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    Monarch Izakaya Restaurant

    4.4 (194 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM

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    Pork Belly Steam Buns (2)
    Mark S.

    The food here was a nice modern take on Japanese food and was executed quite well. I felt like the chicken dumplings and pork belly buns had good flavor, and the protein and bread part complemented each other very well. I did feel like the Wagyu burger fell a little flat and that the black bun was kind of gimmicky. Service was great, and on a nice day, sitting on their outdoor patio is amazing!

    weekend brunch menu
    Ruby C.

    The BEST matcha mochi waffle and black sesame french toast I've had in NYC so far! Made with so much love by a husband-and-wife duo at this adorable Japanese brunch/izakaya spot in Williamsburg. Lawrence is a talented baker who makes amazing scones, and Aya creates the Japanese comfort food she grew up having with an American twist. You can feel the care in every detail, from the decor to the food itself. Even the bento boxes were designed by Aya and the stickers were cut by hand one by one. So much heart in this place! *Matcha Mochi Waffle ** We tried their new matcha mochi waffle and I swear this one's about to blow up. Crispy on the edges, chewy in the center, with a matcha flavor throughout. A little sweet with the red bean for me, but I still loved it and kept going back for another bite. *Black Sesame French Toast $20 *** The highlight of the brunch! It came with two thick, fluffy slices of black sesame milk bread, topped with black sesame whipped cream for that extra nutty flavor. The pumpkin butter on the side was sooo good with it. *Salmon Saikyo Bento $24 * They just launched bento boxes and this one honestly surprised me. The miso marinated salmon was tender and umami, and the takikomi gohan lowkey reminded me of Trader Joe's japanese fried rice but better. *Okonomiyaki $17 It came out sizzling on a cast iron! They added cheddar for an american twist. A little salty on its own, but it makes sense as an izakaya style dish to have with a beer.

    Andrew G.

    Incredibly unique menu with so many delicious options! Perfect date night spot in Williamsburg, The facade is really simple but the inside has a neat layout, really cool retro artwork and neat lighting! Our server was really great with recommendations and ensure the amount of food we ordered was enough for two people to share - and it sure was. My wife and I love a place with lots of appetizers and went with seared tuna, karage and bao buns. The buns were fantastic! Soft pillowy buns with delicious and salty pork on the inside. The karage was a treat and I love the citrus sauce with out perfectly cooked tuna. We shared out mains and the kimchi friend rice is my favorite thing! I would order two next time just so I could take some more for later. Now the real treat here was the yuzu key lime pie. That was hands down the best key lime pie I've had in the city. The crust was salty, graham forward and perfectly crumbled. The custard was silky, citrusy, tart and sweet and the cream on top was the perfect compliment to the dish. I would say if you have any room for dessert, and a big key lime person, like myself, this is a must have. Would come back for a date night, drinks or even just dessert!

    Liquid Pearl.
    Cindy Z.

    Such a cute and chic restaurant with a rooftop terrace in Williamsburg. It's not much of a view, but it's a vibe. I came for brunch with a friend and there was no wait on a Saturday. They offer some unique and fun Asian inspired food and drinks. We started off with the Japanese Breakfast Julep ($16) and Liquid Pearl ($16). The julep was refreshing while the liquid pearl was fun with a cinnamon stick lit like a cigarette. If you don't like smoke, this ain't for you though. And be careful to remove the cinnamon stick before drinking to avoid getting ashes in your cocktail (silly mistake). As for food, we shared the Black Sesame French Toast ($20), Gochujang Fig Jam Egg Sandwich ($16), and Japanese Style Omelette ($17). All of the dishes were a hit and loved the Asian twist on all of them, which I'd choose over the classic version any day. The omelette is simple, but the flavor on that egg was so savory and delicious to balance out with the rice. The sandwich is a perfect blend of sweet, savory, spicy --it's an explosion of flavors all in one. The sesame flavor really shined in the French toast and was a nice sweet but not too sweet dish. I really enjoyed everything at this spot, especially for brunch. At the end of our meal, they even gave us a complimentary Blueberry Scone to-go.

    Dining area
    Marilu S.

