Cafe Luxembourg

If you’re looking for an objective review of this restaurant, read no further.
I still cringe when I think about my intensely traumatizing dining experience at Café Luxembourg, so brace yourself for an impassioned diatribe.
Context: I’ve been a pescetarian for the past seven years, and carefully ordered the salmon tartare entrée. The dish that came looked a bit dark, but I trustfully took a huge bite of the raw flesh, and noticed it tasted a bit… different. Out of paranoia, I asked the waiter to confirm the dish was fish, and he replied that it was actually steak tartare. He went on to insist that I had ordered steak tartare and not salmon tartare. He never apologized for the mishap, which I found rude and indicative of inconsiderate, tactless service.
I felt extremely nauseous at this point and had the dish taken away/​replaced with my original order. I spent the rest of the afternoon feeling depressed about accidentally consuming meat – the diametric opposition of my mind and body’s strongest convictions…
So my conclusion:
This restaurant is careless.
Also the fries are opprobrious.

The Luxembourg. I’ve seen it and passed it many times and I finally tried it. I was very, very disappointed. I do not like having a bad meal. Especially when I eat out. My meal was awful. My food looked and tasted just like the dishes ordered by the people on my left and right.
Asparagus Salad (B-​)
This looked pretty. It came to me and I was excited to eat it. There were black berries and orange slices and green and white asparagus. However, there were these green leaves (I guess the spring lettuce) that I could not even eat because they tasted like nail polish remover. It was absolutely terrible. I had to discreetly spit it out into my napkin I couldn’t even swallow it. The asparagus was fine except the white asparagus, which wasn’t cut properly and was too fibrous for me to even chew. On top of that, it was extremely oily and lacked flavor. The dish was begging for acidity.
Spring Vegetable Barigoule (C)
This dish came to me and I noticed a moat of liquid around the entire dish. I thought it was a very liquidy sauce or broth of some sort. It was oil. The entire thing was drenched in oil. I had to carefully pick off the top. I couldn’t even finish the dish because the oil made me nauseous. The parsnip purée was lost in the oil, although I’m not sure if it had any flavor to begin with. The asparagus tasted just like the appetizer I ordered and the artichokes were not pealed properly to expose the edible parts. Very underwhelmed and disappointed.
Roasted Faroe Island Salmon (B)
The salmon was fine. It was cooked just as requested, however there was nothing new and exciting about it. The side of veggies tasted just like my spring vegetable dish. Disappointing.
Berries and Cream (A)
I ordered this with no cream. Therefore, just a cup of berries. This was the best part of the meal. You honestly can’t go wrong with just berries. A toddler could make this cup of berries.
The service was not amazing. However at the end of the meal we were each given a small square of chocolate and a post card all with the same picture of three naked women standing at a bar (which I realized later matched the one in the bathroom I was admiring). Nice end to the meal but I will not be going back. I do not recommend.

Café Luxembourg is on of my Must visit Places whenever I visit New York, especially for the Amazing French Toast! I tell all of my Friends that travel to NYC to stop in. You should be Expecting Howie Tomorrow!

I went with a friend for brunch before the ballet and we were exceptionally pleased with our restaurant of choice. Both of our meal choices were absolutely delicious — I had the ricotta pancakes and she had an omelette with potatoes. Every bite of both of our meals were delectable and thinking back on it, drool-​worthy. The restaurant itself was super cute and the waitstaff was helpful and polite — while not hovering at all, they managed to be right there whenever we found we needed something. Our coffees and water were refilled with impeccable timing, just as we needed more, and our waitress checked in a couple of times to make sure everything was to our liking — easily navigating that fine line between being overbearing and being absent. And the brunch cocktails were very yummy.
I highly recommend and will definitely go back again!

This neighborhood spot is awesome for breakfast. I especially enjoy the french toast in the morning. It is the best french toast I ever had. It just melts in your mouth (fluffy and crunchy at the same time). Also, the potatoes that comes out with the meal is delicious as well.
I always see lots of people here every night and weekend morning. I have lived in the neighborhood for the past 7 years and it has been standing strong. One of my go-​to place for breakfast.
The vibe is cozy and once I saw Steve Martin in the morning.

