1. Rolfs

0

New York, NY

Cancel

Open app

Search

Rolfs

2.3 (1.5k reviews)
PriceyGerman, Bars
Open • 12:00 pm - 10:00 PM

Rolfs Photos

Business Info

ROLFS ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Very loud
Touristy
Good for groups

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Rolfs

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Grace H.

Decor: 5/5 Food:3.5/5 Service: 3.5/5 Finally made it to Rolf's after a decade of trying. Mid-November Friday at 4:30 pm: no outdoor line, just 15-min wait for a table. The Christmas decor is insane and worth the hype; it's like walking into a German holiday explosion. Food was solid: big portions, crispy schnitzel, good sausages; way better than the 1-star reviews claim. Service is fast and no-nonsense (they're slammed). It's loud; not a date spot. Go early (right at opening) or very late, and avoid December weekends unless you love waiting in the cold. Come for the over-the-top vibes and decent German food; it's an experience, not fine dining. Worth doing once!

Carla H.

Better than I expected. Not great, but really not that bad. The food was alright. It's a bratwurst, so can't be anything too crazy, but it was extremely expensive for what it was. Even the free bread wasn't great. Drinks were tasty but around thirty bucks each for basic hot cider, which is also kind of crazy. Service was surprisingly solid. Staff was friendly and moved things along smoothly. The decor really is pretty nice. It's absolutely beautiful inside, but the space is so cramped that it is hard to enjoy or take a pic. You are sitting in veryyyy close quarters. For how hard it is to get a reservation and insane pricing for mediocrity, Rolf's sadly does feel overrated. Fun to see once for the vibes, but the juice is not worth the squeeze. Don't think I'd come back sadly.

Alisa J.

Absolutely beautiful decorations. Unfortunately waited in the cold over 20 minutes and then it was absolutely packed in there.

Giseli C.

Please excuse the lack of pictures but as much as we wanted to see Xmas decor that day we had been to 3 bars before we got to this one haha !! But , I must say the decor here is definitely breathtaking , however we feel like the place was way overcrowded and overpriced . $47 for 2 drinks is absolutely insane . !!!

What a view!
Kiana D.

I'm so glad my coworker brought me here after insisting I "had to see the bar where it's Christmas all year!" We didn't get to stay long as it was just before closing on a Monday night, but just long enough to enjoy a warm glass of Mulled Wine and snap a few photos. Everyone in here was lovely, and we appreciate the staff being so accommodating even though it was right before close. Can't wait to come back here!

Festive
Edward S.

Rolf's is pure holiday magic. The festive atmosphere instantly brought me back to old-school New York at Christmas--very much in the spirit of Luchow's--with warm lights, classic décor, and that unmistakable seasonal buzz. We enjoyed a great night with family! The food delivers just as strongly as the ambiance. I thoroughly enjoyed the schnitzel paired with spaetzle, both done beautifully and true to tradition. The potato pancakes are an absolute must--crispy, comforting, and perfect for sharing. Pair it all with a proper pour of German lager, and you're fully immersed in the experience. This is not just dinner; it's a New York Christmas destination. Reservations are essential, especially during the holiday season, and well worth the planning. A classic, festive spot that captures the joy and nostalgia of Christmas in the city.

Alex K.

Rolf's is a holiday dream -- wall-to-wall Christmas lights and decorations that make the whole place feel magical. The German comfort food is hearty and delicious, though a bit pricey. Come for the vibes, stay for the schnitzel. Perfect NYC holiday spot.

Lourdes M.

Festive ambiance makes you feel happy especially if you came during the holiday season. Unfortunately, we did not make it during the popular season. Reservation during these time should be done as early as September to be in. We settled for February, in time for Valentine. Food was delivered to our expectations. The taste is just to what we wanted. We tried their food specialty, the sausages, the duckling, the appetizers. The family style serving size is just perfect to our group. Pricing is right . Happy that our waiter did not get tired in refilling our tea with hot water. A good spot to visit if you will be around the area during holiday season.

Dining area
Ebony M.

