Cafe Testarossa — Restaurant in Town of Oyster Bay

Cafe Testarossa in Syosset, NY, has been a cornerstone of Long Island’s dining scene for over 35 years, earning acclaim for its innovative American cuisine with Italian influences. In 2024, it was honored as the Best Italian Restaurant on Long Island by the Bethpage Best of LI Awards . The restaurant offers an elegant yet welcoming ambiance, making it suitable for both romantic dinners and family gatherings. The staff is frequently praised for their attentiveness and professionalism.

Signature dishes include: •Almond-Crusted Chicken Breast stuffed with artichoke hearts, spinach, & Asiago cheese . •Branzino Filet pan-seared and served with seasonal vegetables . •Pappardelle Bolognese & Black Linguini with Shrimp and Calamari, showcasing the house-made pasta’s quality . •Banana Napoleon, a standout dessert featuring caramelized banana layers.

Cafe Testarossa in Syosset, NY is a true Long Island Gem. If you’re looking for consistently excellent Italian food with a modern twist on Long Island, Cafe Testarossa in Syosset should absolutely be on your radar. This was my first dining experience here & it did not disappoint. There’s a reason it was recently named Best Italian Restaurant on Long Island and I can say from experience, it’s well deserved.

The atmosphere is warm and inviting, elegant enough for a special night out, but still relaxed enough that you feel at home. The staff is attentive without being overbearing. This being my very first visit, the service was flawless from start to finish. The manager, ran a tight ship and was always gracious — you can tell she really cares about the guest experience. What really sets Cafe Testarossa apart, though, is the consistency. I’ve dined at many establishments but the quality is here — in the food, the service, and the overall experience. Whether you’re celebrating something special or just want a fantastic meal out, this is one of those places you’ll come back to again and again & I surely will! Cafe Testarossa in Syosset is a go to spot if you want a top-tier meal without heading into the city. The food, the service, the vibe, it’s consistently outstanding. On my most recent visit (May 10, 2025), I had the shell steak, & it was absolutely perfect. Cooked exactly the way I ordered (medium rare), tender, juicy, and seasoned beautifully. It came with crisp roasted potatoes and veggies that were clearly fresh — not just filler sides. You can tell they take pride in every plate. The salmon entrée, was just as impressive — flaky, flavorful, and plated with a delicate hand. Even something as simple as the sauce felt thoughtful and elevated. If you’re into seafood and pasta, don’t skip the black linguini w/shrimp and calamari. The house-made pasta is rich & has that perfect al dente bite, and the seafood is incredibly fresh. It’s one of those dishes I find myself thinking about long after the meal. If you’re still hungry, don’t skip the veal chop, thick, juicy, and cooked exactly as requested. It’s the kind of dish that makes you appreciate a chef who knows what they’re doing. I started with a Negroni, which was balanced and well-crafted — not too bitter, not too sweet. Honestly one of the better ones I’ve had on Long Island. If you’re a cocktail person, this one’s worth trying. For dessert, the coconut crème brûlée. Silky smooth custard, with that perfect crack of caramelized sugar on top. It’s a classic, but they do it right. Another mouthwatering desert to try is the Caramelized Banana Custard Napoleon with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream … it is next level. The layers of flaky pastry, banana, and custard are rich without being too sweet, and that scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on the side pulls everything together. It’s indulgent in the best possible way. The service was attentive and professional, and the atmosphere has that mix of upscale comfort that makes you want to linger just a little longer. Whether you’re celebrating or just want a great dinner out, Cafe Testarossa is sure nail it. $$ Dinner : Party of 14; $250/couple or $125/person ~To Owner: ...

I'm a foodie, restaurateur/cook (cooks cook - chefs show off.). Cafe Testarossa has been around over thirty years - an impossible feat in this business but for good reason . . . they pay attention to the little things - the important details that elevate food and service from good to great. They "get it" and their patrons, the old loyalists and soon to be loyalists love them for this. The cool atmosphere, the deliciously creative Northern Italian food, and the attentive professional staff make dining out special.

This was date night and I asked if they minded us sharing dishes. They were happy to oblige and they brought each course divided on two plates - nobody does this anymore - its old school service. We began with Whole Baby Baked Clams with Garlic Oregano Breadcrumbs. Small is better in this dish but more difficult to prepare without the clams turning rubbery - these were tender and moist with a slightly crispy topping and perfectly seasoned. Next came Warm Fresh Mozzarella atop sliced and sweet perfectly ripened beefsteak tomato drizzled with top-shelf basil infused olive oil then finished with a roasted red pepper and artistic slashes of syrupy aged balsamic . . . incredible. Next came fresh black squid ink pasta with shrimp and tender calamari. This was a special that night and I could've kept ordering and eating this dish until they shut the restaurant down - it was that good. Next - the entree was another special that night. Have you ever had a perfectly cooked piece of fish? You must consider this dish . . . Crispy-seared Halibut with fresh vegetables and a slightly sweet sauce made with a perfect veal demi glaze - we could actually smell and taste the roasted veal bones. This ranks as one of the top five fish dishes I've had spanning decades of sustained high-end Gluttony. Lastly - desert and a double espresso with a shot of Anisette. We shared but could not finish a terrific coconut Crème brûlée - excellent as well.

It's obvious that I really like this place but don't take my word for it, judge for yourself. I usually order the daily specials and have always been happy; they're masked "specials" for good reason. Happy...

Last night was the first time in 15 months that we ventured out for dinner with four other couples We picked TESTAROSSA because of the amazing tent and outdoor space . We’ve eaten here pre pandemic and always had excellent meals and service . Last night we were a rowdy crowd of septuagenarians with the exception of one couple in their sixties . Our server RYAN, was by far the most accommodating and personable guy EVER. We’re a tough crowd to please but he made the evening memorable from the onset trying to guess his weight and then doing it , he was extraordinarily generous with the price of a great MALBAC. When questioned about “what he really did “ he explained that he was a flight attendant for NORWEGIAN AIR, which had gone bankrupt and he lost his job because of COVID He’s been a server since September and handled about five large tables and did it with alacrity and a sense of humor that was second to none . The proof that was in the pudding was that there was a table of three much younger couples sitting adjacent to us and one of the women said to the waiter that her mother said that “you must get RYAN as your server because she was there Friday nite as well . KUDOS...