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    The Russian Tea Room

    3.2 (1.4k reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 11:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

    Services - The Russian Tea Room

    Bartending services

    Catering services

    On-site management services

    2 More Services

    Post-event cleaning services

    Venue rental

    The Russian Tea Room Photos

    Business Info

    THE RUSSIAN TEA ROOM ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - The Russian Tea Room

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    Menu cover.
    Risa D.

    Reservations were honored without any hiccups. Honestly, the service was a little confusing at first- seeing others getting their order but they were seated after me- I think they realized the issue and quickly stepped their attention to detail up a notch. I had the Czar's Eggs, the mixed breadbasket (the almond croissant was ALL THAT!), and a glass of Veuve. My husband had scrambled eggs, fingerling potatoes, and some orange juice. I appreciated the choice between brunch options or tea and sandwich service. The decor is fairytale like- gorgeous paintings, perfect lighting, and beautiful red leather booths. Gold gilding accents the molding and ceiling. This is the kind of place that isn't touristy, it's like if you know, you know- if you don't, you probably never will. I look forward to my next visit! I'm going to do the tea and sandwich service with a glass of Veuve. Dosvedanya!

    Sourdough dinner roll
    Michael M.

    When visiting NY, there are so many things people want to do; watch a Broadway show, see the Statue of Liberty, ride in a yellow cab, the list goes on and on, but as a Yelper, my first love is food and drink, so this place has been on my bucket list for a long time. Walking in we were immediately welcomed and seated by our charming hostess Veronica. Walking to our table, we were a little taken aback, the beauty of the Russian Tea Room is unquestionable. Bright rich reds, shining gold leaf, artwork on the walls, but then blown away by one simple trick they have up their sleeves. All their booths are semi circular and face into the room (to see and be seen), but instead of making you shimmy side to side and slide in one at a time, they simply pull the table out for you to sit, then push it back in! Mind. Blown. Why doesn't everyone do this? Arriving at 5:30 we took advantage of the pre-theatre / prix fixe menu, and got to taste a little bit of everything, and the things we tried were great! - I started with a bowl of Borscht, rich, sweet, and filling, delicious! - For my main I chose the Boeuf à la Stroganoff. Savory noodles, creamy sauce, and wild mushrooms holding up a fork tender boneless short rib. - Dessert was Chocolate Mousse Cake, easily the richest and most decadent thing I've ever tasted, and topped with huge fresh berries, but I actually preferred Spensyr's Medovik (Ukrainian Honey Cake) even more!

    Lourdes M.

    A beautiful place to be especially if holding a special celebration. The moment we stepped in, we followed luxury and classiness vibes at this place. The red carpet, green wall, fresh flowers, the opulent decors, the magnificent ambiance and its welcoming staff caught us by surprise even though we were expecting it for a fact , it's different if you experienced it in person. We were attentively serviced, did not rushed us during our stay and were educated on our food choices. Our food selections from appetizers to desserts were praised. We picked popular Russian favorites from its course of cuisine. It maybe a bit expensive for the serving portion of its servings but worth it. The tastes of the meal i had at this place (beef stroganoff) by par the best i had... it lingers on my mouth and brings me to a heavenly state. If haven't been at this epic NYC landmark, come visit and be part of its iconic experience.

    Dumplings
    Andy N.

    Alright, I do think that this an experience worth having, but keep in mind the portions are small, hence why I took one star off! In any event, the atmosphere is beautiful. It's like walking into a grand parlor with red, plush furniture and artwork adorning the walls. I did the theatre pre-fixe, which is a three course meal that consisted of a buckwheat blini with caviar, beef stroganoff, and medivik, a Ukrainian honey cake. The latter was the star of the show. Because I wasn't exactly filled up, I did add some dumplings and blintzes to my meal. I also tried their house tea, otherwise known as their Saint Petersburg blend. It was citrusy and delicious. It's located directly next to Carnegie Hall and a good option for anyone looking for a one-of-a-kind New York experience, just keep the portions in mind! Oh, and finally, the server was both attentive and helpful.

