Flex Mussels

Seafood restaurant · Upper East Side

Flex Mussels

Seafood restaurant · Upper East Side

3

1431 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10028

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Flex Mussels by @TheInfatuation
Flex Mussels by @TheInfatuation
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null
Flex Mussels by null

Highlights

Flex Mussels serves up fresh Prince Edward Island mussels in inventive broths with shareable seafood plates and killer donuts in a lively UES spot.  

Featured in The Infatuation
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1431 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10028 Get directions

flexmussels.com
@flexmussels

$50–100 · Menu

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1431 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10028 Get directions

+1 212 717 7772
flexmussels.com
@flexmussels
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@flexmussels

$50–100 · Menu

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Jul 30, 2025

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@infatuation

15 Uptown Spots That Feel Like Downtown Spots

"On your first date with this person, you went to a French wine bar, ate some charcuterie, and talked about your childhood golden retriever and the importance of REM sleep. For your second (or any early-in-the-game) date, go to Flex Mussels. This UES seafood spot has a long bar and plenty of tables, and the food is all light, shareable, and more interesting than another charcuterie plate. Come during Happy Hour and get discounted wine and $1 oysters, or for a low-commitment dinner when you can share small plates and any of the over 20 dishes that include mussels." - bryan kim, matt tervooren

https://www.theinfatuation.com/new-york/guides/uptown-spots-that-feel-like-downtown-spots
View Postcard for Flex Mussels
@infatuation

Exciting Things To Do & Eat In NYC Between August 3 - August 9

"Friday is National Oyster Day, and there are a lot of special oyster Happy Hours happening this week. We suggest the Happy Hour at Flex Mussels on the UES from 5pm-close for $1.50 oysters and paired drinks. " - neha talreja

https://www.theinfatuation.com/new-york/guides/exciting-things-to-do-eat-in-nyc-between-august-3-august-9
View Postcard for Flex Mussels
@chopped

Michael Bicocchi, Executive Chef, Chopped after the dessert, Episode 3.4, November 3, 2009

Chefs from Chopped on Food Network - New York
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Louise Louise

Google
It seemed like a hidden gem I stumbled upon by chance, yet clearly a local favourite. The mussel dish had no unpleasant smell, and the Wagyu burger—if I recall correctly—was bursting with juicy flavour as I cut it in half; it truly tasted as good as it looked. The male staff member provided impeccable service and appeared to be a person of great tact and charm. Although the ambience and interior design left something to be desired, the quality of the food more than made up for it. I intend to return next week for another visit.

Veni, Vidi, Comedi

Google
Tried Flex Mussels for the first time and the vibe was absolutely spot on—inviting, lively, and the perfect setting for a seafood feast. We kicked things off with a solid lineup: fresh oysters, a flavorful fish dip, perfectly crispy calamari, and a side of fries to get things rolling. The star of the show? The mussels. Each sauce was bold, rich, and packed with flavor—perfect for soaking up with the bread, which honestly became its own highlight. We also sampled the fish sandwich and some burgers, all of which were cooked just right and left us wanting more (so naturally, we ordered more fries). To top it all off, we wrapped the meal with fresh, warm donuts that sealed the deal. Service was on point—our waiter was friendly, attentive, and knew the menu inside out. All around, an incredible food experience with great energy and even better flavors. Definitely looking forward to going back.

Aryella Almeida

Google
Amazing place. Crab guacamole, whipped ricotta were delicious. Scampi mussels, omg. Sooo good! And the doughnuts, YOU HAVE TO TRY! We order strawberry, lemon, pb&j and salted caramel. Spectacular!!! 👏🏼

Ash N. Patel

Google
Absolutely delicious seafood dishes at this uptown restaurant. So many options for mussels but we loved the filet of fish sandwich and the raw bar the most. Next time definitely want to try their burger !

