Gennaro Restaurant: Authentic Southern Italian and Mediterranean on the UWS

Gennaro Restaurant Introduce

The search for truly authentic and deeply comforting Italian food in New York City often leads to the Upper West Side, and specifically to Gennaro Restaurant. More than just an Italian eatery, Gennaro is a culinary institution that specializes in Southern Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, offering a dining experience that is both rich in flavor and warm in atmosphere. This beloved spot, located on Amsterdam Avenue, has cultivated a reputation for serving "delicious and comforting" food, with the added charm that "everything is made in house," a testament to its commitment to quality and tradition.

Gennaro Restaurant masterfully blends the casual friendliness of a local trattoria with the sophisticated appeal of a wine bar. The atmosphere is often described as a perfect mix of cozy, romantic, and trendy, making it an ideal setting for virtually any occasion, whether it's an intimate dinner for two, a gathering of friends, or a family outing. The welcoming environment extends to all, as the restaurant is noted for being family-friendly and LGBTQ+ friendly, creating a truly inclusive community hub. It’s the kind of place New Yorkers return to again and again, praising not only the incredible food but also the amazing ambiance.

The extensive menu is a culinary map of Southern Italy, featuring a wide selection of regional specialties. From perfectly executed pasta dishes to flavorful second courses and tantalizing desserts, the food here is a celebration of simple, high-quality ingredients. Customers rave about the depth of flavor in dishes like the oxtail ragu and the incredible quality of their house-made pasta, such as the famous spaghetti alla chitarra. This dedication to authentic and rich flavors, combined with a commitment to fast and attentive service, is what makes Gennaro Restaurant a standout choice in a city full of dining options.

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Location and Accessibility

Gennaro Restaurant is conveniently situated at 665 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025, placing it right in the heart of the bustling Upper West Side. This address makes it highly accessible for neighborhood residents and a desirable destination for those visiting the area. Amsterdam Avenue is a central and well-known street, ensuring the restaurant is easy to locate.

The restaurant is highly committed to accessibility, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance, wheelchair accessible restroom, and wheelchair accessible seating, ensuring a comfortable dining experience for all patrons. For convenience, several parking options are available, including free street parking (where permitted), paid street parking, and access to a paid parking garage. Furthermore, the restaurant offers outdoor seating, allowing guests to enjoy their meal al fresco and savor the vibrant Upper West Side atmosphere.

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Services Offered

Gennaro Restaurant provides a comprehensive suite of services to ensure maximum convenience and a complete dining experience for its customers.

Dine-in and Outdoor Seating: Enjoy full table service in the restaurant's cozy interior or opt for the popular outdoor seating. The restaurant accepts reservations, which are highly recommended, especially for dinner.
Takeout and Delivery: For dining at home, Gennaro offers takeout, curbside pickup, and standard delivery services.
Bar and Wine Service: As a wine bar and full-service bar, the restaurant features a "great wine list" and offers beer, wine, and coffee.
Catering: The restaurant offers catering services for events, allowing you to bring their delicious Italian cuisine to your next gathering.
Extensive and Varied Menu: The menu includes a wide variety of dishes and caters to different dietary needs, with vegetarian options, vegan options, healthy options, and organic dishes. They also offer a kids' menu and high chairs, making it excellent for families.
Payment Options: Patrons can conveniently pay using checks, credit cards, and debit cards.

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Features / Highlights

Gennaro Restaurant is celebrated for several key features that contribute to its high praise and local popularity.

House-Made, Comforting Food: A major highlight is the quality and authenticity of the food, with strong indications that "everything is made in house," delivering "delicious and comforting" meals.
Exceptional Menu Variety: The extensive menu, offering a wide array of antipasti, pasta, and main courses—from oxtail ragu to grilled calamari—ensures a perfect meal for every taste.
Ideal Atmosphere: The ambiance is a perfect blend of "cozy," "romantic," and "trendy," creating a wonderful setting for both intimate dinners and group gatherings.
Great Drinks and Dessert: The restaurant is noted for having a "great wine list" and "great dessert," including classics like tiramisù and cannoli Siciliana.
Inclusivity and Accessibility: With wheelchair accessibility, a gender-neutral restroom, and a family-friendly atmosphere, the restaurant is welcoming to a broad and diverse crowd.
Fast and Attentive Service: Customers praise the "fast service," contributing to an overall excellent dining experience.

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Contact Information

For reservations, catering inquiries, or general questions, you can contact Gennaro Restaurant using the following information.

