Barney Greengrass Deli, Amsterdam Avenue, NYC. It has been since 1989, when we lived in New York, that I last had a proper Jewish bialy. Compared with every bialy I've had since, the old cliché holds: there really must be something in the New York City water. Bagels are not even in the conversation. What I love and remember about a bialy is the texture -- chewy, not doughy. Barney Greengrass's onion bialys have real heft, more than the ones I used to pick up in the wee hours on the Lower East Side off Delancey street. I finally pulled the trigger and ordered three dozen. They overnighted them via FedEx. At $2 each the bialys themselves were a bargain: $72. The shipping is what stings -- $109.01. Total: $181.01. Expensive? Yes. Worth every penny? Also yes. Three dozen is a lot, but sharing them with family and friends who have never had a real one more than justifies it. Compare that to breakfast out -- McDonald's, a diner, a pub, your favorite steak house -- and this is still a bargain. Anthony Bourdain called this place the best breakfast in the universe, and he was a regular. After he died, they set his usual order at an empty table. That tracks. This is only done correctly in New York City. Take a serious look at the "Sturgeon King: Barney Greengrass". Final note: Set Toaster To Crunchy - Apply Heavy Amounts Of Irish Butter! read more

Barney Greengrass - I finally pulled the trigger and ordered three dozen. - Specialty Food Near Me - New York, New York

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Barney Greengrass was famously Anthony Bourdain's favorite place to eat breakfast, and what did he like? The sturgeon platter! So when I waltzed in to this famous deli, I almost refused the menu. I already knew what I wanted! At the last minute I decided to dial back my confidence and it was lucky I did. Because that's when I saw that the sturgeon platter cost $51! Clearly this was meant for sharing, not for a lone diner like myself. A more reasonable order for singletons is the sturgeon appetizer, which is basically a platter for one. The cost: $27. Included is thick slices of sturgeon (as I first timer I poked at it to make sure it was not turkey), cream cheese, olives, capers, lettuce, onion and tomato, as well as one bagel. Really there is enough on the platter for two bagels, but an extra one will cost ya...$5 extra. And if you want a flavored cream cheese instead of plain, that will be $5 extra too. I blame Bourdain for these inflated prices, but also I don't: I have gained so much from his insightful writing and reporting that it is hard to complain. About the restaurant: its classic deli feel has been preserved, but it also feels a bit dingy. That was ok for me, but some may prefer to order from the deli counter - which has a prodigious menu of smoked fish - and create their own spread at home. That way you can find more reasonably priced but just as good if not better bagels from elsewhere in the vast bagel offerings of New York City. In general, focus on what Barney Greengrass does best, which is smoked fish. read more

This place was hopping on a Sunday morning. The service was adequate but not great as we had to provide a few reminders for staff. It's a great place to people watch outside. The egg and salmon sandwich was very good. The potato latkes were delicious. My iced tea was fresh. read more

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Best appetizer deli in Manhattan. We had the Latkes and the sturgeon platter. Let me tell you, the latkes are worth a visit by themselves. Honestly the best I've ever had. The platter was fantastic too. The fish was as good as their moniker "the Sturgeon King" implies. The bagels, while not the best I've had in the city, are miles above the likes of Russ and Daughters, or Ess-a-Bagel. The staff was really nice. We had Kelsey, and she was a dream. She upsold us on the latkes and capers for our platter, but I'd be honestly disappointed if we hadn't gotten both. The inside is a classic deli, just crammed with tables everywhere. Their coffee was exactly the kind of percolator blend you want in a place like this. We will be back, very soon. I'm already craving their black and whites. PS: it's cash only. read more

