Flex Mussels Reviews

Excellent little place, we went for my birthday this year - I had and loved the thai mussels (the restaurant's best selling flavour option) and truffle fries, AMAZING. It's not super cheap, but it's not too expensive either at $25 and it's definitely worth it. I'll be going back soon.

My wife and I had eaten at Flex a few times, but not in over a year. Each time it was a spur of the moment decision, and could never get a reservation. Went last week, and were disappointed with the meal. We shared the fish taco appetizer (2 tacos), and they were ok. The mussels we ordered were small, not very plump, and not good. So for three glasses of wine (we split the third), one appetizer, and two mussel entrees the bill came to $132 before tip! And the place was packed. There are other places if you are in the mood for mussels that are way better and way less expensive. It was our last visit.

What a great place. Does not look like anything from the outside, but go in an walk down the corridor to enter a room which is buzzing. The dining room is casual, light and fresh with a nautical feel. We ordered the fried oysters, plus 2 honeysuckle from the raw bar, Puttanesca mussels and Lobster Bisque mussels, all was fabulous. 2 cocktails, Sour Patch and Duchess Bergamot, and we ordered the donuts as we had heard so much about them! Fluffier Nutter, Salted Caramel, Wild Blueberry and Meyer Lemon. $150 dollars including the tip, but well worth it. Our server was great, Michael, at 8.30pm on 12/28.

We absolutely loved Flex Mussels and the way it was served in the saucepans they were cooked in. Incredible flavour choices to complement the mussels. It was a very enjoyable night sitting outside with a glass of wine! Would highly recommend!

Great food and very plentiful dishes. You can actually share a mussels dish with a friend or date. The mussel dishes are served in a big pot with different spices in accordance with your order. I highly recommend the New England style but all the variations are great. I have tried Indian, asian twist... A little pricey but worth it. Reservations recommended.

I went on a Sunday and Availed myself of the happy hour menu! I got a dozen oysters, and the clam strips, with the white wine. Awesome. Relaxed atmosphere. I had walked 19,000 steps and I deserve a great dinner. I also got the flex donuts, and saved 3.

I am so sad to say that I loved Flex Mussels for years, but, no longer do. The size of the pot of mussels has decreased- by half!!!. The 'Classic' is no longer spicy and garlicky, For our last three visits we requested extra garlic. It just did not happen . This was my third and last visit to Flex. Their oysters were fresh and delicious and our waiter, Jack, terrific. However, this place is all about mussels and it has fallen short for the third and last time.

Family dinner for 4. This restaurant obviously specializes In Mussels, probably PEI, with multiple choices of sauces. We had 3 different bowls: Thai curry, spicy tomato and Parmesan and lobster bisque and were not disappointed. The apps are excellent as well and if Mussels are not your thing there are other choices, but why go there. It’s a really fun place to eat great mussel dishes served by very efficient staff in a nice location.

This place has been like a magnet for me for several months. Its facade is very attractive and the idea of a restaurant devoted to mussels very compelling. In the event, I had a dinner time to myself and decided to see what was really there. For starters, the restaurant is much larger than it appears with three rooms each with increasing size as you go from the front to the back. It is decorated with a number of paintings by an artist from Prince Edward Island, source of the mussels. The restaurant serves much more than mussels, including chicken and I believe a meat dish or two. However mussels are the name of their game and I had two of their specials of the evening. First was a rather ordinary guacamole served with chips. It was clearly very freshly made with good ingredients, but with a bit too much lemon for my taste. I prefer to add my own lemon. The spicy mussel dish was served in a large pot with about an inch of very spicy and interesting broth; it is also served with some excellent bread, perfect for dipping. There were about 30 mussels and three large shrimp, obviously a very generous serving. The side order of french fries were limp and uninspiring. About 20% of the mussels were very large, 50% average size, and 30% very small. This is my experience with mussels, which I prepare fairly often. Unless you shell and serve after triage, it impossible to predict how large the mussel will be inside the shell. Dessert was four fairly large donuts filled with peanut butter, strawberry, blueberry and chocolate, respectively. Served very hot with a vanilla sauce, quite fluffy and good for this sort of dessert. Overall, service was fast and efficient and very friendly. The major negative for me was that tables are very close together and although it would be possible to have a conversation with another person, it would not be comfortable. The experience was very pleasant and I certainly will go for the seafood in the future. Sunday evening starting at 7 o'clock is certainly not the time for a quiet meal at this restaurant.

Hadn't been here in a while so it's nice to see it's as great as it was the last time. We got this amazing salmon tartare appetizer and a really amazing kale salad. Then we got the mussels in a bisque sauce and mussels and fungi. Even the coffee was great. Really amazing place

Came across this little restaurant after visiting the Metropolitan Museum a few sundays ago and a great find.It was 4.00 p.m. and unfortunately the main restaurant wasn’t open but there was happy hour in the bar area.A delicious steaming bowl of mussels,truffle fries and a glass of vino verde was only $26.Very good price for New York.The barman was genuinely friendly and attentive and by 5.30p.m the place was full of local customers.I will definitely be revisiting and look forward to trying the menu in the main restaurant.Highly recommended.

Beyond description, taste is so good but also price is awesome. I and my wife went there at 6pm. Restaurant was already crowded but not so noisy to me; comfortable. We sat in the bar area as we enjoyed happy hour menus which lasted until 7pm. Awesome! Oyster was one dollar per piece and fries are four dollars! Never have I found such an reasonable restaurant in Manhattan. Needless to say, it is so popular. If you want to enjoy happy hour before 6pm is preferable as you can enjoy more oysters, mussels, wines etc. To notify that you might be careful for finding this restaurant since around it, there are under construction.

Had a reservation - sat and looked at menus - first decision was Yes, get a dozen oyster from happy hour menu. Only to be told by server that was only good up front at the bar and would we care to be seated there instead. UGH. Asked why the host gave us the happy hour menu then. Oh well....I was really here for mussels anyway - and oh my goodness, they were quite good. I would certainly recommend multiple visits if you live in the area - so you can try all the different preparations.

We ate fried oysters and many types of mussels. All were great and super tasty. The wakamole is even good here. Highly recommend.

Visited over the holidays while seeing our daughter. I must admit that this place piqued my interest when I heard Hoda Kotb say she really liked. So off we went. Make reservations, they do a nice business. I was very impressed with every single staff member. All nice and answered all our questions regarding the mussel flavors without becoming testy. Loved all the mussels and I don’t know why people were saying they were small and not enough. We had four different pots that were clean and steaming hot. We had the daily special pot which had a light tomato base with spicy an Italian flavors, the classic, the shrimp scampi that also had a nice spice and the Dijon pot which was the clear winner. That broth was drinkable! I do recommend taking the shrimp out of the scampi pot and placing on your bread plate so they don’t become overcooked in the steaming broth. That’s what I did and they were perfect. Wines are pricy but definitely enhanced our experience so we bought two bottles. But the best thing we had were the fried oysters and they need to tap into this market since Pearl Street Oyster Bar sadly closed. But they need a reasonable plate that includes at least some of their delicious fries. Not at some crazy prize like 50 bucks a dozen like they offered to us. We opted for six, but I clearly could have eaten several dozen they were so scrumptious. The fries were hot and tasty and the bread was perfect for dipping. Get that oyster plate and I will return from sunny Florida just to be there when it’s first offered!

Every possible way to cook & season mussels and have them be large, juicy and delicious has been accomplished here.

