

Casual but hip Italian spot serving a pasta-centric menu plus cocktails and lots of wine from Italy.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 325 Bowery, New York, NY 10003
Phone: (212) 220-9100
Website: https://www.barprimi.com/bowery
Menu Photos
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
Bar Primi Bowery | Casual Italian Pasta Shop in New York City
Bar Primi | A casual Italian pasta shop with locations in New York City.
Bowery | Bar Primi in New York, NY
Reviews
We ordered the sea bass, hangar steak and rounded it off with the tirimasu and cherry luxardo sorbet.
The hangar steak was cooked a little on the rarer side when we asked for medium rare. Still tasted good and tender.
The sea bass was a disappointment though with how salty it was between the seasoning on the bass and condiments (olive and sun dried tomatoes). The fish was cooked perfectly but next time will ask if they can hold back on the salt for the bass as the toppings added more than enough for me.
Both desserts were great, tirimasu had a nice coffee taste throughout each bite. The cherry sorbet was the highlight for us and we would go back alone for this. The wafer had a great lemon(?) flavouring which added to the tartness.
On the culinary side, the food was a standout. The original frozen cocktail was a highlight, and the burrata pockets were exceptional—I only wished I had ordered more! The meatball in Sugo was tasty but could have been served hotter. I also enjoyed the bucatini all’Americana, which the waiter recommended as a step up from traditional pasta. However, the ricotta agnolotti was slightly overcooked, making the pasta a bit tough.
Overall, I’m looking forward to trying the Penn Station location, especially with its updated menu items!
However, our experience took a significant turn when a female bartender began her shift (we didn’t see her when we were seated initially). She set up her station directly in front of us and proceeded to mix drinks with notably aggressive movements, slamming shakers and equipment loudly. At one point, liquid splattered onto me from her mixing. What was most concerning wasn’t the accident itself (these things can happen in a busy bar) but her delayed and dismissive response. When she finally apologized, her tone was curt and almost accusatory, as if we were somehow at fault for being seated where we were.
We chose not to escalate the situation given how crowded the restaurant was, but this interaction genuinely dampened what should have been a wonderful evening. The contrast between her demeanor and the rest of the staff was striking and unfortunate. We hope this was simply a bad day and not related to any other factors, though we couldn’t help but wonder given the stark difference in how we were treated compared to her demeanor with other guests.
To management: I hope you’ll review what happened during our visit on November 1st between 5-7pm. The food and ambiance at Bar Primi are too good to have guests feeling unwelcome. While I can’t speak to her intentions, the treatment we received left us questioning whether there was more to her attitude than just a bad day.
I want to return for the incredible food, but I hope this feedback leads to some reflection on consistency in hospitality across your entire team.
The Caesar salad was excellent. The romaine was whole leaf, super crisp, perfectly dressed, and full of flavor.
Then I ordered the chicken piccata, which I assumed would come with noodles (or at least the option to add them), but they don’t allow substitutions. Still, the dish itself was delicious: the chicken was tender and the lemon-caper sauce was light but flavorful. It was a little salty and less lemon-y than I prefer. But still excellent.
The service was absolutely impeccable. The staff were friendly, attentive, and professional from start to finish. Every staff member we interacted with was kind and efficient, which really stood out.
That said, the restaurant is extremely loud. We went upstairs which I hoped would be quieter but no… It was also very hot. It’s a lively, energetic atmosphere, but if you’re looking for a quiet meal or an easy conversation, this might not be the place.
Overall, the food is thoughtful and well-prepared, the service is top-tier, and the setting is trendy—just don’t expect to customize your meal or chat easily over the table noise.
For a $35 meal, you’d expect something to round it out maybe a side salad, a piece of bread, or even a little garnish. Instead, it felt like a plain takeout portion that could’ve easily been half the price.
The flavor was okay, but overall the value just isn’t there. Definitely not something I’d order again.
All the dishes we had were amazing! But the star of the show was the NY strip. I am not a huge fan of steak, but this steak BLEW MY MIND. The pieces were so perfectly cooked they melted in my mouth. I truly enjoyed every piece of that dish. The potatoes and the arugula gave it a good balance as the potatoes were also perfectly cooked.
I am truly amazed by this restaurant and I can’t wait to go back.
The ravioli portions are super tiny. The squid ink pasta was great. The bolognese… I hope that wasn’t their best attempt. Strong statement, but trader joe’s does it better.
Caesar salad was good, light on dressing for me. Also $20 for 9 pieces of lettuce with sauce and breadcrumbs? Not sure if that’s a deal. But it was tasty
The dessert is where I think this place has real pizazz.
Comfy seats, cozy atmosphere, waiters wear bow ties
Vegetarian and gluten-free friendly