Cactus Wren: A Unique Culinary & Wine Experience in NYC's Lower East Side

Cactus Wren Introduce

In the vibrant heart of the Lower East Side, where the culinary scene is constantly evolving, Cactus Wren has quickly carved out a reputation as a must-visit destination. This isn't your average neighborhood restaurant; it’s a fully formed concept that offers a unique and playful approach to fine dining. With a focus on creative small plates, an exceptional wine list, and a cozy yet trendy atmosphere, Cactus Wren provides a delightful escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. It’s the kind of place you go for a special occasion, a memorable date night, or simply to treat yourself to a culinary experience that is both fun and sophisticated.

From the moment you walk in, the vibe is welcoming and stylish. The staff are known for being friendly and enthusiastic, always ready to guide you through the menu, which can feel a "touch overwhelming" at first glance due to its sheer creativity. This personal touch is a key part of the experience, as their thoughtful recommendations help you discover new favorites. While the portions might be described as small, this is part of the concept—allowing you to try a variety of different dishes and flavors. Whether you're a local wine connoisseur or just looking for a fantastic meal, Cactus Wren lives up to the hype and promises a truly delightful time.

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Location and Accessibility

Cactus Wren is located at 98 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002, USA. This address places it squarely in the Lower East Side, a neighborhood celebrated for its historic charm and contemporary energy. Rivington Street is a well-known hub of activity, with numerous art galleries, bars, and boutiques lining the block. This central location makes it a great spot to meet up with friends or to end a day of exploring the area.

The restaurant is easily accessible via New York City's public transportation. The Delancey St-Essex St subway station (with the F, M, J, and Z lines) is just a short walk away. For those with mobility concerns, the restaurant is designed to be welcoming, with a wheelchair accessible entrance, restroom, and seating. The establishment also identifies as a safe space for the LGBTQ+ friendly and transgender safespace communities, further emphasizing its commitment to creating an inclusive environment for everyone.

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Services Offered

Cactus Wren is committed to providing a top-tier dining experience, and its services are tailored to ensure that every guest feels comfortable and well-cared for:

Dine-in: The primary service is a full dine-in experience, with table service that allows you to fully immerse yourself in the ambiance and the culinary journey.
Reservations: The restaurant accepts reservations, and dinner reservations are highly recommended, as it is a popular spot. This ensures that you can plan your evening without a long wait.
Private Dining Room: For special occasions or larger groups, Cactus Wren offers a private dining room, providing an exclusive and intimate setting for your event.
Bar Onsite: The presence of a full bar on-site means you can enjoy a wide selection of drinks, including their celebrated cocktails and an extensive wine list, either at your table or at the bar itself.
Dining Options: Cactus Wren serves both brunch and dinner, along with a full dessert menu, so you can enjoy their unique flavors at various times of the day.

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Features and Highlights

Cactus Wren stands out in the New York dining scene thanks to a few key features that make it a favorite among food lovers and wine enthusiasts. These are the highlights that make it a truly special place:

Exceptional Wine List: The restaurant is famous for its great wine list. The wine team is noted for being extremely prepared to help customers make the perfect selection, whether you're a seasoned connoisseur or just looking to try something new. The offerings include a fantastic selection of reds, whites, and even non-alcoholic options.
Creative & Unique Menu: The menu is an adventure of flavors. With a focus on small plates, you can try a variety of innovative dishes like Marland Shrimp Toast, Langoustine Beignets, and the celebrated Crab Omelette and Lobster Pot Pie. The "Izzas" (a type of pizza or flatbread) are also a big hit, with the Caviar Service on top of a seven-layer bean dip being a particularly playful and unique offering.
Great Cocktails: In addition to the wine, the cocktail menu is highly praised. With inventive names like Creme Depeche Mode and Felonious Monk, the drinks are as creative as the food and are crafted with a high level of expertise.
Cozy & Trendy Atmosphere: The ambiance is the perfect blend of cozy and trendy. It's a place that feels intimate and welcoming, but also stylish and up-to-date with the Lower East Side’s modern vibe.
Attentive & Friendly Staff: Customer reviews consistently praise the staff for being friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely enthusiastic about the food and drink they serve. This high level of service makes every visit a pleasant one.

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Contact Information

To make a reservation or for more information, you can contact Cactus Wren using the following details:

Address: 98 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002, USA

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What is worth choosing

Choosing Cactus Wren is a choice to indulge in a one-of-a-kind dining experience that combines exceptional food with a passion for great wine and cocktails. The restaurant’s greatest strength is its unique and compelling concept. It’s not just about a single dish; it’s about the journey through a menu of inventive small plates that allows you to taste a wide range of flavors and textures. The chefs’ creativity is on full display with dishes that are both whimsical and delicious, from the luxurious caviar service to the comforting Crab Omelette.

For wine lovers, this is a destination in itself. The fantastic wine list is curated with care, and the knowledgeable staff are more than happy to help you navigate it. It’s a place where you can discover your new favorite bottle or glass, confident in the expertise of the team. The same goes for the cocktail program, which is as creative as it is well-executed.

Ultimately, Cactus Wren is a restaurant that lives up to its hype. The combination of a top-tier menu, an outstanding wine and cocktail list, and a cozy yet trendy atmosphere makes it a standout in a city with no shortage of dining options. It’s the perfect place for a memorable evening that feels both special and fun. If you're looking for a restaurant that offers more than just a meal—if you're looking for a truly delightful experience—Cactus Wren is a choice you will be happy you made.

