A high-end coastal Italian restaurant in Manhattan, known for its exceptional seafood and handmade pasta.
Insights
Local ModernSeafoodBakeryItalianVegan-friendlySeafoodFine diningLunchDinnerFine DiningCocktail Bar
Last updated: 8/4/2026, 5:00:36 AM
Key Information
Marea offers a high-end, sophisticated dining experience specializing in coastal Italian cuisine, particularly renowned for its exceptional seafood and handmade pasta. Located near Central Park South, it provides an elegant yet energetic atmosphere, making it a prime destination for special occasions.
Customers consistently praise Marea for its outstanding food quality, especially the seafood and pasta, and its impeccable, attentive service. The atmosphere is described as sophisticated and elegant, ideal for special occasions. While most experiences are highly positive, there have been isolated instances of disappointing service.
Additional Details
Marea is part of a larger restaurant group, with additional locations in Beverly Hills and Aspen, showcasing its successful brand and culinary concept.
The restaurant is popular and 'gets packed,' suggesting that reservations are highly recommended, especially for dinner. No specific peak times or ideal days are mentioned beyond its general popularity.
Awards & Recognition
James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant • 2010
Three Stars from The New York Times
Best New Restaurant by Bon Appetit
5
An outstanding dining experience.
During our stay in New York, Marea was without question one of the culinary highlights of our trip. The combination of Italian cuisine and exceptional seafood is executed with remarkable precision. Every dish was beautifully presented and packed with flavor.
The service was impeccable—professional, attentive, and genuinely welcoming without ever feeling intrusive. The dining room strikes the perfect balance between elegance and energy, creating a sophisticated yet comfortable atmosphere.
Yes, Marea is a special-occasion restaurant, but the quality of the food, service, and overall experience more than justifies it. It is easy to understand why it has earned such an outstanding reputation over the years.
For anyone looking for world-class Italian seafood in New York, Marea is a must-visit. We will definitely return on our next trip to the city.
A special shout out to the lobster roll. It may not be the most sophisticated dish on the menu but it was hands down the best i’ve ever had. The branzino tartare was also exquisite with contrasting textures and flavors
Fantastic experience from start to finish. I’m so thankful that I found out about this place. The service and atmosphere are impeccable. The location is wonderful and the food is to die for! Everyone was so kind and attentive, especially with how considerate they were about our anniversary.
This restaurant is a gem and the best time to find out was yesterday, but the second best time is now. I absolutely cannot wait to come back.
I visit Marea every time I come to New York, and this time I came for lunch again.
The food was still just as delicious as always, but unfortunately, the service was extremely disappointing. There was no attention paid to my table at all. When I asked for some sourdough to go with the lobster burrata, I was told “of course,” but instead of bringing it, the server proceeded to clear tables, reset others, and even pour water for different tables. Only after noticing me speaking with another supervisor did they rush to bring it over.
The service was so poor that the tip felt undeserved—but of course, it’s expected, so I paid it without complaint. As I was leaving, I said “thank you” to the receptionist, but she looked at me dismissively and didn’t respond at all.
What started as a pleasant lunch quickly turned into a very unpleasant experience, and I won’t be returning. I’m sure they won’t care, but I hope others are aware of the level of service before visiting.
That said, there are some professional and attentive servers here—I genuinely hope you get one of them. However, the receptionist seriously needs to develop a sense of professionalism. paid $200 for a solo lunch, but the experience felt worth less than $20.
Amazing experience at Marea. The food was incredible and the hospitality was even better. Every staff member was kind, attentive, and welcoming throughout the night. Special thanks to Julia, our sommelier, for the amazing service. Would definitely recommend to anyone who loves great food and wine.
Absolutely spectacular place! I am still dreaming about the Branzino we started with, it was an explosion of flavor! Every dish we received was flavorful, bright, and beautifully dished. The place definitely gets packed, but for good reason. The service was great as well and very attentive. This is a place I would purposely go back to New York to experience again.
