The Italians have earned a reputation in NYC as being a joyous people whose immigrant grandparents brought a delicious cuisine with them, and that certainly is a reputation that is well deserved. NYC is known for pizza, pasta, and all kinds of Italian food throughout the city. With pizza places on just about every block, the cuisine is extremely popular and rightfully so. This article has listed the top Italian restaurants for you and your date to enjoy if the two of you are craving a calzone, pizza, or antipasti!

1. Marea

This restaurant, located near Central Park, specializes in the cuisine of Southern Italy, particularly from the region of Sicily. The restaurant makes their pasta fresh and even churns their own ice cream. The surroundings, as elegant as they are, are perfect for having a nice date with your significant other.

2. Carbone

The restaurant is located in Greenwich Village and is a real hoot to visit! While the dishes might have astronomical prices, such as their $89 veal Parmesan, surely you wouldn’t mind splurging a little on your date, right? While it isn’t exactly known for being laid back, since it’s something of a circus watching chefs going to and from kitchens, you’ll surely be entertained and even awestruck by their culinary creations.

3. Il Buco

A sweet little spot located in NoHo with a gorgeous rustic and cozy interior. Perhaps the quietest of all joints listed in this article, this place is perfect for you to take your date to. One of their most notorious dishes, Tagliatelle with Black Truffle sauce, is sure to knock your socks off! Keep this place in mind next time you’re in town, you won’t regret it.

4. Rubirosa

This restaurant is among the highest-rated of not only Italian restaurants in NYC but of all restaurants in NYC to begin with. A family-owned place in Nolita, this place has maintained a legacy of crafting delicious sauces and freshly-baked pizza. Fortunately it’s a bit more kind to the wallet as well, making this a much more budget and friendly place to take a crowd. If you’re in the mood for casual pizza, do consider this cute little joint, you’ll certainly love to indulge in their thin-crust pizzas and their bolognese!

5. I Sodi

The only Tuscan-inspired restaurant on this list, I Sodi is a lovely and charming restaurant located in the West Village. While the dishes are deceptively simple in appearance, this restaurant’s most famous dish is their Paccheri cooked in meat sauce. For those looking for gluten-free options do consider their flourless chocolate cake -- it’s absolutely divine!

6. Hands on Pasta making class NYC

Well, no list is complete without a surprise, right? Consider learning how to make your own pasta, from scratch! That’s right, if you want complete control over flavor and wish to indulge in your very own creations, consider learning how to make a couple of Italian dishes on your own in the privacy of your own kitchen. This course, led by an expert chef whose mastery over Italian cuisine will leave you awestruck, has the following on their menu:

Bruschetta classic w/ tomatoes and basil.

Tagliatelle alla Bolognese or Pesto (V)

Brownie with ice cream

Yum, sounds delicious, doesn’t it? Well, consider signing up, and perhaps one day you’ll even open your own Michelin-starred Italian restaurant in NYC!

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