Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Essex

    3.7 (2.5k reviews)
    PriceyBars, New American
    Closed 5:00 pm - 11:00 PM

    Essex Photos

    Business Info

    ESSEX ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Essex

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Mezze muhammara, hummus, and tzatziki
    Darlene T.

    We came at the end of dinner service around 9pm reservation on a Friday. It converts to a dance party vibe on Friday and Saturday nights! Very fun atmosphere. We heard this was supposed to be great Mediterranean food. It was good but not great. For the amount they charge - I should have zero bones in my branzino. The mezze was delish - probably our fav part. The delicata squash salad......had very little delicata squash. Grilled octopus was kind of underwhelming - we have definitely had better. The chicken skewers were amazing tho and we doubled up on veggies instead of getting rice. Overall, decent if you are in the area, but would not seek this spot out again.

    eggs benny
    Kim C.

    GIRL THIS PLACE IS GOOD. I went to bottomless brunch with a group of girls. When I tell you this place is bottomless this place is BOTTOMLESS. The servers are legit ninjas i didn't realize when my glass was empty or when the plates were taken away omg. I had bottomless aperol spritz - delicious. It's nice because it's not as sweet as the mimosa which is beneficial for that hangover. The salmon eggs benedict. I am an eggs benny girl. They had a slam dunk out of the water for this. Everhthing was perfect. Come here!!

    Herb Marinated Chicken Skewers
    Marie S.

    Decided to go on a solo date here and I really enjoyed my time! The staff were so friendly and welcoming. The place itself is lovely, spacious with bar seating, table seating, making it perfect for a solo visit, a date night, or hanging out with friends. The food was fantastic and full of flavor. The fried calamari was crispy and came with a delicious sauce. The rice and chicken skewers were absolutely tasty. I also loved the pineapple cake, it had the perfect balance of sweet pineapple and also tasted cornbread flavor too, but it was good and moist. I'm not much of a drinker, but the Mango Lava Lamp drink was really good! This spot is a winner and I'll definitely be coming back, whether solo, on a date, or with friends.

    lamb meatballs
    Jason M.

    My colleagues and I were looking for a place to eat after a work team-building event at The Ragery. Since this was super close, the menu looked good, and they were able to accommodate a party of our size, we booked it. I always confuse Essex with Beauty and Essex - and honestly I'm not sure what the difference is between the two (seriously though I know they are different places). Anyway, I quickly learned that Essex is (or at least was) a brunch hot spot in the LES. The space is huge - it has a grand presence with high ceilings, an impressive bar, and tables scattered throughout a mostly open floor plan. The decor was modern - there wasn't anything too outstanding about it but it was pleasing to the eyes nonetheless. The menu is mostly American food and consists of several small plates with a few larger format dishes. They also have a significant amount of drinks available which fits the boozy brunch aesthetic they're known for. Since it was restaurant week (apparently?), they had a 3-course prix fix option, but we decided not to partake. Ultimately, we got several small plates - fried calamari, burrata flatbread, mac and cheese, lamb meatballs, truffle fries, and Brussels sprouts. Additionally, we got a few orders of their signature burger. In general, none of the food impressed me - most of it was marginal at best with some of it being less than that. The best things IMO were the burger, truffle fries, and the mac. The fried calamari was over-fried, though I appreciate they included legs. The flatbread was burnt on the bottom which took away from the flavor. Boring food that you could get better elsewhere. Drinks were pretty good, but I only got a mule so I cannot accurately judge. Service was friendly, though the flow of the food wasn't the best as there was a large gap between being served small plates and the burgers. Also, several of us ordered drinks and they were served pretty much one at a time. I don't blame the servers though, they were working hard. They may need more people or a revamp of their workflow. Overall, Essex was just okay, and not a place I would necessarily return. While the service was good and the aesthetics were pretty, the food was underwhelming. I would opt for other restaurants in the LES next time I'm here.

    Full Mimosa
    Eric W.