Happy hour is the way to go! We arrived as they opened at 5, sat at the bar and began our feast! The happy hour menu is more limited but there were delicious choices that did not disappoint. Drinks, "The one with spicy Tequila" and "The one with the spritz (and Aperol)." We started with a dozen oysters, perfect, not too big, not chewy and just delicious. Clam Strips that were hot and crunchy. Mussels & fries and we chose them fra Diavolo and they must be eaten with spoons and bread so you don't miss any of the sauce! By that point, we were pretty stuffed but there was no way we were skipping the donuts,OMG! My husband recalled that they were small, ha, not really! We ordered 6 (or 4 if you choose), salted caramel, chocolate, strawberry, and my all-time favorite the Meyer lemon served with vanilla sauce. Of course, we couldn't finish them so we brought some home but I'm still salivating over thoughts of the Meyer lemon. The guys behind the bar were attentive and pleased that we enjoyed our meal and yes, we truly did.

Flex Mussels, an import to NYC from PEI (that’s Prince Edward Island in Canada, where the good mussels are from), has some of the best mussels in the city. For dinner or Sunday brunch, a bucket of these bad boys will take care of that mussel craving. From traditional to more exotic flavors like Thai curry and Indian spice, there are plenty of flavors to suit any taste. For brunch, there are also the excellent everything donuts, essentially a donut stuffed with cream cheese and the stuff that goes on an everything bagel. It’s as good as it sounds. The toast with goat cheese is overflowing with tasty cheese, but at $9 ouch. The beer menu is not bad, but I was surprised that there were far more beers on tap than the menu listed. The Fra Diavolo mussels were impeccably good with a nice level of spice and garlic. It was so good, the fries (which are a must for soaking up sauce) weren’t enough so I drank it. You can’t find better mussels in NYC, though you’ll definitely pay for the quality here with $25 not uncommon for a bucket of mussels.

A bit off the main road from Lexington and 82nd street on the east side. Nice atmosphere. I still prefer the mussels experience at Lowe's, Paris. Mussels are smaller here and not as tasty. $30 per order. Octopus and fried oysters were good. Open only for dinner 530-11pm

Writing reluctantly. The happy hour fro 5-7 at Flex Mussels bar area is a gem. Small perfect menu of drinks, beer, wine and a few perfect bites. The happy hour mussels are $1.50 each for a happy happy palate. But stay away. Please.

I have been to both locations. I truly love everything I have had on the menu. The crab guacamole is rich and delicious. A favorite appetizer is the Burnt Fingers. Perfectly prepared, crispy calamari, shrimp and oysters with a tangy dipping sauce. The mussels are amazing - it is hard to choose! If you have room, the doughnuts are a great finish. Salted Caramel and Meyer Lemon are my fave. Highly recommended!

Discovered Flex Mussels while browsing places to eat. Made a weeknight trip into then City for an 8 pm dinner. Parked half a block away (good karma already). Say at the bar for drinks and oysters as we were early. Staff at the bar - bartender and oyster shucker were great. Friendly. Great oyster recommendations. They were all fresh and delicious. Loved their t shirts - all had cool thematic messages. The mussels were fresh, well cooked, plentiful, and delicious. Bisque - with lobster and another with lump crabmeat were great. Fries were well done. And of course - donuts! S’mores, PB&J, cinnamon sugar were delicious with vanilla cream dipping sauce. We left feeling very good about the evening there. Food. Drinks. People. All were great. Tables were. Little close together in the back, and it was a little loud. But those did not detract from the evening. Well recommended. We will be back!

We were very happy with their 82 street location. And decided after several years to try third avenue location. The dice was a good deal larger with a large open area with seating a a loud happy crowd. Service was quite good and their craft beers in cans were also fine. The issue was the poor quality of the mussels with grit and the scant quantity delivered. We both had the issues with different types of mussels and complained to the manager. He compared desserts which was ok but when your primary dish is off it literally left a poor taste in our mouths. Perhaps they had a bad day and one day we might try again but this memory is quite stark. Please clean up your mussels!

Had dinner here last night. So many mussel options it was hard to decide what to get. So we ordered way too much delicious food!

Wow...flex either has gone down hill or hopefully just had a real off night. Had a res for a biz dinner well in advance on early side. With corner two tops available hostess tried to put us at the worst table in the middle. Why? Flex has a good happy hour for UES, but the must manage better, as they are obviously backed up with the $8 happy hour cocktails, so we waited 20 minutes after ordering the same cocktails, but ours for $14 being in the main dining room. The $29 bowls of mussels used to be a large steaming pot full. The portions (but not prices) have reduced dramatically. My colleague and I who are not finicky both noticed. Even the calamari garnish in my sauce was like 3 or 4 rings of it...scarce. The waiter was nice, but intruded often. Stuck his arm in front of my face without an excuse me to scrape a few bread crumbs off the table, when he saw we were having a focused conversation. Then they tried to turn the table too pressured and quickly. Three bus boys/waiters tried to take our half full water carafe without asking if we were done...I literally grabbed it back from the last guy. Then the manager grabbed our check 5 seconds after the waiter put it down. I had to yell to her as she sprinted away that I hadn’t even looked and no card was put down yet. I’m talking amateur hour here. Would have been 1-2 stars but averaged it up to 3 as experiences some time ago were better. Note to management, prioritize the dining room including a table like us ($200 for 2 people) paying full prices for small drinks and portions. Happy hour needs to take a back seat, or managed better to use one bartender for each rooms drinks. Flex will not occur to me as a destination for a long time to come.

I had an extremely disappointing experience at your restaurant on April 27, 2025, at 5:00 PM. I have visited this restaurant multiple times before without any issues, but this time I faced an unacceptable situation. I was with my service dog, and the staff, including someone who was temporarily acting as a manager, treated me disrespectfully. My service dog was quietly resting on my lap, and I was within my legal rights to have her with me. However, instead of following the law and showing professionalism, the staff acted in an ignorant and hostile manner. At the end of our interaction, when I paid my bill, the employee actually told me, ‘I hope you never come back here.’ No manager in New York City would ever behave this way. This was a clear violation of my rights and a complete lack of respect for customers. I will not return to this restaurant and strongly advise others to avoid it as well.

Went with a friend for dinner on a Friday night and when we first walked in bar was packed and it looks like a tiny restaurant that I would typically hate, but once we were seated in the back the place opens up and has a great vibe. Service was excellent. We ordered the crab guac appetizer - SO delicious. As far as mussels, I got the funghi and LOVED it. I have nothing to compare to since this was my first time trying mussels, but definitely a great dish. Dunking the bread in the pot after was also genius. Donuts for dessert were the reason I found the restaurant on my Instagram feed, but I thought they were nothing special & have had better at the bakery. Overall, would definitely recommend and had a delicious dinner with great service.

thank u very much the waiters and the chef I enjoy my Devine Devine meals with you. if you keep up then I am bringing all my friends in

i didn't know how incredible mussels are until i came here. so many broth & flavor options. the kale salad is too tiny i think, but they're generous with their excellent bread. also, incredible fish tacos.

This review is a result of dining here twice recently. I started off one of the dinners with their Chowder Soup. It has a mixture of items in it but no clams, but it seemed to have a clam or mussel flavored broth. It was good but was nothing that I would order again. The Salmon main course was cooked to what I thought was a medium degree, although the waitress said that they cook the salmon to medium-rare degree when the customer does not specify. I ordered Brussel Sprouts to accompany that. Both were just okay. At another dine there, I had the Blue Point Oysters at the bar during Happy Hour, they were very good and were only $1 each. For my main course I had the Fish and Chips. The fish, I assume, was Cod Fish and it had little flavor compared to the best that I have had elsewhere.

