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L'Artusi
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
L'Artusi
9.2
Opened in 2008, L’Artusi is a West Village staple for modern Italian pastas, crudos, and a deep Italian-leaning wine list. High-volume, long-running praise and constant crowds make it one of the neighborhood’s most reliable destination restaurants for both locals and visitors.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spaghetti with garlic, chiles, and parmesan, Roasted mushrooms with pancetta and egg, Olive oil cake
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 8.8
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 9.4
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: High-level, pasta-centric Italian cooking with 5,000+ multi-platform reviews backing its consistency.
Who should go: Pasta-obsessed diners seeking polished but lively West Village energy.
When to visit: Early evening weekdays for bar seats; prime nights book out.
What to order: Spaghetti, roasted mushrooms, olive oil cake.
Insider tip: The bar is ideal for walk-ins and solo diners who want the full menu without a hard-to-get reservation.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in the West Village is limited and competitive after 6pm; no valet service. Nearest paid garages are within a 5–7 minute walk on Washington St. and Hudson St.
Dress code: Smart casual. Polished jeans, elevated tops, and boots or dressy sneakers all fit; guests often lean stylish due to the neighborhood crowd.
Noise level: Moderate to lively. You can hold a conversation, but peak dinner hours bring a buzzier atmosphere.
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes for walk-ins unless you target the bar right at opening.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable (no lunch service). For early weekday dinners, walk-ins may wait 10–25 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong selection — pastas, vegetable sides, and crudos offer multiple vegetarian-friendly choices.
Vegan options: Limited — a few dishes can be modified, but fully vegan options are sparse.
Gluten-free options: Several dishes can be prepared gluten-free, including select pastas with substitutions; communicate needs early.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes. The lighting, energy, and polished service create a warm, flattering setting without feeling overly formal. The bar is particularly strong for early-in-the-relationship dates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes. Arriving at opening or aiming for bar seating increases your odds. Prime hours on weekends typically require a reservation or a willingness to wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Best for older kids or teens. There’s no dedicated kids’ menu, limited stroller space, and the crowd skews adult during peak hours.
Best For
Better for: Exceptional handmade pastas, a deep Italian wine list, and consistently polished service in a lively, stylish setting. It excels at upscale-but-comfortable evenings.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, large-group seating, or broad vegan options. Consider alternatives if you prefer rustic, traditional Italian over polished, modern interpretations.
L'Artusi
8.9
A long-running West Village Italian hotspot where pastas, crudo, and a deep wine list fuel a packed, high-energy dining room every night. Lines, noise, and tightly spaced tables are part of the scene, but most diners are here precisely for that mix of polished plates and buzzy atmosphere.
Must-Try Dishes:
Garganelli with mushroom ragu, Roasted chicken, Olive oil cake
Scores:
Value: 7.5
Service: 8.7
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 7.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: Refined, craveable Italian cooking with serious pastas in a perpetually buzzing room.
Who should go: Pasta obsessives and date-night diners chasing West Village energy
When to visit: Early evening or late slots to dodge peak crowds
What to order: Garganelli, roasted chicken, olive oil cake
Insider tip: Bar seats open up between early and late turns and can be easier to snag than tables.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is scarce after 5pm; nearby paid garages on Leroy St. and Hudson St. offer reliable options (no valet).
Dress code: Smart casual leaning stylish; jeans are fine but most guests dress up for the scene.
Noise level: Loud during peak hours — expect elevated chatter and music; conversation requires speaking up.
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes without a reservation; bar and counter seats may open sooner.
Weekday lunch: N/A — the restaurant does not serve lunch.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong selection — several pastas, salads, and vegetable plates can be ordered meat-free.
Vegan options: Limited — a few dishes can be modified, but the menu skews heavily toward dairy.
Gluten-free options: Moderate — certain crudos, mains, and sides work well; gluten-free pasta is not guaranteed.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the energy is lively and the food is consistently impressive, though the noise level may not suit those wanting quiet conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possibly — walk-ins can try for bar seating or put their name down early evening; late-night slots are the most attainable.
Is it kid-friendly? Not particularly — it’s a high-energy, adult-leaning space with tight seating; older teens are fine but younger children may feel out of place.
Best For
Better for: Top-tier pasta execution, a polished-but-buzzy room, and a wine program deeper than most neighborhood competitors.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, spacious seating, or extensive vegan/gluten-free options — nearby Italian spots with calmer dining rooms may fit better.
L'Artusi
8.9
L'Artusi is a West Village Italian standby where polished pastas, crudo, and a deep wine list make it a reliable setting for serious lunch meetings. Midday service is focused but warm, with enough buzz to feel alive while still allowing for real conversation.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tajarin carbonara, Roasted chicken with salsa verde, Olive oil cake
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 8.8
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 9.4
Atmosphere: 9.2
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: A long-running power-Italian where refined pastas and a serious wine list anchor deal-friendly lunches.
Who should go: Clients or colleagues you need to impress over pasta
When to visit: Weekday lunch or early afternoon for a calmer room
What to order: Tajarin carbonara, beef carpaccio, seasonal pasta
Insider tip: Ask about upstairs private dining if you need extra privacy for a meeting.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive in the West Village; nearby paid garages on Leroy and Washington Streets are the most reliable options.
Dress code: Smart casual—polished but relaxed. Blazers or elevated knits fit in; clean jeans are acceptable.
Noise level: Moderate buzz—conversation is easy at lunch, slightly louder during peak evening hours.
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes without a reservation due to high demand.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait with a reservation; walk-ins may face a short 5–10 minute pause.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong options—several pastas, vegetable sides, and crudos can be made vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited—1–2 dishes can be adapted but the menu skews dairy-forward.
Gluten-free options: Yes—many pastas can be prepared gluten-free upon request, and several crudos are naturally GF.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—its warm lighting, polished service, and non-intrusive buzz create an ideal setting for conversation without feeling overly formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes—lunch walk-ins fare best; for dinner, bar seating or early off-peak hours offer the best chance.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat—older kids and teens are fine, but the room’s tight layout and business-focused lunch crowd make it less ideal for very young children.
Best For
Better for: Refined pastas, attentive lunch service, and a wine list that suits client meetings better than trend-first Italian spots nearby.
Skip if: You want a quiet, leisurely meal—peak hours run busy—or if you need extensive vegan choices.
Hours
Monday5pm - 11pm
Tuesday5pm - 11pm
Wednesday5pm - 11pm
Thursday5pm - 11pm
Friday5pm - 12am
Saturday5pm - 12am
Sunday5pm - 11pm