The Russian Tea Room Reviews

We had the Saturday Morning Brunch and it was amazing! The waiter was excellent and answered my questions with grace. Our dietary requests were met with ease and the 2 hours we spent enjoying our time at The Tea Room was wonderful.

Whilst the decor is amazing this place is let down by the lack of good quality food and even worse, their staff! The owners need to seriously rethink the way this place is managed and operated. Until that happens, they are going to continue receiving these negative reviews. The service was atrocious and, most certainly, NOT with a smile. We had the afternoon tea! Our bill was over $200 for a handful of tiny sandwiches. I could have made them better myself at home for the kids' tea and some rather unsightly and awful tasting petit fours. The only decent item was the hot chocolate. The hostess was short and curt with guests, and the waiter clearly wished he was anywhere else rather than serving the diners. Of all the places we dined, this was undoubtedly the biggest rip off. I hope this review will stop anyone making the same mistake we did. There are a million other places in NYC more worthy of your hard earned cash than this let down!

Glad I went to say I did, but the service and food was just average. I love when the servers/bussing staff pull out the tables for you to sit, but they weren’t very attentive. The second course of the afternoon tea service was my preferred one. The scones were nice and warm. The sandwiches from the first course were ehh. It was definitely pricey with two of us paying 110 (including tip) each for the afternoon tea with a glass of champagne. But the decor was eye catching which means it wasn’t a waste. Won’t go again but glad I did it once!

Rip off muck. A sad and tired relic of what it once may have been. Dirty red velour seats , haven’t been cleaned in years , and ripped faded carpet added to the ambiance. We went there for Christmas dinner which was a set menu. The bread roll was stale and cold with rock hard butter. The caviar came out on two of the tiniest blinis I have ever seen with about 5 caviar eggs each (we counted), the presentation of these tiny morsels completely lackluster. The starter, we chose the blinchik with goat cheese and mushroom which was served cold? The duck had no crisp to it and again just slapped up on a white plate all for the rip off price of $145 per head. They should have served a side of vaseline to ease the pain when presenting the check. Will not be returning.

I had heard that the Russian Tea Room was not as special as it used to be, and I was worried that my visit would not live up to a previous visit I made many years ago when I first visited NYC, but fortunately I was not disappointed. The interior is as beautiful as ever, even more so with its Xmas decorations. Service was helpful and solicitous. We opted for the classic Afternoon tea, a very expensive proposition that happily was at least equal to, and perhaps superior to, other similarly priced high-end teas around NYC. The hackleback caviar was particularly good, and the sandwich selection was the most generous I've ever enjoyed with an afternoon tea; all the choices were excellent, with the smoked sturgeon, artichoke, and liverwurst sandwiches being unusual but delicious offerings. Three assorted scones (clotted cream on request) and numerous continental and Russian pastries were also served, including a wonderful raspberry pavlova. Notably, Kusmi tea, a brand started by Russian emigres in Paris, is served here; it is one of my favorite brands and you can't go wrong with any of the choices, though Prince Vladimir is my go-to flavor. All in all, a great experience in lovely surroundings, with more treats than one can finish, though we still ordered a slice of medovik (Ukrainian honey cake that the Russian Tea Room does particularly well) to go. Hopefully it will not be too many years until my next visit.

Can’t even begin how disappointing was my visit during my stay in New York. Place is overpriced, service is terrible and afternoon tea is not all that’s advertised. I’ve got food allergies and despite informing waiter about is some how shellfish still appeared on my plate. Service was very disappointing one of the waiters was rather rude, he wasn’t happy that we were using international cards and he had to come back to the table for us to enter our PIN number. So much unnecessary fuss.

Our lunch at the Russian Tea Room was a wonderful experience from the moment we entered the restaurant until we left. We were pleasantly greeted and promptly seated. The wait staff were a cut above. We were served water and fresh hot rolls as soon as we sat down. Our waiter brought menus and explained the specials. There were 3 of us. Each meal was to die for, perfectly prepared and presented. Desserts were rich and decadent. The teas complimented the desserts. As we left, the hostess thanked us and wished us well. Thank you/

We went to the famous Russian Tea Room for their afternoon tea service. Things started poorly when they seemed to have difficulty seating us, even though we had a reservation and the restaurant was only about half full. Other guests were greeted by the Maitre D with a "I know you" and immediate seating. Once we were seated, the waitress seemed disturbed by us ordering one $60 tea service to share--this was something that a staff member had suggested to me when I called to make the reservation. When our tea service came, there was indeed enough food for two, but it came with a very small pot of tea, so we ordered another pot at $10, which is quite ridiculous. As for the food itself, the tea sandwiches were fairly good, but the sweet offerings were extremely dull and disconnected from any Russian theme--mini-cupcakes, really? We could have been at a skimpy dessert bar in a cafeteria. One warning for those of you who have seafood sensitivity: almost all the tea sandwiches are seafood based, and one is shrimp-based. My wife is allergic to shellfish, and when the waitress sped through the sandwich descriptions, we didn't catch the shrimp one until she had already had a tiny bite. That is dangerous, and the restaurant should do a better job of warning guests. Overall, I'm glad we went for the atmosphere, but the pedestrian food paired with the snootiness of this place make it at best an average experience delivered at a high cost.

Restaurant week is a great time to visit this iconic NYC gem. Our meal was terrific, however....we didn't ask the price of the vodka flight. We were billed $90 for three ounces of vodka. Ridiculous!

We were celebrating a birthday...we left disappointed! We all had wine & sparkling water...we waited for our waiter to order appetizers & dinner but one of us had to go look for any waiter to take our order. Lacking in service, only one of us were asked if we would like more wine & our sparkling water was then topped off with still water. Dinner was delicious... but given the price point and no attention to detail will not be bringing us back.

Went on a Saturday for afternoon tea. Food is very good. It was distracting to see numerous staff members rush by our table, but our service was poor. The waiters were in the back of restaurant by kitchen complaining about other staff members. It's an iconic NYC restaurant but there is a great opportunity to improve service.

Whilst visiting NY thought we would try something different so decided on the Russian Tea Room, for afternoon tea, very very expensive, we were a party of 8, 6 adults and 2 children, decided we would share some plates so opted for 2 $60USD plates and 1 $90USD plate, with that we had to purchase extra coffee and drinks as only 3 cups were supplied with the afternoon tea. The food was miniscule and not great or memorable, as for the blinis 2 on the $60 played and 4 on the other, these blinis were as big as a bottle top and has I guarantee no more than 6 caviar eggs, all told our bill came to $375 USD incl taxes. BIG DISSAPPOINTMENT

Years ago this was an iconic restaurant with top notch service and an unbelievable ambiance. One felt in Imperial Russia. The food is unremarkable in every sense and the service was slow and not very friendly. The restaurant lived on a reputation made by previous owners. It really has nothing to do with the current restaurant.

Our once in a lifetime trip to NYC was made that much more memorable by our evening at the Russian Tea Room. Expensive? We dropped close to $400 on dinner and tip. That included one salad, one appetizer, two entrees, two deserts and 2 double vodkas. One double was Grey Goose ($24/shot) and the second was the Beluga ($30/shot) and I would not change a thing. This place is iconic so remember.....you are also paying for ambiance, history and.....Manhattan. We were promptly seated and lucked out by getting the same booth they used in the scene from Tootsie. Our waiter(s) were a bit somber but eventually loosened up and we had a great time!! Service was OUTSTANDING! Portions were small but delicious and again....I would not change a thing.

The interior of the Russian Tea Room is beautiful, making it a perfect location for anyone wishing to get a great photo in one of the plush red booths. Unfortunately, I went expecting delicious food. This is not what my best friend and I found. The sandwiches are mediocre. And I've had better baked goods from a grocery store (no offense to grocery store bakers!). The cakes and the frosting used on them tasted like Betty Crocker. Somehow even the tea tasted stale. I initially order the chai, and felt like I was drinking a cup of twigs. I asked for English Breakfast instead, which they brought over no questions asked. Service was ok. The delivery of food and drink was actually quite quick. But the wait staff seems exhausted, or perhaps bored by their routine/performance. If you're going because you've seen it on Instagram, just be aware that you'll be disappointed by the food. This is NOT worth $80/person.

I had the worst restaurant experience I’ve ever had in Manhattan last night at the Russian Tea Room. I dine at many upscale restaurants. I knew RTR was a touristy and mediocre spot, but thought it would be fun to take the family for a pre-theater meal. The service was terrible and the response from management was non-existent. They simply did not care. The waiter asked if we had theater to get to, and my response was yes at 7:30 but given the time we should be ok. After appetizers, the waiter asked if we were ready for our entrees. We proceeded to wait 45 minutes before the entrees arrived. After about 25 minutes we started asking, since it was getting close to our theater time. After saying 3-4 times that the food was about to come out, I asked to speak to the manager. Still no food, and no manager appeared. We were getting ready to leave and grab a slice of pizza, when the food finally arrived. The two orders of Beef Wellington arrived way too rare – almost uncooked. They offered to put it back in, but we were out of time. The four of us shared the two dishes which did come. All of the food was mediocre. As we wolfed down the two dishes, and were getting ready to pay, the waiter asked if we would like dessert on the house. This was the biggest insult as the offer was completely disingenuous. They knew we couldn’t possibly stay for dessert. Never again. Don’t waste your money on this overpriced terrible experience with staff that simply does not care.

Went in for my birthday lunch and was very happy that got the booth requested. The decor is amazing ( red, green& golds) and has that old time feel and tradition. The service however is Not. Our server was also the bartender for the entire place. She did what was required but in a fake manner and did not like any questions. Maybe having an off day. Portions are small, as bilin’s to me are like the frozen silver dollar pancakes and they only give you two. If I go again I probably would try the afternoon tea. Most likely a one and done.

