Amazing spot! Great choice of risotto, I tried the black risotto and it was delicious, al dente, flavorful and fresh! Bruschetta was good as well! I loved their Bellini, it had something like strawberry purée in it - deliciousness!

Cozy, yet comfortable run by passionate Italians 🥰🙌🏻❤️ food and wine are a testimony of their devotion to this place 🍷 Once you’re there you don’t want to leave ❤️

100% Gluten Free. Love the bruch and lunch menu too. Wish they had Oatly milk or any non dairy milk for coffee.

This risotto is excellent; this restaurant is great for gluten free folks. The seating arrangements are a bit cramped but the service was great and the food was worth it!

This place was out beyond words. The risotto was the best I’ve ever had. It’s been a few weeks and my husband and I are still talking about it. Their bread is also amazing and it was gluten and dairy free. Highly recommend making a reservation. We didn’t know, and we got lucky we were squeezed in, but had to wait over an hour. We didn’t know it then, but it was totally worth the wait. Glad we decided to wait.

This place is wonderful! And the people here are extremely friendly. I got a purple rice risotto with sea bass. They also had house made rice focaccia. Everything is 100% GF. My only regret is not coming here sooner!

Visited the restaurant in Rome and wanted to check out the NYC location. Risotto was really nice, fresh and authentic Italian. Highly recommended.

Amazing risotto and truly outstanding service. Desserts were wonderful. Would love to visit again! Price per person estimate includes appetizers (maybe the best calamari I’ve had), entree, dessert, and wine.

Literally one of the best experiences in NYC. I was on the hunt for a gluten free restaurant for my daughter and I stumbled upon this little gem. From their specials to their ability to make a special order risotto for my daughter to the staff- it was just a wonderful experience and meal. 5 stars from us!

Very authentic place. I was about to eat more than one portion of risotto. It's too tasty!!! I am a huge fan of risotto, but it was smth special. And dessert. Oh my God!

Amazing place, truly Italian! The tables are nicely set up, they also serve bread and olive oil, just like you can see in Italy. There's a big selection of risotto and they also have something special every day. Everything is made out of rice hence gluten-free​. Very delicious!

Our favorite spot in NYC. We try to stop here every time we visit. Flavors are on point, vibe is eclectic, service is friendly. Risotto never disappoints. Just make sure you like risotto lol all made fresh and on the spot. And if you have dietary restrictions everything is gluten free and much can be made dairy free. The bruschetta is the BEST!

This fully gluten free place has amazing food with a focus on rice. Most of the dishes are rice based such as risotto and pasta. There are also some alternatives such as a burger, steak and salads for those that would like something else.

Amazing Friendly attentive Service. Quaint location and decor, Food was incredible. Especially perfect was totally glutinous free menu so no dietary concerns for members of the group. Beautiful Hostess/ Waitress was spot on with her attention to detail and humor. Highly recommend. Indoor and covered outdoor seating available.

+6

Lovely meal at a place we’ve loved since we ate at their Rome restaurant. The risotto all’amatriciana is the BEST though I tried chicken, bacon and asparagus and that dish was lovely too. Expansive dessert menu and a small selection of entrees that are not risotto if you dine with those who aren’t open to it.

Had the bruschetta, risotto funghi and peach cobbler. I have other food sensitivities besides gluten and the server showed me which options fit my needs. Everything was was phenomenal!

Worth the trip to NYC just for this restaurant! We knew the restaurant would be cuisine made completely gluten-free, but, as a Celiac, I was made all the comfortable upon arrival. The staff really took care of us and made us excited to travel to Italy in the future and visit their other family restaurant locations! Even as California wine lovers, we were in love with the wine we enjoyed with our dinner. For anyone, literally anyone, you will enjoy this wonderful restaurant. For anyone with Celiac or gluten intolerance, you will LOVE this restaurant!

