The Sturgeon King of the Upper West Side
Barney Greengrass has been the Upper West Side’s “Sturgeon King” since it landed on Amsterdam Avenue in 1938, three decades after the family first opened in Harlem in 1908. It is a Jewish appetizing store and deli, fourth-generation family-run, and one of the last true examples of the form in the city.
The move is a weekend brunch of smoked fish: sturgeon, nova, and whitefish, and the signature eggs scrambled with sturgeon and onions, plus babka, latkes, and bagels off the counter. It is a daytime place, elbow-to-elbow and gloriously chaotic, not a spot for a leisurely night out.
What to Expect
There is no happy hour. Barney Greengrass is an appetizing store and breakfast-lunch counter with no bar and no evening hours; it closes by late afternoon and is dark on Mondays. Come for the smoked fish and the room, not for a drink deal, and bring cash, since it has long run cash-only.
The Room
The dining room in back is packed tight, tables nearly on top of one another, with faded vintage wallpaper and a deli counter up front stacked with dry goods and boxes. Servers have a well-honed schtick, push the latkes, and keep the line moving; the whole thing feels frozen, in the best way, sometime last century.
Who Barney Greengrass Is For
| Occasion | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Weekend brunch | Smoked fish platters and eggs with sturgeon and onions make it a classic Saturday or Sunday sit-down. |
| Old-school NYC | A 1908-founded appetizing institution is as close to time travel as UWS dining gets. |
| Smoked-fish run | The counter does retail sturgeon, nova, and whitefish to take home or ship nationwide. |
| Solo counter breakfast | An early weekday breakfast at the counter is a quiet way to experience it before the crowds. |
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Barney Greengrass FAQ
Does Barney Greengrass have a happy hour?
No. It is a daytime appetizing store and deli with no bar; it closes by late afternoon and is closed Mondays.
What is it known for?
Smoked sturgeon, smoked-fish platters, and eggs scrambled with sturgeon (or nova) and onions, which is why it’s called the Sturgeon King.
Is it cash only?
It has long been famously cash-only; some recent diners report cards are now accepted, so bring cash to be safe.
What are the hours?
Roughly Tuesday–Sunday for breakfast and lunch, closing around 4–5pm, and closed on Mondays; check the site before a Monday visit.
Happy hour times and deals last verified June 2026. Details can change — confirm with Barney Greengrass before visiting for a specific deal.