Best Restaurants In Little Italy NYC

If you are looking for the best restaurants in Little Italy NYC, you found it! La Mela has authentic Italian cuisine that keeps New Yorkers coming back for more but will also satisfy any tourist looking for old-world flavors and classic Manhattan vibes.

Best Restaurants In Little Italy NYC – La Mela

I was born in Manhattan and raised in Queens. This makes me a huge Italian food SNOB and I have no shame admitting that.

I’m also half-Italian and half-Maltese which means that I grew up with my grandmothers cooking huge Sunday meals for my family using these traditional dishes. There’s nothing I hate more than eating at an Italian restaurant that tries too hard. Tomato foam on top of deconstructed ricotta cheese? Keep it.

I want comfort food. Hearty food. You know what I mean! From the old country, rich and authentic, seasoned to perfection, FULL PLATE dishes. At La Mela, you will get all of this and more.

The best restaurants in Little Italy NYC offer up all your favorite dishes – the ones you’d expect from an Italian restaurant menu… but they also provide a few surprises to keep you coming back for more.

Whenever I visit La Mela, I always end up trying a few bites of something that I haven’t had in a while – which is such a treat.

For example, my friends and I ordered the Carne E Pesce plate which was a trio selection of Veal Franchese, Shrimp Marinara, and Chicken Scarpariello. FULL confession… I had never tried Veal Franchese before which is so simple, but it was just never something I had ordered before!!! And YEOW – it was out of control fantastic.

Dishes like this from La Mela in Little Italy make it really easy for me to taste a bit of everything which I love because I am someone who loves variety.

La Mela Restaurant Menu

If you’d like to take a look at the La Mela restaurant menu, here is a peek. So many fantastic Italian food options! This Italian restaurant certainly pulls out all the stops.

From fresh mozzarella to fresh pastas to the tastiest olive oil to kick off your meal, this will be one meal you won’t forget. Italian American approved!

One of the best Italian restaurants near me for sure! If you ever find yourself in New York City – the Little Italy region, be sure hit up La Mela. Oh and PS – they have a nice party room in the back just in case you have a lot of people with you.

Family Style Italian Food

Please note – these dishes are BIG! So, just know that when you order one of their pasta dishes, you’ll want to share it with the people you’re sitting with. La Mela has been family-style since 1985. Keep that in mind when ordering. Or you can just order as you want and take everything home for leftovers!

Some notable dishes you should consider ordering:

La Mela’s Famous Calamari’s Fritti
Sweet Roasted Peppers
Stuffed Mushrooms
Clams Oreganata
Mixed Hot Antipasto
Spaghetti with Garlic and Oil
Porcini Mushroom Ravioli
Fettuccini Alfredo
Gnocchi Sorrentino
Rigatoni Bolognese
Penne Vodka
Ligninui with Clams
Eggplant Parmesean
Chicken Marsala
Chicken Parmesan
Shrimp Oregenata
Shrimp Scampi

There are so many Little Italy restaurants to choose from and I am telling you that you won’t be disappointed with the food at La Mela. I am still dreaming of their alfredo sauce! And they have the best chicken parmesan on the market!!

Italian Restaurants In Little Italy Location

La Mela – located on 167 MULBERRY STREET in LITTLE ITALY NEW YORK, NY 10013. Hours are SUNDAY ~ THURSDAY 11:30AM – 1:00AM, FRIDAY ~ SATURDAY 11:30AM – 1:00AM.

So, when is your next trip to NYC? I’m so excited for you! If you are looking for more things to do while you visit Manhattan – check out these posts: