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A blue bowl of wide noodles with an orange colored meat sauce. — Fettuccine Bolognese at Fatta Mano in Bay Ridge.

New York City’s 20 Top Italian Restaurants

The best places for saucy pasta, tender meatballs, and old-school charm

by Eater Staff Updated Nov 7, 2022, 3:46pm EST

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Fettuccine Bolognese at Fatta Mano in Bay Ridge.

| Robert Sietsema/Eater NY

by Eater Staff Updated Nov 7, 2022, 3:46pm EST

New York City excels at many things, but one of its finest achievements? Italian food. As the birthplace of red-sauce, Italian American cooking, there are plenty of top-notch options in the five boroughs, and these days, it can feel as is if all of Italy is represented here. From rustic Tuscan dishes to saucy Sicilian specialties, this list of sit-down restaurants captures the best of the best — both new and old — in New York City right now. For our guide to the city’s best pizza parlors, click on over.

Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission.

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Dominick's

This unfussy gem located on the Bronx’s Arthur Avenue — otherwise known as the borough’s Little Italy — has been dishing out generous servings of well-sauced pasta for more than 50 years. It’s more food hall than restaurant and the knowledgeable servers are happy to guide diners through the massive menu. The stuffed artichoke is a highlight of the menu, as is the sizable sirloin steak served with a mound of fries.

2335 Arthur Ave, The Bronx, NY 10458

A room filled with tables jammed together, teeming with people. — Dominick’s is more food hall than restaurant.

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Roberto's

Roberto’s modern Italian fare, served on a side street tucked away from the hubbub of the Bronx’s Little Italy, is a welcome contrast to the red-sauced Italian American food common in the neighborhood. The wine list is more sophisticated, too, backed up by a menu that trumpets dishes like seasonal vegetables steamed “in cartoccio” — in a foil pouch — and a rabbit stewed with potatoes. Roberto Paciullo, a native of Salerno, Italy, is behind Roberto’s, where there’s not a meatball in sight.

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603 Crescent Ave, The Bronx, NY 10458

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A glistening heap of browned rabbit with greens and potatoes. — Roberto’s fabled braised rabbit.

Rezdôra

Let’s face it, the menus of most upscale Italian restaurants have fairly predictable menus, and you can visit them confident that you’ll find, say, an al dente cacio e pepe or a decent veal Milanese. When Rezdora set out to push the envelope on the classic Italian menu, it caused a sensation three years ago. The menu is anchored in Emilia-Romagna, and thus we have the gnocco frito of the region — thin cool slices of prosciutto matched with puffy warm fritters — and cappelletti verde, little pasta hats stuffed with leeks and spring peas that the menu rather poetically calls, “grandma walking through a forest in Emilia.”

27 E 20th St, New York, NY 10003

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The tagliolini al ragu, held up by a fork, at Rezdora — The tagliolini al ragu at Rezdôra.

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Don Angie

Angie Rito and Scott Tacinelli have ushered in a new era for red sauce cooking at this West Village restaurant. The duo’s creative take on Italian American fare has included caramelle pasta with pickled cantaloupe and buffalo milk mozzarella in the past, and the garlic bread — sesame-seeded flatbread stuffed with stracchino and parmesan — is a consistent hit. Conclude with a glass of the couple’s amaro, made in-house from sarsaparilla and tasting vaguely of root beer. Be sure to make a reservation: It’s no secret that this is one of Manhattan’s top Italian restaurants.

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103 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10014

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A green salad showered in cheese shavings with a fork placed to the side of the dish sits on a table. — Parmesan with a side of salad at Don Angie.

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L'Artusi

Bi-level Italian spot L’Artusi has reigned as a reliable staple in the West Village for over a decade. And for good reason: It keeps crowds coming back with piles of spaghetti, twists of bolognese-slicked tagliatelle, and plate-sized spreads of shaved wagyu carpaccio splattered with a horseradish cream. Reservations still get snapped up well in advance, so plan ahead accordingly.

228 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014

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Via Carota

Expect to wait an hour or more for dinner no matter the day at Jody Williams’ and Rita Sodi’s Via Carota — or try for a late-night glass of wine and a bowl of chewy cacio e pepe. For a larger meal, classics like the grilled chicken and tagliatelle with prosciutto will get the job done, but the stars of the show are often the restaurant’s vegetable dishes: The options change regularly, and it’s hard to go wrong.

