Carbone Photos
Business Info
CARBONE ATMOSPHERE
You might also consider
More like Carbone
Recommended Reviews - Carbone
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
Lucked out and snagged a last-minute reservation for two, found a friend to come with me, and it was an awesome place from the moment we walked in. Great service throughout. Carbone opened back in March 2013 on Thompson Street, in the former home of the old-school red sauce joint Rocco, and the whole concept from founders Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi was to recreate the golden age of 1950s and 60s New York Italian-American dining, tuxedoed waiters, checkered floors, theatrical tableside service, but with modern-day sourcing and execution behind it. That balance comes through immediately: old-world NYC Italian feel and traditional cuisine, delivered with genuinely modern-day service and ingredients. Loved what we ordered. Had the spicy rigatoni vodka, the single dish this place is most famous for, and the lobster ravioli, packed with real chunks of lobster in a rich, silky sauce. Both tasted amazing, and the wait once we sat down wasn't too long at all considering how in demand this place is. I can see why it's so popular and so impossible to get a reservation for. Price wasn't too bad, as expected, it was high, but that's normal for a fine dining, in-demand place like this. Would recommend and would absolutely come again, assuming I can find another lucky opening in the books.
I would recommend. Wish I had been more hungry to try more dishes. The spicy rigatoni lived up to expectations. Shrimp cocktail was served over an obnoxious amount of ice but delicious. Loved that they give complementary cheese and meat and bread. I felt like the service was top tier and welcoming. The vibes feel cozy.
Carbone NYC is top tier in my eyes. Yes, reservations are hard to come by and for good reasoning. We dined at Carbone bellagio a few months ago and it was a night and day comparison. The food at NYC Carbone is unmatched. I recommend the parmigiana veal and the spicy rigatoni. A delightful pair and filling! Recommend an espresso and you will be thanking me later. As a higher end restaurant the service was extremely attentive and friendly. Overall great dining experience. Recommend!
Talk about an amazing experience! The manager was super friendly and paid mind to every table in the restaurant. What a surprise considering how busy they were. Quick service too! The vibe was upscale but not stuck up, very welcoming. The food was to die for!! Two of us had the Spicy Vodka and it was the best we've had yet! One of us had the tortellini marinara and it was delicious! If you can get a reservation this place is a must try!!
Wow one of my top Italian restaurants in New York! Worth the hype Favorite item on the menu has to be the spicy vodka rigatoni! The veal parm is the best parm I've ever tried. $100 is pretty steep but it was delicious. Their mozzarella is so good!! I love how generous they are with the free bread, free salami and free mozzarella Service is great, menus are extra large haha Excited to come back to Carbone and try other dishes on the menu
I was lucky enough to grab a table via Resy and was able to finally try Carbone! The interior is dimly lit and elegant which is perfect for a nice night out or a date spot. The staff are all very welcoming and were careful to explain the menu along with recommendations. For food, we had the octopus as an appetizer and for entrees, we split the spicy rigatoni and the clams vongole. The clams vongole was my favorite dish as it came with some spicy breadcrumbs and had an amazing creamy, garlicky, and lemony flavor to it. The spicy rigatoni was also good along with the potatoes which I highly recommend. The potatoes were super crispy and had a ton of flavor from the duck fat. For dessert, they gave us a few rainbow cookies which were excellent and we also added a slice of Black Forest cake. The Black Forest cake had a great cherry flavor with the rich chocolate cake. Overall a really good Italian spot and I'll definitely come back to try the other dishes!
Carbone is famous for a reason, and I can see why it has earned such a loyal following. We started with the Caesar alla ZZ (caesar salad), which is prepared tableside and was absolutely amazing. It had the perfect balance of creamy and cheesy flavors and was one of the best Caesar salads I've had. I also appreciated the complimentary bread with salami and fresh mozzarella that was served at the beginning of the meal, along with a couple of cookies at the end, which was a nice touch. For my main course, I ordered the Spicy Rigatoni Vodka, and it completely lived up to the hype. The flavor was outstanding, the pasta was cooked perfectly, and it's easy to understand why it's one of their signature dishes. We also ordered the Fettuccine con Funghi, which wasn't my personal favorite but was still thoughtfully prepared and offered something a little different. The service was amazing from start to finish, with a staff that was both friendly and highly professional. Combined with the restaurant's iconic decor and atmosphere, it made for a memorable experience. It's definitely on the pricier side, but for a special occasion or a nice lunch, I'd say it's worth it. The only real downside is that reservations can be tough to secure, and you'll want to book exactly when they become available about 30 days in advance.
