Gennaro Restaurant Reviews

This is almost a comical situation. All main ingredients couldn't be better: high class, nice atmosphere, excellent food and good service. What can one do to ruin this? Well, it is all about properly setting customers' expectations. It is not a shrimp salad, if there are only two shrimp in it. Either charge $16 instead of $14 and add another shrimp if the cost is an issue, or call it a two-shrimp-salad. The same with the arctic char. The restaurant staff claims that it comes with apple and cucumber salad, but it doesn't. It comes with a few shreds of apple, and what appeared to be a cucumber. But a few tiny specks. Again Gennaro, it's ok to charge more, but give us a chance to order a real salad right away and don't waste anyones time. This up until now is three-star - one more star comes off for Cash Only policy. No excuse for that these days.

We stopped eating at a well known Italian restaurant closer to our apt. after a bad meal, and walked further to Gennaro. So we found a better place and more exercise, a super combination. Have eaten there 5 times now, and enjoyed everything. Even took our fussy adult children and they liked it also. And, the staff was very nice to our 2 grand children, and helping with the stroller. Compared to similar places, we find the prices and portions better, and the atmosphere is very nice also. Good wine list, as well as by the glass. Worth taking transport to get to if you don't live in the neighborhood.

It is an amazing Italian restaurant that we keep returning to whenever we are in New York. The regular menu is supplemented with a long list of specials. During weekend they have the amazing stuffed anchovies. Almost always they have as a special the baby lamp chops, my personal favorite. Do not forget to bring cash, since they do not accept credit cards. Also, no reservations simply show up and hope the line is short.

When doing research for our holiday to NYC this restaurant came up often in the forum. We were looking for somewhere to eat on our last evening and as it was easy to access on the subway we decided to give Gennaro's a try. We were glad we did. The place was thriving on a Friday evening and we were quickly seated. Service was efficient with the waiter explaining the very extensive daily specials. We chose a ravioli and tortellini. While the meals were not large we enjoyed the flavours and home made pasta. When we left there was a line up to dine there. An enjoyable meal. Thanks Trip Advisor.

Loved the food but not being limited to paying with cash or check. Wonderful specials and nice atmosphere!

I've lived on the Upper West Side for almost 25 years and have been going to this restaurant faithfully since it opened perhaps 20 years ago. You will not find more delicious, seasonal, authentic, and reasonably priced Italian food anywhere in the city - period. Don't go here if you want spaghetti and meatballs and need to pay with a credit card. They don't serve it or eggplant parmesan, et al, and they only take cash. However; if you're looking for a great bucatini with swordfish, or veal ravioli, or squid ink risotto, or a kale salad the likes of which you have never tasted, then stop at the next ATM and run don't walk to Gennaro.

The food is delicious, the wine list ample and reasonable. And yes bring cash. But in spite of them having accepted a phone reservation, we were forced to stand and wait for thirty minutes. The gracious hostess kept promising the NEXT table, but one of the owners kept us waiting as he seated friends or regulars before us. Instead of explaining himself or offering a bottle of wine, he ignored us as his embarrassed hostess tried her best. I'll go again, but the owners need a crash course in fairness and courtesy.

No. Gennaro's has gone downhill as more and more better options have opened in the neighborhood. It's not expensive but easy for a couple to spend $100. plus without beverages/alcohol for a mediocre experience. The food: soft shell crabs must have been cooked a day earlier and were served on very dry couscous. The pear and cheese salad had 1 tiny sliver of cheese. The eggplant tomato pasta had very little sauce, mostly plain pasta. Veal chop special was ok. Steaks are fatty. Setting: kids paradise. 7 PM on a Saturday and endless high chairs. At the table next to us kids were watching cartoons on an ipad, no war plugs. Honestly. No table clothes and no matter how many courses you have as they clear the tables they keep handing you your dirty fork again and again. Service is indifferent at best though ones food comes quickly as they try to hustle you in and out.

Great Mediterranean / Italian food on the upper west side of New York City. The wait was about 20 minutes, which is not bad at all. Great service and great recommendations by the waiter. It is a great neighborhood spot and we will make it a regular.

I never thought I would experience such cynical racism in an Italian restaurant in New York but that is what happened last night, something I have never experienced in my visits to Italy or NYC before. I have to be fair here in that initially the server was very friendly and the food was good if expensive, however be warned, when they let you know the specials there is no indication of price so imagine my surprise when I was charged a little under $15 for a caprese salad. FIFTEEN BUCKS for half a beef tomato and small piece of mozzarella and $28 for a scallop risotto with ONE scallop on top. Anyway, at the end of the meal I asked for the bill and the bar manager brought it over stating that he "had added 18% gratuity already". Now, this was for THREE people. When we questioned this he stated that "he had to protect himself as we were from the UK" meaning as we were British we would not tip him correctly, despite me telling him that our friend lives 5 blocks away. We told him this was disgusting and he again started a monologue about how he had to protect his business. He then went off stating that he would redo the bill saying there had been a misunderstanding. Now, this is a cash ONLY business and earlier in the evening we had seen the same person pocket the cash from a patron who had paid for a bowl of spaghetti and throw away the receipt so I can only surmise that this is a regular thing and that credit cards would leave an audit trail. We have been to New York MANY times as well as many other parts of the USA and always tip MINIMUM 10% and more routinely 15% or double the tax so we know how it works. I am now wondering how much we overpaid for the caprese because we were 'foreigners' Apparently it is illegal to automatically apply a gratuity for under 6 people but hey, it would appear that rules don't apply here. So, Mr Gennaro, you either don't know what is happening in the front of house of your restaurant OR you are condoning it. Either way, it is cynical, not professional and frankly illegal. We were going to order take out from them the following night but due to the offence caused we went elsewhere.

My wife and I ate here several years ago and enjoyed it very much. The food was excellent and reasonably priced. This time around was different. The food was bland and over priced. They cover up the lack of flavor by serving huge portions. Service was okay. We used to think of Gennaro as a neat neighborhood restaurant, but it now reminds us of the tourist traps in Little Italy. Very disappointing return visit.

Whenever I am in NY, I try to dine at Gennaro and have never been disappointed. The food is fresh, nicely seasoned, pasta is homemade. For NY, the prices are reasonable. I happen to prefer small, intimate restaurants rather than large celebrity owned or Corporate, therefore, I really like this one. Enjoy a glass of fine wine, relaxing, cozy atmosphere, homemade foods, fine service, can't beat it. Hope to enjoy a meal there in a couple of weeks.

gennaro is a neighbourhood resturant in the good sense of it, good , tasty and it sophisticated food, excellent and warm service and lovely atmospheredecent prices

My boyfriend and I have eaten at Gennero's every few months over the past few years and we have never been disappointed. My only complaint would be that the place is relatively small (tables are very close together) and the service can sometimes feel a bit rushed but I assure you the food is well worth it! Some of our favorites include the watermelon and goat cheese salad (often a special), spinach and ricotta ravioli, pork chop with caramelized onions and the lamb shank with cous cous (getting hungry just writing this!!) Every night they have at least 10 specials which is great since we come here often. The staff is very knowledgeable about the food and wine and are eager to offer suggestions. Go early or late to avoid the rush as it is almost always packed and don't forget to stop at the ATM as it is cash only!!!!

The food is way better than average and this small cozy restaurant has a nice atmosphere. Portion sizes are on the small side but that certainly beats the mountains of mediocre food that you get at many places. Cash only (hmmm, why is that?), and they don't take reservations. Try salad dishes. Brussels sprouts and kale dishes are memorable.

Not authentic Italian and all dishes are strong taste, but it’s good. It’s a bit expensive, but we keep going regulary.

Daughter lives the area, so location great for us visiting parents, but this local Italian Restaurant is world class. Great specials, lots of them, beef carpaccio one of the best I've had, and that's what we always try and compare. Fresh raviolis to die for, amazing knowledgeable waiters give excellent service. Gets full always, a notorious sign of a great place.

Went here for a birthday dinner. Nice italian place, not great not bad. My Seabream dish was delish but my sister’s pasta was basically tasteless. We waited a long time for dinner because someone ordered a porkchop and apparently that takes much longer (?) Waiter was nice, service was slow.