Barney Greengrass - Coffee - Specialty Food Near Me - New York, New York

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The food was good and it we enjoyed the old school feel of the place but the prices were insane. My friend and I shared an open face pastrami lox bagel, latkes and an orange juice and a coffee and the total came out to be $65 before tip, $80 with. This felt really unreasonable for one bagel sandwich and an order of latkes essentially. Service wasn't rude but was on the gruff side, which I did expect based on other reviews I read. Also be warned that they may at random decide to be cash only. We read online that they take card but halfway through our meal overheard our waiter telling another table it's cash only (nothing had been originally said to us), so we had to run to a nearby ATM. Overall, this is a spot that I feel is worth checking out once, but not sure I would go back. read more

Barney Greengrass - Pastrami lox bagel - Specialty Food Near Me - New York, New York

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A great place for all sorts of food with plates in the high teens and low 20 dollar range. Service is fast and friendly. Seating is cramped, yet also intimate. You want a table in the back room, not near the deli counter. A family favorite. read more

Barney Greengrass - Homemade whitefish tuna salad - Specialty Food Near Me - New York, New York

This is a place I love to visit in New York every time I come. But today the host was so rude. I will no longer patronize them. With at least 10 open tables, I asked to be seated, and I would order something until my wife arrived to join me. He said that they would not see me until both of us were here. He was a jerk! Lost a good customer. I used to order food from them online as well. I guess being rude has its consequences. It's certainly not gonna close down because of me, but I just can't let this kind of shit go. read more

Barney Greengrass is a new york institution, and deserves to be continuously commemorated and loved. If you want smoked fish and a charming yet gruff service, then you're coming to the right place. If you're looking for fine dining, or a bodega sandwich you're coming to the wrong place. Barney is not cheap, but it's worth every penny. The pastrami smoked salmon is my favorite, and will forever be the best lox I have eaten. The sturgeon is out of this world. The best thing they serve is the latkes, and they are I believe the best latkes made in NYC bar none. I know a lot of people don't come here for a pastrami reuben, but that and the orange juice are two sleeper hits that you should take advantage of if you can. I love the vibes, I love the service, I love the people. I will be back, just it's not an every week breakfast experience. read more

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Come hungry, wear layers, and bring cash! Wandered into Barney Greengrass "the sturgeon king" on a Sunday morning around 9am and was seated right away (for 1). Was pretty bustling and there was a short line by the time I left. I went with one of their classic/specialty items on the menu, a combo nova lox and sturgeon scrambled eggs with onion, that comes with a bagel (I got everything) and cream cheese. Super hearty, but I knew I definitely wanted to try some sturgeon and figured might as well try their lox too! My favorite bite was into a big chunk of sturgeon. The fish is folded into the scrambled eggs, and a generous amount of it. Lox was good too, but needed the bagel and cream cheese bite alongside it to neutralize the saltiness more. Bagel was good! Not super standout though. The dine in area is small, but turns over quickly with fast and friendly service. It was hot though! I was sweating in my sweater. Service was attentive, with frequent hot coffee and water refills, and I think geared towards tourists with staff patiently explaining the menu to folks. Next time I would try the sturgeon not folded into scrambled eggs! Very good. Cash only! read more

Barney Greengrass - Sturgeon And Nova Scotia Salmon - Specialty Food Near Me - New York, New York

An honor to dine at such a classic institution - there's usually a line on the weekends, but it moves very quickly. I was with a group of 3 and we got seated within 30 minutes. I tried the sturgeon sandwich with tomato, and really enjoyed the sandwich. Pretty standard, but last minute we grabbed their black and white cookies which were AMAZING! It's great to see there are still so many regulars, and definitely a great place to meet up with friends. read more

