How much does the Essential by Christophe menu cost?
From $145 for the Pre-Theatre Menu to $245 for the Chef's Tasting Menu, per person in USD, before tax and tip. The table adds the 29% usually added for tax and tip, an estimate (the restaurant’s bill is what counts), and the cost for two.
| Per person | With 29% tax and tip | For two | For two, with tax and tip | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chef's Tasting Menu7 courses | $245 | $316 | $490 | $632 |
| Chef's Tasting Menu with wine pairing | $415 | $535 | $830 | $1,071 |
| Discovery Menu4 courses | $195 | $252 | $390 | $503 |
| Discovery Menu with wine pairing | $290 | $374 | $580 | $748 |
| Pre-Theatre Menu3 courses | $145 | $187 | $290 | $374 |
| Pre-Theatre Menu with wine pairing | $220 | $284 | $440 | $568 |
Every figure is for one guest and excludes sales tax, which varies by city (8.875% in New York City, for example), and tip, which is usually 18–22%. Many restaurants add a set service charge instead of a tip, and some San Francisco restaurants add a small surcharge for staff health care. Supplements such as caviar or truffle courses are left out. Prices shown in other currencies use the day's exchange rate and are approximate.
Sources: the restaurant’s website (menus). Menus checked 13 October 2026; menus change, so check with Essential by Christophe before you book.
What is the cheapest way to eat at Essential by Christophe?
The Pre-Theatre Menu, at $145 per person for 3 courses. That’s $100 less than the Chef's Tasting Menu.
- Pre-Theatre Menu $1453 courses · Tuesday to Thursday, 5:30pm seating only; classic wine pairing $75, reserve pairing $110, non-alcoholic pairing $40 · $100 less than the Chef's Tasting Menu
- Discovery Menu $1954 courses · Four-course prix fixe; classic wine pairing $95, reserve pairing $140, non-alcoholic pairing $50 · $50 less than the Chef's Tasting Menu
- the bar À la carte dishes at the bar, first courses $18 to $36
- Cote $82The cheapest one-star dinner menu in New York, Korean
How to book at Essential by Christophe
Book online on OpenTable or by phone on +1 646 478 7928.
- When tables are releasedOnline on OpenTable, or by phone.
- Where to bookBook on OpenTable Or call +1 646 478 7928.
- Without a bookingÀ la carte dinner is served at the bar.
- Groups and private eventsA private dining room seats up to 21, with a view into the kitchen, and the whole restaurant can be booked for up to 70. Enquiries to [email protected] or by phone. Private dining inquiries
From Essential by Christophe’s website, checked 13 October 2026. Rules change, so check when you book.
Dress code and opening hours at Essential by Christophe
What is the dress code at Essential by Christophe?
Smart casual or elegant.
When is Essential by Christophe open?
It's open Tuesday to Sunday, closed on Monday.
Mon closedTue–Thu 5:30pm–9:30pmFri–Sun 5pm–9:30pm
Hours from the restaurant’s website, Oct 2026; check before you go, as they change on holidays.
From Essential by Christophe’s website, checked 13 October 2026. Rules change, so check when you book.
Essential by Christophe: stars, chef and address
How many Michelin stars does Essential by Christophe have?
One. Essential by Christophe holds one MICHELIN star, one of 223 one-star restaurants in the US. It has held it every year since 2023.
Who is the chef at Essential by Christophe?
The head chef is Christophe Bellanca.
Where does Essential by Christophe rank on critics’ lists?
Essential by Christophe is on one of the critics’ lists we follow, in its latest edition:
From each list’s own website, checked 24 October 2026. The MICHELIN Guide gives stars but doesn’t rank restaurants.
- Cuisine
- French
- Where
- Upper West Side · Manhattan · New York · United States
- Address
- 103 W. 77th St., New York, NY, 10024Open in Google Maps
Is Essential by Christophe expensive for a one-star restaurant?
Its $245 dinner menu is the 20th cheapest of the 37 one-star dinner menus in New York with a published price. The middle price is $235, so it costs $10 more than a typical one.
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Dinner | Lunch | Wine pairing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noz 17Chelsea | Japanese | $195 | – | – |
| Shota OmakaseWilliamsburg | Japanese | $195 | $195 | – |
| Le CoucouSoHo | French | $220 | $81 | $145 |
| MejuLong Island City | Korean | $235 | – | $165 |
| Essential by ChristopheUpper West Side | French | $245 | – | $170 |
| Bar MillerEast Village | Japanese | $250 | – | $125 |
| TsukimiEast Village | Japanese | $250 | – | – |
| FrevoGreenwich Village | Modern American | $255 | – | $135 |
| L’AbeilleTribeca | French | $255 | – | $235 |
Other restaurants you may like
- French, one starRestaurant Guy Savoy Las Vegas, United States · dinner $450
- French, one starL'ATELIER de Joël Robuchon Tokyo, Japan · dinner ¥25,000 (about $159)
- French, one starBlue by Alain Ducasse Bangkok, Thailand · dinner ฿8,500 (about $252)
- Also one star in New YorkGramercy Tavern New York, United States · dinner $178
- Also one star in New Yorkbōm New York, United States · dinner $295
- Also one star in New YorkOiji Mi New York, United States · dinner $155
Starred restaurants near Essential by Christophe
The 6 nearest, all within 1.2 mi.
- Jean-Georges Modern American · 0.9 mi (1.4 km) away · dinner $298
- Masa Japanese · 0.9 mi (1.5 km) away · dinner $950
- Per Se Modern American · 0.9 mi (1.5 km) away · dinner $425
- Sushi Noz Japanese · 1.1 mi (1.7 km) away · dinner $550
- Daniel French · 1.1 mi (1.7 km) away · dinner $295
- Café Boulud French · 1.2 mi (1.9 km) away · dinner $56
All 69 starred restaurants in New York, with prices · Starred restaurants near you
Staying the night? Hotels in Upper West Side, Manhattan on Booking.com
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Sources Restaurant: essentialbychristophe.com. Stars: Essential by Christophe in the MICHELIN Guide. Prices: the restaurant’s menus, menus checked 13 October 2026. Booking and visiting: the restaurant’s website, checked 13 October 2026. Critics’ lists: OAD’s Top Restaurants in North America 2026, checked 24 October 2026. Rating: Google Maps, shown live. Opening hours: the restaurant’s website, checked 26 October 2026. Exchange rates: ExchangeRate-API (27 October 2026).