+1

If you like risotto, this is the place to be!!! I had delicious and tasty risotto when i went to Risotteria Melotti with 4 friends. They offer a lot of risotto dishes, probably over 15, don’t forger to as the dish of the day! The place is small and usually packed! I suggest to make a reservation. The staff can be a little careless.

+3

This was my third visit and this place cannot be beat. We will be back, again and again. Every single time we come, each dish is incredible. We order the special arancini every time because it’s amazing. The kale caesar is the best in the city and I could not recommend it enough. If you are gluten free, this place is the place to go.

A very romantic Italian restaurant with fantastic risotto. There was only one other group when we went on a Sunday night, and the food came out literally within five minutes of us ordering. The pesto and scallop risotto was amazing, and the mushroom one was also great. Definitely a great spot to enjoy some risotto!

Nice small spot on a quiet side street, offers gluten free risotto. I’m not gluten sensitive or anything but regardless I’ve had a few of their dishes and really enjoy them. Here’s a photo of their risotto spinaci that I had to order to go. I’d say it’s a good spot for a casual night out and some low key delicious risotto.

I love that Risotteria Melotti is a quaint family operated restaurant in Manhattan. They made Christmas Eve a simple, but special affair. The restaurant was cozy, nicely decorated for the holidays and everyone was in a holidays spirit. Thanks for the lovely experience!

Very good totally gluten free Italian joint. The main thing is Italian rice and it’s mainly a risotto menu. The special veal meatballs they had were amazing cooked in a fragrant red sauce. We got multiple risottos - mushroom, burrata/tomato and a scallop, basil sundries tomato one.

Great service and delicious food, from our black rice polenta fries to delightful Risotto entrées, and topping it all off with gf profiteroles! 😋 I'll definitely dine here again on future trips to NYC.

Great food. Risotto was amazing! So were the desserts. Service was great and staff was friendly and super helpful. I'll be back again!!

+4

Authentic Italian risotto! Completely gluten free with dairy free options. Delicious food in an intimate setting with friendly service. Worth traveling to find this lower east side gem!

This place was fabulous! The food was phenomenal, the staff was so friendly. We had such an amazing dinner.

What a great find! The place is intimate and very charming. The food is delicious and they have so many vegan and dairy free options. Fantastic place to take the entire family since they can accommodate most people’s diets.

The risotto here is amazing! I highly recommend this restaurant for authentic Italian food in NYC and it just happens to be gluten-free. Everything was great. We ordered the spinach risotto and the pork risotto for main courses. Both were delicious, but the spinach one gets 5 stars. Tiramisu was really good too!

I had an incredible experience at this restaurant! As someone who eats gluten-free and follows a vegan diet, finding a place that truly delivers on both can be tough—but this spot absolutely nailed it. The risotto was rich, creamy, and perfectly cooked, with creative flavor combinations that made each bite a delight. The vegan options weren’t just afterthoughts—they were thoughtfully crafted, beautifully presented, and bursting with flavor. The staff was knowledgeable and accommodating, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a top-notch gluten-free and vegan-friendly dining experience!

One of the best meals I had in NYC. Super friendly and helpful staff. A must for anyone who is gluten-free.

I am on a complicated medical diet with many restrictions and as a result, it's not easy to eat out. This restaurant went above and beyond to accommodate me and reassured me in advance that I would have no issues. Upon arrival, the server had spoken to the chef and presented me with what I could eat. I was so relieved and I even had options! The meal I was served was absolutely delicious. My husband also loved his. We will be back! I appreciate this compassionate and delicious venue!!

Love this place. Loves thier risotto, burger, crepes, and chocolate cake. I don't have dietary restrictions but was introduced to it from a friend that likes eating gluten free. I eat gluten but do feel better when I don't haha so it's nice knowing can have foods I love here that happen to be gluten free, without any sacrificing flavor. Its just good italian food. Highly recommend and would come back a lot more!

