Caroline VanBuskirk

Just go! I hate to say this because I want less people to be there but I love having a cocktail at the Palm court. I’ve had afternoon tea there before and it was nice but I enjoyed my time at the bar more. Mainly our time was so great because of our friendly bartender Peter. He was so personable and really made the time spent with my mom truly memorable. He’s just a friendly guy who knows how to make you feel welcome! The Palm court spritz is amazing too. Thanks Peter!

Alok Tewari

Dining at Palm Court at The Plaza, right next to Central Park, is an experience that perfectly blends New York charm with timeless luxury. The moment you step in, you’re surrounded by a sense of opulence and grandeur — high ceilings, elegant décor, and an atmosphere that feels both historic and refined. It’s a place that immediately makes any visit feel like a special occasion. The food was just as impressive as the setting. The Maine lobster roll was absolutely out of this world — fresh, perfectly seasoned, and generous in portion. It was one of the best I’ve had. The club sandwich was another highlight, classic yet elevated, with layers that were well balanced and incredibly satisfying. Everything was presented beautifully and tasted every bit as good as it looked. Service was polished and attentive, adding to the overall experience without being overbearing. The staff made sure everything flowed smoothly and were happy to answer questions or provide recommendations. Overall, Palm Court at The Plaza delivers on every level — stunning ambience, top-notch food, and professional service. Whether you’re in for afternoon tea, a light lunch, or simply to soak in the grandeur, it’s a must-visit spot in Manhattan.

+3

Rand .Valverde

If you’re drawn to landmark spaces steeped in timeless elegance, The Palm Court at The Plaza Hotel is an experience not to be missed. Set beneath a soaring stained-glass dome and surrounded by opulent architectural details, the ambiance is truly breathtaking—a graceful nod to New York’s Gilded Age charm. The food rises to the occasion, with brunch offerings that are as refined as the setting—thoughtfully prepared, beautifully presented, and undeniably delicious. Service is attentive and polished, in keeping with the venue’s stature. The Palm Court delivers a blend of grandeur and hospitality that feels both rare and memorable. A true New York City must-try, especially for those who appreciate history served with a touch of luxury.

Zara Baghikyan

Had breakfast here and felt like a queen! The interior is straight-up royal — elegant, luxurious, and just stunning. The food? Amazing. The service? Flawless. The ambiance? Pure perfection. And yes… the prices are royal too 👑😂 But totally worth it for the experience. A must-try if you’re in New York and want to treat yourself!

+1

Diana Kim

My mom and I love “Eloise at Christmastime,” so visiting The Plaza during the holidays was a non-negotiable for our NYC trip! Pro tip #1: if you’re not a hotel guest or don’t have proof of a reservation, you will not be allowed inside to see the decorations, and honestly, that makes sense given how iconic it is. Once you step inside, the chaos of NYC completely disappears. It feels calm, elegant, elevated, and undeniably chic; it’s like entering another world. The Christmas décor is stunning, and the service is truly next level. Everyone is treated like royalty. Coat check was seamless, we were seated quickly, and we never felt rushed. We were even able to wander around, browse the shops, and take photos by the Christmas trees inside 🎄, which made the experience feel extra special. Afternoon tea is surprisingly filling. You start with bread, custard, and accompaniments, plus caviar with toppings, followed by your chosen tea served in a generous pot 🫖. Then come the desserts, scones, and tea sandwiches - it’s a full spread! I called ahead regarding my food allergies, and they were accommodating, though it did take longer for my items to arrive. For the price, the food itself wasn’t mind-blowing. This is much more about the experience than the meal. But as a bucket-list NYC moment, it was worth it. Pro tip #2: Definitely book ahead! OpenTable was super helpful with cancellation alerts, which saved us. All in all, a classic New York experience I’m really glad I got to do.

+7

Heather S.

I visited for afternoon tea and both the food and tea were delicious. My waiter was pleasant and the atmosphere couldn't be beat. But. The waiters repeatedly bumped my chair as they walked by which really put a damper on the experience.

Jessica Murphy

Joined two friends for tea at The Plaza on a Sunday afternoon. We lucked out when a reservation opened up a week before and we snagged it quickly. Overall, the tea and service were exceptional (shout-out to Elvis!). The small bites were filling and beautifully presented, and everything tasted fresh. However, I was a little underwhelmed by the ambiance. Having had tea at the Palm Court at The Drake Hotel in Chicago, I was expecting a calmer setting, perhaps softer music or a harpist? The acoustics here were quite loud, and they played upbeat Christmas pop music, which took away from the elegance a bit. That said, we still had a lovely time. It’s a beautiful experience and worth doing at least once. It is pricey, but it’s The Plaza in NYC after all, and the experience itself is part of the charm.

Angela Cooperman-Galper

NYC icon. The Palm Court in The Plaza is as delightful as you might imagine based on pictures. It’s lovely. Flowery. Beautiful. Romantic. We stopped for a cocktail before dinner elsewhere and it was truly a pleasure. Surrounded by opulent floral arrangements, luxury, ornate decorative interiors, and soft lighting, The Palm Court will be a memorable experience.

