Best Italian Restaurants in New York
50 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Torrisi
Michelin-starred Italian-American with a nod to NYC's immigrant culinary history in a stunning Puck Building setting
Essential Picks
#1
Torrisi
9.3
Inside the landmark Puck Building, this Michelin-starred Italian-American restaurant from the Major Food Group team delivers inventive takes on NYC culinary traditions. Wood-paneled elegance meets downtown cool with servers in dinner jackets, while the kitchen turns out refined dishes like tortellini pomodoro and Dover sole Francese.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tortellini Pomodoro, Italian & American Hams with Zeppole, Affogato
What Makes it Special: Michelin-starred Italian-American with a nod to NYC's immigrant culinary history in a stunning Puck Building setting
#2
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
#3
Rao's
9.2
Rao’s is the tiny East Harlem Italian institution that’s nearly impossible to book, with just a handful of tables, celebrity-tinged regulars, and family-style service. If you can get in, it becomes a once-in-a-while romantic splurge built around classic meatballs, lemon chicken, and a room that hasn’t really changed in decades.
Must-Try Dishes:
Rao’s Famous Meatballs, Double Broiled Lemon Chicken, Seafood Salad
What Makes it Special: Tiny, reservation-locked Italian room where 120-plus years of regulars, family recipes, and stories make dinner feel like a private club.
#4
Ai Fiori
9.1
Located within the Langham Hotel, this Michelin-recognized destination from Chef Michael White delivers refined French-Italian Riviera cuisine with impeccable execution. Handmade pastas and a Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning list of over 1,000 selections elevate the experience, while the elegant dining room with Fifth Avenue views sets the stage for special occasions.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sagne Pasta with Braised Rabbit, Hiramasa Crudo, Risotto ai Funghi
What Makes it Special: Michelin-recognized Riviera cuisine with Wine Spectator Grand Award wine program
#5
Marea
9.1
A Michelin-starred Central Park South institution specializing in coastal Italian seafood with high-gloss technique. The crudo program and house-made pastas remain the calling cards, served in a power-dining room that feels celebratory without going stuffy. Expensive, but the kitchen’s precision keeps it destination-worthy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fusilli with octopus and bone marrow, Crudo tasting, Gnocchetti with lobster
What Makes it Special: Seafood-driven Italian mastery in a Michelin setting.
#6
Don Angie
9
Don Angie, opened in 2017 by chefs Angie Rito and Scott Tacinelli, serves inventive Italian-American dishes in a compact, highly sought-after dining room. A former Michelin-star holder and one of NYC’s hardest reservations, it’s known for showpiece pastas and rich, shareable mains.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pinwheel lasagna for two, Buffalo milk caramelle, Chrysanthemum salad
What Makes it Special: Signature dishes like the pinwheel lasagna and buffalo milk caramelle have become modern NYC Italian icons.
9
Una Pizza Napoletana is Anthony Mangieri’s obsessively focused Neapolitan pizzeria, where a short menu of wood-fired pies and gelato draws serious pizza fans from around the world. The Lower East Side room is minimalist but warm, and the combination of long ferments, limited reservations, and global accolades makes each pie feel like an event.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita pizza, Marinara pizza, Bianca pizza
What Makes it Special: World-class Neapolitan pies made by a single, obsessive pizzaiolo.
Notable Picks
8.9
This women-owned Northern Italian landmark has defined Park Slope dining since 1998, serving seasonal pastas and braised meats in an intimate dining room with pressed tin ceilings and mismatched chandeliers. Chef Anna Klinger's ricotta cavatelli, black squid ink spaghetti with octopus confit, and pear chocolate cake have earned Michelin recognition and devoted regulars for over 25 years.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tagliatelle with Lamb Ragu, Spaghetti Neri with Octopus Confit, Pear Chocolate Cake
What Makes it Special: 26+ year neighborhood institution with Slow Food Snail of Approval and Michelin recognition
8.9
Aurora is a long-running Williamsburg Italian restaurant known for handmade pastas, wood-fired mains, and a greenhouse-style back garden wrapped in ivy. Locals use it for date nights and small celebrations when they want rustic Northern Italian cooking in one of the neighborhood’s most atmospheric rooms.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pappardelle al ragù, Grilled octopus with potatoes, Housemade gnocchi with Gorgonzola
What Makes it Special: Rustic Northern Italian cooking served in a lush, glass-walled garden setting.
