Bobby Van's Grill
Midtown-Times Square, New York City
Restaurant in New York City, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Business Casual
Why go
Bobby Van's Grill is a Midtown steakhouse near Rockefeller Center, built for theater-goers and business meals. Open daily except Sunday, with a Thursday split schedule (early close at 4 PM, reopening at 7). Reservations are easy, and the location delivers convenience over culinary fireworks—book it when proximity to Broadway or the office trumps destination dining.
About Bobby Van's Grill
Bobby Van's Grill is a New York City venue with a business-casual dress code and a schedule that is open Monday through Saturday and closed Sunday. Hours are 11:30 AM–10 PM Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday; 11:30 AM–4 PM and 7–10 PM Thursday; and 4–10 PM Saturday. Guests should confirm current details directly before making plans.
The Room and Format
Service begins at 11:30 AM on weekdays, with a split schedule on Thursday, evening-only hours on Saturday, and no Sunday service. The Thursday gap is important for planning: the venue closes at 4 PM and reopens from 7–10 PM. If you are comparing schedules, Le Bernardin and Aldo Sohm Wine Bar are other New York City options to consider, but confirm each venue's current availability before deciding.
Who It's For and When to Go
Bobby Van's Grill is best evaluated around the essentials: New York City location, business-casual dress code, weekday hours that start at 11:30 AM, a Thursday split, Saturday evening hours, and Sunday closure. Monday through Wednesday and Friday offer the simplest 11:30 AM–10 PM schedule. Thursday requires more attention because of the 4–7 PM closure. Saturday is available from 4–10 PM only.
If you are deciding among New York City restaurants, Ginger Ristoranti NY, Pasta Lovers, Aldo Sohm Wine Bar, and Le Bernardin may be useful comparison points depending on the occasion. Tradisyon is another listed restaurant to compare more generally. For Bobby Van's Grill, menu details, pricing, reservations, seating format, and specific service features should be confirmed directly with the venue. You can also browse Our full New York City restaurants guide, Our full New York City bars guide, and Our full New York City hotels guide for broader planning.
Planning details
- Location
- 135 W 50th St, New York, NY 10020
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- bobbyvans50th.com
- Phone
- +18556816744
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Bobby Van's Grill reads as a Midtown transplant of a classic New York steakhouse, leaning on ritual and provenance rather than trend-chasing. The brand's Bridgehampton history lends a sense of lineage, while the Manhattan location channels the brisk energy of the office-tower corridor around Rockefeller Center. The room favors deliberate abundance: generous cuts, separate sides, and sommelier-led wine service, all of which create a polished, businesslike atmosphere. Conversation and deal-making sit comfortably beside the food, giving the place a mobilized, social hum rather than a minimalist or boutique feel.
Best For
This is a restaurant built for structured meals—business lunches, after-work steaks, and celebratory dinners feel natural here. The menu cadence—bread, shrimp cocktail, a presented cut with sides ordered separately—supports multi-course, table-focused dining where conversation and pacing matter. Its Midtown address and roster of prime cuts attract executives, groups, and parties marking milestones, and the presence of sommelier service underscores its suitability for occasions that pair generous beef with bottle selections. Lunch service and evening meals are both core to the restaurant's purpose.
Ordering Tips
Follow the steakhouse script: start light and familiar—the description highlights the bread basket and the shrimp cocktail as opening moves—then select a prime cut and specify doneness when the server presents it. Sides are treated as a separate course, so plan a couple to share rather than expecting them with the entrée. Ask the sommelier for Cabernet or Bordeaux recommendations; the wine list is said to be weighted toward California Cabernet and Bordeaux, which pair well with aged beef. Expect generous portions and order accordingly for the table.
