This Roman import was crowned New York's number one Italian restaurant

"Geographically, the eateries run the gamut as well. While searching for the best Italian restaurants in town, we scoured the streets of Little Italy, took over white tablecloth destinations in SoHo and pulled up chairs at red-checkered joints in Queens. The result? A list of delectable institutions that are sure to please your friends and nonna alike-starting with Roscioli NYC in SoHo, our pick for the best Italian restaurant in town right now."

"The only location to exist outside of Rome, this Roscioli follows the creed of the creator: "great ingredients from the deli make for a great meal." The staff clearly takes the words to heart: the ground-level space functions as part dining room, part delicatessen. There's just something about eating cheese sliced from "unusual rinds" and noshing on translucent strips of prosciutto, likely cut from the cured hog's leg that graces the counter. It all feels just right."

"Andrew Tarlow's easily took spot number two in our ranking. Even though the restaurant turned one just a few months ago, something about Borgo feels like it has been here before. Could it be its location? Where the beloved I Trulli once was? Or is it Tarlow's ability to warm up the place with flickering candles, a functional fireplace, handsome arches and touches of exposed concrete? Perhaps, it has to do with the focaccia, a borderline life-changing bite cooked inside the on-site wood-fired oven."

New York offers abundant Italian restaurants, ranging from immigrant-founded establishments to modern interpretations with inventive menus. The city’s Italian eateries span neighborhoods including Little Italy, SoHo, Fort Greene, Queens and Crown Heights. Roscioli NYC in SoHo stands out as the best, combining a delicatessen counter with a dining room and emphasizing exceptional cured meats and cheeses. Borgo ranks second, offering a comfortably warm interior, wood-fired focaccia and atmospheric touches like flickering candles and a fireplace. LaRina Pastificio & Vino in Fort Greene occupies the third spot, led by Chef Silvia Barban and rooted in neighborhood-focused Italian cooking.

Read at Time Out New York