We recently celebrated a family member's college graduation at Barbalu in Brooklyn, and we found this hidden gem. This cozy, family style Italian restaurant offers a warm atmosphere and an impressive bar. We enjoyed refreshing drinks, including peach spritzes, classic old-fashioneds, and Aperol spritzes, all while soaking in the inviting vibe. We ordered burrata and shrimp / calamari to start. Our meal featured a variety of entrées, and everything was delicious. The bronzino was a standout, while the ribeye steak earned rave reviews. The lamb chops and roasted chicken also delighted our taste buds, and we wrapped up with their delightful tiramisu. Barbalu truly made our graduation celebration special. Special thank you to Adriana and the staff for great service. read more

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Salty, bland, and overpriced for small portions with slow service. Ambiance exuded PE-backed "upscale Italian" restaurant that had no soul. I had the short rib ragu; the pasta was al dente but the sauce was lackluster - way too salty yet still bland and 1-note. Meat was tender but wish there was more. Portions were tiny for a $28 pasta. House bread was stale. Overall, not the worst if you have $60 to spare for dinner and eat a bite somewhere else beforehand. Ambiance is strange: hard uncomfortable wooden chairs and tables complemented by a florescent half empty deli counter. read more

Barbalu Bklyn - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Quaint local Italian spot with outdoor seating, which we very much enjoyed. Drinks were good, and we had some of their food specials - tuna crudo, pasta carbonara and steak. All were tasty but the steak could've used a bit more salt (husband disagreed). Cooked perfectly though. I also liked the pasta while my husband thought it needed more flavoring (but he just wants everything spicy!) Service was friendly and timely. I would visit again and try their regular menu. read more

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Barbalu serves Italian fare and favorites stone's throw away from where we live. So it was just befitting to give our neighborhood restaurant a try. We came here after a World Cup match between England and Norway. Of course, England won, and we were festive. We were slightly late to our reservation without any problem. We were promptly seated, and to our surprise, the restaurant was actually bigger than how it looks from outside. We started with fried calamari and shrimp with marinara sauce and a nice bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. For the main entree, I selected traditional lasagna verde with three meat Ragù and Bechamel, while my partner chose homemade fettuccine al Ragù with pork and beef. We had a wonderful dinner here. The food was all delicious and came in timely fashion. We will definitely come back here to try the other dishes on their menu. read more

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Food was tasty. Pasta was well cooked and sauce was light and fresh. Unfortunately, my mussels were not cleaned well. Service was meh. Not busy and slow. read more

Barbalu Bklyn - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Grazie! Grazie! Grazie! Special thanks to Adriana for her hospitality and ensuring that our experience was worth the visit. Another special thank you to our amazing waiter, Alejandro. He did not miss a beat and if anything slipped past him, it was swiftly corrected. And lastly, to the chef! Thank you for your culinary creativity shown in each specially crafted dish. Starters: Fried calamari and shrimp- this was a good start although missing a little flavor to the batter but it was good nonetheless. Whipped burrata-this was delicious but it could have been even better with some more of the delicious house bread that we were offered upon arrival. Drinks: Balsamic peach spritz (not pictured) the graduate's favorite drink of the day! She raved about it the entire time. Aperol spritz- very refreshing with a beautiful citrus twist! I loved it. Old fashioned- my boyfriend throughly enjoyed this classic drink. Entrees: Oven roasted branzino- AMAZING! The cook on the branzino was perfect and the broccolini and mini carrots added a beautiful crunch to my experience. I could have taken another order to go. My boyfriend had the house ravioli which was salmon and after taking one bite, I can attest that it was INCREDIBLY delicious! Everyone else thoroughly enjoyed their meals: Ribeye steak Lamb chops with spinach mashed potatoes Lamb chops with roasted potatoes Roasted Chicken Rustichella We ended the celebration with dessert: Olive oil cake- not too sweet and fluffy. Tiramisu- sinfully good! Overall, we had an incredible dining experience and would highly recommend it. read more

