Brooklyn’s most anticipated “neighborhood living room” has arrived–and it’s serving martinis before noon. Now open within The William Vale, Little Fino is a seamless blend of Roman small-bar energy and Williamsburg sophistication.
Brought to life by the team behind Leuca and Westlight–Andrew Carmellini’s NoHo Hospitality Group–this vibrant all-day café, restaurant, and bar reimagines the rhythms of daily dining.
By day, sunlight pours through oversized windows onto custom terracotta tile and dense greenery cascading over brass-accented fixtures—the centerpiece bar hums quietly with laptops, lattes, and flaky sweet and savory varieties of cornetti.
The walls are adorned with hand-painted murals by artist Manuel Santelices, offering a whimsical nod to the neighborhood beyond the glass. The back dining room is ideal for larger groups, with ancient-inspired ceramics within glass cases and views into the open kitchen.
When the sun dips below the Manhattan skyline, the vibe pivots. Bar Director Darryl Chan’s inventive cocktail program channels Italian aperitivo culture with playful irreverence. The show-stopper–as delicious as it is photo-worthy–is the Campari Creamsicle. Equal parts Campari and vanilla bean panna with grapefruit and orgeat, this cocktail is the ultimate treat to beat the summer heat.
The Teeny Tini Flight is a major draw, inviting guests on a martini-tasting journey from the gin-and-dill-kissed Turf Club to a bold Mole Martinez built on reposado and spice. The Lemongrass Vesper is a citrusy take on a classic Vesper, and the headline-making A Solid Dirty Martini is more solid than one would think: it’s a Jell-O shout in a coupe glass made by local Brooklyn brand Solid Wiggles.
Chef Anthony Ricco, a Brooklyn native raised just blocks from the Vale, infuses the all-day menu with a sharp sense of plate and palate. In true Italian fashion, everything is intended to be shared by the whole table. “Snacks for Martinis,” like Crispy Polenta Tots and Filthy Olives, feel made for cocktail-hour snacking. Colorful House Dips and vegetable crudités are served atop a milky green cakestand with a side of semolina bread arranged in a brown paper bag.
Larger plates–like the Roman Burger with fonduta and pecorino-pepper jam, Tony’s Antipasto tossed with salumi vinaigrette based on Chef Tony’s family recipe–ground the concept in Italian-American comforts with a creative twist.
Handheld sandwiches like The Long Sando, a standout 14” sandwich with prosciutto and arugula, are great for noshing no matter the time of day. Round out the meal with the homemade Lemon Panna Twist soft serve.
Final thoughts?
It’s not just the food and drink that make Little Fino special–it’s the feeling. The sense that guests have stepped into a space that belongs equally to the traveler and the regular, the solo diner and the girls’ night out. That it’s okay to order a glass of wine at 11 AM or a soft serve swirl at midnight.
At Little Fino, the line between café and cocktail bar, between Rome and Brooklyn, blurs deliciously. You should probably plan to stay awhile.
Top Takeaways:
Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Address: The William Vale, 111 N 12th St, Brooklyn, NY
Cuisine: Italian
The vibe: Playful and hip Roman-inspired café and bar serving playful cocktails and shareable bites.
Pricing: $$
Takes reservations? No, walk-ins only
Our favorite dish on the menu: You cannot go wrong with an order of The Long Sando and Tony’s Antipasto with a Spiedini (kebab) from the Wood Fire.
The attire: Smart Casual
Hours: The Bakery Café is open daily from 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM; breakfast is served daily from 7:00 - 11:00 AM; Weekend Brunch is available every Saturday from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM and Sunday from 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM; the bar and all-day dining are open from 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM Sunday through Thursday and 11:00 AM - midnight on Friday and Saturday.
