Cafe Silvium

Cafe Silvium is nothing short of spectacular! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warmth and charm. The atmosphere is cozy and authentic—perfect for a relaxed yet elegant dining experience. The food? Absolutely outstanding. Every dish we ordered was bursting with flavor, clearly made with love and fresh ingredients. You can tell this place takes pride in its Italian roots. But what truly made our night unforgettable was Nikki, our server. She was beyond amazing—attentive, kind, and incredibly knowledgeable about the menu. Her recommendations were spot on, and she made us feel like we were longtime friends rather than just guests. It’s rare to find someone so genuine and passionate about creating a great dining experience. Cafe Silvium is a place you’ll want to return to again and again. Exceptional food, a welcoming vibe, and top-tier service—especially thanks to Nikki. Can’t recommend it highly enough!

Excellent, authentic Italian food. I don't know how they do it with such an abundant menu and keep the quality of food so high. From the homemade fetucine and grappa to the perfectly cooked octopus and broccoli rabe, I cannot wait to dine here again! The owner/chef took time out to greet his patrons and ensure we were enjoying our meals.

It’s one of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to. Prepare yourself for a hefty wine pour, the friendliest service, and the most amazing food. Even when you’re stuffed, you can’t say no to dessert. My boyfriend, THE tiramisu aficionado, claims they have the best he’s ever had. I’d like you to try to have a bad meal here! On top of it all, the pricing is beyond reasonable. Cannot recommend enough!!

Great little Italian restaurant. I was looking on Google for a good Italian place in Stamford to meet up with a buddy of mine since we both work in CT. This place checks all the boxes: good food, reasonable prices, and an attentive waiter. This place does prefer reservations, but we came on a Monday night so they were able to accommodate us. I'll definitely be returning if I'm in the area again. Great jewel of a place.

Good, not great, casual Italian. We had a solid lunch at Cafe Silvium. We arrived for our 1pm reservations on a Monday to a packed restaurant, and were incredibly grateful we made reservations ahead of time. We were sat at our table immediately. At the peak lunch hour, it was very noisy. We all had to lean in and raise our voices just to hear each other. But as the lunch rush dissipated, and tables emptied, the atmosphere became much more pleasant. The menu is exceedingly long, so long that you have to wonder how they manage to do all these dishes well. It turns out, they do some well, and some not so well. The rigatoni gnat gnat was wonderful, nice toothsome pasta with a good sauce. The tortellini on the special menu was a heavy salt-bomb. When asked, our server very helpfully gave us ideas on what were the better dishes on the menu. But while he recommended the rigatoni, he also recommended the tortellini special. What I most appreciated about the restaurant was that this felt more authentically Italian than most restaurants in the area. Italian restaurants in this area are more Italian-American with menus dominated with red sauce on everything and dishes like Chicken Francese.

There is a little parking lot but only couple spots and they’re usually taken. But found a spot outside fairly quickly. There are no reservations. So we came as a party of 3 and inside wait time was 2 hours. To sit outside was 1 hour but there are a ton of mosquitoes outside. Was a nice day so we sat outside. The service was amazing the server had knowledge about the menu and was very personable. She gave really good recommendations and the portions were a good amount. I loved the mussels they had so much flavor. Pasta and sauce was very flavorful. This place was highly recommended and I can see why. I would definitely be back

We had an amazing first experience at Cafe Silvium! Worth the wait on the weekend, the rigatoni was delicious. Great service too, we will be back

I ordered take out and thought the dude that gave me the dish had eaten half of it when I opened it. I mean we’re not in a recession but the lobster ravioli portion size had me thinking 🧐. Tasted just fine just though. Thought I’d get a little more for 30 dollars.

Consistently great service and amazing dishes by the friendly and knowledgeable staff!

When we first moved to the area, we asked around the neighborhood for a good spot to celebrate our anniversary and everyone said Cafe Silvium. They were SPOT on. We have now been several times and ate never disappointed. Glasses of wine are filled to the brim, service is attentive even though they are ALWAYS packed, fresh pastas are delicious.. truly a fabulous experience. We have never felt rushed despite their busy nights. The waiters make great suggestions AND will often allow you to do a half and half situation if you want 2 different pastas, which for a girl like me who has complete fomo on the best dish, is a dream come true. Calamari is crisp, never oily. We've also had the stuffed mushroooms which were a delight. My favorite, fra diovlo , was perfect. I know we will be back!

