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    Ruffian

    4.6 (315 reviews)
    Open 3:00 pm - 11:00 PM

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    RUFFIAN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Intimate
    Romantic
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Ruffian

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    Sourdough Dumplings
    Vishnu G.

    I had a light meal here for about $36 during happy hour on a Saturday. It's certainly a bit expensive, but I was impressed. Sourdough dumplings - the dumplings had just the right bite to them in terms of texture and were filled with a warm, starchy filling - looked like green peas and cabbage/kimchi. The broth is savory from the porcini mushrooms, and with a delicious aromatic note of ginger, and a touch of sweetness to balance everything. The oil over top made a gorgeous fractal pattern over the broth. Elderflower tonic - this mocktail was fizzy, a bit sour, and a bit sweet. Light and refreshing.

    Winter menu
    Puja G.

    Hosted a wine tasting for my birthday here, and could not have been more pleased with the experience! The team was incredibly helpful in getting things organized from a curated wine list to great recommendations for food. There also was an option to add non- alcoholic drinks so everyone could truly decide to celebrate as they wished. Tucked away, this wine bar is cozy and homey, but with enough space to feel private. The wine list ranges in Eastern European wines which is a great way to try wines you might not be as familiar with with. The team is super knowledgeable about wines and really gives you more context on what youre drinking. Food consists of a rotating seasonal menu of small plates that all boasted an array of flavors that mesheed well with any wine we were drinking. The staff was also accommodating in making certain dishes vegetarian based on preference, further emphasizing the flexibility of this place. The food tasted fresh and had bursts of flavor in every bite. Overall, I would come back here for a night with friends or even a date night. The vibe is welcoming and with the flexibility of the staff and ability to have alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks, there truly is something for everyone.

    Amanda S.

    Exquisite! My friend was skeptical but I knew this spot would be phenomenal. We each ordered the build a flight from the unique wines-by-the-glass list, very exciting to try wines from regions you don't normally see on a wine list. We shared 3 plates - the feta, the dumplings and the duck- each one better than the last. The servers were nice and very good at their jobs, it was overall a special evening and i highly recommend a visit!

    Chanda A.

    Paradise found = a cozy natural wine bar with a great happy hour and delicious vegetarian options! Ruffian is the wine bar I didn't know I needed. While not technically vegetarian, the default on their menu is vegetarian, and vegan and non veg options have special notations. The menu is seasonal, and if you come for dinner you can choose from a vegetarian or non veg prefix menu (or order a la carte). They focus on Eastern European natural wines and have an extensive wine list of over 250 wines. During happy hour (3-5 PM every day!) you can get $5 any glass or 10% off a bottle - much more generous than many happy hours. We went at a weird time in between lunch and dinner, so we only tried a couple dishes, but I will be back for the tasting menu! We ordered the Vegetable Dumplings and the White Bean Hummus with Papadum. The vegetable dumplings weren't my favorite, but we couldn't get enough of the white bean hummus. It had a hint of chili and was one of the best dishes I've had in recent memory. Perfect spot for a date night or to impress a special vegetarian or vegan in your life!

    Tartare course
    Raia S.

    The five course wine tasting menu is a delightful and unique experience. I went for a birthday and was impressed by how attentive and personalized the service was, with each course and pairing explained to us in detail. I think the wines were very well-chosen, and my favorite courses were the dessert (light as air orange pound cake garnished with cream and flowers, one of my favorite sweets ever!) and the duck pastrami (the vegetable pairings were smothered in sauces layered with flavor and was very unique and thoughtful). I thought the bread was a little dense and the charcuterie and vegetable courses could have used a bit of refinement, the tartare was okay and the fava bean salad felt like a miss and I think the flavors could have been more sophisticated and creative. Lovely restaurant that has a very intimate feeling but with a fun soundtrack, a worthwhile expense and great for trying new wines and having an interesting collective experience, but for the price tag each course should be equally inventive, deliberate, and tasty!

    Michelle S.

    We had a reservation at 9, but it took a bit of time to get seated. Jes (I hope I got the name right!) was so thoughtful and offered us a complimentary round of wine, which was such a kind gesture and made the wait feel much smoother. Our server in the red dress was absolutely wonderful, so sweet, attentive, and patient in answering all my questions. The beef shoulder was incredible!! It was so tender, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. I also loved the pumpkin dish, which had this unique, it was like savory ice cream that I can't stop thinking about! Some of the other dishes were fine, though not as memorable. The space itself is really interesting, there are two connected areas with separate entrances, and each one gives off a slightly different vibe. We were seated in the more dimly lit side, which felt cozy and intimate, perfect for a late dinner.

    Dumplings
    Jon B.

    Come to Ruffian for dinner by recommendation of a friend. The venue is quite hidden and unassuming - don't be fooled. The decor is cozy and nothing. Fancy but everything else makes up for it . Firstly , the service is stellar and very personable with an amazing wine list . The food is truly delicious with seasoning from the gods . I don't excited that often but this gem truly did it for me - exceptional

    Wine Flight Trio with Duck Pastrami in foreground
    William A.

