One of my favorite things about my favorite TV show is how it showcases the New York dining scene from hole-in-the-walls to neighborhood gems to Michelin-starred restaurants. And it has been my pleasure to share the information about restaurants appearing on the show first in my weekly recaps and then in a full dining guide by the end of the season for Season 1, Season 2, Season 3, Season 4, and Season 5.
Fan Fun Billions dining guides are some of the most popular posts on the blog and even some leading media outlets have noticed. Look what Forbes Magazine says about us!
“There are posts on actor Damian Lewis’s official website, that diligently track, with screenshots, all the food locations featured in every season. These posts even manage to name-check the take-out Chinese in one scene as the beloved eatery Wo-Hop.”
I describe each restaurant/bar that makes an appearance or gets a mention in Billions Season 5 below with a picture of the scene as a refresher, a link to the establishment’s website, its location as well as its Yelp review where available. I really hope you have a chance to try one or several of these places!
Many of you already know that I sat down and wrote a book that has a complete listing of the restaurants, bars, cafes, bakeries and more that either appeared or was mentioned in Billions in order of their appearance in the show. Each entry includes a description of that place’s particular significance in the show – (who dines there? what are they eating? what’s the occasion?) as well as in the New York culinary scene (its history, its chef, signature dish). There is also practical information about each restaurant (location, price level, happy hour, dress codes, and so on). The last section in the book offers several restaurant recommendations for a New York weekend of your choice (romantic, family friendly, splurge, and so on). You can order a copy on Amazon or other online booksellers.
Bon Appetite!
Episode 1: Tower of London
The one where an indicted Chuck has dinner with family
Primola: An old school Italian joint and I am not only talking about the food. All the employees have an Italian accent and attitude here!
Chuck realizes that his family is embarrassed to be seen with an indicted man in public when he arrives at the early dinner at Primola. Even Wendy who needs to leave soon occupies a seat forcing Chuck to sit at a chair where he will not be visible to other patrons 🙂
1226 2nd Avenue (at 64th Street), New York, NY 10065
The one with leftovers from last night at Chuck Sr’s and Roxanne’s apartment
Le Bernardin: One of the handful of three Michelin star restaurants in the city, Le Bernardin is a seafood-focused French restaurant. For me, it is the epitome of perfection: Perfect food served in perfect ambiance with perfect service. Oh yes I am a huge fan.
Chef Eric Ripert was only 29 years old when Le Bernardin earned a four-star rating from the New York Times. And the restaurant has been able to maintain this superior status for this length of time.
Le Bernardin is certainly a special occasion place, I had my last milestone birthday dinner there, and so I know that while it is very expensive, it is worth every penny if you want to have a meal that you will remember for a long time. The Chef’s tasting menu is to die for.
In Billions, Le Bernardin gets a mention at Primola as the family is embarrassed to be seen with an indicted Chuck in public. Roxanne offers to go to their apartment and have the leftovers from last night’s dinner at Le Bernardin 🙂 Good one!
155 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019
The one where Wendy tells Wags that Prince is dangerous
Wo-Hop: A take-out friendly Chinatown staple that is very easy to recognize from the dollar bills and photos covering its walls! We actually saw Kate and her colleagues having take out lunch from during her SDNY days.
And Forbes Magazine was impressed then by our name-check abilities:
“There are posts on actor Damian Lewis’s official website, that diligently track, with screenshots, all the food locations featured in every season. These posts even manage to name-check the take-out Chinese in one scene as the beloved eatery Wo-Hop.”
I wonder whether Kate recommended the restaurant to Wendy The restaurant is famous particularly for its Egg Foo Young and that is what Wendy and Wags have in addition to other dishes.
17 Mott St, New York, NY 10013
The one with Wendy offering up a slice to Orrin Bach
Joe’s Pizza: A true New York institution, Joe’s Pizza has been serving the perfect NY slice (and also pies) since 1975! If you feel hungry after midnight, no worries. Joe’s is open until 3am!
I have a soft spot for Joe’s fresh mozarella slice. And remember what Orrin Bach says when Wendy thanks him for meeting her.
Indeed.
7 Carmine Street, New York, NY
The one with Chuck sitting proudly in public with his kids
Sant Ambroeus: Popular Italian eatery serving authentic time-honored recipes and home-made desserts. The original Sant Ambroeus opened in Milan, Italy in 1936.
