Marat Khalfin
If You find yourself in a charming Great Kills neighborhood of Staten Island, a world away from the city’s frenzy, don’t shy away from Da Damaso on Amboy Road. Tucked away like a hidden treasure, you spot this gem, a little Italian restaurant that delivers a taste of Salerno. The charming atmosphere and aroma of home cooking with the scent of family welcome greets you at the door, pulling you into a cozy space that feels less like a restaurant and more like a family’s gathering.
The menu is a love letter to the owner’s hometown of Salerno, with dishes you won’t find at your typical Italian-American joint. Each plate is a masterpiece of authentic, high-quality ingredients. Every dish we have tried so far tasted like it was made with a secret family recipe passed down through generations.
What truly sets Da Damaso apart is the warmth of the family who runs it. They treat every guest not just as a customer, but as a long-lost relative returning home. The owner’s son, who served us shared stories about the dishes. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a full-on cultural experience. You leave feeling not only incredibly satisfied but also like you’ve been adopted into a new Italian family. The owner/chef, his wife (that cooks as well) and the oldest son who always greets you with the smile are incredibly charming people.
If you’re looking for an authentic taste of Southern Italy without the plane ticket, Da Damaso is the place. It’s an unforgettable experience that will transport your taste buds straight to the heart of Salerno.
… moreKim C
Stepping into Da Damaso feels comfortable. The atmosphere feels homey. The staff makes you feel like family and other guest really enjoyed taking about their Italian experiences.
The food was delicious, fresh, and flavorful. The portions were perfect .
Definitely will be going back
… moreGene Gallo
This place is the best! I can’t say enough good things about Da Damaso. Delicious authentic home cooked meals. They treat you like family. I would recommend this place 100%
… moreDan Ferreira
4 of us decided to try this little spot out for a birthday dinner. Right from the start the host/waiter was very accommodating. Made us feel as if he had just invited us into his home to have family dinner with his family. And what a dinner it was, absolutely delicious appetizers. From a mixed bruschetta plate to 3 large meatballs and more. Each offering was delicious. Our entrees did not disappoint either. From a huge chicken parm plate to the special chicken milanese. We all ate till we could not fit in another bite although we wanted to. Absolutely recommend stopping in for a bite as you will leave full with a smile on your face. (Dont forget to bring your own bottle of wine )
… moreLiana S.
My husband and I first discovered this place when we were driving down Amboy road. We were excited to see a more unique Italian spot open up. The food is nothing short of amazing here. The father & son, who are the owners, are also extremely kind and welcoming, and his father is the chef! The first time we dined, we ordered the chicken parm with pasta and a “special” dish which was gnocchi with pesto and burrata. We also ordered the berry tiramisu, which was so light and fluffy with the perfect amount of moisture and sweetness from the fruit.
For our second visit, we decided to order burgers ( the owner told us that making burgers was a tradition for them in their hometown of Salerno, Italy). My husband ordered the double stacked burger with cheddar, roasted potatoes on the bottom of the burger, and greens. My burger was AMAZING and something I’ve never had before on a burger; it was a single patty with burrata, pesto, mortadella, cherry tomatoes, and fries on the side.
EVERYTHING WAS OUT OF THIS WORLD. The food is so fresh and flavorful. After eating here both times, nothing felt too heavy. The restaurant is quaint and the ambiance is relaxing. The tv screen toward the back of the restaurant displays a tranquil view of the waters of Salerno/coast to set the vibe. We will certainly be returning. Although still growing, there is no doubt that this place will become extremely successful. Run!!! Don’t walk to Da Damaso. You will not regret it!!
… moreViktor Lisnyak
Amazing place nicely done burgers and canoli are amazing. The burger was medium rare and canoli was made from scratch in front of your eyes. I wish I took pictures but was really hungry. This is a true cozy family place that goes for quality of food and service. Also try their espresso it is really flavorful. Nothing but a positive experience in this place. Will be back.
… morePaul Giordano
It’s almost impossible to find an outstanding espresso here in the US. The coffee here is exactly the same as in Italy. If your from Italy or visit often, you know what I mean. So first if your looking for authentic Italian espresso, look no further. Now the food. This business is a family affair. The whole family helps and there are no other employees. The Damaso family is here for only a couple of years and the food is a step back in time when ingredients mattered more than cost. The food is fresh and the specials change daily. The pics below cannot capture how flavorful the lasagna with bechamel really was. The meatballs are tender and delicious. DaDamaso does not serve these gigantic American portions. The food is expertly prepared and made with love. The welcome I get is incredible and I feel like part of the family now. Go to this new hidden gem before everyone finds out about it.
… moregasper vultaggio
So we have had the most delicious meals in little hole in the wall restaurants in Italy. Dadmaso is such a gem right here on Staten Island. The food was amazing, the family is warm and welcoming.
I predict that they will soon be moving to a larger location. Honestly we welcome a little walk because how full we were. You will not be disappointed.
… moreJ G_06
Absolutely delicious!
Da Damaso never disappoints! I had the burger and fries and it was next level. The bun was perfectly toasted with a beautiful crust, the patty was juicy and flavorful, and the cheese melted just right. Fresh tomato and greens gave it a nice crunch, and the fries were golden, crispy, and addictive. You can tell everything is made with care and quality. This place has real flavor — highly recommend if you’re in the mood for something unforgettable!
… moreMatt Tooker
Can’t say enough about my experience at Da Damaso my father and I went in for lunch today. And were imminently greeted by Ami who was super friendly and talking to us about all the different dishes. We started off with the meatballs which were out of this world and super fresh. Then my father got the 089 burger which had peas on it which was amazing. Ami explained that this is normal in Italy. and I got the porchettatone panini. Everything was so flavorful and delicious the porchetta was so flavorful and crispy. This was truly authentic Italian. Ended with a slice of cake and espresso. Although Ami let us taste the cannoli cream for the cannoli and we will be back for them as well. Can’t wait to go back and try something different as I am sure it will be delicious. Thank you Ami for a great 1st dining experience and my family and I will be back again. Everyone please support this family owned business!!!
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