Italian food is a global favorite and because of its deceptively simple ingredients, the beloved cuisine is pretty easy to find just about anywhere you go. While some of the most popular dishes originated in Italy, chefs throughout New York have perfected the creations. For our favorite incarnations of the most beloved dishes, check out the restaurants below.
Lasagna
Lasagna is one of those dishes that basically makes everyone happy, even when it's a vegetarian version. At Marea in Midtown West, the dish's featured ingredients include kale, macadamia and mushroom with low-gluten pasta. It might not be the version you're used to but if you're willing to try it, it could possibly be your new favorite.
Marea | 240 Central Park S | 212. 582.5100
Risotto
An Italian rice dish made with stock, risotto has seen a growth in popularity in recent years. For the best of it in New York, visit Ai Fiori in Midtown where their rendition is a wonderful treat with pancetta and shrimp with a light hint of saffron.
Ai Fiori | 400 5th Ave. | 212.613.8660
Cioppino
Petite Crevette is actually a French seafood restaurant, but that doesn't mean their cioppino is any less amazing than that served at an Italian eatery. Made with lobster, shrimp, scallops and mussels in a tomato broth, this dish is a favorite among regulars and is a must for anyone in the area.
Petite Crevette | 144 Union St. | 718.855.2632
Ziti
Mozzarella, roasted eggplant and tomato sauce come together in Il Punto Ristorante's ziti dish to make a heavenly treat for pasta lovers. This is the kind of ziti that's so good it'll make everyone you're dining with jealous for ordering something else, but you won't notice because you'll be so busy burying your face in pasta.
Il Punto Ristorante | 507 9th Ave. | 212.244.0088
Spaghetti
We understand that you have a hard time ordering spaghetti at a restaurant — you have your own recipe and no one else can quite make it exactly the way you want it. There's a problem with that mindset, though. You're missing out on some remarkable dishes from numerous spots around town that might just make you rethink ever making it yourself again. The best of these, though, comes from L'Artusi in West Village where the spaghetti is phenomenal.
L'Artusi | 228 W 10th St. | 212.255.5757
