Celeste

Reviews

• NN

  Nicholas

  6 days ago
  5.0
  My cousin has been raving about this place so we had to go here for a date! The staff was very attentive and the homemade pasta was delicious! The pana cotta stole the show. Can’t wait to come back!
• MZ

  Mitra Zabihi

  6 days ago
  5.0
  We ordered the lasagna and it was one of the best we’ve ever had. The waitress was very kind and helpful. Just one thing to note is that payment is cash only. Absolutely recommended.
• JZ

  Jack Zhou

  Apr 11, 2026
  5.0
  Food was very delicious! Love the family atmosphere and the warm welcome. The owner is very involved and will greet you during the meal to check in. The space is a little crowded but it’s a testament to how many people love this restaurant.
• GN

  Great White North

  Apr 9, 2026
  5.0
  Celeste feels like a small, cozy Italian spot that gets crowded quickly because it’s pretty popular with locals. The atmosphere is warm but very tight, so it can feel a little cramped when the restaurant is full. The service stood out a lot, with staff being super attentive, friendly, and on top of everything even when it was busy. The food is really strong, especially the pasta, which tastes fresh and clearly made with care, even if the menu isn’t huge or super experimental. It’s the kind of place you go for a reliable, comforting Italian meal rather than a fancy or quiet dining experience. Overall it has a lot of charm, but the space itself holds it back a bit.
• KJ

  Kenneth Johnson

  Apr 4, 2026
  2.0
  Celeste is clearly a long-standing Upper West Side staple, and it seems like much of its draw comes from neighborhood nostalgia rather than the food itself. The menu sticks to classic Italian, but during our visit nothing really stood out. The dishes were fine, just not memorable enough to match the hype or how frequently the restaurant is recommended. The bigger issues were with the overall experience. The front door was left open the entire time, despite multiple tables including ours asking for it to be closed. The staff refused, and it made a large portion of the dining room uncomfortably cold for the duration of the meal. It is hard to enjoy dinner when you are essentially sitting in a draft the whole time. There was also a safety concern. One dish was served on a plate so hot it burned my hand when I tried to move it. They did replace it promptly, but when we pointed out that something that hot should either not be served or at least come with a warning, the response felt dismissive rather than acknowledging the issue. Another aspect that stood out was a noticeable push around dessert tied to leaving a review, which made the experience feel a bit transactional rather than genuinely welcoming. Overall, Celeste feels like a place people return to out of habit and history. While it has the reputation of a cozy Upper West Side institution, the food and service during our visit did not live up to it.