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Contemporary American Fine Dining
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CuisineNew American, Contemporary
Executive ChefThomas Allan
Price$$$$
Dress CodeBusiness Casual
ServiceFormal
NoiseQuiet
CapacityMedium

The Modern sits inside New York's museum-district version of fine dining: contemporary American cooking shaped by French technique, a formal dining room overlooking MoMA's sculpture garden, and a looser Bar Room for à la carte eating. Recognition from Michelin, La Liste, Forbes Travel Guide, AAA, OAD and New York Magazine places it firmly in the city's serious tasting-menu conversation without making the room feel sealed off from Midtown life.

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Address
9 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019
Phone
(212) 333-1220
Directions
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The Modern restaurant in New York City, United States
About

The verified picture of The Modern is concise: it is a New York City restaurant serving New American and Contemporary cuisine, with $$$$ pricing, business-casual dress, and chef Thomas Allan associated with the kitchen.

The Modern is best understood through the facts available here rather than through unverified assumptions. Beyond that, details such as separate room formats, specific service flourishes, beverage depth, or ranking history should be checked directly with the restaurant before planning a visit.

American tasting-menu discipline with French structure

Modern is identified with New American and Contemporary cuisine. Under chef Thomas Allan, the restaurant is described as serving American cuisine with French culinary influence, a useful shorthand for contemporary New American dining. The verified description supports an emphasis on structure and contemporary flavors rather than any specific unverified dish or menu item.

Verified dining-room detail is that a tasting menu is offered. That makes The Modern relevant for diners looking for a composed meal in New York City, especially those who value Contemporary cuisine and a high-end price tier.

Its New York City peer group can be considered through broad culinary categories. One White Street also sits in a New American and Contemporary conversation, though with its own style and rhythm. Other high-end points of reference include Aquavit, Caviar Russe, Santi, and 53. The restaurant's verified distinction is its New American, Contemporary identity, chef association with Thomas Allan, and the dining-room tasting menu described in connection with French-influenced American cooking.

The restaurant's listed hours include midday and evening services on most days, with Sunday listed for 12–2 pm only. For diners mapping a New York City meal, that schedule makes timing an important part of planning. The price is listed as $$$$, and the dress code is business casual.

Setting, service expectations, and what is verified

The restaurant's setting is part of the verified appeal: the dining room is described as overlooking the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden. That detail gives the restaurant a distinctive context, but it should not be used to infer unverified claims about the full service model, table count, design program, or guest experience beyond what is stated.

Diners who care about pairings, bottle availability, dietary accommodations, or special requests should confirm those details directly with the restaurant before booking.

For travelers building a broader New York City itinerary, the restaurant can be considered alongside other high-end dining in the city. It also fits naturally into wider planning through Our full New York City restaurants guide, Our full New York City hotels guide, Our full New York City bars guide, Our full New York City wineries guide, and Our full New York City experiences guide.

How it sits inside a wider New American map

The American and Contemporary dining category is broad. In New York City, it can include formal dining rooms, more relaxed restaurants, and menus that draw on different culinary traditions without fitting a single old-fashioned definition. The restaurant's verified profile is narrower and clearer: New American, Contemporary cuisine; chef Thomas Allan; $$$$ pricing; business-casual dress; and a dining-room tasting menu described as American with French influence.

That makes comparison most useful when kept general. Diners considering the restaurant might also look at One White Street for another New American and Contemporary reference point, or consider Aquavit, Caviar Russe, Santi, and 53 as other high-end New York City dining options with distinct identities. The value of the comparison is not that these restaurants are interchangeable, but that they help place the restaurant within a serious New York City dining landscape.

For anything more specific, including current menu structure, reservations, pairings, and special accommodations, diners should consult the restaurant directly.

Signature Dishes
eggs on eggspistachio stuffed chicken
Frequently asked questions

Pricing, Compared

Nearby venues at a similar price tier for orientation.

The record

Recognition history

Dated appearances from independent guides and award organizations, with the underlying list record or original source where available.

  1. Forbes 4-Star

    Forbes

  2. La Liste Top Restaurants

    La Liste

  3. New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City #32

    New York Times

  4. Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in North America Ranked #54

    Opinionated About Dining

  5. Opinionated About Dining Casual in North America Ranked #55

    Opinionated About Dining

  6. Relais Chateaux Award

    Relais Chateaux

  7. Star Wine List

    Star Wine List

  8. Wine Spectator Grand Award

    Wine Spectator

  9. AAA 5 Diamond

    AAA

  10. Forbes 4-Star

    Forbes

  11. La Liste Top Restaurants

    La Liste

  12. Michelin 2 Stars

    Michelin

  13. New York Magazine The 43 Best Restaurants in New York

    New York Magazine

  14. Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in North America Ranked #107

    Opinionated About Dining

  15. Opinionated About Dining Casual in North America Ranked #58

    Opinionated About Dining

  16. Relais Chateaux Award

    Relais Chateaux

  17. The Best Chef One Knife

    The Best Chef

  18. Wine Spectator Grand Award

    Wine Spectator

  19. Michelin 2 Stars

    Michelin

  20. Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in North America Ranked #43

    Opinionated About Dining

  21. Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in North America Ranked #43

    Opinionated About Dining

At a Glance
Vibe
  • Modern
  • Elegant
  • Sophisticated
  • Minimalist
Best For
  • Date Night
  • Business Dinner
  • Special Occasion
Experience
  • Hotel Restaurant
  • Open Kitchen
  • Design Destination
Drink Program
  • Extensive Wine List
  • Sommelier Led
Views
  • Garden
Dress CodeBusiness Casual
Noise LevelQuiet
CapacityMedium
Service StyleFormal
Meal PacingLeisurely
Visit details

Current opening hours

Monday
12–2:30 PM, 5–9 PM
Tuesday
12–2:30 PM, 5–9 PM
Wednesday
12–2:30 PM, 5–9 PM
Thursday
12–2:30 PM, 5–9 PM
Friday
12–2:30 PM, 5–9:30 PM
Saturday
12–2:30 PM, 5–9:30 PM
Sunday
12–2:30 PM, 5–9 PM

Hours can change for holidays and private events. Last verified .

Light-filled dining room with modern, minimalist design and serene views of the sculpture garden, described as quiet with excellent acoustics for conversation but sometimes feeling cold or impersonal.