8 The Oldest Italian Restaurants in New York Still Serving the Classics

New York City’s Italian food scene is rooted in a rich immigrant history dating back to the late 1800s. As waves of Italians arrived, they brought culinary traditions that transformed the city’s food landscape forever.

These historic establishments have weathered changing tastes, economic ups and downs, and even a pandemic, yet they continue serving the timeless dishes that made them famous generations ago.

1. Monte’s Trattoria: Greenwich Village’s Century-Old Gem

A fixture in Greenwich Village since 1918, Monte’s Trattoria represents the quintessential neighborhood Italian restaurant. Originally opened by the Monte family, it was purchased in the 1980s by current owner Pietro Mosconi, who maintained its traditional charm while infusing northern Italian influences from his native Emilia-Romagna region.

The restaurant’s cozy interior features exposed brick walls, vintage photographs, and tables covered in classic red-checkered cloths. Regulars come for signature dishes like homemade gnocchi, tender osso buco, and a veal saltimbocca that’s been perfected over decades.

Monte’s has survived as nearby establishments have come and gone because it never chases trends. The restaurant remains committed to the timeless recipes and warm hospitality that have made it a Village institution for over a century, attracting everyone from local families to visiting celebrities.

2. Barbetta: A Century-Plus of Northern Italian Elegance

In 1906, when most Italian restaurants in New York served southern Italian fare, Sebastiano Maioglio opened Barbetta to showcase the refined cuisine of Italy’s Piedmont region. This Hell’s Kitchen landmark holds the distinction of being the oldest Italian restaurant in New York still owned by its founding family.

The restaurant’s ornate interior features chandeliers and antiques that transport diners to another era. Current owner Laura Maioglio, Sebastiano’s daughter, maintains her father’s commitment to authentic northern Italian specialties like agnolotti, risotto, and game dishes.

Barbetta’s garden dining area is a hidden gem, offering a peaceful retreat from city bustle. Celebrity patrons have included opera stars, politicians, and film legends throughout its 116-year history.

3. Rao’s: The East Harlem Table Everyone Wants

Standing on the corner of 114th Street and Pleasant Avenue since 1896, Rao’s might be the hardest reservation in America. With just ten tables, this tiny East Harlem institution doesn’t actually take reservations; tables belong to regulars who have standing appointments, sometimes passed down through generations.

Famous for its unpretentious southern Italian cooking, Rao’s serves legendary meatballs and marinara sauce so popular it launched a successful retail food line. The walls are covered with photos of celebrities and politicians who’ve managed to score a seat.

The restaurant maintains its old-school charm with Christmas decorations hanging year-round and a jukebox playing Italian-American classics. Owner Frank Pellegrino Jr. continues the tradition his great-uncle Charles Rao began over 125 years ago.

4. Bamonte’s: Brooklyn’s Red Sauce Time Capsule

Step into Bamonte’s in Williamsburg, and you’re transported straight back to 1900 when Pasquale Bamonte first opened its doors. The vintage phone booth, enormous bar, and walls lined with celebrity photos create an atmosphere that’s remained largely unchanged for over 120 years.

Fourth-generation family members still oversee operations, serving massive portions of Italian-American classics. The kitchen excels at red sauce standards; clams oreganata, spaghetti with meatballs, and veal parmigiana that regulars swear by.

Unlike trendier spots nearby, Bamonte’s white-tablecloth dining room maintains old-world formality with tuxedo-clad waiters who’ve often been there for decades. The restaurant has appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including episodes of The Sopranos, cementing its status as a Brooklyn icon.

5. John’s of 12th Street: East Village Time Machine

Founded by Neapolitan immigrant John Pucciatti in 1908, this East Village institution has survived prohibition, two World Wars, and countless neighborhood transformations. Walking through its doors feels like entering a preserved slice of old New York, complete with tin ceilings, original tile floors, and wooden booths worn smooth by generations of diners.

The menu focuses on southern Italian comfort food with recipes largely unchanged for over a century. House specialties include a garlicky shrimp scampi, tender veal dishes, and homemade ravioli swimming in rich tomato sauce.

Current owners Mike Alpert and Nick Sitnycky purchased John’s in 1973 from the original family but maintained its traditions while carefully updating where needed. They’ve added vegan options alongside classics, ensuring John’s continues serving new generations while honoring its heritage.

6. Patsy’s Italian Restaurant: Sinatra’s Home Away From Home

When Pasquale “Patsy” Scognamillo opened his restaurant in 1944, he couldn’t have known it would become Frank Sinatra’s favorite New York dining spot. The legendary crooner’s regular table still stands in this Theater District institution, which remains in the Scognamillo family after three generations.

Current chef Sal Scognamillo continues cooking his grandfather’s southern Italian recipes, including the famous veal parmigiana and rigatoni with “Sunday” sauce that Sinatra adored. The walls feature countless photos of celebrity diners, with Ol’ Blue Eyes prominently displayed.

Despite its famous clientele, Patsy’s maintains a welcoming atmosphere where regular folks receive the same warm treatment as stars. The restaurant’s enduring appeal comes from its consistency – the same recipes, the same family oversight, and the same unpretentious approach to Italian-American classics for nearly 80 years.

7. Emilio’s Ballato: SoHo’s Star-Studded Old-School Haunt

Behind an unassuming storefront on Houston Street lies a time capsule of Italian-American dining that’s been serving SoHo since 1956. Emilio’s Ballato doesn’t have a website or take reservations, yet it attracts a steady stream of celebrities and food lovers drawn to its authentic cooking and no-nonsense atmosphere.

Current owner Emilio Vitolo took over in the 1990s and preserved the restaurant’s old-world character while elevating its southern Italian cuisine. The dining room features vintage photographs, white tablecloths, and the occasional celebrity in a corner booth trying to remain incognito.

Signature dishes include perfectly al dente spaghetti with clams, a renowned chicken parmigiana, and homemade ravioli that regulars rave about. Despite SoHo’s transformation into a high-end shopping district, Emilio’s remains steadfastly traditional, offering a genuine taste of New York’s Italian heritage amid changing times.

8. Campagnola: Upper East Side’s Boisterous Italian Classic

Though younger than some establishments on this list, Campagnola has been an Upper East Side fixture since 1980, quickly establishing itself as an essential part of New York’s Italian restaurant heritage. The two-story restaurant exudes old-world charm with its white tablecloths, wood-paneled walls, and lively atmosphere that often grows louder as the evening progresses.

Campagnola specializes in robust northern Italian cuisine with dishes like osso buco, homemade pasta, and seafood that attract a loyal clientele of neighborhood regulars, politicians, and celebrities. The restaurant’s signature hot antipasto and veal chop have remained menu mainstays for decades.

What distinguishes Campagnola is its perfect balance between refinement and comfort; sophisticated enough for special occasions yet welcoming enough for weekly visits. Its endurance in Manhattan’s competitive restaurant scene speaks to the timeless appeal of traditional Italian hospitality combined with consistently excellent food.