If you're looking for one of those places that instantly feels like home while serving food that surprises you, this is it. The atmosphere is incredibly relaxed--perfect for catching up with friends or just unwinding over an amazing meal. The octopus was easily the standout. Perfectly tender with just the right amount of char, it was cooked with the kind of care that's hard to find. Every bite was packed with flavor and beautifully balanced. What really makes this place special, though, is the Asian American fusion. The dishes capture those nostalgic flavors that so many New York Asian Americans grew up with--comforting, familiar, and authentic in a way that's difficult to explain unless you've experienced it. It's the kind of food that honors tradition while giving it a fresh, creative twist without losing its soul. From the welcoming vibe to the unforgettable food, this is the kind of restaurant you'll keep coming back to. Highly recommended, especially if you appreciate flavors that tell a story. read more

Bananas in New York was an incredible experience from start to finish. The atmosphere was one of the highlights. It was comfortable, intimate, and full of character. The decor created a warm, inviting space that made us want to stay and enjoy the evening. What really stood out was seeing the owner so involved. It was clear how much pride they take in the restaurant, serving tables, entertaining guests, and even jumping into the kitchen when needed. That level of hands on dedication created a welcoming, personal touch that is hard to find. Every dish was made to order, arrived piping hot, and was absolutely delicious. You can tell there is a lot of creativity and passion behind the cooking, making this more than just a meal. It is an experience. A special shoutout to the bartender, who took exceptional care of us at the bar and then went above and beyond to get us seated at a table on a busy Friday night. The hospitality was outstanding. If you are looking for great food, an intimate atmosphere, and genuinely warm service in a fantastic location, Bananas is a must visit. We cannot wait to come back. read more

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Finally hit this spot up and it was so good. NYC needs more places like this. The food was creative, unique, and most importantly tasted great. The Dynamite Rice was probably my favorite, but the shrimp étouffée and chopped cheese were both outstanding also. Vibe was dope too, I went with friend but felt like a solid date spot. The service was just as good as the food. Everyone was super friendly, and I always appreciate when the owner comes by to check on the tables. You can tell they really care about what they're doing. Looking forward to coming back read more

I visited for an event. I ordered the Passionfruit Sangria, Espresso Martini, and the Karaage. The Karaage was flavorful and juicy. The sangria went down like juice. The Espresso Martini was surprising because it tasted creamy but didn't look creamy. It was one of the best Espresso Martinis I've had. The drinks were smooth, but I wish they were a bit stronger. The staff was friendly and managed the orders well, even with the event. The space felt a bit narrow for a large speed-friending event but would be a nice place to dine regularly. read more

Bananas - Passionfruit Sangria - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Great food and drinks! The buffalo kaarage was my favorite. Loved the decor too - the banana themed shrine is so cool Follow me for more @lisandthecity read more

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I am so glad I stumbled upon Bananas on my search. The menu represents a perfect harmony of Asian-American fusion like fusion when done right. Every ingredient was perfected picked out for each dish. My friend and I ordered the dynamite fried rice, mushroom alfredo, buffalo karaage, and two cans of Makku mango makgeolli (Korean rice beer). The makgeolli was only $5.00 each as we came during Happy Hour. I am not keen on beer, but I was so glad I ordered this as it tasted nothing like the beer I have had before. It was creamy, slightly tart, and fizzy. My favorite dish that I have tried was the buffalo karaage. The chicken pieces were juicy with coated in this really savory chili garlic oil and topped with a drizzle of blue cheese that is light. I was afraid it would come out like what I know of buffalo chicken wings and blue cheese dressing would be. I am not a big fan of those flavors, but this appetizer though was very memorable. The service was also very top-notch. Our server would stop by every now and then to check up on how we were loving our meal and was very helpful with recommendations since we were new to the restaurant and didn't know what to order. The ambiance was what attracted me to the restaurant before I could even look at the menu. The walls are lined with bananas...banana explosion. It is very vibrant and fun. read more

