I am so glad I stumbled upon Bananas on my search. The menu represents a perfect harmony of Asian-American fusion like fusion when done right. Every ingredient was perfected picked out for each dish. My friend and I ordered the dynamite fried rice, mushroom alfredo, buffalo karaage, and two cans of Makku mango makgeolli (Korean rice beer). The makgeolli was only $5.00 each as we came during Happy Hour. I am not keen on beer, but I was so glad I ordered this as it tasted nothing like the beer I have had before. It was creamy, slightly tart, and fizzy. My favorite dish that I have tried was the buffalo karaage. The chicken pieces were juicy with coated in this really savory chili garlic oil and topped with a drizzle of blue cheese that is light. I was afraid it would come out like what I know of buffalo chicken wings and blue cheese dressing would be. I am not a big fan of those flavors, but this appetizer though was very memorable. The service was also very top-notch. Our server would stop by every now and then to check up on how we were loving our meal and was very helpful with recommendations since we were new to the restaurant and didn't know what to order. The ambiance was what attracted me to the restaurant before I could even look at the menu. The walls are lined with bananas...banana explosion. It is very vibrant and fun. read more

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I was in town visiting close friends and saw this spot while walking around. There's a lot of hidden gems in the e.village and being an area that's close to my heart, we had to pop in and try it out. Every aspect from the vibe of the place, dishes we tried, to the very nice servers, and the engaged chefs/co-owners made the experience memorably wonderful. Some stand out dishes that we enjoyed and will be returning for were; the caramelized onion dip, etoufee, chopped cheese kra pow, and dynamite fried rice. read more

Taylor's Tayke: Bananas is one of those spots where you can feel the intention the moment you walk in. The aesthetics are pristine, with a beautifully curated interior that reflects real thought, culture, and personality. There's a strong sense of heart and soul behind the space, from the decor to the overall atmosphere, and even their origin story adds to the experience. It feels welcoming, community-driven, and effortlessly cool all at once. My Tipsy Tayke: The drinks here are top notch. Well-balanced, creative, and clearly crafted with care, this is a place you can come to just for cocktails and be fully satisfied. My Taysty Tayke: Sleeper Pick: Honey Walnut Shrimp Chip Super flavorful and easy to overlook, but definitely worth ordering. Get Down & Dirty, Expeditiously: Octopus Absolutely otherworldly and a must order. Standouts: Char Siu, Chicken & Pancakes Both dishes really highlight the creativity behind their Asian fusion approach. The Buffalo Karaage skewers are a safe and solid option, easy to enjoy and well executed. The Chopped Cheese Krapow and Étouffée continue that theme of unique takes on familiar dishes, bringing something different to the table. Service: Exemplary. Attentive, welcoming, and adds to the overall experience in a meaningful way. Plates From My Visit: Honey Walnut Shrimp Chip Chopped Cheese Krapow Étouffée Buffalo Karaage Octopus Char Siu Chicken & Pancakes Cocktails In Conclusion: A beautifully designed space with strong drinks, standout dishes, and a real sense of culture behind it. Perfect for date nights, hosting events, or just hanging out with friends in a great atmosphere. Stamped by Elajas read more

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Great restaurant week menu! For $45 i tried both the caramelized dip, karage lemon pancake, chopped cheese, and the banana pudding. The caramelized dip reminded me of shrimp chips complimented by a cream cheese dip. The karage lemon pancake was a filling sampler app with light citrus flavor to it. Dip was better than the pancake if I had to choose The chopped cheese was actually amazing- highly highly recommend. Basil is incorporated to it. The char siu was okay- they added caramelized bananas to it so it's just a sweeter version of the traditional char siu. For dessert they didn't have the crostini so we received the frozen banana. It tasted really healthy- peanut buttery banana ice cream vibes. It's not what I was craving but the restaraunts week was still worth it read more

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Guest review by my suitor: "Overall, the experience was mid at best. The rosemary fries were a bit too thick and a little underseasoned, and the amount of ketchup that was provided was too little the shrimp rice dish was far too sweet and we did not really eat it. However we were still charged full freight for the dish even though we expressed disappointment with it so overall, I was not thrilled and don't expect to be returning anytime soon." Now for my review, what everyone is here for: Was excited to come here after seeing all the positive reviews but left quite confused. When I arrived at 6pm on a Sunday one of the co-owners of the restaurant was sleeping horizontally on one of the booths. After I was seated by his business partner, he woke up and sat across from me in my booth and tried to have a conversation but I wasn't sure what he was saying. I think the two of them later apologized and explained that they hadn't been planning to open that section that evening. There were some pretty unpleasant kitchen/bathroom/cleaning fluid smells while I waited as well but we decided not to move. My suitor ordered the rosemary fries, which he has already stated above were too thick, underseasoned, and a tad soggy. I got the dynamite fried rice which had received rave reviews. They told me they were out of scallop (they were also out of crab) so would substitute shrimp for the scallop. Not ideal, but I went with it. It was pretty gimmicky with the whole blow torch presentation, but the flavors were not there. It was like a subpar clay pot rice with way too sweet sauce. It was $48 by the way. My ginger tea was also far too sweet. Womp womp womp, read more

