Café Fiorello has quickly become one of my favorite restaurants in New York City. From the moment you walk in, the warm atmosphere and beautiful dark cherry wood décor make the space feel classic, elegant, and inviting. You can tell it's a local favorite, and after dining here, I completely understand why. We started with the Caesar salad, which was fresh, flavorful, and a great way to begin the meal. I ordered the Chicken Pepperoni Parmesan, and it was absolutely outstanding. I've had a similar dish at another New York restaurant, but this version was far better. It was made with a real, juicy chicken breast instead of ground chicken, and every bite was delicious. My husband ordered the linguine with clams and couldn't stop talking about how good it was. He's very picky and usually has strong opinions about restaurants, so when he told me this definitely belongs on our list of favorite New York restaurants, I knew it was a winner. The service was just as impressive as the food. The staff was friendly, attentive, and made us feel genuinely welcome throughout the entire meal. If you're looking for a classic New York dining experience with excellent food, great service, and a beautiful atmosphere, Café Fiorello is definitely worth a visit. We'll absolutely be back! read more

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I've been going to Fiorello's for 2 decades. Nobody has ever said it's the best culinary spot, but it's near lincoln center and the vibes are on point. However I'm very upset as of tonight, the lasagna is now drastically different. That was one of my favorite dishes to eat in NYC, why did we need to change the lasagna. I even had it on my wedding night, the day I graduated from college, truly very hard to believe it is off the menu. If we need two types of lasagna for whatever reason fine, but please bring back the old lasagna. It was a special dish. read more

I think it was very expensive for what it is. The service was ok-waiter was ok not great. Hostess was fantastic. The food is good but not great. Everything is a charge including bread. I just wasn't that impressed especially for the price. read more

It was my cousin's birthday weekend and she requested for us to go to her favorite restaurant. Of course I happily went with her to try it out! Located across from Lincoln Center, Cafe Fiorello is a spacious Italian restaurant with a very extensive menu. We came when brunch was still being served but we were able to order from the regular menu. We decided to order the bread to start and then the chicken marsala to share. At the end of our meal, the staff came over and sang to my cousin and brought over a delicious slice of cheesecake. The chocolate sauce that it came with was beyond decadent, pretty sure I will be dreaming about it later. Note: Our waitress was so attentive and sweet, if you dine here ask for Ianna! read more

Came before a performance at the MET Opera House. Having reservations, we were seated immediately. Service and food were great. Entrees are very large. Two of us shared the seafood with linguini (delicious). The chicken parm was fabulous and HUGE, we took it home and ate it for a few days. Drinks were great as was the tartufo for dessert. Highly recommend Fiorello's. read more

21st February 2026 New York, NY The gang were all here again for the annual cuz fest! - Our darling cousin's birthday celebration on the 21st of February, we were all seated at the bend of the the famous Antipasto Bar. The perfectly marvelous waitstaff attended to our every desire like a well oiled machine. They are so well sequenced and charming. The team here always looks like they are having fun, and that adds to the ambience! We celebrated the afternoon with much merriment and several courses of delicious cuisine, ending with gelato and a sublime birthday tiramisù dessert topped with candle for making a wish! As if you didn't already know, Fiorello's is the totally quintessential New York fun old school Italian restaurant across from Lincoln Center that everyone loves. We love it when the stars line up as they did today, and as they always do! Looking forward to seeing you again next year, or perhaps even sooner for another celebration. Enjoy! Café Fiorello, Grazie mille! Thank you again and again! read more

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We visited Cafe Fiorello today and opted for their three-course lunch prix-fixe menu, which is an amazing deal at $39.95 per person. Across the board, the portions were impressively large and definitely gave us our money's worth! For the first course, the appetizers were all an absolute hit with our table. The dishes were beautifully presented, featuring fresh options like the Caprese Salad with housemade burrata and the Smoked Salmon Bruschetta. It also ended up being a fantastic and accommodating experience for my young daughters. They happily split the Fried Calamari from the first course and the Rigatoni alla Vodka from the main course selections. The calamari came nicely plated with hot cherry peppers and dipping sauce on the side. To make the pasta more kid-friendly, we requested the vodka sauce on the side so we could regulate the amount they ate, and the restaurant brought out a beautiful plate of rigatoni generously topped with fresh cheese exactly as requested. They dipped their rigatoni in the little ramekins that we poured the sauce in and then they ended just drinking the sauce after they long finished the rigatoni. Between the massive portions, the accommodating kitchen, and the delicious food, I can't recommend Cafe Fiorello enough. We will absolutely be back! read more

