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Name: Bartolino
Address: 34-15 Broadway, Astoria, NY, 11106
Telephone: (718) 728-0430
Price range: Under $11

Bartolino

34-15 Broadway, Astoria, NY, 11106

(718) 728-0430
Store is closed

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Bartolino Menu

Cold Appetizers

Prosciutto di Parma and Melon

Mozzarella Caprese

Clams Cocktail

Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail

Cold Antipasto
From the Grill

Broiled Pork Chops

NY Shell Steak

Veal Chop Palliard

Broiled Steak Pizzaolia

Veal Chop Campagniola

Surf n Turf
Hot Appetizers

Fried Calamari

Calamari Marinara

Stuffed Mushrooms

Garlic Bread Mozzarella Bruschetta

Mussels Posilippo

Spedini Romana

Mussels Luciano

Eggplant Rollatini

Portobello Mushrooms Bartolino

Baked Clams Oreganata

Hot Antipasto

Mozzarella Carozza

Buffalo Wings
Pasta

Cheese Tortellini Carbonara

Linguine & Clam Sauce (Red)

Linguine & Clam Sauce (White)

Porchini Ravioli

Penne Broccoli Rabe & Sausage

Gnocchi Bolognese

Homemade Manicotti

Rigatoni & Ricotta Marinara

Lasagna

Penne alla Vodka

Capellini Primavera

Spaghetti Bolognese

Fettuccine Alfredo

Cheese Ravioli

Gnocchi al Pesto

Rigatoni al Filetto di Pomodoro

Rissoto
Poultry

Chicken Marsala

Chicken Parmigiana

Chicken Scarpariello

Chicken Vagostella

Chicken Florentine

Chicken Francese

Pollo Pinccipesa

Pollo alla Vesuvio

Pollo Cacciatora
Salad

Sicilian Salad

Three Cheese Salad

Caesar Salad

Tossed House Salad

Tre Color Salad
Seafood

Scungilli

Mussels Posillipo

Shrimp Marinara

Calamari

Red Snapper Lemonata

Fried Shrimp

Broiled Filet of Sole Oregnanta

Salmon asa Ciento

Seafood Pescatore

Shrimp Scampi

Shrimp Francese

Shrimp Parmigiana

Seafood Combination

Broiled Filet Salmon Bartolino's
Soup

Pasta Fagioli

Stracciatela alla Romana

Zuppa di Clams

Escarole & Beans
Veal

Veal Saltimboca al Romana

Veal Parmigiana

Veal Milanese

Veal Marsala

Veal Scallopini Pizzaiola

Veal Piccata

Veal Spiedine

Veal Francese
Vegetables

Sauteed Mushrooms

Sauteed Escarole

Sauteed Spinach

Healthy Meal suggestions for Bartolino

Cold Appetizers

Prosciutto di Parma and Melon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mozzarella Caprese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Clams Cocktail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cold Antipasto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
From the Grill

Broiled Pork Chops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

NY Shell Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veal Chop Palliard [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Broiled Steak Pizzaolia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veal Chop Campagniola [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Surf n Turf [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Hot Appetizers

Fried Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Calamari Marinara [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Stuffed Mushrooms [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garlic Bread Mozzarella Bruschetta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mussels Posilippo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spedini Romana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mussels Luciano [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Eggplant Rollatini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Portobello Mushrooms Bartolino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baked Clams Oreganata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hot Antipasto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mozzarella Carozza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Buffalo Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pasta

Cheese Tortellini Carbonara [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Linguine & Clam Sauce (Red) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Linguine & Clam Sauce (White) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Porchini Ravioli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penne Broccoli Rabe & Sausage [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gnocchi Bolognese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Homemade Manicotti [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rigatoni & Ricotta Marinara [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lasagna [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penne alla Vodka [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Capellini Primavera [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spaghetti Bolognese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fettuccine Alfredo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheese Ravioli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gnocchi al Pesto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rigatoni al Filetto di Pomodoro [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rissoto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Poultry

Chicken Marsala [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Parmigiana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Scarpariello [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Vagostella [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Florentine [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Francese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo Pinccipesa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo alla Vesuvio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo Cacciatora [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salad

Sicilian Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Three Cheese Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tossed House Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tre Color Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Seafood

Scungilli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mussels Posillipo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Marinara [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Red Snapper Lemonata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Broiled Filet of Sole Oregnanta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon asa Ciento [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Pescatore [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Scampi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Francese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Parmigiana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Combination [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Broiled Filet Salmon Bartolino's [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Soup

Pasta Fagioli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Stracciatela alla Romana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Zuppa di Clams [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Escarole & Beans [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Veal

Veal Saltimboca al Romana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veal Parmigiana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veal Milanese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veal Marsala [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veal Scallopini Pizzaiola [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veal Piccata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veal Spiedine [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veal Francese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Vegetables

Sauteed Mushrooms [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sauteed Escarole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sauteed Spinach [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Jan T.

Very good food. Love that pork shoulder. Highly recommended.
(4)
Brittany K.

The service here was excellent, and the location/view from the rooftop restaurant was great. But the food was JUST OK. Which is strange because I've been to several of Mario Batali's restaurants... and even ran into him on the street and talked to him in person and I found the food at this particular place to be kind of an afterthought compared to his other locations. Even downstairs INSIDE Eatly, there is better food. And a little disappointing that there was only ONE pasta dish on this menu at all and it was a special that particular night (some sort of pesto/ and pasta dish which was severely lacking in flavor). If you are looking to be wowed by one of mario batali's restaurants, don't let this be the one you go to. The prices are probably more reasonable here than his other restaurants but try Babbo or Lupo in NYC if you are looking for Authentic Batali fare.
(3)
Wonhee P.

It was very difficult to get a table without reservation, even on Monday night around 8 pm. A party of four was seated around 8:30 pm after waiting for about 30 minutes. The outside seating was nice. That day wasn't too hot, so it was actually quite pleasant. My friends got beer --well given the name -- and they seemed satisfied. Being no beer fan, I got a glass of red. It wasn't impressive, but was okay given the price range. The four of us shared 1 appetizer and 3 dishes - fried mushrooms, rack of lamb, braised pork shoulder, and the sausage platter. I would say the food was almost disappointing given the hype the downstairs gave. Fried mushrooms - Way too salty! I am not one of those people who never eat European food and are not used to saltiness, or anything. The mushroom itself could have been okay, but the strong salt taste was jarring. Also, it felt as if the batter was a little too thick on mushrooms and the essence of mushrooms was somehow lost. Rack of lamb - Didn't try. I let my three companions (...all guys...) have their fill. But the guys were satisfied with the dish. Braised pork shoulder - My philosophy is that if you go to a place you've never been to and want really good food, you should just go for braised red meat whenever possible. So this place got the texture right. The braised, fall-off-the-bones (no bones in this dish, but you know what I mean) kind of nice texture. But then, the glaze somehow didn't work with the meat. It just didn't come together for me. I would have liked thicker sauce like red wine jus (well, that's more beef kind of thing but still) better, especially given the vegetable garnish that turned out to be pretty bland. Sausage platter - Just a sausage platter. I wasn't wowed, but I got what I expected. Given New York's reputation, I was kind of disappointed by this place. I would have liked to gone downstairs and tried some of those 20 kinds of cured meat with good red wine instead.
(3)
Sergii C.

Nice selection of beer . Mostly around 10$ for a pint. Crowded so prepare to wait. 7 cheeses for 17$ and smocked prosciutto for 11$ and beer around 10$ and you good to go
(4)
Jay H.

Not a huge fan of the Eataly scene but the rooftop of Birreria sets itself apart from the ground floor restaurants. Nice spot to enjoy a couple of cold ones after a day's work. Although it may be difficult to find a seat at the bar at prime time, the eclectic selections of beer from around the world plus the intelligently designed bar and restaurant area make you feel right at home. The staff is happy to help you choose the right drink for your palate. Come alone, come with a friend, either way, you'll leave satisfied.
(4)
Dan S.

Food poisoning! Ordered the lamb chops medium-rare. They looked great at first but when I cut into them I could tell something was off but ignored the signs. The meat wasn't pink but rather raw with a dark brown tint to them. The next 24 hours of my life were a living hell, I'll refrain from sharing the details but it was a clear sign that the food was bad.
(1)
R P.

Disorganized. I got up to the rooftop, after 20 minutes I gave up trying to get a drink at the bar. 2 bartenders and 5 bar backs. 1/3 of the tables were empty yet there was a line. appeared to be understaffed. would not recommend in the near future till they work the quirks out. There was not much of an NYC view for a roof top bar.
(2)
Shelly L.

Loved the venue...great view. Aaaaand thats where the good reviews stop! We intended to have a few beers and some appetizers while enjoying the view.....until the people next to us ordered the same cheese platter that we were going to order. It was nothing more than 3 bite size pieces of cheese....no crackers! Lame! And the price was ridiculous. So, we decided to drink our beer and go. But not before a stern scolding from the waitress trying to defend the food. Maybe she is dating the chef...who knows. Anyway, we thought a beer garden would have wings and a nice wait staff.....boy were we wrong. Never....going...back!!! If you are going to call yourself a "brewery" then act like one!!!
(1)
John M.

Decent atmosphere. Usually very crowded. Not overly impressed. Beer was served in warm glasses that felt they like just came out of the dishwasher.
(3)
Lor B.

Bloody good sausage and beer. (Try the peach beer & beer w/vino - Yum!) This rooftop gem is so fabulous and so New York. Here's what to grub on: Lamb chops and steak will rock your world. Go with a group and order the entire cheese and salumni sampler - so worth it! Great spot for an afternoon lunch - as its more casual and loud. Marisol our filipino cuzin/waitress was the best. You'll eat your heart out at this Italian joint. Will defintely be back then next time I'm in town!
(4)
Ben S.

This place im sure is great. I was meeting colleagues from work. Who were already upstairs with a large group and the dumb hostesses wouldn't let me up. I'm on some fSo far I've been waiting half an hour. Still waiting. Gonna leave. And never come back.
(1)
C Y.

I echo what some other reviewers have to say. Food can be hit or miss, but overall a win. This places biggest downfall is the lacklustre service. If it weren't for the busboy, we never would have gotten water, meals, or second rounds of drinks. Seriously, hire more staff who know anything about service and this place will be much better.
(2)
David B.

Love this place! Have been several times over the past year, mostly for casual lunch, and have always been impressed with the attentive and friendly staff, rotating beer selection, ambiance, and food. Will keep coming back for more!
(4)
Steve A.

Came here on Saturday afternoon with a couple of friends for food and drinks after the Knick game. The whole experience of La Birreria is pretty cool. It all starts with an elevator ride to the rooftop where you are met with a massive bar, skyline, and fresh air (it happened to be a nice march day so the retractable roof was open). An hour wait for a table meant plenty of time to check out the bar. The beer list is extensive and I would have loved to try a bunch of them, but the bar was packed and the bartenders were busy so I stuck with the DFH brews I know and love. After an hour or so we sat down to eat. The food left much to be desired. The cheese board was OK (we tried all 7) and the pork shoulder was tasty but not memorable. Our waiter acted like he hated his life and job, but he couldn't break our spirits. We were just loving the sun and drinks outdoors. Overall, I would imagine a much better meal could be found downstairs in Eataly, but if you stay just for the drinks nothing can beat this atmosphere.
(4)
Jessica W.

I've been a few times and have always had a great experience. I've had the prosecco, the rose, and the barbera and all were excellent. I also had the insalata di mela once and while excellent it was overpriced and didn't fill me up. Items look really good on the menu but I am just not really willing to pay that much at what is essentially a beer/wine garden. It is surprisingly not crowded (always received a seat or bar spot as soon as we have arrived) and the service is sufficient. The dessert menu is surprisingly lacking (told by waiter that it is to encourage people to eat dessert downstairs but who wants to go through that Eataly mess?) but the drink menu has some great choices. I'll probably return again but mainly when I want to enjoy a glass of wine in the summer with some good company.
(3)
Elizabeth E.

Other reviewers have complained about the size, wait time, and lack of views at Birreria. I'd like to turn those things around here, starting with the wait time. OK, OK, the process of actually getting up to Birreria is confusing. They have a strict policy on only sending up complete tables, which resulted in some shenanigans as my group of 5 tried to put our names in before the last 2 had arrived. Had I called ahead and been told this, I would've been frustrated. But after experiencing the overwhelming crush of people at Eataly, it makes sense. The maÃ®tre d' is kind of like a bouncer, ensuring that once you get past the velvet rope, you're in for an entirely pleasant dining experience. If she wasn't there, the upstairs would be just as insane as the rest of Eataly. Our group of 5 was seated at a corner table, most of which was shaded, though 2 of my friends did need sunglasses for the duration of the meal. We weren't at all bothered by the lack of view - the space felt intimate and breezy on a gorgeous summer's day. I do wonder what it'll be like in the winter, though. Service was excellent: enthusiastic, knowledgeable about the menu, and always there to refill a water glass or clear a plate. We tried 6 items from the menu: 2 mushroom dishes, quail, chicken, sausages, and the remarkably moist and flavorful pork shoulder. My favorites were the Maitake con Pecorino Sardo - roasted Maitake mushrooms, creamy soft Pecorino, savory and crisp asparagus and peas - and the quail with fennel, though I would absolutely eat everything again, and then some. Our check for 6 dishes, 3 beers, 3 bottles of fizzy water, and 3 coffees came to around $170 - not a cheap meal by any means, but about what we expected for a delicious and indulgent meal at a new midtown restaurant from a celebrity chef. I would absolutely do it again.
(5)
Lara N.

I went to La Birreria to meet my friend for drinks after work. She ended up arriving 10 minutes before me and saved me a seat at the bar. Unfortunately when I got there, the hostess asked me if I had a reservation and I said no, I was meeting my friend who was upstairs already. She then told me there was a wait for the bar and that I would get a text message when a spot opened up. I asked, but she could not tell me how long the wait would be, but promised it would not be long. I thought it was a little ridiculous, but gave my info and waited somewhere between 20-30 minutes while my friend sat at the bar alone drinking her wine, with 3 empty seats next to her. After she finished her glass and I was STILL waiting, we just decided to go somewhere else. The hostess didn't seem to be calling anyone even though people were obviously leaving from upstairs. I have heard that La Birreria has very good food and I'm sure I would have enjoyed it here, but after experiencing this aura of pretentiousness, I will not be returning to give it a try. Every experience I've had at Eataly has ended up being a disaster, and now this is another I can add to the list. I think I'll be keeping my distance from this entire establishment.
(1)
Emily E.

It was a beautiful night, and the setting was perfect: you could see the top of the Empire State building and the top of the Flat Iron Building. There was a happy buzz on the roof deck as well. A great place to welcome a new New Yorker! I have been wanting to come here, but there is always a long line of people waiting, and I've never waited around. I finally came here to catchup with an old friend who just moved to NYC. Birreria was at the top of his list to go to, so we went! I was holding my breath about the line, but it seems like early evening on a Monday is a great time to go! We were told at the elevator that there was standing room at the bar, but we decided that was fine. I was picturing a bar 5 people deep, but it was not bad at all! All the seats at the bar were taken, so we leaned against a column for a while until space at a cocktail table/ bar table opened up. I had the Moretti Bionda, since I like lighter types of beers and my friend had the Wanda, a chestnut, mild ale. The people seated near us were eating some fried dish, and it looked amazing! I would love to come here to eat; maybe for my birthday?
(4)
Shane J.

Ok so when someone says to me: "there is this huge complex owned by Mario Batali with a bunch of restaurants in it and shops and a gelateria...and you should eat at the roof top restaurant" I admitttedly sort of zone out because I hear "commercial, commercial, commercial" which usually equates to "poor quality, poor quality, poor quality." Well folks I am here to say that Eataly and Birreria taught me a bit of a lesson with regard to not making snap judgements. While on business in NYC last week I managed to (throught he miracle of Facebook) hook up with friends who were also visiting the city and we agreed to catch up for dinner. I shared my "list" of places to hit and they selected Eataly so I set about figureing out what "rooftop restaurant" had been recommended. Learning it was Birreria, I calle ddow to see if a same day res was possible and was told no. I fugred: what the heck if it is a big shopping bazaar where I can get a glass of wine then a wait is irrelevant so off to Eataly we went. YES it was big... and YES it was packed, but it was FILLED with authenticity. From the fish monger to the butcher to the rows and rows of italian sodas and other imported items... it was a little bit of Roma. We immediately got on the list and shopped while having a glass of wine (as expected) and were called within 30 minutes for a table. One interesting thing to note is that you cannot take wine purchased downstairs up to the restaurant... so we wound up taking another lap while we finished our vino. Once upstairs we were immediatley seated at a great table and were immediately engaged by our server who did a great job all night and was very pleasant. I cannot say enough about the GREAT views from this spot. To the East you have Madison Park bell Tower, to the North the Empire State and to the immediate SouthEast the FlatIron building... pretty darn cool. Speaking of cool, it was 100 in the city that day but we were perfectly comfy on the roof due to clever sun shades and well placed cooling units. So far so good. For starters we ordered assorted cheeses and meats. The sopressata and the speck were "spot on" and the cheeses were great as well. I particularly enjoyed the Robiola cheese - good consistency and nice tanginess. Sure the presentation was very simple... but isn't that what italian food is mostly about? The most exciting part of the begining of dinner for me was the Aperol Spritz! I had about a zillion of these in Venice last year and became a real fan as they are perfect for a warm day!!! After that I was pretty happy period and was primed for dinner and was pleased to find the wine list to be very adequate and interesting. We ordered a nice (and cheap!) bottle of Fruilano (which if you have never had it before then you should - interesting flavor profile). Dinner consisted of Agnello, the Cotechino sausage and the braised pork shoulder. The lamb arrived perfectly cooked, very flavorful and juicy. Presentation was lovely with fried artichokes and a mint and green onion salsa. The latter was pretty lost on me as I am not a fan of mint with my lamb, but it was tasty on it's own. The Cotechino sausage was extremely good and creatively presented (I mean how do you make a sausage pretty on a plate?) and the kraut on the side was not overpowering but really yummy. I think the biggest hit at the table was the beer braised pork shoulder. It literally melted in your mouth and had an awesome flavor, presumably from the beer and the amazing mustard vinaigrette. After dinner we wondered donwstairs and had the best Gellato that I have had in the states. I mean it was no Grom but it was good stuff!!! OK sorry to ramble, but it was good an you folks need to know. ESPECIALLY if you you would have made the same assumption that I did when I first heard of Eataly. Enjoy and eat up!
(4)
Ian S.

Six of us went here back in January for my wife's birthday, and we ordered the $90 Piatto Misto, pork shoulder and sausages with mashed potato, broccoli rabe and some sort of squash, while our sixth person got a cheese plate. The platter cost $90, if I hadn't mentioned that. What we received for our $90 could barely be turned into three or four average-sized sandwiches. A single ramekin of mashed potato for FIVE people to eat? Five normal, healthy, full-sized people, rather than tiny ant-sized people? What went on when they were devising these portions? None of us are super-heavyweight, globe-shaped gluttons by any stretch, but this was a poor excuse for a platter and, while certainly delicious, was horribly overpriced. Ninety goddamn dollars. This place does at least have some very, very good beer, though that isn't cheap either. I guess you're sort of paying for the uniqueish-to-NYC experience of eating on a rooftop, but you're basically in a giant greenhouse, and the vibe is sort of bustly and off-putting. If you like meat and beer and don't care about the bill, go nuts. Otherwise, order very very carefully, and don't bother with the Piatto Misto unless they've doubled the portion size since January.
(3)
Ari B.

This place is really great. Nice summer afternoon, a beer, and some authentic Italian meats. You can't ask for anything more. First of all, just think about dining on a rooftop. Already we're having a conversation. But knowing that the great Eataly gourmet market place is right below makes this dining experience that much more special. I shared a delectable selection of mixed cured meats with a friend, and a beverage. It was the perfect lunch.
(4)
Craig W.

Very nice beer! And the food was very good too. The selection at beer places can be a litle slim for veg-oriented folks, but I was pleasantly suprised with the mushroom section they had on the menu. Tasty! I got the King Oyster Mushroom or something with brocalli rabe and a poached egg. Yum! All-in-all, a really nice place.
(4)
Jacob M.

I'm in between 3 and 4 stars with this one. It is located on the roof of Eately, you have to go to the back left corner and go up the elevator. The rooftop is covered, so it isn't like a rooftop bar. There wasn't anything particularly bad about our experience. The food was good, but not spectacular...I thought it was overpriced for what it was. They do have a good selection of beer; including three that they brew themselves. I had their saison which was good. We had a fun evening, and I would go back if a group wanted to go out.
(3)
Jordan S.

Full disclosure: I've only gone with a reservation (no wait), and for lunch (also no wait). However, there was some FOH rudeness when we had our reservation (they wouldn't let us sit down without our full party of 10), which was a pain, but hey we just opened a bar tab. Food: Solid. Get the sausages and the fried mushroom. The entrees are good portions as well (I had the pork chop and it was lovely!) Beer & Wine: Oddly pricey, but whatever I get it. They also had a full bar and made very good Negronis. Service: Standard for this part of town. You could kind of tell the waiters knew they were working at a hip place and therefore were a touch condescending. All in all, not a bad place. It'll be better (in my opinion), when the hype dies down.
(3)
Iris L.

Sorely sorely disappointed at La Birreria's service. I went with a group of friends and understood the policy of not seating a party until everyone arrived, but by 9:30 the place was clearing out and we still were being refused seating. We were finally seated when my last friend arrived and proceeded to order our meals. The food was fine, cheeses and meats were great, and our entrees were tasty. At the end of the meal we we enjoying the last bits and the server started to get pushy. When our bill came out, we were trying to sort out who paid what because there were large discrepancies and our server pushed his way through saying very loudly, 'This is crazy! I'll just split the bill for you!" whoa. So he stormed off with the bill, split it for us, and then came back with all these charges that shouldn't have been made... thus elongating the process. um...that's why we were trying to split it calmly between ourselves. This sort of low quality service completely nulled the goodness of my meal with friends and the light atmosphere we were looking for. Would never recommend this place to anyone. Just go downstairs and have a baci ... at least the girl at the register there was nice.
(1)
James Y.

The sausages are the worst I have ever had ... No texture , no flavor . For $21 , I expect to get some orgasmic sausages ... Not coming back ...... P.S. they covered the roof with huge umberellas on a nice hot summer evening ... Who manages this place ? You are Fired !
(1)
Alyssa R.

"Try everything once." If you live in NYC, you should probably go here, if for no reason other than to participate in the inevitable "have you been to Eataly?" conversations amongst your peers. Dishes were fresh and tasty but quite small, and the drinks (also fresh and tasty) were super expensive. The roof area is open and spacious, but expect to wait if you want to sit down. Beer gardens are really my jam so, I enjoyed the experience despite the wait & the bill. My memory of a place is always significantly improved if said place has served me a high quality brew, and Birreria certainly did.
(4)
Warren H.

3.5 Stars - We went last night for drinks and food. We had 5 out of 6 and had been drinking for awhile at the bar but 1 person was running a bit late but no matter what the host wouldn't seat us. This is a cool spot above eataly, rooftop. Nice location, good ambiance, heated lamps so that it was warm even though it was around 50 degrees outside. Their house beers were disappointing but their beer selection otherwise were decent. The food was pretty good, I had the pork shoulder, good size, soft and tender. My friends tried the skirt steak which came out a bit bloody for medium rare but otherwise was good. likewise the quail was good but not amazing. overall, the place is a decent place for a group dinner, a birthday dinner or even a first date, cool ambiance, laid back german beer hall feel to it, I liked it and would go back but not in love with it. 5 people, appetizers, main course, two large bottles of beer came out to roughly $60something a head, not too bad for the area.
(3)
Martina R.

This review is just for drinks on a Tuesday night. I had poked my head in on weekends and was overwhelmed by the crowds, but an early weekday evening cleared the place out enough that it was quite and enjoyable stay. It is on the roof with standing tables and a bar, and in the winter the roof is covered with a clear drape - so it feels open while still being warm. The wine they serve out of over sized barrels behind the bar. A very nice aesthetic touch, and they had maybe 6 or so beers on tap. We ordered a carafe of beer, which was served in an oddly shaped beer glass that more resembled one for wine. I would prefer a regular tumbler, but that is definitely a matter of taste and familiarity. Bartenders were friendly and efficient and the atmosphere had a very relaxed, almost European feel, which I was hoping for being part of the fantastic monster that is Eatily. (Love it or hate it, they have great stuff in every nook and cranny) The food, unfortunately, was ridiculous overpriced for the burger-type fare. If you want to eat, I say do it downstairs, though I can't speak to how good it is. Worth a try, but maybe not on the weekends.
(4)
Rachel G.

Don't let the Crocs n' Socks fool you, man... Mario Batali has business sense from his ruddy, freckled knees, over the pot belly and all the way up to his ginger pony. Not only is Eataly a Gold Mine, but it is a wonderland of yummy and a exploration of delicious. He is laughing all the way to el banco and thats fine with me. I would gladly give him my cash for the experience that I was afforded at La Birreria. What could be better on a balmy summer evening than sharing a Kale Salad, a Cheese Plate, Bread and a few interesting Beer choices with the man you love on a rooftop overlooking the best city in the world? Hmmmm? Advice is go, breathe, enjoy, relax, eat and be fucking merry. But never ever wear Crocs. Those look ridiculous.
(4)
Alli H.

It's cute, there is something about Eataly that I loathe. This place is no different. It's more relaxed than the downstairs area but still ridiculous. There have a great selection of beers and while it was crowded when I was there, it wasn't super ridiculous. We weren't able to get a table immediately though. Meh I still don't love Eataly, this place sucked less than Eataly though.
(3)
Chris T.

This place was a disappointment on several different levels. First, it is a rooftop beer garden, however, there is no view of anything whatsoever due to a brick wall that runs around the perimeter of the establishment. It was very hot and extremely crowded as well, to the point where you couldn't move at the bar area. Now to the service. Terrible. Waited around 10 minutes to order a drink. The bartender was rude, probably because he was overwhelmed as they seemed to be very understaffed... Only redeeming quality is the beer selection is pretty good, but you can find better selection at any beer bar in the city.
(2)
John S.

Good food, too warm beer in a great setting. Tried their micro-brew offerings but it was colder outside than the beer. Eh, switched to a cold all natural soda . Good apps and food. The location on the roof is great. So get thru the madness of downstairs, find the elevator and then the tranquility in this relaxed setting.
(4)
Angel C.

This is a popular spot any time of the day/week. Despite this, I was able to get to the bar and get some of the rose while being elbowed only nominally. Prices are moderate, wouldn't try to get a seat/food as the action is really by the bar. Great for summer time to get that whip of open air but generally not super worth it given challenging logistics (waiting for the elevator, waiting for service, waiting to get to the bar).
(2)
Crystal P.

I've been here twice, the first time was back in September, the food was amazing and the roof top atmosphere was mesmerizing. You can taste the freshness in every bite and I knew I had to go back for more. Today it was a little different.. Nothing changed about the food and it's quality, but I would not suggest this rooftop restaurant during the hot/muggy weather. Unfortunately, this place doesn't have enough fans to keep the place cool.. By the time my cold beer was put down it was within minutes that it was warm and not as enjoyable. I was dripping sweat and couldn't enjoy my food. I've been to a few rooftop restaurants just this weekend alone and most of them had enough fans and misters to keep the entire place cool, which made it fine during this heat. The staff was great! The food was still amazing, but I would suggest coming in the evening during the summer.
(4)
Raphael D.

What La Bierreria is: - A nice place for dinner, especially a business dinner (about $60 a head, maybe more if you get 'zerts) - Airy - Reasonably noisy but not too much - A great place for a few casual beers when the weather is nice What it isn't: - A rooftop rager - Not many views. I'm not complaining either just a warning not to expect to watch the sun set over the horizon. - Kinda difficult to get up to at peak times. We were put on a wait for the bar at 5:30 but dinner service was an immediate sit-down so if you're here for dinner it's not as bad.
(4)
Dang N.

I came with a recommendation from Art and I did not have the same experience he did. I initially received terrible service when getting my seat. I came upstairs and got a beer at the bar and was paged. When I went to the girl, she told me a table wasn't ready yet and to wait. I waited another 20 minutes! WTH? I asked what happened and was told they were understaffed. No, y'all just jacked it up and just didn't want to admit this and apologize. Seriously, if you mess up just apologize. All the food I got was just ok and pretty forgettable. How forgettable? I don't even remember what I ordered. I do remember it was expensive. Best thing here? The beer I got. Some crazy $48 bottle that came in a box. It was outstanding. Other than this, never coming back.
(2)
Christian M.

After dealing with the hostesses downstairs, I'm not interested in going here now or in the future. I don't appreciate being told to wait in long lines, then when I get to the front, being told to wait all over again because I didn't follow some process that I didn't know about. Also, receiving snooty, condescending looks while trying to ask the hostesses simple questions doesn't help. Never going here again.
(1)
Jen L.

Being a native new yorker, I usually just go to Eataly and order a food from the many little shops that they have on the main floor. However, my brother wanted to get a beer and his girlfriend doesn't eat gluten, so we decided to try the rooftop restaraunt. So as we waited for a table, we got some cheeses and salami. Thank good, they gave us bread as well because I was starving and I use to have bread with my cheese. The bread was pretty good and I loved that they gave us olive oil to dip the bread in. The cheese that we ordered were all hard cheeses and the salami were mild. They were pretty good but nothing like the stuff that I had in Italy or even in my neighborhood. Finally we got a table and we were all so relieved. At this point, we all wanted food, so we ordered very quickly. I ordered pan roasted chicken with parsnip with a side of olive oil mashed potatoes. The chicken was so good because it was the dark meat, which I usually don't eat at home. The parsnip were cut thinly sliced and fried like potato chips. I didn't like the mashed potatoes because it had a weird texture and I didn't like the olive oil in it. Overall, I had a good time and I liked the restaraunt. I thought it was cute and it was very nice, but I think it's more for tourists. The food was very good but I don't think I would go there again, unless for a special occasion.
(4)
Andrea P.

A rooftop on a nice evening automatically wins points in my book, especially when the view includes the iconic flatiron building. Eataly in general seems a little chaotic and can be easily overwhelming, however the rooftop provides a more removed feeling from the touristy commotion. We were first told it would be about a 40 minute wait and then received a text that there was bar space upstairs so we proceeded to have a drink, thinking we would be notified when our table was ready. After over an hour we finally checked back in with the hostess at which point we were told they had texted us "over an hour ago", untrue. Either way at this point after a lengthy wait we were finally seated. From this point forward I really had zero complaints, the wine was delicious, the cheese plate was fresh and full of flavor and the bread with olive oil was great! We also ordered the mushroom appetizer which was awesome! As an entree I had the chicken with a side of smashed potatoes, which although I was already pretty full, I had no trouble finishing. The food was unique, and although the menu isn't very large everyone enjoyed their dinner and especially the view while eating it!
(3)
Layla C.

I had been entirely too excited to go here for too long. The four stars above is for the restaurant portion. Make reservations, and only get here early if you are okay with being crammed in with a brigade of khaki clad broski douchebags for space near the bar as they yell and high five and give eachother thumbs up for being white and employed. Good wine choices to be had too, despite the name making it officially a beer bar. I had amazing lamb chops, an amazing cheese/meat selection and an amazing few glasses of rose. All in all a good summer night. But you have been warned about the crowd. And that no matter how well you think you timed it (yeah, we too came during the week, on a meh weather day and still waited 90 minutes+ for a table), you didn't outsmart the khaki brigade.
(4)
Isabella B.

A nice place, but a little disappointed on the decor. It's warmish and invites a nice crowd. I would come here again if I were in the area.
(3)
Chey H.

Warning: everyone and their mother loves this place (my mother has never been, but I'm sure she would like it), so be prepared to wait for a table or squeeze into the bar space. I met some co-workers here for drinks after hours--I arrived around 7:30 and it was packed. Lucky for them (and me) they had arrived earlier and were able to get a bar table. I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't have any beer, just wine, but it was great--I had a white and two reds, both well priced (I believe they were the first name on each list). We also got a meat plate and it came out shortly after we ordered it and it was filling. Not the best place for a casual get together, unless you plan on going after peak hours--we saw the crowd die down after 8:30/9.
(4)
Sasha H.

Wanted to hate, but I couldn't. The food is on point. Got the steak tartare, swordfish entree, and charcuterie. LONG ASS WAIT (45min to 1 hour) on a Saturday night, which is to be expected. The scene has its moments though - mostly it's cheesy with out of towners, but occasionally you'll get some dope natives to drop in. Good beer list for when you're waiting.
(4)
Erin R.

Great service even on a holiday weekend. A secret gem amongst the chaos of Eataly. Rebecca the manager was especially nice to us. We had beers and delish food. Couldn't be happier.
(5)
Kat W.

Fall is a great time to kick back and sip some peach ale at this rooftop bar! If you're hungry, and with Eataly downstairs, it's no wonder that the charcuterie and cheese plates were superb. We were even convinced by the waiter to try the head cheese, which is the most unappetizing name ever. It wasn't too bad going down (that's what she said)... ha! Pork shoulder panino was also delish. Would definitely return for some day drankin'
(4)
Isabella S.

My fish entree was just so so, but my oh my, the rooftop view! Surrounded by iconic Flatiron buildings, bathed in sunshine, wisps of hair gently brushed back by the afternoon breeze, La Birreria transported me back to the happiest of days spent lounging about the seaside towns of Italy. And for this, 4 stars!
(4)
Alexander K.

At the top of Eataly there's this great rooftop bar and restaurant that I would recommend on these nice summer NY nights. If you're going to want to eat I'd definitely recommend reserving a table, they have a good website where you can reserve up to a week in advance. The food was amazing, we had three cheeses and the assortment of salami for appetizers and then I had steak and my fiance had fish. Both were great and the ambiance was fantastic. The only reason why I'm rating this 4 stars is the waiter to his sweet time to get to us once we had been seated. After he took our orders the food came out quick but we were sitting there for about 10-15 min with no one coming to us. But like I said I would definitely come back here and recommend anyone to try it out.
(4)
Valery C.

Eataly's rooftop beer bar is a lovely space complementing their other restaurants down below. Find its entrance at the host stand located aptly by the beer section, and take an elevator up. The bar area is on one side, with plenty of tables elsewhere. There's standing room on the bar side but as a whole, Birreria isn't meant to hold crowds of standing imbibers and the number of people allowed in is controlled. Built to respond to the whimsy of weather, there are retractable tarps for shade and glass panels for rain. Mobbed by the lines and crowds below, we were surprised to find plenty of space in La Birreria on an overcast, drizzling Saturday afternoon, probably precisely for that reason. Despite the weather, it was a gorgeous space: bright, spacious, with great views of sky and skyscrapers. Service was friendly, but can be scarce; then again, as a bar, one doesn't expect service to hover and guests may be expected to linger. The food options are concise, limited to foods that accompany drinks well, but also mined from the types of foods sold in Eataly itself. There are excellent salumi and cheese selections, the latter accompanied by good honey. Also salads, grilled dishes, house sausages, vegetable sides, and mushrooms. Among the latter options was a dish of roasted maitake, oyster, and white beech mushrooms, encircled by young pea shoots and topped by fresh burrata. Earthy, savory, and smooth. Their fantastic beer selection led to unabashed lusting by a few craft beer fanatics at the table. Between a trio of house-conditioned cask ales, ten drafts, and a few dozen bottles, there is much to choose from. And the selection is eccentric, with a lot of spices, fruits, and herb flavors featured, as well as a good number of Italian imports. Served in their Birreria Teku glass, designed to allow optimal appreciation of aroma, appearance, and tasting of most beer styles. My appreciation is not yet so sophisticated, but it seems to work as well as the tulip glass I typically use. Another gem among craft beer destinations, and a great rooftop drinking option. Not economical, but this is Eataly so anyone who's taken a gander at the prices on display below has no business expecting differently up here.
(4)
Joanne T.

Didn't really get a chance to taste the menu, just the cheese plate and some allagash. Cool location. Nice semi views. Seems like a good place for happy hour
(3)
Olivia R.

Sooo pretty! An italian beergarden -- really interesting concept. I've been to Eataly multple times but didn't realize there was a lovely rooftop on top! I didn't get to try the food, just the drinks & those were yummy. I tried some brewskis but can't recall names but they were great, especially after several! I also had a tequila shot which was MASSIVE and bad news. However, I'm sure the food is amaaaazing because it's.. Eataly, com'on now. The venue is really big & has a lovely ambiance with dim lighting and a pretty setting. I did notice that it was a bit of a mature crown and mostly older business professionals or tourists. I definitely have to come & try the food!
(4)
Mina P.

Ehhhhhhh (Larry David voice). This place should be great but it's not. It was sardine PACKED and the service was in a word- horrible. Someone needs to tell management to hire more people and stop trying to get away with being cheap- We waited 25 minutes for 2 glasses of wine, I was beginning to suspect that they had gone back to Napa for it. The wine is too expensive for what it is and there is no view on the 14th floor. Womp.
(2)
Sarah V.

My group and I had a bipolar experience at La Birreria. On one hand, it was the perfect way to spend a gorgeous Saturday afternoon with 15 of our far-flung friends from all corners of the country who converged on New York for a surprise weekend. On the other hand, a particular waiter needs some deep-seeded training in etiquette and finesse and nearly caused us to cut our five hour stay at LB extremely short. The Good: The suns aligned for a perfect Saturday afternoon to spend on a rooftop. Our city's Eataly has no rooftop, so of course we made a beeline to soak up the sun whilst dining on excruciatingly delightful cheese and meats. The area is scattered with comfortable tables and chairs, lattice work sections off the bar from the dining area, and the views are exceptional. I loved staring at the Flatiron Building and making up superbly corny jokes to bring home (I stood next to the FlatIron Building for an hour and my hair didn't straighten one bit!). The Mister and I arrived super early so we parked it at the bar where we were treated to attentive and kind bartenders, a bevvy of bevs, and delightfully charming New Yorkers who were a blast to chat with. No for real, that happened. I was surprised, too. I had plenty of the Flor Rose, which was a crisp, mild, fruity white wine that paired perfectly with LB's atmosphere. We were told we had to wait until the rest of our party of 12 arrived before we could be seated, but that's cool. More time at the bar with the New Yorkers. Then It Started Going Downhill... Once our party arrived, we waited an hour for our table to be ready, even though we had put our reservation in two hours prior. I get that it was slammed and they had other customers to serve, and if that had been the only mishap, I probably wouldn't even mention it. But then we were seated and our derelict of a waiter came by. He was unamused at our style of ordering, which was a lot of wine, beer, cheese boards and charcuterie boards. He had a problem with us not ordering entrees. For real, bro? We're dropping more than a grand at your table, and you want us to ordering a freaking sandwich to make you happy? Get the eff out of here. He began arguing with our friends over what we should be ordering to validate sitting in the dining section. STFU. I was throwing on my sunnies and jacket and ready to bounce, but my more rational friends asked for a different (ahem, nicer) waiter who was willing to serve us. After that fiasco ended, we had a fabulous girl take our orders who appreciated our business and had no problem serving cheese and wine and receiving our tip. But honestly, the nerve of that joker! Had I known Attila the Hun's brother would have been trying to serve us I would have stayed at the bar. If I'm in New York again on a warm day, I'd love to come back to LB, but I'm sticking to the bar.
(3)
Karen Y.

This 1-star rating applies only to my latest visit (last night) as I've been here several times before and things were just fine the other times. Service was rude, rushed, and unaccommodating. We were nearly scolded into ordering more food than we wanted (though we did order a full bottle of wine), had unfinished plates snatched away, were rushed to pay, and when I tried to give feedback to our waiter on how the service could've been better, he rolled his eyes saying that there's an hour and a half wait at the door and walked away as he tore up the comment card that I filled out! Even the table next to us agreed that he was the worst and that they, too, had similar sentiments about feeling pressured and rushed. Our check only referred to our server as "North". I refuse to return if he'll be our server.
(1)
Paulina P.

I've been here twice and am torn between giving this place 2 stars or 3 but decided on 2 because of the horrible bar service during a non-busy time, which caused us to leave. 3 stars for unique beer selection and cool semi-rooftop vibe although they need more stools available at the bar/counter area. The first time I came here was on a date and we had a great time. Not too crowded, stood at counter/bar, he had a beer I had an excellent glass of Pinot Noir. The second time I came here, with a friend, the bar service was so bad, we left without having anything. I asked the bartender if they had any wheat beers and he said they didn't but suggested something close to it on the menu. We asked to try it and he gave us a nice sample. So far so good, right? Well that was the ONLY service we got. We stood there waiting for him or another bartender to take our order and it never happened. Meanwhile, we see one bartender standing in the end of the bar drinking something and staring off into space, two other bartenders filling server orders while complaining about the music, and our bartender never returned. Every time we asked for someone to take our order, they would respond with, 'one minute' and walk away. This happened several times. We finally left. I complained to a very young manager on the way out, informing her that we are leaving because we can't get service and she just said, sorry about that. Really? Yea, I probably won't be returning.
(2)
Jackie N.

I was excited to try La Birreria and wanted to show my friend, who was visiting from Mexico, a true rooftop/wine bar experience. The weather was absolutely beautiful and the set up wasn't bad at all. I must agree with David from above. The service was horrible. We walked in and ordered. I ordered the pork shoulder w/ apricot. The food was decent; however, when my other friend came to join us for a beer, the waiter ignored our order. We grabbed the other waiter to see if the order went through, he responded with a shrug and proceeded to walk away from us. Then the manager showed up to say their reservations were backed up and we needed to leave the table in 5 minutes. WE WERE NOT EVEN THERE FOR 45 MINUTES!!! I tend to eat pretty fast but to be kicked out after wanting to enjoy a nice meal was absurd. Thanks for horrible service. I won't be returning.
(1)
David B.

Excellent beer ok food. Pretty loud. Hard to speak to person sitting right in front of you. Food also over priced for quality
(3)
Ada W.

I came here for Sunday lunch, not crowded I guess it's because it's still winter. But it's a pretty good idea to come here even it's cold. The view of the snowfall from the rooftop was amazing. We had the cheese plate (brie paired with honey was just amazing!). The meat plate was great with generous portion. We also had the Shiitake Fritti and you just can't stop eating them. I had the Pollo for my entree. I was hesitant to order it at first coz it looks like a simple dish. But it was nothing simple about it and the chicken just tasted so fresh and tender, definitely different from what you would make at home. LOVE this place! I will definitely come back. I tried a few beer and I love the DFH Piercing Pils the most. You should order it if you like a light and not-bitter taste beer like me.
(5)
Chris Z.

I tried several attempts several weeks in advance to make a reservation at a dinner-appropriate time (not 4:30 or 9:30), made the reservations 11 days in advance for Saturday 6:45.... The entrance to Eataly is on 23rd st, not 5th ave as the reservation says. The staff is helpful in getting you to the elevator to the roof, which is good because there are no signs and Eataly is a ZOO. The restaurant is on a plat form above the roof and there is steel "nave" which holds up a retractable roof of plexy glass which can be opened in the rain... Initially, is was very disappointed (several attempts at reservations for this???) our table was in the corner and there was no view at all - I was facing the wall, so I moved my chair to get a better view of the restaurant, but this razzle dazzle view of Manhattan that I had in my head does NOT exist. you are sitting at the bottom of a box - the walls of which are the 10-foot-high parapet of the building. You only see the tops of 5 buildings (ESB, Chrysler, random office tower, met life and that bankrupted condo oh and the mechanical house of the office building you are on top of). I was very upset. However all was not lost! Our waiter helped us navigate the complex beer selection. We got the Red & White - Dogfish Head 750cc bottle. It was terrific! made with some barley, hopes and some wine grapes, tastes like a mild Duvel. The cheeses were terrific - just like Otto but then the main course came. Pork shoulder in celery. this was OUTSTANDING one of the best things I have ever eaten. Extremely tasty, the pork was most and very flavorful, even the celery was out of this world, i couldn't eat it fast enough! So I was extremely impressed with both the beer and the food - which saved this place for me - the view was, well it wasnt there. Oh, and the mens room is tincy tiny (one stall and a urinal) for a place so large! BOTTOM LINE: this is an outside version of Otto with focus on beer, not wine. The food is delicious; however, the view does NOT exist!
(4)
Richard S.

This review is for the cask ale. The thyme pale ale is pretty much the perfect summer beer and impeccably served. Delicious and easy to drink and low in ABV you can just gulp this stuff down. They have three cask ales and the chestnut mild was good too. The cask ale is brewed on site in some sort of odd merge of English, Italian and craft American brewing traditions and the stuff is a treat. However at $10 a 16oz pint it will have to stay a treat (probably should drop the rating to 4 stars for that pricing). The place is lovely needless to say and the bar service was good. Definitely come back for the sausages some time but its the beer that makes this place really special.
(5)
Jarrett S.

Manager was an a**hole. After waiting an hour for the table he refused to allow us to share all the appetizers and an entree stating it was policy that everyone must order an entree. We were asked to leave, meanwhile there was empty tables everywhere.
(1)
Bryan P.

Overpriced, I thought. The food was pretty good. Portions a little small, and it would have been cool to be able to get like...pizza or something. The beer selection is pretty extensive. I really enjoyed the casked ale I had, pretty different from other beers.
(3)
Tori N.

This rooftop bar is the epitome of badass. Came here a few years ago on a Thursday at 11:30. We beat the lunch crowd by 15 minutes--meaning we had practically the entire rooftop to ourselves before it crowded up. Cheese platter was the best thing I ever ate. The ricotta was my favorite; you can go downstairs to buy a tub after. I recommend you do, because nothing from the grocery store can compete. Sprinkle a little bit of sugar on top and it is THE BEST dessert you can imagine. Beer was ok, though I'm not really a beer fan so that explains it. They make their own stuff; enjoyed all the cases as I walked upstairs. My mom ordered a lighter colored beer. Mine was darker, and I didn't listen to my waiter who suggested another since I was iffy about beers to begin with. The idea of a chestnut flavoring in a beer was too intriguing to pass up. My mistake. We both got the steak dish. Meat was good, but it was the pesto-y sauce thing underneath (it's been a few years, sorry!) that totally rounded out the dish and made it memorable. Pity that most of the options on the menu are for meat eaters. The rooftop view was great.
(4)
Mark M.

If you wish to experience the snobby, elitist side of New York , then get yo' ass here as soon as possible. Yes, the atmosphere is lovely and you feel like a million bucks sitting on the roof, sipping a brew, but the staff here seems to think that they only want to serve people who DO, in fact, have a million bucks. If you have a group larger than X (17, but don't quote me on that), the entire table HAS to order the prix fixe menu. Oh, and then there was that time we had a big group, were seated at two separate tables that JUST SO HAPPENED to be next to each other. Now, Yelp friend, what would YOU do if your friends were seated just five feet from you at another table? RIGHT! We did that. We moved our tables closer together. This set off a flurry of activity. Apparently we activated some serious nervous anxiety and just, like, totally RUINED EVERYTHING (said a la valley girl). The staff flipped and after calming them down they let us stay. Three house made beers, served the European way (room temp). Small menu of small bites. OK wine list. What snobs.
(2)
Nathan L.

I enjoy a good outdoor beer garden and this place provides that opportunity. Great space for catching up with good friends and getting quality drinks. I actually didn't realize this space was here until a friend told me about it this summer which is funny because I had been to the actual Eataly downstairs multiple times.
(3)
Priti R.

I really enjoyed this rooftop bar for drinks (although they DON'T have a happy hour! What's that about?!). A glass of wine will avg about $10 on the low end, and the appetizers are all around $15. Pretty pricey place. I'm not sure if it's affiliated with Eataly, but damn if it isn't hard as crap to find the elevator (of course, I didn't know this bar was called "Birreria", but there are NO SIGNS for an elevator anywhere. FYI, they're by the cookbooks and cash registers on the south side of the store!)
(4)
Gauri W.

I definitely went not because of the famous food, but because of the great location and space. It's beautiful, casual, open and well lit. Loved the atmosphere though I did find the red chairs a little tacky. They had a great beer selection and made a killer manhattan (I know, but I love whiskey). From what my dishes, it seems like the food is really good, but not really amazing. I shared the cheese plate (ricotta, some brie-type, and a gouda? Can't remember anymore) which was delicious and the steak. The steak was cooked perhaps a bit too much but was still juicy and good. The sauce under it - squash beer cream - was fantastic. The mushrooms in this dish, though, really stole the show. AMAZING. We also had the olive oil potatoes which were just fine. It's a great getaway from the chaos below and I enjoyed walking through eataly afterwards. Would recommend!
(4)
Eric T.

Been to Eataly Rooftop a few times now. It's always a great spot to go on a sunny afternoon. Out of towners seem to like it a lot, so bring your family or friends when they come to town. The food is definitely quality. I've had the branzino, prosciutto and other salumi plates, and the apricot glazed pork shoulder. Everything is always great. Their beer selection is top notch, they have tons of great wine and well crafted drinks.
(4)
Jillian R.

I went here with a group of about ten people on a Saturday afternoon. It has a nice long bar, a large open dining area, and a great location on a roof top with glass ceilings. The poor rating is due to the poor service. The bartender looked annoyed every time I ordered a beer. Our table was ready an hour later than our reservation time. The server spilled a beer on my friend, hardly apologized, then talked smack about her to our friends at the other end of the table. He was nowhere to be found when we needed drinks or wanted to order any appetizers. In fact, we all agreed that service was so bad that we should leave. We ended up leaving before ordering dinner and eating at Hill Country instead. I probably won't go back unless its with only one person and I'm not eating.
(2)
Jenifer P.

The Maiale Alla Birra is tender and delicious! Definitely would recommend - the mustard vinaigrette puts it over the top! The Portabella Alla Griglia is also very good, but you only get a few shavings of beets. My sister and I also tried the brewed cask ales that are made in house. The Pruno is light and you don't really get the grapefruit flavor and the Strawberry-Blonde has a bit more of an aroma to it, but again the flavor of the strawberries is hard to find. The beer is served a bit warmer than most but our server informed us ahead of time - both enjoyable nonetheless. Service was fast and attentive. Plus, you're on a rooftop bar in the Flatiron District - will definitely be returning!
(4)
Rosa L.

Disappointed that they're still having issues with stolen credit card numbers. Mine was stolen last night.
(1)
merisa t.

3 and 1/2 stars. I was prepared to not like La Birreria. I didn't even want to go, but I knew I had to because people keep oohing and ahhing over Eataly (which I think is utterly terrifying) and I don't like to be left out. So I went and now I am reviewing it for the love of Yelp. We went on a steamy Wednesday around 5 p.m. and it was quiet but got progressively more crowded as the suits filed in (minus a point! SUITS!). The room is now covered with a greenhouse-like roof that is not conducive to this weird sweaty, humid, rainy Indian Summer we've been having because it felt like we were in an actual greenhouse (though I'm blaming that on global warming and the people who don't believe it is such a thing so La Birreria you're spared), but I do like being able to look up at the sky from inside a building (architectural sunroof!), so the design is not all for naught. We were dining elsewhere, so just had drinks. My rule of thumb with beer is generally to have the draft (unless it is a rare beer that I can never find in stores), so I went with the Dog Fishhead (love this partnership, by the way) Sah'tea ($9), a Finnish-inspired beer made with juniper berries, black tea, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and black pepper - it's trip the light fantastic. I also had the Sofia ($10/pint) - a house-made Belgian Wit, nice and light but better for actual summer, and a glass of the Bastianich Fruilano ($12 - it was actually about a glass and a half, since they give you a little carafe), which was light and floral and perfect (and you can get a bottle for $33! Cost-effective! It is almost not even worth it to get just a glass). The overall beer menu is pretty great - there are only about 12 on draft, but they change frequently so I hear. I'll admit the beer prices are off by about $1 or $2 a glass, but there are a lot of uncommon, hard to find beers here, so that makes it almost worth it, right? Side note - some lady ordered a cosmopolitan while I was there. At a beer garden. Where does she think she is, Studio Square? (Beer garden trash talk.)
(3)
Marco S.

Great place to while away a sunny afternoon. I tried to go in late autumn on a Sunday, which provided much better access than the weekday happyhour I tried to attend in the summer, when the wait was an unbearable hour plus. This October afternoon, we were able to scoot right in with no wait whatsoever. Upon the waiter's recommendation, we ordered a carafe of their golden ale, which is just the perfect sunny outdoor beer, let me tell you. I also ordered the mushroom dish. It's not very filling, but a good amount and very savory if you just need something to tide you over. I also had a bite of some terrific salad.
(4)
Josh W.

Solid beer garden. Though it feels more like a fancy rooftop restaurant that happens to sell beer as well. Yes it's expensive, but everything I tried out was solid. Really the worst part of coming here is the long wait. Though it's not too bad because you can but your name down and they'll give you a text when a table is ready. In terms of food, I tried out the blood sausage dish which was very delicious. The plate was pricey (about $21), but I thought the sausage was great and portion size was decent and big enough to share with a couple people. Overall, a nice place to grab a bite and a drink.
(4)
Deedles P.

Really disappointing. I was so excited to go here for drinks with friends on a Tuesday night. After waiting in line for 10 minutes to add our name to the list, they tell us it could be up to a 45 minute wait and that they would text us when they were ready for us. As much as this sucked, fair enough. We went to get a drink at the bar and we waited. 1 hour later, still no text, 1.5 hours later still no text. As much as we wanted to leave, our decision to stay was based on principle. No way we were giving up after waiting so long. The hostesses were pretty much useless, asking if they had an idea how much longer it would be after 1.5hrs doesn't seem like an unreasonable question, but they had no answers. FINALLY after we complained they let us go upstairs and what a let down! There is no view, literally no view at all. A brick wall and the sky if you look straight up. Who wants to go a roof top bar that is enclosed in glass and has no view? No thanks. So not worth the wait. Save yourself a ton of time and eat and drink downstairs.
(2)
ANGELA D.

So loud couldnt hear yourself think let alone talk. Waited to long for very expensive food, that was definitely not enough. 3 oz portion of salmon for $24.00' yes thats it, a piece of salmon on the plate for $24.00. Ridiculous Shared a glass of wine with my 20 year old son, and was reprimanded. Being of Italian decent, this was appalling. Never again.. Sorry Mario and Lydia
(1)
Michelle P.

The view is cool and I loved the outdoor concept. But for some reason it just wasn't as cool as I thought it would be. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the experience but I guess I just had really high expectations. The food was good, but not mind-blowingly spectacular. The beer was excellent, though.
(3)
Toni M.

Small selection of Italian beers, mostly Birra Moretti.
(2)
Kevin W.

Not rating the food here, only the beer and ambience. Very cool looking space, and not crowded (b/c they vigorougly maintain a strict door policy). You really want to make a reservation as me and 2 friends had to wait...literally 2 hours just to sit at the bar upstairs. We devoured a rotisserie chicken downstairs, and when all hope seemed lost on a supposed-likely-one-hour wait, they finally called/texted us. They do take reservations, and that'd really be the only scenario in which I would go back, given the wait. I bumped into a group of friends there and they seemed to enjoy the food, meat/cheese plate. Beers were good, standard nyc pricing. We had a fourth person arrive later, and I asked the guy if we could bring one more person up to join us, and he said flatly no. So we left. It has a cool italian Bellagio Vegas look to it - caskets of beer, red coloring. And that's really what I'm rating.
(4)
Samuel C.

I don't know why articles refer to Birreria as a beer garden but it certainly is not one. I was actually quite disappointed with how small Birreria was upon arrival and that we had to wait online downstairs for 15 minutes for a half empty rooftop garden. Honestly there was no view here unless you're into looking at stone walls. Seriously the only view was from the bathroom where for those voyeurs looking into the guys bathroom here, you can certainly see people pee'ing into the urinals. Anyways we tried a few beers here but I was most impressed by the Cabernet here. It was a very young wine but incredibly rich in flavor and aromatic. It's the only reason I give this place 3 stars instead of 2.
(3)
Matthew E.

A little oasis above Eatlaly away from all the crazy tourists. In the summer the roof opens up to get some sunshine. The food is preetty good modern new york take on German food. I think the food is a little overpriced and the pretzel appetizers isn't as tasty as it looks. The beer selection is interesting and different and the service is great. 4 starts for everything except the food, that's a 3. Pretty easy to snag a reservation on there website, which is nice.
(4)
Alison D.

I went here to watch the Superbowl. It was a private event: all you can eat and drink (italian beer only- a light and dark option) for $100 bucks (that included tax and tip). It was great! The food was very good. The service was excellent. The servers were extremely attentive and helpful when we had any questions. The bartenders were knowledgable and friendly. The buffet was diverse and everything gets a thumbs up. The food was constantly replenished. There were 2 whole pigs and the staff was 'pulling the pulled pork' right in front of us. : ) Shrimp. Sausage and peppers. Wings. Italian meats and cheeses. Grilled vegetables. Pasta salads. Portabella sandwiches. Everything was delicious. It was sold out but not overcrowded. The view was spectacular. Dr Phil was at the next table over- so I guess La Birreria gets his approval too!
(4)
Colleen D.

Food, Service, Atmosphere, Wine all great here. Can get pretty crowded and loud by the bar, get there early to secure a spot. Cheese plate is my favorite. There's a retractable roof making it a comfortable all year round rooftop restaurant.
(4)
Brian L.

Great beer! On the other hand the service was bad, while the restaurant had empty tables we waited almost 40 minutes to be seated a table we stood beside. I also feel like the prices were a bit high for the environment and service. Might try one more time.
(2)
Erin E.

Does it get better than dining alfresco with a high school mini-reunion of 3 random alums and their spouses AND Lidia Bastianich is seated next to you at La Birreria?! We got here at 4:45 p.m., reserved a table for 7 and an hour later we were seated with ease and dined well for 2 hours. I think the prices are completely reasonable considering we are dining in the city. Yes $10 pints for homemade brew seems a little steep but it was wroth it for the experience. Pretzel bread, mustard, a cheese plate with all 7 cheeses, and the sausage misto plate for $95 worked out perfectly for all 7 of us 'old friends'. Oh, add the maitake mushroom salad and the heirloom tomato salad, we were content to say the least, and full. When all was said and done we dropped $50/pp which is pretty reasonable for any city and it's hot spot. Did I mention Signora Bastianich was seated behind us??! We would go back, fun night out.
(5)
Wesley H.

It has a nice vibe on the rooftop of the Eataly building. The food itself is actually not as good as downstairs and the wine/beer list is limited. Still a decent place to unwind or catch up with friends in the late evening after work.
(3)
Margaret Y.

need to get cheese plate and meats plate. I love eating that with bread olive oil and wine. beef and pork sausage with radish, delicious. Lamb chops, tender and juicy and delicious. their seafood was bass, it was light and delicious. had a beer called Super, was sooo good.
(5)
Leonardo U.

Good for musical chairs, but not much else. At La Birreria, the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. We had a party of 6 and no reservation but thought we'd give La Birreria a try. The hostess estimated 30 minutes for a table or immediate seating at a table in the hot sun. We decided to take our chances and were seated, but changed our minds after spending about 5 minutes in the sweltering heat. We were about to go back and wait for a better - cooler - table when our waiter offered to move us to a table in the shade, which was very kind. A few minutes after getting re-seated, the manager came over and said we can't sit here because it's reserved. Puzzled, we told the manager his waiter sat us here. The manager said he heard that we sat ourselves (??) which was untrue. We told the manager to speak to the waiter who re-seated us. He responded by becoming defensive, explaining that, "the waiter works for me, I don't need to talk to him, he has to do what I say." The manager asked us to sit back at the table in the sun or go back in line. We asked him how long the wait would be and if he could find out, but he said we can find out ourselves by going out and asking the hostess. We said we were unhappy and that we would leave. We asked the manager for his name, but he wouldn't give it to us. The rude manner in which the manager handled this snafu was surprising, unwelcome and unnecessary. It was such an unpleasant experience we decided there's no need to go back. There are plenty of wonderful alternatives. It's NYC, after all.
(1)
Mike T.

While we were slightly disappointed in the view (In all fairness the roof was closed as it was December), the one thing we were not disappointed in was the fare. We only ate small plates of a selection of meats and cheeses, but they were delicious! The entrees which we saw people around us ordering looked and smelled fantastic. However, the real star of the show for me was the beer. The staff is very friendly and knowledgable, especially where the beer is concerned. It was some of the best beer I've ever had the pleasure of drinking. While my wife and I went for our Anniversary, it is an atmosphere more befitting of a gathering with friends. I highly recommend that you try it out. It won't disappoint.
(4)
Jeremy B.

