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    TAO Downtown Restaurant

    3.7 (1.9k reviews)
    PriceyPan Asian
    Closed 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)
    Updated a few days ago

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    TAO DOWNTOWN RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Upscale
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - TAO Downtown Restaurant

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    Stadium seating
    Lor W.

    Bougie vibes on a Thursday evening! My bestie was in town, and we visited Tao for dinner. Lychee martinis and Asian delights abound! Reservations were relatively easy to score. She was raving about the Fish in Sand, which apparently she and I had at Tao in Vegas many moons ago (I did not recall). Given it was Vegas, my lack of memory was understandable. Well, we ordered it (again) NYC style and it was sensational. The textures and flavor were spot-on. We also enjoyed a Rainbow Roll, a Salmon Avocado Roll, and the Chicken Lollipops. It was the perfect amount of food considering we planned to bar-hop a bit afterward. It feels like a Saturday night here, regardless of the day of the week. The music is upbeat but not so loud that you're shouting. I appreciate a lounge-style DJ during dinner!

    Nisha P.

    TAO Downtown never disappoints. Our group recently enjoyed Sunday brunch, and the experience was just as impressive as the space itself. The atmosphere is stunningly dramatic, elegant, and uniquely New York. The buffet offered an incredible variety, from sushi and dim sum to desserts and brunch favorites, with something for everyone. Standout dishes included the bao buns, ribs, sushi selections, and the beautifully crafted cocktails. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. What made the experience even better was the attentive service. Despite being a busy brunch, our group felt well taken care of throughout the afternoon.

    Shrimp Shanghai Fried Rice Hot Edamame Chicken Gyoza Hong Kong Fried Noodle Crispy Orange Chicken
    Jason P.

    Been to this location a few times and it's always a great experience. Highly recommend for a birthday, anniversary and date night. The downtown location is much better than the uptown location. The restaurant is underground, dark/intimate vibe, great decor. The service was exceptional and so was the food. Highly recommend the house fried rice along with the edamame. Definitely a must try place if you are in New York City.

    Crispy Lobster Sushi
    Evelyn A.

    Good atmosphere. I ordered the crispy lobster sushi and it was good. I also ordered the filet mignon cooked medium-well to perfection. The staff was very kind and accommodating and our server gave us great recommendations and help us take pictures!The drinks were 7/10 though For dessert we had the fortune cookie which was delicious!

    Sherri R.

    My wonderful husband, dear friend and I celebrated my birthday there. It was large but intimate. We were seated in nice location by the DJ on the main floor. Our server was very attentive to our needs. We ordered many different dishes, that were displayed beautifully. Each one was delicious and unique. I was mesmerized by their Durga goddess that stood before us. Displayed in many different designs and patterns throughout the night. We thoroughly enjoyed the food and ambiance there. We would definitely come back.

    Amy Y.

    I've heard a lot of great things about Tao from their night life to their delicious food and drinks. It may have been an off night for my friend and I when we came here for dinner. We had a reservation for a Wednesday night graduation celebration. Upon entering, were greeted and ushered promptly to our table. We took in the massive Buddha centerpiece and stared with awe at the iridescent lights that surrounded the statue. Having already ordered apps from another restaurant, we dove right into the entrees. We had an attentive waited who recommended my friend the "Big Apple Sour" ($20) which she thoroughly enjoyed. The disappointment came from the entrees that were served - everything from the vegetable fried rice ($22, not shown) to the drunken lobster pad thai ($38) to the beef mongolian ($58) was doused in oil that made the dishes difficult to enjoy. The beef mongolian had a strong sour/tart taste which overpowered the dish. I did like the blends of sweet and sour of the pad thai with a good amount of lobster pieces. Overall, I would give this place another try, perhaps opting for different sets of entrees.

    Robin G.

    The ambiance setting is undeniable here. Very much city life vibes. From the music to the lighting and decor the atmosphere is just right. The food was decent. I definitely return.

    Crispy Orange Chicken Hong Kong Fried Noodle
    Dameer K.

    "Parking" This is the best happy hour in the city in terms of vibes, food, drinks and ambience. And it' gets better, theirs always parking nearby

    Lychee Martini
    Ebony C.

    Its been years since the last time I was at Tao. Dare is say over 7 years, maybe more. Well why not try an oldie but goodie! Instead of a full blown dinner we decided to go for their lucky hour. $11 cocktails which is almost non existent in nyc and $9 apps. We had the ruby red dragon and the lychee martini cocktails. For you vodka people you will enjoy. Me...it was okay. We shared the chicken, their take on guacamole w/ chili sauce, lobster wonton (for the seafood people), and chicken gyoza (not on LH menu). It was all very tasty. We sat in their lounge and it was dark moody. Great for date night or just hanging out w/ your people. I think I'll be back for lucky hr...its definitely a good bang for your buck.

