I would have to imagine most of these reviews are fake, quite possibly the worst meal i've ever had in NYC. The food was bland, small portions, and extremely expensive. I went on a Friday night at 7pm, there were 5 people there, and now I understand why.With restaurants like The Smith, La Pecora Bianca even Coppinitte in the area, these are all better food and even less expensive.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Olivia P.
The food and service were great. We had the Polipo, grilled octopus with eggplant puree, dry ricotta, red onion and tomato. For entrees, we had the linguine with baby octopus, zucchini puree, mussels & cherry tomatoes which was fresh with a good flavor. The second dish was swordfish with fresh vegetables. In general, the service was great and food was good. Would come back for sure.
Jeremy Stockley
Lovely local Italian restaurant tucked away on 1st avenue. Fantastically cooked risotto and pastas and friendly service.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nic B
Wow! What an amazing dinner experience all around. Between the food, the atmosphere, the service, and the authenticity, I wouldn’t change anything and I highly recommend others to go for a lovely dinner. The owner is very kind and welcoming and makes sure to come say hello to every table. The food is very authentic, being reminiscent of your grandmas Sunday dinner, and the portions will leave you feeling full and satisfied. Will definitely be back! 10/10.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Octopus
Jeremy Geller
The owner is hustling around in the front of the house and is very pleasant. Another server as well, very kind and informed. The atmosphere is uncrowded yet cozy, nice art, faux beams. All good. Food is great. As with another reviewer we ordered the mixed seafood grill and pappardelle w zucchini purée, walnuts, and ricotta. Both excellent. Generous wine pours. Great ricotta cheese torte for dessert. Will return with our friends.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sheila Hurley
Staying at the Millenium Hilton UN Plaza and wanted an Italian dinner on a Saturday night. We randomly chose Da Raffaele and so glad we did. Cozy, quaint and amazing atmosphere. Warm bread immediately served and we never felt rushed throughout the meal. The gnocchi and tagliatelle were homemade with a delicious sauce. The panna cotta was another delicious plate. The owner was gracious and spoke with us at the end. We will definitely seek out this restaurant on a future trip to NYC!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
George Bellini
I normally don’t take the time to review a Restaurant, good or bad. However, because this particular restaurant for some strange reason is listed with a 4.5 Rating, I feel an obligation to indicate to anyone reading the ratings that this was the worst restaurant I have ever dined at and that the food was completely inedible.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
LaForelle
Is this restaurant closing? Art missing on the walls but hooks still there. Owner does not disclose prices for specials which are always much higher than similar menu items. Cocktails are grossly overpriced too. Food used to be a lot better and menu on the website does not show current pricing.
RJ Ciabocchi
The prices on the website are not accurate I ordered the spaghetti and arancini off the take out menu which would come to $31 before tax. I was charged $48. The food was no where close to good enough for that price, and on top of that they are misleading customers with prices on their website. Spaghetti was incredible forgetful and the meatballs were very bad ? I had high hopes and was extremely let down, and I’m referring to the food. Not the pricing.
Food: 2
Service: 1
Everything was amazing. Food was perfect service was better than anything I've had in a long long time. You really feel at home. Raffaele truly cares to ensure you have a good experience. He does it all and the the next time I am back in NYC I will for sure be coming back!!! You will not be disappointed.
We had a business lunch here and the place wasn't too busy which made it easy to talk without having to shout over people. The server was very courteous and the food was lovely and well presented. We are both vegetarian and ordered a pizza but asked for the meat not to be added which they were happy to do. When we ordered a couple of items to share they brought them out on two plates already divided, which I haven't seen before. It worked well in this instance but if you wanted to share them any other way than 50:50 that option was taken away. It isn't a fancy restaurant and that is reflected in the price which is really very good for midtown. I would definitely consider coming back for a business or working lunch.
David B.
Great old school Italian restaurant in midtown east! Quiet ambiance and great service as well!
Kimberley Ash
Fantastic food, helpful staff, great ambiance. The antipasti were particularly good. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Risotto
Maria Jermann
Fantastic place. One of those gems that keep on disappearing in NYC. We’ve been coming to Raffaele for years. Hope it continues like it is!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Hink
This small, family owned Italian restaurant offers traditional dishes, of course, but also the kind of creative cuisine you would find in Italy. The daily specials are special indeed.
