We were so lucky to get in without reservation. The staff was super friendly the decorations with all the photos was very authentic and cozy. The food was incredible and the portions were huge. Highly recommend it

A must have when downtown! The whole experience from the staff, to the atmosphere, to the amazingly delicious food is a 10/10!

Had one of the favorite meals I had in NYC in the last couple of years. Iconic restaurant with a lot of history. We had the best veal parmigiana we remember! Spagetthi pomodoro was simple but so flavorful, a perfect pairing.

I really enjoyed Emilio’s. Lovely atmosphere and the food is really good too. Authentic Italian - with an American influence but enjoyed it regardless. Gotta love it when they leave you the Parmesan bowl at the table! In real Italian style. Quite pricey if you consider that the cheapest wine was something around $85 but worth it considering the overall experience.

One of the best meals I've had in NYC. There's a line every night for a reason. Of course no one wants to wait in line, but the hype checks out with the incredible food. We got the chicken parm with vodka sauce, baked clams, and the famous tagliatelle. MUST GO!

+1

Went with a friend for dinner after a hard days work. Arrived at 4:45pm and waited until 5pm for dinner services. The waiter was very friendly and attended to our needs in a timely manner. We had an arugula salad for our appetizer which, was very flavorful and enjoyable. We then went on to our main courses my friend had the lemon chicken and I had fusilli pasta with three different meats. All I can say is wow! The food was bursting with flavor and reminded me of grandma’s cooking. Overall, this is a hidden jem in NYC. If you enjoy Italian cuisine stop on by. 👍👍👍👍👍.

For any Italian lovers, this is a must try and one of the best Italian restaurants in the city! This restaurant doesn’t take reservations so there is typically a line outside that moves fairly quick. The inside of the restaurant is very small and has 2 separate dining areas with pictures filling the walls of famous celebrities dining at Ballato’s. The calamari was a special that we started with and was one of the best calamari dishes that I have had. The breading was minimal, there were some pickled jalapeños and a delicious sauce paired with the calamari that wasn’t overpowering. The mozzarella with the caprese was some of the most fresh mozz I have had and was seasoned perfectly. The tagliatelle was cooked a perfect al dente and the sauce had the perfect amount of salt to bring out all of the flavor. We ordered a special veal parm that I have had off of the family and friend’s menu and this may be the best dish I have ever had before. The flavor of the vodka sauce and the perfectly crisped and breaded veal is incredible. The veal while being pounded thin was very large filling!

I now understand why there’s always a line for this establishment.. Food was hands down so good! A true NYC Italian restaurant with that cozy old school NYC vibes.. oh and did I mention the delicious food and the staff def makes the experience that much better! The pasta was cooked perfect! I usually always have a to go bag but I actually finished the entire meal! Thanks to our waiter Emanuel for the experience!

Definitely a family style vibe. Food was great, I had the cheese ravioli. I was disappointed by the portion size, I was still hungry after. The bread they serve was good as well. Pretty sure Emilio smiled and thanked me for coming which was nice.

Very welcoming, from the moment my family and I walked in. The owner was seated, eating lunch himself, by the door and warmly greeted us, encouraging us to take whichever table was comfortable/preferable. The food was great. Unfortunately, my 5 month daughter decided to be a bit fussy, so I stepped away to the private room to feed her and missed out on the appetizers while they were warm. But, coming back to the table and sampling the calamari and baked class, I could imagine how much more enjoyable they would be warm. I ordered the chicken parm, and was thoroughly satisfied. The sauce is great. I love the atmosphere, the photos on the wall, of all the greats that have been there. It's a nice experience. It's my second time there, I would gladly return again.

Everything was great. The burrata was divine. Best veal I've had in quite a while. Owners were friendly. I'm from the deep south, & I found the service more than adequate: prompt & attentive.

It’s worth it. It’ll love it up to everything you’ve heard, every reel you’ve seen and every friend that’s raved about this spot, it’s just that good. Old school classic Italian done to perfection. Just know you’re in for a long wait if you don’t have some sort of connection to a reservation. *The veal Milanese with vodka sauce is pricey but so delicous.

+3

OMG THIS IS THE BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT IN THE CITY!!! And I’m a foodie so I know what I’m doing. Everything it was delicious, i had the Cesar salad with the meatballs it was crazy the flavorsssssss! The bread with olive oil it was crunchy and warm with olive oil on the side amazing taste. And finally we had The pasta “Paccheri a la Ballato”, “Linguini con Vongole” and “Costello d’Vitello alla parmigiana” mammaaaa Mia spectacular and the owner is always there and he’s also the chef so you can share your experience with him.

Emilio’s is and always will be the best Italian restaurant in the country. Any bad review you see on here are just people complaining about a long wait time to get in or about the price. It’s worth waiting in line in the freezing cold and just about worth every penny. Incredible food and service always!

Wow, I must have forgotten to review this place because my first time here was many years ago, probably 8-10 years ago. We came here many more times after that, too, so I had the review on Yelp, but forgot to review here. So, here’s one for the fantastic Italian classic restaurant in New York that will never die. The best Italian restaurant in the city! I encourage you to try at least once if your trip brings you to NY. If you live in NY, visit anytime. Come here for the best Caesar salad, broccoli rabe, and pasta dishes. I’ve tried many, but the latest was shrimp fra diavolo, which was exquisite! They have the best tomato sauce. The pasta was ready at the right time. I want to copy my dish and try it at home, but it won’t turn out well like the one I had here, lol. Hubby had chicken Milanese, and it was excellent. The taste was consistent, and I must tell you that they have the best pasta sauce taste and ingredients to make pasta dishes. The restaurant has two dining areas. It has the looks of an old Italian cafe and restaurant. The owner, Emilio, and his sons work hard to provide the best service and meals. They can be seen working and talking to patrons at the restaurant, and they all know how to cook Italian food, which is so awesome! Best food and service! Thanks! Highly recommended!

