Food was straight up amazing. You can tell they actually care about quality. Great spot to eat, relax, and enjoy some seriously good food. Ridwan and agnes good excellent serviced

The establishment was clean, cozy and not loud, save for a few rude guests behind us who were taking a business call during dinner... Our server was polite, and came by often to refill waters and ask how we were doing. The food: Salt and Pepper Squid - 3/5 - Tender and crispy the shrimp could have been great, but I felt like it was under salted and could have even used additional spices like white pepper or some of that pink peppercorn in such a dish. Tangy Glazed Shrimp - 4/5 - nicely sweet and sour, this Shrimp came in a good portion and had a nice bite to it too. It came on a bed of these jelly noodles, which seemed unnecessary, and were too slippery and too tender, slipping out of our chopsticks or breaking. It did carry the orange flavored sauce decently well though. Black truffle steak cubes - 5/5 - Great dish, you can taste the black truffle and onion sauce, the steak was tender enough for me, although could have been a bit more tenderized somehow. It came with mushrooms and snap peas that were great in breaking up the flavor and texture. Crispy fried chicken - 5/5 - another great dish, the skin was flavorful and crispy, and the meat tender. Not much more to say other than the chef did a great job with the prep and plating, no bones in the meat and pre sliced akin to Peking Duck. Sesame ice cream - 5/5 - simple tasty refreshing. If you like sesame you'll love this. Fried milk custard - 5/5 - served with some sticky condensed milk, this blew my mind. Crispy on the outside but with the texture of flan or custard inside. I don't know how they did it but the condensed milk added the perfect sweetness I will think about this dessert for a long time to come.

Came here with a friend for lunch and had a wonderful experience. The restaurant has a cozy, homely vibe (at least to me)—clean, comfortable, and welcoming. We sat by the window, which gave us a great spot to enjoy both the food and some quiet, natural light. We ordered the double-cooked pork belly, which was rich, savory, and had just the right touch of heat—paired beautifully with nutty purple rice. The cucumber salad with garlic gravy was one of those deceptively simple dishes where less truly means more: crisp, refreshing, and appetite-opening. We also tried the jellyfish salad. It was light, delicately seasoned, with that perfect chewy texture that makes it such a satisfying cold dish. The service was incredibly friendly and courteous. We were even treated to lychee ice cream on the house, which was a lovely surprise! I ordered the tea-smoked duck fried rice to go, and the waiter thoughtfully came back to confirm whether I wanted the regular portion or the lunch special (which I did)! A small gesture that showed real attention to detail! I truly appreciate this level of care and hospitality. Great food and great service! I’ll definitely be back!

I noticed a $14 lunch special that was too good to ignore. A main dish, white rice, two mini egg rolls and a side of pickled cucumbers—what a fantastic deal for NYC. That sign is what pulled me into Twilight Lounge, a newly opened Sichuan and Cantonese restaurant in the East Village that’s already showing serious promise. For the lunch special, I ordered the Kung Pao Chicken, which came with white or purple rice, egg rolls and pickled cucumbers. The chicken was tender with just the right amount of wok-seared edges, tossed in a glossy sauce that struck a nice balance between sweet, savory, and just a hint of spice. Crunchy peanuts gave it texture as well as the egg rolls w plum sauce and the cool, vinegary cucumbers on the side refreshed the palate between bites. For $14 in Manhattan? A steal. I came with family and we ordered a few dishes off the regular menu to share. The Spicy Cumin Lamb was a standout. Sliced thin and stir-fried with whole dried chilies and cumin seeds, the dish had a smoky, earthy depth that lingered in a good way. It packed some heat, but it was the kind that builds slowly—warming, not overwhelming. The real surprise for me was the dry-style Sichuan Beef Noodle. I usually expect something heavier or soup-based, but this version came tossed in a savory, umami-rich sauce that clung beautifully to the chewy noodles. The marinated beef slices were flavorful and tender, and the overall dish felt comforting yet bold. It’s the kind of meal you could crave on a rainy day—or after a long one. The Twilight Fried Rice also deserves mention. Unlike typical fried rice dishes, this version arrived with a crispy bottom layer—almost like a socarrat from paella—adding a delightful crunch to each spoonful. It was savory, aromatic, and loaded with bits of egg, scallions, and diced vegetables. It's a clever and satisfying twist on a classic that I didn’t expect to love as much as I did. We also tried dishes like the beef pancake roll, which was like a scallion pancake rolled around savory beef slices, the wife and husband sliced beef in chili oil, spicy shrimp, and the spicy fried fish filet, both of which leaned on the hotter side, so be warned if you’re spicy –sensitive (or tell them to adjust the spice level). I found the lotus root stir-fry refreshing and light, with its mix of squash, wood ear mushrooms and lotus root slices. And a special shoutout to Jonathan, who took care of our table with warmth, efficiency, and always with a smile. Twilight Lounge an East Village gem that brings the heat, flavor, and hospitality. Definitely one to watch.

