Well, I was on my way to work and had about 45 minutes before I start, so I figured I'd drop into the good ol' "Cafeteria"! This was the spot to go to after hitting the clubs downtown! Oh, the memories.. I really wanted breakfast but it was like 4pm and that menu option wasn't available but the host mentioned that they have a Happy Hour deal at the bar so I figured why not. Let me check out what they have to offer. They had some happy hour beverages but I'm not a big drinker. Besides I had to go to work. But for those who like wine, one type of IPA and margaritas, they had some special specials on those drinks. And on the food, can't remember what they really had besides the Mac and cheese dumplings, which I have never heard of, but I was ready to explore. So I ordered the dumplings with the cheese dipping sauce and they were OK. Not really my thing and I don't know if I will order them again per se but they were OK in my opinion. Next visit I'll try to get there for Breakfast/Brunch or dinner because I know those menus have some great options! read more

Cafeteria - Mac Cheese Spring Rolls - New American Near Me - New York, New York

I've eaten here a few times! So good. The turkey burger is shockingly really good and very moist, and the sweet potato fries (and normal fries!) were very yummy. I also got the grits for brunch once, really really good as well. We got an aperol spritz tree to share for the table, very very fun! And the servers are soo so sweet! I'll be back plenty more times read more

Cafeteria in the heart of Chelsea is just as amazing as I remember from my twenties (18 yrs ago)! I stopped by for a quick cocktail after running an errand across the street, and it brought back so many great memories (even though they aren't 24/7 like the old days). I tried their unique and delicious Italicus Spritz frozen cocktail, and it was incredibly refreshing. It even came with a complimentary serving of warm, homemade mixed nuts with rosemary and dates--such a nice touch! While I only dropped in for a drink, I took a look at their brunch menu and it looks wonderfully interesting and affordable. I love their fresh-pressed juice concept, which feels like a great healthy match for their food. The vibe is still cool with trendy, ironic pop divas playing on the speakers, but the absolute highlight was Herman the bartender, who gave us 10 out of 10 outstanding service. I cannot wait to return again and again! #CafeteriaNYC #ChelseaEats #ItalicusSpritz #NYCBrunch #ClassicNewYork read more

Cafeteria - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Obviously popular casual restaurant at 18th Street and 7th Ave. Some outdoor seating, and garage doors can be opened to make inside tables "outdoorish". Crowded on Thursday evening. Even accounting for the occasional ambulance and fire truck activity, this was a very noisy place, making conversation a challenge. The menu was solid, with a range of burgers, sandwiches, and traditional entrees. We went for the burgers. They mixed up the well done and medium rares on delivery, and the bottom buns were quite soggy, making them a mess to eat. That said, they were tasty. On the whole, this place was adequate for a quick meal, but I wouldn't go out of my way to patronize it again. read more

Came here for dinner and had a very pleasant experience. My friend and I ordered the mac n cheese sampler, a salad, and the Parmesan truffle fries. Everything was so delicious and food came out so quickly. I highly recommend the Mac n cheese sampler. To drink I had a blood orange mint marg which was also great. Between the food and being able to sit outside and take in the nice weather in Chelsea was so relaxing, especially after a long day at work. Our server (I think his name was Jason), was fantastic. So friendly and so astute - I definitely want to give my praise. read more

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My friend and I stopped by for a lunch on a Saturday afternoon. We were seated outside very quickly. Service was great! Our waiter (Dyllan V.) was so sweet, patient, and stylish! We had great conversation with him and our food honestly came pretty quick for nyc. Food was great, we ateeeeee it up! Great place to go if you're in the area. read more

Cafeteria - Price for avocado toast and chicken sandwich. Smoothie price. - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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Everything is ok, simply good but nothing special. The cocktails are fine but the wine list is mediocre at best. The waitstaff is friendly and hardworking but clearly inexperienced. Essentially one step up from a basic diner. read more

Cafeteria - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Reliable spot for work lunches. I like their calamari which is breaded in corn meal. The wedge salad (fingers crossed no cyclospora lol) was excellent. Only ordered to go multiple times but things are always packed and labeled well. read more

A great restaurant. Especially in the summer. They have excellent cocktails, outdoor seating, and one of the best burgers in NYC read more

