Cellini Italian Restaurant Reviews

Close to our New York hotel & ate here twice which I rarely do when I'm touring but this place ticked all of my "great dining experience" boxes. Seating is close together but this place has the feel that it should have a bustling crowd in to add to the ambience. Decor is basic but, again, this only added to the vibe. In order: great welcome as if into someone's home, very attentive & knowledgeable waiter, excellent food & wine which offered good value for money. I don't normally describe individual meals as I like to focus on the whole dining experience but my Linguine Frutti di Maree was exceptional with a subtle sauce that not only didn't overpower the seafood but actually lifted the flavours. Well done, Cellini!

I was there for a business lunch the atmosphere is very nice and the food even better it's italian authentic cuisine with dsily special and very focus on seafood price very affordable for a restaurant in midtown Manatthan

Really good service and reasonable food at a reasonable price. In and out in an hour, great pre-play.

We had dinner here with our niece. The food was very nice, but the waiter could not have been more bored with us if he tried. It was as if he was doing us a favour - reminded me of a teenager more interested I their smartphone! The location was convenient to us, but we chose not to return and would not recommend it to others.

A colleague recommended this venue and it was great, as evidenced by clean plates all around the table. From start to finish, it was literally "all good." If you like Italian and a cozy, family-run atmosphere, I strongly recommend Cellini---lunch was delicious!

Service was a bit slow to start but perhaps understaffed. Food was very good and ambiance excellent. Wines nice. Overall recommended.

The menu choices were beyond the usual Italian fare and quite inventive. The tuna carpaccio appetizer was exquisite. I thoroughly enjoyed the swordfish special which was served with gnocchi and vegetables. The wine list was not extraordinary and I thought a bit over priced which is my only negative comment. The crème brulee is a must for dessert if you are still hungry!

Our second visit in route to Rockefeller Center. Excellent service and the food was very good. Nice wine list. Obviously a locals haunt.

Had reservations at Cellini's last night. We were seated promptly and then it went downhill. We were rushed into making menu selections but we observed that several late comers were greeted with hugs and extra special attention. These diners were able to make special requests, while we were told to look at the menu for specials. Overall, the experinence was less than satisfying and the food only mediocre for the price. Would never recommend or go back

Very nice elegant cosy italian restaurant. An amazing service thanks to the chef and staff for satisfying our request of cooking something out of the menu. Try the grilled salmon with balsamic vinegar, the yummy choices of pasta. It’s good for business, couples and friends. Try to book in advance.

This is a great Italian restaurant, every year when I visit NY I visit with friends, family or colleagues. We always have a great meal, the quality and service is first class. There is also a great wine list. Enjoy.

I met a colleague for lunch during a Friday in November. I was glad we had reservations because they were busy. I had a spinach/sausage ravioli special which was very good. Service was attentive.

Here for lunch. The food is excellent----in particular, the tuna tonnato, lightly seared, was memorable. So was the anchovy salad. Service was impeccable. But the overall experience was most unpleasant: The acoustics in the room are terrible, and the clientele at lunch seemed to consist largely of finance bros whose every word was audible ("20% of equity" etc.) through the general racket. The general atmosphere was precisely that of an airline business class lounge, and by the end of the meal I had a headache and was delighted to escape, liberated, into the fresh air. Maybe dinner would be a better idea, but I can't imagine returning soon.

Lovely place inside and the staff were ok. Being an Italian restaurant we thought the pasta would be the best pick....Wrong. Five minutes after we ordered our pasta came out. Obviously pre cooked and sitting in a pot. The taste was ok, but the pasta was soggy and so ordinary. Really disappointing. Why wouldnt the pasta be cooked to order. Drinks overpriced.

Cellini is consistently wonderful. Their antipasti, their pastas, their bread!! All served by some of the most charming Italian servers. We were a group of 6 and we all enjoyed our meals enormously. It's a must-do for us when we go to New York, and only a 10 minute walk to Broadway.

The atmosphere in the restaurant is lovely since it's small and cozy. Pastas and risottos were amazing as well as the desserts, but fish and chicken dishes were just poor. So if you're planning to have a lunch or dinner at Cellini, stick with pastas and risottos.

My husband and I enjoyed a very nice dinner a Cellini's. The food was very good. We enjoyed baked clams, a well-constructed salad, veal parmesan, and a pasta dish. The service was just fine, but not especially remarkable.

A good spot for traditional Italian fare in midtown that won't bust the budget. Went with a colleague for a business lunch around noon. The place hasn't been updated in some time and the tables are packed in there. By 1pm when we left, I understood why...it was full. Food was good, but not exceptional. I had the funghi risotto, my colleague had fish and we shared a salad with figs. Salad was good, fish was moist but the risotto was underwhelming. Service was good...topping off water in glasses, bringing bread to the table, asking about coffee/dessert etc. However we felt a bit rushed at the end. All in all, a good place to try in midtown for Italian classics, but if I was looking for an Italian dinner spot, this wouldn't be the one. NY has a lot of great spots such as Rafele (West Village) that I would would suggest provide a better overall experience.

This is the best place I’ve ever been to. I am in the food business and this place was recommended to me by a friend and it did not disappoint. If you are ever in this area do yourself a favor and stop in and eat. Drink selection is good as well. Lobster ravioli was the best dish my wife has ever had. Chicken parm was fantastic as well.

We had a private, family event hosted by Chef Dino and his staff this past summer. With great attention to detail and discretion we never knew the staff was there and yet never missed a beat with respect to the service. The appetizers and the food was absolutely succulent and made to perfection, it was served in style with great presentation. Honestly, there was not one thing on the menu which I personally did not like from the prosciutto with goat cheese to the excellent sea food which requires unforgiving precision when prepared. If you happen to travel to NYC please stop by Cellini and you will not be disappointed. Thank you Chef Dino and staff for a wonderful experience in these tough times! U.B.

