Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: restaurant (28) good (22) great (22) time (17) service (16) ordered (15) drinks (14) experience (14) delicious (13) amazing (12)
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  • 5/5 Poonam R. 2 years ago on Google
    Went for dinner with my girl friend. It’s beautiful as u enter. Reservation is required. Since we both are eaters we asked the server to move us to bigger table. The food was amazing. Every item we ordered was divine & worth every penny. We ordered double as the portions are very small. Chelsea our server was amazing. Very sweet & friendly. The drinks were super good too. Definitely going back. Need to try other dishes.
    11 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lucy G. 2 months ago on Google • 553 reviews New
    Beauty & Essex. Super cute and elegant place. I got there on a Tuesday night. I went for their happy hour. It was fantastic. We got a bunch of bites and a couple of drinks, everything was amazing but the service was exceptional. My bartender, Merviño was on point. Knowledgeable and polite. Fantastic everything, can’t wait to go back.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jean Philippe G. 3 weeks ago on Google • 469 reviews New
    The setting of this restaurant is just incredible. You walk in through an old pawn shop, which leads to a very hip restaurant and bar. We showed up for our reservation and after a very short wait at the bar we're seated to our table. Our waitress came by and offered still or sparkling water, and we asked to come back for drinks as were still deciding. Overall from the time we sat down and the time we got our drinks elapsed a good 45mns. Our waitress did come back a little before to take our order, and I told her we'd order as soon as we got our drinks and bottles of wine we ordered. All the food we ordered was extremely tasty- from the fries shrimp to fish tacos, and mushroom raviolis to sea scallops. The only disappointment was the lobster carbonara - although very good, it was not a carbonara. The food came out quickly once we had ordered, but it was obvious that our waitress was overwhelmed - we waited a very long time for drinks and wine, and I had to ask 3 times for extra empty glasses for the wine we had ordered. Food was very good, but service although nice really lacked. I'm happy to have experienced this restaurant, but I'm not sure I would be going back.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 brian 1 year ago on Google
    We went there yesterday for the brunch, and everything is good.people are very friendly the food were delicious. The drink I order is the best whitxh is call garden city. it good to have a party in here too.and they have plenty of seat for large groups. Highly recommend this restaurant. We enjoyed our brunch and will be back again for dinner soon.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Gui M. 1 year ago on Google
    Bring a date here! Beautiful, lavish ambiance. I did not like how loud the music got as it got later, so I would come more to the early hours of the night. The drinks are very good also. The food is overall good, with a shareables menu. Mu table ordered a bunch of items, as seen by the pictures below. There were more OK dishes than excellent ones, but it was good tasting experience. The fish dishes, like the tuna tacos and the shrimp are the highlights. The meat dishes and desserts were not at the same level, but still nice. Would come back if wanting to wow someone with a classy place.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jasmine Francois (Jazz F. 2 years ago on Google
    Smooth night life vibe with excellent food and service. Exclusive and stylish atmosphere, so dress up just a touch. The food here was at an exceptional level. The food is well flavored with layers of spices coming in with every bite. Oysters on the half shell had an impeccably fresh taste with both west and east coast options available. I did both! Will have to come back for more, can’t explain how delicious the food was.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 G. R. 2 months ago on Google • 327 reviews New
    Best tip: ask for a table in the main room downstairs. We are likely not coming back. We were somewhat disappointed with the experience at this place. The vibe was sort of weird and the food was mostly underwhelming - device was okay but not great - for example, one of us only ordered one dish (the lobster carbonara) and it took them more than 1h! We had to ask twice for them to check. They said they dropped at another table and we didn’t even get a proper apology or anything - I would have expected them to at least offer a drink or something - but there we were with them asking if we wanted dessert when one of the main dishes had not even arrived! Then $74 for a steak that honestly was not worth it?!? $100+ per person dinner for this? Sorry but not for me.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Briana 8 months ago on Google