So happy this place opened up. We love Sichuan-style dishes but don’t always feel like waiting for a table to open up at some of the bigger places up at St. Marks. Great food, we got the crispy sichuan chicken, cumin lamb and the green beans. Authentic, great flavor with a good spice level. They serve beer/ wine too. Love the vibes, I plan to visit again with friends and family. The owner JC was friendly too.

This was one of the best Chinese food spots I have been to in a long time! Everything was so good. The beef pancake (perfectly juicy meat and the outside was crispy) and duck fried rice were especially memorable to me. Highly, highly recommend this place to anyone!

Anish Sinha

Adda is a vibrant, happening spot with a beautiful aesthetic and an energetic vibe that instantly draws you in. We started with the samosa chaat and papri chaat, both bursting with classic street-style flavors tangy, spicy, and perfectly balanced and loved the touch of choosing two bold, house-made pickles to enjoy with crisp papadam. For mains, the Bhatti ka Murgh stood out with its smoky, char-grilled flavor and juicy texture, while the Nizami Murgh Kofta, rich and aromatic, paired wonderfully with fragrant basmati rice. The flaky, buttery paratha was ideal for soaking up every bit of the flavorful gravies. Overall, every dish was well-executed, full of authentic taste, and made the entire dining experience at Adda feel both indulgent and memorable.

+3

Tanaya Behramsha

I understand why this place gets so much hype! We didn’t do the butter chicken experience, just usual dinner and it was fantastic. The appetizers (veg and non-veg) are the stars of the show in my opinion. the best bites of our meal were the Lamb Chop, Lamb Parcha, mushrooms, and dal! The staff and service was incredible, so welcoming and the ambiance and music were lovely! Highly recommend coming with a group 4-6 to try the most food!

+3

Rohin Gupta

Had the vaunted Butter Chicken Experience last night and it completely lived up to its reputation. Before the main event we began with the Peppercorn Bone Marrow and two selections of chaat. The bone marrow was good but the chaats were absolutely phenomenal, and for only $5 each I’d definitely consider them a must have. The butter chicken experience itself was throughly worth it and a very unique table side experience that’s hard to find in NYC. We were able to pick the wood, cooking butter, and finishing butter during the smoking/cooking process all while engaging in good conversation with the sous chef. You do have to be on Resy at exactly 9am to snag a BCE table but it’s worth the effort.

+3

ND_

Chef Chintan has done it again, each dish is unique and tastes are out of this world, the mushroom appetizer is amazing the crunchy mushroom with creamy sauce is a perfect combo, the paneer with chef Chintan is always the best you can ever get. The mint infused chicken is something you've never experienced and is a *must* try. It's a bit on spicy side, but the taste is really an experience in it self. Drink, desserts service everything was top notch.

Ibro Dishwash

This place is absolutely amazing and I could not recommend it more!! The atmosphere is so upbeat and lively. The staff is so kind. Our server Gauri S. Was so patient with us explaining the menu. Over all 10000% recommend this place. Definitely try the lamb shank. Best item on the menu. The portion sizes are big too so def bring an appetite !

