IL Baretto Reviews

4.7

1,356 of 13,361 Restaurants in New York City


Reviews

I Had a Craving for a Panini

By Kelly L |

I went here last night and had a great time. The service was great and the atmosphere was nice. I would definitely recommend coming here on a date. My friend got a delicious pasta special and I got the panini and salad combo. It was the perfect meal to a hot July night. If you're over on the west side, you can't miss this! The wine was also great!

Cute and with Tasty Food - but not 5 Stars

By Ted-620 |

This restaurant has a genuine Italian flavor - some of the staff are actually from Italy- not the usual Albania. The menu is strong, but somewhat limited and more “bistro” than a full menu. The wine list is also limited. The pace of service is also Italian, which may frustrate some New Yorkers, but the staff is genuinely friendly and helpful. The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating, although the outdoor seating is on 11th Avenue, which is a little rough. They welcomed our small dog even seated inside.

Best Restaurant

By Sofia L |

This was the best restaurant I’ve eaten at in my trip to Italy - I ended up going twice. Advice was amazing and the staff was so nice. They made such a memorable experience for us. Highly recommend the truffle pasta - all food was on point and perfect. Not to mention that the interior and decor is super aesthetic and classy

Hidden gem in Hell's Kitchen

By Wednesday D |

Handy little Italian spot close to The Daily Show in Hell's Kitchen. Good service. Excellent food ... Try the seared Sako Tuna. Sit outside on a sunny day. Perfect if you've been queuing for tickets to The Daily Show or if you're in the neighbour hood.

Authentic Italian cuisine and staff

By LeCacoin |

We had a wonderful dining experience at Il Baretto. We ordered the lasagna (real Italian lasagna not the American counterfeit) and the pasta with sea food of the day. Then we had some cannoli and felt we were in Sicily. Both the main and desert were real authentic Italian cuisine. The staff and owner, also Italian, were extremely nice and helpful. Most of the clients were also Italian so I am pretty sure it must be quite popular amongst the local Italian community. I would definitely recommend and go back to this place.

Vuoi fare I Americano

By Istvan1971 |

I love this place. Authentic Food. Great prices. They have Café Kimbo and a nice variety of food. I's also nice to sit outside and watch the Sun go down. Grazie a tutti. A

Excellent

By Jacki H |

What a gem of a place! I went with my husband and daughter and we all enjoyed everything we ate. The specials (tuna cooked perfectly and seafood linguine) were excellent. The service is fantastic. We are only in New York for a week but we are returning to Il Baretto, despite the huge choice around here!

Delizioso

By giuggiola82 |

As an Italian couple visiting New York we were afraid to find another "false" Italian restaurant, but no, this is not the case. We were happy to discover that most of the waiters are Italian and also the plates. We really enjoyed our meal, specially the desserts. Also the espresso was truly Italian!

Italian like Naples

By AdventureAbounds1 |

Fabulous , fresh . Lasagna is amazing . Huge salads with fresh ingredients . Fresh homemade bread and hearty olive oil . Wine selection is amazing! The dates and goat cheese were addictive! 💜

A perfect night

By Sayle M |

I consider it total kismet that I was able be there last night and was treated to a soup to nuts experience with the owner himself. I recall hearing about Il Baretto and watched it as it was being built. In only the year and a half it has been open, it has developed quite the cult following...on 11th avenue, it is a destination jaunt, not one you might just stumble upon. AND YOU SHOULD MAKE THE JAUNT TO THIS DESTINATION. It is so small and intimate: only a few tables but mostly bar stools lining the area. I was there on a spring night and the door was open and you could see the green soccer fields across the way. Alberto, the owner, is the most infectious, passion Italian man I have ever had the privilege of knowing. His wines are carefully selected, as are all the tapas-style foods. We had lamb meatballs, lamb skewers, scallops, cheeses and crackers, and this amazing polenta and portabella mushroom dish. Again, all bite sized and perfect for sharing. They do do larger meals (read: pizza) and I saw some sliders roll past our table onto the next guest. DE-LISH. I truly cannot rave about this place enough nor give Alberto enough credit for the balance of food, wine, ambiance, and keeping it affordable. Not quite sure how he does it but I do know this will become a habit for me...my trips to Il Baretto. And he did tell me last night that come spring, they put 24 seats outside on the sidewalk and that is more seating than inside the restaurant. Bring on springtime!!! I want this place to stay a secret because it is so small and yet I want to see a person like Alberto, and his dream succeed more. So make the trip.

