As a proud resident of the neighborhood for two years, I’m stoked to share the best Italian restaurants in Park Slope!

These Italian restaurants get me moaning out loud upon first bite of their fresh pastas (cue Fausto) and sizzling hot pizzas straight out of the oven (I’m looking at you, Crosta!).
From date-worthy spots like Fausto to family-friendly restaurants like Pasta Louise, Park Slope runs the gamut when it comes to delectable, mouthwatering Italian spots.
Here are the best Italian restaurants in Park Slope!
Best Italian Spots for Date Night
1. Fausto

This vibey Italian restaurant is the perfect place to fall in love.
The ear-shaped orecchiette comes with hunks of fennel braised pork and tuscan kale ($27).
The cauliflower is a punch of different flavors, mixed in with fragrant pine nut, tangy currant and a savory anchovy caper vinaigrette ($16).

This hip, groovy restaurant is a welcomed departure from the comfortable charm of Park Slope.
2. Terre

This fresh pasta restaurant gets many things right. Openly hidden amongst the charming interior are real caskets of balsamic vinegar, stored in line with the traditions of Emilia-Romagna in northern Italy.

The taglinolini is prepared with tender, grass-fed venison in a white ragù ($29), while papperdelle is cut so thin and rips nicely in the complementing slow-cooked boar ragù ($32).

Consider starting with the black truffle burrata and the 30-month aged prosciutto ($27).
3. Faun

The vibes are immaculate at Faun; the aura of the place beckons a glass of red. I found it to be the perfect place to celebrate my birthday with my mom and brother. The pasta is hand-rolled fresh, and the steak is deliciously seared. The portions are on the smaller side; but for an occasion or a date, this is a wonderful neighborhood spot.
4. Al Di Là
Run by husband and wife team Emiliano Coppa and chef Anna Klinger, Italian restaurant Al Di La has been a neighborhood fixture for over 25 years.
The chefs at Al Di La cook homemade tagliatelle to al dente perfection, pairing it with a flavorful, textured ragu. They also serve braised rabbit, one of Al Di La’s northern Italian signatures. With its iconic rusty tin ceiling and heavily draped, vintage-style curtains, Al Di La creates an intimate atmosphere perfect for special occasions or impressing visiting family.
Frank Bruni of The New York Times has rated it two stars.
Best Family-Friendly Italian Restaurants in Park Slope
5. Pasta Louise

Pasta Louise’s fresh pastas make you sigh with pleasure upon first bite. They’re made from her grandma’s recipes – the namesake Louise – who taught founder Allison Arevalo how to cook when she was young.
Their cacio e pepe is best-selling for a reason, with fragrant cracked pepper and salty pecorino ($16.50). It’s jaw-dropping with a side of spicy, crispy prosciutto on top ($4).

“I’m very immersed in the neighborhood,” Allison said. With two kids who go to school in Park Slope, she focused on creating a family-friendly experience at her restaurants from the get-go.
“I can ride my bike to all three [locations] on my way home,” Allison said, referring to her cafe on 8th Street, the restaurant on 12th Street and Bar Louise.

Shortly after Allison lost her sister Lenore to cancer in 2018, she attended a talk by socially-conscious chocolatier Shawn Askinosie, who spoke of losing his father and “turning your biggest sorrow, your biggest grief into something that you’re most proud of.”
That talk inspired Allison to start the Pasta Rose Scholarship, which is named after Lenore’s two daughters, Jasmine Rose and Scarlet Rose. The initiative grants one winner $10,000 in funds toward the cost of attending college.

“We definitely have people who hear about the scholarship, and who come here to celebrate things like their last cancer treatment or when they’re in remission,” Allison said. “I love when they tell me because I also love surprising them with a free dinner,” she said. “It’s special that they think of this place to celebrate things like that.”
Happy Hour is a deal here; enjoy spritz and chips for just $12 (on Tue-Fri from 3-5pm). If you’re into their cocktails, head over to Bar Louise for a comfy but upscale vibe, also in Park Slope.
6. Crosta

Nothing can quite beat a burning hot pizza fresh out of the oven.
Crosta nails their sourdough pizza by leaving the dough to rise naturally for 48 to 72 hours. Everything is delicious, but I personally love the spicy chorizo topped with mozzarella and Manchego cheese ($19). This pizzeria is decently priced and a fantastic place to bring family and friends.

Best Italian Restaurants in Park Slope
7. SottoVoce
This brick-walled, cozy Italian restaurant is a no-frills kind of place that delivers delicious food every single time. The personable service is a standout, which isn’t always a given even in this calm neighborhood. SottoVoce gets seafood right; try the fettuccine gambertti and the linguini ai frutti di mare. Experimenting with the long list of specials won’t disappoint.
8. Scottadito Osteria Toscana
Italian native Raffaele Spadavecchia has been leading the kitchen at Scottadito Osteria Toscana for over 15 years (which included a stint on the Food Network’s Chopped TV show). Scottadito’s rustic vibes can be traced back to its history as an old carriage house, in prime Park Slope fashion. The dining area in the back has a skylight and opens up to a cute backyard space, making it charming special occasion venue, whether for a bridal shower or rehearsal dinner. At $36, the bottomless brunch is an unmatched deal in the city, considering that it comes with an entree. Don’t miss the ricotta gnocchi slathered with sage-butter spinach.
Best Italian Restaurants in Park Slope (Conclusion)
In this article, we went over the best Italian restaurants in Park Slope, where you can enjoy real Italian food and the best pasta made from the freshest ingredients.
Many of these restaurants have been gracing Park Slope for decades, like Park Slope mainstay Al Di La (going 25+ years and strong) and Scottadito Osteria Toscana (15+ years now!). And you know especially in New York City, simply being around for decades truly means something!
You can’t go wrong with these best Italian restaurants in Park Slope.
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