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    Barbalu Bklyn

    4.4 (173 reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

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    BARBALU BKLYN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Classy
    Good for groups
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Barbalu Bklyn

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    Fried Calamari (sans shrimp)
    Annalise W.

    This review is for weekend dinner. Maybe more of a 3.5 stars - overall, I wouldn't go out of my way to come here. But if you live within walking distance in the area it could be a good option. I would skip the appetizers and just go straight for the mains. Ambiance / Service: very casual, local spot. It was bustling on a Saturday evening. Lots of families. Our waiter was very friendly, but service was lacking simply because he seemed to be one of the only servers. Had to ask every time our water was empty, etc. Food: the apps were a huge disappointment. If I went back I'd skip all together. We didn't even finish them. However, the pasta was delicious and something I'd come back for. -Romaine Hearts (Caesar): not good. Would not order. Photo looks promising, but the dressing had zero flavor and the lettuce was watery so it had even less flavor. -Fried Calamari: the plus, it wasn't greasy and the red sauce was good. But overall this also lacked flavor. The breading needed salt and seasoning. I wouldn't order again. -Rigatoni Alla Norma: wow this was delicious. Cooked well, full of flavor and zest, good portion size. Highly recommend. -Lasagna: delicious as well. Hearty and rich, saucy and NOT dry (which happens to a lot of lasagnas). Highly recommend.

    Oven Roasted Branzino with Broccolini
    Peter D.

    I feel as though I owe Barbalu an apology. I had been avoiding it because I'd lumped it in with the mediocre Italian spot that had previously occupied the space (or maybe the one before it), and it turns out that it's actually pretty great. The room is still beautiful and larger than you'd expect, and they've usually got the space for your party, in our experience. Whether you're coming in for a decent happy hour and some of the excellent pizza, or rolling deep for a birthday party where you order all the things, Barbalu's got you. We've enjoyed all kinds of pies (but definitely the margherita for my kids and the truffle pie for my wife), many pastas (the cavatelli for sure), and even the surprisingly well-executed mains like the branzino (my mom was a little disappointed she couldn't gnaw on the head/tail - it's just the filets, but still a large portion) and the salmon and the grilled chicken. The staff is super accommodating, especially to children. They know what neighborhood they're in, and perhaps that's why they didn't bother to course out our recent large dinner, but just got all the food out on the table as quick as possible. Either way, it's a good spot to bring the kids, even if they don't really have a kids menu.

    Aude L.

    We swung by Barbalu for dinner on a whim because we were craving pasta and it was close by. We'd never been before, so we figured why not. It turned out to be a really charming spot. It isn't formal, but it still has this elegant, cozy feel where you can show up in casual clothes and still have a nice night out. We walked in without a reservation and got seated pretty quickly. We ordered a cocktail, some wine, the focaccia with olives, and two pastas: the homemade fettuccine with beef ragu and the homemade cavatelli with mixed mushrooms and black truffle. The cavatelli was rich and earthy with tons of mushrooms, but the fettuccine ended up being my favorite. The beef was super tender and slow-cooked, and the sauce was perfectly seasoned without feeling heavy. The focaccia was also great and absolutely hit the spot since we were fully committed to the carb theme. Service was friendly, the food came out fast, and overall it was a soliddinner. It's a great option for a casual date night, and we'll definitely be back.

    Branzino with fresh, roasted vegetables
    Yudelka S.

    You don't have to be in The Gardens to get delicious Italian food, and excellent service. Visited for an early dinner and was greeted by friendly host. Spacious dining room, where couples and families mix well easily. We started with Ravioli of the Day, lucky for us it was a Brisket ravioli, perfectly al dente, stuffed with generous pieces of flavorful brisket, topped with a hearty marinara sauce. The roasted brussel sprouts could use something, but the Oven Roasted Branzino with Broccolini is a true winner. Grilled to perfection, and perfectly paired with olives and vegetables. We ended with the Flourless chocolate cake and cappuccino, both were excellent. This is a Brooklyn gem, don't pass up a visit!!!

    Tequila espresso martini
    Madi H.

    Came here early on a Saturday for some drinks and to split a pizza. We sat outside on a beautiful day so it was really pleasant. The servers were all kind and helpful, and I tried a drink from the specials menu and loved it. Vanilla flavored tequila espresso martini -- YES! While I wasn't personally a fan of the eggplant parm pizza we got, I think it could be more of a preference thing than the quality of the food. I would really like to come back for homemade pasta, which I already know I would love. Cute place, expected prices, and off the main street, so it's a little quieter. Will be back!

