Popina is better than ever. The ultimate neighborhood restaurant with great vibes and a fantastic menu. James and his team make sure you feel welcome and special, no matter how often you join them.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Andrew Cantella
This was our second time at Popina. This time, we were more rushed with thinner service, saw smaller portions, and really felt our experience was undervalued. I like this restaurant, but our experience between value and service on 4/9 was disappointing.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 2
Michael Pope
Absolutely adore Popina. Staff and owner are wonderful friendly locals. Spicy chicken is to die for and definitely a memorable dish. Pastas are all solid as well.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dominic Nocerino
Excellent value, great food, great atmosphere, owner and staff very alert and
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jessica Soto
This worst restaurant experiences I've ever had. I was appalled by the service. I rarely write reviews but this restaurant left me angry and disappointment.When I arrived with my friends with waited over 10 minutes to be seated. There were two staff members were upfront. They never acknowledged us, said hi, or "sorry give us a second." Nothing... We tried making eye contact and waved but they still ignored us. After 10 or so minutes we spoke up and mentioned we had reservation.After being seated in the back, it was another 10 minutes for water. Again, we had to flag someone down. Our waiter and some of the other staff seemed high as well.Of course it was another 15 or so minutes until they took our order. The pasta was tasteless. The cheesecake was dry. The food overall was mediocre.I don't understand the hype around this place and I would never recommend anyone going.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Lauren Kahn
A hole-in-the-wall restaurant with incredible food. We started with the celery salad and had the tortellini and hot chicken Milanese, which was outstanding if you like a little spice kick. 5/5 stars for sure!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hot Chicken Milanese
Lei Lei
Went there in summer, it was nice sitting at the backyard. Great vibes. Food was good. The reason I wouldn’t go back is they pour a very small amount of wine if you order by glass!!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
John Brownlee
Great food and good company.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
James Cerullo
I wish I had opened Popina myself. It is a perfect restaurant. The spicy chicken milanese and carolina arancini are sublime-- the service is good and I feel a little like I'm in a different city when I go to Popina. One that is hospitable, a little slower, that allows you to savor every moment, sip and bite.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Lynanne Coffey
After gifting my husband the cookbook of 'The Magic of Tinned Fish' by Popina chef, Chris McDade, I was the one who became enthralled with the book and the place. My husband has a penchant for buying tinned fish and mollusks - no matter which country he's travelling to but what he doesn't do is use them in time before their expiry date. So the 'Tinned Fish' cookbook by McDade, was one of intrigue. I therefore took it upon myself to make a few dishes from this extraordinary cookbook, and then learned that there was a restaurant I could visit which played on the themes from the cookbook. But adverse, tinned fish folks, be not afraid! Popina is not a place entirely of tinned fish - it's Italian more than any kind of fish.Food: Five starsI had the 'new' celery and fennel salad to start, complete with anchovies (yay!), ewe's blue cheese, and walnuts (delicate mint leaves folded in). If it came in a large size salad, I would have easily devoured it. It was SUBLIME!!!For my main, it was the Rigatoni with the guanciale, in a delicately-spiced pepperonata sauce. A generous portion of pasta I'm told by the staff, from all the pastas on the menu. So if you want lots of pasta, get this one.For drink I started with a Nebbiolo rosé wine by the glass and then with my pasta I moved to a 'chilled' Valpolicella red. Both were excellent in quality and paired well with the dishes.I couldn't make room for dessert sadly. There were only two choices but each would have put me over the edge.Service: Four starsSeemed a bit of confusion with the staff sorting out the seating and walk-in diners when I arrived for my early dinner booking. Or just my impatience? As I was only a table for one, and had pre-booked, I was seated at the bar, as not to take a table from diners who were 2 +.Atmosphere: Three starsHumid October night in Brooklyn. But the air conditioning inside the restaurant was pumping. Thankful for my jacket which I had to put around my shoulders for most of the night even after the air conditioner was turned off. Popina is located on a busy street and whilst the window looking out is generous if you're sat near it, there isn't much to look at but the fenced-in Pier 9, and many cars. But it's not noisy, indoors. Also I cannot comment on the outdoor garden space as I did not sit there, nor did I visit it.Vegetarian options: There were certainly vegetarian options on the menu.Kid-friendliness: I observed several groups in the early evening who had children with them.Wheelchair accessibility: Ground level, with a small ramp when you enter the space and front of restaurant. Cannot comment on the garden portion, outdoors in the back.
