Yuliya Lubin

We dined at Carbone many years ago, before all the hype, and at the time thought it was a solid experience with generous portions. This visit, however, I completely understand the buzz. Despite being 20 minutes late to our reservation, we were graciously seated on a packed Saturday night — a great first impression. The Caesar salad was phenomenal, with bold flavors and an unforgettable sauce. The beef tartare and spicy vodka rigatoni were definite standouts. The ribeye was good but felt a bit heavy with the sauce. Dessert more than made up for it — the carrot cake with ginger ice cream was excellent. What truly sets Carbone apart is the ambiance. Cozy, intimate, and beautifully styled with real candles and timeless music, it feels like stepping into a glamorous 1960s supper club. Elegant, lively, and full of character — a memorable dining experience from start to finish.

+3

Roy Dawson

Exceptionally Delicious! I thoroughly enjoyed my dining experience at Carbones!! My wife had previously brought home leftovers from when she had dined at Carbones so I kind knew what to expect. But the service an accompaniments that are provided with the dining experiences added to my pleasure! Make sure you get the meatballs and the tiramisu!! The seating for two can be tight. My wife and I were fortunate to have a full table for 4…, it’s NYC and space is valuable!! I took a fork to the tiramisu before the pic !!! Didn’t have time for the pics of the chopped salad, assorted breads , anti pasta meatballs, spicy pasta, clams….lol!

Mabel So Odedina

Carbone exceeded every expectation while we celebrated my husband’s birthday here! From the moment we arrived, the service was impeccable from all the staffs: warm, welcoming. This restaurant is incredibly hard to get into, and it absolutely lives up to the hype. The energy is electric, the room is buzzing, and the hospitality feels elevated and personal. Eddie was our main guy and was phenomenal! He so attentive and thoughtful. Michuel was also wonderful, making sure everything flowed seamlessly. The food was delicious, rich, and comforting. The experience as a whole felt special from start to finish. If you’re celebrating something meaningful or just want to experience one of NYC’s most iconic restaurants, Carbone is worth every bit of the hype.

+1

Stinson Parks III

I had high hopes and expectations going into my meal at Carbone. It’s highly regarded as one of, if not the toughest reservation to get in the city. Once you get inside, you see why. The place is TINY with maybe 15 tables all nestled inside the front area and larger back. The service and staff are some of the best in NYC, able to take your order, course it out and make suggestions where necessary. Thankfully I went with a friend who is a regular and knew exactly what to order. We ended up feasting like kings with a full flight of courses, starting off with the spectacular complimentary meats, breads and cheeses, the burrata, caesar salad (prepared table-side), beef carpaccio, spicy rigatoni (a MUST), meatballs (which were a delicious blend of beef and I believe bison), veal parmesan and brocollini. Got the carrot cake to try it even though I was well at my limit and it was worth it for the sugar rush to come back to life over an espresso. Washed it all down with a Manhattan and an awesome red wine my friend recommended. The servers made sure our table was always taken care of and water was filled. A+++ service and will definitely be back the next time one of my friends with pull lets me tag along. Worth every penny!

+10

Ray Bolden

Carbone definitely lives up to its reputation for exclusivity. Yes, snagging a reservation can feel like a hassle, but honestly, it’s worth it. At first glance, you might think the place only seats a handful of people, but don’t be fooled, It fills up quickly and stays buzzing. The garlic bread sets the tone: simple, tasty, and hard to stop eating. In fact, the appetizers alone can fill you up if you’re not careful. The Caesar salad is big enough to be a full meal on its own. I’d heard a lot about the spicy rigatoni vodka, so I didn’t try to reinvent the wheel. I ordered it, and it was good. Not overly spicy, and after the appetizers, it’s more than enough. The tortellini is another good option, but it’s packed with so much cheese that it becomes the only flavor you really get. One standout appetizer is the eggplant and zucchini scapece. Just make sure you’re prepared for it to be a cold dish. It threw me off, but the flavors are great.