My wife and I loved our dinner. We got the wild boar ragu risotto and the balsamic red onion based risotto, we loved them both. One was savory and one was sweet! The desserts were delicious also, the cannolis were great and fresh and we loved the special desert, grape cake with pumpkin gelato. We will definitely be back

Small, super cute rustic vibe without loud music. Authentic Italian risotto complete with a friendly and helpful Italian server. The food is outstanding. You should know that the duck risotto actually has a tomato based sauce, if you are sensitive to it. It is great topped with the grano padino cheese. But expect it to taste more like a bolognese pasta than duck with orange. The portions *seem* small but I couldn't finish 1 plate! The balsamic is great, but you may get a little fatigue from the pungency of the flavor after a while, like is the case for truffle oil. Prices were between $29-32 for risotto and the homemade rice flour bread pieces were delightful, even better than standard bread in my opinion! 4.5 food, 5 service, 5 atmosphere. Go to Noona's across the street afterwards for exotic Korean healthi-ish ice cream made in NYC!

Risottos from Risotteria is pretty decent, the first taste feels not too special but feels like home cooked meal. The portion was not enough for boyfriend, but it was very filling for me. Their wild mushroom risotto is really delish with perfect cheesy(or salty?)ness. But their shrimp risotto is little questionable—not that it’s not good, but just too simple flavors with just lemon taste to it. Their wine lists are little disappointing, though, because it felt like they only source the wines from particular town in Italy, which is understandable, but it was hard to decide/match with the food we’re getting. It felt like some wines just don’t fit or too cheap to drink with the food.(Wine itself is cheap but their price is not.. they charge you a price of the bottle for a glass lol) The servers are mostly nice, but they will rush you out if you don't order desserts. Little intimidating if you don’t like being starred at for few mins even when you’re not done with your wine/mimosa. The server will get rid of the empty glass right away without even asking if you’d like a second glass. Would go back to try some other menus but felt slightly expensive for the taste, vibe, and the service you get.

I cannot recommend this place enough. Definitely my favorite meal out of my whole entire trip to NYC. The flavor is unbeatable and the atmosphere is super cute and cozy. Amazing wine selections and AMAZING food. Incredibly allergen friendly as well, as someone who’s dairy free I was still able to enjoy what I wanted off the menu. I had the fried calamari/shrimp and the lemon risotto with shrimp, I’m going to be dreaming about this meal until the next time I can visit for sure.

Cozy, home atmosphere, pleasant, amazing service, great food, friendly crowd

+6

we came for a show off-off Broadway & found this gem. The food was fantastic. The 4 of us all got something different & we all tried each others dishes. We all said we loved what we got, but would have loved the other options as well. what a fun little restaurant

Oh. My. Goodness. My husband and I ate here for dinner on one of the nights of our recent NYC trip, and it was so phenomenal, I can still imagine the taste of the food and the smile of the wait staff. If we were locals, we would be regulars, because this place is amazing in every possible way. Even in a city as large as NYC, I know there are a lot of people who feel alone, and like no one cares about them. At this restaurant, I just kept thinking that the wait staff was so kind that there's no way anyone could so much as grab a quick dinner here alone and leave feeling like nobody cared. Beyond great service, the waiter and waitress made us feel like we legitimately mattered to them as unique individuals, in a somehow more personal way. I don't mean they were pushy or intrusive, because they weren't. But I would absolutely be a repeat customer even if the food was terrible, just because they were so warm and kind. However - the food was AMAZING, certainly not terrible! So there's yet another reason to love this restaurant. It's family owned and operated by a family who grows their own risotto in fair Verona. The risotto is on sale in the corner of the restaurant, as well! I was warned beforehand that getting anything but risotto here would be, while tasty, a waste of an opportunity to have the world's best risotto. My husband has Celiac Disease, so having any gluten at all, even from cross contact, would seriously harm him (and ruin our vacation). But we were in excellent hands here, and he could have everything! Yes, you read it right: EVERYTHING is gluten-free! They even brought complementary bread to the table which we devoured! We ordeed the Frito Misto for an appetizer, and it was excellent! We always love fried calamari. This was differently shaped than we were used to (we could see the tiny octopus shape), but incredible, and the sauce was great with it! I got the Risotti All`Isolana in “Pentolino”, and I will forever wish that's what's for dinner every night. The hint of cinnamon in the savory dish is unexpected but pairs well with the rosemary and truly adds so much! Incredible. My husband got an oxtail risotto that was a special that night, and it was so savory with such tender oxtail - such a harty dish! For dessert, we couldn't choose, so we ordered both the Profiteroles and the Sbrisolona. They were both incredibly tasty, but the Zabaglione cream with the Sbrisolona really took it to the next level. Guys, RUN, don't walk, to this restaurant. There are no drawbacks at all. If you like reasonably priced fare, incredibly tasty foods at every course, amazingly kind servers, and a hobbit-hole atmosphere that makes you feel like you're relaxing by the fireplace on a rainy day, you can do no better than Risotteria Melotti NYC.

