The Laurels
Gramercy, New York City
Restaurant in New York City, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Casual
Why go
A practical East Village pick for flexible plans rather than a destination meal. The Laurels makes the most sense for casual daytime convenience or an evening hangout when easy timing matters more than a tightly defined cuisine, chef, or tasting-menu agenda.
About The Laurels
The Laurels is a New York City venue with late operating hours and a casual dress code. The most reliable way to frame it is as a flexible city stop where timing may be the main planning advantage.
The schedule is broad: Monday runs 3 PM–2 AM; Tuesday and Wednesday run 11 AM–2 AM; Thursday runs 11 AM–4 AM; Friday and Saturday run 10 AM–4 AM; and Sunday runs 10 AM–2 AM. If you are planning around a particular menu or service format, confirm details directly before building a tightly planned meal around it.
Better for flexible evening plans than a tightly scheduled meal
The clearest strength is the hours. The Laurels stays open until 2 AM most nights and until 4 AM Thursday through Saturday, which can be useful when a New York City plan runs late. Use the hours as a planning clue rather than assuming a specific late-night menu, bar program, or dining format.
If the goal is a deeper food itinerary, use Our full New York City restaurants guide before committing the whole plan here. For other named options that can help shape a broader New York City route, consider Artichoke Basille's, Cacio e Pepe, Jazba, Joe Jr. and SAPERAVI. For a wider city plan, the useful companion lists are Our full New York City hotels guide, Our full New York City bars guide, Our full New York City wineries guide, and Our full New York City experiences guide.
Use it as one part of a broader city plan
The Laurels is best approached as one part of a broader New York City plan rather than the single reason for an itinerary. Its casual dress code and long weekly hours make it easy to consider when timing is flexible. Confirm details such as prices, signature dishes, seating, takeout, delivery, dietary accommodations, and service style directly if they are important to the plan.
Planning details
- Location
- 231 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- thelaurelsnyc.com
- Phone
- +16463989002
The take
The Take
The Vibe
The Laurels presents itself as an East Village neighbourhood anchor that favors repeatable pleasures over culinary fireworks. The piece frames the restaurant as the sort of local room that earns loyalty by delivering steady quality across staff and seasons, so the atmosphere feels comfortable and unforced rather than theatrical. Regulars are the baseline audience here, and the dining room reflects that relationship: familiar, approachable American fare served in a setting built for revisits. If you want a place that prioritizes reliable cooking and a welcoming, unpretentious temperament, The Laurels is pitched squarely at those expectations.
Best For
The Laurels is best experienced as a dependable local spot for brunch and evening meals, catering to nearby residents and returning visitors who prioritize consistency. Its signature Cornflake Crusted French Toast makes it an obvious brunch choice, while steak frites and short‑rib poutine anchor a heartier dinner program. The menu’s shareable plates and casual American repertoire also suit group outings and late‑night crowds who want straightforward, satisfying food rather than conceptual tasting menus. Overall, it works well for repeat visits when you want familiar favorites done well.
Ordering Tips
Focus your order on the menu’s signature items to get a true sense of The Laurels’ approach: start with shareable plates like the Thai Chili Wings and Mini Laurels Sliders for a salty, social opener, then move to mains such as Steak Frites or Short‑Rib Poutine for heftier, comforting flavors. If you visit at brunch, the Cornflake Crusted French Toast is a highlight and a clear reason to time a visit earlier in the day. The balance of sweet and savory signatures lets groups mix plates and sample the room’s steady, crowd‑pleasing style.
Venue details
Ambiance
Bright, casual venue with beautiful decor and romantic vibes; lively buzz with a stylish neighborhood feel blending modern New York dining with warm Irish hospitality.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- Cornflake Crusted French Toast
- Short-Rib Poutine
- Thai Chili Wings
- Mini Laurels Sliders
- Steak Frites
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 231 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- SAPERAVI, Notable alternative
- Jazba, Notable alternative
- Joe Jr., Coffee Shop, Coffee Shop
- Artichoke Basille's, Pizzeria, Pizzeria
- Cacio e Pepe, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
How The Laurels compares in New York City
Choose The Laurels when ease is the priority. Against SAPERAVI and Jazba, it reads as the more flexible downtown option, while those two are better fits when the group wants a clearer cuisine-led meal. If the night needs a defined dinner plan, start with SAPERAVI or Jazba; if the plan may shift, The Laurels is the lower-friction call.
For value and speed, Joe Jr. and Artichoke Basille's are easier choices to justify because their formats are clear: coffee shop and pizzeria. The Laurels is better when the setting matters more than a quick bite. Joe Jr. is the safer daytime fallback, while Artichoke Basille's works better for a casual pizza stop with less decision-making.
Cacio e Pepe is the stronger pick for diners who want an Italian-leaning meal with a more obvious dinner identity. The Laurels has the advantage for looser groups, later plans, and guests who do not want to lock the night around a single food category. For booking difficulty, The Laurels is the easier recommendation; for a meal with a clearer culinary lane, cross-shop Cacio e Pepe first.
Explore New York City
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full The Laurels guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare The Laurels
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Laurels | New York City | , | No published awards |
| SAPERAVI | New York City | , | No published awards |
| Jazba | New York City | , | No published awards |
| Joe Jr. | New York City | Coffee Shop | 2026 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #682024 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #402023 OAD Cheap Eats in North America in Ranked · #109 |
| Artichoke Basille’s | New York City | Pizzeria | 2024 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #6282023 OAD Cheap Eats in North America in Recommended |
| Cacio e Pepe | New York City | , | No published awards |
How The Laurels New York City compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can The Laurels accommodate groups?
For group plans, contact The Laurels directly. The venue's long hours are Monday 3 PM–2 AM; Tuesday and Wednesday 11 AM–2 AM; Thursday 11 AM–4 AM; Friday and Saturday 10 AM–4 AM; and Sunday 10 AM–2 AM.
Can I eat at the bar at The Laurels?
If bar seating matters to your plan, check with The Laurels before you go. The venue is in New York City, has a casual dress code, and keeps late hours, including 4 AM closing times Thursday through Saturday.
How far ahead should I book The Laurels?
If timing matters, confirm directly with The Laurels before you go, especially for later visits on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday when the closing time is 4 AM.
What should I wear to The Laurels?
The dress code for The Laurels is casual.
