Bacaro

https://onthegrid.city/new-york-city/passerbuys-manhattan/bacaro

On the Grid : Bacaro

"Everyone has a go-to Italian restaurant, and for passersby like Ly Ngo, Sam Giordano, Laura Brown, and Caitlin McMullen, that restaurant is Bacaro. Now in its tenth year, the Division Street restaurant has proven its staying power in a city of amazing eateries. Bacaro’s wine bar and small plates (“cichetti”) are modeled after the “bacaros” of Venice—workingmen’s pubs that serve snacks and small glasses of wine." - Passerbuys

https://ny.eater.com/2023/3/2/23610137/bacaro-lower-east-side-squid-ink-pasta

Squid Ink Pasta at Bacaro That Has No Squid Ink in the Pasta - Eater NY

"If you prefer squid ink pasta that slaps hard, go eat the spaghetti nero at Bacaro. It’s been on the menu ever since the restaurant opened in 2007 at 136 Division Street, near East Broadway, where Chinatown bumps into the Lower East Side. Bacaro’s subterranean dining room is one of the more memorable places to eat in the city; its stone, exposed brick, salvaged wood, antique chandeliers, and flickering candlelight conspire to create what essentially feels like a sexy medieval dungeon. The restaurant is owned by Kama Geary, who’s been there since the beginning and bought the business from the original chef and owner, Frank DeCarlo, in 2018. Bacaro is a Venetian-leaning restaurant, and, as DeCarlo told me when I spoke to him late last year, the spaghetti nero “is a dish of Venice.” It uses ink from cuttlefish (seppia), which are abundant in the Venetian lagoon. Rather than being worked into fresh pasta dough, the ink goes straight into a sauce that’s tossed with plain-old dried spaghetti." - Daniel Meyer

"Bacaro, Passerbuys Manhattan by Passerbuys. Everyone has a go-to Italian restaurant, and for passersby like Ly Ngo, Sam Giordano, Laura Brown, and Caitlin McMullen, that restaurant is Bacaro. Now in its tenth year, the Division Street restaurant has proven its staying power in a city of amazing eateries. Bacaro’s wine bar and small plates (“cichetti”) are modeled after the “bacaros” of Venice—workingmen’s pubs that serve snacks and small glasses of wine."

New York City

Grub Street Diet: Leon Neyfakh

@nymag

"[My friend Meg] told me to come to Bacaro in Chinatown, and that she’d be with her friend Chase, a documentary filmmaker. Meg and Chase were drinking martinis when I arrived, so I ordered one too, even though in my head I had been planning to go home after two beers. One martini turned into two, and two turned into three, which I couldn’t believe. Then we ordered dinner — I got ricotta cavatelli with duck ragu — and somehow I ended up with a fourth martini."

https://ny.eater.com/2019/12/4/20995142/peasant-nolita-frank-decarlo-marc-forgione

Nolita Gem Peasant Will Stay Open, But With Marc Forgione at the Helm - Eater NY

"Frank DeCarlo will focus on his Lower East Side restaurant Bacaro after stepping down from Peasant." - Tanay Warerkar

Google

A small restaurant that gives off a nice cozy ambiance. The food and drinks were good and reasonably priced. My spaghetti nero did not look like the photos but it tasted decent so I’m not complaining.

iam Toussaint

Google

My husband and I went for Valentine's day dinner to bacaro was nice I love the basement very cozy and warm romantic vibe appetizer was great the entre not so good maybe because of the steak was too fathy.

Engin Arda

Google

We had a dinner at this restaurant with my wife and we had very good fine dining experience. Thank you guys ❤️five star

Erica Gbur

Google

Romantic atmosphere, good capacity for reservations for large groups, and the squid ink pasta, gnocci and cocktails (my fav is the Fig Dark and Stormy) are great.

carlos borges

Google

This is one of the best Italian restaurants in the city. The food is fantastic. The fritto misto is a hit, and the eggplant parm is excellent. The salads are always fresh. Everything on the menu is good. The service has always been wonderful to me and my family. It’s a blessing to have a restaurant this good nearby. Many surrounding restaurants have wine lists that are heavily, if not entirely, focused on natural and organic wines. These are great for people who enjoy stemmy, funky, and fizzy wines. Bacaro, however, offers an extensive list of classic Italian wines, which is a nice change from the natural wine trend that has taken over the Lower East Side.

