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Casa Louie
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Casa Louie
7.7
This Hudson Yards newcomer specializes in both square and round pizzas alongside pastas under $25, with standout gluten-free options including dedicated GF pizza crust. The stylish, dog-friendly space with outdoor seating fills a needed neighborhood gap near the Javits Center.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hot Louie Pizza, Carbonara Pizza, Meatballs Marinara
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.4
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 8
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: Best gluten-free pizza options in Midtown West with outdoor dining
Who should go: Families, gluten-free diners, and Hudson Yards/Javits visitors
When to visit: Weekend brunch or weeknight dinner with outdoor seating
What to order: Hot Louie vodka pizza, dry-aged beef meatballs, 50/50 cocktail
Insider tip: Ask about the house-made GF square crust for $4 extra on any pizza
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated parking—Hudson Yards garages nearby ($30-45 for 2 hrs) or street metered parking on 10th Ave. Subway (7 to 34th St-Hudson Yards) is easiest
Dress code: Casual elegant—jeans work fine, but the stylish exposed-brick interior invites you to dress up a bit if you want
Noise level: Lively—can get noisy when full, especially during Javits event nights. Outdoor patio is quieter for conversation
Weekend wait: 20-30 min without reservation; book via Resy or OpenTable recommended
Weekday lunch: Typically seated immediately—neighborhood crowds are manageable
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple pizza and pasta options including margherita, funghi, and vegetable-focused dishes
Vegan options: Limited—menu indicates vegan options available; ask server for current selections
Gluten-free options: Exceptional—house-made GF square pizza crust (+$4), GF pasta (+$4), strict protocols with separate pans and flag markers on plates. Shared kitchen, but staff is highly knowledgeable about celiac needs
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—the warm exposed-brick interior, cocktail program (try the 50/50), and shareable pizzas create a relaxed but stylish vibe. Request outdoor seating in warm weather for a more intimate feel, or grab counter seats at the bar for something casual.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Weekdays usually yes, especially for lunch or early dinner. Weekend evenings and during Javits Center events fill up fast—same-day reservations on Resy or OpenTable are easy to snag and highly recommended.
Is it kid-friendly? Absolutely—pizza is universally loved, portions are shareable, and the staff is warm and accommodating. Sunday brunch includes a complimentary mimosa for parents, and the vanilla gelato is a kid favorite. Wheelchair accessible with space for strollers.
Best For
Better for: Celiac-safe pizza that actually tastes great (from the Friedman's team who built their reputation on GF), dog-friendly patio dining, and modern Italian near the Javits Center without tourist-trap vibes
Skip if: You want traditional red-sauce Italian—this is coastal-modern with creative touches like hot honey on pizza. Also skip if you need a fully dedicated GF kitchen with zero cross-contamination risk
Casa Louie
7.7
A Hudson Yards-area Italian dining room where the pizza lane is built around thicker, more substantial pies rather than classic paper-thin slices. It works best as a sit-down comfort meal: split a signature pie, add one pasta or parm, and treat dessert as non-optional.
Must-Try Dishes:
Vodka pie, Chicken parm, Tiramisu
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 7.4
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 7.8
Cultural Relevance: 6.9
What makes it special: A sit-down Italian spot where the pizza is a hearty centerpiece.
Who should go: Date nights wanting pizza plus pasta.
When to visit: Weeknights for a calmer room.
What to order: Vodka pie, chicken parm, tiramisu.
Insider tip: Split one pie and one entrée—portions stack quickly if you go all-in on pasta too.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is very limited in Hudson Yards; expect to use a nearby paid garage within a few blocks. Driving is doable but not convenient.
Dress code: Smart casual to date-night dressy. Jeans are fine if styled well; many guests lean polished.
Noise level: Moderate. You can comfortably hold a conversation, though the room gets livelier during peak dinner hours.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, especially Friday and Saturday after 7pm.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or very short wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple vegetarian pizzas, pastas, and salads make this an easy choice.
Vegan options: Limited — a few vegetable-forward dishes can be modified, but it’s not a vegan-first menu.
Gluten-free options: Limited — some gluten-free adjustments are possible, but pizza and pasta options are constrained.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially if you want something warmer and more substantial than a slice joint. The room feels polished but not stiff, and sharing a pie plus one entrée keeps the meal interactive without overcommitting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes on weeknights or early evenings. For weekend dinner, a reservation is strongly recommended unless you’re comfortable waiting at the bar.
