The Met Dining Room

I decided to come here on the spur of the moment on a Monday afternoon without a reservation and was seated promptly without waiting. We were given a table with a good view and were provided with a very clean high chair for my son. Our waiter was friendly. We started with some bread and olive oil; it was nothing to write home about. The entrees came out at a decent time and were hot. The scallops smelled so good that I couldn't wait to dig in. It tasted as good as it smelled. The duck breast was delicious as well. The portion size was decent, but I can't say I was full. The chocolate cake was rich but very sweet. Overall, it was a very pleasant experience.

The 4-course meal ($85, plus tax) was decent but the portions, particularly for the pasta course and the main entree, seemed small. The grilled octopus starter was excellent. The crab cake was all crab but you can finish it in 3 bites. The ice cream (I chose coffee and cookie dough) came with a tuile on a bed of chocolate crumble. The vibe seems a lot more casual now than what it was before.

The Met dinning room is so disappointing… Upon arrival the dated shabby environment shocked us. The food was salty. The worst part is the service. We were waiting for our waiter through out the whole meal time.. Not sure if it’s understaffed, but the management and the board definitely need to review it. As the iconic landmark of New York and the U.S., The Met draws international attention deserves an international team including interior design, chef and service. Never Never Dine here until improvements are made.

The food is very overpriced. Their $10 chip in dips is a big bowl of chips with a tablespoon of dip. It’s insulting. The food is very over priced and is 3 bites. The drinks are the only thing that’s good. The few times I’ve come the service was really bad. They even denied me seating once despite being a member because they wanted to wait and see if “higher level members” would come in. The whole place was empty. It’s very shocking the quality of this place considering how much people pay to be members. Every time I’ve come they have tried to redo the menu but the options get smaller and so do the dishes. It’s a nice ambiance but the entire MET is so I don’t think it’s worth anyone’s time or investment

Unfortunately I cannot recommend The Met Dining Room. For a restaurant that typically requires reservation in advance, the service, food, and atmosphere are all subpar. The wait staff is not very friendly or responsive, the food is tiny in portion (and the waiter gave me an erroneously description of the dish I got, Ahi Tuna). Also the atmosphere is really nothing to write home about. When the dish was served I wasn't even sure if it's the right portion or the correct dish. I got the Ahi Tuna in entre portion ($48) and I was expecting at least a few slices of tuna steak (the waiter mentioned something like 6 slices). But it's just a tiny bit of tuna diced up in the shape of a tuna can. I ended up ordering another dish so at least I don't leave the place hungry. Overall I spent close to $100 and left barely full. If you do order, don't order the "Simply Raw" option and expect to be satiated. I got the entre portion and it's no larger than a can. You barely get a single slice of tuna.

Was able to get a last-minute reservation for lunch and was thrilled. Unfortunately was sorely disappointed with the whole dining experience. We are dining in the iconic Metropolitan Museum, and with what they charge you, they couldn’t spruce up their decor? I felt like I was eating in a conference room. Also, our server did not mention there was a tasting menu nor was it listed on our menu. Was it for members only? We wanted a dessert that we kept seeing being served and looked delicious. But it was only avail thru the tasting menu. Hmmm, wasn’t thrilled to hear that response. Crab cakes $38- 2 small pieces over some veges. Mediocre at best, nothing special & heavily salted. Met Tuscan Fall Salad kale, radicchio, farro, white beans, artichoke, rosemary With Hudson Valley Fisheries Steelhead Trout $36.00-Again nothing special, flavors were so plain, presentation was unappetizing Grilled Chicken Breast$32.00 blue potato, sunchoke, spigarello, pignoli preserved lemon salsa- the only dish that was pretty good. Chocolate cake was solid so were the warm rolls but ask for butter. The olive oil was just oil. Sorely disappointed w dining experience.

Not my first time here but the first one to be slightly disappointed at their selection, food preparation and slow service. The waiter was friendly and chatty, but was too busy afterwards and getting the check took a long time. The octopus was tepid and the winter salad was way too ‘wet’ and ‘overdressed’. The view of Central Park more than makes up for their present deficiencies. And it is a quiet spot compared to the zoo atmosphere and mayhem that pervades the cafes on the ground floor.