This classic Stamford Italian restaurant has always been recommended to me but has taken years and years to finally get to. The problem is the restaurant doesn't take weekend reservations for small parties and the line is always out the door. Our party of 4 arrived at 430pm on a Saturday just to be able to get in. It was worth it but I also wouldn't give Cafe Silvium the best restaurant of all time title either. It's a classic style and excellent but there are a few similar classic Italian restaurants in Stamford that are just as good (and maybe a hair better). The ambiance is classic Italian. White table cloths, authentic Italian chefs and waiters, plentiful atmosphere. The service is very quick because they want high turnover. The waiter was knowledgeable and slightly humorous but we also got the vibe that he thought we stayed a bit too long. There was a slightly rushed feeling. The other servers were excellent. The food and wine are to die for. The Rigatoni gnact gnact was amazing, the lobster ravioli was too. The wine pour is incredibly generous, and the tiramisu and lemon cake did not disappoint. I'd definitely go back again with a very early dinner time.

Great food. Great service. Great wine. The staff is helpful in choosing the right dish. There are sooo many to chose from.

Wow what an experience, I have always heard about here but tried it for the first time. The server was so fun and gave us wine while we waited which made the 20 minute wait go by so quick and well Worth it. The food was incredible, atmosphere was so cozy and the staff were so amazing. Highly recommend.

Wow...just wow!!! I love Italian food...but I'm not sure if I knew what REALLY great Italian food was until dining here. This place blew my mind with their Pork Osso Bucco with Saffron Risotto. The pork literally fell off the bone, and the saffron rissoto was creamy and bursting with flavor. I could have eaten the rissoto all on its own. The Fettuccine Mascarpone was delicious as well! Pasta was cooked to aldente perfection, and the sauce was creamy and light. We paired the meal with the house malbec, which complimented the flavors very well. The meal started off with fresh bread, olive oil, and an interesting side dish of muzed veggies/beans. Being that there were only two of us, we opted to go straight into the entrées. I will say, the menu itself had some super enticing appetizers. However, 2 entrées between the two of us was plenty! The quality of the food along with the portion size....absolutely insane! Food aside, the service was phenomenal. Despite it being fully packed on a Saturday night, our waitress made sure to check in frequently and offered great suggestions. As for the ambiance, the place was super charming. It was dimly lit, packed with tables. Managed to have both a family-friendly and romantic vibe. Definitely appeared to be a local favorite. If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend coming here. You absolutely will not leave disappointed. Although...beware....your expectations for good Italian will forever be changed.

Food service and atmosphere absolutely amazing. Definitely recommend. Reservation needed but we'll worth the visit. Probably the best Italian restaurant in Stamford

Went with friends, who know they do not take reservations unless it's a party of 6 or more. So we had a 45 minute wait, which was right on schedule, and so worth it. They don't have a bar to sit at, so we went a few doors down, had drinks there until they called her. We were seated and greeted by a very good, and comical server. Unfortunately I didn't get his name. They only serve wine And Beer. We started with the Antipasto, which had lots of goodies in there, and plenty of it!! We ordered the Seafood Fra Diablo, Sole Franchese, Fettuccine marscapone, & Pork Osso Bucco, over Polenta! Everything was extremely delicious! Service was excellent!

They added outdoor seating which reduces wait time. The service is excellent and they always give you a big glass of wine while you wait. the spaghetti a la vongole was perfect and we were glad to return this summer, it had been too long since our last visit!

Outstanding Italian spot in Stamford. Had a lunch meeting here recently and the place was packed soon after opening. Great, attentive service in a cozy space with white tablecloths and delicious food. The bread on the table and the olive oil were the first indicators that I was going to enjoy anything I ordered. The olive oil-perfection. My sea bass was fabulous. Heard the desserts are fab. My lunch date is a regular and I would be as well if I lived nearby.

A cute little Italian restaurant with handmade pasta. The serving staff made us feel at home. A comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. I ordered the lasagna and it was delicious and ranks in the top 3 of lasagna I have had in Italian restaurants I have been to in Chicago. Highly recommended!

New to Stamford and really excited to learn about the Italian food here, my mom gave me $100 gift card for my birthday to this place because l, everyone recommended it. My husband and I came and spent another 100 of our own for the total of $200 for dinner for two. It is comfort food at best- heavy, greasy, cheesy and not very refined, but we were extra full and didn't want to look at pasta for awhile. I got the feeling that this place used to be extra special back in the day, but has rested on its laurels for a while.

Every time we have dinner at Cafe Silvium the food no matter what we order is so delicious!!! The service is always wonderful and they always give you a full glass of wine The dining room is relaxing and very comfortable for a romantic dinner. From beginning to end it is simply magnificent They make everything from scratch too!!!

