Lillo Cucina — Get This Pasta In Your Mouth

Lillo Cucina's Spaghetti alle Vongole. Photo from Instagram @Lillocucina

When you just need a plate of great pasta, you need Lillo Cucina.

It's a no-frills pasta shop. No booze. No BYOB. No bathroom. No credit cards. No problem. You show up, order, devour some of the best pasta NYC has to offer, and leave happy, with your pasta craving satisfied.

What to Expect at Lillo Cucina

The best part is most dishes hover around $15. In a city where $25-$30 is the norm for decent pasta, this place lets you keep some money in your pocket. You could easily blow the same amount at a fast food joint for a fraction of the flavor.

Lillo Cucina is small. Real small. Just six tables, and they don't take reservations. If you're not strategic about your timing, you'll probably be waiting. We slid in around 4:30 PM on a weekday and snagged the first table, but by the time we left, the place was full. I haven't experienced how busy it gets during prime time, but there are a couple of bars nearby to keep your thirst quenched if you have to wait.

You can probably guess that this place is not fancy, but the art on the walls is charming and feels familial. Lillo will probably be serving you himself. Sitting down, you'll get a well-worn menu, but remember to also scan the hand-scrawled specials taped to the wall. The Gricia (menu) and pink gnocchi (wall) pasta are a great place to start. Don't sleep on the Carciofi either—sauteed artichokes swimming in olive oil, perfect for dipping your bread afterward. They have other things on the menu like sandwiches, chicken, and fish, which I'm sure is tasty too, but the pasta is why you come here. Their tiramisu is supposed to be delicious, but we had no room left to even try it. Next time!

Wishing I Lived In Cobble Hill

If this place were any closer to me, I'd be here weekly, easy. Even if it's just to grab some food to go. Just a heads-up—Lillo Cucina closes at 8:30 PM, so no late dining. But the silver lining? That gives you plenty of time to stroll a block to The Long Island Bar and cap off the night with a killer martini. Or two. We don't judge.

Lillo Cucina doesn't need frills. It's all about simple, soul-satisfying pasta.

Verdict: Go

Address: 331 Henry St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Website: https://lillobrooklyn.com/