#10
Dirt Candy
8.9
Dirt Candy is Amanda Cohen’s Michelin-starred vegetable tasting-menu restaurant, where seasonal dishes like asparagus lasagna reimagine pasta through a high-end, all-veg lens in a sleek Allen Street dining room. Open since 2008 and now firmly a Lower East Side institution, it’s the most upscale, reservation-only way to experience lasagna-inspired flavors in ZIP 10002.
Must-Try Dishes:
Asparagus lasagna from the seasonal tasting menu, Carrot pizza bite from the tasting progression, Potato sundae dessert
What Makes it Special: Michelin-starred vegetable tasting menu where dishes like asparagus lasagna show how far plant-based cooking can go.
#11
Gran Morsi
8.9
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Trendy Table Hotspots
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Gran Morsi is a bi-level Tribeca Italian spot where brick-oven pizzas, house-made pastas, and shared plates are served in a softly lit, high-ceilinged room that reads naturally romantic. Couples lean on cacio e pepe, mushroom pies, and a strong wine list, while the private-dining floor and steady reservation book speak to how reliably it performs for special evenings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Forest Mushroom Pizza, Cacio e Pepe, Polpette Meatballs
What Makes it Special: Modern Italian shared plates and brick-oven pizzas in a polished, bi-level Tribeca space.
#12
L'Artusi
8.9
A long-running West Village Italian hotspot where pastas, crudo, and a deep wine list fuel a packed, high-energy dining room every night. Lines, noise, and tightly spaced tables are part of the scene, but most diners are here precisely for that mix of polished plates and buzzy atmosphere.
Must-Try Dishes:
Garganelli with mushroom ragu, Roasted chicken, Olive oil cake
What Makes it Special: Refined, craveable Italian cooking with serious pastas in a perpetually buzzing room.
#13
Lucciola
8.9
Lucciola is an intimate Upper West Side Italian restaurant inspired by the cinema of Bologna, with candlelit rooms, an all-Italian wine list, and a menu that leans hard into truffle, rich pastas, and indulgent secondi. Heated outdoor pods and a reservations-driven dinner service make it one of the neighborhood’s most reliably romantic options for special-occasion Italian dining.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cacio e Pepe, Wagyu Beef Cheek Stracotto, Truffle Burrata Pinsa
What Makes it Special: Cinematic, truffle-forward Bologna-style cooking in a cozy, pod-lined corner space.
#14
Nonna Dora's
8.9
Nonna Dora's is a Kips Bay pasta bar where Dora’s Lasagna, layered with meat sauce and béchamel, anchors a tight list of handmade noodles. Open since 2022, it draws pasta obsessives for carefully crafted plates, negroni variations, and counter seating that works for both dates and solo meals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dora’s Lasagna, Maccheroncini Grano Arso, Pappardelle del Ristoro
What Makes it Special: Handmade pasta bar where Dora’s Lasagna is a headline dish.
8.9
Paola's is a Carnegie Hill fixture for Roman-leaning pastas, osso buco, and secondi served in a candlelit townhouse room that feels built for date nights and celebratory dinners. Multi-decade regulars rely on it for polished service, a deep Italian wine list, and consistently well-executed classics before or after a Met visit.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cacio e Pepe, Osso Buco, Pasta Pomodoro e Burrata
What Makes it Special: Long-running Carnegie Hill Italian where Roman pastas meet white-tablecloth warmth.
