Chez Josephine

  4.3 – 1,470 reviews   • French restaurant

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Experience the spirit of 1930s Paris with a touch of jazz and soul at Chez Josephine. Founded in 1986 as a tribute to the legendary Josephine Baker, this intimate Parisian gem offers a delightful French-American menu accompanied by live piano music. Chez Josephine’s ambiance is both inviting and romantic, featuring a blue-tin ceiling, red velvet walls, and a cascade of chandeliers that illuminate vintage portraits of La Baker. Located on West 42nd Street in Theatre Row, Chez Josephine is a perfect spot for pre- or post-theater dining, as well as a cozy haven in Hell’s Kitchen for a leisurely dinner or a quick drink at the bar. Step into this landmark jewel and relive the joie-de-vivre of a bygone era.

French staples pair with piano music at this opulent restaurant, a tribute to Josephine Baker.

✔️Brunch ✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in Chez Josephine 10036

Hours

Thursday11 AM–12 AM
Friday11 AM–12 AM
Saturday11 AM–12 AM
Sunday11 AM–12 AM
Monday11 AM–12 AM
Tuesday11 AM–12 AM
Wednesday11 AM–12 AM

Address and Contact Information

Address: 414 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036

Phone: (212) 594-1925

Website: http://www.chezjosephinenyc.com/

Menu Photos

Order and Reservations

Reservations: chezjosephinenyc.com

chezjosephinenyc.com

Photo Gallery

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Reviews

Sydney Cichon
I had reservations at Chez Josephine and ended up running a little late, but they had no problem accommodating me and still seated us promptly, which I really appreciated. This was my fourth time dining here while visiting New York, and I’ve always found it to be a convenient option for grabbing a meal before a Broadway show due to its close proximity to the theaters.

The main reason I continue to choose this restaurant is the atmosphere. I absolutely love the interior décor and the intimate, swanky feel of the space. The restaurant is themed after Josephine Baker, which adds so much character, and there is plenty to look at on the walls and throughout the dining room. I also really enjoy that they have a singer and piano player, which adds to the Broadway vibe and makes the experience feel special.

Unfortunately, this visit had a few drawbacks. We were seated right by the kitchen entrance, which was very uncomfortable. We were tucked behind a divider with little view of the restaurant, and I was constantly being bumped into by servers and other guests walking by. For a party of three, it felt like a particularly poor table location.

The restaurant is very dark, which does add to the mood, but just be prepared, if you have difficulty seeing, reading the menu will be a challenge. Our server was very friendly and attentive (I regret not catching her name), and service overall was good.

As for the food, I’ll be honest: I mainly come here for the atmosphere and location, not the cuisine. The food is fine, but I’ve never found it to be anything special. My sister enjoyed her duck, and my stepmom was happy with her lamb… I tried both and thought they were good, but again, nothing standout. Unfortunately, I really did not enjoy my own meal. I ordered the tiger shrimp over pesto risotto with Brussels sprouts, and it was extremely bland. The risotto tasted like plain risotto with little to no pesto, the shrimp were large but fairly tough and lacking flavor, and the Brussels sprouts didn’t seem to be seasoned at all.

The cocktail we ordered was okay, but fairly small for the price. Having dined here several times now and consistently feeling underwhelmed by the food, I think this may finally be my last visit.

Chez Josephine is a great choice for atmosphere and convenience if you’re catching a show, but otherwise, it would not be my first choice for dinner in New York.
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Joe V.
Went before a show at the theatre next door. Atmosphere is a little kitschy and dated, but also cute and charming at the same time. Food was pretty good, I wouldn’t say outstanding (I had pork chop), drink from the bar WAS excellent, as was the house Merlot. Prices were a little high for the quality of the food, but again, it was good, just not quite excellent. Waitstaff was very helpful and friendly, and the host came to check on my several times, which was appreciated.
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Alpay Ozbay
We went to a French restaurant called Chez Josephine on 42nd Street in Hell’s Kitchen. The atmosphere was nice—dim lighting with red lamps and soft piano music, which gave it a cozy vibe. The staff and guests were friendly.

We ordered lobster soup, steak, and lamb, but honestly, none of them really impressed us. For a French restaurant, the wine selection felt pretty limited, but we did find a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2016, which ended up being the highlight of the night.

