ZipPicks Awards
Best Steakhouse in Brooklyn Heights & Downtown Brooklyn
Best Date Night Steakhouse in Brooklyn Heights & Downtown Brooklyn
Master Critic Review
Carne by Allora
8.4
Carne by Allora is a modern Italian steakhouse inside the Hilton Brooklyn, pairing bistecca alla Fiorentina and osso buco with house-made pastas and a strong wine and cocktail list. Downtown workers and Boerum Hill residents use it for polished dinners that feel like a hotel restaurant in the best sense.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bistecca alla Fiorentina, Osso buco with saffron risotto, Pork chop scarpariello
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: Italian steakhouse where large-format bistecca and red-sauce comforts share the spotlight.
Who should go: Steak and pasta fans planning polished hotel-adjacent dinners.
When to visit: Dinner hours when the bar and dining room feel energized.
What to order: Bistecca alla Fiorentina, osso buco, pork chop scarpariello.
Insider tip: Start with a martini at the bar and split the bistecca family-style.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Hotel-adjacent garage parking is available in the Hilton Brooklyn complex; street parking on Schermerhorn and surrounding blocks is competitive after 6pm.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — elevated denim works, but most guests opt for refined tops, jackets or dresses.
Noise level: Moderate — you can hold a date-night conversation, though the bar area gets livelier during peak dinner hours.
Weekend wait: Expect 30–60 minutes without a reservation, especially for prime-time seating.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; the room stays calm and business-focused.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Moderate selection — a few vegetable antipasti and pasta dishes can satisfy non-meat eaters.
Vegan options: Limited — salads and select sides may work, but entrées skew steakhouse and Italian comfort.
Gluten-free options: Several items can be prepared gluten-free, especially steaks and some proteins; confirm pasta substitutions with the kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — polished service, strong cocktails and a luxe but not stuffy dining room make it a confident first-date pick, especially if you want a ‘grown-up’ setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often at the bar or early evening; prime dinner hours typically require reservations, especially on weekends.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat — the hotel setting is accommodating, but the menu and ambiance skew adult; older kids or teens fare better than young children.
Best For
Better for: Upscale Italian-inflected steak cuts, polished hotel-level service and a cocktail program that outshines most neighborhood steakhouses.
Consider Alternatives If: You want a classic, old-school Brooklyn steakhouse feel or prefer a more casual, family-first environment.