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Taylor's Tayke: Bananas is one of those spots where you can feel the intention the moment you walk in. The aesthetics are pristine, with a beautifully curated interior that reflects real thought, culture, and personality. There's a strong sense of heart and soul behind the space, from the decor to the overall atmosphere, and even their origin story adds to the experience. It feels welcoming, community-driven, and effortlessly cool all at once. My Tipsy Tayke: The drinks here are top notch. Well-balanced, creative, and clearly crafted with care, this is a place you can come to just for cocktails and be fully satisfied. My Taysty Tayke: Sleeper Pick: Honey Walnut Shrimp Chip Super flavorful and easy to overlook, but definitely worth ordering. Get Down & Dirty, Expeditiously: Octopus Absolutely otherworldly and a must order. Standouts: Char Siu, Chicken & Pancakes Both dishes really highlight the creativity behind their Asian fusion approach. The Buffalo Karaage skewers are a safe and solid option, easy to enjoy and well executed. The Chopped Cheese Krapow and Étouffée continue that theme of unique takes on familiar dishes, bringing something different to the table. Service: Exemplary. Attentive, welcoming, and adds to the overall experience in a meaningful way. Plates From My Visit: Honey Walnut Shrimp Chip Chopped Cheese Krapow Étouffée Buffalo Karaage Octopus Char Siu Chicken & Pancakes Cocktails In Conclusion: A beautifully designed space with strong drinks, standout dishes, and a real sense of culture behind it. Perfect for date nights, hosting events, or just hanging out with friends in a great atmosphere. Stamped by Elajas read more

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Bananas is always my go-to spot, especially when it's time to celebrate my birthday. The food never disappoints! The Hot Honey Sriracha Karaage is perfectly crispy with the ideal balance of sweet heat, making it one of my favorite dishes. The vegetable spring rolls are fresh, crispy, and the perfect way to start the meal. The Chopped Cheese Krapow is absolutely amazing packed with bold flavors, perfectly seasoned, and a creative twist that keeps me coming back for more. The atmosphere is always welcoming, and the staff makes every visit enjoyable and sweet. So make sure to show them love. If you're looking for incredible food and a great place to celebrate or simply enjoy a delicious meal, I highly recommend Bananas. read more

Great food and attentive staffs! Been there countless times, but always a fun time! :)

Great atmosphere at bananas! Definitely give the shrimp a try. The sauce gave it a delicious kick. Can't wait to go back to try the other dishes read more

Bananas - Fried Shrimp - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Great restaurant week menu! For $45 i tried both the caramelized dip, karage lemon pancake, chopped cheese, and the banana pudding. The caramelized dip reminded me of shrimp chips complimented by a cream cheese dip. The karage lemon pancake was a filling sampler app with light citrus flavor to it. Dip was better than the pancake if I had to choose The chopped cheese was actually amazing- highly highly recommend. Basil is incorporated to it. The char siu was okay- they added caramelized bananas to it so it's just a sweeter version of the traditional char siu. For dessert they didn't have the crostini so we received the frozen banana. It tasted really healthy- peanut buttery banana ice cream vibes. It's not what I was craving but the restaraunts week was still worth it read more

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We went last night for jazz night and everything was incredible! The drinks were refreshing and the servers were super attentive and sweet. We had the chopped cheese, octopus, and the crab fried rice. The octopus was so tender and the crab fried rice was delicious. I can't say enough about the chopped cheese it was a hit! The music definitely added to the ambiance I'm so happy we were able to stop by. Definitely will be back read more

Bananas - Chopped Cheese Krapow - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Food: 4.5/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 5/5 We absolutely love a restaurant that has a compelling story, and Bananas def does that. We even had the opportunity to meet the founders: Chris Ng (of Blue Ribbon and Bond St fame) and Kyaw Lwin (who had exp at Yakiniku Futago, Hasalon, and the Michelin-starred Shmoné). Their concept is cool captured in the name, Bananas, which reflects their unique take on Asian American cuisine, blending classic Asian flavors with a Western dining approach. What we tried: Caramelized Onion Dip with Furikake & Shrimp Chips (4.5/5): A great app to pair with drinks. You can tell the shrimp chips are homemade, and the dip itself had a deep caramelized onion flavor that was addictive and flavorful Chopped Cheese Krapow (4.75/5): The abs highlight. The soft brioche bun provided the perfect base for the rich, flavorful Thai basil beef and cheese. It was the perfect combo that I haven't tried before but works Matcha Latte (3.75/5): This alcoholic beverage was definitely interesting, but it was too sweet for my palate. It would likely be a hit for those who prefer a sweeter cocktail where the alcohol taste is completely masked. Will absolutely be back to explore the entrees and main dishes next time, especially since they keep things fresh with a rotating seasonal menu! read more