Wanted a very good restaurant for Friday night, but too late to get into some of the recommended ones. An acquaintance recommended Cellini. We were all pleased. We have traveled often to Italy, and this restaurant was very close to being one of those in Rome or Florence. Veal was great. Also the Dover sole. Ricotta cheesecake was wonderful. We may be back before the trip is over.

Stopped in for dinner, food was great. Ordered calamari for appetizer, fish and linguine with sea food - cooked perfectly! Service was on point, overall nice night out. Thanks to the Cellini staff.

Our hotel booked us a table here and we are glad that they did. Excellent service and a lovely menu. The food that we chose was delicious as well. Very Italian with lots of families eating at the same time as us. Probably the best meal that we had during our 5 day stay in NY. Wish we had learned about it sooner that our last night.

Due to mix up with a restaurant reservation at another place needed to find a place fast to hold 14 people for our wedding anniversary Cellini can through big time comfortable space friendly wait staff and excellent food recommend to anyone the Italian gem

I often visit Cellini for business lunches. I've never had a problem getting a reservation or having that reservation honored immediately upon arrival. The food to tasty and comes out fast - so perfect for keeping a lunch meeting to under an hour.

Outstanding Italian food with impeccable service. My wife and I spent 5 nights at the Hotel Elysee, right across the street and ended up eating there twice. The food both nights was fresh and expertly prepared. The wait staff is extremely organized and functions like a well oiled machine!! Not sure why this restaurant is not higher rated in Trip Advisor....it needs to be.

We were staying at the Hotel Elysee across the street from this restaurant so we tried it for dinner on our first night in NYC. The food was very good, and the gal that greeted us, took our coats, and seated us was very sweet. She even sat with us for a bit and gave us pointers on what to see when she learned it was our first time in NYC. The server, however, was not friendly. Maybe because we didn't order wine, but we felt very "dismissed" by him. There are a lot of choices for dinner in the city, we'll try somewhere else next time.

Grilled octopus appetizer is absolutely delicious. Veal cotoletta is good; thin, with not too much topping, mashed potatoes and so. Nice touch with complementary cantuccini biscuits (worth ordering a glass of Vin Santo). Wine selection is broad and not too pricey (actually quite inexpensive on NY standards). I had a very good Rosso di Montalcino. Service is professional and fast. Place is not too loud and allows for a conversation without having to yell. Good experience, but not one of the super and fanciest Italian trendy eateries. Worth coming back for a god italian meal.

From start to finish, we had an elegant, exquisite meal! The service was excellent, and they made my brother feel very special on his birthday. We shared the grilled octopus and truffle risotto to start, and both were extremely flavorful and well prepared! Our pasta and fish dishes were enjoyed by all, and we shared Tiramisu and crème brûlée for dessert. The Tiramisu is the best I've had outside of Italy! They make many of their pastas in house. We've been going there for years when we visit NYC, and it's never disappointed!

We had a great meal here over the weekend. The ambiance is lovely, the food is high quality, the service is excellent and prices are very reasonable.

I have been here for lunch many times over the past 10 years and it has always been a good experience. It can get a little crowded at times and that causes this already noisy location to get even noisier, but I overlook that due to the other positive attributes.

I went with a group of 10 people. Unfortunately, the table setting was very tight so not sure I would recommend it for groups. That being said, the food was great (I had veal and spinach ravioli myself) and the Chianti was very nice.

We were a party of 9 and sat at a table in the back. Good spot but tables were on top of each other. Difficult for wait staff to get around table as our chairs abutted the people behind us. Service was a little slow to start (had to ask for a waiter to get our initial drink order). All in all we were okay because we were having a good time and didn’t want to get rushed. As far as the food goes....delicious- for apps table had eggplant, prosciutto di Parma, grilled squid, and cáptese- all good. For entrees chicken and veal parm, linguine and clams, mushroom risotto, and a couple of different pasta dishes- everyone thoroughly enjoyed. Tomato sauce is light....believe San marzano tomato based. Very delicious. All in all good choice- I’ll be back

Consistent over multiple years, experienced, attentive waitstaff, well executed menu with a daily add-in, this is a definite keeper for mid town lunch.

If you're looking for decent Italian food and moderately priced, this is the place. The decor is somewhat simple and unpretentious. The one thing that sets his restaurant apart from the rest is the speed of service. If you're limited on time, Cellini's kitchen is very fast. It's amazing how quickly they can produce your meal.

Overall meal was good. Grilled octopus and calamari were tasty, maybe a bit more EVO dressing. Veal Milanese was nice.

We were staying across the street at the Hotel Elysee and walked over here one evening for dinner. We didn't have reservations but were lucky and got what appeared to be the last open table. It's a small venue, so I strongly recommend reservations. Service was very good and the menu is very extensive. We had salads and pasta. My salad was a Caesar that was prepared with an interesting twist (photos of everything are attached). My pasta was a seafood mix and it was chock full of tasty seafood. It's certainly worth a visit if you're in the vicinity. Thanks for reading. I’ll appreciate a thumbs up below if you’ve found this helpful.

WE fancied swordfish using google it came up with this restaurant.It looked nice outside but even better inside. Plenty of room , excellent service, reasonable prices and the swordfish was lovely.

So Cellinis has amazing staff. Not only was the service flawless but the food was amazing (not crazy expensive but you can tell it's premium produce used!) I messaged ahead to tell staff I was going to propose to my girlfriend and the staff were amazing in filming and capturing the moment (even though I was awkward as hell!) They made the moment so special and it was just wonderful. Couldnt fault anything. Cellinis is the perfect venue for authentic New York Italian for couples. thank you Cellinis!

Cellini was directly across from our hotel. We decided to have dinner one night for the convience. We had to ask twice for water & for a wine list. After getting our menu, and ordering, we had to ask for bread. Our food came out and it was good, but the service made everything a bit disappointing. A couple seated next to us got up and left because of the poor service. I ordered the Risotto with shrimp and lobster, it was tasty! My husbands spaghetti was ok, Olive Garden is better.

