Last Updated: 8 days ago
Phone: (917) 639-3236
Address: 129 MACDOUGAL STREET 10012
Cozy Italian cafe w/ charming garden & live jazz. Perfect for relaxed evenings & family traditions.
Experience the charm of a classic Italian cafe with a delightful garden and occasional live jazz. This spot is perfect for a relaxed evening, offering a cozy ambiance that has been cherished by families for generations. While not every dish is a showstopper, the comforting Italian fare, especially the lasagna flight, makes it a memorable choice for a special occasion or a quiet night out.
Primarily an Italian cafe, the restaurant is known for its comforting dishes. The carne lasagna flight, featuring four different types of lasagna, and the speck pizza are frequently recommended. Some reviews mention that while the food is decent and can be a good option for lunch or a casual dinner, it may not be the most exciting culinary experience.
"The carne lasagna flight, offering a variety of lasagnas, and the speck pizza are highlighted as must-tries. The restaurant also offers a vegetarian lasagna option."
Customers often praise the restaurant's charming ambiance and its long-standing family appeal, with many highlighting the cozy garden as a particularly attractive feature. While the food is generally seen as decent, some opinions suggest it's more about the atmosphere than culinary innovation.
Important Note
Some reviews suggest that while the ambiance is a strong point, the food itself might not be the primary reason to visit, with one commenter advising to avoid pre-sliced, refrigerated lasagna.
"This user recommended La lanterna for a cozy, dim-lit dinner date."
Positive"If avoiding the pre-sliced lasagna that is kept refrigerated, the dining experience might be satisfactory."
Neutral"It's possible to walk in, but the food is not particularly noteworthy. The main draw is the cozy and inviting ambiance."
Neutral"The food is decent and the atmosphere is cozy, making it a good choice for chilly days. The restaurant has been around for a long time."
Positive"The restaurant is typically not crowded and the food is considered not very good by the commenter."
Negative"The user was able to walk in for a bar lunch last week without any issues."
Neutral"Based on experience, if a restaurant doesn't have lunch table availability but does for dinner, it likely means they don't take lunch reservations and walk-ins should be fine."
Neutral"La Lanterna is described as a very cute old spot in the Village with a greenhouse-like back area. They offer coffee drinks and are noted for their ambiance."
Positive"This restaurant features a charming indoor garden and a cozy dining room, offering delicious food within a budget of less than $50 per person."
Positive"La Lanterna was listed as a restaurant suggestion."
Neutral"La Lanterna Di Vittorio is listed as a late-night dining option."
Positive"While not in Little Italy, this commenter suggested La Lanterna in Greenwich Village for Italian food, noting its history in the area."
Neutral"This restaurant is close by and offers very good lasagnas, including a flight of four types and a vegetarian option."
Positive"This restaurant was recommended for an Italian lunch in Lower Manhattan."
Positive"The user still loves La Lanterna di Vittorio, a place that has been a special occasion hangout for their family for generations, especially appreciating its cute back garden."
Positive"The user was impressed by La Lanterna di Vittorio, recalling it as a former secret date spot primarily for its good vibes and ambiance rather than outstanding food."
Neutral"The Original Poster has a backup reservation at La Lanterna di Vittorio for their dad's birthday dinner. This indicates it is a considered option within their desired price and vibe range for an Italian restaurant."
Neutral"The carne lasagna flight and speck pizza were exactly what the author was looking for. All four pieces of lasagna were tasty and the pizza was cooked perfectly. The indoor patio is highly recommended."
Positive"User Responsible_Push4684 lists La Lanterna di Vitoria (La Lanterna di Vittorio) as a go-to restaurant, a charming Italian cafe."
Positive