Toby McMillin

Google
Very good. Service was great, food was great. It was a little bit in there but not their fault. They mostly face the west and the sun was blasting. Highly recommended though

Mary Grant

Google
Great mussels and oysters! I definitely recommend booking a table in advance for weekends. The restaurant was super packed on Saturday evening. The parma mussels with fries were SO delicious, very creamy and cheesy. I savoured and devoured everything including the sauce. My friend enjoyed the classic mussels as well. Also, we shared oysters and they were fresh and yummy. Absolutely worth visiting during the happy hour

Alma Matrecito

Google
Where do I start?! My experience from beginning to end was nothing short of amazing. It was the highlight of my day. Curtis and the staff really went above and beyond to give us the best experience. Very attentive! I didn’t have to call anyone for anything. They were so on top of it making sure our drinks were always filled, the bread was always filled and making sure we were enjoying everything. Now the food, wow. I couldn’t stop talking about how good everything tasted while I was eating. The Bangkok Mussels Pot special was so good, I went to sleep thinking about it. My friend tried the Parma and it was so tasty. We also got the Red Snapper ceviche and my goodness, so tasty!! The Parmesan truffle fries with that aioli was to dieeeee for 🤤 our drinks we so yummy we definitely repeated! The doughnuts, oh my goodness. Those were probably the best I’ve ever had. They were so fluffy and each one was different. 100/10. Very happy with my experience! Thank you!

Renae

Google
One of my favorite spots in the upper east side. Really nice outdoor seating, and good happy hour deals too (pictured: a smaller order of their parma mussels and frites for $25. comes with great bread too). Their salmon entree (ordered medium) is also great and melts in your mouth.
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Chelsea K.

Yelp
I had dinner here last night. Amazing oysters (I ate a whole dozen) , great cocktails ( I had all 3 choices on the happy hour menu, one of each) yummy truffle fries on the happy hour menu also, pleasant staff while sitting at the bar they engaged with me, chill yet classy atmosphere. Will come here again!
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Nate L.

Yelp
TLDR: great service, fresh seafood and amazing flavors. MUST GET-- fungi mussels, San Danielle mussels, whipped ricotta and broccolini Came here for dinner with some friends and it did not disappoint. Servers were attentive, food was great and vibes were just amazing. Each bucket of mussel comes with bread (not sure if it's unlimited but I definitely dipped a lot in the broths... Rating the mussels from best to worst: San Danielle: prosciutto was a nice touch and made this dish extremely aromatic. The broth was perfect for the bread Fungi: a generous amount of mushrooms, mixed with the extremely flavorful smoked bacon all tied together with a rich cream sauce. Had the perfect amount of richness that was not too overwhelming Thai: not the worst but definitely lacking in some flavor profiles. Probably would avoid ordering this in the future Dijon: after reading some reviews, this seemed to be the dish to get but was very disappointed. There was little to no flavor and the broth wasn't that good... Other dishes: Branzino: two different sauces that provided two different flavor profiles. I want a huge fan of the green sauce but that wouldn't stop me from ordering it again. Cooked perfectly. Whipped ricotta: this was an amazing dish. Wish I would've asked for more bread sooner... Fries: they were okay.... Broccolini: was a nice addition to the meal, especially with the breadcrumbs
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Heley O.

Yelp
This was a great after Met dinner! I used to go to their old locations and really liked them, so I'm glad that this location is a bit more spacious. We got the guac with crab and the burnt fingers to start. The guac was alright but I really liked it with the crab on top. The burnt fingers were also pretty standard and delicious as far as fried seafood goes. As for the mussels, we got the Bangkok, classic, and lobster mussels. My favorite of those three was the classic, then the lobster one, and I didn't enjoy the Bangkok one. If I were to come back I'd probably not order the Bangkok one again as that was a green curry base which had an odd aftertaste. The classic was delicious, but you can find similar mussels anywhere. We also ordered truffle fries on the side with the mussels, and those were fantastic. What I would come back for are the truffle fries, donuts, and perhaps for the Thai mussels (and not the Bangkok one). Overall a great place in a pinch on the UES!
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Cyrus A.