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I am fortunate to live very close to Bananas. When I dine here, I'm always treated with kindness and made to feel like a valued customer. The environment is relaxing, at times they have activities which makes the space festive but enjoyable. My food is always prepared with care and any adjustments I request are honored. I look forward to returning soon and take pictures I can add to review. read more

Guest review by my suitor: "Overall, the experience was mid at best. The rosemary fries were a bit too thick and a little underseasoned, and the amount of ketchup that was provided was too little the shrimp rice dish was far too sweet and we did not really eat it. However we were still charged full freight for the dish even though we expressed disappointment with it so overall, I was not thrilled and don't expect to be returning anytime soon." Now for my review, what everyone is here for: Was excited to come here after seeing all the positive reviews but left quite confused. When I arrived at 6pm on a Sunday one of the co-owners of the restaurant was sleeping horizontally on one of the booths. After I was seated by his business partner, he woke up and sat across from me in my booth and tried to have a conversation but I wasn't sure what he was saying. I think the two of them later apologized and explained that they hadn't been planning to open that section that evening. There were some pretty unpleasant kitchen/bathroom/cleaning fluid smells while I waited as well but we decided not to move. My suitor ordered the rosemary fries, which he has already stated above were too thick, underseasoned, and a tad soggy. I got the dynamite fried rice which had received rave reviews. They told me they were out of scallop (they were also out of crab) so would substitute shrimp for the scallop. Not ideal, but I went with it. It was pretty gimmicky with the whole blow torch presentation, but the flavors were not there. It was like a subpar clay pot rice with way too sweet sauce. It was $48 by the way. My ginger tea was also far too sweet. Womp womp womp, read more

Bananas is participating in NYC Restaurant Week from Sunday-Friday, January 20th-February 12th, 2026. A three course dinner (appetizers, entree, and dessert) is $45.00. My friend made a reservation for the 3 of us on Friday, February 6th at 6:00pm. When we arrived, we were seated right away. The staff were very friendly and explained the restaurant week menu. For the appetizers, it was nice that we got 1 of each being offered. Chef-Owner Chris Ng bought the appetizers out to us and explained what was on our plate: a caramelized onion dip with furikake shrimp chips and a kaarage pancake with lemon pepper chicken. Both of these were delicious and I loved how I didn't have to choose one. This was definitely the highlight of the whole meal. I would come back for these! For entree, I chose the char siu which had 48 hr marinated pork, caramelized bananas, and garlic rice. The char siu was tender and the caramelized bananas were interesting since I've never had this combination before. It was just a little too saucy for me. My friends got the shrimp alfredo and the krakow chopped cheese. They enjoyed it. For dessert, only the frozen banana was available. I originally wanted the poached pear crostini since I don't like bacon, but it wasn't available. The frozen banana had banana, peanut butter caramel, and bacon. I pushed the bits of bacon to the side, but didn't really like the frozen banana. This was my least favorite dish. I got a glass of the Sun Moon Rising Gemini Bubbly Rosé Wine and my friend got a glass of the Sun Moon Rising Pisces Chenin Blanc. Both were very good. The staff came by and switched out my friend's glass of white wine because she said it has been opened for about 7 days and wanted to give her a crispier one. Ever since you walk in, you'll see the decor of bananas everywhere which is pretty cool and it is very spacious and modern inside. Staff were very friendly and hospitable. It definitely got more crowded as the evening went by. Bananas offers innovative Asian and American-inspired dishes while highlighting seasonal ingredients. I would come back to try the dynamite fried rice and other dishes, especially getting those appetizers again. read more

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Bananas is one of those rare New York restaurants that genuinely surprises you. The shrimp wonton étouffée is a must-order, with its rich fragrant broth and perfectly crafted wontons, while the iconic chopped cheese krapow is a love letter to New York street food elevated to a whole new level. The Dynamite Fried Rice topped with broiled masago and the Char Siu with caramelized bananas round out a menu that is as creative as it is satisfying. read more

Really great service everyone was friendly and helpful. Restaurant has a nice vibe,great music and bananas everywhere. Food has great taste the dynamite rice very delicious creamy and hot, the octopus was tender and flavorful, shrimp alfredo very creamy and loved that it was udon, the chop cheese was the most flavorful. The pear dessert was savory bite but yummy and banana was creamy with a nice salty bite. The pancake karage was soo good and the French dip was very good. read more

