Classic American eats, milkshakes & floats whipped up in a 1950s-themed space with counter seating.
Steven
My Mom used to go to Cafe Manhattan back in the day, and we were catching a movie at the AMC nearby, so we decided to step in for a bite to eat. This is a cute cafe for sure. It gives 40’s diner vibes with black and white flooring, jukeboxes and other retro knick-knacks.
The service was middle of the road. Our waitress was sweet when we saw her, but it wasn’t often. At times, she seemed annoyed by us. Like, when I asked for a shake, she complained that it takes a while to make a shake. I will admit, my Cookies & Cream Shake was good (but rather heavy).
The food was also, meh. The Toasted Ravioli were heavy. I appreciated that they are house-made, but wow. These things are FRIED and crunchy to the maximum. Our burgers were pretty good though, and the fries were served with some of the best ranch I’ve ever had.
We would maybe come back, considering the pretty low prices. Keep in mind, this place is a greasy-spoon. Don’t expect healthy food, and I left feeling a bit more “full” than I was hoping for. Definitely not your everyday food.
… moreSunny Park
This manhattan inspired cafe in St. Louis has such a cute interior with nice NYC decor. We sat at the bar for about 10 minutes before getting a table. Our waitress was super friendly and efficient and got our order out really quickly. I went with the turkey sandwich and soup combo and it was solid. My friends got sandwiches with fries and seemed to really enjoy theirs too. It feels like a hidden gem on a busy street. Parking can be tricky but there is usually street parking. I would recommend this place for a quick bite, a chat with friends, or even a casual date night.
… moreAntonio Marcelino
Atmosphere is cool because of the nostalgic feel. Makes you feel like you’re in a time capsule from 1950s or 60s (compliment). Friendly staff. I ordered the spaghetti with meatballs which was ok. I would give it a 5/10. Meatballs were decent, but spaghetti was a bit bland. Red sauce and noodles, not much flavor. I ordered the toasted raviolis which were better. I give them a 7/10. I’m a huge fan of toasted ravs, so it’s hard to mess that up. They did pretty good. Lastly, I had a Ceasars salad which was actually my favorite item I ordered. It was very good and presentation was cool. I give the salad a 9/10. Overall experience, I’d say Cafe Manhattan is 6.5/10.
… moreMichelle K
What an amazing place! It’s like stepping back in time! I cannot say enough of how excited I was when we walked through the door. If you’re looking for nostalgia, delicious food and excellent service, look no more! Do yourself a favor and check this place out! I cannot wait to go back!!
… moreMeredith Burkett
First time customer and it sure won’t be the last! The food was AMAZING! I had the Patty Melt, delicious! The potato soup, excellent! Dad had the milkshake, wonderful; along with his grilled cheese and tomato soup special! . Mom loved the pizza! Kathy is infectious! So friendly, welcoming, and on point! Love the atmosphere! HIGHLY recommend!! Thanks so much for having us!! You’ll be seeing us often!
… moreKathleen
Cafe Manhattan has the best toasted ravioli in town! The veggie pizza is nice and crisp with plenty of fresh veggies. We also enjoyed the milkshakes! It is back to being as good as I remember it being when I went in the 90s!! So happy to see it back to original quality and delicious diner food. The service was also fast and friendly.
… moreRenee McDonnell
I used to work in Clayton and ordered from here frequently. However, after covid my office closed. I am not moving back to Clayton and had to get Cafe Manhattan. Normally, they do not deliver but since we had a large order they were able to accommodate us. We had several pizzas (favorite three being an all meat, margarita and gluten free everything), cheese garlic bread, salad, toasted ravs, mini desserts and donuts. All of these were amazing. Most of the people in our office had never had this pizza before and said I was getting “fancy Clayton pizza” until they tried it. Everyone was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. I am glad to be back in Clayton to get to have this pizza again.
… moreSandro Lobo
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Manhattan Café – Clayton
Wow. Just WOW.
Unfortunately I can’t give more than 5 Stars, who gives less than 5 Stars doesn’t know what is real food and outstanding servuce.
This was, without any doubt, the best food experience we’ve had since arriving in St. Louis — and honestly, one of the best we’ve had in the United States in the last 3 years.
The food was absolutely outstanding, the kind of cozy, homemade comfort food that instantly makes you feel at home. Everything was beyond perfect. The flavors, the care, the quality — you can taste the love in every bite.
And the pizza… unbelievable. The downtown pizza is next level: perfectly crispy, generously loaded with toppings, full of flavor, and simply unforgettable. One of those rare moments where you take the first bite and immediately look at each other and say, “Wow.”
The service? Out of scale. Warm, attentive, genuine, and welcoming — the kind of service that elevates the entire experience and makes you want to come back again and again.
We’ve been in St. Louis for over three weeks and spent a lot of money in expensive restaurants with “okay” food, but this place? This is the real deal. Honest food, incredible execution, and an atmosphere that feels truly special.
Hands down, the best catch since we arrived in St. Louis — and a place we’ll recommend to everyone without hesitation.
Thank you, Manhattan Café, for reminding us what great food and true hospitality really mean. ✨
… moreEdward Palmer
Cafe Manhattan gets 5 Stars across the board the food is exceptional, the staff is amazing and the vibe is friendly and the have the best Reuben sandwich in St. Louis .
… moreTodd Kiefer
Good food, kid friendly, fantastic service. Kathy was amazing and remembered my kids names. Most kid friendly restaurant in Clayton
… more