This has become one of my favorite spots. It is a trek up to City Island, but more than worth it! I love their pan seared tuna especially with the seasonal veggies. It is always fresh and juicy. Combined with a glass of cold prosecco This last time I got the meatloaf, which was delicious. More of a Hungarian dish, which you can't get everywhere. The ambience inside and out is hip and for me nostalgic. My friend who's from Europe, couldn't get over how friendly Bronxites are! The owner and the other guests, were charming As I said there's more to New York City than Manhattan!! read more

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I stepped foot on the Black Whale for the first time to experience dining in the heart of City Island- when I pass by, I have always being intrigued by it's charming and quaint look which makes the place have a pleasant and unique feel. Once you step in it you don't feel like you are in The Bronx. I chose to sit outdoors since it was a nice breezy afternoon and I felt enchanted by all the garden furniture surrounded by plants under trees. I ordered the pan seared sesame tuna salad and a passion fruit margarita and they were both very good. I also ordered a tiramisu for dessert which was also delicious. De-the server was very friendly, attentive and helpful at the time of ordering- I communicated that it was my first time at the restaurant and she made a few suggestions to assist with my choices. It is definitely a place worth trying. read more

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Lovely to meet the owner; unexpectedly one of the better rib eye steaks I've had. Amazingly delicious fried burrada. We were there for my girlfriends birthday 23 of us were served taken care of treated with respect . The wonderful owner lives down the block and us a local letting us know the decor is original to when the place was an ice cream shop. Only thing you have to worry about is street parking other that that great spot with indoor our seating and wonderful staff. read more

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The Black Whale is such a charming spot on City Island--the ambiance is everything, both inside and out! We sat on the outdoor patio, which was beautiful and relaxing. The only small downside was a few things falling from the trees into our food and drinks, but honestly, the atmosphere made up for it. I ordered the Homemade Meatloaf with Mushrooms & Bacon in a Red Wine Sauce, served with mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables--absolutely delicious! I also tried the Pan-Seared Maryland Crab Cakes, which were flavorful and perfectly cooked. Both dishes were satisfying and well-portioned. Definitely coming back--great food, great vibes, and a perfect spot for a cozy meal or a celebration. read more

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I love this place so much. The food is literally to die for. Their burgers are so juicy and delicious. Their calamari is the best I've ever had. The tiramisu is so delicious and creamy. The food is always fresh. You have a nice assortment of desserts to chose from. The place is very quirky and adorable. They have a backyard with adorable tables too. Believe me when I tell you, you will lick your plate clean. I can't wait to return. read more

Great ambiance, incredible food and amazing service ! Thank you so much for the wonderful evening read more

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This Place was Lovely ! Back Yard Garden For Dinning ~ Beautiful Lanterns hanging among The Trees , The Food - Service & Ambience * A + read more

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One of my favorite spots in city island for a low key, quiet experience. Solid food and great atmosphere. I will always go back

I stopped at The Black Whale for dinner with a whale of an appetite. Overall, they serve excellent food, but the service could use some work. Upon arriving, I was immediately seated. My waitress was extremely knowledgeable and gave me a rundown of their menu. I also conveyed to her my food allergies, one of which was tomato. Nevertheless, I was served bruschetta with tomato. When I asked for more bruschetta, but without the tomato, I was then again served bruschetta with tomato! Fortunately, my food allergies are quite mild, and in both cases, I was able to scrape the tomato off. However, the failure to communicate a patron's food allergies could have devastating consequences and is a service error that should never exist. The rough service aside, I did enjoy the food. I started out with a watermelon soup. Unlike other watermelon soups I've had in the past, their watermelon soup was less sugary. The somewhat neutral taste of the soup was perfectly complimented by watermelon chunks. The soup also came with oyster crackers - which I thought was extremely odd at first - but ended up pairing very well with the soup. For my entree, I had the Chicken Stroganoff. This was perhaps the best Chicken Stroganoff I've ever had. There was a perfect proportion of chicken to pasta, with the perfect amount of cheese. The sauce was excellent and tied the entire dish together. read more

The Black Whale - Watermelon Soup - New American Near Me - Bronx, New York

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Good ambiance and service is great. Food is good. Bartender is so cool and inviting. Makes good drinks. Quaint little place in city Island. Outside patio with antique furniture. read more

The Black Whale - At the bar. - New American Near Me - Bronx, New York

As soon as you walk into this establishment you feel the artistic vibe of the interior decorator which transports your body to a serene state, I love the dessert choices which also transports your taste buds to a happy place. I have to say the service was good and the staff made you feel so welcomed. I highly recommend this place the prices are fair but parking might be challenging but with a little patience a parking spot will show up. Definitely recommend if you are in City Island in The Bronx read more

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Cute place, cozy, nautical Vegan option available. Street parking. I went at opening, it was quiet and service was quick and friendly read more

Great spot !!! Very eclectic atmosphere!! The food is solid, the staff is attentive. I had the scallops and really enjoyed them !!! I will def be back !! read more

Amazing seafood and shore eats !!! Always on point with quality but reservations are a must !!!