    (Last visited September 4, 2023.) Hanging out in New York City for Labor Day weekend and it's time to brunch! So today we're on the lower east side and checking out Essex! Here's how it went... Atmosphere/Appearance: This place is pretty big for a New York restaurant! It's elongated like most of them but it also has an upstairs! It's very elegant, chic and felt like, historic... maybe? Like, set back in the day a little bit. It was on the quieter side, but still felt energetic as we sat right at the bar near the door since it was so busy. Service: We sat at the bar and we were well taken care of. I can't remember who took care of us, but they had our mimosas FULL-FULL. Like, with a meniscus on top. Lol. Serious stuff. Food: I went with the Angus strip and salad which was decent. It could've used some more seasoning or salt, but the steak was cooked well and the salad felt healthy. It was filling, but didn't make me regret eating it. Lol. Most importantly, the mimosas just flowed and flowed. Bottomless was done to perfection here, that's why it's important to sit right at the bar! At the source! Lol. Value: It's New York City and it's a nice restaurant. It's not going to be cheap. I think my wife and I spent just over $100.00 with tax and tip for each of us to have bottomless mimosas then our entrees. Totally worth it. In conclusion, I liked it here and would totally come back! Check this place out if you're in the area.

    Chilaquiles, skillet pancake, salmon benedict, turkey bacon
    Jonathan M.

    Ok went here with a friend on a Sunday. No wait for a table, but somewhat empty. We had their bottomless brunch option. Mimosas, bloody mary or aperol spritz are the options. The music was decent but the space seemed too big with a lack of people. Our server was nice and the food was just ok. Not bad but nothing spectacular! Huevos rancheros, skillet pancake and salmon eggs benedict pictured below.

    16oz Bone-In NY Strip Steak
    Tinah Y.

    Came here on a Saturday night with my side of the wedding party. We were a party of about 30 which typically present an ordering nightmare. However, the service was wonderful and I don't think they missed anything. The only problem was more of the kitchen being able to keep up because we had two large table, about 15 to a table and one table was done with their main course before the other table received theirs. The food was great and the steaks were cooked perfectly per request. Price is average and the portions were great. My favorites were probably the tomato and cucumber salad, brussels sprouts, steak and truffle fries.

    The New Aristocrat
    Alana K.

    I came here with my parents for lunch on a Saturday afternoon. The first thing we noticed when we stepped in the restaurant was how loud it was. The loud music blaring through the speakers meant that everyone in the restaurant needed to shout to each other to be heard. I ordered the New Aristocrat, which was burrata and salmon on a slice of sourdough with arugula on the side. The food was fine, if a little pricy for what it is. Everything on the brunch menu is the same price ($25 as of May '25).

    Manchego Mac 'n' Cheese
    Chris A.

    The inside is large and great for crowds . They have a great bottomless brunch offering . The day I went brunch was served until 5:00 PM . The food was mediocre at best. I had Avocado Toast which was just basic. Also ordered the Manchego Mac N Cheese. It was just ok. Service was great though. Main subway station close by.

    Elsa C.

    The vibe was great and the food was delicious. Highly recommend their steak -- super tender, flavorful, and juicy!

    Brunch menu
    Marsha S.

    I visited Essex for brunch. The atmosphere was nice. Some decent much playing not too loud. The place decor is simple modern and pretty. I liked that they had complentary bread but the down was it wasn't warmed and was on the dry side. The grilled chicken was ok, the bread didn't give fresh and wasn't toasted but it wasn't hard. The fries were good. I asked for a side of mixed green salad, and it was just that with light dressing. The wine serving was less than what I expected. The waitress (Raquel) was very polite, wlling to answer questions and attentive. She checked on me multiple times. I'd probably return and try something else because of the service Raquel showed and ambiance. The bathroom was pretty clean and neat. It's a 3.5 for me.

    The New Aristocrat
    Calbert C.

