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!

Siddiq Muhammad Jabir

Very calm, quiet and intimate environment. Really good quality matcha. The woman working there was very nice and knowledgeable about each item. Will be visiting every time I’m in NY. Highly recommend if you’re heavily into matcha

Diana Ayers

Can’t say enough good things about this place. Such a calm beautiful educational experience. Absolutely amazing matcha, cannot wait to go back and try all the varieties!

metummyhurts

Beautiful matcha store, matcha is ground in house for you to see amongst an exhibition of photos of their matcha farms. Great selection of tins to buy for home but also fantastic matcha to take away. Lovely person running the shop too, perfect calming atmosphere.

Kwynn Hogan

Hidden gem in NYC When you walk in, you are transported to a tea house on the other side of the world. The calm, quiet atmosphere accented by traditional Japanese flute music provides a beautiful respite from chaotic Manhattan. There is a variety of seating, including an intimate table where the owner expertly explains the different matcha grades and takes you through a traditional preparation (ceremony). I can’t praise the owner, Souheki, enough — kind, knowledgeable, and so humble. She told me of her farms visits in Japan, pointing to photographs she took that hung in the shop. She was warm, welcoming, and happy to answer all my questions. For the people here complaining about the price — you missed the point. This isn’t the fad matcha drink from Starbucks. You are getting such a richer, deeper experience. You’re getting hundreds of years of knowledge and culture. You’re getting the highest grade organic matcha hand served to you by the only certified tea shop in New York City. Have some respect. Setsugekka also offers contemporary matcha delicacies including an iced strawberry matcha and a matcha affogato. This place is a must-go.

Ari

Most authentic Japanese tea ceremony spot for a casual walk in. The server performs an individualised tea preparation and explains the process. Several matchs options. Tasted great. Cool experience. It’s more than just a grab-and-go spot. More of a momentary step into the home of a tea master of yesteryear.

Timothy Chin

Be prepared to experience a Japanese tea ceremony with your matcha order. I was initially surprised by that. It’s truly a unique experience compared to most matcha cafes in NYC. The cafe itself is on the smaller side though so during rush hours it could get crowded.

Caro Arevalo

An absolute traditional matcha gem in the east village! A must stop every time I am in NyC. It feels like time stops every time I step into Setsugekka. Thank you for your attention to detail and the best matchas.

Mario Carpio Leroy

I love this place. The matcha was great! They have several options to be chosen! Also you can see the way they prepare the tea. The place is small but the atmosphere is really cool, it seems like they really love the Japanese culture and the ceremony around it.

Rolando Delacruz

Such a fun, educational and tasty experience. We went toward the end of the day on a Thursday, so it was not busy at all, and we were able to sit at the bar and take our time. The lady who served us was absolutely lovely, and was very educational, but concise, in explaining the different matchas she was preparing for our group. We tried the matcha in traditional form, in a hot latte, in a cold latte, and over ice cream. All the different ways of trying the matcha were splendid, and highlighted the different aspects of each matcha. Specifically, we tried the Hoshinotsuyu and the Unjonotomo. For those reviewers who complained previously about their matchas being “watered down”… you got your matchas poured over ice, so of course it will taste diluted. If you want to really taste the matcha, I suggest you get it traditional, i.e. poured directly into the cup (with no ice, and/or no milk) once it’s whisked. That will allow you to taste the difference between each matcha. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience here, and I can’t wait to come back. I want to see how they make the matcha powder next time!

+8

wes

Exceptional experience all around. Our server, who prepared the matcha, was mesmerizing in their rituals. They offered lots of information about our matcha such as origin and flavor profile which was also appreciated. The matcha koicha affogato with a shot of sweet potato shochu was delicious. The matcha itself was thick and had a delicate taste and was complimented well by the gelato. Would definitely come back and hope I get the same server!

+7

H. Poyraz

The flavor of the matcha was very nice and creamy compared to the other places I drank. The lady who served was very kind and sweet. Since there were no customers, we sat and chatted for a while, but because it was usually crowded, they only made packages. I would definitely recommend stopping by and having a drink.

+4

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.

