Le Coucou: A Parisian Escape in New York City

Le Coucou Introduce

In the heart of Manhattan, where the vibrant energy of SoHo meets the historic charm of downtown, lies a culinary oasis that feels like a portal to Paris. Le Coucou, a celebrated modern French restaurant, has long been a standout in New York City's fine dining scene. From the moment you step inside, you are transported to a world of "unapologetically French" elegance. The restaurant, with its soaring ceilings and a soft, candlelit glow, creates an atmosphere that is both grand and intimately romantic, making it a truly special destination for locals and tourists alike.

Helmed by acclaimed Chef Daniel Rose, Le Coucou pays homage to classic French cuisine and techniques while infusing each dish with a strong sense of personality and modern flair. The menu is a thoughtful collection of culinary art, where every ingredient is respected and every flavor is meticulously balanced. This is a place for those who appreciate the quiet perfection of a well-executed dish and the grace of effortless service. It's a restaurant that has earned widespread critical acclaim, including a coveted Michelin star and a James Beard "Best New Restaurant" award, cementing its reputation as a must-visit for a truly refined dining experience.

More than just a meal, dining at Le Coucou is an event—a "deep breath" in the midst of a busy city, where you can lose track of time and simply savor the moment.

Location and Accessibility

Le Coucou is gracefully situated at 138 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10013, USA. Its prime location in SoHo puts it within easy reach of some of the city's most fashionable shops and cultural landmarks. The surrounding area is well-served by public transportation, with several subway stations just a short walk away, making it a convenient destination from anywhere in the city.

The restaurant is designed to be accessible to everyone, with a wheelchair accessible entrance, wheelchair accessible restroom, and wheelchair accessible seating. For those arriving by car, finding parking in SoHo can be a challenge, but Le Coucou offers several options, including a paid parking garage and paid street parking nearby, with some options for free street parking as well, though these are often limited. The elegant ambiance starts the moment you arrive, inviting guests to dress their best for an "Elegant for a NYC night out" experience, though jackets are not required.

Services Offered

Le Coucou provides a high level of service tailored to its fine dining ethos.

Dine-in Only: The restaurant focuses on creating a complete dining experience within its beautiful space, and as such, it offers dine-in service only, without takeout or delivery options.
Reservations: Reservations are a key part of the planning experience at Le Coucou. They are highly recommended for brunch, lunch, and dinner, and are often necessary to secure a table at this popular establishment.
Table Service: The service is described as "graceful and effortless," with staff who are attentive and knowledgeable, enhancing the overall dining experience.
Prix Fixe Menus: Le Coucou offers elegant prix fixe menus for both lunch and dinner, providing a curated culinary journey for guests. A “Very Coucou Dinner” and “Four Course Dinner” are available, along with a wine pairing option.
Full Bar Service: A bar is located onsite, offering an extensive selection of great cocktails, beer, and a superb wine list to complement the meal.
Children Accommodations: The restaurant is family-friendly and is a great option for special occasions with older children.

Features / Highlights

What truly sets Le Coucou apart from other New York City restaurants are its defining highlights.

Romantic and Upscale Atmosphere: The restaurant's design, with its tall ceilings, soft lighting, and beautiful decor, creates a space that is both "grand and intimate." It's an ideal setting for a romantic dinner or a celebratory occasion.
Fine French Cuisine: The menu is the star, featuring "classic French cooking and techniques" with dishes that are "rich, balanced, and so French, but also light on their feet." Signature dishes include the Quenelle de brochet and Tout le lapin, which are celebrated for their authentic preparation.
Great Wine List: Le Coucou boasts a "great wine list," with an extensive selection of French wines that perfectly complement the menu.
Impeccable Service: The service is consistently praised for being "graceful and effortless," making guests feel "completely taken care of" without being intrusive.
Exceptional Desserts: The dessert menu is a highlight, offering exquisite options like Baba au rhum and the show-stopping Vacherin aux fruits exotiques.
Open Kitchen: The open kitchen allows guests to witness the artistry of the chefs, adding to the thoughtful and immersive dining experience.

