Carmine's - Time Square Reviews

4.4

333 of 13,360 Restaurants in New York City


Reviews

Carmine's is an excellent option for pre-theater dining!! Made magic happen...

By Jeannine L |

FABULOUS EXPERIENCE, AS ALWAYS! We made 6:15pm reservations for dinner, prior to catching Wicked that began at 8PM. When we arrived, the restaurant was very busy, and we weren't sure if we would be able to dine and make our show, if we weren't seated by 6:15. The team at Carmine's were all great! While we were seated around 6:30PM, with Andrey as our server, we were able to order and eat rather leisurely, all within 45ish minutes! We had ordered a caesar salad and mussels for appetizers, and the ragu pasta dish, shrimp fra diavolo and chicken with lemon sauce over sauteed spinach. All the food was delicious, drinks replenished throughout our meal, as well as our bread basket. So happy we were able to dine at Carmine's even with our short turnaround time! Andrey was truly fabulous, a true professional, as was the rest of the team who helped/served us. Thank you! And we had plenty of time to walk up to the theater and get to our seats in time for the show to begin!!

Carmines

By SnowyWrexham |

Went to Carmines on our first night in New York and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.When I read prior to visiting that it was family style portions I thought it might be a bit of an exaggeration so ordered garlic bread,Caesar salad and a shrimp dish with pasta.The food was delicious but the portions obscene.We had bread on the table so shouldn’t have ordered garlic bread and the shrimp pasta would have fed 4 people easily.I think our waiter should’ve mentioned this when we were ordering but we boxed up at least 3/4’s of our food and gave it a homeless person after we’d left the restaurant.All in all it was very a very nice place and worth a visit just don’t order too much food

Great Restaurant

By Tracy M |

First time here and loved it. Our server was excellent, if it wasn’t for her we would have massively over ordered. Food and atmosphere were great.

Fantastic place

By vickyefc2312 |

My wife booked this for our first night in New York to celebrate my birthday. As my wife is vegetarian I requested an off the menu side dish of seasoned chicken to add to my broccoli, garlic and olive oil rigatoni. Our server Jisinto was so accommodating, he asked the kitchen who were more than happy to do this and then as a little surprise they arranged the waiters to sing and bring a sharing dessert to celebrate my birthday. Absolutely amazing experience, food, service and atmosphere outstanding.

One of the worst places to eat in NYC

By RP S |

We had reservations here for 4pm on a weekday. When we arrived, the restaurant was jammed with walk-ins and we waited for 30 minutes before we were seated in the front of the place near a door. The staff who made us wait was arrogant. They kept telling us that those who were waiting (the walk-ins) had to be seated first. We should have left then. We waited another 10 minutes to get our menus. Then our waiter came for our orders and told us we could ONLY ORDER FAMILY-STYLE meals!!!! IT WAS NOT WHAT WE EXPECTED AND NOT WHAT WE WANTED !!!. We wanted to order the normal way---separate meals!. We will never go back to this horrible restaurant ever again and unless you come with the notion of sharing a meal with everyone in your company and putting up with an inconsiderate staff here, you will not be able to individually eat what you want!!

Tourist spot. Average food and service

By Thomas K |

We visit NYC regularly and have never tried Carmines. Finally decided to give it a try this afternoon for an early dinner. Place was packed but we had a reservation. It’s in the heart of Times Square. We were disappointed in the service. The waitress was very friendly but…. I accidentally spilled my wine and although we flagged down someone to assist with cleanup we were charged for it. I realize it was my fault but normally they will comp it. The food was just average but the portions were huge. Salad and Pasta and Meatballs was way too much for two but we could not take any home as we were seeing a show afterwards. Glad we finally tried it as I have heard so much about it but I would not return. Definite tourist spot. Many other places within walking distance with better food and service.

An experience

By leandro F |

What a great experience, spectacular service, excellent food, the dishes are giant. Sitting at the bar and enjoying is very worth it.

Carmines - you must go here

By Karen R |

We were in New York for the New York Marathon. Luckily, I had booked a week before arriving in NYC to reserve a table as it was very busy. An American friend of mine had recommended this restaurant. I had originally tried to get a table at Tony Di Napoli but was fully booked. So glad we booked Carmines. The server was excellent advising us that the food is family style which meant the food portion was enough to share for 2 people. She guided us through the menu and made a fabulous recommendation of pork parmigiana which was delicious. In fact, the food was so good, I ordered their cook book from Amazon UK. I wish there was a Carmines in London

Too Much Food!

By Michael M |

Great restaurant with good reviews. Love the energy and old New York Italian vibe. Do NOT recommend for couples or solo dinners. The salad they brought out could have fed four working men. Huge plate of pasta. Hate throwing food away but what a waste! No small portions available. Good food but bring the baseball team.

Carmine's

By chantelleAmersham |

We went at lunch time to book a table for the same evening at 6.00 pm. When we arrived for our booking, the restaurant was buzzing, we waited about 10 minutes for our table. The restaurant is old NYC charm, the menu is quite extensive, and although its traditionally Italian, they don't serve Pizzas. Portion sizes are very big and enough for 2 - 3 people, they bring a plate of different breads for you to eat as well. I would have loved to have eaten there again, but unfortunately we had to return to the UK.

Monster portions!!!

By Paul D |

I was recommended this restaurant by a friend and wasn't disappointed. The restaurant had a lovely vibe and the staff were very friendly. I had been warned about the portion sizes, however, was genuinely surprised at the amount of food that came up. I shared the stuffed mushrooms and lasagne with my wife and we still had food left over. The quality was good and it was nice and hot. I would definitely recommend and revisit if I return to New York. Tip...recommend booking in advance...

Lasagne so good I almost broke the law!

By cali12w |

I booked this spot for one of our nights in New York - it's our second time visiting the big city and this time it was for our honeymoon! The last time we visited we made the rookie error of not pre booking anywhere, so this time we made sure to make an effort to make some reservations and Carmines was one of them. It was busy, yet organised, we were checked in and quickly taken to our table. Me and my husband started ordering the 10 things we wanted and were quickly advised by the waitress that we should share a portion - well thank god she did, the portions are enough to feed a family of 6! We ordered 2 starters and a main and had enough left to feed a family of 4! The Lasagne was out fo this world, I was googling how i could get this back to the UK - it was that good that i want to fly out to NY just to have it again! If you havent been before, definitely add it to your list of places to try, as a Brit the size of the portions were almost comedic, but it added to our enjoyment - we'll definitely be booking again.

Terrible

By Maria José S |

Disapppointing. My son who loves pasta, hated the plate. Poor food without taste. I can found a better pasta in any supermarket.

Great food!

By Love to go places |

Great food! We got the angel hair pasta with crab sauce, it was sooo good! We didn't know it was family style and had lots to pack up to go.

Good location for broadway show pre dinner

By sunsandsand0703 |

Definitely perfect spot to eat prior to a broadway show! Fast service for excellent food that is family style. You will have more than enough food!

Delicious!

By Wendy A |

Loved everything about this place! We got a table quickly even without a reservation. Our food came quickly because we had a show to go to. The food was delicious! The Cesar salad had chunks of warm garlic! We had a pasta dish between the 4 of us and again it was delicious!. The ambiance is warm and welcoming! We are so glad that we stumbled upon this restaurant

Awful service

By Eloise D |

Really disappointed by Carmines. We had a few recommendations from friends and family to come while visiting NYC. The atmosphere and hosts were lovely. We booked and were quickly seated. The waiter we had was unbelievably rude. When asked any questions he would walk off and see to another table, this happened multiple times. My partner ordered a draft beer that was flat so asked for another, this waiter muttered under his breath and took it away. After a while he came back and said that he didn’t think their draft beer was upto my partner’s “high beer standards” so he should order something from a bottle. The food was served really quickly and was very average, we had chicken cutlets and penne alla vodka. Our waiter seemed to be very attentive to the 3 other tables but didn’t even ask us how our meal was. While we were eating he asked us to lift up our pasta plate so he could clear the table. We felt like an inconvenience while dining at Carmines and was made to feel very uncomfortable. Due to this we left a very small tip. This waiter then followed us down the stairs to explain that gratuity was not included. My partner explained that we were aware of this but the service and food was average if not poor. HORRIBLE experience, gutted as we were really looking forward to visiting Carmines!

A perfect venue

By Sunshine23009485226 |

We went with family and friends during our visit to New York. We got a recommendation from them, and we really liked it. The meat dishes were especially delicious. I definitely recommend it.

