Water & Wheat Upper East

Italian restaurant · Upper East Side

Water & Wheat Upper East

Italian restaurant · Upper East Side

2

1379 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10075

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Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null
Water & Wheat Upper East by null

Highlights

Fresh pasta, wood-oven flatbreads, great service & cozy vibe  

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1379 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10075 Get directions

waterandwheatnyc.com
@waterandwheatnyc

$30–50 · Menu

Reserve

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1379 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10075 Get directions

+1 646 484 5054
waterandwheatnyc.com
@waterandwheatnyc

$30–50 · Menu

Reserve

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Last updated

Sep 21, 2025

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@eater

Best Dishes New York Editors Ate This Week: June 16 | Eater NY

"A cozy, affordable neighborhood pasta spot that turns out fresh shapes from an in-house pasta machine — from whole wheat chittara to gluten-free penne — paired with sauces like brisket Bolognese and carbonara. Mafalde stands out for maintaining a chewy, al dente bite; a dish with asparagus, broccolini, olives, lemon, and Parmesan delivers bright, textural contrast and zest. Salads are very fresh, and many items (including salmon and Brussels sprouts) are finished in a wood-burning oven for char; pizza flatbreads are another anticipated draw." - Melissa McCart

https://ny.eater.com/best-new-dishes-nyc/399315/best-dishes-new-york-june-16-2025
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@eater

NYC New Restaurant Openings, October 2023 | Eater NY

"An uptown spot that specializes in bowls of pasta, as its name suggests." - Emma Orlow

https://ny.eater.com/2023/10/5/23900098/nyc-restaurant-openings-october-2023
View Postcard for Water & Wheat Upper East

Claire Seferidis

Google
This is such a great spot for a delicious but casual and cozy lunch! Adrian was our server and he took great care of us. Everything we had was great- but specifically we would recommend the octopus (cooked perfectly), anything with bread (we had the chicken parm lunch sandwich), and the vodka sauce with pasta of your choice. Other reviews were right about the tiramisu, although we were full we ate the whole thing. The vibe was cozy but busy, there wasn’t a moment during our visit that new diners weren’t coming in, but they managed to keep seating and taking care of everyone. Next time we’re hungry in the area we will definitely be back.

Kayla Valencia

Google
What an amazing experience of stellar hospitality. We enjoyed the chicken parmesan and bolognese- the bolognese had deep and slightly sweet flavor, delicious. The waiter kindly and for no reason whatsoever comped our glasses of wine! We will definitely be back next time we’re in NY for another date night. Thank you!

Josh Aujero

Google
Exceptional. Service, food and atmosphere. The reviews commend the bolognese and they are right. It is arguably the best or one of the best I have ever had. Had the meatballs, bolognese, mushroom risotto, and tiramisu. The flavors of all the dishes were balanced and with quality ingredients. Im still confounded on what wine was used in the bolognese. Fresh pasta takes it to another level. Also the bread was phenomenal from the wood fired oven. Food portion and quality is great. 10/10. Will come back to try everything on the menu.

Sam Ryan Golan

Google
Food: Fresh pasta, fresh bread, homemade meatballs? Say no more! This place is a gem! The restaurant is on the smaller side, but perfect for a date or a catchup with a friend!

Jonathan R.

Google
Had an amazing lunch after visiting the Met. The portions are ample and price is perfect. We split a meatball appetizer, mista salad, and spicy tomato pasta and left stuffed! Got a tiramisu to go because it looks amazing! Highly recommend Water & Wheat to everyone looking for delicious Italian food in a warm, welcoming atmosphere

Nilima Shet

Google
Came here with friends for dinner a few weeks ago and loved it! We shared a flatbread and a salad - both great. For my own dish, I got the vodka sauce pasta but it sounds like you really couldn't go wrong with any of the options. Our server was wonderful, attentive, and responsive - and the ambience was perfect! A little small, but cozy nonetheless and not too loud. For dessert, we shared the tiramisu which was also delightful! I'll definitely be coming back some point soon.

