26 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. ❤️“

“Everything is great! Stop in and enjoy your lunch!“

“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.“

“This was our 3rd visit to Gran Arso, and it is the third wonderful time that we immensely enjoyed our meals. The chef is truly talented, with many of the dishes pairing different ingredients that one would be surprised that would go so well together. It is truly one of our very top places that we have experienced. Previously we have had top notch servers. This time we were a little disappointed, however. She was slow to bring out our drink reorder (so much so that we ended up cancelling). She also made us feel that we were being rushed to get us out of the restaurant. Additionally, while well informed about the menu items, she did not directly answers some simple questions appropriately. (example: I asked her how the duck breast was prepared, wanting to know what temperature to expect the the meat to be served. She answered something like “perfectly”). We were not impressed! Other than our server, we had a wonderful experience, and I would HIGHLY recommend Grano Arso to anyone who is in this area!“

“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! ❤️❤️❤️“

“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!“

“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!“

“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!!“

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

“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“

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

“This place is great. Great food, great people. Even great customers. We always meet fun people here, that’s a big why it’s a favorite. Growing up on the Boston area, I love fried seafood. Charlie’s fried seafood is the closest reminder to the fried whole bellies I grew up with. And the Bahamas Mamas are on point!“

“I had the gluten-free Magic Garden sandwich, and it was probably one of the best I have eaten in a while. Veggies were fresh and I love the variety, it had lettuce, sprouts, roasted red peppers, olives, onion, tomato, and it was topped with a chutney....sooo good! I will definitely be back for this one.“

“This restaurant is my summer favorite. Awesome staff, awesome food and a wonderful view at Pilots Point Marina. Absolutely the best !“

“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.“

“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!!“

“Pasta Vita is one of my favorite places to grab a meal. I’ve honestly never had a bad dish there. Everything is fresh, delicious, and made with quality ingredients, while still feeling wholesome and not overly heavy.

I love that they rotate their menu every week, so there’s always something new to try. The prices are very reasonable for the quality, too. Whether you’re picking up dinner for yourself or feeding a family, you really can’t go wrong. It’s an absolute gold mine!“

“As someone who grew up in the area, I am so excited to see this place revived. The memorabilia, even the plates Pay homage to the history of Moodus and East Haddam. The history is incredible, and felt magical to me. I can’t wait to go back. Thank you, Jimmy and to your partners - Your family would be so proud!“

“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“