How is Cafe SFA - Permanently Closed restaurant rated?

Name: Cafe SFA - Permanently Closed
Address: 611 5th Avenue, New York, NY, United States, 10022
Telephone: (212) 940-4080
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.2

Cafe SFA - Permanently Closed

4.2

181 Reviews

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Top Tags:

Cafe SFA is a hidden gem nestled on the 8th floor of the iconic flagship Saks Fifth Avenue store. Chef Alex Reyes' menu is fresh and seasonal with daily specials served alongside an inventive selection of entrees, salads, and sandwiches. A stylish and comfortable interior features bird's-eye views of Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Café SFA is a popular midtown business lunch spot and a favorite destination for shoppers and international visitors. Private events are also a specialty and Café SFA can host functions of all types and sizes at several locales in the store.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Contemporary American, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service, Afternoon Tea
Hours of operation
Cafe SFA and The Terrace: Monday-Saturday 12 to 7:30pm Sunday 12 to 6pm
Phone number
(212) 940-4080
Website
http://cafesfa.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Alexandro Reyes
Catering
Available for private events- please call 212 940 2138 for information
Private party facilities
The flagship Saks Fifth Avenue store is an iconic setting that emanates luxury and style. Add exquisite food and drink and you have the makings of a truly memorable event. We offer versatile space for corporate and social occasions, from cocktail parties to elegant formal dinners.
Private party contact
our Private Event Coordinator: (212) 940-2138

Location
611 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10022
Neighborhood
Midtown East
Cross street
49th Street
Parking details
None
Public transit
Subway: B,D,F,M,6,E<br />Bus: M50
Additional
Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Counter Seating, Farm to Table, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Private Room, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 181 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.2

