23 Best Italian Restaurants near Prospect

“Old School NY Pizza is hands-down one of the best spots in Louisville for that authentic New York-style slice, and I’ve become a regular for good reason. The staff here is genuinely great—friendly, fast, and always welcoming with a smile. They make you feel like a local even on your first visit, and they’re quick to get your order right, whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch or calling in for pickup. The salads are surprisingly excellent—fresh, generous portions, and perfectly dressed. They’re a solid choice if you’re balancing out the pizza indulgence or just want something light and tasty. But let’s talk about the pizza—it’s legit. The slices at lunch are a steal: big, foldable NY-style with that perfect thin, crispy crust, flavorful sauce, and gooey cheese that hits all the right notes. You can grab a couple slices and a drink for an unbeatable price, and it’s consistently hot and ready without feeling rushed or greasy. The whole pies are just as good if you’re feeding a group. The vibe is pure neighborhood gem—casual, laid-back, and comfortable. It’s got that classic pizzeria feel without any pretension, making it perfect for a quick bite, family dinner, or just chilling with friends. If you’re craving real-deal NY pizza in Louisville, do yourself a favor and hit up Old School NY Pizza. You won’t be disappointed—5 stars all the way! 🍕“

“It's rare that we have a date night on a weekday with two young children, but tonight was the exception. When I realized our anniversary was falling on a Wednesday, Perso was the first place that came to mind. Perso's Prix Fixe Menú is available every Sunday through Wednesday and offers a three course meal for $29. It's no secret that I'm a fine dining enthusiast; but who doesn't love a bargain? If you're looking for a nice night out without breaking the bank, this is your spot. Perso sits at the corner of Oak and Shelby in the same location as the former Square Cut Pizza. The giant windows in the front provide an abundance of natural light. The interior has a modern industrial vibe with painted exposed brick, plants, and Edison bulbs hanging on pendants. One wall with wooden slats gives a Scandinavian feel to the main dining area. It's a small-ish intimate space with a beautiful patio. For my first course, I chose Crostino Di Tonno- olive oil poached tuna, stracciatella, pickled celery, and Calabrian chili. I followed my first course with olive oil poached swordfish, corn chowder, and golden zucchini scapece. For dessert, I had the chef's choice: apple strudel with whipped cream cheese. My husband chose heirloom tomato with roasted eggplant, bagna couda, and fine herbs. For his main course, he had pork tenderloin with edamame, beef dashi, and fine herbs. We both opted for the chef's choice for dessert. I tasted each of his courses and they were every bit as delicious as my own. The edamame provided the perfect texture and his tenderloin dashi tasted gravy-esque without being overly heavy. Mostly notable, besides the insane deal for such decadence, was the fresh flavor combinations throughout. Our table had fresh rosemary as a centerpiece. The corn chowder was right up my alley. I could've licked my bowl if I wasn't trying to pretend to have a bit of class. The swordfish was tender, juicy, and not overly fishy. The tuna flatbread was the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. The mint on top of my whipped cream cheese truly set it apart. My lavender Manhattan was earthy and smoky, not just in flavor. It was literally smoking. My husband had an old-fashioned. Neither of us were disappointed. Our server, Amanda, was phenomenal. She offered recommendations. She visited our table to ensure we were satisfied the perfect number of times. Her warm demeanor was professional while also being personable. She was everything we hope for in a server. Perso's Sunday through Wednesday Prix Fixe Menú is hands-down one of the best opportunities for an affordable night out. That being said, once you get a taste of what they have to offer, you'll be sold on splurging any day of the week.“

“We always enjoy our experiences at Volare’. Fresh seafood dishes flown in each Friday for another one of their exquisite seafood entree’s. Large portions are in order and our favorites are the steak with bourbon glaze and salmon with a hot pepper sauce. Don’t forget to order their decadent desserts, even if you take it to go. Caring staff that make certain that your visit is flawless.“

“Visiting Louisville and two days in a row coming to this fabulous establishment! Absolutely amazing food and Lexi at the bar offered the best service!“

“Great pizza! The thin crust had a perfect crisp texture while still having a nice chew. The cheese and sauce were well balanced, and the flavor was exactly what I look for in a classic cheese pizza. You can tell they use quality ingredients and take pride in what they make. I'll definitely be ordering again.“

“I like Brian the bar tender. He is nice, friendly and does a good job. He sure knows how to make a good manHatton I would recommend this place to every body.“

“This place was wonderful! Yesterday was my first time coming to Grassa Gramma and my husband and I went for an early Valentine's date. The decor and atmosphere was breath taking! Just so gorgeous! Our waiter was kind and gave us the specials for the day. I ordered the baked seafood scampi and my husband ordered the cacio e pepe and we loved it! I even reheated my pasta today and it tastes just as delicious as it did yesterday!“

“Friendliest staff!! Most delicious food! All around perfect dining experience!!“

“This is my favorite place to go out to eat. Chris, the owner, is the chef, and he is BRILLIANT! If you like Italian food, and you haven't been here yet....you are missing out! I especially like the duck pasta (when available) and the apple walnut salad. :)“