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51 Grove St, New York, NY 10014

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A bowl of thick spaghetti with grated cheese on top. — Tonarelli cacio e pepe at Via Carota.

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Carbone

If you’re looking for the evil version of red sauce, one where you know you’re going to get ripped off but might enjoy yourself anyway — in part because it’s fantastic people watching — go to Carbone. Is the Caesar alla ZZ really a standout? Have you ever paid $89 for veal Parm? Does it matter? Chances are, you’ll have a story to tell by the night’s end and possibly leftovers for tomorrow.

181 Thompson St, New York, NY 10012

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Waiters attend to groups of diners sitting at outdoor tables on a tree-lined street. To the left, a neon illuminated sign “Wines Liquors Carbone” shines. — Carbone, photographed in the early days of the pandemic.

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Fiaschetteria Pistoia

Petite Tuscan restaurant Fiaschetteria Pistoia makes up for its size with charm — the servers are brusque yet friendly, known to slam down a wooden crate of wine when asked for the list. Still, their recommendations for affordable bottles rarely miss, and everything from the salads and pork cheek to the cacio e pepe and spaghetti con bottarga are celebrations of the genre. For dessert, the creamy tiramisu is so ethereally light, it’s worth ordering even if full.

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647 E 11th St, New York, NY 10009

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Bottles with price tags on a metal rack. — Fiaschetteria’s “wine list” comes in a milk delivery rack.

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Piccola Cucina Osteria Siciliana

Seafood is the primary focus at this restaurant with siblings uptown as well as in Montana and Ibiza from chef and owner Philip Guardione, originally from Sicily’s Catania. Piccola Cucina means “little kitchen,” and not only is the kitchen diminutive but so is the dining room, with closely spaced tables, which fill up starting early. Get the fritto misto, arancini, maccheroni Norma, or the paccheri with an octopus ragu.

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196 Spring St, New York, NY 10012

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Heaped up whole fish with black stripes from the grill. — Sardines at Piccola Cucina Osteria Siciliana in Soho.

Lilia

If Spiaggia in Chicago is what put chef Missy Robbins on the map, Lilia in Williamsburg is what rocketed her to stardom. Lucky diners might encounter Robbins hovering over the flame-spitting wood grill, the device responsible for singing Lilia’s succulent lamb steaks. Others might stop short at the host stand, quoted a two-hour wait for walk-ins. Reservations book up far in advance, which is understandable for pastas this good, especially the sheep’s milk ricotta agnolotti, slathered in a heady saffron honey sauce.

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567 Union Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222

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A yellow pasta with garnishes sits in a shallow grey bowl. — Ricotta agnolotti in a pool of saffron honey sauce.

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Bamonte's

Over a century in Williamsburg has made old-school, red-sauce Italian restaurant Bamonte’s a local legend. (Appearing in an episode of the Sopranos along the way didn’t hurt, either.) Opened in 1900, the restaurant is still owned by its founding family, who serves up classic Italian American dishes via servers in suits. Must orders include briny clams oreganata, spaghetti and meatballs, and the famous pork chops with pickled peppers. Don’t miss the ethereal cannoli, an off-menu dessert.

32 Withers St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

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A red frame house is the setting for Bamonte’s, and an old man sits on a bench in front. — A red frame house is the setting for Bamonte’s.

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Faro

Pasta is the reason to come to Faro in Bushwick, the formerly Michelin-starred venue from owners Kevin and Debbie Adey. The menu changes frequently, but the options rarely disappoint. All of the pastas are made at the restaurant, including past dishes like its mushroom tortelli with truffle butter and its gnocchi with braised pork shank. Round out the meal at this warmly lit ideal date spot with a bottle of wine.

436 Jefferson St, Brooklyn, NY 11237

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A mound of cavatelli on a white plate beside a gleaming fork and knife. — Faro’s cavatelli.

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Ferdinando's Focacceria

The city’s oldest Sicilian restaurant, dating to 1904, is Ferdinando’s Focacceria in Carroll Gardens. The “focacceria” part of the name doesn’t refer to the familiar southern Italian bread, but to a type of snack shop often found in the island’s capital of Palermo. The menu here, once limited to small sandwiches of cow spleen or chickpeas and composed plates of seafood and vegetables, now serves a full-blown Italian American bill of fare. Depend on baked clams, fried squid or shrimp, and tomato sauce-soaked rice balls, along with squid ink linguine that’s best washed down with a coffee soda.

