Il Totano Introduce
In a city with a seemingly endless number of Italian restaurants, finding one that stands out for its creativity and distinct approach is a true pleasure. Il Totano, a relatively new addition to the West Village dining scene, has quickly established itself as a place of note, thanks to its unique focus on coastal Southern Italian cuisine and a groundbreaking emphasis on dry-aged fish. This restaurant offers more than just a meal; it provides a culinary journey that transports diners to the vibrant shores of the Amalfi Coast and Sicily, all within a beautifully designed space that feels both elegant and welcoming.
The philosophy at Il Totano is rooted in fresh, high-quality ingredients and a commitment to innovative culinary techniques. The dry-aging of fish is a practice more commonly associated with steak, but here it's used to enhance the flavor and texture of seafood, resulting in dishes that are both delicate and deeply flavorful. This is a place where you can find crudo that is "out of this world" and a crispy-skinned fish that is "not mind-blowing" but "pretty good." The menu is curated to offer a variety of plates, from exquisite seafood appetizers to classic pasta dishes and satisfying desserts. This careful balance of tradition and modernity is what makes Il Totano a destination for discerning New Yorkers and a must-visit for anyone looking for an exceptional Italian dining experience.
The atmosphere at Il Totano is another one of its standout features. The design of the restaurant has been described as stunning, with an interior that cleverly blends elements of coastal Italy with a sleek, modern aesthetic. The service is impeccable, with staff who are "on top of the game" and create a charming experience that makes guests feel "at home." This combination of a thoughtfully curated menu, a beautiful environment, and a dedicated team makes Il Totano a place you'll want to return to again and again.
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Il Totano is located at 154 W 13th Street, in the heart of the West Village. This neighborhood is known for its charming streets, historic architecture, and vibrant food scene. The restaurant's address places it in a convenient and central part of the city, making it easily accessible for anyone looking for a great dinner spot. The West Village is a popular destination for its lively yet relaxed atmosphere, and Il Totano fits perfectly into this setting.
The location is well-served by public transportation. It is just a short walk from several major subway stations, including the 14th Street/8th Avenue station, which serves the A, C, E, and L lines. This makes it a convenient choice for a pre-theater dinner or a special evening out. While the provided information does not explicitly detail accessibility features, a West Village restaurant on a main street is generally walkable. Its location on a main street with wide sidewalks also makes it an accessible option for most visitors.
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Il Totano offers a focused selection of services designed for an elegant and refined dining experience. Here is a summary of their offerings:
Service Options: The restaurant provides both dine-in and takeout services. The primary experience is centered on a full-service dinner, but the takeout option provides a way to enjoy their food from home.
Dining Options: Il Totano is a dinner-only restaurant, perfect for a special evening out. They also offer dessert to round out your meal. The availability of seating and table service ensures a comfortable and attentive dining experience.
Menu Offerings: The bar offers a selection of alcohol, cocktails, and a thoughtful wine list, all designed to complement the food. The food menu focuses on high-quality ingredients and includes an impressive raw bar with crudo, as well as classic pasta and meat dishes.
Reservations: The restaurant accepts reservations, which is highly recommended for anyone planning a visit, especially for a date night or a special occasion.
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Il Totano stands out from other Italian restaurants in New York due to several key features that contribute to its glowing reputation.
Impeccable Service: The staff at Il Totano is a major highlight. They are described as being "on top of the game" and "excellent," creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The manager, Andres, has been specifically praised for making a date night "unforgettable" and making guests feel "charmed as we were at home."
Unique Culinary Approach: The focus on dry-aged fish is a unique and exciting feature. Dishes like the dry-aged Kona kampachi with its crispy skin have left a lasting impression on customers, who have said they "licked the plate clean."
Stunning Design: The interior design of the restaurant is a key feature, with customers noting that they "absolutely loved the design." This attention to detail in the decor creates a beautiful and memorable setting for a meal.
Exceptional Crudo: Reviews consistently highlight the crudo as a standout item. The combination of fresh calamari, salad, and fish is described as "out of this world" and hard to compare to other options in the city.