Metty Fisseha

Incredible experience at Adda. Food was flavorful and exciting, environment was fun, service was spot on. We had the BHATTI KUMBH (mushroom skewer), lamb chops, MALAWANI MACCHI (fish curry) and PANEER KHURCHAN (paneer curry). Each one was a standout dish and highly recommend. The spice levels were great, each curry is made in its own pot which comes out to table sizzling. There were so many things we wanted to try - the biryani, dal, etc - we will absolutely be back. A special thank you Desiree for making us feel at home - you’ve made Adda a magical place

+2

Muskan Kanojia

The food was amazing and I loved the quantity of main course it can easily be shared between 2 or more people. The starters were great and for mains we ordered paneer khurchan which was 11/10. They also gave us a small cake as it was my husbands bday! Loved everything.

ehab shalabi

Genuinely one of the best restaurant experiences of my life. We got the Butter Chicken Experience, which they only do for 5 tables a night. A table side customized experience done by the chef himself, explained everything in great detail. It was seriously fun and obviously the best butter chicken of my life. We also got the lamb chop which was exquisite, tender, and so so flavorful. The desert was a cake with ice cream on top that tasted like a sticky toffee pudding but maybe 10x better? Anytime I'm able to snag a Butter Chicken Experience rezy I will, a 10/10 experience.

+2

Nisha Saxena

Better than semma. Food was insane with the flavor. Chef Neel continues to impress and the biryani as always was moist and decadent. The lamb and short rib dishes BLEW me away. The service felt like I was at an afternoon English tea. Every time I turned aroundy water was filled. Chef Neel also came to say hi and share his thoughts and the restaurant is gorgeous. >> than Semma in my humble Americanized Indian opinion. I will be back also for the butter chicken experience.

Jake Byman

Adda was the best meal I've had in New York in a long time. We had the stewed lamb, the chicken kofta, the paneer, the bheja, the prawn, the chaat, as well as a couple drinks. Everything was truly, without exception, amazing. The paneer was definitely the best I've ever had – it was clear it was made in-house. The prawn was delicious as well. Truly there were no misses whatsoever. I definitely plan on returning, huge fan!

+2

Marc Valitutto

Wow. Completely blown away. This meal flirted, teased, and fully took me out in the best possible sense. Haven’t been emotionally touched by food like this in a long time. I was not prepared. ⸻ Apps Makkai Mattar Tikki The first thing to hit the table and immediately had me kicking my feet like, “Oh, we’re doing this tonight.” Two little fried discs of joy. After one bite I thought, ok, this might be my favorite Indian restaurant now. Roti aur Boti Never thought I’d fall for a 3D rectangle, yet here we are. Layered, tender, perfect to pull apart or devour whole. The mouthfeel? Honestly… respectfully intimate. Best rectangle I’ve ever eaten. Lamb Parcha Adorable presentation with tiny slices of bread. Tender, flavorful, and portioned just right for three people. I’d happily eat a main-sized version. ⸻ Mains Awadhi Lamb Shank Korma I’m not a lamb person, but this dish converted me for the moment. The meat practically slipped off the bone like it had somewhere important to be. Rich flavor without the lamb-y assault I usually brace for. Zero chew, zero complaints. Paneer Khurchan Sit down. Have you ever eaten a cloud with emotional depth? Ever had a dish lift you up and gently place you on a soft cumulonimbus of joy? That was this. Creamy, rich, transcendent. I kept going long after my body said stop. Removing my corset of a back brace definitely unlocked bonus stomach space. ⸻ Sides Paratha — flat, underwhelming, tragic. I wanted drama, puff, personality. Got none. Mostly cuz I thought I was ordering poori. Oops. At one point they came around offering $5 street-food bites. We took photos like tourists and then declined like locals. ⸻ Dessert Didn’t want to wait 20 minutes for chocolate cake, so we got the ice cream pops with dipping sauces. Cute, simple, satisfying. Loved the nostalgic candies from the chef. ⸻ Ambiance Beautiful interior, love the design. But we sat right in front of the kitchen bottleneck, so the noise level was giving: family reunion hosted inside a blender. Still, the energy matched the food — chaotic, warm, and absolutely worth it.

+9

Swayam Avhad

Had an amazing experience at Adda! I was seated at the bar and was taken care of by Alejandro and Johnny — hands down the best service ever. They were attentive, friendly, and made the whole evening feel special. Chef Neel even came by to check on us, which was such a thoughtful touch and truly showed the level of hospitality this place stands for. Every single staff member checked in on us and made sure we were having a great time. Outstanding service, genuine hospitality, and incredible team energy. Can’t wait to come back!