Edgard Aponte

Google
Meatball sandwich Amazing Parmesan chicken Wonderful Meatball flatbread Outstanding. Selena's service Marvelous

Sugi Yama

Google
Only a 12min walk away from the Met, this is a perfect cap to a day on the town. The waitstaff were quick to seat and serve us, and were incredibly helpful and friendly. The food was absolutely amazing; all the pasta is made in house, the sauces are to die for, and the portions are perfect for leaving you satisfied without feeling bloated. And for dessert, I cannot recommend the tiramisu enough (though the table next to us ordered the cannoli, which looked delicious). I absolutely will be back here next time I come to New York!
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Samantha G.

Yelp
Ambiance: Small neighborhood Italian restaurant. Cute patio out front along the sidewalk. Perfect for intimate gatherings for between 2-4. They can put tables together for larger parties of 6, but I'd recommend making a reservation. The restaurant is pretty small. Service: Really great service! The men working the restaurant made sure that my husband and I were well attended to. They brought us plenty of water and kept checking in! Food: The food is spectacular! I love that they make all of the pasta in house. You can taste the difference. The pasta sauces were also delicious. I did not take any pictures of the main entrees because they were gone in a blink of an eye!
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Ryan G.

Yelp
I don't live in New York, so I figured while here we should try to find some good Italian food. This place hit the spot. Fresh pasta is always the best, and it was delicious here. We were shown a visual representation of their fresh pasta options, and offered to choose which type of noodle we wanted and then which sauce option we wanted from the menu. I don't remember the name of the noodle we chose, but you can see it in the picture. We got a vodka sauce option on it and we loved it! We also got the meatballs, which were tasty as well. The waiters were friendly, and we had several people check in on us while there. The space is a bit small but quaint, and pleasant if in a smaller group or a pair. I recommend trying this place!
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Harry W.

Yelp
Looking for nearby restaurants after visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art, saw that this restaurant made its own pastas and flatbread, decided to try it. We were promptly greeted by a waiter as we walked inside the cozy restaurant, seeing the wood fire oven. It was a beautiful summer evening so we were able to have dinner outside. Started with the meatballs which were like homemade, light and delicious served on a delicious bed of crushed tomatoes and topped with mozzarella with awesome cheese pull and a side of warm crusty bread pieces. For the main, our waiter recommended the ten layer lasagna, which was served on a bed of the restaurant's delicious tomato sauce. The silky tender lasagna sheets were cooked perfectly. The flavors were clean, distinct and like homemade in a good Italian home. For sure, will be returning to try some of the other pasta dishes.
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Chanda A.

Yelp
I've been wanting to try out Water & Wheat since it opened in 2023, so I was excited when the stars finally aligned last week. The space is cozy and casual - perfect for a weekday lunch. They're known for their pastas and flatbreads, but they also offer sandwiches during lunch on weekdays as well as a happy "hour" from 11-4 (!). We were craving pasta (not part of the lunch special), so we ordered the spicy tomato and basil with chitarra pasta and the spring lemon asparagus with mafalde pasta (you choose both the sauce and pasta shape when ordering!).  Sadly, the pastas didn't live up to our expectations. The spicy tomato and basil wasn't remotely spicy, and the spring lemon asparagus was too dry and flavorless.  The highlight of the meal was the panzanella salad. The vinaigrette was delicious, and we were pleasantly surprised by the addition of olives - yum!  The service is friendly, the pricing is reasonable, and the menu is vegetarian friendly. If only the pastas lived up to their potential, this could be a staple when in the UES!
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Anne F.

Yelp
This place does fresh pasta, which I think is unique. You can even choose which pasta you want and then which sauce and toppings you want. It's really an omnivore's dream. You want meat - there's bolognese. Seafood? No problem. You want nothing on it - they can do that. My father-in-law and I both got Vongole (clams). My mother-in-law got the shrimp pasta, my husband the bolognese, and my brother-in-law got the burrata salad, without knowing what burrata was. He was a bit surprised to learn it's cheese. We all cleaned our plates, so it's safe to say that we all liked our dishes. I really liked the vongole, although I wish it had some of the white broth that I like associated with it. The place itself is very small so a reservation is needed, The server was very nice and explained how to order and what people usually pair with the types of pasta. I think it's a great restaurant and if I'm back in the area, I'd return.
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Da-Eun L.

