Best NYC restaurants located within a 5 minute walk of 81st Street – Museum of Natural History Station | Ratings, Reviews & Maps

The burger was good but small for the price, the Korean fries were a joke! Served cold and not really flavourful. I liked my shake shack burger but my company did not really enjoy his cheese and bacon burger. Mediocre…very fatty and soggy buns. My shake shacks experience 6 years ago next to the flat iron building was waaaay better!
Walk with Jonas - in the last week

Food is okay, ice tea was completely flavorless and room temperature. Fries were crispy not soggy. Very busy inside the place. We used the number plates and a worker came and without a word slammed the plate on the ledge next to our table and walked away. Said worker brought our food to us a bit later. Horrible attitude which was unwarranted.
Cynthia S. - 2 weeks ago

I’m always a fan of Shake Shack. The food is pretty reliably good. This visit was no different. The only issues at this location was some of their communication/signs. They have a giant neon sign that has an arrow pointing people to pick up orders at one counter, but I watched as they told every person who came up to the counter to do that to go to a different counter for a pickup. On top of that, they were sold out of things without anything being marked as such on any menus or signs. Outside of those frustrations, the food was good, and even though it was packed, there was still quite a bit of seating here. Definitely give the Korean chicken sandwich while it’s being served. It’s pretty fantastic.
Eddy G - 2 months ago

As this was our first time in NYC…we had to have a culinary classics: Shack Shack. As Californians, we had to compare this burger to In & Out. They are both amazing…but the flavors are SO very distinct, it’s not something we could separate. In & Out has a specific flavor. Shake Shack is slightly saltier and a smash burger so you get these delicious crusty bits. We had the double served straight up, with the chocolate malt and after careful consideration both agreed that Shake Shack came out ahead by a nose. I love a good chocolate malt, and this one was stellar. We visited on Columbus Day and the place was swamped so we had to wait about 15 min for our order but the staff handled it with Grace and friendliness. Kudos! We took our order across the street to one of the many benches and ate with the local delivery guys at the next bench. Something I HIGHLY recommend.
Mark Bray - 5 months ago

On a recent visit to NYC my wife and stopped in for a bite to eat. The food, of course, was great. But what was even more noteworthy was the graciousness and positivity of the staff members. From this vantage point, it seemed as if the employees liked each other and what they were being asked to do. Kudos to store management for hiring, training and supporting those under their employ. Well done.
Eric Verschuure - a week ago

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*Okay granted this is partially our fault buttttt - we asked the waiter for a recommendation for sake. The waiter provided us 3 small samples to try but he did not offer to share the price of the bottle nor did we ask. When the bill came, we found out it cost us $220!!! I felt like this was dishonest and put a damper on our otherwise wonderful meal. Ambiance (5/5): The establishment is pretty small but very organized and neat, clean, and welcoming! We were seated next to the chef's table and loved watching the preparation right in front of our eyes. The chefs worked together seamlessly to prepare the various dishes with special garnishes, sauces, and presentation. Service (4/5): We were warmly greeted at the door. Warm towels for wiping at the beginning of the meal and during the middle course. He went out of his way to ask us in advance if we wanted a birthday dessert since there was only 2 left in the back so he could reserve it. They came out with a sparkler candle for us! Free green tea with the dessert. Food (5/5): We chose the combo omakase for $180 (4 sashimi & 8 sushi). Every single dish was fresh and delicious! Presentation was exceptional and the tastes were infused with art.
Steph W - 4 months ago

Mediocre Japanese restaurant. The sushi was nothing special and certainly not worth $60 for the sushi deluxe. The teriyaki chicken was dry and overcooked. I asked for extra teriyaki sauce to make it moister and was informed that extra sauce costs $5. Really? The gyoza had little flavor. Anyway, I won’t be returning. Too many great Japanese restaurants in this city
John Maull - 2 weeks ago