Carrie Schrum

Had the most lovely dinner at Adda tonight! We ordered everything to Johnny’s recommendation and he did not steer us wrong! The Lamb Parcha was a standout but we loved the keema roll, lukimi and baby goat biryani. I am not a huge fan of lamb and loved our entire meal! We will be back.

Tony Paul

Adda is one of my absolute favorite restaurants in NYC! The food is always hot, flavorful, and packed with authentic taste. My top pick is the Lamb Parcha tender, rich, and bursting with spices. The Lukhmi is another must try crispy, savory, and impossible to skip. For the main course, the Baby Goat Biryani is a standout fragrant, perfectly spiced, and deeply satisfying. And don’t miss the Oye Khajoori mocktail a refreshing burst of sweet and tangy flavors that ties the whole meal together.

Alok Tewari

Dining at Adda was a truly memorable experience — from the food to the atmosphere, everything stood out. The restaurant manages to capture the warmth and vibrancy of India in both its flavors and décor. The moment you walk in, you notice the wallpaper, which feels like a piece of art on its own — colorful, layered, and full of character. It instantly sets the tone for what’s to come: a dining experience that’s traditional yet modern in all the right ways. The food was absolutely outstanding. The pickles and papad were brought to the table on a cart, which added a fun, interactive touch. A server also brought chaat to the table, freshly prepared and bursting with flavor. The Bhatti Da Murgh and Nimbu Wala Murgh were both delicious — perfectly cooked chicken, full of spice and depth. The Special Fish was another standout, beautifully seasoned and flaky. Everything tasted authentic and made with real attention to detail. To finish, the kulfi with strawberry dip was just perfect — rich, creamy, and a creative twist on a classic dessert. The staff were friendly and attentive, and the whole experience felt polished but still casual and comfortable. Overall, Adda is one of those rare places where every detail feels intentional, from presentation to flavor. A must-visit for anyone who loves Indian food done right.

+13

Shardul Purav

Adda is truly one of the best new spots in Manhattan! Every single dish we tried was outstanding, and after visiting twice, we’ve loved every second of the experience. The Butter Chicken Experience is absolutely brilliant. Personalized to your preferences and presented in such an intimate, thoughtful way. Chef Neel is nothing short of spectacular. His talent and passion shine through in every detail of his cuisine, and it was a real pleasure meeting him. On one of our visits, we celebrated my wife’s birthday, and the team took such wonderful care of us. They made the evening feel extra special, which meant so much. We also felt incredibly lucky to have the same server both times. Swayam elevated both of our visits with his warmth, expertise, and genuine hospitality. He guided us through the highlights of the menu and made the entire experience unforgettable. Exceptional food, amazing service, and thoughtful touches. Adda is a must-visit!

+8

Hyerin Lee

We had a lovely dinner, except that the food came out a bit late. We sat at the bar and everything we ordered was delicious—especially the chicken curry! The portions felt a little small for the price, but overall it was an enjoyable experience and I would definitely come back.

Andrew Mastorakis

Walk in at the bar. Very comfortable, plenty of space. The goat biryani was incredible and fragrant. The lamb chops were the perfect level of spice — incredibly tender. The curry leaf crab was a show in itself. Johnny was fantastic, attentive, and his cocktails were unmatched. Highly recommend

+1

Aleli Na

"From Makai Mattar Tikki to Lamb Shank Korma – Pure Food Bliss" Phenomenal is the word I’d use to describe Adda. It has a cozy ambience, and OMG—the food is literally excellent. Every dish bursts with flavor, and from starters to dessert, they absolutely nailed it. We started with the makai mattar tikki, which reminded me of samosas but way better. The curry leaf crab was incredible—real, generous pieces of crabmeat in every bite. I love that they have servers who come around offering, “Oh, this is a kind of street food in India—please try!” And yes, you should—no regrets! The daal was amazing, and for our main course, the lamb shank korma was pure foodgasm. We finished with the kulfi dipped in chocolate, which sealed the deal—this place is truly something special. You can tell they put their hearts into creating the menu. The staff were warm and welcoming, and it’s no wonder it’s so hard to get a reservation—they’re on the Michelin Guide. I’m already planning my next visit, especially to try their famous butter chicken experience.

