Monkey Bar
American · Midtown-Times Square, New York City
Restaurant in New York City, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Midtown Institutional American
Chef
Various
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Monkey Bar is a strong Midtown East pick when the meal needs American cooking, central convenience, a more polished room than a casual neighborhood spot. Choose it over Cafe Commerce for Midtown occasion energy, but consider The Grill if the plan calls for a bigger splurge signal.
About Monkey Bar
Monkey Bar is a New York City restaurant with American cuisine, smart-casual dress, daily hours that begin at 11:45 AM. For diners comparing it with The Grill or Carlyle Restaurant, the grounded case for Monkey Bar is direct: choose it when you want an American option in New York City rather than a restaurant defined by an unspecified specialty, format, or single named chef.
The useful way to think about it is practical rather than overly specific. The cuisine is American, the chef or owner listing is various, the recognition is Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in North America in 2025. That supports considering Monkey Bar for a New York City meal when basics matter: cuisine, dress expectations, hours, recognition.
New York City practicality works in its favor when the plan needs clear basics
The main use case is direct. Many meals are shaped by timing, mixed preferences, or the need for a restaurant with clear expectations. Monkey Bar fits that brief as an American restaurant with smart-casual dress and hours that start at 11:45 AM daily. Compared with High Street on Hudson or Jeffrey's Grocery, it is best evaluated on its facts rather than on assumptions about menu style, atmosphere, or service format.
For a first or repeat visit, the right approach is to treat Monkey Bar as an American restaurant in New York City without assuming a single signature item. It does not feature a defining dish, menu format, or special ordering strategy, so it is best to plan around American cuisine and the restaurant's posted hours. Cafe Commerce and The Grill are other named comparisons to consider, depending on what kind of New York City meal you are planning.
Who should choose it over other dining options
Pick Monkey Bar when the group wants American cooking, smart-casual expectations, a New York City restaurant with clearly listed daily hours. It is also a reasonable choice when recognition matters, since it holds Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in North America in 2025.
Look elsewhere if your decision depends on details it does not feature, such as a particular dish, tasting-menu format, bar-seating setup, private-dining arrangement, or named chef. The Grill, Carlyle Restaurant, Cafe Commerce, High Street on Hudson, Jeffrey's Grocery are natural comparison points for other New York City dining plans, but the final choice should be based on the specific experience you want and current information from the restaurants.
Quick read: a New York City American restaurant with smart-casual dress, daily hours from 11:45 AM, Opinionated About Dining recognition for 2025.
Planning details
- Location
- 60 E 54th St, New York, NY 10022
- Website
- nycmonkeybar.com
- Phone
- (212) 404-0365
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Monkey Bar occupies a true Midtown room with a continuous run dating to 1936, and it reads as a place that has both heritage and current culinary credibility. The piece stresses that the restaurant’s reputation rests on what reaches the table rather than on nostalgia alone; being listed by Opinionated About Dining places it among kitchens that pursue technical polish and thoughtful sourcing. The mood comes through as a historic, energetic Manhattan dining room that balances old‑guard stature with contemporary culinary rigor, appealing to diners who value provenance and refinement inside a storied setting.
Best For
This is a destination for dinner-focused outings where the food carries the reputation. The write-up and its OAD recognition signal that Monkey Bar is well suited to date nights and business dinners and to special occasions that center on well-executed American cooking. Located in Midtown, it serves both visitors and locals who want a classic New York room updated by ingredient-driven cooking. Travelers and professionals looking for a reliably crafted evening meal will find it aligns with more formal dining occasions without being aloof.
Ordering Tips
Menu highlights listed for this venue include the truffle burger, vodka rigatoni, crab rangoon and the Monkey Bread; these signature items are safe starting points and showcase the kitchen’s attention to preparation. The description emphasizes sourcing and technical ambition, so expect ingredient-focused versions of familiar American dishes rather than casual, throwaway plates. If you want to sample what the kitchen is known for, prioritize those named standouts—the writing positions the restaurant’s reputation on what reaches the table, so the signature dishes are good indicators of the current kitchen’s strengths.
