walk-in only bagels and great salmon bagels. most expensive bagel i’ve eaten but a classic spot i’d recommend once - oldschool. my first nyc bagel upon moving to the city. authentic nyc vibe inside and on the patio. if I recall, they don’t take amex at the very least so i’d bring cash to be safe.

An old world NYC classic with excellent breakfast and lunch options. The smoked fish and eggs are worth trying. The place is small and the wait can be long but well worth the special trip. Put it on your list if you like old world NYC delis. They also have many items available for takeout.

+1

Barney’s is a landmark of UWS like what Katz is East Villages’. This is as New York as a restaurant can be. Get the sturgeon scrambled, fresh squeezed orange juice, bagels. You won’t regret it.

A little pricey but a great experience and fantastic food. Tried multiple pastrami sandwiches while on our trip and this was the best. I can’t express how tender and lean that sandwich was. Bagels were a bit underwhelming to be honest but still good. Service was authentic and friendly. Matzah ball soup was also stellar.

Hands down best bagel and lox ever. The experience is unique and divine. However the price is closer to $$$ than $$. But at the end of the day it is truly an unforgettable meal in a classic New York restaurant.

Lox (belly) bagel was worth the price. It was a bit crowded inside, but ordering from the counter did not take too long.

My favorite place to grab a Bagel to go. The pastrami salmon and gravlox are my favorite. Can't cone to town without stopping in.

+2

A must, one of the few iconic old school delis/breakfast/bagel left in NYC! Located in the UWS, the grandson of the original owner will greet you at the cash register (remember is cash only) with a smile and a nice word!! Totally worth it, for some of us is the best comfort food and time travel we can have!

A real classic. The food and vibe here never change. And I mean that in the best way. Consistently great omelettes with a perfectly toasted bagel and a square of cream cheese paired with a great cup of coffee. Always good. And don't forget to order the potato latkes.

Amazing turkey and pastrami sandwich. It may be the best I’ve had since in years. I prefer this place to tourist traps like Katz Deli. The meats were juicy and well-spiced and the bagel on top was incredible. The cole slaw was sweet and crispy and worked well with the russian dressing. We started with potato latkes that were great with the apple sauce. The servers were friendly and had great jokes. The ambiance is an old style deli. Went during the week and didn’t have any line. Will come again when we are in NyC. I would skip the matzah ball soup and OD on the meats and sandwiches or latkes instead.

This is oft described as one of nycs best spots for lunch/brunch, worth that hype in my opinion. Delicious, the price is clearly based on quality of ingredients. It's old-school and a must visit- like Katz but without the nonsense

Latkes and knishes were good. They're both potatoes. The former is fried a bit and they serve it with apple sauce and cream cheese on the side. The apple sauce goes well with it and adds some sweetness but not too much. They said the orange juice was fresh squeezed but we saw someone pouring it out of a carton, which wasn't super cool. I had the eggs with tomatoes and mushrooms with the sturgeon and nova Scotia salmon. The sturgeon has a solid meaty flavor, but isn't fatty and doesn't have very much of a flavor. It was fine but will try something else next time. The nova scotia salmon was very tasty and I would order it again. The eggs were pretty standard. I think the tomatoes and mushrooms were a bit pricey but otherwise would get with the eggs next time. I couldn't have the onions because they're cooked in butter. Overall I liked having fish and eggs for breakfast, and a latke or a knish (I'd probably get the knish next time just cause it isn't fried and the potato taste is kinda cool, but either is good). I had a salt bagel with eggs and it wasn't as good IMHO as the same order at Brooklyn Bagels. The salt was too aggressive. It wasn't bad though. It was fine.

Absolutely phenomenal. The food is all top notch. The staff is really efficient and really knowledgeable and helpful. Some restaurants it seems like the staff has never eaten there. Here, our server knew all about the different fish on the menu and made some helpful recommendations. I was also impressed with the logistics. They do a great job of making the most out of the space, and seating and serving people quickly.

Absolutely awesome, was recommended by someone I met in NYC and glad I went. They only take cash and although I was not expecting to pay $60 for two bagels, I would go again when in NYC.

Prices are a little high but you get what you pay for. CASH ONLY. Review the menu before you arrive because they want you to order quick. Generous selection of fish. Best bagel and nova salmon I've ever had. Perfectly paired with a Dr. Brown's Cream Soda. Start with a side of potato latkes ("potato pancakes").

+3

Loved our breakfast. If you haven't tried Sturgeon before you don't know what you are missing! My new favorite fish, by far! I have two negative things to mention. $12.00 for just 2 scrambled eggs is outrageous and I ordered chopped liver but instead I received chopped Herring. I enjoyed the herring but was looking forward to trying their chopped liver. Will definitely return.

