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POLPETTE 71

Updated

Phone: (212) 875-1512

Address: 71 WEST 71 STREET 10023

TLDR

Cozy UWS Italian gem featuring legendary house-made meatballs, fresh seafood, and heavenly scratch-made desserts.

Reddit Sentiment for POLPETTE 71(based on 104 Reddit opinions)

34% Positive33% Neutral34% Negative

Achievements and Accolades

Achievement logo

Tags

american 97italian 9meatballs 95pasta 6poke 3View All

Neighborhoods

Upper West Side

Instagram Posts References

Polpette71 is praised for its in-house crafted desserts made with fresh ingredients by talented chefs. The post emphasizes that these desserts offer a superior experience, describing them as a 'taste of heaven'. The restaurant, located on the Upper West Side, encourages patrons to visit and indulge in their extraordinary sweet offerings.

Details

A cozy Upper West Side destination, this spot offers a delightful Italian experience with well-spaced seating perfect for couples or groups [1]. While widely acclaimed for its superior house-made Italian meatballs, the menu also features high-quality pasta and fresh seafood [1], [3]. Patrons are further drawn to their expertly crafted in-house desserts, which are frequently described as extraordinary [1].

Food Overview

The cuisine centers on classic Italian comfort, with the Italian meatballs being a standout recommendation that many claim are the best in the city [1], [3]. The restaurant is also highly regarded for its pasta, fresh seafood, and indulgent house-made desserts like tiramisu and cheesecake [1].

Highlights / Recommended

"The Italian meatballs are the most frequently recommended dish [3], complemented by their signature tiramisu and cheesecake for dessert [2]."

Mentioned Dishes:

  • kitchen sink(3)

Customer Sentiment

Patrons consistently praise the welcoming atmosphere and the high quality of the food, particularly the signature meatballs [1], [3].

Reddit Opinions & Reviews

Top Reddit Posts About POLPETTE 71

A user recommends this spot for an anniversary dinner due to its cozy atmosphere, excellent meatballs, and comfortable table spacing.
This post highlights the restaurant's reputation for having the best Italian meatballs in the city and notes that their red sauce is never burnt.

Recent Reddit Mentions

From post: Recommendation For Special Occasion Restaurant

"The original poster mentioned having had a great meal at Polpette 71."

Positive
Jun 8, 2026View Comment →

From post: Where To Lose Beef Virginity

"In a humorous suggestion for trying beef, the user lists pastrami, burgers, hot dogs, meatball, cheesesteak, and steak from various places."

Neutral
May 4, 2026View Comment →

From post: The Meatball Shop Has Closed Permanently

"This user explains the difference between spaghetti and linguine, noting that while they are distinct, they are often confused."

Neutral
Apr 13, 2026View Comment →

From post: The Meatball Shop Has Closed Permanently

"This former employee clarifies that the commissary kitchen was used for only about two years and that meatballs were made in-house at the Bedford location for the last seven years before the menu changed and quality declined."

Neutral
Apr 13, 2026View Comment →

From post: The Meatball Shop Has Closed Permanently

"This user states that the initial period from 2010-2018 was the restaurant's prime, implying that visiting only a few years ago meant missing the best years."

Positive
Apr 13, 2026View Comment →

From post: The Meatball Shop Has Closed Permanently

"This user, a former employee, details the operational hours and the shift in company ethos after the original owners sold the business."

Neutral
Apr 13, 2026View Comment →

From post: The Meatball Shop Has Closed Permanently

"This user states that the original Lower East Side location was spectacular."

Positive
Apr 12, 2026View Comment →

From post: The Meatball Shop Has Closed Permanently

"This user recounts a negative experience where they found a piece of wire in their food and were offered only a glass of wine as compensation."

Negative
Apr 12, 2026View Comment →

From post: The Meatball Shop Has Closed Permanently

"This user strongly disliked the restaurant, calling it 'bland pretentious shit-bucket'."

Negative
Apr 12, 2026View Comment →

From post: The Meatball Shop Has Closed Permanently

"This user expresses sadness about the closure."

Negative
Apr 11, 2026View Comment →

From post: The Meatball Shop Has Closed Permanently

"This user asks which location is being discussed, noting that the Upper East Side location closed some time ago."

Neutral
Apr 11, 2026View Comment →

From post: The Meatball Shop Has Closed Permanently

"This user also had their second date at The Meatball Shop with their now long-term boyfriend."

Positive
Apr 11, 2026View Comment →

From post: The Meatball Shop Has Closed Permanently

"This user fondly remembers the 'Kitchen Sink' dish from about 10 years ago."

Positive
Apr 10, 2026View Comment →

From post: The Meatball Shop Has Closed Permanently

"This user expresses sadness and gratitude for the memories of the restaurant, which provided comfort food after long workdays."

Negative
Apr 10, 2026View Comment →

From post: The Meatball Shop Has Closed Permanently

"This user will miss the restaurant and its cookbook, specifically mentioning the mint ice cream."

Negative
Apr 9, 2026View Comment →

From post: The Meatball Shop Has Closed Permanently

"This user states they did not like the restaurant at all."

Negative
Apr 9, 2026View Comment →

From post: The Meatball Shop Has Closed Permanently

"This user misses the earlier popularity of poke, specifically mentioning Poke Bowl in Union Square."

Positive
Apr 9, 2026View Comment →

From post: The Meatball Shop Has Closed Permanently

"This user harshly criticizes the food as 'awful' and 'commissary prepped slop', comparing it unfavorably to other establishments."

Negative
Apr 8, 2026View Comment →

From post: The Meatball Shop Has Closed Permanently

"This user confirms both original owners sold the business; one is in the wellness industry, and the other opened a pizza restaurant in California."

Neutral
Apr 8, 2026View Comment →

From post: The Meatball Shop Has Closed Permanently

"This user is sad about the closure, as they and their wife had planned to visit in May and will miss the buffalo chicken meatballs and cream sauce."

Negative
Apr 8, 2026View Comment →