Barney Greengrass - Sturgeon - Specialty Food Near Me - New York, New York

This Family Owned Jewish Deli opened in 1908 and then moved to its present location in 1929, Barney Greengrass directs its focus on traditional Baltic style smoked fish, like Lox, Herring, Sable, & White Fish. It has only one store, which is found on Amsterdam Avenue on the Upper West Side of New York City, - and it has changed very little over the past 120+ years. Most famous for its Smoked Fish, especially its Smoked Sturgeon, Barney Greengrass has an extensive menu along this line, offering mostly cured fish items, either in sliced form, or as smoked fish salads. However there is a small list of meat sandwiches that are offered as well, making Barney Greengrass yet another great Jewish Deli in NYC that is NOT Kosher. During my numerous visit between 1976 and 1999, the service at Barney Greengrass has always been friendly and informative. It made me feel like I was a regular here, even during my fist visit. I always make sure to get one the platters, which can be any combination of three smoked fish items. Usually select the Sturgeon, the Nova, and the White Fish, which comes two Bagels. I found it good to get a large of their amazing Borscht as well, as a refreshing pallet cleanser. And just to mix things up a bit, I once slit a Pastrami Sandwich, whish was on the small side for an NYC Deli, but was delicious that it was well worth price. Other items of is their Pickled Herring Salad, their White Fish Salad, and especially their Latkes (potato pancakes). I love fish, thus Barney Greengrass has become one of my favorite Delis in America. Yum! read more

When you're in Upper West Side, you must try this NYC institution. I tried a few different bagel sandwiches, but I always come back to a sandwich with sablefish on poppyseed bagel (closed, not open). See my photo. These sandwiches are not cheap ($25), but they are worth every penny. Service is very New Yorky. The waiters are professional and friendly but may come across as a bit curt. Be ready to wait to get inside the restaurant. They do takeout too if you have a place to go and eat. Go to the deli counter on the right to order bagel sandwiches to go. Cash only. read more

Barney Greengrass - Sable on poppyseed bagel sandwiches - Specialty Food Near Me - New York, New York

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Noisy and crowded on a beautiful Sunday morning. The wait was not bad to get a table for 6 at around 11:00am. Once seated, our orders were taken and drinks brought quickly. Very efficient service. Out table started with potato pancakes. We had various scrambled eggs with nova, lox or sturgeon. Some blintzes too. By the time we left the line was significantly longer. It is. easy to see why this is so popular. I need to add one other note. Cash only! read more

Barney Greengrass - Potato pancake - Specialty Food Near Me - New York, New York

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What more can I say about this fantastic classic 100+ year old New York Jewish deli, that has not already been said other than I wish there were more! I ordered a delivery order of a dozen Bialys, Scallion Cream Cheese, American Sturgeon Caviar with Blinis, Sable, Nova Lox, Whitefish Salad, Schmaltz Herring, Matjes Herring, Pickled Herring in Cream Sauce, Egg Salad, Cucumber Salad, Latkes and oh, my, the fantastic, best of my life, Rugelach! Well, I have had a LOT of Jewish deli in my life and, no doubt, Barney Greengrass can compete with the best of them! I will not even go over each and every item, because nothing was below excellent! Plus, they have perfected the art of smoking fish to its pinnacle! No one does it better, maybe equal, but not better. Delivery was by courier and carefully placed in front of me, like a Faberge egg. Packing was at its best. My highest recommendation, but you probably know that already. read more

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Phenomenal! Absolutely love Barney Greengrass! Full disclaimer - I'm a native New Yorker weaned on smoked fish, like whitefish salad and lox, on a bagel or especially a bialy. This place rocks! Since moving back to the area in the late '90s when Moe Greengrass sat behind the register, this iconic Barney Greengrass is my go-to place for a special breakfast or brunch. (Always involving smoked fish, of course!) Wanted to provide my college friends visiting from Pittsburgh with that quintessential New York experience - where the old school appetizer and gourmet shop front half and dated wallpaper dining room provide the perfect setting to enjoy world-class smoked fish! This time while I waited, my Mets cap started a conversation with a friendly guy behind the smoked fish counter. After reminiscing about Nedick's (where he had been a manager early in his career) to other foodie experiences of the past, he asked if there was a smoked fish I'd like to sample. My answer: my favorite, the buttery, mild, smoked Sable, a.k.a. Black Cod. (I only discovered my go-to Sable as an adult.) As a slice came out, my friends entered, and he also offered them a small taste. Their Sable was love at first bite! Once at the table in the time-frozen dining room surrounded in patinated, romanticized New Orleans imagery wallpaper from who knows what decade, our also Mets fan, friendly waiter came, providing another round of home team baseball commiseration. Our orders: One friend shared with me a Sable and Whitefish Salad Platter with Capers, the other ordered an Omelette with Sturgeon. Of course, they had their first Bialys. We all ordered Coffee, which as a bottomless cup is not fancy diner coffee... but a meal here is really about the smoked fish! Everything, as always, remained excellent and satisfying! My friends found Barney Greengrass's various smoked fish and Bialys winners! Thanks, guys! Barney Greengrass is keeps it a quality place, frozen in time except for its prices. My only comment would be there needs to be another two bialys or bagels included with these big platters. There is more than enough fish, etc., on the platter even if you only eat one half at a time. The extra $4 each is a lot, especially given the platter price. That being said, look forward to all my future visits to Barney Greengrass, which I'm sure will be as memorable as this one! read more

