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If your ideal Upper East Side pit stop involves an espresso, a slice of pizza and being back on the sidewalk in under 10 minutes, Eataly has a new address for you.
Eataly Caffè officially opens today at 1122 Lexington Avenue, bringing the Italian food giant’s fast-casual café concept to the stretch between 77th and 78th Streets. It’s the brand’s third New York City café, offering a tighter, quicker take on the everyday Italian ritual.
The new location spans 3,900 square feet and seats 43 people, striking a balance between grab-and-go efficiency and just enough room to linger over a second coffee. The space is designed to echo the feel of a modern Italian coffee shop rather than Eataly’s larger, market-style destinations, making it a more practical stop for daily routines than a destination dining spot.
Coffee leads the charge, with drinks made exclusively from Eataly’s own 100 percent Arabica beans. Expect the full Italian lineup—espresso, cappuccinos and other café classics—served all day (the café is open 7am to 9pm daily). On the food side, the menu has sweet and savory pastries, gelato for year-round dessert people and Roman-style pizza alla pala, which are long, rectangular slices that are easy to eat on the go.
Also expect a clear nod to Upper East Side logistics: refrigerated cases have prepared salads and ready-to-eat meals, catering to commuters, dog walkers and anyone trying to thread the needle between errands. The result is a spot that works just as well for a quick breakfast as for a low-key afternoon break or an early aperitivo.
The Upper East Side opening follows earlier Eataly Caffè debuts at Rockefeller Center and Hudson Yards, both of which have drawn steady crowds since launching earlier this year. According to the company, the enthusiastic response helped fast-track the neighborhood expansion as Eataly marks its 15th year in New York City.
To mark the opening, Eataly Caffè is offering complimentary hot chocolate to first-time guests through Sunday, December 14, a timely perk given this week’s chilly weather. The new café also marks Eataly’s 20th location in North America, part of a global footprint that now tops 60 addresses worldwide.
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