$33 for two full and amazing breakfasts. What can I possibly say that has not been said about this place? It was the best Challah French Toast.......$12.50 ... sorry absolutely the best French toast I have ever had. My wife had Home Made Cheese Blintzes served with choice of Preserve or Sour Cream.......$14.00. Crazy delicious. Please go and treat yourself to a NYC must visit restaurant.

It's cramped, and it's a bit rushed, but it is not to be missed. Best smoked fish on the city, and don't sleep on the rugelach. Barney Greengrass is a New York institution for a reason. Eat in and make sure to take out too, but make sure you check on the cash/credit situation before you do.

One of the revered establishments of UWS for good reason: their latkes are so crispy with an applesauce and sour cream that complement them. Smoked fish on a freshly baked bagel: absolutely stellar. A bit cramped inside but honestly impressive watching the staff at work—flowing seamlessly from table to table!

Delicious food but expensive. $32 for the bagel sandwich alone, the meal totaling $52 after tax and tip. (Though, to be fair, it’s virtually two sandwiches.) If you’re the type who’s willing to pay double to get that last extra bit of improvement, go for it; I’ll stick to my $15 lox bagels. Five stars because the bagel really was flawless: just enough cream cheese, browned flavorful crust, pillowy soft crumb, flavorful fish, and impressively juicy (but not watery) tomato. The borscht was not to my taste (so much sour cream, I thought they mistakenly gave me a milkshake!) but I’ll chalk it up to personal preference.

Given the legendary status, this place probably doesn't need a new review. The atmosphere, the vibe and especially the food won't disappoint you. We got latkes, herring sandwich and pastrami sandwich. There was a line before we got seated, the line goes faster if you are ok with seating outside.

Excellent food, we got latkeys and the sturgeon platter. We shared it and there was plenty of food. The everything bagel was scrumptious! You get 2 bagels per platter. I highly recommend it, the waiter was super chill too- CASH ONLY!!!

Famous people like Anthony Bourdaine, among others, have frequented this UWS staple for years. However, Barney Greengrass is not bombarded with tourists like Russ & Daughters or Katz's Delicatessen in the LES. You'll find local regulars sitting outside munching down on potato latkes, scrambled eggs & toasted bagels. Their specialty is smoked fish. Nova lox & cream cheese on an everything bagel is delicious but BG is the sturgeon king for a reason. The sturgeon is delicious! Service is friendly, fast & attentive, but on this visit, the server forgot the tomato slices & potato salad with my Sturgeon & Nova Lox Platter order 😾. Prices aren't cheap but reasonable for the generous portions. I like how BG is famous but still has a down to Earth, local New Yorker vibe. These kinds of old school New York establishments are a dying breed. So glad they survived the Covid lockdowns. Highly recommended. Support your local restaurants & small businesses 👍

+1

This is the old school Jewish Deli we all need. December is the time of the year to get their latkes. Smoked Salmon on a Bagel with Capers and Challah French Toast were just what we were looking for. The pickle plate hit the spot - surprisingly the pickled tomatoes were my favorite.

+1

Visited back in October 2023. The everything bagel with sablefish was exceptional stuff. The staff were kind and comprehensive.

Quick service, delicious latkes, and amazing homemade pickles. Only downside was pigeon poop on the shoulder while waiting in line.

Divinity!!! 10/10 for the white fish salad! Tasty, plentiful, light on the mayo, heavy on the fish!! Oh and no bones!! Immaculate The BLC (bagel lox cream) divine as well! So generous with portions, at this point you can’t go anywhere without a BLC costing around 20 buckaroonies at least here they give you your moneys worth with a hearty portion of lox! Latkas: Look I know their latkas is a top seller for them. I’m bias towers skinny crunchy lats so these are not for me. Side note: Do not be intimidated by the line. There was a huge line and it moved so quickly. Highly recommend!!

Salmon and sturgeon scramble with an everything bagel and fresh squeezed OJ. So delicious! Cash only!

This spot feels like the “real deal” because it is! Incredible bagels and Reuben sandwiches. We will be coming back

Truly the sturgeon KING! Great bagels and yummy latkes. We had the honor of sitting at the ledge! Can’t go wrong.

Outstanding!!! Anthony Bourdain was right the sturgeon is awesome. Customer service was fantastic!! Food was outstandingly awesome!!!! The best in the city. Everyone needs to come here at least once in their lifetime and experience a true delicatessen!!! And buy a loaf of rye bread, it is perfect.