+7

Came here for a late lunch and left with a pretty hefty bill. The place was clean and was pretty modern—service was decent as well. We ordered suan cai yu, which they used flounder as the fish. The fish was a bit flakey and didn’t taste amazing but the broth was good. It wasn’t too oily like some other places so that was a plus. We also had the crab roe tofu which was pretty good as my partner reallly liked it. And had the seasonal vegetable stir fry which was simple but delicious. For the price we paid after tax + tip I expected higher quality food but overall I’m not super mad about it because the portion sizes are good.

My completely unfounded hypothesis for how Twilight Lounge came to be is that the founders wanted to open an authentic Canto spot but after market researching (AKA talking to the locals), they learned that New Yorkers are crazy for Szechuan food, so they decided to tack that on--because Chinese people are nothing if not people pleasers. And thus this Cantonese-Szechuan menu was born. The above is based on an untrue story. Now on to the food. - Wood Ear Mushroom Salad: Refreshing and perfectly spicy - Lotus Root Stir-fry Medley: Because we all need fiber. Get this classic stir-fry to make your bathroom trips more fun. - Crab Roe Silken Tofu: Soft and tasty, better than I expected. - Wong Fei Hung Prawns: If you look at this name and the Jet Li theme song doesn't automatically play in your head, you're not Cantonese enough to appreciate this dish. But it's okay; this dish is so good, it would win over a vegan. It was easily the star of the show, everyone's favorite. The prawns were plump and juicy, and the peppercorns were crunchy and satisfying--all coming together in the perfect marriage of mouth-singing flavor. We picked this clean like buzzards circling a dead rodent. - Sichuan Braised Fish: Our first taste of their Szechuan offerings, and the verdict is....pass! This was spicy, umami and complex, loaded with mouth-tender fish and veggies, and as comforting and filling as similar offerings at Szechuan restaurants. - Tea Smoked Duck Fried Rice: Not much duck, smoke or tea flavor. Not much duck either. I'd skip this unless you really want to blow money on fried rice. Service was friendly and attentive, and decor was modern chic. Twilight Lounge has stiff competition from the borough, but it surprisingly holds its own--esp. if you're in this neck of the woods and craving umami.

Hamza Jugon

Really good food. High quality ingredients and balanced flavours across all dishes. I could go into detail about each but to summarise, all the dishes were really nice, none over spiced, there were distinct flavours and everything was cooked well. None of the dishes blew me away and gave me the desire to come back as soon as possible! The service was fantastic and we were very well looked after, it was good fun to have the pickle card wheeled over to us and a waiter bring the chaat options over in a big tray. I would reccomend getting the sigdi prawn and lamb chop. The goat biryani was nice, portion was HUGE, could feed two. The bill before tip came to $160, we didn’t have any drinks or desert.

+7

Overall, the dining experience was quite pleasant. We arrived close to closing time, yet the staff were still warm and welcoming, showing no signs of impatience—something that truly deserves recognition. From ordering to food service, the process was smooth and efficient, with dishes arriving promptly, which is a definite plus for diners who are short on time. As for the food, portion sizes were on the smaller side, so those with a bigger appetite may want to order a few extra dishes. The flavors were generally solid and reliable—nothing particularly outstanding, but also nothing disappointing. The Suancai Fish was well-executed, with a good balance of sourness and saltiness, making it a safe and steady choice. The standout dish, however, was the Salted Egg Yolk Tofu, which was excellent and easily the highlight of the meal. Overall, strong service and efficiency are the key strengths here. If you’re looking for a place for a quick and hassle-free meal, this restaurant is certainly worth considering.

Having tried a lot of Sichuanese restaurants in NYC, I kind of have a bar and this place failed to meet it. It’s a place for a more Americanized palate. The food lacked flavor and punch and was not served hot enough. The three pepper chicken was tough (didn’t want to even bring back any leftovers), the fried rice with mustard green shoots was good, the Fish Fillet w/ Silken Tofu Pudding was okay as it lacked flavor, the lotus root stir-fry medley was disappointing with big chunks of celery and cucumber and no flavor. They brought out the rice last, meanwhile what are you supposed to eat the rest of the food with? My biggest problem was with the atmosphere. The air conditioning was so strong that the food got cold in minutes add then was not enjoyable. You don’t need to blast the A/C and serve cold food - instead adjust it to pleasantly comfortable. Went to celebrate a birthday but was let down. Won’t go back.