Overall really really good - we have no complaints. The food was delicious. Atmosphere was stunning. Our server was phenomenal!!!

As nonmembers to the museum, we were especially pleased to get a desirable table (away from the kitchen) without any wait for lunch on a Friday, arriving just before 1pm I believe. The host thoughtfully seated us, my wife and I, at the corner of table meant for 4, perpendicular to one another, so that we can both enjoy the view. The design and decor is subtly Art Deco, classic for New York City. It may be too muted for some patrons, but this design choice may be deliberate as to not distract from the view and also provide a serene environment that is far less ornate and visually stimulating than the museum itself. Our waiter, Michael, was attentive, lively, and fun, bringing an uplifting energy that we welcomed to our dining experience after having walked for hours in the museum. The food was very well prepared and seasoned to our palate, especially the Happy Valley Pork Loin Main, which I thought to myself while eating was the best prepared pork dish I've ever eaten. That assessment still holds a couple of days later. Our experience here and in the museum, after having not visiting in over 5 years, led to us becoming members that same day. We look forward to dining here again and again and to truly getting to know The Met, which, being New Yorkers, I think we've not taken full advantage of to visit more often for enjoyment and our enrichment.

We went on a weekday around 1:15 pm without a reservation and they gave us a 1 hour wait, which we accepted and took advantage of touring the museum a little more. The view is beautiful, the tables and chairs not so much. I ordered a cocktail "The mule" nothing spectacular. My dish was the Chicken and my mom was the Duck. The chicken was good, I recommend it if you want to go. But the Duck was a disaster, first it arrived cold, when they brought the new one, it was hot, but the worst Duck we have ever tasted! If you can avoid it please do. It was raw, fibrous without flavor. For that price also... very disappointing. Too bad for the place they are in, I wouldn't go back. The service was okay, not great but good. No pidan el Pato!!!!

Oh the MET... a highlight of all trips to NYC. I came for a class trip and we came up to the Dining Room for lunch. The atmosphere was gorgeous with wide windows overlooking UES. My friends and I sat with our group and ordered from a pre fixed menu. I got a salad, burger, and lemonade to get into the USA spirit. A waiter came by, attentive to all of our needs throughout the course. The lemonade was absolutely delicious since they make it in house (I had to be sure before ordering). Equal parts sweet and tart though leaning on the tart side which I adored. The salad was really acidic (love) and topped with pears, cheese and nuts. A filling app and frankly I could have just had this for lunch. The burger came, cute stamping, but it was meh. I am not a burger person but I expected more from the MET. The beef was flavorless and dry, the toppings were bland, the bread also bland. The fries were okay but I wouldn't go out of my way to order them. I would come back in the future for their main menu but since this was the pre fixed one I only give it three stars.

We tried a couple of apps and entrees, and the food just was not great. The waiter gave us some olive oil with bread and told us each of the 3 sections was a different type of oil, but we saw them pour it all from the same bottle lol. It was a nice view overlooking Central Park and always seems to have available tables, so I would only come here over the cafes downstairs.

Food was good. Service was amazing. Apparently i was told you have to be a member to get in? Luckily my friend is Member, I'm not sure if it's true, but if it is, it's definitely some clout to say you've eaten there. Ambiance was that of a museum/hotel but service and food make up for the ambiance.

Had lunch at the Met dining room a few weeks ago. It was a lovely lunch. We enjoyed having drinks and looking over Central Park. The food was very good. We got scallops and crabcakes and the pasta dish which had broccoli. We also shared cookies for dessert. All in all, a great lunch in an incredible museum.

Although a regular visitor to and member at the museum, this is my first time. And it definitely won't be the last. The location and view gorgeous, service stellar, and the food delicious. There are not many places even in this price range where there is so much space between the tables, very conducive for conversation, and they don't rush you and try to turn the table over. If you don't mind spending a bit more, the seasonal tasting menu is excellent value for the money. They also let you choose flexibly. For instance. My friend and I ordered a second appetizer in place of the pasta dish. I had the cauliflower salad, carrot soup, asparagus Milanese. My friend had the cauliflower salad, carpaccios, and the duck. We shared profiteroles and Madeline's for dessert. The presentation of the dishes was spectacular. The portion size is perfect for a multi course meal. My favorite dish was the carrot soup. I hadn't expected the asparagus to be fried. With the cauliflower also being batter fried, it was a bit much for me. I wouldn't expect the spring menu to be so oily. I would have gone for the grilled romaine. The sides with each of the dishes were flavorful. We also got cocktails. It seems the ambience called for one. I got a perfectly made Negroni and enjoyed it.