The BOEUF BOURGUIGNON was tasty but the borscht was underwhelming. Unfortunately the servers were inattentive and not standard of fine dining establishments so that aspect was lacking and effected the entire experience. I wanted to try the Russian Tea Room for quite some time and I will certainly not be returning with so many other better dining options

We popped in for a glass of wine around 10pm. The history of this building is really interesting and the decor is very unique. It was close to closing and I did apologize but the gentleman was very understanding and was not upset at all- that was really appreciated as time gets away from you when you’re on holidays. Reasonably priced, you won’t regret popping in.

My wife and I had brunch at the Russian Tea Room and were really happy with the experience. The food exceeded our expectations and the staff was efficient and worked like a team. The young lady in front, Tony-Ann, was a big help to us and tracked us down to handoff things we had left behind. A fun afternoon!

As a native NYC-er I had wanted to go here for a while, and it didn't disappoint. It is very uniquely decorated inside and super warm and cozy. It felt like you could stay a while without pressure. The service is great, they were constantly refilling, checking on us, etc. The afternoon tea food was very good. The sandwiches were typical for afternoon tea, while the desserts were a little more modern (i.e. cupcakes). The tea was especially good as they serve it "Russian style" with sour cherries and lots of sugar in a clear glass. So we liked having good food and learning about another culture. The crowd was also understated; it looked like a mix of regulars and tourists but was not as touristy as expected given the location. Super fun for a special occasion or just to spend an afternoon.

This is a lovely iconic location with a deep history, in many ways a definite experience to be had. A very nice and large menu with delicious and delightful dishes. I can thoroughly recommend for all occasions. The only downside being the disjointed and slow service, but the ambiance and food more than compensate.

Went for thanksgiving dinner. Thankfully we were on the ground floor - the second floor was like a mad hatters tea party. The staff appeared plentiful but overwhelmed. Our cocktails were set to arrive after the tepid soup, so we canceled them. The Turkey dinner came slopped out on a plate reminiscent of a mess hall. It was nothing beyond basic in flavor, and I’m sure my son was still hungry after finishing his plate. Dessert was lackluster - a pecan tart that looked like it was made by a beginning baker; crème brûlée that had no hint of the promised pumpkin. The price for 4 with the menu, taxes, modest tip and no drinks? $700. A painful lesson that iconic does not mean good…what a shame for us and on them.

I just love this place, the most amazing ambience, the rich colours, the decadence the artwork, everything about it screams splendour. Luckily it was just around the corner form our hotel, but even if it wasn't I would have sought it out. I've wanted to go here for as long as i can remember, i.e. since watching Tootsie all those years ago and my daughter said that the place have been 'revived' when Gossip Girls was shown. We didn't east, as we'd not made a reservation, but were vert politely and efficiently shown to our booth by wonderful staff. The tea menu is extensive and has some beautiful concoctions. With each serving you get a small bowl of sour cherries and shortbread type biscuit - really delicious. Once I'd stopped gawping like a star struck teenager I used the bathrooms on the lower floor - again beautiful as it the stair case and the little shop thats downstairs too. Its not cheap but certainly a must do when in NYC.

My cousin, her daughter, and I went for a nice dinner and Russian Tea Room did not disappoint! I had just about every caviar meal option possible and they had multiple options. Their vodka martini with caviar is superb, smooth and strong. I also tried the caviar taster appetizer and it was well paired with the light creme fresh, each was different and i highly recommend it if you’ve either never tried caviar and want to dip your toes in, or if you’re a seasoned aficionado and don’t feel like having a full order. The lamb chops were perfectly cooked, I always order rare. It was well seasoned to accentuate the lamb itself without overpowering it. I’m not usually a dessert person but I had to try the Czar’s dessert. (Apologies, I forgot the name) and it was decadent yet still light and not too heavy. What’s not to love about 24k gold flake and caviar for dessert!? The wait staff was attentive, friendly, and we never left wanting for anything. I ordered a sidecar and it was a bit on the sweet side and he offered to bring me another one without question or me having to ask. I don’t like sending things back and feel guilty. It was a lovely change of pace not to feel that and the second one was sublime!! If you’re looking for a classic place in New York and feeling dressy for a special occasion, or even semi-formal night out, this is the perfect place.

Nice decor but very disappointing afternoon tea. The sandwiches were uninspired and the bread was stale. The scones were slightly burned and the other cakes were underwhelming. Including a crème brûlée without the burnt sugar top. The bill was eye wateringly expensive ($145 each pre tax) & we were hoping for something really special. I can’t comment on the main menu but the afternoon tea is one to avoid.

I'm from the UK and was very keen to sample this venue on a recent trip. I've been there once before, about 15 years ago and it was pretty much as beautiful as I remembered it. I'd made a reservation well in advance but that didn't appear in their records. Despite this we were seated quickly and the service was first class. The food was great, especially my maple glazed duck entree, and was served efficiently but without ever feeling rushed. My partner and I had a wonderful evening here and I'd definitely recommend it. I've travelled fairly extensively and not found anywhere else quite like it. It;s not cheap but, really, you have to treat yourself sometimes!

My husband and I had a wonderful evening meal prior to attending a concert at Carniege Hall. The whole experience was really special and the food was beautiful - served very attentively with a great explanation of the history of the restaurant. We had planned to come to the Russian Tea Room to finish our holiday off on a really special note, and it delivered in every way possible. The beef wellington (pictured) and dessert were just exquisite.

What an amazing atmosphere we came for the royal tea time which is two courses plus a delicious selection of tea. They also offer brunch which had a wonderful selection too. We were provided with excellent service from start to end. This is definitely worth trying even if you’re only here one day. Thank you to Mr Ersin for taking great care of us.

Old school restaurant, probably great in its day. Unfortunately things change. My daughter and I went for Sunday afternoon tea. We have been to a few, in the area. The Russian Tea Room is expensive!!! We ordered the standard tea and sandwiches. The sandwiches were explained when dropped off, but who remembers everything they said. So you taste and guess. Most of the bread seemed to have been around a while. The cupcakes, also, were a bit stale. It’s unfortunate, but sometimes these older places do not manage to stay open because they don’t really seem to care about quality.

From the exquisite decor, service without error, and food, this visit was even more than I expected. Having never visited, I wished to pick from the classics, and chose the borscht and boeuf a la stroganoff--perfection. Many of the classy clientele were partaking of the afternoon tea menu selections. That must wait for my next visit. Be aware that this is expensive dining, so there is no whining about the bill.

Outstanding dinner! Quality was fantastic, the service top notch. Ambience was exactly what you'd expect from a legendary establishment like this, 98 years old and yet whenever they did renovations last: it still looks in pristine order, and extraordinarily clean. Cannot understand why others would knock this restaurant, we had an utterly amazing dinner experience.

A lovely dinner at the Russian Tea Room. Excellent service and delicious food. Ordered from the Restaurant Week Menu; a great value at $60! Everything was so good: Borscht soup, blinchik appetizer, wild mushroom stroganoff, sea bass, and chocolate mousse cake. A memorable evening!! The decor adds to the ambiance: red leather banquettes and Russian art on dark green walls.

Extremely disappointing and ridiculously over-priced! The decor is tired. The overwhelming smell of blocked drain permeates the air. The service was ok but nothing special. The food was tasty but the portions tiny. The most expensive bowl of pasta we’ve ever had. A tourist trap that is well past its best before date!

Restaurant in same location for years Was intimidated But great greeting NOT stuffy Excellent service Recommend chicken Kiev Reasonable for the quality of the food

Came here for a friend’s birthday for their Afternoon Tea package which was $145/pp. A bit overpriced, definitely, but the decor, the tea, the sandwiches and the desserts are a fun part of the experience.

If you want to visit the Russian Tea Room because you want to experience the sights and sounds of this beautiful restaurant, by all means stop in and have a drink at the bar. Take your pictures, then keep on going to your next stop. In all my visits to NYC I have never been to the Russian Tea Room before. I bypassed the tried and true afternoon tea at the Plaza in order to try this place. Instant regret. For $80 you can get the regular tea, but I ordered the upscale caviar tea at $125 without champagne. For $45 extra I got the tiniest little dollops of caviar on four cold blinis. My dessert course arrived on a tier that was so bent out of shape, all the cakes were falling to the side. As for the tea? A tea bag. That's right - a dumpy little tea bag floating in a tea pot. How unsophisticated. At that price, customers should expect high quality loose leaf. As for the scones, they arrived without clotted cream. When I inquired to have the cream brought to the table, I was told that "Clotted cream is not served at the Russian Tea Room." I gave the waiter my best Teacher Look, and he told me he would ask the chef if there was any available. Miraculously, a small bowl of clotted cream appeared on my table 2 minutes later. Kinda disappointed. Should have stuck with the Plaza.

Dine in | Lunch Came as a family for Christmas dinner and had to try the chicken Kiev! Food: 5/5 | Service: 5/5 | Atmosphere: 5/5 Recommended dishes Côtelette à La Kiev

Horrible experience! We visited New York December 23. We ordered afternoon tea. The sandwiches were tasteless and had been made much earlier as the meats were dried up. They tried to keep them fresh but made them soggy. The scones were good but everything else was not worth a tenth of what they changed. Even the crème brûlée had no sugar crust on top and tasted like instant pudding. The place is still pretty but you had to angle your pictures because the balcony was covered in cardboard boxes. It was not just a bad day as almost no one was there. Find someplace else, you will thank me.

