Honestly such a charming spot in the upper west. Very cozy and home style. The owner was so kind and warm, had many interesting stories to share and good food recommendations. While some of the dishes like the tagliatelle with shrimp and the pasta alla Norma were solid 8-9/10. Other dishes like the pizza and ravioli were a bit of a let down. 10/10 for the calamari though, no too chewy, perfectly flavored (I think this was our favorite dish) Such a delicious marinara as well. Will say that the price was a bit on the higher side. Definitely worth checking out, all the pastas were super fresh and it was a very cozy experience. Overall 7.8/10 read more

See all

I think this is quietly the best Italian food in New York City. I am willing to die on this hill. I recently returned after 10 years of not eating here, and was thrilled to see that it was the same as I remember it all those years back when I used to be more central to the area. Ambiance wise, it's no frills. Wooden tables crammed together closely in order to serve as many people as possible and turn tables. We were able to get a table for two easily on a Sunday night, which I was thrilled about. This place is cash only, something to note before coming here. The owner warmly greeted us and promptly seated us. Our server was attentive and made sure we had everything we needed. We split the burrata which was fresh and creamy. I had the bolognese for my main course, made with fresh pasta noodles that were the perfect consistency. They were chewy and the sauce was delicious, perfectly seasoned. My only regret was not having room for their tiramisu which I remember was legendary. Food is fairly priced for the portion size and quality, in my opinion. If you live in the area and aren't coming here on the regular, what are you even doing? read more

Celeste - Tagliatelle Bolognese - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

My birthday weekend with my daughters brought us to converge in NYC first weekend of August. Celeste Restaurant is one of my youngest's favorites from the days she was a realtor in NYC, over a decade ago. I'm pretty picky about Italian food, and this place exceeded all my expectations! Authentic, fresh, super delicious, beautiful presentations, family-love warm service. It's a small restaurant with close tables, but not uncomfortable. Note: They only take cash payments. read more

See all

Celeste is a cozy, authentic Italian restaurant located in the Upper West Side on 84th and Amsterdam. It's known for offering high-quality, traditional Italian dishes with reasonable prices. The restaurant has a casual, rustic ambiance, with simple decor, giving it a charming neighborhood feel. Outdoor seating is also available. Known for its homemade pastas, and daily specials. Vermicelli Allen Vongole was thin spaghetti cooked Al dente and topped with steamed clams in a nice white wine olive oil sauce. The owner, Carmine, is usually on premise and known for his hands-on approach and warm hospitality. The restaurant doesn't take reservations and only takes cash. There are usually lines but if you can get a table you're in for a treat. read more

See all

Food 5/10 So many people have raved about this hidden gem on the UWS. I checked it out for a friend's birthday, and unfortunately the only thing I enjoyed was the tiramisu, which was actually super solid. The vongole was quite bland, lacked bounce, and the clams did not taste very fresh. The quattro pizza was also quite dry and brick hard, not particularly appetizing. Atmosphere 6/10 Seating was a bit cramped and it was also quite hot inside. Service 7/10 Cash only! Very friendly home-style service. read more

See all

The food is on par with some of the best we've had in Italy. The owner is a fun, loving Italian man with a heart of gold. We've cancelled our reservation at Rao's for an evening here. Dinner here is like a dinner at home back in Italy, where the beloved nonna welcomes you home. Forget the Americanized Italian food. Go for the real thing. read more

If I could get more of my rigatoni a La Norma and eat it every day I would. Everything was delicious. The wine selections are good, every meal on the table, including the specials better than the next, and the desserts? Oh my. read more

See all

Small, intimate restaurant on Upper West Side. Friendly service. Pizza and other Italian dishes. I had delicious fish stew. (I forget the Italian name. Sorry.) It was outstanding. Perhaps the best I've ever had. My wife said her lasagna was extremely tasty and unusually "tender." They take cash only, but there's a nearby ATM. They close at 9:30 pm, rather early for NYC. Not a complaint, just a heads up for others. I'd gladly eat here again. read more

Had a lovely dinner here on Valentine's Day. Carmine was a fun and festive host. We had the lobster ravioli in a lemon sauce we'd never had before and it was lovely. The ravioli were heart shaped for the day. Talk about romance on a plate! Apps were meatballs and absolutely amazing fried calamari & shrimp with the lightest breading ever complimented by a delightful marinara. Desserts were lovely altho quite small in portion--a terrific chocolate cake and an exceptional tiramisu gelato special. read more

