Bar Italia

Following a stroll through Central Park Zoo, we planned to walk clear across the park to a coffee shop on the upper west side, but just when we though we experienced all the weather that the city had to offer, we felt a couple of raindrops as we began our trek into the park and fortunately we turned our butts right around up E 66th Street looking for cover and serendipitously found ourselves in one of our trip’s most memorable moments. Under an awning, escaping the downpour, the weather app told us we had at least another hour of rain ahead, so we knew we needed to tuck in somewhere. At the end of the street, beautiful window displays and designer corner flagships spilled out of repurposed late-19th-century limestone mansions - Madison Avenue. You don’t have to be a local to know that ducking in for cover around here, especially near dinner time, doesn’t exactly scream affordable or accessible. Still, everything seemed to pull us toward the warm, dry red awning across the street. Bar Italia’s white tablecloths, extra-long stone bar, and fresh arrangements of flowers created an elegance that made us quietly wonder if we were in over our heads - especially rolling in with a stroller. Those concerns faded almost instantly thanks to the big, beaming smile and perfectly tailored suit of Hassan El Garrahy, who greeted us by high-fiving our son and rearranging tables to make space. As our son giggled and goofed around, Hassan shared how he’d come over from Egypt all those years ago, had us guess his age - an impressive 68, fueled by good eating, marathon running, and chasing his four kids - and encouraged us, with a grin, to have a few more of our own. That same spirit and energy from Bar Italia’s owner and operating partner carries through every detail that makes the place special: the rain tapping softly against the accordion windows that open wide on warmer afternoons; the attentive server who brought calamari with homemade tartar sauce and thoughtfully split our single order of what may be the best spaghetti carbonara we’ve ever had - more than enough for both of us. By the time the rain cleared and the air cooled, we stepped back onto Madison Avenue full, grateful, and newly aware that the city still has a way of surprising you with its quiet treasures.

Vibes are immaculate. Great food and drinks. Great art. Thank you Rafael and team for the amazing meal, even better service and for free souvenir (baby size bottle of tabasco). ¡Ciao!

Absolutely Loved This Spot! Just walking by, you can’t help but notice how clean and inviting it looks inside. My friend and I asked to sit indoors—no problem at all. Right away, we were served bottled water and ordered two drinks called the “Verde.” You get to choose your base—vodka, gin, or tequila—and wow, the drinks were amazing. The food menu? You could close your eyes and pick anything and still end up with a great dish. The pizza is light, clean, and feels organic—super flavorful but not heavy or bloating. Our host, John, was incredibly informative and even told us about some off-menu specials personally prepared by the chef, Dennis. Huge bonus! The service was on point—no dirty plates sitting around, clean utensils, and an overall great vibe. We came during a bright summer day, and the place had such a lively, vibrant energy. Whether you’re in the mood to share or go all in solo, you won’t regret stopping here. Definitely a must-visit!

Easily the best Italian restaurant I’ve been to. We instantly felt at home, every dish was delicious, the service was outstanding, and Denis’ personal attention and hospitality were truly exceptional.

First visit — cozy, classy space but a bit small and noisy when full. Starters (Indivia and Rape Rosé salads) were fresh and flavorful. Mains (pappardelle and salmon) were just okay. Tiramisu was excellent and the highlight. Service was decent but slowed down when it got busy. Food was a bit pricey for the quality. Nice to try once, but with better Italian options around, I’d only come back for drinks — we liked the wine and Aperol Spritz.

This was hands down one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had. From the vibrant salad to the perfectly tender short rib, every dish was absolutely delicious. The Baccala Mantecato, a first for me, was incredible — you can really taste the care that goes into its three-day preparation. The presentation was flawless, and every detail made the meal unforgettable. I can't wait to come back! A huge thanks goes to the Chef and all the staff.

