NYC restaurants located within a 5 minute walk of Columbia University Station | Ratings, Reviews & Maps

Tom’s Restaurant was at the top of my bucket list as a Seinfeld fan for 3 decades. The iconic front for Monk’s Diner from the show was everything I wanted it to be and more! The staff were amazing, quick, kind and fun. The coffee was classic, booths were comfy, super cute bar top, and it has an adorable outside patio on a great side of town. Lots of memorabilia from the show and epic photo opportunities for fans. We both ordered BIG Salads and they were fresh and fantastic! Highly recommend for great food and atmosphere. Loved their fries, SO yum! Lots of menu options, yada, yada, yada. 🤣
Katy Lamers - 3 months ago

The chicken cutlet was tasty, but the pasta and sauce had no flavor at all, it honestly tasted like plain crushed tomatoes. I even added some salt and pepper myself, but it didn’t help much. We ordered the steak medium, but it came out well-done. That said, the atmosphere was nice and the diner itself was beautiful, and all the staff were very kind and friendly.
Farnoosh Oa - 5 months ago

Came because of Seinfeld and was worried it might be a tourist trap (crowded, overpriced, etc.). I couldn’t have been more wrong. The food was genuinely very good, and the place felt like a true local diner despite its fame. This was actually my second visit. Earlier this year I stopped by for a chicken menu that was also excellent, so it was nice to see that the quality wasn’t a one-off. The service was excellent, especially from the Hispanic server who looked after us- she was spectacular. My Eggs Benedict were OK, but I tried several dishes from around the table and they were all outstanding. The cheeseburger was particularly delicious.
Francisco Amaral - 3 months ago

Must visit as a Seinfeld fan. Were able to get a table quickly, our dessert was nice. The staff were friendly and it paid a good tribute to the show. The only thing missing was a tv somewhere playing episodes of Seinfeld!
Zaharenia Grapsas - 3 weeks ago

Location known to be iconic from the sitcom Seinfeld. Operates as a diner, but I would say service wise it does not operate as such and you will be rushed to order and eat in order to flip tables. I had the chicken parmigiana sandwich, expensive for the serving size but was alright.
MJ - 3 months ago

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Food and Juice is always a great place. I study at Columbia University and often come here for lunch during my break. I’ve even brought my husband here, and he loved it too. The food is consistently delicious, and the avocado toasts are absolutely amazing — definitely one of my favorites. Overall, it’s a reliable spot with great quality, and I keep coming back.
Lina - 4 months ago

The food here was amazing. The grilled salmon burger was delicious. The staff were kind and provided good services. We got everything we needed. They have outdoor seating if you want to bring your dog. Nice chill vibes. It's good to go to spot for brunch.
Kai W - 2 months ago

We’ve been frequenting this restaurant for a while now, and we absolutely love it. The food is incredibly delicious and well-prepared. The service is also fast and efficient, and the staff is always friendly and welcoming.
HonestAndSincereReview - 5 months ago

Excellent restaurant. Elegantly presented and generous dishes. Top-quality ingredients. Service is fairly quick and very discreet and courteous. Overall, there's a focus on quality and health, with generous salads garnishing the dishes. Prices are average for New York considering the caliber of the cuisine. In short, an excellent restaurant for healthy American fare with style in a casual atmosphere.
Fabio Arangio - a year ago

Every member of the staff was incredibly polite and helpful! Not only that, but the food was amazing! I ordered the chicken schnitzel, and it was phenomenal ! This is a restaurant that I would absolutely recommend.
Zenna Dean - 3 months ago

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The food was pretty good! We ordered the shrimp, tuna, flatbread, and french onion soup as starters. For mains, we ordered the salmon, the steak, the mushroom ravioli, the chicken, and the potato tart. For me, standout dishes were the truffle flatbread, the steak, and the starter bread with butter. The salmon didn’t have much flavour, but no complaints about the food. Was a pretty good option for good food near campus! The crème brûlée is also pretty solid.
Jade Li - 4 months ago

I always enjoy coming to La Monde. Such a great spot for any time of day, especially brunch. This time I tried the steak from the graduation menu and it was so good — juicy, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. Also have to mention our server Kara, who is always so kind and welcoming. She remembers us every time we come, which makes the experience feel even more special. Love this place and will definitely keep coming back.
Chester Perez - 4 months ago

My friend and I randomly walked in on a Wednesday during our break from work. We met up and stopped by a few places, trying to find the right atmosphere that matched our moods. Le Monde provided a sweet ambience that allowed us to enjoy our meal. It was also restaurant week, so we had a three course meal. Since we weren’t familiar with French cuisine, our wonderful server Sofia guided us through the menu. Everything was delicious. The fresh salad with goat cheese (fried) on top was incredible. The coq au vins and the panna cotta that followed was also exquisite. By the time my friend and I left, we decided to make a reservation. Same day, same time. It’s our new favorite spot that will now become our tradition. You absolutely must go.
Monica Sok - 7 months ago

