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New York City is home to the largest population of Italian-Americans in the country, and the city’s food scene has always been synonymous with Italian-American dishes imported and adapted from the old country.
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We asked five of the city’s most beloved Italian and Italian-American chefs for their hot takes on the best eats in their borough. They helped us curate a comprehensive list of favorites, from no-fuss pizza shops to old-school red sauce joints, tavernas, trattorias, delis, bakeries, and pasterias.
The Bronx
Christian Petroni, Petroni Foods
Local chef and cookbook author Christian Petroni was born and raised in the Bronx and spent summers with his grandparents on the small island of Ponza off the coast of Naples. His cooking is a testament to the old world and the new, full of heart and lacking pretension. Here are his recommendations for the Bronx:
Best slices or pies
Red sauce joints
- Patrizia's (Tremont Location)
- Enzo’s of Arthur Avenue
- The Venice
- Enzo’s of Williams Bridge
Elevated Italian
Italian pasticcerias and gelaterias
Italian delis or markets
Manhattan
Sarah Raffetto, Raffetto’s Pasta, Petite Pasta Joint, Midnight Spaghetti
Sarah Raffetto is the fourth-generation owner of the beloved 120-year-old pastificio Raffetto’s Pasta in Greenwich Village. She’s built on Raffetto’s venerable legacy with the pop-up events business Petite Pasta Joint, which she runs with Emily Fedner, and Midnight Spaghetti, which serves up late-night pasta in partnership with Suprema Provisions. Watch her cut up fresh pasta here and read her recommendations for Manhattan below.
Best slices or pies
Red sauce joints
Elevated Italian
Italian bakeries and gelaterias
Italian Delis, Markets and Pastificios
Brooklyn
Silvia Barban, Briscola Trattoria, LaRina Pastificio e Vino, Tortelli
Silvia Barban grew up in Northern Italy and learned to cook from her grandmother, Delia. She moved to New York in 2012, and she’s a chef and co-owner of Brooklyn favorites Briscola Trattoria, LaRina Pastificio e Vino and the pasta shop Tortelli.
Best slices or pies
Elevated Italian
Italian bakeries and gelaterias
Italian delis, markets, and pastificios
Queens
Antonio Morichini, Via Vai
Chef Morichini has a hand in preparing every dish served at Via Vai in Astoria, Queens. The restaurant reflects his Roman roots, offering warm, elevated takes on classic cucina romana. He runs this family business alongside his wife, Cynthia, who grew up a few blocks away from the restaurant. Here are his recommendations for Queens:
Best slices or pies
Red sauce joints
- Parkside Restaurant
- Il Bacco
- Patrizia's (Maspeth Location)
Elevated Italian
Italian bakeries and gelaterias
- Gianpiero Bakery (Astoria)
- Rose & Joe's Italian Bakery (Astoria)
- BiancoLatte Bakery
- La Dolce Italia Bakery
- Santa Chiara Caffè and Gelateria
Italian delis, markets and pastificios
- Rosario's
- Varsi Deli
- Sal Kris & Charlie’s Deli
- Marino's Supermarket
- Cipollina Gourmet Italian Market
New Italian additions to Queens
- Silvano Pizza Pasta
- Masani Pizza
Staten Island
James Carrozza, Cake Chef Companies
Pastry chef James Carrozza opened a small bakery, Cake Chef, with his wife Maria on Staten Island in 1988. They have since expanded the family-owned business to include four additional bakeries over the past 38 years, baking cookies, cakes, and pastries for every occasion. Here are James’s recommendations for Queens:
Best slices or pies
Red sauce joints
Elevated Italian
Italian bakeries and gelaterias
Italian delis, markets and pastificios
New Italian additions to Staten Island