At first glance it seemed like a nice authentic Italian restaurant, however it was quite disappointing. Not to mention it was super expensive. The tables were unusually small, they tried to fit four of us on a 2 person table and we were constantly worried that something would fall off the edge. When we received our water, my mother found oil in hers and the waiter spilled the water multiple times. The bathroom resembled that of an airplanes but at least it was clean. The wait time for the food was not too bad however the food was a deal breaker. The pasta was extremely bland and unseasoned. It was not at all what I expected and I mean that in a bad way. The pizza was also very rubbery and difficult to eat but it tasted fine. When we were done with our food we asked for a dessert menu, and the waiter informed us that they were out of most of their desserts. We ended up getting 3 scoops of ice cream to share. The only flavors they had were banana, cherry, and pistachio. I hated all of them. The cherry was the only edible flavor. All in all, it was definitely not worth the prices and now i understand why it was the least crowded restaurant in the area.

Had such a great experience at Bar Italia on Madison! I stopped in for a cocktail and was served by Karen, who was absolutely fantastic—warm, attentive, and genuinely made the visit special. She recommended the cucumber martini, which was crisp, refreshing, and perfectly crafted. I also had the Sardinian bread, and it was flavorful and beautifully presented. The atmosphere is chic yet inviting, and the service truly stands out. Can’t wait to return!

My friend and I wanted a place for dinner in midtown East and we decided to come here. The place has both indoor and outdoor seating. The place is pretty spacious and the staff were very friendly. The menu was not huge but there is a good amount of pasta, pizza and sandwich options. We got the calamari which was delicious - we wished it came with marinara sauce but it just came with tartar sauce. My friend got the pesto pasta which she said was decent. I got the pasta carbonara- it was alright - slightly too heavy and salty. Overall not a bad restaurant, slightly on the more expensive side but I have definitely had better Italian food.

We decided to stop by Bar Italia on a whim because we wanted to grab a drink outside. They have a nice covered outdoor dining area and we were promptly seated. We ended up ordering a margherita pizza to split as well and it was solid! Nothing special, but the tasty, thin crust, cheese pizza hit the spot. Not sure we'd come out of our way to dine here again but it was good for a quick bite and a few drinks!

Just had such a great experience here! It's a small, cozy spot with a warm and welcoming vibe. The veal ragu was fantastic - rich, flavorful, and they were able to substitute with gluten free penne (thank you!!). The simple, classic caprese appetizer was fresh and delicious. Great affogato too. But what really made me want to write a review: this place has 5-star hospitality. I've lived in NYC for several years and the staff here were some of the friendliest, most wonderful I've ever come across. First, the host didn't bat an eye when our party showed up way too early for our reservation and sat us right away anyway. Our waiter was attentive and funny, and the owner came over a couple of times, spent time chatting and sharing stories with us, and kept making sure we were happy. I'll gladly head uptown to visit again soon!

The food was excellent, and the service matched it. A cozy restaurant on the Upper East Side.

Wonderful dining experience with lovely Italian cuisine!! We were welcomed in by such friendly staff who took great care of us during our lunch! The gnocchi was pillowy and melted in your mouth and was to die for with the gooey cheese sauce! Would def come here again. Very classy and elegant decor and ambiance.

Great ambiance, good food and prompt service. Nice place for a date or to catch up with a friend. The food is so good, we keep going back for more. Definitely recommend

I was looking forward to my lunch at Bar Italia on Madison. I was so disappointed. The service was about the same as a diner. I had to ask for water and bread. Sorry, no it was a bit better than a diner because they waited until we both had finished to take our plates. But most disappointing was the food. I asked if the salads were an entree size or a starter size. I was told that they were entrees. I ordered the salad with tuna. When it was served it looked like (and tasted like) someone had scooped an avocado, corn, cut asparagus, tomato, canned tuna mush from a pot-luck picnic offering into a simple small bowl. Not only NOT entree size but there was no effort to create anything attractive. A composed salad is not in this chef's wheelhouse. For $38 it was a supreme disappointment.