This restaurant is devoid of any scruples. We had a 10:30pm reservation we booked on OpenTable. Before the dinner we were watching the Broadway show Hamilton in Rodgers Theatre. Hamilton was running late and so I had to decide to either leave the show early or miss the reservation and pay a $50 per person cancelation fee. I decided to leave the show early and took an Uber to the restaurant. When we arrived the doors were locked and there was no one dining. The manger told me quite rudely through the door that they had canceled my reservation as they decided to close early. So we missed the last four songs of Hamilton and spent $40 on Uber to find out we had no reservation. It turns out the restaurant sent a cancellation email at 9:50pm only 40 minutes before reservation but I never saw the email which was sent way too late to be of any use. As a result we were hungry and stranded on 57th street and had to walk to Time’s Square to eat whatever we could find. Absolutely terrible display of lack of professionalism or ethics on the part of restaurant. If they can do this so openly with reservations imagine what unethical short cuts they are taking with the food behind closed kitchen doors. Don’t eat here.

I absolutely loved this iconic restaurant in NY & we dined on the local caviar & fine wines & the service, ambience & presentation was par excellence. Highly recommend you visit The Russian Tea Room whilst in New York.

We went for the ambiance and we definitely got that. The food was very tasty although it was bizarrely expensive. But if you are willing to do so, it is certainly fun to do once. The Borscht in particular is highly recommended!! But we loved everything. It was a shame that it was so quiet so we missed some of the ambiance, but otherwise great! Also very friendly service. The only downside was that the main course comes to the table very quickly once your starter is finished. Perhaps indicate in advance that they will have to wait a little longer with the main course if you want to take it easier

The big mistake we made was going to London and then trying to experience a similar afternoon tea at the famous Russian Tea Room. If the tea had cost $30-35 a person, I would have given them 4 stars because of the ambiance. It cost $95 though and unless you have so much money you do not care how you spend it, when you leave this place you will probably not be happy. We got one very small pot of tea. The sandwiches were okay, but nothing like you experience when having a true English afternoon tea. The desserts were the most disappointing. Three scones, two tiny cupcakes that you can buy in any grocery store (one was so hard because it was stale) and 2 pieces of chocolate candy. They give you three small balls of butter (no clotted cream!) The jams are tiny jars, like the kind you get for breakfast at nice resturants. It is festive - the decorations are cool, but that is the only positive. It was really cold outside and we were bundled up and the resturant was probably 80 degrees...if you were wearing a heavier shirt, like I was, it was sweltering. And, of course, they pack tables in like they are playing tetris...you sit on top of your neighbors. Oh, and last thing. When I made the reservations they asked if we celebrating anything and we actually were. I said it was my birthday. When we got there the hostess asked if it was my birthday and I told her it was. She said "Happy Birthday." That was the extent of it. I don't know what I thought would happen, but why did they even bother to ask?

I’ve wanted to eat at your restaurant for decades. My first trip to NYC was this week end with my son and his partner. They indulged me and went to Afternoon Tea with me at The Russian Tea Room today. The food was terrible! All of the bread was stale on the sandwiches, all three scones were stale and the red velvet cake was too hard to eat. I did tell the manager on the way out. The only thing she said was “Let me go talk to the cooks”. I said we couldn’t wait because we were on our way to a show but she left anyway. It cost $145/each plus tax and tip for inedible food! What a waste of money and what a huge disappointment!

Beautiful interior, I like the history. As far as the food, it was okay. Service was great! We got in without a reservation with a short wait.

I was so disappointed! The place is shabby and the food was horrible. We did the afternoon tea and with food and two glasses of prosecco it was around $230pp. The sandwiches had been made for a while. The bread was soggy and the tops were dried our like they had been made the day before. The scones were the only enjoyable part. The whole experience was not worth $50. Just Don't

Don’t waste your time or your money! We had anticipated so much more but were left very disappointed. We booked for the $125 Christmas set menu for 4 people. Entree was shoved in front of us 3 minutes after appetisers had been served (pickled fish and vegetables), which were quickly removed without so much as asking us if we had finished ( they were so over pickled it was completely inedible anyway). Entrees were average, mains and deserts were ok, nothing you couldn’t get for a 10th of the price elsewhere, cocktails and mixers were watery, disgustingly overpriced and poorly made, but what really ruined the day was the service. We were served by a waiter that was so arrogant, didn’t crack a smile the entire time and quite simply was borderline just bloody rude. Didn’t want to be there and he wasn’t the only one. The room was full of staff with the same demeanour walking around like robots making the whole place so depressing I couldn’t wait to leave. The frustrating thing was that at $850.00, ( including a very underserved tip) you really want to walk away feeling like you’ve experienced something great, which was sadly not the case. I never write these things, but in this case, I was so disappointed and angry I thought I must. Do they honestly think people have this sort of money to throw away on such mediocrity? Never again!!!

Not really Russian food as we Russians would define it. Too many things missing from the menu to be an authentic Russian experience, this is more of “inspired by”. The story of suing the Pro Golf Association to keep this landmark going gives one hope that City Hall can do the right thing. However, it has become a tourist trap, especially vodka shots at $30-50 per shot a real rip off. So value for money equation is destroyed. Go elsewhere for real Russian experience.

We enjoyed Saturday brunch. The atmosphere is unique and eclectic. Service was attentive. The basket of pastries was delectable. Don’t miss that! My Eggs Florentine were cooked perfectly and delicious. Only drawback is the prices are quite expensive. Certainly a unique dining experience in New York City.

I love the Tea Room. We had excellent service and the bar makes tasty cocktails. Our food was phenomenal. I had the pork chop and we started with dumplings. I could have cut the pork chop with my fork it was so tender. I will return here every visit!

Arrived here early on a Saturday morning. Got the evil eye from the hostess for not having a booking (even though there was plenty of space and when I went to reserve 20 minutes earlier there was tons of availability so didn’t seem necessary). Makes more sense now because the Afternoon tea was NOT worth $80. Stale cupcakes and choux pastry. Tea bags and no loose leaf tea as you’d expect. It got worse as the wait staff took away our tea towers before we even finished and plopped down the bill. They hovered the entire time and as soon as I put my jacket on they were already turning the table over. There are much nicer options in New York for Afternoon Tea. Won’t return here again.

My husband and I decided to eat in a historic restaurant during our quick trip into Manhattan to see the holiday lights. The ambiance at the RTR was lovely and it was fun to imagine this list of who's who gracing those booths in times past. The support staff (water, bread, etc) were just lovely. The waitstaff was not bad but not great, either. The manager (or maitre d?) was very pleasant and present, chatting with us a bit. Our drinks were excellent. I had the duck which was a bit overcooked and dry but the red cabbage/cherry chutney was delectable. My husband had the beef stroganoff, which was quite tender and tasty but the noodles left something to be desired. We tried the blintzes since it's their signature dessert and it was decent but I wasn't bowled over. Overall I have had much better meals for much better prices, but it was definitely fun to sit in the booth and imagine who had been there before. The restaurant itself is beautiful

The decore was special, their service was okay the chicken kiev was awful. I do not mean to be mean, I am just telling the truth. That being said I would stop in for a drink at the bar and appreciate the surroundings.

This restaurant is not worth the money you pay. The only interesting thing is the decor and history of the place. Dinner on December 20th before going to a Broadway show. We had a reservation for 5:45PM but it took almost 20 minutes to get cheeked in and to a table although the restaurant at this time was still empty. Service was terrible and the food was a joke had not test (we had salmon) and total overpriced. Don’t go there they are just famous because of their name. It seems the only reason why they still get business is because they pay high commissions to any Concierge in the City to send you there. Be careful if the recommend The Russian Team Room.

This is what every dining experience should be. Beautiful atmosphere, professional staff, attention to detail. Great food and a memorable experience. We will be back.

Front of house staff was great. Our server was constantly distracted, never fixed our wobbly table as she said she would, our tea came halfway through our meal of afternoon tea, our server didn’t refill our tea’s water despite our request. I found the bread dry. 5 children were running around, sometimes yelling at the top of their lungs, and the parents and restaurant team did nothing. This honestly ruined the afternoon tea experience for us. The restaurant though is beautiful.

Wow the place hasn't changed a bit. Beautifully decorated in vibrant red and gold the room setting takes you back to the decadence of the Russian Royalty. Amber, made our journey memorable and very special. We wont be waiting 25 years to return :-)

Ambience is wonderful. Service was only OK although the waitress we watched who took care of another table was excellent. So it was luck of the draw. Food was good. A New York icon and experience .

Warning to Anyone with Allergies! If you have any serious allergies, you should avoid the Russian Tea Room at all costs. I went to the Russian Tea Room for Afternoon Tea. I told the waiter 3 times that I had a shrimp allergy. He acknowledged that and obviously, he said he would take out the sandwich that includes shrimp. When it came to my table, he pointed out which sandwich was what, never saying the word "shrimp." I took one bite out of one of the sandwiches and knew it contained shrimp (which I then immediately spit out). I saw another waiter walking by and asked him what it was - he immediately said, "shrimp." When I asked my waiter, he told me that the kitchen had messed up (despite the fact that he misidentified it to me). He apologized but then said, "Mistakes happen." I have had a shrimp allergy for 10+ years and no mistake had ever "happened" to me. If you have any allergies, I would head somewhere else for afternoon tea, as clearly they do not understand that someone can literally die from an allergic reaction.

My travel buddy booked us a reservation here as a surprise for me and what a surprise it was! It's beautiful, historical, different, ornate, famous... what more could you ask for!? We had tea and brunch on a Saturday morning and everything was delicious. I loved it!

The service was the only thing that was decent. There were to be choices for the tea. They did not offer children's tea for our 11yo and did not have the menu for fish allergies 560$ for sandwiches that were stale and awful. 7-11 sandwiches are better.

