Columbia University & Arco Cafe

A Sardinian Celebration,
Steps from Campus

Authentic homemade pasta, freshly baked focaccia, and a full bar with BYO wine — all on Amsterdam Avenue, minutes from Columbia. Whether it’s graduation, a family visit, or a Tuesday night with friends, your table is waiting.

Why Arco

The Right Restaurant for Your Celebration

Arco Cafe has been serving the Upper West Side since 2014. Here’s why Columbia families keep coming back.

Minutes from Campus

We’re on Amsterdam Avenue between 103rd and 104th — a 15-minute walk south of Low Library, or one stop on the 1 train (116th to 103rd). The same street that runs through Morningside Heights runs right past our door.

Every Pasta Made from Scratch

Chef Emmanuel and the kitchen team make every pasta by hand, every day — malloreddus, pappardelle, fregula, busa, and more. Sardinian recipes you won’t find at any other restaurant in New York.

BYO Wine — $25 Corkage

Bring your best bottle to celebrate. Corkage is just $25 per bottle — a fraction of the markup at most Manhattan restaurants. We also have a full wine list and cocktail bar.

Groups Welcome

Parties of 5 or more can use our interactive party menu builder to design a custom Sardinian feast with real-time pricing. Tables for 2–4? Reserve instantly.

Graduation Season 2026

Celebrate at Arco

Columbia commencement week brings families from around the world. Tables fill quickly — plan your celebration dinner early.

Business School

May 16

General Studies

May 18

Class Day

May 19

University Commencement

May 20

SIPA

May 21

Reserve Your Table

Open daily 12:00pm – 9:30pm throughout commencement week

Year-Round

Not Just for Graduation

BYO Wine

Bring your own bottle any night of the week. Just $25 corkage — perfect for celebrating a finished paper, a birthday, or just because. We also have a full wine list and cocktail bar.

Group-Friendly

Study group dinner? Club gathering? For parties of 5+, our party menu builder lets you design a custom menu with pricing you can see upfront. No guesswork, no awkward bill-splitting.

A Neighborhood Spot

We’ve been on Amsterdam Ave since 2014 — the same street, the same neighborhood. Come once for a celebration, come back every week for the pasta. We remember our regulars.

Columbia Students

Join the Arco Family

Sign up with your university email to receive exclusive offers and updates from Arco. Open to Columbia, Barnard, and Teachers College students.

Columbia, Barnard, or Teachers College email

Getting Here

From Campus to Our Door

Walk

Head south on Amsterdam Avenue from Columbia’s campus. Arco is between 103rd and 104th Streets — about 15 minutes from Low Library. The same street, straight line, no turns.

Subway

Take the 1 train one stop south from 116th St–Columbia University to 103rd St. Walk half a block north on Amsterdam — we’re on the east side of the street.

Address

886 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10025
(646) 781-9080
info@arcocafe.com

Common Questions

Everything You Need to Know

About a 15-minute walk south on Amsterdam Avenue, or one stop on the 1 train (116th St to 103rd St). We’re between 103rd and 104th Streets — a 2-minute walk from the subway exit.

Absolutely. Arco is BYO wine-friendly — bring your favorite bottle with a $25 corkage fee. We also have a full wine list and cocktail bar if you’d prefer to order from us.

For parties of 5 or more, use our interactive party menu builder. You’ll design a custom Sardinian menu, see pricing in real time, and submit your request directly. For smaller groups, reserve a table online.

Yes — open daily 12:00pm to 9:30pm throughout Columbia’s commencement week (May 15–22, 2026). We recommend reserving in advance, as tables fill quickly during graduation season.

Yes. We offer gluten-free pasta as a substitute on most dishes for a $2 surcharge. Let your server know about any dietary needs — our kitchen is happy to accommodate.

Columbia, Barnard, and Teachers College students can sign up above with their university email to receive exclusive offers from Arco.

Sardinian Dining Near Columbia University

Arco Cafe is an authentic Sardinian restaurant on Amsterdam Avenue, serving the Upper West Side since 2014. Our kitchen, led by executive chef Emmanuel Tecuni, makes every pasta from scratch daily — from the hand-rolled malloreddus to the delicate pappardelle. The focaccia is freshly baked throughout the day, and the menu reflects the culinary traditions of Sardinia, an island with a cuisine all its own.

Located just 15 blocks south of Columbia University’s Morningside Heights campus, Arco has become a favorite for students, faculty, and visiting families. The BYO wine policy ($25 corkage) makes celebrations accessible, and our party menu builder simplifies group dining for 5 or more guests. Whether you’re planning a graduation dinner, hosting visiting parents, or looking for a neighborhood spot that feels like home, Arco is your table on Amsterdam Avenue.

Explore our full menu, order online for pickup, or send a gift card to your favorite Columbia graduate.