The Best Italian Restaurants in New York City

The true Little Italy of New York is in the Bronx. Take a stroll down Arthur Ave, visit over 100 years old Madonia Bakery, have pizza in Zero Otto Nove, shop grocery in the Arthur Avenue Retail Market and have a beer in the Bronx Beer Hall that is located inside. Cin Cin!

Usually hotel restaurant food is nothing to write home about. But not Kimika, located at the bottom of a modern boutique Nolita hotel. It doesn’t get listed in Michelin Guide for nothing. The menu inventive, a mashup of “Italian” and “meshi,” Japanese slang for meal. The two pasta dishes we had were super delicious, each with distinctive taste: a thick spaghetti soy butter bigoli doused in butter emulsified with soy sauce, topped with three types of chives, marinated tomatoes and a fried shallot gremolata. The pasta itself was so good, so al dente that made it satisfying to eat, with its umami flavors. I was supposed to share it with a friend and felt guilty for eating most of it. The other pasta was equally super yummy but with totally different flavors: Cavatelli pork ragu with fava beans and ricotta. Next time I would love to try their fried pizzette topped with shiso-sunflower pesto, squash shavings and chili oil, sound yummy. Just don’t order the Crispy Rice Cakes Lasagna, unless you like excessive melted cheese on too little crispy rice pasta. Nice idea to bring that Asian element into lasagna though.But I haven’t even got to the desserts yet, which were the superstars of the meal. I would return just to have their desserts. I regret not taking better pix of them. Everything was so creative and scrumptious. Their outdoor seatings give guests a nice view of the busy city. They just opened the rooftop too with a spectacular panoramic view of the city and a fun, equally inventive bar menu. And love the fact that it’s an all female-led kitchen staff.

Some of the best pasta in NYC. Truly one of the best.Some of the best pasta in NYC - simple, but incredibly well executed and absolutely delicious. And it has service and a wine list to match. Truly one of the best.

The food is excellent. Top notch, friendly and intuitive service.Happy to see that Marea NYC lives up to its sterling reputation. The bustling dining room is elegant without being overly fussy, boasting a well-curated soundtrack that is eventually drowned out by the hearty discussions being had at the tables around us as the evening wears on. The food is excellent - we really can’t fault the dishes we tried, from the golden uovo to the rib eye. We were lucky enough to catch the end of corn season - if you’re a corn lover, order everything corn related on the menu, you won’t be disappointed. Above all else, however, the service is what stands out. Truly top notch, friendly and intuitive - and no doubt the reason why Marea has plenty of regulars. A slice of the finer life in NYC.

Upper East Italian ClassicA very charming quality Italian favourite of the Upper East Side locals. It does not get much more Italian than this. Very good cuisine, lovely atmosphere and a pretty good list of Italian and US wines. Book in advance.

Brooklyn’s most wanted. Modern Italian gem in Williamsburg.My New Yorker foodie friend says it’s the best Italian in the whole of New York. A lot said but anyways we love it. Fantastic innovative, casual cuisine. Organic, close produced. Expect good music, young hipsters and a creative crowd. Sit inside or outside on Williamsburg’s charming ”main street”. You will fall in love - unless you are very formal. They accept reservations 30 days in advance, and the place is always full. So reserve well in advance or pop by to try the bar table.

A casual, charming NoHo standby with inventive Italiante cuisineChef Justin Smilie helms this all-day (and into the night) Italian restaurant which emphasizes fresh ingredients imaginatively prepared with a long Umbria-heavy winelist and all-day bakery.

Charming and wildly popular West Village “gastroteca” with exceptional Italian-ish food (one chef/owner is Tuscan)It’s hard to come by a res at this hot spot that attracts the beautiful people of NYC and also those in search of delicious, not fussy, Italian-ish food like butter beans with spinach, bagna cauda, raw artichoke salad, Sicilian meatballs, a green salad piled high like Mt. Vesuvius with a cult following, and one of the best tonnarelli cacio e pepe in town. The vibe is dark wood, candles, linen and homemade lace— elegant but rustic. A white marble bar is great for single diners and you’ll impress your date with a table here. The wines are all Italian but I say start with one of the 6 Negroni variations or a spritz; don’t miss the anchovy + butter bruschetta, do go to town on veg dishes—they’re all amazing—and grab a pasta if you’re nostalgic for that amazing pappardelle you had last time you were in Florence. The mains are probably great, too, but honestly the rest is so good I never get one. Highly recommend the gorgeous inverted presentation of the affogato for dessert!

