In high school, Breakfast at Tiffany’s was one of my favorite movies. I wanted to be as sassy as Holly Golightly, and the movie had amazing costume design. (Also, Moon River is such a dreamy song.) Although the iconic opening scene where Holly has breakfast at Tiffany’s doesn’t actually occur inside the store, actually having breakfast at Tiffany’s has always been a dream of sixteen-year-old me. The Tiffany & Co. flagship store on Fifth Avenue recently opened their own space called The Blue Box Cafe. If you’re wondering what it is, it’s exactly what it sounds like. I had the opportunity to go with my mom last month, so I’m going to give you guys the scoop!
Making Reservations
Reservations are needed to dine here; there are absolutely no walk-ins allowed. The cafe only seats 40 people, which is why getting a reservation is so difficult. Reservations are made through Resy 30 days in advance at 9 AM EST. I imagine that competition is still fierce, so be prepared for a virtual Hunger Games-type situation. If you end up missing that window of opportunity, don’t fret; I highly recommend downloading the Resy app so you can see day-of cancellations in live time. There’s an option that will notify you if and when a reservation opens up, but it’s quicker if you just keep checking the app. I was able to get a reservation for my mom and me around noon the same day that we went.
The Aesthetics
The cafe is literally a blue box. The walls are painted Tiffany Blue, with the exception of a marble wall, so you almost feel like you’re in one of the well-known Tiffany blue boxes. It’s a very intimate space, so you most likely will be near other guests. I actually met a really sweet girl around my age traveling solo from Australia, so that worked out for me! There’s sterling silver everywhere, including the art installations around the cafe. And since the cafe is located on the same floor as the home items, the kitchenware used is from the same collection you pass by on your way to the cafe getting off the elevator.
In summary: Super cute if you’re into Robin egg blue, a little nauseating if you’re not! There are definitely tons of photo ops, so make sure you bring your camera or phone. Don’t worry about taking too many pictures, everyone else is doing the same thing. After all, you earned it for competing in the virtual Hunger Games.
The Food
The Blue Box Cafe’s menu is prix fixe (fixed price), so you’ll have to choose from one of the packages on the menu. The only a la carte options are drinks (tea, coffee, and refreshers) and desserts. The Breakfast at Tiffany menu is $29 and comes with a croissant, seasonal fruit, and a choice of four breakfast options with either coffee or tea. And it’s served all day! The lunch is $39 and includes a starter of your choice and one of the main course options. The final option is the Tiffany Tea, which is $49 and includes four finger sandwiches, seven sweets, and a selection of fine teas by Bellocq.
My mom and I both got the Breakfast at Tiffany option because honestly, those choices were the most appetizing. I ended up with the buttermilk waffle, and my mom selected the smoked salmon & bagel stack. We both decided on the Black Clouds and Mist tea, which is an organic Chinese green tea. I really loved the tea, and it came in handy for the arctic chill that came through the week I was in NYC.
Was it worth the hassle?
My answer is YES. My waffle and croissant were actually pretty good and filling, and my mom said she really enjoyed her smoked salmon & bagel stack. The most fulfilling part of the experience for me was the fact that my mom had the time of her life. We were seated near the window and had a view of Central Park, so that was definitely a plus. I honestly don’t remember our server’s name, but he was very nice! I read some reviews before going, and I, fortunately, didn’t experience the negative points some people noted.
If you want the once (or twice) experience in a lifetime, go for it. If you’re just going for the food, save your coins for one of the countless eateries around the city that are known for their food.
For more information, you can check out the Tiffany website.
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