Best Italian Restaurants in Long Island City-Hunters Point
10 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Manducatis
Old-country Italian comfort cooking in a low-key LIC setting.
Notable Picks
#1
Manducatis
8.3
A tucked-away, old-country Italian institution feel where people come for familiar plates done with steady confidence. Lasagna fits the room’s DNA—order it when you want the most classic, unapologetically hearty expression of the kitchen.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lasagna, Chicken Parmesan, Shrimp Scampi
What makes it special: Old-country Italian comfort cooking in a low-key LIC setting.
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.
#3
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.
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.
#5
Go Nonna
8
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
7.9
A waterfront Italian hang with a bigger-room energy where pasta and pizza are meant to be shared, not micromanaged. The bolognese lasagna is the right pick when you want a hearty anchor that holds up against the room’s buzz and views.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bolognese Lasagna, Pizza, Fettuccine Osteria
What makes it special: Waterfront Italian with a shareable menu and big-scene energy.
A straightforward neighborhood pizza-and-bar stop where the move is to order for coverage, not excess—one classic pie, one more aggressive topping pie, and a salad to reset. It’s the kind of place you use for an easy group meal when you want predictability and speed more than a destination moment.
Must-Try Dishes:
Plain cheese slice/pie, Pepperoni pie, Caesar salad
What makes it special: Reliable neighborhood pizza with an easy bar-and-slice setup.
#8
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.
#9
Lucky Pizza
7.6
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Late Night Legends
A convenience-first neighborhood slice counter where lasagna shows up in a very LIC way—on top of a pizza, built for fast satisfaction. Treat it like a guilty-pleasure specialty order and keep expectations aligned with grab-and-go execution.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lasagna Pizza, Cheese Slice, Chicken Fingers
What makes it special: Lasagna-meets-pizza comfort built for fast, cheap cravings.
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.