Arco Cafe Reviews

Stopped in for a lunch after a long meeting. Perfect service, and good timing between apps, and main course. Kale salad was fresh with a crisp bright dressing. Pasta dishes were nice with the right amount of spice. I will be back.

I wanted to try something different in NYC and came across this Italian restaurant online. I didn't think any Italian restaurant in NYC could amount to the food in Italy until I came here. My boyfriend and I arrived 30 minutes before closing so we thought we would have to rush but the hostess/waiter/owner made us feel so relaxed and he told us to take our time even though we felt bad. Everyone provided excellent service from the hostess, to the gentlemen cleaning, to the lady who brought out the food. On top of this the food was amazing!!! My boyfriend isn't fond of pasta but he cannot wait to go back.

I went to Arco Cafe last Monday for lunch and i really like this place! The prices are extremely reasonable at $12 for a 2 course prix fix lunch. This is a Sardinian restaurant and it is cozy and family run. Don't skip the opportunity to sample the flat bread which is unlike any others. I highly recommend coming for lunch since its prices are a steal but i'm also planning to go for dinner soon!

Our server, Walter was a bit shy but I believe it was because he only spoke Italian well and still learning English. I asked him to recommend all the Sardinian foods so that we could try them. We had the Mussels in Tomatoe Stew....scrumptious, fresh and seasoned perfectly. The Ensalada Mediterraneo.....fresh, tasty and the lemon dressing was perfect. Taglioni alla pesce.....Exemplary seafood with subtle sauce with homemade pasta. Grilled Branzino over bed of broccoli di rabe....what a great entree! Delicious!!! Desserts: Warm lemon cake....with strawberry sauce and semi freddo almaretto The topping of the dinner. Our coffee was complimented with this great dessert feast. I'll definitely be back and will bring others.

I couldn't wait to get back to our hotel room to write this review. This was our last night in NYC, so we wanted to make sure this was a good meal. We found this restaurant on Tripadvisor by chance, and it turned out the comments were spot on. We started with the stuffed mushroom special for the night, four mushrooms stuffed with vegetables, cheese, and bread crumbs in a tomato sauce, which gave a hint at the rest to come. The bread brought to the table was fresh and tasty, and the olive oil on the table matched it well. It seems that all the pastas are handmade, so my husband ordered the pasta with broccoli rabe and sausage, and I ordered gnocchi (sorry, but we don't take pictures of food!). They were very accommodating in that they left out the listed prosciutto, which I don't eat, for my gnocchi, and added extra parsley. The gnocchi were some of the best I've ever had in the US: I just wished I'd had enough room to finish eating it. The service was attentive and never faltered even though it was a Friday night. All I can add is that I wish I lived in NYC so I could eat here more often!

I'm travelling a month and today was t he better food I ate ... and have Brazilian music and service is special Recomendó a todos que vierem a essa região de NYC

Best. Carbonara. Ever. Plus accommodating service in an informal setting. Very good value. Excellent fried artichokes and olive oil cake.

We had a fantastic experience dining at Arco Cafe earlier today- the food was simple but lovely. I had the salmon with kale which was superb. Low key, no fuss, fresh food and pleasant staff. Also the seating is unusually spacious for New York. Will definitely try it again. (they have an interesting brunch menu as well-- though we haven't tried it).

This simple little Sardinian restaurant deserves to do well. The food is excellent, the service helpful and attentive. We had a special green salad with fried artichokes and ricotta and some terrific fried calamari to start. Our pastas were a pappardelle with pork belly and onion, a seafood special and a tagliolini cacao e pepe - all were really great. Wine is a bit expensive - but what else is new! We had prosecco and two enjoyable Sardinian reds. Their two course lunch for $12 is a steal.

A small establishment with al fresco dining out front. Offered a pleasant variety of options to please all in the party of four; even the vegetarian (me). Wait staff was helpful. Service time was reasonable, even if the check was a little slow.

A friend and I ate here 2 weeks ago and it was delicious . Thus, my husband and I returned last night to find a perfectly mediocre meal. This might explain the mixed reviews below, as it must be quite uneven. The pastas weren't anything special last night and, 2 weeks ago, they were great. Hard to know what the explanation is for such inconsistency. The service is great , the place is charming, but I guess it's a toss up in terms of the food!

We read a number of positive reviews about this restaurant (not a cafe). Seemed to offer proximity to our hotel as well as gluten free pasta dishes that were advertised on the menu. I am not allergic to gluten but I do not tolerate it, at all. We only chose this place because, among many promising spots on the upper west side, it offered gluten free pasta dishes. Yup. You guessed it - they did not have ANY gluten free pastas. And, the waitress told us that, when they do have gluten free pasta, they only have one gluten free pasta each day which, of course, means you cannot order most of their pasta dishes. So, OK, we are grownups and so I found a dish of salmon over kale which was gluten free - instead of leaving. Big mistake. The place seemed inviting but the first thing they brought to the table was stale and dried out bread. This is Italian cuisine! You have to serve the best fresh bread and good olive oil. It was dreadful. We both had the kale salad. OK - it is kale but I have had some terrific kale salads. This one was tasteless which was odd because the salmon I ordered was served over a bed of wilted kale that was delicious. The salmon was tasteless but that form of kale was quite good. My wife had a pasta dish that was not gluten free (lucky her) which was well prepared and had reasonable flavor. We ate our meals with some upset because they were basic, utilitarian creations that were totally lacking in creativity. I am so surprised when I get a poor meal in an "Italian" restaurant because when I visit Italy, even the gas stations on the auto strada serve good, sometimes inspired, food. Arco is in Manhatten, a big and competitive environment for restaurants. After the stale bread, tissue paper napkins and poor entres, I found myself wondering how this place keeps the doors open? With salads, entres and a glass of wine, with tip, we spent almost $100. What a waste of money and an opportunity for a great meal in Gothem.

If you are on the Upper West Side you must try this place! Delicious pasta and deserts! Great for family,dates and big groups. Great service!

This restaurant is really small and cosy. The staff is incredibly friendly, which is a joy in NY! The Italian food is really nice as well, very fresh and always served with fresh pepper and parmesan cheese. Been there twice in one week, no need to say more ;)

An early dinner on the way to the Met was made enjoyable with a sharing of mussels in tomato sauce and a excellent sea bass. Dinner for two,with a glass of wine at $70 makes Arco good value.

