Sofia's of Little Italy

This is my go to place every time I visit NYC. It’s a must! Every plate I’ve tried, all outstanding! Their pasta and sauces are true authentic, made from scratch, and you can tell. The garlic bread is absolute heaven too. I live in Texas and I’ve been trying to find a place here at home that comes close to Sophia’s and can’t. This place is the bees knees! They also have a great wine and cocktail selection. The Sangria is my favorite. I highly recommend this place.

This place is special! One of the best dining experiences my family and I've had together. The food was amazing! The service was excellent! We felt welcomed from the first moment, like being welcomed home, well... if we were Italian. I cannot truly rave enough about our experience, I do not think I have the words to describe what an amazing night we had here, but I will certainly try to convey this as much as I can in the following review: Going to start off, the ambience of this place is inviting. It's a small, intimate restaurant. We had reservations, through Resy, so we were quickly saw once we arrived at the restaurant. Like I said, the service was top notch. Our waiter, Jacinto and the runner, Ronald. They busted their behinds keeping us happy. They were affable and patient. They took a picture of us, which I greatly appreciated it, while still getting our food and drink orders. We all had alcohol. My mother had a glass or two of Pinot Grigio. My brother and I both ordered (several times) the Sofia's Espresso Martini, which is composed of Vodka, Kahlua, Baileys, Espresso, Simple Syrup. We also ordered some Pane al' Aglio to start. When we had some of that bread, we were blown away. Yes, we were blown away by the bread! I remember remarking to my family, if this is just the bread, what's the rest of the food like? The answer was sublime. My mother ordered some Lobster Ravioli, which she swears was one of the best, if not the best she ever had. I had a difficult choice with my order, so many dishes I wanted to have. I finally made a decision and went for the Vitello alla Saltimbocca. I love veal, so I succumbed to the temptation. I am glad I did, the taste popped! I cleaned the plate! My brother was thinking about getting the Spaghetti Carbonara but decided to be different and went for Shrimp Risotto alla Carbonara. The dish looked like a work of art. He let me try some of it... it was incredible! Absolutely incredible! We also ordered several more Pane Al' Aglio, and we ate with gusto. At the end, the waiter gave us all three shots of Lemon Drop on the house. They were too strong for my brother and mother because they are light weights, so I downed the three in succession. I was rather happy that night. The night was incredible. I am so glad I did my research and found this wonderful place in the heart of Little Italy! I would do anything to come back and have another meal here! Amazing experience for my family's first night on our trip to New York!

THE most AMAZING service!!! And delicious food! DIEGO and the entire staff were very attentive but not annoyingly so (extra stars for that). Food was fresh, tasty and seasoned to perfection! I’d definitely recommend! Mango salad, Chef’s Special (lobster and shrimp with stuffed raviolis, cherry tomatoes and asparagus)!

The food was underwhelming. The caesar salad was decent but was a bit heavy on the dressing for my tastes. Also, the lasagna didn't have much flavor at all - it had a meat sauce, very little ricotta, but the layer of cheese on top, and not much else. That said, we enjoyed the drinks, the garlic bread, and the penne alla vodka, and the service was great! Overall, I'd give it another chance, but I'd order different things.

My husband and me were really surprised by this restaurant 😍🙌💯👀!!!! We were strolling through Manhattan’s Little Italy, looking for a place to eat, when we were warmly greeted by a host—his name was Rich. He struck up a really kind conversation with us, and though he was a bit persistent, he was incredibly polite and welcoming. He even showed us pictures of the restaurant’s homemade pasta on his phone, all while keeping a bright smile. His enthusiasm caught our attention, and when we looked at the menu, we were immediately intrigued. Once we stepped inside, we loved the atmosphere right away. But what stood out the most was the exceptional staff—everyone was incredibly friendly! When we sat down, our server, along with the shift manager, approached us, and it was immediately clear that they were true professionals. The service was outstanding—attentive, fast, and genuinely warm. And, of course, the food was delicious! Looking back, we can say that it was thanks to Rich that we chose this place, and it turned out to be one of the best dining experiences we’ve had in New York. From the service to the food, everything was just perfect!"