Valentina Benaglio

Google

When I got there they couldn’t find my reservation which I made through Resy even though the details were correct and they acted as if they were doing us a favor for still taking us in. Then they sat us down at a ‘shared table’ even though there were tables for 2 that were still empty. We ordered the stracciatella with figs and it came without figs… I raised this to the waitress and she went to “check” and didn’t come back until 20 minutes later, so I asked another waiter and very nonchalantly said “Didn’t they tell you? We’re out of figs”. I asked if we could see the menu and the waiter rolled his eyes at me. Then I ordered a medium rare steak but it came very rare, almost seared and it tasted like nothing. Very disappointing experience with inexperienced staff who clearly couldn’t care less. I hope the owner of this restaurant turns things around or I don’t see it surviving very long.

Edie Ismene Nicolaou

Google

Walked in with a party of 5 without a reservation on a Saturday night and of course there was only outdoor seating available. It was chilly but the space heaters worked well so we were comfortable. The waitress that served us was attentive and welcoming. We had no idea what to expect of the food but all of the dishes were tasty and satisfying. I’m pretty picky when it comes to fried calamari but I quite enjoyed their fritto misto antipasti and would happily order it again! My only critique would be for the bacalao with polenta that was flavorful but just way too salty. Special props for the fact that the bathroom inside was super clean and featured a large vase of fresh lilies! Just shows that the owners/managers care about the details!

Stinson Parks III

Google

I’d been here once years ago for a private party in the downstairs but had never been for a meal. Wow was I missing out. Was able to snag a last minute table upstairs (fully accessible) and when I say every bite was better than the last, I mean it. From the happy hour special crostini appetizers to the meatballs and salad apps to the main steak, it was foodgasms all night. Special bonus to the delicious wine that also flowed with each course. I was so focused on the delicious food, ambiance and conversation that I didn’t take any pictures except of my main. Shoutout to the server who kept topping off our wine free of charge.

Shawnna P.

Yelp

I ordered the marinated steak. Delicious! The accompanying potatoes were terrible. Clearly cooked in old oil. Inedible. The staff was superior to any other New York restaurant. I love the location and the vibe. It's my 2nd time here. I'll definitely be back.

Tony Y.

Yelp

We were searching for a dinner spot on Sunday and everything seemed to be closed. Fortunately Bacaro was open and in the neighborhood. I've lived in the area for 5 years and didn't even know they existed. Apparently they've been around for over 16 years? Unheard of in NYC. The restaurant has a very rustic look and is huge. They have an entire downstairs area with exposed brick walls. We had an early bird dinner so we were the only ones in the restaurant. That said, service was attentive and friendly. We went with the lamb ragu pasta to share and the fried seafood and vegetables. The portion sizes are huge. For our mains, we ordered the shrimp with polenta as well as the rib eye. We had food to take home. The steak was good. The polenta was very good. We finished off with the tiramisu. Overall you get a lot of value for pretty decent food. Space is huge so potentially a future spot for get-togethers.

Anjali B.

Yelp

We went to bacaro spontaneously as we stumbled upon it online. Haven't ever heard anything. The location is very cute, I would try and sit upstairs or outside though. We were seated downstairs and still cute but the tables are all very close together and the basement feel is definitely prominent. The service was friendly and average paced. The hostess was slightly dismissive but I would just say that it had been a long day, as she wasn't rude. We got the rice balls and stracciatella with figs and honey to start. Portions are large, we shared everything. The rice balls were amazing and so was the cheese however that one was a little heavy, would have wanted to try the meatballs as well. We then shared the gnocchi pomodoro as our main, delicious! I was stuffed after, everything was good but nothing stood out as amazing. Reasonably priced as well. Cute spot but there is definitely better Italian in the city. Don't know if I would necessarily go again.

Udit A.

