Banc Cafe Reviews

4.5

488 of 13,360 Restaurants in New York City


Reviews

Two thumbs up

By Curiosity172561 |

We came on Columbus Day and they found a great table for us. Heather, our server was great. Food was outstanding. We highly recommend anyone vision this area to try this place out.

Thanksgiving Dinner

By SunrayT |

Ate here last Thursday on Retroflame blog recommendation and was so impressed. Set menu $55 pp + taxes + gratuity. 3 courses were very good - prosciutto flatbread and scallop starters, turkey and fillet steak mains followed by Apple tort and molten choc pudding. Red wine we had was beautiful and fairly priced for NYC as was the meal. Will 100% recommend to friends visiting NYC in the future and hopefully get back ourselves. Thanks for a memorable Thanksgiving guys !!

Great experience overall.

By felicity m |

Very friendly staff, even the douchey looking guys are nice. Ok drinks and beer but great wine. food is fresh and zesty. The clincher is the atmosphere, not too loud and a very comfy vibe. 4 hours will disappear without you even realizing. I like that in a bar:)

A buzzing bar and restaurant for a great night out

By Feetonforeignlands |

Banc Cafe is a neighborhood bar restaurant located in a former 1920’s bank building. The décor has a 19th century Parisian aesthetic - dimly lit with chandeliers, copper table tops, textured, terracotta coloured walls and curved banquette seating. It created a great atmosphere for a buzzing Friday night. The menu includes a selection of 'small plates' and 'big plates'. We ordered a range of small plates to share between our table of eight: a couple each of the tartare of tuna and avocado ($14), coconut shrimp ($14), goat cheese croquettes ($9) and homemade chicken dumplings ($12); and then we each ordered a plate individually as a main course. Popular choices were: shepherd's pie ($16), saute day-boat scallions and shrimp with smoked bacon and butternut risotto ($23), and warm goat's cheese and proscuitto de parma salad ($10). With it being a Friday night, the bar section of the premises was very lively and we felt like we'd stumbled onto a bit of a happening place. The dining area is, however, sufficiently separated from the bar noise, so that it was easy enough to chat at the table. Great food, great service. Big thumbs up!

Always Satisfying

By Youngryman |

This has been one of my regular lunch places for years. Its menu is unfailingly good. I often have the prosciutto and figs on flatbread or the salmon wrap. Excellent sweet potato fries. Soups always good. Nice ambience. Good for eating with guests.

New Year’s Eve

By miragekam |

Fabulous fun time was had by all, excellent food, hats whistles,confetti, excellent food and great bar scene.We have dined here a few times and always enjoyed atmosphere and food.Will definitely come back again in springtime.

Decent bar scene, limited outdoor tables

By Gareth T |

Not a bad bar, prices can be on the high side but they have an after work happy hour and a few tables to sit outside on the street. Never had any problems with service.

Good neighborhood find

By Shelly S |

The service is good here, as the atmosphere and the food. I had a light lunch which was a salad. We had the soup of the day which was compimentary. It was a curry soup, just delicious. I reccommend this restaurant.

Longstanding Favorite.

By Ian W |

It's been around for a long time and has moved upmarket over the years. It's deservedly popular. Great decor (slightly spoiled by a small roof leak). Great service. Well prepared food.

Good place for afterwork drinks

By Slava K |

On a nice day or evening it is a very good place to grab some food and have drinks with friends or colleagues. There are quite a few tables outside so you have an option as to where you want to sit or hang out. They have a decent wine list and make very good cocktails. The food is OK; I tried their crab cakes, and didn't like them, but was very impressed with the octopus. Seafood risotto, even though a little overcooked to my liking, was pretty tasty. Overall, I had a pleasant experience at this place, and would probably come back again.

Skip it

By ballenlevy |

Came here looking for a relatively affordable meal with a friend but wish I had gone somewhere else and spent a bit more. Our starters were almost inedible and our mains were just okay. Service was also middling. It’s a nice space and should be able to do better.

Tapas to delight!

By OriginalCher |

We had the 4 tapas deal- they were so good. The pork was to die for. The service was great, a good drink menu. Pretty great all round. It does get a little noisier as the night goes on- but it is not unbearable.

Amazing place for a drink and have some good food

By Mathild_So |

A huge choice of beverages. We recommend the sangrias, especially the rosé's one. The food is generous, well dressed and perfect with a glass (or two) of wine. The waitresses are amazing, the service is fast.

Neighborhood Go-To

By cmcnicol |

LOVE Banc. I live very close and come here often. It's a fantastic date spot as well as a really nice place to come with parents if you're looking for a nice and reliable dinner place. The bar scene is usually pretty busy which makes sense since the cocktails are so great, and the food itself is really worth going for. I love their scallop dishes and various pastas. I've been for brunch once and also ordered brunch takeout once and was certainly not disappointed. Fantastic eggs Benedict and really amazing french toast. Service is a little hit or miss, but nothing egregious or beyond the fact that they're just a popular and busy restaurant and might be a little understaffed at times. Love Banc!

Wait staff makes it taste better

By dreamsalvage |

First, I visit these places looking like a tourist--hot, tired, and pretty much shopped and spent out. It reveals the restaurant's real appreciation of cutomers. I showed up at almost 8 p.m., basically the beginning of party time for bars. I was alone. Rather than stick me at the bar, they put me at a table for four, even though it meant they would not be able to serve three more customers. That is a BIG DEAL and shows real hospitality. I told the waitress nothing alcoholic to drink...big money loser for the place, but she was unphased and brought me a delicious tropical concoction! That's another 3 points for hospitality. I had the tomato zucchini bisque soup and the potato gnocchi (which I mispronounced). At first taste the soup seemed a little salty but then I remembered it's 90 degrees outside, so a little salt won't hurt-keep you from dehydrating in a heap. The gnocchi was a little NOT al donte but the creamy pesto made up for it. In a place like NYC you can be treated like crap anywhere so you have to appreciate a place that understands how to be friendly and hospitable.

Fantastic place!

By Violet L |

Love, Love, Love the Banc Cafe!!! Fabulous food and service. Great energy and vibe whether going for food or drinks...you won't be disappointed!

Wonderful New Year's Eve - atmosphere was amazing

By _eagleshome46 |

Absolutely wonderful experience. We were extremely fortunate to manage to get a table for dinner/drinks for New Years Eve. The owner was so welcoming and the staff worked so hard all night, always with a smile on their faces and so attentive. Food was delicious with a varied menu and good portion sizes and reasonably priced. The atmosphere/vibe just wonderful with great DJ which was just perfect way for us to spend New Year's Eve in New York. Would highly recommend

If all banks were this good

By TAHKA |

I had lunch here this past week and thoroughly enjoyed.Al fresco in NY is like dining inside a smoking chimney...but an inside window seat perfect.Need to remember this neighborhood gem.Tho too loud and crowded for me at dinner. Enjoyed the usual nice service,good diverse menu reasonably priced.

Great Murrays Hill bar and restaurant

By Jen A |

Nice bar and restaurant situated near our apartment, lovely atmosphere, and friendly staff, outside dining available. Food is good and good selection. A great spot in Murrays Hill.

The outdoor dining was nicely done ( despite the pandemic)

By Paula M |

The outdoor dining was nicely done. We all enjoyed our meals. Service was excellent including getting a chair for an elderly guest. Though it was a limited menu everything was delicious.

