The Modern
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
- Website
- themodernnyc.com
- Directions
- Get directions

The verified picture of The Modern is concise: it is a New York City restaurant serving New American and Contemporary cuisine, with $$$$ pricing, business-casual dress, and chef Thomas Allan associated with the kitchen.
The Modern is best understood through the facts available here rather than through unverified assumptions. Beyond that, details such as separate room formats, specific service flourishes, beverage depth, or ranking history should be checked directly with the restaurant before planning a visit.
American tasting-menu discipline with French structure
Modern is identified with New American and Contemporary cuisine. Under chef Thomas Allan, the restaurant is described as serving American cuisine with French culinary influence, a useful shorthand for contemporary New American dining. The verified description supports an emphasis on structure and contemporary flavors rather than any specific unverified dish or menu item.
Verified dining-room detail is that a tasting menu is offered. That makes The Modern relevant for diners looking for a composed meal in New York City, especially those who value Contemporary cuisine and a high-end price tier.
Its New York City peer group can be considered through broad culinary categories. One White Street also sits in a New American and Contemporary conversation, though with its own style and rhythm. Other high-end points of reference include Aquavit, Caviar Russe, Santi, and 53. The restaurant's verified distinction is its New American, Contemporary identity, chef association with Thomas Allan, and the dining-room tasting menu described in connection with French-influenced American cooking.
The restaurant's listed hours include midday and evening services on most days, with Sunday listed for 12–2 pm only. For diners mapping a New York City meal, that schedule makes timing an important part of planning. The price is listed as $$$$, and the dress code is business casual.
Setting, service expectations, and what is verified
The restaurant's setting is part of the verified appeal: the dining room is described as overlooking the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden. That detail gives the restaurant a distinctive context, but it should not be used to infer unverified claims about the full service model, table count, design program, or guest experience beyond what is stated.
Diners who care about pairings, bottle availability, dietary accommodations, or special requests should confirm those details directly with the restaurant before booking.
For travelers building a broader New York City itinerary, the restaurant can be considered alongside other high-end dining in the city. It also fits naturally into wider planning through Our full New York City restaurants guide, Our full New York City hotels guide, Our full New York City bars guide, Our full New York City wineries guide, and Our full New York City experiences guide.
How it sits inside a wider New American map
The American and Contemporary dining category is broad. In New York City, it can include formal dining rooms, more relaxed restaurants, and menus that draw on different culinary traditions without fitting a single old-fashioned definition. The restaurant's verified profile is narrower and clearer: New American, Contemporary cuisine; chef Thomas Allan; $$$$ pricing; business-casual dress; and a dining-room tasting menu described as American with French influence.
That makes comparison most useful when kept general. Diners considering the restaurant might also look at One White Street for another New American and Contemporary reference point, or consider Aquavit, Caviar Russe, Santi, and 53 as other high-end New York City dining options with distinct identities. The value of the comparison is not that these restaurants are interchangeable, but that they help place the restaurant within a serious New York City dining landscape.
For anything more specific, including current menu structure, reservations, pairings, and special accommodations, diners should consult the restaurant directly.
Pricing, Compared
Nearby venues at a similar price tier for orientation.
| Venue | Cuisine | Price | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| The ModernThis venue — the venue you are viewing | New American, Contemporary | $$$$ | This venue |
| 53 | Not listed | $$$$ | Asian, $$$$ |
| Santi | Not listed | $$$$ | Italian Contemporary, $$$$ |
| Caviar Russe | Not listed | $$$$ | French-Caviar, Contemporary, $$$$ |
| Aquavit | Not listed | $$$$ | Swedish, Scandinavian, $$$$ |
| One White Street | Not listed | $$$$ | New American, Contemporary, $$$$ |
Recognition history
Dated appearances from independent guides and award organizations, with the underlying list record or original source where available.
Forbes 4-Star
Forbes
La Liste Top Restaurants
La Liste
New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City #32
New York Times
Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in North America Ranked #54
Opinionated About Dining
Opinionated About Dining Casual in North America Ranked #55
Opinionated About Dining
Relais Chateaux Award
Relais Chateaux
Star Wine List
Star Wine List
Wine Spectator Grand Award
Wine Spectator
AAA 5 Diamond
AAA
Forbes 4-Star
Forbes
La Liste Top Restaurants
La Liste
Michelin 2 Stars
Michelin
New York Magazine The 43 Best Restaurants in New York
New York Magazine
Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in North America Ranked #107
Opinionated About Dining
Opinionated About Dining Casual in North America Ranked #58
Opinionated About Dining
Relais Chateaux Award
Relais Chateaux
The Best Chef One Knife
The Best Chef
Wine Spectator Grand Award
Wine Spectator
Michelin 2 Stars
Michelin
Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in North America Ranked #43
Opinionated About Dining
Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in North America Ranked #43
Opinionated About Dining
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- Modern
- Elegant
- Sophisticated
- Minimalist
- Date Night
- Business Dinner
- Special Occasion
- Hotel Restaurant
- Open Kitchen
- Design Destination
- Extensive Wine List
- Sommelier Led
- Garden
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.







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