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    Cafe d’Alsace

    4.0 (1.5k reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 3:30 pm, 5:00 PM - 10:30 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

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    CAFE D’ALSACE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Complimentary bread
    Austin K.

    We got complimentary bread and it was warm and fluffy, with butter and marmalade. I didn't get this last time so I wonder if we got this because we were a big group? I got the shakshuka which has a French Onion soup like cheese exterior. It comes with hard bread and was a decent rendition, I would get again. I got it with the sausage which is a ridiculous $6 upcharge for 2 small links but it is very good.

    Croque Madame
    Clara S.

    Came here for lunch on a weekday. Super cute, French ambiance with friendly service. This would be a great place to come for a cute brunch sesh with the girls. Food was just decent-- not bad, but also not mind blowingly good. We originally wanted to get the French toast, but we were told that they only had French toast on the brunch menu (which they only serve on the weekends). - Omelette: 7/10 (decent omelette with goat cheese and spinach. French fries were thin and airy, but I did wish they were crispier. Salad on the side was meh-- a bit too soggy for my liking) - Croque madame: 8/10 (I preferred this dish to the omelette because it was a bit more flavorful)

    Interior
    Fawn G.

    We picked Cafe D'Alsace for our annual Hanukkah dinner based on dining at another restaurant in the neighborhood a month ago. I must say, the UES continued to impress as far as dining options and quality. This is a beautiful French bistro that offers both French and German cuisine where one can find Charcuterie, Steak Tartare and Grilled Shrimp prepared with their heads on. The decor is quite beautiful with antique colored seltzer bottles, white table cloths and banquets for seating. You can order à la carte or have their Prix Fixe menu for $58 which includes appetizer, entree and dessert. Here's what our Hanukkah feast consisted of: 1. Appetizers: Rochelle ordered the pureed Lentils soup with bacon. She loved it! I ordered the delicious chopped salad which had Kalamata olives ( love, love!), so fresh and filling. 2. Entrees: I ordered the Tagliatelle Provencal which had pasta with sliced artichokes, roasted tomatoes, pine nuts and Nicoise olives with shaved Parmigiano Reggiano and pesto in a sherry shallot vinaigrette. Scrumptious! Rochelle ordered the Farmhouse Chicken with Yukon mashed potatoes and string beans in chicken jus. The chicken was so tender and cooked perfectly. 3. Dessert: Tahitian Vanilla Creme Brûlée, decadent, creamiest and dreamiest, ate every morsel. Beverage: I opted for the non alcoholic Lychee Moscow Mule with ginger; refreshing! Our waiter was terrific and the service is impeccable. This is a top notch traditional restaurant and reservations are necessary. There are different menus: Early Bird Dinner: $38 served between 5-6pm Prix Fixe Dinner: $58 after 6pm Happy Hour Menu: Wine/Beer/Cocktails 5-8pm Food menu. 5-7 pm Brunch: Saturday and Sunday 10-3:30 pm Cafe D'Alsace is located on 1703 2nd Avenue on 88th Street Take Q train to 86th Street and walk 4 minutes to

    Bar seating
    Lauren C.

    We are obsessed with this place even though they have basically no vegan options. It is an iconic spot that defines the neighborhood. From morning until night, they are full of people genuinely enjoying elevated classic dishes, great service, and the coziest, classiest atmosphere. It's the perfect spot to have date night, bring your parents, or just relax over a cup of their excellent coffee (Kobrick beans). Our server Sonia was the best; we couldn't have asked for better service.

    Omelette Lorraine
    Peta W.

    I'd been wanting to pop in for a bit and decided to- just walking by. Brunch time on a Sunday, very busy- sat at the bar. Loved the green beige decor. Drinks were well made, food was ok- was an omelette so nothing to write home about, but I've had better. Service was decent and timely. I'd go again for a more laid back experience and an actual dinner meal.

    Jessica J.

    We've been here at least 5 times and the food was good every single time. I'm kind of surprised it doesn't have a Michelin star yet. I used to live in France in the Alsace region and the choucrutes really taste like what I used to have there.

    Shakshuka
    Matthew H.