Neighborhood hotspot

By j1000000 |

Great atmosphere and food....saw it walking y and had nice lunch. Neighborhood hotspot for food, drinks, and music. Very attentive to gluten free

Nice neighborhood restaurant

By 24QueenBee |

Met my 94 year old aunt here. We were seated in a quiet room away from the bar where we were able to visit. The wait staff was very attentive and helpful and did not rush us. The food was very good not too exotic for us! The Sangria was excellent.

Nice place, good food

By gordonsmc |

For the area this place is one of the best, upscalish but not overpriced. Nice choice for a family stop or a post-business bite. Cute decor. Food was good, fresh and tasty. Seafood was gobbled up in a flash. Decent vegetarian options. Beer selection was meh, but that's the case in most of restaurants in NYC (except Torst and a couple of other places). Wine list competent. Mixed drinks - meh. The reason for taking a point (circle) off is that some glasses had a strong musty smell of poorly washed glassware. A rather unpleasant dent in the experience.

A must while in New York

By victoria l |

Fantastic bar and restaurant. Food was amazing staff was even more amazing and a special shout out to Tom the manager for making our visit memorable.

Don't waste your money!

By bgranvil |

Our waitress was terrible! She seemed so annoyed that we were there. She disappeared halfway through and we didn't see her until the end of dinner. We planned to not tip her that well for the terrible service and then received the bill where she tacked on 20% gratuity! I guess this is common in New York for parties over 6 but that would explain why we got such bad service. Because she gets 20% no matter how she treats us. The food was okay. Not great! The restaurant is small and connected to a big bar so it's pretty loud.

What a night!!

By Greener71 |

My friends and I were in NYC for a half marathon and we were looking for a place to celebrate after the race. Just by luck Banc was just at the end of the block from where we were staying. We walked in to find out that they had live music every Sunday night . However we never thought that we were going to hear such a fantastic band! Nitty Gritty was the band and I would go back to NYC just to party with these guys again!! They rocked the place and we danced all night long. Thank you Banc, the wonderful bar staff and Nitty Gritty for a night to remember!! From the "Ontario Girls"😁

Buzzing Thursday Night

By hurleya9 |

Ate and drank here on Thurs 10 Nov. The bar part was packed but the staff were attentive and friendly. The food service was prompt, I had the fishcakes and they were excellent. My friends had the lamb and they said it was delicious. Would definitely go back

Wonderful food and reasonable price

By Ali097 |

Food is lovely, staff are most helpful and friendly, very reasonable price - i highly recommend this place to anyone visiting in new york

Great Place

By Karlyforet |

Banc was great, Went on December 3. Beautifuly decorated for Christmas, great wine, great food, great service. Would surly go back!

Great New York Restaurant

By elconquistador765 |

This is what eating out in New York is all about. The Banc has a great atmosphere and an extremely friendly staff. The menu is not large but the selection is good. You should have no problem finding something for everyone. Their wine selection is good and the staff gives you a good pour. Cap your night off with a great treat. When we visited the weather was great for sidewalk dining. Another option is when management opens up the windows to give a true European cafe dining experience. Can’t say enough about this place. Try it out!

Great Bar

By handyspanner |

Went here for dinner, the food and atmosphere are really good. Had a selection of the plates, which turned out to be a good choice! We had the octopus, grilled avocado, coconut shrimp, back ribs and a country salad. All tasty and enjoyable. There is a good choice of beers and wine by the glass. Definitely a good recommendation, if you are in the area.

Looking for a nice dinner and an enjoyable evening in NYC???

By Linda B |

Arrived on a Friday evening for dinner. The food was excellent and the service was very friendly and accommodating. We ended up spending the evening there as the cocktails were well made and the place was buzzing! Live music also which was a plus!

Good food, music and service.

By Stephanie P |

After a 17 block walk upto the Rainbow Room on 49th to find it closed on a Saturday night (despite checking the website and visiting the Rockefeller Centre earlier that day) we decided to brace the cold and head back DOWNTOWN and EAST of 5th Avenue where we have had some yummy meals at great places (BSR on 3rd is all I can remember of the dining on NYE and their EXCELLENT "Green Things" and Brussel Sprouts and Bicycling Pictures). Anyway, back to BANC - a lovely waitress called Cassandra (her name on the docket) greeted and seated us. She was attentive, polite, efficient and thorough, she knew the menu and specials, when to stop and when to not. The meal was excellent with Captain Grumpy Pants having a beautifully prepared Angus Steak and I had the Angel Hair Pasta done to perfection. Of course I had to order the most under rated vegetables in the entire universe - VIVE Le Sprouts ala Brassique!!! Loved the sprouts, the Italian and French wine selection was great and most of all the service. Thankfully, there was only one TV in our range of sight seeing the Grid Iron College Series and the music was old classics of Van Morrison and Bruce Springsteen to name a few. Good prices, great food and excellent service on our last night in New York for a couple of years.

Comfortable spot to eat in Murray Hill

By parkerw2014 |

If you are looking for a comfortable place to eat or just hang out, Banc Cafe fits the bill. The menu is varied and the food is fresh.

Nice Little Place

By Richard |

Attentive service and a little bit of everything on their menu. Banc is ideal for a date night, and is worth stopping by to eat if you’re on the east side of Manhattan.

Bar Hopping

By dawnchugg |

We stopped here for a cocktail. Great atmosphere, great vibes. Very busy on Friday! Service was a bit slow, come to find out, our bartender was also waiting tables!

Nice

By Tat C |

Very nice restaurant. Good choice of salads. They offer a brunch menu at Sunday. Pet friendly outside.

Stuck in Manhattan

By miragekam |

What a lovely restaurant with excellent food the wild salmon excellent and black bean empanadas wonderful and great salads followed with excellent bread pudding and cappuccino went here twice and will visit again.

Outstanding

By Jp M |

Myself and my partner were in New York and visited several cocktail bars pubs and restaurants. Banc had all three rolled into one. Atmosphere was great food and service were brilliant but Cocktails topped it all off. Next time I'm in New York I'll be back.

Great neighborhood spot.

By Tim Bam |

The Banc cafe is a great neighborhood restaurant. A lot of comfort food on the menu. Great bar and staff. Always willing to go the extra mile to make things right.

Amazing place!!!

By MirandaRichie |

Wow!! What a gem of a restaurant, we hadn’t booked a table (arrived at 5pm) but the greeter advised us that he had a table reserved for 7.30 so we could have it for 2.5 hours. Perfect. The menu was detailed with just enough options, I chose a beet salad and asked if I could have goats cheese on it, absolutely I could! My husband and our friends all had a burger, they were juicy, stacked, and the fries delicious. We went on a Sunday so after 4pm ANY bottle of wine is half price, every table around us had wine. Lovely staff, and when our food came out they knew exactly who was having what food we didn’t even need to say!! We are here for a week and have decided we will be back!

RELAXED VENUE, TASTY FOOD

By Nigel W |

It was a special meal. We were meeting up with a great friend who lives in NYC, and whom we hadn't seen for more than 20 years! He chose the venue. Great, very relaxed atmosphere – like a gastro pub. There's a bar area with slightly loud sports broadcasts going on, but thankfully also a quieter dining area. The food was delicious. Our friend had a hamburger. My husband and I had mediterranean flatbread - his topped with strips of tender steak, mine with prosciutto - they were surprising in this pub-ish context – and delicious. I accompanied my food with gin and cucumber cocktails; the others had wine. A great evening. Though we would probably have had a great evening anywhere! But I'd strongly recommend this place for a relaxed night out with friends.

sunday brunch

By historyfanatic99 |

We walked into this café not knowing anything about it but liked the way it looked from the outside and the atmosphere inside. We were completely taken by the food. We had the brunch/lunch menu which had a good selection. I had the beet /quinoa salad which was extremely hardy and totally filled me up. Coffee was good and the drinks well done. Although this is not my neighborhood in NY I will definitely be coming back!

