Best Italian Restaurants in Upper West Side (Central)
14 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Lucciola
Cinematic, truffle-forward Bologna-style cooking in a cozy, pod-lined corner space.
Notable Picks
#1
Lucciola
8.9
Lucciola is an intimate Upper West Side Italian restaurant inspired by the cinema of Bologna, with candlelit rooms, an all-Italian wine list, and a menu that leans hard into truffle, rich pastas, and indulgent secondi. Heated outdoor pods and a reservations-driven dinner service make it one of the neighborhood’s most reliably romantic options for special-occasion Italian dining.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cacio e Pepe, Wagyu Beef Cheek Stracotto, Truffle Burrata Pinsa
What Makes it Special: Cinematic, truffle-forward Bologna-style cooking in a cozy, pod-lined corner space.
8.7
La Pecora Bianca’s Upper West Side outpost pairs a stylish two-story room and enclosed patio with house-made pastas, Neapolitan-style pizzas, and a spritz-focused bar program. A kid-friendly, gluten-free–aware setup and Central Park–adjacent location make it a polished but practical choice for families planning brunch or dinner around museum time.
Must-Try Dishes:
Rigatoni vodka, Tagliatelle bolognese, Margherita pizza
What Makes it Special: Polished all-day Italian with house-made pasta, Neapolitan pies, and spritzes.
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Family Friendly Favorites
Comfort Food Classics
Carmine's Upper West Side is a high-volume, family-style red-sauce institution where giant platters of pasta and classics feed groups around big tables. The lasagna leans rich and meaty, backed by staples like penne alla vodka and chicken parmigiana that keep it a go-to for celebrations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lasagna, Penne Alla Vodka, Chicken Parmigiana
What Makes it Special: Massive family-style platters make classic lasagna and red-sauce favorites shareable.
8.4
Bella Luna has anchored Columbus Avenue since 1988 with Northern Italian classics, brick-oven pizzas, and a warm, neighborhood feel that explicitly welcomes families. It functions as a go-to Upper West Side spot for big bowls of pasta, pizza, and a comfortable dining room where kids and adults can linger together.
Must-Try Dishes:
Eggplant Parmigiana, Brick-oven Margherita pizza, Linguini Bella Luna
What Makes it Special: Long-running neighborhood Italian with brick-oven pizzas and welcoming family energy.
8.3
An old-school Upper West Side Italian room that still feels like a real night out—low-key, candlelit energy with a menu built for classic cravings. Go seafood-and-pasta forward, then finish with a simple dessert to keep the meal tight and date-night clean.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seafood risotto, Spaghetti pomodoro, Veal chop
What Makes it Special: A classic neighborhood Italian room that still feels intimate.
8.1
Osteria Cotta is a brick-walled osteria and wine bar where house-made lasagna, rustic pastas, and a strong by-the-glass list anchor both brunch and dinner. It leans cozy and candlelit upstairs, with a bar that handles dates and small groups sharing plates.
Must-Try Dishes:
House-Made Lasagna, Tagliatelle Bolognese, Bruschetta with Burrata
What Makes it Special: Cozy osteria feel with house-made lasagna and a serious wine list.
Worthy Picks
7.9
A small, intimate Italian room where the food shines most when you commit to a pasta-forward order and let the kitchen’s restraint do the work. It’s a quieter, date-leaning meal built around a couple of pastas and one clean second course.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cacio e pepe, Pappardelle bolognese, Tiramisu
What Makes it Special: A pasta-first menu in an intimate room built for pacing.
#8
Celeste
7.9
Celeste is a tightly packed Italian trattoria where blistered, thin-crust pizzas share table space with pastas, antipasti, and daily specials. Crowded rooms and brisk service are part of the experience, and many locals treat it as a casual date-night option when they want wine and a proper sit-down pie.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita pizza, Prosciutto and arugula pizza, Four-cheese pizza
What Makes it Special: Crowded neighborhood trattoria pairing serious pies with broader Italian plates.
7.9
La Perla Nascosta is a compact Italian trattoria off Broadway where lasagna and other baked pastas join seafood and seasonal specials. The room is intimate and low-key, drawing neighborhood regulars for quieter dinners than the big-name spots nearby.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lasagna Bolognese, Spaghetti alle Vongole, Tiramisu
What Makes it Special: Smaller trattoria feel with lasagna and seafood pastas in a tucked-away space.
7.9
Serafina’s 77th Street location is a bright, polished Italian restaurant where lasagna al forno, pizzas, and pastas serve a broad neighborhood crowd. It trades in consistency and convenience more than destination dining, but still delivers reliable plates before shows or casual dates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lasagna al Forno, Rigatoni alla Vodka, Tartufo
What Makes it Special: Well-known Italian brand delivering lasagna and pastas in a bright Broadway space.
Bellini is a small, warmly lit Italian restaurant on Columbus Avenue specializing in brick-oven pizzas, housemade pastas, and approachable wines. Neighborhood couples use it for laid-back date nights where cozy booths, friendly service, and classic red-sauce comfort matter more than scene.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bellini Pizza, Bucatini Cacio e Pepe, Chicken Parmigiana
What Makes it Special: Cozy neighborhood Italian room with brick-oven pies, house pastas, and a quietly romantic feel.
Tarallucci e Vino’s Upper West Side outpost doubles as an all-day café and Italian restaurant, with lasagna verde and other pastas joining coffee, pastries, and wine. It’s less about showy dining and more about flexible meals that can be a quick plate or a longer sit-down.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lasagna Verde, Cacio e Pepe, Tiramisu
What Makes it Special: All-day Italian spot where house-made pastas share space with coffee and wine.
7.7
Water & Wheat is a newer Broadway arrival focused on fresh, house-made pasta and artisan flatbread-style pizzas, with a contemporary room and an Italian-leaning wine and cocktail list. It leans casual and modern, making it a good fit for lower-key dates built around big bowls of pasta and a couple of Negronis.
Must-Try Dishes:
Grass Fed Brisket Bolognese, Cacio & 3 Peppers, Margherita Flatbread
What Makes it Special: Fresh-pasta specialist with modern decor, shareable flatbreads, and a serious wine list.
#14
La Vera Pizza
7.5
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Comfort Food Classics
A straightforward neighborhood pizza shop where lasagna shows up as a practical catering-and-family-order staple rather than a plated restaurant signature. It’s the right choice when you need dependable, crowd-friendly trays—simple, filling, and built for volume.
Must-Try Dishes:
Meat Lasagna, Cheese Pizza, Garlic Knots
What Makes it Special: A practical, crowd-friendly lasagna option built for big orders.