Arco Cafe located on the "Upper Upper West Side" is located in a neighborhood full of excellent, but overlooked restaurants. Many of we locals hope this stays this way, since this is a quiet, friendly, and very old-fashioned slice of NYC. BUT... this restaurant is TOO GOOD and the owner such a great fellow, I'm happy to recommend this place if for no other reason than it deserves to be a whopping success. GREAT food - unusual and definitely not your run-of-the-mill Vinnie Goombatz type EYE-talian restaurant, so if that's what you like, stay away. BUT if you like unique, Mediterranean-inspired and definitely NOT your grandma's spaghetti (unless your grandma was from Sardegna) to go, by all means. And try it several times before you start deciding on your favorites. We love this place and have taken my sister - - - one of the world's truly fussy people - - - for her birthday and she adored it. And that's the truth.

Definitely good food with a taste of Sardinia. The personnel is friendly and they have specials plate suggestions. Sardinian wines are good and the food is fairy tasty and good reflects the Italian island taste. Service is ok. Definitely worth to try the special desert with mirto liquor.

Neighborhood Italian, completely unpretentious. Great welcome. The food was exceptional and you must try the olive oil cake for pudding! We all had different dishes and everyone was very pleased. If you decide on the meat and cheese platter to start, make sure you're sharing, too much for one person! It's a bit out of the way but we will definitely go back.

Stopped by for lunch last week with two colleagues. Cute place. Service was good and the dishes did not disappoint. They have fresh homemade pasta that is gluten free, and got a goat cheese salad. The sizes are not too big, but not too small either. Just right. My two colleagues enjoyed their meal too.

We sat outside on a summer evening and watched the world go by. Lovely service and food. Would return

This was my second visit and both were well worth the visit. The space is average for ambience, but the food is delicious and won't strain your wallet. The Frito misto of zucchini and calamari were lightly fried, fresh and tasty. They prepare traditional Sardinian maldoreddos (like cavatelli) a few different ways and they are all very good. The home made gnocchi are also a good choice, light and creamy. The Bronzino was excellent. There are some very nice wine choices to compliment your dinner. So go check it out. I think you'll like it.

We were a large group and in spite of this, the food was served all together and it was served hot. We had meatballs and the frito miso (fried calamari and zucchini) appetizers and they were delicious. Almost everyone in our party ordered homemade pasta of one type or another and everyone loved it all. The one sour note in our experience was an efficient but unfriendly server. She pushed hard and if we hadn’t insisted on drinks and appetizers, she would have had us out the door in 30 minutes. However, there’s no doubt we’ll be back. The food was great.

I don't know much about Sardinia but the reviews looked good and we booked a table and checked it out last weekend. It was early so we had the place to ourselves and the pace of the meal was a bit leisurely. We filled up on pasta dishes and roasted veggies and bread and had a good meal. There is a special type of handmade pasta from Sardinia called maloreddo, which had a good texture and we also tried the fregola and seafood, which was good as well. Good place. Check it out if you're in the neighborhood.

Live around the corner & did not even think to try until an acquaintance told me about this place recently. DRINKS: Moretti Draught could have been a bit colder. Or at least the glass should have been chilled. It was kind of hot out. Nice wine menu. Loved the Prosecco by the glass, Falanghina and other choices for white. SERVICE: Nice friendly wait staff. When 4 kids & 2 moms next to us dropped a bottle of Balsamico on the floor, Wait staff were super friendly in cleaning up. Service I thought was a bit slow. but it was packed on a Tuesday night. DECOR/ATMOSPHERE: The whole place is made of French doors that open up when it is warm outside. Not sure if I want to go when it is so hot out but hopefully when it is 90 degrees out they will shut the doors and run A/C. FOOD/PRICE: Baby Octopus in red wine & tomato sauce ($12.5) It was delicious with red sauce Cacio e Pepe ($15.5) With homemade pasta.. it was definitely one of the most amazing Cacio e Pepes I have ever had Grilled steak, sausage and chicken, with broccoli rabe, polenta ($26) It was ok. Wish we ordered something a bit more special. But we were hungry so we thought we should go with the meat platter. It was not that big though. DESSERT: Panna cotta with strawberry sauce Cheese bake with drizzled honey I don't have a sweet tooth. But you will regret it if you don't order these. They were part of the special.

A real authentic gem of a spot! Midweek wine deal is fabulous. Francesca is a gracious hostess eager to share the cuisine of Sardinia.

Following TA and a friend recommendation i went into this place, as i really love Italien food, especially pasta. It looks very nice, it is actually a bit unusual compared to the surroundings area. I was nicely guided to a table and staff was friendly and efficient. The pasta, a special of the day, was nothing special at all. Actually pretty tasteless, disappointing. Had a glass of sauvignon blanc and it was equally pretty poor in taste, at least for me. The place is nice but my food / drink experience was rather the opposite. Anyway, i might give then another chance if in the area again.

When arrived I was suspicious, the menu has misspellings and the candles are fake (in my experience these are bad signals). The olive oil and balsamic vinegar they give with the house bread are very bad. The main dishes are not too bad, the potato gnocchi is okay and the tomato based sauces are good. Very nice service in general, I'd give them a second try.

I really like your Negroni for Apero. And the Tagliatelle cachia e pepe were very good. I tasted some in Italy and they are almost alike!

We enjoyed out Friday evening meal here. Service was efficient and friendly. Authentic Sardinian cuisine in a cozy building and friendly neighborhood. Happy, upbeat atmosphere. Would return most definitely!!! Highly recommend!

This is a place where you can taste authentic Sardinian cuisine. The food is amazing and the service is very good! I tried the Pork Tenderloin and it was probably the best I've ever had! I highly recommend this restaurant!

A family gathering of four adults was made special by this terrific little restaurant. We're unpretentious and eat to enjoy a well-prepared meal at a reasonable price. Arco Cafe fits that bill. Check out their menu online. While it's Italian-based, it's a far cry from traditional Italian cooking. Our group of four ended up sampling different appetizers, entrees and desserts. Without exception, each was extremely well-prepared, pleasantly seasoned and delightfully fresh. The cost? With three courses, house wine, coffee, tax and tip, the total came to some $50 apiece. The service was excellent; we stayed almost 2 hours and never felt rushed. Would we go back? For sure. It's an absolute gem!

