Russ & Daughters Cafe
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Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Russ & Daughters Cafe
Review
About
MICHELIN
View more on MICHELIN Guide
MICHELIN Bib Gourmand: Good quality, good value cooking
From white-jacketed servers to that pristine counter, this updated yet model LES café channels the very spirit and charm of its mothership, set only blocks away. The adept kitchen follows suit, taking the original, appetizing classics and turning them on their heads to form an array of proper and profoundly flavorful dishes. Regulars perch at the bar to watch the ‘tender whip up a cocktail or classic egg cream, while serious diners find a seat and get noshing on hot- and cold-smoked Scottish salmon teamed with everything-bagel chips. The result? A thrilling contrast in flavor and texture. Caramelized chocolate babka French toast is crowned with strawberries for a sweet-savory treat; and “eggs Benny” with salmon, spinach and challah never fails to peg a bruncher.
Read more on MICHELIN Guide
Features
CUISINES
American, Cafe
Meal types
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Kosher, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Gift Cards Available
Highchairs Available
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Takeout
Wheelchair Accessible
Location
Downtown Manhattan (Downtown)
Does this restaurant serve alcohol?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Opens in 52 min
Sunday
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Contribute
4.5
711 reviews
Excellent
487
Good
156
Average
39
Poor
13
Terrible
16
These reviews are machine translated from their original language. Show machine translations?
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Ga5Feb
Ferrara17 contributions
Oct 2023 • family
While looking for the best eggs Benedict in New York, we came across this café with Eastern European style furnishings and atmosphere... a truly attractive mix! The menu is on the placemat…. rightly so, the soft bagels served "open sandwich" with smoked fish for every taste are famous! Don't miss the potato latkes, tasty pancakes accompanied with sour cream and apple sauce! And the Eggs Benny are truly sublime....with salmon and spinach on a large slice of soft challah, home-made like the bagels and all the bread (the relevant bakery is located in Brooklyn)! Priceless! Friendly staff with white coats 🥼

Written October 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
milsteinrachel
Chicago64 contributions
Jun 2024 • family
Wanted authentic deli food and definitely got it. This place was crowded on a random weekday, but everyone took a number and waited patiently for their turn. There are so many choices of bagels, including gluten-free, and cream cheeses, including vegan. They also have some cute merchandise, candy counter and meats. Got a plain gluten-free bagel with lox, plain cream, cheese, and onions, which was amazing! The sandwich was very full, so definitely worth it. There is no seating so keep that in mind… They do have two benches right out front.
Written June 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kaimbros
Seville1660 contributions
Oct 2023 • couples
@russanddaughters is the address where you can experience bagels at the highest level. We never see that they never compromise on product quality, both when we live in NYC and when we visit afterwards. Apart from their historical business located in the Lower East Side, they serve on Orchard St with a dine-in concept. Their journeys that started in 1914 by Joel Russ continued for 100 years. Russ, named after his three daughters Hattie, Ida and Anne, It is the first known American business with “& Daughters” in its name. So what to eat? You should try various smoked and cured salmon, homemade salads and cream cheeses in addition to bagels. I recommend the "Board" for your first visit (see in pics). You can experience a palate orgasm with champagne or sparkling wine next to this aromas. Let's also add that it has been on the #michelin Bib Gourmand list for years.
Written August 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tripavisor_Reviewer_Specialist
Aventura739 contributions
Jan 2025 • family
Classic New York Deli of old
Nothing memorable
Their bagel is good but as good as any other big apple bagel
Not worth a visit, let alone the wait for a table with vinyl seats full of fat... I asked to clean it when we went to sit down and the attitude of the staff was DEPLORABLE
The service is paupérima and leaves much to be desired
Literally three small, transparent fish auctions of a salmon nothing special for $22.00 is an outburst
But the price was listed and we accepted to consume so it is our responsibility but the ill-served by a whole group of waiters trained in tourist trap did not leave the taste of returning
Automatically translated
Written January 28, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Urban Explorer
Toronto292 contributions
Jun 2024 • couples
Went to the Orchard St location for breakfast. Had heard the hype for years and thought we’d give it a try.
Seated right away by friendly staff.
Wanted to try the sable and sturgeon boards.
For the price they charge I was hoping for more than just a few incredibly thin slices of fish.
The fish was fine but we didn’t leave feeling full.
And a regular cup of NYC coffee for $5???
Honestly.
The place was busy which I’m assuming has more to do with their name and not the value.
The next morning we had a very good breakfast that filled us up for half the price.
Russ and Daughters has been around for a long time.
But I won’t be going back.
