Been searching for good Italian in Harlem for a while...this place didn't really do it for me! Ordered the basic spaghetti and meatballs, it was bland. I received a huge amount of spaghetti though so i do commend them for portion size. I got 3 large meatballs and found them flavorless as well. I had the same opinion about the garlic bread and goat cheese. There was, however, one standout item in my order - the coconut cake! I'm not a fan of coconut deserts but I became a believer today! They serve the cake swimming in a rich and creamy sauce that compliments the cake perfectly, I give it 5 stars but since everything else was a no for me I felt 2 stars was appropriate for the experience as a whole. Im open to the possibility that there might be other pasta dishes that are better than what I ordered today, and will update my review accordingly if I try this place again read more

I came here on a Sunday evening with three friends, and this place is packed! We had a 35 minute wait, but the time sped by as we listened to the live jazz and were able to order drinks and an appetizer ahead of time. We ordered the garlic bread with goat cheese, it was good and worth ordering. I had the maltagliati pasta which has lamb ragu and it was a good dish. I've spent a few weeks all over Italy and I haven't heard of this dish before. I'm not a huge fan of tomato sauce, but I liked this one. We ordered the affogato for dessert and it was delicious! Service was great. Worth a visit when in the area. read more

See all

17 Syllables about Pisticci Best of Morningside Homemade pasta to die for Modest portion size read more

A great place with authentic Italian food and great atmosphere. Great polenta and meatballs!

This is a solid brunch spot in Harlem, near Columbia University. I'm pretty sure I have had the best scramble and on the lightest, most flaky and buttery croissant in all of NY at Pisticci last weekend. I also split an order of pancakes with my niece...lemon ricotta with seasonal fruit elevated the meal beyond words...and my super cool server kept the flowing just like I needed. #Winning read more

3 years later and we now commute to eat here whenever we can! My parents stay on the UWS when they're in town and we always take them to Pisticci. It's become a family favorite and it's remained our favorite Italian restaurant since we first tried it 3 years ago! One time I was even in New Jersey and was like, "hey, we're not that far from Pisticci!" And then we cabbed it over the GW just to eat there. Pisticci is the best! read more

How nice to be able to sit outside and eat in New York as spring blossoms forth, particularly when a restaurant has adapted well to Covid requirements and restrictions. We ordered four items for three adults and one child including two different pastas, the skirt steak done medium and the striped bass. From that point on, our waitress was "missing in action," as things went rapidly down hill. The pasta arrived along with the steak, but where is the fish? We waited several minutes. No fish in sight. Tested the steak ordered medium - raw inside. Server comes into view, takes back the steak and says the fish is on the way. Pasta is cooling rapidly. More time. The steak comes back. It looks like a new one - certainly not the one the I cut into. It's equally raw. Still no fish. Call the manager. The waitress is nowhere in sight, Manager arrives. The steak goes back a second time and the fish finally arrives - uncooked in the middle! Then the steak arrives for the third time - charred to death, tough as rubber and tasteless. Unless Pisticci promoted the dishwasher to head chef, there is no good explanation. Management and wait staff were equal disasters. If you want to ruin a nice evening or punish someone, take them to Pisticci. I certainly will not be there to say, "See, I told you so." read more

I was looking to meet friends in the area, and Pisticci stood out because of it's great prices, variety of options on the menu (including vegetarian options) and also because the ambiance. I ordered the Meatballs with Polenta, while my friends ordered the Prosciutto E Spinaci, Fettucine Ai Fungi, and Orecchiete Broccoli Rabe. We also had the Garlic Bread as an appetizer. Ambiance is key for me, and this place was perfect - we could chat comfortably. We also weren't rushed to order and everything felt so leisurely. The menu also was diverse and I thoroughly enjoyed the portions and the dishes. read more

Fresh ingredients artfully prepared. Delicious! Homemade pasta and garden to table provisions!!! read more

