L’express Reviews

What is not to love about L'Express and this iconic Frenchie bistro in NYC. So enjoyed the fantastic Duck Confit on a chilly Friday afternoon at the counter. Service was spot on and attentive combined with engaging conversation with the patron next to me... Great way to start the weekend! p.s. Don't forget they are open 24/7 Be well always, @lipstickwarriors

I love this place because it's open 24 hours, and the food is always really good! Most of the time I come with my husband, and the only one thing that bothers us a little is that for some reason waiters/waitresses have attitude problems and they don't really care to come up to a table. Other than that the food and everything else is always great!

Close to Gramercy Park. Ordered salads and sandwiches. Other plates of food looked better like the sausages with vegetables. Loud inside when crowded. Very efficient service.

Really enjoyed my visit to this affordable, bustling bistro. Great Salade Nicoise and Sancerre, but the baba made me grab my phone to let you know about this place!

My husband and I absolutely adored dining here. The dim lighting was so cozy, with eclectic Italian decor. The atmosphere was buzzing and alive with conversations in every corner. The food matched the atmosphere, and was divine (plus priced appropriately). We had a salad and pasta with sangria to drink. We received top service by friendly waiters who checked in on us multiple times throughout our meal. I would recommend this restaurant to all, and will be back again.

This is a lively and good spot, serving good food into the later hours. Great social atmosphere with open concept dining that works.

This is perhaps my favorite local restaurant which I’ve been to several times with my beautiful bride, our kids, business colleagues and friends. French Bistrot-style with the menu choices you’d expect. It’s well priced and the service is great. I like the carafe wine (cotes du Rhône) option. Nice in warm weather when the doors are open to the Park Avenue cacophony, but cozy when it’s cooler. It’s open 24 hours - so if you want to do a “as good as it gets” warm bread rolls at 5:00am thing - it’s open.

Bouchon Lyonnais. A typical bistrot from the culinary capital of France, Lyon. Food is good, all of it. And you won't go wrong with any of the wines. It can get noisy though when full. Probably the best steak tartare I have had in New York

I usually think of 24 hour places to eat as more of a diner atmosphere. L'Express is actually a bonafide restaurant that happens to serve round the clock! The atmosphere is comfortable and clean for families or couples, the staff friendly and attentive, and the food very good. We were there for Sunday brunch, enjoyed the eggs florentine, and would love to try it again for lunch, dinner, or late-night snack!

This place certainly has some charm. The decor is done tastefully and has that special & elegant French flair. My colleague and I went in with the intention of splurging on a delicious French dinner. We started off with a couple of “French 75” cocktails and were salivating at the exquisite items on the menu but we quickly became very annoyed by the loud rock music that was blasting from the speakers… it’s so inappropriate, so out of place! We could barely hear ourselves speak. We mentioned it to our excellent waiter but he replied that it was unfortunately out of his control. We left without ordering dinner, very disappointed.

I love L'Express! In terms of atmosphere it's as we call it with my friends "A fancy diner." Be prepared to be up close with others as most tables share borders. The food however is why you are there, keep that in mind. The steak au poivre is amazing! Make your own omelette is another favorite; eggs Copenhagen, croque monsieur. They also used to have frog legs on specials at dinner time but I have not seen them on their menu for a few years - BRING THE FROG LEGS BACK!!! CALF LIVER TOO! Everyone who I have taken there has not been disappointed. The alcohol menu offers a rich selection of wines and beers. The prices are very reasonable considering L'Express' location. Must try! Oh and I forgot to mention - open 24h! I have eaten at L'Express at any time/day you can think of (breakfast, lunch, dinner, brunch and graveyard) since 2004.

L’Express is a nice bistrot to Pop-in and have a nice steak frites. Place to enjoy a friendly service in the ambiance of a non-fussy french bistrot. Croque-Monsieur is delicious

We stoppd here for a mimosa and a quick bite to eat before hitting the town to shop. The eggs benedict and omelet were very good. It was close to our hotel and appeared to be a favorite for the locals. I recommend for breakfast.

We enjoyed our dinner at this neighbourhood bistro. The lamb burgers were delicious and there was a good selection of wine by the glass. Service was good and they're open 24 hours.

The wait staff was good, however the food just wasn't great. The fries were soggy and the mussels lacked flavor. Maybe the other food choices are better here?

We enjoyed a great meal after Broadway show. Food was great, waitress was very good and friendly. Loved the French onion soup and croque madam. Fun place to

This was a busy Tuesday night and most places could not get seated. L'Express was able to seat us immediately and also put in a rush on our food order. Had a bottled Peroni ($8) and Cotes du Rhone ($10) plus each of us had an item - the rigatoni with eggplant and smoked mozzarella (subbed regular mozz - $18) and a wheat berry salad ($16) with greens and butternut squash. Piping hot rigatoni. The salad was a bit on the small side for $16 but tasty. Noise level was really high and the tables are very close together.

Is sometimes the best that can be said of this place. Being open 24 hours a day, the food is predictably humdrum, however the coffee is OK and the staff are reasonably friendly.

It's a busy place, that night was almost full but service was fast and competent. Had the steak frites and my date the steak au poivre both were delicious, cooked to perfection medium rare just the way we like it. Good wine list too. Unpretensious with affordable prices, it's definitely worth a visit.

Great place to get out of the wind and rain. Food was nice but not spectacular. Had the sweet potato and leek soup and portobello sandwich. The bread couldn’t stand up to the moisture in the veggies but it tasted good. Only one person bathrooms for each gender. Go for the relaxing atmosphere.

Went during lunch hour. Friendly and attentive staff. Good menu, moderate to moderately expensive depending on what you order. Food was excellent. Recommend the coffee!

They gave me bad coffee, but they changed quickly and were nice. The portion was large!! I recommend :)

Not much in menu .. don’t expect big menu for breakfast.. what i had was good.! Not sure about the service..

Even when not fully full, it is hard to get the wait staff's attention. The coffee was lukewarm and the food takes a while to come and is ok for breakfast menu. The check took forever to get. Not sold on it though was just one visit on a recent weekday morning.