Long wait, it's worth it

By hotelvictoriamty |

The bad, you arrive at the place in rush hour and the wait is 40 minutes, in that time you can go to the bar to buy a drink to wait. Once you are assigned a table the experience is 100% good in every way

One more restaurant

By Cristina-izarbe10 |

Expensive. Batalero restaurant. Huge portions, but cooked simply. Very crowded. You enter (with a reservation) and indicate it at a counter and wait, the waiter service is fast and efficient. Professionals, I wouldn't wait in lines for food. Restaurant without more

Great food atmosphere and staff highly recommended !

By Carla S |

This was a last minute decision to go but definitely the best one. Even at 6.30 on Monday evening the place was full and buzzing. To save a wait we agreed to eat at the bar upstairs and was served by the charming miguel who gave us the history of the restaurant and explained about the huge portion sizes . We were not disappointed they were huge ! but very tasty and we could have easily fed 4 of us. Miguel even had the waiters sing happy birthday to my husband and was thoroughly professional and friendly ! what more could you want delicious food, great atmosphere and even better staff all for a good price. We would highly recommend this restaurant for a great experience all round ! thank you so much we won’t forget you !

Bit of a let down.

By john |

Really looking forward to this restaurant. Positives- good atmosphere, great services, great style inside the restaurant, great menu. Negatives- loud, packed and food not as nice as I’d hoped. As a family of three we had Lasagne Chicken parm Caesar salad They bring bread to the table. We underestimated the portion sizes… there’s large but these are massive. We wasted so much food and we could take it out as we are at a hotel with no way of refrigerating and reheating. The lasagne was nice. Chicken had way too much garlic which overpowered it, same for salad. If you want volume of food then this is the place, but if you prefer quality and flavour it’s not. I wouldn’t revisit.

Lovely place, good food

By MygganofSweden |

Lovely concept where you share a large plate of pasta. We were 4 people and didn’t eat up, so don’t buy too much food…. In dessert you get like a whole cake to share. Lovely place and great staff. You have to book a table! Child friendly but also good for families with teenagers. Minus for all food waste, few saw who ate.

Good not Great

By caldwood |

Great location and initial impressions are great. Busy, bustling and a queue if you haven’t booked. Restaurant looks great, food portions are huge albeit average in taste etc. Booking was easy and most of the staff were efficient and friendly until….it came to the bill and the pressure to pay a 20%+ tip. The waitress saw the tip I’d added (15%) and was really clear this wasn’t enough. Such a shame. No going back now. Maybe we just hit it (or one person) on a bad day. Overall, average for Times Square in terms of food quality but looks fantastic and is a real experience. Be prepared to pay over the odds though on tipping.

Excellent

By PMOMSJ |

Food was amazing. Portion sizes are crazy but the waiter explained they were sharing plates. Only two of us and we ordered garlic bread and 9 massive slices were brought out. Our waiter, Trinidad was fantastic. All in all a very good evening.

Cibo wow

By leolori854 |

Italian restaurant furnished as a living room of the 60s, on the walls hundreds of photos that tell the story of the restaurant, the founder and all the famous people or not guests of the place over the years. Quality food with giant portions, with wow effect

Amazing family meal

By Lliamb123 |

Staff are welcoming, efficient and friendly. The food was absolutely as advertised: high quality, celebratory, reasonably priced and most of all absolutely delicious Southern Italian cuisine. What an amazing spot and will definitely go there when next in nyc.

A BIG experience

By Phil W |

Oh my God! What a great eating experience. The atmosphere was 'level' and slightly, delightfully chaotic. We only had to wait 10 minutes, to get to our table, quick service at the bar made that whizz by. When we got to our table the service was excellent. Friendly, knowledgeable servers and quick delivery of the food... which was magnificent... and huge. Be hungry if you're going because these are BIG portions.

Great place to visit

By Beth |

Really enjoyed our dinner at Carmines. They were able to customise our order and the price is reasonable given the size of the meal. Really bustling place in the heart of manhattan!

Fantastic food and service here!

By Sam P |

I can't recommend this restaurant enough. We were a tricky bunch of ladies with allergies and intolerances and the waiter bent over backwards to make sure we were catered for. The chef even came over and explained he had created a bespoke dish for us by replacing the usual ingredients with allergy-free alternatives. The restaurant is busy with a lovely buzzy atmosphere (I would advise pre-booking). Our waiter was jolly and made us laugh, and other members of staff checked in on us from time to time too. Portions are absolutely HUGE - you only need one dish and one side to feed 2-3 people depending on how hungry you are. Great place for families, friends, romance - whatever your vibe, they'll have you covered!

Unfortunately not for the second time disappointed

By H Paulo |

Only the lemonade was good , the meet bol was bitter and the spaghetti very graceless . I was in this restaurant for the third time ; the first time was good but the last two were not good experiences .

Favorite place

By Michelle K |

Love Carmine's! Been to every one! Food, service, drinks, and atmosphere all A++ Never disappoints! Highly recommended!!!

Hearty Italian fare in Times Square

By Merryheart |

Ambience: Carmine's offers a lively and inviting atmosphere, with a touch of classic elegance. The beautifully decorated space features chandeliers, wall paintings, wooden furniture, and a huge bar counter, creating a sophisticated yet welcoming vibe. Frank Sinatra's timeless tunes added a nostalgic charm to our dining experience. Despite being lunch hour, the noise level was pleasantly low, allowing for engaging conversations. Service: The staff at Carmine's were friendly and attentive, ensuring we felt well taken care of throughout our meal. Bread Basket: The assortment of bread included slices of rustic Italian bread (possibly ciabatta or pane casareccio) and pieces of focaccia. My favorite was the Sicilian-style focaccia or sfincione, topped with tomato sauce and herbs. Menu: Carmine's boasts a wide variety of appetizers, salads, raw bar, pasta, chicken, veal, seafood, steak, vegetables, sides, and desserts. Each dish on the menu is designed to serve 3-5 people, a unique concept that's perfect for group dining. We opted for the Shrimp Parmigiana, one of Carmine's favorites, with an option to add pasta for $13.50. The portion sizes are truly American - impossible for a single diner to finish! Shrimp Parmigiana: • 12 big shrimps covered in cheese, sitting on a bolognese-like sauce • Shrimps were fresh with a savoury-sweet taste and a crunchy, springy texture • Sauce was a bit salty but paired well with the bread • Flavourful with a rich impact Price: While the prices per dish are hefty, the generous serving sizes make it reasonable for group dining. Verdict: A fantastic experience enjoying authentic Italian food at Times Square. Will I return? Absolutely, to try out other dishes! Just a suggestion to the restaurant: consider offering half the serving size at half the price. It would be great to have two different serving sizes for groups of five people and below.

Bad attention

By Guilherme M |

Always very good food and well served, service getting worse!! Poor , waitresses with bad will!!! Not worth a visit

Horrible front of house staff and mediocre food

By Shaun M |

Held in a holding pen for 30 minutes after our reservation time. Really unpleasant and rude front of house staff. Almost laughable rudeness from the person who showed us to our table. Our evening was only really saved by our waiter Jacque who was pleasant and attentive on a busy evening. Food was fine but not particularly good. Absolutely would not return or recommend

Massive family style portions but not for the foodies

By Kikikimmy |

We wanted to try this place based on their history. It was a tourist place for sure. I was disappointed in the quality of food. However, one dish can easily feed 3-4 adults.

Avoid this restaurant, its gotten really bad!

By Suicu |

We used to really enjoy this restaurant as it is family style and the food was really good. We ate there last night and we still have indigestion. We ordered two drinks, pasta, veal and chicken Marsala. The veal was good, the pasta was just okay and the chicken was awful. The chicken dish was almost entirely mushrooms and tasted like it came out of a jar. There was very little meat on the ‘platters’ for family style price. The bill was nearly $200! Sadly, the place has changed. We will not be returning.

Wonderful!

By Olivia |

Lovely evening here, great atmosphere and delicious food. Unfortunately we were in a hurry so only had main courses - two plates were sufficient for our party of 6, crazy as that sounds! Wonderful atmosphere, on my must do list for next trip to NYC and will leave enough time to linger!

Excellent table on times square

By michel M |

I have known this restaurant for a long time and the quality of the food is top. The black spot this time was the server that was really bad. Didn’t understand anything about the order too bad it ruined the evening a bit

Italian taste

By Saka |

Great place to catch up for business, family to have nice Italian food as pasta with wine 🍷🍷And spinach with white fish So delicious Awesome environment

Great for large group dining! Good food and NY vibe!

By Skindlo |

Carmines is always a great restaurant to go with a big family as their portions are large. Although busy and reservations are needed, the food is good and typical New York vibe!

