We have eaten here multiple times. Usually, the food and service are spectacular--especially the cheesecake. Prices are pretty competitive for NYC, and they can get you in and out if you have a show. Or it's the perfect place to go for cheesecake after a show. One one visit, however, I ordered my burger as medium, and it was pretty rare...almost raw.
American restaurant
Junior's Restaurant and Bakery
MidtownManhattan
Midtown
Manhattan
The brief
About Junior's Restaurant and Bakery
Cheesecakes are the star at this old New York-themed locale with deli and diner fare, BBQ, and a full bar.
Community Rating
4.4
out of 5
12,705 community reviews
Rating aggregated from community reviews across platforms. Read full reviews on Google or Yelp for detailed diner experiences.
Reviews
What diners say about Junior's Restaurant and Bakery
15 verified Google reviews
4.4
15 reviews
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Love me some golash. My wife and her sister both had Something Different. Yup...look it up. Thats the name...and Something Else is on the menu as well!<br><br>Oh...and lots of cheesecake!<br><br>Cannot go wrong here. Mileage T was our waitress...did a fantastic job! Thanks!
There are two locations for this chain that we love. It is our favorite spot in the city when we go to hang out in Central Park, Times Square. The service in both is incredible! They are soooo fast! Even on a crazy Saturday night with wait time of 30 min always somehow turns out to be more like 15 (probably because people just refuse to wait lol )<br><br>The food is fresh and comes out at rocket speed! Very important especially when you come to dine with kids who can’t wait at all lol<br><br>The food selection is very diverse as well. From healthy salads to total cheat meals 🤣 i’m talking about their cheesecakes! One slice is more than enough to share with at least 2 people. Just FYI!
I was referred here by a colleague. I had heard about the cheesecake but not the food. The grilled cheese made with challah was spectacular. The brisket cheese dip was sweet music to my mouth. And the cheesecake- was really good. I’m not a huge cheesecake person but this was really good. I would recommend Juniors for those interested in solid diner fair! The only “issue” for me personally was no Coke product so water was my liquid (uggghh).
The dazzling exterior sure grabs your attention amongst other equally grand establishments around Times Square. We walked in to browse the bakery items. All the cheesecakes looked DECADENT, but to be safe we got the salted caramel cheesecake. It was very sweet, despite being one of the least moreish ones.<br><br>Here’s what you should REALLY get: The banana and lemon cake slices were DIVINE. If you’re a fan of a good pound cake, moist and stodgy, this is for you. The banana cake has walnuts and tastes deep and warm alongside its banana flavours. The lemon cake slice caught me off guard by how absurdly yellow it was, but the texture and flavours are there.<br><br>Grabbed the food to go and enjoyed it in Central Park on a the first truly warm spring mid-morning in 2026. The cashier was friendly, helpful and polite.
Food<br>The sandwich unfortunately lacked flavour, feeling a bit bland and not as satisfying as expected. The onion rings were also disappointing, quite soggy and overly greasy, which took away from what could have been a great side.<br><br>Service<br>The service, however, was excellent. The staff were attentive, friendly and genuinely helpful throughout the meal, which made the experience much more pleasant despite the issues with the food.<br><br>Ambience<br>The restaurant itself is clean and well kept, creating a comfortable atmosphere. The only downside is the floor, which felt greasy and slippery, something that definitely needs attention.<br><br>Conclusion<br>Junior’s offers great service and a tidy environment, but the food on this visit didn’t quite meet expectations. With a bit more care in preparation and maintenance, it could easily deliver a much better overall experience.
Incredible service and INCREDIBLE food!!! Boy I tell you these portions kept us WARM! Adrianna (sorry girl if spelled the wrong way) was such a great server! She was proactive, patient and recommended everything with honesty! I was with my family of ten and we were seated within minutes - our server even put together two tables so we could eat as a family. Really remarkable getting this type of service in the big city where the cold affects everyone’s moods - I highly recommend this place for large groups and really.. anyone who wants good service and large portions. Cheers from Florida!
Coming in to New York as a tourist all the food was expensive. Wanted to take the family for dessert at Juniors but needed dinner first so we thought we eat here too, for dinner and dessert. The service was great, waiter Julio was responsive, suggestive, and friendly! All staff was pleasant! But get this. Food was amazing, portions was great, and prices were Def fair, and to me it was cheaper than the other local sit down restaurants. Cheesecake was very delicious! Would Def go back! Family was pleased
Junior’s was a no-brainer on my return trip to the Big Apple. I brought along friends who were first-time New York visitors, and if you’re going to introduce someone to NYC food culture, this is perfect addition.<br><br>Now don’t get me wrong — the food is solid, classic, comforting diner fare done right. But let’s be honest…<br>WE CAME FOR THE CHEESECAKE! 😅<br><br>And it did not disappoint. Rich, impossibly creamy, perfectly dense without being heavy — the kind of cheesecake that reminds you why Junior’s is legendary in the first place. Every bite felt like a New York rite of passage.<br><br>Pair that with good coffee, a warm, bustling atmosphere, and that unmistakable sense of history, and you’ve got an experience that still earns its reputation. Junior’s isn’t chasing trends... it's the standard.<br><br>If you’re visiting NYC for the first time (or the tenth), this stop is mandatory. Come hungry, stay happy, leave full… and yes, absolutely order the cheesecake.