+6

Amazing experience! Food is top notch! Authenticly delicious Italian fare. Atmosphere is exactly what we wanted. Rich is history. The walls are full of celebrity photos. We will return to this establishment on every NYC trip going forward. Well done.

The food is pretty simply in anyone’s top 3 or 4 list of best Italian restaurants in the US, depending on their priorities. It’s my first. No reservations. Cash only. You can get a table in a reasonable amount of time if you come early.

People stand in line for hours to get in here, so obviously it is good. We stopped by on a Friday just before 4:00 and got right in. Very nice small dining room with amazing food. We started with a Caprese salad that was incredibly good. The tomatoes were delicious and the buffalo mozzarella was incredible - probably made that morning. We also were given bread that would have made a great meal by itself. I then had chicken parmigiana which was (1) huge and (2) melt in your mouth delicious. Best I have ever had and I have had it a lot. My friend had pasta with a Marinara and it too was delicious. Wonderful cozy room, great service (the recommendations were spot on) and incredible food. Just another in a very, very large group of very happy customers.

Emilio’s is a true 5 star experience. From the food, to the service, the atmosphere, everything is just 5 stars.

+1

Finally scored a seat here and Let me start with the wait time! We waited for little over two hours on a Saturday evening. The worst part of the wait was there was no one checking in on you to let you know how long it would take and there were random groups of people who were just taken in without having wait. Not sure how that works. Jumping inside because all the bad part stops right outside the restaurant. It’s a small cozy and fully packed spot. Vibe is great, very old school Italian place reminded us of a restaurant in Florence. What we ordered: Baked clams - good and recommended. Clams were very fresh and portions were good. Zucchini fries - light and good tasting but could easily be avoided. Pesto pasta - highly recommend. Pesto was so fresh and not pungent. Extremely tasty. Pasta Arrabbiata - spicy and very good tasting pasta dish highly recommend. All pastas could be more saucy and hotter. Pastas were perfectly cooked and not super inedible level of al Dante. The Best part was the cheesecake. DO NOT skip this!!! It was so creamy and not eggy. I am not a fan of cheesecake and I loved this one. It’s probably one of the top five desserts in NYC!

+1

This place lived up to the hype!!! Went with 7 people on a Sunday for brunch and we were able to walk right in. We even had our own private room in the back. LOVED the veal and chicken Parma and the penne ale vodka omgggg

+1

Fantastic, family run, italian resturant in lower Manhattan. There's usually a line outside to get in, but it's worth the wait! For an appetizer I'd highly recommend the baked clams and sides of meatballs. The baked clams might be the best I've ever had. The bread to start is also very good. For dinner I got the chicken parm, which as you can tell from every other review, is fire. My wife and I also split the cacio e pepe spaghetti, which was also delicious. They have a nice wine list and some cocktail options as well. The atmosphere is quant and has photos of family and celebrities all over the walls. Definitely a celebrity hot spot. Service was great and fast. Overall I highly recommend this spot. (Side note, if your in fort lauderdale try chef Anthony's restaurant Vitolos)

Five stars is not enough for this gem. I honestly hate to even leave a review because I don't think my words can do the food justice. But to anyone who might stumble across this review, everything we tried (a table of three) was indescribably, mind-blowingly amazing. Authentic Italian food with so much flavor that I'm still trying to process the experience months later. Did we wait patiently outside until a table was available? Yes. Was it worth every second? Absolutely!

+4

The food was out of this world! Some of the best pastas I’ve ever had. Pro tip: go with a group of 4+ people if you want to be seated faster

Emilio’s Ballato became my favorite Italian in the city after the first visit! Every bite is incredible, you really cannot go wrong with anything on the menu but for me the standouts are baked clams, penne alla vodka and the tiramisu. Amazing atmosphere, great service and totally worth the wait!

Food was great. Service was good with no problems. It is a small and very popular place that doesn't take reservations in a major city. Don't kid yourself, prepare to wait for a table.

No frills, amazing red sauce, Italian comfort food! Heard great things about the chicken parm here and really needed to check it out for myself. We had the fried calamari, penne arrabbiata, pork chop special and of course the chicken parm. Everything was so delicious - would definitely come back again! Hopefully without wait again.

+1

OMG come here and prepare to get blown away. Be prepared to wait, as the place is small and the demand is huge (for good reason). Pricey, but aren't you (or a loved one) worth it?

+2

One of my absolute favorites in NYC, Emilio’s is everything Italian in the city should be. No reservations and only 12 tables, so you have to get there early. Emilio has been there over 30 years, you name the New York celebrity and there’s a picture of them on the wall. Emilio is the father and his son is the head chef - and he’s a genius. If you get to New York City and want Italian, go to Emilio’s Ballato. They’re still putting out food as good as any in NYC. Look at the pictures - wow!

+6

There are Italian restaurants… and then there’s Emilio’s Ballato. A true NYC classic where you might just look over and spot your favorite celebrity twirling pasta. From the moment you walk in, it feels like stepping into timeless New York, warm lighting, walls lined with iconic photos, and that unmistakable aroma of garlic and simmering sauce. We started with the Meatballs & fresh antipasto, a beautiful assortment of thinly sliced prosciutto, savory salami, sharp aged provolone, creamy fresh mozzarella, briny olives, and roasted peppers drizzled in olive oil. Every bite tasted vibrant and authentically Italian. For my entrée, I had the Linguine with fresh clams in olive oil and garlic. The pasta was perfectly al dente, tossed in a silky, garlicky white wine sauce with tender, sweet clams that tasted like they were pulled straight from the sea that morning. Light, flavorful, and beautifully balanced. And yes...they sat us at the table with the Brad Pitt photo. Where else can you have dinner with Brad Pitt? The food wasn’t just great, it was comforting, classic, and executed with confidence. The kind of meal that reminds you why traditional Italian never goes out of style. 📍 55 E Houston St, New York, NY 10012 A true New York institution. 🍝✨

+3

Meatballs were amazing. Veal parm was lovely. Got the vodka penne which was nice although the quality of the penne pasta itself was a bit thick

This is the best Italian food in NYC. Yes, the waits can be extreme and annoying. But once you’re in inside, it’s worth it. Easily the best chicken and veal parm I’ve ever had. Be sure to ask for the off menu vodka sauce and prosciutto version. The pastas are also incredible, with my personal favorite being the arrabbiata. Make sure to save room for dessert- the cheesecake is to die for. Lastly, the service inside is top-notch. The waiters really take care of you.