MUST VISIT WHEN IN NYC!!

By Fionnuala Lavery |

Service was impeccable! Food was amazing - Especially the garlic cheese fries!! loved the relaxed but busy atmosphere and Tom was just fantastic :P service was fab, the staff never let your water become empty and were always refilling with cold fresh water. Beautiful decor and mood also!! Banana bread dessert was AMAZING!!

Great place

By fiona73 |

Gorgeous food, great atmosphere, good looking staff, what more would you want.. Had a fantastic night

What a great spot!!!!!

By Kitty K |

Love this place. Awesome atmosphere. Beautiful decor. Came here on a date with my boyfriend Saturday. We ordered the sampler platter. It was very good. We came a little late near the shift change. So we had the pleasure of having two lovely waitresses to serve us. They were both FANTASIC!!!!One with red hair and one blonde. Perfect and attentive service. We never had to ask for a thing they were on top of everything. We will definitely be back.......

Late nite bite

By Baba |

This rest is something else. The steak sandwich is absolutely out of this world. Filet with blue cheese and onions is just too good to be true. Honestly I could come everyday and have it. Staff on the average are ok. Not too friendly yet not too supportive. Great outlet for a nice light dinner and a drinks. I would love to see the rest moving up to below 100 vs 10K rest in NYC. Simply amazing and worth the try no matter what.

Sunday Brunch in the Summertime

By BigMoWal |

Looking for a nice spot for Sunday brunch in NYC? Check out Banc Cafe! You can dine either inside or out while enjoying your meal. I had the Chicken & waffles, which were tasty! There is a bar with TVs inside. Great place for a couples date or just hanging with friends! The hostess & wait staff were very nice.

Great customer service

By Kathryn M |

We stumbled upon this great meeting place, sports restaurant in mid-town east, neighborhood/hospital section of Manhattan. What a find! We arrived with out a reservation on a Weds. evening and the place was packed, so we immediately knew it would be good. We were welcomed with open arms and although they were so full that they did not have any available tables, the manager found us a great spot at the back bar. He knew we wanted to watch a college basketball game, so he was sure to put the game on for us and occasionally came back to check on us to ensure we were comfortable. We were well taken care of by our waitress. The food was delicious and prices were fair and reasonable for NYC. What a great neighborhood place, we'll be back!

one of the best local spots in midtown east!

By maxericsson |

love this place -- been coming here for years and it has remained consistent and high end for all that time... great for brunch, dinner, or just great drinks...!

The manager was wonderful

By ekh |

My friend and I went in because it seemed to be the only restaurant in the open late at night. What a lucky find for us! The manager, an Irish gent (I wish I could remember his name - Tom, maybe?) was wonderful. He was a good laugh and a wonderful host. We mentioned it was my friend's birthday and (unasked) surprised her with a trio of deserts suitably adorned with a candle. When we left, we gave him a well deserved tip and we noticed that he gave it to the serving staff even though he had been the one hosting us all evening. He knew that we were there for only a few days and so would not be repeat business but he was still wonderfully welcoming. I hope the owners of this place appreciate him as much as we did. It is testimony to him that although we visited three months ago, I still felt compelled to write a TripAdvisor review.A huge thank you to Tom (if that's your name)!

Very strong Rose sangria

By Taylor G |

Found this little gem on a walk down to the Kips Bay movie theater. Stopped in for brunch and was impressed by the atmosphere, including the jars of rose sangria and other house-made drinks. The vibe reminded us of a "roaring 20s in france" if you can imagine that. Food was decent - had the veggie omelette. Rose sangria was popular amongst the tables and is strong too! Waiter left alot to be desired though.

Group Dinner Event

By Kerry W |

I had a large group come to a business dinner and we were very pleased. The service was attentive and excellent as well as the food. I had the tuna tartare and it was one of the best I ever had. It was also a very large portion. I had the scallops and shrimp for dinner and it was very good as well. 3 people at my table had the filet mignon and they said it was outstanding. I had no room for dessert but everyone at the table enjoyed theirs. Large portions as well.

Fantastic food and great ambiance

By Patrick O |

My wife and I met with my sister and partner who'd travelled up from Philly for a meal and drinks in Banc. Tom the owner (an old school friend of my wife's and Irish like us!) really did roll out the Green carpet! Looked after us impeccably. The food was delicious and the setting was relaxed. Very attentive and polite staff also. He personally extended his goodwill and generosity to virtually every table that I could see (not only us). Well done Tom, you're doing Béal Feirste proud!

Brunch on sunday

By AMG |

We coincidently bumped into this place when strolling around on a sunday. A perfect place to have brunch. As it was a sunny day, we loved it to have our lunch outside. The service was excellent. A young man was helping us any time. The food was delicious! Great portions and very fresh.

Nice Relaxed Lunch Location in Midtown

By Anziri |

Wonderful lunch with a friend. The food was excellent. Salmon perfectly prepared and save some room for dessert. (OK to share) We really like that the wait staff was attentive but never pressured or rushed us. Gave us all the time we needed to chat and catch up since it had been awhile since we had talked.

Great food, great service, great atmosphere

By Chris F |

Visited for Sunday dinner with a work colleague. It seemed very busy for a Sunday, so we had to wait for 20 minutes to get an outdoor table. The service was good, and our waitress was attentive. I had "the banker" burger, my colleague had the watermelon carpaccio. No comment on the salad as I'm not a greeny person, but the burger was knockout - really juicy, nicely cooked and full of flavour with a nice, subtle kick from the spices. As other reviewers have mentioned, the crowd is fairly young - mid 20's and it seems busy all the time. One on the list to go back to.

A very pleasant evening

By TIMOTHY R |

Friendly staff, great location, interesting decor. Good menu with excellent choices. I would definitely go back there next time I’m in New York.

Faultless

By P Ryan |

Just had a fabulous family meal here tonight. Six of us had a variety of starters mains and desserts and all was faultless. Big shout out to the friendly servers(ours was from Mayo!)fabulous food in a fabulous venue.

Great place for after-work drinks and food

By maria w |

Stands out in the neighborhood as one of the coolest places, with great, youthful vibe, and lots of atmosphere, especially Friday, after work. Although I was there in a completely different setting (with a friend and two kids.. which were well accommodated for by the way), I quickly was taken back to my early professional days before kids, and this would be a great place to hang out. Was there on two occasions, once having small bites, which were absolutely delicious, and the second time for a great burger. Would happily recommend!

excellent !

By MITIJ |

This is one of my favorite restaurants in this area of the city. While in the area for a few weeks we tried many places and I liked this spot because the portions were just right and the food was very good. There were great wine and cocktail choices as well. There are a few different rooms as well as outdoor seating. We were greeted each time by a pleasant host or hostess and our servers were also wonderful. Some visits we were with our grandson and they were accommodating. At each visit we mostly ordered the same dishes . A few of us shared salads, either the kale and pear salad or the quinoa and beet salad and both were excellent. I ordered the crab cake appetizer each time which was just enough for me and someone ordered the veggie burger, one ordered the 3 cheese quesadilla , both were also very good and ordered on other visits too. Look forward to returning.

