Russ & Daughters
The century-old Lower East Side 'appetizing' shop famous for smoked fish, bagels, and lox — with a sit-down café nearby.
The call
Worth it if you are watching the budget and you only have one day.
Why
- 01
A jewel-box counter of cured salmon and whitefish run by the same family since 1914, plus a retro café for a sit-down version.
Our read - 02
Electric for Jewish-deli devotees and brunch romantics; wrong for anyone wanting a hot dinner or no crowds.
Our read
Is it a fit?
Go if
You are watching the budget
On a budget, Russ & Daughters still earns its price.
You only have one day
Even on a tight schedule, Russ & Daughters earns the hours.
You are traveling with kids
With kids, Russ & Daughters works.
You are traveling as a couple
As a couple, Russ & Daughters works.
What to order
The plates that decide it
- Bagel with hand-sliced Gaspé Nova and cream cheese — the classic, and the thing to get on a first visit
- A board of mixed smoked fish, whitefish salad, an egg cream — reliably excellent for sharing
- Expecting a hot, dinner-style meal — this is appetizing and brunch territory — order accordingly
Plan it well
- Cost
- $20–40 a head at the café; counter varies by order
- Timing
- Weekday mornings; the café fills up at weekend brunch
- Booking
- Shop is counter-service; the café takes some reservations
- Allow
- 45 min–1.5 hours
- Accessibility
- Original shop is standing-counter; café has seating
Ready to plan it?
Booking may earn us a commission. It never changes the verdict.
Sources and method (2)
- Lower East Side 'appetizing' shop opened in 1914 by Joel Russ; renamed Russ & Daughters in 1933 after he made his three daughters partners. en.wikipedia.org ↗
- Now in its fourth generation, run since 2009 by cousins Josh Russ Tupper and Niki Russ Federman; known for hand-sliced smoked salmon. shop.russanddaughters.com ↗