Canaletto Reviews

Do you enjoy a cosy, friendly Italian place with good food and excellent service? Great for lunch and a break from shopping across the street....quite and romantic at night with your favorite date and a bottle of wine. The specials of the day are delicious, soft shell crabs, mushroom stuffed pasta with truffle oil; fish...veal...chicken...all delightful. Small tables but not crowded but close enough to see what the next table is eating in case you want to have the same plate. A steps down from the street into the long bar running along the left side of the resturant, then into the dining room in the back....a wonderful atmosphere that lends itself to the Italian food that you will enjoy.

Went on a quiet Monday night. Friendly, attentive staff. Excellent straight up martini. Great puttanesca pasta followed by delicious medallions of veal piccata and tiramisu split 4 ways. Everything one hopes for in a neighborhood restaurant. Not expensive either.

Very warm and friendly authentic Italian restaurant. We have been there both for lunch and dinner and have enjoyed both experiences. The neighborhood includes both Bloomingdales and the Roosevelt Island Aerial Tramway.

Crowd was tacky..dressed poorly..looked like they were going to a ball game... Food and service good....

Disgusting place. When I ask officiant who cook that food which I order - gay from Italy or Mexican, he start screaming to me, said that it doesn't matter who cook it, but I know how Italians cook carpaccio... Manager come to me, I ask the same question, same answer from him... Italian people should cook italian food, not Mexicans... Service was terrible... Overpriced, for glass of wine they ask $12... I will never recommend it to anyone. I will never comeback to that place. NEVER AGAIN. =(

The food was delious! Loved the combo of strawberries, rusberries, blueberries. Very kind staff! Lovely restruant! Very good location 10/10 Well done Thank you

Canaletto is a restaurant that locals love! In a huge city Canaletto is a refuge, an oasis where you go to relax and have a great time knowing that you will be taken care of by the first rate staff while enjoying their FANTASTIC food. Literally everything they make is glorious and while the menu reads simply - lamb chops, halibut, soft shell crab, tuna tartare, rabbit, venison, and all the homemade pastas - the freshness of their ingredients is second to none. You will not find fresher seafood anywhere in NYC and that's because the chef goes to the Fulton fish market at MIDNIGHT 3 times a week. Last night I had gazpacho with crab - so good - and Cacio e Pepe (pasta with romano and black pepper ) that is both so hard to make and yet appears deceptively simple when made well - it melted in my mouth. My husband had what we call the best tuna tartare in the city, so good because it *trusts* the quality of the tuna - you will not find fresher tuna in NYC unless you're on a boat pulling it out of the sea, and the in-season soft shell crab, which if it's available, well just order it! The desserts are all made in-house so please save room, I honestly don't know how they do it, but they do! And the bar, well I'll just say this - they really know how to fix a great martini - ice cold, filled to the brim, perfectly delivered - they practically have diamonds in them :-). In the heart of New York City, this is a place that makes you feel like you've come home, and the truth is, you have. Tell Elvis that Stephen sent you!

From the first time I went there about ten years ago I felt at home. It'sso geniune, the food is outstanding (even for NY standards), the service is personal yet impeccably professional. The athmosphere is both elegant and homey. No Upper East stiffness, just so exquisite, unpretension.and not even expensive. If you prefer more hip and artificial places this not not for you, this is for loyal locals and people who love NY for its geniune charm and friendliness.

Our evening at Canaletto started poorly as they did not have our reservation for our group of 4. We were squeezed into a table for two. However the rest of the evening went extremely well. Service and waiter were excellent. Appetizers were good. Veal alla Mianese was tender and tasty. We were given two complementary desserts. Not sure if that was for the inconvenience of being squeezed into a small table, or if they comp items routinely. Would definitely go back. Menu on website must be outdated as dinner was considerably more, but in line with NYC prices.

Having lived in the neighborhood for a few years this restaurant has always been one of our favorites. We are always treated like one of the family. Food is consistently good and they are the most accommodating if you want something that's not on the menu. Elvis and George are the best.

Have had the opportunity of joining friends for dinner on several occasions. The food and the service are always impeccable. Some dishes are somewhat expensive. For visitors, it worth the detour to have a meal there, however, might not go back two or three times a week.

Lovely jewel across the street from Bloomingdales. Ask about the Risotto and even the old fashioned spaghetti and meatballs is good. Brought the family and the kids loved the Meatballs, the grown ups had chicken, and veal. Nice atmosphere.

