Manhattan, the beating heart of New York City, is a food lover’s paradise, home to all cultures and cuisines, including Italian. From a small family-owned trattoria to a swanky food hall, you’ll find an array of Italian restaurants providing traditional recipes passed down through generations to Italian classics reimagined. Whether you want the perfect al dente pasta, a perfectly cooked wood-fired pizza, or the denouement with a tedious tiramisu, Manhattan has the best-rated Italian restaurants in the world, and an abundance. In this blog, we take a look at the best Italian restaurants in Manhattan with the requisite ambiance, superior ingredients, and expected quality for authentic Italian dining. Based on the most recent reviews, user ratings, and local food trends, here is a 2025 guide to some of the best-rated Italian restaurants.
1. Piccolacucinagroup
When it comes to top-rated Italian restaurants in Manhattan, the Piccola Cucina Group stands out as a true gem. Known for bringing the heart of Sicilian cuisine to New York City, Piccola Cucina offers a collection of charming, authentic Italian restaurants across Manhattan. Each location under the group is beloved for its rustic ambiance, warm hospitality, and a menu that showcases traditional Italian recipes made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. From handmade pastas and fresh seafood to rich sauces and signature desserts like cannoli and tiramisu, Piccola Cucina delivers an unforgettable dining experience.
Whether you’re in SoHo, Midtown, or Nolita, their locations offer a cozy, vibrant atmosphere that transports you straight to Southern Italy. The group’s dedication to authenticity and culinary excellence has earned them consistently high ratings from both locals and visitors, making them a must-visit for anyone craving genuine Italian flavors in the heart of Manhattan.
2. Carbone
Located in Greenwich Village, Carbone is a name synonymous with Italian-American fine dining. This retro-glam restaurant, helmed by chefs Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi, pays homage to the classic red-sauce joints of mid-20th-century New York. The ambiance, with its dark wood paneling, vintage decor, and tuxedo-clad waitstaff, transports diners to a bygone era. Carbone’s menu is a love letter to Italian-American comfort food, featuring dishes like spicy rigatoni vodka, veal parmesan, and lobster fra diavolo. The spicy rigatoni, with its creamy yet fiery sauce, is a crowd favorite, often cited in reviews for its perfect balance of flavors.
Carbone’s exclusivity adds to its allure—reservations are notoriously hard to secure, so plan weeks. Diners on platforms like Yelp and OpenTable praise the restaurant for its impeccable service and generous portions, with many calling it a “bucket-list dining experience.” The tiramisu, served tableside in massive portions, is a sweet finale that lives up to the hype. While the price point is steep, Carbone’s combination of nostalgia, quality, and showmanship makes it a top-rated choice for Italian cuisine in Manhattan.
3. L’Artusi
L’Artusi, located in the West Village, is a modern take on Italian cuisine, and manages to embrace rusticity and modernism in equal measure! In addition to being casual and inviting with its open kitchen, this restaurant has a well-established reputation and a loyal following for offering approachable and inventive dishes. The menu prides itself on using seasonal ingredients, with fan favorites like the garganelli with mushroom ragù, roasted octopus, and two versions of spaghetti with clams.
All of the pasta is made in-house, and the restaurant pays careful attention to texture and flavor in the food, bringing accolades from critics and patrons alike. The restaurant also has quite a wine list, featuring a broad spectrum of Italian varieties that complement the food. Reviews from TripAdvisor tout the performers as knowledgeable, guiding the diners through recommended pairings and the menu smoothly. The space has a chic vibe while being unpretentious at the same time, making it perfect for a couple’s dinner or a group gathering. It’s mostly 4.5-star reviews on all review sites that make L’Artusi one of the best Italian restaurants in Manhattan.
4. I Sodi
For those seeking an authentic taste of Tuscany, I Sodi in the West Village is a must-visit. Chef Rita Sodi’s intimate eatery is a love letter to her Tuscan roots, offering a menu that emphasizes simplicity and quality. Signature dishes like the cacio e pepe, lasagna with green pasta, and artichoke-stuffed ravioli showcase the beauty of minimalist Italian cooking. The cacio e pepe, in particular, is often lauded for its creamy, peppery perfection, with diners noting its authenticity compared to Rome’s finest renditions.
