Order Lucky Cat Takeout or Delivery
Lucky Cat Photos
Business Info
Lucky Cat Popular Dishes
LUCKY CAT ATMOSPHERE
What's the vibe?
You might also consider
Recommended Reviews - Lucky Cat
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
Really cool Izakaya vibe inside here. Came for lunch on a Saturday and it was almost empty. Food was good and servers were wonderful. I'd recommend stopping by if you're in the area!
Located on 59th street near a couple of Japanese Jazz bars and restaurants, lucky cat is a casual izakaya style restaurant. My group was served fairly efficiently. I didn't get the chance to take pictures of everything, but for appetizers my group tried the truffle fries, the spicy chicken karage, the fried squid, and the gyoza. They were all okay, and nothing really stood out. The fried squid were a little chewer than I had expected. Some of the group also tried beef tongue, which they unfortunately did not enjoy very much and said was very chewy. We had tried to order the takoyaki, but unfortunately they had ran out. For mains, most people got a Japanese curry which they enjoyed. I ordered the sukitama don. The meat was tender, and it was satisfactory.
I'm honestly wary of any place that has a menu this gigantic. It's like a Japanese diner, and I just feel like it's impossible to do so many different things well. But it's a fact that Lucky Cat is a good time. They've got small plates (dubbed Tsunamitapas), ramen, donburi, sushi, soba, poke, soups, salads, robata, and Chiritorinabe which I believe is some sort of meat volcano. I've only been here the once so far, but I can tell you: 1. The cocktails are excellent. 2. The tsunamitapas are a good move. I thoroughly enjoyed the shio cabbage, the brussels sprouts, the spicy karaage, the gyoza, and more. 3. The robata (skewers) were hit or miss. The scallion was great, but the shortrib and the chicken thighs were both drastically underseasoned, and thus underwhelming. 4. The waitress hated us, and I don't even think we deserved it this time. I'll come back to try the ramen, and maybe the sushi, and just hope we get a different waitress.
Very clear vision/attention to detail and great service! I love the tv playing retro movies and the manga you receive your check. I ordered some yakitori, pasta, and okonomiyaki. All were super solid, well seasoned and decently portion. The pasta was definitely my favorite, super salty, creamy, and full of fish roe flavor. The okonomiyaki was crispy and soft in the middle. The yakitori were slightly cold upon arrival, perhaps because they had to serve them around the same time as the rest of the dishes and sat on a bed of cabbage. I'd definitely recommend this place and would come here again, simply because every item was so fun and i love the atmosphere.
Next time don't go here on a Friday during lent. I wish I coulda had the meat! Would have been great! I got the vegetable broth instead. Still liked it a lot (and my scale liked it too). They made sure we always had water.
Aesthetic: Upbeat, modern Izakaya What to try: Takoyaki Service: Attentive Parking: None Rating: 4/5, we had a lot of fun here and the food was delicious! We tried plenty of shared appetizers, with the takoyaki being one of the favorites. The okonomiyaki was also a favorite! The only reason for a star off is because it was blazing hot in there, it's hard to have fun when the heat is pumping too high. I drank a million glasses of water!
We stopped by Lucky Cat a few weekends ago for dinner. The decor is cute and the atmosphere of the restaurant is super cozy! We started off with some mocktails and they were good. It was nice to see that the mocktails had the same quality presentation as the cocktails. For our starter, we enjoyed some gyoza. They were crispy and absolutely delicious! I selected the tonkatsu shoyu ramen for my entree. It was rich and flavorful! Overall, we had a great experience. I'd recommend coming here for flavorful ramen and a lovely ambiance.
1st time patron. Came here on Friday at 6ish without reservations. Without reservations, we were lucky that bar seats were available. Underneath the bar, there are hooks and on the walls, there are coat hooks. I need hooks to confortably dine. Sitting at the bar, I saw and heard the bartender shake up several colorful cocktails. The front door greeter, bartenders and other staff are polite and friendly. We ordered the blistered shishito peppers, okonomiyaki and the creamy udon. Also, we drank Asahi and Sapporo. Unfortunately, the food did not fill me up. In hindsight , the okonomiyaki was covered in sauce and had little sustenance. The cream of udon was like a hug. The shishito peppers had a tiny bite and perfectly charred. 2 bathrooms in the hallway. I'd come back to Lucky Cat. Table seating and bar seating are all comfortable, seats have a back. It offers a variety of foods, beer, cocktails and sake cold and hot. Make reservations if you prefer a table.