Now a mini-chain, with branches all over Manhattan, the Hamptons, Palm Beach, Florida and Aspen, Colorado, the Madison Avenue branch that we see in Billions is the flagship that opened in 1980s and had some loyal following over a short period of time. It is now a staple on the Upper East Side
Thanks to his PR campaign, Chuck is reborn from his ashes and Chuck takes his kids to lunch and sits at a very central table at Sant Ambroeus and gets compliments from other patrons!
1000 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10065
Episode 2: Original Sin
The one where Chuck has a drink on the house
The Dead Rabbit: The Dead Rabbit provides three different kinds of place on three floors. The Taproom is a take on a 21st century Irish Bar. Modern cocktails are served along with traditional pub dishes, cider, beer, and Irish Whiskey in a casual environment. If you reserve the Parlor, you have an elevated cocktail experience -they have a menu of 16 cocktails that are not available elsewhere. And then there is the Occasional Room which you can book for private bookings and events. And I can confidently say that it lives up to the hype!
Chuck is at the Dead Rabbit with his Solicitor General friend De Giulio. He intends to have De Giulio put in a good word to the POTUS for Chuck so that he can return to the SDNY as the US attorney. Thanks to his brilliant PR campaign, Chuck is at the peak of his popularity that the bartender gives him a drink on the house! But De Giulio is not convinced that it is easy for Chuck to be the US attorney of the SDNY again. Just wait, Solicitor General De Giulio, just wait! 🙂
30 Water Street New York, NY 10004
The one where former partners Dollar Bill and Mafee run into each other
Dollar Bill’s guy from Spartan Ives calls to feel out the price on a block trade. And while there is a condition attached that you do not trade the name asked about, Bill will obviously do it through an executing trader! And it turns out Ben Kim knows an executing trader perfect for the job who happens to be…
Mafee!
The two smoke the peace pipe and do business together again.
The Back Room is one of the only two speakeasies in New York City that operated during Prohibition and is still in existence today. It is a timeless example of the underbelly of New York past. The original speakeasy hosted many theater and movie actors in 1920s as well as famous gangsters of the era such as Bugsy Siegel, Lucky Luciano, and Meyer Lansky who used the speakeasy for “business meeetings” 🙂
Patrons still enter the speakeasy as they did back in 1920s – walking past the storefront of the Lower East Side Toy Company and down an alley until they arrive at the door. The Back Room serves drinks in teacups!
102 Norfolk Street, New York, NY 10002
The one where Chuck and De Giulio have dinner (again)
Peter Luger Steak House: Truly a city institution, Peter Luger is an old school steakhouse serving aged beef since 1887. Their specialty is porterhouse. One thing you have to know about arguably the best steak house in New York is that they do not accept credit cards. However, even though they do not advertise it, they accept debit cards. You are welcome!
Peter Luger got its first mention in Billions in Season 1 where Chuck Sr said he would go there for dinner with his friends and it appeared on the show in Season 3 Episode 11 Kompenso where Chuck and Ira shared a porterhouse and became friends again. Then the restaurant has got another mention as Chuck and DeGiulio plan to go there for an early dinner to celebrate De Giulio becoming the Solicitor General in Season 5 Episode 2 The Chris Rock Test And now Chuck explains to the Solicitor General his alternative way to taking over as the US attorney at the SDNY!
178 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Episode 3: Winston Dick Energy
The one where Wags attends for “The Liar’s Poker” 35th anniversary party
Harry’s Bar and Restaurant: A classic steakhouse located in the basement of the historical India House building, Harry’s has been a Wall Street Institution for more than half a century. The place has been immortalized in novels such as Tom Wolfe’s Bonfire of the Vanities and Brett Easton Ellis’s American Psycho.
So it is very apt that, in Billions, Wags attends a gathering here to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of John Lewis’ (in)famous book “The Liar’sPoker” about Wall Street! It turns out that Wags has a lockbox at Harry’s where he keeps a special bottle of Michter’s!
