Raf's

Fine dining of Italian & French cuisine. Everything was just great. The Arancini was amazing. the pasta and half chicken were great and flavorful . And don’t underestimate the bread basket which was freshly backed and delicious. The place is well designed so get dressed smart-casual and up.

I visited their bakery on a Sunday morning and was intrigued by their bakery. I tried the olive oil lemon poppy cake, which was moist and flavorful. I’d love to come back to try more items—and perhaps breakfast as well. The decor was cute, adding to the overall charm of the experience.

Love this place great vibe with wonderful people. Ate at the bar and even with the rush of people coming in I was well taken care. Really love the Tuna cruda with radish and sumac . The Mafaldine with cabbage top with parmigiano reggiano as my main was fantastic. It wasn’t heavy like most pasta I have and was just right amount. I can’t forget about dessert which was recommended by the bartender. White chocolate with some top with cocoa nibs to cut down on the sweetness was perfectly balance.

+1

I’ve been to my fair share of Michelin Stars and other Top Tier restaurants, but I don’t kid when I say this place is amazing. Not only did the hospitality feel authentic but the restaurant offers experiences that are way more rewarding that what meets the eyes at first glance. It feels like a hidden gem with beautiful entrees and food choices that seem casual but are far from. The chicken was phenomenal and raised my expectations for food in general—I didn’t know chicken could taste so aquatic, moist, and flavorful. The bread was good or better-than-France level and paired well with the entire meal. I love this place and will definitely be back.

Raf's came alive right as I was about to leave at 9! What a lovely spot! Do not skip the steak tartare - such a unique serving. It's worth a shot for room for 1 at the bar, dont be scared to wait and grab a drink next door at tom and Jerry. Explore the wine list and top off with a cocktail. Seasonal pasta non-negotiable.

Beautiful breakfast. Highly recommend for a special brunch. Lovely omelette. Update, went for dinner, so delightful. The Dorade fish was marvelous, as were the pastas. It's a beautiful little gem of a restaurant. Lovely spot, make reservations.

One of my best brunch experiences in NYC. On NY times best 100 list, and the food was great. The dry-aged burger was delicious, super cheese with loads of sesame in the bun and fresh tarragon. It was my new favorite burger in the city, just edging out Lord’s and Au Cheval. The specialty croissant was unique, and delicious - definitely something I’d get again! The eggs in purgatory was good, but probably we would spice things differently. The dessert was incredible - I strongly suggest you leave room for dessert or just make it happen if you have to. A delightful and memorable meal, we will be back for a special occasion again soon.

I’m pretty surprised by the 4.1 stars Raf has as of my current review. I was skeptical to come when my friend booked a res, but can honestly say we had a great time and the food was delicious. We got: martinis, tuna, ravioli, fries, spaghetti, arancini & one of the salads - all of it was quality and tasty. I’ll admit I dont remember the price cus a lot of people are saying it’s expensive for what it is but as a New Yorker… I dont think thats the case. Would recommend based on our experience

Rafs continues to impress me every time I visit. Once the most talked-about spot of 2023, it still manages to feel special and intimate, and I have been lucky enough to find a seat at the bar several times this summer. I always begin with a glass of Lambrusco, and the tuna tartare is a dish I insist on ordering in any form it appears on the menu. It is layered with flavor and one I think about long after leaving. The salads are consistently balanced and beautifully dressed, and every item I have tried has been thoughtfully executed. Most recently I ordered the crab and corn ravioli, which is not a dish I would usually choose, yet it was a delightful surprise. Rafs is a restaurant that delivers both excitement and comfort, and one I hope remains just under the radar so I can continue to return often.

Raf’s is all around a great experience. High quality ingredients perfectly executed dishes. The ambience is elegant and cozy. The staff is warm as well as professional..

We got the Sungold Mafaldine, Corn & Crab Ravioli, and Opera Cake for dessert. Everything was delicious! One of my top Italian spots to recommend. My only word of advice is to eat the pasta as soon as possible as it gets cold quickly — and then it won’t be as good.