Rolf's is a German restaurant located in Gramercy Park. The restaurant offers a unique holiday dining experience all year long. Rolf's menu specialities are from the Southern German region or Bavarian cuisine. You will enjoy specialties that consist of Wiener Schnitzel, Sauerbraten, Potato, Pancakes, apple strudel and more. I was not ready to end the Christmas holiday nostalgia. What better place to enjoy an extended Merry holiday weekend, than Rolf's. Rolf's feature a wide selection of imported German Beers on tap such as Hofbrau lager, Radeberger, Weihenstephaner Weissbeer and Dunkel Dark. They have a full bar that features a wide variety of high end bourbons, whiskey and scotches from around the world. I tried the Christmas Smoothie cocktail, featuring Merrys vanilla cinnamon and a splash of Goldschlager, or the Rolf's Holiday Martini, made with Merry's Irish Cream Liqueur, vodka and Meletti Choccolato Liqueur. The staff were absolutely wonderful, service was nice. Very pleased, and will visit again.

Lindsay Y.

Rolfs is one of those places that just brings you instant joy. The Christmas decorations are over the top and somewhat obnoxious, but that's the whole point. If you're in the city before the Christmas tree goes up, but still are longing to have a festive experience I would stop by Rolfs.

Danielle P.

I used to frequent this place 10 years ago before social media turned it into a seemingly unattainable reservation and extremely hard bar to grab a drink at due to the hype around their Christmas decor. As others have noted, getting a reservation here is near impossible, which is fine since the food is nothing to write home about, you're here for the ambiance. Drinks will set you back $30 a pop no matter what you order (a beer might be slightly cheaper, but I'm talking slightly), so might as well partake in one of the seasonal concoctions they have, sip slowly and enjoy. The Christmas decorations here really are better than anywhere else you'll find in the city as far as Christmas bars go, so if you really want to take this all in my recommendation would be to come here on a weekday during the day if you can swing it. On my last visit here I showed up around 1:30 pm on a Monday (on the first Monday in December) and while there was a bit of a bar crowd it was manageable. They've done away with their bar stools so its standing room only, which I assume is to help with turnover to move the line that forms to get into this place along as much as possible. Bartenders and staff are still as nice as I remember them to be, which is shocking considering the sheer volume of people they serve around this time of year. Pro tip: Their decor goes up in fall and stays up through spring, so if you really want to see it without the crowds, come in late January or early November.

Chicken Schnitzel
Liu H.

Overpriced Germany "diner food" with a vibe. Rolfs' busiest season is around Christmas time. There is always a line of people outside waiting to enter through its tiny doors into a winter wonderland of magical bright lights. And these lights stay like that all year round. Don't come here when it's around the holidays, you won't be able to get in without a reservation. This restaurant is partly so popular probably due to its recent years of social media influences. Popular TikTockers and Instagrams brought them tons of tourists and some locals alike. The food is not that impressive as it tastes like American diner foods - potato pancakes are hash browns like, but at avg $20-$25 for appetizers. And burgers and fries entrees at $30+. The food is average and it is priced unreasonably. Most people are there to experience the lights. The music was nice. At some point, I really thought I was in an Italian restaurant. PS: their bathroom is cold and dark. Honestly, some part of me thinks that their decorations may be inspired by the popular Indian restaurants near 6th and 2nd. But that might be an insult to the owner and the Germany population... But that's how I feel when we were served mostly by Indian waiters (they were amazing!!). My family ordered beers and mixed drinks, and a pear alcoholic beverage (forgot the name of it) but it tastes like two shots of fireballs. It burns from throat down to your the bottom of your stomach. It was so strong. Other places don't make it like that. A lot of the food may be German based but it is very Americanized. From the potatoes salad (cold and served with half slices of pickles) to the burgers and fries to hammered chicken slices. It's nothing impressive. This may be a place to come once but probably not again afterwards.

Chicken schnitzel
Britney B.

the food was delicious! as someone who isn't a big fan of german food, it was so yummy! the ambiance so great. Omer was our server and we couldn't have been any happier having him wait on us! def a great spot to check out! can be pricey but def worth it ! highly recommended mint a recreation weeks in advanced !

See all

Photo of Kevin C.
1656
995
2095

3 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 1

8 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 2
Love this 1
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 1

11 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 2

11 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 7
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 2

10 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Edward S.
48
185
205

10 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 3
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 15
Thanks 6
Love this 13
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Helpful 7
Thanks 1
Love this 4
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of Don S.
36
5
1

4 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 3

10 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

11 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 5
Thanks 2
Love this 1
Oh no 1

11 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 4

11 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Lori N.
23
12
1

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 5
Thanks 1
Love this 4
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 6
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 2
Photo of Rashid M.
1463
1374
1984

3 years ago

Helpful 6
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 7
Oh no 4

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 6
Thanks 3
Love this 3
Oh no 6

10 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 3
Photo of Mike B.
0
31
65

10 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Marie S.
148
1484
2490

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 39

Rolfs Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Rolfs

Are they open Christmas Day?

