25 Best Italian Restaurants near Old Lyme

“Just heaven. Recipes that haven’t changed in 60 years. Always look forward to my first watermelon“

“Sapore just catered an event for my family. The food was absolutely delicious, hot and plentiful. They can also deliver. Highly recommend. Can't thank everyone at Sapore enough. Love their food💕“

“Great food. We were 4 and ordered: Penne ala Vodka GREAT Carbonara GREAT Special Burger GREAT Meat Lovers Pizza PERFECT CRUST“

“Best penne alla vodka I’ve ever had. Gluten free option too! Great service as well. ❤️“

“EXCEPTIONAL Italian deli. Cool little place and very friendly.“

“Love it so very much. Food is excellent“

“This restaurant is one we have come to love. Our server, Maggie, was absolutely wonderful — so attentive, kind, and very professional. She truly made our evening special. We started with the stuffed mushroom caps, artichoke hearts, and a Caprese salad, and all of the appetizers were outstanding — fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. We had the filet of sole stuffed with crab and it was absolutely delicious. Allison had the lasagna with a Caesar salad and it was out of this world. The birthday girl had the manicotti with a Caesar salad, and she said it was transcendent. We finished the meal with pistachio and spumoni ice cream balls covered in chocolate, and of course the birthday girl had a slice of their amazing chocolate cake topped with a birthday candle with everyone singing Happy Birthday!!! It was the perfect ending to a wonderful evening. By the end of the night, the birthday girl was so happy with her meal that she kissed the chef — which really says it all. It was a truly lovely evening, and we can’t wait to come back.“

“Ate here a few days ago! Everything was excellent! The Pomodoro Caprese Salad was good and the Veal Parmesan was excellent! Would definitely order it again! Raspberry Sorbet was amazing!!!! Staff is very friendly and wonderful! Definitely will eat here again! Great first time experience! ❤️❤️❤️“

“Absolutely incredible experience at Grano Arso. We did the 5-course tasting and every single dish was phenomenal from start to finish. The flavors, presentation, service, and atmosphere were all on another level. You can tell a lot of passion and attention goes into every detail here. One of the best dining experiences we’ve had in Connecticut. Perfect spot for a special night out and definitely worth the drive. We’ll absolutely be back.“

“Went because of a Groupon we had but definitely will return for special occasions. Food was fantastic, staff friendly as can be. We sat at the bar and Chelsea was a dream!“

“Highly recommend!! Best Italian food around! Waitstaff is amazing as well, which makes for an even better dining experience! You won’t be disappointed!!“

“Ordered online for this one. Pizza was fantastic. So happy that they offer vegan cheese and a vegan sausage. We ended up choosing those toppings as well as hot peppers. Absolutely delicious. Thank you for having vegan options, we will 1000% be getting pizza here again(definitely as a dine in next time) 🍕🌱💕✨“

“SO SO SO SO GOOD. We couldn’t decide so we got 3- a margherita, a classic and a mashed potato. The sauce is incredibly, and every pie was perfectly balanced with ingredients and an insane crust that was both chewy and crunchy. 🤌🏻 perfecto!“

“We had a two delicious meals. The duck was crisp and not fatty. I had the special with roasted potatoes and spiraled veggies with a delicious sauce. My husband thought his paella was very good. This new restaurant’s staff and owners try very hard to please their customers. We will definitely be back!“

“Fantastic pizza! I'm pretty picky with pizza..I was impressed. service was great too! 👍🏼“

“My wife & I have been enjoying MANY weekday meals at TJ'S for more than several years. And I can honestly say that we have, not only enjoyed the food we ordered, but, more importantly, the caring and attentive staff that we have dealt with over those years. We could more highly recommend this restaurant as a place for you to enjoy a good meal!!“

“WOW! I've been stuck out on the west coast for a while, had the worst flight back...but this was my first stop en route to the hotel! SCOREEEE! BEST CHICKEN PARM EVER , LEGENDARY 🏆. Can't thank you all enough, amazing crew and staff, great atmosphere, quiet part of town. Will absolutely be back! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED A++“