I made a reservation on a Friday night. I showed up ten minutes late and was the only one at the restauarant. I was apprehensive, but as soon as I sat down, they were very attentive and answered all of my questions. The food came out fast and hot, and the ambiance was so sweet. Would be a great date spot! Although another family came in halfway through my meal and seemed to know the menu well, so I'd say it would be a good spot for many occasions.

We enjoyed brunch, arriving at 11:30 before the crowds. There is a good menu selection and brunch comes with a complimentary breakfast cocktail. The service was attentive but not pushy

Our friend recommended Arco Cafe and we trust her opinions, but nothing could have prepared us for the food and service. It's authentic Italian food at very fair prices and a very friendly, accommodating staff. It's a neighborhood restaurant that could command higher prices in a different location.

We tried an array of plates but only those of us who ordered tomato-based pasta were happy with the food. The rest found the food bland, oily, or simply unexceptional. Are the ingredients to blame? Maybe. We could not tell that this was olive oil, not even when we had a chance to taste it with the (somewhat burnt) bread served to the table. When an Italian restaurant serves a substandard olive oil, and the waiter has too much of an attitude, it tells you something, and this something goes like this: nay.

We went at Arco Cafe for dinner, with a couple of friends. The place was not properly ventilated, while the temperature was quite cold. The wine we picked, Vermentino, a white from Sardinia that has to be served cold, was at ambient temperature. The entrées were poorly presented. The main courses were good, but nothing special. The service was speedy and no one explained us anything about the Sardinian food or suggested anything, aside from the day's specials. We were prompted to pay and, right after, to leave. The kitchen closed before we were informed that it was closed, so we could not order a dessert.

Excellent Italian restaurant specializing in Sardinian dishes. Excellent food, reasonable prices. We will be ordering again. We had the meal delivered because of the Covid pandemic.

When visiting NYC last week, my husband chose Arco Cafe from their internet reviews. The menu was filled with interesting items and it was tough to choose what to eat. There were four of us, so we planned our choices so we could share and taste multiple items. The meals were served quickly, and there was plenty of food on our plates.... UNFORTUNATELY, all four meals had no taste. I orderedd the special and douced my fish with salt so that I could actually eat it. My dinner companions just suffered through theirs. VERY DISAPPOINTING MEAL. If you go, bring your own flavoring. :( or drink first so your taste buds are dulled... :( $120 down the drain...

Consistently excellent food, freshly prepared, and attentively served. Special salad tonight was fresh, all our pastas dishes were well-prepared, dessert also lovely (pistachio cake was light and creamy). Grateful this is our local Italian restaurant.

This a a classy cafe-style Sardinian Italian with good service and very tasty dishes. The pastas are fresh and excellent. Good day specials. Outside seating in the summer. My favorite Italian in theColumbia University area.

What's not to like? An intimate, relaxing ambiance with consistently good food. Great value for the money. I love Arco Cafe.

Not sure why it has taken me so long to get back to Arco since my first review --- quite a few months ago --- maybe because there are many other restaurants in our section of the Upper Westside. In any case, I happened to think of it today and decided to return. So, here are the key points: 1. The pasta dish I ordered was excellent (I was by myself; my wife is out of town). 2. The service was prompt. 3. The place was virtually full by 6:30 or 6:45 -- the word is out! Tip: make a reservation. 4. The prices are reasonable. 5. There are many specials (surprising since this restaurant is not large). 6. The Italian owner/manager/hostess -- a lovely young woman named Francesca -- is exceptionally friendly and charming. Will I return? Without question!

This is Sardinian and Italian food, with great local specialties. It had a great menu. We ordered the pasta of the day and the chicken of the day. The flavors were beautifully blended, the portions good. The service was attentive and friendly. We went on a Saturday night and it got very busy after 7:30 PM. (It is a small place so I suggest you call for reservations on a weekend night.) It did get quite noisy as the place filled up. I think we will go back during the week or for lunch when it is quieter as we want to taste their homemade gnocchi that the other reviewers have raved about!

We were hungry and decided on Arco as the ambience was perfect for our current attitude. I had muscles. A very generous portion and my friend had a great chicken with salad dish. This perfect dinner together will also bring us back for another delicious experience.

Great Sardinian food. The warm and inviting brick lined room, Italian staff, lots of daily specials and interesting wine list make Arco a terrific neighborhood choice and a reason to travel to Amsterdam and 103

Daniele knows how to put you immediately at ease in this informal and friendly restaurant. We chose an appetizer with mushrooms, arugula and Parmesan cheese; delicate and appetizing! Afterwards, cuts of beef and chicken; both served with its own boundary. Meat tender and flavorful: here a quality that makes you feel like you were in Italy! Wonderful desserts too. In short, do not miss this restaurant if you want to taste the real Italian flavors in a welcoming environment. Obviously, the quality can not rightly have the prices of the chains that are in the area ... Per qualsiasi occasione siate in zona, vale la pena; ti fa sentire a casa....!

Stopped in for a quick lunch. Around 2 pm on Saturday. Nice quick service. Friendly! Good fresh sliced bread and olive oil. Had some nice pasta dishes. Gnocchi with cream, Parmesan and pancetta. Delicious. Very rich. Fettuccine a la Bolognese. Nice sauce done right and Al dente pasta. Also a Fettuccine with seafood. squid, Also very fresh and great tasting. Had a nice large caprese salad. Balsamic, With very soft buffalo mozzarella. And a Small mixed salad. 2 coffees. A quite good cappuccino. That’s it. Nice place for a relaxing lunch. No rush. 3 persons, $40 for a nice lunch. We will return!!

excellent omelettes, pancakes , pasta. great attentive service, small cozy cute place. authentic hand made pasta

Nothing more to say than simply excellent! The service was excellent, the food was excellent and the price was reasonable.

My son-in-law joined me for dinner at Arco Café a few nights ago; he was visiting from CA and had not been there previously. He had a fish entrée and I had that evening's special -- a steak smothered in mushrooms, with mashed potatoes and broccoli rabe. Everything was excellent. Once again, the owner/manager/hostess (Francesca) demonstrated her ability to make everyone feel really happy that they had come to her restaurant -- she is charming, efficient and very professional. Bravo!