Vodka penne 10/10

By Stevie J |

We shared the Vodka Penne between 2. Excellent quality. Friendly staff. Busy location so expect a short wait. Just make sure you are hungry before you go!

Very good address on Time Square

By Ludovic F |

Very good address. A dish for two is more than enough. My 18-year-old daughter was waiting to see Marlon Brando pop up at any moment as the atmosphere reminded us of the Godfather 🤩 and we liked it very much. We'll be back to test the Tiramissu XXL

Good staff, family style food

By AMGlutenfree |

Honestly had never wanted to go as I try and stay away from the touristy restaurants as a gluten free person I feel that they can be hit and miss. Carmines is family style so be aware if going with gluten eating people. We got gluten free pasta and then my friends split a chicken Parm. The food comes with serving utensils for each dish so if your friends keep the utensils with original dishes you should be fine. There wasn't a lot gluten free but enough if you feel the need to go. The staff were great Bread is not GF, nor that parm in the picture.

Just okay

By Greg |

We seen this place come up on tiktok and thought we would give it a go. The decor was very nice and traditional. The staff were great and professional. The food however was just okay with nothing to brag about. The chicken parmigiana was nice and quite tasty. The meatballs had a weird taste and texture which is hard to describe. Almost like a soggy cake that's been seasoned with a lot of basil to the point where you can't taste meat. Overall I would say the experience is average at best. The food isn't great but not bad either. If you do go have at least 4 people minimum with you as the portions are massive.

Never Again

By Paul B |

Bad experience 11 of us went 2nd Nov , we thought it was overpriced and food wasn’t great . Braised beef was chewy , veg was more than crunch , nearly broke teeth Lobster and chicken masala seemed old The whole thing was disappointing . Staff all over the place yet the ladies and men’s toilets were disgusting . Never be back

Disappointing

By Katelin G |

I am writing to express my profound disappointment regarding my recent experience at your restaurant. I arrived exactly on time for my 8 PM reservation on 13/01/2026 only to wait 25 minutes standing without a chair. Given that my parents are in their 60s and I was wearing heels, this lack of seating was completely unacceptable. To add to our frustration, I was informed it would still be another 15 minutes before our table would be ready. Meanwhile, I noticed that the few lucky patrons who managed to secure chairs at the bar appeared highly intoxicated, suggesting they had been waiting there for quite some time. It felt incredibly unfair, especially as we were waiting among atleast another patrons. Walk ins were being told that the wait would be 45 minutes yet, we, with a reservation were expected to wait atleast 35? The staff's treatment was equally distressing; we were shouted at to move as if we were cattle, with no clear information provided about our table. There was no apology for the wait, and when I finally informed the waitress that we were leaving, there was still no acknowledgment of our dissatisfaction. This visit was particularly special, as it was my 30th birthday and we had traveled from the UK to NYC for this occasion. To have it ruined by such poor service is heartbreaking. To make matters worse, I later received an email from OpenTable stating that I was a no-show, which is entirely untrue. I will be advising everyone to avoid Carmine's based on this experience. The lack of organization, communication, and customer care is unacceptable.

You Can't Finish it Alone...

By Daniel B |

Carmine's is full of character, you can tell it's been around for a long time... the food is good (not outstanding) but the portions are HUGE. Share the meal! The green salad, for example, is enough for 4 people...

Great Italian food in Times Square!

By Bart G |

Outstanding dinner here tonight! Our server , Jonathan Joseph, is such an excellent ambassador for the restaurant. He welcomed us warmly and explained the menu in detail. We went with the Spiedinj Alla Romana - it was just as good as I’ve had in Rome! For pasta we went with the Garlic & Oil / Linguine. Plenty of garlic and olive oil - great flavor and not dry at all. Chicken Parmigiana was on point - good sauce , tender , and plenty of Mozzarella. Carmine’s and our server , Jonathan, made our last dinner on our Manhattan trip so special!

Great food unbelievable amount!

By Deana6babies |

The food at Carmines is unbelievable, not only is it delicious but you get a tray of food that can feed 4-6 people. I wish someone gave me the heads up because I ordered 2 lemon butter chickens and 2 sautéed broccoli for my daughter and self and when we got back to the hotel it was like ordering catering trays so we took the rest back home, thank God the airlines let me bring it with me, also for all that food and a lot of bread I only paid $140 plus tip!! You can’t go wrong so I recommend when your in the New York Times Square area ti go get some real Italian food, you won’t be disappointed!!

Comida Muito Boa

By Bruno Braga de Oliveira |

We were at the restaurant indicated by friends, super nice place, attentive waiters, very well served dishes and exceptional price. I recommend travelers to New York to go and check out...👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

5 stars!

By USTrvlr12 |

Delicious Italian food served family style. This was probably my favorite meal while visiting NYC. Book reservations!!! We booked a few weeks in advance and by the time we left the restaurant, the line outside was wrapped for a block. Highly recommend the oil and garlic pasta. Only advice I have is be aware of the portions. We are a family of 3, one being a college student, so we ordered 2 dishes and 1 pasta. 1 dish-depending on which dish you select- would have been plenty. The portions are HUGE! Enjoy!

Overwhelmed

By Phil C |

Portions are way too big and just average taste. Only order one item (easily feeds 4 people) or you will be bringing a big bag of food home.

Great food . Family style . Huge place

By lbyrne99 |

Get the buzz of nyc . Busy so book ahead . Great cocktails. Food family style so try not to over order . Garlic bread , chick Parma and vodka pasta more than enough for 5 adults . Tiramisu fabulous too . Celebrated my daughters birthday so make sure you mention if a birthday occasion

Classic, comfortable & festive

By vaca4U |

We were in NYC to celebrate a friend’s 70th birthday! We sat at the bar upstairs & enjoyed the ambiance, bar staff and of course the food. Got the bolognese and veal saltimbacco. They brought out an ice cream dessert & sang happy birthday, making it so celebratory! It’s classic NYC and you have to go. Make a reservation, as we did.

Yum!

By AZ Holidays |

We had reservations for our party of 4 and did not have to wait long. We went on a Wednesday night around 7 PM and the place was packed. Our server was very helpful and let us know about portion sizes and specials. We went with the calamari to start, and then shrimp scampi. Both were excellent. Leave room for dessert. The strawberry shortcake was the best!

Huge portions! Great food

By Anna B |

We went in December time and somehow managed to get in without too much of a wait! I would absolutely recommend only getting one bowl of pasta- we got one between two of us and barely made a dent! It could easily have fed 4 more. Because of this, the prices are more than fair and the food was delicious.

Excellent

By Jérôme 35 |

Italian restaurant with dishes to share. Very hearty and good quality. On the other hand, very frequented so noisy.

Disappointing! Unusual concept!

By Nomad51872329951 |

We felt very disappointed with our first visit to Carmine’s. We were told that it was a ‘family style’ restaurant but none of our party of 4 felt that this was explained any more clearly to us. We each ordered a different meal of own individual choosing, as one would expect in a restaurant! At no point did the waiter explain to us that this was unusual, and that each meal would likely serve 4 people in itself….. and this would have required all 4 of us to agree which one meal to order! When the meals arrived, they were MASSIVE! The waiter seemed to find it quite amusing that we had ordered so much food, but we were a bit horrified, and very surprised that he didn’t confirm, or at least double check with us, that we wanted to order that much. The only solution offered to us was to send meals back straightaway for a refund, but that would have required a split second decision for one (or more) of us to send back their chosen dish and to share with someone else! We feel we were very badly misinformed, our complaint was not taken seriously by management, and absolutely no offer was made by way of compensation or discount/goodwill gesture. Nothing will entice us back! I would just say, make sure you know what you are signing up for when you book Carmine’s. It is not your usual restaurant and, even if you explain you’ve not been there before, they may not explain clearly how things work. Unless you have a massive appetite, be prepared to choose the same as all your fellow guests, because only one supersized portion is available, individual meals are not available.

So much food!

By simon5000 |

The food was lovely, I know it has some mixed reviews but we all thought it was good. Far too much food for the 4 of us but we ate as much as we could. The restaurant was busy but the service was very good for how busy it was. It may not be a small classic Italian in Little Italy but if you do want something other than fries and you are around Times Square then this is worth a look.

Left disappointed

By Sarah B |

We were visiting on holiday and had been recommended this place, only to be disappointed by average food and pushy waiters. The meatballs had a strange taste to them and the lasagna was nothing like the traditional type, the wine was served in water glasses. We left disappointed in our experience there.

Dinner and a show

By Guy T |

What a great dinner. Staff was very attentive and friendly. Food was very good and of course portions are huge ( family style ) . I also found the price very reasonable for good food in the middle of the theater district. We will definitely be back.