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This review is for weekend dinner. Maybe more of a 3.5 stars - overall, I wouldn't go out of my way to come here. But if you live within walking distance in the area it could be a good option. I would skip the appetizers and just go straight for the mains. Ambiance / Service: very casual, local spot. It was bustling on a Saturday evening. Lots of families. Our waiter was very friendly, but service was lacking simply because he seemed to be one of the only servers. Had to ask every time our water was empty, etc. Food: the apps were a huge disappointment. If I went back I'd skip all together. We didn't even finish them. However, the pasta was delicious and something I'd come back for. -Romaine Hearts (Caesar): not good. Would not order. Photo looks promising, but the dressing had zero flavor and the lettuce was watery so it had even less flavor. -Fried Calamari: the plus, it wasn't greasy and the red sauce was good. But overall this also lacked flavor. The breading needed salt and seasoning. I wouldn't order again. -Rigatoni Alla Norma: wow this was delicious. Cooked well, full of flavor and zest, good portion size. Highly recommend. -Lasagna: delicious as well. Hearty and rich, saucy and NOT dry (which happens to a lot of lasagnas). Highly recommend. read more

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Best to go on Sundays...for Parking. Otherwise, this quaint, intimate enclave of delicious fresh Italian fare is the perfect date or family gathering spot. Pastas are fresh, wines are Italian and Service is familial, comforting and personable. There's bar space for solo situations or to grab a quick bite and sip. Short Ribs Paparadelle, Fettucine Alfredo with Grilled Chicken were fresh & delish! Had the Fried Calamari and Shrimp to start. Very light battered, fried and clean. Also, had the divine Roasted Brussel Sprouts. Ended with the Olive Oil Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream and the 3 Mini Cannolis, which provided the perfect bite to end the feast. Just sweet enough to leave you wanting more. No matter the occasion, Barbalu is GOOD to you! read more

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I feel as though I owe Barbalu an apology. I had been avoiding it because I'd lumped it in with the mediocre Italian spot that had previously occupied the space (or maybe the one before it), and it turns out that it's actually pretty great. The room is still beautiful and larger than you'd expect, and they've usually got the space for your party, in our experience. Whether you're coming in for a decent happy hour and some of the excellent pizza, or rolling deep for a birthday party where you order all the things, Barbalu's got you. We've enjoyed all kinds of pies (but definitely the margherita for my kids and the truffle pie for my wife), many pastas (the cavatelli for sure), and even the surprisingly well-executed mains like the branzino (my mom was a little disappointed she couldn't gnaw on the head/tail - it's just the filets, but still a large portion) and the salmon and the grilled chicken. The staff is super accommodating, especially to children. They know what neighborhood they're in, and perhaps that's why they didn't bother to course out our recent large dinner, but just got all the food out on the table as quick as possible. Either way, it's a good spot to bring the kids, even if they don't really have a kids menu. read more

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We swung by Barbalu for dinner on a whim because we were craving pasta and it was close by. We'd never been before, so we figured why not. It turned out to be a really charming spot. It isn't formal, but it still has this elegant, cozy feel where you can show up in casual clothes and still have a nice night out. We walked in without a reservation and got seated pretty quickly. We ordered a cocktail, some wine, the focaccia with olives, and two pastas: the homemade fettuccine with beef ragu and the homemade cavatelli with mixed mushrooms and black truffle. The cavatelli was rich and earthy with tons of mushrooms, but the fettuccine ended up being my favorite. The beef was super tender and slow-cooked, and the sauce was perfectly seasoned without feeling heavy. The focaccia was also great and absolutely hit the spot since we were fully committed to the carb theme. Service was friendly, the food came out fast, and overall it was a soliddinner. It's a great option for a casual date night, and we'll definitely be back. read more

Barbalu Bklyn - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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You don't have to be in The Gardens to get delicious Italian food, and excellent service. Visited for an early dinner and was greeted by friendly host. Spacious dining room, where couples and families mix well easily. We started with Ravioli of the Day, lucky for us it was a Brisket ravioli, perfectly al dente, stuffed with generous pieces of flavorful brisket, topped with a hearty marinara sauce. The roasted brussel sprouts could use something, but the Oven Roasted Branzino with Broccolini is a true winner. Grilled to perfection, and perfectly paired with olives and vegetables. We ended with the Flourless chocolate cake and cappuccino, both were excellent. This is a Brooklyn gem, don't pass up a visit!!! read more

