Reviews of Lucien (Restaurant)

Christian Busch

French bistro atmosphere with French wines, staff and dishes. Pricey food imho but if you want that Paris feeling without leaving Manhattan, it's a solid choice.

martine fortune

Food was too small and overpriced but it's worth it

Kenneth Weinstein

Escargot by far best in nyc Steak au poive wonderful definitely worth trying

David Wedmore

Awesome bar scene. Lots of locals having fun. Terrific steak and frits!

steven s

The food is great, French menu. it is a little expensive but worth it. I love their black pepper steak and raw oysters

Janet Wise

This is our second time at Lucien since April. The first evening we were very lucky to get a table by walking in early around 5:30. This week we stopped in late afternoon just to grab a drink and make a plan for our evening. But it was so lovely with the afternoon sun, and just enough people to make for a cozy late afternoon and early dinner. We decided to stay. I had a perfectly prepared filet mignon medium rare. He indulged on his favorite dish, cassoulet which he swears was excellent. They make a beautiful Manhattan if you’re so inclined. There’s a photo of Christopher Hitchens in the middle of hundreds of others and Kate Spade on the other wall. So much to see and think about.

John Hewitt

Lovely place with food that's beyond nice with fair prices.

Shakira Syed

Lucien was around back when I lived in LES back in the late 90's-00's, but never dined there. Almost 20 years later, my best friend wants to go and so we did. We picked a Wednesday night at 10pm- cause it's NYC and we can do that. The hostess was sweet and quickly accommodating. As we waited for our table, we ordered the French 75- deliciously made, but the bartender was corny with his feigned white boy "What's uuup?". Chloe and Oscar were our servers, and both were friendly, kind, and quick to take our orders and gave us the time we needed to enjoy our several French 75's and appetizers before ordering the entrees. We ordered the Moroccan grilled shrimp, arugula/fennel/parm salad, and crab cake- each one of them scrumptious. Our entrees: Eggplant napoleon & steak and fries- also delicious. Food and drinks are pricey. Chloe and Oscar gave us complimentary espressos and dessert at the end of the meal. Really, really the coolest people who work there. Disco playlist was bomb. Here is my problem: The insufferable hipster patrons. There was a large birthday party with very loud & rude guests (about 20 or so people who took up the entire front of the dining room save for three sm tables). They were allowed to come in and out about every 5 minutes, allowing the cold night winds to follow behind them; one woman squeezed herself into the long booth next to us and when she didn't fit, she made herself at home at our small table for two, pushing me over. The table over to the right of us ordered several small plates, and one of them was eaten by the guests of that birthday party. Huh? What? This is not the fault of management- but a gentle word with that group would have made us all feel better. All in all, I had fun- making fun of the crazy bunch of people, great drinks, delicious food. I'd go back.

Desiree Feghali

Very good food and nice atmosphere

Kelsey Albright

Wonderful meal. Service was great- aloof yet attentive.

Colin Forker

Best French onion soup so far Rendezvoused hear with one of my best mates who I had not seen for two years. First best thing - Kronenburg beer available (my favourite French beer). I had not eaten much and it was late afternoon - but the French onion soup was amazing. So much so I had it the next two days in a row. Staff were great - friendly, attentive and a little cheeky which was fun.

Christophe Cochon

A bit pricey for what you get, you’re paying for the decoration. Very noisy.

Chuck Marsh

The filet mignon actually is really really good and the sauce that goes with it is indeed very delicious. With that said, do I think it's worth $48? Not so sure. It's a very interesting, chill french bistro atmosphere. However, the menu was really quite expensive.

sharif ford

Great food but attitude could use some work. The chef is amazing and the drinks are good but the staff turn this into a sad affair quick. Way too much attitude for a small quaint spot. Should easily be 5 stars because the chef is a master but the staff make the place depressing and the service level well below anything you would expect from NYC.

Janice Hurley

Great location for delicious french food. the staff was very friendly and attentive. it has an awesome atmosphere.

Stephen Romanowski

The burger was excellent and so was everything else including fresh lemonade. Definitely going back !

Taylor Spence

A delightful French bistro en par with a typical bistro du quartier of Paris

michael stoklos

Lost our reservation...ooops soooooorry...crowded ....noisy... couldn't talk... but best mussels since Spain last summer

Sean Vegezzi

Anyone complaining about the noise & loud and bustling atmosphere should take down their reviews. Lucien is not a quiet spot for a quiet dinner.

Mickey Davis

The best real French bistro in New York City. Authentic to a tee, good wines, and a mostly unchanging menu with large choices whose preparations are constantly improved and refined. Lucien is often at the first table. Bienvenue a la France!!!

