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

Russian Samovar & Tolstoy's Lounge

4.5 (840)
$31 to $50
Russian
256 W 52nd Street, New York, NY 10019

Make a booking

2 people
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
19:00
Booked 11 times today

About this restaurant

  • Great for live music
  • Good for groups
  • Charming
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.

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
  • 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
  • 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
Gift card

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Private dining

What 840 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

4.5
4.5 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 an authentic and "amazing Russian food" experience with a vibrant atmosphere. Guests praise the "great service" and "perfect ambiance" with live music enhancing the dining experience. It's a "classic NYC experience" and a favorite for pre- or post-theater dining.
840 Reviews
  1. ARTHUR VIP

    New York City32 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Their vodka cocktails are made with Russian vodka, which makes them very drinkable (too drinkable). We shared a salad, app and main and ended with tea with cherries. More than enough for the two of us. Started with duck salad, followed by cornish hen with home fries and an order of vereniki on the side. Everything was absolutely delicious. Plus a glass of white wine, Georgian Legend, light to medium bodied and subtly fruity.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Lisa

    Tucson1 review

    1.0

    Dined on 11 June 2025

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    We were totally ignored and received no service. It was cold and not inviting!

    Is this helpful?

  3. Foodlovrr

    New York City10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 23 May 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The head waiter served us above and beyond as always. He is true professional. Food is good. Wide and dependable drink selections. Live music was nice. Kitchen opens too late. So it is my go to after theater dinner. Always pleasure to dine there

    Is this helpful?

  4. Marina

    New York City15 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 17 May 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    For some reason, we never visited this place before, always picking some other places in the area, when we attended opera or a concert We will now!!! Very nice place, we are very familiar with Russian menu, and we couldn’t fault any of our orders The waiter gave us very helpful recommendations, signature cocktails were done professionally, with their signature vodka my friend had lamb with buckwheat, she praised it highly, we shared duck salad with arugula, fresh greens warm pulled duck meat, perfectly balanced seasoning I had chicken Kiev , also good quality, desert poached pear was very elegant not too sweet Overall the price was reasonable for a meal in the heart of NYC , and YOU CAN TALK, it’s quiet, and nobody is pushing you out by grabbing your unfinished dish We will be back!

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  5. Jacquelyn

    Las Vegas5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 6 May 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The most amazing Russian food! Gene at the bar was a sweetheart. The perfect ambiance

    Is this helpful?

  6. Richard

    New York City3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 6 May 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Great ambiance, excellent Russian food with music and dance. Obviously when the musicians are playing, conservation slows down, but remains possible.

    Is this helpful?

  7. OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 3 May 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We enjoyed ourselves very much. Authentic russian dishes and great service! Will return!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Judi

    New York City9 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on 30 April 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Good quality was good, not great. Not necessarily worth the cost

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  9. Diane VIP

    Greater Boston67 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on 23 April 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    A great place to hit after a Broadway show. The prices were a little steep for what we got--e.g., four dolmas for $30. But the food was excellent (and authentic!), and we loved the live music.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Ruth

    Portland / Oregon1 review

    4.0

    Dined on 23 April 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    We sat near the piano bar- when we arrived 2 women were performing traditional? Russian singing that was a bit screechy- later a piano bass duo was much more along the lines of our expectations. Good food, drinks and service

    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 4.5 stars by 840 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.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. New York City
  4. Manhattan
  5. Theater District

Make a booking

2 people
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
19:00
Booked 11 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
  • 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
  • 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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