Sauce

Name: Sauce
Address: 78 Rivington Street, New York, NY, United States, 10002
Telephone: (212) 420-7700
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.5

4.5

1011 Reviews

$30 and under

Italian

Top Tags:

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.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Oct 3, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 13 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Italian, Contemporary Italian, Pizzeria
Hours of operation
Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Fri 5:00 pm–12:00 am Sat 4:00 pm–12:00 am Sun 4:00 pm–11:00 pm
Phone number
(212) 420-7700
Website
http://saucerestaurant.com/
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
Whether it's a bday party, baby shower, office function or any other special event, please contact us at reservations@saucerestaurant.com or check out our website and we'll do our best to accommodate your desired date and any requests you may have to make your party/celebration memorable.
Private party contact
Angela Terrafino: (212) 420-7700

Location
78 Rivington Street, New York, NY 10002
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 1,011 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5

4.5 based on all time ratings

4.4Food
4.3Service
4.3Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

1,011 Reviews

OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Sauce has been my go to for Italian in LES for years. I Just love the fusion of hip hop and Italian food. Sauce bring back the original steak for 2
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OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 2, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
BEST NIGHT EVER
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l
lukem
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 28, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always delicious! Always fun! Always a great time!
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SC
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.
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SM
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.
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BS
BenjaminS
New York Area
15 reviews
vip
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on March 24, 2022
overall5food4service5ambience3
Great service. Most food was great but the chicken parm was soggy.
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LT
LaurenT
New York Area
5 reviews
vip
5.0
5 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.
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EP
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.
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SD
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.
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JL
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.
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OT
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.
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AM
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.
1 person found this helpful
M
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.
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SS
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.
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OT
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.
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OT
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.
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OT
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
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JJ
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.
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N
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.
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a
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!
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KG
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.
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J
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!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 25, 2022
overall5food4service5ambience4
Great spot, will definitely go again.
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v
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
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OT
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.
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EF
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! :)
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d
dspf
New York Area
84 reviews
vip
5.0
84 reviews
Dined on January 9, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fabulous menu, outstanding service, delicious food
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OT
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!
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LS
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.
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M
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.
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OT
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.
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WK
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.
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OT
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!!
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G
Globalbyr
London
25 reviews
vip
5.0
25 reviews
Dined on December 5, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Love the Plank
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OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
12 reviews
3.0
12 reviews
Dined on December 4, 2021
overall3food2service3ambience3
Food was average but great for booking large groups for inside and outside reservations.
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OT
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.
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SH
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!
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TK
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!
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J
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.
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l
lukem
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 29, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent service and delicious food every time! Love it!
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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 1011 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Oct 3, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 13 times today

Order delivery or takeout

78 Rivington Street, New York, NY 10002

Additional information

Cross street
Allen St
Neighborhood
Lower East Side
Hours of operation
Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Fri 5:00 pm–12:00 am Sat 4:00 pm–12:00 am Sun 4:00 pm–11:00 pm
Cuisines
Italian, Contemporary Italian, Pizzeria
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

Website
http://saucerestaurant.com/
Phone number
(212) 420-7700
Catering
Please e-mail reservations@saucerestaurant.com for catering options!
Private party facilities
Whether it's a bday party, baby shower, office function or any other special event, please contact us at reservations@saucerestaurant.com or check out our website and we'll do our best to accommodate your desired date and any requests you may have to make your party/celebration memorable.
Private party contact
Angela Terrafino: (212) 420-7700

Sauce

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Popular dishes

Meatballs

Grass-Fed Meatballs

Meatballs and Sausages

Menu

What 1,011 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

FAQs

Does Sauce offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Sauce restaurant rated?

Is Sauce currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information