    Ruffian has two sides. One being more for tables with the other a bar. We sat at the bar and the wine was good and food was amazing. 100% will be back. The bartender recommended good wines and you are able to do flights of the glass pours which is a nice touch. Hard to pick a favorite but the duck pastrami was the favorite with the spicy raw beef salad and cabbage goulash neck and neck for next favorite. 100% will be back.

    Cheese board with bread
    Ash B.

    Small plates, hefty prices butttt I do think it's worth it. We shared these plates amongst 3 of us and we were quite full at the end. I truly wasn't expecting to like food at a wine bar this much so I have to hand it to them for the uniqueness of these dishes. The wine of course was light, fruity, and paired well with our food -- thanks to a recommendation by our server. All in all, the experience here is that of an elevated picnic but indoors.

    Alexis B.

    I had dinner at Ruffian a week or so ago when I was in NYC for a solo Labor Day weekend. I was so excited to have dinner here because it's a wine bar with a focus - on natural and Eastern European wines and vegetarian and vegetable-forward food. I did the four course tasting menu ($60 per person) with the wine pairing ($55 per person). I really appreciated that the menu is mostly vegetarian and focused on vegetables, but I didn't find the food very memorable. Because I had selected the tasting menu to avoid making choices, I hadn't paid much attention to the menu before ordering. But the descriptions when the dishes were brought to the table were really minimal and quiet, so I was often confused by what I was eating and occasionally asked some follow up questions when staff swung back around. That might be a part of why the food wasn't that memorable for me. I do remember that one course was my absolute favorite but I couldn't tell you what it was (something with Swiss Chard over the top - but what was under it? something delicious!). There was a cucumber starter that was light but maybe not a standout (but good for summer). And the main was a roast melon with dukkah and served over lentils, I think - good dish overall. I remember enjoying the dessert but now (a little over a week later), I can't remember at all what it was. And there was an amuse bouche to start that I remember being interesting but again can't remember what it was. The wines served with the wine pairing were interesting and definitely different than your typical wine pairings with a tasting menu. I ended up having one more glass after the pairing. The space is charming but tight - so I definitely felt in the way as staff walked behind where I was seated at the bar to get to the other side of the bar or as guests walked behind me to get to the bathroom. The music and ambiance were good, but I just wish there was a little more space behind the bar seating. The service was friendly, but I do wish there had been more communication about the individual dishes in the tasting menu. This wasn't a bad meal. The food I had was interesting (especially since I didn't always understand what I was eating), and so were the wines. I think the value is good for the tasting menu and the wine pairing. And I did really enjoy the wines they offer - different from your average wine list for sure. But the space and the service (just lack of explanation about the dishes, the service was fine otherwise) just left me a little underwhelmed by the experience. I would return - especially just for a wine tasting at the bar - though!

    Girls wine night
    Helen S.

    Cute little wine bar that actually has two areas for seating. They have a great selection of funky and orange wines and a great set of snacks and apps including many great vegan and gluten free options. I love how the space is very relaxed and cosy, not crazy packed on a weekday night but lively with several groups of young people catching up.

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    29 days ago

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    Colleen C.

    Phoebe, thanks for your lovely review. We hope to see you again soon

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    Colleen C.

    William, so happy to welcome you to the Ruffian family!

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    9 months ago

    Local chill spot. Selection of wines to compliment the delicate food offerings. Service is gentle and homey vibes.

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    10 months ago

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    Page 1 of 8

    Ruffian Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Ruffian

    Do they have non alc beer & wine options as I'm looking to moderate esp as we head towards Dry January?

    Yes, we also have mocktails.

    Is it ok to come here just for the food?

    I don't drink, and I loved it!

    Is the outdoor seating heated?

    When/what is happy hour?

    There is no more happy hour

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Rake Wine Bar

    Rake Wine Bar

    4.8
    (29 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    Wow East Village! You have yourself a gem with Rake Wine Bar! We were waiting for our dinner…read morereservations and decided to stop in here for a pre-dinner drink and bite. I am SO glad we did. The vibe drew us in, they had great music bumpin from the outside, it looked lively and welcoming. Let me tell you- I would have skipped dinner and just stayed here all evening if it was my choice! But alas, my husband wanted a bit more to eat. But let me tell you- their knowledge of wine is PRISTINE! I can't tell you what white wine we had but they captured our tastes perfectly. We also shared a bruschetta and it was deliciouso! I love how friendly the staff was here and how unpretentious it all was. Next time we are in NYC- we will definitely make a point to come visit Rake!

