I have never been more impressed with service or food quality in my life. The waitstaff were waiting for our next move. The gentleman that dictated the specials from memory was from an old Italian novel. The waiter with the pepper, the waiter with the cheese, the waiter with the wine, etc... We were never in need. Just go here. Make a core memory.

What a marvelous restaurant. The atmosphere is romantic and the decor elegant. Eager waiter. The food is delicious. Pasta is presented well and delicious. The venal licata is worth it. Limited wine list and pricey. Good place for a special celebration.

Outstanding service my server Enrique was very attentive such a great experience. food was impeccable I ordered a chicken Marsala so delicious. Very cozy, waiters were all magnificent. I will deff be going for future events. If you are in Manhattan SAMs place is the way to go!!

Great family atmosphere and fantastic food. The homemade gnocchi in pesto sauce were the best I have ever had! The desserts were also fantastic.

The best classic Italian spot in manhattan!

I went here with my family before the pandemic. Best food I’ve ever had. It was my favourite place to eat. They were so friendly and welcoming here. I would 100% recommend to anyone visiting New York.

A must stop every time we visit the city. The best!

Great food! We had dinner there, I really loved the huge mussels in a spicy tomato broth. It is a small cosy restaurant with 2 floors, good atmosphere, frienly staff.

We had my mom's 96th birthday celebration for 14 people (upstairs.) The ambience is perfect (warm and homey) , the food is sumptuous (old style NY Italian at its best, esp love the baked clams), and Sam is the consummate host. People attended from all over the country. This was a well-healed , well traveled, up scale group. Long story short , everyone LOVED it. Huge success, the place is a gem. Value is also off the charts, especially for NYC. Getting hungry writing about it. Thanks Sam!

This was one of the best Italian meals our family has ever had! I had the Veal Marsala, my wife had one of the specials, Chicken, artichokes, capers, in a white wine, lemon butter sauce. The kids had Pesto Shrimp Risotto and Beef Raviolis marinara. All very different and each one perfectly cooked with outstanding flavor. The service was great. The bread, breadsticks with butter and olive oil was brought to the table promptly. Sam's Place is a smaller restaurant with great character. I strongly recommend giving Sam's Place a try.

Simple and satisfying. Outdoor seating of course. The menu is packed with ample choices. The absolutely the best Linguini and clam sauce on the planet. I’ve only had it in perhaps 300 other restaurants in my lifetime. Sorry Mom, that includes yours too. By far the best. The owner is personable and will see to it that you enjoy your dinner. I know we did.

This place is a gem. The food is delicious, extremely fresh and served in large portions. Everything is of the highest quality from the meats and fish to the homemade pasta and sauces. Additionally the service is immaculate with attentive and friendly waiters and a host who makes you feel like family. Been coming here for years and have never even once been disappointed with the food or experience. If I could give this place 6 stars I would.

This is an adorable quaint authentic Italian restaurant. Had the homemade pasta and it did not disappoint. 10 stars for the lemon sorbet in a real lemon.

What a great place to have a dinner. Never thought of her heard of this place but picked it because it was convenient to where we were walking. Incredibly wonderful place to sit and have a meal. Excellent Italian food. Everything was tasty and delicious. Quiet and out-of-the-way. Good wine list and great service. One of those places you want to keep a secret so it always maintains its personalized service. Don't hesitate to try this place.

For our last night in NYC, we wanted something with a "Moonstruck" vibe. This place was walkable from our hotel and we had the best time. It was the exact experience we wanted. The food was amazing, and the vibes were even better. I can't explain it, it was just great!

Excellent food! Staffs and Owner are very nice! Strongly recommended. Many returning customers

I rarely leave a review. This gem had to be acknowledged. The owner Massimo greets every single person at every table. He is genuinely kind and truly cares about your dining experience. The service is impeccable. The waiters are funny and also oh so kind. The atmosphere is on point. Cozy spot. Great vibe. The wine is the most generous pour in NYC. Now let's move on to the food... glorious food. I ordered my absolute fave dish to not only order out, but make at home as well. Im a pretty savvy home cook. The chicken picatta was delicious and as I have a dairy restriction, they made mine without butter. Dishes are made to order. My dear family member ordered the tortellini. She was in heaven with each bite. It had a Heavenly Alfredo sauce on the delicate lil tortellini. Now let me tell you the kicker... the entrees are @ $20 a plate. Sans the veal chop of course. You cannot get this level of food or this dining experience anywhere ive been in NYC. The scrumptious desserts are just $10. I love Italian food and have been to many delicious spots but not at this price point. Do yourself a favor and head on over to this fantastic hidden gem. Massimo has owned this place for 36 years with the same 5 waiters. That speaks volumes to me. They are a family by choice.