+1

Weston Leonard

From the outside, Carbone doesn’t look like one of the hardest tables to get in the city. It’s the kind of place you could stroll right past without knowing. The old crumbling sign from a long-forgotten restaurant still hangs above the door, with a small neon “Carbone” flickering over it like an afterthought. No glossy menu case, no fanfare. It feels intentionally secret, like an old-world club that never needed to advertise. Inside, the mood shifts immediately. Dark woods, soft lighting, waiters in pressed jackets gliding between tables with quiet precision. Our waiter, Joey, was sharp and personable, the kind of professional who makes you feel like a regular on your first visit. He started us with a Caesar salad, mixed tableside the old-fashioned way anchovy, garlic, egg yolk, Parmesan, all whipped together in rhythm with the hum of conversation around the room. Mine came onion-free, custom to my allergy, and it still hit every note of flavor. Then came the shaved meat appetizer, thin ribbons of marbled salami perfection like steak smothered in butter. Each bite melted on the tongue. The garlic bread followed, blanketed with fresh mozzarella that stretched and shimmered when you pulled it apart. Chef’s kiss. For the main course, I went with the rigatoni alla vodka, again without onions. It’s rare for me to enjoy Italian sauces without worry, but the chef is so accommodating here every plate made from scratch this one reminded me what I’d been missing creamy, balanced, not heavy, just pure comfort in a bowl. Across the table, the Ribeye Dianne arrived, seared perfectly, served without its namesake sauce but rich enough not to need it. There’s a rhythm to good Italian cooking every plate prepared one at a time, the kitchen working like a symphony. You can taste that here. Nothing rushed, nothing repeated. Just craftsmanship. As we finished, Joey stopped by to chat, making sure every plate had landed perfectly. And it had. Carbone isn’t just a restaurant it’s a performance. Every detail choreographed but never forced. A place that reminds you what hospitality used to mean, before the world sped up. Getting that reservation was worth every bit of effort.

+4

Henrry Fermin

Carbone is one of New York’s most iconic restaurants — and for good reason. Yes, reservations can be tough to get (you’ll need to book about 30 days in advance), but trust me, it’s absolutely worth it. Dining here is more than just a meal — it’s an experience. The atmosphere is timeless, elevated, and makes you feel genuinely special whether you’re there for lunch or dinner. My go-to cocktail is the Whiskey Smash, crafted with a quality Scotch — perfectly balanced and refreshing (thank me later!). As for the food, you truly can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. The Spicy Rigatoni Vodka and Tortellini al Ragù are must-tries, and Mario’s Meatballs are an instant favorite. To finish, the Lemon Cheesecake is the perfect way to end the night — light, rich, and full of flavor. Carbone never disappoints — it’s the kind of place that reminds you why New York dining is world-class. A true culinary experience from start to finish.

GregxPerez

TL;DR: Worth the hype. Great service, standout red sauce dishes, and a classic NYC atmosphere. Book early and try a late lunch for a relaxed experience. Carbone lived up to its reputation. We were visiting from LA and didn’t know what to expect, but from the moment we walked in the staff made us feel welcome. The energy is old school but fun. Our server was easily one of the best parts of the night, he was attentive, charismatic, and clearly proud of what he does. That kind of service makes a big difference. The red sauce pastas are the star here, but everything we tried had great flavor. The Caesar was sharp and balanced, and the cocktails were spot on. We came for a late lunch, which was perfect since dinner gets packed. The whole meal felt smooth, unhurried, and well worth planning ahead for. If you can get a reservation, do it. The food, service, and atmosphere all line up exactly the way you hope they will

+3

Gayle Mojica

As a first timer at Carbone this past Friday night I truly have to say that the service, food, drinks, and atmosphere were impeccable! A HUGE thank you to the manager Alfonso, bartender Chi Chi, and our servers Marco & Carlos. Amaretto Sour is my go-to drink and Chi Chi made the best one I’ve ever tasted yet! We ordered the Caesar salad, spicy rigatoni, lobster ravioli, the meatballs, and lemon cheesecake. They were all prepared and cooked to perfection! The staff definitely made the experience for my boyfriend Alfonso & I memorable. I appreciate all the hospitality and love theyprovided throughout the night. Their service went above and beyond and exceeded all my expectations. They treated my boyfriend and I like family. This was a perfect 11pm late dinner spot. Cant wait to be back and experience this all over again - I already have another reservation booked next month!

+1

Luke Jackson

Our group of six had an absolutely magical evening at Carbone. We went with what I’d call the “trifecta” – the rigatoni, tortellini, and ravioli – and each dish was outstanding, perfectly balanced, and full of flavor. For dessert, the tiramisu was decadent, and the chef’s courtesy lemon cheesecake was the perfect refreshing finish to the meal. The atmosphere was lively yet elegant, and the staff could not have been more attentive and welcoming. They made the entire experience feel special from start to finish. Carbone delivered on every level – food, service, and ambiance. We left already planning our next visit. Would 100% recommend to anyone looking for a truly memorable dining experience.