We really enjoy this place as the preparation of the dishes is excellent. We had three people and ordered a pot each, but two pots would have been plenty. For sides we especially enjoyed the lobster mac and cheese. Sadly we didn't have room for the doughnuts, but next time we will save room for sure!

Had just finished up a few hours at the Cooper Hewitt museum and wanted something nearby. We were able to get a last minute reservation at 6:45 on a Saturday, too. The smoked Salmon appetizer was very good and the Mexican mussels were flavorful and perfect for dipping the fresh bread into. We also got the truffle French fries which were amazing and finished with 4 different flavors of donuts. WOW. They were amazing, fresh, delicate and a perfect finish to a very satisfying meal. I highly recommend this restaurant.

Yes, if you like muscles this is defiantly the place for you. I had the Thai my hubby had the special pork shoulder, friend had Bangkok and Parmigiana. All outstanding. Then we had the donuts. OMG. What delicious puffs of heaven. Next time I come back to NY were coming back

If you like seafood and wine and nice service go here. We were served s verbal types of mussels from pei that I love. And great frites They many other seafood specialties but then tend to get to busy Friday and Saturday nights. I think it is a good option for a nice evening out.

We come for the sumptuous mussels and also for the donuts. It's a MUST try when eating here. The salted caramel and fluffer nutter is to die for.

Excellent and unexpected flavors - the Parmesan mussels were outstanding. We tried 4 different flavors, but the Parm one was the best. Excellent service too. The donuts were just ok - a bit too sweet and not fluffy/light enough.

This upper east side location is convenient after visits to Neue Gallerie, the Jewish Musem or the Met. We arrived hungry and found the mussels and the lobster mac OK but not extraordinary. I ordered a "spicy greens" salad which was saltier than spicy. When I commented on the level of salt in the salad dressing, they promptly replaced it with one which seemed just as salty to me. Perhaps the chef should do a check on this. The fries were excellent.

As a family, we absolutely loved this place! We're big mussel fans, so having a restaurant where there are over 20 different choices of ways to have them was ingenious! We don't have anything like this in London! We all had a different style of sauce with our mussels and each one was so tasty in it's own way. My mum is the only peraon who is not a mussel fan but she wasn't disappointed. The chicken dish she had was cooked to perfection. The service, as always in NYC, was great. They are so attentive! Last, but not least, you MUST stay for the donuts! We ordered the plate of 6 between 5 of us and we chose a different filling for each donut. Oh. My. Goodness! They were so freaking good. We could have eaten 2 or 3 plates of them! 100% recommend! 100% you must go!

no waiting for table at 6:00pm nice menu good staff food delivered hot and ready one small problem grandsons dish had to be replaced as it was not cooked correctly waitress took care of it and brought a new order which was really great thos donut desserts are to die from

The PEI mussels with a nice variety of sauces was yummy and fresh. The place gets packed so go early. I love the neighborhood, lots of little shops and restaurants.

3 of us had dinner, it was ok. There was nothing particularly good or bad. We sat at the bar counter, which is required for happy hour. We had 2 different salads from regular menu, about $14 each. Portion was small, even for NYC. Expected much bigger portion. 2 pots of mussels, in my opinion, they were medium and small sized. Classic was fine, did not like the Dijon. 2 dozen happy hour oysters, blue point is the only variety for happy hour. They were good, the best part of the meal. Go shucker (no cooking) We also had clam strips and fish taco. Nothing to write about. Wine by the glass? they were ok, not good, not bad. Atmosphere? Ok. Hmm, there is a theme here. OK. Happy Hour value was ok, would not go for regular price at all. We were not mistreated in any way, just feel there is no reason to go back.

Very busy restaurant that serves fantastic fresh muscles. I have been there both on a date and with a small group of friends and it is always excellent. They have good wine, appetizers, and dessert as well.

Sat @the bar, excellent service (Diego, Cesar, and Aldo). They recommended the Dijon mussels, spot on! They where great. Fries also very good. Dessert perhaps not so much, donuts where served @ room temperature with a cold vanilla sauce. Would recommend they be served warm with a warm sauce. Priced according to quality. Will come back! PS: we need a franchise in north Miami!

The noise level is annoying and playing music makes it worse. The wine list is strange and expensive. They have lots of variations on mussels but only one of them is typical. The lobster fries sounds great but is an expensive small grilled lobster and lots of fries. The fish tacos are good, just the right amount of heat. The lobster roll was toasted too long and had minimal lobster for $35. Want mussels? Try one of the UES French places.

The bar tenders wear some amusing tee shirts. One of them says "Mussel Tov," a play on the Yiddish word Mazeltov. During Happy Hour at the bar I had the Blue Point Oysters which were good, and especially at the Happy Hour price of $1 each. For my main course I had the delicious Mussels Parma ($27.50) which has, besides the mussels, parmigiana cream broth, scallions, and crispy shallots (see my photo).

Had the pleasure of dining there this past weekend and had an excellent meal. Appetizers were great and the entrees fantastic. Great atmosphere and very attentive wait staff. You will not be disappointed.

Mussel and Shrimp Great Lobster roll Great Salmon Good Don’t order the Chicken Milanese Why would you at a seafood restaurant? Deserts Donuts really Great Lemon Mirange sp…Great Service Great Overall Good Times!!! Go! Swashbuckler Drink Great

Go during Happy Hour--enough mussels for two to share (plus fries) with a beer (or wine) for $24. The mussels are exceptional--I've had fresh mussels on multiple coasts and these are as good as any. It's always busy, so make sure you get there early during Happy Hour (5:30-7:30). You won't regret it.

I live near Flex Mussels UES and haven't gone before because I already have several neighborhood favorites. By chance, we planned to go with friends who suggested Flex Mussels. Not expecting a great dining experience, we thought the neighborhood convenience would outweigh the food. Boy, were we wrong. The food is fantastic and I am looking forward to going back soon. The appetizers, the fried calamari was huge and was the perfect complement for my Mussels Amatriciana. Really enjoyed the food and company. The restaurant in popular, make sure you get reservations or you'll have a wait.

Our first time at this Upper East Side joint was a success -- we loved the West Village location, and are glad both have reopened. I started with oysters, which were plump and fresh -- always have to ask for horseradish with oysters, here and at every other seafood restaurant? I enjoyed the Dijon Mustard mussels, my wife the Mushroom/Bacon version. Fries have to be ordered separately, and come with ketchup. We'll be back!

As with all things it really depends on your price bracket and style of eatery. We wanted a mid priced experience for sea food for a birthday and this delivered. Fun, relaxed with a bit of an edge ( we were definitely the oldest in their.. gen age twenties and thirties I would say..). WE all had the mussels in a variety of ways and they were beautiful. ordered some sides of fries too. We did go for the donuts as everyone recommended them and yes AMAZING - and i don't normally eat them.. but 6 was way too many for even 2 of us so be mindful or portion size. Super waitress also, very helpful and honest.

I ordered Dijon style mussels: the sauce on top of the mussels was curdled. There were about 25 mussels in the pot, filling it up only half. Manager said it was all normal. Fra Diavolo mussels also only filled half the pot. For both orders most of the mussels were small and shriveled, not plump and juicy as advertised. The fries taste and look exactly like McDonald's fries. The oysters were good. Flex Mussels was out of Sauvignon Blanc. Not a place to go back to.

Really delicious mussels and for NYC not expensive at all. I recommend rather SAN DANIELE - or PARMA mussels with parmigiano cream, lemon, scallions, toasted garlic and shallots. The service was friendly and very attentive. A nice place for a date night or dinner with friends.

