Picture this: You’re nestled in a comfortable booth with your BFF, catching up over spritzes, an avocado pinsa, and of course, a plate of fries. A few tables over, the DJ is spinning vinyl, while the sun streams in through the generously proportioned windows. Sounds like a dream, right? Actually, it’s just Saturday brunch at Barlume. This Mediterranean spot in the Flatiron District of NYC is more than a restaurant, it’s a vibey destination from morning to midnight, perfect for everything from girls’ brunch to a weekday dinner to a late-night cocktail in their hidden lounge. And no matter when you choose to visit, there’s likely to be something special happening. If you’re curious to learn more about one of the hottest restaurants in the city, read on.
From Festive Dinners to Brunch, Barlume Has Every Occasion Covered
The Space
On the expansive corner of Broadway and 20th Street (a convenient location from both Madison Square Park and Union Square Park), Barlume feels both spacious and intimate. Need a quick coffee or glass of wine? The gorgeous bar has plenty of seats to choose from—complete with comfortable bar stools (with backs!), serene green tiling and plants galore. For date night, you’ll find us ensconced in one of their booths, while lunch with the parents calls for a roomy round table. At Barlume Downstairs, things get sultrier. Think: candles and dim lighting, crushed velvet-covered seating and vintage-inspired décor. Night cap, anyone?
The Menu
The extensive menu highlights sun-soaked flavors of the Mediterranean, carefully designed to celebrate fresh, seasonal ingredients. We’re talking raw bar favorites, crisp salads, house-made pinsas (a type of flatbread akin to a pizza), handmade pastas and standout mains like the harissa lamb chops with roasted potatoes. Brunch offers a playful mix of classics alongside spread samplers and small plates (we loved the braised artichokes), while the bar pours everything from their signature Barlume Spritz to a riff on the Negroni with mezcal in place of gin. Downstairs is a cocktail connoisseur’s dream. The Delphi Martini takes the classic dirty to the next level with gin and sun-dried tomato brine, while the Bon Bon is a not-too-sweet dessert drink made with bourbon, banana and chocolate bitters.
The Happenings
It’s Barlume’s thoughtful extras—aka “happenings”—that make it feel like a neighborhood favorite worth returning to again and again.
- Half & Half Lunch Special: Every weekday from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., you can enjoy half a verte salad and half a sandwich of your choice, plus parmesan herb fries for $20. And Diet Coke lovers, you can add on endless DC for an additional $6.
- Happiest Hour: Join for Happiest Hour, every day from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the dining room and at the bar. Enjoy refreshing aperol spritzes, prosecco, martinis and beer, accompanied with savory bites like margherita pinsa, jamón croquetas, oysters and truffle fries. The perfect way to sip, snack and unwind as the sun sets.
- Wine Down Sundays: Get 30 percent off all bottles of wine (excluding reserve list) when you dine for brunch or dinner every Sunday night.
- No Corkage Mondays: No corkage fees on Mondays mean you can bring favorites from your home cellar or collection to savor with your meal (maximum two bottles per table).
- Vinyl DJ Saturday Brunch: Every week from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., linger over brunch to the sounds of a live vinyl DJ spinning all afternoon.
Did we mention Barlume has the ideal space for your next private event? A multitude of versatile spaces (both up and downstairs) are available to host everything from a corporate gathering to an intimate social event. Psst: Holiday party season is quickly approaching.
TL;DR: No matter how or when you arrive, Barlume delivers on every front: great food, great energy, and a taste of the Mediterranean right in the heart of New York.
