Da Nico

With two sprawling floors, a backyard and big round tables that could easily hold a dozen bottles of red, Da Nico would be perfect for a big group dinner where the dress code is fur. (Or faux fur.) Clearly we’re not the only ones who’ve thought this, because in January 2024, The Sopranos 25th anniversary party was held at this Italian restaurant in the heart of Little Italy. This is a big claim to fame for the restaurant (which opened in 1993). There are signs about it everywhere.

The food here is pretty unremarkable—except the meatballs, which could win a prize for their density—but you don't really come here for the food. You come here to finally experience Little Italy in all its touristy glory, listen in on the monthly meetup of a New Jersey-based Bunco league, talk to your server who met Michael Imperioli that one time, and get a spoonful of pre-grated parmesan poured on everything you eat.

Food Rundown

Caesar Salad

The dressing tastes slightly out-of-a-bottle, but this salad will scratch a caesar itch for sure.

Meatballs

Very dense. Very, very dense. Bathed in a smooth, mellow tomato sauce. Order if you appreciate a pizza parlor-style meatball.

Pizza Vodka

With a slightly thicker crust than a Neapolitan pizza, these wood-fired pies are satisfying and shareable. The mozzarella is soft and stretchy, and the vodka sauce is well-seasoned.

Orecchiette

This is a totally fine pasta, but the broccoli rabe in it is perfect. They cook it so that it loses all its bite, but not too much so that becomes a sad, overdone lump.

Free Zeppoles

They're pretty chewy, but they're also very free. Mind the mound of powdered sugar.