La Panineria Expands Its Italian Sandwiches to the Upper West Side
The Upper West Side just welcomed another flavorful option to its sandwich scene. La Panineria, a beloved Italian shop renowned for its freshly sliced meats, house-made breads, and deep family roots, has opened a new location at 616 Amsterdam Avenue, just off the corner of West 89th Street. The space previously housed an Edible Arrangements shop.
This marks the brand’s third New York City storefront and its first in the neighborhood. The founder, Mario Pesce—a Naples native—launched La Panineria’s original shop on East 8th Street in 2014. A decade of growth followed, including a recent opening on the Upper East Side in February 2024.
Pesce describes La Panineria as the realization of a family dream. His father ran a panineria in Italy, and several relatives help operate the NYC locations. The family culinary lineage runs deep: Pesce’s great-uncle owns Buon’Italia in Chelsea Market, and another relative, the late Tony May, led several acclaimed New York restaurants.
Inside the new Upper West Side shop, guests can expect the same core lineup that built the brand’s loyal following downtown and on the East Side: breads like baguettes and ciabatta baked in-house, Italian meats and cheeses sliced to order, plus the option to customize or choose from signature combos. The menu also features salads, soups, pasta dishes, and Italian pastries such as bombolone, cannoli, and tiramisu.
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About The Author
Mike Mishkin is a native Upper West Sider who has lived around Lincoln Center, Morningside Heights, and everywhere in between. You’ll often find him exploring the neighborhood’s restaurant scene or snap-happy with his iPhone. After growing iLovetheUpperWestSide.com into a recognizable local brand, he expanded his digital footprint with EastSideFeed.com, a publication focused on the Upper East Side.