“The food was enjoyable. The unavailability of beer was uncanny specially, no availability of the only one Italian beer offered. Cost way too long to be taken to the table. Some of the staff are welcoming. Others seem a little too good to help certain customers..“

“I inadvertently made a reservation for the wrong day for the table in the kitchen. Manager, Dino, took care of us even though it was my mistake! We always have a great experience at this location and will keep coming back!“

“I had never heard of this restaurant until a family member from out of state sent me a link as a suggestion to cater our grandson’s first birthday party. We were expecting 80 people (adults and children) - he is a miracle baby and this was a big celebration! We wanted to make sure there was enough food that both adults and children would enjoy. Paula was so patient and gracious to us as we went back and forth about what we wanted, even changing the menu at the last minute. She was also extremely helpful and gave us the perfect suggestions for a crowd our size, with something for everyone. She even made a low sodium option for my husband who is on a renal diet. We ended up with two pasta dishes and two kinds of panini sliders, with garlic bread bites and a complimentary tray of cookies. Everything was incredibly delicious, and we had tons of food! Everyone raved about it and commented it was like food at a wedding reception. The panini sliders were a huge hit! This is not your typical Italian food - it is high quality cuisine, and you can tell it is “made with love” as my husband says - and very reasonably priced especially for the quality. Lastly, Paula’s husband, Anthony, delivered the meal all the way to Bernheim Forest where we had the event. We were running behind and it was so chaotic when he got there - but he was so gracious and helpful, and even brought a birthday gift Paula had gotten for our grandson! Our entire experience with them was wonderful. They served us well, and we’ll definitely go back. They are busy, so if you don’t get a call back, be patient - it will be well worth the wait!“

“My wife and I have been coming here since 2018 or so, we have loved it every single time, enough that I proposed to my wife in the restaurant! Great food, kind staff, excellent decor. All around a great date night location!“

“This was my first visit to Porcini, and it definitely won't be my last. From start to finish, everything was outstanding. We started with the calamari appetizer, and it was excellent. The Caesar salad was one of the better ones I've had. My gnocchi with the spicy sausage was absolutely fantastic and easily the highlight of the meal. Everyone else at the table thoroughly enjoyed their dishes as well, including the risotto with shrimp, the filet, and the lamb chops.

The service was exceptional. Our server was attentive throughout the evening, and the support staff kept everything moving seamlessly without ever feeling intrusive. As an added bonus, they had Weller Antique 107 available, which was a nice surprise and a great way to finish the evening.

Overall, it was a fantastic dining experience with outstanding food, excellent service, and a great atmosphere. I can absolutely see why Porcini has such a strong reputation, and I'm already looking forward to my next visit.“

“Pizza is amazing!!! So yummy. The bartender is HORRIBLE. Stood at bar showing pictures to someone and totally ignored me. I had to end up leaving and have someone else get our drinks. She was extremely rude!“

“Ryan was our server this evening and he was absolutely amazing! We had a large group for our kiddos graduation. Thank you for the great food, atmosphere, and drinks! Was well worth coming from Texas 💕“

“We were traveling and got a recommendation to try Osteria. The evening could not have been better. Our server Kristy was wonderful and had a great knowledge of the food offerings and their preparation . The food was fantastic. The experience was a 10 out of 10. Thank You Osteria“

“Just went through Fazolis #5256 Hurstbourne/ Louisville KY & All I can say is Wow!! What a Difference from last time I went there!! The Ultimate Sampler was not only More Quantity but better Quality!! My wife’s #11 Penne Pasta also better tasting.. so Thx to KC & her Sunshine Band Crew including Chaz our Drive through Cashier & whoever Cooked & Packed Everything Was by Far best we have ever had in Years or Ever!!! Thx So much for not giving into Substandard.. 💕 -Richard Pitt“

“​I had an incredible dining experience at the Brownsboro location! From the moment I walked in, the hosting staff greeted me warmly and escorted me to my seat.
​Right off the bat, I started with a great glass of Chianti. My server, Kaylee, was absolutely fantastic from there on out. I’m currently on a diet, and she was incredibly helpful and accommodating, making sure I could get the minestrone soup to keep my meal light but delicious.
​The entire staff was helpful, delightful, and professional—five stars across the board. The food came out piping hot, and the overall vibe was excellent. To the GM running this place: huge shout out to you and your team for maintaining such high standards. I will definitely be back!“

“This place is amazing! The owner is so kind and personable! I will definitely be back!“

“Some of the best food in Louisville!“

“We have eaten here several times and find the meals to be exceptionally good.

The pasta dishes are excellent. There is a variety of entree options. We have never been disappointed.
To complement the food is the nice atmosphere and excellent service.
They expect you to order everything but dessert at once. However, unlike many places they do an excellent job pacing the food. The food is nicely plated. We tend to order several courses that we want split and they are very accommodating.

The bread service is good. In the Italian style they don’t serve it with butter but will bring it if asked.
The cocktails were very good. As was our dessert.

Absolutely wonderful meal and experience.
Highly recommended!!“