Cafeteria - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Had this place saved for a while. It is a bit of a tight space and a long wait. The tall slinky man with glasses said it'll be about a 20-25 minute wait. And it sure was a 45 min wait. Bar area was congested and standing by the entrance was not sufficient (as it was very cold outside). When finally seated I ordered the BLAT - bacon, lettuce, fried green tomato, and avocado. Chef Ali surely elevated the BLT with the green tomato, as I mentioned when he came over to our table...which was nice. I've never had a BLT with green tomato so it was very memorable. It was an amazing size and loved how it was seasoned along with the sauce ratio. Maybe another piece of bacon or two would've done it justice for the proportion. The bread was spot on, not just your average piece. It was light and slightly crunchy, with great texture and none of that dry, crumbly feel. Chefs kiss to the sauce on it. The fries were soooo goood. I am a stickler for truffle fries done right and it indeed surpassed my expectations. On another note, Waiter David was such a pleasure to have serving us, loved his connectedness!!! Music was cool too. A different mix of genres but liked the nostalgic touch to it. Fatou was also a cool vibe at the front after replacing the tall man when his shift was over. read more

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I hadn't been to Cafeteria in years. It's become a neighborhood gem, open late and very popular with a mixed crowd after 11:00 on a Saturday night. My friend and I have been frustrated in our efforts to find something to eat in the Flatiron/Chelsea in the weekends after 10:00 since the Malibu Diner closed. There doesn't seem to be anything on 6th Avenue and not a lot on 7th either. Fortunately the management at Cafeteria understands there's a need. I think the place was open 24 hours until the pandemic. I hope like Veselka that they resume all-night dining at least on the weekends. The staff is very friendly and attentive (it might have taken a little longer to get our good since it was busy). My friend had a burger (pretty good, thick fries). I wanted some comfort food and chose the shrimp risotto. It was a pretty good size (it could have maybe been a little bigger for $30 and included more than 6 shrimp and perhaps a sprinkling of vegetables to be more substantive). I don't often go for risotto because it can be kind of bland, but this hit the spot: cheesy, buttery and not too heavy for a late night bite). I look forward to going back for a full dinner now that Cafeteria is on my radar again. read more

This year I decided to celebrate my 46th birthday at this restaurant. There were three of us. The food was delicious, as always -- five stars for the kitchen. Unfortunately, the service disappointed me this time. Perhaps our waiter was new, but the overall experience did not feel comfortable. It was a bit disappointing because I have always enjoyed coming here. read more

Cafeteria - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Servers were friendly. Breakfast was delicious. What more can you ask for? I had an omelet, which was perfectly cooked. Like the best French style omelet. They let me sub sweet potato fries for the home fries. Also great. Ketchup and a spicy mayo were served on the plate. I asked for multi grain bread, which was nice and served with butter and blueberry compote. I would recommend. read more

I had such a great experience at Cafeteria. We found parking right out front which already felt like a small miracle in New York. We were seated right away and the space had a nice welcoming energy. We ordered the Crispy Rock Shrimp, the Truffled Eggs, and the Eggs Benedict along with a Rude Margarita and a Blood Orange Margarita . Everything was delicious, but the Crispy Rock Shrimp was the clear standout. Perfectly seasoned, crispy, and one of the best versions of that dish I have ever had. The brunch dishes were fresh and flavorful and the cocktails were strong and well made. Our experience with service started out a little rocky. The first server seemed annoyed when we politely declined water service and mentioned that the napkins on the table were stained. Thankfully, our next server, Gino, completely turned things around. He was amazing from start to finish. Warm, attentive, and genuinely pleasant. His service made a real difference and helped the entire visit end on a very high note. Cafeteria completely won me over with great food and thoughtful service. Despite the small hiccup at the beginning, everything that followed more than made up for it. I would absolutely return the next time I am in the city. read more