Great food Great service

By Brenda B |

My husband and I had a great dining experience at Carmines with our waiter Egbert at the 44th st location. The dish he recommended us ( stuff salmon)was absolutely delicious!!!! Thanks again Egbert!!!

Carmines Times Square

By New-York-weekend |

Great food and service. I felt like I was in restaurant from Godfather movie. Place full of family and friend groups with all ages catered for. Lovely warm atmosphere. Great big portions to share. Had lovely family evening meal here.

Gigantic portions beware !

By disgustorama |

Pre theatre lunch at this popular spot: while the ambiance is great and the service is good, we were disappointed that we weren’t advised to order a smaller portion of food. The Carmine’s salad with grilled chicken was good and they served us a very nice basket of bread and pizza bread. Since two people cannot eat a portion which is meant for 4 to 5 people, why not offer some advice? We were not even able to take leftovers with us because we were headed to a Broadway show. Just a waist of food and money…..

The best fine dining value in NYC….

By Jackinbama |

Whatsamatta you? Or what’s the matter with you, if you go to NYC and don’t visit Carmines? This restaurant has fantastic food and very reasonable prices and for sure is one of the best and most economical fine dining restaurants in the city. We started with a nice bottle of Fini Trintino D.O.C. a very good wine at a reasonable price. We shared the Stuffed Mushrooms as our appetizer and they were delicious! As a main course we shared the Shrimp Parmigiana. This jumbo shrimp, breaded, pan fried and topped with marinara sauce and Mozzarella cheese. A great meal. Carmines has a nice menu and often time some very nice specials. The wine selection is reasonably priced and has something for everyone. If you save room they have a nice dessert menu too. We love also the lively atmosphere, enjoy!

Carmine's

By MarucaVanway |

Went long ago and the food was fantastic! Their sauces in the pasta and pizza are incredible. Fun atmosphere.

Brilliant

By Cpd4242 |

Walked in on way to a show, waited 5mins for a table. Superb service and great food, massive portions - you will not go hungry. But, its quality over quantity and definitely a favourite spot

Good food. Huge Portions!

By NcGhiagirl |

This is a popular, crowded spot usually frequented by tourists in groups. The food is above average, portions hugs! It’s not the best Italian in the City by any stretch. But it is very good and a good deal for the amount you get. Not to mention great location right next to the theatre district. Really you can’t go wrong!

Very good

By João Victor R |

Very good food, very welcoming and familiar. Just be careful because there's a lot of food coming. The price is relatively expensive but worth it

RATIONS XXL

By Felix S |

Today we have eaten at Carmine,s , it is a restaurant that must be reserved, very large and busy people, the rations are scandalous we have ordered for three one of linguinis à la Bolognese and we have left over.

Don't back

By Samuelb |

Very disappointing experience. The restaurant was not busy at all, yet we waited an unreasonably long time for service. Instead of focusing on customers, the staff decided to complain about taking photos inside the restaurant, which was handled in a rude and unnecessary way. The service was unfriendly and unprofessional from start to finish. As for the food — extremely poor quality. It tasted like something you’d buy at a train station food stall for $1, not a proper restaurant. Definitely not worth the time or money. I won’t be coming back.

Iconic restaurant

By jderb |

Iconic place. Iconic location, in an iconic city. Food here is great and so was the service! However, you must have a reservation, so plan ahead. Really good italian dishes!

Family style Italian with beautiful decor and fun atmosphere!

By Nichole |

We went to New York for my Daughters Birthday and she wanted Italian! Since we had never been to New York before, I did a lot of research when choosing an Italian restaurant and this place came up numerous times for having a great atmosphere and great authentic Italian food. They were incredibly nice, the decor was amazing, the food is large FAMILY style portions that’s definitely something to keep in mind. It’s not a “quiet” atmosphere it’s more fun and loud but that’s what we wanted. Great experience! Would come again!

Extremely good

By Anne-fabienne D |

Great location, Beautiful Welcoming, very nice setting. The dishes are huge so...a dish for two and no starters believe me. What doesn’t spoil anything is super good

Good food, humongous plate.

By Michel B |

Omg , I was a bit suspicious about an Italian restaurant in Time Square. I thought it was a tourist trap. It heck, It was full of people. It was well quoted. The portions are huge. You share those plates. I was there with my son. We brought back food for another lunch.

Food is average; basically what you would expect from restaurants in the Times Square area. Ambiance is charming..

By V AA |

Let me say right up front that the server was excellent. And there is a specific reason for that which I will share. It's a family style restaurant. If you aren't clear what that means, it is that food is served in large platters or bowls in the center of the table, rather than individual plates. Based on input from the group, I made the final decisions on what to order. When I presented my order to the server he said, "That is too much food for a group this size." We were a table of five. So I took out some dishes from the order. He was so correct. The portions are large. Listen to your server. We all enjoyed the Caesar salad and the calamari and I can recommend those dishes with high confidence you will enjoy them too. With the rest of the meal, not so much. But that may just be a flavor preference so no need to list it here. It's a large menu. You do you.

Great for groups not couples.

By Laura M |

My husband and I went in November. We had reservation so no wait. Everyone was very friendly. It is a lively noisy atmosphere. Our waiter was very attentive. This however is a restaurant for groups not couples. The portions are family sized. My husband and I wanted different things but had to settle on one. We were staying in a hotel so no leftovers. I would have liked a salad but again didn’t want to order a massive salad for 2 people.

Great value for money

By sabrina f |

Incredible place: it's crowded, you have to book several weeks in advance, 2 steps from Times squares. It's generous, hearty and very affordable for NYC. Delicious vodka pasta. We'll go back.

Definitely worth a visit, great atmosphere, huge portions and options if you need gluten free.

By Richard C |

What an amazing restaurant. The place is huge, typical New York style and great for groups or couples. The portions are huge one main meal pasta dish would have served 4!. The same is true for deserts or bread baskets, so whilst it looks expensive, it is normal NY prices. Certainly don’t order a meal each! They have gluten free pasta and a separate menu. Definitely worth a visit.

Brimg your appetite!

By kerry f corcoran |

Wife and I were forced to stay an extra night in New York as our flight was cancelled due to bad weather. We made the most of the night, hitting several great spots and decided to stop into Carmine's a for a late dinner. Wow! This place does not mess around with their portions. Bring friends, alot of them. We did NOT have a reservation and asked (politely) if the hostess could keep us in mind if she found anything open, almost immediately we were tucked away and ordering. Wife and I ordered a Cesar salad and cheesy garlic bread. Could have fed a small army! Of Course, we had to finish with (EXCELLENT) cheesecake! Excellent food, great service. Will definitely go back with friends and super hungry. This place will take care of you.

Great atmosphere and food

By fowler23 |

Good food, huge portions (share!!!) good atmosphere. Value for money. Even though it was booked solid online we turned up and they have a walk in wait list or you can sit and eat at the bar.

Service was poor

By John M |

Was really looking forward to the family dinner, made the reservation months in advance. Reception at the restaurant was a bit all over the place, service was pretty poor, we were mostly ignored for 20 minutes, could t get a menu, a glass of water or order a drink. Once, we got going, food was good and tasty. Service really took from the evening.

Perfect dinner experience, especially before a show!

By Kari K |

We had a fantastic experience at Carmine’s right before an evening show. Our waiter, Milton, made sure this was unforgettable for our daughters who were celebrating 16th birthdays. He also was especially careful with my daughter‘s allergies and a delight to work with. Highly recommend this restaurant in experience!

Our Favorite Family Spot in NYC

By Stephen O |

Consistently good food, nice atmosphere, outstanding service, large family portions, and fairly priced. It's our go-to before shows in NYC. Always busy; always excellent.

Good table

By Manouq |

Second experience and still as good. It’s not cheap but one dish is enough for two. We took the country style rigatoni (Rich buttered sauce composed of pork sausage, prosciutto, chicken broth, cannellini beans, broccoli, onions and romano cheese) it was very good. We had only taken that and it was too much, we took the rest and ate the next day.

Portions are Big but their personalities are bigger!!!!

By Pgaye73 |

Perfect Early dinner before seeing a show! Scrimp scampi was divine and the Lemon Drop Cocktail is a MUST!!! Ralph was a doll and we will be back for sure!!! I also loved the espresso Martini! The portions are BEYOND huge!!! Share share share!

CARMINES. STAY AWAY.

By Jane E |

We were delighted when we managed to book a table as we heard how good the restaurant was. When we arrived the place was heaving.We sat down at our table and ordered our meal.The meal came.What a let down, I had lasagne and my son chicken parmesan. Both meals were tasteless and the lasagne was cold on the bottom layer.We paid $208 and a tip of $34. Gourmet food price for cheap fast food.

