Outside of Italy, New York City is probably one of the best cities to find some of the most delicious Italian food. From pizzas, pastas, to tiramisu, you’ll never find a shortage of Italian offerings in the Big Apple.
Here are 10 of the best Italian restaurants in NYC for your next New York food tour.
Lilia
567 Union Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Image credit: Lilia | Instagram
Located in Williamsburg, Lilia serves some of the best hand-made pastas in the city. All the dishes here are tasty, but some standouts include their Focaccia bread, Mafaldini pasta, and Italian Job dessert. It’s quite tough to find a reservation here, make sure you put your Resy notifications on so you’ll get notified when a reservation opens.
Emilio’s Ballato
55 E Houston St, Nolita, Manhattan
Image credit: Emilio's Ballato | Instagram
Operating since the 1950s, Emilio’s Ballato is a quintessential old-school Italian restaurant serving classic dishes from the Southern region of the country. It is a celebrity favourite, visited by some of the biggest names from Barack Obama, George Clooney, to Taylor Swift. Dish standouts include their Linguine alla Vongole, Penne alli Arrabiata or Chicken Milanese. It’s walk-in only, so come early.
Carbone
181 Thompson St, Greenwich Village, Manhattan
Image credit: Carbone | Website
In the mood for some delicious Italian with a touch of glamour? Carbone is the place to be. The atmosphere is always buzzing and you can never go wrong with an order of their iconic spicy rigatoni vodka. It’s also a popular celebrity hangout so lookout for a VIP or two while you’re there.
Roscioli
43 MacDougal St, SoHo, Manhattan
Image credit: Roscioli | Instagram
Bringing a taste of Rome to Soho, Roscioli is the perfect spot for authentic Italian cuisine. The restaurant is built from the idea that great ingredients from the deli make for a great meal. They have two floors - upstairs for those who want to order from the a la carte menu, and downstairs for a whole tasting experience where they serve a curated menu of wines and dishes.
Don Angie
103 Greenwich Ave, Greenwich Village, Manhattan
image credit: Don Angie | Instagram
Nestled in the heart of Greenwich Village, Don Angie is a cozy Italian-American spot that dishes out modern twists on classic comfort Italian foods. It's famously known for their iconic Instagram-worthy pinwheel lasagna dish, which is an absolute must try. Other standouts include their Chrysanthemum Salad and Garganelli Giganti. Pro tip: Go right when they open to snag a spot at the bar, where you can still sit and enjoy the food menu.
Supper
156 E 2nd St, East Village, Manhattan
image credit: Supper | Instagram
Located in the heart of East Village, you’ll feel like you’re stepping into a classic Italian trattoria with the rustic vibes at Supper. You can’t go wrong with any pastas or mains here but some of our favourites include their Tagliatelle al ragu Bolognese and Kale Gnocchi Aglio D’Orato. It’s cash only so make sure you come prepared.
Uva
1486 2nd Ave, Upper East Side, Manhattan
image credit: Uva | Instagram
Uva brings a taste of Italy to the Upper East Side with its cozy atmosphere and delicious Italian fare. From antipasti to hearty mains, every dish is made with fresh ingredients and served with a side of warm hospitality. Their fluffy Gnocchi di Ricotta is an absolute must try when you're there.
L’Artusi
228 W 10th St, West Village, Manhattan
Image credit: L'Artusi | Instagram
A West Village gem, L'Artusi offers contemporary Italian cuisine in a sleek yet welcoming atmosphere. They have a pretty extensive wine list, so you're guaranteed to find the perfect pairing for your meal. No matter what you order, save some room for their scrumptious olive oil cake for dessert—one of the best in the city.
Torrisi
275 Mulberry St, Chinatown
Image credit: Torrisi | Instagram
Located within the iconic Puck Building in downtown Manhattan, Torrisi is one of the newest ventures from the people behind Carbone. It's a creative take to traditional Italian cuisine, serving classic dishes with occasional nods to Asian, Jewish, and Jamaican cuisines. In typical Major Food Group fashion, the atmosphere is buzzy and it's definitely one where you go to see and be seen.
Via Carota
51 Grove St, West Village, Manhattan
Image credit: Via Carota | Instagram
Via Carota is a cozy Italian spot in the heart of West Village known for its simple yet flavorful dishes and charming ambiance. They're best known for their simple, but flavourful use of seasonal vegetables, highlighting dishes like artichokes, radicchio, and leeks. Their pasta selections are small but are done very well—from the Tagliatelle with Parmigiano & Prosciutto to Pappardelle with Wild Boar Ragu.
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