Renata's Cafe Italiano & Catering

Great restaurant. I used the patio for a large dinner meeting and everything was wonderful! Food was delicious, Ben was so helpful, perfect price point. And they cater! I'll definitely be back.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We have eaten here a few times now and the service is always great and the food is very good. Need a cute, easy dinner date night, this is a good home town vibe.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Wow. Just, wow! I was in town for work, and cousins insisted that I eat here. This place is a hidden gem in Orange. Nothing pretentious, just damn good Italian food. I had the Crab Stuffed Mushrooms, the house salad (dressing is AMAZING), and the Penne Sinatra. And of course the cheesecake! (Although I hear the Spumoni is also phenomenal.) The owner Ben is so charming, and sweet. If you haven't eaten here yet, put it on your culinary bucket list.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Delicious food and nice atmosphere! Wonderful service to boot, always so kind here. We make sure to visit every year when in town for a trade show.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Spaghetti Marinara, Pasta Marinara, Gnocchi, Tortellini Alla Panna, Pasta Carbonara

The pasta here was not bad as I ordered the carbonara but there are definitely better options available for pasta in the area. Expect service to be slow at certain times as the person taking the orders is also the one cooking.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 3

Renata's Cafe Italiano: A Missed Opportunity in Old Towne Orange

Renata's Cafe Italiano sits in a prime corner spot near the Orange Circle, but unfortunately, that's about where the charm ends. My most recent visit left me scratching my head about the lack of effort and care put into the experience.

The interior feels like an afterthought. A dimly lit space with visibly burned or discolored light fixtures might aim for cozy but lands squarely in neglected. The staircase leading to what could be a charming upper-level balcony is instead cluttered with storage, giving off a disorganized and claustrophobic vibe. The covered outdoor patio, where most diners were seated, felt more functional than inviting.

Service was no better. Staff seemed disengaged, with one person on the phone looking outright unhappy and another with limited communication skills. As a DoorDash driver, I noticed an unsettling lack of attention to detail--open bags handed off with no sealing or reassurance for customers, a basic standard in today's takeout world.

The restaurant's aesthetic choices--or lack thereof--add to the confusion. The large wall painting is one of the few bright spots, though it leans more "corporate Italian chain" than unique charm. It feels like the owners have checked out, with no effort to elevate the ambiance or inject creativity into the space.

Food-wise, my previous dine-in experience was unremarkable, and the lack of enthusiasm from staff didn't inspire confidence in the current order I was delivering. The restaurant was empty, which speaks volumes, especially when compared to the bustling Italian spot just down the street.

While I want to root for small, local businesses, it's hard to care when the owners seem like they don't. Renata's feels like a half-hearted attempt, and unless major changes are made, it's hard to recommend this place to anyone beyond its small, loyal niche. 1/5.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 1

Awesome!! Traditional Italian food. Excellent service. Portions big enough to share. I recommend to anyone who is looking for reasonably priced, excellent food and outstanding service. I will be returning.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Cannoli

First timer at Renata's and the food was so much better than I expected. I kept it simple and ordered fried calamari and carbonara pasta and they were both amazing! The calamari was very fresh and the pancetta on the carbonara was so crispy and appetizing. Renata's will definitely be seeing more of me!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Excellent customer service and such delicious authentic Italian food. Best in town and worth driving to if you don't live locally:) You can't wrong no matter which dish you order.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

A typical small Italian restaurant in old town Orange. Haven’t been here in 20 years, but certainly coming back more often. Started with bruschetta and the garlic popped while the rest just blended well. Chicken piccata with a house Chianti (or two) was excellent. Paired well with the angel hair, with red sauce and fresh veggies. I will try the garlic bread next time. Very nice people and there is a reason why it’s been here over 39 years! Thanks!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The food was REALLY yummy. The pricing of the special was kinda weird (salad that came with it showed up as extra on the bill) Be warned though there's no air conditioning so could be very hot on hot days

Parking: There is a tiny parking lot with two spots dedicated to the restaurant and dedicated spots for the other places next to it

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Good traditional Italian food. Prices are decent for food and wine. The specials are pretty good too!

Such good Italian food! The service is wonderful whether eating in the restaurant or getting takeout. We will go there every time we are in the area.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Spaghetti Meat Sauce, Garlic Bread, Penne Sinatra, Lasagna, Tortellini Alla Panna

I've been to Renata's twice and have enjoyed my experience each time. They have great specials, last time I went I got veal, and decent prices. Nice, cozy atmosphere that can enhance a date night.

I definitely recommend this place.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Spaghetti Meat Sauce, Garlic Bread, Spaghetti Marinara, Calamari Fritti, Gnocchi, Lasagna

We love this small family owned business. Always good food and the specials keep the menu fresh with new items to try.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Spaghetti Meat Sauce, Cannoli, Spaghetti Marinara, Gnocchi, Lasagna, Tortellini Alla Panna