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151 Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

A bowl of long strands of pasta with a red sauce. — Pasta con sarde at Ferdinando’s.

Frankies 457 Spuntino

A picturesque backyard and a neighborhood vibe are the cherries on top at Frankies 457 Spuntino, which launched a small empire of restaurants on well-executed Italian American classics. The restaurant is as well-known for its sandwiches — the meatball parm and the eggplant marinara are both worth trying — along with its pastas, particularly the cavatelli with hot sausage and browned sage butter. Wines are affordable, and it’s a great restaurant for groups. Reservations are recommended, but it’s usually possible to snag a seat at the wine bar, where the restaurant’s full menu is served.

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457 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

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Fausto

The warm, orange-hued space of Fausto features a menu from chef and owner Erin Shambura that rotates regularly based on the nearby Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket — though the crowd-favorite pasta, an orecchiette with pork and wilted greens, is usually available. Many of the dishes lean simple, like a little gem salad or a bone-in pork chop with garlic scapes. The staff is friendly, and Fausto is good both for eating solo at the bar with pasta and a glass of wine or for dinner when family is in town.

348 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

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A white ceramic bowl filled with thick chitarra noodles and mushrooms, topped with a round egg yolk — Spaghetti alla chitarra from Fausto.

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Al Di La Trattoria

The dark, cozy space of Al Di La has been a Park Slope favorite since 1998, both as a dining destination for Anna Klinger’s northern Italian pastas and as a go-to for locals around dinner. Go for the spaghetti neri all chitarra (black spaghetti with octopus confit, basil, and hot chile peppers) and tagliatelle if it’s a first-time visit, but know that there’s plenty else to explore. Listen for the specials, and prepare to wait for a table at peak hours.

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248 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215

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A restaurant with a yellow audience and patrons seen through windows in the night. — Al Di La is a convivial nighttime spot.

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Fatta Mano

Get the calamari, the mozzarella in carrozza, fettuccine Bolognese, or the chicken Milanese at this halal Italian spot from Abdul Elenani and Akram Nassir, behind Palestinian restaurant Ayat and Al Badawi. Inside, an old gas-fired oven hulks behind the bar, while tight round tables in the dining room are pushed together to accommodate extended families that can flood the place.

8501 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11209

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A squarish black oven with a chimney on the right, the name of the restaurant in gilded letters on the left. — The gas oven at Fatta Mano in Bay Ridge.

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Michael’s of Brooklyn

If date night calls for a big plate of pasta with piquant red sauce, Michael’s is the place. Founded in 1964 with a facade of rusticated stone, the dining room is warm and comfortable, with a pianist who sometimes plays Sinatra classics and other pop songs on a grand piano on a raised platform above the bar. Linguine with red clam sauce is particularly clam-heavy, the massive veal chop is unparalleled in the borough, and you’ll see many tables ordering a plate of fresh mozzarella.

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2929 Avenue R, Brooklyn, NY 11229

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Linguine with red clam sauce is swimming in sauce with a sprig of parsley on the side of the bowl. — Linguine with red clam sauce at Michael’s of Brooklyn.

Joe's of Avenue U

Joe’s is the city’s quintessential Sicilian spot, straight out of the 1950s and located on the cramped streets of Gravesend, Brooklyn. Look at the glass case filled with vegetable and seafood dishes near the entrance, noting which ones appeal, then sit down in a dining room decorated with a delightful mural that depicts an island landscape with century-old themes. Don’t miss the chickpea fritters called panelle, the pasta con sarde loaded with sardines and sweetened with fennel, or the well-oiled octopus salad.

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287 Avenue U, Brooklyn, NY 11223

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A pile of oiled octopus tentacles points in all directions. — A pile of tentacles at Joe’s of Avenue U.

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Randazzo's Clam Bar

This Sheepshead Bay establishment has been a neighborhood staple for decades, serving a variety of seafood dishes and pasta in a crowded dining room a stone’s throw from the waterfront. The restaurant is known for its red sauce, which can be ordered at varying heat levels and comes served atop various seafood dishes, including its standout fried calamari. Don’t miss the seafood diavolo, as well as the raw oysters and clams.

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2017 Emmons Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11235

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A gingham place mat is topped with a plate teeming with fried calamari, with a white paper napkin with a silver fork on the left, and a small dish with marinara sauce to the right. — A mound of fried calamari from Randazzo’s.

