The Best Italian Restaurants in NYC

 

New York has no shortage of excellent Italian restaurants. Every New Yorker has a favorite pizza place, pasta spot, and red sauce joint in each of NYC’s diverse neighborhoods. Whether you’re looking for a buzzy newcomer, fancy white-tablecloth throwbacks, or just a solid slice, these are the best Italian restaurants in NYC for an authentic taste of The Big Apple.

This warm, welcoming spot is a classic Italian chophouse offering prime cuts of steaks, fresh seafood, and Italian specialties, all with a view of the Brooklyn bridge. The wood-fired oven, wrap-around bar, and grand staircase spiraling up to a handsome dining area exude class, beckoning guests to an unforgettable dinner, lunch, or even brunch. 

Carbone is a scene ripped straight from Goodfellas. Regardless of what you think about the waiters’ maroon tuxedos and the tiny, exclusive dining space, this Greenwich Village classic has undeniably fantastic food. You’ll feel like a real mafia don dining on phenomenal pasta with red sauce, and sampling bananas foster made tableside (live flame included). 

 

Softly illuminated by candles and globe lights each night, West Village’s hottest restaurant is a romantic corner trattoria, serving updated Italian-American plates in its cozy dining room. Don Angie’s signature pinwheel take on lasagna is acclaimed for its flavor and texture, and is sure to please your palate alongside Italian gin and Campari-based cocktails. The wait times can be excessive, so it is recommended that guests book a reservation.

New York City pizza is the subject of frequent debate, but Lucali’s regular appearance on local and national best pizza lists should speak for itself. This Brooklyn pizzeria has it down to the essence: a simple pie with fresh mozzarella and basil, add a few toppings if you feel like it. However the quality of ingredients and level of craftsmanship that goes into each pie results in a flavor and texture that is nearly unattainable outside of Mother Italy herself. 

A fondness for Via Carota is almost an NYC residency requirement, as their soulful Italian plates have amassed quite a following in recent years. The legendary cacio e pepe is the perfect treat to pair with a late-night glass of wine, but for a larger meal the grilled chicken tagliatelle with prosciutto is a must try. The menu changes regularly, but when they’re available, the vegetable dishes are the star of the show. 

Spiaggia in Chicago put chef Missy Robbins on the radar, but Lilia in Williamsburg is what catapulted her to glory. Lucky diners might even encounter her near the flame-spitting grill, carving up succulent lamb steaks with roman spices. The casual brick and wood-lined interior is a cozy space to enjoy a classic plate of spaghetti, or the signature sheep’s milk ricotta agnolotti, drenched in a heady honey saffron sauce. 

In 2019, Rezdôra established itself as one of the best Italian Restaurants in NYC, and the awards keep coming. The restaurant’s name translates to “head of household”, usually a nonna who hand rolls pasta, and that comes across in the food: traditionally prepared meat, fish, local vegetables, and Northern Italian wines that really feel like a home cooked meal from a visit to Italy.

One the most classic Italian Restaurants in NYC, Dominick’s has been serving up well-sauced pasta for over 50 years. Located on the Bronx’s Arthur Avenue- known as the neighborhood’s Little Italy- the friendly staff are extremely knowledgeable about the host of classic Italian dishes on the lengthy menu. For an authentic red-sauce, stuffed artichoke, or solid sirloin steak, you can’t go wrong with Dominick’s. Beware however, they are cash-only. 

This Park Slope eatery has remained unsurpassed in the neighborhood, and the food makes that fact obvious. The Northern Italian dishes like the black spaghetti with octopus ragú and braised rabbit are ethereal, almost impossibly delicious. The brick-walled, chandeliered dining area feels like a worldly Italian grandmother’s home, the perfect explanation for the truly magical taste of the Al Di La’s tagliatelle ragú. 

What was once a Noho antique store is now a charming spot for pasta and seafood, and one of the best date-night spots in the city. Savor the warm country bread dipped in Umbrian, Ligurian, and Sicilian specialty olive oils, all produced exclusively for Il Buco. Whether you’re enjoying a delightful risotto or a seared filet of Alaskan king salmon, Il Buco’s wine list is one of the best in the city, guaranteed to have the perfect compliment to your meal. 

For over 40 years this posh red-sauce joint has been serving quality pastas and chops in New York’s beautiful Upper East Side. It’s a buzzy, old school restaurant with a cozy presentation to take diners back to a simpler time. Be sure to grab at least one of 7 spaghettis. 

The third owner of this storied establishment, Emilio Vitolo is a stalwart proponent of unfussy preparations of classic dishes. Hearty Rigatoni Bolognese in a thick sauce with beef, pork, and veal. Baked shrimp with simple garlic and bread crumbs. Emilio is not going to be surprising you with dishes you’ve never seen before, but with the quality of the food and service. If he doesn’t know your name by the time you are seated, he will by the time you finish your espresso.

This cozy Italian trattoria remains a reliably tasty draw for locals and tourists alike. Owner Giovanni Tognozzi is always there greeting the regulars, unless he’s in Tuscany, stocking up on fresh olive oil. The menu might seem small, but the massive specials board is all you need. Everything is great, from the rabbit to the pastas. Order as much as you can, because this place is cash only. 

This fashionable locale is emblematic of its home on Madison Avenue. Leisurely, cosmopolitan dining awaits visitors, who can sample a variety of fresh pastas, including ones made with Nello’s famous winter truffles. The ornate decorations, abundant flower arrangements, and immaculate mood lighting tell you everything you need to know- at its core, Nello is a place to see and be seen.