John's of 12th Street – Italian
Stepping into this East Village landmark feels like a journey back to 1908, where flickering candles in wax-encrusted bottles cast a warm glow over mosaic-tiled floors and vintage murals. The air is thick with the comforting aroma of slow-simmered red sauce and garlic, inviting diners to linger over generous plates of classic Italian-American comfort food that bridge the gap between old-world tradition and soulful vegan innovation.
302 East 12th Street +1-212-475-9531 https://www.johnsof12thstreet.com/Rating: 4.4/5 (1292 reviews)
Cuisine: Italian
Price range: $$
Dietary options: keto, low-carb, vegetarian, gluten-free, nut-free, vegan, dairy-free, high-protein, mediterranean, pescatarian, diabetic, sugar-free, whole30, paleo, heart-healthy, plant-based, low-fat, atkins, south-beach, clean-eating, anti-inflammatory, high-fiber, low-cholesterol, gerd, weight-watchers, raw-food, volumetrics, tlc, detox, alkaline, low-fodmap, zone, aip, carnivore, mayo-clinic, candida, pegan, lectin-free, macrobiotic, slow-carb
Currently closed
Hours
- Monday - Sunday
- 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM
What diners are saying
Celebrated as a classic NYC destination, diners rave about the massive portions and "elite" Chicken
Menu
Cold Appetizers
- Avocado Bruschetta - $14.95 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Detox, Alkaline, Mayo-Clinic
- Roasted Peppers & Anchovies - $14.95 Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, TLC, Detox, Mayo-Clinic, Pegan, Candida
- Mozzarella, Basil & Tomatoes - $16.95 Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Diabetic, Sugar-Free, Atkins, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, Raw-Food, Mayo-Clinic, Candida
- Roasted Peppers & Mozzarella - $16.95 Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Diabetic, Sugar-Free, Atkins, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, Mayo-Clinic, Candida
- Prosciutto & Melon - $16.95 Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Paleo, Sugar-Free, Atkins, Clean-Eating, Low-Fodmap, Raw-Food
- Burrata - $17.95 Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Diabetic, Sugar-Free, Atkins, Clean-Eating, Raw-Food, Candida
Hot Appetizers
- Stuffed Mushrooms - $14.95 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free
- Fried Calamari - $16.95 Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, Volumetrics, TLC, Detox, Alkaline, Mayo-Clinic, Pegan, Candida, Lectin-Free
- Baked Clams Arreganata - $16.95 Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, Volumetrics, TLC, Detox, Alkaline, Mayo-Clinic, Pegan, Candida, Lectin-Free
- Grilled Portobello Mushroom - $16.95 Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, Volumetrics, TLC, Detox, Alkaline, Mayo-Clinic, Pegan, Candida, Lectin-Free
- Spedino Mozzarella Romana - $18.95 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Polpetto di Vitello (Veal Meatballs) - $22.95: Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
Pasta
Gluten-Free or Whole Wheat pasta for additional $2
- Butter Sauce - $11.95 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Tomato Sauce - $13.95 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Marinara - $14.95 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Paleo, Diabetic, Sugar-Free, Atkins
- Mushroom Sauce - $16.95 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
- Meat Sauce - $19.95 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
- Homemade Manicotti - $19.95 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
- Garlic, Oil & Anchovies - $19.95 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
- Fettuccini Alfredo - $22.95 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
- Penne Broccoli Rabe - $22.95 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free
- Penne alla Vodka - $23.95 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free
- Carbonara - $24.95 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free
- Spaghetti with Meatballs - $24.95 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free
- Add Sausage - $6: Addition to pasta Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free
- Add Chicken - $8: Addition to pasta Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Raw-Food, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Detox, Alkaline, AIP, Mayo-Clinic, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb, Pegan, Candida, Lectin-Free
- Add Shrimp - $9: Addition to pasta Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Low-Fodmap, Raw-Food, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Detox, Alkaline, AIP, Mayo-Clinic, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb, Pegan, Candida, Lectin-Free
