Cacio e Pepe
East Village, New York City
Restaurant in New York City, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Cacio e Pepe is a no-frills Second Avenue Italian spot built for approachable pasta and neighborhood warmth, not fine-dining theater. Open Wednesday through Sunday evenings, it delivers reliable cooking at accessible prices, making it a practical choice for groups, solo counter seats, or date nights when you want quality without the formality of the city's top-tier Italian addresses.
About Cacio e Pepe
Cacio e Pepe is a New York City venue open Wednesday through Sunday with a smart-casual dress code. For anything time-sensitive, check directly with the venue before visiting.
Key Details
Cacio e Pepe is in New York City, observes a smart-casual dress code, opens at 4 PM on the days it operates. The schedule is Wednesday and Thursday from 4–10 PM, Friday and Saturday from 4–11 PM, Sunday from 4–10 PM. It is closed Monday and Tuesday.
How to Compare It With Other Options
When comparing options, review current menu, price point, format, service style details directly for Cacio e Pepe and other New York City dining rooms before booking. For broader dining context, see our full New York City restaurants guide.
Private Dining and Group Experience
If you are planning a group meal, contact Cacio e Pepe directly to ask about availability, seating, timing, any current policies.
Reservations: Contact the venue for current reservation details. Hours: Closed Monday and Tuesday; open Wednesday and Thursday from 4–10 PM, Friday and Saturday from 4–11 PM, Sunday from 4–10 PM. Budget: Check current pricing with the venue. Dress: Smart casual. Getting there: Cacio e Pepe is in New York City. For broader options, explore our full New York City bars guide.
Planning details
- Location
- 182 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003
- Reservations
- Book on Resy
- Website
- cacioepepe.com
- Phone
- +12125055931
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Cacio e Pepe reads as a quietly assured Roman trattoria: modest, focused and proudly traditional. The room is small and unadorned, and the kitchen’s single-minded attention to Roman pasta—cacio e pepe, carbonara, amatriciana—defines the experience. Rather than chasing white‑tablecloth refinement or tasting‑menu flash, the restaurant stakes its identity on technical precision in simple dishes. That discipline produces an atmosphere that feels classic and intimate, where the drama is in the execution of a few perfect plates rather than in decor or theatrical service.
Best For
This is a place built for straightforward, ingredient-driven meals—best appreciated at dinner when the kitchen’s rigor shows through in each pasta. It suits couples looking for a focused date-night experience and small groups who want reliably well-made Roman classics without formality. The modest size and short menu make it less suitable for large parties or elaborate celebrations; instead, it rewards diners who come to concentrate on the cooking and the simplicity of the dishes.
Ordering Tips
Stick to the signatures: the restaurant is literally named for its cacio e pepe, and the menu’s restraint is a signal to trust the classics. Order the eponymous pasta and, if available, the carbonara or amatriciana to sample the kitchen’s technical control—these dishes expose technique rather than hiding behind sauces or extensive ingredient lists. Because the menu is short and focused, opt for a couple of plates to share so you can compare the house’s handling of Pecorino, guanciale and emulsification across preparations.
Venue details
Ambiance
Vibrant and lively Italian atmosphere capturing the essence of East Village dining.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Small
Signature Dishes
Cacio e Pepe
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Pangea, Notable alternative
- Momofuku Ssäm Bar, Japanese, Japanese
- Odre, Korean, $$
- Mimi Cheng’s, Chinese, Chinese
- Jazba, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
Against the East Village Italian field, Cacio e Pepe positions itself as the value-driven workhorse, you sacrifice wine-list depth and design ambition but gain a kitchen that executes pasta fundamentals without the markup. 'inoteca offers more polish and a stronger wine program, making it the better choice for wine-focused evenings or impressing a date who cares about decor. & Sons Ham Bar leans harder into charcuterie and small plates, which works when you're grazing rather than anchoring the meal with pasta. For splurge-worthy Italian, you're better served at higher-tier addresses uptown, but Cacio e Pepe wins when the priority is a solid meal under $60 per person without booking weeks ahead.
Booking difficulty tilts easiest here: walk-ins work most nights, even weekend reservations open up with a few days' notice. Compare that to the scramble required for 15 East or 1 or 8, where you're planning a month out and paying double. If you're deciding between Cacio e Pepe and nearby Pangea or Momofuku Ssäm Bar, the former delivers straightforward Italian comfort while the latter two lean into more adventurous, globally-inflected menus. For groups prioritizing ease and budget over culinary theater, Cacio e Pepe offers the most frictionless path to a good meal. Cross-shop 12 Chairs for Israeli flavors or Odre for Korean at a similar price point if Italian fatigue sets in.
Explore New York City
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Cacio e Pepe guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Cacio e Pepe
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Price | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cacio e Pepe | New York City | ; | ; | No published awards |
| Pangea | New York City | ; | ; | Star Wine Lists 20262026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America RecommendedMichelin Guide Mexico 20262026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #2262025 The Best Chef One Knife2025 Michelin 1 Star2025 La Liste Top Restaurants2024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #252 |
| Momofuku Ssäm Bar | New York City | Japanese | ; | No published awards |
| Odre | New York City | Korean | $$ | 2025 Michelin Bib Gourmand2024 Michelin Bib Gourmand |
| Mimi Cheng’s | New York City | Chinese | ; | 2024 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #1912023 OAD Cheap Eats in North America in Ranked · #124 |
| Jazba | New York City | ; | ; | No published awards |
How Cacio e Pepe NYC compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cacio e Pepe good for solo dining?
Cacio e Pepe is open Wednesday through Sunday, so solo diners should ask the venue about current seating and reservation details. You can also compare current availability with Momofuku Ssäm Bar.
Does Cacio e Pepe handle dietary restrictions?
If you have allergies, gluten-free needs, vegan requirements, or other restrictions, contact Cacio e Pepe directly before visiting. You can also compare current details with Odre.
What should I wear to Cacio e Pepe?
The dress code is smart casual. Cacio e Pepe is in New York City. If you are comparing dress expectations, check current guidance for Pangea as well.
How far ahead should I book Cacio e Pepe?
The schedule is Wednesday and Thursday from 4–10 PM, Friday and Saturday from 4–11 PM, Sunday from 4–10 PM; the venue is closed Monday and Tuesday. Contact the venue for current reservation guidance before planning a visit.
What should I order at Cacio e Pepe?
Can Cacio e Pepe accommodate groups?
Contact Cacio e Pepe directly for current group policies, private dining, seating arrangements, or compare current options with Jazba or Momofuku Ssäm Bar.