Yelp
Genuinely don't understand the glowing reviews here. The Truffle flatbread pizza lacked the truffle flavor it advertised; it almost felt like microwaved pizza. Wasn't a fan of the flatbread. The Bolognese's pasta felt fresh but also lacked depth in sauce. I liked that we could choose the pasta shape. It has the price of an upscale Italian restaurant but lacks the atmosphere to go with it. The Upper East Side & this neighborhood is so saturated with better Italian options - probably wouldn't come back.
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Jessica R.

Yelp
This adorable little spot was able to serve one of the best Cacio Pepe dishes I have ever had. The service team was also incredibly friendly. I would have loved it even more if the shrimp was not over cooked, and there was a touch more refinement to the overall ambiance and maybe cloth napkins instead of paper. Let's save a tree while we eat delicious food :)
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Catherine L.

Yelp
Went here this past weekend with my boyfriend and WOW. We didn't make a reservation (this was a last minute decision we found when we were 5 min away) but they were able to accommodate us! Staff were super knowledgeable and made great recommendations for what pasta shape to go with each dish. Everyone was extremely attentive, not just to us but to all the tables! This was a Saturday night, obviously very busy, but they had it running like a machine! Will definitely come back.

Reka F.

Yelp
Our meals were excellent. The three pastas were light as air and perfectly cooked, the flavors nuanced and well-matched for each dish, and the vegetables and herbs super fresh and al dente. The bolognese and gluten free penne with shrimp or standouts. This is what home-cooked tastes like - and the type of homemade that doesn't weigh you down, but makes you feel well-fed yet healthy. The service was great, and the server was even better: she clearly explained the various dishes. One of us has a lot of dietary restrictions, and a primary reason we selected this restaurant was down to the reviews that indicate some of the dishes can be adjusted. The chef indeed accommodated our request. We also appreciate the light and minimalist design of the restaurant, which jibes with the cuisine. Our one critique is the bathroom. We understand that there's little space, but our recommendations can be achieved in the given space: place the paper towel rack on a wall other than above the toilet so that after washing hands we don't drip over the toilet seat. And raising the faucet so that there's more room between faucet and sink would make it a lot easier to wash one's hands. But the bathroom will certainly not keep us from coming back to this great restaurant!
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Jaimee A.

Yelp
Let me start by saying that there are very few Italian restaurants that I think are worth the money and this is one of them! We ordered in the first time and was blown away by the quality, usually take out food - with few exceptions - isn't great. This was terrific! The second time, we ate in the restaurant and we weren't disappointed. The space is small and intimate. The staff is friendly and attentive. We had: - Lasagna - very good. - Panzanella Salad - delicious - loved their take on it. No large chunks of bread, super crispy crouton like pieces of bread. - Fennel & Blood Orange - delicious, fennel and blood orange are an amazing combination. - Cacio e 3 Peppers - delicious, perfect amount of pepper. - Carbonara - so good and not too heavy. - Alla Norma - very good and the eggplant was cooked perfectly. All the pasta is made to order and the sauces are terrific. We will definitely be coming back.
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Austin K.

Yelp
The pasta is so freshly made, and you can see it constantly being made from your table. They come out to explain the different pastas and the mafalde was a clear favorite for us. I got the sweet lemon ricotta sauce and it wasn't sweet as I asked before but I could've used more flavor. I tried my wife's chicken Alfredo and that was clearly the best choice I thought followed by the rage which was more standard. I'd like to come again to try the flatbreads.
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Linda D.

Yelp
The waiter and waitress were very warm and friendly. The space is small and it was a bit warm inside that day. I'm not sure if it would be able to accommodate very large parties. The food was well cooked and seasoned! However I thought most of the pasta dishes that we ordered the flavors were quite similar and mild. I was the only one who ordered the bolognese, which I really enjoyed. I think most of us agreed that we couldn't taste much of the pepper in the cacio e pepe pasta. We really enjoyed Their truffle and bacon and onion flat bread as well as the octopus. The octopus was so tender! We loved seeing the pasta being made fresh right next to us. Overall I would come back if I was in the area again to try their other pasta.
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Glenn C.