I was in the mood for some ramen and was looking for a place nearby for some late night eats. I love a good Yuzu Shio ramen and found Lucky Cat on Yelp. I visited Lucky Cat a little after 10pm on a weeknight. I was able to get squeezed in at one of the last seats at the bar. Sitting at the bar, service was minimal (standard bar service). Food was brought out quickly, but I thought the Yuzu Shio ramen ($18) was just okay. While there are yuzu peels in the broth, the yuzu flavor didn't really pack a punch. They also use thin noodles which didn't absorb a lot of flavor from the broth. The bowl did include two hefty pieces of chashu and the egg was perfectly cooked. Spinach, menma (bamboo shoots), and a generous amount of scallions were also included. The place was pretty happening on a Thursday night. The late night hours (open until 2am) definitely contribute to that. Decor is kitschy. They have a giant lucky cat in the back and a tv playing Asian movies behind the bar, surrounded by stacks of DVDs. Maybe the small plates are a better choice at this izakaya; my ramen dish was a bit meh.
Ordered delivery and it arrived hot which is a huge plus. The okonomiyaki is tasty and the ramen is tasty as well.
Cozy spot and the staff was great. A friend and I walked in on a weekday evening and were seated right away. The tom yum dumplings, which were a special, were so yummy and spicy! We also loved the chicken ramen and lucky cat ramen. They were so comforting and the broth was great on both. I'd definitely come back for more ramen and to try other menu items.
I came here for dinner with one of my girl friends and we had a great time. This Japanese izakaya is a great spot for dinner with friends or a date night. The interior is thoughtfully curated and there's so much fun decor. Service here is very nice, but not THAT attentive and a bit spotty (it took over 10 minutes for us to get our order in, and our water was often empty). Their menu has a variety of Japanese appetizers, ramen, rice dishes, sushi, and even nabe! My friend and I got their sukiyaki curry rice and their omusoba. Both were so flavorful and delicious! The prices are great and portions are huge. Great spot for affordable Japanese food, and open until 2am!
Monk Fish Liver 4 fresh, flavorful Beef Tongue Shio 3 slightly tough Hotate Crudo 5 fresh, juicy, flavorful Mentaiko Pasta 5 pork slices, creamy sauce, mild spicy, flavorful Skewers: 3 overall too burnt, not salty or flavorful enough - Pork Check 3 crunchy, not too fatty - Short Ribs 2 too tough, overcooked - Gizzard 3 crunchy - Chicken Thigh 3 medium juicy
I had the acrobats. They give generously! I could have stopped with 5 sticks but I also went for a bowl of noodles and added more cabbage in it because I have not eaten vegetables with my meal. I really wanted the other versions but they need you to order for 2z. So I was happy with the bowl of noodles I ordered with pork and added more cabbage. read more
2 months ago
Vibe/ambiance: izakaya, casual Service: standard Reservation: walked in on a weekday dinner, no wait Items ordered: Lucky cat ramen: 8.7/10 Tonkatsu shoyu ramen: 7.8/10 Curry katsu: 7.8/10 Ocean waves mocktail: 6/10, too sweet read more
It's cozy and many menus selection. Open from 11:30am to 2:00AM They do have Soaring sale jelly. I will definitely try next time. I tried their lucky cat ramen. Noodle is skinny and flavor is gentle but strong enough spicy. Not too much! I love it!! read more
12 days ago
2 months ago
Really cool Izakaya vibe inside here. Came for lunch on a Saturday and it was almost empty. Food was good and servers were wonderful. I'd recommend stopping by if you're in the area! read more
Located on 59th street near a couple of Japanese Jazz bars and restaurants, lucky cat is a casual izakaya style restaurant. My group was served fairly efficiently. I didn't get the chance to take pictures of everything, but for appetizers my group tried the truffle fries, the spicy chicken karage, the fried squid, and the gyoza. They were all okay, and nothing really stood out. The fried squid were a little chewer than I had expected. Some of the group also tried beef tongue, which they unfortunately did not enjoy very much and said was very chewy. We had tried to order the takoyaki, but unfortunately they had ran out. For mains, most people got a Japanese curry which they enjoyed. I ordered the sukitama don. The meat was tender, and it was satisfactory. read more
I'm honestly wary of any place that has a menu this gigantic. It's like a Japanese diner, and I just feel like it's impossible to do so many different things well. But it's a fact that Lucky Cat is a good time. They've got small plates (dubbed Tsunamitapas), ramen, donburi, sushi, soba, poke, soups, salads, robata, and Chiritorinabe which I believe is some sort of meat volcano. I've only been here the once so far, but I can tell you: 1. The cocktails are excellent. 2. The tsunamitapas are a good move. I thoroughly enjoyed the shio cabbage, the brussels sprouts, the spicy karaage, the gyoza, and more. 3. The robata (skewers) were hit or miss. The scallion was great, but the shortrib and the chicken thighs were both drastically underseasoned, and thus underwhelming. 4. The waitress hated us, and I don't even think we deserved it this time. I'll come back to try the ramen, and maybe the sushi, and just hope we get a different waitress. read more
