Le Veau d'Or

New York,

• No.12 North America's 50 Best Restaurants 2026

Like an aging Parisian matriarch still resplendent in furs and red lipstick, Le Veau d'Or wears its past with pride – and a dash of modern swagger. Dating back to 1937, New York's oldest French bistro wooed the jetset crowd in the 50s and 60s, welcoming the likes of Grace Kelly and Orson Welles. It's now enjoying a fashionable renaissance under the captaincy of Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson, the pair behind Le Rock and Frenchette. Sensibly, the pair preserved much of the original interiors' charm, including dark wood panelling and lashings of red. The small, intimate space has a moody black cherry glow, courtesy of a red-and-black chequered floor and red gingham-topped tables. Prix-fixe menus remain, with dishes paying tribute to classic French cuisine: pâté en croute, frogs' legs with garlic, lobster salad, chicken with tarragon and île flottante. The wine list honours French varietals, but the cocktails are hard to resist too. Try the signature Le Veau d'Or: a spritz with Dubonnet, kirsch, champagne and lemon, garnished with a pitted cherry stuffed with anchovies.

Key Information

• Tasting menu from $85
• Lunch: Tues – Fri, Dinner: Mon – Sat
• 1 646 386 7608
• Visit Le Veau d'Or's Website

Location

129 E 60th St., Manhattan, New York, New York, 10022