Iconic Midtown room with strong cocktails, standout monkey bread, tartare, and burgers; premium steaks and seafood at high prices, service can swing from impeccable to aloof.
Monkey Bar earns its A- grade through exceptional food quality anchored by signature dishes like truffle monkey bread and steak tartare, paired with outstanding setting appeal that captures iconic Midtown charm. Strong service attentiveness and balanced cocktails round out the experience, though occasional host-stand friction and inconsistent execution on secondary dishes prevent grade A territory. It's a refined, destination-worthy brasserie that delivers on its promise of elevated-classic dining in a beautifully designed room.
Slip into Midtown’s glow where red leather booths, murals, and low light make the room feel warm and buzzing. Guests rave about attentive servers and balanced cocktails, though several recount icy host stand moments. One diner summed it up: "Gorgeous old New York vibe that instantly sets the mood." The cooking skews elevated-classic rather than experimental: think tartare, dry-aged steaks, rich pastas, and seafood with caviar options. The hits—truffle monkey bread, steak tartare, and the wagyu burger—earn repeated praise, while fries and a few mains draw critiques. It is best for those who enjoy refined comfort dishes with premium ingredients. Families can do fine here if kids like familiar favorites: burgers, pasta, fries, chicken parm, and gelato are on hand. The vibe is adult-leaning and reservations are tight, so consider bar seating off-peak if bringing teens; adventurous seafood and high prices may not suit picky eaters.
Area vibe: Upscale Midtown office and hotel corridor with classic power-lunch and evening cocktail crowd.
Safety: Busy, well-lit corporate district; high foot traffic and generally safe even late.
What's nearby: Near Fifth Avenue shops, office towers, luxury hotels, and other high-end dining rooms.
Standouts here are the Truffle Monkey Bread and the steak- and burger-focused mains.
Book ahead, expect a buzzing room and higher prices with some smaller entrees.
Think classic Midtown glamour: red booths, murals, low light and a lively, jazz-tinged energy.