The Modern is a NYC staple restaurant – like most of Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality establishments – inside the infamous MOMA museum. Since its opening in 2006, it never lost its renown, even after founding Chef Gabriel Kreuther left in 2013 to start its own eponymous restaurant. Kreuther’s ex sous chef Abram Bissel took over and lived up to the restaurant’s 3-star review from the New York Times, James Beard awards and so on… To top it off Chef Bissell impressively bumped up The Modern Michelin 2016 rating to not one, but two stars!

The Modern Dining Room

The Modern Dining Room


The Modern is actually two restaurants in one: The Bar Room and The Dining Room. The latter is more formal but both are sophisticated and offer fine dining. The decor is clean, modern and elegant, but the best part of it is the view the museum’s sculpture garden. Ambiance is relatively quiet and a bit stuffy but tolerably so IMHO. Most guests will be wearing formal attire though.

Cauliflower cooked in crab butter -Almond, Lemon and Tarragon

Cauliflower cooked in crab butter -Almond, Lemon and Tarragon

The food is simply exquisite. The menu changes seasonally with a cuisine that could be defined as New American with a clear French influence, with refined plating and taste. And of course the service is top notch without being annoyingly pretentious.

Go for weekday lunch for the affordable prix-fixe menus and ask for a seat by the window!

Lobster marinated with Truffles - radishes and herbs

Lobster marinated with Truffles – radishes and herbs

Branzino steamed in spinach - matsutake mushrooms

Branzino steamed in spinach – matsutake mushrooms

Salmon & Sorrel - Creamy Potatoes and Lettuce

Salmon & Sorrel – Creamy Potatoes and Lettuce

The Modern Chicken stuffed with Pistachios Acorn squash and Chanterelles

Chicken stuffed with Pistachios – Acorn squash and Chanterelles

Expect complementary amuse-bouches and mignardises that are just as impressive as the main dishes! And mind blowing desserts…

Gianduja Crémeux - wafer streusel and Nutella ice cream

Gianduja Crémeux – wafer streusel and Nutella ice cream

A bite of Gianduja Crémeux - wafer streusel and Nutella ice cream

A bite of Gianduja Crémeux – wafer streusel and Nutella ice cream

Great extensive wine lists – I would stick to their fine French wine selections if you can afford it.

The Modern is the perfect place for corporate meals, family in town or a special occasion (for smooching guests they allow couples to sit at the same side of the the table FYI <3) And the best part is that it’s not that hard to get a table!

Note that the Dining Room is closed on Sundays but the Bar Room is open daily.

For more Danny Meyer’s establishments, check out Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern, Blue Smoke, Maialino, Marta, Untitled and more!