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  5. East Village

Lavagna - NYC

4.8
4.8
1602 Reviews
$31 to $50
Italian
Top Tags:
Lavagna opened its doors on February 1st 1999.The restaurant offers casual Italian trattoria fare at moderate prices. The vibe is candlelit, cozy, with an old wood burning oven, exposed brick walls, a pressed tin ceiling and a small wine bar where one can dine also. A wall of French doors swing open in the warmer weather to a seasonal sidewalk cafe of 20 seats.
The kitchen concept is to create dishes traditionally Italian, emphasizing fresh, seasonal ingredients and product of the highest quality.
The menu highlights include homemade pastas, a wood oven roasted fish for two, roast pork chop, baby rack of lamb and of course the rigatoni with sweet and spicy sausage that has become a classic over the years.
The wine list has been a yearly recipient of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence since 2002 and it focuses on hard to find wines from regional Italy along with other international selections.

Make a reservation

2 people
10:00 PM
Booked 15 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Cuisines

    Italian

  • Hours of operation

    Brunch Sat, Sun 12:00 pm–3:30 pm Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (212) 979-1005

  • Website

    http://www.lavagnanyc.com/

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Smart Casual

  • Executive chef

    Baldo Merlin

  • Private party facilities

    Lavagna restaurant offers several options for private dining. Our space is available daily for daytime private dining for 20 to 50 guests; Noon to 4pm. We also offer seating up to 24 guests Sunday through Thursday evenings in our dining room. Full room buyout options are also available any night.

  • Private party contact

    Jeff Tischler or Yorgos Hatziefthimiou: (212) 979-1005

  • Location

    545 E.5th St., New York, NY 10009

  • Neighborhood

    East Village

  • Cross street

    Between Avenue A and Avenue B

  • Parking details

    The closest public lot is located at 167 Essex Street and the corner of Houston, near Katz's Deli. It is a five block walk to the restaurant and we recommend the lot for parking during the weekends as street parking can be scarce.

  • Public transit

    By Subway:<br />F train to Second Ave stop<br />6 train to Astor Place

  • Additional

    Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

What 1,602 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Manhattan

    Italian

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Filters

  1. SJ

    SandraJ

    New York Area

    56 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    56 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Family dinner - five of us - we all loved the food! The pizza was amazing, the kale salad divine, the prosciutto so very ITALY! Each pasta dish was perfectly fresh and flavorful- a total treat! The desserts were homemade and amazing. Fantastic bartender and the best servers. We loved our dining experience here. Gracious service and amazing food.
  2. KD

    KiaD

    Chicago

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 7, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    I enjoyed the pasta. I love the experience over all. It was nice and relaxing.
  3. g

    gokhann

    New York Area

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on August 5, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a great day of the salad and excellent grilled fish of the day - seabass
  4. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on August 5, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great service: very attentive staff. Super friendly and helpful server with a beautiful smile.
  5. RC

    RhondaC

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 30, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    The food was fabulous and all served with great smiles. Oh and the cocktails and wine were also great! Worth the trip!
  6. CH

    ChiHockeyEpicurean

    Chicago

    35 reviews

    5.0

    35 reviews

    Dined on July 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A very pleasant and accommodating restaurant in the East Village. Excellent food. Reasonable prices. Friendly and very competent staff. Enjoyed the rack of lamb. Very nicely done and presented.
  7. k

    kellyg

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on July 23, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Best food in NYC - it’s such GEM I have been going for years and it never disappoints. Much go
  8. JH

    JamesH

    New York Area

    15 reviews

    4.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on July 22, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Always a great time and excellent Italian fare.
  9. TN

    TedN

    New York Area

    25 reviews

    5.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on July 20, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything great but. Should have drunk less to keep the price down.
  10. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Austin

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 18, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Perfect, as always!
  11. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 18, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience3
    Great food! Not from NYC but was recommended to come here.
  12. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on July 17, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I love this restaurant. It is my favorite restaurant in New York City. Now that I live in Texas I try to visit two times a year when I’m in City for business. Thank you for an amazing dinner tonight.
  13. EJ

    EhrenJ

    New York Area

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on July 11, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always a hit. Gorgeous food, great service. Classic Italian and classic New York.
  14. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 11, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Friend birthday
  15. J

    Joseph

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 10, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    What a lovely, grown-up, evening! Our server, Ruby, was a joy. We LOVE La vagna!
  16. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 2, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food, and staff, as always!
  17. T

    Tess

    New York Area

    34 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    34 reviews

    Dined on July 1, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Typically excellent experience. Delicious, consistent and creative dishes, great service and a convivial, competent vibe.
  18. H

    Hungry4more

    New York Area

    20 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on June 30, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful neighborhood restaurant that features delicious specials along with their regular menu (also delicious choices). Staff are friendly and helpful. It has quickly become one of our favorite spots!
  19. S

    Stacey

    New York Area

    70 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    70 reviews

    Dined on June 28, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful Food great Comfortable and gracious
  20. m

    mehmet

    New York Area

    32 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    32 reviews

    Dined on June 26, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Outstanding Amazing rigatoni & great wine list! Friend had the pork chop & said it was superb!!
  21. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on June 25, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful and attentive service. Fish set aflame before our eyes and then filters and plated beautifully. And the taste? My plate was clean!
  22. B

