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New York City has some of the best Italian restaurants in the world and many of the city’s most iconic and most memorable restaurants are Italian. New York City’s food culture has been shaped by waves of Italian immigration over the 19th and 20th centuries, and the city is home to the original, and most famous Little Italy in the world.

This makes dining at one of the best Italian restaurants in New York City is one of the best things to do in New York City, and whether you’re a first time visitor or a local, there is always a new spot to try – or a longstanding institution to return to, again and again.

I’ve written this guide to the best Italian restaurants in New York City based on my experience living in New York City for nearly two years, while working in the restaurant industry (in PR & Marketing – I’m not tough enough to be a chef!).

Whether you’re looking to snag a reservation at a West Village hotspot like Via Carota, dine amongst the locals in a popular neighbourhood spot like Uva or embrace Little Italy in all of its drama at Umberto’s Clam House, there is an Italian restaurant in New York City that is perfect for your next night out.

This guide is divided into three simple sections: the hottest reservations, neighbourhood gems, and the best of Little Italy.

Top Picks: Best Italian Restaurants in New York City

• Best Pizza: Pasquale Jones
• Most Charming: Via Carota, Il Buco
• Most Impressive Menu: Rezdora, Misi

Hottest Italian Restaurants in NYC

These Italian restaurants are some of the hottest reservations in New York City, but these are not scene-y flashes in the pan! All of these restaurants deliver on style and substance, but you will need to book in advance, unless you want to gamble on a walk-in reservation (if you’re going to try this, arrive the minute the restaurant opens and have a Plan B).

Via Carota

Via Carota is one of the most beloved restaurants in New York City, owned by celebrated  chef-owners Rita Sodi and Jody Williams. It’s one of the best restaurants in West Village, and a go-to spot for New York City locals. 

Via Carota is a cosy, buzzy Italian restaurant that channels old world Florence and champions rustic, homestyle Italian cooking. I celebrated my 27th birthday here, and it was such a memorable evening!

This restaurant is a New York City institution, which is why I’ve included it in my Itinerary for 5 Days in New York City.

Like its sister restaurant, I Sodi, the restaurant books out weeks in advance, but you could try your luck as a walk-in.

Address: 51 Grove St, New York City (West Village)

Rezdôra 

Since opening in 2020, Rezdôra has been consistently recognised as a New York Times’ Critics pick and awarded three stars (no small feat), and picked up a Michelin Star in 2024.

Rezdôra celebrates the cuisine of Emiliga-Romagna, and hand-made pasta is the star of the show. One particular dish, Grandma Walking Through Forest in Emilia, has been a mainstay since opening and has become a signature of the restaurant – ensure at least one person on your table orders this!

Rezdora is located in the Flatiron District and is very reasonably priced for a high quality restaurant. They have two types of gluten free pastas available, however the stuffed pastas and the regional pasta tasting menu cannot be offered gluten-free.

Address: 27 East 20th St, New York City (Flatiron District)

Pasquale Jones

Pasquale Jones is widely regarded as one of the best Italian restaurants in downtown Manhattan, and is a perennial hotspot since it opened in Nolita in 2016. Best known for their woodfired pizzas, their signature dish is the littleneck clam pizza with broccoli rabe.

From the same owners as Charlie Bird in SoHo (another favourite!), Pasquale Jones is a cool downtown restaurant, rather than a traditional Little Italy-style trattoria or a white tablecloth affair. It’s always buzzing and there’s always a waitlist.

You’ll need to book a few weeks’ in advance, or try your luck for a walk-in table. If you get stuck on the waitlist, head to La Compagnie, around the corner in SoHo while you wait.

Address: 187 Mulberry St, New York City (Nolita) 

Misi

Misi is a very cool Italian restaurant in South Brooklyn, which is well worth a trip across town even if you’re staying in Manhattan. 

Misi has beautiful, seasonal handmade pastas and a vegetable-forward antipasti menu which celebrates simple Italian cooking. The restaurant is particularly known for its sheep milk ricotta-filled oggi, which I can confirm is absolutely delicious!

Located in South Brooklyn, the restaurant is in a sleek, light-filled industrial-style space. Misi is the cool younger sibling to Lilia, owner Missy Robbins’ first restaurant in New York City, which has been awarded three stars by the New York Times.

Address: 329 Kent Avenue, New York City (South Brooklyn) 

Locanda Verde

Locanda Verde is a classic, cool downtown Italian restaurant in New York City, and one of the best restaurants in Tribeca. Locanda Verde is famous for being owned in partnership between Robert Deniro and celebrated New York City chef-restauranteur Andrew Carmellini, but the restaurant does not coast on the credentials of its A-List owner!

Locanda Verde is located inside the gorgeous Greenwich Hotel in Tribeca, and has a stunning atrium dining space, which is worth requesting a table in when you make your reservation. One of my favourites!

Address: The Greenwich Hotel, 377 Greenwich St, New York City (Tribeca) 

Amalfi Rooftop at Eataly

You can’t talk about Italian restaurants in New York City without mentioning Eataly, the multi-level gourmet Italian food emporium in the Flatiron District. Eataly has multiple bars & restaurants, but its most popular Italian restaurant is the rooftop restaurant, which frequently changes with the seasons. 

