I’ve been wanting to try Ilis for a long time. I live across the street and walk by it every day, always admiring its interior—without question one of the most beautiful restaurant spaces I’ve ever seen. The lighting, materials, and atmosphere are stunning. Unfortunately, the experience didn’t live up to the setting.
I went with a couple of friends just planning to have a cocktail, but we ended up ordering a few small plates to share. I explained clearly to the bartender that I prefer dry, non-sweet drinks and gave specific examples, yet the cocktail I was recommended—though decent—was far too sweet and completely missed the mark. When I mentioned this, the bartender’s reaction was dismissive and slightly aggressive, which made the interaction uncomfortable and took away from the experience.
We ordered the sourdough with butter and nightshades, which looked promising. The nightshades were flavorful, but the butter had a slightly rancid, sour taste that lingered unpleasantly. The bread itself was fine but plain, and the portioning was frustrating—only one slice cut in half, which wasn’t nearly enough to pair with the generous amount of butter and toppings. Even after asking for more bread, it still felt unbalanced.
The whelk dish was by far the most disappointing. I’ve had whelk before and enjoyed it elsewhere, but here it was overwhelmingly strong and left a harsh, savory taste that lingered long after eating. It completely overpowered everything else, including my drink, and it didn’t sit well with me physically—I ended up with an upset stomach and felt slightly sick afterward.
I wanted to love Ilis. The space is beautiful, the concept ambitious, and it clearly has a following. But between the overly sweet cocktail, unbalanced small plates, and the unpleasant whelk, the experience fell short. Ilis has all the potential to be extraordinary, but my visit left me disappointed and in no rush to return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 3
Gaelle Duchemin
Came here on 10/17/25, service was amazing, dishes were to die for and drinks were amazing. Everything is so good and I definitely recommend coming here. If you come here please try the meringue angel foodcake, trout and cotton candy drink. FYI: THE WHOLE COURSE TAKES 2 TO 3 HOURS SO BE READY TO WAIT. In general though this restaurant is amazing! 🔥👌🔥
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Angela Jacob Bermudo
Finally satisfied a longing I’ve had to visit and dine with Ilis. Each day time someone dines with a restaurant is an opportunity to make their day. I’d say Ilis has done so for my entire gastronomical fall season
To quote the Michelin guide: The brainchild of Noma-alum (and co-founder) Mads Refslund and his business partner Will Douillet, Ilis seeks to elevate the dining experience through every touchpoint.
It has succeeded. In fact, I’d say beyond elevation and has shot for and reached the moon.
I’ve dreamed of visiting Noma, and so upon reading about Ilis’ opening, my curiosity was piqued. The experience is both dazzling and comforting. At times one can feel, as someone once put, little when experiencing fine dining. I brought my niece for late birthday celebrations, and I noted her wonder, surprise, but also ease in being there.
The dining experience was a like a symphony with rich segments, harmonies, and crescendos. When is the last time you found yourself unable to describe flavors of a dish? Or so compelled to simply sit in silence allowing all presence to go towards your taste buds. These are desperate attempts to put in words an indescribable feeling, brought to you by Ilis 🤍
Thank you to Breanna (forgive a potential misspelling), our gracious server; Ian, the exquisite sommelier with whom I shared a delicately profound reflection over a glass of cabernet franc; and of course Mads for the wonderful surprising creations🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Xinyu Wang
Still sitting at the restaurant while writing this out of boredom. We sat down at 5:30 and now it is almost 9, we still have 1/3 of the dish not served yet.
Food is not good tasting. I feel like they just don’t know how to cook food to make them delicious, more like experimenting new ways to cook just for the sake of it. It is either too sour, or too raw, or too plain.
Serving speed is really slow. Prepare for a night of sitting around and waiting - they have severs and cooks rotate and serve so everybody is doing something they are not good at at some points of the night. Maybe that’s why.
Very expensive, too. We had the filed guide, pretty steep price even for find dining. But the worst taste and one of the worse services I have had. And I am usually accompanying my wife at these fine dining places so I had very little complains usually. But I felt strongly to write this (also bored just waiting). My wife passed on more than half of the dishes because she just couldn’t justify eating them after having a taste. And she is more than happy to eat the food I cook at home, and I am just a freaking regular guy.
Very not recommended. Save yourself the time and money and don’t bother coming.