+2

I visited this place because it was a favorite of the great Anthony Bourdaine -- and for good reason! They do an excellent Jewish breakfast, and I actually tried eggs with a variety of fish for the first time ever. The service was super friendly and attentive, and the place was so busy it was overflowing onto the sidewalk. Definitely make some time to stop here if you're on the upper west side and check out all of the cool pictures of Barney with various celebrities.

Bare bones service. No space is wasted and an attitude that everything is storage. Clean. Perfection. Cash or card It's fast, no frills. Sturgeon scramble was delicious and served piping hot. Nicely toasted bagel that itself was great. Served with cream cheese. The price for breakfast will probably set you back 30 dollars including tax and tip. Cheaper options are available if you want to grab and go

Try the sturgeon and Nova Scotia salmon sandwich on everything bagel with cream cheese. This place is the king of sturgeon for a reason!

+6

I only had three bagels in New York, but this was easily the best one. The pastrami smoked salmon was also delicious, but it's the pickle that came with my sandwich that I'm still thinking about two weeks later. Will I ever have a pickle as good? Should I have emptied my suitcase of belongings and filled it with pickles, instead? I'll be back someday. Wait for me, pickles.

Only got a photo after we'd begun demolishing our food but it goes to show how good it is people, that you can hardly wait to tear into everything. Some of the best smoked fish I've ever had, and the amount of onion in the latkes was perfect. The staff are kind, it can get busy, but the service is top notch. I don't think you can really order a wrong thing, so go and get yourself something great because this place is famous for a reason

OMG - why is there not a queue a mile looooong to get onto this place. Once TikTok dIscovers it, it will become the next viral place. Established for over a century, the food is outstanding and the team is amazing. NYC at its best. Go - like NOW !!!

+5

Amazing service and the food was so good. The salmon sturgeon eggs were amazing and the babka was amazing.

An old New York classic breakfast spot with a variety of breakfast cured fishes, prepared either as a breakfast sandwich, platter, or with eggs. I’d recommend a breakfast sandwich, which is the most economical, and the white fish salad as the fish. There’s often a line to get in, but it moves at a decent speed.

+6

Without a doubt, the best bagel I've tried in the city. Great quality smoked fish on a freshly baked bagel. The ambiance is an old style deli. It's cramped inside, especially over the weekend, but the staff is great, very fast and somehow it all runs smoothly. Cash only!!! I didn't read the sign and didn't have any cash. The owner at the cash register was kind enough to keep my order on the side so that I could go withdraw some cash.

+2

I live in Florida and four times a year I order two 1/2 pints of (the finest) pickled lox in cream sauce. I call the store and usually speak with Gary Greengrass (grandson of the legendary Barney Greengrass) to place my order. The next day it arrives in Florida by FedEx. Each 1/2 pint jar provides a meal for my wife and myself. Along with a fresh tomato, local bagel and coffee, it is a great meal. The biggest part of the cost is the FedEx!

This is NYC. A bustling Jewish deli. I had probably the best lox, cream cheese and sesame bagel sandwich ever

Not celiac safe, but the scrambles are gluten free and amazing!! The nova, eggs, and onion always has the perfect ratio and comes out steaming hot. I never feel left out when I eat here with non-gf friends.

We were traveling with a local who insisted we try Barney Greengrass, so we went for breakfast — and now I get why this place is such a classic. It’s a small spot, split between table service on one side and to-go orders on the other. We opted for table service. The tables are packed in pretty tightly, so you’ll definitely get to know your neighbors. They do have outdoor seating, but it was raining the day we went. We had a bit of a wait, and I can easily see it turning into a long one during busier times. The guy who seated us was your textbook New Yorker — loud, slightly rude, but funny about it. Honestly, it added to the experience. We ordered a smoked fish platter with sturgeon and Nova Scotia salmon, bialys, a side of latkes (served with applesauce and sour cream), and a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice. Everything was absolute perfection. The fish was incredibly fresh and flavorful, the bialys were so good, and if you’ve never had one, definitely try it — kind of like a bagel, but different and better in its own way. The latkes were thick, crispy, and full of flavor. There’s a reason this place has been around for over 100 years. One word of advice: if you need to use the restroom, go before or after you leave. The bathroom is… also about 100 years old. Yes, I would absolutely go back.

A true New York City institution, this establishment has been in business for over a century, offering a taste of history and culinary legacy. The smoked fish here is unparalleled—the finest I’ve ever encountered. The perfect balance of smokiness and saltiness, paired with high-quality salmon and sturgeon, creates a flavor profile that is nothing short of exceptional. When combined with their toasted bagels, the experience becomes an embodiment of tradition and craftsmanship. In my opinion, this is the most iconic food destination in New York City.