+6

We had the Risotto in the cheese bowl which was a new dish for us and it was SO good!! And tiramisu for dessert was to die for. plus everything is gluten free so it is a great spot for celiacs! it’s quite a small spot so i felt like we were squeezed in, but service was great and the food was really really good.

Wow wow and wow! My dining companions were equally amazed by the meal. The portions match the price point. The staff provided service that was both personal and careful. They offer excellent cuisine from a modest location. I can't wait to go back to explore other offerings.

Super cute spot, Micole was super friendly and gave us extra bread to take home when we expressed how good it was. Profiteroles are AMAZING! And the trio of bruschetta and risotto is delicious too.

Amazing Italian risotto! Friendly staff and great ambience. A little expensive for the amount of food you get, but the quality of the ingredients and the flavours are up there. Recommended for a casual date and definitely for autumn/dinner when it gets colder.

I love that I found this restaurant. Very cozy atmosphere, culturally charged. It wasn’t too crowded which was great for social distancing. The food is amazing. We followed our server’s advice (so kind!) and had that day’s special for starter: a tasty crab cake; excellent choice. The risotto of course was really good, they know what they are doing... Cute spot for a date.

This gluten-free Italian restaurant is simply outstanding. I didn't visit for many years thinking the gluten-free would be taste-free. Boy was I wrong! The food, service and decor is outstanding and worth every penny. I can't wait to go back again. This restaurant is THE "hidden gem" of the East Village.

the food was great really recommend the mix sea food starter. My wife ordered lemon shrimp risotto and I went for the truffle risotto ( they didn't have real truffles at this time) but it was very good and kept the at par with the real thing. the waiter was a little to anxious to end his shift (it was Easter Sunday not the less). I do not blame him, still a good rushed service none the less. the place has a nice atmosphere and looking around you realize that they have 3 restaurants around the world, and in Italy they are producers of their own risotto which brings a nice and cozy feeling to it all. They do sell risotto and some other things at the place.

Living just up the road, I had been meaning to try this place out for awhile. When I finally got around to it, I was not disappointed. Our server was warm and inviting, which matched the restaurant’s cozy atmosphere. The risotto was expectedly delicious, and I appreciated the recipes’ authentic origins from the Melotti family in Verona. The other food (I had soup and salmon) was also cooked with a loving, rustic grace. Truly Italian and truly yummy. The espresso coffee was a perfect ending to a perfect meal.

+2

We had such an amazing experience at Risotteria Melotti! As someone with gluten sensitivities this was a dream. Everything was excellent but our favorite dishes were the arancini, truffle risotto, and the tiramisu! The staff was so personable and knowledgeable. 10/10 overall, will definitely be back!

