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FERDINANDO'S RESTAURANT

Updated

Phone: (718) 855-1545

Address: 151 UNION STREET 11231

TLDR

Historic Carroll Gardens space reimagined as an all-day Sicilian bar. Famous for elevated panelle, arancini, and creative seafood snacks.

Reddit Sentiment for FERDINANDO'S RESTAURANT(based on 28 Reddit opinions)

39% Positive54% Neutral7% Negative

Tags

italian 18sicilian 13italian-american 2clams 7panelle 6arancini 6View All

Neighborhoods

Columbia St

Instagram Posts References

Bar Ferdinando offers Vongole alla Patatine, a dish combining clams and fries, suggesting a creative approach to bar food.

Bar Ferdinando is a newly opened Italian bar and cafe in Carroll Gardens, taking over the historic space of Ferdinando's Focacceria. It serves as an ideal spot for a quick aperitivo, offering vermouth service and Negronis, or for a longer stay to savor delicious Sicilian dishes. The beverage menu includes unique twists on classics like the strawberry basil-infused Campari and Soda, while the food features standout items such as fries topped with garlicky clams.

Featured Articles

Dedicated reviews and comprehensive features focusing directly on this restaurant.

This Is Eater’s Guide to All the New Restaurants, Bars, and Cafes That Have Opened This Week in April 2026
lean positive

Sal Lamboglia revives the historic Ferdinando's Focacceria space with Bar Ferdinando, an Italian bar and cafe offering classic Sicilian dishes like arancini and pane e panelle, alongside amari-based cocktails. Opens April 15.

Eater • Apr 1, 2026
Bar Ferdinando Will Open in the Old Ferdinando’s Focacceria Space
lean positive

Sal Lamboglia is reviving the spirit of a beloved neighborhood institution by opening Bar Ferdinando in the former Ferdinando’s Focacceria space, offering a new take on Italian bar culture.

The Infatuation • Mar 24, 2026
Read More →
Grubstreet
Bar Ferdinando
neutral

Willa Moore reviews Bar Ferdinando, a Carroll Gardens neighborhood gem that revitalized NYC's oldest Sicilian restaurant, Ferdinando's Focacceria, offering classic dishes like arancini and pane e panelle.

Willa Moore • Sep 3, 2025
Read More →
Infatuation
A Guide To The “Super Cute Reasonably Priced Restaurant To Catch Up With A Few Friends”
positive

Willa Moore reviews Bar Ferdinando, a cozy, refreshed spot serving all-day Sicilian classics like arancini and chickpea fritters in a casual, walk-in-friendly setting.

Willa Moore • Jan 21, 2022
Read More →
Infatuation
The Brooklyn Hit List: The Best New Restaurants In Brooklyn
positive

Will Hartman discusses Bar Ferdinando in Carroll Gardens, a reimagined version of an iconic Sicilian institution.

Will Hartman • Jan 21, 2022
Read More →
Infatuation

Other Article Mentions

Lists, round-ups, and guides where this restaurant is mentioned alongside others.

Mentioned In
The Best Dishes We Ate This Month
positive

Sonal Shah revisits Ferdinando’s Focacceria, now under new ownership, and praises their pane e panelle as a "delightfully dense combination" of chickpea fritters, ricotta, and caciocavallo cheese.

Bryan Kim • Apr 30, 2026
Read More →
Infatuation
Mentioned In
Cafe Spaghetti
neutral

Ferdinando's Focacceria is mentioned as a charming, 118-year-old Italian restaurant located across Union Street from Cafe Spaghetti.

Amber Sutherland-Namako • Aug 5, 2022

Details

A refreshed take on a 121-year-old neighborhood staple in Carroll Gardens, this all-day Italian bar honors its Sicilian heritage while delivering a revitalized dining experience [2], [3]. Under the stewardship of the team behind Cafe Spaghetti, the space serves classic recipes like pane e panelle in a casual, walk-in-only atmosphere [3], [4]. Recent patrons have praised the significant improvement in ingredient quality and culinary execution compared to the location's previous iteration [4], [7].

Food Overview

The menu focuses on Sicilian specialties and affordable Italian-American comfort food, with dishes generally priced under $21 [4]. Standout items include the pane e panelle, featuring chickpea fritters on a homemade roll [4], [5], and various incredible arancini [7]. Unique bar snacks like garlicky clams served over fries are widely recommended as must-try dishes [4], [8], [9].

Highlights / Recommended

The pane e panelle, arancini with mozzarella, and the signature garlicky clams over fries are frequently highlighted as top choices [4], [7], [9].

Customer Sentiment

Overall sentiment is highly positive, with guests celebrating the successful revitalization of this historic space and the newfound consistency in the kitchen [4], [7]. Diners frequently describe the experience as a reliable, affordable, and delicious choice for casual meals [4], [6].

Most Mentioned Dishes

  • 01
    panelle
    5 mentions
  • 02
    pane e panelle
    4 mentions
  • 03
    arancini
    3 mentions
  • 04
    vongole alla patatine
    3 mentions
  • 05
    manhattan special
    2 mentions
  • 06
    garlicky clams over fries
    2 mentions

Reddit Opinions & Reviews

Top Reddit Posts About FERDINANDO'S RESTAURANT

The original poster provides a glowing review of the panelle, rating it 10/10 and comparing it favorably to versions found in Sicily.
This thread contains several recommendations for the restaurant's arancini, with users praising the different varieties offered.

Recent Reddit Mentions

From post: Need A Good Italian Pasta Restaurant For This

"Suggested as a place for dining."

Neutral
Aug 7, 2026View Comment →

From post: Your Favorite Clam Dishes In Manhattan Or Brooklyn

"Recommended for a specific dish of clams served on top of fries."

Positive
Aug 2, 2026View Comment →

From post: Is There Any Arancini In Nyc Similar To Whats In

"Clarifies the preparation involves a cheese-filled saffron rice ball, which they found delicious despite the unconventional sauce-and-cheese topping."

Positive
Jul 28, 2026View Comment →

From post: Is There Any Arancini In Nyc Similar To Whats In

"Mentions they serve 'special' arancina with sauce and cheese, which differs from traditional Sicilian preparation."

Positive
Jul 28, 2026View Comment →

From post: Is There Any Arancini In Nyc Similar To Whats In

"Claims the two varieties of arancini offered are incredible."

Positive
Jul 28, 2026View Comment →

Often mentioned with Ferdinando's Restaurant

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