We went here for an early dinner and noticed there was a prix-​fixe option for $ 36. We asked our waiter how this worked since it wasn’t clear and he said you can pick any entrée from two columns and any appetizer. Great, simple enough.
Three of us ordered the lobster roll for our main course. The roll was good, although a bit skimpy on the lobster. When we were done, our check arrived and we noticed there were three $ 8.00 surcharges for the lobster rolls! I want to be clear that this is stated nowhere on the menu (we even double-​checked the menu on the way out thinking perhaps we missed it).
We mentioned this to our waiter and he seemed totally nonplussed, and gave us a fairly insincere apology, but no explanation or offer to somehow make it right. On the way out we also mentioned this to the hostess and the reaction was no different although she did ask us which table we sat out so she could supposedly speak to the waiter. We suggested that it should be on the menu to prevent any confusion and the idea didn’t even elicit agreement, just the equivalent of a shrug.
We found both the policy and their reaction totally unacceptable and will never return. With all the restaurants in NYC, who needs to patronize one that thinks this type of fraud is acceptable behavior?

Consistently Fantastic !
Love — since over 20 years — the best !
Thank you for being there !!!

The place is disgraceful and disappointing. Our main course was the size of an appetizer. We had seared tuna, which consisted of three small pieces of tuna. The pea pure and marinated artichokes were not visible on the plate also. If you are extra hungry or have a food allergies that requires attention of the staff this is the wrong address.

Came here for brunch. This place feels very European. Our waiter is really attractive. We ended up having dessert and coffee afterwards.

I really love this place. I’ve been for brunch once, dinner a couple times, and swung by late for drinks/​dessert a couple times. The food is great, the service great, and you should go.
Last time we were there for brunch, we got the smoked salmon Benedict and the avocado toast. Both were delicious, though I’d maybe not recommend the latter if you’re very hungry as it’s a modest portion.
On a couple occasions, we’ve rolled in late just to split a dessert. I really appreciate how pleasant they are given that we take up one of their tables to spend all of $ 10. Classy place.

The template of excellence .
This establishment will always hold sway.
Cuisine and staff is curated to create a culture not just a restaurant.
I suspect this is the managers (currently mustachioed if I am not mistaken) fault.
For that reason it is my «go to» for friends and clients alike.
I cannot say enough about the staff and service.
Perfect service that walks the ever so thin line between familiarity and over-​familiarity.
Such lovely people it tempts me to cross that line.

Café Luxumborg makes you feel like you are sitting in the middle of a neighborhood bistrot in Paris, without a tourist in sight! Filled with Upper West Side locals (babies to grandmas), Café Luxembourg was a great pick for a casual brunch this past weekend. I ordered the Salmon Benedict, and subbed some fries for the potatoes, and everything was delicious. We had a little wait at the bar before being seated (we showed up early to our reservation), and the bartender was super friendly and accommodating. He was particularly non-​judgy when a somewhat eccentric older woman walked in around noon, order a double shot of vodka, paid, and left! #Goals

The Food Was Average. I was a Little Disappointed. Huevos Rancheros. The Menu was Limited … they didn’t have the steak and eggs in one of the photos.

Had the burger. It was cooked medium on the inside and completely burnt on the outside. The apple soup was delicious I have to say though. That’s about it!

Café Luxembourg is a very well-​run restaurant that delivers consistent, high quality food. While there are surely restaurants in this city with more inventive, unique cuisine, this café never disappoints with classic French-​inspired dishes including French Onion Soup, lamb chops, Steak Frites, and Crab Cakes. I have yet to have a disappointing meal here. Additionally, the brunch menu is very tasty, with options including Benedicts, Omelettes, and sweet brunch dishes.
The staff here stand out. They are always very friendly and accommodating. They actually seem like they enjoy working there. This makes a big difference and puts you at ease.
This is the perfect restaurant for a leisurely Sunday brunch or birthday celebration. Even after trying fancier, more inventive restaurants like Buddakan, I would highly recommend Café Luxembourg. You won’t be disappointed.

