Ultimate NYC Italian Dining Guide: 20 Must-Try Places
Let’s face it, when it comes to Italian restaurants, New York City doesn’t mess around. Whether you’re a purist who swears by a perfectly al dente cacio e pepe or someone who just wants a mountain of rigatoni smothered in Sunday sauce, this city has the pasta game on lock. From decades-old neighborhood institutions to sleek newcomers with lines out the door, we’ve rounded up some of the spots where pasta plates disappear fast and second helpings are a given.
A Practical Guide To Standout Italian Restaurants Across New York City
Carbone – Greenwich Village
Carbone celebrates Italian-American dining from the 20th century with bold flavors and a strong dose of nostalgia, served with style and flair.
- Location: 181 Thompson St, Greenwich Village
- Price: $$$$
- Menu Highlights: Spicy rigatoni vodka, veal parmesan, and Caesar salad prepared tableside.
- Website: https://carbonenewyork.com/
- Instagram: @majorfoodgroup
Don Angie – West Village
Don Angie fuses Italian-American roots with a modern New York sensibility — equal parts playful and composed.
- Location: 103 Greenwich Ave, West Village
- Price: $$$
- Menu Highlights: Lasagna for two, chrysanthemum salad, and smoked mozzarella sticks.
- Website: https://www.donangie.com
- Instagram: @donangienyc
Via Carota – West Village
Inspired by rustic kitchens of central Italy, Via Carota delivers seasonal fare with thoughtful execution in a comfortable, lived-in setting.
- Location: 51 Grove St, West Village
- Price: $$$
- Menu Highlights: Cacio e pepe, insalata verde, and seasonal vegetable dishes.
- Website: https://www.viacarota.com
- Instagram: @viacarota
Lilia – Williamsburg
Lilia brings bold flavors and a wood-fired touch to Brooklyn with seafood-forward plates and pastas that lean fresh and textural.
- Location: 567 Union Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
- Price: $$$$
- Menu Highlights: Sheeps milk cheese-filled agnolotti, grilled clams, and malfadini with pink peppercorns.
- Website: https://www.lilianewyork.com
- Instagram: @lilianewyork
Rezdôra – Flatiron
Rezdôra channels the spirit of Emilia-Romagna with a focus on rich, handmade pasta and regional dishes served in a casual yet refined space.
- Location: 27 E 20th St, Flatiron District
- Price: $$$$
- Menu Highlights: Regional pasta tasting menu, tagliatelle al ragù, and gnocco fritto with prosciutto.
- Website: https://www.rezdora.nyc/
- Instagram: @rezdoranyc
Torrisi – Nolita
With a sleek dining room and modernized Italian-American menu, Torrisi brings updated takes on classics with rich, expressive flavors.
- Location: 275 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012
- Price: $$$$
- Menu Highlights: Duck tortellini, veal osso buco, Caramelle Piedmontese.
- Website: https://torrisinyc.com
- Instagram: @majorfoodgroup
I Sodi – West Village
I Sodi delivers Tuscan staples with restraint and precision, perfect for diners who appreciate balance and detail.
- Location: 105 Christopher St, West Village
- Price: $$$
- Menu Highlights: Artichoke lasagna, pappardelle al limone, and bistecca alla Fiorentina.
- Website: https://www.isodinyc.com
- Instagram: @isodinyc
Frankies 457 Spuntino – Carroll Gardens
This Brooklyn favorite delivers laid-back Italian fare with an emphasis on comfort and simplicity.
- Location: 457 Court St, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn
- Price: $$
- Menu Highlights: Sweet potato and sage ravioli, cavatelli with hot sausage and browned sage butter.
- Website: https://www.frankiesspuntino.com/
Cafe Carmellini – NoMad
With striking interiors and refined plating, Cafe Carmellini blends French and Italian techniques for a highly curated dining experience.
- Location: 250 5th Ave, New York, NY 10001
- Price: $$$$
- Menu Highlights: Chicory salad, duck tortellini, veal osso buco.
- Website: https://cafecarmellini.com
- Instagram: @cafecarmellini
Emilio’s Ballato – SoHo
Tucked behind an unassuming facade, Emilio’s serves throwback red-sauce fare with big flavors and an old-school feel.