Date: Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026 Time: 10:30pm Party of: 4 Meal: Dinner Reservation Made Thru: Resy a month prior Deposit Required: $200 + $17.76 tax = $217.76 *Coca Cola ($6) x3 *Negroni ($24) *GL Jeio Prosecco ($16) *Caesar ZZ ($34) *1/2 Spicy Rigatoni ($17) x4 *Lobster Ravioli ($56) *Meatballs ($27) *Single Espresso ($7) *Mint Tea ($7) x2 *Double Espresso ($7) *Tiramisu ($25) *Tax ($26.27) My girlfriend has been wanting to go the this location for quite some time. When I remembered prior to this year's NYC trip, I set an alarm to make a rezzie right when they opened up. It actually wasn't as hard as other spots, so you stand a chance if you get onto Resy when they release time slots. It just won't be at a normal dinner time. Pasta, pasta, pasta. That is the name of the game here. And which pasta? The spicy rigatoni of course! Not my favorite shape of pasta, but the sauce is delicious - creamy and tomatoey with a hint of spice. I honestly could have had it spicier, which is why I added peppers. The meatballs seemed to be a hit as well. I was pescatarian at the time so didn't try. I wish I knew the lobster ravioli was in a squid ink pasta. I'm not a fan of the earthiness of squid ink, but it wasn't too strong here. Their menus really have no descriptions so there was no way to know. When you sit down, they give you a huge basket of breads and other lil snacks. Very generous and could be a meal in itself. For the salad, if you love anchovies, def tell them. They will give you more with the salad. The resto is actually on the smaller side which I think is why it's so hard to get a rez. Our server was sweet and very knowledgeable. I noted we were celebrating a friend's bday and they gave us a candle with the dessert we ordered. In the end the entire $217.76 from my deposit was credited to our bill. Glad we finally were able to eat here. Would come back again to try those meatballs. Hopefully I can get a rez at time closer to dinner? I guess I can always try their sister spot. We'll see next year! REVIEW #4010
Carbone is one of those classic NYC restaurants that everyone says you have to try, and I'm happy to say it completely lived up to the hype. Getting a reservation is definitely part of the challenge. The earlier dinner times get booked up very quickly, so be prepared for a later reservation unless you plan well in advance. From the moment we arrived, the service was exceptional. Our table was attended to throughout the meal, and every member of the staff helped make the experience feel special. All seven of us had a wonderful time and shared several dishes, including the meatballs, spicy rigatoni, tortellini, and ribeye. Everything was excellent and made it easy to understand why the restaurant has earned such a strong reputation. To start, I especially enjoyed the bread, cauliflower, and salami. The rainbow cookies at the end were the perfect finishing touch to an already memorable meal. The atmosphere felt lively, classic, and uniquely New York. Between the food, service, and overall experience, I can confidently say this restaurant lived up to its reputation. I would absolutely love to come back!
I was enthusiastic about celebrating my birthday here. I monitored very closely, and 39 days, prior to my birthday, I booked on Resy. I was running late on my birthday, which they surprisingly accommodated. Not only that, they allowed for an incomplete party to be seated, which most places don't.. However, I suspect because you pay a deposit beforehand, they don't mind and have already been compensated, somewhat. Onto the food, apparently you're only allowed to order once, so my order was placed, in absentia. I knew what I wanted so it was simple. I had the minestrone soup and spicy rigatoni. I helped myself to a little bit of the Caesar salad and the potatoes Louie, which was supposed to be for me, but I did not like. I was underwhelmed with almost everything. I know, I know... maybe I had my expectations too high, but nothing really did it for me. The rigatoni was good, along with the garlic bread, but no higher than that. The salad wasn't that great nor the potatoes. I did enjoy my birthday cake and the service was impeccable, but the pod part, which is the most vital, lt me down. I appreciate the experience and did enjoy my birthday; however, wish I would have enjoyed the food a little more.
Service - Top tier. Pulled my chair out for me, folded my napkin. Great recommendations. Great service. Ambiance - Intimate, exclusive, moody and cozy. Food - Phenomenal. One of the best meals I've had in NYC!
A dining experience perfect from start to finish! The staff were wonderful. We had a delicious garlic bread and fresh mozzarella to start followed by the beef carpaccio, their famous pasta and the most delicious tiramisu I've ever had to top it all off. The espresso martini had the freshest espresso shot and was so creamy and smooth. Pleased to say this place absolutely lives up to the hype!
Took years to get a reservation but so happy I finally get to cross this off my NYC list!! Carbone was definitely an experience and a spot to try at least once. Everything was delicious however there are many Italian places that are just as good and are much cheaper. The wait staff was great and really contribute to what makes this such a great experience. To start, they provided complimentary bread, meat and cheese. The focaccia was so delicious, we even got more for later in the meal to dip into the sauces. We ordered tons of food and were stuffed at the end but enjoyed it all! We started with the Caesar salad which they make tableside. We also got the clams and calamari. We loved all of the above but my friends were obsessed with the calamari while my preference was clams! Caesar salad was very good, including the croutons, but very overpriced. Obviously we got the spicy rigatoni which was good and surprisingly had a kick. I know it has spicy in the name but usually things like that aren't spicy. They offered to split up the portions individually which made sharing easier. We also got the lobster ravioli which I could've passed on. Meatballs are highly recommended although not explicitly listed on the menu. It typically comes with 3 meatballs but they offered to give 4, one for each member of the party. Veal parm was delicious but waaaaay overpriced. I did appreciate that the waiter cut it up into pieces for each of us. We also got potatoes but were not impressed - we were also very full at that point. For dessert, they provide complimentary rainbow cookies but we also ordered the cheesecake and tiramisu. Both were very tasty! My only complaint was that the music was very loud and it was hard to hear. We were seated right under a speaker and I asked the waiter if we could turn it down but I don't think he did. All in all, I'm glad I finally got in to see what the hype was about!
