Le Bernardin
French restaurant · Midtown West
155 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67618714/MUSKET_01.0.jpg "Le Bernardin by Gary He/Eater")
"Are you a fan of fish? Do you like it when servers anticipate your every need as if they’ve been shadowing you since birth? If you answered yes to both of those questions, or even if you have a mild interest in seafood, plan a special meal at Le Bernardin. Their eight-course tasting consists almost exclusively of impeccably prepared dover sole, langoustine, and other oceanic items swimming in fussy French sauces." - bryan kim, willa moore, neha talreja, molly fitzpatrick, will hartman
"Placed No. 90 on the World’s Best extended list for 2025, a fall from No. 71 the previous year." - Erin DeJesus
"For your next anniversary, book a table at Le Bernardin. The Midtown fine-dining staple serves a bit of filet mignon here and there, but otherwise it’s pretty much all seafood. Whether you get the $350 chef’s tasting or the $215 prix fixe, you’re going to eat a procession of immaculately plated items like thinly pounded yellowfin tuna, langoustine with foie gras, and planks of halfway-cooked salmon. The service is flawless, the wine list is extensive, and the carpeted dining room is typically filled with high-net-worth individuals." - bryan kim, willa moore, molly fitzpatrick, will hartman
"This upscale Midtown institution, which has been open for nearly 40 years now, is a well-oiled machine that’s been fine-tuned to perfection. The service here skews north of impeccable, but the actual glamour of Le Bernardin—and the main reason why it's still an amazing place to eat after all this time—is in the seafood. The menu changes regularly, but you’ll eat things like geoduck chawanmushi with uni and slightly smoked sea trout tartare. Though Le Bernardin no longer requires jackets, it’s definitely a better choice for a more restrained celebration." - bryan kim, kenny yang, will hartman
"Le Bernardin is the sort of old-school fine-dining institution where the servers’ French accents are just part of the uniform. But if you’re planning to go to MoMa beforehand, grab a seat in the lounge rather than the dining room. That way you don’t have to carry around some sports coat all day or spend any more time stage whispering. The lounge is walk-in only and has a looser, louder scene than the austere dining area (and most regulars far prefer it). The restaurant's entire menu is available a la carte here, or you can just get some bar snacks like oysters and a lobster roll in a black truffle bun." - neha talreja, willa moore, molly fitzpatrick