Anytime I want to cater to my seafood cravings and a nice date night with my love, I come here. Mussels were over the top great, juicy garlicky and flavorful. I also love their creativity indoors. It's dim, relaxing and cozy. Antiques everywhere. There is so much to look at and I love it because it gives you something to chat about. read more

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On a sunny Saturday afternoon, the buzz on the street was that we were eating at the best restaurant in town. We waited for the restaurant to open. We were seated promptly. Very cute decor. We received complimentary bread (so it was so good). We ordered oysters, crab cake and apple fritter dessert. It was quite the multi course meal. Oysters were fresh and clean. Crab cake had some nice chunk of crab and it was flavorful. No dry crab cake here. The dessert was a huge portion. You can easily split the dessert with another person. Highly recommended it. read more

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Great atmosphere to enjoy good food and great desserts. We sometimes eat at one of the many seafood restaurants and then head to the Whale for dessert. read more

This is a perfect spot to sit outdoors on city island. The back garden is beautiful and serene. The host Heaven was very friendly as well as the other staff. The food was absolutely scrumptious. read more

Food is always amazing! Moved here like 4 months ago and this is my favorite place. Everyone was extremely nice and helpful as well.

The food is the best food on City Island hands down! The staff is friendly but unfortunately they only take cash. It's seldom that I carry cash with me and definitely didn't expect that at a above average priced restaurant. But if that's not an issue for you, then I promise you won't be disappointed in anything about this beautiful place. read more

The Black Whale - New American Near Me - Bronx, New York

Absolutely blown away by this incredible restaurant out on City Island. I'm a seafood addict so I ordered the Fettuccine dish, loaded with big juicy shrimp, huge mussels, and flaky crab meat in a delicious spicy marinara sauce. Everything tasted like it was caught 30 minutes ago - fresh as can be and cooked to perfection. My wife had the stuffed ravioli with wild mushrooms and fontina cheese in a herb cream sauce and was equally impressed. Don't skip their desserts either...beautifully presented, not overly sweet, and a perfect ending to the meal (we chose the crème brûlée and paired it with their delicious cappuccinos). Our server Dee was super pleasant and helpful, making some great recommendations for us. The backyard area is super nice too and made for a very pleasant environment for the meal on a lovely evening. Highly recommend this place and can't wait to come back soon! read more

The Black Whale - Fettuccine with shrimp, mussels, and crab meat in a spicy marinara sauce. Insane! - New American Near Me - Bronx, New York

Great atmosphere, amazing food and the staff is wonderful. So cozy, small town like home feeling. Something for everyone. Don't forget about dessert. Beautiful seating in the back garden. read more

I'm reviewing this after my husband and I had dinner here last night. I was surprised to see 3.5 stars but after reading the reviews it's clear that one rogue bad experience ruined it. This place is great! We ordered the strawberry kale salad, the burger, and lobster crab ravioli. The ravioli was so good, I dipped my fries in the sauce! Service was great, everyone was super polite and helpful. We loved dining in the backyard. The decor is super eclectic but still stylish. Just to add too, this is our very first time dining out since the pandemic began and it did NOT disappoint. We are anxious to dine here again. It totally makes the city island traffic worth it! read more

Just moved to the area. Absolutely AMAZINGGGGG. 10/10 the food was so fresh and delicious. The specials were incredible. We were referred here by a friend. So glad we tried it, we will definitely be back! Service was great too. They made us feel very safe! read more

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Food was tasty. On street parking is a plus. No necessarily a seafood restaurant but the food was good

Reservations at 730 for 6. We weren't seated until after 830. The hostess was not even polite or apologetic. We were patient and politely waited (out side in the cold I should mention) We were made to feel like we were bothering her and couldn't care less whether we stuck around or not. I understand things are difficult for restaurants right now but the way we were treated like we were bothering her was completely ridiculous. I'll say that the food was very good but for me going out is to recieve good service as there is nothing there that we cannot make ourselves at home ( and I do realize this is not the case for everyone, not everyone can cook well or likes to cook ) but the service was awful. I will never go here again. read more

After a busy afternoon lf taking engagement photos nearby we came here for lunch. We sat in the back garden. It was quiet. Nicely shaded. Loved how the fresh warm bread came out in what looked like newspaper really cute. We started with the special coconut shrimp it came with 6 pieces and a spicy sauce homemade moist fresh shrimp. I ordered the Cuban sandwich. It was good but i have had better Cuban sandwiches. Where it had more pickles and more mustard. The bread was nicely toasted My fiance and our friend the photographer both had the steak wrap they loved the mash potatoes in the wrap but thought the meat was overcooked a little more than what they requested to be medium. I would return again but would try something different off the menu! read more

