Gaia Italian Cafe shop

Wa-wa-wow! Hole in the wall, filled with love spot. Tried the panini with anchovies (forgot the name) and the different flavors bursting in my mouth, omg. It was so fresh and tasty, I had to try another. You can tell she really cares and is passionate about her food and how she makes it for others. To comment on the other reviewers remarks on here, she has a strong spirit - full of passion, speaks her mind, exerts authentic hospitality - she's italian and lives in NYC (what do you expect?) I personally had a great experience coming here for the first time and was met with kindness, vulnerability and such loving generosity. And I hope you will too. This was an amazing experience, don't miss out!

Do not blink because you will miss this little gem. I happened to stumble past it and finally got the chance to eat here. There were 2 ladies that ran the show and everything was fresh and from scratch. We ordered three different dishes and they were great portion for two people. Heads up do not expect quick service. Expect quality Italian cuisine that is worth the wait. Dishes are colorful and tasty. Cozy spot for a date or lunch with friends.

My grandma is 1/2 Italian. I was raised in my family’s kitchen, making pasta, lasagne, pizza, all kinds of dishes. My father was in the army so I lived overseas for 9 years during my childhood. I’ve worked in an Italian restaurant and a Korean restaurant. I’ve tasted a lot of different types of foods. And I love to cook. 👨‍🍳 Before my first trip to NYC, I was very excited to try some of the best Italian food in the US. I was honestly underwhelmed. I went to quite a few restaurants and they ranged from good to quite good (at about $15-$30 a person). Good ambience, plating, table service, etc. But I never dreamed about the food afterwards. During my last trip, I wanted to go to Gaia Italian Café but it was closed (for some reason that I can’t remember?) Tonight, I got to go. I had made a reservation for 5pm, but we arrived a little early. I told Gaia I was happy to wait but she said no need. No more tourist traps or forgettable hipster restaurants for me! 🙅‍♂️ I ordered the Dinner-for-2 special. Gaia started us out with a delicious bruschette. As soon as we finished, she brought out antipasto: heavenly prosciutto, salami, and bologna, some magical cheese, divinely ripe tomatoes, crisp arugula, eggplant(?) and fresh made focaccia. The flavors, textures, and colors paired so well together. Then came the main event: fresh made veal tortelloni in a spicy red sauce. As soon as she brought it out, Gaia recommended us to prioritize eating the pasta because it was hot and antipasto is served cold (and so it wouldn’t change if it sat for a few minutes). I have had the same thought before while eating in restaurants, as I care a lot about the temperature of my food. I deeply admire chefs who pay that close of attention to detail and take that level of pride in their work. Afterwards, we finished up with fresh made Nutella pastries. To date, this was the best Italian food I’ve had in NYC - probably some of the best Italian food I’ve ever had. The atmosphere felt more like being in Gaia’s home than a restaurant, and I loved every second of it. Hope business goes great because I’ll dream of Gaia’s food until next time I visit! 😍

i love coming here every time. we had the lasagna, bruschetta and meatballs. lovely homey italian food, relatively quick, and extremely affordable.

Homemade Italian food and reasonable priced. The chef is a no-nonsense kind of person. Do not ask for any modifications. Do not ask for salt or pepper. Make sure to make reservation after 5 pm. It’s really too bad that you are limited to one dish of #pestolasagna per table. It was mind blowing. 🤤❤️ #gaiaitaliancafe #leaveyouregoatthedoor

Always the 1st Italian food comes to mind in Lower East Side. Comfort, cozy atmosphere, home style little cafe. Always feel relaxing and enjoying great food and coffee at Gaia.

Had the lasagna with meat sauce. Delicious. Obviously freshly prepared lasagna pasta, layered between some mild, lightly seasoned, slow simmered beef. Drowned in a fresh San Marzano tomato sauce with nice juicy chunks of crushed tomato. Bright red. Then dusted with a nice either Pecorino Romano or salty, slightly bitter Parmesan. A side of crispy buttered bread dusted with garlic. For $10? Perfection. Also they serve Illy coffee. Very autentico! 👌🏻

Cozy shop. Food is delicious. Came here on a Thursday and their special was meat ravioli. Ate one order and then ended up ordering a second one. I loved it because it was not too heavy on the cheese and the sauce made the ravioli very savory. The paninis are great too. My favorite is the "Sano" panini!

It's extremely small, they only offer take out and there is one table for outdoor seating. It doesn't seem super clean inside and the lady who owns it is pretty demanding almost to the point of being rude. And the food itself was just bland no flavor the sauce the meatballs and the potatoes all had the exact same bland taste if it wasn't for textural differences you wouldn't think there was different types of food in this dish.