Four friends who have sampled countless New York City restaurants for years were extremely pleased with every part of our dinner at Canaletto. The vodka martini and the house red (Montepulciano) along with the complimentary cheese, meat, and bread plate was a great start. The House Special Salad and the Salad with Gorgonzola were both terrific as was the soup of the day: Gazpacho. One appetizer ordered was the Burrata which is mozzarella cheese, roasted peppers with prosciutto. Our entrees were uniformly excellent and beautifully presented. Very classy! Two of us had the Chicken Special which was a chicken breast in lemon, white wine, and capers topped with artichokes. Raves. One pasta entree was the Orecchiette Al Pesto which is served with Broccoli Rabe. More raves. My pasta entree was the Spaghetti Al Frutti Di Mare which is pasta with mixed fresh seafood. Raves, again! We did not order coffee or dessert, but the complimentary biscotti was a very nice finishing touch. Our server, Antonio, seemed on top of his game throughout and was a pleasant part of our overall experience. The restaurant is visually pleasing and, thanks to this being a 5p.m. Sunday dinner, it was not crowded so all four of us enjoyed hearing everything each of us said during our two hour stay. Unusual for NYC restaurants where the noise level often can be deafening. As you can see, Canaletto is a happy discovery and highly recommended to you.

Good food! We liked all the extras (bread basket, a plate with meat and cheese, green beans, biscotti). Delicious desserts.

This restaurant is by far the best one I have reviewed by far. Not because of any one thing done well but how well they did everything. We happened on this place by accident and walked in without a reservation on a weeknight. We were greeted immediately and seated within 2 minutes. We were greeted by the wait staff and water glasses filled immediately. The wine selection was good and they were very helpful. The food was prepared perfectly and promptly. The cost was as moderate. The maitre D was personable and we talked for a while after dinner. The overall experience was so good, the next time we travel to NYC this place will be a priority on my list.

Top notch service, delicious food and cozy atmosphere in midtown. Convenient and accommodating to families with small children and very informative and helpful with food allergies. Definitely will be back!

We received a recommendation from a sales specialist at Bloomingdale's - we're so grateful! We were thrilled with the service and the food! The meal was delicious - very personalized service as well!! Thank you for being a part of great travel memories!

the black and white pasta was excellent. my daughter 8 years old enjoyed the veal, my father didn't enjoy his meal at all.

less than average food for a ok price

The atmosphere is intimate although it can get loud if you are seated next to a big group. The food is the regular Italian fare. It is a good place to go if you will be shopping in Bloomingdales.

I have been meaning to try Canaletto for years but never went out of my way to include it in my usual rotation until recently when a friend suggested that I meet him there for dinner on an unusually quiet night in the city. Elvis the owner greets you at the door and makes you feel like family! The restaurant was half empty so the service was outstanding, as was the food. I had veal saltimbocca, and it was as good as I've ever had! I am looking forward to returning soon with my wife as this restaurant could replace Elios in our rotation!

Had a very good meal again at Canaletto. Good service, nice décor. Recommend making a reservation as it is a favorite with locals. Reasonably priced upscale Italian for the Upper East Side. I think their pasta dishes are best, and their desserts are terrific. A very pleasant vibe, not too noisy. Good wine by the glass. My favorite restaurant for after a movie at Cinema 123. .

Great food for a good value. Nice fancy restaurant in midtown, Manhattan. Small, intimate setting. The desserts were only so-so.

A nice quality neighborhood UES Italian. Quiet for a Sunday afternoon lunch. The veal dishes & pastas are good.

First of all, the service was excellent. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was beautiful and quaint. And to think, we just walked into this restaurant because Serendipity was over an hour wait. I'm glad we did that! Thank you for singing Happy Birthday to my daughter, who just turned 16. We were visiting from Los Angeles and felt so welcomed.

I read some of the other reviews, but I will have to say our experience was nice. We had pasta bolonese, and Lasagne Bolonese - both excellent, and I really like the sauce. Before my meal I had a three bean salad, which was good, but way too many green beans and not enough white beans, just remember if you order this item, you may want to ask them to balance the beans for you. No dessert this time...maybe next time? Was pleased to be able to get right in, and to be treated very well.

I enjoyed it very much. I asked for their fish (halibut) but I just wanted it to be grilled, rather than their special. And it was done to perfection! The dessert was also very good (tiramisu)

Nice old school Italian restaurant. Many good things to eat and drink. Very friendly and helpful staff who try to please.