Address: Gennaro Restaurant, 665 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025

Phone: (212) 665-5348

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What is Worth Choosing Gennaro Restaurant

In a city brimming with Italian eateries, Gennaro Restaurant stands out as a superior choice due to its steadfast commitment to authentic Southern Italian flavors and a truly remarkable dining environment. The primary reason to choose Gennaro is the exceptional quality of its food, which is often described as house-made and incredibly flavorful. Whether you opt for the rich and tender oxtail ragu or the fresh, delicious grilled calamari, you can trust that you are getting a meal prepared with passion and tradition. The depth and breadth of the menu, which expertly handles everything from classic pasta dishes like spaghetti alla chitarra to satisfying proteins like the stinco di agnello brasato, ensures that every visit feels like a new and exciting culinary journey.

The atmosphere of Gennaro is another major draw. The space is both cozy and romantic, making it a perfect escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. It’s an ideal setting for special occasions, yet casual enough for a weeknight dinner. Coupled with its "great wine list" and famous desserts, the restaurant provides a complete and indulgent experience. Furthermore, the commitment to excellent service and strong operational features—such as fast service, full accessibility, and options for takeout, delivery, and catering—make Gennaro an incredibly convenient and reliable choice. For New Yorkers seeking authentic, comforting Southern Italian cuisine in a beautiful and welcoming setting, Gennaro Restaurant is a highly recommended and truly unbeatable option on the Upper West Side.

Gennaro Restaurant Vibe

antipasti
insalata di cavolo nero $17.50
Kale salad with currants, pine nuts, balsamic and ricotta salata
insalata di frisee, pera e pecorino $18.95
curly endive with pear, pecorino, walnuts and truffle oil vinaigrette
carpaccio di manzo $19.95
raw, thinly sliced beef with arugula and shaved grana padano
tortino di patate e funghi $17.50
warm potato & portabella tart with goat cheese over roasted beets
panzanella $18.50
tuscan bread salad with tomatoes, mozzarella, peppers, onion, cucumbers and olives
chiodini con polenta $16.95
baked mushrooms with tomatoes and truffle oil over creamy polenta
portobello, prosciutto e gorgonzola $18.50
baked gorgonzola on polenta with a grilled portabella and prosciutto di parma
pasta e fagioli $10.50
tuscan cannellini bean puree with fresh pasta
carpaccio crudo di branzino $19.95
raw sea bass with sunflower seeds, poached tomatoes & nasturtium with lemon citronette
involtini di pesce spada $21.00
grilled swordfish stuffed with provolone, pine nuts and fresh bread crumbs, served over arugula.
polpette di bacala secco $19.00
dried, salted codfish cakes with caper aioli and lentils.
calamari alla griglia $19.50
grilled calamari over sicilian couscous.
insalata di polipo con ceci e patate $22.50
grilled octopus, black olive aioli, potatoes, carrots, garbanzo beans, olives and mesclun
insalata di gamberi $22.50
grilled shrimp salad with corn, avocado, artichokes and roasted peppers
verdure alla griglia con scamorza $17.95
grilled vegetables with smoked mozzarella
Insalata Mista $14.95
Mixed mesclun green salad, cherry tomatoes and vinaigrette

paste
penne al pomodoro piccante $19.50
with a fresh, spicy tomato sauce
rigatoni con melanzane $23.50
with eggplant, tomato sauce and ovendried ricotta
gnocchi di patate $24.50
handmade potato dumplings with tomato, cream and basil
spaghetti alla chitarra $20.50
fresh pasta with cherry tomatoes, basil, garlic, olive oil
ravioli di vitello $26.50
homemade veal ravioli in tomato-cream sauce with pancetta and portabella
busiate Trapanesi al ragú di maiale $25.50
artisinal fusilli pasta with pork ragú
orecchiette con broccoli e provolone $21.95
with oil, garlic, broccoli and melted provolone
tortelloni di ricotta e spinaci $25.50
fresh filled with spinach and ricotta in a butter & sage sauce
linguine aglio olio e pesce spada $25.95
with diced swordfish, eggplant, artichoke, garlic and olive oil
bucatini cacio e pepe $25.50
with sicilian caciocavallo and black pepper
bucatini con le sarde $25.50
with sardines, pine nuts, raisins, saffron and wild fennel

secondi piatti
salsiccia con broccoli di rabe e polenta $21.50
grilled italian sweet sausage with broccoli rabe and polenta
zuppa di cozze con couscous $26.00
mussels in a tomato-saffron broth with sicilian couscous, raisins and pine nuts
saltimbocca di pollo alla romana $24.50
chicken cutlet with prosciutto, sage and black pepper
costoletta di maiale arrosto con cipolle dolci e polenta $29.95
oven roasted pork chop with caramelized onions and polenta
pollo organico alle mandorle $28.50
braised organic chicken with almonds, currants and capers with arugula
carpaccio caldo con asparagi $26.50
lightly broiled sliced beef on asparagus with truffle oil, butter and melted parmesan
galletto al limone $25.00
lemon roasted cornish game hen with black olive, sun-dried tomato mince
petto di pollo con provolone e zucchini $24.50
grilled chicken breast stuffed with provolone and zucchini
salmone alla griglia $28.95
grilled salmon with honey-mustard
stinco di agnello brasato con israeli couscous $29.95
slowly braised lambshank in red wine over israeli couscous with vegetables
orata con asparagi e patate $32.50
sea bream with mussels, tomatoes, potatoes, asparagus and pesto
bistecca di manzo $42.50
grilled sirloin steak with roasted potatoes, broccoli rabe and polenta

