Joined friends here for a reunion dinner and it was chaotic! We waited over 2 hours to get our food. We would have left no tip BUT large parties automatically have the gratuities included. I think that’s a scam if the service is horrendous!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
Katie Mukhina
We were looking for a cozy Italian spot and couldn’t have chosen better. The atmosphere was lovely, the service was friendly, and we were absolutely delighted with the pizza and the complimentary treat from the restaurant. The pasta had an unusual recipe, but we really enjoyed it. Definitely worth recommending!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Arthi N
Rafele is a pretty standard Italian restaurant in the West Village. We came here around 9:30pm on a Saturday night, and the atmosphere was less lively than expected. This also didn’t give a vibe of authenticity, unlike some of the better choices in the neighborhood. They have a decent wine selection and solid menu, but compared to other restaurants in the area, I wasn’t wow’ed. Bread service was a bit meh - didn’t seem super fresh and came with an eggplant cold dip vs olive oil. The arancini and Cacio e Pepe were the standout dishes. Arancini had a lot of flavor and didn’t need any sauce. Cacio e Pepe tasted authentic with pasta cooked al dente. The Bolognese was pretty underwhelming as it appeared to be more like the lamb pasta dish (meat was stewed and shredded) vs ground in a traditional bolognese and wasn’t very flavorful. If I was hungry and in the area without access to the many other wonderful Italian restaurants in the village, I’d eat here again, but wouldn’t go out of my way to come back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Steve Goren
Our 'go to' restaurant in the West Village. We always sit at the bar and meet wonderful people
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Julia Marchet de Morais
Hosted a private lunch event for 15 people at their cellar room, family style… we had an amazing time!! Excellent service and great quality Italian food. Good wine and privacy. Thank you for the hospitality, I will always recommend Rafele. JM
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cheryl Wagner
We were seated at the Chef's table, where we could see the pasta being made. Everyone at our table enjoyed their food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Marife Quesada
Absolutely love this place! The staff is so friendly and the food is unreal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alicia Ramos
Rafele is my go-to spot classic Italian comfort food. The pasta is super fresh, the pizza’s got that perfect wood-fired char, and the arancini is unreal. It’s got a warm, welcoming vibe that’s great for date night or dinner with friends. Feels like a quick trip to Naples, without leaving nyc.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mia Stipes Vega
Honestly, one of my favorite places in the West Village. Been going here pretty consistently over the last 3 years—have had a few events hosted here as well. Everything is always delicious and the staff is always wonderful!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Saahil Dutta
Great spot in the west village for a nice dinner. The food was decent, the service polite and prompt. About halfway through our meal, we noticed a furry little friend scurrying around under the empty tables. Understandably, it’s New York City, so there are bound to be mice in every corner and crevice. We informed our server of the situation without alerting other patrons, and the incident was handled professionally and efficiently. But unfortunately, we had lost our appetite.
Overall, “mice in a kitchen should only be kept in the movie Ratatouille, not Rafele.” - My Date
On Monday, my fiancé and I visited @rafelenyc restaurant, and I must say, #Adar, the bartender, provided outstanding service—a 5-out-of-5-star experience. I’ll surely be back! @da.nna134 #JMF℃ 🙏🏼✡︎😘
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kurtis J. Samchee
This is what American-Italian in New York is all about. Enjoyed all of our dishes and the service was great. Would recommend.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christina W
I lived above this establishment. The pappardelle is great, served in a cozy atmosphere. No frills Italian - none of the inventiveness that you’d get at the buzzy and expensive spots - so don’t expect anything more. I felt esp compelled to write this review as I experienced such a warm gesture from one of the workers. Was a terrible day and I was standing under Rafele’s awning super defeated with a ton of boxes / luggage as I was moving and it was absolutely down pouring. I felt a tap on my shoulder and it was a worker who saw me standing outside - he brought me an umbrella from their lost & found. His tiny act of kindness brought me to tears on what was just a really hard day for me. So thank you! Please support this business and the good people who work here!!!
