Rafele Rye Introduce
Discovering a truly authentic Italian dining experience close to home can be a delight for any New Yorker, and Rafele Rye offers just that. Located in the heart of Rye, this distinguished Italian restaurant seamlessly blends classic Italian recipes with a distinctive Neapolitan flair, thanks to the vision of Chef/Owner Raffaele Ronca. It stands as a top destination in Westchester County for those seeking high-quality, rustic Italian cuisine prepared with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Rafele Rye provides an atmosphere that is at once elegant and comfortable, making it a perfect spot for everything from a cozy, romantic dinner to a group celebration or a relaxing solo meal.
From the moment you step inside, the ambiance—described by patrons as sleek, charming, and easy on the eyes—sets the stage for a memorable culinary journey. The focus here is on genuine flavor and traditional cooking methods, including the use of an indoor pizza oven, ensuring dishes like the popular house-made pasta and brick-oven pizzas are crafted to perfection. Whether you’re stopping by for a business lunch or settling in for a full dinner experience, Rafele Rye’s commitment to quality food, friendly service, and a welcoming environment makes it a standout choice for local residents and visitors alike.
Rafele Rye is situated at a convenient and highly accessible location in the heart of the city of Rye, New York. The exact address is:
26 Purchase St, Rye, NY 10580, USA
This address places the restaurant in a vibrant area of Westchester County, making it a popular dining destination for those in the region and neighboring areas. For accessibility, the establishment has demonstrated a commitment to welcoming all guests, featuring comprehensive accommodations:
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Patrons have several options for parking, adding to the convenience:
- Free street parking
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
The central location and excellent accessibility features ensure a hassle-free visit for all members of the New York community.
Rafele Rye offers a wide range of services and dining options tailored to meet various needs and preferences:
- Dining options include Brunch (reservations recommended), Lunch, and Dinner (reservations recommended)
- Seating choices offer traditional table service, as well as cozy, romantic, and trendy spots
- The atmosphere is generally described as cozy, quiet, romantic, and trendy, suitable for families, groups, tourists, and solo diners
- Service options provide ultimate flexibility: Dine-in, Takeout, and Delivery are all available
- Outdoor seating is offered for those who prefer an al fresco dining experience
- Catering services are available for events and special occasions
- The restaurant is family-friendly, offering good options for kids and high chairs
- They offer a gender-neutral restroom and a bar onsite
- Payments are easily processed via Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments
- Planning is made easy as the restaurant accepts reservations, highly recommended for popular dining times like Brunch and Dinner
The restaurant prides itself on several outstanding features and highlights that distinguish it in the competitive New York dining scene:
- Fast Service: Customers frequently commend the efficiency and speed of the service staff
- Great Dessert: The dessert selection is a highlight, with the award-winning Torta di Ricotta (Italian Style Cheesecake) being a particular favorite, often noted for being light, fluffy, and delicious
- Great Wine List: A curated selection of wines, including a mention of Montepulciano, is available to perfectly complement the rustic Italian cuisine
- Serves Local Specialty: The menu features local and authentic ingredients, with a strong Neapolitan influence, offering dishes crafted from scratch
- Great Coffee: Ensuring the dining experience starts and ends on a high note, the coffee is well-regarded
- Extensive Offerings: The beverage menu includes Alcohol, Beer, Cocktails, Hard liquor, and Wine
- Varied Cuisine Offerings: The food selection includes Comfort food, Small plates, and Vegetarian options, demonstrating a commitment to diverse palates. Vegan and Gluten-Free menus are also available
- Commitment to Quality: The chef works closely with local farmers, markets, and vendors to source the freshest and highest-quality ingredients
- Welcoming Atmosphere: The establishment is noted as LGBTQ+ friendly and ideal for various crowds, including families and large groups
- Signature Dishes: Beyond the standard menu, the restaurant is known for its incredible house-made pasta, including the highly-praised Cacio e Pepe, which is a perfect rendition of the Roman classic
For reservations, takeout orders, or any inquiries, here is the necessary information to connect with Rafele Rye:
Address: 26 Purchase St, Rye, NY 10580, USA
Phone: (914) 481-8417
Mobile Phone: +1 914-481-8417
For local New Yorkers seeking a high-quality Italian meal in Westchester County, Rafele Rye is absolutely worth choosing. The restaurant’s dedication to authentic, flavorful Italian cuisine with a Neapolitan touch—as noted by its enthusiastic patrons—is a major draw. Many customers rave about the freshness and quality of the food, from the "excellent" Branzino Alla Griglia, a grilled Mediterranean sea bass, to the bursting flavors of the Paccheri Amatriciana and the widely-loved Cacio e Pepe (Tonnarelli, Pecorino Romano, and black pepper, Roman style, typically priced around $24 for dinner or $19 for lunch/brunch, though prices are subject to change).