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Very consistent and everything is delicious, the owner is Italian and knows his food very well. Also the entire staff is super professional and very friendly, overall everything is perfect. Best Italian restaurant in the neighborhood. read more

Came here early on a Saturday for some drinks and to split a pizza. We sat outside on a beautiful day so it was really pleasant. The servers were all kind and helpful, and I tried a drink from the specials menu and loved it. Vanilla flavored tequila espresso martini -- YES! While I wasn't personally a fan of the eggplant parm pizza we got, I think it could be more of a preference thing than the quality of the food. I would really like to come back for homemade pasta, which I already know I would love. Cute place, expected prices, and off the main street, so it's a little quieter. Will be back! read more

Barbalu Bklyn - Tequila espresso martini - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

What a lovely space in Brooklyn to meet for a meal. The pasta and bread are fresh, leaving you full but not feeling bloated. The service is prompt and kind. They have a solid cocktail and wine list and some items are seasonal which entice you to return.... I plan to! Good for small groups or a casual date night. Enjoy! read more

I was looking for an Italian place by me with ample space for a bassinet stroller since we have a newborn. We were able to be seated by the entrance where the stroller easily fitted. We weren't sure if it was the night but there were at least three or four other babies/toddlers dining at the same time! So add this to your baby friendly list. The hostess was friendly. The four of us split the fried calamari and shrimp and burrata with honey roasted peppers. Both were done very well. The burrata did not come with anything to eat with, but we did get complimentary bread for the table, which was the perfect combination. We also split a Caesar salad. Very rarely do you find a place that makes you feel good about paying for the salad option. This wasn't the exception. Nothing special for 17 dollars. The pastas were all very good. I liked the seafood pasta. My husband loved the parpadelle with short ribs ragu. MIL loved the special of the day which was the spinach ricotta ravioli with a brown butter sage sauce. FIL enjoyed his branzino. We ended the night with a delicious tiramisu and semifredo. Definitely a spot to try again. read more

Best food ever!! Jessie is such a great waiter. The whipped burrata was amazing. I will definitely be coming back here

This was a great experience for a nice dinner on the weekdays. I was served right away upon walk-in in this casual yet elegant restaurant. The calamari was crunchy yet soft, top 5 in the best calamari in the nyc. They were very accommodating when we wanted to get take out as well. I would definitely return and try their pasta. My fav pizza was the margarita and the price between two people was pretty reasonable. read more

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Visiting Brooklyn and my friend who lives in the area recommended this place. Had a nice dinner, inside is cute and it's an open floor plan. You can see the food being made around you. I had the broccoli pizza which was delicious and my friend, who is gluten free, had the short rib pasta. They change out the water in the pasta which is wonderful. Eric our server was great and I would come back next time I'm in the area! read more

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Overall I think this place is a solid, well executed Italian spot. My group and I ordered the following: - Capricciosa Pizza: If you like olives on your pizza, you'll like this. The crust was also really nice in a fluffy, good chew kinda way. - Cavatelli w/ Mushroom + Black Truffle: My personal favorite of the pastas. I found the truffle taste good, but not overwhelming and the mushrooms were nice and umami. - Squid Ink Tonnarelli: A nice squid ink seafood pasta. Nice mix of seafood although more than a couple of shrimp would've been nice. - Pappardelle Braised Short Rib Ragu: Pretty standard, but I did find the portion size for this quite small. While portions were a bit tiny imo, the food was well executed. I do think they did a better job at pizza than pasta dishes. Space is nice for a casual date night or group meal. Service was friendly and checked in on us occasionally. Probably wouldn't go too out of my way for this place, but a good option if you're in the neighborhood. read more

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I got an Ubereats order from here, which arrived promptly. I had the Homemade Pappardelle with Briased Short Ribs Ragu ($27), Risotto Arancini of the Day ($19), and Tiramisu ($12). While I have no complaint for the taste and flavor, I did find that the portions were very small especially for the price. With so many Italian spots in the neighborhood, I'd opt for the other options. The restaurant does look nice though, but I have yet to dine in person. read more