This was our first dinner stop on NYC , and I'm so glad it was. The pasta was all homemade and absolutely amazing- it was incredibly fresh and light. My husband got the gnocchi, which was probably the best gnocchi we have ever had. I ordered the vegan pasta with a ton of fresh veggies, and it was also some of the best pasta I've ever had. I definitely recommend this place if you're looking for Italian on the upper west side.

Arco Cafe is a homey, cozy restaurant which offers interesting sardinian menu choices. There were 5 of us in our party and we dined on a Sunday night choosing to eat inside. We were greeted warmly, promptly seated and offered menus. The owner/waitress was very patient as we asked questions and waited while we were discussing what to order. We decided upon Alisanzas di Sardegna, Fettuccine Bolognese, Gnocchi alla Montanara, Salome alla Griglia and Tagliolini Cacio e Pepe. All were delicious and outstanding, flavorful dishes!! The desserts were amazing as well...Tagliolini Cacio e Pepe and Tortino Al Cioccolato. The waitstaff was very attentive during our dinner and when we asked for things, they were brought to us very promptly. The bill was very reasonable for what we ordered. We will definitely eat there again when we are in the area!

About the restaurant, I highly unrecommend. Before I went to the restaurant, the front desk guy told me it's expensive. Because it's just opposite to the hostel, so I still went up there. Looking at the menu, I said in my gut, the prices were ok. But in the next 1 hour, many things told me that the front desk guy was right. The portion, the taste and the service all proved I was wrong.

Too bad I relied on the comments written on Trip Advisor. My experience: The atmosphere was nice. We ordered wine by the glass was just okay, limited selection. The bread came to the table and was very stale accompanied with olive oil. The kale salad was intentionally wilted with a disproportionate and sparing amount of almonds, raisins and would have been much better with a light, sweeter dressing to cut the bitterness of the greens. The homemade pasta was good, not great. After finishing the meal, and wine and water the table was forgotten. My husband and I sat for an inordinate amount of time and finally got the attention of someone for the check. Had a dessert menu been presented to us in a timely way, we may have stayed longer. The waitress, while pleasant, greatly lacked the proper presentation to elevate the dining experience and reputation of the restaurant. Guests at a restaurant should not be referred to as 'guys.' When clearing the table, dishes should be taken away! and NOT stacked in front of the person sitting at the table. The restaurant reminded me of the expression, "Live to eat..or eat to live. I ate to live.

Loved this place at lunch after visiting St John The Divine way upper west side. Fabulous prix -fixe. Thumbs up on the tomato and mussels soup and the traditional Sardinian pasta with sausage and tomato. Great decor. Friendly solid service.

Having read a blog post raving about this new café around the corner, I met a friend for lunch a few weeks ago and then took my husband and daughter last night. The lovely greeter remembered me from Regional where she had worked. My friend and I each had pasta dishes for lunch that were just the right blend of creamy and flavorful. Last night the three of us split a special salad of home-made ricotta on arugula with a balsamic vinegar reduction. Outstanding. I had another appetizer, a mussel soup, for my main course. (We also had a carafe of the house pinot grigio that was citrusy and refreshing.) There were about a dozen perfectly cooked mussels in a broth that was as nuanced as a good curry--flavors popping but never overwhelming. Not a single grit of sand that is often the downfall of a mussel dish. My daughter enjoyed a pasta with shrimp and husband a gnocchi with pork belly. He felt his dish should have had some kind of kick, but if that's what he wanted, he should have ordered something else. After all, don't you eat gnocchi for its healing properties and ability to chase away the blues? The wait-staff was ultra-pleasant and attentive both times and the prices are totally reasonable. We left feeling nostalgic for Italy, curious about Sardinia, and very happy with our new neighborhood go-to café.

Omelet choices are the best. Open air dining brings the city activities to the experience. Well worth the trip.

We had a very good meal at Arco cafe. The branzino was fresh and well prepared. The service was friendly and attentive.

The food is amazingly fresh. The wait staff and owners remember you and your preferences! The space is open with a nice outside seating area across for the Youth Hostel that looks like a castle!

When you just can't get away from a place. That's what happens at Arco Cafe. Before leaving you promise yourself that you will try the typical local cuisine but then you dine here and then you can not wait to go back. There were seven of us and we had dinner here for three nights. Excellent cuisine with fresh products and different proposals. The high quality of the dishes matches the quantity, and you get up fully satisfied. Among the first recommendations the malloreddus cheese and pepper with or without truffles I had never eaten and are really top. A special applause to Francesca always with a smile on her lips who was able to reproduce a piece of Italy in New York bringing a breath of freshness and harmony. What if you want to eat well and above all feel good come here! Also convenient is the possibility to book a table that avoids you as in other places to queue. THANK YOU SO MUCH FRANCESCA, THANK YOU SO MUCH ARCO CAFE'

We've eaten at Arco Cafe several times, and -- in an area with three or four good Italian places-- it's becoming a local favorite of ours. Last night I had freshly-made cavatelli with broccoli rabe and crumbled Salsiccia sausage. The pasta was cooked absolutely perfectly and the sauce was flavorful and fresh. My wife had the classic Fettucine alla Bolognese; again, the fresh pasta was al dente and the ragu was exceptional. On other visits I've had the Brasato di Maiale con Polenta, a pork tenderloin over polenta with a rich sauce and mushrooms. Great on a cool evening! We've never had anything other than a great experience there. Probably related to that, we've always found the staff to be friendly and attentive and the prices seem very reasonable for the quality of the meal. Affordable wine selection, and Italian beer on tap. It's on Amsterdam, opposite the big youth hostel between 103 and 104. Outdoor seating in the summer.

The place is nice, we had two pastas gnocchi and cavatelli, both were really good. The service on the other hand was a bit confusing. Of note, it's weird to go to an Italian place and see bread being served with butter instead of olive oil, but maybe that's just me...

This attractive place on the upper west side bills itself as Sardinian – Italian. It’s an airy inviting place, and the owners and wait staff are especially pleasant. We were tempted by the several unusual pasta choices, and we started with a very large fritto misto of calamari and zucchini – plenty for the three of us. The three pastas were distinct and very good – mini gnocchi converted me from my aversion to potato pillows I’ve gotten with that name. A good selection of wine by the glass and bottle. Overall, a pleasant evening.By sharing your experiences, you're helping travelers make better choices and plan their dream trips. Thank you!

