The best "upscale dining" (yet somehow completely casual) in Rye...Period.

I've eaten here on numerous occasions to take advantage of the $14 two-course pre-fixe lunch (and only lunch). Aside from the other clientele (Westchester mom's sounding like a gaggle of Armani and Jimmy Choo clad geese), I enjoyed the atmosphere and especially the food. The room has a cozy, warm feel, added to by the brick oven in the back. The dishes I've had (mostly pasta) all were warm, fragrant and tasty. Pasta with chicken and sausage had nice spice to it and had me scraping the bowl with bread to get the last of the white wine sauce. Same with a braised tilapia served with greens. The fish was succulent and juicy, crumbling under the fork to be scraped up with crunchy bits of fried potato. The soups I've had (white bean, butternut squash) were also on the up and up, though I wouldn't go just for that. All in all an enjoyable meal and a nice experience. read more

I knew I liked this place - once I read that it is affiliated with Acqua in Westport, CT. I knew why. Food is fresh and simple yet delicious! Service is friendly. 2 course lunch special for $14 is a great value. I started with a Caesar salad and my entree was whole wheat spaghetti with broccoli, cauliflower, pesto and pine nuts. It was out of this world. I couldn't help but finish the big portion! I have to get the Margherita pizza next time - it is one of my favorites at Acqua. read more

Excellent food, amazing service, great atmosphere while maintaining very good covid protocol

Typical suburban italian restaurant. The space was modernist, and filled with various blingy jamokes. The cocktails and wine were pretty good. The bread was OK. The appetizer pizza was unimpressive. The burrata was pretty good. Entrees received a mixed review. The chicken Milanese was pretty good. The other entrees were all over the map. Not a bad place, a good change of pace. Not somewhere worth going out of one's way for. read more

I wish that there was a place like Aurora's closer to my home. It's the perfect neighborhood Italian restaurant that is just upscale enough without losing it's casual style. The food was good and the waitstaff was friendly and attentive--albeit, a little misplaced with being attentive at times. It would be better to give me a moment to taste my food before coming over to ask if everything is alright, and our waitress did this immediately after each course was served. We felt the Chicken Milanese was good, but overall a bit bland. It tasted as if there wasn't enough salt or basic seasoning in the chicken. The Lemon Shrimp was a nice, light dish, but I am not crazy about saffron and it tasted as if there was a bit added to the sauce. The Bread Pudding dessert was great, but the caramel sauce had a slight burnt taste to it, which is just a matter of preference for your taste buds. All in all, we would go back. read more

I was hugely surprised by the food at this place. No wonder it was so crowded. I guess the locals really know their places. The waiter recommended the Yellowfin Tuna Crudo and the Parmesan Crusted Halibut. Both these dishes were spot on and a combination of the unusual ingredients made for a never before had experience. If you're remotely into fish you must try it. I wasn't too impressed by the interior though, it looked a little dated and pretentious. I would have liked a little more plain color palette. I will hopefully go back soon and write in a little more detail. read more

Went here for Restaurant Week for lunch in March. It was good food and nice to know they have a set menu for lunches on specific days, so like their own person Restaurant Week but each week. The food is fresh, you can tell that. I had an egg white fritatta with goat cheese and mushrooms which was really yummy. Fluffy, light, just enough tto fill me up but not be over filling. LOVED the hummus dip for the bread... tthe bread however I wasn't a fan of. I think they should do different bread.... provide a whole grain version because they only provide a rye breaad and it was a little stale. The service was pretty good, not spectacular but pretty good. Everything caame out on time, but they could have checked on us a little bit more... it was lunch time and not very busy. Love the decor. I also enjoy the extensive menu they have. SO MANY OPTIONS!! Love when a restuarantt has that. First time here was when I was in high school with an ex boyfriend who tookk me for Valentine's Day and I remember it being VERY romantic as well as delicious. It did not disappoint me foodwise... I'll have to go back witth my fiance for dinner to see about the romantic part though lol. Definitely try if you're in the area. read more

