Delicious foodOutstanding serviceRomantic atmosphere.The owner is tye chef and he is a delight to speak with.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Not what I expected. Local restaurant with limited stage. First impression was not great as there was no host upon entering. Waited too long to order and the food was disappointing. I would say more but I will be respectful.
Dan MacPherson
Please do yourself a favor and think carefully before coming here. A lot of people pick their restaurants based on online menu’s but do not make that mistake here.Price: The menu doesn’t match and the prices online are significantly lower. This place is wildly overpriced compared to the other restaurants in the neighborhood, even restaurants closer to Times Square are less. I ordered a lamb osobucco special and it was $44. I could’ve gotten a filet elsewhere.Quantity: One of the things you can typically depend on with authentic Italian food is generous portions but definitely not here. The portions are very small and come with absolutely no side at all. No pasta, nothing. My wife’s chicken had a piece of cauliflower just stuck on top congealed into the cheese?Quality: again, lacking. I’m sad to say that this place presents itself as authentic old school Italian but the flavors are absolutely not there. We were criminally overcharged for food that I could make a more tasty version of.Obviously we will not be returning and I caution others to read carefully and adjust expectations. I’m not trying to tank a local business but enough is enough. This place is taking advantage of people. 2/5 (being generous).
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 2
Jamie
it is a small intimate restaurant with a super attentive owner/chef. Most of the customers are regulars—he seems to know almost everyone as they come in. the food is extremely well prepared, the seats comfortable, not too close to each other. You can actually sit and enjoy a meal with friends. You want a variation—no problem. Fish is always fresh, the specials always worth trying. It is just a lovely place to have a meal out.
Joe D
Authentic and always quality
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Felix
The restaurant is small and serves fresh dishes which are simply delicious. It contains fresh ingredients and tastes awesome. It was the best food i have eaten during one week in New York as a lambda tourist. You should taste the Tiramisu'. It was not very sweet , well presented and all other ingredients were perfectly balanced. Yummy.
Luv2dineout
We were a group of 5 friends meeting after a long pause. Everything was perfect! The food was delicious and well presented. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their food choices. The service was excellent without being intrusive. The ambiance was good, quiet and allowed for conversation. We were never rushed and everyone remarked that the restaurant was a terrific choice. Highly recommend!
Jamie
My only reluctance posting about Da Raffaele is that it might get too popular and I won't be able to get in. It is a small, comfortable restaurant with the owner chef greeting you, telling you the specials, opening wine. For a small restaurant the menu is extensive and everything is wonderfully cooked and presented. It is both casual in manner but the cooking is elegant. Fish is always fresh, the pastas are wonderful, the meats excellent. Wine list is mostly Italian but well selected and unlike other local places not ridiculously marked up. There are very good barolo's for under $100 which is very unusual near the UN. We go once or twice a month and never order the same thing and are always pleased.
David Swissman
I would have to imagine most of these reviews are fake, quite possibly the worst meal i've ever had in NYC. The food was bland, small portions, and extremely expensive. I went on a Friday night at 7pm, there were 5 people there, and now I understand why.With restaurants like The Smith, La Pecora Bianca even Coppinitte in the area, these are all better food and even less expensive.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Olivia P.
The food and service were great. We had the Polipo, grilled octopus with eggplant puree, dry ricotta, red onion and tomato. For entrees, we had the linguine with baby octopus, zucchini puree, mussels & cherry tomatoes which was fresh with a good flavor. The second dish was swordfish with fresh vegetables. In general, the service was great and food was good. Would come back for sure.
Lovely local Italian restaurant tucked away on 1st avenue. Fantastically cooked risotto and pastas and friendly service.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nic B
Wow! What an amazing dinner experience all around. Between the food, the atmosphere, the service, and the authenticity, I wouldn’t change anything and I highly recommend others to go for a lovely dinner. The owner is very kind and welcoming and makes sure to come say hello to every table. The food is very authentic, being reminiscent of your grandmas Sunday dinner, and the portions will leave you feeling full and satisfied. Will definitely be back! 10/10.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Octopus
Jeremy Geller
The owner is hustling around in the front of the house and is very pleasant. Another server as well, very kind and informed. The atmosphere is uncrowded yet cozy, nice art, faux beams. All good. Food is great. As with another reviewer we ordered the mixed seafood grill and pappardelle w zucchini purée, walnuts, and ricotta. Both excellent. Generous wine pours. Great ricotta cheese torte for dessert. Will return with our friends.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sheila Hurley
Staying at the Millenium Hilton UN Plaza and wanted an Italian dinner on a Saturday night. We randomly chose Da Raffaele and so glad we did. Cozy, quaint and amazing atmosphere. Warm bread immediately served and we never felt rushed throughout the meal. The gnocchi and tagliatelle were homemade with a delicious sauce. The panna cotta was another delicious plate. The owner was gracious and spoke with us at the end. We will definitely seek out this restaurant on a future trip to NYC!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
George Bellini
I normally don’t take the time to review a Restaurant, good or bad. However, because this particular restaurant for some strange reason is listed with a 4.5 Rating, I feel an obligation to indicate to anyone reading the ratings that this was the worst restaurant I have ever dined at and that the food was completely inedible.