This a great spot, though it doesn't quite live up to the early hype. I think the space is very enjoyable and they do a nice job of crowd management. Though there are better/higher rooftops, I enjoyed the views that Birreria provides. It should be noted that this is more of a sit-down place, and not really a beer garden / bar scene. As for beer, I actually thought the selection was respectable with many interesting choices on draft and in bottle. Plus they will be brewing their own cask ales on site, (doesn't yest seem fully operational). So I think most will be pleased with what they have to offer. Regarding food, I wasn't overwhelmed with the selection; it seemed like there were mostly appetizer/antipasta options and I would not recommend going here for an elaborate meal. What they do have, though, is very good quality. Overall, this is a great place to meet a date or friends for drinks/apps. The biggest drawbacks are the wait and somewhat high prices, though I expect that the crowds will eventually subside, and this will be a very solid Flatiron option. Enjoy!
(3)
Charlene G.

The best things about this place were the gorgeous weather on the day we were there and the server,James Z. We enjoyed his recommendations for beer and wine. The bread served w/ oil was tasty and we each ordered the fennel apply salad- which was lovely- but a little boring. All in all, we enjoyed the day, but w/out the glorious weather, it would have been sort of dull. And frankly, prices were pretty steep- even for NYC standards.
(3)
Michael L.

Theres not much to not like. Located on the 14th floor of the eataly monster building, this rooftop bar really has it all. From fromaggi and charcuterie to salads and sausages. This place has a good selection of tap beers as well as their homemade brews. Yes this place can get pricey, but the quality is there just like the rest of eataly. Which reminds me, this place can easily get crowded like the downstairs but they do put a limit on how many go upstairs which can be good if you are lucky enough to get in. The food is good, the drinks are good and the price can make you cringe a little, but its worth it. The rooftop can also be covered which makes drinking in the rain a breeze. A solid option for your rooftop drinking needs.
(4)
Jennifer M.

Loved the food, beer, and service. For those complaining about the wait/service: I think you need a reservation and all of your party has to be present if you don't want to wait. We made one for 2 people at 6pm (the only time we could get on a Tuesday) and were led straight to our table. I would probably not recommend this for large group drinking just because while it's set up to feel like a beer garden it's really a huge sit down restaurant with full service--I imagine running the reservation system here is a nightmare as you wouldn't know if your tables want to drink all night or are coming in for a beer or two and a bite like you would in a regular restaurant. We had the house made cask ale, the 3 cheese plate, and two of their amazing salads (forget the names). If you make a reservation, come with a small group, and have a beer or three and some small plates, it's a fantastic experience.
(5)
Jennifer C.

First time there, went for brunch, and will definitely be back again! Loved the feel and the views, and the fried shiitake mushrooms!!!
(4)
Rachel L.

I went to La Birreria on a Saturday afternoon, with a reservation for a table (allowed for parties of six or more. They are strict on their rule that they will not seat you until your entire party arrives) The beer was great - had an awesome wheat-y beer followed by a seasonal pumpkin ale - both delicious! Since we sat down for table service, we ordered a bit of food, and it was just ok. We shared a few cheese plates, and found that most of the cheeses were an acquired taste, which actually made them difficult for sharing. Others in our party ordered fried mushrooms and a sausage/sauerkraut plate, both of which they thought were ok. The ambiance was fun and relaxed, and there was a close-up view of the top of the flatiron building, which was neat. Otherwise the view left a bit to be desired for a rooftop bar. The music was great, lots of 90s classics, which our group of mid 20s - early 30 somethings really enjoyed! Overall, I would go back to the bar if I was in the area with a few good friends, but I would not go back for the table service. The drinks and music were the best part of La Birreria, and those can both be easily enjoyed at the bar.
(3)
Junot F.

Stopped in for drinks and some cheeses and meats a couple of weeks ago. Love the rooftop (covered for when the weather is not nice). Food and service was good. Plenty of space for a happy hour crowd.
(4)
Tim W.

I went at an off time like 3pm and had a really nice time. it was one of those warm winter days and the place was just bubbly, you know....the sound level where you can still hear your dining companions speak and hear the flatware clinking against the plate...not that i needed any with my pork shoulder...i picked that bitch up with my fingers and nawwwed down! i suggest you do the same. and get some of the italian beers on tap...stick with the inexpensive ones they are as good as the pricy stuff, and wont hurt your wallet.
(4)
Vicky L.

We had a reservation so we skipped the line downstairs. I actually have to give them props on keeping the riff raff (read: those without reservations) downstairs so the upstairs bar area stays relatively uncrowded as only those with a reservation who are next in line to be seated are hanging out. The staff was super friendly from the 4 hosts I had to talk to in order to skip the line (I was last to arrive) to the waiters/waitresses and even the cleaning staff in the bathroom. I saw a comment or two that service was "bad." I disagree, I would say it wasn't the fastest dining experience I've ever had, but we could find our waitress when needed and once ordered, things came out in a reasonable amount of time. Also, I appreciated that they were not on top of us, waiting for us to finish eating so they could throw the bill at us so they could turn the table over. I know having to ask for the check bothers some, but on a night like last night, lingering felt right. The food was really good, too. Like way better than your typical brewery restaurant (try the pork shoulder). The only thing that seemed overpriced to me was the cheese/meat. The cheese servings are like iiittttty biiiitty bites---our table of 6 ordered to share, and I wish the waitress had told us how tiny the portion was! Another con - they were out of both of the draft beers we wanted to try. Bummer, you are a brewery Birreria, how you gonna run out of beer by 7pm on a Saturday eve? BUT overall, it was a delightful experience. The space is great, the staff was extremely pleasant, the food amazing---I guess I can forgive the running out of beer thing since they had many other options to choose from that were available.
(4)
J C.

I went for after work drinks and dinner with four other girls. Loved the outdoor ambiance even though we decided to go on a 90+ degree day, the 5 geniuses that we are. Definitely could have used some more fans around the place but we still had fun and it was a nice space. However considering that it's a rooftop, I was disappointed in the views or lack thereof. Overall I'd say the food we tried at Birreria was really very good but overpriced. I know it's NYC but I felt this was more overpriced than usual NYC...considering the small portion sizes and just the kind of place it is. Food selection may be limited but there's no shortage of alcohol options. Loved the wines we tried (especially the sparkling rose!) and definitely want to come back to try some of the beers! If I come back it will be mainly for drinks and perhaps a few plates to share...but not when I want it to actually be my dinner. I just don't see it as that kind of place, which begs the question: why the entree-heavy menu? 5 or 6 entrees may not seem like a lot but it is when the menu is tiny. I'm just really not sure what identity they're going for. In my opinion, offering more small plates would be the way to go. They could even deconstruct some of their existing entrees into small plates. Birreria is just not the kind of place/menu from which I would ever order an entree again (delicious as it was- I got the pork shoulder). Maybe drinks and snacks like cheese and bread and the yummy olive oil smashed potatoes, but definitely not dinner. There are too many places with just as good or better food in bigger portions for a similar price.
(3)
David G.

Sorry in advance, this is going to be a tough review. We've been looking forward to trying Birreria for a while. I am more than willing to drop top dollar on a meal if it is worth it. Let me say in advance that everything we ate was well seasoned and well prepared. The pork shoulder, though meager, was excellent. The Flank Steak was cooked perfectly to our liking. The good news stops there. The service in this place is horrid. We showed up early Sunday morning to get seats. At the bottom floor, the hostesses was visibly irritated that we're we're there early, and told us to come back later. Ok, fine, but when I asked a question about the menu, and what was on tap, she said she didn't have a clue as to what was available. Really? Way to sell!(Turns out this dogfish inspired restaurant only had one of their selections on tap). We patiently waited in a line until the waitress looked up from her iPad, about 11:32, and told us to head on up. When we reached the top, we were lessthat thrilled with the lack of direction as to where to go. Again, the greeter there took their sweet time seating us. Although the restaurant was empty, we were led to the seats at the entry. I asked nicely if we could move further in. The waiter responded that he would have to inquire if that was possible. He returned, visibly annoyed, and took us to another table in the direct sun, between two umbrellas, but not under them. (The adjacent tables remained empty for our visit). We were about to order drinks, when the waiter informed us we would have to wait until 12, according to NY law (not his fault for sure). So we ordered a 5 cheese for $15. That came later. Turns out, because of switching casks, and a lack of communication, we didn't get drinks for 45 minutes into our meal. The waiter was no where to be seen when we needed him. When we ordered our meal, the server frequently interrupted telling us that simply wouldn't be possible, no the cook wouldn't do that. We were simply ordering food, and sides, and not asking for substitutions, but he was to abrupt to wait to hear that for himself . In short, service was slow, unaccomidating, rude, and impatient. The food was excellent, when we got it... But I don't think I would bother going again. I wouldn't want to put them out! Sorry Sam, we love dogfish, and we would drive to Delaware to eat there, but this combo just isn't working.
(1)
Matt C.

Honestly, I was excited to go here... but I was not impressed. I love the people I went with and as always we had fun together but that doesn't make this place better. I will have some good memories from the place and they have a solid beer collection, as expected, but the food just wasn't what I was looking for. We started with cheese and prosciutto and they didn't really give us that much and it wasn't too impressive. We followed that up with the Tritata salad which was actually one of the best things I had that night. It had a very nice blend of flavors. We also ordered the Maitake mushroom which was decent as well but didn't really make me want more. Then there was the Probusto sausage which was definitely underwhelming. It didn't taste like much and I've definitely had better sausage. Finally, there was the pork chop which was pretty dry. The only semi good pieces were the fatty pieces, and they were not too easy to come by. This place is supposed to be awesome because it's a "rooftop" but it's really not. If I didn't see that we got off at the 14th floor, I wouldn't have believed it. Overall, good times, not great food. I probably won't go back unless someone really wants me to.
(2)
Karen S.

Food and beer and wine are great. Had the bratwurst, pork shoulder. Both very good.They were out of a few things on the menu, like some of the Eataly cask beers, so did not get to try. Had some beer with chai and juniper berries, was very good. Food was kinda pricey... $21 for Bratwurst... Rooftop is ok, but not as big as I expected,and no view whatsoever...except maybe a corner of the Flatiron Building. Not dark though, was very sunny. Not a beer garden vibe...at all. They need to spruce up the hallway when you get off the elevator, cuz it looks like you are lost in some random office building, till you turn the corner into Birreria. Service is a bit slow, specifically slow turnover on tables. The 2 tables next to us sat empty for most of the time we were there. They should do better at this especially since they take no reservations and there is a long wait. Regarding the wait staff, they were great, and very knowledgable. The thing that frustated me the most is the reservation system, or lack thereof and the fact that they only allow complete tables and no joiners... First they make you wait on a line to then leave your name and cell number. You have to wander around (at least Eataly is an interesting enough place to wander), waiting for a text from them, telling you they can now accomodate you. When you get the text and get back there, you have to show them (surly security guard and the host) that you got this text. You better hope that your party is all there at that time, because if not, there is no way in hell they will ever let them up to meet you on the roof, whether you have been seated or not.... no way whatsoever..none, nada, zilch! anyone who wants to join you, has to now go through the same process you just went thru, so by the time they get up there, you will probably be done. Oh and you can't say you just want to go up and chill at the bar either...there is a list/text system for that too. I can't offer them a solution, but people just need to understand this before they get there and are expecting someone to join them, cuz it ain't gonna happen.
(3)
Allan L.

First things first, the line is usually really long to get upstairs. However, once you get past the bouncers keeping you away from the rooftop bar waiting area, it gets much better. The selection of beers is great and the menu is great. I would recommend getting ALL the cheeses. From there, it all about personal choice. I have gone 4 times not and have yet to be served a bad plate. They do tend to serve their plates in slightly too small portions.
(4)
Albert P.

Visited La Birreria last year during a business trip to NY. Cool rooftop beer spot, great view, good company, and a tasty cheese plate. It wasn't too packed (Wednesday). Would stop by again with friends the next time I am in NY.
(4)
Monica H.

I came here for lunch today for a business meeting. We ended up staying for four hours talking. We were perfectly comfortable and our waiter was incredibly pleasant and friendly. Not once did we feel pressured to leave. I had the Brasato Di Pleuroti: Braised King Oyster mushrooms with broccoli rabe fett'unta, poached egg and Grana Padano... whoa, that was fantastic! We shared the 7 cheese plate and that was divine. I don't know what it's like for dinner but lunch was great, great vibe and who doesn't want to eat on a rooftop in Manhattan in the middle of winter with the open sky above. I would come back again in a heartbeat.
(5)
Julie H.

Love my pork shoulder lunch. It came in a mustard seed sauce with sliced apples and celery. Simple, but tasty. The atmosphere is great. Rooftop scene with a view of the Empire State building. it is pricey. Pork shoulder will set you back $22. The entrance is a little harder to find. It is near one of the employee entrance doors. Take the elevator up to the 14th floor and walk up the stairs. It's worth the trip to go up there, nice chillax environment.
(4)
Alison C.

Who does not love a good beer garden on a nice day - cool suds and warm rays. However, La Birreria was more of a hassle than a relaxing experience. The hostess was stationed in Eataly's bookshop, buried behind a massive line. A ridiculous scene ensued, in which we had to wait around the marketplace for hours until they paged us with approval to head upstairs to the roof. They also enforce a rule that if your whole group is not there, you can only visit the bar or take a smaller table, leaving your friends to fend for their own chairs once they arrive. By the time we finally got seated, I would say that the service was extremely accommodating. For example, I wanted to bask in the seasonal warmth, but an annoying fan was giving me a draft. The waiter politely moved it, however, after my pleading request. The beer list was extremely unique. I absolutely loved the Baladin Nora, which included the multidimensional blend of ginger, orange peel, and myrrh. The Del Borgo Te' was the first saison that I had ever appreciated. It was a refreshing mixture of this brew with green tea. The Dfh Sah 'Tea was also heavenly. The Scandinavian-style beer possessed essences of spice, chocolate, and cinnamon, thanks to its enhancement of chai and juniper berries. It was reminiscent of a chai latte, making it way to easy to gulp. We balanced all of the suds with some thick slices of sourdough bread with a thin flimsy crust but dense, doughy interior. We also sampled some large pretzel baguettes, which were too crisp and salty but were served with a hearty stone grain mustard. In addition, we added some more substantial plates to share. Our crafted platter of 7 cheeses was a delight. We settled on the Ricotta Fresca, Robiola Bosina, Piave, Peco Rino Toscano, Peco Rino Fio Re Sa Rdo, Taleggio, and Bleu del Moncenisio. While we enjoyed the cheese, it was not really a good pairing with the salty pretzel bread. We craved a lighter toast or some other enhancement besides the lame bit of honey that arrived with the dairy mixture. The Chopped Kale Salad was weighed down by a heavy coating of salty dressing. However, it benefited from the acidity of almost a half of a Ruby Red grapefruit that was sliced over it. The Quail platter was composed of two small, butterflied birds that resembled headless frogs. Though the appearance was off-putting, the small bones were surrounded by tender, moist meat that had a great roasted flavor. The accompanying Sambuca-braised fennel was expertly caramelized. The Grilled Portobello Mushroom caps were decent, but not overly flavorful. The presentation of the fungi topped with anchovies and tomatoes, and lying amongst a light egg cream sauce, was truly artistic. My experience at La Birreria was very mixed. While the beer offerings were fabulous, the food was a mixed bag, and the scene was too stressful for what should have been a carefree beer garden. I probably will not head there again this summer, unless it is a destination chosen by someone else.
(3)
Graeme J.

Great beer garden and amazing beer. With the roof open and music playing, there isn't anywhere better.
(5)
Elizabeth J.

Rooftop dining...what could be better??? Answer: another restaurant. Sad to say that the service and staff attitude here is enough to make this a very unpleasurable dining experience. I went here twice over the last two months. Both nice sunny days. Great to be outside and having fantastic food. Service: Dear Mr. Battali you need to FIRE this staff/management and start over. They need to be trained on what the word 'service' means. Wait: First time, with no reservation -the wait was about 1 hour. When we got up there we noticed tons of empty tables, lots not bussed, and although there was a long wait, it didn't seem to be busy. Second time, had a reservation but only half our party arrived -there was 1-2 tables only!!! The place was a ghost house. 1st -the hostesses refused to seat us, ummm hello this place is empty and we want to order drinks/apps!! WTF. 2nd -when we finally sat they would not let us order food until the stragglers arrived -said it confused there kitchen. .... Wow really? The thing that struck me as odd was there was more waitresses than there way people dining in the restaurant!! WTF. Our waiter was very attentive when there was two of us, but as soon as our full party arrived she was MIA! Had to ask for water several times. Service ppl! Food: The only reason this is getting two stars. While VERY OVERPRICED the food was delicious! We had a cheese plate -awesome, comes with honey Meat plate -need some more spicy meats, but overall good Chicken -ohhhh man!! This was incredible Walnut Salad -very tasty Wine/Beer: both come in very fun crafts, glasses. I love to dine outdoors, but over paying for horrid service is not the way to go, especially when there are thousands of better spots in NYC! Sorry Mario this place is a disappointment in my books.
(2)
Eric G.

My friends and I have been meaning to go to Eataly together for the longest time now and we all finally made an appearance yesterday. We decided to eat at La Birreria and I loved it. We ordered a bunch of meats, cheeses, salads and other sides to share amongst the table... I feel like that's the way to go here. They also give you bread with olive oil while you're waiting. I was expecting to be able to order a meal, but it wasn't that kind of place. It was all really good though and we didn't have to wait long for our food at all. We all ordered their Ruby beer, which was good, too. Aside from the fresh, delicious food, the atmosphere was perfect. I didn't feel rushed to leave; we finished our food and just sat, talked and finished our beers for quite awhile. The restaurant is located on the roof of the building -- I can't wait to come back here in the summer... I bet it's gorgeous. In the winter, it's enclosed with heat lamps, which was still nice, but I'm more of a warm weather person. Side note: James from the reality show Big Brother 9 was our server! My one friend and I are huge fans of the show and I recognized him. I wish we didn't bring it up to him though because he seemed a little embarrassed and didn't really talk to us much afterwards. Aside from that, the staff (from the bus boys to the hosts) were very friendly and attentive.
(4)
Joe C.

A beautiful rooftop resturant located on the 14th floor of the Eataly. the food is great I loved the homemade sausage. They have a great beer and wine selection. there are three cask conditioned ales for the people who enjoy real beer.
(5)
Len W.

This is Mario Battali's beer garden above his Eataly menagerie of groceries, cookware, gelato, rotisserie chicken and eateries. My friend the good doctor has been to the eateries downstairs, but the beer garden is typically too busy, and requires reservations well in advance. We took an early (12:15 - right when it opened) Sunday lunch to walk in. The weather was perfect for outside dining. Its on the 14th floor, so you are looking up at the taller buildings. The Empire St. Building is visible behind the full service bar and the beer taps. When we sat down, our table was wobbly. One of the wait staff immediately came over and fixed it. He took about 3 minutes, and did not give up. Its nice that they didn't just ignore the problem. We got the fried shitake mushrooms and the good doctor got a green salad. The mushrooms came out hot and were perfect. 4 stars (kinda pricey). I got the bistek - sliced skirt steak that was a perfect medium rare, nicely marinated and with a wonderful sprinkle of rock or Kosher sea salt. Tender and flavorful. 4.5 stars (pricey, and not the biggest serving). The good doctor got the pork shoulder - tender, flavorful, salty and a little sweet, and rich. 5 stars. We also go coffee. Total was $96.00. Price, but a worthy splurge. I'd go back, but not during the prime dinner rush.
(4)
Ronald S.

honestly, this place is amazing especially if you like beer - there arent a lot of brewery type places in NYC anymore. we were here in the winter and it was cold out so the roof was closed.. but still, i was impressed by the space and the mini brewery on a roof top and the quality of the house made cask ales were all very good. the only drawback is we had a couple beers and a cheese plate and it was $100. would i come back here? yah without a doubt. If you like beer and want to enjoy it on a nice summery day in a beer garden environment, this is a top floor choice! Its kinda unique how you get here through Eataly and then a concierge waits by the elevator and it feels like you walk through an office building. people around us had some food and it all looked very good - on par with the other eataly dining establishments downstairs.
(4)
Mike F.

What a place! The weather was perfect, the roof was open and the beer/food surpassed my expectations. I had visited with a party of 6 and they were more than accommodating. We took their recommendation and shared the "Piatto Misto" in addition to ordering the whole cheese-flight and it was more than enough food for under $20/head. The atmosphere is their signature. The weather was perfect, the roof was open and it was not overly crowded. This allowed for the server to provide great service - not constantly bothering us, but always making sure we had what we wanted.
(5)
Chris B.

Grab a brew Prepare to wait My dish was very tasty* Pictured: View from my seat No reservation... but get one ideally Water is refilled as soon as your glass is empty It's hot; you're outside. Welcome to the summer; get over it OK views. You're not looking down and around--just @ bldgs' tippy-tops *Pollo con pesto di olive verdi ($19) [Pennsylvania chicken thigh with sweet corn, puslande, and a green olive-almond pesto]
(4)
Andreas H.

I really, really, REALLY wanted to love this place. But alas, it is only gets three stars worth of lovin'. The Superb: The Probusto wurst had great flavor and texture. The mustard was fantastic. The service was phenomenal. The guy who took care of our table was hilarious, friendly, and knew the menu. The Average: My friends Cotechino, while visually pleasing, was simply too fatty for my enjoyment. The bread, while delicious, was seriously affected by the humidity that day. The space was huge, but it felt... well... a bit sterile? I'm not sure if that was it, but it lacked the warmth and feel I was hoping for. The Poor: The price. Come on Mario. $21 for 2 wurst, 3 tablespoons of kraut, and a smear of mustard? I am all for paying top dollar for fine food, but this was just damn offensive. Also, I really appreciate a cask beer, and I love Dogfish Head, but $10 a pint is just a touch over the top.
(3)
Anne L.

Birreria isn't quite the beer garden experience I expected. Instead it is a restaurant on a roof top. That being said, who can object to restaurants on roof tops?! While in the summer it's not the coolest place to be, we really expected sweltering heat but somehow, with the few strategically placed fans, we made it out alright this past weekend in 100 degree weather. The best way to go is probably through reservations. We made them for a party of nine and we were all seated immediately. Being that there were so many of us and so many in the beer garden itself, our drink orders were mixed up a few times, but the waiter was really good about it afterwards. The beer selection is pretty good. I was disappointed that they didn't have a few of the beers they showcase on the menu. I had the liquid gold---yum. BUT THE BEST THING ABOUT BIRRERIA: The juiciest, most flavorful steak. I'm talking about the Bistecca con salsa verde. For the best experience----make reservations, bring your sunglasses, and come ready to eat some meat!
(4)
Joyce K.

Cover: none Dress code: any thing you want. C-A-S-U-A-L Heard about the crazy lines and made my way up to see what the fuss was about. I expected a rooftop beer garden...but it is more like a restaurant on the roof of a building with the only difference being the choice in beers--much like the top floor of Tonic East except less "bar"ish. There are literally so many tables that it is not somewhere you go to walk/stand around and chill on a night out. Probably the only way I would go here is if I had eaten at Eataly and wanted to extend the night with some drinks/fingerfoods rather than dessert at the gelato bar. I might come here on a chill weeknight (but why..there are either better happy hour deals out there or better rooftops), but never on a Friday/Saturday night.
(3)
Michelle R.

Really enjoyed my experience having a couple drinks here on a Friday afternoon around 4pm. The bar/restaurant was generally empty, and the bartenders were friendly. I can't wait to try the food next time I come by. Judging by my experience, I think the off-season is the time to visit Birreria for sure.
(4)
Kristal H.

Went here on a weekday mid-afternoon and didn't need a reservation to get a table for two. It was a rare moment when Eataly wasn't just wall-to-wall people and was super easy to walk through (although it become crowded closer to happy hour)! You take an elevator to the 14th floor and the host will seat you. The layout is great with a separate bar and sit-down area but don't go expecting to have a great skyline view. On a clear day, just enjoy the breeze, the sun and a gorgeous blue sky sprinkled with clouds. The menu had a wide selection of Italian beers and wines with lunch/dinner options that change seasonally. We ordered a 3 sample cheese plate which consisted of ricotta, asiago fresco and provolone. We also ordered a meat sampler of pork shoulder. The sampler plates were delicious! Be warned -- the cheese plate comes with very little cheese so don't order expecting to split with more than 2 people unless you just want a little taste of each portion. The order came with bread and olive oil for dipping, along with a honey-frangelico dip for the cheese (I wasn't a fan of the dip but my friend was). I order a glass of the risato (blush) wine and it was ok. I would definitely return to try some of the lunch/dinner plate options and on a nice day this is a beautiful spot to spend time with friends!
(3)
Neha S.

Went here on a whim after braving the crowds down below on a hot summer day. My group of 5 was able to get space at the bar only (which is fine- we only wanted to take part in some post-brunch refreshing brews). Love how you can get wine straight from the barrell, their brewed beers are delicious, crisp and refreshing. Good selection on tap. Will definitely go back to try food and other varities on tap. Not much of a view from the top though, and a bit crowded.
(3)
Holly C.

This place was really disappointing. Check in is on first floor and it was really confusing. The security handling the line had no clue where people should go. Meanwhile, the restaurant was trying to push supplies in and out of the area where people are waiting in line to get on this list. The hostess made us get on a list to go to the bar. You provide a phone number so you can get a text when you can go up. When we got the text 30 minutes later (on a Wednesday night!), we got put back in the same line as people trying to get on the list. WTF? We go up to the bar and it was 3 deep - absolutely miserable. Had one beer, which was pretty good, and then left because it was so crowded and miserable. If you really want to try this place, ask for a table. But keep in mind they really spread the seatings out. There were lots of open tables in the dining area when we went to the bar. They really control the seating to keep the servers happy.
(2)
Jason H.

Come for the bar, not the food. The view of the city is great, especially if you are eating here. But overall the food is mediocre, and I would expect much better from eataly. The Drinks: They offer cask beers, kind of cool. The bar is usually packed but nonetheless feels like you are not too cramped. The Wait: Definitely make a reservation in advance through urbanspoon. If you don't the wait could easily run you 1-2 hours for a party of 4 or more. depending on how busy they may let you up to the bar to wait (the best part of the whole thing). The Food: I just get the feeling this is a meat and cheese place, trying to be a restaurant. The meat/cheese selection is solid and good to share. Taste is there as well -- so is the bread. Problem is 'what next'? The rest of the mains and appetizers are prepared like you are in some quick service restaurant with little original taste. Nothing to write home about, except for the view of course (you can always get that from the bar alone). The chairs are a bit uncomfortable and the tables are a little large for the number of people (difficult to have conversations). Overall come for the drinks, do not stay for the meal.
(3)
Vicki L.

A hidden gem! Work your way to the top level of this awesome place. The restaurant has a great vibe and fab service. Order the pork shoulder!
(4)
lisa y.

I'm only giving La Birreria 3 stars because of the horrible service we received. We got seated and our waiter didn't come over for a bit and when he did, didn't introduce himself, just went started spouting the specials. All through our meal he didn't come over to check on us once and then forgot to bring us our side dishes! He claims the kitchen was busy, but upon looking around the restaurant, there were quite a few empty tables...so yeah not cool. Totally sucked that we had the 20% gratuity added on b/c we were a table of 8. We normally wouldn't have minded and would have added extra had he been decent...but he wasn't. The food there however was totally awesome. The one saving grace for this review. I had the grouper and it was delicious! We all tried different entrees and everyone was happy with them. Would have loved to have tasted the sides....#just saying. The restaurant itself is pretty neat with its sky roof. Would love to try it in the spring/fall with the roof open! I'll go back again. Like I said, awesome food, horrible service!
(3)
Todd S.

A very nice casual spot to meet fro drinks, and food. Service was helpful and nice. Portobello mushrooms were great and the skirt steak was also. Portions are small and a little pricey. Wine selection was very good.
(3)
Marcus D.

This is a great place to pass an afternoon with friends drinking beers, expecially when its nice weather and during the work week. After being processed downstairs - seriously, I felt like I was on a tour in Italy when the tour bus drops you off where the locals are hawking their wares - we came up here to sit at the bar and drink some of the different beers. It was definitely less crowded up here and seemed more secluded, far from the madness in the food halls below.
(4)
Lao T.

Great breeze on the rooftop, and got seated within 20 minutes on a Wednesday at 6pm. The food was pretty good, I had the pork shoulder, and it was cooked perfectly. This place would receive a better rating but the server must have been high or just hated his life. You could tell this was his day job. He displayed no passion for the job, the business or most importantly the customer. I don't understand, I want to give you my money, and I drink a lot. How does that not deserve a two bite check in? Also, I think he forgot that we hadn't ordered yet so we had to flag him down after about 15 minutes to get his attention. Very strange. Recommendation: find workers who want to be there or at least fake it.
(2)
Katy H.

I came here on a hot Saturday night. I want to love it bc I love eataly but it doesn't do it for me as a place to just get drinks. The bar was way too crowded. I love the house wine and beer selection. I would come here and get a table to eat and drink.
(3)
Sacha B.

On such a beautiful day yesterday, 2 friends and I decided to grab a bite and a drink on the roof at Eataly. Upon NOT being greeted downstairs by the NOT smiling, NOT happy to exist hostess, she informed us that we MUST order an entree each in order to sit upstairs. Once we got a table it took 10 min to order, 20 min for our bottle of bubbly to arrive, with only 2 glasses and we never saw our server again until the complaints started. We placed our order (NO WE DID NOT ORDER AN ENTREE EACH!) with another server and it continued to just be bad. The whole experience wasn't worth it. There are plenty of other rooftops in the city that have exceedingly better service and food/drink for that matter! Don't waste your time New York!
(1)
Amy D.

come HUNGRY! This place was great- I went on a date on a Sunday night. I didn't have a reservation yet still had no problem getting in. As we were riding the elevator up some guy who had cleary been imbibing the day away said "dudes, you gotta get the cask beer and the sausages". He appeared to be an authority on the subject, so we happily acquiesced. The cask beer (choice of 3) was great, flavorful and perfect temperature. We started with a single plate of salumi and went with the servers recommendations, which were delicious. We then (as not to disappoint mr drunk in the elevator) split the probusto sausage and a side of the delicious mushrooms. The food was delicious and the portions were plentiful (we were both very satisfied after splitting). We were delighted to find that on Sunday they have live music; they had a great cover band and it was a great cap on our evening! highly recommend, especially to bring out of towners!
(5)
Millie C.

I'd give this place a 3.5-4 stars. There is a good beer selection and a nice view. The issue I had was the limited food selection and the price. The food is good.!
(4)
Joe G.

Food: 5/5. Service: 3/5. Beer: 3/5. House cask beers lack luster.
(4)
Marcos E.

I was giving up on Eataly altogether since every time I went there it was oh-so-crowded. I was with some friends in the neighborhood and we decided to give it another try. It was a rainy Thursday around 10pm. Naturally, we were immediately seated and everything was great. Good selection of beers (I hadn't heard of any of the drafts...) and excellent pork chop.
(4)
Janice R.

I love the beer garden, but Rose did not make for a great experience the second time around. La Birreria is popular, but the wait was not fun. Rose made me feel like I wasn't good enough to make up the elevator to La Birreria. First, be honest and say it will be a wait and say how long it will take.
(1)
Molly M.

Wonderful ambiance and the food was delicious. BUT went there for a friends birthday and was confused about their policy that they cant accept more than 6 credit cards. I made the reservation for 9 of us and no one told me about this policy & then when the waiter brought our check he did not mention it either. It wasn't until after we had all put in our credit cards that he said he couldn't do more than 6. Just seems odd that a new place made for group gatherings in NYC has machines that can't split a bill on more than 6 credit cards...and bad service to not give warning for this as we had to scramble to get cash to cover the other 3. So a great night that ended on a sour note...
(3)
Stephanie R.

Ate dinner at Birreria, which was great. Good waiter. Awesome view. Nice cheese plate and pretzel bread. Hubby also had sausage and I had a mushrooms platter, both good. I am not usually a fan of cask beer, but I have to say this was the best cask beer I've ever had (the blond ale). Hubby liked the fancy beer selection. We had awesome gelato and epsresso in the market area after dinner. Then shopping! Bought some homemade ravioli, sauce, top-notch parmesan cheese, bread, more fancy beer, and of course chocolate. I could've kept going but we'll just have to go back. If you're into gourmet food markets, this is a fun place to go.
(4)
Ryan B.

Went here after checking out the whole Eataly market, which is pretty cool, (however I think Chelsea markets is better). Overall, this place is a really cool spot to have some beers with friends, and a great place to take people who are visiting from out of town. The beer selection is pretty solid and caters towards the beer snobs out there, meaning you're not going to find bud light on tap. I tried the "Eataly Pale Ale" and it was pretty good, but there are better and less expensive beer brewed by others on tap. I went here for lunch, and the service was one of the high points. Very attentive staff. I had the brawtwurst, which were great and I also tried a salmon special which was great. The only real downsides are the food is really expensive, and the menu is pretty much all "dinner" food all the time. You're not going to find like a simple burger or sandwich during the lunch hours. One tip is that you only need to put in your name and wait (usually at least 30 minutes even at off peaks times) if you're going to get a table and order food. If you just want to drink, you can go on up. All in all a cool and casual place to grab some fine beers, I'll be back.
(4)
Tim J.

While on vacation in NYC last week, we had reservations for 6 p.m. on a Monday evening. We arrived a few minutes early and were immediately shown to the elevator. If you want prompt seating reservations are highly recommended. I was surprised by the staircase to walk the remaining distance to the roof, but after climbing subway stairs for a few days, it was nothing. Kelly was our server and was very attentive and informative. Once we saw the pretzel bread (not on the menu) on another table, we had to have some. It was very good, especially dredged through the honey. The place was very busy with several large tables of guests, but our little party of 3 received great service. I would like to have seen more Dogfish Head beers on tap rather than bottled, The selections I wanted were only available in 24oz bottles at about $1/oz. The Sha'Tea flavored with juniper berries, black tea, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger and black pepper was outstanding. The spicing was subtle and very pleasant. The Theobroma flavored with cocoa, honey, chilies and annato seeds was very flavorful and not overwhelming. Grado Plato's Strada S. Felice Ale brewed with chestnuts was very tasty. We had the assorted meat plate, cheese plate, pork/beef bratwurst, pickled veggies and the fried shitake mushroom which were delicious. I WILL have to try that at home. I look forward to my next opportunity to return to La Birreria and will definitely try some of the food opportunities on the ground level. On the way out, we stopped by Gelateria for some delicious gelato which we enjoyed at one of the outdoor tables in the island between the park and Eataly along 23rd St. As it approached dusk, the Flatiron building presented me with some great photo ops.
(4)
Cathi A.

I REALLY wanted to love Birreria. The weather was great, and we had a reservation, so no need to wait in the crazy line (though really, is a velvet rope necessary?). We had a reservation for 5 people, but our 5th was stuck in customs and immigration at JFK, so we sat without her. Took them a few minutes, but they accommodated the change without much trouble. The food was good, not great. The charcuterie platter was excellent. When it came time for dessert, we asked if gelato was available (not on the menu, but they do sell it downstairs). Answer was no. OK. Then we asked if we could get just fresh fruit (panna cotta with fresh fruit was on the menu - we just wanted them to hold the panna cotta). Answer was no. (Well, first the answer was "I have to check with my manager". Then the answer was no.) As we were ordering , our 5th arrived from the airport. It took an act of Congress and managerial intervention to get her a chair. We were getting ready to order coffee, and she wanted a cocktail (understandable as she had been stuck with US Immigration for 90 minutes). Again, our server had to check with her manager, who declined the request. It has been a long time since I've experienced such poor customer service. Maybe when they aren't the new hot thing, they'll figure our that customer service is actually an important part of the dining experience. In the meantime, I'll be spending my money elsewhere.
(2)
Moneek M.

Went here the Saturday after the opening and had a great time. Took almost 1.5h in the line to get in, but once we got to the front we got in quickly, since we were just going to the bar. Our bartender was amazing! He was able to help us select the perfect beers and was friendly and attentive all evening. The rooftop is beautiful and there was a nice atmosphere overall. When the lines get better, I would recommend checking it out.
(4)
Sarah K.

Not bad at all. Really nice rooftop to take guests from out of town. Good Italian food for prices that are, well, expected for the location. Definitely make a reservation!
(3)
Eric L.

good beer. appetizers are good
(4)
Andrew M.

Good food, good beer, and good atmosphere; just a bit to pricey for me
(4)
Helen W.

I liked the view and the rooftop but it was really hot on a Saturday afternoon. I went for a bday luncheon. They were strict with reservations.
(4)
Justin D.

This place scored very high marks among the beer establishment Holy Trinity: atmosphere, service, and beer list.
(4)
Jason Y.

This was our first visit to Eataly and I was happy to know we had reservations at La Birreria going in because the lower level markets and restaurants were packed- which I assume is usual for a weekend. It took a moment to find the elevators to La Birreria but mostly because it was so full. Once we got upstairs we were seated right away- hosts and waiter were very friendly. The beer menu is extensive AND pricey but I have to say I did have a delicious beer. We had the pork shoulder and homemade sausages and both were extremely good! The pork shoulder was seasoned perfectly and simply fell apart as I cut into it- yummy! And the sausages with a bit of mustard and potatoes were top-notch. My only complaints would be that the prices seem a bit high for the smallish servings and as the restaurant filled up the service became very slow. Overall it was a good experience and I would love to go back in the fall when the temperature is a bit more agreeable. Make sure you have reservations!
(4)
Todd D.

It's kind of wild in here. Tight quarters when it's packed, and I suspect thats often. Bar on the roof is cool
(4)
John S.

I came here with friends for lunch. It was a little cramped and noisy, but the food and beer was great. I did find the menu a little strange--instead of ordering say, a panini, you order a selection of salamis and cheeses. We weren't quite sure what to do so we ordered basically the entire menu and that turned out to be a good amount for the three of us.
(4)
Leigh Anna T.

Lunch and drinks at La Birreria is a fantastic way to spend an afternoon! The menu is authentic but slightly limited. You will not find a burger and fries here. What you will find is fresh salads, delicious meat and cheese boards, and rustic sausages and chicken dishes. The beer selection is wide-ranging and impressive. All that I sampled were great. The staff is very helpful in knowledgeable when you are trying to pick out what to drink. One gripe is that although much of the rooftop is covered, shaded, and has fans, there are still tables right in the sun. We were lucky enough to get a shaded table, but I felt bad for those eating sausages and drinking beer in the glaring, 90-degree July sun.
(4)
Jose T.

Overall a great experience. Food was great, especially the duck or the lamb. Highly recommend the appetizer with all the meats. I have to admit that you NEED to avoid peak hours to receive a good service otherwise you are screwed.
(5)
Ali L.

This is on the 14th floor of the eataly building. The sign for it is near the back of eataly, and there's a host stand who will tell u that the space is in capacity and they'll text u. I think I waited about 20 mins for the initial text. Once texted, you're permitted to enter the holy elevator to take u up to the 14th floor. Once there, you will need to put your name on another list for a table and wait to be texted again. That is, unless you are lucky to find a spot at the bar or a high top where it's self seat full serve. I got thru all the texts and wait time (about 40 minute wait at the bar) and we were seated. This is a rooftop bar but the views are pretty much nonexistent, so if you're looking for a nice view this isn't the spot. However, if you don't care about the view and just want good drinks and food, this is your place. Wine was delicious, had some cheese and entrees. The cheese is amazing, it was super fresh and they serve it with oil and hazelnut honey , and a few pieces of bread. The bread could have been better, toastier, but still I enjoyed this very much. I had the ricotta, parm, and something similar to Brie but I forget the name. Entrees were pork shoulder for me and steak for my bf. I highly recommend the pork shoulder, it was so tender, cooked perfectly, with this flavor on the charred outside which was smokey and sweet and paired so well with the meat and my wine. I loved it so much! It comes w some apple slaw, which didn't stand compared to the pork. Get it anyway. The steak also doesn't compare to the pork, it had way less flavor and wasn't as tender. All in all eataly is a place we should all come and immerse ourselves in cheese, wine, and Nutella and give the rooftop a try!
(4)
Claire W.

It's alright. My friends and I came here on a Friday afternoon to the bar, which is completely separate from the dining space. I've been to better beer gardens and while the rooftop is nice (you really don't get a view of anything though), the cramped space (you're literally armpit to armpit) and the high food prices makes it difficult to enjoy the experience. I get the limited space on the roof makes it impossible to expand but perhaps limiting the number of people in the bar area will help alleviate the tension. It could easily be a fire hazard judging from the sheer number of people there.
(3)
Juju F.

I usually love Eataly and think the food is amazing but I brought some of my friends to Birreria and was very disappointed with the service. I can understand that the food is overpriced and small quantities because it's "Eataly" but some of the things were out of line. We got our main dish before appetizer and Coffee before dessert... What kind of service is that? We had to share a very small container of parmesan for 3 pasta dish and when we asked for more they said they will charge us $2 more. Really?! What kind of restaurant is this? McDonalds?!
(2)
Sean B.

The bar is packed and appears to be under staffed... the restaurant is 60% empty and appears to be over staffed... the bathrooms are packed with detritus and appear to have no staff. Birreria seems to be a restaurant pretending to be a microbrewery. The draught on offer is okay, but given the opportunity and what the place seems to be trying to be.. it seems like a failure. Individually the beer choices are fine, collectively... what are you doing. Take 2-3 of your beer lines and put normal, stand out beers in them... you've got 10 lines and not a single normal IPA... The bathrooms were disgusting and there is no excuse for that. Dearest Birreria... please, literally and figuratively, fix your shit.
(2)
Ro C.

They have a good system of keeping the place at capacity- if you have a reservation, you can go up to the 14th floor but if you don't, you have to line up and give your name and number to the sweet hostess and she'll text you if there's space at the bar/dining area. E and I went at the start of the Memorial Day weekend and the bar was still packed but we didn't wait too long for a space there. Basically after giving my info, they texted me after 2 minutes that there was space for us at the bar and we went up to the rooftop. When we reached the location, it was a pretty sweet setup. They have retractable roofs and a pleasant aesthetic. Their drinks menu was extensive and they have good ciders on hand. I recommend the Wolffer Estates cider- it's like a rose and a cider got married and had a delicious baby. It was refreshing and just right for the season. Since we were crafty, we also put our name down for the dining area and 20 minutes after we got our initial text, we got another confirming that a table had freed up so we went to the host area by the entrance of the bar and they sat us immediately. E had the chicken, I ordered the duck. Both were satisfying and well made. Prices were a bit steeper than usual but I didn't mind that much because the food was scrumptious. Reservations recommended.
(4)
Carolyna Z.

been to this place during the summer and I love it. I love beer gardens, specially if they are on rooftops! they have an amazing selection of beers, great place to take pictures and instagram them ;) you can also have a nice meal but make sure you come early because it gets super crowded. The only downfall are the bartenders, they are not friendly at all, I tried closing out my tab for not even kidding, 45 minutes. The guy kept ignoring me, when I tried getting his attention, he would walk away, like do you really wanna keep my credit card and pay it too? I had to go to a manager so he can close out my tab, then the bartender gave me an attitude.. I don't understand why... and as I am typing this its making me more upset of what happened so, no 4 stars for you, ill do 3 stars, that sounds about right lol
(3)
Joshua S.

The space and presentation of Eataly is very overwhelming in a good way. There is so much to look at and so much to try, but our party of 8 people had plans to eat at La Birreria. I've had better service at a truckstop in podunktown, tennessee, and there were maybe 7 tables occupied in the whole restaurant. Our server: - haphazardly put our wine and beer down right in front of us in a rushed fashion. - brought the entrees out with the salads - forgot to bring the entrees out later for those who sent theirs back to the kitchen to keep warm while they ate their salads. So they ate their entrees after everyone else was finished. One of the people who received their entree incredibly late had a food allergy, which was not accommodated for, so she wasn't able to eat most of her food. - ran his hand through his hair several times - when one person wanted to pay for the whole table and I wanted to split my beer into a separate check, the server said, "Hmmmm let's see... complicated or easy? I think I'll go with the easy way." Oh, I'm sorry server... I didn't realize we were inconveniencing you. - when I insisted he split up my beer, he quite literally slammed the credit card back on the table and said "Whenever you guys figure it out, let me know." How this guy got a job outside of McDonald's is beyond me, but with that kind of service, I will not return to Eataly. This is one of those situations where the automatic gratuities should be removed from a check, because that 20% needs to be earned, automatically added or not. If I had been the host of the party, the manager would have been notified of the evening, but out of respect for the host I didn't raise a fuss there.
(2)
Beth R.

3.5 stars. I really, really want to give more stars. The food was great, the roof top was amazing. But the service was just not that good. After a long wait our appetizer and entrees came out so close together if was hard to enjoy either one. Our server wasn't up-to-date on the drink menu. Just, mediocre. I'd go back because the rooftop is awesome, but just don't go if you're on a schedule.
(3)
Gordon C.

Birreria would get one more star if they had more comfortable chairs. Kudos for having heat lamps even though the roof is covered for the winter time. I love their brew collection, including house-brewed cask ales and lots of rare bottles. You'll definitely pay out of your ass for food, but what do you expect from a Flatiron District rooftop restaurant?
(3)
Nisse D.

Alrighty, here it is: Good food, or rather amazing entrees. Both the lamb chops and the pork shoulder were delicious! The starters were alright. The fried shiitake with sage was a bit boring. The deserts were not too great neither. Do not try the assorted biscotti, they're just really dry cookies on tray. The one thing that really drags this place down is noise level. Seriously, at our table of five it was hard having a conversation. Worth a visit for the lamb chops though.
(3)
Andrew G.

Had a great late lunch here. The quality of the cheeses and salumi was phenomenal, nice tap list and attentive, but not hovering service to boot! I recommend sharing the full salami and cheese plates. The outrageously delicious hazelnut honey goes well with the ricotta.
(4)
Casandra R.

I didn't eat here so this is soley based on the bar. Much love to Austin who works at there because he was an absolute doll and I really appreciated his customer service. The wait here is somewhat ridiculous because its a rooftop but it is well worth the wait. The wine here was really good to me and the vibe is really chill and fun. Standing at the bar is super enticing to make reservations for dinner because everyone is eating near by and it all looked great. There was one amazing beer here that you MUST try here and it's called Nora . It was the most amazing beer I have ever had. The beer was smooth, light, refreshing and delicious. We were drinking it by the bottle and it's great. try it and thank me later!
(4)
Adrienne D.

not a beer garden, and not alot of shade. the place is vibe-y too... their seating system is ridiculous. When you're seated, no one can join your group, even if you have a free seat at your table, not a beer garden vibe at all. (they wouldn't let me go upstairs to join my husband. we would of gave them more sales.) beer was $10 a pint, and cheese and meat plates, or i should say nibbles, were way overpriced. too overcrowded. server was nice and understood our frustration. go somewhere else where the price is right and less condescending.
(1)
Kristen R.

Horrendous customer service. absolutely horrendous. tried to go for a work function. they couldn't guarantee any table space, absolutely unwilling to work with us. once we arrived, it was the same ordeal - completely unhelpful hostess, so we had to stand even though we could see our tables and had enough people to fill one of them. they refused to let our company's two tables sit together after some had left. it was embarrassing for them. the wine I had was delicious. Our food was alright. i understand exclusiveness and trying to have a hip restaurant, but when it's at the cost of every ounce of customer service, it's just not worth it.
(1)
Marci W.

Eataly= Wow. Birreria= Rude hostesses. Terrible menu (which makes 0 sense, considering the plethora of amazing foods just downstairs). Horrible seating system/ pre-requisites. Mario Batali would be mortified if he had any idea the lack of hospitality his staff is portraying on his behalf.
(1)
Melissa G.

Ordered a $19 glass of white wine. Can't forgive myself or the bar-bros for that. Pretty roof. Bring someone with cash.
(3)
Mary H.

Went on Saturday at lunchtime after I got the closing date for MadSqEats wrong and they were dismantling the booths when i showed up. Oops, party foul. Given proximity, we detoured to Eataly. I like Eataly and have been to all of the restaurants (except Le Verdure, because, why bother?) but I was skeptical it would meet the needs of our threesome (me, dad, fiance) given weekend crowds. However, fiance wanted to try Birreria so we went to check on the wait. Downstairs host quoted a 30 mins for a table, but no wait at the bar, so we went up to check out the scene and make a game time decision. Besides, it was noon on Saturday and we hadn't had a drink yet. The weather was a sunny and crisp 60 degrees, the roof was open, and there were seats at the bar, so we signed up to wait and ordered a carafe of the Barbera. We hadn't even paid for our wine when the host came to show us to our table. We got lucky tho, because by the time we left an hour later it was three deep at the bar. I really dislike the menu; I find it very awkward for lunch. I don't mind a spendy meal, but its lunch in a beergarden, amirite? I was looking for a "lighter" option, and aside from the heavy, $20+ entrees you are limited to (non-entree) salad, sausage, or mushrooms. Which i'm sure are all delicious, but a.) not much cheaper than an entree and b.) What? Am I going to single handedly house a $17 plate of mushrooms for lunch? Just, awkward. I notice on the website that they now offer a lunch menu that addresses these concerns, but it was not provided to us as recently as last weekend. Maybe it's weekdays only? Anyway, we were there, we were eating, we had to order, so I sucked it up, ordered the arugula salad and prepared to be underwhelmed. Fiance had the beer-briased pork shoulder with apricot and Dad had the fish of the day (halibut). Both of the guys were super pleased with their selections. Someone from the bar even came over to find out what we were eating b/c it looked so tasty. And absolutely no one could have been more shocked than I was at the deliciousness of my salad. The shaved parmigiano was wonderful and high-quality, the seasoned/semi-dried cherry tomatoes were flavorful and interesting, and it was perfectly dressed with a tangy lemon vinegarette. I turned out to be a truly delightful experience. I think a bit of luck in terms of timing and exceptionally low expectations helped. The takeaway - the food is good, and prices are fair relative to NYC comps, BUT, keep in mind that the atmosphere reads "burger and beer" and the menu reads award-winning chef. The wine was fine, and we didnt feel ripped off on the price. It's a cool vibe when the weather is nice and the roof is open, but I bet it gets LOUD when it's closed. The clientel trends toward touristy/douchy which is pretty standard for places that get this much buzz. I'd go back on a nice day for a drink or a meal, but if the wait was long and the bar was jammed, I would probably figure out plan "B" real quick.
(3)
Raymond T.

Nice, relaxed atmosphere with amazing, varied beer choices. Had the salumi plate and a cheese plate with a citrus infused honey! Service was attentive and they did indeed explain the cheeses and salumi . A good place for a large group and we had an great view of the Flatiron Building illuminated at night.
(4)
Jenn T.

this place is GREAT at 4 pm on a monday. like Eataly it's a total ripoff ($10 for a piece of bruschetta? it's so CUTE that you get away with charging tourists this Mario and Lidia!) but the view and atmosphere when tis "dead" cant be beat. We sat for about 2 hours; They give you the bread in butcher paper. I LOVE their sour dough but this time it was a rather tasteless white bread. our first waiter was a jerk and acted like he was doing us some big favor by serving us. 500ML of rose, for $18 wasn't such a bad deal for 2 glasses and a little left over. i had a cheese plate. Small portions of cheese, they were very tasty however, got their gorgonzola, asiago and robila. the gorgonzola was awesome. i do wish they gave me crackers or something different to pair with the cheese; i had no choice but to use more of the taste-free bread as a vessel. The waitstaff switched over and we got this really nice gal as a sub admittedly, we had a really great time ; great ambiance, fun vibe...but i think it's because the place wasnt slammed with happy hour or night time crowds. i feel like i would never venture here on a friday/saturday night; too many 'rules'
(4)
Yunji L.

The beer is cold and smooth. Cheese selection is tasty. Staff are friendly. Would've been better if they had a better view of the skyline.
(4)
Lillie K.

Patricia is a horrible hostess! She should not be in the hospitality industry. Go do what you really love, Patricia, because clearly you hate customers. We had friends in town and they wanted to see Eataly. The men decided they wanted to eat and headed upstairs to Birreria. We didn't have reservations, but they were seated without a problem. They knew we (three ladies) were going to join them in a little while (20 minutes), so they got a table with some extra chairs. I passed through the two hostess stations by saying we were going to meet up with the rest of our party. No problem, and no one told me there was a policy against this. It was a Saturday afternoon, there was no line downstairs, and no line upstairs, and the restaurant was only half full when we went to meet up with the seated men. We got to the table and needed one more chair. The busboy said I needed to speak with the hostess (the same one who let me walk into the restaurant after I told her I was JOINING my husband). When I told her we would like another chair, she copped the bitchiest attitude I have ever seen. Treated me like a criminal. She stated that "this restaurant has a NO JOINERS policy. That table did not tell me they expected more people. You cannot sit there." She repeated this a few times, while I looked at her with my mouth hanging open. What was I supposed to do? Leave? All I could see were the open tables and the lack of a crowd. And we only needed one more chair, so it's not like we were trying to muscle in 5 more people to a two-top. When I said, very calmly and with bewilderment more than anything, that there were many free tables, she offered to get the manager. I said, Sure! and went back to the rest of my party, half of whom had food and drink in front of them. The manager did not come over, but Patricia did! And she said, "The restaurant is willing to move you to a larger table." When my seated, eating/drinking friend pointed to a table and said, Could we move there? Patricia LITERALLY SNEERED at him, and said, laughing, "I don't think so." We all started getting up at this point, saying thanks but no thanks, we are done. My husband got the check and we started to leave. Then the real manager then came up and acted like a hospitality professional, apologizing and saying that they would move us wherever we wanted. I told her it was too late, her hostess already ruined the meal for us, and just because I was unaware of their policies doesn't mean I deserved to be treated like dirt. What really made me scratch my head is that when we were passing by the hostess station, I purposely did not say anything to Patricia the Bitch Hostess from Hell. But she just couldn't help herself, and sarcastically yelled "Thank you for coming!" I would never say this lightly, but she deserves to be fired, if she isn't already. Again on the way out, there was no line of people, no crowd. And the restaurant was still half empty. Why didn't they tell me their NO JOINERS policy at one of the first two hostess desks I easily got through? Why weren't we offered a bigger table before being sneered at? It was one of the weirdest experiences I have ever had at a restaurant. Eataly is overhyped, btw.
(1)
cait l.

Oh groan. La Birreria was thoroughly obnoxious. I went on a very sunny and hot day - needed to take the edge off! - and it was not busy at all. Still, they do not permit you to sit at a table unless you plan to order food. Even though there were at least 20 open tables. At least the bartender comped me a beer. I must have seemed cranky. The bartenders and beer were lovely, although my wallet ached and sitting at the bar under the hot sun... gross. At these prices, I feel entitled to be fussy about the experience. Which was not fun. Also would it kill the hostesses to lose the attitude?
(2)
Mike L.

For starters, the place is well laid out. It's a rooftop bar, however, you are surrounded by taller buildings and your only on the 14th floor, so don't expect any amazing views. For app's, we had the 5piece cheese platter, and it's just that, 5 pieces of cheese. The quality was excellent and the warm honey that came on the side was delish. For dinner I had the pork shoulder that apparently garnered rave reviews on here. I am a meat and potatoes kinda guy and love me some pulled pork, so I went for it. Wifey had the steak something. When I got me pork, I was laughing so hard. I thought it was jello the way it was jiggling. I've never seen so more fat on a piece of meat before. I literally had 4 fork fulls of meat, everything else was fat. And it came with stone ground mustard on the side, which i still can't figure out why. Anywho, this place was a big let down for me. I can't speak for the rest of Eataly, but i will not be coming back to this place.
(2)
Carolina V.

The space is beautiful but the quality of the food on the roof is severely lacking. I have been here several times for dinner and am just not impressed at all. The service always seems disjointed and confused. The food is blah. The only reason I give it two stars is because the view at night is breathtaking. Please Eataly step up your game on the roof! It seems like a totally different space from the downstairs!
(2)
Irene C.

We only came here because the downstairs restaurant was closed at 10 pm. The atmosphere was loud and warm. Nothing looked appetizing on the menu, however we were hungry and thought we should just eat. The fiancÃ© and I split a Pasta deal Giorno. We bit into it, the whole entree was lukewarm and tasted like vomit. We returned the entree and ate some of the fish our couple friend had ordered. Highly would NOT recommend this place.
(1)
Sylvain F.

I'm disappointed because it's been 2 time we go there and it's always the same thing. The restaurant is half full and we were told to expect between 20 and 30 minutes, we should go to the bar to drink and spend more. This is a very unpleasant attitude. This is a very noisy place. We left to eat in an other place and we never return in this restaurant
(1)
Mandee Y.

Rude staff across the board, disorganized, stressful and unpleasant environment, even though not busy. Waited 30 minutes for someone to come to our table to take a water order. Never got a chance to eat or drink here, gave up because of the above.
(1)
Jim D.

Tried it.... Interesting concept but not enough to come back. Located on the 15th floor of Eataly, this Italian "beer garden" did have a great selection of beer. And the beers we chose were really refreshing and tasty. The food options were limited though. My wife and shared a cheese plate--- really good but not at all substantial for two people.-- and not at that price. Then we both had a sausage main course. My wife's cotecchino had good flavor and was complimented nicely with a lentil salad, but the sausage was very fatty. My sausage dish was okay--- not impressive enough for Eataly in my humble opinion. Great atmosphere, really good beer choices, but the food left us a little flat. Service was excellent by the way except for the teenage hostess staff that didn't look up from their smartphones as we were leaving. Eataly's take on a German beer garden, great concept but not great execution.
(3)
Swati M.

Great view of the Flat Iron. I loved the bread and honey with olive oil. Too good. Great appetizers with cocktails
(4)
Sargam M.

Fun casual place after work. Its better in the summers with the open roof (no view of anything, but its still a nice open space). Food is fine here, but you could also get a bite in one of the other (better) eataly restaurants and head up for a drink here.
(3)
David L.

What a glorious experience on a magnificent afternoon! It's been brutally cold for far too long, and even though I honestly love winter and snow, enough if enough already. The first really nice day in a really long time, this is precisely what my spirit needed. What's better than a massive, sun-drenched, breezy rooftop beer garden with food? Excellent beer and excellent food, no less! Although it was definitely a predicament making it through the masses downstairs, the hoards waiting in line, and the throngs waiting around the bar, once we were actually sat down, we were all beyond content We started with Flip, Gina, and Wanda (which we all agreed was the best).. Then we had Affettati Misti (a selection of salumi), which was terrific (especially the Coppa and Soppresata). They gave us bread and olive oil, which were delectable. Piatto Misto (recommended for five people, but we split it among us three) and even though everything was absolutely incredible (especially the Pork Shoulder and Blood Sausage), what really stood out were the Contorni -- the Brussels Sprouts and Olive Oil Smashed Potatoes and Roasted Baby Carrots were all sensational! Even the Mustard they gave us was incredible! A bottle of Dogfish Head Sah'tea (spectacular), a couple glasses of Dogfish Head Olde School Barleywine (phenomenal), and a lovely Rice Sponge Cake finished off an extremely memorable, stupendous meal. I would love to return here regularly, but could definitely see the whole process of getting a table as rather cumbersome. A few suggestions: make reservations at least the day before (no same-day accepted), enter on 23rd street (it's a massive trek from 5th avenue, all things considered), make sure the sound on your phone is turned on (so you can hear when they text you once your table is ready), arrive early or late... With these cautionary considerations, I'm hoping to enjoy this lovely place very often.
(5)
Jimena V.

Perfect place for happy hour drinks! It feels like your outside but also indoors lol anyhow, food was great! We ordered wine and a bunch of cheese and meat platters and also the steak as my main dish. Everything was great!! Good service too! A long wait if you dont get there early and also very touristy but other than that all was great!!!
(4)
Jemma C.

Save your $$$ and just go to TGI's, it's the same experience. Beyond touristy. Bland food, god awful wine list, horrific cheese board, blah salumi.... Incompetent staff. Avoid at all costs.
(1)
Andrew S.

Great beers, good selections, nice views, nice meats and cheeses to fill the belly and accompany the brews. I and many other people like this rooftop... it gets quite busy after work. If you are just coming for a drink, and you are not coming for a drink when everyone in NYC is getting out of work or going for brunch, then come here, as you will have to stay near the bar area. But if you want to eat and drink you may have a seat. My only gripe is I didn't love the chairs. No joke, they felt small to me as I am a big guy. Just not my cup of tea. I mean, come on Mario Batali... youre a big dude. Seriously?
(4)
Kristina C.

