Avra on 48th Street is one of my all-time favorite lunch, brunch, and dinner spots. I clear my calendar to get there whenever I can, because the food is consistently delicious and it feels like a little home-away-from-home in Midtown.
The real magic? The manager with the blonde hair. She’s kind, welcoming, and incredibly personable, which makes Avra feel like my dining room away from my dining room. I’ve found myself bringing friends, colleagues, and even strangers I meet along the way... everyone leaves with a full belly and a bigger smile.
If I had a social media presence, Avra would be topping every Midtown list for dining. Until then, don’t walk; run to Avra now. Trust me, you’ll want a repeat reservation before you even finish your first bite.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
elleeray Jones
Had lunch here Dec 5 with my girlfriend and 2 of her friends. Excellent service, ambience and food. Long time no see the friends so we were there for 3 1/2 hrs. Never felt hurried by wait staff and I tipped accordingly. A surprise - Robert De Niro was at a table with another guy about 12-15 ft away. No one bugged him, a cool place without a doubt. Try it you’ll like it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ryan Z
The worst service I’ve never seen before.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Benita T.
I looked forward to this meal for weeks. Atmosphere was lovely, food was decent. Our server was off the chain. When we expressed disappointment that they didn’t light the Saganaki, server lied and said it was a law you can’t do it. Since we’ve had it lit 50+ times in various restaurants across the city and across the country we knew he was wrong. Then he doubled down. It was enraging. Ruined the rest of our Neal. He needs to be replaced. Will not be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 1
Edward Tsang
I will never return to this restaurant, which is extremely unfriendly toward Asians.
Our reservation was for 8:15 PM. I arrived a few minutes early and checked in at the front desk. The hostess abruptly said, “The table isn’t ready, wait,” and left me standing at the entrance with no further explanation or guidance. I was left there awkwardly while people walked past me constantly.
After waiting another 7–8 minutes, I asked if I could sit at the bar while waiting. She replied, “Just sit there yourself,” without any direction or assistance.
By nearly 8:30 PM, I told them to please inform me once the table was ready. What made this situation even more frustrating was that from the moment I entered, there were clearly many empty tables that remained unused the entire time, despite my reservation.
Once seated, I ordered a bottle of still water while waiting for my friend. At that point, I had completely lost the desire to dine and chose to pay only for the water and leave.
Additionally, while I was waiting at the bar, there was no communication at all between the front desk and the bar staff regarding my situation or the fact that I was waiting for a friend. The bartender later looked me up and down and asked what I was there for. When I explained that I was waiting for someone, he completely disengaged and stopped providing any service—he did not even offer a glass of water.
I will be informing all of my Asian friends that this is a restaurant with serious racial discrimination issues, and I will absolutely never return.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Vaughn Shaw
Very knowledgeable and super friendly staff. I have eaten here several times with family and friends. The food is always fresh and delicious. 😋 Highly recommend!
Marge Stern
Met relatives who have eaten at Avra many times. Noon lunch date and they were nice enough to let us in early as it was VERY cold outside. Nice choices and a really good price fixed 3 course lunch. Nice choices-good service and delicious food. What more can u ask for. Oh and nice and quiet!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Natalie Vera
Had the lunch prix fixe.
Calamari - grilled and a little chewy. Would prefer fried.
Branzino - meat is quite dry. Plating is dull gray with limp vegetables served on the side.
Cheesecake - a small cut of cheesecake which is fine as the meal was a large one. Tastes average.
Waitstaff were attentive. Place is very busy and crowded during lunch hour. Reservations recommended.
Edit: visited a second time and gave the prix fixe lunch a second chance
Salmon tartare - amazing. Cubed salmon was sashimi smooth and the serrated chips were a good complement
Lamb chops - not sure if it was worth the $29 supplement for 2 lamb chops. But lamb was tender and hit the spot.
Cookies - very strange and really too sweet.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Bek
Great food and service! Amazing atmosphere, pretty high level attention to detail and great service. The only downside in my opinion is that it takes a while for the main entrees to come out. I believe we waited around 25-30 minutes after ordering them. Also it is very loud in there, you can only talk to the people next to you.
Huge restaurant. Very busy and lovely for weekday lunch with large number of business clients. Fast service. Food was very good.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Cori Grant
Lovely and convivial! There were couples, families, old friends and a few solo diners. The service staff is right on top of it without being a bother. In other words, they read the room. Very accommodating with wine selection assistance and food suggestions. We 3, started out with some appetizers for the table, over-ordered as usual. When we finally finished them(talk-talk-eat-drink-talk repeat) we were not quite satisfied and soon suggestion of our ser=er, ordered the Branzino between the 3 of us…PERFECT! Then it was only to finish with dessert and coffee/after dinner drinks to round out our meal. Our fast fingered friend grabbed the check before we could see it so I’m at loss to share the cost. A perfectly delightful evening and I look forward to coming here again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Greek Salad, Loup De Mer Branzino, Grilled Octopus, Cake
Gelena Ostroumova
Fantastic experience! Best lunch menu in the neighborhood, generous portions, impeccable service, warm atmosphere. Very enjoyable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shelley Harrison
The first time I ate here was the beginning of a food love story. The staff member's optimism really made my evening memorable. Everything tastes like it was just made. The prices make this place accessible. The restaurant goes further than most.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
J. Powell
Perhaps the worst service I’ve had in NY, took 25 minutes to get any attention or water from a waitress when the place was empty at 6pm on a Saturday night. Waitress was rude/mean, didn’t introduce herself when there were 7 employees standing in a corner the entire time. Have never left a restaurant before but was embarrassing to bring family from out of town.
