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  5. Midtown East
Papillon Bistro and Bar, New York, NY

Papillon Bistro and Bar

4.3
4.3
690 Reviews
$31 to $50
Bistro
Papillon is a stunning classic French Bistro featuring an elegant rustic decor that brings you back through time to a provincial town in France. The exquisite decor is the perfect setting for Papillon's culinary delights. Located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, just steps from Central Park, Museum of Modern Art & the famous 5th Avenue shops, Papillon offers a fun environment where our guests feel like family. Our deceivingly large space offers dining experiences to match your every mood, whether you’re enjoying a craft cocktail on our sidewalk café, mingling with colleagues in one of our private rooms, or delighting in dinner and a show at our Opera Night on Saturdays. Get to know our killer staff, and enjoy a sense of community with a little something for everyone. At Papillon Bistro & Bar, every night is made better with just a touch of sophisticated debauchery!

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 p.m.


Booked 20 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Private dining

Book your next event with us

View details

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Cuisines
    Bistro, French / American
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Mon–Sat 11:30 am–3:00 pm Bar Mon–Sat 11:30 am–2:00 am Dinner Mon–Sat 3:00 pm–10:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (212) 754-9006
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress Code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Rogelio Martinez
  • Catering
    We are available to cater events. Please contact us at carly@cdg.nyc for more information.
  • Private party facilities
    We can accommodate private events for parties of 15 up to 300 guests. Please contact our event coordinator Carly via email at carly@cdg.nyc for more information.
  • Private party contact
    our Private Event Coordinator : (212) 754-9006
  • Neighbourhood
    Midtown East
  • Cross Street
    5th Ave & Madison Ave
  • Parking Details
    Parking garage across the street from Papillon.
  • Public Transit
    E & M Trains at 5th Ave / 53rd Street 6 Train at 51st Street
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 690 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.3
4.3 based on recent ratings
  • 4.1Food
  • 4Service
  • 4Ambience
  • 3.9Value

NoiseModerate

690 Reviews
  1. mezzaluna508

    New York Area

    94 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    94 reviews

    Dined on July 26, 2023

    overall4food3service4ambience4
    We arrived for our 12:30 reservation, we were taken upstairs to a lovely room. I truly felt that we were in France, the decor was very authentic. The service was attentive. We ordered the hummus/guac appetizer, for entrees we both had the chicken pesto sandwich along with a bottle of pinot grigio. We shared as slice of the chocolate mouse cake which was fresh and delicious. The bill including tax and tip $154 for two. A bit pricey for sandwiches - wine was $52. New York is not cheap. It was good, but expensive.

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  2. NMB2020

    New York Area

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on July 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Wonderful for lunch or dinner when visiting MOMA. At the height of lunch, noise level very loud

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  3. GVNYC

    New York Area

    28 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    28 reviews

    Dined on July 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Consistently delicious food. My 2 coworkers and I are obsessed with the chicken pesto sandwich. We get it weekly. It’s just so darn good. Great service as well during lunch. Can get very crowded after work

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  4. EddieS

    New York Area

    68 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    68 reviews

    Dined on June 29, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    as always, the buffalo cauliflower and croque monsieur were both delicious. outside seating was also good.

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  5. FrankM

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Enjoyed my Birthday dinner in a Restaurant that I love.

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  6. OpenTable Diner

    Alabama

    2 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 2, 2023

    overall1food1service2ambience1
    Terrible food. Couldn’t eat it. Will never go back.

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  7. Muldscul

    New York Area

    11 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on May 31, 2023

    overall3food4service5ambience3
    Went out to dinner with a friend - they had been before I hadn't. The Buffalo Cauliflower appetizer was delicious and so was my braised short rib with mashed potatoes. I had the one of the cocktails and it was a little light on the alcohol but over all very good. I was just surprised by the limited options on the menu considering the size of the space - it def lived up to that bistro feeling.

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  8. Zazoe

    London

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 17, 2023

    overall2food3service3ambience1
    Not a place for dinner. Extremely noisy. We didn't enjoy it

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  9. outdoorDateNight

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Lovely to sit outside, food was delicious (I love that the blts are on amazing croissants) service was excellent.

