My favorite restaurant in Brooklyn! My favorite restaurant in New York City. The food is so good! There is no bad choice on the menu. The owners and staff are all very friendly. The cocktails are excellent. The restaurant itself is gorgeous, both the main indoor space and the outdoor dining. You can tell how much thought they put into every detail. Get the pollo; it's my favorite dish on the menu! read more

Sociale is one of those neighborhood spots that always feels like a treat yourself type of evening without having to venture too far. When craving a hug from a well baked lasagna, Sociale is your gal. We came in on a Saturday night and it was packed. Reservations not required, but probably recommended for prime time if it's more than just two dining. For cocktails, the margarita piccante is delicious and perfect for sipping. Not pictured, we ordered the meatball appetizer to start. Overall great, I'm still trying to place what herbs or spices they use in their ground meat (maybe cumin or coriander), that give the balls an earthier taste that somewhat overpowers the sweetness you might crave from the tomato sauce. Entirely a preference, but for me it dulls the flavor, while for others I can see how they're special. I will say the perfectly cut square of Parmesan laid over the dish really enhanced it. Simple is better when it comes to meatballs and sauce. For our mains, there was no question we were ordering the lasagna and I also went out on a limb and ordered the lamb shank. The lasagna is delicious. No notes there. It's what we came for. The lamb shank itself was also delicious, tender, meaty, and fresh. Though it's supposed to come with gnocchi (which I was excited for when ordering it, just imagining rosemary garlic butter gnocchi with shredded lamb shank ready to get messy ) but there were maybe 5 pieces of gnocchi in the whole dish. The ratio of shank to gnocchi left me feeling like a rich king in meat and poor peasant in starchy carbs. The rest of the dish was all vegetables and while tasty, there were entirely too many pearl onions, which in the dark were stealthily disguised as gnocchi, and gave me surprising bursts of onion juice with each bite that I'd then need my margarita for as a palate cleanser. Overall it was a great dish, but I'm thankful we had stuck to our guns and ordered the lasagna to scratch the itch for starch the lamb shank left me with. Next time I'd like to try the Farfalle Di Mar and the Tiramisu. This was not my first visit to Sociale and it won't be my last. read more

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Nice atmosphere, good for snacks and drinks, a bit pricey for a full meal. The fried pizza with potato chips and pancetta was delicious, and we shared the brussels, green beans, and fries. Everything was solid, and the staff were kind. I liked the lighting and vibe inside, it's a great spot for hanging out for a drink. They have cute little postcards you can take home by the bathroom, a detail I always love. read more

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Came here with a group of people. Really chilled vibes and relatively empty. I had their upside down Cesar salad which was really good although the chicken was so thin. We also tried their pizza which was really good as well. The drinks were ok not very strong. Overall 3.5 stars read more

Sociale - Amaro Falso - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

We had brunch with two friends on a warm Sunday in October. Great restaurant. We sat next to the large window which opens to Courtyard Street. Service was great. Wonderful selection of brunch items. Food was delicious! Take a look at the photos. read more

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Stopped by for brunch with my fiancé and toddler. They were very accommodating and kid friendly. The burger and piña colada were delicious. I would definitely go back to try other items on the brunch and dinner menus. read more

Sociale - Piña colada - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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Sociale is one of those neighborhood gems I keep coming back to--and for good reason. The service? Always warm and welcoming. The vibe? Relaxed but polished. And the food? Let's just say if fried pizza is wrong, I don't want to be right. The fried pizzas are the MVP here--crispy, pillowy, and topped with just the right amount of salty prosciutto and peppery arugula to make you question every other pizza you've ever loved. I've been here many times over the past few years, and it's consistently solid. Bonus points for being open on Mondays (a rare gift in Carroll Gardens when the rest of the block goes dark). Drinks are smooth and strong--the margaritas are excellent--but $18 for one on a Monday? No happy hour, no Cinco de Mayo special? That's the only thing keeping this from five stars. My wallet needed a shot of tequila after that. Still, Sociale's charm, quality, and service make it easy to overlook the price tag now and then. Just maybe toss us a lime-salt-rimmed bone next time? read more

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We came for weekday lunch right around opening time at around 10am. Their menu has breakfast options as well. The place was not busy given it was a weekday. I got the short rib sandwich which was very tasty with tender short ribs doused in a special sauce with broccoli rabe over well toasted bread. The French toast looked good. The bacon egg and cheese sandwich on a croissant looked not bad as well but the croissant looked lighter than it should. Given the quality of the short rib sandwich, I would definitely come back to try some of the other options. read more

