i loved lil frankie's!! it is such a warm and cozy spot, got a table for 1 straight away without a reservation and felt right at home. they brought out warm bread and olives which were so yummy, and i ordered the Penne Pomodoro E Basilico. it was amazing and tasted so fresh! i would definitely check out lil frankie's if you're in the east village and want amazing italian food! please note that it is cash only but they have an ATM for you to use! read more

Lil Frankie's - Penne Pomodoro E Basilico- delicious!! - Pizza Near Me - New York, New York

I had heard many glowing reviews of the spaghetti limone and I finally got to visit and try it. Positives: loved the old school atmosphere. Our area was indoor but had light from outside and many plants. Easy to make reservations. Close to F train. The spaghetti limone is good although id say 4/5 not an elite pasta dish. Areas of concern/improvement: the spaghetti limone plate size is enormous. Its too much. At minimum there should be a half size option. Its literally all an average person could eat in one sitting and its not the type of dish that has enough variety that you want or need to eat that much of it in one sitting. Service is slow. At lunch with few customers it took 40 minutes to get an order. When it is busy the restaurant gets loud. Not conducive to conversation for a larger group. Not a bad experience but not one I need to repeat. read more

Lil Frankie's - Spaghetti limone - Pizza Near Me - New York, New York

Really loved this spot for lunch!! My friend and I have been wanting to try this place for forever. We were a little bummed that they don't do their daily specials at lunch, but quickly decided on some things to share from their all day menu. I had the Amalfi cocktail. I expected it to be more like a limoncello spritz, but it was more like a limoncello martini. I really enjoyed it! We shared the roasted mushroom to start and added gorgonzola. The flavors were amazing and the gorgonzola cheese was truly the star. Yum! We split the bianca pizza for our main course and it was delish. Fluffy crust, so much cheese, and I loved the addition of the truffle oil. Perfection! Overall, I really enjoyed this spot for lunch. They have a lot of outdoor seating which is great for summer. It is cash only, so be prepared for that! read more

Lil Frankie's - Roasted Portobello Mushroom Al Forno - Pizza Near Me - New York, New York

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As someone with a deep love (and admittedly high standards) for New Haven-style pizza, Lil Frankie's absolutely lived up to the hype. The Margherita was exactly what I want in a great pizza perfectly charred crust, fresh tomato, just the right amount of cheese, and simple ingredients that really shined. After an already amazing week in NYC, this was the perfect cherry on top. Sometimes you just need a really good pizza to close out a really good week, and Lil Frankie's delivered. read more

Lil Frankie's - Pizza Margherita - Pizza Near Me - New York, New York

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What a fine Lil' spot! We enjoyed the neighborhood and the outdoor seating's atmosphere. The staff were welcoming and attentive. The food was excellent, particularly the spaghetti limon, prepared and seasoned with precision. The chicken parmigiana was quite flavorful, and the spaghetti with red sauce on the plate was equally strong. The spaghetti limon actually paired with the chicken parm quite well too. We were pleased to choose Lil' Frankie's from the many New York Italian options. The spaghetti Limon actually paired with the chicken Parm quite well as well. read more

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Lil Frankie's is the kind of place that reminds you how special truly authentic Italian food can be. Everything feels so clearly homemade, from the sauces to the pastas, and you can tell there's real care and tradition behind every dish. The pasta was incredible--fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. Each bite felt like it came straight from a family recipe that's been passed down for years. The pizza was also a standout--simple, delicious, and done really well without trying too hard. The whole experience just felt warm and genuine, like you're eating somewhere that really takes pride in what they serve. One thing to know before you go: it's cash only, so come prepared. Definitely a spot I'll be thinking about. read more

Lil Frankie's - Rigatoni alla vodka - Pizza Near Me - New York, New York

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Such a good spot!! Cutest design, very tight/intimate seating but a great place to catch up and open so late!! Their spaghetti Limone is something special & their desserts are crazy!!! Very kind and attentive service- will definitely come back when looking for a late night dinner read more

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Awesome pizza! We had a wonderful experience here. Fast friendly service, an interesting cool ambiance (we sat in the back area). But the food really is awesome, the pizza is so delicious! read more

Lil Frankie's - Pizza Near Me - New York, New York

Food here was delicious for brunch. I love a good eggs Benedict. We did the 3-4-1 mimosa deal which was good value & the drinks were definitely strong enough. We did have some tall people in our party that couldn't fit in the booths though but the service eventually relocated us to the main dining area with more room under the tables. Would definitely recommend coming here for drunch. read more