Bananas is participating in NYC Restaurant Week from Sunday-Friday, January 20th-February 12th, 2026. A three course dinner (appetizers, entree, and dessert) is $45.00. My friend made a reservation for the 3 of us on Friday, February 6th at 6:00pm. When we arrived, we were seated right away. The staff were very friendly and explained the restaurant week menu. For the appetizers, it was nice that we got 1 of each being offered. Chef-Owner Chris Ng bought the appetizers out to us and explained what was on our plate: a caramelized onion dip with furikake shrimp chips and a kaarage pancake with lemon pepper chicken. Both of these were delicious and I loved how I didn't have to choose one. This was definitely the highlight of the whole meal. I would come back for these! For entree, I chose the char siu which had 48 hr marinated pork, caramelized bananas, and garlic rice. The char siu was tender and the caramelized bananas were interesting since I've never had this combination before. It was just a little too saucy for me. My friends got the shrimp alfredo and the krakow chopped cheese. They enjoyed it. For dessert, only the frozen banana was available. I originally wanted the poached pear crostini since I don't like bacon, but it wasn't available. The frozen banana had banana, peanut butter caramel, and bacon. I pushed the bits of bacon to the side, but didn't really like the frozen banana. This was my least favorite dish. I got a glass of the Sun Moon Rising Gemini Bubbly Rosé Wine and my friend got a glass of the Sun Moon Rising Pisces Chenin Blanc. Both were very good. The staff came by and switched out my friend's glass of white wine because she said it has been opened for about 7 days and wanted to give her a crispier one. Ever since you walk in, you'll see the decor of bananas everywhere which is pretty cool and it is very spacious and modern inside. Staff were very friendly and hospitable. It definitely got more crowded as the evening went by. Bananas offers innovative Asian and American-inspired dishes while highlighting seasonal ingredients. I would come back to try the dynamite fried rice and other dishes, especially getting those appetizers again. read more

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Really great service everyone was friendly and helpful. Restaurant has a nice vibe,great music and bananas everywhere. Food has great taste the dynamite rice very delicious creamy and hot, the octopus was tender and flavorful, shrimp alfredo very creamy and loved that it was udon, the chop cheese was the most flavorful. The pear dessert was savory bite but yummy and banana was creamy with a nice salty bite. The pancake karage was soo good and the French dip was very good. read more

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Food: 4.5/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 5/5 We absolutely love a restaurant that has a compelling story, and Bananas def does that. We even had the opportunity to meet the founders: Chris Ng (of Blue Ribbon and Bond St fame) and Kyaw Lwin (who had exp at Yakiniku Futago, Hasalon, and the Michelin-starred Shmoné). Their concept is cool captured in the name, Bananas, which reflects their unique take on Asian American cuisine, blending classic Asian flavors with a Western dining approach. What we tried: Caramelized Onion Dip with Furikake & Shrimp Chips (4.5/5): A great app to pair with drinks. You can tell the shrimp chips are homemade, and the dip itself had a deep caramelized onion flavor that was addictive and flavorful Chopped Cheese Krapow (4.75/5): The abs highlight. The soft brioche bun provided the perfect base for the rich, flavorful Thai basil beef and cheese. It was the perfect combo that I haven't tried before but works Matcha Latte (3.75/5): This alcoholic beverage was definitely interesting, but it was too sweet for my palate. It would likely be a hit for those who prefer a sweeter cocktail where the alcohol taste is completely masked. Will absolutely be back to explore the entrees and main dishes next time, especially since they keep things fresh with a rotating seasonal menu! read more

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The service was amazing! Our bartender/owner was very attentive and made sure we're doing good. The atmosphere was perfect.The Yuzu sprite was super refreshing! read more

Bananas is the hottest new spot in town! I got the chance to go to their family and friends event earlier this year and wasn't disappointed. The concept of Bananas comes from a term describing Asians born in the US and they perfected this concept with the type of cuisine they served! I really loved their udon carbonara with shrimp, octopus, rice bowl, and mussels. But honestly everything was pretty solid and creative. You can tell each dish was thought out and a lot of love was put into the creation of them. This Asian fusion cuisine spot in the village should be highly praised for the service, ambiance, staff, and decor! Shoutout to Dania and Chris for doing an amazing job! Will be back to visit soon (once I can have another cheat meal). I also recently saw they started making some amazing cocktails which I'm excited about as well! read more

