Pros: Good food! After a few visits we tried all of the small plates and rolls on the menu and everything was delicious. Fun cocktails. Cozy and comfortable. (Try to get seated on the perimeter of the space, the tables in the center of the room can feel a little claustrophobic.) Fairly priced. Cons: Uneven service. On two separate visits, the server forgot my drink. The server on our last visit was downright surly; she really seemed like she did not want to be there at all and spent most of the evening ignoring us. And, also during our last visit, we almost turned around and left because it looked like the place was closed. It was dusk, all the lights and signage were turned off, tables and chairs were stacked out front and a large pile of cardboard recycling was waiting to be picked up. I only saw that there were lights and people in the back of the space when I was out front.
Sebastian Alvarez
Absolutely delicious and would go before noticed by everyone and written about. Go quick!!Kid-friendliness: Son was super happy and waitress couldn't stop adoring him!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Okonomi House Fried Potatoes, Takoyaki, Crispy Spicy Tuna
Juan Morales
Overall the food was without a doubt.. low level. Started with an espresso martini for 14 dollars… tasted like 5 dollars. Chicken app was below standard. No seasoning and mayo tasted like mustard. Steak was absolutely terrible, best thing on the main course was the radish and possibly the rice. 150 dollars for aesthetic?
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
Joe Cooke
The food was delicious and the vibe transportive - cool & quirky, from the leather chairs to the 20s light fixtures and occasional piece taxidermy, the whole space takes you to another era if not world.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rebecca M.
Our first time at Cotra tonight was a great experience. Above all, the sushi is some of the best we've had in the neighborhood, with super fresh fish in generous amounts; the addition of quinoa and chia to the sushi rice also gives them an unexpected and cool extra level of flavor. The extensive selection of really interesting cocktails is great as well (the matcha one with bright lemon and ginger). A tip: the restaurant's carryout/delivery menu is different from sit-in (I got confused about this and the staff very kindly accommodated an off menu item for me as a courtesy!) And a side plus: in a world w so many horribly uncomfortable restaurant chairs, the chairs here are actually comfortable!!
Stephen Suarez
Everything we ate and drank was amazing.The perfection of the ice cube in this cocktail (added photo) is indicative of the attention to detail of the restaurant as a whole.
Came for a group dinner and had an amazing experience ✨ The service, atmosphere, food - everything was 10/10 immaculate! Definitely one of the best restaurants in the neighborhood. We tried almost everything on the menu as a group but my favorites were the noodle dishes. Try the Jpop lychee seltzer too! Highly recommend and would definitely return for more ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amie Schaefer
Really special, cozy place. The food was tasty, and there are still a lot of items I’d like to go back and try. Service was friendly, and I just overall really enjoyed the vibe of this restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Mushrooms
Alex Bannon
So exciting to see standout places continue to open in the gowanus area (claro being the other top-tier in my mind). Food was phenomenal - truly a place I would bring someone if I was trying to impress them with NY food. Here's my gripes - tables were so close together it's hard to even get in and out. I get restaurants need to make money, but it ruins the mood to be one nose hair away from another customer's shoulder. The four tops look more spacious so probably a better idea to come in a group. Second, despite opening in late 2023 almost 2024 they went all in on QR code menus. I'm with the boomers on this one, let this trend die. The menu is part of the experience, in my mind. Sitting down and everyone pulling out their phones ruins the mood.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kevin Xu
The fried mushrooms are soooo good. Good shochu selection too! Great vibes.
Literally everything was amazing. Go on a weekend, that’s when they serve the branzino…
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Timø Prousalis
Excellent food and service. Max and co are the best!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Drunken Garlic Shrimp
Martin R
As soon as you walk in you know this place is special, a hidden gem in Gowanus with some of the best edamame I’ve ever had. You have to try the cheesecake brûlée. And the service is the best part, very friendly and inviting.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sandy Siu
? everything was delicious, vibe and service were both great. didn’t try the pizza. will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Suyh
Simply amazing food and drink! Great and cozy atmosphere! I will definitely be back!!
