Lucien

The place is small, but popular. We did make a reservation which they seated us for over an hour after. They promised a round of drinks and dessert for the long wait.It was a bit of a haggle to get them to honor the round of drinks, but they did.The food is very good, I ate the salmon, my son had the chicken with potatoes. The crème brûlée was good too.

If I could, I would give this place zero stars!! Rude servers (Christina and Beatrice). Who argued with me about the overcooked octopus. Christina served me my dish and then took an hour lunch break. Without telling me or assigning the table to someone else. I sat there for 45 minutes and watched everyone around me get great service. Not one waiter asked me if I needed anything. This is the worst restaurant I’ve been to in New York. Save yourself and go to many of the other great French restaurants. I added a pic of the crispy small octopus. They try to camouflage it with potatoes.

If i could give negative stars, i would.Firstly, we had a table booking for 3 and showed up right on time, just for the waitress to show us to the standing bar and as she said “order some starter drinks and your table will be ready very soon” which was fine but we ended up at the bar, jostled around for the next 15mins, while the waitresses had bad (close to zero) communication/ coordination that they actually gave our table away and made us wait even longer.What followed next was just more waiting, more “im so sorry your table will be ready soon” when we asked about our table and honestly, this place feels like a huge scam to get us to order drinks without getting seated which actually defeats the whole purpose of making a booking.Like make it make sense??!!!??!!!!Not sure how this place is still in business when they treat customers like dimwits.VERY outrageous and atrocious behaviour, only come here when you love to be mistreated and disrespected at every turn.Also pretty unhinged for the waitress to chase us down a block after we left before getting seated.Are they expecting me to tolerate and pay for the disrespect and incompetent management? So bold but no thank you. Never againLiterally just go to mcdonalds, at least you will be treated like a human being.

Sick spot. Steak is beautiful and the French onion soup. Atmosphere incredible.

Do not go to this restaurant. The service and taste do not match the price. There are much better restaurants in New York. Dont waste your time.While dining at this restaurant, a server spilled food on my companions clothes and bag while moving dishes. I witnessed the incident, but the restaurant claims that their security cameras did not capture it and insists they cannot take any responsibility. I cannot understand this approach to customer service.Additionally, I do not understand why they use seats next to the restroom. While seated there, we had to constantly move to let people pass, and the narrow aisle was frequently used by staff clearing dishes. It is unbelievable that they claim no food was spilled in such a busy and cramped area.I saw the food spill with my own eyes, and her bag was placed behind her chair, making it impossible for food to have spilled on it. I am deeply disappointed by their insincere response to this situation.

I would not recomend this place. Its overpriced and the staff was the rudest people I have met in New York (which says a lot) they greeted us with no respect. My friend ordered a chèvre salad, and it was only two tiny bites of chèvre on it. I normally dont bother to write bad reviews, but this one took the Cake.

Charming little french restaurant. The space is quite narrow inside, so be prepared to share some space with other people while you dine. Our servers were really friendly. Highlights were the grilled sardines, duck confit, and tart tatin for dessert. The arugula salad was ok, if you wanted some greens, but nothing that special at that price point. Price point is a bit high.

I was told that this place is very scene-y, so I was skeptical of the food. And while it is definitely scene-y - Ive never seen so many pairs go in and out of a single stall bathroom on a Thursday at 7pm - the food is really good and worth the visit on its own.Usually I avoid fillet mignon in favour of meatier cuts, but the steak au poivre is delicious and reminded me of how good a lean, tender steak could be - highly recommend.Id suggest making a res, the day we tried to walk-in, they were booked for the evening, there is bar seating you can hang out for, but we got really lucky and snagged a table from a no-show reservation.In all, if youre looking for a French bistro style meal, Lucien is a great option, if youre looking to be seen, then its great for that too.

Lucien still rocks! The food remains fantastic even after several years in business. Service can be inconsistent during peak hours, particularly during their busy brunch service but, the overall experience is excellent.

4.5. Great vibe, bustling bar, great service, good food. Really fun, old-school space with a large menu. All of the French classics are on here- many fish and meat options. Highlight of the meal was the appetizer shrimp!

I visited on Wednesday night with two friends, and we sat at the bar for one round of drinks for less than an hour. When I asked for the check, the bartender handed me the payment machine. After I tapped my card I was waiting for the machine to asked what I wanted to tip but that never came. So I asked the bartender if the tip is already included and he said yes. While I always tip 20%, I felt uncomfortable not being given the choice and offended by the assumption. I called the restaurant, tips are not automatic for parties of 3 so he just assumed I wouldn’t tip and took it upon himself to add it.

I had been wanting to try Lucien for a long time, and so when my sister was visiting it felt like a perfect opportunity to try it out!! Seafood was delicious & fresh — the grilled octopus amazing. Be prepared to spend upwards of $20 for a simple salad (arugula, parm cheese and fennel) and $17 for a soup. Pricey, but worth it.

