Best Italian Restaurants in Williamsburg (11211)
12 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Lilia
Chef Missy Robbins' Michelin-caliber handmade pastas in a converted garage with wood-fired cooking
Essential Picks
#1
Lilia
9.2
Chef Missy Robbins' wood-fired Italian destination transforms a former auto-body garage into one of Brooklyn's most sought-after dining experiences. Handmade pastas like the sheep's milk agnolotti and mafaldini with pink peppercorns showcase impeccable technique, while the grill delivers perfectly charred seafood and vegetables.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sheep's Milk Agnolotti, Cacio e Pepe Frittelle, Grilled Prawns with Fennel Pollen
What makes it special: Chef Missy Robbins' Michelin-caliber handmade pastas in a converted garage with wood-fired cooking
Notable Picks
8.8
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Hidden Gems Heaven
Florence-born ownership brings Italian precision to the quintessential New York slice. The blistered, airy crust from long-fermented dough pairs with imported Italian ingredients, while the burrata-topped slices have become social media icons. Lines wrap around the block for good reason.
Must-Try Dishes:
Burrata & Prosciutto Slice, Classic Margherita, Tartufo Pizza
What makes it special: Thin Roman-style crust with premium Italian imports redefines the NY slice
#3
I Cavallini
8.7
The Michelin-starred Four Horsemen team's Italian sibling brings Piedmont-inspired cuisine to Williamsburg with ingredient-driven seasonal plates. Dishes list components rather than names, and the 100+ Italian wine list from under-the-radar producers rivals any in the city.
Must-Try Dishes:
Farfallone with Calabrian Chili Butter, Trofie with Pesto, Sheep's Milk Agnolotti
What makes it special: Sister to Michelin-starred Four Horsemen with seasonal Italian and natural wines
#4
Ammazzacaffè
8.5
This Michelin Bib Gourmand winner surprises with inventive housemade pastas and an extensive amaro program. The candlelit interior leads to a transported-to-Umbria garden patio, while dishes like ondine with shrimp demonstrate refined technique without pretension.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ondine with Shrimp, Reginette with Pancetta, Grilled Branzino
What makes it special: Michelin-recognized Italian with 50+ amaros and a secret garden patio
#5
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
What makes it special: 125 years of family ownership in an unchanged time-capsule setting
8.1
Roman pinsa, the multigrain ancestor of pizza, arrives with a puffy interior and crisp edges from imported flour blends. The greenhouse dining room with retractable roof offers year-round outdoor vibes, while traditional cacio e pepe and seasonal specials round out the menu.
Must-Try Dishes:
Maranella Pinsa, Margherita Pinsa, Cacio e Pepe
What makes it special: NYC's only Roman pinseria with an enclosed garden and retractable glass roof
8.0
Chef Mathieu Palombino's acclaimed Neapolitan pizzeria features wood-fired pies in an airy space near the Williamsburg Bridge. The brussels sprouts pizza originated here, and the careful attention to quality ingredients distinguishes each charred, blistered pie.
Must-Try Dishes:
Brussels Sprouts Pizza, Margherita DOC, Soppressata Piccante
What makes it special: The original brussels sprouts pizza and authentic Neapolitan technique since 2006
Worthy Picks
#8
Have & Meyer
7.9
This candlelit natural wine bar offers 100+ Italian wines by the glass alongside slow-food-inspired plates. The intimate, unpretentious setting features live jazz some evenings, while pasta and charcuterie provide ideal pairing companions for orange wine exploration.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi, Grilled Octopus, Charcuterie Board
What makes it special: 90+ natural Italian wines by the glass with slow-food philosophy
#9
Ainslie
7.8
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Brewery & Beer Garden Republic
Brunch Bliss Spots
This 10,000 square-foot multi-level venue from Chef John DeLucie combines beer garden vibes with surprisingly solid Italian-American fare. Wood-fired pizzas, rosemary wings, and NY strip emerge from the open kitchen while DJs spin until 3am on weekends.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wood Fired Rosemary Wings, Saltimbocca Pizza, NY Strip Steak
What makes it special: Three-floor converted warehouse with rooftop, beer garden, and Italian fare until 3am
7.7
This 40-year family institution merges sports bar energy with serious wood-fired pizza. The Gangone family has perfected Sicilian squares and creative specialty pies, while the split-personality space offers bar dining upfront and family tables in back.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baby Pepperoni Sicilian, Grandma Vodka Pizza, Carmines Favorite Pie
What makes it special: 40 years of family ownership with wood-fired pizza and sports bar in one
7.6
Chef Aurel bridges Brooklyn roots with Roman traditions through thick Sicilian squares and creative specialty pies. The grandma slice with pepperoni sags gloriously under its toppings, while panzerotti and focaccia sandwiches expand the Italian counter-service repertoire.
Must-Try Dishes:
Grandma Pepperoni Slice, Panzerotti, Quattro Stagioni Pizza
What makes it special: Brooklyn-born chef fusing NYC and Roman pizza styles with creative toppings
7.5
A 60-year family legacy of hand-stretched mozzarella anchors this café-trattoria-grocery hybrid. Housemade burrata and fresh pasta share menu space with Italian imports, while the relaxed Metropolitan Avenue location serves breakfast through dinner daily.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hand-Stretched Burrata, Paccheri Vodka, Prosciutto Stuffed Omelette
What makes it special: 60-year family mozzarella legacy in a café-grocery-restaurant hybrid