I'm fine.

By Vugar |

It's a good place. But nothing ordinary. Prices are high. The food is not good. You can walk once. Inserted score enhanced

Recommended

By Diego T |

Lots of people and very loud. But the dishes we ordered were very large and are for sharing. Good price. Very good service. It's the second time we've gone and I'd come back without a doubt

terrible service

By Thales A |

Never coming back. Completely unacceptable experience at Carmine’s. We had a reservation for 8 people, including 4 children. After waiting, we were seated at a table with only 7 chairs. When we complained, instead of fixing the problem properly, they forced an 8th chair into a tiny round table, making it extremely uncomfortable. When I said this was unacceptable and asked to be re-seated (the restaurant had plenty of tables), the waitress responded arrogantly and told us we had three options: sit there, wait outside, or she would call security to remove us — again, with 4 children present. The supervisor arrived already biased and even laughed while I tried to explain. The general manager came later, but by then the damage was done. This level of disrespect and arrogance is unbelievable. The experience was ruined, and we only stayed out of respect for our friends. Never coming back.

Amazing experience!!!!

By sassicat1 |

Loved every single second in this amazing restaurant!!!! The food was exceptional. We waited 20 minutes for a table, it's a VERY popular spot and I'm so glad we waited. Be warned, the portions are HUGE!!!! Our waiter was called Trinidad and he couldn't do enough for us, such a great guy and a credit to the restaurant. We did try to eat there again on the Saturday night (before the Lady Gaga concert) but people where queueing down the block so we couldn't wait. We are returning to New York in March and this is definately going to be our go to restaurant and I'll be calling ahead to make reservations next time. It's like walking back in time, the atmosphere is fantastic, you can just picture the Rat Pack sat in one of the booths, which apparently they did in years gone by. Cannot wait to see you again at Easter guys!!!!!

Family birthday meal

By Karn O |

Packed loud and expensive for what you get. It’s about quantity rather than quality sadly. The tables are crammed in, my chair was knocked approx every minute by the waiter walking past, and other diners. The veggie pasta was tasteless and we left most of it. The staff did a lovely birthday sing song which was much appreciated. This is the only restaurant that charged us for water during our stay.

Overpriced/ Pushy staff

By Richard A |

Went with the family and had a table booked for 7pm. Had to wait in a holding area jammed with others waiting for 15 minutes. Finally get our table and get a push my waiter who tries to push orders on us. Can’t order what we both want as the portions are so large you are encouraged to order together. Also incredibly expensive. White wine served in a water glass. When food did come it had an average taste. £200 dollars down within 1 hour for average food. Take a swerve!

Amazing!

By Reb |

Oh wow! Amazing! Service superb, food delicious. Remains one of the top restaurants we visited on our trip. We tried to again after a broadway show but found it fully booked.

Great Italian in Time Square

By Mandey C |

Amazing environment, food and service! Made reservations and got in a little early. Unable to seat early so we sat at the bar & ordered two glasses of wine. Did have to pay for those drinks before going to the table. Once table was ready, we were able to take our drinks to the table. The dishes are FAMILY STYLE huge portions. We ordered the special that had a cognac cream sauce and house made noodles that was to die for!! Service was great and friendly. An overall great experience. If I had any complaints, the tables were very close together so it was difficult to hear your company at a table for two and easy to overhear all the conversations around you.

Underwhelmed

By Ruth T |

Lovely venue. Full of atmosphere and really friendly serving lady Unfortunately the food did not meet our expectations. I’d heard it was great food and we’d been to it’s sister restaurant, Virgil’s and had a great time with lovely staff and food We didn’t realise all portions were sharers. We had chicken in lemon/ butter sauce with roast potatoes The chicken was tough and tasteless and the sauce was bitter. The roasted potato slices were soft and the best bit was the free bread they give you Would definitely go back to Virgil’s but not here

Make reservation a month in advance ! They dont answer phone!

By Pearl H |

Great place for large groups definitely not for less then 6 people...food is excellent with lots of choices even for vegetarians... Glasses for water and wine very small... Make reservation a month in advance online they do not answer the phone, this place especially since its in tge theatre district gets VERY crowded with people coming from and going to shows We had a 415pm reservation for a 7pm and 8pm curtain.. That's all they had but it was plenty of time

Well served

By Emanuella Cid |

Restaurant always full, we made a reservation. The dishes are huge and serve easy 4 people, simple and tasty Italian food, well touristic and fair price.

One of my favorite family style restaurants

By Nate080411 |

For family style food and great flavor, I have always had a wonderful time going to Carmine's and love their clam rockefeller. You should call and get a reservation because it is always busy and since it is family style you tend to find people hanging out here and enjoying their meal. While it is on the pricier side, I would say you can always leave with leftovers of some sort. I would tell you that you are missing out if you are looking for good old world family style experience.

Get the baked clams!

By LeeAnne W |

Get the baked clams....trust me...when you run out.....get more! Thank me later! I miss this place so bad. One day I will return and have more of those magnificent clams! The service is friendly and the atmosphere could not be better!

Tourist Trap with Poor Service and Zero Accountability

By Pedro Costa Oliveira Jelihovschi |

Unfortunately, my experience at Carmine’s Times Square was disappointing from start to finish. Even with a reservation, we waited around 40 minutes for a table, with no proper waiting area. We were left standing at the bar, where the bartender was unhelpful and clearly uninterested in assisting waiting guests. Once seated, it took another 20 minutes for anyone to actually take our order. There was a staff member whose only role seemed to be repeatedly telling us that “someone would come soon.” As for the food, it was underwhelming. The restaurant markets itself on large portions, but this is overstated. We ordered the famous Penne alla Vodka — which turned out to be a very basic, bland pasta with red sauce — and Chicken Parmigiana, which also failed to impress, both in flavor and portion size. Three adults finished everything easily. Nothing memorable, nothing that would justify a return. The environment is chaotic and uncomfortable: excessive noise, overcrowded tables, narrow corridors with constant staff traffic bumping into guests, and seating arrangements that restrict movement due to walls and décor. The pricing reflects exactly what this place is — a large, tourist-packed dining hall serving basic food in one of the busiest areas of the world. Being full here is not a sign of quality; it is a matter of location. However, what truly ruined the experience happened afterward. On November 24, 2025, our bill was split among three people. While my companions were charged correctly, I was incorrectly charged the entire tip amount, instead of my share. When I noticed this, I returned to the restaurant the next day to resolve the issue in person. The receptionist was polite and called a manager. Unfortunately, the manager who attended me was extremely rude and dismissive from the start. He did not greet me, ask my name, or allow me to explain the situation. He repeatedly stated that the restaurant was too busy and that nothing could be done, insisting that I should send an email instead. When I returned later the same day — as I was leaving the country the next morning — his behavior escalated. He became hostile, ironic, and openly disrespectful, eventually asking me to leave the restaurant. His final response to my statement that I would never return was: “I don’t care if you never come back.” The email he insisted I send was never answered. The refund only happened because I filed a dispute with my credit card company, which resolved the issue within a week. I have had similar billing issues resolved immediately at far busier establishments, including Disney parks and other New York stores — with professionalism and courtesy. Carmine’s failed completely in this regard. This restaurant lacks hospitality, accountability, and respect for its customers. If you’re looking for authentic service, good food, and basic courtesy, there are many better options in New York City.

Carmine's-Professional and Family Style

By Gregg A |

We went to Carmine's because it allowed for reservations and is very local to the theatre matinee we were to attend. The L A R G E family style portions were of note, as many ordered salads, and ate the bread provided before the meal arrived. You are best advised to avoid the salad. Otherwise you end up leaving your food or taking it to go. The staff is efficient and professional which makes the experience a good one.

Generous portions

By Andrei Z |

Good Italian food, very (absurdly) large portion, both in the dishes and desserts. We were in 5 adults, we ordered 2 dishes and there was plenty of food left. Always crowded, nice to make reservations.

Italian magic in New York

By Bernard L |

We had already been there in 2015 , and in 2025 still beautiful and good, but if we do not know the principle of the price of dishes we may find that it is expensive but when we know that the price of the dish is for the table so for 2 , 3 , 4 people and more it becomes interesting. We had a 35 dollar linguini dish with meatballs for 3 people Same principle for desserts.

Family Italian in the bustle of Times Square

By Kha L |

It is an Italian restaurant with huge portions, with one eat three diners. The food is correct and the local very nice. The waiters' service is very good, although they delayed between the starters and the main one. For NY, it's priced very tightly. We went at noon and didn't have to book.

