Giardino 54 Reviews

4.4

1,594 of 13,358 Restaurants in New York City


Reviews

It’s open!

By Randy |

Great food with special outdoor seating capability! This restaurant was able to accommodate our group of 6 with great service. It was a Monday night and late, otherwise you will probably need reservations. Pizza was really good and calamari was above average. Prices were a little high, but understand it is Manhattan during a health crisis, so they definitely earn it. Glad they were open.

Best Italian I’ve eaten at

By Rose B |

Stunning. Service excellent. Rainy night in NY this was a haven to walk into. Ordered starter, trio of bruschetta. Thankfully between us both as it was huge but delicious. Main - suckling pig for one of us. Pasta dish for the other. Absolutely stunning, both meals. The freshest pasta. I honestly could not rate this place highly enough.

Just perfect!

By Florida |

This is a quality Italian restaurant and truly a hidden gem. The service was so friendly and accommodating. The back garden patio is so pleasant. It is a wonderful and cozy vibe - so inviting. Food was all delicious and fresh. Would return for sure!

Will return in a NY second.

By kdinesDenver |

Delicious Italian food in lovely setting with exceptional service. It was hard to believe how this dinner could have been prepared in such a tiny kitchen! One of the best salads, and homemade squid pasta that was incredible.

Unhospitable, closed before closing time

By andiemoon |

I went here last night with my boyfriend, our close friend and our friend's brother who was visiting for the first time in almost 10 years. It's a cute wine bar and we picked it because it was open until 2am and advertised having a kitchen that was open late. We got there at midnight and were told there was no longer any food but decided to stay for some wine anyway. By 1 am they were stacking chairs around us and asked to take our final drink order. By 1:20 the server came up to us and told us that it was time to leave because they were closed. I asked if I was mistaken and that they weren't actually open until 2am like it said online (sometimes Yelp is wrong after all). He told me they close between midnight and 2am whenever business was done. Ive worked in service and I get wanting to go home on time, but this was 40 minutes before closing and we had already closed out our tab, we were just finishing our glasses of wine. There wasn't a chance we would still be sitting there 40 minutes later at actual closing time. Compounding all this is that the point of the family visit was that there was actually some pretty serious stuff going on and the night was a much needed bonding period. Nobody was drunk or rowdy, and being asked to leave in this way felt extremely rude.

Delicious Food & Amazing Service

By Amy M |

Wow! This place is AMAZING! We visited from Scotland last week and decided to book for dinner after seeing the all of the good reviews. It certainly didn't disappointing. The lamb pasta and tiramisu was delicious, maybe even the best pasta I've ever tasted - compliments to the chef. The service was fab too, our server looked after us well, and was very friendly :)

Aperitivo drink

By Maxxi71 |

Incredible beautiful place for a drink Good Prosecco and Italian bar tender very smart On the back there is a yard with table for dinner Well recommended

A good find!

By ALKAcouple |

Boy are we glad to have this place in our ‘hood! Only opened 8 months ago, and we popped in for dinner the other night. They serve the freshest, lightest lasagna we’ve ever eaten, for only $17, and their bruschetta was delicious, with perfect bread. Cool vibe inside, but they do need to play the indoor music out on the patio. Their manager, Fabrizio, was genuine and warmly welcoming, too. We’ll be back...often.👍

Giardino 54 New York

By Michael J K |

It was a dark and stormy night. Dinner at Giardino's was excellent. It was chilly and raining hard, so the crowd was, well, not a crowd at all. The service was excellent and the food was wonderful.

Nice surprise!

By MARISA J |

good surprise! We went in without any instructions and had an excellent experience! Very polite waiter and manager. We ate the bruschetta trio as a starter and the lasagna afterwards. Delicious!

Dinner

By Lorraine H |

Cute place with good food. We have always sat outside which can be a very romantic spot. Good take on New Italian.

Hidden gem - excellent

By danielt88 |

Hidden gem- glad we found it. Really good standard of food and wine in a nice setting. Highly recommended if in the area. Fresh pasta and excellent service

Wonderful Italian food in cozy quaint setting

By CraftBeers |

My wife and I loved everything about this place. Its store front is no-frills and easy to miss. Inside, you will find a tiny but cozy wood and brick dining room. Past the bar there is a walkway into an airy outdoor covered patio. It's relaxing and enjoyable. Service was fabulous. Our server interacted perfectly with us. He read the room on when to be there and when not. He gave recommendations and answered our questions. He joked around and laughed with us from time to time. It was just great. The meal was fantastic. We wanted awesome Italian food in New York, and we found it here. I highly recommend a visit.

Great Pasta in a Quaint Restaurant

By jcaeiouys |

Love this hidden gem! It’s very close to theaters. It’s a small place serving homemade pasta made with flour from Italy. Pasta dishes in the $20 range. Great selection of appetizers. Definitely check out this place! We plan on going again next time in the city.

