IT Italian Trattoria NYC Review: Is This Times Square Italian Restaurant Overrated?

Good to Know

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• 📍 Address: 530 7th Ave, New York, NY 10018
• 🍽️ Cuisine: Italian (Pizza, Pasta, Salads, Desserts)
• 🚇 Subway: E, F, or 7 train to 42nd Street / Bryant Park, followed by a short walk
• 🚗 Parking: Highly discouraged (Midtown garage rates apply; public transit recommended)
• 💳 Payment: Credit cards accepted
• ⭐ My Take: Delicious food and attentive service, but marked up by its Times Square location.

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Jump to:

• Quick Summary
• Good to Know
• Watch My Experience
• Re-Evaluating Times Square Italian Food
• Atmosphere, Food Display, and Service
• Getting There
• The Pizza: Margherita vs. Primavera
• The Pasta: Rigatoni Tartufo vs. Spaghetti Alfredo
• Dessert: Tiramisu Nutella
• Midtown Pricing vs. Queens Value
• The Bottom Line: Is It Overrated?
• Frequently Asked Questions

Watch My Experience

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Re-Evaluating Times Square Italian Food

Finding a solid place to eat around Times Square can feel like a gamble given how tourist-centric the area is. When we visited Italian Trattoria on Seventh Avenue, my immediate reaction on camera was glowing. However, after stepping back and reflecting on the overall bill and dining experience, my perspective has become a bit more nuanced.

The food here is undeniably delicious. But would I label it one of the absolute best Italian restaurants in New York City? Probably not. The biggest hurdle is the price point. New York is packed with incredible Italian spots—particularly outside of Midtown—where you can enjoy an equally impressive meal without paying the steep tourist-zone premium.

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Atmosphere, Food Display, and Service

When you walk through the doors, one of the first things to catch your eye is the large glass display case highlighting their daily pizzas, fresh salads, and desserts. Being able to preview the food visually before sitting down is a nice touch that makes ordering far easier than just staring at a text menu.

The restaurant hits a comfortable middle ground for ambiance. It feels more elevated than a basic slice shop, yet casual enough that you don't need to dress up for fine dining. Because of its prime location, expect a bustling, energetic room filled with tourists, families, and sightseeing groups. Despite the constant rush, the service was fast, organized, and attentive throughout our meal.

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Getting There

Italian Trattoria is located at 530 7th Ave, New York, NY 10018, positioned nicely between the 34th Street and 42nd Street transit hubs. Taking public transit is by far the easiest route: hop on the E, F, or 7 train to the 42nd Street stations, and it’s just a brief 5-minute walk. Avoid driving into Midtown Manhattan if possible, as traffic and parking fees will quickly add up.

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The Pizza: Margherita vs. Primavera

We started with two different personal pizzas to compare flavors and toppings:

• Margherita Pizza: Topped simply with mozzarella cheese, basil, and oregano. Because the recipe is minimal, the quality of the cheese and sauce has nowhere to hide. It was solid and comforting, though not particularly memorable.

• Primavera Pizza: This was the standout pie of the two. Topped with grilled eggplant, yellow bell peppers, arugula, and mozzarella, the roasted vegetables added a fantastic layer of smoky flavor and fresh texture that easily outshined the classic Margherita.

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The Pasta: Rigatoni Tartufo vs. Spaghetti Alfredo

Moving on to the pasta courses, both dishes delivered on rich, comforting flavors, though one clearly stole the show:

• Rigatoni Tartufo: A heavy, decadent dish featuring rigatoni tossed in a rich truffle cream sauce with mushrooms and Parmigiano Reggiano. The truffle aroma is strong and distinct, making it a great pick if you love earthy, creamy pasta.

• Spaghetti Alfredo with Chicken (My Favorite): Simple, classic, and executed perfectly. The heavy cream, butter, and Parmigiano Reggiano sauce was velvety smooth, and adding tender grilled chicken made it a deeply satisfying main course. Given the choice between the two, this was easily my favorite plate of the night.

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Dessert: Tiramisu Nutella

For a sweet finish, we ordered the Tiramisu Nutella. Visually, it looked incredible, combining the classic layered coffee dessert with rich hazelnut spread and chocolate chips.

Taste-wise, however, it ended up being a bit of a letdown. While soft and creamy, the flavors felt surprisingly muted and didn't match how great it looked in the display case. Next time, I would opt for a classic cannoli or gelato instead.

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Midtown Pricing vs. Queens Value

This brings us to the core issue: price versus value. Eating on Seventh Avenue near Times Square means you are inherently paying for real estate and convenience. The food is tasty and the staff moves quickly, but you are undeniably paying extra simply because of where the building sits.

As someone living and eating across NYC, it’s hard not to make comparisons. You can find Italian dining in Queens that delivers equal—if not superior—flavor and ambiance for a fraction of the cost. For instance, dining at local spots like Romeo's Restaurant in Jackson Heights offers a full, classic sit-down Italian experience with great portions without Midtown markups.

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The Bottom Line: Is It Overrated?

A little bit, yes. To be clear, Italian Trattoria is not a bad restaurant; in fact, the pasta and pizza were genuinely enjoyable. However, when a dinner reaches higher Midtown price brackets, I expect an experience that makes me want to plan a return trip.

If you are a tourist already walking around Times Square and want a convenient, reliable Italian meal with broad family appeal, Italian Trattoria is a safe and tasty option. But if you are local, or willing to ride the subway a few stops out of the tourist hub, you can find better value elsewhere in the city.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What was the best dish at Italian Trattoria?
The Spaghetti Alfredo with Chicken was the standout dish of the meal, thanks to its rich, well-balanced cream sauce and tender chicken.

Is Italian Trattoria good for families and groups?
Yes. The environment is casual, seating is efficient, and the menu offers broad crowd-pleasers like pizza, pasta, and fresh salads.

How does it compare to Italian food outside Midtown?
While the food quality is high, neighborhood Italian spots in boroughs like Queens offer comparable or better quality at significantly lower prices.

Do I need a reservation?
While walk-ins are common due to the quick service pace, stopping by during peak dinner hours near Times Square may involve a brief wait.