#16
Santi
8.9
Chef Michael White's triumphant return to NYC brings six Michelin stars of pedigree to this sophisticated Midtown destination. The handmade pastas showcase White's mastery of Emilia-Romagna techniques, with the garganelli and tortellini earning particular acclaim from serious Italian food devotees.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tri-Colored Garganelli with Scallops, Orecchiette with Blue Crab and Uni, Delizie al Limone
What Makes it Special: Six-time Michelin-starred Chef Michael White's flagship return to Manhattan with handmade pasta perfection
#17
Via Carota
8.9
Via Carota is Jody Williams and Rita Sodi’s gastroteca, a walk-in friendly West Village trattoria serving rustic, market-driven Italian with James Beard–recognized cooking. Expect seasonal vegetable plates, exemplary pastas, and an always-busy dining room that still feels neighborhood-first.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cacio e pepe, Insalata verde, Grilled artichokes
What Makes it Special: A James Beard–decorated, Michelin-recognized trattoria that marries simple Tuscan-inspired cooking with serious NYC buzz.
#18
Audace NYC
8.8
Audace sits on Park Avenue South with a glamorous dining room and rooftop-adjacent bar, channeling modern Italian fine dining through handmade pastas, elaborate pizzas and plated mains. It’s built for special-occasion nights where cocktails, skyline peeks and richly sauced courses all matter as much as the food.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pizza Audace, Linguine ai Gamberi di Mazara, Tortello Cacio e Pepe Napoletano
What Makes it Special: Design-forward Italian dining room with elaborate pastas, signature pizzas and rooftop-adjacent energy.
#19
Barbetta
8.8
NYC's oldest Italian restaurant (since 1906), still family-owned, specializing in Piemontese cuisine with house-made agnolotti and white truffle risotto. The 18th-century antique-filled dining room and verdant garden patio transport diners to old-world elegance, earning Wine Spectator Awards of Excellence for its 1,700-label cellar.
Must-Try Dishes:
House-made Agnolotti, Risotto with White Truffle, Slow Roasted Piemontese Rabbit with Polenta
What Makes it Special: NYC's oldest Italian restaurant with a stunning garden patio and 118 years of family ownership
#20
Cecconi's Dumbo
8.8
Cecconi’s Dumbo is a waterfront Italian restaurant in the Empire Stores complex where dressed-up diners eat hand-made pasta and pizza under vaulted ceilings and chandeliers or on a covered patio facing the skyline. It’s more about the full scene—views, cocktails, and polished service—than chasing the best value in town.
Must-Try Dishes:
Zucchini fritti with lemon aioli, Cacio e pepe, Wood-fired pizza with seasonal toppings
What Makes it Special: A high-ceilinged, waterfront Italian dining room where hand-made pasta and pizzas share equal billing with Manhattan skyline views.
8.8
A Hell's Kitchen stalwart since 2004, owner Antonino Pecora has built a devoted following with house-made pastas, exceptional seafood, and the signature Insalata Gelato featuring tomato gelato. The intimate three-room setting with full bar creates a genuine Italian trattoria atmosphere just blocks from Broadway.
Must-Try Dishes:
Insalata Gelato, Lobster Ravioli, Lamb Chops
What Makes it Special: Signature tomato gelato salad and 20+ years of consistent quality
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
8.8
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Birthday & Celebration Central
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
An old-school Queens Italian dining room known for classic red-sauce plates, hefty portions, and a lively, reservation-driven evening scene. Locals use it for family milestones and nostalgic dinners where veal, pasta, and seafood carry the night more than trend-chasing.
Must-Try Dishes:
Veal Parmigiana, Truffle & Mushroom Fettuccini, Linguine with Clam Sauce
What Makes it Special: Vintage Queens Italian with big plates and a celebratory feel.
8.8
Sicilian chef Philip Guardione’s Uptown outpost turns house-made pastas and baked dishes like Lasagna della Mamma Rosa into a polished, bustling experience steps from Central Park. Expect tightly packed tables, a balcony level, and a wine-forward crowd that treats this as both date-night spot and pre-park pasta stop.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lasagna della Mamma Rosa, Pasta alla Norma, Spaghetti cacio e pepe
What Makes it Special: High-energy Sicilian dining with serious pastas and a balcony setting.