Everything one could expect with super fresh oysters to good wine and service! Definitely a hidden gem where it’s off the beaten path.

I've been wanting to try Flex for about three years, but every time I think of it/ am nearby is lunch and late afternoon hours and they are only open for dinner. Wish they had lunch on the weekdays! We hit it after a trip to the Met at Happy Hour and sat at the bar, sharing a pot of the Fra Diavolo and subbed wine for the beer (very limited beer selection). The mussels were delicious, big, fresh, and flavorful. The serving was enough for two, coming with fries and fresh bread for the sauce. We also observed the staff carefully shucking and checking nice oysters- we'll order those next time too. Loved it. The bar seating area is a little cramped with no place to set down a purse/bag- I had a lap of belongings during my meal that a under counter hook could have helped. But no complaints about food or service!

Return visit to this awesome place. I could eat here at least 3 times week. We started with the white fish ceviche on tortilla chip. Plenty of heat and very scrumptious with a guacamole sauce. Then Katie bare the door- the mussels arrived-San Daniele and mussels Fra Diabolo. Wonderful. The San Daniele had prosciutto caramelized onions and cream-awesome on a bitter cold night. The Fra Diablo were spicy and rich in tomato sauce with basil. Plenty mussels with awesome crusty bread. You just want to drink the broth that’s how good this place is. Ordered dessert-the donuts were good- but not loving the fillings- the chocolate was like eating a Hershey’s chocolate bar-need to up your game and go with a better chocolate. The same can sad for the caramel cause it tasted like the caramels wrapped in plastic not what caramel should be. The lemon curd was like lemon jello pudding. But the s’more one had really good chocolate use that for the chocolate filled donut. So skip the donuts but surely go for the mussels and the reason I love this place!

On a recent trip to NYC, friends insisted on eating at Flex. I looked up the menu online to assure I could order something other than mussels. The last they 3 guest at my table all ordered mussels and I ordered shrimp cocktail. The shrimp were huge and delicious but after tasting the mussels I regretted not getting them. I begged off of everyone’s plates and loved all 3 flavors they had ordered. And of course, the donuts are warm and fabulous.

The place is nice and the mussels are excellent. The service is friendly. If you do not like mussels do not go there since the rest of the food is quiet mediocre.

Every time we visit our daughter in NYC, we visit Flex Mussels. As always, the mussels were fantastic, as were the doughnuts. The only downer about this visit was that the dining room was full, so,we had to eat at the side bar...should have made reservations.

Enjoyed an incredibly delicious lunch here. We had reservations which was nice as they became busy and it's a fairly small place. Mussel options were great - we ended up with the Parma and the Thai mussels - both were to die for!! One person also had the chicken and loved it. Truffled Parmesan fries also very good. Service was also excellent! If I lived closer, I'd be a regular here!

Order one of the mussels dishes. They are excellent & everything else is window dressing. That being said, we enjoyed the Octopus. Truffle fries are a must too. Busy fun and not pretentious. Great choice!

Wonderful bartenders and wait staff. Great beet salad and delicious grilled octopus. Mussels to die for. Excellent lobster mac n cheese and grilled salmon. Ate far too much!

Great place to get fresh seafood, especially mussels. I wanted the whole menu so did not partake but their Sunday/Monday happy hour seems like a great value and had the entire barside front of the restaurant packed at 6:45 on a Monday. This time had the German style mussels with beer and dijon in the pot and a mid-sized hot pretzel sitting on top of the plate of steaming mussels. Plenty of good fresh bread on the table for dipping. Absolutely delicious. Mussel portions for around $23-28 dollars are large so skip the appetizers unless you are really hungry. Nice beer selection including three on tap. I wish I had not waited a year to come back here.

Great little restaurant with excellent food. Quite small with lots of tables so can get quite loud. Wait staff excellent. Food reasonably priced but wine and other drinks quite expensive. I had fried oysters and Thai mussels which were delicious and quite filling!

Was hoping for a European style mussel restaurant. Disappointed. Nice atmosphere. Mussels served in a variety of broths. Mussels are small to average in size -- not large like those served elsewhere. A seafood chowder was watery. "Beet salad" was actually a spinach salad with small cubes of beet added. It was good if you wanted a spinach salad -- not sliced beets like served elsewhere. Crab/guacamole appetizer was very good. The restaurant is noisy and the tables are very close together, making conversation difficult.

Was out looking for dinner and found this place. It’s been on my list of places to try so I decided to go in. You definitely need a reservation but since I was solo I managed to get a seat at the bar. The bartenders were the best part of the restaurant. The mussels were really good; I had the Thai mussels, but just all a little overpriced in my opinion, but sold option if you want mussels.

You like mussels? Any kind you can think of? Pick your favorite flavors from anywhere, and they probably have a mussel dish for you! I've had cream sauces, red sauces, thai sauces.. and I always want more! The place is deceiving. Its like an Alice in Wonderland trip.. It just keeps getting bigger as you walk back! Its decorated like a seafood take out in the front and has a really nice dining area in the back. Go! Enjoy.. I told you so! Yum!

Flex Mussels is a solid choice for a casual dinner in the UES. Reasonable prices, limited but strong wine list, excellent raw oysters, and tasty mussels prepared in some fresh and interesting ways. Probably best for couples or small groups, though you could have 6+ at a table towards the back room. Clean, sleek aesthetic and relaxed, knowledgeable staff. For seafood eaters, it can't miss.

Had dinner here on a Fri. Evening. It was very busy but the food was amazing!! We were in a back corner & the service was a little slow but the food was fabulous! The mussels were of course delicious!!

We had a wonderful dinner in this cozy restaurant. Excellent service in a very warm environment. Crab Guacamole is amazing and the choice of Mussel dishes is extensive. Will definitely go back!

Perfect food and nice staff :) Delicious mussels and great double espresso :) But the tables stand too close each to other. The feeling like your sitting in the middle of the table of your neighbors ! Just impossible to stand up and walk to washroom :( you must ask the close table to move it for you... it was really disappointed ....

Everything from our delicious appetizers to our dessert was amazing! The service was top notch. Very attentive, friendly kept us informed about our order. Delicious cocktails and wine selection. Beautiful atmosphere. Definitely returning!

My husband and I ate here while attending a business meeting on the upper east side. With reservations, you are seated quickly in this bustling casual restaurant. They have mussels (and other seafood) in a dizzying variety of preparations. My choice was a tad spicy, and I like spice. The donuts for the dessert are full size donuts - so order to share! (4 is the smallest # you can get) They are fresh and delicious 'jelly donut' style.

Make sure to make a reservation here because it definitely can get crowded. I'd say the mussels here are good though I've for sure have had better. The Bombay broth is flavorful and recommended. What was disappointing however was that I was expecting a bit more broth. You'd have to dig into the pot to get to the broth at the beginning. If you like him, I'd recommend the duchess of bergamot cocktail. Finish off dinner with donuts (you can choose different flavors for each). I'm glad my friend and I only ordered 4 as we could barely eat anymore by the end!

So many delicious ways to serve mussels, so little time. I had the Mussels Fra Viablo, and my wife had them "Italian Style", with shrimp substituting to the calamari (which they were happy to do at her request). Both dishes were excellent. There were about another 20 styles I wished I could try. But we'll have to find a time to come back!

We enjoyed the happy hour both food and drinks. Staffs were friendly, crowd people but service was not slow. The happy hour is only the bar area, not for the restaurant area. We were sat in the wrong area. Staff who was in the restaurant area suddenly change his face when we asked for an happy hour price.