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Went here for lunch with my family before the ballet. It's conveniently located across from Lincoln Center. Although the place was busy and the service was quick, I was not super thrilled with the food. Presentation of food was nice though. We started off with beets, they were ok. I ordered the quinoa and avocado salad with shrimp. It was good, but I have had better. Would not go running back. read more

Cafe Fiorello - Quinoa & Avocado Salad with shrimp - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

I was always kind of skeptical that this would be a tourist trap, but I finally tried Cafe Fiorello and it was actually good! We lucked out because our waitress at Sunday brunch this past weekend was so sweet, attentive and thoughtful. She really did her best to anticipate our needs. We triedthe 3 vegetable antipasti plate and picked the arancini, butternut squash "lasagna" and fava bean salad. Every item was delicious though pricey at $28 for the tasting size plate. We also had the banana pecan pancakes and they were sooo fluffy and delicious. The chocolate sauce they came with was just excellent. We were able to get a patio table for 2 with no wait and the hostess put us in a spot that had plenty of space for my wheelchair. I only wish they had more umbrellas as we were baking. read more

This is a great location just across from Lincoln Center--so of course I was skeptical of the quality : ) No need for skepticism. 5/8/26 was my first visit, and it won't be my last. Next time I will probably just sit at the bar and enjoy the lovely antipasto options. Three of us started our meal with three options from the antipasto bar (which you can see displayed as you enter). We had the Caponata (outstanding, I could have just eaten this for my meals all week long), butternut squash pasta (wow, so flavorful), and asparagus (ordered by the picky eater in the group, which I didn't eat but looked good). For meals we had the spaghetti with meatballs, chicken parmigiana (massive portion), and a strozzapreti with pesto. The Strozzapreti was the standout meal. I'll look forward to my next visit! read more

We were walking down the street checking out menus when Fiorellos menu caught my eye. It offers a vegetable antipasto. I love vegetables. I ordered the mushrooms, the vegetable tart and the artichoke . You had the option to choose three or five kinds of vegetables. The mushrooms were a little spicey but good. The other two had mire subtle but interesting tastes read more

Cafe Fiorello - Front door - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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My eggplant parmigiana was truly one of the best I have ever had. Eggplant parmigiana is one of my all time, favorite dishes, so I love to order it as my first choice in an Italian restaurant. And, It was ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS here !!! I loved that I could also order a half portion of pasta with my entree. Food wishes do come true ....sometimes LOL....The menu has a large variety of selections, truly, something to please everyone, and I was wishing that I could taste the Cacio y Pepe spaghetti with fried artichokes, but I had decided to order eggplant parmigiana as my main course. I did see on the large menu that I could add a half portion of pasta, with my entree, however, the pasta I wanted to try was not on that list. So, for all those people who don't like to ask...I did ask, and our server brought it to our table, and it was DELICIOUS! We were too full to order dessert, since we finished our lovely, generous portions. But, NEXT TIME, I will order dessert!! I shall pace myself LOL. My friend had the Caesar salad and added the chicken paillard. She enjoyed the salad, and I consider her a Caesar salad expert, since she orders it so often, but she said that the chicken paillard, was good, but she has had better. Since I didn't taste it, (she offered) I can only say that the dish was served beautifully and it was a generous portion. See my photos. In brief-I LOVED MY MEAL, the service was very nice, the hostess outside was so very nice, she was professional, friendly, and welcoming. The epitome of a fine hostess . I absolutely recommend Cafe Fiorella! Make a reservation if you can, but, if you are dining spur of the moment, don't hesitate to visit the restaurant. There is lovely outdoor seating, as well as indoor seating. I look forward to my return visit !! read more

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It's right across from Lincoln Center, so it was very convenient since we were going to the Opera there. I think that is how most folks end up here. We ordered Brunch since it seemed like that was the only option. After we ordered, we found out we could have ordered from the regular menu, which looked a lot more interesting. Brunch was good but was pretty standard. The service was outstanding and we saw them deal with some difficult customers in a very professional way. One other small issue was our table was crammed into a space where there was very little space on either side to accommodate a large amount of foot traffic. read more