We love this place. Very good food. Service is pretty good too. But always crowded and very busy. The house wine is very good. We ordered Polipo Grigliato and the Mushroom Risotto. One of the best risottos I've ever eaten. True Italian food and very close to our favorite hotel.

We went here expecting good to above ave Italian food but were disappointed they were out of veal and the fish and chicken we ordered were over done while the staff were friendly they were less than attentive I won't be back

Food was good, can’t say anything bad. But the restroom was as a nightmare. The soap dispenser was broken. Expensive food. 18% service charge applied.

Offered a nice selection of typical Italian dishes for lunch . We were a party of four and were seated upstairs which is better for a business discussion since less traffic . Service and food were fine . I would not rate the food as exceptional but certainly quite acceptable .

Phenomenal gnocchi, veal ravioli, bread, and service. Staff is very friendly and accommodating. We loved it. Cannot pick actual date we visited (2019) finally getting around to writing a review to let the owners and staff know how much we appreciated the meal and the service.

Ordered a broiled seafood dish and asked for no calamari - it came with calamari, but none of the advertised scallops. Fish was overcooked and dish was pretty tasteless. Very expensive for such mediocre food.

We went to this restaurant with friends who had been there before. It was a Monday night, around 6:30. We did have a reservation and found only three tables available - a surprise for a weekday evening in late October. The waiter was very pleasant and did not rush us at all. The menu is filled with a nice variety of dishes, at very reasonable prices. All four of us commented on how good our dinners were. The ceiling has cloth woven through the exposed beams and there are some tapestries on the walls. This, plus the quiet music, definitely kept the noise level down to a very acceptable level. By the time we left, about 8:30, several tables were available. I guess that means planning a late weekday dinner might be a good idea. This restaurant is one I can easily recommend.

Dinner w a local - one of her go-to spots. Wonderful, warm and inviting hostess and coat-room “girls” Waiters all work together - no waiting to get “your” waiter’s attention - everyone was very friendly and polite. Complimentary small antipasto plate w fresh bread was perfect. Drinks arrived promptly. Grilled calamari n salad was great. I had Chicken Florentine and companion had standard Vongole — very tasty. Black Forrest Cake and Ricotta Cheesecake were each perfect endings ~ Overall a great “new” go-to spot, for me!

Had a delicious dinner (all 4 people enjoyed their meals) with excellent service. There is a warm lively ambiance which added to the positive experience. Moderately priced and well prepared.

We had the worst service and meal. It's been awhile since we have been and now we won't be back. The service was abominable. Waited almost an hour for our apps, had to complain twice, once to the waiter and once to the manager. Then the food came and we wished it hadn't. It was worse than airline food. My spaghetti carbonara wasn't recognizable as that. It was watery overcooked noddles in a milky/water sauce, I couldn't taste the cheese, nothing rich and creamy. A two year old might have liked it but I did not. I ate 2 bites, the waiter took away my full plate of food and never asked what was wrong or why I didn't eat it. I was happy to share but they didn't give a crap. It was a waste of $200. A least the wine was tasty, it's the only thing, other than the company that got us through the meal. I hardly ever give negative reviews, but this one is warranted.

As a restaurateur, we love eating early because of les crowds and the kitchen isn’t stressed. 5:30 reservation, very attentive and fun staff. Eggplant appetizer was delicious. Chinghale ragout pappardelle was so thin and light as was the lasagna, both delicious We will be back

Not as great as I recall on last visit - food was too salty and over cooked. Overpriced for mediocre Italian. Won’t be back

We had a great meal here with group of 10. Waiter was top notch, had wine ready to go. I tried octopus, calamari and meatballs, all excellent dishes. Nice preparation and plating with good portions. This is NOT Olive Garden.

The food was of variable quality and there was a compulsory 20 percent tip added to our bill which the staff told us went to the owners.

We went on New Years Eve, My wife, one of my daughters and myself. The service was friendly and sincere. We were treated with respect and there was no rush to get you out of the place. The food was delicious and well prepared. The chicken parm was tender, it could melt in your mouth for it was that tender. My wife and daughter had the fish specials and raved about the quality of the fish. My one slight negative very small is the sides especially the mashed potatoes could have been more generous. I would recommend this place to anyone you will have an enjoyanle tims and we will be making a return trip there in the New Year

We had dinner at Cellini our first night in NYC. We were tired and hungry from traveling and Cellini was recommeded to us by our hotel. It was just what we needed. Great atmosphere reminicent of the classic Italian fine dining restaurants. The bartender made a fabulous martini created from ingredients I requested, and that was just the start of the fun! our waiter was so much fun, and the food and the service were teriffic as well. If you're looking for a quietly elegant night out, Cellini will be the place. Casual dress is welcome, as are young children.

We had a reunion of about 18 people. We were in the downstairs private room and it was perfect. The waiters were attentive without being intrusive, the service flowed, the food was very good. Would recommend for a private party.

A homey place that was surprisingly good. I chose it because of its proximity to my hotel and the TA ratings. The service was friendly and efficient. The arugula salad was delicious as was the Tilapia, which isn’t something that I would normally order. I would definitely return.

Food is great but expensive...we've dined here many times and this is at least the third time this has happened (at least the third time we did not catch it!)....we're just a party of 2, but very often the gratuity is included; it's been our mistake but we've tipped on the tip. We realized this happened again just this week when we paid in cash and only the change was given back without the receipt! Unfortunately we won't be back anymore.

So good we went back a second time! Authentic Italian friendly staff lovely food and wine What more could you ask for! Loved the carbonara and the veal dishes

Solid good food with a nice ambiance for lunch. Delicious desserts. Will absolutely go again. Very attentive service. Would return.