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You can say that the Black Whale is kind of the oddball among the many restaurants on City Island. Surrounded by eateries with bright fluorescent lights and big signs, the Black Whale sits on a corner almost blending into the neighboring buildings on City Island Avenue. Don't be fooled though, The Black Whale is a gem and has some of the best food and ambiance City Island has to offer. The restaurant itself is very eclectic, the dining areas are compartmentalized into two separate rooms and they also have a back garden/courtyard area to sit during nicer weather. Think of the feel of the Black Whale as a converted old house - wooden floors, mismatched tables and chairs, etc. It's imperfection is what gives the restaurant its charm. The dinner menu has a number of choices, but what the Black Whale is best known for is dessert and brunch. The desserts are very good and large enough to share. I recently visited for their brunch, which was awesome. Their brunch is a buffet and for $15.95/person you get a lot; they had a selection of sausage, bacon, pancakes, eggs Benedict, bread pudding, French toast, pancakes, scrambled eggs, rice balls, creme brûlée, plus a selection of danish and dry cereal. Additionally, you can have omelettes or waffles made to order. Service was great, they were attentive and periodically checked up to see if we needed anything. I'm looking forward to going back in nicer weather so I can take advantage of the outside seating area. I definitely recommend - it's a nice alternative to your typical City Island restaurant. read more

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I used go there religiously when it was strictly a dessert place. That was over two decades ago so the place has changed dramatically. That said, it's more of a bistro now and a decent one at that. The menu isn't extensive but they offer seasonal dishes at reasonable prices in an eclectic & relaxed atmosphere. The best thing I can say about the place is my wife enjoyed it and I couldn't give a better review because she is picky and always quick to criticize. The Black Whale offers a viable alternative to the higher priced seafood places. read more

After having a quick meal on the island earlier in the day, made our way here to try something a little different for an early dinner. Beautiful patio outside to take advantage of the nice weather. Menu is a mish-mash of Italian, Mexican, and American dishes. Was thinking about the crab cakes, asking the waiter if it's locally caught - it was not. Instead, settled on the Chicken Empanadas ($12) and a beer ($6.50). To start you get free bread and olive oil; hard crust on the outside and soft inside makes for a good start. Empanadas came next, three well fried pieces served with sour cream and salsa/baked beans. For some reason the salsa was placed on the black beans, which didn't help either item. Empanadas are filled with diced chicken which tasted from a can. Had to add sour cream and salsa to get some flavor. Also tried the Rigatoni ($17?) - al dente style pasta smothered in a vegetable marsala sauce. Pasta is fine but the sauce is overly sweet, overpowering the accompanying veggies. I actually love the service here as everyone is friendly/helpful; however the food is not up to par. read more

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What I remeber it was a great restaurant. a bit strange for the Bronx, reminding Manhattan Village. The food was great and squeaky clean, the prices decent. I will go back to the Whale in City island. The owner was fantastic, holding our reception. Great memories and 5 stars. read more

Amazing place! First, I was impressed by the atmosphere. So unique! Second, the food was delicious! We had mussels for appetizer, a burger and cod. Everything was very tasty. The third, the stuff was very friendly and especially our waitress (Irish girl). We came from Brooklyn randomly and didn't expect much but wow!!! Definitely come back in the future! read more

The Black Whale - Burger and cod - New American Near Me - Bronx, New York

This is a hidden gem. Went here for desert . Very beautiful atmosphere and also a nice outside dining area. Service was great and server was very friendly. Deserts were very reasonable and good. Looked at dinner menu and saw other tables food. I definitely will be back to try dinner. This it a really nice place . read more

It pains me to write this, as this was my favorite restaurant in the Bronx, and I have so many good memories here. There's a lot to like. First off, this is, bar none, the most beautiful restaurant in the Bronx. Going here is an experience regardless of the food. The quirky, vintage atmosphere is perfectly done and stands out. You can't find anything else like it in the borough. The menu offers a wide selection (especially for dessert), and the staff is always extremely friendly and helpful. Now, the bad (or rather the mediocre): the food! The food isn't spoiled or anything, but I don't understand paying a bunch of money and going out, only to be served a meal that you can make yourself (and probably better) at home. I went for dinner, and my pasta dish seemed like it was made by a very inexperienced chef. We ordered the fondue for dessert, only to be given some fruit and crumbling Oreos. Once again, everything was fresh, but I could put together a better meal for myself at home with minimal effort. read more

