Buvette: Jody Williams’ Iconic All-Day French Café in the West Village
Buvette, at 42 Grove Street, is chef Jody Williams’ beloved slice of Paris in the West Village — part café, part bar, part restaurant, open “from sunlight to candlelight.” Since 2011 it’s been a mainstay for eating and drinking well at any hour, from croissants and a cappuccino in the morning to steak tartare with champagne in the afternoon to coq au vin and late digestifs at the marble bar. The original has since spawned outposts in Paris, London and Tokyo.
Like its West Village siblings, Buvette doesn’t run a traditional discounted happy hour — but it’s open all day, walk-ins welcome, and the in-between hours are the sweet spot.
What to Expect
How to make the most of it:
- No discounted happy hour, but open all day with separate morning, afternoon and evening menus
- Walk in any time; limited reservations are released online 14 days out
- The afternoon aperitif — a glass of wine or a classic cocktail at the marble bar — is the move
- Squeeze in at the bar, in the leafy hidden garden, or at a sidewalk table on Grove Street
The Drinks
Classic cocktails expertly made at the bar and served late into the evening, a thoughtful wine list, champagne by the glass, and digestifs — the kind of all-day drinking program that makes an afternoon aperitif feel like the most civilized thing in the world.
The Food
French café cooking at every hour: fresh croissants, croque madames, a Nutella crêpe and a waffle sandwich with eggs and bacon in the morning; steak tartare in the afternoon; coq au vin and a duck-and-pork cassoulet in the evening; plus fromages and charcuterie throughout.
The Room
An old-world café distilled into a tiny, charming West Village space — a curved marble bar, antique furniture collected by the chef, heirloom keepsakes, and baskets of seasonal produce. There’s a leafy garden tucked away in back and sidewalk tables on tree-lined Grove Street. You’re encouraged to linger.
Who Buvette Is For
| Occasion | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Date night | One of the most romantic rooms in the West Village |
| An afternoon aperitif | Champagne or a cocktail at the marble bar |
| All-day drop-in | Walk in for espresso, lunch, or a late digestif |
| A garden table | A hidden leafy garden or a seat on Grove Street |
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Buvette FAQ
Does Buvette have a happy hour?
Not a traditional discounted one — but it’s open all day for walk-ins, and the afternoon aperitif at the marble bar is the move.
Where is Buvette?
42 Grove Street in the West Village — near the 1 at Christopher Street–Sheridan Square.
Do I need a reservation?
Buvette takes walk-ins all day; a limited number of reservations are released online 14 days in advance.
What are the hours?
Open daily from 8am, with food and drinks straight through the day and the bar running late into the evening.
Details last verified June 2026. Buvette does not run a traditional discounted happy hour; hours can change — confirm before visiting.