I arrived at Cacio E Pepe about 20 minutes early for a 7:30 reservation this last Tuesday. Upon entry, we were asked where we wanted to sit we had no preference so we sat right in the front somewhat between indoor and outdoor seating. At some point I had gone to the bathroom where I discovered there was an outdoor garden-esque backyard. This somewhat irritated me bc it was clear that we had never been there and this seating would have been my presence had it been offered. Side walking seating is great but at that time of night gnats came out and landed in our wine. This would have been less likely had we been in the back. The service was quick and relatively attentive. We came solely for their prize dish the Cacio e Pepe. It arrived at the table shortly after our order was placed. The table presentation was nothing to rave over. It was a few quick tosses then boom it was on my plate with a few additional grated shavings of Parmesan. The dish itself is good but absolutely nothing to rave about. One thing I must say however, is that each of my neighboring tables including myself complained to the waiter about the overwhelming amount of uncracked pepper in the dish. It was quite an annoyance. I was constantly picking out small balls of black pepper. Do not get me wrong, I like black pepper. This was just excessive. The waiter did not apologize or show any care to any of our remarks(I was not looking for any comps, but at least acknowledge what minimum 3 tables are saying). The wine list is quite limited. When our drink orders were being placed I asked for the house cab, sadly the only cab was $ 90. For dessert we ordered tiramisu; it was tasty, a bit more whip cream textured than my preference but none the less good.
J V.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Sunset Park, Brooklyn, NY
I give this place 5 stars because *the customer service is excellent *the restaurant is authentic Italian cuisine *the ambience is like a sweet escape to Rome within the city * their signature dish pasta tossed in a wheel of cheese, along with their meatball antipasto, and chicken roll with delicious prosciutto gives a new spin to comfort food * and finally lets not forget their dessert the tiramisu OHMYGOD! Amazing! Over all this restaurant is Molto Buono, I will definitely be back.
Eleonora M.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Chula Vista, CA
Great food and great ambiance! I loved my cacio e pepe pasta, it has been twirled in a block of cheese in front of me before being served in my plate. Definitely something unique! Pasta was cooked perfectly al dente! I loved how the owner Salvatore treated us, showing off the best of italian hospitality! Highly recommended to anyone who loves italian food… Wait who doesn’t!!!
Frank M.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Jersey City, NJ
Delizioso! From the service to the food this place is the perfect spot for a romantic night out!
Sabrina S.
Rating des Ortes: 2 New York, NY
Food was flavorful BUT very small portions. Not worth the price! Service is horrible-waiters walk in your way. WARNING: cash only & they don’t tell you about the patio in the back which is beautiful. Hot as balls in the resturant. Don’t be fooled by the cheese wheel… looks amazing but tastes ehh.
Cherish H.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Haverstraw, NY
First things first, cash and Amex only. As some reviews state, they don’t tell you this until you receive the bill! I want to love this place, I mean hello they toss your pasta in a huge parm wheel! Food is pretty solid, service is not what I would expect from a restaurant that does this well in the city. We had reservations for 9pm, showed up at 846pm. I don’t mind waiting but I do mind when walk-ins and those checking in after us are seated before us. Three other parties were seated before us, for no apparent good reason. When we received our food, staff were all friendly, but one dish was severely undercooked. I’m talking about slightly crunchy noodles, so chewy that you looked like a cow chewing cud. When we asked the waiter, he argued with us saying that that was how they cooked their pasta. He even took a knife and cut a piece, saying it was al dente. I think I know what al dente is, and even if I didn’t, why are you arguing with a customer? We weren’t rude, didn’t even ask to take it back, didn’t ask to take it off the bill(they didn’t btw), just wanted to let him know. After that incident I basically lost my appetite, and the waiter turned from sweet to sour in 2 seconds, talk about a reverse sour patch kid. On a good note, the pork belly was a hit– very tender and flavorful. The house dish cacio e Pepe was tasty, super peppery, but not worth the insulting service we received. To be honest, I was disappointed and it was my mom’s birthday, so that was even worse! Yummilicious factor = B
Pam H.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Brooklyn, NY
We came here after hearing rave reviews of their Cacio E Pepe dish and after 3 other restaurants we tried going to be failed because of their long waits. This restaurant is quite charming upon entering, it had a very warm, homey and welcoming feel. Of course we had to get at least one order of the Cacio E Pepe(even though we were tempted to order multiples!). We also got an order of the fettuccine with red beet purée and gorgonzola fondue. Admittedly, I was looking forward to gobbling up the cacio e pepe more, but the tides turned after tasting both dishes. — cacio e pepe: it wasn’t a bad dish, but it seemed pretty average. The gimmick of serving your cacio e pepe from a fresh wheel of cheese is great, but the taste didn’t continue to deliver from its strong start. The flavor seemed to be a bit flat and one-toned for me. — fettuccine with red beet purée and gorgonzola fondue: It was a much more tasty and interesting dish. I like the contrast of the sweet beet sauce on the pasta with the salty gorgonzola that surrounds the mound of pasta. I wanted to like this place more.