Yelp
Short Review/Best Dishes; Bacon & Onion Flatbread, Lasagna, Bolognese, Alla Norcina. With two people, I'd just order those first two dishes and you'll leave very comfortably full. The food here is solid for the price though I wouldn't go out of my way to go here. Anyway, I went here with a group yesterday. Place is small and the staff was friendly. They fill the water frequently and ask how things are and it feels like a nice little local spot. The waitstaff will also come around and showcase their different pasta choices (I guess you can say all the pastabilities) which you'd then choose with their wide variety of sauces. In general, the pasta quality is excellent with very good texture being cooked nicely al dente and their white sauce pastas were worse outside of the alla norcina. In terms of pastas, our favorite was the Grass Fed Brisket Bolognese with slow braised beef sauce and parmesan. We ordered this with mafalde/mafaldine which is the ribbon shaped pasta. Nice rich bolognese which paired well with the excellent al dente pasta. Not a super notable Bolognese but better than average. Our other favorite pasta was the Alla Norcina listed as with leek sausage, green peas, garlic, cream, parmesan, and chives. The bits of sausage in there had a good chew and flavor and the rest mixed in well. In terms of the white sauce pastas, this was easily the best and it's more unique than the bolognese. Not recommended would be the Cacio & 3 Peppers (mafalde) which has a mix of black, pink and Szechuan pepper, butter, pecorino, and garlic oil and especially the Old School Carbonara (rigatoni) with guanciale, free range eggs, parmesan, and pecorino. In the former, the black pepper flavor was light so it tasted more of the butter and pecorino. The latter just wasn't good and was easily the worst thing we had with a lack of much guanciale flavor so it just tasted like buttered pasta with too much oil. Best of the evening was the Bacon & Onion Flatbread with bacon jam, caramelized onions, crème fraiche, and chives. It reminded me of a better version of the standard type of tarte flambée/flammekueche found in Alsace. The bacon jam was cooked down wonderfully and it was a good mix of sweet, savory, and creamy. Excellent and the portion size is big enough to share. A bit worse but still tasty was the Truffle Theory Flatbread with fresh mozzarella, mushroom crema, black truffle ricotta, garlic, and thyme. The truffle flavor was very light which I almost prefer as truffle can be a bit overwhelming but the mozzarella/ricotta were both tasty and there was some umami from the mushrooms. The price point is a bit higher for this flatbread but the portion was the same so it's easily splitable. Last of the main dishes was the Lasagna with beef ragu, tomato sauce, béchamel, and parmesan. This is a very meaty lasagna which isn't too bad of a thing as the best pasta was probably the bolognese though I wouldn't have minded something outside of the meat as the flavors were more one note. In short, I would have preferred a bit of cheese in the mix of all the meat as the parmesan flavor on top was a bit light. It got a bit heavy but you can't beat the price as it's big enough easily for two to share. The Tiramisu at the end with mascarpone, lady fingers, amaretto liquor, espresso & cocoa was just OK. It was one of the more creamy versions with mostly mascarpone and coffee and a very tiny bit of lady fingers. I wouldn't recommend it much as it lacked texture. The food here was pretty solid. It's not the best Italian food in the city especially for the carbonara but it's not trying to be. The prices are pretty reasonable for the portion sizes and there is a particularly good flatbread among everything else. Mid 3 rounded up for the price point.
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Edward B.

Yelp
Simple and simply delicious. This is exactly what is advertised. Amazing pasta and sauces - prepared perfectly.
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anima g.