    Stopped by for a cosy brunch on a Saturday - the two of us managed to snag a res the evening before, but they did seem Quite busy, so definitely plan ahead! We ordered eggs benedict and shakshuka to share. We opted for the bistro ham for the eggs benedict and it was very delicious! The eggs were poached very nicely and I really liked the sides (potatoes and salad both very yummy). Shakshuka was also pretty good, flavour profile with all the spices mixed with the slightly roasted/smokey tomato was nice, would also recommend this dish. I wish they gave more bread hehe Portion size was fairly big -- we didn't quite finish, but also perhaps our appetites were a bit small -- and I think the overall price point was quite fair for the quality and quantity of food. That being said, from these two dishes specifically there was nothing that particularly stood out as unique or spectacular in the universe of UES brunch places. I'd be keen to come back to try some other choices!

    Crepe Souffle, Smoked Salmon Duo, special omelette
    Helen S.

    Came here to celebrate my friend's engagement! Very cute brunch spot, with retro style. Straight forward menu and everything was solid.

    Outdoor seating: people watching plus sorbet skies--
    Jess W.

    Sunday night solo dinner. First time ever and it was restaurant week. It missed the mark. The curse of the UES. Great outdoor seating options but, the food is below average. Food 2/5 Appetizer for Restaurant Week--gnocchi They were trying to be too creative during restaurant week and it was a miss or I chose the wrong selection of items. Forcing gnocchi to be a somewhat dry appetizer in a ramekin is already a stretch but cooking it with sun-dried tomatoes that happen to not taste like sun-dried tomatoes Entree for Restaurant Week-- ribs Chewy and not in the good way. Dry or not cooked long enough nor properly for it to be tender Dessert for Restaurant Week-- creme brûlée You can tell the fruit was not fresh Drink 2/5 They made it look like a beer was included in your $45 meal for restaurant week but, no, when he bill came, it was $9 for a 12 oz Beer had a bitter tone to it and I like that Service 2/5 My server took a very long time to come check on me A little impatient There are busy boys and food runners that back the server who are really good Price 2/5 See above Came out to $58 before tip and I tipped $10, so $68 Otherwise, a $45 3 course meal is neither inexpensive or expensive Ambiance 4/5 Outdoor seating with people watching options plus sorbet skies

    Kim X.

    Formally adorned and spacious French restaurant on the UES, conveniently located by the Q and 6. I got the crab omelette which came with a side of salad and french fries. The French fries were the skinny shoestring type which I love. The crab omelette was ok. It could've used more salt/taste though.

    choucroute garnie

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    2 months ago

    Had lunch there and it was amazing. Ordered the shakshuka. They have excellent coffee too which is rare in NYC nowadays.

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    7 months ago

    Amazing service. food was good i got the steak frites! We had a group of 15. we were all taken care of well.

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    The ambiance, food, and service were all excellent! Highly recommend this place. Nice wine selection.

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    Cafe d’Alsace Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Cafe d’Alsace

    Is the outdoor eating area heated? To what extent is it enclosed?

    There are heaters around each of the tables, and there are some more included areas (3 sided tent with windows) as well as tables that aren't inclosed. All areas are heated, though

    Can you make brunch reservations?

    Yes

    Is the outdoor seating dog friendly? Thanks!

    Yes, so long as dog is well-behaved

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    Marseille

    Marseille

    3.9
    (1.3k reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$$

    Oh, what a delight to stumble upon Marseille on a rainy day!…read more We stumbled into Marseille completely by chance. We were actually going to a different restaurant but the rain came down so hard, we needed to go somewhere closer. I want to come back and have a true meal here! (Apparently they do a discounted steak frites and that is my love language.) The staff very kindly accommodated us even thought we didn't have a reservation (we were only two). Everything in Marseille is done with a purpose. The waiters are all dressed in the same charming uniform. The cocktails are crafted with certain flavor profiles in mind. The menu is there to whisk you away to a little, remote village in France - except, you're on 9th Avenue in New York City and the street is littered with pushy walkers and....well, you get the drill. Anyway. Marseille begins the meal with the most excellent bread service. A fresh, hot sourdough roll is placed upon your table, along with herbed butter and oil. I could make a meal out of that bread alone. My cousin and I split the mushroom ravioli as an appetizer - a little salty, but excellent. The flavors were very well balanced and six was a good number for a dinner portion. We actually opted for the French onion soup as out main, and it was probably the best French onion soup we've ever had. There was also so much, we could not finish it. My Francais G&T was unbelievably good and came with a cornichon. Actually, shout out to our busser (I wish I got his name!) who accidentally took my drink-pickle away and had the waiter bring over more to make up for it. It was such a kind gesture and he deserves to be awarded for his attention to detail. (The wait staff overall was excellent. Kudos to the tall waiter with the snake ring and the shorter waitress with the great eyebrows. Again, I wish I got their names!) Oh, and as a bonus - they gave us some incredible truffles as a parting gift because we didn't stay for dessert. Like I said - the attention to detail here is on point! Overall, this is a fabulous spot. I would love to try brunch here!

