Sistina Introduce
Located in the heart of the Upper East Side, Sistina is a jewel in New York City’s crown of fine dining. This Italian restaurant is more than just a place to eat; it is an experience rooted in tradition, elegance, and exceptional quality. Stepping into Sistina, you are transported to a world where white tablecloths, sophisticated decor, and a warm, inviting atmosphere create the perfect setting for a memorable meal. The restaurant is celebrated for its classic Italian dishes, all prepared with precision and presented with grace.
Sistina’s commitment to providing a luxurious dining experience is evident in every detail, from the impeccable service to the beautifully curated menu. While it is certainly on the more expensive side, as a customer review points out, it is a place "worth treating yourself" to. It's a destination for celebrating special occasions, enjoying a romantic dinner, or simply indulging in the very best that Italian cuisine has to offer in a refined setting.
Sistina is conveniently located at 24 E 81st St, New York, NY 10028, nestled on a quiet street just off Madison Avenue. This prime Upper East Side address makes it a perfect dining destination for those exploring the neighborhood's galleries and museums, as well as for locals seeking a high-end meal.
For those traveling by car, parking can be found with a mix of free and paid street parking, as well as nearby paid parking garages. While this part of the city can be busy, the restaurant is also easily accessible via public transportation, with the 4, 5, and 6 subway lines all within walking distance. The restaurant is committed to welcoming all guests comfortably and features a wheelchair accessible restroom and wheelchair accessible seating.
Sistina provides a range of services designed to offer a complete and flexible dining experience.
- Dine-in: Enjoy the full experience of Sistina’s elegant atmosphere and impeccable table service. Reservations are highly recommended, especially for dinner, and can even be required, ensuring a seamless experience.
- Outdoor Seating: For a delightful al fresco dining experience, Sistina offers outdoor seating, perfect for a pleasant evening. Note that dogs are allowed outside.
- Delivery: Enjoy Sistina's exquisite dishes from the comfort of your own home with their delivery service.
- Takeout: Pick up your favorite Italian meals to go, perfect for when you want a gourmet meal without the full dine-in experience.
- Private Dining Room: The restaurant offers a private dining room, making it an excellent venue for special events and gatherings.
- Table Service: The service is consistently praised for being "impeccable" and "attentive," with waiters who are knowledgeable, friendly, and dedicated to ensuring you have a good time.
Sistina is renowned for several key features that make it a standout choice for Italian dining in New York.
- Exquisite Menu: The menu is extensive and features both classic and creative Italian dishes. Highlights include the truffle butter, which one reviewer described as "amazing," and the "wonderful" shouffle. The pasta dishes like Fettuccine and Pappardelle Sistina are popular choices. The dessert menu is also a must-explore, with options like Tiramisu and Sistina Tartufo.
- Great Cocktails and Wine: The bar offers a fantastic selection of cocktails, beer, and hard liquor. The great wine list is a highlight, with selections that beautifully complement the menu.
- Romantic and Upscale Atmosphere: The ambiance is described as cozy, romantic, and upscale. The dining room features a beautiful collection of artwork, with white tablecloths and a "muted noise level," creating an environment that is both elegant and comfortable.
- Diverse Crowd: The restaurant is welcoming to a wide range of patrons, including families, groups, and tourists. It's noted as an LGBTQ+ friendly establishment and a Transgender safespace. High chairs are available for children.
- Impeccable Service: Service is a major highlight, with waiters who are described as "so sweet" and genuinely invested in ensuring a great time for guests.
Choosing Sistina is about embracing a full-sensory dining experience that goes beyond the food. It’s for the New Yorker who appreciates a refined atmosphere, impeccable service, and a meal that is a true work of art. The quality of the dishes, from the exquisite veal chop to the delicate Asparagus Soup, is consistently praised. The food is described as "delicious" and "presented with elegance," reflecting the care and passion put into every plate.
The atmosphere is a key reason to visit. The "beautiful but also quirky" artwork and the classic white tablecloths create a unique and sophisticated vibe that feels special. While the cost is high, the value lies in the entire package: the food, the service, the ambiance, and the feeling of being truly taken care of. It's a place for a significant celebration or when you want to make a simple dinner feel extraordinary. The wide-ranging menu, including a variety of appetizers, pasta, and meat dishes, ensures there's something for every palate, and the inclusion of vegan and vegetarian options makes it accommodating for all. Ultimately, Sistina is the perfect choice when you want to "treat yourself" to a high-end Italian meal that is both delicious and unforgettable.