Our server Luis was very knowledgeable of the menu. He was able to recommend great selections for food and drinks. For appetizers we had the Shrimp, Prosciutto Flatbread and Escargots. For entrees we had the Short Rib, Mussels, and Chicken Cordon Bleu. Dessert was Creme Brûlée and Crepe Nutella. We enjoyed everything!! Wonderful service!! Fresh bread made in house. Tasty cocktails!!
Amy Rodriguez - 6 months ago

This was our third visit to Le Monde, and once again, it exceeded our expectations. We absolutely love their steaks, which come with a side of salad and French fries. You can choose between two sauces — pepper or cheese — and honestly, both are delicious. The portions are generous, making it a truly satisfying meal. For starters, we had the Caesar salad served with fish, which was fresh and flavorful. For dessert, I enjoyed the panna cotta, which was perfectly creamy, along with a rich brownie and some delightful ice cream. We also had tea, and the presentation of the tea sets was charming and unique. It was my brother’s birthday, and the staff made it extra special — they put a candle on the brownie, didn’t charge us for it, and even gave my brother a birthday card. The warmth and friendliness of the staff really stood out, making the whole experience memorable. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating, and the atmosphere is cozy and welcoming. Overall, everything from the food to the service was fantastic. I highly recommend Le Monde — it’s definitely a place worth visiting!
nazanin vaziri - 5 months ago

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I had a wonderful experience at Symposium Greek Restaurant! I ordered the lamb chops to go. They were absolutely delicious,flavorful, and well seasoned. The customer service was exceptional. The host was warm, welcoming, and attentive, taking the time to explain the menu and educating me about the restaurant’s history, including its distinction as the oldest Greek restaurant in New York City. The restaurant itself is absolutely stunning, with its original decor beautifully preserved from the beginning. The hand painted ceiling, elegant light fixtures, beautiful furnishings, and intricate details throughout create a timeless and captivating atmosphere. Even though I ordered my meal to go, I was thoroughly impressed by the entire experience. From the food and exceptional service to the breathtaking ambiance, Symposium left a lasting impression. I would highly recommend it and look forward to returning for the full dining experience.
Shona - 2 weeks ago

Truth is I'm not a big fan of Greek food but hubby is. My dinner was eh, while he said his was OK, not great. The grape leaves were delicious and the baklava was devine. Hubby wanted beer but it was all sold out 2 days ago at Easter and the new delivery was late. He also wanted the rice pudding for dessert but that was also sold out. Service was great and restraunt was clean
Heidi W. - 5 months ago

This is my first time trying local Greek food as I had a favorite in Brooklyn that closed during the pandemic. Symposium will be my new go to spot. The service was excellent and the food was delicious.
Veronica Ellis - 6 months ago

We were there in December and came across Symposium while walking. We were impressed by the cozy atmosphere and the amazing service we received. Our server knew a lot about the history of the restaurant and was helpful in suggesting a wine with dinner. The hummus, lemon potatoes and steamed vegetables were all very savory! I highly recommend and we will be back next time in NYC!
Dawn Dorsey - 6 months ago

We walked in on a Monday night, was seated fast. Decor was nice. Noise level was decent. Good came out quick. Waiter was good. The food was delicious. Took the soup to go, and was excellent. The food wasnt greasy. The plates were huge, so the price to food portion was a good value. We had some Mythos and Alfa beers. It felt like we were sitting back in Santorini on a late night dinner date.
Raymond Melendez - 10 months ago

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I stopped by yesterday for lunch on my way to the UPS Store. I had the Chicken Pesto Pasta and it was good. Large portion size. I always pass by but I thought I'd give it a chance. I'll definitely visit again. I saw online they have a rooftop bar area but its open air only on the summer. To cold now. Overall good experience.
David Dave - 9 months ago

Love this place, the rooftop is also a pretty good date spot. The food is always spot on with generous portions. I’ve never left hungry. They even offer some good happy hour deals! Try the nachos you won’t be disappointed. Worth checking out.
Chesireé Balogh - 3 years ago

I came for happy hour with a group of folks on the weekend. We were seated pretty quickly and attended to shortly. There are various options depending on what you’re in the mood for. The food is definitely a bit over priced for what you get though. I got the tacos and it didn’t even come with a side of rice and beans, that was separate and it wasn’t very filling. Other folks got the nachos which seemed to be good. The drinks were also okay, the margaritas are delicious. If you go with a large party be mindful that they are only willing to accept 3 cards which was pretty annoying.
Abi - 7 years ago