Sociale - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Unassuming restaurant on the corner of busy intersection in Caroll Gardens. I must've driven by this place numerous times so when my friend picked this place I had to oblige. We ordered the branzino and pappardelle pasta. The pasta was out of this world. The pasta was perfectly al dente and meat seasoned well. I love branzino but I wasn't a fan of it in this dish. I was in between the tiramisu and the poached apple. I'm so glad I got the poached apple. It went perfect with the bourbon gelato. The puff pastry could've been a bit softer. Overall, I enjoyed my late lunch. read more

Sociale - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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Court street has a bunch of restaurants so I popped in here on the fly. Best choice ever! The ambience is sooooo cute! The windows are open like doors, it's airy and light. The bar is beautiful and the people was just a vibe. It's super cute for a brunch date. I could imagine it's nice at night. The waiters were so sweet. Mine was very new and was so polite. I had the salmon and it was delicious. And if you're a ginger tea fan this will be the best giver tea you ever had. I was pleasantly surprised. It's definitely a spot to just make your "go to" spot. read more

Sociale - Salmon - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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OMG! This place is understated (imo) but absolutely so glad we stopped and finally sat down to eat here! We walked up and the hostess sat us immediately! Love! The server was not far behind and so sweet and had great timing.. truly didn't come to much to annoy us but didn't leave us alone too long to abandon us. He was perf! We sat outside (bc it was still kinda nice and they still have outdoor seating! Yay! So glad some have survived!) and ordered wine and the henry & orange fizz which were both lovely. Then I ordered the short rib small plate and the brussel sprouts and my bf ordered the lamb shank. He loved his meal and we both couldn't get enough of the brussels! They were soooo good! The sauce they put on them was absolutely perfect! But my short rib.. well, that was so perfectly fatty, so incredibly well done and perfectly cooked that I WISH that was a full ass entree.. but tbh, it was the perfect size for me. I wasn't super full after and I was satisfied.. so that's a win win! Then I went on to see Sinners at the theater, so my night was excellent! But back to the food lol.. go there and get you anything on the menu! Honestly.. you won't be sorry! read more

I would like to possibly try their dinner here. I visited this restaurant for brunch. I'd say it's pretty basic. I had the short rib hash. The food and drinks were prepared well but nothing stood out to me as exceptional or memorable. The wait staff was very friendly and it's a nice vibe inside with exposed brick. I did like the layout of the restaurant. read more

Sociale - Short Rib Hash - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

I've passed by this spot in the neighborhood a few times and loved the vibe from the lush greenery inside. Plus, they have a permanent outdoor dining area with heaters during the chilly nights too. This was perfect as I had my pup with me, so we were able to dine outside. Between the two of us, we ordered the Eggplant Parmigiana ($16), Spaghetti Alla Carbonara ($24), and Brasato ($16). Everything came out at once and was presented beautifully. I'm a sucker for a carbonara, so this was delicious and was swirled into perfect ball. It was a pretty small dish though, so wish it was bigger. The dish that really surprised me was the eggplant, which had a nice cheesy crust. Definitely would get this again, perfect whether you're vegetarian or not. The brasato was just ok though. There was something missing in the panini and there was too much bread to meat ratio. Overall, solid eatery along Smith Street with a nice atmosphere. read more

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This has become my go to restaurant when I am in beautiful Carrol Gardens neighborhood. When I was at this restaurant this past week I enjoyed the delish grilled salmon perfectly done medium the skin added a crispy texture. It was complement with sauté garlic spinach, potatoes and a green purée blending beautifully with salmon. My hubby had French toast he said the dish excellent. The French toast was created baked brioche, bananas, mixed berries, mascarpone cream. My hubby communicate this was a terrific combo with perfect sweet flavors. read more

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First time here and will definitely come back. The pizza is unique in that the crust is this fried crunch pastry dough. The seafood pasta with breadcrumbs was exactly what I was craving. I'm glad I did not pass on dessert because oh my! The salted caramel ice cream with the warm chocolate cake was to die for! The restaurant is cute and cozy and great for families, a date, catching up with a friend. The service was great! read more

Sociale - Seafood pasta, sautéed spinach, sausage honey Nduja in Puglia Pizza - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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Lasagna. Maine lunch ipa and the gin and tonic. Excellent service and atmosphere. The specials are always a treat.

