NYCity Matchmaking Reviews [Best Option For NYC Singles?]

NYCity Matchmaking, founded by former attorney Michelle Frankel in 2012, offers boutique matchmaking services primarily for singles in NYC, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, DC, and Connecticut. With consultation fees starting at $350 and package pricing comparable to other premium NYC matchmakers in the $20,000+ range, the service has earned strong reviews (4.8-5.0 stars across platforms) for thorough vetting and personalized attention.

Key Takeaways:

• Consultation required before services - $475 in-person or $350 virtual consultation fee just to discuss potential matchmaking services
• Multiple service tiers - free database membership (passive matching only), Premier membership (priority matching), and full matchmaking packages with active searching
• Strong client satisfaction - 4.8-5.0 star ratings across platforms (Yelp, Google, TrustAnalytica) with 40+ reviews, particularly praised for thorough vetting
• Geographic focus matters - primarily serves NYC, NJ, PA, DC and Connecticut, with particular expertise in Jewish matchmaking
• Contract structure typical of industry - requires upfront payment for 6-12 month packages, similar to other NYC matchmakers in the $20,000+ range

From the smaller boutiques to the industry’s biggest players, we've reviewed over 200 matchmaking services. Our insight comes from comprehensive research, real customer reviews, and a deep understanding of the matchmaking landscape honed over 14 years of first-hand industry experience.

This NYCity Matchmaking review is packed with information about her matchmaking process, what other clients are saying, how she got started and how much it costs.

Michelle Frankel spent years working as an attorney in Washington, D.C. As she explained in an interview with NJMom.com, she decided to move to New York City after ending an engagement. 

At her new firm, she quickly found herself playing matchmaker for her colleagues, even introducing her boss to his future wife. After realizing how fulfilling this was for her, she decided to take a leap of faith and switch careers. 

“As time went on, I realized that I was much more passionate about matchmaking than practicing law, and so I took a risk and gave up my career after 10 years of practicing.” 

As Frankel puts it, she ‘traded in law for love.’ 

It was Frankel’s passion for connecting people that encouraged her to open her boutique matchmaking firm in 2012. Her office is in Midtown Manhattan.

NYCity Matchmaking later expanded into New Jersey, opening an office in Ridgewood. New Jersey Matchmaking is an extension of NYCity Matchmaking, and she also offers matchmaking for Jewish singles. 

NYCity Matchmaking works with a diverse client base in terms of age and location. Clients range in age from 20s to 60s and come from all over the United States, but Frankel primarily focuses on singles living in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, DC and Connecticut.

Frankel is building a reputation as a Jewish matchmaker, and has been featured on an episode of My Unorthodox Life. That’s a popular Netflix series following the family of Julia Haart and their transition to a non-religious lifestyle in Manhattan.

All potential matchmaking clients go through a rigorous interview process with Frankel to decide if you’re a good fit for their services. During the discussion you’ll share what type of person you’re hoping to meet and Frankel guides the conversation based on your objectives. 

As she shared with Thrillist, 

Depending on their goal, we talk about what their ideal match is like. We talk about what they are attracted to physically and how important that is for them. We also talk about personality. Not everyone is a good match with a Type A personality, for example.

If you decide to join NYCity Matchmaking as a paying client, Frankel and her team will either pair you with compatible matches from their database or utilize their network of contacts.

Frankel puts it this way,

When people retain me as their love headhunter I don’t limit matching to people who are just clients because that would be restricting. When people retain me, my entire network becomes part of it. It helps to know a lot of people. In my database I have several thousand singles, so that’s the first place I look. I do specific searches when I’m out networking. I talk to other matchmakers around me who might have a good match.

When a match is found, Frankel's team handles planning the date and coordinating all the logistics. Then, after each date you’ll both give and receive objective feedback on how things went. 

NYCity Matchmaking also offers image consulting, body language coaching, photo sessions, and mock dating exercises.

Potential clients have several options to join NYCity Matchmaking, but not all of them come with a proactive search.

Joining as a Member is free, but it just means you’ll have a profile included in Frankel’s database. While you could be considered as a potential match for her paying clients, there are no guarantees of ever meeting anyone at this level.

You can also opt to join the database as a Premier Member, which requires a consultation. Premier Members are given priority over free Members when it comes to being matched with paying clients. 

The initial consultation costs $475 if you do it in person, or $350 via video or phone. During this hour-long+ session Frankel and her team delve into your background, lifestyle, values, and relationship goals. 

As Frankel explained in an interview with Bergen Magazine, the most important aspect of this initial consultation is getting to the heart of what you want in a future partner.

“Oftentimes, they think they want one thing but it’s really something else.”

Purchasing a matchmaking package also requires a paid initial consultation. Package prices vary depending on many factors, including the specificity of your search criteria, where you want to meet people, and what other services you may require to be successfully matched.

If you are thinking about working with Michelle Frankel, you might be interested in hearing what past clients have to say in their NYCity Matchmaking reviews. 

Michelle Frankel’s NYC matchmaking service has a solid 5-star rating on Yelp with over 50 positive reviews.

Many were from members of the database, like this reviewer who had a positive experience meeting Frankel’s paying clients: 

Other reviewers like this one appreciated the care that went into the vetting process:

This reviewer appreciated Frankel’s use of networking:

NYCity Matchmaking’s Google reviews are similarly positive, earning the service a 4.9 out of 5 star rating.

As with Yelp, the reviews were from a mix of singles who paid for services or joined the database for free:

NYCity Matchmaking has a 4.8 out of 5 star rating with TrustAnalytica, with over 40 mostly positive reviews. The two negative reviews were from people who had not actually used the service.

Online matchmaking service reviews can be a useful tool. What reviewers have to say can help you generate questions to ask during your initial consultation, and how a company chooses to respond to an online review can give you an insightful peek into their approach to customer service. 

But what’s ultimately more important is deciding what you want from a matchmaking service before signing a contract. Matchmaking is a worthy investment when you make an informed decision.

Budget of course, can be a big factor. Frankel’s prices are inline with other New York Matchmaking services. 

For instance, Enamour offers a white-glove matchmaking experience, with access to an exclusive invite only database. Packages start around $20,000 for a 6-month contract. Maria Avgitidis and Lisa Ronis are in that same price range.

It may come down to how you feel about long-term contracts, which are typical for most matchmaking services. You purchase a 6-month, 9-month, or even a year’s worth of service up front. 

But that’s not always the case. VIDA Select, for instance, offers professional matchmaking services on a pay-as-you-go basis. VIDA has a wide range of packages to choose from, ranging from basic to elite service. 

And some packages are paid monthly, which means you don’t have to worry about purchasing time you don’t end up requiring if you meet someone special right away. 82% of VIDA Select clients begin a relationship with a match in just 3 months. 

That’s largely because VIDA’s matchmakers leverage the largest database of singles there is, so you can look forward to meeting matches who check all your compatibility boxes.

Discover how VIDA’s modern matchmaking service can find your perfect match! Get started here.