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We went to Bananas and took advantage of their Restaurant Week deal. Unlike most other Restaurant Week menus, at Bananas you will try five dishes as part of the three course dinner. I loved that they brought out a sampler of three appetizers for the first course because this way you got a sense of items of them on the menu and got to sample the interesting flavors on display. For $45 this meal was such a great deal. Ordered: First course trio- I really loved the caramelized onion dip served on a shrimp chip and topped with furikake. It was creamy, sweet, salty and umami. I also really loved the karaage fried chicken served on a pancake and drizzled with condensed milk. It was salty and sweet. The oyster wasn't my cup of tea, but I'm sure you would love it if you like that type of thing. Char siu with carmelized bananas- this was the first time I have ever tried this dish and the inclusion of the sweet caramelized banana was so good! It also came with garlic rice, which was okay, but I thought could have been a little more flavorful. Chopped cheese- I've had the original chopped cheese and this rendition was incredible. The flavors were vibrant with Thai basil and the rosemary fries were delicious! Frozen banana with peanut butter, caramel and bacon- while this dish seems appropriate given the name of the restaurant, it was good but not a standout choice. Don't get me wrong, I finished the entire thing happily. I think there's a real potential for the restaurant to develop some more interesting dessert options, ones that take the fusion to the next level. Poached pear- this was also tasty. It was done well. The creamy pung I thoroughly enjoyed my evening at Bananas! What a fun meal. The vibe was hip and the service was top notch. read more

Bananas - Frozen banana with peanut butter - New American Near Me - New York, New York

My friend and I went for a double date night and it was great! Though it was a bit warm, the ambiance was nice and clean. Service was impeccable and everything tasted great. I was impressed by the flavors and how they fused American/ Asian cuisines. Most dishes have a touch of banana. We decided to go with the Restaurant Week dinner menu (3 appetizers, 1 entree, and 1 dessert for $45). I thought this was a great deal because the menu items are surprisingly expensive. For example, I'm not convinced to pay $54 for the dynamite fried rice that has scallops, masago, and mushroom. But we didn't get that. We got: -appetizers: caramelized onion dip on a chip, oysters motoyaki, and karaage (on) pancake -char siu -poached pear -matcha latte cocktail Food: Everything was WOW. The oyster motoyaki was so good I could've eaten several. I loved the char siu, though the rice was just ok. The poached pear with blue cheese was interesting. And I LOVED the matcha latte cocktail. I've never had matcha maekgeolli or fennel soju, so it was a unique flavor mix. Plus, $5 for maekgeolli is unheard of! Service: excellent! Everyone was so welcoming and all smiles as they presented us our food. I enjoyed the dining experience! Plating was nice! Overall, I highly recommend Bananas but the prices are steep. I think restaurant week menu is worth the visit. read more

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I got the chance to try this wonderful for at this new restaurant in city! When I arrived I parked on the street nearby. I walked into the cutest restaurant. I was served by Tenzin and she was great! I had: West 32 Reserve Soju Nola BBQ Octopus Etouffe Shrimp Alfredo Dynamite fried rice The drink was delicious! My favorite dish was the Etouffe! All in all, I had a great experience! read more

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Had an amazing experience here. The Asian-American fusion dishes were unique and delicious. I loved : Char Siu with caramelized banana-perfect sweet & salty combo Dynamite Fried Rice - creamy mentaiko, scallop, mushroom, and a torched finish! The quirky decor and friendly staff made it even better. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the East Village! read more

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This Asian American restaurant has just opened up in East Village. The term "banana" is often used to describe Asian who is perceived as being "yellow on the outside, but white on the inside". They address this term in a humorous way and embrace their multicultural identities through reimagining American classics with an Asian spin.   The space is playfully designed with a banana theme, from the banana stuck to a wall to the quirky banana figure collection display. ＊Caramelized Onion Dip $15 * Highly addictive appetizer to kick start the evening. The shrimp chips were packed with flavor and super crispy. The dip was crunchy with the furikake on top and its savory, creamy texture got us hooked! ＊Dynamite Fried Rice $43 * Another standout dish has to be this hot stone fried rice baked with scallops, mushrooms and masago. Served sizzling hot, it released a tantalizing smoky aroma. The umami-rich flavors from the seafood elevated the dish. Instead of mixing it up, the chef recommended digging it directly for the layers. ＊Char Siu $30 Not to be dramatic, but I once told my friends I could never go vegetarian because of my deep love for char siu. So, I had high expectations for their 48-hour marinated pork. For an unexpected twist, they paired the char siu with caramelized banana, creating a sweet and savory contrast that surprised our taste buds. You can add $7 for garlic rice to accompany the dish. ＊Étouffée $35 The shrimps were simmered in a rich and thick gravy made of cajun and holy trinity, served alongside shrimp wontons. Both the shrimps and wontons were plump and big. The étouffée carried a spicy kick but the heat wasn't overwhelming. Worth to mention that their chefs and servers are very friendly and passionate. Their warm service elevated our dining experience. While the pricing is on the higher end, I still highly recommend this spot to anyone who is open to try Asian fusion dishes. read more