If you're giving this place 4 stars or more, you've never been to a true Brooklyn Italian restaurant. First the bread they give is tiny little strips of something that's NOT Italian bread!! It's also not enough for a complimentary starter. I had the eggplant parmesan and it wasn't a full dish- they didn't even serve it as a main dish with pasta - which is a traditional dish in a true Italian restaurant. We tried the meatballs and they had a lot of flavor but missed a lot of breadcrumbs and egg in the mixture so they were somewhat gritty which isn't how unique meatballs should be texture wise. While the lighting is nice and it's quiet ambiance, the staff needs to STOP going over to guests every 5 minutes to clear plates, fill water and rush people through their food. I actually came here for my birthday and felt like 3 staffers were rushing us out of there. We had plenty of food to enjoy and the busboy was standing nearby ready to trash our dishes when we wanted to take our time. I don't recommend this place for a true family and Italian feel!!! read more

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Gem of a spot that friends recommended we meet up at while we were in town. So glad they did. The pastas were great, as was the burrata salad my wife and I shared. The service was outstanding (maybe bc our friends were regulars, but that says something don't it?), and the open air capable dining area was fantastic. Loved every bite and minute. read more

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Love this place! Been a fan since the last location Henry. The owner is awesome and the food is always a banger! Highly recommended for friends and family! read more

Came here for drinks while hopping around the neighborhood. They had a decent selection of wines. We opted for a bottle of Barolo. Pretty happy with the offering. They had a full bar and I think there were two drafts. Restroom was in the basement. There appeared to be a speakeasy in the basement. It wasn't opened at the time. Bartender was quick and accommodating. read more

I recognize why I favor this place so much. Our entire family agrees this spot beats all others. Staff members show good courtesy and warmth also. You'll experience familiar foods in unfamiliar ways. My taste buds are satisfied by this place. read more

Drinks are 10/10, the bartender was amazing! The espresso martini has fresh espresso which is always a win. We tried one of their salads (really good), their French fries were average and the pizza we got was interesting. The dough was fried, I don't think I'd order that again. Over all though vibes are nice. I'd like to sit at the bar again or maybe in their outdoor seating, they have a bar along the window outside which is really nice. I'd go back for their cocktails alone! read more

Alright! So this is where we decided to go for Valentine's Day and because I don't want to start my review just negative, let's begin with the positives: - the vibe inside is great for a date night of any kind - the staff was very nice and kind - the eggplant Parmesan was stellar, though small as it's only available as a starter - one of the best espresso martinis I've ever had Ok so let's move on to the negatives: - save for the eggplant parm the food was awful. We ordered 4 different food items (oysters, focaccia (Bianca), eggplant parm, and their spinach tagliatelle scallop special) - the oysters had a couple of truly terrible tasting ones in there and the mignonette was essentially just either balsamic or malt vinegar - the focaccia was terrible. $5 for the picture attached to this review is hilarious - the spinach tagliatelle was really rough. So so so bland, the scallops were overcooked and very rubbery, and there was truly just no real taste to the dish - some of the slowest service I've ever had at a restaurant. Though the staff was very nice, it took 15 minutes to get bread, and later 15-20 minutes to get a drink - I ordered a whiskey ginger and the ginger ale was fully, fully flat with no acknowledgment as to such I don't think I'd recommend or return, which is a shame because this restaurant could be great if some things changed. read more

Sociale - Focaccia - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Excellent preparation of very fresh new Italian menu. Salad with grilled shrimp was amazing. Definitely worth a try!