Delightful atmosphere, incredible warm and thoughtful service, and the menu and the food is absolutely divine. Amazing vegetarian and vegan options. And if you have a gluten free friend or family member, this is the spot. Also you can make reservations on open table for convenience. We had a lovely experience here this last Sunday at 2pm. Can’t recommend it highly enough and thank you to our wonderful server. Also great outdoor seating too.

I had an absolutely incredible time at this place. The atmosphere and service are simply amazing, creating a welcoming ambiance. But the most important thing, the risotto, was simply perfect! It was extremely authentic, delicious, and perfectly cooked. I can’t think of anything I don’t like about this place. It’s a must-visit!

+3

Tudor Leriu

Absolutely sublime restaurant that makes the best risotto I've had in my life. I had the pleasure of also visiting one of their branches in Italy and I can honestly say that it's just as good as the food an ocean away from here. This restaurant is peak Italian from the simple high quality ingredients to the great combination of fresh produce and the very Italian staff. Everything about this place was a great slice of Italy. To make things even better, you can come here with your vegetarian, Muslim, and gluten intolerant friends and they will all find a dish to suit them. Just stop reading this and come eat here already. You can thank me after you finish your dessert .

+6

Hannah Tori

We had dinner at Risotteria Melotti after our wedding ceremony a couple weeks ago. We have 3 celiac family members who all RAVED about the food here and felt safe because the entire restaurant is gluten free. They accommodated all of the needs of our party (kids who are picky eaters, someone who doesn’t eat shellfish, vegetarians). Kind servers, delicious food, excellent hospitality! Can’t say enough good things about this place, and it will always be one of our favorite restaurants.

DBradshaw25

Even if you're not gluten free, I really recommend you check out this place! Everything was really excellent! We had the Fritto misto (calamari) appetizer and the Caesar salad to start - the salad was amazing quite honestly! The gluten free croutons were the best (I usually am never able to get croutons with salad!). For the main meal we had the pollo bacon risotto and the spinaci asiago pasta. The risotto - fantastic! The pasta was good but please allow the server to add cheese to it! I asked them to skimp on the cheese and I needed to add salt to it which was my mistake. When the server came back I asked them to put the normal amount of cheese on it and that fixed it. For dessert we had the special which was the raspberry chocolate tart.... OMG.... Phenomenal!!! Service was excellent and everything was fantastic. I will be back!!

+3

Alison Skjeie White

one of my favorite spots in new york! the food is amazing with so much flavor variety and the atmosphere is busy in a very homey family kitchen kind of way. they always remember us when we go back and the staff are so so kind. and as someone gluten free, it’s so awesome getting to have a bunch of italian desserts i don’t usually get to enjoy :))

Christine L

Wow. What an absolute gem. A little restaurant in town with intimate seating and a homey atmosphere. The staff is super friendly. The food is delicious and made well. There is a mushroom risotto with mixed wild organic mushrooms and Grana Padano P.D.O. cheese. That was mouthwateringly good. The arancini of the day was a must have as well. The mixed berry sorbet was too sweet for me but half of it was the perfect treat. I will definitely be back to try more dishes! Now for my standard comments. Easy to walk to in town. There is a good amount of seating but it is a bit packed. Still quite comfortable and cozy to dine in.

João Victor Berti Alves

Very nice place with delicious food! We ate the risotto, and it was amazing! Grazie to our Italian amico and regards from Brazil.

My partner and I were extremely happy with our dinner here. The waiter was very attentive, food was served hot, fresh, and quickly, and everything was delicious - bruschetta, risotti, and tiramisu were all home runs. Would never have known that this place is 100% Gluten free. We will be back!

Best risotto to get in East village that's also 100% GF, started off with their special of the day which was salmon cakes - and it was delicious 😋. Paired my scallop risotto with some white wine and finished the meal with their tiramisu. Tiramisu was fantastic as well.

This place is a gem! Loved the risotto with truffle, steak, and salmon. Good service. Very nice low key vibes.