Everything was delicious! I had the escargots, moules à la marinière, and tarte tatin, I loved everything; there were just two things that I didn’t love, which was that the escargots didn’t come with the shell and that the waiter wasn’t great, she was very serious and didn’t find her very helpful when I asked her about what dish she would recommend.Otherwise, great place to go to. Definitely going back

This place has a vibe that’s so rich and cozy, the experience was really great being here. The drinks was tasty and the food was delicious. Had the steak frites and was not disappointed at all. My only thing is about this place is because the atmosphere is so great and welcoming, it can get very very crowded, especially if a celebrity or two is there or drops by. So make sure you’re there early or on an off peak day.

We stopped into Lucien for a late night cocktail before having dinner next door. The place is intimate and buzzy; we loved the atmosphere and would love to come back and try some food items.

I visited here with my friends to have a good time. However, while eating, their server or busboy spilled food on my friends bag and clothes, and my clothes and bag got dirty. We complained to them and they said they would check the camera and take action, but they said there was no camera where we were sitting, so they couldnt help us. I doubt if their customer service was right. They didnt give me any feedback after that. Anyone can make mistakes. However, if you make a mistake, apologize and take responsibility. I hope you run the business responsibly. Dont try this restaurant and just cook at home yourself.

Really bad service, On a Monday night, our table was completely cleared after we had finished our main without asking us if we wanted desserts. The food was nothing special. Steak Tartar was drowning in egg york. Overpriced.

Great vibe - its a cute little restaurant with trendy music and crowd. Awesome food - we loved the duck liver pate and duck confit cassoulet.

Went to Lucien’s for a night cap with friends. It was busy and a fun atmosphere we even saw Sebastian Bear-McClard there with his friends. Although it was packed at 1130 pm, the food and drinks still came out very quickly. The food was delicious and the drinks here are strong. Although a bit pricey, the menu here is worth it and the vibes are great.

Great drinks and dishes. Very crowded and can’t even hear myself talking but you might bump into famous people which is why people seem to squeeze themselves having drinks. (V casual)Wine selection is reasonably priced.

My wife and I enjoyed this little downtown restaurant very much! The food is simple excellent.. we ordered Wild Salmon and Scallops and it was amazing.. one of my tops restaurants right now!!

Every thing they do from the time you sit down is try to Take as much money as they can from you. A regular meal here is 50 to 69 for what is just a regular bistrot but then they’ll also charge a “credit card fee” and they charge tip on the grand total not before tax total.

Apart from the service, which was sadly really slow and pretty tragic, This was an amazing experience. The food was incredible, wine was beautiful, and the perfect table ambience for a close dinner with friends

Incredible French dishes, definitely worth the hype; the details of every dish were perfected and cooked expertly.

Food was good but they would not stop bringing us asparagus. We ordered cold noodles, beef tartare, French fries, and 1 plate of asparagus. But they did not bring us 1 plate of asparagus they brought us 4 and when we told them this wasnt what we ordered they pretended not to understand and brought us more. The asparagus did taste good but we just could not eat that much of it and it just kept coming. overall it was an upsetting and intimidating experience but 4 stars for good asparagus.

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.

I felt like I was in a crowded restaurant in Paris. Great food, great vibe, fun lunch. Make a reservation before you come!

Cocktails are made very well. Tight tight tight place with almost no room to even turn. But that’s the vibe here so if you don’t like tight spots this isn’t the place for you.

I’ve known Zach forever. I knew his father this is really what New York City is about real people owning the restaurant a real soul that people can feel as soon as they walk in incredible design great food great French onion soup great service, culture ideas real New York City we’ve lost so many good places like this and this is one of the last great restaurants in Manhattan.

An absolute favorite. The food is classic french bistro.

Superb, great welcome fantastic drinks large knowledge of wine and liquor, etc etc.seat at the bar if you can.

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!

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.

Phenomenal. Came here on a friends 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.

Its remarkable that Lucien is still going strong. So many eras of beautiful young girls and rich older men. But the food is honestly pretty good, although wildly expensive for an east village standard.

My number one favorite dish in all five boroughs of NYC, Canard aux Figues et Navets, is served at this restaurant. The prices and portions are very fair compared to other comparable French spots. They also have a great wine selection, and though Ive never ordered an entree other than the duck for myself, Ive never tasted any appetizer, dessert, or dining partners entree at Lucien that wasnt a 10 out of 10. Their cappuccino is also perfect.

Wow! Talk about quality of everything. The scallops and the steak frites are a must have choice if you are at Lucien. Service was great, only downside is that it can get very crowded and theres not a lot of room in between tables. I would recommend this place though for a date night or just a night out with friends.

