Translation from English

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

The Townhouse- Murray Hill

I have eaten here and have just two observations 1) VERY friendly and accommodating staff--my friend visiting from Oregon came by in the morning after checking out of his hotel and they let him leave his bags here until he went out and came back to meet me there in the afternoon--not too many places would do that! 2) a bit on the expensive side but that's Manhattan and Murray Hill for you.

Reviews are good, one sour apple I noticed...another says "Meh"

Townhouse Cafe

3.5 star rating
18 reviews Rating Details
696 2nd Ave
(between 38th St & Queens Midtown Tunl)
New York, NY 10016
Neighborhoods: Midtown East, Murray Hill
(212) 599-6254
Nearest Transit Station:
Grand Central - 42 St. (7, 7X)
Grand Central - 42 St. (4, 5, 6, 6X)
33 St. (4, 6, 6X)
Attire:
Casual
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Price Range:
$$
Good for Groups:
Yes
Good for Kids:
Yes
Delivery:
Yes
Take-out:
Yes
Waiter Service:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
No
Alcohol:
No
Noise Level:
Average
Ambience:
Casual

Review Highlights   What's this?

  • "The pancakes always come big and full of whatever you want in them." In 5 reviews
  • "...weekend breakfast spot because it's reliable, fast, friendly service." In 2 reviews
  • "Home made hollandaise on the eggs benedict." In 7 reviews
Rating Distribution | Trend
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18 reviews in English

  • Review from

    • 97 friends
    • 23 reviews
    Hartsdale, NY
    1/25/2013 1 check-in here
    I would give Townhouse cafe a solid 3.5.
    The staff is very friendly and inviting.
    I live in Tudor City and there are no good diner/brealfast spots close by. Townhouse Cafe is a quick three block walk. It is located on 38th street and 2nd avenue.

    The place is clean and looks like how an old school diner should look.
    The food comes out quick too.
    I had corn beef hash and eggs over easy which was pretty good.  I also ordered two pancakes which were decent but not as goos as ihop or waffle house pancakes.
    For me it is most def a go to breakfast spot. If you are around the area it is worth checking out.
  • Review from

    • 0 friends
    • 314 reviews
    Holliswood, Queens, NY
    9/28/2013
    Stopped in here for dinner the other night as I was working in the area.

    Friendly staff and good service.

    I had the Mediterranean Salad with Chicken Souvlaki and a coffee. A okay.

    My only complaint is that the booths are very tight (there is a bar that extends up diagonally from the base of the wall to hold the table tops up) which made it very uncomfortable for me to sit there. (I'm 6'3").
  • Review from

    New Fairfield, CT
    10/29/2012 2 check-ins here
    Great diner that does everything basic, and as such, does most things right.  They're just good... Not trying to be fancy, it trying to be innovative, just all the basics done well.

    I came here once for lunch and have been back several times for meals at all times of the day.  It's not often I find myself on the east side around 38th street, but if I do go there, and I'm hungry, I'll go here because I know I'm going to get a good diner meal at a good price.

    The staff (and who I assume was the owner) are great.  Very eager and willing to please.  First time I came here I asked how rare the roast beef was, so the owner showed me and I commented it wasn't rare enough... So he brought out the whole roast and cut it down the middle, to get me the rare good stuff.  I don't know many paces with that kind of care or service.

    They pride themselves on the pastrami sandwich, and I'll say that it is very good, but unfortunately for my taste it came open faced.  I usually prefer a cold pastrami, but I ordered wrong that day!  The cole slaw more than made up for my misstep, as did the onion rings.  If you order fries, you get one onion ring on top regardless, but I prefer an entire order!

    Diners have to be good at breakfast, and I've never had a bad one here, wether you want sweet or savory you'll be happy. The pancakes always come big and full of whatever you want in them.  The bacon crisp or soft, cooked to order.  Home made hollandaise on the eggs benedict.  Really, you can't go wrong.

    To sum it up, this is the epitome of what a small diner should be.  Decent sized menu, very well priced, with a friendly staff and fast service.  It's my go-to diner when I'm in the area, do yourself a favor and try it out.
  • Review from

    • 26 friends
    • 249 reviews
    San Francisco, CA
    11/18/2012 1 check-in here
    I was not a fan of this place.

    Reasons for their star deductions:

    1. I was handed a fork that was not even washed.  There was some sort of saucey still crusted on it from whoever used it last.  Unappetizing.
    2. Brunch specials not worth it.  Basically for another 3 dollars on top of the regular prices a la carte, you get a few pieces of cantaloupe, honey dew and like three grapes (and coffee or tea.  But not good quality coffee or tea).
    3. Eggs on top of the eggs benedict weren't runny.  Boo.  And the eggs were tiny.  Potatoes on the side were unflavorful as well.
    4. The waitress freaked out when we wanted to split the bill, even though we had written out clearly how much was to be charged to each credit card.  She told me that I had to get up and go to the cash register to swipe each one separately, which I was totally fine with--I just wish she had asked me to do so more politely.

