The Le Bernardin Experience: History and Reputation
Dining at Le Bernardin was easily one of the highlights of my recent trip to New York. After reading countless positive reviews, I was curious to see what many consider the city’s top restaurant — and one of the most expensive dining experiences in the world — was really like.
Le Bernardin by Eric Ripert has long been a cornerstone of fine dining in Manhattan. It’s held three Michelin stars every year since the guide launched in New York back in 2005, and it’s also maintained a rare four-star review from The New York Times since 1986 — a feat in a city where tastes and trends shift constantly. The focus here is classic French seafood, with a strong sense of tradition. This isn’t the place for culinary theatrics or experimental “foam” dishes. Instead, it delivers an experience that feels elegant, assured, and very much part of the old guard of New York fine dining.
Reservations open on the first of each month for the following month, and can be made through Resy or by phone. I managed to secure a table for 5pm on a Saturday night with the help of the concierge team at Aman New York, where we were staying.
The dress code at Le Bernardin is “business casual” but the atmosphere is unmistakably formal, you’ll notice the air of occasion: gentlemen in suits and ties, ladies in elegant dresses, and an overall sense that this is a place for celebrations and memorable nights out. Even if the official dress code reads “business casual,” the reality on the floor often leans a notch higher. You are, after all, dining in one of New York’s most celebrated dining rooms.
Chef’s Tasting Menu
I went with the 8-course Chef’s Tasting Menu at $350, which was both flavourful and very filling. A few dishes stood out more than others, but overall the meal was very solid. To pair with the food, I had a few glasses of Domaine Testut’s 2023 Chablis from Côte de Bréchain.
Seafood takes center stage here, so don’t expect dishes drenched in bold sauces or heavy seasonings. Instead, the focus is on letting the natural freshness of the seafood shine through. For someone like me, whose palate is shaped by Asia’s love for bold, punchy flavors, these dishes struck a satisfying balance and were my favourite:
TUNA
Layers of Thinly Pounded Yellowfin Tuna; Foie Gras, Toasted Baguette, Chives
SALMON-CAVIAR
Slowly Baked Salmon; Royal Osetra Caviar, Horseradish Emulsion
DOVER SOLE
Pan Seared Dover Sole; Romanesco and Cauliflower Florets, Toasted Almonds, Soy-Lime Emulsion
HALIBUT
Steamed Halibut; Baby Vegetables, Jus de Viande
The subtlety in the menu didn’t mean blandness; rather, it allowed the delicate sweetness and oceanic notes of the seafood to come forward.
Coming from Asia, where portion sizes are often on the modest side, I was pleasantly surprised by how generous the servings were. I left the table both satisfied and full.
In short, the experience is less about intensity and more about appreciating the ingredients themselves.
Michelin 3 Star Service
Service was exactly what you’d expect from a restaurant of this calibre: quietly precise, warm without being intrusive, and full of thoughtful touches. At one point, after a visit to the restroom, I returned to find my slightly soiled napkin had been replaced without a word. Tables were subtly cleared of crumbs between courses, dishes were introduced with detail and at a comfortable rhythm, and water glasses were never left empty. Wine was topped up just as the last sip approached — all done seamlessly, without prompting or performance. It was the kind of attentive yet invisible service that defines true fine dining.
Classic French Fine Dining
If you’ve spent any time searching for reviews of Le Bernardin, one question inevitably pops up: is it really worth the price tag? The answer, as with most things in fine dining, depends entirely on what you’re hoping to get out of your meal.
I booked a table at Le Bernardin because I wanted to experience one of New York City’s most acclaimed and time-honoured restaurants. After my visit, here’s my take: if you’re seeking boundary-pushing innovation or a parade of punchy flavours, Le Bernardin might not be what you’re after. But if your idea of a memorable night out is classic French fine dining, executed with precision and featuring some of the best seafood in the city, this iconic institution delivers in spades.
Le Bernardin is about refinement. The service is impeccable, the atmosphere is quietly elegant, and the dishes—while occasionally surprising—are rooted in tradition. For those who want to experience a landmark in New York’s dining scene, and appreciate the art of perfect seafood, Le Bernardin is a worthy splurge for a special occasion.
I’d give the experience an 8.5 out of 10.
Le Bernardin
155 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019, United States
Phone: +1 212-554-1515
Menu: le-bernardin.com
Instagram: @lebernardinny