Pisticci is my absolute favorite Italian restaurant, and my go-to place for a celebratory meal! The food is always perfectly prepared and fresh, the service is always friendly, and the ambiance is perfect for a cozy romantic date or gathering with close friends. The only challenge is the wait, be prepared to wait at least 30 minutes (usually more) on a weekend night. But believe me, it is so worth the wait! Grab one of their delicious seasonal cocktails at the bar and relax while waiting for your table! The menu at Pisticci is pretty simple, but has plenty of variety to meet your tastes. Michael's Pasta is one of my favorites, cavatelli with tomatoes, spinach, and aged caciotta cheese. The fettuccini Ai funghi is also amazing! They always have delicious and fresh specials, I've had the most amazing seafood pasta with a white wine tomato sauce. I still dream about how good that was, with a campanalle-type of pasta and perfectly cooked shrimp, muscles, clams, and calamari. The only thing is their dessert menu leaves a little to be desired. Most people rave about the coconut cake, which is great if you like coconut. The berries and cream is great but I'd prefer a few more options. read more

Since they opened for lunch Wednesday through Sunday I have been there weekly for a glass of wine and a mid-day repast. Great staff, great food, outdoor tables and great coffee and desserts if you are still hungry. read more

Amazing food, service and atmosphere even now with COVID-19 outside service!!! Everything I have ever ordered has been fantastic! Whether pasta, fish, meat or vegetarian-there is something for everyone! Made to order-fresh food and a great place with friends, family or a date! read more

Wow, totally blown away by this off-the-beaten-track Italian restaurant. It's a pretty basic Italian menu, but everything on our table was delicious. I really, truly recommend the fettucini with mushrooms, which includes three different types of mushrooms in a oil and shallot sauce. So, so good. Mushroom delight. The ravioli was also scrumptious! And how often can you say that the house wine was also a delight? Our waitress was pretty spunky and snarky. I don't think everyone would have liked her overly casual attitude. However, knowing that we were in a rush, she brought us the dessert menu or the check. Thinking that far in advance, she won many points from our table. I'll be back as soon as I have the opportunity, for sure! read more

I've been to Pisticci a few times already. It's become a favorite brunch spot for me and a few of my friends. What keeps us coming back is their Lemon Ricotta Pancakes. Like they say, it is CRAZY delicious. The lemon ricotta curd is amazing. Order a mimosa on the side, and it's a brunch well done. It's always not too busy, so you don't have to wait too long for brunch. With its cute, romantic atmosphere, it is a great place to meet up with a friend for brunch or a lunch date. It's little pricey for the area, but that's really its only downfall. I wish more people knew about this place. It's truly a hidden gem in West Harlem. read more

Pisticci - Lemon Pancakes...yum - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Very good restaurant I guess now waitress no mask is ok gave free bread ask if you want butter Ordered garlic bread 9 dollars plus 2 if you want goat cheese on it-- was looking forward to it but disappointed.It was very greasy soaked in butter oil and not much garlic flavor. I prefer their complimentary bread - mussels baby mussels very nice in tomato broth not spicy and very flavorful and tender 15 dollars - fettuccini with mushrooms- I substituted paperdelle and the waitress said ok but then I found out that she charged me an extra 4 dollars without telling me--- actually I am not sure she knew why. When I questioned it she said the extra 4 dollars was for the seafood pasta but then I told her I did not order seafood pasta and then she told me it was for the papperdelle. I thought 4 dollars was quite pricey considering the dish price is 18 dollars. - steak was ok - chicken was good - salmon was as expected overall meal good portion size is very good! read more

Large portions, inconsistent execution (portion sizes were totally different between two pasta dishes, one dish had crazy overcooked pasta), watered down pasta sauces, cute atmosphere. read more

Always great cocktails & food. Go here often when visiting New York - you will NOT have a bad meal here.

Yes, I love you Pisticci. Walking inside Pisticci is reminiscent of a small New England restaurant or someone's kitchen in San Franscisco. The food is simple and well executed. My loved one's Birthday dinner consisted of Fettucine ai funghi, Fettucine Granchio, fresh steamed mussels in tomato basil sauce, followed by a dessert of chocolate mousse and hot chocolate. Their fettucine is home made, the mussels are fresh, the sauce is slightly salty and sweet (of which I kept dipping the bread into). We laughed and talked, and took our time to enjoy the food. Our waiter was bubbly and had great timing. It was as if he had eyes in the back of his head. I loved the medley of mushrooms in the Fettucine ai funghi. And the Fettucine Granchio had large chunks of crab, covered by parmesan and balanced by the slight bitterness of radicchio. The chocolate mousse was rich and topped with raspberries and mint. Thank you for another great dinner Pisticci. read more