An old New York gem—Barney Greengrass is the real deal. Charming dining room, incredibly welcoming and engaging staff, and the best smoked fish in the city. Bagels, pastries, and fresh-squeezed OJ are all top-notch. A true institution and a joy every time.

+6

Jeffrey Dobkin

A real old world treat. New York delicatessen counter with table service in the adjacent room. Best sturgeon ever. Lox and bagels were excellent as well. A place you would only find in New York City and only if you were lucky, or good, or a local resident. Highly recommended.

tnypco

A MUST when wanting a NYC experience if you're a tourist and even better if you are a local in need of the best smoked salmon and whitefish. If you insist on eating in, don't expect polite service. It will be fast and it will be insistent. Whenever and whatever you do, remember this is CASH ONLY!

Monica Alvarado

I paid $27 for a bagel sandwich. WORTH EVERY PENNY. Best nova lox sandwich in the whole city! Big family atmosphere:). Cute place and cute staff. There was this guy with green sleeves and a Jack Frost haircut, very attentive with orders & refills. Cute place, cute staff.

Nick Bongiovanni

Such a signature spot in NYC with so much history (over 100 years)! True legends have eaten here including the GOAT Anthony Bourdain. I ordered one of his go-to's, the Nova with scrambled eggs and onions with a bialy on the side. Food quality was solid and the service was speedy and efficient. These guys are no joke as they were literally receiving overnight shipping requests over the phone from people around the country! They accept credit cards and tap to pay. A bit on the pricey side ($30 with tip) but the quality speaks for itself.

emre biyikli

Friendly and easy going breakfast place with great taste. The service is very friendly, super fast, and very attentive. They ask for coffee refills every 5 mins. Latkes are super tasty. Also a great choice for kids. No wonder why they are popular. We got the famous sturgeon and salmon platter. They were very good. There is plenty of space to sit but a line builds up pretty early in the morning. It is cash only but there is an ATM in CVS across the road or there is a BofA branch 1 block away.

+3

Jerusha Frost

I love this place! Worth the wait (never as long as you think). Such a classic UWS vibe. Be sure to get something with sturgeon - my fave is the open faced sturgeon sandwich on a Bialy with scallion cream cheese and sliced onion and tomato.

Annabelle Veatch

A must visit for New York style bagels! 🥯 Famous for their bagels and for their salmon. I really enjoyed the atmosphere here! Very busy place but feels like more of a local place than a tourist spot! My favorite was the salmon lox bagel 🥯 with tomato 🍅 and capers!! Can be a wait during peak times of day so be prepared to wait.

+3

Nick

Incredible lox bagel, great old-school vibes inside, super friendly, the casher was a true mensch. Will be back, can't miss this place if you're in the upper west side.

S Joey

White fish salad very refreshing , smoked salmon was just okay . Garlic bagel & everything bagel taste delicious. White fish was okay . Cash only .

Klavdia (Клавдия) Lesnaya

I just discovered this place. I had sturgeon scrambled eggs with toast. High quality ingredients, old school ambiance. Great and efficient service.

Cello Yellow

Iconic Jewish deli with amazing potato (thick!) latkes and smoked fish. I like the nova/sturgeon scramble on a bagel. Great pickles too.

Ad Z

Unreal incredible food. The lox here is melt in your mouth good. The babka is perfect, soft and doughy. The latkes taste like your grandma made it in the back. Great service.

Theresa

Cash only on weekends; cards accepted on weekdays. Classic Jewish appetizing shop full of history and delicious bagels! The Nova Scotia salmon was top notch and the latkes were crispy and huge. Service is no frills and mildly abrasive. Prices are steep but where aren’t prices steep in Manhattan?

+3

R S

Authentic and cozy place. Incredible dishes. White fish salad is amazing. Sturgeon is a must try.

Elizabeth Hadden

Cash only historical fish spot with a pretty extensive menu. Really good bites and no frills setting. Got the nova with an everything bagel appetizer as my main and it was honestly the best nova I’ve ever had. Bright, flavorful, but not too fishy. Plenty of cream cheese and extras to dress my bites with. TBH it was so good that it may have ruined all other nova for me. My husband got the scrambled eggs and sturgeon and he loved it too. Perfect amount of saltiness. The everything bagels were also solid. Definitely get the potato pancakes, they’re puffy and crispy with plenty of sour cream and applesauce. It’s pricier than some other spots but for me, the quality of the fish was markedly better which made it worth it to me.

