Top 5: Italian Restaurants in New York City

Frankies Spuntino

Frankies is simple, straightforward, classic Italian food at it’s best. Each location in New York City and Brooklyn has a different menu featuring a variety of specialties, like housemade cavatelli with sage butter in New York, and butternut squash soup in Brooklyn. Frankies Extra Virgin Olive Oil also makes for an incredible souvenir.

Lobster Spagetti at Esca, New York City © Michael Williams | Flickr

ESCA

A collaborative effort between James Beard-award-winning chef Dave Pasternack, Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich, ESCA is loved for it’s simple and fresh Italian seafood. Order a plate of fresh oysters or a crudo tasting to start your meal, then opt for a dish like the Razza — crispy local skate with wild mushrooms and young leeks.

Trattoria L’incontro

This restaurant in Queens is best known for its homemade pastas and unbeatable whole dish dishes. When in town, try the cernia all’ abruzzee — black sea bass topped with tomatoes sauce, capers, olives and red pepper.

Fusilli, Red Wine Braised Octopus and Bone Marrow at Marea © Krista | Flickr

Marea

Marea rivals ESCA in terms of fresh and delicious Italian seafood headed by chef Michael White. The menu is wholly seasonal, and all pastas are housemade. Order the fusilli with red wine-braised octopus and bone marrow, or if you’re the only one at your table not in the mood for fish, try the Caramelle, a plate of goat cheese ravioli with arugula, sour cherry and pistachios.

Babbo

This Italian gem was opened by celebrity chefs Mario Batali and Joseph Bastianich in 1998, and is located near Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village. It’s best known for its expertise in Italian cuisine, and incomparable wine list, which boasts more than 2,000 selections representing all of Italy’s wine regions, a selection of vintages.

Sardines at Babbo © Jeff Allen | Flickr