Buvette
About Buvette
Buvette is a French restaurant in New York, serving a small-plates menu at breakfast, lunch, and dinner from its address at 42 Grove St. The format draws on the bistro tradition of all-day service, with a range of dishes that move from morning coffee and sweets to savory mains later in the day. Chocolate Mousse appears among the popular offerings, while Pain Perdu Steak Tartare bridges the menu's breakfast and dinner appeal, and the Cappuccino Cup anchors the morning side. Mains span a broad range, giving the kitchen room to shift between lighter small plates and more substantial options as the day progresses. Reservations are advised for peak meal times, and the bar area provides an additional option for those without a booking.
Good to know
- ReservationsWalk-in only
- ParkingFree of charge street parking · Paid street parking · Difficult to find a space
- DietaryServes organic dishes
Menu & Prices
118 dishes · mains $3–268
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention pain perdu, scrambled eggs, croque madam and salmon fumé.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention pain perdu, scrambled eggs, croque madam and salmon fumé.
Customer Review Summary
Buvette draws consistent praise for its French brunch, with reviewers repeatedly singling out the pain perdu (brioche French toast with berries), the Croque Madame, and the Salmon Fumé with fluffy scrambled eggs and smoked salmon as standout dishes. Several diners describe the food as fresh, elegant, and well plated, and the coffee earns repeated compliments for being smooth and good. The atmosphere is frequently called cozy and intimate, with one reviewer noting it as an ideal solo brunch spot and another praising the bar as a perfect perch to watch the service team. However, a recurring complaint centers on the wait and host management: multiple reviewers describe long lines, poor waitlist handling, and at least one host being rude and dismissive, which made the wait more frustrating. A few diners also note cramped seating and small portions for the price, with one calling the food overly salted. Service is mixed, with some servers described as brisk and friendly while others are impatient or pushy about ordering. Several suggest arriving early or right at opening to avoid the worst of the wait.
Customer Review Summary
Buvette draws consistent praise for its French brunch, with reviewers repeatedly singling out the pain perdu (brioche French toast with berries), the Croque Madame, and the Salmon Fumé with fluffy scrambled eggs and smoked salmon as standout dishes. Several diners describe the food as fresh, elegant, and well plated, and the coffee earns repeated compliments for being smooth and good. The atmosphere is frequently called cozy and intimate, with one reviewer noting it as an ideal solo brunch spot and another praising the bar as a perfect perch to watch the service team. However, a recurring complaint centers on the wait and host management: multiple reviewers describe long lines, poor waitlist handling, and at least one host being rude and dismissive, which made the wait more frustrating. A few diners also note cramped seating and small portions for the price, with one calling the food overly salted. Service is mixed, with some servers described as brisk and friendly while others are impatient or pushy about ordering. Several suggest arriving early or right at opening to avoid the worst of the wait.
Featured reviews
- Honestly
“We waited over an hour for a table because the host with red hair poorly managed the waitlist and was rude and dismissive the entire time instead of apologetic. The attitude made the wait even more frustrating. Our server also seemed …”
- David Smith
“This place is great, awesome vibe and service and the food is good and the price not bad for nyc. I especially like the scrambled eggs they make then the way I like them. Green juice is very good too I ended up getting two of them lol great spot for French brunch in New York City!”
- Natalie
“I really loved this cozy spot in the nook of the west village. Don’t go with a large group. This is an intimate spot…It’s one of the only places in NYC that makes a legit New York Sour. And when it’s good… it’s really good. And this bartender knew exactly what he was doing. We had a little tartine with chambone it was elegant, twee and I felt very culturered eating it. Perhaps a pickled something on the side would have been nice to cut the richness but I don’t think that’s the French way! Lovely atmosphere, fantastic people working . The outside with the heat lamps is a vibe too.”
- Nay Omori
“We loved our breakfast here. We went right at open and glad we did because it filled up fast. The coffee was so so good and smooth. We were told it was Italian coffee. We ordered the Belgian waffles and a croque madam. The waffles were delicious but the BERRIES on top were amazing. Would love to try their lunch or menu next trip.”
- Maylin Perez
“Nice spot in the West Village, located in a really beautiful neighborhood. We stopped by after seeing it recommended online for brunch. The atmosphere is pleasant and it’s easy to see why it’s popular on Instagram. …”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Popular, quaint bistro offering a French small-plates menu at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”
- Has fast service
- Serves great cocktails
- Serves great coffee
- Serves great dessert
- Has great tea selection
- Has great wine list
Amenities
- Free of charge street parking
- Has outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed outside
- Offers delivery
- Offers takeaway
- Serves dine-in
Show more amenities
- Has bar on site
- Casual
- On-site services available
- Serves beer
- Serves coffee
- Serves comfort food
- Offerings· 9
- Serves alcohol
- Serves cocktails
- Serves healthy options
- Serves late-night food
- Serves organic dishes
- Quick bite
- Serves small plates
- Serves spirits
- Serves wine
- Facilities· 2
- Has gender-neutral toilets
- Has toilet
- Parking· 2
- Paid street parking
- Difficult to find a space
- Dining options· 8
- Serves breakfast
- Serves brunch
- Serves lunch
- Serves dinner
- Has counter service
- Serves dessert
- Has seating
- Has table service
- Atmosphere· 4
- Cosy
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Upmarket
- Planning· 1
- Usually has a wait
- Highlights· 6
- Has fast service
- Serves great cocktails
- Serves great dessert
- Has great tea selection
- Has great wine list
- Serves local speciality
- Popular for· 4
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
- Good for solo dining
- Crowd· 2
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Popular with tourists
Location
How Buvette compares to nearby restaurants
- Buvette · This shop4.44,357 reviews
Mentioned in reviews: pain perdu, scrambled eggs, croque madam
- 1,381 reviews0.2 mi
Mentioned in reviews: cauliflower appetizer, burger, trout
- 956 reviews0.2 mi
Mentioned in reviews: focaccia, pannacotta, peach and tomato salad
- 2,075 reviews0.2 mi
Mentioned in reviews: steak frites, crème brûlée, escargots
Buvette This shop | Joseph Leonard | Osteria Carlina West Village | Petite Boucherie | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.4(4,357) | 4.6(1,381) | 4.7(956) | 4.7(2,075) | |
| Price | $20–60 | $20–70 | $50–100 | $40–80 |
| Distance | — | 0.2 mi | 0.2 mi | 0.2 mi |
| Open today | ||||
| Reservations | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
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How this listing is sourced
Hours, contact details, and amenities are sourced from publicly available business data and re-checked regularly. Listings are ranked independently — no paid placement.