Pisticci - Fettucine Granchio - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

See all

While it appears from the street to be a small, Italian restaurant, Pisticci actually has a large back room with plenty of seating for large parties. We were promptly seated and water was brought quickly to our tables. Our servers were all very friendly and helpful, especially for those in our party who had dietary restrictions. Food and drinks were served promptly. I had the orecchiette pasta and I substituted the sausage for meatballs. The pasta was perfectly cooked and the sauce tasted great. The meatballs were full of flavor and perfectly moist. Our table drank the house red wine which was an affordable choice. Our waitstaff made sure we always had wine in our glasses! Lastly, desert was really delicious. We had both the tiramisu and the coconut cake. While I love a good tiramisu, GET THE COCONUT CAKE. It was the perfect way to end the meal. The great food and service along with the rustic, Italian Wine-cellar atmosphere made this a great dinner and I'll be sure to return. read more

Such a great restaurant and they successfully adapted to COVID-19 both in the summer and now in the winter. They have excellent heat lamps for outdoor dining, but seating is limited so definitely make a reservation! My partner and I have been going to Pisticci for more than two years and the quality of the food and wine has always been excellent. read more

The garlic bread was indeed what all the other yelpers said. Yummy. This place is the cutest little hideaway. It's like you are escaping the city and going to a little quiet sanctuary. Well at least at lunch. I had the pisticci and this mozzeralla heavy dish was perfect. Just the right amount of tomato sauce and yellow and red tomato. A good portion side as well. The only thing was that I wish they had the mussels that were on the menu because I am a big mussel fan. Mussel me please. All in all a good little place to eat read more

We finally made it for dinner. The hits... +1 for the completely cozy atmosphere and seasonal drinks menu; Spiked cider (although strange service of it...)!!! +1 for the disturbingly cute server who answered all the questions on the menu including finding out the origin of the striped bass +1 for being CO2 neutral and certified greendine +2 for the mussels in tomato sauce which were so flavourful and the accompanying bread to soak up the broth +1 for perfectly al dente spaghetti that you can order to share which is great for having in addition to a shared appetizer The misses... -1 for having the heat cranked up. Having to strip out of a sweater for dinner isn't necessary, especially if you're bragging about being green. -1 the meatballs were under-seasoned and without texture, reminiscent of the meatballs you would find in canned Spaghettios I would readily return for dinner here and just order the spaghetti without meatballs, which is an option. And I look hot in a tank top while housing a plate of pasta, so my date actually got better with the overheating. A great option that is close but not overwhelmed by Columbia. read more

I adore this place. I've been here twice on Saturdays for brunch and neither time was super crowded. The restaurant itself is probably the cutest one out of any restaurant in that immediate vicinity. The staff are so kind and welcoming. It's just a really charming place with friendly people and really good food. The first time I went I had the pancakes and they were amazing. The second time I went, I had the spaghetti with meatballs and it was PERFECT. Brunch cocktails are very reasonable. This is a great deal for the quality of what it is. This restaurant is much bigger than it looks from the outside. You can definitely hear yourself talk in here. And yesterday I went alone and it was the perfect environment for eating and reading a book alone. Super cozy environment. I only wish I lived closer so I could go more often. I've definitely been casual the both times I went there and felt quite welcomed. There's something really nice, clean, quiet and well paced here that feels quite unique for this bustling city. read more

Pisticci - Perfect place to brunch alone! - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

See all

I came for my bday dinner and loved it! The staff was polite and very attentive. We were there by 5pm when they open for dinner and we were seated quickly. The restaurant was very pretty- from the flower wallpaper, to the antique fixings and paintings on the walls. The waitress was very patient in explaining the specials of the day. We ordered garlic bread with goat cheese which was served quickly and flavorful. Definitely would recommend. I had the Maltagliatti with ricotta, spinach and lamb. The plate was beautiful and the dish was savory. The same goes for the fettuccine al funghi (with mushrooms) which my friend got with chicken added for extra $. My mom got the black Angus skirt steak, and man who ever cooked it was a wizard. The steak was so magical. We asked for no pink, so they went with well done, which I thought was going to be dry and burnt. You could have been more wrong, that was these JUICIEST steak I've ever had. I wish I had gotten it too! (The only downer was the meatballs with polenta. The meatballs were very dry which was surprising since the steak was so juicy and delicious. The polenta and sauce were really delicious) TLDR: GO HERE AND EAT THE DELICIOUS FOOD. read more