Food was overpriced and not very good. If you are a french restaurant and you can't make escargot and steak frites you're worthless. Waiter was friendly and at early dinner the service was well paced but the food was lackluster. Wouldn't go here again.

Perfect for a quick lunch. I ordered the salmon scaloppini sandwich on panini bread. It was so delicious! Tables are close together and it's a busy place, but you will not regret ordering a delicious lunch from L'express.

When in NYC, there are thousands of restaurants to go to. We chose this one, near our hotel. We were very happy with our dinner. Attentive service and great food!! Highly Recommended!

At the end of our day of wandering, we stopped for drinks and sat on the sidewalk terrace. Friendly service. Simple drinks menu. Pleasant busy spot. We might be back for lunch.

Our recent dinner here satisfied our French food fix. Moderate, with reasonable prices, particularly for wine. Several small issues: The puff pastry in the duck pithivier special could have been crispier. The escargot could use more salt and garlic flavor. My short ribs were swimming in sauce, which unfortunately overwhelmed the excellent parsnip puree. Minor issues, easily corrected. Lively bar scene and very attentive service. Will be back.

I feel that I must begin by letting my readers know that this restaurant has one of the filthiest bathrooms I have ever seen in my entire life. And I have travelled to most of this globe, reviewed incredibly delicious places from (at least) thirty or more cities / countries. Nothing ever like this. Please note that I had a very early dinner. My partner and I entered the restaurant before 6pm, just before the so called “dinner crowds” took to their tables. Yet, already at that hour, I found the restrooms to be in that state !!!! (I cannot even describe what state! Honestly ? To think this is an establishment which handles food and its employees use that same bathroom…. How can I even begin to write about my dinner experience? So, I was in the mood for a simple burger (maybe even a lamb burger), a simple Croque Monsieur and a few glasses of wine. Dessert, of course. After all, this place looks like every other French place on this planet. Cliché décor, bought (or borrowed, who knows?) from a plastic imitation Bistro (trying to be “Les Halles” – home of late genius Anthony Bourdain), and obviously not succeeding. In short, the Lamb Burger was pretty mediocre as was the Croque Monsieur. Which is saying a lot by comparison to the hamburger – the worst I have had in a long long time. Boring, dry (super super dry) and uncreative on a bun that seems as if baked two weeks prior and soggy tomatoes chopped months before. I’m just thinking what was the worst aspect of this $ 120,00 bill. Was it the really awful dessert (Mascarpone cheesecake or was it something they call “Brest Paris” (whipped cream, caramel and hazelnuts) ? It was neither. The worst aspect of the evening was the absurdly filthy bathroom and this poses a health risk to us patrons – as well as the employees - and should be looked into by health authorities immediately Gerald Thomas

L'Express is a PAS holdout and remains constant through the years. I cam here for brunch with a friend. She ordered French Toast which she described as delicious. I had a nice quinoa salad that was light and healthy. The dining room is boisterously loud but we managed to have a good conversation.

Was walking down ParkAvenue towards a theatre to see a show. Decided to try this French restaurant. I sat at the bar and had the sole Milanese. Ordered a 1664 beer. The sole was lightly breaded and fried with a tiny amount of some sort of sauce. This was accompanied by greens with a Leroy light dressing. I could have made this dish at home. Not recommended.

This 24 hr restaurant is no diner. The service is prompt and friendly. The club sandwich was excellent and so was the sangria.

L’Express is a cozy unpretentious bistro with a casual vibe but do not let that fool you, it has an excellent beer and wine list that is waiting for you. Then when it is time to order food you will not be disappointed. The Escargots de Bourgogne are very good. I then had the cassoulet which I think is fantastic. Attentive staff that is there to please. A solid restaurant which is great for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And way past my bed time there is a late night menu.

Went to L'Express for brunch with a friend. I had the Croissant sandwich, which was overflowing and delicious. My friend had the three egg omelette and everything was cooked to perfection

Really enjoyed going to L'Express this past weekend. The food, service and ambience were excellent. Highly recommend!

Whilst staying nearby, we made this our local stop for hearty breakfast each day before our sightseeing excursions. Everyone working here was friendly, welcoming, efficient and happy! The food we had was really very good. great choice, well presented and cooked. Great coffee too. I'd thoroughly recommend L'Express and they are open 24/7 so you have no excuse to miss out !! The atmosphere is cosy and welcoming. Thanks a lot.

After working late on A Saturday night we just wanted some solid, non pretentious food, in a friendly atmosphere. L'Express really fit the bill. It's charming and fun, but the food is solid French bistro fare. I had the salmon -- no rice extra spinach -- our waiter was happy to accommodate, and it was delicious -- as was the escargot starter! I am often overwhelmed by NYC's food choices, and this one was perfect!! Highly recommend.

Nice atmosphere but a little noisy when crowded, nice atmosphere at breakfast however. Good coffee, delicious croque monsieur that was not too large for a single serving. Good service and value.

If its a 24 hour place you don't expect much. As long as you start with that expectation you'll be pleasantly surprised. The food is pretty good. If I had to choose a meal to eat here I'd pick breakfast...

After having a terrible experience at the Hillstone. We came to L’Express for dinner. The place was packed and they were still welcoming and got us a spot at the bar. They service was amazing and he food was delicious. Thank you.

What an amazing experience all around. Wonderful staff and food. Everything was amazing. Great atmosphere. It was so good we came back twice!

I have eaten at L'Epress before but this time will probably be my last. Ordered the Olympian omelette and since I don't eat fries, I was offered a substitution by the server for side greens. There was no mention that these greens would be an extra charge ... until the bill came. I have substituted at this restaurant before - fries for salad - and there was never an extra charge. I don't need to go there to be cheated. BTW both times I have dined here the omelette was runny.

We've eatne here every time we have visited NYC, and it always delivers; friendly staff, lots of choice on the menu, tasty food, and good coffee. The french toast was exceptional - huge portion though!

L'express is my go to when I just want to pop out or meet with friends. The service is always second to none & the food, though basic, never disappoints.

Atmosphere is wonderful. Tin ceiling, fans, hanging lights . I've had onion soup gratinée in hundreds of places, many in France. There's was better than Au Pied de Cochon in Paris. Ten bucks. Salmon and Crème Brulee were excellent as well. Great choice of wines. Remarkably low prices for what you get. My wife an I consider it one of our best restaurant meals.