I can't wait to come back! My thoughts as I departed after a delicious dinner last Thursday night. Some day soon I'm coming back when it's sunny and the rooftop is open. Stopped by without a reservation; my date threw his name down and we grabbed a glass of wine and some prosciutto and mozzarella. Just as we polished it all off, our table upstairs was ready. The atmosphere was great, laid-back but lively. The menu had a wide selection of craft beers and also wines (250-500-750mL) from the bastianich group. We went with a carafe of the barolo, which was smooth and delicious. The menu was looked great, so we shared the steak and pork shoulder and a side of beets. The skirt steak with balsamic and mushrooms was really outstanding. The pork shoulder was also great, perfectly cooked, shredding easily with my fork. Overall, a fantastic casual date spot with excellent food. Like I said before, I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Michelle C.

We returned to Birreria in early December and our service was much better the second time around. Our server knew everything about the menu and the beer and wine selection. When I requested a bloody mary, she asked me if I wanted it mild or spicy. I just wish I remembered her name! We shared an apricot pork shoulder panini and calamari, which was a special that day. The panini was excellent and came with a small salad dressed in vinaigrette. The calamari was grilled and tossed with olives, tomatoes and onion, and served over grilled bread. It was delicious and much lighter than the usual fried calamari (aside from the bread which I couldn't stop eating). This place is a little on the steep side of the wallet for lunch, but we've started our last two long weekends in New York there so it's becoming a tradition. I'm sure we'll return next time we visit as well.
(4)
Stephy S.

A cute "rooftop beer garden" located in Eataly. A bit difficult to find in the enormous store....to be honest I'd probably get lost again trying to find the back corner to the host stand/elevator. By some miracle....according to the hostess today, we were able to sit right away today (Sunday for a table of 6) for brunch. She told us that RSVPs are taken wayyyy in advance for this coveted spot. Alright let's not be so melodramatic. It was pretty warm even though it was semi covered. No fans or anything to keep it cool, so dress appropriately. We each ordered something different. I recommend the steak or the pork shoulder. My pork shoulder came with apple slices with mustard sauce. Very mustardy, beware. My friend ate all of it and said it was delicious. I thought it was inedible. One couple got a cheese plate and when the placed it on our table, the bus boy not server even pointed out which cheese was which. I've been to restaurants where they do this, so I thought this was the norm....maybe today was a fluke or maybe they don't. The prices are pretty steep considering the portion size. The food was decent. I didn't get any of the beers but everyone said their brews (made by Eataly) were tasty. I'd come back just for a drink rooftop style. I'd probably save my appetitie forn a ndifferent place to be honest.
(3)
Gabrielle F.

I went to Eataly with my mom on a freezing cold, windy day. It was lunch time, and we were trying to decide which of the many options we were to eat at. We decided to go upstairs just to check out Birreria. We immediately decided to stay, since it was SO bright and warm and the environment was just perfect. There was no wait, since it was a weekday at lunch time. We were seated immediately and were brought menus, bread, and olive oil. We ordered the cheese board, and all were very tasty. They were slow to take plates off of our table, and we often had to make a pile of small plates and empty bottles in order for them to get the hint to take them away. There aren't as many options as we would have liked, food-wise, but both our meals were fresh and satisfying. The real attraction here was the environment. I will come back to drink, probably won't have another meal here again, however. I would probably opt to eat downstairs at Eataly, and drink up at Birreria.
(4)
Deborah N.

Only had a drink here but the bartender didn't even charge me! Okay it was only sparking water, but still... If you are looking for a place to get up, up and away from the hustle and bustle of Eataly below, you have found it. There is a retractable roof for nice weather and, at least, sunshine for the not so nice. Food looked good but I was too full from my pizza from below. They take reservations here......!
(5)
Sky A.

Go for the view and enjoy some solid food. Loved the home brewed beer and grabbing apps downstairs in etaly. Solid move on a Friday night before hitting the town.
(4)
Shradha A.

As a vegetarian, I couldn't even order a salad - their dressings weren't meat-free either! Their drinks menu is phenomenal and the rooftop ambiance is great - so if you're coming here, plan to enjoy drinks more than food.
(3)
Amy N.

I gave it two stars because it is a lovely space. The food and drink are very good, but not superior. The service was atrocious. Our waiter was impatient with us and rude. I tried to speak quickly so he would not have to help us for very long. I asked him about how to order the proper amount of cheeses for our table and he looked at me with attitude and said "uh, have you had any time to read the menu?." It was as sarcastic as a spoiled teenage girl. He poked the menu in the area I should review and walked away saying he would "give us some time." My entire group of friends was shocked. We asked for just a little guidance. He returned, we ordered as quickly as we could. Not sure if it would be enough. Someone asked a question about a beer... He again was unable to answer and snarkily referred us to the menu. This is a BEER GARDEN! People might ask you questions about beer! Let me tell you, just do some research on line about the restaurant's menu before you go. The entrees do not come with sides, you have to order them separately. If your waiter is from Texas... Ask for another waiter!
(2)
Hong L.

A beer garden in the city - an easy sell to my friends and I! Add good food from Eataly and you'll see us sprinting to this place! It's so difficult to be able to get a table and dine in the other restaurants in Eataly, so it was great to find out that we were able to make reservations to La Birreria just a week before. I would definitely recommend that you make reservations or else its a 30-45 if its not that busy. La Birreria is a summer spot with a nice variety of beers on tap for the beer connoisseurs or a beer newbie. You have your choice of sausages but also other entree dishes such as quail, porkchop, and chicken. The quail was deliciously moist and tender, however I was not happy that it was boned when the menu said boneless. The food and drinks are definitely more than I would be willing to pay at a typical beer garden but remember you are dining at eataly and getting the experience of eating at the outdoor beer garden in the city.
(4)
Namrata A.

La Birreria has that elite, snobby feeling to it. You can get a table if you get there 5-5:30pm without that much of a wait but make sure everyone is there because they make a huge deal about it (aka don't allow it). The bathrooms are a long walk down, annoying annoying annoying. And vegetarians, stay away but do try the fried mushrooms and cheese platter. I think this is a cool place to check out, but not something I'd overextend myself for!
(3)
Andrew R.

Windows covering roof are murky, block any sort of view (there is none), and generate greenhouse temperatures. Bar staff struggled to make eye contact as we waited 10 minutes for a beer during a relatively quiet time, and then 20 minutes for the correct change. I was told the manager was addressing the correction and when I asked the manager he acted as if I were imposing upon his time (?). No apologies, no smiles, never returning.
(1)
Melissa H.

Great place for happy hour! Tons of beer choices and you can't beat being on the roof looking at the Flatiron. Great cheese plates too. Looking forward to going back for dinner at some point.
(5)
Laura A.

While Dante's Divine Comedy locates gluttons at the third circle of inferno (hell)*, Eataly's likes to put them in a rooftop ... closer to heaven( yelp.com/user_local_photâ€¦ ) Birreria came along with a few nice surprises, particularly if you have never heard of it. In addition to a retractable roof to expose what I can imagine a beautiful skyline, Birreria is also a brewery on its own. Beer menu is extensive, beers are good and prices are surprisingly low. We also had some bites: the Salumi selection consisting in 5 different cuts of cure meats (recommended) and the 7 cheese selection plate with Ricotta, Parmiggiano, Asiago, Gorgonzola and a couple more. The cheeses were fantastic. I am seriously still thinking on the ricotta and the Gorgonzola, after a few weeks of visiting. Great starters or complement when you are "just" drinking. In addition hazelnut honey along with bread were served. Beautiful and tasteful. Aesthetics have plenty of room for improvement. Although the space is pretty large making it the perfect destination for groups. Similarly, service won't earn a Michelin. It is correct, adequate and not that efficient. Which is all fine. This is a birreria, therefore space and service I don't have it much on count on the overall equation. Just for the record, like the other side of a coin you can find subpar-overpriced-food and beer at Belgian Beer cafe Nomad, a couple of blocks away, but yes on a really nice space with top notch service. Everyone's happy in NYC. Nonetheless, getting to this circle of heaven is not an easy task on crowded times. Which I can imagine is most of them. Particularly because you have to cross al the way inside Eataly (not fun) and likely to wait your turn to get into the elevator. Oh well, you going to heaven! Just be patient I guess. Ironically, I heard this place gets quite hot on summer days ... like an inferno I wondered? Not that far from Dante's at the end don't you think? regardless, Hell or Heaven it doesn't really matter. Call it pleasure, gluttony or both. Your choice. I made mine and you can surely find me there. * en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inâ€¦
(4)
liliana c.

Solid place for beer and sausages. Always crowded so service can be ridiculously slow.
(4)
Mihir R.

Very crowded on a warm summer evening. They need to open the awning covering the roof, as it doesn't quite have the open-air feel of a rooftop. I had to dock a few stars as the bartender served me the wrong drink, realized it but hoped I wouldn't notice, and finally owned up to it when I called him out. Not very cool of him.
(2)
Dar Q.

Overrun with fanny pack wearing tourists and a bridge and tunnel crowd. I felt like I was in TGIFriday's. The food is greasy and the wine is warm. This place was good when it first opened but it's been destroyed by low level management. As many other reviewers have noted the service and management are awful. I felt unwelcome, under served, and largely ignored. The bar and floor staff were inattentive, disinterested, apathetic-out of shape for the service industry.
(1)
Will R.

This is easily divided into 4 parts Beer Very eclectic selection, great stuff Food Very nice, good mix of upscale bar food Location 14th floor beer garden? Awesome, but not so fast, umbrellas and covering made me feel like I was inside and there is almost no view. Kinda disappointed Service If there was an option for zero stars, I would give it. I had kids with me, and there was no kids menu. Cool, I get it, but our server didn't have to seem put out because her 5 top didn't all drink. We ordered plenty of food, treat me that way. And since I am from the south, not sure what all those white cheeses were, how about some help. This was the worst service I had in NYC in 4 recent trips. I wanted to love it because I had eaten downstairs recently, but service killed it. I hope Mario gets this and fixes the attitudes.
(3)
Janice T.

Came here for lunch on a Saturday and they were able to seat our party of 9 (although every member had to be present for us to be seated). The rooftop restaurant had a cool feel to it with lots of natural light. Service was pretty good. It wasn't terribly busy either, however. Although I ordered the Probusto, I didn't realize until I looked at the menu again just now that I was brought the Cotechino instead. My fault for forgetting which sausage dish I ordered. The Probusto was good but too much sausage for me and not enough sides to go with it. My bf had the halibut and thought that it was a bit tasteless although cooked well. Just the seared top was flavorful. I probably won't return but worth a try.
(3)
Monique R.

This place absolutely is NOT worth your time. Don't go. They have a lot of rules, are rude and arrogant, the food is terrible and the drinks watery. It's a waste of time and money. I have been there a number of times thinking I kept going on "off" nights, but the truth is they don't have any "on" nights. Just awful. It's too bad because the scenery is fabulous. It could've been a great destination. :(. Read all of the one star reviews. They all say the same.
(1)
Dennis L.

This place is hard to find! But apparently only for me because when we got up to the 14th floor this places was PACKED. The estimated wait time even was 30 minutes so we decided to get drinks at the bar. That proved to be a challenge because people are attempting to eat at the bar also. They also get extremely offended at anyone trying to slip in to grab drinks. The crowd is a mix of tourists and local douchebagery. The food, however, is worth the visit. We ordered their mixed cured meat plate (4/5) and a selection of three cheeses. It's a shame they don't have a meat and cheese plate because that would be the best of both worlds. The pork shoulder was amazing (5/5). It was juicy, tender, and worth another future visit. The sea bass special (3/5) was a little overcooked but I could sense the greatness that could have been. ___ July '12 Health Score - A
(4)
Nick M.

The lamb chops were great, but they would have been even better if I could have washed them down with a pint of their Thyme Pale Ale. Of course, they were sold out. Seriously, this is supposed to be a brewpub. You guys only brew 3 kinds of beer, and you can't keep them in stock? The place gets loud and kind of bro-y at night, and the service is fairly nonexistent.
(2)
Alec G.

Great beer, cool atmosphere, and delicious food. I will def be visiting here again on my next trip to NY.
(4)
Brian C.

Service was lacking. I enjoyed the one beer I was able to order. We were at a table but our server was seldom around. The cheese plate was enjoyable but the wrong cheeses were delivered originally. The sausage with cabbage was quite good. Very loud, which made it difficult to have a table conversation.
(2)
Joey X.

I've been to Birreria on a few occassions, both during the winter and summer, and I've found it to be enjoyable on every visit. I visited Birreria just two days ago in early July for a bottle of wine, a cheese plate, and lamb chops with my friend. We ordered the rose which tasted fine. The cheese plate was great mostly because it was very hot outside, so the cheese became melty - I tend to like soft cheeses. The lamb was delicious, if not a little too fatty. Overall we stayed up here for almost three hours chatting and the servers didn't bother us. It probably wasn't 100% full because it was an open roof and therefore really hot up there if you weren't lucky enough to be under the shade of an umbrella (it was over 95F that day). If you're looking for a casual rooftop to hang out with friends on over the summer, Birreria is a good pick. Just be careful to position yourself and get a table under an umbrella.
(4)
Maggie L.

Poor service and unreasonable table policies. Not returning here despite beautiful roof top.
(1)
Sharyl J.

Made a reservation on line yesterday that was confirmed by email for 6:30... Got there and were told that it was a mistake...an employee didn't show up for work that morning and cut off the reservations... We were the third reservation they were turning away that night...We could be on the "wait list" an hour or more... No comp or anything. We chose to go up to the VERY crowded bar as it had been a long day and we were hungry. We were very lucky to get 2 seats at the bar after about 30 minutes and a beer. The 2 bartenders who waited on us saved the day! They were fabulous and worth the wait . The food was delicious ... Steak and the pork shoulder... Thanks to them!!! Someone needs to have a talk with the kid at the host desk!!! It wasn't our fault there employee didn't show up.. Someone else should have filled in on her responsibilities.
(4)
Jenina S.

It's funny that this place has really bad reviews for its service because I actually had good service here (to my surprise), whereas had the worst service EVER at one of Batali's other restaurants Otto. But that's a review for another day. The place sells itself; it's on the rooftop of Eataly with a view of the Flatiron building. On a nice day, the view is absolutely gorgeous. I arrived with the bf + his family on a Sunday afternoon. We didn't plan on coming here, but looping around Eataly, we failed to get a spot at any of the little eateries. Not a bad trade off since there was no wait for a table for 6. Once you go up the elevator and stairs, the hostess brings you to your table. We had a round table in the back corner which wasn't as sunny as we had been warned. If you've been to one of Batali's restaurants, it's pretty similar just with an extensive beer menu instead of wine. They throw the bread on the table, slab some oil on a plate, and serve the italian meat and cheese selection. Given we were a large table, I had an opportunity to try almost everything on the menu -- the bistecca was the perfect meal for lunch. Come on a nice day, you won't regret it.
(4)
Pareen K.

One of the worst experiences I've ever had in NYC. We arrived at 6pm and put our name in for dinner - waited an hour just to get to the rooftop bar which was at capacity. We didn't get called for dinner until THREE hours later and that was only because we kept asking. Once we sat down, the service was average, the menu options limited, and the food was mediocre at best. The portion sizes were small for the price and it seemed that the only thing the cook knew how to use was olive oil. The smashed potatoes felt like eating a stick of butter. They call this a "beer garden" but it's really just a rooftop restaurant with a little bar area attached. If it weren't for the nice weather and good company, I would have left in a heartbeat. I will NEVER be returning here again. (As a side note, the Eataly market itself is great.)
(1)
D N.

Disappointing food. We had the steak, the fried mushrooms n the asparagus salad. All bad.
(2)
Emaan M.

Can't really go wrong with La Birreria if you're looking for a fun atmosphere, good service and plenty of delicious choices of pick vino, beer or prosecco. Gets a bit crowded so try to get there early if you can. Luck has always been on my side and I've been able to grab a table near the bar or some seats at the bar itself. Maybe going with less people is your best bet? Definitely not a "meet me here when you feel like it" type of place, especially on summer nights. Great addition to the Flatiron area!
(4)
Jason H.

Waiter destroyed our faith in humanity a little bit, both by how he treated us and how he treated the bus boy. Food was good.
(1)
Matteo S.

Food and beers, delicious: 5 stars to the cook. BUT "It's our policy" is not a good excuse to be an asshole: ZERO stars to the young grey-haired manager who had the brilliant idea to split a 16 people group in 2 separate tables (10 + 6) over two opposite corners of the room, even if there were plenty of free tables in the same area. His answer to my asking the reason for that senseless choice: "it's our policy" -- WHAT??? -- and "the other customers won't be happy with a 16 people group near them" -- EXCUSE ME???!!!. So why the hell did you accept a 16 people reservation, pal? Waiters and servers: 5 stars to Joey, nice and professional. ZERO stars to Richard A., in fact nobody told him the main purpose of a restaurant is to make money serving good food to clients EVEN after they have already paid the check. But Richard A. was noticeably annoyed when I kindly asked him to have two extra coffee and a dessert (which of course I would have paid). And he had the same annoyed reaction (adding a very unpleasant: "this is the last time you can order something extra!") when another friend of mine asked for another dessert. Dear Birreria, you lack in real Italian style, sorry.
(2)
John P.

I've been trying to hit a lot of the beer gardens/outdoor drinking spots in the city, and decided to try la birreria on a sunday afternoon around 12:30. We were able to grab one of the tables that you can stand at near the bar and grabbed some beers. They had a very good selection, and a decent amount of beers i haven't tried before. It was kinda hot out so i didnt go with the cask beer, but i tried about 5 of the drafts and really enjoyed them. We had no problem with service at the bar, even when the place started to fill up around 2. i didnt try the food, mostly because of the price. The meat platters didn't seem like a bad deal, but i believe the sausage was $21, and came with 2 sausages. From what i'm reading the sausages are really good, and they better be for that price. But we wanted to concentrate on drinking so we passed on trying the meat platters. This place was close to 4 stars but i'm giving it 3 for 2 reasons. First, for a rooftop it doesn't have the best view. You are basically surrounded by walls that you cannot see over, and the structure that's in place for the retractable roof doesn't help. My second complaint is that they cover the entire rooftop with a canopy so there's barely any sunlight. When i go to a rooftop i want to sit in the sun and drink, which is hard to do here unless you get one of the few tables that get sunlight.
(3)
Tyler L.

Eataly and the food and drink within are interesting and unique, but lack a certain soul that would make them more appealing. It may be the sterile, corporate atmosphere. The prices are also egregious for the same products at other markets, just because they have an Italian flag on them. The espresso does smell amazing when you walk in though.
(3)
Bif P.

Nice relaxing place to stop by and have an afternoon cocktail. I like the beer selection especially their house beers. Knowledgeable, attentive bartenders regardless of how packed the bar area gets they seem to spot a thirsty patron. I've been to the bar about a dozen times and have yet to dine on anything here except a cheese platter but it all looks good. The place a has a nice buzz to it, active ,loud but not overbearing.
(4)
Rebecca W.

After brunch and some home goods shopping, I stopped here for a beer on a Saturday afternoon. The wait for the bar wasn't too long as we were first on the list, but it's still kind of odd having to wait for a place at the bar on a Saturday afternoon. The place was immensely crowded when we finally did get upstairs. I couldn't see much of the venue because it was so packed, but I liked the glass ceilings. For beer, I tried the Panna Cotta Porter, which I really enjoyed (the "natural carbonation" is a nice effect). I'm sure this place is nice when it's not packed... But I have a feeling it's probably always packed.
(3)
Terri O.

I had come to the bar area for my birthday and--we all had a stellar experience. This was our first time eating at the restaurant and oh what a disappointing restaurant experience!! Won't be eating here again. Overpriced, slow service and substandard food. After waiting for more than 1 hour our food had still not arrived, and being pressed for time, we had to take the food to go!! Why even bother doing lunch service?! Total disappointment rarely seen anything like this before. The only reason that I even gave this establishment 1 star is because the beer is good. Come for the bar NOT for their food!
(1)
Soniya S.

I'd give zero stars if I could. On a day when half the place is empty, our servers switched shifts and when we asked to order more drinks with the new server we were told to leave due to a waiting list. Again - half the tables were empty. If you don't want our money we will take it elsewhere. Bye, Felicia!
(1)
Tima P.

I haven't tried dinner here so not sure what to expect from that, but I am writing based on the restaurant week lunch special. I highly recommend you skip on this one. The portions were SUPER tiny, the sweet bread and salad were meh, the entrees were just OK - the only good thing about the experience was the service and dessert. My pasta came out cold but the waitress was nice enough to bring my 5 strands of pasta back to heat up. I think I might stick to eating downstairs next time...
(1)
Shreya N.

This was kind of a spur of the moment decision that my cousin and I made to come here for lunch. I had wanted to check out eataly anyways and we had beaten the lunch crowd by getting there around 11. They were able to seat us right away and I loved the atmosphere of the place. Brightly lit, greenery on the wall and we had a pretty friendly server too! We ended up splitting a kale salad and the lamb chops and they were both fantastic. The kale salad was massaged with an anchovy vinaigrette and topped with fresh grapefruit, pomegranate seeds and a crispy poppy-seed cheese cracker. I love kale to begin with, but this salad blew away me expectations. I'm not a huge fish person so anchovy flavored dressing didn't sound very appetizing to me, but the salty,smoked flavor worked so well with the fresh citrus of the grapefruit and the crunch of the pomegranate seeds. I would go to this place again just to eat this salad. For our main course, my cousin and I split the lamb chops. They were perfectly cooked and had very tender meat. I think the only improvement I would suggest would be for it to be served with different greens and I really appreciate a grilled crust on my lamb to contrast with a tender inner portion. It was still really really delicious though! The table next to us ordered the exact same thing that we did, both salad and main course so it must've looked good to them too ! :) We opted out of dessert as there was a very tempting gelato store in eataly downstairs, but I'm sure whatever they offer would be delicious. Definitely try the place if you can, it's a neat ambiance and you're not quite as packed together for eating like other places in Eataly can be. Plus afterwards you can take your time exploring all the glory that is Eataly!
(4)
Bernadette V.

Terrible ! My husband and I came here for lunch and were both disappointed. My husband's (who's a blonde by the way) pasta came with a black curly hair attached to it. The waitress apologized and stated that she would take care of it for him. I was grossed out and wanted to leave but my husband felt that we were there now and he would order something else. Well, that meal never came. We waited and waited . The waitress kept saying that it should be right out. Well we couldn't wait anymore so we told her we were going to leave. When we got the bill, we were charged for the hair with the meal on it and were only comped $5.00. Really ? $ 5.00 for a hair , we thought the whole, partially uneaten meal would be comped. This place is basically a tourist trap and a waste of money. If you like to be ripped off , eat sub-par food and hang out with wannabe hipsters who act entitled or tourists who don't know any better then, by all means come here.
(1)
Charles H.

I'd rate this place 10 stars if I could. Went here for drinks around noon last Saturday while a buddy of mine was visiting and enjoyed every second of it. For one, the bar is located on a rooftop with great views of the flatiron district. Two, they have some great beers on tap as well as cask beers. Three, the bar has a retractable rooftop with great heating to keep you comfortable. Four, the place was packed! I don't mean in a bad way, but lets say we weren't the only people enjoying a few beers at noon on a Saturday. I can't wait to head back when it gets a little warmers outside so I can enjoy the roof being open. Killer spot to bring the parents when they're in town as well. Note: a little pricey but worth it in my opinion.
(5)
Stephanie Z.

I came here on a weekday for lunch with my friend. I ordered the portabello with goat cheese and beets, which was delicious. It was, however, pretty expensive ($18) for literally only 8 pieces of mushroom. Also, one of my biggest complaints were how slow the service was. My friend and I finished our meal and had to wait almost ten minutes for the check which was ridiculous. The food was delicious but the poor service was the reason for the three stars.
(3)
Celine T.

Only visiting NY and I thought this would be a great restaurant to try. When we got to the 14th floor, the host at the stand didn't even greet us so I thought we just go outside and find a table until we figured that we are suppose to wait to be seated! we were in the 90Â° heat all day and unfortunately they seated us in the hot sun. We got the Salmone and the Pollo Con Asparagi. the food was good taste-wise, cooked really well so that the fish and chicken is still juicy. but not worth the price for the small portions.
(2)
Cathy H.

Came here for drinks one night with a couple of friends and had a pretty good time. It is a bit tricky to find this place. You have to look for the signs for La Birreria on the first floor when you get into Eataly and follow them to the elevators. I love that it's a rooftop bar on top of Eataly. It is so great to have a nice meal or snack downstairs and then make my way up to the top to enjoy some nice beers. Their beer selection and quality was very good. I have heard good things about their food but I was too full to eat anymore when I was there. I can't wait to come back and try some of their dishes!
(4)
Daniel S.

"Forgettable food and horrible/offensive service." I have never had such an atrocious restaurant experience anywhere. Attended with fellow diner this week after a two week reservation and anticipation for what we've heard is an excellent experience. I've never experienced worse in my life. To give credit where credit is due, the atmosphere is really great at Birreria and we were greeted by a friendly hostess in the store before taking the elevator up to the restaurant on the rooftop. We were seated promptly but waited 20 minutes before being acknowledged or served water. Wine came partway through our main course. Appetizers were bland and messy. Mains were cold and tough. When we shared the feedback with our waiter he said "too bad" and walked away. The manager came over and asked how things were and we mentioned the same to her and she just said "I guess we won't be seeing you anymore" and slapped down the bill. If you need a case study for horrible experiences and customer service, this is the place. Otherwise come up for a drink and the view and go anywhere else in NYC! Won't return or recommend.
(1)
Nelson C.

Decided to try Birreria since its a rooftop. Its above Eatly, but its only on the 14th floor, so not the best view. However, drinks were nice and a pretty good selection of snacks. Will be becoming back for a full meal.
(4)
therese w.

Very nice space. Quick service and the turn around time was like lightening for our cheese plate. Therefor it's unfortunate when you cannot add more cheese 1 minute later. Fortunately, Leyla the the manager made that happen and helped me find a good wine at $46/half carafe. Wow! $19/glass is ridiculous to have to pay to get a good glass of wine. Our entrÃ©es were delayed., but everything was delicious! We had the salmon, the pork shoulder, the steak, and a chicken. We shared and I wouldn't have them again. We all tasted the chocolate mousse which we enjoyed very much :-) The Bill was $275 for four of us, Not including the tip.
(3)
Carla Z.

The perfect rooftop destination. We ordered a cheese plate, funghi misti, the lamb chops and the pork sausage with turnips and mustard--between two people and we were stuffed! All were delicious and perfectly complimented the ambiance of the rooftop setting. I only wish that there were more choices for wine and drinks. But the service was attentive but not pushy.
(4)
Allie G.

Best kept secret about Eataly is the rooftop bar and dining area. It's awesome on a summer day to grab a drink and sample some Italian meats and cheeses. The food was beautiful and tasted great. Only gave it a four because I was expecting a pretty awesome view and they box off the roof in a strange way that you can't see much, but it's still nice for a summer lunch spot.
(4)
Danielle T.

I have been an Eataly advocate, but now I have been downright offended by the staff. After waiting an hour (for a wait that was only 30 minutes apparently) for an empty table (when there were 8 empty tables) around 10 PM, I decided to order several plates of cheese, meats, and appetizers. I was alerted once seated that I had to order a main course. The manager came over and told me that I couldn't stay there unless I ordered a main. When I said I should have been alerted before, she said that the two hostesses did tell me I had to order mains. When I said that they hadn't she said, "Well I guess you just didn't hear them. You have to go." I would have ordered enough food and wine to make up for a main (which, by the way, aren't all the good anyway), but now I am too offended to go back because their management doesn't quite understand the golden rule "The customer is always right."
(1)
Leah G.

We came for the beer and stayed for the food! Our server Elle was great, super helpful and knowledgable. Definitely order the Affettati Misti, the meats are delicious! The view and environment are special here too because if is a rooftop bar and one of the top ten in the city might I add. Just remember their home brew is served at 55 degrees so it doesn't taste very cold on a hot day but the selection of beers is amazing! I highly recommend this place
(5)
Upi H.

Nice place for some beers, didn't eat and the prices seem a bit high for eating. The beer list seems impressive though.
(4)
Calvin W.

Great roof deck bar with plenty of fun people, cask beers, salumi plates and cheeses. What more could you ask for?! Tip: If you don't have a reservation, they'll take your number and text you when your table is ready, so you can roam around Eataly while you wait.
(5)
Vic-Crys W.

Pros: Rooftop (means it's nice and puuurty under a gorgeous New York sky). Delicious mushrooms and the food were well preped enough. Really, really good free balsamic (aged and sweet). Cons: The rooftop dining area is enclosed, so you can't look over the side of the building to get a view of the fussy plebs down below. The food is kind of a mixed bag, and some of the chicken and steak were overcooked. Something extra is to be desired for the service. Bottom line: if you like rooftops and Eataly, you can do worse. This is ok. Disclaimer: We went here for a birthday party. We had 23 people so they gave us a special pre-fixe menu for $85. It had 3 appetizers, 4 entrees and 3 desserts. Therefore this review is probably not accurate for their regular dishes. For entrees, we had the hanger steak, swordfish, chicken and portobella mushrooms.
(3)
Joe M.

A great place atop Eataly. I suggest the roasted pork shoulder and the beers brewed there to start with. Menu is solid, beers good, location unique
(4)
Mina G.

Super yummy!! Great beer selection! Manding lamb chops! Try the hazelnut honey with cheese!! Doesn't get better than that! The chops have been the best chops I have ever had! A little hidden gems amongst all the goodies in the market place.
(5)
Young R.

Outdoor beer garden in Manhattan? Sounded awesome! It's not really a beer garden though... more like a semi-outdoor restaurant with a bar area and interesting beers in casks. Has a roof and heat lamps, so accessible throughout the year. A couple of us came here after sneaking out of the office at like 3pm on a Friday. It was totally stressful navigating through the insanely packed, strangely Disneyland-esque Eataly ground floor establishment, but there was no line to get up to La Birreria. They told us it would be a 2-hour wait to get a table although there were clearly plenty of tables sitting empty... It was fine though. We grabbed a corner of the bar area and had a good time and it was fun trying all the different beers.
(3)
Albert L.

The restaurant is a cool rooftop greenhouse. Prosciutto and cheese was a great starter. Food is amazing, went with MR steak. Wine and Beer list Gave it All the STARS! Waiter was kind of distracted and slow, but the ingredients and taste made up for his lack of attentiveness.
(4)
Brittini S.

I've been here before but never for a full meal at the beer garden. The selection of wines and beers is nothing like I've ever seen. I was so impressed with the waiter's knowledge too. The meat and cheese mixtos were a great thing to order to share among 4 people. Everything was fresh and delicious with the house bread and olive oil. For our dinner, we went with the Piato Misto for 5 ($90). I liked the selection of meats but the taste on some was just average. The highlight was the pork shoulder which I wish we had more of. The blood sausage was good, but not good enough to have 3 pieces of. There was an anonymous vote that the 3 sides (spaghetti squash, brussels and mashed potatoes) were some of the best we tasted. Overall it is a fun atmosphere with a great selection of beer. For my friends birthday "cake" we ventured down to La Piazza and she ordered a big hunk of mozzarella cheese with a candle in it. We had a bottle of wine and some more bread. The perfect ending!
(4)
Liz B.

We went late on a rainy cool evening so there was no wait, although it was still crowded. The windows/roof were closed, but still a lovely atmosphere. 3 stars because the 2 beers and then wine I chose were all out. These were also more inexpensive beers/wines, so I had to opt for more expensive. I thought this was kind of annoying considering it was a Saturday night around 9:30pm and they were already out of 3 drinks. Also, I think its lame when places "run out" of the lower priced beers/wines and force you to get the premium ones.
(3)
Sina N.

Dear Birreria, You were sitting on top of the dome Baby, I was expecting more foam I didn't want to bring you home And I know I didn't take you to Rome Please, don't make me look like a gnome Yes, your handles were made of chrome Next time I'll make sure to take you home I love your beer I hate your rear Even though it's not a leap year It happens once in a light year Even though I'm not a brigadier Or an auctioneer I just want to sit near All clear, my dear
(4)
Denise C.

It seems as though this place has gotten a mixed bag of reviews. I will preface my review with the following: We only came here for the beer, so this will only be about that. My friend R, an avid homebrewer and beer nerd, came to town a few weeks ago, and I knew we had to come here. We went early on a weekday afternoon, around 4-ish or so, and were told we could go right up after letting them know we were only going to be drinking. We took the elevator, said the same to the hosts and hostesses at the stand by the door, and walked inside to the bar. The bar is to the left and tables to the right. In addition to the actual bar space, there is a small sliver of counter in which to rest a beer, as well as a few high-top tables. We were fortunate enough to get a table. There is a small selection of regular craft beer on tap, such as Captain Lawrence and Dogfish Head - the latter is expected, as Sam Calagione (the owner/brewer) collaborates with the guys from Birra Baladin and Birra del Borgo (a favorite). However, the cask ales are the ones worth seeking. Yes, they are $10 a pop, but you get a full pour (none of that 8 oz stuff), they're cask ales, and they are only available at La Birreria. We tried all three - Wanda, Gina, and Rosamaria - and they were all very complex, with ingredients the average person might not think of with respect to beer (thyme, rosemary, chestnuts, etc). We enjoyed all three. For all you wine lovers, the selection is also very good, and you will find something you'll like. The bar was busy but not overwhelmed; we had no problems with the service. If you swear by boxed wine, wine coolers, or think Blue Moon is an awesome craft beer, then La Birreria may indeed seem like an overpriced waste of space. However, if you are appreciative of the brewing/wine-making process, are getting into the craft beer scene, or are an oenophile, then this is a place I highly recommend - go at the right time after lunch/before dinner, and I think you will agree.
(4)
Brendan C.

Birreria is a great space on top of Eataly. It it is very open and filled with light. The food is good, but I was a little disappointed in the house brewed beers. I would go back, but order wine or from the list of beers by the bottle.
(3)
Keegan M.

Came here for drinks while in town and have to say I was highly disappointed with the bartenders attitude. It was a reminder of the pretentious trendy, places and had too=good-for-manhattan brooklynites as bartenders. Also, as a rooftop bar you would expect to have a good view. Whoever was the architect for this place failed to consider the view as part of a feature to this bride. I expected more and was turned off by the arrogant bar tenders. Definitely over-rated.
(1)
Mitch W.

Beer was great. Food was great. View was good. Service was so-so, got deserted by the server for inexplicably long periods of time. However, waiting for 1.5 hours on a Tuesday was a let down. Yeah I get that it just opened up last week and that a wait is expected, but to not let me go upstairs to the beer garden with the wine and cheese I just bought at the bar downstairs is absurd. My wife and I were forced to chug down our wine or be faced with losing our coveted table in the beer garden. I am definitely not going back until they fix this food portability issue.
(2)
Harry L.

A bit conflicted whether to give this place 3 or 4 stars but whatever...feeling generous today. Beer selection here is pretty expansive as they have a bunch of kegs just in the background filled with beer. My friend thought it was filled with wine which was funny given that this is a beer garden. I think the beers here are a bit hit or miss. The Italian Pale Ale and the Amber Ale here are both pretty good here. Some of the beers here taste a bit watered down though for some reason. If you are just coming here for beer, just be warned that the bar area is effing small and crowded. You literally feel like you are in the masses in China when either ordering a drink or just sipping on one. This past weekend, A couple of my friends and I sat down for food as well. We got the 5 for $15 cheese plate. Got the asiago fresco, robiola sosina, provolone mandarone, taleggio, and gorgonzola dolce. These cheeses were all effing good. I usually like soft cheeses like Brie and camembert but the gorgonzola and the asiago fresco, despite being on the firmer side, had exceptional taste. Now I only wish I had wine to down the cheese with instead of beer....but fear not because we also got the prosciutto as an appetizer. You get some bigass slices of prosciutto and it tasted super fresh. Now come's the disappointing part of my review :(. For our main we got the pork shoulder/sausage sampler for 5 that came along with 3 side dishes. I'll start with the sides. The mashed potatoes were good. It's not super mashed and more on the chunky side and the chive garnish on top is a nice finish. The radish with honey glazed kale is great! kale is good and kale with honey is even better! The broccoli rabe was good too. Unfortunately I wasn't such a huge fan of the pork shoulder/sausage sampler. I liked the cotechino the best. The probusto was ok but there have been better sausage links. The biroldo was something that I haven't tried before so I appreciated the uniqueness of the blood sausage but the taste gets old after the first bite. And finally we have the pork shoulder...I wish this was cooked a bit more tenderly. When I first saw the pork shoulder it made me sad that it was a bit stiff. The times I've had pork shoulder at chinese restaurants and momofuku ssam bar it was so tender and delicious and I just did not get that from this pork shoulder. One of my friends did know the manager though so we got complimentary desserts so we got the tiramisu and some peanut based dessert I think? Tiramisu was good. TLDR Version - Come here for beer if you are in the area. Food you can pass on.
(4)
Jonathan E.

As much as I think Eataly is kinda like the IKEA of Italian fare, I still like taking people through there, even though it's tough to actually have a meal during popular hours. Usually we walk through and, barring a miracle, eat somewhere else. Even tougher has been access to La Birreria, the rooftop beer garden. In fact I'd never been up there, always thwarted by crowds and the downstairs host stand. On a recent visit, thanks to rainstorms, we got right into the "standing room only" section. Despite the funky weather, the bar area (with no seating) was quite packed. We ordered a couple of house ales, which were lukewarm (Euro theme) and overpriced (hip owners + NY + Euro theme). I found it kind of annoying that you couldn't sit unless you were eating, especially with worn out legs from being touristy. You might want to splurge on some apps, if only to enjoy a seat. Otherwise you'll be fighting with the bar crowd for a space to lean against. Given there's no view, I'm not sure if it's worth the effort.
(2)
Eva W.

They forgot to put in our order..on a Sunday afternoon, when the dining area is like 60% full. Thanks a lot. Er, they said there was a "computer malfunction," but when everyone around you has no problem getting their food, I highly doubt it would only "malfunction" for us. Reminds me of my ordeal at Ze CafÃ©...well at least here, our waiter actually recognized his error by himself and was extremely apologetic. And there was only a delay of about 20 min. Plus, we had good seats with bread and beer and a nice view of the Flatiron building (did you know they're planning on turning that into a hotel in 10 years? I didn't either, thanks Wikipedia). Good thing we had already eaten and this was merely a snack. The apple and fennel salad was refreshing. The roasted maitake was underwhelming and rather sloppily thrown together. Also had the selection of salumi - the soppressata was quite good, but the stand-out was definitely the cacciatorini. We liked it so much we picked up some downstairs to take back. When we requested a table for food, they were nice enough to distinguish between tables in the sun and tables in the shade and give us the option to choose between the two. I thought that was pretty considerate.
(3)
Heather W.

Loved this place. The downstairs is an italian market and it very tempting once you've had a few beers. I racked up $80 last time I went. Cheese and meet plates are all great.
(5)
Tom Y.

Came here the Sunday night of Columbus Day weekend, we made reservations but we blew past it but luckily they were not packed at all and we got a table immediately as soon as our entire party was present. The bartenders at the bar were quite knowledgeable about their beer selection and were friendly as well. Our server that night was really nice, when 3 of 4 our plates came out cool she took it back quickly and even though back the 4th plate so that one person wasn't just eating by themselves with the other 3 people staring at him. When our food came out hot/warm it was really good. The beer that the server recommended for our food selection accompanied our meal really well. For appetizer we had the cheese plate and salumi plate, both with all of the different varieties. I was really impressed with the cheese plate, not so much with the salumi but than again I have very high standards for salumi. I had the Cotechino plate, and it was really really good, everyone else had the skirt steak and they enjoyed it too. The server made up for the cold food incident by hooking us up with some Panna Cotta. -1/2 star for the cold/cool food the first time around, and -1/2 for making us drop $$$ on a very casual meal, I know it was good and all but my AMEX gotta take a break once in awhile
(4)
Geoff W.

I was excited to finally eat at La Birreria. My family was in town to watch a hockey game at MSG so we made reservations before the game. The 7 of us were all seated promptly for our 5pm reservation. - Apps and Entrees needed to be ordered at the same time - The Entrees were all served while we had a significant amount of food remaining - The servers took plates with food without asking or combined plates to make room - The meats and cheeses from Eataly were good - The sausages and salads were sub-par - The service was very rushed despite the restaurant being over half empty I would not recommend eating at La Birreria. The bar can be fun, but the service at the tables is absolutely terrible.
(2)
Nicole A.

The Good The cheese platter for $17, good selection of beer, the pork shoulder, and the kale salad with anchovy dressing and grapefruit. Service is on-point...but with a squadron of bus boys, it's pretty to easy to expect that your water glass always be filled and your napkin always properly folded when you return to your seat. The Bad: You wait in line to...wait in line some more. Yup. The wait to get up to The Playboy Club at The Palms is probably faster and less confusing than this place. You put your name down so they can text you to let you know when you can come up; there are two lists: one for the bar and the other for dinner. I suggest you put your name on the bar list since you can ask for a table when you get upstairs. Oh and if you have a large party, make sure you're ALL there, because you won't be seated and if you're already seated, you can't add a chair or move tables. More on this later. The Ugly: Remember what I said about not being seated if your group isn't all there? It's apparently to make sure the flow of seating doesn't get disrupted...which is really funny because when you get upstairs, after waiting in line for what feels like forever, you see empty tables instead of a packed rooftop. We learned this the hard way: I decided on a "surprise" birthday dinner for my boyfriend this past weekend for a party of 8. Four of us arrived ahead of everyone else and decided to grab a table after standing around for a while. We thought we could just add on people to our table or be re-seated at a bigger table because...well, nearly half the place was empty. Wrong. So we thought, ok, the other four can take our seats and order food so they don't have to wait for seats. Um, wrong again. We apparently would throw off their seating flow if we had 4 people order more food at a table that was already being used, thereby saving them a 4-top. Makes sense right? To top things off, their dickish manager came by and curtly reprimanded us for trying to circumvent their house rules. Obviously the guy didn't want us dropping more money than the $200 four of us had just spent, because enforcing arcane, diner un-friendly rules was more important. Bottom line: Good food, great servers, bad management and a confusing seating system.
(2)
jean H.

Great atmosphere! Beer was tasty and so was my mushroom panini!
(4)
Teens G.

Yes yes, it's not a beergarden. The issue is expectations - we all went in thinking it was Zeppelin Hall Biergarten like in Jersey City... and it's not even close. It's an open space that has a retractable roof (amazing) that they closed when it started raining. It will be open all year round- It's more of a place to just hang out - I realized while waiting downstairs for 15/20 mins and coming in to a half empty hall that they are preventing it from turning into the stereotypical beer garden. They want it to be very classy, no shoving, calm place to eat and drink. The drinks - many beers on draft - they are out of half of them. I went on a Thursday night... around 10 pm... half empty... you dont have enough beers? To be fair, they did just open and maybe they dont understand volumes just yet. Ok... what about the cheese plate? DISGUSTING. First of all, who can actually hate cheese? All cheese is good. EXCEPT THIS. They gave us ricotta as one of the 7 1-inch selections for $16. Screw you! It looked like a yeast infection, no thanks. (Theres a wine/cheese bar on 25th and 3rd called Lamazou Bistro that is superb, if youre looking for that) $8 for a beer.. ok... It's Eataly Anyhoo, I feel like this area is dedicated to a slightly older crowd who wants to get away from rowdiness. I get it. But please advertise as that, not a rooftop beergarden
(2)
Darcy P.

My mom wanted to go to Eataly and asked me to come along. After scanning through the eatery options, I came across La Birreria. I thought it a little odd to have a beer garden serving Austrian/German inspired dishes atop an Italian market and decided it was a must to try. Especially with the fall quickly approaching, I wanted to take advantage of the nice weather while we still could. A quick elevator ride to the 14th floor (and a short walk up to the 15th) my eyes were greeted by a beautiful rooftop restaurant. Thank goodness for the sunny, warm day! There's a bar on the left with barrels of beer which is brewed on site and tables spread throughout. The music was all Beatles, Hendrix and the Stones. It's just too bad it was incredibly loud and it was drowned out for the most part. The view is stunning and for a casual spot, it has an upscale feel. Great for lunch/brunch. We had reservations so we were seated promptly. Nice little table top though we were next to the waiter station so there was a lot of traffic and there was no hiding from the sun. My back felt like it was on fire and my poor mom had the sun in her eyes the entire time. That would really be my only complaint about the seating. Note: They do have heaters and the Plexiglas (I think) roof is retractable for chillier days. Service: Our waiter was funny and accommodating. A busboy brought a plate of three cheeses to our table (which we did not order). Knowing this, we didn't touch it until the waiter came back. He said it was their mistake and to have fun because it would go in the garbage otherwise so why not? Something that bothered me was that we saw our waiter a total of four times but saw at least three other people during the course of the meal. I like bonding with my server and when it comes to tipping, I don't want to have to think about the handful of people. I would think a server wouldn't want that either, but hey, I don't trust people to do my job. Maybe that's just me. Meal: I had a nice white wine that was a mix of Riesling and something else. To start we shared an arugula salad that was deliciously dressed with a lemon vinaigrette, shaved parmigiana (of course it was fantastic) and yellow and red cherry tomatoes. I have to say they were the best tomatoes I've ever had. Nothing better than fresh veggies (or fruit, whatever you say). The cheese dish that I don't know what they were even though he told us lol, was fabulous. One hard, one soft and one that was just right. I could have eaten that forever but that's not what I came for. I ordered the Quaglia con Finocchio Manchester Farm boneless quail with Sambuca braised fennel. It was my first quail experience and what a fantastic one. The skin was outrageously flavorful and the meat was cooked evenly. Piaired with the fennel, omg it was the perfect bite. I savored every bit, grateful I skipped the bread. I will go back for sure to try the pork shoulder and advise that you get there before the cold months are here. It's way too gorgeous of a setting to miss out on.
(4)
Calvin Y.

The beer garden on top of Eataly; its a rooftop bar but there isn't much of a city view here. We happen to come here on a Sunday night - live music starts at 10pm - as we wanted to have salumi, cheese, and wine which they had a good selection here and it was very delicious. We gave the sausages a try and they were good too. But most memorable is the very friendly waiter that came by and talked and joked with us while we were there and the live music really set the ambiance. Draft beer and an extensive wine list is on hand.
(4)
Claire V.

Often of an evening, I'll decide to stretch my legs on a walk, make my way up Broadway, oh look -- the Flatiron is so pretty, and, oh, here we are at Eataly, why not enjoy the beauty as an art gallery? This has happened about ten times, and I had still never purchased anything. Rounding a corner to face another interminable line, someone called out my name, and they were almost in front, just giving their reservation to the hostess at Birreria. (BTW: "beer-a-RI-a" or "beer-AIR-ee-ah"? The first sounds too much like diarrhea...not a good association...) So I joined in. The outdoor setting is protected by windows, retractable ceiling, and the surprising light-out upper floors of surrounding buildings. So it is not the view of a lifetime, but very nice to feel the summer breeze and let it playfully lift your hair. (Well, that breeze was also having its way with the wine glasses, blasting them off the cart and shattering them with fantastic pops.) I had the golden IPA, which was perfect, saturated but not overly grassy with hops. I sipped others' DFH peche, dark cask IPA, and the dark highest-alcohol one that of course came in a fancy goblet. I also had bites of the bottom three cheeses on the menu, the excellent pork shoulder, the weird potato salad that accompanied it, and plenty of good chewy sourdough bread. It's definitely not your average beer garden -- there are no trees, you have your own table, there's quite a variety of beers, and there's no kielbasa in site -- but nice for a lively drink and bite, less harried than the scene downstairs.
(3)
Maureen M.

While i pretty much despised eataly when it first opened, Birreria has changed my mind. It's a great, very casual spot that i continually frequent after work. The beer selection is fantastic as is the kale salad and fried mushrooms. Service is usually great (pretty knowledgable staff), but the last time i was there, granted i was with a party of 14 people, BUT on a Tuesday night, it pretty much stunk.
(4)
Karen L.

The beauty of New York is that you can turn any and every corner to find something great and delicious. In this concrete jungle, you're often bogged down and forget to look up! Well here we are. Top of the building, with Eatly just below, Birreria is a great little secret. This beer garden has plenty for you to choose from. Pair it with a cheese and meat plate. Pick something delicious as your entree and when you're done, go back down to Eatly for some coffee or gelato! The view is nice, who doesn't like a pretty sunset or view of the city that never sleeps?
(4)
Kenny C.

I could've sworn I reviewed this place... I came here for happy hour on St. Patrick's Day (because that makes sense). The rooftop bar is pretty cool. There's a retractable roof, but the bar is only a small portion of the roof compared to the restaurant part. Get there early to snag a table or a seat at the bar. First thing you'll notice is an amazing beer selection. Top notch, really. A lot of Dogfish Head, Allagash, and other domestic crafts, as well as Italian beers that you probably can't get anywhere else. Had a ton of great stuff, but started out with their Peroni happy hour special (2 Peronis + Fried mushrooms + Dry aged beef arancini for $20 every day 4-7pm). Great deal, but sadly, the arancini balls were not good. Very bland, and really could've used a spicy marinara dipping sauce. The fried mushrooms were better, but also pretty bland. They also offer one of the saddest cheese plates I've ever seen. Literally a flat white plate with three slices of cheese haphazardly placed on top. They didn't even give us more bread. The hazelnut honey was really good though. Lastly, we also ordered the braised pork belly, but the bartender misheard us and gave us the sweetbreads instead. It was good, but I really wanted the pork belly. Other than that, the bartenders were nice guys and offered to replace it, but we were too hungry. Basically, come here for the beers and the view, but don't expect much from the bar food.
(3)
Rosemary V.

I've been here twice, both on a Saturday afternoon. View: There isn't much of a view since, at least both times I went, there retractable roof was not opened all the way. Atmosphere: Cool and relaxed. The bar area can get a bit crowded raising the temperature of the area. Get ready to stand if you're going for drinks only; chairs are for those eating only. Crowd at the bar ranges from young to old, locals to tourists. Service: Bartenders were friendly and attentive. Don't hesitate to ask for a beer sample if you're torn about what to order. I would love to go back for the food.
(3)
Ashley S.

I came here with some friends on a weekend for my birthday. We made reservations in advance so there weren't any problems with getting a table or waiting. We ordered a meat and cheese platter with the help of our friendly waitress as well as a few other appetizers/side dishes - the one that sticks out in my memory were the brussel sprouts, loved them! They have a nice beer and wine selection and serve fresh bread and olive oil with your meal (yum). I thought I'd be more impressed or wowed by the view being on the rooftop, but for me it just didn't feel that spectacular - maybe because the retractable roof wasn't open when we were there. Overall it was a fun time and I'd recommend.
(4)
Garen A.

I have to say I didn't really care for this space. It has good service, and an amazing atmosphere, but the menu is super limited and quite expensive for what it is. I think eating in one of the many other Eataly restaurants would be my recommendation. We did have the cheese and charcuterie plates here, and they were good - but it's nothing to write home about. Stay Cheerful ;)
(3)
Erica J.

We came to Eataly, and specifically Birreria, based on some friends' recommendations. We didn't make reservations and it was a Friday night, so we expected a wait (if we could get in at all). The hostess said it would be a 90 minute wait when we checked in at 8:30 PM. We poked around Eataly--it's amazing--and then got a drink next door while waiting for her to text us when a table opened up. After only 45 minutes we got a text! Score! Birreria is on the 14th floor rooftop of the Eataly building. The view of the lit buildings at night was quite spectacular! We got a carafe of wine from Tuscany and they served bread/olive oil. I ordered Wagyu steak with onions, mushrooms and pea purÃ©e. My hubby got the pork shoulder. We also split a side of mashed potatoes that were prepared with olive oil. We both loved our meals and the potatoes were the best!! Absolutely delicious meal! Birreria lost one star just for the service. Our server was very friendly but she seemed to be stretched too thin. It took about 20 minutes to get a drink order going with her, and then we waited much longer to get those drinks. The food came out much faster than we were anticipating, which was good and bad because we wanted to relax and savor our last dinner in NYC. While we were eating, we saw two different couples get up and leave before ordering due to lack of service. We felt bad for them because they chose to walk out on a wonderful meal! I would highly recommend Birreria and Eataly in general!!
(4)
Nicole M.

Oh my goodness, I loved this place. I'm not sure why it has such an average rating. It's on the rooftop of Eataly, and I luckily was able to visit there because my friend had suggested it, otherwise I feel like I never would have known it was up there. Absolutely beautiful view, and one of the best meals I've ever had. Before our meal, we had also the whole meat platter and cheese platter to share between the table- definitely a nice variety of consistencies in cheeses and tastes of meats (I had thought it couldn't get better from here on out- but I was wrong- the meal was even better!). The steak was cooked perfectly, and I tried the lamb chops which were really freakin great as well. My only complaint is how does a restaurant in Eataly not have several pasta options?!?!?! I was SO confused by this, and disappointed. However, though disappointed, I was at least happy that pasta wasn't there to direct me away from the great meat options they had. Definitely seems like it gets packed, and even though we had a reservation, we didn't get in right away... but I promise, it's worth the wait. Pretty pricey, so I'd probably be back just for occasions. If you are in Eataly and looking for a nice sit-down restaurant (rather than the casual spots they have in the market), this is the place for you.
(5)
Kevin C.

Great on hot weather days and the summer as a outdoor more upscale beer hall. Plenty of good beers and artisanal beers on tap to choose from. Any of the german lagers are great in the summer. It's a large outdoor roof beer hall on top of Eataly. Plenty of tables to sit down for a meal. The bar is on the far side but for a beer hall a bit small. It can get a bit crowded on busy happy hour times. It's a good place for a work lunch as the pork shoulder which i ordered was super tasty and tender. Any of the charcuterie was great too. The mortadella, speck, salumi and sopressata goes well with the beer and casual conversation. I would of given 4 stars but to me it is a bit pricey for this kind of food fare. If the price points were a bit better definitely a 4 star kinda place where you'd frequent often. But as is it's for those special occasions.
(3)
Jennifer C.

I've gone to this place three times - in warm weather. It first came up through a yelp search for rooftop bars when I was new to the city last summer. I really enjoy taking visitors here because it is in the flatiron district so I think it is a cool scene and can give a visitor some of those classic NYC vibes and the iconic flatiron building. It is pricey, but from what I understand all of Eataly is. I think they don't have a happy hour because in nice weather the bar gets super crowded anyway, but I think they should consider adding a happy hour (at least a few times a week) and expanding the bar area. The tables are only for dinner but I've noticed each time I've been here that a lot of the tables are empty and they could move the tables closer together to maximize the space. I think they would only benefit from having more bar space. Oh, the Bloody Mary's here are amazing - with delicious, tangy blue cheese. I also really like the fried mushrooms (funghi) on the appetizer menu - I get them every time I come here. We tried their new and ONLY pasta dish for dinner on Friday and the rolled noodles were classic. I mostly recommend this place for after dinner drinks with a side of friend mushrooms :)
(3)
Doreen D.

Love the bar, the bartenders, the location and the beer. We did not eat - just a FYI. Cool spot. Beer list needs some expanding and I think the staff really needs to try all of them to know how to direct the consumer. I would come back any time.
(4)
Luis C.

Great selection of beers...really cool atmosphere
(4)
Karry L.

I am still not impressive w this rooftop beer garden, first of all, the roof is still enclosed, second, the previous booth seats to the right has converted to serving tables, it's only available if you order food, so that leave the bar area jammed packed, went there on a Wed evening and there was barely any standing room. There's plenty of beers to choose from, and it's serve in wine glasses which i think it's kinda classy, drinking beer doesn't feel so masculine anymore! there's also limited whites and rose. I prob won't return unless i'm really in the mood for beers knowing there will be standing room!
(3)
Mike G.

We ended up on the top floor of Eataly at La Birreria after a walk thu the "foodie gone to heaven" market on the street level. Eataly is fantastic if Italian imports, eating good food and enjoying wine are what you're into...and I am. The rooftop bar was five deep and the cask brews were unique (thyme) and tasty. We had some of the house wines, and hung out under the heat lamps, on a November night that was around 50 degrees, They had a section of the roof retracted and we could view the top of the Empire State Building lit in holiday colors. We had a bit of a wait for a table but the bar made it easy to hang out. The menu was interesting. We had the cheese platter, salumi platter for starters. Every entree was great, ..chicken thighs, Pork shoulder, steak and a pork chop. The olive oil potatoes were so rich you could only eat a small bite at a time and they were great to share. Prices were on the high side but the atmosphere was cool, and they did not miss with the food, it can be a bit touristy, and Batali's name is on it...enough said. We stopped for some gelato and other sweets on the way out..a nice finish to the night. Great place and I look forward to a return visit.
(4)
Leslie K.

Thursday evening, beautiful fall weather, table for 2, no reservation... got in in 3 minutes. Sweet! Prompt, attentive service was appreciated. Hate that you have to order everything at once. What is with that, NYC? We split a cheese plate, the roasted maitake mushrooms, and the pork shoulder. Also sampled a few of the draft beers. Everything was good - not completely stellar, but good. The roasted mushrooms were the best thing we ordered. Vibrant atmosphere, lots of energy - I would return for that alone.
(4)
Molly E.

Okay experience. I see what people mean about the service. The front podium is inundated with stupid tourists all day, so they do roll their eyes a bit if you don't know exactly what you're doing. The waiter was SUPER friendly and the food was good; smallish portions but if you ask for more bread, they'll bring it. Not much of a view except for the sky. But it's lovely on a Summers Evening.
(3)
Gregory M.

Located at the back of Eataly and only accessible via elevators, La Birreria is the popular beer garden on top of Mario Batali's massive tourist-trap/foodie bonanza. They usually have three cask beers on tap and right now it's Gina, Wanda, and Sofia. Bring your beer friends and make to sure to taste all three. And if you don't know what you want, they've got a cicerone on staff who can help you select a beer. Servers can sometimes be a little pushy which is off-putting but beyond that, the food is good: sausages (especially blood sausage) and pork shoulder are great. Make reservations no matter when you're going and hope that the humidity is light. It can be a nice relaxing place when you know you know you don't have to wait in the chaos that is Eataly proper below.
(4)
Kelly O.

For once in my life, I didn't mind waiting 45 minutes to check out La Birreria! I had heard such great things, that we on a Tuesday evening around 7:30 knowing we were going to wait. We just grabbed a glass of wine an an appetizer at the main bar downstairs, until we got the text that our table was ready. I really loved the atmosphere - very chill and great music!! The red metal chairs aren't the most comfortable though. The reason this is getting 4 stars is purely for the prices - I think it was slightly overpriced for what it was. We split a delicious arugula salad (super salty though if you don't like salt), the meat plate and a cheese plate. All was delicious, but more than I would have liked to pay. The beer was great though! I can't even remember what I had, but it was delicious and perfect for sipping on a summer evening. I highly recommend hanging out on the rooftop for drinks, but I probably wouldn't go back for a full meal.
(4)
Hank B.

I have been anxiously waiting to visit the rooftop beer garden ever since they opened last year. Finally got the chance to try it out on a trip to NYC this past Monday. Downstairs Eataly is just plain amazing and overwhelming. We tried the espresso and the gelato and both were outstanding. We walked past a very serious looking bakery with lots of great looking fresh breads and the panini counter with its endless variety of sandwhich options. It was lunch time and we were hungry so we decided to venture upstairs for a bite and to try some of the house-made beers. WE SHOULD HAVE STAYED DOWNSTAIRS. Upon exiting the elevator you are greeted by a bunch of host/hostesses that just stare you down and make you feel like you got off on the wrong floor. Once seated we looked over the menu and realized none of the great food we were teased and tantalized with downstairs was available up here. Instead they have this TINY satellite kitchen putting out a menu that is nothing more than basically lame snack foods. On the special lunch menu there were a scant 3 panini sanwhiches to chose from and none really exited me too much. I decided to go for the grilled portobello panini. While I waited for my sandwhich, I ordered one of their 3 house made beers available. First off let me say I LOVE CRAFT BEER. I am a beer nerd. I have been an avid homebrewer and certified beer judge for over 20 years. I have tasted thousands of different beers in my lifetime. I consider Sam Caliglione of Dogfish Head Brewery a role model. The beer was TERRIBLE. I ordered the chestnut brown ale. As soon as the beer was put up tp my lips I could tell it was spoiled! It smelled like stale sour beer from the section at the beverage place where you return old empty beer bottles. The beer was also COMPLETELY FLAT like a glass of piss. I love cask ale. I know it should be served at cellar temp and has a much finer carbonation, but this was totally flat. My other 2 choices if I wanted to try another of their beers were a thyme infused pale ale or a coffee porter. NO THANKS! How about a beer that tastes like idunno BEER! When my sandwhich arrived I felt as if I were the victim of an elaborate bait and switch scheme. My "panini" was nothing more than some slices of grilled portabello on what looked like an Italian hoagie roll you would buy at the grocery store in Ozark, Mo. The bottom of the bun had the same texture as a hot dog bun. This was CLEARLY not the same bread they are serving downstairs at the panini bar. WTF? Alongside this trainwreck they served a finger bowl of fried smashed baby potatoes that looked as if the were cooked sometime last week. Total letdown. I expected much better from the parties involved.
(1)
Paula E.

