New York City is replete with Italian eateries, from hidden, hole-in-the-wall trattorias to shiny, upscale ristorantes, New York City (particularly restaurant-studded locales such as the West Village and Greenwich Village) is home to some of the most authentic pasta and pizza outside of Italy. But with so many Italian restaurants around these days, how can one ensure they're dining from the best? Fear not, NearSay has you covered. After some thorough research of the highest-rated Italian spots in the neighborhood and a lot of "fieldwork" of our own, we've come up with a definitive shortlist of the best Italian restaurants in the West Village and Greenwich Village.
Babbo: Mario Batali's "New Kind of Classic" Italian Fare
First on the list is the obvious Babbo, deservedly "Critic's Pick" by New York Magazine and dubbed "the most exciting Italian restaurant in town." Here, Mario Batali's "staggeringly original yet startlingly airy" cooking will "stun, fool, bewitch, and ultimately obsess you," New York declares. These views are echoed by The New York Times' ex food critic Frank Bruni, who pronounces that Babbo simply "adds one big taste sensation atop another, gilding already-delicious dishes with extra bits of texture and final flourishes of flavor." Although most anything on the menu is delectable, we highly recommend the beef cheek ravioli with black truffles, the spicy two-minute calamari and the goat-cheese tortelloni with dried orange and wild fennel in particular (quite possibly one of the best pasta dishes I've ever tried, in my entire life).
As if you needed any more convincing, Babbo was named New York's #1 Italian restaurant in 2008 by Zagat, and after 12 years located in its Waverly Place townhouse, still scores a whopping 27/30 rating for its "transcendent" Italian cooking. In addition to 3/4 stars from The New York Times, Babbo also scores an impressive 4.5/5 star average out of 626 Yelp reviews, and a 4.5/5 average out of 130 Menupages reviews. Additionally, Babbo was listed by Gourmet as one of "America's Top 50 Restaurants" ("this West Village hotspot has become the new kind of classic"). Yup, it goes without saying, but if for some unfortunate reason you can only dine at one Italian restaurant in New York City, make Babbo the one.
Il Mulino: For Hearty, "Voluptuous" Italian Comfort Food
Next on the list is the old-world, Abruzzi region-focused Il Mulino, declared by New York as one of New York's "best Italian restaurants" and famous for its garlicky, hearty, almost gluttonous fare. Don't let the unassuming-looking trattoria's humble dark, plain decor fool you. Inside you'll find the city's finest traditional Italian dishes served by an attentive wait staff in tuxedos.
Before you order from the menu, which has not changed in 20 years, you are served salamis, bruschetta, spicy zucchini marinated in olive oil, garlic bread, and crispy rosemary bread and of course a hunk of Parmigiano. And from there, the decadence continues. The portions to come are enough to feed two people and the food is incredibly rich.
You almost can't go wrong on this menu, but we can guide you to greatness. For appetizers, try the escargot-stuffed mushroom caps, the zucchini flower stuffed with fontina and prosciutto, and the tomato and burata salad.
For pastas, we highly recommend the pasta Il Mulino (but substitute homemade pappardelle for cappellini, you'll thank us), the carbonara or the seafood risotto with fresh langoustines. The porcini mushroom ravioli with champagne truffle sauce gets rave reviews from all including New York, but be careful, it's $100 a plate.
For entrees, we especially recommend the rack of lamb, which is arguably the best in the city, the thick veal chop, the uccelletti alla fiorintina, saltimboca, and filetto di manzon alla romano. Their osso buco with saffron risotto is tremendous as well. Seafood entrees are usually specials but change little day to day with some perennial greats to choose from. For a lighter meal, pay special attention to the branzino stuffed with rosemary and cooked in rock salt as well as the snapper cooked with spicy seafood.
Still need more convincing? Il Mulino also scores an outstanding 27/30 Zagat rating ("voluminous and voluptuous dining is the calling card of this one-of-a-kind Village Italian eatery, where the stunning meals begin with a bounty of freebies served by a marvelous staff"), a 4.5/5 star Yelp average, a 4.5/5 star average and 91% approval rating on Urbanspoon, and a 4/5 star rating on Menupages (where some reviewers have dubbed Il Mulino as "the best Italian in the world, period"). Oh, and CNN fans, it's also Anderson Cooper's favorite restaurant (and most importantly, our co-founder and resident foodie Trevor's, too). It's an expensive meal, as Zagat tells us you'll spend about $87 per person. But oh, is it worth it.