Left and went to Milos which was awesome, sat immediately, complementary endive crudos, fantastic salt baked branzino.
Avra on 48th Street is one of my all-time favorite lunch, brunch, and dinner spots. I clear my calendar to get there whenever I can, because the food is consistently delicious and it feels like a little home-away-from-home in Midtown.
The real magic? The manager with the blonde hair. She’s kind, welcoming, and incredibly personable, which makes Avra feel like my dining room away from my dining room. I’ve found myself bringing friends, colleagues, and even strangers I meet along the way... everyone leaves with a full belly and a bigger smile.
If I had a social media presence, Avra would be topping every Midtown list for dining. Until then, don’t walk; run to Avra now. Trust me, you’ll want a repeat reservation before you even finish your first bite.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had lunch here Dec 5 with my girlfriend and 2 of her friends. Excellent service, ambience and food. Long time no see the friends so we were there for 3 1/2 hrs. Never felt hurried by wait staff and I tipped accordingly.
A surprise - Robert De Niro was at a table with another guy about 12-15 ft away. No one bugged him, a cool place without a doubt.
Try it you’ll like it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The worst service I’ve never seen before.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I looked forward to this meal for weeks. Atmosphere was lovely, food was decent. Our server was off the chain. When we expressed disappointment that they didn’t light the Saganaki, server lied and said it was a law you can’t do it. Since we’ve had it lit 50+ times in various restaurants across the city and across the country we knew he was wrong. Then he doubled down. It was enraging. Ruined the rest of our Neal. He needs to be replaced. Will not be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 1
I will never return to this restaurant, which is extremely unfriendly toward Asians.
Our reservation was for 8:15 PM. I arrived a few minutes early and checked in at the front desk. The hostess abruptly said, “The table isn’t ready, wait,” and left me standing at the entrance with no further explanation or guidance. I was left there awkwardly while people walked past me constantly.
After waiting another 7–8 minutes, I asked if I could sit at the bar while waiting. She replied, “Just sit there yourself,” without any direction or assistance.
By nearly 8:30 PM, I told them to please inform me once the table was ready. What made this situation even more frustrating was that from the moment I entered, there were clearly many empty tables that remained unused the entire time, despite my reservation.
Once seated, I ordered a bottle of still water while waiting for my friend. At that point, I had completely lost the desire to dine and chose to pay only for the water and leave.
Additionally, while I was waiting at the bar, there was no communication at all between the front desk and the bar staff regarding my situation or the fact that I was waiting for a friend. The bartender later looked me up and down and asked what I was there for. When I explained that I was waiting for someone, he completely disengaged and stopped providing any service—he did not even offer a glass of water.
I will be informing all of my Asian friends that this is a restaurant with serious racial discrimination issues, and I will absolutely never return.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Very knowledgeable and super friendly staff. I have eaten here several times with family and friends. The food is always fresh and delicious. 😋 Highly recommend!
Met relatives who have eaten at Avra many times. Noon lunch date and they were nice enough to let us in early as it was VERY cold outside. Nice choices and a really good price fixed 3 course lunch. Nice choices-good service and delicious food. What more can u ask for. Oh and nice and quiet!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had the lunch prix fixe.
Calamari - grilled and a little chewy. Would prefer fried.
Branzino - meat is quite dry. Plating is dull gray with limp vegetables served on the side.
Cheesecake - a small cut of cheesecake which is fine as the meal was a large one. Tastes average.
Waitstaff were attentive. Place is very busy and crowded during lunch hour. Reservations recommended.
Edit: visited a second time and gave the prix fixe lunch a second chance
Salmon tartare - amazing. Cubed salmon was sashimi smooth and the serrated chips were a good complement
Lamb chops - not sure if it was worth the $29 supplement for 2 lamb chops. But lamb was tender and hit the spot.
Cookies - very strange and really too sweet.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Great food and service! Amazing atmosphere, pretty high level attention to detail and great service. The only downside in my opinion is that it takes a while for the main entrees to come out. I believe we waited around 25-30 minutes after ordering them. Also it is very loud in there, you can only talk to the people next to you.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Meh….nothing special. Won’t be coming back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Restaurantji Recommends
Huge restaurant. Very busy and lovely for weekday lunch with large number of business clients. Fast service. Food was very good.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Lovely and convivial! There were couples, families, old friends and a few solo diners. The service staff is right on top of it without being a bother. In other words, they read the room. Very accommodating with wine selection assistance and food suggestions. We 3, started out with some appetizers for the table, over-ordered as usual. When we finally finished them(talk-talk-eat-drink-talk repeat) we were not quite satisfied and soon suggestion of our ser=er, ordered the Branzino between the 3 of us…PERFECT! Then it was only to finish with dessert and coffee/after dinner drinks to round out our meal. Our fast fingered friend grabbed the check before we could see it so I’m at loss to share the cost. A perfectly delightful evening and I look forward to coming here again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Greek Salad, Loup De Mer Branzino, Grilled Octopus, Cake
Fantastic experience! Best lunch menu in the neighborhood, generous portions, impeccable service, warm atmosphere. Very enjoyable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The first time I ate here was the beginning of a food love story. The staff member's optimism really made my evening memorable. Everything tastes like it was just made. The prices make this place accessible. The restaurant goes further than most.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Perhaps the worst service I’ve had in NY, took 25 minutes to get any attention or water from a waitress when the place was empty at 6pm on a Saturday night. Waitress was rude/mean, didn’t introduce herself when there were 7 employees standing in a corner the entire time. Have never left a restaurant before but was embarrassing to bring family from out of town.
Left and went to Milos which was awesome, sat immediately, complementary endive crudos, fantastic salt baked branzino.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
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