Yelp

Bacaro beckons with a truly unique and captivating ambiance. The exposed bricks, soft candlelit lighting, and a maze of intimate dining nooks reminiscent of a speakeasy set the stage for a memorable evening. While the food and drink options offered much to savor, the service fell short, warranting some improvement. To start with, we ordered a few appetizers. The Zucchini Blossoms were good, though a touch of additional flavor could have elevated them further. The Green bean salad proved to be a delightful surprise, refreshing and bursting with flavor. The Fritto Misto presented an interesting mix of calamari and shrimp, topped off with lemon juice. The Spaghetti Nero piqued our curiosity with its unique color, while the Garlic Shrimp over Polenta offered a commendable taste, although it didn't wow us. The Eggplant Marinara left a lasting impression with its quite tasty and flavorful presentation. However, the Tiramisu was a slight disappointment, as it seemed to have spent too much time in the refrigerator, resulting in a somewhat firm texture. Despite the satisfying array of dishes, the overall food experience lacked the expected "wow factor." It was undoubtedly good, but it left us craving that extra touch of brilliance. Regrettably, the service did not match the potential of the establishment. Although it was a busy night, the interactions with the staff could have been more attentive and polished. Their handling of our question about the specials lacked finesse. Moreover, bringing out our entrees while we were still enjoying our appetizers on the small tables was a minor inconvenience, rushing us. Nonetheless, Bacaro does manage to get many elements right, and there is evident potential for it to evolve into a truly special dining destination. With some refinements to the service and perhaps a bit more culinary creativity, Bacaro could undoubtedly elevate its status and provide an enchanting dining experience for its guests.

Bridgette S.

Yelp

Gorgeous & intimate dinner spot! Upon entering it looks like a tiny restaurant, but down the stairs you enter a dimly lit brick room. Flowers and tea light candles everywhere. Seriously so pretty - go for an anniversary or even a book a room for a small rehearsal dinner. Food was yummy -- for a group we shared a few apps & pastas. The squash blossoms & straciatella and the gnocchi was deeeelish!

Jenn S.

Yelp

Had dinner here solo and had a lovely time. The food was delicious - I got the stracciatella and duck cavatelli. The stracciatella had hazelnuts with honey, figs, and rosemary and bread on the side. All the flavors paired so well. The pasta was perfectly cooked and the duck ragu was extremely flavorful. Both portions were generous. The general vibe and decor was gorgeous. I sat in the bar, but I heard people leaving say how nice the downstairs dining room was. The staff seemed bored and weren't super attentive, but they were still polite and checked in a few times. Would definitely return on a future visit.

Liz E.

Yelp

There wasn't a single thing I didn't like. Meatballs were fantastic. Sauce was perfect. Arancini were perfectly crispy. Staff were super cool and attentive. Vibes were great.

Danny L.

Yelp

We loved the underground dining area, especially when it was cold and rainy the day we came in. The pasta had the perfect texture and the seafood tasted super fresh. The fried rice balls weren't our favorite but really enjoyed other aspects of the meal.

Lorraine G.

Yelp

We live Bacaro. Located down on Division Street away from the usual hustle bustle of the city. Feels like you're in Venice. Food is fantastic and the stuffed zucchini blossoms are always a go to appetizer. Servers are attentive. Ambience is dark and cozy. Great place for groups or couples.

Tomas P.

Yelp

Food - three stars. Gnocchi was overcooked Ambiance - four stars. Brick makes it very warm Service - two stars. Staff is nice but disorganized and lacks any experience. They brought desert spoons out before the main entree. Then took it back. Staff lost the second half of our drink order. Came back 20min later to retake the order. We didn't get main plates for our entrees and ended up serving ourselves from their server counter to plates and utensils. Very well intentioned but we had to repeatedly remind them throughout the evening basic things needed.

Helen L.

Yelp

This place is a GEM! MUST TRY THIS PLACE! Have your birthday there, engagement parties, divorce parties, any celebration. This would be a great spot. The ambiance it's so cozy and romantic, and the food is delicious. We had a lot of appetizers to share, and the ones that stood out to me were the meatballs and the crab salad. Those two were delicious. I would skip on the fried seafood, and the charcuterie board doesn't come with any crackers or bread. When the entrées came, they didn't notify us that they ran out of the potatoes, so they gave us all lettuce instead. We waited almost two hours for our food so when we saw lettuce we were not happy. They ended up comping a few crab appetizers and made us pasta, so I'm not really mad about the lettuce anymore. Overall, the food is good, the space is beautiful, and the service is great minus the timing, but they have a small kitchen so kinda understandable. We had a great time. I highly highly recommend this place!

Laura C.