Reviews are largely positive. Diners highlight the attentive and knowledgeable service, classic New York ambiance, and standout signature dishes.
Read the full review summary in the app
1 year ago
They start you off with free Parmesan wedges The free bread was super yummy the garlic one was super crispy and good they also give you salami The Caesar salad was super good too they make it tableside the servers were super welcoming and sweet The clams were my favorite dish there were 3 different types of clams(like diff toppings) and they had like a crispy panko ish top. The last one was topped with uni one was sesame one was The tortellini was okay but my friend really liked it The spicy vodka rigatoni was soooo good it lives up to the hype $50 per person deposit tho definitely pricey read more
3 months ago
6 months ago
Overall it was good! Was super excited to get a reservation here. The staff is incredible. We interacted with many different people and everyone was very friendly. For starters they give you complimentary garlic bread, mozzarella, and salami which is rare for restaurants to do. We got the Caesar salad which they made in from of you and it was great. The spicy rigatoni vodka is worth the hype. Although I didn't find it spicy, still one of the best plates of pasta I've had. The only issue was the veal parm. I hadn't had veal before so I didn't know what to expect but for $98 dollars I expected more. It seemed to be one of the most popular menu items but to me it just tasted like a basic chicken parm that you could get anywhere. Definitely not worth $98. I would definitely go back and try another pasta instead of the veal read more
Business owner information
Marketing M.
Hi Shelly, thanks for your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to…
1 year ago
The food and service is an 11/10. I felt like a celebrity. Multiple waiters serve you, making sure your party is taken care of. There is a $50 deposit per person on the resy but it applies to the total bill. We even got a piece of Parmesan from a cheese wheel. This is definitely a place you dine at to treat yourself after a long week or to celebrate something. My party and I were very impressed with everything this restaurant has to offer. Highly recommend. read more
I FINALLY was able to snatch a lunch reservation at Carbone! After visiting its sister restaurant, Torrisi, I was super curious to see how Carbone would stack up. First off, AMAZING service-- some of the best service I've had in a while in NY. Honestly the service at Torrisi wasn't the best so I wasn't expecting much, but I was pleasantly surprised. Second, the vibes were immaculate! You're literally transported to old NY. Everything is super classic and classy... loved it. Third, the food was great! We ordered the oh-so-famous Spicy Vodka Rigatoni and Veal Parmesan to share between the 2 of us. - Spicy Vodka Rigatoni: 10/10 (perfectly spicy and creamy vodka sauce! It was really well balanced. The pasta had the perfect bouncy texture too. Honestly I wasn't like blown away, but again this is probably one of the best rendition of this pasta I've ever had.) - Veal Parmesan: 8/10 (hugeee portion size but again it's like $90. It was good, but not super memorable. Next time, I'd rather order 2 pastas!) read more
We had Saturday night reservations at Carbone's, which required a door man to verify our reservation before we could enter. I believe this is due to the restaurant's popularity, as it helps keep the doors clear for guests entering and leaving. First and foremost, I want to highlight that the staff is absolutely phenomenal. There's a great number of attentive staff members, which truly creates an old-time Copacabana vibe within a modern setting. The focus is clearly on the customer and their experience. After securing our reservation, I did some research and learned that Michael recommended bringing two cases of beer for the kitchen and suggested starting with a 25% tip, which I did. I'm sharing this review because I was surprised by some of the negative reviews I saw. Many reviews seemed underwhelmed, but I think those opinions might come from a different perspective--perhaps from non-Italians who might find Carbone's overrated. As someone of Italian descent, I usually don't patronize Italian restaurants because I often believe I can make better dishes at home. However, that was not the case at Carbone's. Every dish was cooked al dente and had a distinct flavor that I couldn't replicate myself. That's exactly what a restaurant should offer--things you can't get at home, and when you can, it should be better. Regarding pricing, my mother always said that if you can't afford to eat out and tip well, you shouldn't do it. I think this aligns with the experience at Carbone's. Trendy, popular hot spots with excellent food tend to be more expensive than Olive Garden, and Carbone's truly represents gourmet Italian cuisine at its best. Next time I visit, I hope to get seated in the back of the restaurant. I've only met two celebrities in my life, and I would be thrilled to see another here. The spicy rigatoni was fantastic. If you like it spicier, ask for an extra kick--just don't complain if it turns out spicier than you expected. Everyone's idea of "spicy" varies, and it's better to enjoy it as you like. The bread served was traditional and warm, providing a perfect welcome. The calamari Mario was impressive and unlike anything I could replicate at home. The sea bass, veal parmesan were in a league of its own--absolutely outstanding. While we were too full to enjoy desserts, I always like to order a little extra when trying a new place to get a real sense of what to focus on next time. I ordered the carrot cake, which was devoured by everyone. The candied pecans added amazing flavors, and the presentation was elegant. The tiramisu was the best I've ever had at a restaurant, and the lemon cheesecake was surprisingly light with just the right amount of lemon flavor--neither overpowering nor bland. I recommend sharing family-style so everyone at the table can enjoy the delicious meal together. Our waiter, Sal, was exceptional--attentive and friendly. The entire staff made the experience truly top-notch, the bar is set. read more
