Paola's

I had been curious about this restaurant for a while, but I hesitated to go in because it seemed to have the slightly heavy, formal atmosphere that some Upper East Side places can have. I finally had dinner here recently, and as is also often the case on the Upper East Side, once you step inside, it turns out to be a very comfortable space. The ambiance strikes a nice balance. It does not feel too formal, but it is also not overly casual, which makes it suitable for many occasions. I visited on a weekday, and I noticed what seemed to be neighborhood regulars stopping by. Even though I am a foreigner, the restaurant still felt somehow warm and welcoming. The service was also nice. Our server kept a perfect sense of distance, attentive without being intrusive, and we were able to enjoy a re

Paola is such an intimate, private little gem on the Upper East Side. The atmosphere feels rich and cozy without trying too hard—exactly what you’d hope for in the neighborhood. The service was incredibly warm, with great conversation and spot-on recommendations. And the duck? I absolutely fell in love with it. A fantastic experience all around.

My friend’s got married yesterday and hosted guests at Paola’s in between the ceremony and service. We had the place to ourselves and it was a perfect setup. The drinks are great and the staff is awesome! They even let us have aux. Would recommend for small private parties!

We frequently come here as a family with a toddler and on date nights and we always have an amazing experience. The food is great, the place is warm and cozy with lovely music. We had the pleasure of meeting the chef who owns the restaurant and he was very friendly. Highly recommend the fettuccine bolognese, the pesto pasta dish is not on the menu anymore but it’s my favorite (chef still offered it). The tiramisu and biscotti are great to top off a delicious meal. It’s a gem on the upper east side.

Paolas stands the test of time, a true classic. A beacon of simple original Italian food based in Roman cuisine they have things you can’t eat anywhere else. Carciofi artichokes fried like in Rome. They don’t worry if it’s fancy only that it’s good. The fresh pasta is amazing