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The place is great with great food. Highly recommend dumplings. The service is absolutely fantastic as well. The atmosphere is great too with the bananas hanging. Definitely try the sake there plus different beers. read more

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I didn't organize our group dinner, but I guess it's my bad for assuming Bananas was another Third Kingdom-type of deal with a menu revolving around one ingredient. Nope. The restaurant name refers to Asians who were born/raised in the West and consider themselves yellow on the outside, white on the inside. As one of the co-founders described it: him. Color me (a fellow banana) extremely disappointed to find there would be no actual bananas creatively added to Asian fusion dishes. In fact, only one item on the sparse menu even includes bananas. Whomp, whomp. Instead, the menu purports to be creative Asian-Western fusion. You know...like every other restaurant menu in NYC? Sadly, the ideas fell flat in execution: - Miso Caesar Salad: No identifiable fish/alternative flavor that differentiated it from any other caesar salad - Salmon Crudo: Fine, but tasted like any other ponzu crudo-type dish you'd get anywhere - Tom Yum Meatballs: The sauce was different from typical marinara but hardly "Tom Yum". There was no hint of galangal, lemongrass, shrimp, or anything else that would've justified the Tom Yum branding - NOLA BBQ Octopus: Nothing particularly Cajun about this dish, and the octopus didn't have any char, which was disappointing - Kaarage Pancake: Probably the most disappointing and derided dish of the night. I guess this is supposed to be a creative take on Chicken and Waffles, but it was just fried chicken bites over generic pancakes with condensed milk. $25 for 5 measly pieces of chicken, 3 small pancakes, and a half oz of likely canned condensed milk. Wowee. - Chopped Cheese Krapow: A burger stuffed with...beef krapow? Points for trying, I suppose - Étouffée: I don't think these guys know what etouffee is--there wasn't any discernible roux or other thickening agent on the shrimp that we were served, just a watery tomato sauce. And where was the rice? SMH - Crab Fried Rice: Tiny portion with even tinier portions of crab--and this entree costs $38! - Dynamite Fried Rice: Probably our best dish, as sad as that is to say. The rice came in a stone pot with nice char. Like so many real-life bananas, I think Bananas is confused about its identity. If you feel like blowing $90+ pp to help it figure itself out, by all means, go patronize it. I'll save my dinero for the hundreds of other Asian fusion restaurants in the city that know who they are. read more

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Bananas is a very cool unique concept. The bar area looks fun but we opted to sit at a booth by the open kitchen. We ordered some sangria which to my surprise was very tasty. They run bar specials which is nice -- and a dying practice in many restaurants lately. The waitress was super nice and patient with us. We tried a few dishes and they were all good. The side of rice felt like it wasn't priced right-- it lacked flavor and was pretty small. The shrimp wontons were nice and plump. The sauce is creole but I felt it lacked some authenticity. I get they break the rules and make their own version but I felt it could have packed some more heat. I was sooooo sad that they ran out of octopus right before I ordered it. I saw the last three orders being made right in front of me and I cried alittle. That just means I have to return. Overall good experience-- Next time I will explore the seats at the bar! read more

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I came here for a friends birthday and it was such a nice vibe! The food was a combination of Asian classics with a twist taking inspiration from various countries as well! They were able to accommodate a large party (there were 8 of us) and we were able to share some great bites and some sake as well! The staff is super knowledgeable and gave great recommendations for us! Personal favorite was the caramelized onion dip (the shrimp chips it comes with was addicting) and the etouffe! Highly recommend this place if you're in the east village! read more

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What a fun little spot in East Village! The vibes are EXCELLENT. There are so many cute banana-themed decor all around, including in the bathroom. I thought it was so adorable. It's dimly lit inside with candles on each table for the ~vibes~ We got a couple of items, but you definitely need to get the fried rice with the scallops and fish roe on top!! It was mindblowingly delicious. I gotta say, paying $40+ for fried rice, I was like, this better be damn good. Well, good news. It was damn good. I also recommend the furikake & shrimp chips and the shrimp etouffee. The price is definitely on the higher side, but it's a nice place to hang out. read more