Very clear vision/attention to detail and great service! I love the tv playing retro movies and the manga you receive your check. I ordered some yakitori, pasta, and okonomiyaki. All were super solid, well seasoned and decently portion. The pasta was definitely my favorite, super salty, creamy, and full of fish roe flavor. The okonomiyaki was crispy and soft in the middle. The yakitori were slightly cold upon arrival, perhaps because they had to serve them around the same time as the rest of the dishes and sat on a bed of cabbage. I'd definitely recommend this place and would come here again, simply because every item was so fun and i love the atmosphere. read more
Next time don't go here on a Friday during lent. I wish I coulda had the meat! Would have been great! I got the vegetable broth instead. Still liked it a lot (and my scale liked it too). They made sure we always had water. read more
Aesthetic: Upbeat, modern Izakaya What to try: Takoyaki Service: Attentive Parking: None Rating: 4/5, we had a lot of fun here and the food was delicious! We tried plenty of shared appetizers, with the takoyaki being one of the favorites. The okonomiyaki was also a favorite! The only reason for a star off is because it was blazing hot in there, it's hard to have fun when the heat is pumping too high. I drank a million glasses of water! read more
We stopped by Lucky Cat a few weekends ago for dinner. The decor is cute and the atmosphere of the restaurant is super cozy! We started off with some mocktails and they were good. It was nice to see that the mocktails had the same quality presentation as the cocktails. For our starter, we enjoyed some gyoza. They were crispy and absolutely delicious! I selected the tonkatsu shoyu ramen for my entree. It was rich and flavorful! Overall, we had a great experience. I'd recommend coming here for flavorful ramen and a lovely ambiance. read more
1st time patron. Came here on Friday at 6ish without reservations. Without reservations, we were lucky that bar seats were available. Underneath the bar, there are hooks and on the walls, there are coat hooks. I need hooks to confortably dine. Sitting at the bar, I saw and heard the bartender shake up several colorful cocktails. The front door greeter, bartenders and other staff are polite and friendly. We ordered the blistered shishito peppers, okonomiyaki and the creamy udon. Also, we drank Asahi and Sapporo. Unfortunately, the food did not fill me up. In hindsight , the okonomiyaki was covered in sauce and had little sustenance. The cream of udon was like a hug. The shishito peppers had a tiny bite and perfectly charred. 2 bathrooms in the hallway. I'd come back to Lucky Cat. Table seating and bar seating are all comfortable, seats have a back. It offers a variety of foods, beer, cocktails and sake cold and hot. Make reservations if you prefer a table. read more
I was in the mood for some ramen and was looking for a place nearby for some late night eats. I love a good Yuzu Shio ramen and found Lucky Cat on Yelp. I visited Lucky Cat a little after 10pm on a weeknight. I was able to get squeezed in at one of the last seats at the bar. Sitting at the bar, service was minimal (standard bar service). Food was brought out quickly, but I thought the Yuzu Shio ramen ($18) was just okay. While there are yuzu peels in the broth, the yuzu flavor didn't really pack a punch. They also use thin noodles which didn't absorb a lot of flavor from the broth. The bowl did include two hefty pieces of chashu and the egg was perfectly cooked. Spinach, menma (bamboo shoots), and a generous amount of scallions were also included. The place was pretty happening on a Thursday night. The late night hours (open until 2am) definitely contribute to that. Decor is kitschy. They have a giant lucky cat in the back and a tv playing Asian movies behind the bar, surrounded by stacks of DVDs. Maybe the small plates are a better choice at this izakaya; my ramen dish was a bit meh. read more
Cozy spot and the staff was great. A friend and I walked in on a weekday evening and were seated right away. The tom yum dumplings, which were a special, were so yummy and spicy! We also loved the chicken ramen and lucky cat ramen. They were so comforting and the broth was great on both. I'd definitely come back for more ramen and to try other menu items. read more
