Sistina Introduce
In a city celebrated for its diverse and world-class dining scene, some restaurants stand out as true culinary destinations. Sistina, nestled in an elegant neo-Renaissance townhouse on the Upper East Side, is one such place. For over three decades, Chef and owner Giuseppe Bruno has been serving refined Italian cuisine that pays homage to his Southern Italian roots. This isn’t a casual pizzeria or a trendy trattoria; Sistina is a destination for a special occasion, an elegant and sophisticated establishment that exudes old-world charm. The atmosphere is a delightful blend of upscale and cozy, with white tablecloths, stunning artwork, and a muted noise level that allows for intimate conversation. The staff is not just attentive but also warm and engaging, making every guest feel truly pampered. Sistina’s commitment to using the freshest, highest-quality ingredients, many of which are sourced daily by the chef himself, is the foundation of its success. From the extensive wine list, which has received prestigious awards, to the delicious, handcrafted pasta and entrées, every detail is carefully considered to create a memorable and luxurious dining experience that feels both refined and deeply personal.
Sistina is located at 24 E 81st St, New York, NY 10028, USA. This prime address places it in the heart of the Upper East Side's most prestigious and cultured area, just a stone's throw from Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Its location makes it an ideal choice for a celebratory dinner after a day of exploring the city's most famous cultural institutions. The restaurant is easily accessible by various public transportation options, including the subway and bus routes. For those arriving by car, both paid street parking and paid parking garages are available in the vicinity. Sistina also offers a wheelchair-accessible restroom and seating, which ensures a comfortable experience for all guests. The option for outdoor seating provides an enchanting dining experience on a pleasant day, allowing you to enjoy the quiet elegance of the neighborhood. The convenience of its location, combined with its sophisticated ambiance, makes it a preferred destination for a truly special meal.
Sistina offers a comprehensive and refined set of services to ensure an exceptional dining experience.
- Dine-in: The restaurant provides a full table-service dining experience, emphasizing elegance and comfort with its cozy and romantic atmosphere.
- Reservations: Reservations are highly recommended and often required, especially for dinner. This ensures that every guest can secure a table and enjoy a planned, unhurried meal.
- Takeout & Delivery: For those who wish to enjoy Sistina's cuisine at home, the restaurant offers both takeout and delivery services, extending its fine dining experience beyond its physical walls.
- Catering: While not explicitly detailed, the restaurant's reputation and upscale nature suggest that they can cater to private events and special gatherings.
- Private Dining: Sistina has a private dining room, perfect for hosting a variety of events, from corporate gatherings to intimate family celebrations.
- Bar Onsite: The restaurant features a sophisticated bar area with a remarkable selection of great cocktails, hard liquor, and an award-winning wine list.
Sistina distinguishes itself through its dedication to quality, impeccable service, and unique atmosphere.
- Exceptional Cuisine: The food is consistently praised for being delicious and prepared with authentic, high-quality Italian ingredients. The menu offers a wide variety of classic and inventive dishes, from homemade pasta to fresh seafood and prime cuts of meat. The daily specials are particularly noteworthy, often featuring seasonal ingredients.
- Impeccable Service: The service is a major highlight. The staff is described as "impeccable," "attentive," and "fun and attentive." Waiters are not only knowledgeable but also genuinely committed to ensuring a wonderful dining experience, often reciting a long list of daily specials with detailed ease.
- Award-Winning Wine List: Sistina has one of the most prestigious wine cellars in New York, and its wine list has received continuous recognition from Wine Spectator. It's a key feature for wine connoisseurs.
- Elegant and Romantic Atmosphere: The restaurant's ambiance is a significant part of its appeal. With its sophisticated decor, beautiful artwork, and a quiet, romantic setting, it's an ideal spot for a date night or a special celebration.
- High-Quality Ingredients: Chef Giuseppe Bruno is known for his commitment to using strictly Italian, high-quality products, including seasonal vegetables from local farmers, hormone-free meats, and fresh fish.
- Unique Dishes: While the menu offers classic Italian fare, there are many unique options that stand out. Patrons have raved about dishes like the "Fettuccine" with truffle butter, the "Asparagus Soup," and the "Veal Tortelloni" with black truffles.