Cafeteria - Eggs Benedict - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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Okay, so let me start this off by saying I am an OG Cafeteria girl. Like, back in the day when Cafeteria was 24 hours, this was my spot. Many late nights, early mornings, and everything in between have happened here. I've been loyal for years. Yes, COVID changed things and they now close around midnight or 1 a.m., but honestly? That still works for me. I love this place. This review is... embarrassingly overdue (July 11th, to be exact), but here we are. Better late than never, and Cafeteria deserves her flowers. So, I went for a good late dinner with my brother--my eating partner, my foodie partner-in-crime. I think I ordered the ginger iced tea (this is what I get for waiting so long), but I'm 99% sure that's what it was. Either way, it was excellent, really refreshing, not sweet, and the ginger comes through beautifully. Their teas are generally a win. Now, because it was summer and we were trying to be cute and seasonal, we tried the watermelon "salad." And... yeah, no. That was not it. It was literally a huge watermelon "steak" with feta and microgreens sprinkled on top. No dressing, no seasoning, no zhuzh, no nothing. The watermelon itself wasn't sweet enough, and the entire dish just felt flat. A little salt and pepper helped, but honestly? I wouldn't recommend it. When you hear "watermelon feta salad," you picture something completely different than what arrived. Now onto the good stuff. The steak entrée? Always a hit. Always. It comes with this delicious butter sauce that brings everything together. I did mine with a side salad. My brother did the same plus sweet potato fries, which--listen--Cafeteria's sweet potato fries are top tier. They're crisp, perfectly seasoned, and just everything you want from a sweet potato fry. Dessert time! My brother ordered the key lime pie, which he loves. It tastes more like a cheesecake-style key lime--which works. He let me try it, and it was good. I went for the citrus sorbet, which came with grapefruit, orange segments, and the whole vibe. Light, refreshing, perfect after a heavier meal. I loved it. Now... let's talk about the espresso martinis because our server hyped them up. Apparently, the bartender on that night "makes the best espresso martini." And listen, one thing about me: I love a good espresso martini, but I am VERY particular about them because they can go wrong fast. And this one? Awful. Absolutely not. The flavor was off, the mix wasn't balanced, it just... wasn't good. Would not recommend. At all. But overall, Cafeteria is still one of my favorite restaurants ever. The classics always hold it down. The seasonal items can be hit or miss, and the espresso martini (for me) was a miss, but the food? Consistently solid. The vibe? Always great. The nostalgia? Heavy. I'll always be a Cafeteria OG. read more

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For years, I've always walked by this place and knew one day I'd eat here. But with all the pretty people, drinking and dining Al Fresco, getting a table would be hard. An early Saturday dinner, before a Springsteen show at MSG, was very apropos. Even at 5:30pm, this place was packed. And yes, there were some pretty people there...old married couples, housewives (on break from their families), rich snobs, poor slobs, hipsters, a sprinkling of colorful youth and us. So all in all, Cafeteria is for everyone. We were a few minutes early for our reservation but were seated right away. Our waiter, Dylan, was super laid back and looked like a cast member of "GIRLS". He brought our drinks quickly and put our order in soon after. My wife's Cantaloupe Mimosa was very flavorful, and perfectly quirky. The Classic Burger & Shaved Prime Rib Dip were equally impressive and came with yummy fries. We should have stayed for dessert, but we had a rock show to go to--Needed to be light on our feet. I'd like to come here for a mid-day breakfast or late supper. The menu is quite large. The bathrooms, on the lower level, were a bit confusing. That's my only gripe. read more

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had brunch here which was-excellent but what made it a great experience was the outsanding service and friendly staff. Nick :the manager servers: David & atric Hostess :Fonta And the clean up crew I just had to give them their due for a very nice experience and of course great food read more

I love this place! Stopped by for brunch, requested patio and it was accommodated no problem. Tables are perfectly spaced, and service is friendly. Cocktails, while pricy, were delicious - a lot of thought put into each on for fun and new flavors. The food menu was vast, offering a little bit of everything you could want. I loved sitting outside with the semi covered and heated patio - the blankets on the chairs were a fun and thoughtful touch. read more

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Cafeteria is such a vibe! The ambiance is completely on point--stylish, lively, and perfect for a brunch outing. The food came out fast, hot, and exactly what you want when you're craving the perfect brunch. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and hit the spot. But the best part of the experience was Nicholas. He was incredibly accommodating, so sweet, and genuinely personable--it made the whole visit feel extra special. Honestly, I'd go back just to see him again. If you're looking for great food, great energy, and standout service, Cafeteria is definitely worth it. read more

Cafeteria - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Took my partner here for a nice birthday lunch. States right away, not outdoors, but by the open door leading to the outdoor seating. Perfect views and fresh air. Served came over right away, he was super pleasant and attentive. For appetizers, we had the mushroom crispy tacos (delicious and flavorful) cornmeal calamari, also delicious and flavorful. My partner had a late breakfast, brioche French toast, scrambled eggs and smoked salmon. He likes it all. I had the ginger salmon with broccolini. Didn't like it much. The salmon was nice and tender, but very salty and the broccolini had a weird after taste. We each had a mocktail, a watermelon cooler I had a ginger beverage, both good. Overall great lunch. read more