Great find in NYC

By sidebysidecoach |

We we're attending a conference and we looked for a unique place close by. Found this online and it exceeded expectations. Specials were wonderful and true Italian specialties. Well worth the walk to 11th.

Authentic, walking distance from Intrepid Museum, delicious dining experience

By MCKWD |

From the olive oil, bread start to the cannoli at the end everything in between was superbly presented and deliciously consumed. The three of us which included my 9 year old spent the morning at the Intrepid Museum and had earned a hearty meal without a touristy following. We found our cozy nook in Il Baretto. Clearly local Italians visit for a quick take out, or a relaxing late lunch afternoon. We were invitited in as if we had been there before and served with an elegance that is only delivered by a well seasoned if not familial staff. Our experience would be repeated again if we lived here without a doubt.

Great value in NYC

By railroadpro |

Visited here for lunch on June 5. We had turkey Panini on ciabatta bread, salads, and the ahi tuna burger sliders. All were excellent. The prices were very reasonable which was a treat from the usual high prices in NYC. Very nice atmosphere and friendly staff. Wish we had found this place earlier in our trip.

Great find, delicious Italian

By DestressedA |

Having a convention at the Pier, we wanted to meet on the front end to grab a bite. Really glad I found this place as it was outstanding. The perfect spot for lunch but made us want to go back for dinner some time. The interior is not very big and can be 'cozy' and a little loud but we didn't mind. There's also an outdoor seating area too. Staff was very friendly, and for how busy it was, very attentive. The menu offered so many great choices I wanted to try but I settled on the panini and you can taste the freshness of the ingredients. As I said, really looking forward to going back and trying Il Baretto for dinner and for the wine selection.

A Bistro that is close to The Daily Show studios

By Lee R |

My wife and I had reservations for "The Daily Show" and there's a long process to finally getting tickets for the show. However, between the standing in the queue to get our tickets and then returning to see the actual show we decided to eat something for a late lunch. The Il Bareeto is just down the street so we wondered into the quaint little resto. It is a small bistro with limited seating but with a very italian wait staff and fabulous menu and specials of the day. Il Baretto also offers food for delivery or pickup. We both had one of the lunch specials. I had the fettucini fungi ($15, BTW- the best I've ever had!) and my wife had the soup (creamed broccoli) and salad ($14). We shared an Italian beer ($9). After the meal I had a caffe latte ($3). I loved the fettucini fungi as did my wife love the broccoli soup. I highly recommend Il Baretto. And it is also very conveniently located to the Daily Show for a quick bite. I have not tried the delivery service but if it is anything like the dine in service, you can't go wrong.

A Quiet Haven on 11th Avenue

By Isabelle Anne Abraham |

After a long wait to get my tickets to The Daily Show (across the street), I needed somewhere to rest my aching feet and stumbled upon this lovely little café. - The waiting staff, although very warm and friendly, take a little while to attend to you. - I had the special of the day and for dessert, the chocolate soufflé. The food is good but I wouldn't call it spectacular. The prices are reasonable. - The free wi-fi is really convenient. -The atmosphere is really wonderful - I could have easily spent the whole afternoon there. Overall, I highly recommend it if you find yourself in that area of NY.

Excellent brunch

By toby187 |

They managed to fit 7 of us in for brunch on a Saturday afternoon.The food was lovely and fresh - frittatas, eggs benedict and omelettes - cannolis and coffee for afters!! Great value and well worth a short walk to 11th ave.

Late lunch outdoors

By Bee |

Sat outside on a sunny day when traffic on 11th Ave was unusually light. Typically rush hour starts early and traffic to the Lincoln tunnel is heavy and loud. Mixed with the vehicles are horse carriages returning to their stables. Umbrellas situated over quaint cafe tables. Lots of choices on the menu. Salads. Paninis. "Hot plates ($16). Soup. Cold cuts. Cheese. Pasta. Went for big salad of the day - arugula pears Brie and toasted sliced almonds with lemon rosemary vinaigrette ($11). Served with bread basket baguette was delist. Salad was good. Spread Brie on bread. The arugula overwhelmed the dressing which was great on its own. I think other menu choices might be better by the looks of other diner"s plates. Going back again to sample other items

A reason to go to 11th avenue

By Idonotcook |

I was pleasantly surprised to find a cozy authentic Italian cafe in this neighborhood. Everything was delicious. I loved the music and decor, even the coffee napkin. The best seat is the far corner so you can see the park across the street, and the flat screen tv. The only thing is, they do not accept my favorite credit card.