    Friendliest and nicest hosts and staff I've encountered recently!! We arrived right at our…read morereservation time and were promptly seated for a rare date night. Although I would've preferred to have been seated away from a family with 3 loud, ill-behaved kids, it was still a nice cozy table. On our table we found a nice Happy Anniversary card, which was very sweet! Our server Selma L. greeted us warmly and with a smile. Selma L. was very knowledgeable and helpful with the menu and remained very available and checked in on us often throughout our meal. I knew I wanted the Escargots en Persillade(my favorites!), and we paired them with Mushroom&Ricotta ravioli, and the Branzino. Every dish was perfectly paired with sauces and flavors blended well together. The Branzino skin was perfectly crispy, the potatoes were a little softer than I'd personally like but were still tasty. We made sure to save room for dessert and I'm so glad we did. We tried the chocolate lava cake and the cheesecake and were gifted two glasses of dessert wine and truffles. Everything is made from scratch, in-house. The New York cheesecake stood out ahead of the lava cake but I would order both again. This restaurant is perfectly situated to accommodate you for a pre-show dinner, and offer discounted meals starting at 8pm-close. We'd definitely return to try other menu items, and enjoy another date night, albeit not surrounded by kids!!!

    Photos
    Corner booths often used for group dining
    Corner booths often used for group dining
    Fresh Berries - yogurt & granola
    Fresh Berries - yogurt & granola
    Croque Madame - griddled bistro ham & gruyere on brioche topped with mornay and a sunnyside up egg, chips

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    Croque Madame - griddled bistro ham & gruyere on brioche topped with mornay and a sunnyside up egg, chips
    Chez Josephine

    Chez Josephine

    3.8
    (724 reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$$

    The service and ambiance is what made this place really nice. We walked in and it's like a whole…read moredifferent world with live piano music as well. The wonderful lady who was singing and playing the piano did a really good job, it's such a romantic place. The food was good and I split a bottle of wine with my partner. We ordered off the pre-fix menu and added oysters on top. The oysters were so good and I really liked the vinegar. For the appetizers, it was a beet salad and pate. The pate was SO good, I get it again to be honest. Then came the entrees, we ordered the medium well steak frites and pan seared stripped bass. The steak came out rare and the fish was okay, it could have been a bit more seasoned for my personal taste. I traded dishes with my partner because I can't eat rare steak but he can. We also got the peach ice cream dessert and the dessert of the day which was a coconut gelatin(?) dish and it was AMAZING. Overall experience was good, the only thing that was kinda a miss was the entrees.

    Went here after a movie the other night and had the price fixe dinner which is such a great deal…read more Terrific and inexpensive wine list. Onion soup and pate starters were prepared just right. Steak and mussel frites came out perfectly. Chocolate lava cake and peach melba were a great way to end our meal. We will return!

    Photos
    Dining room
    Dining room
    Chocolate lava cake! ($19)
    Chocolate lava cake! ($19)
    From my table, thru the bar, to the front door.

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    From my table, thru the bar, to the front door.
    Steak Frites Bistro

    Steak Frites Bistro

    4.6
    (307 reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $$$

    Finally. I've been on the search. City after city. 6 different French restaurants in Chicago. Not…read moreto mention Washington DC and other cities. But I finally found authentic steak tartare. Hand cut. Not run through a blender. The closest to the nest that I've had in Paris. Ambiance: 10/10 Steak tartare: 9/10 Pomme fritte: 7/10 Service: 10/10 Don't get me wrong these fries were good. Better than all the others. Not quite good as in Paris. It was a joy to eat here. And I feel like I've finally found a place that compares to Paris. The best of Chicago produced nothing to compare to Paris.