Started off with the Bellini which I ended up having three of yummy. Spaghetti Carbonara my mom loved and my daughter loved the Penne Bolognese. I had the daily special with black pasta and shrimp. Great service, friendly and attentive. Quality of food is excellent so worth the price they charge. Enjoyed the opportunity to chat with owners as they made us feel at home. Looking forward to going back again.

We spontaneously decided to have lunch outdoors. Diego was setting up outdoor seating when we arrived at 1:30pm. We were accommodated with a 2pm reservation, enjoyed a glass of rosé and a Cosmopolitan (very Sex & the City) Manolo Blanik across the street on Madison Avenue. We started with fried calamari...fried and salted perfectly! We shared the Roasted chicken with vegetables and Salmon with sautéed spinach with a side of French fries. The service as well as the food was superb. Thank you soo much for the wonderful dining experience and look forward to dining again soon.

The food and the service in this place is great. The atmosphere is cozy. Never disappoints.

Salmon was super fishy. They took it off the bill. Yellowfin was nice. She had the Cavatelli. Zero flavor. Also ordered mushrooms. Asked twice. Never came. Paid for those. Latte was very good.

The food was fantastic. It is truly my favorite Italian restaurant in the city. Small and intimate. Good for conversation. Wait staff was very professional. The chef, Danny, is tops. Came out to greet us. I would highly recommend Bar Italia for an exquisite dining experience.

We were wandering around on a hot afternoon and decided to grab a snack and a glass of wine. Bar Italia is light and airy on the inside. The staff was incredibly welcoming. The manager listed the specials. The owner chatted with the Italian couple who were regulars and there for a full lunch at 2:30 p.m. Other diners were just finishing their leisurely repasts. No one seemed disappointed that we ordered just the prosciutto y melon and the salmon Tartar. Both were absolutely perfect. The melon was exactly ripe, the gently cured prosciutto a nice complement. The salmon tartar wasn't too salty and the flavors were nicely balanced-- one of the better ones I've had. The list of wines by the glass is just diverse enough to offer the right complement. After a busy day and ahead of a busy evening, we felt like we'd had a true moment of relaxation and cosseting by an excellent, but not pushy staff. We'll be back.

Excellent food and service. A perfect lunch. I was seated without a reservation and didn't wait.

This is one of my favorite restaurants to come to when I am in Manhattan. The food is 10/10, and the service even better. The owner is so kind and phenomenal at his job. The true dining experience here is without a doubt my favorite place.

Went today with my group of friends, after a trip to the central park zoo, for one of my friends daughters 3rd birthday. It was such a lovely day so we sat outside. The food was delicious, the drinks were great, and so were the cappuccinos. The owner was very nice. He would make sure we had everything we needed. He was polite and friendly. The waiter was also very attentive. We will definitely come back whenever in the area!

They really have outdone themselves and the service was outstanding. There appeared to only be one waitress and she was working hard with a great attitude. The food and drinks were wonderful. We ate outside and they have a good heating system plus ventilation with open windows. There are partitions and space between tables and masks are required inside and all staff was wearing masks. They also offered us blankets but we didn't need them. Really top notch experience.

An amazing Italian find, with all the elegance of an upper east side establishment with the local vibes and coziness of a west village trattoria. After shopping or site seeing you won't be better treated for a drink and a bite to eat than by stopping in at this gem off Madison. If you're lucky, the charming and gregarious owner will ply you with story and snacks .

I love this place and highly recommend it! There is an outdoor seating option, without freezing. Spaghetti Carbonara is one the best carbonara I had in the City. We also tried the daily special (pasta with shrimp) and polenta with mushrooms. All tasted good. Another time, I wanted to try something different (pasta w/ pesto) but I was also craving for carbonara, they offered to make half sizes of both so that I can enjoy them all. In short, they offer a great service, friendly and attentive.

So many Italian restaurants better than this. The bolognese was so dry I asked for more marinara to add.