Best bruschetta in the US

By EFitBee |

The best bruschetta in the US! The service was superb. I came around 8pm on a Saturday at the end of February, and I was able to get a table without having to wait. The food was served promptly. I highly recommend Giardino 54’s. The atmosphere can be great for a date, but also a good experience with friends at the bar. There is Italian music in the background that isn’t too overwhelming. They checked my coat and gave me a number to retrieve it after my meal. This is wonderful in the winter, because the chairs are stools and don’t have backs to drape the jackets on.

Liked it, worth it

By Denny820 |

There are plenty of ‘average’ Italian restaurants in NYC but this place is MUCH better. Prices good, food great, service fantastic. It is on my short list of NYC favorites.

Great choice for delicious Italian diner before a show!

By Peggy K |

Great service! The staff was friendly and attentive. Entres and desserts were delicious and well presented. Highly recommend for dinner before a show.

4 unfriendly faces

By Paul S |

Was greeted by 4 unfriendly faces as we searched for a table outside. The guy that took our order was so obviously trained by the owner to try and push appetizers and cocktails. Such a turn off. Small portion of pasta that was much to mush mash and all this for $22 not to mention the $8 small beer. Looks like Manhattan restaurants are trying to make up for all their lost time by ripping off the clients. BEWARE of their game.

Great Italian fare near Lincoln Center

By 421Traveler_123 |

Went to Giardino 54 for a quick dinner before a show at the Lincoln Center (10 minute walk). Service was excellent and attentive and the food delicious. There are multiple outdoor seating options, including partially covered in front.

A gorgeous choice to have a great meal!

By yellow1NewJersey |

This is a lovely neighborhood restaurant with intimate seating, really good food and a warm ambiance. The menu has plenty to offer without being overwhelming. The bar and open kitchen are part of the stage for all to enjoy. The food was excellent, so much so, we went back the next night and enjoyed the salad, eggplant appetizer, simply prepared branzino and a pistachio cheesecake to die for. Highly recommend!

Recently opened and sister restaurant to Medi.

By D S |

Some sites list this restaurant as a wine bar, but it's equally a great resturant with a bar. We had a great meal here ...the day before we ate at Il Melograno ..and thought the food and pricing similar. Similar retro chic design too. The vibe here goes on longer ... as when the diners thin out there's still a great atmosphere from those at the seated bar. This restaurant has some great easy listening music playing (and not too loud) which adds to the atmosphere.

Rude and unhelpfull hostess made us leave unsatisfied.

By IsraelT |

I would like to complain against the restaurant Giardino 54. When we arrived at the reserved time, we could get a high chair table. Not what we reserved.  A table for 4 was availble but we couldnt have it because we are 2. The hostes was rude and didn't do any effort to acomodate us. 

Hidden Gem!

By Robyn |

Lovely restaurant with amazing food! Pork belly was the best I’ve had! Risotto was amazing! Such a cute vibe with good prices and reasonable prices! Hidden gem!

Small Gem

By Dr J |

This small restaurant on 54th street just west of 9th Avenue has a lovely outdoor garden seating and high top tables inside. Our very attentive waiter presented today’s specials while bring over bread and olive oil. We had a fresh burrata and tomato salad. The fresh mozzarella was wonderful. We each had one of the specials of the day. My halibut was prepared in a light Livornese sauce and my wife had their Linguine con Vongole in white wine and garlic. Both were delicious. We accompanied our meal with a Pinot Noir. I certainly recommend this restaurant for a relaxing night out in Midtown.

Good food but I don't recommend it

By Nanna71 |

Small and crowded place at the entrance, we ate on very uncomfortable stools practically stuck to a freezing glass. Maybe the internal part is more spacious but I haven't seen it. Good food, poor and very expensive glass of wine. I expected much more given the positive reviews from others. Decent area but I think there is better in NY.

NYC with charm

By ladyamy2001 |

Charming, warm and inviting! Went on a Saturday night for an early dinner with no reservation. We sat at the bar and were warmly welcomed. Great drinks, great food. NYC Italian trattoria you shouldn’t miss!

A new find!

By ianshamshey |

I am always on the lookout for new places prior to their being discovered by the masses. Giardino 54 may be such a place. It is located on a side street and is very small. There is a bar in the center of the room and and high top tables all around. Stools are used for seating but lack backs. Beyond the bar and the seating area is an open kitchen. Beyond this it looked like a backyard are for dining alfresco when the weather permitted. I was seated immediately and got a glass of wine [Sangiovese] and shortly after, Italian bread with EVOO and balsamic vinegar arrived. I ordered the spaghettini with mushrooms and pancetta. My food was prepared quickly and was delicious. The waiter, Fabrizio, was attentive and accommodating. I would recommend and return since it may be impossible to get a table in the future. E stato un piacere!

Fabulous Dining Experience!!