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Incredible! Everything was absolutely delicious. From the ambiance to the food. Starting off, the host and waiters were so friendly and welcoming. We sat down right away and they gave us menus and constantly refilled our water. The Mac and cheese was mouth watering, I loved all three styles. I ordered the grilled chicken and my friend ordered the beef pasta. It was quite pricey but definitely worth it since portions are huge. read more

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I had no idea they were still opened. Used to come here back in my college days lol. Very loud on a Friday night but the music was good and so was the food. To start We had the ceviche which I would get again and the salmon tartare which I would skip next time. My salmon entree was delicious with the most perfect crispy skin and my man enjoyed his pork chop and risotto. The star of the show of course is their Mac and cheese. We did the bacon and Gouda. Could've ate the whole thing by myself! Watermelon spritz was good but very light but I expected that. We couldn't find out server by the end of the meal but someone else was able to get us the bill. read more

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Delicious, great lunch spot. They have cozy outdoor and indoor seating. It looks like they also have seasonal menus. I ordered the grits, and my friend the BLAT. Both were satisfying and flavorful. I didn't feel greasy or bloated after finishing my grits. Service was friendly and fast. They still seated me even though my full party didn't arrive yet. They were also very attentive with refilling our drinks. read more

Cafeteria - Grits Bowl - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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I came here for dinner on a weekday. The service here was very unimpressive. We had a reservation for 5 made far in advance, and they seated us at a table with 4 chairs and seemed baffled when were told them we needed a 5th chair. We had to squeeze in. Then it took forever for a waiter to come - we had to physically get up and get a waiter. We didn't order get to order until 25 minutes after being seated, and then the waiter had an attitude. Throughout the night, the trend of not being able to find a waiter continued.  The food and drinks are good - not amazing, but we enjoyed them, and that's why I gave three stars. That said, due to the poor service, I would not return. read more

It had been a while since I dined at Cafeteria, and boy.. it did not disappoint! The food was delicious, fresh, and well-portioned. My sister and I had a beautiful time. Nick, the lead server, along with Nicholas, made us feel like family. Our waiter was accommodating and attentive. The ambiance is enjoyable, bright and fun- making it perfect for a daytime lunch or a nighttime bite at the bar. If you haven't visited in a while, this is your sign to run down to cafeteria- 10/10 read more

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Cons: $16 for a mocktail. Locks on downstairs bathrooms didn't work. Pros: very good food, good service, lots of space read more

Cafeteria - Lavender lemon spritz - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Met a friend for lunch here on her recommendation. She dined here frequently since it was near where she worked. The food was pretty good and the place was pretty busy. I had the Mac and cheese flight which was pretty good. I mean who wouldn't want three different varieties of Mac and cheese??? read more

Cafeteria - Sauteed Broccoli Rabe Crispy Calamari Salad - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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I was surprised that the place only had 3.5 stars! We enjoyed our food it was delicious. The Mac and cheese... my mouths watering thinking about it right now. Our drinks were made perfect and the ambiance was intimate. Our waiter was attentive and not only him but the runners as well! I would come back here and with a date next time. read more

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We celebrated an engagement party here and our party rented a private room in the back. The amount of food we were served! I wish I did not eat for an entire week. The food kept coming and coming. This was the perfect place for an intimate central location gathering. The service was top tier. They went above and beyond to make all of the bride's wants come to life. read more

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i had a great time here with husband, i had the branzino & he had tteir meatloaf with mash potatoes & green beans, both had yummy meals. the atmosphere is very calm nice & the services was a+, i recommend this restaurant read more

Dillan was great. Great food, and atmosphere. Lemon pancakes were awesome. Will be back.