Yelp

After a long day of exploring New York, Bacaro made for a good place to stop for dinner. We were staying in Chinatown and Bacaro was a decent walk from our AirBnB. We were sat fairly quickly as we were okay sitting outside. We started with the Salumi E Formaggi (meat & cheese platter). I don't recall all the meats and cheeses that were on the platter. There was a blue cheese that was pretty strong and seemed a bit misplaced. There was fantastic prosciutto on the plate that was mouth-watering. We were also given a small basket of bread to accompany the platter. Our platter was about $26. For dinner, we got Gnocchi con Funghi (with mushrooms and asparagus) and another gnocchi plate with a red sauce. I found the gnocchi bites to be huge. The flavor of the mushrooms and asparagus dish was very muted. The red-sauced gnocchi dish was more flavorful, though just as filling. Each gnocchi plate was about $19. That being said, we had WAY more food than we needed. My advice would be to order an app and/or entree to share and see how you're feeling after. The portion size was pretty fair considering the prices. I would say overall, the meal was good. Nothing I was super crazy about but I would consider going back if I was visiting and in the neighborhood. 8/10 recommend

Lewis G.

Yelp

I went here last night with a group of 11 for my birthday dinner. They could not have been more accommodating. They normally do not offer large parties a la carte, but they took my group of 11 with no extra charge or fixed menu. They gave us a semi-private large beautiful table and the ambiance was amazing. The waiter was great and gave good recommendations on which wines to get. I had the Duck Ragu pasta and it was absolutely packed with flavor and was so amazing. I could not have been happier and I wouldn't change a thing about my experience. My group had a great time. I would definitely come back.

Lucy S.

Yelp

This is potentially my favorite restaurant in New York. I discovered it while working at Partybus Bakeshop, who supplies Bacaro's bread. The owner would come in with the best, kindest energy, which is a plus! The food though is truly just unreal. I've brought my grandparents here, friends from out of town, coworkers, you name it. It's a hit for every age and audience. Here's what I love about it: - You can almost always get a table, especially if you are making a res. - The basement is like an old, Italian wine cellar. It's dark and cozy and sexy and cool ... the vibes are just unreal. - the Spaghetti Vongole. - The fritto misto.... with olives? artichokes? it's my favoriteeee - the cocktails and wine list are also perfect Also it somehow doesn't have the over-hype of place like Kiki's which is next door (respect to Kiki's though) which means it has fewer tiktok bs'ers and doesn't require waiting for hours.

Keeley G.

Yelp

Discovered this place on a walk through LES. The entire area near Seward park is actually filled with gems like this one. They were able to seat our party of 2 with no reservation on a summer Friday evening. Upstairs looks rather small but they have a large downstairs seating area. This place has dim lighting, exposed brick and rustic meets industrial vibes. I'd recommend for a group of friends or a date. The plates are super rich. They had a cuttlefish which was intriguing but we went with salted over polenta (which I love) and a gnocchi dish. They were both extremely tasty and very filling. Pair with some white wine and you absolutely get your money's worth

Chris R.

Yelp

My partner walked in last night seeking a table. they were told there was only outside seating. then a few mins later their friend came and asked for a table then all of a sudden there was a table inside. my partner is a Black person and their friend is a White woman. this may have been a simple oversight but to people that seem to always be oversighted it appeared to be racially motivated. I hope that in the future your hosts will pay more attention to this behavior. thank you

Sammy C.

Yelp

Cute little place by Chinatown Good for two people and limited to large group. They offered outdoor seating in the fall with heating fans

Jess B.

Yelp

pretty cool vibe in here, felt like I was eating in a romantic cave. Food was okay, the lemony fried calamari dish stole the show

Tiffany D.

Yelp

I crave this place when I'm not here. I'm super surprised by the 4 star rating. This place is delicious with excellent portions. I've tried the squash blossoms and the fritto misto, and damn, *chef's kiss.* My only complaint though for the appetizers is that they're just a tad bit tiny. The ribeye steak, the spaghetti nero, and the eggplant marinara? TO DIE FOR and SUPER FILLING! I brought a lot of my co-workers as a company treated us (we're medical residents) and everyone felt the same way. The ambiance too, just kills it. The majority of the dining hall is downstairs and it feels like you're in a small italian mom and pop restaurant that's open late at night. LOVE it. One of my favorite places that are well-priced in the city.

Lisa C.

Yelp

I was so thrilled to go to Bacaro because they have Spaghetti Nero on the menu which was excellent and price was fair. Where my rating of 3 comes in is ordering the Frito Misto appetizer for nearly the same price of a main and they bring to the table the most minuscule portion I have ever been presented with. The two positives about the dish is the grilled Lemon and olives with the Misto. That was brilliant but having a reasonable plate of calamari and shrimp would feel so much better than the feeling of being ripped off. It really sat the wrong way and I made mention to the manager and she had no clue how to handle a constructive suggestion. I wrote now because I felt that my suggestion would not be passed on to the chef and parties that be. I plan on going back and having a bowl of Nero and a glass of wine.m

Zita K.