I can where for my birthday with my sister who is in town from Indiana. It did not disappoint! As a veal parm enthusiast, I was extremely pleased! Calamari is usually the same everywhere you go, but this was even better, somehow. The meatballs were elite. Worth the wait! I would recommend getting here about 30 mins before they open if you want dinner. Very pleased! The staff is very charming and adds to the life of the restaurant.

Matthew Ciabattari

Reminded why this is truly a staple of the new York City Italian and dining scene, came in for lunch about two + months go on a Thursday afternoon and was not disappointed. Had a friend visiting from Dallas and we made sure to try 6/7 dishes 😋 and let him see alot of what made Emilios so special. We started with their focaccia w sauce and light cheese, Their massive meatballs (2) in red sauce, the baked oysters (in breacrumbs) and their burrata appetizer specially over fresh prosciutto and tomatoes 🍅 , so good. Then for our mains we split two pasta dishes and one entree...between the tagliatelle bolognese, Penne w red sauce and the star of the show the veal milanesa (bone in) with the arugula and cherry tomatoes... Sadly we were too full for dessert. But definitely will be back again

+2

Mariya R

Authentic Italian restaurant with a simple, honest interior. The food is genuinely excellent—hard to find in NYC—and the place feels warm and home-like.

+4

John Bachas

Shakir, our server, was one of the best in any restaurant services I've received in NYC. Hands down the reason I gave it a 5 star. Other info: 1) no reservations, walk in only - prepare to wait in line for some time. 2) food is great, worth the prices? Probably not. Still a fantastic experience and more of a one-off kind of place 3) I enjoyed the small restaurant kind-of-feel but the tables can barely fit 2 plates and some bread. We were playing jenga to get anything going. Takes away from the atmosphere. Spent $275 or so for 2 appetizers, 2 pastas, 1 entree and 2 glasses of wine with tip. Overall, I'd recommend trying once but not in the running for my top resteraunts or even top italian resteraunts.

Christine S

Known as a celebrity hot spot checked it out for a late lunch. The walls are covered with pictures of all those who have visited. The chicken parm here is truly the star of the show. Have to say that the food is overpriced. The pasta served was not even warm. The appetizer was bigger than I thought it would be. Order their tiramisu if you still have room in your stomach. You will not be disappointed!

+6

Kevin

Was walking to get pizza after the Halloween Parade on 6th Ave and my feet hurt so I just stopped here instead of where I was going. The food was excellent. Rucola (especially good), Chicken Parmesan, coffee and Tiramisu. Ate like a pig but enjoyed every bite. Would 100% recommend.

lolita l

Absolutely loved this restaurant. Queued to sit but the wait wasn’t long. It’s a small cosy place with not much seating and no reservations. We were lucky our wait wasn’t long. Staff were very friendly, it gave very much family vibes. The food, amazing. Good portion sizes, good flavour and great options to choose from. Had the focaccia to start, good and not overly filling and the burrata, which was delicious and creamy. Also had the calamari, huge portion. Then went with the penne all arrabiata and then the gamberi fra diavolo. Honestly so flavourful. Wish we’d gotten some dessert, but will do next time, for sure. Can’t wait to go back. Fantastic value for money.

+4

RG Mr News

Emelio, not the nicest guy watching the door outside. You can't make a reservation so everyone waits outside. All the patrons as they were leaving said the wait was worth it. They were correct. A very restaurant but a great atmosphere inside. I wish I had taken a suggestion for the Shrimp Scampi Risotto. I was stubborn and stuck with the dish I went for. It was excellent too. I would definitely go back, but later after the sun has gone behind the buildings. It can be quite warm.

+5

Clay Heath

Best Italian meal we have ever had. Linguini with fresh clams, tender and chicken Parm was thin and divine - pastas were perfect. You can order cocktails and wine by the glass, just ask - did not have a menu for drinks besides bottle wine list. Amazing and will come back every time i am in NYC.

+2

Alon Juwal

Heard a lot of hype from different people about this spot and after finally paying it a visit, I can say without a doubt that the hype is justified. The vibe feel exactly how you would expect an Italian restaurant in New York to feel, the service is friendly and professional and the food is absolutely delicious. Definitely one of the better restaurants in NYC!

+3

John DePasquale

This was an incredible experience from start to finish. It was a chilly Friday in March and we arrived around 430, making us the third group in line. They started seating just after 5 and we were at our table by 510. The atmosphere in this place is fantastic. It is a small cozy restaurant filled with old photos of the owner alongside celebrities, giving it a classic New York charm. We shared a bottle of wine but they also have a full drink menu. The service was excellent and the food was even better. What stood out the most was how relaxed the meal felt. Even with a line of people waiting outside we never felt rushed. The Caesar salad was fresh and flavorful. The veal parm was outstanding and the meatballs were some of the best I have ever had. True Italian comfort food done perfectly. For dessert we had the special, a Napoleon. They said it was enough for two but it easily could have served four. It was delicious and the perfect way to end the meal. Emilio’s Ballato is everything you want from a classic Italian spot. Great food, great service and an atmosphere that makes you want to stay awhile. We will definitely be back.