I have reviewed Arco Café on various occasions and still love this small neighborhood Sardinian/Italian restaurant. We went for dinner early evening this past Sunday and the place was full (post-NY Marathon celebrating?); unfortunately there was a birthday celebration (all adults) of about 16 people and they were incredibly noisy which caused other diners to have to speak loudly as well. Even moving tables did not help much and as the noise got worse, we would have left but we had already put in our orders. My wife was very pleased with her branzino and I loved the special pasta that evening -- we will consider the noise issue as a "one off" experience and certainly return in the future. As usual, the service was prompt, pleasant and helpful.

In New York for the Marathon and renting an apartment in the upper west side.. And needed some wholesome but quality feeding. Rumours pointed to Arco, and we were well rewarded for the few blocks walk. Welcoming and accomodating on a busy Saturday night and pleasant efficient service followed. Food, wine, atmosphere and value. Well done we will be back again for another night before we go.service

Yummy Italian family-run place. Kid friendly. As an Italian we do not like to go for Italian restaurant but this is different. Special recipes from Sardinia Island are a rarity in town.

We have only had brunch here but of the smallish menu, there are some mouth-watering dishes. Typically, the Branzino is tenderly cooked served on a bed of kale. The usual brunch standards such as eggs with bacon etc., are equally delicious. The place has a full bar and the staff are most welcoming with excellent service at all times.

I ordered the special of the day: pasta with salmon and a spicy sauce. The sauce was bland, and the salmon amounted to 4 small pieces, and 3 shrimp. And for this they charged $23.90. I ordered a Sauvignon Blanc and was served a Sangiovese.

Arco Cafe is a wonderful neighborhood eatery. We went on a Monday night so bottles of wine were 1/3 off - sensational. The pasta dishes were fresh and delicious and priced extremely reasonably. I would recommend anyone to go and soak up some good atmosphere with friends.

My husband and I came here for the first time last night and could not be more pleased. This spot has been here for about 8 months and we just heard about it. The atmosphere is warm, the staff knowledgeable and friendly and most of the all the food was great!! We were also excited to hear about the 50% off wine bottle price during the week and received a gift card at the end of our meal. That was a nice plus but honestly we would have paid the full price anyway. We will definitely be adding this to our regular spots to eat.

I believe that Arco has been around only 2-3 months but they do have their act together! My wife had Branzino and she was quite pleased (though she noted that it was not an especially large portion). I had the gnocchi with mushrooms (I asked that they omit the bacon which they did and added more mushrooms in its place). I thought that my dish was superb. We then shared their chocolate dessert -- I think that they may do different desserts each night -- not on the printed menu; there were only four options but this one was certainly very tasty --- and one portion was enough for the two of us. The service was exceptionally prompt, pleasant and helpful (I had asked a few Q's)....and the price of the above meal, with a tip of 18% came to about $48. We will return!

Went here for dinner one night after reading the reviews on TA. Definitely not impressed. The food was average, but the noise and the very annoying waitress made it a bad experience.

Thank you from the heart Arco Café for a lovely night and a great meal. We were moving our son and daughter in law to New York and discovered you are just around the corner. So happy for Francesca and her family what they have created here. The food was first class, the service personal. We loved everything we ordered. Gnocchi alla Montanara, Seafood pasta, Burrata e Prosciutto, Culurgiones Bolognese Sauce, Branzino, Torta Ricotta e Pistacchio, Sebada, Keep rockin!

Dinner on sat night. Service horrible. No wine glasses. Only 3 utensils for 4 people i had Maloreddos Campidanes. It was very good. Caprese salad bland

Very romantic and cozy. The fresh pasta in the entrance is a great sign of things to come. A proudly Sardinian owner greets you and recites mouth-watering after mouth-watering special of the day. She even recommended the wine. A unique Sardinian grape called Cannonau. The pasta was perfect. The calamari and zucchini frito was fresh and light. The dessert, a lemon, silky Sardinian tradition was superb. We sat next to a lovely lady who is a regular, and who professed her love for this place. My girlfriend and I discussed the high probability we would look for a place close to Arco if we ever moved to New York. We are coming back in November…and whenever possible.

Excellent Sardinian restaurant on upper west side. I had chicken Parmesan. It was delicious and a very large serving. Others had homemade pasta dishes that looked delicious. I recommend making a reservation, as the place is cozy and quaint.

Small, cozy, busy restaurant with simple and delicious food. The caprese salad and the Alisanzas di Sardegna (pappardelle with sauteed onions & pancetta in fresh tomato sauce) were lovely, as was the young lady who waited on us. It's a labor of love for the owner.

Arco is a welcome addition to the Upper Westside, which is wonderful except for the shortages of restaurants (Starbucks does NOT count as a restaurant - well, it doesn't even rate as a coffee shop as far as I'm concerned!). I appreciated "gjglobetrotting"'s review since I also would like to keep this secret for all of us UWS'ers! But, the owners are really working hard at this so deserve the cred. Arco is a small restaurant on Amsterdam Ave, housed in an old building with very high ceilings, brick walls. The owners are young, Italian, very gracious but casual at the same time. The food is overall of very good quality... minestrone is fabulous, so are the pastas I've had. The chicken paillard on greens, though, was too thin, tough and dry. But I think it's early days so I'm sure this will be improved upon. The restaurant offers 50% off the price of a bottle of wine on certain nights (just not sure which nights). In short, this is a really great place and kudos to the proprietors!

We live in the neighborhood so you can trust our opinion of this lovely restaurant! Great food, great service, outdoor patio if you want to bring your well-behaved, leased dog. As locals, we found out about their crazy lunch special. Appetizer (salads, mussels, so much more) and entree (lots of options and if you chose pasta, it is a full size portion of homemade pasta) for less than you can get a glass of wine of some of the other local restaurants! Just love this restaurant!

Warm welcomes greet you at this authentic Sardinian restaurant where the owner said he aims to constantly improve the food he serves. It's delicious and very reasonable.

We stopped here for a late lunch/early dinner around 3pm on a weekday. The small dining room has a nice ambiance, with high ceilings, exposed brick, and large windows facing Amsterdam Ave. Service was friendly and attentive. Fresh bread and well prepared salads and pasta. Maloreddos Campidanesi was especially good!

