The Popina crew is in a league of their own. It's our go-to restaurant for pretty much any occasion -- from a mid-week family dinner, to my first option for out-of-town guests, to special events in their one-of-a-kind outdoor space (had my birthday there on more than one occasion); we are there all the time. Chef Chris, James and the entire team treat us like we're a part of the family -- they really take care of us every time we're there. Of course, the food, the wine! Top notch. I love that the menu changes with the season and they always have new items on rotation that keep options fresh. My shortlist includes the arancini, the hot chicken Milanese, all of the pastas (amatriciana, cacio e pepe, the pappardelle with ham and collards) and their chess pie when it's on the menu. Their wine list is amazing and filled with interesting selections, and their bottled Negronis are always a great option if you're in the mood for a cocktail. What more can I say, other than see you there! read more

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Came here last night with in a group of three people.. The room was warm and comfortable with a sophisticated vibe.. I was very excited to try this restaurant.. Perhaps it was because I knew the crew were Danny Meyer Alum, perhaps I knew about the chef's pedigree or the fact that I was prepared to check out what is arguably the best wine list in Brooklyn right now.. But, I was not disappointed despite my anticipation.. We did not have a reservation last night so we had to wait a bit in their huge backyard.. Complete with bocce court!!! After a quick google search, the wife and I taught ourselves had to play a quick version of bocce ball and we sat with a couple of cocktails and played on their bocce court.. The cocktail was fantastic by the way.. It was a whiskey drink with all of the things I like about a negroni and then they kicked it up with some whiskey instead of gin. Again, i said the wine list is fantastic and I really meant it.. James is the wine guy and he was able to recommend and help us work our way through.. We started with a bottle of Montevertine 2014.. I normally don't remember bottles when I am drinking but, this stood out as exceptional and committed it to memory.. We moved on to Arancini which were really delicious. Normally arancine is made with arborio rice which is starchy and creamy.. Here they used white gold rice which allowed the grains to keep their integrity.. I was starving and this was a great way to start. This is definitely worth a crack. They also make their own foccacia in house. .This was served with a whipped lardo. The foccai was fantastic. I often find it boring, this was nothing short of fantastic. it was cripsy and freshly made and so good.. We almost ordered all the pastas but, we landed on three.. Two spaghettis and a house made thick pappardelle with braised pieces of ham hock in a delicious broth/sauce. The sauce interacted with the pappardelle so beautifully. It was a thing of beauty.. While all the pastas were great, one with truffles another with onions, this was my personal favorite.. A good thing is when there is no clear definite winning dish and my wife was happy to finish the onions spaghetti as that was her favorite. . We moved on to swordfish over creamed lettuces and their hot chicken milanese.. I think it's a genius idea and it was executed exactly how you would hope it to be.. Served with a raddicchio salad that we loved.. For dessert we had chocolate cake which i am rarely impressed with.. This cake was almost like a flourless chocolate cake or a rich gooey brownie.. We finished with some beautiful cheeses from Abruzzo and some more wine.. Staff was friendly and informed.. It's shocking how well this place is operating considering it's so young. I can't wait to go back. I wish this place was in my neighborhood though, it's still worth it for me to travel back to. read more

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We were very disappointed in this restaurant considering it had 4.5 stars out of 75 reviews. Both my pasta and my husbands pasta were undercooked and kind of chewy. The flavor was something I felt like I could've made myself. Just not great and honestly very pricy for what it was and the portion size. The wine was very good though. It was a chilled red. The ambience and outdoor seating was lovely also, so it's really a shame. read more

Fantastic neighborhood restaurant with a killer spacious backyard complete with bocce court! Food was delish but... service was unfortunately veryyyy slow. We live close by and wanted to love this place, but our uncomplicated dinner for two took well over two hours. We waited an hour for our pasta dish and then another hour after that for our fish. When our server came over to ask us for dessert, we reminded her that she still hadn't gotten our fish and she acted like nothing had happened and that the dish was just about to be served; no apology or acknowledgement. 15 minutes later, while no other food came out of the kitchen, we had our fish but with a server still acting like everything went as planned. She then went ahead and again asked us 2.5 hours into our meal if we wanted dessert. We politely declined. Unfortunately now it's too late to get revenge ice cream around the corner and I will now have to settle for the sweet sweet consolation prize of the Haagen Daaz in my fridge. Come for the food, come for the backyard. But also come with mucho time to spare and be sure to feverishly follow up on your food's whereabouts. read more

