San Babila NYC

We visited San Babila on a recent trip to NYC, and it absolutely exceeded every expectation. We’re always on the lookout for the latest up-and-coming restaurants before they become impossible to book — and this one is a gem. From the moment you walk in, the space feels cozy yet upscale, with a team that’s genuinely warm and welcoming. Our waitress, Jess, was incredible — knowledgeable, friendly, and spot on with every recommendation. The cocktails were outstanding, our salads were fresh and bursting with flavor (I’ll be dreaming about the Sunset Salad for weeks), and the pasta was truly out of this world. The chef even stopped by a few times to introduce himself and check on our meal — such a thoughtful touch. We ended with cappuccinos and digestifs that were nothing short of life-changing. San Babila is officially my new favorite restaurant in New York City — an all-around perfect dining experience from start to finish.

Finally got to try San Babila for brunch and it was excellent. We got the artichoke salad and the San Babila pasta which were delicious. Well sized portions and fresh ingredients. The special chocolate and pistachio iced coffees were also amazing. Had the opportunity to meet the owner Francesco who’s lovely and has carefully curated the menu and vibe. It’s our new favorite Italian spot in the UES and we’re already looking forward to our next meal there!

Recently had the pleasure of dining at San Babila with a group of friends and we were blown away. The food was delicious, service was impeccable and we were lucky enough to spend our meal with the owner. Richie is a wonderful host and creates a great atmosphere with his warmth and energy. Constantly bouncing between tables to make sure his guests are enjoying, we’re so proud of him and cant wait to come back again

At this new Italian restaurant you are treated kindly by well trained and friendly waitresses who recommend honestly diner options. From the variety of dishes, we specially liked the Risotto a la Milanese. Desserts were pretty good specifically the Lotus Chocolate-Caramel. We found the prices a bit high for the size of the portions, which in some cases were really small. An interesting alternative!

Fantastic Italian spot! Beautiful space, great energy, and top-notch food. The truffle potato cacio e pepe and burrata were amazing, and the pasta was perfectly done. Friendly, attentive service and a lively vibe without being pretentious. One of the best new additions to the UES — highly recommend!

UPDATE! We had such high hopes for San Babila. We live very close and we pictured a combination of Lodi, Via Carota and Bar Pisellino in our very neighborhood. We were lucky to be included in the pre-opening festivities and attest that the coffee, pastas and cocktails are indeed delicious. But, when the real menus rolled out, we were somewhat daunted both by the prices $30+ for Cacio Pepe and the lack of smaller, shareable apertivo and appetizer items. So when the new Aperitivo Hour launched this week, we were anxious to try it. Unfortunately, we were largely ignored in the somewhat uncrowded and already worn looking bar area. We waited at least ten minutes to be acknowledged and after another five when the server disappeared seemingly to get us water and menus, we just left. If I want to be ignored and pay premium prices I’ll go to the West Village, though ironically we are mostly warmly welcomed there.

Have been so excited to go to San Bablia after trying their coffee and pastries during their soft opening last month. I was hoping for a good local spot for dinner, and I was blown away by the food an ambiance. Truly one of the best restaurants in UES, not your typical white tablecloth Italian spot you find up here. The vibe feels downtown, the food is incredible, and my only concern is that it’ll become too popular to pop into for a last minute dinner decision.