Gaia, Gaia Gaia. She is re-open!!! I've waited over five years maybe six years for her to reopen but no one knew for sure when or if it would happen. Gaia's food gives me life, warmth and comfort. When I used to live in the lower east side, I would eat at her restaurant religiously so when she closed during Covid, I was heartbroken. I'll never forget bringing my father into her old restaurant and watching them speak Italian to each other - it was such a beautiful moment... my boyfriend (at the time) and I would send her Christmas cards that she would display on her counter.... I have SO many fond memories of eating her delectable tortellini and broth, THE famous pesto, and religiously eating off of her specials menu, which was rarely ever the same. Fast forward to this morning. I was walking by her old closed location that had boards over the doors. I texted my good friend AJ, who also shares a deep, intense love for Gaia's food & he told me that she had recently re-opened! I couldn't believe that I didn't know because it had been months. Within the hour, I rushed from uptown to downtown to her new location and ordered a Panini immediately. "The Bubi" to be exact. It tasted as if she had never left New York in the first place. Burrata, tomato, arugula and pesto on a rosemary focaccia. There's no room to eat inside so I sat outside in 30 degree weather with the biggest smile on my face and weeped over a sandwich that I had missed for years. I am so grateful that she is back in business. Her food makes me emotional. It is her heart and soul that you are tasting. There should be a special system that is beyond five stars, where an Elite can rate their #1 favorite business because THIS is mine and that is exactly what Gaia is.... elite.

An absolute hidden gem!! Fresh, authentic Italian food at an unbelievable price. I've been dying to eat here ever since I passed it on the street. It's a small business, owned and operated by Carla, so hours do fluctuate - I suggest aiming for 1pm, maybe even 2pm. Carla made my meal with such love and care I felt like I was back in Milano, her hometown. I had the spaghetti all'Amatriciana and the sauce was the perfect blend of hearty and light. She even had gluten free pasta! For dessert I had a raspberry popsicle, which was exactly what I needed for this heat wave. (Flavors rotate almost daily!) Didn't catch a photo of the menu inside, but there are many fresh panini, pastas, salads, and other favorites (she has a meatball dish that looks so so good). Better than the menu is Carla herself! Lively, kind, and passionate, she'll chat with you about anything while juggling multiple orders. She also is very attentive and goes above and beyond making your meal - you can definitely taste the love. Tips - this is a small cafe that's very popular, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time. I promise it's worth the wait!! Seating is limited, so I recommend taking it to go and eating in one of the community gardens nearby.

SO happy we found this little Italian spot tucked away on 3rd st. It feels incredibly authentic when you walk in and all of the food we tried tasted that way too. The ingredients from the burrata to the prosciutto to the tomato sauce were all fresh and delicious. I love that there are rotating specials every day so you can try something new depending on what day you come. There are no tables inside so more of a takeout spot but there are two small tables outside. The lady running the shop was very warm and friendly. The prices are very reasonable especially for the quality of ingredients. Five stars all around.

The woman who served us was rude right off the bat when we (me, my mother, and sister) walked up. She told us to order outside because "people bring in roaches and start destroying things." So basically, she just admitted that this place has roaches and that she is somehow blaming her customers for it? Another woman later came in with her dog and she was not greeted with the same disrespect. She was also asked to step outside, but I don't understand why there wouldn't be signs explaining that we must order outside or even a different setup. During the pandemic, many restaurants were takeout-only and installed windows to order without entering the store itself. It felt awkward as we sat down to two dirty tables, with her reason being that she doesn't provide napkins or forks to be "environmentally friendly." There are plenty of eco-friendly napkin/fork options that you can provide to customers, such as recycled paper/plastic or bamboo, so that doesn't make sense. All the food came in plastic containers and plastic bags to make it worse. It also doesn't excuse a dirty table. She had to confirm our order more than 3 times. The food took 20 minutes, and we had no forks or napkins to eat it with. We had to go to another cafe that provided forks and ask them for some. This was all for nothing because the food wasn't enjoyable. I was hoping that if I was going to be disrespected, then the food might at least taste decent. Even the negative reviews on Google (that say the same exact thing about her attitude) mention how amazing the food is. When we opened the bag, everything was squished and the sauce had spilled all over because the containers were soggy and breaking apart. The focaccia was dry, the prosciutto was dry and tough, and the pasta was soupy and undercooked. The pasta sauce also tasted rancid- almost like vomit. None of us were able to eat it and had to throw out the food. Very disappointed to have wasted money here. I have never had such a terrible experience at a restaurant/cafe. :(

After a little hiatus and a move to a new location, Gaia is back in a tiny new spot serving that same amazing Italian food she became famous for at the original Houston St location. They don't quite have everything they used to, like those panini I hope they start again, but you can get tons of excellent stuff here, like the Meatballs & Potatoes and Meat Lasagna. The focaccia and bruschetta are great too, and the rainbow cookies are possibly the best in the biz.

I can't wait to come back here. $10 for each of these dishes?? Hell yea!! Next time, I'll make sure to order another sandwich to go

I had quite a poor experience that sounds similar to other reviews here. I was spoken to quite nastily by the person I presume is the owner.

I was so excited to find Gaia in my neighborhood , as a big fan of her prior location on Houston St . She is such a great personality , and her food is very delicious ,proportions generous and tastes like home made . Gaia is what makes living in the east village feel like the unique place it should remain . Jeannie W.

