MomSkoop
Nothing beats the comfort of perfectly cooked spaghetti wrapped around tender, juicy meatballs in rich tomato sauce. New York City has become home to some of the most incredible Italian restaurants that have mastered this beloved dish. From old-school family recipes passed down through generations to modern takes on the classic, these restaurants serve up spaghetti and meatballs that will make your taste buds dance with joy.
1. Carbone
Step into Carbone and you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back to the golden age of Italian-American dining. The servers wear crisp white jackets and the atmosphere buzzes with old-school charm.
Their spicy rigatoni vodka steals most of the attention, but their spaghetti and meatballs deserve equal praise. Each meatball is perfectly seasoned and incredibly tender, sitting atop al dente pasta.
The sauce strikes the perfect balance between sweet and savory, coating every strand of spaghetti. Make a reservation well in advance because this Greenwich Village hotspot fills up quickly with both locals and tourists.
2. Rubirosa
Thin-crust pizza might be Rubirosa’s claim to fame, but their spaghetti and meatballs tell an equally delicious story. This Nolita gem has been serving comfort food since 2009.
The meatballs here are massive, almost the size of tennis balls, and packed with flavor from a secret blend of meats. They’re so big that two meatballs can easily satisfy most appetites.
The marinara sauce has a bright, fresh taste that doesn’t overpower the meat, and the spaghetti has that perfect bite. Families love this spot because the portions are generous and the prices won’t break the bank, making it a neighborhood favorite.
3. The Meatball Shop
As the name suggests, meatballs are the star of the show at this casual chain with multiple NYC locations. Their concept is simple but brilliant: choose your meatball, pick your sauce, select your base.
The classic beef meatballs paired with marinara sauce over spaghetti never disappoint. What sets them apart is the quality of ingredients and the variety of options available.
You can customize your order exactly how you like it, and the prices are very reasonable for the portion sizes. The atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly, making it perfect for a quick lunch or casual dinner when you’re craving comfort food without any fuss.
4. Carmine’s Italian Restaurant
Family-style dining reaches new heights at Carmine’s, where every dish comes in portions large enough to feed a small army. Their spaghetti and meatballs arrive on platters that could double as serving trays.
The meatballs are homestyle perfection, tender and flavorful without being too fancy. The sauce has that traditional Italian-American taste that reminds you of Sunday dinners at grandma’s house.
Perfect for large groups or families celebrating special occasions, Carmine’s creates an atmosphere where sharing food brings people together. The Times Square location can get touristy, but the food quality remains consistently excellent across all their NYC locations.
5. Polpette 71
Hidden away on the Upper East Side, Polpette 71 specializes in one thing and does it exceptionally well: meatballs. This intimate restaurant focuses entirely on perfecting the art of polpette, the Italian word for meatballs.
Their traditional beef and pork meatballs are handmade daily using recipes from Southern Italy. The pasta is cooked to absolute perfection, and the tomato sauce tastes like it was made by an Italian grandmother.
The small, cozy space creates an authentic neighborhood feel that’s becoming harder to find in Manhattan. Reservations are recommended because word has spread about this hidden gem among serious food lovers who appreciate authentic Italian cooking.
6. Emilia’s
Bronx natives know that some of the city’s best Italian food exists outside Manhattan, and Emilia’s proves this point beautifully. This Arthur Avenue institution has been serving the same families for decades.
Their spaghetti and meatballs recipe hasn’t changed in over 50 years, and that’s exactly how regular customers want it. The meatballs are generous in size and seasoned with herbs that create depth of flavor.
The sauce has a homemade quality that you simply can’t replicate in commercial kitchens. While the trip to the Bronx might seem far, food enthusiasts make the journey regularly because authentic Italian-American cooking like this is becoming increasingly rare in New York City.
7. Frankie’s 457 Spuntino
Brooklyn’s Carroll Gardens neighborhood is home to this beloved local spot that serves rustic Italian food with a modern twist. The atmosphere feels like dining in a friend’s stylish home rather than a restaurant.
