Sfoglia
Italian · Upper East Side-Carnegie Hill, New York City
Restaurant in New York City, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Emilian Pasta Tradition
Chef
Various
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Sfoglia is a practical Upper East Side Italian pick when the night calls for a small-room dinner rather than a scene. Book it for conversation, classic Italian comfort, an easier reservation path than New York's tougher Italian rooms; choose Quality Italian or Sempre Oggi instead if the group wants more scale or polish.
About Sfoglia
Sfoglia is an Italian restaurant in New York City, with evening hours seven days a week, a smart casual dress code, recognition from Opinionated About Dining Casual in North America, where it was ranked #678 in 2024. It works when the goal is Italian dinner in New York City and the decision depends on timing, dress expectations, the kind of night your group wants.
An Italian dinner option in New York City
The clearest reason to consider Sfoglia is simple: it is a New York City Italian restaurant with dinner service every night of the week. Monday and Sunday hours are 5:30–9:30 pm, while Tuesday through Saturday hours are 5:30–10 pm. For a broader look at other options, Our full New York City restaurants guide is more useful if the brief is open-ended.
Plan around the Italian dinner rather than treating drinks as the main reason to go. If the night is built around cocktails first, Our full New York City bars guide may be a better planning tool.
Book it for Italian dinner, with expectations kept practical
Sfoglia sits among several New York City Italian options travelers may compare when choosing a dinner. If you are weighing it against Quality Italian, Rao's, Salumeria Rosi, Scalinatella, or Sempre Oggi, the simplest comparison is to focus on the basics: Sfoglia is Italian, smart casual, open for evening service. Beyond that, check current menus, availability, booking policies directly before deciding.
For diners who care about recognition, Sfoglia's accolade is its Opinionated About Dining Casual in North America ranking at #678 in 2024. That is a useful signal, but it should not replace the practical questions: whether the hours fit, whether the dress code matches the plan, whether Italian dinner in New York City is the right brief for the evening.
Who should choose it
Choose Sfoglia if you want an Italian dinner in New York City with smart casual expectations and evening hours that run throughout the week. Skip it if your plans require a specific menu format, named signature dishes, bar seating, takeout, delivery, allergy accommodations, or lunch service; check directly before booking. Travelers planning the rest of the trip can also use New York City guides for hotels, experiences, other dining.
Planning details
- Hours
- Monday: 5:30–9:30 pm · Tuesday: 5:30–10 pm
- Location
- 1402 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10128
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- sfogliarestaurant.com
- Phone
- (212) 831-1402
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Sfoglia reads like a settled Upper East Side trattoria — understated, steady, and quietly refined. It leans into a neighborhood rhythm: the sort of place where staff and regulars build familiarity and the menu follows seasonal logic rather than chasing trends. The room favors repetition over opening-night excitement, rewarding repeat visits with reliably prepared, memory-forward Italian cooking. Situated on Lexington in Carnegie Hill, the restaurant projects a warm, approachable sensibility that feels more lived-in than fashionable, delivering a charming, consistently dependable dining experience for uptown diners.
Best For
Sfoglia is best for diners seeking an unfussy, reliably good Italian meal away from downtown flash. The restaurant suits intimate evenings and small celebrations for locals and neighborhood regulars who appreciate steadiness over novelty. Because it sits in the quieter stretch of Carnegie Hill and has built loyalty through repetition, it’s less likely to appeal to tourists chasing trend pieces and more likely to satisfy those who prioritize familiar, seasonally focused cooking. It’s an ideal pick for a low-key date night or a quietly special meal.
Ordering Tips
Stick to Sfoglia’s signatures when you want a clear sense of what the kitchen excels at: the Pappardelle alla Bolognese and the Chicken al Mattone are highlighted standouts. The menu is described as following seasonal logic, so expect preparations and supporting plates to shift with the market; asking for what’s current will showcase the kitchen’s strengths. Given the restaurant’s neighborhood standing and consistent reviews, prioritize those classic dishes that embody the house’s memory-driven approach to Italian cooking.
