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Pisillo Italian Panini
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
Pisillo Italian Panini
8.0
Carmelo 'Pisillo' Nazzaro brought his sandwich dreams from Italy to NYC in 2008, earning Food Network recognition and winning Robert De Niro's Tribeca Film Festival sandwich contest. Freshly baked bread from a 30-year Bensonhurst bakery and imported Italian cold cuts create what many call the city's best panini.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pisillo Panini, Capri Panini, Prosciutto di Parma
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Food Network-featured paninis with bread from legendary Bensonhurst bakery
Who should go: Sandwich enthusiasts seeking the authentic Italian deli experience
When to visit: Lunch rush for peak freshness on daily-baked bread
What to order: Pisillo signature panini, Capri with fresh mozzarella, espresso
Insider tip: Sandwiches are huge—splitting one works for two moderate appetites
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated parking. Street parking extremely difficult in Midtown. Take the subway - Times Square station (N, Q, R, W, 1, 2, 3, 7) is a short walk. This is a grab-and-go neighborhood.
Dress code: Come as you are - this is a tiny counter-service sandwich shop. Office workers, tourists in sneakers, theater-goers all welcome.
Noise level: Quiet to moderate - cozy hole-in-the-wall with Italian radio playing softly. Easy conversation at the window counter seats.
Weekend wait: 5-10 min max - closes at 6pm on weekends. Counter service means sandwiches are made in under 2 minutes
Weekday lunch: 10-15 min during peak (12-1pm) due to Midtown office crowd, but line moves fast
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - multiple options including Capri (fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil) and customizable combinations with artichokes, roasted peppers, and sun-dried tomatoes
Vegan options: Very limited - staff can accommodate with vegetables and olive oil on bread, but cheese is central to most combinations
Gluten-free options: No - bread is the star here, delivered daily from a 30-year Bensonhurst bakery. No gluten-free bread options available
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you're both food-obsessed and low-key. Just a few window counter seats in a tiny shop - this is about the sandwich, not ambiance. Better move: grab paninis here, walk 5 minutes to Bryant Park, and picnic on the lawn.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No reservations taken or needed - counter service only. There are just a handful of window seats that fill up at peak lunch. Most customers take sandwiches to go. The Times Square location accepts credit cards, unlike some other Pisillo spots.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes, with caveats. Quick service means no restless waiting. Sandwiches are massive - one easily feeds two kids or a parent and child. But seating is extremely limited with high counter stools only, so takeout to nearby Bryant Park works better for families.
Best For
Better for: Authentic Italian cold cuts you won't find at typical NYC delis - prosciutto, porchetta, mortadella imported directly from Italy. De Niro's Tribeca Film Festival sandwich contest winner. Portion size is unmatched - one sandwich genuinely feeds two people at budget prices.
Skip if: You need gluten-free options, want a leisurely sit-down meal, or are looking for hot-pressed paninis (these are cold, un-grilled sandwiches letting the fresh ingredients shine). Also not ideal for large groups given the tiny footprint.
Pisillo Italian Panini
8.4
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Business Lunch Power Players
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Comfort Food Classics
A serious Italian panini shop built around big, tightly packed sandwiches on proper bread—meant to be split or saved for meal two. The best orders lean classic: cured meats, sharp provolone, and a clean hit of arugula or roasted peppers for lift. Expect a fast counter rhythm and a steady Midtown lunch rush.
Must-Try Dishes:
Parma panini, Roma panini, Ariccia panini
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 6.7
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Huge, old-school Italian panini built for maximum filling-to-bread ratio.
Who should go: Midtown lunch hunters who want one sandwich to last.
When to visit: Late morning before the office lunch surge.
What to order: Parma, Roma, Ariccia
Insider tip: Split one sandwich or plan on leftovers—portions run big.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is very limited; nearby paid garages are the realistic option during business hours.
Dress code: Casual Midtown lunchwear—jeans, work attire, and grab-and-go outfits all fit.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak lunch—fine for solo eating or quick chats, not ideal for long conversations.
Weekend wait: Not applicable—this location is primarily a weekday lunch operation.
Weekday lunch: 10–20 minutes during peak (12–1:30pm); faster before noon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—vegetable-forward panini and custom builds without meat.
Vegan options: Limited—possible with no cheese and veggie-only fillings.
Gluten-free options: No—bread is central to the experience and there are no gluten-free substitutes.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal—it's counter service, loud at lunch, and built for speed rather than lingering.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there are no reservations. Seating is first-come, limited, and many people take sandwiches to go.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who can handle big sandwiches; there are no special kids’ amenities.
Best For
Better for: Oversized, traditional Italian panini with serious value and filling-to-bread ratio.
Skip if: You want a sit-down lunch, gluten-free options, or a quieter, more relaxed sandwich experience.