Average Italian food. Noisy. Good servers. I've been several times now, hoping for a better experience as it's in my neighborhood and easy to get to and reserve. But 3 strikes and you're out.

A small, friendly restaurant where regulars are treated to special appetizers and dishes. At a recent visit, I ordered the crab salad. Some nerve calling or crab salad since the amount of crab was minuscule. No wonder it was called "daily special".

Hands down to the best Italian place in NYC! Not sure from where to start. I love love love this place. The service is top notch. The owner, Hassan, is so kind, generous, and welcoming. You can see and feel that he truly cares about Bar Italia. It is not just a restaurant. No, it is more than that. He can walk you through the value of the place, the meaning of names, explains the recipes to you, and helps you choose what kind of food selection you should order so you can truly immerse yourself with the Italian cuisine. Food quality is the 10/10. The Milanese is delicious. Order the tiramisu and Nutella crepe.

This restaurant is perfect. Great location on Madison avenue,great service and most importantly the food. We started with a great Barolo wine and shared three appetizers. Fried calamari,yellow tail sashimi and grilled octopus I passed and only had 1 calamari too salty for me and would have been great with a dipping sauce. For my main course I had the grilled shrimp dish it was delicious regrettably I could not finish. We all shared an order of risotto as well. The table you couldn't imagine it could fit all our dishes but our servers were trained professionals. Now on to the most important course dessert. We were given a plate of biscotti that had just a touch of powdered sugar sprinkled on them. Before I knew it they brought us another plate. We also ordered two desserts to be shared a chocolate cake as well as a meringue cake that was light as a feather. To top it off a Frangelico neat as well as a glass of Limoncello which I passed on. Would definitely return for another memorable meal.

Really good food, but expensive. We had the following: -prosciutto crudo with Stracchino cheese: we really enjoyed this. The prosciutto was sliced thin and the baguette slices that came with this dish were crispy and went well with the cheese and prosciutto. The cheese tasted a little like cream cheese and I think I would have preferred a Burrata to go with this dish. -fried calamari: this dish was perfect. The calamari was very tender and we asked for tomato sauce on the side which had great flavor. -Rigatoni with Veal Ragu: my husband loved this and it had great flavor. The pasta was fresh and the sauce wasn't too heavy. -gnocchi: the actual gnocchi was so fluffy. They were out of the cheese sauce so I got pink sauce. I really enjoyed this dish. -veal chop: my husband really enjoyed this dish and the sage butter sauce was very good. Although not sure I would recommend for $62. I also got the IL verde drink and the strawberry caipiroska. I liked the strawberry drink better. My husband got an old fashioned which was pretty small and a glass of red wine. $20 for a normal glass of red wine is pretty expensive even for NYC.

Very nice restaurant on Madison. I walked in thinking they had some connection with the one in London. They have really good seafood and very sweet staff. Open 11-10pm for food. Drinks until 11pm. Such a cute & cozy escape from a day of shopping. I will check it out again soon.

I rarely leave Yelp reviews, positive or negative, but felt I had to post this. Dining alone, I was seated by the hostess at a table outside and ordered a beverage. Several minutes later I was told (by who I assume is the manager) that I would have to leave my table because there were larger parties waiting, and they couldn't/wouldn't reseat me elsewhere, so I would have to leave the restaurant altogether. If this was their policy, I was not made aware of it before and was treated very poorly. I hope those who were allowed to remain sitting long enough to order food had a better experience than I did.

We went to the city for the day and had lunch at Bar Italia Madison. The staff and management were very nice and accommodating. We were a group of 9 people including small children. The food was absolutely amazing and delicious. It was prepared perfectly. I have been to other restaurants in the city in the past and have not had anywhere near this level of hostility from the staff and management. Best Italian food I have had in years!! Great job and we will be back!