It’s very rare that you go to a new restaurant for the first time and enjoy everything you ordered with no complaints. That was my experience at San Babila! Before I get into the food, the ambience is very nice. It’s cozy yet modern, with beautiful green and gold decor and comfortable seating. Perfect for a date night, girls night out, drinks and a bite with friends, and even an intimate family dinner. Now the really good stuff! I started with an Espresso Martini which was one of the best I’ve had in a while, and then my table ordered a few starters (Burrata, Fritto Misto, & Guazzetto di Pesce) which were all phenomenal! The lobster sauce in the Guazzetto di Pesce could be bottled up and sold on shelves it’s SO.GOOD. Second round of drinks we ordered their version of the Speranza (vodka, muddled basil, mint, sweet & sour), it was refreshing and the perfect palette cleanser for more food. For entrees, my friends ordered the Rigatoni all’Aragosta (which was also seasoned to perfection, flavor out of this world), and I ordered the Filetto di Branzino (cooked perfectly, skin was pan seared nice and crispy). There was no food left on any plate. I can’t wait to go back and try more items on the menu. They offer brunch as well, so I’m looking forward to trying the brunch menu very soon! Super bonus (lol) the owners are lovely people as well, and all of the staff were very friendly and attentive. -Jerome of ArtsyBlackBoy

Wow I'm so happy this opened up in my area. The food is delicious. Love the ambiance. Its not a big restaurant - very warm and charming. More importantly the food is just yummy. This will be my go to.

Truly an amazing spot for dinner. Great cocktails, vibes and food. My favorites were the Caesar salad, truffle cacio e pepe and the cacio e tre pepe pasta! You need to check out this spot! Service was also incredible, we had Jess as our waitress and she gave the best recommendations for both food and drinks!

Such a great addition to the upper east side! Came here for dinner on a Thursday night and had a lovely experience. The inside is dimly lit and they were pretty busy but it was not too loud at all. We started with the truffle potato cacio e pepe which was absolutely delicious. The truffle wasn't overpowering and the sauce was amazing. We split the lobster rigatoni and the pappardelle and both were incredible. The rigatoni has large lobster chunks and I normally do not like bolognese sauce but it was incredible with the pappardelle. Would absolutely come back and would love to try their pastries!

San Babila is solid, has a good vibe, and won't disappoint. It was a good experience but might need a little tweaks (just my thoughts) to be a more standout experience. The Cacio e Pepe potato antipasti was good, with some truffle shavings on top. It wasn't the hottest when we got it, maybe a little warmer than lukewarm. But the Cacio e Pepe was delicious. My entree of gnocchi with mushroom and truffles was a little too similar to the appetizer, though that is probably an error on my part. The consistency and the sauciness was too similar. It was good but likely could have used some more freshly ground pepper, maybe some more salt, or something more. It didn't quite hit home for me. My wife got the lobster pasta dish, which was good but also needed a little something extra... maybe some spice/heat or something. We ordered a bottle of wine and the price ranges from $50 up for a bottle.

San Babila is shaping up to be the new Italian hot spot on the Upper East Side. Moody and low-lit, it's got ambiance in spades--with service that's warm and welcoming. We ordered the Polpette, Cacio e Tre Peppe, and Paccheri & Broccoli--everything was flavorful and beautifully done. The pasta--made fresh--is truly exceptional, and the standout dish was the Paccheri. Honestly, I need to go back and try every pasta on the menu. Dark, inviting, and seriously satisfying--San Babila has us planning our next dinner there already.

Really tasty new addition to the neighborhood. Really sexy and moody interior, great vibes for date night. Everything was relatively tasty, wine delicious and balanced cocktails. Highlights for me included the black truffle gnocchi, which was incredibly tasty. Couldn't stop eating it! Tuna tartare was fun but I hated the lack of crunch that typically goes with it. I wanted chicken on my salad and the side of chicken was $16 but looked ridiculously small for the price, would not recommend. Was delicious so I guess I can't complain too much. Service was fine for NYC. Overall was a decent experience, will definitely be back!

What a lovely addition to the upper east side. This coffee shop turned restaurant at night is lovely. The front area has pretty seating and the bar is very pretty. I got an iced latte. It was tasty. This place turns into a bar/ restaurant at night. I am hoping to come here and try dinner as it looks very good. The barista who helped me was friendly. Stop in if you are in the area.

