Amarena
$$$ • Italian Book a table: 7:00 PM 7:15 PM 7:30 PM MoreAbout Amarena
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Amarena is a gorgeous and delicious Italian restaurant that is tucked away under a staircase. As one of 82nd best kept secrets, the food is amazing and the restaurant feels extremely modern and upscale inside. The chef is not scared to take risks and they pay off, with immensely flavorful food that uses high quality ingredients. Highly recommend coming here and trying both the octopus and the duck, as they were both phenomenal.
Been here first time for lunch. Amazing food and great atmosphere. The service was professional.
Gotta try again next time for dinner. They also have a great pri-fix during weekdays.
Classy decor but didn't feel very warm or welcoming. Happy hour was ok, pizza was a bit too oily.
Hours
| Monday | 12 - 10PM |
| Tuesday | 12 - 10PM |
| Wednesday | 12 - 10PM |
| Thursday | 12 - 10PM |
| Friday | 12 - 10PM |
| Saturday | 12 - 10PM |
| Sunday | 12 - 10PM |
Amarena is a charming Italian restaurant located on the Upper East Side, known for its warm atmosphere and exceptional food. The restaurant features a beautifully remodeled townhouse setting that enhances the dining experience. Guests have praised the bucatini con polpette for its great taste and the panna cotta with ice cream as an excellent dessert choice. The spicy vodka pasta has been highlighted as the best in NYC, praised for its balanced heat and silky sauce. The marinated steak is also a standout, cooked to perfection with rich seasoning.
Amarena offers an enticing happy hour with amazing specials, including red wine and squash blossoms, which are both affordable and delicious. While some reviews noted that serving sizes can be small, the thoughtful side dishes and desserts, like the Lemon Olive Oil Cake and Chocolate Cake, make for worthy complements to the meal. The service is consistently described as attentive and friendly, contributing to a lovely dining experience. Despite a few mixed experiences reported since opening, many still consider Amarena a hidden gem and a must-visit for outstanding Italian cuisine.