This restaurant is Top tier from the staff to the food!!!! Give them a try and thank me later !Kid-friendliness: Still not sure if kids are allowed because my daughter and niece where the only two kids in the building but the staff definitely didn’t make us feel out of place even after reading later that we were supposed to make reservations we were still seated quickly and provided GREAT customer service
Another great meal here just incredible local spot highly recommend itI finally made it in to try this legendary local place and absolutely loved it. That kitchen is putting out great scratch cooked food and the service was fantastic can’t wait to go back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gabrielle Brown
Small place, and they are always fully booked but it is well worth the effort to make a reservation!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Alfredo, Tiramisu
CN Lovin
The food is always great! We have special occasions there and they never fail to make the night wonderful. We go there often and sometimes order out and the food is always outstanding. Always call for a reservation they are more often than not full!
Best Italian restaurant in the area! This place is our go to for birthdays and celebrations! Highly highly recommended for food, service, and atmosphere!
I tried to go to TradeWinds this evening as a party of one. That's right, just me. I love going out to dinner by myself because I always just slip right into a bar seat. I arrive at the restaurant which is minimally and sparsely occupied. I see that the bar is completely open. Not even one person at the bar. I walk past the podium for the host/hostess (which is also unoccupied) and walk up to the bar. There I'm greeted by an obviously angry woman from behind the bar who asks me if I checked in with "David". She tells me "yes" I do in fact have to check in with David to sit at the vacant bar. I'm then met by a young woman (seemingly much more pleasant than the first) who tells me that they have to check availability at the bar. The bar is obviously available. They're just pissed that I didn't comply with their seating procedure. I left. I don't have time to play these games. I went across the street to Basil & Baxter. Had a great meal without the pretense. A better way to handle that would just allow me sit down and say, "I'm sure you're good but let me check".
Kevan Seamans
Awesome food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joshua Cowsert
If you want Italian, this is the place to eat.No arguments required. Just reservations.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Judith Schell
Delicious food! Very sweet and friendly owner! We love this little gem of an Italian restaurant! Service is always wonderful every time we've gone.I had the Chicken Picata - hands down delicious and I highly recommend it. My husband had his favorite, Chicken Parmesan which he says is always very good! The salad dressing, let me tell you, it's crazy good and the BEST house made salad dressing I've ever tasted, literally. Not to be forgotten, the bread and seasoned dipping oil is delicious with everything. We finished off our dinner with the Tiramisu and it didn't disappoint - some of the best I've ever had.The flavors are amazing and we'll definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spaghetti and Meatballs, Chicken Picatta, Lasagna, Olive Oil Dipping Sauce, Tiramisu, House Salad
The wife brought me here on Feb 23 for a delayed Valentine's dinner. She had previously dined here and wanted me to experience the food.Food was fantastic. A full loaf of warm, fresh bread served at the table with herb oil for dipping. Crispy crust, soft, supple inside and flavorful, the bread could be a meal in itself. Herbs and spices in the dipping oil were flavorful, though the red pepper flakes were spicier than I care for. However, the pepper never neared the level of heat where flavor is lost.Salads came with our dinners, served with a house vinaiggrette. Salad was fresh, but nothing notable. Dressing was on the salad when served, and overwhelmed the salad. Too much can be a bad thing...My wife ordered the Carbonera (and of course I sampled it at the table and ate the leftovers) which was flavorful and light, with crispy bacon (provided nice textural contrast from the pasta) and well-cooked pasta (al dente, and maybe a touch to the rarer side).I ordered the Lasagna (a meat lasagna) which came in what seemed like a bucket of marinara sauce. Fortunately the sauce was well-balanced and full of fresh basil and tomato flavor, and looked nice, though that amount was a bit excessive (not taking points off for it). Fork tender and full of flavor (particular the meat layers), the lasagna itself was among the best I've had. My preference however, is for a lasagna that generally holds its form, standing tall and proud in a sea of sauce. Bordering on a "deconstructed" lasagna, this particular lasagna spread out and generally lost its form and was hard to truly locate in all the sauce. (Again, this is a preference of mine, and I wouldn't take points off for the particular form.)Service was phenomenal, being greeted at the door at our reservation time, and quickly seated. Our waiter was attentive and helpful, never let our drinks get below half full, answered questions, politely laughed at my corny jokes and was respectful and polite. His attention never wandered to the realm of "annoying present" where you feel compelled to offer them a seat at the table since they are constantly there chatting. Food was served in an appropriate time -- not so quickly that you doubt the quality and have little time to enjoy the experience, but not so slowly that the