Delicious Risotto! we had the fungi and the spinach options and they were both delicious! Nice wine list. The beet salad was one of the best we’ve ever had. The staff was really friendly and helpful. The owners from Italy happen to be sitting at the table next to us and are very interested in making their restaurant the best it can be for their customers they own several other restaurants in Italy as well as the farm where they grow the rice for the risotto. Very unique!

Some of the best food I’ve ever had, even back when I was able to eat gluten. The staff was very friendly & the entire facility is gluten free. We tried the bruschetta app, scallop risotto, spinach/asiago risotto, profiteroles & the tiramisu. It was all phenomenal. My gluten eating sister said the tiramisu was the best she has ever had. We are still dreaming about this meal and will for a long time to come.

Swar Amin

Amazing risotto (cacio e pepe and funghi)! Great service. Will definitely return. Probably best risotto I've had (maybe outside Italy, maybe including). Great taste, and nice environment inside the restaurant! (Forgot to take a picture before we ate, but remembered half way through and had to fight the urge to stop eating lol).

Marissa Spletter

I had a birthday dinner with the girls at Risotteria Melotto ✨ Went with a group of 6. Loved that they have gluten free risotto and even some dairy free options which is rare! Apps we tried were calamari, the meat board, and risotto balls. All so good. The focaccia they bring to the table was amazing, soft, squishy, and full of flavor. For my main I had the chicken bacon asparagus risotto 🥓 I loved it but definitely wished there was more bacon. One of the girls got the short rib risotto with tomato sauce and it looked incredible. They only serve wine but I was happily surprised with the pino grigio 🍷 We ended the night with tiramisu and chocolate cake and both were delicious. Inside is small, maybe 10 tables, so it feels cozy. It was on the quiet side which can be a little awkward for a big group. Only odd part was the waiter making comments about prices to us which felt unnecessary. Still would come back for the food 💕

+2

Russell Zagado

This has to be, the absolute best place for risotto. I’ve had many risottos, even cooked them myself, and the lobster risotto special I’ve had, was incredible. The place is nice and humble, and the owner or manager was extremely kind and attentive. All three of us got the lobster risotto. The lobster risotto was this nice risotto where the lobster was incorporated into every bite, along with other components-they all made sense in the dish. The grana padano was an incredibly tasty cheese that I put on my spinach. We also got a few appetizers like the calamari and the prosciutto and they were refreshing. It is not recommended to put cheese on seafood, as the cheese overpowers the seafood. This is my second time going to this place, and yet again, I wasn’t disappointed.

+6

Doah Kwon

The risotto here is amazing, and since I love risotto, I was super excited. The truffle one was definitely a highlight. The restaurant has a cozy, homey feel, like a small place in Italy, and I loved the vibe and plus, the staff were so friendly.

Esther Trevino

BEST gluten free restaurant in NYC!! Food is incredible! Fresh ingredients. Classic menu. The staff is lovely! Wish I could go here daily!

Nadine Kessler

Fantastic risottos and other rice-based food! I contacted the restaurant beforehand because my husband has dairy and pepper allergies and I wasn’t sure he’d be able to eat there. The staff enthusiastically responded that they could accommodate, and they did! My husband had the lemon shrimp risotto, prepared pepper and dairy free, I had duck breast ragu and our friend had the wild boar ragu. The bruschetta appetizer was also delicious (hard to believe it’s gluten free). We had the mushroom, tomato, and pesto burrata toppings. The staff were wonderful and friendly. The atmosphere warm and festive although a bit tight (not surprising for Manhattan). Definitely will be back!!

Fabio Franco

We had a great experience at Risotteria Melotti. We went there because it is a 100% gluten free and I thoroughly enjoyed the food. We got Fritto Misto and Arancini for appetizers, followed by risotti (spinach and asiago cheese, black risotti with shrimp and calamari, pumpkin and sausage) and desserts (profiteroles, peach cobbler and semifreddo). I would suggest the black rice if you like a rice al dente, otherwise there are many other options. Ari waited on us and he was very attentive.