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It has been over a decade since my last visit to Barney Greengrass, which is totally my bad. This NYC institution was established over a century ago and for those who are into dishes like smoked fish, whitefish salad, chopped liver and Bialys this is a must visit. My memories of my previous visits were that the interior of the restaurant was a bit crowded, a tad disorganized but in an Old Skool charming way. When I approached it this past weekend I was surprised to see several tables set up outside for outdoor seating. Honestly, I don't recall this at all from previous visits so this *might* have been a post-COVID era addition. If the weather's right, this is a great way to ensure you get a table at a *very* popular spot. Inside there are several tables in the main ordering/deli area and then the old dining room off to the left still features tables of various sizes. Everything felt a lot more organized and intentional this time out and I feel like some moderate renovation has been done here and there. Not so much to dramatically alter the space, but to upkeep it to a classic standard. Service in this place is top notch. Friendly greetings at the door, quick seating and staff that is happy to answer questions about the *extensive* menu. My main dish this past visit was a Pumpernickel Bagel with Whitefish salad. You can have lettuce, tomato and onions included (I chose onions). The Whitefish salad was amazing. Fresh, a creamy texture with some nice bite mixed in (think a tuna fish salad but creamier). The bagel was perfect. It tasted great and held together enough to hold the salad and the onions but not so tough that you had to bite down hard to eat it (and yes, I've had that experience elsewhere). In addition I had a side order of chopped liver. It was served on a large leaf of lettuce, tomato and onions. I just had the liver by itself and with bites of the bagel and WOW the flavor really packs a punch. The thing about liver is that it can be very gamey, to the point where it is overwhelming. Not so here. The flavor was actually light, sweet and savory all at the same time. Also, you get a LOT, roughly an ice cream scoop's worth! I was tempted to order some Rye toast for it but the bagel was enough carbs for one meal. Barney Greengrass is a classic institution and with good reason. If you haven't visited, do so soon! read more

Been wanting to try this spot for a while for their famous smoked fish options and ended up coming for brunch w a friend who was visiting! Got the latkes and the Nova bagel sandwich. Latkes are huge and super tasty with the sour cream and applesauce. Nova is incredible- really fresh. Super busy spot on a Saturday morning but the amazing staff made sure we were taken care of. Service is super friendly and funny- top notch! read more

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If you want to experience a "New York Minute" that has lasted for over a century, you go to Barney Greengrass. Opened in 1908 (originally in Harlem before moving to its iconic Amsterdam Avenue spot in 1929), this is the undisputed temple of the "appetizing" tradition. It's loud, cramped, and stubbornly old-school, which is exactly why people have been lining up for generations. The Sturgeon Platter: There's a reason James J. Frawley nicknamed Barney "The Sturgeon King" in the 1930s. The sturgeon is firm, buttery, and remarkably delicate. Order the platter to see why it's considered the "filet mignon" of the sea. Nova, Eggs, and Onions: This is the quintessential Upper West Side breakfast. The eggs are scrambled with silky Nova Scotia salmon and caramelized onions until they're rich and savory. It's comfort food with a serious pedigree. Bourdain's Approval: The late, great Anthony Bourdain famously called this the "best breakfast in the universe." He was a regular here, and after his passing, the restaurant even set a commemorative table with his favorite order: Nova scrambled eggs, a bagel, and a side of chopped liver. cash only fyi read more

