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    Serendipity 3 - Upper East Side

    3.3 (5.2k reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 11:00 pm

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    Serendipity 3 - Upper East Side Photos

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    SERENDIPITY 3 - UPPER EAST SIDE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Touristy
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Serendipity 3 - Upper East Side

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    Frozen hot chocolate
    Vincent Y.

    I heard so many great things about this place, but unfortunately they fell short of my expectations. I had their Frozen hot chocolate which was $20 which I think is a bit ridiculous for essentially what is a milkshake but less flavor. The fries were good, seasoned with lots of a salt and had a nice outer crisp but dipping it into the frozen hot chocolate wasn't good despite it being a normally good combination anywhere else. The staff also wasn't very attentive towards the 2nd floor. I waited 5-10 minutes to get my bill finally and they hardly checked in at all.

    Hot fudge sundae with vanilla and mint chip ice cream.
    Nicole G.

    Walked in to a darker type of entry and waited at the unattended front desk. But very clean and calm place. After 1 min someone came, and seated our family of 4 for our reservation 8:30pm. Establishment was not too busy, maybe 3 tables, very close together. The two sundaes we ordered came out within 10 mins, and it was a very quick, clean, pleasant experience. Not sure it's worth doing again as we frequently visit NYC, but definitely hit it for the nostalgia.

    Pecan pie
    Tara C.

    Hello movie groupies - this is the official place of the rom com movie! Check out the table upstairs. We came in to celebrate a birthday and they did such a great job honoring Aunt 70th birthday! Candles and singing included! We branched out a little bit and tried the ultimate creme cheesecake, apple A La Mode, chocolate cake, pecan pie. They were all fantastic. The cheesecake is one of the best I've had. Super moist and fluffy. The decor is so whimsical and cheeeful! The service is great! Our server Gio was so friendly!! I

    Dining room
    Angel R.

    Haven't been here in years ! Since my kids were small . Fun to stop in for some food and enjoy the wacky fun decor . Staff is helpful and kind .

    Chicken and waffles
    Ashley M.

    Very cute place! I always wanted to come here and I finally decided to come for my birthday dinner. The service was quick, I reserved online. The waiter was very nice and attentive. The food portion sizes are huge, def shareable in my opinion. Great place to come to try out at least once.

    Brigitte L.

    Came here for lunch in celebration of our 20 year anniversary. We last came here when our daughter was about 7 years old (now she's 16). Hubs made a reservation but we arrived early which was no issue at all and they sat us immediately. We were seated downstairs and I loved our table. It was cozy. This place gets packed pretty fast so I'd recommend getting in early or making a reservation. And note: if there are any souvenirs you want as keepsakes you can have your server grab and put on your tab for ya. Makes it so much easier. I absolutely love the Serendipity movie with John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale. The movie was filmed at this Serendipity 3 location in the upstairs area. The "3" in the name of the restaurant is in reference to 3 friends who opened the café. Serendipity = The art of finding the pleasantly unexpected by chance or sagacity. We ordered the footlong hot dog (hubs) and the grilled chicken sandwich (me). I knew I wanted a frozen hot chocolate also but waited to order until after we ate. And I was so full that I asked if they do them to go which they do! And you get a cute hard plastic reusable cup that it's put in. Win win :)- then I could enjoy my frozen treat as we walk through the hot furnace of a city. Food was delicious but the portions are HUGE. Skip the food or share something because you CANNOT SKIP THE FROZEN HOT CHOCOLATE.

    interior
    Amanda Z.

    I visited Serendipity on a Saturday evening. I had a reservation, so we were seated promptly. I thought it was fun how they celebrate birthdays--our table wasn't celebrating, but we saw other guests getting sung to. I ordered the monet salad, my sister got the truffle mac n cheese with the birthday cake frozen hot chocolate, and my friend had the ultimate b.l.t. The service was great, & I loved the fun interior decor. Would visit again with friends to try their other eccentric dishes!

    Sign on door says reopening 7/9
    Simon W.

    Finally! Serendipity's frozen hot chocolate for me has been one of those foodie bucket list items for a while now. Every time I've tried to visit in the past, there was always a reason for missing out, either the wait for a table was too long or they weren't taking walk-ins. Going in between normal lunch and dinner times was the sweet spot for less wait. When I finally made it I have to say the signature item was worth a try. First glance, the ratio of whipped cream to frozen hot chocolate could have been adjusted more in favor of the latter. The abundance of whipped cream certainly provided a grandiose impression but so much of the whipped cream was left behind. Once you go beyond the whipped cream façade, the dessert which is served cold, mimics the rich "hot" chocolate flavor well. Certainly worth the effort to visit. As it was inbetween meals I got snacks, nachos and onion rings to fulfill the per person minimum spend requirement. The nachos were pretty good, but the onion rings needed more seasoning. The decor was definitely fun and whimsical. While waiting for my food to arrive I my eyes were amused with the surroundings. There are opportunities to take photos during your visit. There is a section in front of the restaurant with souvenirs and trinkets catering to the touristy crowd. One big thing to note is there is a per person minimum listed on the menu but some have said it's not really enforced. I did adhere to that stated requirement which I guess is to counter folks coming in just for the fancy dessert. For me this was a one and done cross off the list.

