Most of the time we eat here without a reservation at the bar. It is always an extremely good meal. Obviously the black label burger is a must have. The reason I am giving it a 3 instead of higher is the one time we did make reservations we were sat in the back room by the servers table. It was very very loud. I will never make them again or I will ask to sit in the front.
Randy B.
Place rating: 5 Manhattan, NY
Their signature«Black Label Burger» is everything you read about in these reviews and the place is conveniently located in the heart of the Village. The service complements the meal making it a positive all round dining experience. I’ve only been here a couple of times but I cant wait to go back again.
Sylvia L.
Place rating: 4 Forest Hills, NY
Came with a girlfriend before she moved overseas. We had 5:30 ressies and were seated promptly. We ordered the grilled octopus, the marrow and the steak. Everything was on point! Service was great. Looking forward to coming back!
Mike F.
Place rating: 5 New York, NY
The Black Label Burger is the best burger I have ever had. Their aligot, which I had never eaten anywhere before, was outstanding. Also, the people I ate with said the roasted beets and asparagus vinaigrette were amazing.
Stephanie K.
Place rating: 3 Richardson, TX
Extremely RUDE hostesses. Was not wanting to eat here after that but my friend wanted to eat their infamous black label burger. You would imagine such a fine establish would have hired better people(I mean, you guys are hostesses and your job qualifications should include nice). But anyways, friend and I decide to ignore the snob personality all for the sake of the black label burger. Meh. Coming from Texas, we take pride in a few things– Barbeque, Burgers, Babes, and baby back ribs! Among other sports. So you can already imagine that I’ve tasted some pretty awesome burgers even though I’m no burger lover. Anyways, fast forward getting seated and having our food– I tasted the burger and it was good.(My anaconda don’t want none unless you got buns, Hun!)The buns were super fluffy! It was airy and had a pleasant egg taste and lightly sweet. The meat patty definitely had a distinct taste of caramelize onions and the ground beef used gave the meat patty a good, dark and rich texture. Although the burger tasted good, I’ve tasted better(& there will always be others better than others it seems). The fries were my only favorite thing on the dish– soft but crispy on the outside. I don’t think I will return the next time I’m in New York. But hey, they wouldn’t want me anyways.
Heidi W.
Place rating: 4 Brooklyn, NY
Black Label Burger is my go-to. I’m not a huge fan of bone marrow but most other people get that if they’re not ordering the burger. It’s decent.
Amy Y.
Place rating: 3 San Francisco, CA
Was so excited to try this place given all the hype and fame. Service: 2⁄5 Food: 4⁄5 Ambiance: 3⁄5 Price: 1⁄5 It’s very dark in this place, so much so that our neighbors were using their iPhone flashlights to read the menu. Seriously. Our server was nice enough, but was pretty unattentive and we had to ask multiple times for additional drinks. Everything is on the pricier side, but the black label burger at $ 35 is insane. We got: — Roasted bone marrow($ 24) — absolutely outstanding, so delicious and creamy. I know bone marrow in general is a pricier item, but at $ 24 it’s barely enough for 3 people to share. — Moules frites($ 27) — Great value! Great flavor! Drinkable broth! Highly recommend. — Black label burger($ 35) — Is it worth the hype? Yes. However, the bun is soggy and it comes with a stupid amount of fries as if they’re trying to make you feel like $ 35 is worth it for a burger. — Lamb loin($ 42) — Not good. Go with a steak instead.
Basil M.
Place rating: 3 Temecula, CA
The infamous black label burger. My whole reason for trying this place. The outer crust was awesome — but overall — it didn’t live up to the hype. Was it good — yea — was it the end all and be all of all burgers? Not really.
Kyle S.
