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Russian Samovar & Tolstoy's Lounge - Russian Samovar & Tolstoy's Lounge, New York, NY

Russian Samovar & Tolstoy's Lounge

4.6
4.6
833 Reviews
$31 to $50
Russian
256 W 52nd Street, New York, NY 10019

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 8 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for groups
  • Great for live music
  • Neighborhood gem
There is only one way to describe it: Classic Russia in the heart of New York.
The history of Russian Samovar starts well before the restaurant itself. Originally Jilly's Canteen, and owned by a friend of Frank Sinatra, Jilly Rizzo, Samovar was the go-to hot spot for Sinatra and The Rat Pack.
In 1986, Roman Kaplan, founder of Russian Samovar acquired the property and was joined in 1987 by friends and business partners: Legendary dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov and Nobel Award Winning poet Joseph Brodsky. Baryshnikov's baby grand piano is still used daily by our performers and guests can still request the Brodsky table, where the legends used to sit and drink away the hours. Guests of private events also enjoy our private dining room, where Baryshnikov filmed Sex in the City.
​Samovar has remained a celebrity hangout over the years. We've been lucky enough to feature impromptu shows by Liza Minelli and rumor has it that Mel Brooks adapted The Producers to film while sitting at our bar.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Russian, Continental, Eastern European
  • Hours of operation
    Mon 4:00 pm–11:45 pm Tue–Thu, Sun 12:00 pm–11:45 pm Fri, Sat 12:00 pm–12:45 am
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Catering
    We provide catering to your home or office. No order is too small<br />Choose from platters or banquets menus. Or create your own. <br />We have staffing and entertainment for hire for all your event needs. <br /><br /><br />russiansamovar.com
  • Private party facilities
    We welcome you to explore our Private Dining options, perfect for any occasion. Choose from our banquette menus ($115, $150,$175) with alcohol or a la carte. Minimum spend applies based on the amount of guests. Staffing fee applies. If you can think of it, we can create it.
  • Private party contact
    Vlada Von Shats: (212) 757-0168
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Neighborhood
    Theater District
  • Cross street
    52nd street , between Broadway and 8th Avenue
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    Closest to 50th Street Station ( C or E train ) 7 Avenue / 53 Street ( B or D train )
  • Entertainment
    Live Piano Music!
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dancing, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wine
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Private dining

What 833 people are saying

Russian Samovar & Tolstoy's Lounge reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Russian Samovar & Tolstoy's Lounge offers a delightful blend of "phenomenal" Russian cuisine and vibrant entertainment. Patrons enjoy the "lively and romantic" atmosphere, with "amazing flavored vodkas" complementing the meals. The piano music adds charm, making it a "classic NYC experience." Service varies, but the "friendly staff" often enhances the experience.

833 Reviews
  1. Diane VIP

    Greater Boston67 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    A great place to hit after a Broadway show. The prices were a little steep for what we got--e.g., four dolmas for $30. But the food was excellent (and authentic!), and we loved the live music.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Ruth

    Portland1 review

    4.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    We sat near the piano bar- when we arrived 2 women were performing traditional? Russian singing that was a bit screechy- later a piano bass duo was much more along the lines of our expectations. Good food, drinks and service

    Is this helpful?

  3. Cj VIP

    New York City230 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on April 16, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Very pleasant Russian restaurant! We loved the varoniki appetizer …and live piano music. Nice ambience and additional to the theatre district!

    Is this helpful?

  4. Debbie

    Charleston6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Russian Samovar was recommended to us by friends. The food, service and atmosphere were amazing. I would highly recommend this place to others.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Eugene

    Unspecified1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 9, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Went for lunch. My partner and I had Kulebyanka which was delicious.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Antonina

    New York City50 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 2, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We brought friends who were unfamiliar with Russian food. They were blown away! Marvelous dinner, marvelous flavored vodkas, marvelous staff.

    Is this helpful?

  7. William VIP

    New York City111 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on April 1, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 2
    We dined here last Spring- totally different experience tonight! Restaurant empty- had reservation& asked if we had a reservation. Was rushed & we had to ask the waiter to slow it down! Food was not as good as last year! Tea was even different. Won’t be going back again. And we are local. Piano player was good until she started to play loud music where we could not speak to each other 😳😖

    Is this helpful?

  8. Paulo

    Montreal4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 29, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    What an amazing place and so glad we found it. The food was phenomenal, the staff was friendly and helpful, and the atmosphere was perfect for a night out ( live music).

    Is this helpful?

  9. Monty

    West Palm Beach172 reviews

    1.0

    Dined on March 22, 2025

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 2
    Service terrible. Had to Find our server each time by getting up or asking someone to get him. He was on the phone at least once. Herring so fishy it could not be consumed. Perogi tasteless. Just nothing about the ambiance to discuss. They need new management.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Honest

    Atlanta7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 21, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always good, my daughter loves coming back there!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Russian Samovar & Tolstoy's Lounge offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (212) 757-0168.

Russian Samovar & Tolstoy's Lounge is rated 4.6 stars by 833 OpenTable diners.

Russian Samovar & Tolstoy's Lounge does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. New York City
  4. Manhattan
  5. Theater District

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 8 times today
Google Map for Russian Samovar & Tolstoy's Lounge

256 W 52nd Street, New York, NY 10019

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    52nd street , between Broadway and 8th Avenue
  • Neighborhood
    Theater District
  • Hours of operation
    Mon 4:00 pm–11:45 pm Tue–Thu, Sun 12:00 pm–11:45 pm Fri, Sat 12:00 pm–12:45 am
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Russian, Continental, Eastern European
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    Closest to 50th Street Station ( C or E train ) 7 Avenue / 53 Street ( B or D train )
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Entertainment
    Live Piano Music!
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dancing, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wine
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Phone number
  • Catering
    We provide catering to your home or office. No order is too small<br />Choose from platters or banquets menus. Or create your own. <br />We have staffing and entertainment for hire for all your event needs. <br /><br /><br />russiansamovar.com
  • Private party facilities
    We welcome you to explore our Private Dining options, perfect for any occasion. Choose from our banquette menus ($115, $150,$175) with alcohol or a la carte. Minimum spend applies based on the amount of guests. Staffing fee applies. If you can think of it, we can create it.
  • Private party contact
    Vlada Von Shats: (212) 757-0168
Gift card

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card
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