Bacaro
Quick info
About Bacaro
Bacaro is a Venetian restaurant set in a candlelit basement at 136 Division St in New York, operating as a bar and event venue alongside its dining service. Much of its character comes from a Northern Italian and Venetian focus, with a menu built around pastas and small plates paired with Italian wines. The signature Spaghetti Nero leads the mains, while Fritto Misto and Tiramisu round out the menu as recognizable anchors of the kitchen. Mains fall within a range that keeps the format accessible for both small-plate sharing and full meals. Reservations are advised for the basement space, which can also be booked for events.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree of charge street parking · Paid street parking · Difficult to find a space
- AccessibilityHas wheelchair-accessible entrance · Has wheelchair-accessible seating · Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Good for kidsHigh chairs available
- DietaryServes vegan dishes · Serves vegetarian dishes
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention fritto misto, eggplant parm, gnocchi w mushrooms and spaghetti nero.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention fritto misto, eggplant parm, gnocchi w mushrooms and spaghetti nero.
Customer Review Summary
The candlelit basement atmosphere is the most consistently praised draw, with reviewers describing it as romantic, intimate, and transporting, like entering an old rustic cellar. The fritto misto and gnocchi with mushrooms come up as standout dishes, and the spaghetti nero also gets mention, though one diner noted it did not look like the photos. Service is the clearest recurring friction point. Multiple reviewers describe inattentive or rough service, including a server who almost knocked over wine without apologizing, slow drink refills, and difficulty closing out on busy nights. One review flags a plate of spaghetti with clams that was mostly empty shells. When things go right, the staff earns praise for being attentive and for quickly offering to remake a dish or remove it from the bill, as happened with an overcooked broccoli rabe.
Customer Review Summary
The candlelit basement atmosphere is the most consistently praised draw, with reviewers describing it as romantic, intimate, and transporting, like entering an old rustic cellar. The fritto misto and gnocchi with mushrooms come up as standout dishes, and the spaghetti nero also gets mention, though one diner noted it did not look like the photos. Service is the clearest recurring friction point. Multiple reviewers describe inattentive or rough service, including a server who almost knocked over wine without apologizing, slow drink refills, and difficulty closing out on busy nights. One review flags a plate of spaghetti with clams that was mostly empty shells. When things go right, the staff earns praise for being attentive and for quickly offering to remake a dish or remove it from the bill, as happened with an overcooked broccoli rabe.
Featured reviews
- Karina
“Got the spaghetti with clams….. 70% of clams were empty shells lol. The sauce made the plate look good but not enough for the pasta itself. You’re paying for barely wet noodles. I don’t recommend at all. Service left a lot to be desired. The lady barely came by but obviously tip is still expected for their little work.”
- Loc H.
“delicious food, service can be a little slow”
- Dan Nienhauser
“Great delicious Italian spot! Loved the small plates and gnocchi w mushrooms. Yum. Wonderful service and fun intimate atmosphere. New manhattan fave”
- Clara Hopkins
“i spent almost 200$ for very disappointing italian food, but nothing compared to how bad the service was, she almost knocked over my wine twice/didn’t apologize, never told me her name or answer my questions, never smiled and when i didn’t …”
- Olivia N
“Overall rating: 4.5 Super popular Italian place that seems to be best for group of friends or a date. Very tight on the main floor, but the bottom floor seems super romantic I went with a group of 6 and the underground feeling transported me. I had the duck cavatelli and it was good. But was it $$$ good. Eh. I’ve had better. The service was also a tad rough. They were very busy and it was hard to order, get a drink and close out. Not sure if this is the place for me.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Chic, candlelit basement eatery serving pastas & Venetian small plates alongside Italian wines.”
- Has fast service
- Serves great cocktails
- Serves great coffee
- Has great wine list
- Popular for popular for dinner
- Popular for good for solo dining
Amenities
- Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Free of charge street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Has outdoor seating
- Offers delivery
- Offers takeaway
Show more amenities
- Serves dine-in
- Serves vegan dishes
- Has bar on site
- Casual
- Serves beer
- Serves coffee
- Offerings· 10
- Serves alcohol
- Serves cocktails
- Serves comfort food
- Serves happy-hour drinks
- Serves happy-hour food
- Has private dining room
- Serves small plates
- Serves spirits
- Serves vegetarian dishes
- Serves wine
- Family-friendly· 1
- High chairs available
- Planning· 1
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Dining options· 4
- Serves dinner
- Serves dessert
- Has seating
- Has table service
- Highlights· 3
- Has fast service
- Serves great cocktails
- Has great wine list
- Popular for· 2
- Popular for dinner
- Good for solo dining
- Accessibility· 2
- Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Facilities· 2
- Has gender-neutral toilets
- Has toilet
- Atmosphere· 3
- Cosy
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Crowd· 4
- Good for groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Popular with tourists
- Transgender safe space
- Parking· 2
- Paid street parking
- Difficult to find a space
Location
How Bacaro compares to nearby italian restaurants
- Bacaro · This shop4.4415 reviews
Mentioned in reviews: fritto misto, eggplant parm, gnocchi w mushrooms
- 6,289 reviews0.4 mi
Mentioned in reviews: truffle pasta, lemon cello, cheese wheel pasta
- 440 reviews0.6 mi
Mentioned in reviews: handmade pasta, agnolotti, rabbit ragu
- 2,434 reviews1.2 mi
Mentioned in reviews: lasagna flights, tiramisu, pizza
Bacaro This shop | Casa D'angelo New York | Forsythia NYC | La Lanterna di Vittorio | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.4(415) | 4.6(6,289) | 4.4(440) | 4.5(2,434) | |
| Price | $50–60 | $15–30 | $80–90 | $20–60 |
| Distance | — | 0.4 mi | 0.6 mi | 1.2 mi |
| Open today |
Similar italian restaurants nearby
How this listing is sourced
Hours, contact details, and amenities are sourced from publicly available business data and re-checked regularly. Listings are ranked independently — no paid placement.