Whenever traveling, it is always best to consult with the locals before picking a restaurant. This is especially true in a city like New York where the world is quite literally your oyster. It’s even more true when you’re looking for a good place to eat Italian since NYC is home to third largest population of Italians outside of Italy.

Manhattan has amazing restaurants and is home to ‘Little Italy’ of course, but if you consult a local, they would tell you that the outer boroughs are where it’s at for authentic cuisine. While by no means a complete list, these are some of my favorite places to entertain out of towners in The Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn — just in case you’re planning on taking a little trip to the Big Apple!