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New Yorkers 1st Choice
Little Italy's best

Italian food

When you are craving Italian food, you want the real thing served in a setting that respects the tradition.

Based on 542 Opinions
+539
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Updated July 2026
01
Vinarius Wine Bar & Restaurant image 1
Vinarius Wine Bar & Restaurant image 2
Vinarius Wine Bar & Restaurant image 3
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Small Italian restaurant offers an intimate, authentic atmosphere with live music and quaint decor. Noise stays tolerable even when full, creating a warm, family-like vibe. Known for impeccable food and wine pairings, it stands out as a local favorite.

Italian food stands out with rich flavors and authentic preparation. The menu pairs excellent wine selections perfectly with dishes, creating a memorable dining experience.

Lasagna and linguine with clams stand out for their rich flavors. The kitchen addresses issues promptly, as shown when they removed a raw risotto from the bill and offered tiramisu.

People are saying

"The seafood pasta here is incredible and perfectly balanced."

"The food here is authentic, flavorful, and consistently excellent."

"The owner's passion for the Italian food really shines through."

Good to know

1

Happy hour runs from 4 to 6pm with various food and drink deals.

2

Reservations are recommended, especially during busy times.

3

The restaurant offers a $40 happy hour deal that includes food and drinks.

02
Prendi E Vai image 1
Italian restaurant

Italian eatery blends fresh schiacciata sandwiches with cozy indoor and outdoor seating. Atmosphere feels lively with lovely wallpaper and a blend of coffee shop, bakery, and sandwich shop vibes. Sandwiches feature generous portions and quality ingredients, creating a distinct taste experience.

Food comes in large quantities with great value and consistently delicious flavors. Prices match the quality, making meals satisfying and worth it.

Schiacciata sandwiches come with house-made pistachio pesto, savory porchetta, and generous amounts of prosciutto. Fresh cannolis get filled on order, and the tiramisu latte adds a sweet Italian touch.

People are saying

"Their sandwiches are amazing, made with fresh, crunchy schiacciata bread."

"Their Italian sandwiches are delicious, made with fresh baked bread."

"The food here is delicious and made with fresh, flavorful ingredients."

Good to know

1

Prendi E Vai offers 13 different schiacciata sandwiches with various meats.

2

They make their sandwiches from scratch, unlike the previous Starbucks.

3

The place offers both takeout and sit-down dining options.

03
Assenti's Pasta image 1
Pasta shop

Small shop offers fresh handrolled pasta and a curated selection of Italian cheeses and wines. Cozy atmosphere fills with wonderful aromas and draws a steady crowd. Quality stands out as world-class and authentic, with quick turnover on fresh pasta sheets.

Fresh-made pasta offers a huge variety alongside a nice selection of Italian food products. Frozen foods also appear among the offerings, all of which are homemade and consistently amazing.

Fresh pasta stands out with perfect shape and texture and a nice smell of flour. Ravioli and fettuccine come fresh or frozen, all with homemade quality that surpasses typical boxed pasta.

People are saying

"I found the fresh pasta here to be world-class."

"This Italian food's fresh pasta is amazing and world-class."

"I thought the fresh Italian food here was exceptional."

Good to know

1

There is a 15-minute parking space available in front of Assenti's Pasta.

2

They handroll their pasta and offer a variety of Italian products.

3

The shop provides a take-home guide with cooking times and recipes.

04
Isola Pizza Bar image 1
Pizza restaurant

Woodfire pizza oven greets diners with the smell of fresh pizza in an upscale yet casual atmosphere. Dim lighting shifts to candlelight, creating a moody ambiance ideal for date nights. Outdoor patio offers pleasant seating for people watching and enjoying the weather.

Authentic Italian food shines with dishes like gnocchi, shrimp, and penne ragu. The wood-fired pizza and fresh ingredients make the food consistently delicious.

Neapolitan-style pizza features a charred crust, high-quality mozzarella, and flavorful sauce. Pasta dishes like cacio e pepe and penne ragu come perfectly cooked al dente. Bruschetta and beet salad stand out as fresh and delicious starters.

People are saying

"The Italian food, especially the pizza, is delicious and authentic."

"The pasta here is really good and authentic."

"The food here is excellent, especially the pizza."