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Bananas is the hottest new spot in town! I got the chance to go to their family and friends event earlier this year and wasn't disappointed. The concept of Bananas comes from a term describing Asians born in the US and they perfected this concept with the type of cuisine they served! I really loved their udon carbonara with shrimp, octopus, rice bowl, and mussels. But honestly everything was pretty solid and creative. You can tell each dish was thought out and a lot of love was put into the creation of them. This Asian fusion cuisine spot in the village should be highly praised for the service, ambiance, staff, and decor! Shoutout to Dania and Chris for doing an amazing job! Will be back to visit soon (once I can have another cheat meal). I also recently saw they started making some amazing cocktails which I'm excited about as well! read more

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We went to Bananas and took advantage of their Restaurant Week deal. Unlike most other Restaurant Week menus, at Bananas you will try five dishes as part of the three course dinner. I loved that they brought out a sampler of three appetizers for the first course because this way you got a sense of items of them on the menu and got to sample the interesting flavors on display. For $45 this meal was such a great deal. Ordered: First course trio- I really loved the caramelized onion dip served on a shrimp chip and topped with furikake. It was creamy, sweet, salty and umami. I also really loved the karaage fried chicken served on a pancake and drizzled with condensed milk. It was salty and sweet. The oyster wasn't my cup of tea, but I'm sure you would love it if you like that type of thing. Char siu with carmelized bananas- this was the first time I have ever tried this dish and the inclusion of the sweet caramelized banana was so good! It also came with garlic rice, which was okay, but I thought could have been a little more flavorful. Chopped cheese- I've had the original chopped cheese and this rendition was incredible. The flavors were vibrant with Thai basil and the rosemary fries were delicious! Frozen banana with peanut butter, caramel and bacon- while this dish seems appropriate given the name of the restaurant, it was good but not a standout choice. Don't get me wrong, I finished the entire thing happily. I think there's a real potential for the restaurant to develop some more interesting dessert options, ones that take the fusion to the next level. Poached pear- this was also tasty. It was done well. The creamy pung I thoroughly enjoyed my evening at Bananas! What a fun meal. The vibe was hip and the service was top notch. read more

Bananas - Frozen banana with peanut butter - New American Near Me - New York, New York

My friend and I went for a double date night and it was great! Though it was a bit warm, the ambiance was nice and clean. Service was impeccable and everything tasted great. I was impressed by the flavors and how they fused American/ Asian cuisines. Most dishes have a touch of banana. We decided to go with the Restaurant Week dinner menu (3 appetizers, 1 entree, and 1 dessert for $45). I thought this was a great deal because the menu items are surprisingly expensive. For example, I'm not convinced to pay $54 for the dynamite fried rice that has scallops, masago, and mushroom. But we didn't get that. We got: -appetizers: caramelized onion dip on a chip, oysters motoyaki, and karaage (on) pancake -char siu -poached pear -matcha latte cocktail Food: Everything was WOW. The oyster motoyaki was so good I could've eaten several. I loved the char siu, though the rice was just ok. The poached pear with blue cheese was interesting. And I LOVED the matcha latte cocktail. I've never had matcha maekgeolli or fennel soju, so it was a unique flavor mix. Plus, $5 for maekgeolli is unheard of! Service: excellent! Everyone was so welcoming and all smiles as they presented us our food. I enjoyed the dining experience! Plating was nice! Overall, I highly recommend Bananas but the prices are steep. I think restaurant week menu is worth the visit. read more

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Had an amazing experience here. The Asian-American fusion dishes were unique and delicious. I loved : Char Siu with caramelized banana-perfect sweet & salty combo Dynamite Fried Rice - creamy mentaiko, scallop, mushroom, and a torched finish! The quirky decor and friendly staff made it even better. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the East Village! read more

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I got the chance to try this wonderful for at this new restaurant in city! When I arrived I parked on the street nearby. I walked into the cutest restaurant. I was served by Tenzin and she was great! I had: West 32 Reserve Soju Nola BBQ Octopus Etouffe Shrimp Alfredo Dynamite fried rice The drink was delicious! My favorite dish was the Etouffe! All in all, I had a great experience! read more

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I was in town visiting close friends and saw this spot while walking around. There's a lot of hidden gems in the e.village and being an area that's close to my heart, we had to pop in and try it out. Every aspect from the vibe of the place, dishes we tried, to the very nice servers, and the engaged chefs/co-owners made the experience memorably wonderful. Some stand out dishes that we enjoyed and will be returning for were; the caramelized onion dip, etoufee, chopped cheese kra pow, and dynamite fried rice. read more

