Great food. Great free food. Great free food with friends who invited you. Great free food with friends that invited you and an awesome view. And an air hockey table. On one hand I lust after working at Google because I'd get to eat here all the time and be fat and happy. On the other, this would significantly cut into my Yelping, so I guess I'll take it as a silver lining. If I worked here, it would be an unquestioned five star review. But since I don't, and I'm jealous, it's four. read more

Hemispheres - Nice view - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

I love Hemispheres. I usually get dinner here since it's free and at work, but the views here make it even more special :) Hemispheres is better than La Place because if I ate at La Place all the time I would just get fat. read more

Hemispheres - The views! Amazing! - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

The husband works at Google in Mountain View so during our recent trip to New York, visiting the New York Google cafeteria was a must. Unfortunately he forgot the address to Google, but he at least remembered the intersection. He figured when we got there we'd just start looking for Google badges. Thankfully it all worked out and after going through a lot more security than in Mountain View we made it inside (the stickers for guests also include a picture taken on the spot). Google in New York isn't like Google in Mountain View. Instead of a campus, Google in New York occupies a couple floors of a huge building. We wandered around those floors looking for the cafeterias. The corridors were so long we ended up riding razor scooters. This review is for Hemispheres not 5 Borough Bistro. We first stumbled into 5 Borough Bistro and it was pitiful. It resembled a salad bar restaurant instead of a Las Vegas buffet, which let's be honest, Google's cafeterias (at least in Mountain View) are like (the Vegas buffet I mean). So after 20 minutes of searching we finally ate at Hemispheres. Hemispheres has big pictures lining the walls of guest chefs that have come to cook at Hemispheres for the day. The menu is divided into different sections like grill, spa, flour, Home: Midwest (maybe just for that day's menu?), earth and water, raw, antipasti, and 4 wells (a.k.a. soup). The salads and side dishes and the desserts at Hemispheres were particularly good. They also do the fruit infused water thing like in Mountain View. My favorite dishes were the feta potato patties and the chocolate raspberry torte. The menu changes daily but here are some of the dishes we ate: --tomato salad (with heirloom tomatoes) --hummus with toasted pita --jumbo lump crab cake sliders (much better after I removed the overwhelming giant bun) --roasted salmon --low fat orange julius There were two different watermelon salads, sesame watermelon and watermelon/feta/mint/honey. The one with feta opened a can of whoop ass on the one with sesame watermelon. My favorite things about Hemispheres other than the food: --The view of the Meatpacking District from the 8th floor balcony of the cafeteria --The framed and labeled pictures of the different Google cafeterias in Mountain View Google Cafe Rankings (all in Mountain View unless noted): 1) No Name Cafe 2) HEMISPHERES (New York) 3) Andale 4) Slice 5) Cafe Moma 6) Oasis 7) Charlie's 8) Fourteen 9) Lunch Box read more

Best bang for the buck. I eat here at least 6 times a week. The menu is always changing and they always have very healthy options. Overall a 5/7. read more

Hemispheres - a hot dog on a paper plate - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

If you ever want to be depressed about your job, just visit a friend at Google's Cafeteria. Unbelievable. Located across from Chelsea Market, you need someone who works at Google (a "Googler" as they call it) to get you in. So buddy up with someone over there cause it's a great culinary experience, and you'll feel like you won a golden ticket from Willy Wonka after walking the Google halls. Guest chefs from all over the world are flown in to show off their skills. My biggest dilemma, "Should I get the lamb shank with goat cheese polenta or the tiger shrimp salad?" Well, I had both. And don't even get me started on the desserts. My friends and I took our trays, overloaded with as much food as we could handle without embarrassing ourselves, and sat on the deck overlooking a gorgeous Manhattan skyline. As we ate, we were surrounded by hundreds of smart, good looking international 20-40 yr olds...and that's exactly when we started hating our job. After your lunch be sure to take a tour of the office. It's so cool. While the food was great, walking the halls is really what made me speechless. Guys will be flying by you on scooters, there's actually a Lego room to spur creativity, a massage room for those achy muscles, and food stations within 100 feet of any desk. Seriously, the founders made a rule that no employee can be farther than 100ft from food at any time. 4 stars just because I don't work there. Can't wait to go again. read more