Is the service awful? Yes. Will I keep coming back even though they really make it clear they don't care if you ever come again? Yes, definitely. The shaved raw baby artichokes are so good. SO GOOD. First, where can you find someone who is willing to individually hand peel and shave a pile of baby artichokes for you? Nowhere. But they're also so fresh, rich with Parmesan cheese, and bright with a squeeze of fresh lemon. The Penne Mo Mo is another dish I could eat over and over again. It's just a plate of pasta with red sauce. But the fresh mozzarella is so so fresh, it tastes nothing like those "fresh mozzarella" balls from the grocery store. It's so milky, creamy, so good. No, there's no ambiance. Not really any air conditioning either. But where else can you find such fresh artichokes and mozzarella? Nowhere read more

Celeste - Freshly shaved raw baby artichokes - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Vibe: 5/10 - cute Italian vibe, but our table was really wobbly + some tables were being used for storage (things were stacked on them) Service: 6/10 Value: 6/10 - mainly bc we felt we could have made this meal at home Bread (complimentary): 5/10 Gnocchi: 6/10 - light on the sauce and the sauce wasn't flavorful + gnocchi didn't seem to be freshly made Pizza w/ mushrooms: 6.5/10 Tiramisu: 8/10 - the best part of the meal honestly Overall: 6.07/10 (3/5) read more

See all

If you want fast and decent Italian meal this is it. We couldn't wait for Jacob's Pickle so we decided to eat here. It was busy so we dined outside. The cleanliness of this restaurant was okay. Not the cleanest but alright. They give you clear colored plastic resusable cups all scratched up, but it's fine. The water tastes clean and the cups are not dirty. This goes for the plates and utensils too. The old gentleman here seems to be the owner or manager who greets you first. We ordered MASCARPONE CON PROSCIUTTO pizza and Tagliatelle Bolognese. The food was fast and delicious. We enjoyed it. read more

Celeste - MASCARPONE CON PROSCIUTTO - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Came here as part of a large group ; and while the ambiance of the restaurant is quite nice and the waitstaff were extremely competent , the senior manager was extremely unfriendly and unhelpful. We were told we could not order a la carte, despite other people in the restaurant doing so - we were not informed of this during our booking, and as a result all ended up spending double of what we had planned. The manager was extremely rude at this point and did not apologize for the miscommunication. On top of that I did not think the food was that good for the amount we paid -- overcooked seafood and irregular portions for people who ordered the same dish. I understand there are challenges to accommodating a large group, but this should have been communicated when the booking was made, not after we were all seated. read more

We stopped by for lunch on a Sunday and sat outside in the covered street seating area. Service was quick and friendly, which was great! The plates felt a bit dirty / had some dust on them but just wiped it off. Really enjoyed the bread and ricotta we started with! The margherita pizza was quite good with the thin crust. The lasagna was decent but a bit overcooked and the white sauce was just too heavy and thick for me. Did not particularly enjoy the spaghetti and clams because it didn't feel super fresh and the noodles were way too heavy with the sauce coating - just felt super oily. Overall, don't think I will be back unfortunately because everything felt pretty mediocre. Good to try though! read more

See all

Really great service for takeout from LJ! We got pizza for takeout but door dash messed up the order and they helped us out.

Some of the worst Italian food I've ever had. My pesto gnocchi tasted like water and my friends risotto tasted even worse. The spaghetti was too salty, so much so that it was almost painful to eat. Service was ok but the fact that it's cash only is very limiting. read more

ABLEIST, RUDE OWNER HARASSED 95-YEAR-OLD PATRON ON HER BIRTHDAY. After many years as a diner at Celeste, I am genuinely appalled at this discriminatory experience. I have never witnessed anything like this. My 95-year-old great-aunt LOVES Celeste. Every year on her birthday, and on various other occasions, we go there so she can get her beloved clams and Prosecco. The owner Carmine Mitroni, a tall gentleman who favors vests, has historically been pleasant if not outwardly charming, and has greeted her with recognition and authentic warmth. Not tonight. She is only recently mobility-impaired, and tonight was the first time she entered the restaurant using a walker. At 95, her footing is unsurprisingly shaky and her pace is slow. As we approached our table, the owner yelled across the small restaurant: "can you have her move faster? There are other people waiting to get around." Mind you, the restaurant was only half-full at this point. I told him we were doing our best and helped her into her chair. My grand-aunt, the birthday girl, sat in a chair with her back to one of the "aisles"/passageways in the restaurant. Over the course of our dinner, various waiters and the owner himself managed to kick her chair, jostling this poor little woman SIX TIMES. She was pushed in as far as she could go, and each time someone bumped into her, she struggled to maintain her balance. It was so recurring and destabilizing that the dining parties at either side of us also noticed and repeatedly checked to see if she was ok. No apologies were offered by the staff. Our food was fine. I requested a candle in her dessert, and sang her Happy Birthday -- a sweet moment that indicated to the owner that it was a special occasion for this nonagenarian. And yet, as she savored the last bites of her chocolate cake and remaining Prosecco, Carmine yelled across the audience twice: "I really need you to hurry it up, there are other people waiting to be seated." I have worked in food service and obviously understand the necessity of patron turnover, but old people move SLOWLY and it's really, really weird to deny an old lady her birthday cake--favoring profit over 2 decades of fervent customer loyalty. I am able-bodied and young and disturbed to see what treatment older and mobility-impaired people have to endure in public spaces. On their birthdays no less. Until tonight, I have never once tipped below 20% at a restaurant; yet my great-aunt was repeatedly made to feel like a burden at her very favorite restaurant in the world. My unrelentingly optimistic great-aunt expressed a rare moment of real anguish to me as we left. I am deeply disappointed to see that a man with greedy inclinations could make her feel so sad and unwelcome on her 95th birthday. read more