Written June 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James Simon
99 contributions
Apr 2024 • solo
Popped in solo for some breakfast - seated at the bar (surprisingly comfy for a bar seat) and ordered the eggs benny (served on challah bread). Food came within 5 minutes and was really tasty - different from a standard eggs benedict as had smoked salmon and spinach. Would definitely go again
Written April 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janet B
Wellington58 contributions
Dec 2024 • couples
We queued for a late lunch at this iconic NYC cafe, and sat at the bar which felt like being part of the action. The bartender who was also our waiter was friendly and attentive, and the ambience is great. My potato latkes with apple sauce and my husband's borscht were delicious. Well worth the wait!
Written January 8, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MenuPassport
Miami Beach404 contributions
Jan 2023 • none
They’ve done a fantastic job with the space, giving it the full retro diner look, while also staying true to the original R&D; vibe. They serve breakfast all day, including eggs, bagels, smoked fish, matzoh ball soup, and all kinds of Jewish comfort food. All the classic bagel sandwiches come laid out on photogenic wood boards, which you’ve no doubt seen in your Instagram feed. ❤️
Written January 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LoveLakeoftheWoods
Toronto672 contributions
Mar 2023 • couples
A unique deli experience with a focus on fish. The herring platter was exquisite - as was the smoked white fish chowder. Be sure to get there a little early and be on the wait list. The place is very popular and you will need to plan for some buffer time while you wait. The sodas are a signature drink worth trying. Some great ole favourites on the menu. NOTE - No smoked meet - mostly fish choices.
Written March 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NUiAodha
Wexford37 contributions
Dec 2023 • family
We visited Russ & Daughters while staying nearby. Such a unique experience. Gorgeous authentic menu and lots of options. We got a bread basket as extra to taste all that was available but we were barely able for it as the portions were so filling.
Staff were friendly and attentive.
We arrived at 8:20 and it opened at 8:30. There was already a small queue but we were seated immediately - party of 5. Great experience and delicious food.
Written December 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lacelleNJ
71 contributions
May 2021 • none
Visiting NYC for the day I was so excited to go to the restaurant my parents grew up with. I was shocked to find nasty young ladies in charge, well it didn't matter we were there for the food. I was shocked again when my bagel was delivered cold and stale - there are only a few items on the menu and it's mainly a bagel shop so I have no idea why the bagels are cold or stale. I guess it's just a famous name now - too popular to serve fresh food. I can't tell you how disappointed we were. Waste of money and time!
Written May 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Canadianstraveling
Oakville378 contributions
Nov 2019 • none
We had lunch at Russ & Daughters after a visit to the nearby Tenement Museum in November 2019. Both The restaurant and the museum are located on Orchard Street in the historic lower east side neighbourhood of New York City. Russ & Daughters has been serving New Yorkers Jewish "appetizers" either from a pushcart or a storefront for over 100 years, although the Cafe only opened in 2014. The cafe is a bright and airy space and we were able to secure a comfortable table. The menu features a variety of Jewish comfort food, particularly emphasizing the smoked fish for which they are well known. We shared a "Classic Board" (smoked salmon, cream cheese, a bagel, tomatoes, onions and capers) with extra bagels and the "Chopped Salad" (a mishmash of smoked whitefish, avocado, beets, egg, apple and matzo), both of which were nicely presented, delicious and reasonably priced. Overall, it was a memorable lunch and a great complement to the very worthwhile Tenement Museum down the street.
Written February 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
debjl20
New York City46 contributions
Jul 2022 • friends
This is the most quintessential NYC experience I’ve had since I moved to NY in 1990. We had outstanding food, service, and felt very much like part of the Russ family. Make sure to try to the amazing latkes and fresh smoked fish. Special note: I had an out-of-town guest staying with me, and we happened to walk into the cafe the very day that the 4th generation Russ family was launching their reopening. Not only did they invite us to stay, but they fed us for free and included us in their speeches and family celebrations. We will always feel a connection to this very special place and to Niki Russ Federman, whom we hugged as we departed, wished good luck, and promised to return soon.
Written July 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Banjo1957
Fremont97 contributions
Jan 2023 • solo
Dropped in for lunch after visiting the Tenement Museum. Everything on the menu sounded delicious, and from what I saw, the food was amazingly authentic with an upscale flare.The matzoh ball soup was exactly what I needed on a cold day. Wish I lived closer, but plan to return next trip to NYC.
Written January 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Where2next629
Rockaway Park912 contributions
Feb 2023 • none
My friend and I finally made it to the cafe. I'm a long time patron of the delicatessen, so this was a special treat to get to the cafe. Absolutely love the decor. Our waiter behind the bar couldn't have been friendlier, and what a genuine smile on that guy! Lit up the room. And he seemed to genuinely enjoy what he was doing. That always shows through.
We had lunch and cocktails. I love the menu. Fantastic selection. Drink menu is so special. We had the smoked martini and Lower East Side. Delish. For food we had the mushroom barley and smoked whitefish chowder (omg yes!) that came with a piece of matzoh. Delish again. And we shared the challah bread pudding which comes out warm. What can I say but this restaurant is doing everything right. Will be back!
Written March 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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