    Came here for the bottomless mimosas, but ended up being blown away by the entre. I ordered the New Aristocrat which consisted of cured salmon on burrata and sourdough bread topped with roe, and radish sprouts on the side. It was delicious. The burrata was extremely creamy and really complimented the salmon with some saltiness punching through from the roe. Highly recommend. I initially thought the greens were arugula which I love because it had the same peppery taste but it turned out to be radish sprouts. No complaints there. The mimosas kept on coming and I had a great time. Only gripe was that we weren't able to extend our time due to how busy they were on a Saturday at 12:30 PM . I feel like we barely had time to drink enough mimosas. But still worth a visit and I am already looking forward to my next visit here.

    Calamari
    Rose C.

    I came here for a private party. We were seated upstairs. We had shareable passable appetizers. We had meatballs, pita and hummus spread, calamari, fries, kale caesar salad, and mini sliders. We also had celebratory champagne. The food was good, no complaints. The servers were nice and everything was seamless. Its not far from the subway and its by a lot of stores. The lighting was just really dark upstairs and downstairs. The restroom was super cramped as well. I'd love to maybe see it during the day for brunch or lunch and see what the vibe is like though.

    See all

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    23 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    23 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 2
    Love this 3
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Eric W.
    2658
    834
    3552

    11 months ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 2
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Elsa C.
    246
    369
    3038

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Marsha S.
    0
    86
    610

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Judy L.
    0
    11
    10

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ione L.
    0
    35
    101

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 62

    Essex Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Essex

    What is noise level like?

    Essex is one of the best restaurants near me. The ambient noise level is generally low compared to other restaurants in Lower Manhattan. However, during peak times, such as when people are enjoying a bottomless brunch, things can get a little… Read more

    What are the current happy hour hours?

    Happy hour ends at 7 pm and is not available at the outdoor seating.

    Do you still have your happy hour and what are the hours and deal?

    They still have happy hour- ends at 7 pm and includes appetizers and drinks (beers, cocktails)

    Do you have heated outdoor dining?

    Yes. Every table has its own heater.

    What time is your happy hour till? 10pm even on fridays-sundays?

    Happy hour is from 5pm to 8pm Mon, Tues, Wed & Friday; All night Thursday and 5pm to 10pm on Sunday, Cheers

    Does this place allow kids to come? Like during happy hours?!

    Yes

    Is there a DJ on Saturday nights? What time does music start?

    Yes, the DJ goes on at 9pm.

    What's the noise level like on a Friday at dinner?

    It's not as noisy to socialize. It's a big open space with music playing in the background but not as disturbing as to where you can socialize.

    What's the gratuity for brunch?

    The gratuity is at your discretion, though most guests tip 18-20%. Cheers

    Is there coat check? If so, how much is it?

    There’s no coat check but we will check luggage at no charge if needed.

    What kind of music is played for Saturday brunch?

    They play top hits basically - lots of Rap and Hip Hop.

    What type of music will be played during a Saturday brunch?

    Mix of house, pop, r&b and classics.

    Is this place kid friendly?

    to be honest, I've only been on a saturday or sunday - it's usually packed with people ages 21+...not sure how it is during the week...hope this helps!

    Do people typically dance during brunch? Like at their seats?

    People sometimes sing along to some of the classics but not much dancing

    How is the music? I'm looking for a fun vibe birthday brunch is this the place for that kind of energy?

    That's definitely essex. Great dj on Sunday brunch with house and dance. Similar vibe on Saturdays with a mix of current pop plus older hits.

    What is the music like here?

    Pretty eclectic with large dose of house and current dance.

    Is there a dress code for Sunday brunch?

    I don't think so.

    View All 19 Questions

    You might also consider

    Grove Street Social

    Grove Street Social

    4.0
    (30 reviews)
    1.3 mi

    Grove Street Social has an excellent happy hour with a million choices of food! When I'm looking…read morefor a happy hour, I'm always looking for one with bar food. We had the sliders, mozz sticks & fried pickles and were happy with all of them and the prices. Drinks were also good. This place is very small, with maybe 3 tables, a small couch seating area, and seats around the bar. To snag a happy hour table, getting there before 5 is preferable. It can get loud in there, but it's a great spot!