I really wanted to like Sociale. Truly. After all, it seemed to be the IT place throughout the summer with an ambience (indoor and outdoor) that couldn't be beat. My overall rating includes some of the positives I outline in my review but in summary, it was not the experience I was hoping to have. On a somewhat mild evening and with an outdoor table available, we got the opportunity to try Sociale. The owner, who was from Bologna and pleasant, showed us to our table; I was excited to experience everything Sociale had to offer. Service, wine and dessert merits a 5, but everything else was a letdown. For starters, we shared the Spanish Octopus. For $18, it was one long strip of octopus with pureed cannellini beans and vinegar. Although the flavors were robust and good, the octopus was overcooked. In fact, I couldn't even cut it with the knife. For main, we both decided to go with the Farfalle di Mare. This dish was comprised of butterfly shaped pasta, shrimp, mussels, calamari, clams, red mullet roe, breadcrumb. When it arrived, I was searching for the seafood but only found a few pieces that was cut in pieces appropriate for a child of about 5 years old. There was no sauce and the pasta was rather dry. Overall, I felt disappointed that these dishes were not the typical Italian dishes I grew up with and am accustomed to. We ended the meal with a delicious chocolate cake topped with a dollop of ice cream. This was pretty good. In summary, the service, wine and dessert were winners while the main dishes left a lot to be desired. My background is Italian and I come from a family of really good cooks (including professionally speaking) which is why I'm picky when dining at Italian restaurants. Based on my experience at Sociale, I would probably return for brunch but not dinner. read more

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I have been walking past Sociale for months and have finally decided to try it out for brunch this Sunday. The two of us did not have reservations, but were able to snag a couple of seats at the bar. Nice ambiance - lots of plants, modern decor, tunes playing. The menu offers plenty of choices both in the food and drink department, and the brunch items are not restricted to just eggs, with sections like pastas, meats, sandwiches and salads. The quality of the food is where my main issue lies. The veal cutlet was bland and chewy, as in difficult to swallow. The butternut squash bisque was much better once I added a generous amount of salt and a big squirt of lemon to it. The caprese salad we ordered never arrived. I guess I can now say I have tried this restaurant in my neighborhood, but I really see no reason to return. Trendy, lively and crowded, but the food was just not good. read more

I cannot think of a better restaurant in Brooklyn (maybe all of NYC!) than Sociale. The staff is friendly, attentive and professional. For years Sociale has been our go to (almost weekly!) I cannot recommend them enough! When (not IF) you go please order the brussel sprouts! I can promise you they are the best you'll find! The lasagna, chicken, meat loaf burger are all to die for. (It doesn't hurt that the restaurant is as fabulous & stylish as the food is GOOD!) Thank you for many a lovely dinner Sociale! read more

We ate at Sociale several times when it was on Henry Street and had good expectations for this Court Street location. Unfortunately on a recent weekend visit, the SERVICE WAS SLOW and the KITCHEN WAS DISORGANIZED. We sat down for 10 minutes before the server came by. After we ordered, we waited 25-30 minutes for the $18 Spanish Octopus appetizer to arrive. The appetizer was delicious but it was just one SMALL tentacle. After the appetizer arrived, we waited 45-50 minutes for the pasta ($26 and $28) to arrive. Two couples arrived after us, ate their meals, and left before our pasta arrived. The pasta was delicious but the portions were small. The pasta portions were just a little bigger than your fist. We're fine with the small portions but the delays made for an annoying experience. The servers apologized for the delays but did not offer to reduce the bill nor provide complimentary dessert or drink. We may not return to Sociale. After all, there are other good restaurants nearby such as Gersi, Fragole, and Cafe Luluc. read more

Sociale - Farfalle with short-rib ragu $28. Tasty but smaller portions than average. - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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ok, so they are always gruff when I go in but... I tend to go in after doing Lift floats next door and grab and a non alcoholic drink to chill out with and they are always fine to let me chill out for as long as I want, and don't pressure me to eat. The hot ginger tea is sooo good; they will make any alcoholic drink non alcoholic for you, and their cocktails are delicious, they serve phony Negronis which are the best, and I can't get enough of their bread straight from the oven. The zucchini soup was amazing, sadly I haven't seen it in ages, I hope they will bring it back. I love the plants everywhere, it's such a mood :) read more

We really enjoyed the food and service at Sociale. From the salad to my Filet Mignon. The people are very attentive and they serve quality cuisine. We'll be back to enjoy the relaxing ambiance with table candles and soft dinner music. read more

Sociale - I really enjoyed the smoky eggplant puree and I don't normally like eggplant but this brought a smokey flavor to the Filet Mignon - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Perfetto. Semplice. Sociale is not your average Italian spot! I came once and can't wait to go back! Everything is absolutely fresh, not processed, not salty and just tastes legitimately like southern Italian fare. I've been to Italy many times and this is the real deal. Farfalle di mare was simple, with distinct fresh flavors and fish that tasted like the Adriatic. The pasta is definitely made in house. Short rib dish was also very natural and homemade. Salad was fresh. The ambiance is very relaxed with big green plants and low lighting. The delicate flavors in these dishes truly tasted like home. Sociale puts a lot of care into their food and it shows by way of taste. I highly recommend this nice relaxed restaurant for dates or family time. read more

