Ortobello Restaurant Reviews

This was a wonderful place to have lunch! Ortobello! Doesn't that just sound Italian? It is! it's a city in Italy that the restaurant is named after! I had the wonderful authentic (to me) Spaghetti with real Parmesan cheese! The staff and restaurant were so nice for a casual sit down lunch. Very hearty and the food was so good. We had been walking all day seeing the sites when we stumbled across this restaurant. nice way to relax and enjoy the city. My friends ordered a manicotti type dish and were raving over it the rest of the trip! The waiters were right on the money. If they saw you needed anything, they were on it! Glad we came up on this gem. Couldn't have asked for better service.

Visited in May 2019 after a few beers and laughs on Coney Island. Was looking for Italian food, so we took the N a few stops to Bensonhurst and came across this little place. I had the Veal Parmigiana, wife had Pollo Marsala, with tiramisu and tartufo for dessert. Walked out of there STUFFED. Best meal we had during our week in the city, hands down. Will make a special case of coming here again on our next trip.

I became a customer of ortobello’s over the summer. I used to travel to the Bronx to Arthur ave for Italian food but no longer will. Ortobello’s is hands down the best Italian food in the city. Very large portions which are to die for. House wine very good. Price is extremely reasonable. Family oriented. Small space but they do a lot in the kitchen. Have dined 5 Times since and will continue to do so! Buon appetite!

My friend recommended this restaurant and usually they have good taste . I was not impressed however it was not the worst middle of the road .

Step back into old Brooklyn, excellent neighborhood joint. No pretense, just very good food. Large portions, on first visit had Shrimp franchese and Chicken Franchese, both excellent. Next trip had Sole Franchese and Eggplant Pharm. Again, both excellent, WAAAY TOO MUCH FOOD. This time had Caesar salad ( real McCoy) and eggplant parmigiana and shared it all. Worked perfectly. Had their Italian Cheesecake each time. Made in-house, perfect. Definitely worth a try.

It was my first time eating at ortobello and it was delicious would highly recommend going there fresh homemade Italian food and big portions..

This place hasn't changed since the 70s. It's a small place that you'd never notice and walk by everyday. But it is probably the best prepared italian food in Brooklyn, Small venue but fantastic atmosphere.

Ive lived my entire life in Brooklyn. Never heard of Orto Bello until recently. We went wit friends on a Thursday night. Small and unassuming place but the food was delicious. Baked clams and fried calamari to start. A wonderful Caesar salad. All were large enough to share. Mains were linguine with white clam sauce, eggplant rollatini. The wine list thrilled my husband. Dessert was Italian cheese cake, moist and delicious. Cappuccino looked fabulous, topped with whipped cream. Service with Roberto and Andy, the owner, was so attentive. It was our first time there but it surely won’t be our last.

I had no expectations, but when i left Ortobello I was a true fan...and very full. Great old school, family style Italian restaurant. We shared a bunch of dishes...each one was fabulous.

This is a hidden gem in Brooklyn. Food is great. Portions are ridiculously huge. Plan on sharing. The salad with the homemade dressing is yummy.

Service was excellent, Food terrific. Mussels outstanding. Feels like you are at a family gathering. Good people, good food.

Great Italian food in a small restaurant, all food homemade by the owner. Who could ask for more great food good wine and a homey feeling

Our friends spoke of this restaurant for many years and finally took us there. All I can say is that is is everything they spoke of and more. Amazingly great food, pleasant servers and an old school Italian atmosphere that will bring you home. Large, delicious portions of Italian Classics. The dining room is small and fills up fast, so reservations are recommended. For the fair weather there is outside dining too. We shared appetizers, entrees, desserts and coffees. I won't even recommend dishes because I want to return and try more of their menu. Highly recommended.