Authentic Italian. The pork chop is amazing. So are the pasta dishes. One of our reliable, regular haunts.

Excellent food , good Italian wine,kindly service, nice atmosphere, what you want more😉 see you soon!!

I visited this restaurant 11 months ago while in NY for work. I had the beet ravioli with a light lemon sauce & I've been thinking about it ever since. If I were a celebrity chef on "The Best Think I Ever Ate" on the Food Network, this would be the dish I would talk about. I sat at the bar to dine & had the pleasure of chatting with some friends regulars. The service was amazing and the bartender even gave me a glass of wine. I will be back next time I am in NY. Please note- NO credit cards accepted. Hit up the ATM before you go.

My favorite thing about this place is it is a neighborhood place, small, crowded, homey, friendly, and you just know it's gonna be good. This time as I always do, I had the appetizer of portobello mushrooms inside mashed potatoes on top of sliced roasted beets. the potatoes are topped with goat cheese that has been toasted under the broiler and atop that are fresh mixed greens with a lovely balsamic vinegarette drizzled over the whole thing. Heaven! Warm, delicious. We had a couple of glasses of chianti and we split the special of fettucine bolongnese. Oh the sauce I could've eaten without the noodles. It was delectable. My daughter had some plain pasta with butter and loved it. My husband had his favorite salad with thinly sliced raw beef topped with arugula and parmegiano. I know it has a name, but I can't remember it. Pear tart and creme brule for dessert, pear tart rules.

Owned by a guy from Lipari( Aolian island north of Sicily) this place continues to amaze me ( I'm of Sicilian heritage and visit Sicily annually ). The salads , pastas , and breaded veal and chicken dishes are all amazing . Great wine list and service. Ate there last night and am returning tonight......why not?

Dinner at Gennaro was one of the few really terrible meals we have had in NYC. We took the word of our usually very reliable Michelin Guide that rated it as a "bib gourmand." An appetizer of "fresh grilled sardines" in no way resembled that description. Instead, the sardines were mashed, mixed with some sort of crumbs, and fried. Salads were okay but lacked creativity and a real sense of freshness. Deep-fried calamari arrived soggy and with an unappealing sauce. Entrees, with one exception—a bowl of nicely seasoned steamed mussels— were even worse. Pasta with fish had a striking lack of fish; the pasta was over-cooked; and the sauce suffered from both too much sugar and too much salt. A veal cutlet was paper- thin, tough, heavily breaded, greasy, and tasteless. The gnocchi of the day came swimming in a milky solution and buried in elastic-cheese. We skipped dessert.

Located in the Upper West Side trendy neighborhood on busy Amsterdam Ave. surrounded by numerous ethnic restaurants, this Italian Mediterranean one stands out. Intimate size, small linen covered tables, numerous well trained staff. Menu is broad and would satisfy everyone's taste not only of Italian favorites but lots fish and specialty dishes. Variety of daily specials. Full bar and extensive wine list.

We didn't read the reviews b4 we decided to dine there, that was my big mistake, we had a terrible experience, went there to meet friends , food was ok, but the server was RUDE and ARROGANT, very unpleasant experience I Don't recommend this place to anyone , as one goes out either to celebrate or have a good time and that is not possible here when the server misbehaves. I'm surprised by the good reviews given by some people. Probably they were lucky and their server was good... Soo many complaints... Why didn't I read. seriously why will I reccomend this place for business, couples ,family or friends... When the staff can ruin ur outing....

Gennaro was the last dinner we had in our march 2016 trip to NYC. They have some great antipasti and everybody's pasta was delicious. My matriciana as was very good, but my wife's pasta could have some salt. Well, always better to have less then too much. The wine list is pretty good and the affogatto is a winner. Go for it.

For years this little Gem has been a local favorite of ours. Almost scared to put it up here.. hard enough to get in... But since my last visit they have renovated, and expanded. The real worry was after the expansion would the food and pricing change. As most properties normally adjust to compensate for capital improvements and the ever present rent hikes that cripple your favorite bistros, I'm happy to report that Gennaro's stayed true to its mission and to its base clientele. Staff is always attentive, friendly and accommodating. Now the food.. The menu continued to have its staples which are fan favorites, however I've always gone for the evening specials.. The food is never rushed, flavor profiles are on point and super fresh. Their pastas are to die for.. but be forewarned, don't eat a big lunch if you plan on dinner here.. lots of food!!! Wine list is not over the top with great medium range choices and if you're not sure simply ask, the staff is well versed in their options for pairing. This local upper westside jewel is always busy with loyal fans, 1st service is the easier of the two to get in as you will wait for a table at 2ns service, but its well worth it.. Enjoy..

Fantastic, authentic food, mainly from the center/south of Italy. Friendly staff. Try the daily specialities! Always crowded, therefore quite loud.

Went here with family who had the local knowledge. The food and service was fabulous. One of the nicest family run Italian restaurants I've been to.

Walked all across Central Park to get to this joint, recommended by an acquaintance as a "true gem" "possibly the best restaurant in NYC", and "real Italian". I was told they only take cash, but they were willing to take my card (using Square). The menu does look like true Italian food (the server behind the bar also spoke mostly Italian). I had a bread salad (way too salty and acid) and a peppery pasta with cheese. The pasta was truly al dente, and made with simple ingredients (only pepper and the cheese), but ended up being quite pedestrian. Accompanied this with a glass of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, which was a little on the acidic side.

The food here is really, really delicious. The kale salad, the sausage appetizer, the barrata, the pastas, the fish, the meat, the focciacia is all wonderful. And they have a bartender most nights that really knows wine so that you can taste a wine before you order it with knowledgable recommendations from the bartender, which only increases the pleasure of the experience. No blaring TVs, a comfortable setting except on weekends when it is packed because it really is the best food on the Upper West Side! Try a weeknight, you will be very pleased.

Gennaro has a large offer of Italian dishes. Homemade but sophisticated recipes and natural ingredients. This is a neighborhood restaurant but you should travel from everywhere to taste its delicious plates!

This place is cash only, just a heads up. It's a great restaurant, with nice specials at a very good price. Make sure to ask which pastas they make in house that day. We had the fresh made gnocchi and it was delicious! Enjoy

Had dinner here for the first time, after a friend's recommendation. Good Italian restaurant with some interesting daily specials. Not inexpensive, but cost pretty typical for comparable NYC restaurants.

In my experience, cash only places are the best and Gennaro is one of them. Delcious Italian fare served in and always packed space - they acutally jsut added on a bar area with additional table in the open,adjoining building. If you're in the mood for good, classic Italian, Gennro fits the bill.

Food was good but description on the menu did not have all the ingredients listed that was in the dishes that we ordered. Also, they only take cash if you pay credit card they charge you extra the tartufo is a real rip off. It’s only half of a tartufo for $15, not worth it. Food is good but restaurant seems a bit shady.

Nothing more nor less. The food is tasty but it's a Little but expensive. The wine was great though. You must try it if you are nearby, but it doesnt worth a visit if you're notre.

A neighborhood spot that has good food, rare on the UWS, but charges for it. Always crowded. No credit cards. No reservations. Go early to guarantee a seat.

We had dinner tonight with friends who love Gennaro and wanted to share it with us. What a wonderful evening! We sat outside under their beautiful outdoor setup and had an absolutely delicious meal from start to finish. Everything was homemade and cooked to perfection. In addition, the staff could not have been more friendly. It felt warm and homey and we cannot wait to come back again.

Gennaro is, hands down, the best restaurant on the Upper West Side. Gennaro is a talented chef from Lipari in the Aeolian Islands off Sicily. He knows how to prepare seafood -- and everything else Italian. The standard menu is superb, including a prize-winning stinco d'agnello (lamb shank). There is a raft of specials every day, too, with homemade pastas, rich sauces, and dishes hard to find even in New York: an amazing rabbit stew, a wonderful seafood risotto, a tuna carpaccio; soft shell crabs; marinated fresh anchovies; a brilliant cold tomato soup with an array of toppings: on different nights, fragments of avocado or cucumber or frozen watermelon -- the list goes on. It is a real neighborhood joint. The wait staff is cheery and friendly and knows the regulars. The wine list is reasonably priced; in summer there's often a watermelon bellini, too. The bill is cash only, so come prepared, but the cost is quite reasonable for New York these days. We practically live here, have seen Gennaro grow from a railroad storefront to triple its original size, and we love it. You'll probably see us at the next table.

