Hello dear
Welcome To Barney Greengrass
Barney Greengrass, a cherished deli located on Amsterdam Avenue in New York, has delighted patrons for over a century. Known as "The Sturgeon King," this iconic establishment specializes in smoked fish platters and hearty deli sandwiches, inviting guests to experience a taste of tradition. Their extensive menu features homemade soups and iconic bagels, all served in a cozy atmosphere. Notably, Barney Greengrass is a welcoming spot for families, offering vegan options and catering services. Customers rave about the irresistible latkes and generous portions, making it a must-visit for breakfast, brunch, or lunch. It’s where culinary nostalgia meets exceptional service.
Today's Suggestions
Explore the featured selections!
Sturgeon, Nova Scotia Salmon And Whitefish
Nova Scotia Salmon And Sable
Extra Large Whitefish Portion
Nova Scotia Salmon And Whitefish Salad
About
Barney Greengrass
Introducing Barney Greengrass: Nestled in the heart of New York City's Upper West Side, Barney Greengrass stands as a testament to deli excellence and culinary heritage. With over a century of tradition, this iconic establishment is often referred to as the "Sturgeon King," a name that celebrates its esteemed reputation for high-quality fish and bagels.
Walking into Barney Greengrass, you're immediately enveloped by a cozy atmosphere that seamlessly melds the charm of yesteryears with welcoming modern touches. The delightful casual vibe is underscored by the moderate noise level, making it an ideal setting for family gatherings or brunch with friends.
- Location: 541 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
- Contact: (212) 724-4707
- Facilities: Outdoor Seating, Takeout, Delivery, Catering, Wheelchair Accessible, and more
- Payment Options: Accepts Apple Pay, Android Pay, and Credit Cards
One can't help but be captivated by the menu offerings, which boast not just traditional deli fare but a remarkable selection of sustainable options. Among the standout dishes are the various appetizers, featuring sumptuous kippered salmon, sturgeon, and an unforgettable homemade whitefish salad. Each bite serves as a homage to Old World Jewish delicacies, rich in flavor and history.
The bagels glide in as a highlight, fresh and perfectly chewy; many have praised the variety, which includes everything from plain to cinnamon raisin. And let’s not forget the famed latkes—crispy on the outside and soft within—often exclaimed as a must-try. Customers rave about their generous portions that often invite sharing or even a delicious takeaway bag for later.
But it’s not merely the food that brings patrons through the doors; it’s the nurturing service and community ambiance that keeps them coming back. Attentive servers ensure that you feel right at home while enjoying your meals, which range from breakfast to lunch, with some delightful treats for dessert, including the New York cheesecake that remains a crowd favorite.
Barney Greengrass transcends the ordinary deli experience; it crafts memories through food that echoes the past while catering to the modern diner’s needs. From vegan options to outdoor seating, there’s something for everyone. Whether you're grabbing a quick bite or enjoying a leisurely meal, this cherished deli is a culinary institution that deserves a spot on every food lover's bucket list.
Embrace the traditions and flavors of Barney Greengrass, where every dish tells a story and every visit feels like a celebration.