Yes I'm giving this place 4 stars despite other Yelpers' reviews. I made a reservation so I guess that made all the difference when it came to getting into this place. There was a long line of people and I saw the bouncer/whatever you wanna call him telling people the roof was at capacity and people had to wait. This was at 6 pm on a Thursday. Me and my friends had reservations so they let us get in the elevator right away. This place is just awesome... So chill. The perfect place to come and unwind with done beer, good and friend. I didn't find it pretentious at all. I guess before to the elevator I was just really distracted by all the available products at Eatalay so I made a mental note to come back and check it out for some grocery shopping. That market just makes you feel like you want to become the next Top Chef. Ok back to la Birreria. We ordered beer and then some more. The bartenders were cool and the crowed seemed to be a mix of people who had just gotten out of work and group of friends who just wanted to chill. Me and my friends were both. We ordered the pork shoulder and the steak and they were really good, highly recommended from my part. We also had some of the cheeses with the salumi and they were good too (wish it would've been more abundant). We also had a salad, can't remember the name but it was the second one on the menu with the apples. It was good as well. So in conclusion I will def come back to this place but with reservations to avoid any of the issues other yelpers have complained about. Come on people, this is NYC.
(4)
AppleFanNYC A.

The only downside here is that you may be facing a wait in line to ultimately ask them to put your name down for another wait. But, it's worth the wait. If the weather is good, you will love this place because of it's open-air, rooftop dining. This has more of a restaurant than a bar feel to it (unlike Frying Pan for example). The food is very good - the steak was fantastic. Beers on tap are awesome here as well. Great place for a small group.
(4)
Eric M.

Great ambiance, nice food, beer and wine. Horrendous service. Manager apologized but we spoke up too late to do anything.
(2)
Diane F.

We loved the setting, the many beers offered and the food (although smallish portions), but the service was really disappointing. Standoffish and inattentive waitstaff made what should have been a great experience pretty unpleasant.
(3)
Melinda W.

Amazing sausages & beer. Also the service is fantastic. I plan to be back every time I am in NYC. Thanks for a great experience!
(5)
Michael K.

nothing special about this place. getting the review up here as summer has officially come to an end and your friends' insistence on eating/drinking somewhere "outside" or "with a roof" is not as strong as it was a month ago is probably not that helpful. unrelated, what establishments don't have roofs? tents? parks? there are not many places in new york city where you can go to eat or drink that actually do not have a roof, and so you should tell your friends that when they veto your suggestion of going to the levee because it doesn't have a roof. it does. that's why it's so dark in there. anyway, i'm not going to go back to this place any time soon, but the roof is actually covered (with another roof/ceiling/bubble boy like plastic enclosure), so i assume it will be operating year-round. you need to go into eataly. get lost, walk in circles, not be able to move because people with carts and cameras are also lost and their children are hiding behind the cheese, but they don't know that. then you find the host/ess stand and the elevator that goes to sub roof 1. the elevator has no weight limit, but it is limited to 8 people. when you get to subroof 1, you walk up some stairs and find some bathrooms and a mini-elevator that you may or may not mistake as the main elevator when you leave depending on what you've been up to once you get to the roof. once there, you'll find another host/ess stand and a bunch of tables and a bar. the menu was not really at all appealing with a choice of some sausages, and i like sausages, and then some other stuff. the sausage was not great and nothing special at all compared to even the mediocre sausage at the standard bier(beer)garten(garden), and for $20+ at eataly and 1 ticket (i think 1 ticket = $5, but I can't remember) at the standard, i'd really expect something truly superior. and it wasn't. also, they have their own beer on tap, which is interesting, but it doesn't taste good, and it was pretty warm. if they're going to serve italian food with american, local ingredients, then that shouldn't stop them from serving italian/european/whatever style beer with the american ingredient of making it cold. and they were like $10. i think the cheapest beer you can get is an $8 bottle of dogfish head. what the hell? i can get a six pack for $12 at the deli. no ketchup economics here. this is also a pet peeve of mine, but they insist that you have to place your order all at once. i should step back - they insisted that we place our order all at once the one time i went there at about 6 in the afternoon - i don't know that they do that to everyone. anyway, what that means is that when you're really hungry, they'd rather you not order an appetizer while looking over the rest of the menu because they want to be able to bring you all the food at once to turn the table over fast. that's my jaded interpretation of the policy of requiring that a party order everything all at once, but i am not an expert and am open to correction. the service was fine and the people bussing the tables were far more polite and attentive than the actual wait staff. the numerous elevators are friendly to strollers (just keep in mind the 8 person limit)
(2)
Brittany P.

This place is packed by 5:30pm on weekdays. At that point you can still get in but get here closer to 6:00pm and you'll be stuck in a long line downstairs. You'll also be told there is a wait time of 15 minutes to an hour. ??? The host staff (upstairs and downstairs) is totally clueless. The bartenders are nice and attentive. I love going to Eataly but I do not like the vibe at La Birreria. I can't put my finger on it but I will probably not go back.
(3)
John N.

I been wanted to go here ever since they open but never had time. A few friends told me how much they love it here. So after dinner last night, I took a friend here and at first we were downstaire just hanging out then walked upstaire. The place was pretty dead because it was only around 4ish but i didn;t mind. I rather go see it and experience for it myself. We order the 3 cheese, cured meat and we drink the wanda and some other dark beer which was too strong and dark for my friend so I had to trade her. I wanted to try the blood saugage but my friend wasn't hungry so we pass on it. Overall I thought this place was ok, personally i have a few other favorite in nyc rather then this place. The food is ok, a little disappointed more like it. Sorry but everything at Eataly is more of tourist attraction then the quality.
(2)
Claire Y.

This place screams two things. One, "CELEBRITIES, COME AND DINE HERE." Two, "TOURISTS, COME EAT CELEBRITY CHEF FOOD WITH ACTUAL CELEBRITIES." I am neither a tourist nor a celebrity, but somehow I ended up here with my sister, her manfriend, and two of their friends. We asked downstairs if we could nab a table and were told it would be about an hour wait, but there was probably room at the bar. We decided to take our chances, only to discover that there were a TON of empty tables and sure enough, we could nab one. Okay. You think they'd have better communication with the upstairs, especially considering that one of our party was pregnant and standing at a bar is probably not the best idea for her. The food was pretty good, but tiny portions were definitely not worth the $400 bill. The beer selection is overwhelming and everything I sampled was great. The ambience IS lovely, but kind of ruined with people snapping pictures of whatever celebrity is there today. (When were there, it was Gabourey Sidibe, of the film Precious.) I don't think I'll be back, even if I become rich and famous.
(3)
Lauren L.

An update after my first experience was amazing. I came here to sit waiting for food downstairs as I thought they had a different menu for lunch but they don't. So we ordered beer to be polite...BIG MISTAKE! We considered the menu figuring we could take our time and said so. The server who was initially very nice began circling our table like a shark. He yelled demanding that we had to order if we wanted to sit otherwise we had to go to the bar which was completely full and stand waiting for a seat. We probably would have ordered something if he wasn't NASTY! The seating area for the restaurant was more than half empty so why this was such a big deal we couldn't figure out but clearly this guy was unprofessional and should not be working ANYWHERE near people. He kept bothering us 5 times in like 3 minutes about what we were ordering and then we just realized we wanted to get out of there/ away from him. He then started ripping the dishes and utensils off of our table violently: mature and classy, sir! Two of my friends went downstairs because it wasn't pleasant. We tried to quickly finish our beers - he rudely pushes in one of the chairs. We ask for the check and he clearly wants a tip?!? and tells us you guys don't have to rush out of here you can hangout. Um as the 1 star rating indicates: Eek! Methinks not!!!! Our server who should be fired for his behavior has short gray hair, 30-40ish with star tattoos on the back of his arm in different colors. I don't know if it was ageism or his own problems in life but he should not be working here it ruined my opinion of Birreria and Eataly. The two first timers that we took there were not impressed. I am DISGUSTED! We should not be treated like this we did absolutely not DESERVE IT!!!!!!
(1)
Dave N.

This is a very neat place. Atmosphere was really nice for a warm sunny Sunday afternoon in April. My first visit, but others in our party had been there multiple times. We mostly just wanted to hang out and graze and drink the afternoon away. We started with one server who came and took our drink order. Then another server showed up and claimed to be taking for the first server, ok shift change I get that. But the other server, the one with the personality, remained working and waiting on the table next to us? The server tells us we have to order our entire meal, apps & entree all at once, it's policy because their kitchen is small? Who ever heard of such nonsense? Cheese plate comes out, ok has 3 what I would consider bites of cheese. Ya see all the cheese downstairs in the market? Not like there is a shortage? There are cheese shops that will give you sample bigger than this. The folks who've been there before think nothing of it, whatever I don't really like cheese anyway. Speck comes, five little slices? If you've ever ordered cheese and prosciutto in Italy you know the real Italians don't skimp. I ordered the pork. Excellent! Highly recommended, the mustard is so good. Then the table next to use gets their cheese plate. WTF? Nice big chunks of cheese, and they were two people, we were five? My basic complaint is the service. Restaurants are a service oriented industry, this place is not customer focused. Server 2 had an attitude we picked up on immediately. Rarely stopped by to check on us.
(3)
Angela O.

Most amazing unexpected lunch ever. We wanted to go to the pasta restaurant but the line was super crazy. In fact the whole market was crazy busy and a little irritating. We were about to walk out the door when I noticed there was no line for birreria and it had always been on my to do list as well. Lucky for us, no wait. We went up to the 14th floor to a gorgeous roof top. It was not cold or overly crowded and plenty of space. Love it. We were hesitant at first since they didn't have the traditional plates, no pasta, mostly main entrees. We sat down and ordered beer which they have a huge selection btw because I guess they're a brewery! And got the 3 cheese plate. They gave us a plate of olive oil and I asked for some balsamic vinegar and pepper to pair it with and I'm glad I did because it made the bread and cheese appetizer outstanding. We ordered Ricotta - delicious milky and creamy Provolone - stronger and firmer flavor, also very nice Taglia-something - came with the moldy exterior and was creamy on the inside; for more advanced cheese eaters Brown ale - very dark and stoutly like Guinness IPA/wine beer - red and silky, a good blend of the two And then the stars: Pork shoulder with apricot glaze and mustard dressing - this is one of the BEST of my life. Truly amazing. It was crispy on the outside and soo tender on the inside and with an outstanding sauce and glaze. I never imagined it could be this good! The skirt steak was excellent too; cooked perfectly but had no other strong sauces - it was a well prepared steak, very delish. The lunch came out to be $90 since the pork and steak were about $23 each, the cheeses $11 for 3 and the beers about $8 each. It was a pricey lunch but it was the most delicious pork I've had in years and I paid triple for it back then so I think it was well worth it!! Ambience and service also great, it was an epic lunch.
(5)
Lisa G.

Awesome rooftop scene. Delicious food. Decent drinks. That about sums up my experience. I would definitely come back if I needed a cheese, cocktail, and rooftop fix. Our waiter was pretty attentive and offered helpful suggestions. I LOVED the cheese platter and pork shoulder. I wasn't a huge fan of the wine - there was something that was slightly off-putting about the merlot I got but, that may just be a matter of preference. I tried some of their cask beers as well and wasn't a huge fan. Could be an acquired taste issue.
(3)
Bill S.

Mambo #9: I love Gina, Wanda, I didn't try Ruby but you get my drift. Love Eataly! And stop hatin' on Nonna! I love this spot and I don't care if its filled with posers. "I'm here" which steps it up to BillySalts coolness status. I stopped by after work and I wanted to drink a nice Pinot Nour, order a meat plate and chill but I didn't feel like standing with the other 100 people that had the same idea as me, so La Birreria baby! When I got upstairs, I pushed the wine to the side. I'm here so lets try the cask conditioned house ales from Mario. Both $10 beers were spot on! This is a cool place, why all the haters? I order both a 3 cheese plate and a meat plate. The cheese I ordered: RICOTTA FRESCA ROBIOLA BOSINA TALEGGIO The Robiola was a home run. Think of Brie but creamier. I get chills thinking about how good this cheese was, and they served it with a dish of honey and I think corn nuts?? So then the meat plate comes: SPECK SOPRESSATA MORTADELLA My blood pressure must have shot up to 160/100! Who really cares, I'm in Eataly. Nothing can happen here, its like Italian heaven and Mario is, Actually, I'm not sure what he is and keep him away from me if I need mouth to mouth. So, what did we learn? I love to drink warm $10 beers and I made a pig of myself with meats and cheeses. And still hating on Eataly? Pitch a bitch if you want about this place, no one cares. I'll keep coming back for the Robiola and those hazelnut lattes. Sooooo good!
(5)
Eun J.

Came here for a group hangout with friends. It was colder so the roof was closed :( Great selection of beers on tap. Oh who am I kidding; I only drink hard cider. I tried two varieties of cider - both delicious. Can't remember what their names were. The entrance is a little difficult to find. Walk inside the italian food maze that is Eataly and elevator entrance it's down the aisle from either the kitchen utensils or pasta section. There's a sit-down-to-eat section and then a smaller section for the bar - it got quite cramped at one point during "happy hour" time.
(3)
Stephanie V.

This is the superstar of Eataly. Its a little hidden in the back of the place and when you find it, there will definitely be a wait on a weekend. But if you manage to get there on a weekday, it is a nice open space with good beer. It gets pretty corwded so get ready to fight for your spot at the bar or at a table. There isn't any spectaular views because its squished between other buildings. There is a good vibe going on with those who can find the place. My only complaint is about the service. They are extremely rude and will shrug you off. Whenever I go out I find this to be one of the most important aspect and I hate coming back here. The location is just central but other than that. I will not be going back
(2)
Jordan P.

I have only see La Birreria completely swamped every time I've gone. Admittedly, I've only been twice, but both were in the middle of a weekday before work lets out, so I was surprised at the crowds (maybe everyone else is enjoying some funemployment like me?) When we asked for a seat for two for lunch, we were told that we could wait for 30-45 minutes OR check out the bar upstairs, which was standing room only. We opted for the bar, to at least grab a drink before lunch time. When we reached the rooftop, it was hot, sweaty, and crowded, but a beautiful day. After spotting a small family getting ready to leave, we obtained a seat without hardly waiting at all. We ordered our beers, of which they had an excellent selection of Dogfish Head and house-brewed brews, and were offered some homemade bread made from the spent grain from their brewery. We didn't try any cask beers this time, but next time I'll be sure to. Despite getting the text to let us know a table had opened up, we opted to keep our seat at the bar for the bonus of people watching and proximity to the bartender. I'll say that the Captain Lawrence Liquid Gold was nothing to write home about, but all the other beers I tried were thoroughly enjoyed. For lunch, my partner and I ordered a cheese plate with gorgonzola, taleggio, and robiola bosina which was served with a sort of honey hazelnut thing. Along with the spent grain bread, this was the ideal dish before our "main course" the ProBusto sausage platter with coriander potato and mustard greens. While it seemed a little pricey initially, the sausage was more than enough for the two of us, and was plump and juicy. Not usually a fan of mustard, this was especially fantastic to enjoy and the potatoes were so well seasoned and well mashed. For the whole experience, I'd consider it worth every penny, and we left with full bellies and not-too-empty wallets.
(4)
Vinny L.

Went here with my girlfriend on a whim as we wanted to go to Eataly but weren't sure where to eat. The food itself was delicious but the menu wasn't much to pick from. No discredit to the restaurant we were just looking for more traditional Italian dishes. The beer and wine selection was very good. The setting itself is cool as it is located on the roof and has a glass enclosure during the colder weather that doesn't take away from the view! All in all a good mix of modern Italian dishes with a rooftop bar. Enjoy
(4)
Jennifer Tavani C.

La Birreria is a great place to relax, sit at the bar, come with a group, family, etc. It's all season appeal makes it a go to spot that you can count on anytime of the year. Dishes are small, but authentic Italian Tapas style. Music is good too.
(4)
Samu L.

Would of given four stars if the food was consistent here. The shiitake mushrooms were over salted this time and prosciutto platter a bit dried and not fresh. It came out fast but most likely because it was already pre-prepared. Try to come early or they get too busy and service staff more dismissive.
(3)
Audrey T.

La Birreria always appears to be busier than it actually is. However, the turnover for this extremely popular place is quite fast, so don't fret if you're unable to get a reservation. We came on a Thursday night, with no reservation, and asked for a table of 4. We were told the wait would be 45 minutes, but they ended up calling us in 5 minutes. Not sure if this was unusually fast, but when we were seated we noticed plenty of empty tables. As for the food, the only reason I did not give it 5 stars was that each entree was at least $20, so this place isn't the cheapest, considering the quality. All the food we had was good, but so are a lot of other restaurants that offer cheaper options. However, the most amazing part of our experience here was the PORK SHOULDER. You MUST get it. It was so soft and tender - so sublime. Definitely worth the $23 or so. With respect to the beer - I don't drink beer, so I can't comment on it. I'm a wine drinker, so was pleased to see a selection of about 12 or so wines to choose from. Overall? I would definitely come back, perhaps for a special occasion to bring visitors.
(4)
Jennifer L.

This place is a dream come true. Rooftop bar with great beer/cider, amazing food, and your best friends? YES PLEASE. The skirt steak that we had was the best skirt steak I have ever had. I wish there were places like this in California.
(5)
Mandy L.

They have my favorite beer here... Southampton Cuvee Des Fleurs. Beer brewed with hibiscus, lavendar, and rose. Sounds girly and feminine... okay, it IS girly and femine, but I LOVE it like I love no other beer. They sell it here by the bottle (750 ml). At 8.2% alcohol, it's not your typical light beer. I will come back here just for this. The food (tried the quail and hanger steak) was very good, albeit a bit pricey. And the wait time (45 min) was a bit ridiculous. Too bad.
(4)
Jenna K.

I LOVE Eataly... so I am bummed to give the Birreria a negative review. I've been here a bunch of times & always had a weird experience in some way. This last time, however, was pretty ridiculous. I arrived on the day before July 4 with a 3:45 reservation for 5. It turned out only 4 of us were going to come, so when we arrived, we let them know it would be 4 people. Despite us having a reservation and there being at least 8 empty tables, it took us about 20 minutes to get seated, and just as long to get a bartender's attention at the bar. We sat down, ordered food & more drinks... when our 5th friend decided to join. I KNOW - this makes my table seem like a terror to the restaurant, but there were SO many empty tables that it didn't seem like it should be a problem. We let our waitress & the maitre d know we'd have a 5th, and they made us cancel our food order & wait at the bar for ANOTHER half hour - even though they said as soon as she came upstairs, they'd seat us. There were literally multiple empty tables for 5, and they couldn't give us any good reason we had to continue waiting, despite having already tried sitting & ordering food! I gave the Birreria multiple fair tries, and it let me down every time. I'll be sticking to other beer gardens in the area!
(2)
Ancy N.

Day after Hurricane Irene = Best weather for a rooftop beer. Our experience was not as awful as most of the reviewers. Maybe we lucked out by being there before 5pm on a Monday before the crowd swarmed in. We could walk in straight away with no reservations. When we got to the rooftop, we realised that the bar was full and we asked the hostess for a table and we would order finger food. We were seated straight away. A friend even managed to join us after an hour at our table with no fuss. Maybe everyone is nicer after the hurricane. Not a full view of the buildings around the area, but a cute peep of the tip of the Empire State & the Flatiron building. We were not overly impressed with any of the beers we had. We tried 8 types. The bratwursts were probably the worst that I've ever tried. The cured meats were ok. But the friend shitake mushrooms were life-changing. Amazing flavorful batter, and I am not even a fried food fan. Just order that, drink your beer, enjoy the rooftop before NYC summer is over, then start sobbing.
(3)
Larry S.

Probably the worst dining experience I've ever had in NYC We sat down in a good mood with absolutely no expectations.. The menu looked pretty good. I fully expected the prices to be steep, given the dynamic of the space (rooftops are expensive to lease operate, especially in NYC), but the prices actually kinda blew me away. But whatever, no big deal right? My extremely overpriced bratwurst was extremely flavorless, textureless, and underwhelming in any other category imaginable. It was the wurst (pun intended). Out of the 6 of us, only one other person's entree was good. We were told to order the fried shitaake mushrooms, which tasted like over-fried bits of cardboard.. This takes the cake for worst fried food I've ever had. None of us felt good on the way out. Both me and my sister got pretty ill. I had to throw up before going to bed. Not sure if it was an off night or what, but it was so bad, I couldn't fathom giving them a second chance. After dining in hundreds of different restaurants in NYC, this is the ONLY place I emphatically tell people to avoid. Edit: Forgot to mention -- There is ZERO view. Literally, no view. I don't just mean "oh this potentially sweet view is partially obstructed", but there is literally not a morsel of building to be seen, save for the top of the top of the top of the spire of the empire state building. You can't even see the sky - 95% of the garden was domed over with opaque glass. What a let down.
(1)
Doreen L.

If you don't have a reservation, be prepared to wait.. and wait some more. The line for this place is hard to find in the maze of Eataly and it's definitely a bit unclear and confusing since there are two lines, but only one is for making a reservation. However, once you do get the text (and wait a little while longer for a table at the bar), you'll realize the wait is worth it. Our server was really nice and got us waters and delicious bread and olive oil. So yummy. He recommended a special salad with lots of basil, tomatoes and fresh mozz. We decided to go for it, because why not? It was good, but I'd opt out next time. The tomatoes and basil were flavorful, but it's a lot of the same thing on one plate, and I was looking for more variety. The mozz was delicious, but it was expensive to add it on, and there wasn't enough of it. The real deal was my entree and the delicious beers I had along with it. I had the Costoletto di Maiale con Bomba, a Bensmiller Farm (IA) pork chop with fried fingerling potatoes, sautÃ©ed onions, piquillo peppers and calabrian "bomba" vinaigrette." DELICIOUS. I can't tell you how good it was -- you'd need to try it to understand. Loved every bite. The Wanda and Gina beers are so good, but I liked the Gina one just a bit more. We also had the Eataly house ale - I forget the exact name, but it was just as good. The ambiance is really nice, and the rooftop is pretty. Thing is, you sort of forget you're even on a rooftop at all. That just happens to be a bonus. I noticed that most people took their time and were not rushed. We were even asked if we wanted another round, which is not typical when they have a backed up wait list for tables. Liked that. I would certainly return here and look forward to trying more restaurants that are owned/co-owned by Mario, Joe and Lidia.
(5)
D C.

One of the better Biergartens I have been to, but I was expecting a lot more considering its location above Eately. La Birreria is located on the rooftop of Eately on the 14th floor. We had to leave our names downstairs since there was a wait. After about 10 minutes we got called upstairs. The space was pretty expansive and really nice with many beer casks behind the bar. They even have a retractable roof for the cold weather months. The day we went it was really hot outside and, while they had a good amount of fans turned on, it was still SWELTERING. Surprisingly, the fans right above the bar were turned off. It started to get really cramped near the bar but luckily we snagged a high table. The beer menu was very expansive and they had multiple house beers on tap. This was leaps and bounds better than the complete lack of options at The Standard Biergarten. My friends and I stayed a few hours so I got to try a few of the house beers. My favorite was the Baladin Nora Sour which had notes of Ginger, Orange Peel, and Myrrh. It was delicious and very refreshing on a hot day! One of the most unique beers and probably best beers I have had. I also tried one of their house cask beers the Wonda which is a Chestnut Mild Ale. It was OK but nothing spectacular. I also had the Ommegang Rare Vos Ale (with Notes of Orange and Coriander) and the Gina (a Thyme Pale Ale). Both were just OK. Despite a few hiccups, I will probably be back with a group of people or for an after work drink but it won't be first on my list.
(3)
Lesley D.

They served me warm beer. Ambiance and place is amazing, but I can't get over being served warm beer.
(2)
Ben G.

I had a great experience at La Birreria two nights ago. After putting in our name we strolled around Eataly for a little bit. After a little while, we were texted and then preceded to the roof. Upon arriving at the host stand, we were explained that our table, still wasn't ready so were advised to grab some beers at the bar. Walking out to roof deck, seeing the empire state building and other parts of the skyline was awesome. The roof deck has a long bar on the left hand side with tables scattered through out. It was very business but wasn't overly loud. And after a 95 degree day, that cool breeze was a godsend. After about 15 minutes, we were brought over to our table and we started to peruse the menu. Our strategy was to order a bunch of different things are share. That way we each got to sample a nice variety. We started off with a selection of cheeses. Ricotta, Parmigiano, and Robiola. Each one a little different but all of them tasty. Next we split the shitake fritti. Yum - Fried Mushrooms. These little suckers melt in your mouth. Delicious. After those were polished off an order of the Cotechino came out . It was a pork sausage over a warm black lentils. Also very good. So far we're 3 for 3. Feel'n the flow. We were all pretty satisfied, but everything had been so good, so we wanted to try 1 more thing. Our waiter recommended the beer and apricot pork shoulder. Caramelized to the Max, this is the stuff dreams are made of. All in all, it was a great first experience to La Birreria. Our server was great, and really let us order in stages which is always a plus. So with friendly staff, great food, and amazing views/ atmosphere, why wouldn't you come here?
(4)
Wais K.

We were seated right away though the way up to the eatery is a journey up an elevator and a flight of stairs. Waited some time before the waiter came to take our drink order. Some more time passed before he returned with a seemingly simple order. The entrees were served with lightening speed...wish the drinks came that fast! There was another long wait for the server to take our dessert order. There didn't seem to be any sense of urgency on the poor chap's part. The service didn't improve as the evening went on. The highlight of the experience was the food and the server assistant who moore than made up for his partner's ineptitude. Probably will not return anytime soon.
(2)
Ashley D.

I've now enjoyed time at Birreria three times and enjoyed each visit. I don't know that I'd necessarily call it a beer garden but more of a roof top restaurant with a great beer selection. We've never had to wait in line for a table though if going with a large group I highly recommend making reservations, which they accept 2 weeks in advance for groups of 12 or fewer. Their salads are better than you'd expect and are perfect for a warm summer evening dinner. The cheese platter and their pretzel bread are a perfect appetizer to split. Last night our group of 12 loved everything they ordered including the salmon, bratwurst, blood sausage, and pork chop. I would also say that the temperature is cooler than expected up there in the evening due to multiple overhead fans. However, the afternoon sun is brutal and can make lunch or early afternoon drinks miserable.
(4)
K W.

The 14th floor on early, a both nice but disappointing rooftop. No view of the city, and very limited seating. Most of the rooftop is reserved for folks eating dinner. However, quick bar service and decent music make the venue worth three stars. About $8 a beer is okay in my book, too. Just hope you can find a spot to stand.
(3)
R P.

Had the lamb tonight so fresh so amazing got a few olives too because it was busy for free can't beat free food when the kitchen is slow.
(4)
Jaime M.

Great spot for drinks and eats. Wide selection of wines and beers and the food is quite good. And you can get some great views from the rooftop patio. I would have given a higher rating, however, I have one complaint - the hostess at the front is beyond rude and extremely unfriendly. We came here twice over a span of 3 days and encountered the same hostess both times. She seems to hate life and is just flat out miserable. I watched her treat a number of guests in the same manner. Didn't see her smile once and she barely looks at you while talking to you. I also saw her roll her eyes at another one of the waiters who I guess apparently "got in her way." This girl should not be working in customer service.
(3)
Alex O.

I used to like this place a lot because of the market and everything they sell it. But if you are thinking of eating just don't go there! The service is terrible and you feel that they are doing you a favor of serving you. Terrible! Why are you going to expend money to eat standing? Even tough its appetizers and wine but it's at least $100. I won't pay that money to stand. No way! We are in NY and options are all over the place.
(2)
Phil H.

I have to go against the grain here and actually give mad props to La Birreria. Now, I am not a huge fan of the Eataly faux Italian Disneyland treatment, and I had heard some horror stories about the rooftop beer garden, but on the afternoon of Nov 9th when we went it was quite a pleasant experience. Maybe it was because we arrived after the lunch hour crush around 2:30 it was fairly empty on this beautiful sunny day. We were seated immediately and had no problems with the staff or service. Water glasses were filled quickly, and the waiter offered some suggestions of the menu. I went for a Ommegang Rare Voss as my beer of choice. The craft beer list is exceptional, as they also feature barrels of beer which are brewed on site, and a nice list of other cask type beers and bottles to choose from. The menu itself features a nice range of appetizers, cheeses, salamis, and entrees. Not a large amount of food options, but just right for a rooftop bar. A nice basket of bread was placed on the table. We started with the Fried Shitake mushrooms. Theses were addicting and so good! Made with sage and had a nice salty flavor to them. I had the Skirt Steak with salsify, green onion and salsa verde. Outstanding! The meat was cooked perfectly medium rare and was tender and moist. Delicious with good flavor. I have no complaints about this meal - setting, service, food. Everything was great. I do have to agree with most here that it is way pricey, but what do you expect from a touristy place like this? Go on a nice day to sit outside and be prepared to spend some cash here. Still, not a bad experience on a sunny day with an expense account!
(4)
Angel W.

Classified as a beer garden, but much more. Beers are good; got the Wanda and something else and ordered the portabella dish and had a bit of pork shoulder from my friend. Both were amazing. Service was phenomenal and so was the location. Can't miss this place!
(5)
Nicole P.

Maybe it was the beautiful Sunday weather or maybe it was the beer...but I loved La Birreria. My boyfriend and I decided to stop in for an afternoon snack. It was a beautiful day out and we wanted to enjoy the day. We were pleasantly surprised by the bright and open atmosphere at La Birreria. We both got 2 pints and shared a meat and cheese plate. It wasn't the widest selection of cheese I've ever had, but they were all delicious. The beer may have been the best part. Our server was really helpful and helped me to pick a great beer option. The only drawback is it can get quite loud. But other than that, I really enjoyed my time at La Birreria.
(4)
Laura K.

I have mixed feelings about giving this place only three stars. I had the exact same experience as a recent review below. We arrived on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. It was extremely busy, as you'd expect. No problem. The person downstairs asked my partner and I if we'd be eating. We said yes, as we planned to order food. We were put on the wait list for a table. The good: very busy at the bar, but got a couple beers and struck up a lovely conversation with a former Massachusetts guy because my wife was wearing a Celtics sweatshirt. Great beer as always. After 45 minutes, we got a table for two. We did just what we've done several other times: ordered a couple more beers, as well as three cheeses ($11) and a full selection of meats ($21). With just one beer each (at the table), the bill would total nearly $50. We were told that we needed to at least split an entree or order a salad. This made no sense, as we were ordering a lot of food. We ended up just ordering the extra $9 salad to avoid walking out. Our server was gracious , sort of, but said she was the messenger. Meanwhile, we decided not to stay for more drinks. I love the atmosphere, beer, and charcuterie. But they can't draw lines like this: expensive charcuterie alone - no good; entree - ok. Especially given their limited entrees. Food for a table or no food for no table - that's the professional thing, regardless of how in demand your seats are. Cause they're not going to be in demand for long with that kind of attitude.
(3)
Gabby P.

We were so lucky..we went at an off time (5ish) and were able to get seated right away. It had a hip, trendy vibe but with people of all ages having a great time, locals and tourists alike. The beer menu was huge and I basically explained to the server what kind of beer I liked and she steered me in the right direction. In terms of food, we shared the meat plate, cheese plate, olives, and blood sausage entree. It's a great place to order lots of things to share and the portions are very nice. Overall a lovely experience and great place to sit back and chill...def check it out.
(4)
Lily C.

Overall very good experience. Nice space, very good food, nice scene, good service. I thought it was funny that the person downstairs emphasized twice that there's no pasta or pizza on the menu. The tiramisu was one of the best I had. Would go back for the unique setting but would not order the steak again. It was fine but nothing special.
(4)
Heather W.

Feel I am being generous with one star as we didn't actually get to sample either a drink or food. We were a party of 7, with 2 small children but there at 4.30pm when the restaurant was fairly empty. We ordered our drinks and an appetizer for my daughter as well as some to share for the adults. After about 10 minutes the front of house came out and asked us if we were going to eat a meal. We said we were happy to start with a drink and our nibbles (mainly as it was 4 30! ) but the front of house starrted raising her voice to me, asked me to 'just not lie and tell her the truth' if we were really going to have a main meal, and when we said we genuinely didn't know due to how long the kids would last she kicked us out. Appalling service from somewhere that would have got a lot of business when the rest of the restaurant was dead, we won't be returning.
(1)
Ted L.

This place is the worst. Don't get confused and think it's a beer garden. They have a "no joiners policy," so if you're thinking of meeting friends here for happy hour after work, that's not going to work. They'll tell your friend to leave even if you have an empty seat. They're usually out of a bunch of beers on the menu, and they'll let you know in the rudest way they can, as if you're an idiot for ordering it. You should have known, somehow. The food is overpriced garbage, and they give you attitude and sometimes tell you that everybody sitting needs to have food, or sometimes even that everybody sitting needs to order a full entree. Everything's overpriced. No happy hour. No fun.
(1)
Rich R.

Update, either the massive tide of first time visitors has receded or we hit the roof at just the right moment. Walked in without a wait. Only 20% of the tables were taken and the bar was dead empty on a Sunday afternoon. They shut the sliding roof panels during cold weather further limiting the rooftop effect, no matter, without the massive crowds it was a much better experience. Service still needs some tuning. e.g. saw a few people who bought groceries on the main floor being sternly warned at the hostess station "YOU CAN'T EAT THAT UPSTAIRS"; pleasant. They really should trust the patrons a bit more, or at least trust the appetite building effects of a good brew. Who cares if you eat food you bought at Eataly, at Eataly? Nice variety on tap, couple of Ommegang offerings, Dogfish, Smuttynose and the house seasonals. The menu is still pretty sparse, maybe you should sneak a panini up there! They earned an additional star on this visit.
(4)
Melissa M.

It was one of the hottest days of the year. A girlfriend and I spent the day sweltering in manhattan. Sweating bullets. All day. We were looking forward to our dinner res with 8 friends at la birreria. We walk into Eataly. Ahhhh, air conditioning. We make out way into the elevator up to the roof. Onto the roof we go. Since it drizzled earlier, the roof was closed. That's fine, but THERE WAS NO AC. YOU NEED TO HAVE CLIMATE CONTROL. The food was good but we really could not enjoy the dinner we dropped several hundred $$ on. They have a fantastic beer selection, and we would have loved to have drank more, but it was just too hot. Our server was great and felt awful about the heat. We felt bad for her, running around in the heat. As for food, we had started with plates of meat and cheese. All were delicious and priced well. We also had the salad with cabbage. It was fantastic and in my opinion, was the best thing I ate that night. For dinner I had a Probusto sausage, which was good, but not the best thing in the world. Husband had the pork shoulder and enjoyed it, I thought it was ok. Others at our table had skirt steak and veggie dishes. All at our table thought the food was good, but we really could not enjoy it and just wanted to finish and get out of the sweltering heat. I also think the menu is priced well (entrees are less than $25). Maybe I would go back again, but I would need to check the weather beforehand. Also - seems to be a tourist hotspot.
(3)
Chelsey P.

Nice place for an afterwork rooftop beer/wine. If you are looking for food, this is not your place. Good for a nice weather night. 3 stars because its expensive.
(3)
Larry B.

I only gave the Birreria one star because I cannot give it none. A group of medical school friends and I tried to go for afternoon beers and appetizers while we worked out some plans for an upcoming trip. A few of our friends arrived early to make a "reservation" for our party at an estimated time when everyone would be there. Half of our party heads up the elevators to the bar to grab a beer while they wait. The second half arrive and they tell us there was a 30 min wait. That's fine, it happens in NYC of Saturday afternoons around 3-4 pm. But what about our reservation? Our wait time ends up being an over an hour, also not a big deal. Time estimates are often wrong too. However, they told us the "bar" was to capacity so people were not allowed up unless they were being seated at a table, according to one of the two hostesses downstairs. Okay... So we had to wait the hour plus down stairs in the shopping area while we watched people constantly going up the elevators to "just go to the bar." When we asked if we could "just go up to the bar" and meet our friends who were at the bar, we were told no because we have a reservation. I'm lost? So I need to wait down here instead of spending money at the bar? We get to our table a few minutes before 5 pm.Keep in mind we have been waiting with our "reservation" since before 4 pm. Our waitress casually strolls over after sitting there for about 15-20 minutes and hands us the menus. At this time it's well after 5 pm. The waitress takes our beer order but refuses to take our food order until we "order for the entire table." Apparently, after 5 pm the tables in the dining room require that each seated person order a full entree. This would have been nice to know when we made our "reservation", right? We weren't interested in eating dinner and just wanted one of each appetizer for the table and drinks. The waitress, in a tizzy, keeps telling us she will come back when we are ready to order. This happened about 3 times before she explained this "rule" to us. Long story short she goes to 2 other waiters and eventually a "manager" to tell them we weren't ordering food. The manager, dressed in a wrinkled, faded, green polo and dingy looking blue jeans walks over to the table and immediately raises his voice and tells us it's company policy that we have to order food if we want to sit down. We tried to explain to him that wasn't said when we made our "reservation" which was over an hour and a half ago at this point. He then claims that two hostesses told him they told people in our party of this rule and we were liars. He then tells us we need to immediately finish our drinks and leave. We asked if we could just move to the bar then but were told it's at capacity. Seriously? We sat there in shock. The group and I were flabbergasted that a "manager" would speak to us that way then ask us to leave. He was verbally attacking us, calling us liars, and raising his voice all while speaking in a condescending tone. In the amount of time the waitress wasted coming back to our table for our order and tattling on us to everyone who worked there the five of us would have racked up a substantial tab with beers and appetizers equal to a dinner tab. I have never been treated so poorly at a restaurant anywhere in the world. I will never go back to this place.
(1)
Christopher S.

This spot was exactly what I expected it to be, fabulous! The space is amazingly modern with fantastic views of the city and a great vibe. The music played is hip and worldly which is a nice change from the ordinary top 40 played on the radio. Eataly surpassed my expectations and this rooftop eatery only elevated the experience. From the meats, cheeses and drinks Birreria is AWESOME!
(5)
Rachel K.

I've been here a couple times and I have to say it's a solid place. I do have to say that I've only been here during the summer so I'm not sure how this place holds up when it's colder outside. While it's kind of noisy, it's definitely a beer garden. The atmopshere is casual and the seating is a first come first serve situation. They have a lot of great wines on tap if you do happen to be waiting for a table, but they aren't cheap. The bar can also get really crowded right around dinner time so if you get the bartender's attention, double fist it. If you're sitting down for food, your going to have a solid meal here. The fried shitake mushrooms are so good that I've ordered them twice in one meal. They have some other dishes that are also really tasty, but those mushrooms. SO GOOD. Service is speedy and attentive. All in all, this place is good. I think it's overpriced for a beer garden though. It's also hard to get a table if you're a larger group and it's tough to have a 1-1 convo with a friend here because it's so noisy. So I guess what I'm saying is if you're like 3-4 people that just want to get a drink somewhere and nom on more than just fries and burgers as barfood, then this might be the place for you.
(3)
Marisa L.

I was at La Birreira twice, once for a special event and another for drinks at the bar. It is a really cool rooftop space with nice views, which unfortunately look like they are being somewhat obstructed by construction. Beyond that it is covered so it doesn't have to be perfect weather outside. The waitstaff is friendly and there is an actual little brewery up there. The first place I have seen Dogfish Punkin on tap, and lots of wine choices. You can get snacks even if you are at the bar but it's a pretty large space. Still, you would push your luck to try to come here primetime in the summer (could not get in a Friday at 6pm) but went to the bar pretty easily a little later in the evening. It feels very laid back and friendly vibe for some higher quality wine.
(4)
Samuel M.

Birreria is an ok place but i dont think im coming back. It reminded me of an east german restaurant of 1960. The highlight is the rooftop. They take reservations, it was a saturday night and we got in without problems, altough there was a line after us that couldnt get in. The service was lame and impersonal. The menu is boring, without many options. The succes of the the place is the bar, everybody goes there to drink beer. You think is gonna be fancier, but you see the red chairs, and it seems they have been brought from the old Soviet Union. They have artisanal beers, i didnt like it. I had the mushrooms, meh, and the pork sausage, that one was excellent. Its the classical place you try once, you try to enjoy, but you never come back.
(3)
Douglas C.

Shocked that some people are not fans of Birreria. Met my brother there for a nice Sunday brunch and had a great time. For those NY'ers that remember the area as the old toy district, this place has certainly come a long way. The Beer Garden is awesome with beautiful views and great Bloody Mary's. Only reason I am not giving it 5 stars is because the bathroom was a in need of a "scrub down."
(4)
Russell B.

Oh wow! This had to have been one of the top meals of my life. And I love that it came at a laid back kind of place that is La Birreria. Just goes to show you don't need fine linens, crystal, and service to serve amazing food. Our group of 7 were seated and I'm sure our waiter knew he was in for one heck of a night with how lively we were and willing to devour everything on the menu. First up, drinks. Strangely I was the only one drinking beer and everyone else splitting up bottles of wine. The few pints of Wanda I had were pretty good and went well with most of the dishes we had with its mellow nutty and sweet flavors in the realm of a Newcastle brown ale. Next up were are cheese and salumi plates, which of course we decided to try everything. All of it was great, but the taleggio, speck, and sopressata I thought were tops. We also passed around a couple plates of the mushroom dishes, but I didn't have enough of either to note much about them. The waiter talked us in to getting 2 piatto mistos (basically the pork shoulder, all the sausages and sides) since we were just wanting everything. I fortunately ordered my own pork shoulder, which was simply divine with an amazing tender juiciness and slightly crisp exterior and sweet and tart sauce. I also tried the skirt steak someone ordered and it as well was super tender with great flavor. On top of all this great food, the ambiance and weather were just spectacular. After our meal, downstairs, we did manage to cram in some additional drinks as well as some of their delicious gelato. Salted caramel was definitely everyone's favorite there. Oh man, what a night.
(5)
justin t.

Can't wait to come back during the summertime as I was here a couple nights ago with it tented. Nice beer selection and its a place that doesn't gouge you in price even though they probably can. Not so sure how good of an idea it is to have stairs leading down to the bathroom -- trouble for anyone with too many drinks. I'll be back for the food sometime, but on this trip, I was already stuffed from Pesce downstairs.
(4)
Lindsay H.

I can't give this place a full review because I've only been here in the winter, but I'm sure it's only that much better as a true rooftop bar in the summer. I would actually give this place 3.5 stars but I like the concept so much, I'll bump it up. I've had the meat and cheese platters a couple of times, which are both good but very small for the price. Just be prepared for tiny portions, especially of the cheese. Last night, I had my first real dinner there, and I got the chicken, which I never, ever order in restaurants normally because it seems so basic, but after the cured meats as an appetizer, I didn't really want more pork...and I must say, the chicken was actually very, very good with a tasty couscous salad underneath. And compared to the portions of the meat and cheese platters, I actually had 3x what I could eat and have some tasty leftovers. Win! My boyfriend got the quail, which was both of our first times trying it, and man, that was one tasty little bird! Salty, yes, but really delicious. The wine and beer selection is obviously great, and the views are lovely, so it's a spot I really enjoy. Check it out.
(4)
Lee Ann D.

Came in for an early Sunday dinner and we were not disappointed!! We were sat right away and our server who you could say was a little too cool for us was pretty good- minus him forgetting our meat plate but whatever we had ordered enough food! We started with 3 different cheeses all delicious my only complaint was they didn't serve it with the Truffle Honey you get at OTTO!! But all the cheeses were great. My sister had the Fish special which was a Halibut cooked perfectly in a nice light tomato sauce with capers. I had the Pork Shoulder that was served with sauerkraut and mustard Very good! I look forward to going back in the Spring/Summer because the place would be opened up with nice fresh air!
(4)
Vanni P.

If you're coming here for the rooftop views, forget about it. But if you're into damn good seasonal home brews and excellent food, you're in the right place. Really give their chestnut flavored beer a try, and same goes for their other 2 home brews. Their Italian cheese & charcuterie apps are delish (as you'd expect from and Eataly restaurant) and their entrees, mainly focused on pork & sausage, hit the spot (what else would you possibly want with your beer after all?). Live music here quite often too.
(4)
Vickey T.

Would not come back. Loud, noisy, can't hear anyone talk. Food came out in 30 seconds after we gave our order, that's not even an exaggeration. So obviously prepared in advance. Food was bleh, too salty. Do not recommend except for a casual drink/beer.
(1)
Jennifer N.

On a dreary, rainy night we decided to keep our reservation at La Birreria even though the other four people dropped out. I imagined a beer garden is not the best place to be on a night such as this. However, all the talk of crowds and craziness had vanished as the place was half empty. Fine with us. So, my husband and I settled at the bar to eat. I know wine a little, but as the bartender rattled off the wine selection I had no idea what was what so I let him choose. He gave me a Sangiovese and it was a little flat, but drinkable. My husband, ever the non-adventurous beer drinker chose a Moretti. Rumph. We ordered everything to share, but the meat. (I don't eat beef or pork) Ricotta Fresca Parmigiano Reggiano Pecorino Toscano (the best) Sopressata Mortadella Portobello Con Acciughe- grilled portobello mushrooms, white anchovies, tomato & stracciatella. So incredibly good. I could have just had this and been happy. Pollo Con Pesto Di Olive Verdi- Chicken thigh with sweet corn & pesto. Excellent, but def. not a light chicken dish. Panna Cota with berries- just the right consistency. A perfect end to a delicious meal. My husband's family is from Southern Italy and he said everything here reminded him of eating with his family when he was young. As always, Mario Batali brings back with him an authentic menu that has something for everyone.
(5)
Aydan A.

This place has delicious wines!
(4)
Elizabeth R.

I went with a group of 6 people with 7:15 reservations that I made two weeks prior to dinner. I had heard horror stories about getting a table there, but I was happy with the ease of getting a table through the website. I went the Thursday before hurricane Irene graced us and was impressed with the way the staff controlled the crowd where I never really felt like it was packed, yet it was. My party was late to arrive, but they allowed 4 of us to sit and brought chairs over when the remaining 2 arrived. We started off with beers and then switched to carafes of wine. I shared the bistecca con salsa verde and the insalata cotta cruda. The steak was cooked with the perfect amount of redness and the salad had a lovely mixture of seasonal veggies. Both are perfect sizes to share. Everyone at the table was happy with their selections, especially the pork shoulder. Originally I was not impressed with the menu since I lean more towards southern Italian fare, but it was great. Hats off to the staff and our server as well. We thought we were going to be rained out (ended up not raining), but the retractable roof was open and a nice breeze came through on the awesome night. The only slightly disappointing thing about the roof, there are no spectacular views, but being up there made me feel like I was somewhere other than Manhattan.
(4)
Roxanne G.

Four Stars for following reasons: casual Fried shitake mushrooms Sofia home-brewed beer Fried Shitake Mushrooms great casual business meet up Fried Shitake Mushrooms Amazing sausages and cheese platters Not Five Stars for following reasons: pricey really annoyingly crowded for happy hour super long waits for tables rooftop bar with non-rooftop views Definitely go and check it out!
(4)
Jasmine R.

Instead of going to olive garden we wanted to check at eataly and we stumbled upon the resturant. It had rooftop seating which is always cool. Had the formaggio 3 for $11 (gorgonzola, Asiago parmigiano and I can't remember the third lol) the gorgonzola was the best. For my entree I had the pork shoulder and my father had the pan seared duck. The duck was delicious and super tender. The pork had a sweet glazed and was tender. Overall the lunch was really good.
(4)
Ruggy J.

Rooftop drinks! I could almost just stop the review there - it's hard to hate on alcoholic libations on an elevated platform (and that's exactly what this oasis atop Eataly provides). Heaps of hard to find beers + wines with a decent view of Madison Sq. Park (even better when the sun is fully shining above. It can get crazy packed but if you've got patience, you'll surely get your wait's worth.
(3)
Yan T.

We brought the gf's folks here for some atmospheric New York dining. Previous attempts to check out Birreria were scotched by the interminable lines, so having an occasion for make reservations worked out well. I would say, if you didn't make reservations, don't bother. The wait is not worth it. But if you have them (and they're not too hard to get a few days out), you can enjoy some beautiful views of the Flatiron building while drinking good brews and eating good grub. We had a large party of eight at a nice round table that was thankfully a bit removed from the center of the dining floor, which is really packed (as is the adjoining bar area). They start out by bringing you their house bread wrapped in paper (cool touch). Beer lovers will find a very satisfying menu here, with both quirky Dogfish Head-Italian cask ale collaborations (made on premises) as well as high-quality publicly available craft beers. The food was tasty, with several good entrees, such as the grilled lamb belly, beer-braised pork shoulder, and the salsiccia (housmade sausages). Given the hype and the long waits, Birreria actually exceeded my expectations.
(4)
Joanna T.

Not Mario Batalis best effort. I had dinner here with a party of 8 and "meh" describes things fairly well. Despite having a reservation we still had to wait about 30min. Once inside, the noise level is deafening - the roof was closed so maybe it is better when it's open. Still, I had to holler to be heard by the person next to me. The menu is pretty small - maybe 5-6 entrees and some cheese/charcuterie plates. I tried one of the sausage options (cotechino) - it was VERY, VERY rich - lots of fat. The person next to me had the pork shoulder and his was about 1/2 fat so that wasn't great. Our server was really nice but probably had 2-3 tables too many. We went long periods without seeing her and had a hard time getting drink refills. For me, the value just isn't present at Birrerria. My entree was 6 smallish chunks of sausage and a few tablespoons of lentils = $23. A pint of beer = $10. My food was okay but I can't see myself picking this place again.
(2)
Patthara C.

Dropped by Birreria not too long ago for a late afternoon drinks. This place was super packed around the bar area. They have decent beer selections and the beer itself was pretty good. Even though it was crazy packed, the people are really nice. I didn't get to eat on my visit, but the food items look promising. Don't have the best view of the city, but it is a nice rooftop bar.
(3)
Anne A.

Great "hidden" place to grab a beer at their bar. It's loud, it's packed, and an interesting surprise to find this secret bar up an elevator above Eataly. Seems like there's a lot of complaints on the food, but this review is for going to the bar for a quick drink and tasting of their cask ales and friendly service at the bar. There's plenty of other places to eat outside Eataly that are highly rated street/ethnic food or Michelin-starred if you're looking for a great meal. Go for the selection of beer.
(5)
Amelia A.

One of my favorite spots! Very crowed but that's how some places are in the city. Great meats, cheeses, wine and beer selection. Love when the rooftop is open and when there's an open seat at the bar. I could stay there for hours
(4)
Daniel D.

I wish I could say I had a great experience at Birreria rooftop given the awesome location and view, unfortunately I had the COMPLETE opposite. My girlfriend and I were extremely excited on Saturday April 18th as the weather in NY turned for the better and we finally had the opportunity to go to Birreria which we talked about all winter. We made it up to the rooftop to the bar area which was very crowded (totally expected on our part given the awesome weather that day). We began to make our way towards the left side of the bar as more and more people grabbed their drinks and moved to the back once served. Finally we reach our destination and the last people ahead of us begin giving their orders. As we are waiting, two patrons get up from their stools and to our amazement there are now two seats available at the bar which we grab quickly. We are now seated at the bar, and at this point we've made our drink decisions long ago. We wait patiently as I try to make eye contact with the bartender. I begin to notice a trend as we are waiting that made little sense to me, it seemed as though we had been sitting for a while and overlooked by the bartender many times. I noticed new people approaching the bar and being served well before we were even greeted/acknowledged. As one patron to my left approached the bar for the first time and is greeted immediately and their order is taken I raise my hand as to say "this can't be!" Upon raising my arm this IMMEDIATELY catches the eye of the bartender (for the first time) and the following dialogue follows: "what?! what?! IT IS CROWDED"-bartender "I know, we've been waiting to order"-me "come on, what do you want? WHAT DO YOU WANT?"-bartender *I stare blankly knowing there is no way I can possibly give someone talking to me in this way my money* "WHAT DO YOU WANT?....COME ON...this is the part where you order."-bartender I look at my girlfriend and I say "come on lets go." The awful part about all of this is that even though I was being spoken down to I really did want to order from the rude bartender just to try and save our trip to Birreria since we had been looking forward to it so much. I just couldn't justify tipping/giving this place my money after an experience like that. As we were leaving, patrons close to the bar were laughing as if I was acting irrational by leaving. I started to question whether or not we were being patient enough. We went back downstairs to the host stand located in Eataly by the elevator and I requested to speak to the manager. The two men working down there called upstairs and told me "it is crowded and both managers on the floor cannot leave right now." It being crowded/busy seemed to be the common theme of this place. So we went on our way. I later went to another bar that was equally as crowded where we grabbed two seats. We were greeted and served with a smile. I then realized that I was not in the wrong, and that a bartender being busy should never be my problem. I worked in the industry and the number one rule is to not let your customer know what kind of day you're having. There's really no excuse. If someone cannot handle high pressure situations, they probably cannot handle most jobs. I wish I had a better experience.
(1)
Betti I.

Standard management: 0 Don't waste your time if you want to have a good time. Food and service are great, you just can't enjoy them after you are made to wait 2 hours for it. Good job hostess! Casually eating Bugles(Wow, seriously?!? Who eats Bugles anymore??) while we were waiting. Such a joke. Spend your money somewhere else. And the manager that does not know what is going on... Yeah.
(1)
Jess S.

I wanted to love this place, it has lots of elements that should add up to a fantastic experience but it missed the mark for me. So the good stuff first - the setting is amazing. Its technically a beer garden on the top floor of Eataly with a roof that they open in good weather. Yesterday was lovely so the roof was off meaning we were eating in the fresh air and had a gorgeous view of the sky. The atmosphere is great, there's a bar section on one side then the rest of the floor is the restaurant. This means you get the buzz of the people in the bar tempered with the slightly quieter murmurings from the restaurant. Its great, lively yet we felt like we were still having a private, discrete evening together. We ate a starter of 3 cheeses with honey and this was very delicious. Dan's main of pork shoulder on a coleslaw type base with apple in it was really lovely too. I wish I'd gone for that. Dan also ate and enjoyed the sprouts in soy and honey with pancetta. I wasn't as big a fan and I love sprouts usually. Now, sadly, the average/poor stuff. We were served by two people. One was surely and abrupt with us (the guy who brought out water, cutlery and starters) and the other was super friendly, in the way only Americans can be, yet seemed bored and annoyed she was there at all. The wine was ok, I had the Barolo (not the $141 Barolo, the other one!) and it was just ok. I'm spoilt for wine at the moment as I recently drank some bottles chosen by our friend and fellow yelp elite Nic, who is a wine expert. They were so good I now measure everything else I drink against them and nothing has matched up so far. When the cheeses were brought to us I was really disappointed by the presentation. It was literally a plate with 3 white blocks of cheese on it then a plate with honey on. The waiter plonked them down without saying a word, not even to tell us which cheese was which. Also a little garnish wouldn't have hurt. We ate a much better cheese board the night before at Clarkson with crackers and apple slices on and for a much more reasonable price. We also had some bread and oil, this was not as good as the bread we had just had downstairs in Manzo. My main was steak and it was very average, a little dry and I didn't enjoy the burnt taste of the outer crust. I also wasn't a fan of the asparagus we'd ordered as a side. It was overcooked and very soft. The service was getting slow at this point despite the restaurant getting quieter. Overall I had a good evening based on the ambience, surroundings, company and the two mouthfuls of pork shoulder I snagged off the Mr. I also really enjoyed the cheese but the presentation lets them down here. If you fancy eating here go for the pork its the far superior dish of the two mains we tried. Dan, an ardent hater of sprouts was also 'cured' (I come from a sprout loving family who were aghast when he confessed this dislike initially) by the sprout side dish so that's where the second star has come from really!
(2)
Jake L.

Great craft beers that they brew in house. Always a great time in the open air with spectacular view of the city, but feeling very indoors at the same time. Just awesome.
(5)
Kylie I.

First time here!! Will definately be back. We brought friends here from australia and they loved it. Service is great and food was amazing!!! It's upstairs and outdoors and it is just beautiful!!!! Definately worth a look!
(4)
Gui Bin Z.

My friends and I came here last night on a whim. The wait was about 30 minutes, which was understandable for a Thursday night. My friends and I hung out at the bar til our table was ready, be prepared to be squished and have people in your personal space. You have to really elbow your way up to the bar, but the bartender was nice and knowledgeable. He recommended great wine and beer choices for our group. Once we got to the table, service was a little slow. Seemed like eternity before they took our orders, but once we did get our waiter he was helpful when we asked about a few of the dishes. We ordered the duck, chicken, bohemian steak, and pork and beef sausages. The chicken was the best, it was well flavored and tender. I enjoyed their duck as well, I would definitely recommend asking for it to be medium rare, the chef did an amazing job preparing it. I thought the bohemian steak was sub par and the sausages were okay. Overall I think the food and service was OK, nothing spectacular. The highlight of the night is probably the view, worth a try, but not something I'd come back and wait for again.
(3)
Reggie M.

La Birreria is a wine bar and restaurant, It is located on the rooftop of Eataly NY (supermarket and food court that specializes on Italian products) in Chelsea. I am glad that we only came here to have a beer or two since they do not accept reservations at all for dining. I've been here couple of times before and it is always packed, especially on nice sunny days. There are wide selections of draft and bottled beers to choose from in addition to a variety of cask and bottled wines. You can also order bites and nibbles at the bar area. This is a lovely venue to spend an hour or two with friends on lazy weekend afternoons. It is also one of many open air bars in the city, just do not expect a gorgeous view of Manhattan since views are limited.
(4)
Andrew R.

Beer selection was on fleek. Their homebrew was great and they had a wide variety besides their own. View of the MetLife clock tower was gorgeous. Had a cheese board and some of the notes detected in the provolone were a pleasant surprise! Ordered the Wagu and waited an hour for it to come to the table...not sure if the server forgot to fire the meal or if they're just this slow (medium rare steak should not take an hour to be prepared). Besides the snail paced service... I enjoyed the atmosphere and food- be aware this is going to be an expensive tab
(3)
Karen C.

My boyfriend and I had our last dinner in NYC at this place. It was another awesome dining experience. We strolled around downstairs at the Eataly shops then we decided to head over to Birreria 20 minutes before our reservation. The girl working the check in podium said we could go right up to the 14th floor. It was a bustling atmosphere with what my boyfriend described as a place "where all the good looking people come to." We got the Salumi appetizer, and how could you not after looking at all the meats downstairs? The Salumi was also ordered by the tables on both sides of us so I would be willing to assume this is one of the most popular items on the menu. The bf got the pork shoulder that he enjoyed throughly. I got the steak that was perfectly seasoned and went perfectly with the mushrooms and squash. When I first ordered the steak the waiter said the chef recommends it be ordered medium rare. I asked for it to be cooked medium and for me it was still perfect. Side note: my boyfriend was loving the 90's adult alternative soundtrack.
(5)
Adi N.

It's one of the nicest rooftops I have ever been in NYC. The vibe makes you wanna drink more the food is amazing . I did order octopus and it was made well... It's great spot for dinner and lunch as well. I highly recommend to visit and feel the vibe of this place. for sure I will come back.
(4)
Mary T.