Reuniting with a dear friend my wife and I spent a wonderful, delicious Saturday evening here. Service was first class, food absolutely delicious. We asked for as table move and was surprised at how quickly and efficiently staff handled our request. My whole grilled Bronzino was perfectly cooked, wife's eggplant parmigiana delicious and our friends pasta were delicious. Prices were quite reasonable for this part of town and the wine list excellent. Cannot wait to return...

Super kitchen, wonderful selections, efficient servers, comfortable ambiance, good wines! Not just a neighborhood restaurant, great for dates!

We had a fantastic meal at Cellini. The restaurant is run by Italians and the cooking was of a high order. To find a restaurant that cooks pasta "al dente" is rare outside of Italy. The gnocchi was really special and the starters which we all shared were so tasty. I would recommend this to anyone looking for Italian food in New York.

We enjoyed our food at Cellini very much! The food was amazing. But, the waiter never came back to ask us if everything was ok or to refill our wine. We never got more wine until dessert. The owner went to many tables to chat with people but never stopped at our table to see if everything was ok.

This was our first restaurant stop after arriving in NYC. We all had different selections for our lunch. The service was very good as was the wine and our meals. The next time we are in NYC we will go there for dinner. The veal and gnocchi were delicious.

Our dinner and service was wonderful. We were visiting from out of town and had family members come in from out of town as well to meet us for dinner to celebrate my husbands 50th birthday. We ordered wine, dinner and desserts. It was all delicious. We were there a total of 1 1/2 hours. Our check was paid and we were mingling a bit as we had not seen each other for 4 years. I still had wine in my glass when the waiter approached one of our guests and asked if we could leave because people were waiting for a table. (There was two other empty tables they could have used) I was embarrassed and appalled that we would be asked such a thing. We were not lingering, we were just finishing our wine and visiting rather quietly. We spent a lot of money here. We got up from our table shocked over what just happened. I mentioned to the manager what had occurred and although apologetic, she did not seem to surprised by it. Wow, I Would never recommend or step back foot into this place. No class what-so-ever!

I made reservations for my family because of the proximity to Rockefeller Center. Less than a 10 minute walk there. The food was excellent and service was okay. We went on a Friday night and it was super busy not enough personal service for the price that we paid, but the food really made up for it. Our Cesare salad was fresh and crisp. For dinner my husband and I ordered spaghetti Carbonara and the Vitello (veal) Parmigiano with a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. The waiter made no attempt to show us the wine menu and the bottle was $50. Both of my daughters had the risotto which they enjoyed. For dessert we shared cheese cake and Creme Brûlée. Both delicious. The only negative was that the service was rushed and not very personal. One of the waiters dropped a handful of dirty dishes right behind my husband. This could’ve been avoided if they just slowed down. Also, we got our check as we were eating our dessert. Because of the service I give it 4 stars instead of 5.

We have been here several times while in NYC for dinner but this was the first time for lunch. Never again! We felt like cattle being hurried through! And it was impossible to get water refills because the waiters never looked at the twosomes against the wall!

Food was delicious. Staff was very helpful and attentive. Had the Gnocchi Quattro Formaggi. Prices are what you would expect in the city.

Busy place with table squeezed together with just enough space to get in. Food OK but the service is basic with the food plonked down in front of you. Could be so much more with a bit of thought.

While Cellini features many of the standbys of a good Italian restaurant, some interesting entrees, like their giant, one-to-a-plate ravioli. For meat, seafood, pasta, risotto and more, they offer a wide choice. And wines are both varied and reasonable. We like this midtown restaurant and we will be back.

Went here again and took friends, great food and ambiance never lets me down. Starters, mains, we took the dover sole and dessert all good.

I had a business lunch here and the swordfish was excellent. My client had the salmon which he enjoyed. The waiter was rude by being curt and not helpful.

Given all the rave reviews I was surprised at the mediocre food and service.,the restaurant was only half full on a Friday night and we were a party of 6. Several waiters waited on us.Mixed our orders up, had to remind them about a salad, gave us the wrong dessert...not impressed.

Amazing service, best food in NYC. Took 3 attempts to get the bill right hence 4 stars not 5. Between 5 of us we had filet mignon, steak, 2 pasta dishes and baked fish... Everyone delighted with their meal.

Cellini is a small restaurant and very intimate setting. It is casual enough to accommodate young children, yet sophisticated enough to meet your special occasion expectations. The veal is top flight. Pasta is made fresh daily and wonderful. Staffing is warmly efficient. Wine list is appropriate.

Our friends took us for lunch and boy was it fabulous. We started off with small apps and for my entree I received the pounded Pollo with small hearts of palm, shaved cheddar and salad. My guests ordered the pounded Sword fish. Great food and service. Wine list was spot on as well. Small space but very cozy, Would recommend !!

Met a friend for lunch at Cellini at his suggestion. It is a cozy Italian spot which has a very vibrant lunch crowd. The service was very good and the food was excellent. It is loud at lunch but that is not unusual and did not take away from our meal or conversation. We had water and an entree each with no salad’s. Still, the check was $62 before tip so not an inexpensive lunch but it is Manhattan. Between seeing my friend and the excellent food, it was a good lunch.

Cellini's is directly across the street from Hotel Elysee. Authentic Italian food in a wonderful cozy, quiet atmosphere. The lasagna was superb … it made me think my grandfather had made it! The pasta and clams were a highlight. It was so good, we ate there twice … excellent … you'll love it.

Cellini is a cozy restaurant conveniently located in Midtown. The menu options and food were very good. The prices were not exorbitant for Manhattan, except for the alcohol. The waiters are proficient but some were lacking in etiquette. For example, after I ordered a beer, my wife asked to see the wine list. He returned and handed it to me - a sure fire way to PO a woman. I'm not sure what era this guy was from.

great location, very good food and service. Cellini has been around for decades and remains a very reliable spot for a good business lunch in midtown

We had our first meal here after a long day of travelling. We were tired and hungry and needed somewhere that catered for my partner’s allergy to dairy products. This place was great. The staff were friendly and couldn’t do enough to make sure everything was perfect. We’d definitely recommend and would return next time we are in NY.