For reservations or to inquire about the menu and services, you can reach Sistina at:
Address: 24 E 81st St, New York, NY 10028, USA
Phone: (212) 861-7660
Choosing Sistina for a dining experience in New York City is choosing to treat yourself to a truly exceptional meal that goes beyond just food. The most compelling reasons to visit are the flawless combination of delicious, authentic Italian cuisine and an elegant, welcoming atmosphere. The food is, without a doubt, the star of the show. Pastas like the "Fettuccine" and "Goat Cheese Ravioli" are consistently praised for their quality and flavor. For meat lovers, the "Grilled Veal Chop" and "Prime Fillet of Beef Tenderloin" offer a luxurious experience. The dedication to quality is apparent in every bite, from the freshly made pasta to the perfectly cooked fish dishes like the "Branzino Al Sale." While the prices are on the higher side, as some reviews note, the general consensus is that it is well worth it for the quality of the food and the overall experience. The service is another key factor. The staff's professionalism, warmth, and attention to detail make you feel valued and taken care of, turning a simple dinner into a memorable event. The ambiance itself is a major draw—the white tablecloths, elegant decor, and quiet setting make it a perfect escape from the city's hustle and bustle. Sistina is more than a restaurant; it's a destination for celebrating, for savoring, and for experiencing the best of Italian fine dining in New York. It’s the perfect choice for a special occasion when you want a meal that is elegant, intimate, and absolutely delicious.
Sistina Food & drink
Special Dinner Pasta
- Gnocchi $25.00
with fresh tomatoes, smoked mozzarella and oregano
- Linguini With White Clams Sauce & Fresh Ramps Puree $28.00
- Lasagna Bolognese $28.00
- Goat Cheese Ravioli $26.00
with goat cheese, beets, sage and poppy seeds
- Fettuccini $28.00
with wild mushrooms garlic and olive oil
- Bucatini Amatricana, $28.00
with spring onions, smoked bacon and fresh tomato sauce
- Green & White Tagliolini $26.00
with peas, artichokes, fava beans, zucchini, asparagus and olive oil.
Soups
- Artichoke Soup $22.00
with artichoke chips
- Mushroom Soup $18.00
with parmigiano foam
- Pasta E Fagioli $25.00
- Asparagus Soup $20.00
with crabmeat
- Porcini Soup $28.00
with melted parmigiano reggiano cheese
- Lentil Soup $22.00
- Cold Watermelon Soup $25.00
Watermelon, cucumber, tomato and crumble goat cheese
- Cold Asparagus Soup $25.00
with ricotta cheese
Dessert
- Profiterole $22.00
pistacchio gelato, dark chocolate sauce, toasted pistachios and vanilla Chantilly
- Vanilla Panna Cotta $18.00
pineapple and passion compote, served with coconut sorbet
- Cappuccino Cake $22.00
chocolate flourless cake served with coffee and white chocolate cream, fior di latte gelato and roasted hazelnuts
- Assortment Of Cookies $22.00
- Tiramisu $20.00
Coffee sponge cake with strega liquor caviar
- Sistina Tartufo $20.00
vanilla and chocolate gelato covered with a chocolate shell and crispy hazelnut with a cherry center and chocolate glaze.
- Bomboloni (Italian Donuts) $18.00
with chocolate sauce and espresso gelato
- Ricotta Cheesecake $18.00
with strawberry compote and strawberry sorbet topped with a lemon tulle
- Mixed Fruit $22.00
Fish
- Diver Sea Scallops $50.00
cauliflower puree and cauliflower florets
- Grilled Wild Salmon $65.00
with arugula, crab meat and lime wedges.
- Branzino Al Sale $60.00
salt crusted branzino with seasonal vegetables
- Grey Sole $60.00
with cauliflower puree, roasted cauliflower florets and beurre blanc.
- Orata $55.00
Grill Zucchini, grilled tomato and grilled eggplant
Meat
- Prime Fillet Of Beef Tenderloin $65.00
with spinach, pine nuts, golden raisins and foie gras
- Grilled Veal Chop $55.00
mixed vegetables gratin and veal jus
- Veal Scaloppini $55.00
lemon sauce, prosciutto di Parma, fresh tomatoes and Gaeta olives
- Organic Free Range Chicken And Sausage $50.00
roasted chicken and pork sausage, pickled hot cherry peppers and garlic
- Calves Liver Steak Veneziana $55.00
- Pollo Al Mattone $58.00
herb and black pepper-crusted Cornish Hen served with shishito peppers and fingerling potatoes
- Veal Chop Milanese $65.00
lightly breaded and pounded veal chop with rucola and tomatoes
- Braised Rabbit All'Agrodolce $50.00
with balsamic vinegar, red onions, raisins, almonds and lemon
- Giuseppes Chicken Meatballs $55.00
fresh tomato sauce, white beans, fava beans and fresh peas.