I would have to imagine most of these reviews are fake, quite possibly the worst meal i've ever had in NYC. The food was bland, small portions, and extremely expensive. I went on a Friday night at 7pm, there were 5 people there, and now I understand why.With restaurants like The Smith, La Pecora Bianca even Coppinitte in the area, these are all better food and even less expensive.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
The food and service were great. We had the Polipo, grilled octopus with eggplant puree, dry ricotta, red onion and tomato. For entrees, we had the linguine with baby octopus, zucchini puree, mussels & cherry tomatoes which was fresh with a good flavor. The second dish was swordfish with fresh vegetables. In general, the service was great and food was good. Would come back for sure.
Lovely local Italian restaurant tucked away on 1st avenue. Fantastically cooked risotto and pastas and friendly service.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wow! What an amazing dinner experience all around. Between the food, the atmosphere, the service, and the authenticity, I wouldn’t change anything and I highly recommend others to go for a lovely dinner. The owner is very kind and welcoming and makes sure to come say hello to every table. The food is very authentic, being reminiscent of your grandmas Sunday dinner, and the portions will leave you feeling full and satisfied. Will definitely be back! 10/10.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Octopus
The owner is hustling around in the front of the house and is very pleasant. Another server as well, very kind and informed. The atmosphere is uncrowded yet cozy, nice art, faux beams. All good. Food is great. As with another reviewer we ordered the mixed seafood grill and pappardelle w zucchini purée, walnuts, and ricotta. Both excellent. Generous wine pours. Great ricotta cheese torte for dessert. Will return with our friends.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Staying at the Millenium Hilton UN Plaza and wanted an Italian dinner on a Saturday night. We randomly chose Da Raffaele and so glad we did. Cozy, quaint and amazing atmosphere. Warm bread immediately served and we never felt rushed throughout the meal. The gnocchi and tagliatelle were homemade with a delicious sauce. The panna cotta was another delicious plate. The owner was gracious and spoke with us at the end. We will definitely seek out this restaurant on a future trip to NYC!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I normally don’t take the time to review a Restaurant, good or bad. However, because this particular restaurant for some strange reason is listed with a 4.5 Rating, I feel an obligation to indicate to anyone reading the ratings that this was the worst restaurant I have ever dined at and that the food was completely inedible.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Is this restaurant closing? Art missing on the walls but hooks still there. Owner does not disclose prices for specials which are always much higher than similar menu items. Cocktails are grossly overpriced too. Food used to be a lot better and menu on the website does not show current pricing.
The prices on the website are not accurate I ordered the spaghetti and arancini off the take out menu which would come to $31 before tax. I was charged $48. The food was no where close to good enough for that price, and on top of that they are misleading customers with prices on their website. Spaghetti was incredible forgetful and the meatballs were very bad ? I had high hopes and was extremely let down, and I’m referring to the food. Not the pricing.
Food: 2
Service: 1
Everything was amazing. Food was perfect service was better than anything I've had in a long long time. You really feel at home. Raffaele truly cares to ensure you have a good experience. He does it all and the the next time I am back in NYC I will for sure be coming back!!! You will not be disappointed.
Restaurantji Recommends
We had a business lunch here and the place wasn't too busy which made it easy to talk without having to shout over people. The server was very courteous and the food was lovely and well presented. We are both vegetarian and ordered a pizza but asked for the meat not to be added which they were happy to do. When we ordered a couple of items to share they brought them out on two plates already divided, which I haven't seen before. It worked well in this instance but if you wanted to share them any other way than 50:50 that option was taken away. It isn't a fancy restaurant and that is reflected in the price which is really very good for midtown. I would definitely consider coming back for a business or working lunch.
Great old school Italian restaurant in midtown east! Quiet ambiance and great service as well!
Fantastic food, helpful staff, great ambiance. The antipasti were particularly good. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Risotto
Fantastic place. One of those gems that keep on disappearing in NYC. We’ve been coming to Raffaele for years. Hope it continues like it is!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
This small, family owned Italian restaurant offers traditional dishes, of course, but also the kind of creative cuisine you would find in Italy. The daily specials are special indeed.