Delicious food Excellent service Priced fairly No reservations accepted at this fine neighborhood Italian Restaurant.

Excellent. While NYC is awash with Italian restaurants, this one sails miles above most of its competitors

The food was fair but the bartender was not. My friend and I were seated at the bar while we waited for our table and although we were right in front of him he ignored us until I ordered a bottle of wine. I also had to grab the hostess's attention to alert her that we didn't intend to remain at the bar for dinner (I noticed she'd crossed our name off her list). We have been going to the restaurant for ten years and I've never felt so unwelcome, though I've been in NY long enough to learn a tolerance for such irritating indignities. The bartender is Tuscan, but apparently lacks the nobility of that beautiful region. Next time: Mezzaluna or Mezzogiorno.

Based on a strong recommendation four of us went to Gennaro's on the Upper West side. The food was nothing special and the service was fair. The lasagna, burned; the risotto with mussels, scallops, shrimp, and lobster, no mussels nor scallops; and the gnocchi, bland and boring. The best dish was the vegetable soup. This group will search elsewhere for Italian in NYC and there are many excellent establishments here.

Our air bnb host recommended this place and she was not wrong! Beautiful Italian food, fair prices, generous servings. Would go back in a heartbeat - in fact, it's probably a good thing we ate there on the last night or we might not have eaten anywhere else.

Friday night at 9 pm with baby carriages banging your elbows is not my idea of dining. The salads were excellent. My pork chop was ok buy way too much onion, it over powered the dish. The sausage was tasty but the rabe was not very flavorful. The pear tart was a bit tasteless but the tiramisu was excellent. Overall not a great experience.

I haven't been here in a long while but I was very pleasantly surprised when I ate here recently. Nice service and nice food and a surprisingly decent wine list.I would stay away from the main courses as they are the most expensive and just so-so. The appetizers and pastas are the way to go, tasty and good values.

You can tell before you sit in an Italian restaurant, whether the food will be of quality by whether or not the staff is speaking in Italian. Made me feel like I was in an restaurant in Milan or Rome. The manager was attentive and when we sat down to dinner, the food was top notch. The chef even walked to our table and made us feel at home. Everything was fantastic and the only thing left to be desired is the decor. Wine list is very extensive.

Three years ago we wrote a review of Gennaro saying that it's the best Italian restaurant on the Upper West Side, and that we practically live there. Much has changed in the world since then, but amidst all of the instability of the second Trump regime, one value still holds steady: Gennaro remains a neighborhood gem, and we still live there. Wonderful southern Italian food (Gennaro himself is from Lipari, one of the Aeolian Islands), delectable homemade pastas and sauces. There's not a bad dish on the menu, and the soft shell crabs, the rabbit stew, the seafood risotto are to die for. In addition to the long standard menu, there are a host of daily specials. The staff is friendly and gracious, Maurizio behind the bar knows his wines, and Gennaro usually makes an appearance. The price (in cash) is well worth the experience.

Our first time at this restaurant will not be the last! Authentic Italian--our pastas were delicious! We started with two different salads--though the other appetizers were very tempting--both quite good. And we shared a generous portion of tiramisu for dessert--but will try some of the other offerings next time. WARNING: CASH ONLY. Luckily we knew in advance. Be sure to visit your ATM and go--quite reasonable.

Noisy, a little raw but withe very good food. They keep up the quality at a very reasonable price. Remember that you may need to queue and bring cash but it is worth it.

There are over a thousand Italian restaurants in New York including some that are arguably among the best in the world. Among them, Gennaro it is an upper west side neighborhood gem. The food is consistently delicious and reasonably priced. The kids love the pastas. The stinco di agnello brasato (braised lamb shank) is superb and deserves a nice full-body wine, which is readily available. Indeed, the Italian wine list is excellent, especially for a neighborhood restaurant, and sometimes you can get a Gennaro special wine selection off the menu. We go to Gannaro often and love it. Gennaro has only one slight weakness - it's cash only and I'd rather not have to stop at the ATM before dinner. Request to Gannaro: please take credit cards.

I live around the corner from Gennaro so it's like my second dining room. Having dinner there is like visiting Italy with the chef-owner from the island of Pantelleria, near Sicily. While the service staff is not Italian (except for the chef's nephew who sometimes acts as maître d), Gennaro has taught the kitchen well and he is often present to make sure everything is done right. The clients are regular customers from the neighborhood so it has a definite Upper West Side look and feel but with an occasional visit from celebrities from the theatre and cinema world who happen to live in the neighborhood. The food served is abundant, creative Italian island (pignoli and currents used), and quite good. While the offerings on the menu are very reasonable, be sure to ask the prices of the off-the-menu specials so there are no surprises. NO CREDIT CARDS ARE ACCEPTED so be prepared to have cash or to wash the dishes or to go across the street to an ATM. If you've been a customer for 15 years like me they may accept a personal check. The wines are reasonably priced and well-chosen. The value for the money attracts crowds and reservations are not taken so you may have to wait in line if you go during "prime time'. I suggest 9/9:30 PM for an easy entry and a quiet evening.

First of all... CASH ONLY (They will take a debit card if you insist, but they'd rather do the cash thing.) My wife have been here a number of times and we've introduced many, many people to this place when we've gone. Definitely NOT the typical Italian fare where most places have "Parmesan this and Français that." Not this place. Their pasta and meat dishes are very unique. And their fish is really excellent. They usually have A LOT of specials as their menu offers a good selection, but they always have a lot more to choose from. I've had their octopus appetizer when they have it. Really yummy. I've had their grilled fish many times. Almost every time, a different species of fish. That's one of the things that makes this place so cool. They've had burratta sometimes where my wife and daughter go nuts. This place has a lot of small tables, but overall, it is NOT a large restaurant. Expect to wait online. But, it is well worth it. Casual, not fancy at all. Go, you'll be happy you did.

Want to eat with the locals? This is one of the best italian restaurants in nyc. Bring cash and expect to wait on line - no credit cards and no reservations, but well worth it.

This place is gorgeous. It's decorated beautifully. The staff is very attentive. They have beer and wine only. Lovely lovely place. FYI... It is cash only. So we ordered tonight's specials and had the octopus appetizer, grilled vegetable appetizer, veal Milanese, more octopus with risotto and the Seafood pasta dish in which that was the weakest dish of all. The seafood dish had only 3 pieces of seafood, one piece of lobster, one clam, and one mussel, for the crazy price this is ridiculous. Of course we eat everything without complaint. For good restaurant choices in the Upper West Side, is very few. This is one of the good choices.

The restaurant was packed for a weeknight. Tables quite close together and unfortunately the waiter kept bumping into my dining partner's chair and not even realizing it. Our entrees came out much later than other diners near us so we suspect that they forgot to put in our order with the kitchen. There was a long list of specials ranging from pasta to fish to meats. I had the linguini with eggplant and swordfish which was good but not outstanding. The atmosphere was lively a bit noisy but overall a very good dining experience.

We are in NYC 3 times a year and are always trying new Italian restaurant. Food is perfect and delicious. By perfect- we got a nice sampling of three different pastas on a dish. Nice size appetizer. The pea soup delicious. My favorite is the kale salad. I could eat this everyday. Delicious. The fish with the Mediterranean broth, I still crave when I am at home. Very very very good. And I highly recommend the cannoli. Homemade there. Perfect way to end dinner. Wine selection is also excellent. The staff was excellent. Clean plates constantly. Bread was always filled. Water, no ice was always topped off. And they were very accommodating to one of our guest who wanted a dish prepared to his liking. And Kevin bacon and his wife kyra sat right next to us and we found out they are regulars there. Excellent dinner!!! A good place to come as a couple or in a group.

I had a wonderful salad as an entree that was delicious with grilled jumbo shrimp, avocado, artichoke hearts & grilled corn. Worth returning for this alone. Yum. Unfortunately, they don't take reservations & after 7, it gets Very busy.