I've dined here several times in the past. The last time was pre-pandemic and I think then the Dining Room was for Met members only. It's now open to all, but reservations are advised; it was totally booked the day I went. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner the 2 nights the museum is open late. They used to do a weekend brunch but no longer. There are views of Central Park but frankly they're not that great. I came for lunch and was immediately attracted by the 4 course tasting menus, of which there are 2. One is inspired by a current exhibition, the other is seasonal. I chose the seasonal tasting menu. All of its courses are also on the a la carte menu, but the tasting menu is a much better value if you have the appetite. The meal consisted of: yellowtail crudo with artichoke, spring (vegetable) risotto, sliced ribeye with smashed fingerling potatoes, and a mango panna cotta. Each dish was delicious and decently portioned. Bread service was a single roll. Kudos to my server for rushing my meal into 90 minutes so I could make my reservation time at the just-opened Karl Lagerfeld exhibit. A most pleasant meal inside the Met.

We had an outstanding lunch at The Met Dining Room after seeing the Manet/Degas exhibit on Saturday, December 2nd. We lucked into a walk-in table for two and were seated immediately. Service was impeccable (thank you, Michael!), and the food was incredible. The pastrami-smoked steelhead trout app is succulent, loaded with umami, and my dining companion loved the cauliflower soup. We both had the Steamed Sea Bass entrée, with maitake mushrooms, celery root, soy garlic butter, and nori, paired with wines recommended by Michael. Wow! What a taste! We finished with coffee and espresso, and the delicious Vanilla Panna Cotta and Coriander Fig Shortcake. From arrival until departure, everything was perfect. I'll go back any time! Congrats to the kitchen and waitstaff. Well done!

Very happy that they were able to set us up for early seating. I didn't have to wait. The food was very good and the view was amazing. Definitely worth going to well in the museum.

Since the views of Central Park are one big selling point, be warned that unless you are one of the lucky few to get a table by the (slanted) window), you will be seeing those from a distance (the Roof Garden has much better ones, and drinks). Otherwise, it's a large open room, relatively sterile, though not unpleasant. My server was pleasant enough at first, though in describing the crispy chicken he omitted an ingredient that had already intrigued me: fava bean puree. No biggie. I got an excellent mojito and then the dish, which was basically well-cooked chicken tenders framed by crispy skin. This came with fingerling potatoes and... a dab of fava bean puree (see photo). Not enough, once you removed what was on it, to actually taste. I would have told my server this, but the next time I saw him was when he whipped by, dropped a dessert menu and moved on, without breaking stride. I considered chocolate mousse, decided to try the cherry pistachio cake, which was nice enough but not very flavorful. He did ask me how it was, but then immediately began to take off again. I stopped him so I could mention how little puree there'd been. His initial response was a blank stare and general disinterest. He then allowed as how he might mention it to the chef. Clearly, he found the whole subject annoying. He then rather peremptorily asked to see my membership card, brought the bill, took my credit card, went off, came back and... gave my card and check to someone else. Before his error was pointed out to him. Was this just an off day, or did he just not like waiting on a solo customer? Dunno. The offerings were good, but not outstanding for the price. I might go back sometime to treat a friend, but probably not alone.

Don't skip the Madelines for dessert!!! We ordered them on a whim and they are NOT what you'd expect. My daughter and I had a fantastic dining experience here. Delicious offerings, well prepared, and helpful staff. The view of Central Park makes for a relaxing meal.

Enjoyed their prix fixe Holiday lunch. The starters were a pair of toasts, one topped with urchin and the other with caviar. The caviar had a bit of grit in it, which was worrisome. The next course took time to arrive and it was a surprisingly tasty lobster bisque. It was presented more as a lobster risotto, with a large meaty piece of lobster and hardly any soup. It was delicious nonetheless. The main course included a generous slice of very rare duck sitting atop slightly bitter kale and surrounded by decorative bits of mustard and poached fruit. The duck was a bit tough but flavorful. My dessert was oil cake with a small scoop of ice cream. It served as excellent palate cleanser for the rich preceding courses. My companion had the bouche de Noel, which he found to be quite rich. It was overall a very pleasing meal with a wintry view of New York treetops across the way.