    Broccolini and Salsiccia Pizza
    Bri K.

    This was a great experience for a nice dinner on the weekdays. I was served right away upon walk-in in this casual yet elegant restaurant. The calamari was crunchy yet soft, top 5 in the best calamari in the nyc. They were very accommodating when we wanted to get take out as well. I would definitely return and try their pasta. My fav pizza was the margarita and the price between two people was pretty reasonable.

    Broccolini and Salsiccia Pizza
    Kasey G.

    Visiting Brooklyn and my friend who lives in the area recommended this place. Had a nice dinner, inside is cute and it's an open floor plan. You can see the food being made around you. I had the broccoli pizza which was delicious and my friend, who is gluten free, had the short rib pasta. They change out the water in the pasta which is wonderful. Eric our server was great and I would come back next time I'm in the area!

    Cavatelli with Mixed Mushroom + Truffle
    Tony G.

    Overall I think this place is a solid, well executed Italian spot. My group and I ordered the following: - Capricciosa Pizza: If you like olives on your pizza, you'll like this. The crust was also really nice in a fluffy, good chew kinda way. - Cavatelli w/ Mushroom + Black Truffle: My personal favorite of the pastas. I found the truffle taste good, but not overwhelming and the mushrooms were nice and umami. - Squid Ink Tonnarelli: A nice squid ink seafood pasta. Nice mix of seafood although more than a couple of shrimp would've been nice. - Pappardelle Braised Short Rib Ragu: Pretty standard, but I did find the portion size for this quite small. While portions were a bit tiny imo, the food was well executed. I do think they did a better job at pizza than pasta dishes. Space is nice for a casual date night or group meal. Service was friendly and checked in on us occasionally. Probably wouldn't go too out of my way for this place, but a good option if you're in the neighborhood.

    Homemade Pappardelle with Braised Short Rib Ragu, Risotto Arancini of the Day, and Tiramisu.
    Cindy Z.

    I got an Ubereats order from here, which arrived promptly. I had the Homemade Pappardelle with Briased Short Ribs Ragu ($27), Risotto Arancini of the Day ($19), and Tiramisu ($12). While I have no complaint for the taste and flavor, I did find that the portions were very small especially for the price. With so many Italian spots in the neighborhood, I'd opt for the other options. The restaurant does look nice though, but I have yet to dine in person.

    Nice unpretentious Italian spot operated by Italians. When we visited, it was clear they had family and friends visit for a meal and that was great to see--they are clearly welcoming and well-loved people. Food was good, some items were just alright but nothing was disappointing. Recommend this place for group meals, as the menu has a good range of crowd pleasers. Service was attentive and managed every request correctly. Customizations were made without hassle. Prices were very reasonable.

    Patrick N.

    I have been here a few times. I really like how spacious this place is. The pasta is elegantly done with great flavors. The lamb rack has a good balance of fat and lean, with a good char. Pizzas were also delicious with fresh ingredients and dough with great texture My only complaint is that pizza was unavailable during lunch time the last time we visited. The server told us after we were seated. So, maybe call ahead to confirm they have pizza.

    Burrata
    Dipali G.

    An amazing Italian restaurant in boreum hill! Food: we got the burrata, arancini, and cavatelli! The cavatalli was absolutely incredible - the mushrooms added a burst of flavor! By far my favorite dish! The burrata was great on a hot summer day but I'd probably not order this again! The arancini was delicious! Service: good service! They did forget one of our orders but fixed it after Price: fair prices Ambience: I loved the ambience - it was very romantic! They had both indoor and outdoor seating!

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    The cutest Italian place in Brooklyn. The vibes were awesome, the food was amazing and the service was good!

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Delish food. Lovely welcome service. A local fave. Def try the lasagne or one of the pizzas. They make a mean Negroni too.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Maurizio, Makes the best Sicilian Pizza I ever had like My Mother's!!! Everything they serve is absolutely amazing! Deliciouso!!!!

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    3 years ago

    Great food, nice atmosphere and good service. We were visiting Brooklyn and found this cute little spot. The pizza was fantastic.

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    Page 3 of 5

    Ask the Community - Barbalu Bklyn

    Do you offer any vegetarian or vegan options?

