Sei Less

156 W 38th St, New York, NY 10018, United States
+1 212-586-2675
$$$ Asian fusion restaurant , Bar , Chinese restaurant , Cocktail bar , Event venue , Fine dining restaurant , Fusion restaurant , Lounge , Seafood restaurant
(1833 Reviews)
Price Range $100+

Sei Less is an upscale Asian fusion restaurant and cocktail bar tucked into the busy stretch of W 38th Street in Midtown Manhattan. This spot blends Chinese cuisine with broader Asian influences and a polished lounge vibe, making it a popular choice for date nights, small gatherings, and after-work drinks.

The interior leans into a moody, dimly lit atmosphere with tasteful Chinese-inspired decor—paintings and subtle design touches that create an intimate, slightly luxurious setting. It’s the kind of place where you can easily settle in for an evening without feeling rushed, whether you’re chatting over cocktails or savoring a leisurely dinner.

Sei Less is well suited for those who appreciate a menu with a mix of traditional Asian flavors and modern twists. Starters like chicken wontons, rock shrimp tempura with spicy aioli, and crab croquettes offer textural variety and bold flavor contrasts. Mains like filet mignon with broccoli and Chilean sea bass provide a more elevated dining experience, appealing to seafood lovers and steak fans alike. The menu also has playful fusion touches—pastrami spring rolls with kimchi and gruyère stand out as unexpected yet intriguing choices.

The cocktail program complements the food well, featuring options like lychee martinis, mojitos, and the house’s signature "Pick Me Up" martini, crafted to pair with the Asian palate. The bartenders strike a good balance of attentive without hovering, keeping the service polished but relaxed.

Most visitors here seem to come in for evening meals—weekend and weeknight dinners—often with friends, partners, or small groups. The spot manages to feel lively without being loud, making it suitable for conversations and celebrations. TVs around the lounge mean sports fans can catch a game without disrupting the overall chic vibe.

Expect a moderately upscale experience where the focus is on thoughtful presentation and flavor depth, with a setting that feels more lounge than traditional Chinese restaurant. It lands comfortably between casual and fine dining, making it an appealing choice if you want a polished night out with bold Asian flavors in Midtown.

Highlights
Serves great cocktails
Has great wine list
Good for watching sport
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
What they serve
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves happy-hour drinks
Serves late-night food
Serves organic dishes
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Best for
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Does not have assistive hearing loop
Parking
Paid parking lot
Paid street parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

12:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Tuesday

12:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Wednesday

12:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Thursday

12:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Friday

12:00 PM - 01:00 AM

Saturday

03:00 PM - 01:00 AM

Sunday

03:00 PM - 12:00 AM

1833 Reviews
Morgan Wyant

29 Dec 2025

I’ve been wanting to try Sei Less so my boyfriend and I went for a date night . We had a 9:00 reservation and we were seated immediately . From the moment we walked in the ambiance was gorgeous . For apps we went with the Chicken Wontons, rock shrimp tempura, and Crab Croquettes . They were all very delicious . For entrees I got the filet mignon and broccoli (my absolute favorite thing we got) and he got Black Prawns . Somehow we had room for dessert and we got the crème brûlée . Overall I had a good experience and I could recommend any of the dishes we had . Our server was also very friendly and helpful .

Nissa Milfort

22 Nov 2025

Came here Thursday night for an early dinner with my coworkers. I’ve been wanting to check this place out for a while because of all the great reviews, and I’m glad to say it definitely lived up to the hype. The vibe was super cute, the food and cocktails were on point, and the service was great. The only thing that really missed the mark was the sweet and sour chicken—it was honestly so bad we had to send it back. But everything else we ordered was amazing, so no complaints there. It’s definitely an upscale spot, and I’ve heard they do enforce the dress code, especially on weekends. I’d totally recommend it for a date night—it gives off that sexy, grown-up vibe. Can’t wait to come back with my husband!

Nikki Doodnauth

19 Oct 2025

went saturday evening to celebrate my boyfriends birthday. even though we were a few minutes late, they took us in right away. the workers and servers were very nice and attentive, always coming up and asking if we needed anything and clearing the empty dishes. inside is beautiful and dark, with chinese aesthetic/paintings so it was really pretty. of course since it’s an upscale restaurant, the prices are much much higher than if you were to go to a regular chinese food restaurant but the food wasn’t bad. we got the kung pao chicken and the beijing chicken, which actually tasted the same haha. for appetizers, we got chicken dumplings, lobster spring rolls, and the chicken satay. the dishes were fresh and came fairly quick. the price wasn’t too bad for the 2 of us considering we ordered 2 entrees, appetizers, two drinks, dessert. we would recommend!

Angelina Andrew

19 Oct 2025

I never noticed this was the Old Jimmy's Cafe. They just gutted it out, it looks really nice. Only reason I knocked down a star was because my steak was alittle on the saltier side. However, our experience was definitely A1, I would recommend anyone to try it out. We did restaurant week and the choices were still amazing the veggie lo mein wooooo

Roberts .J06

25 Sep 2025

Sei less is definitely the spot, & I know people be hyping it up cause the celebrities be out there but they definitely do hold their name up. I loved the experience, waiters were on top of everything but didn’t over do it! The food was amazing, there hasn’t been a thing that I’ve tried here that I wasn’t crazy about. They had TV’s everywhere, they have so many spots where you can take pictures.

Ashley Rose

19 Sep 2025

From the moment I walked into Sei Less, I knew I was in for something special. The ambiance is the perfect blend of sexy and sophisticated, dim lighting, luxe decor, and a vibe that just screams upscale NYC nightlife. The service? Impeccable. Every staff member was warm, attentive, and made us feel like VIPs from start to finish. Our server had great recommendations and made sure everything was timed perfectly. no rush, no delays, just smooth, elevated dining. Now let’s talk about the food… absolutely phenomenal. Every dish was flavorful, beautifully plated, and crafted with care. Whether you’re celebrating something special or just want a luxe night out, this place delivers on all fronts. 10/10. I’ll definitely be back!

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