The Russian Tea Room

The most interesting reviews

- Beautiful place!! We had afternoon tea, and the sandwiches and scones were delicious! The small pastries were a bit too sweet for me. Price are high($90/p.p.), but you can feel like having a short trip to imperial Russia!

- If you like quiet low energy, where you can calm down and enjoy nice food, this is a great place. The only reason I give it 4 and not 5 stars is because it is not a great place for kids.

- Lovely people. Wonderful tea and very accommodating. They have vegetarian options for high tea which I was very grateful for. Their good reputation is well earned.

- Imagine you were born a Russian Oligarch and you have a penchant for real silverware, palatial dining halls, caviar, and (albeit overpriced) perfectly brined martinis. That’s what the Russian Tea Room is like. You’ll be served by serious but kind staff donned in old fashioned high end suits with tails. You’ll pay too much for your drinks but you won’t regret it. The food is quite affordable and delicious.

- The restaurant is beautiful. The service was ok. The food is really average. We had onion soup, beef Wellington, and lamb chop. My kid felt sick on the way back to our hotel. But it could be something else.

- I've wanted to try this place for a long time. I'm glad I tried it but don't need to go back.

Pros:  it's kitschy fun, staff are attentive and friendly,  volume of food is good, tea sandwiches are flavourful, scones are served warm. Cons:  they use tea bags instead of loose tea and nothing to put the tea bag on after it has steeped, presentation is underwhelming,  no clotted or Devonshire cream with scones and jam is your typical grocery store kind,  other sweets are dry and unimpressive, strong musty smell when you walk in. We've experienced the afternoon tea at various places such as The Fairmont Empress in Victoria, BC and The Savoy in London - the Russian Tea Room doesn't come close to equalling either of these experiences.  It has so much potential and history behind it but they don't do it justice and doesn't provide value for what it costs.

- I went there last Friday and ordered borscht and beef Wellington. Frankly, it is a disappointment and I probably will not return next time I go to NYC. Borscht was good but I expected a lot more (at least it should be much, much better than what I can make) for $28 a bowl. Beef Wellington was... what to say... tragic? When I cut into the first piece, it disintegrated--meat and pastry. The first piece was a bit chewy (not what I expected from expensive tenderloin), though the second one was good, meatwise (it still disintegrated on the first cutting). I know beef Wellington is very difficult, but I paid $58. I probably should have ordered baked salmon in pastry (I had fond memories eating it in this restaurant). And just one piece of bread? Seriously?

- You can read the Wikipedia article for the Russian Tea Room's checkered past and some of the somewhat negative reviews. However our experience was wonderful. The dushbara and pelmeni (traditional Russian dumplings although very different) and beef stroganoff and chicken Kiev were of the highest quality, the service was outstanding. The owners are also against Putin's War so it is politically correct to come here. Highly recommended.

- I had caviar for the first time in my life at this restaurant and I don't think I'll ever eat anything ever again as delicious as that meal. This restaurant will go down as one of the all-time greatest meals of my life and I would truly recommend every single human being to spend the money. Enjoy yourself because I know I did.

- I went with my husband and 2 friends for dinner, we loved it! had a great time, food was excellent and staff was amazing. Going back in a few weeks for the tea service.

- The presentation of the food was nice but I think it lacked a little seasoning. Everyone in my party thought so and we thought maybe it was just us but then I saw other tables request salt too we weren't alone in thinking the dishes were missing something. The staff were very mechanical but I say that not in a mean way, they moved like an organized dance, everyone had a job. Really good atmosphere, gave a real old New York vibe. The cheesecake was the best thing I ate. And the cocktail was delicious albeit pricey. Maybe I'd come back and try other dishes to see those were more flavorful.