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Dominick's

2335 Arthur Ave, The Bronx, NY 10458

This unfussy gem located on the Bronx’s Arthur Avenue — otherwise known as the borough’s Little Italy — has been dishing out generous servings of well-sauced pasta for more than 50 years. It’s more food hall than restaurant and the knowledgeable servers are happy to guide diners through the massive menu. The stuffed artichoke is a highlight of the menu, as is the sizable sirloin steak served with a mound of fries.

2335 Arthur Ave, The Bronx, NY 10458

A room filled with tables jammed together, teeming with people. — Dominick’s is more food hall than restaurant.

Roberto's

603 Crescent Ave, The Bronx, NY 10458

Roberto’s modern Italian fare, served on a side street tucked away from the hubbub of the Bronx’s Little Italy, is a welcome contrast to the red-sauced Italian American food common in the neighborhood. The wine list is more sophisticated, too, backed up by a menu that trumpets dishes like seasonal vegetables steamed “in cartoccio” — in a foil pouch — and a rabbit stewed with potatoes. Roberto Paciullo, a native of Salerno, Italy, is behind Roberto’s, where there’s not a meatball in sight.

Open in Google Maps

603 Crescent Ave, The Bronx, NY 10458

Visit Website

A glistening heap of browned rabbit with greens and potatoes. — Roberto’s fabled braised rabbit.

Rezdôra

27 E 20th St, New York, NY 10003

Let’s face it, the menus of most upscale Italian restaurants have fairly predictable menus, and you can visit them confident that you’ll find, say, an al dente cacio e pepe or a decent veal Milanese. When Rezdora set out to push the envelope on the classic Italian menu, it caused a sensation three years ago. The menu is anchored in Emilia-Romagna, and thus we have the gnocco frito of the region — thin cool slices of prosciutto matched with puffy warm fritters — and cappelletti verde, little pasta hats stuffed with leeks and spring peas that the menu rather poetically calls, “grandma walking through a forest in Emilia.”

27 E 20th St, New York, NY 10003

Visit Website

The tagliolini al ragu, held up by a fork, at Rezdora — The tagliolini al ragu at Rezdôra.

Don Angie

103 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10014

Angie Rito and Scott Tacinelli have ushered in a new era for red sauce cooking at this West Village restaurant. The duo’s creative take on Italian American fare has included caramelle pasta with pickled cantaloupe and buffalo milk mozzarella in the past, and the garlic bread — sesame-seeded flatbread stuffed with stracchino and parmesan — is a consistent hit. Conclude with a glass of the couple’s amaro, made in-house from sarsaparilla and tasting vaguely of root beer. Be sure to make a reservation: It’s no secret that this is one of Manhattan’s top Italian restaurants.

Open in Google Maps

103 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10014

Visit Website

A green salad showered in cheese shavings with a fork placed to the side of the dish sits on a table. — Parmesan with a side of salad at Don Angie.

L'Artusi

228 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014

Bi-level Italian spot L’Artusi has reigned as a reliable staple in the West Village for over a decade. And for good reason: It keeps crowds coming back with piles of spaghetti, twists of bolognese-slicked tagliatelle, and plate-sized spreads of shaved wagyu carpaccio splattered with a horseradish cream. Reservations still get snapped up well in advance, so plan ahead accordingly.

228 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014

Visit Website

Via Carota

51 Grove St, New York, NY 10014

Expect to wait an hour or more for dinner no matter the day at Jody Williams’ and Rita Sodi’s Via Carota — or try for a late-night glass of wine and a bowl of chewy cacio e pepe. For a larger meal, classics like the grilled chicken and tagliatelle with prosciutto will get the job done, but the stars of the show are often the restaurant’s vegetable dishes: The options change regularly, and it’s hard to go wrong.

Open in Google Maps

51 Grove St, New York, NY 10014

Visit Website

A bowl of thick spaghetti with grated cheese on top. — Tonarelli cacio e pepe at Via Carota.

Carbone

181 Thompson St, New York, NY 10012

If you’re looking for the evil version of red sauce, one where you know you’re going to get ripped off but might enjoy yourself anyway — in part because it’s fantastic people watching — go to Carbone. Is the Caesar alla ZZ really a standout? Have you ever paid $89 for veal Parm? Does it matter? Chances are, you’ll have a story to tell by the night’s end and possibly leftovers for tomorrow.

181 Thompson St, New York, NY 10012

Visit Website

Waiters attend to groups of diners sitting at outdoor tables on a tree-lined street. To the left, a neon illuminated sign “Wines Liquors Carbone” shines. — Carbone, photographed in the early days of the pandemic.

