Classic NYC vibes & refined American fare. Reservations are tough, but worth it for the atmosphere & popular dishes like the Monkey Bread & Wagyu Burger.
Step into Monkey Bar and be transported to a classic New York era, with its dim lighting, plush seating, and an atmosphere that oozes old-school charm. This Midtown East gem is known for its lively bar scene, sophisticated dining room, and a menu that delivers refined American comfort food. Reservations are notoriously hard to come by, but the experience is often deemed worth the effort.
Monkey Bar offers a menu of refined American comfort food, with a particular emphasis on well-executed classics. Popular dishes include the highly recommended Monkey Bread, Wagyu Cheeseburger (noted as one of NYC's best, though some compare it unfavorably to sister restaurants), and various well-crafted cocktails. Other appreciated items include the French Dip, Caesar salad, crab cakes, and desserts like the chocolate pie. Some reviews mention a tendency for dishes to be over-salted, and the creamed spinach received a negative mention for its strong blue cheese flavor.
"Highly recommended dishes include the Monkey Bread, King Crab Rangoon, French Dip, Wagyu Cheeseburger, Caesar salad (especially the whitefish variant), truffle mac and cheese, and various desserts like the chocolate pie and carrot cake. The cocktails, particularly martinis and Bloody Marys, are also frequently praised."
Customers generally have a very positive view of Monkey Bar, praising its classic New York atmosphere, excellent cocktails, and delicious food, particularly the Monkey Bread and burgers. While some find it a bit pricey or difficult to get reservations, the overall consensus is that it offers a high-quality and memorable dining experience.
Important Note
Reservations are notoriously difficult to secure, and some diners find the prices to be on the higher side. There are also mixed opinions on the burger's value compared to its sister restaurants.
"Monkey Bar was listed as one of the user's top three choices for steak tartare."
Positive"The user is listing NYC restaurants that have matchbooks, and Monkey Bar is one of them."
Neutral"The user is listing NYC restaurants and bars that have matchbooks, and Monkey Bar is included."
Neutral"The user mentions that Monkey Bar has matches."
Neutral"This user shares a positive experience of having dinner at Monkey Bar's bar on a Saturday night, stating that the lively atmosphere is a key part of the experience."
Positive"This user highlights that the desserts at Monkey Bar are exceptional and worth staying for."
Positive"This user elaborates that the bar at Monkey Bar is very crowded and may not be suitable for a sit-down meal, suggesting alternative options if seeking a similar food style."
Negative"This user notes that the bar area at Monkey Bar can be quite crowded and noisy, which might affect the dining experience."
Negative"This user suggests that securing bar seating at Monkey Bar should be manageable, especially if arriving early in the evening."
Positive"The user asked if they missed out on a reservation at Monkey Bar. This commenter confirmed it's unlikely reservations will open up unless there's a cancellation, suggesting walking in early and being flexible with dates as alternatives, and noting that lunch spots are more frequently available via cancellations."
Neutral"The user inquired about getting a reservation at Monkey Bar for a specific date and time, and this commenter offered to help secure a reservation by DM, mentioning that spots can be obtained after the initial drop but are less likely and may require flexibility."
Neutral"Monkey Bar is recommended for its desserts and drinks, with the commenter noting that steakhouses often feature excellent dessert offerings."
Positive"In comparison to Minetta Tavern, this user found Monkey Bar to have better food, atmosphere, and service during a past birthday dinner."
Positive"This user believes Monkey Bar is a meat-centric restaurant with very few vegetarian options, making it potentially unsuitable for a vegetarian dining companion."
Negative"This user found it very difficult to get a reservation at Monkey Bar and could not provide feedback on the food."
Neutral"This user recommended Monkey Bar."
Positive"Monkey Bar is suggested as an option."
Neutral"Monkey Bar is generally open for lunch."
Neutral"The original poster planned to have lunch at Monkey Bar, a place they have only visited for dinner before."
Neutral"The original poster stated they took the recommendation for Monkey Bar and expressed thanks."
Positive