    This restaurant is a beauty! I stopped here for happy hour and I ordered from their happy hour menu. I ordered a beer $5 (Kirin Ichiban Japanese beer) and Korean chicken Fingers, and charred broccoli with vinaigrette. My beer was great; I now need to find this beer somewhere to have at home The Korean chicken fingers was something I did not expect at all but I was so happy with the outcome. They were a tab bit spicy for me but I like spicy and it wasn't that spicy for me to stop eating it. I felt the spicy after more than a couple of bites. I liked the crispy texture and the KFC sauce. The restaurant is cozy and beautiful inside. Great restaurant to dress cute and take pictures and the food is picturesque. It has a modern chic aspect and the staffing is very inviting. When I walked in they greeted me with a warm genuine smile. Since it was still happy hour time they provided me with a happy hour menu which I appreciated that they didn't try to push a pricer dinner menu on to me. When I was dining there weren't too many people dining at the same time as I was. It was great in my opinion to have a cozy dinner without a noisy background. I really enjoyed my experience dining at this restaurant. I would definitely recommend this restaurant and would love to come back for more Korean food. 10/10 restaurant recommendation.

    Menu
    Laurel A.

    Love this spot for brunch -/ lunch! Space for indoor seating or small upstairs patio, dog friendly and had tons of amazing pastries! Handful of options for vegan and meat menus, and love how personable the staff was. Would recommend few plates to share or try for yourself!

    Black Sesame Latte - July 2025
    Kay C.

    I discovered Monarch while searching for Ube desserts nearby, which is one of my favorite treats since childhood. When I saw their brunch menu featured Ube Ricotta Pancakes, I was instantly sold. Upon entering, you'll notice a striking staircase leading up to the second floor, along with Japanese memorabilia on the walls and shelves. History lovers will appreciate that Monarch is located in a building that once housed a theater called The Collapsable Hole. First up was the Ube Ricotta Pancakes. It's served with hibiscus-poached pear, sesame crumble, and maple butter. The combination of flavors and textures worked beautifully. My only wish is that the ube flavor had been a bit more pronounced. Still a delicious dish. Next, the Szechuan Sweet Spiced Bacon. I requested it crispy and it delivered. It reminded me of thin slices of Chinese beef jerky, which happens to be another favorite treat of mine. Last was the Breakfast Banh Mi filled with a cilantro and pickled vegetable omelette, house-made pâté, pickles, lots of cilantro, jalapeño, and Maggi sauce, all tucked inside a house-made baguette. Bold, fresh, and very satisfying. A highlight of our visit was meeting Lawrence, one of the owners, who stepped out of the kitchen with trays of freshly baked blueberry and raspberry scones. We were offered a few samples and they were nothing like the typical dry, dense scones I've had before. Lawrence's version was lightly crisp on the outside and moist and fluffy on the inside - truly unique and memorable. Sharing a few helpful tips: -Asian-inspired dishes available for both carnivores and herbivores -No brunch reservations -Closed on Mondays -Indoor and outdoor seating available on the second floor Overall, we really enjoyed the food, atmosphere, and service. We're already looking forward to returning for dinner and drinks!

    Chicken karaage
    Sandy X.

    We went here on a Saturday night. It wasn't crazy busy but it was pretty chill. We ordered the tuna handroll and chicken kaarage as appetizers. The tuna handroll was pretty good. The chicken kaarage was alright. I ordered the ramen as my entree and it was pretty decent. Overall, it's a nice cozy spot. I don't think their dinner menu is as good as the brunch menu. Also, it's a little overpriced.

    Melody C.

    A lovely environment to have a date night. The decor inside kind of reminds me of Singapore or Malaysia lol. Don't love the small tables, but it is what it is when real estate is highly coveted. To start, we got the salt and pepper calamari. We were so obsessed with the nam jim sauce. The whole time we were sitting there, we were thinking how we can recreate it at home! We also got the steam buns, shiitake fried rice, and spicy minced pork noodles. We were pretty full by the time the entrees came, which was surprising because the portions looked pretty small.

    Kimchi Waffle
    Vishnu G.

