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Anassa Taverna
Master Critic Review
Anassa Taverna
8.3
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Girls Night Out Approved
Business Lunch Power Players
Trendy Table Hotspots
Across from Bloomingdale’s, Anassa Taverna is a bi-level Greek taverna built for groups, with a marble bar, high ceilings, and a menu that leans into fried zucchini chips, fresh calamari, and charcoal-grilled lavraki. Its heavy review volume and consistent ratings point to reliable food and a flexible room that works for everything from shopping breaks to social dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Anassa Chips (paper-thin fried zucchini and eggplant), Fresh Calamari (pan-fried or grilled), Lavraki (grilled Mediterranean branzino with lemon and capers)
Scores:
Value: 6.9
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Lively, two-story taverna with crowd-pleasing mezze and fresh fish flown in daily.
Who should go: Groups wanting upbeat Greek near Bloomingdale’s.
When to visit: Evenings for buzz; weekend afternoons for relaxed pacing.
What to order: Anassa Chips, fresh calamari, grilled lavraki.
Insider tip: Order several mezze for the table, then share a whole fish entrée.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in Midtown East; meter spots turn over slowly. Several nearby garages on 60th–63rd St typically run $25–$35 for evening parking.
Dress code: Smart casual. Jeans are fine, but most guests lean polished—blouses, button-downs, or elevated casual wear fit the room.
Noise level: Moderate-to-lively. Conversation is doable at smaller tables, but peak dinner hours bring notable buzz.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, especially for groups.
Weekday lunch: Usually seated immediately; brief waits during business-lunch rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good selection—mezze, salads, and several mains can be made vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited—primarily salads, vegetable mezze, and simple grilled vegetables.
Gluten-free options: Many dishes are naturally gluten-free (grilled fish, spreads, salads); staff is accustomed to GF requests but no dedicated prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you’re aiming for upbeat energy rather than intimacy. The room is stylish, the mezze are shareable, and service is polished, but the volume level is higher than a classic date spot.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes for lunch or early evenings. For prime-time dinners and groups, walk-ins face longer waits—calling ahead or booking is strongly recommended.
Is it kid-friendly? Suitable for older kids (8+) who can handle a lively room. High chairs are limited, and the menu skews more adult, but staff is accommodating.
Best For
Better for: Large-group Greek dining with consistent execution, reliable seafood, and a spacious bi-level layout that absorbs crowds better than smaller tavernas.
Skip if: You want a quiet, romantic dinner, or you prefer hyper-traditional, rustic Greek over a polished, crowd-friendly Midtown format.