What matters in a three martini lunch spot:
You need to be able to get in early. You need to be near transit. You need a martini program that takes itself seriously. And you need a room that signals this is a real meal.
After comparing research from multiple sources, I kept coming back to five places.
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse
1221 Avenue of the Americas at Rockefeller Center
This place opens at 11:00 AM on weekdays, which immediately puts it ahead of most competitors. The room is a three story space with floor to ceiling windows looking out at Rockefeller Center.
The martini program is confident. They do classic dry and dirty martinis with quality spirits, and their bar menu has a lunch bundle that pairs a martini with oysters, Caesar salad, and fries for $39. That is a smart entry point if you want to pace yourself before ordering heavier plates.
I would come here for the filet medallions or the tuna poke bowl. You can wear a suit without feeling overdressed, and you can get out quickly if you need to. The E train to JFK is close, and Penn Station is a short walk for Newark or Long Island connections.
Cost for three martinis and a full meal runs $160 to $300 depending on what you order.
Le Rock
45 Rockefeller Plaza
Le Rock also opens at 11:00 AM on weekdays, and it has the most developed martini program of any place on this list. They call it Martinis Maison, and it includes a Reverse Martini, a Gibson, a Vesper, a Dirty, and a 50/50. Each one is $24.
This is a French brasserie, so the food skews toward steak frites, filet au poivre, sole meunière, and an omelette with caviar. The room has arched skylights and Art Nouveau touches. It reads as polished without being overly formal.
Le Rock does not lean on steakhouse tradition. It is doing its own thing, and it does it well. Three martinis plus an entree and maybe a starter will run you $150 to $260.
The location in Rockefeller Plaza makes airport access straightforward.
The Dynamo Room
2 Pennsylvania Plaza above Penn Station
The Dynamo Room opens at 11:30 AM for lunch, Tuesday through Thursday only. That narrow window is worth noting.
What makes this place different is the mini martini option. You can order a mini Gibson, Dirty, Vesper, or Cosmo for around $12, or go standard for $22. If you plan to have three martinis at lunch, the mini format lets you enjoy the ritual without losing your afternoon.
The food is steakhouse leaning with a raw bar, hanger steak frites, and an express lunch menu. It sits on top of Penn Station, so if you are headed to Newark or JFK via train, this is the most convenient choice.
Three minis and a meal will cost you $120 to $220.
The Grill
99 East 52nd Street in the Seagram Building
The Grill does not open until 11:45 AM, so it misses the early window. But it is still here because it is the closest thing left to the original three martini lunch.
This is the space that used to be The Four Seasons. The room is midcentury with dark wood and tableside service. The martinis come freezer cold in crystal decanters, made with a house blend of Plymouth and Tanqueray gins, vermouth, and spring water. They also do variations like the Tuxedo and the Kangaroo if you want vodka.
The signature move is the prime rib carved tableside.
The dress code is real. Three martinis and lunch will cost $250 to $400, and you should book weeks in advance.
The Bar Room at The Modern
9 West 53rd Street at MoMA
The Modern opens at 11:30 AM daily. It is adjacent to the Museum of Modern Art, and the room is casual elegant.
The martini here is made with a gin blend, blanc vermouth, and Alsatian kirsch. It is more composed than a classic martini. The food is seasonal contemporary American. You come here when you want sharp execution without feeling weighed down afterward.
The dress code is business casual. Three martinis and a meal will run $150 to $260.
How to choose
If you need to be in and out by noon because of a flight, go to Del Frisco’s or Le Rock. Both open at 11:00 AM.
If you are based near Penn Station and headed to Newark or JFK, go to The Dynamo Room and order the minis.
If you want the most serious martini program, go to Le Rock.
If you want the full classic experience and cost is not a concern, go to The Grill.
If you want excellent food and drinks in a more contemporary setting, go to The Modern.
A note on booking
Book two to four weeks ahead for weekday lunch slots, especially Tuesday through Thursday. The Grill requires advance reservations. Le Rock and Del Frisco’s fill up quickly at 11:00 AM. The Dynamo Room only does lunch Tuesday through Thursday, so check the schedule.
All of these places operate primarily on weekdays. Confirm hours directly before you go, because seasonal adjustments happen.
Jack Maguire 