Oh just before I am going to submit this review, they actually brought our bill- and we still have 3 dishes left!!!! What a joke
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
jehiah Bray
The food and experience was exquisite all around! There is nothing as innovative and full of artistry in NYC as what is happening at Ilis. I loved how each dish is accompanied by elements of the habitat from which it came.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Johann Steinbrecher
This restaurant is incredible, the best restaurant that I currently know in NYC. One thing I suggest to watch out for is the reservation. If you go through their email contact you might talk to Pia. Pia, will upsell you optional menus as mandatory (85$ per person minimum for drinks) and she will ask for 20% tip and 5% administration fee for writing emails. None of this will be asked if you just call in for the reservation.
Jordan Preston
Extraordinarily special and unique dining & drink experience within a very large open slab on grade one story warehouse that exudes a memorable energy that I have not experienced anywhere else in New York!
This setting alone makes it one of a kind and the awesome food, drink & friendly caring staff culminates into me asking when can we go back... for at least just a cocktail. Celebrated my engagement in the lounge area and ran through some super highly recommended wines, great cocktails and lots of seafood. They know what's good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
KATIE FAIROZ
Magic and one of the best meals of my life. Thank you Chef!
Neil Sardesai
Beautiful restaurant. Unfortunately the space was the best part. Food was good but nothing noteworthy. The portions were also quite small and I left still feeling hungry. Service was also a bit off. All in all didn’t live up to the hype
It’s been a few months since I ate at Ilis and I unfortunately won’t be returning or recommending. In fact, I often find myself telling others that it was one of my most disappointing tasting menu experiences. I was expecting great things given the restaurants legacy, and from the many positive reviews from NYT to The Infatuation. BLUF - when your atmosphere, fine dining service take the focus away from or are at the expense of the taste of the dishes, you’ve gone astray. Great service, great atmosphere, but truly a 2/5 on taste.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 3
Josh Jupiter
We went here for my partner's birthday. It was an excellent experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Noah Macinnis
Everything was fantastic. Can’t wait to come back here again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
ErinDaughert Srxfw
A true sensory journey—locally sourced ingredients shine, though the tasting menu is a little pricey.
Stephen Lutz
Always a great dining experience at ILIS. The space is stunning, the service is warm and seamless, and the dishes are creative and delicious. Every course felt thoughtful and exciting. The open kitchen vibe is definitely a bonus and adds to the ambience. Although it is not in the most convenient location, it’s definitely worth the trip. Highly recommend!
I’ve been wanting to try Ilis for a long time. I live across the street and walk by it every day, always admiring its interior—without question one of the most beautiful restaurant spaces I’ve ever seen. The lighting, materials, and atmosphere are stunning. Unfortunately, the experience didn’t live up to the setting.
I went with a couple of friends just planning to have a cocktail, but we ended up ordering a few small plates to share. I explained clearly to the bartender that I prefer dry, non-sweet drinks and gave specific examples, yet the cocktail I was recommended—though decent—was far too sweet and completely missed the mark. When I mentioned this, the bartender’s reaction was dismissive and slightly aggressive, which made the interaction uncomfortable and took away from the experience.
We ordered the sourdough with butter and nightshades, which looked promising. The nightshades were flavorful, but the butter had a slightly rancid, sour taste that lingered unpleasantly. The bread itself was fine but plain, and the portioning was frustrating—only one slice cut in half, which wasn’t nearly enough to pair with the generous amount of butter and toppings. Even after asking for more bread, it still felt unbalanced.
The whelk dish was by far the most disappointing. I’ve had whelk before and enjoyed it elsewhere, but here it was overwhelmingly strong and left a harsh, savory taste that lingered long after eating. It completely overpowered everything else, including my drink, and it didn’t sit well with me physically—I ended up with an upset stomach and felt slightly sick afterward.
I wanted to love Ilis. The space is beautiful, the concept ambitious, and it clearly has a following. But between the overly sweet cocktail, unbalanced small plates, and the unpleasant whelk, the experience fell short. Ilis has all the potential to be extraordinary, but my visit left me disappointed and in no rush to return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 3
Came here on 10/17/25, service was amazing, dishes were to die for and drinks were amazing. Everything is so good and I definitely recommend coming here. If you come here please try the meringue angel foodcake, trout and cotton candy drink. FYI: THE WHOLE COURSE TAKES 2 TO 3 HOURS SO BE READY TO WAIT. In general though this restaurant is amazing! 🔥👌🔥
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Finally satisfied a longing I’ve had to visit and dine with Ilis. Each day time someone dines with a restaurant is an opportunity to make their day. I’d say Ilis has done so for my entire gastronomical fall season
To quote the Michelin guide: The brainchild of Noma-alum (and co-founder) Mads Refslund and his business partner Will Douillet, Ilis seeks to elevate the dining experience through every touchpoint.
