13 Places in New York Where Spaghetti & Meatballs Steal the Show
New York City is home to some of the most amazing Italian food in the world. When it comes to the classic comfort dish of spaghetti and meatballs, nobody does it better than the Big Apple’s Italian restaurants. From hidden family-owned gems to famous celebrity hotspots, these 13 restaurants serve up meatballs so good they’ll transport you straight to Italy with just one bite.
1. Rubirosa
Family recipes shine at this Nolita hotspot where the spaghetti and meatballs come from a closely guarded 60-year-old family recipe. The pasta is perfectly al dente, while the meatballs feature a secret blend of meats that creates an impossibly tender texture.
Crowds flock here for the thin-crust pizza, but regulars know the real treasure is the pasta. The sauce simmers for hours, developing deep, rich flavors that coat each strand of spaghetti. Weekend tip: arrive early or prepare for a wait – this cozy spot fills up fast!
2. Carmine’s Italian Restaurant
Family-style feasting reaches epic proportions at this Theater District institution.
Their massive platters of spaghetti come topped with meatballs the size of baseballs – no exaggeration! Each meatball is a masterpiece of seasoned beef, pork, and veal. The red sauce has a slight sweetness that balances the savory meatballs perfectly.
Pro tip: unless you’re feeding an army, consider splitting an order or prepare for days of delicious leftovers.
3. Frankie’s 457 Spuntino
Brooklyn’s beloved garden restaurant serves meatballs that could make an Italian grandmother weep with joy. The pine nut and raisin-studded meatballs sit atop perfectly cooked spaghetti, creating a sweet-savory combination that’s totally addictive.
What sets these meatballs apart is their lightness. Despite their substantial size, they practically melt in your mouth. The sauce is simple and bright, letting the quality ingredients speak for themselves. The charming backyard garden makes this spot especially magical during warmer months when you can dine under string lights.
4. Polpette 71
Meatball specialists rule at this Upper East Side gem where they take their polpette (Italian for meatballs) very seriously. Their classic spaghetti and meatballs feature hand-rolled spheres of perfectly seasoned meat that achieve the ideal balance of tenderness and texture. The sauce deserves special mention – it’s simmered for over six hours with a secret blend of herbs.
Each plate comes garnished with fresh basil and a generous dusting of aged Parmesan. The intimate dining room has only twelve tables, creating an atmosphere that feels like dining in someone’s elegant Italian home.
5. Emilio’s Ballato
Celebrity sightings are common at this old-school SoHo institution, but the real stars are the magnificent meatballs. The no-reservation policy means everyone waits their turn for a taste of these legendary spheres of meat perfection served over al dente spaghetti.
Owner Emilio can often be found at his regular table near the kitchen, keeping an eye on quality.
The meatballs follow his mother’s recipe from the Abruzzo region of Italy, featuring a special blend of three meats and imported breadcrumbs. The sauce has a distinctive flavor that regulars swear contains a splash of something special – though the recipe remains a closely guarded secret.
6. The Meatball Shop
Customization is king at this meatball-focused mini-chain where you can mix and match different meatball types with various sauces and bases. Their classic beef meatballs with traditional tomato sauce over spaghetti remain their bestseller for good reason.
The menu features a fun checklist ordering system where you can create your perfect meatball experience. Vegetarians rejoice – their veggie meatballs are so good even meat-lovers order them regularly.
Each location has a slightly different vibe, but all feature vintage photos of people eating meatballs and a lively atmosphere perfect for casual dining.
7. Carbone
Old-world glamour meets modern luxury at this Greenwich Village hotspot where reservations are as coveted as designer handbags. Their spicy rigatoni gets all the Instagram fame, but insiders know the spaghetti and meatballs are the true masterpiece.
Servers in burgundy tuxedos deliver plates of perfectly twirled spaghetti topped with meatballs that have a surprising lightness despite their substantial size. The sauce has a distinctive brightness from San Marzano tomatoes imported directly from Italy.
The tableside preparation adds to the theatrical dining experience that has made Carbone a favorite among celebrities and food enthusiasts alike.
8. Emilia’s
Grandmother’s recipes reign supreme at this cozy East Village trattoria where the meatballs are made fresh each morning according to a recipe that dates back three generations.
The pasta is house-made daily, giving it a distinctive texture that perfectly complements the robust sauce. What makes these meatballs special is the addition of crushed fennel seeds and a touch of lemon zest that brightens the flavor profile.
The dining room feels like stepping into a small Italian village restaurant. Don’t miss their house wine served in traditional carafes – it pairs perfectly with the slightly spicy tomato sauce that coats each strand of spaghetti.
9. Patsy’s Italian Restaurant
Frank Sinatra’s favorite haunt serves meatballs that have remained unchanged since 1944. This Theater District landmark has hosted countless celebrities over the decades, but their classic spaghetti and meatballs remain democratic – delicious whether you’re famous or not.
The meatballs feature a higher proportion of breadcrumbs than most, giving them a uniquely light texture. The sauce is distinctively smooth, almost velvety, coating each strand of pasta perfectly.
Black and white photos of famous patrons line the walls, creating an atmosphere of old New York glamour that perfectly complements the timeless quality of their signature dish.
10. Locanda Verde
Celebrity chef Andrew Carmellini elevates the humble meatball at this trendy TriBeCa hotspot. The lamb meatball sliders get all the attention, but insiders know to order the off-menu spaghetti and meatballs that combine traditional techniques with modern refinement.
The meatballs contain a surprising ingredient – ricotta cheese – which creates an incredibly moist texture. Handmade pasta has the perfect bite, while the sauce strikes a beautiful balance between acidity and sweetness.
The restaurant’s warm wood and exposed brick interior creates a sophisticated yet comfortable atmosphere that attracts a mix of business diners and food enthusiasts.
11. Rao’s
Legendary exclusivity surrounds this tiny East Harlem restaurant, where tables are essentially owned by regulars and reservations are nearly impossible to secure. Those lucky enough to dine here rave about meatballs so famous they spawned a grocery store sauce empire.
The meatballs are simply seasoned but perfectly executed, with a texture that somehow manages to be both light and substantial. The sauce recipe dates back to the early 1900s and has remained unchanged.
With just ten tables in the entire restaurant, the atmosphere feels like a private club where time has stood still since the restaurant opened in 1896.
12. Portale
James Beard award-winning chef Alfred Portale brings culinary precision to his Chelsea restaurant where the spaghetti and meatballs transcend their humble origins.
The meatballs are a study in perfect technique – browned in cast iron before being finished in the sauce. Each component receives equal attention: the pasta cooked precisely al dente, the sauce balanced between sweet and acidic notes, and the meatballs seasoned throughout rather than just on the surface. Fresh herbs are added at the last moment for brightness.
13. Pasquale Jones
Wood-fired excellence defines this NoLIta hotspot where the meatballs benefit from time in the restaurant’s centerpiece hearth.
The smoky notes in both the sauce and the meatballs create a distinctive flavor profile you won’t find elsewhere. The pasta is made in-house daily, with a slightly thicker gauge that stands up perfectly to the robust sauce and substantial meatballs. Wine lovers appreciate the thoughtfully curated Italian wine list designed specifically to complement the food.
The open kitchen layout lets diners watch the culinary team at work, adding a theatrical element to the dining experience in this sleek, modern space.