I've been coming to L'Express for several years, but if the past two visits are typical, I won't be visiting much longer. Service is lackluster and uncaring. Tonight, I ordered one of my favorites, a niçoise. The salad arrived without bread or rolls. I asked the waiter if he could bring a bread basket. He said he would and then went over and stood by the wall, ignoring my request. I asked another server if she could help me. She said she would, and she did -- but taking so long I was nearly finished eating. She brought one meager slice of bread. What is this, "Les Misérables"? The salad portion itself was rather stinting, one small diced potato, perhaps three string beans. The tuna, at least, was amble and cooked rare, as requested. What I don't understand, though, is why, when fresh lettuces abound in the markets, the base of the entrée were rather tasteless packaged greens. Mon dieu, messieurs! Allons! Allons! There are other restaurants in le hood.

We went here for dinner in July. We asked for jar water and (to be sure the waiter understand us) we indicated the table on our side that just had it. The waiter came back at our table with a bottle of San Pellegrin and he open it without give us any chance to reply.... Too late. We couldn't understand why until we received the bill with 8 usd charged for the water.too bad. If at least the meal was tasty...but it was not. So really it is not a place I would recommend.

It was a good idea stopping at the L'Express to have something to eat on that cold Sunday. I had a delicious onion soup and benedict eggs with potatoes. The beer was tasty and cool. Nice ambiance and reasonable prices.

Just moved to the area and found this un-pretentious little gem that is open 24 hours a day with friendly staff and excellent food in the tradition of the a Parisienne bistro. Love it.

Went with a large party recently. Started with calamari which was just okay but nothing special, but had my socks knocked off by the salmon! Very moist and great taste.

Came here for a quick bite late at night. They are open 24 hours a day. Vey conveniently located, close to Union Square, in close proximity to W Hotel Union Square. French Onion Soup was way better than I expected. The sourdough bread was also exceptionally good. With a Turkish GM, Eylem, and a multicultural service team from all around the world (Senegal, Ukraine...) you get a great service here - definetely far better than expected from a 24-hour service restaurant!!! If you are in the neighborhood you might give L’Express a try... Enjoy. SA

Went with some people who had been there before. The food was decent, nothing more, but maybe I ordered the wrong thing (an omelet). The service was terrible, which always ruins a place for me. The women's bathroom was filthy.

Very nice environment, standard French bistro fare. Great for socializing. The service is pretty good too. Overall this seams like a predictable but consistent establishment.

I loved it. I liked the restaurant so much that I went more than once during my stay in New York. The first time I ate a cheesburger and the second time the filet. Delicious food, good service and very pleasant. Good cost-benefit ratio. Worth a visit. I liked sitting on the balcony and also sat inside. The care inside is better

I've eaten here twice, and was pleased both times. I have a friend who works close by, so when I come into town, we meet here for a long, leisurely breakfast. The atmosphere is comfortable, with plenty of space (not common in Manhattan.) The breakfast portions are large, so we've split an omelette and still had plenty to eat. I ordered eggs Florentine this last visit, and they were delicious. Coffee is very good, and the waiters don't rush you. They might not be at your table every few minutes asking if you need anything, but I'm ok with that. I'm sure I'll be eating here during my next NYC visit.

Wonderful night, delicious food. Celebrated a birthday here and they couldn't have been better, topped off with the waiters singing. An Unforgettable evening.

We had a quick stop here for drinks and were impressed with the atmosphere and vibe of the place. Service was great and price decent

This place has been a neighborhood staple for me for over 10 years. Equally great for brunch or late night post-theater bite. The classic french items like onion soup and pate are good, while the burgers are juicy. It does get busy some times but generally ok to get a table since they are open 24 hours, which is fantastic. Good ambience, the tables are a little close but they've updated some of the seating and added outdoor seating which is cute. Super reliable for an easy casual meal.

I believe this resto is open 24/7. It's a true diner. At all hours you can order from a very large menu. The food is honest and so is the service. Great spot to hit late at night.

New York City is full of wonderful authentic French restaurants serving delicious food. L'Express is not one of these restaurants. While it has all the appearances of a classic Paris bistro, complete with French-speaking waitress, the food looked much better than it tastes. Granted, I've only been once and can only judge based on one meal. But my Eggs Florentine were not good. The eggs were slightly undercooked and very under-seasoned. The Hollandaise was watery and lacking flavor. The coffee was sour-tasting.

I dropped in at 1 am with a friend and stayed till 4 am. Pleasant bartenders, very drinkable wine and the mussels/lamb burger were quite tasty. Highly recommended for a late night bite!

This restaurant serves French Food, and I liked the bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich on a croissant as an entree.

Walked in here with two friends for dinner after we discovered the place we initially planned to go was closed. Kudos for working on a snowstorm day but beyond that it was one of my less favorite restaurant experiences. The server was very slow - and had to wave and ask several times to get his attention - so not nice when you feel somewhat ignored. He forgot to bring utensils and plate to one of us (twice), and we had to reorder one of the glasses of wine to eventually get it. The place was full, but not packed. Also there were servers by the server station who could've stepped up. Food was interesting but not perfect, a tad on the bland side. Overall, would not recommend the place, especially given the choice in NYC.

Went in to get out of the cold and have a late night drink. What a great vibe, lovely people behind the bar. Unfortunately we'd just eaten, otherwise I would have loved to try something. Fantastic option when one wants a really late noght meal. Will have to go back.

We have loved this place for years and it always gets better as time goes by!! The menu has some great staples and the specials are so good so make sure you definitely ask for them!! Enjoy!!

This is a French bistro and as I was craving Frenchified roast chicken I made a beeline. I started with an Onion tart which, although tasty, was unpleasantly mushy. And I make better tart crusts myself! Onto the entree - roast half chicken with french fries and a side of green beans. Perfectly acceptable food but it didn't really resemble the roast chicken I have fond memories of eating in France. Service was a bit slow. Not sure that I'll return - I'll explore other options next time I'm here.

