Cacio E Pepe: Exquisite Italian Cuisine in the Heart of New York City

Cacio e Pepe in Manhattan is one of those rare spots that feels instantly comforting from the moment you walk in. The atmosphere is cozy and intimate without trying too hard, and the staff treat you like a regular even on your first visit. The food is exactly what you hope for when you crave real Italian comfort—simple, high-quality ingredients prepared perfectly. Their signature cacio e pepe is unbelievably creamy with that perfect balance of pecorino and pepper, and you can tell they really care about every detail. The pasta is always cooked just right, and the flavors are bold without being heavy. What really stood out to me was the consistency: every dish we tried—from the appetizers to dessert—felt thoughtful, fresh, and genuinely delicious. It’s the kind of restaurant that makes you slow down, savor, and enjoy the moment. If you’re looking for a spot in Manhattan that feels both special and welcoming, this is absolutely it. A place you’ll want to come back to over and over again.

Wow wow wow!! This place was nice and cozy with amazing food! Definitely make a reservation as the wait is long. The manager was super friendly and the service was amazing. I ordered the pasta that comes inside a large cheese bowl that they melt cheese on the pasta before serving. What a fun experience. Come hungry you’ll clean your plate I promise!

i love cacio e pepe!! such a fun, authentic, warm space. the owners and staff are incredibly friendly and welcoming. i had shown up with a large group one time and the owner gave us all prosecco just because we had to wait a bit. the food is incredible and you can tell only high quality ingredients are used. i’ve been back a couple times and will continue coming back. highly recommend!

We had been wanting to go here for quite some time after having cacio e pepe in Rome. We got reservations before a show at the Orpheum down the street. The staff was excellent, the drinks were great. We were, however, chilly as the door situation was not ideal and let in blasts of cold air, we were freezing. We all got the cacio e pepe. Overall, we were disappointed because the pepe was chunky, whole peppercorns vs. fresh ground pepper (not an experience that my stomach loved either). I'm not sure why they serve it like this - I suggest sending some staff to Rome to get the real deal and learn the proper way to make it... The Lavazza coffee and the tiramisu were a lovely way to end the evening. If just rated on the cacio, we'd give a 3, but the rest of the food/staff/drinks brought it up to a 4.

Ate here tonight’s with my wife and another couple. We all really enjoyed the “Chef’s Tasting” that is a six-course sampling of some awesome dishes the chef selects (but you can ask for something specific if there something you really want to try). We LOVED it all. Tried some new dishes never had before and I can’t wait to plan a return trip. And the wait staff, Veronica and Lupe were super friendly and provided excellent service. If you enjoy trying something new and want to explore something you likely haven’t had yet, give Cacio e Pepe a try. All around, Cacio e Pepe is now one of my top five restaurants.

This is a very cute restaurant and would be perfect for a date! The vibe is very pleasant and the staff and service were awesome. The food was just okay compared to other Italian in the city! I have no regrets about coming here but probably won't be back when there are other options to try

Amazing homemade pasta, tossed with black pepper in the cheese wheel in front of us. Great wine selection, and very nice staff. We sat in the window, but there is also a patio out back. Great bread with homemade tomato sauce.

Killer - Came all the way from Northern Colorado to eat here. Great atmosphere, amazing wait staff. Pasta was al dente. Thanks so much. I'm a Team USA Olympian and if making pasta was an Olympic Event. Cacio e Pepe would win the Gold!