Yelp
Flex was a nice change of pace, it felt like a bit of Belgium in NYC with the mussels and the overall atmosphere. Service was outstanding, they were great about checking in and even providing extra bread for dipping in the various sauces. Food itself was good -- the mussels dish was great, and they have maybe a dozen different options for flavors to try. You should be coming here for the mussels dishes, and you won't be disappointed by them. For appetizers, we had the ricotta and the tuna crudo. The crudo was simple and delicious, but the whipped ricotta was a bit off -- consistency was more like a yogurt than a whipped dish, and they take it in a savory direction with the onions, making it more of a sour cream dip than anything else. I'd avoid this dish, personally. Overall definitely worth a visit for the mussels!
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Evan N.

Yelp
It's so cute both inside and outside here! Also every single server was noticeably charasmatic and friendly. The burnt fingers breading was so light it was perfect and it all tasted fresh. The fish sandwhich was honestly really really good. It was a huge piece of fish on the sandwich. The fries that came with were good! The raw oysters were insane maybe some of the best I've ever had. Obviously oysters can be better some days than others. The cocktail sauce was def homemade. Honestly the mussels were really disappointing I 100% would just skip them next time we come here. Not that great and expensive.
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Linda W.

Yelp
Good happy hour. Accommodating as we had a baby with us. Going early I think there's just less patrons so that helps. I've been here a few times and have always enjoyed the food. So will be back
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Holly M.

Yelp
Fast and friendly services. The lobster rolls were good not great and the cocktails sounded better than they actually were. Compared to other places its a decent lobster roll.
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Charlie C.

Yelp
Nice flex at $2 Happy hour oysters! Excellent quality oysters and a bunch of other items included for happy hour including $25 moules frites ( mussels and fries, their speciality ). Highly recommend the oysters, Thai mussels and shoe string fries.
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Corinna W.

Yelp
Came for happy hour on a Saturday early afternoon and it was surprisingly empty. When we ordered our food, I could see why. Most of it was just ok. The oysters needed to be cleaned better (most of us had some with sand in it), the lobster rolls were fresh but was lacking something, and the salmon over rice was not a favorite. The best thing was the fluke tartare and miso baba ganoush. Drinks were ok too. Service was also almost non-existent, considering we were the only large table there. Out of so many places that do happy hour, Flex really needs to up their game.
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Stephanie R.

Yelp
Cannot say enough good things about flex! First, the space is beautiful and they also have tons of outdoor seating if it's nice out. Our server was super attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. There were so many creative cocktails on the menu (I loved my tequila drink!). The food was phenomenal. We ordered a few oysters to start (they have both east and west coast oysters) and the ricotta toast (don't miss out on this!). As for the mussels, they have so many creative choices-not your typical red or white wine decision. We ordered the Dijon and I LOVED them! The bread that came with them (and the ricotta) was thick, crusty and delicious. Also an fyi-happy hour food specials are only at the bar (oyster/drink specials are at any table). Truly have nothing bad to say about flex-can't wait to come back!
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Lauren S.

Yelp
Flex Mussels in New York, NY. It's raining and cold out in NYC today...what a perfect day for hot steamy mussels from @flexmussels! The Prince Edward Island mussels are super fresh and all of the broths are insanely delicious. I recommend to try all of their classic & unique mussel flavors and always end with their famous donuts. The service is always amazing! Insta: @thehungrysw PARMA MUSSELS- parmigiano cream, lemon, scallion, toasted garlic, crispy shallot. CRAB GUACAMOLE WHIPPED RICOTTA BACON MAC OYSTERS LOBSTAH FLEX DONUTS
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Jennifer N.

Yelp
The food here is great!! The staff is attentive, knowledgeable , and the service was quick and professional. I had not eaten here in a while. After revisiting I was wondering why I waited so long. If seafood is your thing, don't miss out on this gem!

Fatou J.

Yelp
We had a great time at Flex Mussels: food was great. Service was fine and ambiance beautiful. We made reservations but they didn't acknowledge it. They sat us at a small table and then rushed us to get out. Besides that, everything was great
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andrea p.

Yelp
Everything was perfect . The food is great the service is attentive and quick . The atmosphere was just right for a Sunday brunch with friends . The noise level was ok and the place was just the right temperature. My coffee was excellent as was everything we ordered . Good price and perfect portions . Quality ingredients and excellent preparation .
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Ben F.