What a wonderful welcome we received. It was our first time at Cellini and they made us feel like return customers. The food was delicious. The service great. The waiter recommended a good wine at a reasonable price. We would definitely return.

Always busy, this Midtown East restaurant delivers solid Italian food on a consistent basis. The service levels are good, but not great. The atmosphere is vibrant and somewhat noisy.

Wonderful atmosphere but very average food. Service was good as we came in close to last orders but they didn’t hurry us. We had the sweet watermelon salad which was good with the feta, extremely miniscule and average caprese, lobster ravioli and the de-boned branzino. Both lobster ravioli and branzino were ok but not worth going back again.

Absolutely delicious food. Great Tre Colore and Caesar salads, followed by light and flavorful lasagna. The Ricotta cheesecake was done expertly. Friendly and attentive service too. Will definitely come back here next time we are in NYC!

This was our first visit based on the recommendation of our NYC friend. We had chicken parm, pounded salmon & pounded chicken. All entrees were served hot and tasted homemade. Nothing fancy about the plate appearance. The breads very good especially the cheesy focaccia bread. Our server was kind of invisible & not attentive, but not required. The food was very good & that's all that mattered. For dessert we had the apple tort & chocolate cake. They were both good, but nothing special. Didn't seem worth the $10 price for each. We will return based on quality of our entrees.

We've had dine-in dinner here some time ago, but our favorite thing to do is to get the Caesar Salad with grilled chicken for takeout -- it's excellent.

Came to NYC determined to find amazing risotto and I found it. It is hard to find risotto on a menu and this place had 4 choices. Was very happy. Amazing service. The waiters were attentive and friendly. Would go back in a second!

We had a great dinner at this place. Staff was very friendly and helpful with decisions what to choose from them menu. You should really stop by here. Very close to public and midtown.

Everything here is good but not great. I asked the server for insight on 3 wines and, of course, he recommended the most expensive one. The hostess tried to put us upstairs when the downstairs was empty - I understand spreading table to help the servers but the downstairs was empty too. Food was good, not over salted. I won’t rush back.

My second visit here, the last one being the first time I visited New York in 2014. This time I had dinner with two old friends to celebrate my birthday and it was special. The food was to die for and the service as good as ever. Special thanks to Dorothy, the manager and Barbara who works part time in the cloakroom, two beautiful ladies. Will visit again when I return to New York. Highly recommended.

Had lunch at Cellini and we were very impressed with the presentation, quality and service. We both had grilled calamari salad. It was just the right size for a light lunch and it was grilled perfectly. Our only regret was that we had dinner reservations at another restaurant because we would have liked to try them for dinner.

Authentic and delicious. Octopus appetizer is one of the best I have ever had - still not sure how they get it so tender. Served with cherry tomatoes, red and yellow peppers, and arugula. There was literally nothing wrong with the Swordfish Livornese. House Chianti very tasty, too. Would definitely come back.

Loved it! Really nice fresh salad, beautifully cooked and delicious pasta, great service, good wine, and fair prices. I think my spaghetti carbonara was the overall winner for our meal, and I'd happily go back any time and have it again.

Cellini has been one of my favorites on numerous trips to NYC over the years. Always consistent in quality. Fairly priced for NYC and excellent service.

Go to place in the area, classic Italian food and recipes with fresh ingredients, well prepared, and delicious. Highly recommend the Proscuitto and Melon, and thinly sliced Veal medallaions with Artichokes and white wine and peppers. Nice wine list by the glass. Service good and Reasonably priced. They do not try to be hip and i am grateful for that.

A very good range of seasonal dishes to complement the normal menu. Ordered the lobster ravioli of the seasonal menu and this dish alone generated the four rating. Good chunks of Maine lobster in the very well filled ravioli in a lovely tomato/vodka sauce. I had the traditional linguine vongole. Large tasty clams, sauce too watery for my liking but it was full of flavour. Very good dry Pinot Grigio Pighin, a bit overpriced but then it is NY Very cosy, good atmosphere, service a tad slow, get more wine lists!

The place has the look of a prototypical Italian restaurant in 1960's movies. Nothing modern or hip about it, but it has its charm. The food is what you would expect but with a very well crafted, modern touch. The list of weekly specials indicate a kitchen that works on its craft and everything my lunch companion and I tasted was excellent and of the highest quality. the service was professional and well attuned to our needs. Overall, a very good experience.

Prosciutto and pear appetizer was excellent! You can split it. Great portions. Ambience was great. Stayed at NY Palace (Lotte). Walkable.

This was a really cute Italian restaurant in Midtown! The service was great, and they were quick to get us a table. The hostess was incredibly sweet, and insisted on placing us at a great table to accommodate my pregnant belly. I really appreciate their consideration! We will definitely come back here!

It's an OK place, food is not really italian but location is really comfortable and easy if your hotel is right in mid-town New York. Tried gnocchi and pasta, again ok but not great.

If you're looking for an authentic, straight out of grandma's kitchen Italian dinner then Cellini is the place to be. I've made it a point to eat at Cellini every time I'm in the city and every time, I'm always happy I did. The cozy ambiance and friendly staff is what makes this place feel like home, but the food is the real selling point. Every item on the menu oozes with authenticity, the flavors are out of this world. It's hard to find a dish that will disappoint on this menu, but once you find the one you may never try anything else. Great selection of dishes, amazing wine selection (some of my favorite Italian wines) and desert that you will be happy you saved (or made) some room for.

Food is delish! Went there for lunch. Make sure you get a reservation. Popular at lunchtime with the business crowd.

