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Rosemary's - Midtown
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Rosemary's - Midtown
8.0
The beloved West Village institution brings its farm-to-table Italian approach to corporate Midtown with housemade pastas and produce from their rooftop garden. The Neapolitan pizzas and La Sagra prix-fixe dinner offer accessible seasonal Italian dining steps from Grand Central.
Must-Try Dishes:
Rigatoni Arrabbiata, Soppressata Pizza with Hot Honey, Pappardelle Verde
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Farm-to-table Italian with rooftop garden ingredients from flagship West Village location
Who should go: Midtown workers seeking quality lunch and after-work drinks
When to visit: Happy hour 4-6pm weekdays or weekend brunch
What to order: Orecchiette with sausage, Rosemary focaccia, Rosemary Spritz cocktail
Insider tip: Try La Sagra three-course dinner for $39 showcasing seasonal specialties
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking available but difficult in Midtown - public transit strongly recommended. Subway: 51st St (6) or Lexington Ave-53rd St (E/M). Paid garages nearby.
Dress code: Casual - smart casual works best. Jeans perfectly fine for lunch or after-work drinks, no need to dress up
Noise level: Lively and energetic - can get loud during peak hours. The airy main dining room amplifies sound. Request the private dining room for quieter conversations
Weekend wait: 20-30 min without reservation - book via OpenTable or Resy recommended
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait typically, walk-ins usually accommodated. Grab-and-go Pantry available for quick bites
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Excellent - multiple vegetable-forward options including roasted cauliflower, eggplant caponata, salads, veggie pizzas, and several pasta dishes
Vegan options: Limited but accommodating - salads can be modified, roasted vegetables available. Call ahead to confirm current options and substitutions
Gluten-free options: Yes - housemade GF pasta cooked separately with clean utensils. Celiac orders are flagged in kitchen. Limited GF desserts (sorbet mainly)
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, with caveats. The sun-filled, airy space and Italian charm create romantic vibes, but it gets noisy during peak dinner hours. Book an early table (5-6pm) or request a quieter corner. The bar works well for casual first dates with great cocktails.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Weekday lunch: usually yes. Dinner and weekend brunch: risky but possible - they'll try to seat walk-ins. Groups of 5+ should definitely book ahead. Bar seating and wine bar tables are easier to snag for walk-ins.
Is it kid-friendly? Family-tolerant with high chairs available. No dedicated kids menu, but pizzas, pastas, and focaccia are crowd-pleasers for children. Private dining room works well for family celebrations. Best for kids 6+ who can handle a bustling atmosphere.
Best For
Better for: Business lunches near Grand Central, the $39 La Sagra prix-fixe dinner (exceptional value), happy hour spritzes (4-6pm daily), and outdoor sidewalk dining. The grab-and-go Pantry is unmatched for Midtown lunch efficiency
Skip if: You need a quiet intimate dinner, want an extensive vegan menu, or are craving the original West Village rooftop-garden magic. Also skip for late-night dining (closes at 10pm)
Rosemary's - Midtown
7.7
The Midtown outpost of Rosemary’s brings the brand’s farmhouse Italian feel, housemade pastas and spritz-heavy bar program to a bright corner of Third Avenue. It’s less formal than the tasting-menu temples nearby but works well for celebratory brunches, office birthdays and relaxed date nights.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ricotta e Tartufo Nero focaccia with whipped ricotta and black truffle, Cacio e Pepe with taleggio cream and Parmigiano, Rigatoni Arrabbiata or seasonal steak tagliata
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 6.3
What makes it special: Airy, modern Italian with strong pastas and a spritz-forward bar in Midtown.
Who should go: Teams, couples and friends wanting casual celebrations.
When to visit: Weekend brunch or early evening aperitivo hour.
What to order: Truffle focaccia, Cacio e Pepe, Rigatoni Arrabbiata.
Insider tip: Look for sidewalk seating in good weather; it softens the Midtown bustle.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited on Third Ave; nearby garages on E 52nd–54th typically run $25–$35 for evening stays.
Dress code: Smart casual; polished jeans are fine, but most diners lean slightly dressy for Midtown.
Noise level: Moderate; upbeat during brunch and after-work hours but still workable for conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–50 minutes without a reservation, especially after 7pm.
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait; tables usually available aside from peak corporate lunch rush (12–1pm).
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong selection — several pastas, salads and vegetable small plates are naturally vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — 2–3 items can be made vegan with minor modifications; confirm with the server.
Gluten-free options: Good options — select pastas can be prepared gluten-free and many mains are naturally GF.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes. The bright, stylish space and approachable Italian comfort food create an easy setting with enough energy to avoid awkwardness but not so loud that you can’t talk.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often, especially at off-peak times. Walk-ins are feasible for early dinners and weekday lunches; expect a wait during prime brunch windows and after-work hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes for ages 6+; the menu is approachable and the room is spacious, though peak brunch can feel crowded and not ideal for strollers.
