Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES)

Italian restaurant · Upper East Side

Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES)

Italian restaurant · Upper East Side
1022 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10075

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Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null
Serafina Fabulous Pizza 79th (UES) by null

Highlights

This bi-level Italian gem serves thin-crust pizzas and homemade pastas in a cozy setting, complete with a charming rooftop terrace for al fresco dining.  

Featured in Grub Street
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1022 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10075 Get directions

serafinarestaurant.com
@serafinanewyork

$30–50 · Menu

Reserve

Information

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1022 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10075 Get directions

+1 212 734 2676
serafinarestaurant.com
@serafinanewyork

$30–50 · Menu

Reserve

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Last updated

Jul 7, 2025

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Sarah Wehling

Google
Are around 4 on Saturday no problem getting a table but it was busy and great atmosphere at service. Bruschetta had fresh tomatoes and basil, wonderful! Pizza had crumbled sausage, mushrooms & fresh basil excellent! Service was prompt and friendly. Only critique was some areas could have been tidier. Would visit again.

m. johnson

Google
We went this evening on Christmas Eve so it wasn’t completely full. The food arrived quickly and was hot. Our server was attentive and professional. We ordered the margharita pizza, lobster ravioli, lobster tangilioni,and mushroom ravioli. Everything started wonderful! Great service, amazing food, great atmosphere, Will definitely return.

Arzu A

Google
1/5 Flying bugs. I had a really disappointing experience at this restaurant. Two flying bugs kept bothering us throughout our meal, which was very distracting. On top of that, the customer service was poor, and there was an unpleasant smell in the air that made it hard to enjoy our time there. The only redeeming part was the mocktail, which was actually good. We tried two different pastas, and unfortunately, the penne with vodka sauce was not great at all. Given the overall experience, I definitely won’t be coming back and would not recommend it to anyone.

Luisa Fanzani

Google
I was born and raised in Italy. The food from this restaurant sent me back to Italy 🤩🤩. Everything I had was authentic Italian. The meatballs were excellent (especially the marinara sauce omg), pizza was just as good as the one in the pizzeria across my house in Italy…tiramisú was divine. If that wasn’t enough, service was excellent. They treated us with courtesy and everyone was very efficient. Do yourself a favor and go eat at this location!!! 🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹

Ashleigh Leonard

Google
We are visiting NYC and this was the perfect place to stop by after visiting the Met. We got the rigatoni al bolognese and penne alla vodka and both were delicious. The atmosphere was calm, the wine was delicious, and they had a nice candle that added to the atmosphere. Santiago was very kind, had a good attitude, he deserves a bonus ;) Thank you for making our trip special!

Lor d

Google
Cute and cozy. Located on the second floor this location is rather small but comfortable. The service was fast and friendly with a nice menu to choose from. We tried their mozzarella avocado and tomato salad and pasta in pink vodka sauce accompanied by a love martini. Food was good.

Jasmine Kizilkaya

Google
Great place to stop in for lunch. It was nice and quiet, with a great view. I highly recommend the risotto, it was the best I’ve ever had. The staff were very friendly also!

Judy Baik

Google
Ordered Spaghetti Carbonara and tiramisu. Spaghetti carbonara was really, at least for me, TOO salty because of the bacon on the top. I had to leave all the bacon on the plate. Also, thinking of the price of the pasta, it only had spaghetti, sauce, bacon, and parsley. However, the tiramisu was very good. Service was okay, didn’t pay attention to what I asked for such as printing receipt after payment. I had to ask separately. Also, I sat at the two people table, and the tables were too close to the tables next to you so you could hear all the conversations, other people’s purses touching, etc. Would not come again.

Shawna S.