Would highly recommend given ambience, service and quality and variety of their specialty--- PEI mussels. Look forward to returning on next visit to NYC

It's nice to see a restaurant that specializes in a certain food does it right! The mussels were fresh and packed with taste (I tried three types) and they all please my palate. Order the truffle fries and a beer and your set.

Great muscles, I had walked by this place a million times and decided to check it out, and was not disappointed. A much welcome neighborhood spot off the main drag of 2nd Ave.

It was Sunday, we walked in at about 1:30 PM. The place was busy with diners but we were quickly seated at a table for 4. The decor was nice, it's a long tube house with lots of colorful paintings, seating at the bar in the front, tables in the back side. Noise level was medium, it was not too difficult to hear each others at the table. Service was prompt and friendly. Despite the restaurant name the menu is not uniquely sea food, it has a variety of other offerings as exemplified by our orders: Classic mussels, Huevos rancheros (Spanish for ranch egg), Buttermilk pancakes, and Shelly Benedictowictz (essentially potato latke, smoked salmon and dill creme fraiche). White wine by the glass was pleasant but not necessarily outstanding. We had small donuts with diverse toppings for dessert, they were surprisingly good. I ranked the overall experience 4/5 but the other fellow diners gave rankings in between 3 and 4, so you have it. By and large, it's a nice place for brunch if you happen to be in the neighborhood. Our brunch for 4 with wine was $115 excluding tip.

After a trip along Museum Mile we stumbled into a happy hour that really was a happy hour because the oysters were $1 each. A large pot of mussels with fries and a beer was also part of their happy hour special. The oysters were fresh and the guys behind the bar friendly.

Yes it is, and plenty of it. My daughter lives down the street, so met up with her and friends for a rollicking good dinner. The place is on the small side, and crowded, but they make it all work and manage to pay attention to you as well (this is the point I am always making about restaurants in New York versus anywhere else). We left sated with mussels and fun cocktails. Expect to spend about $65 a head - they aren't giving the stuff away.

What a incredible place - from the wonderful reception to the great fun atmosphere to the amazing waiter - thank you Taylor - to the great delicious food - to the efficient and hardworking bus staff - Flex Mussels should be in your list

Me and my parter came here on Valentine's Day, such a great pick from me I must say! I love seafood! If you go here you have to get the lobster Mac and cheese for starters, not kidding it was the best I've ever had! And we have Mac and cheese in a few places in NY. Staff are friendly and welcoming, service was great and to top it off we finished with there donuts which are also a must have! No matter how full you are, you can't leave without trying these!

For real. I'm not a big mussels guy, the texture alone normally skives me out. My cousin took the family here one night and my mind was blown. I don't really know what I ate but everything we ordered was incredible and did not taste anything like I remember mussels tasting like. The atmosphere was on point and service was great. A truly satisfying dining experience.

A bit crowded. But wonderful food and drinks. Don't forget to make a reservation! Mussels are, of course, the specialty, and the rest kept up with them!

Wow, fresh and tasty barely touches how great this place is. Fresh oysters are delicious. Fried oysters were plump and tender. Truffle fries were yummy, Thai mussels are the killer here. Don’t miss the donuts. Perfect from beginning to end. A little tight with the seating but once the food is served you quickly forget your cramped.

We had a lovely Happy Hour meal in this excellent little eatery A dozen good mussels each, a little on the small side but nonetheless delicious. Followed by yummy crab guacamole for me and Moules Mariner with fries for my sister. About $90 incl tip.

we , of course, has classic mussels, and mussels fra diavlo. We had fired oysters to start and their excellent french fries with the mussels. They also have many beers. We had the classic sancerre with dinner. They do have chicken for those dines who don t want mussels. But why? The only complaint was that our food was very slow coming out. The table next to us came after we were seated and they got their mussels before us. There is a sister restaurant in Greenwich Village.

Dinner out with friends. Hostess seemed a bit snooty, after that everything improved. Food and drinks were good, service good... prices a bit high even for the upper east side.

For seafood and oyster lover, this is the place to be. Happy hour is a awesome way to load up on the oysters without big bill. Great 👍🏻 happy hour really. A must visit! Everything is yummy and too much variety...

the Best restaurant in my last visit to NY Tree times in a week ... Everything was super Special mention to the Mexican friends working there

Best place in NYC if you love Mussels served a gazillion different ways. The atmosphere is casual with intimate surroundings.

This restaurant is a dream come true and I have been visiting for over 6 years. Mussels don't get the exposure they need and I try to get them wherever I can. These guys need to be available in other cities in the US! Love the Place!

This is not a fancy place, but I am giving it five stars because there are so many choices for the mussels and they are of such good quality. Also our server was extra friendly and helpful.

Ate there with my wife and daughter. Servers are very knowledgeable as to menu and wines. Ate Dijon mussels, they were excellent had a fantastic flavor. Ran out of bread and wanted to lick the bottom of the serving pot. Have about 5 other types of mussels there none have disappointed. Save room for dessert donuts, a different way to wrap up a good meal. Manager took care of a past problem and was super.

This was a yummy meal. I wish we had gone for dinner so that I could have chosen from the full list of mussels. Amazing selection! One dish out of 4 was a little over done but otherwise it was great. The service was amazing! The manager sent us a complimentary dessert and it was wonderful gooey donuts. I'd go back but would go for dinner next time.

Truth be told, I am not a fan of mussels -- but my friends and husband are so I was happy to go along. And when in Rome... I knew I would have to try them. Admittedly they were good, but I was also very content with my beet salad and fish tacos -- and the truffle fries. There is an extensive wine and beer menu as well and a knowledgeable server to assist in a selection. We had an optimal table in a not so noisy section of the restaurant and what better way to end the meal than with a donut sampler of 6 varieties. Fun and causal night out with friends.

Get the Thai mussels, you will not be disappointed, had clam strips as an appetizer and they came out phenomenal with an excellent house tartar sauce. Had with “the one with tequila in it” for drink and was perfect citrus/spicy accent to the whole meal. Thank you Flex!!

This restaurant is inviting from the moment you walk in...not too fancy but New England nautical elegance. Nice artwork! The Mussels are great and an abundance of preparations to choose from. We notice that is instructed to save room for the donuts on the menu...hmmm...so we did! Whereas the mussels are great, the donuts are out of this world!! Do not miss them...especially the salted caramel! Sounds like an odd combo but the savory mussels followed by the sweet donuts is a winning combo!

The place is pleasantly decorated with subtle colors and a few nice paintings It is without any doubt on the noisy side The menu focus on the mussels as expected with a wide variety of sauces The bread served in a metal bucket is delicious The drink menu offers a good choice of beers and wines I opted for a canadian wheat beer which was probably the smoothest wheat beer I ever tasted The southern mussels are delicious The mussels are very fresh and the sauce remind me of simple thai steam mussels and was pefectly executed with fresh aromatic ingredients The frech fries served in a cone of paper like on a belgium sea front are thin and tasty Overall a wonderful simple but perfectly executed cuisine

This is a great upper east side restaurant which is fantastic for mussel lovers. Has over 20 different types of mussel choices as well as great sides. Dessert also very good with beignets. Service is lively and restaurant very vibrant atmosphere.

It is the best mussels place I ever visited. Very big selections of mussels. Dont miss the happy hour where you can get 1$ Oyster and also beer and fries with each order of mussels. It is everyday from 5 to 7. We came 2 times here during my short visit to NYC. Try also calamari strips it is very nice.