Amazing food. The southern / Italian fried chicken is unreal and very unique. And it’s kid and dog friendly, but also adult friendly in a different section. Dream restaurant.
Brian P.
Great dining experience - food, wine, service all 5 stars. Can't wait to come back soon!
Shaji K.
Made a reservation for two people on a Wednesday evening for their outdoor area. Not overly decorated but a nice atmosphere nonetheless for a quiet dinner.Concise menu of several Italian dishes, as well as a large drink list. Decided on the Hot Chicken Milanese ($28) and an IPA ($9). The chicken is flattened and thinly breaded - not dry, lending well to a bit of lemon juice. The side salad is overly bitter, not helped by the dressing. Had to order dessert as well, getting a slice of the Chocolate Chess Pie ($10). Incredibly rich, cut by a dollop of fresh whipped cream. Great flavor that's not overbearing in sweetness.Service is good and the ambiance outside is welcoming. Nice spot for a slightly upscale dinner.
M D
Quality food, excellent service, quaint backyard space made for a delightful dining experience. I would go back and I would recommend to others. I do wish these types of places got in the habit of offering lemoncello at the conclusion of the meal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pimento Cheese
Chris Spargo
Great food, excellent wine list, and a very relaxed and laid back atmosphere that is perfect for dining solo or with friends. Opt for a seat in the garden rather than up front which can be a bit tight. The corn agnolotti and classic spaghetti with sungold tomatoes, basil, and mascarpone are particularly excellent, as is the chess pie.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chocolate Chess Pie Whipped Cream
Popina is better than ever. The ultimate neighborhood restaurant with great vibes and a fantastic menu. James and his team make sure you feel welcome and special, no matter how often you join them.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was our second time at Popina. This time, we were more rushed with thinner service, saw smaller portions, and really felt our experience was undervalued. I like this restaurant, but our experience between value and service on 4/9 was disappointing.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 2
Absolutely adore Popina. Staff and owner are wonderful friendly locals. Spicy chicken is to die for and definitely a memorable dish. Pastas are all solid as well.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent value, great food, great atmosphere, owner and staff very alert and
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This worst restaurant experiences I've ever had. I was appalled by the service. I rarely write reviews but this restaurant left me angry and disappointment.When I arrived with my friends with waited over 10 minutes to be seated. There were two staff members were upfront. They never acknowledged us, said hi, or "sorry give us a second." Nothing... We tried making eye contact and waved but they still ignored us. After 10 or so minutes we spoke up and mentioned we had reservation.After being seated in the back, it was another 10 minutes for water. Again, we had to flag someone down. Our waiter and some of the other staff seemed high as well.Of course it was another 15 or so minutes until they took our order. The pasta was tasteless. The cheesecake was dry. The food overall was mediocre.I don't understand the hype around this place and I would never recommend anyone going.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
A hole-in-the-wall restaurant with incredible food. We started with the celery salad and had the tortellini and hot chicken Milanese, which was outstanding if you like a little spice kick. 5/5 stars for sure!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hot Chicken Milanese
Went there in summer, it was nice sitting at the backyard. Great vibes. Food was good. The reason I wouldn’t go back is they pour a very small amount of wine if you order by glass!!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Great food and good company.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I wish I had opened Popina myself. It is a perfect restaurant. The spicy chicken milanese and carolina arancini are sublime-- the service is good and I feel a little like I'm in a different city when I go to Popina. One that is hospitable, a little slower, that allows you to savor every moment, sip and bite.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
