A third of the population on Staten Island can say they are Italian in some form, so it should come as no surprise that there are countless options for Italian cuisine. There are almost too many to choose from! So that you don’t have to weed through them on your own, we made a list of five of the best-rated Italian restaurants on Staten Island.
Da Noi
The warm, wood-carved interior of Da Noi | via Da Noi
In Italian da noi means “our place,” and this family-owned operation definitely feels from the heart. Two of its four NYC locations are on Staten Island, and both feature a well-stocked bar and an elegant dining room. The Northern Italian menu features such crowd favorites as the nodino valdostana, a thinly pounded veal cutlet with prosciutto and fontina cheese. Or try the spaghetti bolognese if you’re more of a traditionalist. Starters shine as well — try the insalata bianca, with hearts of palm, artichoke, and endive, or the insalata caprini, their baked goat cheese salad.
Enoteca Maria
Just a few of the nonnas who might cook for you at Enoteca Maria | lauren via Flickr
We wrote about Enoteca Maria and its charm already here on the blog, but we can’t exclude it from this list. Each night Joe Scaravella, the owner, brings in a nonna, an Italian grandmother, from a rotating lineup to cook dishes from her home region of Italy. This restaurant is the place to take those friends who think they know everything about Italian food. It’s also a great dining spot for the indecisive, as every night has a featured menu chosen by that night’s nonna. Just point to the kitchen and say, “I’ll have what she’s having!”
Trattoria Romana
The saltimboca at Trattoria Romana | Jeff Shaumeyer via Flickr
Located in Old Town, Trattoria Romana’s claim to fame is a wood-burning oven that puts out pies you will love. The smallish pizzas have a crispy crust and are topped with thin layers of cheese and a host of toppings. The atmosphere of Trattoria Romana is high on charm, one of the reasons we recommend it so highly. Their menu also features antipasti, insalatas, and pastas that you will love. This is a place full of Old World, Italian ambience — go with good company, order some wine, and relax.
Pasticceria Bruno
Perfect little desserts that you may or may not want to share | Amie L. via Yelp
Of the restaurants listed here, this is the place to go for brunch, offering breakfast favorites like omelets, French toast, casseroles, and eggs Benedict. The valdostano, soft polenta with scrambled eggs served in a terracotta dish with pancetta and spicy tomato, is a perfect way to start. But don’t stop there, because the pastries are divine and hard to pass up. It’s not just for brunch, though — their dinner menu gets raves too.
Denino’s Pizzeria & Tavern
Fried calamari | Dae K via Yelp
Denino’s opened in 1937, and is still run by members of the original family. It’s also the best of the casual pizza joints on Staten Island. There are old photographs and newspaper articles on the walls, reflecting the storied history of Denino’s. Start with an order of their perfectly prepared fried calamari. They come with a roasted fresh tomato sauce that will have you eagerly awaiting the arrival of your pizza. Denino’s menu features such pizza staples as margarita, white, and sausage, but they also less traditional fare like the “garbage pie” (which has everything) and the buffalo wing pie. At Denino’s their low-key charm extends to their dishes: you’ll get your pie on a paper plate. Expect crowds on the weekends and be sure to bring cash.
Businesses Mentioned Above
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