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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
823 Reviews
$31 to $50
Russian

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2 people
19:00
Booked 21 times today

About this restaurant

  • Great for live music
  • Charming
  • 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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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 16:00–23:45 Tue–Thu, Sun 12:00–23:45 Fri, Sat 12:00–00:45
  • 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, Gender Neutral Restroom, 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 823 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
  • 4.3Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Russian Samovar & Tolstoy's Lounge offers a "wonderful experience" with "delicious food" and "excellent service." Guests rave about the "authentic Russian cuisine," including dishes like Beef Stroganoff and Chicken Kiev. The "live piano music" and "warm atmosphere" create a "charming" setting. A perfect spot for a "fun cultural experience" in NYC.

823 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner VIP

    New York City3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    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.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Debra

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    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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  3. Felicia VIP

    New York City81 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    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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  4. OpenTable Diner

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    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!

    Is this helpful?

  5. lora

    New York City20 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    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?

  6. Steven and Irina

    Seattle1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 7 March 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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  7. Foodlovrr

    New York City9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 7 March 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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  8. Nick

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 23 February 2025

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

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  9. David

    New York City8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 22 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I really enjoyed the dinner the pelmini and the boracht

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  10. Jann VIP

    New York City477 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on 20 February 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    We chose this restaurant for its proximity to the August Wilson theater. Chicken Kiev & Beef Stroganoff were OK, nothing special. Apple strudel with vanilla ice cream was disappointing…soggy crust, too many raisins. I couldn ‘t taste the apples. Service was lackluster. Ambiance is quite nice & pianist was a welcome addition.

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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 823 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
19:00
Booked 21 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 16:00–23:45 Tue–Thu, Sun 12:00–23:45 Fri, Sat 12:00–00:45
  • 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, 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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