Serendipity 3

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 more

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 more

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?? more

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 more

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 more

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 more

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 more

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! more

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 more

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 more

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. more

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! more

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 more

listen...you cannot live in new york and not endulge once in a while with a dessert from serendipity. Pros: BEST desserts ever... and its romantic and cute more

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. Cons: Wait, service, food, noise more

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. more

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 more

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 more

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. more

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 more