The Russian Tea Room should evoke 1920’s style opulence. Our first impression was the hostess- kind of cattle calling guests from behind her tie dyed mask- it just didn’t seem very dignified or even on brand. Our tea arrived not exactly as advertised but close. The food had been plopped on the, only slightly askew, tiers. The portions were small and seemed to be orbiting around on the tray. The tea arrived- only one cup short. The hostess mentioned as she passed that the cherries could go in the tea. The scones came- hot and passable- not top ten in my life but good- the butter was so hard- it couldn’t spread. The petit fours were- sweating? The ambiance was elegant if not a little worn- and Tchotchke ish. Why are the Christmas balls still on the lights? Even the bathrooms were not quite what I expected. On the counter were: two sinks, two extinct soap dispensers( built in) two cans of glade air freshener, two bottles of suave hand pump soap, two stacks of hand towels( good quality), and a bottle of hand sanitizer all in a puddle of soapy water. Overall, it felt a little like going to an wealthy babushka’s house- you could tell how lovely it had been in the good old days! For $80 a person, I really expect it to be opulent, delicious, and cohesive. It’s time to update the flatware, tea service and tighten up staff expectations. Everyone was friendly enough yet not notable professional, attentive or dignified. It’s kind if a shame.

The Russian Tea Room has long been one of my favorite spots in NYC after my father first introduced me to this wonderful place a while back. It never fails to captivate me with its stunning, old-world decor and delicious food. During our June visit we were especially impressed with the lamb dumplings, caviar tasting and blintzes for dessert. Our service was exceptional and we topped it off with a lovely Irish coffee. It’s always a pleasure to sit in the classic red booths and admire the many beautiful artworks adorning the walls as well as the dazzling chandeliers. The Russian Tea Room is a place I always look forward coming back to.

Worst experience ever. After bringing a group of eight to ten people here several times a year for many years, this experience ends that tradition. We will not be back individually or as a group. We were greeted by a rude hostess who handed us off to a younger hostess who proceeded to take us not to the main dining room we have always been seated in, but a cavernous empty banquet space. We were sat in uncomfortable rental banquet chairs. When we complained, the first, older hostess came up stairs and abruptly says “Who am I talking to?” Yes, you got that right! Not asking for me by name (Easy since we had a reservation) but “Who am I talking to?” In a rude, confrontational manner. She then offered to have a table carried downstairs and ‘set up in the back’ in such a tone that we didn’t know if she was being sarcastic or sincere. At this point we decided to make the best of a bad situation and accepted the table upstairs. We’ve come here out of respect for the institution of The Russian Tea Room since it’s gone out of vogue. We wanted to show support and hopefully help keep it from going the way of many other restaurants in NYC that outlive their clientele. Unfortunately, they put the test of loyalty beyond our bounds with this awful experience. I will say that our servers were good, food was just ok (we’ve never come for exceptional cuisine, just for the overall experience). Sad to say, this restaurant will be no longer included on our traditional ‘must-do’s’ in NYC. Two bad hosts have cost Russian Tea Room our patronage.

I looked at other reviews and we were frankly had a bit of a disappointing read. But! Incredible experience. We opted for the royal high tea. Caviar, finger sandwiches, pastries. Loose leaf tea. Professional waiters and waitresses. Even a gift shop on lower level. Wall decorated with antique tea posts. Red decor and paintings adorn the walls. Food was excellent. Yea was excellent. This was a bucket list item and did not disappoint.

The atmosphere was as expected, if not a bit cheesy up close. The service was decent, friendly staff, water servers, wait staff, maitre'd etc. The food was not good. I got the duck dinner and it was very dry and tasted more like a dry shak'n bake piece of low grade beef, with a skinny dry leg thhat was coated with some kind of dry bread crumbs, served with a salyy briny borscht. My wife's dish was slightly better, because it was tasteless instead of tasing bad. The beer and wine were as expected. The caviar sampler app was 3 crackers and mostly sour cream and red onions which slightly masked the taste of the caviar, but it was distinguishable. It was an 'OK' atmosphere to sit down on a date, but not worth the $300. I would siggest finding a better place for dinner, but if you insist on coming here, I'd suggst ust ordering Tea ($10) and a dessert ($20) - and enoy a better dinner elsewhere.

Food not up to the price, staff not attentive, toilets dirty. Honestly for an afternoon tea at 150 USD, it wasn't worth it. On the other hand, the decor is incredible

Charging what they do is an absolute rip off! Food nothing above average. Service shocking poor. Spend your hard earned cash elsewhere, they do nothing to warrant receiving a tip and yet it's completely expected.

Wow never has a place delivered so poorly. Might be the worst experience I have ever had in any of my travels. The food is ridiculously overpriced. Had the afternoon tea, and it was disappointing to say the least. Horrible little sandwiches, served on bent metal trays. The scones were okay but the clotted cream was a runny mess. The presentation felt lackluster and the staff seemed bored. In fact other than constantly trying to upsell they didn't seem interested at all. sigh, avoid at all costs.

Reputation preceded our visit. Attentive staff and decor to match the opulent website photos. However, our first impression was of a very cold, dark, dank and slightly damp atmosphere. Our booth was carefully chosen and we were soon offered our afternoon tea, sandwiches and cake stands. However, our request for more tea was met with a pot of hot water rather than fresh tea bags. The scones were delicious and deserved more than grape jam flavoured with chocolate or marmalade. Where was the strawberry jam? So, a mixed bag for $60 per head but a New York experience to dine out on!

Russian Tea Room is beautiful. We had afternoon tea but all the food was quite dry. It was very expensive (about $180 for two).

It was our first visit to the Russian Tea Room. I went there with my grown daughter for afternoon tea. It was an expensive place to dine but the decor is glamorous, decadent and ornate. The sandwiches were mostly seafood based but light. The 2nd course were yummy scones, cupcakes and truffles...... the service was impeccable. I'd recommend it for a special afternoon and the overall experience.

Husband and I decided to have a special date night out in the city the Saturday of MDW. We have always wanted to experience the iconic Russian Tea Room for caviar service. Due to MDW, the restaurant was extremely quiet. I had called ahead the week before to request a booth in the main dining room. With the lack of traffic coming in, we were 45 mins early for our reservation and expected to wait at the bar. We were seated right away. Our server was Alex, I believe as I am writing this a week after our trip. Service was prompt but friendly. We did not feel rushed nor forgotten about. We chose to try the Cavitini to start and it was very tasty. Pricey but hey, it’s NYC. We opted for a caviar & vodka tasting for an appetizer and we thoroughly enjoyed it! For dinner my husband had the Beef Wellington & I had the Beef Dumplings. Both were cooked to perfection! We were surprised at the quality of the food based on previous reviews. We were not expecting everything to be so awesome. I suppose being there on a quiet night helped. We finished off the evening with a perfect Espresso Martino (just plain vodka & espresso). We loved the ambiance as well. We will be back when we are in the city. Regarding dress code: for dinner on a Saturday evening, cocktail attire is definitely recommended.

I fondly remember the Russian Tea room from years ago. This is not it. It has the same over the top opulent Russian atmosphere but the experience is definitely downscale and in my case dangerous. I have an allergy (to onions and garlic) that most good restaurants can accommodate. The waitress was dismissive when I mentioned it saying, “We had that allergy yesterday and here are the four things you can have…” She listed two salads if I left off the dressing, one menu main course (scallops) and a Chilean sea bass - not on the menu and definitely not Russian. When i questioned whether i could not just have the plain steak she just answered “no” without explanation. I skipped the first course and ordered the scallops. My husband ordered the stroganoff. The stroganoff turned out to be a braise, made with short ribs, about as far from the traditional quick seared tenderloin preparation as possible. The four scallops were presented plainly on roasted carrots and seemed fine but alas my mouth soon began to swell in reaction to the presence of my allergen. My guess is they cooked them in a pan that had not been cleaned since it had been used to cook something containing my allergen. Luckily I had Benadryl with me and the exposure was not so great as to require using my expensive epipen.

Went there for some dessert and drinks. One in our party wanted to eat something more than dessert and she ordered the beef stroganoff; it was amazing! The drinks, dessert were wonderful. Service was very good.

We came here for weekend tea and it was a fun experience as we had friends visiting from out of town. Ambiance: Very nice set up. The paintings and theme are on point and really add to the exclusive vibe. Food: The food was delicious and they did provide a lot of different sandwiches and sweets. They had an entire vegetarian menu which I very much appreciated. Tea: The tea options were a bit lacking and honestly felt very generic compared to some of the other afternoon teas I’ve been to in the city. Service: Service was good and somewhat prompt. I felt at times when we needed something it took a while before someone came over. We didn’t get hot water refills until almost the end which didn’t make sense. Price: The afternoon tea was really pricey especially considering what was given wasn’t anything extraordinary as compared to other afternoon teas. I think you’re paying more for the ambiance than anything else.

We know what real Afternoon Tea looks/tastes like (done it in London couple of times), and this ain't it. This is GARBAGE. The pastry's most ingredient is sugar. Go to ShopRite or Walmart you get the same thing for a fraction of what this place charges. Service is equally bad. Server brought tea 15 minutes after they served the food. No refills. Nobody even cared to ask if things were ok. Servers basically passed by our table many times and totally ignored us. The teapot - spouts of two of our teapots were cracked - and it's the cheapest kind you'd buy in a Chinatown general store. Could not believe they charge $115 per person (I had the "Royal Afternoon Tea w/ Champagne" - big mistake!) for this atrocious experience they called "Afternoon Tea." The Russian Tea Room - New York should be ashamed of your sad existence, and you should be ashamed of yourself!

Such a warm place in the middle of cold New York on December. We tried the christmas menu and it was good. The portion is so big for asian tummy. I think the staffs have been there for a long time, they’re super professional.