    We met up for happy hour at Grove Street Social with friends--one who has lived in the West Village…read morefor over a decade and another visiting from Pennsylvania. It ended up being a nice spot for a casual catch-up, though with a few mixed impressions. The space itself is cute and very much feels like a neighborhood bar. One of the things we liked most was that they have games available--we ended up playing Scrabble while waiting for our friend to arrive, which made the time go by quickly and added to the relaxed vibe. Happy hour prices are solid, and the fried pickles we shared were decent. I also had a watermelon cocktail that was refreshing and perfectly fine, if not particularly memorable. Service was a bit inconsistent. The bartender wasn't very warm or welcoming to us initially, though that changed once our friend--who is a regular--arrived. Overall, it's a comfortable spot to meet friends and hang out for a few hours, especially on a weekday like Thursday. That said, I probably wouldn't go out of my way to return, but I can see why it works well as a local neighborhood hang.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Lamb chops
    Lamb chops
    Grove Street Social

    See all

    The Spaniard

    The Spaniard

    3.7
    (440 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    The Spaniard is a spot for a real drink if you're in the mood…read more I've been here a few times. The last time was a couple of weeks ago, were in town for the weekend. After a nice stop and a secret garden in west Greenwich, I decided to use the points I had racked up and suggested a beverage at the Spaniard. It was agreed upon, in part as i suggested "they probably have a nice bathroom". Of which they did. It helped they had a nice house drink menu too. My gal found something she would like, and she did. After a fun drink off their menu I got a scotch. Old Putney 12 year. Actually the bartender came up and said they were out, would I want a 18 year or 20 year, something like that. it was a bit more money but it was he last beverage of the weekend trip so I got it. My Lourd it was good. If we had time I would have gotten an Oban they had, but we were off. But we will be back, maybe this year. And if I have racked up enough points in the area, I will suggest this excellent whisky bar.

    Well if this isn't a perfect late night destination in NYC, I don't know what is! A last minute…read morewhim landed me in NYC on Holiday Eve 2024 and I needed a meal. Walking through the cold streets, I stumbled upon The Spaniard which has quickly become one of my favorite NY destinations! We were there for a quick 30 hour trip to experience the "Holiday Magic". After a long day of travel, we just needed something good. We arrived and they accommodated us in a back booth tucked behind the bar, perfect! Our waiter was a delight and very responsive. The martini was kick-ass and our waiter was kind enough to offer us many recommendations. We landed on Charbroiled Oysters, Steak Tartare, and French Onion Dip. Someone slap me, I'm drooling while I write this review over a year later. Seriously, phenomenal. Every bite was amazing! We cleared the table and manged a few cocktails during our time with The Spaniard. If you are ever in the West Village, stop by, you won't be sorry! Thanks me later, actually!

    Photos
    Back bar at The Spaniard
    Back bar at The Spaniard
    The Spaniard
    The Spaniard

    See all

    Dear Strangers

    Dear Strangers

    4.3
    (29 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    Dear Strangers is a wonderful hidden gem! We celebrated Valentine's Day there last night and while…read morethe restaurant was incredibly busy, we never felt overlooked or underserved. The owners were milling around making sure everyone was well taken care of and the wait staff were kind and personable. Now the food...AMAZING!!! Every bite we took was wonderful and so surprising with creative combinations and gorgeously presented. The restaurant itself was hip and refined and seemed to be the happening spot of the night. We will certainly be back!

    Met up with friends here for dinner before a show near Washington square. It wasn't super crowded…read morewhen we arrived around 6pm (maybe due to the extreme cold that day) but started filling up gradually. I loved the ambiance and decor, very cozy. As for food, there were some true hits but most of the food was good but basic. The highlights for me were the wild mushrooms & rice cakes as well as the Caesar salad - loved the use of nori in the salad and would definitely come back for the mushrooms. The chicken cutlet and chicken dumplings were fine but I probably wouldn't order them again. The wait staff weren't super attentive nor super warm, but they were efficient when we asked for water refills, etc. There was ample standing room at the bar while we waited for our friends, but the table/booth that we sat at was super narrow, I was knocking knees with my friend all night and generally felt squished.