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For your convenience, here is the contact information for Il Totano:
Address: 154 W 13th St, New York, NY 10011, USA
Phone: (212) 229-0222
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So, why is Il Totano worth choosing for your next Italian dining experience in New York? It’s the perfect choice for a special occasion or a memorable date night. The combination of impeccable service, a beautiful atmosphere, and a truly unique menu sets it apart. While some dishes like the bolognese pasta may be standard, the standout crudo and dry-aged fish showcase a level of creativity and quality that is rare to find. The tiramisu sundae is also a fan favorite, described as a "knockout" dessert that is worth coming back for.
The restaurant's focus on creating an "unforgettable" experience, as noted by a customer, shows its commitment to not just serving food, but providing hospitality. The staff's professionalism and the attention to every detail of the dining experience, from the decor to the cocktail options, make it a true "match" for a collection of a person's favorite restaurants. For a taste of coastal Italian elegance and a dining experience that feels both familiar and refreshingly new, Il Totano is a highly recommended destination in the heart of the West Village.
Il Totano Details
Service options
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Wine
Dining options
- Dinner
- Dessert
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Il Totano Photos










Il Totano Location
Il Totano Reviews
crudobranzinococktailsfood and serviceduck meatballstiramisukanpachidry-aged fishdry agingmafaldine
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1I absolutely loved the design of this restaurant. The service was impeccable and the food was good. The best thing we ate was undoubtedly the Kona kamapachi. We licked the plate clean. We also got the bolognese pasta which was good but nothing to rave about. You could get that anywhere else. The dry-aged branding was pretty good but but not mind-blowing. We loved the crispy skin. Also get the tiramisu sundae!!! I’d come back for sure!
December 24 · Veronica ElaineI still remember the flavors of this restaurant at home. The crudo was out of this world, with calamari, salad & fish hard to compare in the city. They have very nice options for cocktails N/A. The staff is on top of the game, with excellent service and atmosphere. Definitely, we will come back soon! The manager Andres made us an unforgettable date, we felt charmed as we were at home. Highly recommend! Of course, they are on my matches collection of favorite restaurants in the world.
November 04 · Jules VinyartThis place sits on one of my fave Italian restaurant in the city.We ordered the olive bread with dip, dry aged kona kampachi, dry aged bluefin tuna, braised lamb ragu and Sheep’s Milk Ricotta Agnolotti. We had a bottle of orange wine for drinks and haven’t really tried their selection of cocktails. The serving size was decent for the price and the flavors were on point. The star for us was the kampachi. The passionfruit colatura was so refreshing we even saved it and dipped remainder of the bread on it. Definitely a must.Cons:I thought the bread was complimentary just like other Italian restaurants I’ve been to. Nonetheless, it was delicious.Also, I know the staff can’t do anything much about this but when we dined in around 9pm, the place was so loud because of people chattering. I was having a hard time hearing what the staff was telling me and I had her repeat it to me a couple of times. If you want a quiet date night place, you might ought to seek the outside seating or go on a non-peak hours.
June 05 · Carlo SalinasWe really enjoyed our meal out meal recently at Il Totano so here are some recs. We had the crispy baby calamari salad to start which was very bright and tasty. For the pastas we tried the spaghetti & crab and also the mafaldine lamb Ragu. I really liked the mafaldine sauce & ate up every bite I could get. I’m not a huge crab person, but my friend who is, really liked the spaghetti. I also liked it, but I’m a sucker for ragu, so that was my leaning. For a protein we had the roasted chicken Marsala which was absolutely delicious. The crispy panels which is served underneath adds an extra layer of texture and taste that really makes this chicken dish stand out. We paired it with a couple of glasses of wine which were all so nice. Staff is friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable. I wouldn’t say that I’m Totano is among my top Italian restaurants in west village but the food & service were very good and since it’s so new, I wouldn’t be surprised if it made its way into that top tier on next visit.
June 24 · David MakrisIl Totano is an absolute gem in NYC. From the moment you step inside, you’re transported to a space that feels both old-school and coastal.Every dish we tried was incredible, showcasing bold, authentic flavors. The cocktails are just as impressive—balanced and delicious, each one complementing the food beautifully.The service, though, is what truly sets Il Totano apart. The staff is attentive, personable, and clearly passionate about creating an exceptional dining experience.Can’t wait to go back!
December 15 · Brianna Streeter
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