Jim Benz

For the prices of the dishes, I expected more. More creative. More nuanced. More zip. It was run of the mill. We were here many years ago and were very pleased. Too bad our second trip didn't live up to the first or the joint's reputation. Also, it was quite loud. Our party of 5 had to shout across the table. Don't expect a French dining experience.

Jim Brock

This is a place where you might wait 90 minutes for a table (even though you had a reservation) but not really mind.

Orlando Nunez

This French restaurant has the vibe and taste that is worth the visit.

Ayaka Notake

French fries and spicy margaritas! Make a reservation for dinner and walk in for a late night drinks

Alejandro Rodriguez

This used to be a top notch bistro for the creative crowd. The food is still pretty decent. But new management has made it into a hot bed of D LIST model wannabes and cheese balls. Rude pretentious hostess and owner ... sadly, this place went from great to tacky . Go elsewhere ... anywhere .

Brian Bamberger

Delicious French classics served in an old school hip bistro atmosphere.

Chuck Heckman

One of my favorite places in the city! We like it so much we had our wedding reception here and it was perfect.

sulay restrepo

The octopus is the best dish they got!

VXO Music

Food was so good. Would thr*w it up and eat it again. The brown waitress — with curly hair was an incredible server

Carlie Johnson

The son of the owner has clearly fell on hard times- this is the least hospitable experience I’ve ever had in NYC: We made a reservation which they “forgot” (aka forgot to record) so had to wait 2.5 hours after they gave us a 1.5 hour estimate. Their credit card system then went down as we were trying to pay, leaving us waiting 30 min to get our check. After all that they gave us zero complimentary anything to make up for their blatant mistakes and the son of the owner, who admitted to being the manager on duty, could have cared less about our well being and overall experience. Avoid this place unless you’re an instagram influencer and have buy in of management.

Jessica Mold

I don't often leave reviews but this restaurant is outstanding. I wanted to find a restaurant to celebrate my 30th with my large family and the staff at Lucien went above and beyond to help me make my reservation (from the UK). The food was impeccable and the service was fantastic. Thank you.

Menny Haike

Food is good NOT FOR VEGANS. This is the second time I've been there, the second time I've made reservations, and the second time it took still a 40 minute wait after the reservation to get a seat. Recommend but not for large parties.

James Raimes

Love the food always, but Friday evening isn’t the time to go if you want to hear what your table mates are saying. And turn that music DOWN, for God’s sake. Good food spoiled by the racket.

Gabriel Grupenmager

Excellent French bistro in the LES (lower east side) with friendly staff, Friendly LES atmosphere and excellent food.

Drake Williams

We are a French couple on vacation in New York, we were seduced by the welcome we received. Honestly the service was very good

Sarah

Food was excellent, love this place

Debora Levi

Love it forever, great place better food superb wine list. Just perfect ❤️lunch, dinner, coffee anytime is splendid

Carlos H. Lanús

It is the best restaurant I always went un New York, strongly recomended by my daughter, and nos from me

Bill

Great good, fine wine, cozy atmosphere and terrific people wstching. Service is competent but not great but who cares? Go and enjoy

Bill Bennett

Great food. Foie Gras will bring you to your knees. Amazing atmosphere. Eclectic clientele. Adequate wine list. Expensive

tommy damascus

The waiters try to scam people. I heard this a few times. A young waitress maybe in her early 20’s tries to steal customer’s money. My friend came here and tipped 20 percent but because he was speaking another language the waitress followed them outside and told them a customary tip in the US is much more. Be careful.

Yury T

Amazing French cuisine.

Dave Broscious

Perfect cozy spot for a cool fall evening.

marian mederos

Not value for money, plus we made reservation and we had to wait two hours. Beautiful place bad management

Alan Leach

One of the best fillet steaks I have ever eaten, great atmosphere, lovely staff. Quite pricey but worth every penny.

benoit moeyaert

The Steak Tartare was good but the portion was so so small . The portion of the french fry was so small I’m so.

Michael Whitman

Always perfectly prepared dishes full of flavor, you can bet I'll be back.

Courtney Marchesani

The cafe was cram packed but in any NYC eatery worth its salt this is expected. A friend and I found a spot at the bar. A great assortment of french wines, food, and style/scenery. The crock of french onion soup was piping hot and cheese oh so ooey gooey. It will meet any connoisseur's highest expectations. The arugula salad was tasty and the bartender's favorite, steak and frites was done just right. Lucien's is simple, yet elegant and hits all the right notes....if you can get a seat at a table highly recommended. The staff were timely and patient despite the hectic atmosphere.