If you’re looking for authenticity, Sam’s place checks all the boxes. Came for a work lunch; were spoiled to have Sam himself spend time with our table. The genuine hospitality shown by all staff encountered was impeccable, food was absolutely delectable, will definitely return!

Great food, amazing atmosphere and service

Amazing food with unbeatable service! The owner and staff make you feel like you're visiting a family member every visit. The food is delicious, simple and dependable. Classic Italian! Very accommodating for Spanish only speakers. I love coming here because it's a breath of fresh air and calm, amazing break from the crazy city.

Very nice local Italian restaurant. Been around for a long time, and it shows with the knowledge of the waitstaff. Friendly and cozy, and on top of that, the food is excellent and reasonably priced. The restaurant is fairly small, so having a reservation is a smart idea.

Went there today and really enjoyed it. The ambience makes you feel very comfortable. As soon as you enter the way to greeted us cordially and was Very knowledgeable by the menu. Everything from the bread to the wine to the appetizers to the entrées was splendid. We definitely want to return. Would recommend.

Authentic, genuine and amazing menu. Always. Great service and an enjoyable time. Consistently great!

A must when in NYC. Mr. Sam welcomes you at the door and unleashes his team of professional and delightful staff. WOA! They have a great italian menu in a quint venue but also offer the option of creating your own dish. This is home!

I’ve been eating here since I was a little girl, I’ve never experienced such kind hospitality and a warm welcoming like I do at Sam’s place. The food is always impeccable and I recommended it to ANYONE who is looking for real authentic Italian food in a friendly atmosphere with top notch service and an amazing staff. Max truly treats every customer that walks into the door like they’re family and he always goes above and beyond to make our experience enjoyable and memorable. This restaurant has an experience and a menu you will never forget!

A real gem in Manhattan. Cosy atmosphere and incomparable hospitality. The food is excellent and the prices are very acceptable having in mind the quality and place where this restaurant is. Had the opportunity to meet Max, the owner, who made sure everything was perfect. He really knew how to run this place making you feel home. I am certainly visiting this place during my next visit to NY.

Excellent menu, service and atmosphere. Went there way back in 2005, and it is still one of the best Italian restaurants I have ever visited. Staff are real pros, food is delicious, which is no doubt why locals keep coming back, some for decades!

Absolutely amazing local Italian spot with a very cozy atmosphere. You're welcomed with a massive heaping of bread 🍞 and room temperature butter 👌. I had the Pesto Risotto with Shrimp 🦐 and the Tortellini Alla Panna and honestly couldn't tell you which was better. The food was honestly incredible and we left beyond stuffed.

This gem is tucked away a few minutes walk away from Grand Central. I have been going here since 2009. Quality, service, value and an overall great experience awaits. Brought some coworkers from Chicago and Spokane and they raved about the experience and the food. Put Sam's on your bucket list.

Staff is excellent and remembers you. Heck they remembered the bottle of wine we ordered last time and brought it automatically. Food is fantastic! Have to try the calamari... Cooked to perfection. The maitre d' is also an amazing fellow. Everyone makes you feel welcome. By the way, I've never called anyone a fellow before lol. The place is fun and cozy. Not for kids... Definitely a great date night.

Another delicious culinary experience at Sam's. Coming for years, always excellent. Had pork chop special w baked clam app, house cab, tiramisu and coffee. Can't wait to go back.

Needed a quiet meal by myself on a business trip. I found this super cosy Italian restaurant. It was a lovely spot to enjoy some great homely pasta, I had penne bolognese, and Italian wine. The service was good and it was a nice homely atmosphere.