Joined friends here for a reunion dinner and it was chaotic! We waited over 2 hours to get our food. We would have left no tip BUT large parties automatically have the gratuities included. I think that’s a scam if the service is horrendous!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
We were looking for a cozy Italian spot and couldn’t have chosen better. The atmosphere was lovely, the service was friendly, and we were absolutely delighted with the pizza and the complimentary treat from the restaurant. The pasta had an unusual recipe, but we really enjoyed it. Definitely worth recommending!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rafele is a pretty standard Italian restaurant in the West Village. We came here around 9:30pm on a Saturday night, and the atmosphere was less lively than expected. This also didn’t give a vibe of authenticity, unlike some of the better choices in the neighborhood. They have a decent wine selection and solid menu, but compared to other restaurants in the area, I wasn’t wow’ed. Bread service was a bit meh - didn’t seem super fresh and came with an eggplant cold dip vs olive oil. The arancini and Cacio e Pepe were the standout dishes. Arancini had a lot of flavor and didn’t need any sauce. Cacio e Pepe tasted authentic with pasta cooked al dente. The Bolognese was pretty underwhelming as it appeared to be more like the lamb pasta dish (meat was stewed and shredded) vs ground in a traditional bolognese and wasn’t very flavorful. If I was hungry and in the area without access to the many other wonderful Italian restaurants in the village, I’d eat here again, but wouldn’t go out of my way to come back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Our 'go to' restaurant in the West Village. We always sit at the bar and meet wonderful people
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hosted a private lunch event for 15 people at their cellar room, family style… we had an amazing time!! Excellent service and great quality Italian food. Good wine and privacy. Thank you for the hospitality, I will always recommend Rafele. JM
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We were seated at the Chef's table, where we could see the pasta being made. Everyone at our table enjoyed their food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Absolutely love this place! The staff is so friendly and the food is unreal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rafele is my go-to spot classic Italian comfort food. The pasta is super fresh, the pizza’s got that perfect wood-fired char, and the arancini is unreal. It’s got a warm, welcoming vibe that’s great for date night or dinner with friends. Feels like a quick trip to Naples, without leaving nyc.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Honestly, one of my favorite places in the West Village. Been going here pretty consistently over the last 3 years—have had a few events hosted here as well. Everything is always delicious and the staff is always wonderful!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great spot in the west village for a nice dinner. The food was decent, the service polite and prompt. About halfway through our meal, we noticed a furry little friend scurrying around under the empty tables. Understandably, it’s New York City, so there are bound to be mice in every corner and crevice. We informed our server of the situation without alerting other patrons, and the incident was handled professionally and efficiently. But unfortunately, we had lost our appetite.
Overall, “mice in a kitchen should only be kept in the movie Ratatouille, not Rafele.” - My Date
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
On Monday, my fiancé and I visited @rafelenyc restaurant, and I must say, #Adar, the bartender, provided outstanding service—a 5-out-of-5-star experience. I’ll surely be back!
@da.nna134 #JMF℃ 🙏🏼✡︎😘
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is what American-Italian in New York is all about. Enjoyed all of our dishes and the service was great. Would recommend.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
I lived above this establishment. The pappardelle is great, served in a cozy atmosphere. No frills Italian - none of the inventiveness that you’d get at the buzzy and expensive spots - so don’t expect anything more. I felt esp compelled to write this review as I experienced such a warm gesture from one of the workers. Was a terrible day and I was standing under Rafele’s awning super defeated with a ton of boxes / luggage as I was moving and it was absolutely down pouring. I felt a tap on my shoulder and it was a worker who saw me standing outside - he brought me an umbrella from their lost & found. His tiny act of kindness brought me to tears on what was just a really hard day for me. So thank you! Please support this business and the good people who work here!!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great good. Solid service. Good wine list. A gem.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Authentic and personal food and service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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