10/10 so good. Jake was an AMAZING servicer. Loved the chips & guac app, we got yummy mini margaritas, I got the chicken burrito (mind blowingly good) and my friend got the burger. So delicious. One thing to note, they have rooftop seating but it might not be what you expect. The walls are higher, so you don’t really have a great view. But it was still nice to be outside
Emily Benefield - 3 years ago

The food was delicious!! It was cool going up the heights! It feels like a cozy place. It was almost closing time when we went so it was on the quiet side and I enjoyed the atmosphere. I like it was on the darker side and feels like we had privacy and our waitress was nice and friendly! Didn’t get any drinks but the bar looked awesome!
Kelly C - 5 years ago

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So my beloved Lora Papetsas, who is a Michelin star trained chef not only in French cuisine but also in Italian cuisine when she had a 20+ year run in her restaurant up in Cape Cod always cook something wonderful for us. However, we wanted to try something that seemed very interesting. I found the Milano market that offers great sandwiches which is up the block from a friend of mine’s high-end supermarket on the west side. After looking at this, we decided to order four sandwiches. A Salmon, Eggplant Parm, Cuban and Italian sub sandwiches. I have to say the most important thing in the sandwich is the bread. They offered like fresh baked rustic Ciabatta, and heros. Plus from the panoply of various sandwiches that they make they don’t skimp on the condiments or the main ingredients. The salmon which is hard to do was fresh and medium not well done or dry. The eggplant Parm was amazing. The Cuban delicious with fresh pulled pork and stiletto thin ham with an amazing bite made me want to speak a different language, and the Italian Sub made both of us speak in Italian because my beloved speaks fluent Italian and I am part Sicilian. This place is truly a cut above. There is always an amazing amount of greens fresh, center cut tomatoes. Stiletto thin prosciutto, and I have to say the meats of cold cuts are folded and layered to make an amazing easy bite Where else can somebody find a sandwich for about $20 that has fig and a Basile Mick glaze that is truly amazing So if want a sandwich that is truly a meal, this place really doesn’t disappoint. Will definitely be going there from time to time for something amazing. To add, we ordered the first time last week and then we ordered again this week for the Super Bowl and truly we’ve become customers for life for them
Staz - 7 months ago

Holyyy the best sandwiches!! I got e10, prosciutto, burrata, arugula, basil, tomato and fig jam- ITS INSANELY GOOD. For 20 bucks? Pricey yes but fed me for two meals. Sooo yummy.
melanie tsoi - 4 months ago

A good selection of products. A fancy bodega basically. I prefer the other location on the upper east side but this was way less busy which was nice to get in and out quickly. Has a lot of Columbia university sports stuff framed which was an added bonus.
Steve Smith - 8 months ago

You get what you pay for!! And for $17 I received the exact hero I wanted, done the Italian way! Razor thin ham, salami, and melt in my mouth mozzarella. I can't say enough good things about this sandwich so I'm going to go and finish eating it! It's so big I'll also save half for later. I saw the boss guy while there today as well! Thx to guy at the counter who made my sandwich!
TheDreamhouse2010 - 2 months ago

A classic Italian deli, packed with shelves of imported goods and a warm, nostalgic aesthetic. The prosciutto sandwich I had was flavorful — sweet from a generous drizzle of honey, balanced by a well-made sauce. While it didn’t come with a huge portion of prosciutto, the overall taste was satisfying. The customer service didn’t quite match the quality of the food or the ambiance. I asked politely if I could order half a sandwich and was met with a surprisingly curt, dismissive response. Later, when I took a few pictures of the interior, the staff became visibly irritated.
Yunong Shi - a year ago

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Delicious food! Prices were reasonable and the food was great. Service was good and atmosphere was not important since it’s just a food truck. I will also say that the location is very convenient being right next to the subway entrance and Columbia campus.
Uzair Farooq - a month ago

Really dang good Lamb Gyro. Added the spicy sauce, and it just hit close to perfection. The ground chunky lamb meet is soft and juicy.
sagita suwandi - 5 months ago

I ate here nearly every week while I was in college but have since moved to New Jersey. I still crave it now and then because there is nothing like this halal truck. I miss being a five minute walk away but this alone is totally worth a visit to the UWS. (I saved this picture in it’s own album called “Best Halal of My Life”, fyi).
Anna Eggers - 5 months ago

this is probably the best halal cart in nyc. wow! genuinely i would travel all the way up here for this. hooda halal you are perfect to me 😍😍😍
Gelek Tshering - 3 months ago

I am from middle East i know the real shawerma taste than the fake one, I Can conisder this as one of the best chicken Shawerma I had, I ordered the chicken with rice , the mix is delicious and very tasty, the portion is more than enough for one person, and the price very cheap I got the meal with Pepsi at 9$. The only thing I didn't like that no place to eat. Very recommended
ahmed abdelhamed - 3 years ago

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So much better than John jays and they have a wider variety of fresh bakery and deserts 🙏🏻
叶晨丰 - 2 years ago