Poor service, good food

By fitzgerald69 |

We made reservations for the upper west side location, having previously eaten in times Square. We were on a trip with our son and his fiancé and wanted to share Carmines with them because we enjoyed it so much the first time. PROS: the food was excellent, and the portions were family sized so two plates were plenty to feed all four of us. The price was reasonable, considering how much food you actually get. we also enjoy the lively atmosphere. CONS: our server was completely inattentive to our table. At one point, we went 45 minutes without ever seeing him or having him check on us. Our water pitcher was empty for at least 30 minutes. I tried to wave him down three separate times and although he looked directly at me, he either ignored me or just simply didn’t see me. I felt like he did though. The service was so bad that I felt compelled to reach out via their website the day after we got back from our trip. It’s been over a week now, and I have not received a response which tells me they are not responsive to their customers concerns. There are so many choices, especially in New York City, that you would think they would at least acknowledge our poor service with a simple apology, but none was offered. Very disappointed overall.

Lovely staff, food and experience

By ChrisDel R |

We had to wait a bit before being placed at our table but from there, it only got better. Lovely staff, a guy first and then a lady… very pleasant and helpful… Wow… the portions are giant… we were 3 adults and a child… we ordered 1 spag Bol, 1 lasagna and a side salad… it was delicious but far too much, although we were warned ‘Portions are big’ - We felt very bad about wasting, our waitress was so sweet, she packed the leftovers, and we shared them with 2 people experiencing tough times in the street. Thanks for being so helpful ❤️

Good Pasta

By Camille f |

The pasta was pretty good a nice place to visit with your family really enjoy the time with my family here. The drinks were also pretty good

Don't walk....RUN! A must visit in NYC

By Explorer101 |

Atmosphere is amazing, great ambience and that lovely noise of chatter from a busy restaurant. Food was excellent and probably the best value for money we had while in NYC. Service was also excellent, waiter was very informative as without his input we would have certainly over ordered. Family style dining, we shared one dish plus sides between 2 adults and 2 children and still took food away. I'm a foodie and big eater and wanted to order more but glad we didn't as the portions are huge. Be prepared to wait around 30 mins for a table (even with a booking) and while waiting its very chaotic, at one point we was going to leave as it felt a little overwhelming at first. We got chatting to some returning customers who said, its always the same and you have to embrace it for the atmosphere so be prepared. Once you are seated though, it's excellent there on in. This is my number 1 recommendation for anyone looking for family style dining where they want excellent food at good value. Our bill was $100 for food and drinks for 4 of us and I had 2 beers within that too. Excellent!

Lively Atmosphere and Enormous Portions

By derek & liam |

Our NYC tradition is to have a meal at Carmine’s, and it never disappoints! It’s always incredibly busy, but that only adds to the lively atmosphere. The portions are enormous — for example, four of us shared a Caesar salad, lasagna, and garlic bread, and it was more than enough. We left absolutely stuffed! Be sure to book well in advance, as it’s always popular. Highly recommended!

One of our favorite meals in NYC

By Waylon L |

We throughly enjoyed our meal here before going to a Broadway show. We were a little overwhelmed with the options and the family style ordering, but our server was excellent and patient with us. Only negative was that we had so much more food than we could eat.

Disappointing, not worth the hype

By RealHonestReviews |

Average Italian food and stupidly large portions. They food waste is very sad. Had reservation, but still had to wait over an hr for the table. Staff and service once seated were good. I would recommend, far better Italian food options in NYC.

Food was not good!!!!

By KUNTIE R |

Dinner Review – 8/26 at 5:15 PM (Prior to 7 PM Broadway Show: & Juliet) While the ambiance, service were satisfactory, unfortunately, the food did not meet our expectations. We ordered Chick Parm, Caesar Salad, & Penne Pasta family style for 4 ppl. The Salad was salty/heavy on cheese. The Penne Pasta had an unpleasant aftertaste—either canned, bitter, or overly seasoned with garlic and onion—lacking the smooth, creamy flavor we anticipated. The Chicken Parmesan was ok but cheese on top not even melted. We did let the waiter and manager know. Despite our dissatisfaction, we ate because we were pressed for time before the show. The price for 4ppl, no alcolhol, no desserts $175. We felt robbed with the quality of the meal. Regrettably, we will not be returning. Wasted my $$$.

Big, Super-size Portions

By Ami N |

Amazing! But you need to know the dishes can be split between 4 people. Beautiful food! Classic lasagna! Beautiful. Go hungry.

Crowded but good

By tanveerraval |

The place was overcrowded but carried the festive spirit from the outside into the restaurant. The desserts were okay and so was the hot chocolate.

Great family style Italian

By jeff m |

great service, great food, great value. Always a good time at Carmines. Please open one in Boston. If you have a group it is the perfect place to go. We had Caesar Salad, Chicken Parm and Rigatoni with Broccoli and Sausage. Every else looked great too.

Great, hearty, fast

By Doudou06210 |

I advise you to book! It is customary to order a dish for 2 or 3 people, this is the tradition. Hearty, fresh , good, friendly servers , and unbeatable Price quality ratio. Must do, especially before or after a musical because in the corner of Broadway

Fun Atmosphere

By gypsymoth05 |

This place was good but beware its family style so it’s A LOT of food! A LOT!! The atmosphere is great and very Italian NY. Service was fantastic and loved the pasta and espresso martinis!

Plentiful Italian food

By Rob G |

Quite a wait before we were seated, despite having a reservation; though it was Mother’s Day and the place was packed to the rafters. Staff were mostly friendly and service was brisk but pleasant. We were advised to get one meal between two, as the portion size is huge. We were glad we did! General ambience is busy, busy, busy, so don’t expect a quiet dining experience. Overall the food was good, although it seemed to be quantity over quality, and it came out warm rather than hot. Overall a good experience and we would come back now we know what to expect.

Great Experience

By NYDuck |

We’ve been going here for many years. It has always been our go to place when in the city. We’ve celebrated special occasions there and made to feel special! The food is always delicious, service terrific and the atmosphere great! One thing that they need to do is periodically throughout the day clean up the bathrooms. They are a high traffic restaurant and the bathrooms are never serviced and they are gross. To me that is a mono in a well known establishment

Food was delicious and the service was exceptional!

By Christine C |

We visited Carmine's for the second time on August 27, 2025. My family was in NYC to take my nieces and nephew (ages 17, 13 and 7) to see Lion King. I made reservations for 7 people for 5:00 p.m. We arrived about 10 minutes early but was promptly seated in a back corner (which turned out to be a Godsend). I really hate that I cannot recall names because the service was exceptional. Our waitress was exceptional. My nieces have severe allergies to gluten, eggs and just about everything else under the sun and my husband is allergic to shellfish. Our waitress called the manager over because it called for such caution. We were given a special menu which accommodated each person's issue. They also were very cautious of our time to make it to the show. Unfortunately, my 7 year old nephew (the one kid at the table with no allergies whatsoever), had too many M&Ms before dinner (yes, totally my fault for taking him to the M&M store before dinner but we were on a tight schedule to see it all in one day), and got sick right at the table. Thank goodness for that back corner table! No one around us seemed to notice and the manager was so compassionate in assisting us to get it cleaned up discreetly. We left right away (with no dessert) after that but our food was excellent (as it was the first time my family attended) and my gluten allergic nieces were very happy with their special meal. So sorry to Carmine's for the chaos we caused but appreciative for the special treatment and clean up without embarrassment!

Delicious (Big Food) Family Dinner

By Kind Traveler |

We had a family dinner of 8 members and Carmine’s took great care of us! We started with the half Garlic Bread and half Garlic Cheese Bread and Ceasar Salad. We then enjoyed the Chicken Parmigiana, Vodka Penne with Shrimp, and Spaghetti with Meatballs. We had plenty of leftovers. Each dish was big enough for 6 diners. Everything was delicious and we will happily return. Hassan was a wonderful server and answered all of our many questions with kindness and patience.

Exceptional service meets excellent food

By Natalie P |

Excellent food and service! Half of our party was pinched for time and Micah effortlessly met their need while also providing an elevated dining experience full of menu recommendations and attentive service. Highly recommend

Recommended

By Jose Maria M |

Overall this site is highly recommended. The location is great and the price, for what you pay in NY, is correct. The service at times is very slow. The rations are for two or three people.