Delicious food! Maybe cause they were busier but service wasn’t good or friendly. Waiter never came back after he took our order- only returned when we were done and said “check?” Seemed like they just care about turning and burning tables which is fine- I get it- but at least ask your customers how everything is tasting or see if they’d like anything else… even with the poor service I would return cause the food was so delish

I had an amazing experience at Sofia’s! From the moment we sat down, the atmosphere felt warm and authentic. Our server, Rich, went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect. He was friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. The food was incredible, fresh, flavorful, and classic Italian comfort at its best. Can’t wait to come back. Thanks, Rich and the Sofia’s team, for a memorable evening!

My family and I came here for lunch and we absolutely loved it! Great staff, great service and so much yummy food! The lobster ravioli is especially amazing! I especially loved the house Chardonnay it definitely got me a little tipsy in the best way! My sister drank the margarita and absolutely loved it as well! My dad as always got the Sangria Wine which is always divine! Our waiter even ended the lunch giving us limoncellos shots on the house. As someone who lived in Italy I said yes to these immediately! All around great service and my family and I will be coming back whenever we are in Little Italy ❤️

It was a gorgeous sunny day and I was in the mood for Italian. There are so many places in Little Italy that I have experienced but this small venue stood out to me and I decided to give it a try. Sofia shines for many reasons! The food is delicious from the pasta to dessert. That lasagna and chicken parmigiana are top notch. This is why I've visited a few times. The cocktails are noteworthy and the location is easily accessible by train. I truly enjoyed my visits and have them on my list as a place I would love to visit again and bring friends. To give an honest review I will share some key areas of opportunity and improvement. 1. Lasagna! 10:10 highly recommend! This lasagna is to date the best I've ever had. It's fresh, well made, flavorful, cheesy and filling. Someone's gorgeous grandma had handed down this recipe and though simple it packs a hearty and delightful punch. 2. Service 8:10 this is where they can definitely improve. It's a total ick for me when restaurants act flustered by people coming to their establishments to eat. Especially when they have people specifically dedicated to inviting people in. Wait staff takes your order but doesn't check in, water goes in refilled, service is quick and lack engagement or value of the customer. I understand they service a lot of tourists but that shouldn't change a thing. Improve the service and people will stay longer. 3. Salad 10:10 this may seem silly but I love a good hearty salad and the Mista salad is filled with tons of delicious big chop ingredients. It doesn't cut corners and the dressing is the perfect tart compliment. Veggies are fresh and presentation beautiful. 4. Cocktails 8:10 however it can be hit or miss. I love the bright refreshing taste of the pornstar martini. It has a sensational name and the taste is as sensational as its namesake. The espresso martini is a winner! I love when it's well blended, smooth and a little creamy. However what is odd is my friend had one and I had one they did not taste the same. On my second visit I found it wasn't as good as the first time but still tasty. 5. Venue 7:10 the venue is typical in my opinion nothing spectacular but it is very large and can accommodate large parties. The tables don't have the all too familiar wobble that a lot of other restaurants have and they do use white cloth table cloths to elevate the experience. The only thing is they have a corner in the center of the restaurant where they just toss old table cloths and have old child booster seats it's a sore sight. Kind of gross. They sat me at a table facing this and it almost killed my appetite (imagine eating in front of someone's dirty laundry) they should do better at clearing that out and also not sitting anyone there. 6. Dessert! 10:10 the tiramisu and the Nutella crepes made me smile big big! They were the perfect conclusion to the meal and are made fresh in house. Sofia's is a great destination for amazing food and cocktails right in the heart of Little Italy. Add it to your list!