#25
Scarr's Pizza
8.8
Scarr’s is a Lower East Side slice shop with old-school looks and new-school craft, milling some of its own flour and topping pies with carefully sourced ingredients. Lines move steadily for classic rounds, Sicilian squares, and a small menu of sides that make it a destination for both locals and pizza pilgrims.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pepperoni slice, Sicilian square slice, Vegan Caesar salad
What Makes it Special: Slice-shop nostalgia backed by serious grain and ingredient work.
8.8
A century-plus East Village institution for old-school Italian pastries, with cannoli, rainbow cookies, and ricotta-forward classics that still taste hand-crafted. The room feels like a preserved slice of New York dessert history, and the case is deep enough to reward repeat visits.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic ricotta cannoli, Rainbow cookies, New York-style cheesecake
What Makes it Special: Serving the East Village since 1894 with a vast Italian pastry canon.
8.7
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
A few blocks off Arthur Avenue, Antonio’s Trattoria has been drawing steady crowds since the late 2000s with a long menu of red-sauce Italian and a strong focus on fresh pastas and lasagna di casa. It feels more like a busy neighborhood dining room than a destination temple, which is exactly why locals return weekly.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lasagna di Casa, Chicken Parmigiana, Gnocchi Bolognese
What Makes it Special: Bustling neighborhood trattoria where Nonna-style pastas headline a huge menu.
8.7
This neighborhood Italian spot offers a cozy ambiance with a seasonal menu that highlights fresh ingredients and classic Italian flavors. Locals love their flavorful pasta and wine selection.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pasta alla Vodka, Osso Buco, Tiramisu
What Makes it Special: Seasonal menu and rustic Italian dishes in a cozy setting.
8.7
Vibes:
Late Night Legends
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A long-running East Village slice counter known for reliably crisp, thin New York–style pies at truly late hours. The cheese and pepperoni staples hit the sweet spot of salty, stretchy, and lightly charred, and the shop keeps quality steady even deep into the night. Since 1997, it’s been a default post-bar stop for the neighborhood.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic Cheese Slice, Pepperoni Slice, White Pie Slice
What Makes it Special: High-volume, decades-old slice shop that stays sharp after midnight.
8.7
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Business Lunch Power Players
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Trendy Table Hotspots
A massive Italian marketplace that delivers real Italian staples at scale—fresh pasta, salumi, pastries, and multiple counters that make it easy to eat well without committing to a single dining room. Best used like a choose-your-own-Italian-night: start with an espresso, graze through a couple of focused bites, then finish with gelato.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fresh pasta (seasonal shapes), Neapolitan-style pizza, Gelato
What Makes it Special: A true Italian market where you can eat, shop, and graze in one stop.
8.7
El Tanque Trattoria Bar is a Dominican-Italian trattoria in Inwood where wood-fired lasagna, orecchiette, and classic antipasti sit under a floral ceiling and a lively bar scene. Baked lasagna comes as a layered, oven-finished slab with ground sirloin, basil-tomato sauce, and mozzarella, making it one of the most sought-after pasta plates in the neighborhood.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baked Lasagna, Rigatoni alla Bolognese, Penne Alla Vodka
What Makes it Special: Wood-fired lasagna and pastas served in a stylish, Dominican-Italian trattoria setting.
#32
Flora
8.7
This Michelin Bib Gourmand winner from Italian-born owners Emiliano and Rossella imports ingredients directly from the Amalfi Coast, crafting bell-shaped ricotta di bufala ravioli, truffle gnocchi, and a delizia al limone that Michelin calls a bite of sunshine. Intimate and unhurried, it's authentic Southern Italian at its finest.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lemon Ricotta Ravioli with Bottarga, Truffle Gnocchi, Delizia al Limone
What Makes it Special: Michelin Bib Gourmand with direct Amalfi Coast imports
#33
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
#34
Il Brigante
8.7
Cozy South Street Seaport trattoria focused on southern Italian cooking, where Lasagna di Carne and wood-fired pies anchor a compact menu. Regulars treat it as their neighborhood sit-down Italian, especially for hearty baked pastas and long dinners outside.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lasagna di Carne, Spaghetti alla carbonara, Paesana pizza
What Makes it Special: Seaport trattoria where classic baked lasagna is a core draw.