The decor is over the top as expected from its 100 year history. The atmosphere is quiet and cozy with banquettes, carpeted floors and soft music. My husband and had the tasting menu of salmon in pastry and beef stroganoff, both were delicious and excellently prepared. The service was attentive and appropriately timed. The menu offers dishes that are unique in a comfortable and quiet surroundings

We enjoyed going to such an iconic place, but everything was just "okay." We were there for dinner on Christmas Eve. The hostess was incredibly friendly, but our server was horribly inattentive. It took well over 30 minutes get tea and forever to get our food. We didn't get silverware and had to track someone down to get some b/c our server was nowhere to be found. The food lacked seasoning, so we had to get up and go track down our server to ask for salt and pepper b/c she still had not checked on us. My husband and son each had steak (ribeye and filet), and both said they were pretty good - not great. My vegetable Wellington was good but definitely needed some salt. Fwiw, I don't like a lot of salt. We were there for a long time and laughed about finally timing how long it takes the bear to fully rotate (30 minutes and 45 second).

I think you go for the royal afternoon tea because it is historical and the tea room is known for that since 1927. While the sandwiches were good, they were not a big wow. The desserts were either dry (cupcakes and scones) or the peppermint macaroon was very chewy. It was as if they were day old or older. We were very disappointed to pay $115 per person and have food that wasn't up to standard.

The episode 23 of season 2 is great thanks to you. The service was great, and the waiters were polite. #gorginaisback #chuckandblairwillneverbetogether

The Russian Tea Room is an iconic restaurant on West 57th Street in Manhattan next door to Carnegie Hall. The space is absolutely beautiful, with plush seating, a ceiling covered in gold leaf and an impressive collection of artwork on the walls. The service is doting. The food is delicious. My wife and I shared the royal Siberian osetra caviar, serviced with flair, and the I had the Stroganoff, which was rich and delicious. It is a pricey evening out, but to us, it was worth the splurge.

We visited twice in the past few months and loved the caviar and vodka at the bar before dinner. Bartender, Jasmine was helpful in selecting appropriate cocktails and entrees. The dinner was delicious from the duck appetizer to the beef stroganoff and chicken cordon bleu.

This is a tourist trap, so wasn't expecting much but the food was ok. The service was laughably poor, but based on the prior reviews to be expected. Worth it once to check the box or if you are a fan of Tootsie (80s movie with Dustin Hoffman which filmed a scene here). Dinner is not worth the premium so go for lunch.

One of the oldest Restaurant in the city close to central park and in the middle of new york. Food was amazing the tea service, decor, culture everything was excellent. Staff are every professional their eyes are always watching you incase if you need anything they will be right there. They will also explain what you are eating and how russians like to drink tea or certain beverages. I had a tea special, cocktail chocotin, eggs florentine and russian toast. If you are starving go for tea special which is like $80 but its worth it as you will have many variations of sandwiches and pastries.

The Russian Tea Room was awful. We had a family event there & we were so disappointed. Both food & service were awful. Would give no circle/star if possible.

We decided to have a little bite to eat before the show.It was amazing atmosphere, very good service and very tasty food. Thank you 🙏

I was hoping to share a wonderful dining experience from my past travels to New York City with my daughter, but this was not the case. The Russian Tea Room may still have the opulent decor, but the food and service were mostly lack-luster. What was good: the Borsch and the Beef Stroganoff, but our cheese and cherry blintz were burnt - like charred. I would have sent them back if we were not pressed for time. I do not mind paying for excellent service and excellent food choices, but the Russian Tea Room had neither. There are to many other Russian menu inspired restaurants in New York that serve the same faire.

I love this restaurant as I’m originally from Russia. It’s a piece of my home and nostalgia there. I would always recommend to have a reservation. We had a reservation for 31st of December. We came on time in a festive mood and looked forward to the dinner at this wonderful restaurant. As we entered we have been kind of welcomed by 2 young, moody, ladies. Who didn’t cared about customers, service, what ever. They offered us a table that was squeezed in between. There have been other table free so we asked if possible to wait and get another one. This was accepted more or less with a bored face and attitude. What a shame, auch an amazing restaurant and first what you get is already on a border to be rude. After 20 min not even an update from ladies who have been busy with their phones and looked at each coming customers with the look of “do not disturb”. Luckily after 30 minutes nice gentleman updated us and shortly we Finally could take place and enjoy delicious dinner.

In technical terms, something that is iconic is worthy of veneration, or having a reputation of greatness. This is no longer the case for this restaurant. When I think about the fact that I planned a dinner date at this place, counting on it being a place of great worth, and receiving a bill for $341 for the meal, it saddens me. The service was terrible. The food was lackluster at best. I will give them props for the borscht, which was delicious. But not worth nearly $400. Not worthy. Not worthy.

I wish we had been warned about the ridiculous nature of lunch at this iconic NYC restaurant. We were looking forward to a memorable visit but left feeling fleeced with a bill that came to over $700 for mediocre tea sandwiches and scones and sweets, most of which we left on the table. Our advice- stop in and get tea for the experience.

A hidden gem in the heart of NYC! Beautiful, super glamorous, it’s like you enter a movie or a time capsule! Lovely food too! Super friendly staff! It’s all good, don’t miss it!

Wonderful Afternoon Tea. Our server, Ruben, was attentive and shared the history of the tea room. Loved the selections and the time to savor everything. What a treat!

Among several upmarket afternoon tea places in New York, the one at the Russian Tea Room is my favorite. The menu was impressive and so generous that I left with a large box of goodies that I could not possibly consume in a single sitting. Service was efficient and competent, and the interior decorations, works of art, and striking colors made for great ambiance. I wondered before my visit if there would be a dress code at such a distinguished venue. No reason to worry! Two gentlemen sat with their baseball caps on, and another two had knitted hats to protect their delicate skulls.

Usually in my experience afternoon tea means China plates cups etc and fresh tea sandwiches etc. We had glass cups a dirty tablecloth dry sandwiches which tasted of nothing but bland tasteless filling. The caviar was so minute it was less than a sampler. The only thing in fresh abundance was iced water. The biggest let down was our tea usually fresh leaves and a strainer we had a cheap tasteless tea bag. The pot was just re filled with water. After paying 380.00 dollars for 5 as a birthday treat including a 54 dollar compulsory tip we were left to move the table ourselves so we could get out and not a word from the waiting staff in way of thanks.We found our coats in a heap on the floor in the cloakroom. So in all a truly awful very expensive experience. We were aware of the price but beware that diesnt include tax

Overpriced food. The food is overpriced, but the waiters are nice and friendly, and the food only took half an hour for my party of 5.

We were celebrating our anniversary and wanted something extraordinary. We went to Russian Tea Room in Midtown West. Ambience: The wonderfully red-colored walls are filled with many oil painted art work, I felt like I was in a time capsule going back in time to have dinner with the Russian Royal family. Appetizers: Red Borscht with picked red beets, seasoned vegetables and dill in a short rib and bacon broth served a braised beef pirozhok - very tasty. Blinchik a slow stewed beef with cabbage, onion braised in red wine sauce wrapped in a crepe and served with pickled vegetables - the tangy vegetable gave the dish a good lift. Main Course: Wild Mushroom Stroganoff - wild mushroom, egg noodles tossed in rich mushroom cream sauce with trumpet and maitake mushrooms - very delicious. Boeuf a La Stroganoff- red wine braised short ribs with thick noodles tossed in a creamy mushroom and black truffle cream sauce - very similar to wild mushroom cream sauce. (If you want beef, order this dish) Dessert: Chocolate Mousse Cake has soft with a chocolate hazelnut crunch center - tasty. Service: After shown to our table, water glass was filled within minutes of whether we want tap or sparking water. Each dish of the 3-course Prix price meal was presented carefully facing the diner. Our water glass was checked frequently and filled as needed. With a bit of charm from the old country, there is CONTINENTAL FLAVOR … at the Russian Tea Room in Midtown West New York City.

Our experience of Christmas lunch on December 25th at The Russian Tea Room wasn’t what we expected. The place, of course, is gorgeous, we rather be seated at the first floor, but there was a lot of people, so they gave us a table at the upper level, I didn’t remember how beautiful that salon is, even better than the lower one, so we were very happy. Sadly the food and the service weren't as good as it should be. They had a four course Christmas Menu, the starter should be the Zakuski, the menu said: mixed smoked fish with vegetables, but instead of that, the waiter served us the appetizer. My daughter in law and I had the Red Borscht, is a soup with beef in it, it was good, but just that. My husband and my son had the Duck Blinchik, which is a kind of crepe filled with duck and foie gras, they liked it more than we liked the soup, but also nothing outstanding. After a long wait, the waiter served us THE STARTER!!! Can you believe it?, it’s the first time that happens to us something like that, and the dish had just smoked salmon, when it suppose to be a “mixed smoked fish” as the menu said. But that wasn’t it. When we were about to eat our salmon, the waiter came back with the main courses, there even wasn’t room in the table to put the dishes; then, without asking us, he started to take away our dishes of salmon, I didn't allow him to take my plate away, I wanted to eat my salmon, then he just drop my main dish next to the salmon in a little space. For main dish my daughter in law and I ordered the Roasted Veal Brest, it was really bad, hard to chew, like we were eaten some kind of rubber. My husband had the Chicken Kiev and my son the Boeuf à la Stroganoff, both dishes were good, but nothing special, just good. Well, the dessert were even worst, they served us the Apple Tarte Tatin and the Chocolate Mousse Cake literally FROZEN! they just took the dessert from the freezer and gave it us, that was unbearable. This was not our first time at this beautiful restaurant. We have been there many times, we even had lunch on December 25th twice, in 2006 and 2007, they didn’t had a Christmas Menu then, just the regular one, and we had a wonderful lunch, that’s the reason why we wanted to be there again in this special date, and share with our daughter in law our lovely memory of this place, unfortunately this time wasn’t like that. Maybe, if The Russian Tea Room can’t handle so many customers for Christmas lunch, they shouldn't offer it.

Intrigued to return to the Russian Tea Room since my first visit and NYC experience when I was a teenager in 1976. Of course after 45 years elegant dining in general has declined. Menu had classic dishes, stroganoff and Kiev. But they were rather bland, sorry to say. Service was top shelf! Attentive and informative.

