Amazing experience. 3rd year in a row visiting and we enjoy it so much. It's not easy getting a reservation but worth it- so fun and such a festive ambiance. Food and service is a10. Hope to be back again next year. Such a memorable holiday treat. read more

A solid 3.5 stars. Ambience: festive to the max. Food: solid German fare, nothing extravagant but you won't leave hungry. Service: efficient. Price: expensive. You're paying to enter a tourist trap, adjust your wallet and mindset accordingly. We had the chicken, jaeger, and weiner schnitzels. By far the best ones were the chicken and jaeger. The weiner was good, but a little bland without any sauce and the green beans are worth skipping. The chicken was served with mashed potatoes and the sub-par green beans. One item not to be missed is the apple crepe - that's the shining star on the menu. Light and fluffy, lots of cinnamon and powdered sugar, and chewy bits of apple-- YUM! The French onion soup has mega cheese, but the broth itself was a bit watery. We had delightful service - extremely efficient. This place is popular and they need to turn tables, so don't dally on your ordering or you may start to feel some pressure. No sooner had we ordered had the food started coming out. As we would put the last bite in our mouths, the plates were removed. I personally enjoy a speedy meal, but with a 5 month old I appreciate it even more (did you know the Doona can fit in their booths??). The staff that served us were personable and all smiles. This place is popular. Make a reservation. Oh, it's December? Make a reservation A MONTH in advance. I'm not even joking. I called one month in advance and had only a few times to choose from during our week stay. There was a line around the block to get in as a walk-in, so be prepared to wait if that's your plan. Overall, this was a solid experience. I loved the photo opportunities provided by the immaculate Christmas light display, we left full and happy, and had great service to boot. read more

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We had high hopes. It could be really special. The drinks were terrific. But $30 per drink? The food was subpar. It was a one and done. Don't get shrimp. My daughter got sick. The service was not good. Really unfriendly. read more

Most disappointing stop in NYC. I have wanted to see this place for over 5 years. Tried to make reservations 3 months in advance. They never answered their phone (the only way you can make them). So we went when they first opened at 11:00. I had my granddaughter with me. They would not let her in because they were only letting people into the bar (she has sat with me in other restaurant/bars in NYC). Silly me, I thought for sure they would let people in to see the decor they rave about. I heard the manager tell the people behind me 'no free ride here. You have to pay to see. ' Just rude and so disappointing. If you sell yourself as the best Christmas decorated restaurant in NYC at least let people know kids aren't welcome. I couldn't tell you about the food or the ambience. Never got that far. So we went to the 24 hr Diner across the street. It was very nice. We enjoyed their Christmas decorations instead. read more

Rolfs - 24 Hr Diner - German Near Me - New York, New York

Can't say anything about the food. Had a reservation since 3 month ago. Stuck in traffic called 15-20 times to say we were running late but no answer. Got there and they told us that the grace period was only 5 minutes. ( never was told to us) The manager "Sam" ( I don't think he was the manger) absolutely rude and zero accommodation. Just an unfortunate experience. Since they are so popular I guess they don't care. read more

The OG NY Christmas spot is a sight to see, but everything else is rather underwhelming. My friend and I learned of the separate bar-only queue and waited maybe 10minutes before being allowed in to a jam-packed bar. Very shoulder to shoulder. You're given a laminated menu with a handful of drinks without prices. Went with a spiked cider and mulled wine for $56 total. Drinks left much to be desired, especially for the price. Overheard others' ordering other options, and they were shocked by the same $28/drink charge. Definitely paying for the experience, but for what you get, there are better Christmas bar options out there. read more

Go to Rolf's if you're looking for a restaurant that never answers the phone, the employees act like they're doing you a favor by letting you in and waiting on you, where the drinks are tiny and overpriced, where the food is mediocre and overpriced, the service is non-existant and the place looks like it hasn't been cleaned in years, then Rolf's is for you! The place is a dump. Without the Christmas lights, it wouldn't qualify as a soup kitchen. This place is an embarrassment to New York City. read more