Isabel L.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Queens, NY
After spending a semester in Rome, I’ve been seeking to find a spot in New York that makes cacio e pepe. I was excited to stumble upon a restaurant actually called«Cacio E Pepe.» The menu is pretty pricey and the portions aren’t that big. It definitely reminded me of my restaurant experiences in Italy. However, it did satisfy the craving! The novelty of the cheese-wheel was also really cool.
I L.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Manhattan, NY
I came to Cacio to seek out cacio e pepe — I’ve always loved the simplicity of this dish — nothing but pasta and peppers. It’s straightforward, headstrong and light on the pretence. Made fresh from a bowl of cheese, the cacio from this place is heavy on the cheese. It doesn’t prevent the pepper from coming out ahead though and taking the reign as it should. I practically devoured my plate of pasta in under 5 minutes. My partner had the Bucatini Pasta with Guanciale in tomato sauce, which I found ok. Love the little cozy wooden décor and the general sexiness of a typical LES Italian restaurant. Would definitely come back sometime.
Katherine A.
Rating des Ortes: 5 New York, NY
There is just something about Cacio e Pepe. It’s got that ‘feel good factor.’ Everytime I eat at this charming and cozy spot in the East Village, I’m in sheer awe of how incredible everything is. From the food to the service, this place is really memorable. Yes, it is cash and Amex only… But there’s an ATMINSIDE and a few on the same block.(and for those who are giving this place 2 – 3 stars for that reason alone… it is mentioned on the menu and website) You will have the option to be seated inside or in their gorgeous outdoor garden equipped with twinkling lights(if weather is cooperative). When I went here for the first time, I sat outside and was truly amazed. You feel as if you are miles and miles away from the city. There was another party sitting in the garden and they were all speaking fluent Italian to one another(and the waiter). So, if that doesn’t make you want to go to this place(where real Italians go to eat) then I don’t know how to convince you to come here… But I can give you a few more reasons. Wherever you decide to sit, you will feel an immediate sense of coziness. With a music playlist of The Beatles, Billy Joel, Elton John and Fleetwood Mac, how can you not feel coziness? However, you may also experience shock — the good kind, as there is plenty of space between tables, something that is sooooo hard to find in Manhattan. The pleasant service is really just the cherry on top to a lovely meal. The staff is warm and friendly; they are willing to suggest the perfect wine to pair with your meal and will throw in some Italian phrases just to enhance the«I’m actually in Italy not the East Village» effect. The true STAR of Cacio e Pepe is their signature namesake dish, cacio e pepe. It’s served in a massive pecorino romano cheese wheel — YUM! But aside from that dish(which you HAVETOORDER), the menu always features an array of classic Italian dishes. The executive chef Salvatore Corea creates his menu based on what is in season. Visit Cacio e Pepe in the summer and the focus will be on dishes that highlight tomatoes, including a chilled tomato soup — I wanted to lick the bowl clean, it was that good. Stop in during the colder months and try chicken rolled with prosciutto and mushrooms in a truffle sauce with roasted potatoes and broccoli rabe. Just order anything and everything. You can thank me later.
LIYA B.
Rating des Ortes: 3 New York, NY
This place is located in a very convenient location near 14th street. They are known for their famous pasta in a giant cheese wheel. It’s a pretty awesome gimmick for pasta. Cheese please! If you’re coming here you have to order the special. It was really good but not amazing. It wasn’t as cheesy as I would have liked it. It was a bit mild in flavor and tasted similar to something I could have made myself. But still tasty. If you’re ordering this dish, tell them to leave out the peppercorns and use freshly ground pepper instead. You’ll thank me!
Colleen D.
Rating des Ortes: 5 New York, NY
I love this place. Eaten here quite a few times and it’s always consistently good. The Tonnarelli is twirled in a pecorino cheese rind table side. The rest of the menu changes seasonally. Really can’t go wrong with anything here. Wine selection is always consistently good as well. During warmer months, they have a nice patio in the back as well as outdoor seating in the front. Food: faves are the Tonnarelli, the beet Fettucine(when they have it in season), Tuna salad, and the Baccala.
Josh S.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Oviedo, FL
Great spot. Wife and I stopped in more for nostalgia reasons. We had tried cacio e Pepe while in Rome and thought we’d try the name sake here in NYC. Although there is no affiliation this place is right out of Rome. Great wine selection and pasta was prepared well and tasted great. Cacio e Pepe was prepared perfectly. Al dente and peppered perfectly. First time I’ve seen it delivered in a cheese wheel but cool presentation. I had the bucatini in red sauce and it was very good. Red sauce had a great flavor and noodles were perfect. A bit more cooked than the Cacio e Pepe which is what you want for a bucatini noodle. Highly recommend. But remember cash or Amex only… for whatever reason.