Place rating: 4 Manhattan, NY
Minetta Tavern is definitely a NYC staple– It has an old school New York City vibe: black and white checkered flooring, tables with white cloth, red booths. I went last night with three other people. To start we got the bone marrow and the lamb tartare. Both were excellent. Onto the burger– The Black Label burger has been argued to be the best burger in NYC. It’s a good burger for sure– Is it the best burger I’ve ever had? No. But, it is definitely worth ordering. For dessert, we got the chocolate soufflé and the coconut cake. I would skip the coconut cake– wasn’t anything special. But the soufflé was excellent. It is large enough to feed 2 – 4 people. Overall we had a great meal. If you are interested in hitting all of the New York City staples, Minetta Tavern is a must.
Gab G.
Place rating: 3 New York, NY
Unpopular opinion time: I was disappointed with the black label burger which, when all’s said and done, ran me $ 42. I thought I was missing something, but my dining partner, who was having the same thing, felt the same way. We both ordered our burgers medium rare; others have pointed out that that takes away a little of the flavor, so maybe that’s what I did wrong. The texture was great but just tasted a little bland to me, and I was expecting the Best Burger Ever. The fries are good. I would maybe return to try the bone marrow on someone else’s dime, but man, this was a let down. I wanted a Michelin experience and didn’t get it. Our waiter Leslie was great!
Madeline A.
Place rating: 4 Shelton, CT
Made reservations on a Saturday night for two. We arrive a couple minutes before seating began so we hung out at the bar. Once seated I realized how small and snug the restaurant was. The waitress had to pull out the table to let me sit in the booth. Thank goodness I didn’t need to use the bathroom or it would have been a production to get out. We were one of the first tables to be seated but as the restaurant filled up it got very loud; some points we were yelling across the table. We ordered two Black Label burgers since we were told they are the best in Manhattan. Service was great and the food was out quickly. We both ordered medium well and they were cooked correctly! The burger itself was delicious! I was a little skeptical since it has no cheese but it wasn’t dry and very favorful. Overall I would say great one time experience. I’m not going to go running back for a $ 30 burger, but it’s something everyone should try once.
Viv T.
Place rating: 4 Manhattan, NY
5 stars for service, 5 stars for atmosphere, 3.5 for food. SERVICE — As soon as we walked in, we were greeted by a very friendly host, who I presume is the manager and/or owner. Super warm, welcoming, and set the mood for a convivial place. Service generally on point. Water glasses constantly filled, attentive but not suffocating service. ATMOSPHERE — love the way this place is set up. It feels lounge-y, with a mix of regular tables and plush red leather booths. Great music played at the perfect volume. Relaxed yet elegant. Amazing caricatures on the walls. I would say that of all the restaurants in the city, the atmosphere is the best. It’s not stuffy or trying too hard. It’s just totally, authentically, classy. FOOD — ordered the famous black label burger. I think I was too hyped up by the reviews here haha, so I expected something life-changing, so maybe my expectations weren’t fair. It’s super juicy and thick, so you will end up being pretty full. BUT, despite the juiciness, it tasted like it was lacking in flavor. So, a juicy, well-cooked, piece of kind-of bland? I think that Umami Burger and maybe even the burger at Burger and Lobster may be better to be honest. That being said, this is still a solid burger, just not $ 29 solid. Overall, I’ll be back to try the other dishes. With such a unique atmosphere, I’m just looking for an excuse to return.
Taki D.
Place rating: 5 Astoria, Queens, NY
Black Label Burger is the most amazing burger I have ever had. Bone marrow is a must. Cool décor. Great cocktails. If you don’t have reservations you’re gonna wait a little.
Adam G.