I have been to Cafe Silvium a few times with my most recent time being this past weekend with two other couples. The restaurant is small with a homey, but lively ambiance. You feel welcomed from the moment you walk in. You can tell they value everyone having a good experience and quality food. I recommend calling for a reservation since they're always busy. Just expect to wait if you don't have a reservation...the wait will be worth it! Our table was ready right on time. The service was great! Our server was happy, helpful and accommodating to any modifications we asked for. Wine and food came out in an appropriate time. The wine, as always, was filled to the brim! We were given limoncello shots at the end of our meal. The food was all so delicious! We ordered octopus, burrata with prosciutto, meatballs, and arancini for apps. I got the rigatoni gnat gnat as my meal. Pistachio cheesecake and crème brûlée were for dessert. I recommend Cafe Silvium thanks to their great service, good sized portions, amazing food, and being reasonably priced.

All of my friends who love Italian food swear by this spot, and even though Italian is not my first choice of cuisine, I'd have to agree that it is wonderful. Great atmosphere where you can dine for hours, warm and inviting.

I can't believe I never wrote a review for this lovely restaurant! The very first time I came I had never heard of it but my two coworkers raved about it so I just had to check it out. Some limited street parking and a couple parking areas were available. My coworker made the reservation and we were seated promptly. The service was amazing, the waiter was so hilarious we had so many belly laughs the entire evening. We started with some calamari which was delicious, and I had the lasagna for dinner and wow the portion! We had the tiramisu for dessert and the lava cake as well. The tiramisu was perfect! The second time I came it was much less busy and our waitress was super sweet and very attentive. I had the veal milanese and of course the tiramisu yet again. The food was amazing. The place feels a little small when it's super busy. The service was also great. It got a little loud the first time as the evening went on. And I tried to make a reservation for a few friends but we didn't get one so that was a bummer!

Best restaurant in Stamford. Amazing food. Service makes you feel like you went back to a simpler time. Ambiance lends itself to the same sentiment. Wine pours are to the brim. Menu is extensive and everything's on point. Good luck getting a table.

This place was tricky to try because it's so popular with locals. It's often at capacity but we finally got a table one day when we decided to stop by on a whim. The food was good and service was nice. Worth the wait!

I know Cafe Silvium is a loved institution in Stamford, but have been here 2 times and still not impressed. I love that it's bustling and exciting and the service is great, but we are also here for the food. To be honest, I don't remember the food at all from the first visit. When we were there with a group over the weekend we were seated right away on the enclosed patio. Service was great and the menu has a lot to choose from. My favorite appetizer was the roasted red peppers and white anchovies which was amazing if you like anchovies. The fried calamari was good. My entree was black linguine with scallops. The scallops should have been seared to give them more flavor and color, but they were bland and over cooked. The linguine has little taste and one of my table mates agreed. Here creamy pasta dish was great though. The worst part of the night was when they brought out the entrees and one was a white fish which no one at the table ordered. We told them the order was for salmon. The waiter came over and said "I repeated the order to you which was cod (or some other fish other than salmon) and you said yes". The entire table in unison said you did not. My wife gets salmon almost every time and orders it well done which is what she ordered. Desserts were OK. Will not be back.

Great vibe. Old school Italian family place. Think very well prepared traditional comfort food. Very generous portions of food and wine. Waiters attentive and noise level moderate. No wonder there is always a wait.

Does it get any better for a local Italian restaurant!! Excellent food , well prepared. I have tried several dishes and all have been very good. Osso Buco , Grouper, Short rib Risotto, soft shell crabs, lava cake , apple tart. All Great choices. Downfall is getting in , first come first serve unless you are a big party for an advanced reservation. Waited almost 2 months for Party of 9 but well worth the wait

Stuffed Veal Chop was underwhelming. The Osso Buccu was excellent our Server was great. Can't give it more stars because we specifically went there for the stuffed veal chop and it was very disappointing.

Vincenzo & Nick have established one of Fairfield County's BEST dining experiences. Great service from all the staff, too! (Chris, Selena, and Fernando!) if you haven't gone...You must GO! Ciao Johnny W

We have only gone at lunchtime, which I know is less crowded than in the evening, but you still need a reservation. This place is one of the best that we've been to here in CT. The owners are Barese and the food is authentic Italian. I often have the braised rabbit with mushrooms which is phenomenal. My husband usually has the seafood pasta dish which is as good as we've had in Italy. Always look forward to another visit. Bravo Nicola!