I came here for dinner with one of my girl friends and we had a great time. This Japanese izakaya is a great spot for dinner with friends or a date night. The interior is thoughtfully curated and there's so much fun decor. Service here is very nice, but not THAT attentive and a bit spotty (it took over 10 minutes for us to get our order in, and our water was often empty). Their menu has a variety of Japanese appetizers, ramen, rice dishes, sushi, and even nabe! My friend and I got their sukiyaki curry rice and their omusoba. Both were so flavorful and delicious! The prices are great and portions are huge. Great spot for affordable Japanese food, and open until 2am! read more
Monk Fish Liver 4 fresh, flavorful Beef Tongue Shio 3 slightly tough Hotate Crudo 5 fresh, juicy, flavorful Mentaiko Pasta 5 pork slices, creamy sauce, mild spicy, flavorful Skewers: 3 overall too burnt, not salty or flavorful enough - Pork Check 3 crunchy, not too fatty - Short Ribs 2 too tough, overcooked - Gizzard 3 crunchy - Chicken Thigh 3 medium juicy read more
This is a nice place to get drinks with friends. We were able to get a same day table for 6 people fairly easily. I really liked my yuzu shio ramen with chicken broth. The broth was nicely flavored and light, and I prefer the thin noodles. The spinach was a nice touch and the pork pieces were not too fatty. Their appetizers were also good, including the tako wasabi and some kind of fried cheese dumpling--and the okonomiyaki was the bomb. I didn't try the fried chicken katsu which my husband said was just okay. They have a bunch of cool cocktails on the menu that were anime themed. Service was a little slow/hard to hail, and everyone's entrees came out very spaced out, so some of us were eating and others went hungry for a while. read more
6 months ago
9 months ago
First time, great experience. Place is quaint with still a number of tables. Almost like a bar and mess hall feel. The menu is quite extensive and has a variety of options for any palate. Being open until 2am especially serving Ramen you're going places! I had the chicken ramen, the only thing is you're not really allowed to swap broths or substitute any of the toppings already offered but you can add them. The drink menu has a lot to offer. I went with the Peach One and I wasn't disappointed at all. For a ramen spot the bare tee presentation was also very classy! read more
1 year ago
Overall think this is a nice place to go if you want to go with a huge group of people and enjoy a late night bite together Decor is super cute and looks like a Japanese pub However was not a fan of some of the food items. Fish for the sushi did not taste as fresh but it still does the job Udon was tasty but also has more of a pub feel and didn't taste like fresh udon which is fine because it's meant to be pub style but just keep this in mind! read more
6 months ago
Food: AMAZING! I got the Lucky Cat as my order, and it was the best ramen I have ever had. Service: Great. Nice and helpful. Ambiance: Dim, relaxed, and a nice break from all the lights around NYC. read more
This izakaya has been around for a good while and from the outside, you wouldn't really expect much. From the overdone anime decor to the Naruto movies playing on TV, you might think the food here would be standard izakaya fare or mediocre. In fact however, it's a standout at least for one dish. Across the street from Tomi Jazz, the atmosphere there of course is a lot better but the food here is cheaper and you don't need to wait online for 40 minutes so this place has a lot of pluses. I don't know exactly remember which sake I have had here but they serve it the traditional way in a matsu where it is overflowing/pouring into said wooden stone. Whatever sake I had was good and I think it was maybe $17 or $18 and I'm 99% sure it was on the richer end and was probably a Honzojo or Daijingo as I don't like the sweeter sakes in general. The best menu item here is a particularly outstanding version of Mentaiko Pasta/明太子パスタ which is a good five times better than Tomi. Back when I was here last, it was $17 and now it is $19 but I think it's still more than worth it. Mentaiko refers to a spicy cod roe mixed into the pasta and they make an outstanding version here. It is just fishy enough, just spicy enough, and just creamy enough being one of the most balanced versions of this wafu pasta classic. The little bit of seaweed on top is a nice added bonus adding a bit more of a seafood flavor and an extra texture and the pasta is cooked nicely. The only place with a comparable version in the entirety of the city that I have found is Izakaya Fuku and that's all the way in Jackson Heights and nothing has come close in Manhattan. Outside of that notable pasta of all things, the food here is good to fine. The fried dishes are alright and I tried one other noodle dish before which is decent. In terms of yakitori/grilled skewers, the Bacon With Mochi for $6 is a bit much but was tasty with good mochi texture while the Meatball/Tsukune for $5 is a bit different but not in a good way. They serve two to an order and it's smaller than usual so it lacks some texture by comparison. I also think the sauce for the meatball isn't as good at this spot so if you're looking for a better version nearby, go to Izakaya Toriya. If everything was as good as the mentaiko pasta, I'd easily give this place a 5. But it's closer to a 4 overall. read more