Aurora is a cute little Italian restaurant on an adorable main drag in Rye. The menu is impressively large, with more traditional Italian options as well as dishes that lean more toward New American-type fare. As others have noted, the hummus that comes with the bread basket is yummy. My goat cheese fritter salad was good, if a little different than what I'd expected (more like a goat cheese blintz -- atop greens and beets -- than fritter). The lemon fettuccine (my entree) was a little disappointing because I couldn't taste the artichoke sauce at all, but my husband loved his veal and my mom was happy with her tuna crudo. We shared the donuts for dessert. You really can't go wrong with fried dough; they were delicious. Really a 3.5, but I just don't feel like it merits rounding up to 4...I would definitely come back to try more of the menu if I was in the neighborhood. read more

I've been here 3 times in the past year, even during the pandemic! I love this spot for its food, ambiance, and service. I've always had a great experience. The gnocchi salad, garganelli pasta, and chicken milanese are my favorite. My fiance also loves the ravioli with some kind of beef inside. We always look forward to coming back! read more

I went here for dinner on Friday night with a group of 6. The table was large enough for us to sit quite comfortably, which is key because at some restaurants, the tables are not set up for more than 4 people. At the beginning of the meal, when the restaurant was crowded, we were right on top of the other table, but once they left it was nice. The wait staff was impeccable. My water glass was never empty, and if you have had lousy service, you know how important that is. The food was very good. I had the filet mignon, it was delicious. A good size portion too. The presentation they did with all the food was very very impressive. The filet was sliced and spread out across the plate. I had some kind of thing, I can not say what it was because I had never had it before, but the way the chef had it on the plate, stacked up like a "lincoln log" house on the plate, I just had to eat it! If you are in the area, or even if your not, Aurora is worth it for dinner. I would love to go back, as I hear the pizza is very good. They have a brick oven there, so it is kind of implied! read more

I really enjoy Aurora. The menu is a step above everyday Italian (veal meatballs, goat cheese in gnocchi, porcini ravioli, for examples), and the pasta selections cover all bases, from bucatini Amatriciana to linguini with clams. There's a terrific wine list, with high end to reasonable glasses, with special bargains offered on Tuesdays. The wait staff is helpful with some of the more obscure Italian wines. The pizzas are fantastic, too, with a terrific crust and nicely blended options of ingredients. I really liked everything I have tried and have had a few special evenings with dessert, port, and excellent coffees. Aurora is on a short list of special places to go for dinner, and near the top of the Italian restaurants for me. read more

We made reservations for a party of 5. The service was pretty good. Really enjoyed the Kobe Beef Ravioli it was cooked very well and the sauce was a great compliment to the pasta. Overall a good experience. read more

Had my daughter's engagement at Aurora this past weekend and to say everything was amazing is an understatement. Emily took care of everything, I was actually a guest instead of making sure everything was being handled. My guests were floored by the food and if you think you're going to get these tiny little portions, guess again. Portions were huge, and I come from an Italian family, so portions are a big thing. My daughter and future son-in-law were beyond happy. Thank you to the entire staff for being amazing and the chef deserves a Michelin star. read more

We were in town for business. When I called for last minute reservation the host was very welcoming & accommodating. It is well decorated and has a hip atmosphere. Our waiter, Nick started the night off with a smile and it was all fantastic after that. We enjoyed wonderful drinks made with their house pineapple infused vodka with our appetizers - the meatballs - flavorful, tender, moist & the gravy delicious! The fried Brussels sprouts with white beans - great combination, the flavors were excellent together. The tuna with radishes - so fresh and different. Our main courses: spaghetti with clams was average with a generous portion of Manila clams. The New York strip steak was seasoned & cooked perfectly! Maybe the best NY strip ever. The winner of the night was the Parmesan crusted halibut! (Thank you Nick for suggesting it!). It was an amazing bite of flavor in each piece. Would go back just for this dish! The desserts did not disappoint - pistachio gelato, Italian donuts with honey and their biscotti were all very good. Wish we lived closer - so we could dine here again and again! read more

When looking for a comfortable, chic (but not too...) restaurant to get together with friends for lunch and not spend too much money, Aurora is a good choice. Rye is a good walking town with plenty of interesting stores and boutiques, including a good selection of restaurants. After trying most every restaurant on the strip, I have carved out Aurora as one of my few, true "go to" places, especially for lunch. Aurora has a daily lunch special that always provides excellent choices and multiple courses for under $15. Their standard entrees are all in the $12-$25 range and include interesting northern Italian selections as well as tride and true standards. They also have a full bar, which makes Aurora a good place to stop for a drink. read more

