Emilio's Ballato

All 275 rated mentions, most helpful first

postWhat was your worst dining experience in NYC?124 pts
“The Bolognese was really good, but not outstanding. The service was a disaster.”
H3
in:Emilio's Ballato2 pts
“I’ve enjoyed a few great meals here.”
H3
in:NYC's Best Chicken Parm?2 pts
replying to u/Key-Appearance9733: Emilio’s Ballato
“Get the pollo Antonio off the “secret menu.” I know it’s technically not a chicken parm but it’s a Paper thin chicken cutlet, with vodka sauce, prosciutto, and fresh mozzarella”
H3
in:Best unpretentious, classic Italians (pasta or pizza)1 pts
“I had an exceptional lunch at Emilio Ballato.”
H3
postWhat is the most overrated restaurant and its better alternative to you?80 pts
“Emilio Ballato’s is less expensive and I feel the quality and service was better.”
H2
in:meatball enthusiasts, where do you recommend?25 pts
“American-Italian red Sauce: Polpette 71, emilios Ballato, patricias of Morris Park”
H2
postEmilio's Ballato23 pts
“The difference is that Emilio’s nails it. This place isn’t purely coasting on nostalgia or cheap theatrics. It’s delivering on every promise those other joints have been breaking for decades.”
H2
in:Emilio's Ballato20 pts
“Ballato has good food and I really like the atmosphere.”
H2
in:What was your worst dining experience in NYC?17 pts
“Also had a terrible experience there as a roach crawled over my foot in the restaurant and the owner blew it off. Really disgusting.”
H2
in:What is the single best restaurant dish in NYC in 2026?16 pts
“Chicken parm Emilio’s ballato.”
H2
in:Best chicken parm in NY?14 pts
replying to u/MarinaraBoss: Emilio's Ballato
“The off menu Chicken (or veal) Antonio is what keeps me going back there and puts it at the top for me.”
H2
in:Best Chicken Parm near midtown? 13 pts
“Other chicken parm's of note; Emilio Ballato”
H2
in:NYC Traditional Italian Recommendations12 pts
“for that old school nyc italian vibe emilios ballato or bamonte’s are your best bets.”
H2
in:Chicken Parm Recs9 pts
“Emilio's Ballato probably has the best in town.”
H2
in:Family owned Italian restaurants in manhattan?8 pts
“Classic red sauce joint complete with Gandolfini-esque owner that is almost always posted up at a table near the front of the restaurant. Try the veal parm.”
H2
in:Trip with my dad and brother, need a restaurant I’ll remember forever!7 pts
“Emilio’s Ballato - Nolita. I’d go hear if you want something classically Italian-American (think veal/chicken parm).”
H2
in:Overhyped or expensive restaurants that disappointed you?6 pts
“The food was pretty good but just as good as many of the non-famous Italian neighborhood pasta joints. I'd say I was categorically disappointed, but mainly just by virtue of the hype.”
H2
in:What was your worst dining experience in NYC?6 pts
“I remember the disappointing appetizer and vegetables. Totally unmemorable and surprised that it’s still on the lists as a top restaurant. All hype”
H2
in:Memorable Italian Restaurant?5 pts
“Emilio’s ballato.. amazing food old school vibes.”
H2
in:Best wings in NYC?5 pts
“Off-menu Scarpariello Wings from Emilio's Ballato”
H2
in:a week of restaurants in manhattan: pt 2 (domo domo, paros, emilio’s ballato, etc) (review in comments)4 pts
“i will say the food was good. however, the chicken parm could have been a little crispier imo. the food was good, a solid 8/10”
H2
in:Emilio’s Ballato Secret Menu Prices4 pts
“Worst meal I’ve had in nyc in years. Not even close to being worth the price or wait. Everything was cold and bland.”
H2
in:Looking for a good Italian restaurant budget 200$-300$3 pts
“Emilio’s Ballato. Old school Italian and the chicken parm, meatballs and pasta are fire.”
H2
in:Hard to get in places in lower Manhattan?3 pts
“emilios ballato (old school red sauce joint, great veal parm, pasta dishes are also good)”
H2
in:Overhyped or expensive restaurants that disappointed you?3 pts
replying to u/BigOlSandwichBoy: Emilio's Ballato wasn't repugnant by any means but I definitely was mystified about what drives the hype. The service wasn't great, nor was it like fun novelty brusk - it was just sort of ambivalent. The food was pretty good but just as good as many of the non-famous Italian neighborhood pasta joints. I'd say I was categorically disappointed, but mainly just by virtue of the hype.