    Yes we do

    How big are the pizzas? 12"? 14"? 18"? Anyone know?

    12"

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    Ammazzacaffè

    Ammazzacaffè

    4.3
    (404 reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$

    I've been back multiple times since my first visit and always get the Reginette and another pasta…read moredepending on my mood for our entrees. We came for dinner today and got lucky because the Sunday only special (Chicken Parm) was available so we ordered that and I decided to switch up my usual to the Spaghetti. My boyfriend loved the Chicken Parm and it comes on top of Vodka Pappardelle which was also delicious and the Spaghetti wasn't too heavy even though it was cream based. I wish they sold the Vodka pasta separately as an entree because I would order that as an entree on my next visit. Another fabulous dinner at Ammazzacaffe!

    Really a 3.5/5. The drink and one of the appetizers were great, but the entree was disappointing…read more Sunchoke - interesting for sure. The sunchokes and apples are tossed in a creamy and slightly herbal dressing. Burrata - really great. The eggplant base is richly spiced and tart to complement the rich and creamy burrata. Gemelli - disappointing, and the only vegetarian option. The goat cheese totally overwhelms the dish, so you can't taste the pesto at all. The texture on the noodles was perfect at least. Passion project - delicious drink with notes of passion fruit, chocolate, and some spices. The others in my group also had the duck (which they found to be a bit overly loaded with duck fat) and the reginette (which they enjoyed). I'd love to see a more balanced vegetarian main course make it on the menu sometime. The bill for 4 people came to nearly $230 after tax and tip.

    Photos
    Spaghetti bottarga
    Spaghetti bottarga
    Mini Martini and Caviar bump
    Mini Martini and Caviar bump
    Reginetter with pork ragu

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    Reginetter with pork ragu
    Piccola Cucina Casa

    Piccola Cucina Casa

    4.6
    (71 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    Came here for Christmas dinner on Thursday. I searched for a restaurant semi-close to me that had…read moregreat reviews and was Italian. This was high up on my search, and with reviews like what they have, we decided to give them a shot. Its very easy to get to with a decent amount of street parking. Seems a bit out of place next to a deli on a residential block. You can kind of miss it if youre not paying attention. We were a party of 6 and had a 5 PM reservation. You have to pass through this dark curtain and go to the middle of the bar where the host will greet you and bring you to your seats. We were seated promptly with no wait. The restaurant is VERY small. So much so that at our table, all I had to do was reach my hand out and I would have been touching the kitchen counter. It does get a little crammed/crowded, but not in an annoying or unbearable kind of way. The vibe is actually really cozy and rustic. Very dim lighting so either whip out the flashlight on your phone or hold up one of the real candles they have on the table to read the menu. The food menu is straightforward and simple. They have an extensive wine list. I love how on the food menu, next to each dish, they tell you the region of Italy that dish gets its roots from. They have lovely dinnerware here. They brought out a foccacia bread for the table with a tomato dipping sauce. Absolutely delicious foccacia. The sauce was a tad too salty for me. I started off with the mocktail Luisa. It was passion fruit, lemon, agave, ginger beer, and mint. It was $10 and very fresh and mouthwatering! For my appetizer I had the Calamari alla griglia. Grilled calamari with guacamole and carasau bread. I've never had grilled calamari before. Only either marinara or fried. I also thought pairing it with guacamole was an interesting twist. I was so pleasantly surprised by this dish. The calamari were perfectly fork tender grilled. The guacamole went well with it. The carasau bread was more like a tortilla chip. They give you a decent amount for $24.95. That app slid down my throat effortlessly! For my entree I had the Maccheroncini alla Norma. Maccheroni with eggplant in tomato sauce with ricotta cheese. The pasta was so fresh and perfectly cooked. The sauce reminded me so much of my Calabrian grandmother's. The ricotta made it rich and creamy. Filling as well. So much so that, even though it wasn't a huge portion, I had to take home half of it because I was verging on being stuffed! My mother had the Cotoletta alla milanese. Keep in mind that if you get this chicken cutlet dish that it serves about four people, even though its for 1! HUGE portion. About 4 enormous cutlets that gave my mom 3 days of leftovers! All of the desserts were $12.95. A nice selection to choose from, but I had the classic Tiramisu. They make it here tableside. He made it with such care. Loved watching him put it all together. Let me tell you, that was the BEST Tiramisu that I've EVER had! Wow, just amazing. Very balanced, quality ingredients. The marscapone was so decadent, creamy and fresh. I could have easily taken down 2 of them! I tried some of my mother's chocolate cake. Delicious and decadent. Service throughout our dinner was above and beyond. Attentive, kind, concise and our waiter was such a cutie! Smooth sailing throughout the entire meal. We barely had to wait for anything. Amazing restaurant and staff. Prices are just fine and the quality goes way beyond. Can't wait to come back. Highly impressed and recommend!

