Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. New York / Tri-State Area
  4. Manhattan
  5. Lower East Side

Sauce

4.5
4.5
1010 Reviews
$30 and under
Italian
The neighborhood knows us for our heritage chicken parm, grass-fed beef meatballs, homemade pasta, and extra thin crust pizza, but what people really come back for is the thing that anchors it all: the sauce. Staying true to Italian tradition, the team starts their day with pots of simmering sauce, just like Nonna does when prepping for Sunday dinner. The recipes are tried-and-true and made with the best ingredients with love from Italian expert chef consultant Maura Ardu. The space is cozy, the music is always just a little bit too loud, and the dishes are classic and consistent.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.


Is this your restaurant?
Claim this listing

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    Italian

  • Hours of operation

    Mon–Fri 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Sat, Sun 12:00 pm–11:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (212) 420-7700

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Executive chef

    Maura Ardu

  • Catering

    Please e-mail reservations@saucerestaurant.com for catering options!

  • Private party facilities

    Due to government restrictions, private dining is not active at this time.

  • Private party contact

    Angela Terrafino: (212) 420-7700

  • Neighborhood

    Lower East Side

  • Cross street

    Allen St

  • Parking details

    Street Parking

  • Public transit

    F train to Second Avenue. F, M, J train to Delancey Street/Essex Street. B, D train to Grand Street.

  • Additional

    Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

What 1,010 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.5
4.5 based on all time ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.3Service
  • 4.3Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Sort by

  1. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 2, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    BEST NIGHT EVER
  2. lukem

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 28, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always delicious! Always fun! Always a great time!
  3. SammmyaC

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 27, 2022

    overall2food1service3ambience2
    The pasta was cold and the sauce was barely mixed. Also, the pasta was not properly cooked and many of the strings of the spaghetti were attached to each other.
  4. SamanthaM

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 26, 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience4
    It was very beautiful in there. The servers try to up charge you on everything which gets old fast, and do not order the garlic bread- it is absolutely disgusting. I couldn’t believe they charged us $3 for one piece of absolutely disgusting bread.
  5. BenjaminS

    New York Area

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on March 24, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience3
    Great service. Most food was great but the chicken parm was soggy.
  6. LaurenT

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 23, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Such a classic spot in LES. Was a great bachelorette dinner and they brought us Prosecco when we sat as requested when i booked. Great service and delicious food.
  7. EmmaP

    Charlotte

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 19, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Super fun place with great food, good for a birthday dinner, date, or dinner with friends.
  8. SophieD

    London

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 14, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    Lovely dining experience - we were a group of 6 and it was a great atmosphere.
  9. JessicaL

    New York Area

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on March 5, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    My girlfriends and I came here on a Saturday night fans it was energetic and buzzing. The food was fantastic. The ambiance was lively but too loud to hear one another.
  10. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 2, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything was delicious and the restaurant was more than accommodating to our allergy specification. We were four people, got five drinks, two pastas, a pizza, two desserts, and sides and came out to $60 a person. Great place great value! Will be going back and have already recommended it to friends.
  11. AlexM

    New York Area

    5 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on February 26, 2022

    overall1food1service3ambience1
    So disappointed. We had multiple friends recommend this place to us to try and it was just awful. The pasta was bland, I could have made a better dish at home. Frozen meatballs. And the ambiance was like a frat party sitting down to dinner. Sadly we won’t be going back.
  12. Maggiemay

    New York Area

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on February 25, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    food and service really great. One issue only - they have PACKED tables in so there isn't even room for the waiters to move well through the restaurant. Understandable - need to recoup from pandemic lows - but it was super crowded. Other than that - really good place.
  13. SusanS

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 18, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Had an early dinner at Sauce before attending a late event. The Gilda salad was delicious, loved the dressing. Good pizza. Best part of the evening was interacting with Carly, our cheerful and attentive server. We will go back.
  14. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    Need to add a second door with enclosure. 10 degrees out and the side door was constantly open and shut our entire meal flooded with freezing cold air. Service was great initially but when our sever took off, table bussers took over and left our plates empty for a half hour, never checked in to see if we wanted anything else or how the food was just dropped the check on my girlfriends place when I was in the bathroom. Chicken parmigiana was good but a little thin which makes it chewier. Pasta Bolognese was delicious.
  15. OpenTable Diner

    Charlotte

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 13, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    The music was a bit too loud and heavy for my taste but we loved the food and the decor of the restaurant. Seats are very close too, if you have a problem with size or sitting close to your neighbor.
  16. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on February 12, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fun night at Sauce! Lively atmosphere and great music! Cauliflower pizza was amazing
  17. JamesJ

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 11, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Excellent takes on the classics, and a great happy hour value.
  18. Nate

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 6, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Lasagna dish was outstanding, calamari & meatball dishes were incredible! Sangra pitchers were strong and flavorful.
  19. abab

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 2, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Music a little loud and lighting very dim, a vibe but somewhat difficult to talk. Lovely place - I will come back!
  20. KristinG

    Los Angeles

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on January 31, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The service was amazing and the food was delicious. Can’t wait to go back the next time we are in town.
  21. Jules

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 25, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Definitely good to share some dishes with friends. The gnocchi in truffle sauce is so good you can't eat it without closing your eyes to savor the flavor. Have fun!
  22. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 25, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    Great spot, will definitely go again.
  23. victoriab

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on January 23, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    Back door opening and closing created a cold dining experience but other than that, great all around
  24. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on January 16, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Cousin came to visit from Colorado and I wanted to eat somewhere fun, good, and unpretentious, but still cool. Sauce fits the bill. I often choose Sauce for visiting family and friends dinners. The pasta is very good and the wine selection is also solid. The vibe is casual, but cool.
  25. EmilyF