+3

Very good veal parmigiana. Service was good. Bread was average. Overall was very good but would not return given 30 min wait on a Tuesday night at 9pm. You can find similar food without the fuss in Manhattan.

Classic Italian food that is out of this world. The tagliatelle Bolognese is the best I’ve ever had is the broccoli rabe. The focaccia that comes with the meal is delicious and atmosphere is wonderful. Scan the frames in the front room as you go to your table to see very familiar faces that have dined here. There’s also a back room that requires a quick cut through the kitchen to get to where you might be seated. Kind of neat as it has the feeling of somewhere that the five families would have dined during their day being that it’s a bit hidden. Pro chip and one place for improvement. When you are a solo diner as I was, and as the lady was at the next table, the service you get seems a bit less attentive than the tables that have multiple people. Could just be that particular server however. The gentleman that sat me at the front was fantastic however and he helped clean up the table toward the end when he took a walk in the back. Pro tip: if you’re thinking wine, order a bottle. The only glass of red is a Sangiovese that is okay for a house wine, but is not listed on the menu and costs a hefty $20 for the glass. Would have loved to have more than one glass, but couldn’t justify at the price. Saw the owner on the way out and had the opportunity to shake his hand and tell him how good the food was. Hope to come back someday.

+1

This place is an absolute charm! Love how they use shredded lettuce and real anchovies in the Cesar salad, veal parm was perfect and I loved the tanginess in the sauce. The owner Ballato and his wife are very friendly, great people. They don’t take resys, walk in’s only. Very great experience here and will deff be coming back to try other items on the menu!

Absolutely love everything about this place. It couldn’t get any more Italian than this. First of all, I like how they didn’t have a reservation system, and everyone had to be in line to sit at the table. It was quite a wait, but fair. The entire ambience of the restaurant is very cozy, and felt like I was back in one of the restaurants in Italy. The food was amazing, the pasta was Al dente and the seasoning not overdone like most Italian restaurants in nyc. It was perfect. Will be returning here soon.

+2

It's a small restaurant with about 8 tables and they dont take reservations so try to get there early. They serve a pizza like bread when you first sit down that's amazing. I could eat tons of it. I was hoping they had more mixed seafood options but it seems they're pretty standard Italian meals but they do them well. The best thing I had there was the veal Parmigiano. It's massive and can easily be split between two people.

Last night, I ventured into an Italian restaurant that's garnered some buzz around New York, intrigued by the promise of an authentic dining experience amidst the city's culinary kaleidoscope. The anticipation was palpable as I joined the queue outside, a testament to the place's popularity—or so I thought. An hour and forty minutes of waiting later, under the assumption that no reservations were accepted, it became apparent that this was only partially true; a pricier reservation option would have spared us the sidewalk time. Once inside, the atmosphere shifted. The interior exuded warmth and a bustling energy, captivating with its close-knit setup and the fascinating mosaic of patrons and staff animating the space. Watching the orchestrated chaos of diners, waiters, and steaming plates was like peering into the heart of Italian dining culture, albeit through a distinctly New York lens. The food, when we finally got to it, was a satisfying nod to Italian culinary traditions, though the shadow of our lengthy wait lingered over the meal. Contrary to some whispers of unwelcoming staff, I found the service to be decent, not overtly friendly but far from the aloofness I had braced for. However, the shadow of the misleading reservation policy loomed large over the evening. The discovery that we could have bypassed the wait with a heftier payment left a sour taste, one not even the finest tiramisu could sweeten. In reflection, I wouldn't queue up again for this experience, despite the restaurant's charms and culinary hits. For those curious about New York's dining scene, it's worth dropping by once, if only to soak in the vibrant ambiance and glimpse the faces adorning the walls. Just be prepared for the wait—or open your wallet a bit wider for the express lane to Italian culinary delight.

+1

Ballato and their signature chicken Parm is famous for being famous. If your main draw is that you once pulled in the David Bowie crowd, you have to wonder. Therefore, I approached this restaurant with some skepticism. So my order was simple.. the chicken Parm and a glass of Super Tuscan; nothing else to cloud the judgement. I must say I was surprised, and in a good way. Various videos show this dish being made, and the amount of sauce involved made me think the breading would become a soggy mess. Ok, this was not a Milanese style cutlet, but the chicken and breading somehow held their integrity despite the sauce. And the sauce. Wow, it was excellent. And the cheese was plentiful and of good quality. The final touch of chopped parsley on top added some freshness to otherwise overly rich dish. The overall dish was perfectly seasoned. I must say, in this a case where the resultant dish lived up to the hype. Otherwise, I thought the service was a little slow, with one waiter serving all ten (or so) tables. Speaking of which, this place is small. However the decor is showing its age and the overall atmosphere does not really work. It’s hard to explain in a short review, but I expect a tiny neighborhood place with so few tables to exude warmth and friendliness. Ballato’s misses on this mark. But forget that, and go for the food. You won’t be disappointed.

+6

Updated review: we had a fantastic experience this time around. Food was all delicious and service was great all around. Mushrooms are the best in town and pasta is always great here. Cute old school Italian place with solid options. Tagliatelle and chicken parm were pretty good. Sautéed mushrooms appetizer was delicious, I could’ve ordered a second and finished it all myself. We love this place but wasn’t as pleased with our experience this time. First, during our wait, 4 guys behind us were seated before we were. I thought ok maybe they’re waiting for a 2 top for us..nope, sat us at a 4 top but just sat the guys behind us first with no explanation as to why. Then, I ordered our bottle of wine and the waiter brought it over and only addressed my boyfriend about the bottle and only poured him a glass to taste (even though I ordered it and -love my boyfriend but- have a better wine palette than him). Not a big deal maybe, but just a little feedback for servers to please address us ladies. We make good money too! Otherwise, if you just care about the food, then it’s fabulous nonetheless so give it a go.