OVERRATED. After seating us 10 minutes after the res, even though we were there early, the Maitre d asked us to move our table across the whole restaurant as I was cutting my steak and tried negotiating with me when we refused. Food is overrated, not cooked how we asked. The friendly bartender was the best part of the night.

The food is great. But the service is bad. I understand its Friday night and its busy, but the staff here are way too pushy. When we just sat down, the waitress came over directly asking what we would like to drink. When we were still waiting for our entrees, another waitress came over asking what we would like for dessert. When I was still having the last bite of my food, the guy came over wanting to take away my plate. And then the waitress came over immediately again asking me whether I needed desserts. Horrible service experience that actually ruined the great food here.

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.

The service was normal, but when they gave us an invoice, it said something about the covid that we paid $ 11 for it, I still did not understand what for then. I left $ 10 types, but they demanded $ 20 straight from me, but I did not see on the check that their service 20% is a complete nonsense place is not worth your expectations

I am giving this place two stars just because the host (October 6 at 7 :30 pm ) was extremely rude . We had a reservation which was scheduled at a specific time. The host never gave us our table and kept delaying us and made us wait outside for more than 45 minutes. When we asked about what jd causing this delay, the host was bluntly rude and would dismiss us by saying that he wont give us an update because he already talked to us half an hour ago...The food was good on the brighter side with a nice atmosphere. But the host made it miserable.

I recently stumbled upon this hidden gem, and it did not disappoint! The food was absolutely amazing, with flavors that transported me straight to France. The atmosphere was warm, inviting, and effortlessly low-key, perfect for a relaxed night out. It’s rare to find a place open late that offers such high-quality dishes and drinks! This spot truly brings a unique charm to the area, and I’ll definitely be coming back. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a cozy, authentic French dining experience!

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.

The food was pretty good, but for the price they charge, you can go to a better place. The portions were small, and I was hungry when I left.

They dont even deserve 1 star. I had high hopes for this place, but unfortunately, it was a letdown. The food was mediocre at best—bland, uninspired, and definitely not worth the price. What made the experience even worse was the service.The host was dismissive and acted like seating us was a chore. The waitress wasn’t any better—she seemed uninterested, took forever to take our order, and never checked back to see if we needed anything.Overall, the combination of mediocre food and terrible service made this a place I wouldn’t recommend. There are plenty of better options out there!

Do NOT come here for any nice occasions. Booked a resy weeks in advance for a birthday dinner, was looking forward to a nice romantic ambiance for 2 people. Upon arriving we were sat at a tiny 4 person table that they planned on seating 2 parties at?? Not only was it 2 parties but they wanted to squeeze 5 people at this tiny table. And the table was right at the door. I get this is NYC and space is limited, but not even having a table divider or 4 inches of space between parties if they’re seated at the same table is pretty low. Take your money somewhere else, there are plenty of other places that have great food and ambiance, that give you the respect of giving you a little space.

One of my favorite french bistros in the city. Great vibe, great food. Good service. Unpretentious. Always a pleasure to come back.

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.

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 LOL

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

Let me start by saying, Ive been here more times than I can count. The food is always delicious and the vibe is great.This past weekend however, I had the unfortunate experience of dining at a table next to one of the owners, and she was horrible. From the moment we sat down she was yelling at the staff so loudly that my friend and I couldnt continue our conversation.10 minutes laters this owner started berating an autistic person that was seated at the bar and apparently wasnt buying anything. I cant even imagine how an owner can think it is appropriate to make such a scene in the middle of service and disrupt every customers dining experience.We literally got up and moved outside in the middle of our meal because her energy and tone was so abrasive. We felt extremely uncomfortable being there. I was shocked by the entire experience and still feel badly about it.Such a bummer because this place has always been an easy go-to choice, but I cant on any good conscious go back here knowing that it is owned by a complete sociopath.

*This review is for my experience with the owner’s mother*I’ve been going to Lucien ever for many years, and I never in my life have been treated so disgustingly by a human being. I was having drinks with a friend at the bar tonight, and this older woman comes up to us, screaming about my dog, and how we need to leave. She keeps accusing me that my dog is not a service dog and tells me that he’s not trained and I as the owner I’m not trained either. She is screaming at me telling me that he’s not a service dog and he can’t be here which is ILLEGAL. This woman got in my face, was Violent and nasty and causing a scene in her own restaurant. I, as a patron was extremely calm. I did not deserve to be treated this way. I wouldn’t be surprised if this had something to do with race either. I will never be coming back to this establishment again, and I am traumatized by this woman’s behavior.

It was ok. Food was ok. Our main waitress was amazing and fast but the hostess was so so and the bartender rude. It’s a very specific place, with only few seats, very busy and noisy, and not much space but it’s part of the charm! Don’t expected to be seated on time, you always have to wait a good 20 minutes even with your reservation.