Yelp

what a fabulous restaurant! We had such a delicious dinner and I love the look and feel of the place. lots of brick and wood and just warm and inviting. We tried a few different apps and entrees that were recommended and one was better than the next. burratta was divine and creamy, mussels delish, the green bean salad with anchovies was really special plus we had stuffed zuchinni flowers that might just be my favorite. Hard to believe, but we ate more after that with the most incredible ribeye & potatoes. Also, eggplant dish and fish with arugula plus the spaghetti nero that is a must. To finish, the tiramisu & panacotta were exceptional all washed down with tastes of different amaros. It was like taking a little trip to Venice! i highly recommend going. ciao

Bin Bin Z.

Yelp

The waitresses were very rude, and the food was meh and overpriced. It wasn't very pleasant.

Rick J.

Yelp

Rudest waitstaff I've ever encountered. Yelled at one of our party because she didn't immediately know what she wanted then brought the check to kick us out. Pure trash.

Harris C.

Yelp

Bacaro's a charming LES spot with a great ambience, great bar, but not so great food. This is my second time here and I give it a firm 3/5 stars. Here's why: Let's knock the ambience out of the way. 10/10 here. The place looks great. It's a dimly lit, rustic decor restaurant that also has a homey feel to it. Check my photo of the table we sat at downstairs. Kinda nice for a group setting! This is what drew me back to give Bacaro a second try. Service: the hostesses upstairs were fantastic- upbeat and enthusiastic, and I think that's so important in any restaurant experience. Kudos to the two ladies working tonight. The bus staff were also super attentive! Our waiter though.. was lazy. Aside from when we ordered our food and drinks, we didn't see him again. When we'd ordered the steak, I'd very kindly asked for them not to oversalt our three orders of it (because from my experience, any restaurant that highlights their steak seasoning tends to over do it). The waiter goes, "we don't oversalt it. It's just got some marinade on top of it." Trusting that he knew what he was doing, we said OK. Next thing you know, we get three steaks that we all collectively felt were way. too. salty. What a bummer! Management: try your steak. Secondly, the fritto misto came uncooked on the inside with pastey breading. Either it wasn't in the fryer long enough, or the oil wasn't hot enough. We'd asked for another order and they'd quickly fixed the issue. The tiramisu was delicious though. Like so delicious that I'd order takeout of it if I could. Verdict: Come here for decently priced drinks with some nice ambience. Also come here with a larger group for their accommodative seating. Arrive with lower expectations for their food and you'll be fine.

Abigail S.

Yelp

This is a cozy LES Italian spot, not of the kitschy red sauce and meatballs as big as a small child variety, but more subtle and seasonal--delicate gnocchetti, insanely creamy polenta, super flavorful Spaghettini Nero (cuttlefish ink pasta). Portions are on the modest side, favoring quality over quantity. The staff also try to make hospitable connections with diners--they know their food well and are proud to serve it. I ate here twice--once at the bar and once as part of a group dinner in the lower level cave-like space. The cave space is intimate but gets insanely loud and echoey when it's fully occupied--my ears were buzzing uncomfortably when I left after so much noise. I preferred sitting at the bar--less space, but the food came up fast and it wasn't quite as loud. Overall the place feels like a true neighborhood establishment, where locals enjoy meeting for drinks or to have an understated yet delicious meal out.

Emily T.

Yelp

The perfect find in LES. A cozy, quaint, and intimate spot for conversation and great Italian food.

Ashly B.

Yelp

-First Impression- Looked VERY small, but when you go downstairs there's much more space (whew!). We had a large party and were seated in a private area on the lower floor. -Food- I felt like there wasn't much to choose from. I stepped out of my picky eater comfort zone and ended up ordering the cuttlefish ink pasta. It was really tasty and good portion size. Also, the bread and oil was good (but you can't really mess that up) -Service- Our party of 10 was very satisfied with the service. We weren't smothered, and we weren't forgotten. Our server was super nice and definitely helped me decide what to order since I had no idea which -Price- -Did Not Like- no substitutions. Sorry, I'm that person. People have allergies, sensitivities, or things they simply don't like. -Noteworthy- Be careful on the stairs! -Recommended?- I will have to go back for that pasta. So good!

