Polpette 71 Introduce
Located in the heart of the Upper West Side, Polpette 71 stands as a true neighborhood gem, offering an authentic Italian dining experience that feels both sophisticated and incredibly welcoming. This restaurant has quickly earned a reputation for its classic approach to Italian comfort food, with a special emphasis on dishes that are as heartwarming as they are flavorful. The name "Polpette," which means meatballs in Italian, is a hint at their most famous offering, a dish so beloved it's been voted the best in all five boroughs. But the menu extends far beyond this signature dish, showcasing a wide array of homemade pastas, classic entrees, and delicious appetizers.
The atmosphere at Polpette 71 is a perfect blend of casual charm and cozy elegance. It’s a place that feels simultaneously trendy and romantic, making it a great choice for a special date night or a leisurely meal with friends. The owners are known for their hands-on approach, often guiding guests through the menu with friendly advice and personal recommendations. This level of service, combined with the quality of the food, creates a dining experience that feels both personal and memorable. The restaurant is popular for both lunch and dinner, drawing a crowd that includes local New Yorkers and tourists seeking a genuine culinary escape from the typical tourist spots. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick bite or settling in for a multi-course meal, Polpette 71 promises a taste of Italy right here in New York City.
Polpette 71 is conveniently situated at 71 W 71st St, New York, NY 10023, USA. This prime location on the Upper West Side makes it easily accessible via the city's extensive public transportation network. It's a short walk from major subway lines, allowing for a smooth journey from almost anywhere in Manhattan. For those who prefer to drive, there is paid street parking available in the vicinity. The restaurant's position near cultural landmarks like the American Museum of Natural History makes it a perfect stop for a meal after a day of sightseeing.
The restaurant's setting offers a delightful sense of intimacy, tucked away on a charming street just off the main avenues. This provides a peaceful dining environment away from the hustle and bustle. In addition to its indoor seating, Polpette 71 also offers outdoor seating, providing a lovely option for guests to enjoy their meal al fresco, especially on a beautiful New York day. While specific accessibility details are not fully provided, the restaurant's overall welcoming nature suggests an accommodating approach to all diners.
Polpette 71 provides a range of services designed for convenience and a top-tier dining experience.
Dine-in Service: Enjoy a full-service, sit-down meal in a warm and inviting atmosphere. The restaurant offers table service for lunch, dinner, and dessert.
Delivery and Takeout: For those who want to enjoy the flavors of Polpette 71 from the comfort of their home, the restaurant offers convenient delivery and takeout options.
Reservations: The restaurant accepts reservations, a highly recommended option for ensuring a table during peak dining hours, especially given its popularity.
Catering to Groups and Families: Polpette 71 is great for kids and can easily accommodate groups. High chairs are available for families with young children, making it a stress-free dining choice for parents.
Private Events and Celebrations: The cozy and romantic atmosphere makes it a great venue for small celebrations, special dinners, or a gathering with friends.
What truly sets Polpette 71 apart are the features that elevate the dining experience beyond just a meal.
Voted "Best in the Five Boroughs" Meatballs: The meatballs are the undisputed star of the show. Whether served as a sandwich, slider, or a classic plate with marinara sauce, they are a must-try for any first-time visitor. They are celebrated for their incredible flavor and a sauce that is often described as one of the best ever tasted.
Homemade Pastas: The restaurant prides itself on its house-specialty, homemade pastas. The menu features an enticing selection, including Gnocchi Marinara, Fettuccine Carbonara, and Lobster Ravioli. There's even a "Pick Your Own Pasta" option for a personalized meal.
Exceptional Dessert and Wine: The dining experience is perfectly rounded out by a fantastic dessert menu and a great wine list. The homemade desserts, like the Homemade Italian Ricotta Cheesecake and Tiramisu, are highly praised. The wine list, featuring Italian classics like Chianti, is carefully selected to complement the food.
Fast and Friendly Service: Customers consistently rave about the friendly and attentive staff. The owners are often present, adding a personal touch that makes guests feel valued and welcomed. This contributes to the overall relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.
Variety of Italian Classics: Beyond the meatballs and pasta, the menu is a comprehensive tour of Italian cuisine. It includes a variety of antipasti, insalata, and entrees featuring pollo (chicken), pesce (fish), and veal, such as Pollo Parmigiana and Veal Milanese. Vegetarian options like Eggplant Parmigiana are also available.
Address: 71 W 71st St, New York, NY 10023, USA
Phone: (212) 875-1512
Mobile Phone: +1 212-875-1512
Choosing to dine at Polpette 71 is choosing to experience authentic Italian food in a location that feels both quintessentially New York and intimately personal. The most obvious choice is to start with the famous meatballs. Whether you get the Sauced Meatball, Classic Meatball, or a Meatball Sandwich, you’ll be tasting the dish that has made this restaurant famous. The quality of the meat and the richness of the marinara sauce are truly unparalleled.
