Lena's Italian Kitchen – Italian
Lena’s Italian Kitchen captures the heart of a bustling family home, where the irresistible aroma of toasted garlic bread and hand-rolled meatballs invites guests to linger over tables laden with classic comforts. From the spicy kick of calamari arrabbiata to the steam rising from delicate bowls of tortellini en brodo, every dish celebrates the soulful simplicity of Italian tradition in a space that feels both nostalgic and vibrantly alive.
551 2nd Avenue, New York, New York 10016 https://lenasitaliankitchen.com/Rating: 4/5 (1 reviews)
Cuisine: Italian
Price range: $
Dietary options: dairy-free, gluten-free, halal, high-protein, keto, low-carb, nut-free, vegan, vegetarian, heart-healthy, low-fat, low-sodium, mediterranean, paleo, pescatarian, plant-based, whole30, anti-inflammatory, atkins, dash-sodium-reduced, gerd, high-fiber, low-cholesterol, south-beach, aip, alkaline, renal, tlc, volumetrics, zone, lectin-free, macrobiotic, slow-carb, soy-free
Diet fit at Lena's Italian Kitchen
Dairy-Free at Lena's Italian Kitchen
Lena's Italian Kitchen in New York has 10 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Sautéed Spinach, Rigatoni Marinara and Side Pasta Marinara Sauce. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Gluten-Free at Lena's Italian Kitchen
Lena's Italian Kitchen in New York has 4 gluten-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Sautéed Spinach, Chicken Marsala and Sautéed Broccoli Rabe. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Halal at Lena's Italian Kitchen
Lena's Italian Kitchen in New York has 22 halal-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Eggplant Parm Entree, Caesar Salad and Sautéed Spinach. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
High-Protein at Lena's Italian Kitchen
Lena's Italian Kitchen in New York has 3 high-protein-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Chicken Club Hero, Grilled Salmon and Chicken Marsala. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Keto at Lena's Italian Kitchen
Lena's Italian Kitchen in New York has 1 keto-tagged dish on its current menu, including Chicken Marsala. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Low-Carb at Lena's Italian Kitchen
Lena's Italian Kitchen in New York has 2 low-carb-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Chicken Marsala and Sautéed Broccoli Rabe. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Nut-Free at Lena's Italian Kitchen
Lena's Italian Kitchen in New York has 1 nut-free-tagged dish on its current menu, including Garden Salad. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegan at Lena's Italian Kitchen
Lena's Italian Kitchen in New York has 11 vegan-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Sautéed Spinach, Rigatoni Marinara and Side Pasta Marinara Sauce. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
How tags work: Dish-level menu analysis by Chefi's rule-based diet engine with AI assistance; nutrition values are estimated from ingredients unless marked verified. Allergen and certification claims are never inferred.
What to order at Lena's Italian Kitchen
| Dish | Net carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken Marsala | 4 g | 54 g |
| Tortellini Carbonara | 25.3 g | 35.3 g |
| Rigatoni Fiorentina | 18.8 g | 27.2 g |
| Eggplant Parm Hero | 25.3 g | 26.6 g |
| Market Salad | 31.9 g | 25.3 g |
| Eggplant Parm Entree | 15 g | 24.4 g |
| Mediterranean Salad | 75.1 g | 23.8 g |
| Grilled Salmon | 0 g | 23.6 g |
| Chicken Parm Hero | 34.3 g | 23.3 g |
| Chicken Alla Vodka Hero | 4.6 g | 22.9 g |
| Chicken Alla Vodka Entree | 4.6 g | 22.9 g |
| Chicken Francese | 34.8 g | 21.8 g |
Nutrition values are estimated from ingredients.
Currently closed
Hours
- Monday - Sunday
- 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
What diners are saying
Celebrated for its warm and attentive service, guests frequently highlight this neighborhood gem as a perfect choice for special occasions. Diners rave about the delicious, well-prepared seafood, specifically noting the perfectly crispy textures and fresh flavors that define the menu. The welcoming atmosphere and inviting feel consistently earn praise, making every visit feel personal and memorable.