So happy it rained and we looked for a restaurant closer to our hotel because Cellilni did not disappoint and was better than where we had originally planned to go. Service was prompt but not pushy. Food was excellent and I felt the prices were very reasonable. Will definitely visit again next time we're in the area.

My wife and I stopped in for dinner the other night. We got there at 5 and the place was empty by the time we left at 6 it was packed. The food was very good. I started out with the eggplant parm appetizer. It's served with a nice pink sauce and was very delicate. For my entree I had linguine con frutta di mare. The seafood was plentiful and tender. My wife had the chicken which included a salad. She also said her meal very good. For the two of us, with a glass of wine it cost $80 plus tax and tip. Not bad at all for meal in Midtown. We will definitely go back.

This restaurant offers an intimate setting and a broad menu. The veal is some of the best in the city.

We enjoy this small restaurant with excellent daily specials and reasonably price wine list. The servings are generous and the chef will prepare separate plates if you choose to share a dish. The place is always bustling yet the service is very attentive.

The other evening my good friend and I had a wonderful holiday dinner at Cellini. The restaurant is very cozy and beautifully decorated for the holiday season. I arrived a little early and the staff was very kind in allowing me to wait at the bar. We were then seated in the upper level of the restaurant. The tables were set up so that everyone could be socially distanced. We enjoyed a delicious meal encompassing octopus, prosciutto, tuna, risotto, and more. Between our meal and desert, we relaxed and enjoyed our wine. The staff was attentive and kind. It was a lovely evening out and I look forward to having more meals here.

The BEST fillet minion I have ever eaten. Staff were very attentive, food was devine. Thank you for a wonderful meal in NYC

I love Cipriani I love il mulino I love all great Italians But This is the best Great and fair wine list Ornellaia 230 Fantastic and real Italian

Ate here in October, group of 5. Excellent food and polite, friendly service. Reasonable prices for an upscale mid-town restaurant.

I typically don't go for Italian but went for a business lunch where we had some extra time. Unfortunately the service seemed quite rushed which did not make for a pleasant experience. We ended up leaving to grab dessert and coffee somewhere else in a less congested and relaxed environment. We were in and out in 50 minutes which is great for the restaurant profits. The dover sole was not very flavourful and temperature was closer to room temperature than hot off the grill. The burrata cheese as starter was good but fairly small portion. Poor value all around and unlikely to come back which the restaurant not overly concerned about.

We popped in here on a cold rainy day and we're pleasantly surprised with a very nice lunch. We started with shrimp over White beans (gamberi toscana). It was very good and then we split a special chicken ravioli which was divine. We had two glasses of wine which all cost under $80

The first thing to note is that the wait staff has the personality and warmth of a rock. The service itself is perfunctory. We enjoyed our appetizers but the entrees left much to be desired. I had Sapore Mare. It contained, among other things, swordfish and salmon, both of which were very dry. I am still looking for the scallops the dish was supposed to have.

In New York to visit two of our kids. Had a wonderful dinner for 5- homemade pasta, super flavor meals. The staff was so kind and helpful. I look forward eating here again!!!

I was taken here by a business friend. We had an excellent meal . The Sea bass was delicious. Quick and attentive service, ideal for busy business men.

Staying across the street at Hotel Elysee and they recommended. Had veal parmesiana. It was excellent. Service was good.

I was the guest of a vendor for this business dinner. We had a party of about 10 and we were seated upstairs, which was very cozy, but not cramped. I had the balsamic salmon and it was excellent. All the food was fresh and while you will pay NYC prices, it wasn't over the top. Dessert was freshly made and a delicious way to end the evening. Located only a few blocks from Grand Central, this is a great choice whether you're hoping to impress a business client or your spouse!

If you can, you should dine here. We had some great meals during our visit, but this was the best. The Cesear Salad was brilliant. I know you may think that's something that is simple, but the balance, presentation and quality was superb. The other courses were equally good too. Don't bother trying to save room for dessert, you never will! In all our trips to the US, we have never managed a dessert yet!

The place is super intimate, set in the Italian mood. But the service is first rate, and the Risotto is spectacular. You have to save room for dessert because the portions are generous and pricey. Fast service and very quick preparation times.

Cellini on 54th is always on target. The food is consistently good and they have nice daily specials. Very friendly staff as well. Good place for a business lunch or with friends.

We have eaten here several times- close to our hotel so we often have dinner here when we get in. Service and food always good and certainly reasonably priced for NY. Quiet enough that you can have a conversation. They have a good wine selection.

Used to frequent when I worked in area for business dinners.Always consistently good food ,service and good wine selections at fair price. Recently had family dinner. Great experience. Appetizers well prepared particularly grilled calamari which was best I have ever had. Anchovy and octopus equally good. Most of group had veal dishes which they enjoyed. Service was very attentive and overall prices reasonable.Highly recommend.

When searching for a restaurant near our hotel (57th & Lexington), reviews of Cellini looked good. We made a reservation—and are we glad we did! Excellent menu; outstanding service from a team of true professionals. Huge portions at reasonable prices (by New York standards). My wife ordered the Seafood medley on regular menu—delicious! I had the “Imbustata”—a weekly special—described as a large ravioli stuffed with chicken, ricotta, mushrooms, etc.; “large “ is an understatement. And it was excellent. I commented to our waiter (Angelo) that I debated ordering the spaghetti and meatballs because it was labeled as a “signature dish”—he brought me a meatball to sample so that I could see for myself why they say that (it was delicious). Cellini feels like a real Italian restaurant should feel. Highly recommended!

So glad we found Cellini! What a lovely dining experience. The extensive menu reminded us of trips to Italy, the service was excellent and the food very, very authentic. The warmth and ambiance of both the restaurant itself and the servers made for an incredibly pleasurable time. Great location so easy to head there from many hotels. Prices are very fair - A+ evening from start to finish.

