The Russian Tea Room

Great place to experience genuine russian cuisine, ambience and some absolutely gorgeous and authentic art . Walls are heavily decorated with paintings of famous artists of russian decent of the past and modern times. The menu has option for afternoon tea with great selection of leaf teas wich served along side with sandwiches and pastries and desert. Also they serve lunch and dinner . We had beef stroganof and chicken a la Kiev - very famous russian dishes . Want to express my gratitude to the waiter by the name Ryskeldi , and the manager Janine . We had such a great time in that venue !

Stepping inside feels like walking into a scene from Anastasia. The staff greets you with sincere warmth, remaining attentive and respectful throughout the meal. The imperial decor and sincere greeting set the stage for a euphoric, and delightful meal. The Pelmeni, served in a mesmerizing sour cream and mushroom sauce, warmed me up instantly against the wicked weather and forced me to slow down and savor the moment.<br><br>Though the dishes sound heavy, both the dumplings and the Beef Stroganoff were incredibly light—I left with a "pep in my step" and a new perspective for the day ahead.I left feeling completely satisfied and energized. Whether for the afternoon tea or the full menu, I cannot recommend this place enough. A must-visit.

Ben was incredibly kind, and the entire team made the experience wonderful. Everyone—from the bussers to the managers—was very welcoming and attentive. I had recently undergone surgery and came in for a meal, and they were exceptionally considerate and made me feel very comfortable.<br><br>The service was excellent, the food was delicious, and the tea was especially great. The restaurant is also very clean and beautifully designed inside. While the prices are overprice, the overall experience and quality definitely make it worthwhile.<br><br>Highly recommend!

Service was fantastic, but atmosphere was completely off. Owner Albanian, Manager Philipino, black-American waitress, latino cook.<br>Not a word of russian spoken by anyone.<br>Music consisted of 1980’s Sade, Carol King, etc<br>Caviar sampler was overpriced, , $95, and served on overpowering sour cream. Overall it was an okay experience. Definitely won’t return.

We went to celebrate Valentine’s Day! made our reservation well in advance (which we highly recommend) especially for special dates.<br><br>They offered a three-course prix fixe menu for the evening.The Beef Stroganoff is one of their most popular dishes, and we completely understand why. We decided to try both versions: the classic beef and the vegetarian option made with wild mushrooms. The beef was melt-in-your-mouth soft, and the mushroom version was rich and satisfying.<br><br>One of my favorite parts of the evening was enjoying a martini made with Beluga vodka, crafted with Siberian mountain water (which added a touch to the whole experience). They also have sommelier service with a very well structured wine menu options.<br><br>I had visited about five years ago with my family during tea time, but going at night for a romantic dinner felt more intimate, elegant, and cinematic. The Russian Tea Room is truly an iconic New York establishment and a place you shouldn’t miss if you’re planning a date night or celebrating a special occasion.<br><br>We would also like to give a special thank you to Abby, the manager, who truly made us close the night on a high note. His attention to detail, warm attitude, and constant care throughout the evening did not go unnoticed. Plus he made us feel genuinely welcomed and elevated the entire experience.

I’ve always wanted to visit the Russian Tea Room, but somehow time was never on my side… until this year. I finally went during NYC Restaurant Week. The space is undeniably beautiful, ornate, theatrical, and exactly what you’d expect from such an iconic spot. The staff were warm and welcoming, which I truly appreciated. That said, it very much felt like a tourist trap. The prix fixe portions were surprisingly small, blink and you’ve finished your plate. Two bites and you’re done. While, I recommend the vegetarian stroganoff, I’d genuinely recommend eating before or planning a second stop after. The drink menu was also wildly overpriced for what it offered; the cheapest non-alcoholic option was $15, which felt excessive. I’m glad I can finally check it off my bucket list, but I don’t have any desire to return. Some experiences are better as a one-time visit.

I am not Russian, I'm Polish-Ukrainian, so I can't comment on the authenticity of the food, whether it's truly Russian or not (seeing some comments saying that it isn't). What I can vouch for is a delicious meal that reminded me of my childhood, hot food served promptly that melted in my mouth, and very friendly and attentive service. To be fair, I was there on a not busy winter day for brunch, maybe things are different when they get very busy. I had red borscht which reminded me of my grandmother's and beef stroganoff as well as non alcoholic wine the name of which I noted for future reference as I enjoyed it so much. I found the portions to be generous and as the food is heavy (heavy cream based), you'll be easily filled up. It's not the cheapest as others have noted, but you should be aware of that by looking at the menu before coming in. Personally, I loved the experience and would return.