Urszula P.

Yelp

A great dinner date or group spot. I was there toasting a birthday but there were several groups that visited. It's an unexpected location because you are seated downstairs and you pass Canal Street. The food is good - steak and duck ragu. I'd prefer the noodles for duck to be wider but the flavor was good as is.

Liz O.

Yelp

Tip: ask to be seated in the basement specifically. The basement area has this fantastic medieval ambiance. Stone walls, dim lighting. Whoever designed this did a great job. The design is such a unique, unexpected take on the Italian restaurant. I felt like I was in a Caravaggio painting the whole time I was here. I always recommend this place as a date location. The food was also amazing -- I had the squid ink pasta (Spaghetti Nero) and the Panna Cotta. The food had great presentation and decently large serving sizes -- it was well worth the price. This place is truly a hidden gem -- it has a somewhat unassuming storefront but completely transforms into a lively, romantic dining spot when you head into the basement. I'm honestly surprised that this place isn't more well-known.

Mel T.

Yelp

Came here for a birthday with a party of 12. We started off with a meat/cheese platter - pretty standard. Then we ordered some of the razor clams, which were pretty good. For my entree, I had the steak, which was overcooked and a bit bland. Plus it took forever for the food to come out. Not worth the high price tag for mediocre food.

Victor W.

Yelp

Hidden gem in Chinatown! Bacaro literally transports you to Venice with an atmosphere that is cozy, romantic, rustic and sexy rolled into one. Better yet from the greeter to table side service the hospitality was first in class, genuine and unobtrusive. They took the greatest care to ensure our experience was memorable. Now as for the food, simply delectable. From the quality, taste and presentation Bacaro certainly exceeded our expectations. Kudos to the chef and entire team for an amazing culinary journey!!!

Connie T.

Yelp

After a round of drinks, we were pretty hungry and arrived at Bacaro for a quick dinner on a Tuesday night. Luckily there were plenty of empty tables available. I couldn't help but notice how dark and dreary the room downstairs was. We decided on the following items: Tiny spicy fried meatballs ($10) Spaghetti Nero ($18) pasta with cuttlefish ink Whole wheat pasta with duck ragu ($18) Hazelnut and lavender/honey gelato ($4 each scoop) They weren't kidding when they named the meatballs "tiny meatballs". They were a lot smaller than I imagined them to be. They were pretty unique and had a nice spicy kick to it but I don't think it's worth the price though. Both of the pasta were very flavorful and were cooked al dente. The spaghetti Nero was recommended by our waitress over the tagliolini cuttlefish pasta. I liked it but did not think it had much of the cuttlefish ink taste to it. The one piece of cuttlefish on top was really good though. There was also a lot of sauce in the dish and the sauce was very creamy. The whole wheat pasta was a great choice too. The cheese on top melted and added a nice touch to the dish. However, the portion size of the two pasta were definitely on the smaller side and not very filling.

Claudia V.

Yelp

What a treat to find this lovely restaurant! The food is a varied "italian fare" with a flare! We sat at a beautiful table and tried multiple Italian fishes which were impeccably presented by the seasoned staff and tasted authentically Italian, paired with lovely wine! It was an evening I shall cherish and definitely will repeat!

JoAn T.

Yelp

We went to Bacaro on Valentine's day to celebrate "Galentine's" day! First off, the reservation process was seamless! I reserved through OpenTable and was able to get a table for 8 people. When our party grew to 12, I called and they were so accommodating to change our number. Now for the ambiance, I couldn't have picked a better location perfect for the occasion. Bacaro has a rustic, romantic vibe that was perfect for Valentine's day. They had red rose petals and candles everywhere that made the whole restaurant so cozy. We were seated at the basement wine cellar and had a semi-private area for our big group. Service was outstanding! Our server was knowledgeable and everyone who helped with our table were so attentive. We had someone in our party who ran really late but they didn't rush us. Now for the food, everything we tried were really good! For starters, we had the Burrata and tomatoes, the presentation was ok but it was well seasoned. My friend had the mushroom Gnocchi, which I tried and was so tasty and tender, it was really yummy! I had the pasta in Cuttlefish ink, it was also very tasty but the Cuttlefish was so tiny. I think next time, I will have the gnocchi instead. They also had a great happy hour with their select wines for $6, that was totally worth it! Overall, we had a great time at Bacaro. What a hidden gem in LES!!

Randy B.