Khoi Pham

Calm spot for specialized matcha. There are only 5 seats to watch the matcha preparation, but then you have to go with the drink as a takeout item. The quality of the matcha here is quite good. The staff is extremely friendly and kind, and also very knowledgeable about the origin of the matcha they are serving. Strong recommend if you are a big matcha enthusiast.

Kevin Chen

A very methodical matcha preparation inside a quiet space taken up mostly by a tatami mat floor and some interesting art such as a mill machine. The front desk for seating and paying is much further in. It seems this store prioritizes takeout over sit in. You can watch the staff member take pride in preparing your drink methodically and delicately. Overall a soothing relaxing place place to be in to wait for your order.

+4

Olga NYC

We’ve visited this tea house twice, and both times we enjoyed the matcha. It was particularly interesting for us to try this place, as I drink matcha quite often, and my husband is a daily matcha drinker. Upon arrival, we were first seated at the bar, where we watched the tea master prepare the matcha right in front of us. The process—from pouring hot water from the iron pot to whisking—felt special, like a small moment of magic, even though it seemed a bit rushed. Due to the steady flow of guests, we were asked to move to a tatami mat to savor the rest of our tea. Personally, I would have preferred to stay at the bar until the end, as that setting felt more immersive. Overall, it’s a quiet, calming place to slow down and appreciate the art of Japanese tea.

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.

Nick S

Setsugekka is a specialty tea house that specializes in bringing over multiple types of Matcha. They prepare it in a traditional style, and have a little tea ceremony for you while you sit in front of them. The staff are friendly and are nice, talking you through the entire process and are quite knowledgeable on the menu and types of matcha, recommending types of pairings. We tried a matcha latte for each type of matcha that was available at the time, Jobetsugi and Senjunomukashi. However, the matcha fell flat when we tried it. The matcha was quite watered down, and it wasn't really strong like other matchas I tried. The strawberry addition we added to the Jobetsugi didn't really do much for it, and overall we were disappointed by the drink.

+3

Natalie Neshama

was in the east village with a friend of mine and decided to grab some matcha. yet again we have another teeny-tiny matcha spot. there is extremely limited seating and the servers will actively ask you to leave if it seems like you’re close to finished with your drinks to let more customers sit down lol. this didn’t happen to us, but we saw them ask a couple to leave so we could sit. after seating, we started talking with the server who was nice as could be otherwise until… they walked away after my friend ordered and didn’t allow me to. they straight up went to help the next party?? i had to flag them down to order. i ordered a matcha affogato and my friend ordered the iced matcha latte. we got to watch the… uh…. matcharista(?) prepare our treats for us which was cool. she was saying a bunch of interesting facts about the matcha we ordered. i liked my affogato, but it wasn’t show-stopping matcha. my friend didn’t even like their latte very much. it was a bit pricey, i guess i get it since matcha is all the rage now… but if i’m paying that much for matcha, i’m gonna go somewhere better. it’s meh.

Foodie Sakura

The environment appears that it offers an authentic Japanese tea ceremony experience but it's really just a matcha related drink takeout shop. Matcha powder was not whisked well enough so the matcha-puccino tasted grainy and watery. Don't think it's worth the price tbh

Maiya

Nice staff who are well-educated on matcha and the tea ceremony processes. Unfortunately, the iced matcha latte was a miss since it was very watery with clumps on the bottom.

Melanie Zhang

My friends and I loveee matcha and heard great things about this place so we were really excited to try it. We each paid ~$15 per drink and unfortunately all agreed that our lattes were watered down and flavorless 😭😭😭 the experience was fun but we were disappointed in the flavor and strength of our drinks. If you enjoy strong matcha I’d recommend you look elsewhere as there are other spots in the city that do much better (for less $ too) 🥲

Cass

I’m not one to leave a one star review. So I’m so sorry. But this tasted like water. Just water. And the matcha separates to the bottom in less than a minute. I believe the actual matcha is good, but the latte making skills here are just lacking. The matcha just sinkkksss. My friend paid $15 for one drink and it literalllyyyy tasted like water. The cappuccino format is also just really over-aired foam on top for an extra $0.50. The experience itself is kinda cool, but then pairs weirdly with the conveyor belt style line and a plastic cup. I don’t know. Just not a vibe, I think.

+9