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Nittis Italian Restaurant & Bar
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Nittis Italian Restaurant & Bar
8.1
The Durollari family brings 38 years of restaurant expertise to this stylish Hell's Kitchen spot where Roman-trained chef Andrea Cinus Napolitano crafts fresh pastas daily. The 1950s Noir-meets-1980s New York aesthetic, curated by the owners' sons from fashion brand BOND, creates an Instagram-worthy backdrop.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pappardelle Bolognese, Linguine with Clams, Tiramisu
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Rome-trained chef and fashion-forward design by BOND brand founders
Who should go: Date night couples and style-conscious diners near Times Square
When to visit: Happy hour for cocktails or dinner before/after Broadway
What to order: Filthy Animal cocktail, lamb chops, chocolate chip cookies with steamed milk
Insider tip: Owner Will personally greets every table and the art is designed by his sons
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet; nearby garages from $15-20/2hrs on SpotHero. Street parking scarce near Times Square—subway (A/C/E to 42nd St-Port Authority) recommended
Dress code: Casual—the fashion-forward BOND aesthetic welcomes stylish looks, but jeans are fine. Lean dressy for dates
Noise level: Moderate when garage doors closed; can get lively street noise when doors open in warm weather. Cozy enough for date conversation
Weekend wait: 30-45 min without reservation pre-Broadway; book via OpenTable or Resy
Weekday lunch: Not open weekday lunch—dinner only Mon-Thu starting 4pm
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple pasta and salad options including Nana's Salad and various vegetable-forward dishes
Vegan options: Limited but available—speak with server for modifications on pasta and salad dishes
Gluten-free options: Yes—accommodations available, inform server. No dedicated prep area mentioned
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Excellent choice—the 1950s Noir decor, red velvet banquettes, and intimate 68-seat space create romantic ambiance. Owner Will personally greets tables. Note: auto 20% gratuity on parties of 2
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible on weeknights, risky on weekends especially pre-theater. Happy hour (4-6pm daily) is walk-in friendly. For dinner near Broadway showtimes, book ahead via OpenTable or Resy
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—children's menu available and they've accommodated families with kids ages 8+. Pizza and pasta options appeal to younger diners. Best for well-behaved kids given the upscale vibe
Best For
Better for: Fashion-conscious couples wanting Instagram-worthy Italian near Times Square with genuine family hospitality. The BOND-designed interiors and Rome-trained chef elevate it above generic theater district spots
Skip if: You want quiet conversation in summer (garage doors open to street noise), need extensive vegan options, or prefer budget-focused pre-fixe theater menus
Nittis Italian Restaurant & Bar
8.2
A cozy, cocktail-friendly Italian room that works surprisingly well for brunch when you want a longer sit and a real kitchen behind the menu. Go pasta-forward or lean into a steak-and-fries moment, and let the bar handle the rest.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cacio e Pepe, Steak frites, Truffle fries
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Italian comfort with a real bar program that suits brunch pacing.
Who should go: Brunch dates and cocktail-minded groups
When to visit: Weekend late morning for best vibe
What to order: Cacio e Pepe, steak frites, truffle fries
Insider tip: Sit at the bar for faster turns and better drink guidance.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive; nearby paid garages are the most reliable option, especially on weekends.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — jeans are fine, but polished tops, dresses, or a blazer won’t feel out of place.
Noise level: Moderate — lively bar energy but still easy to hold a conversation at the table.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation, shorter if you’re flexible on seating or use the bar.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several pasta dishes, sides, and brunch-friendly plates work well for vegetarians.
Vegan options: Limited — possible with modifications, but not a vegan-forward menu.
Gluten-free options: Some options available, including protein-forward plates and select preparations; ask the server for guidance.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the cozy Italian setting, solid cocktails, and unrushed brunch pacing make it easy to settle in without feeling stiff or noisy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes for brunch, especially late morning, but prime weekend slots fill up — the bar is a good backup for quicker seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Better for adults — while not unfriendly, the vibe skews cocktail-forward and date-oriented rather than family-focused.
Best For
Better for: Longer, cocktail-accompanied brunches where pasta or steak feels appropriate and the bar program matters.
Skip if: You want a quick, traditional eggs-only brunch or a quiet, kid-centric dining room.
Nittis Italian Restaurant & Bar
8.2
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Trendy Table Hotspots
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
A lively Ninth Avenue Italian spot that’s easy to use for family dinners when you want pastas and classics in a polished, upbeat room. The kitchen’s strength is straightforward execution—keep it to a couple of pastas and a salad and you’ll get the best rhythm.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cacio e pepe, Chicken parm, Tiramisu
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 7.7
Cultural Relevance: 7.7
What makes it special: Crowd-pleasing pasta classics with a busy-but-capable service team.
Who should go: Families who want Italian on Ninth Avenue
When to visit: Early seating for fastest pacing
What to order: Cacio e pepe, chicken parm, tiramisu
Insider tip: Book ahead on weekends—tables fill quickly.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive; garages nearby but expect higher evening rates. Rideshare or walking is easiest.
Dress code: Smart casual. Jeans are fine; polished casual works best.
Noise level: Moderate to lively — conversation is easy at the table, but the room has energy.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation; longer during peak Ninth Avenue hours.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or very short wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several pasta dishes, salads, and vegetable sides work well.
Vegan options: Limited — can be accommodated with simple pasta or vegetable plates if you ask.
Gluten-free options: Limited — gluten-free pasta may be available, but cross-contamination is possible; flag needs clearly.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you want relaxed energy rather than intimacy. It’s upbeat and polished, better for easy conversation than quiet romance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible on weekdays or early evenings, but weekends are tight. Booking ahead is the safest move.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — works well for school-age kids who eat pasta and classics. Not a play space, but welcoming and flexible.
Best For
Better for: Reliable Italian classics in a lively Ninth Avenue setting that works for families and groups.
Skip if: You want a quiet, romantic room or highly inventive Italian cooking.