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  5. Theater District / Times Square
Chez Josephine, New York, NY

Chez Josephine

4.6
4.6
6864 Reviews
$31 to $50
French
The last of its kind near 42nd Street, Chez Josephine is a neighborhood gem founded in 1986 by Jean-Claude Baker as a tribute to legendary Josephine Baker. This Parisian bistro offers live piano music and a tantalizing menu in an intimate setting of red velvet walls, a cavalcade of chandeliers and a blue-tin ceiling. Guests receive a warm welcoming and are treated as family whether coming before a show, after the show, for a leisurely dinner in-between, or a drink at the zinc bar.

Chez Josephine draws a crowd unlike any other in New York as food critic Bryan Miller noted when he wrote: “The dining room is a confluence of the famous and the fashionable, the infamous and unsung – with every shade of skin on earth – and indeed you feel the magic of Chez Josephine.”

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 27 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    French, American

  • Hours of operation

    Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Daily 12:00 pm–3:00 pm Dinner Daily 4:00 pm–10:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (212) 594-1925

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Executive chef

    Frank Diaz

  • Private party facilities

    Main dining room, on the ground floor, can be rented and seats 70 guests. Our Jungle Room, also on the ground floor, seats 20 guests. Our Salon Marrakech, on the second floor, seats 30 guests.

  • Neighborhood

    Theater District / Times Square

  • Cross street

    Between 9th and Dyer/10th Aves.

  • Parking details

    Manhattan Plaza, 42nd Street and Dyer Avenue (between 9th and 10th Avenues),

  • Public transit

    1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R trains to Times Square-42nd Street, and A, C & E trains to Port Authority-42nd Street.

  • Entertainment

    Live piano music nightly and at Sunday Brunch.

  • Additional

    Banquet, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wine

Popular dishes

What 6,864 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Sort by

  1. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was delicious and the live music makes for a wonderful experience
  2. Shanester

    New York Area

    71 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    71 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    One of my favourite places to go in the theatre district. Bonus that they have live music Saturday nights. We caught the tail end after our show. Great service and some delicious escargots and a cheese plate before dessert while we listened to the trio.
  3. King

    Central Coast

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    excellent restaurant. Live entertainment was very good. Space is too small for amplified music.
  4. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    From start to finish our experience was stellar. We will definitely be back!
  5. ZiggyWStardust

    New York Area

    86 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    86 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall4food5service3ambience4
    My friend and I sat outside. The weather was lovely, but the tables were really tiny and the sidewalk was not level, so our table and chairs were slanted. Not comfortable. Good food and service.
  6. JeanH

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 25, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    The food was excellent. We had the endive Roquefort salad with the trout and duck for main course . High quality presentation and very well prepared!
  7. EileenA

    New York Area

    15 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on May 24, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    were extremely helpful in recovering my husband's cellphone - which was hugely appreciated.
  8. Usedtonicethings

    New York Area

    45 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    45 reviews

    Dined on May 24, 2023

    overall5food5service3ambience3
    The food was very good, and the meal was enhanced by a piano player.
  9. LJoE

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Had a small family reunion and this was a wonderful choice. The food, the lovely piano music in the background. We were able to chat & catch up without the restaurant sounds overwhelming us. And the staff was kind & attentive. I'm so glad we chose Chez Josephine!!
  10. Breifne

    New Orleans

    79 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    79 reviews

    Dined on May 23, 2023

    overall4food3service4ambience4
    Pleased with our first visit here. It's decorated all Josephine--a fun space honoring a remarkable person. Cordial and attentive service--the servers were careful to ask about our need to be at a show and timed the food accordingly. Solid bistro food & wine. Excellent cocktails by the skilled bartender.
  11. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    9 reviews

    4.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on May 21, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    We had a lovely time at Chez Josephine. Our family was visiting from Canada & they enjoyed the atmosphere, food & service, as we did. We have been dining here for many years on & off and were pleasantly surprised that the food is still great! Jean-Claude spirit remains…..
  12. AndrewC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Really nice atmosphere, tables a bit close together, food was excellent,service was excellent. Your in midtown so you paying midtown prices. Would definitely go back
  13. OpenTable Diner