I Sodi’s cozy, minimalist dining room creates an intimate atmosphere, perfect for a quiet dinner. The restaurant also offers an impressive selection of Italian wines and housemade grappa, adding to the authentic experience. Online reviews frequently mention the warm hospitality and attention to detail, with many calling I Sodi a “hidden gem” despite its popularity. Reservations are highly recommended, as the small space fills up quickly. For Tuscan cuisine done right, I Sodi remains a top contender in Manhattan’s Italian dining scene.
5. Via Carota
Another West Village favorite, Via Carota is the brainchild of chefs Jody Williams and Rita Sodi, blending rustic Italian fare with a vibrant, tavern-like atmosphere. The restaurant’s weathered wooden tables, exposed brick walls, and candlelit charm make it a cozy yet lively spot for diners. The menu is packed with crowd-pleasers, from the svizzerina (a grilled short rib and chuck patty) to the tagliatelle with prosciutto and the iconic insalata verde, a towering salad of mixed greens and herbs.
Via Carota’s no-reservations policy means you may face a wait, but reviewers agree it’s worth it for the exceptional food and ambiance. Posts on X and Yelp highlight the restaurant’s consistency, with many diners returning for the perfectly executed pasta dishes and seasonal specials. The tiramisu, served in a rustic ceramic cup, is a decadent end to any meal. Via Carota’s ability to blend rustic simplicity with refined flavors makes it a standout in Manhattan’s competitive Italian restaurant scene.
6. Rubirosa
In Nolita, Rubirosa is a beloved neighborhood spot known for its thin-crust pizzas and hearty Italian-American dishes. This family-run restaurant, inspired by recipes from the Di Fara pizzeria in Brooklyn, has a loyal following thanks to its signature vodka sauce pizza and classic spaghetti pomodoro. The pizza’s crispy crust and tangy sauce have earned it a cult status, with many reviewers claiming it rivals the best in New York City. Beyond pizza, Rubirosa’s menu features dishes like eggplant parmesan and homemade meatballs that evoke the comfort of a Sunday family dinner.
The restaurant’s casual, welcoming vibe makes it a great choice for both locals and tourists. Rubirosa’s gluten-free options, including a stellar gluten-free pizza, have also won praise for accommodating dietary restrictions without sacrificing flavor. Online reviews frequently mention the lively atmosphere and friendly service, with OpenTable users giving it high marks for value and quality. For a laid-back yet delicious Italian meal, Rubirosa is a top-rated pick.
7. Il Buco
Nestled in NoHo, Il Buco began as an antique store before evolving into one of Manhattan’s most celebrated Italian restaurants. Its rustic, candlelit dining room feels like a Tuscan farmhouse, creating a warm and intimate setting. The menu focuses on seasonal, farm-to-table ingredients, with dishes like pappardelle with lamb ragù, grilled branzino, and house-cured charcuterie. Il Buco’s commitment to quality is evident in its house-made pastas and carefully curated wine list, which features rare Italian bottles.
Diners rave about the attention to detail and the restaurant’s ability to elevate simple ingredients into extraordinary dishes. Il Buco’s long-standing reputation is reflected in its consistent 4.5-star ratings on platforms like Google Reviews and Yelp. The dessert menu, featuring items like olive oil cake and panna cotta, is a perfect way to end a meal. For a refined yet soulful Italian dining experience, Il Buco is a must.
Why Manhattan’s Italian Scene Stands Out
The strength of Manhattan’s Italian restaurants lies in their wide-ranging variety and diversity–from old-school red-sauce establishments to chef-driven culinary experiences. With a diverse range of very high-quality ingredients, skilled chefs, and an audience that knows good food, it’s no surprise that Manhattan’s Italian dining scene is one of the best. Whether you want to enjoy casual pizza dining or a full multi-course experience at a fine dining restaurant, Manhattan’s best Italian cuisine will excel at serving it up for you.
In selecting your restaurant of choice, you should make reservations in advance (beyond 2 weeks) for places like Carbone and I Sodi that are notoriously difficult to secure a table. If you’re choosing your restaurant for the day, it’s helpful to look at recent reviews on something like Yelp, OpenTable, or even X to see what the recent menu highlights have been, and see if people are satisfied with their dining or takeout experience. Regardless of the restaurant you choose to dine in, Manhattan’s Italian restaurant scene will take you on a culinary adventure that you won’t forget, filled with rich textures and flavors, all served with warmth.