Babbo is a true NYC treasure nestled in Greenwich Village, where celebrity chef Mario Batali’s legacy lives on through authentic Italian cuisine that manages to be both rustic and refined. The restaurant occupies a charming townhouse that strikes the perfect balance between elegant and comfortable, making it ideal for both special occasions and elevated weeknight dinners.

The pasta is where Babbo truly shines – the beef cheek ravioli with crushed squab liver and black truffles has achieved cult status among NYC foodies for good reason. Their tasting menu is a journey through regional Italian flavors you won’t soon forget.

What makes Babbo stand out from the city’s crowded Italian scene is their commitment to serving unexpected parts of animals – sweetbreads, beef cheeks, lamb’s tongue – transformed into dishes so delicious they’ll convert even squeamish eaters.

The wine list is impressively extensive with Italian bottles you won’t find elsewhere, and the staff knows their stuff without being pretentious about it. While reservations can be notoriously difficult to snag (plan a month ahead), scoring a seat at the bar for walk-ins is a pro move where you’ll get the full menu and possibly the best service in the house. Worth every penny and every minute of planning.