Bananas - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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Cuisine: 8 Service: 8 Decor: 8 Value: 7 Overall: 8 Let's start with the name "Bananas", which applies to Asian Americans who are culturally adapted to the US, but still "yellow" on the outside. This concept is apparent in their restaurant, helmed by chef/owner Chris Ng (formerly Blue Ribbon & Bond St) and Kyaw Lwin (formerly Yakiniku Futago, Hasalon, and Shmoné). As you walked into the long, narrow, white space adorned with banana and tropical theme, you will notice a few tables upfront, followed by a nice looking bar stocked with various sake. Due to a local school nearby, they have a license for beer and wine, but not hard liquor. Continue further into the restaurant, there is an open kitchen with about 10 seats that overlooks the chefs at work. To the left and back are more tables for mostly 2-4 patrons. For the evening, I would say that the meal just kept getting better, with the last savory dish being the climax and the reason why I know I will return. Below is a rundown of what we received in order. Char Siu (7/10) - This 48 hour marinated piece of relatively lean roast pork had a lot of savory flavor. Not as sweet as most of what you'll find in nearby Chinatown, though I thought the caramelized banana pairing might take the sweetness level over the top, but it didn't. However, was the banana necessary? Probably not imho. Chopped Cheese (5/10) - Tbh, this is a fun fusion concept that needs better execution. I love krapow and had it almost daily while I was in Thailand. Don't be shy, a bit more birds eye chili and some extra Thai basil would really improve the flavor profile. Also, please make sure the ground beef is not dry and it definitely needs more white cheddar. Lastly, the fries lacks that crispy and airy texture I seek, as well as a hint more seasoning. Meatballs (8/10) - Excellent sauce made with tomato and tom yum. Without telling me, I may not have recognized the tom yum flavor that distinctively. However, the tender and fluffy pork meatballs were elevated immensely by the kick of spice. Delicious! Fried Rice (8/10) - I was told that Chef Lwin's background from Burma was the inspiration behind this dish. It's really not a fried rice, more of a stone bowl rice (no crispy bottom though) topped with crabmeat. I would almost called it crab floss due to its dehydrated nature after being fried to a crisp. Such intense crabbiness. So good. NoLa BBQ Octopus (9/10) - Wow! Bananas! First possible entry for my top 10 list of 2025 and the year has just started. Having my fare share of NoLa BBQ shrimps, this sauce was outstanding. I would have loved a little char and smoke on the octopus, but the interior texture was perfect, with the right amount of chew. Poached Pear (7/10) - It was just something sweet to end the night. The restaurant plan to have more dessert options after fully open. Nothing special, but also not bad with the blue cheese pairing. I do wish there it was more Asian inspired - maybe add some Asian spices or use a Korean pear. The owner and staff were all very friendly, including the chefs behind the kitchen bar that were sharing their preparation process, cooking methods, and other details of what we were eating. Only small gripes would be for the servers to learn not to reach over customers to serve or remove plates, and to refill water more diligently. These small kinks will likely be worked out over time anyway. In the end, I would consider this new restaurant a cute little neighborhood spot. They have a few dishes that were memorable for me, and hence, I'll be back soon to have them again and try other interesting items on the menu. I'm rooting for you Bananas! read more

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Vibes felt very cozy, perfect for a date night or a celebration with friends. The space is pretty big. The dynamite rice in a stone pot was delicious and so was the cream udon. The only downside is that it's pretty pricey. Without drinks, we got 4 dishes between 2 of us and we spent over $75 per person with tip and tax. :// I can't come often but I would recommend trying once! The drinks looked pretty unique too. The dish we wouldn't get again is the char sui - a bit too strong in flavor especially without a side of rice. Took it to go cause it came out pretty late compared to the rest of our dishes. 3.5/5 read more

Bananas - Udon with shrimp - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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Cute little restaurant with a ton of banana decorations which I approve of. It was restaurant week so I ordered what was recommended. First the caramelized onion dip was an interesting chip with onion dip spread. The oyster motoyaki was an raw oyster that wasn't fishy at all topped with cheese. The karaage pancake was an interesting sweet version of a savory dish, but the pancake was meh. The main dish was the char siu which was so sweet w/ sweet caramelized banana on the side. While I enjoy a nice sweet treat, this is a little too much for a savory dish and I had a hard time finishing. Finally for dessert, a frozen banana ice cream which again was just sweet. For a drink, I got a strawberry mojito (non alcoholic) as a sweet float. The bartender was super nice and offered to modify the drink because I didn't want alcohol. Overall, I enjoyed my time but everything was a tad too sweet and I have a sweet tooth. I wish there were more of a diverse flavor palette. read more

