Waverly Inn
American restaurant · West Village ·
Iconic West Village tavern for American comfort fare & celeb spotting
Iconic West Village tavern for American comfort fare & celeb spotting
"I reserve the Waverly Inn for dates and celebrations — a classic American spot on Bank with enduring appeal that draws crowds even amid newer options." - Matt Ortile
"Few places capture West Village charm like the Waverly Inn: the flickering candles, fireplace, and pillowy table biscuits set the scene for comfort-driven dishes such as chicken pot pie; Swift has been a regular since 2016, often seen here with friends like Gigi Hadid and Lena Dunham (and more recently with Travis), and I can’t help but wonder whether the table bread competes with her homemade sourdough." - Derin Yilmaz
"Cozied up inside a landmark townhouse, the Waverly Inn is a modern NYC classic, known for celebrity clientele and a no-photographs policy. The American food here is solid (nothing tops the complimentary basket of biscuits), but the candlelit atmosphere is unbeatable, especially if you ensconce yourself in a red leather banquette with a view of the famous Edward Sorel mural." - bryan kim, will hartman, sonal shah, molly fitzpatrick
"The moist, flaky biscuits that grace every table at this West Village institution are delicious on their own, but even better with a slathering of the whipped honey butter that comes on the side. Don’t be shy." - sonal shah, bryan kim, willa moore, will hartman
"A longtime West Village dining room at 16 Bank Street (owner since 2006), known for burgers and chicken pot pie — food that Carter says ranges from good to "a complete disaster." The spot "remains tough to get into — unless you’re with people like Robert De Niro, Gwyneth Paltrow, or Taylor Swift (which also makes it prime for people-watching)." It is praised for excellent waitstaff and a winter fireplace and is described as "home to perhaps the city’s best restaurant mural." Carter recounts the cheeky menu epigraph and explains, "I wouldn’t have put something on the menu if he said something nice," about a Trump quote that reads, "[the restaurant] - worst food in the city." He adds that Trump’s son Eric was recently seated "in the best seats in the house. And I never heard any more of it." Framing his larger views on the city’s dining scene, Carter told Eater that it was "a mistake to tear down the sheds," that without outdoor dining restaurants "lose their beating heart," and that "restaurants are the soul of the city." "I love restaurant people," he also said. "I love the daily theater. Being involved in the place is one of my life’s great joys." - Melissa McCart