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Sistina, New York, NY

Sistina

4.8 (1735)
$31 to $50
Italian
24 E 81st Street, New York, NY 10028

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 19 times today

About this restaurant

  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
  • Fancy
WE DON’T RESERVE SPECIFIC TABLES
WHICHEVER TABLE WE HAVE UPON YOUR ARRIVAL IS WHERE YOU WILL BE SEATED
WE DON’T HAVE HIGHCHAIRS OR BOOSTER SEATS & WE DON’T ALLOW STROLLERS INDOORS
WE DON’T PERMIT OUTSIDE ITEMS (liquor,flowers & cake)
PARTIES OF 6 OR MORE: LET US KNOW 1 DAY IN ADVANCE IF YOU DECREASE YOUR PARTY SIZE TO AVOID THE $150 PER PERSON CHARGE
Sistina restaurant, one of the most highly rated Italian restaurants in New York City, has been impressing its sophisticated clientele for over 40 years. Host/owner/chef Giuseppe Bruno, the Zagat Survey's "Host of the Year", is responsible for every aspect of his restaurant, from greeting his devoted patrons, to preparing special meals and dishes upon request.
CANCELLATION POLICY: If you wish to cancel your reservation please let us know a minimum of 24 hours in advance. Failure to notify the restaurant will result in a $50 cancelation fee per person in the group.
DRESS CODE: We politely ask that you please avoid SHORTS & FLIP FLOPS.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Mon–Sat 12:00 pm–2:45 pm Dinner Mon–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Giuseppe Bruno
  • Private party facilities
    Sistina's Winter Garden is perfect for intimate gatherings, hosting up to 40 guests with a luxurious atmosphere, large windows, skylights, and exquisite art. Opt for a complete buyout for up to 80 guests, including the main dining room, garden room, and bar for an elevated dining experience.
  • Private party contact
    our Private Event Coordinator: (212) 861-7660
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Neighborhood
    Upper East Side
  • Cross street
    Madison and Fifth Ave
  • Parking details
    The closest parking garage is located on 80th st. between Park Avenue and Madison Avenue.
  • Public transit
    the local 6 train stops at 77th street and Lexington Avethe 4,5 & 6 trains stop at 86th street and Lexington Ave
  • Additional
    Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wine
Gift card

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Private dining

What 1,735 people are saying

Sistina reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.1Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Sistina offers an exquisite Italian dining experience in a beautiful setting with "superior quality" and "award-winning" wine list. Guests praise the "exceptional" service and "delicious" food, with a wide array of specials and a "creative and varied" menu. Ideal for special occasions, it's a "joy to dine" here.
1,735 Reviews
  1. John

    Denver / Colorado1 review

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great restaurant. They continue to please, time after time.

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  2. Lydia VIP

    New York City3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Sitting at the bar is wonderful. Great service/ great food I highly recommend it Happy Birthday singing was lovely

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  3. Sabrina VIP

    Greater Boston12 reviews

    2.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 1
    After having dined at Sistina twice with friends, I made a reservation for my husband and me to take another couple. As usual, I gave our credit card number to guarantee our attendance without 24 hours notice, and I expected the usual pleasant ambiance and fine food/service. Upon arrival at 7:15, we were seated in the main dining room that opens to the back dining room - at which a wedding reception was in full swing. We could barely hear the waiter recite the evening's special dishes over the noise of the band and then the toasts. I was flabbergasted that the restaurant had not advised me when I made the reservation (or before our arrival) that the restaurant's atmosphere would be so dramatically and negatively different than usual. Yes, the food and service were as fine and attentive as I expected and had represented to my three companions. But who would choose to have an expensive dinner in the middle of a raucous wedding reception to which they had not been invited?? When the waiter brought our bill, he half-heartedly apologized for the noise but also said "We are all married, we know the joy, we must understand." What? First, one of our party of four is 81 years old and has never been married. Second, it should be the diner's choice what s/he is willing to "understand" or suffer through for a dinner costing $800 for four. If the restaurant had been candid about the experience we needed to prepare for, we would have chosen to dine at Sistina another time. Or if the restaurant had simply closed to the public to accommodate the private event, we would have returned to Sistina at a later date. By choosing to inflict the poor experience on us, Sistina instead elected to make sure we never return and that we discourage others from assuming the usual fine ambiance is assured. For reliable Italian food and a consistent vibe, a diner in New York is better advised to patronize Serafina than Sistina.

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  4. MAURICE VIP

    Orange County24 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 6, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The service welcoming, not intrusive, and extremely knowledgeable about the food and very accommodating. The pastas and first courses were delicious without being overly spiced or heavy. The liver, lamb and fish were a bit dry. The soufflé were very good. The wine list is extensive with excellent choices in at price points. The sommelier is very congenial and knowledgeable.

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  5. David VIP

    New York City73 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 2, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Such a great restaurant. First time I e done lunch. Beautiful solarium.

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  6. Karen

    New York City2 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on June 1, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    We did not have the usual personal attention and service which we are accustomed too. Perhaps because it was. Sunday evening? Our desserts were very delayed and when I asked a second time if they were on their way was gruffly told I had already asked that. Later we were informed that the pastry chef had had a family emergency. Nothing was comped despite a very extended delay.

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  7. Chris VIP

    Nashville14 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 1, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always a joy and pleasure to dine at Sistina! Bravo Giuseppe!

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  8. EVANGELOS VIP

    New York City7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 31, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent culinary experience in one of the best restaurants in Upper East, NY. Italian tastes, superior quality, best ambience, most friendly staff! Do not miss the opportunity to visit!

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  9. Stephanie VIP

    West Palm Beach69 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 30, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Never disappoints. Beautiful venue, Service is fantastic and food always plenty to share

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  10. Stan VIP

    London10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 29, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Sistina is a wonderful dining experience. The specials are so numerous and delicious that there is really no need to see the menu. The wine list is award winning and the service consistently exceptional. One of the best!

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FAQs

Sistina offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (212) 861-7660.

Sistina is rated 4.8 stars by 1735 OpenTable diners.

Sistina does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

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

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. New York City
  4. Manhattan
  5. Upper East Side

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 19 times today
Google Map for Sistina

24 E 81st Street, New York, NY 10028

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Madison and Fifth Ave
  • Neighborhood
    Upper East Side
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Mon–Sat 12:00 pm–2:45 pm Dinner Mon–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian
  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    The closest parking garage is located on 80th st. between Park Avenue and Madison Avenue.
  • Public transit
    the local 6 train stops at 77th street and Lexington Avethe 4,5 & 6 trains stop at 86th street and Lexington Ave
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Giuseppe Bruno
  • Additional
    Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wine
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Phone number
  • Private party facilities
    Sistina's Winter Garden is perfect for intimate gatherings, hosting up to 40 guests with a luxurious atmosphere, large windows, skylights, and exquisite art. Opt for a complete buyout for up to 80 guests, including the main dining room, garden room, and bar for an elevated dining experience.
  • Private party contact
    our Private Event Coordinator: (212) 861-7660
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Gift card

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