Amadelis Mattei

If you’re looking for a great date spot, Il Piccolo Bufalo is it. The atmosphere is dim and romantic, making it the perfect setting for a night out with my husband. The highlight of the meal was definitely the arancini—they were heavenly and cooked to absolute perfection. What really made the night, though, was the service. The staff is upbeat, attentive, and genuinely friendly; we felt like we were among family from the moment we sat down. We will definitely be back!" Their sangria is a must!

Tracy Csontos

Awesome meatballs!!! This place is the real deal in Little Italy! The food was delish! Great late lunch specials. Espresso martinis were amazing amd sitting next to this cute buffalo was so fun! Alex and Amber our waitress were so on point!

Genesis Carolina

Shout out to Alex because he was quick on getting us a table for 6! He didn’t think twice about accommodating us and did an amazing job. The food was delicious! Exactly what we were looking for and the service was great as well . The restaurant was really nice and a great vibe.

Bitu A.

I visited this Italian restaurant recently and ordered the chicken parmesan, and it was genuinely one of the best plates I’ve had in a long time. The chicken was perfectly breaded crispy on the outside, tender on the inside and layered with a generous amount of melted mozzarella Paired with the pasta on the side, it was a satisfying meal. What made the experience even more special was the Christmas atmosphere inside the restaurant. They had warm twinkling lights, garlands draped along the walls, subtle holiday music in the background, and a cozy glow that made the whole place feel like a festive little escape. The staff matched the vibe perfectly: welcoming, attentive, and genuinely cheerful. You could tell they loved creating a great experience for every table, which made the whole night feel even more like a holiday treat. If you’re looking for a restaurant that serves incredible Italian food while wrapping you in that magical Christmas charm, this place is a must. The chicken parm alone is worth the trip — the holiday atmosphere is just the cherry on top.

jennifer amare

I had dinner here recently and ordered the penne vodka, and I’m honestly still thinking about it. The dish came out steaming hot, perfectly coated in the creamiest, silkiest pink sauce that had just the right balance between rich tomato flavor and that subtle vodka bite. The pasta was cooked exactly al dente — soft enough to melt into the sauce but firm enough to hold its shape with every forkful. What really made it stand out was how fresh and flavorful everything tasted. The sauce didn’t feel heavy or overwhelming; instead, it had this comforting warmth and depth that made every single bite feel special. You could tell the chef put care into it — no shortcuts, no blandness, just genuine quality. The atmosphere of the restaurant made the whole experience even better. It had that cozy, intimate Italian vibe: warm lighting, attentive service, and a staff that treated you like you’d been coming for years. The server checked in just enough, made great recommendations, and made sure everything was perfect without ever feeling intrusive. If you’re looking for a place that delivers authentic flavors, comforting dishes, and a beautifully welcoming ambiance, this restaurant is absolutely worth it. I’d come back just for the penne vodka — it was that good.

Traci

Amazing!!!! Food, service, atmosphere! Alex is exceptional at his job & Raquel served us very well!!! I cannot wait to come back!

Terri Kobs

Omg so many places to choose from…we were so happy we landed here! The food was amazing…from the mozzarella appetizer to the margarita pizza - Chef’s kiss…perfection!

Inês Santos

BRILLIANT MEATBALLS, part of the lunch menu for $13.95, the pasta was al dente, the meatballs and tomato sauce made from scratch. They even gave us free dessert - rainbow cakes! Totally recommend

Mandy Hlengwa

This was such a delicious meal. A pure delight to the taste buds, I wanted that shrimp to last longer in my mouth 🫶🏾. Joey the chief host drew us in from the street with his warmth, enthusiasm , friendliness and delightful humour. His recommendation did not disappoint 👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾

J & A Machado

Very friendly, inviting atmosphere!! Food was great too!! We will be back for sure!!

patience allen

Amazing Italian spot! The pasta tastes homemade and is cooked perfectly al dente, the pizza has a crisp, flavorful crust, and the sauces are rich and authentic. The service is friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. Don’t leave without trying the henny coladas —it’s the best I’ve had in a long time. Highly recommend!

Taylor Moore

me and my friend were in town for work, and I’ve eaten at many restaurants on this street but this one was truly amazing, first off THE STAFF were some of the most genuine and friendly people I have ever met, we had gone during a slower time which was nice because we had time to connect with everyone there, the pornstar martinis were an 11/10 (coming from an avid pornstar martini drinker) and the food was amazing and came out super quick.. there was homemade lemon cello which I highly recommend, they also automatically included a 20% tip which I love for convenience (although we did absolutely tip them extra) but when I tell you these people are so nice I mean they are literally so nice, will be coming back just to see all their friendly faces again🤍 ALSO THE RESTAURANT IS GORGGGGGGGGGG FOR PICTURES

+2

Honest review~ We were stuck on Valentine's Day when our plans in Little Italy fell through at the last minute. Our timing was right at Il Piccolo Bufalo - despite lines outside every other place on Mulberry, we were able to get a table. Shout out to Alex, who was super friendly and a real "character". We had to flag him down to order, as he seemed to forget us a bit, and I'd be lying if I didn't say there were some dropped plates...but his charm and affability made up for his distraction. The way he and Raquel bicker, well, it was a truly NYC experience, lol. It ain't Kansas. Ballsy with a smile - that's true NYC. Our stuffed artichoke was a thing of beauty, and very tasty - if a bit oily. We ate simply (this menu is not fancy... I saw LOTS of chicken parm go by, and the plates were licked clean) . We had a bolognese and a spaghetti with meatballs. Hubby liked the meatballs, but I still like my homemade better so I wasn't overly impressed. Nice, big meatballs, though the portions were not huge. Perfectly sized, I'd say. Filling, but no leftovers. Who wants to walk around NYC with leftovers, anyway? Not me. If you like fresh parmesan, look elsewhere. We got a little shaker like you'd see in a pizza shop.But listen, this is good, sturdy American-Italian fare in a lively atmosphere. I witnessed a table seated in the center leave because they felt it was "too noisy", but we were seated against the brick wall and had no trouble hearing each other. And the guys in the kitchen (whom I glimpsed on my way to the special "bigger bathroom" Raquel showed me) were working their tails off. By the time we left, the place was packed. Prices won't break the bank, and you'll leave with a full belly and a smile on your face, like we did.