This place has really solid Italian food. I got the Pappardelle Alla Bolognese and my friend got the Penne Alla Vodka. I really enjoyed mine and the bites I had from my friend. I also ordered a Negroni which was really good. The night we went, there was a DJ playing pop remixes who was accompanied by a saxophone player. Really interesting and entertaining combination to me and my friend but it seems like the music can be pretty random so just be aware. The place was also really dark which i personally enjoy for dinner. The service was alright but really could have been better. The waiter who took our order was pretty unhelpful. However, nobody was ever rude just not as helpful or attentive as I expect from somewhere where I'm spending $60 on two drinks and a pasta. Also gratuity is included in the receipt at 18% which I don't love. Overall the food is good and the prices are a bit cheaper than some of the other Italian restaurants I like. However, the drinks are really pricy. Would definitely want to come here if I wanted to spend a bit less but still have a nice dinner.

Visitors beware! Terrible service and lack luster food. Don't be fooled by the story the hostess tells you. Of all the things I should have known better as a native New Yorker to look out for, it was the scammy nature of a business that does not value their customers. From the brief moment the hostess greeted us with over eager customer service and seated us this place only got worse as we continued to order and then dine. We waited almost 20-25 minutes from the time we ordered our food to the time that it reached our table. In that time we had be attended by so many staff that we did not even know who was responsible for service at our table. For the wait you'd expect pristine food and service. At this point we were the only table in the dining area left. Almost ten employees were bustling around us and when the food finally got to us. My veal parm had burnt crust that was burnt black on some spots. Then the server who brought the food asked if we needed any cheese. Then another employee came to our table and carelessly spooned pre-grated cheese onto our plates. But he might as well have tossed it on the plates. The slap in the face was that our small party three was slapped with a gratuity fee. Which is not supposed to be charged for parties smaller than 6 in NYC. It is not posted anywhere outside their business that this is occurring and I will be making a complaint to the better business bureau about this. This place is a Must Stay Away From in my opinion. Not tourist friendly, nor native NYer friendly.

I tried Sofia's on a food tour in New York. Service was very quick and friendly. The restaurant was very nice and authentically designed. This was my top 5 pizzas of all time. It didn't even have meat. The fresh homemade bread was very soft, flavorful, and crunchy. The aged cheese tasted great. My lemon drop margarita was too sweet and I ended up not drinking much however it which strong which is always a plus.

Yum! I stopped here as part of a food tour. Our guide was full of fun facts, including the history of this restaurant. We rehydrated and ate pizza margherita, which was great. The ambiance was very nice, amidst bustling little Italy. I would definitely stop back here for a larger meal!

Great restaurant in the heart of little Italy with delicious Italian classic dishes and more. Lovely ambience and great service. Been coming here for a while and it never disappoints.

We walked passed the outdoor seating options up and down Mulberry and decided to loop back to Sofia's. The veal piccata on the menu is what drew us in. We were seated at a cute 2 person table next to the sidewalk. We chose a bottle of Chianti and calamari to start. I had the veal piccata and Amanda had the cavetelli fra diovolo. The sauce and pasta for the piccata was amazing. The veal was a little tough but not horrible, probably would not order the veal again tho. The giant shrimp was very tasty. The sauce was spicy which was accurate and very good. Would we come back, we may try another place since there are so many options. This is not a slight on the business rather so many options.

Came here just for some drinks after dinner but absolutely loved it. The staff was incredibly nice and personable. The ambiance is cute and unique, a lot of flair making it stand out from all the other places around. We enjoyed the espresso martini, the sidecar and their special "pornstar" martini (surprisingly, a favorite). Will definitely return to sit outside when it's warmer!

Friend and I stopped by and were able to get a table quickly. She ordered a wood fire pizza ($19) and I ordered a Lobster and shrimp ravioli dish (sorry, I forget the name of it). ($65) Her pizza was perfect and she really enjoyed it. My pasta looked impressive. But as I started eating it I noticed a few issues. First, the lobster claw meat was cooked to the point it was black and rubbery. Then the lobster tail itself was one big golf ball of rubbery meat. The shrimp were cooked well. The ravioli tasted great. There were some cherry tomatoes and asparagus on top, and these were cooked properly. As I was 95% of the way through eating, I moved part of the lobster shell away from the plate to notice a big bug crawling on my plate. Yup... that meant I was officially done now!!! It hadn't flown in there while I was eating either. It had been there hiding the whole time. We both decided to leave right away, and I got the check and left. So gross. But yeah, for a $65 pasta dish, I don't want bugs.

