The Russian Tea Room Review

The iconic RTR. With the dark, formal decor. I still think it has the best beef stroganof on the planet. Love this place.

It was definitely not what I expected! The service was just ok! The food was horrible! Worst I have ever had. I was so excited about going and it was just a waisted $80.00 Lunch.

Great place for 2 for tea. You get sugar cookies with the tea and ask for refills

The Russian Tea Room is the stuff of urban legends of a time when high society would dine here before or after performances at Carnegie Hall or other theatres. Opulent decor on par with the lavish style of Czarist Russia. Beautiful main dining room in rich colours, event spaces on ascending floors such as the Bear Room featuring art glass ceiling, dancing, juggling bear and a tree sculpture resplendent with imitation Faberge like eggs adorning the branches. Tall chimney glasses protect wedding guests from dripping wax in the Bear Ballroom. The Hearth Room featuring inlaid floors and tortoiseshell effect panelling is also another event space available for special occasions. Legendary NYC dining and watering holes such as Elaine's is gone with only a few spots like Tavern on the Green, Bemelmans, and 21 Club still around. I know many critics say that the food and service is not what it may have been once, but I found it to be very good and it was a chance to experience the magic of old New York.

had one of the worst dining and service experiences of my life at the RTR. My cousin thought it would be a great idea for our aunt's special birthday. The tea was lukewarm, little choice (better at a 7 Eleven), not forthcoming till we asked More

Great food, old New York ambiance, impeccable service. Pricey, but during NY Restaurant Week a bargain!

Boring and cold food. Rude waiter. WOULD NOT RECOMMEND. Wasted 150$ on tea bags and bagels

!Felt like a star!!blackcherry vanilla vodka wonderful

Most wonderful experience. Superb food. Don't leave New York without visiting The Russian Tea Room.

Excellent attention, very nice place, food and perfect attention

We had a reservation for Afternoon Tea. The tea itself was great. I m not much of a seafood person so the sandwiches were good but seafood-based so I didn t finish all of them. In the second course, we had scones, truffles and cupcakes which were yummy but not the best I ve ever had. If you want good cupcakes, I HIGHLY recommend Georgetown Cupcakes (they have one in NYC too best in the world; I order these & have them shipped for gifts). I ve had afternoon tea in London so my standards for afternoon tea are quite high. Overall, I d recommend for the experience and location. It s glam, elegant and decadent and a lot of fun.

Venue was small and the lighting was too dark. Too many pictures on Wall decor just looked too crowded. Got seated and apeteiser was there before our drink followed by our first course within seconds. Which was luke warm at best. Then as soon as starter was finished main course was there which looked worse than one of our local pubs in England. Again as soon as our main was done dessert was there leaving no time to just relax and digest. Desert was best part of meal and that was saying something cos it wasn't good at all. Guy filling water up was basically throwing it on the glass meaning it went all over table. Overall for $125 per head for Xmas day it was an absolute rip off and would advise anyone against dining here. Read some reviews and thought you know all places have good and bad but I ate at bubba gump shrimp on Xmas eve and that was really good food. Russian tea room really bad food and service for over triple the price. Do not eat here! You will regret it trust me.

Tea was mediocre at best. Sandwiches lacked flavor. Tea was not flavorful and desserts and sconces were lackluster. There was no homemade preserves or cream for the scones. Service was awesome but that was really the only highlight. I have had better teas at other places. Tea was very pricey. My advice: save your money.

Not long ago, My friends and I were thrilled to dine at the historic Russian Tea Room after hearing a beautiful piano concert at Carnegie Hall. To me, the restaurant looked exactly the same. Earlier on this most recent afternoon as we awaited the start of the piano concert, we also visited the Russian Tea Room to have a drink at the bar and entertain one of the pianists who was to perform at Carnegie. Then, afterwards, my friends and I returned for dinner and the greeting of us was like we were part of the restaurant's family. The staff remembered us from the afternoon. We were graciously seated and each of us enjoyed a different, delicious entree. Do not miss this beautiful, iconic restaurant when you are in New York. It is a must. Someday, I hope, I will have a chance to go again and again!

not that great for the money , i would not expect to see burgers in menu of Russian place

Had afternoon tea with my mother and I, the service was excellent

The art in here gets weirder every time I go. This time there was a man-sized oil painting of Felix the Cat sitting in the middle of the floor, watching us eat. Good food, great service, beautiful location, and a weird story about a creepy giant cat painting - what else do you want from a dining experience?