Yelp
I am never prone to over estimate or boost a review. I endeavor to be brutally honest; to be informative and realistic in my assessment of service, decor, mood, food quality and character. Serafina has long been a favorite. Its location only a moment's walk from the Met makes a connection for me. Museum first, Serafina to follow. Last night was no different. After viewing the Friedrich exhibition at the MMA, we dined at Serafina - except it was Valentine's Day, and we had no reservation. Walking up their signature stairway, the elegant and professionally cordial hostess greeted our arrival. Apologetically, she informed what we saw for ourselves - booked solid. Not one empty seat. But, after I explained that this was ritual, she was also sympathetic. I asked about the upstairs and the hostess rechecked her reservations. The upstairs dining area had 2 impending table reservations for a party of 2. And, one appeared to be either very late or a no show. Asking us to wait 10 minutes, the hostess smilingly tried to work her magic. Then she escorted us up to a table in the broad, open room with oversized windows, moody lights, and a peaceful sound level. Immediately on sitting, a pleasant server took our drink orders and delivered menus. My phone was dangerously low on power, and she accommodated me by plugging it in for the duration of our meal. Starting with the appetizer special of crab cakes with a bit of salad, we were not disappointed. Hand made with plenty of protein and perfectly seared, they were delicious. Seasoned just right, minimal binders to hold the cake together, it was a great opener. Signature pastas followed. Penne Arrabbiata and Rigatoni Bolognese. A sizable portion, sauced generously. Just the right al dente chew. A meaty ragu, a sprinkle of Parmesan, a twist of black pepper. A beautifully anticipated bowl of pasta. My companion's spicy arrabbiata must have been equally exact and attentively composed, we left only empty bowls. Relaxing after with hot tea, no one rushed or tried to shuffle us from the table. Despite an obviously busy shift, our Service was exceptional and on-the-spot. The check was as expected, no holiday sticker shock. Easy Apple Pay option, and out the door. The manager politely offering us Valentine's roses. Overall, a predictably uneventful evening meal at Serafina. I cannot agree with any review under 4 stars. I'm not generous in my own reports. I presume the lower reviews are generated by NYC "influencers" trying to be harsh in their vagueness of description. After decades of patronage at the Madison Avenue location, it is my perennial recommendation because it's always exactly as anticipated. Try for yourself. Serafina (Madison Ave) is still one of my favorite uptown recommendations.

Jaimee A.

Yelp
This is a consistently good lunch spot. I've come here several times with my family - both with and without a reservation. We had: - White Pizza with Arugula - delicious - Cacio e Pepe - very good - Watermelon and feta salad (seasonal) - very good - Caesar Salad - delicious Serafina is consistently good and a family favorite.

Adi V.

Yelp
It was okay overall with good service. Service: 9/10. They were friendly and welcoming, let me even charge my phone on their side. Checked up on multiple times and staff was attentive. Food: 7/10. food tasted good but was overpriced, especially for some things. Portions were decent, not very filling. I got the spicy penne (wasn't spicy one bit 6.5/10) ,paglia e fieno (9/10- had great texture and taste) , bruschetta (5/10 basic , 3 pieces were 16$ not worth imo). Ambiance: 8/10 good lighting, good area and view outside. Seating was a little tight but it was fine. Table could've been cleaner there was some sauce left from previously. Overall decent, wouldn't hurt to give it a shot if in the area.

Layla R.

Yelp
The food was amazing and the tiramisu is absolutely to die for. The service was pretty average but I have no complaints. The ambiance is great, I loved the decor and the overall vibe of the place. I would most certainly eat here again.

Amanda W.

Yelp
We stopped by during a walk and needed a snack. So we stopped by Serafina on Madison Avenue. We sat outside with our little puppy. The service was excellent. Despite all this, the food was mediocre. We ordered the chicken parm to share. It came with a side of pasta. The chicken parm was luke warm and it really was not in a marinara sauce, more of a watered down vodka sauce. Overall while the service was great, the food left little to be desired.

Mary G.