    McKenzie B.

    Stopping at Serendipity is a staple for my family and friends when we visit New York! Although people say this place is a tourist trap they have some of the best frozen hot chocolate and it's such a cute, fun atmospheric as well as a great photo opportunity! As far as service the few times we've been to visit we've had no issues. See you next time we're in NY! We only go here for the frozen hot chocolate and nothing else!

    Iconic Tiffany Lamps
    Amy G.

    Serendipity, you are a NY icon, a classic of the Upper East Side. You hold so many memories for me, all sweet. As a child my parents took me here often for lunch which always ended in the ultimate frozen hot chocolate. I had birthday parties here and again, lovely memories. It had been a long while since I've been here. I went with a friend and her daughter. The wait time was about ten minutes. The front still had that fun, kitschy vibe, that I used to love & still love. The servers were very friendly. We shared the truffle fries, apple pie and of course we all shared the frozen hot chocolate. It was just as delicious as I remembered. The decor is whimsical and charming. The giant clock still hangs and the timeless Tiffany lamps.

    Frozen hot chocolate so good!
    Alex S.

    Such an iconic place with great food big portions and delicious desserts. Love it and my little mini me loved it for her first time.

    Frozen peanut butter hot chocolate.

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    22 days ago

    Excellent service! we enjoyed the food and the atmosphere was fun. we will definitely come back again.

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    27 days ago

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    1 month ago

    Great food, great ambiance love this place. A classic. Service was great as well. All around a great experience

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    3 months ago

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    1 month ago

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    1 hour ago

    This place has amazing food with great portions. Not to speak about the desserts. This is a visit must if you are coming to NYC.

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    5 months ago

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    5 days ago

    The service was great and a huge selection of desserts! My daughter's mouth dropped. Very colorful atmosphere!

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    7 months ago

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    10 months ago

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    11 days ago

    The food was fine but the service tried their best with a group of 8, lots of fun chaos (very loud ). Fun for small kids

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    1 year ago

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    13 days ago

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    8 days ago

    everything was wonderful! The service, atmosphere, food....the frozen hot chocolate and Ferris wheel appetizer were amazing!

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    Page 1 of 130

    Serendipity 3 - Upper East Side Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Serendipity 3 - Upper East Side

    Do they take walk ins?

    Yes! We did a walk-in when we went. Granted it was during the afternoon (and not peak busy hours).

    Are reservations required?

    I don't think it's required, but I'd highly recommend that you have a reservation. We had a reservation and there was a big line waiting without

    Do you accept cash?

    Yes but bring a lot of it

    Do they accept solo diners? I keep trying to make a reservation and as soon as you put 1 person it says no tables (if you put 2 then tables every hour). I'm tempted to put two people and just show up but- is there a bar for a solo person to eat?

    There is no bar , well I didn't see a bar , but I think you should make a reservation for 2 and tell them the person cancel last minute and you will have your solo dinner !!

    Is there a minimum you need to spend per person? Even children?

    According to the reservation it's supposed to be $18.95 per person. However, it isn't linked and no deposit taken. So, not quite. It wasn't enforced per say and don't see how it can be tracked. And my bill just for 2 was well more because I we got… Read more

    Is this a better spot for brunch or dinner?

    Either is fine. However there aren't a whole lot of breakfast items on the menu

    Why can i not make a solo reservation for one guest?

    Yep!

    Where do I go to make a reservation?

    Their website. Def make in advance. They were turning away walk ins when I was there a few weeks ago

    With a reservation, do you still have to wait in line?? Update: We got here 20 minutes early and still had to wait in line. Everyone else in front of us also had a reservation. There are at least seven parties ahead of us and we're still waiting...

    I did not - went up and checked in and then waited a few minutes to be called.

    Do you have to be vaccinated to come in for lunch?

    As of March 7th, New York City and Serendipity 3 no longer requires masks or proof of Covid 19 vaccination to dine with us.… Read more

    Do they still have a vegan frozen hot chocolate?

    Are the hotdogs all beef?

    Yes they are.

    Can you dine in alone , or needs to be minimum 2 to be seated?

    Are there reservations?

    Thank you for your interest in making a reservation at Serendipity 3. Please use the link below to… Read more

    Can you take the frozen hot chocolate to go?

    Regretfully we do not currently do take out or delivery but you can buy the powdered mix in our General Store and make it at home yourself.

    Are the open uet?

    Yes they are

    Are they open yet?

    New sign on the door indicates reopening on July 9th and to make reservations on resy

    Has Serendipity3 Re-OPENED Yet?

