Bar Primi Penn District — Restaurant in New York

Bar Primi’s Penn District outpost is a welcome addition to Midtown Manhattan’s dining scene, offering a vibrant, modern Italian experience just steps from Penn Station. Whether you’re seeking a pre-show dinner, a casual date night, or a celebratory meal, this spot delivers on all fronts. 

Bar Primi specializes in “primi piatti”—fresh, house-made pastas crafted with non-GMO semolina and specialty ‘00’ flours. Signature dishes include the spaghetti pomodoro, praised for its al dente noodles and slightly sweet, pale-pink sauce . Other standout options are the fusilli giganti with basil pesto and stracciatella, and the pappardelle with ragu bolognese.   

For dessert, the tiramisu offers a rich and creamy finale. Equally delightful is the strawberry fantasia, a visually stunning and flavorful treat that has garnered enthusiastic recommendations from both staff and patrons .  

The restaurant boasts a warm and inviting atmosphere, featuring warm lighting, long red leather banquettes, and indoor greenery that extends to the ceiling . A large, horseshoe-shaped gold bar serves as a focal point, often bustling with guests enjoying cocktails in uniquely designed drinkware. The ambiance strikes a balance between casual comfort and sophisticated charm, making it suitable for various occasions. 

Service at Bar Primi is attentive and personable. Staff members are known for their enthusiasm and detailed menu knowledge, often providing passionate recommendations that enhance the dining experience . The restaurant’s proximity to Penn Station makes it a convenient choice for both locals and visitors.  

Bar Primi Penn District offers a delightful Italian dining experience in a stylish setting. With its expertly crafted pastas, standout desserts like the tiramisu and strawberry fantasia, and inviting ambiance, it’s a spot worth visiting. Reservations are relatively easy to get compared to other Italian spots...

Had dinner with a friend last night at Bar Primi just a few doors down from the corner of 9th Ave and 33rd. Street, on the north side of the street - look for the vertical, red sign on the outside of the building. It was great!

On a VERY packed Thursday we were lucky to get a seat (with a reservation) outside on the terrace.

You enter through gates and pass by the terrace as you walk in to the main dining area and bar. The bar is huge and there were plenty of post-work cocktail goers. The inside dining room was loud and energetic for a fun time but not the kind of quiet for a business dinner per se. So, just depends on the vibe you're looking for. I'd definitely grab a bunch of friends for a fun night out there.

Outside on the covered terrace there are tables that range from 2-10 tops, a fireplace and it's really charming - especially for the neighborhood that, it my estimation, has nothing even close to this type of experience. Most of the restaurants are either super touristy or down market - Bar Primi is neither.

We opted for a cocktail (martini's - good but not huge, with a little side car of peppers and olives. nice touch), I had one glass of wine with dinner (not a big drinking night, the Montepulciano was perfect, not too heavy, not too light ), we split one of the pizzas (pepperoni) which are large, square with 8 pieces so easy to share. We also shared the veal milanese which was also perfectly prepared, not greasy at all and came with some arugula and shaven parmesan. For two, it was a perfect set up. We still managed to spend about $74 each (I think the veal was $40). The desserts did look good, we were full, next time for sure.

In general, it was a perfect night and I would highly recommend Bar Primi (I've also been to the two others which I really...

Great food, terrible service. Bar Primi is churning out some of the better Italian food I’ve had in midtown in some time. But they have one major problem- untrained/unprofessional waitstaff. I have been three times since this location opened. The first time I ate at the bar the service was great. The second time I went, the waiter took our food order and we waited for 40 minutes as other tables who came after us ordered, ate and paid. We flagged down the waiter who said there was a kitchen mess up and 20 minutes later the food arrived. At no point did they offer us something to eat in the hour we waited or provide a discount on the meal. We had to ask for some bread as by this time we were famished, and they did not charge us for the bread I guess? I decided to try again thinking this was a fluke. The third time we were seated outside but the table was on a loose floor tile. Every time a server or guest walked by our table items went flying. Our waiter didn’t bring us water- we had to ask twice and finally a busboy noticed when he delivered our food and we had no drinks. The waiter was curt and unwelcoming. She didn’t check on our food. We asked for cheese for pasta and someone brought it by, but when we asked if she could either leave the bowl or put some on a side plate we had on the table, she oddly declined and walked away with the cheese. No one came back and our meal got cold so we just ate without. Half way through my meal someone stepped on the floor tile again and my greasy silverware went flying on the floor and my lap. Big mess, and no one ever came by to replace my silverware to continue eating. It took fifteen minutes to flag someone. Then I had to ask for the bill three times. Truly abysmal service for what otherwise would be a...