The Penrose

“The Penrose is an awesome and cozy spot for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner! They have delicious food, fantastic service, and plenty of seating. Their drinks live up as well, so definitely check this place out.”

“This restaurant is manly known as a quaint first date spot or a late night drinks destination. However, the Penrose has an underrated weekend brunch menu with a lively atmosphere and delicious creative food. The service can be slightly slow but understandable considering the crowds. It can also be a bit loud in the weekend but if that’s the vibe you’re going for, this won’t disappoint. The decor around the walls can also be very interesting if you take the time to look around.”

“We stopped by The Penrose for a late lunch after celebrating our friends’ wedding ceremony in Brooklyn — and honestly, what a gem! ✨ The vibe here is just perfect: warm lighting, upbeat music, friendly staff, and that true neighborhood energy that makes you feel instantly comfortable. I ordered the Penrose Dry Aged Burger & Fries, cooked medium — and it was incredible. Perfectly juicy, full of flavor, and easily one of the best burgers I’ve had in the city. We shared a few plates for the table, including the Spinach & Artichoke Dip and the Mac & Cheese — both were creamy, rich, and full of comfort. My wife had the Kale Caesar, topped with roasted chicken, and she absolutely loved it — super fresh, crisp, and perfectly dressed. I didn’t have any alcohol, just a club soda, but even that hit the spot — cold, bubbly, and refreshing. Everything about this place just feels right — from the food to the service to the atmosphere. If you’re anywhere near the Upper East Side, The Penrose is 100% worth a visit. We’ll definitely be coming back.”

“My experience at The Penrose was very good. We had a few cocktails — they were excellent, though a bit pricey at around $16 each. The quality is definitely there; both the food and drinks were great, and the staff was very friendly. I think this is a perfect spot for a date, a special night out with friends, or simply if you’re looking for a great cocktail experience. It can get a bit noisy, which makes conversation a little difficult at times — but that’s only because the place is so popular. Overall, I definitely recommend it, just keep in mind it’s on the expensive side.”

“I recently visited The Penrose in New York City, and overall I’d say it was a solid experience with a few areas that could use improvement. The atmosphere is definitely one of the highlights it has that warm, rustic vibe that makes you feel comfortable whether you’re stopping in for a casual drink with friends or sitting down for a meal. It strikes a nice balance between being lively and not overwhelmingly loud, which is always a plus in the city. Starting with the drinks, they were definitely one of the stronger points of the night. The cocktails were well-crafted, balanced, and had a nice variety on the menu to suit different tastes. It’s the kind of place where you can easily spend time just enjoying a drink or two and feel like you’re getting something a bit more special than the standard bar mix. Food wise, there were some hits and some misses. The lobster roll was quite good fresh, well seasoned, and satisfying without being overly heavy. I’d recommend it if you’re looking for something a bit indulgent but still classic. The Brussels sprouts, on the other hand, missed the mark for me. They had good flavor overall, but were a bit too salty, which made them less enjoyable than they could have been. It wasn’t enough to ruin the dish, but definitely noticeable. Service was the biggest area that could use improvement. The staff wasn’t rude by any means, but the attentiveness wasn’t where it should be. At times it felt like it took longer than expected to get drinks or check in on the table, which is surprising considering how polished the rest of the place feels. All in all, The Penrose has great drinks, a cozy vibe, and solid food with some standout items like the lobster roll. If the service gets more consistent and the kitchen eases up on the salt, it could easily be a go-to neighborhood favorite.”