Yelp
We four lunched at the West 49th Street location. Very attractive, comfortable and good service. Burrata appetizer was outstandingly fresh. Pasta was excellent, especially arrabbiata, generous portions.portions. My only issue was the wagyu burger. Very rich but frankly boring - maybe all the fat muffled any beefy taste. Also I don't prefer sweet buns, the old fashioned mushy kind are my way to go. Fries were slim and perfect. I'd love to see the wagyu cut with maybe some ground brisket for more oomph. I'd happily return, but for the excel pasta.

Cici M.

Yelp
Smaller and more intimate location than I expected but nonetheless really nice restaurant. My favorite Italian spot in NYC, but 1st time at this specific location. Server was really nice and quick whenever I needed something; gave good suggestions for my side and drink! Overall knowledgeable! As far as my meal - 10/10! This is my go to every time I go. I always think I'm going to try something different but then I always end up going to my old faithful lol highly recommend this dish. I got a little overboard with the additional toppings of chicken AND shrimp but it's a delicious combo together.

Clara C.

Yelp
Absolutely horrible experience at this restaurant. Booked a table for 7 a week in advance for my family coming to visit from France. We get to the restaurant 5mn before our reservation and are told that they have a problem with their reservation system that basically allow people to book tables even if they have no more tables available. The two hostesses were so rude and absolutely not apologetic about it. We asked to speak to the manager who was equally incompetent and very standoffish about the entire situation. They offered no remedy at all and we ended up leaving and having to find another restaurant for 7 people on a Saturday evening. Which, thank god, we did. I need to add that we have been customers of Serafina for 10+ years and we will never set foot at that location ever again.

Laura M.

Yelp
Delicious food and beautiful ambiance! Service was great even though they were very busy. Get the salmon crudo, it's amazing!!

Pratima M.

Yelp
A lovely spot for Italian eats on the UES -- stopped by Serafina before heading to Museum Mile and it was a great way to kick off the day. I loved the outdoor rooftop patio -- it was fully covered but still warm and breezy. The service here was top-tier and the food was delicious too. I loved everything we got, especially the Kale Salad, Mushroom Ravioli and Zucchini Noodles. The Tiramisu here was one of the best I've had in a long time. I'm a fan and would totally come back when in the area (maybe this time for some of the fabulous pizza)!

Toby L.

Yelp
I have been here many times. It's a local classic. Great place for a family or group lunch or dinner. They have 2 levels for the restaurant and also some outdoor space on Madison. Main go-to is the pizza or the pasta, the pizza is individual size and they have a good sub-list of white pizzas which are my favourite (although they removed 2 classics which I loved, one had salmon and the other was prosciutto and arugula). This last trip I had the carbonara pasta - classic, tasty and filling. Location is great, right on Madison Avenue, near the park and the Met. Prices reflect that to some extent but it's way more reasonable than the Mark which is the only other similar restaurant in that strip of Madison. Service was attentive and friendly. Drinks menu too with some fancy wines for those who are looking for that.

Edna S.

Yelp
Was trying to order Rigatoni alla Bolognese around 8pm tonight for delivery but wasn't able to bc their delivery guy will not accept a $4 or $5 tip. The serviceman I spoke to called their delivery guy twice and instead told my place is not his area of delivery wherein it is very close, bet 2nd & 3rd ave in 86th St. I asked the guy if the reason why their delivery guy won't deliver food to my doorstep is because of the $5 and he denied it. I even asked how much do i need to tip but didn't say. I figured it is about the tip that's why they won't deliver the food to my place which is very close. I can't believe this is the way Serafina treat their customer. As a frequent eater there, I'm totally disgusted to this kind of service. Do order if you can only afford to give $5 tip otherwise you'll be denied to order.

Charlie C.

Yelp
mediocre and overpriced. Confused how the Serafina chain still survives. So many better Neapolitan style pizzerias in NYC. Service was good tho. Should have listened to the mediocre reviews but needed an outdoor dog friendly place in the area.