3 months ago
The food, service, and atmosphere were all impeccable. A 10/10 experience with a very knowledgeable server read more
Food: 5/5 | Service: 5/5 | Experience: 4/5 It is quite difficult to get a seat here at Carbone, but I was able to make a reservation for 2 during a weekday lunch. While reserving your spot, you pay $50/person that will go towards your final bill. This quite small restaurant is very cozy and intimate. Staff are all very professional, and it was a great experience - perfect for a date night. We ordered the spicy rigatoni vodka (split among 2), 3 Mario's meatballs, and the funghi trifolati, and the lemon cheesecake. The pasta was cooked al dente, and the sauce clung well to the rigatoni. The meatballs were very tasty, and a perfect addition to the meal. The mushroom dish was my favorite as the fungi are very tender and simply dressed, making for a dish where the mushrooms' umami taste was enjoyed. The lemon cheesecake was decadent and rich. The food here was great, but tables were a bit closer together than I expected, and I sat right next to the bar cart, so I did not have the most space to move about comfortably. read more
1 year ago
Came here for lunch to celebrate a very special birthday. Reservations are hard to come by so we were very excited when we were able to get one. We received complimentary salami, garlic bread and house made mozzarella soon after we were seated. I ordered a glass of red wine for myself and shared the spicy rigatoni pasta, veal parm and tortellini al ragu. Everything was delicious. The price of the veal parm is pretty steep so I would personally not get that again. However, I would be open to coming back to try the other dishes. read more
There are too many new openings in the city that you often forget about classic ones. BUT never Carbone. Still one of the hardest tables to book and for good reason. My fav part is the complimentary garlic bread with salami and mozerella. Hits every time. Esp that cheese Start with the carpaccio or the salad, both pretty salty so def better with a drink. I rly like the carpaccio, it's super thin, like spoon-scrapping, so it teases your appetite without filling it. For pasta, no words needed for the spicy vodka rigatoni This dish is what American Italian is built on. Tortellini is solid. Get it if that's your thing. I think the meatballs are another must and I don't even like minced meat. They're good and make the rigatoni taste even better? If you're strong enough for desserts, get the hazelnut cake but you didn't do it right if you still have space for that. carpaccio piemontese $34* yellowtail crudo MP spicy vodka rigatoni $34* tortellini al ragu $35 mario's meatballs $27* 영원한 클래식. 수많은 뉴욕 식당중에서 Carbone처럼 오랫동안 사랑받는 곳은 다 이유가 있다. 여기 리가토니는 긴말 필요없는 레전드 디쉬 미국 이탈리안의 정석이다. 기본찬(?)으로 주시는 마늘빵이랑 살라미 & 치즈도 너무 맛있음!! 저녁보다는 점심때가 예약하기 쉬우니까 도전해보기. read more
The hype is in securing the reservation. My retired colleague invited me to a show not far away. I managed a reservation (Global Dining). It was a feat as I kept missing notifications. Inside was dark but not foreboding. I could read the menu without the flashlight from my mobile. We kicked off with libations to forge ahead as women. A margaritas and a cosmopolitan. Thanks to the bartenders. We ordered the Potatoes; which sadly were exhausted and therefore no opportunity to taste. We each decided on lobster ravioli. After our entree, the fresh mozzarella, meat and crispy garlic toast arrived (I had to remind). The garlic toast presented as one each; had to request another.We closed with coffee (drip) and the chocolate hazelnut cake. They gave us a candle for my friends birthday and we sang. Drake and 21 Savage cover Carbone on Spin Bout You (thanks to my daughters). As a read more
10 months ago
Resys are hard and service was okay but if you are able to snag one I loved the baked clams and ravioli the most! read more
1 year ago
Obedience -Amazing! Food- Amazing! Desert-Amazing! Drinks- Amazing! The lobster ravioli was to die for! read more
Finally got a rez at carbone. While I think their execution is pretty good for most dishes, they're all priced at a premium even if you get a table. I'd say the veal parm was the only real stand out from what I tried, it was cooked to perfection, nice and crispy, great marinara sauce on top and a thick cut while being very tender. They also cut the veal into 4 pieces once it hits the table which is why it seems like there are pieces missing. The spicy rigatoni and the lobster ravioli weren't bad, but the rigatoni for over $30 with not 1 bit of protein seems a bit much... I'd go back only if I was in the mood for the veal, neither of the pastas quite hit their price point as far as my expectations. The service was pretty good too. They saw I didn't like the tiramisu and took it off the bill which was a nice touch. read more