Love the omakase here. It’s expensive but really worth it ! I brought my 13-year-old daughter here for the first time and created a monster 😊. We had the 12 pc, Gari Special, and Mochi for dessert. It’s all perfection! The atmosphere is very plain and simple - which is ok since the sushi is the ⭐️
Eileen R - 4 months ago

Gari is open again after a long renovation ( to the building itself, not so much the restaurant). The space is actually smaller now as they lost a row of tables between the sushi bar and the windows; the big table is gone too. Space aside, the sushi was as fresh and delicious as ever. Great to taste all your old favorites. Still outrageously expensive, but a fun and guilty pleasure nonetheless.
Karl Brumback - a year ago

Amazing omakase. The fish was so fresh and toppings made it unique and special.
Kay Fernandez - 5 months ago

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I use to go here every week with my family to joy some good food and Santa margarita wine my favorite pinot Grigio now they have mezzacorona also really good. I truly enjoy this place. Forever a must visit for me
ImBroke Rob - in the last week

Middle of the day and the service was busy visiting each other rather then providing drink refills and helping us. I would have had a 2nd and possibly 3rd drink if they had given me the chance. Pizza dough was terrible for leftovers next morning. So eat it while it's hot and fresh.
Angela Hills - 5 months ago

Quick to be seated. Slow service but great food. I had the vegan pizza pie and it was delicious. The tables were a little dirty but the servers cleaned them upon request.
Kimberly Anne - 7 months ago

Drove 45 minutes to get to this place to try their deep pan pizza only to wait another 30 minutes for a table (i was the only person in queue). Initially, I was furious as the receptionist's attitude when he said there was a wait of 15 minutes (while half the tables were empty, as evidenced in the attached photo). After observing the workflow it turns out the staff are overwhelmed and the venue is understaffed: 2 guys running around from table to table doing an excellent service, keeping up with all the clients and their requests and needs. They barely had time to breath. During my wait of 30 minutes more than 6 groups came in, but left when they saw there is a wait while there are empty spots. This is a management problem, they need to hire more staff! Why do I care? Because the pizza and dessert are amazing! And the place is hemorrhaging clients uselessly. The deep pan pizza is one of the best I ever had: the crust is delicious, the cheese has the perfect texture and volume (not too much, not too little) and the toppings are balanced accordingly. Highly recommended.
Elie Zaghrini - 12 months ago

Deep dish pizzas were good. Table, seats and bathroom were dirty. even tough the place was empty, server sat us in the darkest table. I’d still try this place again because I think the problem was the employees the day I was there.
Idil Akcakayalioglu - 6 months ago

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We stopped in after a long morning, They sat us right away at the coziest spot. Our server, Tiffany was really friendly, helpful and accommodating, as well as the rest of the staff. The food came out really fast and was really really good. First time here and we’ll definitely be back. Thanks guys!
Shayala W - a week ago

The food was decent but the price really threw me off… $50 for a bread bowl with gnocchi? The menu was on an iPad, a representation of the overall experience. Service was great, but the price was outrageous for what we received.
Austin - in the last week

Was such a wonderful spot to grab some quick lunch or breakfast. They were quick to sit is and the food was amazing. We went straight to the museum from here is a few blocks away. We were also able to find parking nearby on the street so that was exciting to
Shaya Pita - a month ago

Delicious meal. Delicious coffee. If you want to treat yourself or someone else, this is a wonderful place to do it. Lovely atmosphere. You can sit at the bar and there are quite a few tables inside - not sure how big a party it can accommodate tho. The menus are digital which is quite cool. There are numerous appetizers to choose from. Also ask for the specials or the soup of the day. There are also several entre options to choose from: pasta dishes, salads, fish or pizza. The cocktails look good (I didn't have) - the macchiato coffee is delectable - I'm still thinking about it, yum! Definitely leave room for dessert - one (or all of them) is a must have. Our server was funny, attentive, patient and made fantastic recommendations
Liseli P. - a month ago

Great kosher restaurant with delicious food! Can get pretty busy sometimes make sure you have a reservation… Came back a few weeks later and this restaurant was still awesome! Will probably be back again and again!
Chassidish Traveler - 2 months ago