That's right! You think you've been everywhere there is to be in New York to eat; you have thought wrong my friend. You see I ate at the World Famous Google cafeteria, and NO, I did not have to "SEARCH' for my food. Google doesn't look too kindly upon such infantile jokes. In order to break into this heavenly sanctuary you must know an employee of Google, preferably one with balls enough to demand that they let his +1 in. Rather than put up a fight, more often than not Google will let you stroll on in as an honored plus one, like Charlie in Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, you are the lucky chosen one to bask in the multicolored fantasy land that is Google NYC. Chef's from round the world are flown in for weekly stints in Google kitchen, busily preparing entrees the likes of which will have you salivating. Once inside there are candy stops, salad bars, drinks a-plenty, home-cooked stands, exotic Thai delicacies, and full blown dessert carts. Google is a very business 2.0 company, and this is mirrored in their appallingly large selection in their free buffet and huge/convenient dining space. This is an office like no other. And once you are stuffed be sure to poke around and find the Google playroom, a glass box with electric massage chairs, Wii games, and ping-pong tables. God I hate my job! read more

Oh Hemispheres and 5bb, you make me so fat that even riding my bike into work from Brooklyn every day (yes, even in the rain) I still gain tons of weight. The food here is so good that it's jading me for eating out in restaurants. I go out and I think "Damn, that was allright, but we just had that for lunch a week ago, and the plating was better and it was free and I could customize it to my heart's content." It's really annoying. read more

Desperately hoping that one day I meet a new Google friend in the elevator on my way to the lowly Sixth Floor(Nike). Our office too boasts huge windows with views from the Empire State building to a neighbor's lovely roof-top garden. However, aside from the copious amount of scooters, Wii and other amenities, the most glaringly obvious difference is a haute-gourmet lunch vs. leftover chips from a meeting. *Sigh* Many is the time a co-worker has come back to the office with tales of fresh strawberry crepes, truffle risotto and sushi-to-go. One day.....one day I vow. My memory is still fresh from a legendary trip visiting a friend at Mt. View. Shoe discounts ain't got nuthin' on free chow. Have you tried eating rubber? read more

This may be my only laudatory comment on corporate America: Google cafeteria is so goddamn fly. Thank you, lord. I know I must have done something right to have the opportunity to eat on a semi-regular basis at the Google cafeteria, or as I think of it, the Google Oasis of Organic, Gluttonous, Lavish Edibles. Yes, Google cafeteria is so awesome it inspired me to acronym-based praise. The eats at Google are often more innovative, fresh, wholesome and above all, delicious, than meals I have paid good money to eat in restaurants. Fresh whipped cream and berries seem to be part of dessert every day! big shout out to Ben for hosting me for lunch so graciously, and for tolerating with amusement my decision to fast in the morning if I'm going to Google for lunch, as well as my refusal to sit down with fewer than two plates of entrees and two beverages. read more

I'm always so excited when one of my Google reps invites me to their digs for lunch in Mountain View, but here I am in Manhattan and my DoubleClick vendor invited me to lunch. He said we'd do "sushi" but then we wound up in the Google cafeteria. Disappointed? Hell no. This place has the typical fabulous Google fare: fresh, delicious, and the variety is to die for. I could eat here every single day and never tire of the ever rotating selection of food. I tend to do the "low carb" thing and the selection of fish and meat offerings never disappoints. Desserts range from fresh berries, to decadently moist brownies, organic cookies, tiramisu...the possibilities are as endless as they are delicious. To boot, they have a killer view from the patio outside. When are you guys going to hire me so I can eat like this everyday? read more

Screw La Place!!!! Hemispheres remains the gold standard in cafs! The lines in this place are always very fast moving (except for the grill station, but who the hell wants that nonsense?). The 600-calorie bowls make for a wonderful side dish, perfect for accompanying the many raw, cooked, vegan, fat-guy-meat, and awesome buffet items, that really do accommodate all the different flavors that googlers come in nowadays. I will concede that Hemispheres does lack La Place's wonderful juice bar, but it has something arguably better: if you really know what you're doing, there is coconut water available in Hemispheres. read more

Oh Google Cafeteria, how I love thee. As a non-Google employee, I treasure the special occasions on which I get to eat here. It's literally heaven on earth for a vegetarian -- there are tons of options, all which are helpfully labeled with the ingredients. Though the cafeteria on the higher floor has a wider selection, I personally like the cafeterian on the lower floor, because it's quieter, calmer, and you can get sushi. Really good, really fresh sushi. I also have to add that they often offer fresh rambuten, which happens to be my favorite fruit in the world -- I had this fruit for the first time when I was visiting a wild fruit farm in Queensland, Australia, and since then, have only found in the depths of Chinatown. Who would have thought I'd find heaps of it at the Google Cafeteria? My Google representatives always have a good laugh when they see me come back to the table, plate piled high of these strange-looking fruits. read more

