Celeste Reviews

It's good for a family dinner the service was exellent and really lovely. They are so many lovely servers/helpers to help you the food was so nice the pizza/pasta/wine. it was lovely for dates/family dinner. Great food Great everything I would recommend it!. Btw it's italian

My friend and I dined at Celeste based on a review from a blog I follow. We arrived sans reservation (they don't take them) and waited about thirty minutes, though it was peak dinner time so we had expected that. After waiting on some steps outside, we were led into a very cramped dining area; Celeste truly defines "shoulder-to-shoulder" New York dining. My friend ordered some spaghetti and I ordered the gnocchi alla sorrentino. My dish was very good, and it was clear that the gnocchi was either homemade or extremely fresh. It was light on sauce but that allowed the freshness of the ingredients to come out. Service was great and our food was brought pretty quickly. We had tiramisu for dessert and it was pretty good, not the best I've ever had but not the worst. Despite the cramped seating, I enjoyed the atmosphere a lot. There were a lot of local residents and regular patrons dining there, and it was the firs time I felt like I had a chance to experience New York dining from the perspective of a New Yorker. Unlike other reviewers, I didn't feel pressured to eat quickly and leave. In fact, most people who were dining seemed to take their time and enjoy their conversations with others. I give them four stars because their no-card policy is annoying. We didn't know about this policy ahead of time and only found out after we were billed (we ended up going to a nearby convenience store to withdraw cash). The restaurant is relatively pricey, and carrying enough cash for that kind of bill in the year of 2014 in the city just seems unnecessary to me.

Had a great meal in very friendly restaurant. Great selection of Italian food . Waitress was very friendly as were the rest of the team . steak , pizza and pasta dishes all good . Tiramisu was very good

Small, noisy, no reservations, no credit cards, no seating until entire party is present . . . AND authentic trattoria ambiance AND excellent generous portions of Italian-as-you-remember-it-from-your-trip-to-Italy food. Our cracker-crust margherita pizza was topped with a rich tomato sauce and the chicken cutlet served with lemon and topped with a simply dressed salad were both perfect for a warm spring evening.

We just walked upon Celeste. They pack you into this little room. You know they want you out quickly as there are people waiting. The pizza and appetizers were served in maybe five minutes. I know the ovens are hot, but they must have the pizzas baking before you order and they tailor them to each order. The pizza were average. Thin crust. But the crust was soggy. Had to use a fork and knife as the Margarita pizza could not be picked up. They rushed. The pizzas are small individual size and are ~$12 dollars each. Which I guess is about average. The appetizers were good. Stuffed zucchini flowers and a meat platter. I left kind of hungry as the pizza was not very filling. You can do better (and cheaper) at some other places. But Celeste was local and convenient. I am glad I went and tried it, but there is no reason to go back.

I had dinner there August 2021 solo, which immediately seemed to annoy them, I guess because I would be sitting at a table for two. I asked to move to a bigger, more interior table (for four) because there was almost no one there (it was early for dinner), and with the pandemic, I was facing piles of garbage. There were at least six empty tables for four, and I said I would be eating and leaving not lingering. But they wouldn't let me sit at the empty tables as if they were expecting mobs of people. I finally was able to move to another table for two with a less disgusting view, which still seemed to inconvenience them. The food was good, but I was so uncomfortable that I finished quickly and left. (Only one of those tables for four was filled by the time I left.) Solo travelers are more aware of their environments because they aren't distracted by conversation. While I usually eat with others, I enjoy dining by myself as well, but don't go to Celeste unless you are an even number of people (three at a table for four would be wasting one of their precious seats). BTW I ordered an entree, a salad, and a glass of wine, so it was a substantial tab and should have been a little more worthy of their time and space.

This local nyc "gem" packs people in tighter than any other nyc restaurant I've been in. It has to be unlawful. I'm a local and understand the typical limited space in our neighborhood restaurants but this one is off the charts. Been there 3 times but walked out the last time .... Won't be back. They need to delete quite a few tables to make it acceptable and confirm to city regulations. Also, the inconvenience of CASH ONLY is a real bother. Whenever I go to a cash-only establishment I feel like I'm contributing to a tax evader; this ticks me off. With the volume of business here, i find it hard to believe that they can't afford the small premium that Visa / MasterCard charges. At a minimum I feel that the owner is stating that his profits come before the convenience of his guests. This is not a great message. Combining the cash only and the sardine like seating, I won't return.

As my family and I entered the restaurant, the rustic feel gave us hope that perhaps the food would be deliciously homely and reminiscent of classic Italian home cooking. The menu was small, presenting more of a nouvelle feel in the place of classic dishes. I had a margherita pizza to start, and it is fair to say that good old Pizza Hut would have been a better option. The bread tasted old and leathery, the cheese was clumped together and not fresh and the tomato sauce had the consistency of a cheap bottled tomato sauce. For the main course I had a spaghetti with clams, which came bland and severely incomplete. The spaghetti itself was perfectly cooked as a plus point to the kitchen, however it ends there I'm afraid; there was no sauce whatsoever, and the clams were old and rubbery. It was quite literally boiled pasta with some sea creatures thrown on the plate, and only after I smothered the dish with olive oil, chili flakes and seasoning was I able to take a few difficult bites.

Best place to eat in New York! My daughters and I had stayed in New York for five days and this was our last evening. We booked this last minute and it was fabulous. The food was amazing Anastasia our host was fantastic , such fun and made great recommendations all of the staff really looked after us Great wine list Best pizza have ever tasted it really is the best place to go and have a meal ,so authentic. X

We ordered the Salmon dinner ($20) and the chicken cutlet ($18) which came with delicious roasted potatoes and sauteed spinach and a large spinach salad respectively. We ate it all! It was so scrumptious. Great service and nice wine selections. This super dinner came when we most needed an excellent meal in a small but comfortable and DRY place. Go there, you won't regret it.

We walked from our hotel expecting a long wait or to be told no chance without a reservation - it was 7.30. We were greeted by a very engaging guy outside who promised we would be in within 5 minutes. A bit of banter with the locals all added to the experience. In fact we were in within 2 minutes and seated in a cosy area with 2 other couples. Yes it's tight but it all adds to the ambience and experience of the place. Service was prompt and excellent; food was very good - genuine rustic Italian and the wine was fabulous. Prices very reasonable for what we had. We will come again.

True hidden gem, let owner Carmine choose your wine and self-imported cheese. No reservations, but worth it every time!

Very authentic cute (but small) italian place. The homemade pasta is incredible- especially the gnocchi. Their fried artichoke appetizer is very unique and tasty. The staff (who are mostly Italian) are friendly and knowledgeable. I've been here 3 times and every experience was great. As an Italian myself, I am very picky about Italian food - and this spot passes the test. My 2 recommendations: 1- don't forget cash and 2- try to go at an off time so you aren't cramped at the table. It's a small restaurant and it does get crowded.

Ate there last night. Negatives: noisy-poor acoustics, cash only, tight seating, small tables-it was difficult to fit our food on the table. But, food was excellent. Had a pizza and ravioli. No complaints.

Came here during a snowstorm in December 2013. Was able to get a table right away. I highly recommend the prosecco as it is delicious. You cannot go wrong with any of the dishes. My favorite is the Penne Momo. Service was great and the owner is constantly walking around the restaurant. Don't miss this UWS gem.

I always enjoy eating here. The place is small and always crowded. A table for 2 stands a better chance getting in quicker. We did wait 1 full hour this visit, but I do no think I will do that again. Once in the door and seated, all was great. Seating is usually so tight, but tonight we had a great table away from the door. Appetizers, fresh mozzarella, fried artichokes with parsley, calamari, all delicious. Entrees, all good. Pasta, clams, lamb and more pasta. Not a normal for us, but we had dessert this night, ice cream, tiramisu, ricotta cheese cake, yum! Celeste is one of my favorites in this area. Service is always good, our waiter from Sicily was great! I definitely recommend.

If you miss out on a meal here, it's a shame! It was a delight for the taste buds. Very cozy atmosphere. The lasagna was beyond my expectations. The mussels appetizer was phenomenal!

Great food and ambience. Very local/NY/Italian vibe. Italian owner and queen Anastasia and perfected the dinner with attentive service.