    Philadelphia

    3 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience5
    Great restaurant pre and post theatre. Always fun to have a bit of Paris in NY
  14. KatrineR

    Las Vegas

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall3food2service1ambience3
    The food was boring and semi cold, the host acted like he couldn’t be bothered to be there and we got the impression they wanted us gone 30 Minutes after getting there. Def not a place for brunch again. The Bloody Mary was good!
  15. SarahA

    Fort Lauderdale

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Feels like you have travelled to France, food and drinks were a plus too.
  16. SusanW

    San Francisco

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on May 19, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    The food melted in our mouths! Very reasonably priced. I would go there again in a second.
  17. CynthiaM

    Minneapolis

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We loved the piano player. He was wonderful. We sat at the front round table which was great.
  18. ChristineY

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic place. Very beautiful. Excellent food, drinks, and service.
  19. Babette

    New England

    21 reviews

    4.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on May 17, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Very nice prix fixe dinner, well served. The moules marinieres were outstanding. We had plenty of time to dine and get to theatre on time.
  20. PhyllisC

    Dallas

    6 reviews

    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 16, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    We really enjoyed our experience. The main dish of Amish chicken was excellent. The profiteroles could use some help. We loved the piano and the ambience. Our server was great. Will definitely return!
  21. Deej

    New York Area

    8 reviews

    2.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on May 15, 2023

    overall2food5service1ambience3
    The waiter was rude. HE knew best, was his attitude. The desert brought to the table was not what we had ordered. When asked about it he said '' I heard lemon tart.' We were left with the lemon tart. I have been to this restaurant many times --the food is excellent but I will never return.
  22. MelissaC

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    if you are looking for a place to dine and be able to have a conversation you can hear, this is the place. A piano, A singer, romantic, and fantastic French Cusine. Servers are polite and knowledgeable,
  23. Deacon

    New England

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The staff is always professional and very pleasant.
  24. CRSNJ

    New York Area

    164 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    164 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience3
    My first time at this classic French, historical. Originally run by French entertainer Josephine Baker, the nightly entertainment keeps her tradition going. Food and service are both spot on. The pate starter was very tasty. And the skate wing in lemon,butter caper sauce with haricots vert and duchess potatoes was Delicious. The skate wing fleet is. Dry delicate , similar to Dover sole, and was perfectly cooked. For dessert I had the apple-rhubarb crepe with raspberry coulis; also delicious and just the right balance between sweet/tart. Overall a very enjoyable and reasonably priced meal. I’ll be back soon!
  25. ScottH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Everything was amazing! Highly recommend the steak. Cooked to perfection and the cheesecake was th best I’ve ever had. Great service as well!
  26. FidelG

    Las Vegas

    29 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on May 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One of my favorites. Had the skate fish which came recommended and it was delicious. My family ordered duck, rack of lamb and spaghetti bolognese. For appetizers tartare and escargot both delicious and the tartare is generous. For dessert apple tart and crème brûlée. Attentive service, delicious food, fair prices for todays marketplace.
  27. ascotladsf

    San Francisco

    21 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on May 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    French onion soup - lobster salad - wonderful. 12:15pm on a Thursday - restaurant was very quiet but service was great and food delicious
  28. Jba31857

    Orange County

    64 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    64 reviews

    Dined on May 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This place is great. The ambiance gets you as soon as you come in the front door. We loved the live piano music too. The food was delicious and well presented. We had a great time here and will come back when in NY again.
  29. AJHarvey

    New York Area

    9 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on May 10, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Post show dinner with friends visiting from out of town. Great food and service. A little quiet and fishy smell, but still a favorite place to bring family and friends.
  30. JRMM

    New York Area

    26 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on May 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Cozy. Delicious food and drink. Theater district. VERY close to the Signature Theatre. All around nice vibe.
  31. IreneJ