L'Artusi: 2 Floors of Italian Splendor
Joe Campanale's second West Village Italian restaurant after local favorite Dell'Anima, L'Artusi attracted crowds from the moment it opened. This two-floor eatery is filled with his gracious spirit in the architecture and the spiritdness of its service staff. And as delightful as the staff is, the food leads the way.
Chef Gabe Thompson, co-owner in the venture, has been given creative license to serve northern Italian fare with a modern touch, and the results are spectacular. L'Artusi's pastas, many of which are homemade, seem to dominate their menu and for good reason – they are simply fantastic. Try the tagliatelle bolognese, garganelli with mushroom ragu, and the most celebrated of Thompson's pastas, the pizzocheri with brussel sprouts, fontina and sage. Who knew brussel sprouts on pasta could taste so good?
On the meat and fish side, the grilled octopus receives rave reviews from the masses, (4 stars on Yelp). "Phenomenal" and "fresh, soft, cooked perfectly and seasoned delicately" is a perfect description. The short ribs are delicious as well. If you are a bit more adventurous, try the sweetbreads or the quail, which was part of the perfect meal according to New York. Zagat rates the restaurant a 24/30 for food, touting the "pretty people who flock here" and the "terrific small plates." Prices range from $16-18 for pasta and $15-22 for an entree.
Of course, L'Artusi is also a celebrated wine bar with a large and interesting selection befitting of a Joe Campanale restaurant. New York adds "Campanale's list of properly biodynamic, mostly Italian varietal wines is wide-ranging and semi-resonably priced."
Otto Enoteca Pizzeria: For Flawless Pizzas and Award-Winning Gelato
Next on the list is another Batali eatery and local favorite Otto Enoteca Pizzeria – a part wine bar, part pizzeria that's more casual and not quite as fancy as Babbo, but equally as creative and delish. Like Babbo, Otto is a 'Critic's Pick' by New York and is praised by The New York Times for more than just its pizza (says former food critic William Grimes: "I found true happiness by grazing the margins of the menu...cauliflower florets tossed in garlic, lemon and bits of olive have the winning simplicity that defines Italian food at its best"; "Otto is a pleasure in almost every way.") Though Otto is most famous for its pizza, make sure you also try their excellent antipasti – fresh artichokes, sweet eggplant caponata, prosciutto, and roasted cauliflower. Otto also boasts a 750+ all-Italian wine list and wine classes every Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. in the enoteca, led by wine director Marica Viczian or by one of their expert sommeliers.
Otto also scores a 22/30 Zagat rating for its "inventive pies, insanely long wine list and must-have gelato," sentiments echoed by Time Out New York who declare that Otto's award-winning gelato selection ranges from "excellent to exceptional (the salty-sweet olive-oil flavor)." Equally impressed are local bloggers The Gotham Palate ("I will continue to frequent Otto to enjoy the rich, refined Italian comfort food that makes Otto such a success") and Gastronomy (their fare is "interesting, innovative and special"). Despite being part of an upscale restaurant empire, Otto strives itself as being very family-friendly so make Otto a family affair. Sunday dinner never tasted so good.
Bar Pitti: For "Superbly Simple" Tuscan Fare
Last, but not least, the bare-boned, sienna-hued Bar Pitti, praised by The New York Times for their "simple Tuscan menu" and "ease with people and food" that makes the restaurant "so Italian." While the menu is small, the quality of Pitti's dishes is rich (New York Magazine recommends the polpettine di vitello, their delicious veal meatballs, and melanzana parmigiana). Those budget-conscious diners needn't worry either – unlike the upscale Babbo, the Village Voice promises "you don't have to be rich or famous" to eat at this "real Tuscan trattoria." Time Out New York adds that their appetizers of creamy burrata cheese and antipasto of cured Italian meats are "tasty and refreshingly simple," and their ambiance is comfortable and classy.
Bar Pitti also scores a superb 22/30 Zagat rating for being the "perennial favorite" of locals, "bustling alfresco action" and "dynamite pastas." The Village eatery also scores a 4.5/5 star average on Yelp and a 4/5 star rating on Menupages. Definitely the place to go for casual, classic, no-nonsense Tuscan food.
Check out NearSay's complete coverage of NYC's best Italian restaurants.
The Best Italian Restaurants in the West Village and Greenwich Village
Babbo is located at 110 Waverly Place, between Washington Square West and Sixth Avenue.
Il Mulino is located at 86 West 3rd Street, near Sullivan Street.
L'Artusi is located at 228 West 10th Street, between Bleecker and Hudson Streets.
Otto is located at 1 Fifth Avenue, at 8th Street.
Bar Pitti is located at 268 Sixth Avenue, near Bleecker Street.
