Minetta Tavern
Over the course of its long history, the Tavern was frequented by various layabouts and hangers-on including Ernest Hemingway, Ezra Pound, Eugene O'Neill, E. E. Cummings, Dylan Thomas, and Joe Gould, as well as by various writers, poets, and pugilists.
Since its renovation, Minetta Tavern has best been described as "Parisian steakhouse meets classic New York City tavern."
We hope — and believe — that's a somewhat accurate description of the place.
What Insiders Are Saying
Minetta Tavern in Greenwich Village is home to some of the best steaks, chops, burgers, and overall feel good vibes that New York City has to offer.
Great burger
I have been to many steakhouses across America and a few in NYC and thus far with the history of the establishment/ambiance coupled with the service and of course the amazing food, this is the place to be. There is a lot of competition in NYC and frankly what sets them apart is service. This establishment makes you feel like it is fine dining but also like you are just at a neighborhood restaurant, a part of the community. We decided to get a last minute res for lunch to celebrate our engagement. The service from the minute we walked in was just impeccable. Not naming any names but I had just been to the steakhouse in Brooklyn and frankly if you can eat at Minetta do yourself the favor and choose Minetta. My grandmother always talks about the old Minetta Tavern and while it isn't the same food I am just as excited that I finally got to go check out and feel old NYC like I have never felt before. Kudos to McNally for keeping it true to the original building, it is very much appreciated! As for what we ate: clearly the escargot, côte de boeuf and potato anna. To top it off: coconut layer cake which was airy and just amazing way to end our celebratory lunch! This isn't the only McNally owned restaurant we have been to but I do prefer it.
Amazing service, excellent wine suggestions, well-prepared food, and very timely all around. A great experience for our Valentine’s Day, and very grateful for it.
They did a wonderful job, as usual. Will return.
Great ambiance, great burger, great steak frites, great wine list. A classic and a favorite in NYC
A classic NYC spot. Typical american food in an intense environment.
What a wonderful place!
Overall, food experience was disappointing. Enjoyed the fries thoroughly though because the bone marrow was now fresh-in the reheating process it became lumpy, chewey and low in volume/taste. 5-star burgers were unevenly cooked even on the second do-around. Muscles were excellent as were the other starters.
An amazing restaurant! Great ambiance and the service, sommelier, our wonderful waiter, and the hostess were friendly and cheerful! No attitude here! Love it!
It’s quaint & funky at Minetta Tavern. However it’s EXPENSIVE & loud. The food is good but there are not many healthy options. We felt a little rushed. The place was packed so that you can’t help but be involved in all the conversations around you.
Always a fun environment with great service, cocktails and good. One of my faves!
Pricey buy delicious! The burger is a must! Everything is great
Don’t respect the time of the reservation long wait
The wonderful steak frites are among the best I've had anywhere in the world. I'll definitely return, but only with a friend(s). I say this as I felt a bit of "singles" discrimination when my friend cancelled last minute and I showed up by myself for an early dinner reservation. I was asked if I'd like to dine at the bar, which had absolutely no free seats and a packed row of people standing behind those sitting. Where was this seat for me? Was I to wait for those sitting to leave, those standing to sit and later leave, then have dinner? This, while the restaurant had only one seated party at this early hour. When I asked quite stunned for a table instead, I was seated directly on the very uncomfortable raised seam of a long banquette. All of the seating to my left and right on the banquette offered "seamless" dining. I sat to the left of the seam close to the adjacent empty (then later filled) table and made a note to self: If alone, cancel my reservation. If with a friend, proceed ahead.
We felt very rushed. They asked for our dessert order when we were in the middle of entrees. Over priced and just average food.
Only qualm why it wasn’t all 5s was because of the wait to be seated.
Do not recommend. We ordered a burger that came to us raw. Then we sent it back and a 2nd time it came back raw. We lost our appetites after that. Also, the 2-seater tables are squeezed in very close together and a person with a terrible cough was sitting right next to us (1 foot away) and we were worried about catching his cold the entire time.
Unlike previous visits, the noise level in the back room was so loud conversation was next to impossible. Because of the noise any talk to servers was also impossible so that service still expert became mechanical from start to finish. And to make things worse, the cote de boeuf for two -- our "go to dinner" at the Tavern even at $150-- was marred by grizzle - thick connective tissue that was difficult to cut hence the surrounding meat had to be cut away. This is the first time this happened -- and the dish should not have been served since on carving the staff should have noticed the problem. We will return - but only to sit at the bar -- for comfort and conversation (including with bar staff!) and, hopefully, great cote de boeuf and a terrific bottle.
Anniversary
service could have been way better, i get that it was a busy time during lunch but when you specifically ask for certain ingredients to be left out, they really should make it a priority. waitress was rude and unapologetic about that.
Best burger I have ever had !
Everything was perfect. The service and food were impeccable
I love the clubby noisy vibe! It’s very cozy in a cold winters night. We experienced attentive and efficient service. But the food, while very good, was meager! I mean 5 grilled oysters not 6? And they were tiny! And the burger was also tiny! But with mounds of fries! Very cheap on he portions and felt a bit ripped off. Won’t be rushing back even though I love everything else!
very happy with the food and service was impeccable...very pleased
Burger is 🔥
Our server was a little rude at different points through out the meal but we know this is a rare occurrence. Our previous meal have always been great. Back waiters were stellar as usual!!! Food was amazing as usual! Burger was better at our last visit but it was a busy Friday night. We will be back the next time we’re in town.
Promptly seated, food came out quick, waiter was knowledgeable and made good suggestions. Will definitely go again
Always an amazing time at Minetta Tavern! I love everything about it. The food, the drinks, the staff and the atmosphere are all on point.
Always the best burger!
I love this place so much - it's painful. I mean I feel physical pain when I'm not eating there.
Food was just OK and overpriced.
We thought it deserved the Best Burger in Town title. Super nice service too. Great experience.
Cool place. Great service. EXCELLENT $30 burger that came with the crispiest we asked for all chocolate (you get a small coffee, vanilla, & chocolate) and the server noticed immediately that we got the standard one and immediately replaced it. We both had salads for starters which were fresh and generously portioned. I’d go back in s heartbeat - next time we visit the city!
Fantastic, came back after a 4 year absence and couldn't have had a better experience.
DELICIOUS food with great service. Def get the bone marrow, prob will be the best you've ever had!
Waiters are hustling around this small space like nothing. Drinks were good.
Sent a request on open table of a birthday and they delivered exactly as asked! AWESOME birhtday dinner!!
Perfect, from appetizers to dessert... Employees are very friendly. Food is delicious. Recommend it.
It was a fun spot. I would certainly go back. The server was exceptional.
The black label burger was quite good. It was a plain burger that hit all the right spots. Nothing fancy but worth every penny. The fries that came with it were equally refreshingly good. They were everything I would wish for in McDonald’s fries but also much more elegantly cooked and seasoned.
The burger and the fries didn’t come with any condiments. Not even ketchup. I wonder if that’s intentional.
The service was ok. The waitress was a little pushy when we wanted to skip the appetizers. But when we weren’t happy about the croissant being cold, she immediately brought one warmed up to us on the house.
TLDR: get the burger.
Best burger in NYC! No debate. Possibly best burger in the U.S. I have never had a burger experience like this. Perfectly charred in the outside to where you quite literally get the same taste every bite. Just incredible.
Burger was great. Steak was excellent. Wonderful experience.