The place is fairly low-key (and easy to miss as you're walking on Amsterdam Ave), but the food is very good and authentic. The manager is from Veneto, in Northern Italy and definitely knows what he's talking about. The menu offers a lot of interesting dishes - a good selection of appetizers, primi (with several dishes made with fresh pasta), and secondi (both fish and meat dishes). In our dinner party we had a delicious hearty soup with quinoa and different varieties of beans, a delicious hand-made pasta with bolognese sauce, and a very good steak. The desserts are also excellent - I especially recommend the tiramisu (freshly made on the premises), but the pastiera napoletana and torta della nonna are also excellent. I've also had fish here (on another occasion), and it was very well cooked (hard to get fish right). They also have pizzas but we did not try them. The service is super friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere is relaxed and not too noisy - conducive to good conversation. Keep in mind that this is a cash-only establishment, so be prepared. All in all a very good place with delicious food.

This small Italian on upper westside is a favorite take out for my daughter family. The price is very reasonable especially in nyc. . The restaurent is small and very tightly fitted , not a good place to bring kids . The service is efficient . The vongole linguini my favorite , good portion with lots of clams for 15 $ . , other pasta and pizza goood too . Cash only , may be take out is a good option as seating not as comfortable

I'm so glad that I was able to make it back to Celeste tonight, I always try to come here on every business trip, its fantastic fresh food with exceptional prices, my colleagues were very happy.

Went here on a whim and was in love with the food and ambiance. Small and crowded, but worth the wait for the food.

You must experience the tight filled but cozy feel in this European style restaurant. The four of us each got a different dish so we could get a taste of more great menu items. Carmine knows his food, wine and best-of-all his cheeses. Enjoy a real local eatery and bring your cash. He is smart not to have to pay those credit card companies and keep his prices so affordable

We get how many people could really like this place, but we found our visit more than disappointing. First night of our NYC visit, excited to be here, and Celeste came recommended. But as many have noted, the cash only option is more than annoying, despite the maitre'd giving us excellent directions to a nearby ATM (meaning I had to leave my wife alone at the table). And speaking of the tables: way, way too close to each other. Very hard to hear, very hard to talk, and we certainly felt like we were an addition to the couple right next to our elbows. Server had a very strong accent and was difficult to understand. The food was great, the service fast -- but it all gets blurred away by the other negatives. Plenty of other choices nearby, we say, despite the friendly vibe and worthwhile food here.

Exceptional food for a great price. The desserts, especially the lemon tartuffo are the perfect way to finish your meal. When we have gone we've never been disappointed by any dish, and we have gone repeatedly Old standards mixed with rarer peasant style food can be found on this menu. Believe it or not the cabbage and shrimp (yes, sounds gross) is one of their best pastas.

I came here for an early evening dinner with my family before heading out to a local show. Now let me preface with having grown up in NY, being used to a NYers somewhat brusque manner, having then relocated to Paris and being even more used to distinctly rude French service....but this place! Wow. The service was some of the rudest and most dismissive I have ever experienced, particularly the manager / maitre d'. He just barked orders at us - this guy has some huge chip on his shoulder. Service was hugely rushed - my brother in law commented that it felt like eating in a school cafeteria...and not in the charming 'you're in a tiny cafe in Italy' way. I could probably get past this if the food was worth it, but honestly, it was just overpriced average Italian food. There was nothing wrong with it per se, it was just average - the kind of Italian food you can get at many other Italian restaurants in Manhattan. We quickly ate, left and went to the far more pleasant Joe's Pickles across the street. All in all, there are many other places in the city where I can get better, cheaper Italian with much better service. I don't recommend this place.

The food was quite delicious and the desserts were delicious, especially the Panna cotta. Very friendly staff. The place was nice and clean.

I was so excited to go to a place in this neighborhood and heard great things. The artichoke salad was so great but other than that nothing special. It is a very small place (which I get) but the kicker was that once we said we were done and not ordering dessert the floor manager was watching us and came over and said "you are done" to get us to leave so he could turn the table. After an over $100 meal for two that was not excellent and didn't include dessert and only accepts cash I didn't get it at all. I won't return.

My son and his girlfriend who live in the neighborhood and had been to this place before suggested taking me there for dinner during my visit to NY. First thing, the aircon was on full blast and we nearly left right away as it was so chilly. Well, we should have because the service was the worst I have ever experienced anywhere. The waiter hardly spoke English at all, which meant we couldn't understand him telling us what the specials were. 5 mins later he came back to tell us one of the specials wasn't available anyway. When we had finished ordering, his next question was "Wine?", not "Would you like some wine to accompany your meal?" Just one word "Wine?" Thankfully, the food was acceptable but how can you enjoy eating under such circumstances? We'd frankly lost our appetite and decided to leave asap and have a nice dessert elsewhere. Just to crown it all off, the waiter wasn't even capable of pouring water into my glass properly and spilled it on the table after which it proceeded to drip onto my legs!!! He didn't even apologize! My son and his girlfriend were terribly upset and disappointed with the way we'd been treated. They staff didn't even bother to say goodbye when we left thIs excuse for an an Italian restaurant which doesn't even accept credit cards. Cash only in this day and age in NY....are you kidding me?! One piece of advice, avoid the place. There are so many other nice restaurants in the neighborhood ("Spring" and "Red Farm" to name just two of them) so don't waste your time with Celeste because there's nothing heavenly about it. In fact it was hellish.

Carmine runs this place with an iron first and takes no credit cards, no reservations and wont seat you until your whole party is there. the space is tight and noisy BUT the food is delicious across the board and the wine and specials are unique and differentiated. pricing is also incredibly fair.. i highly recommend

Wow what can i say this hole in the wall restaurant is really amazing, try rigatoni alla norma and peconic bay scallops if they have them. Be aware though its a cash only restaurant. Hoping to come back next time i am the city

My husband’s birthday was topped off with the best meal we have had in a long time and we eat out a lot. Celeste is just wonderful. The food is amazingly delicious. We all had different pasta dishes which were just yummy. The veal was tender and very tasty. My gnocchi was mouth watering good. The special pizza was just perfect. Our wines, chosen for us, were perfect pairings. Don’t even bother choosing a dessert just have the tiramisu, it’s worth it. The place is small and a little crowded but we love that vibe. Celeste is a must visit.

Celseste is a small quant Italian restaurant that makes home cooked style pastas. It was fairly crowded and the tables are very close together but space is precious is New York. I don't have anything bad to say about the place but nothing that really stands out either. I had a bolognese that was hearty and delicious yet very standard as far as pasta goes. They serve fresh bread, have a decent wine list, and the owner was around making sure everyone was happy. Would recommend if looking for traditional home style cooking.

This restaurant is an amazing place to get authentic true neighborhood Italian food! Tables are crammed in a small space with a kitchen in partial view...it’s an authentic place to have awesome food! Carmine the owner is very pleasant, with a family style welcome home feeling making sure everyone is happy and well fed!

I had read a lot of reviews about celeste before choosing to eat here. I had a stroller, so I guess I turned them off from the beginning. They actually made me eat with my baby in my arms. Thank god I have a really good baby, he slept the entire time. Anyway, I totally understand, it happens to be a small spot, and a stroller would be quite an obstacle. On to the important things, the food was good. The Burrata was beautiful! The Linguini vongole was very very good! The ravioli (which seem to be more like fazzoletti) were also really tasty. The tiramisu was also very well done, perfect to share, way too big for one person (and I enjoy dessert a little too much). The service was ok.

We have eaten here often over the years. It is fairly crowded at times and then hard to hear yourself talk. If you enjoy talking to other diners this is a great place. The extra large cheese platter is fun particularly when Carmine the manager describes them all is at rapid pace. This time we had the "frito misto" of calamari and shrimp-excellent and their pasta with shrimp and cabbage as well as the cheese plate. Carmine always has good wine recommendations.

No reservations and cash only don't seem to deter people from waiting. Well priced and delicious. I had the pasta special which was a pasta with broccoli rabe, sausage and garlic. They drizzled spiced oil and it was truly delicious. Very tight seating, casual atmosphere. The pizza looked great and worth another visit. I'll go back.