Contact Information

For reservations and inquiries, you can reach Le Coucou at the following:

Address: 138 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10013, USA

Phone: (212) 271-4252

What is Worth Choosing

For a New Yorker in search of a truly memorable and high-end dining experience, Le Coucou is a premier choice. The most compelling reason to visit is the restaurant's ability to create a full sensory experience. The "stunning" and "elegant" atmosphere provides a backdrop that feels both grand and personal, perfect for celebrating a milestone or simply enjoying a luxurious night out. The food is not just a meal; it is a "work of art." Dishes like the Filet de bœuf and Canette aux figues are celebrated for their exceptional quality and flavor, showcasing the masterful technique of Chef Daniel Rose.

While some reviews suggest that the food may not always be a perfect ten for every palate, the overall sentiment is that the experience—the ambiance, the gracious service, and the beautiful presentation—is what makes Le Coucou worth it. The attention to detail is evident in everything from the "wonderfully creamy butter" served with the bread to the "sincere" and "not staged" gesture of a birthday dessert. This is a place for a "grown-up" kind of romance, where the quiet hum of the room and the focus on the moment are as important as the dishes themselves. For those who value the artistry of classic cuisine and a refined, enchanting atmosphere, Le Coucou is a destination that promises a night you'll "remember for a long time."

Le Coucou Menu

Lunch Prix Fixe
ENTRÉES
Consommé a l’alsacienne
"triple” consommé with gewürztraminer, sauerkraut dumplings
Poireaux vinaigrette
leeks, hazelnuts (gluten-free)
Thon a’ l’espelette*
yellowfin tuna, espelette oil
Tartare de bœuf*
hand chopped prime filet, traditional condiments, caviar +68 (gluten-free)
Salade verte au parmigiano « extra vecchio »
lettuces, cucumber, herbs, 5-year parmesan, chardonnay vinaigrette
Avocat homard
lobster, organic avocado, French cocktail sauce +19
Aubergine voyageuse
glazed eggplant, sauce tonnato
POISSONS & VIANDES
Bar noir en souvenir de la Plaka
grilled black bass, tomato, cucumber, kalamata olive
Halibut beurre blanc
fermented daikon +18
Quenelle de brochet, sauce américaine
pike mousse, lobster sauce
Homard « bourse et la vie »
Maine lobster, green peppercorns, cognac and cream, pommes dauphine +29
Vol-au-vent Coucou
sweetbreads, lobster, mushroom, vermouth cream with tomato, pâte feuilleté
‘Crepinette’ de volaille au foie gras
chicken and foie gras, last year’s pear, pommes purée
Poulet au citron
half heritage chicken, lemon and thyme
Canette aux figues
duckling with figs +22
Paleron de bœuf, sauce chateaubriand*
prime flat iron, jus with white wine and herbs
Filet de bœuf, sauce au poivre*
prime filet, sarawak green peppercorn sauce +23
DESSERT
Coupe Oberst $16.00
lemon sorbet, ginger eau-de-vie
Vacherin aux fruits exotiques $18.00
passion mango sorbet, coconut cream, meringue
Fraises rafraîchies à l’estragon $22.00
strawberries, yogurt sorbet, olive oil cake
Forêt noire $24.00
chocolate and cherries, kirsch
Baba au rhum $18.00
dark rums, vanilla cream, fresh pineapple
Marjolaine $18.00
hazelnut dacquoise and cream, chocolate ganache
Service du fromage* $39.00
comté, brillat-savarin, fourme d'ambert

Dinner Prix Fixe
A Very CouCou Dinner $220.00
per person
Four Course Dinner $240.00
per person
Wine Pairing $145.00
per person