We both LOVE Flex, and have visited both locations numerous times! Decided that sitting at the bar or counter is the way to go if there are 2 in your party, as the tables are very tight, and you feel like the next table is joining you. I’ve noticed with parties of 4+, the larger tables, especially uptown, have a bit more room. As always- perfection from start to finish, with a fabulous server, and food timed to appear with finesse. Amazing happy hour raw oysters in the Bar area for $1 each!! 6other choices on chalkboard by bar. Great Fries ( from a dedicated unadvertised gluten free fryer too! Only wish we had a Flex at home, so I could eat that’s more often!

We shared mussels Parma, bruschetta and dejon. Bruschetta least favorite amount all of us (4). We shared choc, p&j, s'more, strawberry,salted Carmel, and a special Oreo and cream donuts. Delicious and a definite. Special Oreo and cream was all of our favorites and surprisingly the strawberry (thought it would be too ordinary but was extra ordinary) was a big hit but I don't think you could go wrong with any choice. The place was definitely worth it. Our waitress was very helpful with suggestions. Good service.

The review is based on this person’s behavior; not on the food or servers. I would have rated it 5, otherwise. I Inga (apparently a manager) was rude, literally shoved me and my bag after I tried to slide down the communal table to make space for new quests. She yelled at me because according to Inga, I was supposed to put in a request to do so in advance.....A waiter who noticed the entire scene said he was not surprised by her behavior as she is apparently does not treat her staff with respect either.. A couple who sat by me also complained about this manager's behavior - while they were waiting for a table, she yelled and shoved them to the corner. This is just not acceptable for either customers or staff. This individual competlely ruined everyone's experience and on a Saturday night.

They rush you in and out. The noise level is horrible. The mussels are very average. Not a pleasant place to having dinner.

As a very picky mussels lover, I thoroughly enjoyed the food. From the truffle fries to the large dish of mussels, the meal was spot on. A few down side like having too much to pick from(not a bad thing, only makes things difficult) and the noise level was high. It makes it a little difficult to hold a conversation.

Fun little spot. Cozy and lively. Lots of interesting styles of mussels. We had two buckets and both were very fresh. One of the two hostesses was not helpful or welcoming. The other was perfect and saved our night. It is so easy to be helpful, not annoying. It makes a big difference in overall experience. 5 stars otherwise.

If you like mussels, this is the place to go. There are many different types of seasonings and they are served in a medium sized cooking pot. The mussels come from Prince Edward's Island so they are large and very flavorful. You get a basket of bread with your meal. The atmosphere was lively and everyone was having a great time. Dessert was hot donuts that come in several varieties. I will go back the next time I visit NYC.

First time visit to this Flex location on the UES, and it’s just as good as downtown. Place was packed but the staff is 1st rate with a special mention for Giacomo. We started with a dozen oysters then moved on to the mussels. Menu provides good choices for whatever your seafood tastebuds are wanting. Save room for the donuts. Nice wine list that compliments the menu.

Arrived tonight at 8:39pm and been told that the kitchen just closed. For a restaurant that open until 10pm, its a total joke!

Went during off hours when they only had the snack menu, short but good (oysters, one type of mussels, finger food). Just had oysters which were EXCELLENT! Highly recommended!

Perfectly prepared with a nice variety of flavorings. We ordered 4 different selections Classic, Dijon, Thai and Fra Diavolo. The Classic were rated the best with just the right amount of wine, garlic and herbs. For dessert you have to try a variety of donuts. We ordered fluffernutter, blueberry, smores, and cinnamon sugar. All were delicious but our favorite was the traditional cinnamon sugar. Pair any of them with a cup of coffee for the perfect ending to a fabulous meal.

The mussels were excellent. I had a spicy red sauce that was to die for. The service was very good. All in all it was a nice experience.

Have wanted to go here for awhile. Reservations are difficult to get last minute. Booked to celebrate two birthdays. Had a great shared appetizer and shared salad. Each of us had a different mussel dish. I loved mine. Everyone seemed to like theirs. It's expensive but you get tons of mussels. The only ripoff are the truffle fries which were tiny and way overpriced and fries should have been included with the meal as all mussel places do.

We came here with my family during branch. This place is amazing. The classic mussels are fantastic. The lobster roll, I ordered warm is delicious. This was the first time for us and we are definitely coming back.

The atmosphere is great! The stuff is really friendly but the food is not that best i have tried so far.

Flex Mussels continues to be absolutely the best mussel restaurant ever. We visited for the fourth or fifth time in the past several,years and it is unwavering good. There are probably close to a dozen different broth available, and each I've tried is excellent. Also, don't forget the wonderful donuts for desert. A real winning combination.

Food is great. Bread is great. We’ve enjoyed everything we have had there. My muscles had some sand last time I was there. I think the prices are slightly high. But definitely a great meal.

The other things on the menu are fine but forget them .Get several pots of mussels prepared differently, share, and gorge yourself. There is fresh bread for dipping to top it off. These mussels were so well prepared, fresh and different. The service is excellent and friendly. You have to balance the food as the tables are tiny but who cares. This is one of those spots you bring people to from out of town for the entire experience

This place offers various ways that you can have your mussels cooked and seasoned. my personal Favorite is Thai Curry just and amazing blend of flavors. For dessert we had their donuts that are perfectly warm with a vanilla bean dip. Something I would recommend trying. The only disappointment was that it can get very busy and you may have to sit at the bar if you don't have a reservation :( and it's a little uncomfortable sitting in those seats. They do have excellent customer service which I was surprised, Luis the manger was very helpfully with service provided.

Visiting family and the son-in-law selected Flex Mussels for our first day dinner. We shared some of the PEI raw oysters and they were great. I love oysters and have a couple places I trust in my hometown DC and am leery of most there. He tried a variety of the PEI offerings and were not disappointed. Could have made a meal of them alone. If you come during happy hour and you sit at the bar they are only $1.50 each. Wished I read the sign before we sat at a table and ordered mussels but glad I did after getting my mussels. We had the Fra Diavolo, Classic and Mexican versions. All equally great. With bread for dipping was just a great way to enjoy the sauces. We also had a side of fries with white truffle grated on top. If you are a oyster and mussel fan you have to give this place a try. Definately a redo.

Great ambience and smart decor in the bar area, called in for happy hour which is seated at the bar and counter. Shared 6 happy hour oysters as our appetiser and both had the mussels and fries for entrées, one classic, one Dijon and both were tasty and the accompanying beer was good too. Shared 4 donuts as dessert, pbj and fluffernutter were our favourite. Check came to around $100 with tip, definitely revisit.

My wife is a mixed media artist and we were visiting The Ink Pad just around the corner which happens to be one of the few remaining artist supply stores in New York. We were hungry and decided to have lunch at this wonderful little restaurant which also happens to have the greatest t-shirts that the staff wear. This place is one of those gems that one discovers by accident and remembers for a long time. Wonderful food,excellent service and an unrivaled ambience.My favorite T-shirt 'Mussel Tov'.

There was no happy hour like we read on the TripAdvisor app. The mussels were fine but not as tasty as those in Belgium. This place is a little overrated in my opinion.

If you live near or visit the upper East side you must stop at Flex Mussels for the freshest and creatively prepared eponymous mollusks. They have the right formula and the vibe works. From the greeter at the hostess counter to the busboys clearing the table, everyone makes you feel like you are an old friend. We have been here on multiple occasions and are still trying to figure out which dish we love best. I like the classical version of "moules marniere" while my wife likes her mussels with Asian spices. Often we mix and match but if you like spicy hot, and I do, you might find that may be too rich for some palates. The crusty fresh bread is great for dipping and the sides are pretty good as well. We like the Parmesan truffle fries but everything else is good too. There are some decent wine and beer selections and they are reasonably priced. Be sure to save room for dessert and have the delicious doughnuts. At the end of our recent visit the general manager, Louis, escorted us out and inquired about our experience. He recognized us and wanted to make sure that we were pleased with the food and service. This is what hospitality is all about and other restaurants can learn from Flex.

