Meat logs. That's what one downtown kitchen calls its version of meatballs, and the name alone makes you want a fork.
Somewhere nearby, a pizza oven burns real wood, and another spot rolls lasagna into egg rolls.
This corner of New York has a serious Italian streak. Endicott even has its own Little Italy, where several of these kitchens sit within a short stroll of each other.
Some family recipes here have been simmering since the 1940s, passed down like heirlooms.
You can go old school with red sauce and a chicken cutlet bigger than your plate. Or you can try fresh cacio e pepe in a dining room that opened just recently.
Gnocchi, braciole, cannoli and gelato all show up along the way, so pace yourself.
So which table gets your first visit? The one with decades of Sunday dinners behind it, or the newcomer with house-baked bread and handmade pasta waiting?
1. Cortese Restaurant
Some recipes get handed down, and some get handed down with a side of garlic bread. Cortese has been a Binghamton favorite since the 1940s.
Angeline Cortese started it with her sons, James and Nathan. Family recipes trace back to the Italian regions of Abruzzi and Naples.
The menu mixes Italian and American comfort food. You'll find lasagna, gnocchi, eggplant parmigiana, chicken marsala and shrimp scampi.
Craving something a little fancier? Veal Angelina is a house specialty worth a look.
Toscana Bread and Mussels Posilipo make strong starters before the main event.
The kitchen also makes its own pasta, sauces and dressings. Weekly family specials keep regular visits interesting.
The dining room is dimly lit and easy to settle into for a long dinner. A banquet room handles bigger gatherings, and gift certificates make a tasty present.
Plan around Tuesday, since the doors stay shut that day. Dinner reservations are a smart move, especially on weekend evenings.
Takeout is ready if you'd rather eat on the couch.
Address: 117 Robinson St, Binghamton, NY 13904
2. Little Venice Restaurant
Meatballs got an upgrade here, and they're shaped like logs. Little Venice has served downtown Binghamton since 1946, and its meat logs remain a local legend.
Order them over homemade spaghetti with the famous red sauce. Fresh bread arrives to help with the cleanup.
Handmade pasta runs through much of the menu. House-made lasagna, ravioli and fettuccine alfredo all deserve your attention.
The Little Venice Original Chicken Parmigiana is another classic. Eggplant parmigiana and bruschetta suit the meat-free crowd nicely.
Pizza fans aren't left out either. The Meat Lover's Pizza travels well for takeout nights.
Take a moment to look around the dining room. Oil paintings line the walls, giving the space an old-world charm.
Here's a fun bonus. You can buy jars of the homemade red sauce on site, plus Binghamton-themed gifts.
Portions run large, so leftovers are likely. Save a little room, because gelato shows up for dessert.
The restaurant takes reservations and stays closed on Mondays.
Address: 111 Chenango St, Binghamton, NY 13901
3. Michelangelo's
Garlic knots come by the dozen here, which tells you a lot about the priorities. Michelangelo's has fed Binghamton's East Side since 2005.
The place keeps things casual and family-friendly. You order at the counter, then dig into big plates.
Are you a pizza person? Great news, because NY style pies are a big draw.
Wings round out the game-night side of the menu.
The Italian dishes hold their own too. Chicken parmigiana, braciole, lasagna and gnocchi headline the list.
Seafood stuffed shells offer a fun change from the usual. Chicken and broccoli alfredo over angel hair is another hearty pick.
Entrees come with garlic knots, a fresh salad and your choice of pasta. That's a full dinner in one order.
Here's a helpful detail for some families. The pasta sauces are gluten-free.
Staying home tonight? Delivery and catering are both available.
The restaurant closes Mondays and opens at noon on Sundays.
Address: 465 Court St, Binghamton, NY 13904
4. Cacciatore's Restaurant
Bread with butter, red sauce or olive oil? At Cacciatore's, that tough choice comes before you even open the menu.
This family-owned Johnson City spot opened in 2000. The kitchen cooks Italian and American dishes from scratch.
Start with the grilled mozzarella or stuffed clams. Both set the tone for a hearty meal.
Handmade pasta shows up across the menu. Tortellini with roasted garlic and spinach is one tasty example.
Shrimp fans have choices like shrimp fresco, shrimp romana and shrimp florentine. Chicken bruschetta and the house pork cutlet cover other cravings.
Steak lovers can look for the Certified Black Angus entrees. Rigatoni Bolognese and veal parmigiana keep the classics covered too.
Plant-based diners get a full vegan menu, which is a nice surprise. Angel hair with marinara is a simple pick.
Dinner runs Tuesday through Saturday evenings. Reservations aren't taken, so expect a wait at times.
Off-street parking and accessible entry make arriving easy.
Address: 119 Harry L Dr, Johnson City, NY 13790
5. Oaks Inn
Call ahead, and don't be shy about it. Oaks Inn is one of those Endicott dinners that usually needs a reservation.
The restaurant sits on Oak Hill Avenue in Endicott's historic Little Italy. It has served Italian-American classics there for a long time.
The mood feels old-world, with a classy yet unfussy dining room. It suits a date night or a quiet family dinner.
Fresh pasta forms the backbone of the kitchen. Daily specials give you a reason to ask your server what's new.
Shrimp cacciatore is a standout on the menu. Chicken dishes also earn plenty of attention.
