16 Best Old-School Italian Restaurants In New York City

Abstract

• Rao’s in East Harlem and Carbone in Greenwich Village supply basic Italian-American dishes in an old-school setting, preserving the normal Italian culinary expertise in NYC.
• Nonna Dora’s, regardless of being newly opened, serves handmade pasta dishes with genuine flavors, providing a style of Italy with out the necessity for a flight.
• J&V Pizzeria in Bensonhurst and Bamonte’s in North Williamsburg are basic Italian joints which have stood the take a look at of time, serving scrumptious pizza and conventional Italian dishes in a nostalgic ambiance.

Some diners want over-the-top delicacies, and New York offers places with unique views. With the inflow of Instagrammable dishes, typically it may be tough to discover a easy, humbling meal true to its roots. Much less is extra, as they are saying, and if there’s one kind of delicacies that brings that assertion residence, it is Italian.

Fortunately, New York Metropolis boasts Italian restaurants with mouth-watering dishes. Some locations date again to the nineteenth century and stay widespread. For New York diners on the lookout for old-school Italian eating places, strive one in all these spots for traditional Italian meals.

DISCLAIMER: These eating places are in no explicit ranked order.

Because of the reputation, most eating places on this checklist request a reservation.

UPDATE: 2023/09/30 16:55 EST BY LUANA FERREIRA

The Extra Conventional Italian Eating places In New York Metropolis

The Italian tradition is a part of New York Metropolis’s DNA, and it is no shock the town is residence to locations that make shoppers really feel they’re in a ristorante in Naples or Sicily. This checklist has been expanded to incorporate two extra conventional locations: Rao’s and Carbone.

16
Rao’s

Rao’s is a synonym for old-school Italian allure in East Harlem, New York Metropolis. Established in 1896, this iconic restaurant turned one of the vital widespread within the metropolis. Reservations are notoriously tough to safe, including to the attract of this treasured gem making eating at Rao’s an unforgettable New York expertise.

Its intimate setting and famously restricted seating create an unique, familial ambiance. The menu boasts basic Italian-American fare, with standouts just like the Lemon Hen and Veal Parmesan. Rao’s is famend for its pink sauce, a culinary cornerstone that infuses every dish with wealthy, sturdy taste.

• Tackle: 455 E 114th St, New York, NY 10029, United States
• Open hours: From Monday to Friday, from 7 pm to 11 pm
• Really helpful dishes: Seafood salad, super-sized meatballs, lemon rooster

15
Carbone

Carbone, situated in Greenwich Village, incorporates a nostalgic décor and basic menu, paying homage to the normal Italian-American expertise. The restaurant’s signature dishes, such because the Spicy Rigatoni Vodka and Hen Scarpariello, are beloved for his or her daring flavors and hearty parts.

Carbone’s attentive service and retro ambiance transport diners to a bygone period of Italian hospitality. The menu’s dedication to timeless favorites makes Carbone a cherished vacation spot for these searching for a style of classic Italian culinary excellence within the coronary heart of Manhattan.

• Tackle: 181 Thompson St, New York, NY 10012, United States
• Open hours: From Sunday to Saturday. From 11:30 am to 2:00 pm, from 5:30 pm to 11 pm
• Really helpful dishes: Spicy Rigatoni Vodka, Meatballs, Caesar Alla ZZ, Hen Scarpariello

14
Nonna Dora’s

Some of us rush to retirement, accumulating their 401Ks by age 65 and maybe relocating to Florida for a simple, laid-back life. 86-year-old Dora of Nonna Dora’s, nonetheless, is simply simply getting began. Properly, she’s not simply getting began, however the newly opened Nonna Dora’s in Manhattan’s Murray Hill has definitely stored her busy as of late. Although the spot is new, the crew behind Nonna Dora’s just isn’t, as they have been serving pasta in NYC for over 30 years.

Nonna Dora’s is a no-frills joint, the place every part is handmade contemporary every day by Dora herself and the 4 different girls in her kitchen. Regardless of solely being open since February 2022, this 44-seat eatery sells out nearly each single evening, so you may wish to make plans far upfront to make sure you can snag a spot. The menu options wherever between 18 and 20 pastas, with classics that you just’d discover proper in Italy with out the trouble of reserving a flight to Rome.