This is one of those places I hesitated posting a review on for a while, only because we live in the 'hood and really want to keep this our little secret. We have been there 3-4 times and the humble alisanzas di sardegna is possibly the best new pasta dish I have tasted in the last year. The fritto misto with calamari and zucchini is tasty and nearly impossible to finish alone if you also want an entree (and a dessert!). I read good things about the semifreddo before visiting; it was fine but not exactly my palate choice. Service is great -- those young Sardinians deserve kudos for introducing real Sardinian cuisine to the area. If you live anywhere in the UWS, give this place a try. It likely won't be your last visit.

This is a great little spot to get the best Italian (Sardinian) food. They have a house red wine that is smooth as silk. The price point is way beyond reasonable and won't break the bank. Locals LOVE the place and visitors to the city MUST DO Arco Cafe. Its great for solos (who may want to at at the bar or a table) couples, families, business, friends and special occasions. Have dinner, desert, or late night drink. Don't miss this gem!

Wonderful homemade pasta dishes as well as interesting salads and vegetables. The gnocchi is delicious. Do not skip dessert! The waitstaff are very friendly and knowledgeable. We had to wait a bit longer than usual for our dinner on one visit and they gave us free dessert. We have been there as a couple and with our 2 grown children, we all love the food.

Delicious Italian food, not so expensive too. You have to try it if you are around. Every thing we ordered was delicious. Service is great too.

Great lunch value - nice selection, food was good, service was efficient and pleasant. Access to the restaurant was easy even with a walker - no steps. I'll be back for more meals.

This restaurant is Italian but with a very different approach. The pasta is not what you are used to and neither are many of the dishes. But the food is delicious and has become one of our favorite NY City restaurants. My favorite is the "Cavatelli with Broccoli Rabe and Sweet Italian Sausage". My wife likes the "Tagliolini Cacio e Pepe" and the "Malareddos alla Campidanese". (As I said, not pasta's you find in most Italian restaurants!) The price is right and the taste is different and delicious at this friendly and unpretentious neighborhood restaurant.

It used to be that the Upper West Side was a desert for restaurants, and the further north you went the more Sahara-like it was. I was walking up Amsterdam Ave to met the Begum Playaneuron at her job and passed by a little restaurant that said "Sardinian Cafe." Sardinia in Harlem (we were above 96th St)? So the Begum Playaneuron and I walked back down Amsterdam to try out this unlikely place. Wow! The excellent Italian bread came with their own balsamic vinegar (so labeled) and a very good olive oil. We had two appetizers - bruschetta with prosciutto and smoked mozzarella, a to-die-for fritto misto of zucchini and calamari with a great, spicy tomato sauce, and then we split a shrimp pasta with homemade spaghetti and a wonderful red sauce. A fabulous Vermentino brought back dreams of Alghero. If they had put pecorino sarde on the pasta instead of real parmigiano reggianno it would absolutely perfect instead of merely perfect. We can't wait to go back and try other things on the menu.

Didn't know Sardinian food ( it's an island off the coast of Italy, near Corsica) If it's nice, dine outside. Nice breeze, in the shade. I asked about the Mirta: it's elderflower liquor. The mix w prosecco (Italian champagne ) to create a bliss (30% off on Sunday's. I had the Sardinian cheese steak sandwich (home-made bread and steak to die for) Wifey had eggs Benedict Sunday brunch: perfectly cooked eggs. Chicca was our server. She's from Guayaquil, Ecuador. Her hubby is from Sardinia. International romance. - the love comes across in the food. She knows what she's doing. Anticipated our every need.

During the remodel when century-old brick arches were uncovered, Arco found its name. Since then the small neighborhood place has spanned the arch of its destiny from Local to Destination. On a tip from a friend we went for dinner. Francesca Fiori, the owner as it turned out, immediately made us feel like welcome visitors to a Sardinian family village. The menu may look like comfort food, but the experience is beyond anything ordinary. All of us “know” Italy; few of us know Sardinia’s variations on those themes. I started with Moscardini al Cannonau, baby octopus in cannonau red wine. My wife opted for the much touted vegan minestrone, a flavorful cup of light veggie bliss. In for a penny, we went for it! For primo piattis I had the Maloreddos alla Campidanese, a sausage ragu often considered the national dish of Sardinia. My bride took on the Tagliolini al Frutti di Mare, a generous portion of fish and shellfish in a light tomato sauce. Dropping back a gear, we split a secondo piatto: Brasato di Miale (braised pork tenderloin) on soft polenta with a cannonau reduction. And charging happily into the finish, we threw out all calorie caution and went for a sinfully warm and runny chocolate fondant with vanilla sauce and lemon cream and a semifreddo with amaretti cookies and what I was certain was a wild strawberry drizzle. Since the wine sauces were Cannonau, the “black wine” of Sardinia, we splurged on a bottle of riserva. It’s a Grenache Noir said to have the world’s highest amount of anti-oxidants. Dr. Oz credits it as one factor that enables so many Sardinians to live to 100. My guess is that only holds if you drink it in Sardinia proper. But I’m pretty sure Arco qualifies too. Well worth finding out!

We were staying at the hostel across the road, as we were chaperoning a large group of High school students. This was a great place to chill after a tiring day. The service was friendly and efficient and the outdoor seating made it great for people watching. The pasta was tasty although the portions were not particularly generous and there was a reasonable selection of wine by the glass. The Sardinian white wine was delicious but rather pricey, especially as we were traveling on NZ dollars. I would recommend for those not traveling on a restrictive budget.

I never expected such a good restaurant in this still gritty area! The chef really knows his stuff: The calamari and the greens were fried perfectly, the pasta was home made, good, al dente and the sauce was as it is supposed to be. Naturally the espresso was perfect too!

This is a small neighborhood family-owned restaurant specializing in Sardinian cuisine. I went with a group of seven. We were made to feel very comfortable and welcomed. We came here especially to dine on Sardinian cuisine because we have organized a trip to Alghero. A family member assisted us and explained everything on the menu. She was extremely patient and receptive to our needs. The food was delicious and we enjoyed the Sardinian wine. To top it off, they gave us all separate checks. Highly recommended.