Raf’s is a charming spot that blends the best of French and Italian cuisines into a truly delightful dining experience. Every time I visit, I have to start with their Daily Bread Basket—it's not just any bread basket. These freshly baked delights are irresistibly flaky, warm, and served with butter and olive oil that perfectly complements each piece. The ambiance strikes a lovely balance between elegant and cozy, making it ideal for both romantic dinners and casual meetups. Plus, the staff are attentive and really make you feel at home.

Rafs delivered a great dining experience from start to finish. The standout dish was the salsa verde half chicken—flavorful, juicy, and perfectly balanced. The leeks, tender and topped with creamy ricotta and crunchy nuts, were another highlight. We also enjoyed the creamy arancini and the spaghetti, which was my personal favorite—simple yet deeply satisfying. The space itself is beautifully decorated, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere where guests truly felt like they were having a good time. The food is on the pricier side, but hey—it’s 2025. Worth it for a special night out.

K M

Fine dining of Italian & French cuisine. Everything was just great. The Arancini was amazing. the pasta and half chicken were great and flavorful . And don’t underestimate the bread basket which was freshly backed and delicious. The place is well designed so get dressed smart-casual and up.

Juan B

Rafs delivered a great dining experience from start to finish. The standout dish was the salsa verde half chicken—flavorful, juicy, and perfectly balanced. The leeks, tender and topped with creamy ricotta and crunchy nuts, were another highlight. We also enjoyed the creamy arancini and the spaghetti, which was my personal favorite—simple yet deeply satisfying. The space itself is beautifully decorated, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere where guests truly felt like they were having a good time. The food is on the pricier side, but hey—it’s 2025. Worth it for a special night out.

Brendan Gieseke

I’ve been to my fair share of Michelin Stars and other Top Tier restaurants, but I don’t kid when I say this place is amazing. Not only did the hospitality feel authentic but the restaurant offers experiences that are way more rewarding that what meets the eyes at first glance. It feels like a hidden gem with beautiful entrees and food choices that seem casual but are far from. The chicken was phenomenal and raised my expectations for food in general—I didn’t know chicken could taste so aquatic, moist, and flavorful. The bread was good or better-than-France level and paired well with the entire meal. I love this place and will definitely be back.

Colleen Clennon

Raf's came alive right as I was about to leave at 9! What a lovely spot! Do not skip the steak tartare - such a unique serving. It's worth a shot for room for 1 at the bar, dont be scared to wait and grab a drink next door at tom and Jerry. Explore the wine list and top off with a cocktail. Seasonal pasta non-negotiable.

ELIZABETH WILLIAMS

Beautiful breakfast. Highly recommend for a special brunch. Lovely omelette. Update, went for dinner, so delightful. The Dorade fish was marvelous, as were the pastas. It's a beautiful little gem of a restaurant. Lovely spot, make reservations.

ash grewal

I’m pretty surprised by the 4.1 stars Raf has as of my current review. I was skeptical to come when my friend booked a res, but can honestly say we had a great time and the food was delicious. We got: martinis, tuna, ravioli, fries, spaghetti, arancini & one of the salads - all of it was quality and tasty. I’ll admit I dont remember the price cus a lot of people are saying it’s expensive for what it is but as a New Yorker… I dont think thats the case. Would recommend based on our experience

Alice K

We got the Sungold Mafaldine, Corn & Crab Ravioli, and Opera Cake for dessert. Everything was delicious! One of my top Italian spots to recommend. My only word of advice is to eat the pasta as soon as possible as it gets cold quickly — and then it won’t be as good.

Hannah Bartch

Rafs continues to impress me every time I visit. Once the most talked-about spot of 2023, it still manages to feel special and intimate, and I have been lucky enough to find a seat at the bar several times this summer. I always begin with a glass of Lambrusco, and the tuna tartare is a dish I insist on ordering in any form it appears on the menu. It is layered with flavor and one I think about long after leaving. The salads are consistently balanced and beautifully dressed, and every item I have tried has been thoughtfully executed. Most recently I ordered the crab and corn ravioli, which is not a dish I would usually choose, yet it was a delightful surprise. Rafs is a restaurant that delivers both excitement and comfort, and one I hope remains just under the radar so I can continue to return often.