Larry O.

Yelp
Solid pasta and pizza. Kid friendly. Generally possible to get a table, which matters in NYC.

Elyze A.

Yelp
My friends and I were walking around the area and found this restaurant to be a great option for dinner. There was a few tables outside and 3 floors of seating. We sat on the top floor which had a lovely rooftop feel with some vines and plants decorated around. The waitress we had was really nice and the service was relatively quick. We ordered two different pizzas (D.O.C. & the 4 Stagioni) and their Rigatoni Alla Bolognese. The 4 Stagioni pizza (which was what I had ordered) was very fresh and delicious! I loved the combination of the toppings (pesto, prosciutto, mushrooms, and artichoke). And my friends had both enjoyed their own dishes as well. As for the drinks, we all ordered one of their specials cocktails (unfortunately we can't remember the name!) but everything else on the menu sounded great. Only complaint would be that the seating area can feel tight but wasn't too bad since we had an early dinner.

Richard C.

Yelp
We walked here after going to the Met Museum a few weeks ago. In short, the pizzas were okay, just expensive. Service was horrible. Ambience was nice. We ordered a bottle of wine right off, and after our salads were half eaten, the wine finally came. The waiter was hanging around for the longest time, visibly not doing anything. We finally had to ask him where our wine was. A simple fix, and really inexcusable. I absolutely HATE paying a tip to anyone who does not take care of their customers!!! This is what tipping is for, folks. It is NOT owed. As a former waiter, this is how we make our money! So, work!!! I would not come back here.

J P.

Yelp
A very disappointing experience, especially considering the price. While convenient to the Met and other museums on the UES, i would take a pass. Despite many open tables we were seated in a cramped corner by the kitchen door, were we were treated to a steady stream of obscenities exchanged by the waitstaff and cooks. Our waitress was clueless and disinterested, and she barely spoke English. When asked for pepper. She brought over a mill, which was clearly empty but she didn't notice/care. As to the food: the Porto Corvo salad had been subjected to a radical flavorectomy. Palid romain, what seened like prepackaged carrot shreds, and barely any of the promised hearts of palm. The pounded and grilled chicken looked as if it had a nice coating of fresh herbs but sadly was lacking on flavor and was more jerky than a paillard. My wife's goat cheese salad was by far the worst element of the meal: while it was advertised as having a balsamic vinegarette, the dressing was sickly sweet, something more akin to a honey mustard. The one saving grace were the bellinis, which were well executed, and saved Sarafina from a single star review.

Suzy M.

Yelp
My go to location in NYC. Great service great food great wine and bubbles and great people watching. Walking distance in my neighborhood! Some tables are a little close together but I just ask to wait for the one I want.

Ashley W.

Yelp
I am not sure why this place gets bad reviews! I have been coming here for years and have never had a bad meal. I thought I had reviewed them before but realize I haven't and that's a huge mistake!! Their shrimp farfalle al limoncello is my absolute favorite pasta in NYC- yeah!! I said it... it's that freakin good and also they do not skimp on the portions! Which I think is super important when you're spending over $20 for pasta. Worth every penny. We also got the insalata di perto Cervo salad which is always super refreshing. I then tried their pizza alla vodka and that was SO GOOD. The flavors were just perfect and I couldn't stop eating it. 10/10 - let's get Serafina back on the map!

Jahnavi U.