First, the restaurant is a nice design. Modern, bright and airy. The greeting is by a very polite and professional staff. The food was well prepared, delicious and prompt. Reasonably priced. I was fortunate to have Ayat as my server. She was pleasant, intelligent and engaging. She made lunch a treat with her personality and mannerisms. A definite repeat lunch stop! J Lane read more

I had a calamari salad and it was very good. I sat at the bar today and Michael was the bartender helping me. He was very helpful and funny. I am giving a 5 star review because I am not drinking and he made me a strawberry lemonade that was definitely a highlight of this meal. read more

Cafeteria - This is the strawberry lemonade - New American Near Me - New York, New York

We had brunch at Cafeteria on Valentine's Day. What a fun experience! Dyllan, our waiter, was the star of the trip! He was hilarious but also really attentive and efficient! He made great suggestions and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the meal. The food was excellent! My husband had an omelet - which came with potatoes, toast and greens and he ordered a side waffle. I had the Cobb Salad with grilled chicken and it was delicious! My daughter had a salad, with grilled shrimp. The iced tea was perfect and the espresso martini was delish! The support staff was amazing too - keeping our water glasses full the entire time - even AFTER we paid the check! We went on a Saturday in the winter so parked in a nearby garage. Very convenient. Overall, we loved everything about our experience! read more

As a frequent customer I would now add that the staff and ambience and friendliness has come even better than in past years. Food is excellent great vibe but it's mostly about the people working there in particular is Andie and the host Fagama. I can't wait to go back. read more

Staff and food are equally delicious with a special shout out to Ayat! She made brunch a great experience read more

Cafeteria is one of those classic downtown restaurants that to my teenage Indie sleaze, new to the city era self felt like the glamorous NYC as portrayed in TV and Movies. An oldie, but goodie. Back in those days, Cafeteria was open 24/7 and was THE place to people watch after the Meatpacking/ Chelsea clubs and bars shut down. To walk down memory lane, this was a time before everything moved to Bushwick and the Tao group was at the height of its popularity. Although the cool clubs have mostly moved to the outer boroughs and places like Cafeteria and Veselka are no longer 24 hours, The food and drinks remain great. Go here on a nice weekend afternoon, have a cosmo and order some Mac and cheese. Order almost anything, you won't regret it. read more

Cafeteria - Cosmo and Mashed Garlic Whipped Potatoes - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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Great dependable spot. Have only been for dinner but have never had to wait, outside heaters make the patio lovely, and service is always great. So many food options here that span a wide variety, my fave. The bao buns and rock shrimp are top choices. I'm not a huge fan of broccolini but theirs was pretty well crisped. Fries are delicious and fried Oreos are so good I never need them in my life again lol Always good service and quick turnaround on food. Not too loud but I usually eat outside, love this spot as it's such a great reliable quick decision. read more

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Always a fave. Such a vibe. Was here for brunch recently and Ayat was a DREAM. Best service I've had in ages. Will return often!

Only heard of Cafeteria before (never been), and it wasn't initially on my list of places to visit. I'm so glad I changed my mind last-minute. After checking into my new hotel, Monday evening was a fend for myself kind of night and I had the city at my disposal. After finding many things I'd like to try on their menu from their risotto to their 'Mac Attack' and crispy avocado street tacos, I made my way over a little after 10p. The metro was an easy stop close by, and once I saw the outdoor seating I knew I had made it. Walking in to a dimly lit restaurant, the host asked if I wanted the bar or a table. Normally one for the bar, this time I chose a table near the open door to the patio. Even when the door opened frequently since there were a few people on the patio, thankfully there was no chill or heavy wind from outside. Although I had an idea of what I wanted, I went over the menu once more before going with the Meyer lemon risotto for $26. I believe this may be seasonal; as I've seen different risottos on here but this one appealed to me due to the simplicity of lemon, buffalo butter and grana padano. It was also kind of a chilly night out so this seemed like the ideal choice. A warm biscuit with honey butter was brought out, a perfect start to this late dinner. Looking around, this was exactly where I needed to be. The atmosphere was perfect from the low lighting to the amazing playlist that makes me think of this place when I listen to it now. As the night progressed, the dining area went from a few parties to more, but not where it was obnoxiously loud. I also noticed the playlist seemed to become more upbeat as business picked up. As for the food, this was a perfect portion, it was delicious, and there was no rush to finish. As others have notated, the steps to the bathrooms are quite steep, so if you're in heels-or not sober-good luck. Service by Alex was great, and the host helped direct me back to the subway. Overall, Cafeteria is a place I will be returning to on my next trip to enjoy something new since I had such a great first time! read more

Cafeteria - Milk chocolate tipped matches. - New American Near Me - New York, New York