Serendipity 3

Once you start feasting on the frozen hot chocolate you forget how long you waited on line. My daughter and I go annually for a special treat.

Pros: frozen hot chocolate

Cons: long wait

Posted 10/11/09

The ambiance goes great with the desert

Posted 10/06/09

Used to live down the block from here; due to the perpetual out-the-door wait, I would pop by an hour before, go eat elsewhere, and then head back for the reason to go--the dessert. The frozen hot chocolate is a much-imitated but unequaled classic. Not the cleanest joint, but chock full of retro, cute ambiance. Skip dinner and eat up dessert. Want to try the Vegas one next time I'm there.

Pros: Delicious desserts

Cons: Always a wait, lackluster entrees.

Posted 10/01/09

Serendipity 3 is My Favorite!

Put your name in before you go shopping because the wait is likely to be a few hours-- completely worth waiting for!!! The food is nothing special but the fozen hot choclate and the forbidden broadway sundae are to die for!

Be sure that you are really hungry before ordering your sundae- or consider sharing

Pros: hot fudge!

Cons: long wait

Posted 09/29/09

My husband and I had reservations (which I'd called in the prior week to us flying to NYC) for our 10-year wedding anniversary dinner at 8:30pm last Saturday night at Serendipitiy. When we walked to the front desk to check in they could not find our name on their list. Then the manager spoke to us and did not believe that I had called and made a reservation over the phone. He said that I couldn't have done so when I said I did because they'd been booked up for this night before I even called them. Basically he accused me of lying to get into the restaurant. My husband was so mad and I was so disappointed that we were being treated this way. We walked away and luckily found a wonderful restaurant that could seat us right away just a few blocks away. I will never even try to dine at Serendipitiy with the way we were treated. Apparently, with the line of people waiting they feel that individual customers do not matter. I'd rather spend my money elsewhere.

Pros: Good reputation

Cons: Not trust in potential customer

Posted 09/07/09

a little overrated, the food's not going to win any (legit) 4**** awards any time soon, but the desserts are amazing and the atmosphere makes it worth visiting.

Posted 08/23/09

The food was dry and tasteless. We ordered the mixed grill, sheperd pie and the shrimp fettuccine. It was a waste of money. It was understaffed and service was horrible. We wanted to order the dessert but opt for the check. It took the waitress 15 minutes to come over. When we ask for the check and no suprised she bought it to us right away.

Posted 08/12/09

I have been to Serendipity 3 on three separate visits to New York over the last 4 years. Each time has been a great experience, mostly because I made reservations well in advance. Serendipity is very good about getting those with reservations in quickly. In fact, when I called once with a party of 11, I had to split it into two groups and stagger the reservations by 30 minutes so that we could all be accomodated. While that was a little inconvenient, it shows that they are being careful not to overbook their reservations.
The food itself is good - not great, but definitely not bad. The best part of the meal, of course, is the dessert and the Frrrozen Hot Chocolate. You do not want to miss that!
Bottom line: If you make a reservation, I think you will have a great experience here.

Pros: Frrrozen hot chocolate, desserts

Cons: cramped space

Posted 08/04/09

Serendipity is like a four leaf clover good luck charm....
It's one of those goldielucks just right momment....

Posted 07/26/09

This place is always a favorite of mine. You can't go wrong with the cold hot chocolate and a single order of the cakes can be shared by 2 to 3 people. The wait is a little long, but definitely worth it.

Pros: Gigantic Portions, Delicious Deserts

Cons: Wait In Line, but well worth it.

Posted 07/16/09

I LOVE this place... Oprah was so right, it is YUMMY!

Pros: YUMMY

Cons: waiting for a table!

Posted 07/04/09

What a real treat this place was, unique menu and fun atmosphere. The food was yummy and the wait staff friendly, but the hostess was a Betty Davis lookalike which threw us off a bit, slightly scary with pleather tights!!!! A great experience, would definitely return. Not at all a tourist trap, this is Manhattan after all everything is geared towards the out of towner, deal with it !!!!!!

Pros: yummy food

Cons: betty davis lookalike hostess

Posted 04/21/09

There's a host with glasses in the front that has some serious attitude and needs to be fired from his job! At least be thankful that you have a job in this economy. I was very nice and patient to wait in line to get a seat. We actually waited 2 hours---until one from our party had an immediate engagement---so we had the courtesy of telling the host that we would not be returning.

