Last Updated: 3 days ago
Phone: (212) 475-4881
Address: 127 ORCHARD STREET 10002
NY institution for Jewish deli classics. Experience iconic lox, babka French toast, and legendary egg creams in a sit-down setting.
Will Hartman reviews Russ & Daughters Cafe, a classic Jewish-American diner offering delicious brunch items like latkes and babka French toast, perfect for any morning meal.
Experience a true New York institution at Russ & Daughters Cafe, an extension of the beloved Lower East Side appetizing store. This classic Jewish-American diner offers a refined yet comforting atmosphere, perfect for enjoying creative reinterpretations of traditional dishes. Signature items like the hot- and cold-smoked Scottish salmon with everything-bagel chips and the caramelized chocolate babka French toast are must-tries, alongside their renowned lox and expertly made egg creams.
Russ & Daughters Cafe offers a classic Jewish-American deli experience, celebrated for its high-quality cured fish, particularly lox, and creative brunch dishes. While many dishes receive high praise, including latkes and babka French toast, some customers have noted that the bagels can be dry or that certain lox portions appear skimpy. Alternatives like bialys are sometimes suggested for a better salmon-to-bread ratio.
"Highly recommended dishes include the lox bagels, latkes (especially with roe and creme fraiche), and the babka French toast. The Egg Cream is also a notable drink selection."
Customers generally praise the cafe as a quintessential New York experience, highlighting its classic Jewish-American dishes and iconic lox.
Important Note
The cafe is walk-in only and may experience significant wait times. Some customers have expressed disappointment with the quality or presentation of certain items, particularly the bagels.
"This user suggests that Russ & Daughters is good for the fish, but one should get bagels elsewhere."
Neutral"The user suggests ordering the Nova at Russ & Daughters instead of the belly lox."
Neutral"The user noted that while some find the belly lox at Russ & Daughters salty, they also thought it was skimpy."
Negative"The user agreed that the bagels at Russ & Daughters are not great and recommended using a bialy instead, which they felt improved the salmon-to-bread ratio."
Neutral"This user suggested ordering the belly lox on a bialy instead of a bagel at Russ & Daughters."
Neutral"This user expressed that Russ & Daughters bagels are overrated."
Negative"This user stated that the bagels at Russ & Daughters are bad."
Negative"A user commented that the belly lox on a bagel at Russ & Daughters looked a bit skimpy."
Negative"Russ and Daughters Cafe is recommended as a dining option in the LES."
Neutral"The user suggests Russ & Daughters Cafe as an 'exotic' breakfast option, understanding that many highly-rated places might also attract tourists."
Neutral"Russ & Daughters Cafe is included as a brunch option in the user's proposed NYC itinerary for which they are seeking feedback."
Neutral"Russ and Daughters Cafe is suggested as a breakfast option for Day 2, noting it has lighter choices available."
Positive"Russ and Daughters Cafe is recommended for its Egg Cream and Bagel with Lox."
Positive"Russ and Daughters Cafe is recommended as a place to try before leaving NYC, implying a positive experience with this classic New York deli."
Positive"The original poster acknowledged another commenter's point about traditional latke accompaniments but stated their latkes with roe and creme fraiche from Russ & Daughters Cafe were still good."
Positive"The author expresses that serving latkes with sour cream and caviar, as seen in the photo from Russ & Daughters Cafe, feels wrong and suggests apple sauce instead of caviar as the proper accompaniment."
Negative"The author, identifying as Jewish, strongly criticizes the way Russ & Daughters Cafe served an everything bagel with cream cheese and lox in the photo, implying it's an improper presentation."
Negative"The author states that Russ & Daughters Cafe serves great fish but has terrible bagels and even worse black and white cookies."
Negative"Would go back to Russ & Daughters to try the latkes."
Positive"Recommends the lox on a flat everything bagel at Russ & Daughters."
Positive
