Highly-Anticipated New Cafe Serafina Opens On the Upper East Side

The popular New York City-based Italian restaurant chain Serafina finally opened its long awaited fast casual dining experience on the Upper East Side on Thursday, after being in the works for nearly a year. Dubbed Cafe Serafina, the restaurant feels spacious with comfortable seating. Plus, you can expect your favorites on the menu, just served a little quicker.

Cafe Serafina features a small seating area that feels larger thanks to the high ceilings | Upper East Site

Taking a look at Cafe Serafina’s colorful storefront featuring large pink awnings, windows framed by bright yellow walls covered in sunflower art and the sprawling floral arrangement made of roses hanging over the entrance makes it easy to forget the 4,500 square foot storefront located at 1492 Third Avenue, near East 84th Street, used to be home to an Ann Taylor LOFT women’s clothing store.

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Workers were seen putting the finishing touches on the inside of the space hours ahead of Thursday morning’s soft opening, which began around 11:00 am.

A wood service counter and display cases line the rear wall of the restaurant | Upper East Site

Curious Upper East Siders who had seen the grand opening announcement on social media trickled inside the store early, thinking it was already open to the public, only to be turned away.

A large, colorful Cafe Serafina sign hangs in the restaurant's window | Upper East Site — A large, colorful Cafe Serafina sign hangs in the restaurant’s window | Upper East Site

High ceilings give the restaurant a spacious feeling despite a relatively compact seating area toward the front of the restaurant. The rear wall is lined with luxurious wood counters and a display cases which were largely empty this morning ahead of the Upper East Side restaurant’s soft launch.

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On the menu, you’ll find egg sandwiches, quiche and avocado toast among Cafe Serafina’s breakfast offerings, which are available all day long.

Cafe Serafina is the chain's fast casual dining concept | Upper East Site — Cafe Serafina is the chain’s fast casual dining concept | Upper East Site

Fresh baked pastries, Italian sandwiches, salads made with local and organic ingredients, homemade pastas like the Cacio E Pepe or Tagliolini Al Fungi Porcini and their signature thin crust pizza round out their offerings. Beer and wine is also available.

Regular hours are expected to be from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm weekdays, and 9:00 am to 6:00 pm on weekends.

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