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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
825 Reviews
$31 to $50
Russian

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2 people
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
7:00 PM
Booked 13 times today

About this restaurant

  • Charming
  • Great for live music
  • Good for groups
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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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
  • 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
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Neighborhood
    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, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wine
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Private dining

What 825 people are saying

Russian Samovar & Tolstoy's Lounge reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

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
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Russian Samovar & Tolstoy's Lounge offers a "great atmosphere" with live piano music, creating a delightful cultural experience. Guests praise the "excellent" Russian cuisine, particularly the beef stroganoff and infused vodkas. The "friendly staff," including standout server Moon, adds to the charm. Perfect for pre-theater dining, this venue promises a memorable night.
825 Reviews
  1. Monty VIP

    West Palm Beach172 reviews

    1.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 2
    Service terrible. Had to Find our server each time by getting up or asking someone to get him. He was on the phone at least once. Herring so fishy it could not be consumed. Perogi tasteless. Just nothing about the ambiance to discuss. They need new management.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Honest

    Atlanta7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always good, my daughter loves coming back there!

    Is this helpful?

  3. OpenTable Diner VIP

    New York City3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 14, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This was our fifth time visiting the restaurant before a show. The food is excellent. We love the piano bar and comfortable, relaxed atmosphere. We’ll definitely be back.

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  4. Debra

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined on March 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everyone at the table loved their choices - pelmeni, stuffed cabbage, short ribs and Herring. Old NY vibe inside.

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  5. Felicia VIP

    New York City81 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great corner table. Martini had too much cranberry when I only asked for a splash but the food was delicious. Accommodated our request to be quick as we only had an hour before our show. Piano player was superb.

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  6. OpenTable Diner

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined on March 9, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing! What a fun, perfect night. Great staff, great vibe, great crowd and dinner and a show. Literally just perfect!

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  7. lora

    New York City20 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 9, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We had great time in this restaurant. Food was good and great atmosphere with a little dancing. Would recommend to our friends.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Steven and Irina

    Seattle1 review

    5.0

    Dined on March 7, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was excellent, but portions are very small.

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  9. Foodlovrr

    New York City9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 7, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Last time I went there was years ago. The head waiter remembered me. He was extremely attentive to every table. He should get the best head waiter award of the year in NYC. His dedication to his profession is truly special. Food was delicious before but now it became bombastic great . Real Russian tea w real cherry jam is served as it should be but other places do not bother to do. I could just keep eating so much food there! Wine selection became more of my taste also. They have Cremant and St. Emilion. ( not vodka drinker. So I can’t say anything about it . But just observing others drinking, vodka must be good ) Music was lively and so much fun. Some people and I were actually dancing. Ambience is very romantic and cute w red lamp like old White Russian emigrants era in 1920’s or something. Very interesting artwork on wall. ( next time I shall take break from eating and observe them carefully) I made myself note that whenever I go to theaters I should always eat there.

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  10. Nick

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined on February 23, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing food! We really enjoyed our Sunday lunch here

    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 825 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 reservation


Booked 13 times today
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
  • Neighborhood
    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, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wine
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Phone number
  • 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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