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I wanted to try their new menu ever since I heard they switched kosher supervision. We went during happy hour and the drinks were well priced and delicious. Bartender knew what he was talking about and helped direct us towards drinks we would like. We ordered fries which took 25 minutes to come- but when they came were delicious. Reading all the other reviews I was a little nervous about the service and taste- however after going there I would go back (with vastly lower expectations for service though)
Elyanna Saperstein - 10 months ago

All Gluten Free menu is absolutely amazing!!! Totally coming back here and recommending this to all my friends and family!!!
Marlena Shilman - 3 weeks ago

Came here for a luncheon. The decor and space is beautiful! I had a mock tail, Strawberry fields and it was very refreshing. The salads are of good portions. The fries were great as well. The vegan pumpkin waffle was super delicious although if you're not vegan order a side of chicken if possible. Service was awesome! Looking forward to trying some of the alcohol based cocktails and their dinner menu!
L. R. - 3 months ago

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The pizza was solidly good but they didn’t heat it up enough. But they heated it up more when I requested it. Bathrooms were very clean and the place in general was very clean and sanitary which is always nice! Can’t say the same about every pizza place in Manhattan.
Robert Reynolds - 2 months ago

It's one of the most underrated pizzeria in NYC. A very nice pizzeria serves the neigborhood well and it's still comparable and competitive to all resturants nearby. People would be easily confused this place might be a tourist trap, because of its location near the AMN. The base of round pizza might be thin for some, but found it amazing how the pizza can still holds its shape horizontally. The place also serves other nice foods in the shop. It's a 4.4/5.0 pizzeria at minimum in my opinion based on my 20 years daily pizza eater experience. A must-try pizzeria which gives plenty of seats and respects to customers.
Mick Kwan - a month ago

Amazing cheese pizza! Ordered a medium sized cheese pie and you got a lot of food for the price. Only bad thing I thought was that the bathrooms weren’t the cleanest.
Björn Bodin - a week ago

Came back here after 4 years during a recent vacation. Great food. A tad pricey for gourmet slices but I along side ordered a gyro to go. Wow one of the best gyros I’ve ever had. Staff was friendly, they were close to closing on a Sunday night, they had a soccer game on and they were very nice and friendly. The seating area could use a little updating, but plenary of room in there.
Gerald Broderick - 9 months ago

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Cilantro surpassed all expectations with its enchanting atmosphere and outstanding culinary offerings. The ambiance seamlessly blends modern chic with cozy warmth, creating the perfect setting for an unforgettable dining experience. From the moment you step in, the inviting glow sets the tone for a delightful evening. Now, let's talk about the food – simply extraordinary. Each dish at Cilantro is a masterpiece, a symphony of flavors that dance on your taste buds. The menu is a culinary journey, featuring a delightful array of dishes that cater to diverse palates. The chef's commitment to using fresh, high-quality ingredients is evident in every bite. The staff's attentiveness and knowledge add another layer to the overall excellence. Carlos the Gm is a tru gentle man. From recommendations to service, their dedication to ensuring guests have a memorable time is commendable. Cilantro isn't just a restaurant; it's an experience that leaves you craving more. If you're seeking a place where ambiance and cuisine harmonize to perfection, Cilantro is the epitome of culinary bliss.
Thomas Rooney - 4 months ago

Omg this is my favorite Mexican restaurant in the city. It’s cute and clean. The staff is helpful, friendly, and speedy. The food was absolutely delicious. Me and my two friends loved it! I had a chicken burrito and it was amazing. The salad that came with it was so yummy too. The chips and salsa were so delicious, it was the best salsa I ever had. We had flan for dessert and it was absolutely incredible. Everything was presented beautifully and was very tasty. I’m so happy I came here, I really enjoyed my food and the atmosphere. I recommend this restaurant and hope to come back soon.
L.B. - 8 months ago

