20 Best Italian Restaurants near Niantic

“From the moment we walked into Charlie's place we knew we were going to have a good experience ...... the place looked nice , staff were all friendly, and the food was awesome! We will be going back soon, and if you're in the area go to Charlie's you won't be disappointed!“

“Been wanting to stop for sometime and finally did. Wish I had stopped sooner! Very friendly staff and amazing food. Check out their Facebook page for daily specials. Everything I sampled and purchased was delicious! The owner Jay was very pleasant and informative. Will definitely be going back again and again.“

“Really cute place. could feel the love. The wait does take a while so beware if bringing kids or if starving. I had a shrimp special and it was good and light. my husband has ate here before and adores this place. this time he got the Buffalo Mac and it was amazing. the garlic bread is good. the Tiramisu was really good. I got a little pasta dish, a cannoli, and carrot cake to go. the cannoli wasn't my favorite but it was my first cannoli so maybe I'm just not a fan. the pasta was simple and plain. but the carrot cake, absolutely try this.“

“stopped in for lunch with my mom today. she had the chef's salad and I had the side garden salad and a bowl of minestrone. everything was delicious... especially my soup. focaccia and dipping oil was served at the table. so delicious!! fantastic server with a great laugh and sense of humor. I think it was Nino who came around to tables and asked how meals were. when we left, everyone said bye, have a great day. Will definitely come back with a bigger appetite. thanks!!“

“We just love this place ! The wait staff are friendly and courteous. The food is authentic Italian cuisine, like no other around. If you are looking for real Italian food, this is a great place to start. I love everything about this restaurant!“

“The vibes of the low light is prime for romantic dinners with your significant other, the food is always on point and the top of the servers is Jerry, for those who’ve been before they know how great of a server he is, I’ve always requested him every time I’ve gone, unfortunately he doesn’t work there anymore but I’m sure he’s left the younger servers with the blueprint to be the best.“

“What a gem! Really lovely experience and are shocked it wasn’t packed on a Sunday night. It’s a bit of a drive for us, but we will definitely be back.The atmosphere and service gave classy vibes. Tasty cocktails and appetizers. Loved the authenticity of flavors — had our first empanada! We ordered several things off the specials menu, and while my own steak wasn’t a particularly tender cut, there are certainly plenty of options to choose from. Locals are lucky to have this place! Just wish we had saved room for dessert…“

“I’ve driven by multiple times and finally had a chance to stop in for an early dinner. Upon entering the hostess was very pleasant and took me to the front patio area. I also immediately recognized the pomodoro and garlic smell that is distinctive of high end Italian restaurants. The waiter was just as pleasant and recognized that I was from out of town ( must have seen my plates on my car ). The bread and smoky EVOO was a great touch. There were multiple menu items I wanted to try but decided that this visit would be the old faithful Chicken Parm. It absolutely did not disappoint. Arrived perfectly prepared from the kitchen and as accompanied by home made spaghetti. One of the best prepared chicken parms I’ve had on the East coast. Skipped dessert but will be back to try more! Bravo !!“

“Skip the casino food and make the drive. Surprisingly good meal at very affordable prices. After checking on the availability of options in the Mohegan Sun, we decided against the long wait times and make the 15 minute drive to The Recovery Room. Absolutely worth it! Parking is available and there is a long bar at which you can eat. The waitstaff appears to be all very young, but they are well trained and work very well together to provide delicious food like the Arincini, clam casino pizza and fried calamari that my table shared. The burgers are also outstanding and the fries at just the way I like them. If I’m in the area again, this will be my first choice.Dietary restrictions: GF pasta is available for an additional fee.“

“THE GRINDERS HERE ARE FANTASTIC. FULL STOP!!!! Ignore the naysayers. This is a very small simple Italian grinder shop. It's likely that this shop used to be more robust & offer Italian groceries & subs: more like a real Italian Deli. It's pretty bare bones now but that's okay bc it's still EXCELLENT. They just have scaled back tremendously to focus on a dozen or so different grinders. THEY USE AWESOME AUTHENTIC ITALIAN BREAD for their grinders. And their Italian oil they drizzle on some of their subs is DELISH & TOP QUALITY. I had a turkey grinder with LTO, sweet & hot peppers & drizzle of olive oil & freshly cracked pepper. The SMALL SUBS are 9 INCHES & are ~$10- The LARGE SUBS ARE 12 INCHES ~$12-. They sell a few flavors of small sized Community potato chips, Cole slaw, macaroni & potato salad $2.50 & 3-4 types of cold canned soda. The staff were very nice, kind, & courteous. There's only 1 or 2 older gentlemen working in the shop & there's a steady stream of customers. I DEFINITELY recommend calling ahead 15+ mins to order if you are in a hurry. ALSO CASH ONLY. (ATM AVAILABLE ACROSS STREET AT LOCAL RICHONI’S BAR & TAVERN). Overall EXCELLENT EXPERIENCE!HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR DELICIOUS TOP QUALITY GRINDERS!“