Not sure where to start. Ive been eating here for 10 years. Food is amazing! Atmosphere is authentic NYC and French fusion. Drinks are unique and taste great. Staff is friendly, but do expect the staff members that are French to be very..... French. I have met the Father and son owners. Father passed away, but his son is keeping the vibe and the place going. Seating is tight, but no one is in your personal space. This is New York and Lucien represents that to the the fullest. Now, the con is its on the pricey side, but not outrageous. You wont mind or care about that because the food, the experience, the history of pictures on the wall, and the staff will make it all worth it. Love this place and if you ever go to NYC make sure you grab some food. Tell him I sent you.

Doesn’t get more authentic than this. we love Lucien!

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

Lucien is a charming French restaurant located in the heart of New York City. From the moment you walk in, you are transported to a cozy and romantic atmosphere, with dim lighting and elegant decor.The menu is filled with classic French dishes, and attention to detail is evident in every dish. The standout dishes for me were the sardines and beef tartare. The sardines were perfectly grilled and seasoned, and they were served with a light salad that complemented the fish beautifully. The beef tartare was also outstanding, with tender and flavorful meat that was expertly seasoned.If youre looking for a classic French restaurant with outstanding dishes like the sardines and beef tartare, Lucien should be at the top of your list.

Horrible service- waitresses frantically running around (there only appeared to be one server). She forgot our drinks. Food was not good. Extremely overpriced. Rude servers wearing lingerie and sneakers. Completely bizarre. Never never again!

Cute, intimate setting and delicious authentic French food!

The reviews are mostly right about this place. Its very overhyped and truly seems like a place where people go for the scene more than anything else. In terms of the food, we ordered the escargot, mussels in white wine sauce, rabbit over pappardelle pasta, filet mignon with peppercorn sauce, and the duck. My favorites were the escargot and filet mignon. The escargot had this delicious garlic and herbs sauce, and the filet mignon was cooked perfectly medium rare. The fries were nice and crispy, and I loved the peppercorn sauce. I also loved their warm, crusty bread. The desserts were nothing special, we had the chocolate cake and creme brulee.With the alcohol our bill came out to around $900. Just as others mentioned, they definitely did something to make you over tip with their tricky calculations so you need to pay close attention. Im glad I tried it out, but this is not a place that I need to repeat.

We were so overwhelmed with how good the food here was. Traditional french food in a small cozy restaurant with lots of locals and french customers. Highly recommend this place and I would go back here everytime I get to NYC

Actually a pay grade over my budget, but my pay grade is very low, so for you it might be a steal. Its one of those places you instantly feel like you are a regular, and I swiftly became one. Staff is the nicest people after you overcome the preconceived notions that they wont talk to you because they just look a lot cooler than you. Drinks are drinks - its hard to say its better or worse than any other place if course (but I much enjoy them), and it was years ago that I ate there (on my meager budg) but I heard and saw other guests who seemed very pleased. Im going back today. Just havent decided if I can afford both am afternoon visit and an evening visit.

Great vibe in this cute restaurant in soho, loved the aesthetic and the mains were very good! Starters were quite disappointing for the price though

Had to wait 40 minutes for the table we’d reserved. They could have at least bought us a drink. Quality of food is declining I think. Tab was over $300 and we shared an entree.

Worst experience ever. We had made a reservation and were asked to wait. After asking several times our table would be ready in 10 minutes. We noticed that people coming in without having a reservation got a seat immediately. When we asked again we were still told to wait and then we left. The hostess most unfriendly hostess Ive ever experienced and incredibly rude. I would definitely not go here. It is not worth it at all.

I had lunch with my son and my 1 year old granddaughter. I had the salade nicoise with the rare fresh tuna and my son shared the braised rib and mashed potatoes with the baby who couldnt stop eating. Both dishes were delicious and nothing left on our plates. Highly recommend Lucian.

Loved the place. Such an iconic place with a French vibe. I went there with my boyfriend on Wednesday evening for dinner and it was very busy and full. The food was very delicious (medium rare New York steak and rabbit) but after an hour they asked us to leave the table as it was reserved. However, we also made the reservation and considering the cost of the dinner, 1 hour that we spent there was quite short.

My wife loves it here because she likes to pretend shes in Paris. I thought the escargot was a contender for the best Ive ever had. The wine? Incredible. Cocktails? Excellent. Dinner? I dont remember because of too much wine and cocktails which is how I pretend to be in Paris.

Mediocre and overpriced food, terrible wait staff. It seems like at one point this restaurant must have had better food based on its reputation, but at this point you are paying $40+ an entree to be associated with the crowd that is seen dining here. We had to wait nearly 40 minutes after our reservation time to be seated and on top of that our waiter was forgetful and condescending. You can get much better food cheaper pretty much anywhere else in New York.