    You enter through a pawn shop and are immediately struck by the vast size of the restaurant. The dress code here is “smart casual/ trendy.” We had an excellent meal, every single thing tasted delicious. The waiter recommended 6-8 plates for the 4 people we had at our table. My favorites were the kale salad, roasted beet and whipped goat cheese toast and the small French dip sandwiches. The service was amazing too. Highly recommend this, it’s a super cool spot.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jessica T. 4 months ago on Google • 185 reviews
    We went as a group of 15, got seated late but the manager more than made up for the mishap. Very professional and nice of them. We had a more private space in the back on the first floor which was amazing. The food was amazing. Our group was big so we had to do a tasting menu ahead of time which was great - they were very helpful in choosing. Drinks very good. Atmosphere very chic and cool. Also to note we had someone with an allergy that they went above and beyond for to make sure they ate well still. Highly recommend
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Anna S. 2 months ago on Google • 54 reviews New
    Went here with a group of 8 for restaurant week Sunday brunch/lunch and it was wonderful! Service was excellent (deeply apologetic for the delays in food service since they were backed up, and gave us shots & donuts for free), atmosphere was great (good not too loud music), gorgeous venue itself (and really cool speakeasy entrance at the front that leads to the dimmer intimate restaurant area), and HUGE food portions (almost everyone took something home). Will definitely be coming back for dinner, drinks, or their regular $35 Sunday brunch!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Monte B. 6 months ago on Google • 152 reviews
    Absolutely exquisite dining experience at Beauty & Essex! From the moment you walk through the unassuming pawn shop entrance, you're transported to a world of opulence and elegance. The atmosphere is electric, with stunning chandeliers and luxurious decor setting the stage for an unforgettable meal. The service is impeccable—attentive, knowledgeable, and perfectly timed, ensuring that your glass is never empty and your needs are met before you even realize you have them. As for the food, it's a culinary masterpiece. From the Grilled Cheese Smoked Bacon & Tomato Soup Dumplings to the succulent Beef Wellington, every bite is a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. The cocktails are expertly crafted and the wine list is expansive, leaving no palate unsatisfied. Do yourself a favor and finish with the decadent desserts ... the perfect end to a flawless evening. In summary, Beauty & Essex is more than just a restaurant—it's an experience that excels in every single category. Highly recommended for those looking to indulge in the finest dining New York City has to offer. 5 stars all around!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Noémie 2 years ago on Google
    We came here for my birthday and had an amazing time. The service was excellent and the place is simply gorgeous. Glad I read about the unique entrance! It can get a bit chaotic in the entrance and bar, but once seated you get to take the entire place in. I was told they used to serve champagne in the women's bathroom, but they've sadly stopped this. The food was delicious as well. Overall we had such a blast! Highly recommend to celebrate a special event!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Anais G. 1 year ago on Google
    I had no idea where I was going as I entered the pawn-inspired retail shop. My boyfriend surprised me with the location to celebrate my birthday at this fantastic restaurant. The food is delicious, and I loved the secrecy and speakeasy feel of the place. The restaurant decor and ambiance were perfect for a cute sexy date or a celebration like we had. I have recommended it to many friends, and all love it. The drinks, appetizers, and the desert are simply exquisite. A must-visit if you are in the area.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Lauren R. 2 years ago on Google