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My friend heard about this new Asian fusion place that popped up recently, so we dropped by to give it a try for a recent Friday dinner. Our res was at 6pm and there were still plenty of tables when we arrived; while never full, it did get busier in the next hour or so, so probably best to plan ahead with a reservation. We ordered a few dishes to share: - tom yum meatballs: biggest issue was that the sauce barely tasted like tom yum. the tomato flavour was incredibly dominant, and while it wasn't your typical marinara, the typical hot/sour flavours of tom yum was muted, if at all present. the meatballs were fine, but nothing special. Overall it felt like a generic dish you could find at an average Italian restaurant, except billed as fusion cuisine. - dynamite fried rice: I did quite like this dish, but not memorably so. Overall the savouriness of the scallops, roe, and mushrooms worked together well, albeit a bit too salty overall. Portion size was definitely a bit small (esp for the price and for a rice dish). - char siu: the roasted pork was quite good -- very savoury and tender -- and I liked the slightly-sweet sauce. the caramelised bananas were also fine, although I think a little bit too sweet for my taste. The confusing part, to me, was that the juxtaposition of the bananas and the pork felt very haphazard to me. We tried eating them together (in one bite) and separately, and it didn't really feel like either of them enhanced the other (or, in particular, like the bananas were necessary for the dish at all). I find that Asian fusion is a hard cuisine with which to please everyone, and to that end I don't feel as though the food was lacking in terms of execution or intrinsic quality, but rather that (in my opinion) there was a bit of a more fundamental disconnect in these dishes in terms of the cultural background/fusion and their actual manifestation. It also contributes, I think, that the price point seemed to be really quite too high for not just the aforementioned quality, but also the portion size of the dishes we ordered, which definitely tended to be on the small size. (tl;dr it was quite expensive for what amounted to be a pretty average meal.) On the bright side, the service and ambience were fantastic. Everyone we interacted with - the servers, host, etc. - were all very lovely and checked in on us regularly throughout the meal. The place is decorated really nicely (you can tell it's relatively new) with a light, natural, minimalist style with interesting contemporary art on display. It seems that other reviewers were all thoroughly impressed by their experiences here, which make me wonder if perhaps we ordered the wrong dishes this time haha. Still, I'm not jumping at the chance to come by again, but perhaps another visit someday to try other parts of the menu may be a good idea. read more

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We have been curious about Bananas for a while now. It is an American-Asian fusion restaurant. We were the first to show up and I've never felt so welcomed at a restaurant before. The staff was so attentive the whole time with us. Maybe due to them not being very busy, but service was fantastic. The bananas showcase was cute and I loved the vibes. We ordered: Chopped Cheese Krapow ($24) - this was thai-style beef in a burger with rosemary seasoned fries. I like the thin fries, but I couldn't really taste any krapow flavor. Shrimp Alfredo ($32) - this was aged parmesan dashi udon, with 3 tempura shrimps. The sauce didn't feel too heavy and the tempura batter, juicy shrimp was delicious. Dynamite Fried Rice ($54) - this was fried rice with creamy mentaiko, scallop, mushroom in a claypot, with a torched finish. I almost wish they heat the pot longer because I wanted more crisped rice at the end of the meal. We ate it exactly how we were instructed, but the crisp was minimal. I appreciate how the scallops tasted fresh, as well. Prices are a steep for portion size, but you can tell the quality of the food is there, and I enjoyed my time here. read more

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Go bananas for Bananas! We enjoyed a lovely dinner here. Vibes, staff, and food were beyond our expectations. First off, food had amazing flavor with unexpected twists. I'd definitely be getting the following next time: 1) onion dip - just get it. Shrimp chips were crispy to perfection and this onion dip was ADDICTING! 2) dynamite fried rice - soooo flavorful without being overwhelming; I've had a lot of fried rice in my life and this did not disappoint 3) Char Siu Banana - if someone told me that caramelized bananas and char siu are the perfect marriage on a dinner plate, I'd be giving you strange looks. But it actually was one of the most memorable dishes I've had in awhile. I'll be definitely bringing friends back to try this unexpected but delightful combo. We also got the wonton etouffee, miso Caesar salad, and krapow chopped cheese. These were quite good as well. We ended dinner with the homemade ice cream - very refreshing and light flavors. Drinks: I enjoyed a nonalcoholic drink, the unified ferments soba. It's a little sweet with a familiar taste of soba noodles - unexpected concoction of deliciousness. I feel like non alcoholic drinks are often after thoughts at casual and fine dining places. But not here! Wow, I'll be getting this drink again when I come back. Staff were phenomenal. So attentive and so kind. Ambience is great for date or friend hangout. read more