I have seen so many TikTok's debating whether Carbone lives up to the hype. To me it does..... My suggestion would be to try to get a reservation for lunch since it's virtually impossible to get one for dinner lol. Decided to treat myself to a really nice lunch - when I arrived there was already a line of people to get in. I was promptly seated and my waitress, Samantha, was amazing! She was friendly and checked on me often. She even took a few minutes to have a small conversation with me. The waiters constantly refill your water glasses and remove any empty plates and utensils quickly and quietly. The service is a solid 10/10. The start you with homemade fresh mozzarella, bread and a salami-type meat. From the start I was in seventh heaven lol it was so good. I ordered meatballs and the spicy rigatoni which is a crowd favorite. Absolute perfection! I really wanted to finish the whole thing but I needed to save room for dessert which was a lemon cheesecake and they even give you two Italian cookies. Everything was absolutely delicious! My only negative was the Frank Sinatra music was LOUD lol. Other than that the atmosphere was great. Now this restaurant IS NOT cheap not even for lunch but for a once in a while splurge it is definitely worth it. Just don't forget to make reservations! read more
Is it worth the hype? Absolutely. Get up early get online and get a reservation when they open it. I could not have loved a pasta more if I tried. Everything tastes so fresh, I was transported back to Italy. The meatballs are an absolute must and their garlic bread will live in my dreams rent free. The staff here is wonderful and always working so hard. Dark lit moody vibe in an old building, exactly what you'd expect from an old school Italian joint. read more
10 months ago
It's packed the whole night up until closing, so we could not be seated early. However, they let us stand at the bar, so we ordered two drinks which were above average but very expensive. We were seated not long after our reservation time. The complimentary bread, salami, and pickled cauliflower were not impressive. The spicy rigatoni is very good. Perfectly cooked pasta, perfect temperature, and tasty sauce. I only wish they served more. Get your own order of it instead of sharing with someone. There are not many vegetarian options. The ambiance was very nice, old-school Italian ambiance. Feels like you are in Goodfellas. Although, the staff and setting come across as overly pretentious, which takes away from what should be good hospitality. The tiramisu was not good. I will not be going through the hassle of acquiring another reservation to come back, but I'm glad I tried it once. read more
Wow Wow Wow. What a meal at Carbone. For us, it was absolutely worth the hype. Tucked into soho, Carbone fits in well with the rest of the neighborhood. Reservations are hard to get but not impossible. Of note, we did place the in advance $50/person deposit through resy, which they returned to us when we went to pay instead of it contributing to the total price. Service was prompt, and our waiter was very attentive and kind. We researched heavily before coming and ordered based on the menu items that were more popular amongst others - and we are so happy we did! We started off dinner with complimentary cheesy bread, mozzarella, and salami. Best to combine and enjoy all 3 together. Then on to entrees for us. Truly the star of the show is the spicy rigatoni pasta. The pasta was creamy, warm, cooked perfectly - truly the best dish that we ordered. We also loooved the tortellini al ragu - the tortellini was creamy and melted in your mouth, and the ragu sauce complimented it perfectly. We also ordered the meatballs which were solid meatballs. For dessert, you receive their complimentary Italian almond cookies which are so fun and on theme. We also ordered the hazelnut chocolate cake which was to die for. All in all, it is soooo worth the hype. Do not miss out on the spicy rigatoni vodka or the hazelnut cake!!! read more
2 months ago
10 months ago
5 months ago
My friend snagged a lunch reservation in one of the hardest place to get reservations. Three years ago, dined outside during the transitional COVID phase, but this is my first time dining indoors. Inside is pretty small, and it was packed for lunch. I took full advantage of the experience with the wines. Our server Joey was great and accommodated us to make us feel welcomed. We started with complementary bread, salami, and fresh mozzerella. This paired really well with the glass of Brunello. Caesar Alla ZZ Salad - although the salad tasted good with the anchovies, the lettuce did not look fresh. Our server served our appropriate portions of this dish. Spicy Rigatoni alla Vodka - this infamous dish lived up to the expectation and hype. This is worth ordering, and it paired well with Brunello. Salmon Oreganata - this dish was also good, and it came with beans. My friend enjoyed it. This would pair well with a Sancerre. Finally, for dessert, we ordered the tiramisu and chocolate cake. Tiramisu was a pretty large portion. I took my leftovers home where my other half enjoyed it. My friend enjoyed her chocolate cake. Personally I prefer to dine in the restaurant, wine is the way to go. I'd return to try the baked clams but get the spicy Rigatoni alla Vodka and Veal parmesan (price for parmesan dish went up $20 from the last time I dined in 2021). read more
2 years ago
