Restaurant

Ampersand

Name: Ampersand
Address: 294 3rd Ave, New York, NY, 10010, US
Price range: $$

Bar•New York•$$

Editorial restaurant image stand-in for Ampersand

Google

Ampersand is one of the best bar restaurants in New York for date night, especially if you want a strong option in New York.

Editorial review•Jan 13, 2026

Ampersand, on 294 3rd Ave in Gramercy, has carved out a clear identity in a neighborhood that's never quite known what it wants to be: a cocktail-forward bar that takes its food seriously without turning into a restaurant. No TVs, dim lighting, good music — the design choices here aren't incidental, they're the whole thesis. This is a place built for actual conversation, and the crowd that's found it tends to be regulars who appreciate a bar that has a point of view. The no-TV policy alone filters out half the neighborhood competition, and the atmosphere that results is consistently described as cozy and stylish without the self-consciousness that phrase usually implies. The food menu centers on shareable bar snacks that don't embarrass themselves — the guacamole with thick, crunchy corn tortilla chips is a crowd staple and regularly called out by diners as exactly what chips and guac should be at a bar: substantial enough to matter, not an afterthought. The kitchen also runs tacos — pork, fish, and shrimp among them — leaning into a Latin-inflected bar-food logic that feels coherent rather than random. The cheese board draws from Murray's, which means the sourcing is legit; it's the kind of move that signals the kitchen knows where to spend money. On the drinks side, the Oaxaca Old Fashioned has developed a genuine reputation — the smoky mezcal riff on the classic is the drink regulars recommend first, and the Poblano Sour and Ampersand Old Fashioned round out a cocktail menu with a clear Latin American accent that ties the whole program together. The move here is simple: lead with the Oaxaca Old Fashioned, order the guac and chips early (they go fast by most accounts), and add tacos if you're staying for a second round. The bar seats are the right call for solo drinkers or pairs who want to talk to the bartender. Weekends fill up; a Thursday visit gets you the full vibe without the wait.

Carlos Mendez, Food & Drink Editor

Methodology•New York guides•Editorial team

cocktail wine bar date night

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Taste ID

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Rating (Google) 9.2

622 reviews

New York

At a glance

The fastest read on whether this place fits tonight.

9.2

Rating

Based on 622 reviews

Best used for

date night and cocktail

Price and pace

Moderate spend

Neighborhood

New York · 294 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10010, USA

Price

Moderate spend

Google rating

9.2 from 622 reviews

Address

New York | 294 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10010, USA

Photos of Ampersand

Google

Why go

What makes Ampersand worth the move

Ampersand looks like a good night-out option in New York because it reads polished without feeling overly formal. It also holds a 9.2 rating across 622 Google reviews.

What to know fast

Public rating

9.2 from 622 Google reviews

Best used for

date night and cocktail

Style

Bar in New York

Spend

Moderate spend

Best for

cocktail wine bar date night

Know before you go

Google rating: 9.2 from 622 reviews

Price point: $$

Website linked on this page

TastyPals Reviews

What diners are saying

0 diner reviews · reviewed by Carlos Mendez for Ampersand

Google snapshot

9.2 from 622 reviews

TastyPals notes

Editorial review by Carlos Mendez · diner notes coming in

This page is ready for real diner notes from the app database.

We only show authentic public TastyPals reviews here. Once diners leave public notes for Ampersand, they'll appear in this section automatically.

In the meantime, Google currently shows 622 reviews with a 9.2 rating for this spot.

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Plan the visit

Quick details

Visit Restaurant Website Menu Directions

Address: 294 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10010, USA
Price: $$
TastyPals score: Coming soon
Google rating: 9.2 (622 reviews)
Cuisine: Bar
Neighborhood: New York

Frequently asked questions

What cuisine does Ampersand serve?

Ampersand is a Bar restaurant located in New York, New York. Ampersand, on 294 3rd Ave in Gramercy, has carved out a clear identity in a neighborhood that's never quite known what it wants to be: a cocktail-forward bar that takes its food seriously without turning into a restaurant.

What is Ampersand best for?

Ampersand is best for cocktail, wine bar, date night. Ampersand looks like a good night-out option in New York because it reads polished without feeling overly formal. It also holds a 9.2 rating across 622 Google reviews.

How much does it cost to eat at Ampersand?

Ampersand is in the Moderate spend price range ($$). Google rating: 9.2 from 622 reviews

What should I order at Ampersand?

Start with Oaxaca Old Fashioned, Guacamole with Corn Tortilla Chips, Pork Tacos and Cheese Board (Murray's). These dishes are shown from TastyPals notes or restaurant data on this page.

Is Ampersand worth visiting?

Ampersand holds a 9.2 Google rating from 622 reviews. Ampersand looks like a good night-out option in New York because it reads polished without feeling overly formal. It also holds a 9.2 rating across 622 Google reviews.

Where is Ampersand located?

Ampersand is located at 294 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10010, USA. Directions are available via Google Maps.

Is Ampersand good for a date night?

Yes — Ampersand is tagged for date night dining. Ampersand looks like a good night-out option in New York because it reads polished without feeling overly formal. It also holds a 9.2 rating across 622 Google reviews.

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