Happy Monkey by Jean-Georges

Incredible atmosphere, food and overall experience!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Happy Monkey offers a stylish, lively atmosphere ideal for sharing Latin‑inspired small plates and cocktails with friends. The food strikes a balance between elevated flavor techniques (inspired by Jean‑Georges and executed by Chef Ron Gallo) and accessible, vibrant presentations. While the experience is fun and polished, some diners feel prices are steep for portion sizes, and service can be uneven.

But if you’re craving creative plates like garlic shrimp, flavorful tacos, inventive guacs, and standout cocktails in a sophisticated yet casual setting—this is a solid pick.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

The Happy Monkey is an excellent restaurant with a great ambiance and an innovative and delicious menu. The service is attentive and spot on. In fact, there are not many restaurants in the area - whether Westchester or Greenwich - that come close. It's not cheap, but why would you expect 'cheap' from a restaurant by one of the best renowned chefs in the world?! Really don't understand how anyone can give this place anything but a solitary 5*. The charred chicken, the quesadillas, the octopus, the salmon, the sides - everything was delicious. Will keep coming back for more.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I went to Happy Monkey on the Avenue and have nothing but positive things to say about this place. The ambiance was amazing and so welcoming. The food was fantastic and Carlos, our bartender, was so sweet and amazing. He made one of the best mojitos I’ve ever had. The service was great and the food was even better. Definitely recommend

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great experience last Tuesday night at Happy Monkey in Greenwich!  We were immediately greeted by a welcoming hostess and waited for our guests to arrive by the bar. The bartender immediately welcomed us and offered us a drink. The restaurant was lively, sophisticated and welcoming. Our server, David, was friendly and attentive as well as the manager, Mehmet, who stopped by our table just to say hello and make us feel welcomed. The menu offers a creative approach to Mexican fare and everything we ordered was delicious! Few standout items included the Ham and Cheese Fritters, Sweet Pea Guacamole, Sizzling Shrimp and the Smoked Brisket Tacos! To finish, try the churros - they melt in your mouth!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great atmosphere, service was excellent , food delicious
Management is very professional, they are there to make you feel comfortable.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The food is very good & the signature hot sauce is a must-try. Best pina colada my wife has ever had. Service could use some improvement (our waiter disappeared for a while the last two visits), but the dishes are creative and delicious

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 3

This restaurant truly made our trip to Greenwich. We sat at the bar, where Carlos, our bartender, provided outstanding service and made the entire experience unforgettable. It felt like dining at a Michelin rated restaurant. Everything was full of flavor. Short rib and street corn are out of this world. Whenever we’re in the area, we’ll always make sure to stop by.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

A Disappointing and Unsettling Experience

I’ve debated writing this review, but I couldn’t stop thinking about our experience—it goes beyond just food or ambiance. It’s about the practices and protocols of this establishment.

We were visiting Greenwich from Williamsburg, Brooklyn, looking to try something new, and Happy Monkey looked promising. I was with my wife, who is seven and a half months pregnant (she's white), and our friend, who is mixed Hispanic and Black. I’m Indian. We arrived around 10 PM. The restaurant had many open tables and booths, and when we asked the hostess for a table for three without a reservation, she said it wouldn’t be a problem.

But suddenly, a manager quickly intervened, looked us over, and stared at the reservation screen for a few minutes before instructing us to wait at the bar. It was strange, as we were already being led to our table. Regardless, we complied, ordered drinks, and waited.

During our wait, we noticed a second manager being called over. The staff seemed confused and kept glancing at us. Finally, after 20 minutes, the hostess came to seat us—at a table tucked all the way in the back, past numerous empty booths, completely isolated from the rest of the diners.

When our server arrived, we ordered six tacos ($12 each), hoping the food might redeem the experience. Unfortunately, the tacos were small and underwhelming. More than that, we felt an uncomfortable, negative energy during our entire visit. We've dined at countless restaurants in NYC and beyond, and I’ve never felt this level of unease or exclusion before.

Some may think I’m being dramatic, but I wouldn’t have been able to sleep peacefully without sharing this. If you’re a person of color, I encourage you to visit and observe who receives the prime tables. The treatment we received reflected poorly not only on the restaurant but also on the broader community. We will not be returning.

I sincerely hope the team at Happy Monkey reflects on this. It’s disheartening to feel othered in a space that should be welcoming. Kindness and respect should transcend appearances—after all, if God doesn’t discriminate, neither should we.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Mediocre restaurant and food
6 tacos for $70 is insane!

I have no problem paying for nice food or a good experience but when it’s mediocre $4 tacos for $11 each then yeah, I have a problem. I feel robbed, honestly because the value of what I bought didn’t meet the expectations I had.

Food: 1

I had such a great experience at Happy Monkey by Jean-Georges, located right on Greenwich Avenue. This spot has such a fun, energetic atmosphere with beautiful décor and a lively open kitchen concept that makes the whole dining experience feel special.

The menu is creative, Latin-inspired, and perfect for sharing. Every dish was beautifully presented and packed with flavor. The service was warm, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. You can tell the staff really cares about the experience!

Whether you’re looking for a trendy restaurant in Greenwich for a date night, a weekend brunch, or dinner with friends, Happy Monkey is one of the best spots in town. Great cocktails, fresh ingredients, and a vibe that makes you want to come back again and again.

📍 Happy Monkey – 376 Greenwich Ave, Greenwich, CT
✅ Latin-inspired small plates
✅ Lively atmosphere & stylish interior
✅ Perfect for brunch, dinner, or cocktails

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Fun and fresh - Great tacos and margaritas

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Love the brunch specials and the deinks

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great vibe and the food was good as well. However, the portions are smaller and it’s pretty expensive

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Great atmosphere, service was excellent & food delicious

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Pistachio Guacamole