Raciest Bartenders

By Akshay P |

Went to Blac Cafe with my friends & family on Sat 08/01/2015 and had a worse experience ever. 2 white bartenders were the most raciest people I have met in my life. Ask for a glass of water and they both started teasing me for asking for a glass of water in a bar and followed by comments on my race. This is all in front of the other customers. When I said something they called the bouncers to walk me out. No customers or even person should be treated like this. What pisses me off more is that I was tipping pretty well all night to these two raciest people living in 21st century.

Not great at all

By Mfmvandriel |

I really don't understand all the positive reviews of this restaurant. I honestly think I've had better food at TGI Friday's. Every single thing I had was bland. My sangria drink was bland, my salad was oily and bland, and the coconut shrimp I had was bland. Very unimpressed

Very Good Brunch!

By BaysideConnecticut |

I started with the Kale and Pear salad with the added grilled shrimp, very good overall. I had the nova flatbread, scrambled eggs with lox on top, very well done and quite tasty. Others had the Irish breakfast, this is a large plate, a lot of food - probably the best breakfast value, the biscuits and gravy and the California omelette all were very tasty and large portions. Service was quick and professional. The total for all of us was 84 bucks.

Lovely atmosphere

By Derek M |

Top class service and food.. visiting party of 6 from Ireland and really loved it. Try the cocktails!! Well done guys. Staff very friendly and price was very fair!

Nice bar / restaurant with good food

By astudystar |

Busy bar / restaurant but easy to get a table. Plenty of beer choice and the food is pretty good. The burgers are substantial and very tasty.

Great food, Great service

By johnjoewest |

Ate in Banc two out of five nights visiting NY. Great friendly service - Jason was our server. Lovely food and reasonable price. We even got a free round of drinks !! Think an Irish guy is the owner. Well worth a visit

Good environment and friendly staff and great drinks

By tarisha m |

The seating outside is just perfect in mid April when refreshing breeze blows your mind away at night looking at lighted Manhattan buildings.

Good Happy Hour Spot

By Bmac2012 |

This is a good happy hour spot with drink specials that go until either 7/8. Food is tasty but a bit on the pricey side for even the area. However if you need a not too crazy place for dinner in the area this is definitely one of the better options.

Perfect for happy hour, dinner with friends

By Ashley S |

Banc is my favorite neighborhood spot. Great drinks, great food, great atmosphere. It's affordable but seems like it would be expensive. My favorite happy hour spot or place to go for dinner with friends.

A Wonderful Treat!!!!

By eventsbythirteen |

Why leave the neighborhood, when places like Banc, are there?! I was looking for a neighborhood restaurant, when I found Banc! The food and drinks, service, and, atmosphere, are really delicious!

Lovely lunch spot.

By Rbk7169 |

I've eaten lunch there several times with family and have always had a lovely meal. The restaurant is attractive and very spacious for Manhattan. Lately it has become a great choice for us because we are bringing a baby in a stroller and there's plenty of room. I've had the Cobb salad and always enjoyed it and my companions have eaten either the veggie burger or the beef burger. They both come with a choice of two toppings and a huge side of well made fries, regular for the beef and sweet potato for the veggie. Lots of other choices for lunch too. The wait staff has always been friendly and attentive. All in all, a good choice in the Murray Hill Kips Bay Area.

Amazing dinner and cocktails in New York!!

By Kim Dickson |

I visited Banc Café in New York at the start of November 2025 with my mum and sister from Belfast, and we had an incredible experience from the moment we walked in. The atmosphere was warm, stylish, and relaxed — perfect for a family or couples night out in such a busy city. The staff were exceptionally friendly and attentive, striking the ideal balance between professional and personable. A special mention has to go to Tom, the manager, who made us feel especially welcome. As fellow visitors from Belfast, it was such a lovely surprise to meet someone from home — his friendliness and hospitality really elevated our evening. The food was outstanding. We enjoyed a wonderfully rich and flavourful pasta dish, along with perfectly crisp appetizers that were beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. Every plate showed real care and quality. My mum especially liked the burger which she said was the nicest burger she ever tasted and disappeared before I could get a photo. The cocktails also went down a treat! My favourite was “ SHE WORKS HARD FOR THE MONEY” with vodka, passionfruit and prosecco. Banc Café delivered on every front: excellent food, exceptional service, and a genuinely warm atmosphere. It will be top of our list for a visit the next time we are in New York!!!

Great dinner with friends

By 26clare |

We were in town and had dinner here to catch up with friends from the city. The whole place has a great atmosphere - decor, music, trendy crowd, general ambience etc. Our table was around the corner in one of the booths - perfect for us as had the overall atmospheric noise from the rest of the bar/restaurant but without it being too loud to hear the conversation at the table. Cocktails were excellent, particularly recommend the spicy margarita (especially when on happy hour). Burgers were a great size and extremely tasty. Waiter did bring my friend the wrong dish (chicken instead of salmon) and immediately offered to switch it, instead my friend kept the chicken upon which he said it would be on the house, along with another cocktail.

Lunch

By Trip706189 |

They have good wine and love the tartare with wasabi sauce. Music and atmosphere were nice, clean restrooms. Busy for lunch so call or get early.

Brunch = yummm

By Gwen23_12 |

My friend and I stumbled across this little cafe whilst tramping around New York last Sunday (28 June). The service staff were polite, the guys cleaning up between guests were super fast and our waitress very polite and helpful. Their brunch menu is pretty cool, but I must make special mention of their woolly bull burger!!! Can someone say YUMMMM... juicy, tasty with the right amount of tzatzika sauce etc... I just had to sink my fingers in and eat it all up! The ambience is pretty cool with an outdoors option if the day is a nice one. Once you're in the area, definitely stop in for a bite. Oh and the blood orange mimosa I had was pretty neat too!

Great Food and reasonable

By TXJayhawk3501 |

My wife and I spent 3 days in NYC and sampled different areas of the city and their restaurants. We were looking for a neighborhood type setting and found Banc Café on Trip Advisor. The menu had a nice variety as well as a decent wine list. We both had the Scallops and Shrimp with risotto that was outstanding! Prices were reasonable for NYC. Service was very good and our meals arrived in reasonable time. I read that they offer acoustic artists on Sundays with 1/2 price wine as well, but we were leaving that day. Location is midtown on the east side, which is nice to get away from the crowded areas and enjoy a nice evening.

Excellent burger

By Mette A |

The banker is a very good burger. We had an outside table. Good service and good atmosphere. Pleasant straff. Very relaxed and pleasant place.

Positive Return

By handyspanner |

Back in NYC and on our first night we dropped in to Banc for some food and a couple of beers. The food and service were still as good, as it was summer people were sitting outside so it was not as busy inside, which was good. Great place for food and to meet friends,

NYC Relaxation

By NYC212nj |

The entire staff is professional and engaging. The menu is eclectic with excellently prepared dishes. The atmosphere is extremely laid back and enjoyable.

Top class

By Patrick O |

Yet another fantastic experience in Banc. A beautifully presented premises and friendly/attentive staff. Pre dinner drinks at the bar followed by a top class meal. Well done Tom & Ronan, hope to see you both on our next visit to NYC.

Good place for a casual drink

By Angela B |

Banc has a very nice atmosphere and a decent cocktail menu. Food menu includes some light snacks, but definitely not what you're there for.