Fiaschetteria Pistoia

647 E 11th St, New York, NY 10009

Petite Tuscan restaurant Fiaschetteria Pistoia makes up for its size with charm — the servers are brusque yet friendly, known to slam down a wooden crate of wine when asked for the list. Still, their recommendations for affordable bottles rarely miss, and everything from the salads and pork cheek to the cacio e pepe and spaghetti con bottarga are celebrations of the genre. For dessert, the creamy tiramisu is so ethereally light, it’s worth ordering even if full.

Open in Google Maps

647 E 11th St, New York, NY 10009

Visit Website

Bottles with price tags on a metal rack. — Fiaschetteria’s “wine list” comes in a milk delivery rack.

Piccola Cucina Osteria Siciliana

196 Spring St, New York, NY 10012

Seafood is the primary focus at this restaurant with siblings uptown as well as in Montana and Ibiza from chef and owner Philip Guardione, originally from Sicily’s Catania. Piccola Cucina means “little kitchen,” and not only is the kitchen diminutive but so is the dining room, with closely spaced tables, which fill up starting early. Get the fritto misto, arancini, maccheroni Norma, or the paccheri with an octopus ragu.

Open in Google Maps

196 Spring St, New York, NY 10012

Visit Website

Heaped up whole fish with black stripes from the grill. — Sardines at Piccola Cucina Osteria Siciliana in Soho.

Lilia

567 Union Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222

If Spiaggia in Chicago is what put chef Missy Robbins on the map, Lilia in Williamsburg is what rocketed her to stardom. Lucky diners might encounter Robbins hovering over the flame-spitting wood grill, the device responsible for singing Lilia’s succulent lamb steaks. Others might stop short at the host stand, quoted a two-hour wait for walk-ins. Reservations book up far in advance, which is understandable for pastas this good, especially the sheep’s milk ricotta agnolotti, slathered in a heady saffron honey sauce.

Open in Google Maps

567 Union Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222

Visit Website

A yellow pasta with garnishes sits in a shallow grey bowl. — Ricotta agnolotti in a pool of saffron honey sauce.

Bamonte's

32 Withers St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Over a century in Williamsburg has made old-school, red-sauce Italian restaurant Bamonte’s a local legend. (Appearing in an episode of the Sopranos along the way didn’t hurt, either.) Opened in 1900, the restaurant is still owned by its founding family, who serves up classic Italian American dishes via servers in suits. Must orders include briny clams oreganata, spaghetti and meatballs, and the famous pork chops with pickled peppers. Don’t miss the ethereal cannoli, an off-menu dessert.

32 Withers St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Visit Website

A red frame house is the setting for Bamonte’s, and an old man sits on a bench in front. — A red frame house is the setting for Bamonte’s.

Faro

436 Jefferson St, Brooklyn, NY 11237

Pasta is the reason to come to Faro in Bushwick, the formerly Michelin-starred venue from owners Kevin and Debbie Adey. The menu changes frequently, but the options rarely disappoint. All of the pastas are made at the restaurant, including past dishes like its mushroom tortelli with truffle butter and its gnocchi with braised pork shank. Round out the meal at this warmly lit ideal date spot with a bottle of wine.

436 Jefferson St, Brooklyn, NY 11237

Visit Website

A mound of cavatelli on a white plate beside a gleaming fork and knife. — Faro’s cavatelli.

Ferdinando's Focacceria

151 Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

The city’s oldest Sicilian restaurant, dating to 1904, is Ferdinando’s Focacceria in Carroll Gardens. The “focacceria” part of the name doesn’t refer to the familiar southern Italian bread, but to a type of snack shop often found in the island’s capital of Palermo. The menu here, once limited to small sandwiches of cow spleen or chickpeas and composed plates of seafood and vegetables, now serves a full-blown Italian American bill of fare. Depend on baked clams, fried squid or shrimp, and tomato sauce-soaked rice balls, along with squid ink linguine that’s best washed down with a coffee soda.

Open in Google Maps

151 Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

A bowl of long strands of pasta with a red sauce. — Pasta con sarde at Ferdinando’s.