Yelp

The food here is so good. Every bite blew my mind. Helpful, friendly staff too. Yelp is stupid and made me write more

Michelle H.

Yelp

Outstanding! If you're looking for a one of a kind dining experience, this is the place. Located on a side street, don't be fooled by how small this restaurant looks from the outside. Head downstairs and there is ample seating. I worked with Beatrice to plan a dinner for my family that included a private room and a pre selected menu. From the second I submitted an inquiry to a follow up after the dinner took place, I was blown away by the service, care and professionalism I received. I've worked with other restaurants with much larger budgets and never received the kind of service that I did with Bacaro. They don't care about anything other than delivering you an experience and amazing food. More importantly, the food. We ordered almost every dish on the menu and everything was delicious! The rice balls and asparagus as appetizers and the squid ink pasta as an entree were the stand outs and I couldn't get enough. The food was outstanding and one of the best meals I've ever had. Between the food, the help I had with planning the dinner and the service on the day of, I can't say enough about Bacaro. If you're looking to entertain, impress a date or just grab some dinner, this is the place to go!

Anatracey H.

Yelp

Love the space downstairs, very old NY. The food was excellent (try the eggplant marinara) and the service friendly. I took out of town guests that enjoyed the NY vibe but I think it would serve well as a date spot too.

Ken W.

Yelp

The meatballs were lilliputian for the price despite tasting good. The pork shank was very tender, with the meat falling off the bone. Among the orders of that entree in my party however, the size of the shank fluctuated and it seemed some dishes had larger portions. The polenta accompanying the pork was great and the broccoli rabe was cooked well.

Aaron B.

Yelp

Bacaro has the potential to be the go-to Italian restaurant on my list on this side of the city, but the food falls a bit short. Echoing what everyone else has said, the atmosphere is brilliant, whether it's for a date night, group event, or whatever else. The downstairs "dungeon" is fantastic and the bigger tables are in their own little caverns. The service is fine - it just takes some warming up to get the conversation going, otherwise yeah, I can tell some people might feel a little put off. The service is also fairly slow, but honestly in this environment of a restaurant you really shouldn't be rushing anyways. As far as the food goes, I ordered the pork shank for my main. The portion is definitely plentiful, however it wasn't a particularly "moriesh" dish. It was tender enough but I felt like it wasn't really braised in anything flavorful. There is a lot of fat on the cut which was fine by me (because that's the only thing that gave it flavor) but I can see why others wouldn't be too excited if they aren't comfortable eating the fat. The polenta it was served on was fine but there were only two or three little tomatoes - I wish there were 3-4x as many to help cut down the richness of the fat. The appetizers really weren't anything to write home about. The mozzarella and tomato dish was very simple and wasn't served with any olive oil or seasoning so you're left to your own devices there. The fried calamari was just spongy batter with hardly any seafood. The meatballs did actually taste quite good but as others have pointed out, they are very, very small and it really isn't worth sharing them. The drink menu is solid and prices for both cocktails and wine are good, although some of the others felt their mixed cocktails on the rocks were just fine, so I'd suggest sticking with the wine or spirit-forward ones I'll definitely look forward to coming back down the road, trying some pasta and seeing if anything has changed - I just hope they don't get complacent and rely on the ambiance to continue bringing traffic in.

Eric A.

Yelp

Bacaro is a romantic Italian restaurant and wine bar located strangely enough in Chinatown. You might think its a little out of place in Chinatown, but trust me the feel of Bacaro is nothing like the restaurants over in Little Italy. Its more like the Italian restaurants you find in Chelsea and the West 4th neighborhood, dinner by candlelight sitting outside, and never full of loud and belligerent drunk patrons like some other places. Its really a great place you can sit down and have a nice conversation while enjoying your food and wine. I chose one of their most popular pastas, the mushroom gnocchi in a rich cream sauce. The gnocchi was just perfect, soft but not too soft with just the right little bite left in. The mushrooms and cream sauce really had this nice aroma, and tasted amazing. I also ordered a side of meatballs. They were lightly pan fried which really added a nice, slight crispy skin to the meatballs. For dessert I had 2. I had both the Tiramisu and 3 different scoops of sorbet. The tiramisu was a decadent square of creamy marscapone cheese alternated with layers of Italian cake. And the sorbets were natural and freshly made, I could even still feel the strawberry seeds LOL.

Donika P.