Stopped by this newly opened cafe and soon to be bar/restaurant! They currently have drinks/pastries in the morning and then drinks at night. The pistachio croissant was tasty. I liked how it wasn't too sweet with a nice legit pistachio flavor. Croissant could have been flakier even after reheating it. The ham and cheese croissant was decent; appreciated the ratio of ingredients to the croissant, but otherwise average. Not sure if they outsource their pastries. My latte and cold brew were mediocre at best. The latte was watered down and cold brew a little burnt. Staff were polite! I do like the interior decor, especially the velvet green seats and green/brown accents. I liked the floor to ceiling windows which offer a great amount of natural light. A few tables in the front available but otherwise the back restaurant is not ready yet. Don't think I'll be coming back for breakfast, however I do look forward to checking out their drinks and restaurant when they officially open!

Wonderful! We stopped in tonight and had the Burrata, Spaghetti San Babila, Bolognese and Branzino. The Spaghetti San Babila was phenomenal and there were zero complaints about the other dishes as well. Every bite was perfect and the service couldn't have been better. We are so excited to have this spot on the upper east side. The ambiance is lovely as well with the perfect vibe for a casual Italian dinner. Cannot wait to come back.

Currently in their soft opening, San Babila is a cute cafe in UES to grab some coffee and nosh on some Italian pastries! We grabbed some croissants and some cappuccinos, which all were made well and were aesthetically pleasing. Staff were friendly, and they were more than willing to provide recommendations and share their favorites. The place is super cute, and a great morning pit stop before work or anytime you need a caffeine/pastry boost. Their bar and restaurant will be opening soon, offering handcrafted pastas - so, stay tuned! +try their pastries +friendly & helpful staff

1. Food- especially the Octopus, for the price so not worth it. If this is a starter then I worry about the entrees. Hmmm? Considering returning back to try the "dinner entrees" to give it more fair of review. 2. Service - excellent 3. Ambiance- gorgeous Food will either make this restaurant last or not and definitely the price point. Since it recently open people will try it. The question is will they return to give it more business? Let's see... good luck

I went to the grand opening of San Babila the other night and have to say I was blown away. This is some of the best pasta I've had in NYC. They have so many incredible options too, each one with such a unique flavor. The service was incredible and quick for how busy they were, and the inside is really chic. Every single appetizer we had was amazing as well. In my opinion, the top bites of the night were the truffle potato cacio e Pepe and the Rigatoni All'arogosta. This is without a doubt my new favorite restaurant on the UES and I can't wait to go back!

Such a gem- Can't wait to return!! Beautiful restaurant, decor and space is stunning. Had the most delicious pastry with an iced coffee made by friendly and attentive staff! Will be back and can't wait to try their dinner and drinks.

A great addition to the neighborhood! Very beautiful interior and you can tell everyone who works there really cares. I would recommend the latte with pistachio if you like a sweet latte. The pistachio lobster tail was also really good and crunchy

This is such a great addition to the upper east side. I've been for coffee in the morning and went back later that night for dinner. The dinner was 5 Star. Elegant dining with Michelin star chef, who prepared the most amazing meal. The potatoes were some of the best I've ever had and the gnocchi was epic. I heard they're going to roll out a brunch and lunch menu as well. I'm looking forward to coming back and making this my upper east side neighborhood spot :)

Thrilled to welcome a new Italian restaurant to the UES! Every dish we ordered was outstanding, so much so that we immediately ordered a second round of the truffle potato cacio e pepe the moment we finished the first. Other standouts were the burrata with tomatoes and figs, fettuccine bolognese, cacio e tre pepe, and rigatoni all'aragosta. Each dish was artfully plated and full of flavor. The cocktails were also fantastic! Service was excellent -- very friendly and attentive. The space itself is beautifully designed and has a great vibe. Can't wait to go back soon!

Great food. Every bight delicious. Quality and thoughtfulness in the heart of the upper east side's Lenox Hill. I look forward to come back to this place.