Amazing food, service, and filled with warmth and charm

By mzmarcieg |

My son gave his 30th birthday party here last weekend. The food was delicious, the wines and drinks were superb, and the staff and owner (Alberto) were extremely warm and friendly. You felt like you were with family. They bend over backwards for you. I would highly recommend this restaurant. It is located at 750 11th ave.

NYC's Hidden Italian Gem

By Steven |

This wonderful tiny restaurant is alone on 11th Ave at the corner of W 53rd St.. It's a small place with a small bar and 5 or six tables for two inside and several outside. The pleasant waitresses, with their heavy Italian accents, make it even more authentically Italian. There's a very small kitchen, like you might expect in a fast food restaurant, but the meals that come from it are top notch. For an appetizer, I selected polenta, served as small thin squares with a green salad with tomatoes. My entree was one of the specials-spinach filled ravioli in a tasty red tomato sauce, so good I had to wipe up the leftover sauce with the bread pieces served in a small metal bucket. The Peroni added to the Italian experience. This meal was the best Italian meal I've had in years, matching any I've had in Italy. For dessert I had tiramisu,served in a deep cocktail sized glass. It consisted of a thick cream served over moist coffee flavored cake. And a cup of cappuccino completed my meal. Great food, great service. And the bathroom was clean!

Like dining out in a friend's kitchen!

By howmargaretseesit |

We visited on 3/22 with a party of 10 (def reserve in advance for larger parties). With the small cozy setting, we were made to feel right at home. Service was excellent with recommendations from our hostess for several appetizers and salads that could be shared with a large group and help on entree preferences. It's a great place to order a variety of share-ables. Entrees aren't killer size, but they lend themselves to making room for delicious desserts. Enjoyed by all.

Pleasant surprise

By MaryFran C |

Looked for someplace to eat close to the Chelsea Pier and found this place. Great find!! I had the spinach salad / panini combo. Both were delicious!! I loved the crispy bread on the panini and the salad was so fresh and loaded with Gorgonzola cheese. Very reasonably priced too! Would definitely visit again!

Cute little restaurant with nice combos

By Herr_KO |

We've been here for lunch and have not been disappointed! The food was tasty and prices are very reasonable. We especially liked the combo offers, like half a salad/half a panini, which give you the chance to experience different dishes even if you are not too hungry. Everything is prepared nicely and the service is very good. We'd come back any time!

Cozy with fresh, fabulous small plates

By IvyNYC |

I love this place. It is a small brick walled bistro with outside seating in good weather. I've enjoyed every dish I've had there the several times we've visited. There is a great selection for vegetarians or those looking to eat on the lighter side. They also have pizzas and pastas -- all house made and delicious. The place is small, so if you must go at a particular time or with a larger party, be sure to check in first.

Fantastic

By WagsNicholas |

Quaint joint with wonderful food and spirits. I really enjoyed the Caprese salad and the panini. As I watched other food come out, I wish I would have ordered the lasagna as that looked equally appealing and yummy! It's a perfect little hidden gem! Thank you!

Truly authentic!

By Richard Hall |

Stumbled across this place not by trip adviser but by a local recommendation. The pasta is so good and the staff are so friendly I'm already trying to figure out a return trip before I leave the city. I had one of the dishes of the day - ravioli stuffed with spinach and cheese in a classic tomato sauce. Totally divine! My daughter demolished her 'half and half' Palma panini with tomato and along with a couscous salad with avocado. But then came the tiramisu! Omg seriously the best I've ever had! This place needs more reviews - so find it, hunt it down and enjoy. If you like classic fresh Italian food you won't be disappointed!