“Their chicken parm is still the best in city.”
H2
in:Classic Italian Anniversary3 pts
“Emilio’s Ballato is busy but has a wonderful atmosphere.”
H2
in:NYC's Best Chicken Parm?3 pts
“I had one at Emilio's Ballato that was awesome”
H2
in:What would be your ideal dining itinerary based on these parameters . . .3 pts
“other great pasta is emilio ballato, classic italian nyc but no resys”
H2
in:Favorite meal/restaurant?3 pts
“I think about the chicken parm at Emilio’s ballato a lot.”
H2
in:Who has your favorite bread and olive oil? Here's Via Carota's3 pts
“Emilio’s ballato did bread and olive oil but also a bread with some sauce on it … SO good”
H2
in:What was your worst dining experience in NYC?3 pts
replying to u/Even_Expression4678: I wouldn’t say it was the worst, but I went there because of the wood fired grill—but it wasn’t being used and it wasn’t fired up. I remember the disappointing appetizer and vegetables. Totally unmemorable and surprised that it’s still on the lists as a top restaurant. All hype
“The rest of the food wasn’t memorable at all. They onion tart was super salty”
H2
in:Restaurants that blew your expectations away recently?2 pts
“Bar Pitti and Ballato's are both excellent and not crazy expensive”
H2
in:Creating a mini book of illustrated NYC dishes - need suggestions!2 pts
“Veal parm from Emilio’s Ballato.”
H2
in:Are Trendy/Hyped Italian Places Actually Worth the Effort? 2 pts
“Emilio’s Ballato is a really strong with old school New York Italian vibes.”
H2
in:Best veal parm in Manhattan?2 pts
replying to u/Shaker58_: Emilio ballato's but good luck getting a table these days. The palm has some really good parm
“Ballato’s veal parm is fantastic.”
H2
in:What to order at Emilio's Ballato?2 pts
“Tagliatelle bolognese or linguine vongole Caesar salad Broccoli rabe”
H2
in:Great restaurants that don’t require reservations way in advance?2 pts
“Emilio's Ballato does a great veal parm”
H2
in:Best Restaurants (that you can actually get into)?2 pts
“Emilio’s Ballato (wait on line early)”
H2
in:Meatball recommendations2 pts
“emilio’s ballato has good meatballs. And pmuch everything italian”
H2
in:Best carbonara in the city ?2 pts
“I had a carbonara at Ballato that was pretty amazing.”
H2
in:Best Cacio e Pepe in the city?2 pts
“Emilio’s ballato off menu OMG”
H2
in:East Village Recommendations!2 pts
“Emilio’s Ballato is great but just be ready to wait.”
H2
in:Who has the best chicken penne vodka in the city right now?2 pts
“Emilio’s Ballato is easilyyy my favorite but I do go for their veal chop park w vodka (chicken is just as delish)”
H2
in:Looking for simple, delicious meatballs of any style in a not too posh place in Manhattan or even SI2 pts
“Emilios Ballato has spectacular meatballs”
H2
in:Red Sauce Italian recommendations (Midtown/ East Village)2 pts
“Emilio’s on Houston is A+, though these days you may need to wade through some riff raff. The meatballs are as good or better than Rao’s.”
H2
in:Best veal parmagiana and wiener schnitzels in New York?1 pts
“Emilio’s Ballato does a fantastic veal parm with the bone still on and as big as a dinner plate.”
H2
in:Bamontes, Al Di La or somewhere else?1 pts
“Em ellipse Ballato great food and atmosphere”
H2
in:Italian restaurant for a tourist1 pts
“The food is outstanding as well as the service, all around a fantastic spot.”
H2
in:What time would I have to stand in line to obtain a 6:45-8:45 PM seating for Emilio’s Ballato?1 pts
replying to u/Which_Raccoon4680: Depends on day but could be as easy as 6:30 or early as 5
“Their veal is worth it if it winds up being an hour for party of 1?”
H2
in:Is Carbone actually worth it?1 pts
“Emilio Ballato is great too but a different vibe”
H2