This Asian American restaurant has just opened up in East Village. The term "banana" is often used to describe Asian who is perceived as being "yellow on the outside, but white on the inside". They address this term in a humorous way and embrace their multicultural identities through reimagining American classics with an Asian spin.   The space is playfully designed with a banana theme, from the banana stuck to a wall to the quirky banana figure collection display. ＊Caramelized Onion Dip $15 * Highly addictive appetizer to kick start the evening. The shrimp chips were packed with flavor and super crispy. The dip was crunchy with the furikake on top and its savory, creamy texture got us hooked! ＊Dynamite Fried Rice $43 * Another standout dish has to be this hot stone fried rice baked with scallops, mushrooms and masago. Served sizzling hot, it released a tantalizing smoky aroma. The umami-rich flavors from the seafood elevated the dish. Instead of mixing it up, the chef recommended digging it directly for the layers. ＊Char Siu $30 Not to be dramatic, but I once told my friends I could never go vegetarian because of my deep love for char siu. So, I had high expectations for their 48-hour marinated pork. For an unexpected twist, they paired the char siu with caramelized banana, creating a sweet and savory contrast that surprised our taste buds. You can add $7 for garlic rice to accompany the dish. ＊Étouffée $35 The shrimps were simmered in a rich and thick gravy made of cajun and holy trinity, served alongside shrimp wontons. Both the shrimps and wontons were plump and big. The étouffée carried a spicy kick but the heat wasn't overwhelming. Worth to mention that their chefs and servers are very friendly and passionate. Their warm service elevated our dining experience. While the pricing is on the higher end, I still highly recommend this spot to anyone who is open to try Asian fusion dishes. read more

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Bananas is a very cool unique concept. The bar area looks fun but we opted to sit at a booth by the open kitchen. We ordered some sangria which to my surprise was very tasty. They run bar specials which is nice -- and a dying practice in many restaurants lately. The waitress was super nice and patient with us. We tried a few dishes and they were all good. The side of rice felt like it wasn't priced right-- it lacked flavor and was pretty small. The shrimp wontons were nice and plump. The sauce is creole but I felt it lacked some authenticity. I get they break the rules and make their own version but I felt it could have packed some more heat. I was sooooo sad that they ran out of octopus right before I ordered it. I saw the last three orders being made right in front of me and I cried alittle. That just means I have to return. Overall good experience-- Next time I will explore the seats at the bar! read more

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I didn't organize our group dinner, but I guess it's my bad for assuming Bananas was another Third Kingdom-type of deal with a menu revolving around one ingredient. Nope. The restaurant name refers to Asians who were born/raised in the West and consider themselves yellow on the outside, white on the inside. As one of the co-founders described it: him. Color me (a fellow banana) extremely disappointed to find there would be no actual bananas creatively added to Asian fusion dishes. In fact, only one item on the sparse menu even includes bananas. Whomp, whomp. Instead, the menu purports to be creative Asian-Western fusion. You know...like every other restaurant menu in NYC? Sadly, the ideas fell flat in execution: - Miso Caesar Salad: No identifiable fish/alternative flavor that differentiated it from any other caesar salad - Salmon Crudo: Fine, but tasted like any other ponzu crudo-type dish you'd get anywhere - Tom Yum Meatballs: The sauce was different from typical marinara but hardly "Tom Yum". There was no hint of galangal, lemongrass, shrimp, or anything else that would've justified the Tom Yum branding - NOLA BBQ Octopus: Nothing particularly Cajun about this dish, and the octopus didn't have any char, which was disappointing - Kaarage Pancake: Probably the most disappointing and derided dish of the night. I guess this is supposed to be a creative take on Chicken and Waffles, but it was just fried chicken bites over generic pancakes with condensed milk. $25 for 5 measly pieces of chicken, 3 small pancakes, and a half oz of likely canned condensed milk. Wowee. - Chopped Cheese Krapow: A burger stuffed with...beef krapow? Points for trying, I suppose - Étouffée: I don't think these guys know what etouffee is--there wasn't any discernible roux or other thickening agent on the shrimp that we were served, just a watery tomato sauce. And where was the rice? SMH - Crab Fried Rice: Tiny portion with even tinier portions of crab--and this entree costs $38! - Dynamite Fried Rice: Probably our best dish, as sad as that is to say. The rice came in a stone pot with nice char. Like so many real-life bananas, I think Bananas is confused about its identity. If you feel like blowing $90+ pp to help it figure itself out, by all means, go patronize it. I'll save my dinero for the hundreds of other Asian fusion restaurants in the city that know who they are. read more

