Nestled in the heart of New York City, Puglia | Italian stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of traditional Italian hospitality. Located at 189 Hester Street, this establishment captures the vibrant spirit of Italy, offering a dining experience that feels both timeless and deeply personal. For those who wander through the bustling streets of the city, stepping into this space feels like a quiet transition into a world where culinary heritage is celebrated with every detail. The atmosphere is crafted to evoke the warmth of a family gathering, where the focus remains on the quality of ingredients and the joy of shared meals.
The philosophy behind the kitchen is rooted in simplicity and respect for authentic techniques. By prioritizing the natural flavors of high-quality produce, the chefs aim to honor the culinary traditions that have defined Italian cooking for generations. Whether you are a local resident or a visitor exploring the historic charm of the neighborhood, the restaurant provides a welcoming environment that encourages guests to slow down and savor the nuances of a well-prepared dish. It is a place where the history of the location meets the contemporary needs of diners who appreciate genuine, unpretentious food.
What Defines the Puglia Experience
Authentic Culinary Heritage: The menu is a curated reflection of classic Italian recipes, emphasizing the use of fresh, seasonal ingredients that bring out the true character of each dish. Every plate is prepared with a commitment to traditional methods, ensuring that the flavors remain honest and robust.
A Welcoming Atmosphere: The interior design and service style are centered around creating a comfortable, inviting space. It is designed to be a sanctuary from the fast-paced energy of New York, allowing guests to relax and engage in meaningful conversation over a meal.
Commitment to Quality: From the selection of pantry staples to the final presentation of each course, there is a rigorous attention to detail. This dedication ensures that every guest receives a consistent and high-quality experience, reflecting the restaurant's deep respect for the craft of cooking.
A Historic Neighborhood Setting: Situated on Hester Street, the restaurant benefits from the rich cultural tapestry of its surroundings. This location adds a layer of character to the dining experience, grounding the restaurant in the vibrant history of the area while maintaining a modern appeal.
A Destination for Connection
At its core, Puglia | Italian is more than just a place to eat; it is a venue for connection. The act of sharing a meal is a fundamental human experience, and the restaurant strives to provide the perfect backdrop for these moments. By fostering an environment that values both the food and the people who enjoy it, the establishment has carved out a unique identity within the competitive landscape of the city's dining scene. The staff takes pride in offering attentive service that enhances the overall experience without ever feeling intrusive, ensuring that guests feel truly cared for from the moment they arrive.
As you plan your visit to 189 Hester Street, expect an experience that prioritizes substance over spectacle. The focus remains steadfast on delivering a memorable meal that resonates with the palate and warms the spirit. Whether you are looking for a quiet corner for a conversation or a place to enjoy a classic Italian meal, the restaurant stands ready to provide a welcoming retreat. We invite you to join us and discover the simple, profound pleasures of Italian cooking, served with a dedication to quality that remains at the heart of everything we do. We look forward to welcoming you to our table and sharing the traditions that make our kitchen a special part of the neighborhood.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Delivery
Takeaway
Dine-in
Highlights
Great cocktails
Great coffee
Great dessert
Great wine list
Live music
Serves local specialty
Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining
Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Coffee
Comfort food
Private dining room
Small plates
Spirits
Wine
Dining options
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Catering
Dessert
Seating
Table service
Amenities
Toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Historic
Romantic
Trendy
Crowd
Groups
Tourists
Planning
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs
Parking
Difficult to find a space
Menus
Photos
Reviews Puglia | Italian
Erin Potter
20-06-2026
This is a fantastic restaurant! Went to Puglia's on Sunday January 18th for an early 5pm dinner with a group of 18 people. Made reservations about 6 weeks in advance. When we walked in 15 minutes early at 4:45 our tables were ready and the staff kindly welcomed us and sat us! Truly nice, efficient, and smart people are working there! (BTW - a little tip...eating before restaurants typically get busy can make life a lot easier if you have a group. It also means restaurants might be able to seat you a little early if you show up on a cold and snowy day like we did.)
We all enjoyed an amazing meal! We loved the garlic bread, salad, chicken marsala, chicken parm, and baked rigatoni that we had! I would go back to this restaurant in a minute if I didn't live in Miami! And next time I am in NYC I am going back!!