Menu
Appetizers
- Calamari Fritti - $17.5: Served with marinara sauce (serves 2) Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Calamari Arrabbiata - $19.75: Tossed with roasted peppers in spicy plum tomato sauce (serves 2) Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Lena’s Homemade Meatballs - $12.25: Right outta the sauce, topped with fresh ricotta Available at: dinner, lunch
- Fried Mozzarella - $12.25: Homemade pan-fried fresh mozzarella wedges, served with marinara sauce Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, South-Beach Available at: dinner, lunch
- Garlic Bread - $8.5: Topped with melted mozzarella Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
Soups
- Stracciatella - $9.5: Traditional Italian egg drop soup with spinach Dietary tags: Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pasta e Fagioli - $9.5: Ditalini pasta & cannellini beans served in crushed plum tomato & roasted garlic broth Dietary tags: Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics Available at: dinner, lunch
- Tortellini en Brodo - $9.5: Cheese tortellini pasta served in chicken broth Available at: dinner, lunch
Salads
- Garden Salad - $9.75: Iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, onions, red peppers, olives, cucumbers, mozzarella & Italian dressing Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Caesar Salad - $9.75: Romaine lettuce, garlic croutons, parmesan shavings & dijon caesar dressing Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Anti-Inflammatory Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pecan Salad - $10.75: Mixed greens, honey roasted pecans, gorgonzola crumbles & balsamic vinaigrette Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Mediterranean Salad - $10.75: Romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, pepperoncini, kalamata olives, chickpeas, onions, feta cheese & red wine vinaigrette Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Market Salad - $10.75: Mixed greens, dried cranberries, candied walnuts, onions, goat cheese & balsamic vinaigrette Dietary tags: High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
Heros
- Meatball Hero Parm - $13.5 Available at: dinner, lunch
- Eggplant Parm Hero - $13.5 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC, Alkaline, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chicken Parm Hero - $14.5 Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chicken Alla Vodka Hero - $15.5: Fried chicken cutlets, topped with vodka sauce, diced prosciutto & melted mozzarella Dietary tags: Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chicken Club Hero - $13.5: Grilled or fried chicken cutlets, lettuce, tomatoes & Italian dressing Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
Pastas
- Penne Shrimp Oreganata - $24.75: Shrimp & spinach sautéed in garlic & white wine scampi sauce, topped with toasted breadcrumbs Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Rigatoni Fiorentina - $24.25: Baked chicken, spinach & mozzarella sautéed in creamy pink sauce Available at: dinner, lunch
- Spaghetti Marinara - $21.25: Garlic and herb plum tomato sauce Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pasta Al Forno - $21.75: Our version of the classic baked ziti Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Penne Alla Vodka - $21.75: Imported prosciutto sautéed in creamy vodka sauce Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Spaghetti Shrimp Marinara - $24.75: Shrimp sautéed in garlic & herb plum tomato sauce Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Tortellini Alfredo - $22: Classic creamy parmesan cheese sauce Available at: dinner, lunch
- Penne Broccoli - $21.75: Fresh broccoli florets sautéed in garlic & oil Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Spaghetti & Meatballs - $19.25: Meatballs & traditional Italian tomato sauce Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Rigatoni Marinara - $17.75: Garlic & herb plum tomato sauce Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Tortellini Carbonara - $23.75: Imported pancetta & onions sauteed in a classic creamy parmesan cheese sauce Available at: dinner, lunch
Side Pasta
- Side Pasta Pomodoro Sauce - $11 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Side Pasta Garlic & Oil - $11 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Renal, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Side Pasta Bolognese Sauce - $12 Dietary tags: Anti-Inflammatory Available at: dinner, lunch
- Side Pasta Alfredo Sauce - $12 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Side Pasta Vodka Sauce - $12 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Side Pasta Marinara Sauce - $11 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
Main Courses
- Chicken Semi-Freddo - $22.75: Grilled or fried chicken cutlets topped with arugula, red onion, shaved parmesan & cherry tomato salad Dietary tags: Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chicken Marsala - $22.75: Chicken scallopine simmered in mushroom & marsala wine brown sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Atkins, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chicken Francese - $22.75: Egg battered, chicken scallopine sautéed in white wine, lemon & butter sauce Dietary tags: High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Meatball Parm Entree - $17.75: Homemade meatballs, topped with tomato sauce & melted mozzarella Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chicken Paillard - $22.75: Grilled chicken topped with your choice of sautéed spinach, broccoli or broccoli rabe Dietary tags: Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics Available at: dinner, lunch
- Eggplant Parm Entree - $17.75: Egg battered eggplant, topped with tomato sauce & melted mozzarella Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chicken Parm Entree - $18.75: Fried chicken cutlets, topped with tomato sauce & melted mozzarella Dietary tags: Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Grilled Salmon - $25.75: Grilled Norwegian salmon served over sautéed broccoli rabe & tuscan white beans Dietary tags: High-Protein, Halal, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Alkaline, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chicken Alla Vodka Entree - $19.75: Fried chicken cutlets, topped with vodka sauce, diced prosciutto & melted mozzarella Dietary tags: Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
Sides
- Sautéed Spinach - $9: Sauteed in garlic & oil Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Sautéed Broccoli - $9: Sauteed in garlic & oil Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Renal, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Sautéed Broccoli Rabe - $9.5: Seasonal, Sauteed in garlic & oil Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Renal, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
Desserts
- Tiramisu - $6: Sponge cake soaked in espresso, marscapone cream & cocoa powder Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
Beverages
- Coke - $2: 20 oz
- Diet Coke - $2: 20 oz
- Sprite - $2: 20 oz
- Snapple - $2: 20 oz
- San Pellegrino - $2.5: 16 oz
- Poland Spring - $1.5: 16 oz Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Renal, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free
Frequently Asked Questions about Lena's Italian Kitchen
- Is Lena's Italian Kitchen dairy-free-friendly?
- Yes. Lena's Italian Kitchen has 10 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Sautéed Spinach, Rigatoni Marinara and Side Pasta Marinara Sauce.
- What can I eat at Lena's Italian Kitchen on a dairy-free diet?
- Sautéed Spinach, Rigatoni Marinara and Side Pasta Marinara Sauce carry the dairy-free tag, out of 10 tagged dishes on the current menu. Every dish's diet tags are listed in the menu.
- Does Lena's Italian Kitchen have vegan options?
- Yes. 11 dishes are tagged vegan on the current menu, including Sautéed Spinach and Rigatoni Marinara.
- Is Lena's Italian Kitchen gluten-free?
- 4 dishes are tagged gluten-free on the current menu. Chefi never infers allergen tags from a dish name alone, but a tag is not a certification — confirm preparation with the restaurant if you have celiac disease or a severe sensitivity.
- What is the highest-protein dish at Lena's Italian Kitchen?
- Chicken Marsala, at roughly 54g of protein (estimated from ingredients).
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