For reservations or inquiries, you can reach Sistina at the following:
Address: 24 E 81st St, New York, NY 10028
Phone: (212) 861-7660
Sistina Menu
Second Course
- Grilled Veal Chop $55.00
Mixed vegetable gratin and veal jus.
- Veal Scaloppini $45.00
With lemon sauce, prosciutto di Parma, fresh tomatoes and Gaeta olives.
- Veal Chop Milanese $52.00
Lightly breaded, pounded veal chop with arugula and tomatoes.
- Berkshire Pork Chop $45.00
With brussels sprouts, bacon and green apple puree.
- Grilled Colorado Rack Of Lamb $45.00
With eggplant puree and homemade yogurt.
- White Wine Braised Rabbit $38.00
Served with parsnip puree.
- Veal Rolatini $42.00
Stuffed with artichokes and prosciutto in a white wine sauce.
Appetizers
- Beef Carpaccio $40.00
with arugula, parmigiano reggiano cheese, summer black truffles and balsamic vinegar
- Clams & Mussels $40.00
with fresh tomatoes, garlic and cannellini beans
- Grilled Octopus $40.00
roasted peppers, capers and white beans in a light tomato sauce
- Roasted Artichokes $40.00
with grilled mozzarella and grilled shrimps
- Zucchini Flower $35.00
stuffed with ricotta cheese on a bed of tomato coulis
- Italian Crudo $68.00
tuna, wild salmon, Hamachi, Diver Sea Scallops, Himalayan salt and lemon vinaigrette
- Beets And Burrata $35.00
burrata, roasted beets, horseradish, roasted peppers and balsamic reduction
- Eggplant Parmigiana $45.00
- Roasted Bone Marrow $38.00
black truffles, Himalayan sea salt and black truffle toast.
- Grilled Cauliflower Steak $38.00
cauliflower puree, black truffles and mint vinaigrette
- Heirloom Tomato Salad $40.00
heirloom tomatoes, mozzarella di bufala, cucumbers, red onions, oregano and extra virgin olive oil.
- Winter Green Salad $28.00
With Dates, pear, goat cheese and pomegranate
- Arugula Pear Salad $35.00
with fennel and shaved parmigiano reggiano in a lemon vinaigrette.
- Italian Wedge Salad $35.00
with iceberg lettuce, gorgonzola, apple-smoked bacon and red wine vinaigrette
Pasta
- Mafaldine With Nudja $38.00
with spicy spreadable pork sausage in a tomato sauce
- Spaghetti Cacio E Pepe $38.00
with cracked black pepper and melted pecorino romano cheese.
- Gnocchi $35.00
with veal Bolognese, sweet bell peppers, eggplant and smoked mozzarella
- Spaghetti Trapanese $38.00
with five types of crushed nuts in a spicy tomato sauce with pecorino romano cheese
- Spaghetti Crab Meat $50.00
with crab meat, sea urchins, garlic and oil
- Wild Mushroom Ravioli $40.00
with a light cream sauce and black truffles
- Pappardelle Sistina $38.00
Veal bolognese with wild mushrooms
- Fettuccine Integrali $50.00
whole wheat fettuccine, summer black truffles and crab meat
- Homemade Black Fettuccine $40.00
Squid Ink Linguini with calamari, clams, mussels and roasted peppers
- Veal Tortelloni $45.00
with black truffle and veal jus
- Busiate (Homemade Fusili) $38.00
homemade fusili with fresh tomatoes, basil, goat cheese and lemon zest.
- Mezzi Paccheri Frutti Di Mare $45.00
scallops, shrimps, mussels, calamari and clams in a spicy tomato sauce
Meat
- Pollo Al Mattone $58.00
herb and black pepper-crusted Cornish Hen served with shishito peppers and fingerling potatoes
- Veal Chop Milanese $65.00
lightly breaded and pounded veal chop with rucola and tomatoes
- Organic Free Range Chicken And Sausage $50.00
roasted chicken and pork sausage, pickled hot cherry peppers and garlic
- Giuseppes Chicken Meatballs $55.00
fresh tomato sauce, white beans, fava beans and fresh peas.