With white tablecloths and starched white linen napkins and a host of mostly older male waiters, Canaletto is a throwback to another time. The dining room is cozy and warm (would be perfect on a winter's night) with service that is brisk and efficient. My salad of radicchio, arugula and endive was nicely dressed and the veal scaloppine with capers and lemon delectable. The added touches of salami and mini cheese cubes to start and biscotti at the end are very nice and much appreciated. Limited choice of wines by the glass, but they made my spouse a very nice old fashioned. Seems not to have a website, and you need to telephone for reservations as they are not on Open Table.

Ssshhh! Don't tell anyone that you've finally found a little dining spot in the big City that has delicious, simple food, at moderate prices, served by an agreeable wait-staff, in a pleasant setting and IT'S QUIET!! You can have a relaxed lunch or dinner of well-prepared Italian specialties while enjoying a friendly (or businesslike) conversation accompanied by wine from a more-than-adequate selection, end with a "bill" that won't rock your budget ...and IT'S QUIET! Canaletto is a rare dining find if you're looking for peace, quiet and tranquility with an Italian accent. Mangia e Goditi! But please don't spread the word!

Canaletto is what I think of as a classic New York restaurant of certain style. It offers good food and has a loyal local clientele many of whom probably have been patronizing it for years. It's not flashy. The service is professional. The waiters won't try to be cute and entertaining. The selection of dishes is what you would expect. Prices are fair. It's cozy and welcoming and must be delightful as a refuge on a cold winter evening. It's the kind of place that inspires many return visits from its happy customers. We recently had a good dinner there - not the very greatest Italian food by any means - but good and very satisfying.

I've been going here since 2005, always loved it - until now. I've got diabetes type-1 - hence have to stay off heavy carbs (potatoes & pasta). I wanted to celebrate New Years by ordering a salmon dish - asked them to trade the potatoes with spinach, due to my diabetes. They refused (explained they don't want to be "taken advantaged of"). I couldn't believe it. I suffer from a very serious condition, not a vain diet. Simple diners all over Manhattan have always respected my special needs. I've always loved this place & recommended it to all my friends. That's over now.

Canaletto is a hidden treasure, just around the corner from Bloomingdale's, and if you walk too fast you'll miss it. The ambiance is nice, it's quiet, and the food is great. Whether you start with a red beet salad or clams, a red wine or white wine, it only gets better. The service is great, and the personalities make the experience enjoyable. It's definitely a place you want to explore if you wander off 5th Ave or Madison Ave or even come out the back of Bloomingdale's and feel like a bite to eat.

My sisters and I had spent long day shopping all over the Upper East Side and literally stumbled upon this restaurant. After starting with the complimentary bread, cheese and meat plate and an order of calamari, one of us had the lasagna and the other two had the chicken breast with truffles and cheese. All of the meals were sublime!! We were getting very full but just couldn't stop enjoying the dishes. We ended the meal sharing the ricotta cheesecake and tiramisu with lattes. The wine we enjoyed during the meal plus the sweet dessert wine with our desserts complemented everything so well. I would highly recommend this place! We walked in off the street not looking our best as we had been on the streets and in the stores of New York all day but the Maître d' and staff made us feel special. As for the price, it was certainly no higher than anything else in the neighbourhood. In fact, we felt we had much more value for our experience then other places we have been to during our stay!!

I think we weren't the correct clientele for this establishment. Or at least we were made to feel that way by the waiter. The manager was very nice. We popped in for lunch as we were in the area sightseeing/shopping. We ordered a starter to share. We got two. Okay no problem, lovely food. My husband had a conversation with the waiter choosing between the calamari pasta or the shrimp pasta, he decided to go with the calamari. So that's what arrived. Calamari. Alone. We asked where the pasta was and the waiter snapped we had said just calamari. We didn't want to complain. Dessert was alright nothing special. The wine was nice. The bathroom? The most disgusting I have ever seen especially for an upmarket restaurant! Luckily i went there after my meal or else I would've left without eating.It was tiny and There was actual s**te on the back of the door?! We left very disappointed. Nice food but unfortunately we cannot recommend.

I just had dinner in Canaletto. I had Minestrone soup, Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe and Tiramisu. The soup was very good, the spaghetti so-so and the tiramisu just OK. When receiving the bill I noticed that the spaghetti were invoiced at $25, while they were advertised at $16. I warned the maitre about this. He asked in what menu I had seen that price. When I replied that it was in the menu in the street he just hapily replied that it was only valid for lunchtime. He then left. No sign of apologies or anything. I just left no tip. In my country it is illegal to announce prices lower than what is to be invoiced. I don't know how about in the USA, but at least I think it is not fair. As I left the restaurant I verified that there were no notices on restrictions about the menu. The soup was invoiced just as shown in the menu. Summarizing, unfair marketing on prices, expensive pasta (Cacio e Pepe are the most simplistic form of pasta you can take. $25 is way too expensive for that), and poor empathy with the customer (no apologies or credible explanations).

found it by accident while walking around and what a score highly recommend it if you want authentic Italian food and very reasonable priced

It is no easy matter for a restaurant to serve a table of 16 with varying tastes, but Canaletto did it with aplomb and taste. Every left raving about the flavors and highly-satisfied with the service and setting. From meat-eaters to those fond of fish or preferring vegetarian fare, Canaletto delivered beautifully.