I called and asked to make a reservation for 6:30pm and they said I didn’t need a reservation, I could just walk in and they would seat me. When I walked in, the place was already full, which is not hard to happen, it’s a very small restaurant. I had to wait for 20 minutes to get a very tight table. The tables are set so close to each other that you can’t even get up to go to the bathroom, and you have no privacy. I felt claustrophobia. The food was okay. It’s very pricey for what your get. Not worth it.

Went to the restaurant since it was known for its cassoulet, but half the menu was crossed out. We had a reservation and had to wait 45 mins to sit down, and then they tried to give our table to people who came after us.When ordering wine, half the bottles were not available, and they brought us a different wine then the one we had ordered saying it was the same.The icing on the cake was them charging $4 for the bread which was not even fresh!

Had 7:00 pm reservation on Sunday. It’s 7:40 pm and we’ve been standing behind the bar, in a tight corridor. No complimentary drinks, no apologetic attitude. Totally unacceptable treatment for an upscale restaurant. Go elsewhere. Not worth your money.

Do not go to this restaurant. This was the worst customer service experience I have ever had. We had a reservation at 9pm that we made a month prior for a birthday celebration, we arrived on time and there was no table available for us. We were told to wait, and they continued to tell us to wait for 45 minutes. People who showed up after us were seated before. We asked them numerous times if there was an update and were again told to wait. The staff was incredibly rude and disrespectful, I don’t know why this restaurant has good reviews. This wasn’t a unique experience, there were numerous other parties who had been through the same thing aside from the select few who were seated right away. Terrible experience overall.

We had a reservation for 8, and they had us stand against a wall, with no seat, for 90 minutes and didn’t sit us down until 9:30. We saw them give our table to VIPs over and over again. It was our anniversary, and we received very disrespectful treatment.

Called this place for a huge take-out order just to be told there is no mussels or clams. Why is linguine and clams or mussels and fries on your menu then? Sounded like the woman on the phone was lying. Food was good but Lucien seems to be overrated and entitled. Would like to return when they actually have everything they say they have.

Food was good, service was bad. Coming from a former server, I typically have a high threshold for patience but this was bad. multiple servers walked past us to attend other tables while we sat and waited for menus 15 minutes after being seated. The most attentiveness we received was from the bartender.

Very busy. Music gets louder as the night goes one. Attractive crowd. Lots of energy. Definitely an it spot. Food average.

Food was fine at best. Fries were better than the steak.

Always love a good meal here. Owner is chill. Food is consistent and the wine selection are great.

Definitely worth a visit! We had the onion soup and the escargots (snails) for starters, which were very good. The highlight was the scallops with mashed potatoes, which was exceptional. Unfortunately didnt get to try their desserts. The portions are a little small though, in true French fashion.

This is everything I love about France and Paris tucked into a cozy space with a few street-side tables and a first come first serve bar. Drinks are classically done along with stellar dishes. I come here for dinner every time I visit NYC.

Lucien is truly a scene. We visited just after midnight on a Saturday, and it was able to walk a fine line between intimate and raucous. This doesn’t make it the right spot for a lot of occasions on which you might want top-notch French cuisine, but it does make it right for some occasions when nowhere else will do.The food is very good, with a particularly outstanding au poivre sauce. The wine list is great and reasonably priced. There’s lots to love about Lucien, but you need to be in the mood.

Definitely worth a visit! We had the onion soup and the escargots (snails) for starters, which were very good. The highlight was the scallops with mashed potatoes, which was exceptional.

This restaurant is truly a warm and cozy experience. I did make reservations and would recommend them because it was very busy! The table was small and you sit close to people but I think that sometimes is a really nice vibe. I think the lighting and pictures on the wall made the place feel very homey yet classy. The french I sprinted menu is good for people who don’t know what they want. I tried the steak, mashed potatoes, french onion soup, escargots, chicken, and white wine. All of which was so yummy and truly worth the price. The french onion soup is a must ! I also started the night with an espresso martini and it was strong and made perfect. I think this is a great spot to get dressed up and even get drinks- there is a bar. Also a great choice for a birthday dinner ( which is what I was there for)

Great food, we always enjoy where we go there

Really didn’t want to love this since it’s so hard to get a table and it’s not a cheap place, but their food just is incredible. Especially recommend the duck and the foie gras (though their chocolate cake is a bit underwhelming so maybe skip that one)

If you look like a tourist and have a complexion of a darker persuasion I do not recommend this place. I was treated horribly because I returned a steak that was overcooked when I asked for medium well done. At first it wasn’t evident until I finished my food and was deliberately ignored and when my table was finally cleared I asked for a creme brûlée’ I sat waiting for about a half hour to 45 minutes and then was told the chef wasn’t pleased with what he had made. Mind you there was a party of four and two other couples that were served, ate and paid their bill before my table was even cleared. Finally I asked for a cafe americano as compensation and a slice of cake and was told I could only have one coffee since I had paid for the first one. I felt like mymoney nor was I wanted there. I felt disrespected and outraged and I will tell all my family and friends of the DMV not to go to this patronizing establishment.