- Location: 55 E Houston St, SoHo
- Price: $$$
- Menu Highlights: Spaghetti pomodoro, veal marsala, and gamberi oreganate.
- Website: http://emiliosballato.com
- Instagram: @emiliosballato
Scarpetta – NoMad
Scarpetta offers an upscale yet inviting take on Italian dining with refined pastas and modern plating.
- Location: 88 Madison Ave, NoMad
- Price: $$$$
- Menu Highlights: Spaghetti with tomato and basil, duck and foie gras ravioli, and black cod.
- Website: https://www.scarpettarestaurants.com
- Instagram: @scarpettarestaurants
Borgo – NoMad
Borgo delivers simple and thoughtful plates built around seasonal ingredients and traditional preparation.
- Location: 22 E 27th St, New York, NY 10016
- Price: $$$
- Menu Highlights: Wood-fired focaccia, veal sweetbreads, radishes with bagna cauda.
- Website: https://borgonyc.com
- Instagram: @borgonyc
Foul Witch – East Village
This intimate East Village spot experiments with bold Italian flavors in creative and often surprising ways.
- Location: 15 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009
- Price: $$$
- Menu Highlights: Rotating seasonal pastas, unique antipasti selections.
- Website: https://foulwitchnyc.com
- Instagram: @thefoulwitch
Piccola Cucina Estiatorio – SoHo
Piccola Cucina serves seafood-heavy Sicilian dishes with bold flavors and a casual vibe in the heart of SoHo.
- Location: 75 Thompson St, New York, NY 10012
- Price: $$$
- Menu Highlights: Linguine with sea urchin, arancini, housemade cannoli.
- Website: https://www.piccolacucinagroup.com
- Instagram: @piccolacucinany
Masseria dei Vini – Midtown West
Blending classic and modern influences, Masseria dei Vini focuses on robust flavors, a long wine list, and open-flame cooking.
- Location: 887 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019
- Price: $$$
- Menu Highlights: Burrata, linguine with clams, wood-fired pizzas.
- Website: https://masseriadeivini.com
- Instagram: @masseriadeivini
Lupa Osteria Romana – Greenwich Village
A longtime staple, Lupa channels Roman tradition with straightforward plates and a deep wine list.
- Location: 170 Thompson St, Greenwich Village
- Price: $$$
- Menu Highlights: Bucatini all’Amatriciana, cacio e pepe, and saltimbocca alla Romana.
- Website: https://www.luparestaurant.com
- Instagram: @lupaosteria
Bar Bianchi – East Village
Bar Bianchi blends Milanese cafe culture with downtown energy, offering antipasti, pasta, and wine in a sharp but relaxed space.
- Location: East Houston Street, New York, NY
- Price: $$$
- Menu Highlights: Burrata, fried zucchini, veal Milanese.
- Website: https://www.barbianchinyc.com/
- Instagram: @barbianchinyc
Chazz Palminteri Italian Restaurant – Midtown
A formal dining room and classic menu define this Midtown restaurant backed by the Bronx-born actor.
- Location: 30 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036
- Price: $$$
- Menu Highlights: Veal chop, penne alla vodka, tiramisu.
- Website: https://www.chazzpalminterinyc.com
- Instagram: @chazzpalminterirestaurant
Il Buco Alimentari & Vineria – NoHo
A casual offshoot of Il Buco, this spot leans into rustic charm with house-cured meats, handmade pasta, and warm lighting.
- Location: 53 Great Jones St, New York, NY 10012
- Price: $$$
- Menu Highlights: Cured meats, ricotta gnocchi, seasonal salads.
- Website: https://www.ilbuco.com
- Instagram: @ilbuco_av
Da Andrea – Greenwich Village
Da Andrea specializes in approachable, homemade pastas and classic dishes served in a low-key downtown setting.
- Location: 35 W 13th St, New York, NY 10011
- Price: $$
- Menu Highlights: Lobster Benedict, fresh mussels, rotating pasta specials.
- Website: https://www.daandreanyc.com
- Instagram: @daandreanyc
New York City’s Italian restaurants offer a diverse array of experiences, from traditional trattorias to modern interpretations of classic dishes. Whether you’re seeking a romantic evening or a lively gathering with friends, the city’s Italian dining scene has something to offer every palate.
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