Cara Mia restaurant is a neighborhood treasure in the Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan. Minutes from Times Square, locals and tourists alike flock to this Italian trattoria which features delicious homemade pastas, fresh meats and seafood, as well as an extensive wine list. Cara Mia's cozy and intimate atmosphere are the perfect location for a romantic dinner.
"Have eaten here several times. The food is well-prepared and flavorful basic Italian. The Puttanesca was good with al dente penne and the salads are fresh. It's a tiny restaurant and almost always packed, especially on weekends, so it's not the place for people who don't like tables crowded close together. But it's a very good, and reasonably-price neighborhood Italian and great for pre-theatre dining."
Dined on 6/15/2013
2012
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"We ate at Cara Mia prior to going to a Broadway show. The atmosphere was great. Small, but very quaint. The doors to the restaurant were open, and it was nice to people watch while enjoying dinner. The food was great as was the service. We would definitely go again."
Dined on 6/13/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"I have been here numerous times and I have never been disappointed. I have brought many guests ranging from business contacts to little kids. Never a problem."
Dined on 6/11/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, romantic, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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"I really enjoyed dining at Cara Mia, the food was fantastic and the prices were reasonable. The servers were attentive, friendly, and very helpful with suggestions for wine and dishes.
The stuffed mushrooms appetizer was delicious, I wish I had the recipe to make them at home! They also let me revise the homemade pappardelle dish to be bolognese instead of with mushrooms, it was perfect.
I was there for a business dinner but would go again with friends or on a date."
Dined on 6/10/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, notable wine list
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"We were well treated and the food was very good.It rained torrentially the entire day so our party of 4 were among the few people in the restaurant for lunch. We would certainly try it again and ,based on our experience, recommend it to friends"
Dined on 6/07/2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for lunch
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"Attentive staff, receptive to requests. Enjoyed the variety of food selections and look forward to returning to try more items on the menu. Very reasonably priced for the quality and location and overall experience."
Dined on 6/01/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Always crowded, always delicious! Tables are veryclose together, but that adds to its character. But don't go there if you want to have a private conversation :) Reasonable prices for entrees, but Caesar salad is a bit small for its price. Always have had a good experience there."
Dined on 6/01/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, late-night find, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Cara Mia is one of our favorite restaurants in the 'Hells Kitchen' area of manhattan. Whenever we get the opportunity to dine there we absolutely take advantage of it - and we're never disappointed!!! Grazie!"
Dined on 6/01/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"The pasta at Cara Mia is OUTSTANDING! When you want great homemade Italian food, this is the place. My thirteen year old daughter insists on Cara Mia whenever we are in the city. I am more than happy to oblige."
Dined on 6/01/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, kid-friendly
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"Cara Mia is our favorite pre-theatre dining experience with great food, good wine selection, reasonable prices and convenient location to all on Broadway shows. Not a location for groups of more than 4 people. Always offer some unique seafood, pasta and veal/lamb specials and the service is efficient and polite. Reservations for pre-Theatre recommended, especially on Friday and Saturday nights."
Dined on 5/29/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"I got the name of this restaurant from a friend at work. With the price fix menu, it was actually cheaper than going to Ruby Tuesdays (which we had for lunch). Take that for a moment. Food was excellent. The only reason I gave 4 out of 5 stars was for the limited selection of dessert choices included with the price fix. Two options was a little sparse in my book. This is a smaller restaurant, so be prepared to be a little squished, but soooo worth it!"
Dined on 5/26/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Tight quarters and a high noise level did not prevent us from enjoying the food here. With stuffed mushrooms and buffala and tomatoes for an appetizer we realized that the portions at this pre/post theater hot spot were plentiful. For our entre's we dined on tender and flavorful eggplant parmegian and a delicious polo toscano which was filled with an ample amount of tender chicken, sausage, peppers, sundried tomatoes, kalamata olives and a nicely seasoned brown gravy. Roasted potatoes and broccoli accompanied the chicken. The broccoli was a bit overcooked. We finished with delicious coffee and an interesting take on a profitarol.
We overlooked the cramped feel and noise level and enjoyed the flavors and preparation of a tasty meal."
Dined on 5/25/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"My husband took me here for my 30th birthday and it was so yummy that I took my best friend for his birthday 2 days later! On Saturday night is was crazy crowded and slightly uncomfortable. On Monday night, it was quiet and lovely. The boar was AMAZING! Will be back!"
Dined on 1/30/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, special occasion
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"Was really surprised and pleased at how delicious the food was considering how moderately priced the place is. My pasta dish , which was one of the evenings specials was truly " special" . Staff was excellent, helpful and made excellent recommendations. If you are in the neighborhood it is a definite must."
Dined on 5/20/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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"We got held up in traffic but they held our reservation ( we had play tickets) they were very nice, our food was wonderful, our only complaint was the very very limited beer menu, sometimes you just want a cold domestic beer."
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"We were recommended to eat here by a friend who lives in Manhattan (we live in Sausalito CA). Great place. Very accommodating, we arrived 40 mins early and were seated right away. The staff are very attentive, seem to anticipate when we needed more bread, oil etc. The endive salad was fresh and so were the walnuts. I had the veal scaloppini - wonderful, tender and a sauce that melted in my mouth. My partner had the chicken with tiny tomatoes, exquisite. The wine list is wonderful and sensibly priced. We were never rushed and will revisit the next time were are in NY"
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: late-night find, neighborhood gem
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"Really lovely experience every time we go. Perfect after the theater, so friendly, accommodating and great food and people and atmosphere. When in the city it is a favorite for me and also for my family when they join me. Always feel welcome and well treated to good food."
