Lincoln Ristorante offers an exquisite Italian dining experience in the heart of Lincoln Center. Featuring seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and a menu inspired by traditional Italian cuisine, this elegant restaurant is perfect for pre-theater dining or a special night out in New York City.
Glass-walled dining room at Lincoln Center serving upscale Italian fare in an open kitchen.
Laura
Food was filling and drinks were very well mixed. No bread service and waters were frequently empty, despite sitting near host stand. Took about 30 minutes to put some warm olives on a plate. Menu had a denotation for vegan food, with 0 vegan options, which was funny. Would not return unless someone very rich took me. They really need bread service.
… moreFrank Marino
Tuesday December 23, 2025.
We had a wonderful family dinner at Lincoln Ristorante last night, and the experience was outstanding from start to finish.
Our group included my two sons, my daughter-in-law, my girlfriend and her daughter, my brother, and his wife, and everyone felt genuinely welcomed. The food was excellent across the board, the service was seamless, and the overall level of hospitality was exceptional.
A special thank you to Barbara, the General Manager, for setting such a high standard, and to Ahmed, our server, who took terrific care of us throughout the evening. I also want to recognize Chef Richard Diamonte and his culinary team — every dish was beautifully executed, thoughtful, and delicious.
It meant a lot to spend a family evening in such a warm, gracious environment. Great food, great service, and true hospitality. We look forward to returning soon.
… morethorsten fleiter
We came across this place on the way back from the opera to the garage and decided to have a short dinner. The staff was really nice and attentive; the atmosphere is definitely very enjoyable with a wide-open view on the reflecting pool and the plaza. The food was outstanding and presented really nicely with attention to details (greetings to the pastry chef – keep it up like that!) – a great break from the usual. The white truffle risotto was delicious and unusual for anywhere in the US – so bravo for coming up with it! The desert was way beyond the quality you would expect to get for the price we paid. Overall – a great experience and we will definitely be back.
… moreJedaiah Holloway
I thoroughly enjoyed this restaurant. I received tier one service from the time I walked through the door. The food was delicious and extremely flavorful. I strongly suggest the duck. It wasn’t over cooked and the sauce it came in took it to the next level. I dined there before I went to the ballet at Lincoln Center, and I will dine there before my next show. I’m looking forward to going back.
… moreRaquel Gerlani
Dinner at Lincoln Ristorante was a whole experience. It’s located right at Lincoln Center, and the setting couldn’t be more stunning—huge glass windows, modern architecture, and the most elegant ambiance. Perfect for a pre-show dinner or just a classy night out.
Here’s what I ordered:
Lasagna (special of the day) – Absolutely delicious. Rich, layered perfectly, and the sauce was balanced and fresh.
Hamachi crudo – Light, citrusy, and super fresh. Great starter.
Veal wrapped in prosciutto – A standout dish. Tender, salty-sweet, and so flavorful.
Housemade ice cream – Simple and refreshing.
And of course, I had an Aperol Spritz to keep it classy.
The service was great—attentive and warm without being overbearing. The staff knows the menu and made the whole evening feel seamless. The view of Lincoln Center adds a really special vibe to the dinner.
Pricing: On the higher side (expect to spend around $100+ per person with drinks), but totally worth it for a special night.
Location: 142 W 65th St, New York, NY 10023
⏰ Hours: Open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday, 4 PM–9 PM
Reservations recommended (especially if you’re heading to a show after!)
Dress Code: Smart casual to chic
⸻
✨ If you’re into modern Italian cuisine, elevated vibes, and fresh seasonal ingredients, Lincoln Ristorante is a must in NYC. I’d absolutely come back.
@raquelgerlani
… moreEthan Fixell
Beautiful experience at Lincoln Ristorante. Came here for a dinner with a winemaker, and Lincoln was all too accommodating. Fantastic food, excellent service, and a warm, elegant atmosphere. Highly recommend the Rigatoni Amatriciana and the sunchokes starter. House bread excellent too! My only complaint is servers were removing plates before everyone at the table had finished their course, which felt a bit rushed / unprofessional. Still, everyone was kind, efficient, and attentive — we had a wonderful experience overall.
… moreBonnie from Manhattan
Another Breathtaking #Manhattan #Experience: Love ❤️ is in the air on #Valentine’s Day, dining at #Lincoln Ristorante, the #architectural crown jewel overlooking the majestic #Metropolitan #Opera #House, where excitement radiates throughout the #spacious dining room, accentuated by a showcase #glass-enclosed open kitchen. We are warmly welcomed by the elegant GMBarbara Comeau, who excels in crafting an extraordinary #Guest Experience. Executive Chef #Richard #Diamonte’s visionary #leadership #inspires an atmosphere of impeccable #excellence among his culinary team, waitstaff, & guests alike. Tonight’s menu features an #exquisite 3-course #Valentine’s dinner, designed to delight! #Irresistible whipped ricotta focaccia arrives immediately, followed by an #antipasto of succulent vitello tomato, #Secondo of #homemade pasta, and #entrees featuring sublime sweet #scallops, tender #porkchop, and grilled #ribeye. And for #dessert, Pastry Chef #KaraBlitz’s masterpiece: #affogato-#gelato & #espresso paired with a #heavenly raspberry #meringue tart, celebrating the joy of Valentine’s. XoxoBonnie #PhilPotthoff #FranckDeletrain #RichardDiamonte
… moreRichard S
Went back recently and everything was much improved. We asked for low/no salt and the food tasted SO much better. The romaine salad was extremely skimpy, but the lasagne and branzino were exquisite. Service was excellent as well. So upping it to 4 stars.
Prior review: Not quite as good as it should be given the prices but the perfect pre-opera location. Himachi was incredibly skimpy but tasty. Salad was very good but not super fresh. Excellent service and atmosphere. It’s tough to find a good place near Lincoln Center….
Recent visit the food was incredibly oversalted so bad got salt shock and had to leave theater at intermission. The waiter did not know what al dente meant (and guessed wrong). But worst was overhearing some angry waiter (or bartender!) say “damn customers” loud enough we could hear.
Won’t be back.
Came back a year later – the pastas were excellent and so was the dessert. The restaurant did a shockingly bad no-no though – gave us a bill, and then we give them the card and when they give it back to us to sign they add a glass of wine -?! Cost them a star….
… moreA R
Have eaten at Lincoln Ristorante a couple of times over the years. This was the first time we’ve been here for Thanksgiving. The food, service, and atmosphere were all excellent. The 3 course pre-fix at 95 dollars per person also seemed fair as well for the experience we had. We highly recommend Lincoln Ristorante and would definitely come back again over Thanksgiving time or any other time for that matter. This is an excellent restaurant.
… moreMichelle Bolton
This place is absolutely beautiful, surrounded by glass exterior, which allows the beautiful center to be the backdrop.
The service was kind but our waiter seemed to be rushing us a bit towards the end. Now, for the food. I’m not big on Italian food but this was an experience. The agnoletti with oxtail was a party in my mouth. It was so good, I had it twice. Don’t skip it.
… more