    I have wanted to visit Beauty & Essex for a long time and never had the chance but I am glad I made the chance for my birthday this year. I had a wonderful time celebrating here with my family. Everyone who works here was absolutely kind and happy to accommodate any needs we had. The restaurant is absolutely gorgeous, the entire vibe is what I wish my house looked like. I spent quite a bit of time taking photos in here because of how stunning it was. Hot tip: the women's bathroom is gorgeous and excellent for photo sessions. I am not a big drinker but I really enjoyed the Beauty Elixir that has gin, cucumber, strawberry, and sparkling rosé in it. It was very subtle and a great accompaniment to dinner. The food was good as well, not as fantastic as Tao, their sister restaurant, but still enjoyable. My favorite dish were the Cauliflower Tacos; they were bursting with flavor and I regret not ordering another plate of them. Everyone I was with was happy with their dishes but the real star to me was the Wonder Wheel dessert ferris wheel. I would suggest getting it even if you aren't here celebrating anything. I had a wonderful time and by some miracle of time and space got a parking spot right out front. They even gave me a complimentary birthday cupcake which was tasty and very kind. I would definitely go back to try some more dishes and get another Beauty Elixir!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Georgia H. 2 years ago on Google
    Behind a pawn shop in NYC, theres Beauty & Essex! This place is happening! This place had a great atmosphere, delicious food and a friendly staff. The dress was casual to dressy. No T-shirts or cutoffs. The Beef Wellington was delicious and I also recommend their Thai Shrimp. Beauty & Essex is located at 146 Essex St. New York City. Tues -Thurs 5:00 - 11:00. Fri - Sat 5:00 - 12:00. Sun - Mon Closed
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Neil D. 8 months ago on Google
    Such a cool speak easy. You walk into a pawn shop and walk through this door to a massive restaurant. I didn’t realize the restaurant was part of the Tao group of restaurants but I can appreciate why the place is so cool as it is part of their group. Food and drinks were truly delicious. We had the grilled cheese dumplings, the French dip bites and the scallops and everything was really nice. The server was great with making recommendations. Really liked the cocktails.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 tC 1 month ago on Google • 90 reviews New
    Nice place. Food not as great. Came for NY food week and I was not impressed. Also, we had a bit of a server issue. Come to find out what we ordered was not brought out. We ordered tortilla soup dumplings. Nothing in the menu mentioned bacon on this dish so when it came out with bacon we said something. The server gets an attitude and basically states that he asked if we had any food allergies or restrictions. After we get back to Florida we see on the menu what was brought out was tomato soup dumplings which has bacon. Very upsetting that the server tried to place blame on us when it was his error.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Emily T. 1 month ago on Google • 39 reviews New
    Very disappointed in our experience here. We had made a reservation for 9PM and arrived on time. We checked in with the hostess and can already see a huge amount of people waiting for their table. Surely enough, we couldn't even get a seat in the waiting area. We went over to the bar and ordered a very overpriced drink but the drink was good. We probably aren't seated until 10PM. The only pro during this check in process was the coat check. Once we arrived at our table, the table was very small and close to the other tables. We could hear everyone's conversation around us. We asked our server a few questions that we had about the menu. It was very loud and we could barely hear his replies. We did ask about the restaurant week menu's tortilla soup dumplings. We decided to give that a try since he said they were known for that and explained the ingredients and how it's made. After we ordered, he asked us if we had any allergies. We both said no. When the food started to arrive, we both tried the dumplings. Yes, absolutely delicious! They were placed on a soup spoon each. Once we took a bite, we were both kinda confused. This tastes like tomato soup? This also has bacon. Major alert. My boyfriend doesn't eat pork due to religious reasons. We were really upset at this point. We asked our server if there's bacon in our dish. He was rude and started off with "Remember when I asked you guys if you had food allergies or restrictions?" I said no. You asked if we have allergies and we don't. I never heard restrictions. He said "OK so you guys want a new one made?" We said yes without bacon if you can. Well, he took it personal and never stopped by our table again. Lack of service the rest of the night. We were talking amongst ourselves on how they were able to serve a dish with bacon without listing the ingredient out. Now after the fact - we