Venue details
Ambiance
Dark, atmospheric lighting with lanterns on tables, old-school NYC speakeasy feel, lively and packed bar area.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- truffle burger
- vodka rigatoni
- crab rangoon
- Monkey Bread
Planning details
Location
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Where to go if Monkey Bar is not the right fit
For a bigger Midtown splurge, choose The Grill. It is the better fit for a client dinner, milestone meal, or anyone who wants the room to feel like the main event.
For a more value-conscious American meal, choose Cafe Commerce. It is the smarter backup when the group wants American cooking but does not need Midtown East polish.
Restaurant context
How Monkey Bar compares in New York City
Monkey Bar sits between the full splurge energy of The Grill and the more accessible American comfort of Cafe Commerce. The Grill is the stronger choice for a high-stakes client dinner or a more formal Midtown statement, especially with its $$$$ positioning. Cafe Commerce is the easier value play at $$$ if the goal is American cooking without paying for a grander room.
Carlyle Restaurant competes on hotel polish and Upper East Side atmosphere, so choose it when that address and mood are part of the plan. Monkey Bar is better for Midtown East convenience and a meal that can work across lunch, dinner, business, social uses without feeling as ceremonial as The Grill.
For a less formal American meal, High Street on Hudson and Jeffrey's Grocery are more casual cross-shops. They make more sense when downtown location or an easier neighborhood feel matters. Monkey Bar is the better fit when the group wants a central Manhattan room with more polish.
Explore New York City
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Monkey Bar guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Monkey Bar
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monkey Bar | New York City | American | 2025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America | ; |
| The Grill | New York City | American | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #126Star Wine Lists 20262026 Wine Spectator Grand Award2025 Robb Report 100 Greatest American Restaurants of the 21st Century · #842025 Wine Spectator Grand Award2025 New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City2025 Michelin Plate2025 New York Magazine The 43 Best Restaurants in New York | $$$$ |
| Cafe Commerce | New York City | American | 2026 Eater NY 38 Best Restaurants in New York City · #42026 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence2025 Michelin Plate | $$$ |
| Carlyle Restaurant | New York City | American | No published awards | ; |
| High Street on Hudson | New York City | American | No published awards | ; |
| Jeffrey’s Grocery | New York City | American | 2024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #6832023 OAD Casual in North America Recommended | ; |
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How Monkey Bar New York City compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I order at Monkey Bar?
Start with the American dishes that fit the occasion rather than chasing a specific signature item, since Monkey Bar is an American restaurant but does not feature a defining dish. It does not feature a tasting-menu format, a must-order item, or a special ordering strategy.
Can I eat at the bar at Monkey Bar?
It does not feature bar seating or a separate bar-dining setup. Plan around Monkey Bar as a smart-casual American restaurant in New York City, check directly with the restaurant if a specific seating style matters for your visit.
What should a first-timer know about Monkey Bar?
Treat it as a New York City American restaurant with smart-casual dress and daily hours beginning at 11:45 AM. It also holds Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in North America in 2025. Beyond those basics, avoid assuming a specific chef-led format, signature dish, or seating style unless you confirm it directly.
What are alternatives to Monkey Bar in New York City?
The Grill, Carlyle Restaurant, Cafe Commerce, High Street on Hudson, Jeffrey's Grocery are useful comparison points for New York City dining. Choose among them based on the current details that matter for your meal, such as timing, availability, the kind of experience you want.
Is Monkey Bar good for a special occasion?
It can be a practical choice for a special occasion if you want American cuisine, smart-casual dress, a New York City restaurant with 2025 recognition from Opinionated About Dining. It does not feature private dining, special occasion packages, or a particular celebratory format, so check directly if those details matter.
Is lunch or dinner better at Monkey Bar?
Monkey Bar opens at 11:45 AM daily and stays open into the evening, with closing at 10:30 PM on Monday and Sunday and 11 PM Tuesday through Saturday. Choose the timing that fits your plans; there is no indication of a separate best meal period or a distinct lunch-versus-dinner advantage.
Can Monkey Bar accommodate groups?
Monkey Bar can be considered for groups that want American cooking and smart-casual expectations, but it does not feature specific party sizes, seating layouts, or private-dining options. If group logistics matter, check directly with the restaurant before booking. The Grill is another New York City comparison point for a group meal.