Yelp
My husband and I had dinner here after we visited the MET on Tuesday. It was a short walk from the museum. We were able to enjoy a nice dinner before closing time. The staff were friendly and helpful when it came to choosing our entrees. I ordered Ravioli al porcini and my husband ordered the Di Fabio pizza. When i first saw my dish i wasn't sure about the portion but by the time i finished it, I was satisfied. The porcini and ricotta ravioli was delectable. We both enjoyed our dishes very much. We finished off dinner with a dessert called Torta Santa Rosalia. The waitress told us it maybe a little dry but we still went with our choice. The dessert was a nutty surprise. It was crumbly just the way I like it and served with some berries and a dollop of whipped cream. It reminded me of this Indian sweet called pista roll which is also made with pistachios. You have to try it. I would recommend all to try the dishes we ordered and hope you enjoy them as much as we did. It was a breezy evening and their outside seating area was decorated well so we dined outside. I wish we didn't. The problem was that the city workers were paying the roads and it was noisy and the smell from the materials they were laying down was strong. We tried to eat as fast as we can do we didn't have to breath in all of that.

Kathy H.

Yelp
Very disappointed. We ordered the "classic Cesar salad" nothing classic about this it tasted like like lettuce with mayo. Then we ordered the vodka pizza and it was edible, but that's it because it lacked flavor. Tiramisu was okay and we ordered Prosecco which was actually really nice. Service and bathroom were ok. Good ambiance, lighting and music but with so maybe options in NYC we will not return.

Gracela B.

Yelp
More than one Serafina location and we visited the 1022 Madison Avenue, NY location. We made reservations while visiting the Guggenheim museum and just walked there. It was recommended and glad we went. Typically, you will see tourists around but this place is packed with locals so you know what they say, go where the locals go for they know the good places to eat. Serafina did not disappoint with the selections we had- please refer to the pictures. Our favorite dish of the evening is the Pizza topped with shaved truffles. It was melting in our mouths and definitely deserves a 6 out of 5! We noticed almost every table ordered it so guess they are known for that. This was a great find for us and definitely do visit Serafina when in NY!

Sarah M.

Yelp
Having eaten here many times over the years and never having an issue, I am a bit surprised by the low star rating and number of poor reviews. Yes, it is a chain and yes, you'll pay UES prices to some degree, but Serafina is cozy and a good option if you are near the Metropolitan Museum etc that isn't as fancy or expensive as some other options in the neighborhood. The pizzas are reliably good, or try one of the pasta (I like their penne vodka.) You can sit outside in their sidewalk cafe area or head upstairs indoors. If you happen to be near a window, you look out over Madison Avenue, or you can check out the rustic decor and big pizza oven if seated a bit further in.

Spencer K.

Yelp
The takeaway: solid food, with an elegantly "neighborhood cafe" feel -- appropriate for a business, friend or date meal, comfortable whether you're in a suit or jeans. I came here for a business dinner with a friend -- we're friends with some potential business, so if you're with the IRS and thinking of auditing me, it's best if you move on to the next file. So, as I was saying, came here for a business dinner -- the crowd was typical "upper east," spread along the spectrum from "ladies who lunch" to a gentleman with a, ahem, lady of the evening. A nice wine list (with a very well balanced house Pino Noir). The bread we requested was a middling sliced Italian bread, but everything else we ordered was quite good. The bresaola was fresh and had nuanced flavours that interfaced nicely. The tonno and salmone tartare was exceptional and served at the correct temperature. The eggplant parm was served in a lasagna style, and check off all the taste and texture boxes for that dish. The decaf cappuccino had a fine ratio of milk to coffee. Peckish before or after a visit to the Met? Make your way here.

Sarah W.

Yelp
Came here on a Sunday afternoon for a late lunch after a visit to the Met and we were sat on the upper floor of the restaurant. It had a greenhouse feel with large windows and plants draping from the ceiling and all around us - a pleasant dining ambiance. A few started with spritzes which were large and strong, but enjoyed. For lunch, salads and pizza were ordered. I personally got the goat cheese spinach salad and added chicken. It was an interesting setup (see picture) but very tasty! Visited July 2022. (just got around to the review :))

Jacqueline O.

Yelp
I had a reservation for a friends birthday the other day and was very rudely refused they said I was five minutes late and would not seat me we were left to wander the streets hoping for a table and completely ruined my friends birthday

Tyler B.

