elegant ambiance and a consistent kitche.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “We had a great cheese plate for dessert and then went to the movies.”
drinks
77.77999877929688% positive
  1. “It's been there forever and is always good for either a full dinner, a drink at the friendly b.”
  2. “Great spot- fun casual bar scene- great food- great service- great atmoshpere.”
  3. “There's an insane scene at the suit-and-stiletto-packed bar, but if you can slide past and get a table (and bear with the occasional inadvertent jostle from the crowd) the food and the service are worth it -- as is the scene, viewed at a comfortable, non-”
food quality
100.0% positive
  1. “If I'm going to spend $15 for an omelette I would like chunks of black forest ham in it and not chopped up deli meat like you would find at a corner deli.”
  2. “You might even play "spot the celeb"; I've seen everyone from Liza Minnelli and Bernadette Peters to TV's Caroline Rhea happily basking in the savory food and flattering lighting.”
  3. “We ordered the somewhat average steak tartare and proceded for entrees with the skate in muscle broth (a great choice if u love muscles) and lamb.”
  4. “There's an insane scene at the suit-and-stiletto-packed bar, but if you can slide past and get a table (and bear with the occasional inadvertent jostle from the crowd) the food and the service are worth it -- as is the scene, viewed at a comfortable, non-”
  5. “The food was absolutely delicious and the service exceptional!”
  6. “Great spot- fun casual bar scene- great food- great service- great atmoshpere.”
  7. “particular favorite of mine is the schnitzel pork chop, but you can?”
  8. “Great food, service and atmosphere for a meal.”
  9. “While the onion soup is delicious, it would be nice to see the gruyere cheese oozing everywhere and bubbling over.”
  10. “This is one of our favorite neighborhood standbys for a good meal, excellent service, casual yet elegant ambiance and a consistent kitche.”
  11. “While the service may vary, the fish, the chicken and the bistro fare is pretty good.”
  12. “The wait staff has always been attentive and the menu, while constantly changing, has always provided a great selection of good food.”
  13. “The food is consistently good (sometimes great), the pricing is decent, the service is reliable, and the scene is classy, mature and comfortably hip (no overbearing Gwen Stefani lookalikes here).”
  14. “Rarely do I leave Cafe Luxembourg without having had a good meal.”
  15. “The food was outstanding, the pork chop was perfectly cooked and paired wonderfully.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “The wait staff has always been attentive and the menu, while constantly changing, has always provided a great selection of good food.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “What a great place!”
  2. “This is my favorite neighborhood restaurant.”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “would recommend dining here and will be sure to return.”
service
80.95000267028809% positive
  1. “fantastic service”
  2. “want to say that our service was amazing (wish I had gotten his name, but it was several fridays ago at the end of june), and we enjoyed ourselves greatly and left quickly.”
  3. “Our waiter was rude and inept.”
  4. “Great food, service and atmosphere for a meal.”
  5. “The food was absolutely delicious and the service exceptional!”
  6. “This is one of our favorite neighborhood standbys for a good meal, excellent service, casual yet elegant ambiance and a consistent kitche.”
  7. “have lived in NYC for over a decade and have yet to recieve such poor service.”
  8. “Great spot- fun casual bar scene- great food- great service- great atmoshpere.”
  9. “While the service may vary, the fish, the chicken and the bistro fare is pretty good.”
  10. “The food is consistently good (sometimes great), the pricing is decent, the service is reliable, and the scene is classy, mature and comfortably hip (no overbearing Gwen Stefani lookalikes here).”
  11. “The wait staff has always been attentive and the menu, while constantly changing, has always provided a great selection of good food.”
  12. “The service was very good and attentive.”
  13. “It's been there forever and is always good for either a full dinner, a drink at the friendly b.”
  14. “There's an insane scene at the suit-and-stiletto-packed bar, but if you can slide past and get a table (and bear with the occasional inadvertent jostle from the crowd) the food and the service are worth it -- as is the scene, viewed at a comfortable, non-”
value
100.0% positive
  1. “Cafe Lux is on the pricey side, but it's a wonderful neighborhood restaurant.”
  2. “The food is consistently good (sometimes great), the pricing is decent, the service is reliable, and the scene is classy, mature and comfortably hip (no overbearing Gwen Stefani lookalikes here).”
  3. “There's an insane scene at the suit-and-stiletto-packed bar, but if you can slide past and get a table (and bear with the occasional inadvertent jostle from the crowd) the food and the service are worth it -- as is the scene, viewed at a comfortable, non-”
4 Star Rating: Recommended

