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EEL BAR

Updated

Phone: (917) 318-9172

Address: 252 BROOME STREET 10002

TLDR

Basque-inspired seafood and tapas hotspot on the LES with a trendy, tavern-like vibe and an excellent vermouth program. Perfect for groups and those seeking inventive, high-quality small plates in a buzzy setting.

Reddit Sentiment for EEL BAR(based on 32 Reddit opinions)

69% Positive19% Neutral

Tags

basque 6seafood 4american 2seafood 10eel 4mussels 3View All

Neighborhoods

Lower East Side

Instagram Posts References

Eel Bar is lauded as the best meal experienced in NYC for 2025 by the reviewer, who is a full-time food content creator. The restaurant, described as a Basque seafood establishment, stands out for its unique menu and dishes that are perfectly cooked, particularly excelling at using simple ingredients to create complex and delicious flavors. The reviewer also commends the outstanding service and unparalleled ambiance, noting that it is surprisingly easy to get a reservation there, making it a highly recommended dining spot.

Featured Articles

Dedicated reviews and comprehensive features focusing directly on this restaurant.

The 35 best restaurants in NYC right now
positive

Eel Bar, a sister restaurant to Hart's, The Fly, and Cervo's, offers pintxos and fried mussels in a cool, basement-like setting on the Lower East Side.

Morgan Carter, Amber Sutherland-NamakoAug 6, 2025
Read More →
Infatuation

Other Article Mentions

Lists, round-ups, and guides where this restaurant is mentioned alongside others.

Mentioned In
The Best Restaurants in the Lower East Side

From the team behind Cervo's, Eel Bar offers a sexy atmosphere and a tapas menu featuring creative small plates like potato salad with roe and fried mussels.

InfatuationMay 11, 2026
Mentioned In
The 31 Best Restaurants On The Lower East Side
positive

Eel Bar, from the team behind Cervo's, offers a Basque-inspired menu with generous amounts of olive oil and aioli, perfect for groups looking to enjoy martinis and shareable plates.

Bryan KimApr 21, 2026
Read More →
Infatuation
Mentioned In
Canal Street’s Open Streets Program Faces Uncertain Future
lean negative

Eel Bar, another establishment co-owned by Nialls Fallon, faces the same challenges as Cervo's due to the potential reduction in the Canal Street Open Streets program's operating days.

Grub StreetDate unknown
Read More →
Grubstreet

Details

A chic, Basque-inspired seafood destination on the Lower East Side with an 'uncle's basement' aesthetic, featuring heavy woods, mirrors, and neon lights [1]. Created by the team behind Cervo's, the kitchen excels at transforming simple ingredients into complex, delicious flavors [2]. This tavern-like spot is perfect for group gatherings, offering shareable plates, an extensive vermouth selection, and a buzzy, hip atmosphere [1], [3].

Food Overview

The menu focuses on Basque-inspired seafood and creative tapas, utilizing high-quality ingredients like olive oil and aioli [1], [4]. Standout dishes frequently praised include fried mussels, rainbow trout pil pil, and a unique 'stinky burger' [1], [3], [5]. Diners also appreciate the inventive potato salad with roe and the expertly prepared Basque cheesecake [4], [6].

Highlights / Recommended

"Highly recommended items include the fried mussels, rainbow trout pil pil, and the 'stinky burger' [1], [3]. Guests also suggest the bomba rice with raw red shrimp and the Basque cheesecake [2], [6]."

Mentioned Dishes:

  • burger(3)
  • orange wine(2)
  • fried mussels(2)

Customer Sentiment

Patrons consistently rave about the restaurant's hip, buzzy atmosphere and exceptional service, often highlighting it as a top-tier dining choice for groups [1], [2]. While highly regarded for its innovative food and drink, some visitors have noted that the space can become quite noisy [3].

Reddit Opinions & Reviews

Top Reddit Posts About EEL BAR

This post highlights the restaurant's hip, buzzy vibe, making it a popular recommendation for dining in the Lower East Side.
A popular recommendation specifically praising the restaurant's unique 'stinky burger'.
The restaurant is featured here as one of the best spots in the city for a Basque cheesecake.

Recent Reddit Mentions

From post: Whats Your Favorite Shrimp Dish That Youve Had In

"The user recommends the ruby red shrimp on risotto."

Positive
Jul 18, 2026View Comment →

From post: Need Dinner Rec Similar To Lei Wine Bar The Four

"Described as a delight, but can get noisy."

Positive
Jun 30, 2026View Comment →

From post: New York Best Seafood Eats Looking For 2 Days

"Listed as a recommended seafood spot."

Neutral
Jun 29, 2026View Comment →

From post: Which Places Make The Gooiest Basque Cheesecake

"This user lists Eel Bar as one of the best Basque cheesecakes, alongside La Vara and Nudibranch."

Positive
Jun 22, 2026View Comment →

From post: Where Can I Find Good Seafood Preferably Seafood

"Eel Bar is listed as a seafood recommendation."

Positive
Jun 12, 2026View Comment →

From post: Bars With A Good Vermouth List Other Than Bar

"This user mentioned Eel Bar as a place with a good vermouth selection."

Positive
Jun 8, 2026View Comment →

From post: Looking For Some Great Potato Or Macaroni Salad

"The author, typically not a fan of mayo-based potato salad, mentioned enjoying Eel Bar's version as part of their banchan."

Positive
May 30, 2026View Comment →

From post: Where Would You Go In The Les If It Was Your

"This place is recommended for a hip, younger, and buzzy vibe."

Positive
May 20, 2026View Comment →

From post: Romantic Nyc Dinner Recommendations That Arent

"The original poster thanked the commenter for the recommendation."

Positive
May 19, 2026View Comment →

From post: Romantic Nyc Dinner Recommendations That Arent

"Eel Bar was recommended as a dining option."

Neutral
May 19, 2026View Comment →

From post: Last Visit Before 1st Baby Lower Manhattan Or

"Eel Bar is recommended as a dining option in the LES/Lower Manhattan area."

Positive
May 15, 2026View Comment →

From post: Best Seafood Dinner Experience In Manhattan With

"Eel Bar was listed as a potential seafood restaurant option."

Positive
May 11, 2026View Comment →

From post: Boro Brine

"This restaurant was recommended as a place worth checking out."

Neutral
May 7, 2026View Comment →

From post: Spots Where Bar Seated Meal Is Great

"Eel Bar is mentioned as a place with great bar side dinners."

Positive
May 3, 2026View Comment →

From post: A Couple Recommendations Please

"Eel Bar was recommended for Basque food."

Positive
Apr 12, 2026View Comment →

From post: Lower East Side Dinner Before Attaboy

"The commenter enjoys Eel Bar, specifically mentioning a fondness for their "stinky burger.""

Positive
Apr 1, 2026View Comment →

From post: Seeking Dirty Martini Recs

"Eel Bar was recommended as a place to get a dirty martini."

Positive
Mar 19, 2026View Comment →

From post: Influencedeinfluence My Seafoodheavy Restaurant

"Eel Bar is suggested as an alternative to Crevette for seafood, noted for being heavily Basque influenced."

Positive
Mar 16, 2026View Comment →

From post: Engagement Celebration Dinner For 1215 People

"Eel Bar is mentioned as potentially having a private room and being a vibey option for a group."

Positive
Mar 7, 2026View Comment →

From post: Looking For Quirky Or Interesting Places With

"This user mentioned Eel Bar as a potential place to visit."

Neutral
Dec 19, 2025View Comment →

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