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Nonna Dora's
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Nonna Dora's
8.9
Nonna Dora's is a Kips Bay pasta bar where Dora’s Lasagna, layered with meat sauce and béchamel, anchors a tight list of handmade noodles. Open since 2022, it draws pasta obsessives for carefully crafted plates, negroni variations, and counter seating that works for both dates and solo meals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dora’s Lasagna, Maccheroncini Grano Arso, Pappardelle del Ristoro
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Handmade pasta bar where Dora’s Lasagna is a headline dish.
Who should go: Pasta obsessives who want handmade noodles and serious lasagna.
When to visit: Early evening for calmer bar seats and shorter waits.
What to order: Dora’s Lasagna, maccheroncini grano arso, negroni from the list.
Insider tip: Grab a bar seat facing the open kitchen to watch lasagna and pastas being finished to order.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only, very limited after 6pm; nearby public garages on 3rd Ave and 33rd/34th Streets are the safest bet.
Dress code: Smart casual to trendy casual — jeans are fine, but lean polished for date nights.
Noise level: Moderate — energetic bar buzz but still easy to hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, especially between 7–9pm
Weekday lunch: Typically little to no wait, occasional short bar wait during peak noon rush
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple vegetarian pastas and vegetable-driven starters.
Vegan options: Limited — a few oil-based pasta preparations may work with adjustments.
Gluten-free options: Limited — occasional gluten-free pasta runs, but not always guaranteed daily.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the intimate bar seating, handmade pasta focus, and cocktail program create a romantic but relaxed setting that’s ideal for low-pressure first dates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes on weekdays or early evenings, but weekend prime time is tough without a reservation — bar seating is your best walk-in option.
Is it kid-friendly? Not especially — the space is small, geared toward adults, and better suited for teens or older rather than young children.
Best For
Better for: Handmade pasta craftsmanship, focused menu execution, and a tightly curated lasagna experience that feels more chef-driven than most neighborhood Italian spots.
Skip if: You’re looking for a traditional red-sauce family-style Italian restaurant, large group dining, or a broad menu with pizza and classic American-Italian staples.
Nonna Dora's
8.5
Nonna Dora's 2nd Avenue pasta bar serves handmade shapes and ragùs in a narrow Kips Bay room that feels more like a neighborhood atelier than a big-night-out destination. Pasta tastings and a tight antipasti list keep the focus on dough, sauces, and a long family history of noodle-making.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cavatelli with broccoli rabe and toasted almonds, Ravioli per Olivia in Sicilian pistachio sauce, Orecchiette in rabbit ragù
Scores:
Value: 6.7
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 7.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Handmade pastas from a multigenerational Pugliese pasta maker in a low-key room.
Who should go: Pasta obsessives willing to splurge a bit
When to visit: Early evening seatings for a quieter tasting-style experience
What to order: Cavatelli, ravioli per Olivia, orecchiette tasting-style
Insider tip: Consider the pasta tasting to sample multiple shapes without over-ordering.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive after 6pm; nearest paid garages are on 2nd and 3rd Avenue within a 2–3 block walk.
Dress code: Smart casual to dressy-casual — jeans are fine, but most guests lean polished.
Noise level: Moderate — intimate and lively, but still easy to carry a conversation.
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes without a reservation
Weekday lunch: 10–20 minutes, often no wait outside of peak noon rush
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several vegetarian pastas and antipasti are always available.
Vegan options: Limited — a few olive-oil-based pasta preparations can be adapted.
Gluten-free options: Limited — gluten-free pasta is occasionally offered but not guaranteed daily.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the narrow, candlelit room and shared plates create an intimate, relaxed vibe without feeling overly formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes on early weeknights or right at opening, but weekends and prime dinner hours almost always require a reservation.
Is it kid-friendly? Better for teens than small kids — the space is tight and the menu is more about refined pasta than kid classics.