Great for small plates

By DrAM27 |

Sat outdoors just after a thunderstorm. The air had cleared despite being in Manhattan. Must try small plates. Moules, lamb chops and pork belly were excellent. Good selection of beers.

Great bar and restaurant with delightful staff

By Brendan D |

Having visited Banc Cafe multiple times over the years it never fails to please and our recent visit was no exception. A warm welcome by the friendly and professional staff sets the tone for the evening. Given the pleasant weather, we chose the outdoor seating and enjoyed watching the world go by as we dined on a delicious meal washed down with a very pleasant wine from the cafes reasonably extensive wine list. Banc is good value for money & beats it competitors hands down. We will be back.

Excellent restaurant & bar with an upscale pub atmosphere

By DrKatieRN |

Joined friends for brunch. Food and drinks were great. Enjoyed a begian waffle with berries. Others had delicious omelets and a waffle with chicken. Heather was terrific as our server. The restaurant was so great I book my adult daughter's birthday celebration here that night. By all accounts of participants it was fantastic. Great food, fantastic service, & highly recommended.

Treat yourself and call in!

By mrw_retired |

My wife and I have just enjoyed lunch here. Why here? Because it was convenient to where we were, and I'm glad it was. Next time I'd be happy to walk out of my way. The service was excellent, the food was faultless and the bill a pleasant surprise. I'll be back!

Beautiful cafe

By Andrew19 |

Had lunch there and I was so surprised once I walked in. The Banc cafe has lots of different sitting and very comfy bar stools. I was sitted in one of the high table and we were both satisfied with our sitting. The lunch menu has many options, salads sandwiches and very yummy appetizers. Definitely a great please to stop by in 3rd Ave. Wish we had come in September to have the opportunity to seat outside ( some brave ones did, and I bet they enjoyed).

Great Food and Atmosphere

By donnapdr |

Excellent find. I love the decor. The food was excellent and so was the service. I asked to move our table when three mothers and three small children were seated next to us. They put us on the other side of the restaurant which is exactly what I wanted!!!

Excellent food and vibe

By atkempo |

We happened upon Banc when my daughter moved in down the street. What an awesome discovery. Weather it is a full dinner or just a burger you want, all is great! Bar atmosphere is great as well.

Amazing restaurant/bar in NYC!

By stephen morgan |

Visited NYC jan 2020 for our honeymoon, came across banc trying to find somewhere for good food and a few drinks. Absolutely fantastic bar/restaurant. Food, service and decor 10/10. If your visiting Manhattan and want the real NYC vibe in a great location but away from the hustle and bustle then make sure you visit banc!! We will defiantly be back!

Glad to dine here on first night in NYC

By Tristan T |

Efficient friendly service, good menu selection and reasonably priced - food quality was appreciated on a tired first night in NYC!

FOOD DRINKS LOVE AND LUST

By Billy G |

Yeah. Love and lust are in the title, why? Because a Banc wasn't just a bar/pub it was a fantastic get away that shares local mid town east side dwellers that's actually not that far off the tourist trail. Want to break away from the mid town tourist spot and the same old Pig and Dog Irish/Brit pubs scene? Yeah, I thought so. Having lived on 24th & 2nd for close to a year Banc became my local. What was supposed to be a quick drink and then leave to meet friends on my 1st visit complete cemented my heart there that it would forever remain My Bar !! As you know, not many bars can do that to a man. Especially if you travel as much as I do although Banc did. The Linch menu in summer is best served with a chilled wine as the dinner menu is wholesome and hearth (only if you want it) and the dim lit NEWYORK style vibe is all around you. Every time I go back now. I know they don't remember my name but they remember my face. Now that's a bar.

Lovely food, great atmosphere, not too heavy on the wallet!

By Fetlar13 |

We went here after reading good reviews, it was our 35th wedding anniversary, so a special occasion. The Banc did not disappoint, my wife had the lamb shank and I had the scallops and shrimps both delicious. Would highly recommend!

Sunday Evening

By Sharon D |

We visited on a Sunday evening and were treated to great food, great atmosphere, great music, would definitely recommend.

The best espresso martini!

By Florida |

We stopped in for espresso martinis (they came highly recommended from a friend) and they did not disappoint! So yummy. Unique vibe inside and friendly waitress.

Fantastic!

By Alandunne |

Went on a Monday night, warm cosy atmosphere. Barry the bartender was very friendly and provided us with excellent service. We enjoyed some bar bites & the bar& restaurant areas including the bathrooms were spotless!! We will be back to have dinner on our next visit to Nyc!

The best restaurant in town

By Jackic78 |

I visited New York in January 2020 with my mum, and we dined on our 2nd night at Banc on a friend's recommendation. We were incredibly impressed, and returned on another evening during our stay, as it just could not be matched elsewhere! The bar is very stylishly decorated, being divided into sections for bar & restaurant, with comfy booths and a frankly amazing cocktail bar displaying an impressive range of whiskies and gin. The cocktails are to die for! Banc knows how to best serve it's guests, with welcoming and charming staff serving exquisite food which far surpassed our expectations. This is by far the best food I have had in NYC. The starters, mains and desserts (oh my), were spot on. Not only that, but they gave us a brolly when we left, as it had started to snow. Charm personified! In short... I'd recommend making a beelive for Banc if you're in town - I will certainly be back!

Great restaurant and bar

By James m |

Very impressed with the menu, and the happy hour between 4-8 pm, the food was delicious. Would highly recommend the skirt steak. Staff are extremely friendly, and have to mention hosts Tom and Jessie, who are attentive to your every need, Will definitely be returning here on our next visit to New York .

Great Dinner Spot

By Steve S |

I happened upon this restaurant with my hip future daughter-in-law for dinner last week and was very happy with the meal and service. I thoroughly enjoyed the sauté day boat scallops and shrimp. The wine complemented the meal well. Nice environment, good smiling staff, and a well priced value. Do try if you are in this neighborhood.

Great Food

By David T |

A very friendly restaurant serving excellent food (and cocktails!). Price/quality balance seemed about right. Nice ambience to the place.

Great cocktails

By Scuba1982 |

Had a night here and enjoyed the layout and scene. Loved the cocktails, made a very nice Espresso Martini. Great vibe and ambience, everyone was having a good time and came highly recommeded from friends that lived in NYC

Can't beat it anywhere!

By curiouscancun |

I am not a review type writer but after visiting Banc Cafe again I am drawn to let the world in on a well kept secret. What a fantastic combination of service good and ambiance! There are so many choices on the menu from tuna tartar and avocado to flatbread with Fig with prosciutto with almonds and truffle oil to delicious quinoa salads to endless entrees! It is a fun atmosphere with great happy hours and friendly service. The manager Jesse could not have been more ideal with his professionalism and warmth and friendliness. He goes the extra mile to make everyone feel welcome which a very rare find these days! Can't wait to go back to this gem of a restaurant.

Fabulous food and friendly staff

By SEB1967 |

Had a most enjoyable evening here. Staying in New York for one week and a friend living here brought us to Banc Cafe. Friendly and attentive staff, lovely atmosphere, great cocktails and delicious food, what more could you want? I'm not generally a burger person but decided to choose the same as my husband and son and I wasn't let down, delicious! Our daughter loved her steak and the puddings were amazing. Could not fault anything about this restaurant! Thank you for a most enjoyable evening 😀

First meal

By Sheila W |

We was recommended by the bar man at our hotel, after a bit of a walk we found the cafe & staff & food were all good not sure I would rush back though!!!