For our first time at Celeste, we were very impressed by the enchanting atmosphere, delicious food and prompt and charming service from our server David. My favorite dish was the fried ricotta appetizer, but you really cannot go wrong with anything on this extensive and authentic menu. read more

I am a medical doctor and was injured and in pain when I visited this restaurant while waiting for a CVS prescription. I asked for a seat that I could access safely due to spinal injuries. A senior staff member refused, demanded I sit in a tight corner or leave, and denied me service despite empty chairs. I was the only Black woman present. This violates basic dignity and ADA requirements for reasonable accommodation. No one with disability should be treated like I was treated. I left his restaurant . read more

First time visiting Celeste, and I was absolutely blown away. The food was fresh, the food was served very quickly (delivered to our table less than 10 minutes after ordering), and the service was attentive. I was also impressed with the amount of options on the menu--pastas, pizzas, seafood dishes, salads, appetizers, and desserts will leave you wanting to try a lot of different things, but I don't think you can go wrong. I'll definitely be back! read more

Celeste - Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Came here for brunch, which is a separate menu from other meals. Prices are extraordinary for this part of Manhattan, but it's cash only. Owner and servers were very nice. Loved the bread they served with olive oil, I saw them freshly toast it in their pizza oven. For the actual meal I got the farro meal, which was creamy farro with a lot of butter, and bits of dried fruit topped in honey. Delicious, creamy, but a little too heavy. Space was cozy and the staff rearranged the tables for our very large group. I would love to return to try out some of their other items. read more

Celeste - Farro meal - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Celeste was a WOW - I'm shocked by some of the lukewarm reviews on Yelp. My friends highly recommended we come here and I was sincerely wowed by all the dishes we had. Make sure to order a pizza. That thin crust margherita pizza was perfectly seasoned with salt and tomato paste and cheesy - might be one of my favorite pizzas in the city. The real star of the show for me, though, was the clam vermicelli... I dream about that buttery, garlic-y pasta to this day. Also loved the lasagna and tiramisu was a must-try! Great service as well. This is definitely an Italian spot I'll be returning to. read more

See all

This spot started out strong but the ending was so terrible it completely ruined the meal. The highlights - easy to get into, great atmosphere, friendly staff and owner personally greeting tables, and very delicious appetizers (we had the special watermelon salad and Burrata). The negatives - the entrees. Absolutely horrific. My husband had the pene mo mo, which was box pasta over a store brand marinara. Zero seasoning, we had to ask for pepper and Parmesan (which came store bought as well). I had the special tagliatelle pesto over bruschetta, which was OK. It lacked seasoning again and the paired ricotta cheese was not the best to complement the other flavors. read more

See all

It was forever between visits, but this place is still so great. We came with our kids for the first time and got the cheese plate, spaghetti with clams, gnocchi sorrentina, and a butter pasta (tomato sauce on the side) for the kids, and we loved everything. That spaghetti with clams is really outstanding, and it should go without saying that the cheeses were as well. We'd probably skip the gelato we got for dessert next time, but there are other desserts that also look great. read more

The food was cold grease undercooked and questionable MANGEMENT The food had poor/ old fried food read more

Delicious food! My husband first brought me here in 2004, we make a point to come here each visit to NYC. We've passed on the tradition to our daughter and her husband. Friendly owner and staff! read more

Wonderful neighborhood italian eatery...this is not your larger, swanky italian restaurant. It's a place locals go after a long day when they wNt good food and some vino. Small, "hole in the wall" place: Tables close together, lively conversations and laughter. Owner flits from table to table to answer any questions and ensure you feel comfortable. Staff are attentive without being too attentive. Good find! read more

If you want to eat real Italian food go here. Been going since they opened and you can't go wrong. Carmine has great staff a pleasure every time and I have lived here over 50 years. True Italian food and it's cash only and reasonable. read more

The food was delicious but small portions. service was friendly and quick except receiving the food. we were the only customers there, and what we ordered was pre-made, so we couldn't understand the timely fashion of receiving our food. also, they only take cash . I'd try them again. Hopefully, the food will come out a little faster read more

Cozy, authentic, and chill - a great place on the UWS that feels somehow like eating in your nonno's dining room.