Service was fast efficient and friendly. Very attentive. Food was good, was a nice break from our time at the MET. Loved looking over the park.

Service was good, main entree (short ribs) was way over salted. My recommendation is to hire a staff that cooks well and doesn't smoke as much.

Fine food with sub par service. We were a party of eight and the food was very good. The chicken with morels was lovely and others enjoyed their lunch as well. Shame that our sever never apologized twice once for serving warm white Albariño and another time for spilling the sugar as he went to place it on the table. Never a word of apology. Didn't say a word until he gave us the check.

Came here for another birthday lunch. I decided to do the Seasonal Tasting Menu with wine pairings. Chef Bill Telepan really has hit the mark again with this delightful seasonal menu. The first course was a beet salad which I am used to but the unique addition of buckwheat really added something extra to the salad and made it enjoyable. For the second course of black sea bass the cabbage puree and the combination of different mushrooms created a wonderfully elevated seafood dish. The short ribs were equally delish and the meat was fall off the bone tender. The Apple almond tart was warm and homey and the crumble topping was a rustic touch. Service was friendly and the wines were masterfully paired. Our server was very knowledgeable about all the wines as well. I can't wait to see how the dining room evolves in the future under Chef Telepan's influence.

The food is delicious, the ambience and view perfect, and the chef fantastic. We enjoyed our lunch with a great Chablis and salad with smoked trout that was just incredible. The crab cakes also wonderful.. It is a hidden gem away from the museum crowds and a delightful oasis.

Don't bother eating here if you can't get a window seat. As someone who used to visit the fine dining establishment at the Met back when it was on the 1st floor by the American wing, it was leaps and bounds better back then in terms of ambiance and value! The space here seems more like a conference room or banquet hall with a few great seats towards the windows for those able to get prime reservations. It's on the 4th floor far and away from the art (though perhaps that's a perk for you.) Got the burger and fries and have definitely had better for less, though the other options looked good. Service was great, no complaints there. I may come back if I can get a better seat.

Never have I ever been served like a queen not till I met Michael at The Met Dining Room , 4th floor! He was such a superb professional waiter- efficient, quick and hilarious. We were so so tired from walking downstairs after looking at the museum, Michael just knew how to make us laugh! Michael knows his stuff! And food was divine- compliments to the chef. Michael and the chef knew how to "wow" their customers. I wish we have this kind of restaurant and service here in Chico, California. Millie from California / June 16, 2023

New management post covid doing a great job. Food delicious & nicely plated. Courteous wait staff.

After we took in the magnificent new Met exhibit of Tudor art, we adjourned to the Dining Room, thanks to a family member's patron card. we enjoyed a good lunch with excellent, attentive service. We were hungry for seafood, and the tuna tartare proved delicious, and so were the sea scallops, cooked just right and not at all rubbery. Add to that a grilled chicken on the bone and we left satisfied. The views out the large windows from this room are spectacular and add much to the dining experience. Plus, our server kept a close eye on us, and we never had to ask for refills of coffee and water. We hope you have an opportunity to enjoy this space, too. (It's not inexpensive, as you might expect; our entrees were $36 and $27, and that's for lunch.)

We did the seasonal tasting menu with the wine pairing and added the trout. Portions are great, and flavors exquisite.

Terrible service. Waitress was a wreck. After waiting an hour for our food she asked, "what are you waiting on?"...we said "everything"! I guess she thought we had already revived our meal and eaten. Which tells you how often she checked on us. She never brought bread. Took over 20 mins to give us water. 30 mins for our 2 beers. Never brought my daughter her lemonade. However, the manager laughed obnoxiously and spent the entire afternoon with some assholes next to us that treated the entire wait staff like dirt. Management needs to make some changes with the staff and customers

It is expensive, we order 3 dish's one is burgers it's I was asking mid cooking the beef, but it is dry and too silty. The fish is not good over cooked, sauce is just right, so overall I will give 2 stars

service was good, the Madeline's after lunch were wonderful. My friend's salad was too salty, the dishes I ordered were tasty.