realize that Beauty & Essex gave us the wrong dumplings. They gave us the grilled cheese, smoked bacon and tomato soup dumplings. Smoked Bacon is in the name of this dish - not what we ordered. We had to wait around for everything after we exchanged this out. From the time that we came in to the time that we left, dinner took 2.5 hours due to the overbooked tables wait and our server's attitude. We actually paid the bill, tipped, and as we were leaving he made eye contact as we walked past and he did not even thank us. The pros on this were the food was pretty decent. I enjoyed the chicken parmesan that was on the restaurant week menu. It was fairly large and the leftovers the following day tasted great too. I also ordered the beef wellington and although it did not come out cut to see the beauty of it's work, it tasted spot on. Due to our poor experience, we will not be returning.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Isabela O. 3 months ago on Google New
    Party of 6 for a Fri night bday! What an amazing venue. Passing the shop there is a bar for those waiting to get in. Place has a great atmosphere, great for celebrations. Our host kept the drinks coming and did great recommending food and desert. Tacos are winners. Scallops were the biggest i’ve seen in my life
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Warren P. 4 months ago on Google
    What an amazing restaurant in the “speakeasy” style which you would never know was there. Classy period styling and wonderful lighting and decor throughout. Service and food was sensational, a credit to all involved here. Loved loved loved it.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Cris 1 year ago on Google
    I personally believe this place is overrated. The menu doesn't really make sense, weird combos and some items are just nonsense, like the French dip (beef smothered is onion soup-like lukewarm cheese). Every dish was disappointing and underwhelming. The "risotto" tasted more like overcooked farro, the scallops were undercooked and cold, the chicken was overcooked and tough. I did like the veggies that came with it though. The drinks were so sweet I had to ask for a replacement, it was just too much. The service was also underwhelming, not really attentive and a bit slow. The place is gorgeous, but it's simply not a speakeasy, it's just an overpriced restaurant. The ladies bathroom was probably the best part of the experience, the room was spacious and filled with lights and mirrors there was a girl serving women champagne for free. I don't believe I'm going back I don't see myself recommending the place.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Amber S. 1 year ago on Google
    Another wonderful experience from the Tao group. Walk in through a pawn shop into a secret. A best kept secret in New York. Beautiful decor and excellent service. Grilled cheese dumplings gave me a whole new perspective on a traditional classic. The drinks were great. There is champagne served in the bathroom.. yes. This is why the ladies go to the bathroom together 😅. Girls party!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alexandra B. 2 years ago on Google
    Amazing food and vibes!!! Came here with high expectations and I was not let down. As you walk in you are greeted immediately by someone in the pawnshop, and let into the main restaurant through another door. The atmosphere when you walk in is something different. The music and lights definitely set the tone. Food and desert was amazing! Would recommend getting the beef Wellington!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Johnny M. 2 months ago on Google • 13 reviews New
    The experience was amazing. Staff were great. Food was great. Surroundings and ambience were on point. The beef wellington is a work of art! The lobster ravioli was on special, and my wife loved it. The kids loved their food,and the desserts were to die for. When I return to NYC, I will return to this restaurant.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jessica C. 1 year ago on Google
    Amazing place! It's beautiful and the service is fast and friendly. We received a cupcake for my brother's birthday and recommendations from the chef. I highly recommend the Grilled cheese, smoked bacon and tomato soup dumplings.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Andre O. 2 months ago on Google • 47 reviews New
    Had a decent dinner here at Beauty and Essex, everything looks excellent inside and the service was great. However some dishes were just lacking flavor compared to other restaurants in this neighborhood. I enjoyed the bacon soup dumplings which were rather tasty, the dishes that were not the best were the ceviche and the nori tuna which was lacking flavor.