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  10. TiffanyK

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 29, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    I was a fan of le Papillon for years. I was quite disappointed to discover that our Italian friend and his fabulous mini orchestra were no longer there. Saturday night we went to Angeletto's on 2nd Ave. and were quite pleased to find that they were performing there. Papillon is lovely, but good food/service doesn't stand out much from Manhattan's many other restaurants.

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  11. FrederiqueC

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 15, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    Very nice place with good food and good atmosphere

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  12. OpenTable Diner

    New Orleans

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 6, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    LOUD!!!! The music was so loud,we could not hear each other. The glasses were dirty with lipstick marks. Do not recommend.

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  13. OpenTable Diner

    Caribbean

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 16, 2023

    overall3food4service2ambience3
    Service was terrible. Waiter not attentive at all. I had to flag him over for every little thing. Utencils. Napkins water. Food, etc.

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  14. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Good! Np compli

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  15. KaremG

    Washington DC

    5 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on February 1, 2023

    overall3food3service5ambience4
    Menu options limited. Food is average. Great vibe for the bar part though.

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  16. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    17 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on January 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Lovely dining room and excellent service

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  17. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 26, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    Way overpriced

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  18. LarsL

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 26, 2023

    overall2food2service1ambience1
    Mediocre food, inattentive service, but convenient location. Don’t be mislead that this could be a French Bistro - it’s diner food at best. Service is indifferent and rushed but I guess the latter is what is (was) desired in midtown. Find somewhere else better to go.

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  19. LindsayScott23

    Exclusive

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 25, 2023

    overall5food5service1ambience5
    Service was awful. We sat down for 15 minutes and had to track down a waitor to get our drinks. We then ordered and appetizer that came out before our drinks.

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  20. rb1954

    New York Area

    10 reviews

    3.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on January 24, 2023

    overall3food3service1ambience5
    Took forever to get our salads. Not busy, so kitchen wasn’t slammed. Feel like order got lost.

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  21. eclecticguy

    New York Area

    103 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    103 reviews

    Dined on January 17, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience5
    The only healthy choice on the menu is tomatoes and mozzarella. Really? In 2003?

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  22. dave

    New York Area

    23 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on January 17, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience2
    Good service but a limited menu and lackluster food.

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  23. DavidS

    Orlando

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Recommended for good night out eating and drinking

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  24. JH1028

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 5, 2023

    overall2food2service2ambience3
    The food was mostly inedible and overcooked. They didn't have 1/2 of the wine options.

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  25. Danielle

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing! I love this restaurant for lunch or dinner. Atmosphere is so fun and festive and food is spot on!

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  26. NoemiS

    New York Area

    8 reviews

    1.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on January 2, 2023

    overall1food3service1ambience3
    Food was ok, the Christmas decor was nice but the service was terrible. We had to wait a long time before our server acknowledged us and took our order and a very very long time to even be able to get our check. For these prices, I could have gotten a better meal somewhere else with better service

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  27. SARAH

    New York Area

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 2, 2023

    overall2food3service1ambience2
    Came here for lunch during our trip to new york, this was the worst restaurant we visited. Food was terrible and way over prices, my partner ordered a chicken caeser salad, his plate came with no chicken on, just lettuce leaves and 1 crouton with no dressing. The chef should have been ashamed to serve this. The workers werent friendly at all, was sat under the air con at the window and we had to ask 4 times for it to be turned off as we were all cold and had to sit with coats on. Dont fall for the well decorated restaurant, the food ans service is not worth it.

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  28. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on January 2, 2023

    overall5food5service3ambience5
    Perfect holiday themed environment. Burgers were delicious! Servers kept forgetting to check on us, had to keep waving our arms to get attention

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  29. JennyG

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on January 2, 2023

    overall3food1service2ambience5
    Nice ambience, very festive (went during the Xmas holidays) The food was very mediocre, not many options. I think everyone goes for the photos and the Christmas decor.

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  30. janetf

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on January 2, 2023

    overall5food4service4ambience5
    Beautifully decorated ! Kale salad very good Sandwich ok Waitress really never came to check on us . Offer water 20% tip included already in bill

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  31. Mark

    New York Area

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    Staff is ridiculous, the menu was changed last minute and did not have a single vegetarian dish on the entree and to add to it all they changed the pricing from a minimum spend of 80 to 120 even though we had it reserved at the 80$ price point on OpenTable days in advance. Staff was rude and couldn't be bothered. I would defn not recommend this place to anyone.