Great food. Awesome place in the city!! Need to come back to try more things!!

Absolutely the best Italian food we've ever had. The owner and staff were spectacular! We had mussels, veal marsala, shrimp alfredo and had to try the marinara. Atmosphere was impeccably cozy and warm.

We actually walked pass by this restaurant. Checked google review, pretty good scores so came in. They didn't disappoint us! Great food, fantastic services and the best Espresso Martini we have ever had. What a nice surprise!

Fantastic authentic neighborhood spot. A must visit for excellent food if you are in New York. Owner operated and years of consistent great consistent food.

Finding Sam’s was like finding a lost gem. From the moment you walk in to the service, you immediately are taken back in time. The owner, Massimo, his staff, the ambiance, the quality of the food, and the overall experience is like a lost art. It has become my favorite restaurant and every experience has been nothing more than perfection. Stephen Grisanti

A very nice place with good food, it is what you would call cosy, the staff are very nice. You should bring a stroller if you're coming with an infant. They do like their cheese:)

My wife and I have been going to Sam’s place for the better part of 30 years. Massimo and his staff are beyond reproach - great food, great service and atmosphere - it’s a neighborhood gem!

I have visited Sam’s Place twice now, and am creating a tradition of eating here with colleagues for our annual holiday celebration. I’m not sure exactly the appeal, but I love it. I think a lot has to do with the vibe. Each time I’ve visited, I’ve seen the owner (or who I presume to be the owner) sit down with solo diners - who I assume are regulars - and chat to them like old friends. It’s a restaurant that, from the outside, most would probably walk on by. But I think by stepping inside, I discovered something special.

Me and my dinner companion ate here on a Saturday evening. We found Sam's place by chance, or serendipity. Our taxi driver took us from LGA to our hotel on Broadway and was driving along E 39th. I spotted a well-dressed gentleman sitting at the one table outside, saw that it was an Italian restaurant, and I knew we had to eat there. If the owner hadn't been outside, I might not have noticed. We shared the Portobello mushroom salad, Veal Scallopini, Veal Forestiere, Lemon Sorbet, and Ricotta Cheesecake. Everything was amazing, especially the warm Portobello and the tender veal. I can easily say it's my best meal of 2025. The wait staff were so very attentive. I was impressed that the owner was present and i noticed that he personally went to every table to make sure the diners were satisfied. And I must comment that I could actually carry on a conversation with my table mate and hear her. The acoustics and noise level were such that you could converse and not have to fight against music or excessive noise levels. If you find yourself in NYC, and you're wanting to experience quality service, atmosphere, and food, I highly recommend Sam's Place. Now that I'm back home after a too-short weekend in NYC, I am going to try to find a similar restaurant where I live. Restaurants should aspire to have an establishment like Sam's Place.

I visit frequently! Some of the best Italian food I've had (and I lived on Mott St. and frequented Little Italy often). Max is the best host/owner ever!

Have been coming to Sam’s Place since I was a kid — impeccable food and service.

An unbelievable hidden gem in Murray Hill! Excellent food and superb attentive service! Highly recommend!

A cozy gem! We were lucky to get a last minute table due to bad weather. We were greeted warmly by the owner, and our waiter was kind enough to make a special plate when one of us couldn’t decide on what to get. Everyone enjoyed their delicious meals. I was hoping to show off NY red sauce Italian to out of state guests, and this place did the trick. Cannot recommend it enough!

Stopped in to have a cappuccino and a cannoli AMAZING 🤩. Great atmosphere and the service. Forgetaboutit!!!

Great atmosphere and food is always delicious!

Great Italian ristorante in the heart of Manhattan! My favorite was the fish!

Loved the food and the place! The owner is one of the most respectful guys I have met!

Cozy little establishment serving an authentic NY dining experience. Food was delicious and perfectly cooked.

I have eaten here many times the food is one tofu and absolutely delicious. The servers make you feel at home and treat you with exceptional service.