Dinner
HORS D’OEUVRES
Poireaux Vinaigrette $20.00
leeks, hazelnuts (gluten-free)
Thon a’ l’espelette $28.00
yellowfin tuna, espelette oil
Lotte frite au sarrasin $29.00
buckwheat fried monkfish, cucumbers and curry vinaigrette
Tartare de bœuf* $98.00
hand-cut prime filet, traditional condiments, caviar (gluten-free)
Homard grillé aux oignons $46.00
half lobster, onions, honey-lime vinaigrette
Galantine de pintade et foie gras à la chartreuse $32.00
guinea hen and foie gras roulade, yellow chartreuse gelée, haricots verts, jamón
Aubergine voyageuse $26.00
glazed eggplant, sauce tonnato
GOURMANDISES
Quenelle de brochet, sauce américaine $35.00
pike mousse and lobster sauce (gluten-free)
Morilles farcies $40.00
stuffed morel mushrooms, jamón
Ris de veau à l’estragon $44.00
veal sweetbreads, cream, tarragon, maitake mushrooms (gluten-free)
PLATS
Bar noir en souvenir de la Plaka $52.00
grilled black bass, tomato, cucumber, kalamata olive
Halibut beurre blanc $51.00
fermented daikon | + caviar $60 | (gluten-free)
Filet de sole meunière “Tradition” ou “aux huitres” $80.00
dover sole, golden butter, spinach, with or without oyster
Homard « bourse et la vie » $95.00
Maine lobster, sauce au poivre, pommes dauphine
Tout le lapin $69.00
all of the rabbit (gluten-free)
Canette aux figues $68.00
duckling with figs
Agneau printanier $67.00
lamb chop with wild garlic, braised neck and young carrots
Filet de bœuf $81.00
prime filet, marrow bone, pommes purée, sauce chateaubriand
DESSERT
Coupe rhubarbe $16.00
sorbet, ginger eau-de-vie, meringue
Vacherin aux fruits exotiques $18.00
passion mango sorbet, coconut cream, meringue
Fraises rafraîchies à l’estragon $22.00
strawberries, yogurt sorbet, olive oil cake
Forêt noire $24.00
chocolate and cherries, kirsch
Baba au rhum $18.00
dark rums, vanilla cream, fresh pineapple
Marjolaine $18.00
hazelnut dacquoise and cream, chocolate ganache
Service du fromage* $39.00
comté, brillat-savarin, fourme d'ambert

Le Coucou Details

Service options
Dine-in
Delivery
Takeout

Highlights
Great cocktails
Great coffee
Great dessert
Great wine list

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Coffee
Comfort food
Organic dishes
Small plates
Wine

Dining options
Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities
Bar onsite
Restroom

Atmosphere
Cozy
Romantic
Trendy
Upscale

Crowd
Family-friendly
LGBTQ+ friendly
Tourists
Transgender safespace

Planning
Brunch reservations recommended
Lunch reservations recommended
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Usually a wait

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Parking
Free street parking
Paid parking garage
Paid street parking

Le Coucou Photos

Le Coucou Location

Le Coucou

New York New York County New York Lafayette Street

138 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10013, USA

Le Coucou Reviews

An average rating of ★4.5 from 1953 user reviews.

frenchlobstersweetbreadsfoie grasmichelinrabbitsommelierquenellechandeliersseaweed bread