We visited L’Express Christmas Eve 2017 and found it a bustling place full of families and couples, young and old. Lots of talking and lots of hustling to and fro by the staff. Fun place. Oh, yeah, the food. Very good Martini, decent house Cabarnet. My wife and I shared a foie gras that was a bit too cold, but still ok. She pronounced her beef tartare very good, though she marked it down a bit because it did not have the traditional raw egg. Her octopus salad was good, although would have been better, she said, if it had been room temperature rather than cold. My monk fish was a c+. The accompanying potatoes, Brussels sprouts and sauce were good, but the fish itself was somewhat dry. I had a tarte tartin for dessert that was a treat, full of apples with a nice dollop of fresh cream. The wait staff was brisk and efficient. Although the restaurant was full we were not rushed and allowed t linger over coffee and wine.

A friend and I stopped here for appetizers while we waited for our reservation down the street at Sugarfish. We opted to sit outside which was quite wonderful in the evening! We had the french fries and baked Camembert cheese. Delicious. Also the rose sangria is quite refreshing after a long day in the NY heat!

Can always count on a good meal. Black bean soup and tiger shrimp sandwich were wonderful. Wine selection is different. Very French. A good place Open 24 hours.

Great French food at any time the day or night. I was actually surprised that it tasted almost as good as food in Paris. Food portions for a French restaurant were good. Fresh bread was served before our main course. Service was helpful and nice. They also have bar area, where someone had too much too drink and ambulance had to take him away. It surely made our night more interesting.

Had lunch here today in their outdoor section. It was wonderful. Nice heater, nice tables. The food was great! The salmon and sweet potato hash was delicious. And the staff were wonderful. Such a nice experience- will definitely go back

I got the salmon scallopini with fries and it was pretty good, but I didn't like the capers and sauce on it. The fries were well-made. My boyfriend got a croque Monsieur and enjoyed it a lot.

We had a really good breakfast there (pancakes and eggs) for less than $20. We had a great service (Solange) that was really quick and had always a smile on the face! Good food and not pricey.

Love this place for lunch Good service good food and the prices are good too . Their soups of the day are always interesting and the sandwiches of the day are great . The onion soup gratinée is one of the best I have had . L'Express is a short walk from union Square. Adding to highlights this year they have added outdoor seating !

We ate here on our first night as didn't want to travel far from Hotel. Food very good and well priced it is open 24 hours so you can get something to eat at anytime. The place was very busy but a good buzz about it. Worth a visit

Fabulous place for an elegant yet simple breakfast. Highly recommend! French feeling in the midst of the city.

What a cool spot in Union Square. Made reservations for dinner on a Saturday night and were promptly sat. Service was friendly and we were un-rushed. Underrated wine list that has some value spots. Had a Rhone Syrah for $78 that had real depth (and value). Food tasted great, although some of the portions were small, especially the branzino and the dorodo special. Steak frites was cooked correctly, but had an inedible section. Fries were excellent. Steak tartar received raves. Deserts were also good. I really enjoyed the creme brulee, and others the sorbet (several flavor options), and the chocolate cake.

Lxpress has always been one of my favorite spots with us local neighborhood charm and excellent food and wine. Haven’t been in a while and was a little disappointed... Atmosphere- had the bistro feel for sure Wine - wine selection has always been great! Favorites are cotê du Rhône. Food - cheese platter and tartar was very very skimpy and cheeses were not extraordinary. Cheese platter especially, non descript cheeses in very small portions. Mains were delicious - sea bass, moules frites, confit, Desserts - standard Service - was really disappointing- servers were often chatting by the water station could not grab their attention. Many walked by our table with an not my table not my problem attitude. Overall with so many other French bistro in nyc there is nothing really standout from here anymore. Food was great but the apps were really skimpy and service was really where it needs improvement.

Just awesome. Great for brunch or great for dinner or great for a super late night meal or dessert after a few bars. Also, the cocktails are fabulous. The best part, though, aside from the nice atmosphere (the floor-to-ceiling windows stay open during the summer: so nice!) is the fact that this place stays open around the clock. So New York and so awesome. Lived fifteen or so blocks from this place and my roommates and I were regulars. Awesome! Also, right near the subway.

I planned to have a dinner at Mari Banna but it was totally full and I did not wanted to have a table after 2200. In the surrounding, I discover l'express and decided to have a dinner there. Welcome is nice and warm. The room is dark and noisy. Good service but it is difficilt to get a bad service in US. Bred is nice. Food is average, typical US junky food even though the cook has prepared (ie warmed or mixed) tasty sauce. Vegetables used for the salad are un tasty and with closed eye nobody can recognize a rafish from the other vegetable. Duck is fat and the meat has no taste at all. Once again without knowing it is duck meat, impossible to recognize. Bjt the meat is...soft! Almond dessert is good and tasty. Thr othrr good point is that the place is 24hours opened. Thete is no meal without high quality raw materials (meat, vegetable)

My husband and I, visiting our son in Brooklyn, decided to have lunch at a small Bistro, near our hotel in the city. We sat outside, as we love to people watch and the weather was warm. We shared a Caesar Salad, which was very good. I had the Grilled Salmon Filet, which was done exactly the way I like, rare to medium. My husband had the mussels, which were overdone, and his fries were soggy. We each had a drink. The service was excellent, and if not for my husband's experience, I would have rated it higher.

Ever since I've moved to NYC, I was asking around for the best Steak Tartare there is. L'Express was highly recommended, good and clean. My first visit was on August 2015. Since then, I've been going occasionally for afterwork snack. It's a little pricey but they're open 24/7! My favourite dishes would have to be: steak tartare (ofcourse); escargot; caesar salad; l'burger; steak; and finally all of the desserts! Haha. Will always come back. Love this place.

Have visited a few times in the last 12 months during visits from the UK. Always made to feel very welcome whether it’s lunch or dinner. Staff very professional and very welcoming . This place has a real buzz and is open 24/7. Love the food and always a pleasure to visit

Two weeks Eden celebrated her birthday and chose to have lunch at L’Express. Egg frittata with salmon was her choice which she ate with relish. Carole enjoyed the French onion soup. I made a wrong choice of a burger with fries. The meat was unappetizing and the fries were limp. Eden had the panna cotta with raspberries to finish. Sliced strawberries lined the cream with a spoonful of raspberry preserves in the middle. My apricot tart was a slice of cake with no flavoring. Where was the vanilla or almond to enhance the fruit. Disappointing meal.