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When you are thinking about NYC culinary experience you are immediately thinking of bagels and lox. We decided to try a place we never been before and overall it was very good. Place is old shop with some adjacent to it and it's like diner/ delicatessen classic style. Now,fish was really good,sturgeon is relatively rare fish was beautiful and we choose Nova Scotia salmon out of probably 7 choices of salmon and it's come with bagel and bialy,high was really good.Service was professional. Price tag is not cheap,65 dollars for lunch plate for 2. So,I can't imagine how I can recommend that for casual lunch,but maybe if you are local you just can buy sliced fish for takeout. read more

Barney Greengrass - Sturgeon, Nova Scotia Salmon And Whitefish(65 dollars is a little pricey by my opinion) - Specialty Food Near Me - New York, New York

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The line outside may seem long, but this place is run like a well-oiled machine. We ended up waiting about 15 minutes for a table of two and once seated, were helped pretty quickly. Very old school vibes with it being cash only and servers being no-nonsense. Latkes were incredible and the best I've had. Really crisp and good oniony flavor. Loved the applesauce. I got the Nova Scotia sandwich and the salmon was delicious! If anything I wished I tasted it a bit more through all the other toppings. Bagel was better than i expected too with nice seasoning. I typically don't like raw onion but this was a really nice sweet onion. I loved that I got a pickle on the side too. My friend enjoyed her pastrami scramble. The price ended up being more than we anticipated (close to $100 after tip) so just something to keep in mind. read more

Barney Greengrass - Latkes - Specialty Food Near Me - New York, New York

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I wanted to like this place so badly, but it was just not worth it. Barney Greengrass gets way more hype than it deserves. I got an everything bagel (not toasted), with scallion cream cheese, onions, tomatoes, and nova. I know it's not a bagel shop, but the bagel was not good, I don't understand why their everything bagel was so sweet. The nova itself wasn't bad, but it really wasn't anything special. I've had far superior smoked salmon at other places in the city. The nova was too thick, and should have been sliced way thinner. Also they use white onions instead of red, which is just odd for a bagel with lox. They skimped on the cream cheese, so the ratio of salmon to cream cheese was really off. The service was fair and I have no opinions on the ambiance. I was there exclusively for the smoked salmon and it was a disappointment. read more

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Everything was good. I wish we'd tried the pastrami with deli mustard. The sable was good, but next time I'm getting all lox. Most NYC deli experiences, I leave feeling so full I need to be rolled out. This was a decent experience. I think both my partner and I could have ordered another menu item. It's convenient if you're walking Central Park or up on the UWS. An overall pleasant NYC deli experience. read more

Barney Greengrass - Pastrami on rye with Russian slaw Sable And Nova Scotia Salmon on a bialy - Specialty Food Near Me - New York, New York

The good: they refill your coffee (coffee is good and hot) without asking and attentively; the food comes out fast (but some is already made - see "latkes" below; it's a nostalgic very NYC classic Jewish deli feel. The bad: the food is overall a "2"." Latkes: they're made in advance in bulk so not served hot, they're too fat (like kugel thickness) and not crispy. Soft, warm, fat latkes - blech. Matzo-ball soup: like dishwater without flavor, spaghetti-like noodles. No chicken, no carrots, no celery. Tasteless ball in thin, naked tasteless broth. Combo Pastrami and Corned beef sandwich: an abomination! Dripping with Russian dressing and seemingly-store-bought Cole slaw. Too disgusting to pick up. LEO: flavor was okay and onions cooked well, but they chop the scrambled eggs into tiny pieces making it difficult to lift with a fork. Bialy: pretty ordinary. Not bad but nothing special. It's sad that places like this have abandoned their heritage of quality and just ride on their longevity. Hard to imagine a place this mediocre survived 100+ years with this levels of mediocrity. It's not that hard to make good traditional Jewish fare. read more