    While in the theater district I decided to satisfy my craving for steak and fries. I looked up a…read moreplace nearby and this one came up. It was a 12 minute walk from my original location. I played myself by getting the pre frixe menu. I did not care for the French onion soup at all. It has a sour taste to it..not savory. I asked for my steak medium well. It came exactly to mh liking. I had not had read meat in a while and I might have been low on iron. It was tasty. I ordered the creme brulee for desert which was yummy. I sat at the bar. I will definitely asked to be seated next time because the bartender hovered over me a lot. I didn't need much service. The steak was good next time I will have the salmon. I want to try other places that specialize in this fare.

    Photos
    View from our window table
    View from our window table
    Cute salt and pepper
    Cute salt and pepper
    At the entrance

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    At the entrance
    Chez Napoleon

    Chez Napoleon

    3.9
    (344 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$$

    Thursday night dinner for 3. Very charming, quaint restaurant with vintage artwork and a small bar…read more There is a front room with a small bar and another room around a wall on the other side. We ordered a traditional gran marnier soufflé with our dinner order as it takes that amount of time to make it. I came for the duck confit. It was tasty with the right amount of crispy skin. My sister ordered the Moules Marinieres which I think was the winner. It came with fries and a few small dishes of green beans. The Buf Bourguignon was rich and hearty. I've been craving a soufflé, and I'm not an expert but I wish I hadn't poured all the sauce in as the mariner was fairly strong and almost overpowered the soufflé in flavor. Overall, happy to support a small mom and pop business. You have to call for reservations. No resy or open table.

    I grew up nearby and been wanting to come here for over 30 years- since I was young- but was a…read morelittle intimidated. Im sad about that. Putting the food aside (which was VERY good), the place is beyond charming... like walking into your nonna's living room- and the staff was welcoming. As for the food: everything is "perfect" in a simple, old school, traditional way. No trendy twists. This is a GOOD thing in my book. It has been years since Ive had escorgot that I loved, but this brought me back. I had almost sworn off of it. My steak au-poivre was cooked to perfection and green peppercorn sauce was sublime. The fries were basic but in a good, I dare say perfect, way. My gf had the sole and, altho she says it wasnt earth shattering, liked it as well. The soufle was a bit of a novelty for me but worth a try. This place is Old School New York at its finest. P.S. I cant stand liver or pate but my gf ordered the foie gras (which ive never had) and tho i resisted trying it, I finally did and loved it. I think that says something about the place. She said it was perfect.

    Photos
    Chez Napoleon
    Salty crispy half duck with orange sauce and super wild rice.
    Salty crispy half duck with orange sauce and super wild rice.
    The Restuarant is filled with jigsaw puzzles. You can buy a box off of the Puzzle Menu.

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    The Restuarant is filled with jigsaw puzzles. You can buy a box off of the Puzzle Menu.
    S'Aimer

    S'Aimer

    4.6
    (81 reviews)
    2.4 mi

    We were able to get a last-minute reservation at 7p on the Sunday before Memorial Day and entered…read morewhat was a pretty empty establishment. There were only 2 other parties seated and we were seated immediately upon arrival. It's fairly dark inside and the decor reminds me a bit of New Orleans. I enjoyed the ambiance. The drinks were great! I had the cocobella while he had margaritas. The table bread was hot and fresh, so make sure they bring it to the table for you. We had the mussels for an appetizer, lamb chops and bass. EVERYTHING was excellent! The flavor of the broth for the mussels was Devine, so much so my husband used his bread to sop up all he could. The bass had great flavor and came with sautéed spinach that was well cooked. It initially looked like a small portion but turned out to be plenty. The lamb chops were cooked to the requested temp and seasoned well. We left no crumbs. This one is definitely worth a try!

    If you're going to see a Broadway show, plan on stopping here to enjoy some delicious food. This…read moreplace has such a smooth, sexy vibe. Staff are lovely. Decide is classy cool. The food is perfection. The pulled oxtails are delicious. Gave me goosebumps. The fish was cooked to perfection. The sweet plantains were perfect. The drinks were done very well too. It's a bit expensive, but you get what you pay for! YUMMY

    Photos
    Greenery in The Garden at S'Aimer NYC
    Greenery in The Garden at S'Aimer NYC
    The Garden at S'Aimer NYC. A place for quiet conversation in the heart of Restaurant Row.
    The Garden at S'Aimer NYC. A place for quiet conversation in the heart of Restaurant Row.
    Set up for private event at S'Aimer NYC.