Yelp
I feel very spoiled to be able to visit NYC quite often, especially because I love Italian food!! There's no shortage of restaurants but only a handful of standouts This is one of them Fresh pasta made right in house - they bring out the different types of pasta for you to pick out for your dish!! We opted for 3 different but classic Italian pastas - lasagna, cacio with 3 peppers, and bolognese Every bite of each of the pastas was heavenly. Perfect flavors, generously portioned, and with top notch service to boot The restaurant itself is cozy but not so small that you're bumping elbows! The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable, from the pasta to wine selection :) The lasagna was incredibly filling but I could not stop eating. The cacio's 3 pepper seasoning was lovely - one of them was schezuan pepper! What a unique idea And the bolognese is one of the more classic Italian dishes - the sauce was incredible. The meat was well cooked. The pasta was perfectly chewy All in all probably one of the best Italian restaurants I've ever been to!!
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Amanda C.

Yelp
Fresh reasonably priced pasta and a nice addition to the neighborhood! Nothing fancy, but comfortable rustic decor. I really enjoyed the spicy tomato + bolognese, but would pass on the shrimp garlic. The apps were also a perfect way to start the meal. Really what bumped them to 5/5 is service. I had a huge glass of wine spilled on me accidentally. The server was there immediately with napkins / sparkling water. They even came to top off our wines by the glass earlier unprompted. Small things really matter. *fyi they currently don't have a liquor license so just beer/ wine, but I'm sure it's coming.
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Jennifer N.

Yelp
I ate here randomly only due to the extreme cold. I literally felt frozen. What a pleasant surprise. This place is very small and intimate. I would recommend making a reservation. The service was great, the food amazing!' You must try this place. Greek owned
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Ashley K.

Yelp
Food was delicious, ambiance cute with Italian flare. service was good. Overall great place.
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Trae F.

Yelp
While the ambience isn't the best, the food and service are great. They did dim the lighting for us which made things much cozier. The in house pastas were great but we didn't really understand why the 10 layer lasagna needed a 25 minute prep time when it came out 25 minutes before the rest of the food. The flatbreads were good but the pasta was the real star. Our server really knew his stuff too which was very helpful.
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Deborah P.

Yelp
Fresh Pasta!! The kids had a few special requests like no truffles, no broccolini, no pesto. Adrian was so helpful, tell me how you want your pasta and we'll make it. Meatballs.. yumm and plenty to share. So are the flatbreads. Affordable. Not far from 6 line,
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Jason E.

Yelp
Solid. Easy. Good local food. Big portions and not expensive. Cozy if you're dining in, but decent if you're taking out, too. Skip the flatbreads. Focus on the pastas. Won't knock your socks off, but you'll certainly be happy to know about this place. 4/5.
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Lawrence S.

Yelp
Not your traditional chicken parm. The sandwich is interesting the chicken tastes fresh, the presentation is wonderful and neat but it's missing something. It's missing that real Italian flavor. I guess that's where the American part comes in lol. The location is kinda tight. But this is New York City right? The staff were really pleasant and eager to assist. The side salad is decent and fresh. Not too much bad to say here I only tried two things but for sure that chicken sandwich needs some more flavor
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Susan D.

Yelp
We had a reservation for something new on this visit, as we come many times to the city. Started with a lovely mista salad that we shared (and glad we did as it was quite large), it was nicely dressed in a vinaigrette dressing and had lovely choice of veggies in the salad. I was worried about ordering something huge, when I saw all the pasta dishes. So I just ordered the meatballs, which they brought a side of bread for dipping in the sauce! So decadent and really perfect, only left half of one out of 5. They were flavored nicely with parm and topped with toasted pine nuts, really nice nutty flavor. My husband had the beef stew, which looked amazing, but it was a bigger meal and came with a side on Orzo too. I did taste it and the sauce was rich and beefy, the veggies all cooked had infused all that flavor. Such hardy meals, but all cooked to perfection. We asked the waitress about dessert and she recommended the Tiramisu, she said " it was like eating a cloud". And she was right, so fluffy and light. The staff was all very attentive and friendly. It had a warm cozy vibe (we sat inside). A real solid meal and easy to get to by the subway.

Sandy K.

Yelp
Absolutely delicious and lovely service! The pasta bolognese was great. Place was crowded...make a res
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Stacy T.