Venue details
Ambiance
Warm and friendly service in elegant settings with familiar tones and stunning design; described as casually elegant with classic American grill atmosphere.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Business Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Large
Signature Dishes
- Porterhouse
- Filet Mignon
- Ribeye
- Lobster
- Crab Cakes
- Shrimp Cocktail
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 135 W 50th St, New York, NY 10020
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Le Bernardin, French, Seafood, $$$$
- Ginger Ristoranti NY, Notable alternative
- Aldo Sohm Wine Bar, Wine Bar, Wine Bar
- Pasta Lovers, Notable alternative
- Tradisyon, Filipino, Filipino
Restaurant context
Bobby Van's Grill occupies the accessible end of Midtown's steakhouse spectrum. Le Bernardin commands $$$$ and weeks of advance planning for its French seafood tasting menus; Bobby Van's Grill offers walk-up ease and a grill-forward format without the ceremony. If you want a wine-forward experience in the same neighborhood, Aldo Sohm Wine Bar delivers sommelier-curated pours in a more casual setting, though it skews bar seating over full meals. For Italian options with similar booking simplicity, Ginger Ristoranti NY and Pasta Lovers both run neighborhood-friendly schedules and likely lower price points, trading the steakhouse anchor for pasta-centric menus.
The value proposition here is location and availability: you get a Midtown address three blocks from Rockefeller Center without the multi-week lead time of marquee French or Japanese spots like 15 East or 1 or 8. If your priority is spontaneity and proximity to theaters or corporate offices, Bobby Van's Grill fits. If you want a more adventurous format, Filipino at Tradisyon outside the metro, or Israeli at 12 Chairs, plan a longer trip and accept that you're trading convenience for novelty. For a special occasion where the room and service matter as much as the food, Le Bernardin remains the splurge; Bobby Van's Grill is the fallback when ease trumps ambition.
Explore New York City
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Bobby Van's Grill guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Bobby Van's Grill
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Price | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bobby Van's Grill | New York City | , | , | No published awards |
| Le Bernardin | New York City | French, Seafood | $$$$ | 2026 Eater NY 38 Best Restaurants in New York City · #82026 North America's 50 Best Restaurants · #132026 New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City · #212026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #342026 Forbes 5-Star2026 La Liste Top RestaurantsAAA Diamonds Top 10 Restaurants 20262026 Wine Spectator Grand Award2026 Les Grandes Tables du Monde Members |
| Ginger Ristoranti NY | New York City | , | , | No published awards |
| Aldo Sohm Wine Bar | New York City | Wine Bar | , | Star Wine Lists 20262026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #6462024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #6662023 OAD Casual in North America Recommended |
| Pasta Lovers | New York City | , | , | No published awards |
| Tradisyon | Manhattan | Filipino | , | No published awards |
How Bobby Van's Grill New York City compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a first-timer know about Bobby Van's Grill?
Bobby Van's Grill is in New York City and has a business-casual dress code. Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11:30 AM–10 PM; Thursday from 11:30 AM–4 PM and 7–10 PM; Saturday from 4–10 PM; and Sunday closed.
Is Bobby Van's Grill good for solo dining?
If you plan to visit alone, the weekday 11:30 AM opening may be useful for scheduling. Check the current setup directly with the venue.
Is Bobby Van's Grill good for a special occasion?
Special-occasion suitability depends on what you need from the meal. The key details are its New York City location, business-casual dress code, and operating hours. For a different New York City comparison, Le Bernardin is another option to research before booking.
What should I order at Bobby Van's Grill?
Contact Bobby Van's Grill directly for the current menu, pricing, and any preparation or dietary questions.
What are alternatives to Bobby Van's Grill in New York City?
Other New York City options to compare include Le Bernardin, Aldo Sohm Wine Bar, Ginger Ristoranti NY, and Pasta Lovers. Tradisyon is another restaurant to consider more generally.
Is lunch or dinner better at Bobby Van's Grill?
Weekday service begins at 11:30 AM, Thursday follows a split schedule, and Saturday hours run from 4–10 PM. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday have the broadest continuous hours, while Thursday requires planning around the 4–7 PM closure.