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  32. IdeliaP

    New York Area

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall3food5service4ambience4
    New Years Eve. Was supposed to be 80 per person but was 120 per person with mandatory gratuity.

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  33. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall5food3service3ambience5
    Año Nuevoleonenses

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  34. RoxanaF

    Yucatán

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 31, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    La decoración navideña es de lo mejor, definitivamente si te llega el espíritu navideño. La carta pequeña en cuanto opciones, la hamburguesa es lo mejor!!!

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  35. OpenTable Diner

    Orlando

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 31, 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience5
    If this didn’t have the decorations going for it, it would be way below average. Menu on the night wasn’t what was showing online.

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  36. DesireeP

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 30, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    Terrible , if you are a person of color don’t expect the best service.. I never made reviews like this but we waited over an hour in a half for our food when a couple next to us came and got their food sooner ! Right when we complained even the people behind us got their food before us.. the manger was a rude and was in disbelief that his server were picking and choosing who give faster/ better service too. He proceeded to say you denied the food , which is not correct he gave us the food after we complained. Keep in the mind the place was not booked there were multiple open tables. We were not dressed bad or anything very formal. I’ve never experienced racism from a restaurant but I definitely do not recommend this restaurant. The manger should of been more considerate and not let us pay for the drinks and he took forever to come to us instead ignored us and went to others but once manger came and tried to put the blame on us , we were tired of it and just wanted to leave. Once my fiancé said he was willing to pay for the drinks , that he just wanted the check because we had other plans and we were late , the manger was super quick with the check. Seems to me he didn’t want to loose more money because once again that restaurant was not booked or busy ! There was even a older couple who got their and got up and left after 20 mins because they took forever to bring them water! The Manager ( a man on gray suit with facial hair) and the server need more training. I understand it’s the holidays but they should have never sat us if they were supposedly busy which they weren’t since the lady server got their food out super quick .. since they were people of color. Very disrespectful service!!! Worst part about it .. it was my birthday dinner …

    2 people found this helpful

  37. DeeDeeNY

    New York Area

    11 reviews

    4.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on December 30, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    We had reservations for December 30 at 4:30 pm. The restaurant was beautifully decorated for the holiday. The place was not at full, we were seated immediately. The staff was friendly and attentive. The price was reasonable for NYC.

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  38. Melissa

    Nashville

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 30, 2022

    overall4food5service1ambience5
    Food was great, service not so much. We waited almost 45 minutes for our bill after our plates were cleared.

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  39. KathyW

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 30, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We enjoyed our lunch. The food was really good. The Christmas decorations were amazing. The service was good too. It was a great way to enjoy the cut holiday.

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  40. Jkwusc

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 30, 2022

    overall2food2service1ambience4
    The Christmas decor is wonderful but the overall experience isn’t great. The service is always so bad and the food is not worth it. The restaurant is always SO loud too.

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitising

    • Surfaces sanitised between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitised menu provided
    • Sealed or wrapped utensils used
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitiser or wipes provided for customers
  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables
  • Protective equipment

    • Waitstaff wear masks
    • Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
    • Diner temperature check required
    • Staff temperature check required
    • Contact tracing information collected

FAQs

Papillon Bistro and Bar offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (212) 754-9006.

Papillon Bistro and Bar is rated 4.3 stars by 690 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 p.m.


Booked 20 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Papillon Bistro and Bar

22 East 54 St., New York, NY 10022

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    5th Ave & Madison Ave
  • Neighbourhood
    Midtown East
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Mon–Sat 11:30 am–3:00 pm Bar Mon–Sat 11:30 am–2:00 am Dinner Mon–Sat 3:00 pm–10:30 pm
  • Cuisines
    Bistro, French / American
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress Code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking Details
    Parking garage across the street from Papillon.
  • Public Transit
    E & M Trains at 5th Ave / 53rd Street 6 Train at 51st Street
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Rogelio Martinez
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (212) 754-9006
  • Catering
    We are available to cater events. Please contact us at carly@cdg.nyc for more information.
  • Private party facilities
    We can accommodate private events for parties of 15 up to 300 guests. Please contact our event coordinator Carly via email at carly@cdg.nyc for more information.
  • Private party contact
    our Private Event Coordinator : (212) 754-9006
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
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