The Russian Tea Room Review

I truly felt like I stepped into another world. I will definitely go back!

I had afternoon tea by myself and ordered the Russian caviar & champagne add on. The Caviar wasn't noticeably different from the "American caviar" which was a disappointment as it was very expensive. The atmosphere is fantastic and the servers were very professional and attentive. The sandwiches were huge and delicious. I couldn't eat everything there was so much. The cupcakes were the best I have ever had. I would go back just for them. Loved that they had black currants to add to the tea. Delicious and I will definitely go back, I just won't order the caviar.

Incredibly welcoming even though a half hour to closing. Two cocktails (Ivan the Terrible and Gorki), two appetizers (lamb dumplings and pelmeni), hazelnut mousse cake and kirchwasser cordial. YAAYYY!!!

This is quite a beautiful place, a pleasant surprise in the middle of NYC! Great for a fancy gathering, girls night, date night, anyone would be impressed by the level of richness and glamour of the decoration and service of this place. You feel like you're in Moscow! We had a vodka sampler, which is nice for those who appreciate the drink. We also had caviar, many different types and they were also great. Ask to visit the second floor where they only open for special days and holidays, remember to hold your jaw, I think it will be on the floor the moment you see the bear sculpture that's also a fish tank! Literally one of the most amazing places in NYC! Take your loved ones here!

Must have.. Borscht, Beef Stroganoff, Cheesecake, salmon, caviar, Moscow Mule.

I had a fabulous time for an afternoon tea Monday afternoon. I called when I was a block away and they noted I don t need a reservation and can come right in. It was fabulous the Room of course just a lovely majestic space and service was impeccable. Danielle the hostess was super kind and I got to see the upstairs room that I cannot wait to experience around Xmas time for dinner while the italian Morano balls and ornaments are lit up. I loved it and will be back. No need to comment on the food it was heavenly.

Even with renovation seemed outdated. Had stew was ok. Had pate as ap. Gritty. Was their for small private party. Staff had only us as customers. Could have been more attentive. Good for tourist. Not new yorkers

Everything was delicious. Great waiter. Fast service and terrific cocktails.

The food was great. However French onion was the worst I ever had. It was a thickened broth and onions not cooked enough

Stroganoff a real hit.

The bartender on Sunday didn t shake the drinks. This happened twice.

He was reluctant to suggest drinks I may like. Instead he said he could make anything. He didn t impress me

I would never book there, Russian Samovar or Room Service are definitely better but they could close if they still have discriminatory people like HASAN in the company, my ex classmate send everybody an email about her horrible experience with that person, plus he is an immigrant too, how aberrant!

The decor was exceptional. We dined at the 2nd floor ballroom that had a beautiful tree with Faberge inspired lighted eggs. Generous meals of salmon and pickled herring appetizers, Kobe burgers and a dish with 3 small burgers called RO Sliders. The French fries were excellent as well with herbs and a slightly garlic flavor.

Service was excellent! Peaceful, very nice food. Cheescake was magnifigo!!

Went here for restaurant week and the prefix menu was reasonably priced but the quantity of food was lacking. The food was amazing but wished there was more of it.

It's still beautiful, but the service has declined. It had true old world charm and care in personal service. Not anymore. Quite expensive, but still a worthy treat.

The staff was so attentive and it is such a beautiful place. The mgr allowed us to go to the second floor which is amazing. In all a wonderful experience and we highly recommend going there if only for tea.

Expensive, but beautiful atmosphere! Wonderful food.

Super expensive, but worth every dollar. The evening isn't complete without vodka shots. Always amazing.

I took my Father as a Father s Day Gift because he worked there for 29 years as the Chef and everyone there made it extra special for him. The service was excellent and the people who all worked there were great. Would definitely go back

Do not waste your time or money going to this restaurant. the waiters were inattentive and barely spoke English and the food was horrendous.

It's OK, I expected better based on reviews. Also their pre-theatre dinner doesn't start till 4:30, so you end up having to rush to get to theatre by cab for a 7'o'clock show. It was only a pick for me because I couldn't get a reservation at the 21 club or Sardies - not worth 4 stars. Disappointing

Nice atmosphere, tastes like mediocre wedding food... underwhelming, went for the experience but would not go back.