As a Manhattan Native, I dined at The Russian Tea Room many times over the years and always had a great experience. Since I hadn't been in a long time, I decided to celebrate a friend's birthday dinner here this week. The experience was beyond awful and I felt so embarrassed for taking my guest to The Russian Tea Room for her special occasion. Although I had a reservation, we had to wait over an hour to get a table (We were told by the hostess that the restaurant overbooks). Service was slow, food was cold, and portions were tiny. After we received our entrees, we were finally offered bread for the table. I was beyond shocked when we were served slices of stale white bread (resembling Wonder bread). In much less expensive restaurants, a basket of warm fresh bread/rolls are served when you're seated. In a five star restaurant like this they had the nerve to serve slices of stale sandwich bread...UNBELIEVABLE!!! WE WILL NEVER NEVER NEVER EAT HERE AGAIN. AVOID THIS PLACE...NYC is filled with much better restaurants for half the cost..

Time machine to a bygone Era.

When you enter you take a trip back to Imperial Russia with all its grandeur. The waitstaff speaks Russian and are in traditional service attire. The menu items are Russian dishes with a French flair.
I go here mainly for the caviar, they have a decent selection including Golden Ostera. If you do not want to dish out $300/oz they do have a Caviar sampler for $45 which gives you 3 different eggs it is more of an intro dish, it includes salmon which is probably the cheapest of all caviar. This is one of the few places you can find traditional caviar service. If you are a caviar aficionado - this is the place

Also the beef stroganoff and the cherry blitzes are tops.

Prices are Over the Top;Food Excellent;Service is Uneven. It has lost ''the soul" of the old Russian Tea Room but "the body" is intact and - for those of us who remember it so fondly, including the famous scene from the movie Tootsie - if you forget the cost, it is a good place for Russian food.

My daughter and I went here for an afternoon tea. I expected, given the name of the restaurant, we'd use a samovar for the tea. However the tea was more of a British style and nothing unique. The food was disappointing, especially for the price. We might try a different meal, but we would not return for tea. The restaurant's decor is unique and the best thing about our visit.

The interior was absolutely gorgeous and the food was amazing. The staff were very friendly and there is a cute little shop downstairs.I would definitely recommend

A bit outdated. Food was pretty good but also pretty overpriced. Chicken Kiev for $40

I went to the russian tea room for my First Communion and it was GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great Kiev great service! I don't know about the tea, champagne and caviar. I had enough tea for breakfast, and dislike caviar and champagne! They have a business lunch menu that will satisfy the pickiest taste buds. They just gave me tea on the house!

Good Russian food. Caviar and icy cold vodka. The service is very good. Good bilinis. great service. Expensive prices. It must be a landmark.

My kind of place. The service was great and the brunch was delicious. Looking forward to going back for tea and crumpets

Quality Meals, mmm, so delicious. food was so delish. looking forward to returning with my friends. prices that won't break you. food is like a restaurant in jacksonville i loved.

I am a native New Yorker and will keep to the directness of how we are known to be :)

Food: Excellent! My favorites are the Caviar tasting and the Chicken Kiev.
Drinks: Excellent. Great vodka!
Space: This is where elegance, opulence and decadence meet. There are multiple levels to TRTR, each more opulent than the next. The main floor is modern and has booth and table service, the second floor is kitchy circus-like with a glass bear aquarium, and the third floor is an elegant dining room with etched mirrors lining the walls reflecting back on crystal chandeliers and table centerpieces. The top level is their wedding hall. Great place to bring a date or impress your significant other, special occasions.
Scene: People watching. Romantic. Swank to the hilt.
Service: Excellent! White glove all the way.

Not rating the dining experience but rating their customer service. Tried to get a gift card for a present and their online system was not working so I went to the restaurant in person. Went there and met a very rude manager who first challenged me that the website was working, then tried himself and failed. Then told me there was nothing they can do and basically tough luck for me. I get he can t fix his online system but he sure should fix his attitude considering his job is customer service.

One of our favorite places to eat when we get to New York. The food, the service, and the lush decor lend to the fabulous ambience

AMAZING food, the truffle steak = heavenly! See if they will allow you to go upstairs and view the bear shaped tank with fish swimming around.

I'd give this place a 10 if I could. I food, atmosphere and service... All 5 start.

Mediocre restaurant. This is not really russian food at all. Chicken Kiev is subpar comparing with what I get at my local russian shop for 1/10th of the price. Tea is decent, but $10 for a tea bag? Really? Maybe get some loose leaf for that?

Thoroughly enjoyed our visit to this iconic restaurant. One of the must do places in NYC. Great service, food, and decor.

One of my friend and I s favorite places to go together.