It has succeeded. In fact, I’d say beyond elevation and has shot for and reached the moon.
I’ve dreamed of visiting Noma, and so upon reading about Ilis’ opening, my curiosity was piqued. The experience is both dazzling and comforting. At times one can feel, as someone once put, little when experiencing fine dining. I brought my niece for late birthday celebrations, and I noted her wonder, surprise, but also ease in being there.
The dining experience was a like a symphony with rich segments, harmonies, and crescendos. When is the last time you found yourself unable to describe flavors of a dish? Or so compelled to simply sit in silence allowing all presence to go towards your taste buds. These are desperate attempts to put in words an indescribable feeling, brought to you by Ilis 🤍
Thank you to Breanna (forgive a potential misspelling), our gracious server; Ian, the exquisite sommelier with whom I shared a delicately profound reflection over a glass of cabernet franc; and of course Mads for the wonderful surprising creations🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Still sitting at the restaurant while writing this out of boredom. We sat down at 5:30 and now it is almost 9, we still have 1/3 of the dish not served yet.
Food is not good tasting. I feel like they just don’t know how to cook food to make them delicious, more like experimenting new ways to cook just for the sake of it. It is either too sour, or too raw, or too plain.
Serving speed is really slow. Prepare for a night of sitting around and waiting - they have severs and cooks rotate and serve so everybody is doing something they are not good at at some points of the night. Maybe that’s why.
Very expensive, too. We had the filed guide, pretty steep price even for find dining. But the worst taste and one of the worse services I have had. And I am usually accompanying my wife at these fine dining places so I had very little complains usually. But I felt strongly to write this (also bored just waiting). My wife passed on more than half of the dishes because she just couldn’t justify eating them after having a taste. And she is more than happy to eat the food I cook at home, and I am just a freaking regular guy.
Very not recommended. Save yourself the time and money and don’t bother coming.
Oh just before I am going to submit this review, they actually brought our bill- and we still have 3 dishes left!!!! What a joke
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
The food and experience was exquisite all around! There is nothing as innovative and full of artistry in NYC as what is happening at Ilis. I loved how each dish is accompanied by elements of the habitat from which it came.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This restaurant is incredible, the best restaurant that I currently know in NYC. One thing I suggest to watch out for is the reservation. If you go through their email contact you might talk to Pia. Pia, will upsell you optional menus as mandatory (85$ per person minimum for drinks) and she will ask for 20% tip and 5% administration fee for writing emails. None of this will be asked if you just call in for the reservation.
Extraordinarily special and unique dining & drink experience within a very large open slab on grade one story warehouse that exudes a memorable energy that I have not experienced anywhere else in New York!
This setting alone makes it one of a kind and the awesome food, drink & friendly caring staff culminates into me asking when can we go back... for at least just a cocktail. Celebrated my engagement in the lounge area and ran through some super highly recommended wines, great cocktails and lots of seafood. They know what's good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Magic and one of the best meals of my life. Thank you Chef!
Beautiful restaurant. Unfortunately the space was the best part. Food was good but nothing noteworthy. The portions were also quite small and I left still feeling hungry. Service was also a bit off. All in all didn’t live up to the hype
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 3
The best. -Eatingtools
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
It’s been a few months since I ate at Ilis and I unfortunately won’t be returning or recommending. In fact, I often find myself telling others that it was one of my most disappointing tasting menu experiences. I was expecting great things given the restaurants legacy, and from the many positive reviews from NYT to The Infatuation. BLUF - when your atmosphere, fine dining service take the focus away from or are at the expense of the taste of the dishes, you’ve gone astray. Great service, great atmosphere, but truly a 2/5 on taste.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 3
We went here for my partner's birthday. It was an excellent experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Everything was fantastic. Can’t wait to come back here again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A true sensory journey—locally sourced ingredients shine, though the tasting menu is a little pricey.
Always a great dining experience at ILIS. The space is stunning, the service is warm and seamless, and the dishes are creative and delicious. Every course felt thoughtful and exciting. The open kitchen vibe is definitely a bonus and adds to the ambience. Although it is not in the most convenient location, it’s definitely worth the trip. Highly recommend!
Loading...