Classic french food that is decadent and scrumptious. If you want solid french food in the East Village, this is your place. It has a warm and relaxed ambiance. Can be a bit pricey, but I still think its worth it.

Delicious. Food well prepared. Cozy atmosphere.

Came for brunch on a Saturday for two people. As many reviewers have said, expect a line.Ive been here a few times and all in all its good, but some of the food is hit or miss and nothing really stands out. What you come here for is the entire experience - the restaurant is an iconic neighborhood gem, charming and quaint inside.Ordered the below-Almond Croissant: Tasty.-Croque Monsieur: the best thing we ordered. Petite in size, but delicious. I would come back for this.-Jambon Cru: this has potential. Even with the prosciutto, the eggs needed more cheese / salt / pepper. They were bland. But I will say, the texture was perfect: pillowy and soft. This is a tiny order so if youre hungry you may also want something in addition.

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

The son of the owner has clearly fallen on hard times - this is by far the least hospitable experience I’ve ever had in NYC: We made a reservation which they “forgot” so had to wait 2.5 hours after they gave us a 1.5 hour estimate (again, after we made a reservation in the first place). 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 or have buy in of management.

What a cozy & authentic place. Food was good but there are probably more stellar options vs. what I had i.e. eggs Benedict with merguez sausages. Place has a lot of history and evidently, a beloved one based on the photos on the walls.

Lucien is a top spot, always packed with people. Great vibes & food. The server did forget to put in our order so we did wait an hour for our food, it was taken care of and all is well. Definitely a spot to go with friends!

We walked in and sat at the bar. The bartender was friendly, drinks were great, but the real star was the food. We had oysters, fois gras, and the frisée salad, and all three were phenomenal. Definitely worth a visit!

Food was incredible. Waited almost an hour for our reservation. Ambiance was loud. Also hot and stuffy in the back room.

I love french food. I love french food even more in the fall and winter (why cant everything be served in a staub pot?).Lucien never fails to disappoint. Its cozy, always seems packed, and the door and staff are consistenly excellent. Call ahead for a reservation just in case. Bars fun too (albeit only a half dozen seats or so).

The food was amazing.

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

The food is amazing and the servers are great!! Theres a regular who is an anti mask person. He is kinda funny and pathetic. I highly recommend shaming him 10/10 fun times. Thanks for the amazing service!!

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 connoisseurs highest expectations. The arugula salad was tasty and the bartenders favorite, steak and frites was done just right. Luciens 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.

What a great find! Went to Mercury Lounge to see a friend play on Boxing Day. The friend were took lives on the LES and suggested we go here afterwards. Classic French Bistro. Packed and noisy, but thats what a bistro should be in the height of the evening! Food was classic as well. Rabbit, Canard and Steak Frittes all done exceptionally well. Ill definitely go back!

Excellent, flavorsome french food, terrific wine, and warm, friendly atmosphere. the restaurant is dark and cozy, meaning it seats up to 50 at a squeeze, and can get quite warm especially with a full service. make a reservation - its worth it.

Lovely French bistro with very nice people

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.

Very crowded and bustling making conversation or intimacy tough but the food and drinks were good. A tad overpriced, even to a new Yorker. All in all a good spot that aggregates a wide array of New York denizens

The food is amazing truly, but this is the third time I’ve made a reservation and always end up waiting at least 45 minutes for a table.

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.

Great vibes. Definitely recommend when in N.Y.

Delicious food and very classic ny vibe. Will caution that you should expect a very long wait even if you have a reservation.

They made us wait an hour and 30 mins for our table even though we arrived on time for the reservation. The staff were incredibly rude and not remotely apologetic for completely missing our reservation time. I won’t be going back here

Went here Christmas Day so there wasn’t a lot of people. Really enjoyed the steak & fries as well as the oysters!

They made me wait for 45 minutes despite having booked weeks in advance.

My film friends and I got together to celebrate the release of our latest film. The vibe here added to our already excitement. We could tell the time put into our meals. Will return

Place to go to get ripped off and love every second of it

Best filet mignon hands down

This is a great spot to hang. Awesome scene, good wine. I don’t recommend the food. Not good.

Small restaurant, incredible food, and good customer service. I’ll be back.

Love this low key bistro!

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

Loud that its hard to hear yourself think.So busy that youre on top of yourself and the table next to you.They take reservations but theres not a guarantee of being seated on time.The entrees and drinks are about what you expect for a $$$ restaurant and taste wise in manhattanA culturally historical hip place with a young crowd but it feels very overrated and just ok compared to all the other options in the east village / LES for the price and hassleI found it incredibly wild how packed it is that they have tables on the street next to the bus station paying the same pricesTry it if youre curious.