The staff was very unfriendly and seemed a little too uptight!! We asked about the history of the restaurant from two different waiters and never got an answer. The food was good but a little overpriced. I would not recommend this place to anyone. There are much nicer friendlier restaurants that actually want your business.

We went and sat at the bar. Had a phenomenal experience. The bartender was very friendly and had some great recommendations. The food was very tasty. Make sure you go see the polar bear on the second floor. The entire place looks like a museum. It had beautiful rooms and I highly recommend this restaurant if you want a great overall experience, vodka, and food.

Although we had a reservation we had to wait at least 30 minutes to be seated. The atmosphere was lovely, and the wait staff was attentive, the food was good.

We went there to get tea in the afternoon, the place was very beautiful and the tea was good but we had a very bad service, the waiters never stopped at our table unless we called them and had to wait a long time before being served.

Absolutely amazing. The food was fantastic, the atmosphere was relaxing and there was a lot of history. Apparently Salvador Dali did some dining and art there. And they have Picasso's!

I've been here a couple times in the winter and each time it was for a party. The restaurant is on the first floor, but they have three other floors, which amazed me because I wouldn't think this place would be so big. My favorite floor was the floor with the giant glass bear filled up with water. On that same floor they have a big tree. The other floor I was on had large mirrors etched with bears do all sorts of things. The decor in place place is unlike anything I've seen before.

I only wish the food was as good as the atmosphere. Since it was a party, all the food was served buffet style. The was food edible, but was not good. It was simple dishes like pasta, chicken, and beef so it wasn't exactly what I would expect from a Russian restaurant/event space. I wouldn't come here for dinner because of the quality of the food I've experienced, but for an open bar party and classic decor it's good enough to come back.

The best : Great meal very nice setting impeccable service. And the owner Hasan Byberaj is an outstanding Gentleman.

Tea room, right? OK so we went in for tea, got a dirty look for that. We did not check our coats, got another dirty look. Waiter was incredibly rude. I guess they survive by being next door to Carnegie Hall. We paid $10 each for one cup of tea and a tiny dish of sour cherries and a few madeleines (which were stale).

I love the Russian Tea Room. This is one of my favorite spots in New York!

It resonates with history. I felt like I was back in time. Great experience.

Shocked that the quality of food was not very good considering the prices. The dessert seemed like something that was frozen and brought out as they do at cheap places like olive garden. It's a cool place for the ambiance, but I would not consider it luxury.

Food is pricey but the Beef Stroganoff is worth it. If only the service was the equal of the food and the price was slightly better - and oh yes, if the tea was not tepid . . .

Definitely goto check it out. The food was amazing, the service was amazing. The decor is unique and beautiful.

I bring my sis here , she just came back from russian. She want to have some Russian food , that is why I bring her here. The service was great, the food was good, but it wasn't I expect Russian food, I didn't get the suprising of any food.and my soup come, they didn't bring the spoons for me. Sad The price was little high, the sweet cheesecake and chocolate cake is wave sweet then anything.
Overall I was little upsad there is no Russian waiter.

Came here for their set 3-course pre-theater dinner, and weren't disappointed. I had some doubts / second-guesses after reading some of the reviews, but we had always seen this place and been curious about it. It was pretty strangely empty inside (especially considering it was a weekend evening! There were only two other tables eating when we were there...)

The food was actually pretty good, although it varied by dish. The borscht was excellent and a plentiful portion; the blinchik, on the other hand, was very good but very skimpy. The "beef stroganoff" was a delicious and hearty dish, whereas the salmon kulebiaka was good, but not great.

The cheesecake for dessert was extremely good... some of the best cheesecake I've had. Service was also sufficient (not overly friendly or helpful, but very professional and did their jobs well.)

The reason I am docking 1 or 2 stars is because:

1) It would have been nice to have a chance to see the famous dining room with the bear sculpture etc. That one is upstairs, and you can't even get a GLIMPSE of it when it is not open. The main downstairs dining area is somehow both opulent and a little tacky / drab at the same time.

2) The prices are simply insane, even for Manhattan standards. The pre-theater menu was ALMOST reasonably priced, but if we had wanted any drinks, the prices are through the roof: $30 for a vodka, about the same price per glass of wine. No way was that gonna happen! (Same goes for caviar tastings in the hundreds of $$$)

In summation: Is it worth coming here? Perhaps, as long as you don't order any drinks and you opt for one of the less-expensive options such as pre-theater meal or maybe restaurant week.