This restaurant sticks out to me as one of my favorites. Food is always on point. Fresh ingredients and very flavorful. They have a great wine list. Today they even had Focal Banger beer. The atmosphere at Popina is tough to beat. We went out on their back patio to eat tonight. Had a great experience. Can't wait to go back. read more

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Was left extremely disappointed with my experience here - dishes were small (arancini appetizer, hot chicken milanese, maltagliati) and underwhelming and we found the service to be somewhat pretentious. The outdoor space was nice, but we certainly will not be back despite living right down the street. read more

What an amazing dining experience! We sat at the Chef's table for a special family-style event. We sampled dishes from what seemed to be the entire menu and I can honestly tell you each dish was incredible and unique. But here are a few: Brussel sprouts (Cesar salad-style), cavatelli, Bucatini ,Hot chicken Milanese, Sea-bass. The pastas were cooked just as I like them - al dente. They all seemed fresh. The flavors were delectable and so well thought out. Very unique and lovely. And the chocolate chess pie - OMG! I loved the environment and the service as well. Felt like home - but very classy. The bar was on point - we sampled some lovely wines and I had a vodka/prosecco/lemon cocktail that was refreshing and perfect with my pastas. Thank you for a wonderful meal - you made us feel like royalty and family all in one! Phenomenal. read more

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Figured we'd stray from our usual Italian spots in the neighborhood and try something new. We were kindly greeted up front and taken to the back patio which has a great atmosphere. We pulled up the menu on our phone which is somewhat limited but had enough options for us both to find something. The (meatless) pasta dishes we ordered were $24 a piece so we were fairly surprised when the plates came out looking like a slightly oversized appetizer. The pappardelle was delicious, the spaghetti with jalapeños was very underwhelming and definitely not worth the price. Service was fine, definitely not commensurate to the prices. We spent $72 before tip for 2 small plates of pasta, and one glass of house wine and left still hungry. Perhaps it was an off night but there's a lot of other great options in the area that are way more affordable and provide portions that actually fill you up. read more

Genuinely the best Italian restaurant in a neighborhood rich with fabulous Italian restaurants. You really can't go wrong with any of the dishes, but my standouts have been the hot chicken Milanese, the pappardelle with ham hock, and the olive oil cake. Only place they could improve is the appetizers, but not a big deal there. Overall, my favorite restaurant in Brooklyn. Don't miss it. read more

I went here on a Friday night with my boyfriend and we ordered the eggplant appetizer, the Milanese and the paccheri entree, and drinks. I loved the outdoor area, it was really cute and casual. We ordered a glass of wine and an aperol spritz. The aperol spritz was pretty gross, it had way too much aperol in it, which gave it an odd syrupy taste. The glass of white was good though. Next the eggplant and burrata appetizer was good, not great. It wasn't what I was expecting at all. The eggplant was fried and together they tasted like a mozzerella stick. The pasta and Milanese were good, although the Milanese was way too spicy. The taste though was pretty good. I felt like this place is SUPER overrated. read more

I deeply love everything about this place. Local, super friendly, great food (either to take away or eat in), wine selection is amazing, and their Covid setup is great. read more

Hot chicken Milanese is amazing. Crispy, spicy, and relatively thin. And the backyard is beautiful, quiet, romantic and perfect for covid. The pastas are unique and delicious. Very flavorful without trying too hard. This place is just kind of amazing. read more

Came here with a group of friends on a Sunday night and it was just right. Great food, chill vibe, good acoustics, cool crowd. We started with some appetizers and everything was well portioned for sharing and delicious. We tried the brussels sprouts and fried artichoke and both were legit. The 4 of us each ordered a pasta and shared the hot chicken milanese between the table. Pasta's were each unique, cooked perfectly, and seasoned just the right amount. We were honestly impressed- rarely does a place nail 4/4 dishes. Hot chicken is a semi-buffalo flavored chicken milanese, which added a nice kick to our pastas. I don't remember dessert because we ate it too fast. You get the idea, i like this place. read more