- Calves Liver Steak Veneziana $55.00
- Braised Rabbit All'Agrodolce $50.00
with balsamic vinegar, red onions, raisins, almonds and lemon
- Prime Fillet Of Beef Tenderloin $65.00
with spinach, pine nuts, golden raisins and foie gras
- Grilled Veal Chop $55.00
mixed vegetables gratin and veal jus
- Roasted Suckling Pig $55.00
with Brussels sprouts, crispy bacon and green apple puree
- Veal Scaloppini $55.00
lemon sauce, prosciutto di Parma, fresh tomatoes and Gaeta olives
- Colorado Rack Of Lamb For Two $120.00
with homemade yogurt and eggplant puree
Dessert
- Mixed Fruit $22.00
- Cappuccino Cake $22.00
chocolate flourless cake served with coffee and white chocolate cream, fior di latte gelato and roasted hazelnuts
- Vanilla Panna Cotta $18.00
pineapple and passion compote, served with coconut sorbet
- Assortment Of Cookies $22.00
- Tiramisu $20.00
Coffee sponge cake with strega liquor caviar
- Ricotta Cheesecake $18.00
with strawberry compote and strawberry sorbet topped with a lemon tulle
- Bomboloni (Italian Donuts) $18.00
with chocolate sauce and espresso gelato
- Profiterole $22.00
pistacchio gelato, dark chocolate sauce, toasted pistachios and vanilla Chantilly
- Sistina Tartufo $20.00
vanilla and chocolate gelato covered with a chocolate shell and crispy hazelnut with a cherry center and chocolate glaze.
Fish
- Diver Sea Scallops $50.00
cauliflower puree and cauliflower florets
- Orata $55.00
Grill Zucchini, grilled tomato and grilled eggplant
- Branzino Al Sale $60.00
salt crusted branzino with seasonal vegetables
- Grey Sole $60.00
with cauliflower puree, roasted cauliflower florets and beurre blanc.
- Grilled Wild Salmon $65.00
with arugula, crab meat and lime wedges.
Risotto
- Risotto Alle Erbe $45.00
Italian mountain herbs and goat cheese
- Risotto Vaccherosse $65.00
with 40 months aged parmigiana with 25 year old balsamic vinegar
- Risotto Cetarese $55.00
anchovies, mozzarella and California white sturgeon caviar
Special Dinner Pasta
- Green & White Tagliolini $26.00
with peas, artichokes, fava beans, zucchini, asparagus and olive oil.
- Lasagna Bolognese $28.00
- Linguini With White Clams Sauce & Fresh Ramps Puree $28.00
- Fettuccini $28.00
with wild mushrooms garlic and olive oil
- Goat Cheese Ravioli $26.00
with goat cheese, beets, sage and poppy seeds
- Gnocchi $25.00
with fresh tomatoes, smoked mozzarella and oregano
- Bucatini Amatricana, $28.00
with spring onions, smoked bacon and fresh tomato sauce
Special Dinner Appetizers
- Tuna Tartare $22.00
with avocado & jalapeño vinaigrette.
- Prosciutto Melon & Figs $25.00
Prosciutto di parma, cavaillon melon and figs.
- Spring Salad $20.00
with goat cheese, walnuts and pears.
- White Asparagus $28.00
with morels, fried egg and black truffles.
- Roasted Beets & Burrata $18.00
with horseradish
- Crispy Artichokes $20.00
with melted pecorino romano cheese.
- Warm Seafood Salad $28.00
- Heirloom Tomato Salad $25.00
with burrata, cucumbers and red onion.
- Cauliflower Steak $25.00
with black truffles
Second Course
- NY Strip Steak $50.00
With shishito peppers and red wine reduction.
- Veal Milanese $48.00
With arugula, artichokes and sunflower seeds.
- Roasted Cornish Hen $42.00
Black pepper corns, fresh herbs, broccoli rabe and roasted potatoes.