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 14, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food, decor, service were all great! My only critique is that where I was seated was right next to the speakers. It was quite loud with the music and large groups of people around us, so it was a bit hard to hear the person I went with. However, that is not a deterrent from going, I will definitely be back! :)
  26. dspf

    New York Area

    84 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    84 reviews

    Dined on January 9, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fabulous menu, outstanding service, delicious food
  27. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 1, 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience2
    Usually it’s good but they were very busy so the food was not as good as usual and they put us at the worst table in the place and kept bumping into us. I know they are generally better so will still go back!
  28. LisaS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 30, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Sauce has a wonderful atmosphere. Its décor is cozy and quaint. The servers are all friendly and efficient. The food has been excellent each time I have eaten there. The wine selection is good. The prices are very reasonable. I look forward to returning.
  29. Matilda

    New York Area

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on December 11, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great Italian classics in an antique dining room. Cool place for brunch or date night on the Lower East Side.
  30. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 11, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food and service was great! Nice ambiance but the music was too loud.
  31. WesleyK

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 10, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This place never disappoints, great place to bring friends visiting from out of town. Super laidback with great Italian food.
  32. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 8, 2021

    overall4food4service3ambience5
    We had a great time! Love the ambiance and friendly staff. The pasta dishes were incredible, but the appetizers were very disappointing- we didn’t even finish the breads that we had to pay for!! Service was painfully slow but they were very sweet and accommodating for us. Will come again for the pasta but not ordering apps!!
  33. Globalbyr

    London

    25 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on December 5, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Love the Plank
  34. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    12 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on December 4, 2021

    overall3food2service3ambience3
    Food was average but great for booking large groups for inside and outside reservations.
  35. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on December 4, 2021

    overall3food3service3ambience5
    We have been here several times in the past. We were very excited to eat the food because in the past it was amazingly delicious. This time the food was not as good. It seemed different than in the past. The waiter was amazing but the bussers were terrible and the runners. The guy was trying to put down huge plates of food without removing all of the previous plates from the appetizers. He then proceeded to wipe down the table basically onto somebody’s lap. Even my drink seemed water down. Maybe it was just an off night or maybe they have a new chef I don’t know. Hope it was just an off night.
  36. SarahH

    Milwaukee

    31 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    31 reviews

    Dined on December 4, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything about Sauce was awesome! We were eating dinner the night before and got some recommendations from the ladies at the table next to us. So glad they mentioned Sauce. I overdid it on the cheese pizza, but it was SO worth it. Rigatoni with grandma’s gravy, delish. My friend had the chicken parmigiana and garlic bread - and loved her food just as much as I did. Good service. Loved the ambience of the restaurant. All the different chandeliers and decor - such charm! We’ll definitely be back next trip to the city!
  37. ToddK

    Alabama

    6 reviews

    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on December 3, 2021

    overall4food5service4ambience3
    Great time this evening after visiting the Immersive Van Gogh Experience over at Pier 36. The food and drinks were awesome, but the sound inside was so loud it was hard to think. Fun spot though!
  38. Jackie

    New York Area

    7 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on November 30, 2021

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    UPDATE: Sauce reached out to us and apologized and offered a second chance. We took them up on it and H (The manager) took care of us and made sure we had a special anniversary take two. H was really great, attentive and made our now-belated anniversary special for us, which we appreciated. When I wrote this review, I wasn't expecting a response, but Sauce reaching out to make things better and actively doing so, changed my opinion of the place hence the new review. I will say the tables here are tight for 2 people, but aside from that the food and ambiance was great. Thanks Sauce and MAJOR THANKS TO H for being so great. // OLD REVIEW: It was our anniversary, which we noted on our reservation. They didn't care because they sat us at the worst table possible when we asked for a nice one on the reservation, given the occasion. While we sat at the wobbly table, a bunch of other tables remained open throughout the duration of our meal. It was a Tuesday and not busy at all and when I asked for a 'nicer' table they offered us one squished between two couples, when again, there were a BUNCH of other tables open. So it made no sense why they wouldn't give us one of those. It put a damper on the special occasion and to top it off the servers didn't wish us a happy anniversary and rushed us. This was my second time at sauce - and will probably be my last. Food was fine but don't come if you want to celebrate something special.
  39. lukem

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 29, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent service and delicious food every time! Love it!
  40. ralpho

    Orange County

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 24, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    OUTSTANDING !!!! One of the BEST Pizza's and Meals in NYC !!!! An ABSOLUTE MUST !!!!

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Contactless payment available
  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables
  • Protective equipment

    • Waitstaff wear masks
    • Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

Sauce does offer delivery in partnership with Postmates and Uber Eats. Sauce also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (212) 420-7700.

Sauce is rated 4.5 stars by 1010 OpenTable diners.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.


Is this your restaurant?
Claim this listing
Google Map for Sauce

78 Rivington Street, New York, NY 10002

Additional information

  • Cross street

    Allen St

  • Neighborhood

    Lower East Side

  • Hours of operation

    Mon–Fri 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Sat, Sun 12:00 pm–11:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    Italian

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking details

    Street Parking

  • Public transit

    F train to Second Avenue. F, M, J train to Delancey Street/Essex Street. B, D train to Grand Street.

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Maura Ardu

  • Additional

    Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Phone number

    (212) 420-7700

  • Catering

    Please e-mail reservations@saucerestaurant.com for catering options!

  • Private party facilities

    Due to government restrictions, private dining is not active at this time.

  • Private party contact

    Angela Terrafino: (212) 420-7700

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2023 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
Rentalcars Logo
OpenTable Logo