Yelp
I've eaten here a few times and the food is nothing to talk about. The taste of the food is uninteresting, not bad. Just bland and dependable. There aremuch better options in NYC for actual good food. The service is also neither here nor there. It's one of those NYC restaurants that's highly overrated but dependable because side the food will never be terrible at least

Juliana Amelia O.

Yelp
The service was amazing. Loveing people works there. The ambiance was nice, it's big I was in the rooftop. The food was ok, I ate the caccio e peppe, it needs more salt, cheese and pepper and less oil.

Justin W.

Yelp
I would start off by saying the service is slow very very slow so don't expect much if you are hungry. Once the food comes out though it's decent I would t rate it high for Italian as we have had better.

Nisha P.

Yelp
Long time favorite that consistently puts out great food. Polite service, trusted soul food & and ambiance that brings back memories.

Richa T.

Yelp
I came here the other day for dinner and it was a great spot to get a quick bite to eat. Pros: + Decent variety of Italian options + Amazing Pizzas Cons: - A little pricey for what you're getting - Crowded, can require long wait times - They rush you out as soon as you order/get your food - Charge for substitutions - I really don't like this especially if you're swapping vegetables and your change is a lower cost. NOT OKAY - Watery sauce

Joshua J.

Yelp
This place is BULLSH!T!!! Typical Italian/American owned facility... Stop screwing the people that order form you!!!! We're gonna stop! Who the eff knows?? We ordered TWICE! And that shit NEVER SHOWED UP!!!!!!!! DO NOT waste ur time! Grab a legit slice from ANYWHERE else and avoid this wannabe Italian crap at all costs!!!!!!! This place is such a HUGE SCAM!!!!!

Alyssa N.

Yelp
TLDR: Racist staff. DO NOT eat here if you're not white- the mediocre food is not worth it. My boyfriend and I ate here yesterday around 4-5pm. I had never ate at a Serafina's before so my bf was excited to take me here as he's had takeout from the 61th st location and he's dined in at another location. We were seated right away. Our server was a brunette girl with glasses. It took her about 15-20 mins to take our food order. Initially, I gave her the benefit of the doubt- there were a lot of occupied tables. Everyone else eating in the restaurant was white besides one or two Asians, but they were also sitting with other white people. We ordered burrata w/ cherry tomatoes, spaghetti carbonara, and cacio e pepe. The waiter asked us if we wanted the burrata to come out first and I said yes. It took forever for the burrata to come out so I started to regret my decision. What we noticed was that the tables around us were getting speedy and great service... and we weren't. The servers/bussers all seemed to be attentive to everyone but us. This was apparent when my bf's water glass became empty while waiting for our entrees. My bf wanted more water so we were trying to grab the attention of our server or anyone else, but no one was looking our way. There was a guy walking around with a water pitcher, and he came to top off the waters of the table right next to us, a table of two white girls. He looked at our table and just walked away. There was no way he didn't see our glasses bc the tables of two are almost uncomfortably close to each other. No one refilled our glasses for about 10-15 mins until our server came back and got us more water. There was no way that only our server is the only one that can get us water. In all other restaurants, people are constantly walking around making sure everyone has enough water. It's not something that we should hunt down someone for. And it's even crazier to me that my bf finished his water again, and AGAIN, no one came to refill our glasses, meanwhile the tables next to us were constantly getting topped off with water and being asked if they needed anything. No one except our server asked us if we needed anything, and she rarely came to check up on us. It was another long wait to get our entrees. Once we got our entrees, my bf's cacio e pepe definitely did not have enough cheese and needed more- it was mostly just pepper. The carbonara was okay without cheese but cheese definitely would've been nice, so I wanted some, too. We tried to grab the attention of ANYONE and failed miserably, so we ended up just giving up and just kept eating because we were starving. It wasn't until another 15-20 mins in, when my bf only had two bites left, that the curly haired guy randomly came up to us and asked if we wanted cheese. By then, we were pretty annoyed. Our server came up to us and told her that her shift was ending, so another server would finish taking care of us (a bald headed guy with a beard; I think his name was Connor). She told us she would refill our waters before we go and she never did. My bf finished his food, and I wasn't done eating, but I just wanted to go, so we tried to get Connor's attention for the check, but he wasn't looking our way at all. And when we finally interacted with him for the first time for the check, he came over with the card machine and automatically pressed on the 25% tip option, which is CRAZY to me b/c he wasn't even our server and we had to flag him down for the check. My bf and I are definitely not the type of customers to be impatient or complain and be rude. When we initially sat, the restaurant was full, but we had been sitting there for so long d/t slow service that there was a period time when there were empty tables, so therefore, the poor service could not be excused with the restaurant being too busy. I have worked in restaurants/food service in the past, and it's definitely a problem that we struggled to find someone to attend to us, even our own server. We hate being those people that obnoxiously flag down a server or yell across the room "Excuse me!" It's not something we should have to do if the workers were just paying attention. Anyone that works in food service with common sense can tell when a table needs help when the people are just sitting there, not talking to each other, looking around the restaurant waiting for someone to lock eyes with them. No one was looking at us. It seemed like everyone was trying to avoid us as if we were obnoxious high schoolers that couldn't even afford to eat there. We are very non-confrontational people, but looking back we definitely should have said something to the staff or asked to speak to management, because we really had an uncomfortable experience. I don't want to assume that Serafina in it's entirety is a racist establishment, but it's evident that this location will only cater to white people, so we will not be coming here again or supporting any of the other locations.