    Photos
    Dear Strangers
    Dear Strangers
    Smoked chicken croquettes

    See all

    Smoked chicken croquettes
    Sip & Guzzle

    Sip & Guzzle

    4.1
    (284 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    Run, don't walk to Sip&Guzzle! I managed to get a resy for Guzzle and got off the waitlist for Sip…read moreduring dinner. Operating as two separate entities, with separate drink menus and some shared food items, both Sip and Guzzle lived up to the hype!! GUZZLE This is the restaurant component with more casual drinks and creative dishes. For two people, they recommend about 6 dishes. I was so sad that the Tavern Burger already sold but I guess it means I have to come back! -Started off with the tasty volcano roll. Combing spicy tuna, coconut sticky rice, and candied, crunchy seaweed roll, it had a nice textural contrast amongst the spice, umami, and sweet flavor profiles. -The pork yaki featured super tender and well seasoned meat skewer with a candied outer layer in addition to the fun cotton candy! -The mochi french fry was FIRE! Its chewy and crunchy at the same time and be sure to pair it with the addicting gochujang-based sauce that is garlic-y and honey-y with a nice spice kick. -The bikini was perf for cheese lovers like me and especially if you like jamon and truffle to make it even more umami. Just make sure you get a good well-balanced bite! -The electric chicken was juicy, tender, crunchy, crispy, and well seasoned! Its less spicy and salty compared to that of Pecking House but still delicious! Plus you get to cut it with fun scissors! -The cabbage was good with a creamy, tangy white sesame sauce, but can skip next time -The chicken chips and salsa was interesting with their chicharron-inspired chicken chips. The salsa had 3 layers of mango, avocado, and jalapeño with a salted foam. -The Hokkaido milk soft serve was super smooth and milky - exactly how I envisioned what I want my milk ice cream to taste like! -Drinks: The lychee martini was amazing for people who like floral/sweet drinks. The wagyu old fashion was very peanut- and whiskey-forward. SIP This is speakeasy bar downstairs that features a variety of innovative drinks -Strawberry Hotpot: I was skeptical at first but this drink was *delicious*!! I find myself too guilty to drink the soup after hotpot or ramen because its often too greasy. Fear not because this clarified drink packages similar flavors into an easily enjoyable alcoholic drink!! Its umami and spicy with just the right amount of peppercorn oil. The strawberry is just present enough to balance out the savoriness, and not too fruity nor sweet at all! Its also cutely served at tableside with a big teapot. -Satsuma Creamsicle: A multilayer drink that was so fun to drink because each sip at a specific angle allows you get a little bit of the tangy and creamy foam, as well as the sweet and cream soda-like drink. -Plantain Colada: A banana/plantain prominent drink with some coconut vibes and bites. -Negroni in the Shade: A refreshing drink with just the right amount of grape flavors. Drinking out of the bowl while eating the tea leaf salad from a miniature bowl/spoon was also fun! Overall staff were very nice and attentive. They helped me get on the waitlist for Sip and timed everything very nicely so that the transition from dinner to more drinks was seamless. Thoroughly enjoyed my meal and can't wait to get my hands on their Tavern Burger!!

    Drinks were really balanced and all of them were delicious. I can see why this bar is so popular. I…read morealso ordered the skewer and chicken. Both were delicious. The burger is only exclusive to guzzle and usually sells out in 10 minutes. The table reservation was for 90 minutes and they kept reminding us that lol but it's busy so I get it. Great experience here

    Photos
    Bar Area by the entrance
    Bar Area by the entrance
    Hand rolls $
    Hand rolls $
    Wagyu old fashioned

    See all

    Wagyu old fashioned

    Essex - bars - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...