+2

Small but mighty spot for some Italian American cuisine. Love the old school vibes. Came for a quick lunch and surprisingly there was no queue. Had the Tagliatelle Alla Bolognese dish and really enjoyed it. Good service, good turnaround time, good overall experience.

Was the wait worth it? Hmmm but the food was yum. Don’t know if we’d go back again to wait from 5-7pm for a table while masses of people got ahead of us by walking in with a reservation (even though there is no reservation system … the MD said there’s a $200 fee to pay per person to get a table which is insane). The tiramisu was yum and wine was expensive.. $20 for a glass of house wine! But a cool experience and it’s worth a visit if you have the time

+1

The inside of the restaurant is worth the look. It's a mosaic of pictures of the owners and Hollywood stars. The food on the other hand respects the traditional Italian plates. You are welcomed with appreciable pieces of bread and pizzas. We found it a bit pricey for the level of complexity of the dishes though.

Focaccia and chicken parm were delicious Cute atmosphere, hole in the wall vibe Employees were nice!! but were politely implying that we needed to order fast (understandable, very nyc hardcore energy// however not the best place to sit and chill or take your time if that’s what you’re looking for)

Authenticity and atmosphere star 5. Maybe eat a snack before you wait in line so you don’t pass out from hunger. No reservation allowed and waiting on line over an hour made me cranky and I filled up on 5 pieces of bread waiting over another hour for my food. Nether the less I hadn’t been here in decades so I came and experienced and they were nice. I felt a bit bad for the waiter as he appeared to be working alone which made the service rushed. There’s BTW an additional room in the back with a bit of a wine cellar vibe. We arrived at a bit after 5:30 pm Sunday in light rain and they were already full and there was approximately 10 people ahead of us. I’m not sure how to access quicker entrance, ask at the door. My favorite part of the evening was reading the old newspapers dated from the 70’s on the bathroom wall. The wine is good perhaps I should have drank more. The waiter said the ice machine and soda cooler was broke and I couldn’t have a soda, weird. The food is a bit heavy for my taste and my Caesar salad was sad. Check it out tell me what you think. I lived in Naples Italy 8 years so I’m tainted.

+6

Decent experience with considerable waiting time… perhaps still good to try out this restaurant where many celebrities have been visited such as Barack Obama, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, etc. Arriving at 5:20 PM on a Friday, my friend and I were met with a considerable line of 20+ people. While the staff diligently communicated the potential wait of one to two hours, we were seated at a table for two around 7:45 PM. We tried crispy rosemary potatoes and zucchini fries for our appetizers, both appetizing choices. The chicken parmigiana stole the show, arriving as a generous portion adorned with flavorful tomato sauce, ample mozzarella, and parmigiana cheese - undeniably the highlight of our meal. Regrettably, the white sauce clam spaghetti didn't quite meet my expectations, as it seemed overly greasy and the pasta itself lacked the freshness I anticipated. The pasta was slightly undercooked for my taste, resulting in a chewier texture than desired. While the restaurant's ambiance and its celebrity clientele added an intriguing appeal, sharing portions for two proved a bit challenging. Overall, the service was commendable, and the food, although mixed in quality, had its highlights. However, considering the extensive wait time, I'm unsure if I would return due to the patience required for another lengthy queue.

+5

It was a pretty place and the staff was very nice even though Emilio seemed kind of contemptuous… The price were way too high for meals so simple, I feel like they were so high only because of the celebrities that came there…

Emilio’s Ballato 55 E. Houston St. New York, NY 10012 This restaurant is high profile. Several celebrities have frequented this spot and the dining area has photos of all the icons who visited. There is usually a line; all customers are required to wait outside because there is no indoor lobby. The focaccia bread was one of the best starters I ever had. It especially went well with olive oil. The cutlet was gigantic. It was pounded thin with crispy edges. While there was a decent ratio of sauce, it was too sweet for my taste. For the most part, I enjoyed the cutlet. However, a major disadvantage is that pasta is not included; I would have to buy a separate entrée. There is not even an option to purchase a side of pasta for an up charge. I would have comprised and paid an additional cost even though the lone cutlet was a whopping $42. #emiliosballato #emiliosballatonyc #chickenparm

Blissful Bites

This was hands-down, the best Italian food I’ve had in a very long time. Very small place that was able to get seated without a reservation. The chicken with vodka sauce was perfect pasta was perfect. The bread was amazing. The staff was on their game. Definitely be going back.

Carol Scott

if you are looking for old school Red sauce Italian food Emilio’s is certainly it Quality and well prepared . We had the house special veal parm which is prepared with a vodka sauce .. very tasty. The bread is outstanding and the Caesar salad was traditional and flavorful.

Jsilva

Emilio’s is an iconic New York City spot. From the moment you walk in, you’re surrounded by history the walls are filled with photos of famous and notorious people who have visited over the years. During our visit, while waiting to be seated outside, we even saw one of The Sopranos actors. The main actor walked out of the restaurant, which was a cool moment. The only downside was the seating process for dining. You have to wait outside in line until a table opens, and in the middle of a New York City winter, that was rough. We waited over an hour and were honestly frozen by the time we got in. That said, once inside, it was worth it. The restaurant is small, with around ten tables, but it’s very warm and welcoming. The staff was kind, the food was good, and there were plenty of Italian options along with great wine. The vibe was cozy, lively, and perfect for conversation.