Cafe Fiorello has been a stellar fixture in the areas surrounding Lincoln Center for The Performing Arts since 1974. Known as the institution for its authentic breakfast, lunch, brunch & dinner; when people arrive they feel at home. A shocker to believe, that around LCPA; Cafe Fiorello is moderately price and deliciously amazing. Serving old-school Italian food, priced and charm, family-run atmosphere, and traditional red-sauce dishes, Cafe Fiorello's long-standing of exceptional and exquisite Food, Service and authenticity. if you LOVE savoring authentic Italian cuisine...what are you waiting for? Cafe Fiorello is waiting to serve you. read more

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Wow! Packed after the Opera. Make reservations. Great food, tight space. Some people were at bar and huge line when we left. read more

Cafe Fiorello - Eggplant and pepperoni chicken parm - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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Food is excellent. Portions are oversized and too much pre-theater. When asked about sizes and sharing, server dissuaded. WRONG. What a waste. Theater goers BEFORE PERFORMANCE do not.do "to go/doggie bags"... Cafe Fiorello would do well to consider a smaller/tasting menu for early/late night diners. The restaurant is directly across from Lincoln Center on Broadway. Reservations suggested. A bit noisy, but try sitting at bar as next choice if no reservation available. Outside dining subject to street noise and fumes from traffic. read more

{Overall: 4; Food: 4} Ambiance: 4; Service: 4 Café Fiorello is my favorite restaurant in the Lincoln Center area. It's a great spot for lunch or a pre-theater dinner. They serve great Italian food, and I've enjoyed everything I've had here. I definitely recommend choosing something from the Vegetable Antipasto Bar. Two standouts I recently loved from that part of the menu were the Sausage and Peppers and the Broccoli Rabe Aglio e Olio. All the pastas I've tried have been consistently good. The vibe is cozy and charming, with that classic old-school New York vibe. Many of the diners seem like neighborhood regulars. Service is good, and prices are reasonable for the area. read more

The service is always top notch. The prix fixe is a steal. I had the Caprese salad and the chicken parm. It was delicious. Followed by the tiramisu. I'm not huge on tiramisu but this one was especially good. Not too sweet, not too soft and perfect amount of coffee. read more

Cafe Fiorello - Caprese Salad - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Wow! I can not say enough about our experience here! The atmosphere was electric and romantic, the food was amazing and the service was top notch. We came before a show at The Met. We shared the chicken parmesan and each got side of pasta....was more than enough for us both. The food came out quickly, the waiter had suggested the popular dishes so we wouldn't risk missing show and he was spot on! Unbelievable food and vibe! Highly recommend. read more

this is our go to spot before seeing a show at Lincoln Center and I definitely recommend making a reservation here as far as you can. The service is very attentive and they move you in and out of there quickly, especially if you let them know that you are seeing a show. The portions are decently sized, so usually my family and I end up sharing some of the vegetable anti-pasta and then a few entrées amongst all of us. The chicken Parm is nothing to brag about, but it does the trick and is very tender. The lamb special was delicious with very tender meat and mashed potatoes. They have food for all types of diets here and the atmosphere is very New York City read more

Cafe Fiorello - Chicken Parmigiana Alla Vodka - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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I have to say I was wowed with my meal tonight. I was hesitant given the score on yelp. The apps were pretty small so if you're sharing with a big group order many. When the meal started I was underwhelmed seeing that BUT my main really sold me. I ordered the crab and avocado salad. I was worried it would be a puny salad with little to no crab which was a gamble for the price point. But I was happily surprised with the plentiful portion of crab! It had a TON! The salad was perfect! Well chopped and filling. Then we ordered several desserts to share and couldn't even finish them. Great meal. Glad I came back after one bad date experience read more

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I came here to eat their pre fixe lunch menu before the ballet across the street. The mocktail was fantastic as was the tiramisu, but the Caesar salad was a bit below average and the main, their "famous" chicken parmesan was... disappointing. The boasting title gave me high expectations and they just did not deliver. Would not return honestly. I wouldn't be worried about the price if the food measured up, but it's not worth it. It's a $20, maybe $30 meal including desert but it's served for $55. I guess you're paying for the empty glasses that'll be taken away on the table and cloth napkins lol. read more