The decor was nice, but that's where it ends. Staff were rude and inattentive, place was very very crowded even the staff had a difficult time navigating around tables.Drinks were expensive and just mediocre. Lastly the food was horrible! When they cleared the table even though we had a lot of food left on our plates they never even enquired if we wanted a container to go‍ lol they must have known no one would want leftovers from Rolf's. Don't waste your money or time. read more

Very rude staff! Waiter said the food wasn't German. Not friendly for kids or babies. We asked if they could put our baby car seat somewhere and they refused saying there was no space even though over half the restaurant was empty. read more

Rolfs - German Near Me - New York, New York

This restaurant knows good flavor. Speedy help with genuine interest. Their meals surpass expectations. The laid-back setting and helpful staff complement the food. This spot meets expectations and I suggest it regularly! read more

I'm torn as I write this review. On the one hand this place is decorated beautifully and does sort of have this magical feeling during Christmas time. On the other it is a place you visit once and then you're done. When we arrived we stood in line as a walk in. They have another line for those that put their names down to eat. We waited for about half hour but we expected that at this time of year. When you walk in, it's literally an explosion of Christmas ornaments from every angle. The bar area is very tight so if you suffer from claustrophobia this isn't your place. I decided to try the mulled wine and was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. The idea of hot wine is a little different for me but it had hints of cinnamon and other spices that went well together. My cousin got the hot cider and it was a strong drink but she mentioned liking the wine more. What was shocking was the bill. Two drinks totaled around $60. We about fell over when we were handed the bill but didn't let it ruin the experience. Everyone around us was super nice and we made a few friends (I guess it's almost impossible not to when you're literally up against them). I would say if you're in the city during Christmas and you want a fun place with Christmas ambiance and some great pictures then stop by. Have ONE drink and leave. read more

What a ripoff joint! My group ordered 4 mixed drinks - not fancy ones either - I'm talking shot of liquor, mixer and ice. $112! I'm not kidding! No prices on the drink menu is a red flag that I missed. Bar didn't have grapefruit juice, another red flag. The decorations are cool I suppose if you're into that, but I'd love to have most of my money back. read more

December in Rolf's!!! The most beautiful decorations. Overheard that it took 6 weeks to complete everything! The food was ...okay. I couldn't get a good impression since I had to ask for gluten free so most of the sauces were removed. The drinks were awesome though! The best part was definitely the service: everyone was so kind, working together to give you the best experience while trying to maneuver through small walkways. They also offer to take your photos despite all the people around. Would 100% recommend!!! read more

Rolfs - German Near Me - New York, New York

Total tourist trap! DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME and MONEY! Even if you have a reservation you must wait and the potato pancakes are awful! Walking the streets and seeing the lights is a much better use of your time! read more

Christmas scam! Okay place if you want to see Christmas decorations while crammed into a sardine can for a poor holiday drink. Tried to make a dinner reservation but was told it was standby only. Waited in line for 40 minutes and was ushered into bar with no opportunity for dinner. Complete waste of time and lucky NYFD doesn't shut them down for a fire hazard. read more

I'm on torn what to write on this review as we were very glad that we went, but value versus price makes it hard to give this more than three stars. I think maybe 3 1/2 stars would be more appropriate, but that's not possible on Yelp. We had read about the Christmas decor here and put it on our "must do" list while in New York. One would need to make a reservation months advance to get a dinner table, so we chanced it to see if we could squeeze a bar visit in so we could see the inside of the restaurant on our way to a show. There was a separate line for people trying to get into the bar and we waited about 15-20 minutes. Once you step into the restaurant, you will understand what all the fanfare is about; It literally does look like Father Christmas threw up all over the place and it is dazzling to the eye. The bar was packed in like sardines, and it looked like making your way to the front to order a drink would be an impossible task. However, we are very determined southerners, so we pushed our way towards the front and four people already there offered to get the bartender for us. We both ordered one of their burnt almond cocktails that was featured on their holiday menu. Please note there were no prices on this menu. Our drinks came in martini glasses and were very pretty. They were also quite tasty. There was some sticker shock involved as we discovered each cocktail cost $30 apiece. Even for New York, that is obscenely high. Would I recommend it if you're going to be in New York at Christmas time? Heck yeah! I would suggest that you stop by. Would I go back and have another $30 cocktail? No way! Haha. But, we were definitely happy that we decided to stop in. Something to bear in mind for anyone wishing to go is that they do not allow children under 21 into the bar area. There were several people that had been waiting in line with children and ended up leaving once they found out they couldn't take the kids in. If you want to take your children, please make a reservation in the dining area before you come. read more