Beyond the meatballs, the pasta dishes are a highlight. The Ravioli a La Vodka and the Lobster Ravioli are highly recommended for their rich flavors and perfectly cooked pasta. For those who love a classic, the Fettuccine Carbonara is a creamy and satisfying choice. Don't overlook the other entrées like the Pollo Parmigiana or Veal Milanese, which are prepared with the same care and attention to detail.
For a complete meal, be sure to start with one of their delicious antipasti like the Arancini or Mozzarella Fritti, and don't forget the focaccia bread that accompanies many meals. Finally, save room for dessert. The homemade Tiramisu and the Italian Ricotta Cheesecake are the perfect way to conclude your authentic Italian feast. Polpette 71 offers an escape to Italy without ever leaving the Upper West Side, providing a memorable meal that will have you planning your next visit before you’ve even left the table.
Polpette 71 Food & drink
House Specialty Homemade Pastas
- Gnocchi Marinara $30.00
Hand rolled ricotta gnocchi in marinara sauce.
- Fettuccine Carbonara $30.00
Tossed with bacon in a creamy Alfredo sauce.
- Pappardelle $31.00
Sautéed with porcini mushroom cream sauce.
- Black Linguini $32.00
Tossed with calamari in a spicy arrabbiata sauce.
- Tortellini With Prosciutto And Peas $30.00
Served in a creamy Alfredo sauce.
- Black Linguini With Salmon $30.00
It comes with mussels, shrimp, leeks, tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil.
- Ravioli A La Vodka $30.00
Stuffed with spinach and ricotta cheese.
- Lobster Ravioli $31.00
Topped with asparagus, radicchio, and succulent gulf shrimp.
Pasta Pairs
- Pasta & Soup $34.05
- Pasta & Salad $35.00
Meatballs-Voted Best in the Five Boroughs
- Sandwich Meatball $22.00
Meatball Parmigiana hero. No side pasta included
- Sauced Meatball $19.00
3 beef and pork blend meatballs in homemade marinara.
- Sliders Meatball $20.00
3 of Nicky's famous sauced meatballs served on brioche rolls.
- Classic Meatball $30.00
Spaghetti and meatballs in pomodoro sauce.
Pesce
- Shrimp Scampi $33.00
Served over Risotto ( No side Pasta Served)
- Salmon Piccata $30.00
Served in a white wine lemon sauce
- Red Snapper Provencale $33.00
Freshly chopped tomatoes, shrimp in white wine sauce
- Shrimp Parmigiana $30.00
Waters
- Pellegrino Liter $7.00
- Acqua Panna Liter $7.00
Eggplant
- Rollatini Eggplant $30.00
- Classic Eggplant Parmigiana $30.00
Desserts
- Homemade Italian Ricotta Cheesecake $10.00
Homemade Italian Ricotta Cheesecake
- Cannoli $10.00
- Tiramisu $10.00
Homemade Tiramisu
Pollo
- Pollo Nicola $32.00
It comes with fontina and mushrooms in a marsala tomato sauce.
- Pollo Francese $30.00
Lightly battered, served in white wine lemon sauce.
- Pollo Milanese $30.00
Pounded, breaded, topped with fresh tomato and basil.
- Pollo Marsala $32.00
Served with mushrooms in marsala wine sauce.
- Pollo Piccata $30.00
Served in white wine lemon sauce.
- Pollo Parmigiana $30.00
- Pollo Scarpariello $34.00
Served on the bone with sweet Italian sausage.
Pasta
- Linguini Primavera Pasta $29.00
Mixed vegetables, sautéed in garlic and olive oil.
- Linguini Frutti Di Mare Pasta $32.00
Shrimp, mussels, clams, calamari, red or white sauce.
- Penne Nonna Pasta $30.00
Chicken, sundried tomatoes, mushrooms, vodka sauce.
- Penne With Sausage And Broccoli Rabe Pasta $32.00
Sautéed in garlic and olive oil.
Homemade Sliders
- Sausage And Broccoli Rabe Sliders $20.00
Sautéed with garlic and olive oil.
- Eggplant Sliders $20.00
Breaded eggplant and pomodoro sauce.
Insalata
- Insalata Arugula $17.00
Topped with tomatoes in a house vinaigrette.
- Grilled Shrimp $16.00
Add 3 Grilled Shrimp to any salad
- Add Goat Cheese $4.00
- Add Shaved Parm $4.00
- Insalata Mista $16.00
Mixed greens with tomatoes in a house vinaigrette.
- Insalata Di Caesar $17.00
Classic Caesar.
- Insalata Tre Colori $17.00
Arugula, radicchio and endive in a house vinaigrette.
- Grilled Chicken $10.00
Add Grilled Chicken to any salad
Pick Your Own
- Pick Your Own Pasta $34.00
Only Full Orders
- Add 2 Meatballs $13.00
- Add Fresh Mozzarella $6.00
Zuppa
- Pasta Fagioli Zuppa $17.00
Traditional white bean soup.
- Zuppa Di Pesce $25.00
Mixed Seafood in tomato broth. Calamari, clams, mussels and shrimp. No side pasta
- Stracciatella Zuppa $17.00
Spinach and egg drop soup.
Soda 12oz
- Diet Coke $4.00
A crisp, refreshing taste you know and love with zero calories.
- Coke $4.00
The cold, refreshing, sparkling classic that America loves.
Veal
- Veal Milanese $36.00
- Veal Piccata $36.00
- Veal Nicola $36.00
- Veal Marsala $36.00
- Veal Parmigiana $36.00
Contorni
- Mixed Mushrooms Contorni $16.00
- Garlic Bread Contorni $12.00
- Broccoli Rabe Contorni $18.00
- Mixed Vegetables Contorni $16.00
- Broccoli Contorni $16.00
- Spinach Contorni $16.00
Antipasti
- Zucchini Fritti Antipasti $18.00
Breaded and flash fried, with pomodoro sauce.
- Arancini $19.00
3 Arancini served with light marinara sauce and shaved parmesan
- Caldo Verdure Grigliate Antipasti $19.00
Seasonal Grilled Vegetables.
- Cold Antipasto $20.00
Meats, cheeses, red peppers, artichoke hearts, olives.
- Gamberi E Funghi Antipasto $20.00
Shrimp and mushrooms sautéed in a rosemary herb sauce.
- Eggplant Rollatine Antipasti $20.00
One Eggplant Stuffed with ricotta, porcini mushrooms, and peas. No Side pasta
- Mozzarella Fritti Antipasti $18.00
Breaded and flash fried, with pomodoro sauce.
Polpette 71 Details
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Hard liquor
- Wine
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Romantic
- Trendy
Crowd
- Groups
- Tourists
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Parking
- Paid street parking
Polpette 71 Photos