Wonderful wood-fired Italian Bold flavors, quality ingredients, and a kiss of smoke make this airy west-side restaurant a fantastic option for lunch and dinner. Pastas are perfectly cooked and sauced for strong impact. The wine list is also first rate. Great service, to boot.

A Brooklyn institution for good reason with tremendous Sicilian pies.When it's the summer and you're fresh from a dip in Coney Island, when it's the winter and you need comfort, the pies at L&B are unbeatable. We're a pizza city but I haven't found anything that beats the pillowy dough, the sweet tomato sauce and the mozz of a classic Sicilian square at L&B. (During the summer, the move is to sit outside with your pizza then order the Italian ice. During the colder months, the newly remodeled dining room is plenty welcoming.)

Francie serves an approachable menu inspired by European flavors and designed for flexibility.Michelin-starred Francie, after much delay, debuted in December 2020, and is the first independent collaboration between Chef-Owner Christopher Cipollone (Piora, Cotogna) and Owner-Operator John Winterman (Bâtard, Daniel). Francie is located on the corner of Broadway & Bedford in the heart of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and has the convivial feel of a neighborhood brasserie.Must have dishes are the Crown Duck for 2 and the many hand made pastas.

Walked in without a clue, left very happy.Northen Italian cooking in a small little cozy place . Don’t order too much as the portions are serious business. Winelist is showcasing some really affordable italian great ones.

A contemporary restaurant that reimagines traditional Italian cuisine.L'Artusi is a contemporary restaurant that reimagines traditional Italian cuisine. With a focus on rustic refinement, the place boasts a crudo bar, an impressive cheese program, and a walk-in wine cellar. The skylights on the upper level infuse the restaurant with an elegant and open atmosphere, adding to its allure. However, for those dining solo or in pairs, I highly recommend considering the bar area. Undoubtedly, the real stars of the show are the homemade pastas, served to perfection. And to conclude your dining experience, be sure to treat yourself to the indulgent olive oil cake - a dense, moist delight that harmoniously blends sweet and salty flavors.

Simple, fresh, and delicious - that's the essence of Misi, a contemporary Italian eatery in WIlliamsburg.Simple, fresh, and delicious - that's the essence of Misi, a contemporary Italian eatery in WIlliamsburg. Located in a high-end waterfront condo building, Misi's ambiance seamlessly transitions between energetic and sophisticated. While it may lack the rustic charm of its sister establishment, Lilia, securing a reservation here guarantees a delicious lunch or dinner experience.Begin with the flavorful and elevated vegetable antipasti before immersing yourself in the pasta options, such as the delicate sheep's milk ricotta-filled occhi adorned with bottarga and a refreshing hint of lemon. Lastly, ensure you leave room for the sublime gelato finale, a sweet and satisfying conclusion to your meal at Misi.

Perfect place for special occasionsMy friend and I had a feast at this beautiful place with decadent food. I’m not kidding you, everything was so delicious. There’s steak tartare was the best I’ve ever had. Boiled shrimp platter, caviar, pastas, crab salad, desserts, everything was so good, we just wished our stomachs were bigger so we could finish everything. But we did take some stuff to go. Word on the street is that this is the perfect place to celebrate New Year’s Eve, as the rooftop would give you a clear view of the ball dropping.

The wonderful scent of negronis and spritzes fills the air, where every sip is a celebration.Dante is one of my favorite bars in New York, and the perfect spot for an aperitivo. This bar in West Village has an ambiance of an Italian café, where you can enjoy their renowned Negroni and Garibaldi, or take a deep-dive into their extensive collection of amari and other aperitivos. The wonderful scent of negronis and spritzes fills the air, where every sip is a celebration. Food-wise you’ll find an array of antipasti. For those seeking more hearty options, the menu also offers rustic entrees cooked on their wood-fire grill and charcoal oven. I can highly recommend sitting in the bar!