Special, not inexpensive but tremendous value for a restaurant of this quality in a major international city. We have been here Atleast 5 times and the food is quite traditional top food. Everything we ate was so fresh and excellent. The waiters are also Very professional and extremely nice. Right next to Bloomingdales. A find.

You have to look for this place. Its not entirely noticeable from the street. Its is well worth the look. The ambiance is fantastic, the menu is extensive and the food is very good... Regardless of who cooks it. The manager has talked to us for a good portion of the night and that has made the experience that much better. Take it from someone who's grandma makes the best Italian food, this place is a close second! Great date spot!

The atmosphere is very pleasant and I recommend this place if you want to discuss with your friends because it's quiet. The prices are ... appropriate for Manhattan, so not low but not extremely high. We took the specials, sea bass and veal, and they were tasty. The only thing, the server was standing behind us and kept asking us if we're ok, etc so I felt a little rushed. We went there with friends to catch up and ended up leaving earlier than we intended because we finished eating too fast. Ok, I agree this should be a plus (very prompt service); I keep reading other people's complaints about bad service and not being noticed for an hour that I think I should probably not complain. So if you want to stay longer, get a coffee or an ice cream and finish your conversation. Otherwise , good tasty food and nice atmosphere.

Loved this restaurant. Service, food, ambience was terrific. No attitude or pretense- simply good food and authentic experience. Seemed like lots of "regulars" who know that the restaurant is a "gem."

The food is delicious. I recommend the grilled shrimp. My husband had a pasta dish which was also excellent. They do not over sauce meals or over dress salads...very refreshing. When you sit down there is complimentary cheese and sliced salami and the meal ends with complimentary biscotti. We ate late so there was no wait, but my guess is that at prime time it would be packed. We were steered away from the center table because of air conditioning vent above that area. The service was friendly and good.

New Yorkers treasure peaceful lunches at this haven steps away from Bloomingdales, Dylan's Candy Bar and midtown madness. Delicious food at great prices on lunch menu, more elaborate meal choices from daily specials. Great service. An excellent midday choice. Must make reservation for dinner. Upper East Siders love this reliable dining room .... Busy from 6:30 'till closed. Higher prices competitive with neighborhood great value for quality food.

Had a great meal with friends. My lunch portion of the Lobster Salad was totally amazing. My husband had pasta with chopped sausage and our friend had swordfish....all wonderful. Our server Sammy was attentive and friendly. The two-hour lunch was relaxing in this chic place. We definitely will go back!

Food and service are generally good. But keep in mind that the actual prices are much higher than what is listed on the website. And some of the things listed on the menu outside are not on the actual menu. For dessert, they charged $10 for chocolate cake which was not very good and $15 for a bowl of berries. $15!!! The website says desserts are $5.50 each and the menu outside says $9. Not likely to return.

Excellent food, nice atmosphere, helpful staff. Definitely will come back. Recommended to friends and family.

It's refreshing to go to a NYC restaurant that is welcoming if you're over 40. Good quality northern Italian food. The specials are good & the chopped salad excellent.

We arrived on a busy Saturday evening with no reservation. The staff were very friendly and helpful and we were seated within 10 minutes of arriving, at the only spare table in the restaurant. The food was very good, I had the fish special which was very good, we also had a pasta dish and a risotto. Two desserts finished the mea of nicely. The waiters were attentive throughout without being over the top. Would highly recommend visiting.

Very very good food at reasonable Manhattan prices. The mussel & clam appetizer was awesome. Save a piece of bread to soak up the garlic sauce. The Linguini with clam sauce was some of the best I've ever had.. Entree portion sizes were manageable, too bad I still had to pass on the dessert choices which looked good.. Generous pours from the bar. Waiter Sam (who could pass for Anthony Bourdain's double) was courteous and knowledgeable. Let the yellow awning be your beacon..

Wonderful neighborhood Italian restaurant with very good food although it was quite noisy. The pasta fagioli was delicious and the veal dishes were very tender and tasty. Good service and nice choice of desserts.

