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Sistina, New York, NY

Sistina

4.8 (1741)
$31 to $50
Italian
24 E 81st Street, New York, NY 10028

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 10 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
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Private dining

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What 1,741 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 delivers an "exquisite dining experience" with its "authentic Italian cuisine," "extensive wine list," and "impeccable service." Guests rave about the "creative and delicious menu" and the "beautiful ambiance." While some found it "a bit expensive," many feel it's "worth it" for special occasions.
1,741 Reviews
  1. Tracy VIP

    Fort Lauderdale11 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    What a fabulous experience! The food and service were impeccable! ❤️ Looking forward to returning!

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  2. Daniel VIP

    Tampa / Central Florida West3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The chef is a genius and Antonio’s presentation of the menu rises to the level of great culinary theater. The overall experience is one to be enjoyed slowly. For those who are keen to notice beauty, relax and let Antonio and the wonderful chef guide you on a culinary adventure through Italy.

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  3. Evelyn VIP

    New York City54 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 20, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our whole experience was excellent. It is a favorite restaurant of ours.

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  4. Robert

    New York City1 review

    4.0

    Dined on June 19, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The service and atmosphere were both wonderful. But the food was just average. For the money, I expected better food.

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  5. Alessandro VIP

    New York City53 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great menu and wine list. The service is impeccable and the food authentic and very tasty. If anything a bit expensive, but worth it.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Hope VIP

    Houston2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 14, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This was our first time to go to Sistina. It was AMAZING!!! We started with lightly fried fresh oysters that were incredible!! They had the best flavor!! I had spaghetti pasta with fresh Spanish anchovies and sweet red peppers and capers that was so delicious!!! We will definitely be coming back!!!

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  7. John

    Denver / Colorado3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 12, 2025

    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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  8. Lydia VIP

    New York City3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 8, 2025

    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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  9. Sabrina VIP

    Greater Boston12 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on June 7, 2025

    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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  10. 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.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

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

Sistina is rated 4.8 stars by 1741 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 10 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
Gift card

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card
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