This is one of our favorite restaurants in New York. We come here whenever we are in town. Everything on the menu is beautifully flavored and perfectly prepared but the Thai Mussels are absolutely life changing! The servers are always friendly and on point. Always an amazing meal!

Flex and its mussels have been a draw for us for a couple years, but lately it seems to be off its game a bit. The mussels my wife had were exceptionally small and the broth wasn't quite as special as she remembers it. I tried the scallops for the first time, and they were fine but not memorable … the side of thickly-cut rubbery mushrooms didn't work, too. Also for the first time I tried the clam strips for a starter, and they were awesome. Doughnuts are a never-fail item for dessert … Meyer lemon is great.

Flex Mussels P.E.I., New York 174 E 82nd street!! Hidden Gem on 82nd. Sea food restaurant. Mussels, all kind of recipes from the classic ones with white wine to the Thai, Parma, Creamy, with tomato, Indian or Mexican....Oyster bar, Fish and chips, scallops or the amazing lobster roll!!! Ask for Cesar at the Bar, and unless you want to seat at the bar, make sure to reserve your table. P.E.I stands for Prince Edward Island. Prince Edward Island is in Canada, off New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Probably the best place for seafood like lobster and mussels.

Went to flex mussels with my boyfriend yesterday , my friend recommended me to go there . We missed the happy hour for oysters but I will def go back there to try their 1$ oysters . We ordered shrimp ceviche which was delicious , truffle fries yum , shrimp cocktail was good as well . We ordered verzcruzana mussels . Honestly was not my thing , not because it was bad , it’s just not what I usually eat , this happens every time I try something new. So next time I will stick to my white wine salude mussels . We had donuts for dessert but I ate only vanilla sauce mostly . I suggest to make it a dessert itself , it’s super delicious . And our waitress Rebeca was very attentive .

We had dinner here one of the nights we were in NYC. Was definitely one of the food highlights of my trip. Excellent food coupled with fantastic service. The mussels and clams were a big hit. As were the shrimp starters (quite spicy). Didn't try the oysters though I was very tempted too. Would highly recommend that anyone who visits NYC have a meal here.

The food and the service were amazing . Large portions of mussels, easily enough for two but so good you may not want to share . Defiantly get reservations and anticipate a tightly packed restaurant . A bit expensive but I'd definitely return .

There during Happy Hour. Good variety of mussels in various broths. Fresh, shucked oysters and drafts. Service at the bar was excellent.

This was my 3rd visit to Flex, 2nd to the Uptown location, and as usual, AMAZING!! Flex offers diners a cozy spot with a great variety of hip music, and a menu that is full of choice, and reasonably priced! Where in NYC can you eat seafood & get full for under $40?! We decided to sit at the bar, as the tables for 2 were placed uncomfortably close for our liking, and this ended up being a great choice! We watched the bartenders make our drinks to order, shuck the evenings fresh selection of raw oysters ( absolutely delicious!) and got our 2 pots of mussels quickly! Flex staff are friendly, helpful, and accommodating to those who may be picky, or have allergies. The bartenders were happy to add calamari to my dish which didn't originally have it, and allowed me to add a side of mashed potatoes to soak up the succulent broth. ( as a diner with a gluten allergy, it's wonderful when restaurants make these small accommodations without question or hassle!) My only disappointment of the evening was that the T-shirt I wanted ( their shirts are hysterically witty) was not available again at the Uptown location ( I had tried during my visit over Christmas also), and I had no time to stop by the Downtown location to grab one before departing. I will most definitely recommend Flex to anyone asking for restaurant suggestions in NYC, and it is a definite stop for me every time I'm in the city!!

Flex Mussels is our go-to spot when visiting New York City. Mussels are delicious as is the crab guacamole and fish tacos. Great Happy Hour...their Spicy Margarita is to-die-for!

Family of Brits visiting New York stubbled upon Flex Mussells very adhoc to seek cover from a storm yesterday. Staff were very friendly, polite, inviting and helpful. We were told about a Happy Hour menu and given the option for either. We went for Happy Hour, & WOW! It did not disappoint. The Mussells were DELICIOUS! Plentyful and so tasty. The truffel fries were also simply delicious and the alcohol on happy hour offer lovely. Staff couldnt be more helpful. Such great price too. Mussells, fries and a beer less than $24! My family and I had a fantastic experience and would 1000% recommend!

HOME DELIVERY is the answer. We had gone to Flex Mussels some years ago and loved it.....but it was so busy that we couldn't hear each other talking. Last night we were going to go but thought it might be better to ORDER IN. They use "Caviar" as their order in partner so we signed up and tried it. VOILA...SENSATIONAL...mussels travel well. Dale & I each had a different preparation. Each came in simple plastic bucket. We ate at home, loved the food, watched a movie and have added Flex to our "let's eat at home tonight" places. It was the first time we've used CAVIAR and thought they were TERRIFIC

We have been trying to get to Flex downtown for a few years, (they used to have an AYCE option, but not now). This location was a lot easier, a quick walk from the Metropolitan Museum. We didn't have a reservation so they were going to give us a crappy table, we opted for the bar area. Happy Hour bonus. If you sit in the bar they have nice happy hour specials from 5pm when they open. See the menu. The $1 fresh oysters on the half shell were excellent. We enjoyed the dijon mussels but I prefer classic or Thai (not HH). The mussels cry for a nice crusty bread, like magic it is served right as you think about it. The regular and truffel fries were excellent. The savory donuts are only served during brunch. The dessert donuts are tasty but a little bready, not terribly crispy, with not enough filling. The filling issue is ok if you have the vanilla dipping sauce. Sorry no photo we done in too quickly. Great service, popular place, the bar

We ate at Bistro 61 last night after eating at Flex Mussels the week before (obviously we love mussels). Bistro 61 is your nice neighborhood corner restaurant that happens to specialize in mussels. Excellent service and a nice deal on all you can eat. Tried all 5 sauces - no big favorite. In comparison to Flex, much more cost effective overall, but mussels smaller and sauces not as flavorful. Much less crowded at Bistro 61 and friendlier environment. Flex on the other hand is a "scene" with crowding and noise, but terrific mussels at a higher price.

We order octopus as appetizer and san danielle mussels, good for two. Everything perfect. Reservation is a must if you want a table, the bar after 7:00 pm also difficult to get a seat.

Honestly, I was expecting something better. The previous, now closed location, on W13 Street though smaller, offered a more quaint setting with better tasting dishes. Prices are also off the expected . Dinner for two with one appetizer, one dessert and two mains 165 bucks. Not sure if this is a keeper.

Overall, a very good experience. My wife and I ended up sitting at the bar. We arrived in time for happy hour for which the place offers some decent deals. The Oyster deal was the best value in my eyes - I think it was 12 oysters for $18. They were pretty good oysters, much better than the cheap ones you see at some bars that offer $1 oysters. We each ordered a different type of the mussel pots, both were very good. The service was also great at the bar. I wouldn't necessarily say it's a 5 star restaurant so I'm giving it 4 stars. Happy hour offers some good deals, but definitely not a recommended restaurant if on a budget. Will be back.

24 flavors of broth to choose from for your bucket (a real metal bucket) of mussels. Good bread and lots of it to go with mussels. Truffle fries were great. The chunks of smoked bacon with the mussels made the chowder bucket great. Loud, fun, great wait staff, good service, family and singles.