One has to love this small café -- the food is consistently excellent; the service is helpful; the setting is nice (even with a full house, it wasn't noisy); Francesca, the manager/hostess is so welcoming and charming that she makes the customers feel important and so glad that they have come to the Arco Café. Not sure I can offer more praise than that!

We went in for a birthday celebration and were quite pleased. The cured meat and Sardinian cheese board with pane carasau was great. I had a great pork tenderloin with wild mushrooms and polenta. All the pasta dishes we ordered (Bolognese, Cacio de pepe and sardi) were superb. My daughter had a wonderful salmon with exquisite sautéed broccoli rabe. The Sardinian cannanou wine was outstanding as well. A real gem on the UWS

I'm a big fan of this place - all of their pasta is delicious, the service is great, and the atmosphere is just what you would expect. Head over there today - it's nice that they're OpenTable so you can make reservations too!

Café Arco is officially my favorite neighborhood restaurant in New York. I've dined there 10 or more times and it never disappoints. The menu is small but focused. It's Italian with a Sardinian flavor and the prices are amazing. Maybe the best part of this lovely little café is the friendly staff. Always warm and welcoming and they remember you! This is quite a gem in an otherwise uninteresting block. Worth traveling uptown for!

I never write bad reviews.. at least, im trying. But not this time! Very bad attitude, very bad. I was there with friend and in check out time, the owner-“he introduced him after when this happened”-took our receipt with credit card and after bring us already signed receipt and left right after. So when we saw, tried to ask where is the card, he was just walking between tables, i just didn’t know how to call him-if you know other way tell me please-i just called, hello, sorry, can you come here, cause we were in rush, couldn’t wait .. and also i raised my hand thinking maybe he doesn’t hear. But he just looked at me and “What?- Wait” i just was in shock:) he came and said don’t call me like that im not a dog. I really didn’t understand. Tell me how can i ask someone if i don’t know the name? Hello or excuse me. He said my name is Danielle and im the owner of this restaurant , So?? i never saw such rude and bad attitude in any restaurant! If you think you have a lot of customers and you dont care if someone bothers you, then good luck with that! Maybe you dont care if i reviewed your place with 1 star, but i need to do it for other customers, if they see same thing not to be in shock at least, not to be upset. This is the way how you greet your customers!

A great new addition to the UWS neighborhood. This Italian (Sardinian) restaurant has a limited menu, excellent home made pastas and fish, all cooked to perfection, and it is reasonably priced. Service is attentive and efficient... dishes came a bit too quickly at times, but this is preferable to agonizing waits. If I had to find fault is that lighting is very low at dinner time. I really do not get it: Chefs spend a lot of time in the presentation of the dish and the restaurant is so dark you need the flashlight app in your phone to see it! What is the point? Still, highly recommended.

I stayed in New York for six nights and found this place local to where I was staying. I had lunch here one slow afternoon and was the only diner but felt instantly relaxed and welcome. The lunch deal on everyday until 5pm is a good one: a starter and a main for not very much $ (I can't remember exactly, maybe something like $21). And tonight on my last night in NYC I came back for an evening meal. Really lovely atmosphere - calm and relaxing. The wait staff were polite and prompt and the fettuccine was excellent. A real find of fresh pasta and a perfect environment.

The food and service was exceptional! Had a pasta special with clams garlic fennel and topped with crabmeat! The staff went out of their way to take care of my 21/2 year old nephew!

We went for the first time for dinner last Saturday night. The place is small and cozy; as a result, tables are pretty close together, which gives it a good energy level. There is a good wine list, with a range of price options. The food was very good and reasonably priced. We particularly liked the fritto misto appetizer, the salads and the pastas. The branzino was also very good. Unfortunately there was a mix-up in the kitchen and we had a very long wait for our food (it did not appear to have affected other tables). Fortunately the waitress handled the problem well. We will definitely go back.

I stayed in a hotel right the corner where the restaurant was and since the other reviews were positive I visited it for a late lunch. I ordered a sea food with tea and all was timely served and tasty. The service was smiley and very helpful. I would go there again with my friends.

Great ambient service Excellent food and service feels like home kitchen!! Food is so good and just felt like home We celebrated our dayghters graduating petfect

We were walking by and loved the open patio doors into the restaurant and decided it was time for lunch, so glad we did! We started with an excellent mediterranean salad with goat cheese, kalamata olives, cucumbers, etc in a lemon vinaigrette. We then ordered two of their fantastic homemade pastas that were so full of flavor and cooked to perfection. For brunch/lunch on the weekend you get a complimentary mimosa or bellini and both were excellent. All entrees are served with fresh bread with orange marmalade. So take some time and visit this gem on the Upper West Side!

Ate with family the other day. Started with a few different apps. My son had the octopus. He loved it. Everyone has mains mainly pasta dishes some with bolognese and others with seafood accompaniment. Excellent. Selected some really great Sardinian wine to complement the dishes. Mid week special was 30% discounted. Great offer. Loved it all. Would return. Authentic and real.

This is an authentic Italian restaurant that offers Sardinian cuisine, it can be quite different yet interesting. Francesca the owner is such a sweet girl and you can tell the locals love her. The service is welcoming and the atmosphere is warm. Value is decent.

We came to celebrate, and the food, service, ambiance was perfect for our occasion! There are hundreds of Italian restaurants in New York City, but this one is special -- not just because of the Sardinian specialities. There's the combination of huge windows, a warm interior, and owner hospitality. Arco is owned by a young brother and sister who immediately welcome you as a family member. The staff is solicitous and very attentive. Pastas are all homemade... and for dessert, try semifreddo and the sebada. Amazing.

Cosy ambience, tasty food and efficient service at great prices what more can you ask for?! Right beside Marrakech hotel, easy to find, friendly welcome.

The staff and owner were so welcoming and nice. The place is cozy and comfortable. Food was delicious - had the octopus stew for an appetizer and the torn up flat pasta with sausage and tomato sauce, sauteed kale, and even had dessert: olive oil cake with lemon and strawberry cream (amazing). Everything was great. Sardinian wine was excellent. This is going to be our new neighborhood standby. Loved it. So lucky to have it in the neighborhood.

I surely didnt expect the good food and great service in this restaurant. The food was perfectly baked and tasted delicious, for an amazing price!