Soups
- Mushroom Soup $18.00
with parmigiano foam
- Cold Asparagus Soup $25.00
with ricotta cheese
- Pasta E Fagioli $25.00
- Artichoke Soup $22.00
with artichoke chips
- Cold Watermelon Soup $25.00
Watermelon, cucumber, tomato and crumble goat cheese
- Asparagus Soup $20.00
with crabmeat
- Lentil Soup $22.00
- Porcini Soup $28.00
with melted parmigiano reggiano cheese
Sistina Details
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Great cocktails
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Hard liquor
- Organic dishes
- Private dining room
- Vegan options
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Upscale
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
- Transgender safespace
Planning
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Reservations required
- 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 garage
- Paid street parking
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Sistina Photos










Sistina Location
Sistina Reviews
wine listthe mettrufflecocktailsbutterbehaviorchocolate souffléoysterstownhousescallops
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1I loved all the artwork in this restaurant! It’s very beautiful but also quirky. The waiters are so sweet and they really want to make sure you are having a good time, they are really fun and attentive. The food is so good too, I had the fettuccine and asparagus soup. The truffle butter is amazing. And the shouffle is wonderful. The only reason I gave it one less star is because I think it’s way too expensive for the meal but still it was a wonderful experience
July 02 · Neha LuthraHad a wonderful dinner just last week. The food was delicious, presented with elegance. The service was impeccable and with the right degree of friendliness. The atmosphere was, as usual, my favorite cup of tea... white table cloth, sufficient space between tables, and a muted noise level. Yes, it is on the more expensive side, but it's worth treating yourself!
March 22 · Sherli LooiI've walked by a dozen times and we finally made it. It was amazing. Atmosphere is sophisticated with old world charm. Interior decor has beautiful unique artwork and touches. Cocktails on point. The prosciutto and melon app was so flavorful! Pastas: Busiate & Mafaldine with Nduja were Aces. But the number one favorite standout for me was the veal scaloppine... Next level best I've ever had. It's pricey but worth it for a nice lunch or dinner out. Absolutely recommend and will be back.
May 11 · Inga MarieLove NYC, usually stay midtown when visiting but wanted to try a different upper end restaurant that wasn’t a tourist trap and this restaurant is a gem. Service was worth the $$$$ alone. Everything was taken care of and we were impressed with the chef’s dishes and passion he puts into the food.
April 06 · Jeremiah FlynnStill the best in NYC if not the world. WOW!!! Best food, best Chef, best servers and BEST Hostesses in town still #1 Restaurant in the USA for sure. Our reviews had over 57 million views last year. We do not get paid we just love to eat and have fun. We really love Sistina. Went 12 times in the last 12 months, all were different all were the best. Menu had changed somewhat but once again every single dish was spectacular. Be sure to get the fried Zucchini App. Really great. I got the spicy sausage with crinkly pasta as a special and it was really good and not too spicy. She got the spaghetti and tomato sauce (not on the menu) and once again it was the best in town. The tomato sauce is very bright and jumps on your tongue with flavor. Her app was smoked Mozzarella and prosciutto and tomatoes which she loved and I got the soup special. Always get the soups, they are spectacular. Lemon coconut cake was great as was the special dessert of black cherry semifreddo. For Fox Business fans Charlie Gasperano was at the table next to us with some billionaires and all of them were very nice to us when I mentioned we enjoyed his shows. LATER REVIEW: Had 3 pastas and all were supper. 3 new special desserts and a all were off the charts. This place is the best. WE WENT 3 MORE TIMES. EACH TIME WAS AWESOME. I BRING A PEN SO I CAN WRITE DOWN ALL OF THE SPECIALS. DESSERTS WERE TO DIE FOR. BE SURE TO GET THE PASTA TRAPANSE, ONE OF THE BEST PASTA DISHES IN THE CITY. The Lobster pasta has so much lobster in it I could barely finish it and it is done perfectly with tomato sauce. She had the risotto which is heavy and large should could easily be a shared dish. I LOVE soup so I had 3 different kinds. All were awesome. Top notch all the way. Check out all of our reviews. If we do not like it we do no review it so all of the ones you see are places that are fantastic. Follow us if you like. We had over 56 million views so far this year and we thank you for that. We don't get paid, we just love to eat. Be sure to click on "RobH" at the top of this review to see all of them and to follow us if you like good food and FUN. If we do a review it is because we love it.
April 16 · Rob H.
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