Yelp

Amazing food, couldn't get enough of my spaghetti vongole. I would come back over and over just for that. Weirdly our server never came back to check on us after I asked for more bread, it seemed like she was offended even though we were nice to her. That left a very bad taste in our mouths. Great service is as important as great food.

Vicky F.

Yelp

Eh, idk. I guess I had a higher expectation. They are cute but dark af downstairs. HH is only allowed on the 1st floor bar are. Downstairs is like a treehouse they really tried to utilize the space. We had the rice balls as appetizer. Not too bad the cheese is a bit weird-tasting inside. My friend had the hanger steak- they didn't even ask how well she wants it cooked... I had the duck spaghetti- small amount prob not enough for a guy. Service needs improvement!

George C.

Yelp

Very simple menu. We were seated downstairs in the cellar area near their collection of wine. It was very dark but the ambience was very pleasant and not too loud. I got the duck pasta and my only complaint is how small the portion was. Other than that it was delicious! Their bread was kind of hard, but went well with the pasta. You can ask for a side of butter to soften it up as well.

Yukari E.

Yelp

Just 10 min off the East Broadway, this Italian restaurant is the hidden gem! Great crowd too. I will definitely come back for Spagetti Nero and hazel nuts gelato

Shannon S.

Yelp

I thought Bacaro was great! Delicious food (would recommend the gnocchi) great wine and very fairly priced compared to other spots in the area.

John Y.

Yelp

There are two Bacaro's. Barcaro's before Covid, and the Barcaro's after Covid. The Barcaro's before Covid was, without question, five stars. I went there twice since they re-opened. (The second time with a group of three.) We all agreed on the gist of this review. Barcaro's now, as far as I'm concerned is a disappointment (and it breaks my heart to say this). One of my group heard the original chief had left after the pandemic and I hope they get him back. The sauces tastes way more bland (If you open a jar of Trader Joe's Marinara or Arrabiata sauce, threw in some freshly chopped garlic and dumped it all over spaghetti it's at that level.) The Spaghetti Nero is now just grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and spicy red sauce. The Duck Ragu is watery and has a duck fat base, but not actual duck. (It used to be there piece de resistance!) I'm giving them three stars BECAUSE: 1. I'm sure they suffered financially from the pandemic and I'm hoping they get back on their feet. 2. The wait staff and atmosphere is every bit as good as before. 3. I can't comment on any of the entrees because none of us ordered them so they may still be good. Barcaro's still has time before their hardcore fans realize it's riding on it's past reputation, but it has to act quick. Either come up to speed or (maybe?) change up the menu. (BUT don't lose that original Duck Ragu, PLEASE PLEASE back that amazing Lasagne and also bring back those fantastic Crostini -1 dollar each!!- but they stop serving them at 7PM )

Anastia B.

Yelp

Bacaro is the best, sometimes it is crowded with scensters on Friday and Saturday nights but hey its New York- What do you expect.

Ally D.

Yelp

I've been in the lower Eastside my whole life I must've passed this place 1 million times what a great place wonderful food the hostess Samantha wonderful the owner the nicest person you want to meet great food great stay inexpensive classy is a perfect date place or if you wanna have a party to party rooms wonderful wonderful wonderful

Meiki W.

Yelp

The food here was AMAZING! The restaurant itself is also super cute and cozy. We came here for a friend's birthday. They do have tables for big groups if you are considering to have your birthday here. We ordered a few dishes to share, and that way we can also try a little bit of everything. Please note, portions are quite small. My favorite was the spaghetti negro. Pasta was al dente and filled with savoriness in every bite. The steak was also delicious, couldn't get enough of it! The little meatballs are a great as well, fun small bites. Service was also amazing, our waiter was very patience with us and gave us great recommendations. I'll definitely be back.

https://onthegrid.city/new-york-city/passerbuys-manhattan/bacaro

On the Grid : Bacaro

https://ny.eater.com/2023/3/2/23610137/bacaro-lower-east-side-squid-ink-pasta

Squid Ink Pasta at Bacaro That Has No Squid Ink in the Pasta - Eater NY

New York City

Grub Street Diet: Leon Neyfakh

@nymag

https://ny.eater.com/2019/12/4/20995142/peasant-nolita-frank-decarlo-marc-forgione

Nolita Gem Peasant Will Stay Open, But With Marc Forgione at the Helm - Eater NY

"Frank DeCarlo will focus on his Lower East Side restaurant Bacaro after stepping down from Peasant." - Tanay Warerkar