Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Manhattan

OpenTable

Updated October 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in Manhattan? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Starbucks Reserve® Tasting Room & Experiences – Empire State Building

4.9

4.9 (129)

$31 to $50

American

NoMad

About the restaurant

Visit the Starbucks Reserve® Empire State Building® store for a journey of the senses, an experience like no other - an immersive discovery of craft coffee, food and cocktails and more.

The Concourse level, home to our Tasting Room & Experiences, features exclusive coffee experiences that can't be found anywhere else only found at Starbucks Reserve®, including guided tasting experiences at our, hands-on Workshop classes, and signature flights and small bites.

Book your experience today- we look forward to welcoming you!

For private event requests, or large group bookings, please reach out to our Starbucks Reserve Empire State Building Events team at starbucksreserveevents_esb@starbucks.com.

NOTE: This reservation page is for our ticketed experiences only. Seating in the general dining area of the Tasting Room & Experiences level is on a "first come, first served" basis and does not take reservations.

Top review

kathym

Dined on Oct 3, 2024

Fun and delicious group activity! Our instructor Bobby was enthusiastic and knowledgeable. All the pumpkin spice items were yummy-the affagato was amazing. We’d like to try the Espresso Martini Experience next!

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Experience

The Ultimate Pumpkin Spice Experience

Experience

Art of the Espresso Martini (21+ Only)

Experience

Coffee Lab: A Journey of the Senses

La Grenouille

4.9

4.9 (3789)

$50 and over

French

Midtown East

About the restaurant

Established in 1962, glamorous and timeless La Grenouille offers classic French cuisine in an elegant and intimate setting. Owner Philippe Masson continues the family legacy by creating breathtaking flower arrangements and culinary delights.

A garden of visual, epicurean marvels and Live Jazz, La Grenouille serves Dinner, Wednesday through Saturday from 4:30 PM – 9:30 PM. A spectacular three-tiered Skylight Piano Room with Grand Fireplace is available for private parties. Our bar and Upstairs Fireplace Room are dedicated to St. Exupéry who, during the 1940’s, wrote part of the Little Prince upstairs in the Skylight room of La Grenouille.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Aug 4, 2024

From the flowers to the music every details compliments the food giving the dinner the full experience of a special meal.

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Popular dish

Mini Cheese Soufflé

Majorelle at The Lowell

4.9

4.9 (1014)

$50 and over

French

Upper East Side

About the restaurant

Intimate bar and beautiful lounge lead to unique restaurant with an open garden.

The subtly lit French oak paneled bar greets you with booth banquettes and
tables amenable to serve Jacques’ Bar Menu, all day.

The Club Room: its coffered ceilings and fireplace creates familiarity in the comfort of a warm elegant home.

Both the lounge and the bar menus offer spontaneously prepared French delicacies, savory and sweet with distinct Mediterranean and Moroccan influence.

“Majorelle” restaurant: its vaulted ceiling, marble columns, and trellised garden with up-lighted fountains set the stage for fine French Cuisine and Service in an atmosphere of harmony and luxury for all the senses.

Top review

cynthia

Dined 6 days ago

Always a wonderful experience. Service so welcoming and ambiance amazing!! food makes you feel like you have made a quick trip to Paris. Lovely always.

The Champagne & Caviar Bar at RH Guesthouse

4.9

4.9 (63)

$50 and over

American

Meatpacking District

About the restaurant

The Champagne & Caviar Bar recalls the distinctive glamour of a vintage jewel box, presenting a carefully curated selection of the finest Champagnes, Petrossian Caviar and a menu of classic dishes in which caviar is the star. The space features a progression of hand-blown chandeliers, geometric floors of Italian marble, and an ornate coffered ceiling, punctuated by camel mohair velvet seating for an intimate, immersive experience.

For group dining inquiries, please email: GHNYDR@rh.com

Top review

Celine

Dined 6 days ago

Good food expect for the beef tartare. Great service. Place was freezing, they keep temperatures very low.

The Grand Tier Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (4006)

$50 and over

American

Lincoln Square

About the restaurant

The Grand Tier Restaurant is located inside The Metropolitan Opera House and offers both a la carte and prix fixe menus. The restaurant welcomes the general public, not just ticketed guests of the Metropolitan Opera House. Reservations required. The restaurant’s location makes it the perfect pre-theater dining experience for all guests of Lincoln Center. The exquisite modern American cuisine and classic dining room, highlighted by Chagall murals and brilliant Swarovski crystal chandeliers, make it a memorable destination regardless of the occasion. Our doors open two hours before curtains go up.
Ticketed guests of the Metropolitan Opera may also dine in the restaurant at intermission, but must pre-order and reserve via phone: 212.799.3400, or email: thegrandtier@patinagroup.com . Reservations for ticketed guests dining at intermission ONLY, are not taken via Open Table.
Please note that proof of vaccination is no longer required.