1 Hanover Square, New York, NY 10005
The one which convinces Ira to get a job at the SDNY
Russ & Daughters: A true NYC icon, Russ & Daughters’ story starts with a Jewish immigrant from Poland peddling herring from a pushcart in the Lower East Side in the first decade of the 20th century. Today the flagship store is still located on the Lower East Side but Russ & Daughters, in their own words, “continues to spread! They now have a sit-down cafe and they deliver their food nationwide.
In Billions, Chuck has breakfast brought in from Russ & Daughters to entice Ira and have him accept a job offer at the SDNY. Ira has no idea and says:
“I assume we’re taking down the Russ & Daughters novi in this random office so yours doesn’t smell like an appetizing shop during your next meeting?”
It turns out that “appetizing” is a Jewish food tradition particularly local to New York and New Yorkers. From the store website:
The word “appetizer” is derived from the Latin “appete,” meaning “to desire, covet, or long for.” Used as a noun, “appetizing” is most easily understood as “the foods one eats with bagels.” Its primary components are a variety of smoked and cured salmon, homemade salads, and cream cheeses.
The Cafe 127 Orchard Street, New York, NY 10002
The Shop 179 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002
The Cafe Yelp Review
The Shop Yelp Review
The one that happens to be Wags and Wendy’s meeting place
Lalique Bar at Restaurant Daniel: Designed by Lalique, the very famous crystal glassworks house, in collaboration with Chef Daniel Boulud, Lalique Bar provides a bespoke bar experience featuring crystal glass in creative combinations.
In Bilions, as Wags feels like an “obsolete pensioner” he needs Wendy’s magic over some Mother’s Milk at the Lalique Bar at Daniel.
60 East65th Street New York, NY 10065
No individual Yelp Review
Episode 5: The Gulag Archipelago
The one from which Dave brings Chuck a sweet potato pie
Petee’s Pie Company: Petra “Petee” Paredez grew up with baker parents who owned the acclaimed Mom’s Apple Pie Company. She constantly experimented with new recipes with the produce grown on their family farm and ultimately opened her own pie shop in NYC. She currently has shops in Lower East Side and Brooklyn.
All the pies are made from scratch, by hand, using seasonal local produce. NY Magazine endorses Petee’s as “the absolute best pie” in New York. And the best news is that Petee’s is shipping nationwide!
Dave brings Chuck a Sweet Potato Pie from Petee’s as a peace offering. Chuck pretends he does not eat pie and gives it to the SDNY employees as Dave is leaving. But he and Ira share the leftovers after Chuck is able to get back Ira’s phone that night 🙂
Brooklyn 505 Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11205
Lower East Side 61 Delancey Street New York, NY 10002
The one where Bryan makes his comeback
Hibachi Shogun: A classic hibachi restaurant where guests are grouped together around a large hibachi grill and the chef, in this case, Bryan Connerty prepares the food right in front of them. As we see in the episode, it is a fun experience to watch the chef do tricks and make flames while cooking.
111-16 Queens Blvd, Queens, NY 11375
The one where Raul Gomez’s “welcome aboard” party takes place
Giando on the Water: Through its floor to ceiling windows overlooking the East River, Giando on the Water has panoramic views of the fantastic Manhattan skyline.
A popular venue for weddings and other special celebrations like Raul Gomez’s “welcome aboard” party in Billions, Giando serves traditional Italian cuisine in a formal setting.
400 Kent Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11249
The one with Wendy taking Bradford out to dinner
Tatiana: When Bradford cannot come up with a place for their dinner appointment, Wendy calls, gives her name and makes a reservation in two seconds! And I am super impressed (I am sure Bradford is, too) to see that Wendy’s name can secure a last minute dinner reservation at arguably the best restaurant in NYC these days!
The name of the restaurant is that of Kwame’s beloved older sister who took care of Kwame when he was a kid as their mother was a chef working in NYC. Chef Onwuachi talks about his restaurants as his “love letter to the city” where the cooking in inspired by his “Afro-Caribbean-by-way-of-the-Bronx” heritage.
The chef makes a cameo in the episode to start Wendy and Bradford off with a few things: Chopped cheese with black truffle, curried goat patties with a few dipping sauces. YUM! I want to have them, too, chef. Yes, I’ve been trying to make a reservation for months to no avail!