contorni
spinaci $10.50
sauteed with garlic and oil
broccoli di rabe $11.95
sauteed with garlic and oil
oven roasted potatoes $9.50
fingerling and sweet potatoes with carmelized shallot
polenta $5.95
creamy Italian corn meal, parmigiano, butter and cream
mashed potatoes $6.50
garlic and rosemary

dolci
torta di cioccolata e nocciola $12.00
dense flourless chocolate~hazelnut torte
tiramisù $12.00
layers of espresso soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone with dark chocolate
cannoli Siciliana con i pistacchi $10.50
ricotta filled pastry with pistachio and candied orange peel
frutti di bosco con aceto balsamico $16.00
fresh mixed berries with balsamic, mint and vanilla gelato
crème brulée $12.00
Egg custard with brittle caramel crust
crostata di pere calda $10.50
warm puff pastry pear tart with vanilla gelato
semifreddo alle mandorle $10.50
semi frozen parfait-custard covered with dark milk chocolate
affogato al caffe con amaro $15.00
gelato topped with almond biscotti and amarene cherries, drowned in espresso and amaro
cantuccini biscotti $5.00
housemade italian almond cookies
pastiera Napoletana $11.00
Ricotta tart in a wheatberry pastry.
bombolone di gelato $15.00
Vanilla and chocolate gelati with nuts and cherry in a chocolate shell with whipped cream
panna cotta $10.50
Italian vanilla bean “cooked cream” with mixed berries and strawberry coulis

Gennaro Restaurant Details

Service options
Outdoor seating
Curbside pickup
Delivery
Onsite services
Takeout
Dine-in

Highlights
Fast service
Great coffee
Great dessert
Great wine list

Popular for
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating
Assistive hearing loop
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Offerings
Beer
Coffee
Comfort food
Healthy options
Organic dishes
Small plates
Vegan options
Vegetarian options
Wine

Dining options
Dinner
Catering
Counter service
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities
Bar onsite
Gender-neutral restroom
Restroom
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi

Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Romantic
Trendy

Crowd
Family-friendly
Groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Tourists

Planning
Accepts reservations

Payments
Checks
Credit cards
Debit cards
Credit cards

Children
Good for kids
High chairs
Kids' menu

Parking
Free street parking
Paid parking garage
Paid street parking
Parking

Gennaro Restaurant Photos

Gennaro Restaurant Location

Gennaro Restaurant

New York New York County New York Amsterdam Avenue

Gennaro Restaurant, 665 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025, USA

Gennaro Restaurant Reviews

An average rating of ★4.4 from 487 user reviews.

cashwine listcacio e pepecheckfood and winekale saladchopscredit cardsveallamb shank

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

I cant rave about this place enough, the food is delicious and comforting, i believe everything is made in house. They have a large menu and so much to choose from. The grilled calamari was tender and delicious and the oxtail ragu from their specialty menu was rich and flavorful
May 31 · Matt Torres
We come here whenever we come to NYC because the food and ambiance are amazing! Just remember this place isn't open on Tuesdays. You really can't go wrong with anything on their menu but especially the tart with potatoes, beets, goat cheese and arugula is incredible, and the spaghetti alla chitarra is amazing. One time they had a beet ravioli as a special and that was fantastic too. And their burrata is also amazing. There's really nothing bad to say about this place; you won't be disappointed.
June 25 · Aggie Waggie
I loved this place the food was amazing and the wine selection is always amazing. I’ve been coming here for years. But this time I was very disappointed, I ordered my usual stake which is the best I’ve had but this time was the worst I’ve had. The meat was tough and tasteless. The pompano fish seemed to be made at a vapor and also tasteless. The salad was the fig cheese and arugula was delish and so was my wine. For the price I paid I was very disappointed. Remember today to go out for a nice dinner is a luxury. Restaurant need to serve better quality food.
September 01 · Jorge Melendez
The waiters tend to rush and pressure you to pick out the menu quickly. My husband and I were looking at the wine list and the waiter was trying to push a particular wine. Too pressured and rushed. The food is delicious and next time we return we will tell the same waiter to please not rush us.
August 23 · francesca giancotti
Food is unique and delicious. The portions are small for some of the plates but amazing. The music is slightly too loud for me but it’s a great background playlist.
August 03 · Jay Schwarz