I love this place and come about once a month. It is the kind of food you find in Rome and in a similar type atmosphere. Very close tables but that is part of the fun. The wine selection is excellent and food tastes authentic. Staff is incredibly friendly and all are from Italy.

Here is an old timer on the West Side of Manhattan which has always served very good quasi South Italian food, is always crowded and is very accepting of young children. However, the staff,and particularly the "maitre di" can be very abrupt and rude. Such a pity to spoil a decent dinner that way.

Celeste is unusual in several ways: the lack of a big sign outside, the refusal to take reservations (except for very large parties), and its focus on authentic Italian food -- the main owner also has restaurants in Rome.

This is one of the best Italian restaurants in NYC and maybe anywhere. The food is excellent, delicious, fresh and just wonderful. The wine list is extensive and broad and fits every meal and every price range. I have brought clients and friends and family and everyone has always said that I have found a gem. I also come alone and have a glass of red wine and Bolognese or fish or lasagna and a green salad. Things that I love are the scallops or salmon carpaccio or burrata for appetizers. Mains that are great are the lamb chops, fresh fish, anything pesto anything with red sauce and sometimes a pizza as an appetizer when you are with a few people. The lasagna is better than mine (which is tough) the pasta dishes are just too good to be true and the tiramisu is yummy. I love going to Celeste. It feels like home and I love to share this place with my favorite people

This is a great little place, with friendly service and really good cooking. Our starters - chicken livers and eggplant - were both huge and packed with flavour. For mains the spaghetti with clams was sensational, and the veal was very good. Good atmosphere too, and great value. Will be be back next time we are in NYC. Only minor inconvenience is no cards - cash only.

Not very good. We could cook better food at home and use higher quality ingredients. Service was okay, and about average. The menu says “Cash only please.”

My husband and I called ahead and found Celeste offers gluten free and inquired about dairy free as well. They stated they could accommodate... before we hung up the hostess informed me ‘Cash Only’. Upon our arrival my husbands food preferences accompanied by wheat and dairy allergies and tomato sensitivity further restricted. Inquired if they could provide chicken or shrimp on the GF data and the chef said no. Asked fir the owner ... presented the conundrum he told my husband he could have clams. My husband responded he didn’t care for them. The owner flippantly responded...”Odd. You eat shrimp but not clams” with a condescending tone. Cash only. Limited modifications. DON’T PATRONIZE THIS ESTABLISHMENT!

Half-a-glass of lemon juice doesn't turn arugula and steak into anything else but very sour arugula and steak. Mussel shells, if not handled properly, make pasta smell like lime quarry. When a customer orders a $30 bottle of wine, you do not charge him for a $40 bottle. Finally: "cash only" for a $80+ dinner? Last time I checked, Amsterdam Ave was in New York City.

Celeste is a very good, family run Italian. Cash only, no reservations. Tables are very close together, but for some reason the noise level is pretty good. The owner/maitre d' is very pleasant and welcoming. Service is friendly, brisk and efficient. They move you right along. Food is very good, with a bunch of specials every night. Some of the pasta is made in house. An UWS standby, always very good and reliable. They have a good wine list, both by the glass and by the bottle. Try it.

Needed to find an Italian restaurant on the upper west side. Looked online and found some good reviews on this restaurant, so we tried it. Definitely was not a mistake. Saw a pizza come out of the wood burning oven and decided to try one as an appetizer for our table. Great idea. Then the salads, all 3 were fabulous, enough for 5 people and fresh and delicious. The main courses were wonderful. Homemade pasta was great, sauces were excellent, not overpowering. Special deconstructed lasagna made with eggplant, squash and other vegetables was the best. Might have to travel the 35 minutes into the city to eat there again.

You know you've chosen the right pizza place when you can smell the pizza cooking and there's a guy in the back tossing the dough old-school. One of the things I miss about NYC is the Pizza. I live in the Boston area and I've tried just about every "best in New England" joint and none compare to what you can get at the average pizza place in NYC. Not that Celeste is average. Far from it. We ordered the Margherita Pizza and the Quattro Stagioni, which was sufficient for four people (after starting with the fried zucchini flowers stuffed with cheese, of douse). Thin crust, just enough cheese so it makes a string from slice to your mouth after you bite in to it. We finished with the Tirimisu which was quite heavy and filling and missing a few lady-fingers. One special bonus is the rather extensive wine selection by the glass and which was attractively priced. We were lucky to avoid the long lines as we came during the Portugal - U.S.A. World Cup game and Celeste has no T.V. Oh well, lucky for us! We'll definitely return on our next visit and wish we could take a pie home!

I have eaten here several times. The food is consistently good. My friends think so too. At times lines are long but seem to move quickly. It is a small restaurant with a lively ambience and friendly staff. Feels like Italy.

Celeste is a solid Italian spot in the UWS neighborhood that is worth checking out. My friend got the gnocchi, I went with the shrimp, homemade pasta, and really enjoyed the meal. The actual location is small but you can get a table pretty quickly the earlier in the evening you go.

Small family run restaurant. Food is well prepared and presented. I had the fish sea bream special; my wife had sauteed veal. Both were very good. Tables are very close together and the restaurant fills up quickly. Service is prompt and the overall atmosphere is pleasant. Prices are very reasonable. Cash only.

I went to Celeste with some Italian friends who live in NY and missed the food from their country. In my opinion, Celeste is a real Italian restaurant with Italian dishes and products. We had some appetizers and pastas and everything was very good. We also had some of their specials (like the mussels and the pasta alla norma). We did not have desserts but they looked incredible. Highly recommended

Walking home from the early show at a jazz club, I decided to investigate Celeste, which I'd heard about from several friends the day before. It was after 9 when I wandered in. No maitre d' at the door, so I figured I could seat myself, and that's what I did, at a small table near the kitchen. The place was noisy and convivial, the tables are squished close to each other, everyone was talking, drinking, eating--a family dining experience. Great people watching. I ordered the special fish dinner and it came very soon. There was no fol-de-rol about wine lists; it was all very down-home and brisk. The fish was moist and flavorful, the oven-baked potatoes were perfectly roasted, and the chard with whole roasted garlic was truly special. I ate at a leisurely pace, delighting in every bite. A couple of adolescent boys sat down at the table next to me, they were about 14, and very grown-up, and they too were treated well. This is a clearly a neighborhood place--unpretentious and reliable.

Very nice, very popular Italian restaurant. Sort of crowded...tables are close together. No reservations and cash only. Food is very good and service is OK. Spiga, right around the corner, is quieter and somewhat more elegant, but it is a real treat to have two such good Italian restaurants in the same neighborhood.

Overall food and atmosphere is good. The place is a somehow small but gives a very cozy feeling. Good team of servers, attentive to patrons. Will go back again if visiting.

I walked by this place and decided to dine there. Food was OK at best. Service was very slow considering there was not many people dinning there. When server brought check and I pulled out my CC to pay, she quickly informed me that they did not accept CC's. I pointed out that they should inform patrons of this before ordering. No one informed me. Server coped and attitude because I was a bit annoyed about not being informed beforehand. They conveniently had an ATM in the back and just by mere coincidence I had my debit card (which I usually do not carry) with me). Once I paid I asked for the owner to explain what had happened and point out again how important it is to inform patron of their cash only policy prior to anyone ordering. The owner seemed very uninterested in what had happened. He was forcefully polite (at best) but really did not care and showed it. I would not recommend this place to eat at even if I had known beforehand about the cash only policy. It just was not that good.

Delicious Italy!! We were a family of seven, and everyone enjoyed his dinner. Great food, great service, friendly atmosphere, no pretensions here. Try the artichokes or the arugula salad for a starter. For the main course, I had the haddock; it was perfectly cooked. Fish is a winner on their menu. The pastas were fresh, home-made with yummy sauces. We'll be back on our next NYC visit.

This tiny neighbourhood restaurant is a keeper. Cash only, long lines. Excellent food. Always packed, always fresh and delighting. A must try when your are in the upper west side.

A family owned business that still gives personal service. Food is good, selection is considerable. Well pleased on all of our visits there.

So, here it is a wonderful experience of Italy away from Italy. Ambience, menu, no bs on fancy plates, but just serious ingredients and preparation. This is not a restaurant, it’s going to dine at granny’s (but with a perfect modern flavour) and feel home. Every detail of the dining room says: relax and enjoy good food and wine. The Historical Preservation Society of New York should watch after the existence of this place for the next century or so.