Lil Frankie's - Lumberjack - Pizza Near Me - New York, New York

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It was 1am on new year's day and following an enthusiast celebration of 2026, my friends and I were in the lower east side and very hungry. Lo and behold, Lil Frankie's is open and closes their kitchen at 2am. When we arrived, the place was packed, but we were immediately seated. Also to note: the place is cash only and does have an atm with a $3 fee.   We were started with bread and olives which very swiftly disappeared. Very tasty - does the job after a big night of drinking. I got the lasagna and a side of spinach. So good. Thank god for Lil Frankie's. We did ask for more bread to dip into the lasagna sauce - wow. Although the kitchen had just closed, we were lucky to have gotten a serving of tiramisu to share which was the absolute perfect ending to the meal.   I don't know if it was because I was drunk, but this meal was godsent. Thank you for being open late and thank you for making such hearty, tasty food! read more

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I have been to this italian restaurant for years and the food never misses; it always tastes like the first time I got to experience their food. It's a tight, intimate restaurant and in the evening then dim the lights which create a very calm space. Depending on how busy it is, the service is generally great. This is a must late-night dinner spot and they open until 2am everyday, 4am (Fri-Sat). Highly recommend for a date night or in the mood for some Italian. read more

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Pros: 1) The service was good 2) The spaghetti limone is good and one of the best in the city 3) Free bread is always nice - plus it was also tasty Cons: 1) Cash only 2) Still taxed despite being cash only. Interesting. 3) ATM on site only dispenses cash in $50 increments. 4) I did not use the ATM for that reason but I'm sure it has a fee associated with it. 5) Bathroom smelled like pee 6) No coat or purse hook in the bathroom 7) The ATM is basically 10 inches away from the bathroom door, so if someone is using the ATM, there is no room to exit the bathroom so you wind up standing in the bathroom until the person leaves the ATM 8) Prices are average to high for pasta and drinks 9) Small space and feels crammed with tables 10) I do not recommend groups over 4 coming here due to the small size Like I said above, I do like the food but there's just some annoying aspects about coming here that make me second guess coming back. read more

Lil Frankie's - Spaghetti Limone - Pizza Near Me - New York, New York

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Lil Frankie's is always a hit! Pizza is made freshly, the tiramisu was by far the best tiramisu I ever had. Finally tried their cocktails and had a cranberry vodka and it was delicious ! read more

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solid food, a bit pricey, lots of arugula, if that's your kinda thing you'll like it.

BEST PANNA COTTA EVER. You should come here just for that honestly, that made our night you have no IDEA. We came to eat around 8 and it was definitely very busy but luckily got seated right away at a table. It is extremely tight inside and loud but the atmosphere is fun, chatty and low lights. Very cozy too with the picture frames all over the walls and everyone being so close to each other. Our pizza and pasta were sooo good too and the sauce you could tell was homemade. This place is great for a reason! read more

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I've been eyeing Lil Frankie's for a while, and I am glad we finally came for my bday! Initial thoughts: - Cash Only - Great for groups - Can be as casual as you'd like, or as fancy as you'd like! The vibes were there for it all. Service: - It was a bit busy, but I will say this took longer than I thought. It took long to place an order and to get the check. - The funny thing is that once we ordered the food everything came at once which was a bit of a problem since our table for 4 was not big enough and did not fit everything. Food: - SO YUMMY! - Some of the highlights were the Calamari, Pizza salame picante , and Rigatoni w/ meatballs. Come hungry and come with friends! read more

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Heads up - this establishment is cash only. The food was delicious, fresh ingredients, nice portions. I attended brunch with family. We sat in the back room where sunlight comes in which added a nice touch. Staff was friendly and accommodating. I would recommend making reservations. read more

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*3.5 stars* Listen, the food was great. I had the lemon pasta, my lady had the pizza bianca, and our friend had the rigatoni with meatballs. While the food was really good, it's incredibly overpriced. In addition, the service was really lacking. Our server didn't come take our order for a solid 30 minutes, and it took us another 20 to track him down to close out. Plus, cash only in 2026 is just an unnecessary inconvenience. read more

Wonderful service, warm greeting by the hostess, courteous wait staff; server was super friendly; extremely fast delivery of food and beverages once ordered! Had reservations for 11:15P on the Saturday before Halloween, but arrived a few hours earlier at 8:15; and there was either bar seating or outdoor seating. We opted for the patio seating versus the sidewalk seating, y'all be careful because to get to the covered patio, you gotta cross the bike lane, and these uber delivery drivers / citibikers are pedaling fast! Our table also had a wobble, but the staff were pretty attentive and fixed the wobbly table. Got the margherita pizza, which had a nice fluffy crust, nice char and lovely cheese and sauce ratio/flavor. Wonderful time, reservations highly recommended . read more