10 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023
Episode 6: The Man in the Olive Drab Tshirt
The One with Kate asking advice from her dad about leaving MPC
Also known as M.O.M., Mark’s Off Madison by Chef Mark Strausman is a restaurant and a bakery. Strausman, who has been cooking for New Yorkers at acclaimed restaurants for a long time, has his “greatest hits” such as Estelle’s Chicken Soup, Belgian fries, and his famous salads on the menu. The bakery serves hand-rolled bagels and bialys.
41 Madison Avenue Ground Level, New York, NY 10010
Episode 7: DMV
The one with Chuck catching up with Philip
Juice Press: The chain was born in the Lower East Side of Manhattan focusing on fresh, organic and high quality juices, smoothies and raw food free of preservatives, gums, processed sugars, and GMOs and has become one of the pioneers in wellness industry. Their super wellness market has nationwide delivery.
We come full circle with Juice Press since the chain gets a mention in Season 1 Episode 8 Boasts and Rails. Bobby Axelrod asks Mark Txeiria of the Yankees, who is a partner of Juice Press, about how the company is doing.
Branches all over New York City.
Episode 8: The Owl
The one with Mike Prince having dinner with Bomani Jones
Torrisi: The newest addition from Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi’s Major Food Group to NYC dining scene, Torrisi is located in the iconic Puck building on Mulberry Street (the space that the Chefs Club, also featured in Billions, used to occupy) and currently one of the hardest to get into restaurants in town.
First and foremost an Italian restaurant, Torrisi is referencing back to the pair’s first restaurant Torrisi Italian Specialties which was on the same block on Mulberry Street and that I talk about below. However, it seems like the reference stops there and the new space feels more like a private club, complete with a doorman. Now, I cannot say I am a fan of places that have that “exclusive” feeling to them but I need to score a reservation when I can and make my own decision.
Even though we have not been to the *new* Torrisi, Lewisto and I “discovered” Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi of Major Food Group when they opened their first restaurant Torrisi Italian Specialties, a homage to Italian American cooking where they insisted on using domestic products, on Mulberry Street back in 2010.
They served a truly ambitious nightly-changing prix-fixe menu for $50 for quite a while. And there was no corkage fee! The trick was that you had to go and wait at the door in the afternoon until someone came out around 5pm to take your name down for the 6:30pm or 9:30pm setting. I am still missing that intimate and magical restaurant years after it shut its doors, but I also understand that Carbone and Torrisi wanted to move on to new and bigger culinary adventures. Those two guys have since built an empire with great restaurants all over New York such as Carbone, Dirty French, Parm, Sadelle’s, the members-only New York branch of the ZZ Club, The Grill, and The Pool. and now Torrisi, too. Major Food Group also has restaurants in other US cities such as Boca Raton, Boston, Dallas, Las Vegas and Miami, as well as in other parts of the world such as Paris, Hong Kong, Toronto, Doha, and Riyadh.
275 Mulberry Street, New York, NY 10012
Episode 9: Game Theory Optimal
The one with Chuck having dinner with former police commissioner Sansome
Chuck has dinner with the former NYPD police commissioner at Patsy’s, a place that has been around since 1944 and where the likes of Frank Sinatra had sanctified seats. I have read that Sinatra’s family still dines at Patsy’s when they are in town.
Owned and operated by the Scagnomillo family for almost 80 years, Patsy’s is a traditional Italian restaurant with signature dishes such as veal chops Siciliano, spicy lobster Fra Diavolo, tender Chicken Contadina, and savory calamari stuffed with seafood as well as mouth watering pastas. And they still have some of Frank’s favorites on the menu! Sal Scagnomillo, the third generation chef of the restaurant makes a cameo in the episode.
If you are not in NYC, you can still have a taste of Patsy’s: Their tomato-based sauces are 100% natural with no preservatives or added sugar and are available in high end supermarkets and specialty food stores throughout the country.
And guess who was there to catch Paul Giamatti on set that day? Yours truly! To be honest, I did not even know that they were filming at Patsy’s. I was passing by and saw Billions signs and the crew setting up. So I got back home, grabbed a few copies of my book and headed back to the set. And, in half an hour… VOILA!
https://twitter.com/FanFunDamian/status/1643744176348200961
23 West 56th Street, New York, NY, 10019
Episode 10: Enemies List
The one that saves Chuck and Wags from Senior’s appetizers 🙂
It is Sable’s delivery that saves Wags from what Chuck Senior calls “hors d’oeuvres” from the doorman’s lunchbox 🙂
Sable’s is an Upper East Side establishment famous for its top secret smoked fish recipe! The owners Danny and Kenny Sze came to know all the best purveyors of smoked fish in New York as they honed their craft at the legendary Upper West Side institution, and one of my top happy places in the city, Zabar’s. They opened Sable’s in 1992.