    Gold Coast

    7 reviews

    2.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall2food2service3ambience3
    We went for a late dinner, which was one of the few things this restaurant had going for it. The service was quite slow, although friendly. We were given dirty glasses. When we asked for clean ones we were sat waiting for around 5 minutes, with a bottle of beer and no glass while the waiter served someone else in the meantime. The food was bland. French food should not be bland.
  32. PasqualeS

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 6, 2023

    overall5food4service4ambience5
    Prompt and courteous service. Food was delicious. Ambience was energetic. Music was excellent.
  33. ShirleyS

    Philadelphia

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 5, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience5
    They set us upstairs, all the excitement was downstairs. We would have preferred downstairs. It was sooo crowded so I assume they put us upstairs because the regulars were downstairs. We made our reservation weeks in advance so we could have been scheduled for downstairs. Anywho, my friends & I, a table of 7, enjoyed ourselves!
  34. LisaC

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 5, 2023

    overall4food3service3ambience5
    The ambiance was great. The food was just okay. The service was good.
  35. OpenTable Diner

    Baltimore

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 5, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Ambience was amazing! We were sat timely per our reservation time. Everything was tasty and hot up until the time for the entree. The food was delicious but warm not as hot as the appetizers. My date purposely waited to order our entrees because we didn’t want everything to come out all at once or rushed into eating them to get to the main course. Other than that we had a great time!
  36. JamesV

    New England

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food and great place to enjoy a meal before or after a show.
  37. Reese

    New York Area

    9 reviews

    3.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on May 3, 2023

    overall3food4service4ambience4
    The food was good and the ambience was nice - there was even a pianist on a Wednesday evening. The service was great in the sense that we were late for our reservation and they brought our food very quickly since we had tickets for a Broadway play and had only limited time for dinner. The only downside was that I ordered the lobster ravioli a la carte without asking how much it would be (it was a main dish on the prix fixe menu offered for $48.00). I was shocked when I was charged $43.00 for the lobster ravioli - no appetizer, no dessert, and the ravioli was $43.00!!! For 5 ravioli and a few pieces of lobster meat on top. In contrast the goat cheese ravioli was listed on the menu at $19.00. When I asked about whether the price was correct given that it was only $5.00 less than the prix fixe, our server told me that yes, that was the correct price and noted that the prix fixe dinner only came with 3 ravioli as the main course. Really??? And some of the other items on the menu were overpriced as well. $18.00 for an endive salad. Plus, they mistakenly added an extra $5.00 upcharge (which they took off when we pointed it out). I would cautiously recommend if you are looking for proximity to Broadway theatres but advise reading the check carefully and never, under any circumstances, order any sort of modification without asking about the price.
  38. AndreaB

    New York Area

    46 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    46 reviews

    Dined on May 3, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    The ambience was excellent, as was the service. The food was very good. The prix fix was a very good value as we got a lot for the price.
  39. AlanB

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food. Service is very good and they get you out on time for theater reservations.
  40. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Chez Josephine is an exceptional restaurant, not only for its food, but hospitality. Great tribute to Josephine Baker. Always go there when in New York. It is an experience with so much to take in. Love it.

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables
  • Protective equipment

    • Waitstaff wear masks
    • Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

Chez Josephine offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (212) 594-1925.

Chez Josephine is rated 4.6 stars by 6864 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 27 times today
Google Map for Chez Josephine

414 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036

Additional information

  • Cross street

    Between 9th and Dyer/10th Aves.

  • Neighborhood

    Theater District / Times Square

  • Hours of operation

    Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Daily 12:00 pm–3:00 pm Dinner Daily 4:00 pm–10:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    French, American

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking details

    Manhattan Plaza, 42nd Street and Dyer Avenue (between 9th and 10th Avenues),

  • Public transit

    1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R trains to Times Square-42nd Street, and A, C & E trains to Port Authority-42nd Street.

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Frank Diaz

  • Entertainment

    Live piano music nightly and at Sunday Brunch.

  • Additional

    Banquet, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wine

  • Phone number

    (212) 594-1925

  • Private party facilities

    Main dining room, on the ground floor, can be rented and seats 70 guests. Our Jungle Room, also on the ground floor, seats 20 guests. Our Salon Marrakech, on the second floor, seats 30 guests.

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