We always find time to eat lunch or dinner at Cellini’s when in city no matter where we’re staying. It is a low-key place but the food and service always excellent. My son always orders four cheese gnocchi and ricotta cheesecake, both delish (I always sneak a bite or two). I’ve ordered various pasta dishes and am always happy. We’ll be back in city in a few weeks and we’re already looking forward to another meal at Cellini’s.

In town for a show, we walked a couple of block down from the hotel. Nice place (not luxurious), sort of a trattoria I had the best gnocchi al formaggio and tiramisu. My husband got the risotto con ossobuco. Very, very good food!

We made a last minute reservation on our recent trip to NYC this December. Their food was phenomenal and the service was fast and friendly. We had the chicken parm and the carbonara which were both fantastic. Pasta is homemade and fresh. Their espresso martinis are also delicious and would recommend. Highly recommend checking them out if you are looking form good Italian food in NYC.

Cellini offers a basic Italian menu but the food is very good and portions are decent. Service was also very good. Best part was we discovered they have a private room in the basement level which is great for large groups or private parties and that was a great find.

Lovely atmosphere, delicious food and wonderful service make Cellini a great place to gather with friends and family.

This was my second visit to Cellini and both experiences were terrific. Excellent atmosphere, service, authentic Italian food and great wine. I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the menu options but try one of the risottos. I highly recommend the Risotto Pescatore. The wine list is also every good. Try one of the Brunellos or Amarones. The 2008 Amarone Cesari was excellent and reasonably priced. Would not hesitate to return to Cellini for dinner next time I am in NYC so I HIGHLY recommend if you are looking for some great Italian food!

The white asparagus soup is well executed with a truffle flavor boost and a little crouton of bread with gratted parmesan on top. Nice and warm in this cold day Chicken Ravioli: one large ravioli filled with chicken and veggies. Nice and smooth. A good filling simple dish

Excellent Italian. Prices are reasonable considering Park Ave / Madison. Great wine list including a nice Marchesi Barolo. The salads are excellent as are the chicken and fish dishes. The hostess is lovely to deal with.

When first moving to Manhattan in 1998, my wife and I, on the recommendation of a colleague at work, dined at Cellini. It was intimate, warm, and romantic. I had to use the rest room and in doing so saw the kitchen - it was SPOTLESS. The service was fantastic and the food absolutely delicious, It became a favorite of ours for years. We moved to Philadelphia in 2014. This week, we had the opportunity to go back to Manhattan together and enjoyed many of our old favorite haunts - Zabars, Bouchon Bakery, Dean and Deluca on Madison at E 85th, and Boulangerie at W55th and Broadway, and OF COURSE! Cellini - it did not disappoint - my veal marsala melted in my mouth and my wife's swordfish steak was absolutely delicious. 18 years of dining - and still family operated. A real GEM.

Ate here because it was close to an activity. Food was good - not great, service was very fast (maybe a little too fast?). The restaurant is long and narrow with a bar at the front. Ambiance was kind of cute, quaintly decorated in a country mode. Focaccia was good. We shared the white salad - fine, a veg pasta with red sauce and eggplant (very sparse), veal parmigiana - which was ok. A utilitarian meal.

Came here to start celebrating our month long Ruby Wedding Anniversary. Absolutely no Atmosphere...and to add insult to injury we were presented with a Tiramisu with a candle which we thought was a lovely touch as we didn't order it but found it on the final bill and a demand for 20 percent tip.....no wine list was offered or dessert tray...

I have eaten here more than 50 times as our office is a block away. Before the pandemic I would have said this is a business place, but given the owner Dino kept the prices roughly the same I would almost call this a bargain. The food is delicious and well prepared. The fish is outstanding-the Bronzino or salmon(I don’t like sole but I’m told it’s a great bargain). And they will specialize to your taste(I like salmon over spinach with mushrooms) It has a nice decor, not fancy or romantic but very pleasant. The service is excellent, the pasta dishes are terrific and if you have a large party book the cellar room for groups of 15 or more. Excellent all around!

After a full day of walking we stopped by in front door and decided to try, and were surprised by the quality of the food, the gluten free pasta was really good as well as the dessert. We will be back next time.

We visited the restaurant on a whim. Small but cozy. The service was excellent. Very attentive and respectful. Our food was cooked beautifully. I had the chicken paillard and my guest had the Dover sole. We were both very happy. Perhaps the nicest touch, we asked to split a starter salad. Instead of bringing one salad and 2 settings, the kitchen gave us two composed salads. We really appreciated that. (The salad with digs and walnuts, it was delicious and a great start to our meal). I want to go back!

This is the second time I have dined here. Dorothy is an incredible hostess. Very good Italian and nice wine list. Two blocks from hotel. Going back

Went for dinner - restaurant is smaller in size with tables closer together which makes for a warm and intimate environment. Its a little noisy but nothing too bad. Nice overall environment. Service is great, and the speed of the meal coming was also great - good for business meetings so no long awkward silences :-) (It wasn't rushed though just timely) ! The food has a good mix of dishes (Chicken, Seafood, Steak, Pasta) with a good compliment of starters. Food tends to be on the traditional Italian side - nothing modern here - but its tasty, hearty and portions are a decent size. Nothing is going to blow your mind here - its about the staples. Pricing I found to be very affordable for the quality and being in New York. If your looking for a taste of Italian, I would certainly go back.

Four of us shared a business dinner here and all of us walked away well fed, relaxed and ready for tomorrow. The veal dishes were flavorful and more than ample without being obscenely large. Theses dishes were served with mashed potatoes, and I would have preferred a small plate of pasta. The one pasta dish enjoyed st our table was a good size and complemented by a very good sauce. The wine list had a lot of range in price, and we enjoyed a very good bottle of Chianti Classico. Noise levels were moderated by draped fabric on the ceiling so that conversation was pretty easy. The restaurant had many empty tables when we arrived for our 18:30 reservation on a Monday night, but it was mostly full by 19:00.