Pros: Good food! After a few visits we tried all of the small plates and rolls on the menu and everything was delicious. Fun cocktails. Cozy and comfortable. (Try to get seated on the perimeter of the space, the tables in the center of the room can feel a little claustrophobic.) Fairly priced. Cons: Uneven service. On two separate visits, the server forgot my drink. The server on our last visit was downright surly; she really seemed like she did not want to be there at all and spent most of the evening ignoring us. And, also during our last visit, we almost turned around and left because it looked like the place was closed. It was dusk, all the lights and signage were turned off, tables and chairs were stacked out front and a large pile of cardboard recycling was waiting to be picked up. I only saw that there were lights and people in the back of the space when I was out front.
Absolutely delicious and would go before noticed by everyone and written about. Go quick!!Kid-friendliness: Son was super happy and waitress couldn't stop adoring him!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Okonomi House Fried Potatoes, Takoyaki, Crispy Spicy Tuna
Overall the food was without a doubt.. low level. Started with an espresso martini for 14 dollars… tasted like 5 dollars. Chicken app was below standard. No seasoning and mayo tasted like mustard. Steak was absolutely terrible, best thing on the main course was the radish and possibly the rice. 150 dollars for aesthetic?
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
The food was delicious and the vibe transportive - cool & quirky, from the leather chairs to the 20s light fixtures and occasional piece taxidermy, the whole space takes you to another era if not world.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our first time at Cotra tonight was a great experience. Above all, the sushi is some of the best we've had in the neighborhood, with super fresh fish in generous amounts; the addition of quinoa and chia to the sushi rice also gives them an unexpected and cool extra level of flavor. The extensive selection of really interesting cocktails is great as well (the matcha one with bright lemon and ginger). A tip: the restaurant's carryout/delivery menu is different from sit-in (I got confused about this and the staff very kindly accommodated an off menu item for me as a courtesy!) And a side plus: in a world w so many horribly uncomfortable restaurant chairs, the chairs here are actually comfortable!!
Everything we ate and drank was amazing.The perfection of the ice cube in this cocktail (added photo) is indicative of the attention to detail of the restaurant as a whole.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Okonomi House Fried Potatoes, Karaage Chicken, Crispy Spicy Tuna, Goma Hamachi
Came for a group dinner and had an amazing experience ✨ The service, atmosphere, food - everything was 10/10 immaculate! Definitely one of the best restaurants in the neighborhood. We tried almost everything on the menu as a group but my favorites were the noodle dishes. Try the Jpop lychee seltzer too! Highly recommend and would definitely return for more ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Really special, cozy place. The food was tasty, and there are still a lot of items I’d like to go back and try. Service was friendly, and I just overall really enjoyed the vibe of this restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Mushrooms
So exciting to see standout places continue to open in the gowanus area (claro being the other top-tier in my mind). Food was phenomenal - truly a place I would bring someone if I was trying to impress them with NY food. Here's my gripes - tables were so close together it's hard to even get in and out. I get restaurants need to make money, but it ruins the mood to be one nose hair away from another customer's shoulder. The four tops look more spacious so probably a better idea to come in a group. Second, despite opening in late 2023 almost 2024 they went all in on QR code menus. I'm with the boomers on this one, let this trend die. The menu is part of the experience, in my mind. Sitting down and everyone pulling out their phones ruins the mood.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
The fried mushrooms are soooo good. Good shochu selection too! Great vibes.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Literally everything was amazing. Go on a weekend, that’s when they serve the branzino…
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent food and service. Max and co are the best!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Drunken Garlic Shrimp
As soon as you walk in you know this place is special, a hidden gem in Gowanus with some of the best edamame I’ve ever had. You have to try the cheesecake brûlée. And the service is the best part, very friendly and inviting.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
? everything was delicious, vibe and service were both great. didn’t try the pizza. will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Simply amazing food and drink! Great and cozy atmosphere! I will definitely be back!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5