Best Italian Restaurants in Upper East Side-Yorkville
8 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Paola's Restaurant
Long-running Carnegie Hill Italian where Roman pastas meet white-tablecloth warmth.
Notable Picks
8.9
Paola's is a Carnegie Hill fixture for Roman-leaning pastas, osso buco, and secondi served in a candlelit townhouse room that feels built for date nights and celebratory dinners. Multi-decade regulars rely on it for polished service, a deep Italian wine list, and consistently well-executed classics before or after a Met visit.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cacio e Pepe, Osso Buco, Pasta Pomodoro e Burrata
What Makes it Special: Long-running Carnegie Hill Italian where Roman pastas meet white-tablecloth warmth.
#2
Siena Cafe
8.5
Siena Cafe is a casual-elegant Italian spot on 3rd Avenue where house-made pastas, cocktails, and a full dinner-and-brunch menu make it a neighborhood go-to. The Lasagna Classico leans into rich beef ragù, fresh mozzarella, and grandma-style layering, backed by a large, recent review base across delivery apps and dine-in platforms.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lasagna Classico, Rigatoni alla Vodka with Burrata, Shrimp Scampi over House-Made Spaghetti
What Makes it Special: High-volume Upper East Side Italian where a beefy, mozzarella-heavy lasagna anchors a big pasta and cocktail program.
8.4
A welcoming Upper East Side Italian trattoria known for classic pastas and cozy service, with strong reviews reflecting steady quality and neighborhood affection. The casual setting and reasonable pricing make it approachable for family dinners. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Must-Try Dishes:
Homemade Pasta Specials, Classic Meatballs, Seasonal Risotto
What Makes it Special: Consistent Italian favorites in a neighborhood atmosphere
8.4
A welcoming trattoria with strong Italian pastas, seasonal risottos, and an inviting atmosphere, making it a great spot for an intimate evening out.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pasta Specials, Meatballs, Seasonal Risotto
What Makes it Special: Consistent Italian favorites in a neighborhood atmosphere
#5
Nick's Pizza
8.4
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Quick Bites Champions
Since 2002, Nick's has operated as a family-run Yorkville institution best known for thin-crust pies but quietly turning out substantial baked lasagna from the same oven. With well over a thousand multi-platform reviews and a full bar, it works as both a neighborhood pizza stop and a sit-down red-sauce Italian for families and groups.
Must-Try Dishes:
Oven-Baked Meat Lasagna, Thin-Crust Margherita Pizza, Chicken Parmigiana
What Makes it Special: Long-running Upper East Side pizza institution where the same oven that chars thin-crust pies bakes a hearty, shareable lasagna.
#6
Delizia 92
8.2
Delizia 92 operates as a hybrid pizzeria and red-sauce Italian spot, with a counter up front and a more traditional dining room for parm platters, pastas, and big family meals. Decades of neighborhood traffic and a huge takeout business make it one of Yorkville’s most relied-on Italian addresses.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Parmigiana, Grandma Thin Sicilian Crust Pizza, Chicken Parmigiana Hero
What Makes it Special: Long-running Yorkville spot where pizza slices share billing with serious parms and pastas.
8.1
Pinocchio Ristorante is a small, old-school Italian dining room on First Avenue where candlelight, hand-written specials, and owner-driven service shape a slow-paced meal. Regulars lean on it for truffle pastas, chicken parm, and weeknight dates that feel more intimate than most nearby options.
Must-Try Dishes:
Truffle Pasta, Chicken Parmigiana, Grilled Calamari
What Makes it Special: Tiny, owner-driven Italian dining room where truffle pastas and classic entrees come with old-school hospitality.
8
Opened in 2003, Il Carino is a cozy 2nd Avenue Italian where Chef Cassinelli and team focus on handmade pastas, chicken specials, and a classic meat lasagna available both as a standalone entrée and in combo plates. It leans more intimate than flashy, drawing locals who want comforting lasagna and a glass of wine without a scene.
Must-Try Dishes:
Meat Lasagna with Marinara, Fettuccine Bolognese, Gnocchi di Patate Crema Rosa Tartufo
What Makes it Special: Compact, chef-driven UES trattoria where meat lasagna sits alongside a deep menu of classic pastas and chicken francese combos.