    Sarah Y.

    The ambiance of the Russian tea room is iconic, with red and gold decorated walls and antique Russian tea room vibes. The restaurant itself holds so much history and is so fascinating. The waiters are dressed to match the vibe and explained the history of the room to us. The tea service is a must do here, the presentation is incredible and there are 2 parts, a savory and sweet. Would recommend if you're looking for a nice relaxing tea time!

    Stan S.

    Unique atmosphere (good). Unique borsch (bad). Unique potato salad (bad). The RTR martini was good. If you want Russian/slavic food, go somewhere else.

    Traditional caviar service with beluga. Delicious. With a glass of rose. Yes it was a splurge but perfectly paired with a hansom cab ride thru Central Park.

    Justin C.

    This place was exactly what New York is about, good food from different parts of the world. The food was all authentic Russian dishes. The menu is either a pre-set course or you can order à la carte. The drinks were very strong (in a good way), service was outstanding--everyone who was there was willing to service. Will be coming back.

    I ordered the pickled vegetables that were about $20, this is how small the dish was in comparison to a martini glass
    Thea Z.

    I usually like to try a place more than once if I'm going to drop a two star review if it's possible, but honestly, I do not anticipate ever returning here again. The service was extremely lackluster, the way our table was situated my seat was in the way of everybody walking by, the food was below average, and overall, I was extremely disappointed with the experience. The key low moments for me were - we waited 25 minutes to have someone acknowledge our table. Then they told us that our waiter was unavailable and that somebody would come back. I'm sorry, but what??? that's just the beginning of the absolutely ridiculous service experience - I ordered their signature horseradish martini. There was no flavor of horseradish in it. - my friend ordered an aviation cocktail and said to them, if you don't have all of the ingredients, please let me know, and I will order something else. instead of coming back and letting us know that they didn't have the ingredients for that, they created something else and tried to pass it off. Once she called them out on it, they admitted they didn't have the main ingredient. - my food which was very pricey, which I don't mind when it's worth it, but had very little flavor and very little substance to it. I got the potato dumplings. Which by the way, the waiter tried to talk me out of and kept recommending red meat dishes, and I politely shared I can't eat red meat many times. - for some reason, they had our table with the chairs in the walkway. I eventually ended up getting up and moving our table in my chair because it was really a nuisance. The positives were: - you really do feel like you're stepping back in a time capsule into back in the day in New York, which is kind of cool - people seem to be in a festive mood because they are there which was enjoyable Honestly, if you're looking to have a New York moment, or a nice night out, there are so many other wonderful options in the area. I highly recommend you check those out instead.

    The Royal afternoon team menu
    Osvaldo V.

    I was in NY and I had an opportunity to take my daughter for the Royal Afternoon Tea. What a wonderful time and experience we had. The server was fantastic and he was very knowledgeable on the menu in what we were having. The sandwiches and blinis were fantastic along with the desert course. The place is just beautiful and since it was Christmas time they had decorated. I truly did not expect the service and the food we received. They also make an excellent martini.

    foreign object lodged in food
    Serena X.

    DO NOT COME HERE - metal found in food. I took some scones home, and upon eating some of the leftovers I noticed a thin piece of metal embedded in the scone. I was horrified and immediately stopped eating but I don't know if I had already ingested a piece of the metal already. Other notes on the dining experience: I came here with a large group after work, and was excited for my first tea experience. The ambiance was nice, and our main server was extremely helpful. The tea experience was fine, and there were some standout sandwiches (smoked salmon and pate), but inconsistencies in the quality of the bread, as some were quite dry and stale while others were fluffy. The dessert course also had some hits and misses, my favorite being the scones before this incident. I hope management is quick in confirming their quality control improves, but I no longer trust this establishment and neither should you.