    I tried this restaurant for brunch, and it was definitely one of the most unique meals I had. Kimchi waffle - probably my favorite dish. Savory, mildly spicy, and slightly tangy, with a perfectly poached egg. Black sesame French toast - the black sesame flavor isn't very strong, so this was the closest to a standard brunch dish. But the bruleed bananas were a nice touch that takes it a step up. Korean fried cauliflower - my other favorite. The fried cauliflower is super crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a tangy and spicy sauce. Reminded me of a Korean gobi Manchurian. Ube ricotta pancakes - ube is also a pretty mild flavor, but the pancakes were super fluffy. The plums were a unique topping, adding some tartness. Eggplant banh mi - kind of mixed feelings about this one. The eggplant had good sweet and sour flavor, but is cut into large slices that can be a little hard to bite into. But the bread and the other fillings of the sandwich were delicious, and the potatoes were a nice accompaniment. I split everything except the banh mi with five others. Everyone else at the table got their own entrees (wagyu burger, breakfast banh mis, Benedict, and okonomiyaki). My portion of the bill came out to about $42 out of a total $260, which really isn't that expensive. The restaurant has a balcony which is really nice to sit at when the weather is good, but the entire space is beautiful. Be patient - service takes time, but it's totally worth it.

    Eggs Ube Ricotta Pancakes and Eggs Benedict
    Amanda K.

    This place is simply amazing! Everything about it from the staff to the decor and atmosphere was 10/10. I first stepped in and was greeted by the staff so kindly - they were very attentive and friendly. You can tell that there was intention behind the food! We got the eggs Benedict and the Ube pancakes which had a unique subtle twist to it but complimenting to the taste. Also got to try their cranberry chocolate scones and was a huge highlight too. Highly recommend! Ambiance was top tier also! Great for photos if you're looking to take some cute photos.

    Menu (Mar '24)
    Ameya B.

    What's good: Nice setup, decent food, friendly staff, and well priced. What's not good: They looked understaffed, slightly longer wait just to see the host, and smaller portions. Walked in on a warm March Sunday for brunch and were seated on a table of three after waiting for close to 10 minutes to just see the host. Went straight to ordering which included a $5 coffee (which unfortunately wasn't too warm), and ordered from their Vegan brunch menu which looked pretty promising! Ordered the Hungry Panda ($19), where the Mushroom Thai "Sausage" caught my attention. The sausage was just ok, but the Tofu Scramble was extremely delicious (a little heavy on salt). The plate also fills up with potatoes which were fairly dry. Also included in our order were Shitake Fried Rice ($19) which was heavy on oil, and KFC Fried Cauliflower ($14) which was pretty decent. Service was slightly slower, and food took around 20-minutes to arrive after ordering. Overall though, was a good experience and we will visit again whenever we are in the area!

    Wind Up Bird
    Maggie B.

    I came here on a Sunday night. We sat upstairs where the seating was split into two sections. We sat in the smaller section with just three tables. The tables were quite close to each other so it wouldn't be the best option for a private conversation. The restaurant seemed to have nice decor and an open upstairs patio for warmer months, but this section kind of felt like an after thought to squeeze in more people. The sill above the window was lined with leafy green plants which did help with the ambiance a bit. To drink, I had the Wind Up Bird. It was fruity and pleasantly sweet. For an appetizer, we shared the korean fried cauliflower. It was delicious with crispy, doughy cauliflower topped with a sweet and spicy sauce. My partner also enjoyed the crab ragoon. This is a great spot for vegans and vegetarians as they have an entire vegan menu with lots of options. For my main, I got the vegan bibimbap. It was a generous portion size and served in a hot stone bowl. The rice was crispy on the bottom and topped with tender zucchini, mushrooms, kale, kimchi, and other veggies. On its own, the dish was a bit bland, but the accompanying chili sauce provided good flavor. I also asked for chili oil which added a nice, subtly spicy kick. I'd love to come back to try the rest of the menu!

    Black sesame French toast and yuzu tart

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    lawrence e.

    Thank you Maggie!. i am glad you both enjoyed your evening here.

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    Thank you Aissa- im glad we did right by you!

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    Delicious and unique takes on Asian cuisine in a sleek and cozy space with great service. We loved the Malaysian noodles and Bao

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    thank you! Glad you enjoyed our place, our food and our people!