Is it kid-friendly? Reasonably so. The menu has crowd-pleasing pastas and pizza, but the vibe skews more date-night and group dinner than family-focused.
Best For
Better for: Sit-down Italian comfort meals with a hearty pizza-and-pasta combination in a stylish setting.
Skip if: You’re craving classic thin-crust NYC slices or a quick, budget-friendly pizza stop — lighter, faster pizza-focused spots will suit you better.
Casa Louie
7.7
An Italian comfort-leaning spot with a notably explicit gluten-free lane: house-made gluten-free square crust, marked gluten-free dishes, and GF desserts. It’s not a dedicated gluten-free facility, but the menu structure makes careful ordering straightforward. Best for a low-drama sit-down meal when gluten-free is a requirement, not a preference.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sicilian square pie on house-made gluten-free crust, Shrimp scampi over gluten-free pasta, Tiramisu (GF)
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 6.9
What makes it special: House-made gluten-free crust and clearly marked GF dishes.
Who should go: Gluten-free diners craving real Italian comfort
When to visit: Early dinner before the neighborhood stacks up
What to order: GF square pie, GF pasta, GF tiramisu
Insider tip: Tell your server immediately—kitchen isn’t GF-only.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Paid parking garages throughout Hudson Yards; street parking is limited and competitive after 6pm.
Dress code: Smart casual—jeans are fine, but many diners lean slightly dressy for dinner.
Noise level: Moderate—lively but still comfortable for conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation; reservations strongly recommended.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or a short 5–10 minute wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several pasta, pizza, and vegetable-driven dishes can be ordered vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited—some pasta and vegetable sides can be modified, but not a core strength.
Gluten-free options: Yes—house-made gluten-free square crust, clearly marked GF dishes, and gluten-free desserts; not a dedicated GF facility.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—comfortable Italian food, a polished but relaxed room, and manageable noise make it low-pressure and conversation-friendly.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible on weekdays or early evenings, but weekend dinners often fill up—booking ahead avoids a wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Moderately—kids are welcome and pasta options work well, but the overall vibe skews more date night than family-centric.
Best For
Better for: Gluten-free diners who want real Italian comfort food—pizza, pasta, and dessert—without complicated ordering.
Skip if: You want a fully dedicated gluten-free kitchen, a budget-friendly Italian meal, or a high-energy nightlife scene.
Casa Louie
7.8
A newer, neighborhood-leaning Italian spot that works well for a low-key date: airy room, friendly pacing, and red-sauce comfort executed with care. It shines when you treat it like a sharing table—one pizza, one pasta, one salad—then call it early and happy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Upside-down pizza, Sicilian-style slice or square, Arancini
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 6.9
What makes it special: Newer Italian comfort spot with a strong share-table rhythm.
Who should go: Couples who want casual, not chaotic.
When to visit: Weeknight dinner for easiest seating.
What to order: Upside-down pizza, a pasta, arancini.
Insider tip: Split one pizza and one pasta—timing lands smoother than two mains.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; limited and competitive after 6pm. Rideshare or walking is easier in Hell’s Kitchen.
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual. Jeans and a nice top are fine; no need to dress up.
Noise level: Moderate-low. Generally easy to hold a conversation, especially earlier in the evening.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation during peak hours.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several pasta, pizza, and starter options work well for vegetarians.
Vegan options: Limited — can accommodate with simple modifications, but choices are few.
Gluten-free options: Limited — some naturally gluten-free dishes and salads; pasta substitutes may vary, ask the server.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes. The room is relaxed and unintimidating, service is friendly, and the shareable menu keeps things easy and conversational without feeling rushed or loud.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes on weeknights or earlier evenings. On weekends, expect a short wait unless you arrive early or book ahead.
Is it kid-friendly? Reasonably so — pizza and simple pastas work for kids, but the vibe leans more date-night and adult than family-focused.
Best For
Better for: Low-key dates, casual sharing, and neighborhood-style Italian that feels comfortable rather than scene-driven.
Skip if: You want a buzzy, high-energy room or a polished special-occasion experience — louder or more upscale Italian spots nearby will suit that better.