A Sardinian Italian cafe, this tiny gem boasts a European flair with delicious food. The menu is classic fare that is enhanced by the fresh pasta and simple approach. They serve espresso and Italian cocktails to meet your needs whether for a weekend brunch, light lunch, or after dinner drinks. Excellent find with great service!

A very good place to eat real Italian delicious food. The ambient is warm and the staff is very kind and polite. Give to they a chance and you will be not deluded!

Of COURSE our server's name is Francesca! We were looking for a hole-in-the-wall gem. And we found it.

So I stumbled upon the Arco Cafe whilst spending an evening in Harlem, As you walk in, I was struck by the high ceilings, cast Iron/naked bricks NYC "loft" decor, and was greeted by the friendly staff. After a long day of taking in the delights of NYC, the crisp draught Moretti beers slaked my thirst and with a nod, the staff kept them coming. The restaurant is Sardinian and also does a number of other Italian specialties with an emphasis on really nice seafood. whilst I was perusing the menu I was offered bread and olive oil, the bread was super fresh/tasty. Chatting with the owner ( an amiable young lad who is a keen cyclist) he informed me that their pasta is actually fresh pasta and is made there in-house every day. I love good seafood pasta and so I opted for the fresh Tagliolini with mixed seafood, that included Tuna and other seafood, it was light and very tasty. The restaurant appears to have a roster of local regulars that are well known to the staff, I overheard conversations with them being offered their "favourites" which is always a good sign. I saw one customer served a mountainous plate of something I later learnt was called Maloreddos, (apparently they are Sardinian semolina dumplings with a sausage/tomato sauce). In summary, cool place, great food, attentive, yet unfussy staff and easy on the wallet.....what more can you ask for?

Arco has delicious homemade pasta at an unbeatable price. The service was fantastic, all italian speaking staff were highly engaging and helpful with what to order! The traditional style of building created a great atmosphere and feel to the place. Do yourself a favour and stop by for a bite to eat!

I went for lunch with some friends. The place is located not far from Central Park. I ate a focaccia, Maccarrones de Busa and Sabada, typical dishes of Sardinian cuisine, at a great price. Maccarrones and Sebada, of excellent quality, made entirely by them (from pasta). We were served typical wines of Sardinia. For me who are from Nuoro it was like being at home. The aesthetics of the place, very nice, is also characteristic. Francesca, the owner, was very kind and welcoming. Highly recommended.

This relatively small (some would call it cozy) neighborhood Sardinian restaurant is terrific -- as growing numbers of Upper Westsiders are discovering. The owner/manager -- Francesca -- sets the tone for the place; she is competent, smart and charming. Under her leadership, the food is excellent, the service staff is efficient and the prices are reasonable....and I tip my hat to Francesca for creating such a lovely restaurant in our Upper Westside neighborhood! My wife and I just went with another couple --- we ordered four different entrees and each of us was delighted. We also enjoyed a lovely wine -- on this Monday evening the wine came with a 30% discount which we also appreciated. In short, Arco has it together and is worthy of many return visits.

What a find! We were looking for something different on the Upper West Side. A real Italian atmosphere with food to match. Had the Burrata appetizer, Frutti Di Mere, and Branzino special. Everything tasted fresh and delicious. Also the Focaccia bread was amazing. This will be our new go to!

The day I arrived at the hostel, went to this Italian cafe to try Italian special! I tried Fregola, an oven-toasted​ round pasta with mussels and baby octopus in tomato broth, paid $16, but really loved it! Highly recommnded!

We’ve eaten here before and been pleased. Tonight service was inattentive, at best. I arrived with two small children and told them we would be a table for four. They removed the fourth setting when seating us, then never returned the fourth setting even after the other adult arrived. It took over a half hour after ordering for the appetizer to arrive. When main courses were served, one pasta was room temperature.

Is a classic restaurant - Italian Food. The food is very good and the service is friendly. Close to the subway and other place to fun time with friends. Is very familiar.

I ate here twice on my weekend in Manhattan and only regret I never made it for lunch or brunch. The food is so well prepared and uncomplicated. I had the best gnocchi of my life - light and almost fluffy, in a simple cream sauce with flavorful shaved mushrooms and salty bits of pancetta. So good. Another evening, I had a light, mild fish filet grilled and served on a bed of really tasty broccoli rabe with just the right amount of garlic and olive oil. Drinks are prepared with equal care. I hear the omelets are phenomenal at brunch, and the 2-course lunch sounds like an unbelievable bargain for the quality. Please go - you'll love the people and the food.

Had a healthy and delicious dinner here. The restaurant's setting was ideal for a family reunion! It felt like we were in a cozy family European cafe ideal for conversation on a relaxing Monday night. 👍🏼 We started by sharing the Caprese Salad which was the right size for satisfying the "hungries" without ruining our appetites. Our entrees included: the fantastic Branzino al Salmoriglio (grilled perfectly with just the right balance of garlic, lemon, and seasonings- would definitely order it again when I return,) Gnocchi alla Montanara, and Alisanzas di Sardegna (both the gnocchi and pappardelle dishes were homemade pastas)! All were DELICIOUS! Dessert was Tortino al Cioccolato (chocolate fondant with vanilla sauce + whipped cream). Chose from wines by the glass, or if you prefer a bottle, they are 30% off Mon-Thurs. Looking forward TO EATING there again. 👏 This brother + sister Sardinian restaurant is one to visit. (Columbia parents- it's close to campus.)

First time here, based on review of various kinds of pasta. Two couples and we both really enjoyed it. Fried zucchini and calamari a must for me. They also had an extensive drink menu and two order negronis and were very pleased. This was a Wednesday night, place was quiet and we had as much time as we needed to enjoy the good food. Pasta seafood special was Great and others enjoyed the pasta and sausage.

We arrived before 6pm and so were able to order from their fixed price menu, $12 for two courses. We could not believe these prices in this location. The food we chose was very nice: salad/bruschetta to start and bolognese/grilled chicken for mains. Our toddler was able to eat a good meal out of our dinners, aided by the bread we got given at the start of the meal. I would thoroughly recommend this little place in an area seemingly not that well served with restaurants.

This was my 5th or 6th visit to Arco. I chose a "special" that I just wasn't wild about. My friends, though, enjoyed their dinners. Still, I like this small, neighborhood Italian and the manager/owner/hostess (Francesca) is a delight.