Barbalu Bklyn - Homemade Pappardelle with Braised Short Rib Ragu, Risotto Arancini of the Day, and Tiramisu. - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

The pasta is very good, all of it. The pizza is good. The calamari is great. The restaurant is busy, the guy bussing tables was very good, he brought us more water, a light for the table, and more. Our waitress was super busy, luckily we had what we needed. The tables are not on top of each other and the noise is lively, but manageable. The food came out in a reasonable time, the bread was good. The hostess was disappointing. She acknowledged walk-in parties and later reservations of the same size that came in the door after us, lining up behind us. We had a reservation for 4. We arrived on time. This happened not once, not twice, but four times, the hostess looking past us to talk to people inline behind us or next to us, as if we were invisible. It wasn't until the 5th white couple she attempted to assist told her flat out that we were waiting before them, and the others she helped. I was looking for the owner or manager but thanks to this kind couple, that wasn't needed. Their blunt comments maybe embarrassed the hostess because only then did the hostess look at me rather than past me, and ask "how many..." she was ready to tell us there was no availability when I answered that we were a party of four as she looked around the dining room and gestured as if to say 'no seats'. I added that we had a reservation for 10 minutes ago. She asked my name and checked her tablet, then said "ok" and sat us at the table by the door. Once we were seated and situated, my young daughter looked up from her menu and asked me why was everybody else helped before us? She honestly didn't know. For those not familiar with having these types of conversations, let's just say that they can make even the best tasting pasta and pizza unsavory if you dwell on it. It's bad when a 7 year old notices they were "othered". Your mileage may vary, I'm sure there is more than one hostess working. I don't think I would recommend Barbalu to everybody unless you're getting take out, or you don't mind a "fight" to get service, assuming you insisted on eating here. read more

Inconsistent in service, food quality, attractive restaurant, but can be noisy and there's lots of kids.

Very pleasant lunch - food was very tasty - eggplant croquettes and shrimp and mushroom pasta amazing

It was my mother's birthday. The service was excellent and the waitress was very attentive. My family we had the bread it was excellent and they served it with olives. Now I don't like olives but these olives were really good. They weren't salty and over bearing. I don't know what kind of olives there were, green, but they were good. My aunt she ordered the lamb chops. Thy were cooked to perfection and seasoned just right. I had the shrimp in cream sauce with pasta it was good. Every dish my family had everyone equally was satisfied. Oh and the drinks did not disappoint. I will definitely come it's my girls her for our night out. The lace gets busy quickly. I would highly recommend coming for good food and nice family atmosphere. read more

An amazing Italian restaurant in boreum hill! Food: we got the burrata, arancini, and cavatelli! The cavatalli was absolutely incredible - the mushrooms added a burst of flavor! By far my favorite dish! The burrata was great on a hot summer day but I'd probably not order this again! The arancini was delicious! Service: good service! They did forget one of our orders but fixed it after Price: fair prices Ambience: I loved the ambience - it was very romantic! They had both indoor and outdoor seating! read more

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I have been here a few times. I really like how spacious this place is. The pasta is elegantly done with great flavors. The lamb rack has a good balance of fat and lean, with a good char. Pizzas were also delicious with fresh ingredients and dough with great texture My only complaint is that pizza was unavailable during lunch time the last time we visited. The server told us after we were seated. So, maybe call ahead to confirm they have pizza. read more

Barbalu Bklyn - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Nice unpretentious Italian spot operated by Italians. When we visited, it was clear they had family and friends visit for a meal and that was great to see--they are clearly welcoming and well-loved people. Food was good, some items were just alright but nothing was disappointing. Recommend this place for group meals, as the menu has a good range of crowd pleasers. Service was attentive and managed every request correctly. Customizations were made without hassle. Prices were very reasonable. read more

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Very tasty upper middle class Italian. Flawless but unpretentious table service. Brand new interior, a well oiled machine doing what it was meant to do. read more