With the Met being such a large museum, I thought it would be a good idea to take a break here for lunch. First and foremost, the food is excellent and well worth the price. But the interior is a bit lacking. We were fortunate enough to get seats near the window, but they desperately need a bar area near the entrance to enliven what is a stark and subdued atmosphere. The service is a bit off with waiters who don't seem quite focused on the task. If you are visiting the museum it's an easy way to help break up what can be an all day affair. But at the end of the day, you will be better off picking somewhere else for lunch.

I'm vegan and allergic to soy. I ordered the Morel Ragout with asparagus. It was the only vegan item listed under entrees. When the entree arrived, it was 4 asparagus spears with a garnish of zucchini 'noodles'; no morel ragout. When I asked the waiter about the missing morels, he became defensive, told me I had asked for the dish without soy. Turns out the morels were marinated in soy. It seems reasonable to let a customer know that the main ingredient in an entree is not possible and to ask the customer if they would prefer something else. I was charged full price, $24, for 4 spears of asparagus with a garnish of zucchini noodles. Needless to say, I don't recommend this restaurant. My companions enjoyed their meals but said they were not very filling. The ambiance didn't warrant the prices and the small portions.

It's not universally known that The Dining Room is open to the public. As a museum member, it's a more emphasized beneficial perk. Overlooking Central Park, the view and elegant ambiance is as expected, but without pretense. Seated by the window, it was a beautiful day and experience. Manager/Maitre D, David, and the hostess, were cordial and professionally polite. Multiple servers, each performing with smiles and expedience. Prix Fixe Sunday Brunch. Perfectly executed. Bloody Mary, fresh grain breads. Started with crab meat atop a bed of avocado with peanuts and sprinkled with shredded hearts of palm. Followed with Pappardelle in a savory, creamy veal ragout with bite size pieces of meat over shaved manchego. Without embarrassment, I think I may have actually licked the plate. Finished with a rich and dense chocolate tart. Dining with old friends, we remained at the table nearly 4 hours. But, at no time did we get a sour look, rude treatment or a rush to clear away from our table. Servers remained pleasant, refilling water, tea and coffee cups. Nicely done! Don't be misled, my review accounts for all elements - food quality, staff/service and setting/view. Perhaps the level of food for a restaurant of this status is "only" 4 stars, but there's much more to The Dining Room. Very reasonably priced for the complexity and preparation of a good meal set among the treetops. I recommend and will return (again).

The views of the park are lovely but all in all, Avery disappointing experience---especially as I remember eating here years ago and having a delicious meal. First: the hostess was extremely rude in her greeti g and comments(she even said " you're only one person"). I had made a reservation but was seated 10 or 15 minutes after the time even though there were several empty tables.... it may well have been just that one hostess because the person who said goodbye was pleasant and polite, as were all the server. The food was mediocre and not worth the price: a very indifferent green salad (described as a"vegetable salad" though it contained only lettuces) was $21 and the dressing was bland. Don't waste your money!

Michael: terrific waitperson. Handled with panache the three of us whom are all picky nightmares to the average waiter.

I had the crab cakes which weren't bad. Thought they be a little tastier and I guess they forgot the spice in the spicey slaw they serve with it. The service was absolutely awful. It took 20 minites to get a glass of iced tea which seemed odd after my crab cakes took less then 10 minutes to be served. I asked for a glass of wine to be served with my meal. It never appeared. Basically, I had no contact with my waiter between the time I gave him my order and he brought me my check. There are better eating venues in The Met.

We had a lovely lunch, made more special thanks to our waiter Michael. The food was good, but the service made the experience much more worthwhile.

Second visit to this place. Make sure to reserve the table by the window for a great view. In general, it is a great place to take a beautiful break inside one of the greatest museum. I really enjoyed the visits there.