+6

Alex T

The food and service is great. It is SO loud inside. If you are on a date or with a group you wanna chat with it could be hard. Everyone is yelling to hear each other. But again, the food is fantastic, just be prepared to yell when you talk. They do not do reservations. It's first come first serve and if you are not there when they open you are probably going to wait at least an hour outside in line so don't show up starving.

Anita Ashley

We enjoyed dining here. We went between lunch and dinner and walked right in. We shared chicken parmesan and rosemary potatoes. Both were delicious. The complimentary bread and olive oil were top-notch.

Maya B

Authentic Italian restaurant, family owned and been around for a long time. They don’t take reservations and often you’ll end up waiting outside until they have an available table. Make sure your whole party arrives, they won’t seat you before. The portions are on the smaller side but everything is incredible. The flavor and quality of pasta is unmatched and I’d recommend ordering one of everything and sharing. You can’t go wrong. They can do a few of the red sauce dishes vegan as well so there’s something for everyone!

+3

First of all, if you want to go, you should only go to knock it out of your list and say "I've tried it", as the place was very cold, food was overpriced and the service is dreadful. Good things: 1) The "house" sharing platter was really good. Bad things: 1) Food and the red wine were cold (which happened to the table next to us as well). I believe they were using frozen ravioli. 2) Prices too high for the quality offered. 3) Service is horrible: seems like they are in a rush, and they are only nice when they bring you the check. Overall. I expected much more based on the reviews and the "hype" behind this restaurant. Maybe it was better years ago but now they need to catch up as there are much better restaurants in NYC and for a much lower price. Go to Rezdora or Don Angie instead.

Food was delicious but really expensive for not coming with pasta or a side. $42 for the chicken parm but no pasta or side to go with it. You couldn't even buy a side you had to buy a whole extra meal for $35 to get pasta with your chicken. $120 total for just a piece of chicken parm a pork chop, water and tip. They did give us some bread. But if you have money to spare food was delicious.

This is a no reservation spot. Waited in line for about 3 hours despite showing up at 5, with no idea how long the next table will be. Don't ask either, they'll get upset. Bunch of people show some messages to the guy at the front and are let in. They prioritize all the "friends of" Food is good but not worth the 3 hour wait and feeling like you're walking on eggshells

Andra Leeke

Very cute inside with an authentic Italian vibe. Get there right at 5 or the wait can be very long. We felt it was extremely over priced, even for New York. We shared the veal Parmesan which was amazing...a pasta dish and the meatball appetizer. We had a$140 bottle of wine which was one of the cheapest and our total was over $550.....blew our minds. Service was okay but hard to communicate so we ended up with a pasta dish we didn't want.

Danielle D'Ambrosio

The atmosphere is great. Cute old school decor. But way overpriced for the quality of the food. The food was not great, especially given the high price and the huge number of much better Italian restaurants just a fee blocks away. Unfortunately this is the worst chicken parm I've had in an Italian restaurant (dozens and dozens). It was a little overcooked and loaded with so much grated parmigiano cheese that it was all I could taste. The tagliatelle bolognese was good though. Nice texture on the pasta and flavorful.

Sanguk “Namkoo” Ahn

This place, which first opened in 1956, is one of the true icons of old-school New York Italian dining. The restaurant is small and keeps its vintage charm intact. The servers are older gentlemen, and while the food—including the complimentary bread—was genuinely delicious, the service left much to be desired. As a solo Asian diner, I was given the bread but not the olive oil that usually accompanies it, and unlike other tables, I wasn’t offered any Parmesan cheese with my pasta. That kind of detail made the experience feel uneven. I asked for more bread because it was that good, but the second round wasn’t warmed and didn’t taste quite the same. Both the vongole and chicken parmigiana were excellent. Still, like many old-school institutions, the service here doesn’t quite measure up—and unfortunately, that tends to overshadow the quality of the food, which is a real shame.

Only time I've been in nyc wanted great Italian food willing to pay the price. Our table was treated as if we didn't belong, server continued to say it " it's very pricey " making us feel less than cocktails way over priced for them being watered down. All in all food was mid service, garbage and was the worst part of our NYC trip.

Emilio’s was highly recommended by my husband’s daughters so we decided to take them for dinner for one of his daughter’s birthday. The place is EXTREMELY tight, bright and full of wines cases scattered all over the restaurant. The food was below average, I’ve lived in NYC my entire life and have been in the restaurant business for over 30 years so I know my fair share of restaurants especially Italian restaurants, this one is not one I will be revisiting. We ordered the meatballs to start however it was brought out with our main course. I ordered the Linguine and clams, it was flavorless and had no clams in the shell at all which means the clams were from a can for 40 dollars I would expect to see at least one shell. The chicken Parmesan was ok but, nothing to write home about. My step daughter ordered the shrimp and risotto but, what was brought out was shrimp and pasta. Pasta aioli had no flavor what’s so ever and was overly oily and the broccoli rabe was just pure mush. The only thing I would ever go back for would be the Italian cheesecake it was the BEST I have ever eaten.

The service could have been better. I suppose if you’re not famous they don’t care about you it doesn’t matter how much you spend and need to mention this place is a little be overpriced…

+2

Service was just ok, food was very mid I really don’t understand the hype. The sauce itself was not it. Caesar salad very salty, chicken parm was decent but I’ve had way better, lamb was not it for $80 with no sides smh. I will not return and wouldn’t recommend anyone to spend money on this overpriced food it’s not worth it.

Waited in line for 1.5 hours just to see some random tourists cut the line and be escorted into a private room, whatever. The food was mediocre. Who uses shredded lettuce for a caesar salad?? It came super warm and wilted with a couple of very strong anchovies. The clam pasta is supposed to be very popular but the clams were chewy and overcooked, even a little sandy. Wish I had gotten the baked clams first so I would know to change my order because those were just as chewy and gross. Thank god the veal was good because it was $86. Only 2 waiters so service is slow. The owner sits at a table in the front and plays random videos on a mini speaker on the table that plays over the music which added a chaotic charm that I found funny but some might hate. There was no bar menu but every now and then you’d see one-off cocktails being sent to the private dining area. Wine is only sold by the bottle with the average price around $150, come drunk if you come at all.