The house-made pasta is consistently highlighted as a must-try. The appetizers, such as the flavorful Meatball appetizer and the refreshing Shaved Artichoke Salad (Insalata Di Carciofi), provide a strong start to any meal. Even simple items like the Margherita pizza, baked in the indoor pizza oven, are singled out for their excellent sauce. For dinner, the Branzino Alla Griglia is listed at a current approximate price of $39.00, demonstrating the premium quality of the main courses available.
Beyond the superb food, the overall experience at Rafele Rye is a key factor in its appeal. The professional, friendly, and charming service, coupled with an ambience that manages to be both "elegant yet comfortable and casual," creates a perfect dining environment. Concerns about noise levels have been specifically addressed by patrons, who noted that the "chit chat level very acceptable" even when the restaurant was full, suggesting an enjoyable atmosphere for conversation among all age groups. With its strong focus on traditional, yet elevated, Italian cooking, a delightful menu covering brunch, lunch, and dinner, and an accommodating spirit, Rafele Rye is a premier destination for genuine Italian dining in the New York metropolitan area.
Rafele Rye Details
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Serves local specialty
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Hard liquor
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
Dining options
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Quiet
- Romantic
- Trendy
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
Planning
- Brunch reservations recommended
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Parking
- Free street parking
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
- Parking
Rafele Rye Photos










Rafele Rye Location
Rafele Rye Reviews
appetizersfood and serviceoctopusartichokescheesecakebirthdaybranzinofish stewbartendermanagement
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Wonderful Italian restaurant. Great food, service, and atmosphere with reasonable prices. The salads and pasta are terrific Great daily specials.
July 14 · David BearSearching for a real nice birthday restaurant open on a Monday that served cacio e pepe (my wife’s favorite) I found Rafele Rye.What a find it was.I first must address a common comment in reviews. The noise level. It was NOT an issue.My wife and are in our 70s. My sister and her husband are in their 80’s. It was night and every table was full. We did NOT have a problem hearing each other. We found the chit chat level very acceptable. Our table was in the rear near the pizza oven, if that made a difference.The ambience is wonderful and it is a really nice looking place. Sleek and easy on the eyes. Elegant yet comfortable and casual if that’s possibleEveryone from the bartender to the bus people were friendly and charmingThe food, was EXCELLENT. The birthday girl loved her cacio e pepe and shaved artichoke salad. My brother-in-law had a branzino which he proclaimed “excellent”. The meatball appetizer was tasty. I had the paccheri amatriciana which was bursting with flavor. My sister very much enjoyed her chicken milanese.We had a Margherita pizza during cocktails and it was also very good. The sauce was excellent (as was the sauce on the meatballs). If I ordered it again I would ask for it charred or we’ll done BUT that is a personal preferenceDrinks were cold, well made and quickly delivered and the desserts were delicious.We have a LOT of great restaurants in Stamford but are always looking for a new place to go out.We drove down in pouring, blinding rain, and would do it again.It was that good.
July 15 · zamgwarOne of the best Italian restaurants in WestchesterThe fish soup is a must, also the mixed fried seafood starter is deliciousMake a reservation, it gets busy
September 17 · Andrés BerlWent there for the first time last Saturday night, the place was packed. Atmosphere was fantastic and service was wonderful. We had a steak. it was fantastic, my wife had the chicken Parmesan, and our friends had the pasta with trufflesThe start with the mozzarella balls, which was fantastic, and the calamariGreat will be back.
February 28 · Rick75 HThere is no reason this place should be recognized by Michelin. The food was mediocre at best. I had the Octopus appetizer and a pizza. The Octopus wasn't braised well and was rather chewy and the Rafele Pizza had zero balance. It was like eating a huge chunk of cheese. It's sad as the ingredients are good, the menu is well put together, but the execution in the kitchen is not up to par.
August 06 · Sean Hollands
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