Place rating: 5 Yorkville, Manhattan, NY
Well, this was a top 10 meal I have had in the great culinary city that is NYC. The old school décor when you walk in is inviting and definitely gets you ready for a nice piece of meat. My wife and I split the Black Label Burger and the Steak Frites. The burger lives up to the hype — incredibly rich, flavorful meat that is so unique for a burger. As good as the burger was, though, the steak was the highlight. Even though this is the«poor man’s steak» on the menu,(we will need to try the Dry-Aged Côte de Boeuf next time), the flavor was amazing and the meat was so tender. The maitre d’ butter and bernaise sauce certainly didn’t hurt. And then there was the grand finale — the dark chocolate soufflé. I can confidently say that this was the second best soufflé I have had after one in the town of Barga in northern Tuscany. The soufflé was delivered hot, with a crisp outside and a rich inside. The chocolate had a deep, dark flavor that was awesome. Needless to say, we are already working on making a reservation for a second helping.
Pearce D.
Place rating: 4 Hoboken, NJ
Was hoping that the burger lived up to the hype and for the most part it did. Only thing I would change is getting it done medium versus medium rare. Medium rare ended up being a little on the raw side and think it took away from some of the flavor. Aside from the, we had the Brussels sprouts salad(awesome), Pasta Za Za(great) and the Roasted Cauliflower, which might have been the best of everything. Overall a great experience and will definitely go back.
Julie T.
Place rating: 4 Los Angeles, CA
I didn’t like the burger:( I made reservations at 11 pm on a Saturday night for 5 people. We showed up at 11:03 and they told us we had to wait because the other party is finishing up the table. So we were left standing at the cramped bar for 25 minutes until that party left. Sorry but that was annoying. The ambiance is honestly lovely and it felt back in time with the structure of the restaurant. We ordered the Black Label burger, veal tartar, spinach, macaroni gratin, two orders of roasted bone marrow, and bone in New York steak. We really wanted the Dry Aged Côte de Boeuf but the server said they just sold it to someone else… Bummer. The food was great though! I LOVED the bone marrow with toast. It was so rich and creamy I couldn’t stop eating it. The veal tartar was amazing that I ordered another one. The spinach and macaroni gratin were great add ons as well. The bone in steak was cooked perfectly medium rare and had a great snow spinach that came with it. I honestly didn’t care for the Black Label burger. It didn’t really have much taste to me. I think for a $ 32 burger, I expected way more out of it. The fries were good though! We also had a few drinks and they tasted great! The drinks are on the pricer side but I think they definitely worth it with your meal. Overall, this is a solid steak place and I would def comeback here for that.
Diane W.
Place rating: 5 Manhattan, NY
My boyfriend and I are on the hunt for the best burger in NYC. Having heard how legendary Minetta Tavern’s black label burger is, I booked a reservation immediately. Even though it turned out as the day of the big blizzard, we made our way to the restaurant anyway! The burger is most definitely huge. I had to stretch my jaw beyond comfort zone in order to take a bite. It was worth it though! Loved how much meat there is. The flavor really shone through, since they didn’t add too much else to the burger besides caramelized onions. The bun’s sesame flavor was prominent, which complimented the beef very well. They also give you pickles, lettuce, and tomato on the side. It’s actually super simple, and I enjoyed every bite. Oh and we ordered medium which was perfect. We also ordered a pasta zaza dish to share. It was also very simple — just linguine, a fried egg, and pancetta. I loved how the pasta was very al dente. The sauce was quite bland however. It was very nice how they split our order into two bowls and gave us each a while fried egg! Atmosphere was really vintage and cozy. There were caricature portraits covering the walls, and the décor seemed very 1920’s. Service was quick and friendly. I would say Minetta Tavern’s burger is one of my top 3 favorites. I admit I do like a bit more flavor to my burger(think umami burger’s truffle burger or spotted pig with their blue cheese burger). But for all those die hard meat fans, the Minetta burger is for you!
Annie H.
Place rating: 5 New York, NY
No, I’m not a burger person. But this is not your normal, average, or even exceptional burger. No no no — the black label burger here is in a league of its own. A good friend was visiting town with a major burger craving, and in coming up with the best burger place I can think of, we ended up here though I’ve only heard of, and have not yet tried, this legendary burger. From the outside, it looks likes a normal burger. Served with lettuce, tomato, side of fries, and a deliciously sweet pickle. When you bite into it, it literally taste like a cloud of burger. Nothing like the heavy meat you expect from a burger, but a light fluffy puff of flavor in between the two buns full of tastiness. I have never had a burger like it. Ever. And now I understand why everyone pays for this $ 30 burger, and keep on coming back. Hungry Kat, two paws up approval.