Yelp
Fun neighborhood spot for oysters and mussels offering quality and variety that will keep you coming back for more. The new location is on an upper east side corner so is more bustling than the previous one tucked away on the side street was. Inside was a bit loud but outdoor seating was comfortable. The service was on point especially in terms of clearing away mussel shells throughout the meal. There was a nice selection of oysters and we were able to order a mixed platter. At ~4 dollars each I was happy with the quality of the oysters and shucking (I did have one or two bits of shell). Not a single oyster was obviously subpar. The mussels were cooked well and essentially all of them opened up in the broth. On this occasion I had the Thai and Fungi - both were delicious. The bread they bring is fresh and half the fun is dunking it in the broth. The other half is trying out the wide variety of flavors available. Three of us were totally full after just the oysters, 2 orders of mussels, and some fries at a total of ~60 per person after tip. Overall great spot with tasty seafood and good service which has a lot to offer return clients, between a rotating roster of oysters and a wide selection of mussels.
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Marian S.

Yelp
Good ambience, even outside where my dogs and I sat. I had a really good fish sandwich that was super satisfying! Not as spectacular as the salmon burger at The Penrose, but still a super solid meal. Maybe I wasted the opportunity by not ordering muscles, but hey, I like what I like.
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Olivia C.

Yelp
Yum! Made a reservation the same day on a Saturday and was pleased with the mussels. Very flavorful! The Oaxacan muscles were smoky and savory, and while the tie ones were good, I prefer the Oaxaca . They gave us unlimited bread too! The donuts had a wonderful Soft texture and the salted caramel one was the star. I thought the prices were reasonable and would definitely Come back.
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Chan W.

Yelp
Really enjoy the food and service here-it's our fav neighborhood spot for seafood. The mussel varieties are great-Parma is my top choice! And the Burnt Fingers and Fish Taco small plates are always yum and fresh. Reminds me of my time traveling in Belgium, worth a visit.
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Lawrence S.

Yelp
Had a minor misunderstanding here a few months ago and the owner reached out she was very helpful. Now let's talk food, the fries here are probably the best fries on the upper east side. The seafood would make my girlfriend stop arguing with me about we need to cook more for 48 hours that's how good this place is. Love the decor it's very sex and the city someone should shoot a show here it's very sexy, always packed. Nice bar decor. Definitely a happening place a top 10 spot on the UES
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Denise D.

Yelp
Went to this lovely spot after seeing the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Do make reservations as we did because it is quite a busy place. Every person who works in this establishment was extremely nice. We do tend to ask a lot of questions about flavor profiles and they didn't miss a beat and didn't make us feel like we were being a pain in the Fanny. First of all, I have to say that Flex is missing out on one thing. They NEED to get a fried oyster plate on their menu ASAP! Because their fried oyster is delicious. Cooked perfectly and although I don't know much, I do know a perfectly fried oyster. Since Pearl Street Oyster Bar sadly closed, the market has been missing something. Flex needs to tap into it! Fried oyster lovers would come in droves. We were all seriously going to jump the mussel ship and all get a dozen but the price tag was pretty hefty and I'm so glad we didn't miss the mussels as they were outstanding as well. I would pay 30-32 bucks a plate of oysters if they included your delicious fries and maybe a Brussels sprout or two since you don't have coleslaw which is what we in the South typically serve, but I'm not willing to pay 50 bucks for just the oysters. Having said that, we did spend a chunk of change on wine but the selection was good and the bottles perfectly complemented the food! Their bread was delicious! I mean I cannot get such quality bread where I live. Great for dunking and we even toasted some the next morning. We had four pots of mussels, the daily special that had an Italian flair with a little spice, the classic, the shrimp scampi and the Dijon. They were all incredible, the pots were full of cleaned and opened bites of heaven. The winner and our family always has to declare best dish even though we loved them all were the Dijon mussels! My daughter who does not like Dijon and initially refused to taste them but finally did because of my insistence, LOVED them. Then we had to fight her off to get them back. I recommend taking the beautiful shrimp out of the scampi pot and putting on your side plate so they don't keep cooking in the broth. That's what I did and they were perfect. And the fries were hot and a perfect side dish. Go and enjoy!
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Rebekah C.