This place has been around for 107 years! That tells you they've been doing this right for a very long time!
Meal type
Dinner
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Noise level
Quiet, easy to talk
Devon Purnell
04-06-2026
One of the best restaurants I have ever been to! The atmosphere in the restaurant was amazing where we all sang Italian songs! More
Samson S
23-05-2026
Absolutely the best place in little Italy. Authentic food and experience. This place is a must try for family style or any occasion. The atmosphere alone is decadent and robust. The owner Joe is always around and takes care of you. They make you feel like family.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Eric Mullane
18-05-2026
Came here as part of a tour with a tour company and was very underwhelmed. There was not enough food served to the tables, and courses were too quick. Then the older man came out and gave a "rousing performance" for the restaurant, which is … More
Megan
08-05-2026
**GET THE HOUSE CALAMARI!!
Been going to Puglia since I was probably 10 years old and was able to celebrate my engagement here! It's a lively place with decent prices and I am never … More
Rosey Rodriguez
08-05-2026
Loud fun great entertainment food was good
Went on a thursday night week after valentine’s day so it wasnt packed. This place def good for group dining. Go for the experience
I didnt dare dance on the tables or chairs but it was fun to sing along.
Staff is very attentive w us. Loved it
Dinner: shared bruschetta, lasagna and chicken parm linguine (a lil surprised they didn’t give bread)
Drinks: Moscato wine and coffee
For dessert we shared chocolate cake w ice cream
Meal type
Dinner
Food: 4
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Reservation
Reservation required
Special events
Live music
Zitlali Ceron
05-05-2026
Delicious and affordable food! The spicy calamari was so tasty. Everything was chef’s kiss. Highly recommend checking this place out.
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
USD 50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Jackie sullivan
15-04-2026
Dancing on your chairs.. what more could you want? So much fun here and the food wasnt actually too bad considering the price! Such great value for money.. $65 for a lot of courses and unlimited beer or wine! Defo come with a big group for a birthday!
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
USD 50–100
Food: 5
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 5
John T
11-04-2026
Have been coming to Pugia's since 1987. Always a great time. Jorge & Debbie sing, the food is good, and Joey (the owner) always takes great care of us. Joey treats us like family. We lived in NYC for 18 years and Puglia's was our favorite place to eat. Don't forget to "Shake Your Napkin"!!!!! Hip Hip Jorge!! More
Jamie L
10-04-2026
Puglia has such a great vibe—super lively and perfect for group dinners. Great ambiance! We went with the prix fixe party menu for a group of 10, which included unlimited wine, beer, soda, and coffee served in pitchers and bottles for a … More
Meaghan Suhich
28-02-2026
The service here was so great. They fit us in despite having a big group reservation. It was my grandmas 90th and they were so nice and got the guy to sing happy birthday to her. It was very special for her and for that I am very appreciative. More
Veronica
25-02-2026
Absolutely a must go! The food was fantastic and the staff was amazing! The ambiance is so much fun! They start dancing and singing live around 7pm every night. Don’t waste time reading too many reviews, just go and have the experience, it’s worth it.
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
USD 50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Noise level
Loud, but you can still talk
Group size
Suitable for all group sizes
Recommendation for vegetarians
Somewhat recommend
Vegetarian offerings
Vegetarian menu or section
Parking space
Somewhat difficult to find parking
Parking options
Free street parking, Paid street parking
Dianna G
08-02-2026
We had a large group of traveling students from VA and I’m going to say, as a Native NYer, I so appreciated the ambiance and absolute deliciousness of this food. Garlic bread, salad, penne vodka, chicken parm, spaghetti and meatballs, and … More
Von Vaughan
03-01-2026
This was a phenomenal experience and prices were the best in town! Food was incredible and I would highly recommend. You may want to consider making reservations as they stay busy, especially with groups. More
Ashlyn Checketts
26-12-2025
I don’t usually leave reviews, but this place was too good not to share. We walked right on in and were seated almost immediately. Food was good, and the garlic bread was amazing. I got the rigatoni and it was great. The fried zucchini was like French fries, and the portions were big. I recommend this as a good place to eat.