This was my first time in New York and this restaurant was recommended. Very beautiful place. Some areas reminds me of visiting family others are history of celebrities that have visited. Very quaint and cozy atmosphere, so I was excited to eat here and experience good food. That was until the server came. The waiter didn't smile, he wasn't pleasant, didn't look at us. He bluntly ask what kind of water I wanted without giving the options until asked. He walked off quickly and brought back water in dirty water cups. At this point, I already felt unwelcome so I said nothing. I look over at the other table and the waiter is pleasant and giving that table a great experience. I said ok.. Maybe we will get that. He takes our order but seems to not be happy about it. Hes not smiling, hes not recommending anything, he didn't look at us when ordering. He walks off quickly. He brings out bread. I noticed that the bread he gave us was slightly burnt on some and completely inedible on a couple others. As I eat, I noticed the other tables around us has bread that is lightly toasted and came with sauce. I didn't say anything. At this point I am ready to go. I feel very unwelcome and becoming sad. My spaghetti was chewy and hard. Pasta noodles seem to be not fully cooked. Definitely not al dente. Very salty and not hot but not cold. Before we were even done, I gave him my card. The vibe was gone. The atmosphere is ruined and I was no longer having a good experience. I didn't understand why everyone around me was getting smiles and warmth but I got cold and no eye contact. I definitely will not be recommending this restaurant to ANYONE and will never visit again. This place was so bad, I did not go to another Italian restaurant while I was in New York thinking I would get the same treatment. And yes, I still left a tip, smaller than I normally give. After thinking about it, I shouldn't have with the service I got.

+1

Caution – total rip-off. The staff was unfriendly, the prices were far too high for what you get, and the overall experience was unacceptable. The table was broken, the bread was burnt black, and the price-performance ratio is absolutely unreasonable. I would not recommend this place.

The place might look cute at first, but don’t be fooled. They make you stand outside and wait like a dog even though there are plenty of open tables. The owner and his crew sit around trying to look important, but honestly, it just comes off as pathetic. Once seated, the experience only got worse. I was shoved into a back room that smelled old, dirty, and unwelcoming. The wine bottles on display were coated in an inch of dust—clearly no one cares about upkeep. The server was rude and dismissive; when I asked a couple of simple questions, he actually snapped back with, “You still have questions?” The food? Extremely overpriced and completely mediocre. For what they charge, it was shocking how low the quality was. I felt trapped in a cramped corner with no way out and couldn’t wait for the night to end. Overall: Terrible experience. Would never recommend and will absolutely never return.

Not only was the food lackluster, but the service was immeasurably awful. Plus, the server broke my friend’s camera! And guys, you automatically charging 25% of gratuity is the most presumptuous and cocky thing ever! Everyone in our party had a terrible experience. If I could give less stars I would. I’ll leave you with this… I would rather have eaten what Blippi circa 2013 was serving. Oh, and I’ve been audibly Boooooing the entire time while typing this.

This was, without question, the worst dining experience I have ever had. The restaurant appears to engage in a deliberate and deeply unethical scheme targeting larger groups—we were pressured into paying an additional $600 through what felt like a calculated scam. When we questioned the charge, the staff responded with outright hostility, escalating to verbal abuse, intimidation, and threats to involve the police unless we complied. We ultimately paid (a revised bill amount that was still far more than what we ordered) simply to escape an increasingly aggressive and distressing situation. I wish I had read the numerous prior reviews warning of this recurring behavior beforehand. Absolutely horrific - steer clear!

I left after they showed that they have no intention on serving us, but rather cater to their established clientele who are let into the building immediately while you stand in the cold for an hour. The whole place is pretentious and weird. The waiters lock the front doors (isn't this a fire hazard?) not to let anyone "unwanted" in. Waiters make demeaning, sarcastic comments when asked how long the wait time would be, not caring about you if you do not have connections to the restaurant. Pretentious place. Avoid.

Came with high hopes after a recommendation from an Italian market, but was disappointed. The pasta was overcooked, the seafood wasn’t fresh, and the much-hyped focaccia was unremarkable. The owner was loudly on the phone throughout our visit, showing no regard for customers. This feels like a once-great restaurant now catering more to the owner’s circle and nostalgia than to food quality or service.

As a born and bred New Yorker, I’m accustomed to a side of pasta and/or vegetable offered with my entree in any old school Italian family restaurant, not here tho. Tiny portions, and while I love my pasta al dente my penne was undercooked. Strangest Caesar salad presentation as well. Willing to let all that slide but rude inhospitable staff, sorry, no can do, not when there are amazing friendly staffed old school Italian restaurants everywhere. I’m not new to Ballato’s, however, last time I was there was mid 1990’s, way before they went celebrity viral. Waiter was gruff and rude, felt like he was doing us a favor by taking our order. But the most disappointing was the owner seated by the exit on my way out. I smiled and thanked him but got a blank stare and no response. Bizarre. Guess only the celebrities get the warmth and a smile. Do yourself a favor go somewhere else. ANYWHERE ELSE.