Yelp
5 stars for a yummy brunch in UES. We came here for brunch with my sister in law after a morning at The Met Cloisters. It was a chilly day but very comfortable on the enclosed patio out front. We had a reservation and were seated promptly. It was hopping for Saturday brunch so like most places in NYC, I'd recommend having a reservation. Everyone but me ordered the Shelly Benedictowitz and wow it was tasty, but I'm so happy I went with the Parma Mussels. The Parma mussels were sinfully delicious and the portion is huge! The only down side was there was no dish for my empty shells and our server was pretty busy so by the time I realized I would need it, she was hard to flag down. The truffle fries were some of the best I've ever had every bite was crispy and flavorful. This will be somewhere we'll want to visit again!
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Ian W.

Yelp
One the more underrated restaurants in NYC. If you like mussels, you'll LOVE Flex Mussels. The Thai style mussels are my favorite but I've not had a dish here that I didn't like. Fill up on bread when you get your meal and not before so that you can soak up all Of the deliciousness at the bottom of every pot!
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Katie Z.

Yelp
It was packed so definitely make a reservation early! The service was great. Food was excellent and ambiance was busy and loud. I recommend getting the Parma mussels! Thai mussels also my second favorite. The shrimp scampi was very mild to me. I love that you get a whole pot of mussels and bread to dip in the sauce.
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Mr. And Mrs. P.

Yelp
Oh my goodness.... I can't say enough about this place. The service was fantastic and the food was excellent! The mussels were the best! Every thing we ordered was delicious. When in the city you must go.
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Amisha S.

Yelp
Came here with a friend for a casual weeknight dinner and was so so happy with the food, service, and ambiance! We walked in and were seated immediately at a table in their well-heated patio which was very cozy and intimate. We ordered: -a selection of east coast oysters - 10/10, really fresh and nice selection (though $$ at 3.50/oyster) -whipped ricotta with onion jam and charred sourdough - 12/10, the flavors and textures of this dish were AMAZING -crab guacamole - 7/10, fine but needed more salt/acid - brussel sprouts - 8/10, very tasty - mussels in Thai lemongrass curry - excellent! 10/10, the mussels were perfectly steamed and the sauce was addictively fragrant and silky! Paired the meal with their Trebbiano orange wine, which was super floral & subtly mineral which complemented every dish beautifully! This place is on the pricey side, but for those flavors and the fabulous quality of the seafood, I'd say it's more than worth it. Will be back soon!
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Charlie R.

Yelp
This place is great for a casual double date! Which is why we picked it. My first time here but others had been before. We had some cocktails and oysters to start. We then moved on to mains including mussels, lobster roll and fish tacos. All were delicious, but u especially enjoyed the fish tacos they stood out to me as perfectly lightly battered and fried not oily at all. I would come back!
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Vanessa T.

Yelp
loved every second of the experience! i just wish the dining room wasn't so small because it was very hard to hear the servers when being attended to at out table :(
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Taras P.

Yelp
Came in with a reservation, the place seemed empty, but quickly filled up. I didn't like how far down you sink in the booth, so when you make a reservation go with a table. Tabled outside are well heated which is a nice option. Service is the best I've had in years. The servers and manager work together very seamlessly! Very impressed. For appetizers we got Fish Dip - not recommended. It was like smoked fish mixed with a bit of olive oil that you can place on bread. Usually I enjoy smoked fish, just not this time. We got the Fried fingers, which were pretty good, but I bit on an oyster shell piece and that ruined the appetizers for me. Manager and server did come over and asked if they could replace the appetizer. Entre we has the Salmon with watermelon, which was surprisingly refreshing and very delicious. The Fillet O Flex was definitely my favorite part of the meal. Even though it's a sandwich, it's made at a very high level. Then we got two orders of Muscles Parm and Lobster Bisque. Parm was very delicious and I woukd recommended it if you don't care for muscle taste as much since it overpowers it, yet the broth is fantastic. The bisque makes the mussels pop more. Sides: Mac and Cheese, Fries, and Mushrooms were all very underwhelming, nothing good to say about them. Very small portions for the price. For dessert we got 6 doughnuts. Stay away from the funfetty and get the strawberry.
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Maria L.

