Ci Siamo has become one of the most talked-about Italian restaurants in New York City—and in Yelp’s 2026 Top 100 Places to Eat in the United States, it took the No. 1 spot. Located in Manhattan West near Hudson Yards, the restaurant combines housemade pasta, live-fire cooking, seasonal ingredients and a polished but welcoming dining room. In this Ci Siamo NYC review, we look at the current menu, prices, signature dishes, atmosphere, location and what diners should know before booking a table.
Ci Siamo at a Glance
- Restaurant: Ci Siamo
- Cuisine: Italian / live-fire cooking
- Location: 440 West 33rd Street, Suite 100, New York, NY 10001
- Neighborhood: Manhattan West, near Hudson Yards
- Executive chef: Hillary Sterling
- 2026 Yelp ranking: No. 1 in the United States
- Typical dinner pricing: many starters $15–$27, pastas about $25–$35, and main dishes roughly $36–$43 on the current dinner menu
Why Is Ci Siamo Ranked No. 1 by Yelp in 2026?
Yelp placed Ci Siamo at No. 1 on its 2026 Top 100 Places to Eat in the United States. The ranking is based on factors including the volume and ratings of reviews, making the result especially relevant for diners looking for a restaurant that has generated strong community response rather than relying only on a critic’s list.
Yelp describes Ci Siamo as a modern Italian restaurant led by Chef Hillary Sterling, highlighting classics such as the Rigatoni alla Gricia. The restaurant is part of Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group, which gives it a strong hospitality pedigree while Sterling’s cooking provides the culinary identity.
What Makes Ci Siamo Different?
The central idea is simplicity with technique. Ci Siamo’s official description emphasizes live-fire cooking, housemade pasta and seasonal ingredients. Instead of making every dish complicated, the kitchen focuses on careful preparation and the flavor of the ingredients.
The restaurant’s open cooking environment is part of the experience. Earlier coverage of the restaurant describes a custom-built fire grill and an interior designed around warm materials, terracotta, wood, tile and visible cooking. The result is a room that feels upscale without being overly formal.
Ci Siamo Menu: What Should You Order?
The current dinner menu gives diners a broad choice of small plates, vegetables, pasta, seafood and meat. Prices can change, so the restaurant’s current menu should be checked before visiting. At the time of writing, the dinner menu lists Cast Iron Focaccia at $18, Caramelized Onion Torta at $27, Tagliatelle at $25, Rigatoni alla Gricia at $31, Cavatelli allo Scoglio at $35, Wood Fired Whole Trout at $39 and Pork Milanese at $43.
1. Rigatoni alla Gricia
If you are searching for the best dish at Ci Siamo, this is one of the safest starting points. The Roman-style pasta combines guanciale and black pepper with a rich, cheese-forward sauce. It is simple on paper but exactly the kind of dish where pasta texture, seasoning and balance matter.
2. Caramelized Onion Torta
This is another standout that appears repeatedly in coverage of Ci Siamo. The current menu pairs caramelized onion with balsamic and pecorino Toscana. The dish sits somewhere between a savory tart and an elegant interpretation of French-onion-style flavors, making it a strong choice to share at the beginning of the meal.
3. Cavatelli allo Scoglio
For seafood lovers, the Cavatelli allo Scoglio is a particularly interesting option. The current menu lists crab, chili and vermouth, giving the handmade pasta a seafood-focused profile with a little heat.
4. Stracci and Rapini Agnolotti
Ci Siamo’s handmade pasta program is arguably the heart of the restaurant. Stracci is served with rabbit, wine and Parmigiano, while Rapini Agnolotti combines ricotta, lemon and chili. If you are visiting with a group, ordering different pastas to share is a smart way to experience the kitchen’s range.
Ci Siamo Live-Fire Cooking
The live-fire element is more than a design feature. Ci Siamo uses fire to cook proteins and vegetables, adding char and depth while keeping preparations relatively straightforward. Current menu examples include Wood Fired Whole Trout, Roasted Half Chicken, Hanger Steak, Braised Lamb and Bistecca alla Fiorentina.
The whole trout is a particularly good choice for diners who want to experience the restaurant’s fire-focused style without ordering steak. It is listed with pine nuts and mustard greens on the current dinner menu.
