La Bussola Restaurant Introduce
Welcome to La Bussola Restaurant, a cornerstone of authentic Italian dining on Long Island, right in the heart of Glen Cove, NY. For New York residents and visitors seeking a truly classic and upscale Italian culinary experience, La Bussola has been a cherished destination for generations. This is more than just a meal; it’s a dedication to age-old traditions and timeless recipes passed down through the Lubrano family, who have proudly served the Long Island community for over forty years, a legacy started by Italian immigrant Pasquale Lubrano.
La Bussola successfully combines a cozy and romantic atmosphere with professional, attentive service to create a dining experience that feels both luxurious and welcoming. Whether you are planning a special date night, a gathering with friends and family, or simply craving an authentic taste of Italy, this establishment offers a diverse and impressive menu that showcases traditional specialties alongside refined modern adaptations. With its commitment to high-quality ingredients and a warm ambiance, La Bussola consistently earns a favorable reputation among locals, with some guests even comparing the food quality favorably to their experiences in Italy.
The menu is a rich tapestry of classic Italian fare, starting with a selection of tempting Antipasti. Patrons can indulge in delights such as the popular Calamari Fritti for $18.00, the fresh Mozzarella Burrata for $16.00, or the highly praised Grilled Octopus for $22.00, served with pesto, butterbeans, and fingerling potatoes. Other appetizers include Baked Clams ($18.00), Stuffed Artichoke ($15.00), and Eggplant "Meatballs" ($15.00), providing a broad start to any meal.
For lighter options, the Zuppe & Salad menu offers classics like Minestrone ($12.00) and Stracciatelle (spinach and egg drop soup, $12.00). Salad choices are equally diverse, including the Arugula Salad ($15.00), the classic Ceasar Salad ($15.00), and the Panzanella Alla "Raffaela" Salad ($16.00), a bread salad with tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, fresh mozzarella, and basil.
The core of the Italian experience is often found in the Pasta selections, and La Bussola excels here with a range of dishes priced from $24.00 to $34.00. A standout and a house specialty is the Pasquale pasta dish, named in honor of the family patriarch. This dish is known to be Penne pasta tossed with peas, mushrooms, asparagus, and pancetta in a tomato sauce with a touch of cream, priced at $24.00. Other remarkable pasta options include the traditional White Clam Sauce ($27.00), hearty Broccoli Rabe & Sausage ($24.00), Pappardelle Bolognese ($24.00), and the sophisticated Shrimp & Spinach Areganato ($34.00). The menu ensures every guest can find their perfect plate, from rich, meaty sauces to delicate seafood preparations.
Beyond the pasta, the main courses feature substantial entrées like Filet Mignon ($49.00) and Steak ($55.00), along with Italian staples such as Eggplant Parmagiana ($24.00) and Meatballs ($24.00). Seafood lovers can enjoy the Scallop Risotto ($34.00). The dedication to quality extends to their extensive beverage program, ensuring a perfect pairing for any dish.
The overall atmosphere is described as upscale, cozy, and romantic, making it a favorite for special occasions and a highly recommended destination for both families and groups, as well as those enjoying solo dining. The environment is family-friendly, and they are well-equipped to accommodate children with available high chairs.
Location and Accessibility
La Bussola Restaurant is conveniently located at 40 School St in Glen Cove, a vibrant area on Long Island, New York. Its positioning makes it an accessible upscale dining choice for residents across Nassau County and beyond. The restaurant recognizes the importance of convenience for all patrons and offers comprehensive accessibility features.
Services Offered
La Bussola is committed to providing a flexible and full-service dining experience, which includes:
- Dine-in service with comfortable seating and table service.
- Dinner reservations are accepted and highly recommended, especially during peak hours or for special events.
- Outdoor seating is available for enjoying a meal al fresco.
- Takeout options are provided for those who wish to enjoy their authentic Italian cuisine at home.
- Delivery service is available through third-party platforms.
- Catering services are offered for events and parties.
- A full-service bar onsite offering a wide variety of drinks.
- Acceptance of various payment methods including Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and NFC mobile payments.
Features and Highlights
The restaurant's features contribute significantly to its high reputation among New York diners:
- Great Wine List: An excellent selection of wines is available, carefully curated to pair perfectly with the Italian menu.
- Exceptional Cocktails: Known for crafting great cocktails, enhancing the upscale dining experience.
- Great Dessert: The menu includes delectable dessert options to complete the meal, a consistent highlight for patrons.
- Great Coffee: Perfect for an authentic Italian finish to your dining experience.
- Serves Local Specialty: Dedicated to providing authentic Italian cuisine with generations-old family recipes.
- Ambiance: The atmosphere is noted as Cozy, Romantic, and Upscale, suitable for various occasions.
- Accessibility: Fully equipped with Wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, restroom, and seating.
- Parking: Guests benefit from both Free parking lot access and Free street parking.
- Offerings: Provides a diverse range of beverages including Alcohol, Beer, Cocktails, Hard liquor, and Wine, alongside Comfort food and Small plates.
Contact Information
To plan your visit or inquire about a reservation, please use the following contact details:
Address: 40 School St, Glen Cove, NY 11542, USA
Phone: (516) 671-2100
What is Worth Choosing at La Bussola Restaurant
Choosing La Bussola is an investment in a memorable, authentic Italian experience. It's a destination for New Yorkers who appreciate dining that honors tradition while maintaining high quality and professional standards. The family-owned legacy, spanning over four decades, ensures that every dish is prepared with care and steeped in genuine Italian flavor.