On our first-ever trip to NYC, my husband and I wanted to share every unique, "touristy", cultural, and historical experience we possibly could within an 8-day period. After a magical carriage ride we had a reservation for "high tea" at the Russian Tea Room. I knew it would be a unique experience but it was even more than I expected. Now, "high tea" isn't something one would find where we live so if the opportunity presents itself to indulge at an "iconic" NYC establishment, we were on board! While our reservation was for 2:00p.m., we arrived much earlier. I was concerned that it might be a problem---not at all! The hostess was so gracious and seated us promptly in a large, lovely booth as we had reserved. The restaurant itself is beautifully gaudy---rich greens, deep reds, ornate golds---gorgeous in a completely over-the-top way! Lovely! Waitstaff dressed impeccably and we had the most wonderful waiter, Ilya, who we learned actually was from Russia! My husband began with a flight of four vodkas suggestion by Ilya, with generous pours of each and I had champagne. Things are off to a great start! I actually had reservations about the food selections that would be served but they were surprisingly plentiful and were both unique and extremely flavorful. The silver tier tray presentation was lovely. It was a wonderful tasting of three caviars, unique combinations in the seven finger sandwiches, and a beautiful array of sweets--- three different scones with butter and jam, chocolate truffles, cupcakes, macaroons..bliss! So much---we had sweets for later that evening after the theatre. We finished with our lovely teas of Darjeeling and Mint Verbena with sugar, red cherries, and a touch of milk. What an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience for us! Exceptional service, a beautiful setting, and unique tastes made for probably the longest brunch ever! Thanks to Ilya and the entire group for giving us such a wonderful experience and transporting us to another place and time!

We had booked afternoon tea. The sandwiches were really great and the flavours very unique. The cakes and scones were ok but not amazing. The presentation could have been a little better. The staff were incredibly polite and made the experience very special.

My teenage daughter and I were so excited to try the Russian Tea Room. We enjoy going to “fancy teas” whenever we are. Unfortunately this was a lot of money for ok food and ok service. The bread for the finger sandwiches was not super fresh and the fillings on some were spread so thin we couldn’t really taste them. The scones were dry too and the other pastries clearly weren’t made fresh that day. Our waitress was very nice (thank you), but the service felt rushed. The atmosphere itself was very cool and you can imagine what the experience was like years ago. I don’t mind paying a lot of money for a great experience, but this fell short. We will try the Plaza next time.

Excellent. Twice this year we have dined at The Russian Tea Room after a show at Carnegie Hall. We have not been disappointed.

Great treat to share with family and friends before a show or concert. The fixed 2 and 3 course menus are reasonable if you watch the alcoholic beverages and enjoy the included gourmet tea. A special treat. Very convenient to Carnegie Hall. A good memory. Food was excellent. Deserts full decadent portions.

Terrible. Overpriced. Not good. Bad atmosphere. A complete rip off. Two boiled eggs fo 38$. Joke of a place. Should make room for better concepts in NYC.

The Russian Tea Room offers a nice atmosphere. However, if you only want to have tea in what is called "tea room", the staff will treat you like a 'second class client'. We went here with my friend, they first told us to sit at the bar (???) but then seeing my 'nope' face, offered us a table (near the entrance in the dark, while everyone else was sitting in the middle of the room). We could see that the staff didn't care about us cause we didn't order something expensive (if you consider $10 for a tea isn't expensive...). The staff is meant to work in a dinner or fast food, but certainly not in such a classy place (you have to treat all your clients the same, no matter where they came from or how they dress)....Also we heard them talk about us 2 times... not elegant at all. Also we had our huge coats, and they didn't offer for the cloackroom (I've realised that there was one when I went to the toilet...).

Such a shame. A once great restaurant is now to be avoided. The onion soup was tasteless as was the “beef” Stroganoff. It first came with a piece of meat that was 85% fat. After we told them about that they brought a very good piece of meat. The noodles were without any flavor. I had been coming here since the ‘50s but never again.

Fall right into the iconic and colorful history with decor that captivates. The service and food are impeccable with dishes that I’ve never had a chance to experience yet are delicious and resulted in food coma. The layout for afternoon tea had me wanting to start all over but have to settle for trying that out the next time. Oh yes, we’ll be back :)

We had to go here once just to experience this historic icon. The food was very expensive, and my Chicken Kiev a bit overcooked. Still, the service was excellent, and the quiet atmosphere made it easy to converse. It was right across the street from our hotel, the Park Hyatt, which was very convenient.

Visited March 10 for tea, table 35. The best asset of this place are the staff: very welcoming , very polite, very professional. Linen and silver fine. The decoration is tired and stuffy though the carpet is very beautiful. The tea was good (Lapsang Souchong and St Petersburg--very good cherry preserve to sweeten the tea--$10 each). The cheese cake was good but ever so small and pricey ($20 each). The bill came up to $65.33 plus tip which I find steep for what we got. The guests were mostly dour men of our age (70 plus) except a middle-aged man accompanied by three beautiful young women for whom he ordered caviar and a party of four young men (actors?) who had had a little too much to drink but cheered up a little the rather morbid ambiance. We wouldn't consider a repeat visit.

A restaurant almost a hundred years old, with Russian decoration of this type of places. It is next to South Central Park. The food is fine, although it is not brilliant. We ate salmon with a beetroot base on a little burnt blinis and chicken Kiev. The problem, important, was our waitress, who was wrong with the command and served us two first (we had ordered only one to share) and did not order the main dishes, so after the starters brought us the face of desserts. We commented that we were missing the chicken, the maitre did not know where to go, and it took half an hour to arrive. They invited us to a glass of wine and didn't claim the everlasting American tip, but for a $133-a-head restaurant the error is not a receipt.

Classic, historic and visually interesting. Have a drink at the bar and imagine how it could have been. The herring sampler is tasty but many of the mains were not very good and extremely overpriced. Forty dollars for two tablespoons of tasteless mushroom stroganoff?

I have waited years to go to the Russian Tea Room. I have to say I was so disappointed. Four of us went for afternoon tea. We were taken to the first floor and initially we were expected to sit right by the lift. We declined and the rude female host was obviously not happy. We were eventually seated within the room. It took ages to be served. We were given the wrong glass of champagne to begin with but this was quickly rectified. The afternoon tea was so underwhelming. The bread was beginning to curl up. The cakes were hard with little taste. We were given a tiny pot of marmalade? And a tiny pot of jam between four of us. We ordered more and these came 15 minutes after asking The waiter was disinterested in us. The bill was $420 !! We really wouldn’t have a problem paying that amount in such iconic surroundings but the food we were served really did not merit it. To sum up I think the afternoon tea service is way below standard served by waiters who really didn’t care. The experience like it’s food is stale and very very disappointing.

Tea sandwiches were nothing special and seemed to be made with grocery store bread. They were plopped on our table with no explanation of what kind each one was. The scone and dessert tray was abysmal. The scones and cupcakes were dry. The macaroon was too hard to chew. The chocolates tasted very waxy. A total waste of time and money. I just want to forget this meal ever happened.

Beautiful atmosphere. We went for brunch. You pick you tea from about 20 different ones. Menu had lots of choices and price ranges. I have the cavier omlette that was delicious and the Anastasia tea.

Restaurant is quite beautiful inside and was quite at 8 pm. We are in our summervacation and we’re excited for the history of the place. We have experience in Russian food and culture. Food quality was OK at most. Bursh was good but at 27 dollars…. We have been in different restaurants in Chicago, San Francisco and Tokyo and even there is not that expensive. It was amazing that a flight of vodka didn’t even have some pickles to enjoy it. Desert was international at most no typical Russian… creme brûlée? Tiramisu? No Napoleon… Anyway place is overrated and 350 dollars for 5 appetizers…

Classic staple in the city ,stopped here before movies with wifey and the duck was great ,the service was great and decor

The Food its not really good, I Will say « regular », the Waiter gave the check without request, like telling me « you have to leave”, it wasn’t crowded or people waiting for a table, the decoration it’s great, but it’s totally overpriced!

Decoration is interesting- staff average-ish - food poor (not fresh) and prices high. Been there, done that, never again.

Not as good as it used to be, unfortunately (used to be one of my favorite places in the city). Still has a great atmosphere!

You would be hard-pressed to find a more luxurious, lush or better decorated spot, even in the great city of New York. The vibrant and captivating surroundings almost made it hard to concentrate on the food. Top honors go to the service. From the moment we entered, we were attended to by a well oiled team of leadership, servers, bussers, etc.. every question was respectfully entertained and no one could have been more polite. Really was a treat. The prices are notoriously as extravagant as the decor, but as we weren’t dining on the caviar or high-end champagne, we were not too offended. Although the meals were beautifully presented and served, the food was the least impressive part of our adventure. One of our party had the French toast which she raved about and generously shared to the satisfaction of another. My daughter and I had steak sandwiches— while the meat was prepared exactly as requested, and the taste was perfection, there was grizzle in both sandwiches, making biting and chewing a little more difficult than anticipated. The side of fries got two thumbs up. The delightfully light and creamy crème brûlée capped our experience beautifully.

I called ahead around noon because I was concerned there wasn’t anything on the dinner menu my picky eater 8 year old would eat. I asked if they could make her a pb&j since I saw that on the tea menu available until 4:30. The manager on duty refused. It must have been a different manager on by our 7pm dinner because not only did they accommodate her and make buttered noodles (for $26 but at least she would eat), but the manager was an absolute delight. He came around and was very friendly and offered to take our photo. The service was otherwise unimpressive. If it weren’t for the friendly manager I would assume they just didn’t want kids there. The food was exceptional. It’s too bad.