We can always count on Gaia to tickle our palates, fill our bellies and nourish ourselves and our souls with her colorful, healthy creations. Part of the charm of Gaia is having no thrills, no pampering and high quality home cooked authentic Italian recipes cooked at price points you can barely get fast food for. Gaia is THE most generous, caring, kindest, loving person around. That Gaia respects the environment enough to not waste paper napkins to wipe down tables inspires both our love and our confidence. There's clearly so much love put into her work. We like Gaia's mouthwatering Classico prosciutto panini sandwich - its inner moist, colorful ingredients enveloped in a crispy panini is a delightfully, flavorful stunning value! Her melt-in-your-mouth Spinach Riccota Gnocci is cooked to perfection and is unbelievably soothing and delicious. If you're looking for incredibly savory, authentic & delicious homemade Italian recipes cooked to perfection without frills at a fraction of the price it would cost for similar quality, you've come to the right place. I never thought it would be necessary to speak out on behalf of Gaia because for years she's been a reliable, local institution, providing for the community. We love to share with those who can appreciate her art. She's legendary, caring, loving and completely embracing of how we all treat others and the environment respectfully. She works to cultivate a community of good, kind people who appreciate what she's doing and we count ourselves lucky to have been able to connect with Gaia, nourishing our bodies and our souls. We LOVE you Gaia!!!

This little spot is a great find in the Lower East Side Don't let the size fool you the stuffed roasted peppers are divine from her scratch made cakes as well Great I found this spot right in my old neighborhood when you get a chance check out GAIA's it's Traditional Italian cooking what more needs to be said But it's Take out only But who cares Great Food is Great Food. Check out Gaia in the L.E.S

Delicious food, unique, simple. Definitely worth it for a cute date or if you're walking by. Service was welcoming, smells good in there. Don't be fooled by the small size. 100% recommend and I'll be back.

This was the most distasteful experience I have ever had when it comes to customer service. Initially I was very excited to be taken there by my daughter's friend. As soon as this young Asian friend walks in along with my Hispanic daughters the owner yells at them to order from outside because people bring in cockroaches and dirty and destroy things. Little did she know an older adult was behind these young ladies. I responded well we are certainly not those type of people. (Meanwhile I am thinking does she have cockroaches already) The owner then makes ridiculous excuses of why she said what she said. Offers to give me free water. I did not want to order anything from them but my kids were hungry so we ordered. She took 35 minutes to serve us . As we sit down and wait at her dirty tables we ask for napkins to wipe down the table she said she doesn't use napkins to be eco friendly . As we are sitting there don't you know two white customers with dogs go in the restaurant and she doesn't say a peep! Nothing about cockroaches or dogs with flees. Oh and the woman got the food before us. Ok so after waiting we get the food in a plastic bag so much for eco friendly . We then asks for forks again the same excuse . So we had to run to Starbucks to get forks . We try the food and it was so disgusting . It tastes like vodka sauce gone wrong and chef boyardee topped with cheese . We threw it all away and ordered from a different restaurant!!! What a horrible experience. Do not go there!!!

Some of the best Italian food you will find anywhere in the city and at a reasonable price. Authentic Italian prepared by an authentic Italian chef owner.

One of the best restaurants in the entire country. Oh, and operated by a heartwarming, Italian woman, named Gaia. Sure you might wait longer than you're used to at your typical establishment, and there's a chance you won't have a seat, but the food and the price and the experience is extremely inspiring.

Its literally the best and most authentic italian take out meals in the city. Best Chicken Milanese sandwich on fresh made bread w arugala, olive oil and tomato u'll get in NYC and its only $10 The sausage w beans and pastas , bruschettas and flatbreads are great too Her frozen sauces and pastas are insane. My kids think im the best cook all of a sudden

What a gem to the neighborhood. Love the lasagna and the specials of the day. On a nice day pick up your pasta and eat outside at the garden across the street.

I was looking forward to this! But it was Closed during hours of operation with no signage as to why or when it was opening.

Beyond excited to welcome Gaia back to the neighborhood!! Gaia's new shop brings the same warmth, love, and delicious food we became accustomed to at her Houston St. location. The new shop is "to-go" style and the menu is slightly updated (but many of the classics remain). We ordered the spinach ricotta gnocchi, pesto lasagna, veggie bruschetta, and rainbow cookies. Everything was 11/10!

There is no food in all of New York that can compare to this. Gaia is an artist. I would pay $100 for a plate of her food. Don Angie or carbone don't compare.

So happy to see Gaia reopened. The food is made with care and love by the friendly owner. Some amazing options at a very reasonable price point. There really is nowhere like this in lower Manhattan.

Amazing food, amazing place. LOVE that it's to-go now. You can never get enough. Woman-immigrant owned business!!! and NO ONE makes Italian food like Gaia and the prices? I mean, when's the last time you've seen a restaurant care about the quality of its ingredients and not charge an arm-leg and whatever else you got!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Great taste, great quality, great prices! BEST ITALIAN IN NYC!

Many years ago, my husband and I ate dinner at Gaia. We bought a bottle of chianti at a near by liquor store, because they didn't serve liquor. The food was delicious, and we had a great time. We're not drinkers, but between the two of us, we finished the bottle! We're glad Gaia is open again!!!