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Russian Samovar & Tolstoy's Lounge - Russian Samovar & Tolstoy's Lounge, New York, NY

Russian Samovar & Tolstoy's Lounge

4.6
4.6
810 Reviews
$31 to $50
Russian

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2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 8 times today
  • Great for live music
  • Good for groups
  • Good for special occasions
There is only one way to describe it: Classic Russia in the heart of New York.
The history of Russian Samovar starts well before the restaurant itself. Originally Jilly's Canteen, and owned by a friend of Frank Sinatra, Jilly Rizzo, Samovar was the go-to hot spot for Sinatra and The Rat Pack.
In 1986, Roman Kaplan, founder of Russian Samovar acquired the property and was joined in 1987 by friends and business partners: Legendary dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov and Nobel Award Winning poet Joseph Brodsky. Baryshnikov's baby grand piano is still used daily by our performers and guests can still request the Brodsky table, where the legends used to sit and drink away the hours. Guests of private events also enjoy our private dining room, where Baryshnikov filmed Sex in the City.
​Samovar has remained a celebrity hangout over the years. We've been lucky enough to feature impromptu shows by Liza Minelli and rumor has it that Mel Brooks adapted The Producers to film while sitting at our bar.

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Private dining

Private dining

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Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Russian, Continental, Eastern European
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon 4:00 pm–11:45 pm Tue–Thu, Sun 12:00 pm–11:45 pm Fri, Sat 12:00 pm–12:45 am
  • Phone number
    (212) 757-0168
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Catering
    We provide catering to your home or office. No order is too small<br />Choose from platters or banquets menus. Or create your own. <br />We have staffing and entertainment for hire for all your event needs. <br /><br /><br />russiansamovar.com
  • Private party facilities
    We welcome you to explore our Private Dining options, perfect for any occasion. Choose from our banquette menus ($115, $150,$175) with alcohol or a la carte. Minimum spend applies based on the amount of guests. Staffing fee applies. If you can think of it, we can create it.
  • Private party contact
    Vlada Von Shats: (212) 757-0168
  • Area
    Theater District
  • Cross Street
    52nd street , between Broadway and 8th Avenue
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    Closest to 50th Street Station ( C or E train ) 7 Avenue / 53 Street ( B or D train )
  • Entertainment
    Live Piano Music!
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dancing, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Vegan, Wine
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What 810 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.3Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Russian Samovar & Tolstoy's Lounge offers a "classic NYC experience" with its "authentic Russian cuisine" and "fantastic" live piano music. Guests praise the "great service" and "amazing food," especially the beef stroganoff. The ambiance is "sexy" and perfect for pre- or post-theater dining, making it a "favorite" spot for locals and tourists alike.

810 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner

    New York City

    20 reviews

    5.0

    20 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A very fun experience. Food delicious. Entertainment was an added plus!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Ana

    VIP

    New Mexico

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We love this place! It’s like stepping back in time- always a fun cultural experience!

    Is this helpful?

  3. Linda

    VIP

    Washington DC

    18 reviews

    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on 7 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a wonderful experience at Samovar. The ambiance was wonderful and there was a pianist who added to our special night. The food was delicious and very abundant. We would definitely return.

    Is this helpful?

  4. annmarie

    New York City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 5 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely dining experience! Service good and ambiance all A +

    Is this helpful?

  5. Zsoka

    New York City

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 2 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great atmospheria, the food was absolutely delicious!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Craig

    VIP

    New York City

    149 reviews

    5.0

    149 reviews

    Dined on 23 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful food and service every time we have dinner here. Love this restaurant for before or after a Broadway show because of its great location. Famous historic place and live piano most nights. Great sexy ambiance too.

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  7. Mia

    Greater Boston

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 18 January 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    The flavored vodka was delicious, the food was good. However, I would come back anytime just to hang out with Moon (the host).

    Is this helpful?

  8. Alexa

    New York City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 16 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Love this place. I always think the ambience is amazing

    Is this helpful?

  9. Xavier

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 12 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Such a great restaurant. My entire party loved their dishes. Specifically the beef stroganoff and the country style lamb. The drinks are incredible, try some of their infused vodkas. They have a friendly staff, specifically Moon. Moon is an attentive and friendly server who always makes us feel home when we dine there and has us all laughing throughout the night.

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  10. Dave

    New York City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 8 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Classic and authentic Russian cuisine. Old school NYC/russian interior, which is what we expected, and it was a great time. Food is fantastic and perfectly prepared.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Russian Samovar & Tolstoy's Lounge offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (212) 757-0168.

Russian Samovar & Tolstoy's Lounge is rated 4.6 stars by 810 OpenTable diners.

Russian Samovar & Tolstoy's Lounge does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 8 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Russian Samovar & Tolstoy's Lounge

256 W 52nd Street, New York, NY 10019

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    52nd street , between Broadway and 8th Avenue
  • Area
    Theater District
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon 4:00 pm–11:45 pm Tue–Thu, Sun 12:00 pm–11:45 pm Fri, Sat 12:00 pm–12:45 am
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Russian, Continental, Eastern European
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    Closest to 50th Street Station ( C or E train ) 7 Avenue / 53 Street ( B or D train )
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Entertainment
    Live Piano Music!
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dancing, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Vegan, Wine
  • Phone number
    (212) 757-0168
  • Catering
    We provide catering to your home or office. No order is too small<br />Choose from platters or banquets menus. Or create your own. <br />We have staffing and entertainment for hire for all your event needs. <br /><br /><br />russiansamovar.com
  • Private party facilities
    We welcome you to explore our Private Dining options, perfect for any occasion. Choose from our banquette menus ($115, $150,$175) with alcohol or a la carte. Minimum spend applies based on the amount of guests. Staffing fee applies. If you can think of it, we can create it.
  • Private party contact
    Vlada Von Shats: (212) 757-0168
Gift card

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card
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