People talk
Our Guestbook
“ Latkes were awesome! Cash only!!! Super easy to get seated and servers were very attentive ”
“ Great old school deli with traditional food. I enjoyed the bagel sandwich with sturgeon and cream cheese. It is over 100 years old. ”
“ We had brunch with family here. No one can be seated until your whole party has arrived The bagels are delicious. We had plain, everything, whole wheat and cinnamon raisin. The nova platter is great. Cream cheese/ butter plate Coffee is great but you have to ask for refills constantly Glad we tried it. ”
“ Super unique dining experience. I don't typically eat fish in my eggs but I had to go with their salmon and sturgeon special. Absolutely worth it. The portions are very generous and the food is delicious. We also had the latkes which was probably too much food for 2 people so we had some to take home. ”
“ Delicious meal and such a cozy spot. Waiter and owners were super friendly and on top of things. Latkes are to die for, an absolute must-get. My girlfriend and I shared a Nova/Tunafish platter with bagels and really enjoyed it. The tunafish was so/so, a little too cold and not super mayo-ey, probably won't get that again. The nova was thin and bagels delicious. Will be back!! ”
“ I've been really excited to try Barney Greengrass, but every time I walk by, the line is out the door. I decided to just suck it up one time and wait in line. For a party of 2, it actually didn't turn out to be that long of wait - maybe 15-20 minutes on a Sunday. Inside there's actually surprisingly plenty of seating which allows the line to move fairly quickly. - Nova Scotia Salmon Scrambled with Eggs and Onions - I appreciate the big chunks of smoked salmon in here although I thought this dish was a bit dry. It was also interesting that the cream cheese was just a slice on the side sitting on a plate. - House Made Whitefish Salad with Pumpernickel Bagel - I've never had cured whitefish before and I'm still a little bit confused on what it's supposed to taste like. Either way, it was pretty good with the onion, tomatoes, and capers. All the ingredients went very well together. - Matza Ball Soup - The soup here was delicious although the only real ingredients are matzo ball and noodles. I'm not sure if this is traditional, but it would've been nice to have some chicken chunks, celery, and/or carrots in there. The broth was very rich with chicken flavor which I loved. Overall, not a bad breakfast spot and not a bad wait. I will say when they give you the check, I feel like they kind of charge you whatever they want. The menu said that the House Made Whitefish Salad was $17 but on the check it said it was $21. ”
“ Barney Greengrass has been on my list of places to go for awhile. I don't live close so it's been difficult to make it out that way for brunch and I've heard that the wait for a table can be long. I'm staying in the Upper West temporarily and happened to walk by around 1pm. There were a few tables open so we popped in and were seated right away. For an old school establishment, inside the restaurant was surprisingly cool even though it was hot out and tables/seating is pretty close together. Be prepared to get cozy with your fellow diners. The seats were super comfortable to make up for it and I was still able to relax. Service was quick, helpful and our coffee cups were always full! The server asked if we were starting with the latkes and based on everyone around us, it seemed like a must. They were piping hot and delicious. They were super flavorful and have to admit I didnt even realize there were onions inside for quite some time. Based on reviews, I went for the sturgeon and nova salmon egg sandwich and my husband did the same but just scrambled and with onions. Both were delicious and the fish was high quality. We pretty much got the same dish served slightly different but I don't care for onions so we weren't able to share anyways. I would probably opt for scramble and lox bagel next time if I were to share for more variety. The prices for the mains were 20+ but that's expected for New York and the quality of fish. The portions were also large in my opinion (see image of table full of food!). Cash only! ”
“ I went into this restaurant because a friend recommended it for the best smoked salmon. This place is pretty spacious, it has indoor and outdoor seatings. We went 10 minutes before closing time and they let us dine in (which I thought it was very considerate, otherwise I would have got to go). To me, the menu was overwhelming so I ordered what the people next to us + server recommended. They offer SO many items on the menu, so I wished I had studied the menu prior to visiting. We had pastrami salmon + eggs with onions, and Nova Scotia + eggs with onions, which comes with 1 bagel per dish + plain cream cheese. We ordered garlic & everything bagels + scallion cream cheese instead. The bagel is not made in store, but the garlic bagel and scallion cream cheese were FABULOUS. Also, the freshly squeezed orange juice is a MUST item if you like juice (not super sweet and just perfect). Assorted pickles were a great experience, I don't even like pickles usually but those were yummy. The server #12 (AKA Sean) let us try sturgeon (because they are know for that), and I think it's the best sturgeon I've had in life (10/10). Sean was great and we appreciated the service we received. It is a bit of a distance if you don't live in upper west, but it's definitely work making a trip for. ”
“ Had a nice breakfast here. if you're in the area it's a New York institution that's been around since 1908 and yes, there was a real Barney Greengrass and they don't call him or his sons, "The Sturgeon King" for nothing. The best sturgeon, sable and lox around. Absolutely exceptional. An Upper West side staple, it's right on 86th and Amsterdam. Lines form everyday to get in. Here's a hint...go on Saturday morning before 10 and you'll get a table. Yes Saturday, trust me The food here is a special treat. The staff is efficient and really knowledgeable. Some restaurants it seems like the staff has never eaten there. Our server Sean or Table #12 as he referred to himself, was helpful and knowledgeable. Don't forget... Cash only... bring plenty. It's pricey but worth every penny. ”