Dinner at The Russian Tea Room was pure NYC magic!! Old-school glamour, iconic history, and one of the best experiences we had while visiting NYC.<br><br>Huge shoutout to Abby, our maitre d’, who completely made the night. He walked us through the entire history of the restaurant, explained the art on the walls featuring famous Russians, ballerinas, and gymnasts who first came to New York, and shared stories about legendary guests and exclusive events upstairs. My jaw dropped when he told us about the somewhat recent private party of the HBO wrap party for Frankenstein (don't quote me on that, I think that was right though).<br><br>Now the food. Every single dish was *chef's kiss*. We ordered the Apricot Glazed Duck, Pan-Seared Scallops, and the Ground Lamb Blinchik, and they were all beyond delicious.<br><br>Dessert was a must! The Famous Tea Room Blintzes, Berry Romanov, and Banana Nalysnyky were...well... I'm embarrassed to say we were MOANING over how good they were.<br><br>Cocktails were just as strong as the food. We had the Russian 75, Ivan the Bearable, and the Russian Gimlet - I highly recommend all three!<br><br>We were in town for a work trip, but this dinner ended up being one of the highlights of the whole stay. If you’re going to The Russian Tea Room, don't forget to tell Abby 'hi'!. Our server was 5 stars; I wish I could remember her name!<br><br>All in all, I HIGHLY recommend making reservations to dine at the Russian Tea Room while in NYC!

If you want to experience an opulent and dramatic ambiance, and walls adorned with nicely curated paintings, visit The Russian Tea Room.<br>Beef and salmon were good. The overall presentation can be improved. Overall, great ambiance and superb service.

If you dont want to spend about 200$ per person or more then you will be frustrated going for a meal, or high tea. If you are going for dinner or on a weekend make a reservation, if it's down time or a weekday in the office season walk ins should be fine.<br><br>It's a beautiful place with extremely attentive staff. The service is exceptional and the food is simply divine.<br><br>Its a favorite spot of mine, and a place i try and get to on every New York trip.

I had the best stroganoff in nyc!!!<br>The Russian tea room had the best environment ever since we could enjoy the second floor, which is a room that is usually closed for guests and open for private parties, it is absolutely stunning. There is a huge beer that has real fishes swimming inside and the lightning is so magical everything is 10 out of 10!<br>The food was terrific. I unfortunately couldn't try the tea service, but I saw everybody around me enjoying it so I'm assuming it must be as good as the food that I tried. Their hot chocolate was in a perfect temperature and their pancakes were soft and crunchy at the same time which was amazing.<br>I highly recommend having brunch here!!!

As a long-time, well-traveled food reviewer, my visit to the Russian Tea Room in NYC offered a memorable experience rooted in history, elegance, and refined hospitality. The moment I stepped inside, the opulent décor—with its rich reds, gold accents, and classic chandeliers—created an atmosphere that felt both theatrical and timeless. It’s the kind of ambience visitors often wonder about, and yes, it absolutely lives up to its reputation.<br><br>The service was polished and attentive, with staff who balanced professionalism and warmth. I was seated promptly, and courses arrived at a comfortable pace, showing the restaurant’s ability to handle both steady traffic and higher-end expectations. The menu reflected traditional Russian influences with a modern, elevated touch. The caviar service was impeccably prepared, and the entrée I ordered was richly flavored, beautifully plated, and clearly crafted with quality ingredients.<br><br>Portion sizes were satisfying without being excessive, and everything arrived at the right temperature—a detail seasoned diners always look for. The tea selection, which is often a point of curiosity for first-timers, was extensive and thoughtfully curated. The overall experience felt special without being pretentious, making it suitable for solo visits, celebrations, business meals, or showing out-of-town guests an iconic NYC institution.<br><br>Pricing aligns with the restaurant’s heritage, service level, and Midtown location, and while it leans upscale, the experience justifies it. Whether you’re visiting for the history, the ambiance, or the cuisine, the Russian Tea Room delivers a classic New York dining moment rooted in tradition and refined hospitality.

The atmosphere is luxurious, old- school NYC with beautiful art pieces and chandeliers. The service was excellent and the food for the most part is good, although overpriced. The borsch was too heavy on the beets but had no meat. Overall worth a visit for the experience.

Absolutely exceptional. Staff members were attentive at times, very tolerant, helpful, and moderately respectful. The staff were also adaptive which was respectfully fun to watch. We were honored to dine at this fine establishment filled with rich history. Compliments to the chef - the food was absolutely delish. We definitely plan on visiting again on a special occasion with more guests. This place is most definitely recommended. I have not seen such courteous, adaptable, and tolerant staff in fine dining thus far. This was a very inclusive fine dining experience. Although there were some technical issues and some issues with slow service - highly recommend. We will also try the coat and bag check next time around - must have slipped everyone's mind. Although we might have preferred to hold on to them anyway.

The restaurant is beautifully decorated and well worth a meal here. I ordered borsch and beef stonogarov. I sometimes find the food too salty when I eat out, but the food here was delicious. The service was warm and the waiter even offered to take photos, which made for a great memory for my friend.