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New York has no shortage of Italian restaurants. But every so often, one comes along that reminds you why the city fell in love with Italian dining in the first place. Enter San Babila, a sultry, Milan-inspired hideaway on the Upper East Side where the lighting is flattering, the wine is flowing, and the kitchen knows exactly what it's doing. With nods from Eater and The Infatuation, this gem has all the makings of your new favorite epicurean treasure.
Grab your $159 pulse (a $296 value) for an 8 Course Chef’s Tasting Dinner For Two that includes 2 Benvenuto Dishes, 2 Crudo & Insalata Dishes, 2 Fritti Dishes, 2 Antipasti Caldi Dishes, 2 First Course Pasta Dishes, 2 Second Course Pasta Dishes, 2 Mare or Carne Dishes, 2 Desserts, and 4 Glasses of Red or White Wine, Prosecco, or Beers.
First, the opening acts. Warm, golden Focaccia and velvety Burrata set the tone, followed by delicate Carpaccio and a beautifully composed Caesar Salad. Then come the Fritti, crisp, golden Arancini and a tempting Fritto Misto, before savory Polpette and rich Truffle Potatoes turn up the indulgence. It's an impressive parade of Italian classics, each one giving you another reason to reach across the table for a taste.
And then, the pasta. The glorious, glorious pasta. First up, Cacio e Tre Pepe, a gloriously peppery, cheese-laden affair, alongside Diavola, bringing a little heat to the proceedings. The second pasta course takes things even further, with pillowy Gnocchi Tartufo dressed in earthy truffle richness and a deeply comforting Bolognese. Four pasta dishes, two courses, zero regrets. Because when the kitchen does pasta this well, restraint feels overrated.
Next, choose your allegiance: Mare o Carne. Seafood lovers can opt for the delicate Branzino and aromatic Guazzetto di Pesce, while carnivores will gravitate toward succulent Tagliata and the slow-cooked richness of Risotto Brasato. Finish with silky Gelato and a petite Cannolo, a sweet little Italian send-off to an evening that's equal parts indulgent and effortlessly cool.
Another glass of wine? You know what to do...
There's Italian, and then there's Italian with attitude. San Babila belongs firmly in the latter camp. Taking its cues from Milan's effortlessly stylish café culture and the unapologetically generous kitchens of Southern Italy, this Second Avenue hotspot brings a distinctly European sensibility to the Upper East Side. Featured in Eater and The Infatuation, it's the kind of place where dinner slips seamlessly into drinks, one more glass becomes two, and nobody's particularly interested in checking the time.
And the man behind it? Gianmarco "Gianni" Di Michele, a restaurateur who knows a thing or two about making noise in America's most competitive dining scenes. New York, Miami, Las Vegas; Gianni has made his mark in cities where mediocre restaurants don't last and great hospitality is practically an art form. With Italian hospitality in his DNA and an entrepreneurial streak to match, he's built a reputation for creating places that know how to deliver the goods without taking themselves too seriously.
After moving permanently to the United States in 2015, Gianni worked alongside his grandmother, whose hospitality ventures include the well-known Numero 28 restaurant brand. Since then, he's turned a family legacy into something considerably bigger. As the force behind Gi Di Hospitality, his growing collection of concepts includes Papi at Moxy Times Square, Pan d'Oro in Bryant Park, Zeppola NY, Zeppola Venetian at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, and San Babila Café.
But a sharp-looking dining room only gets you so far. The food has to back it up. Enter Chef Francesco Lamanna, a Calabria-born culinary talent with more than two decades of experience, whose résumé includes Eataly Milano and his own restaurant housed within a 16th-century Italian tower. His approach is refreshingly straightforward: respect the ingredients, honor the classics, and know when to give tradition a little edge. Expect beautifully executed plates that remind you why Italian food never really goes out of style.
The setting seals the deal. Chic, intimate, and just the right amount of moody, San Babila trades white-tablecloth stiffness for something far more appealing. Picture an effortlessly sophisticated room, good-looking cocktails, excellent wine, and the infectious buzz of people genuinely enjoying themselves. It's polished without being precious, fashionable without trying too hard, and exactly the sort of place you'd happily keep to yourself.
Although, with a pedigree like this, that might prove difficult...
You may preview the Chef's Table Dinner menu here.
Your $159 8 Course Chef’s Tasting Dinner For Two (a $296 value) Includes:
San Babila earns a marvelous 4.6 Stars from 160+ reviews on Google, including:
"Always on the lookout for the latest up-and-coming restaurants before they become impossible to book, and this one is a gem. From the moment you walk in, the space feels cozy yet upscale, with a team that’s genuinely warm and welcoming. Our waitress, Jess, was incredible. Truly out of this world. San Babila is officially my new favorite restaurant in New York City, an all-around perfect dining experience from start to finish."
"I had the most incredible experience at San Babila. The food is 10/10 and the vibes were immaculate. Definitely coming back."
"I love this place. All of the dishes are plated beautifully and are so colorful. The space is pretty and the service is great. The pasta is the best I’ve had."
San Babila's Website | Google Reviews
May purchase as many vouchers as you like for personal use or for gifting.
Tax & tip not included; reservation required.
Menu is subject to change as San Babila has a seasonal menu.
Expires on Friday February 19, 2027.