My favorite place. Most consider it a brasserie-type diner, but id call it a brasserie more than a diner. Never disappointed and I'm there almost weekly...

L'Express is a New York City Staple. Located in Flatiron - the restaurant has been around for more years than most NYC restaurants make it - which says a lot about their caliber of food, which is decently priced. The restaurant is open 24 hours. Absolutely must try the Baked Camembert, the Warm Goat Cheese Salad (with Grilled Chicken), and the Lamb Burger.

L’Express 249 Park ave S.,NYC Great French bistro The restaurant has a new real French chef with a very interesting new items on the menu. For starter we had the liver mouse that melts in your mouth, barley mushroom soup, real crab cake (oh, wonderful), and the eggplant layers appetizer. The main dishes were as good. Real crab dish, great 14 ounce steak cooked to perfection, comes with fries and the eggplant rollantini covered with cheese. 2 cocktails and a bottle of red wine to enhance the total meal experience. Great all over. The upgrade menu with the new French chef is really worth the effort.

The menu is not huge and is fairly straightforward but the place is child friendly and the staff are helpful . Steaks,burgers and salads are reasonable . Good wine !

It truly was a mediocre French Bistro. It certainly was crowded, but the sandwiches we had were very ample but not very tasty.

I joined a group here this evening for a friend's birthday party. It was his choice, and it worked out quite well. Service is good for our party of seven. The noise level is quite acceptable. The quality of the food was quite good. I had the bay scallops and the duck, and the pear tart for dessert. All were quite good. I always like duck, and this dish was quite well prepared. Mixed drinks and wine by the glass were reasonably priced. The waiter was knowledgeable about the wines. All were pleased with their meals. The space is comfortable, if a bit tight- tables are pretty close together. All in all, this place has been around for quite a while, One can see why. I am certainly glad this place is in my area.

There is so much choice in NYC but glad we happened across this restaurant. Restaurant got busy pretty quick after 7pm and we were lucky to get a table. Had a great tasty salad and burger and the portions were really generous.

Haven’t been here in a long time, but it’s just as good as I remember! The steak frites was excellent! The potatoes were crispy and thin, the steak was cooked just right. My husband had the chicken with haricots verts and he said it was delicious. And our friend had the salmon and no surprise, that was superb as well. A complex Cote du Rhône went well with all our dishes and we finished with the chocolate mousse. Best thing is you can get all of this 24 hours a day! We’ll be back again and soon...

Went there on a Sunday and ordered from the brunch menu. It was late (around 3:00pm) so the place was not full. Service was excellent and the food was good. Will go back!

The food is always good and not too expensive. The room can get quite noisy. The service is fine. Everything is quite reliable,

Went for breakfast which was nothing special. Had Croque Madame & Croque Monsieur, both dry and not very tasty. The side ratatouille was a bit out of place for breakfast. Cappuccino and service were good. They have wifi. Way too expensive, spent 50$.

Just stopped there after doing some browsing at ABC homes. Inexpensive food. Quality is OK. I am always skeptical when I see a restaurant open 24/7...but it ended up OK. If you're looking for a quick French bite or inexpensive brunch near union square, try this place

Several months back we were at a restaurant on same block when I noticed this place and made a mental notation to comeback. Today this opportunity presented itself. Sunday is the best day to visit NYC because of lacks parking regulations on this day. So, we found parking right in front and walked in. The hostess escorted us to the smallest table for two even though the place was 25% filled. Ok, I said. I will not make any fuss about this. A waiter came asking us if we wanted to have drinks and I told him that we want 2 UNSWEETENED iced teas. He acknowledged and asked if we wanted sugar on the side. That also made me raise my eyebrow. Yet again, I decided not to point out the specifics of our order to the guy. Perhaps there is something wrong with me or people just don't listen to the answers. Same waiter asked us if we decided on what we wanted to eat. I replied affirmative and asked him if he is ready to take the order. He said yes and just stood there listening. Now, I've been to many great restaurants and did see where some waiters memorize the orders and that impressed me and indicated that the guy knows his menu. So, we ordered Onion Soup, Baked Camembert, Stake Tartare, Short Rib beef Bourguignon and Wilted Garlic Spinach. The soup and cheese came fairly quickly and they were DELICIOUS!!! The main course of Stake Tartare and Beef were also phenomenal!!! Normally, I rush to eat. Here, I found myself slowing down, trying to enjoy the flavors and the textures. I cleaned up my plate with 2 slices of great bread that came along. Wow, I thought, what a find! Well, twenty minutes after we were done, no one came to clear the table nor to ask if we care to see the dessert menu. I went up to the waiter order station and asked for a check myself. Oh, by the way...my wilted Garlic Spinach was not on the check. I gave an A to the kitchen and a big fat C to the front staff. Better luck next time.

We visited for lunch. We told both the hostess and waiter that we had limited time to get to an event. They said it could be done. The waiter suggest we share a turkey club sandwich with fries. It was delivered in a few minutes, and was enough for us to share. It addition it was very good. It had real turkey meat, bacon, and avocado. We would recommend eating here.

Might as well be in Paris. Charming place on Park/19 & 20. Great service, delicious food, reasonable prices. We will go back.

I lively place in a very nice neighborhood near Gramercy Park. Well worth a walk around the surrounding area if you have time. Food was good - I had the steak frites and the steak was a very nice sized portion and a pretty good value actually for $38. Service was solid and a good meal all around. It was maybe a little bit expensive for a lunch ($600 all in for 8 people with tax and tip) but a nice setting and quite comfortable.

You can count on good service and good food 24 hours a day. This is not a diner but a neighborhood bistro that is consistently good whenever you choose to go. Haven't been in the overnight, but breakfast, lunch and dinner have always been good. Anf for a person like me who is very fussy about her eggs - they make the best omelets!