Tiny, loud, crowded, yet bet, but more than worth it. And a bonus--no wait. We shared an eggplant stuffed with proscuito and cheese and the spaghetti with white clam sauce--both were excellent. Everyone around us also seemed to be enjoying their meals. The recommended red wine was just right.

Excellent Italian food, pastas, pizza, etc. Lots of energy and love to serve their guests to their home.

After spending just a morning in NYC, my husband and I were after some good pizza. We found Celeste reviewed well on trip advisor and so went for it. We were not disappointed. We ordered the Penne Mo Mo pasta and a Margherita pizza - simple but tasty. The service was good and the food was very reasonably priced. The place had a lovely traditional and the person who greeted us was accommodating despite coming towards closing time.

An authentic Italian place. The friendly and loud owner presiding over staff and customers . The food is very good, with freshly made pasta, pizza, gnocchi etc. you won't regret having to wait a little for a table

Simply wonderful. Low-key neighborhood charm in bustling Manhattan. The service is friendly and efficient and the food is absolutely terrific. And the prices are extremely reasonable considering the location and quality. Let's just put it this way: in two visits to Manhattan, we've eaten there five times.

This is my favorite neighborhood restaurant which would be a destination if I lived anywhere else. The food is consistently delicious fresh, and creative and the service is prompt and gracious.

Awesome food! Friendly staff! Great service! A friend brought us here for lunch on our last visit. I had Tagliatelle Con Gamberi, Verza E Pecorino Egg noodles with shrimps, cabbage and sheep's cheese. My daughter had the pizza. We'll definitely be back!

I don't want to tell anyone about this restaurant because I want to be able to go at any time and grab a table....this is by far, the most authentic Italian restaurant on the Upper West Side, and would compete for world class. It's charming, the menu is not elaborate but every selection is well thought through: the tuna tartare was as good as Le Bernadin - the Bolognese sauce was as if made by Nonna, the shaved artichoke salad was fresh and perfectly prepared.....the ricotta cheese cake: forget all others. I will return and return and return......

Celeste is reminiscent of a neighborhood Italian restaurant of the sort you might find in the Arthur Avenue area of The Bronx: informal, inexpensive, slightly rough around the edges and very, very tasty. This is a cash only, no-reservation establishment. Be prepared for the possibility of long waits particularly on the weekends. That crowds gather outside Celeste is more than understandable: The outstanding pasta is home-made, the pizzas truly superior (with very thin crusts, much as you'd find in Italy). You'll have a very good meal at a good value here. What you won't have is any elbow room, nor a quiet conversation. The tables are pretty much on top of one another, and you may have to shout to hear yourself speak; in an odd way, all this adds to the charm of Celeste, but it can also get pretty wearing. You are not likely to want to linger over your meal, and you are unlikely to feel welcome to do so. That said, I've been back more than a dozen times, drawn back by the allure of a good, no-frills meal. If you are in the right frame of mind, the place is a find.

Amazing cuisine, out of this world flavours, superb service and the best pasta I have ever had. Thank you.

A local brought us to this as one of their favorite restaurants. Lucky, because we would have walked right past it without a second glance. The pizza sauce was flavorful and the cheese was amazing, though I know I would never have ordered it had I understood that it was four slices of pizzas with four different toppings. Only one had cheese. So for me, this was probably a 3. My mother had the tagliatelle, which she loved so much, she is trying to find a recipe! So her 5 and my 3 gave this place a solid 4.

I have been a returning customer, when visiting family in the city. The food/pizza is very good! Love the artichoke salad. Upon our recent visit, all was good, just one thing, and this is in many restaurants, why do you offer certain wines by the glass to only receive what they give you. Two of the wines were different each time, not bad, but what's up with this! Anyway, it will not stop me from returning, I always enjoy my meal! Dessert & coffee good too...when we have room!

Great atmosphere, staff were friendly, helpful, attentive and knew their menu well! We ordered a bit of everything - they were precise and prompt with their service:) the ingredients were fresh, dishes were immensely flavourful and the menu was simply splendid! Only possible drawback for some is their "cash only" system. Otherwise, HIGHLY recommended! Thoroughly enjoyed the experience!

We headed here for lunch and so didn't have to wait for a table as our friends who live nearby said you have to do for dinner. With three kids in tow from ages 11 - 4 lunch seemed like the best way to try their food. Service was ok, not great, but the food was great! Caprese salad, margharita pizza, and another one I don't ever the name of but had a mix of cheeses including gorgonzola. All delicious! One big note - they are cash only!

Hadn't eaten at Celeste in 3 years and gave it a try last week. Food was excellent. One of us had sea bass and I had a thin crust pizza. Both excellent. A meat appetizer was good, but presentation was a bit disappointing. Overall good meal, reasonable price, good service. Seating is very close together. No reservations.

Fast and efficient service (and the place was brimming with people). I ordered spaghetti alle vongole, a good test of basic Italian cuisine, if ever there was one. The pasta was perfectly cooked and every clam shell contained a clam, not like in some restaurants where you only get shells and one clam. I love the cash only rule. It’s refreshing to deal in paper money in this plastic world. After reading some of the negative reviews, I feel like telling those people « get over it », you spoiled pampered travelers. Celeste is not perfect and the owner can be a bit brusque but so what? Have never had a bad food experience here. I gave it a 4-star rating since I haven’t come across many 5-star dining experiences so usually can’t give 5 stars to a restaurant. Grazie Celeste!

Went on Sunday for pizza, never saw the menu, poor poor service and surprise at the end, cash only. The waiter very upset Suggestion: avoid it

This review does come with qualifications. Our friend, a great chef, knows the owner so we definitely received preferential treatment. This place does not accept reservations and there wasn't a seat in sight, but they made up a new seating for six on the spot in lieu of the waiting area. Besides the owner checking up on us regularly service otherwise was also superb. Our group sampled a couple of 'specials', fish soup and lamp chop. We also had the chicken cutlet, linguini with clams and the rigatoni bolognese. Everything was excellent, prepared with fresh ingredients and great care. The owner selected a bottle of Umbria Sagrantino for the main course and a Re Bove Tintilia for the cheese plate afterwards. As a former wine shop owner I enjoyed the selections immensely. The cheese selections, brought back from Italy and aged by the owner himself, were truly outstanding. The place is rustic and obviously can be terribly crowded and close quartered, but my wife and I both feel that this is how great Italian meals were meant to be shared. It's also cash only, which can be an issue for some people. Price seems reasonable considering the quality and service. A neighborhood gem. Unfortunately we live slightly outside the neighborhood or we would be frequent regulars.

It´s a nice place, nice people, nice menu.I enjoyed the general atmosphere but the pasta was overcooked. My friends recommend the place again and again but my experience could be better.

This place is such a great find on the upper west side. The menu represents the simplicity that makes Italian food so special and delicious. The pasta dishes we had were amazing, seasonal and fresh. The lack of fussiness in the ingredients made it very easy for my husband (who is a very picky eater) to find something simple and delicious. It is also very convenient to the next AMC movie theater on broadway, known for comfy seats and reserved seating options. It is a cash only joint, so be prepared. But I would go back there any time, definitely stands out against the other restaurants in the neighborhood.

We found the name in New York magazine and since we are staying close to Amsterdam we gave it a try. We had an ample spinach salad and my friend had a delicious salmon meal and I had a ten inch pizza. Nice find. Knd

Had the ricotta and spinach raviolis which are very good (avoid if you are not keen on butter sauce). Also had a very affordable 5 cheeses and jam tastinh plater which is great if you are a cheese lover hand feel like having a last treat. The napolitana pizza was very good maybe the tomato sauce misses a little mediterranean herbs flavouring but the anchovies and capers give it a nice flavour. Affordable wines and efficient service contributed to a good experience. Maybe accepting credit card would be a plus.

Average Italian food, affordable menu, cramped restaurant, cash only....really ?!? Forget about it, you can find a better value/quality in the upper west side.

Nice atmosphere, good food and chatty owner - nice range of tasty plates, slight wait but worth it. Remember cash only though!