Bob M.

Yelp
The food is average at best. Tried the meatball appetizer. The meatballs had a strange flavor. Something off in that mix. Service is S L O W. It's a casual place, but definitely not the best Italian food.

Ken B.

Yelp
At lunch with the family today, Wednesday. Arrived at approximately 1:20pm for a 1:30pm reservation . We were promptly seated. Seating looked to be at about 95% capacity. Overall, our meals were served hot and on time. Each entree was a good portion except for my daughter's lobster ravioli. I got the special, seafood risotto. It was loaded with lobster, shrimp & calamari.

Kristin S.

Yelp
Spaghetti squash had no flavor. We never saw our waiter til the end of the night. The tables were so close together. The stairs up to the place are narrow and not made for the elderly or people with strollers. The only good thing about the place was the bruschetta appetizer.

Paul W.

Yelp
Serafina is consistently a very good meal whether we stop in for lunch, dinner or just an afternoon snack. The spaghetti squash is fantastic. Perfectly seasoned and well prepared with the rich tomato sauce it is a wonderful meal. And the salmon is always cooked perfectly. It is very fresh and wholesome. Yes they are surrounded by high end restaurants but for the price and value this is a great meal.

B B.

Yelp
Just perfect after a long day at the MET. Only 6 min walking distance. Staff friendly and quick service. Lasagna was rich in flavor and you need a salad to balance it. Margherita pizza perfect for appetizer.

J B.

Yelp
I think over priced and over done. Totally pretentious and priced that way. The service was very average. Food was okay, but way over priced!

Claire L.

Yelp
Ordered the Goat Cheese and Spinach Salad, the Spicy Penne Alla Vodka, and the Spaghetti Aglio Olio "Al Pacino". The salad was alright as I wish it had more complex flavors and more to the dish, the vodka pasta was the star of the show and just like how you would imagine any Italian restaurant to make it, and the spaghetti was a little over cooked. To finish off we had the Torta Santa Rosalia pistachio cake. It was really good and satisfying, but leaned on the sweeter side. I wish the whipped cream was more than just that from the can, and the dish could be without this red frosting that added no flavor to the dish. The service was good and the ambiance was cute.

Shawn T.