Consistently bad food. Sunday waffles are the only good thing I’ve ever had from here over the course of three years. Eggs are inedible, definitely made from powder. They repeat meals every week with no change, even when people clearly don’t enjoy it. The staff is very nice though, and it’s a nice space!
Owen L - a year ago

Most of the food is average or sometimes above average for lunch and dinner. BEWARE OF THE PASTA! It is tasteless and you can only stomach it by dousing it with salt repeatedly. The workers are nice and good people. Overall I have had good experiences, but be on alert!
Truman Gregg - 6 years ago

Great vegan selection Friendly service Clean
Nancy Paris - 6 months ago

Ferris, while pretty small, is a nice dining hall that is great for everything from a quick bite to eat to a more extensive meal. They offer meals for a variety of diets and have both self-serve and action stations where they make specific dishes for you. I like their made-to-order but omelettes for breakfast and love it when they offer stir fry (occasional).
Raayan Zarandian Mohtashemi - 7 years ago

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I agree with a previous post that's been made here. The food is absolutely delicious, but the customer service needs to improve. I ordered a chicken burrito the other day. A guy behind me ordered the exact same thing. The only difference is that I asked to leave off sour cream and cheese due to dietary restrictions. The guy behind me was given his food first even though I ordered before him. He even said "didn't you order first?" The only response from the person at the window was a mouthed "sorry." This is unacceptable. I've been a loyal customer here for awhile.
Imani Agape - 5 months ago

I thoroughly enjoyed this Chicken Lomo Saltado (soy sauce chicken) 🍗 from Fogon at the corner of 117th Street & Broadway. Great dinner to accompany the Save Science speeches a few feet away. Please note that they only take cash or online payment. Fortunately, I had just enough cash on hand.
Anne Hathaway did not spit in my food. - a year ago

The food is tasty and delicious but the customer service can improve. They know how to cook for sure, just the details to be polished about how to address the customer. I highly recommend this business.
Manolo RH - a year ago

Martin and the team are the best. Great food, great customer service. Highly recommended!
Mario Wellmann - 11 months ago

Tacos al pastor are delicious, with a lot of tasty meat
Nathali - a year ago

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Yoskar, Roberto, Aaliyah were really holding it dow! It was a very hot day and they were working hard and being very diligent about my dietary needs and broke everything down well! Very clean and welcoming vibe as well! I wish there was more seating!
Boahen Kwakye - 2 months ago

Incredible staff, incredible food! I don’t usually leave reviews but when I do is because I had more than a great experience. I have an eating disorder and they didn’t know that but they were cooperative to my every request as I have anxiety ordering. I felt comfortable and left more than satisfied. I thought that was the best part but the food! Wow . This is definitely one of my safe foods during this journey and this specific location I come out of my way to come here specifically. I really hope you guys can share this message to this staff and managers who were running that shift so smoothly, it was the costumer service for me truly. Keep up the good work!!!!!!
Juana Moronta - 2 weeks ago

Jennifer & Johan — The Gold Standard of Fast-Casual Service I visit this location almost every week, so I've had plenty of opportunities to observe what truly exceptional service looks like under pressure — and Jennifer and Johan deliver it every single time. Every visit, this place is packed. And it's not just the in-person crowd — the delivery orders are constantly rolling in, sometimes outnumbering the walk-in customers. What you get to witness in that environment is nothing short of impressive: pure professionalism, sharp discipline, seamless teamwork, and genuine logistical skill. These two are running a tight, well-coordinated operation while most people around them don't even realize it. What makes it even more remarkable? Through all of that controlled chaos, they never once lose the smile. You're not just handed your food — you're greeted, you're served, and you leave feeling like a valued guest rather than order number 47 in a queue. And the prep? Always on point. Ingredients stocked, food at the ready, no delays, no excuses. That kind of consistency doesn't happen by accident — it takes pride in the craft. Jennifer and Johan are the reason this location keeps earning my loyalty week after week. They are a credit to the Dos Toros brand, and honestly, to customer service in general. My sincerest salute and appreciation to you both — keep being great. — Edward Alexander Teach
Edward Teach - 5 months ago

Food was AMAZING!!! Service was also AMAZING, Jennifer was so kind as well as the staff. Fresh, healthy and yummy food!
Stephanie Rodriguez - 2 months ago

I had such a good experience here!! When I first started working nearby, I decided to try Dos Toros for the first time and it was AMAZINGG!! :D The food is always so good, fresh, and flavorful every time I go. The people there are super kind and always respectful, which I really appreciate. Daisy, the manager, is the best, she even helped me set up the app so I could order ahead and just pick up, which made everything way easier for me!! It was actually really nice seeing everyone again on my last day working nearby will def be back!! Overall, great vibes, great food, and affordable too!! Definitely recommend!!
John Rogers - 5 months ago

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