After visiting the Guggenheim down the street, Chris and I chose to start with high tea service in the upscale dining room. A ticket is required to access the dining area. Please note that when utilizing the self service kiosk it allows you to purchase drink vouchers for only $5 per drink and allows you to then order drinks priced up to $16 at the dining facilities. We purchased two drink vouchers which proved to be a great value!! Tea is served from 2pm until 4pm. We didn't have a reservation however upon checking in with the manager we saw the dining room was only half full and he seated us near a window with panoramic views of Central Park and the skyline. Service from the staff was friendly but a little disjointed with multiple staff assisting us rather than one consistent server throughout our meal. The high tea included savory sandwiches, scones and assorted desserts. In addition a server brought us a large pastry and bread basket which technically is only for patrons ordering from the full dinner menu. One of four different servers coming to our table provided the basket. They didn't charge us anything extra and the assorted banana bread and savory bread were fresh and delicious!! The tiered tea service was delicious and the teas were unique and tasty!! The prices were high but typical for New York and the atmosphere. The sandwiches were fresh. The scones were delicious and the desserts amazing!! Overall we enjoyed our experience and recommend the tea service.

Lunch Review Civilized dining spot at the Met overlooking the park. We were glad to relax and have a good meal after seeing the Play It Loud Rock exhibit and the Moon in Photography exhibit. We had the prix fixe menu. The tomato gazpacho was salty and they put cheese in it which was a turn off. The octopus was delicious and cooked perfectly. My tuna in the nicoise salad was overcooked. His was cooked perfectly. Bummer. The burger was very good. The chocolate dessert was very good. The cherry tart was good. We will definitely return.

My dear friend treated me to dinner for my birthday last month at the Met Dining Room after visiting the Karl Lagerfeld exhibit. Although I'm a native New Yorker and have been visiting the Met since I was a kid, I'd never been to the dining room on the 4th floor. The decor looks a bit dated and has nothing to write home about. It does have a glass wall offering a panoramic view of the park, which looked especially lovely as sunset gave way to the golden twilight hour. Our waiter was delightful in both his personality and overall well-groomed good looks. He struck that perfect balance of being attentive without hovering, so our dinner felt leisurely and enjoyable. Pricewise, not cheap, but it was also not too pricey by NYC standards. Enough about the ambiance/service/price and on to the food. I ordered the grilled pork chop with peas and carrots, carrot vinegar, and pea leaves. What can I say except that Chef Bill Telepan has ruined me for life! I don't eat much meat, but pork chops are what keeps me from being vegetarian. I love pork chops and eat them at least once a week. They are my absolute favorite. I normally won't order them grilled because they can be quite dry and tough. Chef Telepan's grilled pork chop, however, was nothing short of sublime, as was everything paired with it. It was juicy and tender with a flavor that became more complex the longer it was in my mouth whilst chewing. It sat atop a delicious green sauce that I have no idea what it was, but there was not a drop left by the time I finished my meal. The peas and carrots with carrot vinegar were also so good, tender with a bit of bite to them just how like them. It is the pork chop that has ruined me! Every pork chop I've had since Chef Telepan's has been disappointing, not because they were bad, but because his was just so great and I'm now fearful that henceforth I shall never enjoy any other pork chop but his! I ordered his cookbook "Inspired by Ingredients," but sadly, none of my delicious meal recipes were included, though there were lots of recipes I want to try. My friend had the 4-course seasonal tasting menu, which was comprised of yellow crudo, spring risotto, Happy Valley ribeye, and a mango-coconut panna cotta for $75. He said it was good and quite tasty, but a touch cooler than lukewarm, so not ideal. Both our meals were artfully plated. The portion size, whilst not terribly small, left him still hungering for more, and he later told me that he picked up a rotisserie chicken on his way home... Lol. As for me, the birthday girl, I was well sated by both the size of my meal and its deliciousness. I will have to treat myself to another visit as soon as I can because my mouth is watering at the mere thought of it!

My choice to eat for the night. I read they had a new chef. Yes, the trumpet mushroom appetizer was interesting and nicely presented. I like the toasted hazelnuts on it. 2nd course came the polenta with egg and lots of shaved truffles (I think it was truffle) because there was a string truffle flavor probably from the oil because truffle has faint flavor when fresh. My fish was nicely poached and served in broth. Broth tasted a little Smokey. I found out it was a mushroom broth - but it did not taste like one. Final Mushroom themed dinner was the mushroom shaped meringue with some cocoa drizzled in top and the meringue sat on shaved chocolate. It was small but it felt like it lacked something served with it.