Yelp
Such a fun and tasty spot to go on a beautiful day. My friends and I were seated in the "outdoor" section! Had a few waiters check in on us-- Matthew gave us some laughs-- and apologized that they ran out of the everything donuts. (I'll be baccckkkk! Yes, they are worth it!) Really enjoyed my Thai curry mussels. The aroma and flavors were incredible. The deviled eggs were amazing as well. Beautifully plated and delish! Chef's kiss! My friend got the French toast that was incredible with berries! For those of you that have nut allergies, just say no nuts. My other friend enjoyed the BLT. Crunchy bread! Love this place-- it's a favorite
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Pamela P.

Yelp
Im going to start with the things I liked, the food was delicious specially the mussels, their specialty. We ordered the Parma and were flavorful and a generous size, they came with bread that was also very good. Our server was friendly and attentive but not pushy. Ambience was nice, their decor beautiful and the chairs and tables comfortable. We had a bottle of Prosecco, the Parma mussels, every oyster from their menu, the bouillabaisse, the filled donuts for dessert and the prune tea (delicious tea) Everything was great, except for the bouillabaisse which I found lacking flavor and texture, no sides came with it, and it arrived extremely cold. Soups should be served hot or warm at least. The main ingredient was the fish. It's supposed to be a seafood soup, but to me was more like a grilled fish with broth. As you san see in the picture there were mostly tomatoes and bread in the broth and not much seafood. Now the logistics and reason why I'm giving 4 starts. I made a reservation for a birthday a week in advance for only two people and specify in the reservation (as the option is given) that I wanted a table inside, their outdoor tent extension is ok for last minute dinner but not comparable to the actual restaurant. The table wasn't ready when we arrived, the restaurant was extremely packed, the hostess told us to please wait at the bar, we waited standing around the bar because there was not really a waiting area or availability at the bar to seat either. After around 20 minutes we are told that our table was not going to be ready soon and a table outside is offered. I told them no, I want the reservation I made honored, since it is a birthday, I specify a table inside and I made it a week in advance. Immediately after they came with 2 glasses of Prosecco on the house, which we thank, but because it took me to be upset for them to offer, it doesn't count as a genuine gesture from the restaurant to compensate for their poor reservation management. We waited about 10 more minutes and were finally seated, after that the entire experience was good. I would recommend for the food, because it is great, but I wouldn't recommend for special occasions because reservations are not reliable. I'll be coming back for the mussels.

Mary B.

Yelp
Recently visited New York and visited Flex Mussels in the upper east side. Cute place with awesome services. The Parmesan/garlic and lemon mussels were perfect. We also shared an order of their French Toast that was amazing!!! We will be back.
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Joel S.

Yelp
We opened the door to this busy restaurant on a Saturday evening and were hit by a wall of sound like an airport runway during a jet takeoff. It was so loud that we were put off. We tried to find a nearby restaurant that could accommodate our party, but had no luck. We stayed, but the noise had a major negative effect on our meal. The space is incredibly echoic and the tables are packed tightly together. Despite sitting at a small table for four, we had to lean in and shout at each other in order to make conversation. The waiter struggled to communicate. The service was well meaning, but not quite dialed in. Cocktails were good. The food was very good. My buddy and I shared the burnt fingers and crab guacamole. Both were very good. The mussels fra diavolo were very good too. It's the first time that I have had mussels as an entree instead of an appetizer. Despite splitting an order of french fries (which were a la carte instead of the typical dinner entree of moules frites), we needed dessert in order to feel satiated. We ordered the doughnuts, which presented well but were ultimately a bit disappointing. I enjoyed the old school root beer float. Overall, 2 stars for the ambience and service, 4 stars for the food. The noise is a deal breaker for me- I wouldn't go back.
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Amanda W.