Just really bad. When asked for a bit of bread with the escargot, the waiter said "sorry, the bread is being thawed up"....WTF. The "baked" camambert was cold, the moules tasted bad, the fries were way too salty, the beef bourgouignon was equally unimpressive. Never again!! Go to the Boucherie next door though, way better!

Late night neighbourhood venue. I sometimes go there after midnight to order a nice beer and a croque monsieur. THAT at least is an order that is reliable and quiet according to what I expect of a french snack. What I hate is that they put the tip already on the cheque. I once made the mistake not to check the cheque and ending up with paying a tip extra to the tip already mentioned. I had to ask my money back and that was quiet an ordeal. ;(

This is a wonderful neighborhood restaurant. We had one dinner and two breakfasts here in the last two weeks. As one would expect from a French bistro, the bread and pastries are exceptional. The omelettes at breakfast are tasty and very light. Service is exceptional and wait staff works hard to ensure a pleasant experience.

Corner of Park and 22nd. Looks like a quaint little place from the outside the expands like a Tardis into a large bustling Bistro. Felt like we were transported to Paris. Good coffee and food. We had poached eggs, farro salad and the soup de jour- all well presented - totalled just over $50 Would happily return

My fiancée and I had a nice meal in this popular place. The food and the service were good. It was a bit like a bistrot atmosphere: nothing fancy but we ate well. I wouldn't say that it's the most typical French restaurant and the best French food I've ever had (I'm French myself), but we can't complain, and price were ok.

This restaurant is open 24/7 and so we found ourselves there late one night for a late dinner. Even though it was quite late, the place was quite busy with a very cheerful atmosphere . We enjoyed the French meal a lot !

fun French bistro with excellent staff, reliable food and bev. Great people watching on Park Avenue.

We walked in for an early dinner with our two kids and had a great experience. Classic French Bistro with nice ambiance, good food, and friendly environment. Mussels, fries, steak frites all superb. The kids were well taken care of despite being picky eaters.

I recently had a good dinner at this French bistro. I've eaten here a few times over the years. The food is good, but service was slow. The place is rundown, and kinda dirty. The bathrooms are scary. It's time for a remodel. That said, the food is yummy.

I always love going to L’Express! The food is very fast and good! The staff is super nice and helpful!

We were having fun with new found friends and decided to take a cab over to L'Express for an early morning snack. The mac n cheese is delicious as well as the fries. The wait staff was very friendly. Glad that they were still open when we were hungry!

Great location and good outdoor seating for the summer with nice service. Food is good but did not impress me. Overall quite a good choice for a small lunch or having a coffee.

If you would like to add just a little bit of French style bistro to your dining experience this restaurant says it all and open 24 seven. I go here whenever I have a craving for a very French creation, the Croque Monsieur. That's a typical French sandwich-like yummy melted cheeses and ham on crusty bread and this is about the only place in New York where you can order it. Imagine that! Well it also comes with a small salad on the plate and a good amount of crispy French fries. A glass of red wine and you'll think your in Paris.

This restaurant had a nice, bistro atmosphere at 8 pm on a Thursday evening for our party of 6. Service was great. The mussels were good. The soft shell crab was tasty. Prices are very reasonable for NYC. I 'd go back.

This is one of my favorite neighborhood places. Used to work a couple of blocks away and it was always a great option to have a tasty meal and specially the burger. This place is awesome for late night and even after party meal, it's always crowded even at 4am. Got to say that the ambience and location make it a great option at any time. Prices will not break the bank.

Appetizer, French Beer, Sangria, and Dinner are all Fantastic. Great Ambiance and Service. Would highly recommend!

Have eaten here a bunch of times. For dinner with a friend, brunch with friends, on a date.... It is a good neighborhood place, but not consistent.

Now if you are in the city late and are hungry for a filling meal that is not fast food, this is a great stop. The only reason it did not get an excellent there was a delay with taking out orders but once that was done everything ran smoothly.... I had the burger and added the brie and bacon, I was not ready for the amount of bacon that was added, really I shared it with my date and could have shared it with another table..... I was not ready, The waiters are friendly and being New York, there was plenty of people watching and trying not to giggle when a group walked in with someone wearing a corset, panties and hold ups walked in and no one even paused for a second....

3 Excellent meals at this comfortable and welcoming bistro across the street from our apartment. Good food , friendly atmosphere. Open 24 hours.

We were walk-ins at 11.30am, for a late breakfast, which is no trouble for L'Express which is open 24 hours of the day. We were greeted and sat by a smiling and pleasant staff member, who placed us at the window, on request. Water glasses were immediately filled, and coffee came within a couple of minutes of ordering. I enjoyed a plate of three eggs (I opted for poached, but it's your choice) with lightly seasoned, fried potatos, which were lovely. The eggs were perfect, with runny, golden yolks. My girlfriend had the Omlette Parisienne (mushrooms & ham etc), also served with those tasty fried potatos. Service was really friendly, attentive, and it wasn't a struggle to catch a waiter's eye, for them to be over in a shot. Atmosphere was great - there was a real mix of people, including office workers coming on lunch, friends meeting for a bite, and professionals browsing their laptops. Bright and airy in the day, I'm sure it turns cosy and chique after dark - which is perfect. It's not too loud, but it isn't a vacuum either. It comes across as a salon-esque bar and restaurant, as it supposed to be, finished off with sweeping mirrored walls. I would go again, in a shot.

Casual French style cafe on the corner of Park Ave and 21st with great outside views, with full bar, great staff, very nice menu... lamb burger was my favorite with two double espressos as they were so good

A gem of a bistro, a little bit of Paris--including the rude managers--just off Gramercy Park. Yes, the service is slow, but the French onion soup is ooh la la. You have to indulge in it.

With the demise of Les Halles and others like it, L'Express, usually a breakfast place for us, is now a great lunch and dinner option to battling the crowds at Balthazar downtown, or Sel et Poivre uptown. We walked in after an Arts Club function up the street and were welcomed without the attitude for not having a reservation. I have never reserved a table here and worst case is to drink a Ricard at the bar, French style. and they will seat you quickly. If you are in a tearing hurry, there is a McDonald's on 22nd St. As other reviewers have noted, they serve a mean hamburger and fries, perfectly cooked and fresh cut which my wife enjoyed. But if they have it, don't miss the lamb shank. I had not had lunch and managed to finish it but it was a challenge, so don't try a starter unless you are sharing. They also have a very dry Provence Rosé that tastes very fresh, good even in this last freezing winter.