Adam Giladi

Unbelievable Italian dinner and hard to believe it is gluten free! Loved exploring their risotto menu. Enjoyed the duck breast ragu dish with the penne. Don’t skip dessert here either

+6

Morgan Watkins

Wow. What a fantastic experience. We're only in the city a couple times a year so it's rare that we eat at the same place twice. This will be somewhere we return. Carpaccio was on special. Just the right amount of shaved truffle was a highlight. Both of us had risotto from the regular menu, we're still raving. One server (Nicole?) was plenty for the small space and she was fantastic.

Elissa Fountain

Solid spot if you are craving risotto like we were. We felt the service wasn't stellar but it wasn't bad either. Just seemed like they didn't care lol.. but food was solid!

Clay Goldman

Risotteria Melotti is such a cute spot in NYC. All of the risottos are gluten-free, which was great for dining with my Celiac girlfriend. Inside, it’s a small but intimate space. It feels almost like you’re dining in someone’s home because the kitchen is so close by. For my meal, I had the calcio and pepe risotto. It was delicious and extremely filling. After that, I absolutely had to have the tiramisu for dessert. I love tiramisu and this was no different. With the large portions, I could’ve shared my dessert, but my girlfriend wanted the Nutella crepe, which was also delicious. Overall, I highly recommend coming here.

Anna DiSaverio

GO HERE!!!! The atmosphere of this place transports you to the Verona ‘farm fresh’ feel how the Melotti family started. One of the best meals I have had in a while. Of course the risotto is incredible and all ingredients are so clean from Italy. The focaccia was a dream! And all gluten free?! The aranci was to die for and the peach cobbler was great.

+1

I’ve walked past this place about 500 times and always intended to try it. Finally I made it there last week and really enjoyed it. I’m not going to totally rave about it as I thought is was really good but not excellent. I got the Risotto all pescatore and although it was tasty, the fish was really rubbery and over cooked. The good news is that they have great wines and great selections and my friends mushroom risotto tasted better than mine, so I would go back and try something else. The service was quite slow but in a very nice non rushed way, so make time to enjoy this cosy little gem.

Super cute small location with delicious food. Really loved everything but specifically the burrata and the cheese/ beef risotto. Defs recommend- really good and with it. Great service and wonderful atmosphere

Special appetizer of the day (jumbo shrimp with crab meat) was good but pretty pricey for an appetizer. Wish the amount of food was larger for the risotto as well. Good service and decor!

This place came in highly recommended by our close friend and it really was upto the expectations. I have tried Risotto before but this was just amazingly authentic and tasted better. I tried the Day’s special Risotto with baby shrimp and my friends tried other varieties mentioned in the photo.

+2

This has to be, the absolute best place for risotto. I’ve had many risottos, even cooked them myself, and the lobster risotto special I’ve had, was incredible. The place is nice and humble, and the owner or manager was extremely kind and attentive. All three of us got the lobster risotto. The lobster risotto was this nice risotto where the lobster was incorporated into every bite, along with other components-they all made sense in the dish. The grana padano was an incredibly tasty cheese that I put on my spinach. We also got a few appetizers like the calamari and the prosciutto and they were refreshing. It is not recommended to put cheese on seafood, as the cheese overpowers the seafood. This is my second time going to this place, and yet again, I wasn’t disappointed.

Well, I've been wanting to go there for over a year, and I have to say this place is amazing. The risotto was delicious.