“Filomena's nestled in the picturesque town of Waterford is a culinary gem offering a taste of authentic Italian cuisine. As you step into this charming restaurant, you're welcomed by the inviting aroma of freshly prepared dishes and the cozy ambiance that sets the stage for a memorable dining experience.From classic pasta dishes like chicken parm to hearty meat entrees such as the steak, Filomena's menu boasts a delicious array of traditional Italian favorites, each prepared with love and attention to detail. The flavors are rich and comforting, transporting diners to the heart of Italy with every bite.The decor and warm lighting create a cozy atmosphere that invites guests to linger and savor each moment. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or enjoying a casual dinner with loved ones, Filomena's provides the perfect setting for a memorable meal.The attentive staff at Filomena's go above and beyond to ensure that every guest feels welcomed and well taken care of. Their passion for hospitality shines through in their exceptional service, making each visit a delightful experience.Overall, Filomena's in Waterford is a culinary destination not to be missed, offering delicious food, inviting ambiance, and impeccable service that will leave you eager to return for more."“

“Ate in on a rainy Saturday night, very much enjoyed the stuffed meat lovers pizza, which was huge and very filling; served with marinara on the side. Excellent value with plenty of leftovers. It was a busy night for takeout orders and the waitress was manning both the tables and cash register, so service was a bit slow, but we got a garlic knot (also excellent) some complimentary sample slices of pizza while waiting. Will certainly be returning.“

“If I could give more than 5 stars, I would! To start, the food is amazing and the atmosphere is inviting and clean. The wonderful people that work and run things are amazing with our kiddos and the service has been stellar. I literally can’t name one thing that has gone wrong since we started making this our regular stop and I don’t expect there to be one in the future.“

“Food was amazing!! My favorite dish was the lobster bisque. Service was a little slow due to the popularity. The atmosphere is very nice and welcoming.Kid-friendliness: I took my kids who are 4 and 7 and they also enjoyed it. They have a kids menu with plenty of options such as grilled cheese and many other kid friendly foods like pizza and soups.“

“We had a great dinner from Woodfellas! Saw it as I dove by earlier in the day and decided to give it a try. We did take-out but the atmosphere of the restaurant was warm and inviting! Our next meal here will be dine in.The owner greeted me as I walked in and was very pleasant! We ordered the love salad and a cheese pizza. The salad was amazing! Full of garlic and pepper and cheese and salami! Authentic Hughies Love Salad!! The pizza was great! Sauce was good with a nice wood fire crust! Fabulous dinner and can't wait to dine in!“

“This is by far my favorite pizza. Bacon Artichoke Spinach is such a fantastic combo. They make deep dish pizza with the cheese all the way to and over the edges of the crust. Even though I don't live near here anymore, I still think about how delicious it is. I know when I am in the area and hungry, I'd stop by for a personal pizza.Vegetarian options: Toppings can be changedDietary restrictions: Toppings can be changedParking: Big parking lot, but a little tight backing outKid-friendliness: Pizza and good atmosphere for themWheelchair accessibility: Ramps and handicapped parking“

“We had a phenomenal experience here for dinner. The food was delicious and the prices were beyond reasonable. We had lasagna and stuffed flounder that were both great. And most of all, the service was amazing. Everybody was kind and welcoming, especially our server Kaitlyn, she was so kind and attentive.“

“The service is fast, friendly and the food is delicious. Soft Italian music and such a large selection of meals and treats. Can't go wrong here.Plenty of parking to accommodate guests, small bar area compared so some of the other locations.Sephora was our waiter and very pleasant to work worth.Thanks Olive Garden!“

“While I was in East Lyme visiting I decided to try this place. It was actually really good and the service was pretty enjoyable as well. I ordered the plum ceaser and the pesto bread and both were super tasteful. Whoever is in the East Lyme area should most definitely try out The Plum Tomato!! :)))“

“First time I ever ate anything from there. A friend of mine told me that they had really good pizza and me being a pizza aficionado I figured for sure I would be able to say, "it was good or it was bad." It was absolutely one of the best pizzas I've ever had. They don't skimp on the cheese. They don't skimp on the meat that they put on top. The crust is a very, very nice crust. I couldn't say anything could have been better. I'll definitely go back.“