Yelp
Went back to flex mussels on a busy weekend evening! It was so crowded, the place was even queuing up outside when we were leaving. I can see why. The mussels are by far some of the freshest I have tasted and the flavors, this time we opted for only the Dijon. Which is the best! Also got the Bouillabaisse for dinner and had a light seafood soup base, also with a lot of fresh seafood. However I think I would've opted for another mussels dish next time. The burnt fingers were great, had shishito peppers, shrimp and calamari lightly fried. And the Brussels sprouts were delicious. Overall, pleasantly surprised and delighted by the food and the service at flex mussels. Quickly turning into one of our go-to spots on the ues.
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Angelina G.

Yelp
Cute little restaurant that just reopened in Upper East! They have Prince Edward Island oyster and they were so sweet and juicy - a must try!! The bagel donut flavors were to die for as well - they were super fluffy and creamy. They have so many diff kinds of mussel flavors too! Definitely check them out
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Blue B.

Yelp
We came to Flex Muscles for a celebratory meal. I was immediately taken a back by the decor- cute green walls and matching table sets. It certainly feels like an intentionally decorated location. At first, we were seated upstairs. It's not as nice as the downstairs seating with 1/3 of the light and awkwardly positioned tables. I recommend asking to sit downstairs when you make the reservation. We ordered the Thai Muscles, Chicken, and Fries. They were all delicious. For two people, it was too much food. We didn't make it through the fries and just felt stuffed after. I wish the waiter told us this, but I can see why a restaurant would never tell a customer to order less. It was a nice experience. Some of the best muscles I have had in NYC, especially for the moderate price.
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Beverly M.

Yelp
Why are the 1 and 2 star reviews mostly from people who have no friends and have posted fewer than five reviews? We had the comfiest, coziest table in the house. Our waiter reminded me of Leslie Nielsen. He was long and lanky but fast, and his suggestions fit like a glove. Forget about vegetables, salads, desserts and anything that isn't a mussel, the bread to dip into the sauces, and the Parmesan Truffle fries. Stay focused on the prize. I recommend the Thai mussels. The Fra Diavola and Dijon mussels were also good. Don't miss a stop to the loo. It's like walking into a disco.
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Jacob K.

Yelp
Came here for the mussels and they didn't disappoint. Got the Thai coconut mussels and they were truly spectacular. What a delicious broth. Could dip bread in that stuff for days!! Also got the Cobb salad which was very very good as far as Cobb salads go. Donuts at the end are a MUST
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Mackensie W.

Yelp
I've often passed this restaurant, thinking I needed to try it out. I finally went last Friday around 9 PM. I did not make a reservation and was sat right away. I suggest making a reservation if you plan to dine during peak hours. It was still very packed when we arrived. This place has ample seating inside and outside and a cute bar that displays all the oysters. We ordered a dozen oysters, which ranged between $3.50-5.00. They had west coast and east coast oysters, but we preferred the east coast oysters. We also got the Hamachi Crudo ($21), a highlight. The sauce paired perfectly with the fish. Then we got the Bouillabaisse ($38), which has perfectly seared branzino, shrimp, mussels, and clams in tomato sauce. If you can't decide what you want, this is a great option, and it has a little bit of everything. We shared all of these plates between the 2 of us, and we're plenty full. Sharing is the way to go here. I will be back to try the many options of mussels. The service was excellent!
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Whitney D.

Yelp
What a wonderful Place. The new location has much more space than the old location did. And there is out door seating. This place is obviously known for its mussels hence the name. I have had their salad with chicken which was very good. And I introduced my friends I was with to the delicious bagel donuts. It is everything bagel donuts with Cream cheese in the middle. I could eat 10 orders of them! I have also had the deviled eggs which were tasty. I recommend this place if you find yourself on the upper east side. Our waitress was very helpful and very nice.
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Lynn L.