    Jennifer Y.

    Celebrating its 99th year anniversary is this institution. Ashamed it'd be if it disappears, and yet it seems likely to happen from the emptiness of this restaurant this Friday evening. Ornate and grand as always is their dining room. Seated we were in one of their luxurious red booth. Flood of memories of the past decades here with my parents, my stage friends, and, extended family. Cordial and pleasant was the service this evening. A light dinner of decadent caviar, humble borscht, and bites of a delightful Ukrainian honey cake. Ending the evening with their serving of sweetened cherries in my lovely mint tea. Etched in my memory is of this date. Perhaps, I'll be able to celebrate their 100th anniversary next year! CHEERS!

    Barb G.

    What an iconic place! I actually have been here before, many years ago. It was as I remember...red and gaudy, ornate and grand! No other way to describe this place from yesteryear! So many of these old time places are going away so we were happy to happen upon the Tea Room. It was not busy this Friday evening we were there and we had the opportunity to talk with Abbey, one of the managers who has worked here for like 15-20 years. We came for dinner before a show at Carnegie Hall. I love how they seat you at your table...they pull the table out so slipping into the booths is so much easier! Our server, Deanna, was on point! We were offered rolls and I choose both the sourdough and the pumpernickel and both were soft and tasty. We decided to get a couple of dishes and share them. We ordered both the Pelmeni and the Beef Stroganoff. There was also Cabernet ordered along with Anastasia, which is an Earl Grey tea, with lemon and orange blossom. It also came with a small dish of cherry gel to add sweetness to the tea. The Pelmeni were small little dumplings with beef, a creamy sauce and peas. It was so good and savory. And then the Stroganoff...reminders of my bubby and dad's Stroganoff. Made with braised short ribs, cooked to tender perfection. The noodles were cooked well and the creamy sauce is set off with the addition of some black truffle. A dish that memories are made of! We were full after this savory and heavy meal so no dessert this time around. Lets talk about costs...yes, it is a bit pricey and for three of us with two glasses of wine came to $150. To be expected, not only because you are in NY but also because the RTR prides itself on excellent quality and excellent service. Well worth the visit! I'm giving four stars because of the service, because of the ambiance, and because of the food.

    Faberge Fizz

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    The decor and service was great, but the meal was mediocre at best especially with regard to the pricing.

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    The Russian Tea Room Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Russian Tea Room

    What is the dress code, if any? Smart with sneakers ok?

    Yes, I think that will work. No hoodie's or sweats. I had sneakers on. Enjoy.

    How is beef Wellington prepared? Is it individual or a whole piece?

    It's an individual serving and it was FANTASTIC. I'm a Wellington connoisseur, if I do say so myself, and it's not a common menu item here in NYC. Absolutely delicious. I saved half to take home so it's a generous size. Can't wait to reheat for my… Read more

    How much time should one budget for an afternoon tea midweek?

    They only give you 1.5 hours. It won't take that long. My daughter and I were out of there in an hour but our reservation was right when they opened.

    Hello, can 1 person do the afternoon tea service alone or is it 2+?

    1 can do it and other person can do ala carte .

    Is the champagne and caviar meant to be for one person or how many does it usually work for?

    It's per person, so each person in your group will order whatever kind of food or tea service they want and can add caviar if they choose. So one person can have tea and another something off the regular menu etc you don't all have to have the same… Read more

    If one person at the table orders the High Tea, is the entire table obligated to also order the same or can they order off the regular menu?

    Everyone can order whatever they'd like : )

    Has the menu updated at all to include vegetarian or vegan options?

    There is always a vegetarian option on the menu

    Is this restaurant better for lunch or dinner?

    Depends on what you are looking for. Service and decor/ambiance is the same. Dinner has a wider variety of menu but higher prices. Lunch feels more casual, dinner more fancy

    What is the dress code? Casual?

    Casual is fine, but feel free to get as dressed up as you like!