If you like a traditional old school Italian vibe this place is for you. There's nothing wrong with this place but to me it lacked soul. Service was attentive and food was tasty. I had a burger without bread bun and salad instead of fries and my friends enjoyed mushroom pasta and a salad with extra prosciutto. Overall a pleasant experience but nothing memorable about it. Do go by all means if you have nothing more exciting to pick from.

genuinely one of the worst restaurants i've been to ever, but at least the hostess that greeted me was wonderful. please give up the grated truffle shit ts isn't coming close to masking the taste of overcooked pasta and pre-minced garlic

The service here is outstanding. The staff is knowledgeable of the entire menu and very caring when it comes to dietary restrictions. Everything was cooked perfectly and full of flavor. I love the veggie based soups here they are amazing. The pasta is always perfect. I also enjoyed the salads, we had the beet salad and artichoke which were great. Their outdoor situation is nice they have heat and it's separated nicely. Only negative is that its pricey but that is the ues. I also had a lunch here a few weeks ago with friends it was also such a great experience and we ordered half of the menu. The food was also great.

Excellent and attentive service however if you are looking for a gluten free pizza, this is not the place to come. Charged $30 for essentially a frozen personal cheese pizza. Not impressed with what we got but other people's food looked good

I rarely give low ratings but in my opinion this place was awful. We went to the museum nearby and were looking for a quick, small bite to eat. Stumbled upon this place and it was jam packed. Decided to walk in and try it out. We were approached by the manager (maybe?). When we asked for a table for two he asked if we were prepared to 'spend a million dollars?' Hmm, ok? We just figured he had a really odd sense of humor. We were seated at the tiniest table ever and back to back with our neighbors. The restaurant is super small and so tightly packed I couldn't even cross my legs under the table. On to the meals. My friend had a salad with grilled chicken ($24). It was iceberg lettuce, with some tomatos and half a chicken breast. It was super salty and really sad. I had the beet salad ($18). It had maybe one red beet and one yellow beet and some goat cheese. Thank god they gave us bread because when we said we wanted small meals we didn't expect this. Service was pretty much non existent. We had to waive down a waiter just to get our order taken. The customers were also strange. Really uppity UES residents mixed with overly touchy Europeans. The one nice thing was the complimentary champagne.

Recently we had the great pleasure of dining at Bar Italia. I have been living in NYC for over 50 years and I have NEVER had the dining experience we had at this restaurant. My daughter, her mother-in-law and my two grandchildren were visiting from Virginia and we spent the day in Central Park along with my sister-in-law (a long-time NYC resident, from Chile). Very last minute we decided to go for dinner and by chance we came upon this restaurant. We were welcomed with open arms by a gentleman who may have been the owner, (I wish I had gotten his name), who made us feel at home, told us not to rush, found us a private table in a cute alcove, put a little chef's hat on our grandson and even gave him a tour of the kitchen! I literally cried I was so happy and touched by his kindness. The food was AMAZING. We shared a number of plates each one was better than the next. We order two bottles of wine, which were delectable. On our way out the door we could see that the restaurant was completely full with locals and celebrities. Never did we feel rushed in order to give our two joined tables to other diners. This restaurant is a shining example of how restaurants should cater to the patrons, but the service we received was above and beyond what I've come to expect in the greatest City of the world. If you want amazing food and welcoming service this is the restaurant for you. We can't wait to go back! Patryce E,

Excellent choice on Madison ave. Always delicious food and nice service. The pasta dishes are authentically Italian. Also, pretty decor.

Absolutely amazing! Chef Denis cooks a lot of wonderful dishes! It seems to be in Italy in the heart of NYC!