12/26/10

Good food, annoying service

by NYC foodie50 at Citysearch

This is quite a fine place...good comfort foods-though the staff is a bit bothersome.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

11/28/09

Upper West Side Classic

by jay2002 at Citysearch

I suppose its the Balthazard of the Upper West Side, a brasserie like place that is great for brunch lunch or dinner. Big with the theatre crowd, we like to go there before walks in the park (mostly in winter since this place gets no light and is very warm). Had brunch at the bar last week, 2 egg dishes and 2 mimosas and dropped $80. Not sure its worth the price tag but if you choose more carefully off the menu (we got the specials) you should be able to do better...

  • Pros: Classic joint & dishes
  • Cons: Can be expensive for what it is
1 Star Rating: Poor

03/08/09

Have never stiffed a waiter until now

by dreamer9 at Citysearch

I have lived in NYC for over a decade and have yet to recieve such poor service. Our waiter was rude and inept. Our main course was overcooked and over salted. Brian, our waiter, continued to ignore us while we sat in the midst of a milling crowd of arriving guests who hovered over our table. He then followed us out of the restaurant to complain about the lack of tip he received.

  • Pros: none
  • Cons: service, food
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/01/09

Upper West Side Staple

by LSmith23 at Citysearch

I have been coming to Cafe Luxembourg for twenty plus years and while it has some ups and downs, the past few years it has been one of the most reliable restaurants on the city. The wait staff has always been attentive and the menu, while constantly changing, has always provided a great selection of good food. Rarely do I leave Cafe Luxembourg without having had a good meal.

  • Pros: attentive waitstaff
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/13/09

Still Wonderful & Grown Up - a Few Extra Bucks but Worth It.

by sakumawiki at Citysearch

I have to say that I am always skeptical of faux brasseries (and what other type of brasserie is there in NYC?). One too many crusty-mirrored, darkly lit - and weeks-old - restaurant has turned me sour on the idea of French neighborhood shabby chic anywhere in Manhattan. However, Cafe Luxembourg has a particular magic in location, decor and energy that make it seem utterly genuine. In the end, the food is what matters, and it doesn?t disappoint. The choices are pleasantly familiar and are all perfectly prepared. A particular favorite of mine is the schnitzel pork chop, but you can?t go wrong with steak frites or ? well, you just can?t go wrong. Expect a mob scene before (and to some extent after) any show at Lincoln Center but rest assured that the staff is efficient and always seems to accommodate reservations on time. Better prices can be found elsewhere - but it is exceptionally consistent and worth the extra bucks.

  • Pros: atmosphere, Lincoln Center location, consistently good food, a classic
  • Cons: price, crowded

The Details on Cafe Luxembourg

Place Categories:

  • great service
  • great food
  • favorite neighborhood restaurant
  • full dinner
  • rude waiter
  • good meal
  • favorite neighborhood standbys
  • friendly b
  • great fun casual bar scene
  • love would
  • good consistent kitche
  • attentive wait staff
  • full drink
  • great cheese plate
  • pretty good fish
  • good standby
  • elegant ambiance
  • delicious onion soup
  • favorite schnitzel pork chop
  • great atmosphere
  • great brasserie
  • savory flattering lighting
  • great balthazard
  • recommend dining
  • pretty good chicken