Popina is what you would call a total package. Phenomenal food, exceptional service, and tasteful ambiance. Dare I say, better than most overhyped Italian restaurants. Come for the Spicy Chicken Milanese, stay for the fresh pastas. Everything is cooked perfectly al dente and the portions are just right! I know some reviews mention the small portions... so this is why you do family style and try a bit of everything. Can't wait to return in the summer and enjoy the backyard! read more

We made a reservation on Resy for 8:30pm and weren't seated until after 9. We could see that diners had paid and were just allowed to slowly sip their wine well past their reservation. We also were left on the street to wait. It wasn't until we reminded them we were still waiting that they revealed there was seating in the back the whole time. Food is good but just plan for the small space. read more

We had a party for a "significant" birthday in the private room that Popina maintains down the street from their restaurant. Charming "Brooklyn" space with excellent and copious food served family style by friendly and skilled staff. Everything was excellent. The lamb ragu and squash and burrata stood out. Would highly recommend for private parties read more

My rating is 7 3/4 out of 10 (the 5 star scale for YELP is limiting). Popina is a good-to-solid meal. Tasty pastas and apps. The hot chicken entree - a milanese type dish is wonderful. Just wish they'd offer more than 2 entrees (of which 1 can't be swordfish). Does anyone still order swordfish? To me , its the 'gateway' fish my parents had me try when i was 12 yrs old thinking fish was gross. Its not gross, there's just so many more attractive options than meaty swordfish, regardless of the preparation. The portions, especially the pastas, could be larger, too. This seems to be a common criticism for most of the reviews here. I hope ownership is reading these, as I hope to see Popina succeed. read more

Super cute little spot with a very lovely backyard. Honestly the backyard in the summer is what sells me more than anything else. The food was good, though I think all 6 people at our table wished the servings were a little bit bigger. The chicken Milanese was the table favorite though the pasta dishes were not too far behind. I would definitely return for another meal. read more

Agreed about the other Yelper's comment: it's the total package. Outdoor seating? Check. Great food? Check. Super awesome management and service? Check. Owners went out of their way to open up the backyard one early Spring Saturday afternoon for our group. They were even welcoming of a couple young kids. Been here for date night, been here for midday lunch w/the fam. Recommend for both! read more

Popina is by far our favorite restaurant in New York City. We go almost every week to enjoy Chris's delicious and frequently-rotating menu, and to benefit from James's wine expertise. The pastas are unmatched. The arancini are mouth-watering. The vegetable appetizers are bright, fresh, and delicious. The staff are warm, friendly, and knowledgeable. It is obvious in every detail of the service that James, Chris, and the team deeply care about their customers. During COVID-19, that commitment has been especially on display, as they keep everyone safe in their gorgeous backyard. read more

Adorable place but so many things to improve on. First of all it's loud. So loud. Also, if you order a glass of wine you get a half pour. Literally 4 sips and it's gone. The food is super fresh and def interesting but small. Oh so small. And the service is not interested, interesting or sophisticated. Now all of this would not really matter but and the big BUT it's expensive. So for $200 you have have 4 sips of wine and 5 bites of food and have to scream at your dinner date. Ps. To add to the noise, Lots of kids. read more

Incredible outdoor seating in their backyard and the service was impeccable. Delicious food and very pleasant atmosphere. Great place for a group dinner, excited to come back here! read more

Fantastic pastas and sauces. Simple, fresh, and so much flavor. Italian food like you get in Italy (not Little Italy). Staff is great, knowledgeable and friendly. read more

Popina is a great local restaurant with excellent food and a cozy atmosphere. The restaurant is filled with locals and has a very down to earth vibe; it's a great spot if you're looking to avoid trendy, busy places. The food is really excellent. All of the pastas are hand made and deliciously flavored. We also ordered the Brussel sprouts which were excellent. The service is excellent. My only complaint is that the portions are very small considering the prices. $20 for a small pasta dish is not exactly affordable. However, the quality of the food makes up for this- and I will be returning to Popina very soon! read more

Unfortunately couldn't sit outside as it was too busy but the food was excellent. Fantastic Negroni's!