We love it here. Its good for Friday or Sunday supper or a special occasion. Always delish.

Filet mignon was truly amazing, an ode to good meat. Which makes the pointless and cardboardy chicken even less understandable. Expensive, but if you choose wisely, youre in for a treat.

Really bad customer service, made us wait for a table for 45 minutes when we had a reservation already. Rude servers, very dismissive. Overall a very unpleasant experience.

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.

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

Cozy atmosphere, fantastic food, and delicious drinks.

Cool spot with great steak frites + poivre sauce.

Sooo good! Great atmosphere, server beautiful and always asked if you need anything, theyre really wanna you feel at home and food... oh Jesus I felt in Paris

Contrary to some previous negative reviews, I have always felt Lucien to be the best of the French restaurants in NYC, In the tradition of le cote basque, Caravelle, and Lutece.I’ve always considered it to be my home away from home.Their escargot is exceptional as are their selection of wonderful French wines.The ambience is also exceptional and inviting.I recommend the restaurant for anyone wanting to have a business meeting. I miss Lucien and miss the restaurant but I will be back!-Gerard Malanga.

So far the best French restaurant I tested in the city (I’m French ;))!The food was delicious, and the waitress was so helpful and knowledgeable. Thanks to her we made the right choice for wine. It’s a bit pricy but is really worth it considering the amount of food we got.Thanks guys!

I was so excited to enjoy a cassoulet, I was told that, of course, since Lucien passed away, quality was not the same. But it is just the worst restaurant I experienced in NYC so far. 40 minutes to be seated with a reservation, half the entrees menu were strikethrough (of course, included the Cassoulet). 3 back and forth to have a wine because the menu was not updated, either the wine was not anymore available, or they brought a 5 year younger wine for the same price! Food was acceptable, but not worth the price at all… Entrees came before the appetizer we had to cancel.!!! Cherry on the cake when we discovered we were charged $4 for a white, dry, disgusting bread… Lucien should roll over in his grave! To avoid if you want to have a sense of French food and welcome…

Great everything.. go for the experience, in a rush ( NOT for you on a Friday or Saturday) only the people who want to hang out will enjoy on busiest days.. crowded frequently.. customer fir 15+ years and everything is wonderful here

I love coming to Lucien with friends! Great spot for good food, drinks, and people watching.

Was delicious but underwhelming… bad service

Superb food! Very tender and tasty. The escargot, fillet mignon, the rabbit and bass are all fantastic here. Make sure to try all those.

This is a quaint little French restaurant on the border of the Lower East Side and Chinatown. The food here was incredible and so was the waitstaff! Attentive and Johnny On the Spot!

I ordered take away and unfortunately there was hair in my salad. Also, they evidently add the bread directly in their soup rather than serving it separately so if you’re a fan of dipping bread into your French onion soup (as I am) then this isn’t the best choice…

Lucien or his son Zack are always in the place and stop at every table to chat, that school feel. The food is superb, try the rabbit in a mustard sauce and dont forget to get a bowl of the pepper sauce to dip your bread in, its like crack and youll be stuffed before your dinner comes !!!!!!!!!!

Awful service. Waited 30 min after reservation. Hostess awful

DONT BOTHER worst service ever, staff doesnt care and management is non-existent. We were seated an hour after our reservation after checking with the hostess several times and telling her we were celebrating a birthday. Once seated, 40 minutes later still didnt have our food. The hostess Amelia spent more time talking to her friends than working leaving her assistant Judy to try to help customers. Their idea of an apology was a free glass of inexpensive champagne. Left without eating we were very disappointed with how we were treated.

Tight squeeze and very loud...food was good but overshadowed by uncomfortable seating and servers constantly bumping my chair or table

Food was wonderful. Had reservation with 2 friends, had escargot, steak tartar, oysters, and duck liver pate. Cool, hip, bustling ambiance and fun to people watch. Close, tight tables, but it’s all a part of it. Love!

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 couldnt use the bathroom. What type of costumer service is this?

Can’t say enough wonderful things about Lucien...we had the escargot, short ribs and the quail and it was French food at it’s best. A very relaxed atmosphere, warm host and servers....I will be back!

The food was good but not the best. The service wasn’t great either. Very loud. We would not come back.

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

This was an amazing experience all around. We were lucky to walk in and get seater. Server gave amazing recommendations. The mussels were the best I’ve ever eaten! The broth they were cooked in is drinkable! We asked for bread to dip in the broth!

Service is great. Food, disappointed. Luciene was one of our favorites, but sadly the food (steak and lamb) is not what it use to be.

Super small space and no supervision of terrible staff. Skip this one.

Food was so good. Would thr*w it up and eat it again. The brown waitress — with curly hair was an incredible server 🔥 i love that french bread. Amazing atmosphere. Will definitely come again!