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    Monarch Izakaya Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Monarch Izakaya Restaurant

    Hi! You were our favorite new brunch spot and were so sad when you stopped serving it! Do you know if/when you will bring back weekend brunch? Thank you!

    Hi. i am really glad that you liked our brunch, but it was just too much for us at the time. we have had to " back pedal" a little, minimized hours and the menu. we wanted to work from something that was running well, increasing that service into… Read more

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Valerie

    Valerie

    4.3
    (1.4k reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$

    Get bar staff, very attentive. Good happy hour @ 4:30pm to 7pm. Good happy hour cocktails. Not too…read moreloud during happy hour.

    Came here for a slightly early dinner after a Broadway show with a party of 4 on a Sunday evening…read more We had a reservation, but it didn't seem like we would have needed one, but I suppose better safe than sorry. The ambiance feels straight of the golden age, which is an aesthetic I'm certainly a sucker for. Even their robust cocktail menu fits the bill and is one of the prettiest menus I've ever had the joy of perusing. Staff was able to sit us a little bit ahead of our reservation which was also much appreciated. Wait staff was also very helpful and attentive, I don't think I've ever had my water glass so topped off! Starting off with cocktails, this place is a gin bar through and through and you'd be making a mistake if you didn't try one of their many options. I went with the 10,000 words, which you simply just give a spirit of your choice (I picked gin of course) and whether you antes) wanted your drink shaken or stirred and the bartender does the rest, so a bit of a surprise! I wound up with their version of The Last Word which was delightfully citrusy but I was hoping I'd wind up with something a little more adventurous app things considered. My girlfriend got the blackberry G&T, which was not only very pleasing to look at but delicious to boot. For food, we started with splitting some zucchini blossoms and beef cheek bao buns (both come in portions of 3). Both were tasty, but I love a good bao bun and these were so light and pillowy, I could have just went for an order of those for my main course. For the entree I went for the roasted half chicken, perhaps the most unassuming choice on the menu but this was maybe the best roast chicken I've ever had. Prepared perfectly, cooked to perfection, excellent portion size, and the kicker of it all was the stunning gravy that I was tempted to lick my plate for. Chicken is very easy to screw up, and they nailed it on all fronts here. My girlfriend went for the Valerie Signature burger with white cheddar and this thing did not mess around! A very rich patty, cooked to her temperature of choice served alongside some garlic truffle fries that made an American classic feel just a little more elevated. Our experience was delightful and I'd love to comeback here again, especially to check out more of the cocktail menu and soak in more of that golden age aura the place gives.

    Photos
    Valerie
    Valerie
    Valerie

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    Sunken Harbor Club

    Sunken Harbor Club

    4.5
    (116 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$$

    I've been trying to go to Sunken Harbor for over a year now. I don't know how it's possible but…read moredespite being local it always seems to have a private event whenever we have plans to go. The stars finally aligned this winter and I had the opportunity to try it out. The vibes are perfect. Fog and bubbles, sea noises and all of the art go together seemlessly. Drinks were great. We had three and left suitably sloshed for the night with no aftereffects. We didn't have too many bites but the food was very good for a bar. I'm excited to go back and I hope we have just as much luck getting in next time.

    This is a "speakeasy" above Gage and Tollner. An undersea Tiki style adventure with a sexy mermaid…read moreheading up the bar. Nautical theme throughout with weathered leather, ropes, fish. Cocktails are made with various types of rum and ingredients like grapefruit, maraschino, wormwood amaro, falernum, thyme, Assam tea, spiced lime, allspice, coconut, cucumber, nutmeg, sour orange. All the drinks keep with the tropical, fruity taste with a hint of spice. They are also broken up into categories (dry land = no alcohol, shallows = average amount of alcohol, and abyss (larger amounts of alcohol). The abyss section has some cocktails that are limited to two per customer. They have some bar bites like fried green tomatoes, shrimp toast, broiled oysters, ricotta, dumplings, sliders. I had the French fries with kimchi ranch, which were underwhelming. Bartenders were cool and kept the drinks coming. I got in immediately without an issue or a wait, but it was right after a snowstorm. I've seen some people struggle to get in or have a long wait.