Yelp
A very cozy restaurant, like eating at a friend's house. It is very small, so not much room for a stroller, so try to leave it at home. If you do bring one, you may need to collapse it and squeeze it in a small area in the back. We got the mafalde grass fed bolognese, which we were told is the must get at your first visit. Definitely enjoyed the quality of the pasta and the unique sauce. We also got the penne vodka with chicken (special of the night). Flavor was great, but the chicken was very dry. Surprisingly, the octopus that we ordered was the best item we had there. It was soft, not rubbery and tasted amazing. I would definitely recommend trying this. They do not have a kids' menu, but they will give you some options for kids. They can make pasta dish with just olive oil, butter, cheese, or tomato sauce. Just as an FYI, they will charge extra for tomato sauce for the kids dish. Also the staff are very lovely. They are super kid friendly and they were very attentive to my little one. All in all I would come back, minus the stroller.
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Nicole B.

Yelp
Great casual neighborhood place. We had the margarita flatbread, baked eggplant and baked octopus. Service was friendly. Would recommend reserving ahead of time as it is small. Will be back to try the pasta.

Aaron S.

Yelp
Wonderful dinner! Selena and then Clyde served us! They were both terrific!! Food was outstanding. I got the pasta carbonara. Wow!! So good!! My wife got the pasta with mushrooms!! Also amazing!! We had the Brussel sprouts, again, a real winner!! Highly recommend!!

Tami P.

Yelp
YES! Quaint Delicious Kind service Great atmosphere Give it a try. The eggplant parm is a solid choice.
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Kammy F.

Yelp
Good pasta. Service is attentive and food comes fast. Perfect place has lunch with friends or casual family dinner.
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Heather W.

Yelp
Amazingly fresh, delicious chicken Parm! Very small, cozy restaurant. Fresh pasta is just perfect!
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Whitney D.

Yelp
Not sure what to say about this restaurant if you eat here. I did take out before actually eating here. I went here with my friend at around 5:45pm and we were the only ones there. We sat by the open windows to get a feeling of eating outside but also getting cool air inside. Though I think our waiter said the AC was being fixed. Anyways, our waiter was very nice but it was hard to hear him. And we were the only ones in there but the outdoor noise was playing a role. My friend ordered iced tea but the waiter said they were all out of it. A bit weird to be out of iced tea. I ordered the asparagus which was very good. And I got a flatbread with sauce, cheese, sautéed onions and peppers. There was only one kind of pepper on it. I for some reason thought there would be a variety of peppers. My friend got a pasta dish with spicy sauce and shrimp and a side of broccolini. She enjoyed them both. When we sat down our waiter also brought us samples of the pastas that they make in house so we can see what they look like. All in all, not sure I will ever eat here again but, I will order for take out from here as their food is pretty good.
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Marcus L.

Yelp
The food is very good. The flatbread pizzas seem to be the best section on the menu. However, despite the cozy interior, the slow service leaves a lot to be desired.
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Angela G.

Yelp
This Italian spot is a couple blocks away from Lenox Hill hospital; my friend came to visit my mom and wanted to take me out for a quick lunch. We passed by and there was a lunch sign that offered panini bread sandwiches up until 4 PM, I was craving a good warm sandwich after plenty of take-out and hospital food, so we decided to go in. The place itself is small but seemed cozy. We walked in at 3:35-ish and the waitress stated they weren't going to offer us the lunch menu. I asked if there were any sandwiches on the dinner menu, which she denied. I was crunched on time so we decided to stay - we ordered meatballs and grilled octopus for appetizers accompanied by a bottle of wine recommended by the waitress. The grilled octopus and the potatoes served were very tasty! As for the meal, we ordered pasta with meatballs & the salmon. It was "okay" - they offer different types of pasta to choose from which may make this place unique; however there wasn't anything that stood out! The waitress & fresh bread were the keys to our overall dining experience!
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M. S.

Yelp
All of it. Food was completely tasteless, service mediocre and if you like noisy and I mean noisy, in a tiny restaurant this is the place. I don't know how this place got all the rave reviews unless the reviews came from friends of the establishment. Don't waste your time or money.
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Simone M.

Yelp
10/10. This pasta was fresh and affordable! Water and wheat is the perfect spot for a quick afternoon lunch.

mark f.

