Le Bernardin

The Chef’s Tasting Menu was sensational. Highly recommend the wine pairings. Very impressed with the staff- especially the sommelier and bread waiter. A special shout out to Kevin, our server, who was delightful company throughout our experience and extremely knowledgeable and kind. This was my first Michelin experience in the United States and I was extremely pleased.

Dining at Le Bernardin was such a pleasant experience—from the moment you check your coat to the moment you leave the restaurant.<br><br>The ambiance is lovely: elegant and simple, yet completely at ease. Many of the patrons felt like locals, giving it a more understated, less touristy atmosphere where no one is rushing to take out their camera.<br><br>The chef, Eric Ripert, is originally from Antibes in the French Riviera and has been at the restaurant since the early ’90s.<br><br>We opted for the classic tasting menu, an eight-course experience centered mostly around seafood. Each dish was beautifully balanced in both flavor and texture. My favorite dishes were the thinly pounded tuna with foie gras, a signature that is both delicate and indulgent; the barely cooked scallop with brown butter and yuzu, which had incredible depth while still feeling light; the poached lobster with truffle and chanterelles, rich yet perfectly restrained; and the crisp-skinned black bass, which was flawlessly executed and deeply satisfying.<br><br>Overall, the experience feels refined, elegant, and like a true expression of understated luxury

Who doesn't love Eric Ripert!? I have gone twice to Le Bernardin as a big fan of this michelin star chef and of this 3 michelin star restaurant. On food network and in his cookbooks he has always seemed to be an expert but also a down to earth human. I was so happy to learn that it is easy to walk in for lunch, especially in the lounge, even without a reservation. I also love that the lounge/lunch menu includes more price-accessible options, such as a $34 hamachi tartar with roe and bread, a $32 salmon rillete, a $35 scallop ceviche with bread, $6 raw oysters, and a ~$54 tuna carpaccio over a foie gras-loaded baguette. Yummy. Everything was delicious, fresh, fast, and clearly well-cared for. There is a reason Chef Ripert is known for seafood...<br>The drinks were also great (a Manhattan and a gin drink) albeit expensive (in the $24-$27 range). It's worth it for a splurge.<br>The ambience is beautiful and elegant, the service is fast and kind and attentive and polite, everything is clean and well-designed. Even the plating is pretty.<br><br>One day I would love to do a prix fixe menu, when I have more time and more of an appetite for a bigger meal - but knowing there is this slightly cheaper option during lunch in the lounge is great. If you want to try a fancy meal without breaking the bank, this is the spot!<br><br>Especially a shout out to the lovely lady at bag check (from Utah, who was so nice) and the bartender/server at the lounge, Cary. Cary made me feel so comfortable even though I do not fit perhaps the normal, fancier aesthetic of their visitors...! Thank you.<br><br>Will return and try more!

This restaurant had been on our radar for some time. We promised ourselves that we had to go there the next time we were in NYC. The interior of Le Bernardin is beautifully designed. All the dishes we tried were excellent, but the Scallop-Sea Urchin and the Salmon with Truffle were our favorites. The service was top notch. You feel extra pampered in restaurants like this. Special thanks to our waitress, Diana. She was truly brilliant. Our sommelier perfectly matched our wine and champagne. The entire evening was a wonderful experience.

Had an incredible lunch at Le Bernardin today. The precision in their cooking is simply unmatched.<br>The starters were flawless—the Tuna Carpaccio was delicate yet flavorful, and the Scallop with Uni was a highlight, perfectly capturing the essence of the ocean.<br>What really blew me away were the mains. Both the Halibut and the Dover Sole were cooked with mind-blowing precision. The texture was exactly what you hope for at this level: incredibly tender and succulent, yet it retained a perfect, firm springiness without being the least bit mushy. It’s rare to find fish that feels this plump and bouncy while remaining so delicate.<br>World-class technique, impeccable service, and a meal I’ll be thinking about for a long time. A true 5-star experience.

We had a late reservation after a show and opted for the chef’s tasting with wine pairing. What followed was a 3.5-hour experience—amuse-bouche, eight courses, and petit fours to-go. They absolutely lived up to their Michelin-star reputation.<br><br>From the moment we walked in, we were warmly greeted and our coats were taken. The space is moody and dimly lit with white linen tablecloths—elegant, cozy, and refined without feeling stuffy or pretentious. I felt completely comfortable and well taken care of the entire evening.<br><br>Each course was beautifully paced, with place settings refreshed in between. Our server thoughtfully presented every dish and its ingredients, followed by the sommelier explaining each wine pairing—notes, region, and why it worked with the course.<br><br>The final two courses were desserts, and just when we thought it was over, we were surprised with petit fours to take home, packaged in a beautiful box (which I’ve since repurposed for keepsakes).<br><br>It was a truly memorable experience. Definitely a splurge, but worth it for a special night—you only live once.

Absolute perfection. The food was skillfully prepared. The complex and unbelievably delicious flavors. The staff clearly loves thier career choice every member of this team was not only ready to serve, but they truly enjoyed every minute of making the experience a first class culinary adventure. If you have the opportunity to request Matthew, he was knowledgeable and a pleasure.

The place was amazing, the food and wine pairing were amazing. It is one of those places that I can’t wait to go back to and enjoy again. I can’t express how divine all the sauces and flavors were. Please make sure to get extra bread to pickup all the delicious sauces.

