Dowling's at The Carlyle

What guests say

Recent Google reviews of Dowling's at The Carlyle. None of the reviews we read describe a group visit yet.

• Our first wedding anniversary landed in the middle of a comically glamorous New York stretch that now feels like a little time capsule from another chapter of life. We were in town for a friend’s wedding at the top of Rockefeller Center, then spent the following night celebrating ourselves at Dowling’s at The Carlyle. The trip also carried a real sense of homecoming: I had lived in New York for many years, my wife spent our final year there living with me in Greenwich Village while working and teaching at NYU, and the day after we returned from our honeymoon, we moved to Philadelphia. Inside The Carlyle, we permitted ourselves to go considerably grander than our usual date night, and Dowling’s rewarded the decision. The sunken levels, handsome bar, enormous plants, and procession of service carts create an almost theatrical version of Upper East Side New York that still feels warm and genuinely fun. Rockefeller Center the night before and The Carlyle that evening shared a certain Columbia University quality in my mind: established, formidable, beautifully mannered, and unmistakably connected to the old institutions of the city. What I remember most vividly was our captain, who had worked at The Carlyle for decades and seemed to carry an extraordinary amount of New York institutional memory. He was an expert and a showman, but such a tasteful one: an iconic UES dandy who was funny, gracious, and entirely comfortable in his skin. Beside us, an enormously affected couple ordered gaudy quantities of caviar while conducting a running discussion about the money involved that became almost nauseating, and somehow this only made our captain’s understated confidence look better. He had clearly seen every species of wealth and eccentricity pass through those doors and knew exactly how to keep the evening moving with class. Meanwhile, another side of the weekend felt unmistakably NYU. We were staying at the Arlo NoMad in a room so tiny it bordered on conceptual art, and the next morning I headed downtown to AARMY, one of my favorite truly one-of-a-kind fitness studios, for a punishing but fun studio cycling class led by the legendary Akin Akman. Shortly thereafter, I was at JFK boarding a flight to Mykonos for another wedding, giving the whole stretch a wonderfully kinetic mix of downtown energy, internationalism, and ridiculously indulgent scheduling and consumption. Looking back, Dowling’s sits perfectly at the center of those few days because it gave our anniversary exactly the level of ceremony it deserved. The food was excellent, the hospitality was extraordinary, and the entire evening carried that rare New York combination of history, theater, and humor. Sometimes a grand restaurant can feel like it is asking you to admire the institution; Dowling’s made us feel lucky to be there together.

• Our server Miron (not sure how to spell it) was great, very knowledgeable and attentive. Jose, the busser from Peru was amazing too. He was attentive and always there when we needed something. Food is great, desserts too but definitely not justifying their insane prices. The prices on the menu were different from the prices we were charged. Some less some more so we did not say anything but for a restaurant of this caliber it is something that should be fixed to avoid confusion and disputes. Music could have been a bit louder since we could hear what every other table was talking about. They have a great potential and hopefully they will figure it out in the near future.

• So lovely, we returned a second night during our trip. The dining room was cozy and quiet, the service attentive and mostly competent, the food very good albeit a bit pricey. The wine list is extraordinary with some very unusual and excellent options. If you want a quieter, sophisticated evening with very good food and wine with the cost being less of a concern, then this is your place.

Good to know

Hours, spend and amenities from Google. Private event hours and minimums are set by the restaurant.

Frequently asked questions

Does Dowling's at The Carlyle have a private dining room?

Yes. Dowling's at The Carlyle offers a private dining room for groups in Upper East Side. At Rosewood's The Carlyle hotel.

How much does it cost to book a private event at Dowling's at The Carlyle?

Guests at Dowling's at The Carlyle typically spend $100+ per person on a regular visit, according to Google, before drinks and tip. A private room or group booking is usually priced on a food and beverage minimum that scales from that per-head figure rather than a flat room fee. Minimums run higher on Friday and Saturday nights and through December. Contact Dowling's at The Carlyle for the current minimum and deposit terms.

When is Dowling's at The Carlyle open?

Dowling's at The Carlyle is open Monday to Thursday 6:30 AM to 2:00 PM, 5:00 to 10:00 PM, Friday and Saturday 6:30 AM to 2:00 PM, 5:00 to 10:30 PM, and Sunday 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM, 5:30 to 10:00 PM, serving brunch, lunch and dinner. The restaurant takes reservations for regular tables. Private rooms can often be booked outside these hours, including daytime events, so ask when you inquire.

What kind of restaurant is Dowling's at The Carlyle?

Dowling's at The Carlyle is a $$$$ American restaurant in Upper East Side, New York City, rated 3.8 stars across 89 Google reviews. It has a wheelchair accessible entrance.

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