Yes, not every yelper can make it into the hallowed halls of Google NYC. But if you do, just make sure it's at lunchtime. As you walk past the swiss balls and lego sets scattered around the "offices" and enter the cafeteria, you realize that working at Google is everything Forbes magazine described - and then some. Picture the most amazing buffet you've ever seen, with most of the ingredients organic and locally sourced, with unlimited portions, and you might get close to imagining what Google's employees enjoy EVERY DAY. Not only that, but their employer is paying for it! I'm just shocked that everyone at Google is not a) grossly overweight and b) a complete slacker. But everyone I saw was in good shape, and obviously works hard (checked Google's stock price lately?). For all of our sakes, I just hope that the rest of the corporate world sees how successful such practices can be, and thinks "hey, let's provide world class cuisine to our employees for free too!" We could all be so lucky. Thank you Iris! read more

best cafeteria food. hands down... not to mention its free and comes with a view! Hot, cold, fish, meat, Asian fusion. salad bar. burgers. juice. ice cream. frozen yogurt. lots to choice from and lots of flavors at this buffet style cafeteria. read more

Hemispheres - a plate of seafood and vegetables - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

I work in Chelsea Market (across the street from Google) and thought I had it good. I mean I'm in the same building the food network is and the same building as Amy's Bread and Ninth Street Espresso.. But When my gf came to work for a few days - she's based out of the Mountainview office of Google (but is in London for three months) and invited me over, I, of course went. It's totally unfair, not only is all the food free. They also have a fabulous view of NY, huge, HUGE outdoor patio, main cafeteria is on the eighth floor... and as we walked down the hall, I started smelling yummy smells. Inside, it's beautiful. All that food! They even have a raw bar! I had tomoto soup, stuff from the raw bar and salad bar and theme was Morocco? Had cous cous and lamb. The piggies that we are, we ate on the eighth floor then went down to the fourth floor where the sushi/asian food was for take out. and then on the way out I grabbed some chips.. Seriously I would gain at least twenty pounds if I worked there but everyone at Google seems to be fit. The offices are just OK looking, cubes, play things everywhere. Red scooters everywhere (but why? Google in NY isn't THAT big) My gf says the food in London is the tastiest... read more

Holy mother of!!! If you want to be jealous of someones job, be jealous of all 2000+ that work at Google NY. Ridiculous. I didn't know their cafeteria had a name, but I ate here today as I was visiting all day for training. These people never have to go food shopping again, they can get breakfast lunch and probably dinner. I was scared because I had no one to talk to so I made a salad with disgustingly delicious fat free balsamic vinagerette. I don't know what they put it in but it was goooooood. They also had a sandwich station with about 10 different flavors of mayonnaise. Everything was so fresh and clean and nicely presented. You name it, they probably have it. Oh and don't try to sneak in. I flew in earlier that day and really wanted to use a bathroom, but they won't let you unless you are glued to someone. read more

I'm so glad we have Hemispheres in New York. In general, all of the food here is pretty good. But the vegan/raw bar really stands out. I felt compelled to write a review after enjoying one of my favorite raw dishes here: the basil ice cream with strawberries and balsamic reduction. It was phenomenally good... I would've never imagined trying basil flavored ice cream, but now I want to buy an ice cream maker and try making it myself. The cool, creamy ice cream and fresh strawberries glazed with balsamic...The flavors and textures were perfect. It was awesome. Big complements to the raw chef! She rocks! read more

Best Salads in NYC, well if you have access into Google. Suggest the kale/avocado salad.