Rodney Smith

Can’t comment on the food because we were never served. We’d made a reservation for 8. We showed up at 7:55 knowing it would probably be busy given the reviews. We were largely ignored and lied to by our “host” by telling us it wouldn’t be long, there was a table who’d just ordered dessert. After waiting an hour AFTER our reservation the “host” still couldn’t seat us or even give us an eta. Given the size of the place and seeing first hand how the staff operated, it became clear that making people wait was normal behavior regardless of a reservation. We finally gave up (angrily) and took our chances with another Resto. If you don’t want to feel like your being played, reserve elsewhere.

Lamar Farley

We arrived at this restaurant for lunch. This restaurant was recommended to us by a friend. Well, it was very nice. The staff were extremely nice and we had a great feeling. The meal was fresh and delicious. We loved this spot very much and we will definitely return to this restaurant. We recommend this place to all.

Theresa Hanrahan

great vibe food amazing. one of.best restaurants in nyc. lobster fradiablo the best be prepared to sit close to others. but that's what makes it fun. service excellent

Kathryn Maxwell

Phenomenal. Came here on a friend's recommendation and it did not disappoint. Cocktails and food were delicious. I ordered the quail. Service was also super friendly and very prompt. Very intimate atmosphere, would be great for a date or nice night out with friends.

Celestine DeTrana

Wonderful, well-priced wine list

Jeronimo Aguilar Gutierrez

An old time neighborhood jewel for the trendiest and cosmopolitan crowd. This French bistrot serves traditional dishes in a typical atmosphere for great prices. Father and son insure to make the experience with them a unique one with an incredible service and attention.

Brian Bielawa

Steak n Frites n Champagne. Attentive staff

Richard Burgess

Food was decent but overshadowed by the 75 minute wait for a table after my reservation time. Very noisy and very cramped.

martin peter

Great food (onion soup is fantastic) but can get pretty crowded. Make sure you book a table.

Edward Jamrozy

Christmas dinner at Lucien has become a cherished tradition.

Drop Shop Digital LLC

Still the best French resturant in New York City. 6 stars all the way.

Michael Hayes

I cannot comment on the food because we were never seated (even with a reservation). This seems to be persistent in reading the reviews. Way too poorly managed, loud, crowded and stuffy for me anyway

fppedreira

Had a truly amazing time at “Lucien”. The ambience is great, the food excellent, wine list surprisingly good and the service friendly. You can’t go wrong. Recommend the “merguez” and the ribs.

Simon Gelfand

Great food & Good service.

Nahid Ashri

Cozy, good food, nice atmosphere must visit places

Ole Bergstein

Outstanding french cuisine and amazing vibe. But be prepared that it gets very noisy.

Yadin ben kessous

Best time I’ve got in NYC. Real New Yorker high class place.

M Moff

I was so disappointed with Lucien - we were recommended by a friend as both my girlfriend and I are French. It was genuinely a 2/10 for French food compared to what you should expect, especially for the prices they were charging I couldn’t believe it. To make matters worse, they gave themselves a $40 tip taking it off my credit card after I had signed the total amount on the bill. It wasn’t till a couple of days later that I realised - I have called and emailed and they refuse to return them. Stay away!!

vern Vwa

The food is amazing. Great crowd, from young to old it's a great place.

mary sue rynecki

Food very good as well as wine but rather pricey. Lively diverse crowd. Noise level beyond screech. Would recommend to more senior adults to avoid late night weekends or stick too lunch. Wait staff exceptional. weekends

Em Bone

You’ll have a great time!

Athel Micka

Great vibes. Excellent food. Wonderful place!

Julien Merçay

Simple and no frills, nice ambience. Very quiet for lunch.

Javier Fuentes

Historic place under new young management. Absolute disaster.

Edith Cardenas

French food... very satisfying. the service was very welcoming and observant. this place has a cool feel to it.

Jamie Grubb

My favorite NYC restaurant!

Allie T

Thia place is s?** Bad service rude employees! I went there with my gf to get a drink but we wanted to use the bathroom first. And one of the guys who works there was so rude and disrespectful that stopped us saying we couldn't use the bathroom. What type of costumer service is this?

Iris Geller

Delicious. Food well prepared. Cozy atmosphere.

Lucy C

Food was good but pretentious staff and bad customer service ruined the experience really. Wouldn’t rush back nor recommend

Axel Costa

Extremely overpriced. Food OK. Below average service. Overcrowded tiny restaurant where you will eat literally touching the table next to you, and you will wait at least 45 minutes after your reservation time... and wait more than 30 minutes for your main course... and 30 more for dessert. Oh, and you will pay the moderate price of $75 per head, exc. wine