I've lived many ups and downs on this place. Now is definitely on a good upside. Had a most wonderful brunch served by a very professional and courteous waiter. Tea selection is great as well as the caviar.

I definitely recommend this place to other bc its neat & clean, service was excellent

My sister and I had the vodka flight, caviar tasting, and the RTR sliders. The food was wonderful and the service was impeccable,

Well worth the money brilliant experience one of the best restaurants l have dined in and l have eaten all over the world

Really fabulous restaurant. The food was great staff were very friendly and professional. The decor was amazing.

So expensive and the food is not good... Russian Samovar or Russian Vodka Room are three times better and less expensive!

I ate here as a child and looked forward to the signature Chicken Kiev. It was dry and inedible. The borscht was delicious but hardly a cup. Desert was the best part but the tea came late and pricey, was hardly touched as we were on the theater schedule. Altogether quite disappointing for the price.

Like alot of other people have said, I didn't find the food here anything special but the decor was great and it was definitely an interesting place to eat

Don t expect authenthicity or actual tea. A super kitschy experience next to Carnegie Hall. Food is not bad.

This place is amazing! The service is excellent, the atmosphere is calm and beautiful. The food was beyond compare. It is expensive, but definitely worth the price. I can't recommend this place enough.

I stopped by one cold dreary day and got a hot chocolate and I have to say it's one of the better hot chocolates I've had in NYC. What it lacked in cinnamon it made up for with it's creamy texture and rich chocolate flavor.

If you're in the area and the weather is looking down on you, I recommend stopping by and grabbing a cup.

This is my favorite place but no for Tea, what I love here is to have a nice glass or two of champagne with their delicious caviar. Great service.

The pelmeni were excellent. The main course a little less so.

Impeccable service, world class art collection, great food and vodka.

Great experience! The staff was so friendly, and catered to your every need. The food was fabulous.

This is the best restaurant I've ever been to and possibly one of the only places I'll ever give 5 stars to. The atmosphere was amazing. The place was absolutely gorgeous. The service was spectacular and the food was to die for. Way better than 11 Madison in my opinion. I went here during restaurant week so, as far as prices goes, I'm not sure how much the average bill is since I likely paid less. With that said, whatever they charge normally is likely worth it.

On our wedding day in New York, we realised our planned wedding reception was actually a bit of a floating toilet so had to rearrange quickly. I'd heard of the Russian Tea Rooms before so I approached them in hope more than expectation, but they really came through for us. Kind and courteous, they really made our day. Gave our photographer free reign to take as many photos as he liked, then gave them s the best table in the house. Truly amazing food and atmosphere, and some fantastic artwork on the walls. You simply have to go.

The best place to get some high-quality coffee with true love made into it. Little to no wait, friendly service, and just an adorable enviroment.

First visit. All the history that is here. Staff could not be nicer or more attentive. Very pricey but worth it, at least once. Drinks were good and very strong. Borscht was delicious and filling. My husband had the salmon and I had beef stroganoff. Both were outstanding. Crepes were as well.

At first when we walked it everyone is where very friendly but the less you order the worse the service gets. $10 for a tea bag and doesn't have traditional Russian deserts.

Staff was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. We order the Vladimir tea in a couple of soups it couldn't have been better for a rainy afternoon lunch.

Food was amazing. Service was amazing. Prices just don't seem to match however. I've had meals that were just as refined and tastey for less, but it's definitely one for the bucket list.

Food was great, service was really good. Our server Curtis was amazing by the way! Will go again!

It's a special place in New York City. Went for afternoon tea with my husband for our anniversary.

The 3-stars is reflective of:
The server was not very warm, nor friendly - very Russian?

Also

Unfortunately there was a table with two children who were very loud and running around the table. I understand it is a public place but when I am spending $200 for afternoon tea, I expected a server or a host to ask them to a least request they calm their children down.