The food looked good and a decent amount, however the skirt steak was undercooked( I asked for medium but it was mostly rare). The Guacamole was good but not really spicy( I did ask for medium spice level though). The drink wasn't great I struggle to finish it and I can have quite a few. The waiter was good and attentive. The atmosphere was good except for the customers with dogs that kept barking at each other and every other dog that passed by. I don't think I'll be returning.
Melissa Hendrax - 8 months ago

We came here b/c it was right around the corner from where I live and mom was craving Mexican. Also, we were looking for a spot that was a little quiet because we are meeting our family for the first time from 23 and me. All I can say is this place is phenomenal. The manager/owner (don’t know who she is) but she realized something special was going on and at the end of our meal gave us an amazing dessert that my mother absolutely loved. This completely topped off the occasion. We absolutely love this place, the food and the staff. I wouldn’t go anywhere else in the neighborhood. So friendly & they have a patron for life ☺️ (2nd pic is me back on my own w/my baby girl).
LE - 8 months ago

The restaurant has a nice Mexican ambiance and good seating. Fajitas were good, but the salmon although by itself was good, but lacked some kind of sauce. It felt dry without a sauce to go with it. And I feel potatoes and spinach don’t really make good accompaniments to a piece of salmon. Quesadillas were just ok.
Fureall A - a year ago

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From the comments, you’d think Starbucks was in the bathroom business. Give me a break. Grateful for this little Starbucks “outpost” (which is what it is—if you need a Starbucks with lots of seating, there is one located 2 blocks away).
Philip Parkes - 4 months ago

The service was nice and the coffee was tasty. The place is a bit tiny and has not have many seats but it's fine.
David Chitanava - a year ago

The employees here were really friendly and did a great job making our drinks. Very close to Central Park.
Kailey Parks - a year ago

My Favorite Starbucks! The outdoor seating is fantastic! The staff is the most friendly and helpful of any Starbucks I have visited! Romantic Jazz music lightly filled the air from the restaurant next door. It created just the right feel for an evening of my favorite Strawberry Frappuccino!
Dennis Jarrin - a year ago

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Amazing spot if you are looking for authentic Italian food, reasonable price and intimate dinner or lunch. Brunch is my favorite thing though, unbeatable. Place is clean and service is fast. If you are looking for a quiet, original place full of sunlight, you can’t go wrong with Tarallucci e Vino. Martina always makes my day!
Alex Hessam - 6 months ago

Love this place. Food is always stellar and it’s well located. It’s a bit noisy at times but excellent for breakfast, lunch, and dinner ! The salads and homemade soups are my favorite for lunch. They do amazing salmon and other entrees as well. Their homemade baked goods are insane too.
Eileen R - 11 months ago

The waiter made faces as if he was doing a favor serving the guests in the restaurant and also the guy standing over the coffee machine looks like someone who has no desire to work at all. It was not fun to be in this place and I will not come back here for sure
יפרח אליהו - 4 months ago

This guys saved my lunch while travelling #solo in NY Catched from the Italian #lookalike name, it turned out to be a great spot! Genuine food, smart service, honest price. Went for the Lunch offer, very good #valueformoney Coffee is also great 👍🏻 5/5
Lorenzo Abussi - 8 months ago

My friend who is an Italian food connoisseur (also Italian!) believes this place is home to the best cacio e pepe in the city.. well, it didn’t disappoint! Simple.. made w/ fresh sauce and just peppercorn, the texture for the cacio e pepe is just right.. taste is GOOD.. and it’s up there Service was impeccable.. got to enjoy NYC balmy summer weather sitting outside (highly recommend) If up for a change (and dare!) try the broccoli rabe.. has a bit of a bitter taste.. but it’s not terrible.. interesting and good for you! Branzino was great. Burrata was fresh.. maple cheesecake w/ honeycomb crumble was ok.. feel you’re better off getting the bread pudding (from chatting with server) Must get the eggplant appetizer!! Don’t even love eggplant and still couldn’t get enough of it Btw our server Emir was AWESOME!
Ashish Aggarwal - 10 months ago

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