Always perfectly prepared dishes full of flavor, you can bet Ill be back.

Delicious lunch!

Good french bistro in New York. Steak was not really cooked rare as expected but very tender. Nice atmosphere

The best French restaurant in NYC hands down!

Love this place a little gem on first and first....you do have to wait but it is worth waiting for.feeling like steak its the place to go.It is tiny so but much room its cosy.

Ive heard so many good things about this establishment and was looking forward to a great meal. It was mediocre, and the portion to value was way overpriced. The Escargot and Onion soup were the good.Just to be clear, I know its my responsibility to check my bill; however, a Lucien staff member swiped my credit card at the table and added a 28% tip without consulting me. I normally give +20% on average when I dine, and it is not the extra 8%; its the nerve and audacity to just add a tip in the first place. There is nowhere on their website that states they automatically add a tip.Though very NY, with its energy. Its more of a scene than quality and value. I dont recommend this establishment.

Really beautiful atmosphereFood was overpriced and nothing special

I’m here for one hour waiting to be seat for my reservation and they have really bad actitud and very desorganice.No one should come is scam.

Awesome French bistro. Tiny hole in the wall. Great food and ambience.. Low key. Love this place

A fantastic little French café! Just happened upon it on a Saturday night while exploring for a place to have dinner with my partner. We didn’t have a reservation so we couldn’t sit inside but the host sat us at a cozy, little table outside under a heat lamp. The wine selection is excellent and the prices are reasonable. I had the duck for dinner and it was amazing! Will definitely make a reservation next time as the inside of the restaurant looks quite charming. The staff was lovely as well. Can’t wait to come back!

Such a special spot in NYC! Great drinks and love the mussels + filet mignon dishes

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

Great restaurant and servers

Good food and great service although the venue is a bit crowded.

Drspite a charming ambience, the food is way over-priced and just average.

This place just gets it right every single time. cute french place,great food and wine and the prices are fantastic, lovely decor and amazing crowd and vibe.

Chocolate cake to die for !!!!

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.

Nice evening to dine outside. Food was wonderful. Wait staff very good. Food delivery slow

Pricey but good French bistro. Great for people watching as well.

Loved dishes. Great atmosphere. Just not too organized in seating.

Every dish was perfectly seasoned. Steak frites were absolutely delicious

Great NY Strip

Pretty amazing place... a bit slow but not too much. I would go again for sure 😉

Great food horrible service. Slow took 2 hours to get seated 1 hour to get food. Dont waste your Time

Great FRENCH food and divine service

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

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

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

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

A true gem. Lucien himself almost always there with the warmest of greetings. the entire experience is simply superb.

The food is amazing. Great crowd, from young to old its a great place.

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

This place is cool. I was visiting a friend in the city and he brought me here. Food and service was great, I only had one drink, a Manhattan since I dont really drink anymore but it was good. Bathroom was not bad but like every bathroom it would be better with a bidet. Çmon NYC lets get with the program here.

Wont hold your res, and abysmal behavior by hosts. It’s one thing to wait, but why am I consoling you about effing up?

Food was great, but the service could have been better

Low-key, chill vibes, small space with great service

Great food, be sure to make a reservation... this small restaurant gets very crowded.

The blonde manic pixie dream girl server could’ve been a little friendlier. God people and their complexes

No AC, bad service, overpriced and they charge you a transaction fee if you pay with credit card.

A wonderful cafe with fantastic food. The prices are high but pretty worth it for what you get. Keep in mind, tartare is $32 but to get a steak that’s actually cooked it costs $20 more. Overall, wonderful atmosphere and kind staff. Will be back.

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

Didnt like the duck, a bit pricey

Food, cocktails, service, atmosphere: 5 stars. Its about $100 per person, but an excellent experience. Great blend of Paris and New York. I agree with the positive reviews here.However the bill comes and theyve tacked on a 3.5% transaction fee . . . and then they suggest you leave a tip on that plus a tip on the taxes plus the normal tip on the bill. They thrust a machine in your hand that says 20% tip but is actually 26%.Its obviously not the ten or fifteen bucks these tactics adds up to. Its the fact that no one likes a surprise item added to their bill, and no one likes the feeling that theyre getting tricked somehow.If the restaurant is being buried by credit card fees (as if this is suddenly a new cost of doing business?) then increase your menu prices by 3.5% and offer a discount to people who pay with cash. Why you want your customers to leave feeling nickel and dimed is a weird business decision IMO.

Its like a big party. You have to be into the vibe. All great. Oh, they have a terrific wine selection

The bartender helped me fix a bet i made 20 dollars

The first time I went here and got the steak, it was absolutely delicious, but that was over a year ago and when I went there recently, the same steak was too dry and didn’t have the right flavor. Over priced for what it is and hard to get a seat just because of the overhype.