The Top 10 Italian Restaurants in New York City - It is said that you can ask any New Yorker how many restaurants there are in the city and they will be able to tell you without hesitation (an astounding feat since I don’t even know how many are in my neighborhood!). Just how many restaurants does New York City boast? According to the New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, some 23,499 active restaurants existed as of April 2010! How does one even begin to get their arms around finding recommendations in general, much less by cuisine? Well, we here at IWalked Audio Tours have compiled our favorite recommendations for Top 10 Italian Restaurants in New York City (NYC).
Babbo
 |
| babbonyc |
- Website: http://www.babbonyc.com/
- Address/Phone: 110 Waverly Place, New York. (212) 777-0303
- Hours: Mon-Sat 5:30pm-11:30pm; Sun 5pm-11pm
- Prices: $$$$
- Accept Credit Card? Yes
- Accept Reservations? Yes
Felidia
Felidia is located is a multi-level former townhouse and boasts an exhaustive wine list. Specializing in dishes reminiscent of Northern Italy, Felidia maintains an intimate setting (as it has since 1981).
- Website: http://www.felidia-nyc.com/#
- Address/Phone: 243 E 58th Street, New York. (212) 758-1479
- Hours: Mon-Thur 12pm-2:30pm, 4:30pm-11pm; Fri 12pm-2:30pm, 4:30pm-11pm; Sat 5pm-11:30pm; Sun 4pm-10pm
- Prices: $$$$
- Accept Credit Card? Yes
- Accept Reservations? Yes
Scalini Fedeli
A true food connesuiers dream, Scalini Fedeli provides a blend of Italian with French highlights. Be prepared to book a month in advance if you wish to dine here on the weekend due to its extreme popularity. Their wine lists provides some unique selections by focusing on small speciality vineyards.
- Website: http://www.scalinifedeli.com/scaliniNYC/scaliniNYCMain.html
- Address/Phone: 165 Duane Street, New York. (212) 528-0400
- Hours: Tues-Fri 12pm-2:30pm; Mon-Thur 5:30pm-10pm; Fri-Sat close at 11pm
- Prices: $$$$
- Accept Credit Card? Yes
- Accept Reservations? Yes
Marea
Marea specializes in Italian coastal cuisine, meaning it serves a spectacular variety of seafood dishes for which it is well known. It’s bright and airy ambience is the perfect dining experience after a relaxing stroll through nearby Central Park.
- Website: http://www.marea-nyc.com/
- Address/Phone: 240 Central Park South, New York. (212) 582-5100
- Hours: Mon-Fri 12pm-2:30pm; Sun 11:30am-2:30pm; Mon-Thur 5:30pm-10pm; Fri-Sat 5pm-11:30pm; Sun 5pm-10pm
- Prices: $$$$
- Accept Credit Card? Yes
- Accept Reservations? Yes
Falai
A popular selection for Time Out Magazine, Falai somehow manages (successfully) to blend intimacy with modern décor. It’s dimly lit dining room will provide the ultimate romantic experience.
- Website: http://falainyc.com/home/
- Address/Phone: 68 Clinton Street, New York. (212) 253-1960
- Hours: Mon-Thur 6pm-10:30pm; Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm; Sun 5:30pm-10:30pm
- Prices: $$$
- Accept Credit Card? Yes
- Accept Reservations? Yes
Al Di La
Brooklyn gets into the mix of our top selections via Al Di La Trattoria. The first thing you need to know prior to your visit is they do not accept reservations. The second thing you need to know is that it is well worth the wait. Kill your time at the wine bar and be sure to sample the beet ravioli.
- Website: http://www.aldilatrattoria.com/
- Address/Phone: 248 5th Avenue, Brooklyn. (718) 636-8888
- Hours: Mon 12pm-3pm; Wed-Fri 12pm-3pm; Sat-Sun 12pm-3:30pm; Mon-Thur 6pm-10:30pm; Fri 6pm-11pm; Sat 5:30pm-10:30pm; Sun 5pm-10pm
- Prices: $$$
- Accept Credit Card? Yes
- Accept Reservations? No
A Voce Columbus
The 3rd-floor views of Central Park and Columbus Circle alone are worth the visit…but don’t leave without trying the spaghetti alla chitarra.
- Website: http://www.avocerestaurant.com/
- Address/Phone: 10 Columbus Circle, New York. (212) 823-2523
- Hours: Mon-Sat 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:00pm-10:00pm; Sun 11:00am-3:00pm, 5:00pm-9:30pm
- Prices: $$$
- Accept Credit Card? Yes
- Accept Reservations? Yes
Esca
Located in the heart of the Theater District, Esca (translated from Italian is “bait) is the perfect choice for a pre-show dinner. Try one of their numerous seafood specialties or delectable Southern Italy dishes.
- Website: http://www.esca-nyc.com/
- Address/Phone: 402 W 43rd Street, New York. (212) 564-7272
- Hours: Mon-Sat 12pm-2:30pm; Mon 5pm-10:30pm; Tues-Sat 5pm-11:30pm; Sun 4:30pm-10:30pm
- Prices: $$$$
- Accept Credit Card? Yes
- Accept Reservations? Yes
Il Mulino
Another Greenwich Village staple, Il Mulino has been voted the #1 Italian restaurant in New York City by Zagats for two decades. Two notes for advice. One, ensure you have an extra notch in your belt as the portions are ginormous. Two, bring a breath mint in you plan on kissing her later as Il Mulino loves their garlic.
- Website: http://www.ilmulino.com/
- Address/Phone: 86 W Third Street, New York. (212) 673-3783
- Hours: Mon-Fri 12pm-2:30pm; Mon-Sat 5pm-11pm
- Prices: $$$$
- Accept Credit Card? Yes
- Accept Reservations? Yes
Scarpetta
Scarpetta translated from Italian means, “little shoe” (as in like how a loaf of bread looks…don’t worry, we’re a bit confused as well). If you’re looking for a great mix of low key and upscale (contradictory but totally possible as demonstrated here), check out Scarpetta in the trendy Meatpacking District.
- Website: http://www.scottconant.com/
- Address/Phone: 355 W 14th Street, New York. (212) 691-0555
- Hours: Sun-Thu 5:30pm-11pm; Fri-Sat 5:30pm-12am
- Prices: $$$
- Accept Credit Card? Yes
- Accept Reservations? Yes