Best Italian Restaurants in Midtown-Times Square
11 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Marea
Seafood-driven Italian mastery in a Michelin setting.
Essential Picks
#1
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.
Notable Picks
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
8.5
Da Marino serves classic Italian comfort dishes in a laid‑back Midtown trattoria — good for a no‑frills, hearty date night. Familiar pasta and red‑sauce staples draw a consistent crowd of locals and visitors alike.
Must-Try Dishes:
Linguine al clams, Chicken parmigiana, Tiramisu
What Makes it Special: Straightforward, reliable Italian dishes in a friendly neighborhood setting
#4
Carmine’s
8.4
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Family Friendly Favorites
Birthday & Celebration Central
Trendy Table Hotspots
Legendary family-style Southern Italian since 1990, serving wedding feast-sized portions under candelabra chandeliers. With over 32,000 OpenTable reviews and consistent 4.6 stars, this 500-seat institution has proven staying power for groups seeking shareable classics.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Parmigiana, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Rigatoni alla Vodka
What Makes it Special: Massive family-style portions that make every meal feel like an Italian wedding
8.4
This buzzing all-day Italian offers house-made pastas and wood-fired dishes steps from Bryant Park. The signature rigatoni vodka with optional burrata has earned a devoted following, while the negroni bar and aperitivo hour bring Milanese cocktail culture to Midtown.
Must-Try Dishes:
Rigatoni Vodka, Tagliatelle Bolognese, Olive Oil Cake
What Makes it Special: All-day dining with house-made pasta and vibrant aperitivo program
#6
Bond 45
8.3
Stylish bi-level Italian from restaurateur Shelly Fireman, directly across from Hamilton's Richard Rodgers Theatre. The lavish antipasti bar and Broadway set designer-styled interior honor the building's Ziegfeld Follies history with thin-crust pizzas and specialty veal chops.
Must-Try Dishes:
Vegetable Antipasti Bar, Chicken Parmigiana, Artisan Thin Crust Pizza
What Makes it Special: Prime Hamilton theater location with all-day breakfast and late-night happy hour
8.1
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Hidden Gems Heaven
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family-run Theater District staple since 1991 with homemade pastas and sauces made fresh daily. Nearly 3,000 Yelp reviews attest to consistent quality at reasonable prices, making it a neighborhood favorite for pre-show dining.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spaghetti alla Carbonara, Rigatoni alla Trecolori, Homemade Tiramisu
What Makes it Special: Family-owned 30+ years with everything made fresh in-house daily
8
A Midtown pre-theater standby that blends steakhouse heft with Italian-American comfort. Regulars praise reliably well-executed chops alongside pastas and seafood, with a polished but unpretentious dining room. Strong choice for classic, crowd-pleasing dinners near Carnegie Hall.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bone-in ribeye, Jumbo shrimp scampi, Fresh mozzarella & tomato salad
What Makes it Special: Italian-leaning steakhouse menu that stays dependable for years.
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Family Friendly Favorites
Birthday & Celebration Central
Comfort Food Classics
Southern Neapolitan family-style dining with old-school Italian American ambiance featuring chandeliers and checkered tablecloths. Over 20 years of serving gargantuan portions of chicken parm and spaghetti with meatballs has earned a loyal following.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Parmigiana, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Veal Francese
What Makes it Special: Theatrical family-style service with enormous portions meant for sharing
Worthy Picks
7.8
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Instagram Worthy Wonders
The country's largest pizzeria occupies a stunning 19th-century church with original stained glass windows, serving thin-crust brick oven pizza since 1997. Seating 400 in the soaring nave makes it ideal for groups before Broadway shows.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic Cheese Pizza, Sausage and Peppers Pizza, Garlic Knots
What Makes it Special: Pizzeria in a converted church with stunning stained glass architecture
7.6
A sleek, store-set dining room delivering Italian-inspired plates with a Pacific Northwest touch from chef Ethan Stowell. The menu leans toward approachable pastas, salads, and shareables with solid execution. Best used as a stylish reset between shopping and shows.
Must-Try Dishes:
Burrata bruschetta, Seasonal pasta, Fried oysters
What Makes it Special: Italian comfort food in a surprisingly calm luxury-retail setting.