A great spot for Italian in NYC! To start, they brought out some snacks-- salami, toast, mozzarella. Toast was too crunchy and too oily in my opinion. We also ordered the clams and truffle corn. Both were phenomenal. The clams were flavorful and not too salty. I find creamed corn rather underwhelming and wasn't expecting to like the corn. But perhaps because of the truffle, this was one of the highlights of the meal for me. Rich creamy perfection. For mains we split the fettuccine con funghi and the spicy rigatoni vodka. I liked the rigatoni better. Dessert was carrot cake and rainbow cookies. Carrot cake was incredible. The best carrot cake I have had. Wonderfully spiced, the flavors meld together beautifully. The cream cheese frosting accompanies the cake perfectly. Service was okay. We both felt like we were being rushed to finish our meal. The service at Torrisi was much better. Overall, I would return to Carbone and will definitely be ordering the corn again. read more
I finally gave into the hype and tried Carbone, and honestly... it felt overhyped and overpriced. The service was great -- friendly, attentive, and definitely a highlight of the experience. But when it came to the food, I just wasn't blown away. We started with a few appetizers and pastas. The Linguini Vongole had fresh clams, and the addition of the spicy breadcrumbs really helped bring some flavor, but the pasta itself was noticeably undercooked. We also tried the Fettuccine con Funghi, which was decent, but lacked the richness or depth I was expecting -- both pastas just felt light on flavor overall. The jumbo shrimp was okay, but for the price, I expected better quality and execution. Nothing was terrible, but nothing wowed me either. for Dessert we got the hazelnut cake and it was larger than expected and quite good, but again I think I can find equal value for less price. The ambiance was nice, we went for lunch and I felt it leaned younger in age. My husband loved the music, it felt upscale and fun. Glad I tried it once, but I wouldn't go back or recommend it to others -- not worth the splurge in my opinion. read more
2 years ago
I've been wanting to try Carbone for months now, and my husband was able to get a reservation for us for the "Mother's Day Lunch," which includes a four-course lunch menu. The first course consisted of a bread basket, a chunk of parmesan, few slices of salami & cauliflower salad, which were complimentary, followed by a caesar salad, prosciutto & mozzarella, and tuna calabrese. Second course was our favorite, which consisted of their famous spicy rigatoni vodka and Mario's meatballs. Third course consisted of shrimp scampi, veal parmesan, and grilled asparagus. Last & fourth course consisted of rainbow cookies (comp), carrot cake w/ ginger ice cream, and lemon cheesecake. Honestly, the best food we had was probably the bread basket, rigatoni, meatballs, and veal parm. The rigatoni was spicy enough to get your taste buds flowing while the meatballs made you feel like you were in Italy- tender & tasty. The bread basket with plain sesame (my fave), garlic & tomato breads were all delicious, and the veal parm was cooked to perfection. Since our taste pallets were not used to the other food, I won't comment on those items, but just wanted to mention, the cauliflower salad was overly acidic from the vinaigrette and the caesar salad had dijon mustard dressing (not a fan)- the crutons in it were very salty. Everything else tasted fine. Service was impeccable from start to finish. Our water always remained full, the staff were friendly & attentive- they frequently checked on us to see if everything was okay, and we got new plates & untesils after every course. If you're lucky enough to get a reservation, you have to try their spicy rigatoni, meatballs & veal parm. This place lives up to the hype. read more
We were lucky to secure reservations for lunch here on a Friday afternoon. I understand why it is so difficult to get in here as the restaurant has few tables (I'd say 20 or less). Unlike other NYC restaurants, these tables have great separation so you don't feel crowded. We had what I believe was probably one of the best tables in the house, in the corner by the front window. The folks greeting us and serving our food could not have been nicer or more accommodating. Our meal started off with complimentary warm garlic bread, salami and burrata. It was outstanding and the best part of the meal. Three of us split the Caesar salad which was prepared table side. It was very good, I especially enjoyed the white anchovies that came with it. Three of us ordered the "famous" Spicy Rigatoni in Vodka Sauce. It was good, but not great. I wish I would have had some bread to sop up the sauce. My wife ordered the Rigatoni Bolognese. I tried a bite and again, it was just ok and quite frankly needed a bit more seasoning. We also had four meatballs to share. They looked good, but lacked flavor and at $9/each were a waste of money. The atmosphere and service was worth the visit and 5-star. I was disappointed that the food was just meh. read more
Yummy food at an inflated price. Highlight was the baked clams. We were able to add 3 more clams for $12 since we had a table of four. Other thoughts: - House chopped salad: Not bad, it's nice and bright. Sundried tomatoes are great and juicy but otherwise nothing too special - Artichoke hearts: Skippable - Spicy rigatoni: Great, but just so expensive for what it is - Lobster ravioli: Great, I preferred the juicy lobster inside the ravioli over the external chunks - Tortellini ragu: Great -- cheese melts in your mouth The service was good, but I wish they would ask before taking away our dishes (since we usually still wanted the sauce). Overall, I don't need to come back but it was nice to have the experience once. read more
We came again and loved it again. We can't stay away and we aren't mad about it. Our lunch was out of this world and the vibes were immaculate. Went wild and ordered a mai tai with our meal and it was also amazing. The baked clams were super fun and interesting to try all the different flavors. The lobster dish blew us away honestly. There was so much lobster and it wasn't too spicy, it was perfect to have the lobster with bites of rigatoni. Amazing. read more