Ci Siamo Atmosphere and Dining Experience
Ci Siamo is designed for occasions when the restaurant itself is part of the evening. The room has floor-to-ceiling windows, warm lighting, leather and wood seating, and views toward the Manhattan West surroundings. The restaurant also offers private dining options and an outdoor terrace.
Published reviews have generally praised the food, service and design, while some diners note that the large room can become lively or noisy when busy. That makes Ci Siamo a strong fit for celebrations, business meals, group dinners and date nights where an energetic atmosphere is welcome.
Ci Siamo Prices: Is It Expensive?
Ci Siamo sits firmly in the upscale New York restaurant category. The current dinner menu shows starters from around $15, with many shared plates in the $18–$27 range. Pasta dishes currently run from about $25 to $35, while larger dishes are commonly in the high-$30s to low-$40s. Wine and cocktails add significantly to the final bill.
For a more approachable visit, lunch can be worth considering. The restaurant also periodically offers special menus; for example, its 2026 Summer Restaurant Week menu was listed at $45 for a two-course lunch through September 6.
Ci Siamo Dessert: Save Room for Something Sweet
The dessert program has included Italian-inspired options such as Lemon Torta, Bomboloni, Chocolate Budino, gelato and sorbetti. The Lemon Torta is particularly memorable for diners who prefer a dessert that balances acidity and sweetness rather than ending the meal with something extremely rich.
Location, Hours and Reservations
Ci Siamo is at 440 West 33rd Street, Suite 100, in Manhattan West. The restaurant’s official location page says it sits between 9th and 10th Avenues and 31st and 33rd Streets. Current listed hours are lunch daily from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner daily from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., with aperitivo served in the bar and lounge on weekdays from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Because Ci Siamo is a high-demand restaurant, reservations are recommended, particularly for prime dinner times and larger groups.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent housemade pasta | Prices are firmly upscale |
| Distinctive live-fire cooking | Dining room can feel lively when busy |
| Strong choice for groups and celebrations | Location can be slightly tricky to find on a first visit |
| Current menu has plenty of shareable options | Popular dinner times can be difficult to book |
Our Verdict: Is Ci Siamo Worth Visiting?
Yes—especially if you enjoy handmade pasta, Italian food and restaurants where atmosphere matters. Ci Siamo’s No. 1 position on Yelp’s 2026 U.S. list gives it plenty of attention, but the restaurant has substance beyond the ranking. The combination of Chef Hillary Sterling’s pasta-focused cooking, live-fire techniques, a strong Italian wine program and a polished Manhattan West dining room makes it one of the more compelling Italian restaurant experiences in New York right now.
If it is your first visit, start with the Caramelized Onion Torta, choose at least one handmade pasta—especially the Rigatoni alla Gricia or Cavatelli allo Scoglio—and add a fire-cooked main if you are dining with a group. Finish with the Lemon Torta if it is available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ci Siamo the No. 1 restaurant in the U.S.?
Yelp ranked Ci Siamo No. 1 on its 2026 Top 100 Places to Eat in the United States. Other restaurant rankings use different methodologies, so “No. 1” should be understood specifically as Yelp’s 2026 ranking.
What is Ci Siamo known for?
Ci Siamo is known for housemade pasta, live-fire cooking, Italian-inspired seasonal dishes and its Caramelized Onion Torta and Rigatoni alla Gricia.
How much does dinner at Ci Siamo cost?
Current dinner menu prices range from about $15 for some small items to $43 for Pork Milanese, with pasta generally around $25–$35 and larger dishes often around $36–$43 before drinks, tax and tip.
Where is Ci Siamo located?
Ci Siamo is located at 440 West 33rd Street, Suite 100, New York, NY 10001, in Manhattan West near Hudson Yards.
Do you need a reservation at Ci Siamo?
Reservations are recommended, especially during popular dinner periods, weekends and for groups.
Editorial note: This review was researched using Ci Siamo’s current published menu and location information, Yelp’s 2026 U.S. ranking, and published restaurant coverage and photography. Menu prices and operating hours can change, so confirm details with the restaurant before visiting.
Photo credits: Images are credited in their captions to the respective publishers/photographers. They are included here as sourced editorial images; rights remain with their original copyright holders.
Sources: Ci Siamo official website · Current dinner menu · Yelp 2026 Top 100 announcement
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