Beauty and Essex Menu 2026: Shared Plates, Cocktails & What to Order

Beauty and Essex is best known for its hidden entrance through a fully operational pawn shop at 146 Essex Street on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Once inside, the restaurant reveals a dramatically lit, glamorous space with a champagne-dispensing chandelier. Chef Chris Santos designed the menu around creative shared plates meant for the entire table, spanning raw bar, snacks, seafood, meat and pasta. The Las Vegas location brings the same concept to The Cosmopolitan hotel on the Strip.

The New York location's entrance is through a working pawn shop at 146 Essex Street — you walk in past the display cases of instruments, jewelry and vintage goods, then through a door at the back of the shop into the main restaurant. It is the same address; there is no separate entrance. The Las Vegas location at The Cosmopolitan is accessed through the hotel and does not have the pawn-shop element, though it recreates the glamorous interior.

Yes — the shared-plates format and festive atmosphere make it a popular choice for birthday dinners, bachelorette parties and celebration nights out. The restaurant can accommodate private dining buy-outs and semi-private sections. Contact the restaurant directly through beautyandessex.com for private event bookings at either location.

Yes. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends. You can book through the official website at beautyandessex.com or via third-party reservation platforms. Walk-ins are accepted at the bar if space allows, but the dining room fills up quickly on Thursday through Saturday evenings.

The most consistently praised dishes include the Lobster Tacos (petite tacos with fresh lobster, avocado and lime crema), Tuna Tartare Wonton Crisps and the Lobster Mac & Cheese. The Crispy Whole Branzino and Wagyu Beef Short Rib are popular among the larger shared plates. The cocktail program — especially the Pawn Shop cocktail and the Champagne Chandelier experience — is considered part of the core Beauty and Essex experience.

There are two Beauty and Essex locations. The original is in New York City at 146 Essex Street, Lower East Side, New York, NY 10002. The second is in Las Vegas inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas at 3708 Las Vegas Blvd S. Both are open for dinner; confirm current hours and seasonal schedules on the official website.

Beauty and Essex is an upscale dining experience. It falls in the $$$ category — expect to spend roughly $70–$120 per person including cocktails and a selection of shared plates. The shared-plates format means you can calibrate the spend by the number of dishes you order. A cocktail or two, two to three shared plates each, and a dessert shared between two guests is a typical bill in the $150–$200 range before tax and tip. Check the official menu for current pricing, as it changes seasonally.

Yes. While the menu is not vegetarian-focused, there are solid vegetarian options across every category, including the Beet & Burrata, Roasted Cauliflower, Wild Mushroom Risotto, Cacio e Pepe, and several desserts. Many dishes can be adjusted on request. Inform your server of dietary needs when you are seated.

Chris Santos is a New York-based chef and restaurateur known for his creative, globally influenced approach to American cuisine. He opened Beauty and Essex in 2010 to immediate acclaim, and the concept expanded to Las Vegas in 2014. Santos has appeared on multiple seasons of Chopped as a judge and is a prominent figure in New York's restaurant scene. Beauty and Essex is his flagship restaurant.