    With all the good brunch places in the city, I would not return here.
  • Review from

    • 5 friends
    • 26 reviews
    Miami Beach, FL
    3/23/2012
    Meh is right.

    I really wanted to like Townhouse - its a block away from my apt!! But alas, 'twas not to be.

    Plus: the cheese sticks!!!!! Sooooo good. Omellettes are HUGE. Service good. They serve mimosas.

    Cons: French toast and omelette tasted like bacon (I'm vegetarian). Coffee not so great.  In general food was very meh (aside from the cheese stocks). Hubby also feels it's overpriced for what it is.

    I hear the Greek dishes are good but have not tried them.

    Probably won't be going back.
  • Review from

    • 0 friends
    • 3 reviews
    Alamo, CA
    9/29/2012
    Good basic breakfast for a reasonable price, good service, no real complaints.

    We had omelettes, pancakes, and 2 eggs over easy.  Yes, they were basic and a reasonable price, and we had no complaints!
  • Review from

    New York, NY
    10/2/2011
    Typical diner.  Small location.  But it's family owned and operated so everyone knows your name *Cheers theme starts playing*

    I like to come here when I can't think of what else to eat (yes, I run out of food options in the city).  Plus they know me here so I barely have to order most of the times that I stop by.
  • Review from

    • 20 friends
    • 43 reviews
    Manhattan, NY
    6/19/2011 First to Review
    Townhouse Cafe has diner charm.  I have never been disappointed by the food or coffee, and this is my go-to weekend breakfast spot because it's reliable, fast, friendly service.

    What I also like is the diner-sized portions at diner sized prices.  Silverdollar pancakes come in a heaping pile, and the waffles with ice cream use real ice cream that is fresh and delicious.  I also like any of the Greek specials.

    Townhouse Cafe isn't going to win any food awards, but it's not trying to.  A neighborhood staple, the only improvement would be 24 hour service.
  • Review from

    • 11 friends
    • 203 reviews
    Scarsdale, NY
    11/7/2012 20 check-ins here
    Solid, average, no surprises Greek diner.  Decor is typical and worn.  Food is OK.  My waitress was pleasant and friendly.  What you see is what you get.
  • Review from

    • 0 friends
    • 8 reviews
    Manhattan, NY
    1/15/2013
    I'm a regular at the Townhouse, and I can't say enough good things about the place, people, and food.  They treat me like family, and even on my worst days, walking into the Townhouse always makes me happy.

    This part of Murray Hill is seriously lacking in good, cheap places to eat, and this makes the Townhouse stand out even more.  Great for dining in or ordering out.

    Best coffee in the neighborhood.  Generous portions.  Friendly service.  What more could you want?
  • Review from

    • 3 friends
    • 100 reviews
    Maricopa, AZ
    11/29/2012 2 photos
    While visiting our Son and Daughter who both live within Mid-Town, we decided to have breakfast here. On November 26, 2012, my Wife and I arrived here for a late morning breakfast. The owner or manager was holding the door open and several groups of two entered. He yelled in, " see what happens when I hold the door open!"

    We were seated right away and given menus. My wife had over easy fried eggs with bacon while I ordered a Swiss cheese/bacon omelette. Both  items arrived faster then I thought. Everything was served hot including the buttered toast. The total cost was $21.35 + tip which was reasonable for the quality of what we ordered. We shall return upon our next visit.
    • Interior view
    • Interior view of booth
  • Review from

    Manhattan, NY
    5/21/2012
    The food is typical diner food, not going to be winning any awards but very good for what it is and consistent. I only come here for breakfast, which admittedly is hard to screw up. The reason I bumped them up to four stars is for the friendliness of the wait staff. It's a small place and family run so feels very cozy and homey in the big city.
  • Review from

    • 5 friends
    • 405 reviews
    Queens, NY
    3/14/2013
    solid breakfast and lunch items. my usual is two eggs and bacon on a  toasted roll. for lunch I usually get the bacon burger deluxe.

    nice people.

    the prices keep going up though.
  • Review from

    • 14 friends
    • 3 reviews
    Southlake, TX
    9/6/2012 1 check-in here
    Unbelievable service and a real New York diner experience. The owner is such a nice guy. Great food!  Had the pancakes and my wide had the French toast.
  • Review from

    • 0 friends
    • 6 reviews
    Barrington, RI
    7/8/2013
    its OK. not the best food, your typical dirty NY diner
  • Review from

    • 2 friends
    • 171 reviews
    Santa Monica, CA
    1/29/2012
    If you are in this hood, Classic NY Coffee Shop - eggs, bacon and the rest - FAST!
  • Review from

    • 0 friends
    • 5 reviews
    Manhattan, NY
    1/27/2012
    I love this place. It's a small diner that appears to be family-run. All the people that work there are super friendly and recommend the best dishes. The lemon soup was amazing, so was the homemade cheesecake.
  • Review from

    Photo of Qype User (lupton…)
    • 7 friends
    • 5 reviews
    • Qype User lupton…
    London, UK
    7/23/2011
    A good place for breakfast with weekend brunch specials

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