    Charming Italian restaurant with a rustic vibe. Came here for dinner one night, and was lucky…read moreenough to be able to sit outside on this not too busy street. This place does get busy so recommend making reservations if you can. They have a pretty nice wine list to choose from along with different cocktail options. From the start, the food was delicious starting with the house bread which was warm and soft but still felt light. For dinner, I ordered the special for the night which was cacio pepe ravioli, while my husband got the tagliatelle verdi con ragu. Both of our pasta dishes felt extremely fresh. The ravioli was unlike anything Ive had before, with flavorful cacio pepe filling and a butter sauce with pancetta complementing the flavor. The tagliatelle was also delicious in a more ragu centric way, still offering a good balance of flavor. Both dishes were pretty filling and so neither of us could finish it. We ended the night with cannolis, which was a pleasant surprise to find 3 came in 1 order. One side is pistachio while the other had a coco dusting. These were again delicious but pretty filling and sweet so we could only eat one. The staff here was also very friendly and service was quick with food coming out much faster than I expected. Overall I would come back and try even more on their menu.

    Photos
    Nice room
    Nice room
    Bread service
    Bread service
    Bar area

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    Bar area
    Evelina

    Evelina

    4.4
    (509 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    So a friend and I decided to dine out on a Tuesday, thinking that most places would be empty, well…read morenot EVELINA. We were able to snag an early seating at 6:30. Note: reservations are not required but definitely suggested!! This place was packed. Every table sat, but a few chairs at the bar. I give this place 5 stars, EVERYTHING was lovely! The dim lights, (I love a dark and moody restaurant) noise level, talk-able but good music in the background, food, drinks, service.... all of it TOP NOTCH. Let's get into the deets.... I ordered the Portia cocktail... if you like Mezcal, you should definitely try this one. Smoky and a little sweet, it was a delicious drink We order Pinsa Bianca for appetizers, the bread, roasted peppers and whipped ricotta all made for a light but delish start. We then dove into the rib-eye (for 2) DELICIOUS ! One of the best steaks outside of a steakhouse I have had. The marbling gave it great flavor, salted well and the perfect char on the outside, it was accompanied by French fries and broccolini. All a great addition; The broccolini was surprisingly not too bitter which was nice. To round it off we ordered their version of a Lemon tart! It was the perfect level of sweet and tart! Yummmo Overall a great place for dinner, run don't walk, you won't be disappointed! You'll thank me later

    I finally tried this place and it didn't disappoint. It's always very crowded so I wanted to give…read moreit a try. My husband and I decided to share the papardelle oxtail ragú and the squid ink spaghetti. Both were very good but the oxtail ragú was exceptional! It felt a little heavy but i would still recommend it. The portions are very generous. We got seated right away in the outside area. They had so many dishes we wanted to try so we will have to go back!

    Photos
    Evelina
    Evelina
    Burrata, Asparagus, shaved Bottarga

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    Burrata, Asparagus, shaved Bottarga
    Michael's

    Michael's

    4.4
    (531 reviews)
    6.0 mi
    $$$

    We had the best night at Michael's!…read more I knew Michaels was an iconic restaurant deep in Brooklyn. I've seen their sauce sold in stores before, and we finally made the trip out for dinner. We went around Christmas and it was decorated inside. The restaurant was packed. Every single table was full. Everyone was having the best time. Even the bar was totally full of people ordering drinks before they were seated. The food is classic, New York Italian. Everything is a very well done version. The veal Parm was one of the best I've ever had. The caramel cake at the end was truly beyond. I can't recommend this experience enough. We ate for three hours had amazing cocktails, great bottles of wine and a really delicious meal. Looking around, you could tell the diners were locals enjoying a beloved neighborhood restaurant. It's such a special restaurant that serves real New Yorkers.

