Serafina Upper West
Upper West Side (Central), New York City
Restaurant in New York City, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Serafina Upper West is a practical Upper West Side choice when the priority is an easy neighborhood table near Broadway, not a high-stakes tasting-menu meal. Book it for casual celebrations, visiting family, or low-pressure business meals; cross-shop TESSA or RedFarm if the food needs to carry the night.
About Serafina Upper West
For Serafina Upper West in New York City, it is open daily, with hours that run from midday or late morning until 10 PM, depending on the day, and the dress code is smart casual. Use those facts as the baseline when deciding whether it fits your plans.
The practical case for choosing it is built around timing and expectations rather than a long awards list, named chef, signature dish, cuisine claim, price point, or tasting-menu format. It may make sense when the group wants a New York City venue with clear published hours and a smart-casual standard.
Choose it for ease, not for a tasting-menu arc
The safest expectation is a smart-casual visit, not a documented tasting-menu structure. The smart move is to use Serafina Upper West for occasions where confirmed logistics matter more than a highly specific culinary brief.
For readers comparing New York City options, TESSA, RedFarm, Nice Matin, Playa Betty's, and Kefi are other names to consider depending on the occasion and the details each diner wants to check before choosing.
Who should choose it
Choose Serafina Upper West when the group wants a smart-casual New York City venue with published daily hours. It is open Monday through Thursday from 12–10 PM, and Friday through Sunday from 11:30 AM–10 PM. Skip it if you need a venue selected around specific details such as a chef, signature dish, award record, price range, or tasting-menu format.
For broader planning, start with Our full New York City restaurants guide. Pearl also keeps separate city guides for New York City hotels, New York City bars, New York City experiences, and New York City wineries.
Planning details
- Location
- 2178 Broadway, New York, NY 10024
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- serafinarestaurant.com
- Phone
- +12125950092
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Serafina Upper West reads like a dependable neighbourhood Italian: familiar, comfortable and designed for frequent visits rather than one-off destination dining. The group’s formula emphasizes consistency and an approachable menu that comforts a broad cross-section of diners. The room feels classic and unpretentious, a place where regulars and families come for straightforward Italian cooking rather than culinary theater. Expect an easygoing, warm atmosphere that leans into everyday comfort rather than trend-chasing — the sort of dining room that supports repeat meals and mixed tables without fuss.
Best For
This is a spot built for everyday gatherings: families, groups and anyone looking for a reliable Italian meal on the Upper West Side. The menu’s intent is practical — to satisfy a table of four with different appetites and no patience for tasting menus — so it’s ideal for casual nights out, weekend lunches and neighborhood celebrations that don’t require formality. It’s not positioned as a destination for haute cuisine; instead, it’s best when you want straightforward cooking, consistent portions and an accommodating dining room where conversation and shared plates come first.
Ordering Tips
Menus at Serafina Upper West are designed to be broadly appealing, so plan to order a few familiar dishes to share and let the table mix tastes. The signature Farfalle Limoncello is a clear calling card and worth ordering to see the house take on a standout pasta. Because the restaurant aims to satisfy varied appetites quickly, favor approachable pastas and mains rather than niche tasting items; the format rewards sharing and straightforward choices that keep the meal convivial and unassuming.
Venue details
Ambiance
Warm and welcoming with vibrant frescos, large windows providing street views, comfortable booths, and the aroma of the pizza oven creating a lively yet sophisticated atmosphere.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
View
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
Farfalle Limoncello
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 2178 Broadway, New York, NY 10024
Planning details
Location
Also consider
If You Can't Get In
Try TESSA if the meal needs more celebration polish, especially for a date or small group. Try RedFarm if the group wants a clearer cuisine decision and Chinese food is the brief.
Restaurant context
How It Compares
Serafina Upper West is the ease-first pick in this Upper West Side set. Choose it when location and flexible daily service matter more than a destination-style meal. TESSA is the stronger choice for a date or celebration with more room energy, while Nice Matin is better for a European-leaning all-day meal.
If cuisine direction is the deciding factor, RedFarm gives the clearest answer because it is explicitly Chinese. Playa Betty's fits a casual group that wants a louder, more relaxed night. Kefi is another neighborhood cross-shop when the goal is value and simplicity rather than formality.
For booking difficulty, Serafina Upper West is the low-friction option. For stronger occasion feel, start with TESSA; for cuisine specificity, start with RedFarm; for an easy neighborhood fallback, Serafina Upper West is the safer booking.
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Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Serafina Upper West guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Serafina Upper West
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serafina Upper West | New York City | , | No published awards |
| Kefi | New York City | , | No published awards |
| TESSA | New York City | , | No published awards |
| RedFarm | New York City | Chinese | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #4522024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #2932023 OAD Casual in North America Recommended |
| Playa Betty's | New York City | , | No published awards |
| Nice Matin | New York City | , | Star Wine Lists 20262026 Wine Spectator Grand Award2025 Wine Spectator Grand Award |
How Serafina Upper West compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a first-timer know about Serafina Upper West?
Expect a smart-casual New York City venue with published daily hours. Serafina Upper West is open Monday through Thursday from 12–10 PM, and Friday through Sunday from 11:30 AM–10 PM.
How far ahead should I plan for Serafina Upper West?
Specific booking lead times are not included here. Use the published hours as a planning baseline: Monday through Thursday from 12–10 PM, and Friday through Sunday from 11:30 AM–10 PM.
