Bryant Park Cafe
“If you are lucky enough you'll snag a table, so you can enjoy great people watching.”
“For after-work drinks and/or larger groups looking for an outdoor bar – this place is a lot of fun!”
“Such a fun after work crowd, surrounded by trees, looking out over a park.”
Bryant Park Cafe
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
Rate and write a review Cancel reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
This is an outdoor cafe right next to the Grill. It offers more of a casual ambiance. It's definitely a pleasure to sit here during the summer months and people-watch while downing frozen margaritas.
We've tried the wings here, of course. Not breaded and good. Sometimes they come with too little meat though. The pulled pork sandwich is succulent. The burger is great. The cobb salad is enjoyable. The different flavor margaritas are so good!
Love coming here on a nice sunny day!
Ended up walking over here because the Southwest Porch (which we had initially planned on going to, located across the park) was closed.
When we arrived, we asked the hostess if they had any happy hour specials and she told us they do not. We were a little disappointed with that as it was prime happy hour timing, but we decided to stay because they had rooftop seating and hey, we were already there!
My friend and I opted to sit upstairs at the bar (I just have to mention that the downstairs dining room and bar area were gorgeous!!!) The rooftop bar and dining area were also pretty, but I couldn't help but notice that this place seems to draw a more sophisticated crowd.
For food, we ordered the chips, salsa and guac, and also the chile lime marinated watermelon, to split between us. Both dishes were good, but for such a sophisticated vibe, I was a little shocked to see that the salsa and guac came to us in plastic containers (with the lids still on even!).
I would say that if you are looking for an upscale-ish place, with outdoor seating in midtown, this is a good option.
Never say no to drinks in a park in a summer afternoon.
Wish the service were better.
If a time traveler were to come to present day Bryant Park from say, the 70's or 80's they may be shocked to discover that it is one of the more idyllic places in midtown Manhattan to enjoy an after work drink with coworkers. Bryant Park Cafe is located towards the back of the park (not to be confused with the Bryant Park Grill only a quick walk away). This open air bar and restaurant is in a great position. Since it's towards the back of the park, but slightly elevated (only a few steps) you get a wonderful view of the park and its foliage while standing on, what is essentially a gigantic deck with bars on it. I saw two bar areas, one rectangular and one flush against a wall. To the left is a seating area for dining. When you enter the security person asks you whether you're there to eat or drink and stamps your hand accordingly (giving it an odd nightclub type feel).
I went right after work (around 5:15PM) and it was already getting crowded but there was still space to move around. A half hour later and moving around became a bit more difficult as the after work crowd had taken over in earnest. Still my drink was made quickly though I found reaching across the bar to pay the bartender a bit of a chore since so many people were squished together in front of it.
My drink was a Dark and Stormy. While it didn't have a ton of the ginger beer flavor you'd expect, it was very high on alcohol content. I mean they seriously did not hold back and after a tough week at work I was totally down with that. I was also happy to see a place with as nice of a view as the park didn't just rely on that to sell drinks but actually made a quality drink to boot!
The only charm of this place is sitting in the park patio! It's a DIY service place with lots of large groups of semi-drunk loud folks.
Pretty good place to have food in the park.
Menu wasnt that great, but I had the pulled pork.
Been to Bryant Park Cafe a few times. I love sitting outside in Bryant Park having a refreshment or glass of wine and some nibbles. It is of course not inexpensive and not to expect a Michelin star anytime soon but it's is truly wonderful as a hang out in Bryant Park. One thing I am not a fan of at all is being served my lovely Margarita and an other cocktail in a plastic cup like one expects at a ball park.
Food is ok, drinks are better, atmosphere is the best. You can't get a more beautiful view than charming Bryant Park in the summer time, with its perfectly aligned trees and endless people watching. Love the raised outdoor deck – best place to sit outside in the summer time in all of New York. Bar gets packed at happy hour so beware. Margaritas are good. Food is ok, my fish tacos did not wow me. Not terribly expensive. Good service.