Their best-sellers are their orecchiette in rabbit ragu, a nod to the Puglia area from which Dora originates, and their pappardelle del ristoro with wild boar. No matter diners select to order, they can not go fallacious, however beginning off with an order of panzerotti, or child fried calzones, might be not a foul concept. Traditional to true Italian delicacies, not a single pasta dish at Nonna Dora’s consists of cream.

• Tackle: 606 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10016, United States
• Open Hours: Sunday, from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Monday – from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm; from Tuesday to Thursday – from midday to 2:30 pm and from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm; Friday – from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Saturday – from 5:00 pm to 10 pm
• Really helpful dishes: Baked eggplant, Ristoro del Cinghiale

RELATED: The City of ‘Za: 10 Best Pizza Places in NYC

13
J&V Pizzeria

For individuals who are on the lookout for one thing old-school on the go and occur to search out themselves within the uber-Italian neighborhood of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, look no additional than J&V Pizzeria. Identified to be one of many first New York Metropolis institutions that served pizza by the slice, J&V has stored it easy since day one. Proprietor, Vito, is usually discovered making the pizza himself, and he is seldom discovered with out his big grin from ear to ear. Proving the mantra, “If it ain’t broke, do not repair it,” J&V delivers basic New York-style pizza each excessive with consistency and love.

12
Bamonte’s

Identified to be one of many oldest Italian eating places in New York Metropolis is Bamonte’s, within the coronary heart of Brooklyn’s North Williamsburg. Opened in 1900, it is ironic {that a} joint as outdated and basic as Bamonte’s nonetheless stands, practically unchanged from its opening days, in an space that has been swarmed with gentrification. A meal at Bamonte’s is sort of a meal in an Italian grandma’s kitchen. Discover basic fan-favorites equivalent to clams on line casino, veal parm, rigatonia alla vodka, and a easy pink sauce that’s as near good as a pink sauce could possibly be, all served by tuxedo-wearing waiters in a frills-free eating room. To maintain it as basic because it will get, do not forget to order a martini.

RELATED: 10 Dishes That Will Make You Book A Flight To Italy

11
Don Antonio

Many Individuals consider basic Italian joints as red-and-white checkered tablecloths serving up giant parts of spaghetti and meatballs. Nonetheless, the true Italians have a special and extra literal strategy. Insert Giorgia Caporuscio of Manhattan’s Don Antonio. Italy is home to some incredible street foods just like the pizza fritte, or “fried pizza,” classically present in Naples, Italy, nonetheless to today. Grasp Pizzaoiula Giorgia brings one in all Italy’s oldest and most profound humble dishes to her Manhattan eatery, Don Antonio.

Strive the montanara, maybe the most well-liked menu merchandise, a fried dough topped with tomato sauce, imported smoked buffalo mozzarella, and basil. Even when fried dough is not fairly your factor, Don Antonio has a large providing of Neopolitan-style pizza, and the menu even offers perception into the outdated historical past of the origins of classics equivalent to Margherita and Pizze Fritte.

• Tackle: 309 W fiftieth St, New York, NY 10019, United States
• Open hours: From Sunday to Saturday, from 11:30 am to 10:00 pm

10
All’Antico Vinaio

In Florence, Italy, guests from everywhere in the globe line up and wait upward of hours for one of the vital well-known Italian sandwiches at All’Antico Vinaio. Fortunate for New Yorkers, this basic Italian sandwich store now resides not solely close to Instances Sq., however for a a lot quieter expertise, in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village on Sullivan St. Diners will not be lacking out on the standard of substances simply because they are not in Firenze; practically all substances are imported, and the porchetta, turkey, and roast beef are all made in-house.

