Café Fiorello feels very New York. The restaurant sits directly across from Lincoln Center, making it an obvious choice before a show. The dining room is all dark wood, brass fixtures, and warm lighting. It feels old school in a way that somehow still works. Definitely make reservations if you're going before a performance. The place was absolutely packed. The service was excellent. One thing that really stood out happened while we were waiting for our food. A server came out carrying a giant sheet tray loaded with freshly baked chocolate chip cookies and started offering them around the dining room. That's it. No special occasion. No charge. Just warm cookies. Such a simple gesture, but it felt genuine and made an impression. The menu is extensive and unapologetically Italian. This isn't the place for modern interpretations or chefs trying to reinvent classics. The focus is on hearty portions, quality ingredients, and flavors that people actually want to eat. Speaking of portions... they are absurd. My friend ordered the chicken parm and it looked like it could feed a family of four. It arrived on a giant plate completely by itself, almost as if the kitchen decided no side dish could possibly compete. I ordered the lasagna, which is served open-faced and topped with meatballs and burrata. It was massive. Rich, meaty, cheesy, and exactly what I hoped it would be. Not subtle. Not refined. Just really, really satisfying. Overall, Café Fiorello feels like the kind of restaurant that's been doing the same thing for years because it works. Great location, friendly staff, huge portions, and solid Italian food. If you're heading to Lincoln Center, it's an easy recommendation. read more

I am a regular of The Smith restaurant. I decided to give this place a go since it was spacious and empty enough for my large stroller. After a long day walking around Central Park (with my baby) my mother and I thought this would be a great place to stop and eat. Ugh. We should've kept walking. We were greeted by a waiter who didn't look very interested in serving us, I asked him for a high chair and after the high chair was brought out it was about the only service we received for our entire experience. We sat for about 20 minutes before I had to call over to the waiters who we're chatting to the hostess (3 waiters clustered around, giggling and chatting) two reluctant waiters kept acknowledging my eye contact and then looking away again- I guess it wasn't their section. Or maybe they didn't want to serve what seemed like tourists! I eventually said I take it your not our waiter would you mind finding him. One replied said yes. Our waiter finally approached our table and said hi there I'm sorry I never noticed you sitting here. He was tall with light hair, I wish I got his name. So after clearly not been noticed for this length of time, even though we had a table for four, a high chair a stroller and two adults, we still weren't 'noticed' in this almost empty restaurant. Already I had a sour taste in my mouth. After being a waitress for several years in midtown, I know this is terribly poor service. We opted for two coffees and a dessert to share as we felt our experience could have got worse had we stayed any longer. Worst $25 dollars I've ever spent. Will stick to The Smith where I feel appreciated and where we can be waited on without feeling like a nuisance! read more

Cafe Fiorelli's Italian Restaurant on the Upper West Side in NYC is an absolute gem! From the moment you step in, the ambiance exudes sophistication and warmth, making it the perfect spot for an unforgettable dining experience. The star of the show is undeniably their pizza. Each slice is a heavenly combination of perfectly crispy crust, rich tomato sauce, and a generous amount of premium toppings. It's clear that their chefs are true artisans, crafting a masterpiece with every pie that comes out of their wood-fired oven. Beyond the pizza, their selection of dishes is equally impressive. Each plate is a harmonious fusion of traditional Italian flavors and innovative culinary twists. The menu caters to all tastes, ensuring everyone finds their perfect match. Be it pasta, risotto, or seafood, every bite bursts with flavors that dance on your taste buds. Now, let's talk about their desserts - prepare to be amazed! The sweets at Cafe Fiorelli's are an indulgent symphony of taste and texture. The velvety tiramisu, the decadent cannoli, and the heavenly panna cotta are just a few examples of their mouthwatering dessert offerings. You won't be able to resist ordering more than one! The impeccable service only adds to the charm of this 5-star restaurant. The staff is attentive, knowledgeable, and passionate about ensuring you have an unforgettable dining experience. In conclusion, Cafe Fiorelli's Italian Restaurant is a culinary haven for pizza lovers and Italian cuisine enthusiasts alike. With their outstanding pizza, delectable dishes, and divine desserts, you'll leave with a happy heart and a satisfied palate. It's an absolute must-visit when in NYC! read more