Top class in nyc.

By Paul |

This is a must go to destination in nyc. Unbelievable food in a very atmospheric bar and restaurant with top class service.

Beautiful bar, food and drinks with amazing staff

By Fionnuala Lavery |

Had the most amazing food drinks and craic here when we were visiting New York. Tom is just so amazing and makes each visit so special! Views of the empire state from outside seating area beautiful and a class place to people watch. Thanks for everything

Awesome vibes

By Pierpaolo P |

Really nice and clean place with great sandwiches and drink and live music (I was there to hear a famous YouTuber - Valerio Fluido- who is a crazy bass player playing with his group. Extremely friendly staff ...

Very busy but great food

By Sara R |

We tried to have dinner here without a reservation but we were turned away :( We came back after dinner and sat at the (very crowded) bar for drinks and dessert. The creme brulee was awesome and the drinks were great - my husband had a spiked coffee liqueur and it was probably the best one I've ever tasted.

Very Good Brunch, Relaxed Atmosphere, Great Service!

By BaysideConnecticut |

I started with the pear salad, fresh and tasty, then I once again had the filet mignon eggs Benedict, a good portion of filet, very tasty served with a large hunk of dark bread with the eggs on top. The others had the chicken with biscuits, eggs Benedict and a burger, all were very good. The food is very good, bordering on excellent but it just isn't excellent. Notwithstanding, this is a favorite neighborhood joint very low-key and friendly, exactly the sort of place to do what we did and pop in on whim on a quiet brilliant clear April Saturday afternoon at three. The service is quick and professional.

A must visit while in manhattan & I'll definitely be back.

By Patrick T |

Food was amazing, came back 3 times on a 6 night trip. Service 10/10 busy bar, friendly vibe. Live music & staff were brilliant 10/10 all round. Everything in Banc Cafe is top notch from decor to food & drinks. Highly recommend.

Great surprise!

By JanisPleasantvi... G |

Very nice inside. Beautiful space and it also has a fun bar! Very nice menu and extended happy hour prices. Special for a first or second date!

Amazing Desserts

By KiKi_EC |

Love the desserts, would really recommend the Chocolate Molten Cake if you have a sweet tooth. Staff is amazingly friendly. DEFINITELY would go back.

Delicious!

By Brandon F |

I was here with friends for drinks and dinner a few days ago and could not have been happier. We were seated quickly and the service and food were excellent. Will be back very soon.

Very Tasty Brunch

By eyecsay |

From the "Natural" a refreshing mixture of vodka, lime and basil to the sourdough bread basket to our main courses, Banc came through with a tasty meal

You Can Bank on This Being Great!

By NUHusker |

This is a very popular place with a great Happy Hour from 4-8 on the weekdays & wine specials on Sundays. We ate here during Happy Hour. The food is awesome & my husband will forever remember his "3 Little Piggies" ($9) which were 3 bacon wrapped pork belly sliders. For a meat lover, it doesn't get any better than pork wrapped around pork! I had the Moroccan scallops ($12) that were 3 diver scallops on top of a slice of cooked zucchini, topped with chorizo-as good as any scallops I've had from Florida to North Carolina. We also ordered the Parmesan cheese-dusted french fries & the brussel sprouts & were not disappointed with either! We ate in the dining room which was quieter than the bar area. The bar area is very loud! Our service was excellent & our server provided some excellent suggestions, especially the jalapeno margarita--spicy but delicious!! Banc seems to be a great favorite of the locals too.

Nice bar

By 1964Jacki |

Nice bar with warm lighting and excellent food. Service was good although the bartender was a bit arrogant. Would def come back for some food!

Very comfortable neighborhood gem

By gjeffreye |

Ate there 3 times in 3 weeks and enjoyed it every time. Sat outside as it was September as there are generous outdoor seating areas on south and west side of the location. The menu was eclectic, the prices are reasonable, the service was excellent and th quality was good. What's not to like?

Nice bar / bad service

By Rocky M |

Short version. I live in NYC. Been here a few times over the years. Usually good for a drink on the way to another place. But the bar tenders can be really difficult sometimes. Not a zen place. Requires a bit of work to enjoy it. Avoid unless in the neighborhood and need a place for a quick drink.

Great Spot

By warren161 |

The service and food was excellent. Comfortable atmosphere. Would recommend the Angel Hair Pasta and the Risotto with shrimp and scallops. Get rid of the TV's and the place would be perfect.

Fantastic

By mucker42 |

Great ambience! Food amazing the burgers were particularly good great service and cool music loved the decor

Really Good

By dajeck |

Stopped off by chance and were very well catered for. The service was superb and the food fresh and well presented. The free shot to conclude our meal because we were new to town was much appreciated. A very pleasant cafe and highly recommended.

Excellent food and drinks

By leanneman |

Amazing food and drinks. Such a friendly bunch, so helpful and great atmosphere. The food is just perfect, recommend the angel hair pasta, steak and scallops! Lovely area!

Varied menu and good service

By wolfes2014 |

Evening meal here in a lively atmosphere. The menu is not huge but is varied. I enjoyed a tasty pasta dish and my nephew his lamb shank. Delicious sorbets in a range of flavours for dessert as well as some timeless classics.

Wonderful bar and restaurant

By SunSkiDive |

We spent NewYear’s Eve 2022 here and had a great night. There was a great atmosphere and the decorations looked beautiful. The staff were really lovely and very attentive. The food was excellent, especially the steak and the puddings. Would definitely return!

Excellent Choice for dinner and cocktails

By ProinsiasLeeds |

We visited the banc on the recommendation of our concierge and we certainly were not disappointed, tuna tartare and the quinoa and beet salad with Cajun grilled Shrimp were excellent. Cocktails were carefully crafted and reasonably priced, staff could not have been friendlier..

Fantastic

By Quest263441 |

A fabulous atmosphere. We had fantastic food and drink there. The decor and live music is great too. We will definitely be recommending it to everyone and we will definitely be back….

Great neighborhood restaurant

By MNOAKS |

Just around the corner from where we stayed, we decided to try Banc for dinner one night. Live music was loud (but good) so they put us in the room without the band so we could hear each other talk. Our Irish waiter was very helpful and gave us his broadway show reviews - which were SPOT ON!! My drink was very strong so I didn't drink it all - they gave our drinks to us for free as a 'welcome to NYC' deal after they saw that. The food was wonderful. Great little neighborhood place that I would go to again.

Fantastic Food, Great Service, Great Atmosphere

By mmnyc16 |

Great casual atmosphere with high quality food and exceptional service! Fantastic menu, with great selection of appetizers, salads and entrees. Wonderful cocktail menu. The burgers are delicious! Sometimes they have filet mignon as a special and it is incredible! The food never disappoints and is always served hot! Great spot for a drink, dinner, lunch or brunch! Bar area is large and spacious. Great dining area. The staff is terrific, warm, welcoming and professional! Many of the staff members have been there for years and they remember customers which is so nice!

Quiet and perfect

By Ben S |

Went for brunch. Food and service were super, and it was quiet enough to talk. Coffee was good too. Nice place for brunch, couldn't have asked for anything more.

Outdoor seating and happy hour

By Judy F |

We sat outside and enjoyed a Thursday evening happy hour and light dinner the salads were very tasty the waitress was very nice

Good affordable food!

