Monkey Bar - New York (NY)

5 /5 Travis Shepherd: It’s not easy to get in here but fortunately we were finally able to get a reservation. We arrived a little early & had cocktails in the bar area up front, we got the Tokyo Old Fashioned & the espresso martini both of which are excellent. We loved the atmosphere of the dining room: red leather booths with white tablecloths, curtains that lent a feeling of focus without isolating you, lighting that successfully struck the balance between relaxed/classy yet still being able to see fine. The service was great, our waiter had strong recommendations and was very attentive without at all becoming intrusive. We had the oysters, chu toro crudo, steak tartare, ribeye steak frites, and vanilla gelato (with hot fudge). Everything was wonderful, I’d say the steak tartare and vanilla gelato were our favorites. We’re so glad we were finally able to get in! Highlights: Tokyo Old Fashioned, coconut Cadillac margarita, steak tartare, vanilla gelato Date visited: 1/2/26

5 /5 Charlie Byrne: I stopped by Monkey Bar around 10 p.m. on a cold December Wednesday and lucked into a rare open seat at the front bar. Being solo definitely helped. From the moment you step inside, the lighting and décor set an incredible mood. It’s a beautiful room with music playing at just the right volume and impressively attentive service, even though the place was packed wall to wall. I enjoyed a couple of beers before heading back to my hotel, already knowing I’d be back. Sure enough, I returned the next day with my wife after snagging a late lunch reservation in the bar room. (Reservations tend to book up almost instantly two weeks out, but pro tip: keep checking - cancellations often pop up in the last day or two.) We each ordered the Double Cheeseburger along with the Pomme Frites, and everything was outstanding. Our server, Nelson, was prompt, friendly, and thoroughly professional, which only added to the experience. My wife isn’t much of a “bar person,” but she was genuinely impressed by the ambiance and décor—and even suggested we make Monkey Bar a regular stop. We absolutely will.

4 /5 Rach: Obsessed with the service and the vibe! The hostess for reservations is in the back behind the bar, which was a tad confusing. Martini was 5/5 with Sipsmith gin. Surprisingly, the monkey bread was worth the $35. I was on the fence at first, because I know a lot of places go over the top with the truffles, but this was a tasteful truffle, as I like to say, not too heavy handed and perfectly balanced. We ordered the butter lettuce salad, double cheeseburger, steak frites, and side of broccoli. All very fresh and seasoned quite well. The double cheeseburger was melt in your mouth and the steak was cooked to perfection. Would I come back? Probably! But I wouldn’t go out of my way to make a reservation. Worth a try and definitely a fun, old school city feel.

4 /5 Tony: Came on a Sunday late afternoon/early evening without a reservation and was able to get a seat at the bar without having to wait too long. The food was good, the service at the bar was good but my overall favorite was just the atmosphere of the place and all the monkey decorations everywhere. I ordered the Monkey bread, the double cheeseburger, the vodka sauce pasta, and the coconut cake which was probably my favorite of the food items. The drinks were all made well.

5 /5 Bianca-Alexandra Moise: We had an absolutely unforgettable meal at Monkey Bar. We were lucky to secure a lunch table, as a last-minute spot opened up that morning and we’re so glad it did. Monkey Bar totally lived up to the hype. To start, the truffle monkey bread was fluffy, buttery and insanely delicious. We also shared the tenderloin steak tartare and it was hands down the best we’ve ever had (and we’re true tartare enthusiasts). The wagyu cheeseburger was out of this world, perfectly balanced, literally melting in your mouth, especially paired with the fries and garlic aioli (a must). On top of the food, the vibe is fantastic, stylish, dimly lit, with that classic NYC energy. It is definitely a place we’ll be coming back to.