Perfect for Date Night

By KMenaO |

Il Baretto was a delightful experience - tasty, cozy, and unique. We enjoyed the decor and although the tables were close together, we didn't feel overly crowded. The servers were lovely - attentive without being smothering and friendly without being insincere. My favorite dishes were the polenta with gorgonzola appetizer and the filet mignon with pancetta. We devoured two helpings of the complimentary bread with olive oil and vinegar - fresh and delicious. It was a fabulous value for authentic Italian in the city.

A Nice place to enjoy some wine and food on 11th av

By Fused Monsta |

Ok first I just want to say this place is a gem because it's a great place for wine and dinner brunch and lunch,there happy hr is great my wife and I love going here for happy hr go with your significant other and enjoy Barretto on 11th ave!!!

Wonderful restaurant. Outstanding food and service

By Glo G |

Two couples for dinner. Reservation honored immediately. Appetizers included a delicious burrata with arugula and tomato on a toasted base. Kind of like a small pizza, but no sauce . Certainly enough for two. Caesar salad delicious. Polenta cake with Gorgonzola sauce unusual and delicious. The filet mignon with caramelized onions and mushrooms very flavorful. 4 small roles of filet. More than enough. Two had lasagna and liked it a lot. The ravioli with pesto was just ok. Casual Ambiance. Outdoor dining but it was too hot for us. Great and attentive service. Good wine list at moderate prices. I would definitely go back. Highly recommend

The Best Italian kitchen

By Cococanola |

All my friends love this place. You may have just cafe and dolce in the early afternoon then cheese and wine after work. I sometime stop here twice a day. Everything fresh and good quality.

Delicious, quaint, feel like a local

By nikpop |

My daughter and I always look for places "where the locals go" when on vacation. This place did not disappoint! Great decor, great service, delicious food, generous wine pour. Started off with ice cold water, bread and dipping oils. Ordered salad, lasagna, and filet medallions. Absolutely delicious. The waiter suggested a wine and let me taste it first. Felt like we were at a high end restaurant, but our bill was less than $50. Also met a wonderful couple who lived right around the corner and were super friendly. I highly recommend!

Wonderful casual Italian

By Holly_615 |

Wonderful casual Italian cafe on West Side (11th Ave). Relaxing outdoor seating with open air view. Far from the maddening crowd. Great food, atmosphere and service!

Great lunch on a rainy day

By Maxence C |

I had lunch there with my wife and family on a rainy day. We had never heard of that restaurant and were pleasantly surprised. The restaurant is a little small but very "warm", with great food (we had paninis, pizzas, lasagnas... and everyone loved it) and the service is very good (smiling and helpful waitresses). I definitely recommend it if you are in the area for lunch!

Cute Italian on the West Side

By italiano17 |

This is a small place where the staff is very friendly and authenticity Italian. The food is delicious and reasonably priced. We enjoyed a truffle pesto based panino, a delicious artichoke soup and a tasty couscous salad. Our friends enjoyed sausage sliders and a lovely ragù. Espresso and cannoli to finish. We definitely will return if we are anywhere nearby. Make a reservation as the place is popular and small.

Great things come in small packages -- Do not miss out!

By Dan M |

Il Baretto is an absolute gem!! What the restaurant lacks in size it more than makes up for in quality. From appetizers to desserts there was not a single item that me (or my fellow diners) did not absolutely enjoy. We started with the Assorted Board for an appetizer and from the proscuitto to the speck everything was delicious. For the entrees we had the Sako Tuna, Grilled Sea Scallops, the Ciabatta Baretto Panini and the quinoa salad. Every bite of the entrees were enjoyed tremendously! We finished up with some fantastic desserts of cannolis, tiramisu and affogato. A great ending to an outstanding meal. This restaurant should not be missed!!

Authentic NYC restaurant

By Claudia C |

I researched restaurants near Pier 92/94 where I was attending The Westminster Dog Show on 2/14/2017. This restaurant got very good reviews. I made reservations for myself and 2 friends for 2/14/2017. What a delicious lunch we had!!! The food was well priced, fresh and outstanding! 2 of us had Panini's, and my other friend had Lasagna. The Panini's were the best my friend and I ever had! My other friend raved about her Lasagna. We also had dessert, and it was fabulous! I highly recommend this restaurant! It is a very small restaurant, so I would suggest making a reservation. You won't be disappointed!

Great food with Italian hospitality !

