Best Italian Restaurants in Long Island City (11101)
7 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Il Falco
Specials-driven Italian cooking with a patio and a classic LIC feel.
Notable Picks
#1
Il Falco
8.4
A classic-leaning Italian dining room with a menu that does its best work on nightly specials and old-school favorites. The vibe is date-friendly without being formal, and the kitchen’s strengths show up in seafood pastas, veal, and desserts that feel made for lingering.
Must-Try Dishes:
Branzino, Burrata, Tiramisu
What makes it special: Specials-driven Italian cooking with a patio and a classic LIC feel.
8.3
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
Business Lunch Power Players
A long-running neighborhood Italian spot where wood-fired pizza and hearty pastas anchor the menu. It’s the kind of place locals return to for familiar favorites, a comfortable room, and an easy dinner rhythm that works for groups or low-key dates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita pizza, Eggplant parmigiana, Gnocchi
What makes it special: Wood-fired pizza and classic pastas in a true LIC local standby.
8.2
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Comfort Food Classics
An old-school Southern Italian room that feels built for celebrations, with a backyard setup that shines in warm weather. The menu sticks to comforting classics—pastas, gnocchi, and gelato—served in a way that favors lingering over rushing.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gnocchi, Pasta specials, Gelato
What makes it special: Old-school Italian hospitality with a backyard built for gatherings.
#4
Levante
8.2
A pizza-forward Italian spot with big ceilings, a full bar, and a backyard that makes it feel like a neighborhood hangout with room to breathe. The move is to treat it as a pizza-and-a-few-plates night, leaning into the pies and letting the bar carry the pacing.
Must-Try Dishes:
Neapolitan-style pizza, Pesto pasta, Panna cotta
What makes it special: Pizza-first Italian with a big bar and a standout backyard space.
#5
Go Nonna
8.0
A small, personality-filled neighborhood spot mixing Italian comfort with a light Argentinian touch. It’s best when you order like a regular—pick one pasta, one hearty main, and let the room’s cozy energy do the rest.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gnocchi alla Sorrentina, Carbonara, Milanesa napolitana
What makes it special: Italian comfort dishes with a subtle Argentinian accent and cozy vibe.
Worthy Picks
#6
sLICe LIC
7.6
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Late Night Legends
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A neighborhood slice-and-delivery operation that covers the basics well when you want Italian comfort fast. Treat it like a grab-and-go stop—pick a couple slices or a classic pie, add one side, and keep moving.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita slice, Pepperoni slice, Meatballs
What makes it special: Reliable LIC slice shop for fast pizza-and-sides comfort.
7.5
A newer neighborhood option built around homemade pastas, thin-crust pizzas, and a wine-and-cocktails program that fits a casual night out. It’s a solid pick when you want Italian comfort with a modern, relaxed feel rather than a formal dining room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Homemade pasta, Thin-crust pizza, Espresso martini
What makes it special: Homemade pasta and pizza with a wine-forward, casual sit-down vibe.