Cafe Fiorello is a New York classic, especially for a decent meal before seeing a show at Lincoln Center. I have been coming here for a pre-ballet pizza pie since I was a kid. The pizza here is a must, and has an especially thin and crispy crust. On this particular occasion I also ordered a caesar salad, which was excellent. The salad is large and comes with just lettuce, cheese, and croutons, but they will add other toppings for you free of charge. The dressing was definitely house-made and was incredible. The service here was also excellent. The food came quickly, which is important, especially when you have a show to catch next door! read more

Cafe Fiorello - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Vegetarian friendly! Butternut squash lasagna does not have pasta. It is just squash and cheese which I did not mind but it was not what I expected. Hoping to save you guys from that same let down. Not shown, Caprese salad: I did not love it. I wanted to because the pizza was delicious but the caprese salad was lacking in my opinion, the burrata was extremely fresh but the rest of the salad was just lacking. Thin crust margerita pizza definitely recommended as an appetizer and not a meal. read more

Cafe Fiorello - Margherita - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Brunch here is delicious. Had the sausage broccolini cheddar cheese omelette, which was perfection and comes with a side of Cacio E Pepe fries. Make sure to start with the garlic bread - so good! My friend swears by the penne ads vodka which you can get as a half plate instead of the full serving. One friend was a little upset with their burrata and prosciutto salad because as you can see in the picture, it wasn't really a salad. Cocktails and wines great as well. If you get the espresso martini, take note that they sprinkle hazelnuts on top. We opted for them to leave it off. Service was spotty. We thought our waiter might be new. It was hard to find him and constantly had to ask for things such as take our order, bring us condiments, order more drinks, bring us the bill. Perfect spot for people watching if you sit outside! read more

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I have eaten here many times, and have never been disappointed with either the food or the outstanding service. However on March 14th I sat by the front window and ordered brunch. At the same time I noticed the preparation at the anti pasta bar which I've always found to be of the best quality and freshness. I ordered scrambled eggs with bacon and coffee specifically I asked for eggs that were well done and I asked for a coffee with skim milk. The eggs arrived very loose and I never received the coffee, except afterwards I was asked if I wanted coffee with dessert. Also, none of the tables were set with salt and pepper. I did complain to management. However it was a pleasure observing the anti pasta bar server bring out of the fresh anti pasta. read more

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I came here for dinner with a group of five. We were all going to see a Free Summer Event at Lincoln Center afterwards. The proximity to Lincoln Center makes this restaurant a great choice for before or after a show. The restaurant itself was very attractive. They gave us a round table, which I love for a group dinner. Three of us ordered pasta dishes, two of us ordered the Pick 3 option of Vegetable Antipasto. I was one of the Antipasto people. I selected the Sicilian Eggplant Caponata, Broccoli Rabe Aglio e Oilio, and a Ricotta Cheese Ball. The eggplant dish was cold, which I was warned before I ordered it, but it was my least favorite of my plate. I LOVED the Broccoli Rabe and the Cheese Ball, though. After dinner, we drank coffees and shared vanilla gelato. The presentation of the gelato with the cookie on top, was very nice. I also really loved the dish it was served in, on top of a doily. For me, its little touches like that, that elevate the dish. On your way out, make sure you stop by the maitre-d-stand, and take a piece of chocolate in a napkin, to nibble on your way out the door. It was really nice chocolate. read more

I was here with my family on a Sunday Afternoon after mass. The food was amazing! We had the Bruschetta & Calamari for appetizers. For our entrees my mom had the Salmon, my dad had the Chicken Marsala, my brother had the Chicken Parm, and I had the Margherita Pizza w/ Burrata. The staff were friendly and ambiance was al fresco with outdoor dining. read more

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Café Fiorello used to be a favorite; we've been lunching there for decades. But something's changed, and that's hospitality. On my last visit, the manager was unaccommodating and arrogant. The restaurant has a great location and a captive audience. But the combination of its generally high prices and lack of courtesy isn't a good one. read more

Old school italian. All foods are good and you would not go wrong. Good presentation. Great after Lincoln center events. Price is not unaffordably high but not cheap. read more

Cafe Fiorello - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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SERVICE (POOR!) Saturday brunch June 6 Maître d' never looked at us...ask for our name THREE times, including last time spelling P..A..R..K..S! Showed us to a table and tossed down the menus...mumbling the name of a waiter. Waiter finally showed up...did the water...and left. Returning soon with menus which he put on the table...the whole time very speechless...no engagement. Almost brusque and certainly uncaring. Took our order similarly. Food arrived promptly...that was good. Brought the bill on request and I gave a reduced tip. We walked past the Maître d' and no glance or word. We have had better service at cafeterias! WON'T BE GOING BACK read more

