San Matteo Pizzeria e Cucina

San Matteo Pizzeria e Cucina reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. GG

   GlossGal VIP

   New York City49 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   A friend who once lived in Milan (and now lives in Manhattan told me the best pizza in NYC is at San Matteo. I was born in the city and have lived more than half my life here. How I never ate at San Matteo until March 1st 2023 is anyone's guess. And what I thought was the best pizza in the city (Di Fara's in Brooklyn, which closed for good 2022) was replaced. The Vesuti was perfect. Crust, sauce, basil, cheese, ground sausage. Together, the pie was a textural and flavor dream. I ate nearly my weight (I'm a big girl) in it, insalata mista (which could use a few more castelvetrano olives), meatballs (which were a touch dry and still delicious, and what I know as arrancini, though they're called something else here. The music being played was awesome: classic R&B and pop, bringing the ideal vibe and rhythms. Opportunities for improvement are few. They include the brand/vineyard names of the wines on the list, or if the availability changes often, write them on the chalkboard. Right or wrong, people want to drink from the winemakers they know and no one is served by not sharing the full information. Also, if the guests request a specific order for the dishes they selected (i.e., salad, primi, and then pizza), that ought to be provided. If that isn't possible, tables need not only to be bigger so as to accommodate simultaneously so many plates, and guests need to be told dishes are not served as courses. What does NOT need to change (besides the food) is meeting the spectacular Carmela and Alfredo being your table's primary server. With a seemingly photographic memory, I've seen Alfredo manage a whole lot of customer traffic, orders, and hustle on a very busy night in a space where I only saw one free table once we were in conventional dinner hour (my first ever reservation was 5:00). San Matteo Pizzeria e Cucina on 2nd Avenue and E. 81st. You need to dine here. You need to make it your go-to.
   

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2. OT

   OpenTable Diner VIP

   New York City4 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 9 March 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Excellent across the board as always and Carmela is always amazing.
   

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3. S

   Shane VIP

   New York City2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 6 March 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   San Matteo consistently has amazing food with great service. It is a long time neighborhood staple.
   

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4. J

   Jana VIP

   Southwest Florida18 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 23 February 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Best pizza in NYC! Great local spot...always a fun crowd!
   

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5. S

   Sachi

   Washington DC1 review

   3.0

   Dined on 17 February 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   The food is really great, but main courses came out at different times. Service was a little bit slow.
   

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6. C

   Clifton

   New York City41 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 30 January 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The best steak on the upper east side. Such a good restaurant. Great service, friendly and delicious food!
   

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7. A

   Amber

   New York City5 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 17 January 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The burger was amazinggggg. Will think about it forever
   

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8. M

   Maëva

   New York City1 review

   5.0

   Dined on 1 January 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Super expérience, super service et plats correct !
   

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9. A

   Alice

   New York City3 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 1 January 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Cenato la sera della vigilia di Capodanno, abbiamo preso due pizze. Per essere a più di 8000 km dall' Italia, ci è sembrato di essere a casa! Impasto leggero e digeribile (confermato dopo aver passato la notte), materie prime davvero buone! Tiramisù super, unico problema le dimensioni: davvero enorme! Super consigliato
   

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10. M

    Michael

    New York City17 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on 1 January 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4

    Stay away from the chicken parm, it came out cold and chewy. Everything else though was good. I shared my wife's ravioli and a big salad. Service was great, so was the atmosphere. I would come back here again, just not for the chicken parm.
    

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