BEWARE!!!! We were a group of six ladies we had asked somebody to help us get a reservation. They had asked us to put in a couple of appetizers and a couple of entrées Before we arrived for dinner so that the kitchen could prepare.( only thing they were prepping was to scam a bunch of women) The whole dinner we were not helped, talked to or taken care of in the slightest. We sat down tried to order a bottle of wine and a server told us to wait then walked away and nobody showed back up to take our order. they then proceeded to bring out trays of food. We had no time to enjoy ourselves. We had 5 different servers all very unkind. We were unaware that we were being charged the prefix menu. We could’ve eaten all six of us at a Michelin star restaurant for half the price that we were charged for dinner. The food was average for the amount they charged us and not to mention a 25% gratuity was added on to the bill. we did not have a server or anyone helping us. We were robbed and taken advantage of. When asked to speak to the manager, we got the owner‘s wife, who was incredibly rude.(obviously anyone who has come into contact with her has nothing nice to say per reviews) As a small Business owner myself I would never imagine treating customers the way we were treated. There are 100s of great Italian restaurants in New York City, where the owners and staff are kind and helpful and the food is good. I would absolutely put this restaurant on the bottom of my list if I could give it zero stars, I would. As I saw on another review about the dripping water all over the food they had trays of food, sitting on top of trash cans, getting dripped on by water from the ceiling. I also noticed that on my way to the most absolutely disgusting bathroom I have ever seen in a restaurant.

RUN. if ur not a celebrity or at least rich then they will treat you like shit. after taking our order, the waiter literally went to his coworkers to laugh at what we ordered. We asked for a split check and he just said with the biggest attitude “DO YALL HAVE CARDS?” before even giving us the splited bills. While the food is mid, it is not worth the experience.

Showed up for a 730pm reservation - waited two hours just to be told "you'll sit down when they tell me you can sit down" - left at 930pm without having eaten. That's the short of it. The longer version is about having a reservation, receiving daily reminders of all the horrible things that could and would happen should we be late, should we not show up with our full party etc. etc. Standard NY restaurant stuff, but all to say, we had a reservation. You can't speak to anyone in the restaurant, you are shuttled by a yelling bartender to their speakeasy in the back. That person, according to him, is told what to do, so don't complain to him. Weirdly, since he is the only person you can interact with, you find yourself asking him questions that he has no answer to. He's not a good bartender, the room feels like a holding pen, smoking is interestingly allowed and overall you would never want to spend any time in the "speakeasy" if you weren't waiting for your table. Is it annoying that we didn't get to eat after waiting two hours? Yes, of course. But the worse part is that not one time was there any attempt at making this bad situation better - not an I am sorry - not a pretend "you know what, I'll go check" - nothing. Go somewhere else

Never had a worst experience in any other restaurant. We waited for a table from 5:30pm to 7:20pm without complaint, being only the second in the line. The workers kept letting a few crowds in who supposedly have gatherings for company or events in a secret "backroom" but ignored everyone else waiting in line as commoners. At some point they even LOCKED the doors to everyone. When I asked how long the wait will be, one worker told me with the most condescending voice "I don't know! 45 mins maybe, until they (the crowds who just walked in without ever needing to wait in line) are done". Another tall guy simply gave us a friendly face to help us get through but was just faking us. Do not recommend if you want to be respected. Pic: there were many empty tables that were held on for longer than 30 minutes, allegedly making the line outside longer than it is instead of letting customers in.

They really take advantage of you!!!The food is basic yet somehow the bill hits $400 per person. Then comes the hard wine upsell at $100+ a bottle. They don’t clarify just assume and serve you. They clear your plates quickly, rush you through, and squeeze you into the tiniest tables. They aren’t patient. Don’t go if you have ANY dietary allergies. Not worth it at all. You could go to so many better places in NYC with much better value and service

Ghazal Mizrahi

Hands down the worst dining experience I’ve had in over 14 years of living in NYC. Let me start by saying: I have never written a bad review in my life. I always try to give the benefit of the doubt to any establishment. But this experience left me no choice—this is the first negative review I’ve ever written, and I’m doing so because people deserve to know what they’re walking into. We made a reservation weeks in advance for my sister’s birthday. You’d think that would mean something—but no. We were made to wait 45 minutes past our reservation time, only to be shoved into a tiny, hot corner of the restaurant so cramped I could feel the body heat—and sweat—of the strangers next to me. I wish I were exaggerating. There was zero acknowledgment that we were there to celebrate a special occasion. No effort, no care, not even a simple “happy birthday.” Once seated, it took another 30 minutes for anyone to even greet us or offer water. They didn’t bring enough glasses for our table of 12, and after flagging them down multiple times, they finally brought the rest—ten minutes later. The drink orders were wrong. The service was disorganized, aloof, and bordering on rude. Then came the food. The only remotely enjoyable thing was the mozzarella, tomato, and red pepper appetizer—which actually tasted fresh. Beyond that? We were served a sad excuse for a “family-style” Italian meal that tasted like cheap, boxed grocery store pasta loaded with filler ingredients and zero love. You know that gummy, overcooked, flavorless pasta you might get at a school cafeteria or from a microwave tray? Yeah—worse than that. And let’s talk about the portions. For 12 people, they served what most halfway-decent restaurants would give to a table of six. And for dessert? Two tiny slices of cake. For a birthday dinner. For twelve guests. To make matters even more absurd, the cramped little room they stuffed us into looked more like their storage closet than a dining area—complete with boxes visible in the background. I’m posting a photo to prove it. I’m sorry, but that is not an aesthetic. The price? $200 per person. The value? Absolute robbery. Drinks weren’t even included. That’s extra. And the cherry on top? They added a 25% gratuity automatically—without saying a word. People don’t come to Emilio’s Ballato for the food or the service—they come for the name. And what they leave with is a bloated stomach, designer clothes soaked in sweat, and a dinner bill that insults your intelligence. This place is a joke. An overpriced, overrated, underperforming mess. And worst of all, they have the nerve to call it Italian cuisine. As someone who respects and reveres Italy’s culinary heritage, I can confidently say Emilio’s Ballato is a disgrace to Italian food and culture. If you’re thinking about dining here—don’t. Spend your money somewhere that actually gives a damn about the people walking through the door

+2