After gifting my husband the cookbook of 'The Magic of Tinned Fish' by Popina chef, Chris McDade, I was the one who became enthralled with the book and the place. My husband has a penchant for buying tinned fish and mollusks - no matter which country he's travelling to but what he doesn't do is use them in time before their expiry date. So the 'Tinned Fish' cookbook by McDade, was one of intrigue. I therefore took it upon myself to make a few dishes from this extraordinary cookbook, and then learned that there was a restaurant I could visit which played on the themes from the cookbook. But adverse, tinned fish folks, be not afraid! Popina is not a place entirely of tinned fish - it's Italian more than any kind of fish.Food: Five starsI had the 'new' celery and fennel salad to start, complete with anchovies (yay!), ewe's blue cheese, and walnuts (delicate mint leaves folded in). If it came in a large size salad, I would have easily devoured it. It was SUBLIME!!!For my main, it was the Rigatoni with the guanciale, in a delicately-spiced pepperonata sauce. A generous portion of pasta I'm told by the staff, from all the pastas on the menu. So if you want lots of pasta, get this one.For drink I started with a Nebbiolo rosé wine by the glass and then with my pasta I moved to a 'chilled' Valpolicella red. Both were excellent in quality and paired well with the dishes.I couldn't make room for dessert sadly. There were only two choices but each would have put me over the edge.Service: Four starsSeemed a bit of confusion with the staff sorting out the seating and walk-in diners when I arrived for my early dinner booking. Or just my impatience? As I was only a table for one, and had pre-booked, I was seated at the bar, as not to take a table from diners who were 2 +.Atmosphere: Three starsHumid October night in Brooklyn. But the air conditioning inside the restaurant was pumping. Thankful for my jacket which I had to put around my shoulders for most of the night even after the air conditioner was turned off. Popina is located on a busy street and whilst the window looking out is generous if you're sat near it, there isn't much to look at but the fenced-in Pier 9, and many cars. But it's not noisy, indoors. Also I cannot comment on the outdoor garden space as I did not sit there, nor did I visit it.Vegetarian options: There were certainly vegetarian options on the menu.Kid-friendliness: I observed several groups in the early evening who had children with them.Wheelchair accessibility: Ground level, with a small ramp when you enter the space and front of restaurant. Cannot comment on the garden portion, outdoors in the back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
Amazing food. The southern / Italian fried chicken is unreal and very unique. And it’s kid and dog friendly, but also adult friendly in a different section. Dream restaurant.
Great dining experience - food, wine, service all 5 stars. Can't wait to come back soon!
Made a reservation for two people on a Wednesday evening for their outdoor area. Not overly decorated but a nice atmosphere nonetheless for a quiet dinner.Concise menu of several Italian dishes, as well as a large drink list. Decided on the Hot Chicken Milanese ($28) and an IPA ($9). The chicken is flattened and thinly breaded - not dry, lending well to a bit of lemon juice. The side salad is overly bitter, not helped by the dressing. Had to order dessert as well, getting a slice of the Chocolate Chess Pie ($10). Incredibly rich, cut by a dollop of fresh whipped cream. Great flavor that's not overbearing in sweetness.Service is good and the ambiance outside is welcoming. Nice spot for a slightly upscale dinner.
Quality food, excellent service, quaint backyard space made for a delightful dining experience. I would go back and I would recommend to others. I do wish these types of places got in the habit of offering lemoncello at the conclusion of the meal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pimento Cheese
Great food, excellent wine list, and a very relaxed and laid back atmosphere that is perfect for dining solo or with friends. Opt for a seat in the garden rather than up front which can be a bit tight. The corn agnolotti and classic spaghetti with sungold tomatoes, basil, and mascarpone are particularly excellent, as is the chess pie.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chocolate Chess Pie Whipped Cream