Frankies 457 Spuntino

457 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

A picturesque backyard and a neighborhood vibe are the cherries on top at Frankies 457 Spuntino, which launched a small empire of restaurants on well-executed Italian American classics. The restaurant is as well-known for its sandwiches — the meatball parm and the eggplant marinara are both worth trying — along with its pastas, particularly the cavatelli with hot sausage and browned sage butter. Wines are affordable, and it’s a great restaurant for groups. Reservations are recommended, but it’s usually possible to snag a seat at the wine bar, where the restaurant’s full menu is served.

Open in Google Maps

457 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Visit Website

Fausto

348 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

The warm, orange-hued space of Fausto features a menu from chef and owner Erin Shambura that rotates regularly based on the nearby Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket — though the crowd-favorite pasta, an orecchiette with pork and wilted greens, is usually available. Many of the dishes lean simple, like a little gem salad or a bone-in pork chop with garlic scapes. The staff is friendly, and Fausto is good both for eating solo at the bar with pasta and a glass of wine or for dinner when family is in town.

348 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Visit Website

A white ceramic bowl filled with thick chitarra noodles and mushrooms, topped with a round egg yolk — Spaghetti alla chitarra from Fausto.

Related Maps

Al Di La Trattoria

248 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215

The dark, cozy space of Al Di La has been a Park Slope favorite since 1998, both as a dining destination for Anna Klinger’s northern Italian pastas and as a go-to for locals around dinner. Go for the spaghetti neri all chitarra (black spaghetti with octopus confit, basil, and hot chile peppers) and tagliatelle if it’s a first-time visit, but know that there’s plenty else to explore. Listen for the specials, and prepare to wait for a table at peak hours.

Open in Google Maps

248 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Visit Website

A restaurant with a yellow audience and patrons seen through windows in the night. — Al Di La is a convivial nighttime spot.

Fatta Mano

8501 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11209

Get the calamari, the mozzarella in carrozza, fettuccine Bolognese, or the chicken Milanese at this halal Italian spot from Abdul Elenani and Akram Nassir, behind Palestinian restaurant Ayat and Al Badawi. Inside, an old gas-fired oven hulks behind the bar, while tight round tables in the dining room are pushed together to accommodate extended families that can flood the place.

8501 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11209

Visit Website

A squarish black oven with a chimney on the right, the name of the restaurant in gilded letters on the left. — The gas oven at Fatta Mano in Bay Ridge.

Michael’s of Brooklyn

2929 Avenue R, Brooklyn, NY 11229

If date night calls for a big plate of pasta with piquant red sauce, Michael’s is the place. Founded in 1964 with a facade of rusticated stone, the dining room is warm and comfortable, with a pianist who sometimes plays Sinatra classics and other pop songs on a grand piano on a raised platform above the bar. Linguine with red clam sauce is particularly clam-heavy, the massive veal chop is unparalleled in the borough, and you’ll see many tables ordering a plate of fresh mozzarella.

Open in Google Maps

2929 Avenue R, Brooklyn, NY 11229

Visit Website

Linguine with red clam sauce is swimming in sauce with a sprig of parsley on the side of the bowl. — Linguine with red clam sauce at Michael’s of Brooklyn.

Joe's of Avenue U

287 Avenue U, Brooklyn, NY 11223

Joe’s is the city’s quintessential Sicilian spot, straight out of the 1950s and located on the cramped streets of Gravesend, Brooklyn. Look at the glass case filled with vegetable and seafood dishes near the entrance, noting which ones appeal, then sit down in a dining room decorated with a delightful mural that depicts an island landscape with century-old themes. Don’t miss the chickpea fritters called panelle, the pasta con sarde loaded with sardines and sweetened with fennel, or the well-oiled octopus salad.

Open in Google Maps

287 Avenue U, Brooklyn, NY 11223

Visit Website

A pile of oiled octopus tentacles points in all directions. — A pile of tentacles at Joe’s of Avenue U.

Randazzo's Clam Bar

2017 Emmons Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11235

This Sheepshead Bay establishment has been a neighborhood staple for decades, serving a variety of seafood dishes and pasta in a crowded dining room a stone’s throw from the waterfront. The restaurant is known for its red sauce, which can be ordered at varying heat levels and comes served atop various seafood dishes, including its standout fried calamari. Don’t miss the seafood diavolo, as well as the raw oysters and clams.

Open in Google Maps

2017 Emmons Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11235

Visit Website

A gingham place mat is topped with a plate teeming with fried calamari, with a white paper napkin with a silver fork on the left, and a small dish with marinara sauce to the right. — A mound of fried calamari from Randazzo’s.

Related Maps