The calamari was not as good as my first visit but the food is very very good. The service is good but they don't take credit cards so hit the ATM first.

lovely atmosphere, very good food! we decided to eat pasta and were not disappointed... fresh pasta with robust sauces. Expensive, but average for NYC restaurants

I went for dinner with my wife and a visitor from out of town. The waiter was friendly and helpful. My risotto was outstanding; my wife's dish was nothing special. We had to move tables because two tables on either side of us (outdoor dining) were exceptionally loud. Our friend ordered a salad to start but they brought the wrong kind of salad which the waiter recognized and replaced it with the correct one. Finally, this is one of the few restaurants known to me on NYC's Upper West Side that does NOT take credit cards -- what kind of nonsense is that?!?

We are in NYC 3 times a year and are always trying new Italian restaurant. Food is perfect and delicious. By perfect- we got a nice sampling of three different pastas on a dish. Nice size appetizer. The pea soup delicious. My favorite is the kale salad. I could eat this everyday. Delicious. The fish with the Mediterranean broth, I still crave when I am at home. Very very very good. And I highly recommend the cannoli. Homemade there. Perfect way to end dinner. Wine selection is also excellent. The staff was excellent. Clean plates constantly. Bread was always filled. Water, no ice was always topped off. And they were very accommodating to one of our guest who wanted a dish prepared to his liking. And Kevin bacon and his wife kyra sat right next to us and we found out they are regulars there. Excellent dinner!!! A good place to come as a couple or in a group.

The service was very attentive and kind. The food was absolutely delicious, they had fresh pasta I believe that was out of this world! The atmosphere is usually sort of busy at dinner time but it's never uncomfortable.

The food here was absolutely fantastic. No complaints from five diners that ordered five different dishes and appetizers. Unfortunately, we had to wait 1/2 hour even though we had a reservation, all the dinners were not served at the same time (appreciable wait for the sad fifth diner) and items on the menu were not available.

Nice place but nothing to write home about. Pastas, pastas, pastas. Used to be a smaller space but they acquired the space next-door which somehow feels better. Just okay, I would say. I had the pasta with vodka sauce and it was fine. I am not sure why I can't share the excitement and enthusiasm other reviewers have.

We've been here a number of times - on a quiet weeknight evening as well as a bustling Saturday night. The service is typically fantastic and the food is terrific. Love this restaurant so much. It has become our go to place in NYC when we come in from Westchester County!

We were tired after our long flight to NYC and we were looking for a restaurant near our hotel. When I read about Gennaro on the newspaper I thought "oh no" - you know , being an Italian I don't like to travel for thousands of miles and go out eating the same things I eat at home. I couldn't be more wrong than that:Gennaro is absolutely fantastic. We ate the best "pasta alle sarde" ever - equal only to those eaten during my last trip in Sicily together with a couple of starters that were abolutely delicious for freshness and taste. We ended with a classic "tiramisu" as a dessert.My only regret? I wasn't able to go there once again during my stay in Nyc...absolutely recomendded!Grazie Gennaro!

We had dinner and the food was delicious. The servant was very friendly and knowlegable. There was a misunderstanding what was ordered and he solved it immediately.

The service was good and it’s a nice restaurant to visit with family and friends. The food is also really good.

Food was tasty but tiny portion of chicken. Salads good and large. Service impersonal and obvious neglect once we weren’t having alcohol. With so many great Italian restaurants in Manhattan…

We used to live in the neighborhood of Gennaro and ate dinner there almost every Sunday night for a year or so. We have had many birthday dinners there and always return when we are back in NYC. We have never had any dish we did not like. Our favorite is the gnocchi but we like many other dishes! In the fall, the pumpkin ravioli is fantastic, all of the appetizers are wonderful and you should have at least one of the specials as they will be based on the best seasonal ingredients. I never really liked kale until Gennaro sent us the kale salad to try. A friend who spent time in Italy says the bolognese is just like the cook made for her group. They don't take reservations, so there can be a wait at busy times. You can avoid that by going at 6:30 or 7 or waiting until 9 to eat. Bring cash--they don't take credit cards. They only serve dinner.

I grew up in Italy and can confidently say Gennaro has the most authentic Italian food I have ever eaten in NYC. The dishes are amazing and bring me back home. I recommend this very special restaurant.

This restaurant has been in the same location for years (although it doubled in size some years back) and it continues to set the standard. Cash only, no reservations, and the food is excellent. I would say that it is a little calmer than it used to be, and the food, if anything, is better.

Although they only take cash and no reservations, if you can get into Gennaro's (before 6:30 or after 8 pm) you will not be disappointed. Even their sausage is homemade. Wonderful soups, I absolutely loved the grilled shrimp salad with artichokes, fresh corn and avocado. The food comes out hot, all at once and quickly and the wait staff is attentive. Makes you feel like you must have an Italian grandmother in the kitchen cooking. Their polenta is rather runny but still delicious. Liver and onions excellent. Many many homemade pasta dishes to choose from, baby lamp chops, fish, veal chops, you name it, they have it. But remember they only take cash.

en! After years of eating at Gennaro (I live in the neighborhood) this evening I was treated to a dinner with a rude and bullying staff. The food has always been fine and sometimes exceptional. Until tonight the highlight of the restaurant has been its fun, alert and service oriented staff. This evening something went terribly wrong. We (three women) arrived at 7:15, ordered wine, appetizers and main courses. We were enjoying ourselves and had just ordered our second glasses of wine to accompany our main courses, when the dessert menu (which we politely refused) and then the bill arrived. We were bombarded with waiters and management asking if our bill was settled. In fact, in 5 minutes we had been asked 6 times, "Is your check ready?" Then our waiter picked up two glasses of wine, one which still had wine in it, and removed them from the table. When we brought it to his attention that the glass was not empty, to his credit, he did provide another eighth of a glass of wine. However, the manager, or whoever the man with the thick rimmed glasses was, began asking us relentlessly if we needed anything else. By this time we had already paid in cash and left over a 25% tip. It was only 8:30 and we had been in the restaurant a mere one hour and fifteen minutes. We asked the manager why we were being rushed and he became hostile. He spoke to us in a loud, admonishing tone, insisting he had done nothing to rush us and then he marched off before we could reply. As I said, I am heartbroken that my good experiences at Gennaro have been completely overshadowed by this most recent, off-putting episode. I will not return.

I have eaten here twice and I can say it one of the best restaurants for the money in the upper west side. I am somewhat of a foodie and lived in Boston for many years eating great Italian food. I rate Italian by the sauce. This is average on the that level. Just like everywhere in NYC ... tight seating. And there's a small bar you can eat at.

We end up in this place twice a year going last five years...tells you that it keeps bringing us back. Probably one of the best lamb shank, gnocchi, and kale salad among other items. Their specials every day go on and on and on...great that they expanded the place some time ago. Great bar and ambiance. Well worth the time and effort if you have to wait to get in. This review can apply to each and every year for the last 5+ years! Enjoy!

Love love love the effervescent service! Food is fantastic. Even waiting for a table is a great experience. We will be back again, and again, and again!

Is it overpriced for pasta? Yes… but it’s NY and I am of the opinion that all pasta is overpriced :). That being said… I had the gnocchi and it was very good, hubs had some steak dish and it was delicious. They don’t have a kid menu but made a small order of butter noodles for the kiddo. They were homemade noodles and he gobbled them up. Cozy place with a nice atmosphere and the owner/manager(?) made sure to greet everyone and make them feel welcome. Recommend!

I really wanted to love this restaurant - my elderly father recommended it and I think he recalls it as being one he used to love. It was really no better than average. We had a fig/prosciutto appetizer which was absolutely delicious and we were so ready for wonderful pastas to follow. Our ravioli was nice, very small portion, nothing special. And the linguine with eggplant was utterly flavorless, medium sized portion. We would have still been hungry, but we noticed that the couple who had sat down near us recently were enjoying a nice basket of bread and olive oil that had been brought to them. We asked if we could have that too and the waitress seemed perturbed that we where now finished, but asking for our bread. She brought the bread, and we had to drag her back again to get some olive oil. Cash only is still the policy - other trip advisor reviews stating otherwise are in error, or perhaps they did take cards but stopped and are back to cash only.