Scores are higher because they give you a free desert if you complete a review. Truth is food was ok. Tables were too close together, the wait staff was awful. It was so tight the table behind us knocked into us and spilled my wine all over my friend. Then we had to ask 3 times for another glass of wine which never came. We also asked for additional sauce for the Calamari which also never came. It felt chaotic, unprofessional and poorly run. Alice for the owner- raise the prices a bit, have less tables and a better trained staff. We won't be returning. read more

Celeste is a neighborhood favorite. Friendly staff, delicious food, efficient service, casual ambience. Definitely worth the visit if you're in the area and in the mood for Italian read more

Celeste - Torta di Mele - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Outstanding specials everyday and very attentive service! One of the best Italian restaurants in NYC!

Excellent experience paired with a delicious meal. The menu has a vegan section, which made it easy to quickly find out what I could eat! Anastasia, our incredible server, was charming, hilarious, attentive, and generous. There are many Italian restaurants to choose from in this part of the UWS, but Celeste's is a cut above. read more

I've gone to this place multiple times with my family in the past but we've always had mixed feelings. Either it was bad service, rude manager, wrong orders or the cash only rule. However, we've always enjoyed the tasty food that would make up for it. BUT I recently went with my friend and I was absolutely shocked by the unwelcoming manager, waiters and customers. Me and my friend felt like we weren't supposed to be there and felt truly judged by the manager especially. We were polite, dressed correctly and didn't dérange anyone, however we were treated like we were doing all of that. Overall, the food was good, a bit pricey for what it is. Service was fast this time even though we went at non busy hours. I don't recommend going if you aren't italian and can't stand a manager with a god complex! This man needs to be humbled read more

Celeste - pizza - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

My family just had dinner at Celeste Restaurant this evening: if you want to feel welcomed and made to feel comfortable, this is NOT the restaurant for you. I agree with Lucia B's review below (please read). It started for us (party of 3) with trying to make a phone reservation: the owner, Carmine Mitroni, was impatient and said hurry up, as he had others on the phone waiting to talk with him. The restaurant is so small and crowded, patrons find it difficult to squeeze into their seats, and the wait staff have difficulty maneuvering around the room. We had requested separate checks (no issues at any other restaurant) and the owner spoke to us as if we had 3 heads! CASH ONLY (even though website states they accept credit cards). The food and wait staff was acceptable, but the experience was ruined by the attitude of the owner (if he does stop at your table, his conversation does not come across as sincere). I would not recommend this establishment; too many other options! read more

This is my newfound Italian spot!! I had a gift certificate I received last Christmas and decided to use it for brunch today(my birthday weekend). The lovely person Carmine, who was seating everyone, was gracious enough to accept it even though it was only good for 6 months. That started our experience wonderfully. I bought my daughter and a good friend with me. We had the margarita pizza with chili oil. The lasagna and their version of chicken milanese. Everything was amazing!! The lasagna was made with a bechamel sauce. My friend was in heaven. It was the best food we all have had in a while! The waitstaff..lovely!Efficient and all around amazing!! Thank you, guys, for ending my weekend with such a nice experience. Definitely will be going back!!! read more

Celeste - The lasagna - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Cannot speak highly enough of my absolute favorite spot on the UES! Celeste is AUTHENTIC and delicious! Highly recommend calling for a reservation because I have seen people turned away! Every single time we have come, we have had a magical meal. Every pasta dish is absolutely delicious and I have cleaned my plate each time (I usually take leftovers!) make sure to listen to the specials, because my boyfriend has had one each time and loved them! My go to is the Spaghetti Vongole (one of the best I've ever had!) This is your sign to go to Celeste the next chance you get! Can't wait to go back read more

See all

Dinner on a rainy day cash only. Food is great if it's recommended by Stefano, great service. Low music for a pleasant talk over drinks. A recommend a bottle. read more

See all

Freshly prepared, attentive service, not just the usual Italian menu. Simple setting. Go off-hours when possible. Window table is especially nice. Do not choose outdoor seating--Amsterdam Ave provides a cacophony of ambulance sirens and other traffic NOISE. read more