The Black Whale is a place my friend and I absolutely love to have dinner at when I'm visiting her on City Island. The atmosphere is so cozy and comfortable. I have always felt "at home" here. The owner, Calliope, is so warm and conversational. She really makes you feel welcome. I enjoy the variety their menu has, as it is always changing and I never eat the same thing when I go! My friend and I love the ambiance. I can't rave about the food being any thing too spectacular, the usual restaurant fare, but I have never left disappointed by my meal and I have never been rushed out by wait staff. I always enjoy my visit to the Black Whale and it has become a special place to make memories with my friend. read more

TLDR: ***THIS PLACE IS CASH ONLY!!!*** My group of four really enjoyed this brunch and we are definitely looking forward to coming back here again soon. Highly recommended! Great food and good service. Good times! Overall rating: A++ ***THIS PLACE IS CASH ONLY!!!*** Three friends and I came here on Sunday at 12:30pm for brunch. Many free parking spots on the street that day. My friend called and made us a reservation for brunch a few weeks in advance. Brunch is served as an all-you-can-eat buffet. Brunch also comes with unlimited coffee for just $22.95 plus tax and tip! What a bargain! Mimosas are $5 each extra. There is a staffed omelet station in the back sometimes but I didn't use it. We sat in the back patio and it was very nice. I wish there were more umbrellas and some of the chairs were more comfortable though. It seems like most of the customers were sitting on the patio. So come early if you want to get a nice shady spot out on the patio. I barely saw any people inside unless they were waiting on the line to get food from the buffet. Service was very good they came by to check on us often. The problem is you need to make sure you don't overeat. When I was there at the hot stations, I saw they had bacon, sausage, kind of dry and burned French toast, bread pudding(?) with raspberry sauce, slightly burned pancakes, scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, gross corned beef hash(?), and weirdly sweet and hot sausages and peppers. Later on they replaced the sausage and peppers with fried chicken, which was a much better option. At the cold station they had various fruits, yogurts, grilled vegetables, mini creme brulees, flan, cinnamon buns, and bagels. My favorites were the bacon, pancakes, fried chicken, bread pudding, and watermelon. I'm sure I'm forgetting a bunch of items since there was such a big variety! It ended up being about $34 per person (including brunch and one mimosa for each person) after tax and tip. I really like that this place is nice and cozy without being too noisy/crowded. It is a great place to come and catch up with friends! There are two unisex bathrooms right before you get to the patio. They're very small though. All in all everyone had a great time. We had our fill of delicious foods as well as tasty mimosas. I would definitely return here in the future for brunch! I have not come here during other times of the day yet. ***THIS PLACE IS CASH ONLY!!!*** Pro Tip: Orchard Beach is nearby if you're interested in stopping by after brunch. Parking at the beach is $10 per car on the weekends unfortunately. read more

Amazing food...great quality. It's also a really cool place with its antique store vibe. read more

As a Bronx resident, I've passed this place up many times thinking it was a pub with a cool name. After reading rave reviews, I decided to try the Sunday brunch. The Good: + The decor of the restaurant is warm, comfortable and inviting. + The back outdoor area is wonderful on a nice day. + Self serve means you can't complain about sh-tty service. However, the waitstaff is fast when providing coffee refills. + Omelet & waffle stations are made to order. + Tried and true menu items: sausage links, bacon, corned beef hash, peach crisp cobbler, french toast, pastries, ie croissant, rolls, etc. The Bad: - "Sunday Brunch" is a glorified breakfast buffet. For $12.95 you are provided a coffee and juice. So the minute you get your table, you should go straight to the short buffet line. If you have the appetite of a flea, don't come here. - scrambled eggs, home fries, pancakes, bread pudding, blech. The eggs Benedict looks delicious but is disappointing. I can not comment on the quiche. - finding street parking can be painful if you don't get there early. The Ugly: -- No alcohol is served before noon. So much for a Sunday brunch mimosa or Bloody Mary if you're an early bird. If you come too late, then you will wait. By then, it will be another hour before you masticate. -- flailing my arms as I am attacked by mosquitoes. It is a nice restaurant and I will come again, but condemn me if I'm going to inflate the reviews on behalf of brunch. IFHTP 3+ read more

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First visit, came in to try the Sunday brunch. I must say I wasn't impressed. We sat in one room but had to walk to another room to select brunch items. And if you wanted a omelette you had to walk outside, where there is additional seating. I tried everything here and the only thing I will remember are the tiny creme brules, I did like those but as for the rest it wasn't the quality I expected for the price. Service was slow, I waited quite a bit for a coffee refill. The place was busy but not packed. Overall, first experience was OK not really worth a second for me. Happy Yelping :) read more

Loved this place!! We stumbled upon this hidden gem on a Saturday night and let me tell you it did not disappoint!! The food was really good! Not the nasty chain restaurant type food that is available in the area. The wait staff was okay for the most part. Only reason I'm giving 3 stars is because our water was not filled until I asked for it, also they never came by to ask if everything was okay, our waiter disappeared after taking our orders and we had to ask other wait staff for napkins, water etc but overall liked the place. read more

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