I've now had four business dinners at this restaurant and I've to say they've all worked out perfectly. Food was superb, service was excellent bordering on slavish, it was quiet and exactly what was needed. I highly recommend it.

We had dinner here last week. Great, small Italian restaurant. Very good service, good wine list and very good food. Bread was excellent, we split a salad with lemon vinaigrette that was great then had spaghetti carbonara and lasagna. Both good, but lasagna wa superb.

We had a holiday dinner for our family with 14 persons. Dino went out of his way to make sure everything was PERFECT. The food was excellent. We shared 7 different plates of pasta, one better than the next, and then everyone ordered their favorite dish. Raves abounded. The deserts were very special and delicious. We were in the main dining room. Everyone will be returning with their friends. Go... Enjoy...

I have eaten at Cellini several times as I consider it one of the better Italian restaurants in New York City. They’re gravy, (sauce), is delicious! I enjoy the eggplant parmigiana.

We went to Cellini for a reminder of our trips to Italy and we weren’t disappointed. The feel is of a true Italian restaurant. The room was tight, the conversation vibrant, the waiters engaging and the food perfecto. The meals were wonderful. The service was excellent. This is Italian that would be at home in Italy. Try the Imbustata - absolutely to die for.

This is a very nice Italian restaurant with amazing service and great food. We were a very large group and they were still able to provide great service to all the guests. Everyone in the party was very happy with the restaurant. The owner is amazing as well. The location is ideal.

This has become my favorite restaurant in NYC and I come here every time I visit New York. Food is never disappointing. I highly recommend the grilled octopus and the seafood linguine. The garlic bread is super tasty as well. Just fantastic food.

We left the restaurant feeling extremely unsatisfied with the food. I was expecting fresh and well executed pasta dishes as the reviews were good. Instead we got a WATERY spaghetti carbonara and a tasteless gnocchi tre funghi. Quality wise, food was like any cheap-eat Italian place. Our portion sizes were small, however portion sizes from other dishes I saw, seemed ok. Wouldn’t recommend and won’t return.

We visited Cellini's based on a recommendation from a friend who lives in the area. We were looking for a traditional Italian restaurant within close to our hotel. We were greeted by a friendly staffer and seated at a nice table for two. The interior gives you warm, welcome feeling and is not ostentatious. The menu offers a wide variety of options that should suit most patrons. We were easily able to find multiple menu items that we enjoyed. Overall positive dining experience.

We were a large group so we sat upstairs which has a great seating area for us. Nice service. All our meals were very good. I enjoyed the special lobster ravioli. Nice portion.

Cellini is convenient to where we stayed. It was just ok. My hubby ordered the veal and he proclaimed it to be very good. I selected the carbonara with fancy bacon. The bacon and other additions were minuscule except for onions. Onions that were not listed in the menu description. I could barely choke down a little of it. Normally, waitstaff check to see how your meal is. Nope. There were 18 tables and one large table of 15. Two of the 5 waitstaff focused on the large table leaving minimal coverage for the remaining 18 tables. Check the pricing. Service should be impeccable. We were disappointed at best.

Ate here 5 years ago. Remembered as one of my favorite meals. Returned tonight. Fantastic. Every one of our dishes excellent. Service and ambiance perfect.

This is NYC. One thing we have lots of is great Italian restaurants with food and service. This place is below average. The day manager is rude and waiters are not great.

Starting with the octopus appetizer and the bread, I was impressed. The bread tasted like Italian bread is supposed to. Knowing that we would be splitting one appetizer, the waiter served it in two dishes. Nice. The two fish entrees we selected were both wonderful and I find it impossible to find fault. I will be back when in the area to be sure.

Intimate setting with amazing food!!! Perfection...Will definitely return soon. Waiters very attentive and provided great service.

My cousin and I took my daughter here so she could enjoy a nice Italian dinner. I don't normally like Italian food, but I can find great chicken and seafood items on the menu!. I got a wonderful chicken dish with a lemon butter sauce. My cousin got her fav pasta. After the meal we shared a cheesecake and it was wonderful as it wasn't the super sweet kind. Just perfect! Love the atmosphere and food very much. Our go to restaurant in NY!

Staying across the street at Hotel Elysee my brother recommended eating at this italian restaurant, food was really good, service was ok, it appears that a lot of locals are repeat customers so i could be wrong but seemed that they were given more attention by serveres, no complaint on the food though!!! Best tiramisu in town.

Nice spot. My husband and I went with friends and Cellini was a nice Northern Italian restaurant. The service was nice and wine list good. A fun place to go. The Veal Scallopini was very tender. We shared several starters, all good. It was pretty busy, make reservations. They also don't rush you out of the place.

Dont expect good service unless you look like your minted is my impression of this place. Waited ages for a drink order despite one of the servers squeezing past us to get to the next table. Starters were good to be fair. Very tasty and well presented. Went downhill with the mains. The description on the menu made no mention of shellfish yet the dish was covered in shellfish. As it's a major allergy trigger might want to be careful with that! Anyway it was tasty enough. Dessert was ok. Ordered a coffee got the bill. Not what I was hoping for as it was the LL's birthday treat. Hope the rich folks on the next table gave their very attentive server a good tip as we left nothing for whoever was passing our table and responded to be flagged down! I was going to tip but apparently leaving a dollar bill wasnt worth it said the LL.

This restaurant was on a list distributed by our hotel so I was a bit suspicious. I come to NYC for great food/good prices/lovely settings....Cellini hit them all. I am very hard on food, and judge a restaurant by their bread first. Delicious! Oh, and the glass of wine...very large! Anyway, we will be back! Very good, and surprisingly in mid town!!

We had a very positive experience at Cellini. They serve really delicious and tasty food. The restaurant was full and there was a good atmosphere. It was very genuine italian food.