Always have a wonderful meal at Il Poeta. Especially live their octopus when they have it as a special. The fish specials are always delicious and fresh. The wine list is diverse and reasonably priced.
Lisa Best
This was out first and last time eating here. Tables are very cramped and you literally have no room on your table to eat. The food was just ok and very small portions. They ran out of the desserts we wanted and the waitstaff is not that friendly. They cram too many tables in a very small restaurant and it is super loud. We ordered our food at 7:00 PM and didn't get our check until 9:50 PM. Not a great experience.
Lisa
I will never eat there again. We sat down at 7:00 PM and was not given our check until 9:50 PM. The tables are super small and you can hardly fit plates on the table. They cram too many tables in a very small restaurant that you hit the chair next to you trying to get out of your seat. The food is just so so and the service is very slow. Too many other great choices to eat at Il Poeta don't waste your time or money. Nothing special about this place.
Kurt
Mario is a great chef! Have been coming here for years the food is ALWAYS on point. Never disappointed. Had private parties here and was fantastic my guests love it. My go to place in Forest Hills. Love it!
Roseann Morris
The food is beyond delicious!! Atmosphere is lovely and the service is excellent. Would suggest buying a bottle of wine because one glass which is only 1/4 filled is 20.00. You’ll get 4 full wine glasses for the price of 2
mike sannito
Il Poeta – A True Neighborhood Gem with an Old-World Soul
Tucked along the quiet, tree-lined streets of Forest Hills, Il Poeta feels less like a restaurant and more like a cherished family secret passed down through generations. The kind of place where the waiters greet you like an old friend, the candlelight dances gently on the tablecloths, and every dish tells a story—written in garlic, basil, and just the right amount of olive oil.
The menu is refreshingly traditional—in the best way. No flash, no gimmicks. Just honest, soulful Italian cooking that would make any nonna proud. The pasta? House-made, perfectly al dente, with sauces that cling lovingly to every strand. The seafood is fresh, the veal dishes tender, and the specials always worth asking about. Don’t skip the gnocchi if it’s offered—it’s the kind of cloud-like comfort food that silences a table.
The wine list leans thoughtfully Italian and the ambiance strikes a balance between elegant and unpretentious. It’s the sort of place that’s perfect for a romantic date or a slow Sunday supper with family.
Il Poeta doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel. Instead, it spins it slowly—like a pasta machine on a quiet afternoon in Tuscany. If you’re looking for that rare blend of warmth, quality, and consistency, this is your spot. Forest Hills is lucky to have it.
JOJO
Our waiter was help ans attentive . Place was clean food was good. Price was reseasonable. Would come again l.
Anna Maria Riccardi
A hidden Gem in Queens! The food was delicious as well as the cocktails. The staff were on point, very attentive. Nice atmosphere and beautifully designed. Also, seemed very clean! Will definitely go back 😊
Jerry
Gnocchi gorgonzola were outstanding as usual, fried calamari crunchy and not greasy, excellent. Halibut tasty, love the capers and olives for a touch of salt. Lastly,the decadent napoleon with chantilly cream, am explosion of deliciousness. Compliments chef Mario. Buonissimo!! The staff is accommodating. Overall a 10.
Chris Sebba
I had the penned with salmon and asparagus. The flavor was delicious and everything cooked to perfection! The service was spot on - being there but not obtrusive. It is a dinner I will remember for a long time. I highly recommend that you check it out.
Excellent well prepared and presented food. Neighborhood gem. Attentive staff. Every dish was delicious.
Gilda
Recently redecorated, the decor was lovely. The service very good as was the food. We shared appetizers of grilled octopus, stuffed eggplant and a salad. Perfect. The mains were pork tenderloin, manicotti Poeta and the fish of the day. Looking forward to a return visit.
Laura Demarco (Laura \u0026 Irene)
Dining at Il Poeta is never just about the food — it’s an experience that feels like coming home.
As a family with deep Venetian roots, we feel incredibly lucky to have this gem right here in Forest Hills. From the moment you step in, you’re welcomed not just with warmth, but with the familiar sounds of the Venetian dialect from Chef Mario and the unmistakable aroma of true Italian cooking.
It’s the only restaurant that brings my husband & me right back to our parents’ and grandparents’ kitchens — where meals were made from scratch, with love, and always shared.
Chef Mario, a friend and true Venetian, has created something really special. Every dish is rooted in tradition and executed with care.
Our daughter Irene loves the baccalà mantecato and the fegato alla veneziana, something she wouldn’t be able to experience elsewhere. The entire menu celebrates the lesser-known treasures of Italian cuisine, always healthy, authentic, and handmade.
The ingredients are fresh, the flavors are authentic, and there’s never any rush — just like if you were at home for Sunday dinner.
Our Golden Retriever Red loves coming here for alfresco dining and to try some of Chef Mario’s specialties.
We come back again and again, and every time it feels like a reunion — with the food, with the culture, and with great friends.
If you're looking for real Italian food, Il Poeta is the place.
Bill
Enjoyed the food and the service was excellent unfortunately we sat close to the kitchen door and there was a lot of traffic in and out of the kitchen The value was extremely good and everyone enjoyed themselves
Bryan Hall
The food was not that good. I have been to much better italian restaurants.