“Excellent meal , perfect flavor and presentation, and generous portions“

“I really enjoyed my visit to this spot because it had such a nice neighborhood feel to it. The menu has a great mix of classic comfort foods, and I was pleasantly surprised by how well everything was prepared. The service was friendly and efficient, so I never felt like I was waiting too long for a drink refill or my food. It is the perfect kind of place to grab a reliable meal when you just want something tasty without any fuss.“

“Five professional motor cycle riders who eat in a lot of food at different stops were very satisfied. Great prices/ great quality/ good quantity/fast service/ great waitress/ clean modern seating and restrooms/ ample free parking. Its now on our favorite list. Thank you for serving us so well!!“

“Slice Mob Takeover

Nine members of the Slice Mob walked into Sal's Pizza & Pasta hungry. The pizzas never stood a chance.

Located in Old Saybrook, Sal's is spacious, comfortable, and welcoming, with Italian classics playing in the background and plenty of room for a large gathering. It proved to be the perfect setting for a Slice Mob takeover.

A variety of pizzas made their way to our tables, but I started with the basics: crushed tomatoes, fresh garlic, and grated Parmesan. Sometimes simple is best.

Built on a beautifully crisp crust that held up from first bite to last, this pizza let the tomatoes shine. They were lightly seasoned and full of flavor, supported by the punch of garlic and the salty bite of Parmesan. No unnecessary distractions. Just a really well-executed pizza.

Next up was Sal's Works. Same great crust and sauce foundation, loaded with sausage, pepperoni, bacon, roasted peppers, mushrooms, onions, and mozzarella.

This pie struck a nice balance between meat-lover indulgence and vegetable-forward freshness. The toppings were applied with restraint and purpose, allowing every ingredient to contribute. Salty, sweet, savory, and packed with contrasting textures, from crispy bacon to tender sausage and vegetables, every bite worked.

As more pizzas arrived, the room got a little quieter. That's usually a good sign. The Slice Mob tends to have plenty to say, but when great pizza hits the table, conversation takes a back seat.

What stood out most?

Not a single complaint from anyone.

And if you've ever dined with the Slice Mob, you know that's about as rare as finding a parking spot in New Haven on a Saturday night.

Michael, the second-generation owner, came out to greet us and pose for a photo. Super nice guy, humble, appreciative, and genuinely happy to see us. He also couldn't help but comment on the number of pizzas we ordered. Fair observation. We may have slightly exceeded the recommended daily allowance of pizza.

The restaurant is beautiful. The staff was friendly and attentive. The food was excellent. And perhaps most surprising in today's world, the prices were incredibly reasonable.

Judging by the smiles around the room, the empty trays, and the steady stream of pizzas coming out of the kitchen, Sal's didn't just feed the Slice Mob. They won us over.

Great owners. Great staff. Great pizza.

Sal's Pizza & Pasta is officially Slice Mob Approved.

Pizza is life. See you at the next slice.“

“The Italian food you’d prepare yourself if you had the time and talent. A variety of dishes from northern Italian to Southern and more. Among my favorites: chicken piccata, chicken limone and crustless quiche. Portions for two or large pans for the family. They also have high-end baked goods. Highly recommend.“

“Ordered the Rigatoni Ala Vodka and they had me at the first bite. I can honestly say that I’ve never had better. We ate at the bar and loved the atmosphere, staff were friendly and very talkative.in a positive way! I thought prices were reasonable and food options were a pleasant surprise. We ate everything in sight and didn’t feel bad at all Put this place on your list.“

“A little pricey , but you get what you pay for. The food is absolutely excellent!“

“Stayed here for a family vacation the amenities were amazing they have a Starbucks inside of the spa and the spa itself was a treat to be there for it was a very relaxing place to spend a vacation I would recommend it to all my friends and family“