Serendipity, New York City

The food is very over rated especially considering the prices. However the surroundings are really nice and that is what makes the experience.

There booking system is shocking, they don't seem to be aware of modern technology your choices are either ring them or stand outstand the restuarant an 1-2hours before hand and hope you can get in. God help you if try and email a booking the only response you get is you have to ring a bit hard if live in another country.

Favorite Dish: Food wise nothing really stood out.

They are famous for their ice cream sundae but it is not my thing.

I love this place. The chicken casserole is amazing and so is the service. Im not a chocolate lover but the frozen hot chocolate looks relly good. My little sister loves it!!!! The manager is a very nice woman and one of my good friends. If you are coming to get desert get the cheese cake sunday.

Debbie if you read this we hope to see you sooon

Love,
Jack and the rest of the Daileys

Favorite Dish: Chicken Casserole

This place is so over-hyped it is ridiculous. If you want a sweet, stop by Dylan's (also over-hyped and overpriced, but at least it is clean). This place gets a lot of press with its gold flaked desserts, but what people don't remember was that this place was shut down due to rat and bug infestation. I know Serendipity's frozen hot chocolate is very tempting, but dine here at your own risk.

The Serendipity up in Boston is much better managed and clean.

I'm afraid I do not have an opinion on the supposedly-lovely dessert of this place since we were not given the chance to enjoy it. I know that people should book a table in this restaurant because it is small and very popular. However, in case you don't happen to book a table in advance, that doesn't mean that you will be shouted at and be treated rudely, right? It was Tuesday at noon and we were in the neightbourhood, so my husband and I decided to try their delicious ice-cream. Sadly, there was a very RUDE old lady who not only shouted at us for not booking, she also said "give me your names, sit there and wait". Never before had we been treated in a more rude and bad way. Of course we left. We were very polite to her, we were tourists and we did nothing wrong. We just kindly asked if there was a table available. We are regulars in NY but we will never set foot there again.

Take care, the prices are high for what the food is. Some of the staff, especially the guy who arranges the seating arrangements on the day is very rude and unhelpful. Have been there several times but this time walked away after waiting outside for over half an hour because of this guy's rudeness. Wasn't going to pay high prices after being spoken to like a piece of dirt. You have been warned!!!!!! There are just as good places around. The staff play on the popularity and the fact that celebreties go there.

Favorite Dish: Nothing special

The food in this restaurant is little bit over priced but for desserts i find this is the best place in NYC.
Dont miss this restaurant while vacationing in New york

Favorite Dish: GUINNESS WORLD RECORD
Golden Opulence Sundae $1,000.00

I've been to this restaurant several times, but never for regular food, only for desserts. I'm sure the regular food is good, but the wait is waaaay too long, even on a weekday, even when the weather is so horrible you can't imagine why anyone would wait on line. What I have (almost) always done is have a light dinner with a couple of friends, have a couple of drinks, arrive at Serendipity after midnight, and attack one of the desserts. Honestly, I can't imagine how anyone could eat there and still have room for the best part!
Strawberry Fields is my absolute favorite. Frozen Hot Chocolate is great too, but for all the hype it gets, it's a little disappointing when you get it and it's basically a frozen choocolate slushie. If you're really into chocolate, they have another chocolate desert that comes with hot fudge and chocolate cake...amazing. This place is not to be missed!

Favorite Dish: I think it's called Strawberry Fields...a mountain of rich and creamy strawberry ice cream, layered with delicious cheesecake, fresh strawberries, and strawberry syrup. Topped off with fresh whipped cream. This is one of the best, most decadent deserts I have ever had in my life.

1 more image

Serendipity is a New York landmark. When in New York, you can't miss visiting this restaurant. It is over-rated and touristy, but it is famous because they have established themselves uniquely long ago when others have not thought about the "frozen hot chocolate" and other goodies. So, why not try it when you're in town to check it out yourself?

I received great service. My waiter was highly skilled, efficient and pleasant. I will definitely go back to Serendipity when the opportunity arises again.

I suggest to go there early (before the lunch/dinner peak periods) as this tiny place gets packed quickly.

Favorite Dish: The frozen hot chocolate, yummy sundaes, other mouth-watering desserts, and other good ol' American fare (e.g., chicket pot pie, etc.).

Although we have been to Serendipity in the past for dessert and found it pleasurable, we had a very unsweet experience when we recently tried to go with our toddler.
First they told us we had to leave the stroller outside (in the rain) and then off-handedly mentioned that it was at our own risk... When I said We didn't' seem to have much of a choice, the host made a snippy noise and rolled his eyes.
When we were given our table I asked for a high chair and was told they had none. We had to leave.
I was pretty suprised that a place serving up burgers and ice cream sundaes wouldn't cater more to the family crowd or at least not discriminate against us by not having the basics (ex: high chair or somewhere to store a folded stroller other than on a stoop outside in the rain)

Very unsatisfied.

After hearing Oprah's glowing review of Serendipity 3 we decided to make a stop on our recent trip to NY. The front desk staff were extremely rude and unfriendly. I was standing there right in front of them and they would not acknowledge me at all. I had to ask if I could please get on the list. And they acted like I was putting them out. There were actually people calling on the phone to complain (several while we were standing there) and the front desk staff were laughing and making fun of them. The male host was also making rude comments about the busboys. And I saw him treat another customer so rudely it was honestly hard to believe. Several of us in line were shaking our heads and rolling our eyes at one another. The manager was an older woman (reminded me of Roz from Monsters Inc.) and she was also so unfriendly. We wanted to leave but after waiting for 45 minutes I was not leaving without the damn frozen hot chocolate!!! It took us a good 15 minutes to be greeted by our waiter and the service was lukewarm at best. We also were told there was an $8.50 minimum per person, which we were not happy about, but we went ahead and ordered 2 frozen hot chocolates instead of the one we wanted to split. One ended up going completely to waste. I have to say the dessert was delicious, but I would never step foot in this place again. I am sure Oprah has brought them tons of business and maybe it has gone to their head now. I honestly have never been treated so rudely in my life in a restaurant. The manager was really rude to my children and told them they needed to be quiet and behave in her establishment when they were not acting up in the first place. If you are dying to try the frozen hot chocolate you can order it on line and make it at home. Don't waste your time going to this over-hyped place where I can guarantee you will be treated like garbage. Life is too short!!