Lil Frankie's - Pizza Near Me - New York, New York

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What a fun and pretty spot to have a meal! I loved the interior designs and aquatic theme on the walls. I opted for their rigatoni with burrata and it was a pasta done very well. I have no complaints honestly and had a great time here. It's great for a date or group gatherings. Seems like there's a semi private space inside as well. read more

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LiL' FRANKIE'S 19 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003 *Phone: (212)420‑4900 *Email/Reservations: reservations@frankcares.com Hours of Operation *Sunday - Thursday: 11AM - 2AM *Friday - Saturday: 11AM - 4AM Food & Vibe *Cozy, festive, old‑school Italian pizzeria with a custom brick‑oven. Known for wood‑fired pizzas, pastas, seafood, mains, and full bar service . *Condé Nast Traveler praises its lively, casual vibe with friendly service . *New York Magazine highlights the brick oven enhancing everything from eggplant to thin‑crust pies . Official site: https://www.lilfrankies.com/ featuring menus, reservations, online ordering, wine & cocktail lists, Feast of the Seven Fishes events, gift cards, and sister‑brands info . Instagram handle: @lilfrankies *Cash‑only is typical, though they have an on-site ATM (some reports of accepting cards during outages) Feature Details Cuisine Italian: brick-oven pizzas, pastas, seafood, mains Ambiance Cozy, festive, Old‑World NYC Perfect for Brunch, dinner, late-night eats Extras Full bar, seasonal specials, outdoor seating + grocery outpost #nycdateideas #nycdining #visitnyc @frankrestaurant @suppernyc @daddiesnyc @lilfrankiesgrocery read more

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Yum. Montepulciano good. Mezcal Negroni good. Tricolor salad also good. Pizza polpettine very good. Crust has good char and nice chew and great flavor. Service was lovely. Water poured. Attentive without fuss. Would definitely return. read more

Lil Frankie's - Pizza Near Me - New York, New York

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if you are in dire need of Italian food, this is the place!!! Definitely not cheap but also doesn't disappoint what-so-ever! This place is open late, has a great selection of seating and even tastes amazing!!!! Didn't know i needed this place in my life. I don't think you could go wrong with anything on the menu just save room for dessert! I didn't unfortunately but fortunately I will go back and find out for myself !!:))) read more

Lil Frankie's - Steamed Broccoli Garlic and Oil, Pizza Salame Piccante, Pappardelle Bolognese Special - Pizza Near Me - New York, New York

We used to love coming here but the prices and quality are such a mismatch. Not to mention the dank dungeon room that feels (and smells) like you are eating in the employee locker room. Which would be fine, but the prices... woof. $30 for the meatball rigatoni add ricotta which tastes... like you'd make it yourself, not bad but are these barilla noodles?? and the sauce just tastes like salt. Still, the pasta limone is great but there are less and less reasons to come back unless they can tighten things up! read more

Absolutely spectacular spot in the East Village! The restaurant looks small from the street but was actually quite spacious on entry! The restaurant extended quite far back and had two levels. It felt like a great place for large groups but still intimate enough for couples or smaller parties. I met family here and found a pleasant ambiance perfect for conversation. No loud music and the tables were spaced apart nicely. We had a variety of dishes on the table. I shared the calamari plate with a member of my group and the portion was sizable. Definitely enough for four people. We had leftovers. And it was a perfectly executed calamari. While there were several different pastas ordered around our table, I am CERTAIN that I ordered best. I had the spaghetti limone and advise you do the same. It was hands down one of the best pastas I've ever had. So bright in citrus flavor but also very creamy thanks to the generous amounts of fresh parm cheese. I ate nearly the entire bowl. Again, great portions here. For dessert, we all shared a panna cotta and thought it was a great ending to a meal. The desserts do seem on the smaller side though so if your group is large, take note. There were four of us and each had about a bite. But due to being so full on that amazing pasta, it was the perfect portion for us. If you are in the mood for Italian, Lil Frankie's is a nice choice. The service was very friendly and attentive. However, come with cash! They don't take credit cards so minus one on them! It's 2025 so I find it wildly inconvenient if I cannot use a card. We had to visit their atm. read more