Polpette 71 Location
Polpette 71 Reviews
meatballspatiogardengemeggplanttiramisuvodka saucenoisepennetip
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1This upper west side Italian restaurant is a real gem. It has friendly owners that are more than willing to guide you through their menu. They restaurant is known for their meatballs but it has so much more to offer. I did start with meatballs with marinara sauce. I was really impressed with the meatballs and the accompanying marinara sauce. It was so flavorful, a great start to the meal. I next had the rigatoni alla vodka which really surprised me. The vodka sauce was as good a sauce as I've ever had. No meal with me is complete without dessert which was a home run. The homemade tiramisu was a smooth and creamy delicious experience. Please make sure to try the focaccia bread and a glass of the chianti. The restaurant does have outdoor seating.
July 25 · Anthony SpicolaHad a great late lunch after visiting the natural history museum. We had been looking for somewhere that did great meatballs and we weren't disappointed. 2 adults and kids very happy with food, the lady owner who served us was lovely and recommended what to get and even divided food up so we could try spaghetti and sandwiches. Would definitely recommend to get away from touristy spots, one of our food highlights of the trip
April 26 · Sean WelshStellar service, a delightful dining experience! There were 11 of us and as you might imagine we sampled quite a few dishes and all were excellent. I highly recommend any of the homemade pastas!! My personal favorites was the squid ink pasta with calamari. The tricolor salad was delicious as well. Great meatballs as an appetizer.
October 20 · Paul HahnExcellent food, drinks, and service at Polpette 71! Lu and the staff went above and beyond for my niece's bridal luncheon. You gotta have the meatballs, but all our meals were also delicious. Perfect atmosphere and friendly service.
September 08 · Benedette PapandreaWe had a fabulous dinner there a couple of nights ago. We were a group of 4 Enjoyed the fried zucchini as an appetizer. Excellent and plenty to share. The martini was a generous pour and good. The black linguine with seafood was perhaps the best seafood pasta i have eaten. Overall an excellent choice. I recommend they carry decaf coffee for us older diners and some port with which to accompany it
May 14 · Zona Scheiner
More restaurants near me

411 W 35th St, New York, NY 10001, USA

445 W 35th St, New York, NY 10001, USA

441 9th Ave, New York, NY 10001, USA

371 W 34th St., New York, NY 10001, USA

455 W 34th St., New York, NY 10001, USA

461 W 34th St. Frnt 1, New York, NY 10001, USA

655 W 34th St., New York, NY 10001, USA

330 W 34th St., New York, NY 10001, USA

316 W 34th St., New York, NY 10001, USA

402 W 34th St., New York, NY 10001, USA

304 W 34th St., New York, NY 10001, USA

460 W 34th St., New York, NY 10001, USA
Categories
Top Visited Sites






Trending Dining Insights Posts





