Isle of Capri
Italian Restaurant in New York
Established in 1955, Isle of Capri is a historic, family-run Italian restaurant on the Upper East Side serving traditional Southern Italian and Calabrian cuisine. It is celebrated for its hidden subterranean dining cave, La Grotta di Capri, which offers a candlelit, vintage speakeasy ambiance complete with live performers crooning Frank Sinatra standards. Visitors highlight classic comfort fare like red-sauce meatballs, pasta samplers, gnocchi, and chicken parmigiana enjoyed alongside classic martinis.
Commenters consistently praise the restaurant's nostalgic charm and immaculate old-school vibes, with many deeming it their favorite date-night spot in the city. Standout dishes like the pomodoro and freshly grated parmesan receive frequent acclaim from enthusiastic diners. While sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, a few patrons note that the food can be underwhelming compared to neighboring options and question basement cleanliness.
- Book reservations well ahead of time, especially for popular Thursday live music nights.
- Request a table in downstairs La Grotta di Capri for the authentic speakeasy cave vibe.
- Order traditional red-sauce favorites like the pomodoro, meatballs, or pasta sampler.
- Pair your meal with a classic martini while listening to the live standards.
Summaries are created based on reviews, notes, and social media posts.
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