My third visit here and it was wonderful. My fiancé and I took my grandmother to the Met for the day and dined here after our lengthy visit. The food was absolutely delicious. The atmosphere is old school and reflects the Met's pan-generational appeal. The large glass windows are beauteous on a sunny day and I'm sure very cool on a rainy one, just the same. The brunch pricing is the best, by far!!! And so much food...

Simply and totally delicious, refined, with superb high quality ingredients simply and imaginatively prepared. Who knew a lime dressing and using avocados could result in a "coleslaw" worthy of serving as a companion to the lightest puffs of crabcakes--all crab, no fillers or soggy fried breadcrumb envelope. Just an all around great meal. Plus there's enough space between tables to allow you to converse privately, or simply to sit and enjoy a grand view. A bonus during the day: wonderful floods of natural light, a special treat in NYC. Looks like we've found a special place to celebrate our "special occasions." Thanks to the staff and the chef.

Surprisingly good food - and love the super secret location. Tucked away on the 4th floor of the Met, this dining room has a view of Central Park that makes you feel like you're dining on the tree tops, very romantic at sunset. We started with some champagne and the octopus appetizer which was good. My salmon was perfectly done and tried one of my friend's scallops, which was also good. We had a dessert special which was ok. If you want to get away from the crowds and have a good meal, you should check it out. This used to be open to Met members only, but is now open to the public. Do make a reservation (especially if you want a table by the window), but walk-ins are ok depending on day/time. We went on a Friday night and it was about half full.

tl;dr Very underwhelming dining experience -- the Met may be known for its art, but in a city with so much good food, it would be a waste of opportunity and money to eat here. Stay away unless you have some form of discount (and more than the regular 10% discount for members). --- We came here because of the 20% discount for renewing the Met membership. For lunch, they have a flexible 3-course prix fixe for $54 which allows you to combine an appetizer, entree, and dessert across their menu. $54*0.8 is $43, which we thought was a pretty reasonable deal for a three-course lunch. Unfortunately, the food doesn't dazzle. They had a seasonal mushroom menu which we tried, as well as other dishes among our group of 3. The trumpet mushroom carpaccio was quite underwhelming, being overly simply dressed and much too light in flavor. The steamed bass was actually quite good with a fine balance between the mushroom broth and the delicate steamed white fish. Finally, the "porcini" pavlova (despite the name, there's actually no mushrooms contained in it -- it just looks like a mushroom) looks really cool, but at its core is just a simple meringue. We also tried the grilled octopus (serviceable), plancha scallop (probably the best in terms of value vs. cost), and the burger (average). One of the cocktails on the lunch menu, the Passion About It ("bergamot, passion fruit, ginger, bubbles") was definitely not worth the $17 and something that I can mix up at home easily. Overall, I simply see no reason to come here for a meal unless you are already at the museum and refuse to leave (and in that case, going to the Cafeteria might be a better option), and definitely no reason to come here as a destination restaurant. When we arrived, the maitre d' asked me whether we had a reservation. After I answered in the negative, she proceeded to look for a table for several minutes with the dining room being almost half empty (and it stayed that way through lunch). That exchange probably best encapsulates the experience of dining here -- fluff without substance.

A lovely lunch experience Recently I surprised my wife with a visit to the opening of the new British Galleries and lunch at the Dining Room (which somehow we had never before visited). We had a lovely meal. The view and the service were both magnificent and the food and drink were delightful as well. We started with the Beet and Hazelnut and Brussels Sprout and Potato salads then moved on to the Gruyere Souffle and Lobster Bolognese...all were delicious. To go with my wife had a pair of very tasty Secret Gardens and I had a glass of a nice Sauvignon Blanc. Really nothing to fault - we very much enjoyed our dining experience.