First of all it’s Kristin… second of all your comment is a reflection of the direction your restaurant has taken… Classless.
Improve your food & your manners.
When a reservation is made, I am always told I need to vacate by a certain time, meanwhile your kitchen is slow and there are people sitting with a cup of coffee for an hour or two.
All I try to do is eat my meal in peace & leave but your wonderful hostess will ask you how long you are going to be as you take your first bite.
Instead of arguing with me take it ask creative criticism, so you can improve and locals will return.

Walking around the Upper West Side and hungry for an early afternoon Sunday lunch and coffee. Avoiding Starbucks and other chains like Paris Baguette. Although I like both, wanted a unique experience. Saw Café Luxembourg and went in.
Place was bustling, sat at the bar which was also full and active. Great service. Started with a Bloody Mary then went on to have their BLT which was made with bacon and pancetta and used wilted greens instead of lettuce. It was served on a small hero-​like roll. It was great! Cup of black coffee to round it out and I was full, happy and ready to roam some more.
The bartended who served me (as well as his associate bartender) was very attentive, talkative and pleasant to all of the patrons. Other bartenders should take notice.
Definitely will return. Well done.

I’ve been here few times. Great service and very friendly. The food is very good. Tuna tartar and mushrooms on toast are two good appetizers. Burger and fish & chips were good main dishes.

Was a perfectly nice place to go and get a nice bite to eat. Like an upmarket café rouge. Good service and very tasty food. Wouldn’t go back especially but if in the area it’s a good safe option.

What started out as a kind of a bummed out day with a bunch of unexpected closed museums (we went on a Tuesday into the city and apparently that’s not a good day to go if you want to check out some of the smaller museums, like the Whitney). BUT it was all redeemed when we sat down at Café Luxembourg after a long day at the Metropolitan Museum.
They have a varied menu with something for everyone, the meat lover with steak frites, to seafood, to some veggie options. They also have a fixed price option with any appetizer and entrée (with an up-​charge for certain entrees, like their steak). I decided to do that with the octopus for my appetizer and the seafood pan roast for my entrée.
I’ve had octopus at several other places and it’s always come out pre-​cut so I REALLY appreciated the presentation here with the octopus intact, beautifully laid out on a chickpea salad. It was probably the most tender and well-​season octopus I’ve had, and I’ve had a lot of octopus. The seafood pan roast was also good, it came out with stuffed squid, some mussels, and a white fish filet, all served over a squid ink sauce. Everything was fresh and delicious. The food was so great, I was persuaded to get dessert (crème brûlée) and was not disappointed.
We showed up around 6:00pm or so without a reservation and were seated with the condition that our table would be needed in about 1 hour and 45 minutes which was plenty of time for a slow and enjoyable meal. Definitely would go back!

Großes Restaurant mit jeder Menge Personal — einer platzierte uns, einer brachte die Karte, einer nahm die Bestellung auf, einer brachte die Getränke, einer das Essen, einer kassierte und dazu standen noch mehrere Leute rum… Bei uns wäre das ein Mitarbeiter gewesen, dort gabs ungefähr zehn. Unglaublich.
Wir waren die einzigen Frühstücksgäste, bekamen einen schönen runden Tisch und entschieden uns für Kaffee, Toast mit Lachs und pochiertem Ei — sehr lecker, überbackenes Parmesan-​Ei — gewöhnungsbedürftig, da wurde mit dem Parmesan sehr übertrieben und Bacon.
War gut aber nicht so gut das man nochmal hin müsste.

Gutes Essen und guter Wein, aber leider nicht sensationell. Bedienung ist wie immer in den USA hervorragend, wie immer geht es nach der Bestellung sehr schnell vonstatten. Die Qualität der Zutaten ist auch sehr gut, aber in Luxemburg wäre diese Restaurant bestenfalls Durchschnitt. Die Gerichte haben keinen Esprit. Ambiente ist sehr gut, das Publikum ist wohl eher gehoben, am Wochenende muss man dringend vorbestellen.

Trotz des Namens — ein echtes Stück Frankreich in New York. Schöné Atmospähre, gute Brasserieküche und herzlicher Service machen diesen Laden zu etwas Besonderem. Die Preise sind für new yorker Verhältnisse und das Gebotene mehr als annehmbar. Eine schöné Empfehlung für einen entspannten Abend. Ein Laden mit eigenem Charme und Charakter!