Best For
Better for: Handmade pasta craftsmanship, tasting-style ordering, and a quiet, date-forward atmosphere.
Skip if: You’re looking for big portions, loud group dining, or budget-friendly Italian.
Nonna Dora's
8.7
Nonna Dora’s is a pasta-centric Italian restaurant in Kips Bay where hand-rolled shapes and long-simmered sauces turn dinner into a family event. The space feels refined but not fussy, and kids who like pasta can share bowls of ravioli, orecchiette, and tagliatelle while adults explore a deeper list of regional dishes and wines.
Must-Try Dishes:
Nonna’s Ravioli, Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe, Pappardelle al Ragù
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.5
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Handmade pasta bar built around Nonna-style shapes and sauces cooked to order.
Who should go: Pasta-obsessed families willing to spend a bit more for quality.
When to visit: Early evening seatings when the room is calmer and more kid-friendly.
What to order: Nonna’s ravioli, orecchiette with broccoli rabe, pappardelle al ragù.
Insider tip: Order a couple of pastas for the table and ask staff to split them so kids can sample different shapes without over-ordering.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive after 6pm; paid garages are available within 1–2 blocks.
Dress code: Smart casual to dressy casual — jeans are fine, but many diners lean polished.
Noise level: Moderate — energetic dining room but still easy to hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes without a reservation
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several vegetable-based pastas, salads, and antipasti.
Vegan options: Limited — a few pasta and vegetable dishes can be adapted on request.
Gluten-free options: Limited — some gluten-free pasta substitutions available, but cross-contamination is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — it feels intimate and polished without being intimidating, making it great for relaxed conversation over shared plates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possibly on weekday early evenings or late nights, but reservations are strongly recommended for weekends.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — best for kids who love pasta; quieter early seatings work well for ages 6+.
Best For
Better for: Handmade pasta quality, refined family-style dining, and a polished-but-warm atmosphere.
Skip if: You want casual pizza-and-red-sauce energy, fast service, or budget-friendly Italian.
Nonna Dora's
8.8
Nonna Dora’s in Kips Bay is a handmade pasta bar where nonna-style shapes, long-simmered ragùs, and tasting menus turn dinner into a proper date-night ritual. The room feels intimate but lively, with an open view of the pasta craft and a wine list that rewards lingering over one more course.
Must-Try Dishes:
Orecchiette in rabbit ragù, Dora’s Lasagna with béchamel, Pappardelle del Ristoro with wild boar ragù
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: Handmade pasta bar built around Nonna-style shapes and slow ragùs.
Who should go: Pasta-obsessed couples willing to splurge a bit.
When to visit: Early evening seatings for a calmer, romantic room.
What to order: Pasta tasting, orecchiette rabbit ragù, Dora’s Lasagna.
Insider tip: Book the pasta tasting menu and ask staff to pace courses slowly.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive after 6pm; nearby paid garages on 2nd Avenue typically run $25–$40 for dinner service.
Dress code: Elevated smart casual to dressy — dark jeans are fine, but most guests lean toward date-night chic.
Noise level: Moderate-lively — energetic room but still easy to hold a conversation across the table.
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes without a reservation; reservations strongly recommended.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days; occasional short wait during peak noon hour.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several vegetable-forward pastas and antipasti can be ordered fully vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — a few pasta dishes can be modified, but this is not a vegan-focused kitchen.
Gluten-free options: Limited — no dedicated gluten-free pasta program; cross-contamination possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the intimate room, open pasta counter, and dinner-pace service create natural conversation flow without feeling stiff or overly formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes on early weeknights if you arrive right at opening, but weekends and prime dinner hours are tough without booking ahead.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young kids — this is a tasting-menu, wine-forward date-night spot better suited to adults and older teens.
Best For
Better for: More intimate, craft-driven pasta experience and true date-night pacing than most neighborhood Italian spots in Kips Bay.
Skip if: You want quick casual Italian, large portions for sharing with kids, or a lower price point.