4.2 based on all time ratings

4Food
4Service
3.9Ambience
3.6Value

Noise • Moderate

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RR
RickR
New York Area
25 reviews
1.0
25 reviews
Dined on January 5, 2018
overall1food1service1ambience1
I made this reservation in late December 2017 and it was confirmed by OpenTable. however, it turns out the restaurant closed its door at the end of December without OpenTable or the restaurant giving us any notice. Now Opentable wants me to review!! Get your act together or get out of the business!
JB
JackieB
New York Area
3 reviews
1.0
3 reviews
Dined on January 3, 2018
overall1food1service1ambience1
I was shocked to discover that I, along with my 5 friends approached Cafe SFA at 12:00 as my reservation said, only to find that it was closed! I had received a reminder just the day before to be there at 12:00, confirming my reservation. I don't know who dropped the ball, either Open Table or Cafe SFA, (I'm assuming it was Cafe SFA but will never know) but needless to say, I would NOT assume from here on in that a reservation made on any online entity is going to be there. I will call ahead from now on to confirm. Thankfully, someone from the restaurant was there when we arrived and offered to make my group another lunch reservation at a restaurant in the area, which saved the day. I was embarrassed and it was a tense time until we had a later lunch reservation confirmed at another restaurant. My takeaway is that you MUST call to confirm any reservation you make. Don't assume that it'll be there when you show up.
JJ
JackieJ
Chicago
15 reviews
vip
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on November 24, 2017
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was delicious. The service was impeccable, our waitress was very attentive and gave great recommendations. I believe she was from Ohio.
JZ
JayZ
New York Area
3 reviews
1.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 16, 2017
overall1food1service1ambience1
Restaurant was closed for a private party!!!!! Never honored our reservation. ! Very upsetting
c
conky
New York Area
3 reviews
2.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 7, 2017
overall2food4service3ambience4
Kitchen messed up our first course and sent our second course before fixing the first. Not ideal and they didn’t take anything off the check
H
Hungrybear
New York Area
23 reviews
4.0
23 reviews
Dined on November 6, 2017
overall4food4service4ambience3
Nice view and lovely staff and surroundings but took a little too long for food to arrive. Good location and pretty place to chat,dine,dinner meeting etc.
HS
HSlovesNYC2017
New York Area
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on October 27, 2017
overall3food4service4ambience3
The menu is smaller in the evening than on their website. So you have fewer options to choose. Also, some of their ingredients may not be there if you are dining after 5:30 pm. The food was delicious and service ok. It is somewhat difficult to find. You have to go to the 8th floor and through the shoe to the back. There are very few signs. The department store pretends to be a high end, so be aware and not to be intimidated by some of the looks you may get if you are wearing jeans or other casual clothing. Not a place to go wearing flip-flops, shorts, or tired t-shirt.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on October 24, 2017
overall5food4service5ambience5
Hadn't been to Cafe SFA in over 10 years, but was eager to reorder my favorite dish - Asian Chicken Salad. It was still wonderful. The views are so unusual and stunning and the service was perfect. A little pricey for lunch, but otherwise, perfect.
DD
DanaD
New York Area
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on October 4, 2017
overall4food4service2ambience5
SFA is a classic. Always convenient and a great excuse to go shoe shopping. It is always a bonus when stumble across the sales. Service was fair but all else makes up for it. This is a great central meeting location.
J
Jeberama
New York Area
25 reviews
vip
4.0
25 reviews
Dined on September 25, 2017
overall4food4service4ambience4
SFA Cafe is always a sure bet. Conveniently located in midtown and if you get a table by the window you can spy some of the great rooftop gardens of the buildings on 5th Avenue. The menu is somewhat limited but the salads are always good and they'll make adjustments to anything to satisfy dietary restrictions (or desires). I've been countless times and I'm sure I'll continue to return again and again.
UN
UNplazagirl
New York Area
134 reviews
vip
3.0
134 reviews
Dined on September 25, 2017
overall3food3service4ambience4
This is the perfect place to meet a friend in midtown and have a long quiet talk then explore the latest fashions. The food was actually very good but the menu is very limited. Service was great.
MC
MagdalenaC
San Francisco
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on September 19, 2017
overall4food2service5ambience4
Hmmmm, well, the view is epic and iconic, I will say that. However, the food is far less than epic and is better left alone. My recommendation would be that you go to this spot strictly for a glass of somethin' somethin' and save your money for better eats elsewhere. Nuff said. Oh, our waiter was funny and great, a definite plus.
LH
LHIIESQ
New York Area
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on September 18, 2017
overall4food4service4ambience4
A pleasant find. Terrific food. Excellent, attentive service and quiet!
p
pharris
Perth
8 reviews
2.0
8 reviews
Dined on September 10, 2017
overall2food4service1ambience2
Good food let down by extremely poor service. It is very hard to recommend this place.
S
Shopgirl3
New York Area
60 reviews
vip
2.0
60 reviews
Dined on September 6, 2017
overall2food3service3ambience3
It's a little fussy…modern decor but still old fashioned (not in a good way). I couldn't put my finger on it but it felt old-ladyish. Maybe the dreary day outside contributed to the drab feeling inside…so I'll give it another chance…maybe. Too much money for a salad & a cup of tea. Much prefer BG @ Bergdorf's for the cafe in a department store experience.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 18, 2017
overall5food4service5ambience5
staff very warm, young with energy for comfort and good food aimed at making an excellent evening which we enjoyed and hope to pass along to other friends
G
Ginia
Raleigh
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 10, 2017
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fun, beautiful views, good service & wonderful food!
CG
CongoGirl
New York Area
31 reviews
2.0
31 reviews
Dined on August 2, 2017
overall2food3service2ambience4
I hadn't visited SFA in a long time and found it slow service (maybe it's because most of the audience is not in a hurry!) and the food is just so so. My lobster salad had less than 7 leaves of lettuce and I needed not be hungry for lobster because there wasn't much of it. It took forever to serve us and we didn't even get an appetizer!...thankfully for my figure, we left without having dessert , and didn't buy shoes because we had to get back to work!
B
Babsy
New York Area
20 reviews
5.0
20 reviews
Dined on July 31, 2017
overall5food4service5ambience4
I love taking my young grandchildren here (and will continue as they get older :) They have a great kid's menu and I think it is very good value. Lots of good choices for the little ones - beautiful fresh berries and great dessert. Mac with cheese/Grilled Cheese and more advanced choices like Salmon. They give them crayons and coloring placemat. My grandchild always seem to behave in this grown up surrounding and I love looking at them when they behave so well. For me - lots of great choices - salads, entrees, appetizers - all very good. Can even have a glass of champagne.