I loved this place. The food was wonderful and imaginative. The atmosphere very exciting. Looks like a hole in the wall, but what came out of the kitchen was heaven. Went with a friend and we had fried artichokes, salad, mussels and salmon- all were great. The potions are a nice size and can be easily shared. Out waiter was a little flighty, but the food got to the table on time. Only really downfall is that it is cash only.

Cozy ambiance and good Italian options...Had the vegetable soup to start, mushrooms, potatoes and vegetables in a nicely flavored broth. Then the fresh tagliatelle Bolognese and the super pizza (pepperoni and vegetables, neopolitan style, wood fired). All dishes were very good, served steaming hot and the staff was very attentive. "Cash only" is a bit of a hassle and I'm not sure why it wants that...they could easily cover the credit card fee in the price structure but they must have their reasons...but in NYC, I don't think it's a great idea to let everyone know that it, and every customer, has cash on hand all evening, just saying!

ate at Celeste last night, Outstanding and our Italian server she was great! place was very busy the owner at the door and quite the hospitality expert

The Best Italian food in Brooklyn Owner manager, Carmine Mitroni, is a gem and a pleasure Made my wife and I feel at home, he not only greets and seats you but comes by the table to recommend, advise, explain and be friendly We came early and he even recommended a great place nearby for a Martini A definite come back to place Food was great, fresh and creative Italian We had the homemade pasta with shrimp and cabbage Mussels flown in from Italy Shredded artichoke salad Italian chocolate torte from dessert Great reasonable wine list

Reading the reviews, we went early (like 6 ish) and just about got in. 30 mins later the Q was out the door. You can see why. The food is fab. Really good, really authentic italian food. But a few things let it down (minor things but to be fair etc). You do have to be the best of friends with your fellow diners - it is cramped; but covers make money. My wife had the special crab pasta which was divine but the sun dried tomatoes promised in the dish arrived as tinned toms. The real deal would have been better in that type of classy pasta dish. The wine list is only italian and not particularly good VFM but overall the food seals the deal - quite yummy. And yes, they do bring you the bill before you ask for it - probably with an eye on the ever increasing Q to get in. Its just business as the Godfather once said.

We've been coming for years, trying different items and all have been wonderful. The fried veggies and fried calamari and shrimp new this time. Previously, clams over pasta and chicken dishes. This time, really good veal, excellent pasta. gnocchi... and the desserts were passed around and shared: limoncello and chocolate cake.. We've come as a couple, with relatives, with a young grandson and now with him in college with his girlfriend and all have enjoyed Celeste..

Like other reviews will tell you this place is small, they pack as many people in as they can, it doesn't take reservations and you're likely to have to wait for a table. However, we thought a twenty minute wait was worth it. I would just make sure you go there on a dry day as you'll be waiting outside on the road. We could see why it was popular as the food was traditional, simple, and tasty. It was also good value. The staff were all friendly and there was a nice atmosphere.

This is my go-to spot both when on business and with family in NYC. A little taste of Italy, authentic and delicious!

Always excellent and consistently amazing food . It is a bit full but with the wait!!! Carmine the owner is a great host and very friendly . I always return !!!

Probably more like a 2.5. Food is fine, not better than that. The reviews must be in light of the fact that this is located on the UWS and there isn't really a lot of Italian food around. Only 3 of their pastas are homemade - ravioli, gnocchi, and tagliatelle. The rest are dried. We came for Saturday lunch and were planning to get the gnocchi and ravioli, but apparently they have an extremely limited "brunch" menu and only the ravioli was an option. Because the tagliatelle comes with shrimp, which I don't eat, and they are so stubborn and rude about changing their dishes, we couldn't get that either. Had to settle for a pizza. Ugh. There is nothing worse than getting pizza at a mediocre place when there are so many amazing pizza places in NYC. I asked for it lightly done and the guy looked at me like I was crazy and said what you want it raw? I said no, cook it, but don't char it, I like it lightly done. He then asked me back if I had ever had pizza before from a wood burning oven because they are too hot to make it lightly done. Actually yes I have, I'm kind of an expert in wood-fired pizzas and pretty much every place I've eaten it at has been competent enough to accommodate my request. Pizza came out burnt, of course, with bad dough and ordinary tomato sauce. Ravioli was ok. Cash only. Unbelievably rude, insulting, and condescending staff. Prices are good. I say order a pizza from pizza hut instead - it won't be worse.

We visit NYC about two times a year and always stay on the Upper West Side as that is where a family member lives. We've eaten at lots of local restaurants several times, including Celeste. In the past the food out weighed the negatives: no reservations, cash only and very cramped dining. Not anymore: our recent experience was very bad. If possible the restaurant is even more crowded and noisy and now the food was only O.K. Worst of all the "service" was rude and in attentive across several service personnel . Plates were slammed down and repeated requests for condiments ignored. As a regular TA user I discount negative reviews where service is an issue;however in this case It was truly such a negative that we won't go back. I know this is New York, but come on!

the rudest owner in nyc...attitude a mile wide. he will be closed in no time as there are too many amazing restaurants on uws. avoid this place like the plague....we wouldnt eat here for FREE!!

This place is very popular and pretty small so be prepared to squish in! The owner is Italian and greets everyone at the door and seats them. I got a pizza- absolutely delicious, Neapolitan style. Based on all the other food being served I could see, the quality is high.

Last week, my daughter, wife and I came to your restaurant on three separate evenings. On each evening we had experimented with a number of different dishes. Your servers (Sarah, and the humorous and helpful fellow (didn't work on Monday))were very knowledgeable with the food and wine served. The manager (owner, I assume)was very informative on his passion for his work and his love for food and serving his guests as a family experience. It was great! We had some nice chats with him about the special Monday pizza with truffle oil, focacchio crust and light white cheese (can't remember its name) that was difficult to import from Italy. Incredible! More than likely, my daughter will be visiting Celeste while in NY and we (in Toronto) will be returning as well, when we visit her. It's a small and yet intimate room that is full of wonderful family-style conversations and chatter.

We came on a rainy evening and found a warm and nice place. We got recommendations from friends so we knew what to order. The food was delicious as well as the wine Highly recommended.

Oh it was sad - waiter was rude from the start seemed liked it wanted to be anywhere but there - not us we could not course out our meal - table was akimbo but when asked no one fixed - chairs uncomfortable - pizza was good but pasta dishes lukewarm and sauce was gelatinous- they hurried us along to get the next seating - there are so many choices to eat Italian food in this area so please take this review to heart

Pack ‘em in! The tables at Celeste are so close to one another as to effectively be communal. Be prepared to be bumped into religiously and keep your elbows in! The food is fine. Nothing fantastic but competent. The meal hall vibe really sucks. And, the forced upon us “banter” with the host which started off being a little (very little) cute, ended up being tiresome, relentless, and annoying. He’s kind of a dope. If you’re 25 and oblivious, perhaps you can tolerate it all. Same if you’re one of these west side nuts who loves engaging with anyone. But for those who are a part of human civilization, dining is about the experience as well as the food. The experience at Celeste is a relatively poor one.

Ate here twice. I came back for the food in spite of the service. But may not go back again. The food is probably one of the best authentically Italian food I've had. Really top quality. Sadly the owner/manager is gruff, not friendly or welcoming, and unhelpful or accommodating. Unfortunately this trickles down to the waiters. This is very unfortunate because the food is very good. I'm sorry they can't offer a better/full package.

The past dishes we had were exquisite. They were possibly the best we have had anywhere in the world. Give them a go, we did and went back again while we were on our vacation.

It was quite a suprise when we read the menu and found out they only accept cash. This after two years of pandemic when everyone pays with plastic even for coffee. Anyhow, we stayed and had barely enough to cover the bill plus 15%. Overall, the food was very good. I was really disappointed however by my dessert which was gelato. They served me ice cream, the difference quite obvious (either that, or maybe the worst gelato I've known).

We had a lovely meal here on our first night in nyc. Amazing calamari starter which was huge. Fabulous pasta dishes and good wine. The staff were all friendly and attentive and the owner was present and ready to chat and make everyone feel welcome.

