22 Best Italian Restaurants in Lakeland

“Awesome Wine night ! Will def be back“

“Best Chicken Marsala I’ve ever had!! ❤️. Tiramisu birthday surprise was fabulous! Great food and great service! ❤️“

“We usually order sandwiches and pizza for take out, which is always delicious. Last night my husband and I decided to have our date night there and finally try the pasta. This place never fails. The food was amazing, especially the caprese burrata and panna cotta . I wish I could remember our servers name. She was the best server we've had anywhere in a long time. We will definitely be back!!!“

“Best Italian on North Side and great service also“

“I love finding new favorite places to eat in Lakeland. Chef T's did not disappoint. It's off the beaten path, a beautiful, charming early 1900s home. It's been open since 2008, how did I not know about it before! Loved the ambience, our server, Sam, the wine, the food, the tiramisu!“

“The staff there is amazing! I took my mom who is in a wheelchair and they had the doors opened before we even made it up the ramp. The servers were very attentive and friendly. We felt very welcomed and the food and atmosphere was wonderful. The experience was very pleasant ☺️“

“It was alright, It said it's authentic. Italian restaurant, it don't really seem like authentic. Italian restaurant usually when you go into a authentic Italian restaurant. A lot of times you'll see an Italian cook. You didn't see an Italian cook. We ordered calamari and a 10 inch pepperoni Pizza. We're looking for that New York. Pepperoni Pizza vibe definitely didn't get that. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't New York. Pepperoni pizza a the calamari it was pretty chewy, oh no I give it a fourstar.“

“First time here tonight - had chicken parm & and eggplant parm both are so good but the garlic knots were so soft and delicious!! we will definitely be back! Great service and great food is just what we were looking for!“

“The team there is very friendly and welcoming. My favorite pie slice is the Rustica it has pepperoni and ricotta cheese over a crispy dough. Tastes amazing, try it.“

“Great pizza we will definitely be back . Thank you“

“Palace Southside in Lakeland is an absolute gem for Italian food lovers! The Chicken Marsala was tender and flavorful with its rich mushroom sauce, the Rigatoni Bolognese tasted like it came straight out of an Italian kitchen, and the fresh salad and crispy bread were the perfect starters. The Toscana wine paired beautifully with our meal, and finishing off with their creamy tiramisu was the highlight of our evening. The cozy atmosphere and attentive staff made us feel right at home. Highly recommend this spot for anyone looking for authentic Italian cuisine and an unforgettable dining experience!“

“Bay Street Bistro is one of the best kept secrets in Lakeland FL. The food and service is top notch. We have been a few times and every time we go we are more than 100% satisfied.“

“New York style? Don't think so. Chicago style? Def not. Does Florida have a style? Whatever... I think it's the best pizza in Lakeland and Tampa Bay/St Pete/Clearwater (I've been all over these last 25+ years). I started enjoying this no-greasy-mess pizza well before the pandemic. They've gone through big changes in personnel but the pizza has always been very consistent, the same tasting delicious pie every time. I am so gonna miss this place when I move this summer...had to leave a review. Def Tops!!!“

“My sons and I eat at Olive Garden every Sunday, meeting a couple of friends there. We sit at the corner table in the bar section and our server Ben takes excellent care of us, always mindful if we need refills, making sure we have everything we need. He's personable, kind, friendly, and attentive, makes dining there a pleasure. The managers Nary and Tiffany are wonderful. Highly recommend this location!“

“I'm vegan and the staff does a great job making sure there's no dairy or meat in my food. I've been here multiple times and have introduced several of my friends to this restaurant and they all really like it. I usually get the minestrone soup and pasta primavera, but they have this delicious bread and red pepper/oil dipping sauce. I feel like I could just go there and drink some wine and fill up on the bread! They also have a great wine menu. My boyfriend loves the chicken marsala. Highly recommended! I'll be back again the next time I'm in the area :)“

“always great pizza ! and the turbo crust is awesome!“

“Everything‘s good I love their wings and pizzas“

“My boyfriend and I went to Ciao Bella for dinner. Nikki was our waitress. She has a fantastic personality and made the evening lots of fun! We ordered the meat lover pizza and it was great, the sauce was wonderful.“

“My experience at this pizza restaurant was very enjoyable, mainly because of the freshness and quality of ingredients. I ordered a vegetarian pizza and was happy with how fresh everything tasted. The vegetables were crisp and not overcooked, which made a big difference in flavor. The cheese was evenly spread and melted perfectly across the crust. The base was soft inside with a light crunch on the outside, making it very satisfying. The staff was polite and attentive, helping with menu suggestions and ensuring quick service. The restaurant was clean and had a comfortable atmosphere for dining in. I also liked the portion size, which was enough to feel full without being too heavy. Overall, it’s a place I would definitely return to again.“

“I've been to Hungry Howie's just once. This review is almost a year late. This was one of the few if not only place open the day after hurricane Milton passed (2024). Stopped here while returning to Tampa. The workers here provided fast and courteous service. The pizza and cheese bread were good. Many thanks to those workers who came in the day after the hurricane 🌀“

“There boneless wings are the best and the fires omg the best thing you could ask for nice cheap meal for two people love it here love the service takes a little for the food but comes out hot and fresh“