This charmer from culinary icon Lidia Bastianich and her son, Joe Bastianich, has been a Theater District mainstay since opening in 1993. Grab a seat in the lively dining room decked with hanging pots and exposed brick walls for the popular pre-set menu of three daily changing unlimited pastas plus a Caesar salad or antipasto misto. Or opt to dine à la carte with signature dishes like hearty meatballs and a veal shank with farro risotto.

Locally beloved Lil’ Frankie’s is a neighborhood favorite for its wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas, which you’ll spot on every table, alongside handmade pastas cooked to order. The space is equally old-school Italian—think rustic chandeliers and gallery walls with family photos and framed soccer jerseys. Stretch the evening with draft beer by the pitcher, a glass of Italian wine, or one of the restaurant’s stellar, Italian-leaning cocktails.

Since opening in 2023, buzzy Bad Roman has been a destination for its family-style, maximalist Italian fare. Dishes include plush and buttery roasted garlic babka, crisp ’roni chips to dip in ranch, and a round of shots served on toy race cars, inspired by Italy’s classic car obsession. Grab a seat at the oyster counter or in the vibrant dining room decked with orange-hued banquettes, lush greenery, and floor-to-ceiling windows with sprawling views of Central Park.

This lush rooftop escape from Italian food giant Eataly lives up to its name, which means “greenhouse” in Italian. Dressed with elaborate floral installations and evergreens, the glass-ceilinged rooftop restaurant serves up elegant, seasonal dishes like squid ink cavatelli with whipped ricotta and a grilled strip loin with salsa verde. Linger with one of the botanical-inspired cocktails, like the garden spritz with dill-infused vermouth and carrot syrup.

Naples meets NYC at this longtime West Village charmer. A native of Italy, chef Danilo Galati serves up thin-crust, wood-fired pizzas in the inviting space, complete with carved wooden chairs and lush greenery. The pastas are just as exceptional—try the pork rigatoni or fettuccine cacio e pepe. Grab a seat on the expansive plant-decked covered sidewalk patio for prime people-watching.

Carmine’s is one of the best Italian restaurants in New York City for its old-school vibe—think cozy leather booths, chandeliers, and wood-paneling galore. The massively portioned, family-style Southern Italian fare is just as elegantly retro. Start with seafood-forward delights like clams on the half shell or shrimp calamari from the raw bar before moving on to hits like veal parmesan and hearty portions of pasta—including vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Enjoy family-style dining at Tony’s Di Napoli in Midtown and on the Upper East Side. Inspired by the cuisine of Naples and Southern Italy, the restaurant’s menu includes huge platters of spaghetti pomodoro, baked ziti, and fettuccine alfredo made for sharing. Glittering chandeliers and colorful portraits deck the Midtown location, while on the Upper East Side, the space is outfitted with cozy banquettes and red-and-white checkered tablecloths.

One of the best Italian restaurants in New York City, Quality Italian is where you go for ultimate red sauce dishes with all the fancy extras. Grab a seat in the industrial-chic dining room to feast on signature housemade pastas, like the spicy lobster rigatoni alla vodka. Or opt for one of the restaurant’s famous premium steaks with tableside truffle butter service. Cocktails are equally stellar—try the tri-colored margarita, complete with an Italian flag-shaped ice cube.

Palma, a top-rated Italian restaurant in NYC, is a quintessential date-night spot. Settle behind the marble bar or at a table for two in the cozy, floral-strewn dining room to dig into platters of arancini, polpettine (meatballs), and decadent pastas like a gluten-free fettuccine with mushroom and black truffle. Bonus points for a charming garden patio, decked with greenery and string lights for the ultimate romantic escape.

Learn the basics of Italian cooking at Aunt Jake’s Pasta Experience, one of the best Italian restaurants in New York City. Start with the choose-your-own-adventure pasta-making class to roll and create classic rigatoni, squid ink bucatini, and stuffed options like gnocchi paired with traditional Italian sauces. Then feast on a three-course meal—including your pasta or a specialty dish of choice—in the rustic-chic dining room with brick walls and hanging plants.