    I'm writing this on Dec 23 2020 and it isn't open yet.

    Are you guys open yet?

    I'm writing this on Dec 23 and the store is still closed for business.

    Do they provide a candle or something for birthday dessert?

    Yes and they even sing you HappY Birthday!

    View All 41 Questions

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    Valerie

    Valerie

    4.3
    (1.4k reviews)
    0.9 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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    Friedman's

    Friedman's

    4.0
    (3.4k reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    Had reservations for 2 on a Saturday afternoon and the place was packed. We got there about three…read moreminutes late, but they seated us within 5 minutes in a booth. It was our first time eating at a Friedman's location. It had a nice diner feel to it, with a mix of booths and tables. The brunch menu has a variety of breakfast items, salads, sandwiches and burgers, starters, and entrees (fish tacos, grain bowl, fried chicken). I like that several of the items are naturally gluten free, and some can be made gluten free by request. We decided to go with three breakfast items from the brunch menu: I got the shakshuka, my sister got the Nova Benny, and we got the lemon ricotta pancakes to share. All 3 dishes were great. The shashuka came with grilled ciabatta, perfect for dipping into the sunny side eggs and tomato sauce. My sister loved that the poached eggs and smoked salmon of the Nova Benny came on top of a crispy potato latke. The pancakes were fluffy and the lemon ricotta and lemon zest elevated their flavor. Our server was friendly and attentive, and he asked us if we had any allergies when he took our order. He came by several times to check on us and refill water. I would return to Friedman's when I'm in the Herald Square area, or check out one of their other locations in the city.

    Love the look of Friedman's. Nice dining room that they pack in comfortably. Came for an early…read morebreakfast and the dining room filled so fast that I was happy we got there early before the rush. I got myself delicious sunny side up eggs with the pastrami hash. I was impressed by the chunks of pastrami throughout. Very hearty and very delicious! My husband indulged in the Nova Benedict. They packed on the lox. He didn't even finish but found it amazingly delicious. Service was okay. Nothing too spectacular. I almost felt an inconvenience to the server but we didn't have a fussy order nor was it busy (we ordered before the rush). Maybe she was preparing for the rush. Lol either way, it wouldn't stop me from returning.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
    Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
    Vanilla Cafe Latte

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    Vanilla Cafe Latte
    La Pecora Bianca

    La Pecora Bianca

    4.2
    (604 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$$

    This is a great place for italian food. It has an upscale feel and friendly staff. The white lamb…read moretheme is recurring in the decor. We got their garganelli, tagliatelle, and ravioli pastas. For dessert, the iconic tiramisu. Garganelli- This has a nice, arugula pesto sauce that has a rich garlicky finish. It's enhanced with roasted mushrooms and sharp pecorino. Tagliatelle- You get a rich pork and beef bolognese. The house made pasta is cooked to perfection. Pretty satisfying! Ravioli- This is a light, seasonal dish with pumpkin, brown butter, and sage. The sauce complements the sweet pumpkin and the brown butter adds a nuttiness. Tiramisu- This dessert was too cute to eat! It was decorated with a meek looking model of their namesake lamb. Nobody wanted to ruin its face so we slowly ate this from the outside in. The espresso it strong, complemented by the creamy marscapone layers. Textures and flavors were perfectly balanced. Great experience overall!

    We were a party of nine looking to have one last (memorable) meal before visiting relatives from…read moreEurope were headed back across the pond and we decided The White Sheep (thank you, Duolingo!) across from Bryant Park was the place to go. From the outside it didn't look like much but after passing through the two sets of glass doors... It's packed. And lively. And (really) loud. And it was only a Tuesday night?! (How are all of these people living so high on the hog, without a care in the world?!) We were escorted off to a little tucked-away enclave near the back, but the restaurant was just too boisterous and we had to shout just to talk to people at the other end of the table. We got our menus and there was a bit of 'sticker shock' on my part, I can't lie. "We're in NYC, what did you expect?" - the Mrs. whispered when she saw my eyes go wide. But $38 for chicken parm? (Which is what I went with after seeing it had its own little "parm-fection" hype on the menu.) And $36 for the Branzino (which consisted of one fillet on a small bed of wilted spinach)? Our table dabbled all over the place and for the most part everyone really enjoyed their meals. The food they're knocking out is legit, for sure. But the bill came out to over $60 a person (including the tip, but we didn't have apps or dessert and half of us just had water), which hurts when you're a cheap-o like myself. Our waitress was awesome (and she didn't even seem fazed when I tried to rattle her that we were going to split the check onto nine different credit cards... but we only used one). And Bryant Park (right across the street) was the perfect nightcap on a lovely spring evening.

    Photos
    Dining area
    Dining area
    Vodka pasta
    Vodka pasta
    Lavender Spritz

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    Lavender Spritz

    Serendipity 3 - Upper East Side - desserts - Updated June 2026

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