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Bamonte's
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Bamonte's
8.2
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Group Dining Gatherings
Family Friendly Favorites
Hidden Gems Heaven
Brooklyn's oldest Italian restaurant since 1900 delivers old-world charm with bow-tied waiters, chandeliers, and generous portions of red-sauce classics. The Bamonte family still greets guests personally, and the parking lot fills nightly with celebrations spanning generations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pork Chop Alla Bamonte, Chicken Parmigiana, Baked Clams
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 8.5
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 9.5
What makes it special: 125 years of family ownership in an unchanged time-capsule setting
Who should go: Groups celebrating milestones and nostalgia seekers
When to visit: Make reservations; closed Tuesdays
What to order: Pork chop, chicken scarpariello, tiramisu
Insider tip: Ask Nicole Bamonte for stories about celebrity regulars past and present
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet parking next door, plus rare-for-Williamsburg dedicated parking lot (fills nightly with celebration-bound Escalades from Jersey). Street parking also available in this residential pocket
Dress code: Business casual - many guests dress up for the occasion to match the bow-tied waiters and chandeliers. Jeans acceptable but lean dressy; this is a celebration destination
Noise level: Moderate to lively - gets louder as the dining room fills with birthday songs and toasts. Expect bustling energy especially Sunday dinner; conversation flows but it's not intimate
Weekend wait: Reservations strongly recommended - call (718) 384-8831 directly as they're not on OpenTable. Popular for celebrations so weekend tables book up
Weekday lunch: Dinner only - opens at 5pm. Closed Tuesdays. Weeknight walk-ins often possible
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - pasta dishes, fresh salads, eggplant rollatini, stuffed artichoke. Traditional Italian-American menu has solid meatless options
Vegan options: Limited - can accommodate with modifications. Alert staff when booking; dishes are customizable
Gluten-free options: Available - staff can accommodate with advance notice. Traditional red-sauce preparations work around dietary needs
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Romantic for the right couple. The chandeliers, candlelit tables, and old-world charm set a classic mood, but this is a lively celebration destination - expect bustling energy and birthday songs at neighboring tables. Better for couples who appreciate nostalgic character over quiet intimacy. Cash-only with ATM on site.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Weeknights yes, weekends risky. Call ahead at (718) 384-8831 - they're not on OpenTable or Resy. For milestone celebrations or groups, book in advance. The bar is a comfortable spot to wait if tables are full.
Is it kid-friendly? Absolutely - this is multi-generational family dining at its finest. Kids love watching bow-tied waiters, and the family-style portions of chicken parm and spaghetti please all ages. They'll sing Happy Birthday with gusto. Yelp specifically flags it as 'Good for Kids.' The Bamonte family has hosted christenings to graduations for 125 years.
Best For
Better for: Milestone celebrations, multi-generational family dinners, and nostalgic red-sauce Italian where atmosphere matters more than cutting-edge cuisine. The only Williamsburg restaurant where your grandfather's birthday feels right at home. Parking lot is unmatched for Brooklyn, and the Bamonte family personally greeting guests creates irreplaceable warmth
Skip if: You want modern Italian, inventive pasta, or a quiet intimate dinner. The Infatuation notes 'the food is not spectacular' - you come for the experience, not culinary innovation. Cash-only may frustrate some. Closed Tuesdays. Try Lilia for elevated contemporary Italian or Ammazzacaffè for creative housemade pastas
Bamonte's
8.6
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
Birthday & Celebration Central
Bamonte's is a century-old Italian-American red-sauce institution where generations of Brooklyn families crowd big banquettes for chicken parm, ravioli, and heaping bowls of pasta in a throwback dining room. Open since 1900 and still family-run, it’s less about fussy plating and more about a warm, old-school experience that works as well for kids, parents, and grandparents as it does for nostalgic date nights.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pork chop parmigiana, Homemade cheese ravioli in red sauce, Tiramisu
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.8
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 9.2
What makes it special: Brooklyn’s oldest Italian-American restaurant with multi-generational family-style dining.
Who should go: Families wanting classic red-sauce Italian with old-school charm.
When to visit: Prime-time weekend dinners for full, lively family energy.
What to order: Pork chop parm, cheese ravioli, tiramisu.
Insider tip: Book a larger table and go family-style to sample more pastas and mains.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; can be challenging after 6pm on weekends. Most locals use rideshare or walk.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans and sneakers are perfectly fine, but many guests dress up slightly for dinner.
Noise level: Lively — energetic family dining room with steady conversation and background bustle.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, longer for larger groups.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or 10–15 minutes at most.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple pasta, ravioli, salad, and appetizer options.
Vegan options: Very limited — some pasta without cheese and basic vegetable sides can be requested.
Gluten-free options: Limited — a few naturally gluten-free mains and salads, but no dedicated pasta substitutions.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual, conversation-driven dates than romantic minimalism — it’s warm, bustling, and nostalgic rather than quiet and intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes on weekdays or for smaller parties, but weekends and groups of four or more should absolutely book ahead.
Is it kid-friendly? Very — high chairs, simple pasta options, and a relaxed environment make it suitable for toddlers through teens.
Best For
Better for: Old-school red-sauce classics, big portions, multi-generational family meals, and milestone celebrations.
Skip if: You want modern Italian, lighter seafood-focused menus, strict vegan dining, or a quiet romantic atmosphere.
Bamonte's
8.5
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Birthday & Celebration Central
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Open since 1900, Bamonte’s is a classic Italian-American dining room where white tablecloths, red sauce, and framed photos set the tone for throwback date nights. Couples come for heaping bowls of pasta, old-school service, and the feeling of stepping into a piece of Brooklyn restaurant history.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken parmigiana, Linguine with crab sauce, Seafood fra diavolo
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.7
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 9.1
Cultural Relevance: 9.3
What makes it special: Century-old Italian-American institution with big portions and even bigger nostalgia.
Who should go: Couples who love red-sauce classics and old-school charm.
When to visit: Weekend evenings for peak buzz; early weeknights for quieter dates.
What to order: Chicken parmigiana, linguine with crab sauce, tiramisu.
Insider tip: Request a booth along the wall for the coziest vantage point on the room.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; can be difficult after 6pm on weekends. Allow extra time to circle or use nearby paid garages.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy. Jeans are fine, but most guests dress up slightly for date nights.
Noise level: Moderate to lively — you can comfortably hold a conversation, but expect a classic bustling dining room energy.
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes without a reservation during peak hours
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or 10–15 minutes
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple pasta dishes, eggplant parm, salads, and vegetable sides.
Vegan options: Very limited — some pasta with marinara and simple vegetable sides with modifications.
Gluten-free options: Limited — a few naturally gluten-free options, but cross-contamination is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — it’s romantic, comfortable, and conversation-friendly, with enough nostalgic charm to feel special without being intimidating.
Can I get a table without a reservation? On weeknights, often yes with a short wait. On weekends, reservations are strongly recommended or expect a long wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who enjoy classic Italian dishes, but the vibe skews more toward adult date nights and celebrations than family dining.
Best For
Better for: Old-school Italian-American atmosphere, big portions, nostalgic charm, and celebratory group dinners.
Skip if: You want modern, lighter Italian cuisine, a trendy design-forward space, or a strictly vegan/gluten-free-friendly menu.