A cozy, comfy place with very pleasant service. The beef carpaccio and linguini with clams were good, but the sea scallops with apple smoked bacon blew me away - rich, delicate and flavorful. All in all, a nice, relaxing dining experience. Go on a Tuesday for their Wine Appreciation night - 50% off bottles under 100 and 25% off bottles over $100. read more

I've never enjoyed a working lunch so much in my life. A $17 Prix Fixe lunch menu affords you an appetizer and entree, both of which pack a lotta punch in portion size and flavor. I went with the Soup of the Day (Potato Leek) as an appetizer, and the Egg White Frittata as an entree. Both dishes were absolutely delicious, and the waitstaff was kind and attentive. Better yet, I was in and out within 45 minutes, which makes Aurora the perfect midday destination for a quick and casual lunch date. read more

Came here during Hudson Valley Restaurant Week for the prix fixe, and it was excellent from start to finish. From the addictive homemade hummus dip to the fluke crudo to my perfect sirloin served with crispy, pillowy chickpea fries. I couldn't finish my dessert (sticky toffee pudding) but it too was delicious. I tasted my friend's mussels, crab salad, and tiramisu, and they were all spot on. Upscale atmosphere, dim lighting, and good service. read more

Stopped in for Lunch. Definitely a housewives of Ny stop. I was the only guy in here for awhile. Had a nice Tuscan bean and spinach soup along with some Veal meatballs. Enjoyed the experience and the service read more

This place was great. Went for dinner with the in-laws on a Sunday night, we were the only ones there around 5 but it eventually filled up. I ordered the special four cheese sacchette with asparagus and a truffle cream sauce, it was so delicious! My husband had the pizza and i tried a bite and it was so good, they actually cook it in a wood burning pizza oven. The oven is towards the back and they have a counter where you can sit if you are just having pizza. I will def go back! read more

Stopped at the bar for a glass of wine and the very sweet bartender, blonde girl, seemed to be doing a great job with all the customers. The room looks a liitle worse for wear, half dead flowers etc. but the crowd was lively and the food was ( an appetizer at the bar) fine. read more

I'd say it was a 3.75..... The $14 price fix lunch ($5 more for a glass of wine) brought in a lot of people for a Thursday afternoon (does no one work in Rye?). The appetizer of goat cheese frittatas with arugula and marinated beets was super, but my entree of eggplant parm was very 3-star. Their service was superb though. read more

A friend and I met in Rye to have a glass of wine and relax outside on a beautiful day. Although it was mid day, past lunch, and the kitchen not yet open for dinner, we were warmly greeted, seated at a lovely table outside and treated to some of the best service by Chris, our waiter. He was extremely knowledgeable about wine, offered us tastes of two wines we were considering, explained the qualities of each, helped us decide and and his service made our day. Later that night we went to a far more expensive and famous restaurant in Yonkers for dinner, and wish Chris had been our waiter. We far more enjoyed our wine and humus at the Aurora than any other restaurant we visited. Thank you Chris and the Aurora for making our day! read more

I have lived in Rye for most of my life and cannot believe that I have never been here until recently! What a gem! The food was delicious, reasonably priced and the service was top notch. The decor was a bit outdated but it didn't even matter because the experience was wonderful. Can't wait to go back! read more

Amazing customer service. Manager Eduardo was so courteous and responsive. What a delight . Waitstaff was prompt and professional. Food was delicious. Everytinlme I go the staff all say hello even the busboys. A great family feeling. Will be back soon. read more

Had an amazing lunch at Aurora this past week. Their lunch special is a fantastic deal! We had goat cheese fritters and caesar salad...both of which were delicious! then i had the tilapia which was so good and my friend had the chicken milanese, another favorite of mine. the waiters were nice and attentive. the ambience, happy and bustling but not noisy. and the food, always has me coming back for more! definitely go! you wont regret it! read more

The best thing on the planet is the PEI mussels & fava beans appetizer. Creamy curry sauce is amazing, with little hits of basil. I order a side of linguine to put it on. Sit at the bar with a glass of Prosecco and enjoy Nirvana. read more

Their service was pretty good. Though I ordered the gniochi it was good but the suace tasted like ketchup and was think

