Carbone New York
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"Classic Italian Fare"
I finally made it to Carbone with my sister and a friend after hearing endless raves, and the experience definitely lived up to the hype—mostly. This old-school, mafia-esque Italian spot leans hard into the classics, right down to the big hunk of parmesan cheese they bring to the table. The Caesar salad, made tableside, was a fun touch (even if it did originate in Tijuana, Mexico), and the pastas were… solid. The ravioli and bolognese were good, though not the best I’ve ever had. The standout dishes for me were the potato Louie (duck-fat potatoes = genius) and the whole grilled branzino, which was cooked beautifully. Cocktails and wine were excellent, the vibe was buzzing, and service was attentive—though maybe a little too efficient. The only downside was feeling rushed. Yes, it’s a busy restaurant, but with a reservation I’d hoped for more time to linger. For me, great dining is about the food, the company, and yes—the cocktails. If I’m having a good time, drinks will keep flowing, which is good for everyone, right? That said, Carbone nails the atmosphere and serves up some memorable dishes. I’ll happily go back—just hoping for a more relaxed pace next time.
"Excellent dining Experience"
We recently went for dinner to celebrate my birthday and enjoyed every moment! We ordered the rigatoni and tortellini, which paired wonderfully with a beautifully bodied Pinot Noir recommended by our waiter. The staff went above and beyond, even accommodating my husband’s request to add candles to a slice of chocolate cake. It was such a thoughtful touch that made the evening extra special. We can’t wait to return!
"Red Sauce elevated"
The moment you step inside Carbone, you realize it’s playing up the 1950s rat-pack vibe with a wink. It’s smug, self-assured, and undeniably pricey for what it is—an elevated take on the old-school red sauce joint that knows it’s in on the joke. And to be fair, the food is very good. Not quite as great as the restaurant seems to believe, but then again, nothing could live up to that level of self-regard. The spicy vodka rigatoni is exceptional—probably the best you’ll ever try—but it’s still comfort food at its core. The veal parm, however, comes close to justifying its $65 price tag thanks to the stellar quality of the meat, a nod to the Peter Luger level of indulgence. You can’t help but enjoy Carbone, even as you leave suspecting the restaurant takes itself (and your wallet) a little too seriously.
"Birthday dinner"
I visited this restaurant as a traveler to the USA, dining with New York friends who were eager to try it. It’s definitely a hot ticket right now, so my expectations were high. The service was attentive, the staff friendly, and the food was good—though not particularly exciting. Coming from South Africa, I found the prices shockingly high, especially for the wine, though it seems expensive even by New York standards. The restaurant operates in two sittings: an early 6 p.m. slot and a later 9 p.m. one. We were seated in the earlier session, which may explain the quieter vibe—perhaps the atmosphere livens up later in the evening.
"A special place for a delicious feast"
We dined at Carbone in NYC on Saturday night, and the experience was outstanding. Our table was in a cozy yet spacious room, perfect for enjoying the parade of delicious food and drinks. The menu offers a fantastic variety of appetizers, salads, soups, pasta, meat, and seafood. We shared almost everything—and every dish impressed. The vodka rigatoni, meatballs, veal parmesan, lobster, and pastas were all amazing. Even the croutons in the Caesar salad were unforgettable. We paired our meal with a delightful Pinot Noir. Desserts were the pièce de résistance: lemon cheesecake, vanilla ice cream, and a hazelnut torte—absolutely divine.
"Mixed reviews. First Impressions count."
Mixed feelings about our first visit. When we first sat down, our waiter seemed rushed—he took our drink orders and asked us to look over the menus, then returned a few minutes later, seemingly impatient before we’d even opened the menus. He tried to upsell an additional course before dessert, which was a bit confusing. That said, once we placed our order, the pace completely changed. The meal was leisurely and enjoyable, and the waiter became warm and attentive. The service throughout was excellent, including a complimentary aperitif after the meal and no rush with the check, even though we were there for over two hours. The food itself was sensational, and it’s easy to see why this is considered a top NYC restaurant. Very pricey, but that’s expected. First impressions matter, though, and we would have appreciated a more relaxed start to the experience.