It was a nightmare, waste of money. Do not ask for the "Tea Menu" its over-rated, expensive, doesn't worth it. The staff is arrogant, We paid almost 100 dollars each person, for a sandwich and sweet bread. OMG the most expensive ordinary sandwich of our lives.

I took my Russian husband to this restaurant for afternoon tea. He was very excited to visit this landmark restaurant which had been featured in several movies. The food was well presented on beautiful three-tiered trays, but tasted mediocre. In terms of caviar on the blini, it was almost non-existent. Not bad for 60-90 dollars a person! I would have still rated this restaurant well, despite the food, but the waitress was incredibly cold and rude. My husband assumed the waitress was Russian and started speaking Russian to her. She said coldly, and clearly offended, "I don't speak Russian". He then said "there would be no shame..." until she cut him off and kept repeating, "I have no shame, I'm not ashamed. I am not ashamed. I am Turkish." When she finally let my husband finish, he only wanted to say that there would be no shame in staff learning a few Russian words to really bring out the charm and authenticity of the Russian Tea Room. My husband then tried to inquire about all the art on the wall in this iconic restaurant, and the waitress coldly answered she didn't know anything about it. I honestly find all of this surprising as a former waitress myself. I used to work at an Italian restaurant and we learned a bit of Italian and we were taught about the history of the restaurant, which was nowhere at the same standard as the Russian Tea Room. Working for tips, you'd think the staff would be a lot more friendly. I think the management really needs to reconsider its staff. If not for genuine Russians, or lovers of the Russian culture, then at least staff that is client-oriented.

We had a fantastic time at the Russian tea room. We stopped here before a concert a Carnegie Hall. What a great location to have a drink and eat a meal before listening to a wonderful concert. I had to beef Wellington, yummy! I loved the Champagne. They are each $30 by the glass several different types. I had the Vue.

Once it was very good. Now it was terrible. Pelmeny were cold and not tasty. Salat olivie was poor. Salt fish was served with a vinegar for some unknown reason. Borsch soup was not a borsch. Very super priced. Never again. Do not waste your time and money

A friend recommended this for the experience. The ambience is spectacular, somewhat overdecorated but very stylish. The service is impeccable, the food is good but certainly not outstanding: the borscht is tasty, but I've had better duck elsewhere. The prices, for both food and wine, are outrageously high. The restaurant is good, but not that good.

Super iconic. Super expensive. But loved the experience. We were a party of 4 for Tea service. (1) gluten free, (1) afternoon tea and (2) royal afternoon tea. Each of us also had champagne. I’m not sure that the royal afternoon tea which gave 2 more blinis with Russian caviar was worth the extra $30. The tea sandwiches were all delicious. Our server was a doll and explained every sandwich to us when we were served. I don’t know that I’d be going back but I thoroughly enjoyed visiting this NYC landmark.

What a disappointment this was. This place is not what it used to be. The food is just average to bad, and y the service is awful. All that it's got left is its decor and history. It was also very loud.

The iconic Russian Tea room was a spur of the moment decision and they did not disappoint. I am gluten free - there were several entrees in addition to gluten free bread. There also was a GF option on the high tea menu yet we opted for the regular lunch. My seabass was cooked to perfection while my husband's beef (stroganoff) fell apart with the touch of a fork. Both dishes were more than filling and seasoned perfectly. We got lucky with an empty table yet reservations are highly recommended. Next trip to NYC The Russian Tea Room is worth a visit.

Memorable experience. The artwork on the walls was meticulously presented via the lighting, and the food was prepared so artfully, it complemented the decor and vice versa. The service was exquisite. The taste of the food was superb and not overly expensive. I loved the herring flight, and the steak was prepared exactly to my liking, as was the salmon my husband ordered.

The Russian Tea Room has changed quie a bit since the old days. The tables used to be wooden and in rows; now there are mostly booths with red leather. Many paintings on the walls all over the restaurant. It seems more like a tourist place now, with mainly casually-dressed people from many different parts of the US, many different countries. My wife, with her usual elegant attire, seemed quite out of place; me too - since I was the only guy with a tie.So we figured the food would be mediocre. But it wasn't: it was quite good. In the old days there were more Russian dishes, like piroshke - that were served first as amuses bouches. Now: nnot very many Russian dishes. In the old says (meaning 40 or 50 years ago) I used to speak Russian with the waiters - though truthfully, even then only a few were from the old country. Now: fuggeddabotit! No Russians anywhere. The service was quick and very good. With all the paintings and the red leather booths, the place is quite pretty - though perhaps (as my wife thought) a bit garish. Being next to Carnegie Hall, it used to be a place that fit in well with the city's high cultural spots - like Carnegie Hall. In the old days, we used to see Andy Warhol - who dined there frequently. But the restaurant no longer equates with "high culture" - even though, Thank God, the food remains very good.

Went to The Russian Tea Room last night, Jan. 29, 2020, for Restaurant Week. Everything was excellent. The decor is so festive and the service was super friendly and attentive. I had the borscht to start which was very flavorful, then a nice pice of salmon as the entree and a rich chocolate hazelnut cake for dessert. They have an impressive cocktail and wine list. I had a delicious vodka cocktail flavored with cherry and chambord. A classic and memorable NYC experience.

I was excited to visit a New York icon. I wanted to try the High Tea, but looking at another diners table, I decided it wasn’t worth it.

We had dinner here on Christmas Eve. It was truly the highlight of our Christmas in NY. The ambiance was unrivaled, just as I remember it from the 1980s, with Faberge eggs, big red bank seating and Russian flavor throughout. The service was impeccable. We had a friend join us that we hadn't reserved for and they were VERY gracious in accommodating her. Devon (sp?) was our waiter, and though new to the restaurant, he was so well trained you'd have thought he'd worked there for years. It was brilliant. The food...ahh the food. The Caviar was, as one would expect, the finest in the world. I'm not a fan of caviar, but even I couldn't get enough! I had the Beef Wellington, and it was exquisite. I've never had it so perfectly prepared. It really was flawless. My guests had Stroganoff, Sea Bass, Filet Mignon, and Chicke Kiev. Not a complaint among them - only raves. Sadly, we were too full for dessert, so I can't comment on that. If you're of the class that dines like this regularly, then you know how good the Tea Room is. If you're the sort that is looking to it for a special occasion, they won't fail you. And if you've never tried it, there are few things in life that will gratify you as much. They even sent me a Thank you email. Now when's the last time you got a thank you at a restaurant, let alone one after the fact by email?? Extraordinary!

DO NOT ORDER THE 'TEA' option. Lunch actually looks good and is reasonably priced. The TEA,however, is hideously small and very stale for $95/person. So stale my daughter had to vigorously wrestle her truffle and petite four off the tray. The cupcakes were horribly stale and the grilled cheese sandwich seemed several days old. If you must go just order off the menu.

An afternoon tea at the Russian Tea Room is an experience not to forget! The quality and selection of tea sandwiches is excellent. Each sandwich has unique flavor and just melts in your mouth. The small pastry and scones were lovely. The tea selection is very good. The service was wonderful! Design of the restaurant is unique reminder of fairy tales and imperial Russia. One tea tower is quite a bit of food for one person. My husband ordered Beef Stroganoff instead, which was absolutely superb! The menu selection accommodates every taste. Rich flavors, quality ingredients, lovely atmosphere make for a truly unique and lovely experience.

Lovely luncheon! Everything was very special from the moment we walked in and were greeted by a sweet hostess until the moment we left. Four of us had very different dishes and we were all pleased: full "tea", mushroom stroganoff, the herring sampler and blueberry pancakes. The tea dishes were plentiful for sampling and sharing. The waiter took his tone from us, in our wanting a leisurely meal, and the staff was appropriately attentive and not rush-y. We really enjoyed our visit and I might even say it's a "don't miss" when visiting NYC for a special meal in an iconic restaurant--it exceeded our expectations.

I have no idea how Russian Tea Room has received good reviews. I don’t even know where to begin. I will keep this brief... We were seated and I will say, the decor is lovely, but that’s where it ends. We ordered tea for four.... and when it was delivered, the trays were crooked. Horribly crooked. In addition, it was delivered with small jars of GRAPE and Strawberry jelly for our scone. No cream, no lemon curd, nothing in a small dish, just a mini jar w one serving of JELLY for FOUR people. I asked our server for creme and he responded ‘oh, we don’t do that.’ I was puzzled. He stopped by again and asked how everything was. I told him it would be better w Creme and Lemon Curd and asked for more of their mini jars of Jelly to try to get my stale scones down. He then reached over to the table next to us and grabbed a jar of Devonshire clotted creme that was nearly empty and said ‘oh, we have this’. It was like being handed a jar of mayo. When I pointed out it was nearly empty, he went and got us a new one. (Why did I have to ask two times?) This was truly the worst restaurant experience I have ever had in NYC. Please don’t waste your time or money here. We went to St Regis for high tea later in the week and it was a class act service.

Having first visited the iconic RTR in 1976, I was uncertain about dining there, owing to recent poor reviews. Well, I was pleasantly surprised that the restaurant still evoked a classy trip back to Imperial Russia. The ambience, cuisine, and service were superb. Prices are high, but it's Manhattan.

Excellent sophisticated dining experience at the Russian Tea Room. Service, drinks, food, and dessert were memorable. For a glimpse of old world NY charm, I recommend a visit to the Russian Tea Room.

Afternoon tea , what a delight absolutely loved this , we felt like royalty ! The sandwiches and cakes were all different we couldn’t eat it all The staff were amazing , we felt like the old movie stars The history of this place is breathtaking , superb afternoon I would highly recommend , pricey but the experience was amazing Thank you Russian Tea Rooms

Very disappointed. Made reservations for afternoon tea and was looking forward to a wonderful time. The ambiance was nice but the afternoon tea was disappointing. If you are into afternoon or high tea this is not the place to go. I can’t say that the sandwiches were tasty and not sure what we had with the awful scones but it definitely wasn’t clotted cream. I can’t in all fairness recommend this place for afternoon tea. Overpriced for the poor quality. Even the tea was with teabags and not loose tea. So pretentious. Two stars because We took beautiful photos.