Have visited the restaurant well over 200 times during lunch, which is given on Saturday and Sunday. They are also open for dinner every day. We always have the same menu: 1) Caprese (sliced tomato with mozzarella), 2) Vermicelle con vongole (spaghetti with clams), 3) Limoncello (white ice cream balls filled with lemon curd, rolled in shaved lemon peels). I always drink a glass of Malbec, Dolcetto, or Barbaresco. Meal rounded off with a Ristretto and a Macchiato (coffee). Cash only.

Celeste is a little Italian restaurant lost on Amsterdam Ave in the Upper West Side. The food is what makes the best of this place, the pasta is homemade and is divine: authentic Italian food! Then it's quite cheap for its quality, my prawn pasta was about 14$. The only downside is probably the service, the staff never smiles and is quite rude. My friend arrived a bit late and they refused to serve her a main meal as they stated that all people should be served at the same time (???!). Then it was obvious that towards dessert time, they wanted us to leave so that they could free the table when there were 5 tables free in the room! It would be a great restaurant if it wasn't for the attitude.

Dinner at Celeste was a highlight of our recent trip to New York. Celeste was recommended by a local, and other diners seemed to be regulars. Seating is a bit cozy, but adequate. The cash only policy was clearly posted at the entrance, and was more than balanced by the fair prices. The service, from greeting to buonasera, was friendly and efficient. It felt more like being in a friend's kitchen. Most important, the food was DELICIOUS. The fresh fig and prosciutto appetizer-- perfection. Our family enjoyed several pasta dishes, all sublime. This is a local place with food worth traveling for.

Lovely food and authentic Italian atmosphere. Pizza made fresh in a clay oven. Very popular. Was full on a Thursday evening. Tables a little tightly crammed in.

This is a little gem on the upper west side. It is cozy, and the food is reasonably priced and authentic. I am curious about some revues that say it is not authentic. It is not "Italian American" authentic. If you want someplace where every dish is slathered in red sauce this place is not for you. We sampled several dishes and all were very good, including pizza from their wood burning oven. We had an amazing Carpaccio that was delicately seasoned and dressed, and tasted great. we also had a rollatini of eggplant that was excellent as well. For the mains we had pasta bolognese and gnocci that were both great. The wine list has some great inexpensive choices from Italy. On the whole a great meal for a reasonable price. This is not 5 star dining but the food is terrific and if I lived on the upper west side I'd eat here a couple times a week.

An old reliable neighborhood Italian restaurant. Salmon was flavorful and crispy. Nice seasonal dishes including watermelon salad (pictured). Can be a bit of a wait for a table at times. No reservations.

Cute little Neapolitan restaurant with a decent selection of pasta and pizza dishes. Excellent and friendly service. But I was not impressed by the authenticity of the food as it is more American Neapolitan than authentic Italian, especially the pizza. The food was still great though and the prices within the average I guess.

You need to time your visit (early around 5PM or "late after about 7 or so to avoid waiting outside this well know spot. Southern Italian food very well made with a small selection of wines. Remember it takes cash only and their reasonable prices depends on a fast turn around.

We were told Celeste did not take reservations and we needed to be there at 5 when it opened. Otherwise there would be a long wait outdoors. So we were the first to arrive. Many others quickly followed. Service was prompt and helpful. Homemade pasta is very good. Dish of shrimp, cabbage and pasta was delicious. I recommend, but you have to be there early!

The food is authentic and delicious. We've tried the Bolognese pasta, the margherita pizza, and a gnocchi in cream sauce (a special that day) and all were excellent. Always crowded but you won't be disappointed. Cash only!

The food at Celeste is excellent, with a wide variety of authentic Italian plates. Service was excellent. Like most NY restaurants, they have too many tables crammed into a small space, with small chairs and tables, making it difficult to carry on a conversation. They do not take reservations and if you get there after 7:00 pm, you will have to wait outside to get in. A little pricey, but not crazy by NYC standards. Go early or late for dinner, the food is worth the trip.

We a party of 7 had lunch at Celeste. A nice place , good and efficient service with an old world ambience. Thr quality of the food was average, nothing great to write home about.

Went to this restaurant with my partner, the food and service was so great I decided to open a TripAdvisor account to write a review. The restaurant itself is tiny, you do not make reservations and there is a line up outside at times, though the food is superb and the service first class. This experience is a must if uptown new york.

I very rarely give 5 star reviews and we only had pizza/salad/wine. But the food, atmosphere and service were all exceptional. Also, the dishes and the personality of Celeste were much Italian (rather than Italian-American) than almost all ‘Italian’ restaurants in NYC. And as icing on the cake, the bottle of Montefalcone was well-chosen and well-priced. A delightful experience. We’ll be back soon.

I live in the neighborhood and visit Celeste 6-9 times a year. Lately, I have noticed that a sad trend at this once great restaurant: The pastas which used to be delicious and fresh now taste stale and flavorless. The wait staff has huge turnover. In my last few visits over the last 6 months, the wait staff seemed stressed out and unhappy. The owner, an Italian gentleman, usually greets customers at the door rather rudely and tries to shove them to the nearest seat to the door, without much regard to their preferences. This is in total contrast to the warm hospitality one is used to owner-driven Italian establishments. I have also noticed that the prices have gone up quite a bit at this restaurant so its no longer the best value for money Italian restaurant in the neighborhood. One wishes that the food quality and service had also improved with the rise in prices.

This Neighbourhood local Italian was busy on a Wednesday night which was a good start inmy book. My friend who lives locally and comes here often told us that this is always the case and that you need to arrive early to avoid waiting for a table. The American "Italian" owner is a real character and a constant presence. It's a very small place with cramped wooden tables right next to each other so it gets very noisey. You may feel like you are eating with the table next to you but hey, this is NYC so thats part of the fun! Both pizza starters and salads were all good but the shrimp pasta specials was cold when in arrived and appeared to be pre-cooked and them simply re-heated, Not good! The cheese plate desert came with the owner personally explaining each of the four small one inch pieces of cheeses that he had just brought back from his recent trip to Italy - comedy gold in my book! Reasonable value but you need to watch out for the pricey wine list which can make this an expensive night out even by New York standards! NOTE: The restaurant only takes CASH and does not take reservations...

I have never been treated so rudely by a waitress in my life. The tall blonde waitress working Saturday night 6/23 has no business being in the customer service industry. The restaurant was EMPTY except for a couple of tables, and we were rudely told “you need to move, you told me 7 so you need to move now” sitting at a table for 8 with 6 people (our 7th person was on the way). She doesn’t wait for a response and starts picking up our plates from under us. I asked her to be nicer, she got angry and walked away and a new guy served us for the rest of the night without acknowledging anything. We should have left, but I felt guilty walking out. Bread was stale. No one apologized for the way we were treated. AND NO ONE EVEN SAT IN THE OTHER TABLE THE ENTIRE NIGHT. Our extra person showed up at our too small table 10 minutes later. Don’t waste your cash here.

Avoid this place , mediocre food and worst service I have ever received ..: we order a pizza 4 seasons ( artichoke) Pizza arrives without artichoke with zucchini instead we ask the waiter who answers us very aggressive we have no artichoke tonight ... well it would be nice to report it before no? In short null and void

There are so many options in NYC - don't compromise by visiting Celeste! Cramped, rushed cash only. Actually told us we could not order a 2nd glass of wine unless we ordered dessert. Huh? Ruder and feels like a factory rather than an enjoyable dinner.