Leila L.
Place rating: 3 Brooklyn, NY
Not sure how or why we didn’t review this restaurant much earlier. We were itching to come here for a while to try the world famous burger, the black label, the one everybody raves about. The anticipation was glorious and the presentation was simple. Cooked correctly as ordered, we were very excited to try it. Then we bit into it and were underwhelmed. Why was there so much fuss? What was the fuss about? We weren’t sure. Though it was some quality meats, there wasn’t much about the taste that made us say«WOW’. We were happy to have tried it but not happy the price we paid for it. Not to say everything was bad, we ordered the cod special as well to have other items to try. The cod was exquisitely cooked and served. Slightly seared on one side and served over some amazing tomato based vegetables and pasta, there wasn’t much not to like about this dish other than the size. We wanted more! Definitely a must have if it’s ever presented again.
Ken S.
Place rating: 5 Bridgeport, CT
If you’re looking to take your brunch game up a notch, try Minetta Tavern. You will find most brunch favorites here, but often with a classy twist. I had the omelette du jour, which happened to have truffles in addition to the usual cheese. So tasty! The fries — and there are plenty of them — help Minetta live up to the French part of its Parisian steakhouse meets old-time NYC tavern billing. They are definitely as good as you’d find in the City of Light. As for old-time tavern, you’ll dine surrounded by caricatures of famous folks of yesterday. Apparently Hemingway, Dylan Thomas, and Eugene O’Neill once dined(and very likely drank) here. My friend had the poached eggs served over latkes surrounded by smoked salmon, all of which made for a great combination. Service was great and very timely. As for the drinks, I would advise a bit of pre-gaming as they are $ 17 a pop. Your wallet might not mind one of these, but tai is a bit of a hit for brunch. Otherwise, I would totally recommend Minetta for some great brunch food with a dash of New York history.
Pauline J.
Place rating: 5 Marseille
Un super restau sur New York que je recommande vraiment !! J’y ai mangé un burger minetta et que c était bon!!! Le steak était vraiment parfait, et les frites super bonnes! Et l assiette était vraiment bien remplie! Pour le dessert, gâteau à la crème et noix de coco, un bonheur gustatif! Le service a été génial! Avec explication du menu, des cocktails(goûtez leur spécialité, c est un régal !!), et surtout, attentionné durant tout le repas. Certe la salle est un peu petite et pleine, donc il y a du bruit, mais j’ai trouvé l ambiance top, avec les lumières tamisées, et une deco un peu époque prohibition. Bref, une très bonne adresse. N’oubliez pas de réserver !!!
Eric G.
Place rating: 2 La Cadière-d'Azur, Var
Nous étions très heureux d’avoir pu obtenir un table dans ce restaurant très côté de West Village. Mais …: Réservé à 10 pm 1 mois à l’avance, installés 30 mn plus tard engoncés entre 2 tables(on avait l’impression de partager la même table que les gens qui nous entouraient), service rapide(peut être un peu trop, sentiment d’être expédié), burger bon(mais sans plus, celui du Market Table est pour moi largement meilleur et beaucoup plus abordable) mais surtout un BRUITASSOURDISSANT !!! C’est pour moi intenable si vous êtes non américain ou non habitué à ce genre d’endroit. Le seul restaurant où nous sommes sûrs de né jamais revenir à NYC.
Keith p.
Place rating: 5 Brooklyn, Estados Unidos
Black label burger of course. Steaks as well. Even the arugula manages to be exceptional here. Plus good cocktails, service and ambiance. For what it is I don’t know how you can beat it.