Great dinner experience eating with the family. My children had a fantastic time. I plan on visiting again and to try different items on the menu.

I was really annoyed that I couldn't enjoy my favorite dish! I ordered veal piccata but what is a veal piccata without the special golden texture of blended white wine and lemon and the pepper. The only flavor I had was butter and capers Actually that was anything except Veal Piccata big disappointment

Jonathon my waiter couldn't be nicer. Very attentive!! I was dining by myself and I felt VERY comfortable! Vincenzo the head waiter was so sweet and took the moment to get to know me. The atmosphere is impeccable!! I felt like I was in Italy!! They have cute private dinning cubes for those who want to be romantic I dined on the open sidewalks.... Just a wonderful experience. I'll be back Thank you!

Delicious food and decently priced! Handmade ravioli and pizza. My new go to spot in little italy. They also have happy hour where cocktails are $6! We got the bianco and margarita pizzas, they were both great. The pizzas were fresh and tasted amazing!! We also tried the mediterranean salad--also fresh and nice. Stop by here for some handmade decently priced Italian!

Discovered in the heart of Italy Street in NYC, we visited a restaurant where we tried the vodka penne and ravioli. The experience was decent--while the ravioli didn't surpass some I've had before, it still offered mild flavors. I'd rate it 3 out of 5.

The best pasta ever and my husband is Italian' Ravioli was delicious! Service was phenomenal and establishment is super clean and cozy ! We will definitely be back!

food was great, had the whole branzino it's wonderfully crispy and hot with lovely acid of capers, olives - delicious! My wife had the lamb she enjoyed it but found the glaze on the sweeter side. maitre d was welcoming and ordering was easy

Very disappointed in the service and knowledge of the staff. They promoted the pre fix menu on their website but when we came into the restaurant they had zero idea on what the menu consisted of. The website clearly states that there is an open bar for two hours but when in restaurant they claim it is only for the diamond package however on the website it promotes it for all packages. Attached is a picture of the websites list that of the pre fixe menu options. Never coming back here again. Sat for two hours without being asked for a refill on my drink. A friend came in after the party had been sat and hostess was rude in asking my friend if she was sure her friends were in there. Bartender and manager argued with us on what the packegae included depsite what the website showed. If I could give zero stars I would!!!

I happened upon this place as I was strolling through Little Italy in search of what's left. This was a surprise as the date it was open, 2021. Per the online search, chef changed in late 2021 and now they have an "A" rating as of April 2022. The pink and white colors on the covered outdoor seating definitely grabs your attention. The inside of the dining room is very spacious. Nicely decorated and the bathroom was clean. My main reason for the 3 star rating is the food, as it went from just okay to meh. The overall experience left me underwhelmed. We were offered complimentary bread but it was not fresh. The olive oil it was served in was able to mask that. But why? For appetizers we shared a beet salad which was really enjoyable. The nuts were candied and not overly sweet. The beets and salad portion was generous. However, the bruschetta we ordered was not good. They used the same mediocre to almost stale bread (same as the complimentary one) and over toasted it. It was nearly black. Topped with the tomatoes and herbs but only half the ingredients were fresh -- the tomatoes only. For Entrees: my friend ordered the pasta primavera and I had the mushroom ravioli. The pasta primavera displayed nicely julienned veggies but the pasta was overcooked. My ravioli had a delicious mushroom sauce and it was a fair portion, however my ravioli was undercooked. The bottom side was very firm and hard. My guest was preoccupied in conversation so I didn't complain and I didn't want to send it back. Funny thing, it wasn't every piece either which makes this dish so puzzling. As per other reviews, the mushrooms were the highlight and done well, it was the ravioli that was not. And to top it off, my ginger ale was watered down and served with too much ice. Servers were a little preoccupied rather than attentive and really basic service. The music blaring from two sets of speakers was way too loud for my comfort as the person I was dining with could barely be heard. And we were sitting at a table for two by the entrance, competing with the speakers outside as well as inside. I'm sure they are thinking it's entertaining but it was not.

