Italian Restaurants with Old-School Vibes and Classic Fare
No matter where you land below 14th Street, you’re in for a taste of Italy as authentic as it is delicious. Read on for the best of the best.
Fun fact: Downtown Manhattan is home to some of the best Italian restaurants in the city. From classic trattorias with white tablecloths and a side of nostalgia to sleek, modern spots serving elevated, internet-famous lasagna, you’re sure to find something to delight your taste buds. No matter where you land below 14th Street, you’re in for a taste of Italy that’s as authentic as it is delicious. Let us guide you to the best of the best below.
This classic Italian gem in Greenwich Village has been serving Tuscan fare since 1983. Known for its old-school, white-tablecloth setting and lively atmosphere, it’s as much a favorite for its rich, rustic dishes as for its pop culture significance. In other words, the restaurant became famously associated with Carrie Bradshaw’s ill-fated 35th birthday party in Sex and the City. The menu features dishes like pappardelle al cinghiale, chicken parmigiana, branzino al forno, and panzanella, all crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients. For dessert, their panna cotta is a must-order. You’ll find brick walls, plenty of flowers, and a terracotta floor inside the storied dining room where Andy Warhol and Keith Haring once rode in on a motorcycle. Whether for a romantic dinner or a birthday celebration, Il Cantinori offers the perfect setting for any occasion.
32 E 10th St; T. (212) 673-6044
Emilio’s Ballato, a family-owned Italian gem oozing old-school ambiance, has been a cornerstone of Manhattan’s dining scene since 1956. This candlelit, walk-in-only Nolitan trattoria is always buzzing with patrons eager to savor authentic Southern Italian cuisine. Known for its exclusive back room, which hosts VIPs, friends, and family, Emilio’s has attracted the likes of Taylor Swift, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, former President Barack Obama, and Rihanna. But the true star is what’s on the menu. Indulge in crispy zucchini fritti, chicken parmigiana, and tagliatelle alla bolognese while surrounded by a gallery of celebrity snapshots adorning the brick walls.
55 East Houston Street; T. (212) 274-8881
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Bowtie-clad waiters and a candlelit, white-clothed dining room set the tone at this beloved East Village institution (est. 1908). Menu highlights include prosciutto with melon, fried calamari, and hearty, classic pasta staples like fettuccine alfredo, carbonara, and spaghetti with meatballs. But here’s the twist: this old-school haunt also boasts an impressive vegan menu, offering plant-based dishes like eggplant or seitan parm with vegan cheese, spaghetti with vegan meatballs, and seitan scallopini in a rich marsala wine mushroom sauce. Open late on weekends, it’s the perfect spot for a cozy date night to sip wine, savor delicious vegan (or veal) dishes, and indulge in tempting desserts.
302 E 12th St; T. (212) 475-9531
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Craving an unfussy and excellent bowl of pasta served in a relaxed atmosphere? Supper (est. 2002) is the place to go. All of the Northern Italian dishes—as well as the extensive wine list—are worth trying, but if this is your first time at this quaint, cash-only osteria, you must order the creamy and zesty Spaghetti al Limone, followed by a perfectly pillowy tiramisu. A favorite among locals, it’s the kind of spot where you might mistake it for Nonna’s kitchen. Tip: If it’s packed, you can always try your luck securing a table at owner Frank Prisinzano’s other beloved East Village spots, Frank or Lil’ Frankie’s.
156 East 2nd St, New York, NY 10009; T: (212) 477-7600
For an authentic taste of Italy without breaking the bank, join in-the-know locals at Il Posto Accanto, a pint-sized trattoria tucked away on East 2nd Street. Run by Rome-native Beatrice Tosti di Valminuta and her husband Julio Pena since 1999, this rustic joint serves up some of the best pasta and meatballs below 14th Street. Don’t miss the grilled calamari alla griglia—fresh squid marinated in olive oil, lemon, and red pepper for 24 hours. They also offer delicious gluten-free and vegan dishes, all bursting with flavor. Finish your meal with a refreshing Sicilian lemon sorbet with sage or a rich tiramisu, and order another bottle of amazingly priced Italian wine because, la dolce vita.
190 E 2nd Street, New York; T (212) 228-3562
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Opened in 2017, Don Angie is a more recent Italian-American gem in the West Village that has already become a neighborhood mainstay. With its candlelit ambiance and art-deco style interior—featuring a marble bar, black-and-white checkered floors, and dark wood accents—this stylish restaurant serves up inventive takes on Italian-American classics, such as their now-iconic lasagna for two, made with an Italian sausage bolognese and whipped robiolina cheese. With food this good, Don Angie is well on its way to becoming a beloved downtown institution for years to come.
103 Greenwich Ave; T. (212) 889-8884
WORDS Alex Catarinella
PHOTOGRAPHY ballatos.com