Francesca Rascati

Amazing smoked fish! Loved the sable. Overall very satisfying breakfast/lunch. I did feel that the bagels could’ve been better, but that could be personal preference. Still a good breakfast

Max Ortiz

Historical place, Anthony Bourdain was said that this is the best breakfast in the universe. Price is fine, service ok, and the food is well done. At least to pass by time to time

+3

I had sturgeon delivered from them and it was not very good. I talked to the owner and he corrected it immediately. And shoot me out a new order. He was upset that the first order was not up to his n…

Paid $27 for an open face bagel sandwich. Worth EVERY PENNYYYY. I don't usually like pickles, but their half sour pickle was so refreshing. No where else to get a nova lox bagel in muc. Place was cle…

Paid $27 for an open face bagel sandwich. Worth EVERY PENNYYYY. I don't usually like pickles, but their half sour pickle was so refreshing. No where else to get a nova lox bagel in muc. Place…

Paid $27 for an open face bagel sandwich. Worth EVERY PENNYYYY. I don't usually like pickles, but their half sour pickle was so refreshing. No where else to get a nova lox bagel in muc. Place w…

Paid $27 for an open face bagel sandwich. Worth EVERY PENNYYYY. I don't usually like pickles, but their half sour pickle was so refreshing. No where else to get a nova lox bagel in muc. Place was c…

A historic Jewish deli on the UWS known for their smoked fish and bagels. Cash only, line on the weekends, and not a cheap place for open bagels (~50 for two). But wow, somehow they were the best bag…

A historic Jewish deli on the UWS known for their smoked fish and bagels. Cash only, line on the weekends, and not a cheap place for open bagels (~50 for two). But wow, somehow they were the best b…

A historic Jewish deli on the UWS known for their smoked fish and bagels. Cash only, line on the weekends, and not a cheap place for open bagels (~50 for two). But wow, somehow they were the best b…

We were traveling with a local who insisted we try Barney Greengrass, so we went for breakfast -- and now I get why this place is such a classic.\n\nIt's a small spot, split between table service o…

When you're in Upper West Side, you must try this NYC institution. \n\nI tried a few different bagel sandwiches, but I always come back to a sandwich with sablefish on poppyseed bagel (closed, no…

When you're in Upper West Side, you must try this NYC institution. \n\nI tried a few different bagel sandwiches, but I always come back to a sandwich with sablefish on poppyseed bagel (closed, not …

Quintessential NYC establishment! The bagel and lox are the best in the city--maybe the world. Everything on the menu is fantastic. The classic, old-school interior and seasoned servers add to the …

Stopped by Barney Greengrass and had their bagel with salmon and cream cheese - absolutely amazing. The salmon was fresh and plentiful, the cream cheese perfectly balanced, and the bagel itself s…

Iconic. We dined here on one of our last days just before moving out of NYC. Delicious latkes, quick service and we scored a table without a wait.

Barney Greengrass is a NYC staple! While the location is usually crowded and loud when I'm there, the food is so good I will continue to return. The service can be hit or miss - I've had my fair sh…

Smoked sturgeon was amazing! Try it together with their egg and bakery creations for breakfast.

Phenomenal! Absolutely love Barney Greengrass! Full disclaimer - I'm a native New Yorker weaned on smoked fish, like whitefish salad and lox, on a bagel or especially a bialy. This place rocks!\n\n…

Amazing restaurant !!! They have the best breakfast in NYC. Love their lox and bagels.

CASH ONLY still if you eat at the restaurant!!! Food is amazing and the staff are the staff. You got there for the food and not the service or ambiance.

We had a great experience here! Old school Jewish style fish place (similar to Russ and Daughters but with a more old school vibe than hipster vibe). Doesn’t take reservations but we were lucky to n…

I was there when Gary's mom and dad ran the show and they were amazing, wonderfull. She was a classic beauty and so sweet. He was awesome, a magician! Mo would sit with me and do his magic tricks. …

Had a really great experience at Barney Greengrass. The service was friendly and attentive, and the selection of bagels and fish was so good. I tried some smoked fish and also latkas which I've nev…

Had a really great experience at Barney Greengrass. The service was friendly and attentive, and the selection of bagels and fish was so good. I tried some smoked fish and also latkas which I've nev…

Bustling deli with all round excellent food. We started with an encouraged appetizer of latkes and moved on to a variety of dishes with the divine smoked fish. Pair the good food with th…

Bustling deli with all round excellent food. We started with an encouraged appetizer of latkes and moved on to a variety of dishes with the divine smoked fish. Pair the good food with the effi…