    Alexis M.

    Tao at this location is in Chelsea section of Manhattan. Closest trains are A,C, E, & L - Still w/ in walking distance are the 2,3,1 trains, etc. & they serve different 14th Train Stations. Tao Downtown's NightClub was visited w/ two friends back in the Summertime to kick off my Birthday Weekend. Although I have heard that Tao has good Pan Asian Cuisine, my review is solely based on us visiting & enjoying party vibes via Tao Downtown's NightClub. We had a good time. After already going to a tasting & then an Art Exhibit Opening via Mriya Gallery, my friend contacted Tao to make a VIP Reservation. Before you know it, the three of us were going through the doors, got checked-in & was placed near one of the seated areas. Tao Downtown Staff are so friendly, & ensured that we were comfortable. Tao Downtown has beautiful decor including murals, cool lighting / fixtures, etc. The nightclub is downstairs & it was packed when we arrived. Everyone seemed to be having a good time & the DJ was playing great music. All throughout the night he played hip-hop, r&b, pop, reggae, Oldies But Goodies, current hits, etc. The drinks were good, the music was flowing & of course we danced until the last song was played - lol. Tao has clean bathrooms & it was appreciated that they were well- maintained throughout the evening. One can go to Tao Downtown's website to check out nightclub events. taogroup.com @taodowntown

    Sofyan S.

    Food (5/5): A bit pricy at $75 but for the quality that you get it's quite nice. We went for the brunch buffet which had a ton of options from dim sum, sushi, ramen, skewers, steak, seafood, chocolate fondue and tons of desserts. Absolutely amazing layout and set of options with the food being high quality. Service (5/5): Friendly service throughout and we had a great experience. We made a reservation and they promptly seated us with no issues. They cleared the plates when needed and answered questions. Ambiance (5/5): Top notch ambiance with elegant decor. You can definitely tell this is a high-end fancy place.

    Aj L.

    Still such an amazing resturant, ambiance is 10/10. Food still taste like everything !!! The price is a bit pricey, they do have an optional prefix menu for $68 per person, so that makes it pretty reasonable. Drinks are OK! I had a lychee martini for $22 The music is good, soft and calming The service was amazing, our waiter was such a GEM ( I asked for extra lychee on my drink and he got me 5!!!! ) his name is Alejandro I honestly can say this resturant truly do get better and better and I look forward to continue visiting Ps. The location is still super dark lol

    Shamario P.

    I do want to say first my review is very biased based because of my food allergies (egg, soy and peanuts). If not, it would've gotten a 5 star. First, this restaurant was one of the best looking restaurants if not the best out of all I've been too and it was huge! The service was amazing especially from the gentleman we had. I forgot his name but he definitely deserves a raise, he stay making sure we were good the entire night, even as we were heading (even though he's not obligated to). The drinks weren't strong but they tasted really good which made me not care about amount of alcohol in it. Make sure you have your physical id for drinks as they won't accept a picture. The food wad the only problem for me just because of my allergies. If you have an egg, peanut, and soy allergy (especially on the egg and soy), this place may not be the spot for you. I literally only had two options to choose from - a $98 wagyu steak (and in this economy hard pass) or branzino. The fish I had was okay but I would've preferred something with more flavor or something as good as everyone else's. It could be a bit off putting seeing you paid $35 for a thin fish and white rice and then seeing everyone else dish. Everyone else though did say that their food was delicious and would definitely eat here again. Overall, really good experience and treated well but definitely be weary if you have as much allergies as myself!

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    Page 1 of 49

    TAO Downtown Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - TAO Downtown Restaurant

    Looking for popular appetizers and entrees for dinner? thanks a lot !

    Do's: SPICY TUNA TARTARE ON CRISPY RICE… 

    Dress requirement? Maybe coming form a day of touring museums and FIDI

    Casual is perfectly fine.

    Do they have a happy hour?

    No. They never offer a happy hour

    Do they ask where you want to be seated or they just seat you?

    They didn't ask...but also my boyfriend asked them if we could be sated in a particular area

    Does "standard seating" = indoor?

    Yup!

    Is indoor dining available right now?

    Starting on Sunday, February 14th it will

    Are there height restrictions? I saw a post that said they were weird about height and I'm a 4'10" woman. I was planning on wearing booties.

    Do they have a separate area for big parties?

    My friend had a party there for like 50 ppl we were in a section upstairs toward the far end of the bar... I'm sure u have to make arrangements for it...

    Is their a age limit to sit down during afternoon hours & dine? Of course no alcohol.

