Barbetta, Manhattan's Historic Italian Restaurant, Closes After 118 Years
After nearly 120 years of serving handmade pasta, white truffles, and refined Italian cuisine to Broadway stars, politicians, and generations of romantics, Barbetta will permanently close its doors this week. The storied Italian restaurant, located on Manhattan's West 46th Street within the famed Restaurant Row, will serve its final dishes on Friday, February 27, marking the end of one of the longest family-run dining establishments in American history.
Legacy Ends with Owner's Passing
The decision to close follows the death in January of longtime owner Laura Maioglio, who was 93 years old. Former customers have taken to social media to express their condolences to the family and share their disappointment over the restaurant's shuttering.
"I took my young nieces to Barbetta for one of our annual holiday get-togethers," one Instagram user wrote. "Three young ladies dressed for a night in NYC with their Aunt. It is a wonderful memory. You will be missed."
Another Instagram comment read: "Devastated to hear this. Your restaurant before the theater was our one non-negotiable whenever we were in New York. The experience you provided was perfection. We will miss it and the experience you provided for many, many years to come."
A Century of Culinary History
Founded in 1906 by Sebastiano Maioglio, Laura's father, the restaurant moved to its current Theater District location in the 1920s after the family purchased four adjoining brownstones from the Astor estate. It quickly became a magnet for opera singers, Broadway performers, and well-heeled New Yorkers seeking authentic Northern Italian flavors.
When Laura Maioglio took over in 1962, she transformed Barbetta from a traditional Italian spot into one of New York City's first refined Italian dining rooms, long before regional Italian cuisine became fashionable across America. In 1963, Barbetta's garden patio became one of the first open-air dining locations in Manhattan outside Central Park, featuring century-old trees and fresh flowers that made it one of New York's most sought-after summer reservations.
Art History Background Influenced Menu
Maioglio graduated from Bryn Mawr College with a degree in Art History before assuming leadership at Barbetta. Her frequent trips to Italy provided firsthand knowledge about Italian food and wine, which she incorporated into the restaurant's offerings. Chefs served agnolotti pasta, risotto, and seafood inspired by Maioglio's native region, Piemonte, at a time when many Italian restaurants were associated exclusively with red-sauce dishes.
Barbetta also became one of the first Italian restaurants in America to serve imported wines to its guests. In recent years, the restaurant was honored with the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.
"It's hard to believe now, with Italian wines having gained so much in prestige and popularity, that in 1962 only one Barolo was imported into America and that Barbaresco and Gattinara were not imported at all," Laura Maioglio once said. "For many years, we imported the only Barbaresco and Gattinara to be found in this country."
Final Farewell and Wine Cellar Sale
The family posted a final farewell message on their website, inviting diners to visit before closing permanently. "It was Laura's wish that guests continue to gather here in the spirit she cherished, and we invite you to join us during this final month to celebrate the food, wine, and memories that have defined Barbetta for generations," the statement reads.
In honor of their wine-selling roots, the restaurant will be sharing their wine cellar, offering bottles listed at $200 and above at half their listed price. Barbetta will officially close on February 27. Daily Mail has reached out to Barbetta for additional comment.