8.7
A nearly century-old Gravesend institution known for upside-down Sicilian square pies, red-sauce Italian classics, and rainbow spumoni. Crowds, picnic tables, and high-volume service make it more of a lively, destination pizzeria than a quiet sit-down trattoria.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sicilian square pizza, Regular cheese slice, Rainbow spumoni
What Makes it Special: Decades-old Gravesend landmark for Sicilian square pies and spumoni.
#36
La Masseria NYC
8.7
Puglian farmhouse-inspired dining from Chef Pino Coladonato featuring authentic Southern Italian cuisine with house-made mozzarella and grandmother's recipes. The rustic stone walls and antique farm tools create a warm escape from Times Square with over 7,000 reviews validating consistent excellence.
Must-Try Dishes:
Scialatielli with Wild Mushrooms, Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe, Ricotta Cheesecake
What Makes it Special: Authentic Puglian farmhouse atmosphere with owner-operators present daily
8.7
La Pecora Bianca’s Upper West Side outpost pairs a stylish two-story room and enclosed patio with house-made pastas, Neapolitan-style pizzas, and a spritz-focused bar program. A kid-friendly, gluten-free–aware setup and Central Park–adjacent location make it a polished but practical choice for families planning brunch or dinner around museum time.
Must-Try Dishes:
Rigatoni vodka, Tagliatelle bolognese, Margherita pizza
What Makes it Special: Polished all-day Italian with house-made pasta, Neapolitan pies, and spritzes.
8.7
Lillo is a tiny, cash-only Roman trattoria in Cobble Hill where pastas, sandwiches, and pastries come out of a minuscule kitchen with outsized flavor. Locals line up for deeply comforting classics that rarely crack $25, trading space and amenities for food that tastes like a neighborhood secret.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cacio e pepe, Rigatoni all’amatriciana, Bombolone filled with Nutella
What Makes it Special: A six-table Roman cafe where simple pastas and sandwiches overdeliver for the price.
#39
Norma
8.7
Norma’s Murray Hill outpost leans into Sicilian comfort cooking, from arancini and panelle to richly sauced pasta alla Norma and pan-style pizzas. The cozy room and attentive staff make it a go-to for lingering dinners that feel more like a trattoria in Catania than a Third Avenue address.
Must-Try Dishes:
Arancini Siciliani, Pasta alla Norma, Rianata Sicilian Pan Pizza
What Makes it Special: Sicilian-focused trattoria known for arancini, pasta alla Norma and warm hospitality.
#40
Pisticci
8.7
Pisticci is a Morningside Heights trattoria opened in 2002 by Michael Forte, known for homestyle pastas made with produce from its own Pisticci Full Circle Farm. The brick-and-wood, cellar-like space feels built for dates, Columbia meetups, and family dinners where big bowls of rigatoni and penne hit the table alongside Italian wines.
Must-Try Dishes:
Penne Pisticci, Rigatoni alla Vodka, Fettuccine Ai Funghi
What Makes it Special: A farm-linked neighborhood trattoria where long-running pastas, warm service, and a cozy cellar room anchor Italian comfort in Morningside Heights.
#41
Pizza Secret
8.7
Pizza Secret is a wood-burning Neapolitan pizzeria from pizzaiolo-owner Rosario Granieri, turning out blistered pies and Italian plates a short walk from Barclays. With a 50 Top Pizza USA listing and strong Google and Yelp ratings, it’s the polished late-night choice when you still want serious pizza and a real sit-down experience after games or concerts.
Must-Try Dishes:
Montanara double-cooked pizza, Americana pepperoni pie with hot honey, Tartufo truffle pizza
What Makes it Special: Award-noted Neapolitan pies from a third-generation Naples-trained pizzaiolo.