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It was one of the best places for incredible flavored ice creams by French Laundry dessert chef, Priyaporn Picheet Pongchai! her desserts are beyond belief! Unfortunately, we went there two weeks ago and it is shut down. But keep an eye out for Pri!! read more

I came here for a friends birthday and it was such a nice vibe! The food was a combination of Asian classics with a twist taking inspiration from various countries as well! They were able to accommodate a large party (there were 8 of us) and we were able to share some great bites and some sake as well! The staff is super knowledgeable and gave great recommendations for us! Personal favorite was the caramelized onion dip (the shrimp chips it comes with was addicting) and the etouffe! Highly recommend this place if you're in the east village! read more

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What a fun little spot in East Village! The vibes are EXCELLENT. There are so many cute banana-themed decor all around, including in the bathroom. I thought it was so adorable. It's dimly lit inside with candles on each table for the ~vibes~ We got a couple of items, but you definitely need to get the fried rice with the scallops and fish roe on top!! It was mindblowingly delicious. I gotta say, paying $40+ for fried rice, I was like, this better be damn good. Well, good news. It was damn good. I also recommend the furikake & shrimp chips and the shrimp etouffee. The price is definitely on the higher side, but it's a nice place to hang out. read more

Bananas - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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Vibes felt very cozy, perfect for a date night or a celebration with friends. The space is pretty big. The dynamite rice in a stone pot was delicious and so was the cream udon. The only downside is that it's pretty pricey. Without drinks, we got 4 dishes between 2 of us and we spent over $75 per person with tip and tax. :// I can't come often but I would recommend trying once! The drinks looked pretty unique too. The dish we wouldn't get again is the char sui - a bit too strong in flavor especially without a side of rice. Took it to go cause it came out pretty late compared to the rest of our dishes. 3.5/5 read more

Bananas - Udon with shrimp - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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Cuisine: 8 Service: 8 Decor: 8 Value: 7 Overall: 8 Let's start with the name "Bananas", which applies to Asian Americans who are culturally adapted to the US, but still "yellow" on the outside. This concept is apparent in their restaurant, helmed by chef/owner Chris Ng (formerly Blue Ribbon & Bond St) and Kyaw Lwin (formerly Yakiniku Futago, Hasalon, and Shmoné). As you walked into the long, narrow, white space adorned with banana and tropical theme, you will notice a few tables upfront, followed by a nice looking bar stocked with various sake. Due to a local school nearby, they have a license for beer and wine, but not hard liquor. Continue further into the restaurant, there is an open kitchen with about 10 seats that overlooks the chefs at work. To the left and back are more tables for mostly 2-4 patrons. For the evening, I would say that the meal just kept getting better, with the last savory dish being the climax and the reason why I know I will return. Below is a rundown of what we received in order. Char Siu (7/10) - This 48 hour marinated piece of relatively lean roast pork had a lot of savory flavor. Not as sweet as most of what you'll find in nearby Chinatown, though I thought the caramelized banana pairing might take the sweetness level over the top, but it didn't. However, was the banana necessary? Probably not imho. Chopped Cheese (5/10) - Tbh, this is a fun fusion concept that needs better execution. I love krapow and had it almost daily while I was in Thailand. Don't be shy, a bit more birds eye chili and some extra Thai basil would really improve the flavor profile. Also, please make sure the ground beef is not dry and it definitely needs more white cheddar. Lastly, the fries lacks that crispy and airy texture I seek, as well as a hint more seasoning. Meatballs (8/10) - Excellent sauce made with tomato and tom yum. Without telling me, I may not have recognized the tom yum flavor that distinctively. However, the tender and fluffy pork meatballs were elevated immensely by the kick of spice. Delicious! Fried Rice (8/10) - I was told that Chef Lwin's background from Burma was the inspiration behind this dish. It's really not a fried rice, more of a stone bowl rice (no crispy bottom though) topped with crabmeat. I would almost called it crab floss due to its dehydrated nature after being fried to a crisp. Such intense crabbiness. So good. NoLa BBQ Octopus (9/10) - Wow! Bananas! First possible entry for my top 10 list of 2025 and the year has just started. Having my fare share of NoLa BBQ shrimps, this sauce was outstanding. I would have loved a little char and smoke on the octopus, but the interior texture was perfect, with the right amount of chew. Poached Pear (7/10) - It was just something sweet to end the night. The restaurant plan to have more dessert options after fully open. Nothing special, but also not bad with the blue cheese pairing. I do wish there it was more Asian inspired - maybe add some Asian spices or use a Korean pear. The owner and staff were all very friendly, including the chefs behind the kitchen bar that were sharing their preparation process, cooking methods, and other details of what we were eating. Only small gripes would be for the servers to learn not to reach over customers to serve or remove plates, and to refill water more diligently. These small kinks will likely be worked out over time anyway. In the end, I would consider this new restaurant a cute little neighborhood spot. They have a few dishes that were memorable for me, and hence, I'll be back soon to have them again and try other interesting items on the menu. I'm rooting for you Bananas! read more

