A friend who lived in Milan for nearly ten years told me San Matteo makes his favorite pizza in New York City. Having lived here since I was 18 (other than seven years), I was shocked I'd never been. I corrected that in 2023, and I will forever be grateful to my friend for making me aware of this restaurant. Because, yes, and of course, it's about the food. It's also about the exceptional staff in the kitchen and in table service. From whoever greets you, seats you, pours water, to the staff responsible for making some of the best pizza (and meatballs and arancini and on and on) definitely in the five boroughs and likely in the United States. Everyone who works at San Matteo at E. 81st Street and 2nd Avenue provides reasons to tip in cash. About the food: you can tell when food is cooked with love, right? That's what you'll eat at San Matteo. The meatballs are generous in size, seasoning, texture, and presentation, with a sauce you'll use their wonderful bread to mop up. The arancini make you grateful there are so many ways to cook with rice. When the Caprese includes bufala mozzarella, order two. The mixed greens salad comes with tiny tomatoes you're definitely not finding in the grocery store (or most of the farmers markets), and the Castelvetrano olives are included whole, which allows you to fully enjoy the best green olives ever, and it's easy to eat around the pit. The sauces that accompany the pasta are best in class. The bolognese is so good, I can't believe I attempt making it myself. There's not a crust, saucing, topping, texture, and overall satisfaction found and felt anywhere else in this city resident's lifetime. Order Margarita, and recognize how fresh mozzarella and homemade sauce can distinguish, and Mariconda, which exemplifies Pecorino Romano in wonderful ways. Order any pie. Order every pie. The wine list is short and thoughtful. Do. Not. Miss. San Matteo. It's THE place for dining with dear friends and loved ones.
Charlene
Always our go to pizza place in UES ! We love the pizzas, but also the appetizer ! No bad choice possible when you come here :)
Christian
Amazing southern Italian cuisine. Highly recommended if you're looking for an authentic Italian experience!
Bruncher
Best pizza! Love that smoky crust and eggplant. Upstairs space, pleasant, service excellent.
Opentable Diner
The pizza is still great, but they've officially jumped the shark.  do takeout only. 
Antonella
Pizza buona ma non buonissima. Della Mozzarella di bufala ( 4 $ in più ) neanche l'ombra... quindi consiglio una margherita normale. Personale tutto straniero. Nessun italiano.
Janet Martinez
Everything we had was amazing! The pizza was light and crispy, the provoleta, the arancini, the Tuscan wine was magnificent! We will be back
GlossGal
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.
Shane
San Matteo consistently has amazing food with great service. It is a long time neighborhood staple.
Sachi
The food is really great, but main courses came out at different times. Service was a little bit slow.
Amazing authentic Italian food. The margarita pizza was so thin and delicious with a pillowy crust. The gnocchi was also a huge hit. We also had the polenta with mushrooms which I suggest you try. Great food and service.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Marilyn Lucchi
I’m Italian American—and this is the real deal ! Had linguine n clams—tender n fresh! Escarole—plentiful and tasty n crispy. Cannoli—really crisp n fresh n tasty! Try it—you’ll like it! 😉🍷😋
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Linda Roman
Growing up in NYC, I’ve tried ALOT of pizza. San Matteo’s is easily top 5. Tasty pizza and quick and friendly service; couldn’t ask for anything more. 🤌🏼🍕
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lorraine Kluesner
Very authentic and absolutely delicious Italian pizza makes this a must visit while visiting Upper East Side in NYC!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burrata
Adam Friedmann
Food was great, service was fantastic, ambience was top notch. What more needs to be said.
A friend who lived in Milan for nearly ten years told me San Matteo makes his favorite pizza in New York City. Having lived here since I was 18 (other than seven years), I was shocked I'd never been. I corrected that in 2023, and I will forever be grateful to my friend for making me aware of this restaurant. Because, yes, and of course, it's about the food. It's also about the exceptional staff in the kitchen and in table service. From whoever greets you, seats you, pours water, to the staff responsible for making some of the best pizza (and meatballs and arancini and on and on) definitely in the five boroughs and likely in the United States. Everyone who works at San Matteo at E. 81st Street and 2nd Avenue provides reasons to tip in cash. About the food: you can tell when food is cooked with love, right? That's what you'll eat at San Matteo. The meatballs are generous in size, seasoning, texture, and presentation, with a sauce you'll use their wonderful bread to mop up. The arancini make you grateful there are so many ways to cook with rice. When the Caprese includes bufala mozzarella, order two. The mixed greens salad comes with tiny tomatoes you're definitely not finding in the grocery store (or most of the farmers markets), and the Castelvetrano olives are included whole, which allows you to fully enjoy the best green olives ever, and it's easy to eat around the pit. The sauces that accompany the pasta are best in class. The bolognese is so good, I can't believe I attempt making it myself. There's not a crust, saucing, topping, texture, and overall satisfaction found and felt anywhere else in this city resident's lifetime. Order Margarita, and recognize how fresh mozzarella and homemade sauce can distinguish, and Mariconda, which exemplifies Pecorino Romano in wonderful ways. Order any pie. Order every pie. The wine list is short and thoughtful. Do. Not. Miss. San Matteo. It's THE place for dining with dear friends and loved ones.
Always our go to pizza place in UES ! We love the pizzas, but also the appetizer ! No bad choice possible when you come here :)
Amazing southern Italian cuisine. Highly recommended if you're looking for an authentic Italian experience!
Best pizza! Love that smoky crust and eggplant. Upstairs space, pleasant, service excellent.
The pizza is still great, but they've officially jumped the shark.  do takeout only. 
Pizza buona ma non buonissima. Della Mozzarella di bufala ( 4 $ in più ) neanche l'ombra... quindi consiglio una margherita normale. Personale tutto straniero. Nessun italiano.
Everything we had was amazing! The pizza was light and crispy, the provoleta, the arancini, the Tuscan wine was magnificent! We will be back
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.
San Matteo consistently has amazing food with great service. It is a long time neighborhood staple.
The food is really great, but main courses came out at different times. Service was a little bit slow.
Restaurantji Recommends
Amazing authentic Italian food. The margarita pizza was so thin and delicious with a pillowy crust. The gnocchi was also a huge hit. We also had the polenta with mushrooms which I suggest you try. Great food and service.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
I’m Italian American—and this is the real deal !
Had linguine n clams—tender n fresh! Escarole—plentiful and tasty n crispy. Cannoli—really crisp n fresh n tasty! Try it—you’ll like it! 😉🍷😋
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Growing up in NYC, I’ve tried ALOT of pizza. San Matteo’s is easily top 5. Tasty pizza and quick and friendly service; couldn’t ask for anything more. 🤌🏼🍕
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very authentic and absolutely delicious Italian pizza makes this a must visit while visiting Upper East Side in NYC!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burrata
Food was great, service was fantastic, ambience was top notch. What more needs to be said.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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