Lovely spot, great food, good atmosphere (if a bit tightly packed), friendly attentive service. But be prepared: cash only, no cards. And while not the most expensive in town, far from the cheapest!

I have eaten at this restaurant many times over the years but have never written a review. I realized it was time to do so after having a wonderful meal the other night and I was so appreciative of Gennaro's dedication to keeping his standards high. After all these years he has managed to maintain a standard of true Italian cooking with his own creative flair. If you are overly concerned about no reservations or no CC's you can certainly go somewhere else but it will be difficult to find authentic Italian food like what is served here. Bravo Gennaro, non smettere mai!

It looked like a great place to eat but we settled for take out and were definitely pleased. We were all pretty inebriated so that I don't remember details of which dish was what but I do remember we all thoroughly enjoyed our meal at home. Keep in mind that they don't accept credit cards, which through us for a loop...

First time visiting New York and so obviously wanted to sample an Italian restaurant. This one did not disappoint. The food was simple and tasty and the wine just as nice. The staff were very attentive and efficient and the restaurant itself was a lovely dine. Not spectacular but ticks all the boxes and didn't let us down. Would go again.

4 of us went here after a local on the street recommended it. Simple food, great waiter, beaut wine and good company. Our best meal in New York. Only take cash, however. Meant I had to pay the whole bill. Sob.

My daughter lived 3 blocks from this restaurent , this is a cash only low key Italian eatery , we had enjoyed through the years. . We had both eat in and take out . The entrance is the bar area , the tables are tight. . Pasta special offered daily . The wine selection is adequate. Their service I’d good and efficient . Kids are welcome. . We enjoyed the pasta special( changed daily ) , kale salad , veal Milanses , grilled squid . We have seen celebrity ( famous actor )dining there !

Excellent Italian restaurant in NYC! Very good starters and delicious home made fresh pasta. High quality ingredients and nice presentation! The restaurant is very nice like a typical Italian one! Prices are in the city average but the quality is absolutely above! I would definitely recommend it!

We went there last night 8/23 based on recommendation of our friend's kids. Had to wait @ 30 minutes (host had said 10 min wait!). The service was friendly / attentive with average food. Place is cramped, relatively noisy. They do not accept credit cards, but was told that they will since we did not have enough cash - was able to pay by CC (after some hassle). Do not see a compelling reason to return to the establishment.

I live nearby and has visited this restaurant on a few occasions. I have never had dinner I usually drop in for a cocktail and some appetizers. They have a very nice selection of wines and consider themselves a wine bar specializing in wines from all regions. The first v1isit I had a zucchini flower fried and stuffed and was not impressed with it at all. On my second visit I sampled the calamari and sauteed spinach. I did not care for the calamari the breading was too heavy and it was tasteless and tough however the spinach with garlic side dish was much better, a little overdone for my taste I prefer my greens not quite so well done. As a foodie, an avid reviewer and oftentimes a solo Diner, I have found that in some places you are treated with indifference when you are a solo female Diner. This was definitely the case on my first to visit where I sat at a table and was treated as if I were unimportant by the waitress who served me. She was cold unfriendly and not attentive at all. She didn't bother to tell me about the specials I had to ask and the service was slow and not impressive. I never received a smile or thank you and having spent my entire life in customer service and much of it in F&B, I was frankly insulted by her lack of attention and unprofessional service. I recently visited genaro's again and this time I chose to sit at the bar. The bartender was friendly attentive and very professional. I have lived many years and Italy and Sicily and I know good Italian food when I have it. I also know what good service and a good Chef is. On my most recent visit I enjoyed a glass of montepulciano and a special of the day appetizer of fried soft-shell crab on a bed of couscous with arugula. Having lived in Virginia in an area which was considered crab country, I'm very particular about soft shell crab as many places do not prepare it correctly. I will say this was one of the best soft shell crab I have ever had. It was lightly pan fried to perfection and the entire dish was Delightful. The presentation of the food that I saw coming out of the kitchen was Top Notch and although my single glass of wine and one appetizer left me with a bill of $39 after a 20% tip, I will say that that is nothing less than average for a restaurant of this caliber in New York City. Gennaro's is a pleasant restaurant with a nice atmosphere and an impressive menu. If you enjoy wine they have a great selection of wines as well as authentic Italian beers. There has been some staff changes over the past couple years and it appears to me that they have been for the better. They do accept credit cards as that was my chosen method of payment. I believe previously it was cash only but they have improved on this as well. Be prepared to spend upwards of $60 per person if you are having a full meal with drinks. If cost is not an issue and you enjoy well-prepared Italian meal in a nice atmosphere with professional service then I would recommend genaro's on Amsterdam Avenue. I would have given them five stars except for the previous two visits and the fact that I have not come back for full meal. I usually give most restaurants three tries before I give up on them and send the third try was a save we will have to see what the next visit have in store for me. I will definitely be back and recommend you try them out as well.

Took a friend here for dinner after a recommendation was given by my boss. I was wonderfully surprised at the level of flavor and enjoyed every morsel. Will return again

I’ve been to this restaurant numerous times over many years. I had the same server this time as in past visits. He explained every last detail of the specials & how he was going to have to talk to “the powers that be” to convert an appetizer sized salad to an entree as if this was a difficult challenge. Yet, I’ve done the same thing several times over with the same salad in past visits. After the salads were served, we were never asked whether our meals were ok. The salad came with chopped tomatoes unmentioned on the menu. We had to track down our waiter (who was ignoring us) through the bus staff, just so I could send it back. He still didn’t come over. I had to get the manager to merely send back a salad for replacement. By the time my replacement came, my friend finished her dinner. I used to love this place & had really looked forward to going back after not having been there for a while. The memory was much better than the reality.

Mauricio, the Maitre d' is flawless in his management of the front of the house. Always on the move, making sure everyone is seated, drinking and happy. The food is absolutely delicious. Had the lamb chops which I gnawed on with no shame. Daughter had a pasta that was perfectly cooked and the sauce was yummy. No need to look any further if you want a perfect Italian meal at a neighborhood place. Note: cash only.

Once a month you’ll find us in this go-to restaurant. Every meal eaten in this UWS neighborhood restaurant has been delicious. Reasonable portions at fair prices. They don’t accept reservations or credit cards. Arrive by 6 pm to avoid a wait and bring cash.

Nice unpretentious little restaurant far from the tourist crowds. The Chiondini with polanta was fresh and suculent. I had the fetucini with mixed meats and my wife ravioli di vitello was sublime. My only critique is that they added a 18% tip automatically which I consider a bad policy in any restaurant specially for a 2 person party like in our case

Quaint UWS Italian spot. Excellent waiter ( Mark) steered us to a terrific wine and he really knew the menu. Salads were unique and interesting. Entrees as well. REAL Italian chefs I. The kitchen which is becoming less and less common! Cash only spot so hit the ATM before going. Would definitely go back. Lots more on the menu I wanted to try.

Gennaro had always been very dependable so when I needed a restaurant to host my wife's 60th BD in NYC, this was the obvious choice. Food was excellent. Service was consistently attentive but unobtrusive. The litmus test for a large group like this is do the entrees all arrive at once, and all arrive hot. No mood killer like one of your guests staring at an empty plate while everyone else let's their food get cold just to be polite. Gennaro team got this perfect. All you heard were choruses of "Mmm-mmm, wow! That looks good. What'd you get?" Also since I was paying cash for 16 in New York, I was concerned about taking out a second mortgage. Maybe it is because I now live in Silicon Valley, but I was surprised at how reasonable the tab was (with non-stop wine, desserts all around and 30%ish tip for the excellent, friendly service). Gennaro's continues to be a neighborhood treasure.

I eat here a lot, and like to bring out of town friends to Gennaro because it's an unpretentious, casual, neighborhood restaurant that serves food that equals the best Italian restaurants in NYC at half the price. Very extensive menu which is supplemented by a long list of specials. Gennaro is the owner chef, and his food is consistently innovative and excellent. The first rate wait staff is friendly, very knowledgeable and not afraid to make recommendations. Decent wine list. Negatives: no reservations, cash only, no hard liquor. Highly recommend to tourists b/c this place offers great food at reasonable price (by NY standards) and an atmosphere that is so much more comfortable than uber expensive restaurants that cater to those on an expense account.