ITALIANS WELL REPRESENTED

By Erwin G |

2 story Italian restaurant serving family size dishes on a weekend (No Lunch Specials). Above average in Italian flavors for Chicken Marsala, Spaghetti with White Clam Sauce, Eggplant Rollatini, and Chicken Parmagiana. Pastas were perfectly al dente. Chicken with the Marsala sauce just came out of freezer (not thawed long enough), All ingredients are top shelf. George the bartender is excellent.

Nice visit

By Danielle412 |

The food tastes amazing. The portions are absolutley massive. I think its best to go to carmines if there are a few of you. I was here with just my mum and the portions overface you the minute you see them. Lovely food and a very very busy place.

Tasty pasta dinner for our team before a show!

By Charles T |

We ate at Carmine's in Times Square before going to see Wicked on Broadway. You definitely want to get a reservation, especially around Christmas when we were there. Our group of 16 was broken up into 2 tables of 8 but they were very flexible with us as we had added 2 people to our group after I made the reservation a couple of months earlier. They got us seated a little after our reservation time but it was no big deal. The food was terrific. Being a family style restaurant, the portions are huge and my table definitely ordered too much food. We ordered 4 entrees for our table of 8 and definitely would've been fine with 3. Our other table ordered 3 and then a dessert and it was perfect for them. I personally really loved the lasagna and the rigatoni with sausage and brocoli.

Friendly Staff and Great Service

By FoodLover_Travels |

A very nice experience overall. The environment was clean and relaxing, the service was professional, and the staff treated guests with respect.

Wonderful Italian family dining experience with excellent, caring service!

By RoamingWolfe2017 |

When we arrived around 1p on a very cold Sunday, Carmine’s was bustling! The interior takes you back a century and is warm, inviting, and tasteful. Despite not having a reservation, our part of 4 was seated with 15 minutes at a window seat enabling us to people watch inside and out. The waiter asked if we had been there and explained the family dining concept. WARNING: The Carmine salad could have fed 6-8 and our single entree - spaghetti with bolognese - served 4 good servings. When they say family style, they mean an Italian family of 6-8! The waiter also asked about food allergies (which if you read my reviews, you know I am constantly juggling my SO’s food allergies and tinnitus issues). He provided us a lactose intolerant menu which also had a gluten free menu. To accommodate us, our bread basket was served in two baskets - cheese/egg free and one for the rest of us. Our salad dressing was on the side and oil/vinegar provided. Very accommodating without making it weird. Carmine’s salad had plenty of two kinds of salami, cheese,peppercinos , black and green olives, cumbersome, red onions, celery and topped with roasted red peppers. The bolognese was very good with a slightly smoky flavor, nice amount of garlic, and the right amount of meat. The spaghetti was perfectly cooked al dente and the garlic/onion and tomato topped breads in the bread basket were very good. We had a bottle of Malbec which is served in jelly glasses adhering to NY Italian experience of 1930-60’s. Nice touch. For $120, we had excellent dinner for four in a great atmosphere with superb service AND a bottle of good wine in NYC Times Square! I will be back because I want to try so much more.

Eat at the Bar!!!

By ReiseReiseCH |

A world-class bartender who is so busy you wouldn't believe he is even recognizing you, but his eyes and ears are everywhere. The slightest comment on some of the drinks served at his bar resulted in a small tasting offered by him. The food was stunning! We loved the large plates with Caesar Salad and Veal Scaloppine w/lemon & butter. Unforgettable, and certainly, we will be back at Carmine's.

Great Time Square Restaurant and Bar

By Russ Fostiak |

On our recent visit to Manhattan, my wife and I stopped in to Carmine's in Time Square for pre-theatre drinks. We liked the place so much we came back the next day for dinner and again later that night for drinks. The place feels like vintage New York City. The martinis are terrific -- especially the signature espresso martini. The food is excellent and fairly priced. It is served family style and a single entree will serve at least 3 persons. Many people take home the unfinished meal to reheat later at home. The servers are friendly and helpful. The entire vibe is exciting. We love this place.

Fila is worth it

By Lucas Bertechini |

masses d quality and smooth quantity in the dishes, always capricious I loved once again worth the queue that has to stand.

Dishes/portions far too large for small groups. Chaotic service.

By Joe |

My wife, daughter and I visited Carmine's for a pre-show meal in late October. We really didn't have a good experience and perhaps I should have read the reviews on here more thoroughly before committing to going. We didn't have a reservation. The guy at the door advised we'd have a 45 min wait for a table or take one of their outdoor tables immediately, which we accepted. This was a mistake in hindsight. We were essentially sitting at a table by the roadside and the noise, bedlam and general discomfort made for a very un-relaxing experience. The first waiter to attend to us was nice/polite and explained the concept - basically the portions are HUGE so you really have to order one dish to share for all. If I'd known this in advance I think we'd have gone elsewhere. We opted for garlic bread (starter) and pasta/meatballs. Without much delay the garlic bread arrived. He wasn't wrong. It was ridiculously large, easily at least 10 large slices of garlic bread. Enough to feed a table of 6-8 people! Soon after, the "main" dish was dropped on our table by a different waiter and we realised it wasn't what we ordered. It took several attempts, waving at passing waiters, to get attention and explain the mistake. Eventually the wrong dish was taken away and then we were left for what seemed an age for the correct dish. I'm pretty sure our eventual "correct" dish was intended for a neighbouring table, because I could see them complaining about their missing meatballs! Again the dish was massive, much too large for a table of 3 people (one of whom is a child). A little while later I asked for a jug of water... which arrived eventually, but no glasses to go with it. Asked for glasses, they never arrived. Instead, we must have been asked on at least 3-4 separate occasions if we wanted our meals "boxed up". The food itself was OK. Only OK in my opinion. Fairly bland pasta dish, nothing at all special about it. We probably ate less than a quarter of it. The size of the portions is overwhelming and the completely chaotic service just put us off even further. The sheer wastage of food must be off the scale here, particularly for smaller groups.

Don’t choose vegetables

By David G |

Good atmosphere but the roasted potatoes were massively over salted and the broccoli massively under cooked,a really poor experience but previously had a pasta dish that was really nice

Carmine’s for the win!

By Shannon D |

Amazing experience. We had a variety of people in our group…total foodie and risk taker to very classic and afraid to try new things. The staff was very helpful with ensuring we ordered the appropriate items and understood the quantities.

Carmine's a Hit Performance

By charleync |

We brought our 10 yr-old granddaughter to NYC for the week, and we made a reservation at Carmine's a few weeks ago for 5:30 (we had tickets for The Lion King at 7:00 right across the street at the Minskoff Theatre), and we were seated by 5:35. Great atmosphere; although only 35 years old, the place is decorated with old photographs and paintings that make you feel like it's early 1900's. We had been advised by friends about the size of Carmine's servings, so we ordered one Caesar salad and one entree of pasta marinara (about $33 each). Huge, family-style portions; both would have served at least six people, and delicious too. Service was good, the staff sang Happy Birthday to our granddaughter, gave her a slice of cheese cake, and we were at The Lion King by 6:45. Very good experience. Would definitely go again.

You have to visit, you’ll not regret

By Bruno Caires |

The best Italian restaurant with excellent cost-benefit. The desserts are really delicious, the restaurant’s atmosphere is nice, and all the employees were very polite. I highly recommend it to everyone!

Medium experience

By CatherineCruz |

This restaurant is huge and has a wide variety of dishes and seating areas. It's very well located, just one block from Times Square. We went with a group of 6 friends, and being the prepared person I am, I made a reservation to guarantee our table. One of the things that didn't please me initially was that if even one person was missing, they wouldn't release the table. Until the complete group arrived, we had to stand at the crowded entrance without being able to sit down (even with two babies and a 4-year-old child). In addition, they didn't let my friend bring the stroller to the table; her baby was sleeping, and she had to carry her in her arms to the table. The food was delicious and the portions were generous; each serving is indeed ample and suitable for families, but I found the service somewhat chaotic and disorganized.

Authentic & Genuine Italian

By Daniel |

Carmine’s Italian Restaurant is an absolute standout and a must-visit. The food is exceptional, classic Italian dishes done to perfection, with generous portions that are clearly meant to be shared. Every dish we tried was full of flavour, fresh, and beautifully prepared. We loved the meatballs, country style pasta and the ceasar salad. The service was equally impressive. The staff were friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming, making the entire dining experience feel warm and effortless. They were happy to offer recommendations and ensured everything ran smoothly from start to finish. The atmosphere really completes the experience. Carmine’s has a lively, buzzing energy that feels both celebratory and authentic, making it perfect for family dinners, group gatherings, or a fun night out. Outstanding food, excellent service, and a fantastic atmosphere. Carmine’s truly delivers on all fronts. Highly recommended.