Their meatballs are made from grass-fed beef and have a slightly different texture than traditional versions, but the flavor is outstanding. The house-made pasta has a wonderful chewiness that holds the sauce beautifully.
What makes Frankie’s special is their attention to sourcing quality ingredients from local farms and producers. The restaurant attracts both neighborhood families and food-conscious diners from across the city who appreciate their commitment to sustainable, delicious Italian cooking done right.
8. Rao’s
Getting a table at Rao’s is harder than winning the lottery because every table is permanently reserved by the same families and celebrities who have been coming for generations. This East Harlem institution operates like a private club.
When you do manage to experience their spaghetti and meatballs, you understand why people guard their reservations so fiercely. The meatballs are legendary, made from a secret family recipe that creates incredible flavor.
The sauce is equally famous, and you can actually buy jars of it in grocery stores, though it never tastes quite the same as when served fresh. Rao’s represents old-school New York dining at its most exclusive and authentic.
9. Patsy’s Italian Restaurant
Since 1944, Patsy’s has been serving celebrities, politicians, and regular New Yorkers who appreciate consistent, high-quality Italian-American cuisine. The walls are covered with photos of famous guests from decades past.
Their spaghetti and meatballs represent everything great about traditional Italian-American cooking. The meatballs are substantial without being heavy, and the marinara sauce has a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.
Located in Midtown, Patsy’s maintains its old-school charm despite being surrounded by modern developments. The service is professional, and the atmosphere feels timeless, making it perfect for both business dinners and special family celebrations that call for classic Italian comfort food.
10. Locanda Verde
Robert De Niro’s Tribeca restaurant brings a sophisticated approach to Italian comfort food, including their refined take on spaghetti and meatballs. The industrial-chic space buzzes with energy from morning until night.
Their meatballs have a more delicate texture than traditional versions, made with a blend of meats and herbs that create complex flavors. The pasta is house-made and cooked with precision that shows in every bite.
While more expensive than neighborhood Italian joints, the quality and atmosphere justify the price. The restaurant attracts a stylish crowd of downtown professionals and celebrities, but the food remains the real star, especially their elevated approach to classic Italian-American dishes.
11. Emilio’s Ballato
This tiny Nolita restaurant has been a well-kept secret among food insiders for years, serving authentic Italian food in a space that feels frozen in time. The dining room is so small that conversations between tables are inevitable.
Their spaghetti and meatballs are prepared exactly as they would be in a traditional Italian home, with no shortcuts or modern techniques. The meatballs are perfectly seasoned and the sauce tastes like it’s been simmering all day.
Cash-only policy and no-reservation system mean you might wait for a table, but the authentic experience is worth it. Emilio himself often greets guests, creating a personal connection that makes every meal feel special and reminds you why neighborhood Italian restaurants are treasures.
12. Portale
Chef Alfred Portale brings fine dining techniques to classic Italian dishes, creating an upscale version of spaghetti and meatballs that maintains the comfort food essence while adding sophisticated touches.
The meatballs are made with premium ingredients and cooked with precision that shows the chef’s attention to detail. Each element of the dish is carefully balanced to create a harmonious final product.
Located in Chelsea, Portale attracts diners who want elevated Italian cuisine without losing the soul of traditional dishes. The presentation is beautiful, but the flavors remain true to Italian-American roots. Perfect for special occasions when you want familiar comfort food prepared with restaurant-quality technique and premium ingredients.
13. Pasquale Jones
This Nolita hotspot combines a lively wine bar atmosphere with serious Italian cooking, creating a modern approach to traditional dishes like spaghetti and meatballs. The open kitchen adds energy to the dining experience.
Their version features house-made pasta and meatballs that showcase high-quality ingredients without overcomplicating the classic formula. The sauce has bright, fresh flavors that complement rather than mask the meat.
The restaurant gets crowded and noisy, especially on weekends, but that’s part of its charm. Young professionals and food enthusiasts pack the small space, creating a vibrant atmosphere where great Italian food meets contemporary New York dining culture in the heart of one of Manhattan’s most foodie neighborhoods.