I highly recommend Cafe Fiorello. Yes its right across the street from Lincoln Center, so you may think its a tourist trap (wrong!). Yes there will be out of towners there at any time, but it showcases why NYC is a top tier city for restaurants. It can handle large groups as well as walk-ins without a reservation, even at peak times. The wait staff is attentive and the food very delicious. I'm always happy to go there when attending an event in the area read more

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Came here with my partner for their signature open-faced lasagna with meatballs, short rib beef, and burrata. It was my third visit, and my partner has been coming here for years. I always enjoy their selection at the vegetable antipasto bar. We did the three-for-$27 option and had the mushroom trifolati, truffle potato pie, and cauliflower Milanese as appetizers. All of them were flavorful and generously portioned, but the truffle potato pie was my personal favorite. The lasagna for two was, as always, delicious and enough for two people, just as described. For dessert, we shared three scoops of ice cream: pistachio, chocolate, and vanilla - all good! Service was attentive, quick, and not intrusive. The space is a bit loud and busy, with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, but the ambiance is lively and charming. Each table has a unique plaque with the name of a famous person who once dined there. I was a little surprised by how much the prices have gone up. When we visited back in March 2024, the lasagna was around $40; now it's $50. But with the great location, high-quality food, and consistent popularity, it's understandable. Highly recommend stopping by and trying their signature lasagna, it's definitely worth it! read more

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Food: Not impressive, over priced, not fresh. The $25 avocado toast was wildly disappointing. It was served with premade guacamole, not fresh avocados. The bread was so soft that it made the "toast" feel like you were eating a pile of mush. Fries were cold and the "side salad" it's served with was about 6 pieces of greens, no dressing. For a $25 plate, I expected so much more. Service: Extremely poor. Once we were seated, we waited 15 minutes before having to wave down a server to ask for service. Once our food arrived, we requested condiments twice & never got it. No one checked in on us throughout or meal and we had to wave someone down again to request the bill. Ambiance: Not too impressive, especially considering the price to dine here. I don't recommend. (I DO recommend eating right next door at The Smith- the experience is always great) read more

Cafe Fiorello - Avocado Toast & Poached Eggs - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

I enjoyed my visit to Café Fiorello. Their linguine and clam sauce was quite tasty, and had a decent amount of clams in it! Food came within five minutes of arriving; you can tell that they serve the theater crowd (Lincoln Center is right across the street)! The chocolate they have by the host stand is homemade and delicious. The ambience is busy and cozy. Would definitely return! read more

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Totalky fun spot across from Lincoln Center to tons off great folks and creative people which of course i love! Elvis and Carlos always take such good care of us and we sit at the bar staring at the Italian buffet. Sausage and peppers, best ever. Risotto balls just as good plus all kinds of great veggies. But the vibe is so NY and why I love it! Plus meeting a Met ballet star. Good first night. read more

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Food was good, but service was sub par. The server forgot our bottled water. And had to ask us again what we ordered (pretty easy stuff) I went on a Saturday night and possibly this was his first attempt at serving before? I will try when in the future maybe a quieter weekday will bring better service read more

We came on the weekend around 3pm and we felt like we had the place to ourselves because it was so empty. Got the four seasons pizza, calamari, vodka rigatoni and coffee. It was a v chill place to spend an afternoon talking away with my friends. They also have an outside portion when you want to enjoy the weather as well! read more

Have passed this place for decades and have no idea why! So on a rainy day the besties and we thought we'd be eating outdoors but sideways rain put an end to that. So we ended up at Cafe Fiorello and sat at the communal table. The carnivores had a very unique lasagna that they loved. The vegetarians went wild with glee at the largest assortment of veggie Italian dishes we'd ever seen freshly prepared. The butternut squash lasagna, cheese balls with marinara, seasoned eggplant, veggie pie & mushroom medley were all fantastic. Cannot wait to return to try the rest. Really fun waiter and wow did this place fill up fast...they had been closed for the afternoon meal so we snuck in just in time afterward. read more

Excellent food. The restaurant is a bit noisy but it's a good ambience and the food was amazing.