We shared a frisseè salad - w/truffle & pear - YUMMM! Then I had a veal ravioli w/a pancetta cream sauce - soooo darn delis! My friend had a special w/seafood that was ridiculous! Highly recommend! It was a ways away from where we stayed - but worth it!

Delightful food and cozy ambience. Gennaro is full every night. The menu has so many choices for every appetite. Service was perfect and the house wine was better than most. Looking forward to my next meal here.

Went with a local friend who recalls the restaurant being a delicious neighborhood joint. She was sorely disappointed in our dinner and apologized to us for the place not being what she recalled. She and another friend had the duck. They both described it as “awful” and “cheap Chinese restaurant quality”. Neither of them finished it. I had a pappardelle wild mushroom ragout. Nothing special. The pasta fragoli-pasta fazool didn’t resemble the dish with which I am familiar. The base was dark brown, there were stringy noodles in the soup, and it was a puréed bean base. Not a hint of tomato or onion that I could see. Sorry this did not work out. Was looking forward to this meal the most. Meal for 3 was $200 - two lamb dishes, two soups, one pasta and one salad, 3 glasses of Wine and bottled water. Probably would have been better off at Sarafina. I’d skip it.

Authentic, fresh, surprisingly terrific food and dependable, unfussy service. Reasonably priced. Lots of specials, so listen up, quiz follows. Animated crowd, close quarters. Mid-level ambience: not fancy, but not completely casual. Very popular locally and no reservations; come early/off hours or be sure to bring amusing friends to chat with during your wait at the bar or, at peak times, on the sidewalk. Well worth the inconvenience of cash only. Have eaten here many times. Closest thing to Italy on the west side. I hesitate to make this place more popular by public plaudits, but it's a great find, off the beaten track, for Trip Advisor fans.

I went there a couple of days ago on a friend's recommendation. He was right. The restaurant has a nice and cozy, friendly atmosphere. I sat at the bar, and the very fact that they did not immediately rush to serve me (because they were busy with seating other, bigger parties, that had just arrived) made total sense to me. If we treat you in a friendly way, don't expect a kind of "oh, we are so happy to see you (for the first time)" type of treatment. The food was very good; the barman, after that slow start, excellent. The wine recommendation was good and the price was reasonable. The fact that they do not take reservations is fine with me (I never make them anyway, especially not in New York) and that they accept cash only is fine too (why should they give 4-5% of their income to credit card companies?). People-watching is very good. I look forward to going there again.

Oh my God!! where do I start? Appetizers are very good,entrees amazing,side dishes and desserts out of sight. One caveat: prices are not for the faint of heart or in a budget. Make sure you have reservations to avoid a long wait because Gennaro remains as one of the very best restaurants in the area or even in Manhattan!! Well worth the expense because of the high quality,great service and scrumptious dishes. Very good for special occasions too!!

Good food, reasonably priced! Some unusual dishes, e.g. I had a pasta dish made with sardines and raisins.

Gennaro's is a bit of a hidden gem, but it's excellent Italian food. They have a ton of specials every day. Great wine list. Cash only.

You have to trust the local that are waiting in long lines for this outstanding Italian place in the upper west side. The food is definitely worth the wait ! This is our favorite Italian restaurant in NYC. While they have a menu, the list of specials overwhelms the regular menu, and some of the specials are really standards (they always have them). My favorites are stuffed sardines (only during weekends) and baby lamb chops. Another outstanding appetizer is watermelon with goal cheese and olive oil. No reservations and CASH ONLY.

We started our meal with a plate of sliced tomatoes & Burata along with a special consisting of grilled fresh sardines served over fresh arugala. The sardines were extraordinary,almost sweet to the palate and barely stuffed with a light touch of oreganata. The pair were nearly boneless with the spine removed. My entree was also a pasta special,consisting of spaghetti sauteed with Swordfish, Mahi Mahi and Grouper, with some capers, herbs, garlic, olives and lemon + olive oil. It was heavenly. My wife had the Lamb Osso Bucco which was a substantial portion, and tender. This is not your typical Southern Italian place for Veal Parmasean.. Based on what I saw and sampled, I would try additional pasta dishes,as they really know their pasta. For dessert we had the flourless hazelnut chocolate torte with fresh whipped creme. It was a very good rendition of what is AKA chocolate mousse pie, but better. Flourless indeed and not too sweet, just right for a chocolate fix. Although we brought our own special wines (corkage charge $25), the available wines were VERY reasonable with some nice eclectic choices in the $36-50 range. It's a local restaurant, a little noisy and crowded, but nothing unusual. Service was fast and dishes were described well by the wait staff, and very fairly priced.Also, note, it's cash only.We will happily re-visit.

Friends and I had an excellent meal here recently. Wish I lived in NYC and could make this a regular place. Highly recommend, and it's worth seeking out on the west side, though it is slightly out of the way from shopping, etc.

One wonders why, this day and age, ANY restaurant in Manhattan operates on a cash only basis. OR, maybe one doesn't. In any case, it's definitely not a plus for travelers who don't want to carry a lot of cash just to have a decent meal. Nonetheless, we decided to go based upon the recommendation of a friend. Don't let the shoddy exterior scare you off. The inside is charming and very well laid out. The overall ambiance is perhaps the best part of the experience, and the staff is welcoming and gracious. The food is unremarkable. Prices are on the high side, although portions are generous. Pasta was overcooked. Service is good, but slow. We enjoyed the ambiance, and not feeling rushed, and chatting with the friendly staff who ALL thanked us for coming. That counts for a lot these days. Good experience socially. Just average on the food.

We enjoyed two meals at Genarro. Or at least we thoroughly enjoyed the food and service first time around, but only the food on our second visit. First the food: fresh ingredients, interesting combinations (for instance, a refreshing salad with endives, pear slices and pecorino) impeccably prepared. We especially enjoyed the ravioli with pancetta and portobello, and a delectable osso bucco over polenta. Next the service: on our first visit, professional and helpful. On our second, not so much. We had the sense that the wait staff concerned wanted us in and out as soon as possible. When we asked a question about our bill, she treated us to an incomprehensible explanation about state taxes etc, and then when we expressed puzzlement she tossed her head and said 'Anyway, what language do you speak?'. As we were not being in the least difficult, her attitude was out of line. It left us with a bad taste in our mouths, a shame for a restaurant that has so much going for it. Genarro does not take bookings or credit cards and if you go at a busy time you may need to queue. The food is certainly worth it; perhaps the wait staff who served us was having a bad day, but she should not take out her frustrations on diners.

We came cross this gem when we walked out of our previous restaurant. (different review!). WOW. My wife and I were seated right away and well cared for dying our visit. The specials are fantastic, give special attention to the list. My only complaint is I wished they wrote the specials down. There are so many it is difficult to remember them all! We will be back!

Visiting a friend in the neighborhood took me to one of her favorite restaurants...took a chance on a Saturday night, walked in and they seated us right away. Delicious food, good service and a nice atmosphere. The place is bustling and I did notice they try to hurry you along...not in an intrusive way...being a New Yorker we can be great at ignoring this.

If you find yours self on the upper west side (the true UWS- above 72nd) then do yourself a favor and stop in at this no reservations all cash because the food's that good gem for dinner. And if you loathe kale, order the kale salad.

Know before you go. Gennaro does not serve cocktails or spirits. They only serve wine and prosecco. Also, Gennaro does not accept credit cards, so take cash. If you're fine with this, you will have a delicious and memorable meal at Gennaro. The food is outstanding and typical of what you would find at trendy restaurants in Northern Italy today. Try the ravioli di vitello. It's superb. Or the orecchiette con broccoli e provolone. Delicious and filling.

Left another place for dinner because it was too noisy. The hostess there recommended Gennaro, and we were so glad she did. Sat at the bar and everything was VERY tasty. The bartender was friendly and spot-on with his recommendations.

