0 Followers
Calle Dao
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Calle Dao
8.2
Calle Dao Bryant Park is a Cuban–Chinese fusion restaurant paying homage to Havana’s historic Chinatown with dishes that mix wok cooking, soy, and tropical flavors. Diners pair mojitos and rum cocktails with plates like Cuban fried rice and noodle dishes in a packed, vintage-leaning Midtown room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cuban fried rice, Mushroom noodles, Lobster noodles
Scores:
Value: 6.2
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: A Cuban–Chinese concept near Bryant Park blending Havana flavors with Chinatown-style stir-fries and rice dishes.
Who should go: Groups craving cocktails with playful Chinese-influenced comfort food.
When to visit: Evenings for long happy hour or lively pre-theater dinners.
What to order: Cuban fried rice, mushroom noodles, lobster noodles.
Insider tip: Book ahead for peak evenings and ask for a banquette table to help with noise during larger parties.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is scarce around Bryant Park; rely on nearby paid garages on 40th–42nd Streets. No valet service.
Dress code: Smart casual; jeans are fine but most guests lean polished for Midtown evenings.
Noise level: Loud during peak dinner hours; conversation requires raised voices in larger groups.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, especially during happy hour spillover.
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait; typically seated within 5–10 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Solid selection with vegetable stir-fries, mushroom noodles, and several plant-forward small plates.
Vegan options: Limited—1–2 dishes can be made vegan if requested, but menu leans heavily on sauces containing dairy or egg.
Gluten-free options: Several rice-based dishes and proteins can be prepared gluten-free; alert staff to avoid soy-sauce marinades.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want energy over intimacy—its vintage Havana aesthetic and strong cocktail program make it fun, but the noise level isn’t ideal for quieter conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes for lunch or early evening, but weekend dinners fill fast. Bar seating is a reliable fallback for small groups.
Is it kid-friendly? Acceptable for older kids comfortable in lively dining rooms, but not tailored to young children; no dedicated kids’ menu.
Best For
Better for: Cocktail-driven group dinners, celebratory nights, and those seeking playful Cuban–Chinese fusion unavailable at more traditional Chinese spots nearby.
Skip if: You want quiet dining, strictly traditional Chinese cooking, or extensive vegan/gluten-free accommodations.
Calle Dao
8.4
A lively, polished room where Cuban-Chinese flavors land bold and date-friendly—ideal for splitting plates without sacrificing punch. The move is a curated spread: one noodle/rice anchor, one crispy item, and one cocktail-forward pairing for momentum.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cuban-Chinese Fried Rice, Lobster Noodles, General Tso’s Cauliflower
Scores:
Value: 7.3
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Cuban-Chinese fusion with cocktails built for sharing plates.
Who should go: Date-night pairs who like bold flavors.
When to visit: Early dinner before the post-work rush.
What to order: Fried rice, lobster noodles, General Tso’s cauliflower.
Insider tip: Order a tight 3-plate spread—too many dishes blurs the flavors.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet. Limited metered street parking nearby; garages around Bryant Park are the realistic option after 6pm.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy—nice jeans are fine, but this is a cocktail-forward room where polished outfits fit the vibe.
Noise level: Moderate-lively. Energetic but still workable for conversation, especially earlier in the evening.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, longer during peak 7–8:30pm.
Weekday lunch: Minimal to no wait outside the noon rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple vegetable-driven small plates and noodle/rice options.
Vegan options: Limited but possible with menu guidance; focus on vegetable plates and rice/noodle bases.
Gluten-free options: Some naturally gluten-free dishes available, but cross-contact is possible—flag needs clearly to the server.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes. The lively energy keeps things from feeling stiff, and the shareable format gives you something to interact over without being overly intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible on weekdays or early evenings, but reservations are strongly recommended for weekend dinner to avoid a long wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Not really. The vibe, cocktail focus, and noise level skew adult; better suited for teens than younger kids if necessary.
Best For
Better for: Bold, shareable Cuban-Chinese plates paired with cocktails in a date-night-friendly Midtown setting.
Skip if: You want a quiet, intimate room or traditional Cuban or Chinese cooking without fusion or crowd energy.
Calle Dao
8.4
A loud-flavor, Korean-Cuban lane where wings actually make sense: crisped skin, sticky-sweet heat, and sauces built for cocktail pacing. Best as a bar-first happy hour stop—split wings and one or two small plates, then move on before the room fills.
Must-Try Dishes:
Korean fried wings, Cuban-style roasted pork (pernil) plate, Dumplings with dipping sauces
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Korean-fried wing energy filtered through a Cuban-cocktail room.
Who should go: Cocktail-first wing people
When to visit: Weekdays early happy hour
What to order: Korean wings, one small plate, one agave cocktail
Insider tip: Order wings early—second rounds slow when the room fills.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet. Street parking is very limited around Bryant Park; nearby paid garages are the most reliable option, especially after 5pm.
Dress code: Smart casual. Jeans and sneakers are fine, but the room leans polished—clean, put-together fits feel most at home.
Noise level: Moderate-to-loud. Easy conversation early; gets noticeably louder once happy hour peaks.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation during peak hours
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait outside the noon rush
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several small plates and shareables, though wings are the main draw.
Vegan options: Limited—expect a couple of vegetable-forward dishes rather than a full lineup.
Gluten-free options: Limited—some naturally gluten-free plates, but sauces and fryers are shared, so cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you like energy and bold flavors. It’s better for casual, drink-driven dates than quiet conversation-heavy ones.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes if you arrive early or are flexible with bar seating. Walk-ins get harder once happy hour is in full swing.
Is it kid-friendly? Not especially. The vibe is cocktail-forward and loud; better suited to adults and groups than families with young kids.
Best For
Better for: Crispy, sauce-driven wings paired with cocktails in a high-energy Bryant Park setting—stronger flavor impact than typical Midtown bars.
Skip if: You want a quiet, sit-down wing meal or need extensive dietary accommodations; a more traditional pub or casual wing spot will be easier.