Caffe Napoli — Restaurant in New York

We walked past Caffe Napoli and I asked the hostess if there was a table for 3 people (a 9-year-old child and 2 adults). We were promptly seated at a table inside the establishment. We waited a long time before being attended to by a waiter. After we asked for someone to give us some attention, the waiter finally came and took our order for the dishes since we were already starving. Meanwhile, the table next to us became available, and 4 people sat down. They were immediately attended to and brought a basket of focaccia bread, while we hadn’t even been given water. I kept looking at the menu to choose a wine and had already noticed that, at least at our table, the service was very slow (we were barely getting any attention at all). When I asked the waiter if we weren’t entitled to a basket of focaccia bread—since the table next to us had already received theirs quickly from another waiter—his answer was that it was on its way. But by then, it had already been about 15 minutes since we had placed our order. When the dishes finally arrived, I was shocked at how little food was served—it looked more like a “free sample” of spaghetti than a proper plate. I’ve always known that in Italian restaurants you eat well, but this one felt more like a French restaurant with the portion sizes. We ordered a third dish, and this time it took a long while to arrive, unlike the first order which had come very quickly. When we finished eating, I was already irritated with the terrible service, as the waiter had completely disappeared. We then called a waitress and asked for the check. She brought us a bill that had nothing to do with our order—our bill should have been a little over $100 for 3 dishes, but what she brought was over $200 from another table that had nothing to do with us. When I asked to speak to the manager to complain about the poor service, the waitress removed the 18% that had already been included in the total, but what I really wanted was to report what had happened. In the end, I paid the correct amount and we left. We will never set foot in a place again where the service is this bad. The next day we went to another restaurant (Eataly), and we were warmly welcomed with impeccable service. Suggestion to Caffe Napoli management: improve your service, because you don’t deserve to prosper with such weak...

DISAPPOINTING!

I come to NYC 2-3 times a year, and when I do I make sure to stop by Caffe Napoli which is one of my favorite spots in Little Italy. I came out on my birthday Monday 02/17/25 with my son and buddy for my usual birthday dinner, and we ordered 2 spaghetti and meatballs and lasagna. The normally would bring you a basket of focaccia, and balsamic and oil to dip the bread in. Keep in mind we were there around 8:40 pm on a Monday and there were no other customers but us. So, I expected to be waited on hand and foot. That did not happen. The waiter was cool, but nothing extraordinary... I had to request bread and the balsamic.. no problem... I ordered a Manhattan cocktail and it lacked alcohol and flavor.. It tased like a watered down version...we then ordered calamari as an appetizer.. The waiter tried to get me to order a $36 appetizer which I declined. The cocktail sauce used for the calamari tasted like spaghetti sauce with no horseradish for flavor (as per usual) not to mention the calamari didn't have the small squids, just the rings which I thought was odd.. they must've gone with a cheaper version and it was very greasy... When the food came out, we noticed the portions shrunk drastically. The meatballs were a little pink on the inside, the dinner tasted ok, but I had a feeling we would have to go get pizza after to get filled up. When the bill came in, I noticed it was $142..I was like wow, theres only 3 of us, what did we order? My son pulled up pictures on his phone from the last 2 birthdays and he can confirm the portions drastically shrunk. 2 plates of spaghetti and meatballs 1 plate of lasagna 1 Manhattan cocktail 1 Calamari

I then noticed they charged me an 18% gratuity which was $20 and I thought this was why the waiter was pushing for the $36 appetizer! It all makes sense... the owners don't pay well so they pass on the buck to the customer. The staff gets very lazy because they get the automatic 18% gratuity for lousy to mid service... with that being said.. I'm very disappointed, and I think I am done with this place.. Maybe it's time to go back to De Gennaro across the...

After leaving a different restaurant in Long Island City for having horrible service we went right to Mulberry Street to find an authentic Italian Restaurant. A gentlemen outside came up to us and told us about the restaurant that is owned by his grandparents. He said he's a third generation of Italian and told us about growing up in Italy. He spoke highly and proudly. After speaking to him, I was convinced I'm going to his restaurant. I absolutely appreciated how attentive everyone one was. We were rapidly seated, the gentlemen pulled out my chair. Within moments, a waiter arrived, greeted us and poured us some nice cold water. Our menus quickly followed along with some warm and delicious garlic bread. We were given a seasoned olive oil to dip our bread in and it was amazing! We ordered the chicken Parmesan with penne and the penne ala vodka with chicken cutlet and barrata. The food did NOT disappoint!!! Everything was so flavorful. The chicken was so crispy yet cooked to perfection. The sauced had a creamy texture and a robust flavor. Absolutely yummy. After, we ordered dessert. We shared a spumoni. The spumoni had chocolate, pistachio, and strawberry. It was covered in a chocolate shell. This was the best spumoni I've ever had. Each bite has a perfectly chocolate crunch and was a bite of heaven. I left so full and happy!! I really thought based on my earlier experiences in long Island City that my night would be a dud... But this restaurant and the impeccable service and phenomenal food, truly made my night!! Thank you...