Blake Rasmussen

One of my best brunch experiences in NYC. On NY times best 100 list, and the food was great. The dry-aged burger was delicious, super cheese with loads of sesame in the bun and fresh tarragon. It was my new favorite burger in the city, just edging out Lord’s and Au Cheval. The specialty croissant was unique, and delicious - definitely something I’d get again! The eggs in purgatory was good, but probably we would spice things differently. The dessert was incredible - I strongly suggest you leave room for dessert or just make it happen if you have to. A delightful and memorable meal, we will be back for a special occasion again soon.

N O

Raf’s is all around a great experience. High quality ingredients perfectly executed dishes. The ambience is elegant and cozy. The staff is warm as well as professional..

Bella Lu

Raf’s is a charming spot that blends the best of French and Italian cuisines into a truly delightful dining experience. Every time I visit, I have to start with their Daily Bread Basket—it's not just any bread basket. These freshly baked delights are irresistibly flaky, warm, and served with butter and olive oil that perfectly complements each piece. The ambiance strikes a lovely balance between elegant and cozy, making it ideal for both romantic dinners and casual meetups. Plus, the staff are attentive and really make you feel at home.

Spur of the moment date night, and happened to stumble upon RAF’s. Instantly had a warm and happy welcome. We were seated with Irving, who quite literally made our whole night. Of course food and drinks were more than stellar, and only complimented by how personable kind and warm Irving was. Will be back as often as we can. Our new favorite NYC gem

My friend and I stumbled in here one morning for coffee and what a treat! So many reviews have mentioned the service and ours was warm, welcoming and made our morning special. The menu us baked goods and coffee in the morning, but if you're not looking for a full breakfast and just want to have EXCELLENT coffee in a place with a cool vibe before shopping Bleeker street, definitely come here!

Alexandra Nowakowski

I had an amazing time here with my parents for brunch. The food was so spectacular that we talked about it all day. The bread divine, the yogurt divine, I got a French omelette and my dad got the eggs in purgatory, both delicious. My mom got scrambled eggs. They were perfect. The coffee is also top notch and the pastries were some of the best I’ve had in NYC. The service was also incredible. There are not many restaurants I would go back to but this one I would.

Didn’t have my reservation but the host was kind enough to get us a seating at the bar within 15 min. I’d have to say bar service wasn’t that great and took so much longer to serve pastry’s and coffee which is just right in front of us. Definitely coming back for the kumquat tart and gotta try the olive oil cake.

The interior of Rafs makes for a beautiful dining experience. We just got a croissant and pan au chocolat to go and enjoyed them. They were slightly dry but were still quite good. The pan au chocolat had a little more salt than others croissants I’ve had which was enjoyable. Overall, I would come back here and would want to try sitting in for the dining experience.

+1

Solid meal, but sadly we were seated basically in the kitchen. Regardless, it’s a beautiful room. Was happy they had the burger as a dinner special, it was delish. Little gem was forgettable. Will be back for chicken & pasta.

We loved the atmosphere of Raf’s and sat close to the kitchen where we got to peel in to see the process. The food was delicious, though expensive. The staff was nice but the hostess was rude and we felt like she was rushing us out after an hour.