    My partner and I were looking for a great double date spot, so we decided to give Rake a try due to…read moreits relaxing vibe and multitude of bites we could share. First I'll start with the wine - we ended up trying all three happy hour wines (HH until 7), which the tables favorites were the white and we ended up getting a bottle to split once HH ended (but I really enjoyed the other vino verde option). It was incredibly refreshing and paired well with the many tinned fish options. As you'd expect - it's a pretty massive selection and there is bound to be a varietal and glass for any palate. It's also attached to a wine store - so it's fine to see all the bottles when peaking over. Food-wise - this is where it was hit or miss, they have a pretty extensive menu (with a whole tinned fish section!) and we ended up ordering the buratta on focaccia (buratta was excellent, focaccia was too dense for my tastes), mushroom truffle crostini (way too salty), the flatbread with sliced kielbasa (was fine), halloume (table favorite ), tinned sardines in lemon oil (delicious), tinned smoked trout (my favorite). Overall the four of us were very full at the end of the meal! The space itself felt very relaxing and rustic, and definitely got busier as the night went on (we got there at 6:50 and left around 9). The service was also fast and attentive - even for the amount of tables they were serving. Overall - I'd definitely go back again, and maybe just focus on the wine and another tinned fish selection!

    Photos
    Rake Wine Bar
    Rake Wine Bar
    Menu

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    Menu
    Sunn’s

    Sunn’s

    4.1
    (49 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    yeah boiiii…read more phenomenal. perfection. snagged a res for the ladys birthday and was so so so excited to finally be at Sunn's. went into thinking it was traditional korean, but was actually really fusioned with french/new american flavors, but never forgot its korean roots. everything was divine, and the service was exceptional. sat at chefs table; man that tiny ass kitchen is a miracle. was really suprised with the soondabo. feel like i've ever only had one flavor profile, but chef sunn was telling me how she was inspired by pozole as a rift on the dish. i have had a lot better banchan before thoooo thanks for having us and making the night so special! excited to come back

    Sunn's is a really nice elevated Korean spot tucked into a tiny space right off the F train in…read moreChinatown. The room is intimate, the wine was excellent, and service was warm and on point. The hwe crudo was refreshing and delicious, and the salad was also a standout -- bright, crisp, and really well-balanced. But the best thing we had by far was the dak mandu, the crab/chicken dumplings. Those alone are worth coming back for. The ssam lettuce wraps were good, though they read a little more like Jewish brisket with a spicy bean sauce than what I expected from a Korean lettuce wrap. Still tasty, just a different vibe. Honestly, this would've been a 5-star meal if I didn't leave with three mosquito bites. Great food, great service, great wine -- just maybe bring bug spray.

    Photos
    Vibes + wine bottle + cute water dispenser
    Vibes + wine bottle + cute water dispenser
    Cozy sitting corner by the window
    Cozy sitting corner by the window
    The counter by the kitchen

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    The counter by the kitchen
    Bar 56

    Bar 56

    4.8
    (51 reviews)
    1.7 mi

    Food is outstanding! Best tuna tartare I have ever had…read more Great ambiance..attentive service. Mocktail was definitely too tart, will try different one next time.

    Great happy hour deal: every day 5 to 6 PM, including weekends, $10 wines and house cocktails, if…read moreyou sit at the bar. The bar is very scenic so you will definitely feel like you are getting the full dining experience. Indoor and outdoor seating available. Make reservations for peak dining times in the evenings and on weekends. Many people walked in without reservations and were seated right away on Saturday evenings. Highly recommend trying their original cocktails ($18). We tried the flower child and the harvest moon. Both were tasty. I would get harvest moon again and again. Perfect balance of Tart, sweet refreshing and strong. Menu items change seasonally so it's delightful to try something new every time you visit. $21 potato croquettes were highly disappointing. Everyone recommended them highly, but I could not understand why. For such price, three tiny balls of fried potato should've been mind blowing, but they were underwhelming and forgettable at best. Skip. $24 giant ricotta stuffed raviolo was delightful. Such soothing comfort food. If I could eat just this, I would be happy. $26 fresh crudo was refreshing and light. Delicious cold broth/juice soup in which it was served. $32 Bronzino with mussels in a broth was superb. Light, crispy, and delicate. Would eat this dish for dinner Any night of the day. Balanced flavor profile. Could suit anyone who is picky about their food. $30 lamb neck was a solid dish. Perfectly crunchy on the outside and delicate and flavorful on the inside. Wish the portion was a bit bigger, especially the sides. $38 duck confit was highly advertised, however, it was underwhelming and the least stand out dish. It was solid, but nothing that I would order again or recommend. The duck was on the dry side. Definitely not enough sauce. The cabbage and the cabbage salad were good. Crispy and refreshing. The duck was not the star of this dish. $13 chocolate mousse with strawberry coulis was surprisingly delightful. So light and balanced. Not sweet, but just right to finish a meal. I could eat this dessert every day after every single meal. So simple, yet it hit the spot. Service is very fast and efficient. One of our readers was superb and provided stellar recommendations. Another waiter (young and inexperienced) was very shy and his energy felt very stifling.

    Photos
    Potato croquettes and fried artichokes
    Potato croquettes and fried artichokes
    Gorgeous lounge space in the bar
    Gorgeous lounge space in the bar
    Cocktails

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    Cocktails

    Ruffian - wine_bars - Updated July 2026

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