+1

Joseph Alminawi

Expectations were unreasonably high, figured it had to be all hype - feel like I've had some really excellent authentic Italian. Was wrong. Everything was incredible, experience to food. Spicy rigatoni - really good. Pork chop - amazing. The corn with truffles - insane. Fish looked great too. They even give some super fresh mozzarella at the start with some garlic bread. Tried the cheesecake and that was fine. Service was impeccable and they do seem to enforce their dress code. So keep on top of that. Was thrilled when my boy Dan was able to get reservations - hope you can enjoy the legendary spot too. Until another visit - back to the supermarket jars 😂

+4

Charlene Szeto

Managed to get a lunch reso here and we had the beef carpaccio, vodka rigatoni and the salmon. It was delicious but it was a bit heavy on the stomach. Very classic carbone interior but the restaurants very loud and unfortunately there were a lot of parents with small children during that time. Made the experience less enjoyable but the service and staff were friendly and attentive. Personally enjoyed the Miami and Las Vegas locations more than this one.

Ben Walker

Before taking my son here for his 26th birthday tonight along with our whole family of 4, I read many reviews. There was a lot of passion in both the 1 star and 5 star reviews so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was cautiously optimistic upon arrival. Now, I’m very happy to give a largely positive review of my own. The food was very, very good, as was the service. We had a knowledgeable and attentive waiter with just the right focus. We never had to wait long for him to return if we needed something yet we never felt smothered or rushed. We had Caesar salad (anchovies on the side), one plate of spicy vodka rigatoni, one plate of non-spicy (which our waiter suggested when my wife asked about spice level of the standard dish), meatballs, chicken massimo, and artichoke hearts. Between that and the complimentary bread, salami, cheese, and cauliflower, it was just the right amount of food for four. Everything was excellent. I read some people’s complaints that the meatballs were undercooked. Yes, they were a little pink in the middle, but there are a number of reasons for this beyond them simply being raw in the middle. I assure you they’re fully cooked. My 17 year old son said the tomato focaccia bread we received before the first course arrived was the best bread he’s ever had. The only reasons for giving a 4 rating rather than a 5 is that the tables really are tucked in tight (we’d have to move the table and chairs anytime someone had to get up to use the restroom because the neighboring tables were so close), the room was pretty loud, and even for NYC a $25 cocktail and $25 glass of wine is on the high end. The food itself was priced as I’d expect for an NYC restaurant with an excellent reputation. While this won’t be in my regular rotation (for the reservation difficulty alone), I will absolutely be back and will recommend it to friends who love Italian food.

The helpful explorer

We were there for an early lunch. Couldn’t believe that we had a table. It was so hard to get a reservation. We were greeted by really nice professional staffs. The bread with salami and fresh mozzarella served at the beginning of our meal was yummy! We ordered a Caesar salad that was prepared on a cart for our table specifically. The pasta vodka sauce was amazing not so much about the meatballs ( a little bit undercooked for our tasting and a bit fatty) I’ve had better but the marinara sauce was good. And then deserts oh boy! The display was mesmerizing and it tasted even better. The whole experience was Definitely worth the wait and the vibe!

+4

Ghazal Lotfi

We celebrated my birthday lunch at Carbone and overall had a very enjoyable experience. As soon as we sat down, they brought out some bread, fresh mozzarella, and salami, which were all delicious and a great way to start the meal. We tried the eggplant and zucchini scapece appetizer, and it was outstanding, light, flavorful, and clearly made with high-quality olive oil. For our main courses, we had the rigatoni vodka and the salmon. The pasta was rich and perfectly cooked, while the salmon was fresh and well prepared. The only downside was the long wait between the pasta and the salmon, which took so much time that we almost lost interest in having the second course. For dessert, we ordered the nutella tiramisu, which was unfortunately a miss. It was more like a cake than a traditional tiramisu and did not have the light, creamy texture we expected. The service was attentive, the atmosphere was great, and the food overall was delicious. It is a great spot for a special occasion.

+2

Jessica Murphy

Visited Carbone NYC for a work lunch and had an excellent experience. The service was exceptional, and the Italian dishes were flavorful and beautifully presented. Highlights included the light and airy Carbone meatball (never thought I’d describe a meatball light & airy!), rigatoni, and lobster ravioli; all perfectly cooked and full of flavor. Since I was with a larger group, I really appreciated the thoughtful service of pre-splitting the rigatoni and serving it individually on our own plates. The cozy, intimate Greenwich Village restaurant has that classic New York charm and the menus are hilariously oversized for such a tiny space. You practically need your own table just to open one!

The food is 5/5 all day long but 2 things bothered me greatly. One item was that my wife ordered bottled water for the table. The server kept topping up the water glasses and kept opening new bottles without obtaining approval to do so. How is this acceptable? The second item is that I ordered coffee. A small cup of coffee was provided and it was fine but refills were not included.