Great wine selection Very convenient location Nearby metro museum Great service I will go back next time for a meal

After reading through a few of the reviews for Bar Italia, I have come to the conclusion that their management must read them as well. I had absolutely no issues -- everyone was so attentive and welcoming. It was a beautiful day, and they had the front open, but my friend and I decided to sit towards the back to grab some of the AC and check out the scenery. We both ordered the Sunday pre fixe brunch that comes with one appetizer, an entree and one drink (mimosa). We both ordered the asparagus as an app. I ordered the spaghetti with garlic, olive oil, parsley and chili flakes. It was very flavorful and wasn't as garlicky or spicy as the waiter mentioned it would be (that's a good thing). My friend ordered the chicken parm with fries. That was perfection. The crust was perfectly crunchy and the chicken very juicy and tender. The fries were basic. All in all, I'm glad I decided to stop in and see what this cool looking restaurant had to offer.

this is not about the food, this is about the service, we never had a chance to sample the food, as we requested an outside table, which was promised that they would accommodate by Stephanie, (not sure if she is the hostess or just the reservation person) when we arrive, she said they never made that promise, which was a lie, and they obviously did not need our business. Hospitality people always talk about how they are under paid and mistreated. I am in industry, and the bold face lying was fucking embarrassing. I hope this is her side hustle, as she will not make it in a job where character matters I cant speak about the food, because the hostess fucked me

Terrible behavior and attitude from the host and hostess managing my reservation. They made me wait for a table for three despite having an open table for four. Three people walked in, and they were sat at the table they denied me because the size of my party. Pathetic

Came here for dinner and cocktails with a couple friends. The food was pretty good and the Cock and tails were good a bit pricey. The restaurant manager gave us free shots and prosciutto as a thank you! We felt at HOME all i NEEDED was some REGGAETON to top my night off! My only complaint is that waiters should get larger branded masks or something that fits better they weren't covering their noses!

One star because they wouldn't let me put 0. The owner sat us and we were just there for drinks. We ordered food like he asked. $100 into it they start demanding we leave. There was 10+ tables open! Honestly. I tip 50% on 9/10 tabs. These guys were pricks. I tipped just because the gusset was super cool. F this place the guys a prick

I'm so happy we came across this place in 2020. It started with the gelato over the summer, but we have been back a few times for dinner. It has been a saving grace over the last few months. The food is excellent, as is the staff & the atmosphere. You can tell every precaution is being taken with care, they have created a cozy outdoor oasis outside. I've enjoyed the calamari, pizza, rigatoni & wine selection.

Made a 5pm reservation in person at 4:15pm. When we showed up they didn't honor it. Refused to give us a table outside.

I got to say the service was impeccable the food was delicious the ambience was very upscale we got a little bit of everything and then I'll tasted delicious.

Stopped by for a round of drinks. Of course you have to order food now as well. We opted for some aperol spritzes and a prosciutto + melons platter. Food and drinks were good, nice place to people watch on UES. Things are definitely on the pricier side. $80 for 2 aperol spritzes and a few slices of prosciutto lol. Not sure we'll come back given the other good Italian options here in the city but it served its purpose on a hot day when we needed a break and a drink.

Have been here a few times and the food is DELICIOUS! The service is good, and the waiters are quick. For a restaurant on Madison Ave and for the amazing food, the prices are great. It is still expensive, so be aware. I recommend the chicken salad that comes with the mozzarella balls and other fresh tomatoes and veggies. Delicious and healthy salad! The pastas are to die for and the fish is also great. The beef carpaccio is my FAVORITE!!! It is a must have. By far one of the best tasting carpaccios I have tasted and it's a good portion. Also order the tomato buffala, fresh and very tasty. The atmosphere is eccentric and the vibe is cool. The decor is very modern and aesthetically clean. Will be coming back soon and highly recommend for lunch/dinner!

RACIST!! - ( JOHN - is his name ) if i can give zero stars i would! Today i had a facial just around the corner, per usual.. i decided to grab a bite at this restaurant as i usually do before a facial with no problems. Today was different, mind you this restaurant is first come first serve. Had several empty tables and a hostess walked right up to me and denied me service. Lied in my face saying no tables were available, that tables were reserved! So i walked away feeling embarrassed. I decided to call and asked if i had to make a reservation he told me on the phone first come first serve, now its a different story. RACIST RACIST RACIST!!

One of my go- to neighborhood spots for delish Italian with great service and great outdoor seating set up esp during those warmer days.