Well, this host (with glasses) rudely gave me a card to the place and said that to make reservations 2-3 weeks in advance.

Being the nice person that I am, I didn't make a scene and just took it and left.

But that was uncalled for. We were at least respectful to let them know to take our name off the list---as there were many tables before us that were a no-show---and this is how we get treated?

FIRE THE HOST WITH THE GLASSES!

I've been to Serendipity 3 other times with no problems, but this guy has serious attitude and needs to be grateful about his job.

Pros: the Frozzzen Hot Chocolate

Cons: host with attitude

Posted 04/10/09

I love this place!! Sooo good. Just finished lunch. The wait wasn't too long. The guy at the front was nice and our waiter is adorable! I got a salad and my friend is having a burger. I didn't realize that you could get such good lunch foor here. I can't wait to eat dessert. Any recommendations??

Posted 04/09/09

K, as a New York visiter I expected this place to be all the rage. What a let down. I really felt like I had done something wrong when I came in the door. The staff was not happy to see me at all, half the items on the menu were sold out and the cappiccino was folgers left in a kettle too long and covered up with milk and a dash of cinnimon. Couldnt wait to leave but had to wait anyway cause it took forever to get the check.

Pros: Name

Cons: everything else

Posted 02/24/09

So good- so much fun. I don't care if they were closed down about a year ago for a health scare... I'll still go and have the strawberry cheesecake dessert! So good!!!!!! Go- you'll have a great time.

Pros: food, service, ambiance

Cons: takes forever to get a seat

Posted 02/20/09

Serendipity is a tourist trap. It is totally overrated. I definitely would not recommend it for the actual food. If you are going to go, just go for the dessert. Personally, I didn't even think that the frozen hot chocolate was all its cracked up to be but it is somewhat iconic in NY so I guess it is worth a try. Just don't go with high expectations.

Pros: Dinner

Cons: Dessert

Posted 02/19/09

Yes, the food is ok, but I don't need the attitude of the manager. I had a reservation for 10 and I got there 15 min before, our table wasn't ready, what is ok. We (3 people) asked to be seated in another table while we were waiting but they didn't let us. We had to wait 30 minutes standing and they kindly offered us the benches outside! It was 23F outside!!! Than we asked if they accepted cards, the said yes. When our bill came (for 10 people) they didn't want to take more than 4 cards but nobody said it before! The manager came and said that they wouldn't take more than five, that was our problem. Ok, you can put the rules you want, but 1 - you need to let people know or have it written somewhere; 2 - you need to be polite to your costumers. I'll never go there anymore, there are a lot of good restaurants in NY, I don't need a bad service and rude people.

Pros: not enought

Cons: Bad service

Posted 01/29/09

I have been a recent recurring patron at Serendipity over the past few months. I found it during the early summer and have returned a few times since. I have to say that although I do get my fair share of reasons why I should speak up about my service, the desserts always seem to be blissful and amazingly perfect that it upstages anything else. This past time I had a fantastic waiter (Dan/Danny- I believe). He was one of the nicest waiters I've ever had. He made sure everything was perfect with our meal and even helped with directions on how to get some cheap theater tickets for my friend and I. As for the other things I've read about it not being suitable for kids and small...well A. it's New York City, this isn't going to be a TGI Fridays in the middle of nowhere with a huge lobby area and it's not meant for kids. The place was created for us adults, kids came along with the tourist appeal. I suggest not to bring kids if you wont control them, because I am tired of seeing too many kids loose and running around prohibiting me from enjoying my meal. Uncontrollable spoiled kids are meant for Chuckie Cheese. All in all, this place is great. If you can get past some flawed initial greeters at the door and enjoy some amazing desserts with great service, then this is the place for you. Sleep in, dine out!

Posted 01/27/09

The pasta I had was exceptional! By far the best I've ever eaten. The desert was amazing as well. The people who say it was awful should maybe try another dish. Not every restaurant is going to perfect every meal to your liking. People are too picky!