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Cute little restaurant with a ton of banana decorations which I approve of. It was restaurant week so I ordered what was recommended. First the caramelized onion dip was an interesting chip with onion dip spread. The oyster motoyaki was an raw oyster that wasn't fishy at all topped with cheese. The karaage pancake was an interesting sweet version of a savory dish, but the pancake was meh. The main dish was the char siu which was so sweet w/ sweet caramelized banana on the side. While I enjoy a nice sweet treat, this is a little too much for a savory dish and I had a hard time finishing. Finally for dessert, a frozen banana ice cream which again was just sweet. For a drink, I got a strawberry mojito (non alcoholic) as a sweet float. The bartender was super nice and offered to modify the drink because I didn't want alcohol. Overall, I enjoyed my time but everything was a tad too sweet and I have a sweet tooth. I wish there were more of a diverse flavor palette. read more

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We have been curious about Bananas for a while now. It is an American-Asian fusion restaurant. We were the first to show up and I've never felt so welcomed at a restaurant before. The staff was so attentive the whole time with us. Maybe due to them not being very busy, but service was fantastic. The bananas showcase was cute and I loved the vibes. We ordered: Chopped Cheese Krapow ($24) - this was thai-style beef in a burger with rosemary seasoned fries. I like the thin fries, but I couldn't really taste any krapow flavor. Shrimp Alfredo ($32) - this was aged parmesan dashi udon, with 3 tempura shrimps. The sauce didn't feel too heavy and the tempura batter, juicy shrimp was delicious. Dynamite Fried Rice ($54) - this was fried rice with creamy mentaiko, scallop, mushroom in a claypot, with a torched finish. I almost wish they heat the pot longer because I wanted more crisped rice at the end of the meal. We ate it exactly how we were instructed, but the crisp was minimal. I appreciate how the scallops tasted fresh, as well. Prices are a steep for portion size, but you can tell the quality of the food is there, and I enjoyed my time here. read more

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My friend heard about this new Asian fusion place that popped up recently, so we dropped by to give it a try for a recent Friday dinner. Our res was at 6pm and there were still plenty of tables when we arrived; while never full, it did get busier in the next hour or so, so probably best to plan ahead with a reservation. We ordered a few dishes to share: - tom yum meatballs: biggest issue was that the sauce barely tasted like tom yum. the tomato flavour was incredibly dominant, and while it wasn't your typical marinara, the typical hot/sour flavours of tom yum was muted, if at all present. the meatballs were fine, but nothing special. Overall it felt like a generic dish you could find at an average Italian restaurant, except billed as fusion cuisine. - dynamite fried rice: I did quite like this dish, but not memorably so. Overall the savouriness of the scallops, roe, and mushrooms worked together well, albeit a bit too salty overall. Portion size was definitely a bit small (esp for the price and for a rice dish). - char siu: the roasted pork was quite good -- very savoury and tender -- and I liked the slightly-sweet sauce. the caramelised bananas were also fine, although I think a little bit too sweet for my taste. The confusing part, to me, was that the juxtaposition of the bananas and the pork felt very haphazard to me. We tried eating them together (in one bite) and separately, and it didn't really feel like either of them enhanced the other (or, in particular, like the bananas were necessary for the dish at all). I find that Asian fusion is a hard cuisine with which to please everyone, and to that end I don't feel as though the food was lacking in terms of execution or intrinsic quality, but rather that (in my opinion) there was a bit of a more fundamental disconnect in these dishes in terms of the cultural background/fusion and their actual manifestation. It also contributes, I think, that the price point seemed to be really quite too high for not just the aforementioned quality, but also the portion size of the dishes we ordered, which definitely tended to be on the small size. (tl;dr it was quite expensive for what amounted to be a pretty average meal.) On the bright side, the service and ambience were fantastic. Everyone we interacted with - the servers, host, etc. - were all very lovely and checked in on us regularly throughout the meal. The place is decorated really nicely (you can tell it's relatively new) with a light, natural, minimalist style with interesting contemporary art on display. It seems that other reviewers were all thoroughly impressed by their experiences here, which make me wonder if perhaps we ordered the wrong dishes this time haha. Still, I'm not jumping at the chance to come by again, but perhaps another visit someday to try other parts of the menu may be a good idea. read more