By LarsieB |

We had a fabulous time at Giardino 54 after going to a show on Broadway. We loved the fact that the restaurant isn’t in a real NYC “touristy” area. The restaurant feels intimate, and the weather was lovely enough while we dined at Giardino that we were able to sit outside at the front of the restaurant. Service from the time we arrived with the front desk to our server Francisco was excellent. Service was welcoming, friendly, and warm. Our food and cocktails were delicious. We had Aperol Spritzes, Risotto ai Funghi, Costicine di Bue and finished the meal off with a shared portion of Tiramisu, excellent!! The cost before a tip (inc taxes) was $127 I highly recommend Giardino 54.

Small Friendly Italian Venue

By Ron J |

Small Friendly Italian Venue on West 54th Street worthy of wine and appetizers for friends or family. Wine was expensive but the small plate foods were good. Get a table at the window for people viewing.

A bit of Italy in NY

By Eva |

Italian restaurant with a mix of national cuisine. Courteous service, casual local, a bit noisy. Acceptable food

A Warm Atmosphere with Excellent Dishes but with Some Surprises

By massimo g |

The 54 restaurant in Manhattan offers a welcoming and warm atmosphere, welcoming its guests with a charming location. The staff stands out for its attention and courtesy, creating a pleasant experience. However, my experience with pasta dishes has been mixed. Ordering bucatini alla norma, I was surprised when they served me linguine instead of the traditional pasta. I would have appreciated advance notice regarding the change. The sauce had the same common defects: the presence of onions and garlic, elements which, according to Italian tradition, should be excluded to maintain the purity of the sauce. The ravioli, despite their goodness, were served in somewhat limited quantities. However, it should be emphasized that their preparation was carried out with skill. Overall, Restaurant 54 has the potential to offer a quality dining experience, but it would be beneficial to work on some cuisine choices to fully meet customer expectations.

Delicious

By Steve M |

Unlike some of the other local restaurants which were large, this one was smaller. The staff were very kind and helpful; they did not seem to be rushed. The service was fairly quick and the food was very delicious. We will go there again next time we are in that area of Manhattan.

So so so good

By AR-BRAY |

Wonderful. The place is adorable. The staff was fast and friendly. The food was amazing start to finish. Bread was very fresh. Drinks were also delicious.

Absolute gem

By anorth52 |

I don't like high tables and stools so I was put off initially. The waiter was friendly and the Negronis were very good. The food was outstanding! We will go back and we'll take our friends. High tables or not this should not be missed.

Superb

By Donna S |

I looked for a restaurant near our hotel which was also in 54th Street. I had read a few reviews and I was impressed. Our waiter was Ermir. He was excellent. He explained the menu to my husband who needs to eat gluten free. We had the seared octopus. It was delicious. He had the short ribs entree and I had the duck. Both we superb!! I would definitely highly recommend!!

We will definitely return

By Zacass |

Our party of 3 had never been at Giardino 54. We were walking around and saw this restaurant had outdoor dining and decided to take a chance. All our selections, from the appetizers to salads to entrees to desserts were delicious and visually delightful. We split an avocado and tuna appetizer (I think it was a special) which had a wonderful marinade. Two ordered bisteca for dinner (one rare and the other medium well) and both raved. I had the beet salad, which looked very pretty and was a flavorful blend of ingredients. We sampled the tiramisu, pannacotta and chocolate torte: we were very pleased with our desserts. The service was very pleasant, friendly and unobtrusive - we couldn't ask for better service.

What an amazing hidden gem!

By Yu Z |

What an amazing hidden gem! We were so happy with the food - meatball sea bass and tuna. Everything was so authentically Italian. The ambience is very vibrant and casual. It made us feel so welcome and part of the family! All the waiters are from Italy so the experience is quite unique!

Fine Italian Dining

By Jim M |

Quaint location just off of the busy areas of Manhattan. Small, but impressive menu. Service attentive, professional, personable. Appeared to be more than a couple of locals in the place - always a good indicator for me. Quiet, peaceful setting. Had an appetizer which was a well set, round veggie lasagne style item. Also, a general spaghetti entre and I had goat cheese risotto which was amazing. Cocktails also very good.

wow

By Chris S |

this italian restaurant is stunning. from the little courtyard out back to the beautiful inside with its plants, skylights, wooden bar and flooring. staff is super nice with the smallest open kitchen you have ever seen making one wonder how does all those orders come from that one area. precise menu with traditional with a touch of modern flare. small menus in my opinion are the best with limited options. location seems far away, but in nyc location is anywhere and everywhere

Excellent food and service

By Seth7890 |

We celebrated a birthday here and everyone was very happy with the results. Excellent bruschetta, meatballs, salads, and pastas of various kinds. Very friendly as well.

2x in one week

By Mike E |

We had brunch here with friends from Texas, then dinner 2 nights later (wife and me). Both were very good - waffles for Brunch, and pasta dishes for dinner. Phillipe was our server for dinner and was very attentive. We had the 2010 Solare Capannelle which was perfect with our meals. We already have reservations for the night before Thanksgiving when our adult kids are in town.