If you're craving upscale Italian American comfort food, make a reservation at Carlotto restaurant. This West Village fine dining spot offers delicious handmade pastas, creamy risottos and hearty meat and vegetarian main courses, decadent desserts, and a notable wine and cocktail list.
House-made pastas. Italian wines. Playful, decadent desserts.
Are you in? Let's go!
If you're in New York City and you're craving comfort food in an upscale setting, definitely check out Carlotto NYC.
I originally meant to dine here during our 4 Days in NYC but we ran out of time. So I made a reservation during my recent girls' trip/work trip to NYC and am so glad I finally got to enjoy this restaurant! So worth it. And I know you'll love it, too!
Whether you're coming off a long day and want a glass of something bold and red, or you're celebrating an anniversary over bowls of handmade pasta, Carlotto is the place that knows exactly how to set the mood.
Jump to:
About Carlotto
Carlotto is a modern urban trattoria honoring Italy’s most celebrated regions. This contemporary Italian American spot is nestled in the heart of the West Village in Union Square, next to its sister restaurant, Oceans.
Featuring pastas made in-house each day, Carlotto also has one of New York’s largest lists of amaro, and a thoughtfully curated Italian-focused wine program.
Ambiance
Dining at Carlotto feels like slipping into a stylish, low-lit dinner party where everyone is in on the secret. It's refined but never stuffy, trendy without being pretentious.
Think of it as the ultimate mashup between Rome’s dolce vita and downtown NYC cool—where polished interiors meet pasta dreams and negroni nights.
Exposed brick walls, warm walnut tones, leather banquettes, and vintage Italian film posters line the space, giving it a mid-century glamour that whispers sophistication.
The lighting is low and flattering (every selfie looks great). And I love the open kitchen where you can catch glimpses of pasta being twirled and sauces being ladled.
The crowd at Carlotto NYC is as varied as the menu. Expect to see first dates nervously laughing over burrata. Or co-workers toasting a deal over spritzes. And longtime friends (like me and my girls!) sharing bites of cacio e pepe.
Delicious Italian food
NOTE: The menu is subject to change regularly. The dishes featured here are the dishes that my friends and I enjoyed during our dining experience.
The wild mushroom crespelle at Carlotto is a delicious way to start the meal.
A savory Italian-style crêpe filled with a medley of earthy mushrooms, ricotta, and topped with a hazelnut vinaigrette.
The house made foccacia with marinated olives is a regular offering on Carlotto's menu. The bread is fluffy and also great for soaking up some of the pasta sauces that come with the main courses.
The crispy potatoes “millefoglie” (which translates to "thousand leaves") is a hearty, decadent starter dish. Topped with burgundy truffle and fine shavings of parmigiano, this dish has layers of textures and flavor in each bite.
Antipasti
One of the faves among our group was the crispy baby artichokes. Served with lemon bagna cauda, mint, and shaved pecorino.
I loved the slow roasted lamb rib “presse” with a bright salsa verde, pickled chanterelles, and walnuts. Definitely a heartier starter, but if you like lamb, you'll love how tender and flavorful this dish is.
Main Courses
Because I can never say no to a seafood and pasta combo, I ordered the mafaldine nere. With plenty of succulent lobster, garlic, heirloom cherry tomatoes, and a crunchy topping of pangrattato, I LOVED this dish!
Another fave was the sweet corn agnolotti. This was had crispy prosciutto, piave vecchio, chili oil an was topped with crispy sage, parmigiano and pepitas.
The raviolo al uovo is a work of art, with perfect pasta wrapped around egg yolk. Also truffle ricotta, cacio pepe, and an opulent shaving of burgundy truffle on top.
The risotto was rich and creamy, with porcini ragù, truffle butter, arugula, and of course, parmigiano.
Dessert
I adored the hazelnut croccante, which had a velvety smooth chocolate-hazelnut mousse, topped with praline crunch and candied cherries.
Drinks
Carlotto boasts a wine list that leans heavily Italian. You'll find gems from Piedmont, Tuscany, and Sicily, plus a few unexpected bottles from natural winemakers.
The team is happy to guide you if you're unsure what pairs with your truffle risotto or grilled branzino.
Cocktail-wise, the Boulevardier Negroni is a must-order—bitter, herbal, and deeply aromatic. The Teaball with toki suntory whisky is another standout.
Non-drinkers will love their house-made sodas and herbal spritzes.
Carlotto NYC FAQs
Yes! Carlotto has a lovely outdoor patio open from spring through early fall.
Expect to spend around $130–$160 for two people, including drinks, a shared appetizer, two mains, and dessert.
Absolutely. And vegan versions of some pastas are available upon request.
Smart casual. Think stylish but comfortable—no athletic wear, but jeans and a blazer or a chic dress will do just fine.
Yes, on the outdoor patio! Pups are welcome outside and often treated to a water bowl and friendly ear scratches from the staff.
Carlotto is family-friendly, especially for early dinner hours and weekend lunches. While the ambiance leans upscale and intimate in the evenings, the staff is incredibly welcoming to families. That said, later reservations (especially after 8:00 PM on weekends) tend to attract a more adult, date-night crowd, so families with younger children may prefer earlier seatings or brunch hours when the vibe is a bit more relaxed.
Dine at Carlotto NYC
We truly enjoyed our dinner experience at Carlotto. The service is impeccable; our waitress was attentive, fun, friendly, and very helpful. She helped make the entire dining experience one to remember.
I can't wait to return during future trips to New York City!
Address: 138 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014
Phone: (212) 555-0147
Email: info@carlottonyc.com
Website: www.carlottonyc.com
Instagram: @carlottonyc
Hours: Open daily from 5pm; daily happy hour
Make reservations, get their latest menu and learn more at the Carlotto website.
More New York City restaurant reviews
If you visit, please be sure to let them know that you read about it on Urban Bliss Life! And if you snap some pics, tag us @UrbanBlissLife and #UrbanBlissLife on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook.
Leave a Reply