This review is for brunch. Interesting venue, but way too expensive and terrible service. I have lived in NYC for 10yrs now and should've have known better than to go to this tourist trap, but I didn't remember it being this bad. PROs: We are a group of 8 and we had a reservation and we only had to wait 10min, which was good / surprising The limited menu was very tasty CONs: Price - this place is so expensive for what it is, but you are paying I guess for the experience, even thought the views aren't really that great Service - our waiter was terrible. He was so slow in acknowledging us in the first place and then took FOREVER to get us drinks. It seemed like our presence was very annoying to him, which was not a great thing. We wanted to have another round of drinks after we finished the meal, but we were handed our check and told if we wanted to drink we would HAVE to go to the bar. After spending almost $200 per person, I thought that was really rude. Food - they have this POLICY there that you have to order all your appetizers and entrees together at once. They claim it's because they have a small kitchen, but we came to find out it's for another reason. They want to make sure EVERYONE at the table is getting an ENTREE or they kick you out. Even though they don't tell you that in advance when you make the reservation, you are NOT permitted to eat at the table unless everyone in your party gets an entree. I just think that's insane, especially since we were drinking several bottle of wine. And then to say it's because the kitchen is small is just very unprofessional. So overall, if you have friends in town might be fun to get a drink here, but I wouldn't get a meal. Eat downstairs or go some place less touristy if you don't want to overpay. PS - if you are a professional with clients - DO NOT take them here, it's a recipe for embarrassment.
(2)
Josh H.

A perfect day outside and a few great beers led to a great experience. Given my horrible experience at Otto I had become skeptical of anything Batali. But it was a totally different and much more pleasurable experience. I tried the cask and draft beers, both great, and tried some meats and cheeses, some sausages, steak, and pork shoulder. All of the food was solid and compliments the beer well. The beer being much more important than the food in this environment. I would like to come back some time soon and just drink.
(4)
Danielle U.

I read that birerria does delicious pork shoulder and amazing beers. It didn't disappoint. Book early as it gets busy as the night progresses. For starters, the cheeses and the cold meats are a must. I ordered a selection of 5 cheeses and the speck which was delicious and just enough for 2. I has the pork shoulder for main and it was nothing short of amazing. It is basted in beer and apricot and is slightly sweet and succulent. It comes with crisp celery and a sweet apple sauce. Service was really good and all of the staff were super helpful. I would highly recommend coming for dinner.
(5)
Kimaya C.

Came here on a wam winter Saturday during a somewhat peak time (2pm) and was able to get seated right away (granted there were only 2 of us- larger parties probably take a while). The garden is well lit and has a nice overall ambiance. Great if you want to go somewhere casual with perceived fancyness (i.e. Great place to take out of towners). Decently priced too - a full cheese and salami plate was around $40 but could probably feed 3-4 people as we had tons leftover. I probably would give this five stars if they had more menu options but it's great if you just wanna snack on something.
(4)
Jennifer L.

In our endless day of city wandering, we needed a little sustenance to keep us going. I knew Eataly was close by and that could only mean a trip to Birreria was in order. Had never been but heard great things. Headed upstairs and were going to just hang by the bar but it was packed and there were a ton of tables open so we asked to be seated. We weren't overly starving so we ordered a few smaller plates... Had the salumi plate for 2... 5 different meats to try. All were very good but didn't hold a candle to Salumeria Rosi's selection and freshness. Also had the 7 cheese plate and all of them were delicious too (I passed on the blue since I think it's vile). The frangelico hazlenut honey was addicting and I could have eaten a tub of it. We also threw in a bowl of olives, which were good...but they were olives. When are olives ever bad??? The boy and I ordered a carafe of the Liquid Gold and my friends ordered their own different beers. We enjoyed them all. Would love to come here when it's warmer out and just relax in the sunny room and hang with friends. Two thumbs up!
(4)
Lori D.

We visit an Eataly restaurant almost every trip to NYC because it has always been a great experience. This however was a disappointment. Although the rooftop atmosphere was amazing, the rest was so far off the mark it may be our last time there. Server consistently said "no". Our 8 year old son was with us (party of 6 adults and him) and I was looking for a portion and price option that also met his taste. Although they offered an extra chicken thigh with the entree, you couldn't just order it separately. "How about a grilled chicken breast? A single pork chop, a side of noodles, ... " no, no and no So I had to get the chicken thigh entree (way too salty) with the extra one on the side for my son. Other disappointments included no water refills and we weren't asked if we would like another beer/glass of wine. Basis serving 101. Good elements - lamb portion was very generous, cheese selection was lovely, and the number of craft beers could keep you busy (if you are asked if you'd like another) for a while.
(1)
K M.

I went to the ohh so exclusive roof top bar by the one and only Mario Batalli. The food was ehhhh, very limited meat and cheese menu. Great for the scenery. Eataly was fun to visit. Look around.
(3)
Christy A.

Beautiful setting and the food is decent but the service sucks! We were told that there was a 25 min wait. When we got up there, the place was only half full! It took forever for the waitress to take our order and after she did, we never saw her again. This pace is $$$ and not worth it to us. Plus it was deafening loud. My ears were ringing when we left.
(2)
Karol S.

Great place to sit outside and drink a beer on a nice day. Unfortunately, every local and tourist on the planet feels the same way. They won't seat you until your whole party is there and they take it a step further and won't let anyone *join* your table which is a little hardcore.
(4)
Jb B.

The maitake mushrooms were great as was the red cost beer. But could it be any hotter for an outdoor bar on a cool day? Bartenders are cool for a trendy place.
(3)
Lina B.

A few of my friends and I ordered a bunch of dishes and shared. Kale salad was absolutely amazing. It tasted like a Caesar salad with grapefruit. Who would've thought that would work well together...but it so does. The quail was DELICIOUS! such a tasty bird. I was in heaven. Pork shoulder was good too. Came with a BOMB spicy mustard that I couldn't stop eating. Pesto chicken was just chicken. There might have been some pesto sprinkled on top but I didn't taste any. So depressing. But the corn it came with was so delicious. Very juicy and so yummy, I think I picked every last kernel off that plate. My friend did a tasting of the sausages and said theyre not that good, so I would not recommend getting them. They brew their own beer, we tried the Sofia and the Wanda. Both delish. Wine was delish. I have no complaints, other than there not being enough pesto. But I will get over it. The chicken was still yummy, I just love me some pesto.
(4)
Molly G.

This is a based on it only being open for a week. They really need to get their act together in terms of seating/letting people upstairs/etc. Was meeting friends at 5:45 , and running late so told my friends to go up without me. They were told to wait and were eventually let up to the bar area which had plenty of room. When I got there, tried to go up but was told that I had to wait in line like everyone else. I got to the front of the line(waited about 15 minutes) was let immediately up, and the funny part was when I got upstairs there were at least 5 barstools open as well as a few table and plenty of bar space. Perhaps they should have a bar line and a restaurant line, and let the bar line stream up continuously until full. It is frustrating to wait and then finally get upstairs to realize that there was room all along. Anyway- decent beer selection, very limited food. We ordered a cheese plate which was good (a little pricy, but it is Eataly), pretzel. I wouldn't come back without a reservation or if they decide to clean up their seating/letting people up system.
(2)
Kathy K.

Fabulous place, terrific waiters, bartenders, food and drink!
(5)
Christine C.

I think I'm kind of eh on most of Eataly. So the plus is, the beers are really great here. Like really great. So much better than the Standard, Beer Parc, and Lot on Tap - usually my go-to's for beer garden. If you're looking to eat here, it's mainly cheese plates and meats, including the sausages. I had the Cotechino. I wish it kept its shape a bit better because it kept crumbling and falling apart as I tried to maneuver it up from the plate. But tasty enough. I probably won't come back though, given the usual LONG wait (2 hours to eat at a table, 1 hour just to get upstairs!)
(3)
Sumit D.

I thought this would be your typical overpriced place in Flatiron to get a beer. Instead, it was an expensive lovely beer gardenish type place on a rooftop overlooking the city. I went with a bunch of friends during the heat wave this past summer when it was about 100 degrees. I thought it was going to be miserable and I would pass out before even sipping my first brew. However, we managed to stay cool thanks to their fans that are on the ceiling.
(4)
Lenny S.

It's a clever concept. Open roof that can be open or closed when the weather changes, the views are quite nice, although it is not a panorama if you were expecting Windows on the World type vistas. A definite plus if you like eating outside. Elevator up to the roof is in the front corner of Eataly by the cash registers, certainly not hidden as some have said. With a reservation, made online, and reconfirmed by phone, we had no wait at all getting in on a gorgeous Saturday at 5:45pm. One hour before sunset, prime time for the open sky thing to make it's magic. Service was excellent, the wait staff could not have been more helpful or friendly. Wine recommendations were answered intelligently. Nice choice of beer & wine. Most of the wine is Batali's partner - Joe Bastianach's -brand. Not a miss in the three we tried. The white chardonnay, the pinot grigio and a mellow red. These are the generic notations I gave them, not the actual Bastianach names, as we really did not study the menus, the waiter asked what we liked and these were the descriptions he gave of them! Quite pricey is the only complaint. Served in carafe's. The "per glass" prices seemed way over-the-top. But in NYC the Eataly prices seems to be stratospheric - but not too be questioned, so see my last review about the money spent at Eataly. The Shitake mushrooms were incredibly tasty, fried perfectly and the perfect appetizer. Get the 7 course cheese tasting if you have a small group, as the waiter pointed out, the $2 extra is well worth it over the 5 course portion. Again, the perfect secondi appetizer along with the bread. Not a huge portion but enough for 6 people to taste and enjoy all of them. The salads were excellent and actually a decent size, the pork shoulder was tender and tasty, not a large portion by any means, as none of the portions are really large, and it's foodie tasting-wisely necessary to share! Chicken thighs, served as cutlets with the cauliflower, the pork chop with the fingerlings, all winners. All perfectly done. We passed all of it around, and everyone had enough. No complaints there. The panna cotta with pomegranate seeds was the choice for dessert and was heavenly. Night had fallen and they reeled the roof in, lit the heaters and the atmosphere seemed to get even better.By now the bar area was packed. Everyone we spoke to at other tables, which seemed to be the normal thing, said what they had was excellent. So if money is no object, this is one of the nicest places I've been to recently for quality of food and atmosphere. Just be prepared to own a bank.
(5)
Stephen Z.

EATALY is a really cool place all in all but the atmosphere at Birreria doesn't get any better; rooftop open-air on 5th Avenue with a small but great menu that forces you to order the best dishes they make. House made sausages were outstanding as was the beer. This was one of the highlights of my trip.
(5)
Alex B.

Eataly Birreria has hit the mark with its balance of simple yet eclectic fare and superb home brews. Birreria is the one Eataly spot you can reserve, but note that although it is not the nightmare that is French Laundry, it is difficult to get a spot for three or more. I enjoyed the Maitake with the Lisa Teku - a good combination. Best views are on the east side of the terrace - overlooking Madison Square Park. We went on a day which was pouring rain - the glass roof was extended. This restaurant is stuffy and extremely noisy when the glass is extended.
(4)
Zach Y.

Looked like a very cool spot to have a relaxing drink and a meal, especially in the summer.
(4)
Diana Z.

Came here on Labor Day a few days ago, and perhaps because of the holiday and emptiness of NYC, we didn't have to wait on any lines and were seated fairly quickly. The first thing I must say is that the view and the atmosphere of the place is just amazing. The roof itself already had great details that they kept when building this "beer garden" and everything added has only enhanced the space. Now, the reason I say "beer garden" in quotations is because it really seemed like more of a nice yet casual eatery or drink spot. It was clean and well spaced. The service was beyond amazing. I will note that a friend I was with happened to know the hostess and therefore we were approached with suggestions for what to order and inquiries on our satisfaction throughout our stay. We were treated very very well, but I'l like to think that anyone else would be as well. The manager came over to see how we were doing several time (he was incredibly warm and friendly) and the waiter was swift and polite as well. The food: The food was fantastic! Get the fried shitake mushrooms. Don't even question it, just order it. When I told a friend of mine I had just eaten at La Birreria she asked if I got to try the mushrooms. Apparently others are as impressed with this dish as I was. We split a bunch of the food (mushrooms as well) and also went with the arugula salad (standard but fresh and yummy) and a selection of three cheeses. The cheeses came with a side of honey. Love that. Finally, the creme de la creme - pun intended - was the very creamy and utterly amazing panna cotta we split for dessert. It was not only the best panna cotta I've ever tried, but probably in my top 20 favorite desserts I've ever had in my life (seriously, top 20 - think about how many desserts you eat in a lifetime, that's a great accolade). In fact, top 10 wouldn't be out of reach. I will never forget this dessert and mention it when people ask me about good desserts in the city. I must also add that it was topped with the freshest berries you can have. Enough good things cannot be said. All in all, it was a perfect dining and drinking experience in a perfect location. Bravo.
(5)
Eric C.

Overpriced + uninspired food, a huge letdown seeing that it's perched atop Batali + Bastianich's tourist paradise. I guess it's more for the beer than the food, and in that case, I should remind you that this rating is only for the food.
(2)
Rae F.

Fried mushrooms?! How incredible! I've never had fried mushrooms before and these were pretty good. Although I did not realize they came in a large platter so it's probably best to share with 3 other people. The pork shoulder was pretty good too - fell off the bone. yum. I only had one beer, but it went well with my meal and made me all warm & fuzzy inside - and thats what it's really about isnt it?
(4)
Tony C.

I am an actual New Yorker so naturally had avoided this place as long as I could. Should have avoided it longer. Told over phone a lunch res would be impossible same day. Went to Open Table where we booked a table w/ no issue. Then showed up to find the place half empty. All that snobbery for a subpar salad (think Olive Garden) and crappy pork sandwich (a few threads of nothing special meat on a dusted roll)? And what's the big deal about being up on a roof when there is NO view except for the backsides of ugly buildings and the sky? New Yorkers and visitors alike, do yourself a favor and avoid this joke.
(2)
Luisa D.

Firstly, we waited two hours for a table. Although we knew we had to make reservations, the staff (excluding one person) made it very uncomfortable for us..it felt like having a big group was a hassle for them. When we got upstairs, it was nothing like a "birreria". I feel like they gave it the name of a beer house so you'd think it was laid back and casual..it was obnoxious and not worth it. Our waitress was friendly and beer savvy, but it was hard to choose a beer without tasting them first..that's usually standard at a place that prides itself on beer. The menu was interesting but the pretzels weren't fit for a choice on the menu and the food was mediocre. If you're going to name it a birreria, you should really try to make it feel more like one.
(2)
Sara K.

Birreria, why did you get rid of the marsala reduction on the fried shiitake mushrooms? WHY? I stopped in right after Birreria first opened, and my husband and I both agreed that the friend shiitake mushrooms were one of our favorite dishes in New York so far. Imagine my disappointment when I learned the recipe was changed and the marsala reduction that made it so perfect was gone... Minus the marsala mishap, Birreria is still a fun spot to go to. I love Dogfish Head beers so it makes my heart so happy that I can find all kinds of DFH bottles and drafts and yummy cask-ale concoctions. The cask Eataly Brown Ale is my go-to favorite whenever I stop by. I would definitely say this is more of a restaurant than a beer garden, and you will most definitely get upstairs faster if you say you want food and need a table. The views are decent but a bit obstructed. There is a retractable roof so don't worry if rain is on the forecast!
(4)
Viv C.

I would really give this place 3.5 stars if possible. I would certainly not stand in line to get in though. They started accepting online reservations so I was lucky enough to score one on the first day they started accepting reservations. Beer and wine selection was fine, I wouldn't call the view spectacular but maybe that depends on which side of the rooftop you sit. Service was great. Food was alright but nothing to write home about.
(4)
David M.

One of my favorite meals I've ever had in my life. We had a big group of 12 and they did a terrific job of taking care of us. Lively venue without being crazy noisy, AMAZING food (chicken, cheese, lamb among the best ever) and solid beer selection. Reasonably priced and great location with view of the Flatiron building and (obstructed) view of Empire State. Can't recommend it highly enough.
(5)
Thomas H.

To much want to be restaurant and not enough bar area. No views what so ever just up to the sky. Food selection is very limited and not good. Also, very strange that you wait in a line not to get a table but you wait in line to actually make a reservation and then wait again. I gave it 3 stars because it is outdoor.
(3)
Liz F.

Touristy crowd but really good beer selection... however food seemed really overpriced for what it was and there was nothing for vegetarians except salad, sides, cheese, bowls of mushrooms, and a $17 portobello mushroom.
(3)
Christina C.

Atmosphere gets an A+. Sitting on a rooftop with a view of the Flatiron Building makes for a wonderful ambience with your friends. We were seated before our expected wait time which is another A+. When we sat at our table, the busboy filled our waters immediately. A server approached the table to get our drink order and made some suggestions. Very personable. I asked for an earthy, red wine and he suggested the Barbera, (last I checked, Barbera was fruity, but ok) I asked him to give us a moment. This is where it all went down hill. Another server brought our drinks. (This is common in a busy restaurant.) And he asked what we would like to order. At this point, nobody ever stated their name nor that they were our server. And when I asked (jokingly) if the other guy didn't want to serve us, he seemed a little perturbed and stated that HE was our server. (Ok...Smile, to calm the tiger... Sorry I wasn't aware.) We ordered our food, almost as if it were a bother to him to be our server. After having ordered, we opened our bread packages. No butter, no olive oil, just bread wrapped in brown butcher paper (I liked that it was so rustic). My water needs a refill... looked around, didn't see our server. Tried to catch the eye of a busboy... No luck. I had to ask for more water after waving someone down. At that point I asked for olive oil. And was brought this amazing nutty, fragrant olive oil. Heaven on a plate. The Barbera I had was fruity, just as I expected. Not what I wanted. The food came and it looked beautiful. I ordered the Salumi Misti $21 and three cheeses $11 and then they dropped this small side plate of honey with hazelnuts. This put my tasting menu over the top. Was the Barbera the right wine? No. But I was happy with just that and my cheeses and meats. Water emptied again? Yep. All in all, I had a much better experience at this little local place where the service is amazing, food is wonderful, and people aren't snobby. I get it. You want to be upscale. I get it that you have served the likes of Robert DeNiro. I've served some pretty famous people too. Just remember us local folk is what keeps the money in your pocket. We were polite and not very demanding. We are nice people wanting a nice late lunch, save the attitude for people who are real a$$holes. To the server: I tipped you well because I was one of you. You seem like you could be a really cool person. I tried to break through that rough exterior. Yet, you wanted nothing to do with the likes of anyone at my table. Sorry we aren't part of the pretty people. That we are sub par to your expectations of guests, and you thought we would stiff you.
(2)
Amy S.

They make an exaggerated outward show without merit. The view's not that great. The food's not that great. The hostesses upstairs had a pretty fierce competition with the hosts downstairs as to who could be ruder (though the rest of the staff was pretty cool) and I basically had to give my first born to be allowed to walk upstairs, even though it was half empty. We had a group at the bar and a group at a table and when 2 people came over to our table to say goodbye, we got attacked by nasty chicks with walky-talkies. Really? Get a grip. So what are the high prices for? The beer quality? Well, they did get that right. That's the only reason they get away with calling themselves a beer garden.
(2)
Zach W.

Great spot for a mid day draft. Great selection of custom made beers and wine. The cute bartender was a plus. Im sure during a peak time it can get crazy but if you happen to miss the crowds, its a great spot.
(5)
C L.

I love this place. It is a marvelous reprieve from the hustle and bustle of manhattan.
(5)
Ellen h.

Seriously my friend got hurt at their bathroom under their poor maintenance but there wasn't any apology and even the manager was joking around it like u would gonna sue them. Such humiliating and disgusting customer service.
(1)
Jay Z.

Why Come Here? Rooftop dining with a selection of beers you won't find anywhere else Right Amount for 2? 2 Entrees Birreria is a year round open-air eating/drinking space on the roof of Mario Batali's gastrotemple/tourist-trap known as Eataly. But what kind of place Birreria is supposed to be exactly baffled me when I visited. Is it a restaurant with a layout and selection of ales and food typically found at a beer garden? Or is it a beer garden with a large, waiter-service and entrees required- dining section? Regardless of which you're looking for, you'll likely find yourself left with something to be desired at Birreria. For those in search of a beer garden, there is a lengthy selection of cask ales brewed onsite as well as many unusual (albeit pricey) German and Belgian style saisons and ales. This includes my first foray into Ancient Ales - those which use ancient brewing recipes and are aged in very old barrels. You're not alone if you think that sounds more like a marketing gimmick than sound brewing technique, although the one our waiter recommended was quite complex and flavorful (I highly recommend using the knowledgeable staff to navigate the beer list) But before you get too excited about trying ancient and rare brews, note the space reserved for those who are "just drinking" is about 20% of the total area and perpetually packed (often with waits up to an hour). If you wish to enjoy the rest of the space, you must be seated with waiter service and order at least one entree per person. This last bit may lead you to believe Birreria is more restaurant than beer garden. To be fair, the Eataly website refers to it as a "rooftop restaurant and brewery." Which is all well and good until you see the limited "drinking food" menu of meats, cheeses, salads with a small selection of very heavy entrees like pork shoulder and $20 sausages. To put it simply, it's not the type of food you want to make a meal out of often unless you're going down the suicide-by-heart-attack route. Which is really too bad because the space and beer selection make it a place I'd like to visit more often. But at least for now Mario doesn't need a bunch of regulars on his roof. He's doing a fine job packing it with every tourist in New York. Cheese Plate (1/4 stars) The selection is pretty uninspired given the large cheese department downstairs. Taleggio, Parmigiano and Gorgonzola were all fine though if you're in the mood. Portabello (1/4 stars) The burrata and candied apricots sold this one for me. But the earthy portabello didn't seem to be the right compliment for it's sweet and salty friends. Then again, I remembered I don't love portabellos to begin with. Pork Shoulder (3/4 stars) Braised in beer and apricot this was a winner. Hearty, melt in your mouth shoulder gets a kick from brown mustard and then is cooled by an apple and celery slaw. Order with confidence.
(3)
Ridgewood A.

Having a beer garden without seats is not a good idea. We visited on a Saturday night in July and were disappointed to find that the tables were all reserved for patrons that were ordering dinner. This was the first beer garden that I've been to that penalizes beer drinkers. It was 10pm and still 90 degrees and we had to stand there uncomfortably with beer in hand despite the fact that almost all of the tables were empty - what a waste! We drank the beer as fast as we could so we could get the heck out of there. Will not return.
(3)
MICHAEL R.

Awesome place awesome atmosphere. Love the DFH 90 minute IPA. very tasty! They do have a sausage sandwich that is not on the menu which you can pick with your choice of sausage. My choice cotechino. Yum!
(5)
Karrin P.

From start to finish, a flawless evening and meal! I cannot say enough about La Birreria! Located in the heart of Chelsea/Flatiron and atop the now famous Eataly, Birreria is a culinary delight. The house brewed ales are fantastic especially the Primavera. But the Two Roads No Limits beer was my favorite. The Antipasti selection will make you want to order the entire selection! I especially loved the Misticanza salad, the Funghi Misti, and the Cotte E Cruda. The bread and oil they provide is simply too amazing to resist, I'm reluctant to admit that I ate the entire half of the loaf, but I have no regrets. :) The atmosphere is open, lively, decadent, and irresistable. I especially recommend going here for work drinks and dinners or a romantic date. Even getting to the roof is a sensory delight that tantilizes your senses from the cheese shop, to the gelato, to the delicacies, you will be anxious to fill your belly. But be sure to make a reservation because it fills up quickly, even on random weekdays. Endulge, relax, enjoy!
(5)
Stephanie D.

Great afternoon hangout. Great selection of Italian wine, cheese, and meats. Bottle of sparkling wine (bollicine di prosecco)was relatively inexpensive. Asiago cheese was by far the best; highly recommended.
(5)
Forest R.

I am conflicted with this place. Great food. Bad Service. Great beer. Way expensive "pints". I would have given it 4-stars if the service had not been so poor (or they didn't charge $10 for a 16-oz "pint" of beer). All in all, the 3.5 star rating it currently enjoys is spot on. BTW, use Open Table prior to going and make a reservation in the shade!
(3)
Rosa O.

Came here prepared to wait and wasn't disappointed. Luckily, the weather was nice and I wanted the rooftop experience, so I was willing to hang out. I grabbed a seat at the bar and got going with some cheeses - the ricotta, the provolone, and the Gorgonzola- as well as their charcuterie plate. The speck was my favorite of the meats, and the ricotta paired with the honey that came alongside was so good I could have licked the plate. When we (finally, and long after their estimated wait time) got a table, I tried ther funghi misti, or their sautÃ©ed mushrooms with an English pea purÃ©e. While the mushrooms were great, the portion was smallish and the purÃ©e didn't add. The service this whole time was a bit minimal- I drained two water glasses slowly before getting a refill. Luckily, the tiramisu was amazing to the point I forgot about all else. I'm glad I stopped by this early in the season-- I'm sure that it will be even more slammed when the sun comes out consistently.
(4)
Chelsea S.

If your looking for over priced drinks on yet another Nyc rooftop this is you place! Atmosphere was lovely - service was exceptionally bad, not to mention rude. We left after the cheese plate no reason to give them our business.
(1)
Caesar R.

I feel like just getting in to the place is just such a hassle, but once you do, the roof top environment is calculated perfectly. I do recommend going with a large group as it is fun to sit outside and imbibe. We were seated after only about a 20 minute wait. We strolled through the Buy N Large, I mean EATALY mega supermarket of all things Italian. We opted for one flight of the cask ales and a Captain Lawrence Liquid Gold for the drinking portion. What better than cheese and salami to pair it all with for snacking. Cheeses served with Frangelico and Hazelnut honey Robiola Bosina, Taleggio & Gorgonzola Dolce and the Affettati Misti For 2 (selection of all salumi ) Speck, Sopressata,Mortadella, cacciatorini and Coppa. We also managed to throw down Pleuroti Seared King Oyster mushrooms with spigarello broccoli, soft poached egg and truffle vinaigrette. All this with the house made bread and some olive oil. Makes for a perfect light fare dinner. I'm definitely coming back. Love the view of the Flat Iron building.
(4)
Lindsay H.

I decided to finally try Birreria after having a random Monday off from work. Around 3 PM it was pretty deserted but livened up as happy hour quickly approached. New York may be chilly, but this biergarden offered a warm escape high above the city. The retractable roof and space heaters kept the space cozy and the beer menu did not disappoint! I highly recommend trying some of their reasonably priced drafts and cheese plate. Three cheeses for $11 isn't too shabby. Not to mention, unlimited bread with the gorgonzola dolce, robiola bosina, provolone mandarone and honey was scrumptious perfection. Please note: I do love a good cheese plate!!! The bartender recommended cacciatorini salumi - trust me, it was overpriced salami that I would probably not get again. Although, it did pair well with some of their beer selections. This place is perfect for drinks on a chill weekday afternoon but I can only imagine the crowds after work and struggle just to make your way through busy, packed Eataly. My tip: get there early and snag a seat. Very excited to visit again in the warmer weather.
(4)
Raquel G.

Totally overhyped. I love the atmosphere at this place, and it may be a great spot once Spring and Summer are officailly here, but the wait, and the process just to get to the bar, is a little absurd. There was a wait just to get to the bar, on a TUESDAY night. So my friend and I just decided to wait the 45 minutes for a table, at least we would be able to sit down once we got up there. So we had some drinks and cheese in the wine/cheese area downstairs at Eataly while we waited to get the text from the host that our table was ready. An hour and $50 later we finally got a table. Yay. This must be their business plan, make people wait, and they will probably spend money downstairs before they even get a chance to go upstairs, right? Once we finally sat down upstairs, we took a look at the menu, and were slightly confused. Isn't this place supposed to be Italian? The options were odd, with some mushroom dishes, salads, sausages and entrees. We would have been way happier with some pasta or traditional Italian choices! We ended up sharing a mushroom dish and we both got the pork chops. They were okay, definitely not worth $24 for mediocre bar food. We also were maybe expecting some shareable bar snacks, which they didn't have either. Disappointing! My friend and I decided that we would only come back for the bar area, and definitely make sure to eat first!
(2)
Janna G.

Great food and location but abysmal service. Our company just moved to the neighborhood, and we thought we had found our new go-to spot for client lunches. Food is delicious and the location is very cool. However, the service was awful and we were pretty surprised given the caliber of the restaurant. We were seated by a stairwell that led to the outdoors and covered with heavy curtains. It was windy, and the curtains literally blew onto our client several times during our lunch. The entire table was overwhelmed by very strong wind gusts every 5-10 minutes, and each time the curtains literally hit our client. We asked several times for something to be done, and nothing was. There was a waiter literally standing by the curtains as they blew on us on at least 2 occasions and he never once moved to help contain them. We tried to get them tied back, nothing worked. The employees did absolutely nothing to help. After one final wind gust, we got up and moved tables. I should note that at least 1/3 of the tables were empty at this point. An employee came over and yelled at us for moving, and was incredibly rude. She then got a manager who did not do more than listen or acknowledge the issue. I am pretty disappointed in this experience as the food was really quite delicious. but the staff was rude to ambivalent at best. Given the price points, we expected much more.
(2)
Shaan B.

I was so excited to try Birreria but I would not recommend it to anyone. We had made a reservation for 8 but had to change at the last minute because a couple of people had cancelled but MAY be joining us later. The gentleman was very helpful (the only good service all night), and said he'd change our reservation to 6 so we could be seated but make a note that one or two people may be arriving late and we should have no troubles. When we got upstairs we had to repeat our story to the hostess upstairs. There was only three of us at that point and I was in the middle of saying we would just wait to the side for the other three when she informed to tell us, in a rather condescending manner, that she couldn't seat us until we were all present. In addition to this, we had a large bag and were asking if there was somewhere to leave it. We were informed that they had nowhere to keep it and that if we wanted to leave it, they could be responsible for it. Which is totally understandable, but we could have been told in a slightly less patronizing tone. When we were seated I tried to order a vodka soda and was informed they had run out of vodka. It was the day of the pride parade, so I took that and ordered a different drink. We then ordered our meals. Not even 2 minutes after we had placed our orders, one of our missing party showed up. Our server had come back with our drinks and we asked if it was ok for her to pull up a chair. He informed us that he would have to check with the hostess, as they usually didn't like that, but that he would check and it should be fine. Given that he was occupied serving our drinks, one of our part went to speak to the hostess himself. The hostess informed him that she could sit with us but, given that we had already placed our food orders, she wouldn't be able to order any food. Um, what? She was willing to accept her entree later than the rest of the table, and when my friend asked the hostess why she couldn't just order, was simply informed that "they have a small kitchen". I'm not entirely sure why that prevents them from taking an order, but hey.... A few minutes later our server comes back to inform one of our party, who had ordered his steak cooked blue, that the chef couldn't do that. They could do rare, but not blue. I'm still a bit confused as to why they couldn't just sear the steak for 20 seconds on each side, but they could sear it for 40 seconds on each side..... Anyhow, our latecomer went to the bar to order and, on her way, proceeded to tell the hostess what she was doing. The hostess said "well I guess that's away to get around it" and said nothing more. So my friend placed her order at the bar with the bartender who also put up a fuss about her taking her food to another table because it "wasn't allowed". While she was placing her order our server comes over to inform us that the kitchen was closing (at 9:30) and did we want anymore food. We all responded with a resounding no. By this point I think our server had pretty much wiped his hands of us, and only came past one more time - with the check. So all in all the service was absolutely appalling. I would give them 1 star, except that the food wasn't awful. I was very disappointed that there was no pasta on the menu (though I could have saved myself that disappointment if I'd looked at the menu before arrival). We had a full tasting of cheeses and salamis to share as an appetizer and one of each of the main courses at our table, with two servings of the lamb. The cheeses were very mediocre. Not bad, but not great, and our sampling of "seven salamis" definitely only had 5 different types of cold cuts. Everyone else was very happy with their entrees, but both of us who had the lamb were disappointed. There was more fat than meat, what meat there was was undercooked and the escarole on my plate was wilted (dead, not cooked) and still dirty. At $23.00, I felt this was completely unacceptable. I would definitely not recommend.
(2)
Kirsten J.

I can't wait to come back here! The atmosphere was great, laid-back but lively. The menu had a wide selection of craft beers (brewed on site!) and also wines (250-500-750mL) from the bastianich group. We went with a carafe of the barolo, which was smooth and delicious. The menu was looked great: I had steak and she had the pork shoulder and a side of beets. Solid. The skirt steak with balsamic and mushrooms was really outstanding. The pork shoulder was also great, perfectly cooked, shredding easily with my fork. This place was really great - and I didn't even mention the beautiful atmosphere! Like I said before, I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Jonah P.

3.5 stars. Went for lunch on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. The rooftop is enclosed with glass, which can turn the huge space into a smokehouse. Thankfully, the staff opened the roof early into our meal. Prices are steep if you only account for portions, but considering the quality of the ingredients and location, they're what you should expect (roughly $15 for salads and appetizers, $25 for entrees). We enjoyed the tasting meats board and the fried mushrooms, though both were incredibly heavy. The beer selection is impressive, and includes a few collaborations between Eataly and microbreweries. Again, prices for drinks are steep, but you're not likely to find these beers elsewhere. Overall, absolutely worth a visit on a nice day if you're in the mood for something different.
(3)
Malia R.

We sat at the Bar. We indulged on the best beer created. It was infused with Jim Beam. After reading reviews, we decided on the cheese plate and a great salad. As much as the cheese was great, it would have been nice if when they served it, actually had something that identified and explained each cheese, the food runner simply said " Here's the this, the that, this, that..." Done. Yea, I am going to remember what cheese I am eating.They also served it with a slice of dry, nasty bread, that looked like they got it from the day-old section at a stop 'n shop. I mean, the best of the best at Eataly was downstairs, and they serve this dry, disgusting sliced wheat bread. Pathetic. Last but not least, Alan the bar manager was fantastic, (he gets the other star.) He was engaging and personable. But train your bar staff, they are snarky and the pours were too inconsistent.
(2)
Port D.

concept restaurant but the food isn't all that great. First, the bread is pre-wrapped in paper hours before serving so is dried out and stale. Yuck. The restaurant brewed beer tasted OK but was flat. The food was very, very rich, so that the next day I could feel the fat globules still pulsing through my brain. If one didn't know better perhaps it could be fun.
(2)
David D.

Pricy beergarden on the roof of Mario Batali's Eataly gastronomic megastore. Beautiful and airy space with quality beers on tap, including a limited time only Dogfish Head/Sierra Nevada collabo. The cask ales were $10 a pop and the place was roasting in the summer heat. Would be hard to stay here for long.
(3)
Denise R.

I love everything about the Birreria at Eataly. Its retractable roof ensures that we don't need no stinking summer to sit outside and drink beer. Speaking of beer, the list is long and strong, with tons of bottle and draft beers and of the three house made cask brews, I would highly recommend the Gina, a Thyme Pale Ale. Yes, thyme. More specifically, fresh thyme from the hills of Borgorose, Italy. Combined with a traditional American Pale Ale, beer just does not get more food-friendly than this. The other two House Brews on offer are a Pale Ale and a Brown Ale, the former brewed with maple syrup. That's just SCREAMING for a plate full of sausage. SCREAMING. The menu holds true to its promise of conviviality, with many plates to share, and the exceptional ingredients you'd expect from the likes of Batals and Bastianich. Seven cheese, all from Italy, save one Ricotta Fresca from Connecticut. Who knew? Five types of salumi, three salads, six dishes from the grill, three dishes devoted entirely to mushrooms (I AM in the third ring of gluttony!), and House Made Sausage with a simple philosophy of its own: Italian recipes, with American ingredients, like pork from Bensmiller Farm, representing the four regions of Italy. The Cavolo Nero Con Salsa (aka kale salad) is hearty enough to stand up to a beer, and the pork shoulder is PHENOMENALLY tender and delicious, braised in beer and apricot, and Ooooooh Mama can you taste the love. It's served with Krauti (Batali's answer to sauerkraut) and mustard--a Birreria twist on a beer hall classic. In a word, GO.
(5)
David J.

We went as a party of 4 on a Saturday afternoon. The beer garden opens at 5:30, so we got there about 5:15, and there was already a substantial line. As we got closer to the front, the guy asked if we were there for dining or drinking only, the difference being that diners could be seated right away, while drinkers would have to wait. OK, we're diners, we said. After a quick elevator ride to the 14th floor, it was 3 more flights to the rooftop Birreria. The entire roof is a skylight, and the feeling is spacious and light, a gorgeous place. Our waiter was well-intended, but he felt compelled to read the menu to us, when we had already seen it downstairs, and anyway, we know how to read. It appears that one requirement to work at Birreria is that you be covered with tattoos. We figured the best deal on the menu was the "piatto misto," for $85. It's a literal sausage fest, with samples of each of 5 sausages, plus my favorite, a nice chunk of roast pork shoulder. Came with coarse mustard and 2 sides. The sides were quite skimpy for 4 people, and the menu said it was intended for five! Our sides were roast fennel and a mustardy potato salad. They were both great; wish there had been more. We enjoyed a carafe of pilsner, and then one of IPA. Both were just fine. We didn't order dessert, and I'm not sure they offered any. It was a nice time. I would go back again, but not at a peak time.
(3)
Tom M.

Cool location, good beer, shitty service. My friend and I each ordered a beer which was served to us quickly. I also ordered a salad but we were both turned away by the high prices of the entrees (we're not city people used to this kind of ridiculousness) and that seemed to annoy our server. Seeing as that he wasn't going to be able to rack up a large bill for us he pretty much ignored us after that. The next time we saw the server was when he dropped the check off at out table without asking us if we wanted anything else. We both were interested and willing to order another drink but apparently we weren't good enough for that honor. I don't know if this is the norm in NYC but if it is... well then screw that. Where I come from we treat everyone with the basic respect you expect as a paying customer regardless of your budget.
(2)
Jojo S.

My friend and I went here around 7pm on a Tuesday night. It was super packed and we had to wait at least 15 minutes until there was room up there. The rooftop itself is kind of hectic to get to, as you have to go through Eataly (which is always packed too and a lot going on in every direction) and up some stairs/elevator. However, once getting up to the rooftop is worth it as it is a nice atmosphere and pretty decent view. Drinks are reasonable and range from $7 and up and I do not think they offer Happy Hour there. The music choices were great and the staff was very nice. We were not hungry so did not get a chance to check out the food. I would like to go back preferably when not so crowded and more chill. Definitely try it out!
(3)
Lee V.

Went there on a Saturday afternoon and was completely underwhelmed. I don't get what all the fuss is about. Even though the weather was gorgeous, the roof was in full effect. ZERO view. We noticed everyone around us looked kinda miserable, like we were all thinking the same thing about the total lack of view, apathetic waitstaff, bleached-out lighting (seriously, you could perform surgery in there), and everything priced about $3-5 too much. But. I did have some awesome wine, so, there's that.
(3)
Joann K.

I have been wanting to go to La Birreria since they opened. La Birreria has an awesome beer list, delicious food and an incredible atmosphere. Unfortunately, it had terrible service. As soon as we told our server we weren't staying for dessert, we were ignored. It took a total of 30 minutes to get our check and settle up. I won't be back.
(3)
Hannah R.

This place is so fun! The beer selection is great and you'll find many groups of people mingling together. Personally, I go on Saturday afternoons for an amazing glass of their Prosecco and to sit on a rooftop that can be closed if cold or raining. It feels like a Biergarten but without the grungy picnic tables and sausages. The only downside is that the reservation process can be difficult. The last time I called to make a reservation the hostess hung up on me then continually ignored any call made. For such an amazing place I expect better.
(4)
Tricia O.

Very disappointed with the customer service from start to finish. My LOCAL company made a reservation on a Friday night at 5:30PM for 10 people for drinks and tapas. When we arrived, the front desk asked if we would be dining. When we said drinks and tapas (majority of their menu!) they would not allow us to be seated b/c we were not eating a full meal. How awkward. A policy they should have told us when we called to make a reservation. Please note we would have easily drank and ate enough tapas to cover a normal dinner price. This rule must have been new b/c I have spent several Friday nights drinking wine and eating tapas there with no issue. Of course that will not happen again. I promise. ALSO, my company spent thousands of dollars here when we had our full company holiday lunch back in December. We explained all of this to the manager on duty who still refused to serve us. I am just glad we were not with clients. We ended up going to GREY BAR on 26th....where we ordered about four rounds of drinks and four rounds of appetizer...quite a hefty bill. I highly recommend GREY BAR if you want a bar/restaurant with a little bit more class and eager for patronage from not only tourists but local companies.
(1)
Anika S.

I went to Birreria with a couple of friends in the afternoon of memorial day, While it was pretty packed we were able to sit within 20 minutes. The atmosphere is nice, great views and the place is quite spacious. The only way to get a table is to eat, so we did. Let's start with drinks: Now I know this is a beer place but I preferred drinking a glass of white wine on a hot summer day. My Sauvignon came as hot as the day...when I asked the waitress if they had any white wine that was actually cold, she stared at me with a puzzled look that said "Isn't 75 degrees cold enough for you" and then said that all their wines were that temperature. So I asked for some ice that would cool down my 11 dollar glass of piss. Then the busboy came and LITERALLY threw 2 pieces of bread wrapped on some parchment paper on our table. These bread would accompany the miserable 3 pieces of cheese (2 x1 inches each) that we ordered as a starter. I ordered the chilled prime rib beef "salad" appetizer ($17) also known in my world as a cooked carpaccio that was also not cold, seasoned or special in any way. One of my friends ordered the asparagus "salad" that was nothing more than a bunch of grilled asparagus with 2 dipping sauces ($14) and my other friend ordered the chicken entree that was greasy as hell dark meet, and somehow they managed to make the skin really crispy and the rest of the chicken undercooked. It was greasy and disgusting. I saw some sausage in another table that at least looked good, so if i ever go back I'll go for that. But my overall experience with the drinks, food and service was so disappointing that I don't think I'll be going for seconds. Not to mention they need to get their salad shit together. Don't sell me a turd and call it chorizo.
(2)
Torre J.

Excellent food! I was extremely disappointed in the service. The Managers were rude and unprofessional. I will not be hosting any more events at this venue.
(1)
Joyce G.

I went here for the first time last night to meet some friends for drinks at the bar and then hopefully sit down to get some food. I'm not sure if the sweltering heat on the rooftop contributed to my feeling negative about this place but I wasn't overly impressed. The wait to get drinks at the bar is really long. On top of that some of the drinks were warm (yuck). My friend ordered some sort of sparkling wine/champagne and they served it in a regular wine glass and it was warm. My other friend got a warm beer. Not exactly what you want when you're standing on a steamy, humid rooftop in NYC in July. I had a sauvignon blanc that was decent and mine was chilled so I had no problem my drink. Then there was a really long wait to get a table despite there being several open tables - I read another review that complained about this same thing. They're stingy about the tables and terrible about assigning them/utilizing them. We finally got seated. The menu is ok but kind of limited. I would have expected there to be more choices for food. I had the bisteca and for me, it was delicious and cooked exactly how I like it. But I like my steak medium-rare to rare, I'd rather it be pink and bloody. My friend ordered the same thing and she does not like medium rare but the waiter did not ask either of us how we wanted it cooked. However like I said, I like it that way so mine was fine and I enjoyed it. I ate the rest of my friend's steak since she didn't want it. I have food allergies so I couldn't really eat a lot of the things on the menu beside the bisteca. But I did let the waiter know and when he asked if I wanted another drink, I asked if there were any beers on the menu that did not have wheat and he suggested the Cider which I liked. It was very cool and refreshing. It wasn't sweet really as you would expect but it was crisp and because it was so hot I was guzzling it down. But it did hit me after a while, it's pretty strong. Our waiter was nice and attentive. Although they're very aggressive and overzealous about clearing off the tables, you barely finish your food and they're coming around snatching the plates away. I guess that's a good thing as opposed to the opposite where they wouldn't be attentive to you at all. All in all, it was an ok experience. I wouldn't rate it as a my favorite place just because they're so difficult about the tables and seating. I prefer a place that's no hassle and maybe not as crowded. I might come back here again when it's cooler and not as steamy out. My mood might improve and I might be prone to give a better review. If I do, I'll post an update and see if my next experience is better.
(2)
Colleen K.

YIKES. The SMALLEST portions ever. The $25 Cesare salad had 6 leaves of Romaine lettuce. $178 lunch bill and the 4 of us left hungry. Terrible. Beware.
(1)
Jessica B.

Lovely experience on a fall Sunday. Had the 7 cheese platter which was excellent - I'm a cheese lover. Wine the waitress suggested was exactly what I was in the mood for. My boyfriend said the steak was solid.
(4)
Sasha B.

We came in for drinks and snacks last weekend. It was soo hot out there. Much hotter than it was outside. The rooftop is particularly covered with glass so it is acting as a greenhouse. They really should remove the glass, or cover it completely and turn on the AC. The view is non-existing. All you see is a bunch of construction trash. It shouldn't even be listed as a rooftop bar.
(3)
Alexa R.

A colleague and I had lunch at Birreria after putzing around Eataly on St. Patrick's Day. It was a beautiful day and the roof was open. We shared a salad and a charcuetrie and cheese board and it was perfect. It wasn't cheap, but it was exactly what we wanted before we walked back to our hotel. I will say I think the stairs and bathroom need a little love, but the service and ambiance was wonderful. I hope to bring my husband back in the fall - it feels like a secret rooftop garden!
(3)
Danny S.

As you can read in many of the reviews before mine, Birreria is the rooftop bar and restaurant on the top of the Eataly building. Rather inconveniently located in the corner of Eataly near the check out is the elevator up to the top floor. You climb one more flight of stairs and you finally get to your destination. As today was an absolutely stunning day with blue sky and crisp early spring air, it could not have been more beautiful up there. The expansive, open restaurant that has a glass ceiling that slides open on days such as these made me so grateful to be living in this city. I could see the Flatiron building from my seat. How amazing is that?? If only the food and service were on the same level as the ambiance and decor. From the overcooked pork (no I don't usually eat pork but I allowed myself a bite because my friends raved about the meat at Eataly) to the just not good tasting fish, I was unimpressed with the comida. And the service was a disaster. They took a half hour to bring my beer after taking about the same amount of time to bring my friend's wine. They brought our entrees before the appetizer plates were cleared - not a huge deal but the table was covered with dirty plates for 10 minutes and they tried to fit the new dishes onto the table of dirty plates. Poor form. It just seems like the restaurant is poorly run because it has many of the fundamental elements that would make this a really special location. Sadly, at least today, that was not the case. I probably would go back for a beer but for lunch or brunch, one can do better.
(2)
Romain D.

Way overrated! Service takes forever, waitresses are rude, food menu is very limited and it's incredibly loud! They'll kick you out as soon as they can to serve the next tourist. Terrible manager, just want to make $$$$! Try to eat downstairs at Eataly, it's much better! Hard to find a table though.
(1)
Wendy G.

Definitely one of the most let down meals I've ever had. Came here with a bunch of friends expecting a great meal as it is a Mario Batali restaurant. Was pretty disappointed. I got the steak and I didn't think it was very good and wasn't well seasoned and came with a veggie side that didn't seem to complement it very well. The portions were also VERY small. My friend got the lamb which was almost 70% fat there was definitely no meat on that he even though he had gotten the wrong thing at first. The sausage was also decent the portions were at least bigger on that one but I don't think anyone at the table thought it was outstanding. The wine list was also really small for an Italian place. The only good part was maybe the bread and also the atmosphere. It was nice being on top of the Eataly roof. Next time I come to eataly I won't be coming here but staying at one of the places downstairs!
(2)
Paola A.

Loved this place- upscale rooftop beer garden. When I went with my group, it was snowing out, so the view was really nice!!Had the Allagash Crerieaux (sp?)... Amazing!! I'm not usually a beer person but this was fruity, not overbearing, had good body, and reaaal good alcohol content ;) The charcuterie and the cheeses here are truly unique. LOVED the ricotta with honey and hazelnuts on their fresh bread. My mouth is watering just thinking of it. I split the lamb shanks and it an order of olive oil smashes potatoes. The potatoes were light, fluffy, and you could really taste the high quality fruitiness of the EVOP. Big fan. The lamb was cooked to perfection. So happy with that meal. The only downside is that it's a bit pricey, so sadly I can't frequent it as much as I would like to.
(4)
Anushree M.

Let me preface this review by first saying that this used to be my go to spot for after work drinks... However, recently I went there for dinner and was very underwhelmed by the experience (euphemistically speaking). We were a group of four : my friend and her husband visiting from Montreal, me and a common friend (two NYC girls who have been to Birreria several times and go out to eat in 4-5 times a week on average). First, my friend was hungry and wanted a snack with the drinks while the rest of us looked through the menu and decided on our appetizers / mains - she ordered Portobello fries and we each placed our drink orders.... After 20 minutes when placing the rest of our order, we enquired about the missing fries and were told that the order hadn't been entered into the system because all appetizer orders had to be entered together (seriously, why not tell us this right at the beginning???!!!????).Anyway, on to the main courses: my other friend has a gluten intolerance and she limits her dairy intake so she opted for a Caesar salad with no dressing. I wish I had taken a picture of her salad - it was 4 lettuce leaves (not chopped) with 2 croutons...that's almost 5$ per lettuce leaf lol!!! And when she asked for a small sprinkle of parmesan cheese - the waiter refused saying it was outside kitchen policy !!! Anyway, the pasta dishes lacked flavor and my wine had a lot of sediment and was clearly from the bottom of the bottle....We spoke to the manager who was entirely unhelpful and the experience left a bad taste overall and needless to say I will not be returning to this establishment.
(2)
Franky S.

Great atmosphere, the drinks and food was amazing. Love the roof top aspect of the venue. Can't wait to go back!!!
(5)
Eva B.

I came here to try this place after work with a decent sized group. We made reservations early on in the week, no problem. Do you know how hard it is to round up 8 people that get out of work at 5/6 to get somewhere for 6:15? It actually wasn't that difficult but there was traffic trying to walk around and all that... Needless to say, we were about 10 minutes late. We get there and there is a huge line, finally find reception to check in and they cancelled our reservation. So of course, very annoyed, I asked when the next available table would be - they told me, "it looks like we're booked for the night. We can call you when there is a table ready. But we won't know when that is." So my group said screw it, we'll go somewhere else. I was really excited to try this place, but they were not as excited to have me as a guest. So there goes that.
(1)
Katie C.

Eataly was very cool...a must see. The rooftop restaurant however was a big let down. Service was terrible, our waitress took forever to get to our table and it was not busy at all. The food was average...cheese didn't come with crackers or bread or salt/pepper. Pasta dish needed salt and pepper. I expected much more from this place based on the market below. Would not go again unless just for a beer.
(2)
Sandra S.

This place seems hit or miss - a lot of variables. Like who your waiter is, what time of year or day you go, how busy they are etc. I don't recommend on a hot day. There is no a/c, no fans, although they attempt to add shade which takes away from the open air/rooftop affect - a lot of the view is obstructed. I know it's technically rooftop but they could/should attempt to cool it down somehow IMO. Great beer selection although if you get a larger size, they should try to put it in an ice bucket or something - it gets warm fast. Nice place for a snack like bread, cheese and meats, but not too impressive menu to be honest. Menu changes seasonally too FYI. The duck pate is really good and rich but not enough bread/crostini for amount of pÃ¢tÃ© they give. The sweetbreads are good too but too rich -it's hard to eat more than a couple per person. The Parmesano reggiano cheese from the cheese selection is delicious. So is sopressata. Not too spicy. There was a grilled octopus special that was good. It was perfectly cooked. Prices are ok. Not outrageous. But it is eately and the prices are a bit gougey. So keep that in mind. But food quality is high. Definitely make a reservation. They won't even let you upstairs w/o one. You'll wait in the store and sometimes the wait is over an hr.
(3)
Debra T.

I am simply in love with Eataly - Birreria. I made a reservation for 10 and checked in with the hostess about an hour before our reservation. The woman was so sweet and allowed us to be seated earlier. Their rooftop beer bar is gorgeous and the atmosphere was perfect for enjoying great company and delicious Italian Food. I had so much fun relaxing and laughing with my friends. We took our time and did not feel rushed, which I say is pretty rare for any restaurant, especially in NY. I don't remember what I drank or ate. Some dry cider, an assortment of cheeses, salumi, prosciutto... Mmm. Everything was just so yummy. Our server was spectacular, very accommodating and friendly. I truly enjoyed the customer service we received. The next time I visit New York, I will be sure to eat here again.
(5)
Tiffany L.

I've been hearing fantastic things about this open-air rooftop italian "beer garden" since Eataly opened and finally got a chance to check it out. I organized a girls' night here and you can take a look at Christine Y.'s review below to get a fuller picture of the night. I called 3 weeks out in order to snag a 7:15pm reservation for 12 girls. Anymore than 12 people and you have to work with a party planner. They called me the week before the reservation to stress to me that ALL people in the party must be there before we would be seated, and MUST be there within 15 minutes of the reservation or we would lose it. Yikes. Talk about strict. Thankfully, all of us made it on time and we thoroughly enjoyed our delicious (though small) food and beer/wine selections. The waiter did a great job and even split our final bills into 12 separate checks. Amazing!
(4)
Lisa R.

There is something to be said when you finally make it through the masses at Eataly only to be encountered by 1 of 2 sets of hostesses. After telling the first hostess table we were a party of 4 just looking to drink at the bar (no surprise with the crew I hang out with), we had to repeat what we just said when we made it upstairs. Somewhat annoying when you've dodged your way through Eataly to get to Birreria. I will say, once you're upstairs with a chilled beverage in-hand and a beautiful urban view, Eataly's Birreria is wonderful. Albeit a little tough to get into during peak hours, but a nice spot overall for drinks. I have also had dinner here and it's not all that impressive. The pricey snakes and apps should suffice any hunger pangs you may have. Then take your appetite elsewhere.
(3)
Jared L.

I've been to Eataly few times and had a pleasant experience every time so my wife and I decided to check out the roof top beer garden. The 7 cheese plate and the Salumi plates (Affettati Misti) were pretty decent, although knowing what cheeses we were eating would've been helpful. The main dishes we ordered were: Shiitake Fritti con Salvia - Fried Shiitake Mushroom Probusto - Pork/Beef Sausage I give props for the presentation and while the Shiitake was really tasty, the batter was really well done, the sausage came out a little too dry for my taste. Over all, I would never return to this place for dinner but I think it'd be all right for lunch, some time in the fall or cooler days. The cask conditioned beer were pretty decent but I was not made for room temperature beer, other than Guinness.
(2)
Evan J.

Fun place to grab a bite. A little cramped and the view isn't that great but there's very little to beat the feeling of eating on the roof. The beer is wonderful, but expensive.
(3)
Buzz L.

Rude, rude service and mediocre food at best. I live in NYC and this was my 1st and last time that I will ever set foot in this restaurant. We were a party of 5 which was to grow to 8. Even though there was a table of 7 open, the hostess insisted that they only had a table for 5, which we took and planned to just add seats as people arrived. In the end, we were a table of 7. Drink service was slow and one guest requested Tequila with lime juice on the side. When the drink arrived, there was less than a thimble of lime juice given. Impossible to flag down the waiter to ask for more. When the waiter took our orders, we had decided to order appetizers to share. The waiter then scolded us by saying "you can't just order apps, you have to order a meal". Reluctantly, some of us ordered entrees. At some point, the Front of House manager came over to our table and said, "wow, there are a lot of people here" and then she scolded us by telling us, "you make think this is a beer garden but it really a restaurant and you have to order food." Slack jawed, we tried to explain to her, that in fact we had ordered food and would be more comfortable at the still empty table for 7. At that point, we just asked her for our check, we were leaving. We saw her conversing with our waiter and the hostess for about 10 mins. The waiter then came over to our table, told us that everything was fine and even offered to join another empty table with ours to give us some elbow room. When the food arrived, it was terrible. The fish dishes were dry, overcooked, bland fish and the sausage dish was tasteless and boring. Even though the bar was busy during our entire stay, about 2 hours, the rest of the restaurant was not and there were many empty tables. We were surprised that they could not accommodate our party and towards the end of our experience, they actually expanded the empty table for 7 into a table for 10. After reading all of the 1 & 2 star reviews, it became evident that my experience is the norm for this establishment. The management needs to post all of their "policies" either downstairs or at the hostess station, or else stop making them up. This is the most bizarre, anti consumer restaurant that I have even been to. Go, have a beer and enjoy the view, but DO NOT eat in the restaurant.
(1)
Diana S.

We came here for a dinner around 8pm on Sunday night. We put our names down for a table and was told we would get a text when our table was ready. We wandered around Eataly a bit until settling by one of the standing tables and ordering a bottle of wine to share between the four of us. We got the text about half way through our bottle and thought we could bring up the bottle of wine with us to finish at dinner. No can do! They have a different liqour license in Birreria than the rest of Eataly. So we had to finish our wine downstairs before we could go upstairs. They told us they would hold our table, but by the time we went up, there were plennttyyy of tables open. After we sat, the boys wanted to order the DFH 120 Minute because it has 15-18% alcohol and the girls were going to split the Bastianich Sauvignon "b" 2010....buuttt they were out of both. Sad. We ended up getting Baladin Noel and Bastianich Friulano 2009. For our entrees, I originally ordered the Bistecca con Salsa Verde but didn't realize there were mushrooms in it! So I ended up switching with my bf and eating the Probusto sausage instead. I had a piece of the steak that was not tainted with fungus juice and it was very tender. My sausage was just okay. I didn't think it was amazing or that memorable. It kind broke apart after you cut into it...I ended up giving one of the two sausages to my bf. The best part of the meal was having a great view of the super moon! That and the olive oil that came with our bread, yum.
(3)
Matt J.

I love beer gardens (who doesn't) and really loved this one too. Fantastic place where you can do table seating or at the bar. Had some awesome italian beers and great weather. It can take some time to get upstairs but they give you a beeper to let you know when you're up
(5)
Denise D.

Terrible food terrible customer service, everyone there is an amateur!! Only good if your drunk!!!!! In fact just go somewhere else!!!
(1)
Henry S.

After hearing about this place several times, we finally decided to check it out. We were afraid the wait was going to be long since it is 1) a rooftop bar & restaurant 2) in Manhattan 3) which may draw the curious and tourists who came to check out Eataly 4) and it was a gorgeous spring night in NY. After meandering through the shopping center that is Eataly, we found the large sign to the La Birerria. Thankfully they went high tech with the reservations system, similar to Meatball Shop, and told us they would text us in 20-30 min when a table would open up. We wandered around the main floor maze, checking out the cheeses & desserts while waiting for our table. We were buzzed 20 min later and then headed up the elevator to the 14th floor. The place is nicely setup with the bar and dining area separated by a partition. There was also plenty of space between each table...no crowding! Our server was energetic and attended to us quickly. We ordered the three cheese platter, the Affettati Misti for 2 (i.e. tasting of all their charcuterie), split the Misticanza salad as well as the beer & apricot braised pork shoulder. The cheese and charcuterie were excellent starters, a reasonable size that were tasty and filling enough before our main course. The salad was ok, though it may have been overshadowed by the cheese and meat platters we just had. The highlight was the amazingly soft and juicy pork shoulder. It rested on a bed of apple and mustard vinaigrette which l loved but my wife could do without. However we both agreed that this is the dish to have there, especially among the meat lovers. The beer selection is vast in that there is a style for everyone. I had their cask stout which went well with the pork shoulder. Overall a great place to go as long as you can get a table.
(4)
Effie T.

I've been meaning to check this spot out all summer but glad I waited for it to cool down a bit. Really love the decor and even though I'm not a big beer fan I really enjoyed their home brewed beer and the cute glasses it was served in! But what is the point of having a rooftop bar if you have a high brick wall obstructing the view?
(4)
Megan H.

The man-friend and I hit up Birreria on Friday evening. It's touted as a beer garden on top of the Mario Batali-owned Eataly market, but it's not really a beer garden. The brews were good (I drank a Hop Sun from Southern Tier Brewing Co.), but I was disappointed in the atmosphere. When I think of beer garden, I think of long tables, lots of drinking, and maybe some low-key food like Bavarian pretzels. Birreria is more of a restaurant with a bar. And yes, it's on a rooftop, but since it was so hot, the retractable roof was partly closed over, so I couldn't really see anything. I'm glad I checked it out, but next time I won't believe the hype until I see it.
(3)
Shar K.

Weather was perfect for rooftop dining. Food was decent. Service sucked. Probably worth one trip.
(2)
Sheila C.

Came here on a rainy Thursday evening. Checked in at the host stand...they have this really cool system where they text you about 5 minutes before your table's ready! They told us there was a 40 minute wait, I can't even imagine what the wait would've been like if it were sunny.... We walked around Eately looking for somewhere to order wine, we finally found a spot at the bar of one of the restaurants (I think the steak restaurant?)....ordered two glasses of wine, we received a text right after we ordered our second glass so we made our way to the hostess stand with our full glasses of wine but were told that we had to finish it all before we went up on the roof! Womp womp...chugging wine is so unpleasant.... The rooftop was covered because of the rain, but it was still pretty cool....at one point the thunder made all the power go out, but it came back on right away. It was cool to watch the thunder light up the place! We ordered a cheese plate, sopressata, and the tritata salad to share....everything was so delicious! This came with an endless supply of sourdoug bread and olive oil also. Service was super slow....I'm pretty sure the waiter forgot about our salad...we were beyond finished with our cheese and meat and almost done with our wine, when we asked about it, she proceeded to tell us to "look around" at how busy they were...RUDE. Our bill came to about $60 for the two of us, including a 500ml carafe, which we were pleasantly surprised with considering our 4 glasses of wine, 2 glasses each, while we were waiting came out to about $50.
(4)
M R.