By Mish |

Two of us ate here on recommendation from a local. We ordered the lamb shank and the risotto both of which were delicious. Lamb was tender, perhaps too much mashed potato for our liking. The risotto was delicately flavoured and deliciously moist. Atmosphere a little too dark and noisy for us though.

Excellent Brunch, Neighborhood Gem, Great Service!

By BaysideConnecticut |

We were here for an early afternoon Sunday brunch, the place was busy but not packed. I had the filet mignon eggs Benedict, a good portion of filet, very tasty served with a large hunk of dark bread with the eggs on top. The others in my party had the California omelette and the chicken with biscuits as well as the eggs Benedict. The food is very good, bordering on excellent - I will have to see how they hold up on repeat visits. This is a favorite neighborhood joint very low-key and friendly, exactly the sort of place to do what we did and pop in on whim on a quiet Sunday (it was the third of January and "The City" was as quiet as it ever gets short of a Sunday morning in August). The service is quick and professional. The bill was 88 dollars with tax and without tip. I must point out that about 25 dollars of this was two cocktails that my party had. They were very well done and the price is in line with cocktail prices in Manhattan. But note that without those two drinks the brunch for four would have been in the 63 dollar range.

Only stopped in for snack and tea....will come back soon

By me m |

My daughter and I had medical appointments nearby (NYU Langone, Bellevue, etc), and stopped in for a midday snack. It's a great looking place, and has a remarkable menu. Wow! I ordered grilled avocado from the small plates menu, and was really impressed. The service was perfect, and the restaurant/bar is now on my NYC favorites list. My daughter ordered something else, but she stole most of mine. Four stars.

Brilliant Place to visit. Food Service and Atmosphere 10/10

By Bronagh C |

Brilliant cafe bar. Service was excellent, every server or staff passing the table was attentive and friendly to all the customers. Nothing was too much trouble. Our food was amazing. One of the best meals we had while visiting NYC. Lovely crowd in the bar on the Friday afternoon/evening. Very enjoyable buzz to be among -we stayed longer than planned it was so comfortable. Brilliant Team at Banc, Thank you.

Banc Cafe is Very Good

By Dorothy M |

Loved the wine. Yummy beet salad w couscous and good soup. Hubby loved the salmon and salad. Side of rice was...just blah rice. Nice armosphere. Would return.

Awesome food, great service in a good location

By Lisa C |

We travelled from Ireland and were very tired so booked the Banc Cafe on recommendation for when we arrived. The place was a hive of activity, the food (we both had burgers) were awesome and the service was great (big shout out to Alex our server). I would definitely recommend this place.

Ok

By delphi927 |

My husband and I had dinner earlier this week at Banc Cafe, and I have to say that I was disappointed. The space is cute, and the service was fine. I had the pistachio crusted chicken, which was unfortunately pretty bad - the chicken was crunchy (NOT in a good way) and chewy, and really didn't mesh well with the balsamic glaze. My husband had a shepards pie which was good enough. Prices are a bit on the higher side, especially given the subpar meal we received - we probably won't be back.

Nice brunch

By Knut_Overnes |

Good place for brunch in New York. Nice atmosphere, good food and service. Salads and sandwiches are delicious.

Our Local

By Whiskawaytours |

Staff were amazing, thank you Dean the Barman. Was really helpful and attentive. Gave us some info on NY and remembered names on our return.

Excellent food and wine

By Villa C |

First class food and very friendly staff. Highly recommended for an evening out. I'd recommend the Yulupa Cabernet Sauvignon. Tom always makes everyone feel welcome. The flamboyant host.

Quality "specials" and standout service

By GemH_Lon-UK |

Wandering around the local area with no particular preference in mind and this place's menu grabbed us, along with the recommendation from a patron that was leaving (who similarly advised it was a great place for a bite). There is indoor and outdoor seating, we were enjoying a summer evening and it was perfect - inside has a slightly louder feel about it (although wasn't). The waitress was friendly and helpful with guidance about the menu, and although taken by the standard menu we were ultimately blown away by the specials - stuffed pork chop and a crumbed chicken -- both equally fantastic. Non-standard point that we really appreciated, ordering wine and my friend didn't like the originally selected bottle, they were happy to take it back after tasting and switch out to something different (that is certainly not standard in NYC or restaurants in other cities)

Live Entertainment

By Al M |

I reviewed Banc Café several years ago and have visited here many times since then, but these covid days impel me to provide a more recent perspective as restaurants struggle. This was my first post-covid visit. I was entertained by a trio while I sat at the bar and enjoyed drinks and snacks. The atmosphere is very welcoming and the service professional.

Super spot: great food and excellent service

By EyelashTravels |

Early evening drinks and bar food here whilst in the Big Apple. Excellent choice of drinks (and fevertree light for my G&T). Calamari and goats cheese croquettes were delicious too. Super nice staff, couldn’t have been more helpful.

Comfortable atmosphere, great dinner & cocktails

By lmvacation |

We showed up on the wrong day for our reservation and they were very accommodating, we were given a table with no waiting on a Saturday at 7:30. Started with the mushroom/eggplant meatballs that were amazingly good, one in white wine, one in red sauce. Also had the tuna tartar over avocado that was a fresh, generous portion. I then had the skirt steak with blue cheese and fries. The steak was better than expected, lean and tender throughout, but the fries were the surprising star of the meal. Crispy outside and soft and tender inside, literally the best I've had outside of Belgium! We had a vodka basil concoction for a drink that was tasty and refreshing. We sat inside, but they do have outside tables on a relatively quiet section of 3rd Ave. Service was friendly and attentive. I plan to go back next time I'm in town!

Superb vibe, location, food, service and owner

By anduain |

I was here with a friend from Boston and a friend from Belfast. We decided to order small plates and “share” between us. I say “share” but in reality we had to order more because there was no sharing going on!! The food was tremendous, perfectly seasoned and good sizes. We also had 2 desserts between us which were excellent also. The ambience is great and this is definitely a happening place. Find time to visit and sample the beers, food and service!!

Wow!!! a little gem in NYC

By billp25 |

Service was attentive and outstanding! Food was delicious. And on Monday night they give you free dessert sampler. What could be better than that?

Great place with good small plates

By suecassel |

I found this place through Open Table, and it was a winner! We had some wine and a few small plates to share. The goat cheese croquettes were delicious as was the fig prosciutto flatbread. The place had a great energy. I will definitely come back!

Amazing Food!!

By NYCSunshine42 |

I live in this area but I never had a desire to go b/c it just appeared way too loud and the crowd way too young. But my friend wanted to go. And I'm so glad. We got the get 4 small bites or apps for $35. We ordered the bay scallops, the goat cheese croquet, tuna tartare and avocado, and chicken satay. The goat cheese croquettes were these four little bites, but it carried quite a punch of flavor. The tuna tartare was also really good but needed a little bit more salt. The scallops were two good size and it was nicely cooked and yummy. Our least favorite was the chicken satay. It was just ok. The peanut sauce could have a bit thicker. We were full but still ordered 2 more apps. We got the chopped salad and the potato gnocchi. So glad we did. These were our favorites. The gnocchi was so light, fluffy and soft and the pesto sauce was just delicious. Loved that there were pieces of Parmesan cheese of top. Must get!! But the best for last was the bread puddings. It was perfectly warm and the ice cream on top was just amazing. Must get! Our waitress was so nice and attentive. The only complaint was that the music was a bit too loud but if you sit toward the back it's not as bad. Would go back. Great neighborhood spot.