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My coworkes and I were desperate to try this place. After a few failed attempts to get a reservation (we are last minute like that) we finally got a table. It was worth the wait. The staff is impeccable - anticipating needs well before we realize we had them. There was never a crumb on our table, our water glasses were never empty, and we felt very welcomed and cared for. The food was also divine! From the appetizers to the main dishes, nothing disappointed. This was about a year ago (I swear I wrote this review already, but Yelp keeps telling me it's "unfinished") so I can't remember exactly what we had. I can't wait to be back in Brooklyn, with time to plan in advance (very rare for me) so I can go back! read more

Everything we had was absolutely amazing Great ambiance and the staff were very attentive and polite. I very much recommend read more

Sociale - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Excellent vibe, excellent drinks, excellent food. Especially the mushroom risotto. Then there's the spicy pizza with the taco-salad-shell crust which was delightfully original and delicious. Perfect date spot, too. read more

We are long time regulars and Sociale never disappoints. The food is consistently delicious and the wine list is a highly curated Italian gem with something for everyone. Sometimes hard to get a resy but worth the wait! read more

Sociale - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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It was so excellent having Sociale take over this space after some vacancy. The decor and style of the restaurant is wonderful (chic Mediterranean?) and the look extends to their excellent outdoor shed that they scored during the pandemic. We really love their dinners and have enjoyed many a meal. Dinner is a 5 star quality and we will continue to come back. Brunch isn't up to the same level unfortunately which caused us to knock a star off. We tried the Royale and enjoyed some bloody Mary's too. Bloodies are excellent with a clean presentation (albeit a small glass for $14). The poached eggs with hollandaise sauce sat atop a baguette that was a little tougher and hard to cut through. French fries were splendid and the salad was yummy if a bit overdressed. Extra fries were $9 and while overpriced, still a star of the show. Service was slow and we would've gone for another round of bloodies had they been by but instead opted for the check since we had finished. A great overall place and will only continue to please. read more

Sociale - Bloody Mary - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Sociale is a beautiful, contemporary Italian restaurant on Court Street. They offer indoor/outdoor seating, and on warm days in the summer they open the windows so you can sit at the bar al fresco. A gorgeous display of plants adorns the middle of the restaurant. The bar is equally beautiful. If I were rating them simply on design then I'd give them 5 stars easily. The problem for me is both in the service and the food. I came a couple times soon after they opened and found the host staff to be stuck up and unfriendly. One of the days was during a busy brunch hour, so I understand stress may have had something to do with it. But the other time was during a slow hour; the host was cold and short, and I'm pretty sure it was actually one of the owners. You'd think he'd want to put in some effort to create a welcoming atmosphere. The wait staff was nice enough, though quite slow. Not a huge fan of the food either. Their pizzas are fried so they're super greasy and don't hold well. Other items are portioned small. And everything is expensive. If anything I would come here for drinks, but given the service I'm unlikely to make this a regular spot. read more

Sociale - Caprese - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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I've been for both brunch and dinner, both were amazing. Their signature pizza fritti is surprisingly light, allowing me to lie to myself to say it's healthy. Their fresh pasta was tender yet filling, and the drinks were delicious all around. Made a reservation for brunch just in case, and the place did fill up eventually but we never felt rushed or crushed by a hovering crowd. Casual and/or cosy intimate atmosphere depending on how you read it. Not cheap of course, but not overratedly expensive either considering the space and location. I wish them success. read more

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I had a wonderful time eating lunch with coworkers on a Tuesday. Everything from appetizers, to pasta, pizza, and dessert was wonderful. All of us genuinely want to come back to this restaurant. The chocolate cake dessert is especially amazing but I couldn't find their dessert menu anywhere online so I don't know what it's called. They don't seem to be on any delivery platform so I will definitely return to eat in person soon. read more

Sociale - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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More like unsociale. Showed up early for a quick snack and drink with friends, there were two people here. Had a sleeping baby in a stroller, and they wanted us to sit at the bar (not one of the 50 open tables). But we couldn't go to the bar until our friends showed up. So much for friendly neighborhood places in a family neighborhood! I guess we'll have to find another overpriced Italian spot in Carroll Gardens. read more