What truly sets this establishment apart is the marriage of a sophisticated, upscale atmosphere with truly fantastic, high-quality food. Customer reviews consistently highlight the warm welcome from the owner and staff, the beautiful quality of the food—even drawing comparisons to dining in Italy—and the attentive service. Patrons often rave about the must-try dishes such as the Grilled Octopus, the delicious Beet Salad, and the classic Chicken Parm. Of course, the signature Penne Pasquale pasta is a nod to the restaurant's family roots and is an absolute must-order for any pasta enthusiast.
If you are looking for a place in the Glen Cove or greater Long Island area that is popular for dinner, offers great drinks and desserts, and provides a romantic yet family-friendly setting, La Bussola is the definitive choice. The comprehensive amenities, including full accessibility and convenient parking, further ensure a seamless and enjoyable visit. Whether for a holiday celebration or an intimate evening, making a dinner reservation at La Bussola guarantees a taste of authentic Italy right here in New York.
La Bussola Restaurant Food & drink
Antipasti
- Calamari Fritti $18.00
- Mozzarella Burrata $16.00
- Bocconcino Al Forno $16.00
- Stuffed Artichoke $15.00
- Grilled Calamari $18.00
- Eggplant "Meatballs" $15.00
- Fried Mozzarella $16.00
- Stuffed Mushrooms $15.00
- Grilled Octopus $22.00
- Baked Clams $18.00
- Cold Antipasto $18.00
- Cold Seafood Salad $22.00
Soup & Salad
- Minestrone $12.00
- Stracciatelle $12.00
- Arugula Salad $15.00
- Ceasar Salad $15.00
- Panzanella Alla "Raffaela" Salad $16.00
- Baby Spinach Salad $15.00
- Bussola Salad $15.00
- Roasted Beet Salad $15.00
Pasta
- Pasquale $24.00
- White Clam Sauce $27.00
- Broccoli Rabe & Sausage $24.00
- Marinara $24.00
- Shrimp & Spinach Areganato $34.00
- Porcini $24.00
- Sorrentino $24.00
- Bolognese $24.00
- Amatriciana $24.00
- Al Toscano $34.00
La Bussola Restaurant Details
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Great cocktails
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Serves local specialty
Popular for
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Hard liquor
- Small plates
- Wine
Dining options
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Romantic
- Upscale
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
- Tourists
Planning
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- High chairs
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- Parking
La Bussola Restaurant Photos










La Bussola Restaurant Location
La Bussola Restaurant
40 School St, Glen Cove, NY 11542, USA
La Bussola Restaurant Reviews
food and servicepricespartyentreeswineclamscalamarivealosso buccoricotta balls
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Visiting NYC from Houston…if you live/visit the Glen Cove/Port Washington area, do not dine ANYWHERE but here! We spent two weeks in Italy, and were overjoyed to experience the same beautiful quality of food at La Bussola! The owner and wait staff are so warm and welcoming! We will be back again & again! Worth spending our Air Miles to fly out to!
February 18 · Kathy KCame for Valentine’s Day, was busy but as expected of course. The appetizers were amazing, the ricotta balls, beet salad really hit the spot. The Cacio y Pepe and the chicken parm were delicious. The wine we had was one of the best cabs we had in a while! Will come back again! Such a nice ambiance and cute town’
February 15 · Matthew WolfeLa Bussola is one of the finer Italian restaurants on Long Island. The selection of food is plentiful and delicious! I wish I had photos of all the food from my daughter’s christening reception, but of course we were too busy eating it. Ambiance was wonderful and quaint. Service was friendly and attentive. La Bussola is a special place.. true gem on the North Shore. A massive thank you to the entire staff for creating the best experience for my loved ones!
October 12 · Marcella RVery pleasant Sunday night outside dinner. Food was prepared perfectly. Grilled octopus with fingerling potatoes and pesto was perfect. Good portions are large, prices are fair and service is excellent. Eating outside is pleasant though the table legs make seating a little uncomfortable.
August 01 · bill dWhat a Gem 💎 on the island 🏝️ in Glen Cove. We are coming all the way from Throggs Neck just to eat at La Bussola for an Authentic Italian Experience! We were greeted by Carlo who makes you feel like you are part of the family. Speaking of family this is a family business that apparently has been around since 1957 I’m just upset I’m just finding out about this now. We had the anti-pasta which was amazing the baked clams and the Octopus which was grilled perfectly. I can’t wait to try the calamari next. Not enough room after the perfectly cooked Stracciatella which is very hard to find now a days. My wife and my sisters husband both did the traditional Sunday sauce with spaghetti and meatballs and sausage and it was the best we’ve had this year. We just missed the Braciole which they occasionally do. Delicious is an understatement. I had the Fruite de Mare which was lovely as depicted in the photo. Everything was paired with a nice wine that was recommended by Carlo and was better than the original wine I was going to choose. I almost didn’t want to write a great review because I want to keep this place all to myself! lol but Carlo def deserves it. Buon Appetito!
March 09 · Chris Piazza
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