They cut the parm cheese with flour! Disgusting no flavor. Clams are rancid and the oil they give with the bread is cut with canola oil The pasta is not homemade and the music is annoying radio, when it should be a classical. Meatballs were mostly breading sauce is mediocre. Big waste of time and money, want good Italian? Zia Maria is authentic, they put pride in their food. Don't go to Sofias tourist trap. That's most places here too so beware.

This spot was amazing experience the food, drinks and service was top tier. And to add icing to the cake the ambiance was phenomenal the Cuban band played all of my request. I even danced which is rare for me because I am shy. A must try!

Came here around the holidays during the dinner rush. We were seated immediately, the staff was super attentive and soo nice. The food was delicious. Would definitely recommend!!!

We stopped at this place while walking around in New York City looking for a place to have authentic food and get out of the rain. We shared a plate of Spaghetti and meatballs, and a bottle of Chianti. It was the best speghetti I have had. Something so simple. I recommend this place, share plates portions are ample. Prices are fair for the portions. We are from San Diego CA. area so we felt the prices were comparable.

All you need to know is the pizza is the bomb. It's definitely something you can share with someone. The house wines are delicious, my wife and I came to enjoy a drink and some food while we walk around little Italy. And the staff is amazing, my waiter named is Solomon the best. He's very attentive, funny and even check in on me to see how I'm personally doing. I couldn't ask for better service. They play live music after 6 which is a huge plus. It's definitely a place for a romantic date.

Good restaurant, not great. Made a reservation, but didn't need one. Waiters and service were very attentive. Ordered a sidecar, but was not very good. Ordered lobster ravioli, but it was cold. Ordered chicken parm and the spaghetti was very good, but the cheese was not melted on the chicken. The CAVATELLI FRA DIAVOLO was the best thing we ate, sooo good!

Staff was super friendly and my food was AMAZING! Definitely order the Penne Allá Vodka pasta it was creamy, cheesy and delicious!!!

This is hands down the best restaurant in Little Italy. The service was incredible, Jonathan is an absolute all star , please ask for him. The food was delightful, the drinks were impeccable and the live music was to die for. It's a Saturday night must. The penne alla vodka was the best of my life and that's all there is to be said.

So yummy! We went for a last lunch so not crowded at all. The food was really good and nice portion size. The service could have been faster and the bathrooms were pretty gross.

I was disappointed with the food. Did a variety of foods. Chicken parm, pizza and pollo scarpariello I have been to Italian restaurants before and I have loved the food but this wasn't tasty to me. The pizza was over cooked...chicken was very dry and the scarpariello wasn't good. Did I come on a bad day?

Food was excellent! They make there pasta on site and it's to die for. Can get busy and a bit loud during the weekend

We were passing by while walking the feast! We were looking to sit and eat in a nice cool place! Well we got to sit, but it was very warm in there. The restaurant was very busy and they had the doors open. Mind you it was 86 degrees out! Service wasn't bad. We ordered the chicken parm, which my husband said was extremely tender. I had the mushroom ravioli which were really good.

Was walking around looking for a place for dinner and happen to stop by Sofia's. The servers were super attentive and kind. I ordered the tortellini and it was amazing! It wasn't too heavy and the mushrooms were a great addition. The pasta had a good dough to filling ratio, and a memorable meal. My friend ordered the fried calamari as an appetizer and it was perfectly crisp. Definitely recommend as a calamari fan. The mojito was as expected and enjoyable! The pastas ranged from 16-20+ dollars and we were given a fairly good serving size. I would definitely come back again!

