Freemans

Restaurants, American Lower East Side
Recommended
5 out of 5 stars
(7user reviews)
Freemans
1/2
Freemans
Freemans
2/2
Freemans

This Lower East Side restaurant has come to be regarded as the tastemaking cabin-in-the-’hood at the end of the now-legendary alley. In the oft-copied taxidermied environs, the hearty menu additions include a charred tender quail atop buttery grits, and a generous rabbit roulade entrée of boneless bacon-wrapped bunny (the signature bar snacks remain—there wasn’t even a question of tampering with the cult artichoke dip). Simple desserts—caramel-soaked bananas Foster, toasted carrot-walnut cake—are the sort you’d find in restaurants without a pastry chef. But they’re good enough.

Posted:

Venue name: Freemans
Contact:
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Address: Freeman Alley off Rivington St
New York
10002
Cross street: between Bowery and Chrystie St
Opening hours: Daily 11am–4pm, 6–11:30pm
Transport: Subway: F, V to Lower East Side–Second Ave
Price: Average main course: $21. AmEx, MC, V
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Average User Rating

4.6 / 5

Rating Breakdown

  • 5 star:5
  • 4 star:1
  • 3 star:1
  • 2 star:0
  • 1 star:0
LiveReviews|7
1 person listening

Visited here several times & each time was great. First time I wasn't too sure were my friend was taking me. "turn rite & walk through the alley"?? No signs?? No markings?? Just an alley??? Trusting in him I walked the the alley & fell in love with all the street at the decorated it. Murals from Free Humanity, HekTad & many more artists made me a good 5-10 mins late. I was greeted my the host & shown to my table that was in the cute & cozy dining area. All sorts of old art, taxidermy & plants add to the ambience. I came again during a date & sat at the bar. The bartender was great in helping me select the perfect cocktail that wasn't found in every place in NYC. That might have been our late date but I continues to visit Freeman's. I bought a cousin that was from out of town & he too love the ambience. How hidden & how great of an NYC secret it was. Completely can see why it was chosen for the backdrop of an episode of Younger. Hope it remains the great hidden treasure it has alway been.


I came across this place while looking for an intimate place to eat with family that came to visit from Puerto Rico. My is fond of all things hipster and thought this would be the a great spot to take her. We truly enjoyed our time here from the stylish entrance to the low-key ambience. 


My go-to for anything from a birthday celebration to a low key dinner with friends. It is especially cozy to sit upstairs in the winter.


The ambience of this place is exactly what I'm looking for in a restaurant - cozy and stylish - and the fact that it's cute entrance is at the end of the secret little alley doesn't hurt either. However, food here, for me at least, has been hit or miss. They have a decent selection of the kind of American food I always crave but I've never really been blown away by anything I've eaten here. Maybe I'm ordering wrong, but I think the food could use a little more oomph.

tastemaker

If you can convince your date to meet you at a place located at the end of a semi-sketchy alley in a neighborhood I'd define as "not-quite-Chinatown-but-like-close-enough", then you're both in for a great night. Freemans is dishing up incredible food and cocktails in one of the coziest spots I've been to. 


The menu has about 8 options, so you know they're all done to perfection. Probably more known for their brunch than for dinner, I've been for both and have never had a bad meal. While the entrees are amazing (with particular focus on things that used to swim), you're coming to Freemans for their sides and apps (it's no Applebee's but it'll do). I'm sure you're heard more than one friend/online blog rave about the artichoke dip, so ordering that should be a no brainer. Also make sure you grab some lobster mac and cheese because... well... lobster mac and cheese. 


The red-heavy wine list is impressive, but their expertly crafted cocktails are the real draw. Can't say I've tried them all, but the menu features options for any palette.


And while Freemans creates the ultimate "casual yet trendy without trying too hard" date night atmosphere, I also took my mom here once, and boy did she feel cool. 

Tastemaker

As I was walking up to Freeman's to meet my friends I actually saw a man running down the street with his pants around his knee's so I already knew it was going to be a good time.

We went here for some casual Saturday afternoon drinks and immediately found seats at the bar. We didn't eat although the food looked delicious. I had the Royal Grog which I am still dreaming about days later and will absolutely be going back to try some food as well! 


Delicious! From drinks, to their FANTASTIC artichoke dip, to the entree, everything was incredible. Very pricey (you'll notice from other reviews that I'm quite stingy when going out), but this place is worth it. Best food I've had in awhile.