Gargiulo’s history began in Coney Island in 1907 as a small family-owned restaurant founded by the Gargiulo family. As Brooklyn grew and Coney Island became one of America’s most celebrated destinations, Gargiulo’s became a gathering place for families, friends, and visitors looking to share great food and unforgettable moments.

For more than a century, generations of New Yorkers have walked through our doors to celebrate weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, communions, and countless milestones. Through changing times and changing neighborhoods, Gargiulo’s has remained committed to the traditions of hospitality, family, and classic Southern Italian cuisine.

In 1965, brothers Michael, Nino, and Victor Russo acquired Gargiulo’s and began a new chapter in Gargiulo’s history. Inspired by the recipes and traditions they brought from Sorrento, Italy, they preserved the restaurant’s legacy while introducing a renewed commitment to authentic Neapolitan hospitality.

Under the Russo family’s leadership, Gargiulo’s expanded into one of Brooklyn’s premier dining and catering destinations. Their dedication to family, tradition, and exceptional service helped establish Gargiulo’s as a landmark where generations continue to gather and celebrate life’s most important moments.

In the late 1970s, a favorable review from New York Times critic Mimi Sheraton brought widespread acclaim to Gargiulo’s. At a time when few Brooklyn restaurants received national attention, the recognition introduced a new generation of diners to the restaurant’s commitment to hospitality and Southern Italian cuisine.

More than 119 years after its founding, Gargiulo’s continues to welcome guests from across New York and around the world.

While much has changed since 1907, our commitment to family, hospitality, and authentic Italian cuisine remains exactly the same.

From intimate dinners to grand celebrations, every guest who walks through our doors becomes part of a story that has been unfolding for generations—and one that we are proud to continue writing every day.