went shopping at Zara( which I will leave a review for in a second) today in the upper west side, we wanted to eat something, myself my wife and mom set down at Fiorello Cafe, What a bad decision, other then a nice and a polite server which is why I will give 2 stars and not 1, this experience was horrible, and I am talking about the food. I ordered the prime steak ($38) my mom the lemon chicken ($35) and my wife ordered spaghetti carbonera pasta with an egg on top. 30 min later the plated come in I could see right away that the steak was a dry warmed up piece and over spiced, since it was old as hell, and guess what I was right, it was hard as a rock and tasted sour. My mom's lemon chicken tasted like an old washed up shoe. I sat for 10 min then I asked for the check and wanted to leave my mom asked to get the dishes packed to feed her dogs which I really felt bad for because it was not even suit as dog food. Overall the worst culinary experience I had in a long time I will never ever eat or recommend this place and I am not sure how it is still in business and even worse it is fully seated. The staff was very very friendly and accommodating but the food was ahhhhhhh super bad save the money donate it but don't eat there A lesson that cost $120 (and I did not even bother returning the food because it is what it is) But a lesson well learned. read more

I would not seek out this restaurant unless you are looking for somewhere to eat near Lincoln Center. The food is alright but it's highly overpriced and often packed. There are a million better places to eat in this city. I went after the philharmonic last week. The food was FINE (but not really worth 30 dollars per entree) and the service was FINE. What WASNT FINE was the bathroom situation, and how the staff treated my complaint about it. If I am paying a premium for location and experience (next to theater, after a show) I expect to have a clean bathroom! It was disgusting - urine on the seats, no toilet paper in any of the stalls. Here's the kicker. I alerted the staff, and rather than apologizing profusely, or noting how embarrassing that is, or offering to comp of something (as a premium restaurant SHOULD do) they made excuses. "It's been really busy tonight" "we went in before the rush and haven't had time" That's not good enough. Hire more people! Make sure you have someone in there at the rush! Don't make excuses to me, apologize for ruining my experience! They ended up bringing us limoncello at the end of the meal but by that point I was already supremely offended at the situation. I'm giving them a 2 because the food and service were otherwise ok. read more

AMAZING EXPERIENCE!! We went here for a business meeting and not only were our guests impressed, but we were too. Our server, Pavel, was attentive and polite and had extensive knowledge of the menu. The manager, Marco, helped us to decide on an incredible wine and the ambiance was amazing. Our dinner spanned over 3 hours, we never felt rushed and every item we ordered from the antipasti to the desserts were divine. 2 colleagues shared the chocolate mousse for dessert and were pleasantly surprised when the waiter brought hot chocolate sauce to drissle onto their plates. Full and Happy we were! We asked for a taste of the limoncello after dinner and Marco gave our entire table a round on the house! Next time I am in New York, I will definitely be going back! I highly recommend this place to anyone and everyone. A++++++ experience!!! read more

I took my girl to Lincoln Center to see a movie, and we decided to grab a bite at Cafe Fiorello. We walked in unreserved and the man at the door said twenty minutes was the wait, so I said "no problem." The place was bustling and there were tourists everywhere. We were seated within ten minutes in the newly constructed outdoor area. Our waiter Lyndon was very cool, and the food was pretty good too. We eat on Arthur Avenue all the time and Cafe Fiorello was as good as our favorite places. If you go try the Ravioli with Buratta, or the Rigatoni with Vodka sauce. We ordered dessert and we were very happy with the Cheesecake and the Chocolate Mousse. The bill was reasonable for a Manhattan restaurant, and we plan to return the next time that we visit Lincoln Center. Feeling blessed. read more

My friend was visiting from California and we were shopping around 5th avenue and decided to walk to Time Warner and have an early dinner.The pizza at Cafe Fiorello is amazing but pricey.The service was outstanding thanks to Alvin,a bespectacled Puerto Rican waiter, but the distressing aspect of the management team was the Frankenstein monster looking manager who constantly harassed us and then followed us to the bar next door asking if we wanted to 'party' and do cocaine with him in a free room at the Empire Hotel.He repeatedly told us to call him 'maestro' and brought us numerous champagne glasses and two plates of veggies and meatballs.He needs to learn some manners and be far less creepy.I won't be coming back and i'm embarrassed the whole incident happened. read more

Fiorello's is the highlight of any trip to Lincoln Centre. The staff is knowledgeable and polite, the managers are always friendly, and the food is delicious. While I was disappointed to see one of my favorite dishes, the eggplant parmesean parpadelle, removed from the money, I was delighted by the addition of the goat cheese pizza. It's the absolute perfect dish for any goat cheese aficionado (is that a thing?) The bread is also wonderful, as is the antipasto bar. In addition to the food, it's a great old school Italian cheery and cozy atmosphere. I'm a vegetarian and my parents (who are usually with me, as this restaurant is slightly out of my artist-living-in-NYC-in-my-twenties price range) are carnivores and we all always find something. Highly recommend. read more