Pros: Good Service and Good food

Cons: none to my knowledge

Posted 01/07/09

I have never felt so ripped of in my life. This is quite possibly the worst quality food I have ever had. I dine out at least 5 days per week, this was a joke and I'm not sure why the board of health has not shut this place down. The food is revolting and it is served lukewarm. Even the beverages were bad!! The soda came flat and my 5 year old spat out his warm chocolate milk. Burgers were hard as a rock, my chicken was tough as rawhide and the french fries were reheated and still cold. The only way I could imagine that anyone gave this place high ratings never has dined out before or lives out of state and comes awestruck. My husband signed on the check "overpriced awful food" and the waiter wasn't even offended, he was actually cracking up.

Pros: absolutely nothing

Cons: everything

Posted 01/06/09

Food and desserts were very good quality and each had a unique flair, like horseradish in the cole slaw. All fresh, delicious, and plentiful. Extremely slow kitchen service. Took about 35 mins. for sandwiches and burgers at 4pm and we had a reservation. Most of the staff pretentious and impatient. Our waiter, on the contrary, was very nice and gave us free French fries, since we had to wait so long (and we never inquired about the wait; he took it upon himself to apologize). Lots of rules about where you can sit and stand because it's a small place. Not very relaxing. Cute, trendy, but not sure what the big deal is about this place.

Posted 12/26/08

Being a New Yorker, I decided to go to Serendipity with a few gfs due to its famous hype. The place is very small and it has a very entrancing and dreamy atmosphere when you walk into the restaurant. Starving we all ordered entrees. I decided to order the famous foot long hotdogs which was decent, not great. Some friends ordered pasta dishes and steak platters which were alright as well. Then there came the dessert-- and the frozen hot chocolate, which was TO DIE FOR. It was a hefty 8.50 but you could share one with up to three people. I definitely suggest everyone to go to serendipity at least once just to try the frozen hot chocolate. It was on the pretty pricey end.... so ditch the food and go for the dessert!

Posted 11/22/08

I came here for a company event, and I have to say I enjoyed my time here immensely. This place is chic, trendy, and elegant. The staff is extremely friendly and attentive. There hasn't been one thing I tried here that I didn't like. All the appetizers were good, and I was particularly impressed with the browni - fantastic! Highly recommend this place for company/professional gatherings.

Pros: service,food,desert

Cons: none

Posted 10/29/08

listen...you cannot live in new york and not endulge once in a while with a dessert from serendipity.
sure there is a wait! its the best dessert place in the city. the ice cream is delicious, all the cakes and brownies and frozen hot chocolates...its like willy wonka land for desserts.
they have awesome salads and burgers...and all you have to do is make a quick joke and those hostess' smile...
the shopping is fun, they have andy warhol everything there.. and awesome games and trinkets...and packets of frozen hot chocolate to go!
i love this place.. and i have been a new yorker my whole life.

Pros: BEST desserts ever... and its romantic and cute

Posted 09/22/08

I was taking out visitors with kids, so I picked this place because it was listed under the best family-friendly restaurants. Well unless your kids don't mind waiting forever to eat, this is not a place for kids.
First of all, we had to wait an hour to get a table; they did not accept a reservation over the phone, eventhough they say that they accept reservations for lunch and dinner. There was no place to wait in the restaurant, so we had to wait outside in the street.
We then got a table upstairs: a big ugly room with bright lights, no decor, no atmosphere whatsoever, and... very very loud, lots of echoes...
It then took 30 minutes until we could order our food, and nobody warned us about the fact that it would take another 45 minutes to prepare the Curried casserole! So, more, and more wait. The kids were getting really tired by that time...
When the food came, my curried shrimp almondine casserole was pretty horrible: the shrimp were so dryed and overcooked, they were as hard as a rock! $18 for the dish: completely clueless.
The kids then had dessert, which I beleive they enjoyed. Of course it took another 30 minutes to order and get the desserts, but at that point, I guess I was even surprised it did not take anymore time.
This place is a complete waste of time and money. Stay away!
Also, if their service was more efficient, if the meal was not 3 hour-long, people would probably not have to wait forever outside for a table. I guess they didn't figure this out, or they don't care...
Now, what's up with people in this restaurant dipping french fries in frozen chocolate? Can someone explain that to me?