By Nicolaas NYC |

Great Italian food and fine wines with great hospitality of the Italian owner and staff. They have a nice outside terrace for lunch, and for dinners it's very cosy inside with your family and friends. And don't forget to order the tiramisu as dessert ... you have one other good reason to go back :-) Will definitely be back soon with friends, ciao !

Little Italy near Pier 92

By Pam B |

I was out at the Pier for an event and needed some food. This place was super close and delicious. I had the skirt steak and salad. I was not disappointed. My only beef with this place is that they seem to be a little understaffed. The beef was cooked perfectly and the ambience is exactly like what you'd get in Italy (my dining companion has been there and kept commenting about the authenticity). Mangia!

Easy to miss, but don't

By Allynyogi |

We stumbled onto this after going to an art expo at the pier. It is a tiny place, but a great find in an out of the way destination, 11th Avenue and 53rd. Food and wine were excellent as was the service and ambiance, it's a bit like a secret neighborhood haunt that you just didn't know was there,

Il Baretto, NYC

By Ila M |

We had lunch here when we were at Piers 92/94 for the Westminster Kennel Club dog show. It was a short walk away and was definitely worth it. We did have to wait a bit, but it was well worth it. It's a very small, quaint restaurant with great Italian food. My friends had pasta lunch specials and I had a panini and salad. It was very delicious and I would definitely recommend them.

A retreat--wine bar

By saek |

For some reason this fantastic wine bar, on 11th avenue at 53rd St. is not over populated, small as it is. Incredible pasta and salads (filet mignon slices wrapped in bacon on greens is an absolute favorite!) Wine choices amazingly good. Superb coffee and yes that dessert worth evey calorie.

Casual with Charm

By GuavaJelly74 |

A delightful spot to re-fuel post a walk on the High Line and tour of the Whitney. The menu is short & easy to find a favourite or two. The riff on old fashioned cocktails is thoughtful and the food delicious. Staff are genuinely friendly and embrace hospitality - if the weather is fine, it is great to sit outside and enjoy the neighbourhood.

Great Italian Tapas!

By 530Nancy |

We went here one afternoon before going to a taping of the Daily Show. It was not crowded and the service and food were outstanding!

Great Italian food

By Jane W |

If you walk too fast you'll miss this hole in the wall restaurant which was recommended by a friend of ours. Small, fairly small portions but reasonably priced. Happy hour between 5pm & 7pm - drinks around $7. Main dishes run from $14 to $16. Would definitely eat here again. 😊👍

Good Italian food and drinks!

By candiotto |

A very simple and small Italian place that only locals knows. I found a good pasta (veggie), wine and such friendly people speaking Italian and english at the same time.

Good restaurant but failed to manage a loud/offensive customer so we left

By Glo G |

We've been her four times. Always loved it. Reserved after a show ... got there and were seated but as we came in there were three men talking loudly at the high-top community table. As we sat waiting for menus/water the conversation got louder with one man increasingly focused on political views and people -- and then using foul language. No one asked him to be aware of other guests and to "tone the conversation and volume down". We left. Told the waitress the environment was unacceptable. She suggested their other nearby restaurant. We declined. I know it's difficult, but staff must manage the environment as well as the meals/service. Highly offensive.

Lovely place for quality food lovers

By FMP85 |

Il Baretto is a cozy restaurant with a particular attention to quality products which you can feel in the traditional and genuine flavours of the dishes. Staff is amazing and they create a wonderful atmosphere for all guests. Make sure you keep space for desserts because they are exceptionally good and creative in the mix of ingredients. I definitely reccomend this place for lunch and dinner.

What a sensational find

By Graham R |

We lucked into this place because we were in the area to see a concert on a Monday. We had a party of five and were squeezed for time. The food at this restaurant is sensational. It has the smallest kitchen I have ever seen, but the product is terrific. Everyone was raving about how good it was.

Zagater37

By paul3776 |

This tiny (about6 tables & a small counter) can probably accommodate 20 diners at a time. The food is excellent and very reasonably priced as is the wine list of all Italian wines. Homemade pastas & fabulous imported deserts make for an enjoyable night out. Some outdoor seating available weather permitting.

Quaint and delicious!