Such a neighborhood gem! We love eating here and still love it as they've transitioned to take out. They have loads of lovely wines and we picked up some porchetta that took our meal to the next level. The owner James is also really nice and knowledgeable, great to chat with him. read more

Definitely a very small space. Not as loud and hectic as people say it is. Popina does not take reservations, but only waited about 20-30 minutes for a table for 2 on a Saturday night, which is pretty decent. For Appetizers, we tried the arancini, which were excellent drizzles in honey, the brussel sprouts (definitely an above average serving and also good), and the burrata (ball of burrata, very tasting cheese). For our entrees, we had the Cavatelli with ricotta and the papardelle with ham hocks. Can't go wrong with either one. Both were very good. Nothing really stood out but all the food was very good. Also had an above average olive oil cake for dessert. All in all, Popina is a very good restaurant. Fairly priced and good servings. read more

Disappointed. The menu was limited and no big deal. The wines the waiter recommended were delicious. The backyard is their best feature. However, the food (mussels for appetizer and pasta dishes) were ok. Any true Italian would not be impressed. read more

Popina is fantastic in so many ways. The backyard is so peaceful and enjoyable. The staff are all so lovely and helpful, service is fantastic. The food is amazing. We started with the arrancini which was prepared perfectly and the spicy honey was a delightful kick of flavor. Next we had pastas. We should have ordered them all, but picked 2. Mandilli was so delicious. The homemade pasta plus ricotta and pistachio pesto, was pure gold. paccheri was equally as awesome with a nice Smokey flavor from the ham. The hot chicken Milanese is the perfect amount of crisp, yet juicy inside, with a nice kick of spice. Finished with the chocolate pie and it was scrumptious. This place is seriously the best. read more

Lovely experience, really a cozy neighborhood restaurant. Friendly atmosphere with food you're glad to eat, though I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way. Cacio e pepe with toothsome, wide cut noodles is pure Rome; hot chicken Milanese emblematic of Popina's South meets Italy ethos. The drinks deliver at a very reasonable price. Popina's is a place you're glad is in your neighborhood. read more

Fantastic new spot. Great menu. Simple and to the point but each dish we had was special in its own way. Great service as well which always goes a long way for us. We cannot wait to get back in there and try more of the menu. read more

Perfect spot for a date night - great food, wine, and people! Can't go wrong with the hot chicken dish and pasta.

We were in the area and hungry and so decided to check it out. We ordered two pasta dishes and hush puppies as appetizer to share. They were just ok. All were a bit too salty and the portions were quite small for the price. We had a blueberry cobbler for dessert - it was better than the others we had. Well, at the end we were still hungry and had to stop by another place for snacks. We probably won't be back. read more

The people to the food was absolutely excellent. Not only some of the best pastas we've ever had but also a family like atmosphere. I would recommend James, food and crew all day and everyday! read more

Everything about this place is great! The staff is friendly, the food is original. Everything we ordered tasted delicious. The place in intimate and has a fun cute vibe going. Definitely worth checking out read more

I hate to say this but I found the portions to be small for the price tag. Flavors were good but not spectacular. But I still like the design and the concept of the place and wouldn't mind tracking all the way here from upper Manhattan for a relaxed Friday night dinner. read more

I had a lovely experience at Popina. We sat outside on a HOT day but it felt quite comfortable. It's a large space with some shade and a breeze from being so close to the water! I also saw people playing bocce ball! The staff was very friendly, they answered questions and made great recommendations. Standouts for me food-wise were the hot chicken (SO GOOD), arancini, fettuccini, and the pie for dessert (not sure what kind but it was like a brownie pie). So delicious I forgot to take photos! read more

Great dinner last night at Popina - our only regret was the weather meant we couldn't sit outside! Particular highlights were the hot chicken Milanese and the arancini - a lot of slight twists on familiar Italian dishes that didn't disappoint. Wine list was also excellent - some of the best prosecco I've had in a while. Worth the hike out from Manhattan and will definitely come back. read more

OBSESSED with this place is an understatement. My husband and I always say this is our fav spot in Brooklyn...food spot on, service is great, the vibe is awesome. Their backyard set up is top notch....love them and so happy they survived covid! read more

This place is fantastic. Great food, great atmosphere. The backyard is dog and kid friendly.