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This is a fantastic Christmas bar! There was a long lone for the reservation line , but not the bar line! I got the Egg Nog and it was delicious, and pricey!! $20 for SoCo egg nog mix with bourbon. Its NYC and the experience was great. Inside looks like Christmas has diarrhea! read more

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Made reservations 2 months ago, nobody said anything about a minimum entree per person. We got sat and upon sitting, they tell us that there's an entree minimum per person after we ordered appetizers and beer. They already stuffed us in a small corner of the restaurant with no room. They will tell you 2 appetizers equals one entree. We had ordered 3 steins($35 a stein ) already and they auto gratuity us. Place is joke. Just a look, no holiday cheer. The owner of the place is out of their mind thinking anything here is worth while. The best service was from the door man who was a sweetheart but the rest of the experience is trash. Avoid at all cost. Tons of better holiday attractions in the city. read more

We really wanted to visit Rolf's and enjoy the Christmas vibes, but the reviews gave me a little pause. I'm really glad we went, it was a solid experience. First let me say that it's a tough gig for this restaurants. A small place making an attempt to turn a lot of tables. You book a reservation and wait online for 20+ minutes past the reservation. It is part of the attempt to keep things going at a volume. But setting that aside it's a great experience. The inside of the space is spectacularly over done. It's Christmas in every direction. An old tight little space, but clean and decorated to no end. It's a feast for your eyes and worth what it takes to get into the place. Now the food is solid traditional German. We really enjoyed the potato pancakes and the French onion soup. Both done well and a good start to the meal. We ordered the Wiener Schnitzel, Beef Stew, and Sausage platter. They would do any German pub justice. The sausages were really solid, served with Pork and sauerkraut as a side. The sureness of the kraut went well with the sausages and a good spice mustard combined for a good German sausage fest. The beef stew served with spatezel was great as well. What goes better with beef stew than a little potato dumpling. It's a great and enjoyable pairing. The Wiener Schnitzel was also solid and enjoyable, nothing to complain about. You certainly need to add a German Hefe Weizen or dunkel, or better yet both... Having Weihenstephaner on tap is a great add for Rolf's. Give it a shot, be brave and enjoy! read more

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This place was so gross. The martinis are served with ice for $26. Servers bump into you all the time. Schnitzel and spatzle were dry and $38. Salad is served with no dressing. read more

Rolfs - Schnitzel - German Near Me - New York, New York

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It's Christmas time year-round at Rolfs. Very pretty decorations. Food and beer and brandy were all good. But be prepared to pay. Everything is on the expensive side. My head still hurts from the clubbing my credit card took. read more

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Summary: go for the ambiance and photo ops. Just know it's a steep price. Even knowing the quality of F&B and service has been poor for a very long time, our experience today was even worse than usual. Service: 4/10 - did the minimum Price: 1/10 - 2 drinks $56.64 = $24 ea + bar tax $3.92, + 20% gratuity $8.64. Drinks: 1/10 - awful "cocktails" off their holiday drink menu. Cranberry Smash was simply vodka with apple and cranberry juice. The Redwood Empire "Manhattan" was served in a rocks glass full of ice. *will order a 2 ingredient drink or something neat on my next annual visit. Ambience: 9/10 - same beautiful holiday decor for years. Gorgeous photo opportunities. read more