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Had a group dinner reservation here on a weekday. The inside is actually a lot more spacious than what it looks like upon entering. We had a family style meal. A bunch of different pastas and vegetables, protein didn't come until the very end. Honestly everything was pretty underwhelming. Vibes were nice but I wouldn't come back for the food. read more

Lil Frankie's - Outside - Pizza Near Me - New York, New York

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Everything about this place was something to love. Something about a small restaurant that is damn new hidden or disguised as a hole on the wall kinda wins my heart without a single bite. Walked in with a larger party of 11 people at 11:30pm and it took a little while to get an area adjacent to the main dining room cleared out so they could assemble furniture and seat us all. They did great trying to accommodate us all with no reservations. I loved the dim lighting, the decor and the overall vibe of this place at this time of night. It was still quite lively but not chaotic- the small but efficient kitchen was cranking out the most delicious looking meals - between the smell and the sight of plates flying out the kitchen we were drooling in minutes. Extremely prompt and friendly service our server memorized all meals with modifications including appetizers and drinks for everyone - seriously outstanding. I had probably the most balanced meal (that somehow didn't include pizza) our table ordered several apps that were all demolished in a moment which included the antipasto plate (biggest one ) , fried calamari and bruschetta. I had a kale Caesar salad special, the spaghetti limone (do not skip this - just do what I tell you for once and get this if nothing else on the entire menu) finished with an affogato. All of which every last bite/crumb/morsel was consumed. Positively delicious. It was hard to remain cool and non chalant about how much I had thoroughly enjoyed wha I had just experienced. We had almost no take home boxes between 11 of us. My only regret was not trying the pizza - it truly looked incredible. Can't wait to go back. read more

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Came here late afternoon on a Saturday and was not too crowded. Ordered a margherita pizza, roasted eggplant, and the pear Gorgonzola salad. Everything was good and they serve you bread with olives/olive oil. Ambiance was nice with a bar. Service was fine, but CASH ONLY. Near the F subway. read more

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Lil Frankie's is a highly popular spot, often praised and recommended by many--and for good reason. Here's my take on everything I tried: - Fried Zucchini: Perfectly battered and fried, these were crispy without being greasy. Paired with a spicy tomato sauce, they were an excellent starter. - Whole Fire-Roasted Eggplant: The texture was fantastic--soft and melt-in-your-mouth. However, the flavor was on the bland side. It wasn't bad, but I wouldn't order it again. - Mezzi Rigatoni Polpettini Ragu: Cooked al dente, this pasta came with mini meatballs and a rich, flavorful sauce. The combination was absolutely delicious! - Pizza Margherita: Easily one of the best Margherita pizzas I've had. The dough was perfectly soft and chewy, with a crispy crust that gave a nice crunch. Topped with fresh mozzarella, it was simple yet outstanding. - Nutella Focaccino: Recommended by the server, this dessert is perfect for Nutella lovers. While it was good, it's definitely a heavy and filling dessert--something to share if you're already feeling full. I'd definitely return to try more of their pizzas, which seem to be their specialty. The only downside is that the restaurant is cash only! :( Be sure to plan ahead! read more

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Ok. After thinking about it I'm give a 4 star review. Was craving a chicken parm dinner and it was spot on . Just perfect . Price , portion and flavor was right where it needed to be. My only beef would be the soda. Asked if it was from a bottle and was told it was only to receive a fountain soda which was not good. Sent it back no problem. read more

Lil Frankie's - Chicken parmigiana - Pizza Near Me - New York, New York

Excellent food if you do not have food allergies, they cannot guarantee no cross contamination from mammals. It is okay though; they have a lemon pasta that is absolutely heaven. Perfect for larger groups too! I was in love with the interior. I would go back for sure. read more

The food is good, but unfortunately the service completely overshadowed the experience. We had a reservation and were not seated until 30 minutes after our scheduled time. Delays happen, but there was no apology or explanation. When we raised the issue with the hostess (who has a distinctive birthmark on her face), we were told there was "no one here to help." When we asked how the situation could be addressed, she said it wasn't her responsibility, mentioned she was paid minimum wage, and then referred to us as "Karens." That kind of response is unprofessional and unacceptable. A wait is understandable; being dismissed and insulted as customers is not. read more