This place is iconic and a real gem . Ambience is out of this world . “ Old timey “ in the best possible way . staff is friendly , possessed of charm , helpful and . knowledgeable . Food is unlike …

This place is iconic and a real gem . ambience is out of this world . “ Old timey “ in the best possible way . Staff is friendly , possessed of charm , helpful and . knowledgeable . Food is unlike …

May be one of my favorite restaurants in New York City. Great old school atmosphere with incredible service and the best breakfast in New York. Love the eggs and onions, fresh OJ, coffee and everyt…

May be one of my favorite restaurants in New York City. Great old school atmosphere with incredible service and the best breakfast in New York. Love the eggs and onions, fresh OJ, coffee and everyt…

I love this place. Everytine I am in NY I visit for breakfast. They have great bagels and pastrami, the atmosphere ia so cosy

I love this place. Everytine I am in NY I visit for breakfast. They have great bagels and pastrami, the atmosphere ia so cosy

Storied place indeed! Five of us for breakfast. Sat in window in side room. Bit cramped but great atmosphere - mix of Upper West Side (well heeled) locals & tourists. Mixed seafood platter & a co…

Authentic New York diner and store. No reservations, cash ONLY. Tried a late breakfast with scrambled eggs and Lox. Friendly staff and excellent service. Highly recommended if you are in the neighborhood.

+3

I really enjoyed my lox and egg scramble even if it was a bit crispy and I was already totally stuffed on latkes. Make sure you get the OJ- it's fresh squeezed deliciousness!

Classic NY deli and bagel shop. Food was fantastic. Loved the decor and atmosphere. We arrived near closing time and felt a little hurried to make our order. Cash only. Service was fair. Food sizes were typical. Not large. Though the bill was very large. If looking for just bagels find another place to eat. The fish and other items were great.

My rating 3.9, a New York City classic, late lazy Sunday morning. Short line (15 minutes), sat outside, pastrami Rueben and an assortment of classic Jewish deli favorites. My first visit, cash only, no credit cards. Pricey but this is nyc, so about the norm.

+1

Really enjoy eating here. Food comes quickly and they're delicious. We had a challah French toast, whitefish salad and a hot pastrami sandwich. The French toast was eggy and delicious. The whitefish salad was not my favorite. There are better places to get them if you're willing to travel a bit. The star was the hot pastrami sandwich. Soft, salty, spicy, just perfect. The service here is also great. Friendly wait staff and near constant refills of coffee! I kept hearing them recommend latkes. They're not on the menu but I hope to try it soon!

I'm pretty new to the Jewish deli scene, so I asked my server for recommendations. So there you have it: smoked salmon scrambled eggs with everything bagel and cream cheese, plus a whole plate of latkes. All for me, myself, and I. "Would it be crazy if I also ordered matzo ball soup?" He didn't say anything. Just brought me some matzo ball soup. I can now confirm that it was a bit crazy. However, I should mention that there was a guy a couple tables down who tried to order a simple bacon egg and cheese from this legendary Jewish deli. The server roasted him so hard. "Do you know where you are? Get some pastrami at least." So let it be known that I was not the craziest guest that day.

Iconic Jewish deli. This deli has been in a few movies too. Good smoked salmon and eggs! I bought six bagels too. Cash is king! No credit cards too!

+2

Renowned NYC deli institution known for the smoked fish. We bought home everything bagels along with Smoked lox, Pastrami salmon, olives, pickles, and scallion cream cheese. The salmon were an absolute delight! The bagels had a shiny crust and a perfectly soft and chewy interior. The black and white NYC cookies were on point: the cookie itself was slightly cakey and moist, and the tangy vanilla side contrasted really well with the slightly sweet chocolate side (but could’ve been bit creamier/fudgier). The staff were not the most welcoming, and cash is required. Seating space is available but is limited.

+5

Iconic place. The food was really good and the service was top notch. Really friendly. Bucket list place. The latkes and bialys are excellent. Food is pricey and wait times can be long, but it's worth it for this very UWS NYC experience.

A culinary Institution for over 100 years, located in the Upper West Side, offers one of the better Nova and other amazing Smoked Fishes in town. Other Deli specialties include Potato Latkes, Pastrami, Corned Beef, Blintzes and other delicacies. Beware that only Cash payments are accepted. Service is extremely helpful. Highly recommended experience!