Le bernadin has been on my bucket list restaurants ever since I could afford to go out to fine dining restaurants. Just the legend behind it and the amount of accolades it has achieved over the years.<br><br>I finally went after all these years and came out of dinner thinking it was just okay. Nothing bad about any of it but also nothing very spectacular or mind blowing.<br><br>The service was excellent. I sat at the bar as a walk in and got the full chef’s tasting menu. My server / bartended was very kind and knowledgeable with the menu. She made me probably the best espresso martini I’ve had in my life.<br><br>The meal itself was fine. As I said previously nothing was bad. I felt like everything was one note. Maybe my favorite dish was the Peruvian chocolate tart.<br><br>Was I happy that I went? Yes extremely happy. Would I go back? Maybe just for the espresso martini.

What a culinary delight! Truly an extraordinary and exquisite experience. Each course was intentionally and masterfully prepared by the best, with passion and flare. Every plate, and bite, a beautiful work of art. It was remarkable. And I cannot stop thinking about the creamy lobster and how authentic the sherbet tasted—the grapefruit was impeccable and the pear captured the grainy texture perfectly. The atmosphere was elegant, modern and tres chic and the staff attentive and engaged. My thanks to the generous team for surprising me with the most decadent and delicate birthday treat.

Our Le Bernardin experience was truly amazing! We don’t have anything to complain. We were planning on having lunch, yet, we decided to try the tasting menu upon arriving. Everything was so perfectly prepared, truly flawless. Nobody rushed us, our lunch lasted almost 3 hours. The service, the environment, the dishes were all perfect. Best of the best. We don’t drink, the tasting menu for two was almost $1000 (with 20% tip). Worth every penny. What a memorable experience at its best!! Highly recommended.

My lunch experience at Le Bernardin was nothing short of extraordinary. Visiting from California, I had always heard about its world-class reputation — and it absolutely lived up to every expectation.<br><br>From the moment I arrived, the service set the tone. The team welcomed me with warmth and professionalism, anticipating every need with such grace that it felt effortless. Water glasses never dipped below half, courses arrived with perfect timing, and every explanation of the dishes showed deep knowledge and passion for their craft.<br><br>The food was simply exceptional — each plate a work of art. The flavors were clean, elegant, and beautifully balanced. Every bite carried layers of technique and finesse without ever feeling heavy. It’s clear why Le Bernardin continues to hold its place among the best restaurants in the world: their seafood is unmatched, handled with a level of respect and creativity that is truly rare.<br><br>From start to finish, the entire lunch felt like an unforgettable culinary journey — refined, thoughtful, and deeply satisfying. Dining here was a highlight of my New York trip.<br><br>Highly, highly recommend to anyone visiting Manhattan.

Le Bernardin continues to justify its legendary status as one of New York City’s finest dining establishments. Our recent prix fixe lunch experience reaffirmed why this restaurant has maintained its position at the pinnacle of seafood cuisine for decades.<br><br>From the moment we were seated the service struck the perfect balance between attentive and unobtrusive. Every member of the staff demonstrated genuine warmth and deep knowledge of the menu. Our sommelier deserves special recognition and his wine recommendations were impeccably matched to our dish selections, elevating each course and creating harmonious pairings throughout the meal.<br><br>The culinary journey itself was extraordinary. The opening amuse-bouches set an elegant tone with refined, delicate flavors that showcased the kitchen’s precision. The caviar service was presented with theatrical flair, accompanied by perfectly executed blinis and traditional accompaniments. The raw fish course demonstrated the restaurant’s mastery of preservation techniques—silky, perfectly seasoned, and visually stunning.<br><br>The main course was a masterclass in technique: impeccably cooked fish adorned with toasted almonds, vibrant vegetables, and a sauce that brought everything together without overwhelming the star ingredient. Each element on the plate had purpose and demonstrated the kitchen’s respect for premium ingredients.<br><br>Le Bernardin’s continued excellence isn’t just about maintaining standards — it’s about evolution while honoring tradition. Chef Eric Ripert’s vision remains as relevant and inspiring today as ever. This is destination dining at its finest, and our lunch was worth every moment. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a world-class seafood experience in New York City.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The Most DISAPPOINTING 3-Star Restaurant in NYC<br><br>My wife and I have always enjoyed Michelin-starred restaurants and rarely been disappointed — but Le Bernardin fell short, big time! I can’t believe this is a three-Michelin-star restaurant flooded with 5-star reviews. Do people not understand that Expensive ≠ Good!?<br><br>We dined here on a Friday evening around 5:30 p.m. It was quite busy, but we were still warmly greeted. The atmosphere, however, was loud and cramped — tables are packed tightly, and servers constantly squeeze by with plates, drinks, utensils, and dirty dishes. It was uncomfortable to sit there with so much chaos around us; I felt like I was at Chelsea Market on a Saturday night. 2 out of 5 for atmosphere.<br><br>The major disappointment was the food. Not a single dish met my expectations for a three-star restaurant. I’ve dined at many 1-, 2-, and 3-star establishments, as well as other top-rated spots, and the food at Le Bernardin tastes like Blue Apron meal kits at best. The dishes lack depth and creativity, with flat, uninspired flavors. You can easily tell the chef assumes that tossing fish, lobster, and caviar into a sauce and slapping on a high price tag will make customers think it’s fine dining. No — what a disappointment!<br><br>At $500 per person (tax and tip included), this is a total money grab. Don’t come here. The one-star reviews are right — those people actually have taste!

Date of visit: 8/8/25<br><br>Went for our wedding anniversary. Ordered the Chef tasting, we didn't order the wine pairing as we don't drink. All dishes were great especially the Tuna. The best lemonade I've ever tasted. Service was impeccable. As regular New Yorkers, price is steep, maybe eat here once in a lifetime for a very special occasion. If you're traveling to NYC, this is worth a romantic visit. Book a month in advance as slots fill up quick.