How can I make a reservation? I was told to call back after Labor Day and I'm getting a busy signal for the last two days

How we can make reservation ? Nobody answers the phone, we are trying to reach for 7 days already

They keep the phone off the hook now. You need to call in late summer or early fall. By late fall They are fully booked for season and you won't be able to grt through. Will have to go wait online if you want to try and get in

How much should we expect to pay for a beer or cocktail?

We paid $30 each for a mulled wine an apple cider drink. Prices aren't displayed on the menus so prepare yourself.

How likely are you to get 2 seats at the bar on Friday around 5pm if you don't have a reservation?

In December? Absolutely not! The wait outside is well over two three hours. In the summer time, yes there is no one there.

Can I make a reservation? The phone number doesn't seem to be working.

Reservations are phone only but they are never answered... There always the old tavern for the holidays

Do I need a vaccination card to enter?

They do not check vaccine cards. We were just there on 12/20/21. Very crowded, unmasked diners and waitstaff moving about. Not one vaccine card was checked.

How do I make reservation? I'm seeing here that it's hard to. Boyfriend and I want to spend some time there when I come back to NY. Any recommendation is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

You don't have to... the doorman and the host are kind of crooks. You pay them and they find a table for you but truly IT IS NOT WORTH IT. Food is overpriced and tasteless

Is Rolf's open? I love the place but I can't get an answer on their phone. Driving from VT so I would love to be sure it is open

Yes!!! Best to get there early (opening) & preferably mid-week. Was just there 2 weeks ago on a Friday & the bar was packed at 3pm. Enjoy!!!

Does Rolf's play holiday music?

What's their number? I'm trying the one listed but it's not going through.

Is Rolf's open for indoor dining!?

Yes

Is rolfs currently open?

No not yet

Is this place ok for just a drink?

Yes, definitely! Without a reservation, a drink is all you can get during the holiday season! But it's more than enough to enjoy the ambiance.

Do they generally card people? My friend and I wanna go but he's not 21 until January.

Yes, the bar tenders are all about Business there And the Bouncer checks too!

Somebody know how I can make a reservation? They are not answering the phone, there is no option on their website and even not on Open Table

You need to make reservations 3-2 months prior to December. I made mine in September. You can only call to make reservations. If you want to take the risk and go in person they will just turn you down, even if it's to make reservations. They are… 

Best thing for a vegetarian to order?

Green Salad in Homemade Dressing. Potato Pancakes with Apple Sauce or Sour Cream is also good, although obviously sweet.

If I want to grab a drink on a Saturday when they open at noon, what time should I get there? A half hour before they open? Earlier?

I had arrived about thirty minutes after the bar opened a couple of weeks ago and was able to walk right in. I'd imagine if you arrived early at all you would be in a good spot to walk in immediately.

Is Rolf's crazy busy during weekday lunch hours?

It's fairly mellow during weekday lunches, so definitely the best time to go if you're able!

View All 78 Questions

You might also consider

Verify this business for free

People searched for German 6,159 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

Verify this business

Schaller's Stube Sausage Bar - A variety of sausages ready to be devoured

Schaller's Stube Sausage Bar

4.1(274 reviews)
3.2 mi•Yorkville, Upper East Side
•$$
Vegan friendly
Kid friendly

We love this place. Reminds us of being in Germany. They also offer some beers that are different…read more Potato pancakes are lovely. Smaller size and great for enjoying on the go. Wish they came with a little bit of sour cream. The staff is friendly and very efficient. The sausages are well cooked, the buns are delicious and they prepare each order beautifully. I appreciate that they do not use plastic packaging, too Thank you!

Stube rivals any hot dog stand in New York City. A small kiosk attached to the Schaller and Weber…read morebutcher shop, this German stop-and-go window offers a variety of sausages, from bratwurst to Weisswurst to Andouille. Don't ask me the difference between these varieties. I can only surmise that each is a different blend of meats, like beef, pork, or chicken. My favorite will always be bratwurst (beef and pork), but I also enjoy their Knackwurst. While the brat has a very breakfast sausage-like texture, the knackwurst is denser and firmer, closer to a traditional American hot dog. You have the choice between a potato or pretzel bun, and it is almost sacrilegious not to choose the latter. You can also add up to three toppings, including onions and relish. While this stand has indoor seating, it's recommended that you sit at their outdoor tables or standing bar on a sunny day out. Granted, Stube is double the price of a typical hot dog stand, but this is clearly more elevated and made with premium ingredients. Stube is a nice place to sling some glizzies, and if you're in the area, give this kiosk a try!