The lotions generally discovered on these sandwiches, from pecorino cream to artichoke cream to truffle cream, are additionally made in-house with the best high quality substances. The bestseller is the Favoloso, piled excessive with salame toscano, pecorino cream, artichoke cream, and spicy eggplant, however for one thing funky, go for the Candy Deal with For The Fall, a monstrous sandwich with lardo, truffle honey, and gorgonzola. Does it get extra classically Italian than eating at a spot that originates in Italy itself?

• Tackle: 729 eighth Ave, New York, NY 10036, United States
• Open hours: From Saturday to Thursday, from 11:00 am to eight:00 pm; Friday, from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm

9
Ferdinando’s Focacceria

Established in 1904 within the coronary heart of Brooklyn’s Cobble Hill is an old-school Sicilian joint, Ferdinando’s Focacceria. For vacationers who’ve visited Sicily, getting into this small eatery will instantly transport you there. The restaurant recreates the ambiance of the romantic restaurants in Sicily. With basic Sicilian nods to their Pomodori Secchi Ripieni (stuffed sundried tomatoes), Sicilian Antipasto (fried chickpeas with ricotta and grated cheese), Capanotina (eggplant salad), and naturally Polpo All’Insalata (chilly seafood salad), it may be daunting in deciding what to order.

Nevertheless, no go to to Ferdinando’s is full with out making an attempt their notorious panelle, a Sicilian chickpea-based “fritter,” which is extra like a flattened pancake than a fritter. They are often eaten on their very own or in between slices of bread, and with Focacceria within the identify of the restaurant, it is protected to say it’s best to order it with the bread.

• Tackle: 151 Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11231, United States
• Open hours: From Monday to Saturday, from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm
• Really helpful dishes: Rice balls, seafood salad, hand-rolled pasta

RELATED: 10 Dishes You Must Eat in Naples, Italy

8
Emilia’s Restaurant

Probably the most infamously Italian neighborhoods in New York Metropolis is Little Italy in The Bronx. Arthur Ave, the principle avenue that cuts by this neighborhood, is lined with Italian specialty shops, sandwich outlets, and eateries. Although it is tough to go fallacious in selecting, for diners on the lookout for a very genuine, no-frills meal, head to Emilia’s Restaurant. The workers has infectious smiles that seemingly cannot be wiped off of their faces, and the nice and cozy, welcoming meals will naturally have you ever stress-free. Know that it doesn’t matter what you order, from osso bucco to shrimp fra diavolo, you are in good arms.

• Tackle: 2331 Arthur Ave, Bronx, NY 10458, United States
• Open hours: From Thursday to Monday, from midday to 9:00 pm
• Really helpful dishes: Fried calamari, Gnocchi Bolognese, Hen Parmigiana

7
Giuliana’s Ristorante

Regardless of being wildly ignored in favor of the opposite 4 boroughs, Staten Island has one thing that is still unmatched by the remainder of the town: Italian meals as basic and humble because it will get. Italians make up about 40% of Staten Island’s inhabitants and are the most important ethnic group within the space. In his guide, “A Very Punchable Face,” Colin Jost, an area Staten Islander, goes so far as to say even the Irish, Arabic, and Vietnamese communities in Staten Island naturally change into Italian only for residing there.

Due to this, it goes with out saying that among the greatest Italian meals within the New York Metropolis space is discovered on the island. It is definitely worth the trek to dine at Giuliana’s Ristorante; the meals standing by itself makes Giuliana’s an important spot, particularly with dishes like Artichoke Giuliana (fried artichoke and fried spinach in a gorgonzola cream sauce) and Frangelico rooster (almond-crusted rooster with a Frangelico liqueur sauce topped with veggies). Nonetheless, if the array of dishes supplied is not sufficient, the costs will remind diners that they are not in Manhattan anymore. Giuliana’s provides a prix fixe dinner menu at solely $23.95 Tuesdays-Thursdays. Buon Appetito, certainly!

• Tackle: 4105 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10308, United States
• Open hours: From Tuesday to Thursday, from midday to 10:00 pm, Friday and Saturday, from midday to 11:00 pm; Sunday, from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pb

6
Randazzo’s Clam Bar

In 1920, Sam Randazzo opened a seafood market in Manhattan’s Decrease East Facet. That seafood market finally was moved to Sheepshead Bay, a neighborhood near Coney Island and a well-liked place in Brooklyn for the fishing group. Sure, that is proper, even Brooklyn has a fishing group. After years of evolution and recipes handed down from technology to technology, together with their well-known “gal-ah-mah” (calamari), Randazzo’s Clam Bar was born.