Pros: None

Cons: Wait, service, food, noise

Posted 07/23/08

My friends and I went on recommendations from others who live in Manhattan or have visited from out of town. We didn't know to make reservations but went right at noon for lunch and only had to wait about 20 minutes. We didn't know what to expect since we had only been told about the Frozen Hot Chocolate. What a pleasant surprise it was. We all ordered different items and shared - Catcher in the Rye and Haight-Ashbury sandwiches were wonderful. The fresh fruit plate was enought for 3 people. Everything was delicious. Service was a little slow, but given the small space and the crowd of people that kept coming it wasn't that bad. Besides, it gave us time to read the history of Serendipity 3 and enjoy the Tiffany lamps and other characteristics of the place. The six of us shared a Frozen Hot Chocolate and Hot Fudge sundae because our meal portions were so generous we didn't have that much room left for dessert! Definitely put this place on your visitor's list.

Posted 07/23/08

I love the movie "Serendipity" which inspired me to have a dining experience at this restaurant. The frozen hot chocolate is from out of this world! I agree with Oprah 100%! I was lucky to get a reservation when my friends from California came over to visit NYC and I was very proud to take them to Serendipity. We all had a wonderful experience and we purchased more frozen hot chocolate packets to take home in NYC and CA. Highly recommended!

Pros: good location; across from Bloomingdale's; ambience

Cons: Very limited/narrow space for dining; no room for strollers; parking

Posted 07/16/08

I first ate at Serendipity on my honeymoon, eleven years ago, and it was fabulous. Understandably, I've had a soft spot for it ever since. But my most recent visit is likely to be my last. I took my parents when they were in town from Scotland, and to say it was a letdown would be an understatement. Up till then, my parents had been overwhelmed with the welcome New Yorkers had given them - we had had a great time. Then came Serendipity. Frankly, I was embarrassed to have raved about it to them. When we walked in, the front of the store was such a shambles you couldn't tell if there was a queue for the restaurant. When I went ahead to check, I was hauled back by a man I believe to have been the owner (and who hadn't bothered to greet me or ask if I wanted a table) and rebuked: "This is NOT the sort of restaurant where you seat yourself." Rude, rude, rude. We should've left there and then the food was a real letdown. While the desserts are great, our main courses would struggle to be described as even average. It's sad to see a favorite in decline. I hope it improves. Less time spent on headline-grabbing desserts with diamonds, and more on food quality and customer service, would be a start.

Pros: frozen hot chocolate

Cons: everything else

Posted 07/03/08

We ordered dinner but really came for dessert. We ordered burgers and fries which were scrumptious. Then came dessert. We got the (I can't think of the name of it) HUGE chocolate sunday with blackout cake. Two of us couldn't finish it. It is well worth the calories and the atmosphere is unbeatable. A little loud, but what do you expect from such a popular place. Highly recommended.

Pros: Great service and food.

Cons: A little loud.

Posted 06/10/08

Three of us were there today. The waiter was so nice and sweet. The so called the best Hot frozen chocolate is so so, but the apple pie was so good. We had a good time there but don't want to come back again.

Pros: big name

Cons: the ice cream isn't match the name

Posted 05/16/08

the service was bad. the busboy wasw more helpful than the waiter. everytime the waiter shoulda said "gimme one minute please" he turned his back and put up one finger (how rude). the frozen hot chocolate was standard. really not as good as i expected, I didnt see anything on the menu i liked. I ordered french friesd, i asked fro some bbq sauce to dip. they charged me 3.50 for the fries and 2.50 for the bbq sauce!! (madness). i have been there, and im over it

Cons: bbq sauce is 2.50

Posted 04/29/08

My family and I went after a broadway show at about 10pm we put our name in and the host said 3 hours. I really wanted to try there famous frozen hot chocolate so we waited. While waiting we went and had drinks at a bar across the street. 3 hours later we sat, our server was really nice we order a few deserts they were great. But 3 hours is a looooong time! Get there early and don't come starving!

Pros: Ice cream

Cons: Small and very crowded

Posted 04/03/08

I shared a Frozen Hot Chocolate and a Forbidden Broadway Sundae (chocolate cake, ice cream, hot fudge and whip cream). It was so good that we had a chocolate comma for days. The portions are very big. All I have to say is that I can't wait to go back. Going back next week.

Pros: Desserts

Cons: None

Posted 03/02/08

This place was and always will be the best. Sure there is a wait. This is NYC's number one spot for dessert... that you can literally indulge and not feel bad about.. its just that good.
I think the art work, the decor, the service, and the food are one of a kind.
I will always be a fan of Serendipity....
Great hamburgers!!!!

