Little Maven
30 W 18th St, New York
(212) 320-8111
Recent Reviews
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I was taken tonight for my bday and I am thoroughly impressed. I was greeted by the most beautiful human in the front and felt like I was in a really cool speak easy. The staff were super cool and suggested some great items on the menu. The food was incredible and the drinks were phenomenal. Definitely a place to dress cute and sit at the bar, or bring a date.
Little Maven – a snug spot with an understated charm – earns its four stars with a delightful blend of whimsy and warmth. Here, flavors are curated with care but presented with a gentle, homey touch that feels refreshingly unfussy.
The dishes lean into comfort while sprinkling in surprising hints of creativity – just enough to make you sit up and take notice. Service is efficient yet friendly, perfectly balancing attentiveness with a laid-back vibe. Little Maven may not be aiming for flash, but it’s certainly hitting a sweet spot for anyone craving a meal that’s both cozy and quietly impressive.
Been here several times already always delicious always great service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Everything we had was delicious! The broiled oysters and dry aged duck were the highlights.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolutely gorgeous on the inside, and the food didn't disappoint. The tempura squash special with stratiatella and the celery root past were some of the most delicious and unique things I've ever tasted. The cookies were honestly the best I've had in my life.
Service was charming, appreciate Nick and all the others. Literally leaving this review before I've left the restaurant. We'll be coming here again soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A truly marvelous experience from start to finish! Upon walking in, my first thoughts were about the ambiance and vibes. What a cool spot! 80s, dinner feeling decor, but elevated . Music was great and vibes were high.
Upon looking at the menu, we couldn’t decide so our table opted for the big maven which is basically a taste of the entire menu! It was truly a tour of the menu and we didn’t have a single bad bite.
My favorite items though were the tuna tartare cannolis, the whipped tahini, the steak frites, and the homemade cookies. The star of the show thought was the duck orecchiette. Truly a delectable dish packed with flavor. This would be my entree of choice if I were to go back!
We also happened to get lucky and meet executive chef Josh Capon who made a guest appearance! He was lovely.
There are many restaurant choices in NYC but if Little Maven is not on your list, then you’re wrong. Little Maven is a must.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Oysters, Cookies and Cream, Duck Breast, Caesar Cups, Tuna Cannolis, Steak Frites
Gorgeous and fun restaurant, perfect for a night out with the girls! The look of the place is so cute for those social media folk. While the atmosphere is lively, the acoustics can be quite loud, especially for those in their 30s and 40s, so it’s best suited for smaller groups that can easily chat with each other. The drinks were delicious, and the food was absolutely fantastic. The French fries were crispy, salty perfection, and we also loved the beet salad, fish curry, and duck orecchiette. The service was excellent—attentive without being overbearing. Overall, a great spot for a fun evening!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beet Salad
Amazing place!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Butternut Squash Agnolotti
Solid spot.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Caesar Cups, Steak Frites
The steak frites were phenomenal - surpassed expectations. The balsamic glazed onion and rosemary perfectly balanced the steak , very well cooked and the fries ? were very good, obviously. The front of house staff were so nice. Came around 7pm on a Friday and snagged their only 4 seater high top for our party, even tho they were fully booked. There are around 10 bar seats available too, which were all full by 8pm.
The rest of the food was decent, the market salad was good and the tuna tartare was tiny, but yummy. The duck pasta was not what we expected, it was okay. Had pine nuts in it. Cocktails were mediocre but the wines were great.
Update: came for Sunday dinner and it was excellent! They are finally open on Sundays and we are so excited. They are doing a $55 special 3 course prix fixe of course I got the tuna cannolis, tried the sea bass and ended with a passion fruit cheese (omg delicious!). My husband ordered the steak frites which was excellent as we previously remembered it. Little maven as the best fries. The staff are so friendly, they checked in multiple times and were super nice. Loved the vibe here. Can’t wait to revisit!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fish Tacos, Beet Salad, Duck Breast, Tuna Cannolis, Market Salad and Tuna Tartare, Steak Frites
Restaurantji Recommends
The duck and chicken and fries were delicious. Very good dirty martinis and a good liquor list.
Wheelchair accessibility: Easy access to the restaurant. It seemed like almost all the seats other than the few hightops were accessable.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Duck Breast
Little Maven offers a delightful fusion of flavors, showcasing a menu that combines inventive dishes with classic favorites. During our visit, we sampled an impressive variety of both starters and main courses, and the kitchen did not disappoint.
We began with the tuna tartare, empanadas, and a market salad. The empanadas, with their crisp, flaky pastry and savory filling, were a standout, and the market salad was a refreshing burst of seasonal greens. However, the tuna tartare, while fresh, suffered from an overpowering level of spice, which masked the delicate flavor of the fish—a slight misstep that detracted from an otherwise well-composed appetizer.
The main courses, on the other hand, were impeccable. The duck orecchiette was rich and hearty, with tender morsels of duck paired perfectly with the al dente pasta. My friend’s fish taco was fresh, and the steak frites were unexpectedly flavorful, complementing the taco well. The steamed black bass was a triumph—flaky, moist, and seasoned just enough to enhance the natural flavor of the fish.
The atmosphere at Little Maven was equally enjoyable. We were seated in the cozy backroom, which added a sense of warmth and intimacy to the meal. However, the noise level was somewhat high, making it difficult to fully relax into the space.
Overall, Little Maven is a gem, offering thoughtfully prepared dishes that cater to a range of palates. With a bit more attention to balance in some of the flavor profiles, it could easily elevate itself to one of the top dining destinations.
Wheelchair accessibility: Street level
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak Frites
I went to Little Maven last night and it was a great experience. Delicious food and the attention of our waiter and his work team was the best. I hope to return soon and a special thanks to Camilo, Ali and my friend
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gary V's spot is amazing - i mever miss dinner here anytime I'm in NY! It was also a nice surprise to meet Chef - the food was amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was great we ordered the caviar tots, the Peruvian crudo, beet salad, oxtail empanada, tuna tartare canolli, halibut tacos, and the sea bass. I would say the sea bass was really a highlight. It had a Thai green curry sauce that was flavorful, but not too spicy, and the portions size was pretty good. All the appetizers were pretty good and I would definitely come back to try more of them. You could probably share a few with a friend or 2 have some drinks and be satisfied. The only negative thing would be that the dining room is a bit noisy.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beet Salad, Cookies and Cream
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