Till Next Year…

By Annie S |

For Christmas every year we give our family tickets to a Broadway show and dinner afterwords. We are a family of between 9 and 15, with ages between 12 to 72 and every year for the past 5 years when asked where do you want to go for dinner unanimously it has been CARMINE’S!!!! Everything from being seated on time to the service to the food has always been amazing. Till next year…

family-sized food

By Celio Ashcar Junior |

This traditional restaurant located in the middle of the Broadway theaters has family-sized food. The dishes serve 4 people. It is always very popular and has a very American atmosphere. A great choice for those who don't want to spend a lot and eat well.

Wish we had a larger party

By Ronpariser |

A NYC sharing restaurant so as a couple we were limited in our choices. We chose the side of eggplant parm which was huge , one meatball, and clams in white wine sauce. The bread was amazing. Cocktails were perfect. Will return with more people.

Great Italian family style

By thorn2nsarah |

We dined here twice during our visit to NYC and we had booked both times, the lines were very long and we were very pleased that we had a reservation. It is worth saying that the restaurant is family style so therefore big portions! During our first visit we had the calamari and garlic bread for starter and for out main course we had the Ragu and Chicken Parm with a side of broccoli it is fair to say that we over ordered on the food but everything was very tasty with the exception of the ragu which was a bit strange we wished we’d stuck to the bolognese or meatballs. For our second visit we were better planned and had the lasagne and penne alla vodka - we avoided the starters and enjoyed our mains much more for that. The lasagne was sublime and the food was the right amount for a party of 4. For dessert we had cheesecake which was totally massive very tasty but way too much for 4 people. All in all we love carmines and wouldn’t hesitate to go back!

Awesome

By jedermangy |

Returning customers we love this place great bar busy as ever. We had the meatballs again only left one not a bad effort😉 Will we return ~ 100% awesomeness was abundant

Great manager

By Margo S |

Great service from manager Ebony! She overheard us expressing concern that we were running for a show and came over to personally take our order. She then monitored the kitchen to make sure the food came out quickly. All with a smile. A++++

A little slice of heaven right in Time Square!

By Danielle Valenzano |

We absolutely LOVED Carmine's. It was the perfect spot for lunch before our 2 pm matinee. We were easily able to make a reservation through their website on Open Table to make sure that we had a table secured, but we got in early and they were able to quickly seat us without having us wait the extra 30 minutes. Our server Adrian was welcoming and pleasant. My daughters, ages 10 and 12, LOVED the bread basket and Adrian appeased them by bringing over all they had to offer for dipping. The portions are HUGE. It was just the three of us and we could have fed a few more people with the leftover Caesar salad, which which was delicious. We shared the cheese ravioli with penne vodka sauce for a very miniscule upcharge and it was SO GOOD. One portion - family style, like all their dishes - we enough for all of us with a few leftover that my 12 year old forced herself to finish! They also have a few mocktail Italian sodas that the kids (and I) tried that were great, too. The dessert menu looked AMAZING. We did not partake as we were already so full and heading to a show! The other bonus - just a plus - was that they were still beautifully decorated for Christmas. Do yourself a favor and EAT HERE! You will not be disappointed! It's a little slice of heaven right in the middle of the heart of Manhattan!

Disappointed

By Innyjim |

Bizarre experience, constantly being told what you can do and what you can’t. Went with my wife for our wedding anniversary, ordered something that we both vaguely liked as opposed to what we really wanted as you have to share. Pasta with shrimp was okay, bread was good. I was still eating when a server came up to the table and asked if I wanted to box up the pasta to go. Couldn’t wait to get rid of us, she looked gutted when I ordered an espresso! 🤣 We were in the max 45 mins and $200 lighter. I would swerve this place.

Amazing food

By Celeste S |

Food simply incredible. Very well served dishes, tasty food, amazing spice, super servings come served. Come with the desire to eat because it is very well served.

Very good

By Klesiane S |

We went for the third time, in the first two the food was very good and well served. But the third time the waitress rolled us up serving glass bottled water without us asking and then charged. Grab a tourist.

Yum yum

By TimRenee |

Great remedy for jetlag after long flight into NYC. Super friendly staff, old school ambiance, conducive to relaxing in an exuberant and joyful eatery. Big thanks for an amazing Ceasar's salad!

Excellent

By Carole H |

Excellent service and food. Alexis A was our server, she was extremely friendly, helpful and knowledgeable regarding our food choices, excellent recommendations. The portions here are huge.. we had a salad, lasagne and tiramisu between 3 and we could not eat it all. Excellent location for the theatre

Usually A-1 but today Disappointing!

By Mike G |

Carmine's is Usually Top Notch but today wasn't up to their normal Great standards. They had an off day and hopefully will be back on our next visit!

Good Italian food

By Nicholas T |

Went here in 2011 and wanted to go again and it didn’t disappoint. Serving sizes were still massive. My wife and I were only able to finish and 2/3rds of the dish that was presented to us. Service was good. Definitely recommend you make a booking before you go.

Great Italian food with huge portions

By Laura V |

The food was delicious, washed down with a lovely Sangria! They are family portions though, each dish serves about 3 people! We way over ordered but the price was fair for the amount we received. The service and overall experience was great. We went at 7pm on. Friday so needed to book ahead and wait a while for our table to be ready. The best location and atmosphere

So much food!

By simon5000 |

The food was lovely, I know it has some mixed reviews but we all thought it was good. Far too much food for the 4 of us but we ate as much as we could. The restaurant was busy but the service was very good for how busy it was. It may not be a small classic Italian in Little Italy but if you do want something other than fries and you are around Times Square then this is worth a look.

Food good but a busy large dining barn

By Sandra S |

The food is delicious, but the service was very disappointing (and we sat there Christmas Day) We were ignored and did not get the dessert card.... Wine in lemonade glasses... and on inquiry eventually a wine glass

Grab a tourist

By Raquel |

We order a mass with ragu. I've never eaten anything so awful. The huge dish, with sour sauce. They dropped some sausages and almonds. I do not recommend. I don't know what people find so special. A sad night

MUST VISIT NYC EXPERIENCE

By Native_LIer |

This is a NYC must-visit - stop in to the one near Times Square Step in from the hustle & bustle just outside the door & into a tourist trap worth the visit The downstairs dining room has an eating-in-Italy feel to it The Garlic Bread w Mozz w side of marinara is a 10+ starter The Rigatoni Bolognese is a GIANT dish for everyone at table to sample - another 10+ ... could go on & on .... Visit just before or after a show, seeing the NYC Christmas decorations, etc *** MAKE RESERVATIONS *** *** if you didn't, try sitting at the bar where they will serve you dinner ***

Mediocre Italian cuisine

By luvtotravel1022 |

It’s a huge place, the food is all served family style! Had the chicken Parmesan, added spaghetti, very little sauce and the food was just okay, not badly priced considering it’s New York!

Biiiigggg portions - well worth the visit

By Toni D |

Would definitely go back but maybe this time with more people as the portion sizes are massive - but they let you take doggie bags! Well worth the money! Came here for the daughter’s birthday on thanksgiving and the restaurant was packed but shout out to Kyle, the waiter, he was a right laugh! Were made to feel welcome and nothing was too much trouble. Food was good but muscles broth could do with a bit more flavour (even just some salt!). Rest was tasty and typical Italian.

A great restaurant for the family

By Adrienne C |

Everything about Carmine’s is big, from its enormous, cavernous space to its healing portions to its ample cocktails. If you are in a mood to chow down, this is the place for you! As someone who loves sharing food, the family style serving method really appealed to me. We only got Caesar salad and chicken parm and spaghetti for 3 people, but we were stuffed by the end! It’s definitely a pricey spot but worth it.

VERY ENJOYABLE MEAL

By RuSaBu |

Our family loved the experience of dining at Carmine's. The menu has a wide variety of Italian options, and the selections are plenty to share. Our two adults and two teenagers ordered chicken parmesan and cheese ravioli, and we had leftovers from those two dishes. So resist the urge to order too much.

Rich restaurant, immense portions

By Beatriz R |

Very good restaurant and very good dishes. The only thing it is for families or large groups, I don’t know if there was or at least I didn’t see it, but I missed being able to order smaller dishes and try several. We were 3 and with one dinner to spare, it is a shame not to be able to try more dishes because of the size of the portions

What a fantastic restaurant!

By Keith T |

Wow, we are so grateful to the local person who recommended this restaurant to us. We went two nights in a row! They offer ‘family style’ meals, which translates to ‘order one, it will feed two or more!’ Huge, delicious lasagne, big jumbo scallops, even the salad could feed a family! Great service and all the food was fantastic.