

A lantern-lit indoor garden & live jazz in the adjoining bar complement light Italian fare.
Hours
| Thursday | 10 AM–1 AM |
| Friday | 10 AM–2 AM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–2 AM |
| Sunday | 10 AM–1 AM |
| Monday | 10 AM–1 AM |
| Tuesday | 10 AM–1 AM |
| Wednesday | 10 AM–1 AM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 129 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012
Phone: (917) 639-3236
Website: http://lalanterna.nyc/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: lalanternacaffe.comresy.com
Photo Gallery
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La Lanterna Caffe
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Reviews
Our server, Michael, was incredible. He was warm, friendly, and made us feel like we were guests in his own home. He recommended the goat & peperoni Rossi bruschetta, which turned out to be delightful.
But the stars of the night were the lasagna flights. We ordered both the vegetarian and the meat flights, and my boyfriend was so happy with his birthday dinner. Everything was flavorful and comforting, and we genuinely enjoyed the entire experience.
The only small suggestion: please offer bread as an option on the menu. Michael was kind enough to bring us some, but it wasn’t listed.
Overall, we had a wonderful night and would absolutely return. Perfect place for a romantic dinner!
But the real star for us was the Indoor Rear Garden. It feels like a hidden greenhouse in the middle of the city glass ceiling, plants and big decorative lanterns everywhere, and a soft glow that makes the whole space feel calm and special. Even though you’re inside, it has that open air feeling that makes you forget you’re even in Manhattan. It’s the kind of spot where you sit down and immediately feel like you’re about to have a good night and a good dinner.
The food was genuinely delicious. Not just “good for the price”, actually delicious. We tried a few different things, and every dish had real flavor, not something thrown together. I recommend their lasagna flights, so good! You can tell they put effort into the ingredients and the way everything is cooked. For a place with this atmosphere, and the delicious food, the prices are surprisingly reasonable. It didn’t feel overpriced at all if anything, we were impressed at how moderate it was for the quality.
And the dessert… easily one of the best parts of the night. Immaculate. It wasn’t overly sweet, just perfectly balanced and fresh. We literally sat there talking about how good it was while we ate it.
Service was great too everyone was friendly, and authentic, the food came out on time, and we never felt rushed. It felt like they actually wanted us to enjoy our night instead of flipping tables, which you don’t always get in the city.
Overall, we left talking about how much we loved this place and how we’re definitely coming back (if we can even find reservations for a Saturday lol). La Lanterna di Vittorio has that perfect mix of good food, a beautiful setting, and a relaxed vibe that makes the whole night feel special. If you want a cozy, comfortable, romantic spot with amazing food and a stunning indoor garden patio, this is definitely the place.
the lychee martini was perfect
they had lasagna samplers – veg and non veg both – that you could rate as you tried them – perfect for those who like having more choices ✨
we had tiramisu and bread and butter pudding for dessert
a little cramped but the huge lamps provided Alice in wonderland kind of atmosphere
Can’t wait to go back!
mouth is watering right now for the lasagna while I write this. I have never had a lasagna flight but I want more of them ! The pizza – chefs kiss. Taylor Swift is right – is good! The desserts if it was the ice cream flight or the tiramisu. This place will have a special place in my heart.
We got the goat cheese bruschetta, which was also delicious.
We tried the chocolate cake, orange creamsicle, and banana split martinis. My friend really didn’t enjoy her banana split martini as it reminded her of the taste of medicine 🙁 something to note, but I didn’t take points off because the food and ambience was so good.
Service was great too, our waiter was personable and kind. The atmosphere was dark, candlelit, warm/family restaurant like. We enjoyed the restaurant a lot.
Walking in that late, you might expect a restaurant to feel tired or rushed, but the opposite was true. The space was glowing — warm, romantic, and buzzing in that gentle after-dinner way where everyone is settled in and happy to linger. It felt intimate without being cramped, special without being stuffy. Exactly what you hope for on Valentine’s night, especially if your planning style leans more “optimistic spontaneity” than “booked three weeks ahead.”
The staff set the tone immediately. Even at 10 PM on one of the busiest restaurant nights of the year, they were welcoming, patient, and genuinely kind. No one made us feel like the late table they were trying to turn. We were encouraged to relax, take our time, and enjoy ourselves, which made a huge difference.
Now, the highlight: the lasagna flight.
First of all, whoever decided a lasagna flight should exist deserves recognition. It’s playful but still comforting, and it lets you experience a range of flavors without committing to just one. Each variation had its own personality, from rich and deeply savory to lighter, more delicate bites. The pasta was tender, the sauces tasted like they’d been simmering all day, and every forkful felt thoughtfully put together rather than rushed out for the holiday crowd.
What I loved most was that it managed to feel indulgent without knocking you out for the night. You could savor it, compare favorites, trade bites, and actually have fun with it. It turned dinner into an experience instead of just a meal.
By the time we left, the room had thinned a bit, the candles were still flickering, and it felt like we’d discovered a secret pocket of calm at the end of a hectic evening. There was something really sweet about closing down Valentine’s Day there, full and happy, walking back out into the city feeling like we’d made exactly the right call.
If you’re looking for a place that understands romance but doesn’t take itself too seriously, where the food is comforting but still interesting, and where late reservations are treated with the same care as prime time, this is it.
I’ll absolutely be back — and I’m getting that lasagna flight again.