This place is a classic Midtown East place for warm Japanese dishes. I've had their nabe many times, which is warm and comforting. The dessert is also gorgeous and tastes just as good. The staff is friendly. The interior also has cute Japanese memorabilia, like lanterns and a giant cat. read more
1 year ago
Good selection of Japanese yakitori and the ramen was also very good. Came here late night and it was still packed. Opens to 2am so if you're in the mood for late night snack. read more
Between the decor, the drinks, and the food, I really liked it here! You feel like you're walking into an anime bar cause as soon as I walked in I saw Naruto showing on the bar TV and a bunch of manga stacked up. I came here to have dinner with my Godmother and we had a solid variety of food to choose from. I ended up ordering vegetable yakisoba, and Karage chicken and mixing them on my plate. I also tried the Mio sparkling sake (which was BOMB gurlll). Service was good, everything about it I enjoyed . A tag on the more expensive side, but not buy too much. I can't wait to come back! read more
3 months ago
Haven't been here for a while and it seems it's under new management now. Cocktails are so yummy and the food is still the same. It would be better if the food is served hotter especially tempura and grilled yakitori. Anyway, It's a nice place to hangout for drinks and snacks. read more
1 year ago
Came here after drinking next door at Wildcard. After a few drinks there, I needed some food in my system. My brother and I shared the yakitori plate and the salmon roll. We also had a beer to go with it. Ambiance is fun and cool - definitely reminds me of Japan. The yakitori was just okay. Some of the items were bland, others were tough. Sushi roll was good. read more
1 year ago
Absolutely loved this little nestled cozy place. The staff was friendly and greeted us upon entering. We were in a ramen mood so we got the lucky cat ramen and tonkotsu. The lucky cat was spicy!!!! But still delicious. The Tonkotsu is classic and the pork was probably one of the better ramen pork's I've had read more
Cute izakaya spot with a big menu! We got the Yuzu Shio Ramen and 4 skewers to share for 2 people and I felt like it was the perfect amount. Usually am not too crazy about ramen in general but I loved the Yuzu Shio one so much. The broth is very light and you can really taste the yuzu notes! The skewers were super good too, they're all lightly brushed with a sweet glaze. My favorite was the salmon, super meaty and generous in portion! They also do some lunch specials which I found were really decently priced. Def want to come back soon and try more! read more
6 months ago
3 months ago
Vibes are immaculate, interior design is amazing and takes you to Japan. Every single dish I've had has been so solid 10/10 and I've been here at least 5 times. read more
2 years ago
Spectacular vibes!! There is a live DJ playing absolute bangers and adding to the club-like atmosphere. The lights are dim but bright enough to see your delicious food. And the music is loud, but quiet enough to chat with your friends. Also, the prices are fair for the authentic and tasty flavors of each menu item. And speaking of the menu, there's tons of options making this a great stop for even picky eaters to get the chance to immerse themselves in high end Japanese cuisine. As for the service, it was respect, quick, and cheerful. They offer customizable drinks, cocktails, meals, and desserts, all made with fresh ingredients and offering a depth of flavor. I highly recommend the tonkotsu ramen. It was flavorful and each component shined with individual flavor from the soft pork to the jammy egg to the creamy broth to the springy noodles. All in all, a great bowl of ramen that's up there with some of the most authentic ramen shops in NYC. Also, you certainly get a bang for your buck with the portion sizes here. I definitely recommend this spot for a chill, good-vibe dinner and drinks with friends that still serves up some great Japanese cuisine. read more
8 months ago
10 months ago
Page 1 of 14
More info about Lucky Cat
232 E 53rd St
New York, NY 10022
Midtown East
Directions
(212) 838-5333
Call Now
Order Takeout or Delivery
Start Order
Visit Website
https://izakayaluckycat.com
Full menu
Hours
Payment methods
Food & Alcohol
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
From the Business
More Info
Health Score
Lucky Cat Reviews in Other Languages
Ask the Community - Lucky Cat
You might also consider
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
39 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
13 years ago
13 years ago
6 years ago
2 years ago
7 years ago
2 years ago
3 years ago
1 year ago
12 years ago
11 years ago
11 years ago
2 years ago
5 years ago
5 years ago
3 years ago
5 years ago
7 years ago
9 years ago
4 years ago
13 years ago