    You can tell this is a staple Italian restaurant in Marine Park, Brooklyn. Lots of regulars and…read morefamilies. I always pass by and finally decided to try it out. The interior looks like a classic Italian restaurant and service is very formal. It was quite busy for a weekday night. There's valet parking so you don't have to stress about finding street parking nearby. We ordered fried calamari, baked clams, baked vodka penne, and the Fisherman's Platter. We were served bread and some antipasto to start. The calamari was a classic and I loved the sauce -- it had a good spicy kick to it. The baked clams were okay. The Fisherman's Platter is a must and good value with its generous portion of seafood. It can definitely be shared amongst two people. The baked vodka penne was also good but portion was on the smaller side. I would say Michael's is a must try at least once.

    Photos
    Love their bread platter and decor.
    Love their bread platter and decor.
    It was our first time trying the lobster dish - delicious and fresh. The baked dish tasted too burnt.
    It was our first time trying the lobster dish - delicious and fresh. The baked dish tasted too burnt.
    Appetizers were so delicious.

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    Appetizers were so delicious.
    Lilia

    Lilia

    3.9
    (1.4k reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$$$

    Reservations are harder to come by so I had to settle with an early 4 pm meal. I was seated…read moreimmediately as they opened. Service was attentive and friendly, and I did not feel rushed at any point. I wasn't too hungry so I shared their popular focaccia bread with green butter and sheep's milk agnolotti. Focaccia 5/5: best focaccia I ever had, it came hot and fresh out of the oven. Crispy on the outside but so soft inside, topped with a delicious parm. The green herb butter was so smooth. I loved this dish and would come back just for it Sheep's milk 4/5: they're like ravioli stuffed with smooth, melt in your mouth cheese... the sauce was light and sweet from the honey. It was so unique and delicious (technically a 5/5 but I personally am not a fan of sweet pasta and would likely try something else next time) I hope to come back another time for that bread and to try one of their other pastas

    I came to Lilia for dinner with my sister and we had a great time! We had a reservation, and…read moreeveryone was incredibly kind. The service was great, and our server gave us great recommendations. Inside has lots of seating and it is moody, more of a date-night vibe. We ordered three pastas and two appetizers. All were overall great! They are known for their focaccia, and it was good! Definitely one of the focaccia I have had, most end up being too oily but this was perfect. We also got the mussels, and they were good as well, the butter sauce it is dosed in is not too heavy and pairs well with the bread. The Mafaldini was the biggest portion size, and it was also good, but we preferred the other pastas more. The best pasta was definitely the agnolotti!! Though the portion size was smaller, every bite was so delicious. Overall we had a great time here!

    Photos
    Bar area
    Bar area
    Italian job (gelato)
    Italian job (gelato)
    Housemade Mozzarella on Toasted Garlic Bread

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    Housemade Mozzarella on Toasted Garlic Bread
    Bamonte's

    Bamonte's

    4.0
    (526 reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$

    Busy Sunday and they made room for us. Classic old style restaurant. Everything we ordered was goodread more

    Cuisine: 7 Service: 8…read moreDecor: 8 Value: 7 Overall: 7 I wonder how many 100 year old restaurants are still left in NYC. It can't be easy to stay true to who you are in this ever changing world. With today's social media heavy and influencer dominated marketing, this restaurant sits on a quiet street in Brooklyn just going about its business. Known as an Italian red sauce shop that served all walks of life, including possibly the mafia, this place has seen it all. If only the walls can talk, I could imagine all the stories it holds. Our friendly waiter has been there for 20+ years and shared some of his experiences and memories. It was a nice bonus to our meal for four. For appetizers, we had some Clams Oreganata (8/10), Fried Calamari (8/10), and Roasted Peppers w/ Anchovies (8/10). I would say that these three starters were the highlights of the meal. The entrees were not bad, just not as outstanding as their appetizer counterparts. My favorite of the bunch was the Eggplant Parmigiana (8/10), which was delicious and well made. The other three items, Pork Chop alla Bamonte's (6/10), Ravioli w/ Meat Sauce (7/10), and Rigatoni w/ Sausage & Broccoli Rabe (7/10), were all decent, but nothing special. By the end of the meal, four of us all agreed that it was a fun experience. With all the great options for Italian cuisine in NYC, it's not somewhere that stands out enough for regular visits. However, I would stop by if I was in the neighborhood.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Breast Chicken Parmigiana
    Breast Chicken Parmigiana
    Fried Calamari

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    Fried Calamari

    Barbalu Bklyn - italian - Updated June 2026

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