Good, not great - but reasonably priced

By BroadOakPS |

Nice neighborhood establishment. Reasonable number of menu choices at fair prices. Attentive staff. Two main rooms - each with very different "vibes". The one without the bar was a little quieter and more laid back. Restroom was very clean - especially by NYC standards. Memorable - no. A nice place to have a casual meal - yes.

Nice lunch.

By escape2sunnyskies |

We sat at the bar for a late lunch on a very quiet weekday. The bartender was very nice and made good suggestions. I had the filet mignon baguette and it was very good. The meat was quite tender. The portion size was fair without being unnecessarily large. I would go there again for lunch but would really like to try brunch or dinner as well.

Great neighborhood place

By Paula M |

I have been here 2x in the last 2 weeks and enjoy the consistency. The staff is warm and service driven.The food offers a good range of choices reasonably priced. No obnoxious blaring music...overall pleasant experience.

Good Food, Several different areas for Seating

By Louisalivingston |

We like having dinner here, especially if we're tired and don't want to go very far. I love either of their chicken dishes. Both are made from free-range chicken, have a good sauce, and include a vegetable side dish. I really like both the idea of and the taste of free-range chicken. Moreover, the staff is always pleasant and know what they're doing. Bread is served almost immediately. We like to sit in a comfy booth at the back where it's usually quieter. They also have a large bar that lots of people - especially young people - use. And another room w/ chairs and regular tables, plus eating outside if you prefer.

Snazzy cocktail bar and restaurant

By James F |

A really stylish bar and restaurant. I can highly recommend the watermelon cocktail and the jalapeno mojito. There are also some really good vegetarian snacks and meals

Extremely disappointed

By MarinaChuk22 |

Wow. Just a sad excuse for a dining establishment. A friend and I happened to be in the area after work looking for a new place to try for dinner. We come into an empty restaurant with the exception of 5 total patrons. We were sure to search the menu online ahead of time and were looking forward to a nice meal. We ordered specialty cocktails & 5 items from their menu. The cocktails were odd, both tasteless and watered down. I say odd because I couldn’t understand how they could serve something that didn’t even have a taste of alcohol. We kindly asked to exchange them for something else. We ordered seemingly fool proof drinks, tequila on the rocks & a sangria. After half a sip I realized that the sangria had a spoiled taste to it and topped with a browned apple wedge. The tequila on the rocks very clearly had some simple syrup added to it, not sure why. The food was not any better. The chicken, calamari & gnocchi were obviously from the frozen food department. The octopus, that was just shy of being a health hazard, didn’t look edible. The flatbread sounded delightful, prosciutto, fig, Brie etc. It was just ok, comparable to something served in an airport. Prosciutto was thick sliced and chewy. We politely declined dessert. The check arrived an we noticed that the drinks were still included (we sent them back earlier). When we mentioned this the manager was rude and defensive. Ultimately making the adjustment, we left with a bad taste in our mouths not just from the food but also from his attitude.

Romanic and funky vibe

By emilystacymon |

I live coming to banc cafe right after work. I usually come in for dinner or just a cocktail and it doesn't disappoint. The rosehill cocktail is amazing and having lamb chops as a appetizer is fantastic.

Fun place for dinner

By Pdelis50 |

Had dinner here. Nice outdoor dining in a neighborhood bar/cafe where you people watch. Very reasonably priced and good and different bar food. Not touristy at all and yet fairly close to Penn station.

Such a fun bar

By MAT |

I visited the bar with a friend, we were catching up over some bar food and drinks. The food was great especially the little cheese poppers and truffle fries. The bar staff where so nice and friendly. And manager Tom is just awesome, he made our visit an extremely positive, happy and fun visit. We will be back. Thank you

Yummy food, great happy hour

By Lisa A |

Yummy dinner - we ordered lots of apps, and each was better than the last (we loved the steak bao buns best). My kids enjoyed their kids meals (pasta and chicken fingers + fries) too. Great drinks, especially during their happy hour.

Its a shame

By Sam |

Went later at night and waiter did us a favor and took our order then left midway through our meal had a tough time getting check and drinks its a shame because the food was very good.

Great food and atmosphere

By alan41672 |

You have to try this lively cafe, but be warned it can get a bit loud in there. In fact the music was overwhelming. But having said that, the food was great. We were a party of 5 with reservations and were seated right away. We all tried something different so we could share. We started with prosciutto & fig flatbread which was delicious. The entrees we had were burgers, a wolly bull burger, shephard's pie, and filet mignon baguette. I think the only meal I would not rate as excellent was the filet mignon baguette as the meat was more like steak tips and tough. But everything else was great. Great service and prices. I would recommend trying this restaurant.

Awesome dinner and gluten free options

By frostypops |

Found this restaurant by accident but went because it had gluten free options. The place is lively , friendly and has a great atmosphere. There wasn't a lot of gluten free options but what I had was delicious and our family all had a really enjoyable meal. Staff were very efficient and friendly . Would definitely go back.

What a great place!

By GPBucket |

From the moment we walked in to the moment we left, we had a perfectly wonderful experience. We were early for our group of 6 and one of the hosts (all of them very friendly) brought us to some seats at the end of the bar (the point is we didn't have to find them or fight for them ourselves). The bartender was extremely friendly and helpful. We enjoyed her recommendations. When the rest of our group arrived we stayed at the bar for a while, and the service continued to be friendly and attentive. We sat at a lovely round booth at one end of the dining area. Our waitress was equally friendly and helpful. We shared 4 appetizers, and all were excellent. Everyone also loved their entrees. I had one of the specials of the day: seafood fra diavolo. It was perfect, just the right amount of spice. There was shellfish in 3 of our entrees, and all commented about how well-cleaned they were (no grit at all). We had an enjoyable well-paced dinner, and just when we thought it couldn't get any better, the waitress told us that on Mondays a dessert is included free for every 2 people spending $30. We were brought 3 dessert sampler plates that were totally delicious -- and totally devoured. For the finale, I'd have to say that even the bill wasn't too bad. We expected to pay more, so the value was even better than originally thought. When I got up to use the restroom, I basically had to walk through the entire restaurant, so I got to see everything. There was such a good feel and ambience about this place. The noise level and distance between tables, etc. were very comfortable. So whether you're going for dinner or just drinks, Banc Café is a definite fave!

Snooty And Annoying

By SUBZEROSKIDD10 |

I wasn’t a fan of this bar. This place thinks it’s upscale and the people in it are all Midtown workers who come in wearing their suits when their bank job lets out. Around 8 pm I found it to be filled with a bunch of drunk young professionals who are all trying to impress each other with their occupations, literally yelling over the loud music in the bar area. The only benefit was that the bartenders were nice and didn’t ignore customers who were only drinking beer and not the more expensive mixed drinks. Apparently their kitchen puts out great-tasting food but if it’s anything like their drinks, they will be over-priced. Needless to say, I won’t be back.

Food/ Service WONDERFULL

By 704shanekac |

Originally went to Banc for an office Christmas party which led me to have it as my go to after hours celebration place to go. The Happy Hour Watermelon Martini Excellent Macaroni & cheese , shrimp and chicken but the dessert THE BREAD PUDDING Is so tasty . Highly recommend.

Good Night Out

By Ericka C |

Great food, atmosphere and staff. Very reasonably priced in a good area. We walked in on a Saturday night in a group of 5 and were seated within 30mins. Couldn't have been nicer. Will return when I go back to NYC.