La Mela

Little Italy may be disappearing into a Mario Batali-spearheaded abyss, but you should still take Uncle Nick & Aunt Julia to this old-school checkered tableclothed ristorante for a kitschy experience. Read more

Really authentic Italian food with great ambiance. It almost felt like I was in Italy. The dishes are all family style and the portions generous. Definitely try the carbonara !

If you want the closest experience to the old little Italy this is it. The food is amazing, prices are reasonable and the staff are usually friendly . It gets crowed, so get there early if you can.

Try the family style pastas and meats if you want a solid sampling. Run by respectful Albanians and sometimes they have live music

Go for the family Style ! We have been coming to this restaurant since 1994. Tons of celeb been here!

THE TORTELLINI .. That is all.. Hands down the best pasta in the city . You'll love the atmosphere & the food & the experience.

Great for groups , La Mela has the classic feel of an Italian restaurant made for large boisterous families enjoying their red gravy .

The Calamari fritti and te Rigatoni bolognesa are awesome. The house wine by the bottle is a very good choice.

If the large hanging ceiling sausage wasn't enough of a tip off, this is a place to go in family style , order a few bottles of red, and proceed to get entirely too loud .

A great italian spot that does the really simple really well . I had the alfredo with chicken , and it did not disappoint. Read more

This is a GREAT place for having a private party! Fabulous food, beautiful room, soft background music . The only thing missing is LIVE music .

Simply the best. They also will put the largest bottle of wine you've ever seen on your table and just charge you for approx how much you drink.

Customer Review of the Day: By far, this is the best dining experience. Romantic , Italian restaurant setting, nice wine , family, staff , and great food! Everyone needs the La Mela experience! - -Michae

Please please please try the Penne Vodka !!! It’s delicious!!!!

Sponsored Tip: Order San Pellegrino or Acqua Panna water at this Little Italy spot and a donation will be made to Share Our Strength! Also: try the broccoli rabe . Read more

Definitely do the family style . It's so hard to decide what to eat since everything is amazing here ... Problem Solved!

The food is delicious , you wanna try something good the meat speacial is really worth it !

Fantastic food and great value ! We have been coming here since 2000!! :-)

Very traditional and delicious Italian food . make sure you're hungry, it's too much food.

Delicious food, friendy staff ????

Go for the all you can eat , all you can drink option. It's a real bargain in the city , and the food is spectacular! La Mela is off the hook!

The band, troubadour ambience service and the good food and wine !

"Anybody who was anybody made it a point to stop into La Mela when they ventured to Little Italy." -- in Charles Kipps' CRYSTAL DEATH, homicide detective Conor Bard is a regular at this spot. Read more

Don't eat too much, start slowly so you can go all the way thru the finish line ! :-) tons of food!

The food is really good here and the service is fast

Get the mixed pasta and the fettuccini Alfredo

Try la mela's famous dessert ... Little of everything. Hits the sweet spot!

The penne vodka is great!

Although country music star Trisha Yearwood enjoys a nice home-cooked meal, La Mela is her go-to because of its “family atmosphere .”

Penne vodka is so darn good

Read everyone else's review raving about the place so I gave it a try, although the cannoli at the end was quite good the chicken parm I got was pretty mediocre, not at all worth the $25

Excelent! I just loved it

Food is mediocre and service is mildly inattentive. This place is fine if you’re wanting a cheesy dinner spot in Little Italy but venture elsewhere for more quality Italian fare .

Chase a mushroom appetizer with the Penne Alla Vodka . They're prepared by nomes in a secret kitchen beneath the stairs.

Chicken piccata is delicious just order it with pasta !

Great people! Ask how to get good luck. It's too funny. Francisco is best! We'll be back.

Don't get overwhelmed. Order the family style . You won't regret it oh, and leave room for dessert .

Best Penne Vodka of my life!

This is the God jizz of pasta #deagobomb

The Best food Italy in New York ????

Great for carb loading before a race!

I'm Italian. I went to "La Mela" yesterday. All waiters were friendly and none of them was Italian. The food was quite bad and overpriced. I'm sure there is better in Little Italy.

shrimp oreganata was awesome

Did family style for 2 and an order of red wine -- there was so much food we werent even close to finishing and they just charge you for what you drink out of the bottle. this place is awesome (bill

$6 Peroni on tap . Lowest price on Mulberry Street.

the mixed family style pasta - can't go wrong

Food is delicious for sure

Food+housewine+Francesco= excellent evening @ La Mela :)

La Mela has the best family style Italian food in NYC!

OMG!!!! Try the whole menu!!!