Lavagna - NYC

4.9

1890 Reviews

$31 to $50

Italian

Make a booking

2 people

1 Mar 2025

7:00 pm

Booked 31 times today

Neighbourhood gem
Charming
Great for fine wines

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.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
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.

Location
545 E.5th St., New York, NY 10009
Area
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:F train to Second Ave stop6 train to Astor Place
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Seared Scallops "Agrodolce"USD 16.00
with parsnip puree and crisp pancetta
Tuscan Kale CaesarUSD 13.00
finely slice kale, parmesan, and housemade croutons
Carciofo al FornoUSD 13.00
wood oven roasted artichoke heart with white bean puree, and cremini mushrooms
Prosciutto di San DanieleUSD 13.00
with figs and balsamic vinegar, topped with arugula and parmigiano
Insalata MistaUSD 11.00
baby arugula, lola rossa, shaved asiago with roasted garlic vinaigrette
Zuppa di CozzeUSD 15.00
pan roasted mussles in a tomato and basil broth
Octopus CarpaccioUSD 15.00
with fresh lemon juice, evoo, chives and pepperoncini

Pizzette from the Wood Burning oven

MargheritaUSD 19.00
tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and fresh basil
Pizzetta del BoscoUSD 19.00
roasted wild mushrooms, fontina and white truffle oil

Pasta

Gluten free pasta is available. Please ask your server.

Fedelini FiniUSD 16.00
with toasted gardlic and rustic tomato sauce
RigatoniUSD 20.00
with sweet fennel and spicy sausage, peas and tomato cream
Fresh PappardelleUSD 24.00
with braised rabbit, fresh thyme and black olives
Homemade Sweet Pea RavioliUSD 20.00
with parmesan cream and mint

Secondi

Whole Wood Oven Roasted Fish for 2
served flambe with sauteed spinach and grape tomato relish
- M/P
Pan Seared MonkfishUSD 24.00
with roasted portabello mushrooms, baby artichokes, and a green olive vinaigrette
Pan Seared Atlantic Cod FishUSD 26.00
with baby carrots, fingerling potatoes, cippolini onions, in a light red wine reduction
Roast Pork ChopUSD 27.00
with braised swiss chard, bacon, barlotti beans, and pickled red onions
Steak LavagnaUSD 35.00
marinated beef tenderloin with seasonal vegetables, yukon gold mash, and classic au poivre sauce
Roasted Baby Rack of LambUSD 34.00
with cannellini beans, broccoli rabe and rosemary jus

Cantorni

Grilled AsparagusUSD 9.00
Sauteed SpinachUSD 9.00
Yukon Gold MashUSD 7.00
Broccoli RabeUSD 9.00

What 1,890 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.9

4.9 based on recent ratings

4.9Food
4.9Service
4.8Ambience
4.8Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Manhattan
Italian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Lavagna in NYC is cherished for its "wonderful food and wine," "authentic Italian" dishes, and "warm, happy" atmosphere. This East Village gem delights with its "amazing ravioli," "phenomenal rigatoni," and "extraordinary service." Frequent visitors praise its consistency over the years, calling it a "neighborhood gem" and a "true NYC hidden gem."

1,890 Reviews

J
James
VIP
New York City
61 reviews
5.0
61 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
A delicious Alphabet City mainstay and well worth the detour. The pastas are generous and incredibly flavorful. Same goes for the apps and mains and desserts.
Is this helpful?
S
Seth
New York City
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We’ve been coming to Lavagna for over twenty years. It’s our go to choice in the East Village.
Is this helpful?
S
Sonia
VIP
New York City
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 14 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had a wonderful meal and enjoyed the fantastic, authentic atmosphere. Such a warm, happy place to enjoy a really good meal!
Is this helpful?
m
maurac
VIP
Greater Boston
30 reviews
5.0
30 reviews
Dined on 13 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always delicious. I have always enjoyed the food and wine here. The people make this a very special place!
Is this helpful?
M
Marianna
VIP
Miami
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on 8 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
The rigatoni with sausage and cream sauce was the best thing I’ve had since pasta happened! And I’m a New Yorker! They’ve been open for 26 years just for this dish!
Is this helpful?
L
Louise
New York City
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on 7 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
A lovely neighborhood gem. Food was delicious, service was friendly, professional, and informed.
Is this helpful?
s
sherri
VIP
New York City
11 reviews
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on 26 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The warmth in winter of the food, the staff, the lighting, the decor were all welcome and abundant. Amazing ravioli, pollack (seasoned perfectly), insulate mista (amazing dressing!) and Clafoutis were amazing! Highly recommend and will be back (again and again!)
Is this helpful?
R
Robert
New York City
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 26 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great neighborhood place. Highly recommend. Nice people in a comfortable friendly atmosphere.
Is this helpful?
J
John
VIP
New York City
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on 25 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Lavagna is always a deliciously wonderful experience.
Is this helpful?
A
Andy
New York City
7 reviews
3.0
7 reviews
Dined on 18 January 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 2
First thing we noticed when we entered was a smell, and we couldn’t figure out what it was and then all four of us in our party noticed the same thing it smelled like a musty basement or a subway, and it was quite noticeable and took away from the overall experience significantly.They need to address. This makes it absolutely not worth going. That said the food was good and priced moderately. however, beware of the limited menu.
Is this helpful?

FAQs

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

Lavagna - NYC is rated 4.9 stars by 1890 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people

1 Mar 2025

7:00 pm

Booked 31 times today

Order delivery or takeout

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

Additional information

Cross Street
Between Avenue A and Avenue B
Area
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
Price
$31 to $50
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, Takeaway, 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.

Lavagna - NYC

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Antipasti e Insalate

Seared Scallops "Agrodolce"USD 16.00

Tuscan Kale CaesarUSD 13.00

Carciofo al FornoUSD 13.00

Prosciutto di San DanieleUSD 13.00

Insalata MistaUSD 11.00

Zuppa di CozzeUSD 15.00

Octopus CarpaccioUSD 15.00

Pizzette from the Wood Burning oven

MargheritaUSD 19.00

Pizzetta del BoscoUSD 19.00

Pasta

Fedelini FiniUSD 16.00

RigatoniUSD 20.00

Fresh PappardelleUSD 24.00

Homemade Sweet Pea RavioliUSD 20.00

Secondi

Whole Wood Oven Roasted Fish for 2

Pan Seared MonkfishUSD 24.00

Pan Seared Atlantic Cod FishUSD 26.00

Roast Pork ChopUSD 27.00

Steak LavagnaUSD 35.00

Roasted Baby Rack of LambUSD 34.00

Cantorni

Grilled AsparagusUSD 9.00

Sauteed SpinachUSD 9.00

Yukon Gold MashUSD 7.00

Broccoli RabeUSD 9.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does Lavagna - NYC offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Lavagna - NYC restaurant rated?

Is Lavagna - NYC currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information