Yelp
Visited for lunch June 1 right after opening time, when it was empty. Was only 1/3 full when we left 1.5 hrs later - appreciated the quiet on what would be expected to be a busy Sunday. I started with the kale Caesar salad. I am always on the lookout for a good Caesar. This one was perhaps the best I've had. The kale was finely chopped and evenly and completely coated by the creamy dressing. Not nearly as "sturdy" as might be feared with raw kale (a good thing). The croutons were excellent, as was the shaved parm. The portion was generous, and I felt light afterwards. I would have liked a more pronounced anchovy flavor, but it was there. Most Caesars one gets seem like the place is afraid to present the real thing, and/or have bogus presentation like layering whole anchovies atop (so you can pick them off ? what's the point ?), rather than them being in the dressing. Not this one. Worth a trip back just for this. Entre was the Old School Carbonara, another dish I am always on the hunt for, and this one too was just excellent. I had the mafalde pasta. The sauce was redolent of egg yolk, silky and creamy. The guanciale was just right. All in all, fantastic. Afterwards I was properly stuffed. Partner started with the Mista sald, which was fine and generous - but run of the mill compared to the Caesar, and more expensive ! She continued with the meatball "appetizer", which was a generous 5 balls and easily an entre - we took most of it home. They were light, in a delicious cheese and tomato sauce, redolent of veal and pork. Service was perfectly pleasant. All in all, kudos ! We live on the UWS, but will make the trip again.
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Anthony P.

Yelp
RATING: 8.2/10 - "fast casual" italian dining PRO TIP: "fast casual" may strike you to lower your standards, but this place is actually really really good and I would enjoy their food at a regular sit down restaurant. It also is not -giving- fast casual, and has a nice interior with lots of room to sit down and enjoy a glass of wine with someone. CACIO & PEPPERS Black pepper meets szechuan peppercorn in a beautiful marriage that enhances what you know and love from cacio & pepe, with a cheesy, savory, AL DENTE!! pasta that has a great chew and tastes absolutely fresh and homemade. Is this the UES's version of Forma pasta factory? Affordable fresh pasta on the go? Sign me up and yes i'm coming back. MEATBALLS The addition of raisins might have you do a double take but is actually quite enjoyable and cuts through the savory saltiness of these tender, saucy meatballs. There is depth of flavor here just like their other items. SPICY ROCKET FLATBREAD My friends and I ordered this to share and I was expecting the least of this. However, this surprised me with how flavorful it was. Arugula, hot honey and ham combine into a tender, fluffy flatbread with diverse flavor profiles. Truly redefining "fast casual" for me and looking forward to coming back. FINAL CATEGORY: GREAT (terrible / bad / ok / good / GREAT / excellent)
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Ryan H.

Yelp
Must try: Bacon & Onion Flatbread and Old School Carbonara! Why: The bacon, caramelized onions, crème fraiche, and chives all made for incredible flavors and reminded me a little of BBQ chicken pizza. Loved it! Also tried the Old School Carbonara and Spring Lemon Asparagus pastas, which were both really good. I thought the Carbonara was delicious with the guanciale bits (Italian cured meat) and parmesan. The Asparagus pasta at first was a bit plain; however, I realized the lemon sauce was mostly on bottom so leftovers the next day was even better! I liked eating an olive, asparagus or broccolini, with some pasta in each bite for fresh flavors and various textures. Enjoyed the meal and will come back to try other pastas and dishes. Notes: I ordered takeout and they were quick to prepare. The restaurant itself is small and cute with some indoor and outdoor seating. The workers were really nice and welcoming when I picked up my food. Great addition to UES!
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Vanessa M.

Yelp
Loved the choice of pasta made on the premises. Very casual vibe and the waiter was thoughtful and made some great recommendations. Overall if you are out at the museums or shopping around here then this is a nice place for a late lunch.
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Jingxuan Z.

Yelp
Standard Italian restaurant service with enthusiastic staff explaining to us the type of pasta we can choose. Food is really exellent. It might be slightly busy for someone who wants a quiet environment.
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Lb G.