Yes the space is great; nice big rooftop dining area right across from Madison Park. The food and presentation made me think I was in the Italy section of Epcot. It did not seem authentic at all. Do Italians eat Pretzel bread? The sausages were okay at best but I think I could do better by going to my local grocery store. The beer was the best part; some interesting flavors. Overall this is a spot for foreign tourists hitting all the stops on the walking tour. The staff was good by the way, too bad the food doesn't match their enthusiasm.
(2)
Rad B.

I think the view alone is worthy of 3 stars...the empire state building looks beautiful and you can see the Madison Ave clock tower while you enjoy sipping on your beer. So why the 3 stars? For starters, there was a long line for the bar (which I don't get because upon going upstairs, we noticed that it was fairly empty) so we decided to get a table. Since we were going to have a friend joining us, we wanted a table for 5 but they said we couldnt get it till everyone showed up. No big deal, we opted for a table for 4. But when he showed up, we ended up having to get up since it was a HUGE deal to add an extra person to a table at a half empty restaurant. Ouchies. Friends ordered salad, Cotechino which was surprisingly good (albeit salty but hey it's a sausage!). We had a carafe of the captain (something) liquid gold. I personally liked it. When my friend arrived we were forced to move to the bar and we ordered a few more beers. The biggest downside arguably...this place closes at midnight. That was definitely a bummer. Maybe we'll come back for lunch sometime? not really sure. Bottomline: prices were okay but service was a bit iffy. Sure the view is nice but I'm sure there's plenty of other nice places in the city.
(3)
Lawrence V.

Was excited to give La Birreria a try, but ended up just having an okay experience. I am in complete agreement with fellow Yelpers who gave this place one or two stars, . While the rooftop / garden / outdoor NYC experience makes experience shine (beautiful evening with perfect weather)...the unfortunate downside to La Birreria is the service. From the moment our group was seated, we were rushed to choose and order drinks --and then immediately asked to order food. I hadn't even had the menu in my hands more than 2 minutes. We politely asked the waitress to come back and we might have a few decisions on food. When she came back with our beers she asked again if we were ready to order. Again, we reminded her we'd need a few minutes to make some choices... and her response a curt reminder that because we're seated at a "dining table," that we'd have to order at least one entree. OK, ok, chill! Eventually we order a few things to share among 7 people. Food came out quick which was pleasing... but once we finished our food we were hurried again to order anything else (more beer, or dessert), and then hurried to more or less wrap it up with our drinking. I just didn't see what the big push / rush was... there were plenty of empty tables around us, place wasn't packed. The overall experience was just RUSHED. I'm used to the beer gardens in Astoria, Queens where you can plant yourself at a table allllll day long without pressure from the waitstaff.
(2)
Jimmy I.

I like the place. The food was tasty (I had the sausage), and the beer was outstanding. It's not a German-style beer garden, which seems to have ticked off some people, but it never claimed that it would be. The wait was fine the evening we went... we put our names down, enjoyed strolling around Eataly for a while, and then went up and were seated pretty much straight away. I do agree with other reviewers that the views are disappointing given the setting and my expectations. If that's what you're looking for, 230 Fifth nearby is much more impressive. Also pretty limited vegetarian options.
(4)
Tina T.

I stopped by last night at around 9PM to see if we could go upstairs--the wait was 30minutes just to stand by the bar and 1-1.5 hour wait for a table ON A TUESDAY NIGHT. I can't imagine how long the wait is on Thursdays - Saturdays. We decided to go somewhere else and not wait; however, we ended up back at Birreria at around midnight to see if we could try our luck. At midnight, we walked right in without a wait and the whole place was pretty quiet by then--just a few tables of people and some groups at the bar. Our waiter was very attentive and helpful in suggesting beers to try and also what kind of cheese to add to our cheese plate. The Tellagio is AMAZING if you like hard cheeses. (We really wanted to buy some but Eataly had already closed at that point.) When the cheeses actually arrived, we were shocked that they were literally only one slice of each kind of cheese, which turned out to be more than enough. But three slices of cheese for $11? They also gave us complimentary sour dough bread, which was delicious. I had a great time with my group of friends and we ended up staying until closing. The space was beautiful and we liked the decor and set up. Definitely will go back (maybe try some of the other things on their menu), but will only go later at night when all the after-work people and tourists go home. Oh! And we ran into Steve Ells (founder of Chipotle) in the elevator as we were going up to Birreria.
(3)
Kim M.

We usually go and stand at the hightables at Eataly and order wine & cheese but last night a friend & I decided to switch it up by visiting La Birreria. We approached the downstairs counter and asked if they had room, they said 30-45 min for dinner but the bar was available for drinks. When we arrived on the 15th floor rooftop, there were several tables open so it was evident the 30-45 min bit was a stretch! It was also quite touristy. We ordered drinks, and after 5 min got a text that our table was ready. After being seated, (at a table with a great view of the Empire State through the open roof!) we ordered 3 cheese, the Robiola Bosina, Gorgonzola Dolce & Taleggio which came with a stack of bread & honey infused with hazelnuts. Our server, Andrew was very helpful.. I wanted to change wines so he brought 2 heavy-handed tastes for me to try. The entrees was where I was disappointed.. I ordered the fish of the day, a halibut, pan seared with honey & blood orange.. It was very bland and for halibut, should have tasted fresher. It was very dry, too. My friend ordered the Cotechino sausage with kraut & mustard seed. I ended up eating a few pieces of his because mine was that bad! All in all, the beer garden is a good spot for wine & cheese and the service is great but the entrees were disappointing.
(3)
Tom S.

I was reluctant to head on up to La Birreria because I had a really lackluster experience at the ground-level bistro at the center of Eataly. But, my friends wanted to go, so I ended up tagging along. And boy, I'm glad I did. Lots of people complain that this was falsely advertised as a biergarten -- and I get that -- but I really don't care. I didn't think La Birreria was overpriced, like much of the rest of Eataly. Pints of their wonderful, unique beers were priced on par with most bars you'll find in the city. I nibbled on a delicious cheese plate, having already eaten dinner, but my friends enjoyed their entrees. I loved the decor -- the casks of beer look awesome. The retractable roof is a great idea and, unlike other reviewers, I thought the views were just fine. I could see the Empire State Building and Washington Square Park without much obstruction. Admittedly, the hour-long wait was burdensome, but as long as you plan ahead for it, you can head to a nearby bar for drinks until you receive the text message -- great feature, by the way -- that says your number is up.
(4)
christy c.

LOVE BIRRERIA Would visit daily if I could. But I can't. Awesome roof top bar on a great sunny day. Couldn't be better. Great service, great friendly people = great time.
(5)
Albert M.

My experience here seems quite different from the others Ive read, atleast in regards to getting in. I'm from Florida and I walked in to Eataly just to look around and then saw the sign for Birreria and went up with 5-6 friends. We waited for about 15 minutes at the bar to get our table since the place was pretty busy. (This was at lunch time during the week btw) Our beers where awesome, since we're all beer aficionado's where were ready to taste their own brews and were pleasantly surprised. Once we got seated our service was excellent, the server was kind, knowledgeable, and responsive. The food was excellent, we probably went a little overboard ordering meat and cheese dishes but they where all excellent. This place would get 5 stars if it weren't approximately 10-15% too expensive, especially on the food side. I know Im eating top shelf meats and cheeses from all over the world, but they are still a bit pricey for the small serving sizes. On the good note, the foods all so damn good. There where a couple celebrities lounging about when we got there, and we even got to talk to them so that was cool. Overall I really like this place, and I'll definitely come back again.
(4)
John T.

Despite having to wait 45 minutes past our 630pm reservation for 4 on a Wednesday night, Birreria is an one of a kind experience and I would go back again. You'll just have to ignore the staff. It seemed overwhelmed and lacking in experience. One also got the sense that they realize they are (sadly) just a small part of a gigantic organism that is Eataly and therefore it matters less to try harder. The food appears pricey, but the portions are generous and very good for sharing. Everything with mushrooms is good. The blood sausage is decent and way too much for one person. Finally, the grilled steak is as good as it gets. I tried two of the house-brewed cask ales, both are very delicious and surprisingly chilled and gulpable. The bottle selections are cool but really pricey, but overall the beer list is unique and suited for craft-beer enthusiasts. As a poor musician living on a ground-floor apartment in Queens, I'm smitten by the rooftop setting and the energetic and convivial vibe. I would like to go on a snowy day just to see how they manage!
(4)
maria r.

When we scaled the heights of Eataly, we got to a supposed "roof garden." it was a gorgeous, warm sunny day so I expected an open roof. It was closed. The table we were seated at (with a reservation) was RIGHT next to the extremely LOUD bar. In fact, when the hostess put down our menus, the table was full of beer bottles and glasses and wine glasses with dregs in them that pple standing around the bar had set down there. One woman had set her purse on a chair at our table. The hostess asked her to move it. She came back a few minutes later and set her purse down ON the table while she looked for something. We were seated and all just looked at her and laughed. She must have been a bit drunk. i asked for a table not so near the bar but the hostess said there were none and that it was pretty much that loud all over the place, anyway. then we ordered a salume plate and a cheese plate. The 3 cheeses were lonesome on a big white plate. they brought us 3 slices of bread to start. we asked for more to go with the salume. which they forgot to bring. they later brought it gratis, but we had our entrees by then. i got a house-made beef and pork sausage with saurkraut (just a little pile of it--isn't cabbage totally cheap? couldn't they have given a bit more?). Very tasty and delish. The mashed potatoes w/ olive oil side was just ehh. unseasoned. one friend had the chicken thighs and didn't complain. Another had mushrooms and broccoli rabe that seemed good. We had a nice not-too-$$ red wine. that came in a carafe, not a bottle. so it was hard to tell how much to order. probably should have stuck with one of the 1000 beers they have there. I'll add this to the list of places I wouldn't bother going back to. The noise was terrible. it seemed like a big bar scene for local suits. Loud. The food was tasty but the waiter messed up our order. The busboys were on it. the minute you lifted a fork from a plate they'd take it away.
(1)
David C.

Went there this past Saturday with my wife and what a great experience. Made reservations which I highly recommend so we only waited about 5 minutes. The weather was gorgeous the skies were as blue as can be which serves great for a roof-top bar. The wine and beer selection goes on and on, we drank a bottle of prosecco with our meat (sopresata, mortadella, coppa) and cheese platter (ricotta, provolone, mozzarella), with marinated olives, which was just amazing. For dinner she got the shirt steak medium, which was excellent with the broccoli rabe (super spicy). I had the lamb chops which came out medium rare and had a pesto mint sauce on them which were to die for; they came with smashed potatoes which I didn't like too much because it was extremely oily. Dessert I had a double espresso which was very strong which I enjoy, and she had, the panna cotta which was light and creamy, could have axed out the caramel sauce on the bottom. Overall the experience was great waitress, bus boy and staff did a great job, a definite to go back.
(4)
Jenny H.

I am a true Fan, not of their own beer though. had a cheese platter with a mixed cured meat platter and a couple of different beers the server was great brought over some beers so i could taste them before comitting. and the View kinda of amazing
(5)
Victor S.

And Eataly finds a way to be even CRAZIER! I went to the Italian themepark's opening day last year. And yeah, things were equally nuts this time around. No sign of Mr. Batali this time though. It was quite the ordeal to get in. First there's the huge line...and little did we know, that was just the first line! We still had to leave our name on a list and patiently wait for a text message. Waited in total for about 2 hours. Thank goodness there's Shake Shack where we got a bottle of their "grape juice" wine while we waited. We sipped the juice while longingly looking at Eataly. When will they text? But, I have a feeling that many people thought that if they waited in line, they would immediately get in. Wrong! Thankfully, they did, and we rushed over and took the elevator up to the top. To our surprise, the place wasn't even packed! Artificial demand ftl. Birreria is smaller than I thought it would be. I really had expected it to span the entire rooftop of the building. Alas, it only covers about two thirds. The draft list is pretty impressive. My favorite was the Super Baladin, which is a Belgian style ale. Nice and strong. They don't have the list on their website, but we ordered carafes of most of the beers on the menu. And we also had a bottle of one of the Dogfish's Squall IPA. The beers are pretty steep though, unfortunately. A carafe, which is about 2 pints, typically costs between 14 and 20 bucks. We got a 7 cheese plate and some soppressata and pork shoulder sausage. The blue cheese, I might add, is pretty amazing. I don't even really like blue cheese, but this one in particular was pretty mild. The cheese and salumi came with a plate with candied oranges and almond honey. The almond honey, in particular, when drizzled on top of the sausage was pretty damn tasty. Don't forget to ask for the freshly baked pretzels. Our server was really friendly and excited about the opening. It was pretty crazy and he did a good job, although it took a while to get some of our beers. We were also deeply disappointed that the "prison beer" had kicked. So we didnt get to try it, but apparently, some prisoners make the beer as part of their prison tasks. Beats making license plates, I guess. Whoever put together the playlist yesterday did a great job. They only played good songs. My main issue with Birreria though, is that I thought it was going to be more of a beer garden and not so much a restaurant. It really has a restaurant feel to it, which is kinda disappointing. I wish there were more tables near the bar too, because not everyone wants to eat or order some cheese/salumi. Sometimes, we just want to drink some really good beer. I'll return, but probably only when the hype dies down, although I kinda doubt it will really die down this summer. Yeah I may come back sooner than I thought because that Baladin beer was just so damn tasty.
(4)
Sarah W.

Yummmm!!!! Mushroom dishes Are amazing - oyster and maitake both good Meat dishes fantastic. Pork chop and pork shoulder amazing Started with a delicious plate of 7 cheeses that 4 of us devoured. Walked out $124 poorer (4 people). Worth it!! Will be back to try the other eateries!!
(5)
Josh B.

Cool spot at Eetaly. Really, really enjoyed the pork shoulder lunch. Love the location and the vibe. The meat plates they brought out were inconsisent across the table (some of us got meats others did not), but that was the only and minor blemish.
(4)
Kealan C.

I was highly anticipating Birreria; a rooftop bar, pizza, charcuterie, and beer: what's not to want? As I merrily skipped down 5th Ave, it dawned on me: "Eataly is annoying and a lot of effort. Bierria is part of Eataly. Is this going to be annoying?" Hmm. Well, when I arrived (about 8:30 PM), there was a pretty substantial line. Annoying. But the employees were really helpful and explained everything. Not annoying. They told us there would be a 45-90 minute wait for the two of us to get drinks at the bar. Annoying. But then 2 minutes later they told us we could go up right away. Sort of annoying, but not really. Feeling lucky, we took the elevators upstairs expecting to be greeted with a glorious view of Manhattan. There is no view. No, seriously: there is no view. You're encapsulated by four brick walls making the already small space seem even smaller, especially for a "rooftop". The beer was good, the food looked yummy, but I don't get it. Too small for a group, too loud for a date . . . not sure what sort of occasion would send me back here. It reminded me a bit of an Italian version of the Biergarten at The Standard . . . but miniaturized. I think I'd just go to The Standard.
(3)
Erick B.

Where to begin with this place. Well, I want to love it due to the fact that it combines small plates and good beer. But, since coming here on opening night and waiting 2 hours, now coming back years later, this place leaves a lot to be determined. First and foremost, they told us it would be a 45min - 1hr wait on a Friday night which we said, "Ok, we'll go wait at another one of YOUR bars." As soon as we stood at another spot and ordered a drink + app, our phone buzzed that our table was ready. I texted back (but got no response) and quickly got our check. $70 later (for two people), we were told that our food and drinks could NOT come up to the restaurant with us. So, we were forced to throw away our $70 order or lose our table (nice management tactics here). There was no management in sight, no oversight, no care for customer concerns. Then, there was the meal. The waiter was unaware when our drinks were low. Our sides came 10-min after the main dishes, the food itself was average, and everything was overpriced. And, the best part, the BEER. It was basic, nothing special. A few ordinary casks that were unimpressive and a basic tap list without seasonals/specials. The bottle list was small and mostly from the owners of this place and drastically overpriced, even for Manhattan. My advice, stay away. Go to a local spot. You'll get a more authentic meal at a more reasonable price.
(2)
Jaime B.

i had to argue with the waiter for 20 minutes to get the anchovy dressing on the side. He had to go ask the manager and ten made a point to tell me that he will ave to do special favors for a week because he got my kale salad with the anchovy dressing on the side. fuck off dude!
(2)
James D.

dinner on the 14th floor and good beer, awesome, skirt steak was amazing and American IPA not bad with the steak.
(5)
Tai K.

Come here on a perfect 80 degree Saturday afternoon. Have a great glass of wine, beer.. Complement that with the oyster mushroom and the pork shoulder and you will have a recipe for an amazing lunch!
(5)
Stephen D.

Not rating the food here. Rating my experience getting drinks on a wednesday night at 7pm (got in by 8 pm). The beer was great - a 4.5. The ambience is a 3.5, it is a rooftop but you can't see much/any of the skyline. It is half open air. The wait time/hassle, due solely to the current popularity of the place, is a 1. I waited an hour just to stand at the bar, and it was a wednesday at 7pm when I put my name in. Overall, a 3, which would turn to a 3.5 or 4 if it was less popular. A bit overhyped, but still enjoyable. I would highly recommend the beer on the menu that has "cocoa" in the description. I can't remember the rest of the name, but it was very, very good. Try it.
(3)
Gloria C.

I didn't understand why we couldn't be seated just because 1 of our party hasnt arrived yet and we were going to sit in the same table anyways. Especially when there were tens of tables that are empty. Anyhow, a bit overpriced for the food but worth it for the rooftop experience. Our waitress was super friendly as well. The chicken and pork shoulder was very well marinated. The cheeses were just so-so, nothing special. Beer are a bit overpriced, but hey, you ARE in the rooftop. But the at same time, there was not really a good view. Worth a visit though probably not going back.
(3)
Jackie S.

Made a reservation on a weekday and definitely a good idea. We were taken upstairs and waited at the bar for the rest of our party to arrive. I'm usually not a beer drinker but I enjoyed two here and they were both good. Had an assortment of meats and cheeses which were very good. I would have liked more bread but our waiter didn't bring any so I didn't ask. Our waiter was knowledgeable and recommended a few things for us that were very good. I thought the pork shoulder was tasty and juicy and very tender. The portions were not huge but adequate.
(3)
Food L.

Great rooftop w/ delicious beer and italian tapa style food. It has only been opened for about a year so it is quite popular. Make a reservation! If not , the wait can be about hr but that time can fly back at Eataly (right downstairs). Great place to bring visitors as well!
(5)
Benjamin P.

This is the perfect place to grab some great beer and snacks! The homemade cask ale is absolutely fantastic, and their selections of draft beer are impressive.
(4)
Scott E.

The stars are for the atmosphere and food - both fantastic, however, the service was poor. We waited at least 20 minutes before our drink order was taken and another 20 before we ordered food - so slow for a Wednesday afternoon when it wasn't crowded.
(3)
Arnav G.

Good for lounging - stick to the cheese, wine, and appetisers. Limited selection of nice cheeses (watch out: the soft bread they come with are not friendly with soft cheeses). Skirt steak was tough but flavourful. Friendly but absent-minded service (forgotten requests for more bread with our cheese, a steak knife for my steak, etc.).
(3)
Nelson M.

Awesome place, nice view on rooftop. Great wine and cheese list. They brew their own "cask" beers and have others on tap and bottle as well. Very cool place to hang out. On rooftop of Eataly, so plenty to do around there.
(5)
Devang J.

Nice vaierty of beers, buzzing scene. Only negative being long lines and navigating the eataly chaos.
(4)
Mysti R.

I love going to the rooftop bar and just enjoying drinks at the bar. I have never eaten the food here. I usually just drink their unique beers and some scotch from time to time. The beer selection is great. There are flavors that pair really well with scotch. The wines are just as great too. The service is fast and friendly. They can make you smile and have a great time.
(5)
Brian S.

I booked a late lunch/early dinner here with my girlfriend when we were visiting NYC, and it was perfect, exactly what we needed after a few hours of walking around the city and the High Line. Reservations were foolproof, we immediately had seats with a great view, and the beer was excellent and refreshing. The pork shoulder was so good I could have cried. Very rich with a great texture.
(5)
Catherine H.

The staff at La Birreria were a terrible disappointment. Our party of six were treated rudely by the hostess, and our server Monique made it very clear that we were imposing on a difficult day for her. It took an extremely long time to get attention, then we were told we had to place our appetizer and main course order at one time, or it would be difficult for the kitchen. What happened to being treated as a guest? Mistakes were made in our order, and the plates were not cleared. It is difficult to appreciate the food, or enjoy the meal when the staff are untrained, or uninteretsed in making the experience a pleasant one. Stay away from eating here. We left fairly stunned by the treatment we received.
(1)
Jeannette S.

Tourist review: Went to NYC for a long weekend, and several friends (locals) took us around throughout our stay. One friend met us after church at St. Pat's and he took us to Eataly. We walked a couple of blocks to the train and he was asking how our trip was thus far. We mentioned we visited Chelsea Market the day before, so he probably thought we would like this place... And we did!!! I was hankering for some coffee so I almost stopped at the espresso bar near the entrance but I wanted to use the restroom first. So he walked us towards the back of the building. When I came out of the bathroom he left us to check on something. While we waited, we looked around at the foods for sale, and people- watched at those brunching at the various eateries. When he came back, he led us further back to an elevator. When we reached the top, we walked up a flight of stairs and reached our chill spot, La Birreria. They serve coffee here? Yes, I was assured. Because it was pretty early, we were seated right away. I loved the airy atmosphere as soon as we walked in. The rooftop was not open, but the light came through the glass roof. When our waiter came by, I asked for coffee and he brought a separate menu. I was fine with the drip coffee (Lavazza), which is a favorite of mine. We ordered the appetizer meat sampler & 3 cheeses (I took the waiter's suggestion for the most popular selections). The service we had was better than other reviewers had experienced... We got refills of bread, water and coffee as soon as we asked. Maybe it was the time of day since it was not so busy. We didn't order anything heavier because we already had lunch plans. It was definitely a great spot to hang out and catch up with friends. It may be a few years before I go back to NYC and when that happens, Eataly will be on my list to revisit.
(4)
Michael I.

Cool roof, salads are a complete waste of money, especially the salad with watermelon. Not only did it taste bad but the size of the salad was a joke, it was about 4 small pieces of watermelon and a few slices of onion. Don't get it !!! Overall portions are small and not worth at all what they charge. I would never go back. Also service is slow.
(2)
Jared F.

Total tourist trap! Stay away! Over priced and underwhelming. Beer selection is nice, but the food is average at best.
(2)
Olena Y.

Terrible service, really rude staff
(1)
Jeff G.

Overall a good meal and a good time. We went to La Birreria for the view just as much as we went for the food and drinks. Let me start by saying don't expect to get a view of anything special. You can see a piece of the Empire State Building and some other roofs but nothing that makes this a special rooftop space. The walls surrounding the space are so high it was hard to even get a breeze. They used giant fans to cool the space which made it loud at some tables. After the let down of the actual space we were not let down by the drinks or food. The beer selections are special and interesting. I started with a Cask Flight. I have never loved cask beers and that held true to the offering here. I won't fault them for that because truthfully I knew I wasn't a fan of cask. I moved on to some DFH and really enjoyed the Namaste. We went for the pork plate for 5 (there were 4 of us) and a skirt steak which we had as an app. The skirt steak was fantastic and the balsamic sauce with it was a great compliment to the meat. The pork plate comes with each of the sausages and a piece of pork shoulder. I liked each of the sausages but I loved the pork shoulder. It had a sweetness that was really nice and not overpowering to steal away the pork taste. We also split an order of the fried mushrooms. I hate mushrooms on a normal day these were incredible. I wish they had more fried items using that batter! The outdoor space didn't provide enough of an outdoor feel but the food and beer lived up to our hopes.
(4)
Mike C.

Damn, what a disappointment. The fact that it was 1/2 full at 7 pm and only thinned out after that should have been a clue. Service was very, very rushed. Good luck getting a second beer or glass of wine at this place, as our server disappeared after she took our order. They got 3 out of 4 orders right. They got the replacement dish out around 15 minutes later. Not so great. Our meals were OK at best. The chicken was bland, the pork shoulder was well cooked, but poorly seasoned. The sausage was tasteless. Mario needs to check out Olympic Provisions to learn how to make sausage. When our server finally returned (the place was empty by now) and we ordered drinks. Some came, some didn't. We ordered from someone else who was wandering around. We ended up getting double orders at the same time. No big deal, as we like booze, but come on. An hour to get a drink is unacceptable anywhere but prison. Mario has obviously spread himself too thin. $$ and not food are the driving force behind this place. I would be embarrassed to have my name attached to this place. Mario, you have and can do a lot better. Do it.
(2)
Arthur A.

Came here for dinner on a Tuesday night; short wait for a table. Food was terrific. Had the fish dinner; fresh, no "fishy" taste/smell. Friend had the skirt steak. Gets a little loud (what do you expect? it's a rooftop beer garden). Good beer and wine. And of course, walking through Eataly after your meal is a bonus to the whole dining experience.
(4)
Justin L.

La Birreria was probably the most hyped portion of the Eataly concept, even if it opened awhile later than everything else. I've walked through Eatlay a lot but never tried it out even though I'm a huge fan of beer bars. One day I was meeting up with a friend who is also a beer junkie, so I finally relented. The whole false exclusivity and host stand downstairs is a crock of shit. When we got up there, the bar was packed but the place was half empty in terms of tables. If that's the case, then why can't you just let me make a reservation in advance? My advice--as bad as this sounds--is to lie if necessary to the hosts downstairs just so you can get upstairs with minimal bullshit. The host stand upstairs is much more accomodating and realistic. The space itself is nice as you can expect, although I'm not sure why they didn't get something with a better view of the city. It defeats the purpose in a way. Service is friendly, knowledgeable and efficient as you can expect. The food is typical Batali: very well done but a bit overpriced and underportioned. I got the Biroldo, which was great. It had been awhile since I had blood sausage and this was a great refresher on why it is awesome; it was full of rich, porky flavor. It was also a decent sized portion all things considered. The cannelini bean salad on the other hand was a but bland, even with the pickled turnips included. My friend had the pork shoulder, one of the more popular things on the menu. I thought it tasted good, though at a much smaller portion and not nearly as enjoyable as my dish. The beer selection at La Birreria has expanded from just Dogfish Head, Birra Del Borgo and Baladin since it opened to include other major American microbrewries--such as Victory, Ommegang and Allagash--as well as some other Euro brands. We stuck to our guns and got Dogfish Head though, which is a partner in La Birreria and perhaps the most innovative brewery on the planet--as well as my favorite. I was ecstatic that I got to try Dogfish Head's new beer, 'Birra Etrusca', which is 2,800 year old ancient recipe from Italy that they've recreated with Balladin and Biraa Del Borgo. It is brewed with hazelnut flour, pomegranates, 2 kinds of honey, gentian root, and myrrh tree resin--yep, got to love Dogfish Head. A version is going to be made by each of the 3 brewers and released in the fall, but the first test batch was brewed by the Dogish Head head brewer and the Eataly head brewer right here at the beer garden. The beer itself was great but hard to describe; kind of like a delicate, subtle barleywine of sorts. Like a lot of ancient recipes it doesn't fit neatly into the modern idea of what mean is supposed to be like. It was delicious never-the-less. The only annoying thing was that the beer was served lukewarm, but it came from a cask so what can you do. I'll be grabbing all 3 versions once it is released, but it's awesome that I was able to try it here first; cool shit like that is one of the main reasons to go to La Birreria. All said this place definitely has its faults, but even Batali can't fuck up a great idea like a rooftop beer garden in the middle of NYC.
(4)
Susan R.

love the bar area great for drinks. Had dinner for the first time and the service was not the best in town. The worst part of it is that after giving a 15 percent tip usually I give 20 normally due to the poor service the manger came to us and gave us an attitude about how little we gave!
(2)
Sheryl S.

This place is amazing! It is the most perfect rooftop beer garden with delicious dishes and a great selection of beer and wine. I went with my besty and we didn't make a reservation but walked around for 20minutes in Eataly before we were called not long at all. There is plenty to eat, drink and buy downstairs before you take the elevator to the top. Lots of modern designer italian kitchenware. They also sell a range of gourmet food and pasta from Barilla to handmade varieties. Once you reach the top the views of the empire state are spectacular and the servers are knowledgable. It was such a lovely perfect night out. The only issue is that my besty is not a petite individual and he was concerned about breaking the skinny designer chairs but they held up he just wasn't that comfortable. Still a memorable night out.
(4)
Chris J.

Food is bland and overpriced, but the real cardinal sin for any beer lover is the short pours. For $10 a pint (for the average alcohol level, mild, run of the mill beers they produce here) you would expect a good full pour but nope. When I asked the server to fill it properly, he said "maybe" and then left until he came back with the check. What? Also, who designed the retractable roof. They seem to have made it block every good view of the flatiron building and empire state building. Whats the point of a pricey rooftop bar if you can't see all that much. Crappy architect, that is for sure. In conclusion: high prices, middling beer, crappy pours, so-so views, and blah service.
(2)
Daniel M.

The food is decent but the service is AWFUL. We had a 6pm reservation on a weekday, nobody was there, and they still tried to rush us out the door. They brought dinner out before we finished our appetizers, which we had been working on all of 5 minutes. To top it off, I ordered a steak and didn't get a steak knife until for another 10 minutes because the waitress never checked on us. So I got to eat a cold steak. Bogus! And oh yeah, their special in house cask beer was warm. Gross. For the price, I expect WAY better service and understanding of what makes a meal enjoyable. Just seems like 5/5 people screwed up their jobs that night.
(2)
Christian R.

If I'm going to be dropping some dollar on small portions of upscale food, I expect a certain experience. Frankly I was appalled by the service and arrogance at this establishment. What to expect: Quality food from Eataly downstairs, wait staff confusion, and a total elitist attitude from the staff. When you think Mario Batali- you think, love of food, friends, family- none of which exist in this trendy, poorly-managed, and pompous arena. I arrived with my date downstairs. We took an elevator up to the 14th floor and then one flight of stairs up. We were greeted with frowns from the hostess and a rugged-looking gentlemen standing behind the counter with the expression "What now?!" written all over his face. For drinks only we were told to stand by the bar. I asked the bartender to elaborate on the types of cheese plates offered but instead of going into detail he just looked at me with a confused look and pointed to the menu, as he seemed to be preoccupied. So we ordered drinks (Chestnut Mild Ale, which is similar to a Guiness) and an assortment of cheeses (Ricotta Fresca, Asiago Fresco, and Taleggio- all for $11) and a side of bread. When I asked our snob host for a table, we were informed that we had to close out our bar tab in order to be seated. This happens. Then he suddenly disappears, mid-sentence, to go off in the corner and play on his tablet. When we finally secured the table, he vaguely pointed to the area where we were going- "you're going to table 32 over there." "where?!" "over there". Meanwhile there was no waiter to help us carry our plates and drinks to the next table- apparently at La Birreria, the staff is too busy seating small parties to provide full service. So we carried them ourselves. Once the food arrived, I was certainly pleased- never a doubt in my mind. As for the atmosphere, it's a nice open space and there seemed to be plenty of room to mingle about but what makes this rooftop bar special I'll never know. Aside from the fact that you are eating the same food Lidia cooks in her kitchen, and perhaps, the beer selection, there's actually no view of the city skyline- just a few Flatiron office windows. Confining and unimpressive.
(2)
Sergio D.

Really? The pork misto meal for 5 was not good.. Servings were ridiculously small and why anyone would suggest it was appropriate for five is beyond me. The pommodoro salad - is it too much to ask for at least one whole tomato sliced with some oil and balsamic vinegar for $12? Not good !
(1)
Cal I.

This place was great! We sat outside it's mostly a rooftop outdoor space when the weather is fitting. The atmosphere is classic New York vibrant, busy, trendy crowd. They had a wonderful Pinot Grigio by the carafe which we had 2 of and was very nice. The lamb chops are stellar! The service was good, not amazing, but good. I would definitely go back.
(4)
Bill R.

If you like bread (other than brown bread) don't go here. No baguette, no french, no Italian, no rolls or sliced white. They sell it on first floor but you "cant bring outside food in" Meats and cheeses were delicious but no bread that i like to pair it with. Beer was tasty as well $12 for small pitcher. BR
(2)
Roey A.

A completely overrated dining experience. An okay meal, with bad service, a limited menu... Also, not a good beer-garden. I went with two friends with an 8pm reservation on a Saturday night. The food was okay, but three items on the menu were not available, making for a depressingly limited menu selection. They even ran out of biscotti. It's baffling to me how a restaurant above an Italian market runs out of anything, let alone biscotti, but they managed to do it. The service was mediocre. Our waiter was knowledge about the menu items and drinks, but twice forgot to bring me my drink. The one highlight was the cheese plate. Overall, if you are looking to a night out and you have to stay around Flatiron (though I'm not sure why that might be), La Birreria is an okay choice. But if your looking for a good meal with good service, I would go elsewhere.
(2)
Jonathan C.

This place was awesome! My review might be slightly biased as I had very good company when I went. I dined with a small party (6) at around 6:00 and they were moderately busy. They do accept reservations so I would highly recommend doing so if you were to visit around peak dining hours. Very casual atmosphere with nice views of the city. I came during winter but I believe it may be open air in the Spring and Summer. For drinks I tried a couple of the cask beers, which as a forewarning are served at the traditional 55 deg (I prefer ice cold but was still nice). They did have a nice selection of wines as well. We started by sharing a salumi plate (for 2). It had a nice selection of meats and was more than enough to share between the 6 of us. For my entree I chose the Cotechino house made sausage over rutabaga mash. It went wonderfully with the "Wanda" cask ale. This was a great meal and perfect if you would like to grab a casual dinner to start off the night.
(4)
Jane N.

Couldn't tell you what my favorite part of this restaurant is. There are simply too many. The restaurant is located at the top of eataly which is full of delicious, authentic Italian food and is a treat jus to walk through. The view from this rooftop restaurant is amazing and the ambiance is really special in the summer time. The food is extremely good as well as the selection of wines and beers. Make sure to order a cheese plate to start!
(5)
Harry A. M.

If you like noise this is da place. In spite of being a rooftop bar the owners have managed to create a noise level exceeding that of a boiler factory. Perhaps there are hidden microphones and speakers to amp up the decibels. Beer is pretty good. Bar food is different and portions are scanty. A few pieces of cheese and some ham, 15 dollars. We were there at 4:30 on a Monday night and it was crowded like the A train. I guess that there are people who like NOISE with their beer.
(2)
Dave K.

Great space, okay food, poor service and an "eh" crowd. Come here if you're a tourist looking for something that you think real New Yorkers like (but would never actually go to).
(1)
David N.

This place has a great setting and views. The food was pretty solid and I had a good time. I think I enjoyed it more because we didn't have to wait very long to get in or get a table. I would say that it probably isn't worth it if there was a long line.
(3)
Peter K.

It is not a beer garden, but an Italian brew pub. Cannot complain about that. It opens pretty late on a weekend. It should be open by lunch at least. Disappointingly there are no views of anything except the top of the Credit Suisse building and Empire State. It is nice that it is open air and you can experience the breeze coming through. We thought we were going to be getting there too late and have to wait to go up, but we were there an hour before it opened and they let us up early. Not bad. The line was massive behind us and there was still enough room for everyone to sit upstairs. Great selection of beer. A lot of Dogfish Head (made in Delaware, by an Italian at least). A very small selection of wine. They do have a weird and confusing way of measuring the beer out though. Keep it simple. We should not have to convert centiliters into ounces. Being engineers we did the math and they certainly were weird conversions like 6.75 ounces and stuff like that. WTF??? Food was good too. The cheese and cured meats were way too overpriced, but everything else was reasonable. Excellent waiter.
(4)
Beatrice G.

Not wanting to propagate negativity , I will refrain from explaining the details in what made our experience horrible. The food was great, but the service from beginning to end killed it. They are not concerned about the customer whatsoever here. All their money is from the steady stream of tourists who will never return. I know I won't.
(1)
Philip O.

Some of the worlds best brewmasters, including Dogfishhead's suds chief and a few italians strikes a unique italian beergarden theme -- already enough said! Add to that a beautiful setting with the Vampire State Building and a historic "skyscraper" with beautiful clock in view. Mario Batali cooking, with small portions, but spectacular and innovative flavors. A unique and humbling experience in terms of flavors, but also the bill. But I'll go back again and again, just not every week.
(4)
Wallie H.

It was a maze just to get in. But when I got upstairs I liked it. It was a great view...Went with a party of 3, I was able to get a table last minute day of, which made me happy. We were seated at a table of 4. I ordered the chicken dish, it was okay, my sister had the pork shoulder, which she loved, and her boyfriend got the steak, I think. Anyway, point is the entrees are okay, nothing crazy...The beers are good too. Now, the management team is just rude. My party increased while we were finishing our food, literally, we had like 4 more bites left. We ended up having two other friends joining us. Making us 5 total (at a table of 4) So my friend sat at the empty chair next to me and the table across from us gave us their extra seat to pull up at our table. I work at a restaurant myself and I can see how this can be annoying, however, we were not in the way of service or bothering any other table. The rude manager Sarah, came to our table and told us that the other two people had to get up, we then told her that we were almost done and wanted them to sit just while we wrap up then we'd get a bottle of wine and head to the bar. She said "no", rudely. When we asked her why her reply was "because you just can't" with so much attitude. It was totally uncalled for. I'm assuming she saw a bunch of young people and assumed we'd be a headache, anyway, at that point we didn't feel welcomed. We got our bill and left. Doubt I'll come back.
(3)
Savannah L.

Great variety of beers and great atmosphere. One of the bartenders is super fun and will dance and sing along to the music!
(4)
Kendra N.

I loved the ambiance and the crowd at La Birreria. Great selection of beers and great rooftop location. However, the food fell short of my expectations and the server was rude. The lamb was actually pretty gross. What I could eat was ok, but there was SO MUCH FAT on the lamb and it took forever to cut around it. By the end of the meal there was a heaping pile of fat on my plate. It was gross, I don't recommend it at all. We also ordered the steak which was ok. The potatoes were really good and the steak was fine just not amazing or unique. When asked about the special of the day we received a very rude response along the lines of "just look at your menu" or something. I'd come here for drinks, not for food.
(3)
Penelope B.

An awesome spot to chill. Good beer, good view and good vibes! Although I am sad they don't offer the Lamb Chops on their Menu anymore, boo!
(4)
Nicole L.

Birreria is a rooftop bar located on the top floor of Eataly, which is typically a market disgused as a madhouse for tourists and lovers of Italian everything. The rooftop restaurant itself is a quiet haven outside of Eataly, but very strangely accessible only via a set of elevators at the back of the store, followed by a flight of steps at the end of a long, windy corridor. It's either a godsend or a shame that Birreria isn't as crowded or as well-known as its ground-floor counterparts, because the food here is amazing -- I had a hanger steak with fingerling potatoes and a mustardy sauce, while my friend had swordfish with fava beans and asparagus. The service is impeccably polite and rest assured that they're knowledgable about their in-house beers. I'm not much of a drinker, but I've heard many people wax poetry about their beer selection so there you go. As many people have already commented, the prices are a bit on the steep side -- it's definitely a place where your wallet will twinge in misery. Having said that, the atmosphere is top-notch, with a retractable roof that offers fresh air and gorgeous views of the sky, which is something I don't see very often in NYC. Ultimately, Birreria is definitely worth at least one visit, by which you can decide for yourself whether it's worth the strange, windy trip back for a second taste.
(4)
Derrick V.

Loved this Eataly rooftop bar. Great way to spend a sunny day in NYC, relaxing with interesting beers and good music. The charcuterie plate and bread/olive oil were great as well.
(5)
Stephanie F.

My very first time at Eataly (even though my college is only a few blocks away) was spent upstairs at the rooftop dinner and bar La Birreria! I love wine and I love rooftop bars, so I was excited to see that after scarfing down burgers and fries at Shake Shack, I could continue my night in a more grown up manner! Navigating through Eataly was a bit difficult as it was crowded. The main level contains all the special gourmet Italian market stuff. But I was here for the rooftop, which I quickly found thanks to a giant sign near the elevator. The elevator took us straight upstairs where we were greeted by a host. She informed us that tables were only available with dinner service. What a shame too. Because at the time we were there, most of the tables were empty but the bar area packed to the brim. My friends and I ordered a carafe of white wine and somehow (magically!!) found stools at the edge of the bar that overlooked the dining room where the ceiling was gone and the stars appeared. Okay, I'll stop being dramatic. It was cloudy and we people watched instead. But I had a good time at La Birreria and I wouldn't mind coming back again. It's less of a rooftop bar and more of a rooftop restaurant. Take my review with a grain of salt as I didn't actually eat here - I just drank here. It was too crowded at the bar to be a "nice" rooftop bar. I'm sure dinner here is much nicer.
(3)
Kim W.

What a great little oasis on top of the world near Union Square - even on a crazy cold day, we enjoyed the rooftop scene for yummy wine, salumi & hipster-sighting. Great way to spend a Sunday afternoon in the city!
(5)
Buo Z.

Cute but very crowded beer hall
(4)
Matthew M.

Was not happy with this place at all--first off I was told this is a "rooftop" bar, but it was not. There are no views of anything and there was one large window open so that was as "rooftop" as it got. In addition, they had a small bar area, but for whatever reason wouldn't let anyone sit down at the tables to drink unless you were ordering food. This is something I understand if there are tons of people there but there were not. Also it was already 10:30pm.
(2)
Rebekah Y.

Loud and crowded, feels tourist trap these days. Locals go elsewhere.
(2)
Gabby B.

I would give this a 3.5 to be totally fair. I love the space of this place and the open sunroof when the weather is nice. Downsides, the service can be delayed and if you're just going to the bar, there's a high chance it's going to be packed. Their beers are good, one time mine arrived room temp which is annoying. I've eaten here too - the pork shoulder is tender and tasty, the meat and cheese plates and the bread are also good options. It's a nice atmosphere, a place to chill after work since it's so close. Eataly is always hit or miss, but try it out!
(3)
Chip R.

If you go up to the 14th floor of Eataly NYC, you will find their open rooftop restaurant/beer garden offering of Birreria. I'd say best to get a reservation here, it looked like a pretty busy place. Birreria had a good many things going for it, and a few that just detracted from the good stuff as well. After checking in downstairs with the hostess at Eataly NYC, we rode up the elevator and hopped up the few steps to Birreria. We had a nice table in the shade but even then it was incredibly hot (yes, it is July). There are fans going to try to help but they seem to have minimal effect. I started out with an awesome refreshing cocktail, Basio Del Limone, that was made from Lemoncello, Prosecco, and Lurisia Gazzosa. Loved it. Chris M. and I got a meat and cheese plate that was wonderful. See my pic I nabbed of it, it says it all. I could have grazed on that all day but of course there has to be room for an entrÃ©e! My entrÃ©e was the Tagliata Di Manzo, which was Bohemian Wagyu Steak with Spring Peas, Roasted Cipollini Onions, Sauteed Mushrooms and Parmigiano Reggiano. This steak was great, nice flavor and cooked perfectly. No complaints with most all of my meal choices, what a nice meal! As far as my meal experience goes here, I'd say 5 stars. I'd have to say that I think most of their menu is on the expensive side. There is a bit of sticker shock if you go hog wild and get everything that looks good, so be aware of that. It's not the cheapest place to get your eats/drinks by far. It is a huge factor to take into consideration. Also, and I guess I have saved this one for last, our server was as disinterested in giving us a good experience as he could be. He acted like it was a complete drudgery to handle our table and requests, like we were taking up his time. While he was just laughing away with coworkers at the register, all that went away when he came back to the table. After his shift was over, a new server starting on the table next to us started going over the specials...and it slowly dawned on us that we never heard the specials! Just a total lackluster service experience. These points ring in at a 2 star factor in looking at Birreria. So going with the average between 5 (from the meal factor above) and 2 stars, I get 3.5...I've rounded up to 4 as I just really enjoyed the meal and the look of the place. Bottom line: All in all, a 3.5 star experience at Birreria. Awesome meal and drinks, was not let down here in this department. I like the feel of the rooftop beer garden aspect, but it can get hot up there. Our server was phoning it in the whole time, just a lackluster effort. Expensive if you let yourself go here. However, the food and drink make it worth the visit.
(4)
Amit A.

Ehhh..pricey beers, they don't have liters and the service sucks....they have so many people in red shirts walking around, but only 20% of them probably work the tables
(2)
Courtney K.

I had very high expectations for eating here (it was my first time at Eataly too) and was underwhelmed. Everything on the menu is super small portions and way overpriced. I got the lamb which sounded great (pesto, tomato, and grilled onion garnish) but the piece of meat was extremely fatty and probably the worst lamb I've had. The beer is $10 a glass which is ridiculous even by NY standards. My friend got the duck and seemed to like that, maybe I should've ordered that one instead. Next time I go to eataly I will for sure stick with the pastas downstairs.
(2)
nina b.

This is a place that is iconic social scene in NYC and a good place to try at least one time. I was very jet lagged when I came here so my review might be grumpy. I asked the wait for Splenda 3 times! I had the fish. The fish was just ok. It wasn't the most amazing fish. Compare to L'artusi or even Gali. For a mario batali restaurant my expectations were set high. My friends ordered the pork and they all loved there meals. The weather was amazing and had a good crowd of people. Could use better customer service training.
(3)
Sammy B.

The portabello mushrooms are to die for! So heavenly! But we were rushed to get out -- we were repeatedly approached and asked if we were done; after we said no, they still brought us the check. Hmph! Very packed, quite happening with the happy hour, young professional (and good looking, might I add!) crowd.
(4)
Victoria L.

I love this place. It's such a chill setting. You can sit down and talk and take your time to eat/drink. Only thing I don't like is that if you sit down then you have to order at least an appetizer and they also don't take reservations on the night of. Food menu isn't very big compared to their beer and wine menu, but other than that, no major complaints.
(4)
Samantha H.

Took my parents for a nice lunch and they loved it. The beer selection was nice and I was glad to see they had cider because that's my prefer beverage. The food was well prepared and tasted fresh! My favorite was the fried quail. Well cook and so tender! I would order it again! Plus it's on a rooftop but although it was hot out they have shade and fans to help you cool off.
(4)
Lauren F.

It pains me to give Birreria just an average review. After being an Eataly fan, I really wanted it to be great. This rooftop restaurant has such potential! My experience, however, wasn't ideal. PROS: - Amazing atmosphere. You feel like you're on vacation up on the roof. - Great beer selection for beer fans and drink selection for those who aren't - You are seated immediately with a reservation CONS: - It was a summer day but sooo hot. We were sitting in the glaring sun. A few fans would have been very helpful. - The food didn't do it for me. There are such great options downstairs, I wish some of them would have made it to Birreria. We went for lunch time and everything was either not our taste or just very heavy (more for dinner.) I would definitely return if they added to their limited food menu!
(3)
Unknown Consumer S.

Subject: Birreria Review - Summer Weekday Evening Dinner Q4'15 Birreria certainly has the potential to be a great establishment. However, this less than satisfied patron has a displeasing review. Minuses: -Over an HOUR wait for a table -Very small size bar aka waiting area for dinner service -Very hot and humid during a NYC summer, they need serious fan coverage -When busy, dinner service is very slow. Understandable to a certain point... Pluses: -Amazing beer selection -Fantastic array of food selection -Taste was good May return, may not. If I do, it will be right when they open or right before the close. NO peak hours!
(2)
Joanie K.

it's a great space in theory but if you come during peak hours, forget it. you will be crushed by people. however, bar tenders have been great in getting drinks out quickly considering how many people come for drinks, i wish they would shrink the actually seating area to include more standing space. also, considering that they refuse to seat people if more people show up. on the plus side, they sell kombrewcha!!
(2)
Andie H.

Came here for one beer on a random Monday after lunch at the Pizza place downstairs. I was expecting more based on all the hype it got. It is certainly NOT a beer garden and to call it one is ridiculous. It's more of a restaurant with a bar than anything else. On top of that, it's not even really a rooftop since you really can't see any other buildings. Still a nice place. There weren't too many people there and we were able to get a seat at the bar right away (again keep in mind this is a Monday at like 1 pm). I, as well as my date, are really big beer people, and therefore obviously had to try the beer. We each got one. As a cask beer, it was served much too cold, so we let it sit for a bit so that it was able to warm up. Upon tasting, oh my god it was fantastic. I had the beer with the thyme in it, and it was absolutely incredible. I could not get enough of the smell and the flavors. Didn't have anything to eat but the food around us looked pretty darn good. Menu was pricey, but again, you're at Eataly, what do you expect? I can't imagine it's a super fun place for happy hour because I have heard it gets very crowded. All in all, a good place though!
(3)
cheryl k.

AWFUL service and so-so food! WAY too noisy and so many tourists... simply AWFUL. if only I could give it ZERO stars. won't be back ever!
(1)
Lizz H.

Some of the reviews for this place should be thrown out. If you're rating based on price or the wait-time, you shouldn't be living in NYC. Its an affordable luxury by a celebrity chef and is accessible to tourists. What do you expect? Ratings should be based on actual food, service, ambiance and overall experience. I solidly rate Birreria 5-stars. My fiancee and I went on Friday afternoon (3pm) and opted for a spot at the bar rather than the wait-list for a table. This place is huge and unlike most bars/restaurants is kept AT capacity so there is actual walking space and people are not hovering 6 rows deep to get food or drinks. This also helps to keep the noise level down. The frosted roof (when closed) gives the place a lovely (non-humid) green house effect. It mutes the light nicely but still makes you feel like you're outside. The cask beers are $10 (as mentioned in other reviews) but they are also very inventive, delicious and STRONG. Don't drink the beer unless you actually enjoy drinking beer because this is not the kind of beer made for keg stands and chugging. For a light lunch, we decided to share a 3-cheese plate and the skirt steak. The cheese was delicious, especially the house made ricotta with honey. The skirt steak was the best I've ever had. Completely tender, cooked perfectly medium rare and served on a well seasoned salsa verde. The staff was BEYOND friendly and informative. We were amazed at the attention and explanations and amount of "tastings" that they gave to everyone at the bar. Beer may be $10/pint but they make sure you like it before you buy it. I will definitely go there again though knowing the crowds that this place attracts, will continue to stay away from high traffic/tourist times like after-work on weekdays and weekend nights.
(5)
Steven S.

Birreria, which is what you will have in the morning after consuming too many fermented beverages, is the new Eataly beer garden, a partnership between the Batali/Bastianich foodie empire and the three craft brewers--Sam Calagione (aka God) of Dogfish Head, Leonardo Di Vincenzo of Del Borgo, Teo Musso of Baladin (awesome bottle font)--who refer to themselves as the Birreria brothers. Try pronouncing that word after drinking a few pints of their product. Better yet, ask your Japanese friends to say it (and then again when *they're* drunk). The idea here was to create an awesome new addition to what is already the most enormous speciality food purveyance emporium in the known universe. I was so eager to visit, I stood in line the first day it opened for 2 hours, ultimately giving up when I was told there would be another 3 hour wait. I returned early the next day and made it in with the first wave of people at 5:30. Leaving after 8 pm later, there was still quite a long line--they only let eight people in every 5 minutes, and I have to say, it never felt particularly crowded on the rooftop despite the hordes of people trying to get in. So kudos for that. Let me explain why I'm only giving Birreria three stars, despite its fine, rooftop location (with a view of nothing, by the way), my obsession with craft beer (particularly Dogfish Head), and the high standard of food, drink, and service ensured by the Batali (fellow Rutgers paison) imprimatur. Number one, it's too hard to get in. This will likely change when the initial euphoria dies down and the place opens for lunch (and, uniquely for a "beer garden," accepts reservations), but, then again, the initial euphoria over Eataly still seems pretty euphoric, and it's unlikely that Eataly's perfect storm of tourist shitshow and location at the b&t douchebag crossroads of New York will abate any time soon. Their bottom line is probably counting on it. Number two, they haven't quite figured out the proper formula for a beer garden atmosphere. Birreria is more like a fancy restaurant that attempts to look down market (cheap looking red chairs) but serves expensive beer and food. I guess the yuppies and tourists can delight in the idea they're slumming it by drinking outside (not really, since the "garden" is fully enclosed) and eating typical bar foods (with exotic Italian names and premium ingredients, like a pork sausage containing gelatinous pig skin) in a festive, public garden environment (which is, again, hard to get into and quite expensive, so not exactly a venue for the general populace). You usually expect long tables in a beer garden, but Birreria is mostly a restaurant with regular table service and a marble bar on one side where you will probably not get a seat. OK, if that's what they want. The restaurant service is almost too good. I felt like 15 people were solely dedicated to our table. They were very sweet, but it was overbearing. One of them kept removing my coaster whenever I didn't have a drink. Dude, I'm getting another drink; you can remove the used coaster when I leave. Maybe I'm harping too much on the "beer garden" idea, but I do think too many restaurants are opening in New York that attempt to fake some sort of authentic style or atmosphere but just end up being as pretentious, expensive, and totally not-relaxing as all the others. Sorry to pick on you, Birreria. You're making a good effort, I suppose. Consider this friendly advice from a beer lover who is not at all averse to fine dining and good food but goes into a beer oriented establishment expecting something very specific. You're not there yet. Seriously, it's cool that you serve wine out of barrels, but beer in a carafe? Give me a break. Number three, it's too expensive for casual drinking. The beer is great and all, but $10 for a pint? That's fucking insane. It basically prices most people out of really enjoying this place except what I have to assume is their target market of rich assholes and trust funded hipsters (not, admittedly, much in evidence here). OK, you have a few $7 options, but the house brew and Birreria brothers craft options are what we're coming for, and, though a friend pointed out to me that $10 is not much more than the $6-8 beers you'll find at most New York bars, I countered that in dollar terms it's not much more, but in percentage terms it's like 50% more expensive (in true Eataly fashion, I guess), and if you have like 5-6 beers, that adds up. It's not nothing. And it's good beer, but it's not so fantastic it's worth the trouble and expense. The bottled beers they sell are also indicative of their pricing structure. A bottle of Dogfish Head Sah'tea, for example, one of my favorites generally costs around $10 or less at Whole Foods, etc. At Birreria, the same bottle will run you $24. I've heard of markups for wine, but 140%? Jesus Christ! The food menu looks OK, but I didn't eat much. Those house made sausages are basically just fancy hot dogs. $10.
(3)
Gloria C.

Came here labor day weekend with a pretty large group. It was about 12:20 and we were still far from done with our food and drinks and the waiter brought us our check. Knowing that we still had about 40 minutes to eat and drink, we took our time and attempted to finish up. The waiter comes back over in about 5 minutes and asks us to pay. It would've been a different situation if he had politely said "We're going to close soon and I'd like to take that off your hands". But no. Maybe he was having a bad day or something but it was not the best ending to a great night we could have potentially had there.
(2)
Nina R.

great food, great service and fantastic beer selection. go for the the DFH Raison D'ÃŠtre its an all time favorite -- but their own house brews are also pretty darn good as well. also to be noted they have custom beer glasses with measurements to the centiliter; makes it fun when someone asks you how much you've drank :P
(5)
Chris P.

Great setup, love rooftop dinning and drinking. They have pretty tight crowd control so the bar never gets crazy. The menu has some good items, but nothing out of this world. Their sausages were tasty but surprised I could not find any spicy sausage on the menu, nice mushroom selections, had the fried shiitake which were very tasty. Great beer selection (but pricey) and decent all Italian wine list. Will be back, do yourself a favor and make a reservation makes it all much easier.
(3)
Andrew M.

Having been recommended Birreria by a few people we decided to take our friends who were visiting from out of town. It was the worst dining experience I have had in New York. Food - very average and not value for money. We all had the steak and although it was nice it arrived lukewarm. The mash potato accompanying it was grey and lumpy and seemed like it was packet mash. The fried shiitake mushrooms were nice but very dry. Not the main reason for 1 star Service - absolutely terrible, the only time we saw our server was when he took the food and drinks order. It took 10 minutes for the waiter to come and ask us if we wanted drinks. Then another 10 minutes to take the food order and that was the last we saw of him. He didn't once come back to see if we needed more drinks or anything else. In fact we had to ask another server to take a drinks order. I could understand if it was very busy it was not. All in all your money is better spent elsewhere.
(1)
Evan L.

B&B should quite literally be embarrassed to put their name on La Birreria. The market is great, the reputation precedes itself, but they clearly have not set foot on the rooftop in ages because if they did they would find a restaurant that has none of the old-world, authentic charm they deign to create. I can not express the level of my disappointment anymore thoroughly. Based on our experience, the self-loathing that is omnipresent at LBstarts at the top - they need to purge the entire staff, and find people that are proud to work in this environment, otherwise they will continue to suffer from a shrinking reputation that may come from overextension of an Empire. Upon prompt arrival for our 9pm reservation, our party of six was sat at a pretty nice table near the back. Ten minutes passed before we were approached by our server, who was quite unfriendly. One of our out-of-town guests asked "do you have pasta" (they don't), only to receive a very snappy "NO pasta, NO pizza" followed by an eyeroll. We proceeded to order a round of beer from their in-house brewery - our drinks didn't arrive until 9:2. Once the beer arrived, we ordered appetizers - an overly battered and heavily fried mushroom dish as well as their panzanella salad, which was the size of a CD. Definitely not a sharable portion, but at least it was drenched in dressing and barely palatable. As the clock struck 9:30, our now heavily annoyed & unhappy server urged us to order as "the kitchen closes soon." Our apologies, I guess, as we were essentially ignored for a half hour and now the onus is on us to rush. But order we did, picking through the very limited scope of food on the menu - two orders of lamb chops, one order quail, one order chicken, and two orders steak - one medium, one medium well. The food came out fast - too fast, evidenced by the embarrassing preparation. I have accompanied this review with pictures for perusal to show that *the lamb was charred on the outside (yum!) and literally PURPLE on the inside (wow!) *the steak was bloody and red (um, this is medium?) and nearly inedible - we didn't order tartare, my friends. While nearly everyone at the table was (literally) disgusted by our meat, we tried to catch the server's attention - not an easy task, as he was embroiled in an internal fight with another server and somebody from the back of the house that may or may not have been a chef. By the time our server did acknowledge our table, we showed him the three dishes that were unpalatable. "What do you want me to do," was his response. Very interesting - no apology, no solution, just attitude. "Can you have them cooked properly?" we responded. He scoffed, took the plates and returned with - get this - an offer of pork shoulder, which none of us had ordered, "because it's a quick dish for the kitchen to prepare." NO we don't want to change our orders at the last minute - we want what we ordered! He once again told us that the kitchen is "nearly closed" so instead he offered to take them off of our bill, showing all of the anger of a man both dissatisfied with his job and enraged by the tip amount decreasing by the minute. This was not, of course, a proper resolution, as we came to the restaurant and eat - not be regaled by the histrionics of a staff that is completely in disarray, as we noticed yet another imbroglio occurring near the cash register, obviously revolving around our unappetizingly prepared dishes. At this point, I searched for the manager. Not an easy task, as we found her hiding in the kitchen. I say 'hiding,' because as soon as one of the nicer staff (a busboy) garnered her attention, she knew immediately which table I represented and said brusquely "we already took the dishes off your bill, I don't know what else I can do." Subsequently, she started to defend the kitchen, "well, you guys did order right before the kitchen closed. . ." No we didn't - we made reservations at 9 and we sat at 9, and we ordered at 9:30. If incompetent management can't complete the order/service cycle in a half hour, there are greater problems than our order. Either way, I didn't want to make a scene so I walked back to the table where our discounted bill was $246. It literally saddens me to write this review. I had very high expectations for my meal at La Birreria, and was disappointed in every fashion. The service was atrocious, the food was woefully undercooked, we were rushed to order and through our meal, and the manager did little to rectify the problem. Additionally, it was clear that there is a major disconnect between the back of the house & the wait staff and that was evident by the multiple, public bickerings between staff members ON the restaurant floor. I will say one sizable positive about LB - it is a very nice venue with a sizable rooftop patio enveloped by great views of the city, the sky, the moon & stars.
(1)
Katie P.