We were there a couple of years back, and had a pleasant experience. So we decided to go there for Easter early dinner. Were we disappointed. Either they changed the chef or it was too busy that they just pushed out "food", we were so totally disappointed,especially with the egg plant parmesan which we found very tasty before! This time, the egg plant was thickly breaded and swam in a bland tomato sauce like a stew! with no sight of any cheese! And where is the parmesan?!! The pasta has always been just mediocre as before, but the tomato sauce was totally bland and tasteless. We have to ask for cheese which should have been brought at the point of service. Service was slow to the point of negligence. Will never go back again! read more

My gf decided last minute to book a reservation for Valentine's day. She wanted something near Lincoln Center and she found Cafe Fiorello on Opentable. We arrived and I must say that I was not that impressed with the space. The interior is dated, and it needs a good cleaning. We were seated immediately at a nice table. Our server Simona was the sweetest person, and the food was better than I expected. My gf ordered Spaghetti with Short Rib Meatballs, and I ordered the Ravioli. The Short Rib Meatballs were excellent, and the Ravioli were delicious. They had Profiteroles as the dessert special and they were very tasty as well. I may return when the weather is warm and dine outdoors. read more

You can find the restaurant on the Broadway just across the Lincoln Center. I think the best seats are by the windows or outside because they have an amazing view of the Lincoln Center. I love the service here; they pour your water without you having to ask many times. They are really attentive, so that we can enjoy and have a good time. I ordered the steak and it was cooked just fine with creamy mashed potatoes. The dish was really nice. My friend had the halibut. The fish was delicious as well. This place is pretty good and the experience was very pleasant. George W. read more

Cafe Fiorello hits the spot for a classic Italian meal in Lincoln Square. Their antipasto bar is fantastic, offering a delicious spread of cured meats, cheeses, and marinated vegetables. We enjoyed exploring the variety before diving into our entrees. The menu covers all the Italian staples, and the service is friendly and attentive. The atmosphere leans a little old-school, but that's part of the charm. Overall, it's a 4-star choice for a reliable Italian experience, especially if you're looking for a great antipasto selection. read more

I lived on 66th and Columbus so Cafe Fiorello is very close. I think overall that its a decent restaurant...BUT... it is overpriced. It can be explained by its location and the fact that its right across from lincoln center. The food is at best a chain italian restaurant. You won't get anything extraordinary. I've eaten here 3 times and deliberately ordered different things. My favorite is the thin crust pizza. I'd say pass and walk down columbus towards 70's streets.... pomodoro and one place near shake shack is better. read more

I tried to give this place another chance and it went downhill fast.The antipasto bar was great although they don't have the variety it used to.The pizza was not HOT and worst of all the tall European manager who looks like a Bosnian war criminal offered me and my sister cocaine if we would go back to the Empire Hotel where he states he has a free room(what is a trade out?!?!).He insisted on giving us three glasses each of champagne.We paid and left quickly.WARNING: if a manager there sounds like Count Choc-ula-RUN!!!! read more

The one star is not related to the food at all. It's actually quite yummy. The one star goes for the drunk douche of a manager. He has a funny sounding name, kind of like zorf. I watched him drink at least 4 glasses of wine while I sat at the bar. He started to repeat himself to staff and just became uber obnoxious. I love to come here after work and enjoy the antipastos w/ a glass of wine, but if this is how the place is ran I can no longer spend my money here. No one needs a sleazy guy breathing down your neck. read more

This exquisite Italian restaurant offers a delightful dining experience. The vibrant atmosphere adds to the overall enjoyment of the meal. Our server, Diana, provided exceptional table service, making our dining experience even more memorable. We started with the short ribs meatballs, which were exquisite. For our main courses, we opted for the lemon chicken and chicken marsala. Both dishes were huge and incredibly delicious. We highly recommend this restaurant and would definitely be happy to return in the future. read more

Overpriced Tourist Trap Went with some friends after a concert. I agree with the other review that the "Short Rib" meatballs (two tiny ones for $8) were entirely tasteless and consistency of spongy bread. No taste at all, if not for the sauce. The Fiorello's tartufo which is stated on the menu as chocolate and vanilla gelato is by no means anywhere near gelato. I guess of you're a tourist from a place that only has McDonald's as a restaurant, then it's OK, but any native New Yorker should stay FAR away. read more

Me and a lady friend went to eat at this place. Lasagna was good and was split because it was huge. Ordered a top shelf whisky, Woodford Reserve neat. Unfortunately it was unlike the usual bottle found in liquor stores. It was watered down and had a light yellowy color but the waiter insisted it was the real thing but, refused to unseal a new bottle in front of me. Only good for the lasagna, some pasta and a sole dish. Otherwise same tourist trap place with fake liquor. read more