Top review

Ronaldvip

Dined 3 days ago

The perfect pre-performance dining experience. The food was delicious and the service was friendly and attentive.

Antique Garage Tribeca

4.7

4.7 (456)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

TriBeCa

About the restaurant

One of the Soho's little gems opening up its doors to Tribeca with well-picked antiques and offers an eclectic, unique and romantic ambiance, charming and elegant in the tradition of old New York. We serve lunch and dinner daily as well as brunch on weekends, accompanied by live jazz music.

For parties of 12 or more, Antique Garage offers a prix fixe menu. Antique Garage is delighted to welcome larger parties and private events. To plan a party at Antique Garage, please contact us.

Top review

Marcelvip

Dined on Oct 4, 2024

Absolutely loved this place for my birthday celebration. Perfect table. Perfect ambience. Perfect food. Love it

Giardino D'Oro

4.9

4.9 (336)

$31 to $50

Italian

Financial District

About the restaurant

Nestled away on winding Gold Street in Manhattan's venerable Financial District, Giardino D'Oro is indeed a golden garden as its name translates. All that is charming about Italy comes to life as co-owners Benny Jakupaj and Nick Vuli welcome even newcomers with open arms. At Giardino D'Oro, food is indeed art with the fine Italian cuisine replete with antipasti, fresh rolled pastas, exquisite meat and seafood dishes, mouth-watering desserts, and an extensive wine list. Attentive yet discreet service in an intimate setting with strains of Sinatra softly crooning in the background set the scene for power lunches as well as romance.

Top review

Aaronvip

Dined on Oct 2, 2024

Really high quality food, great service. Staff makes great recommendations.

l'abeille

4.8

4.8 (10)

$50 and over

French

TriBeCa

About the restaurant

Nestled on a charming Tribeca cobblestone street corner, l’abeille is an intimate sanctuary where French culinary artistry meets Japanese finesse. With only 48 seats, this hidden gem captivates diners with its seasonal Chef’s Tasting Menu, meticulously crafted by the visionary Chef Mitsunobu Nagae. Drawing on his rich experience from Michelin-starred establishments in Tokyo, Paris, and New York, including a recent tenure as Chef de Cuisine at Shun in Midtown Manhattan, Chef Mitsu curates a symphony of flavors that transcend borders.

At l’abeille, guests experience a harmonious blend of French sophistication and Japanese precision. Complementing the exquisite tasting menu is a rotating selection of seasonal a-la-carte dishes, thoughtfully paired with selections from the wine cellar and a captivating cocktail program. Immerse yourself in an unparalleled dining experience at l’abeille, where each dish tells a story and every moment is a celebration of culinary excellence.

Top review

Esther

Dined 2 days ago

Absolutely loved everything and was a magical night

The Olive Tree Cafe

4.7

4.7 (245)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Greenwich Village

About the restaurant

Established 1969
Upstairs from the Comedy Cellar - Great food, great drinks, silent movies, chalkboard tables, GREAT FUN!

Top review

Moises

Dined on Oct 1, 2024

Wonderful place to go to on Monday night for live music and enjoy dinner with friends

Grand Salon & Bar at Baccarat Hotel New York

4.5

4.5 (135)

$31 to $50

French

Midtown East

About the restaurant

Kindly call 212-790-8867 to speak with our reservations team or for parties larger than 7+
Book Afternoon Tea here: https://www.baccarathotels.com/dining/afternoon-tea
• Reservations for Dining requires a $75 Minimum spend per person for non-hotel guests (Not Afternoon Tea)
• Afternoon Tea in the Grand Salon Requires $140 Minimum spend per person (Gluten-Free, Vegetarian & Vegan available)
*Kindly note in special requests if children are attending and or if there are any allergies or dietary restrictions.

A spirit of style, rhythm and whimsy keeps the plush, platinum and champagne-hued Grand Salon humming throughout the day and evening. Glowing inside and out, a corrugated crystal-like curtain reveals cascading chandeliers framing lush lounge-style seating clad in rich velvets and Jouffre silk.

Top review

KLR9

Dined on Aug 29, 2024

Beautiful place and the food and drink were amazing, would come back.

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Experience

Thanksgiving Day Splendor

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