Had early dinner here on Sunday seated at one of the two small tables by the bar. Super cozy and great to see all the locals dropping in to check out the menu and ask about reservations etc. Staff is wonderful and food and cocktails were excellent. I started with the fluke crudo which was among the very best I've ever had. Next I had another starter, the Carta di Musica ... Prosciutto di Parma, Parmigiano Regianno which was also delicious. Finally, a third starter: the warm ricotta along with an order of their daily breads. In retrospect, I wish I had opted for dessert instead of the breads. The chocolate budino ordered by the couple at the table next to mine looked fabulous. My only complaint about Raf's concerns the menu. I feel it does not sufficiently (or appetizingly enough) describe the dishes that are available. Conversely, the menu feels limited and too heavily tilted to appetizers with only two pastas on the menu. The price/value is off. I spent $165 (with tip) for 2 cocktails and 3 appetizers for one person. That said I will definitely be back to check out more of the menu, especially that budino!!

+4

Very very good service 10/10 All staff so attentive and professional Chestnut ravioli was 9.5/10 Mafaldine pasta with pork cheeks and cabbage was 9/10 Bread basket was 8/10 it was good but not to die for nothing special. Roasted half chicken 7/10 I'm not crazy about how its not crispy on the outside. The inside was tender but also the bones in the thigh and drumstick area were kinda pink and bloody. I can't enjoy chicken if the bone part is still bloody and same time the meat just Luke warm. I just can't personally enjoy that.

We had a great lunch here. We both ended up getting the seared tuna salad. The salad was excellent. The tuna was seared nicely. The atmosphere is great. Really cute place. The pastries looked awesome. Very much like a place you would find in Paris.

Loved the pasta, bread basket and chicken was amazing. Would skip on the housemade ricotta- it’s bland and flavourless.

Enjoyed my Easter brunch at @rafsnewyork ! Their pastries are on the sweeter and heavier side for me, but I did enjoy both the pasta and the omelette. The omelette was light and delicate, while the pasta was surprisingly spicy 🌶️

Went here for a Saturday Brunch, even the early morning the restaurant was packed. The pasta and omelette both tasted amazing, especially the omelette, highly recommend. However, it took more than 20 mins to get our coffee, and the latte art was completely a disaster, not sure if they under staff that day or what. The staff all nice, but the wait was way too long.

Chris Curry

We had a great lunch here. We both ended up getting the seared tuna salad. The salad was excellent. The tuna was seared nicely. The atmosphere is great. Really cute place. The pastries looked awesome. Very much like a place you would find in Paris.

Vicki

Enjoyed my Easter brunch at @rafsnewyork ! Their pastries are on the sweeter and heavier side for me, but I did enjoy both the pasta and the omelette. The omelette was light and delicate, while the pasta was surprisingly spicy 🌶️

Raf’s Est. 2023 Layout/atmosphere *Marble bar (seven seats); tables; open kitchen in back Food/drink *Domaine Fontchene ‘Cuvée Leon’, IGP Alpilles, France, 2023, Rose - OK *Little Gem (Dijion vinaigrette, roasted shallots) - OK *Half Chicken (Pan Bread, Fennel, Salsa Verde) - OK; the spices just didn’t connect; bread itself was solid but oversaturated by the jus

Raf's has been on my list of "want to go" for a while now after hearing some buzz about it. we got to the restaurant around 5:45 the and restaurant was mostly empty but filled up by 630-7. Service was subpar- we waited a good 15 minutes before we ordered drinks or food. When we did get our food, our server rarely checked in on us which is also fine, but expected more from a restaurant that charged $19 for 3 rice balls. Food was good. We ordered the assorted bread, arancini, Mafaldine pasta, and Roasted Chicken. The bread was good, but the highlight was definitely the salted butter and olive oil. The arancini - you can go without. The roasted chicken was cooked perfectly and the bread on the bottom was fantastic. The sauce wasn't overpowering but wished it had more lemon flavor. The pasta was nice and saucy - with a distinct cherry tomato flavor. The space gets noisy quickly Overall, the check $ didn't match the service that was given and the food was good, but not overwhelming great that I would want to come again.

Great bread. All I can say. Not worth the instagram hype that has been going on. It was very hard to get a reservation and I really don’t understand it. Starting off the the sofa seats are so not comfortable and that ruins quite a bit of how much I eat. I love bread and their bread was great but not the best. Their food was a bit too salty for my taste, the tartare was not good even though it was recommended. What stood out was the bread and the pork collar, and that’s basically it. Didn’t even order dessert because I wasn’t sure if it would be worth it. Anyways, if you want to go then wait until it’s not so hyped so you can make a reservation.