Currently Amalfi Rooftop by Birrerria, the Eataly Rooftop restaurant is always has an eye-popping fit out, and an extensive, exuberant Italian menu.

It’s one of the most touristy restaurants on this list, but the food is good and the fit out is always fun!

Address: 200 Fifth Avenue, New York City (Flatiron District) 

Neighbourhood Gems

Rubirosa

Rubirosa is one of the best Italian restaurants in Nolita, and a genuine neighbourhood gem. Located in the heart of Mulberry St in Nolita, Rubirosa serves Italian-American classics in a cosy, charming dining room. 

Rubirosa is a perennially popular spot with locals, so ideally you’d make a reservation in advance, but you can try your luck as a walk in if you’re prepared to wait.

We celebrated our anniversary here when we lived in New York City, and it was perfect! We lived in Nolita, and used to drop by all the time in summer, for their ridiculously delicious (and potent) frose.

Address: 235 Mulberry St, New York City (Nolita) 

Il Buco

Il Buco is one of the best Italian restaurants in New York City, if you’re looking for a chic and authentic spot, that’s stood the test of time in fickle downtown Manhattan. 

Il Buco originally opened in 1994 as a rustic antique store, where owner Donna Lennard would invite customers to share in a daily pranzo and glass of wine. It has since evolved into one of the most charming and locally beloved restaurants in New York City. Il Buco isn’t the latest hotspot, but it is renowned for its style, substance and staying power, and is in the heart of ultra stylish Bond St in NoHo. A chic choice!

Address: 47 Bond St, New York City (NoHo) 

Uva

Uva is a charming neighbourhood Italian restaurant on the Upper East Side, which brings warmth to a neighbourhood that can sometimes run a little cold (or aloof!). It’s rustic, it’s cosy and completely inviting, and is perfect for a date or a cosy dinner with friends. Uva is a neighbourhood Italian restaurant & wine bar, with more than 40 wines by the glass!

I met the owner, Massimo, when I lived and worked in New York City, as he was a partner in one of the restaurants I worked for, The Loyal (which is sadly, now closed). I had dinner at Uva with my NYC bestie, and I’ll always remember what a lovely atmosphere & excellent meal it was.

Address: 1486 Second Ave, New York City (Upper East Side) 

Morandi

Morandi flies under the radar, amongst legendary NYC restaurateur Keith McNally’s stable of glamorous downtown restaurants. Morandi is a charming Italian restaurant on Waverly Place in West Village, that styles itself as a rustic Italian trattoria. It’s open for brunch, lunch & dinner, and the patio is a perfect spot for a long lunch in spring & summer. 

Morandi has an extensive menu, with a range of seasonal pasta options, but my favourite is the simple yet perfect Pici al Limone.

Address: 211 Waverly Place, New York City (West Village) 

Best of Little Italy

Little Italy is only a handful of blocks these days, and is very touristy, but there are still a handful of solid Italian restaurants in the neighbourhood. 

While I didn’t venture to Little Italy for the best Italian food of my life, or the chicest setting, you can’t deny the history and charm of some of Little Italy’s historic and family-run Italian American restaurants!

Lombardi’s Pizza

Lombardi’s claims to be the first pizzeria in the United States, after being founded in 1905 by Gennaro Lombardi. Many pizzerias claim to be the oldest, but Lombardi’s has a decent claim to both being the original, and for developing (or at least influencing) what would become the classic New York-style pizza.

The pizzas here are huge, the lines are long, and you’ll need to buy a whole pie rather than going by the slice, but it’s a New York City classic!

PS. If you’re just after a slice, Prince St Pizza is my favourite in the city – it’s not a classic NYC-style, but it’s incredible and just a block away.

Address: 32 Spring St, New York City (Nolita) 

Umberto’s Clam House

Umberto’s Clam House is a Little Italy institution, and remains a family-run restaurant. It’s a popular Little Italy restaurant, and specialises in Italian seafood, giving it a point of difference in the neighbourhood. 

Umberto’s Clam House is also a piece of New York City history, as it was the site of the shooting of New York City mobster Joe Gallo, in 1972, while he was at the restaurant celebrating his 43rd birthday.

Address: 132 Mulberry St, New York City (Little Italy) 

Da Nico

Da Nico is classic Little Italy, and a local landmark with its fire engine-red facade. You’ll get standard Italian-American fare, and great people watching in what is one of the most popular restaurants in Little Italy.

Address: 164 Mulberry St, New York City (Little Italy) 

Gelso & Grand

Gelso & Grand is a contemporary Italian restaurant in Little Italy, with woodfired pizzas and a high quality casual Italian menu. It’s a great spot for a relaxed lunch in Little Italy, especially on the sunny patio in summer. 

Address: 186 Grand St, New York City (Little Italy) 

Sofia’s

Sofia’s is a cute Italian restaurant in Little Italy, with handmade pastas and brick oven pizza. I think it’s a great balance between classic, old school Little Italy charm, with nice, simple Italian-American food.

Address: 143 Mulberry St, New York City (Little Italy) 

Further Reading

• New York City Travel Guide
• Itinerary: 5 Days in New York City for First Time Visitors
• 25 Best Bars in New York City: The Ultimate Guide
• The Best Bagels in New York City

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