What a great genuine Italian restaurant, I had a nice Cesar salad to start with and a linguine bolognese cooked perfectly. The waiters were very nice and attentive. All in all a great place to enjoy real Italian food in this great city

Just ate a great lunch special that was hot and delicious. The owner said it was the first dish he made for his wife 30+ years ago. White wine, lemon, garlic, chicken...I had it with the vegetables instead of pasta. The vegetables were fresh and delicious, green beans and carrots. The service was wonderful. You are paying city prices but so worth it, delicious.

Sam’s Place is a hidden gem, being going there for over 25 years. You are made to feel like family. The food is excellent, you will not be disappointed. Had the lemon chicken with vegetables, along with mushroom salad. If you are looking for a good meal @ reasonable prices Sam’s is the place!

kind and friendly staff and a very cozy environment. 10/10

This is an excellent restaurant. The steak was cooked to perfection with great tasting side dishes. The wait staff was attentive and polite.

This charming little Italian restaurant is an absolute gem! The cozy two-floor space filled with pictures on the walls gives it so much warmth and character. The baked clams were delicious — perfectly seasoned and full of flavor — and the fettuccine Alfredo was creamy, rich, and incredibly satisfying. The food feels homemade and made with care. What truly sets this place apart is the owner, who is so sweet, caring, and welcoming that you feel like family the moment you walk in. It’s a wonderful spot for great Italian food and heartfelt hospitality — I can’t wait to go back!

Stepping inside Sam’s Place is like stepping back in time to a different era. Viewing homey wooden interiors and artwork and nostalgic photos on the walls, guests become immersed in an era reminiscent of the 70s and 80s. This is your faithful, delicious neighborhood Italian spot that is rather understated. The Chicken Parmesan is my personal favorite- the sauces, the cheese, and the al dente pasta comes together perfectly. Their special baked clams filled with crabmeat also stand out. Every dish is good here… even the desserts. Come hungry because the portions are large. The staff is friendly and attentive, and the owner Sam interacts with every table making you feel welcome and at home. I can’t say enough positive things about Sam’s Place. Try it!

Melody Howe

Uncle Max is the most wonderful person in New York. I love Sam’s place with all my heart. My family has eaten here for generations and hopefully, my future kids will also dine here one day. They make Italian food like no other. There is love packed in every bite and the service is over the top. This is my favorite restaurant in all of New York.

Christopher Watson

Family friendly. Perfect service. Just enjoyed everything. Food was delicious It hit $30-50. It wasn't. We did have great wine. I changed it

Cynthia Olsen

New favorite NYC restaurant. Classic Italian, homemade pasta, salads. Try the in-house made burrata salad. Staff attentive, responsive, helpful. Cozy

Lorraine Rosa

Thank you, Massimo for your hospitality, service and delicious food...wonderful staff! It felt like home when our server brought out the tripe for us to try. So glad you overheard our conversation about some good old-fashioned Italian cooking, and what we do not see often on a menu any longer! Al dente pasta-perfect, along with everything else we ordered. See you soon, we hope!

Igor G

What a gem. I haven't had a bad meal here in ten years. The food is just always exceptional. The service is 5 star.

Todd Jones

Been coming to NYC for 15 years from NC. Fell in love with Sam’s Place on our first visit. Excellent food, love the local venue. Highly recommend!

Bill Webb

We passed by in a cab on the way to our hotel...made a reservation and walked down ...had two fabulous veal entrees and a super Tuscan ...food and service were excellent...The in-house made Tiramasu was heavenly

+2

Michael Ulis

Found it on Maps and came in since it had some good reviews. Was met with smiles from the waitstaff and I even got to meet the owner! This restaurant truly has a family feel to it. Moving on to the food: I didn’t know what to get so I asked the owner for some suggestions. He suggested some chicken under mozzarella with a lemon sauce (or something like that). The special came out huge and piping hot. I was so excited to dig in I burned my tongue on the food multiple times 😂. This place has some of the best Italian food I have ever had. I would highly suggest stopping by and trying their food.

John

I went there this evening with a friend that had been there before. The food was very good. The minute you walk in, the owner greets you and shakes your hand and is very welcoming. The service was also very good. Nice small and quaint restaurant with a nice atmosphere.