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch
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"The staff were incredibly nice. We had a big group with a baby and they were really nice and accommodating the entire time. I would definitely come back. And the food was delicious!"
Dined on 5/17/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, romantic, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, kid-friendly
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"We were a table of 7. Unfortunately, this restaurant has no round tables only has long tables. It was hard to converse and the noise level was quite loud. Had a hard time understanding the waiter who was reciting the evening's specials. Food was nicely presented and very tasty. Everyone enjoyed their meal from Salmon to pasta. Good salads."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"The food was good. Portions are great. However my girl friend had clams and it still had sand in it. That was a big turn off. The service was great. The food was good."
Dined on 5/10/2013
Special Features: notable wine list
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"I've been to Cara Mia several times and have always been pleased with my dining experience. This time I brought my two daughters, one who's visiting from Oregon. They ordered pasta and I had the grilled branzino. We also drank some excellent rose. The servers were all attentive at the appropriate times and I like the casual and quaint atmosphere. I recommend Cara Mia for some satisfying Italian cuisine."
Dined on 5/07/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, neighborhood gem
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"We found Cara Mia through OpenTable during our recent trip to Mid-town and had a wonderful meal there. 3 different entrees were all good and great service. Nice small location for a meal with convenience of H*ll's Kitchen. I would go back again."
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"Dining ata cara Mia was a great start to our girls theatre night out. The food was wonderfully delicious. Our second time there and will dine there again."
Dined on 4/30/2013
Special Features: romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Cara Mia is conveniently situated for a delicious dinner followed by that dash to your theater (at least that's the way we do it) Great service, excellent caesar salad and homemade pasta that is exceptional."
Dined on 5/01/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"Ate at Cara Mia before a 7:30 show. Arrived late and thanks to prompt service was still able to make curtain time. Nice ambiance and good pricing for NYC. Have been there before and would certainly go back."
Dined on 5/01/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"I booked this restaurant on a whim, based on some good reviews. To be honest, we just needed a good, reliable place to eat before seeing a show. I guess I went in with low expectations, which were quickly exceeded. Great service, great food, and a decent, intimate atmosphere.
Noise levels were extremely high, but this is NYC on a Saturday evening. Delicious food - would highly recommend, and wouldn't hesitate coming back next time I'm in town."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2013
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"Small restaurant, but the problem is they pack too many tables in the small space. Very tight with the diner sitting behind me and the diners to our side we had three inch separation between the tables. Not good for private conversations."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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"Terrific food, excellent service. Noise in the restaurant was off the charts, could barely hear yourself speak. Not the place for a first date or a romantic evening, but great food!"
Dined on 04/27/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"I went at 3 PM with a friend, it was a late lunch and we had the place all to ourselves. The staff is friendly. The decor is tasteful, but I wouldn't call it romantic.
The style of the food isn't necessarily for everyone. My friend didn't enjoy his all that much, I loved mine, but I can understand why he didn't like his. It's very old-world Italian - it isn't a spaghetti and meatballs kind of place."
Dined on 04/18/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for lunch
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"My only complaint is that when my companion asked for a refill on the cup of coffee she was told that they did not offer refills. I couldn't believe my ears. I have never heard of that one. Kind of turned me off. I am a tea drinker and just today was offered more hot water and a fresh tea bag at no charge at a local restaurant. I guess I would go back but definitely did not leave a good feeling."
Dined on 04/21/2013
2013
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"Have eaten here before Food is OK I ordered Prix Fixed when food came out portion size was half that of regular size salad & entree. A rip off..Air conditioning was blowing right on us. We asked waiter if he could urn it down & he flatly told us "No". They will not see me again"
Dined on 04/14/2013
2007
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"there were four of us dining; every course came out wrong, from the main dish to dessert to wrong coffees. the pear in the pear salad was to hard to cut, the bread stale and the broccoli undercooked. also very noisy, asked for more water, empty wine glasses left on table..."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2011
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"Second visit: We were counting down the days till the reservation after a great first experience. I don't know if the ownership/management has changed, but their goal was to get us in and out as fast as possible. The moment we finished the last bite of our appetizer, the plate was grabbed away and our entrees were put in front of us. This is unusual for any restaurant, but especially at an Italian restaurant. To make things worse, we never saw our waiter after ordering at the beginning. No interest in seeing if we needed more wine, or anything. My girlfriend's meal was completely flavorless and bland, no salt in the pasta water or the sauce. My meal, the same I had the first visit, was disappointing this time. We will not be returning."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2011
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"Cara Mia continues to be moderately priced and well placed for theater goers. The service is "in your face" a bit before theater, but that is probably necessary because it is always full. The food is good, not great. But overall it is good value and consistently so."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2007
Special Features: good for groups
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"I took my friend here for her birthday last week because it got good reviews. We ordered from the price-fixe dinner menu ($25.95 pp), which included a salad, entree and dessert, although the choices were limited. The portions were ridiculously small. A few pieces of spring mix for the salad and the tarimisu was cut so small it resembled a very small brownie. The plate they served it on was four times the size of the dessert. The food was good, although my friend and I wanted more. I guess they decrease the portion sizes when you order from the price-fixe menu because other customers' portions were much larger than ours. In addition, I had to ask one of the waiters to take our order because we were being ignored after we ordered our wine."
Dined on 04/03/2013
2013
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"The food was worth the wait to get in. We had open table reservations, but large groups were lingering over their desserts and coffee and delayed seating us by 45 minutes. Likely the bottleneck was from people going to Broadway shows. Not the staff's fault! After 8pm, there was no waiting in line. It's a small venue so table/chairs were very tight."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2013
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"Outstanding choices on the menu, food was delicious and very reasonable. Wine list was extensive. Great place, great value, staff was lovely. Will go back often."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, hot spot
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