Yelp
Have now been there twice. First for pastas and split a flatbread. He is still raving about the flatbread weeks later Second time for the great value lunch special. We liked the meatball sandwich better than the eggplant one but both were good. Soup good but not extraordinary-- will try a different one before I switch to the salad option. Service exceptional -- glad we went at off time ( 2:30 pm) as quieter.
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Josh W.

Yelp
Water & Wheat is an incredible Upper East Side staple! Every single taste we had was amazing. You can watch them making the pasta as you are sitting at the table, and the lasagna and old school carbonara were some of the best I've ever had. Along with being super affordable and having fantastic staff, this restaurant has a really warm and friendly ambiance! I highly recommend this place and will no doubt be back soon!
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Toby L.

Yelp
Recently opened Italian place specializing in flatbread and pasta. For pasta you can choose your dish and then choose which pasta you want. We opted for the shrimp and garlic pasta and the creamy Philly chicken pasta. Also tried the bacon and onion flatbread. Flatbread was excellent, and pasta was fun to try, although the shrimp pasta maybe needs a bit more flavor. You pay at the counter when you order. They have an open front and some tables on the sidewalk but location is slightly isolated from other restaurants etc. They expect liquor license end of Oct.
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Maggie C.

Yelp
A cozy Italian restaurant with authentic and homemade Italian pasta, wood-oven flatbread pizza and sides! Love that water and wheat is so close to the museums on 5th Ave, so easy to grab a meal during a museum visit. My partner and I ordered a pasta, flatbread and meatballs to share. Everything was so delicious, flavorful, and you could tell it's extremely fresh and prepared upon order. The flatbread was so crispy and doughy at the same time, and the pasta had the perfect texture and sauce flavor. Even the tiramisu was amazing and not too much espresso flavor. Our meal came out to be about $85 and we were both satisfied! Highly recommend!
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Lindsay K.

Yelp
Water and wheat is a super cute hole in the wall! I've been waiting to visit since they had their sign up. They have a simple menu that allows for customization, you can pair any sauce combination with 5 or 6 pasta options. They were all delicious and great portions! The service is very quick due to the small number of tables. I recommend this for a casual lunch or dinner.
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Cherylin L.

Yelp
water and wheat was an absolute revelation. Located in the heart of the UES, this Italian American haven elevates the simplicity of water and flour to an art form in their freshly made pasta. The customizable experience allows you to choose your preferred pasta shape and sauce. The menu extends beyond just pasta, with creative salads that showcase fresh and vibrant ingredients. But the real showstopper? The truffle mushroom pizza - an exquisite combination of rich flavors and that unmistakable truffle essence. It's a pizza lover's dream come true. We also got the chocolate pudding for the dessert. It's a perfect ending to a culinary adventure. It's so rich and so delicious. Water and wheat is a must-visit for anyone seeking an authentic Italian American experience. The attention to detail , the quality of ingredients, and the overall ambiance create a dining experience that lingers in your memory.
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Carol C.

Yelp
Walking into this unassuming small pasta restaurant, I was blown away by the quality of food! Not pictured here, I also had the meatballs and Greek salad to start. Alongside with the flatbreads, we ordered additional pastas on the side. We had the Philadelphia creamy chicken pasta and garlic shrimp pasta! The food was filling, satisfying and the flavor was perfect and balanced! Everyone should give this place a try if you're in the area for good food and want to also people watch during the warmer seasons when their outdoors seatings are available!
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Allison K.

Yelp
Tried this place for the first time last night and LOVED it! The food was delicious and the staff was incredibly nice and attentive. We tried the burrata salad, brisket bolognese, & Quattro Formaggi flatbread and loved them all. They even gave us a complimentary dessert! Definitely coming back here.
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Maya S.

Yelp
This place is being slept on - excellent UES Italian spot. We each had one glass of wine and shared the octopus app, bolognese pasta, and Brussels side dish. All food was delicious, service great. Casual but still a nice ambiance, and a perfect lowkey date night. It was $108 inclusive of a 20% tip, and felt very worth the cost. Really enjoyed and will absolutely return!