It just wasn't that good. It was very overpriced and food was just okay. Wouldn't go back... We had a reservation at 5:30 and were seated immediately. Our waiter was attentive and constantly refilling our waters. The complementary bread was quite yummy. For main I got the vodka rigatoni and my friend got the lemon pasta. My dish was totally great! 32 dollars great... no. I also tried my friend's lemon pasta. I'm not a huge lemon fan but I really didn't see the hype behind this pasta. My friend ate like 20% of it. It was just kinda disappointing. She really wanted to try the place so I agreed. The portions were satisfying but not huge. Just hideously overpriced and there's definitely much better Italian in the city. The interior was cutesy. The bathrooms were god awful. read more

Lil Frankie's - Spaghetti Limone - Pizza Near Me - New York, New York

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Great birthday dinner experience! Attentive server, delicious food, good ambiance - busy but not loud (could hear everyone at our table of 7 perfectly). For starters, I loved the garlic bread, bruschetta was fresh, fried zucchini was crisp and delicious, and eggplant was nice and creamy. We got 2 pizzas - the Bianca (white pizza w truffle oil - divine), and the Diavola (spicier, didn't try this one but my whole party enjoyed). We got 3 pastas - the spaghetti limone (my favorite & what I've most often heard about here), the penne pomodoro, and the tagliatelle bolognese on the nightly specials menu (the pasta itself was incredible, and I never usually get bolognese but really enjoyed this one). Drink-wise, the Radberry Lemonade was perfect! They charge a cake fee for outside cakes, but only $2 per person (less than other places I've seen). Will for sure be back! I've had it delivered a few times in the past, but found that it was much better IRL (way less greasy/oily). read more

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To be fair, I really do enjoy the food, and I always love bringing people from out of town here. My go-tos are tableside eggplant, ravioli, and lemon pasta. I didn't even look if they had an olive cake; I just asked for it to go, and I was brought a bag. I came home and was so excited; I opened...it. It was olives. I had been craving olive cake for 2 weeks and was so excited; I even texted friends, "I finally have one." They laughed a lot. On mission still for my olive cake. read more

Writing this 2 months after the fact, but just goes to show that Lil Frankie's made a huge impact. Thank you to the staff for being very up front that they are cash only & that they have an ATM there. The Bacon, Egg & Fontina and the Chicken Cutlet Parmigiana sandwiches were amazing - seriously, still thinking about them 2 months later. There was a huge portion of scrambled eggs in the BEF & they were so fluffy. The sauce in the Parmigiana was perfection. And they were generous with their mimosas & bellinis, even when bottomless. It felt homey, like I just stopped by a friend's house for good food & time to unwind. Would love to go back next time I'm in NYC. read more

Super cute Italian restaurant on the edge of the East village. Affordable pricing for great quality food. Between two people we shared 2 apps, a pasta dish and a dessert. While I loved the zucchini fries and pasta with broccoli, garlic and olive oil, I would have gotten something different than the eggplant. Next time I go I definitely want to try more of their homemade pastas and their chicken parmesan. Removing 1 star as I had hoped the pasta dish would be bigger after seeing the size of the appetizers. Make sure to bring cash as they don't accept credit cards read more

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Cash only!! ATM is in building with a fee. Spaghetti limone was amazing. The pizza was really good too!! I don't think I'd say it's the best pizza I've ever had, but it's towards the top of my list for sure. The salsiccia pizza was what we went with. Mozzarella di bufala was a delicious appetizer. read more

Yummy! A little hard to find, but so so good. Very attentive waitstaff and the pasta was yummerzzzzz read more

Lil Frankie's - Mezzi Rigatoni Polpettini Ragù - Pizza Near Me - New York, New York

I remember the first time we tried Lil Frankie's pre-covid--it was a whole experience. The vibe, the lemon spaghetti, everything just hit the right notes. We always talked about coming back to try more of the menu. So, when we were in the neighborhood recently, we figured it was the perfect chance for a late lunch and to finally "do it right." To our surprise, the place was practically empty. You'd think with fewer people, the service would be quicker and more attentive, but that wasn't really the case. We ordered a few dishes: the Rigatoni with Ragu, which was just okay--nothing particularly memorable. The lemon spaghetti, however, still held its own as the best dish on the menu. Then there was the pizza with prosciutto and arugula, which took quite a while to arrive. And when it did, they brought us the wrong one. No big deal, mistakes happen. But then we had to wait again for the correct pizza. At that point, we were trying to stay positive, but the final kicker was when we got the bill and noticed they tried to charge us for the pizza we didn't even order. Definitely not something I expected. All in all, it felt like we were chasing a memory that just didn't live up to the first experience. For the price, there are plenty of better Italian spots in the city. read more

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