+6

July 2023: (Cash or check only!) Stopped by for lunch. First time here in over 15+ years. I remember the sable was really good. Note that I was surprised that they only accept cash or a check. I didn't see any signs warning us. Luckily, I was planning on going to Peter Luger's this week, so I had some 💵. We got seated inside near the bathroom and it was a bit cramped. But no problem since they were really busy. We ordered the latkas and the combination sturgeon and salmon plate. The potato pancakes came out very fast. They were served with 🍎 sauce and sour cream. Overall, was okay. The pancakes didn't have much flavor on their own. You really needed the sour cream and apple sauce to make it interesting. The sturgeon and salmon plate was tasty. We ordered sesame bagel 🥯 with the plate. Cream cheese, tomato 🍅, onion 🧅, a pickle 🥒, olives 🫒 and some lettuce came with the plate. Together, the sturgeon and salmon were pretty good. I'd come back again if I was in the neighborhood and craving a salmon lox sandwich.

+4

Bialy and bagels/cream cheese were great. Sturgeon and kippers were FABULOUS. Matzo ball soup was only ok. It wasn't worth 9.50. Pickle platter was good. Seating is very tight and stuffy.

Food is tasty Staff is friendly However, there's a long wait (expect 20-30min) Also you'll probably need to be a hedge fund manager to eat there (pricy) : ) All in all, at least try ones

One of those institutional places in nyc you have to try and won’t be disappointed! The food was so delicious and the staff were amazing. The restaurant is cozy with lots of table but it fills up super quickly depending on the time and day you go. On a weekend, you can definitely expect to wait during brunch hours. We went around 1:30pm and it was easier to get a table then. Make sure to have enough cash because it is cash only!

Really great experience. We arrived on a Sunday after church and while there was a line, we waited only about 20 min for a table inside. The staff are all extremely nice and helpful. Our waitress was more than happy to give suggestions on what to order. All in all, the food was good. Latkes- not on the menu- we’re outstanding. I got eggs with a side of sturgeon and my husband got the triple decker sandwich with sturgeon and nova. Both were pretty good but not outstanding. For those three items and two coffees, our bill was almost $80. This place isn’t cheap. We got a matzo ball soup to go that was pretty reasonable for the size- $10. It was fine. All in all I recommend this place as somewhere to try because it’s an UWS institution. Not sure we’re dying to go back simply because of the price, but I don’t regret going. Should be in the neighborhood again and hungry, we’d probably pop in for some to-go items.

William Ho

The restaurant came recommended by a native New Yorker. There was a long line when we arrived and we got a seat after about 40 minutes. The restaurant was jam packed and very lively. We ordered the matzo ball soup, latkes, blintzes, and a plate of eggs, salmon and sturgeon. The matzo ball soup was peppery and could have had more flavour. The matzo ball was good. The latkes were plump but lacked potato taste. We were used to the crispy, thinner latkes. The scrambled eggs, lox and sturgeon that came with a bagel were quite delicious. We found out at the end of the meal that the restaurant only accepts cash. Luckily, we had sufficient cash on us. It is not a cheap meal.

+8

Jean Du

No doubt this is an institution been around since early 1908 and they moved from original Harlem to Upper west. You walk in and it’s just a quintessential hustle bustle NYC fish focused deli. **it’s cash ONLY They feature mainly salted fish from sturgeon to salmon etc.. pair that with a bagel and you are set for a solid breakfast. The potato puffers are good even having come from Germany. They are crisp on the outside golden and softy and doughy with the balanced acidity it needs. As far as value for what it is it’s terrible and priced up there. 2 bagel combos, 1 potato puffer, 2x OJ you’re looking at 109$ without tip.

+1

Been wanting to try this spot for a while for their famous smoked fish options and ended up coming for brunch w a friend who was visiting! Got the latkes and the Nova bagel sandwich. Latkes are hug…

Real deal NY bagel with salmon, cream cheese and capers. Our amazing waiter really helped us by recommending latkas (which were really delicious) when my son ordered french fries :) The pastrami was…

Real deal ny bagel with salmon, cream cheese and capers. Our amazing waiter really helped us by recommending latkas (which were really delicious) when my son ordered french fries :) The past…

Real deal NY bagel with salmon, cream cheese and capers. Our amazing waiter really helped us by recommending latkas (which were really delicious) when my son ordered french fries :) The pastrami w…

Real deal ny bagel with salmon, cream cheese and capers. Our amazing waiter really helped us by recommending latkas (which were really delicious) when my son ordered french fries :) The pastrami…

Real deal NY bagel with salmon, cream cheese and capers. Our amazing waiter really helped us by recommending latkas (which were really delicious) when my son ordered french fries :) The pastrami w…

Went here today and got the Pastrami bagel on Everything. Good place to go. Good food and easily able to order even if people are waiting for a table.