Does this place need another review? Honestly, I would just come back for the potato latkes that are off the menu. SO delicious. The line moves fast so don't be discouraged. That being said, still come early. I love how they also pack your stuff in a very nice tote bag. That being said, it's quite expensive to eat there too. For 2 people for breakfast we spent about $100 0_0. read more

Barney Greengrass - The must get latkes - Specialty Food Near Me - New York, New York

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A historic Jewish deli on the UWS known for their smoked fish and bagels. Cash only, line on the weekends, and not a cheap place for open bagels (~50 for two). But wow, somehow they were the best bagel and lox I've had :o An open bagels with a normal amount of cream cheese, capers, smoked fish, onions and a tomato is so so good. The latkes were also sooo good. read more

Barney Greengrass - Pastrami Salmon - Specialty Food Near Me - New York, New York

We were traveling with a local who insisted we try Barney Greengrass, so we went for breakfast -- and now I get why this place is such a classic. It's a small spot, split between table service on one side and to-go orders on the other. We opted for table service. The tables are packed in pretty tightly, so you'll definitely get to know your neighbors. They do have outdoor seating, but it was raining the day we went. We had a bit of a wait, and I can easily see it turning into a long one during busier times. The guy who seated us was your textbook New Yorker -- loud, slightly rude, but funny about it. Honestly, it added to the experience. We ordered a smoked fish platter with sturgeon and Nova Scotia salmon, bialys, a side of latkes (served with applesauce and sour cream), and a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice. Everything was absolute perfection. The fish was incredibly fresh and flavorful, the bialys were so good, and if you've never had one, definitely try it -- kind of like a bagel, but different and better in its own way. The latkes were thick, crispy, and full of flavor. There's a reason this place has been around for over 100 years. One word of advice: if you need to use the restroom, go before or after you leave. The bathroom is... also about 100 years old. Yes, I would absolutely go back. read more

if you are chasing that old New York ambiance, come here (& bring multiple wallets) - the old wallpaper, large deli, & intense waitstaff create a historic Jewish deli energy. the food is just as exciting. - the lox is delicious, perfectly smoky & salty. the rumors are true that all the best dishes here revolve around their fish. the bagel was crispy on the outside and the tomato's were perfectly ripe. the cream cheese potion was a tad less than I'd like but allowed the fish to do the work - the waiter dramatically encouraged us to get latkes...which he then forgot to bring. we ended up flagging him down at the end of the meal & they were brought over. huge chunks with a crispy exterior. definitely different than any latkes I've had before! - the biggest con is the price tag. I got the class bagel with lox and spent almost $40. if that is what it takes to keep historic institutions around, I'll do it, just not as often as I'd like to read more

Barney Greengrass - Lox And Cream Cheese Spread - Specialty Food Near Me - New York, New York

Stopped by with a friend for a Sunday lunch recently - there was a bit of a queue but we were pretty lucky to get seated within ~10 min (the queue got much longer once we were eating). They were serving potato latkes that day (which, after reading some reviews, isn't available all the time?), so we ordered a plate - they were amazing! Potatoes tasted light and fluffy, outside perfectly crispy without being too hard or oily, and portion size was pretty big (and you know starches can fill you up quickly haha). They came with applesauce and sour cream which paired excellently. My friend and I each ordered a bagel sandwich - I had the gravlox sandwich. The smoked fish was... fine? Maybe I should have tried the sturgeon (I think their speciality), but I have to say I'm not really sure why there's such a craze around their smoked fishes. It was all very yummy but I fear not uniquely so, and for $21 a bagel I honestly am just a bit perplexed by this. Bit of a mixed bag here - I'd be keen to come back but honestly it would primarily be for the latkes haha. Also note that they are cash only, so come prepared! read more