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    Set up for private event at S'Aimer NYC.
    maman

    maman

    4.1
    (265 reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$

    Maman remains my favorite brunch spot whenever I'm in NYC, and this visit to a new location was…read morejust as lovely as ever. This space felt larger than the other locations I've been to, while still keeping the same cozy, charming, and beautiful vibe that defines their brand. We were a party of three, and each of us ordered different sandwiches and pastries. I got the Katie's Chicken Sandwich, which is one of my absolute favorites and something I order almost every time I'm visiting the city. For pastry, I tried the Cherry Croissant Cube for the first time, and I was honestly speechless. It was incredibly flavorful, delicious, and truly made my day. I 100% recommend trying it. For drinks, I ordered the seasonal Cherry Elderflower Spritz. It was just okay compared to everything else, but not bad. Overall, Maman continues to be my go-to brunch place in NYC, and this visit reminded me exactly why.

    Went here in the late morning on a Sunday and was hoping for a better experience. Had to wait…read moreseveral minutes at the cashier to get our order taken, and then immediately felt like a burden trying to order. The cashier just walked away upon us finishing our order and I had to wait another few minutes to get my receipt. The food was mid, nothing super exceptional. I got avocado toast and it was average, nothing to write home about. I also got an iced vanilla latte that was also lackluster, the espresso tasted burnt and I didn't taste any flavor. Ambiance was nice, wasn't super crowded and able to get a nice table I will say. Overall, food was okay, I would just order online pickup to avoid their customer service if I were to go again.

    Photos
    Menu. Had trouble deciding as so many great options
    Menu. Had trouble deciding as so many great options
    Maman's Breakfast Sandwich
    Maman's Breakfast Sandwich
    Creme brûlée croissant

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    Creme brûlée croissant
    La Bonne Soupe

    La Bonne Soupe

    4.0
    (311 reviews)
    1.8 mi

    If you're looking to escape the tourist crowds on the UES, La Bonne Soupe is the move. I was back…read morevisiting my old stomping grounds and wanted somewhere outside with a real neighborhood feel and this spot nailed it. I snagged a seat on their upstairs patio, surrounded by the kind of older, well-heeled UES regulars that give the place such a quintessential NYC vibe. I went with the $35 lunch special, which gets you an appetizer and an entrée. For my app, the Escargots de Bourgogne- absolutely the star of the meal, I could've eaten a second order. The Crêpe Forestière for my entrée was lovely too, and I washed it all down with a lemonade. Everything was genuinely delicious. My one small gripe: I got charged for two lemonades, which stung a little given that (a) it's lemonade, and (b) the glass was on the petite side to begin with. Minor quibble, though. Other than that, it was a perfect NYC lunch, exactly what I was hoping for.

    Came here a mere week after five-star my first visit, and this experience was significantly less…read morepositive. While the French Onion soup was still a stand-out dish, the painfully slow service detracted. There appeared to be a single waitress working. I didn't notice during my first visit if there were multiple servers, but the first time I did hear the waiter advise another table that the kitchen was behind and there would be a wait for food. (This didn't affect me since on my first visit I only ordered soup.) Same thing happened this time, and there was a significant delay between our soup/salad course and entrees. We were told the kitchen was backed up. this is apparently the norm. For appetizers, the French onion soup was a gold star dish. My friend had the goat cheese salad which she said was also very good. The Chicken Cordon Bleu was good, and a hard-to-find dish in NYC. While eating our entrees, the server never checked on how things were or if we needed anything. Once finished, we sat there for a long time waiting for our plates to be cleared, and finally had to "announce" that we were done and request our dessert (as we had ordered the prix fixe menu). For dessert we ordered the Dame Blanche and Profiteroles. I would recommend neither. The ice cream (in both) was poor quality, crystallized and not creamy. A real shame. In all, the meal too 2.5 hours due to the slow service. The soup remains fantastic. I'm downgrading my review to recommend this spot only for soup and salad and not a full, hours-long meal. For that, it's 5 stars, for a full meal a middling 3.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Dame blanche
    Dame blanche
    Outside dining on second floor rooftop

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    Outside dining on second floor rooftop

    Cafe d’Alsace - french - Updated July 2026

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