When I saw the 24 hour sign on restaurant, I'm thinking this equals fast food and lesser atmosphere. Not at all! Very warm, casual, upbeat and bistro type feel. The food was excellent! Good quality and great price, especially for NYC! I had the French onion soup and roasted chicken, both were perfectly prepared.

On a recent visit to NYC, a group of 6 of us visited L'express on Park Ave. Overall, we had a wonderful experience. First impressions of the menu that it was very true to French dining, offering snails, steak tartar and other French delicacies. I opted for the calamari to start and hanger steak for main and neither disappointed. The staff were very attentive and I was very impressed with the level of service. My only critique is that I wish the steak dish had been served with some onions of vegetables, it needed something extra that just steak and chips.

My husband and I love L’Express. We eat here often when we are in the city. The food is always great. I, personally, love their hamburgers, always cooked to perfection, but I’ve also had other dishes and never been disappointed. We’ve never had a rude or discourteous server. They have always been knowledgeable and helpful whether you need information about a dish or directions to the nearest subway stop. If you’re looking for a moderately priced restaurant with good ambience that’s open 24 hours a day, this is it.

Came here twice for breakfast. Good selection and well cooked pancakes and eggs Benedict. Cafe au lait was great and good service

Located in a great part of Manhattan, service is great and food even better. I had the Sole Milanese. My friends had lamb burgers. We were all very happy with our choices. Only issue is that it gets quite loud when full.

Perfect for any meal: breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner. Very authentic French bistrot and American diner food (i All the items on the menu we had were great. It was hard to choose; all looked good. A little pricey for the fare and a little loud, but I suppose both expected in Manhattan.

I loved de onion soup, realy similar the ones in Paris! Nice Wine list, good options for wine in Glasses Good staff! it is in a very nice area and the price is average!

This used to be our “go-to” in this neighborhood. Good food, good service, reasonably priced. Reliable. Not any more. Maybe the management changed. It was an off-time, so the place wasn’t busy, but we (and our order) seemed to have gotten forgotten. Three tables that came in after us were served, and we were still waiting. After multiple reminders, our food finally arrived, partially cooked! We’ll miss the convenience, but there are many other options to choose from.

French looking and kind of living up to your expectations of Paris - good or bad. What do you expect from a bistro anyway? The lunch was OK and so was the service. A bit on the french side everything. We liked the atmosphere, even if it was´t very crowded at our stay. We´d stop bye another time.

My husband and friends were looking for a restaurant near the Gramercy Park Hotel for a light lunch on Christmas Day and this cute bistro was a good choice. This French bistro is open 24 hours, and while busy still had a table for four when we arrived without a reservation at 1:30 PM. I ordered a salad nicoise, but was somewhat disappointed that it was mostly lettuce with just a few pieces of fresh tuna and one hard-boiled egg. The other people in our group ordered: another type of salad, a bowl of fresh fruit, and a bowl of onion soup. While the decor is wonderfully French, the noise level was higher than would be expected. The server was new and did his best but seemed to be overextended.

I have used this restaurant on and off for years because I enjoy the 'sort of' French menu and traditional bistro style. It has become apparent that it is now overpriced in comparison with other eateries and on a recent visit the skirt steaks were very poor (too close to liver) and the service was beyond bad. Not just accidentally, plenty of staff wandering about without direction. I won't now go back, I have now been consistently disappointed too often

For a city with so many excellent food options, we seem to keep coming back. Definitely one of the better 24-hour spots and the ambience is quite romantic without being too loud. I usually get a burger but their french-onion soup is also quite good. Ask your server for recommendations.

Nice neighborhood spot for a relaxing breakfast. Fresh fruit and nice pastry selection. Reasonably priced for NYC.

This place used to be great. The salmon used to be fantastic and it used to come with wild rice. Not anymore. I ordered a steak frites and instead they brought a piece of beef that is a totally different cut with no taste. The fries were not good either. The salmon does not come with rice anymore. They must have changed chefs because the food used to be great but it’s now disappointing. Service and atmosphere are good though.

I ate here twice in my visit to NYC. I really enjoyed the food. First meal was excellent steak and fries. Skip the red wine which is served too warm. They have excellent beers. They also have excellent dessert wines. My second meal was a wonderful fish dish.

Went here for the lamb burger, but it took them three tries to get it right. Ordered medium rare, but the first two times the meat was uncooked through most of the burger, and they didn't appear to check before they sent it back after the first time. Was also frustrated when I ordered the wine on daily special and they substituted another bottle (and different type of wine) without telling me they were doing that.

Great food, lovely staff, looked after us beautifully, would recommend as a small independent restaurant as a place to grab a quick bite or a relaxed lunch. I would recommend the chicken sandwich.

Everything is splendid but NOTHING is as SPECTACULAR LIKE AS THE ONION SOUP. You must try it. The location is in Gramercy Park. Really nice area to stay.

I was very happy to be able to finally visit this medium priced French Bistro that has been a part of the growing popularity of Park Avenue South. My lunch was on one of the hottest days this year, so my lunch companion and I decided salads were the way to go. I had a Salad Nicoise - fresh greens, eggs, fresh tuna, authentic Nicoise Olives, green beans and potatoes. Authenticity is important for me as I have family in the South of France, and this is true to what is expected (sans anchovies). My lunch mate had a mozzarella and tomato salad that looked very appetizing and filling as well. Unfortunately, we had mediocre service, but our lunch was casual, so it's forgiven. Prices are average compared to uptown pricing. Bathrooms are clean, and the crowd was very hip. I will go there again.

We went here for a late dinner and the food was quite good, it had a nice, late night feel. A place where you could linger with cocktails before and after your meal.

We met friends at L’Express for breakfast on a Sunday morning. It is supposed to be a Bouchon Lyonnais, but honestly it did not seem very French at all. There were standard breakfast items on the menu. The food including eggs and potatoes were all served lukewarm. The coffee and tea were not very hot either. Our server was very nice. We really liked her. We would not rush back... Lots of other places that can serve a great hot breakfast!