Naomi Z.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Manhattan, NY
Cacio e Pepe was all around GREAT! Went last week with my aunt and cousin & we all had a wonderful time for dinner. The waiter was very nice and kept an eye on us throughout the meal. All 3 of us had the signature dish — Cacio e Pepe and it was obviously amazing. The fact that a wheel of cheese is brought to your table side is cool. Throw in the fact that they also toss pasta & peppercorns in it makes it a dish to remember! It was delicious. For what it’s worth, the peppercorns are whole which some people may find slightly overbearing. I will definitely go back with people visiting but anyone who lives here quolls love the experience!
Gricelda P.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Bedford, TX
So this is what you do: –You walk in –Order the Tonnarelli cacio e pepe –Stuff your face You are welcome! Sure, the restaurant is a cute little place in the East Village, the staff is friendly Blah Blah Blah. The reality is: They bring a MEGAWHEELOFCHEESE to your table to toss the pasta! What else can I say? Don’t waste your time, just order that dish. Seriously! I don’t know what else to tell you.
Cori S.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Houston, TX
Loved this place! I was looking for somewhere with lots of pasta, and this was definitely the best place. Ordered 3 dishes to share and an appetizer. We started with the meatballs which were delicious, but the order only came with 3, so if you’re a group of 3 go for it. We also went for the pasta with pesto and the delicious one that comes in a huge bowl of cheese. They mix it up for you and the cheese melts into the pasta and it’s just… cheesy. SO good. Also went for the gnocchi which was perfect. Definitely recommend for a pasta/carb lover. Keep in mind that this place is cash only, so plan to bring cash or Venmo some $$ over to your friend!
April P.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Manhattan, NY
Just stopped here for a quick bite. I had the beef carpaccio and it was delicious ! The waiter was very friendly as well. A little pricey but a good place for date night.
Alyson F.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Houston, TX
OFFTHECHAIN Prepare to have your mind blown. Just so everyone’s prepared because I thought this was a Parmesan wheel it is actually Romano cheese. Who cares it’s still ridiculously good prepare for the best experience. The arugula salad with pear and Shaved pecorino. Amazing place!
Sherry H.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Philadelphia, PA
Came here for dinner with a group of 5 after it was recommended to me by a friend. We ordered 3 appetizers and 3 orders of tonnarelli cacio e pepe(just bc that’s what my friend said to get… so we all decided we wanted it), and it was just enough for everyone to feel satisfied: MEATBALLSINTOMATOSAUCE&BASIL //came with 3 medium sized meatballs(1-inch?) in a large pool of tomato sauce. it was pretty meh, nothing special, but the sauce was a nice accompaniment to our unlimited bread GORGONZOLACREMEBRULEE //definitely a really innovative appetizer. the gorgonzola really did work well as a crème brûlée — it didn’t have that solid texture of crème brûlée; it was more just like melted cheese, which really worked well against the balsamic gelato and bruschetta. Wish we were given more bruschetta chips though TOMATOSALAD W PEACHES, WATERMELON, ETC //I love summer salads, so nothing bad to say about this… except it’s really only enough to feed two TONNARELLICACIO E PEPE //the signature dish that basically everyone has to get, the one that they mix around in a parmesan wheel before getting, the one that we were all dying in anticipation to try, and ultimately, a pasta dish that we were pretty underwhelmed by. The pasta itself was well made, but it didn’t really have a wow factor, and the sauce was really just butter and parmesan… and then whenever i accidentally took a bite of the peppercorn, but mouth was out of commission for the next few minutes. Cool concept, but maybe not the best delivery?
Kevin M.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Princeton, NJ
Very simply put, this place gets 5 stars for presentation and atmosphere and 4 stars for food. Usually the excitement leading up to a meal is from the perception of what it will taste like. When I sat down in Cacio e Pepe and noticed that table next to me had a dish that had the waiter tossing the pasta in a bowl made out of pecorino cheese, my jaw dropped. I then got a strong recommendation of the dish from a friend I was eating with, so it was then a no brainer. The Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe(as the dish is called) is as delicious as it sounds. Pasta tossed in Pecorino cheese and topped with fresh black pepper. Truly a great sight and a delicious meal. I will say however, the dish was slightly too cheesy. In some cases there were clumps of cheese in each bite, which was a bit overpowering… Otherwise it was great. Restaurant provides a very intimate environment. It’s small, has an authentic Italian vibe and even has a garden in the back for dining. Overall a great restaurant that I’ll be back to.