Good food and for that The cockiness is intense !!!! So in the past we make reservations when we have shown up wait time is an hour !! Ok so why make a reservation? Now my wife and I show up with our 2 young kids ready to enjoy Sunday dinner at our GReAT spot .... think again the cold hearted guy at the door apologizing there is no more tables for the evening so in the future just make reservations? My wife explain his reply well Sorry with a smile no type of accommodation , as i look to the side 4 chairs easy set up you think NOpe .. come back next time Wow !!!! To think we gave this place service from the Beginning of covid !!!!! Talk about old school ItALIaN !!! Wheres the hospitality the costumer service !!! To think the neighborhood grew up on this food , scratch that place off the list BUt who CAReS !!! Thats the attitude that was given

This is one the best restaurants I ever went to. The atmosphere makes you feel like you are at home. Huge portions! Excellent service, authentic Italian food, amazing portions & great wine.

What a surprise to find this lovely Italian Restaurant in Brooklyn. We were a large party and they were kind enough to hold a reservation for 12 of us. The place is small but very cozy and is run by a local family. They were so accommodating to our needs. The food was delicious and plentiful, I felt like we were in someone dining room. Thank you for a delicious meal.

This place came highly recommended from some people in my inner circle of foodies. Most portions are family style which would have been nice if the waiter told us. I tasted most of the dishes at my table and there was about 7 of us. The one dish that was actually very good was the manicotti and it was also a huge portion. My shrimp scampi was not that great. The sauce did not have me impatient for my next bite like a good scampi would, The service was pretty bad. The stuffed mushrooms came smothered in red sauce and were horrible. The fresh mozzarell w peppers and the reduced balsamic glaze was very good!

I wish there was a 'very' average choice for overall rating. The appetizers were ok. The veal entrees we had were incredibly bland. The entrees took almost 45 minutes to be served and there were only three other tables occupied in the restaurant. I have lived in Brooklyn for twenty years and have eaten at many of the classic old school Italian restaurants. This one is far down on my list.

Has dinner with my fiancée here on New Years Eve. Haven't been here in 15-20 years. Was pleasantly surprised. Food was delicious! HUGE portions. Nice home style atmosphere. I highly recommend! Only 2 blocks from the N train. Check it out!

Family owned and operated, great food at reasonable prices.

Dinner at Ortobello is like stepping into a time machine. This is a real authentic old fashioned family-run restaurant, like when I was a kid growing up in South Brooklyn. The portions are huge, the flavors are very traditional and delicious, and the whole experience was ultimately satisfying. We were 2 couples out for a Friday night dinner, and each dish was cooked well, served hot, and generally too much food... but we ate it anyway, that's how good it was. Artichoke app was one of the best we've had anywhere, the veal and chicken Parmigiana were both pounded thin, fried perfectly (still crisp under the sauce). And that sauce! Super tasty red sauce here, the kind they can only dream about at Olive Garden;) Flounder Marechiara was also huge, and the filet was liberally covered with mussels, clams etc. Espresso served in an ancient looking stove-top pot like your grandmother used, steaming black and delicious. Give this place a try!

Stuffed mushrooms, shrimp parmigiana, veal parmigiana and tiramisu to go via Grubhub. Everything was fantastic!! Would like to go back and dine in restaurant properly with my wife. Chicken Sorrento right up my alley for next time.

If you want a real NY Italian experience go to this restaurant. We were staying near Wall Street but the metro made it easy to get there. We had called earlier in the day to make a reservation and the woman said walk ins only. we got there around 5:20pm on Saturday and it was just starting to pick up. I had eggplant parmesan and it was delicious. After a while I was picking off the top half with the cheese because I knew I wouldn't finish it. The owner (blonde older lady) came over and when I explained she gathered the rest of my plate, put it in a tin go container and melted more cheese on top! That's great service. Also a family was eating across the walkway from us and when we pointed over to ask what they were eating the guy sent a plate of it over to us. It was a cheese stuffed Italian bread with a zesty garlic sauce on top. Also delicious but we had to sit for a few minutes and digest before we could walk out. Very good meals and huge portion sizes. Beware though the restaurant is tiny so you may have to wait for a table. Totally worth it!

This family run restaurant features specials and fine Italian dishes. Also a four course menu that is excellent. Very good sauces for all dishes. Staff aims to please and wants you to enjoy and feel welcome. It's all good food. House wine is good as is the Italian cheese cake.

The pasta is delicious here. I had the Alfredo which was probably the second best I've ever had. The penne vodka was not my favorite vodka sauce I've ever had but still good. The staff was very charming and helpful. They've been there for years. The only downside to the restaurant and reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because it is very small on the inside. I highly recommend if you are just in the mood for great pasta without all the Jazz on the decor.