Very cool atmosphere on the rooftop. We came on a nice day so they open the roof and you are outside. Menu left something to be desired. It was mainly meats and cheeses. We decided since we had a big group and none of the entrees really jumped out at us to do a cheese sampler platter and the sausage sampler. Cheese were good. Came with lots of bread and honey. We added olives and fried mushrooms. Fried mushrooms were amazing. Sausages were good as well just kind of a random meal if you're not a huge meat eater. I liked the blood sausage the best. We also ordered the lamb which was very good! All in all it was a cool atmosphere but I'm not a huge meat eater so I probably won't go back.
(2)
Elsie W.

Maybe the bad reviews made it easy for me to have zero expectations. Maybe I was in a good mood after passing by a filming of the new Spiderman movie (I saw him! I saw him!). Maybe it was just one of those perfect summer days, when the wind is optimal and the sun is peeking out coyly and my white dress survives the day without accidental chocolate/bbq/food spills. To get to the roof, you must enter through the entrance on 23rd St, pass the cashiers, to the left, to the brown wall where the elevators are, and take it up to 14th floor. The other way is to enter through the main entrance and either surf through the mob of impatient shoppers or tackle all of them. A table for 3. They said the wait would be an hour. It was indeed crowded up there on the roof of Eataly, a mecca of Italian goodies for tourists AND locals regardless of the time of day. But then 10 minutes later they texted and said our table was ready. Whew. Most people were crowding around the bar area anyway. I had been studying the menu and Yelp reviews for two days prior to this moment. But nothing prepared me for the surprisingly tasty meal. Got my sauvignon blanc ($13 for 250mL) and got my cheeses (5 for $15) that came with honey. Complimentary bread and olive oil. I skipped lunch for this. Let's move along. Funghi Misti ($15): Amazing assortment of roasted mushrooms! The crushed peas added a nice touch. Jae C said, "I've never had mushrooms like this!!" Pork Shoulder ($22): At first, I bit into it and thought it was just another pork shoulder, just decent, may be dry, looks better than it tastes, and THENNNN I got a piece of the juicy fatty part. Jae C said, "I've never had pork shoulder like this!!" Probusto ($21): Beef and pork sausage. It was okay. I appreciated the bed of braised red cabbage underneath. DESSERT! Panna cotta: In the running for #1 panna cotta -- AMAZINGGGGGGGGGG. Tre: It would've been a great dessert if I didn't have the panna cotta first. Still good, especially if you're into chocolate mousse. Service sucks, but I'm not taking a star off. With the great view and airy space, delicious food, good company, what more can you ask for?
(5)
Carey R.

A nice atmosphere and yummy beer selection make this a popular spot in Eataly. The service is ok, with eager bus boys removing our bread (and not offering more) before we were ready. We had to wait over 45 mins for our food, which our server continually apologized for and gave us a free beer while we waited. While the food was good, it wasn't worth the wait and I think there are plenty of other places to eat in NYC that are better.
(3)
Maria W.

My friends and I came here because we wanted to experience a rooftop bar/restaurant before the summer ended. It was also my first time in Eataly. But, this review is for La Birreria, so that's what I'll talk about. First, it is a little hard to find the elevator that leads up to the place. Even though my friend has been there before, we still had to ask for directions. Second, the elevator leading up to the place is hidden behind a little desk with one attendant. I don't know what he was doing or selling. And third, after we got into the elevator, there is two small flights of stairs that we still had to climb to get there. We had a reservation for 6:00pm, so the two hostesses told us to go ahead to the bar before our other two friends arrived. It was 5:30pm and the bar was already packed. There was barely any room to stand, let alone order a drink. But we managed to order and pay for some wine and beer at the very end of the bar. (When we left, the bar was overflowing with people. I guess this is expected, as rooftop bars are prime spots for socializing after work.) Once it turned 6:00 and another friend showed up, the hostess let us to our table. The restaurant area has more room and feels airier, probably due to the sliding roof panels that let in the natural sunlight. (There were workers who slid them open and closed because there was a threat of some rainfall.) When the entire party was there, we ordered the 7 cheeses and 1 meat plate. It came with bread and honey and was delicious. We ran out of bread at one point and they gave us extra bread, for free. After the food, we had all three desserts. They were all in tiny glasses and were beautifully presented. I feel like I could've eaten all of one dessert, but we shared, because that's what friends do. :) The service was good, but there was only one waitress for the entire restaurant area. Even though the busboys were helping her keep an eye on the tables, I think she could have used some help. I would come back for the food and to try the different wines and beers, but the bar area turns me off. So if you're looking for a nice, quiet area to relax after work, I wouldn't recommend the bar. The restaurant area would probably be better to relax and hear what your companions are saying.
(3)
laura d.

Do not even attempt this place on a humid day. There is no air conditioning and it gets very crowded near the bar. The dining area is just as uncomfortable as the bar area which is seperated by a rope. They only have a few ceiling fans throughout the bar and restaurant. This would probably be a great spot on a nice fall day. The only releif we had was the amazing gelato bar on the first floor, which closes at 11pm so plan wisely.
(1)
Tommy K.

Good service, and quick to serve the drinks to the table. We did not go to the bar area since it was a max capacity. The fish of the day was delicious - halibut with grapefruit and some sort of hash. Cooked perfectly. Their salads are fresh and hearty. Good beer selection, and their house brews are good. Overall, crowded, loud, and expect a wait during prime time. Worth to check out when it's warm and sunny. Good food, though can get pricy.
(3)
Adrienne G.

The brussel sprouts are a MUST!! The ricotta and honey is so so so good as well. I will have to have this every time I come to NYC now!
(5)
Kelsey K.

The awesome beer menu with a ton of interesting beers and the atmosphere are probably the best things about this place. I was here this past Saturday for dinner with friends. Even though it had been well over 80 degrees all day, none of us had any problems with it being too hot, and our table was in direct sunlight. The rooftop vibe is great, though like other people have mentioned, it's not really a "true" rooftop as it is mostly enclosed. Still, pretty great place to spend an evening with a group. The bar area was pretty packed when we got there as was the dining area. Definitely make a reservation if you want to sit down and eat. We had a 6:30 reservation and overheard that the wait was already an hour. I also would recommend going on the earlier side. People seem to linger here for a while (which is awesome, and you should absolutely linger if you come here) and I would imagine that later reservations may suffer somewhat because of this. The beer was great, I think the carafe is the best bang for your buck though there are a ton of unique beers on the menu. The wine list is fairly limited, but I mean it's called La Birreria, not sure what else you would expect. The food was also pretty good, though I actually think it's the low point for this place. We split an appetizer as well as a couple of cheeses. The cheeses were great, though portions are pretty small so next time I would order several if ordering for a group. We all enjoyed our entrees a lot (fish, pork shoulder, steak, and Portobello mushrooms), but the portions were SO small if you have anything more than a small appetite. Seriously, I know I have an above average appetite but we were all hungry a few hours after we left. We actually ate again at a bar later that night. I usually expect to feel like I want to unbutton my pants a bit after indulging at an Italian restaurant, but that was definitely not the case here. I didn't mind the not feeling like I was going to barf, but I did mind spending a fair chunk of change on dinner and having to eat again a few hours later. All in all, a great place to go for a leisurely dinner with a fun group of people. I would go back again, but maybe just for drinks and apps in the bar area next time.
(4)
Johnny N.

Housed above a high end market (Eataly), I am pretty impressed by the kind of food they served here. Very well prepared, well presented and a beer list that goes on forever. I do love the atmosphere in this place and how can you not be in awe with the rooftop view - the Empire State is your backdrop. A great place to unwind your day with your friends having a few glasses of gourmet beer. And get a piatto di formaggi (cheese plate) and try out their array of delicious cheeses.
(4)
Tiffany T.

Skirt steak, was so soft and flavorful. Perfectly cooked medium rare and packed with flavor. Brussels sprouts in balsamic reduction and bacon is solid. Kale salad with pomegranate and grapefruit had a nice texture and melded really well with the sweet tartness of the fruits. Olive oil used for dipping is also so yummy. Service was subpar as it was difficult to get the attention of a waiter, but the food made up for it. It's definitely conflicting because it's a beer garden with pricey high end food.
(4)
Marcus C.

Huge fan. Within Eataly, to get to the Birreria, just go to the restrooms on the ground floor. The elevators to this bar is just beyond the person behind the computer screen whose purpose can be hard to decipher. He/she is guarding the elevator! You could tell the person that your party wishes to hang out at the bar or you could tell the person you wish to have dinner upstairs. You'll probably be told that there's at least an hour's wait. Just say okay - they'll take your phone number and text you when your table is available. It doesn't matter - everything available at this extremely busy bar is also what is served for dinner anyway. Take the elevator up to the 14th floor, then walk up one flight to the fifteenth. Finally, you've made it! Food: any food order comes with free bread and olive oil! I recommend the pork shoulder and the beef & pork combination sausage. The beers are always so interesting. The wines, too! They change every month or so - any recommendation I write now may be stale by next week. Service: honestly, they are great, but they take too long because they're so busy. This venue is a victim of its own success in this regard and therefore loses one star because of it. Crowd control isn't that great, either, but most people are classy and sociable. Decor: This is apparently New York City's highest brewery. It has a retractable roof and is gorgeous during cool summer evenings. It's probably worth it just to come for the ambiance. I shall return again. This was my third visit (at least).
(4)
Ken K.

A rooftop brewpub with walls like a greenhouse in downtown Manhattan? Yup, they've certainly got the location part down. Not much beats this place in terms of atmosphere and restaurant location. On the first floor is this massive Italian supermarket that also has a half-dozen small counters to buy freshly made food to eat at one of the numerous tables scattered about. I've never seen anything like it. Then again, I've never been to New York City before. The only problem is that Birreria is a little bit difficult to find. There's an elevator tucked into the back of the massive space if you know where to look, and I didn't, so it took several minutes of wandering. Maybe that's just how they whet your appetite? Once upstairs, the views are amazing, and the beer ain't bad either. They focus on cask ales freshly made (I believe on location) to provide the best flavor possibly. On my visit they had three of their own casks on tap - a Christmas ale, a thyme pale ale, and a chestnut brown ale. I was on an empty stomach and only tried the latter two, but both were fantastic. I give kudos to not overdoing anything and letting subtle complexities rule the beverage. While the menu looked tempting, I had my eyes set on another gourmet prize in town, so I did not partake. That will have to come another day. My only criticism would be that the bar area isn't big enough for the late afternoon work crowd. Much of the restaurant was empty while the seats at the bar and standing room was densely populated. I'm sure that ratio flips during dining hours, however, so that criticism doesn't have much to stand on.
(4)
Amanda H.

I was so excited to try this place, I heard about the great atmosphere. When I got there, they made me wait in line to just get up, even though my friends were waiting for me upstairs and I was part of the reservation. We told them we were going to be 4 people but a 5th would be joining us later. Something about the acoustics with the music, we couldn't even hear each other talk. We had a fine meal, and then when our 5th friend showed up (we were celebrating a good friends birthday), the host came up to us, without a smile on her face telling us they don't take joiners and our other friend would have to leave. It was insanely rude. She had just pulled up a chair which fit at the table. We felt so uncomfortable, and even though we had still a half bottle of wine left, we felt that we had to leave, even though we were celebrating a friend's birthday. The rude-faced hostess was pacing around our table as we were paying the bill. I have never felt less welcome before. Our waitress apologized, telling us she didn't make the rules and felt uncomfortable as well.
(1)
Ro N.

This is my second time coming here. First time, I came here with M and it was on a Friday night and it was crazy. This time I came here with A and it was Monday, so pretty much dead and I prefer the latter. Since I couldn't stand this place when there were too many people. The bartenders were cool and they have the best hearing, somehow they heard our order through the loud music.
(3)
Kimberly M.

Finally ate dinner here after living in the city for 2 years. I was buzzed upon arrival so the barrels of goodness behind the bar looked even better. An all around great atmosphere and a must-do while in Manhattan. The brussel sprouts are fantastic and I had the Bohemian steak. As some of the reviews noted, service is just okay. Not spectacular but not terrible.
(4)
Sandy L.

Who doesn't love everything Italian? Thus why you need to get yourself into Eataly and up to La Birreria, NOW! The entrance to the Birreria is on the far South West corner of the huge building. They've got lots of beer, great appetizers and very tasty entrees. I've been there during HH as well as dinner and both were very enjoyable experiences. The rooftop is so fun during the warm months when they open the top and you can see the sun setting to the West and the stars and night lights start to come out. It's very fun and a perfect setting for post-work activities and dinner dates. I'm a huge fan of the meat and cheeses here. They don't have mix plates so you have to order them separately but don't let that deter you from trying. A few different meats mixed with cheeses will leave you extremely satisfied paired with some of their featured wines. We also tried their fish and pork shoulder and both were extremely well prepared and plentiful! My only recommendation is that you arrive EARLY as the lines for either the bar area or the dinner dining section can have quite a line.
(4)
Sarah O.

Love this place. The duck is amazing. The portobello and goat cheese is crazy good. The sausages are wonderful. The hazelnut honey is something straight out of a sexual fantasy. Service is very attentive and always cheerful. Beer list is obviously awesome although the house made beers are definitely not up to par with the other selections.
(5)
Paul H.

"Life is too short not to eat well" - Eataly DECOR: 4/5 -Never knew Eataly had a rooftop beer garden! I love the ambiance. Located at the top floor, it's such a perfect environment to kick back and catch up with your friends. -I love the incorporation and use of the iPads for hosts and servers. SERVICE: 3/5 -They wanted to charge us $5 to cut a cake we brought from Paris Baguette, each person. WTF?! -Other than the above, the service was decent. Waters were filled without any requests -Automatic grauity of 20% for large parties of 5+ -The whole party must be present to be seated at tables. FOOD: 4.5/5 -Piatto misto ($90) was plenty for six people. You get two portions of the pork shoulder, 2 links of Probusto, 6 Cotechino (pork sausage), 6 Biroldo (blood sausage) and your choice of three contorni (we picked broad beans, carrots and olive oil smashed potatoes) -The pork shoulder is beer-braised that is cooked long enough that the meat shreds off with ease. The flavor is explosive and was my favorite part of the Piatto misto. -The Probusto is tied with the Cotechino. If you've ever had Taiwanese sweet sausage, you'll be reminded of that with the Cotechino. -The blood sausage is okay and not the greatest. -Of the Contorni, my favorite was the carrots with mustard followed by the smashed potatoes. I did not get a chance to try the broad beans. Next time I will try the Shiitake Fritti Con Salvia!
(4)
alan s.

I've been here a few times but for a drink and appetizers. This time I came here with a group of 6 for dinner and we were disappointed. 4 of us ordered the steak which came out cold and congealed as if they had been out a little too long (note: steaks come out sliced into 6 pieces). The steaks were taken back and "reheated" (who reheats already sliced steak?) and were returned at room temperature. The fish was dry. The lamb chops were actually pretty good but also cold. Brussel sprouts were cold and unremarkable. The manager came over when she saw our dissatisfaction. She said she would ensure new steaks are fired up but instead we received our original cold food. She wasn't very helpful. This place may have jumped the shark.
(2)
Lawrence L.

I followed the recommendations and had the pork shoulder - for lunch it was in sandwich form with argula on the sides. No complaints - it was indeed good. I do have a bone to pick with this place, and it's that my friend's dish didn't have much of a bone to pick....or meat for that matter. He ordered the lunch portion of the Leg of Lamb served on Polenta. Sounds good, until you actually see it - just a few shreds of lamb meat on a huge dollop of polenta. The serving staff didn't pay us much heed so we didn't even have a chance to complain. Rudeness all around, actually. What a disappointment!
(2)
Stephanie H.

Amazing place! The location and view is wonderful! Have had a number of business meetings there and always a good experience. The staff is very knowledgeable on all of the food items and always have a great recommendation based on what you are in the mood for. If you want to taste an amazingly delicious and light dessert I recommend the Tre.
(5)
Christina F.

Would give it 3.5 stars if possible. It's nice - crowded, but tables have ample space in between. Quite noisy, as most beer gardens are. Nice selection of cheeses, charcuterie, etc. Friendly and helpful staff. Not a place I frequent all the time, but definitely nice every once in awhile!
(3)
S C.

The wait staff is always taking forever because it's just so busy! The food is good, great beer selections. Don't come here starving, you might end up starving to death!
(3)
Teresa B.

This beautiful rooftop bar and eatery is the perfect place to displace the husbands when family is visiting from out of town. It's a win/win when the men get to go to the 14th floor and order from the wide variety of casks of beer, while the women are able to meander through everything that is awesome about the Eataly marketplace. Chocolate, cheese, charcuterie and gelato for the ladies. Capped off by a nice wine when we again meet up with the men in a gorgeous locale.
(5)
Kelly O.

Lovely roof deck, but gets ridiculously packed. Everything is wicked expensive here and so it's not the kind of place I could afford to hang out all night at, but the $10 house made chestnut beer I had, while way too pricey, was unique and tasty and I'm glad I checked it out.
(3)
Nina K.

Such great food and experience, from the array of beers to the steak and to the spectacular view. One of my favorite spots in the city. I look forward to next time.
(5)
Sarah R.

This is not a restaurant -- it's a beer garden with a food menu that should only be used in case of emergencies. And even still, the staff may not be able to recommend which beer to order. Simply put, our party of 6 ended the meal hungry (still nibbling on the very mediocre bread we had received nearly two hours prior), and worried about food poisoning. Half of the meals we ordered were alarmingly under-cooked and our attempt to make that known seemed like nothing more than a nuisance to the underwhelming and clearly unhappy staff. Yet, the main reason for the single star rating is the true lack of service at La Birreria. Walking into that restaurant, despite the beautiful setting and our spacious corner table overlooking the city, felt like walking into a room full of people talking about you, with only negative things to say. The staff didn't want us there - they wanted to go home, and they made that clear when they started stacking chairs on tables and mopping the floors before our uneaten plates were even cleared from the table. If the restaurant caterers itself to tourists then it does a terrible job welcoming outsiders to a city known largely for its food culture; and if the restaurant caterers itself to locals, then it does a terrible job representing what it feels like to be a true New Yorker. Oh, and a bit of advice to those who venture for a meal at La Birreria: don't bother asking if this Italian restaurant (remember, "Italy is Eately") serves pasta or pizza. You might as well walk in and ask if you can order a side of rice and beans.
(1)
Danielle L.

Birreria is hands down one of the most relaxed, refreshing, laid-back atmosphere rooftop restaurants around. I'm pretty happy it's still kind of a hidden gem. When most come to Eataly, I don't think they are aware that there is a beer garden 14 floors above them that brews their own beer!! Bonus. We started off with appetizers downstairs then eventually made our way upstairs for our main meal and drinks. My husband, Mom and I each had one of their three House Ales - on cask!! My husband had Wanda, Chestnut Mild Ale - darker, bitter beer that he enjoyed very much. My Mom had Gina, Thyme Pale Ale - not my favorite but she really enjoyed it with the definite Thyme flavor, and I had Ruby, American Ale - between the Wanda and Gina, and a great beer. We also got a sampler of the cask beers as well as a glass of the Barbera wine, quartino (250mL). They also have 1/2 carafe (500mL) and full carafe (750mL). We started with a cheese plate which arrived to our table VERY quickly; containing Asiago, Robiola (similar to a brie) and Taleggio (similar to a Manchego). This was the only downside...the rather large plate came containing only three very tiny pieces of cheese with a side of honey with 2 chestnuts. I would have liked to see either a smaller plate, or some other items on the place such as toasted baguette, crackers or fruit. Not happy about that (there are pictures which show this). Next we placed our order for our meal, my Dad ordered the Chicken thighs which comes with 3 thighs! Add another for $6, my Mom went for the Sausage with kraut and mustard, my husband had the blood sausage (Biroldo) and I had the lunch version of the Pork Shoulder sandwich with cabbage. This meal made our day. The portions are not large so you don't leave feeling stuffed and uncomfortable, the food tasted delicious and we all finished our plates, clean! Our waiter offered dessert, but suggested to have Gelato downstairs..which we did! Also, must mention our AMAZING waiter, Mike. Thumbs up. He was a great waiter and he gets bonus points having poor eye sight...that got him an extra tip. We will most certainly be back, in the summer I hope to enjoy the open rooftop even more. Thank you Mario, Lydia and everyone else for making this place spectacular!
(5)
Julia C. C.

It's very good place to eat with a open space. Very much feel like in the new york city movie. Food are great. I ordered lamps, it's way too salty and very small portion, othen it the food were very good.
(3)
Steve A.

I love Eataly, especially La Pizza & La Pasta, and of course the market itself... I really would like to rate Birreria more than 3 stars, but I think it's just a bit overpriced for what they offer. The $10 pints of their (amazing sounding!) beer brewed right there on the roof are lacking in flavor and character, and the menu is quite limited as compared to the other restaurants within Eataly. That said, the girlfriend and I went there a few weeks back with some friends from VA and they absolutely LOVED it. We got the family-style meal for 5 (although we only had 4 people; we were all stuffed). All in all, good, but if they either dropped their beer price to better line up with the quality they produce, or increase the quality to match the price they'd be dead on for a 4-star rating in my book.
(3)
Robert W.

Made reservations at Birreria for the Friday after Thanksgiving for my third visit to this restaurant. To recap my earlier review, my first visit was terrific -- wonderful food, great service. Second time -- not impressed but not horrid. Third time -- pathetic. We arrived for our reservation at 6 pm. About two-thirds of the tables were empty, but they seated us right next to a very loud bunch of drunks. When another set of diners asked to be moved due to the noise, we did the same. Then sat there for 15 minutes until the floor manager bustled up and demanded to know why we were sitting there. The other couple had already walked out, disgusted with the wait. Or maybe it had to do with the busboy who was angrily slamming down placements and table settings right next to them and us. The server (a nice person) stopped by and explained she was overwhelmed as another server had called in sick that day and they had no backup. We sat another 10 minutes and then left. My wife didn't even drink her glass of wine, she was so appalled at the angry actions of the busboy. I paid the check (even though I don't think I should have had to since she didn't even drink her wine). When leaving one of the guys at the reception desk asked how we liked it. It said it wasn't great, and he just gave a smirky smile, laughed and said "thank you" in a sarcastic way. So I don't know how the food rates these days, as the service during my last two visits was so bad I didn't even get to that point. I think they have an angry/unhappy staff, and it sure shows. These are all just my own opinions, of course, but after three visits I really wanted to like this place. It's got everything going for it, but can't seem to execute on the vision. I won't be wasting my time trying Birreria a fourth time. Three strikes and you're out.
(1)
Matthew M.

Fantastic. The chicken thighs and lamb chops are perfection. The sausages are amazing. Great tap beers and cask ales (which are served correctly: warm and flat). It's a great place for groups, with kids (at least mine who are well behaved), celebrations, and a night out with my wife. The perfect combo of great beer bar and fine dining. Go for lunch on a 75 degree day... Stay for three hours eating and drinking. We've been at least a dozen times and they always hit a home run.
(5)
ape n.

Beautiful rooftop, decent Bloody Mary, steak was low quality. Service was pretty good but long wait. Not worth the hype. So many better restaurants in the city to use your precious calories at.
(3)
Trevor B.

Definitely need some help finding this place. You have to walk through the Market. Which looks awesome! Then find the elevator to head up to the roof. I think the bar is pretty cool and enjoyable, but I think the same thing could be achieved without being on the 14th floor rooftop. I feel like they aren't taking advantage of the view that they could have here looking at the freedom tower and such. Anyway, the place was pretty decent and I would go back, but it's not one of my favorite rooftops.
(3)
Danielle G.

Went for drinks and appetizers on Wednesday night and had a great time! Had a couple different wines and each was exceptional. We had the cheese and meats plate, each was delicious! But, most importantly, the fried Shiitake mushrooms with sage were out of this world. Seriously, I still dream about them. If you're not going to go for dinner, just grab drinks and get the mushrooms!
(4)
Jade L.

The wait is long... but it also gives you a chance to walk around the market too. The roof wasn't open because it was still a little cold out, but I can imagine it being beautiful with the empire state building in sight. The sausages were pretty delicious (the blood sausage in particular was really tasty). I was very happy with the quail though! Hot, juicy, tender meat. Nothing wrong with that!
(4)
Ashveen S.

The view at this place was phenomenal! Great view of the empire state building. This was our first stop in New York and was the best start to our trip. We ordered some wine and a cheese/meat plate to accompany our drinks. Definitely recommend this place if you are visiting New York.
(5)
Brook B.

Where not an awful restaurant, it is not worth the time (and the search through Eataly for the elevator). I visited (for the second time) on a Friday evening with a few friends. The intent was to have a nice dinner and a few drinks. After being seated, asking for a few suggestions for beer and wine, and looking over the menu, we decided not to have dinner. Our waitress came by twice (within 3 minutes) to ask about food ordering and we requested a few more minutes. After that, she never returned. Instead of returning and asking us for our order, she went AWOL and sent another server (who seemed quite irritated that he was assigned this task) to ask us if we were going to order. We kindly explained that we had decided not to order food and that we would like to continue with our beverages. He quickly cleared the table and returned with our bill and told us that the tables were reserved for diners who were waiting outside to come in. This was fine with us and we were happy to move to the already overcrowded bar. After standing in the bar, drinking our wine and overpriced (which by the way was nothing exciting) beer for 40 minutes, the table we had been sitting at, along with 20 others remained unseated. So other than a loud roof top where you have no 360 view (unless you count skyward) this restaurant offers very little with a side of exceptionally rude service, a slightly pretentious menu and a brewery, oh and a staff that is quite passive aggressive in their serving style. If you do go....just remember that these servers don't like consumers who think for themselves and who might change their minds. Hope you had a better experience than we did.
(2)
Chris S.

This Beer Garden is a decent place to go to once. They have some nice Italian microbrews but nothing I fell in love with while I was there. I had my first milk stout at Eataly's Birreria which was just as you would imagine a milk stout to taste like. Everything was overpriced given the Eataly name and location and the atmosphere was pretty average. I probably wouldn't come back unless I took one of my friend's from out of town to Eataly's market and wanted to catch a beer afterward.
(2)
Katie C.

Birreria impressed me, not because it was amazing but because I was convinced it was going to be a scene, and it ended up being a pleasant dining and drinking experience, and not as expensive as I feared it would be. While the pork shoulder and sides were good, the real standouts were the fried mushrooms and the cheeses. Snacking on that while drinking good beers makes for a great evening. Just get there early enough to get a table.
(3)
Peter K.

Great beer selection and good food. I guess it is one of Mario Batalli's place, although I'm not sure how the corporate set up is. The problem is, it seems a little pricey for what it is. The food was just above average. Our table got 3 cheeses, and two meats as an appetizer. The prosciutto was just good, and the cheese portions were incredibly tiny. I get it we're in NYC, but we need like 9 cheeses to satisfy 4 people. For the entree I had the quail and if was cooked perfectly, just a little too salty for my tastes. Ambiance was very loud and casual. This was particularly interesting considering we went on a Sunday night. You practically have to yell at your friends to hear them (and no it wasn't because I had one too many beers). My suggestion give is give it a shot, but go on semi empty stomach, the portions aren't exactly large. If you want good Italian try one of Mario Batalli's joints like Babbo.
(3)
Jaime W.

I thought this place was a fantastic option for a group. Big space, with larges table that can accommodate a sizable party of up to twelve-a difficult fete to find in a Manhattan restaurant...unless you feel like paying out your ass and getting some lame prix fix that most places try to pull for any group larger than eight. The warm palette, old factory style lighting, and wide plank wood floors give this a comfortable, homey feeling while the high retractable glass ceiling that offers an iconic city view reminds you that you're not in Kansas anymore. Love the Biergarten setting, with an emphasis on not only the micro-brew beer selections, but also on the wines that they offer as well. The food was all very well done from the salumi and cheese to all of the different entrees. It's a very meat heavy menu (no pasta, limited salads), with offerings such as braised pork shoulder (the table favorite), quail, pork chops, and house made sausages. Even the sides are hearty and filling, and include multiple preparations of mushrooms, as well as potatoes and saurkraut. The only thing that I didn't particularly care for was our waiter. Initially, we were only ready to put in our starters, but he made us put a complete order in all at once. *Side note: Several places have done this to me before, and I'm not quite sure why this procedure is necessary. I'm told that it's because of "the kitchen". I don't buy it. It makes me feel rushed from the get-go. Not how I want to start the evening...I don't like to be told how I have to spend or enjoy my money.* The other thing that the server did is that when we were all set with apps, mains, and sides, he told us we were over ordering. There were six of us, we each ordered an entree and ONE mushroom side to try-split between six people. For apps, we ordered two salumi platters, two cheese platters, and one order of olives. Maybe it's a bit much, but it doesn't seem completely overindulgent by any means. The meat and cheese were meant to serve two-three people....so we doubled up since we were a party of six. The server talked us out of one of the meat and cheese platters....which we ended up ordering seconds of after the fact, because it wasn't enough (funny how there was no problem putting that in after the rest of our order was placed). I would definitely go back, and look forward to enjoying the space come spring when the weather is warm, and the roof is open.
(4)
S. R.

Top n' bottom 5: Top: 1. Pork shoulder SAY WHAT? Rah-mazing. 2. Formaggi plate = home run. Especially the Taleggio. 3. Charming atmosphere 4. Good selection of draft beers 5. Broccoli rabe was kinda perfect Bottom: 1. Cask beer: What the what? It's warmish, barely carbonated and $10 a pop. I think this is the nature of a "cask beer" (with the "unfiltered" and the "unpasteurized") but what the f ever, man. It's funk nasty. Go for the draft beer. 2. The olive oil smash potatoes were a bit off the mark. Really oily although reasonably priced. 3. ... 4. ... 5. ... In conclusion, go here. Do yourself a favor and make a reservation, but go here and eat pork shoulder. You'll be glad you did. I love you, Mario Batali!
(4)
S S.

The good: Great place when sunny, during the midday, when it's casual, empty, and heartwarming on the coldest of days. Excellent assortment of beers, wines, cheeses, and cured meats. The bad: A little pricey. There can be a wait. The tables are only good for dining customers, not drinking ones, even if they're pretty empty. The ugly: The place can be a nightmare during happy hour and evening hours. We sat from early afternoon until the place started getting very loud and crowded at happy hour time. A friend was coming to join our table. He called and said the hostess downstairs needed to be called by the upstairs hostess. He was not even allowed to take the elevator up. I went and told the upstairs hostess my friend was downstairs and we wanted him to join our table. They told us we could not add anyone to our table. Why? Because there's already a wait on tables (even if the place was about 60% full). But we could just drink at the bar. I said that we were only 2 people at a table of four, and had been paying for food and drinks since the afternoon. They said that was their policy, and would not budge. We just decided to leave and show more grace and class to our friend elsewhere, then this place showed us.
(2)
Yoon U.

I've been wanting to check out La Birreria since it opened back in June, but waited a few months before the hype died down. Went around 2 pm on a Saturday afternoon, and surprisingly, we were able to get a table for 3 in less than 30 minutes. On the flip side, when we were leaving around 4, a line had formed by the entrance. Majority of the area is reserved for tables, and in order to sit at the tables you have to order food. I thought this was more of a place where you grab drinks and hang out, but it def is more of a restaurant. You can hang out by the bar, but it gets really crowded and it takes a while before you can order a drink. Like everything else at Eataly, this place is definitely not cheap. We ordered the fried shitake mushrooms, which were absolutely delicious. The mushrooms are lightly salted, and the breading is what makes it amazing. We also ordered a Probusto sausage. For $21, you get two sausages atop a bed of steamed cabbage. I found them to be very average, and nothing more special than the Hillshire farm sausages you get at the super market. Finally had the Insalata salad, which was very refreshing and perfect for a summer afternoon. For some beers, they give you a universal beer glass that resembles a wine glass. Looks a little pretentious for a beer glass, but what can you expect, it's Eataly. Though the place was nothing like what I had imagined it to be, it's a chill place to hang out on a nice day.
(3)
Rob H.

Horrible on many levels. Enough time spent.
(1)
Rachel G.

Went here on a Sunday afternoon. It's a big, pleasant space, although the views are very limited for a rooftop (you can juuust see a part of the Empire State Building). I hate that you can't sit at the tables if you're not eating; the bar is not that big and gets crowded fast. We tried one beer and two wines, which were ok; if you get the largest size beer, it's not too terrible of a price. It was fun for what it was, but there are definitely better beer gardens out there.
(3)
Trevor H.

Two of us arrived at around 10pm on a Tuesday night. Not busy but still fairly noisy. The host that greeted us downstairs was informative and pleasant. Different story upstairs. We seemed like we were bothering the two hosts who seated us without talking to us. Initially the waiter seemed attentive although not overly friendly. In fact all the staff seemed miserable and unapproachable. We ordered a cheese plate and some pork sausage and two beers. All delicious and quickly served. The sausage could have come with more sauerkraut and we had to ask for more bread several times before getting some. The bread was just OK. They have much better selection in their bread area. We wondered why there was no choice. Was really hard to find out waiter after the initial order. Had to wave him down for a second beer. There seemed to be no set stations and the waiters were all over the place. We saw several other tables having the same problem. In fact, we waving at the waiter who was right next to us talking to the manager who didn't seem to have his eye on service either. When we left we said goodbye to the host on the way out who was preoccupied on a laptop or ipad. He grunted without even looking up. Great concept, poorly executed. Would not go back.
(2)
Robert M.

This place not only needs "to get the bugs out", they need to get the nasty waiters and waitresses out! Expensive and you are gonna wait to get in! Mario Batali should be more involved in this project. I do not think he'd be happy if he knew about the poor service here. After all, along with food isn't service the most important factor if they have the nerve to charge an arm and a leg for everything?! I won't even touch on the tiny portions of cheese. They give you 3 pieces of cheese for about $11 and they are so small they look like pats of butter! Manager being told didn't help matters much! Servers hound you and circle your table like vultures. They try to upsell you on everything and tell you that you are not ordering enough! I couldn't believe it. I also noticed at a table next to me that the waiter was giving a hard time to 20 somethings and saying and I quote, "You know you have to order food to sit here right?!!!!!!" Just unbelieveable....I guess if a tourist came here they would say, "Well they have a lot of bad NY attitude; that NY is famous for!" That might be a little different if you weren't paying someone for bad NY attitude! Here you pay through the nose!!!!!!!!!!
(1)
Alison M.

Food = 3.5 stars Beer = 4 stars Service = 1 star I've been here before with coworkers and a client for happy hour last year and it was a delightful experience. I brought my husband here tonight for an early Valentine's dinner and was so very underwhelmed. It would have been a fine experience if we were talking about food and beer, but the service was so incredibly awful, I doubt we'll be coming back. Our waiter (whose name I unfortunately forgot!) started out on a high note. Incredibly knowledgeable about beer, but that's literally the only positive aspect of this human's service. He sat down with a couple he clearly did not know for ten minutes with his back toward us while we were ready to order dinner. After ordering, it was someone else actually SERVED us our dinner. Not him. Was he actually a waiter? Or whatever the beer equivalent to a sommelier is? I couldn't tell you, but the dude clearly was more into chatting up tables than actually waiting on them. After ordering dessert (our mistake), we proceeded to wait another 15 minutes while our non server-server chatted up the same couple, then moved on to another table for ten minutes and ignored us as well as another table behind us. This now makes 25 minutes we had been waiting for him to come over and give us our check. Or make contact. Anything. We flagged down another server to grab our check, at which point someone who I can only assume was the manager came over. We filled her in, and she actually didn't look or sound surprised, and apologized, saying she'd take the dessert off our check. Long story short, our waiter sucked, the food was okay, and the beer was pretty awesome.
(2)
Hank C.

Rooftop (enclosed when we went, can be opened in better weather) bar above Eataly, this location was packed when we went. The signs inside Eataly aren't too clear, but when you find the entry to the elevator, you'll be greeted by the hostess there and if your group is complete, will go upstairs to be seated, or if you're just hitting the bar, will send you up. A second elevator has to take you up once you reach the top of the first elevator (this was apparently an elevated area built after the original elevators were set up) or you can take the stairs. Kegs tapped line the entryway and another host will direct you to seats or the bar. The bar itself was crowded - people sitting there made it tough to order over them with the two really busy bartenders. Many home brewed beers and wines on the wooden kegs behind the bar, and they have Wanda and other custom brews. I tried the Game of Thrones Ommegang - dark black and slightly bitter but that strength that you would expect. Also tried the ancient ale of honey flavor - tasty and strong (10% abv). The food - mixed cheeses & meat platters were rather light on the portions, and they don't leave the olive oil on the table for you, but were a good start to the meal. The main recommendation was either the lamb (three pieces,which was good, but too salty) and the shoulder (which was soft and excellent). The desserts... meh. Not even a simple sorbet or gelato to wash the richness of the cheese/meat/wine down afterwards. Ah, well. Service could take a while... again, could be a function of being busy, but getting a beer refill or extra bread, etc. took a while. They were very helpful when available. Overall a mixed experience.. had better food, and would've loved to see more of the stars, but it was a fun place to try some different beers and chill with friends. I am not a cheese or wine foodie, so neither of those appealed to me, so may be better for others who like that!
(3)
John S.

This place is popular and not so big, so I've never been able to have a meal there. I've been to the bar, and I recommend it highly. The best thing about the bar experience here is the space. The venue is on the rooftop but housed in a long, greenhouse-like structure. There aren't the views and exposure to open sky that one expects in a rooftop bar, but instead there is a beautiful diffused quality to the sunlight and shelter from any rain (when the weather is all clear, the roof retracts). The selection of beer is wide. On my last visit, I had their own Gina brew, made with thyme for an unusual, enjoyable, but almost medicinal flavor. It's fun to visit with a group, but you might be standing pretty close to one another--it does get crowded here!
(4)
Sumit D.

overhyped and not worth the wait! go for the beer and shitake mushrooms. the food was forgettable
(2)
Roy S.

The great rooftop setting does not make up for the overly expensive beer and food selections. For over $20, the portion size on my sausage lunch was a joke. And good luck trying to even get in to go to the bar in the evening.
(1)
Kyle V.

Was recommended this place while at a conference in Washington DC. Was very excited, but turned quickly to disappointed. Toilets filthy. Complained. After dinner . Nothing changed. They blamed it on building not restaurant??? Clean your toilets. Told 30 min wait. Restaurant takes your number to page when table available. Great! But after 1 hour and 10 mins they blamed our wait on their Verizon / AT&T iPhone interface. Well fix it! They are making $$$$. Food was great. Waiter was good also but waited on simple pepper for our salad. They need to fix execution. While is this place packed if they can't simply execute basics?
(1)
Stephen L.

I am over this place. Our 4-top was pressured to order entres even though we had a round of apps and 2 rounds of drinks. After it was clear we weren't having dinner they cleared the table and brought the check. If it was a busy night with a line of people waiting for a table I would give them the benefit of the doubt but there were open tables and no lines. In the end we decided to close the check continue our evening at a local wine bar.
(2)
Dawn S.

Birreria gets two stars for their excellent beer and atmosphere. This overpriced rooftop beer garden lacks in many areas, especially service. We went here this past Friday night with a group of 12 people. First, we get there with 10 of the 12 people in our party and they refuse to sit us until all 12 of us are there - really??!!! Finally, after talking amongst ourselves about leaving, they finally sat us. We get to our table and wait 20 minutes before a waiter comes over. Not only was our waiter down right rude, he was also not attentive, AT ALL. The only time he was personable was at the end when we were paying the bill. This place needs to stop trying to be swanky and trendy and cater to the people who are going there to have a beer outside. Get over yourself Birreria! You can be assured that the 12 of us, plus the people we tell about our experience, won't be going back anytime soon! I left here so annoyed and really wanted to speak to a manager - which I never got the chance to do.
(2)
N T.

Seven words: Cask red wine served at 60 degrees. The 12% beer and food are also outstanding. Well worth idiots occasionally bumping into you.
(5)
Dee E.

Cool place! It was definitely more for beers and appetizers, like the cheese and charcuterie plates than actually ordering any major meals or classifying it as a full-out restaurant. Would love to come back in summer, when it actually is a rooftop bar, but it was super cozy with all of the heat lamps and dim lighting.
(4)
Vanny S.

It's in a good location on top of Eataly and it's a fairly nice rooftop... - We waited more than an hour to be seated (no, we didn't have reservations spur of the moment thing) - They send you a text message that your table is ready.. we squeezed through the long line to show them the text message while having an obnoxious guy say "hey, what are you doing we're online first" show them the text message and be sent upstairs to give them our names again. - I was very surprised by how unorganized the staff were, I mean, some of them walk around with Ipads. - It took forever for them to bring the bread and it wasn't even set it on the table it was handed to me in my hand... I found that strange but then again the guy who handed it to me was just washing dishes and next thing I know he's handing me bread - Our waitress spent half of our stay chatting it up with one of the other staff members she barely came to our table (It's not like she was busy with other customers which would be more understandable) by the time we finally got her attention to get the check we put the credit card in and a bald guy who never said one word to us just came and took it...I feel like this place just didnt care about their customer service skills they simply lacked restaurant etiquette and even though these things do not seem like a big deal it's the kind of things that people remember when they leave and write reviews which effect their yelp score anywayss... - It's noisy and gets very crowded by the bar (we were seated at a table next to the bar) - The food was alright nothing I would crave if I were in the area - The view is definitely not something to brag about, unless you like a nice view of the sky - Oh yea, the menu is a bit limited At the end of the day its not worth going without reservations...request a table not next the bar, don't go solely on the view, and hope you get an attentive waiter/waitress/staff...before I wrote this review I was thinking about giving the place 3 stars but In hopes they will improve their service skills I will give them 2
(2)
MH H.

Really incredible food! I love the cheese platter dish with a meat-the bread is fresh and the olive oil is unbelievable. Highly recommend!! Not to mention wonderful beer and the job of being on a very well-lit gorgeous rooftop.
(5)
Angelina L.

Good selection of beer. Made the mistake of coming here the hottest day of the year and the fans they had just didn't do it. Super amazing friendly waiter. Wish I could keep him :)
(4)
Amy P.

Most unpleasant experience ever. I made a reservation earlier and the server got us the table right at the door although they were many empty tables. The server to take us to the table also made us to wait so that she can finish her personal phone call. Really inappropriate!! Let me talk about the food! We ordered a fried mushroom for the appetizer and it was crispy but super salty. My main dish was the salmon and the waiter recommended me to get the dish in medium rare so i said yes. I think the fish was prepared in medium well. Came out too dry and again "SALTY". I couldn't help but feel getting ripped off when i got the check. Ughh
(1)
Patrick W.

Friend wanted to do their birthday here so that's how I ended up trying this place out. Located on top of Eataly, very cool rooftop place to hang during the day. Only beer I got to try was the Del Borgo Reale Extra (Italian IPA), very good though. The seating (provided you can get one) is quite spacious, so your claustrophobia won't act up. We did fairly good rundown through the menu. The portions are small so if you're going with a crew of heavy hitters, you will need to order a lot. Antipasti: Shittake Fritti - Very lightly battered and really quite delightful. This was one of my favorite things here. Good flavor and salted just right. Formaggi (7) and Affetati Misti - Good selection of meat/cheeses. Decent portions for what it is the quality you expect from Eataly. Not too much more to write for this. Secondi: Pollo alla Diavola - I just had to get the additional thigh. This was delicious, the chicken was juicy/moist. The lightly crisp skin with the puree, really tasty. If I come back, I'd probably just get this. Agnello - The lamb was a good cut and cooked perfectly. Taste-wise nothing was very memorable to me. I personally don't like mint either so, the mint pesto didn't do much for me. Probusto - Tasty sausage with a side of mustard. For $23 I would rather buy sausage downstairs though and make it at home. Contorni: Olive Oil Smashed Potatoes - I really enjoyed eating this. Yes, there's a lot of olive oil in it but that's all cool with me. Not chunky at all, really enjoyed going to town on this. Dessert: Panna Cotta - Very refreshing after the meat chow down. Light dessert, we ended up ordering another one because everyone liked it so much. Tiratu Su Classico - Reminded me a lot of a tiramisu glass. Just, really damn good. Nice and fluffy with the coffee soaked lady fingers. We ended up ordering another two because I kept ripping through them. A really cool place to check out if you find yourself in Eataly. Great to grab a drink or a bite with some friends. While I didn't love everything on the menu, there's enough to keep me coming back.
(4)
Lindsey S.

I came back here for the first time in a couple of years over the holiday weekend. For some strange reason I had expected it to be quiet, but even on a summer holiday when most NYers leave, after some severe weather warnings and downpours, a rooftop bar above Eataly is still slammed! My friend had not been before, but we had just gone out to dinner, so we decided to have a drink. I love La Birreria for their dedication to cask ales and beer in general. II tried the Gina - the cask ale brewed with thyme - and it was really interesting. I don't think I could drink a ton of it - a pint was perfect - but you really could taste the thyme - samplers beware. It was super hot out, still even after the rain, and because the rooftop was pretty packed, we only stayed for one drink. Surely I'll be back before it gets too cool out for some food. The meats they offer, as you would expect, are divine.
(4)
Craig J.

Fantastic food! Fantastic drinks! The atmosphere is great also! The rooftop view is amazing as well. I love that place and it was my first time being there. I would definitely go back with friends to get drinks as well. Really pleasant experience, and having eataly below was awesome as well. Would go back soon for sure.
(5)
Matt H.

What a disappointment. They obviously cater to tourists who don't know any better. The food is very mediocre, and very expensive for what you get. You are better off popping in to any random Italian place in Little Italy, authentic or not. Your meal will be cheaper and significantly tastier. You really shouldn't go for the rooftop either. There are much better options out there with better views, food, and more affordable prices.
(2)
Kristina D.

I'm a huge fan of Eataly, so I was so excited to try La Birreria. I definitely recommend making a reservation for dinner, because the wait can get pretty long and the bar area looked really crowded. The ambiance is really nice and it's a great rooftop restaurant to have dinner at on a summer night. La Birreria doubles as a brewery, so there is a huge selection of beers to choose from. We started with a bottle of the rose, which we really enjoyed. The food was very good. I recommend getting a bunch of appetizers and splitting them because there's a lot of small plates to choose from. We started with a cheese plate that is served with honey, which was so delicious. We probably could have just ordered a few cheese plates and been happy. Next, we had the funghi misti appetizer with ricotta cheese and crushed peas, which was also delicious. For a main course, we split the cotechino sausage which was perfect and served with a really good mustard. Service was really great. My friend and I wound up ordering some more wine and hanging out for a while and we never felt rushed or like we were inconvenicing the wait staff. Our server was very nice and she brought things out one at a time despite having to order everything all at once. We never had to look far for extra bread and our water glasses were always being filled. Prices were also pretty reasonable. Not the most inexpensive meal I've had, but definitely not too pricey either. I'd absolutely recommend stopping in for a drink or dinner. I'll definitely be back!
(5)
Jack W.

I don't understand how this place runs, seriously. Bad service, meh food and way way over priced... I really want to love this place but always walk out more dissatisfied then they last time. However, on a positive note, they have great beer on tap.
(2)
Michelle B.

This place is sooo overhyped it's ridiculous. I have been here on multiple occasions, mostly at the forcing of friends visiting from out of town. The management thinks they are Gods. They always have a million empty tables and refuse to seat parties! This has happened to me like 5x. I don't want to wait at your overcrowded bar! They said it was a "fire hazard" one time when literally 3 other parties were sitting down and 50 tables were empty. There are 500000 better places to grab a rooftop beer in NYC. Oh, and to make things worse, to get here you have to weave through a swarm of Eataly shoppers. No thx.
(2)
Lauren B.

Nothing amazing, but not bad either. That's sort of all I can say about La Birreria. I was super jazzed to try it out. I live near Eataly and had been there numerous times, but never to the rooftop restaurant. I was meeting a friend for dinner and someone at work mentioned the roof at Eataly, and I thought: "Self, this is as good a time as any to hang with the cool kids and try Eataly's roof". So we went - to be cool. It. Was. Packed. I mean, people everywhere in the bar area. Loads of open tables, the space is pretty huge, with the giant glass ceiling that opens and closes depending on the weather. While that's awesome and all, I would never, EVER, come back for a drink at the bar, which is what I think this place is good for. People were wall to wall and shoving and it just looked like it must be miserable to be standing there, without anywhere to put your drink, pushing your way to the bar. Also? It was all youngsters. I mean the early 20's crowd. Fratty looking guys and chicks who were twirling their hair. I mean really. I get the appeal for some people, but it's not my thing. BUT - we were having adult time and had a table. Winning. We started off with some wine the waitress suggested and it was very good. We shared three cheeses and a cured meat off of their starter menu. Specifically: Robiola Bosina (cow's/sheeps milk, soft and tangy, piemonte) which looked and tasted a lot like brie. Win! Provolone Mandarone (cow's milk, semi-soft, spicy finish, lombardia) which I liked a lot as well, fairly classic Provalone. Gorgonzola Dolce (cow's milk, semi-firm & peppery, piemonte) this was a really excellent, buttery blue. Everything was served with hazelnut honey, which was such a great addition and really added to the cheeses. We also had a single plate of the Speck (smoked prosciutto from Alto-Adige) and that was good, but a little smokey for my taste. (Not the fault of the restaurant, it does say smokey on the menu - and it wasn't my first choice meat). The entree was pretty tasty, I had their market fish special, which was a Swordfish, lightly seared and on a bed of mashed lima beans. It was very light and also filling. I loved that it was healthy and didn't make me want to immediately get in a cab and go home. We ordered a dessert, too, because we thought why not and had the Tre (rice sponge cake soasked with rum syrup with three layers of chocolate. Bavarian dark, milk and white chocolates). I mean...wow. I don't even really like chocolate, but this was so light and spongy and just perfectly put together. We essentially licked the cup clean. I know, classy, right? I wasn't thrilled by the food, loads of hype and it didn't amaze me. I would love to come back for a glass of wine (they have a great wine selection) and the Tre dessert, but I wouldn't put myself through dealing with that insane bar scene, and I was there on a Tuesday at 6:30....not exactly a prime time or a big "going-out" night. Crazy. I suppose it's worth it for a little light meal and a glass of vino, I am sure it's fantastic when the roof is completely open on one of those first spring days.
(3)
Chloe A.

This place has a great setting. It is a really cool location with a great roof top and view of the empire state building. I loved the atmosphere, but it is extremely overpriced. For a small mushroom carpaccio it was $15, it wasn't even that good. The blood sausage is worth it though. Its a cool place to hang out and drink but def. too expensive.
(3)
M B.

Too expensive, not that great of a rooftop, no view and VERY loud environment!! Not really a place I want to go back to...
(1)
Cassandra R.

Here's the thing: I WANT to love La Birreria, and in many ways I do. The view is spectacular, the food is delicious and, whether you choose beer or wine, you are not likely to be disappointed. And it is perhaps because all of these things are so great, that the simple and yet constant ways in which they fail to live up to expectations is so frustrating. I recently moved just a few short blocks away, and have been going to La Birreria 1 - 2 times per week for about the last 6 - 8 weeks. Here is the issue: they almost always tell you there is wait, even when you can clearly see that there are a number of tables available. I asked about this recently and they said they were holding the tables for reservations. Unfortunately, this doesn't quite pass the smell test, as several remained empty the whole night. If you do make a reservation, and arrive more than 15 minutes after the time, they cancel it. Normally, I would say fair enough, except that I have often made a reservation, arrived on time, and then been told that I have to wait at the bar for more than 30 minutes before my table will be available (even when I can clearly see that there are a number available upon my arrival). When it has happened that I have arrived without a reservation, they often quote one time, only to leave my group waiting more than double the time they quoted. (Last time they said 20 - 30 minutes. After an hour and 15 they invited me upstairs only to tell me that it would be another 20 minutes...again, I counted 7 tables free - one of which they sat us at later). I've begun to wonder if they actively deceive people, so they nearly everyone has to go to the bar before being seated, as a way to increase revenue. Either way, the way arrivals, reservations and walk-ins are handled is a huge disappointment to what would otherwise be an absolute gem.
(2)
Steve G.

A friend reserved a table for her birthday, but after waiting for 1.5 hrs for the table we decided to leave. This is just unacceptable!
(1)
Tracie D.

This place has the worst service for any restaurant I've ever been to. A friend and I had a reservation for an early dinner on a Friday and we ordered a bottle of wine with the Italian meat plate for 2 and a cheese plate. We weren't interested in having a big meal and if it wasn't enough we were thinking of ordering another appetizer to share. Five minutes after we ordered the manager came over to our table and told us that when we were done with our drinks that we would have to leave and couldn't order more rounds of drinks because we hadn't ordered enough food. She went on to explain that she had to say this to many patrons that night and that this wasn't a beer garden where you can just sit an enjoy your drinks/food all night. We were so appalled by such behavior from a restaurant manager at a respected place that we cancelled our food order and left. The manager was beyond rude, and it is obvious that this place doesn't care much about keeping their customers - I guess the tourist industry will keep them busy. The beer here is great, the food is just okay and comes with attitude so my recommendation is to come here only to drink - but be careful, don't stay too long because they'll ask you to leave!
(1)
Katie S.

First, I love Eataly. It's a fantastic place to enjoy as both a local and a tourist. For that reason, I'd been excited for the opening of their rooftop beer garden - Birreria - for months. My friends and I finally made it there last night, and unfortunately, while I have no complaints about the venue (they've done a great job with the space), the drinks (great beer and wine) or the food (while overpriced, it was tasty) -- everyone should be warned that the management needs some additional training if they intend to stay in the customer service business. We had a reservation for 10 people, but they wouldn't seat us until our entire party was there (which is fine, I get that...even though there were numerous empty tables). One girl wasn't going to make it for a while, so with 9 people, we sat down. For about an hour and a half we ordered about $600 worth of food and drinks. Then we received a call from our friend (the 10th) who was downstairs but they wouldn't let upstairs because we had sat down with 9 people. One of our friends managed to get her upstairs (after about 15 minutes). We ask our waiter if we can have another chair so she can sit down (there are plenty of empty chairs around and plenty of room at our table). They REFUSE because their "policy" is that you can only sit with the group you originally sit down with. We ask for the manager. He comes over and also REFUSES. We (a bunch of lawyers) try to reason with him: we understand the policy and the reason for the policy, but in this situation it their enforcement of the policy was absurd, impractical, and alienating their customers. We weren't asking them to move tables, we weren't adding 3 people to a group of 5, we weren't disrupting the space or flow of the restaurant, and the addition of one more chair was not going to result in us taking a longer time or ordering less food. We eventually get the waiter to bring us a chair (after asking for our check since we weren't going to stay if the 10th person at our group had to stand while the 9 of us were sitting and eating). The manager then came over and said "well it looks like you got your way this time." NOTE TO MANAGEMENT: CONSIDER ADDING A SMALL ALLOWANCE FOR COMMON SENSE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE INTO YOUR SEATING POLICY.
(1)
David V.

By NY standards good value with imaginative setting with reasonbly priced food and high quality. The beer and wine options add to the experience
(4)
M K.

Great ambiance. Perfect summer hangout. Good beer. Wish there were a place to sit if you're just having a drink, and I wish the menu were more extensive, but the food that is available is delicious.
(5)
Jen W.

And then Birreria at Eataly happened. Perhaps your tolerance - for being seated in the blazing sun (despite the fact that plenty o spots in the shade were available) while all the frat house hits of the 90s are played and no one comes to bring you water/beer/food for a half hour and then when they finally do it's the wrong stuff - is higher than mine. In fairness, our poor waiter - who was sporting a pretty painful looking farmer burn - looked like he was about to drop from heatstroke. Even the cheese was sweating. And I didn't really want to stop and think about what the 2000 degree oven we were sitting in was doing to any of the more perishable items, i.e. my kale salad with "anchovy vinaigrette" (read Caesar dressing). Despite the fact that we were there at 5, they had already run out of one of their signature beers; and the arugula salad that my girlfriend had was so wilted it bordered on being the most expensive bowl of compost ever. I would definitely recommend this place to folks who want to recapture their salad days of college beer-bonging in the sun with douchebags in backwards facing baseball caps who just know that their air-guitar is certainly going to win them a spot in Led Zeppelin / The Who should they choose to reunite. Except now the douchebags are a little older, a little fatter, and willing to pay 20 bucks for a beer...Even if the 20 buck beer still tastes like Natty Light.
(1)
Peter M.

After having been to Eataly, I was excited to try Birreria. A reservation was necessary and I had one. I had to check in two times (once downstairs then once again upstairs). After taking the elevator up, several stairs must be climbed. The stairs were interesting as they had Italian sayings on them. Upon arrival upstairs, my first impression was "wow this is noisy". The Birreria lacks the sophistication of the dining on the lower floors of Eataly. There is a uniquely genuine Italian feel about Eataly and this goes missing in Birreria's atmosphere. Most notably, the background music was off-putting. While not too loud, the music really takes away from the atmosphere. At one point, a song was played with foul language being used. I've heard the clean version of this song on the radio and this would have been more appropriate for a place such as this. Contemporary Italian music would be much more appropriate rather than the bad bar music. I felt like I was at a typical New York rooftop bar. There was nothing distinct about this place. Waiters wore jeans - not the best image. Service was good. There wasn't much of a view except for the top of a few buildings and the Empire State Building. I thought Birreria would be more sophisticated. The food, however, was splendid. I had the Bistecca with Salsa Verde. It was cooked perfectly and the sauce was a perfect compliment. Really top notch. The mushroom and cheese selection were superb. Dessert was good but the Tiramisu had too much cream and not enough lady fingers. Also the assorted cookies selection was too small. Very good beer selection.
(3)
Federico S.

a place with a lot of possibilities that is a total failure, the staff was obnoxious, arrogant, impertinent, acting like sharks, we were rushed to eat and eat more, when done with ordering, served the bill and rushed to get out. overpriced with bad service, will never go back. food and drinks were ok
(2)
Christine C.

This rating is for the hostess/gatekeeper on the main floor of Eataly. Sadly, I didn't catch her name. Hostess kept our group of 8 waiting, standing right in front of her, for a few minutes while she finished up a phone call. Never even looked up to acknowledge us. After she hung up the phone, she explained the rule that everyone seated at a table was required to order a meal. If we weren't into that, it would be standing room only at the bar. Then she said even if we did want to sit at a table, it would be a really long wait. And kindly added that the bar was super crowded too. Then she looked at my pregnant belly and snottily said "You're going to have to stand the entire time. Will that work for you?" No offering of a possible seat or any way to accommodate me, no sign of empathy. A negative attitude all around and generally unpleasant demeanor. Who hired this person? Who trained her? If this is what Eataly considers an appropriate first impression for their biergarten, I'm never again entertaining the idea of going back. I expected (and rightly so) more from this establishment.
(1)
Ben L.

A rooftop bar atop of Eataly? Hell yes please danke, thank you, grazie, merci, gracias. This was a decent sized space with a nice beer selection and a good sized food menu. The roof itself, I believe, is retractable. The place seems like a great after work hangout and it wasn't crazy crowded the day I went with my group. The food: Salumi- Speck, Sopressata, Mortadella, Cacciatorini, Coppa. The meat plate was a respectable meat plate. I thought everything as a whole was good. yelp.com/user_local_photâ€¦ Formaggi- Ricotta Fresca, Parmigiano Reggiano, Asiago Fresco, Robiola Bosina, Provolone Mandarone, Tallegio, Gorgonzola Dolce. The cheese plate was good as well. I don't normally rave about Gorgonzola but the one here was the clear winner, the Parmigiano was a close second. The ricotta was my least fav, I didn't care for the taste nor texture. yelp.com/user_local_photâ€¦
(4)
Kristine V.

It was perfect me and a friend got there before it got crowded so we were seated quickly but it was like walking through a maze trying to find that place, but the view from where we were seated was just spectacular. The food is another story. My friend got the Portobello Alla Griglia which is grilled Portobello mushroom with whipped goat cheese and beets. It was okay. We didn't love it but didn't hate it. I ordered the Pulled Pork Sandwich and I must say it was a bit dry. I feel like it needed a sauce or spread of some sort. The pulled pork was a bit burnt. Don't get me wrong I love a little bit of char on my food but my pork was just a tad too burnt. Maybe it was just an off day but I would be interested in going back to try other items on the menu. Plus it's on a rooftop so enjoying a beer and food with a great view is always a plus. We also went downstairs to the gelateria and got ourselves some Tiramisu Gelato and chilled out in Madison Square Park.
(4)
Amanda F.