Meal type
Other
Price per person
USD 20–30
Food: 5
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 5
Noise level
Moderate noise
Group size
Not sure
Laura Carter
15-12-2025
We had a private reservation for the entire restaurant. Each dish they brought out was amazing. The singing from Jorge was fantastic and such a good time. Salad was good. Spaghetti with meatballs was good chicken Parm was good. Definitely would recommend and go back.
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
USD 10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Reservation
Reservations recommended
Group size
9+ people, Suitable for all group sizes
Chris Mallozzi
05-12-2025
The waiters are nice and the atmosphere is cool with the family style tables and music. But the food is just okay and the performers come around with baskets insisting for tips, even if you have them one already.
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
USD 100+
Food: 2
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 5
Group size
3-4 people
korra dale
05-12-2025
Puglia serves very good food that's the highlight of the experience. Unfortunately, the service and atmosphere were both just average and didn't match the quality of the cuisine. Worth visiting for the food, but don't expect much from the setting or staff.
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
USD 20–30
Food: 4
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 3
Noise level
Very quiet
Wait time
10-30 min
Recommendation for vegetarians
Highly recommend
Vegetarian offerings
Not sure
Parking space
Plenty of parking
Parking options
Free parking lot, Paid street parking
Lisa Mazzini
03-12-2025
Be ready: you must like loud music and dancing, this is not a traditional restaurant! The food is good and abundant, spaghetti were well cooked, but I was hoping for more flavourful meatballs. Garlic bread was on point! More
Mike W
21-11-2025
Puglia was a fantastic restaurant and a great meal!
My wife and I wanted to eat in Little Italy during our trip, and Puglia sounded … More
Courtney Keyes
14-11-2025
I had such a blast for my friends birthday. There was tons of food: pasta, salad, bread, appetizers and unlimited red & white wine for $54 a person a very good deal. The wine is probably watered down lol! But the atmosphere felt like my … More
LaAm
11-11-2025
The lively ambience with live music made for a fun and festive evening. The service was attentive and friendly, adding to the great experience. We opted for the prix fixe menu, served family style, paired with wine, and every dish was excellent. The food was flavorful, well-prepared, and perfect for sharing. As a bonus, if you pay cash, you get a 5% discount, which was a nice perk. Highly recommend for a memorable night out with friends or family!
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
USD 50–100
Food: 5
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4
Recommendation for vegetarians
Highly recommend
Brittany Galloway
09-11-2025
Amazing!!!! Such good food. The absolute best lobster ravioli I've ever had. The garlic bread was wonderful. Great mozzarella sticks. The marinara sauce is so fresh, I wanted to drink it! Seriously a must if in NYC. More
Michelle Haley
03-11-2025
Every NYC trip we come to PUGLIA! We first heard about it back when we watched Theresa Caputo all the time, she RAVED about it. SO SO GOOD! More
Chinh Chinh
03-10-2025
Prices were great, portions are generous, even appetizers, food was delicious and enough to bring home leftovers. Dinner comes with some live music if that is your thing. The couple singing collect money table to table and are a little … More
Genna Aspres
18-09-2025
We chose Puglia to celebrate my boyfriend’s birthday and left extremely disappointed by the overall experience and management’s handling of basic expectations. … More
Terry McKenna
24-07-2025
We did a four day trip to New York and I have to say that this was the highlight of our trip. We just showed up and so ended up sitting outside but it didn't matter. The food was so good. We did the prefixed menu with wine for $52.95 and … More
Cristina Vasquez
03-07-2025
I have been coming here since I was a little girl. Lots of changes. Unfortunately we didn’t have reservations but they were able to give us a seat in the back. We arrived at 6:20pm on a Friday and was told we would have to leave by 7:45 … More
Brett Skipper
12-06-2025
Stopped in during the San Gennaro Festival. The place was hopping but they did a good job of keeping up with the food. We had ravioli, and spaghetti and meatballs. Both were good and featured a basic but tasty red sauce. If you are looking for sloppy red sauce Italian this place is a good bet. More
Jamie Exilus
18-05-2025
When visiting NYC , Puglia will be on my must stop list! The food was excellent! The entertainment and ambience was perfect ! Thank you Mia :) More
Reviews Puglia | Italian