Venue details
Ambiance
Warm, inviting space with farmhouse tables, stone walls, vintage furniture, and a homey Italian market feel.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Intimate
Signature Dishes
- Pappardelle alla Bolognese
- Chicken al Mattone
Planning details
Hours
- Monday
- 5:30–9:30 pm
- Tuesday
- 5:30–10 pm
- Wednesday
- 5:30–10 pm
- Thursday
- 5:30–10 pm
- Friday
- 5:30–10 pm
- Saturday
- 5:30–10 pm
- Sunday
- 5:30–9:30 pm
Location
1402 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10128 · Directions
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Where to go if Sfoglia is not the right fit
Choose Quality Italian if the group wants more energy, more scale, a broader special-occasion feel. Choose Salumeria Rosi if the night should stay casual and Italian without the same small-room dinner tone.
Restaurant context
How Sfoglia compares with other New York Italian options
Rao's is the harder, more status-driven Italian reservation; Sfoglia is the saner choice when the goal is actually getting a table without turning dinner into a project. Sempre Oggi sits in a higher $$$$ lane, so choose it when polish and spend are part of the plan, choose Sfoglia when intimacy and lower friction matter more.
Salumeria Rosi is the more casual cross-shop for Italian on the Upper West Side, while Sfoglia is better for a quieter uptown dinner on the east side. Scalinatella reads more old-school and occasion-coded; Sfoglia is a less formal option for a smaller table.
Quality Italian is the pick for groups, energy, a bigger-room feel. Sfoglia is better for two to four people who want Italian food, a compact room, less noise around the decision.
Explore New York City
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Sfoglia guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Sfoglia
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sfoglia | New York City | Italian | 2024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #678 | ; |
| Rao’s | New York City | Italian | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #608Pearl Recommended Restaurants | ; |
| Sempre Oggi | New York City | Italian | 2026 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence2025 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence2025 Michelin Plate | $$$$ |
| Salumeria Rosi | New York City | Italian | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #840 | ; |
| Scalinatella | New York City | Italian | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #3842024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #5352023 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Recommended | ; |
| Quality Italian | New York City | Italian | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #5072024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #2672023 OAD Casual in North America RecommendedPearl Recommended Restaurants | ; |
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How Sfoglia New York City compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sfoglia good for a special occasion?
Sfoglia can work for a special occasion if the plan is an Italian dinner in New York City with a smart casual dress code. If a specific room style, price point, or celebration format matters, check directly before booking. Rao's is another New York City Italian comparison some diners may consider.
What should I order at Sfoglia?
The cuisine is Italian. The practical move is to review the current menu or ask the restaurant what is recommended that evening. Sempre Oggi is another New York City Italian option diners may compare.
What should a first-timer know about Sfoglia?
Go in expecting an Italian dinner in New York City with a smart casual dress code. Sfoglia lists dinner hours Monday and Sunday from 5:30–9:30 pm, Tuesday through Saturday from 5:30–10 pm. Plan around evening service.
Is lunch or dinner better at Sfoglia?
Dinner is the service window to plan around. Sfoglia's listed hours are evening-only: Monday and Sunday 5:30–9:30 pm, Tuesday through Saturday 5:30–10 pm. Scalinatella is another New York City Italian comparison if you are considering alternatives.
What are alternatives to Sfoglia in New York City?
Other New York City Italian options to compare include Quality Italian, Rao's, Salumeria Rosi, Scalinatella, Sempre Oggi. Sfoglia's profile is Italian cuisine, smart casual dress, evening hours, a 2024 Opinionated About Dining Casual in North America ranking.
How far ahead should I book Sfoglia?
Since Sfoglia serves dinner in New York City throughout the week, check the restaurant's current reservation channels for availability, especially if you are planning for a specific date or time.
