My wife and I visited recently and could not be happier with the experience. The food was exceptional but really want to highlight the staff. Rodrigo was phenomenal and took time to visit with us as did the manager. A popular spot that you shouldn’t miss out on.
We had the most amazing time at your restaurant last night. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly.
The food was absolutely delicious—quite possibly the best meal I’ve had in NYC. I’ve been making the trip from DC to New York City for the past two years to participate in the NYRR 9+1 races, and this meal was truly exceptional.
At the end of the evening, my son and I ordered a dessert to share as we celebrated his birthday. We never mentioned his birthday to our wonderful server; he simply overheard us talking. When the dessert arrived, we were delighted to see “Happy Birthday” written on the plate, complete with a candle. It was such a thoughtful surprise and a perfect ending to an unforgettable meal.
Thank you for the outstanding food, exceptional service, and genuine hospitality. We can’t wait to come back the next time we’re in New York City.
Kerrie, Thank you so much for your wonderful review!
We are truly honored to have been part of your son's birthday celebration and delighted to hear that you enjoyed both the food and the hospitality. It means a lot to our team to know that your experience was so memorable, especially during your trip to New York for the NYRR races.
We look forward to welcoming you and your family back on your next visit to NYC.
Thank you so much Honora! We look forward to seeing you again soon!
octavio Barone2026.06.06
If you’re looking for a restaurant where you can actually hear the person sitting across from you, this is probably not the place. The music was unbelievably loud for what is supposed to be a restaurant, not a nightclub or a bar. When we asked whether it could be lowered, the manager said that the loud music was part of the “vibe.” Fair enough.
The waiters were friendly and professional, but the service felt extremely rushed. Despite ordering appetizers, entrées, dessert, and coffee, we were repeatedly encouraged to order more, then handed the check, and ultimately asked to leave (we were there for no more than an hour and a half). Oddly enough, there were plenty of empty tables at the time.
The food was fine, but nothing memorable. Overall, between the noise level and the pressure to eat and leave as quickly as possible, this was not an experience I would repeat or recommend.
We're glad to hear that you found our team friendly and professional.
We understand that music volume is a matter of personal preference, and while many guests enjoy the energetic atmosphere we aim to create, we recognize that it may not be the right fit for everyone. Our team strives to balance a lively dining experience with guest comfort.
We are also sorry to hear that you felt rushed. That was certainly not our intention. During your visit, no concerns regarding the pace of service or your overall experience were brought to the attention of our management or service team. Had we known, we would have done our best to address them and make your evening more enjoyable.
We appreciate your comments and will take them into consideration as we continue working to provide the best possible experience for our guests.
Alexandra Ayvas2026.06.04
Stumbled in looking for somewhere with outdoor seating serving an aperol spritz on a sunny weekday after work! Was so pleasantly surprised by the food (the focaccia is so fluffy and light and the Carlina salad was amazing, I could have eaten 5) and the service! Rodrigo was so attentive. Will definitely be back, thank you!
Thank you so much Nicolas! We look forward to seeing you again soon!
Wook Chung2026.05.21
Osteria Carlina does many things right. It is a small establishment, very classy, and perfect for a date night out but also can swing small important business meals. The atmosphere is clean, upscale, but also cozy. They have nailed the positoining as genuinely premium yet approachable. Service is extremely friendly and personal. Again, many things right.
Obviously, the food is wonderful as well. And this is where we need to spend some time. The cuisine leans to progressive and modern Italian but with a cozy touch. The focaccia comes in amazingly soft. The peach and tomato salad was perhaps the best it can ever be. The crudo was fresh and the spaghetti bolognese definitely had the craftsmanship, hand-made touch. The pasta was perfectly al dente but also, you could tell they put the effort into the dough. And the desserts were also lovely, whether the pannacotta or the hazelnut chocolate. Again, from any standards, the food is wonderful.
