Lucien is one of my favorite restaurants in New York but I still give it a 4/5. I come here almost every time I'm in the city because I love the small cafe atmosphere. The look and vibe of the space with its small bar, tight tables, yellow walls with crowded artwork and photos feels like you're in France. They take reservations by phone only and I recommend you make one as this is a popular place. The service has always been great and comes with bread service once you order food. They have some classic French cocktails and a satisfactory wine selection. The food is good but not amazing. I often get a steak while there and they do a good job cooking it but it's not the best steak I've ever had. They probably could use a more indulgent butter to give it that French finish. The steak comes with au poivre, which is a cream and black pepper sauce. If the steak were a bit tastier or a bit more affordable, I could see giving Lucien a 5/5. Still, Lucien makes a great date night spot or dinner with a small group. Prices are a bit higher than I'd like but you're paying for the atmosphere.
East Village Citizens
poor Lucien since the big guy passed....
Beth
Delicious lunch!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Henry Innis
First off - the food is FANTASTIC. Definitely worth the wait.However the ambiance and service feel rushed, mostly due to the popularity. You will be waiting past your reservation time and you will almost certainly be quite rushed by the wait-staff.However... I would still go for the food.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Pol S
The food was extremely tasty and we really enjoyed ourselves. Negronis, snails, oysters and steak fries! Thank God I was there with people I knew, so the service was great and I didn't have to pay the bill! But this store would be far too expensive and stressful for me alone. But it was nice to have been there! I should go to France more often.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kate Grabski
Service was meh. Prices were blown out. Food was delicious.I ordered the Filet au Poivre and it was amazing, but for the $70 that I paid for the entree alone, I expected better service. Everyone working tonight seemed inexperienced. My waitress was awkward and dressed in yoga pants and the busboy took my plate away while I was still chewing. I probably won’t go back.
Bills Mora
One of the original French places in NYC. It’s a bit tight but the service is great at making it feel perfect. Gabrielle our waitress gave perfect recommendations. Best time is before 7pm for the foodies, later is more of a scene spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Arian Rouzbehnia
Didn't like the duck, a bit
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Wendy Troost
It’s like a piece of France in New York. Great vegan options. The best dirty martini I have ever had. Wait staff has an attitude but the food is worth it.Vegetarian options: Vegan options are good
Food and ambiance was great overall but very disappointed with the staffs.. The hostess approached us out in the street asking if we have paid for our dinner.. Very rude!! Yes, we obviously paid the bill before we left the restaurant
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
Silvia FR
The food is good, although it is disproportionate in relation to quality-price (even for NY). The tables were too close together and the space was somewhat overwhelming. On a negative note, they impose a 25% tip at the time of payment, without even consulting you.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Tim Treadwell
Good place to eat, the steak tatare was great and the staff were friendly. They serve late and managed to squeeze us in after we turned up sans reservation.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak Tartare Traditionnelle
Matthew Saporito
We had an 8pm reservation and they were too backed up to seat us. Sad.
Service: 1
Carlos Fernandez
This restaurant is a must go for anyone who appreciates good French food, a fun atmosphere and fantastic cocktails! If I were on death row and they asked me what my final meal would be I’d 100% go steak frites from this gold mine.Keep up the good work!
Lucien is one of my favorite restaurants in New York but I still give it a 4/5. I come here almost every time I'm in the city because I love the small cafe atmosphere. The look and vibe of the space with its small bar, tight tables, yellow walls with crowded artwork and photos feels like you're in France. They take reservations by phone only and I recommend you make one as this is a popular place. The service has always been great and comes with bread service once you order food. They have some classic French cocktails and a satisfactory wine selection. The food is good but not amazing. I often get a steak while there and they do a good job cooking it but it's not the best steak I've ever had. They probably could use a more indulgent butter to give it that French finish. The steak comes with au poivre, which is a cream and black pepper sauce. If the steak were a bit tastier or a bit more affordable, I could see giving Lucien a 5/5. Still, Lucien makes a great date night spot or dinner with a small group. Prices are a bit higher than I'd like but you're paying for the atmosphere.
poor Lucien since the big guy passed....
Delicious lunch!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
First off - the food is FANTASTIC. Definitely worth the wait.However the ambiance and service feel rushed, mostly due to the popularity. You will be waiting past your reservation time and you will almost certainly be quite rushed by the wait-staff.However... I would still go for the food.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
The food was extremely tasty and we really enjoyed ourselves. Negronis, snails, oysters and steak fries! Thank God I was there with people I knew, so the service was great and I didn't have to pay the bill! But this store would be far too expensive and stressful for me alone. But it was nice to have been there! I should go to France more often.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Service was meh. Prices were blown out. Food was delicious.I ordered the Filet au Poivre and it was amazing, but for the $70 that I paid for the entree alone, I expected better service. Everyone working tonight seemed inexperienced. My waitress was awkward and dressed in yoga pants and the busboy took my plate away while I was still chewing. I probably won’t go back.
One of the original French places in NYC. It’s a bit tight but the service is great at making it feel perfect. Gabrielle our waitress gave perfect recommendations. Best time is before 7pm for the foodies, later is more of a scene spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Didn't like the duck, a bit
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
It’s like a piece of France in New York. Great vegan options. The best dirty martini I have ever had. Wait staff has an attitude but the food is worth it.Vegetarian options: Vegan options are good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Arugula Salad
recommendation to
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Food and ambiance was great overall but very disappointed with the staffs.. The hostess approached us out in the street asking if we have paid for our dinner.. Very rude!! Yes, we obviously paid the bill before we left the restaurant
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
The food is good, although it is disproportionate in relation to quality-price (even for NY). The tables were too close together and the space was somewhat overwhelming. On a negative note, they impose a 25% tip at the time of payment, without even consulting you.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Good place to eat, the steak tatare was great and the staff were friendly. They serve late and managed to squeeze us in after we turned up sans reservation.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak Tartare Traditionnelle
We had an 8pm reservation and they were too backed up to seat us. Sad.
Service: 1
This restaurant is a must go for anyone who appreciates good French food, a fun atmosphere and fantastic cocktails! If I were on death row and they asked me what my final meal would be I’d 100% go steak frites from this gold mine.Keep up the good work!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5