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If you're an early enthusiast of Christmas Cheer then bring it on! This charming location is perfect for a small party of 10 or just going about things alone. The German food is authentic, the Beef Stew with spatzle, German Apple Crepe, & the Chicken Schnitzel were all fresh and fresh and great tasting! The Stew especially was so tender and practically melted in your mouth. BUT....You MUST try the Eggnog for Santa's sake! Divinely blended and carefully crafted it brings the "it" to Christmas! Have it on ice or just in a cup it's flavorful n smooth taste will leave you humming all classic tunes of Christmas! You're Welcome-because you Will thank me later! Bgirl read more

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Very rude and non friendly staff. Drinks had no price listed and when the bill came it was $63 for 2 drinks. Everything was very overpriced. Come take a pic but save yourself from the torture. Yes the interior is filled to the brim but save yourself, it is not a gleaming experience. read more

Food was not tasteful at all and servers try to get you in and out ASAP. Place was super cute and well decorated but the food was mid. I got beef stew, french onion soup, and breaded veal, and apple pancakes. read more

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We came for the holidays and made a reservation in advance. When we arrived ahead of our reservation, they said there was no table available and we needed to wait another hour. The bouncer was very apologetic and helped us find an alternative place to wait. The restaurant was definitely worth the wait! The holiday decorations and atmosphere was better than anticipated. The food is authentic, but the schnitzel is a little dry. Definitely recommend getting something with the mashed potatoes! read more

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Incredible experience. The decorations are something you won't see anywhere else. The food is great, definitely get the sauerbraten of Chicken Schnitzel! Cocktails are unique and the wine pours are generous. We were lucky enough to get a reservation in late October-for December. If you want to be able to get in, you have to call early in the fall or you will be waiting for a chance to get in! Packed wall to wall, with lines down the block. One of the best Christmas experiences we've had in a long time. read more

This place is like walking into Christmas- full swan dive into ornate decorations and holiday specials. The staff is incredibly friendly. Absolutely loved seeing this lovely place without any people. Highly recommend visiting! read more

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"Christmas Supernova" A Seasonal Classic..... Not sure why most of the reviews hate on this place. Sure you are not going to make this your neighborhood bar, but in a sea of blandness, this bar stands out for its decor. Jaw dropping, shiny decorations abound from floor to ceiling while you wait for your drinks with a festive crowd. Skip the food. Drinks are adequate but not special. Soak in quintessential New York. read more

We went on a Saturday at 6:30pm. It was not packed. Service - very good, very fast, very nice to interact with Food - I went there for authentic German food and that's what I got. Everything tasted great. Ambiance - everything was decorated for Christmas, which is strange since we just did Easter. But that only means that you can be sure that I'll be back during the holidays. The prices are typical for NYC. It's to be expected. No complaints about this place, and I'm sorry to see all the negative comments that I've read. read more

I get it - their decorating is over the top and Instagram worthy but that's it. We tried for weeks prior to our NYC visit to get a reservation but they never answered their phone. So when we arrived around 2pm on a Tuesday we were rudely greeted at the door telling us we could only enter the bar side and could not order any food at all. He also pointed to a sign that indicated there was a 1 drink minimum per person if he let us in. Fine - we were there for a drink at least, geez! The bar was packed and was standing only, with no room to wiggle in right away to order. We finally ordered a small draft beer and a featured drink. When we were told that it was $39.99 for both drinks...we understood! We were paying to view overdone Christmas decorations in a packed bar that was standing room only, that really didn't care about customers, they just wanted money. There are so many other great restaurants and bars in the city, I'm sad to say that I don't recommend Rolf's. read more

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Serendipitously stumbled into this place on a chilly night. My friend wanted a hot cider and that's how Rolf's came on my radar. We walked in to a huge surprise. Everything was decked out in Xmas decorations! And it's pretty far from Holiday season lol. Very well done. Felt like a fairytale or a movie set. She ordered mulled wine and I got an eggnog (since that's their only non alcoholic option). I actually really enjoyed it! As we walked out, we took a look at the food menu and it was insanely priced. Even my eggnog was $12! After splitting the bill and adding tip, I spent $20. From the photos of the food I am most definitely not coming here for food. But for a drink, absolutely! read more

