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La Fête du ChampagneCode: PEARL
Modern American Small Plates
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CuisineAmerican
Executive ChefIgnacio Mattos
Price$50–100per person
ReservationsEssential
Dress CodeSmart Casual

1 Michelin Star · World's 50 Best #44 · Star Wine List

Our verdict

Estela helped define New York City’s modern downtown dining grammar: Mediterranean and contemporary cooking filtered through sharp acid, oil, grain, seafood, and a room that runs closer to a lively wine bar than a formal dining room. Its Michelin star, 2026 OAD Casual in North America ranking, and Star Wine List recognition keep it in the serious conversation without sanding off the looseness that made it matter.

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Estela restaurant in New York City, United States

The menu

What to order

  • Ricotta dumplings
  • Beef tartare
  • Lamb ribs
See the current menu on estelanyc.com →
About

Estela is a New York City restaurant from Ignacio Mattos, listed for Mediterranean and Contemporary cuisine. The verified profile is concise: a high price tier, smart-casual dress code, and service in the evening throughout the week, with an additional midday service Friday through Sunday.

Because the confirmed data does not specify dishes, room size, beverage program, service format, or neighborhood, the most accurate way to frame Estela is by its verified fundamentals rather than by unverified scene-setting. It is a $$$$ New York City restaurant whose identity is tied to Ignacio Mattos and to Mediterranean, Contemporary cooking.

Estela's verified New York City profile

Estela is best described from the information that is confirmed: Mediterranean and Contemporary cuisine in New York City, with Ignacio Mattos attached as chef/owner.

The restaurant’s price category is $$$$, so diners should approach it as a higher-price meal rather than assume a casual price point. The dress code is smart casual, which gives useful planning guidance without implying formality beyond what is verified.

Estela also appears in confirmed imported recognition data from Opinionated About Dining for 2026.

That narrower framing is intentional. Estela’s verified profile is strong enough without adding unconfirmed specifics: Ignacio Mattos, Mediterranean and Contemporary cuisine, New York City, $$$$ pricing, smart-casual dress, and a schedule that includes dinner daily plus midday hours Friday through Sunday.

How Estela compares for New York City planning

Torrisi, The Musket Room, Raf’s, Torien, and Yoshino each offer a different point of contrast for diners planning a New York City itinerary. Estela’s verified lane is Mediterranean and Contemporary, with Ignacio Mattos as the chef/owner.

That distinction matters when planning a meal. If the priority is Estela specifically, the reliable facts to plan around are price, hours, dress code, cuisine, and city.

Estela is a $$$$ Mediterranean, Contemporary restaurant in New York City, and its verified schedule includes dinner Monday through Sunday, plus 11:30 AM-2:30 PM service on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

For travelers building a broader New York City plan, Estela fits most clearly as a restaurant choice anchored by confirmed essentials: Ignacio Mattos, Mediterranean and Contemporary cooking, smart-casual dress, and a high price tier. Other city dining and experience planning can be layered around those practical facts.

The confirmed information does not specify a menu format, signature dishes, tasting menu, à la carte structure, counter seating, or shared-plate approach. The safest ordering advice is therefore general: review the current menu when booking or arriving, and plan for a $$$$ restaurant serving Mediterranean and Contemporary cuisine.

The hours do create two different planning windows. Dinner is listed Monday through Sunday from 5 PM-10:30 PM. A midday service is listed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11:30 AM-2:30 PM.

For a broader comparison set, keep the reference points close to what is confirmed. Estela can be compared naturally with Raf’s, The Musket Room, Torien, Torrisi, and Yoshino as part of New York City dining research, while unnamed restaurants elsewhere may offer different approaches to contemporary or Mediterranean cooking.

Estela’s current verified relevance rests on a compact set of facts: it is a New York City restaurant from Ignacio Mattos, serving Mediterranean and Contemporary cuisine at a $$$$ price level, with smart-casual dress and confirmed weekly hours.

Frequently asked questions

Is Estela a family-friendly restaurant?

It is listed as a $$$$ New York City restaurant with a smart-casual dress code, so diners should consider the price point and confirmed dress guidance when deciding whether it suits their group.

How would you describe the vibe at Estela?

What is confirmed is that Estela is a New York City restaurant from Ignacio Mattos serving Mediterranean, Contemporary cuisine with smart-casual dress.

What style of cooking does Estela do?

Estela serves Mediterranean, Contemporary cuisine.

Is Estela expensive?

Pricing at Estela is listed as $$$$.

Is Estela open every day?

Hours at Estela: Monday 5 PM-10:30 PM Tuesday 5 PM-10:30 PM Wednesday 5 PM-10:30 PM Thursday 5 PM-10:30 PM Friday 11:30 AM-2:30 PM 5 PM-10:30 PM Saturday 11:30 AM-2:30 PM 5 PM-10:30 PM Sunday 11:30 AM-2:30 PM 5 PM-10:30 PM.

A Quick Peer Check

Comparable venues by cuisine and price in the same metro.

The record

Recognition history

Dated appearances from independent guides and award organizations, with the underlying list record or original source where available.

  1. Michelin 1 Star

    Michelin

  2. World's 50 Best Restaurants #44

    World's 50 Best

  3. Star Wine List

    Star Wine List

  4. New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City #34

    New York Times

  5. Opinionated About Dining Casual in North America Ranked #48

    Opinionated About Dining

Full recognition history (14 entries)
  1. Opinionated About Dining Casual in North America Ranked #57

    Opinionated About Dining

  2. We're Smart World 2 Radishes

    We're Smart World

  3. Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence

    Wine Spectator

  4. Michelin 1 Star

    Michelin

  5. Opinionated About Dining Casual in North America Ranked #60

    Opinionated About Dining

  6. Star Wine List

    Star Wine List

  7. Opinionated About Dining Casual in North America Ranked #36

    Opinionated About Dining

  8. Opinionated About Dining Gourmet Casual Dining in North America Ranked #8

    Opinionated About Dining

  9. Robb Report 100 Greatest American Restaurants of the 21st Century #30

    Robb Report

Estela

The wine

Estela holds the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence, which Wine Spectator gives to lists of usually 350 or more selections.

Wine program
Curated wine list
Wine Spectator
Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence
Selections
795
Bottles in cellar
3,500
List strengths
France, Burgundy, Rhone, Germany
Wine director
Alessandra Ameglio
  • Extensive wine list

More wine bars and bars in New York City

Details
Vibe
  • Trendy
  • Lively
  • Modern
  • Intimate
  • Sophisticated
Best For
  • Date Night
  • Group Dining
  • Special Occasion
Experience
  • Open Kitchen
Drink Program
  • Extensive Wine List
Menu Format
  • Small Plates
  • A La Carte
Drinks Focus
  • Wine
Dietary
  • Vegetarian Friendly
  • Allergy Accommodating
Noise LevelLively
CapacityIntimate
Service StyleUpscale Casual
Meal PacingLeisurely
KitchenModern
Wine ProgramCurated
Visit details

Current opening hours

Monday
5–10:30 PM
Tuesday
5–10:30 PM
Wednesday
5–10:30 PM
Thursday
5–10:30 PM
Friday
12–10:30 PM
Saturday
12–10:30 PM
Sunday
12–10:30 PM

Hours can change for holidays and private events. Last verified .

Boisterous and noisy alcove with a lively, trendy atmosphere, dimly lit and cramped but chic and stylish.