It stays a basic Italian staple down by the Brooklyn sea, serving up a few of New York’s greatest seafood. Even the late and nice Anthony Bourdain paid homage to Randazzo in his Brooklyn episode of No Reservation. For guests who discover themselves wherever, even remotely, within the space of Randazzo’s, it’s value it to strive a few of their well-known gal-ah-mah with spicy pink sauce themselves.

• Tackle: 2017 Emmons Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11235, United States
• Open hours: From Monday to Thursday, from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm; from Friday to Sunday, from 11:00 am to midnight

5
Emilio’s Ballato

Ready in lengthy traces is not for everybody, but when there is a line everybody needs to be prepared to attend in, it is the one out the door of Emilio’s Ballato. This old-school joint is one in all Manhattan’s hottest for a superb purpose. The service, the meals, the vibes, and the ambiance practically scream “old-school” in your face. Begin off the meal with heat focaccia, dip it into the selfmade bolognese sauce, and end it off with a buzzworthy tiramisu. Do not be stunned for those who run into a celeb right here; it is a widespread spot for movie star sightings, which the restaurant proudly boasts with its picture wall of those that have dined there prior to now.

• Tackle: 55 E Houston St, New York, NY 10012, United States
• Open hours: From Sunday to Thursday, from midday to 11:00 pm; Friday and Saturday, from midday to midnight
• Really helpful dishes: Hen parmigiana, rigatoni zucchini

4
Pier 76

Additionally situated on Staten Island is the acclaimed Italian restaurant Pier 76. It’s only a stone’s throw from the Staten Island Ferry and the historic St. George Theatre on the North Shore of the island. It’s the splendid place for household dinners in addition to non-public events and drinks with colleagues. They’re acclaimed for his or her Italian dishes in addition to their artisan sandwiches and wraps.

• Tackle: 408 twelfth Ave West, New York, NY 10018, United States
• Open hours: From Sunday to Saturday, from 6:00 am to 1:00 am

3
Goodfella’s Brick Oven Pizza

Staten Island’s Goodfella’s Brick Oven Pizza makes a daring declare on their web site that many are positive to dispute “World’s Finest Pizza.” Naturally, nobody can truly say they’re fallacious with out going there and making an attempt it for themselves. They had been initially established in 1992 and have simply moved to a brand new location at 4029 Hylan Blvd, in Staten Island. In addition they do take-out catering for Staten Island and Brooklyn.

• Tackle: 4029 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10308, United States
• Open hours: From Monday to Thursday, from 11:30 am to 10:00 pm; Friday, from 11:30 to 11:00 pm; Saturday, from midday to 11:00 pm; Sunday, midday to 10:00 pm

2
Joe & Pat’s Pizzeria & Restaurant

It could come as a shock to many, however one of many nice sights to NYC’s forgotten Staten Island is its wealthy Italian heritage and eating places. Probably the greatest Italian eating places to go to on Staten Island is Joe & Pat’s Pizzeria & Restaurant. It has been serving scrumptious pizza and Italian dishes since 1960, with a pizza that rivals the most effective within the 5 boroughs. In addition they have pasta, seafood, and extra.

• Tackle: 1758 Victory Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10314, United States
• Open hours: From Sunday to Thursday, from 11:00 pm to 10:00 pm; Friday and Saturday, from 11:00 am to 11: pm

1
Take A Pizzeria Tour Of NYC

If one cannot resolve which New York Metropolis Pizzeria to go to, then consider going on a pizzeria tour of the Big Apple. Pizzas had been made widespread in the US as troopers returned from combating in Italy. Right this moment, New York Metropolis prides itself in having among the greatest pizzas within the nation (though to say the world dangers incurring the wrath of Italy’s Naples). Go on a pizza tour and have a really totally different expertise in NYC.