Delicious foodOutstanding serviceRomantic atmosphere.The owner is tye chef and he is a delight to speak with.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Not what I expected. Local restaurant with limited stage. First impression was not great as there was no host upon entering. Waited too long to order and the food was disappointing. I would say more but I will be respectful.
Please do yourself a favor and think carefully before coming here. A lot of people pick their restaurants based on online menu’s but do not make that mistake here.Price: The menu doesn’t match and the prices online are significantly lower. This place is wildly overpriced compared to the other restaurants in the neighborhood, even restaurants closer to Times Square are less. I ordered a lamb osobucco special and it was $44. I could’ve gotten a filet elsewhere.Quantity: One of the things you can typically depend on with authentic Italian food is generous portions but definitely not here. The portions are very small and come with absolutely no side at all. No pasta, nothing. My wife’s chicken had a piece of cauliflower just stuck on top congealed into the cheese?Quality: again, lacking. I’m sad to say that this place presents itself as authentic old school Italian but the flavors are absolutely not there. We were criminally overcharged for food that I could make a more tasty version of.Obviously we will not be returning and I caution others to read carefully and adjust expectations. I’m not trying to tank a local business but enough is enough. This place is taking advantage of people. 2/5 (being generous).
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 2
it is a small intimate restaurant with a super attentive owner/chef. Most of the customers are regulars—he seems to know almost everyone as they come in. the food is extremely well prepared, the seats comfortable, not too close to each other. You can actually sit and enjoy a meal with friends. You want a variation—no problem. Fish is always fresh, the specials always worth trying. It is just a lovely place to have a meal out.
Authentic and always quality
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The restaurant is small and serves fresh dishes which are simply delicious. It contains fresh ingredients and tastes awesome. It was the best food i have eaten during one week in New York as a lambda tourist. You should taste the Tiramisu'. It was not very sweet , well presented and all other ingredients were perfectly balanced. Yummy.
We were a group of 5 friends meeting after a long pause. Everything was perfect! The food was delicious and well presented. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their food choices. The service was excellent without being intrusive. The ambiance was good, quiet and allowed for conversation. We were never rushed and everyone remarked that the restaurant was a terrific choice. Highly recommend!
My only reluctance posting about Da Raffaele is that it might get too popular and I won't be able to get in. It is a small, comfortable restaurant with the owner chef greeting you, telling you the specials, opening wine. For a small restaurant the menu is extensive and everything is wonderfully cooked and presented. It is both casual in manner but the cooking is elegant. Fish is always fresh, the pastas are wonderful, the meats excellent. Wine list is mostly Italian but well selected and unlike other local places not ridiculously marked up. There are very good barolo's for under $100 which is very unusual near the UN. We go once or twice a month and never order the same thing and are always pleased.
I would have to imagine most of these reviews are fake, quite possibly the worst meal i've ever had in NYC. The food was bland, small portions, and extremely expensive. I went on a Friday night at 7pm, there were 5 people there, and now I understand why.With restaurants like The Smith, La Pecora Bianca even Coppinitte in the area, these are all better food and even less expensive.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
The food and service were great. We had the Polipo, grilled octopus with eggplant puree, dry ricotta, red onion and tomato. For entrees, we had the linguine with baby octopus, zucchini puree, mussels & cherry tomatoes which was fresh with a good flavor. The second dish was swordfish with fresh vegetables. In general, the service was great and food was good. Would come back for sure.
Restaurantji Recommends
Lovely local Italian restaurant tucked away on 1st avenue. Fantastically cooked risotto and pastas and friendly service.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wow! What an amazing dinner experience all around. Between the food, the atmosphere, the service, and the authenticity, I wouldn’t change anything and I highly recommend others to go for a lovely dinner. The owner is very kind and welcoming and makes sure to come say hello to every table. The food is very authentic, being reminiscent of your grandmas Sunday dinner, and the portions will leave you feeling full and satisfied. Will definitely be back! 10/10.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Octopus
The owner is hustling around in the front of the house and is very pleasant. Another server as well, very kind and informed. The atmosphere is uncrowded yet cozy, nice art, faux beams. All good. Food is great. As with another reviewer we ordered the mixed seafood grill and pappardelle w zucchini purée, walnuts, and ricotta. Both excellent. Generous wine pours. Great ricotta cheese torte for dessert. Will return with our friends.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Staying at the Millenium Hilton UN Plaza and wanted an Italian dinner on a Saturday night. We randomly chose Da Raffaele and so glad we did. Cozy, quaint and amazing atmosphere. Warm bread immediately served and we never felt rushed throughout the meal. The gnocchi and tagliatelle were homemade with a delicious sauce. The panna cotta was another delicious plate. The owner was gracious and spoke with us at the end. We will definitely seek out this restaurant on a future trip to NYC!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I normally don’t take the time to review a Restaurant, good or bad. However, because this particular restaurant for some strange reason is listed with a 4.5 Rating, I feel an obligation to indicate to anyone reading the ratings that this was the worst restaurant I have ever dined at and that the food was completely inedible.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1