I love how it looks, waned to go here forever, but when I did was too noisy, and food and service were meh.

After a bit of walking my friends and I spotted l'express just down the block from Union Square Cafe. It looked less pretentious and the menu suited everyone. What a find. Service was great and the food was even better. The portobello sandwich was very good. My Lamb burger with goat cheese was excellent. A salmon plate pleased my no meat friend and the coffees were excellent. Seating inside or out, full bar.

It's a welcome place in a part of old New York that stays in case it's wanted by the neighborhood. Many French people and great French food particularly any dishes with eggs. They serve all the satisfying French favorites and are open 24 hours. Only in NYC?. Maybe.

I needed a lunch place in this area that was comfortable and not too expensive. After looking at dozens of hipper, newer restaurants, I settled on L'Express as a safe bet. It was TERRIFIC! I found the staff welcoming and very accommodating. I tried their Elderflower martini. It was delicious!! Escargots, yum. My friend had the onion soup and said it was very good. We shared Moules frites yum yum with great aioli and a chocolate dessert was delish. The only misstep was the caesar salad which was certainly edible but a bit meh. The setting is lovely....very French. Take a trip to Paris at L'Express.

L'Express is my easy, low key go to place for business lunches or catching up with friends,.I have always enjoyed the food and should have written a review about prior experiences. On a chilly, snowy day, I decided to have a solo lunch here and was quite disappointed. I ordered the Braised Beef Sandwich/French Dip and substituted the french fries for house potatoes. The plate arrived in what felt like a nano second. It was just barely warm and the house potatoes were lounging in a sea of orange oil. As I was consuming this meal, I began to feel a definitive lump in my stomach. I like their cappuccino but didn't order it due to the malaise in my belly. I'll stick with my regular dish next time and hope that that remains enjoyable.

Down beyond the pre-war towers that line the boring parts of Park Avenue is this wonderful, 24/7 home to fine bistro fare. Wonderful pate, short rib in burgundy, mussels, desserts...reasonable wine list, plus a variety of other alcoholic beverages all fairly priced. Attentive service and a very convenient location for either uptown or downtown. Only one very mild caveat: at night, the lighting is dim to read the menu, otherwise, a perfect spot for any meal of the day.

We had a late lunch on a Friday after many hours of walking the city. The waiter was totally in tune with our need to eat immediately and assisted getting our food order processed speedily, advising us accurately based on the selections we had made. The dishes where all good quality tasty and great value. The ambiance was relaxing and comfortable seating. Lots of locals dining is always a greta indicator of consistently good quality.

ordered pork belly. 2 mins after recieving my meal a member of staff I hadn't spoken to previously made his way across the restaurant to me specifically to ask if the pork belly had reached my belly? he didn't ask my partner how her meal was or anyone else around us. I found this interaction and his demeanour a little strange. Later on than night I got very sick and couldn't help but wonder why he had asked me had the pork belly reached my belly?

Wandered in late Sunday morning with my wife after a evening out that left us wanting a solid brunch. Found a great meal here with top shelf eggs Denmark and traditional breakfast omelettes. Wait staff was attentive but very busy hustling to make sure guests were cared for.

This bistro opens 24 hours and serves French favourites that one craves like the onion soup, croque monsieur and steak frites & steak tartare. L'Express has been around for a few decades that I know of and I'm so glad it's still here. It's casual ambiance and amicable service is very welcoming. Prices are what you would expect in such a central locale at Gramercy Park / Union Square. Great place to have a meal with friends.

Enjoyed this hidden jewel in a brownstone at the top of a flight of stairs with a dimly lit fire place lounge. The menu offers light bites like cheese plates or charcuterie and a wide range of French entrees. Bar has a nice selection of bourbons and ryes; bartender makes a mean Old Fashioned.

Choice L'Express for a late lunch of salad and sandwiches. It was good choice. Crowd is a mix of locals, office workers and some tourists. We had a little something different: Grilled Turkey Sandwich, Warmed Goat Cheese Salad and a Lamb Burger all were great for us. With a glass of wine.

Came in after 2pm after seeing Santa at abc carpet. Quite loud inside, did t need to blare the music. Ordered avocado tot, was actually Guacamole on toast with 3 poached eggs. Seems a little weird for mexican food in a French bistro style restaurant. My wife and I ordered croque monsieur and madames... not what I expected. Had asked the food runner for mayo and mustard, it NEVER came. Don’t go on Sundays!!!

Great restaurant that is open 24hrs! We had dinner in Chinatown and wanted dessert so we went to L'express. We got there around 11pm and the restaurant was very busy and lively. We were seated right away and not only ordered dessert but almost another dinner because everything on the menu looked so good! We will definitely return!

In a food-savvy neighborhood, this place is popular and it was full when we had dinner. Do not come if you cannot hear in loud situations. The waiter tried very hard despite the house being full. All this being said, it was a fun visit to a hectic New York.

For a city that never sleeps, it is actually hard to find good restaurants open late in NYC, so I was excited to discover L'Express on Park Ave. Great food and nice ambiance. I got a salad and a cocktail and felt like I was in France. Highly recommend, especially for those of you getting into the city late night and hungry.

We ate dinner here Friday Feb 10th. We made reservations on Open Table. We had a comedy show reservation for that evening and found this restaurant in walking distance from the comedy club. This was the best meal we had in NYC (were there for the weekend), with friendly, timely service and at a reasonable price. I had soup du jour, sweet potato and leek, and duck a l'orange. My husband had French Onion Soup and Monkfish, followed by toasted almond cream cake (to die for). I will definitely go there again in the future.

Party of four: - Burger was excellent. - Frisee & lardon: excellent. - The crispy goat cheese appetizer was universally loved. - The Crispy Pig Croquettes were perfection and the salad that came with them was sublime -- may even have outshined the purported star of the dish. - The lamb burger was a solid and perfectly seasoned rendition. Service was top-notch!

I have been for lunch here twice and been impressed with the daily specials on both occasions. The salmon 'scaloppini' sandwich was especially good and the french fries are full of flavor.