The Russian Tea Room is one of New York’s most beloved and iconic restaurants and is located next to Carnegie Hall, where I had tickets for a concert. With some free time before the performance, I chose the Tea Room for convenience and because of its reputation as an excellent restaurant with an authentic Russian dining experience. Why go to Russia?

Here is some background information on the restaurant, which makes it all the more intriguing as a place to enjoy a meal!

The Russian Tea Room was founded by members of the Russian Imperial Ballet in 1927. That makes it 95 years old.

It was and continues to be a second home for famous names and the intellectual global elite. It’s considered an exclusive meeting place where actors, writers, politicians, and executives plan their next deals and celebrate their friends’ latest successes at Carnegie Hall.

Let’s take a look.

Entrance to the Russian Tea Room. Photo by Sora Vernikoff

Bar seating at the Russian Tea Room, NYC. Photo credit: Sora Vernikoff

Entering the dining area. Photo credit: Sora Vernikoff

Grand seating at the The Russian Tea Room, NYC. Photo credit: Sora Vernikoff

Booth seating, artwork, and samovars. Photo credit: Sora Vernikoff

Since it’s Restaurant Month in New York, I received the special full dinner menu.

With so many options, I decided to choose one entree and to call it a night.

Selecting a main course was challenging since everything sounded amazing. I perused the Vegetable Wellington (mixed vegetables wrapped in a puff pastry with a tarragon beurre blanc). Boeuf a la Stroganoff (red wine braised beef short ribs with think noodles, tossed in a creamy mushroom and black truffle cream sauce) and Cotelette a la Kyiv (herb butter stuffed breaded chicken breast served with Yukon mashed potatoes and a light mushroom sauce).

Kulebyaka became my choice and is what Russians call Russian Salmon Pie. 

Here’s a description I found online:

• “Kulebyaka – Russian pie. Kulebyaka or Coulibiac, is an authentic Russian hot pie with an oblong shape and several fillings. The word came from and old Russian verb – ‘kulebyachit’, which means to make with hands, to shape, to bend and to knead.”

It was off-the-charts fabulous. Take a look.

Russian Tea Room Lulebyaka Russian Pie. Photo by Sora Vernikoff

It was fresh boneless salmon, divine pastry coupled with a filling consisting of dry white wine, medium grain rice, chopped fresh dill, fresh parsley, breadcrumbs, a finely diced onion, and some lemon juice.

If you’re on 57th Street near Carnegie Hall, don’t hesitate to check out The Russian Tea Room.

Yes, it’s pricey, but worth the experience.

Enjoy!

The Russian Tea Room

150 W 57th St, New York, NY 10019
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Readers may also enjoy our reviews of Elio’s in Yorkville, Pekarna, the Palm Midtown, and the Bryant Park Grill.