Very aesthetically pleasing and nice atmosphere. The food was very good, but not quite as good as I expected. We ordered the foie and borschdt, which were both amazing. However, the main course was slightly disappointing. I ordered the scallops which ended up being dressed in a sauce a little too much on the salty side. On the other hand, my husband ordered the beef straugonoff, which was to die for. It was dressed in a black truffle cream sauce that was beyond words. So, just choose wisely. Overall, I would highly recommend the Russian Tea Room.

A piece of history. And the best duck I've ever had in my life!!

OMFG! Please if you respect yourself and value your money DO NOT go to the fake "Russian Tea Room".

At first glance you enter into a beautiful room, the hostess takes your coat you are seated and it's all down hill from there.

I kind of don't know where to start but for the sake of the reader I'll give you the highlights.
-the "foie" tasted and smelled my my cockerspanials infected ear. No for real.
-the "Chicken "Kiev" was not anything, basically the chef started to make a dish and gave up.
-The Duck must have been the fatest bird in the pond. Mostly fat with my the meat tasting more like cow tongue
-if I may comment on the menu this restaurant is not a Russian. It is the worst impersonation of a Russian place. Not one dish was Russian and I grew up in Russia.

Oh and here is the kicker, the manager who I desperately tried to explain the several things wrong with the dinner was not even Russian, what the hell is plov he says. But wait there is more, remember our coats, they never gave us a ticket for our coats and after a tribble meal I shuffled through the coat room looking for our coats.

I walk out with -$400 of my hard earned dollars. On my way to a bar where I'm sure the food will be much better.

Good luck and god help you if you don't heed my warning.

I took my friend here for her birthday and had a great brunch! The staff was welcoming, attentive and knowledgable about the menu items.

I must say that the items my friend ordered were NOT as good as mine, however the dishes I had were EXCELLENT. I had the Beef Stroganoff porcini sauce) - DYNAMITE, I'm telling you. And for dessert, I had the Czar's Gold and Caviar Parfait (Nougat Glace, dusted with gold shavings, toasted almonds and a caviar dollop).

But like I said prior, my friend's dishes were very ordinary - it really depends on what you order. I loved my experience, nonetheless and will be back for more...

Arrogant, commercialized so to speak "Russian" food for $$$ american buck, should take word Russian out of it's name, because food have nothing to do with Russian food. There is no Russian sole to be found at that place. Sorry I might be wrong service perhaps can remind of Russia during the Soviet Era.

We came here for lunch after visiting the AMNH. The decor absolutely stands out at you when we entered. The service was quick and the tea was delicious with the sour cherries they recommended. The food came rather smoothly, watch out for their scones. They are really filling! Everything was delicious and the wait staff checked in on us frequently, caring for our every need.

Historic place, good food, great staff, make you feel at home.

My top location for delicious quality meals. One of the best spots in the area. Had a friend come into town and asked me to take him here again. The place has a great atmosphere.

It was everything you expect. Elegant dining, good food, great service. Reservations are recommended.

It was an experience. An expensive experience, but an experience never the less.

I really wanted to love the Russian tea room, considering the reputation of being a New York City So called iconic location. It s a joke worst experience ever ,the food was mediocre,staff was unfriendly and extremely rude. The only time the wait staff seemed polite was when he brought the check Perhaps hoping to receive a good tip for horrible service. The gift shop is full of overpriced cheaply made artifacts ,In the basement collecting dust for decades nothing unique or special.If you're seeking a basic overpriced experience then definitely visit the Russian tea room or more like the garbage tea room

The service is great, unfortunately the food isn't and it's expensive.

Great atmosphere and pretty good food. Mostly a place to soak up a little history and enjoy NYC. Dress nice and bring good friends / family.

An amazingly different and high quality experience for fine dining. You definitely need deeper pockets but worth the higher cost to able to live this style.

I intended on coming here, because the ambience is so unique, and glad I did. The staff was very friendly (and yes, some Russians work there if you really care), and the food was very good. I had the Borscht followed by the Beef Stroganoff, which were both excellent. Yes, you'll pay, but by midtown Manhattan standards, it's actually reasonable. There's no place like it.

Romantic and special... It's an experience, not a pit stop!

Gorgeous opulent decore, like stepping into a Tolstoy novel (Anna Karenina). Food is delicious; the chicken Kiev is a must, servers are meticulous. A must stop if in NYC.

Went for Restaurant Week and was impressed. Beautiful setting.

I went for restuarant week and boy they did not disappoint! Incredible food, drinks and service!

Not up to the 50s/60s but fun to go to and look around.

Very unique atmosphere. Fabulous staff, delicious caviar and champagne.

I've always viewed this place as a NYC must!! It's an experience all on its own in the heart of Midtown.