I requested a reservation months in advance for lunch since it was the only time available and I was super excited to finally try the one and only Carbone. The waiters came by and handed us gigantic menus, told us the specials, and asked if we wanted any drinks - we said just water. They seemed a bit snobby any time we had questions and their answers felt patronizing. The food itself was very good and each person at our table had a different favorite which shows how diverse and delicious each dish was. And our water glasses were never empty. When we got the bill, we noticed that our water glasses weren't empty because they were charging us by the bottle - $60 for our table for water alone! Overall, I think everyone should go to Carbone at least once, but I have no plans to go back just because of the snobby service and because you can find equally good Italian food in the area for cheaper. read more
You guys will likely never understand the sheer willpower and determination it took to not open this review with a Drake lyric, and I just want my pat on the back. Thank you. After loosely trying to get a res here for years, we finally got it. Shoutout to my girl Nicole K. on Yelp. She really the plug. I seen she always be in here and asked her how. She flexed up on me and said "You want one? I got you." DAMN, SHE'S LIKE THAT. Walking into Carbone, I actually felt like the MAN. Was the Drake line "Last table left in Carbone callin plays on a rotary phone," on repeat in my head while walking in? Yes. Yes it was. But it's lowkey been on repeat in my head since 2017 so whatever. But yeah, right upon entry, I got it. Vibes are IMMACULATE. I'm checking in at the host stand with a classy Italian dude in a beautiful navy blue pinstripe suit, Frank Sinatra playing through the speakers, a vintage Italian decor with low lit lighting, customers dressed to the nines, etc. Just everything you could want out of an experience like this. We sat down and I wasn't gonna drink, but that glass of Chianti Classico was looking at me soooooo crazy... I folded like a lawn chair ahahaa. As we were scanning the menu-PLOP! The waiter puts down a basket of bread, a plate of cold cuts, and some pickled cauliflower. This was lowkey a lot of food for just being on the house, I was JUICED. My roommate (Former USC Basketball Superstar) and I tore into this leaving no remnants of any food, we gettin our money's worth ahahahaa. We both ordered the Spicy Rigatoni and opted to split the meatballs. I almost went with the Lobster Ravioli, but idk. Maybe I'm CRAZY, but lobster just doesn't really do it for me like that. Y'all know Lobster used to be prison & peasant food? What a crazy come up Lobster had lmao. I'm tryna be like Lobster. The Spicy Rigatoni, as pictured on your friends instagram stories every time they go to Carbone, was delicious and worth every last bit of hype. The Carbone Spicy Rigatoni has to be the world's most photographed pasta. It's a top 10 plate of pasta I've ever had. Number 1 is easily the Penne Alla Vodka from Alla Vecchia Bettola in Florence, though. That's the LeBron of the pasta game. Oh you haven't been to Florence??? COULDN'T BE ME! After we demolished the meatballs, I noticed the veal parmesan getting delivered to the table next to us and got the worst FOMO you could ever imagine, as it looked unreal. I can only equate it to the level of FOMO when I was in high school and I saw my close friends all out at a party I wasn't invited to in the back of someone's snapchat story..... No? Just me? Oof. We were essentially the last table left in this place, with my roommate actually making some business calls on the rotary phone lol it was pretty cool... He does work at Bloomberg though, so.... I ordered a glass of Domina to go with me home. Typically restaurants that I have high expectations for let me down worse than Amazon's acquisition of Whole Foods, but Carbone exceeded them, and quite easily. They got 5 stars in the holy trinity of the food industry: Great food, great ambiance, and great service. It really is that simple at the end of the day. BELIEVE THE HYPE! IG @jnov_ Tiktok @jnov_reviews read more
1 year ago
Amazing dining experience. Complimentary salami, burrata and bread to start which was delicious. We ordered the table side caesar which was the best I've ever had. Anchovies on top that were so fresh and non fishy. We then had the spicy rigatoni which was delicious and cooked al dente to perfection. We then had the veal parm on the bone. Although it was delicious I don't feel the price was worth it. I will replace that dish next time I dine here. To finish out the meal are served complimentary seven layer cookies and Tiramisu. Both were delicious. I would definitely recommend Carbone if you are lucky enough to get a resy!!! read more
