5 Best Italian Restaurants in Lower East Side, New York NY
Updated 29 September 2026 · 5 restaurants in Lower East Side, New York NY considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This guide lists five Italian restaurants on the Lower East Side of Manhattan for anyone choosing between pasta dinners, brunch, casual bites and late-night food. The places are ranked from their Google ratings weighted by review count, so a restaurant with a steady record across many reviews can outrank one with a few top scores. Each entry uses only the listing details and what reviewers mention, including critical notes. Hours vary widely here, so confirm them before you go.
#1
Taverna Di Bacco
★ 4.7 (597 Google reviews)Italian restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
Taverna Di Bacco is at 175 Ludlow Street, opening at 1:30 pm Wednesday through Sunday and closed Monday and Tuesday. Reviewers describe a warm welcome from the owner-chef and recommend the five-course chef's option. Fusilli alla nonna, ravioli a cuore, chicken and lamb dishes are mentioned, along with an elegant, cozy dining room. The space lists wheelchair-accessible entrance, seating and restroom.
Best for: Chef's tasting menu dinner
- Address
- 175 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002, United States
- Hours
- Fri 1:30–11 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 1:30–11 pm; Sun 1:30–10 pm; Thu 1:30–11 pm; Tue Closed; Wed 1:30–11 pm
#2
Fossetta
★ 4.6 (212 Google reviews)Italian restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
Fossetta is a small restaurant at 198 Allen Street, open for dinner Tuesday to Thursday and from morning on Fridays and weekends. Reviewers mention focaccia in several forms, including a pepperoni and mozzarella version, plus lasagna, calamari and the Ida's Cure cocktail. Brunch is popular, with afternoon light by the windows. One reviewer found the focaccia dense and noted a roof leak by a window seat.
Best for: Weekend brunch and focaccia
- Address
- 198 Allen St, New York, NY 10002, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–11 pm; Mon 11 am–10 pm; Sat 10 am–11 pm; Sun 10 am–10 pm; Thu 4–10 pm; Tue 4–10 pm; Wed 4–10 pm
#3
Trapizzino
★ 4.5 (891 Google reviews)Italian restaurant$20–60 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Trapizzino at 144 Orchard Street serves stuffed pizza-pocket sandwiches called trapizzini, open from noon on weekdays and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Reviewers mention oxtail, eggplant and meatball fillings in crunchy yet soft bread, and a Hugo spritz. Some found the pasta disappointing, with one describing clumped ragu. It offers delivery, happy-hour drinks, late-night food and vegan and vegetarian options.
Best for: Casual handheld snacks and spritzes
- Address
- 144 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002, United States
- Hours
- Fri 12 pm–12 am; Mon 12–9 pm; Sat 11 am–12 am; Sun 11 am–9:30 pm; Thu 12–10 pm; Tue 12–10 pm; Wed 12–10 pm
#4
Saluggi's East
★ 4.4 (1,095 Google reviews)Italian restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
Saluggi's East is at 399 Grand Street and stays open until 2 am most nights and 4 am on Fridays and Saturdays. Reviewers describe it as a sports bar with Italian food, mentioning garlic parmesan wings, baked ziti, cheese fries and a caprese salad. They note quick service, good portions and a fun atmosphere. The venue lists wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance, seating and restroom.
Best for: Late-night food and games
- Address
- 399 Grand St, New York, NY 10002, United States
- Hours
- Fri 12 pm–4 am; Mon 12 pm–2 am; Sat 12 pm–4 am; Sun 12 pm–2 am; Thu 12 pm–2 am; Tue 12 pm–2 am; Wed 12 pm–2 am
#5
Bacaro
★ 4.4 (425 Google reviews)Italian restaurant$30–90 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Bacaro is at 136 Division Street, open for dinner from 5 pm and until midnight most nights. Reviewers describe a romantic space, with a tight main floor and an underground lower level suited to dates and groups. Duck cavatelli is mentioned favorably, and a weekday happy hour is noted as good value. Other reviewers felt portions and service fell short, citing a clam spaghetti with many empty shells.
Best for: Romantic evenings and happy hour
- Address
- 136 Division St, New York, NY 10002, United States
- Hours
- Fri 5 pm–12 am; Mon 5 pm–12 am; Sat 5 pm–12 am; Sun 5–10 pm; Thu 5 pm–12 am; Tue 5 pm–12 am; Wed 5 pm–12 am
How we made this list
We looked at 5 restaurants in Lower East Side, New York NY with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then Google category “Italian restaurant”, ranked by weighted rating. A rating from thousands of reviews counts for more than the same rating from a handful, so a new place with a few perfect scores does not jump the queue. Ratings and hours are from public Google listings on 29 September 2026 and can change. Nobody paid to be on this list.
Tips before you go
- Trapizzino and Bacaro take reservations, useful on weekend evenings.
- Hours and prices come from Google listings and change, so check the listing before a long trip.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the highest-rated restaurant on this list?
Taverna Di Bacco ranks first, with a Google rating of 4.7 from 597 reviews. Fossetta is second at 4.6 from 212 reviews.
Which restaurants in Lower East Side, New York NY are open late?
Trapizzino stays open until 12 am; Saluggi's East stays open until 4 am; Bacaro stays open until 12 am.
How much does it cost at these restaurants?
Google lists these price ranges per person: Trapizzino $20–60; Bacaro $30–90. The others do not list a price range.
Which of these have free parking?
Google lists free parking for Trapizzino and Bacaro.
More guides for Lower East Side
Run a business in Lower East Side?
Get a fast website with your hours, menu, location and reviews. If your business is listed here and something is wrong, tell us and we fix it.
Email support@pagenearby.com