One of New York's premier Italian restaurants, Marea celebrates the flavors of Italy's coastal regions with an exceptional raw bar, handmade pastas, and impeccably fresh seafood. The dining room overlooks Central Park South.
Marea Italian Seafood, at 240 Central Park South in Midtown Manhattan, is one of the most distinguished Italian restaurants in New York and a definitive expression of the flavors of Italy's coastal regions applied to the finest available American and imported seafood. The restaurant, developed under the culinary direction of chef Michael White, draws on the traditions of Campania, Liguria, Sicily, and the Adriatic coast — regions where fish, shellfish, and the sea define the character of the local table. The dining room occupies a sleek limestone-and-marble space at street level on Central Park South, with warm lighting and a view through the windows toward the park entrance. The raw bar is an outstanding feature: a crudo sampler of pristine sliced fish and shellfish dressed with Italian-style olive oil, citrus, and herbs sets the register of the meal before a single pasta course arrives. The pasta program is the restaurant's deepest strength: handmade preparations including the signature ricci e capesante — sea urchin and scallop with pasta in a rich, briny sauce — represent Italian coastal cuisine at its most refined. The tasting and à la carte menus change seasonally, emphasizing whatever the market provides at peak quality. The wine list is an authoritative survey of Italian regions, with depth in Campania, Sicily, and Piedmont that rewards exploration with the guidance of the sommelier team. The restaurant serves both lunch and dinner, with weekday lunch offering a more accessible reservation window than weekend evenings.
Signature dishes
- Crudo Sampler — $30
- Ricci e Capesante — $49
Good to know
- Known for
- Italian coastal cuisine with a spectacular pasta program
- Hours
- 12PM–2:30PM Mon–Fri; 5:30PM–10:30PM Mon–Sat
Location
240 Central Park South, New York, NY 10019
40.7670, -73.9824 View on map
Highlights
- Premier Italian coastal seafood dining on Central Park South — one of the finest Italian restaurants in New York
- Exceptional raw bar crudo sampler showcasing pristine fish and shellfish in Italian olive-oil-and-citrus preparations
- Ricci e capesante: sea urchin and scallop pasta — the signature dish of the restaurant's acclaimed pasta program
- Comprehensive Italian wine list with Campanian, Sicilian, and Piedmontese depth
- Elegant limestone-and-marble dining room with Central Park South views
Tips for visiting
- Book two to three weeks in advance; weekday lunches are the most accessible reservation window
- Begin with the crudo sampler — it establishes the kitchen's handling of raw seafood and serves as a map of the menu's coastal Italian orientation
- The pasta courses are the kitchen's deepest strength; order two or three to share as a mid-meal sequence
- Ask the sommelier to guide through the Campanian or Sicilian wine sections — the selections are unusually deep for New York
- The tasting menu is available and provides the broadest survey of the kitchen; the à la carte approach allows more control over pacing
Accessibility
The Central Park South entrance is at street level in a modern building. The dining room is on the ground floor and accessible to wheelchair users; guests with specific mobility needs should contact the restaurant when making reservations.
Frequently asked questions
Is Marea Italian Seafood the same restaurant as Marea?
Both entries in this guide refer to the same restaurant at 240 Central Park South. The restaurant operates under the Marea name and is known for Italian coastal seafood and handmade pasta.
What is the ricci e capesante?
Ricci e capesante is a pasta preparation combining fresh sea urchin (ricci di mare) and scallops (capesante) in a sauce that amplifies the briny, oceanic flavors of both ingredients. It is the restaurant's most celebrated dish.
Does Marea Italian Seafood serve non-seafood dishes?
The restaurant's identity is built around seafood and coastal Italian cooking. Meat preparations exist but are secondary; the kitchen's reputation rests on its fish, shellfish, and pasta work.
Is there a dress code?
Smart and elegant dress is expected. The restaurant's price point and clientele call for business-casual or better; casual attire would be out of place.
How does the tasting menu differ from à la carte?
The tasting menu sequences the courses in a progression chosen by the kitchen, providing a more cohesive overview of the restaurant's range. À la carte allows guests to choose their own path through the menu and is the more popular format for return visitors.