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What a delightful find! Banana has such a playful, inviting atmosphere that instantly puts you in a good mood. Perfect for a first date or catching up with friends - the vibe is relaxed but energetic. The food is equally excellent! That onion dip is addictive (seriously, we kept going back for more), and the Alfredo udon with shrimp tempura is such a clever fusion dish that actually works. The octopus was definitely a highlight - perfectly tender and beautifully prepared. Don't skip the frozen banana dessert! The drink program is impressive too. Their cocktails are creative and well-crafted, and I love that they have thoughtful mocktail options alongside a solid sake and wine selection. Something for everyone! Service was attentive and friendly, matching the overall fun energy of the place. The space feels welcoming whether you're on a date trying to impress or just hanging out with your crew. Banana manages to be both playful and polished - definitely adding this to our regular rotation! read more

Loveeee. New restaurant. They have happy hour, $5 sake Ambience is cute. The banana dessert was my fav. The octopus is really good too read more

Bananas - Steak - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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Fantastic food, I got the chopped cheese krapow and it's a fantastic fish ion of american and asian food. their banana martini is unreal, fantastic infused banana coffee flavor, as a huge fan of natural banana flavor this cocktail is perfect. also got the miso ramen salad which was another great dish. ramen added a nice crush and the sweet/savory anchovies were terrific as well. service was nice and quick. the restaurant itself fits the banana theme well, the music is loud but i didn't mind. overall one of my favorites ! read more

I went bananas because the food was just that good. The caramelized onion chips were the standout, crispy, flavorful, and you can really taste the onions in every bite. They had that perfect balance of sweet and savory that makes you want to finish the whole basket. I also tried the chopped cheese, and it was excellent. The meat had the right amount of spice and was cooked perfectly juicy, well-seasoned, and not too heavy. The overall vibe here is relaxed and friendly, and you can tell they take pride in what they serve. Everything felt fresh and thoughtfully made. I'd definitely come back and bring friends next time, this place deserves a spot on your must-try list. read more

Recently had an unforgettable dinner at @https://www.bananasrestaurant.com/ The honey walnut shrimp salad on shrimp chips? Refreshing, crunchy, addictive. Nola BBQ octopus? Tender and packed with flavor. Ambiance? Cozy, clean, modern--East Village vibes on point. Service? Warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. and I'll definitely be back for more! read more

Bananas - Nola BBQ Octopus - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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The staff is super nice and welcoming. They don't have your typical cocktails on the menu ie margaritas or a manhattan but there is a good mix of other options like beer, wine, sake, and soju drinks. There is bar, booth, and table seating. The table seating is a bit hard and uncomfortable for my taste. The decor is cute, and per the name, banana themed. I can't speak to the food but I had a refreshing orange wine. This is a fun spot in the east village for sure. read more

Food excellent:yumcious were the char sui, shrimp chips/onion dip, seafood & chip, bok Choy, dynamite fried rice AND most of all the frozen banana dessert--a must have--(not your typical frozen banana!!) which was a great way to end a delicious meal!! Service: very friendly, fun,warm and attentive staff Ambience: we are a senior couple (75+) and the music was fun, lively and geared towards a younger crowd. I enjoy music and found myself bopping to the beat (I also like dancing although my husband less so). Restaurant decor is tastefully done AND bathrooms were very clean. There is a display of all things bananas--very cute! read more

Food 5/5 - every dish was excellent. You cannot go wrong. Service 5/5 Atmosphere 5/5 (did not feel too crowded and the decor is so so cute) Mocktails 5/5 (yuzu citrus and strawberry spritz - not too sweet with sour element - perfect to cut thru the richness of the meal) This just took my top Asian fusion spot over Thursday kitchen in the city. It's an amazing spot for a date night and heck I wish I lived closer to go every week. I said 'wow' over 15 times and was almost speechless in foodgasm bliss for the rest of the time. My boyfriend also loved every dish we ordered and we could not decide which dish was our favorite - it was actually all that satisfying - every bite was savored like the first. And the portions were SATISFYING appropriate for two with 4 dishes - and I am speaking of Asian standards of being full. Dynamite fried rice in a stone bowl- fragrant garlic fried rice with succulent bite sized scallops, squid, and mushrooms with I swear like an entire container of masago on top - torched to crispy popping perfection on top and with a little bite of crispy rice on bottom. It was savory, creamy from masago but not in a heavy way, and every ingredient was a nice texture contrast. Nola bbq octopus - actually the most succulent octopus I've ever had with perfect spice. And yes I've been to Spanish and Greek restaurants for octopus - this has more satisfying flavor. We asked for extra toast to soak up the sauce. I was about to lick this plate. Shrimp etoufee - their homemade shrimp dumplings have plump sweet whole shrimp with a thin skin. And their sauce was perfectly savory with seafood flavor. We got extra garlic rice as a vehicle for this sauce which I SHOVELED right into my mouth. Char siu - 48 hours of prep on this dish SHOWS. This is kind of like the best adobo I've ever had. The pork is not too fatty but nicely balanced. And the caramelized banana with crisp exterior and soft inside was the perfect contrast together. Also shout-out to Danya and Chris - the nicest staff who were so welcoming but also gave us nice space to enjoy the food. They put so much work into this space, menu, and the crew and it shows! You won't regret coming here - if u like southern flavors and Asian flavors - you are In for such a treat. read more

