What Russ & Daughters Café is and where to find it

Russ & Daughters Café is a Jewish appetizing shop and café located at 127 Orchard Street on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. It is the café location of the original Russ & Daughters store, which has operated since 1914. The café opened in 2014 and serves food in a sit-down setting, whereas the original shop next door is counter-service only.

The shop specializes in traditional Jewish appetizing foods — cured and smoked fish, herring, caviar, and related items — along with bagels, sandwiches, and prepared dishes. The café location allows you to sit at a table and order from a menu, rather than standing at a counter. Both locations are in the same building on Orchard Street, between Delancey and Rivington Streets.

Key Takeaways

  • Russ & Daughters Café is a sit-down restaurant on Orchard Street serving traditional Jewish appetizing food, cured fish, bagels, and sandwiches.
  • The original Russ & Daughters counter shop is next door and has been operating since 1914; the café opened in 2014 as a separate location.
  • Popular menu items include smoked salmon, herring preparations, caviar, bagel sandwiches, and composed plates of cured fish and vegetables.
  • The café is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner most days, though hours vary by season and day of the week.
  • Reservations are recommended, especially for lunch and dinner, because the space is small and fills up regularly.

What to order: signature dishes and menu structure

The menu is organized around cured and smoked fish. The most popular items are the smoked salmon sandwiches on bagels, herring plates (served with onion, apple, or in cream sauce), and composed appetizer plates that combine several types of fish, capers, olives, and vegetables. Many dishes come with bread, pickles, and a choice of sides.

If you are new to the restaurant, the staff will guide you through the menu. A common approach is to order one or two small plates to share — such as a herring plate and a smoked fish plate — along with a bagel sandwich. The portions are generous enough that two people can share multiple dishes. Breakfast items include bagels with cream cheese and lox, as well as egg dishes.

Prices range from roughly $8 for a straightforward bagel sandwich to $25 or more for composed plates or larger sandwiches. The restaurant also serves coffee, tea, wine, and beer. Desserts are available but are not the focus of the menu.

How to make a reservation and what to expect when you arrive

Reservations can be made through the Russ & Daughters website or by calling the café directly. Walk-ins are accepted, but waits can be 30 minutes to an hour during peak times (lunch between 12 and 2 p.m., and dinner after 6 p.m.). Breakfast is typically less crowded. The space is small — roughly 30 seats — so the restaurant fills quickly.

When you arrive, you will be seated at a table and given a menu. A server will take your order. The kitchen prepares most dishes to order, so expect 10 to 20 minutes for food to arrive. The atmosphere is casual and lively, with a mix of tourists and neighborhood regulars.

Hours, location, and how to get there

Russ & Daughters Café is located at 127 Orchard Street, New York, NY 10002. The nearest subway stations are Delancey Street–Essex Street (F, J, Z trains) and Second Avenue (F train). From either station, the walk is about 5 minutes. Street parking on Orchard Street is limited and turns over frequently; a nearby parking garage is available if you are driving.

Hours vary by season and day. The café is typically open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends, though these times shift. The restaurant is closed on major holidays. Before visiting, check the website or call ahead to confirm hours, as they change seasonally.

The difference between the café and the original counter shop

The original Russ & Daughters shop, also at 127 Orchard Street, is a standing counter with no seating. You order at the counter, pay, and take your food to go or eat standing up. This location is faster if you want a quick sandwich or to purchase items to take home. The café next door offers a sit-down experience with table service and a full menu.

Both locations sell similar products, but the café has a more extensive prepared menu and a wine and beer selection. The original shop is better for purchasing packaged items like caviar, herring in jars, or smoked fish to take home. If you want to sit and eat a meal, the café is the right choice.

What makes Russ & Daughters historically significant

Russ & Daughters was founded in 1914 by Joel Russ, a Jewish immigrant, and has remained in the same family and location for over a century. The store is one of the oldest continuously operating Jewish food businesses in New York and is considered a landmark of Lower East Side Jewish culture. The neighborhood was historically the center of Jewish immigration and settlement in New York, and Russ & Daughters is one of the few businesses from that era still operating.

The café opened in 2014 to mark the store's 100th anniversary and to introduce the food to a new generation. It has become a popular destination for both tourists and locals interested in traditional Jewish food and Lower East Side history. The business is now run by the fourth generation of the Russ family.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation or can I just walk in?

Walk-ins are accepted, but the café is small and fills up quickly, especially during lunch and dinner. A reservation is recommended if you want to avoid a wait. If you walk in during off-peak hours (breakfast or mid-afternoon), you may be seated right away.

Is the food kosher?

Russ & Daughters is not certified kosher, though it specializes in traditional Jewish appetizing foods. Many of the ingredients and preparations are consistent with Jewish dietary traditions, but the restaurant does not maintain kosher certification or separate preparation areas.

Can I buy packaged items to take home?

Yes. The original Russ & Daughters counter shop sells packaged herring, smoked fish, caviar, and other items to take home. The café also sells some packaged goods, but the counter shop has a larger selection. Both are at the same address.

What is the price range?

A straightforward bagel sandwich costs around $8 to $12. Composed plates and larger sandwiches range from $18 to $28. Drinks and sides are additional. The restaurant accepts credit cards and cash.

Is there outdoor seating?

The café has limited outdoor seating on Orchard Street during warm months. Indoor seating is the primary option. Availability of outdoor tables depends on the season and weather.