By curioustraveler05 |

This local Italian place is a hidden gem. We called on Saturday afternoon and Andrea told me he could work our party of 6 in after 8:00 pm - which was perfect. He was very friendly and attentive - we felt like family by the end of our meal. The menu is full of homemade Italian dishes and there were also daily specials. Everyone was very happy with their meal - from the starters of fresh breads and cheeses to the main courses and salads. The wine list was great and reasonable. A few stars for us - the lasagna melted in my mouth - it was soooo good, the filet was prepared in an unusual style on skewers but was cooked perfectly and tasted awesome and the squash soup was excellent. We highly recommend this cozy place to anyone traveling or living in NYC. Our only complaint was that it was quite hot inside - and they did everything they could to cool the place down - opening the front door, running fans - it was just a problem with the building's heating system that evening. But we didn't let it bother us - the amazing food and delightful service made up for a little heat!

Perfect

By AJ R |

Waitress was lovely, the decor was great but not too over-the-top. Host had a little trouble finding our res but there was a long line behind and in front of us so no blame at all. Food was OUTSTANDING but of course!

I've never had a bad meal here

By David T |

This is a wonderful Italian bistro in an unexpected spot in Hell's Kitchen...Eleventh Avenue of Manhattan. They serve fresh food, perfectly cooked and nicely presented. This place is always full and in warm months it spills our to sidewalk tables. Today at lunch it was packed. All 7 small tables and the long table were filled and refilled. Marta, the pleasant, efficient server was unfazed and took care of everyone's needs. She was amazing. My wife and I had half prosciutto, tomato and mozzarella sandwiches on crispy baguettes. My wife had the cauliflower soup and I had the yellow squash soup; both were delicious. This is a relatively new addition to our neighborhood (of 40 years) and it is certainly welcome. When I say new, I mean that it started serving around five years ago. Whether you're here for a show at piers 92 and 94, finishing up a softball game at DeWitt Clinton Park, seeing the Comedy Central show across the street, or simply looking to buy a new car (we have 10-15 car dealerships on the avenue), Il Baretto is a fabulous and inexpensive place to get a very civilized meal.

Everything delicious.

By Jijidelmaiz |

I was surprised with fresh, authentic, well made food that really made me happy. Good service and alright prices make it a definitely "will be back"

Lovely for Lunch

By Barbara_A462 |

This is a lovely little place at the corner of 11th Avenue and 53rd Street, right across the street from the Jon Stewart show, if you're looking for a pre- or post-bite. I had a great Baguette Parma (panino), and the pasta passing my table looked great. The cannoli were exactly as they should be. Nice crispy shell and a sweet, smooth ricotta filling. They also have nice tagliere (coldcuts) and cheese boards. I'm planning on trying to reinvent a few of these dishes at home. Although it's a bit out of the way (a few long blocks to walk if you use the subway), this reasonably priced restaurant is definitely worth the trek.

Cool and casual

By tmoore48 |

I killed time here while waiting to get back in line for the Daily Show taping across the street. Delicious sandwich, casual atmosphere, seemed to be frequented by a lot of regulars.

Would Give 10 Stars If I Could

By Harley R |

I used to live in the neighborhood and am in love with this place. It's an adorable, small wine bar run by real Italians who know what they are doing. The food is impeccable and they are great with assisting in wine pairings (they also let you sample wines sometimes, which is great). I don't live in the city any more but I constantly stop by here to pick up my Ciabatta Baretto sandwich, which is out of this world. It's a little off the beaten path but it means that it's not crowded and you get some peace and quiet. Particularly great for date nights.

Birthday dinner after a movie

By Kelly W |

I love this restaurant. Great wait staff; wonderful wines and reasonably priced. We had one of the pasta specials: orecchiette with seafood and wine sauce. To die for! For dessert we had tiramisu and coffee. On other occasions I have had appetizers such as tuna sliders; just yummy! This is a neighborhood restaurant that is intimate and comfy inside and nice to sit outside when the weather is warmer. Great location for pre theater or after theater I will be back!

A piece of italy in Hell's Kitchen.

By Curt |

We really enjoyed this small place with great food and great service! Definitely worth a visit, and we lucked out and got a table right away. Would definitely go back!

delicious food in a relaxed atmosphere

By Laura G |

We killed time here between lines for The Daily Show after reading the great reviews. This is the kind of place that makes me miss living in NY. Reasonably priced, really good food. Nice beer and wine list. No pressure to move quickly. Lovely location in a neighborhood with not much else of its kind.