MIDTOWN, Manhattan (WABC) — The kitchen at Barbetta was still simmering Friday night, but the mood inside the historic dining room was bittersweet. Founded in 1906, the restaurant was the oldest Italian establishment in the Theatre District — and Friday marked its final curtain call.
For more than a century, Barbetta was more than just a restaurant. With its antique cash register, ornate chandeliers purchased from an Italian royal family, and old-world décor, the space felt more like a living museum than a Midtown eatery. Generations of theatergoers, actors, and New Yorkers gathered there for pre-show dinners, opening night celebrations, and milestone occasions.
“This is like my second home. I’m so emotional,” said Private Events Manager Susana Gardijan, reflecting on the restaurant’s final night.
Bartender Tito Garay’s connection to Barbetta spans decades.
“I was a bartender the last ten years, but I also worked as a busboy, waiter, captain in the dining room — 32 years in this place,” Garay said.
Shahin Ahmed, who rose through the ranks over nearly two decades, echoed that sentiment.
“I’m a maître d’ since 2016 because I started in 2006 as a bus person and then I did back waiter, front waiter, captain, and now I do maître d’,” Ahmed said.
A Legacy Rooted in New York History
Barbetta first opened at 36th Street and Ninth Avenue. In 1925, its owner purchased the building from the Astor family, cementing the restaurant’s place in Manhattan history. After the founder’s passing, his daughter, Laura Maioglio, took over in 1962.
Maioglio went on to become one of New York City’s most iconic female restaurateurs, preserving the restaurant’s elegance and traditions while guiding it through decades of change in Midtown. Her stewardship made Barbetta a favorite among cultural icons, including Shirley MacLaine and Andy Warhol, who were known to dine there.
Maioglio died last month at the age of 93. With no siblings or children, she made it clear that her wish upon her passing was for the restaurant to close.
The Final Curtain
As staff members shared memories and longtime patrons stopped by for one last meal, the atmosphere was filled with gratitude and nostalgia. For many, Barbetta was intertwined with Broadway history and the evolving story of Midtown Manhattan.
With its closure, the Theatre District loses not only its oldest Italian restaurant but also a piece of its cultural soul — a reminder of a bygone era when dining and theatre were seamlessly intertwined under crystal chandeliers and candlelight.
