53

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

Where Asian Flavors Meet Modern Art

At 53 West 53rd Street in Midtown Manhattan, the restaurant simply called 53 occupies a beautifully modern, three-story space that sits directly below several MoMA galleries — a location that shapes everything about the experience. Art isn't decoration here; it's structural. The globally renowned Friedrich Petzel Gallery curates rotating installations displayed throughout the dining room, making the space feel as alive as the food coming out of the kitchen.

The concept is contemporary Asian — an artistic expression of culinary traditions with what the restaurant itself calls "a tangible edge." That framing holds up across the full breadth of the menu, which spans lunch on weekdays, a three-course dim sum brunch on Sundays, and dinner nightly. The Sunday dim sum prix fixe, priced at $78 per person, is built around chef-driven bites, inventive plates, and sweets designed for sharing — a deliberate ritual rather than a casual meal.

Below the Surface: BA53MENT

Downstairs, BA53MENT adds another dimension to the 53 experience. The lower level hosts a music series featuring DJ sets, sports viewing events, and a dedicated happy hour — "53 Hour" — with special pricing on select bites. It's a more informal register, but the same sense of intention runs through it.

Recognition and the Wine List

Wine Spectator recognized 53 with its Best of Award of Excellence in 2023, a distinction that reflects serious curation behind the beverage program. For a contemporary Asian restaurant, earning that level of wine recognition signals genuine ambition across the full dining experience, not just the food.

The Broader Picture

53 is part of the Altamarea Group, whose portfolio includes other acclaimed New York addresses. Private dining is available for those seeking a more intimate setting within the main space, and the restaurant participates in New York Restaurant Week. Between the art, the Asian cuisine, the basement programming, and its address in one of the most culturally charged blocks in the city, 53 offers something specific — and earns it.