The store has become an Upper East Side institutions known as one of the best places for not only smoked fish, but also bagels, and other Jewish deli specialties in the city. I have read that Derek Jeter is a big fan!
1330 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10075
Episode 11: Axe Global
The one delivered to Chuck’s brownstone for rebels’ meeting
Kensington Kosher Deli: A family owned and operated business in Great Neck, Kensington Deli has been serving kosher deli food for over four decades. And it is obvious Orrin Bach is enjoying whatever sandwich is tasting in Billions 🙂
27A Middle Neck Road, Great Neck, NY 11021
The one with Axe delivering Governor Dunlop a memorable time
Rao’s: An East Harlem NYC institution that has been serving southern Italian food since 1896 in its original place, you can get a table at Rao’s only if you’re a regular or a guest of a regular. When a regular dies, their family will typically inherit the table! So it is no wonder Forbes Magazine describes Rao’s as “the single toughest restaurant reservation to get in the United States, bar none.”
Dining at Rao’s is a memorable experience. And that is the exact reason, ladies and gentlemen for Axe taking Governor Dunlop there for dinner.
“The one thing you will never regret spending money and time on is a great experience. A memorable time. That’s what I provide.”
I have obviously never been to Rao’s but from what I have read, it has many quirks: there is no menu, unless requested, and no wine list. They only accept cash, and while they have their signature dishes such as the meatballs we see in the episode, lemon chicken, and seafood salad, they basically cook whatever you want.
So, is there a way for us, mortals, to have Rao’s famous meatballs at all? Yes, it seems possible if we go to Vegas! Rao’s has an outpost at Caesars Palace and it serves the same classic recipes.
455 East 114th Street, New York, NY 10029
Episode 12: Admirals Fund
The one that inspires Chef Ryan to bake cardamom buns
La Cabra: Originally a Danish bakery, La Cabra brings its coffee and bakery experience to its two locations in East Village and Soho.
Chef Ryan says in the episode that the cardamom buns he serves the rebels are his take on La Cabra’s take on Juno the Bakery‘s buns Ryan was able to taste on his Axe-financed culinary trip to Copenhagen. I suspect Billions co-creator Brian Koppelman tasted the cardamom buns on his own culinary trip to Copenhagen a few years ago and pays a tribute to the bakery in this episode.
152 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10003
284 Lafayette St New York, NY 10012
The one where the rebels convince Kate to join them
Joe Junior: A classic NYC diner, Joe Junior is serving classic diner fare in its cozy space with formica tables. The restaurant arguably has one of the best burgers in the city – and Wags’ absolute favorite in Billions!
Too bad Wags loses his appetite when he enters the diner to see Kate but instead finds Wendy who is also there to meet Kate! Since the rebels are able to convince Kate to join them at Joe Junior, I hope Wags has his favorite burger at the end of he evening!
167 3rd Ave New York, NY 10003
The one where Wendy convinces Philip to join the rebels
An unpretentious, old school joint in the West Village, Corner Bistro has been serving good bar food at reasonable prices in the same space over half a century – an accomplishment on its own!
While the bistro has a long menu, it is the burger served on paper plates that most patrons rave about. Corner Bistro is cash-only but there is an ATM in the bar. It has been some time since I was there but they had a jukebox in the corner and I hope it is still there!
331 West 4th Street New York, NY 10014
The one with the show’s very last scene
Hibachi Shogun (redux): A classic hibachi restaurant where guests are grouped together around a large hibachi grill and the chef, in this case, Bryan does his show and prepares the food right in front of Chuck, Wendy and the kids one last time.
Now that he has his law license back, he is returning to the profession to which he has always been dedicated. Best of luck!
111-16 Queens Blvd, Queens, NY 11375
Thank you so much for this list! I’m finally coming back to NYC this year and now I have all the places that I want to try =)
You’re very welcome. Enjoy my favorite city in the world!