Have been here a few times and never had a poor experience before last night. Made a reservation for 6:15 a week in advance for 6 people. We showed up at 6:05, said we were early, and were told the table was ready. We sat down and ordered drinks/started eating bread. The male host approached us and aggressively asked what time our reservation had been for again? When I told him 6:15, he said that we needed to get up and wait for a different table, because another 6 top with a 6 PM reservation just arrived and we were too early. He became very angry when we questioned why the other 6 top couldn't sit at the table that was finishing up on the other side of the restaurant and told us the entire situation was our fault because we were early. When we asked to speak to his manager we were told "he's watching on the cameras." We decided not to wait and give our money to these people after being publicly roasted for being early. We went to Rafaele down the road, WAY better food and much friendlier staff! read more

Food was pleasant enough. I had the Garganelle Pasta and it was tasty. My colleague had a wood fried pizza and reported that to be quite nice as well. The service wasn't 100%...the waiter didn't bring pepper to the table which seemed strange for an Italian restaurant. We shared two bottles of wine and the bill wasn't too steep. read more

Came here this week and enjoyed a delicious lunch with my boyfriend. We ordered the Farmed Scottish salmon(perfectly cooked), Butternut squash and celery root ravioli(delicious), a side of Brussels sprouts(delicious), and Bread pudding for dessert. We both enjoyed everything, and was happy that we came. Our waiter was attentive, and polite. Will definetly recommend this restaurant to friends, and looking forward to returning! read more

I've been there with my neighbor for Friday lunch. I ordered bologna sauce with spaghetti. At that time it rained, I heard that this restaurant was so popular that so many customers came on Friday and it made too noisy, but fortunately? It was rainy and I felt very comfortable to have lunch there. The lunch was delicious. Only thing that I don't make 5stars, is there's no "al dente". Usually the restaurants in the states are no al dente. But Aurora was close to al dente. So I think it's one of nice Italian restaurants. read more

Met friends for dinner on a Thursday night and found the service, decor and food very fine. I had the scallops and they were delicious. The wine choices were fairly large-even by the glass and desert was super-good. My wife and I split the cheesecake which was soft and delicious. The restaurant can get a bit noisy and the tables are fairly close together, but its a consistent winner as far as we are concerned. read more

Great family dinner on Sunday night! Aurora stuff is very accommodating and we love coming here. The food is consistently good and it makes it so easy to just focus on your conversations and family members. We often order our "usual" i.e. Tuna crudo, octopus, burgers, and our evening goes smoothly. We are planning to have many more Sunday dinners here! See you soon! read more

I went here last night with my husband and we loved it from start to finish! Our waiter was fantastic, very attentive without being annoying. The bread and garlicy hummus spread was delicious. We had the tuna tartare app which was yum! My husband has the swordfish and I had the goat cheese ravioli which were both to die for!!! The cheesecake for dessert is by far the best dessert I have every had! I would recommend going, on Tuesday nights it is 50% wine night! We will be back! read more

Food: Went there recently with a couple of girlfriends. The food is delicious. I got the Kobe Beef Ravioli which had beef and either fresh spinach or mushrooms (forget!) in it. I just remember it being excellent. Paired with a glass of white wine, my meal was complete. Ambiance: We went on a Wednesday night, and it was packed! We were seated at an outdoor table looking on Purchase Street which was great given the nice weather. For a date? Definitely! (You'll probably run into other Rye folk there though) When it's nice out, they open the big windows - making the place feel really fun. Dress is not casual, but not fancy. Jeans and flip flops? No. Long satin dress or suit? think again. Highly recommend! read more

The food at Aurora is AMAZING and the service is great! I would recommend the margarita pizza, house salad, and I got some kind of great whole wheat pasta! The hummus and bread instead of just oil brings something different to the table. Mixed drinks are expensive, but well worth it! read more

After going back for the third time, I must say I was very disappointed. The food was great but the staff was horible. If you go I recommend never sit by the oven because aperently people forget u exhist! Or could be that my girlfriends and I weren't wearing suits or didn't look like a million bucks! Never will go back! read more

Went here for dinner. Service was welcoming and very attentive. Pastas and sauces were first rate. The crust on the pizza we also ordered was delightfully thin, and toppings were wonderful. Special dietary needs were met. I found the hummus spread to go with the bread absolutely delicious. Of everything that our party ordered, the thing that would definitely bring me back is the fried calamari - WOW! While I did enjoy the Thai Chili Sauce with it, I still preferred the Spicy Italian - but it was nice to have options. read more