    Bailey

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 22, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    I love Lavagna; been a patron for over a decade. But hadn’t visited since long before the pandemic (5 years). The specials are always great, service good, etc. Primary quality is the lovely ambience. Small independent restaurant with open wood oven, candles, and so on. There aren’t a lot of these places left Downtown.
  23. SU

    StevenU

    New England

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 19, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was fantastic. Fresh and delicious. Wait staff were very nice and accommodating.
  24. SW

    SamuelW

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 19, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    excellent throughout: octopus, artichokes, prosciutto, scallops all recommended. pastas all recommended. I wouldn't get the think dry pizza though. Lamb tender and perfectly medium-rare. Branzino for 2 superb.
  25. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 19, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is probably our 5th time going here and ever single time we go we are blown away. We jokingly tell people that we don’t want others to know about how good this place is, just so that we don’t have to fight for reservations. But in all seriousness having been to Italy, been to the Carbone, Don Angie etc of the world. This is still THE best hands down. It’s a must try.
  26. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Raleigh

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 17, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food, service, ambience, all dynamite. Pea ravioli may be one of the best things I’ve ever eaten.
  27. JB

    JoeB

    Indiana

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 14, 2022

    overall3food2service4ambience4
    The food was overpriced and very little serving. The menu was limited and expensive.
  28. LW

    LanceW

    Denver

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on June 14, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is our favorite neighborhood spot in NYC! The food and service are excellent. Prices are fair. This is a hidden gem, if you have not been go now.
  29. LG

    LoriG

    New York Area

    42 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    42 reviews

    Dined on June 12, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A true New York City gem in the East Village -loved every bite. Great pasta,fish,pork chop. We will be back!
  30. KG

    KristinG

    New York Area

    7 reviews

    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on June 7, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Great neighborhood eatery with high quality dishes. Definitely worth returning!
  31. A

    Andrew

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on June 4, 2022

    overall1food4service2ambience2
    I've never been treated more rudely...in this case by the owner. It was so bad the waiter was yelling at him, and I think he (the owner) was drunk. He also cursed in front of my sons and called one of them a liar. This was my second time there, and I enjoyed the first. But this experience was humiliating and enraging. I live in the neighborhood and I can never go back.
  32. DG

    DarraghG

    N. Ireland

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 4, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It’s just fantastic every time. Simple, consistent, friendly and delicious.
  33. m

    mariet

    New York Area

    63 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    63 reviews

    Dined on June 1, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Off the beaten track for a tourist but well worth the trek. A truly fantastic meal in a small beautiful setting. Service great.
  34. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Tallahassee

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 29, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Lavagna was amazing! Incredible service and the pasta special was fantastic. Great family owned place that is full of flavor and fun. All of our dishes were perfect and treated with care. Would highly recommend. Great neighborhood restaurant.
  35. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 28, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A true NYC gem
  36. N

    Nicole

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 28, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It was a nice spot that can be for a quiet dinner for two or to simply catch up with friends. The service was excellent and the food was great as well.
  37. a

    andrea

    New York Area

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on May 27, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Charming and delicious. Owner friendly and portions generous
  38. BA

    BrianA

    Seattle

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 22, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We loved this place so much the first time, we went back the next night to experience it all over again! Equally great the second time around.
  39. SB

    SarahB

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 16, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Love this restaurant. On a quiet corner, beautiful interior, amazing food, friendly staff
  40. EC

    EliseC

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 12, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food is always great-savory and fresh. Wait staff friendly and knowledgeable.

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Sealed or wrapped utensils used
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
    • Contactless payment available

  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables

  • Protective equipment

    • Waitstaff wear masks
    • Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking

  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
    • Proof of vaccination required to dine indoors

FAQs

Lavagna - NYC offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (212) 979-1005.

Lavagna - NYC is rated 4.8 stars by 1602 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
10:00 PM
Booked 15 times today
Google Map for Lavagna - NYC

545 E.5th St., New York, NY 10009

Additional information

  • Cross street

    Between Avenue A and Avenue B

  • Neighborhood

    East Village

  • Hours of operation

    Brunch Sat, Sun 12:00 pm–3:30 pm Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    Italian

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Dress code

    Smart Casual

  • Parking details

    The closest public lot is located at 167 Essex Street and the corner of Houston, near Katz's Deli. It is a five block walk to the restaurant and we recommend the lot for parking during the weekends as street parking can be scarce.

  • Public transit

    By Subway:F train to Second Ave stop6 train to Astor Place

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Baldo Merlin

  • Additional

    Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Website

    http://www.lavagnanyc.com/

  • Phone number

    (212) 979-1005

  • Private party facilities

    Lavagna restaurant offers several options for private dining. Our space is available daily for daytime private dining for 20 to 50 guests; Noon to 4pm. We also offer seating up to 24 guests Sunday through Thursday evenings in our dining room. Full room buyout options are also available any night.

  • Private party contact

    Jeff Tischler or Yorgos Hatziefthimiou: (212) 979-1005

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