#42
Positano
8.7
A Bay Ridge stalwart for Italian-American classics and seafood-forward pasta, Positano balances traditional flavors with a polished presentation that locals return to time and again. The vibrant yet comfortable dining room makes it a reliable choice for special dinners or group gatherings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Linguine Frutti di Mare, Rigatoni alla Vodka, Seafood Risotto
What Makes it Special: Seafood-rich Italian classics with Italian-American polish
#43
Rubirosa
8.7
This NoLita institution from the Pappalardo family serves thin-crust pizza using a recipe from their Staten Island original, Joe & Pat's. The signature Tie-Dye pie swirled with vodka sauce and pesto tableside has achieved iconic status, but the handmade pastas like carbonara and cavatelli are equally impressive.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tie-Dye Pizza, Vodka Pie, Carbonara
What Makes it Special: Multi-generational family pizza recipe that bridges old and new Little Italy
#44
Scalini Fedeli
8.7
A prix-fixe Tribeca dining room built for classic, quietly luxurious Italian nights—tight pacing, polished service, and a menu that leans into pastas and refined mains over flash. It’s the kind of place you pick when you want the meal to feel like an occasion without the room feeling theatrical.
Must-Try Dishes:
Egg yolk raviolo, Handmade gnocchi, Tiramisu
What Makes it Special: Prix-fixe Italian in a serene Tribeca fine-dining room.
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
Tony's Di Napoli on Third Avenue is a high-energy, family-style Italian restaurant where huge platters of chicken parm, rigatoni alla vodka, and baked pastas are meant for sharing. With thousands of reviews across platforms and steady crowds, it’s a reliable choice for big groups and celebrations who want classic New York Italian without overthinking the menu. Expect noise, large portions, and a festive, always-in-motion dining room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Parmigiana, Rigatoni alla Vodka, Fried Calamari
What Makes it Special: Loud, family-style institution known for giant shareable platters and energy.
#46
Uncle Peter's
8.7
This 2001-opened Jackson Heights institution delivers Italian classics with Argentine and Spanish influences, earning its TripAdvisor #1 ranking through impeccable seafood preparations, housemade pastas, and gaucho-style steaks. The warm, white-tableclothed dining room has become the neighborhood's go-to for celebrations and special occasions.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seafood Salad alla Venezia, Scaloppine Marsala, Gaucho-Style Ribeye with Chimichurri
What Makes it Special: Italian-Argentine fusion with owner Ernesto's personal Malbec grappa and Latin jazz ambiance
#47
Antica Pesa
8.6
Antica Pesa is the Williamsburg outpost of a longtime Roman restaurant, pairing candlelit brick walls and a back garden with a menu heavy on classic pastas and secondi. It’s a go-to for couples who want carbonara, good wine, and a slower, more old-world pace than the newer waterfront builds.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe, Rigatoni all’Amatriciana, Tiramisù della Casa
What Makes it Special: Roman-accented dining room where classic pastas and a leafy backyard skew romantic without feeling fussy.
8.6
Antica Ristorante is a longstanding Italian and steakhouse hybrid where Wall Street teams close deals over cacio e pepe, grilled seafood, and prime steaks in a white-tablecloth room just off Stone Street. With 600+ Yelp reviews and steady praise for both pasta and hospitality, it’s one of the most reliable places downtown for a formal business lunch that still feels comfortable rather than stiff.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cacio e Pepe, Rigatoni Bolognese, Prime Sirloin Steak
What Makes it Special: Old-school FiDi Italian where pastas and serious steaks share the stage for client meals.
#49
Becco
8.6
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Family Friendly Favorites
Happy Hour Hotspots
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Lidia Bastianich and son Joe's celebrated Restaurant Row institution since 1992, famous for unlimited tableside pasta service featuring three daily rotating selections. The $40 all-Italian wine list with 100+ bottles represents exceptional value in the Theater District.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sinfonia di Paste (Unlimited Pasta Trio), Osso Buco, Caesar Salad
What Makes it Special: Unlimited pasta service from celebrity chef Lidia Bastianich's family
8.6
A newer kosher Italian dining room on Avenue U built around coastal pescatarian cooking, polished service, and a quiet-luxury room that feels more Manhattan than traditional Brooklyn red-sauce. It’s priced for occasions, but the execution on seafood pastas, composed fish plates, and desserts justifies using it for serious celebrations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tuna carpaccio, Branzino with chickpeas, Tiramisu
What Makes it Special: Modern kosher Italian pescatarian dining with a softly lit, high-design room.