Café d'Alsace

The story

Café d'Alsace: A French-Alsatian Bistro on the Upper East Side, NYC

A Corner of Alsace on the Upper East Side

For nearly two decades, Café d'Alsace has been a steady presence on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, a place where the cooking of northeastern France meets the warmth of a true neighborhood restaurant. Named for the Alsace region, the restaurant blends French and German culinary traditions into something distinct. The menu is built around dishes like Tarte Flambée, Choucroute Garnie, and house-made desserts, alongside seasonal specials that change throughout the year.

The dining room itself has a history. After 15 years at its original location, Café d'Alsace moved just a block away to a storied building that once housed Elaine’s, a beloved neighborhood institution for over 50 years. Today, the restaurant carries on that tradition of welcoming regulars who, as the team puts it, consider the café an extension of their own kitchens. The space features an elegantly curved zinc bar, antique seltzer bottles, and terrazzo floors that give it a cozy, lived-in charm.

Chef Philippe Roussel and the Team

The kitchen is led by Executive Chef and Partner Philippe Roussel, a third-generation chef from Brittany whose career includes stints at some of New York’s most respected restaurants: Windows on the World, Restaurant Daniel, and Chelsea Bistro & Bar. His cooking earned two stars from the New York Times at Café d'Alsace, and the restaurant has also received recognition from Wine Spectator (Best of Award of Excellence). Though Roussel is not from Alsace, he credits his father’s love for the region’s food as the inspiration for many of the recipes he serves.

General Manager Gabriel Biton, who has been with the team for over 13 years, brings his own story to the table—raised on a farm and in a family-run restaurant, he traveled the world before settling in New York. Beverage Director Aviram Turgeman oversees a program that includes over 130 beers and a dedicated in-house cicerone, alongside a thoughtful wine list.

What to Expect

The menu at Café d'Alsace covers brunch, lunch, and dinner, with classic French and Alsatian dishes at the center. Starters include Soupe à l’Oignon Gratinée and a Chopped Salad. The main event might be the Petite Choucroute Garnie—smoked pork and boudin blanc sausages with Riesling-braised sauerkraut—or the Classic Steak Tartare. There is also a selection of grilled artisan sausages, from boudin blanc to spicy merguez, served with sauerkraut. For brunch, look for Brioche French Toast, Eggs Benedict, and a Shakshuka that nods to the Mediterranean. The restaurant also offers a daily happy hour and private dining options.

Café d'Alsace is a place that has earned its place in the neighborhood—not by chasing trends, but by serving honest, well-executed Alsatian and French cuisine, day after day.