Russ & Daughters Cafe: The Lower East Side’s Sit-Down Appetizing Institution
Russ & Daughters Cafe is the full-service, sit-down counterpart to the century-old appetizing shop around the corner on Houston Street. Opened in 2014 on the 100th anniversary of the original store, it gives you a place to actually sit and eat the smoked fish, bagels, and caviar that made the family name — no take-a-number line required.
The room nods to the old-school luncheonette with a marble soda-fountain bar, tile floors, and neon, and the kitchen turns classic appetizing into proper plated dishes like the Pastrami Russ and the Mensch. It’s a Michelin Bib Gourmand pick and a genuine LES landmark, so expect a wait — they take walk-ins only and text you when a table opens.
What to Expect
There’s no happy hour here. The Cafe is a daytime operation, seating from 8:30 AM with last seatings at 2:30 PM Monday through Thursday and 3:30 PM Friday through Sunday, so it closes well before any evening deal window. The bar pours egg creams, homemade sodas, shrubs, and cocktails, but at standard prices all day.
The Room
A snug, jewel-box LES room built to evoke a vintage appetizing shop: white subway tile, a marble soda-fountain bar with counter stools, cozy booths, neon signage, and back-lit shelves of herring and preserves. It seats just 68, so it fills fast and feels intimate.
Who Russ & Daughters Cafe Is For
| Occasion | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Weekend brunch | Smoked fish boards, bagels, blintzes, and egg creams make it a definitive NYC brunch — arrive early to beat the walk-in wait. |
| Out-of-town guests | A living piece of Lower East Side Jewish food history that shows visitors real appetizing, not a tourist-trap deli. |
| Solo counter dining | The soda-fountain bar is built for a great meal alone with a book and an egg cream. |
| A celebratory treat | Caviar service and the full appetizing spread make it a splurge-worthy occasion meal. |
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Russ & Daughters Cafe FAQ
Does Russ & Daughters Cafe have a happy hour?
No. The Cafe is a daytime sit-down restaurant with last seatings in the early-to-mid afternoon, so there’s no happy hour or discounted drink window.
Is this the same as the Russ & Daughters shop on Houston Street?
No — this is the separate sit-down Cafe at 127 Orchard Street. The original appetizing counter is around the corner at 179 East Houston Street, and it’s takeout/retail only.
Do they take reservations?
No. The Cafe is walk-in only. If there’s a wait, they take your number and text you when a table is ready. There’s no takeout at this location.
What should I order?
Smoked fish — hot- and cold-smoked salmon, sturgeon, and whitefish on a bagel or bialy — plus an egg cream. Signature plates include the Pastrami Russ and the Mensch, alongside latkes, blintzes, and caviar.
Happy hour times and deals last verified June 2026. Details can change — confirm with Russ & Daughters Cafe before visiting for a specific deal.