A mussels restaurant? Yes, it is. But not just delicious mussels, also oysters and all kinds of other seafood. And fried goodies like french fries and donuts. Service was helpful and friendly. Come hungry.

Great low key neighbourhood fish restaurant. Went for midweek lunch. Super helpful staff. We had oysters, shrimp cocktail, moules frites - all excellent. Would return.

We booked a dinner reservation and we seated right away. We ordered the lobster mac appetizer special and it was delicious. We ordered mussels and fish & chips entree, both good. We also ordered truffle fries. They were good but pricey. Of course we couldn't skip the doughnuts which were very good. We left there stuffed. Overall, a very good dinner. Yes, tables are close but we were ok with it. Service very good. Looks like they are moving everyone along so tables turn over in a timely manner but we didn't feel rushed.

We have introduced several of orla our friends to this restaurant and it has always been quite a dining experience. The Parma is out of this world. Oh my, how can I forget those delicious donuts too. And of course, great drinks are served also.

Thank you, Team Flex! What a beautiful evening we had with you all! Your service (thanks Rebecca!), presentation, environment, and, of course, the food (thanks Chef & Team!) was top notch! Your food is absolutely positively some of the best we have ever eaten and made our visit on 1/4/19 one of the highlights of our trip to your fair city! We started with the chowder, beautifully seasoned, creamy, and full of tasty morsels. We moved on to Kale salad with a side of fries (of course, what else does one eat w/salad?!), and our main was San Daniele, complete with crusty bread perfect for dunkin'. Honestly, eat bite was more delish than the prior! While the donut dessert looked tasty, we didn't think we could eat a whole order so Rebecca graciously offered us a 1/2-order. We appreciated that as just a little bit of sugar was just what topped off the meal and made our evening that much more special. The crowd was rockin' post NYE-celebrations and its enthusiastic vibe would make me a regular were I not a tourist, lots o' fun! Thanks again Team Flex Mussels, we so enjoyed our evening with you all! Appreciatively, Patrick Chicago, IL

Went here 11/13 the restaurant is average size very well decorated and clean. The only thing I didn't like was that the tables are to close together. The service is exceptionally great and food is likewise. Well recommended for a great meal.

I am a self diagnosed seafood snob. Yes, its true. And I have to say when my wife came home from a trip to New York raving about Flex Mussels, I thought "hmmm. A mussels restaurant. Interesting, but does it really work?". On a recent business trip I visited the 82nd street store, and I have to say, I fell in love with it. I had curried fresh mussels and they were DELICIOUS! A bit pricey (not really for the city considering the quality of the product and service, but its not a cheap eats place). And, although I'm not usually a fan, the bartender upsold me on fresh Washington State oysters on the half shell. Man, if that's what oysters taste like, make me a fan! If you're in the City and looking for a great, small, intimate seafood place and mussels fit your fancy, stop in. Its not that mussels are the only thing available - I was actually surprised at how broad the menu was) - but its what they're known for, and they're darned good at it!

Every time I come here I don't understand why we don't come here more often. It was amazing. Even the drinks were good. I got the main and edit shrimp to it and my fiance got the san daniel with prosciutto and smoked bacon. It was awesome. The Truffle fries were awesome. Everything there is awesome. Our waitress Oksana did a really great job and she was very friendly and will certainly be back there again one day soon

My hotel recommended this place, and they were SO right to do so. As a Canadian, I was thrilled to see that Flex get their mollusks from Prince Edward Island-- fantastic quality. The dinner menu is cheekily divided into "Mussels" and "Not Mussels". Delicious oysters to start, then the Mussels 'Bisque' were superb (with lobster, brandy, tomatoes, garlic, and cream). Wonderful chewy bread (and lovely butter) was provided for sauce-mopping-up. Service was brisk, efficient, and witty. Tables are a bit close together, but that just allows you to get to know your neighbours better. I am planning to eat my way through the whole Flex Mussels menu-- but it will make multiple trips to NYC worth it.

First time and we loved it..........though very noisy. Great looking place with paintings by an artist from Prince Edward Island. Owners have a great vision and their execution is superb. I had the Mussels Dijon as it was the first on the menu and I plan to eat through the menu over time.

I had a huge bowl of mussels. Delicious! Side of fries (frites), their truffle french fries are to die for. They melt in your mouth. I went on a Monday evening and they offered Happy Hour all night. I added a few oysters to my order. Excellent. Great prices, fresh food, excellent service. Best meal I had in NYC!

The restaurant was crowded and loud but the atmosphere was good. I started with the crab guacamole which was very good! Then I continued with the Maine Creamy mussels, they were delicious! Our water was friendly but not the fastest and we had to wait for our drinks for a while.

I had the Mussels listed under the heading of "Parma." They were truly a gourmet's delight (see my photo below). They are described as having Parmigiano Cream, Lemon, Scallions, Toasted Garlic as well as Crispy Shallots.

We went with our son and daughter in law, huge fans of the place. A restaurant specializing in mussels? Really? We like mussels, and do order them for a first course sometimes, but a main course? We are now believers. We started with 24 oysters from both coasts. Delicious. Then we moved onto the mussels. Three ordered the Parma, and I, at the server's suggestion, had the fungi. We added 2 orders of truffle frites and two bottles of wine. What a fabulous, and on our part unexpected, meal. I could not finish my mussels, the serving was so generous. The other three left nothing. Our son then ordered 6 doughnuts: 2 each of cinnamon, chocolate, and salted caramel. Once you can wrap your head around having mussels and doughnuts with an excellent French Chenin Blanc, you, too, will become a fan.

Mussels are fresh, and plentiful. Drinks are good, Beer selection fine. Only problem we had was Maitre D (owner?) who was really bad news. She was so unpleasant, we would think twice about returning

Used to come for Happy Hour but UES location doesn’t offer it anymore, only downtown location. Last time we went to their old UES location we had to return the mussels twice because they were “funky”(as did the couple next to us). After 2 years we decided to give the new location a try, but were told that they no longer have a happy hour menu,so we left. Oh well, not the end of the world!

My third trip to Flex was just as amazing as my other 2. Visited on a busy Saturday night, but there was plenty of bar seating available while we waited for our table. Great music is played in the uptown location, and the staff is friendly, & willing to make suggestions. The uptown Flex has very tight seating for parties of 2, but grab a spot at the bar, enjoy the music, super fast & attentive service, & fabulous food!! A reasonably priced gem of a restaurant in a city 1000's of restaurants with much high prices, & lesser quality food. Delicious!!!

This restaurant is a few blocks from the place of a good friend. I've been here many times, and loved the experience each time. Management remembers repeat customers (an essential in NYC), and is very gracious to each. I love the truffled fries, and each type of mussels, to be sure, are just superb. Wine selections (Muscadet, of course, for the shellfish). Enjoy!!

We had a wonderful dinner in Flex Mussels. The service is good but the food is amazing! We just loved everything we tried. The prices are high, we paid 105 Dollars for 2 starters 2 mains and 1-1 drink.

Amazing mussels. Between the four of us, we tried all of the mussel options except the curry. All were fantastic. Really interesting brunch menu. This was a surprise find as we were leaving the MOMA. Love the $25 all you can drink option!

Read a few reviews and decided to give it a go. Restaurant is smart and contemporary with a nice feel to it. We opted for the 'plain mussels' i.e. French style, they we really nicely cooked and very tasty. New York is not a cheap place to eat out, expect to pay around $50 per head with wine. I would visit again. There are menu options other than mussels, but mussels are what this place is about.