Really really great new spot on the upper east. I'm picky. I like flavor. And this place delivered. Salads well dressed and perfectly seasoned. Potato truffle app delish. Buratta was perfect and the sauce it came in should be a gazpacho, I'd eat it with a spoon. Gnocchi fire. Fish perfectly cooked. Drinks really tasty. Honestly, no notes. Highly recommended. Will be back.

What a nice Italian spot in the UES near museums and the park. Every staff member we talked to was friendly, attentive, and well trained. The cocktail menu had a fun mix of classics and thoughtful spins on more interesting drinks. We had the burrata and calamari starters as well as the octopus and lobster rigatoni entrees. Everything was delicious (our favorite dish was the octopus and potatoes with carrot cream) but I really want to point out that the stars of the show throughout the meal were each dish's accompaniments. Of course the proteins were perfect and fresh. Of course the pasta was al dente and delicious. But the basil oil/figs/cherry tomatoes made the burrata sing, the fried zucchini and herbal tartar sauce complimented the squid and shrimp, and the rigatoni's lobster sauce and squid bread crumbs were exquisite. That's the sign of a great kitchen and chef when the sauce and accompaniments are as good as the named ingredient of the dish.

I ordered a cortado and a macchiato and I got an almost full 12 oz cup for the cortado, making it really milky and lacking flavor. The macchiato wasn't good either, the espresso lacks flavor. Left and threw it out as soon as I found a garbage can.

Excellent pastry and great coffee. Also really liked the ambiance and new decor/ big windows! Service was also very good- will be back with friends to try their dinner menu- legit place with good vibes- glad to see this open up in UES!

One of the best iced lates I've had in the UES! Kind people there and the type of place you'd want to support.

amazing Caesar salad. Great bucatini with pepper and Alfredo sauce. The pasta with ossa bucco also delicious all for a very affordable price by present standards, especially on the ..

Truly excellent! I went with two friends, and we tried a couple of the salads, two pastas, the octopus, and two seafood dishes. All were amazing. Generous portions, pasta made in-house by the chef daily, and a nice atmosphere without being pretentious. Service was very attentive. I went back two days after my initial experience, just to have the gnocchi again. Great new spot for the Upper East Side. Looking forward to them launching breakfast & brunch service soon!

Everyone is so friendly and the overall vibe is excellent. Both coffee and cocktails were delightful.

I went to grab a coffee and a croissant and both were delicious! It's a beautiful place and to relax. They also have great sandwiches for lunch! They're dog friendly with dog treats. I liked and enjoyed that. They will be opening for dinner and their bar very soon. Give them a try. You will be a regular before you know it. :)

It is such an aesthetically, beautiful little spot to grab a coffee and pastry! Definitely a space to sit back and take a break from our busy lives. Don't forget to go back and grab lunch too, they have delicious sandwiches and I'm picky with sandwiches. They're also dog friendly, they have dog treats. They'll be opening for dinner and their bar very soon so it'll be a cool spot. Give them a try, you'll be a regular in no time :)

Amazing new addition to the neighborhood. High quality breakfast pastries. Will be going at least weekly

the lobster tail with pistachio cream was one of the best pastries i ever had. bomobolini with nutella was solid, not amazing. ice coffee super smooth.

Wow!! What a wonderful new restaurant! From the beautiful atmosphere to the ever so wonderful food, this new place has it all! The hostesses greet you with excitement, my server approached with an amazing smile, she was so very knowledgeable and took the time to answer all my questions. The runners were so skilled, brought my food, which was perfect temperature, and cleared so smoothly I hardly noticed them. They, too, were pleasant and helpful. I cannot praise the food enough - wonderful appetizers, amazing homemade pasta, and perfect sauces, I wish I could have tried everything! Congratulations Chef! After dinner drinks at the stunning bar were a perfect way to end the evening. Such a delightful bartender, both fun and efficient. The management team has created a special place. From a quiet relaxing dinner, after work happy hour or a special celebration - San Babila is the place to be. You won't be disappointed.