We visited friends who are Brooklyn natives and asked them to take us to an "authentic" neighborhood Italian restaurant. Ortobello could not have been better. The menu is about as traditional as can be, and everything was superbly prepared--and LARGE servings, so anticipate leftovers. The staff was jovial and prompt. They made us out-of-towners feel right at home. We only wish there were places like this where we live.

Ortobello is one of those places you've passed by a hundred times on your way to somewhere else. One day I decided to take my wife there and see what it was like. This is one of those neighborhood places that's been there forever, and with good reason. We were warmly greeted when we came in and seated immediately. My wife started off with what she says is the best Caesar Salad she'd had. I had the baked clams that were so fresh they couldn't have been out of the water more than an hour. For the main course, my wife had the Pollo Piccata. It was so tender she didn't have to use her knife! I had the Cotoletta (Veal) Parmigiana, which was equally tender and had an absolutely obscene amount of cheese on it. The sauce was so good we had to take a quart home with us. As for the portions...be hungry when you get here...very hungry. I would have given this place 5 stars if they took credit cards, but it's strictly cash, but it's definitely worth it.

Close to the best red sauce I've had. Thinking Carolina's in Coney Island all those years ago!!!! Cozy, intimate and friendly.

My favorite restaurant in Brooklyn! Best kept secret! Tons of food, great prices, and warm atmosphere.

On my first trip back to Brooklyn in 64 years had asked my cousin to find us a really good Italian restaurant for us to eat a meal . Did he ever find a great place. Hugh menu ,many choices plus a special board. Wish we had a month to stay, not sure we would have been able to try them all.Service. was fast an very friendly.Would go back in a heartbeat.

First time here. Old School Southern Italian cooking. My wife and I ordered from the Fixed Price Menu so we could get a good sense of the food. The courses were all Very Good/Excellent (except for one). As an example of Very Good/Excellent, for my entree I ordered the Veal Parmigana with Spaghetti. It was high quality, fresh, and cooked perfectly, tender Veal, crisp breading, quality Spaghetti and a very good, light tomato sauce. The only dish that was just Good was the Stuffed Mushrooms. The stuffing was a bit soggy. Service was Very Good. Setting is simple with just 40 seats. The owner sat in the back, making sure everything was just right. If you are into Old School Southern Italian, Ortobello is definitely worth a try.

This is a local, well established Italian restaurant that has been open for many years. We had made reservations and were warmly greeted and promptly seated. We did not realize, however, that it was Cash Only, but were advised that an ATM was three doors down so we accessed that to get cash. The menu was large and several specials were offered as well. We started with a large pour of house red wine, very reasonably priced. Shared mussels starter, shrimp with pasta in vodka sauce, and veal francese. Portions were large and the food was excellent. Parking is on the street, sometimes you have to hunt for a spot. Highly recommend!

Bring a appetite, you will need it. Dishes I have never seen before. Old Italian flare, lots of fresh bread and vast varieties of dishes and fantastic flavor

I and myself went to Ortobello for the first time two weeks ago. The restaurant is small, however, the service is good and the food is even better. Great food Andy!!!

I have driven passed this little corner restaurant hundreds of times, over the years, and never thought to try it. Its faded sign always seemed like an bad omen. Well, what a delicious surprise I had last night! My friend said he would like Italian food and I thought of finally trying it out. When you walk in it feels as though you have entered into another time zone; white linen tablecloths and napkins on all the tables and 'Mama' seats you while you are taken care of two real Italian waiters. The food turned out to be the biggest surprise of all. Despite the enormous menu, everything we had and saw around us came out of the kitchen looking and tasting delicious. It is a casual, neighborhood restaurant with people chatting between tables about good their food is. It is mainly, but not all, a red sauce place. But such delicious food! Caution: a bit pricey for the location.

All food home made while you wait. Mussels are outstanding. Family run and quality abounds. Option to order as you like or a soup thru dessert option that is phenomenal. Veal, eggplant or seafood all choices are first rate. Daily specials available. Very good house wine reasonably priced and recommended.The food is worth the wait. Service excellent.