This is definitely the second best cafeteria at Google. The first being Mountain View -- but I haven't tried the European cafe's in London or Zurich quite yet (need to try those out!!). I've eaten here probably 5 times, and it's usually pretty fantastic! This past time, the creamed spinach was very yummy, and the cornucopia of fresh fruits make staying healthy a no-brainer. Unfortunately, the ceviche was too acidic and the lobster bake tasted a bit off, but there was lots of other things to try instead. On my past trips, the cafeteria has had an absolutely amazing cous cous. And Google NYC is still bringing in guest chefs from NY restaurants and around the US on a weekly basis, and that's always a treat. You'd be crazy not to take someone up on an offer to eat here. read more

Definitely better than the Mountain View Cafes. And the staff are incredibly friendly and passionate about their food. But eventually everything just tastes like Google food and you realize all you want is a cheeseburger from McDonald's. read more

Bring Your Fat Pants (and some tupperware). Sure I'll take some of that salmon/augratin/bass/turkey/ham/sausage/asparagus/squashrisoto/tacos/nachos/sushi/sushi/sushi/truckcookie read more

This is the best food I ever had in any corporation cafeteria ever. And the best part is that it is free. The only other cafeteria that serves great food is TIAA-CREF but you have to pay a low cost for it. The selection at Hemispheres is vast and many offerings are organic. Their fresh fruit sections seems to be the best as it offered cherries, apricots, and other expensive fruits. In addition you can dine outside when the weather is nice. After your meal you can enjoy a nap at the sleep pod or play some ping pong in the game room. I wrote a detailed review http://thehungryegghead.com/2011/07/16/visit-to-the-new-york-google-office/ as the entire review is too long to post here and not necessary for those who are not interested. Just beg a friend who works there for an invite and go. read more

This place is very healthy but the food tastes like garbage. Almost everything, from the coleslaw to the mushroom stroganoff, just tastes way blander than it should be. The lemon thyme chicken was redeeming and the soups were alright, but I can't say I really liked anything else there. However, I'll come back to try again. read more

Free food? As in...FREE FOOD? Woohoo! I mean, splendid. The food sounds incredibly good, too. Basil-flavored ice cream with strawberries...definitely worth a shot. So what exactly are the duties required of Google employees? Because my job of selling vacations just isn't panning out this year. The sales have gotten steadily lower and I find myself dipping into my savings at a distressing rate. Paranoia and poverty are a bad combination. read more

I was both honored and huimbled the other day when I was invited by a colleague to join him for lunch in Google's cafeteria. Just about anyone in the tech field I imagine would appreciate the opportunity to penetrate the walls of this well respected internet giant's fortress and I was thrilled to be one of those who could dine at such a well fabled place. I am happy to report that the surroundings within are all that they say it is and then some. I got a an initial tour of the place and felt like a kid in a candy store just walking the halls of Google. Aside from the very cool cubicles, computers with dual 24" monitors, and the Razr Scooters throughout, the open spaces were wide, bright and modern. And it's true, as soon as you get off the elevator (depending upon which elevator you take), there are snacks available for the taking . . . And walking throughout their offices, in several locations, there are staffed, brightly lit pantry's throughout to grab some nourishment (apparently anything from gum to granola, fruit or/and dry cereal, etc.), rehydrate yourself or/and just take a quick break from your routine day (I can't imagine anything is terribly "routine" at Google.) We made it to the cafeteria, I believe on the 8th floor -- on this day they had a guest chef, Masaharu Morimoto (from the Food Network.) Although I did not personally see him, it was quite exciting to know that they are able to get this caliber of culinary talent to cook for the staff at Google. I was blown away by the amazing amount of selection available for dining -- there were salads, soups, burgers, made to order sushi, Mexican, etc. This was NOT like a corporate cafeteria -- it WAS more like a food court -- an UPSCALE food court. I chose to have a cheeseburger and onion rings (but was really leaning towards the sushi -- it looked wonderful.) The burger was good -- not the best that I have had, but was certainly enjoyable. I enjoyed mint chocolate chip Gelato after my meal which was a nice treat. And the cost you might ask yourself . . . $0.00. For those of you who don't know it, not only is the cafeteria raved about here, but Google employees and those lucky visitors / guests such as myself get to eat for free . . . gratis! no charge! nothing! Once done with lunch, we finished up my tour of the floor we were visiting, including a visit to the game room where you can enjoy a round of pool, Guitar Hero, or just chill-out and watch a movie -- I grabbed some Trident gum from one of the pantry's on the way to the elevators (Shhh! -- don't tell anyone -- it will be our secret.) If you are ever lucky enough to dine at this exclusive location -- which is by invitation only if you are not an employee here -- don't pass it up . . . especially if you are as big a fan of Google as I am. Note that the five-stars that Google Cafeteria got from me is not necessarily all about the food -- although good (and even perhaps very good), in terms of quality, the mystique that surrounds the opporunity to eat or just visit their offices at a location such as this a complete thrill not to be missed. read more