I was recommended this place for a group dinner date and since it's sort of central to all of us we booked it. The atmosphere is casual with industrial decor (think: pizzeria meets beer garden meets gastropub) and reminds me of Sociale, another place down the road. It's definitely an American Italian, red sauce joint so you won't find anything unique or particularly interesting but the pizza is what they're known for anyway. Great place for kids and casual eats that you don't need to think about. Service is good. read more

Nice, quaint restaurant in Brooklyn. Able to get a reservation same day for later at night. The restaurant was mostly packed with 3 tables for two seaters and the host let us pick which one we prefer. Service was FAST! As soon as we ordered our drinks, appetizers, and main courses came out with no wait time. But not too fast! Good waiting between appetizers to entrees so we didn't feel rushed. The food was solid! Great caesar salad, the Neapolitan pizza was great, and the rigatoni eggplant pasta was also a banger. Would definitely recommend this place JUST based on the food. Only reason I'm giving this 4 instead of 5 stars was because we ordered the special pizza for the day as it had tomato sauce on it versus another option (Broccolini) which didn't have tomato sauce on it. The special pizza was brought out with no tomato sauce on it, we told the waiter who then said it doesn't come with tomato sauce on it and then offered to go get a menu to prove it. We said no it's fine and shortly after he brought a side of tomato sauce for us to put on the pizza. A nice gesture, but it would've been better if they could've brought us another pizza cooked with tomato sauce. Nonetheless, the tomato sauce on the side made it SOOOOOO MUCH better. read more

Barbalu Bklyn - Menu - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

We had a reservation on a weekday. It was relatively empty when we arrived, but it filled up later in the night. The restaurant was modern and dimly lit, and the service was friendly. There was 4 of us and we ordered 4 items, the capricciosa pizza, squid ink tonnarelli, pappardelle braised short rib ragu, and cavatelli with mushroom and black truffle. The crust on the pizza was very airy and soft. All of the pastas had a good texture and flavor. I thought everything tasted good, but the portions were on the smaller side. read more

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As soon as you walk in this restaurant feels fresh and new with high ceiling and minimalist decor. The staff is super friendly and often checks on you. The food here is amazing. Authentic Italian. Started with the meat antipasto that had some of the best selection I have had in NYC. The pasta is homemade, my fave was the cavatelli with mushroom and truffle. The pizza is out of this world, the dough is perfect crispy yet fluffy crust. The broccoli rabe and sausage are must tried and the vegetarian was my favorite. Will be coming back. read more

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My favorite pizza spot in Brooklyn. Love the dough and flavors. Pastas are house made, must get the lasagna! Very intimidate space. Service is good. read more

Three stars only because service picked up in the empty restaurant only after a few more diners entered. Food: MEH! I rarely ever add salt to anything, but it was a first to add salt and pepper to a very bland Caesar salad of all things. I was handed a barely functional pepper mill... so annoying. My friend enjoyed the steak, while my lasagna was mediocre. No reason to return. read more

Lovely place with good energy. Pasta we had was excellent, accompanied by a great wine suggested by our waiter. Service is good, but not fast. Get a bottle of wine and enjoy. read more

Overly salty and pasta is too overcooked. I didn't get to try the pizza so maybe that tastes better! Service was great!

Had delivery to hotel and I asked for utensils and added in note pleading as I was in a hotel. As soon as I opened the bag, no utensils. I was so happy that there was a restaurant that offered for the missing items. Ordered two items , I had the Rigatoni alla norma and I got the pappardelle. The verdict on the pappardelle, not bad don't believe I will reorder again. But the rigatoni was pretty good. read more

One of the best Italian meals I've had in a long time. We had a large (16 people), pre-wedding family meal here on a Thursday evening and the food and service were AMAZING. Everything we ordered was well balanced, seasoned, and flavorful. The ink squid pasta was my favorite, but literally every dish was made well. Decent wine list. The ambiance is quaint, moderately upscale; service was timely and professional, without being overbearing. Would highly recommend if you're in Brooklyn. read more

Incredible pizza - the crust is sooo flavorful and the perfect texture. The squid ink tonnarelli was also great - def something u shld get in the restaurant bc it's fresh pasta and u want to have it right away. Salads u can skip i think read more

We loved it. It was a great vibe and energy. The food was awesome. The server was kind. We will go back