Hazelnuts went rancid. Burger patty tasted kinda weird. Fries were great.

Came here for a weekday breakfast. The interiors are chic but cozy, and our waiter was friendly. We shared a cacio e pepe scone, brioche cinnamon bun, breakfast sandwich, and uovo in purgatorio. The pastries were very good. The scone had a nice pepperiness and cheesiness, and you could not tell that it was gluten free. The cinnamon bun wasn’t overpoweringly sweet, and the brioche had a nice airiness. The main dishes were a bit too heavy; neither of us could bring ourselves to finish them.

Leslie Teng

Came here for a weekday breakfast. The interiors are chic but cozy, and our waiter was friendly. We shared a cacio e pepe scone, brioche cinnamon bun, breakfast sandwich, and uovo in purgatorio. The pastries were very good. The scone had a nice pepperiness and cheesiness, and you could not tell that it was gluten free. The cinnamon bun wasn’t overpoweringly sweet, and the brioche had a nice airiness. The main dishes were a bit too heavy; neither of us could bring ourselves to finish them.

Good food but poor service. Waited for over 20 minutes before a waiter took our order. By the time they came to take our order, all of the dishes we wanted were out, and as pescatarians the remaining options were very limited. Additionally they had us sitting in a table that is almost into the open kitchen and we left stinking from smoke. We were looking forward to this dinner and were totally let down

Great atmosphere, good service, mediocre food. Steak tartare - asked for bread to eat the raw meat - comment from the waiter “comes with bread crumbles”, gave me two slices upon request, charged me $6 Pasta menu was interesting at glance, chicken liver and other funky fish with pasta combinations- would have preferred staple combinations, specially for that price. Overall, off my “to go” list - but will not come back.

I can only speak to coffee as we ordered it to go and it was pretty good, although at almost $7 a cup they could fill it all the way to the top. But that was not the issue, the unfriendliness of the guy behind the bar making it was the issue. His attitude was as though he was doing us a favor. The place itself is very cozy, on a lovely street, but the level of hospitality was non existent.

I usually don’t write such lengthy reviews but this restaurant was a mixed bag. I was between rating it at 2 or a 3. Positive: - food is good. Recommend the escargot and dorade - the restaurant itself is pretty - drinks were good. I tried the NJ drink and the Scorsese. Negatives: - we tried getting a reservation for a week and only found a 5pm, which we took. However, the entire time we were there from 5-6:30 there was at least 6 empty tables. So I am not sure why it’s hard to get a res here. It might be a marketing tactic or they’re just not organized. - I rarely ever complain about service but our waitress was horrible. From the moment we sat down she was rude. We asked if there were specials and she gave us a weird look and said no. Then overall was just dismissive. The cherry on top is once we were done with dinner she literally threw the dessert menu on the table behind my husbands shoulder and walked off without even saying here’s the dessert menu (we didn’t even ask for it). She also stood behind and gossiped about other tables to other waitresses, quite loudly. The other wait staff was really nice and attentive. Overall- I wouldn’t come back here given that there are so many more restaurants that in my opinion are much better.

I was just getting coffee and croissant! Barista was really friendly but coffee tasted really bad. Espresso tasted like really old or just not doing right. Pastry was delicious! I’m kind disappointed that paying $6 for latte and barista wasn’t trained well.

Yuki K

I was just getting coffee and croissant! Barista was really friendly but coffee tasted really bad. Espresso tasted like really old or just not doing right. Pastry was delicious! I’m kind disappointed that paying $6 for latte and barista wasn’t trained well.