    I don't think there is, but maybe call the restaurant and ask. We went with our 7 year old at around 9:30pm at night, there were no table reservations available so they sat us in the lounge area, they had no problem with us having a child at night.… 

    Does this place give you a free dessert for an anniversary with your significant other or will they charge for the dessert?

    They gave us free dessert for a birthday I celebrated with my best friend, so I'm sure they'll give it for an anniversary! Just make sure to specify on your reservation that you are celebrating a special event.

    Age to enter?

    Not for the restaurant nor lounge area. But for club 21 and over

    Would you recommend the giant fortune cookie dessert or the molten lava cake? I've seen about a thousand photos of the fortune cookie but NONE of the inside/filling! Is there a lot of filling? Is it good? Thank you!

    Personally, I think the fortune cookie is just extravagant. They serve it with some sparklers and will sing happy birthday. Although I have never tasted it, I believe it is more of a eye pleaser than appetizing but it's really an exciting treat. On… 

    What's the best area to seat at for a party of 8?

    They'll seat you guys downstairs unless you do a private setting

    Is this place good for birthday dinners?

    Definitely! Just make sure you make reservations well in advance.

    Is their a prefix menu for large parties?

    we had a group of 10 and did not have a prefix menu!!

    Is the restaurant strict with carding?

    I've never been asked when dining but play smart-- it's best to have it. You never know if someone's gonna ask.

    We are celebrating a birthday and want to bring our own champagne. Is that allowed? And if so what is the corkage fee?

    Not allowed

    How much do they charge when you bring your own cake?

    They brought her a plate with like 4 pieces of cake and add it to the bill but we didn't bring a cake for her and it was only 4 of us . So sorry I can't answer that question . But you will love it there and the food . Ambiance is amazing !!!!

    How is the parking near the restaurant?

    Worth trying your luck, especially once meters are off and parking is free (I think that's 6pm; unsure). I always find parking within a block radius of their front door, any day of the week-- yep, even Saturday and Sunday. The key is just swarming… 

    Are open toe shoes allowed?

    Yes

    View All 35 Questions

    Sei Less - Shrimp Lettuce Wrap

    Sei Less

    3.9(468 reviews)
    1.1 miMidtown West

    Recently visited Sei Less with friends and really enjoyed the entire experience. We started with a…read morevariety of appetizers, including the chicken satay with peanut sauce, which was a little heavy on the sauce for my taste. The oxtail spring rolls, rock shrimp tempura, and crab croquettes, however, were all delicious! For my entrée, I had the Beijing chicken, which was absolutely delicious. My friends enjoyed their meals as well, including the lo mein, fried rice, lamb chops, filet mignon beef and broccoli. The drinks were great, but the ambience really made the night. The space has an old-school speakeasy feel, with a very dark and mysterious entrance and an intimate, moody vibe. Great food, great drinks, and a really fun atmosphere. Definitely a memorable dining experience!

    My friend and I were able to make a reservation at Sei Less quickly and easily through OpenTable…read more From the moment we arrived, the service was wonderful--a doorman held the door for us, and the hostess greeted us warmly. We were seated near the bar with a perfect view of the beautiful "Sei Less" wall art. Our waiter came over right away, took our drink order, and recommended some of their most popular appetizers. We ordered the sashimi, lobster spoons, and steamed chicken and vegetable dumplings. Everything was delicious, although we both thought the vegetable dumplings might be even better fried rather than steamed. For our entrée, we shared the chicken and vegetable lo mein, which was also a hit, and the edamame was so flavorful! We finished with the vanilla crème brûlée, and it was absolutely phenomenal--I'm honestly craving it again right now! Between the warm welcome, attentive service, gorgeous atmosphere, and delicious food, we had such a great experience at Sei Less and would definitely return!

    Photos
    Sei Less - Sashimi and lobster spoons

    Sashimi and lobster spoons

    Sei Less - Bao bund

    Bao bund

    Sei Less

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    ONGI

    ONGI

    4.5(58 reviews)
    1.1 miMidtown West
    $$

    I've had this place saved on my Google Maps forever. My friend and I finally went this past weekend…read moreand we have nothing but good things to say about it. They offer customizable bowls and some pre-set bowls and I think there's something for everyone. When you walk in, there's a stack of menus on laminated paper and dry erase markers for you to mark your choices on. When you're done, walk tot he far end to the cashier, hand them your menu card, and pay. They'll then prepare your food down the assembly line style buffet and then call your name when done. There are plenty of meat options, sauces, and toppings (unlimited!) so there's endless possibilities. They also have lemon water to the right when you walk in which is very refreshing on hot days. There's a fair amount of seating but Bryant Park or Broadway seating is also near by if you want to take your food to go. The portions are quite large. You can choose between a 24 oz bowl or a 32 oz bowl. I was struggling to finish the 24 oz bowl. They really pack everything in there. I can see the 32 oz being a good option to split between 2 meals. They also have some appetizers too on the side like dumplings, Korean fried chicken, baos, and edamame salad. The music playlist was also a hit. They played all the good songs from the 2000's. Overall, it was a great experience and I can't wait to come back again.