It was a lovely Sunday summer evening to sit outside and enjoy the nice weather! The service here was excellent, enjoyable conversation, history of the owners and menu highlights. We ordered a starter salad and risotto and we’re so excited it was fully gluten free! What a treat! The salad came and had pink edges on the lettuce and 3 found pieces of Parmesan with mold I picked out. Not wanting to be rude and completely send it back I mentioned it to the waiter when he can by and told me he’d let the kitchen know. I wish he would have brought a new one or comped it. It shouldnt have been served. Not to get too distracted on a small pesky salad, the main was a lemon and shrimp risotto and it was fabulous! Wonderful flavor and texture. To top it off with a gluten free espresso cheesecake was delightful. I would come back here again because of the nice service and great main and dessert, I would just not order the salad.

+1

This is a great spot in the east village! It is a very authentic Roman restaurant specializing in rice-based dishes, including - but not limited to risotto! They have a great selection of different risottos, apps, salads and other dishes and I was very surprised to see that they are 100% gluten free! We started with the fried calamari in rice flour and it was incredible! Super crispy and flavorful, it was delicious. Then we got the spinach risotto, pork risotto and the pumpkin risotto which were all fantastic, however we felt that the spinach and the pumpkin stood out more than the pork one. This is a great spot for gluten free and vegetarian options while still having authentic Italian food.

We had a good time for dinner there. The food is slightly salty and heavy for me. But the red wine risotto was so amazing. It was so good I would go back just for that one. Tiramisu and salad were also good. Overall it's worth the visit.

+2

I walked in with out reservation, Service was good ! The risotto was little too salty for me I couldn’t finish it . Probably I chose the wrong one. The bread was very good my favorite. Dessert was very good .

+4

Lucia LoBue

Love it here. The risotto is to die for and great gluten free spot in the neighborhood. It is a bit cramped in there but most places nearby are and you’re getting great food and service. Can’t complain!

Spencer

I had a great time at Risotteria Melottia. The staff was very nice and the food was very good. I had the Arancini del Giorno which was fantastic. I shared the black truffle risotto for my main. It was good, but the risotto was a little undercooked which kept me from 5 stars. The dairy free chocolate cake was incredible as well. I will be back soon

I used to love this restaurant, I've been here several times, but my last experience was not pleasant. Although the service was always very bad, I insisted on going back because the food was very tasty, but this time the food was different than it used to be. Everything tasted weird, the Arancini was extremely dry and the risotto I use to love this time was totally tasteless. Even the Nutella dessert was bad. I honestly don't understand what happened in the kitchen, but after this experience I don't intend to go back. Everything appears very beautiful in the photos, I wish it was as tasty as the beautiful presentation of the dish. :(

+2

The risotto is alright, appertizer's good though. However, I always notice how my Asian family always got asked to sit at the back of the restaurant while white group of ppl were seated in nicer spot (similar number of ppl). This discrimination happened in Italy itself so I guess Italian live up to their reputation. Food no matter how good, is not worth the subpar treatment. The female waiter's lackluster (not even that busy in the restaurant at that time), the male waiter's a bit kinder.

The environment isn’t so well, we all had a lot of mosquito bites while dining in here, probably because of the garbage bags left near the tables and water on streets. The bread and salad was good, the risotto is too salty to eat.

I’ve been dining at Risotteria Melotti for about 8–9 years, and the food has always been consistently excellent. Unfortunately, my visit last Friday was very disappointing. One of the waiters, who had an unpleasant attitude throughout the meal, did something I’ve never experienced before at Melotti—or anywhere else in the East Village. He automatically added a 20% tip to the bill without saying a word and then handed me the payment machine, effectively forcing the charge through (it’s just me and my girlfriend so not a large party). When I questioned him, he insisted it was the restaurant’s policy—which I knew couldn’t be true, having eaten there for far longer than he’s likely worked there. I spoke with the hostess, who was very kind (I’ve met her several times before). She apologized and reversed the charge. I still left an 18% tip out of respect for the restaurant. However, when the waiter returned, he leaned in and said quietly, “There are also other restaurants nearby, just so you know.” That remark sealed it for me. This was by far the worst experience I’ve ever had at Melotti. I still love the food, but if I see that waiter again, I’ll simply choose to dine elsewhere.