But here are the issues. Something about the food makes it "shy" a bit. I can see what the chef is trying to express, but falls just a inch short, each dish. Like the crudo could have had a bit more punch. The pasta could have been just a bit more moist. The pannacotta just a tad bit more sweet. I completely understand the intent of each dish. And they are really thoughtful. But you end up feeling a sense that you were turned around before hitting the top of the mountain and you never got to see the full view. Perhaps the salad was the most perfect dish - perfect vinegar and olive oil, with nuts. It was so good that I used the olive oil and balsamic mix as the focaccia dip. But again, other than that, the food does not end up being memorable.
What is memorable is how small the portions are, compared to the price. $30+ for a pasta, but literally, 70% of the portions you get in any Italian restaurant. And you repeat this same pattern over and over for each dish. I get it. This is supposed to be high-end dining done in a cozy way. But then... why not make the food unforgettable?
I will leave it as 5 stars because I genuinely had a great time there. But for the price... I want to be dazzled. I saw the stars falling behind the horizon of the pinnacle. But Carlina does not take you all the way to the top... So close. Really close.
Will definitely return to give it another shot.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a thoughtful and detailed review.
Reading comments like yours truly means a lot to us because it’s clear how much care and attention you gave to every aspect of the experience — from the atmosphere and service to the intention behind each dish. We are especially grateful for your kind words regarding our team, the ambiance, and many of the dishes you enjoyed.
Your description of the cuisine and the feeling behind it was incredibly insightful. We genuinely appreciate your honest perspective about wanting just a little more intensity, generosity, and memorability in certain dishes. Feedback like this is extremely valuable because it comes from a place of appreciation and thoughtful observation rather than simple criticism.
We’re very happy to hear that, despite your observations, you still had a wonderful evening and are willing to give us another opportunity in the future. That truly means a lot to us.
We look forward to welcoming you back and hopefully taking you “all the way to the top” next time.
Martha Wyatt-Luth2026.05.21
Rodrigo was an amazing server! And the food was phenomenal.
We are delighted to hear that your experience was a memorable one! Thank you Martha!
Mariela Valdivia2026.05.18
Spectacular food and a beautiful atmosphere. The experience genuinely reminded me of dining in Italy, simple, refined, and incredibly flavorful. Every dish felt carefully crafted, and the service made the evening even more special. I will definitely return
Dear Mariela, thank you so much for taking time to share about your experience with our community!
Mirko Musmeci2026.05.17
The worst pasta with vongole I ever had
The garlic was burned,
Pasta overcooked
Vongole tasted of nothing…
And considering the way the owners answered to my previous review I’ll give 1 star on everything because the all table of 5 was disappointed with the dinner.
Learn how to cook
Your menu is worth 1$ or less
We’re sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations.
Our team checked in during the dinner service to ensure everything was satisfactory, and no concerns regarding the dishes were brought to our attention at that time. Had we known about these issues during your visit, we would have genuinely appreciated the opportunity to address them immediately.
Spaghetti alle Vongole is one of our signature dishes and is traditionally prepared with garlic and clam broth, but we understand that tastes and expectations can vary. We take all feedback seriously and will certainly share your comments with our kitchen team.
We regret that your table left disappointed and appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback.
L T2026.05.12
We have had Osteria on our list for a long time, and we finally visited for a family dinner.
I must say, everything was absolutely delicious! The service was wonderful, and the restaurant itself is very cozy and comfortable. We will definitely go back! It’s a must-visit if you are in the neighborhood.
Hello Mingo. We continuously strive to be better and would like to hear why, in your personal opinion, the meal was anything but 5 stars. Please share the details of your visit with us at reservations@osteriacarlina.com
MundoPro2026.05.11
Among my top 5 in the city.
This place is my type of restaurant, small, not too noise, awesome food, dedicated staff and great atmosphere.
I came with my partner for a small dinner, nothing special but we like to go out for this unplanned dates. We will definitely return for the planned ones.
The Vitello Tonatto was the best I’ve had up here, and then both the tagliatelle and the agnolotti were superb. Same level I’ve had in Italy or double the price restaurants in the city.
Overall, great place. Highly recommend.
(Also, it will not break your bank, which is appreciated in this economy regardless of your financial situation).
Best and enjoy your meal,
Pedro
Verified Company