Horrible. I really have no other words . Veal Milanese was raw and the tomato's were the size for a sandwich and glops of mozzarella... I'm Italian a Milanese salad is not that difficult it was lazy and sopped in cheap balsamic. Never again

We had a wonderful dinner at Cafe Silvium. The salad was quite fresh. The "light" tomato sauce is fantastic. My gnocchi were perfectly cooked. The atmosphere is very convivial.

We came on a Saturday night so we knew we would have to wait a bit. The good thing is they let you get a glass of wine and go outside because it can get very packed inside waiting. Of course, they told us that they were extra busy that night. It was still a good experience and I would recommend you try it!!

This place never disappoints. The food is amazing! I literally taste homemade. Service is always great, and the staff make you feel like you are family. Only challenge for great food and an experience you will wait an hour plus to be seated.

Always one of the best with consistency Such a great lunch! Love their pastas and veal was awesome

If you ask me what my favorite restaurant was during my 2 years living in Connecticut I would say Cafe Silvium 100%. This restaurant consistently blew my mind time and time again with their delicious and authentic Italian cuisine. Recommendations: the rigatoni gnact gnact or the lasagna--both absolutely delicious choices. Love the atmosphere as it manages to be fancy white table cloth and inviting but not over the top so you can feel at place whether you're walking with a shirt and tie on or in jeans and a polo. Definitely make a reservation by calling the restaurant ahead of time. It's highly unlikely you'll get a table as a walk in without a reservation on any day. This place is very popular! If you can't get a reservation they do takeout as well.

This place has been on my list for a while and I am glad we finally made it. It was our 33rd wedding anniversary so it was a special event and they did not disappoint. Half of my Italian heritage is from Bari, so I was really excited to find a place that has many Barese influenced menu items. The appetizers were great, we had the fried calamari, which was as tender as could be, the Arrancini we right on par, and the fried baby artichoke hearts. We shared the Rigatoni Gnact Gnact which was aldente and seasoned perfectly, it was enough for 5 of us to get a little pasta fix before our entrées. I had the Lamb shank, we had the Osso bucco, the Short ribs, all were excellent. My son had the pasta with the wild boar and mushrooms, it was aldente but he felt there could be a bit more of the boar in the sauce. We typically do not get desserts but we were all curious to what they might have. The Tartufo was not the traditional with the hard chocolate shell, I think those typically are not made in the restaurants, but the ones ar Cafe Silvium has a cocoa powder shell surrounding the ice cream, they were fresh and seemed made in the restaurant. They had "Cartellate" which is a Barese specialty which is traditionally severed at Christmas. Never saw this on any menu, the traditional shape is more flower oriented these were bow tie shaped. The Vino Cotto was spot on! Service was fantastic and one of the owners was the host always walking around to check on everything and everyone. Do not miss this place!

One of our top favorite restaurants in Stamford! Staff is always incredibly friendly and knowledgeable of the menu. Love to bring our out-of-town friends here for dinner. Food is always delicious! The space is a little small but makes the dining experience feel more "at home" and "family style."

A cozy authentic Italian restaurant. Small, with an extension covered by a clear patio enclosure. This place is candle lit and has a versatile atmosphere that opens its arms to casual diners, romantic dates, and family dinners. Tables are tightly squeezed together with linen table clothes and an extensive menu food out menu written in Italian. The food was authentic and delicious. There is bread service I had the lasagna, it was perfect. The Tiramisu was sweet and creamy. I recommend if you're in town but heads up, reservations are needed on week days. Wear: A cozy cable knit sweater and leather shoes. Listen to: Volare by Dean Martin

Quaint little place with indoor and outdoor seating. Excellent service, fantastic food, nice wine options. There seems to always be a wait. But they will serve drinks and have seating for those who are waiting. We got takeout because we were on a timeline. It did not disappoint. The fettuccini, cavatelli and lasagna are made in house. We got the burrata and prosciutto appetizer, the fettuccini with meat sauce and a tiramisu to share. Plenty of food for two! But it was so amazing I could have eaten it all myself! We'll definitely be back!

I've enjoyed many great meals at this restaurant! This restaurant gets busy because they have consistently offered fine food for many years and the wait staff and excellent! Locals as well as those traveling from outside Stamford come to dine here, so make a reservation or get there early. Admittedly, it can get crowded and noisy, but that adds to the charm and the food will not disappoint.