Always have a wonderful meal at Il Poeta. Especially live their octopus when they have it as a special. The fish specials are always delicious and fresh. The wine list is diverse and reasonably priced.
This was out first and last time eating here. Tables are very cramped and you literally have no room on your table to eat. The food was just ok and very small portions. They ran out of the desserts we wanted and the waitstaff is not that friendly. They cram too many tables in a very small restaurant and it is super loud. We ordered our food at 7:00 PM and didn't get our check until 9:50 PM. Not a great experience.
I will never eat there again. We sat down at 7:00 PM and was not given our check until 9:50 PM. The tables are super small and you can hardly fit plates on the table. They cram too many tables in a very small restaurant that you hit the chair next to you trying to get out of your seat. The food is just so so and the service is very slow. Too many other great choices to eat at Il Poeta don't waste your time or money. Nothing special about this place.
Mario is a great chef! Have been coming here for years the food is ALWAYS on point. Never disappointed. Had private parties here and was fantastic my guests love it. My go to place in Forest Hills. Love it!
The food is beyond delicious!! Atmosphere is lovely and the service is excellent. Would suggest buying a bottle of wine because one glass which is only 1/4 filled is 20.00. You’ll get 4 full wine glasses for the price of 2
Il Poeta – A True Neighborhood Gem with an Old-World Soul
Tucked along the quiet, tree-lined streets of Forest Hills, Il Poeta feels less like a restaurant and more like a cherished family secret passed down through generations. The kind of place where the waiters greet you like an old friend, the candlelight dances gently on the tablecloths, and every dish tells a story—written in garlic, basil, and just the right amount of olive oil.
The menu is refreshingly traditional—in the best way. No flash, no gimmicks. Just honest, soulful Italian cooking that would make any nonna proud. The pasta? House-made, perfectly al dente, with sauces that cling lovingly to every strand. The seafood is fresh, the veal dishes tender, and the specials always worth asking about. Don’t skip the gnocchi if it’s offered—it’s the kind of cloud-like comfort food that silences a table.
The wine list leans thoughtfully Italian and the ambiance strikes a balance between elegant and unpretentious. It’s the sort of place that’s perfect for a romantic date or a slow Sunday supper with family.
Il Poeta doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel. Instead, it spins it slowly—like a pasta machine on a quiet afternoon in Tuscany. If you’re looking for that rare blend of warmth, quality, and consistency, this is your spot. Forest Hills is lucky to have it.
Our waiter was help ans attentive . Place was clean food was good. Price was reseasonable. Would come again l.
A hidden Gem in Queens! The food was delicious as well as the cocktails. The staff were on point, very attentive. Nice atmosphere and beautifully designed. Also, seemed very clean! Will definitely go back 😊
Gnocchi gorgonzola were outstanding as usual, fried calamari crunchy and not greasy, excellent. Halibut tasty, love the capers and olives for a touch of salt. Lastly,the decadent napoleon with chantilly cream, am explosion of deliciousness. Compliments chef Mario. Buonissimo!! The staff is accommodating. Overall a 10.
I had the penned with salmon and asparagus. The flavor was delicious and everything cooked to perfection! The service was spot on - being there but not obtrusive. It is a dinner I will remember for a long time. I highly recommend that you check it out.
Restaurantji Recommends
Excellent well prepared and presented food. Neighborhood gem. Attentive staff. Every dish was delicious.
Recently redecorated, the decor was lovely. The service very good as was the food. We shared appetizers of grilled octopus, stuffed eggplant and a salad. Perfect. The mains were pork tenderloin, manicotti Poeta and the fish of the day. Looking forward to a return visit.
Dining at Il Poeta is never just about the food — it’s an experience that feels like coming home.
As a family with deep Venetian roots, we feel incredibly lucky to have this gem right here in Forest Hills. From the moment you step in, you’re welcomed not just with warmth, but with the familiar sounds of the Venetian dialect from Chef Mario and the unmistakable aroma of true Italian cooking.
It’s the only restaurant that brings my husband & me right back to our parents’ and grandparents’ kitchens — where meals were made from scratch, with love, and always shared.
Chef Mario, a friend and true Venetian, has created something really special. Every dish is rooted in tradition and executed with care.
Our daughter Irene loves the baccalà mantecato and the fegato alla veneziana, something she wouldn’t be able to experience elsewhere. The entire menu celebrates the lesser-known treasures of Italian cuisine, always healthy, authentic, and handmade.
The ingredients are fresh, the flavors are authentic, and there’s never any rush — just like if you were at home for Sunday dinner.
Our Golden Retriever Red loves coming here for alfresco dining and to try some of Chef Mario’s specialties.
We come back again and again, and every time it feels like a reunion — with the food, with the culture, and with great friends.
If you're looking for real Italian food, Il Poeta is the place.
Enjoyed the food and the service was excellent unfortunately we sat close to the kitchen door and there was a lot of traffic in and out of the kitchen The value was extremely good and everyone enjoyed themselves
The food was not that good. I have been to much better italian restaurants.
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