Cactus Wren Menu

Dessert
Cheese Plate $22.00
Sticky Toffee Banana Cake $14.00
Poppy Seed Limoncello Baba $14.00
Cinnamon Toast Sundae $14.00
Calamansi & Coconut Ice Cream $8.00

Coffee & Tea
Variety Coffee
Espresso
Latte
Cappuccino
Cortado
Americano

Dessert Wine
Moulin Touchais 'Coteaux Du Layon
Fèlsina 'Vin Santo Del Chianti Classico $22.00

Non-Alcoholic
Manufaktur Jörg Geiger 'Aecht Kimmel $13.00

Snacks
Crudité $13.00
Marland Shrimp Toast $12.00
Mortadella Tartine $13.00
Langoustine Beignets $12.00
Smoked Eel Tart $14.00

Smalls
Chips & Fish $22.00
The Salad $24.00
Tuna & Chorizo $29.00
Montauk Shrimp $28.00

Caviar Service
Seven Layer Bean Dip

Bigs
Crab Omlette $36.00
Lobster Pot Pie $55.00
Alf Grilled Chicken $38.00

Izzas
Ed Comte & Honey $45.00
Cken Liver & Onions
Rel & Pesto

By The Glass
Vix-Bara 'Blanc De Blancs' - Brut Nv, Champagne, Fr $30.00

White
Jäger 'Riesling, Federspiel Rigl

Red
Sierra De Toloño 'Garnacha, La Dula' - 2022, Rioja Alavesa, Sp $22.00
Isabel Ferrando 'Côtes Du Rhône, Beatus Ille - 2022, Rhône, Fr Birichino 'Zinfandel, Gimelli Vineyard' - 2022, California, Us $27.00

Cocktails
Creme Depeche Mode
Cactus Wren
Smokestack
Hilarity Ensues
Felonious Monk
Rye Not

Others
La Stoppa 'Ageno - 2020, Emilia-Romagna, It $27.00
Bang Island Mussel
Razor Clam

Cactus Wren Details

Service options
Dine-in
Delivery
Takeout

Highlights
Great cocktails
Great wine list

Popular for
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating
Assistive hearing loop
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Offerings
Alcohol
Cocktails
Coffee
Hard liquor
Private dining room
Small plates
Wine

Dining options
Brunch
Dinner
Dessert
Table service

Amenities
Bar onsite
Restroom

Atmosphere
Cozy
Trendy

Crowd
LGBTQ+ friendly
Transgender safespace

Planning
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments

Cactus Wren Photos

Cactus Wren Location

Cactus Wren

New York New York County New York Rivington Street

98 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002, USA

Cactus Wren Reviews

An average rating of ★4.6 from 100 user reviews.

shrimp toastcaviarseven layer dipwine listlobster pot piemortadellacomtebeignetssundaecrab omelette

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Not at all the “63 Clinton” little sibling I expected, but instead a fully formed and very fun separate concept.The menu can feel a touch overwhelming on first glance. Ask about it and you’ll receive an enthusiastic and thoughtful run through.Every bite was really delightful, particularly all the bar bites at the top of the menu. I’ll be back asap for a glass of wine and small snack.The wine list is a delight + the wine team is extremely prepared to help you make a selection! Plus, just the most delightful NA beverage options I’ve seen in NYC.Literally no notes. Had a lovely time.
September 10 · Zoe Wilkins
Lives up to the hype! Everything was so so good. I especially enjoyed the clams and the romesco pizza. Husband loved the caviar pizza and said the wines were phenomenal. Portion sizes are pretty small so keep that in mind when you order, especially if sharing. Great service and the staff were so friendly. Everything was really delicious and we would love to come back!
June 22 · H L
Was a decent meal. The seafood platter was fresh and full of interesting flavours but not life changing. The shrimp toast, while packed with shrimp, was alright, and the clam pizza and pasta were also pretty good. Overall it’s a restaurant to try once, but I can’t say that I’m blown away. Much prefer their sister restaurant 63 Clinton. Please note that their small bites are really small and do hurt the wallet :(
September 15 · Jade Li
Was super thrilled to get a reservation to try CW. We were early, they had open tables so sat us right away. Service was nice, when it came to the food some was amazing, some left us confused. The signature 7 layer dip, was served with a floppy piece or like tortilla or something, somehow I would have imagined it would be better with a different kind of vessel at least for texture. The pizza was definitely too sweet and missing something. I didn’t opt for the caviar maybe that would have been better to have something savory and sweet. I enjoyed the shrimp toast the most. We also got the chicken wings-2 of the drums were red inside. We were going to leave it alone with the first one as the other ones were fine. But when we ripped into the second drum, it was too much to ignore. We really didn’t want another order as it was the last 2 pieces, but they ended up firing a half order for us. I believe they took it off the bill as well. That’s commendable and appreciate the mgmt for trying to make up the experience.
June 02 · L Wong
Great food and ideal for sharing in a small group. 4 of us ordered most of the menu, and enjoyed everything. The martini with caviar service may be the most memorable item for me. The martini alone was amazing, but the accouterments were fantastic.All of the food was delicious, and the only dish that was mediocre was the salad (no surprise). I was very shockingly surprised by the Maryland Shrimp Toast and Chicken Wings. The 7 Layer Caviar Dip was the most interesting mix of luxurious and meager at the same time to my palate. If it's within your budget, I definitely think it's an interesting plate.
May 22 · A Shen