Yelp
+ I absolutely loved the east coast oysters, particularly any ones from New Brunswick, delicious (9.5/10) + mussels are really yummy too, we like the classic sauce, which has a very light, herb, garlic butter base (9/10) +/- service is ok, a bit on the slow end but waiters are friendly and nice + decor is very nice, gives a seaside vibe which rly matches the seafood, and colors are pastel and woody brown. definitely a good date night restaurant - lunch options are limited compared to dinner
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Epicure D.

Yelp
The maitre D who sits people is completely clueless. Food is well below average. Service is pathetically slow. Don't waste your money here.

Shaquan C.

Yelp
The ambiance and the food was amazing! We had 2 of each kind of oysters. The west coast ones were my fave. We also had the deviled eggs, the Flex fish sandwich and mussels. Everything was perfectly prepared and seasoned. I had a French 75 and a lemon drop. The French 75 was lackluster but the Lemon Drop was perfect. Ok on to the bad: - Long wait time in between trying to place an order and on the receiving end as well - The deviled eggs are amazing but they were a tad bit salty.
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Diana S.

Yelp
I love this Upper East Side gem! Flex is a restaurant that imports their mussels from Prince Edward Island, which immediately gives them some credibility. This Island is known to source some of the best mussels ever. A huge steamy pot of delicious mussels ranges from $16-20. Each variation is a clever combination of flavors named for and taken from regions and cultures around the world. My boyfriend ordered The Spaniard mussels. The mussels sit in a pool of spicy chorizo, olives, and red wine. It's savory, tasty, fresh and filled with flavors. The service was great and our server gave us great recommendations. It's a lively atmosphere and there is something so pleasurable about digging into a pot of mussels and red wine. The lobster in my roll was tender, sweet and cooked perfectly. I really enjoyed the toasted lightly coated in butter brioche bun! I'm a huge fan of truffle fries and had to substitute it for regular fries. UGHHHH SOOOO GOOD!
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Huilin C.

Yelp
Friday night dinner before Met museum Pros: Nice staff and nice ambiance. It was busy but quiet enough to have nice conversations Highly recommend the mussels. They are generous on bread. I have to say this is becoming rare. Please keep doing this for carb lovers. Cons: Two mussels had sand in it. The mussels took a long time to serve, but it's worth the wait. :)
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Martha H.

Yelp
Firstly the Thai Mussels are AMAZING. Not *that* many mussels but the broth was fantastic. Taking a point off as we were ushered away from the buzzy, lively downstairs and stuck on the soul-less, atmosphere-free upstairs. Service was attentive.
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Tae Ho K.

Yelp
Great place for brunch! Everything is good here but slow. I personally think French Toast muscles are amazing!
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Rachel S.

Yelp
It's no surprise I always end up coming here. Fantastic brunch, great happy hour and cocktails, and the food is delicious consistently. The managers and staff are always on point. Very bright and sunny inside and upstairs is its own vibe.
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Ana M.

Yelp
Came here on a weekday for a late lunch and for the most part enjoyed my experience. We ordered oysters to start followed by lobster rolls for our main dish. I like east coast oysters and thought the selection they brought out was great. The lobster roll was good too -- very light and fresh, perhaps next time I'll substitute the fries with a salad. (Fries were good -- just a carb overload compared to what I'm used to!) I ordered the rosé Prosecco to go with my meal which was perfect. I like the diner feel it has and the indoor coloring is nice; it's dim with lots of lighting from the windows. They have booth seating which is also my favorite. I will say, though, that when I got there (early) I gave them my credit card and asked them to charge the bill so I could treat my company without any jingle jangle when the bill came. Bummer, they forgot, and brought the bill out with a civil battle over who would get the bill (as anticipated), then the waiter realized and tried to grab the bill back so he can charge my card like I had asked and knocked over the wine. Innocent mistake but it was a very simple gesture I had asked for. Would have given this place a five star review if it wasn't for that last snafu. Still, I'm eager to go back here and do recommend it.
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H S.

Yelp
This was a wonderful meal and a lovely experience. We went on Monday night and got in quickly. Everything we had was tasty, awesome drinks and service! Loved the style and ambience