loaf of bread has to be replaced long before the food arrives. Timing was perfect for the level of dining.As far as the atmosphere, this is the category Tradewinds loses points. Take-out orders have customers walking right past your table to the pickup counter -- a bit frustrating for an establishment that serves higher quality food. Additionally, the interior of the restaurant is dated at the least, looking like it has not undergone any revisions since 1989, having the dark wood and decor that is not very impressive. Keeping the lighting low might set mood and build atmosphere in nice restaurants, but they begin with quality dining room furniture and decor. Low light and dark stained wood provides a feeling of being in a bowling alley that allows smoking indoors, has a payphone on the wall, vending machines offering Pepsi Clear and a Mrs Pac Man arcade game.I'm not much for dressing up, but I suffer mentally being in a restaurant that has high standards for food, but customer's clothes range from hoodies + gym shorts to sport coat and jeans. Updating the interior of the restaurant would help guide the clothing customers wear, improving the entire atmosphere if this is truly meant to be "finer" (but not quite fine) dining. Of course, this IS Niceville, so this is still near the top in terms of quality.Note: For those that have visited the restaurant, it is obvious how to get to it. For new customers, it is very confusing and a challenge. The easiest access is from Hill Rd, and park at the back side of the building, and walk around to the front of the Tradewinds Restaurant.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Trent Fortner
One of the best Italian restaurants I've dined at.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
M Pruitt
This is a special place! We've been coming to Tradewinds since its early days in the late 1990s. We continue to go for their perfectly prepared pasta and seafood, pizza, steaks, pork chops, fresh salads, and decadent desserts. You must nearly always have a reservation, so plan ahead. This is a locals' secret, but the word got out when it won so many cuisine awards year-to-year. Don't miss the opportunity to bring out-of-town guests with you, but it's ideal for an intimate date too. I had the Grouper with capers over pasta; others had Carbonara, Pasti, and Alfredo dishes. The flourless chocolate "cake" was delicious too. You gotta go!
Recommended dishes: Seafood and Pasta Primavera, Carbonara, Grouper Piccata, Alfredo
Olin Malone
We’ve only been in the area a short time and had yet to find a good sit down place for dinner. wow, did we find it at Tradewinds. They checked all the boxes; awesome food, service, atmosphere, and prices. Coming from the Boston area, I would put Tradewinds up against any of the North End eateries.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood and Pasta Primavera, Antipasto, Flourless Chocolate Cake, Olive Oil Dipping Sauce, Tiramisu
This restaurant is Top tier from the staff to the food!!!! Give them a try and thank me later !Kid-friendliness: Still not sure if kids are allowed because my daughter and niece where the only two kids in the building but the staff definitely didn’t make us feel out of place even after reading later that we were supposed to make reservations we were still seated quickly and provided GREAT customer service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Alfredo, Bruschetta, Chicken Alfredo
Another great meal here just incredible local spot highly recommend itI finally made it in to try this legendary local place and absolutely loved it. That kitchen is putting out great scratch cooked food and the service was fantastic can’t wait to go back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Small place, and they are always fully booked but it is well worth the effort to make a reservation!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Alfredo, Tiramisu
The food is always great! We have special occasions there and they never fail to make the night wonderful. We go there often and sometimes order out and the food is always outstanding. Always call for a reservation they are more often than not full!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Chicken Parmesan, Olive Oil Dipping Sauce, Tiramisu, Chicken Alfredo
Best Italian restaurant in the area! This place is our go to for birthdays and celebrations! Highly highly recommended for food, service, and atmosphere!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Alfredo, Olive Oil Dipping Sauce, Chicken Alfredo
Love this place &F00d is the
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I tried to go to TradeWinds this evening as a party of one. That's right, just me. I love going out to dinner by myself because I always just slip right into a bar seat. I arrive at the restaurant which is minimally and sparsely occupied. I see that the bar is completely open. Not even one person at the bar. I walk past the podium for the host/hostess (which is also unoccupied) and walk up to the bar. There I'm greeted by an obviously angry woman from behind the bar who asks me if I checked in with "David". She tells me "yes" I do in fact have to check in with David to sit at the vacant bar. I'm then met by a young woman (seemingly much more pleasant than the first) who tells me that they have to check availability at the bar. The bar is obviously available. They're just pissed that I didn't comply with their seating procedure. I left. I don't have time to play these games. I went across the street to Basil & Baxter. Had a great meal without the pretense. A better way to handle that would just allow me sit down and say, "I'm sure you're good but let me check".