Leave space for dessert, because the sweets are part of the appeal. A cup of coffee pairs nicely at the end.
Timing matters here. Doors open at 5 PM, Tuesday through Saturday only.
Free parking makes the visit simple. Waits happen, so a reservation is your best friend here.
Takeout is an option if the tables fill up.
Address: 122 Oak Hill Ave, Endicott, NY 13760
6. Tony's Italian Grill
Losing your building could end a story, but Tony and Gina simply started a new chapter. Their restaurant began in 1977 and rebuilt on East Main Street in 2002.
Today the dining room has a rustic, Tuscan-inspired look. It feels relaxed without being sleepy.
Brick-oven pizza is a big part of the menu. The pasta side gets serious love too.
Homemade spaghetti, gnocchi and lasagna lead the comfort lineup. Pappardelle Bolognese is made from scratch and shows it.
Classic dinners include chicken marsala, veal piccata and hand-battered eggplant parmigiana. The Black Angus Meatball Parmigiana is another hearty option.
For starters, try eggplant rollatini, fried calamari or bruschetta. Lighter eaters can check out the Lemon Chicken over Spinach.
Short on time at lunch? An Express Lunch menu keeps things quick.
Planning a party? Trays To Go and a banquet room make hosting easier.
Outdoor seating is available, and the restaurant closes on Sundays.
Address: 2315 E Main St, Endwell, NY 13760
7. Joey's
Real flames, real oven, real pizza. Joey's cooks its pies in a wood-fired oven right in Endicott's Little Italy.
The Margherita is a simple way to taste that oven at work. Calzones come out of the same kitchen too.
Hungry for a snack first? Fried ravioli makes a fun starter for the table.
The antipasto salad uses quality Italian ingredients. It's a nice fresh partner for a slice.
Pasta classics include fettuccine alfredo and penne pink sauce. Sandwich fans can grab a veal cutlet sandwich.
Prefer to build your own? The Il Mio wrap lets you pick the fillings.
Boneless wings please the picky eaters.
Finish with gelato, because you're in Little Italy after all. Kids get their own menu, and high chairs are on hand.
Prices stay friendly compared to many sit-down spots nearby. Parking can be tricky, so give yourself a few extra minutes.
The restaurant closes Mondays and opens at 4 PM on Sundays.
Address: 200 Oak Hill Ave, Endicott, NY 13760
8. Concordia Restaurant Inc.
Pumpkin ravioli made by hand is a strong opening line for any restaurant. Concordia brings that kind of seasonal touch to Endicott's Little Italy.
This newer neighborhood spot feels polished but still friendly. It works well for a quiet dinner out.
Homemade pasta sits at the center of the menu. Potato-filled gnocchi and Penne Aglio e Olio show the range.
Craving a classic? Chicken parm is a house favorite here.
White garlic pizza gives you another tasty route.
Starters include French baguette and an organic spinach salad. Aubergine rolls offer an eggplant-forward beginning.
Seasonal specials keep the menu moving through the year. Ask what's new before you settle on an old favorite.
Dessert deserves a plan. Sicilian cannoli make a sweet finish.
A private dining room handles bigger celebrations. Dinner reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.
The restaurant opens Wednesday through Sunday evenings and closes Mondays and Tuesdays.
Address: 101 Oak Hill Ave, Endicott, NY 13760
9. Di Cotta's
New kid on Oak Hill Avenue, big plans on the plate. Di Cotta's opened in fall 2025 in the former Antonio's space.
The kitchen puts a modern spin on Italian classics. House-baked bread lands first, and it sets a high bar.
Homemade pasta steals much of the spotlight. Cacio e pepe, spaghetti carbonara and ricotta-filled ravioli headline the list.
Slow-cooked Bolognese rewards patient cooks and hungry guests alike. Tagliatelle with clam sauce brings a taste of the sea.
Bigger appetites can look at the bone-in veal chop parm. Chicken saltimbocca and Chilean salmon are also on the menu.
Seafood lovers should check out Frutti di Mare Mista. Meatballs and buffalo mozzarella make tempting starters.
Dessert brings cannoli or Antonio's Little Italy Gelato. Choosing just one is the hard part.
This is a pricier night out compared to some neighbors. Dinner runs Tuesday through Saturday, and reservations are recommended.
Address: 100 Oak Hill Ave, Endicott, NY 13760
10. Gustaferro’s
Lasagna egg rolls might sound like a dare. At Gustaferro's in downtown Binghamton, they're a fan favorite.
This casual spot leans into Italian-American comfort food with a homemade twist. The menu feels playful without losing its roots.
Pizza is a big reason to stop by. The Hot Boy Pizza brings some heat to the table.
Wing fans can try the Carolina Gold sauce. It's a tangy change from the usual buffalo style.
Want something with greens? The Gustaferro Salad covers that craving.
A sandwich called The CJ is another house pick.
Service moves fast, which helps on a busy weekday. Portions are satisfying without feeling excessive.
Prices stay on the budget-friendly side. That makes it an easy lunch with coworkers or friends.
Hours take a little planning. Lunch is served Thursday through Saturday, while Tuesday and Wednesday are dinner only.
The restaurant closes Sundays and Mondays.
Address: 126 ½ Henry St, Binghamton, NY 13901