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

I took my husband to Le Coucou for his birthday, and from the moment we walked in, it felt like we had stepped into another world — elegant, glowing, and just quiet enough to let the moment sink in.The space is stunning — tall ceilings, soft lighting, and a beautifully designed room that somehow feels both grand and intimate. We sat near the open kitchen, and I loved hearing the soft clinks of the pans, the movement of the chefs — no music, no distractions, just this warm, quiet hum of people enjoying something special. It felt… calm. Thoughtful. Romantic in the most grown-up way.Every dish was a little work of art — not flashy, just quietly perfect. Rich, balanced, so French, but also light on its feet. We kept looking at each other and smiling after every bite. The food had that rare quality where you remember how it made you feel — not just how it tasted.Service was graceful and effortless — present when you needed something, invisible when you didn’t. They brought out a small birthday dessert for him, and it felt sincere, not staged.By the end of the night, I realized we hadn’t looked at our phones once. It was just the two of us, good wine, beautiful food, and a restaurant that somehow knew exactly how to hold space for all of that.A night that felt like a deep breath — and one we’ll remember for a long time
June 28 · Zoe
A spectacular dinner in a truly refined French restaurant. If you’re expecting a bistro or a brasserie style cooking, forget it. This is fine dining that pays homage to classic French cooking and techniques. Since we wanted to share all of the dishes the staff split them when appropriate. We could not pass on trying their seaweed bread and wonderfully creamy butter. The Galantine, with guinea hen and foie gras was a wonderful starter. The roulade was accompanies by gelee and green onions and served with a side of mustard. Next came the super tender Rabbit prepared three ways: roulade, consommé/soup, and daikon w/mustard. To be honest, we found the mustard to be overpowering in the daikon dish. While it certainly gave the dish flavor and a kick that was missing in the first two, far more subtle preparations, it took over and we could not taste the rabbit at all. While the first two dishes were good our favorite, hands down, were the next two: a classic combination of a Ducking with cherries and foie gras and the Filet de boeuf with marrow bone. In both cases, the dishes had a killer sauce and the meat was soft and full of flavor. We closed the meal with Tourtiere with prunes. Made of layers of Phillo dough, butter and sugar, the parcel is layered with prune jam and topped with honey walnuts. Presented table side with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, it was served flambé and finished with Armagnac sauce. The service was impeccable and the deco elegant and added to the refined atmosphere.
June 07 · Alexandra Bissett
Wow this place is amazing for French food. The flavor profiles and all truly compliments to the chef. Each dish was truly mind blowing. I would recommend making a reservation as it can get busy especially at night but eating around 6 was very quiet. It started to get busy around 7:30-8
August 14 · kaitlyn k.
A Restaurant Worthy of a Second Star ✨This restaurant is truly a must-visit for everyone—and it has definitely become our favorite. It’s the kind of place you immediately want to return to.First of all, it’s beautiful. The bar at the entrance is perfectly designed and lit, with extraordinary chandeliers and a unique evening charm. The white tablecloths add a festive touch. Second, the teamwork is impeccable—every staff member greets you and is attentive at exactly the right moments. Third, the quality of the products, the techniques, and the ideas behind the dishes are outstanding. Hats off to the chef.Let’s start at the beginning: elegant silver settings, the softest tablecloth, and synchronized service as two waiters place dishes in unison. Crumbs are cleared instantly.Each couple is served their own basket of handmade sourdough bread and individual butter.Highlights of the evening included:• Tuna tartare — exquisite.• Lobster with onion — delightful.• Pike mousse — meltingly tender.• Buckwheat fried monkfish — clever, with both crispy batter and refreshing cucumber.We shared the grilled black bass and the duck with cherries and foie gras, both beautifully plated, so there was no need to stretch across the table.Desserts were a true celebration. Crème brûlée—though not on the menu—was legendary, served with crisp sugar-dusted breadsticks. The rum baba was a do-it-yourself joy: the bun, two types of rum to choose from, pineapple pieces, and whipped cream. The chocolate cake is a must: served with ice cream, and for us, decorated with a “Happy Anniversary” in chocolate—a lovely gesture! We also received madeleines in a basket, along with handmade truffles, meringues, and marmalade as a sweet treat.If anything could be improved, it’s the tea—served in bags of modest quality. But cocktails and wine were highly praised by our friends.Even the details are thoughtful: in the restroom, “Coucou” plays on repeat, and Aesop scrub soap is provided. Everything spotless.Interestingly, there is no music in the dining room itself—we only realized this as we were leaving.We wish you a second Michelin star—and when it comes, we’ll be back to celebrate it with you!Thank you for such a wonderful evening where everything came together perfectly.
September 13 · Kristina Zhegunova
We were given this as a gift and were blown away by the experience. We were greeted warmly when we arrived and at first glance let our eyes feast on the beautiful white table cloths with candles under large round chandelier like lights giving the place a warm glow. Our waiter was informative, attentive and funny as he carefully guided us on the multi course meal paired with wine.The sommelier was well educated on each wine and offered suggestions and information about the taste of each and the compliment it would add to each course. The wait staff accompanying each course were efficient and warm. The excitement of what the next course would be was fun anticipation and at first bite - a culinary experience. We ended with a glass of white port and were amazed that 2-1/2 hours had gone by. We definitely wanted it to go on longer but were filled to the brim! For those seeking a Michelin experience with incredible informative service we would highly recommend Le Coucou. This will be the dining experience that we will speak about for a lifetime!
September 02 · P&P Lindquist