  • 5/5 Marina Ruiz M. 2 months ago on Google • 15 reviews New
    Went there for the restaurant week, and I was really surprised first of all for how the restaurant looks from the outside, a jewelry store haha, really cool. The food and the service excellent. We tried the dumpling tortillas, the chicken parmigiana, the dao bun skirt really good, and we added the ceviche very fresh and good portion, and the cookies with milk haha another surprise, it was a milk shot, I loved it. All the staff was nice and kind, food came out really fast. No complaint at all. As always TAO group on point.

  • 4/5 Robinson L. 5 months ago on Google
    I have been coming here for years. Great environment. Should make a reservation first because it’s always packed. I love the music the food is great. Service is usually great. First time here for Beauty hour is a bunch of great deals.

  • 4/5 Jonas H. 1 year ago on Google
    The Beauty&Essex is really a special location. Already the entrance is extravagant and in the first moment you don't expect a restaurant behind it. The food was very tasty and beautifully arranged. From the service of the staff there is nothing to complain about, all very friendly, as it should be. There is one star deduction, because our place was very drafty and it was sometimes just too cold. It must have been the same for other guests, as many left their jackets/sweaters on. Overall, though, a nice experience that could have been perfect if it hadn't been quite so chilled down.

  • 5/5 RICKI MAYA S. 6 months ago on Google
    Made reservations last min & they had plenty of room on week day. Atmosphere was everything. Tells you a story about NYC . Overall the food was good, the desert was quite disappointing, even though the presentation was spectacular, if you can have dessert somewhere else to do that. If you’re not a big dessert person then you should be good 😊

  • 5/5 Justine S. 6 months ago on Google
    Enjoyed a fantastic dinner experience! Austin provided exceptional service, offering excellent drink and food suggestions. The lamb and truffle steak were truly outstanding. This charming restaurant is perfect for special occasions. Looking forward to returning soon!

  • 5/5 Mary Grace C. 8 months ago on Google
    Probably one of the best meals I have had in years. Everything was delicious! The beef Wellington first came out overcooked, but the staff made it right quickly and gave us dessert on them. Our waitress gave us fabulous recommendations. The grilled cheese dumplings were to die for. Great place for a nice dinner. Definitely will be back! Oh, and the speakeasy feel added an extra layer of fun.

  • 4/5 Rylan G. 1 year ago on Google
    If you’re looking for a cool dining experience, this is the place. I give the restaurant experience 5 stars, and the food experience 3 stars. As you walk in the entrance, it looks like a pawn shop. Walk through the next door and you enter into a hip, low-lit restaurant with a beautiful chandelier. The ambience is incredible! I got the Essex Burger. Don’t expect it to be like a normal burger — the patty is a grounded combination of lamb, short rib, and brisket. It made for a one-of-a-kind flavor. Mashed potatoes were incredible! The tomato basil grilled cheese dumplings were so unique. Fun to try! Chicken meatballs were also good. I give the food 3 stars because although it was a new mix of flavors, I personally didn’t love the dishes but others might. It didn’t knock my socks off. All in all, this place is worth trying!

  • 5/5 Na T. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful restaurant “hidden” in a pawn shop Great for special occasions! Spent about $75 for two (got 4 shareable plates). All of the food options were delicious, beautifully presented and fairly unique - loved the Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup Dumplings especially. Did the brunch reservation. Will be back for dinner next time to check that menu out!

  • 5/5 Nellie B. 2 years ago on Google
    The exterior of this place is very deceiving. Once you get past the “pawn shop” you will be surprised to find a beautiful hidden gem. Staff was very friendly and attentive. The service was excellent. The food was really good and presented in an instagram worthy way. The ambience was great for groups as well as couples.

  • 5/5 LAKISHA B. 2 years ago on Google
    This was my first time with my family and this place was so amazing can wait to come back the staff was excellent and the food was unspeakably great

  • 5/5 Robyn A. 2 years ago on Google
    We came here for my birthday! It was so much fun! The drinks are delicious and our waiter, Gerard was fantastic! We ordered the Chile Spiced Dry-aged burger, the Thai style shrimp and the East+West Coast oysters. Everything was soooo goood!! Will definitely be coming back here

  • 4/5 Carley M. 2 years ago on Google
    Did the happy hour special - oysters were pretty mediocre but the shrimp were good. Cool vibes though. Not rushing to go back any time soon.

  • 4/5 Mikdat Y. 2 years ago on Google
    Perfect for occasions such as anniversary or birthday. The staff is very polite and generous with extra treats. We enjoyed salmon with couscous, and peruvian chicken.

  • 3/5 Zohaib G. 2 years ago on Google
    Food was just average, nothing great. Service was good, staff was attentive. There were no performances when we went, not sure if this was because of COVID-19. However you can visit once.

  • 5/5 yuval j. 2 years ago on Google
    Loved the place! Food was really good! Service was great The concept of the place was cool and I would definitely come again !

  • 4/5 Alisa 2 years ago on Google
    Very interesting entrance to the restaurant through a shop. Inside very complex and nice interior, especially the large window on the ceiling. I advise you to take donuts for dessert, they are the most delicious!


Call (212) 614-0146 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Free street parking
    • ✓️ Paid street parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Late-night food
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Lunch
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dessert
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Takeout
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ Curbside pickup
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating
    • ✓️ No-contact delivery

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