The food was delicious. I tried the pear salad soooo good. I had the pork ragu pasta. The portion was large and it was served hot just as it should be and it was great. The waitress also brought us watermelon squares with savory oil and cheese on top to start. It was very good and refreshing .

Authentic Sicilian dishes and an array of spectacular wines. I ordered a savory/sweet pumpkin ravioli with walnuts and grated parmesan cheese and a lambshank to die for. The atmosphere is cosey and unpretentiuos. Unfortunately we arrived 8pm Saturday and there was a wait outside the door but we were seated within 20 minutes and it was well worth the wait. Definitely coming back. Two Thumbs up!

My wife & I recently bought a little pied de terre on Central Park West at 99th Street, and have been exploring the neighborhood seeking out all the conveniences and opportunities it provides. One very nice find was Gennaro, a cozy little place with some very excellent menu entries and a level of service to match. I'm happy knowing it's there! A word or two of advice however: The management accepts cash only (which can be a drag getting used to), and the tables are somewhat tightly packed together (making your dining experience a somewhat shared event).

We rented a condo nearby and we were there based on a recommendation. We were not disapointed. Very local restaurant and food was very good, very «homemade» style.

We've been here multiple times over the past few years. Charming friendly warm place with delicious food. On occasion we'll also see a famous face but the place is so intimate that all seem unassuming. Our favorites: Salsiccia and the broccoli rabe e polenta, gnocchi, osso buco, and the best TIRAMISU ever!! Reliably good food - best italian in the neighborhood!

Best italian place in New York, high quality food , very food service , fantastic atmosfere. Thanks see you soon

Can't complain about anything, but nothing special either. Good food with a relaxed atmosphere, but expensive. Veal Ravioli tasty but small portion, organic chicken with almonds nice. Overall reasonable experience.

I went on the advice of a friend, that is a parent of the Messina . I'm a Sicilian man and so accustomed to good food, but I must say that Gennaro me feel at home in Sicily. I will return 'Saturday without doubt.

The very fact that it still exists is an indicator of its consistent rewards. No reservations so go early - go even earlier if you want to finish before it becomes full and really noisy. Also, no credit cards. It's amazing how all the food comes out of the kitchen so quickly and with such skill. And how efficiently it is served. The prices are reasonable. The only improvement would be to write down the long list of specials instead of waiters saying them. It does slow down the ordering process. Good wine selections at affordable prices.

We live a few blocks from Gennaro and watched it grow from 1, to 2, to 3 and to 4 storefronts wide as the neighborhood realized what an amazing gem had planted itself in our midst. And the hordes descended upon it and have for the 15 or so years it has been in business. Friday we took a couple of friends who had never been, and who are savvy and authentic Italian home cooks. They oohed and aahed. Nick kvelled over the pasta with lamb ragu, and Ben spoke barely a word as he devoured his braised lamb shank. Marilyn was thrilled to find the elusive afugato (pardon my spelling) on the dessert menu in a restaurant not in Italy. And the bruschetta! Herb dusted and dangerous if you want room for dinner. Don't miss the amazing and delicate kale salad which we have almost every visit. They had a special shaved brussel sprout salad Friday that was to die for. Gets crowded fast, cash only. And try to be seated at the station of the handsome, ponytailed waiter with the wonderful voice who can explain every detail of each dish like no other waiter I have ever known. Bravo Gennaro.

I live in the neighborhood and just haven't got around to trying Gennaro until recently. It's always packed and there's a reason - it's good. As one who prefers Italian cooking like I find in Italy, vs. American Italian with heavy sauces, etc I found the food clean, fresh and will def be back for more. I came with a friend on Sat night and we were immediately seated which was a shock because it was packed. I wish they took cards because I'm the typical New Yorker who never has cash, but was prepared. I highly recommend.

This is what all the good, not-snooty, Italian restaurants in America should be like. Kind of like Carpaccio in Silicon Valley if you've been there. The food is recognizable, sizable, but astoundingly good. Also busy, noisy and hard to get a reservation for if you aren't a group of 15 or more. Show up early. Look at the menu: chicken livers are good. so is the hen. And the risotto. Listen to the specials. Carefully. There are a lot of them and they come by fast. Ask to have them repeated. Nevermind. Have what the people next to you are having. No, not them. Them.

No frills, old school, cash-only place that knows how to pack 'em in and please 'em. I've been here twice with groups and everyone I've been with has enjoyed their meal. The particular standouts for me were pasta bolognese and the cannoli. Salads are the least impressive part of the dinner menu. Service is excellent and although there is almost always a line to get in (they don't take reservations), it's worth the wait.

Gennaro must be popular and good. How else could it survive while declining to take reservations and credit cards? We arrived early (before 6PM) and got a table immediately though there were already lots of customers in the dining room. The kale salad tasted divine, and the pastas we ate were excellent. By the time we left, there were people waiting for tables. The dining room is a bit crowded, and the place bustles, so don't come for a quiet, romantic dinner. Do come for the food.

Well established as a neighborhood spot, Gennaro serves acceptable dishes, at affordable prices, and offers generally good service.

Nothing like it was, brusque service and food NOT lovingly prepared. The waiter was snarky when asked a question about the menu and there was little difference between dining there and a diner except of course the price tag. Really disappointing

We went there because of the reviews and because it was crowded, so we thought it must be good. Of all the restaurants we ate at while on the Upper West Side for a week, this was the worst. We ordered from the daily special which is a separate menu. The wine (some Italian red) wasn't bad. The sautéed eggplant was ok if a little too greasy (I don't remember the fancy Italian name for it). But the lasagna was no good. We took a few bites and packed the rest and gave it to a homeless person (I wouldn't be surprised if he threw it away!). The service was okay but we noticed that some of the people who came after us were served before us. But the surprise came when they didn't take my credit card. They take cash only! In this day and age when cash is going out of style (most millennials don't carry cash) and with covid (people prefer touchless transactions) and in New York of all places. How ridiculous is that? Fortunately, I had some cash as I'm old-fashioned. But at least they could put a prominent sign saying "Cash only" or "No credit cards". If we knew in advance, we would steer clear.

Superb italian food and service. Great atmosphere. Their pasta choice are always good and fresh. Must have an involtini di patate along with a bottle of Morelino di Scansano. What a great combination

Gennaro's is one of the favorite places to go with friends and family Food is always great , service always nice , and Gennaro is there , making those delicious gnochies ..

Came to Gennaro tonight to celebrate the last day of the Holiday. I had my favorite organic chicken, bread salad and pannacotta for desert. This place never disappoints. The food is always good, service decent and there is always a feeling of warmth and caring from the staff. I come here often. Upper West Side staple. Will be back!

Great food and service, first time at the restaurant...will definitely return the next time in town.

The food was ok, a bit on the bland side and my teens had to fill up on bread. I really didn’t like the cash only rule. Our waiter was either hovering or hiding. I’ve had better food in chain restaurants.

wonderful food. You should arrive early otherwise it will most likely be very crowded and loud. one of the best Italian restaurants in Manhattan !

Gennaro is a gem. I live in the area and it has become my favorite neighborhood restaurant (of any type of cuisine). It can be busy during peak hours on the weekend, and it is cash-only, but those are the only two downsides I can think of. The service is great (Michael is terrific - on the ball, down to earth and very nice), the food is tasty and satisfying, and every time I've gone in there, the list of specials is extensive and appetizing. It's got a lovely atmosphere, a nice bar and a good wine selection too. And, perhaps because it's cash-only, the prices are reasonable. Highly recommended.

Staff was nice. Spinach was cold. Pasta was tasteless. It was my first time there and I was very disappointed.

Friends drove two hours into Manhattan for a long overdue get together. Suggested this place because their sons raved about it. And is was very good indeed. Our various pasta dishes were excellent; the service was attentive, prompt, and helpful. In true European style, they not once even hinted that our gathering was overlong (3.5 hours). Definitely a hit !