This is a great little restaurant on the Upper West Side in Manhattan that my wife and I first visited with our son, who lives a few blocks away on the UWS. Our first visit was about two years ago and we enjoyed it so, we have been anxious to get back there again. In part, our first time there was such a delightful evening and a great combination of delicious food at a very reasonable price, that we wanted to see if it was a fluke. I am here to tell you that it was no fluke. Celeste is a place that totally has that local ambiance, very good Italian dishes, and at a value that I have not found anywhere else in New York City. Before I go any further with a description of our evening there, I must give a caveat about certain aspects of a visit to Celeste. It is unusual in that it is CASH ONLY. Knowing this in advance will save you a trip down the street to the ATM machine. They also do not take reservations, so I would definitely spend a few moments online if possible with a site that gives a graph of their daily business peaks (coming before 7 or 7:30 is best). Also, Celeste is a trattoria in the truest sense of the term, so it will not be a quiet, candlelit night. Also the restaurant is small (18-20 tables) and space is tight. These characteristics are probably at the heart of some of the more negative reviews you might find and if these conditions are not to your liking, then I would avoid Celeste. That will just make it easier for those of us that love this place to get a table. Now to what I want you know about this restaurant. If you enjoy Italian food and a fun relaxed night in a great atmosphere this is a place you need to try. You will probably be greeted by Carmine and he will immediately make you feel as if you had been invited over to his house for an enjoyable evening of homemade food and friendly conversation. Even if you have to wait in the chairs in the corner while a table opens up, you will be given the opportunity to order a bottle of wine and maybe even learn something about the winery or the vintner (Carmine is a fount of knowledge). When you get to your table, that is when the magic really begins. Appetizers & salads are generous and can definitely be split. The pasta is homemade, the seafood fresh, and the greens are crisp. I can recommend the Ravioli di Ricotta for its clean and buttery taste. The pasta, cheese, and butter along with the flavor of the wilted spinach is a very satisfying entree. Probably want to use a little bit of salt and pepper, but maybe that is just my taste. Definitely have a bottle of wine, it's the best bargain in NYC! Also save room for dessert. And while they are all wonderful I am sure, I would definitely order the Tartufo al Limoncello, a refreshing sorbet/gelato that is just the right amount of sweet and tart and is so refreshing on a summer evening. To close, it was a return visit and I can assure you that there will be another return visit. A delicious meal, a delightful bottle of wine, in a pleasant ambiance with friends and family, and a check for three that doesn't break $160, in New York City no less is just too good not to want to do again and again.

Great food though it arrived lukewarm. A nice Italian restaurant on the UWS, especially pizzas and homemade pasta.

Nothing authentic in this place, but even worst the quality of the food is very poor. We asked to get an extra-topping on our pizza (anchovies) and they said it was impossible to make any change! Really? Maybe it used to be a good low-key pizzeria 20 years ago: now it's just "low" in everything.

Our first time and we enjoyed it very much. Good ambiance, nice wait staff. Food just okay. We ordered a green salad, pasta & shrimp dish and sole entree. Bread a bit dry. Food nothing special. We think it may be more of a pizza place. Service was very good though and it was near our hotel so convenient. If we want pizza during our next visit, we’ll go back!

No reservations; cash only wonderful neighborhood place with an Italian owner/chef/waitstaff. Waited outside for a bit for a table at this popular place, but nowhere near as long as was originally stated. Great pizza and pasta and very accommodating owner and crew. This is, as others have stated in reviews, authentic Italian food, not Italian-American or some new interpretation of Italian cuisine (not that there isn't a time and place for either of those). Great fun with them telling the kitchen staff to quiet their salty Italian banter as it became clear that I speak/understand some of the language.

Celeste is a very authentic Italian restaurant, with an Italian owner and Italian staff. The pizza and pasta are the best on the Upper West Side. The atmosphere is a bit underwhelming, much like you find in Italy, and the menus are in tatters. However, the food is excellent. They do not take reservations, so be prepared to wait outside for a table. The restaurant is most frequented by locals, which speaks to its quality. The loudness, simple approach, and fast-paced service mean that this is not a "special occasion" or "romantic" place, but the type of place that people come to regularly for a great meal.

From the attentive owner checking in throughout the meal, to the very good main dishes, and overall service, this place is a very good stop for a nice Italian dinner. Just one caveat: They accept cash only! But it's worth having the extra bills in your pocket.

I love this place. I live nearby and come as often as I can. The food is amazing and always tastes fresh. The artichoke salad is my favorite dish in the world. Be prepared for bit of wait on busy nights.

I haven't had the opportunity to dine in at Celeste, to be honest. I'm lucky enough to live just a few blocks from it and order for pick up. :) The only thing I can speak about is the food, not the service. I ordered a basic spaghetti and marinara dish - it's my "litmus test" for all Italian restaurants - and it was absolutely amazing. For such a simple sauce, Celeste's had hints of complexity that pulled you away from the expected taste experience but were subtle enough to bring you back to where you wanted to be in the first place. So. Crazy. Good. The noodles were cooked perfectly too - not too soft, not too hard. Just the right texture. This place has become the first place I mention when people ask me where they should get Italian food.

I put cash only in the header because the cash only policy is not prominently displayed at the restaurant and one of our party had to make a quick dash to the cash machine. For out of towners I also point out that there seems to be a NYC practice of not seating a party until your entire party is there. I also directed the header to older out of towners like my husband and I. Note the tables are very tightly packed and the space is small making it fairly noisy. Having prepared you with the practicalities, the food is tasty. The feel warm, lively and informal. While the prices seem fairly typical for NYC, we were a bit taken back when 3 individual pizzas, 1 rigatoni, 2 desserts and a $35 bottle of wine came to $130 before tip. The difference between NY and our smaller city. Nevertheless a very pleasant evening.

We had a really nice dinner with my fiancee at this authentic Italian restaurant during our stay in NYC. From the moment we stepped in it was clear that the restaurant was highly appreciated by the locals. The (apparently) owner of the place greeted everyone personally and wanted to catch up with the locals wishing everyone happy new year etc. The food was delicious, especially the hand-made ravioli con burra e salvia, which for us the go-to item on the menu of an Italian restaurant. Happy to visit again next time in NYC!

We returned to Celeste based n our good experience a few years ago. We were greeted by the owner who made us feel right at home and offered to provide assistance with wine selection. We started with a cheese and tomato appetizer and moved on to a delicious white pizza, taglietelle and excellently prepared salmon. The room was full and a bit cramped, but the Italian accent wait staff helped contextualize the food. We decided not ti have wine but the selection was sufficient and the owner said he had many other choices in his cellar. The only caveat is that they dont accept credit cards.

This place is perfect. I loved to explore the inside and see all of the different designs they had here. It felt very natural in that place. The decorations were all really cool and the place had a great feel to it. I have never been in a restaurant like this before. I will definitely remember my time there. I had some great food and I had some great service as well. I love Italian food and this place knows how to deliver on great Italian food. I hope to come back here next time I am in New York. This is one of those places you need to go to before you leave the city. It's a lot different than other Italian restaurants in New York.

Good food and good service, we had time to take our time, and it was great. But we can't pay with credit card. Come on guys, we are in the 21th Century (you loose one star for that!)

Having lived in Rome for many years it was a delight to find a traditionally Italian tratoria that was as good as any fine dining Italian restaurant I frequented in Italy. It doesn't hurt that the owner used to own a restaurant near piazza del Panteon and that his partner held Michelin stars. Expect tight seating in a boisterous cafe not to different looking then your average pizza place. Don't let that fool you. He brings his own wines and cheeses in frequently from Europe and he has the training from a child to know more about wines & cheeses then most sommeliers. Carmine is a character alone worth the visit. He is the orchestra leader there with a smile and will tell you all you want to know about his amazing cuisine. He is a jazz aficionado. If you go say Robert the music guy sent you:)

If you are looking for an enjoyable quick pizza and salad, this restaurant is a worthwhile place to visit.

The restaurant is a small wonder of tastes! The staff are super nice and the food is rellly special. It was totally on the level of a restaurant in Italy!

They crammed 5 of us into a tight four top in the corner. It was 5:15 and the place was nearly empty. The lady mentioned that she would be fired for putting us at a 6 top with an empty seat. Of course, 30 minutes later, they seated another party of 5 (adults) at that very same 6 top. Also, they forgot my wife's main course and, after reminding, brought it after everyone else had finished their meal.

CELESTE is a good place to go in the very nice and elegant Amsterdam Avenue! You have a lot of options in italian food and deserts are...really very good!!! not cheap!!!

Too much noise, too much show off from the owner with pasta not very tasty. You cannnot make reservation but the service is very fast so you will not wait too long if you want to try it and maybe the pizza are better than the pasta. The pizza you can order and take out.

Pizza plays a fairly small part of the menu at Celeste, but when I see just four pizza types on a menu, I think it's a good sign that the restaurant means business: meatballs and pineapple have no place on a great pizza! We both ordered the quattro stagione, which came with fresh ingredients (no tinned artichokes in sight). The pizza was very tasty, thin and crisp. Desserts were good, though the tartufo seemed suspiciously out of a packet given how perfectly a limoncello sauce was placed in a perfect dome. Tasty though. Service was exceptionally good and friendly with a real family-run feel.

