Manhattan's Oldest Italian Restaurant Barbetta to Close After 120 Years

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After 120 years of serving regional Italian cuisine in Manhattan's Theater District, the iconic Barbetta restaurant will close its doors for good on February 27. The decision comes after the recent passing of longtime owner Laura Maioglio, who ran the family-owned business for over six decades. Barbetta was founded in 1906 by Maioglio's father and became renowned for its elegant pastas, risottos, seasonal white truffles, and extensive Piedmont wine list.

Why it matters

Barbetta's closure marks the end of an era for New York City's dining scene, as it was the oldest continuously operating Italian restaurant in Manhattan. The restaurant was a beloved institution that catered to Broadway stars, opera performers, artists, and politicians over the decades, and its garden patio was one of the first open-air dining spaces in the city outside of Central Park.

The details

Barbetta was founded in 1906 by Sebastiano Maioglio and grew to occupy four adjoining 19th-century brownstones originally purchased by the Astor family. Under the longtime leadership of Laura Maioglio, who took over the family business in 1962, Barbetta became known for its traditional Piedmont cuisine and extensive wine cellar featuring hard-to-find Barolo and Barbaresco wines. The restaurant also stood out for its flourishing garden patio, which was created in 1963 and was one of the first open-air dining spaces in Manhattan outside of Central Park.

• Barbetta was founded in 1906.
• Laura Maioglio took over the family business in 1962.
• Barbetta's garden patio was created in 1963.
• Laura Maioglio passed away last month at age 93.
• Barbetta will close its doors on February 27, 2026.