Soups
- Pasta Fagioli - $12.95 Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Atkins, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, Volumetrics, TLC, Detox, Alkaline, Mayo-Clinic, Slow-Carb
- Minestrone Milanese - $12.95 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Paleo, Sugar-Free, Atkins, Carnivore
Seafood
- Fried Calamari - $25.95 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Paleo, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Low-Fodmap, Carnivore, Zone, TLC, Detox, AIP, Mayo-Clinic, Candida, Lectin-Free
- Calamari Marinara - $26.95: over linguini Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Weight-Watchers, Clean-Eating, Low-Fodmap, Carnivore, TLC, Detox, AIP, Mayo-Clinic, Slow-Carb, Candida, Lectin-Free
- White or Red Clam Sauce - $27.95: over linguini Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free
- Branzino - $31.95 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, TLC, Detox, Mayo-Clinic, Candida
- Shrimp Fra Diavolo - $31.95 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free
- Shrimp Scampi - $32.95 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free
- Shrimp Parmigiana - $32.95 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Shrimp & Calamari Marinara - $33.95: over linguini
Vegetables
- Escarole Sautéed with Garlic & Oil - $10.95
- Fresh Mushrooms Sautéed with Garlic & Oil - $11.95
- Broccoli Rabe Sautéed with Garlic & Oil - $12.95
- GARLIC BREAD (per order) - $5
Specialties of the House
- Chicken Parmigiana with Spaghetti - $27.95
- Eggplant alla Parmigiana - $27.95
- Rollatina of Eggplant Parmigiana - $27.95
- Sausages Broiled with Peppers - $27.95
- Sausages Parmigiana with Spaghetti - $27.95
- Baked Homemade Lasagna - $27.95
- John's Special Chicken Arreganata - $29.95
- Chicken al Limone with Spaghetti - $29.95
- John's Special Chicken alla Rosa - $32.95
- Polla Mimosa - $32.95: Chicken d'Ore with Prosciutto & Mozzarella
- Tuscan Ragu over Homemade Pappardelle - $34.95: Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives
- Veal Cutlet Parmigiana with Spaghetti - $34.95
- Veal Scallopina al Limone with Spaghetti - $34.95
- Saltimbocca alla Romana - $34.95
Salad
- Mixed Greens Salad - $12.95
- Arugula - $13.95
- House Special Salad - $21.95
- Add Sausage - $6: Addition to salad
- Add Grilled Chicken - $8: Addition to salad
- Add Shrimp - $9: Addition to salad
Frequently Asked Questions about John's of 12th Street
- What are the standout dishes based on the menu?
- Standout dishes include "elite" Chicken, Chicken al Limone with Spaghetti, Avocado Bruschetta, Burrata, and Eggplant alla Parmigiana.
- Is this restaurant currently open and operational?
- John's of 12th Street is an operational Italian restaurant with an active website and reviews praising its classic Italian-American comfort food.
- How extensive is this restaurant's menu selection?
- The menu features an extensive selection of 40 diet categories, including vegan and keto options like Avocado Bruschetta and Chicken al Limone.
- Does this restaurant offer good ambiance?
- This 4.4/5 rated landmark provides a historic 1908 ambiance featuring flickering candles, wax-encrusted bottles, mosaic-tiled floors, and vintage murals.
- What makes this restaurant unique or special?
- This 1908 East Village landmark features vintage murals while bridging old-world Italian tradition with soulful vegan innovation and massive portions.
- What type of diner would most enjoy this restaurant?
- Diners seeking classic Italian-American comfort food, massive portions, and extensive dietary options like vegan and keto would enjoy this 4.4/5 rated restaurant.
- What do customers love most about this restaurant according to reviews?
- Diners rave about the massive portions and "elite" chicken at this classic NYC destination, which holds a 4.4/5 rating.
- What is the price range at this restaurant?
- The price range at John's of 12th Street is categorized as moderate ($$) for its Italian comfort food menu.
- How does this restaurant compare to others in the same cuisine type?
- Compared to other Italian restaurants, this 4.4/5 rated landmark offers massive portions, "elite" chicken, and soulful vegan innovation.
- What percentage of this menu works for vegan, keto, gluten-free, or low-carb diets?
- Vegan options include Avocado Bruschetta; keto, gluten-free, and low-carb dishes include Roasted Peppers & Anchovies, Burrata, and Prosciutto & Melon.
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- Unregular Pizza — Italian
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