Il Brigante — Restaurant in New York

Slow down and enjoy the authentic flavors of SOUTHERN Italian food. Puglia/Bari and South! If you're from a southern Italian family or you love the region, this small but popular and busy restaurant is what you're looking for. Located in the South Street Seaport. The handmade creations are quite literally like no other except maybe your Nonna or favorite Auntie. If you're real lucky, your mother. Choose a rainy mid day late lunch early dinner to truly get an opportunity to savor the relaxed atmosphere that let's you eat the way food is meant to be eaten. Slowly. Enjoyed. The scent and visuals are not disappointed by the incredible flavors.

The espresso is NOT Starbucks. And the desserts may be the best kept Italian pastry and desserts secret in NYC. I said what I said!

Enjoy their hand made gnocchi that will have you questioning why you ever thought pre packaged was good. The authentic & most flavorful sauce is absorbed by each little potato gnocchi enhancing the overall feeling of having been invited into a home of the chef. Or , the phenomenal experience of delicate yet rich handmade ravioli with a butter based sauce so as to enhance but not cover or compete with the most delectable ricotta filling. The comfort food is elevated to a standard that cannot be duplicated without a true passion for Southern Italian Home Cooking.

But let's discuss the desserts. I personally haven't had an Italian Cream Puff that tastes like this since my mother and aunt stopped making them. But then, you're spoiled by what tastes like a chocolate Nutella mousse topping. You know how people do the "I'll just eat half " thing? Well this is certainly shareable.

But I don't mind telling you, I turned into Joey from Friends. "JOEY DOESN'T SHARE FOOD" took on a personal meaning in my life. And I was prepared to eat my husband's plate as well if he failed to eat it all. After all there is plenty of room to walk it off at the Seaport if you MUST.

This isn't really the spot for a one hour lunch. This is not a hustle location. You're cheating yourself and the purpose of this food if you do that.

Set aside a day that has no rush. Get there between 2 and 3pm. Go with a person or two or five that you truly like. And let yourselves enjoy the slowed down pace of handmade authentic food both created and served to be enjoyed and nourish.

That, is the essence of a True Italian Home Meal. Slowed down. Conversation. Connection. And flavors for the palette and the soul.

As for pricing it is a small restaurant in NYC. So it's not "cheap". It's not meant to be. With bread service , wines, coffees, dessert and dinner it was about $100 per person. There was no incling of rush and there was no hesitation for the bill when requested.

And yes, this is an excellent romantic dining location that is also appropriate for families.

Oh and the music? It's 80s and 90s top 40 hit which is a lot of fun to enjoy. We had a sweet family seated next to us. As the only late entries to the restaurant to eat, and us being the only other patrons, they were laughing and singing. Including their youngest child who was amazingly well versed in classic U2.

So if you're a New Yorker who moved to the suburbs like me, a local looking for those small and authentic restaurants, or visiting..... this is a can't miss location. Do not skip dessert. Trust me.

Oh and that espresso? Good luck going back to Starbucks. That is some grandma powered percolated on the stove rocket fuel. AND I WAS HERE FOR EVERY LAST DROP. I shoulda asked for...

I have only left one other negative Google review in my life which feels important to mention.

This dining experience actually made me feel forgotten and in the way which is exactly the opposite of why people go out to dinner. My disappointment in this place is only the service. I’m leaving this in the hopes the owner sees this because this is such a fixable thing.

I run a business myself and I know that things go wrong — you can’t control when someone is going to leave their table. My issue isn’t with waiting for my table for an hour, it’s that no one let us know how long it would be or apologized and actually acted annoyed when we asked for an update (nicely).

When I got there I was told to wait outside so I stood in the cold doorway for 10 minutes, and then was also told the table would be ready soon. We didn’t want to have dinner in the outside area because it was freezing (the heat lamps don’t do much hanging from the ceiling), but then ended up sitting out there for an hour while we waited for our table. The staff when we asked how long it would be told us that “the people inside have reservations too” which was a bummer because all we needed was “hey so sorry it’s taking a bit longer - can I bring you both some bread while you wait and maybe a glass of wine on us?”.

Everything you have invested in the atmosphere is spectacular, and the downfall was the way everyone we interacted...

Il Brigante is a fantastic Italian gem tucked away in the historic South Street Seaport. It's the kind of place that feels both cozy and sophisticated, perfect for a night out. The food was absolutely delicious—I'm still thinking about the authentic flavors and quality of the ingredients. Everything tasted fresh and homemade, from the pasta to the perfect balance of spices in their sauces.

What really sealed the deal for me, though, were the cocktails. They were expertly crafted and paired beautifully with our meal, enhancing every bite. It’s clear the mixologists put a lot of thought into their creations. The ambiance of the restaurant itself is a huge part of the experience. The low lighting gives the place a warm, intimate feel, creating a true "vibe" that makes you want to linger and enjoy the evening.

The service was also top-notch, with a friendly and knowledgeable staff that made us feel right at home. It's not just a restaurant; it's a complete dining experience that transports you with its authentic food and captivating atmosphere. I would highly recommend Il Brigante to anyone looking for a memorable meal with great drinks in a truly...