I popped into the Dining Room at the MET on my own. The two host at the host desk greeted me with a smile and were friendly when I requested an 'out of the way' table. The gentleman who seated me offered two tables and I chose the one in the back corner. Service was attentive and professional. I ordered the Niçoise salad which was fresh and delicious. I ordered the house Chardonnay which was also delicious. I found it to be a nice break from the busyness of the museum

My boyfriend and I came here on a Saturday night. Suprisingly it's not fully booked. The restaurant is located at 4th fl of the museum. Food and service are great. We both ordered seafood market with scallop. It came with warm quinoa, spinach and three different sauces. Very delicious. Their dessert menu is not big. My boyfriend got caramelized peach on hazelnut cake and he loved it. However this dining room definitely is not as fancy as I would imagine. The decoration overall is old and a bit tacky. What we didnt expect is the rooftop on the 5th fl where you will have a night view of Manhattan. It's very chill.

I'm not really sure why this restaurant has such a low overall review, as I had a great experience dining here with my family. We accidentally paid an admission "fee"/donation upon entering the MET that automatically got us a membership to the museum. Apparently, a membership fee is $70 and can be paid for through your admission donation. Pretty cool. For first time members, you'll also get 20% off food and non alcoholic beverages for you and a guest. We were first served complimentary bread sticks with pesto and butter. I had expected the prices to be high, the entrees are about $25-$30, but that's to be expected at an art museum I think. I thought the food was great. We had the grilled octopus appetizer and I had the halibut. I tried a bite of the chicken salad, too. Everything tasted healthy and fresh. The halibut and octopus were cooked perfectly and the sauces complimented the dishes well. We were seated by the window, in the sun, which was perfect, and the service was great. Our waitress offered great suggestions and was attentive and friendly. I highly recommend enjoying lunch at the MET members dining room if you find yourself in New York, wanting to enjoy some great art and donating $70 or more for admission for you and your family.

I went as I'm a fan of the chef Bill Telepan and his cooking did not disappoint. So, I have no complaints about that. However, it made me sad that it is served in such a bland atmosphere. The room has beautiful windows and a great view of the park - but for the diners not on those tables it feels like a cafeteria. The tables are covered with white tablecloths and napkins. The large room has no art, flowers, candles and poor overhead lighting. The chairs have changed from the image on this site to more basic ones. Service was not great either - the staff was friendly but water was poured and ice dropped on the table and not cleaned up. Our water glasses were not refilled until I asked and cutlery was dropped on the floor when our plates were cleared. Did the manager quit or are they about to renovate? The food deserves more!

Yesterday I had lunch for the second time with a friend at The Dining Room at The Met. It was a wonderful experience, and we stayed for almost 2 hours enjoying the wonderful view-the restaurant honored my request for a coveted window seat. The staff is exceptionally well-groomed, polite, helpful, cheerful and attendant to your needs immediately. I had the squash soup with pumpkin seeds. Absolutely delicious and perfect winter food. I had the carrot medley for a main course which was very very tasty. My guest had the chicken as a main course and said it was excellent. She ate it all! Wine is not overly priced. The restaurant is a bit expensive but worth a one-time experience especially for tourists. I'll definitely return

An abysmal experience. I visited with my boyfriend for afternoon tea. The waiter was brusque and served us with dirty silverware, and then did not come back with replacements until almost thirty minutes later. We were there on a Tuesday at 2pm and the restaurant was barely a third full. There was absolutely no reason for such slow service. The tea service was mediocre and the portions were ridiculously small. At $30 a person, I expected more food than what could feed an elementary school student. The greatest affront came after we paid the bill. Again, service was incredibly slow and the waiter handed us the receipt sans checkbook. When I gave him cash, he took fifteen minutes in what seemed like the kitchen before returning with my change on (another poorly washed) plate. After leaving the tip on the table and walking out, one of the waiters chased after my boyfriend while I was using the restroom to ask if we had paid the bill. Frankly, I believe we were profiled for being two young POC rather than the primarily older white demographic dining that day. All in all, this establishment is an embarrassment to the Met.

I booked a reservation for afternoon tea but when my friends and I arrived we were told they were no longer doing afternoon tea after the restaurant had a change in management. I'm not too fickle but yes it would have been nice to have been told that ahead of time because I told my group of friends that that was our afternoon plan. Anyway we had to order the prefixe brunch which wasn't terrible. A friend of mine is vegan and she was able to have a full vegan meal here. I had the impossible burger and chickpea soup which was very filling. Overall my friends and I did enjoy the dining experience - we also had free entry into the museum.