What a cozy spot for a wonderful dinner or just a quick meal. Bartender Malwina Makes the best French martini I ever had and I’m a huge foodie and drinker! We sampled the delicious and tender grilled octopus along with burrata garnished with peppers, avocado and tomatoes. We sat at the bar for a casual meal experience and bartender Malwina entertained us the whole time with her hilarious and upbeat personality. What a treat this place is. Truly a wonderful surprise in the vicinity of Bloomingdales.

Surly wait staff. Bored. Speak so quickly it's hard to understand them. Accent also difficult to understand. Food preparation and presentation lousy. Too many excellent other excellent Italian restaurants nearby to put up with this bunch. DO NOT RECOMMEND.

Passed by on our way back to our Airbnb on Roosevelt Island. Decided to give it a try and were glad we did. I had house made spaghetti with black truffles. My husband the hot (really hat) sausages with broccolini. Tiramisu was just okay. Everything else was delicious! Excellent service! Great option if you stay on Roosevelt Island as it is super close to the tram.

We had a delicious personalized meal at Canaletto. Between the extensive menu and specials we found great choices but conversation with the waiter steered us to a few off-menu choices offered and executed in style. They combined fresh house made burrata with fresh figs and prosciutto and some roasted peppers on the side-yum. We also ordered a combination plate of grilled calamari (truly memorable tender morsels grilled to perfection) and baked clams with a fresh tomato salad. Entrees included a special veal scaloppine with fontina and grilled radicchio and another off/menu request of chicken piccata which were both fork tender and delicious. Dessert was an amazing sabayon with fruit and limoncello (offered on the house) we loved every bite and will be back!

I absolutely love this beautiful restaurant. I go at least 10 times a year. The food is amazing and I love the staff. Thank you for always taking care of me!

A neighborhood restaurant which offers great food and very good personal service! This is not a "red sauce" Italian place, but everything we had was just right. I especially recommend their veal scallopini after you try their Salad Canaletto - When I get back to this area, I will definitely return to this marvelous little place.

I love coming to this amazing restaurant when I'm in NYC! Absolutely in love with everything here! ❤️

While understandably crowded during beginning of holiday season, service was interminable. The veal was fine but the chicken over cooked and tough. The roach spray smell in the dining room was prevalent all over the place and wasn’t effectively masked by a bathroom type spray. Finally, the noise was deafening.

The last time I was at this restaurant I was with my uncle about ten years ago. He ate at Canaletto multiple times per week before he moved to florida a few years ago. I visited a few days ago again. The food was good, the service was pretty good, and the prices were pretty reasonable for nyc. Only surprise--the waiter brought out an extra dessert that we did not order. We told him that we didn't order it. He said "don't argue with me". We assumed it was on the house. We were a little surprised when it showed up on our bill.

This is truly a neighborhood gem. I lived a couple of blocks away for ten years and never went there. A friend introduced us to it six months ago and I have been there ten time since. It is a basic Italian food spot, specials are the same week after week. But that is fine as everything is what you would expect from a local Italian neighborhood spot. When we go there, we see four or five couples that we know and the staff knows us well. It is top notch for what it is.

Visited Canaletto with good friends. Service was polite and professional. The kitchen was very accommodating. Prices are fair and reasonable. I'm glad I found Canaletto. I needed a good venue in this part of town. Classic NYC Italian. I'd rather visit here than over-priced, dated unimpressive places such as il Mulino.

In town for our anniversary weekend and asked the GM at the Fitzpatrick Manhattan for a recommendation. Canaletto is exactly what you are looking for if you want a NYC neighborhood restaurant serving authentic Italian cuisine. My wife asked for bruschetta, which is not on the menu, but they said no problem. It was fabulous along with the veal and homemade breadsticks. Highly recommend.

I eat here often especially for weekend lunch....good prices. The lunch atomsphere is quiet and relaxing. The escarole soup and scallops r great... I put up with the waiters cause the food is so good.....the maitre d is nice.

This cozy Italian restaurant offers good food and a very friendly service. Located half a block away from Bloomingdales and a bunch of good stores.

Canaletto is an old school Northern Italian restaurant. Nice menu choices. Good service and very good food. Atmosphere is pleasant.

This is not an inexpensive restaurant. However, when you've been served terrific food by an experienced server, prepared by a talented chef, one never minds paying for the experience. This wonderful venue sites a few steps below street level and reminds one of New York City in the 1960: Classy, Elegant & Timeless. We've tried just about every item listed on the menu, and have yet to be disappointed. A terrific wine list, full bar and scrumptious desserts round out the kind of meal you can enjoy for a special occasion, they;re that good.