OPTO

The atmosphere was genuinely lovely — cozy vibe and nice decor that made it feel like a great spot for a night out. The service was also excellent — the staff were warm, attentive, and truly did their best to make us feel welcome. Unfortunately, the food was a major letdown. The octopus was completely burnt — it was blackened to the point of being inedible, tasting only of charcoal. It was honestly disappointing, especially considering how excited we were to try it. Also it was paired with creamy mashed potatoes, which tasted like mayo. The drinks were okay, nothing memorable but decent. Another small thing — it was pretty warm inside, which made the overall experience a bit uncomfortable. I appreciate the kind service and atmosphere, but I wouldn’t come back for the food. I hope the kitchen improves because the staff and space definitely deserve better dishes to match.

We had one of the most incredible meals at Opto in Flatiron—start to finish, it was perfection. The vibe is chic but warm, and the service was attentive without being overbearing. We started with the ricotta, octopus, and gem lettuce—each dish beautifully balanced, fresh, and bursting with flavor. The octopus was especially tender and charred just right. For our pasta course, we shared one dish and were genuinely blown away. It was like being transported back to Italy—rich, perfectly al dente, and deeply comforting. We actually debated ordering a second round of pasta because it was that good. For mains, my husband had the lamb chop, which was cooked to perfection—juicy, flavorful, and beautifully plated. But the real standout for me was the branzino—hands down the best I’ve ever had. We ended with the chocolate mousse, which was decadent, silky, and the perfect ending to an unforgettable meal. 10/10 would recommend. This is the kind of spot you want to keep coming back to—and bring everyone you love with you.

Really enjoyable dining experience. Everything we ordered was very tasty. My favorite was the tomato pasta and the chocolate mousse dessert is a must. I definitely wanna go back and try the other items on the menu.

Great dining experience at OPTO. Service and food were excellent. Go hungry as portions are VERY large. We ordered the oysters, octopus, artichokes (my favorite), lemon pasta, branzino, and mushrooms. The entire meal was delicious. Can’t say enough about the servers - very attentive and personable. Especially the Venezuelan server and bartender duo! Would absolutely recommend coming here if you’re looking for a NICE and upscale meal in the city. The chocolate mousse was also delicious, very rich.

Truly excellent in every way. Everything we ordered was delicious, fresh and flavorful (loved the octopus) and the cocktails were on point. We sat at the bar and enjoyed taking with both bartenders, who were very friendly and attentive. Looking forward to going back again soon!

Pricy but the food was really delicious. We enjoyed every single bite from the labaneh za’ater dip to the appetizer (grilled summer squash and bluefin tuna) and to the main entries (grilled the half chicken and Branzino. Although some dishes have relatively small portion, we left very full:)

It’s very beautiful inside, and the service is very nice as well. We sat at the bar which was more fun and had a very nice bartender. The taramosalata was my favorite but the ricotta and the crust were great too. The branzino was good but didn’t blow my mind. I liked my coconut drink but also not amazing. I still recommend checking out this restaurant

Had a lovely dinner at OPTO – overall a good experience, though not mind-blowingly good. The staff was friendly and attentive, and the ambiance was warm and inviting, making it a pleasant place to dine. The standout for me was the Grilled Spanish Octopus – tender, flavorful, and paired well with the creamy potato sauce. A close second was the Macaroni di Bussa al Pomodoro – special finger-shaped pasta with a bright, refreshing tomato sauce that hit the spot. We also tried the Canary Islands Branzino, which was good for 2–3 but given the price, it didn’t quite wow us. For dessert, the Lemon Tortes, olive oil cake with lemon zest and torched meringue. It sounded promising but ended up being a bit too greasy and sweet for our liking.