Everything from food to service to drinks. Was a great dinner not one complaint and took everything home because portions were huge. Also wait time was not bad at all like 20 minutes and so worth the wait can't wait to go back

We have been going to this wonderful neighborhood restaurant for 20 years. It is our "Cheers" and when we are seated our wine is waiting for us. Food is always freshly cooked and delicious. Prices are reasonable and they have Specials every day. Our fave!

The food is good but I honestly think that people overhyped this place a lot! The food is fresh and this place is a solid choice with no complaints I can pick out. But I wouldn't put this place in my top 5 favorite Italian restaurants. To elaborate, there are some restaurants where I cannot get enough of the vodka pasta or garlic oil sauce dip cuz the food is so addicting, or I am ready to lick the plate for additional pesto sauce. This wasn't one of those places, but I did push myself to finish my entire meal, which is impressive. They get so busy that even on a random weeknight night you may be unable to get a seat unless you have a reservation. I tried the Rigatoni Ract Ract and the lasagne and the pasta portion was very generous for the price ($22). It's positioned as a more high end but cozy establishment where you can take your clients or date to impress. This place is obviously beloved by locals.

Wow! Talk about a Hidden Gem! Small, Unimpressive building you certainly wouldn't expect to produce such a Great evening of Delicious Food! Food, All dishes, were Delicious and plentiful! Service, in such cramped traveling paths for the Associates, was Excellent! Friendly and Doting staff and even an Entertaining Staff Member! Great Night and Highly Recommended for a Great Dining Experience out!

What a restaurant. I've never been more full in my life! Ordered the Penne Arribiatta and it was amazing! Staff was very friendly and even "twisted my arm" to get dessert. And let me say the chocolate mousse is incredible. Definitely give this spot a try.

Decent Italian. Olive oil was higher quality than most italian restaurants, but I've had better. Fettuccini meat sauce was the best dish. The texture of the silkey springy fettuccini was perfect. Meat sauce was delicious. Sausage ragu was alright but nothing to rave home about. Decent for the area.

This is my go-to spot for occasions--birthdays, anniversaries, promotions, date night, whatever--but you don't need an excuse to eat here. Loved everything I've tried from here--the pastas, lamb, caprese, tiramisu, tartufo, calamari, and much more--and I'm never disappointed by their food. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the staff are so friendly. Definitely call for a reservation because seating is limited, but you won't regret a visit here!

Walked in and our reservation was met with ease and were seated quickly. We were there at 5 o'clock on a Wednesday night so it was pretty early and not that crowded yet. we were asked what we would like to drink and then bread was brought to the table and olive oil was poured on two small plates and a side of beans was also set on the table. I liked the olive oil pour-nice touch there. We received our drinks and proceeded to order dinner. This restaurant makes fresh pasta on premises so I definitely wanted a pasta dish so I ordered the pasta with broccoli rabe and sausage and asked for less sausage since I don't really like too much and he ordered a pasta dish, but I don't remember which one. it was some type of pasta with a meat sauce very simple. People were filing in quickly and soon it got pretty loud in there. Seems like a lot of regulars go there is a lot of hugging going on to the staff. To end, I will just say the waiter was very attentive and the food was excellent. We did not have dessert.

The food is amazing. Almost everything is customizable, the owner is so nice and the service is great. I would eat here everyday if I could, the ambiance is very fun. You're in a traditional American Italian restaurant, love it . Feels like home for us Italians. Staple of Stamford CT, you're missing out if you do not go

Cafe Silvium is consistently superb. The food is outstanding. The service is great and the atmosphere is cozy. I can always depend on a good meal here!

Great food! Very good service! Hard to get reservations- must reserve way in advance! But it is worth the wait!

This location is right off of a busy street and parking is a bit of a challenge. My parents and I came for dinner about 5:50pm and the wait was about 50 minutes to get a table outside for 3 people. We were told 30-45 minute wait time but this place was very busy on a Friday evening. We were offered drinks while we waited which was really nice. By the way, they are heavy handed when it comes to the wine they give you a lot. After we got seated we waited close to 47 minutes to get our meal. The reason I keep mentioning the time is because we were there for over 2 hours and we were starting to get anxious because we weren't being told about the wait time. The food was okay actually not top great. My pasta was dry so I asked for a white wine sauce which made it a little better. My parents shared the roasted grouper which was delicious! The chef came to visit us which was nice. Our server Selina was kind too. I was hoping she would have offered us menus we had to look on the website for menus. Overall I can't say I had a great experience and the food was okay.

Good food hidden away from busy areas. Best Tiramisu I had in years. Will be back for sure

Food is very tasty and service was friendly. Inside the restaurant, everything was nice and clean. Food prices are casual and not over the roof.