I've been working here for 3 years, and all's I got to say is: the food's as good as "they" say it is. And having just moved to the NYC office from the headquarters in California, I'll even go so far as to say that the NYC cafeteria beats out all the others (and yes, there are many, many others...all with different food themes). read more

OMG, I am truly on "cloud 9" when I make it over from the Chelsea Market! There are so many farm fresh, salads, and appetizer bar options! Not to mention Hemispheres has three main entree stations to choose from, that offer hot and unique dinning options for lunch and dinner. It's hard to name exact dishes since they change the menu every week, but in the past their fish/seafood is spot on, pork loins are tender, and their soul food side dishes are exactly that... food for the soul! Even though, they have this burger station available everyday, they are something not to miss when you visit! They have like 4 different bread options to choose from, three types of cheeses, and a vegetarian option. I love mine on Pretzel Bread and topped with pepper jack cheese! Another tip for my fellow Yelpers lucky enough to dine at this private paradise is...LEAVE ROOM FOR DESSERT! It's almost overwhelming how many options they provide every day. From cheese cake and apple crumb cake, to freshly baked/prepared cookies, pastries, and parfaits! Something to consider as well is, the adjacent cafe "Truck Pit". Yes, there's a legitimate food truck that they've transplanted to the middle of the 8th Floor cafeteria! You must try the frequently original FroYo flavors that they churn out through the week. Simply addicting and heavenly! Overall, Hemispheres, combined with the Truck Pit, on the 8th Floor of Google's NYC office location, is hands down one of the best-kept secrets in the Chelsea area! read more

Free food. Great view. What more can you ask for? Beer.

Earth and Water rules the world. Kevin makes the best seafood known to man and I hope he never ever leaves. However, he's far too good to be kept in one place where the world cannot experience his awesomeness. *sigh* Chelsea Grill will be the cause of my premature heart attack and the Home Station is to be blamed for my Google umm....15. Err..yeah 15, thats the ticket. If you happen to know a Googler, ask them to bring you in the next time we have the Mac -n- Cheese bar on the menu. You will not be disappointed. Danita and her desserts make my tastebuds sing. The different varieties of Hot Chocolate on cold winter days were pure heaven. So rich, so good, but oh so bad. *sigh* I love my job. read more

I've now been to about 10 Google offices ranging from Mountainview (headquarters) to London and Paris. Hemispheres in New York is by far the best in terms of quality and variety. Other offices have NY beat in limited arenas (breakfast at "No Name" in Mountainview and English breakfast in London), but Hemispheres is the overall best. read more

i actually snuck in once, sort of. i knew someone who worked there, and that got me in, but they weren't even there and they still served me up a gourmet pizza. somehow food always taste better when it's free. read more

I am pathetically ignorant of the area restaurants, and it is all Hemispheres' fault :). Everything is free, the chefs are inventive enough to devise 15 completely different menus every week (29 if you count 5 Borough Bistro downstairs), there's outdoor balcony seating with an amazing view of Manhattan, and the food beats out typical restaurants on all but its worst days. Welcome to Google. It's hard to find any fault with unlimited free food, and the concept alone merits at least four stars. Irrespective of the "value per dollar" (which is technically undefined), the food on its very worst days would merit three stars and on its best a definite five. Finding the "right" station to eat at is a daily challenge, as one typically tends to have better food than the rest on a particular day. Hemispheres' popularity is its own greatest fault: It gets very crowded from about 12:15 onward with thousands of geeks talking about the sweet stuff they coded that day. One would think it easy to socialize in such an environment (if you also have a burning desire to talk about your code :)), but realistically, it tends to get so crowded that you can barely hear others speak, much less form conversations. Lines begin to queue up at the various stations, often becoming absurdly long in the presence of sushi. Popular items tend to run out before 1 PM, and there is no guarantee they will be replenished. For maximal enjoyment, aim for the 11:30-12:00 window. If I had to pay, I'd still give Hemispheres four stars. The fact that all of this is free makes it a solid five. read more

This is my second favorite Google cafe (the first is La Place). The reason why is the salad bar is amazing!

Wow, I wish I am a Google employee just because I want some Basil ice cream with strawberries and all of the other goodies!!!

its an amazing place. doesnt matter what youre in the mood for, they have it! and its yummy too. shame its so tuff to get in tho.