- Colorado Rack Of Lamb For Two $120.00
with homemade yogurt and eggplant puree
- Roasted Suckling Pig $55.00
with Brussels sprouts, crispy bacon and green apple puree
Pasta
- Gnocchi $35.00
with veal Bolognese, sweet bell peppers, eggplant and smoked mozzarella
- Homemade Black Fettuccine $40.00
Squid Ink Linguini with calamari, clams, mussels and roasted peppers
- Spaghetti Crab Meat $50.00
with crab meat, sea urchins, garlic and oil
- Fettuccine Integrali $50.00
whole wheat fettuccine, summer black truffles and crab meat
- Mafaldine With Nudja $38.00
with spicy spreadable pork sausage in a tomato sauce
- Mezzi Paccheri Frutti Di Mare $45.00
scallops, shrimps, mussels, calamari and clams in a spicy tomato sauce
- Pappardelle Sistina $38.00
Veal bolognese with wild mushrooms
- Wild Mushroom Ravioli $40.00
with a light cream sauce and black truffles
- Busiate (Homemade Fusili) $38.00
homemade fusili with fresh tomatoes, basil, goat cheese and lemon zest.
- Spaghetti Trapanese $38.00
with five types of crushed nuts in a spicy tomato sauce with pecorino romano cheese
- Veal Tortelloni $45.00
with black truffle and veal jus
- Spaghetti Cacio E Pepe $38.00
with cracked black pepper and melted pecorino romano cheese.
Second Course
- Veal Chop Milanese $52.00
Lightly breaded, pounded veal chop with arugula and tomatoes.
- Berkshire Pork Chop $45.00
With brussels sprouts, bacon and green apple puree.
- Veal Rolatini $42.00
Stuffed with artichokes and prosciutto in a white wine sauce.
- Grilled Colorado Rack Of Lamb $45.00
With eggplant puree and homemade yogurt.
- Grilled Veal Chop $55.00
Mixed vegetable gratin and veal jus.
- White Wine Braised Rabbit $38.00
Served with parsnip puree.
- Veal Scaloppini $45.00
With lemon sauce, prosciutto di Parma, fresh tomatoes and Gaeta olives.
Risotto
- Risotto Cetarese $55.00
anchovies, mozzarella and California white sturgeon caviar
- Risotto Vaccherosse $65.00
with 40 months aged parmigiana with 25 year old balsamic vinegar
- Risotto Alle Erbe $45.00
Italian mountain herbs and goat cheese
Special Dinner Appetizers
- Heirloom Tomato Salad $25.00
with burrata, cucumbers and red onion.
- White Asparagus $28.00
with morels, fried egg and black truffles.
- Tuna Tartare $22.00
with avocado & jalapeño vinaigrette.
- Prosciutto Melon & Figs $25.00
Prosciutto di parma, cavaillon melon and figs.
- Spring Salad $20.00
with goat cheese, walnuts and pears.
- Crispy Artichokes $20.00
with melted pecorino romano cheese.
- Cauliflower Steak $25.00
with black truffles
- Roasted Beets & Burrata $18.00
with horseradish
- Warm Seafood Salad $28.00
Second Course
- Veal Milanese $48.00
With arugula, artichokes and sunflower seeds.
- NY Strip Steak $50.00
With shishito peppers and red wine reduction.
- Roasted Cornish Hen $42.00
Black pepper corns, fresh herbs, broccoli rabe and roasted potatoes.
Appetizers
- Winter Green Salad $28.00
With Dates, pear, goat cheese and pomegranate
- Clams & Mussels $40.00
with fresh tomatoes, garlic and cannellini beans
- Italian Crudo $68.00
tuna, wild salmon, Hamachi, Diver Sea Scallops, Himalayan salt and lemon vinaigrette
- Roasted Bone Marrow $38.00
black truffles, Himalayan sea salt and black truffle toast.
- Roasted Artichokes $40.00
with grilled mozzarella and grilled shrimps
- Grilled Octopus $40.00
roasted peppers, capers and white beans in a light tomato sauce
- Eggplant Parmigiana $45.00
- Grilled Cauliflower Steak $38.00
cauliflower puree, black truffles and mint vinaigrette
- Beef Carpaccio $40.00
with arugula, parmigiano reggiano cheese, summer black truffles and balsamic vinegar
- Heirloom Tomato Salad $40.00
heirloom tomatoes, mozzarella di bufala, cucumbers, red onions, oregano and extra virgin olive oil.