"Great food and hurry to leave"
Booking at this restaurant is a real challenge—reservations are often more than two months out. We decided to try arriving at 11:30 a.m., right at lunch opening, and luckily got a table! The maître d’ seemed a bit restless when we asked for some adjustments, and although I tried to decline, he insisted. We enjoyed the couvert, but the main dishes were exceptional! I had the lobster ravioli, and my husband ordered the almond dish—both outstanding. One minor drawback was the over-attentive water service: despite declining, we ended up with three bottles of Levian water on the table. Overall, the food was perfect, though the service left a bit to be desired.
"Great food, poor service"
We arrived on time for our reservation but were told to wait at the bar with no seating, standing awkwardly in the way of busy staff. Service felt rushed, patronizing, and insincere. Our waiter tried to upsell us, suggesting we wouldn’t have enough food, despite us making our own decisions—and we indeed had plenty. The pricing was steep for still water, and it wasn’t made clear that tap water was available. That said, the food was excellent. We enjoyed the spicy rigatoni, paired beautifully with a lovely red wine. Dessert was delicious and included a candle to celebrate our anniversary, which was a nice touch. Overall, the experience didn’t match the price point. While it’s worth trying once, we wouldn’t return.
"Great one time experience"
The food here is very good, though the atmosphere is fairly standard. Prices are high, and while the wine list is extensive, the selections by the glass are uninspired. A visit is worthwhile once, but probably not a repeat. Service from the staff was exceptional.
"A well-deserved reputation!"
When a restaurant has been an institution for decades, you expect consistency—and this place absolutely delivers. Oh, and we happened to have Spike Lee at the table next to ours! From the moment we stepped in to the end of our meal, the staff went above and beyond to make us feel welcomed. Everyone we passed greeted us with a smile, checked on us constantly, and the timing of dropping and clearing entrées was executed like a ballet. With tables close together, we even had a fun chat with some locals. Our server, Mark, stole the show—engaging, informative, and happy to mix and match dishes (splitting the Branzino and rigatoni is a no-brainer). His great sense of humor, including a nod to my oblique Fargo reference, made the experience even more memorable. Finding gems like this keeps us coming back to NYC every year!
"Good food if not overpriced"
The food here is very good, though the atmosphere is fairly standard. Prices are high, and while the wine list is extensive, the selections by the glass are uninspired. A visit is worthwhile once, but probably not a repeat. Service from the staff was exceptional.
"Exceptional Italian Dining Experience"
Amazing service! The meatballs and rigatoni were out of this world, and watching the Caesar salad being prepared tableside was such a fun experience.
"Old School Experience"
We visited for Sunday lunch and found the staff very attentive. The décor evokes an old-school Italian restaurant, and the music added to the ambiance. Our captain was friendly and even shared a Staten Island connection! We started with the complimentary appetizers of cheese and salami. The Caesar Salad Zee Zee was underwhelming—the romaine was slightly wilted and the croutons lacked freshness. The lobster ravioli and spicy rigatoni, however, were excellent. We couldn’t resist ordering the Veal Parm, which was delicious, but at $89 a piece, it felt excessive—we wouldn’t order it again. The spicy rigatoni ended up being our favorite dish. Dessert of mixed berries with cream was tasty but overpriced. Overall, we enjoyed the experience and were satisfied to try the restaurant, though some dishes didn’t justify their price.
"A MUST IN NYC"
My fiancé and I visited this restaurant to celebrate his birthday, and the staff went above and beyond to make the evening truly special. Choosing this spot was the perfect decision—it made the night even more memorable. The food was absolutely wonderful, setting a fantastic tone for the start of our two-month NYC vacation! Our server (I wish I could remember her name!) was exceptional—attentive, friendly, and made the experience even better. We can’t wait to return and explore more of their incredible menu!
"Epic!"
This lively, old-school Italian restaurant in the West Village is a true gem. The atmosphere is bustling yet welcoming, the service is top-notch, and the food is even better. We sampled several pastas before moving on to enormous entrées, and every dish was excellent. If you’re looking for authentic Italian dining in NYC, this is definitely the spot!
Carbone New York
Retro Italian-American restaurant specializing in red-sauce classics. Offers nostalgic décor and a fun, energetic atmosphere.
Address
181 Thompson St, New York, NY 10012, United States
Website
https://www.carbonenewyork.com/?utm_medium=Click&utm_source=GoogleMyBusiness
Email
[email protected]
Telephone
n/a