Best Girls Night Out Approved Italian Restaurants in Midtown East
4 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Quality Italian
Italian comfort meets steakhouse spectacle in a high-energy space.
Notable Picks
8.4
A buzzy, design-forward Italian steakhouse that’s become a Midtown fixture for big flavors and big rooms. Pastas and chops share the spotlight, with playful hits like the chicken parm pizza drawing repeat visits. Expect energy, crowding at peak times, and food that generally justifies the hype.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken parm pizza, Veal chop Milanese, Beet gnudi
What makes it special: Italian comfort meets steakhouse spectacle in a high-energy space.
#2
Il Tinello
8.3
Il Tinello delivers dependable, home‑style Italian fare with handmade pastas and a warm wine‑list — a comfortable, unpretentious spot perfect for a cozy date night. The service and gracious atmosphere make it a reliable choice downtown of the theater district.
Must-Try Dishes:
Homemade pasta carbonara, Chicken parmesan, Tiramisu dessert
What makes it special: Decades‑long tradition of handmade pasta and solid service
#3
Felice 56
8.1
A refined Tuscan wine bar-restaurant with a warm, art-forward dining room and a crowd that skews local. Pastas and grilled mains hit the classic notes with careful sourcing, and the by-the-glass list is a real asset. Works equally well for lingering dinners or a civilized aperitivo stop.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pappardelle with ragù, Bistecca tagliata, Burrata with seasonal vegetables
What makes it special: Tuscan cooking anchored by a serious wine program.
#4
La Piazza
8.1
La Piazza brings a polished Venetian-inspired dining room to 49th Street, where a rich Bolognese lasagna with royal beef ragù sits alongside seafood pastas and wood-fired pizza. It’s a splashy, two-floor space suited to business dinners and special occasions more than quick weekday lunches.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bolognese Lasagna with Royal Beef Ragù, Paccheri with Lobster, Pizza Veneziana
What makes it special: Venetian-rooted showpiece where a refined Bolognese lasagna is served in a dramatic, two-level dining room steps from Rockefeller Center.