Osteria Viola
Italian Restaurant
Authentic Italian. New York City.
Hand-rolled pasta, wood-fired flavors, and a wine list that travels the Italian peninsula.
Fresh pasta, made daily
Every pasta is hand-rolled in-house each morning. No shortcuts, no exceptions.
Curated Italian wine list
Over 80 labels sourced directly from small producers across Italy. Our sommelier guides you.
Wood-fired grill
Our bistecca and seafood are finished over an open wood fire for depth you can taste.
Reviews
Customer Reviews
“Best Italian in the city, full stop. The tagliatelle ragù is what pasta dreams are made of — the sauce has clearly been simmering for hours. I've tried every Italian spot in Manhattan and this one wins.”
“The Cacio e Pepe was perfectly executed — creamy, peppery, and not a single clump. Simple dish done right is so hard to find. The wine list is excellent too, our sommelier really knew his stuff.”
“The Bistecca Fiorentina is enormous and cooked exactly how they described. Crispy crust, pink center, the rosemary and garlic butter takes it over the top. Worth every dollar.”
“Came for a business dinner and it was the perfect choice. Quiet enough to have a real conversation, impressive enough to make a statement. The branzino was light and flawless.”
“Went on a Saturday without a reservation and they squeezed us in at the bar. Had the pasta tasting and a bottle of Barolo — honestly one of the best meals I've had all year.”
“Intimate atmosphere, warm lighting, attentive service without being intrusive. The burrata starter was so fresh it barely needed anything else. Perfect anniversary dinner.”
“The staff here make you feel like a regular from your first visit. They remembered my partner's allergy without us bringing it up twice. That kind of attention is rare.”
“The tiramisu alone is worth the visit. It's nothing like the versions you get elsewhere — airy, not too sweet, with a proper coffee kick. We ordered a second one.”
“Everything was excellent but the pasta is the star. Hand-rolled, perfectly al dente. You can tell it's made fresh. Portions are generous for the price point too.”
“We hosted a birthday dinner here for 8 people. The private corner table was perfect and the kitchen accommodated a custom dessert. Everyone left raving about it.”
2,187 guests. One verdict.
The pasta is the real deal
Guests consistently say it's the best fresh pasta they've had outside of Italy.
Wine knowledge on the floor
The team's wine recommendations are mentioned in hundreds of reviews.
Ambiance that actually works
Warm, intimate, never too loud — the setting earns consistent praise.
Service that remembers you
Guests feel like regulars from visit one. That personal touch keeps them returning.
Tagliatelle Ragù (621×)
The most mentioned dish by far — guests say the sauce tastes like it's been cooked all day.
Cacio e Pepe (398×)
"The best in the city" is the phrase that comes up repeatedly.
Wine selection (274×)
Guests love that the list goes beyond the obvious labels.
Tiramisu (209×)
Described as "life-changing" and "I ordered a second one" more than once.
Book at least 3 days ahead
Weekends fill up fast. Tuesday and Wednesday evenings are the sweet spot for a quieter experience.
Start with the burrata
Order the Burrata & Prosciutto to start — it sets the tone for the whole meal.
Ask for the sommelier
Tell them your budget and what you're eating. Their pairing suggestions are consistently spot-on.
Gallery
Our Space
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Find Us
- 42 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10010
- Monday Closed
- +1 212-555-0247
- 1 min walk from 23rd St subway station (6 train). Red awning on the corner of Lexington and 23rd.