Pros: its like a love affair of delicious food

Posted 02/27/08

After reading titusonthepark's review as a out of towner I enjoyed my time at serindipity even before we got there. I was siked to go to serindipity on the saturday after valentines day for a romantic just to share that massive banana split I heard so much about. It started with a phonecall that we would be late for our nine o clock because we were running late and coming from philly and the angel that answered the phone told me he would hold our table for thirty mins. and if we still were not there he would put us at the top of the list and thats just what he did and in the time it took my other half to park across the street at the lot I was being called. I really enjoyed the Trader Wics Pina Colada and the Shake Batter and Bowl Chicken but the boyfriend ruined a romantic night and we left before I could enjoy the banana split I had been dying to try all week. The place was just what you expect if a candy store or ice cream palor was designed for the kid in any adult. AS AN OUT OF TOWNER I SAW THAT THEY RECOMMEND RESERVATIONS AND BECAUSE OF THAT I DO NOT UNDER STAND THE PEOPLE WHO COMPLAIN ABOUT LONG WAITS MAKE THE RESERVATION
pros: the service, the food, and from what I saw everyone else enjoying THE DESSERT
cons: MY DINING PARTNER

Pros: THE SERVICE, THE FOOD, PARKING LOT RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET

Cons: MY DINING PARTNER

Posted 02/22/08

JUST GOT BACK FROM A WONDERFUL TRIP TO NYC. SERENDIPITY WAS A HIGHLIGHT FOR US ALL. MY THREE CHILDREN HAD A BLAST AS DID MY WIFE AND I. WE BOTH COMMENTED THAT WE MIGHT HAVE HAD A BETTER TIME THEN THE KINDS FEELING LIKE KIDS OF SELF! LOVED THE FOOT LONG DOG AND FROZEN HOT CHOCOLATE!

Pros: FOOD DRINKS FELT LIKE A KID

Posted 01/31/08

For the last several years my wife and I have made it a ritual to let Christmas pass us by so we can have our private indulgence in January. This always includes a morning getting pampered at one of the top Spas, a spree at Bergdorf's, and my favorite Serendipity. Luckily we always go at that time when we seem to just breeze in and indulge on all our favorites. We are like two little kids trying to decide if we should have a Frozen Hot Chocolate before or after lunch. Which ever the order we never miss it! Our next stop is my wife's favorite of the day Cartier.

Posted 01/28/08

I'm sure I'm not alone with being in shock of how expensive dining out has become in the last several months. Unfortunately I don't cook but LOVE great food. One of my favorite spots is this gem of a place where the food way over weighs the prices. I always get top notch service along with delicious comfort food favorites at diner prices. Well the prices might even be better than my corner diner, wish Serendipity was open for breakfast! And to add whip cream to the pie you never know who you might be sitting next to: Cher, Bette Midler, Bill Clinton, Marc Jaccobs, last time it was Ellen Page the starlet from Juno. What a treat!

Pros: DELICIOUS FOOD AT MORE THAN HONEST PRICES

Cons: NOT OPEN FOR BREAKFAST

Posted 01/28/08

SERENDIPITY 3 is a NYC landmark and I am confident to say one that the City is VERY proud of. I've been enjoying the fratatetas toast, foot long hot dog, young chicken sandwich and let's not forget frozzen hot chocolate for many years. My parents took me there as soon as respectful parents would take a child into a restaurant. Not like today where you have self righteous mommies and daddies shoving their screaming kids along with their strollers down our throats, not to mention our ankles when they run you over. I always enjoy myself every time I go to Serendipty even though the wait might be overwhelming at times. The wait staff is always amusing, the hostess glamourous and once in a while you get the chance to be enchanted by the proprietor Mr. Bruce. I don't understand all the negative reviews this delightful establishment gets from all these out of towners. Restaurants in this town come and go and this one has been here for over 50 years. I wonder if these "mommies" and "daddies" marriages will last as long? And as for the snip-id comment of a review before mine that you can make frozzen hot chocolate out of your freezer, your right! You can purchase the packets and make the stuff at home! This a spot NYers will always hold dear to their heart! ENJOY!

Pros: NOSTALGIC, NYC LANDMARK, QUIRKY GIFTS

Cons: 2 MANY PEOPLE KNOW ITS MAGIC IT'S NOT A SECRET ANY MORE!!!

Posted 01/28/08