h
hungrydiner
New York Area
203 reviews
vip
5.0
203 reviews
Dined on July 19, 2017
overall5food4service5ambience5
My friend and I had a lovely lunch. The lunch special is very nice. The atmosphere and food make the restaurant a wonderful spot to have lunch.
AF
AnnieF
New York Area
17 reviews
4.0
17 reviews
Dined on July 18, 2017
overall4food4service5ambience5
I have been here before and always enjoy it very much. The only disappointed thing for this occasion - the 2 dishes my friend and I ordered, we were told neither of them were exactly what was on the menu. She ordered asparagus risotto and was substituted with corn, and I ordered mussels but got clams.
S
Sandy
New York Area
34 reviews
vip
5.0
34 reviews
Dined on July 17, 2017
overall5food5service5ambience5
A wonderful restaurant, but I do think they need to be mindful of their menu pricing. It has gone up quite a bit over the years(past 5 years) and may lose that customer base. Also, their past salads are no longer on the menu, and that is a mistake as they were wonderful:) In any case it remains to be a wonderful place to lunch!
L
Lovely
New York Area
39 reviews
vip
5.0
39 reviews
Dined on July 15, 2017
overall5food5service5ambience5
The sandwich, salad, soup combo was lovely as was the outside seating and the wait-staff. The maître de was especially sweet and accommodating. Will definitely visit again after a day of amazing shopping.
BM
BMwashere
New York Area
59 reviews
vip
5.0
59 reviews
Dined on July 14, 2017
overall5food5service5ambience5
It is always a pleasure to go to cafeSFA. The salads are good and the view is great.
OT
OpenTable Diner
London
6 reviews
vip
3.0
6 reviews
Dined on July 12, 2017
overall3food3service4ambience4
I went to cafe SFA with a friend for lunch, the service was good as my friend was delayed for half hour because of the traffic. I ordered coffee and the waitress kept coming to offer me more coffee. But the food was nothing special, in fact, it was not even good. But you are going to do shopping at Saks, this place might be convenient especially on a rainy/snowy day. Otherwise, I would just go there for coffee or maybe afternoon tea.
SA
SamanthaA
New York Area
68 reviews
vip
4.0
68 reviews
Dined on July 3, 2017
overall4food5service3ambience3
I hadn't been to Cafe SFA in years, but was pleasantly surprised by the updated menu. The softshell crab sandwich is a MUST.
S
Sher
New York Area
9 reviews
vip
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on June 24, 2017
overall5food5service5ambience5
It was simply lovely!
OS
2OSFoodies
New York Area
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on June 9, 2017
overall5food4service4ambience5
View from the terrace was spectacular. Generous sized cocktails. Service a little on the slow side.
S
Sally
Richmond
63 reviews
vip
5.0
63 reviews
Dined on June 9, 2017
overall5food5service5ambience5
Had lunch with my twin daughters who were both in from out of town. I wanted a special lunch to celebrate. Saks did not disappoint!
T
Torch1380
New York Area
105 reviews
vip
3.0
105 reviews
Dined on May 29, 2017
overall3food4service4ambience3
Food good service excellent very pricey
KB
KB2020
New York Area
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on May 26, 2017
overall5food5service5ambience5
Lovely lunch on the terrace, it was quiet so felt very private. Service was friendly and attentive, we will be back soon!
SW
ScottW
Alabama
6 reviews
vip
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on May 26, 2017
overall5food5service5ambience5
Best lobster roll I've had!
J
Jessica
New York Area
9 reviews
vip
3.0
9 reviews
Dined on May 9, 2017
overall3food3service2ambience4
Very disappointed . Difficult to get server's attention for check. Very limited menu --- different from last time I was here. But it's a pretty venu with little competition so will likely come again.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on May 2, 2017
overall3food4service4ambience4
I picked Cafe SFA because of the view but when I arrived it was closed off due to a private event. So we did not get to see the view, enjoy the great weather, so that was a miss for our lunch date.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on April 22, 2017
overall4food4service4ambience5
great place and a trend i see replicating at other high end retailers. thanks
LW
LaurenW
New York Area
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on April 2, 2017
overall4food4service4ambience4
A classic "meet for lunch" place, conveniently located for shopping and MoMA. Easy access to Grand Central Station. I met a friend there who I haven't seen in a very long time and the Cafe SFA was a perfect place to catch up. The waiter did not hurry us and we extended our lunch over several hours. The noise level was perfect for talking. The Lunch Break was really good, especially if you can't decide what you want. It includes a choice of salad, soup and sandwich so you can get a taste of everything. Portion sizes were perfect. I would definitely go back again. It was also fun to be able to do a little shopping at Saks on the way to and fro.
LF
LindaF
New York Area
70 reviews
vip
2.0
70 reviews
Dined on March 30, 2017
overall2food2service2ambience2
The tables in the main seating area were crowded together. Our table for two was squeezed in between even two tables of six. The service was disinterested at best. Still waiting for the basket of rolls. Had to ask twice to have a glass of water. The Cobb Salad, which is not inexpensive had too much lettuce and not enough of the other ingredients. Cafe SFA has reached a new low.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
11 reviews
vip
4.0
11 reviews
Dined on March 28, 2017
overall4food4service5ambience4
An easy place for casual lunch with friends Service was attentive, food was good, and it's convenient. Not an extensive menu, but there's rnough to choose from. It's a little pricey, but so is SFA.
PM
PatriciaM
New York Area
12 reviews
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on March 25, 2017
overall5food5service4ambience4
Just love the soup, salad and sandwich for a nice healthy lunch before a show and a quick look in the store.
M
Manhattan1
New York Area
281 reviews
vip
3.0
281 reviews
Dined on March 23, 2017
overall3food3service3ambience3
This place feels tired. They have updated their menu and made it better, but the room feels like it needs an update to feel that dining there is more than just a meal.

FAQs

Cafe SFA - Permanently Closed is rated 4.2 stars by 181 OpenTable diners.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

Additional information

Cross street
49th Street
Neighborhood
Midtown East
Hours of operation
Cafe SFA and The Terrace: Monday-Saturday 12 to 7:30pm Sunday 12 to 6pm
Cuisines
Contemporary American, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service, Afternoon Tea
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
None
Public transit
Subway: B,D,F,M,6,EBus: M50
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Executive chef
Alexandro Reyes
Additional
Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Counter Seating, Farm to Table, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Private Room, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://cafesfa.com/
Phone number
(212) 940-4080
Catering
Available for private events- please call 212 940 2138 for information
Private party facilities
The flagship Saks Fifth Avenue store is an iconic setting that emanates luxury and style. Add exquisite food and drink and you have the makings of a truly memorable event. We offer versatile space for corporate and social occasions, from cocktail parties to elegant formal dinners.
Private party contact
our Private Event Coordinator: (212) 940-2138