Desserts were fine—nothing special, but not bad either. That pretty much sums up the place overall. The prices felt a bit higher than what the food quality justified.
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Anita Andrade
I have come here twice before once on my 18th birthday and now at 21. I ordered the escargot and the fusili pasta from the menu, then a creme brulee. It was my birthday and I was in a group of 5. The food was sub-par, but the fusili was the worst of the experiences I had with pasta, definitely not what I was expecting at all for a restaurant with that high of a history caliber. My friends and I all enjoyed our time, but when paying we asked if we can al pay our own plates that we fé and the waiter said no because that’ll take too much time and it’s easier to divide the money. Which that would make no sense because some totaled $40 while others over $80 but we all had to divide equally into 5. He didn’t have patience with us which was sad after we spent $300 on the restaurant. I figured it out with my friends later but that put stress on my guests and myself too with a simple correction could’ve fixed with absolutely no headache. Another point is that my reservation was for 7:30, but we all left close to 11. Each of us ordered about two plates each so leaving at that is outrageous. Overall, the ambience and the piano player made the night a night to to remember. Unfortunately, due to this occurrence I will no longer bring a large group of people to attend with me as they do not let us pay separately which is unfair. If looking for a place for two this is perfect for you, but unfortunately as it was my birthday this was not the experience I wanted. Good luck to you guys, please find a better waiter.
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Kristian Rodriguez
I’m going to need Google to expand its star rating system because 5 stars isn’t enough! The restaurant was very dark, moody and romantic. We absolutely loved the live piano music, and we’re so fortunate to be seated directly next to this very talented musician. The wait staff were very professional and attentive to everyone, even though it was a very busy night. This is a beautiful place for a date night.
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Brad Guster
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Magical Evening at Chez Josephine
Chez Josephine is a true gem that delivers an unforgettable dining experience from start to finish. The moment you walk in, you’re transported into an atmosphere of timeless elegance—romantic, warm, and full of charm. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or simply enjoying a night out, this place sets the perfect tone.
The service is impeccable. The staff are gracious, attentive, and genuinely invested in making your evening special. They strike the perfect balance between professionalism and warmth, making you feel like a cherished guest.
The food? Absolutely divine. Every dish is a masterpiece. From the tender, flavorful meat paired with golden fries and rich sauce, to the stunning desserts that are as beautiful as they are delicious—Chez Josephine knows how to impress. One dessert came adorned with “Happy Anniversary” written in chocolate, a thoughtful touch that made the celebration even more memorable.
Chez Josephine isn’t just a restaurant—it’s an experience. One that lingers long after the last bite. Highly recommended for anyone seeking exceptional cuisine, heartfelt service, and a setting that feels like a celebration of life itself.
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Susanna Narvaez
Popped in for a pre-show drink on a Sunday evening. The restaurant was busy but it was lovely to sit at the bar and enjoy the live music played at the piano in the centre of the room.
Both cocktails were delicious, but the bakertini was a particular favourite.
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Jason B
Found this place as a dinner option close to the theater and it may now be our go to spot. Terrific and welcoming atmosphere with live piano in the middle of the restaurant. We sat in back room and it was cozy and comfortable with amazing service. Food was excellent. Staple dishes were delicious as were the specials of the day. No disappointments to be found.
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Sergio Argüelles Catare
Beautiful decor with reasonable priced prix fixe menu. The steak frites was great. I hope to come back to catch a piano performance.
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Chris Fitzmaurice
The trout almondine was very tasty! Done to perfection. My companions enjoyed their meals with the exception of the potato croquettes which were barely warm which was very disappointing. I was also not impressed with our waiter who gave the impression that our questions were irritating you to him. When I requested information on choosing a wine, he spoke very rapidly and I got a slight eye roll when I asked him to repeat himself. I am not typically a wine drinker however with this cuisine I thought it would be appropriate to drink wine and requested a semi-sweet or dry but not very dry. In a restaurant such as this I thought that that my waiter would be able to advise me. I was mistaken. Also I do not like to be constantly bothered by the wait staff but I do appreciate at least one visit to inquire as to whether my food was served to my satisfaction. Our waiter dropped off our food and came back when we requested the check. The Maitre D was much more attentive and pleasant then our waiter and provided us with salt and extra napkins as we requested. Our water glasses were also kept full at all times! We appreciated this very much as we are all water drinkers!
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