Junior's Restaurant and Bakery is a New York City institution that's been serving up classic American comfort food and iconic cheesecakes since 1950. Located in the heart of Times Square, this vibrant diner is a must-visit for tourists and locals alike.<br><br>The atmosphere is lively and nostalgic, with red leather booths, neon signage, and a bustling energy that makes you feel like you're part of the city. The service is friendly and attentive, even during peak hours.<br><br>The menu is extensive, with everything from burgers and deli sandwiches to full entrees like Romanian tenderloin and seafood platters. But let's be real - you're here for the cheesecake. And trust me, it's worth it. The classic cheesecake is rich, creamy, and perfectly balanced between sweet and tangy.<br><br>Reviews rave about the generous portions, reasonable prices, and exceptional service. Some notable mentions include the Disco Fries (cheese-and-gravy-covered wedges) and the Reuben sandwich, stacked high with corned beef and nicely toasted.<br><br>Pro tips: go weekday afternoons, try the plain cheesecake with strawberries, and don't skip the Disco Fries. Be prepared for wait times, especially on weekends, or consider takeout<br><br>Overall, Junior's Restaurant and Bakery is a quintessential New York experience that delivers classic
Service was friendly, kept our drinks full.<br>I ordered roast beef with Auju (not exactly what I expected) Not appealing and I didn't care for the texture or taste. Tough and chewy. My coworker liked it. My garden side salad was beautiful.<br>Gave us a vinaigrette slaw, pickles with beets as a side.<br>Old Fashioned Soda's, milkshakes, great location on Time Square.
This place is so famous and popular that we felt we had to check it out. We originally came for the cheesecake, but after waiting a while for a table, we decided to stay for dinner as well.<br><br>The service was average and somewhat confusing. When asking about a kids’ menu option, one staff member told us the pasta contained meat, while another later said it didn’t and that no meat would be added. Receiving such conflicting information was frustrating. Some of the staff were not particularly friendly.<br><br>The restaurant is extremely busy, with tables very close together, a lot of noise, and a rather overwhelming atmosphere. Portions are large and generally tasty, but a downside is the lack of vegetables as a side. Being served ice water in winter was also not a great idea.<br><br>Prices are very high — this was the most expensive meal we had during our stay in NYC.<br><br>We tried two cheesecakes. The sugar-free one was actually quite good. The next day we tried the classic one with cherries, but even the three of us struggled to finish a single slice, and it eventually ended up in the trash. It was extremely heavy and overwhelming — even our child gave up after one bite.<br><br>Honestly, I don’t quite understand the hype and phenomenon behind this place.
Junior’s Restaurant & Bakery never disappoints. We ordered the carrot cheesecake and the crumb apple pie cheesecake, and both were absolutely delicious — rich, comforting, and classic Junior’s quality. The restaurant was still beautifully decorated for Christmas, which made the atmosphere feel extra cozy and festive. Service was good, and the location right in Times Square is unbeatable. Whenever I’m in Times Square, Junior’s is always my go-to for cheesecake.
This wasn’t my first time here, and I came back specifically for their cake shakes - just like last time. The chocolate cake shake with whipped cream and a chocolate cheesecake on top is incredibly sweet and absolutely delicious.<br><br>Since we were hungry, we also ordered a burger and a philly cheesesteak, and everything was great. The place has a beautiful classic American style, lots of space, and very friendly staff.<br><br>The location is perfect right in the center of New York, near Rockefeller Center. It’s a great spot to stop by for a tasty meal or dessert while walking around and enjoying the area. Highly recommend! 🍔🥤✨
I was going to the afternoon show in the area and heard that this place has the best cheesecake so I went in for lunch and dessert.<br>I had a classic cheese burger, no fries. As I didn't want to get too full before the cake. The burger was very dry but wash down okay with some apple cider. The lady seated next to me recommended a strawberry cheesecake so I went with that.<br>The cake slice is very big! 🍓🍰 The strawberry on top also nice and big. The strawberry jelly topping was a bit too sweet for me but it did go well with the cheesecake. I love the nice baked texture of the cheesecake. I also had a glass of rose wine with the cake which taste really well together!<br>The staff at the bar where I was seated was a real classic New Yorker, cool and calm and not being overly friendly. Fun experience in a tourist diner in a Broadway district! Good cheesecake though!
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Junior's Restaurant and Bakery is listed in the Eat Real Food NYC directory — a curated database of healthy restaurants in Manhattan, verified with official NYC Department of Health inspection data.