Went here today and got the Pastrami Bagel on Everything. Good place to go. Good food and easily able to order even if people are waiting for a table.

I know I am in New York City but 27.00 for an average pastrami sandwich is crazy . The meat wasn't even lean at all and had a lot of fat Wouldn't go back for the pastrami

Definitely an overrated place. Maybe other dishes were better. However, that day I ate one of the worst scrambled eggs in my life. I could smell old oil in it. The poached eggs were poorly cooked and the service was barely average. We also had to recall our order because it was incomplete. This wasn't what we expected after such good reviews.

What a great old school deli. Everything looks beautiful. You can tell the quality by just looking. I got a pastrami salmon sandwich. Brings me back to my childhood living in nyc. Can’t wait to go back.

+2

Old school grungy cafeteria vibe. Belongs on B'way stage. Horrible matzoh ball soup, no flavor at all. GREAT whitefish salad on a bagel. Bagels GOOD imo. Coleslaw/knish average pickles ok nothing special. Expensive. ONCE was good enough for me.

Stopped by with a friend for a Sunday lunch recently - there was a bit of a queue but we were pretty lucky to get seated within ~10 min (the queue got much longer once we were eating). They were serving potato latkes that day (which, after reading some reviews, isn't available all the time?), so we ordered a plate - they were amazing! Potatoes tasted light and fluffy, outside perfectly crispy without being too hard or oily, and portion size was pretty big (and you know starches can fill you up quickly haha). They came with applesauce and sour cream which paired excellently. My friend and I each ordered a bagel sandwich - I had the gravlox sandwich. The smoked fish was... fine? Maybe I should have tried the sturgeon (I think their speciality), but I have to say I'm not really sure why there's such a craze around their smoked fishes. It was all very yummy but I fear not uniquely so, and for $21 a bagel I honestly am just a bit perplexed by this. Bit of a mixed bag here - I'd be keen to come back but honestly it would primarily be for the latkes haha. Also note that they are cash only, so come prepared!

John B

Daughter is a local so when I visit we try to go here. The food is always good, the atmosphere is NY. Dave always a great server. But here’s the issue, be prepared to be asked if you want to order latkes, which I never have been able to get the price on. When the bill comes ask for an itemized bill. What you’re given is a slip with hieroglyphic entries and the total amount circled. Take it to Gary at the cash register he rings up that amount and goodbye. After you leave and start to think about it ya wonder if you’ve been over charged, looking at the online menu i figure to a tune of about $15+ So next time I know. “Gary Greengrass Cash King”

The employees here and the guy collecting the money were all very kind. The pumpernickel bagel was not a good bagel. First time ever eating one and was disappointed. I didn't enjoy it with cream ch…

If you want great fish and fish salads, sub-par bagels, high prices, a wait, tables on top of each other, pushy servers and the luxury of paying cash then you should go.

Barney Greengrass is legendary on the UWS. However, a takeout plain bagel with cream cheese and lox costs $22.86, which is outrageous! Be warned!!

Barney Greengrass should think about finding a better way to ship their perishables than Goldbelly. My shipment was sent to CA via UPS and was out for delivery at 10:15am. It arrived at my door at 5:45pm. The UPS driver dragged the package around for an entire day even though it had Perishable labels all over the box. The package should have been at my door by 10:45am at the latest. Goldbelly will hear about this too because they chose this negligent carrier and boneheaded driver, but Greengrass could have been in the soup for $350 had all of the ice melted -- ruining the perishables inside. My credit card company would have taken care of that. I'm thinking about the wisdom of ordering again. Lox, bagels, rye bread, etc are all available in the Los Angeles area and while Greengrass may be better, the chances of the perishables arriving in edible form are much higher.

Real mixed bag here. Got a coffee, open faced nova bagel and blintzes. Not only was all of that an eyewatering $50+, the bagel portion size was real skimpy, and I got the feeling that the staff wanted me out of there ASAP. I guess if you consider half the price spent not on the food, but on taking part in a constant IRL GTA 3 cutscene, it might be worth it for you - it wasn't for me.

I found their surgeon to be horrible. Over half of Most slices were dark brown and not edible. I really dislike paying a lot of money for surgeon. I’m going to throw out. Ship good surgeon and charge me more but don’t ship me garbage.

I’m sure the owners won’t care what I have to say since the place has been around for 100 years but my friends and I were treated poorly yesterday and I don’t know why. I even took the liberty of listening to our same waiter and other staff members interacting with other tables and they were nice to literally everyone besides us. With us they were abrupt and incredibly rude. Discriminatory perhaps! Not a good look and very disappointing