"Nice place to have in the area. The two level interior feels unique for New York restaurants. Standout was the bucatini amatriciana. The way the guanciale was prepared was incredible; best we've had in a pasta. Tiramisu also a standout. Ladyfingers were a really nice consistency and the layers were creamy and not too dense or frosting-like. Definitely recommend it. Caesar salad was well dressed and refreshing. The only slight weak point for us was the pizza. Crispy outer crust but the interior of the slice was softer (wasn't sure to bust out the knife and fork Napoli style, or to do the NY fold with some flopping). I understand this is a type of Roman-style but to me not as satisfying or unique as pinsa Romana style. The flavor was still solid, though the pie size felt fairly small. Great place to go for a kids friendly meal if you're in Dumbo"

"Nice atmosphere with kid’s play area, but… The cacio e pepe was the most peppery version I’ve ever had. Normally I’d expect a pepper level around 7/10, but this was closer to a full 10/10. The rigatoni (carbonara) was also more pepper-forward than expected—around 8/10, when it would have felt more balanced at about 4/10. The mushroom fungi crostini leaned very sour, with a generous amount of apple cider vinegar that unfortunately overwhelmed the mushroom flavor. We usually enjoy mushroom dishes, so this was a bit surprising, especially since it was recommended to us. The iced green citrus ginger drink tasted more like plain tea, with little to no discernible ginger or citrus flavor. Likewise, the hibiscus drink was more flavorful, but still came across as lightly scented water rather than a fully developed beverage. Ginger and citrus flavors are usually noticeable even in subtle preparations, so these drinks felt under-extracted. No real complaints on the service (though they did give me a dirty fork and served us the wrong order). Meatballs were good. Just go for meatballs. Would come back out of convenience, not because I’m looking for a good meal. In general, Dumbo isn’t really known as a food destination. The dining scene there tends to feel similar to Midtown—touristy and convenient rather than standout. The difference is that Midtown still has a handful of truly excellent restaurants, whereas Dumbo, in my experience, doesn’t quite offer the same level of standout options."

"Ziggy’s Roman Cafe is such a gem! The location is a hop away from Manhattan, in trendy Dumbo, and the staff was warm and welcoming. We loved the pastas (you can really taste the homemade touch) and the pizza was crispy, flavorful, and perfect for sharing. It’s also super kid-friendly, which makes it an easy go-to for families without sacrificing quality or vibe. Also the cocktails paired perfectly with the dishes. Can’t wait to come back to explore more of the menu!"

"What a welcome addition to the neighborhood. There are lots of great restaurants nearby but if you have little ones, you know how much of a nightmare it can be to sit down at these places while you try and eat. Time Out market when it's busy? No thanks. And just like that, Ziggy's Roman Cafe to the rescue! Enjoy great Italian while the kids play quietly (or not) next to you. The Cicoria Salad and Spaghetti limone were my favorite items of the night. And the cocktails are so well balanced and interesting. Turns out they're carefully created and curated by the genius owner of Employees Only - the speakeasy cocktail bar in the West Village. To finish our meal, of course the nutella pizza! (pro tip: ask for extra napkins). I can't wait to go back and try more as their menu is seasonal!"

"Sat at the bar in this newly opened, kid friendly concept Italian restaurant. Being a northern Italian cuisine place, I tried the cacio e pepe, which was average. A good strong pepper flavor and the pasta was just right- al dente. However it came swimming in a bowl of grey sauce, rather than the traditional smooth glossy sauce clinging to the pasta. Also ordered the carbonara rigatoni, which was tasty if a little salty. This also came in a bowl with the same grey sauce, so maybe it's used as a base for all pasta dishes. The Ruccola salad was delicious, and a generous portion size. We had friendly service, but did sit without drinks and empty plates for a while at the end. The bar area was kid free but there were lots running around, as to be expected in a kid friendly place. Would visit again for drinks, and would like to try the pizzas. Total cost: $100 minus tip for two mains, a salad and two non alcoholic drinks."