I visited Joanne Trattoria, Lady Gaga's family's restaurant, and had the best Italian meal I've ever eaten in New York City

Erin McDowellMay 5, 2022, 00:39 IST

I thought the classic Italian meal was super delicious, celebrity connection aside.Erin McDowell/Insider

I had dinner at Joanne Trattoria, an Italian restaurant in NYC that's owned by Lady Gaga's parents.
I tried a few popular dishes, including Joanne's spaghetti and meatballs and chicken Parmesan.

Joanne Trattoria is located on the Upper West Side in Manhattan. The small Italian restaurant is owned by Lady Gaga's parents, Joe and Cynthia Germanotta, and cookbook author Art Smith.

Joanne Trattoria.Erin McDowell/Insider

Joanne Trattoria is located on the Upper West Side in Manhattan. The small Italian restaurant is owned by Lady Gaga's parents, Joe and Cynthia Germanotta, and cookbook author Art Smith.

The exterior of Joanne Trattoria was warm and inviting, with a large red awning bearing the restaurant's name.

Me outside Joanne Trattoria.Erin McDowell/Insider

When I walked in the restaurant, I noticed there was a stack of pride-themed T-shirts and Joanne Trattoria hats for sale.

Pride T-shirts inside Joanne Trattoria.Erin McDowell/Insider

There were also a few photos scattered around the restaurant's entry, including one of "Broad City" star Ilana Glazer when she visited.

Photos inside Joanne Trattoria.Erin McDowell/Insider

However, there were some other photos and a signed Lady Gaga poster.

Photos inside Joanne Trattoria.Erin McDowell/Insider

I was seated at a table in the back dining room.

At my table in Joanne Trattoria.Erin McDowell/Insider

The table was dressed with a white tablecloth and red napkins. Each table also had a fresh basil plant in the center.

A basil plant in the center of the table.Erin McDowell/Insider

The menu at Joanne Trattoria was digital but easy enough to navigate.

I ordered a house red wine.Erin McDowell/Insider

A basket full of bread was swiftly brought to our table, along with pats of butter and olive oil.

The bread at Joanne Trattoria.Erin McDowell/Insider

The first dish we ordered was the fried calamari.

The calamari at Joanne Trattoria.Erin McDowell/Insider

While the price was a little steep, I thought it was worth it. This was the best calamari I've ever had in my life.

The calamari at Joanne Trattoria.Erin McDowell/Insider

We ordered three of the restaurant's popular dishes to share, family-style.

Our three dishes at Joanne Trattoria.Erin McDowell/Insider

I started by trying Joanne's spaghetti and meatballs.

Spaghetti and meatballs at Joanne Trattoria.Erin McDowell/Insider

I admittedly thought the meatballs were just OK.

Spaghetti and meatballs at Joanne Trattoria.Erin McDowell/Insider

Next, I tried the chicken Parmesan.

Chicken Parmesan at Joanne Trattoria.Erin McDowell/Insider

The chicken was moist and very flavorful.

Chicken Parmesan at Joanne Trattoria.Erin McDowell/Insider

Lastly, we tried the white-truffle gnocchi.

Truffle gnocchi at Joanne Trattoria.Erin McDowell/Insider

The truffle gnocchi was my favorite dish out of the ones we tried at Joanne Trattoria.

Truffle gnocchi at Joanne Trattoria.Erin McDowell/Insider

To end our meal, we each ordered a Big Monster cocktail. The name is inspired by Lady Gaga's many fans.

My two friends and our "Big Monster" cocktails.Erin McDowell/Insider

After paying the bill, we left the restaurant stuffed but very content.

The exterior of Joanne Trattoria.Erin McDowell/Insider

I will definitely be back to Joanne Trattoria, and I'd order almost all of the things I tried again.

Me and my friends outside Joanne Trattoria.Erin McDowell/Insider

I tried 5 Taco Bell breakfast burritos and the hash-brown toasted burrito had the best flavor and price

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

I visited Joanne Trattoria, Lady Gaga's family's restaurant, and had the best Italian meal I've ever eaten in New York City

Joanne Trattoria is located on the Upper West Side in Manhattan. The small Italian restaurant is owned by Lady Gaga's parents, Joe and Cynthia Germanotta, and cookbook author Art Smith.

The exterior of Joanne Trattoria was warm and inviting, with a large red awning bearing the restaurant's name.

When I walked in the restaurant, I noticed there was a stack of pride-themed T-shirts and Joanne Trattoria hats for sale.

There were also a few photos scattered around the restaurant's entry, including one of "Broad City" star Ilana Glazer when she visited.

However, there were some other photos and a signed Lady Gaga poster.

I was seated at a table in the back dining room.

The table was dressed with a white tablecloth and red napkins. Each table also had a fresh basil plant in the center.

The menu at Joanne Trattoria was digital but easy enough to navigate.

A basket full of bread was swiftly brought to our table, along with pats of butter and olive oil.

The first dish we ordered was the fried calamari.

While the price was a little steep, I thought it was worth it. This was the best calamari I've ever had in my life.

We ordered three of the restaurant's popular dishes to share, family-style.

I started by trying Joanne's spaghetti and meatballs.

I admittedly thought the meatballs were just OK.

Next, I tried the chicken Parmesan.

The chicken was moist and very flavorful.

Lastly, we tried the white-truffle gnocchi.

The truffle gnocchi was my favorite dish out of the ones we tried at Joanne Trattoria.

To end our meal, we each ordered a Big Monster cocktail. The name is inspired by Lady Gaga's many fans.

After paying the bill, we left the restaurant stuffed but very content.

I will definitely be back to Joanne Trattoria, and I'd order almost all of the things I tried again.