OOOH Bananas !! "Bananas" is a New American restaurant w/ asian flare that recently opened up in the east village and I loved my experience here. This quirky restaurant has a love for bananas with little installments throughout the location paying homage to the delicious fruit. ‍Their open kitchen gives clear views of the chefs at work. Watching them was all the entertainment I needed while I waited for my dishes and everything was worth the wait. The Char Siu, the 48 hour marinated pork w/ caramelized bananas, was the perfect balance of sweet and savory. I also loved the Dynamite Fried Rice that you could actually hear the popping sounds while the flame hit the crust. They also have a great happy hour so be sure to stop by for your after work cocktail. If you're looking to raise your spirits with great food and decor, be sure to save this post for later, check them out and be sure to join me for more NYC Foodie Adventures Bananas 174 First Ave, New York, NY 10009 @babanas What We Had * Char Siu * Etouffe * Dynamite Fried Rice * Handmade Ice Cream #nycrestaurants #nychappyhour #nycfoodie #bananasnyc #bananas #bananasrestaurant #asianfood #newamerican #nycdining #bananatheme #nycdatenight #eastvillagenyc #nyceats read more

My wife and I went there recently with some friends. The place is nicely and whimsically designed and decorated with artwork in the front comprised of many different, tiny bananas! Their offerings were all yummy, especially the marinated steak frites and fried rice. The char siu was a tasty and novel pairing of delicious pork and caramelized banana. Service was very friendly and attentive. Will definitely go back! read more

S: char siu, poached pear AA: caramelized onion dip, kaarage pancake, rosemary fries A: étoufée, shrimp alfredo, frozen banana fusion places are hit or miss for me and this was a HIT. in one word: inventive. in more words: the service was great for a new opening, and manager (?) touched table to talk to us. I was skeptical of both the char siu and poached pear because they're both unconventional, but I'm CONVERTED. they mastered their most seemingly divisive and therefore most distinct dishes: - the char siu had caramelized banana which I was weary of on first sight but the banana was soooo good. the texture was like an extension of the fatty part of char siu but with a little subtle crunch from the caramelization. it added an organic sweetness which elevated the dish because the char siu itself wasn't super sweet but the banana added sweetness in a novel way that doesn't overload it on, maintaining the integrity of the dish because char siu IS sweet AHHHHH - the poached pear had a red wine reduction with blue cheese. yes blue cheese. but omg it was sooo good. the blue cheese was not an aged Gorgonzola but a younger, creamier blue cheese with the right amount of tang and clearly still had the flavor that makes blue cheese so distinct. the pear was so soft and I loved the texture of all the components. LOVED this dessert. caramelized onion dip on the shrimp cracker bordering on S tier. furikake so slay, cracker tasted fresh, and I LOVE caramelized onion dip. everything also delish and had an inventive component. well-crafted and intentional: dry ramen bits instead of croutons in the caesar salad with fresh iceberg (typically don't like iceberg lettuce salads that much), bouncy tapioca noodles in the alfredo and shrimp tempura, shrimp wontons in the étoufée yum, spicy mayo offering for fries, condensed milk on the karaage pancake. THE DEVIL'S IN THE DETAILS!!! run! service so good and loved how they essentially made mini pupu platters for the canapés. so thoughtful. also they called it bananas cause it's Asian American owned and managed and they reappropriated banana to argue this is new American food. they also have bananas everywhere. such a fun concept, menu, space. um... go menu length is perfect. bringing my indecisive friends here. last thought I'm so impressed by how well designed and lit/open the place feels for below ground with no windows (deadass don't let this deter you bc I promise it literally doesn't matter) (came for restaurant week dinner) read more

GREAT STAFF ACTUALLY REALLY DELICIOUS FOOD. GET THE CHICKEN AND PANCAKES TRUST ME. The food is actually so good. Our waiter was the best she answered all our questions and even asked our names, it was the loveliest experience. read more

This place was one of the most underwhelming, bland yet oversalted meals of my life. Incredibly over priced, super hot in the restaurant and not great service. Would not recommend read more

Food was amazing and my family and I enjoyed all the dishes. ! My favorite dishes were the Karage Pancake, Nola style Octopus, Crab fried rice, Caramelized onion dip, Shrimp Alfredo and for desert we had the Poached pear. read more

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