See all

I was truly impressed by this place, I wasn't sure what to expect as I came here solely because I was in the area and it had great Yelp reviews. They had a cute live band playing, it's a pretty big spot with 3 rooms of space. The food is DELICIOUS as well! The service is friendly, quick and efficient. They have a decent wine selection as well read more

Pisticci - Maltagliati - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

See all

i came here with a party of 5 in the fall. the food was very, very good but the service was awful. we waited 45 minutes, i think they forgot about us. read more

Amazing Italian food on the UWS. We had a reservation for 6:30pm and arrived a few minutes early. We were quickly seated and ordered a few drinks and the burrata appetizer. Would highly recommend the Air Italia cocktail with any meal. We had the mushroom fettuccine and the penne, which were also excellent. Sam, our server, was wonderful. Would highly recommend for any dinner date night. read more

Although I'm not a huge fan of Italian food (I prefer to not have a bloated stomach) this place was top notch. Here's why. 1. Ambience was great. Low lit lights and brick stone walls brought a cozy and inviting atmosphere. 2. Pretty decent selection of food. They has about 9 choices per section--appetizer, antipasto, pasta, entree, and desert. 3. PRICE. You get the bang for your buck here. There was no meal greater than $20. If you're a student this place is high quality and very affordable. They also give free bread! read more

See all

I went again with a few friends for dinner on a Tuesday night and unfortunately was not impressed. Service was extremely slow/nonexistent, and I had to ask for the menu, bread, AND the check. Atmosphere is cute and cozy but the food was just so-so Here's what we had Creamy polenta with melted provolone cheese: it was to heavy and not memorable. LA SPAGHETTATA (single portion): the taste was okay, not the best and definitely NOT filling Maltagliati with ricotta, spinach and lamb: it was kind-of like a messy lasagna and it tasted alright. i know there was meat in it, but it wasn't a distinct taste Minestrone: just so-so Recommendations *go to Max Soha on Amsterdam and123, it's better and more authentic *if you MUST go, there's not really a crowd at 5:30, but it starts to get really busy between 6:00-7:00; but they don't take incomplete parties, so make sure everyone is present as you enter read more

The employees are SO nice and friendly and the atmosphere is so cozy. This is my home away from home. Tiramisu and the coconut cake are the 2 best desserts. Get the Prosciutto e Spinaci pasta with their homemade fettuccine. If you only have pasta's here, try their creamy polenta as a side to share. Amazing. read more

I absolutely adore this place. The food is top notch, prices are affordable even for college students, and the service is always on point. Food: Garlic bread (3/5): significantly better with the goat cheese Spaghetti (3/5) Orecchiette broccoli rabe (5/5): I definitely recommend adding the spicy sausage! My friend's favorite dish, I've had this more times than I can count. What makes the dish is the luscious rich sauce. Maltagliati (5/5): My favorite dish, especially on a cold day. The ragu is so tender, the thick noodles perfectly cooked, tomato sauce perfectly paired, and the ricotta a nice touch of richness. Desserts: Tiramisu (4/5), Coconut Cake (4/5) read more

Pisticci never disappoints and the staff is always attentive. We usually eat there for dinner as they serve one of the best lamb ragouts in NYC. The maltagliati with ricotta and spinach is always a success ( addicted to this dish). Their dinner specials are always perfectly executed and delicious. We went brunch just recently when the weather was nice and found the best lemon ricotta pancakes ever....talk about light and fluffy and full of flavor I am salivating writing about it. The service is always good even when they are swamped which is often and the food comes out hot and as advertised. The wine selection is good. The only thing I can say that isn't 100% positive is they took off the menu the crushed capers in olive oil which was one of the cities tastiest. read more

I came here for brunch because my best friend lives around the corner and didn't know anything about the restaurant beforehand. I am so surprised the average rating is 4 stars??? What turned me off the most was the service. The waitress was rude and very impatient when taking our orders. We came in a large group and wrote what item to charge to what card and she came back and told us to total it. Does she not have a calculator? Also the portions were small - most of my plate was salad when it was supposed to be just a side. The decor is charming though. read more

