Essex Restaurant New York City

I’m starting this review with the drink because it truly deserves the spotlight. I ordered the Purple Rose Martini, and it was exceptional — beautifully balanced, fragrant, and honestly one of the best drinks I’ve had in a long time. For appetizers, we had the trio of dips: hummus, baba ghanoush, and tzatziki, served with warm pita. Everything tasted incredibly fresh and flavorful — the perfect beginning to the meal. For my main, I went with the vegan Beyond Meat burger, and it exceeded expectations. The patty was thick, juicy, and generous — definitely not one of those tiny, stingy versions you find elsewhere. Truly one of the best vegan burgers in NYC. To finish, I tried the Tahini Buttermilk Panna Cotta, a dessert that’s light, subtly sweet, and beautifully balanced. A lovely way to end the evening. Essex Restaurant impressed me with its flavors, portions, and warm ambience. Highly recommend! 🤎✨

— Nagma Shrestha

I came here for Valentine’s Day with my boyfriend and my best friend with her partner. We opted for the Valentine’s Day Dinner, which gives you the choice of a starter, entrée, and dessert for $95 each. Honestly, based on that menu, the food wasn’t the best. I can’t speak for the rest of the restaurant’s offerings, but my meal lacked seasoning and didn’t impress me. That said, the service was wonderful. Our waitress was amazing—she treated us with care and offered excellent recommendations. She suggested THE SPICY MEZCALERO (Mezcal Verde Momento | Pineapple | Cinnamon | Tabasco) for me since I said I didn’t want anything sweet, and I really enjoyed it. She also recommended the CINNAMON SOUR (Cinnamon Infused Whiskey | Triple Sec | Sour Mix | Charred Cinnamon Stick | Fee Foam), which I didn’t try. My best friend’s boyfriend tried the SNAKE CHARMER (Four Roses Bourbon | Campari | Sweet Vermouth | Black Walnut Bitters) and thought it was good. All of these drinks are not overly sweet, so if you’re looking for something balanced, these are great picks. I did try the espresso martini, but at $18, I wouldn’t recommend it—it didn’t compare to other espresso martinis I’ve had. The atmosphere is exactly what it’s supposed to be: calm, fancy, and elevated. The dress code leans upscale, so be prepared to dress for the occasion. This place is extremely expensive, so plan to spend quite a bit. Overall, if you want a fancy night out for one or two carefully chosen drinks, this is a great spot. But for me, this was a one-time experience.

— Julissa Encarnacion

We ordered the Mezze (hummus, tzatziki & feta-garlic spread), Essex Kofta Meatballs, Seared Dayboat Scallops, Roasted Baby Heirloom Carrots, and the Purple Rose Martinis (not pictured). Unfortunately, all of the food was served cold. The meatballs and scallops were sent back to be reheated, but when returned they were only slightly warm. The scallops themselves were flavorful and delicious, and the chilled carrots were decent. There was also a mix-up with my mezze selection. I did not order the feta-garlic spread, I selected olives as my third option. The order was corrected, which I appreciated. Overall, price for quality, it just wasn’t to my taste, and I wouldn’t recommend it.

— Monique Robinson

We got the champagne brunch and it was a fantastic deal! Great drinks, delicious food, the manchego mac and cheese is a must. The interior is stunning after the renovation, perfect place for a date or large parties. Service was super attentive — my water was never empty lol. And Katie was a doll. Such a fabulous gal. Highly recky

— Laura Diorio

Just found one of NYC’s newest Mediterranean steakhouses and it’s stunning from the moment you step inside! Essex has been a staple for over 20 years, housed in a beautiful historic loft style building and has recently undergone a full rebrand and remodel. The space now blends modern elegance with classic architectural charm, creating an upscale yet inviting dining atmosphere. From the stylish interiors to the perfectly cooked steaks and elevated appetizers, every detail feels intentional and refined. If you’re searching for a new NYC restaurant for date nights, celebrations or an upscale dinner spot in Manhattan, this is definitely one to add to your must visit list. Loved everything here!

— Samina Chowdhury