Good to know

1

Reservations are suggested because the restaurant is very busy.

2

Happy hour runs from 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM with $5 pizzas.

3

A 4% restaurant fee is added to the bill to support rising costs.

05
Puerto La Boca image 1
Argentinian restaurant

Artistic and romantic interior with colorful paintings creates a vibe like Buenos Aires. Live music plays Motown, 70s & 80s R&B, and smooth jazz, keeping energy chill and welcoming. Indoor and patio seating offer options, with a bar area for waiting.

Food stands out for its amazing quality and excellent Argentinian dishes. Prices stay reasonable considering the great taste and service.

Ravioli stands out with its fantastic flavor and consistent praise. The four cheese pasta and garlic parsley potato fries add solid variety to the Italian options.

People are saying

"I loved their chimchurri steak, cooked perfectly."

"I found the food here to be delicious and full of flavor."

"The Italian food, especially the pasta, is cheesy and delicious."

Good to know

1

Happy hour runs from 4-6pm on weekdays with discounted drinks.

2

Live music occurs every Saturday evening, enhancing the dining experience.

3

Meter parking is available on the street, but can be hard to find.

06
Slice House by Tony Gemignani image 1

Pizza restaurant offers a small indoor dining area with a large outdoor patio featuring colorful pizza box wall art. Atmosphere is casual and family-friendly with loud 80s music inside and a chill vibe outside. Space suits larger groups outdoors, while indoor seating is limited.

Food offers generous portions with a variety of toppings made from top-quality ingredients. Prices lean higher but match the excellent taste and quantity served.

Fresh pesto and burrata come with warm, flaky dough. Pasta noodles arrive made fresh daily, with options like sweet and spicy Italian sausage with honey.

People are saying

"I thought the pizza here was the best I ever had."

"I found the pizza here to be simple and delicious."

"This Italian food's pizza crust is warm, flaky, and delicious."

Good to know

1

Slices are roughly $8 each, and most people need two for a meal.

2

Expect a 35-40 minute wait for Detroit pizzas.

3

Happy hour runs Monday-Friday from 3-5 pm with daily specialty pizzas.

07
Lala image 1
Italian restaurant

Small Italian restaurant with intimate decor featuring curved wooden panels and leopard print rugs. Atmosphere is loud and noisy, with tables packed closely, creating a cozy but cramped feel. Music plays at a reasonable level, and unique touches like Polaroid pictures add character.

Outstanding food includes Pasta Siciliana, Steak Tartare, and Tomato/Burrata. Highlights also feature bacon wrapped dates with blue cheese and blistered tomatoes with goat cheese or burrata. Caesar salad stands out among the dishes.

Risotto stands out with rich flavor. Blistered tomatoes with burrata offer a creamy, fresh contrast. Pasta Siciliana, spaghetti and meatballs, and gnocchi deliver classic Italian tastes with solid execution.

People are saying

"The Italian food, especially the gnocchi and lasagna pinwheels, is amazing."

"It's a cute spot perfect for date night."

"I thought the food was exceptionally good, especially the gnocchi rosa."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended due to high demand, especially on weekends.

2

Happy hour runs from 4 to 6:30 PM with great drink specials.

3

Valet parking is available for $12, but street parking can be challenging.

08
Pappalecco image 1
Italian restaurant

Italian-style cafe features sleek design and cozy seating both indoors and outdoors. Atmosphere feels warm and inviting with a friendly, positive vibe. Outdoor seating offers a charming spot to enjoy coffee or gelato while watching downtown activity.

Food features high quality artisan ingredients with freshly prepared dishes that taste great. Coffee pairs well with the elegant, tasty Italian offerings served quickly.

Affogato stands out with espresso and gelato served in espresso cups. Cannoli follow a Sicilian recipe and taste like traditional homemade versions. Croissants come with fillings like prosciutto, salmon, and Pollo Pesto, all noted as delicious.

People are saying

"I thought the espresso drinks were wonderful and authentic Italian."

"The food here is outstanding, especially the pastries and gelato."

"The Italian food here, especially the cannoli, tasted just like Nana's."

Good to know

1

Paninis are half price on Wednesdays.

2

Parking is available on the street and can be either free or paid.

3

The cafe opens at night, which is convenient for evening visits.

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Little Italy, San Diego

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