Pisticci - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Beautiful. Delicious. Cozy. A perfect dinner with great ambience. Can't wait to go back. read more

I would give 3.5. Bread-average. Hard crust and soft inside. Could be better if served warm. Average quality of olive oil that lacks the aroma. Fettuccine Ai Funghi-average. Lots of mushrooms. Mild sauce. Average quality of fettuccine noodles. Overall not that impressive flavor. Notable aftertaste of garlic. Penne Pisticci-average. Fresh tomatoes and mild sauce. Melted mozzarella cheese. Average quality of penne. Maltagliati with ricotta, spinach and lamb-good. Savory lamb ragu. Half raw spinach. Chewy flat pasta. Fresh ricotta that melts in your mouth. Black angus skirt steak-delicious. Medium rare. Good quality of steak. Super juicy. Not hard to chew. read more

Great outdoor dining setup. Food is always awesome here and the staff are courteous and helpful. Highly recommend making reservations in advance. read more

This cute restaurant is close to Columbia and I really enjoyed my meal here - both the tastes & the atmosphere was excellent! Dinner had a bit of a wait even on a weeknight, and they wouldn't seat us until our entire party was present (understandable). I loved that the food here is quite affordable and also plentiful for the price point. I had their "Proscuitto e spinaci" ($10.95) - it was so delicious and really light, which I appreciated because I find most Italian places go so heavy handed on their sauces, creams, etc... They also offer different specials for the night, but I would definitely inquire about the price tag - my cousin & bf each got their seafood pasta special and it costs $25 per plate. Just so you won't get a sticker shocker when the bill comes. Overall: if I lived in this area, I would most definitely be back! read more

Really well-made and fresh Italian food. Especially their Papardelle alla Bolognese and an insanely yummy coconut cake that will totally blow your mind. Considerate service and timely and well-packaged deliveries are just the cherry on the cake that is this establishment. read more

For somewhere "farm to table" and "table to farm," I found that Pisticci offers very little in the way of vegan cuisine. Despite calling in advance and being reassured that there were plenty of options, upon actually arriving it seemed that these options were vegan by omitting portions of the dish rather than accommodating for changes. For example, the "Vegetarian's Delight" dish could have easily been made vegan by simply substituting the cheesy polenta for regular polenta, yet the server said this could only be done by charging for each aspect of the dish as a side (i.e. $8 + $8 + $7), making a $15 dish $24 while actually including fewer ingredients. This seems a little ridiculous to me! My friend and I ended up sharing 2 pasta dishes (the fettuccine al fungi + Michael's pasta, and we had to change the pasta to spaghetti and penne to make the dishes vegan). They were good, although I did feel that the mushrooms in the fettuccine were not cooked thoroughly (the insides of many were still quite raw. This space is beautiful and the bread + EVOO was great, but overall I was disappointed with this place as a vegan. read more

After walking around Grant's Memorial and Sakura Park nearby, my friend and I made a spontaneous decision to eat here. This place has been on my radar specifically for the last 8 years or so (since I grew up around here). However, for some reason, I never made it until now. We were whisked away into a magical land of great cocktails, amazing Italian food, with a vintage homey vibe and a side of classy live musicians. Waiting around 20-25 minutes near the bar area, the time seemed to fly by as my date and I sipped cocktail after cocktail, while absorbing the ambiance and the paintings on the wall. Whiskey Twist and then the Grapefruit Martini (~$14-15). They were on the large side and inclusive of tax so it was worth it. When we were seated, I couldn't help but take in the character of the place. Pisticci (named after the place in Italy that the owners are from) has such character and charm that I had heart eyes all over the place. Floral vintage wallpaper, vintage plates hanging on the wall, dim yet romantic lighting, & waiters that know absolutely what you want before you even speak it. I absolutely fell in love here. The garlic bread with goat cheese. Fettuccine Ai Funghi (for all mushroom lovers like me). Meatballs over Polenta. The Hemingway. Then, some digestivos like Baileys on the rocks & frangelico. Not sure if it was the vibe of the place or the constant drinks coming my way...but I fell in love with the magic of this place. read more

See all