Came in for a late dinner (my fourth time here) with three friends on a Friday night. When we called at around 9:45PM to make a reservation, the hostess told us that they did not accept same-day reservations, but told us that we were welcome to come as a walk-in; she estimated the current wait time for a table of four to be one hour and since Birreria is usually worth the wait, we decided to give it a shot. We arrived and walked through Eataly (the market), which is beautiful and worth a trip in and of itself, to get to Birreria. When we reached the first hostess station, our newly estimated wait time was thirty minutes. We were told we would be texted once our table was ready and encouraged to head upstairs for a drink at the bar while we waited. We took the elevator up to the rooftop and by the time we reached the upstairs hostess station, I'd received the text saying that our table was ready. (Judging by how I got that text less than five minutes after our arrival, I think it's safe to assume that there is little-to-no communication between the upstairs and downstairs hostess stations - that, and the fact that the hostess led us into a nearly empty dining room.) Once we sat down, we quickly realized that the menu had been changed since our last visit. None of the new menu items caught our eye, so the four of us ordered two bottles of wine and large bottled of specialty beer and agreed we would swap out our plan to have a full course meal for wine and possibly some appetizers later on. We ordered a bottle of their Sauvignon "Adriatico" ($35), which was crisp and delicious, a bottle of Morellino Di Scansano ($32), and large bottle of one of their specialty beers ($36). We let our server know that we had changed our minds about dinner, told him that we wouldn't be ordering any food at the moment, and asked if we could hold onto a menu just in case we wanted to order something to eat later on - and he seemed fine with it. A moment later, however, he returned to say, "Usually the tables are for people ordering food, just so you know. But I'm leaving, so I don't care." I'm not sure if he spoke to us this way because he wanted us to ask for our check so he could get his tip and leave, or if he simply felt that he could, since we are all young and around the same age but either way, it was quite rude. After all, it had been only ten minutes and we had already ordered $110 in alcohol alone, it's not as if we were wasting anyone's time here. Throughout the rest of our time at Birreria, NOT ONE server came to check on us, to see how we were doing, or to ask if we had changed our minds about ordering something to eat. We finished our wine, flagged down a busboy, asked for our check, and to our surprise... it was delivered by our original server! Hmm, thought you were leaving...? * I'd like to make it known that this was not my first time at Birreria and although I have dined here for a full course meal three times before (all positive experiences), on this particular occasion, my party ordered no food. Therefore, my review is strictly based on the wine and service I did encounter.
(2)
Ludwig K.

Excellent food, outstanding service, and marvellous views. Birreria is a great roof bar, located on 5th Ave just across the street from the Flatiron Building. It's shaped in Italian style with Italian dishes and beverages. They also brew their own beer, which is a great mix between the American and Italian cuisines; the Italians aren't particularly well-known for their beers. Highly recommended - just enter Eataly from W 23rd Street and you have the elevator right on your left.
(5)
Brianna C.

I love coming to Birreria, rain or shine. The rooftop space is gorgeous, the wine list is great and affordable, and the food selection is fantastic. You can walk right up and get seats at the bar or stand by the table-tops with a bottle of wine and cheese plate or charcuterie, or you can make a reservation to be seated on the other side of the rooftop and enjoy Birreria's full food menu. I wasn't too impressed with the food menu as the prices are much higher than any of the other restaurants downstairs in Eataly for the same food essentially. I would recommend grabbing a cheese plate, wine, or beer and getting comfortable at the bar or the table-top spaces. It's a great place to come in the afternoon or the evening, the place is always packed and you're bound to have a fun time!
(4)
Brooke A.

Overall disappointing experience. Had a goodbye lunch for a colleague here today and we were a party of 11 people. Even though the restaurant was completely empty when we showed up, they made us wait 20 minutes for our 'table to be set up' even though they were seating other people as they walked in. Once we sat down, the music was so loud we could not hear each other. We asked one server to lower it. Nothing happened. Ask our server and he said "I know you asked somebody else already and if it hasn't happened it's probably not going to." That is seriously what he said. We were floored. Finally somebody in our party got up to speak to the manager, who lowered it. Food was nothing special and very limiting. We asked for grated parmesan cheese for the bread and oil olive they give out and the server said he can't bring that out! That they only serve cheese with the pasta. It was borderline laughable. My meal of caeser salad and portobello mushroom for an entree were nothing special and were only ordered because I did not want anything else on the menu. Overall, nobody enjoyed their experience at all. Between the terrible service, the loud music and mediocre food-- the only reason to go would be to have a drink and enjoy the view. But with so many places in NYC... why even do that? Spend your money elsewhere.
(2)
Nathan L.

A unique spot located on the rooftop of Eataly. Brought my parents here for dinner (which was very good), and brought some visiting friends here for drinks. The rooftop is semi-enclosed, which is ultimately a good thing, otherwise everyone would melt under the sun. Decent prices for Manhattan, and generally a touristy hot spot.
(4)
Lilian Y.

The 3 totally erratically random times I've been here I've had the same bartender and he's consistently awesome. Serves up wit and great wine. I need to come here for food at some point, but Birreria bar you get my full 5 stars!
(5)
August G.

Came here yesterday for a couple bites and some strong drinks. My friend who is visiting the city thought it was a great venue, perfect for a hot day, especially when they open up the ceiling paneling. Good looking people, good-looking deck, good-looking beers. I wish they would expand the menu though.
(4)
Augie R.

I have had great experiences at Eataly, but Birreria didn't quite live up to the rest of the Eataly experience. We visited on a lovely weekday afternoon, and the spot is certainly very appealing on a nice day (although I was expecting an open rooftop patio and not a semi-enclosed space with only partial views of the skyline). The real problem is that service here is pretty surly. The hostess was impatient (we interrupted her chat with a coworker), and I was disappointed that, even though the tables were less than half full, we could not get one unless everyone in our party ordered food. Instead, we opted for the bar, and we found the bartenders unhelpful and indifferent. Without the attitude, this would be a four-star spot.
(3)
Jeff D.

I've gotten into the habit of trying to wait to review a place after at least 2 visits but this is a place that I most likely won't be back to for at least a little while. So this is based off of first impressions but as you can see from the star rating, they didn't do such a bad job! Birreria is a small part of Eataly: a metropolis of Italian goods including pizza, pasta, a steakhouse, gelato and other specialty restaurants. This restaurant in particular is located on the roof. Although we came late on a Saturday afternoon, we were promptly seated and our order was quickly taken. I tried two of the house beers (insert Jay Mohr reference) and enjoyed them, but at $10 a glass was expecting a lot more. Then again this is NYC where you spend $20 just for walking outside your door so I can sorta understand. The food on the other hand was quite exceptional. I tried the blood sausage which I've never had the pleasure of trying and it was delicious! I highly recommend getting it if you want to try something different and non-traditional. I also thoroughly enjoyed our cheese plate appetizer but come on, who doesn't like cheese? From start to finish our server was on top of her game, asking us if we needed anything and topping off our water glasses. Oh and that bread they give you...divine and they ain't shy about giving you more! I know from experience... So if you're in the neighborhood, be sure to check out Eataly and visit Birreria while you're at it. You may be dropping quite a bit of dough, but at least you're getting a great meal, great service, and the view from the top simply can't be beat. Salute!
(4)
Hannah M.

Yes. Exactly what I wanted! Had so much fun here, despite an hour and half wait for the table. Staff were fun, we got in particularly good banter with the Turkish busboy over Gallipoli. It was funny. The food was ok - but I'm used to amazingly God and cheap Italian in Australia. I had the vegetarian pasta, I didn't like the tubular spaghetti so much, but the bocconcini was gorgeous and they gave us a free salad too! The bar has all sorts of beer - we had the Dog Fish Namaste and we both complained about weird dreams and a big hangover the next day, but I don't care. Had a great night here.
(5)
Asher W.

Cool place. Super crowded when we were there. Would love to see what it looks like on a warm summer say but I've heard its almost impossible to even get in at that time. We came to grab a snack and some wine to hold us over before going out on the town with friends. My gf and I got a table rather quickly and ordered two glasses of wine, the combo charcuterie board, and the three cheese plate. They brought us complimentary bread, honey with nuts, and oil. The honey was fantastic. The meats were awesome. All really unusual, no surprise its eataly after all. And the cheese were great too. Like this place but the crowded aspect and loud music got on my nerves. It was also a bit expensive for what it was. Thats only reason i give it 3 instead of 4 stars.
(3)
Colleen P.

Ok, so right off the bat I must say: This is not a beer garden! And if you are looking for a Caesar salad, go somewhere else! The beer here is awesome! I'm not saying every one I've had is my absolute favorite, but they have awesome beers on tap and you should be able to find one you really like! The food is delicious! This is a place for "foodies" though. Meaning if you want garlic mashed potatoes, Caesar salads, and burgers, then don't go here. I'm sure there is a pub/basic restaurant around that will satisfy much better. If you want amazing homemade sausages (mmm blood sausage), the best sauerkraut I've ever had, and really fresh ingredients (i.e. you actually care where your meat came from) then this is the place for you. I also just had the kale salad with grapefruit and anchovy dressing and OH MY GOSH it was good! It's also really fun and casual and not too expensive.
(5)
Nyota W.

This place is easy to overlook, located on a rooftop above a market with great food. I went here with a few friends on a Thursday night. If you love beer this place is definitely for you.The food is tasty as well. This place gets really crowded. I had the quail and it was quite tender. I recommend you order sides since the entrees don't come with any. Service was at a decent level too. Everyone enjoyed their meal. I'd come back again, but this place may be slightly overrated for what you get and pay.
(3)
Chris L.

The food was good, with some exceptions: The Cotechino pork sausage was a bit too fatty which really affected the texture, but had a good flavor. The Pollo Con Pesto Di Olive Verdi was very good, as well as the Costoletta Maiale Con Bombo. The waiter was a bit slow and incompetent but the bus and runner staff was excellent.
(4)
John C.

So i heard really positive reviews about this place from friends so i was excited to check it out for myself, went in for lunch. We arrived and were promptly seated after some difficulty finding it in the eataly building. The hostess was pleasant and responsive. We get a table, nice and off to the side, away from the bustle at the bar. We are offered sparkling, still, or ice water, given menus and left to wait, 2 minutes pass and the water arrives, so far so good. So we sit and look over the menu, choose some beer and expect to see our waiter to take a beer order as the place seems renowned for its beer. Some time passes, more time goes by, maybe 20 minutes later our server stops in to take an order, no pad and paper, seems confident. I relay my order of two beers, a three piece cheese plate, a plate of supresetta, some fried shiitake mushrooms and a skirt steak with mushrooms. He asks if i would like it separated into courses, i say sure. He leaves and ten minutes later the cheese and salami arrives. We consume it in about six minutes along with the bread they served us, i was relatively pleased. They pull the bread out of a large cauldron in the middle of the room so theres no chance of getting a warm piece and serve you a little bit of olive oil, but no salt or pepper on the table, whether its proper or not i enjoy seasoning the oil to taste. Okay so we have finished the first course, its been 20 minutes and no beer at a place known for beer and no matter how much eye contact i give the people in uniform no one will come over. I'm not going to shout, whistle, or raise my hand, this is supposed to be a service based establishment. Sooo i wait a little longer and a new woman comes by to ask us how everything is, i say we have been waiting on two beers and it has been some time. She tells me that my server left and failed to mention we had an order in progress. Now, ideally if the server had any talent he would have come to the table and said something like, " I just wanted to let you know we are in the middle of a shift change, i will be leaving and so and so here will be taking over, heres your beer and i hope you enjoy the rest of your meal". But no, he left with no word and us in the dust beerless. Beer comes, i like it. The moment is saved, until the salt lick arrived. So i ordered fried mushrooms. I realize they don't have seasonings on the table so they have to put some on in the kitchen but this had to be a mistake, it was absolutely horrendous, it was so salty it felt like my tongue was burning. The skirt steak was alright, medium rareish, not very warm the mushrooms served with it tasted like they were marinated in a straight red wine vinegar and then sauteed in more. Very harsh tasting in general. We finish the entrees, someone takes our empty still water bottle away but does not offer another. We sit for 15 minutes with our silverware set aside on the plate and no appearance of trying to eat more. The waitress who seemed to claim us was chatting with a man in plaid at the central island wait station, ignoring my vigilant attempts to get her attention, another server notices us and clears our plates and offers us anything further. We decline and ask for a bill. Five minutes pass. Bill comes. Paid cash and left. Never felt like we had a server taking care of us , the food was mediocre for the 84$ price tag. Service: Very Poor Food: Below Average Beverage: Good Value: Poor
(1)
Vicky L.

La Birreria is a rooftop bar on top of Eataly. They brew their own beer here, 8 barrels with 16 kegs. They also serve wine. I really liked the space, it's very open and great for a party. I was here for an alumni event, so I don't know what it's like on the regular. I'll have to go back and give it a proper review next time.
(3)
Caroline S.

I'm so disappointed by my time tonight at eataly. This was my second time on the rooftop. The first time we had an AMAZING server I wish I could remember his name. I had the steak it was perfectly cooked and the salsa verde was a perfect match for the meat. The server recommended a a grey beer for me as well. However, tonight we had a completely different experience. To start off we were greeted by the busboy who was great and answered a few of our questions. Ten minutes later.. Our server, patrick m, showed up. I had requested a Malbec at the bar whole waiting for our table (which we had reservations for) the bar tender said he had something similar, he did, and it was great. At the table I asked patrick what it could have been I was drinking. He scoffed, and said he didn't know what it could've been because the only wine he thought resembled a Malbec was $20 a glass. I'm not sure what this was supposed to mean? Regardless I ordered that wine, which, turned out to be different from my previously ordered wine. We ordered drinks and an appetizer.. Our cheese came out quickly. We waited twenty minutes until patrick came back to take our order (still no drinks)... I had to ask him twice for the specials the first which happened to be an appetizer that he neglected to introduce to us when we ordered our appetizers. I ordered the pork which was tender and delicious but had a lot of fat. However my friend ordered the same and didn't have the same issue. We never saw patrick again until it was time for the check that we ha to ask for and he seemed annoyed by... I don't know if he was having an off night but my meal and service was such a disappointment compared to my first time (I recommend the steak!! Over the pork)
(2)
Jo S.

Food is mediocre! This place is a waste of time. You can get better food in the market place on the first floor. The service is horrible - the only time I saw our waiter was when he took our order. The food was plopped on our table without explaining the dish. I would not come back to this restaurant.
(2)
Sara K.

Went here on a friday night. Still pretty early, but not too crowded. Ordered a beer at the bar, the bartender was helpful and friendly. He asked me what I liked and told him I was in the mood for a stout so he recommended me one. It was pretty good. The atmosphere was very laid back and casual. The place was pretty big so you didn't feel like you were on top of each other which was great. Great place for a casual night out with friends or on a date, if your looking for something not too fancy. Definitely will go back!
(4)
Paula Jean K.

This is a fabulous roof-top beer garden that sits on top of Eataly which I previously reviewed in great depth. I love coming here. The food is terrific, service is outstanding, and the beer selection is great!
(5)
Peter C.

I expected great things, but did not receive great things. This is Mario Batalia's Eately! A mecca of food and drink! Of consumption for the sake of all that is beautiful, right? No. this is like Paula Deen putting her name on some mass-produced cast iron pot and mugging for a commercial when she knows damn well she'd never cook in it. Look, the beer was OK. It was not special in any way. Nothing here was. Even the rooftop setting was a total disappointment. I made my way through a grocery store, figured out how to get up here (oh, that LINE isn't for the checkout?), rode the elevator, made it past the second host stand...and there are some McDonald's-looking table-and-chairs in a totally enclosed (if bright and airy) space? La Birreria wasn't bad, it was, in fact, quite good. It just didn't live up to billing. There are better rooftops, with better drinks, and better food, for the price.
(3)
Mahrukh M.

Went here one Sunday afternoon with friends. Was very bright. Would be great place to go for the summer time. You can just relax, nibble on some cheese and have a good conversation. It is pretty spacious so there is no rush to kick a group out. I would go here again but maybe more later in the evening. It was too bright for me in the afternoon. But, I am more of a night person myself :)
(3)
Olivia W.

This "beer garden" did not live up to it's hype. I went with my department at work and was really excited to have a grand time at the company's expense but the poor management of our reservation and rude inattentive service killed it. We were not seated together as promised and at one point totally talked out of an open table that would have accommodated us because it was "in the sun". HELLO, it's a roof-top bar! Every table was in the sun. None of the staff seemed to care nor attempt to help our party to sit together, and this was a work function so that was important to us. In fact, the staff seemed full of themselves, as if they were somehow entitled by their employment. Get over yourselves and get to serving. The menu didn't really dazzle either. I really liked the kale, grapefruit poppy seed salad but was under impressed with sausages and charcutterie we ordered. Surprisingly so, considering the meat market we walked through and all of it's amazing assortments. I will give them credit for well-crafted beers and wines though. I guess at the end of the day that's what a beer garden is for, drinking. The rest can be ignored. That said, I will not recommend this place nor will I plan on returning. Mario + Lydia, sorry but Birreria is a miss.
(2)
Amandine J.

Nice outdoor space for happy hour and large plates of cheese and charcuterie Nice atmosphere and really nice service, friendly, dynamic and always with a large smile. It is often very crowed so I really recommend to book before going if you want to grab something to eat. And the space at the bar get crowed quickly (and they won't let you up if so) Only thing that makes the experience less enjoyable then sould be is that it is very very noisy and it is sometimes hard to have a conversation with someone sitting right next to you!
(3)
Emily R.

Can I give 3.5 stars? I'll round up because of the awesome roofdeck architecture and environment. Have been dying to try out La Bierrera, the newest of the Beer Garden trend that has been overtaking NYC the summer of 2011. We went for brunch, which was a little awkward - there's a line downstairs manned by a bouncer to let parties onto the elevator leading up to the 14th floor roofdeck. A little intense for my taste for a weekend afternoon, but whatever, it's in-demand. The ambiance is perfection. Red metal tables with nice silverware and stemware, a rustic-looking wooden bar with barrels of Italian wine, and a wide selection of craft beers make for an amazing happy hour location with upscale choices. Not pretentious, very tasteful. Even the branding matches the feel perfectly - I'm a big fan of the location and setting. The service, however, was incredibly lame! Confused organization, swapping from one server to another, and stagnated presentation of courses made for an awkward interaction. We ordered appetizers & entrees before being asked for our drink order, which came out post-appetizers, and they completely forgot about our entree until reminded. When we'd try to get the waitress' attention, she looked completely stunned as to why we'd be waving her down - it felt as though we were inconveniencing her by asking for simple things like silverware or water.... The place is pretty new, so I'm sure they'll get the hang of it soon, but the waitstaff needs to get it together. The menu is a little weird for anything other than happy hour as far as selection goes, but what we ordered was all delicious. The menu is comprised of cheese, salumi, mushrooms, and sausage sections that are all presented tapas-style. There are also 6-8 entrees offered. The cheeses and salads we had were awesome - arugula, pecorino cheese, and baby tomatoes for one, and a garden vegetable medley on bibb lettuce for another. Creamy Gorgonzola was my surprising favorite cheese - served with awesome crusty bread, sweet honey and olive oil. We all split the fish of the day as well - salmon, which was almost raw (how I like it!) but probably could've used a disclaimer that it'd be served almost sushi-style for those who expected more of a cooked filet. Overall, I'd definitely go back after work with clients or a date to enjoy the weather and small plates.
(4)
Jennifer E.

Wonderful enclosed beer garden. A gem for sure! For those who might not love beer so much, their wine selection is delicious. Oh yeah, and get the fried mushrooms, they don't disappoint!
(5)
Rebecca S.

Not really a rooftop bar in the winter. Its covered and there isn't a view.
(3)
Ellen S.

This place is a hidden gem! Perfect on a gorgeous sunny day. Went there for lunch, and the line to get a table was long, but we sat at the bar, and were served rather quickly. The food was delicious (kale salad and a fish dish - simply superb!), and the beer selection was tempting. The only drawback was that they didn't have soy milk, and it took us three attempts to get a latte with soy milk throughout Eataly. Only the main espresso bar downstairs carried soy milk.
(5)
Eric N.

What is all the nonsense about no views? Was here last week for lunch, and it was a wonderful experience. Got there around noon, just before the crowds arrived. It was a beautiful day, and the roof was retracted, and the fans were blowing a cool breeze. The Empire State was clearly visible, as were a number of other building with great architecture. The waitstaff was very friendly, and helpful at guiding us through the beer selections. We had chosen a Hefe- Weiss that we didn't care for when it came. He cheerfully swapped it out for a more expensive brew, without charging us extra. For our meal with had a salad which was quite large, and very tasty - nice touch with the fried chick peas. The pork shoulder was among the tastiest I've had. It fell apart when touched with the fork. Not too much food, but perfect for lunch. Great views, vibrant atmosphere, terrific beer, and great food. Definitely check this one out!
(5)
Matt C.

This place just became a definite go-to for the summer. Went there on Saturday night around 8:30pm. Gave name and cell phone number to the guy at the front and then went to browse the rest of Eataly while waiting for our table. It was definitely crowded but given that this was Birreria's opening weekend, not surprising. After a bit of a wait, got a text message that the table was ready - once upstairs you can tell the place definitely has style. Great rooftop views of the surrounding buildings. It's noisy up there when it's full but not so bad that you can't have a conversation. Since it was opening weekend Batali was there, so we specifically requested a table that would allow us to stare awkwardly at him. The hostess politely obliged. As for the beer, we tried the Eataly Thyme Pale Ale and the Eataly Indian Brown Ale, both very good. For the food, we had the shrimp (served w/ heads on) and the pork chop. Shrimp was flavorful but a little over-salted, and the pork chop was one of the best I've had. So is there anything bad about the place? Well like the rest of Eataly, it's fairly expensive for what you get - the cask beers are $10 a pint and the portions of the food were a little lacking for the price. But the quality of both the beer and the food is pretty high, so just know what you're getting into and you'll have a great time. They're going to start taking group reservations in a few weeks and then I think this place will become a summer happy hour favorite of mine. P.S. A shout-out to the Asian crew downstairs in Eataly who were slapping "Paid" stickers on beer bottles and pre-gaming on the house while waiting for their table. Thanks for the beer, guys.
(4)
JoEllen H.

Excellent service view and food
(5)
Nicole M.

Great rooftop! We had drinks and a cheese platter and of course lots of bread! Beer was great and the peach Bellini was delicious! Was a little hard to find in Eataly because of how crowded it always is but once we did, we were very happy!
(4)
Gabe A.

Where do I begin. Perhaps at the beginning. I was so looking forward to this place opening. When I heard that Sam Calagione and Vinnie Cilurzo were involved in a rooftop brewpub in NYC, I could hardly contain myself. I texted my beer nerd friends the first time I saw Birreria mentioned in an article (probably 6-9 months before it actually opened). The project was delayed over and over and they decided to install a retractable roof (probably necessary if they wanted to keep it open more than a few months a year). Last night, I finally made it. I went over to Birreria around 5, left my cell number, and went off for a stroll around the Flatiron District. About 45 minutes later (for a table for 2), I got a text saying that a table was ready for me... awesome! We took the elevator up to the 14th floor and walked up to the roof. The first thing that I noticed was the view... or lack thereof. What was billed as sweeping views of the Empire State Building and Flatiron Building was more like the top few floors of each. There's a giant brick wall around the roof. Being part of Eataly, I was expecting some top notch food choices. In reality, the food menu is pretty sparse and more suited to having a couple apps while you drink. I had the arugula salad. It was basically a pile of arugula with 3 cherry tomatoes and some parmesan. The dressing was pretty delicious, but the acidity of it was too overpowering. Forgetting the view and food, the real reason I came to Birreria was the beer. To say that I love craft beer is an understatement. That being said, the beer menu did not disappoint. The only other place I've seen so much rare Dogfish Head beer on tap is at their brewpub in Rehoboth. I also tried a couple of the house brews. Gina is a solid IPA, the thyme definitely adds something interesting. Wanda is a solid brown ale, but lacks the kind of complexity I'd hope for in a beer produced by some of the best brewers in the business. The menu calls it a "mild" ale and I'd definitely agree. The taste is pretty underwhelming. Would I go back to Birreria? Maybe. I don't think it's worth waiting 45 minutes for. Although New York's beer scene is pretty lackluster, there are plenty of good places to grab a pint with your friends that don't have a 45 minute wait.
(3)
Jay S.

La Birreria @ Eataly - rooftop beer garden, how can it go wrong? It can. The only thing "german" (and by german, I mean third reich) about this place is the horrendously rude waitstaff and the ridiculous "rules". Eventually this place will realize it exists to serve customers, not insult them. Until then, avoid this place. I was trying to make a reservation for a nice evening out with 2 business teams after a meeting. The rude person on the phone bickered back and forth with me over how much I was going to spend and how long I was going to stay. Any restauranteur should know that businesspeople tip well and order a lot. The view and ambiance is nice but not worth dealing with the people. The food is only so-so (not as good as Eately downstairs), and the beer list isn't anything special compared to other local beer gardens.
(1)
Michael G.

If you can get into this place, then its worth the wait. Even on a non busy evening, there is a wait to get in. Albeit swanky and divine inside, the wait can become unbearable. \Once inside, there is a great selection of Italian beers to choose from. Moretti makes a fine sampling of light and artisinal beers that are worth spending a few bucks on. I cannot comment on the menu as I usually stuff my face downstairs at La Piazza, but from what I hear its pretty decent.
(4)
Nancy L.

Pretentious, just like everything else in Eataly. Don't get me wrong I most happily indulge in the overindulgence that is Eataly, but when I go to a beer garden I'm expecting a relaxed atmosphere. First off, there was a wait to get in, as if it were some exclusive NYC rooftop lounge. It was convenient that they texted us when there was room for us to head up. But some people in my party received their texts way late, like 30min after they got upstairs. Additionally some in my party never even received texts, even after they were allowing everyone upstairs. When we got up there the place was not crowded at all, which made me question the point of making us wait in the first place. If you aren't dining at the beer garden you can't sit (of course being the "rude" new yorkers that we are, we did anyway). This made me wonder if this place is really a beer garden or just a bar. It was also disappointing that despite the fact that this place is on the roof, there is almost no view of the city since the area is pretty much enclosed. Good points... good selection of beers, a lot of different beers and some familiar favorites. Food was pretty awesome too, but thats should be a no brainer. I'd recommend the fried mushrooms
(2)
Susie R.

I tried La Birreria last weekend and we had the best time. It was about 10 degrees outside on a Saturday afternoon and it was really nice to be under the sunny glass roof of this place without a heavy coat and gloves. I tried the Sav. Blanc/chard wine, my friend had a craft beer and we also tried the cheese sampler. The bartenders were all very nice and helpful (the bar area was packed). It was worth putting our names on a wait list to get in. I would highly recommend Birreria for a nice afternoon lunch or dinner. Next time I visit NYC, I will definitely go back!
(5)
Coal M.

Great food, wonderful beer selection (brewed on site and bottled). A meat and cheese lovers dream. Nice atmosphere. Loads of fun, except for the attitude of the staff. Our waitress was pissed we didn't order exactly what she wanted us to, argued over beer selections and was generally the exact opposite of what a good waitress is. Her attitude was so bad, it became a running joke at our table during the meal.
(3)
Cristina I.

I came here on a super hot summer day, after enjoying the artic AC downstairs in Eataly, and walking around in circles a few times (ask an employee where the elevator is) we finally found or way to the roof. We were lucky to grab seats at the bar, which was packed. We had a few beers and the cheese board, the best one was the fresh ricotta which came with honey on the side. Its a laid back vibe, and service at the bar was very good.
(4)
Pia M.

I visited La Birreria last September for a friend's birthday and loved our experience there. Batalli pulls off the casual cool vibe with a beer garden atop Eataly that has a retractable roof so you can dine and drink there year-around. While I definitely plan on returning when it's warmer out, this place was packed on a cool September night. We got the cheese plate to share, which was delicious. I had the salmon special for my main course, which I loved, but the skirt steak and portobello mushroom were equally amazing if not better. They also have a nice selection of beers - I went with the Wanda cask ale and really enjoyed it.
(4)
Cynthia S.

I hate it when places insist on maintaing an aura of exclusivity... had to wait in line for over 15 min to get upstairs because the place was "at capacity" even though 1) there was plenty of room, which we discovered when we eventually got up and 2) our friends who had arrived less than 5 minutes earlier did not wait at all and were waiting for us upstairs. Thanks a lot. Once upstairs, the bar was not that impressive. Yes, it was pretty cute because it was on a rooftop, but the bar area was completely covered up to by glass panels. In order to get the full open air/outdoor effect you had to sit in the adjacent dining area, for which reservations were necessary. Further, there were no views - all you could see was the top of another building. The beer selection was decent but expensive! There were several $7 beers, the rest were $20+... no thanks. After having to wait to get in at 5:30pm at a saturday as if it were an exclusive club, I was expecting more. In short - overpriced, loud, and pretentious. If they lowered their prices and fixed their attitude, this could be a cute spot, but at it is don't waste your time. *edit* Came here again because my boyfriend's family was in town and we knew they would enjoy the views and drinks. This time we didn't have to wait in a fake line. However, once we got to the top I asked if we could have a table to sit at to order apps and drinks - about 80% of the tables were empty and we were with the parents, for whom it is uncomfortable to stand for extended periods of time. The hostess informed me that we could only sit if we ordered entrees because the other tables were reserved (really? you're going to have 30 tables' worth of people come in at 5:30pm?). However, my bf's mother decided to take matters into her own hands. She checked the menu to see if there was any mention of that rule (there wasn't) and asked for a table. We proceeded to order two apps and a round of drinks and experienced no problems with checking out, despite not having ordered a single entree. Service once we got to the table was great, but I am thoroughly sick of the host and hostesses. We have had nothing but bad attitudes and snobbery from them.
(2)
Colin R.

I brought my mom here as part of her first visit to NYC in over ten years. Needless to say, she loved it. Sharing some appetizers while drinking excellent beer is always a win, and this time was no different. Work up an appetite while exploring the myriad of amazing foods in the grocery below, then head up the elevator to the roof. La Birreria has a cool vibe and the cask ales are big, bold, and beautifully located behind the bar. My plan is to come back here for a late summer nighttime Friday night to hang out at the bar and taste everything (or at least a lot) of what they have to offer. Enjoy!
(4)
Diane C.

Good for drinks and hanging out with good company but definitely overpriced and not worth any sort of wait. I don't understand what people are talking about when they say there is a good view here. You're surrounded by glass, which is then surrounded by bricks... = no view. The drink selection is pretty good and cool that they have casks of their drinks but those drinks will also run you a significant penny. The barolo is $19 a glass but delicious. I would come back to La Birreria, but definitely not at a prime time - that wait is not worth it.
(3)
Giannina R.

The ambience is oh so lovely. Felt like summer in the middle of winter. I like this place a lot. The grits are delicious.
(4)
Stacey S.

Went here on a date while I was visiting New York and WOW was the service horrible. Hearing that it was a "beer garden" we figured we would order some appetizers since we weren't that hungry and drink copious amounts of beer. After we finished our cheese and sausage plate, the waitress brought us our check without asking. We ignored it and ordered more beer. She brought the check two more times without asking then told us that the manager told us we needed to move to the ridiculously packed bar if we were only going to drink. All of which would've been fine had there not been more than 5 open tables around us nearly the entire time we were there. We asked for the manager to come over and the situation got even worse. She again told us we needed to move to the bar if we didn't plan on eating anymore. When we pointed out all the empty tables around us, she told us they were "reserved." I made a point to say one table in particular hadn't been seated all night and then she went to show me her iPad so I could see how "busy" they were. I understand lady. We had to wait 45 minutes too. Its almost like they make you wait just so it seems "exclusive" even though you get up there and there are lots of open tables but the bar is packed. Not to mention the manager did not know a single thing about customer service. It would be one thing if every table was full and she came over and said "hey we need to move you to the bar to allow for reservations. The first round of beers is on us." But no she came over and literally argued with us. I believe in "the customer is always right" within reason. Its almost as if they were told "the customer is always wrong. defend your poor service to the end!" Part of me was impressed at how terrible the service was. Almost like it was one of those places where they were intentionally rude but we weren't in on it. Won't ever go back to here. There are plenty of other rooftop bars with actual views of the city that welcome my money and understand the value in customer service.
(1)
John M.

Excellent place at the roof deck of eataly. Dont get the cask beer they suck. Have a draft instead! Except for the cask beer, this place is perfect.
(3)
Neel S.

Wish the entrance was easier to find. The beer selection is worth the visit.
(4)
GG G.

great beer garden with a great ambiance. Food is preety good considering the limited selction in the menu. Cheese table is OK but good price. We all ordered different dishes to try and below are my favorites (in order of preference) Fish of the day Pork Chops Quail Portobello Don't wate your $$ on desserts. Great place to grab a beer and have a good time with friends! They don't have a full menu, so be prepare to stick with beer and wine.
(4)
Howard B.

I came to this place with a few friends after a lazy Saturday afternoon brunch. It was very busy and they were not accepting table reservations so it's a good job that we were only there for a quick drink. The space is light and airy, especially with the roof open. They have a very wide selection of wines and beers and even some old-style real ales. A perfect way to kill a couple of hours on Saturday or Sunday afternoon.
(4)
Jenny G.

Went during a weekday afternoon and had an amazing lunch! Excellent and quick service, delicious food and fun atmosphere.
(5)
susan n.

Phenomenal. I tried the cotecchino- homemade pork sausage with cabbage and turnips. The best thing I have put in my mouth all year! ;-) No, really. The sausage is so good. I like sausage, but never go out of my way to order it. I don't usually like sausage because I find the casing chewy and the mix salty. Birreria's sausage does not have this problem at all! The turnips are the cutest vegetable I have ever seen. Together, the vegetables and mustard complemented the sausage perfectly. And washed down with a nice Sofia tap house whitbeir. The beer is just average, and probably not worth $10. My entree and beer came to $41.04 including tax and tip. Worth. every. cent. I am a HUGE fan of outdoor dining. I was pleased to be able to stroll in with no reservations and grab a spot at the bar within minutes. I noticed 8 or so tables open as well, but it was 4pm, too early for even senior citizens. Curious if it would be harder to snag a seat later in the day. My one complaint about outdoor dining in NYC is that is usually impossible to snag a seat, and I am usually jammed in with a couple dozen other outdoor lovers. There isn't much a view to speak of, but it is outdoors, the food is rocking, and I am definitely coming back.
(5)
Jonathan M.

I have mixed opinions of the place. The atmosphere is light and fun, with a good beer and wine selection. They have a wide variety of cheeses too, so sometimes a cheese plate and some drinks may be your best option. However, I believe the food is pretty overpriced. I came here with a friend for a bite to eat, and he ordered one of their sausage entrees. These plates cost ~$18-$25 and you're really only getting 2 sausages and a bit of cabbage. There really wasn't anything special about this dish, so despite being in the flatiron district where rent is probably more expensive, I still don't think this should be priced over $15 tops. This is no fine dining establishment, so until they are offering food that justifies it's price tag, I'll stick to the beverages here.
(3)
Bethany M.

What should have been amazing lunch experience on the first sunny day in the spring was made unfortunate by poor service. I was entertaining clients and we were so happy to have the chance to be enjoying lunch outside. The space is gorgeous and the retractable roof has a view of the flatiron building. I'm afraid the space has gotten to the heads of the managers though.. we were given our food (which was quite good) and then never saw our waiter again. The client I was trying to impress sat with an empty ice tea glass and we all needed our drinks refreshed. We finally spied our waiter and had to wave him down- ordered another round of drinks. We proceeded to wait for 30 minutes, and eat our entire meal- and had to wave down a busboy to get our waiter, who brought the drinks over. When I asked for my glass of wine to be taken off the bill, they were astounded and said they "don't do that". Her only apology was that we "had not been told" that drinks usually take a long time to come out, as they have slow beer taps? I said is 30 minutes usual? And she said, well sure! Am I missing something?? Such a shame as this is a lovely ambiance and I had been thinking I wanted to return. The experience left a terrible taste in my mouth to say the least.
(2)
Paul R.

Go for the beers and cool rooftop beer garden.
(4)
Julie B.

I was happy to escape the Eataly crowds by heading upstairs to the seemingly hidden (?) rooftob beer garden, La Birreria. The space was clean and inviting -- the roof was covered since it was winter, but was bright and sunny nonetheless. We sat at the bar and ordered a few drinks. I was pleased with the extensive beer menu and loved the look of the wine barrels set up behind the bar. The bartender was very helpful in guiding our choices and happily gave us samples to try. I went with one of the in-house ales -- a unique blend with honey-wine. I was very happy with the choice and would have liked to try the other ales offered. Since I ate downstairs I didn't try any of the food, but would love to come back and relax with a beer and a salumi plate!
(4)
Juan J.

A nice rooftop beer garden with good looking people sitting around. Good cheese, good wine, good beer, and good speck. I didn't try their good, but I would come back for all the good stuff mentioned above!
(4)
Maeve N.

TERRIBLE SERVICE tonight. The place was empty at 4:15 when my party of 4 arrived. We explained there would be 6 more coming by 5 pm & that we wanted to order drinks & appetizers right then. The hostess showed us to a table & then left us standing there, saying she had to check & see if we could be seated. ?! So after standing there for several minutes we sat down. A manager approached & informed us we couldn't be seated until the whole party arrived. Utter BS. She went on about it being dinner time & crowded, which it wasn't in the least. We asked to be given menus so we could order appetizers to be on the table when our friends arrived. Finally, she arranged for a different table for us, but was NOT Friendly at all. We had two different waiters, both of whom had attitudes & passive aggressively ignored us. I should note that one couple nearby left shortly after being seated for lack of service & an elderly couple was similarly ignored. For the $500 our group spent there over two and a half hours, I'm honestly shocked at the behavior of all of these employees. In my opinion, Birreria is just another over-priced NYC joint with snobby wait staff & poor managers.
(1)
Austin O.

I visited here with my friend after doing a bit of a stroll downstairs for groceries. I was only interested in getting a drink, and I was very impressed by their beer selection. Many of their beers are in fact brewed on the premises, and they have unique items like "barley wine" which is an old style of beer with a higher alcohol content and very hoppy taste. It was served in a glass more akin to a wine glass, which I really liked because the glass was clearly high quality - I don't know if these sort of things make the drink taste better, but it certainly felt classier. The one downside was that the view was practically non-existant at night. I haven't been there during the summer so I don't know if it is laid out differently, but the bar area is confined to the left side, while the main dining area actually goes out more (where they could conceivably have a view). Perhaps during the winter its better to visit when its bright out to get a better sense of the view.
(4)
Dan F.

I've come the Birreria and few times and had everything from just a drink to a full meal. Overall the food is simple, usually cheeses, charcuterie or vegetables prepared in simple fashion. The simplicity lends itself to having the quality products shine through and with it being in Eataly, you can always buy the ingredients downstairs to make the dish at home for yourself. Unfortunately service is a bit of an issue. For example, on my most recent visit, our waiter rarely showed up, compelling us to snag a different waiter to take our order. Even once the waiter for our section did show his face, it was extremely infrequent, leaving us hanging for more than 20 minutes just trying to pay the bill. All this while there was no more than 6 tables occupied in the whole restaurant. Another note is that on weekends, the wait can easily exceed two hours and they won;t let you up until your name has been called, even for a drink.
(3)
Jason L.

Last time visited was October 2013 Atmosphere Pretty cool place. Take the elevator to the 14th floor (rooftop) and the ceiling is retractable. Stylish colors and hardwood flooring surround the massive bar and brewery barrels. Very bustling and busy which adds to the lively brewery atmosphere. Great for groups and couples. The beers One if the best places I've been in manhattan. On the rooftop 14th floor they have the grandest craft beer I've ever seen. Not only are tons of pints but they also have a great list of corked 500ml to liters of beers and ales. I took a few of my upstate ny beer connoisseur friends here and was amazed at their response to the atmosphere and the beer selection. The food Their food is great here. They seem to specialize in sausage and pork all of which is wonderful. Try the pork shoulder if you go here; by far the best braised pork I've ever had. Just pay attention to what you will want, the food is a la carte so expect small yet quite filling portions. Also, cheese selection is expensive but I would highly recommend giving it a shot. Price Prices are quite variable depending on what you eat/drink. For the beers expect 8ish for a pint and I saw some of the corked beers up to 50 for a liter of beer. For the food expect about 20-30 for a full meal per person.
(5)
Chris S.

Tasty food, not overly pricey and amazing selection of beers. But they have sausages and sandwiches yet they don't have ketchup - like no ketchup at all...not even that Hunts crap. #BYOK
(3)
Will P.

Another in a parade of luke-warm restaurants in Manhattan. The place is huge - deserving of its own zip codes (plural). At the top of a building in midtown, the place for sure sported a cool atmosphere, but there was too much negative for me to give a positive review. We had a dingbat waiter, who proceeded to recommend an awful beer and, when I asked him to bring one of the beers my co-diners were enjoying, he forgot to bring it. We went the entire meal before he remembered - and then brought the wrong beer to boot. Since I was and am on a carb-restriction diet - I went for the the arugula salad, which was embarrassing. No flavor, a rat's nest of gritty lame leaves and no intrigue whatsoever. When hitting this place, focus on carefully selected beers and the meat and cheese plates - those were very good. Other than that, thought, meh.
(2)
Aruna A.

I'm a pretty big beer drinker, I love beer. And if you read my reviews, you'll see I'm pretty good at drinking GOOD beer. I don't drink the crap that college students drink, nor do I drink the cheap stuff. I also never drink bud light, coors lite, or miller anything - unless I have to. Instead, I'm a pretty big fan of the fancier, GOOD beers. They are delicious. And they leave a yummy taste behind. Additionally German beer halls are usually my favorite. La Birreira is a great one! It's an elevator ride away from Eataly, and is really easy to find because of the huge signs. Once up there, you'll see that it's decorated very much like a German beer hall. The colors are mostly brown and red, with some random plant life thrown in. Additionally, the roof is retractable, making it even more awesome in the summer time. The beer selection itself was amazing, there were so many I wanted to try! There is a large range of price selection and alcohol content. We didn't eat much beyond cheese, but the selection of cheese was pretty impressive also. Wasn't too badly priced, and definitely seemed like a more informal, easier way to enjoy the wonderful place that is Eataly.
(4)
Melissa C.

Great place for those who love beer. We tried their cask ales which is what they're known for. I had the pale ale which I enjoyed, even though I'm not a big fan of beer. The beers are appropriately priced and the bartenders are friendly. Since we went here during the winter, the retractable roof was closed. I'll be sure to check this place out during the summer though!
(3)
Tiff W.

Congratulations to all who shove their way through Eataly to the elevators and make it to La Birreria. Try to get a seat at the bar, where you have better access to the bartenders/servers and can see the different beers & wines that are being poured. The cask ales are definitely worth trying. The day we went, it was pouring, so it was kind of therapeutic to see the rain fall on the glass retractable roof. Be forewarned though...I've also come here in the middle of the summer and if it's a sunny day, you literally feel like you are being fried by a magnifying glass.
(3)
Gina M.

I really have nothing but good things to say about the beer garden in Eataly. It definitely is crowded but the food and beer are really worth it. I come here for lunch at least once a month and I've never had a bad experience. The pasta dishes are really good and they have so many fantastic beer choices.
(4)
Craig Z.

Exceeded expectations. Food was all great, and a very interesting beer list. Pork shoulder (hunks, not pulled) was delightful, even if underseasoned a bit--just needed more salt. Beet salad was delightful, as were some of the other apps, but not the fried mushrooms, FYI.
(4)
Madeline S.

This place was really nice for an afternoon summer experience - if you want to drop some money. They have pretty overpriced cheese and salumi selections (for what you get) and the wine was moderately priced. The atmosphere seems fun around the bar. The one thing I wasn't a fan of was their attitude - we came around 4:00 and it was relatively empty but then they got a little perturbed when we wanted to add another person to our party. Instead of letting us add a seat to our table, they made a big to-do about moving us to another table and then the maitre d' had to come over an inform us that although they were not busy, they don't usually seat incomplete parties. I just found it unnecessary to say when the place wasn't packed...
(3)
Michael B.

There is only one way to do La B. With a whole lot of time on your hands and a whole lot of dough in your pocket. If you've got half of that, you're going to be reminded what kind of people rule New York City, those with no time, and no money for little old you. My gang and I, fortunately picked proper and had a ball. Still, it ran over a grand for 8 people. So the dirty little secret is that some of their beers selling at your table for 30 bucks can be had for 9. AND if you're wise you could pull this same deal off with some smart shopping at Dean and Deluca.. but it's springtime and you're getting waited on. What do you want? I highly recommend the Fluffy White Rabbits Belgian beer. The Dogfish Head was remarkably different, and we enjoyed it. The curry and tandoori been not so much. In fact, not at all. The deep fried shitake mushrooms are bomb-delicious and the sausage plate is ausgezeichnet. I should mention one more thing. This is not a gourmet meal, these are gourmet snacks. You cannot possibly be entertained by the food and service so don't expect it. This is the most expensive beer garden in the world, but it is essentially a beer garden - without the live music. La B would be perfect with a proper jazz combo or even klezmer band, but until then I still give it five.
(5)
Liz I.

I absolutely love La Birreria and have been several times! But what made our last visit truly exceptional was our waiter, Ty. He went out of his way to accommodate our requests with an incredible attitude and was uniquely knowledgable and passionate about the menu. His boundless positivity and spirited personality simply made our visit more fun! Why the four stars? Our food wasn't quite as spectacular as it typically is . . . the mushroom dish didn't have much flavor and my salad necessitated salt to bring it to life.
(4)
Clare G.

I'll be perfectly honest, I've only been here for the grand opening and a press event prior to that so I cannot speak to the price or wait time. That being said, the food and beer are amazing. This spot is a testament to the growing beer culture in and around New York City. Sam Calagione, Teo Musso and Leonardo Di Vincenzo have created impressive brews and plan to continue collaborating on rotating and seasonal brews exclusive to this brew pub -- which is very exciting. The food from Mario Batali is a delicious and amazing complement to these beers but it should not be the main draw here. The beer is the star of this show and it deserves it. I will say that I expected to enjoy the view a bit more when I first heard about this rooftop brewpub but considering the amount of work that was required for the retractable roof (and to set up a brewpub on an NYC rooftop that could withstand the summer heat as well as winter chill), it's really not that bad. You have to be at the right angle to see the Empire State Building and don't expect to see the Flat Iron building at all but it's still nice to be outside and enjoy the NYC air -- which is a little nicer at that elevation than it is at ground level. Also -- for those complaining about the beer garden description -- you're right, it's definitely NOT a beer garden. But there is no official description that claims as much. It's officially referred to as a rooftop brewpub. The term beer garden gets thrown around way too much these days and I think sometimes it unfortunately gets attached to places that don't fit that description. I've no doubt that some journalist has probably proclaimed that this place is a beer garden -- but they'd be wrong.
(4)
andrea p.

Great space and selection of beers the limited food goes well with the ambiance. It's not a real restaurant after all, it's a place to try small tasty dishes with your drink of choice while enjoying the terrace's feel and sights .
(5)
Christine Y.

Came here last night for a 12-person girls' night for which my old roommate had made reservations for weeks in advance. Took me a while to find the entrance (hidden elevator line next to the bathrooms and cashiers inside Eataly) and were seated maybe 15 min after everyone arrived (note: strict 15 min grace period). As far as food goes, we all got different items (also note: they cannot substitute or change the menu entrees). The portobello dish was the most popular, but I thought the chicken was freaking fantastic. The market fish was delicious as well and 2 people got the quail, which was apparently superb with a balsamic glaze but just a little sad looking (2 baby quails piled on top of each other). The cheese platter also kicks ass with the honey hazelnut on the side. Beer was ok, at least the one I had. The ambience is hip and boisterous, albeit a little loud and definitely crowded. However, our waiter was super, super awesome. Our food came out quickly and hot, no orders were messed up, AND he offered (and went through with) separating ALL 12 OF OUR bills according to what drinks/entrees we ordered and swiped at least 10 credit cards without errors! AH-MAZING! I just wish that they had less giant white umbrellas covering up the beautiful view of the skyline on a clear blue summer evening, but I guess that's part of their "open in rain/snow/shine" perk.
(4)
Meg B.

After thinking about going here for months, finally made it. Went on a Sunday evening at 5ish, after fighting through the crazy crowds of downstairs Eataly. There was a 20-minute wait, and reservations were called via text message. I have to admit I was worried the whole time that our reception would be too crummy to receive. The space upstairs is really great - we had a view of the famous Flatiron building and the Empire State Building, which was pretty fantastic once the sun went down. Our server was fine - he was attentive and came by our table to check in on a regular basis, contradictory to what I've read in several reviews. I had the chestnut cask ale which was yummy, if a bit more filling than I was hoping for. My husband had a draft pilsner, which came in a carafe - good for about 2.5 beers. Definitely worth getting the carafe to avoid having to order and wait for another. Cheese plate, olive oil smash potatoes, fried King Oyster mushrooms, and porkchop were all winners. Tiramisu was only so-so. All in all, worth a trip.
(4)
Matt C.

This part should be called Waitaly. Wait in line to put your name in. Wait inside for your text to tell you to come up. Get moved outside once the rest of Eataly closes, and continue to wait. Get fed up with waiting after an hour and start walking somewhere else. Order drinks at another bar, get your text from Birreria.
(1)
Lindsay S.

Came here with some friends for drinks and food. To get to the bar you have to walk through the very tourist populated Eataly which is interesting to browse but can get really overwhelmed with people. Our wait was estimated at 45 minutes which extended to about 65 minutes when it came down to it. Luckily because of the location we were able to browse the great food/cheese/cooking items in Eataly. Seating at La Birreria was actually one of the big pluses. They have a lot of room in between tables, nothing feels overcrowded. They have a number of great beers on tap and the bus boys were the best wait staff there. It's a nice outdoor space on a beautiful night but does not give you the best rooftop views as it is partially covered. The negatives. Portions are small, waitstaff is scarcely at your table (once to take order, once for the bill) and the restaurant is overpriced (to be expected). All in all, had an enjoyable time with friends but the restaurant left something to be desired. Would try something new next time.
(3)
Stephanie F.

This rooftop bar is an amazingly nice venue. My friend and I came here on a sunny Friday evening to grab a beer. The bar was really crowded, and it took a long time to squeeze through and order our beers. Luckily we were able to find a strip of counter space to enjoy the perfect weather. Neither of us liked our beers which was a bummer because they were not cheap. Hopefully I'll do a better job choosing next time!
(4)
Ashwin M.

Dinner Review: In the past I had only done drinks at La Birreria , so I'm glad I finally tried more of the menu. After a long day at the US Open, my cousin and I wandered back into the city and obviously headed where else but to Eataly :) To start, we chose a selection of all 7 cheeses and a few meats. Simply divine. You can't leave without trying a few of each! The provolone and the asiago were my favorites, along with the speck and sopressata. They also bring honey (and of course olive oil) which goes great with the bread. My cousin and his wife got the chicken thighs and I tried a couple bites. One of the juiciest and best pieces of chicken I have had in a long while. I went with the halibut special, topped with a corn salsa of sorts. Perfection. Wine was solid (we didn't even do beer!) and service was flawless. Bravo.
(5)
Jam L.

Great food. We shared a plate of cheese and meats to start. Also had the steak, chicken and salmon. Prices are reasonable and the staff are attentive and knowledgeable
(4)
Steve F.

What a disappointment. It truly is a tourist trap. I came here with family to celebrate a birthday and was so excited having heard so much about the Eataly experience. But it turns out this restaurant was conceived and run by partners not affiliated with Eataly and has nothing to do with Eataly other than you have to walk through it to get to the elevators that take you to the roof. That being said, there are still no excuses for the epic fail of an experience I had: The service is easily the worse I've ever experienced in New York and the food on the whole is average for all the hype. The weather was a perfect sunny 65Â° on a Sunday afternoon to be sitting on the patio. We had a reservation but had to wait about 10 minutes for our party of 7 to be seated. That's okay. But after they seated us no one even came over to the table for at least 15 minutes. We finally heard the specials and ordered cocktails and salami/cheese plates. They came out pretty quickly and were delicious. Then we ordered our second course. I was full after the cheese so ordered the Prime Rib 'Salad' which when it finally arrived was just strips of tasteless carpaccio so I ordered a garden salad which was this over-seasoned, over dressed mess of greens. The pork shoulder everyone raves about was mediocre to me. We ordered desserts and coffee and had to wait nearly a half hour. The waitress said the backup was from 6 tables ordering at the same time. But when the desserts arrived, they were all pre-made 'puddings' so her excuse was lame, though the the Panna Cotta, Tiramisu and Tre, were delicious and the highlights of the meal. She did take the coffees off the bill as a consolation for the poor service. I would never go here again and you won't hear positive word of mouth from me either. Don't blame me - I told you not to go!!!
(2)
Madison C.

Yah. No. Went here with group of friends the beer was great and the bartender was nice while we waited an hour and half to get a table for the restaurant. We then get to the table and wait another 20 minutes before any one comes over to our table. Everyone ordered a drink and I got a soda, I had to ask him two separate occasions to bring me my soda. After everyone had already gotten their beers. Like come on. We then get our food and out of the three people that ordered steak no one's was above room temperature. I understand if you order a steak rare it can come out on the chilled side but mine was medium. I hate to do this but I literally had to send it back, I won't pay $30 bucks for a meal and have it be cold when it is meant to be hot. Needless to say the waiter didn't get a good tip and I definitely won't be going back. Don't waste your money!!
(1)
Jackie S.

I dined here a while back and I definitely left a piece of my heart at this place. My party and I ended up here by accident. We were at a meeting on the west side of the city that ran late, we were hungry, and as we walked around trying to figure out where to stop in on a summer Thursday night, we made our way east and ended up here. Naturally, this place gets extremely busy by New Yorkers and tourists alike, so the wait to take the elevator upstairs to La Birreria was over an hour long. We scoped our surroundings downstairs, as we stood in the middle of the gourmet marketplace Eataly is, and decided this is where we shall dine, regardless of the wait. We put our names down and killed time at the little wine bar downstairs, getting a buzz before our meal. About an hour or so later, our table was ready. We arrived in a busy but very open-feeling environment, retracted rooftop and all! Ah New York summers, how I adore you. It was late, almost 11pm, I didn't want to have a heavy meal, so I ordered a salad and though I don't remember which it was, I remember it being a decent size and delicious. I also sampled the pollo and angello from my friends and they were excellent. When you're here, definitely have a drink. Whether it's beer or wine, you won't be sorry. Definitely worth the wait for a great experience.
(5)
M E.

Always fun, always great service. Had a great time here, yet again.
(5)
Shivani G.

This place had everything going for it-- rooftop, local beers, Italian fare. But it wound up being a flop, and disappointing on all fronts. First, the atmosphere. Yes, it was a rooftop bar... but there was no view, because of the high walls around the restaurant. Plus, with the sunroof open, it became SO hot, almost unbearable. Still, it was decently nice to be able to eat "outside", so I give one star for that. Then, the service... absolutely horrible. My boyfriend and I saw our waiter just twice, the beginning and end. He was very short with us, and rude. We tried to order cheese, and he quickly interrupted us to say we couldn't just "start with the cheese" because they had a "small kitchen" and needed a full order. Okay, a bit rude, but fine. So, when ordering the cheese plate, we only wanted five, but our waiter pushed us into getting 7, mostly so that he didn't need to answer any questions about choosing five cheeses. We both love cheese. But, the extra 2 added nothing, and honestly, none of the cheeses were particularly special. I actually enjoyed just two, one being just a giant spoonful of ricotta. It was served with honey, which wasn't bad. Also, after being served the cheese, we realized he had completely forgotten to give us bread (every other table around us had some)!! It took us 10 mins to finally grab someone's attention so that we could have some bread to eat the goopy ricotta. Our waiter never came to check on us. When we needed more bread since our main meal took forever, it took us another 15 mins to grab someone's attention. Such slow service!! Meanwhile, our drinks.. my white wine was okay. My boyfriend was not a fan of the cask ale he ordered, which just became an uncomfortably hot beer out in the sun. Then, the main course. My polenta and lamb was quite good. My boyfriend ordered a steak salad....which turned out to be a platter of cured steak pieces and mushrooms. No greens. Not really filling, although still delicious. That's perhaps just a bad choice, but in general, the menu descriptions were not all that helpful, and since our waiter was so terse with us (and seemed too rushed for questions), we couldn't have known otherwise. All in all-- okay food, nothing that exciting. Lastly, we needed the check.... that took another 15-20 mins. We finally got our waiter's attention, but he didn't come with the check for another 15 mins. At that point, we were so frustrated (and boiling in the sun) that we just paid with cash and left, which I normally do not do for pricier meals. So, not great. We felt unwelcome, underserved, and largely ignored. There was no excuse for the poor service... I saw plenty of waiters wandering occasionally with nothing to do. Not worth the rooftop vibe, when there are so many other nicer places in the city.
(2)
Samantha L.

When I was told I would be hiking to the top of Eataly to put my name on a list and then possibly be killing time for an hour while I waited for my name to be called for lunch, I was a little worried. It's been a while since I did the summer NY rooftop lunch scene. But, we luckily got there on Monday when there wasn't any wait at all. Despite a hostess who spent entirely too long checking if we could move to one of the 4 other shaded and open tables so we didn't have to sit in the 1 overly sun-drenched table she sat us in initially, we ended up having a lovely lunch of shared and interesting Italian inspired bites at moderate-by-New-York-standard prices. The setting was quintessentially New York in the summertime.
(4)
Winston W.

Feeling pretty generous with three stars. If it wasn't for the company I was with, this place would have been two stars for me. Echoing most everyone else when I say that yes this is a "rooftop" bar, but there is no view, there is no outside seating area. It's a rooftop with a massive cover above it with a few pockets of space to give people the slightest impression that they are on a rooftop. Drinks were not too bad. First time trying beer that wasn't carbonated. But not worth the price ($10) for a medium sized glass. Looking at the menu, wine was also overpriced. I did not try the food or sit down, so I can't judge that part of the place, but the bar area was very limited and roped off, giving us no flexibility for moving around once we got our drinks. Not too familiar with the rooftop bar scene in NYC yet, but I'm sure there are better places.
(3)
Brittany J.

I love grabbing a beer on the rooftop of Eataly. As others have described, the view wows during the summer when the roof is open and the flatiron building is in sight. It's still lovely in the winter, though, as it's less crowded, usually, and toasty warm. The beer selection is impressive. I wish I did a better job at remembering which beers I tried. I haven't yet enjoyed anything in the barrels (casks?), instead ordering 750 mL bottles to share. Everything I've had has been very good. The bartenders have helped me find something on the list of new-to-me names and brews based on what I like and have never steered me wrong. A perk of grabbing a beer here over a lot of other places is the free bread and olive oil. It's not quite as good as chips and salsa, but free is free! I've ordered the "pick your own cheese" plate with good results, but unfortunately for me, haven't sampled anything else off the menu. Overall I think this place deserves to be on any beer loving tourists list (I feel a little bad asking tourists to show up at one of my go-to spots) but it's first and foremost a good spot for a date or a night with friends for locals (or, for killing time while you wait for your table downstairs).
(4)
Laura F.

I used to work in an office across the street, so we came here often. I wanted this place to work out because of the convenience and because well, it is on a roof, but I have encountered rude service here so many times now that I've given up. The rooftop is beautiful. During the summer it is more open-air and during the winter it remains enclosed, but you can still see out. The beer and wine selection is decent, but not great. If you go, I'd go for the bar and maybe cheeses, but it is not worth a sit-down dinner. I have never had a good meal here, and it isn't cheap. For example, the fish special I had that was overcooked and rubbery. And probably $25 for that. Back to my point, I have met some of the rudest bartenders here in the whole city. Rude, condescending, rude, condescending. Attitude. Ignoring. It goes on and on. And since it is NYC and there are a million other options on a roof with the potential for a good ambiance, I'm going elsewhere. The food/drink is not even close to being good enough to make up for the poor service.
(2)
Lana H.

So stinking hot and not in a good way. The rooftop bar could have been great but with no air, fans or ventilation turned on it was miserable. I ordered the mussels which were great. Husband ordered the pasta of the day and it was just ok.
(2)

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Address : 34-15 Broadway
Astoria, NY, 11106
Phone (718) 728-0430
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Italian Cuisine

The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.

Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.

If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.

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Bartolino

34-15 Broadway, Astoria, NY, 11106

Bartolino Menu

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Cold Appetizers

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Veal

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