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Go bananas for Bananas! We enjoyed a lovely dinner here. Vibes, staff, and food were beyond our expectations. First off, food had amazing flavor with unexpected twists. I'd definitely be getting the following next time: 1) onion dip - just get it. Shrimp chips were crispy to perfection and this onion dip was ADDICTING! 2) dynamite fried rice - soooo flavorful without being overwhelming; I've had a lot of fried rice in my life and this did not disappoint 3) Char Siu Banana - if someone told me that caramelized bananas and char siu are the perfect marriage on a dinner plate, I'd be giving you strange looks. But it actually was one of the most memorable dishes I've had in awhile. I'll be definitely bringing friends back to try this unexpected but delightful combo. We also got the wonton etouffee, miso Caesar salad, and krapow chopped cheese. These were quite good as well. We ended dinner with the homemade ice cream - very refreshing and light flavors. Drinks: I enjoyed a nonalcoholic drink, the unified ferments soba. It's a little sweet with a familiar taste of soba noodles - unexpected concoction of deliciousness. I feel like non alcoholic drinks are often after thoughts at casual and fine dining places. But not here! Wow, I'll be getting this drink again when I come back. Staff were phenomenal. So attentive and so kind. Ambience is great for date or friend hangout. read more

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One of the strangest experiences from the moment we arrived. No one to greet at the front of the open restaurant. We were seated and immediately noted the lack of airflow and the strange ambiance. A man who we later recognized as the owner was seated in a booth with other patrons and visibly slurring words and totally wasted. The bartender served our drinks. Shortly after the owner stood at our table just looking at us saying almost nothing, to which I responded do you have any recommendations. He began telling us through slurred words about the dumplings and the octopus which he doted as being so tender you could cut it with a spoon. His clothes were sloppy and shorts all dirty. He later came back, stood at the table again saying nothing until I said are you ready to take our order? The food came, which was average at best. We ordered the dumplings, chopped cheese, octopus, etouffee and dynamite fried rise. We weren't impressed by any of the dishes and didn't feel they aligned with flavor or descriptions on menu. Sangria was delicious. Specifically the octopus was inedible. We let the waitress know that we were done and ready for the check. She asked if we wanted anything wrapped and we mentioned the octopus being tough. She said she appreciated the feedback and shortly after the owner came by and slurred again that he loves feedback and asked to sit down. His body language and verbal language did not indicate that he loved or was open to any feedback. He asked how we preferred the octopus cooked to which we responded that he described the octopus as so tender and it was in fact the opposite - it couldn't even be cut with a knife in some places. Annoyed he stated he would take this back to the test kitchen lab. They removed from the bill which was appreciated. In short, we would not ever go back - what a mess. read more

What a delightful find! Banana has such a playful, inviting atmosphere that instantly puts you in a good mood. Perfect for a first date or catching up with friends - the vibe is relaxed but energetic. The food is equally excellent! That onion dip is addictive (seriously, we kept going back for more), and the Alfredo udon with shrimp tempura is such a clever fusion dish that actually works. The octopus was definitely a highlight - perfectly tender and beautifully prepared. Don't skip the frozen banana dessert! The drink program is impressive too. Their cocktails are creative and well-crafted, and I love that they have thoughtful mocktail options alongside a solid sake and wine selection. Something for everyone! Service was attentive and friendly, matching the overall fun energy of the place. The space feels welcoming whether you're on a date trying to impress or just hanging out with your crew. Banana manages to be both playful and polished - definitely adding this to our regular rotation! read more

Loveeee. New restaurant. They have happy hour, $5 sake Ambience is cute. The banana dessert was my fav. The octopus is really good too read more

Bananas - Steak - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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The place is great with great food. Highly recommend dumplings. The service is absolutely fantastic as well. The atmosphere is great too with the bananas hanging. Definitely try the sake there plus different beers. read more

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