Domenika Nilaj

An Absolute Gem – Always a Delight! This restaurant has quickly become one of my favorite spots, and for good reason. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with a warm, welcoming atmosphere and attentive service that makes you feel right at home. The food is consistently outstanding – fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with care. Whether I’m trying something new or sticking to one of my go-to dishes, I’m never disappointed. The balsamic chicken is a must-try – it’s absolutely delicious and always perfectly prepared. The staff goes above and beyond, and you can tell they truly care about creating a great experience for every guest. It’s the kind of place where quality and hospitality go hand in hand. If you’re looking for a spot where you can count on excellent food, friendly service, and a relaxing vibe, this is it. Highly recommend!

TravelingGayPanda

A great neighborhood, traditional Italian restaurant. The food is delicious. The calamari in red sauce was delicious, perfectly cooked, seasoned and complex. I had the veal marsala with linguini which I also thought was perfect. The meat was tenderized, subtly coated and bursting with that delicious marsala sauce. The portions are large so definitely expect to take leftovers home. Their homemade, traditional cheesecake was the perfect way to finish the night.

Bryan Margaca

Absolute gem of a restaurant in midtown Manhattan. Atmosphere was comfortable and fun loving. The food specials and menu choices were top notch. The staff awareness and attention was the best I've experienced in NYC. Hands down. An absolute gem!

Jamie Rose Tripoli

This place is so cozy and lovely. Looks so much more beautiful on the inside than what it seems. It is pretty expensive for what it is, but a lovely option for an Italian date night. Been here a few times and seem to always gravitate to the chicken parm because it’s so good! We got a lovely house pinot grigio too. Can’t wait for my next time back!

+2

Martin Storr

A joy! Just across the road from our hotel, but sadly, slightly obscured by scaffolding! We received a warm welcome on arrival and were shown to a table in the corner, very cosy. The staff were very friendly. We ordered a bottle of Chianti, excellent, and were given bread and butter to enjoy while we awaited our starters. Soup and Portobello mushrooms on seasonal greens. Our mains were Veal Marsala and Veal Forestiere, which came with fresh vegetables. Both dishes were delicious. Desserts were Lemon cake and Canoli, which we accompanied with Limoncello! An excellent evening in a charming Italian, much can be recommended and we hope to return next time we're in NYC!

+2

Diana Caverly

Cozy, friendly, a place that feels like and tastes like family. Very quick and attentive service, immediately made me feel like home. The food was tasty and comforting - fantastic calamari. My only “complaint” was that the food felt a bit too much on the salty side for my taste - but it didn’t take away from the flavor at all. Makes for great leftovers too!

Thomas Cromer

Wow! So happy to start my New Year dining experience at such a great establishment. All around a fantastic experience. I made a reservation on Google Assistant and they prepared a four seat table for us. The seating was comfortable. The napkin art was a nice touch. We couldn’t be under the tent but they moved two heaters near our table to accommodate so we weren’t cold. They treated us very nicely. The bread for the table was fresh and crunchy. We started with the calamari which had a fantastic sauce - more on the sauces later. I ordered the special clam stuffed with crab meat and shrimp. It was the large size because the small comes with two. It was toasted to perfection on top and I could see the real lumps of shrimp and crab! The clams sat on top of a LOVELY lemon sauce that put the dish on top. All of the people at the table live together and tried each other’s dishes. The mussels were tender. The risotto wasn’t overpowered with too much pesto. And the chicken portobello sauce was tangy and rich. Every plate was delicious and you wouldn’t go wrong getting any of these. We also drank some nice wines and finished with the ricotta cheesecake and cappuccinos. I can’t wait to visit again for the cute indoor dining one day.

Ive been here for lunch once and another time for dinner. On both occasions I was very pleased. Great tasting Italian food. Cozy and intimate with very pleasant staff and great service. Definitely on my list of places to revisit and recommend.

3 of us dropped in with no booking. Made welcome. The food was excellent. One of us was a resident of NYC, and remarked how we good it was not to have to hear and see traffic all the time. A little on the expansive side,but hey! this is New York.

A small Italian restaurant with a very cozy feel. Although the attitude of the service staff was not good or bad, the food tasted pretty good.