The service is like it should be, honoring the specialness of sharing earths bounty in celebration and appreciation. Sofias is alive and vibrant. Smells are delightful and the people are grand

Diego did an amazing job he was very helpful and the food was amazing. The environment was amazing overall I think this restaurant is a must try when visiting New York

Lovely ambiance! Attentive service Delicious Food ! Even at a busy time around the area as San Genaro Festival they rocked

The menu looked great! However for $20 pasta I expected either a larger serving or for it to come with salad. For 4 people we got 6 small slices of bread with oil. The ambiance was ok. And the service was decent until the food was served and then it was non existent until they brought the bill. We should have researched more, but we were hungry and it was there.

Went for New Years with a very large group that came at different times The waiter did a great job with getting all the orders in and accurate. Had a variety of appetizers and all were hot and fresh to many to mention but did love the rice balls. I had the spicy shrimp very good. Have to go back with a smaller group to really enjoy the food

Ate here Saturday and several roaches were crawling on the wall next to our table. Pointed them out to the waiter and asked if we could move tables. He responded by brushing the roaches onto the floor underneath the table and saying "don't worry about them!" Truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I do not recommend.

Came here around the festival in September. Food was filling & well balanced, deco is very feminine and lovely one of the few places that have that type of feeling. Service was on par, had good dinner specials. Did the outdoor seating felt very comfy.

Amazing service!! Great chef Andres! Diego and Jonathan are the best waiters!! Had the most wonderful time!

Amazing food and drinks The best Alfredo I've had and the espresso martini is great.

Everything was top tier. From the food to the service, & the ambiance was just as amazing, I will definitely be back to visit this place if I'm ever in ny again

Food was solid but I come to write a review because of the vibes. The owner is so personable and the booths on the road are great for people watching and cute!! Def returning this place was so fun and yummy

Do not go if you have an allergy! Sofia's has no allergy sign and the employees have no knowledge or consideration for allergies. I have a gluten sensitivity (allergy) and specifically informed the waiter that I was gluten free when I ordered my food (gluten free pasta). When the food runner brought out my pasta, I asked him if it was gluten free. It seemed like he did not know what gluten free meant. He went to confirm with the kitchen, and came back to tell me the pasta that he brought over was gluten free. After a few minutes (after I began eating!) the food runner came back to tell me that it actually was not gluten free and gave me another dish of pasta. Shortly after eating the gluten, I experienced the painful effects of gluten intolerance. Gluten intolerance is a serious issue and this restaurant has no respect, knowledge, or consideration. I am concerned for future individuals, especially those with Celiac, which is a more severe gluten allergy/intolerance. This restaurant's manager/owner should educate the employees on allergy awareness and also implement procedures that help distinguish foods containing gluten from food that is gluten free. This is not something to overlook, even if the restaurant is busy...

Best bartender ever, so much fun. Great food. Diego at the bar is amazing. Atmosphere is amazing.

I love this place so much. All of the workers are so welcoming and kind. The service is extremely quick and the food is amazing. The seating areas are also very attractive.

Tourist trap! SO and I were hungry and the food satisfied our hangriness but below average. Pasta was definitely not made in house. Service was great up until it took 15 minutes to get the check after asking for it twice. Ambiance screamed "we try to look like Italian" with Billy Joel playing in the background.

The customer service and staff there are careless and disrespectful. They were very dismissive and didn't care about their customers, do not go here.

The food was great but the tip is something I gave in cash all the time I was charge over 13 dollars for a $60 dollars bill on top I gave the waiter 7 dollars so the whole Meal was $80 not good for first and only time hidden fees never feels good

The food was excellent, as was the service. We were seated right away and it was better food than the popular restaurant down the street that I ate at last time!

Yes, food or cozy romantic pink cabanas but you have to stop at the place for Dolcie!!! The hardest working woman on the block. With big smile, friendly make even rainy day sunny and if you have bad day she for sure cheered you up. You can not miss her - always sexy (in good way) and friendly. Love you Dolcie !!!!!