Best For
Better for: Casual celebrations, brunch gatherings and approachable Italian dishes without the formality or cost of Midtown’s fine-dining peers.
Skip if: You want a quiet, white-tablecloth experience, deeply regional Italian cooking, or a fully vegan menu.
Rosemary's - Midtown
8.0
Rosemary’s brings its herb-forward Italian formula to 3rd Avenue with a greenhouse-like dining room, house pastas, and pizzas using produce from its rooftop garden program. It’s a flexible spot for office lunches, Aperol-heavy happy hours, and approachable, vegetable-friendly dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cacio e Pepe, House focaccia and burrata, Seasonal rooftop-garden salad
Scores:
Value: 6.4
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 7
What makes it special: Bright, plant-filled Italian with rooftop-driven produce and easy-drinking spritz culture.
Who should go: Office groups, casual dates, veggie-forward Italian fans.
When to visit: Sunny lunches or early evenings for lighter crowds and light.
What to order: Cacio e pepe, seasonal salad, a spritz or carafe of house wine.
Insider tip: Go early for walk-in bar seating; the room fills quickly after office hours.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in Midtown East; expect metered spots to be scarce during office hours. Nearest reliable option is paid garage parking within 1–2 blocks.
Dress code: Smart casual; polished but relaxed. Office attire blends in, and elevated jeans are common.
Noise level: Moderate—lively during peak hours but still manageable for conversation at most tables.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes for walk-ins; reservations strongly recommended.
Weekday lunch: Minimal to no wait before 12:15pm; moderate wait after the office rush begins.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong options—salads, pastas, and vegetable-forward plates make it easy to dine fully vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited—typically 1–2 salads or vegetable dishes can be made vegan with modifications; pastas skew dairy-heavy.
Gluten-free options: Several adaptable dishes; gluten-free pasta is offered but pizza is not reliably available GF.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes. The bright, greenhouse-like room feels inviting without being too formal, and the menu is approachable for most palates. It’s lively but still conversational.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often, yes—especially at lunch or early evening. The bar area is the best bet for walk-ins, but peak after-work hours fill up quickly.
Is it kid-friendly? Moderately. Staff are accommodating and the menu is flexible, but the space is more geared toward adults and office groups. Best for kids 8+ who are comfortable in busy dining rooms.
Best For
Better for: Vegetable-forward Italian dishes, spritz-forward happy hours, and a bright dining room well-suited to casual gatherings.
Skip if: You want deeply traditional, region-specific Italian cooking or a quiet, intimate environment.
Rosemary's - Midtown
8.1
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Girls Night Out Approved
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Trendy Table Hotspots
Rosemary’s Midtown brings the West Village Italian favorite to a bright, plant-filled Midtown East corner with a big sidewalk patio. Seasonal pastas, salads, and spritzes make it ideal for relaxed client lunches that still feel polished but not formal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Rigatoni, Chopped Salad Siciliana, Margherita Pizza
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 6.5
What makes it special: Casual-leaning Italian with a big patio and a recognizable NYC brand.
Who should go: Teams or clients preferring lighter, vegetable-forward Italian
When to visit: Sunny weekday lunch to leverage the sidewalk seating
What to order: Chopped Salad Siciliana, rigatoni, Margherita pizza
Insider tip: Book patio or window tables for quieter conversation and light.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in Midtown East; rely on nearby garages on 3rd Ave and 55th–56th St (typically $25–$35 for 1–2 hours). No valet.
Dress code: Smart casual. Polished jeans, button-downs, dresses, and office-friendly attire all fit the crowd.
Noise level: Moderate. Indoor tables can get lively during peak lunch, but patio and window seating support clear conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–50 minutes without a reservation, especially for the patio.
Weekday lunch: Generally minimal wait with a reservation; walk-ins may face 10–15 minutes during peak business-lunch rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong selection—salads, Margherita pizza, vegetable-forward pastas, and starters make it easy to build a full meal.
Vegan options: Limited—salads can be modified, and a few vegetable sides work, but pastas and pizzas require substitutions.
Gluten-free options: Gluten-free pasta available; several salads and mains are naturally GF. No fully separate prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for a casual, upbeat first date. The plant-filled room and spritz-heavy menu feel inviting without being too formal. Not ideal if you want an intimate or quiet atmosphere.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, especially outside of primetime. Arrive early for patio seating; indoor walk-ins at lunch typically see short waits.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat. The space is comfortable for families with older kids (8+) during off-peak hours, but it's designed more for adults, business diners, and groups. No kids’ menu.
Best For
Better for: Lighter Italian, polished-but-relaxed business lunches, and pleasant outdoor seating compared to more formal Midtown Italian spots.
Skip if: You want white-tablecloth formality, deeply traditional Italian cooking, or a quiet, low-traffic dining room.