Welcome to the Culinary Institute of America
  • Students learn by working and get career experience at CIA restaurants

  • CIA Restaurants

    There’s no better way to learn the fast-paced world of food than by working in the CIA’s acclaimed restaurants! See how successful dining operations are run, from the front office to tableside service to the back kitchens. All CIA restaurants are public-facing, fully operational retail dining establishments that serve more than 333,000 customers annually. These real-world and high-end professional food industry experiences are exactly what today’s top restaurants and food companies are seeking in new hires.

    New York Campus

    American Bounty Restaurant

    With a focus on the lush Hudson Valley, you’ll incorporate fresh local ingredients and determine how seasonal availability impacts quality and price. Prepare modern dishes highlighting American cuisines using techniques such as pan-searing, grilling, sautéing, roasting, and more. In the formal dining areas, learn how to surpass guests expectations and execute various service roles quickly and efficiently. Lastly, you’ll be qualified to identify the components and beverages of the full-service bar.

    Visit the American Bounty Restaurant at americanbountyrestaurant.com

    Apple Pie Bakery Café

    Craft and market products in an actual bakery café. Prepare, display, and present baked goods such as breakfast pastries, artisan breads, and various desserts. You’ll also create soups, salads, and sandwiches; practice your table service skills; and interact with customers at the front counter. In addition, you’ll study inventory control, sales, and operations.

    Visit the Apple Pie Bakery Café at applepiebakerycafe.com

    The Bocuse Restaurant

    Create and serve new interpretations of classic French cuisine as you learn innovative culinary techniques such as sous vide. Showcase your skills as you prepare foods in an open kitchen that allows customers to see you in action. You’ll also master casual yet sophisticated tableside service, which includes preparing liquid nitrogen ice cream in front of guests.

    Visit The Bocuse Restaurant at bocuserestaurant.com

    Ristorante Caterina de’ Medici

    Master the intricate and high-intensity demands of a fast-paced culinary environment. You’ll present truly authentic Italian cuisine with seasonal ingredients and flavors. Learn the importance of local food sustainability and discover the flavorful characteristics of fresh produce, cheese, and cured meats. Lastly, advance your service skills in a dynamic contemporary setting, while offering patrons a diverse selection of Italian wines, beers, coffees, teas, and other beverages.

    Visit the Ristorante Caterina de’ Medici at ristorantecaterinademedici.com

    California Campus Restaurants

    Gatehouse Restaurant

    For CIA students in Greystone, Gatehouse Restaurant is a capstone experience that brings together nearly two years of culinary, baking and pastry, hospitality, and beverage management instruction. Using fresh ingredients from throughout the region, as well as products from the CIA's own farms and herb gardens, you'll create contemporary dishes to be served in a refined, yet casual dining room. The restaurant offers a table d'hote menu structure for both lunch and dinner. Guests are able to choose from several items within four different categories in a prix-fixe pricing structure. The high-quality learning experiences you’ll gain at Gatehouse Restaurant will prepare you to work in any restaurant after graduation.

    Visit the Gatehouse Restaurant at ciagatehouserestaurant.com

    The Bakery Café by illy

    Apply your skills in a fully operational retail café as you study customer service and management while cooking and serving freshly baked bread, cookies, and other desserts. You’ll make breakfast pastries in the morning; prepare soups, salads, sandwiches, and sides for lunch; and offer a full menu of coffee drinks, Dammann Frères tea, and house beverages.

    Visit The Bakery Café by illy at thebakerycafeatgreystone.com

    Texas Campus Restaurants

    Nao

    Get ready to cook with live fire! Working in an open kitchen, you’ll produce a contemporary menu offering creatively re-imagined dishes. In addition, learn all aspects of quality table service, including which beverages best complement particular dishes.

    Visit Nao at naorestaurant.com

    CIA Bakery Café at Nao

    Under the direction of Certified Master Baker Alain Dubernard, prepare and serve freshly baked bread, cookies, and other desserts in a real retail café environment. You’ll create menu items for breakfast and lunch, whether patrons are dining in or ordering takeout.

    Visit the CIA Bakery Café at Nao at ciabakerycafe.com