Gramercy Tavern

Gramercy Tavern at 42 E 20th Street in the Flatiron district of Manhattan is restaurateur Danny Meyer's landmark New American restaurant and a long-standing benchmark for hospitality in New York City. The restaurant is divided into two experiences under one roof: a walk-in tavern room at the front with an à la carte menu, and a more formal dining room at the back serving a seasonal prix-fixe and tasting menu. The cuisine is New American, focused on seasonal produce, careful sourcing and refined but approachable cooking. The seasonal tasting menu is the format most associated with the dining room, while the tavern burger and roasted duck are among the dishes that have become emblematic of the restaurant, and desserts and pastries are also well regarded. The dining room is warm and rustic-elegant, with folk-art decor, flowers and wood details, and the service is polished but friendly. Noise is moderate, and the tavern room is livelier than the dining room. Dress is smart-casual. The beverage programme is strong, with a deep wine list and a range of cocktails and non-alcoholic options. Reservations for the dining room are made through Resy and are best booked several weeks ahead for dinner, while the tavern accepts walk-ins, which makes it a flexible option for visitors without a booking. Lunch and dinner are typically served daily, though hours should be confirmed. Prices in the tavern are upper-moderate, and the tasting menu in the dining room is at the higher end, with the prix-fixe typically costing well over a hundred dollars. Its position near Union Square and Madison Square Park makes it easy to combine with a walk through the surrounding Flatiron neighbourhood and the park's public art.