Italian restaurants in New York City serve amore on every plate—velvety pastas, candlelit tables, and Chianti flowing like poetry. It’s where I twirl spaghetti by streetlight, surrounded by city hum and old-world charm.
I’ve got handmade pappardelle with wild boar ragu, a glass of Tuscan red, and the soft clink of wine glasses echoing off brick walls—right here in timeless, taste-obsessed New York City. Who knew Manhattan could feel so Roman at heart?
"Red sauce, romance, and a little Sinatra in the background? This is NYC’s Italian soul—classic, cozy, and unforgettable."
This is Why I Keep Coming Back for More:
Unique Restaurants
1. Marea, Central Park South
Marea is the recipient of the Best New Restaurant in America Award by the James Beard Foundation. While it is primarily a seafood establishment, Chef Michael White makes some of the best pasta in New York. You’ll find praiseworthy lobster burrata, fusilli with octopus, and bone marrow and steak on the menu.
To get the full experience, you should really dive into some of the seafood dishes, such as the polipo, which is grilled octopus served with smoked potatoes and pickled red onions. It is phenomenal. Lunch and dinner both offer a tasting menu, which is the best way to try as many of the delicious options at Marea as possible.
240 Central Park South, New York, NY 10019, Phone: 212-582-5100
2. L’Artusi, West Village
L’Artusi in New York’s West Village puts a creative, modern twist on traditional Italian food, leaving you feeling both comfortably at home and excited by a few of the more bold and unexpected flavor choices. The comprehensive wine list, which is arranged by region, attracts many diners. As far as entrees go, the pizzoccheri comes highly recommended.
It is a buckwheat pasta served with Brussels’ sprouts and potatoes and then topped with melted fontina cheese. L’Artusi has two floors of comfortable seating as well as a bar and a chef’s counter that overlooks the open-concept kitchen. The atmosphere is fun and upbeat, from the decor to the attitude and personality of the servers.
L’Artusi, 228 West 10th Street #1, New York, NY 10014, Phone: 212-255-5757
3. Patsy's Italian Restaurant, Midtown
Patsy's Italian Restaurant is a family-owned restaurant that has been a staple on Manhattan’s West Side since 1944. This landmark establishment serves authentic Neapolitan cuisine. Some of Patsy’s signature dishes are the veal chops Siciliano, chicken contadina, and the calamari stuffed with seafood. The theater district restaurant is well known as Frank Sinatra’s favorite restaurant and his family still visits whenever they are in New York.
There are many other high profile patrons who visit Patsy’s on a regular basis, so your chances at a celebrity sighting are high. The restaurant has developed a line of pasta sauces that are available in six varieties both online and at fine and specialty grocery stores throughout the country.
Patsy's Italian Restaurant, 236 West 56th Street, New York, NY 10019, Phone: 212-247-3491
Restaurants For a Date
4. Locanda Verde, Tribeca
Chef Andrew Cardellini of Locanda Verde has earned himself a name among New York restauranteurs for his urban-Italian style and consistently flawless execution. The hearty dish My Grandmother’s Ravioli as well as the lamb sandwich on the lunch menu are both among the restaurant’s most popular items. The sheep’s milk ricotta makes for the perfect accompaniment to your meal. It is topped with olive oil and sea salt and served with grilled bread.
Reservations are difficult to secure and the restaurant is nearly always packed. The tables are small and crammed together, but the food is worth it. Locanda Verde also remains one of the best places in New York City to spot celebrities, which adds to its allure.
Locanda Verde, 377 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10013, Phone: 212-925-3797
5. Rubirosa Pizza, Nolita
Rubirosa Pizza is a family-run neighborhood restaurant specializing in Italian-American food and pizza. The restaurant has become famous for their vodka sauce pizza. Their most popular pie features an ultra-thin crust, the signature vodka sauce, and slices of fresh mozzarella cheese.
The menu runs deeper than pizza though, with a selection of antipasti, fantastic pasta, and even rainbow cookies to finish off your meal. The warm and welcoming atmosphere will have you feeling right at home at Rubirosa, whether you are stopping in for a quick slice or celebrating an occasion with your family. The restaurant even has a mobile pizza oven that can be rented out for your holiday party or special event.
Rubirosa Pizza, 235 Mulberry Street, New York, NY 10012, Phone: 212-965-0500
6. Babbo, Greenwich Village
Well-known New York chef Mario Batali serves pasta and other Italian specialties at his restaurant in Greenwich Village. Start your meal with some antipasti such as grilled octopus or a sampler platter of high-quality meat. At Babbo, the highlight of the entree menu is certainly the pasta.
The linguine with clams is superb and the gnocchi with braised oxtail will have you coming back again and again. Many of the dishes include unexpected ingredients such as wild fennel pollen and dried orange. These unexpected flavors will excite your senses and leave you feeling pleasantly surprised and satisfied. The restaurant can be quite busy, so reservations are recommended.
Babbo, 110 Waverley Place, New York, NY 10011
📔 I get asked this a lot so I decided to include it:
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Q: How does Italian cooking in New York City stand out?
A: The quality and authenticity of Italian cooking in New York City is some of the best in the United States. There's perhaps nothing more quintessentially New York than Italian and Italian-American cuisine.
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Q: What does this list include?
A: Our list includes famous restaurants as well as undiscovered eateries that let you experience the local flavors.
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