It was absolutely bucketing down and an old friend and I were desperate to get out of the rain and have a drink or two to wait out the storm. We just jumped in here. No thought involved. Lucky us. This is a restaurant but we were mainly here for a drink and a snack. The bartender, a nephew of the owner, steered us towards an excellent bottle of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, a winemaker called DaMa. The most refined MdA I have had - including in Italy where I spend summers in Le Marche just north of Abruzzo. $40 seemed a reasonable price to sit in a Manhattan restaurant's bar to enjoy it. Wine stimulated appetite. I ordered sweetbreads and then pan fried crab croquettes. The crab cakes were easily the best I have ever had ... 90% fresh crab meat. The bottle went down pleasingly and another was discussed but it was a school night for both of us and we are middle-aged and past the thrill of going to work hung over. So we skipped it. Next time.

genarro is a wonderful italian restaurant on the upper west side of manhattan. it's a little off the beaten path, but not hard to get to by public transportation. since it's in our neighborhood we've been there many times. the atmosphere is warm and casual, the service is very efficient and gracious, and the food is amazing -- fresh, well prepared, and a nice variety of traditional and innovative italian dishes. they don't take reservations, so you may need to wait for a table, and they don't take credit cards so bring cash (it's not expensive, but not cheap). highly recommended!

This is a go to for a solid uws italian restaurant. We enjoyed the pasta and all of the seafood dishes.

An open kitchen style, somewhat noisy NYC restaurant, which has great fresh food. The wine list is good and the cost is New York medium. The service is professional and experienced--we did not have to wait long. We had visited this place for over 10 years and its quality had been maintained over that time.

Rather small but great italian restaurant, and very very decent prices. Having been there on a Sunday at 8pm, the place was not super busy, so rather quiet. The food was good, portions not huge for NY but it was more than enough. The cooking of our pasta was perfect, and being super picky about it, I don't say that often.

This is the fifth time I've been here and always enjoy the terrific service, nice atmosphere, and consistently good food and wine. We had a bottle of wine, two appetizers, and two entrees for $130. The fava bean salad was yummy: fava beans taste like large edamame and it was served with red onion, shaved parmesan cheese, red onion and arugula with a vinaigrette. Also delicious is the brussels sprouts salad. I had the pasta with swordfish, garlic and eggplant and my friend had the special pasta with oxtail sauce which she just loved. Support this small neighborhood favorite and eat like a regular New Yorker on the Upper West Side.

Really tasty and high quality Italian. Excellent atmo and service. Definitely a winner for the Upper West.

Cash only policy. BEWARE!! Waiters RIP u off. I used to really like Gennaro's. The neighborhood Italian with fresh food. The last two times...I felt like really got screwed. I ordered a $60 bottle and they served me a $125 bottle, "by mistake". The veal Milanese was hardly covers with arugula and tomato. I asked for more salad. And they charged me $12. Total bill for 3, $270. In cash. Ouch. I scrounged together $300. And the waiter yelled at us for leaving a lousy tip. The food was decent. But. There are lots of better places.

I live in this neighborhood and unfortunately there are not a lot of great restaurants in the area (there are a lot of restaurants, just not good ones). Gennaro is definitely somewhere worth going back to, and we do. The food is excellent, the place has a nice vibe, a good wine list and a cute little bar. It does not take credit cards (which is ok so long as you know that) or reservations. My only complaint would be that the waitstaff are often trying to get us out the door as quickly as possible, which is not a pleasant feeling considering it is not a cheap place. I don't expect to linger all night, but to have waiters hurrying us along when we have been there barely an hour, and our bill is $170 for two, is not good service. This has happened several times, not just once, which is why I mention it. On the other hand at other times the service has been very good. I have been there for a couple visit, a family visit and a friends visit, many times over 3 years. TripAdvisor does not allow any more than one of these selections tho.

Hands down, the best local restaurant. The food is always interesting and always well prepared. I particularly love their salads. Plus they have a large selection of wines by the glass. They have a cash only and no reservation policy but come early or on a rainy evening to be seated right away. It is a place to come back to again and again.

I've lived on the UWS for almost 20 years, and this is one of my favorite italians in the city. It's not fancy, it's not high cuisine, but the food is almost like going to your Italian friends' house and his mom is cooking. It's honest, hot, and delicious. Servings are not huge, but the prices are super reasonable too. My favorites are the beef carpaccio with arugula salad and the tortollini with spinach and ricotta in sage butter but I've had lots of the dishes and they are all worthwhile. I'm not a gnocchi fan, but my friends who are say their gnocci is heaven. It takes a few minutes for the waiters to recite the specials and they always sound good, but I'm usually too interested in my regular dishes to consider. Wine list has lots of reasonable choices too. Like everyone else reminds you - cash only.

I eat here a few times a year, but especially when they have their blood orange salad. It is so delicious! With friends, I have sampled a good number of dishes, and we have always found them to be tasty and well-presented. They have a good wine list, too. One thing I like is that the pasta servings are reasonable: not too much but just about right to make you feel sated. Their veal chop is excellent, and although I rarely have room for dessert, we have upon occasion shared one and they are good, too. They only take cash.

A taste of Italy with great food and wonderful service no problem in returning for more in the heart of little Italy New York

I don't get to go as often as I'd like. It's a small place, no reservations, cash only, and popular, with all ages. The food is amazing. On fridays they have a salad with sardines (stuffed with raisins and breadcrumbs). So tasty. And unlike other places, these sardines have no bones--large and delicately breaded. Wonderful pastas. Always more specials than dishes on the menu. Last night I had the (special but frequent) shaved raw brussel sprout salad (lemony vinaigrette, toasted hazelnuts) and the BEST duck I've ever had--glazed, with dates and olives, served over sauteed spinach, a little bok choy, and a dab of mashed potatoes. Just simply fabulous!

The food I had there left me with daydreaming of my last trip to Italy it felt like someone rally knows food and created earthly sensual dishes The pasta dishes are fantastic !! With all the choice in NY still one of my favorite places

The good part is that the food is ok, not amazing but ok. I say this because the other reviews said a lot better and honestly I was a little disappointed (maybe I had to high expectations). The less good part it that it's a bit loud, or maybe the tables are too close to one another so you have to raise your voice to be heard. The weird thing is that the service is courteous but a detail bothered me as our glasses/plates are taken off the table as soon you finished taking the last bite/drink. And not all at the same time, I mean normally you wait for everyone to finish their meal before you start clearing the table..

The appetizer was great (warm potato tart with portobello mushrooms and goat cheese) but the entree was average (braised chicken - came with salad instead of potatoes and vegetables). My friend was served wine that was not fresh but they changed it with no problem. Dessert was average - disappointing, really. The hazelnut torte was tasteless as was the coffee - and I enjoy a good cup of coffee at the end of a meal. Expect to pay about $50 per person and they only take cash. Service was very good.

Cozy little locals place. Authentic and simple Italian flavors, yet not just spaghetti and meatballs. We started with the grilled octopus and raw beef carpaccio and they were both fresh and light and flavorful. Friendly service. Homey feel. If I lived in the city this would be a regular spot for a drink, dinner, or late night espresso.

We've been going to Gennaro for a decade. Consistently great food and service. We love sitting at the bar to try different appetizers and sharing a bottle if wine. Wine list is quite reasonable for NY. Try the osso buco.

I found this place on TA and was not disappointed our waiter was great and had worked at the restaurant for years, the food was excellent and the atmosphere was vibrant. With a group of friends or as couple this place exceeds.

We'd read other reviews before deciding to eat at Gennaro's and we agree with all the positive ones. The service was excellent, friendly and attentive without being pushy. The food was great; flavourful soups and wonderful homemade pasta with fresh tasty ingredients The wine was excellent (being only the second place in the world outside of Italy that has my favourite - Lugana helped of course)

Gennaro is a neighborhood favorite of mine. We often take friends and out of town visitors. The food is always first rate - I've never had a bad meal there - and the service is pleasant and attentive without hovering. Visitors need to remember that they do not accept credit cards! One other hint is that the cosy dining room is a tad on the noisy side. Most of the time I don't find it too much, and that is saying something because I don't like loud places, but I wouldn't call it a quiet corner. One last thing - bring your best memory. They always have a massive list of specials, and they don't print them out, so pay attention to the waiter, and you may have to make him slow down or repeat stuff. The specials are frequently very good, though, so listen carefully! Once you've been, I bet you'll go again.