- Zucchini Flower $35.00
stuffed with ricotta cheese on a bed of tomato coulis
- Beets And Burrata $35.00
burrata, roasted beets, horseradish, roasted peppers and balsamic reduction
- Italian Wedge Salad $35.00
with iceberg lettuce, gorgonzola, apple-smoked bacon and red wine vinaigrette
- Arugula Pear Salad $35.00
with fennel and shaved parmigiano reggiano in a lemon vinaigrette.
Sistina Details
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Great cocktails
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Hard liquor
- Organic dishes
- Private dining room
- Vegan options
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Upscale
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
- Transgender safespace
Planning
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Reservations required
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Parking
- Free street parking
- Paid parking garage
- Paid street parking
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Sistina Photos










Sistina Location
Sistina Reviews
diningwine listthe metartichoketrufflechocolate souffléprosciuttooysterstownhousescallops
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1I loved all the artwork in this restaurant! It’s very beautiful but also quirky. The waiters are so sweet and they really want to make sure you are having a good time, they are really fun and attentive. The food is so good too, I had the fettuccine and asparagus soup. The truffle butter is amazing. And the shouffle is wonderful. The only reason I gave it one less star is because I think it’s way too expensive for the meal but still it was a wonderful experience
July 02 · Neha LuthraHad a wonderful dinner just last week. The food was delicious, presented with elegance. The service was impeccable and with the right degree of friendliness. The atmosphere was, as usual, my favorite cup of tea... white table cloth, sufficient space between tables, and a muted noise level. Yes, it is on the more expensive side, but it's worth treating yourself!
March 22 · Sherli LooiI've walked by a dozen times and we finally made it. It was amazing. Atmosphere is sophisticated with old world charm. Interior decor has beautiful unique artwork and touches. Cocktails on point. The prosciutto and melon app was so flavorful! Pastas: Busiate & Mafaldine with Nduja were Aces. But the number one favorite standout for me was the veal scaloppine... Next level best I've ever had. It's pricey but worth it for a nice lunch or dinner out. Absolutely recommend and will be back.
May 11 · Inga MarieLove NYC, usually stay midtown when visiting but wanted to try a different upper end restaurant that wasn’t a tourist trap and this restaurant is a gem. Service was worth the $$$$ alone. Everything was taken care of and we were impressed with the chef’s dishes and passion he puts into the food.
April 06 · Jeremiah FlynnStill the best in NYC if not the world. WOW!!! Best food, best Chef, best servers and BEST Hostesses in town still #1 Restaurant in the USA for sure. Our reviews had over 57 million views last year. We do not get paid we just love to eat and have fun. We really love Sistina. Went 12 times in the last 12 months, all were different all were the best. Menu had changed somewhat but once again every single dish was spectacular. Be sure to get the fried Zucchini App. Really great. I got the spicy sausage with crinkly pasta as a special and it was really good and not too spicy. She got the spaghetti and tomato sauce (not on the menu) and once again it was the best in town. The tomato sauce is very bright and jumps on your tongue with flavor. Her app was smoked Mozzarella and prosciutto and tomatoes which she loved and I got the soup special. Always get the soups, they are spectacular. Lemon coconut cake was great as was the special dessert of black cherry semifreddo. For Fox Business fans Charlie Gasperano was at the table next to us with some billionaires and all of them were very nice to us when I mentioned we enjoyed his shows. LATER REVIEW: Had 3 pastas and all were supper. 3 new special desserts and a all were off the charts. This place is the best. WE WENT 3 MORE TIMES. EACH TIME WAS AWESOME. I BRING A PEN SO I CAN WRITE DOWN ALL OF THE SPECIALS. DESSERTS WERE TO DIE FOR. BE SURE TO GET THE PASTA TRAPANSE, ONE OF THE BEST PASTA DISHES IN THE CITY. The Lobster pasta has so much lobster in it I could barely finish it and it is done perfectly with tomato sauce. She had the risotto which is heavy and large should could easily be a shared dish. I LOVE soup so I had 3 different kinds. All were awesome. Top notch all the way. Check out all of our reviews. If we do not like it we do no review it so all of the ones you see are places that are fantastic. Follow us if you like. We had over 56 million views so far this year and we thank you for that. We don't get paid, we just love to eat. Be sure to click on "RobH" at the top of this review to see all of them and to follow us if you like good food and FUN. If we do a review it is because we love it.
April 16 · Rob H.
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