    What time does lunch end during restaurant week?

    Website shows Lunch Reservations from11:45-4:45pm and Afternoon Tea 2pm-430pm Enjoy

    How much champagne do you get with the high tea?

    One glass of champagne is included, if you choose to purchase champagne with afternoon tea.

    Is the High Tea price on the menu per party or per person? If it's per party, can you do half vegetarian/half omnivore?…

    Hi Kayla, Yes, the price of High Tea is per person.… Read more

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    Russian Samovar Restaurant and Piano Bar - Branzino

    Russian Samovar Restaurant and Piano Bar

    3.9(634 reviews)
    0.3 miTheater District, Midtown West
    $$

    I recently ordered from Russian Samovar through Uber Eats Pozharsky cutlet with mashed potatoes,…read moretwo borschts, black bread, and Olivier salad. The main issue I experienced was with the delivery process rather than the food itself. I was carefully tracking my order through the Uber Eats app and stepped away briefly, assuming no driver had yet picked up the order. When I returned, the delivery window was already ending. After calling the restaurant, I learned somewhat confusingly that they do not directly work with Uber Eats drivers and instead use a separate delivery service. Unfortunately, this was not clearly communicated through the Uber Eats platform. I later discovered missed calls and notifications from a third-party delivery service while I was away, which I hadn't seen because all my attention was on the Uber Eats tracking system. As a result, I received the order noticeably later and expected the food to arrive cold. To my surprise the borscht was still hot and absolutely excellent. Rich flavor, very comforting, and clearly made with care. While meat is not included by default (it can be added for an extra $5), the soup itself was outstanding. The black bread was nicely toasted, the mashed potatoes tasted homemade exactly what you hope for with a classic cutlet dish. The Pozharsky cutlet had a great crispy exterior while remaining juicy and well-seasoned inside. The Olivier salad was also excellent. A couple of details were missing: the mushroom gravy mentioned in the description was not included, and utensils requested in the order were forgotten. Kitchen / Food: Delivery experience: (minus one star for missing utensils) Ordering system clarity: Customer communication: Overall, I'm giving this place 4 stars because the food quality truly stands out. The kitchen clearly knows what it's doing, and the flavors were authentic and satisfying. There is room for improvement in communication and delivery coordination, but I would absolutely order again. Thank you to the chefs for such delicious food.

    Over priced poorly cooked Slavic cuisine. Shuba salad felt…read morequite bland after over salted borscht. Initially it was fine. Borscht was super weird. They ask if you want to add meat. Well, vegetarian borscht is non sense, but what's worse is cooking borscht without meat and adding it later. Beef stroganoff was good. Atmosphere is fake Soviet. They use some Soviet props (like samovar or Pavlovsky Posad shawl) but it doesn't feel like Russian restaurant at all. More like a sports bar with American music. Also very pricey for such quality.

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    Russian Samovar Restaurant and Piano Bar - Dining area

    Dining area

    Russian Samovar Restaurant and Piano Bar - Cake (the best)

    Cake (the best)

