Coveted West Village Italian bar & restaurant w/ globally acclaimed cocktails, esp. Negronis. Ideal for dates & lively nights out.
Bryan Kim reviews Dante West Village, a West Village spot that excels in cocktails, especially Negronis. It's a popular local scene perfect for dates or drinks with friends, but be sure to book ahead and order food.
This West Village Italian restaurant is a sophisticated cocktail bar and dining destination, celebrated for its extensive drink menu and lively yet intimate atmosphere. It offers a quintessential streetside aperitivo experience with a focus on classic European cafe vibes, making it a popular spot for dates and small groups seeking expertly crafted cocktails and Italian-inspired fare. While reservations are recommended for tables, the bar area often accommodates walk-ins, ensuring access to their acclaimed beverages.
The food at Dante West Village is largely seen as a complement to its renowned cocktail program. While not the primary focus for all patrons, dishes like burrata with preserved tomatoes and a wood-fired chicken are recommended. The signature burger is noted as solid but messy, with the absence of fries being a minor drawback. There's also a mention of a 'criminally underrated' chicken Caesar salad.
"While celebrated for its cocktails like the Negroni and martinis, notable food recommendations include the burrata with preserved tomatoes and the wood-fired chicken. The chicken Caesar salad is also highlighted as surprisingly good for a cocktail bar."
Customers generally have a positive sentiment, frequently praising the restaurant's ambiance and world-class cocktails, although some note that it can be pricey and that outdoor seating is not ideal in very cold weather.
Important Note
Outdoor seating may not be suitable in very cold weather, and while the bar can accommodate walk-ins, dining room tables often require advance reservations and a food order.
"The user enjoys the mushroom risotto at Dante, but notes it is typically only available in the fall."
Positive"Dante is listed as an example of a restaurant that generally stays busy year-round in NYC."
Positive"Dante was recommended for its happy hour specials on food and drinks, fitting the criteria for a nice dinner near the Comedy Cellar."
Positive"This user, who passes Dante West Village daily, observed people eating outside in various weather but believes the extreme cold makes it unenjoyable. They noted that food gets cold quickly, staff limit outdoor time, and diners will freeze."
Negative"This user recommended Dante as a quiet restaurant option near NoHo."
Neutral"This user humorously commented on the potential experience of dining outdoors in the cold."
Neutral"This user requested someone to test the outdoor seating at Dante West Village and report back."
Neutral"Having experienced Dante West Village's outdoor seating in single-digit temperatures, the user strongly advises against it, stating that the heat lamps are ineffective in such conditions."
Negative"This user agreed that Dante West Village's outdoor seating is not a viable option in extreme cold, expressing surprise that it's offered."
Negative"The user stated that Dante West Village does not have comfortable outdoor seating for cold weather."
Negative"The author found Dante to be an expensive but adored cocktail bar with a great vibe. While they didn't like their chosen espresso negroni, they appreciated its aesthetic. The Dante Manhattan was delightful, and they would return for the ambiance."
Positive"The original poster heard that Dante has really good espresso martinis."
Positive"Dante in the West Village was mentioned as a possible restaurant choice."
Neutral"Dante was recommended for its cocktails."
Positive"This user recommended Dante for happy hour."
Positive"This user also recommended Dante."
Positive"Dante West Village is included in a list of toddler-friendly establishments in Lower Manhattan, known for good food and drinks, and equipped with high chairs."
Positive"This comment recommends checking out "dantes martini hour"."
Positive"The user listed Dante, Dead Rabbit, and SoHo House as places with good espresso martinis."
Positive"The user recommended Dante or Hotel Delmano for an espresso martini."
Positive
