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Tartinery Café - Bar
Master Critic Review
Tartinery Café - Bar
7.7
Tartinery’s Grand Central outpost is a French-accented café-bar on the lower-level concourse, built around tartines, salads, grain bowls, pastries, and espresso drinks. It functions as a quick, slightly more polished option for commuters and travelers who want a sit-down tartine or glass of wine instead of a grab-and-go slice.
Must-Try Dishes:
Avocado Tartine, Smoked Salmon Tartine, Seasonal Grain Bowl
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.3
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 7.7
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 6.9
What makes it special: French-style tartines, bowls, and pastries tucked into Grand Central’s concourse.
Who should go: Commuters needing better-than-fast-food breakfast, lunch, or coffee.
When to visit: Mornings and mid-afternoon to avoid peak commuter crunch.
What to order: Avocado tartine, smoked salmon tartine, seasonal grain bowl.
Insider tip: Skip the takeaway line and sit at the bar for faster service.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated parking; use Grand Central’s paid garages or nearby commercial lots. Street parking is scarce and metered with tight enforcement.
Dress code: Casual and commuter-friendly—athleisure, business casual, and travel wear are all appropriate.
Noise level: Moderate to busy during commuter waves; still manageable for solo dining or quick meetings.
Weekend wait: Generally no wait; the café-bar format sees lighter traffic evenings and weekends.
Weekday lunch: 5–10 minutes during peak commuter lunch; often no wait mid-afternoon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Solid coverage—multiple tartines, salads, and bowls can be ordered vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited—grain bowls and a few salads can be adapted, but tartines rely heavily on dairy.
Gluten-free options: Partial—grain bowls and some salads work; tartines require gluten-free substitution, which is not always available.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only for a casual coffee or quick meet-up. The concourse setting and foot traffic aren’t ideal for a romantic atmosphere.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—this is a counter-service café-bar with first-come seating. The bar area often clears faster than the tables.
Is it kid-friendly? Acceptable for quick stops with older kids; limited space and busy foot traffic make it less comfortable for strollers or long meals.
Best For
Better for: Faster, more polished tartines and bowls than most Grand Central grab-and-go options; ideal for commuters who want a sit-down feel without committing to a full restaurant meal.
Skip if: You want a quiet, lingering meal or substantial French dining—consider nearby full-service brasseries instead.