    Russian Samovar Restaurant and Piano Bar - Black Russian

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    Black Russian

    Skovorodka

    Skovorodka

    3.9(280 reviews)
    13.0 miBrighton Beach
    $$

    My last time to Brighton beach was well over 20 years ago. I remember it well. All of the…read morestorefronts with. Cyrillic writing, clothes, food with wonderful smells, trays and trays of caviar, just bursting out the door. And, a Starbucks. Today, not too many Eastern European businesses are left. Now, it's banks, cellular, provider, stores urgent care, a 7-11, even a Popeyes freaking fried chicken. Oh, and the Starbucks is still there. After walking out of a very bad experience at imereti Georgian cafe down the street (see separate review) I found this place. Boy, am I glad I did. I was seated in the front. The restaurant was gorgeous. ! I could hear a beautiful voice singing, Eastern European songs in the back of the restaurant and at one point,, he switched to Elvis's "I can't help falling in love with you" in English. That made me a little emotional, because that was my late partner's and my song... Anyway, I decided to go for the crêpes with red caviar (salmon roe), and the Ukrainian borscht. Bread and butter is brought to my table. The white bread was OK, but the brown bread had a deep rich flavor. The crêpes come first, and they were amazing. The crêpes were very warm, soft and delicious. I loved the "red caviar". A little bit salty, more briny than fishy, and a wonderful explosion of flavor when the eggs "pop." in the mouth. I was very happy. Next came the borscht. It had cabbage, beets, potatoes, and either beef or pork. I'm not sure which one. The meat , beets and potatoes was very tender, and the soup was delicious and not too rich. A very satisfying flavor., the beets gave it a little bit of an earthy flavor. The sour cream that came with it, just added a creamy richness to it without overtaking the flavor of the borscht. 1000% a home run. Dinner wasn't cheap. Two dishes, two iced teas (I found out they charge for refills), and tax, and it came out to about $48 before tip, .I didn't care. I don't mind paying extra if the food is that good, and this food was absolutely beyond awesome. I would be glad to come back and try other items on the menu. Thank you!

    Stopped by as we wanted to try some authentic Russian food, and this did not disappoint! We ordered…read morethe classic Ukrainian Borsch, along with the green borsch with chicken meatballs, and the blintzes with meat to start. The classic borsch is very dill heavy, but that was my favorite! The blintzes were also delicious and came with a tangy yogurt/cream sauce. For entrees, we shared the chicken stroganoff with buckwheat and Cornish hen with mashed potatoes. The hen was incredibly tender with a dill gravy, and the buckwheat was perfect with the stroganoff. Overall really delicious dishes and a beautiful indoor environment! Also the service was incredible and the owner was very kind in explaining to us the dishes.

    Photos
    Skovorodka
    Skovorodka
    Skovorodka - Ukrainian Borscht

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    Ukrainian Borscht

    Syberia International Food - Syberia International Food

    Syberia International Food

    3.4(21 reviews)
    4.6 mi
    $$

    no I just say this I stars for the quality of food one star for the absolute outrageous pricing…read moreof the food so I was away for a few years back in Russia came back and my girlfriend is obsessed with the store she's like oh my God you gotta go there because I hate cooking come on guys are you crazy $3-$4 dollars for I don't know how to say it in English it's like cooked dough with either meat or cherries cabbage inside one must cost them a penny to make you charging four dollars or salad nine dollars a pound come on that's ridiculous and you know what the they could get away with it other store near us that's like them but if a store did open they would be in and prices have to go down which I mean it is a lot cheaper than that other stupid store on route four which is absolutely a rip off I mean I really don't understand where these people get their pricing just imagine numbers up in their head that storm before I wouldn't even go if it was the last store in the world to buy food I'd rather not get sunflower oil for $10 are you serious what am I Donald Trump so they get away with murder like I said awesome food but pricing I'm sorry I'd rather go without it's absolutely ridiculous I got three things and it was like $46 come on heard so I guess we're paying for the remodel now chocolate waffle cake waffle like nothing crazy and nine dollars So again food pricing absolutely overpriced people in awesome owner awesome oh my God I mean I could not believe I couldn't even afford it if I wanted to go there on my paycheck constantly

    Each meal reminds me why I fell for this place initially. The kitchen respected our time. Employees…read moreshowed warm attention while providing information with smiles. The dishes appear artful and taste delicious. I'd tell everyone seeking quality about this place.

    Photos
    Syberia International Food - I even can not eat it . Horrible. You should cook better

    I even can not eat it . Horrible. You should cook better

    Syberia International Food - "Bunny and the Bee" Lithuanian honey - yum!

    "Bunny and the Bee" Lithuanian honey - yum!

    Syberia International Food

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    The Russian Tea Room - tea - Updated June 2026

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