This place is definitely not worth your money. First, they have a very rude and condescending manager. My Kobe burger was burnt and dry, and the Herring was bland. If you must come here just for a check in the box to say you've done it, I would just go in and sit at the bar for 1 drink. You can forget about being able to go up to the 2nd floor to see the Bear Lounge, the manager won't even allow you to walk up the stairs just to look at it even though it was empty.

Food is good, Decor is elegant but the service is rude. Must be something that is common in Russia? I do not know, but there must be another Russian restaurant with better service?

It was ok, but over priced for afternoon tea.
Sandwiches were alright, scones were fine, cakes were pretty good.
Decor was a pretty gaudy.

Superb caviar experience, you have to try it yourself. Manager and bartender were amazing.

Great ambiance and decor. The tea eas excellent! I decided to only do the 1st course for the afternoon tea(sandwiches and caviar). Everything was delicious...would recommend!

Went here recently after seeing the ratings and upon insistence of a friend. From the moment we entered didn t feel welcome at all. The ambience was the only nice thing about the experience. Food - just okay, definitely not worth the price tag and the service was even worse. My friend found a dish to be bad and she complained and was told that maybe she doesn t like the vegetables that s why it is bad. She was mad and had a word with the management who was equally distasteful in their response. There are high end places in NYC I visit again and again and then there is Russian tea room which just pretends to be high end and one should not visit even once. I hope I hadn t visited it at all.

I have been wanting to visit this place for years and it has proven to be a very dissapointing experience. I ordered a lava cake for 18 USD, which was brought in a couple of minutes, barly warm and dry (obviously not freshly done). The tea is from Kusmi, so it is ok, but you can experience this at home without paying 10 USD per pot. The waiter s attitude was awful and he avoided me when he saw the dessert was not eaten. Therefore, my advice is to stay away.

We decided to celebrate our daughter's 25th birthday at the Russian tea room.
As soon as you walk through the revolving doors, it is like Dorothy opening the door for the first and stepping into oz.
You feel like you are in another time and place though just for an afternoon. The tea room is dripping in elegance and
We were greeted courteously, as they pull the entire table out so you may be seated. Lovely gesture.
The wait staff couldn't be more diligent in making sure your very need is met.
The mangers were attentive, stopping to make sure that you are experience here is enjoyable.
If that isn't enough, they also gave us a background on the history, the clientele and the beautiful museum paintings, on the walls!
As for the food, we all decided to get the business lunch which is a three course meal.
Our first course was the borscht, the goat cheese blinchik and the tea room salad respectively.
Wow! Each dish was better than the next!
The second course we chose the salmon, the beef stoganoff and the flat iron steak.
It was a delight. I favor salmon and it was as good as I have ever had in a good establishment. But after I tasted my daughters beef stroganoff, OMG! This was outstanding! My husbands flat iron steak, well he is still talking about it! Delicious!
The third course, dessert.
While I can usually forego dessert, the tiramisu, the chocolate mousse cake and the cheese cake were truly outsatnding!
I would like to commend the managers and all of the wait staff for making this a wonderful experience!
Expensive, of course, worth every ruble!
.

Good service and good food. We came here for restaurant week.

Just had the 2 course lunch....it was fantastic!!
The server was very attentive , the food delicious.
Can't recommend highly enough!

Absolutely amazing place and food. Very friendly staff

My friends and I took a trip to The Russian Tea Room during winter restaurant week. It wasn't on my radar but I had heard of the name before. It's got an old school vibe with some eclectic decor scattered throughout the venue. On the second floor there was a "Tree" with eggs as leaves on one side of the floor, while on the other was this Mammoth rotating "bear" that doubled as an aquarium. All just very interesting...



Bottom line: Make your way there during summer restaurant week. You won't regret it. Hang out late and snap some photos with the "Tree of Life" or the Russian Bear!

I went for high tea and the experience was astounding. The service was exceedingly hospitable and the meal was exquisite. I had the rooibos chai tea which was dancing with flavor. Overall a fine experience

amazing environment, friendly staff, and i definitely recommend the shrimp and salmon

Amazing interior. Great food. Wonderful and friendly staff. Would definitely recommend to everyone.