Tried it for dinner and we were super excited to go so it pains me to write this review as we really wanted to like it. The food was incredibly underwhelming; ricotta was dry and hard, steak tartar and pastas were too saucy and the chicken left more to be desired. We tried one of each of the dessert and were disappointed- surprising for a place with its own bakery. Service was unimpressive-server dropped off the check without us asking for it. However, the restaurant had a nice ambiance and vibe so I recommend stopping in for a drink at the bar.

Alina Kaplan

Tried it for dinner and we were super excited to go so it pains me to write this review as we really wanted to like it. The food was incredibly underwhelming; ricotta was dry and hard, steak tartar and pastas were too saucy and the chicken left more to be desired. We tried one of each of the dessert and were disappointed- surprising for a place with its own bakery. Service was unimpressive-server dropped off the check without us asking for it. However, the restaurant had a nice ambiance and vibe so I recommend stopping in for a drink at the bar.

The Hostess was very rude and she snatched the menu off my friends hand, as well as she did it with the couple next to us as she urged the gentleman to sit at the bar because he wanted to order a burger for his meal. I also ordered pasta and had to ask multiple times for parmesan cheese, after 20 minutes they finally brought it out.

I dined at Raf’s for dinner on December 23rd, and at first I was really excited that my party and I were able to snag a last-minute reservation as I enjoyed a breakfast here before. Unfortunately, I was utterly disappointed not even five minutes into the dining experience. Just as my friend and I were settling in, we were told the kitchen was closing with the waitress rushing us to order, even though this was a reservation offered by the restaurant. The service that ensued thereafter was an off combination of rushed and lackadaisical making it painfully obvious that the staff was more concerned about closing the restaurant than offering us the dining experience that the restaurant purports to be known for. The food was underwhelming, lighting way too bright for an evening meal, and we also got a spiel about how terrible the server’s day had been as if that were to make up for her horrible service, neither of which was necessary. This experience sadly left a bad taste in my mouth for a restaurant I once enjoyed.

We really wanted to love this place. The pasta was good, but the service was disappointing. The woman at the front desk, with the weird hairstyle, was rude and unprofessional, which made for a bad first impression. At the bar, the waiter tried to charge us for an extra drink. I usually don’t double check the bill, but we were overcharged. He apologized, but it didn’t feel like a one off mistake.

Have had several nice meals here but beware a strict cancellation policy. I cancelled a reservation with plenty of notice when my plans with family changed, albeit past their cancellation window. I was charged a $100 fee for two people. I asked for a refund and was told that was not possible. They offered a credit which is appreciated but still. Most restaurants I’ve found to be accommodating when this happens but just flagging for folk’s reference.

Fati A

We really wanted to love this place. The pasta was good, but the service was disappointing. The woman at the front desk, with the weird hairstyle, was rude and unprofessional, which made for a bad first impression. At the bar, the waiter tried to charge us for an extra drink. I usually don’t double check the bill, but we were overcharged. He apologized, but it didn’t feel like a one off mistake.

Kayla Holliday

I dined at Raf’s for dinner on December 23rd, and at first I was really excited that my party and I were able to snag a last-minute reservation as I enjoyed a breakfast here before. Unfortunately, I was utterly disappointed not even five minutes into the dining experience. Just as my friend and I were settling in, we were told the kitchen was closing with the waitress rushing us to order, even though this was a reservation offered by the restaurant. The service that ensued thereafter was an off combination of rushed and lackadaisical making it painfully obvious that the staff was more concerned about closing the restaurant than offering us the dining experience that the restaurant purports to be known for. The food was underwhelming, lighting way too bright for an evening meal, and we also got a spiel about how terrible the server’s day had been as if that were to make up for her horrible service, neither of which was necessary. This experience sadly left a bad taste in my mouth for a restaurant I once enjoyed.

Will Gregory

Have had several nice meals here but beware a strict cancellation policy. I cancelled a reservation with plenty of notice when my plans with family changed, albeit past their cancellation window. I was charged a $100 fee for two people. I asked for a refund and was told that was not possible. They offered a credit which is appreciated but still. Most restaurants I’ve found to be accommodating when this happens but just flagging for folk’s reference.