+2

Beautiful setting at The Palm Court inside The Plaza Hotel, but the experience didn’t fully live up to the hype. The tea sandwiches were pretty average — nothing memorable. The desserts were excellent, though. The green tea with peach and the caffeine-free fruit tea were both delicious and definitely the highlight. Service was frustrating. We waited almost 40 minutes for our order to arrive. Then, exactly at the two-hour mark, we suddenly felt rushed. Three different servers came by within minutes asking if we were finished. It felt pushy, especially after the long wait in the beginning. One more thing — we were surprised by the dress code situation. A dress code was mentioned during booking, yet several guests were wearing hoodies and sweatpants. It made the atmosphere feel less polished than expected, especially for a venue of this reputation. For the price and prestige, we expected smoother service and a more consistent experience. Overall, it was fine, but not something we’d go out of our way to do again.

Adam Raiffe

The Palm Court at The Plaza Hotel is as iconic as it gets; a quintessential New York experience steeped in architectural grandeur and cinematic nostalgia. So when a longtime friend and I decided to sample the city’s high tea establishments, we figured, why not start with the most famous? The setting is, of course, breathtaking. Towering palms, crystal chandeliers, and that unmistakable sense of old Manhattan opulence. As native New Yorkers, we’ve both been to The Plaza countless times for weddings, drinks at the bar, the occasional gala. But coming in on a weekday afternoon for high tea felt strangely different, and not entirely in a good way. The crowd was unmistakably tourist-heavy, which is no surprise. What was surprising was the shift in tone. The service, while technically correct: prompt, polite, professionally distant, lacked the warmth and charm one expects from a place so synonymous with elegance. It felt more like a performance of fine service than the real thing: no wit, no grace, no sense that anyone was particularly happy to be there. The tea itself was lovely, with a generous and thoughtful selection. Still, no one checked to remove the bags after a long time steeping, resulting in bitter brews as the minutes passed. The food looked beautiful, delicate and well-crafted, but much of it was noticeably stale, as if it had been sitting pre-plated and waiting for a table to fill. The staff kindly brought out a small celebratory cake when they learned I’d recently gotten married which was a lovely, thoughtful touch, that didn’t go unnoticed. In the end though, it was a bit of a letdown. Certainly not a disaster, but far from the high tea experience it bills itself to be. Perhaps it plays better to out-of-towners seeking a gilded slice of New York fantasy. For us, it was little more than a beautiful room, mediocre bites, and a lovely catch-up between friends. Onward to the next tea room.

​I visited The Palm Court at The Plaza Hotel with my mother and daughter to celebrate my daughter’s birthday. Prior to visiting, I reviewed the menu and carefully planned my budget. We ordered two individual teapots, a Shirley Temple and the Eloise Children’s Tea experience for my daughter. I specifically informed our waiter that my mother and I were only having individual teapots and would not be participating in the adult tea experience. ​At the time of payment, as a single mother managing a high-stimulation environment, I did not review the detailed breakdown and paid the total presented. After returning home, I realized the bill was significantly higher than the menu prices for our order. When I finally obtained a ledger, it reflected a $160 charge for a ‘Holiday Signature Tea’ an adult tiered experience we never ordered and, more importantly, never received. We were served only one tiered tower (the Eloise Tea) and two teapots. ​I shared photos of our table setup with their accounting department to illustrate that the $160 adult tower was never brought to the table. I received zero follow-up. After waiting over a month for a resolution, I contacted my bank to resolve this issue since the establishment couldn't provide clarity. While they "didn’t have time" to respond to a customer’s emails for over 30 days, they were remarkably quick to speak to my bank to stop the dispute. ​For an establishment of this caliber, I expected clearer communication regarding pricing and a much higher standard of customer service. The beautiful setting does not excuse being charged for food you never ate and being ignored when you ask for a correction. I will not be returning and cannot recommend this experience to others.

kimmy

Gorgeous place. Went for wicked tea & spent about 540$. The wait staff seemed burdened by our presence. It felt like they assumed my party was the type that wouldn’t spend much so the service was really not great. The food was also not good at all. The tea was nice though there were no sugar cubes only sugar packets. Not to be snobby but you’d think for the price it’d be better service & options… BUT absolutely gorgeous establishment & the doormen were great. The hostess was also great. Only went for the tea time and it was just bad service. I got the wicked tea with the champagne and my partner got the grand imperial tea with the caviar. Would not recommend. But it was pretty and great for instagram!

Marilyn Lobo

Disappointing! My family went to Palm Court at The Plaza tonight for my daughter’s birthday. We were so excited to get a table off the waitlist. That was the end of our excitement. From the moment we were seated, it was underwhelming. We were initially seated in an arrangement that had me feeling we were having dinner with the neighboring table of strangers. We asked to be moved. We were then placed next to a table that looked like the laundry and menu catch-all. Food was delivered well before our drinks. The food was delicious but eaten before drinks. When asked how everything was going, our waiter didn’t even wait for an answer. A birthday candle was brought to the table in the ordered dessert, but waiter admitted he didn’t know whose birthday it was. It was an average evening. Certainly not what I would have expected for the reputation and price paid.

Karen M

I was really disappointed with my experience at The Palm. The food was not fresh and definitely not worth the price — we spent over $500 for two adults and a child, and honestly, you can get far better food and service at a Michelin-star restaurant for that amount. They automatically added the tip to the bill, which I found rude, especially since I was planning to leave more. To make things worse, they told me they’d bring coffee instead of tea, but then still charged $12 per cup of coffee. Overall, the value just isn’t there. Between the high prices, lackluster food, and questionable billing, I would not go back and wouldn’t recommend it to others.