Stepping through the brass-and-timber revolving door of The Russian Tea Room, you are suddenly transported to a different time and place, as if by magic. Instantly you know this is where you need to be, and all thoughts about the hustle and bustle of New York City and the worries of life vanish.

This is truly a gem hidden in plain sight. A place like no other, and you will never find another like it.

The menu satisfies all; a well-scripted balance of traditional Russian fare and modern favorites, with additions for every special occasion. The chef is clearly passionate about his food and takes pride in his work.

It doesn't stop there. The staff, with their exceptionally-attired appearance, are the cherry on top, going above and beyond to make sure that this isn't any ordinary meal. This is a full-body experience; an immersion rich with ambience and history. If these walls could talk you'd never leave.

When you do eventually leave The Russian Tea Room, you will find a part of you is left behind, and you feel the need to go back and be reunited with it.

If you are a visitor to NYC, come to The Russian Tea Room early in your trip. I guarantee you will want to come back before you leave. If you are a local to NYC, don't wait for a special occasion. Every occasion here is special.

There is no doubt in my mind that I will return to New York City again. It is this one place that I will return for. It is my oasis from the world. This is where I want to be.

The nitty gritty:
Food: Highest quality, without a doubt
Service: Memorable, bordering on pampering
Prices: Comparable to nearby eateries, but value for money here well-exceeds anywhere else
Experience: Priceless, one-of-a-kind and not to be missed

Interesting to experience the food and the culture.

Delicious brunch. Had Russian toast and mint tea. Interesting to try is the cherries they give you to put in your tea. Had the cheese and cherry blintzes for desert. $$$ in price range but very enjoyable brunch.

Fantastic experience that I didn't want to miss for no gold. What an incredibly beautiful entourage and last but not least: delicious food!

Old school over the top opulent ambience. Very interesting experience. Food is decent. Nothing great but not bad. Service is excellent. Prices on the expensive side for what is served. Overall worth a one time visit for the experience if you are not tight on budget.

Very disappointed, went for the Mother s Day tea and it was very primitive and poor selection with some early pre prepared half dried out sandwiches and Costco style cupcakes. For $60 each Along with the microwave prepared scones. They charged 6 dollars for two extra tiny pigs in the blankets that I ordered for my kid... not to mention $8 dollar caffe lattes

We love this place. Food and service always excellent. Needs a major renovation. But inside the welcome is golden. Take a chance.

worth visiting, a bit pricey but it's worth it to say you've been there. The food is fantastic. I enjoyed the beef stroganoff had a nice truffle flavor and the Borscht was delicious! If you visit NYC this is a must visit restaurant!

We went to the Russian Tea Room as part of Mastercard Priceless date night, with a concert at Carnegie Hall. We were treated to a three course dinner that included a caviar blini, chicken Kiev ( my wife had Salmon Kulabiaka) and chocolate moose cake. All were delicious and very filling. Our server, Amber treated us like royalty, even though the gratuity was included in our deal. It was a terrific evening in a spectacular setting.

Wow...there was Tamara de Lempicka's painting opposite of our table, it made evening brilliant. I would come back time after time only for the caviar and atmosphere.

I've eaten lunch at the RTR a few times; every time the food, service has been just fantastic!

Huge vodka list (obviously). Stroganoff was great. Must-see interior.

The sandwiches are great as is the ambiance but the desserts were disappointing.

You have to bring along a few more dollars but the service and food are just great. Jackets would be taken away immediately The table was not ready yet and we were briefly seated at the bar. Greetings from the kitchen starters main course just great. The wine selection very good. Would choose there again a nice evening. The courses menu you can book in advance are also priced super recommended.

Decent tap. Good people. Really enjoyed my time there. Generally recommend.

A traditional historical place appears in several movies as the orphan anita the version of the 60s the traditional Russian food is exquisite as well as the brunch a place where it really is a first class attention the dishes at its point the vodka blackberry flavor or Jerry It is exquisite sweet and fascinating to digest the waiters and helpers very helpful and dedicated in conclusion it is still an excellent choice to come to this place