Yelp
Went here with a group of friends after the museum. Very quaint garden theme upstairs. Loved the greenery. It is an intimate place but the food is good and the service is quick. A good stable place to visit.

Christine A.

Yelp
I ate here on a sunny fall afternoon, warm enough to eat outside. My friends had pizza and pasta. Everything was A-OK. In a very expensive, swank neighborhood like the Upper East Side, this place is a fine, not too pricey option. My pizza was fresh out of the oven. Nice and hot. Toppings were fresh. Crust was brick oven crisp. With a glass of red wine, I was satisfied. The service could be better, since we were missing a chair and I had to get it from a nearby table. And they barely checked on us.

Steven S.

Yelp
A really cute place by the Met! The staff were so sweet even while being under Staffed. Alissa was our server and to watch her run the floor with Alexis was like a ballet. Food: did a small run and wow the Risotto was my fave! We also had the buratta with prosciutto and a focaccia di Sofia wow!!! The two salads we had just had the perfect touch to finish. Spinach and goat cheese and a Brussels Sprouts with apple and butternut squash so yummy. All while havjng a good bar to do drinks. I highly recommend.

Robert M.

Yelp
What an amazing meal. Definitely ask for Lucy, she was the perfect server. Food was delicious , drinks were great. Definitely a thumbs up.

Derrick C.

Yelp
This review is for the setafina juice bar, which is right next door. You can get sandwiches in addition to juices there. I got the prosciutto Parma sandwich (might be misremembering the exact name). The bread, prosciutto, cheese, and avocado were good together. The bread was also nice and soft. I do wish there was a bit more flavor to the sandwich but maybe that's how it's supposed to be. Overall convenient and quick way of getting a snack!

Ashley U.

Yelp
Such a cute restaurant located on the second floor which helps get a great view as you eat. When we arrived service was very quick in seating us and our server was extremely attentive in whatever we needed. This was the best pasta I have ever had!! The pasta was very creamy and the carbonara was very flavorful. I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for good pasta.

Christina M.

Yelp
When my daughter and I walked in, we really had high hopes for this restaurant. It's a cute little spot with a cozy atmosphere. Unfortunately, the food is really bland. My daughter had the spaghetti squash with fingerling potatoes, the plating was fine; however lacking in flavor. I chose the mushroom Risotto with a filet. The Risotto was very bland almost tasted watered down, the filet never arrived. The owner took $5 off the total to compensate for the missing filet, $29 for tasteless Risotto just didn't feel right. I did notice quite a few people left almost all their food on the plate and none took the leftovers. My daughter and I did the same, no sense in upsetting our dogs stomach.

Caitlin S.

Yelp
Warning to get inside the restaurant you have to climb stairs. They do have a limited seating area outside. When inside the restaurant the tables are closely placed together. So if you like to be comfortable when eating out I don't recommend here. We came right when the restaurant opened. Thankfully they seated us without a reservation. I ordered for a drink the serafina sunset and rigatoni Bolognese with gf pasta as my meal. My friend ordered the blue margarita drink, meatball app, and lasagna for his meal. My sister ordered the brushetta app, and the spaghetti squash meal. The drinks came first. Mine was really good but he said his was too strong. Next came the meatballs and brushetta. The brushetta was great and the meatballs were ok. Our meals came out hot. My sister said hers has no flavor. She asked for salt and pepper but was only given pepper. My friends lasagna was also bland. I thought my Bolognese was very good. The pasta was boxed not fresh gf pasta but the meat sauce was good. The whole time the waiter never checked on us. We needed water but everyone was running around. No one really checks on anyone. I flagged down the waiter to get the check. The food came out fast and hot but the quality of the food and service was lacking.

Rita H.

Yelp
The worst place I've ever eat in NY, my fork fell down and they bring me new one in 10 minutes, my husband ordered wine and they forgot, steak was very bad, bruschetta was the worst l've ever tried, everything starting from service was the worst l've ever seen