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Well it's still the best deli in our opinion. In fact we ended up here 3 times during the week we were in New York because it was so easy for us to get on the 1 Subway and shoot across town practically right to their door. I love their whitefish so had that on rye one time and on a bagel the next. Best bagel ever. Also the herring in cream sauce - amazing. Add a pastrami sandwich. Shared a plate of latkes - a bit bland. Love this place. We also got a box of their food a few months ago shipped to California - everything was great. read more

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Best latkes and great vibes but surprised to find out all that's pictured came out to $75! Didn't realize an open faced bagel only came with half of a bagel ($28 for only HALF of a bagel and whitefish and tomato)... not going back for the bagels. Total rip off. Might go for the latkes and outdoor seating. read more

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Their food and service is superb. It is definitely a NYC landmark and treasure! The ambiance is as it should be for a restaurant that is over 100 years old. Their potato pancakes are superb! Their fish is always the highest quality and tastes incredible too. I love this restaurant, just remember to bring cash read more

was really looking forward to introducing my son to Barney Greengrass, but unfortunately our visit started in a very upsetting way. When we arrived, I had stepped away to use the bathroom and didn't realize there was a line for seating. A couple who arrived after us was seated first. When I politely mentioned this, the staff member seating guests accused me of lying and spoke to me so harshly that I ended up in tears. It was completely unnecessary and incredibly humiliating. Our waitress was wonderful and genuinely apologetic. She did everything she could to make up for what had happened, even bringing us a couple of items on the house, and I really appreciated her kindness. The owner also came over to speak with us, but while he acknowledged the situation, we were still charged for the meal. Given how badly I had been treated, I would have expected the restaurant to comp the meal as a gesture of goodwill. The food itself was very good, which makes the experience even more disappointing. Sadly, because of the way I was treated, I won't be returning. No customer should be spoken to in a way that leaves them feeling humiliated and in tears. One star for the food and one star for the waitress Noa read more

Barney Greengrass is a NYC staple! While the location is usually crowded and loud when I'm there, the food is so good I will continue to return. The service can be hit or miss - I've had my fair share of crabby servers here. They take credit cards during the week - cash only on weekends. My favorite is to get a Bagel with Lox and Capers along with the plate of Latkes. read more

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Since 1908, it's New Yorks upper west side (UWS) Jewish deli institution. They have indoor/outdoor seating. The interior is a throwback to 1908. I have never eaten in the restuarant, just don't have the patients to wait for a table. The wait lines for the resuarant are long. I just do take out - my number one item is the French farm raised malossol Osetra caviar. Their other deli products such as pickled herring, nova lox, tongue...are also all very good. They are know for their smoked sturgeon. I ordered my caviar and handed my credit card to the guy behind the register. No credit, debit cards, cash and checks only. Do you have and ATM? No. The following response just floored me - "you can send me a check when you get home, I'll give you the instructions", jaw drop. The guy behind the register was no other than Gary Greengrass, current owner. Who in this world would say something like this these days? Talk about trust! I forgot that Barneys doesn't accept credit, debit cards or reservations. Go have some virgin sturgeon and French caviar on an unused bagel, you won't be disappointed but be prepared to wait and pay $$$$ or go the easy way and do a take out - enjoy read more

I've been really excited to try Barney Greengrass, but every time I walk by, the line is out the door. I decided to just suck it up one time and wait in line. For a party of 2, it actually didn't turn out to be that long of wait - maybe 15-20 minutes on a Sunday. Inside there's actually surprisingly plenty of seating which allows the line to move fairly quickly. - Nova Scotia Salmon Scrambled with Eggs and Onions - I appreciate the big chunks of smoked salmon in here although I thought this dish was a bit dry. It was also interesting that the cream cheese was just a slice on the side sitting on a plate. - House Made Whitefish Salad with Pumpernickel Bagel - I've never had cured whitefish before and I'm still a little bit confused on what it's supposed to taste like. Either way, it was pretty good with the onion, tomatoes, and capers. All the ingredients went very well together. - Matza Ball Soup - The soup here was delicious although the only real ingredients are matzo ball and noodles. I'm not sure if this is traditional, but it would've been nice to have some chicken chunks, celery, and/or carrots in there. The broth was very rich with chicken flavor which I loved. Overall, not a bad breakfast spot and not a bad wait. I will say when they give you the check, I feel like they kind of charge you whatever they want. The menu said that the House Made Whitefish Salad was $17 but on the check it said it was $21. read more