    Needed a quick but one that fills my soul type of lunch. ONGI popped up and I recalled my last…read moreexperience with them at another location, and felt this was perfect. The interior setup was a bit different than my first experience, and I might've done a door dash pick-up last time. The space felt clean and easy to navigate. My walkin experience was straightforward for Sunday lunch hour. No wait times. You walk in, pick up a menu and a marker, circle your base, protein, sauces, add-ins, hand it to the server at the counter and voila, it's done. It was filling and tasty at the same time. I had chosen two sauces but felt my proteins were seasoned and flavorful on their own, that this could be entirely skipped. The menu eliminates the decision making of you standing on line, deciding what you want to include in your bowl.

    Photos
    ONGI - Menu choices

    Menu choices

    ONGI
    ONGI

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    ONGI

    ONGI

    4.2(31 reviews)
    0.9 miFlatiron, Gramercy

    Always pass by & wanted to see what they buzz was about. Seems to have a lot of customers whenever…read moreI walk by. There's small seating area. You can order via a menu that you mark up with either customizing a bowl or pre-made bowls. I chose to customize my bowl. Liked how they let you chose 2 proteins. I chose the bulgogi and garlic shrimp with radish, kimchi and scallion. There are various sauces & you can choose 2 as well. I chose the Korean BBQ & sweet & spicy. The service is very quick. Meal came out nice and hot. Bulgogi was very well marinated and flavorful. Didn't taste much garlic for the shrimp. The bowl overall with the protein, toppings and sauce was good & I would order again to try different proteins. Really appreciated a hot meal on a gloomy, rainy Monday.

    Solid fast casual spot right off the 23rd st 6 train stop. You grab a menu right when you walk in…read moreand check off your choices before handing it to the register. I got a Custom Bowl bc I wanted to try their Bulgogi Beef protein while also adding Tofu, since we can choose up to 2 proteins. I enjoyed my bowl a lot for the most part! I liked the crunchy kimchi texture with the softer beef bite. One thing I didn't love was that my bowl got quite soggy from all the sauce and toppings mixed together. While it was still tasty, it was a bit meh, so my rec would be to be mindful of the sauce and toppings additions. Minimal seating with a full counter of utensils and a water dispenser. No restroom. Would return for a fast casual Korean bowl!

    Photos
    ONGI
    ONGI - Custom Bowl (Medium)

    Custom Bowl (Medium)

    ONGI

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    Amber - Tuna and Salmon Sushi Lunch Special -  spicy salmon roll

    Amber

    3.9(174 reviews)
    3.2 miUpper West Side
    $$

    Amber has been declining in last few yrs food become horrible Im comparing 2011 when it was opened…read moregreat dishes my favorite red snapper pineapple rice....tasty very delicious, fresh sushi.. it was a nice place for lunch lately lets say it started 3-4 yrs back Amber is falling a part There are some ok dishes def not like before, sushi isn't always fresh. Lately on few occasions experiencing sickness after eating sushi. Amber sushi chefs need to be educated, in need of improvement how to handle prepare flash-frozen raw fish . Biggest joke is a king salmon I DON'T THINK sushi chef at ambeR EVER SEEN HOW KING SOLOMON LOOKS LIKE OR EVER TASTED it.... service is questionable needs lots improvement Amber only cares about money sadly said all my friends and I won't be having lunch or dine at that establishment.

    The entrance is quite small and unassuming, and the initial interior looks cramped, but the…read morerestaurant does have a nice back area for additional (and quieter) seating. As for the food, Amber promotes itself as Asian-fusion, which is why they have a culinary smorgasbord of dishes from all over Asia on their menu. We ordered the Pad Thai (the cheapest thing on the menu at $18), and the Ume roll combo (what we believed was the best value on the menu at $25 for 3 rolls). The Ume roll was surprisingly (or unsurprisingly) bland and the salmon/yellowtail/tuna all tasted exactly the same. The Pad Thai fared better and actually had some sweet/spicy notes, but it was nothing special. Overall, while I didn't have any major complaints about the food, I probably wouldn't go back. Everything on the menu needs to be $5 cheaper, in my opinion, to be worth ordering, otherwise I feel like I'm getting robbed.

    Photos
    Amber
    Amber - Ume Roll Combo and Sushi Generation

    Ume Roll Combo and Sushi Generation

    Amber - Salmon Roll

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    Salmon Roll

    TAO Downtown Restaurant - panasian - Updated September 2026

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