Awesome food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If you want Italian, this is the place to eat.No arguments required. Just reservations.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Delicious food! Very sweet and friendly owner! We love this little gem of an Italian restaurant! Service is always wonderful every time we've gone.I had the Chicken Picata - hands down delicious and I highly recommend it. My husband had his favorite, Chicken Parmesan which he says is always very good! The salad dressing, let me tell you, it's crazy good and the BEST house made salad dressing I've ever tasted, literally. Not to be forgotten, the bread and seasoned dipping oil is delicious with everything. We finished off our dinner with the Tiramisu and it didn't disappoint - some of the best I've ever had.The flavors are amazing and we'll definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spaghetti and Meatballs, Chicken Picatta, Lasagna, Olive Oil Dipping Sauce, Tiramisu, House Salad
Restaurantji Recommends
The wife brought me here on Feb 23 for a delayed Valentine's dinner. She had previously dined here and wanted me to experience the food.Food was fantastic. A full loaf of warm, fresh bread served at the table with herb oil for dipping. Crispy crust, soft, supple inside and flavorful, the bread could be a meal in itself. Herbs and spices in the dipping oil were flavorful, though the red pepper flakes were spicier than I care for. However, the pepper never neared the level of heat where flavor is lost.Salads came with our dinners, served with a house vinaiggrette. Salad was fresh, but nothing notable. Dressing was on the salad when served, and overwhelmed the salad. Too much can be a bad thing...My wife ordered the Carbonera (and of course I sampled it at the table and ate the leftovers) which was flavorful and light, with crispy bacon (provided nice textural contrast from the pasta) and well-cooked pasta (al dente, and maybe a touch to the rarer side).I ordered the Lasagna (a meat lasagna) which came in what seemed like a bucket of marinara sauce. Fortunately the sauce was well-balanced and full of fresh basil and tomato flavor, and looked nice, though that amount was a bit excessive (not taking points off for it). Fork tender and full of flavor (particular the meat layers), the lasagna itself was among the best I've had. My preference however, is for a lasagna that generally holds its form, standing tall and proud in a sea of sauce. Bordering on a "deconstructed" lasagna, this particular lasagna spread out and generally lost its form and was hard to truly locate in all the sauce. (Again, this is a preference of mine, and I wouldn't take points off for the particular form.)Service was phenomenal, being greeted at the door at our reservation time, and quickly seated. Our waiter was attentive and helpful, never let our drinks get below half full, answered questions, politely laughed at my corny jokes and was respectful and polite. His attention never wandered to the realm of "annoying present" where you feel compelled to offer them a seat at the table since they are constantly there chatting. Food was served in an appropriate time -- not so quickly that you doubt the quality and have little time to enjoy the experience, but not so slowly that the loaf of bread has to be replaced long before the food arrives. Timing was perfect for the level of dining.As far as the atmosphere, this is the category Tradewinds loses points. Take-out orders have customers walking right past your table to the pickup counter -- a bit frustrating for an establishment that serves higher quality food. Additionally, the interior of the restaurant is dated at the least, looking like it has not undergone any revisions since 1989, having the dark wood and decor that is not very impressive. Keeping the lighting low might set mood and build atmosphere in nice restaurants, but they begin with quality dining room furniture and decor. Low light and dark stained wood provides a feeling of being in a bowling alley that allows smoking indoors, has a payphone on the wall, vending machines offering Pepsi Clear and a Mrs Pac Man arcade game.I'm not much for dressing up, but I suffer mentally being in a restaurant that has high standards for food, but customer's clothes range from hoodies + gym shorts to sport coat and jeans. Updating the interior of the restaurant would help guide the clothing customers wear, improving the entire atmosphere if this is truly meant to be "finer" (but not quite fine) dining. Of course, this IS Niceville, so this is still near the top in terms of quality.Note: For those that have visited the restaurant, it is obvious how to get to it. For new customers, it is very confusing and a challenge. The easiest access is from Hill Rd, and park at the back side of the building, and walk around to the front of the Tradewinds Restaurant.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of the best Italian restaurants I've dined at.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is a special place! We've been coming to Tradewinds since its early days in the late 1990s. We continue to go for their perfectly prepared pasta and seafood, pizza, steaks, pork chops, fresh salads, and decadent desserts. You must nearly always have a reservation, so plan ahead. This is a locals' secret, but the word got out when it won so many cuisine awards year-to-year. Don't miss the opportunity to bring out-of-town guests with you, but it's ideal for an intimate date too. I had the Grouper with capers over pasta; others had Carbonara, Pasti, and Alfredo dishes. The flourless chocolate "cake" was delicious too. You gotta go!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Carbonara, Grouper Piccata, Flourless Chocolate Cake, Alfredo, Tiramisu, Chicken Marsala
Great dining, atmosphere. Make a reservation.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood and Pasta Primavera, Carbonara, Grouper Piccata, Alfredo
We’ve only been in the area a short time and had yet to find a good sit down place for dinner. wow, did we find it at Tradewinds. They checked all the boxes; awesome food, service, atmosphere, and prices. Coming from the Boston area, I would put Tradewinds up against any of the North End eateries.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood and Pasta Primavera, Antipasto, Flourless Chocolate Cake, Olive Oil Dipping Sauce, Tiramisu