    Photos
    View of the bar
    View of the bar
    Mary Pickford - IG @bougiefoodieboi
    Mary Pickford - IG @bougiefoodieboi
    Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner

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    Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner
    Dear Strangers

    Dear Strangers

    4.3
    (29 reviews)
    2.3 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.

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    Dear Strangers
    Dear Strangers
    Smoked chicken croquettes

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    Smoked chicken croquettes
    Attaboy

    Attaboy

    4.1
    (872 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$

    Have I found a new favorite bar?! I've heard nothing but good things about this place, and it still…read moreexceeded my expectations. The vibe is super chill, fun, and welcoming. The concept is simple: tell the bartenders what type of liquor and flavors you enjoy, and they create a custom cocktail just for you. I think it helps to go in with a few ideas, but if you give them some creative freedom, they can really surprise you. I honestly cannot remember all the ingredients in my drinks, but I do remember loving every sip. Such a unique spot and a fun experience. Definitely small inside so you may have to wait awhile. I only wish I lived closer!

    Attaboy has my heart and soul, especially after crafting, curating and creating my dream drink that…read morewill live forever in the memory of my taste buds unable to be erased from my brain's footprints. Our friends raved about this place and we of course were excited (and a bit skeptical at first) to try it. The concept: no menu + no lights + a few questions = the ultimate cocktail experience. The speakeasy vibe and the dark ambiance really makes this place feel even more exclusive. With just a few tables and the bar setting, you're in for an experience you won't forget (unless you answer the wrong questions and really end up with a drink you don't like HA). This wasn't my case. Of course I described my two favorite things: Negroni + mezcal. The obvious answer would be a mezcal Negroni, but that's not why one comes to a place like Attaboy. Our amazing curator came by to ask us all a few questions, write down a few words in the napkins, and mix up the perfect drink that our master bartender crafts, curates and creates. My drink came as I couldn't possibly imagine. It looked like a Negroni smelled like Oaxaca, with all the smoke simmering up and preparing my sensory experience, leading to the best first sip. Ladies and gentleman, I introduce you to The Devil's Backbone. A perfectly balanced drink I'll never forget, one that is sipped slowly and enjoyed thoroughly. It's sexy, it's smoky it's sipped. Attaboy gave the best mixology experience and we can't wait to be back. Pro tip: be sure to be as vocal as possible, even with ice, so you don't end up with a tiki drink if that's not your vibe.

    Photos
    Small space but good vibes
    Small space but good vibes
    Paper plane
    Paper plane
    Interior bar seat

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    Interior bar seat
    Apotheke

    Apotheke

    3.8
    (1.6k reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$$

    Apotheke was one of my first experiences with a hidden speakeasy a number of years ago, and it…read morestill remains the OG in my vast encyclopedia of experiences. :) Strolling down Chinatown's busy and gritty Doyers Street, looking for any sign of Apotheke is a fond memory, then finally figuring out where it was, and entering through the mysterious and otherworldly threshold resulted a transformative experience that made me feel like I time traveled. Mood lighting, comfortable seating, great drinks in a cozy and Victorian-inspired space are the perfect blend of unique and. I always felt like I was part of something special the few times enjoyed creative, delicious, and strong libations from the pros at the bar. While it has always been pricey, I do feel like the excellent service ambiance, and drink quality warrant this, but may prevent more folks from becoming regulars so to speak. I love the clever and compact bathroom design, too. IYKYK Long live Apotheke!

    Fifteen years later and Apotheke is still one of my favorites!…read more You will walk past this hidden speakeasy several times before finding it. I could tell you to look for the blue beaker sign that says "Chemist" but the better tell is the random guy sitting on a stool outside. He'll be the only person on the street, so no worries about missing him! The menu has changed over the years, but the quality has not. The bartenders are social and personable. And the prices are in line for the area. My bestie and I loved the vibe. One of the best speakeasies she's had the pleasure of experiencing. Don't miss out on this place!

    Photos
    The bar
    The bar
    Live Band
    Live Band
    Beautiful bar

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    Beautiful bar

    Monarch Izakaya Restaurant - cocktailbars - Updated June 2026

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