The Ribbon
Upper West Side-Lincoln Square, New York City
Restaurant in New York City, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Casual
Why go
The Ribbon is a practical Upper West Side pick when location, flexibility, and an easy dinner matter more than a chef-driven destination meal. Book it for mixed groups, early evenings, or plans near Central Park and Lincoln Center; cross-shop Alice's Tea Cup for daytime charm, Parm for casual comfort, or Shalel for a more atmosphere-led night.
About The Ribbon
The Ribbon is a casual New York City option, rather than an awards-led or format-specific destination. It offers a casual dress code, evening hours Monday through Thursday, and longer operating windows from Friday through Sunday.
Consider The Ribbon when the timing works for your New York City plans, especially given its later Thursday through Saturday hours. It's best chosen for its known schedule and casual atmosphere, rather than specific dining styles, cuisine, or awards.
Better for flexible evenings than tightly planned dining
The clearest planning detail is the schedule. The Ribbon is open Monday through Wednesday from 4–9:15 PM, Thursday from 4–11 PM, Friday and Saturday from 11 AM–11 PM, and Sunday from 11 AM–9:15 PM. Those hours make it easier to consider for evening plans during the week, with wider timing on Friday and Saturday.
For solo diners, couples, or groups, the decision should come down to whether the hours and casual dress code fit the outing. Details like a counter setup, private dining, group capacity, or specific service formats are not specified, so confirm directly with the venue if these are important for your plans.
Who should pick it, and who should cross-shop
Pick The Ribbon when you want a casual New York City restaurant option and the posted hours fit your schedule. Skip it if you need specific details about cuisine, price, chef, tasting menus, dietary accommodations, takeout, delivery, or a specific beverage program before deciding.
Within the comparison set, Alice's Tea Cup, Arte Cafe, Parm, Pomodoro Rosso, and Shalel are natural cross-shops to consider alongside The Ribbon, depending on what is available and what best fits your plans. For wider planning, use the New York City restaurants guide alongside the city's bars, hotels, and experiences guides.
Planning details
- Location
- 20 W 72nd St, New York, NY 10023
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- theribbonnyc.com
- Phone
- +12127875656
The take
The Take
The Vibe
The Ribbon reads like a classic Upper West Side neighbourhood room: dependable, approachable and quietly inviting. Located on West 72nd Street near Central Park, it trades downtown hype for a steady, familiar dining rhythm — the kind of place regulars return to without a special occasion. The copy positions the restaurant in the middle ground between tasting‑menu ceremony and casual counter service, which translates into a cozy, charming and relaxed atmosphere. Food leans on classic American touchstones delivered with steadiness rather than spectacle, and the room favors long‑running appeal over short‑lived critical heat.
Best For
The Ribbon is best when you want a reliable, no‑fuss meal in a residential neighbourhood: weekday or weekend dinners with friends, family meals, group outings and weekend brunches all sit comfortably here. Its Upper West Side location makes it an easy pick for post‑park lunches or simple late‑night stops, and the menu supports multiple dayparts so visits don’t need to be planned as events. If you’re seeking a place for casual hangouts, after‑work meals or low‑key celebrations where familiarity matters more than formality, The Ribbon fits the bill.
Ordering Tips
Lean on the house signatures when ordering: Fried Chicken and Prime Rib are anchors, while the Ribbon Roll, Crab Fried Rice and Buffalo Cauliflower showcase the kitchen’s range. Oysters and Steak & Eggs appear among noted standouts and signal that the menu spans dayparts from brunch to late night. Because the description emphasizes neighbourhood dependability over tasting‑menu ceremony, ordering is straightforward — pick a main that appeals and add a couple of the highlighted dishes to get a clear sense of the kitchen’s strengths. These staples reliably represent what regulars come back for.
Venue details
Ambiance
Polished surroundings with rustic touches, comfortable and relaxed atmosphere with great service, featuring an extensive bar and whiskey program.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Large
Signature Dishes
7 itemsKnow before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 20 W 72nd St, New York, NY 10023
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Alice's Tea Cup, Tea Parlor, Tea Parlor
- Arte Cafe, Notable alternative
- Pomodoro Rosso, Notable alternative
- Shalel, Notable alternative
- Parm, Sandwiches, Sandwiches
Restaurant context
How The Ribbon compares nearby
The Ribbon is the safer all-purpose dinner choice in this set: easier to slot into an Upper West Side evening than a more narrowly focused venue, and better for groups with mixed preferences. Alice's Tea Cup is better for daytime plans, tea service, and family-friendly pacing, but it is less useful for a conventional dinner.
For casual comfort, Parm has the clearer identity because sandwiches are the point. Choose Parm when the meal should be quick and low-pressure; choose The Ribbon when the group wants a fuller sit-down format. Arte Cafe and Pomodoro Rosso are stronger cross-shops when the night calls for a more classic neighborhood dinner feel.
Shalel is the ambiance play in this group. If the room matters more than convenience, start there. If booking ease and broad utility matter more, The Ribbon is the more practical pick.
Explore New York City
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full The Ribbon guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare The Ribbon
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Ribbon | New York City | , | No published awards |
| Alice’s Tea Cup | New York City | Tea Parlor | 2024 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #431 |
| Arte Cafe | New York City | , | No published awards |
| Pomodoro Rosso | New York City | , | No published awards |
| Shalel | New York City | , | No published awards |
| Parm | New York City | Sandwiches | 2025 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #4352024 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #3932023 OAD Cheap Eats in North America in RecommendedPearl Recommended Restaurants |
How The Ribbon New York City compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How far ahead should I book The Ribbon?
Booking guidance is not provided. Check directly with The Ribbon for reservation availability. Hours are Monday through Wednesday 4–9:15 PM, Thursday 4–11 PM, Friday and Saturday 11 AM–11 PM, and Sunday 11 AM–9:15 PM.
Does The Ribbon handle dietary restrictions?
Is The Ribbon good for solo dining?
A specific solo-dining setup or service format is not specified. It may be worth considering if the casual dress code and posted New York City hours fit your plans.
Is lunch or dinner better at The Ribbon?
Hours show evening service Monday through Thursday, with earlier opening times on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. No specific lunch menu or lunch pricing is specified, so choose based on the posted hours and confirm current details directly with the venue.
What are alternatives to The Ribbon in New York City?
Alice's Tea Cup, Arte Cafe, Parm, Pomodoro Rosso, and Shalel are reasonable comparison options to consider alongside The Ribbon when planning New York City dining.
Is The Ribbon good for a special occasion?
A formal dining format, private dining, or special-occasion services are not specified. The Ribbon has a casual dress code, so it is best evaluated as a casual New York City option unless you confirm more details directly.