Photos
Schaller's Stube Sausage Bar - Currywurst was the perfect decision

Currywurst was the perfect decision

Schaller's Stube Sausage Bar - Jumbo Soft Pretzel

Jumbo Soft Pretzel

Schaller's Stube Sausage Bar - SCHALLER DOUBLE (Bacon Cheddar Brat, American Cheese, Crispy Bacon, Frisée, Pickles, Tomato, Diced Onion, Stube Sauce)

See all

SCHALLER DOUBLE (Bacon Cheddar Brat, American Cheese, Crispy Bacon, Frisée, Pickles, Tomato, Diced Onion, Stube Sauce)

The Biergarten at The Standard, High Line

The Biergarten at The Standard, High Line

3.3(934 reviews)
1.3 mi•Meatpacking District, West Village
•$$

Been several times and this time was there watching the Brasil Norway World Cup game. Communal…read moretable were easy to grab and seat . They were doing tickets for beer and food as well as full bar à la carte. The space is big and wide open communal. Being meat packing / Standard hotel this is no budget friendly menu. Each ticket was $13 and mixed drinks can easily run 20something. I asked for Rose's with tequila. Bartender clearly had no idea what it was lol

Came here for a massive private event, we booked out the entire biergarten for it, which gives you…read morea sense of the scale this place can actually handle. The Standard Biergarten sits tucked right under the trestles of the High Line, attached to The Standard hotel, the building that famously straddles the elevated park itself like a bent-open version of the UN building. It's designed to feel like a real German beer hall dropped into the middle of the Meatpacking District: long picnic tables, communal bench seating, steins of German beer on tap, the full Oktoberfest package running twelve months a year. Here's where it fell apart for a group our size: the food came out way too slow, and there just wasn't enough of it circulating for a party that large. By the end we were acting like vultures, or those seagulls from that one animated movie, every plate that hit the table got swarmed on sight. Drinks, on the other hand, were good and came out fast, so at least nobody was thirsty while they waited on food that wasn't coming. Genuine credit where it's due: the amount of open space and seating here is rare for this city, and for a group our size, that space was the whole reason the event worked logistically at all. Ok time overall. Great venue for a big private event on paper, just make sure whoever's running your food service can actually keep pace with the headcount, because ours couldn't.

Photos
The Biergarten at The Standard, High Line
The Biergarten at The Standard, High Line - Giant pretzel

Giant pretzel

The Biergarten at The Standard, High Line - Chocolate Martini

See all

Chocolate Martini

Consulate General of Germany

Consulate General of Germany

2.5(11 reviews)
1.4 mi•Midtown East
•$$

German Visa. Very prompt and smooth. Friendly staff go out of their way to help. Great experience.read more

I applied for a resident visa for a job offer in Germany and this was my experience:…read more First, making an appointment is pretty daunting. In July, I booked my appointment and the earliest they had was August 31 but i checked back every single day and was able to change it to August 15th and then again I kept checking, and finally I saw an opening for August 3. For people who found that appointments are 2 months out, I would recommend checking the reservations portal every day for earlier dates. Second, the documents you need for a resident visa are not really outlined on the website but you will need the following if your situation is for a job offer: -2 copies of resident visa applications filled out (not sure where you download this form since my company gave it to me) -2 biometric passport pictures 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm with white background -2 copies of your passport only of the data page, and passport must be valid for at least 6 months and have at least 3 empty pages -2 signed form §54 residence law (i got this form at the embassy) -2 copies of medical health insurance that covers Germany (i got health insurance through my new company but there are many rules surrounding health insurance that you should research) -original college diploma (i had photo copies but then eventually had to bring in my original college diploma) -2 copies of enrollment and degree verification from my university -2 copies of ANABIN degree verification -2 copies of ANABIN university verification -2 copies of signed job offer from my company and me -2 copies of CV I submitted my application on August 3rd and was approved in 4 business days. I went back to the embassy with my passport and original diploma, then they returned my passport to me in 30 minutes with the temporary visa inside of it.

Photos
Consulate General of Germany - Ongoing seminar about BITs

Ongoing seminar about BITs

Consulate General of Germany
Consulate General of Germany

See all

Rolfs - german - Updated October 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...