The elusive Carbone reservation! Our friend from out of town had gotten reservation for 4 at 5pm but her family wasn't able to attend with her. So we accompanied her. The doors open exactly at 5pm, they had a bouncer managing the queue to go in. I was annoyed when he let a family that arrived later than us and had a 5:15 reservation cut ahead of us. That party didn't confirm their reservation ahead of time and ended up creating bottle neck while they tried to sort out the situation. They should have had that party step aside so the rest of the parties that confirmed could be seated. Once we were inside, service was better. Our server kept our wine glasses full. Here's what we ordered. Spicy rigatoni - a little spicy but sour Angel hair - T bone Steak for 2 - has a nice char on it Octopus -delicious Calamari - Tiramisu - you could taste a light hint of ginger in it Apple cake I would say the dessert wines was my favorite, followed by the tiramisu. Ambiance is more loud and very intimate. So sometimes you had to yell to be heard. Was it worth the hype? The food was good but wasn't life changing for me to want to go again. Note: reservations are a must, they are always full. Saw a number of people trying to do walk in but were told it was full read more
This is one of the hardest reservations to get in the city so we were thrilled with the opportunity to get in. Was it worth the hype? I think so. Tips, try not to show up too far ahead of your reservation because the bar can handle about 8 People and the wait staff are constantly coming through making way to the tables. However, this is all part of the charm. The restaurant is so small, dark and moody. Just what you would expect. Bread service comes out first with cheese and a few other snacks. Delicious. We ordered a bunch of things to share. The spicy rigatoni is great and worth ordering so everyone can take a bite. We also had the special veal lasagna made with a white cheese sauce and WOW it was great. Veal Parmesan and the whole Branzino as main course and both were perfect. The waiter plated everything for us. Deboned the fish, cut the lasagna. Just so kind and helpful. We ordered one of each dessert on the menu and everyone had a little taste. It is worth trying to get a reservation, perhaps a lunch spot might be a better option next time so we have time to walk off all the amazing dishes and calories. We left after 11:00 pm and there was still a line of people waiting to get in for dinner. Insane. read more
11 months ago
Carbone delivers power. You feel it the moment you sit down. I had the spicy rigatoni and it hit with clean heat and rich sauce. The pasta held its shape and the portion felt right. The potatoes came out crisp and salty. Simple and perfect. The espresso martini stood out. Strong coffee flavor. Smooth texture. No bitterness. My Super Tuscan poured clean and balanced. It gave the meal depth. Service moved fast. Staff stayed sharp. The room felt alive with music, conversation, and energy. You go to Carbone for consistency and confidence. You get both. read more
More info about Carbone
181 Thompson St
New York, NY 10012
Greenwich Village
Directions
(212) 254-3000
Call Now
Visit Website
http://carbonenewyork.com
Full menu
Hours
Payment methods
Food & Alcohol
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
From the Business
More Info
Health Score
Carbone Reviews in Other Languages
Ask the Community - Carbone
Has anyone ever been here for lunch? I notice the menu is different. Thanks!
Yes! The menu is slightly different, but the best difference in my opinion is the complimentary mozzarella!
It says lunch ends at 2 but I have a res at 2, do they actually close at 2 like it says or will they still seat us?
I had reservations for 2pm and was confused as well! Don't worry, they will still seat you and I believe the kitchen just stops taking orders around 2:20pm.
I have a reservation for 11:30 pm which is when their business hours say they close. Will I still be served?
You will not be served.
What day of the month does carbone open reservations?
Today is 8/26/25 and the next reservation on Resy is 9/25/25, so I believe 30 days in advance, but I typically call restaurants directly to be sure.
Do they seat people at the actual bar here? Like first come first served? (Dallas restaurant does)
They don't. Its very tiny and they don't have bar space for that.
Can I buy their pasta sauce in person at the restaurant?
No, they don't sell it their
Reservations.. I am trying to find a reservation for weeks in advance and it says nothing is…
yes it's really booked- it's impossible to get reservations!! but they go live at 10am a month in advance. so tomorrow at 10am you'd be booking for August 7th. but have fast fingers ready because they go QUICK ( it's like winning a contest lol)
Is there a parking garage nearby?
Thompson Street Parking and SP+ should be the closest garages
Do you get complimentary cheese and rainbow cookies with lunch?
The cheese comes with the bread. You get a complimentary rainbow cookie.
I have a reservation for 7, but 2 people ended up cancelling. Will they seat the party of 5, or do I need to have exact numbers? (i can't call ahead, none of the numbers are working, i've emailed them)
Yes but I would call ahead and let them know
I can't get a reservation to save my life! Do they accept walk ins? I am trying to dine at 11:30am for lunch.
The best bet is to have Resy up at 9AM and keep hitting refresh every 15 minutes or so. I was able to snag a reservation the day of that way.
Trying to make a reservation on Resy, it seems that they have two locations now and I wouldn't know where I'm making the reservation at?
Make your reservation ASAP and once confirmed you can email info@carbonenewyork.com to confirm the location of your reservation. Resy should send you your confirmation with the address and restaurant info. I dined at both locations indoor recently…
You might also consider
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
118 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
4 years ago
3 years ago
13 years ago
4 months ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
11 years ago
6 months ago
9 years ago
3 years ago
9 years ago
2 years ago
6 years ago
1 year ago
9 years ago
3 years ago