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Some places you love because the food is good. Some places you love because of who took you there. Every summer, my grandmother would slip out of the apartment before anyone else was awake -- before grandfather, before me -- and come back with bagels the size of your head, as much cream cheese as I wanted, and lox wrapped tight in white butcher paper. I was still half asleep, still warm from the fold-out couch bed I shared with both of them, and she was already back with breakfast like she'd never left. That was Brighton Beach, then and there. This is Barney Greengrass, here and now. It's not just the lox, though the lox is correct in every way that matters. It's that this is the place someone who loved you got up early for. Five stars. Obviously. read more

Luckily didn't have a long wait for lunch at 1:30pm. Two of us got nova salmon with vegetable cream cheese on a bagel and hot pastrami on rye. The sandwiches weren't as big as I thought they be and was a bit pricey. But enjoyed them and considered a treat for the weekend. read more

Barney Greengrass - Nova salmon and cream cheese on bagel and Hot Pastrami on rye (splitting 2 sandwiches) - Specialty Food Near Me - New York, New York

Had a nice breakfast here. if you're in the area it's a New York institution that's been around since 1908 and yes, there was a real Barney Greengrass and they don't call him or his sons, "The Sturgeon King" for nothing. The best sturgeon, sable and lox around. Absolutely exceptional. An Upper West side staple, it's right on 86th and Amsterdam. Lines form everyday to get in. Here's a hint...go on Saturday morning before 10 and you'll get a table. Yes Saturday, trust me The food here is a special treat. The staff is efficient and really knowledgeable. Some restaurants it seems like the staff has never eaten there. Our server Sean or Table #12 as he referred to himself, was helpful and knowledgeable. Don't forget... Cash only... bring plenty. It's pricey but worth every penny. read more

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I went into this restaurant because a friend recommended it for the best smoked salmon. This place is pretty spacious, it has indoor and outdoor seatings. We went 10 minutes before closing time and they let us dine in (which I thought it was very considerate, otherwise I would have got to go). To me, the menu was overwhelming so I ordered what the people next to us + server recommended. They offer SO many items on the menu, so I wished I had studied the menu prior to visiting. We had pastrami salmon + eggs with onions, and Nova Scotia + eggs with onions, which comes with 1 bagel per dish + plain cream cheese. We ordered garlic & everything bagels + scallion cream cheese instead. The bagel is not made in store, but the garlic bagel and scallion cream cheese were FABULOUS. Also, the freshly squeezed orange juice is a MUST item if you like juice (not super sweet and just perfect). Assorted pickles were a great experience, I don't even like pickles usually but those were yummy. The server #12 (AKA Sean) let us try sturgeon (because they are know for that), and I think it's the best sturgeon I've had in life (10/10). Sean was great and we appreciated the service we received. It is a bit of a distance if you don't live in upper west, but it's definitely work making a trip for. read more

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We had lunch here on a Tuesday, around 3pm. We were seated immediately. Our server was a very nice young woman who helped us decide what to order. She was great..very friendly and patient. We enjoyed the hot pastrami, swiss, cole slaw, and russian dressing sandwich with latkes. Dessert was black and white cookies. Everything was very good. The sandwich wasn't as huge and overwhelming as some delis in this town and the atmosphere was a lot less hectic. We got to sit outside in the sunshine, along the sidewalk. Would definitely recommend for a nice lunch. read more