Food was good. Service quick and attentive. Atmosphere was beautiful Restaurant had other diners but it was quiet and we were able to talk Glad we came

Although I'm nor officially a foodie I must admit even water would be taste amazing in this absolutely stunning Restaurant. This renovation definately did The Tea Room Justice! You can't help but feel you are dining among kings. The staff from you enter until you leave teat you like you are their only guest. The Epitome of hospitality. See and taste for yourself! Don't take my word for it but you and your Palate will thank me!

Made reservations thinking it was for Restaurant week and didn't realized Restaurant week was only offered weekdays. Needless to say we decided to order various dishes and share. Started off with Pirozki, House made Russian Dumplings Pelmeni & Khinkali. All were delicous...and we looked forward to the main entrees. Drinks were ordered, and I got the Gorki and my sister got one with me. Those drinks were super strong. We sipped them throughout the meal and only needed one. Main entrees ordered were Kulebyaka, Boeuf a la Stroganoff and RTR Burger. I didn't try the burger but did try the other two. I thought they were both really good. Great seasoning. We were business dress and the attire ranged from table to table. There was a loud table during our meal, and they were requested to keep to themselves. The service was quite slow, we waited a long time to get the check after the plates were cleared.

We went for a prefix lunch costing $45.00 each. We had a glass of wine each, a cup of tea and the bill, including tax and tip, came to $204 .00. I checked the bill and I was surprised to see a few up-charges and the cost of a cup of tea to be $10.00. Really, they are charging $10.00 for a cup of tea!!!!

My son and his guest visited today to celebrate his 19th birthday. We chose this place because we had an amazing experience on his 13th birthday back on July 30, 2019. That visit was memorable in the best way — we were seated upstairs in the Bear Lounge, and the service was excellent. This time, however, was a completely different story. I specifically requested that my son and his guest be seated upstairs again. The host told them that the Bear Lounge is only used for Thanksgiving and other holidays — which is simply not true. We've been there before under no special holiday circumstance, and were seated upstairs without issue. To make matters worse, it’s Restaurant Week — not exactly a peak time — so there was really no reason they couldn’t accommodate a simple request, especially for a birthday celebration. It felt dismissive at best, and discriminatory at worst. The implication that my son and his guest didn’t deserve the same treatment we received years ago was deeply upsetting. Whether it was about race or simply a lack of care, it left a lasting negative impression. Sadly, we won’t be back. I refuse to spend my Black dollars at an establishment that makes us feel ignored, unwelcome, or lied to.

Great ambiance with wonderful service. The interior is a great work of art and culture A one of a kind experience to be remembered

We really enjoyed our meal here. An iconic location, great decorations, and the food was very good. Conveniently located right next to Carnegie Hall. We were really glad we dined here - a terrific memory!

We had a reservation for Afternoon Tea. The tea itself was great. I’m not much of a seafood person so the sandwiches were good but seafood-based so I didn’t finish all of them. In the second course, we had scones, truffles and cupcakes which were yummy but not the best I’ve ever had. If you want good cupcakes, I HIGHLY recommend Georgetown Cupcakes (they have one in NYC too—best in the world; I order these & have them shipped for gifts). I’ve had afternoon tea in London so my standards for afternoon tea are quite high. Overall, I’d recommend for the experience and location. It’s glam, elegant and decadent and a lot of fun.

Service indifferent, despite fact that only 3 other tables were occupied! much better food everywhere else in vicinity

Average food. The wait staff adds nothing to the experience. We had a 5:45 (pre-theatre) reservation. It was clear that the goal was to turn our table over 3 or 4 times in the evening. Food rushed to the table, no time to enjoy each course. [I call it the 'Rushin' Tea Room]. There are far better options in NYC.

I wonder what this place was like back in its prime? It just seems so beat down and sad. You can see a hint of yesteryear in the bones of the tea room itself. With its swooping, baguettes and high ceiling. But I really don't know how they stay open. All the reviews here are pretty accurate. Most of what we ate was stale, and extraordinarily expensive especially if you have a glass of champagne. Ridiculous even by New York standards. We were largely ignored even though there were very few tables being served. Thankfully I just enjoyed the company I was with, and it kept me distracted from how unbelievably sad the situation is.

This restaurant is the worse restaurant I ever visited in NYC. The absolute worst. And I've been to many. Issue 1 Very rude staff, restaurant was half empty yet our server and the manger were rude. Issue 2 Poor quality food, my fish was incredibly dry and veggies tasted horrible. Issue 3 Very expensive, my fish dish was $42 Save your money and go to another place. This place has nothing Russian just the name.

Visited on Easter Sunday with reservations. Was very disappointed to be seated in the upstairs overflow area and not the main room on the first floor, which is much more elegant. Live and learn, if there is a next visit I’ll be sure to confirm my reservation is is the main room.

We stopped by because we wanted a nice place to have coffee and there aren't many in NY. Even though they only had food around 7pm, they made us sandwiches off the menu and the service, as always, is great. The food was exquisite and so was the honey cake. We will definitely try brunch here again because the food and service are great.

A very beautiful place, a must-visit, chic interior, it's sad that the waiters are still masked and sad, everything is very tasty, we will definitely return, located in the heart of Manhattan, the location is very convenient, always open ,must see absolutely

This is somewhere I had long wished to visit, given its history, associations and the decor, and I chose it over other venues for afternoon tea with my daughter, as we were visiting NYC from the UK. As it turned out the history was pretty much the best thing about it! The place was almost empty when we arrived and actually managed to get even more so during our time there, which was probably a good indication of the standards we could expect, and meant there was no atmosphere. The menu offers a long list of sandwich fillings which seemed quite interesting but were clearly made in advance and left hanging around, as the bread was starting to dry out and a couple of them looked like they had been bent out of shape while sitting around somewhere. We also thought there were way too many for just the two of us, but that’s a personal thing. The female waiter we had on arrival was helpful and pleasant enough but the others who served us could barely be bothered, slopping water over the side of our glasses, and not exchanging two words with us. The second sweet course was a little better but to be honest by that point we were too full, even though we didn’t finish the sandwiches, so left with most of them in a box. What we did try were the scones which were nice enough, but had been warmed through, and I am not sure how fresh they were. The miniature red velvet cake, was also pleasant enough but, again, seemed to have dried out a little. Then there’s the decor. Some reviews have commented on how over the top it is, which on the surface it is. But when we looked a little closer at the central “chandeliers” they seemed to be rather modern and unattractive lights with red Christmas baubles hanging off them. There was no indication of the history of the place through photos etc, other than 4 or 5 pictures near the toilets of how the place must have looked in previous times. All in all, an expensive disappointment. I wish I had stuck my head in the door to take a photo and spent my money somewhere else for tea. Don’t waste your money here.

Old dining atmosphere, gorgeous 24 carat ceiling along with paintings! Stoic waiter but bartender was fabulous!! MMakeMakeDrinparemixedmixed perfectly!

After hearing so much about this, I booked months ago to visit. The bread was dry, the cakes were dreadful. The scones were over baked, dry and rock hard,no cream to be seen, cupcakes were dry and hard. The tea choice was poor with teabags only and pre packed jams and packets of sweeteners. Dreadful. Expensive and very poor quality. I can think of at least 15 places for Afternoon Tea in the UK which are 50 times better! If you are thinking of going here, think very carefully

Went to The Russian Tea Room with my adult daughter for a girls' trip to NYC and decided on the tea service. Extremely overrated and very disappointing, especially for $145 per person before tax and gratituity. Loved the sour cherry syrup used to sweeten the tea, very unique and I had never seen this before. Sandwiches, while I truly enjoyed the hearty and savory flavors that were so different from the delicate English tea sandwiches, they were served on stale bread...and, yes, I know the difference between a crusty type of European style bread and stale bread. Same for the scone and dessert course. I only ate the creme scone and although I sampled the other two I couldn't eat them no matter how much butter (practically frozen), clotted cream or preserves I added because they were that dry. For the dessert course the only thing I truly enjoyed was the mini creme brule' - adorable and yummy! Both the vanilla cupcake with chocolate frosting and the red velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting were horribly dry, however the cream cheese frosting was delicious. Finally, the macaroon was sticky and chewy. The service was very good but when we complained about the dryness of the courses, "sorry" was the only response. Am I glad I did it? Not sure! I guess so, just to say I had this quintessential NY experience with my daughter. However for almost $200 per person I would definitely have preferred...and expected a much better experience! Overall I think I would recommend skipping The Russian Tea Room for tea.

Thank you for making sure I went elsewhere. They do not like tables for 1 person. When I asked if they had a table for 1 person, the waitress did her “big game”, her mental calculations, then told me she would have a table in half an hour or kindly offered me the bar, not very comfortable. I left my name and returned 30 minutes later. There, same show; no free table for 30 minutes. (Two ladies came in after me and without booking got a table). I pointed out to the placeholder that I would have preferred her to tell me right away that they were not taking a customer alone at a table and left the restaurant. And luckily! Because I found, no, far from it, a nice restaurant the “Quality Italian”, in which I reveled.

My husband and I went there for Sunday Brunch. We hadn't been there in many years, but although they've had a few remodels, the place looks basically the same: glitzy, over the top, and you could expect to see Catherine the Great walk in any minute! But there is a certain elegance to it, with all the gilding and artwork, and the waiters dressed in Russian soldier (or so it seems) uniforms. The service was excellent, and while seemingly formal, the staff was very friendly and helpful. The food was delicious! This is one place visitors to NY should definitely visit, for the atmosphere, as well as the food and service.