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Like many people, I have heard about the beautiful plethora of Xmas decorations that is synonymous with Rolf's. Unbeknownst to me, there was quite a line to get in. Tips: 1) they won't answer the phone as they stopped taking reservations. They are fully booked. Heard the food wasn't great so don't even bother. 2) there is a reservation line and there is a line to get into the bar. No food can be ordered if you are at the bar line. Bring comfortable shoes because the wait time will be over an hour. 3) there is one bathroom for women Although it was super crowded and drinks were good but nothing special, the ambiance and my company made me have a blast! Lots of picture taking and every angle you look is beautiful. You can stay as long as you like! Limited cocktail menu for us vegans but such a must do here in NYC. Just come prepared. read more

Rolfs - German Near Me - New York, New York

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Decor: 10/10 Seating 8/10 Food 0/0 Drinks 4/10 Service 3/10 Overall. Have One drink and leave. The photos are worth it. They should also play holiday music a idk why they don't. read more

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This place just makes feel me happy, anytime of the year. Don't overthink it. Drop by to enjoy some schnitzel, spätzle, and fresh genuine German beer on tap, while soaking up the bright, uplifting Christmas decor. read more

the bouncer and even a different guy that worked there was rude. was taking pictures waiting for my turn at the bar and he yelled at me. i said i'm taking a picture and told me to hurry up. i thought the whole point was the decorations and taking pictures, its a tourist spot. how can i not take pictures? then he said i wasn't trying to get a drink which i was the bartender didn't see me and i had no space. i was trying to be nice and wait for an opening. like do you want me to grab people to get out of my way?. and i waited on line for at least 30 mins in the cold. read more

You go for the Christmas scene which is over the top. Honestly the dolls freaked me out a little but it is pretty cool to see. Staff was ok as others have said, we didn't eat so fine for a drink or two. read more

This place is not worth the hype anymore. There's absolutely no way to make reservations. The phone line is always busy, you can't make reservations online nor on social media. ALL THEIR SPECIALITY COCKTAILS ARE $31!!! They don't have drink prices anywhere. You order and they ask for your card immediately, I thought at most they would be like $22. Nope $31. The bartenders are rude because the volume is just people taking photos, getting 1 drink and leaving. Please stay away from this place. There's close to 25 other bars doing a cool Xmas thing with more reasonable prices. Screw you rolfs, I hope by the end of this Xmas season you have 1 star next to your name. read more

Rolfs - Xmas decorations but you can see this nowadays at any bar - German Near Me - New York, New York

Very cute decorations here and came for the drinks. $15 for a 0.5L beer was extremely steep and the seating was limited. Their cocktails are $25, which is a bit above the normal NYC price, so you are definitely being pushed hard, given the decor. Worth visiting for the decorations and lights, but you are paying an extreme premium to see decor. read more

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This place is just so beautiful and I was so happy we were able to get in Christmas week! I called in Thursday between 9AM-10AM to a make a reservation and the man on the phone was so nice. I believe his name was Sam. He tried to fit us in and even complimented me when I told him I wanted to eat there with my mother. He was able to fit us in at 630PM that night and I was so thankful he did. The experience at this place is one of a kind and If there's anything you need to see or do while in NYC during the holidays, you have to add this to your list! You won't be disappointed. We got there about 5 minutes earlier and the "bouncer" checked our IDs and vaccination card while we waited outside for our table to be ready. Once inside we were asked where we wanted to sit and of course we chose the first booth. Yana was our waitress and she was so attentive and sweet the whole hour we were there. You are told when the reservation is made that it's only for an hour. She showed us the holiday drink menu and my mom quickly went for the Merry Christmas Smoothie while I picked the Cranapple Smash. Our drinks came in within 5 minutes and by then we were ready to dinner. My mom ordered the salmon while I ordered the meatloaf. Everything was so delicious. Thank God the meatloaf was so big as my dad was on his way too. My parents and I had the best time here! Between the setting, the food and just their company it is definitely a place I will hold dear to my heart. Thank you Yana for taking all our family pictures! This has definitely now become our yearly holiday tradition. See you in 2022 Rolf's! read more

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