Small (cash only) place on Amsterdam with few good starters and delicious pizza and some paste (vongole) and ravioli. simple and straightforward but then good and tasty, do not miss this one !

I have eaten at Celeste 9 times over the past few years. The food is consistently excellent and the service is very good. They have never made a mistake with our orders. This time I had the halibut with capers. The two people with me had a halibut special. All 3 were excellent. The owner is a cheese expert. I recommend the dessert cheese platter. Ask the owner to tell you about all the cheeses.

My wife and i were walking up Amsterdam looking for Italiam and happened upon this small restaurant. What a find! The place was packed but the server was attentive and service excellent. We had two different pasta dishes (including the gnochi four cheese special. If we lived in the neighborhood, this would be "out" place.

We had a great time. Excellent food and the service was very good. We orders a pizza and a pasta, both dishes were great!!!

I was in town on a college tour with my youngest son and visiting my daughter, staying on the upper west side. My daughter suggested we try Celeste first warning me that they were cash only. Sending my children ahead to grab a table, made a quick trip to the nearest ATM, Arriving at the restaurant, I was surprised to find out that they would only seat when the entire party was there. OK because we were seated within 5 minutes - amazing since it was a Thursday night and the place was busy. What followed was a terrific dining experience. We tried a number of dishes - a white pizza, their fresh gnocchi and papperadelle, various sauces - all excellent. One dish that stood out were the mussels. It is an appetizer but there are almost enough of these tasty mollusks to have as a main course. The broth was amazing and I could not let it go without first asking for more bread to soak up every last drop while fighting off my offspring who were trying to do the same. The owner came by several timest to chat and I learned that in the summer, his brother in Italy flies in mussels that are highly sought after. All this was accompanied by an excellent Venetian wine (reasonably priced). The final bill was under $100 for all of us - a terrific bargain. This one goes on the list of "next time for sure."

This was highly recommended, but none of us were impressed. It was crowded, waitresses were rude and quite scary looking and the food was sub par. It took a while to order and then my appetizer came out with the entrees. The oil with the bread was heavy and the wine was meh! The meal I ordered had no taste and the pasta was tough. The waitress never returned to inquire about the food and the bus boy stacked the plates up over the food that was obviously not eaten. The only really nice person was the maitre de. Not worth the journey and not worth the money.......and they don't take credit cards in 2017!!!

This is my first restaurant review, although it is not really a restaurant review since we walked out before ever ordering. I am an Upper West Side lifer who had never visited this neighborhood "gem" since I was aware that it was small and popular, usually requiring waiting in line, something I hate to do. Many don't mind. Fair enough. Last evening, my wife and I decided to try it with another couple, since it was raining like crazy and we would go at the insane hour of 5:45PM, assuming the place would be dead empty. It was, except for two occupied tables and a single person sitting in the waiting for a table zone. That the person was made to sit there should have been the tip off. The training for the service people at Celeste would be appropriate for guards at a maximum security prison. There are RULES that must be obeyed. The Soup Nazi was more customer friendly. My wife and I arrived first and made to sit in the waiting for a table zone since we were waiting for the other couple. We sat, like dunces and waited for our friends. One arrived in five minutes and said his wife would be there in ten minutes. We asked if the three of us could be seated and have drinks while we waited. Permission granted! PROVIDED that we ordered immediately for everyone including our missing friend after hearing the specials, which would be explained just once! Enough. We walked out. The Upper West Side has a long history of fighting tyranny. How this culinary concentration camp is allowed to exist in our neighborhood is beyond me. It should be picketed rather than patronized.

We were freezing last night after walking through the snow from the Natural History Museum, and looking for an Italian restaurant without knowing the area. We were fortunate to find Celeste. Yes, it is small and crowded and yes you have to pay cash but the waiters could not have been nicer and the food was delicious. Thin crust like I had in Naples a few years ago and love. My daughter had pasta and the rest of us had different types of pizza, including the special with butternut squash which was delicious. All of our desserts were also delicious, from cheesecake to gelato to the gelato with expresso shot which my son loved. The owner recommended a great white wine that everyone enjoyed. We loved that it felt like an authentic Italian experience, we felt welcomed and left happy and full.

Went to this small restaurant that takes no reservations and is cash only. Was surprised by the reasonable prices and high quality food. The tables are close and it is popular so agility helps. The owner was gracious and made his rounds to make sure all were pleased. The pizza was delicious as well as the other meals ordered. The tiramisu was a standout.

We are staying in the UWS and went to dinner at Celeste based on Yelp good reviews. A great find - the pastas are excellent with big enough portions to have them as main course. The service is quick and precise.The dining room is on the crowded side. Very much recommended.

there were four of us and a nine year old, and we were forced to squeeze into a table for four and served totally un-italian mess hall food. we did explain that we would ahce ordered antipaso, a bottle of wine or two, and dolce and caffe but had no room on the table for them. these ignorant stranieri must be the only restaurant in new york not making a profit on these items. a dio, how i miss italy

On the recommendation of West Side friends, we ate at Celeste one evening last winter, and enjoyed our meal very much. The homemade pasta was particularly good. My partner had the sea beam which was prepared perfectly. Service was a bit rushed although we were eating there on a Friday at 8 o'clock, apparently one of the restaurant's busiest times. On the other hand, some say that there is "always a line". Cleanliness was acceptable.

Let me begin by stating that the Celeste experience may not be to everyone's taste, especially to out-of-towners. It's loud, crowded, cash-only, no reservations, and quite busy. Of its type, it's excellent. [Genarro's, up the street a bit, is more subdued, but more expensive] Why is it so busy? Because we locals like the food and the relatively modest prices. We also ride the subways during rush hour and, accordingly, are inured to the bustle of this smallish restaurant. My wife, daughter and I eat here several times a year. We almost invariably order an appetizer and a pasta main. We have never been disappointed. Last night, my daughter and I, each, had linguine served with sausage and kale in garlic and oil. Now, I'm not a great fan of kale; but, it worked in this dish. Yes, the service is rushed; but also efficient and friendly. The patrone [whose name I have never learned in the years we have eaten here] is genial and helpful. He runs a tight ship. He's always there. You can't miss him. Out-of-towners, think of it as a New York moment.

We have had several dinners here and they are always first rate. It's crowded. Yes. But it's lively with a great wait staff and fantastic food. Inventive specials every night. Pastas are delicious and satisfying. The fish is well handled by the chef. Salads are refreshing and reflect the seasons. The kitchen knows how to crisp a potato as well as a pizza. I am usually not a fan of Italian desserts, but these are quite good. We are always made to feel welcome here by the manager/owner. Such authentic Italian food is a rare find on the upper west side. Well done!

Had the rigatoni with bolognese and for a restaurant owned by Italians this pasta dish was inexcusable. Probably the worst I ever had.

Very good food and experience. Cozy place with good gluten free options (they have a separate kitchen area for GF). We had GF pizza (very good) and GF pasta was also available. Service was good and the owner stopped by our table a few times to check in and chat. Only reason for 4 stars is they are cash only which is annoying. They did tell us before we sat down tho.

Really Good! Don’t let the curmudgeon host turn you away…he’s harmless…the food is worth it especially the pizza, seafood dishes, salads, and deserts! Recommend this simple well made Italian food.

Food and Pizza outstanding ! It gets really crowded after 7pm. Best to go there early. Cash only restaurant !

Best Italian place in upper west side ! Highly recommended !! Carmine the owner is a unique person , you must meet him Thanks Lino to be a very attentive server. I’ll be back for sure

I'm sad to write this review because I've eaten here before and always had a pleasant experience . Last night I met the manager, and he was so rude! We made a reservation and when we arrived he told us he didn't see the reservation and told us we just had to wait.I questioned him about empty tables I saw and he told me -he wasn't having this conversation with me,I had to wait if I still wanted a table and I could leave if I wanted too. We waited in a crowed area where other people were waiting and they told us they were already waiting for over 15 minutes. Someone should remind him we are paying for our food ,he's not doing us the favor! We left- I would have understood if there was a mishap but he never apologized-just nasty!