Food was very good and not overly expensive. The owner was very friendly. After the waiter took our order he never came back to fill our water or make sure everything was good. But I will definitely go back.

Great Italian fare. I gather this had been in the neighborhood for decades but i only went there for the first time yesterday. Food was great and service was fast and pleasant though the you're not indicates this is not as cheap as you may think. A salad to share and two main meals with a dessert to share and a bottle of house wine is $120 with tip. However, we did leave sated.

Sam's Place is pretty decent. I thought I was being healthy getting the Chicken Giardiniera, but it turns out it's smothered in butter. Still, the flavor was good, and most of the people I went with enjoyed their food. If I'm looking for an Italian spot in the area that isn't super expensive, I'd consider this place.

Yaninee Nachom

The most outstanding part of our experience at Sam’s Place was the very warm welcome and attentive service. The food was decent, especially so for their salad and lemon cake. Would not mind coming back for their lemon cake alone.

shimmeringpath

Old school Italian spot on 39th and Lex . Very cool vibes . We got the App Special which was a tasty grilled Calamari that they split onto 2 plates for us . My main was also the pasta Special of Gnocchi in vodka sauce and was really good and also such a nice portion that I ended up taking some home. My friend got the bone in Veal Chop and he liked that a lot . Now they don't have a Cocktail menu but you can order any drink you like and they'll make it. I got a Margarita and it was perfect. Get some Tiramisu too. It was delicious. Bathroom is upstairs. Staff is friendly and professional. Stop by if you're near Grand Central.

The Foodie Architect

This place is in the residential block that you would not expect the restaurant be here. Yet it seems it has been here for ages. The space and the food feels traditional. The dishes we had is great. Bronzino is cooked perfectly. Cozy! Quiet! Pleasant!

+2

The restaurant was too tiny with poor lighting. My friend who was 6.3" couldn't stand straight. His head rubbed on the ceiling. The tables are too small. Food is overpriced. We ordered alfredo pasta and it was served with no pieces of chicken or shrimp! Just pasta in heavy cream for $19 + tax. There's no window view so I'm not sure what makes this place special, except a few photographs of celebs that accidentally ate there. The wine menu was in the range of $45+ (not sure if it was a glass or bottle. Too scared to ask.) Anyway, the food and service was flavorful but I wasn't impressed.

Nice little cozy area here you know. There is some terrific people and then there is the customers and staff. The Atmosphere you ask? Beautiful. B-A-T-U-T-I-F-U-L-L. See the bananas soon in this cozy little place named after a person with terrific character, Steven. Thank you

Zhendong Zhao

Service was very attentive; great atmosphere feeling like coming out of an old Italian town. But however I have the same feeling with the other reviewer about the food: it’s too salty to my taste, like the saltiness covers other great flavor of the food itself.

I have ordered backed clams as appetiser and it is awful. The crumb on top is of sour taste and the clams are very small and not fresh at all. They tasted even worse than frozen one. The main is Swordfish, their daily catch. The fish itself is nice. But the sauce is heavily salty. What a pity in ruining a good fish steak.

Confused why this place has such high ratings. We went here and got the prosciutto & melon and it was two pieces of melon on a place with a slice of Prosciutto on top. The prosciutto tasted like seafood ... like it was being stored next to the salmon. The pasta in the cream sauce with mushrooms was average at best. The veal special was the only thing that was really good. We got ricotta cheesecake for dessert and it was actually pretty bad and tasted like it was 2 weeks old. It was absolutely not worth the $175 tab. I gave it 2 stars Bc the veal was good. Everything else was not.

Food was decent, but pretty overpriced. I ordered spaghetti & meatballs, and the spaghetti was good, but the meatballs were terrible, especially for $21.95. The service wasn't great. We had Arian, who never offered me a wine list, never greeted us, simply came over and said "ready"? when it was time to take our order. Every time we asked him for something, it seemed like it was a bother for him. We weren't impressed at all and won't be back.

This place is NOT up to the reviews Ordered the tortellini ala panda. Was so bland and watery. I have made better at home. My wife's prefers the baked clams - they were old and tasteless. Full of breadcrumbs. Yeah this is a cute little honey place, but the food, sorry not sorry, it sucks.