Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
Spaghetti and meatballs is New York red-sauce Italian-American: long spaghetti coated in a long-simmered tomato sauce, topped with two large pork-and-beef meatballs and a snow of Parmesan.
Spaghetti and meatballs is an Italian-American invention codified in New York's Little Italy by southern Italian immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries (Italy itself never plated it; it is a New World creation). The cheap-protein meatball plate became the staple of red-sauce restaurants across Manhattan and Brooklyn (Rao's in East Harlem, founded 1896; Patsy's in Midtown; Frankies 457 Spuntino in Carroll Gardens). Carbone in Greenwich Village (opened 2013) repositioned it as a fine-dining set piece with $30 meatballs and a tableside ricotta finish. Via Carota plates a refined Tuscan-leaning version. The canonical New York Italian-American comfort plate.
3 editor picks for Spaghetti and meatballs in New York City, ranked by editorial score. All New York City signature dishes · Spaghetti and meatballs across every city.
Jody Williams and Rita Sodi's Grove Street West Village room serves Tuscan-leaning food in New York City. Priced at $$$. Kitchen leans italian.
OrderInsalata verde, cacio e pepe, chocolate budino.
TipWalk in at 17:00 sharp for the first seating, or join the list around 20:30 for the second wave.
Major Food Group's red-sauce Italian-American room on Thompson Street in New York City turns 1950s tableside service into theatre. Priced at $$$$.
OrderSpicy rigatoni vodka and the veal parmesan to share.
TipReservations are notorious; the bar runs walk-ins from 17:30 and serves the full menu. Don't skip the Caesar.
The two Franks have served Brooklyn-Italian on Court Street in New York City since 2004: handmade pastas, escarole salad, sausage cavatelli in a garden out.
OrderCavatelli, hot sausage, brown butter and sage.
TipSit in the garden in warm weather. The meatballs over polenta is the second pick if cavatelli has sold out.
Spaghetti and meatballs makes more sense with someone from New York City explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Guided tour · 2h 30m
Satisfy your pizza cravings on a 3-hour walking tour of New York’s Greenwich Village. Sample 3 different pies in one of the city's most historic neighborhoods and tast...
Guided tour · 2h 30m
Explore Greenwich Village on a 2.5-hour guided food tour led by a local expert. Enjoy six food tastings, visit famous landmarks, and hear the stories behind the food a...
Water activity · 3 hours
Experience the iconic sights of New York City on a luxury dinner cruise. Savor a 5-course gourmet dinner as you cruise past the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge,...
