Leaning Tree Italian Restaurant

First time visiting Leaning Tree and I must say the food was delicious! Luigi was our waiter and took very good care of us. I got one of the specials which was a bison steak which was superb! Our desserts were wonderful as well! Highly recommend and the most authentic Italian food I have had outside of Italy!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The restaurant looked beautiful and we were seated right away. The maître d’ was fine and knowledgeable . The wine list was extensive and the background piano player was fabulous. But the food was average , chicken Marsala was dry and flavor subpar. The other dishes were tomato sauce based and tasted like it came out of a can. Very disappointed.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 2

Service: 4

Love it here

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

A must stop for great Italian food.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I guess they have a cool space that makes it seem more interesting, but I'm judging on the food/price alone. For 120$ for 2, the food was pretty sad. Dish selection uninspired, Pasta overcooked, zero presentation or depth, menu has surcharge for everything. I get the restaurant industry is hard, but it's untenable to pass those difficulties to the customer. Charge 5 dollars more for the food, add some basic presentation and flavor complexity. Would have gladly paid extra and wouldn't have gotten such a gross vibe. Star added for the drink, props to the bartender.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 4

Great northern italian food. Very authentic.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We had such a great experience. Luigi's service was amazing—friendly, attentive, and made us feel truly welcome from the moment we arrived. The ambiance was just as impressive, warm and inviting with a relaxed yet elegant vibe. Everything came together perfectly for a really enjoyable evening. Highly recommend! Will be back

Can't catch a quick flight to Italy for food?

BUT WAIT - You're in luck, because this place is the next best thing to that.

Service: 10/10
Everyone there was very nice and attentive. Quality service.

Atmosphere: 10/10
Aesthetics inside and lighting outside at night were very pretty-definitely make sure to check out the beautiful garden! Plenty of room to hang out with friends and family.

Food: 100/10
This place is INCREDIBLY underrated. When they say authentic Italian, it is 100% true. You can just tell it was made in house. Bread was made perfectly and the Veal entrée with their sauce was amazing.
DON'T FORGET THE CANOLI!
The balance of flavors is 🤌

Having grown up knowing what authentic Italian food really taste like has made me picky about italian food. This place exceeded expectations and is hands down the best Italian restaurant you will find and it's about a 30-40 min drive from Raleigh. Absolutely worth it, no hesitation.
Will be going back and spreading the word to friends!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

If you want a authentic homemade Italian restaurant, this is the place to go! The food was fresh. The service was amazing and the restaurant is just beautiful. Perfect for a date or for a family gathering.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We have a delightful dinner at Leaning Tree. From appetizer to dessert, our food was well prepared and well presented. The wine list is well curated with a range of by-the-glass wines and some excellent bottle options. Service was attentive but not at all intrusive. The vibe is welcoming, friendly and relaxing. It's a great place to enjoy good food and relaxing conversation. There are tables available for couples, small groups and large groups. We are looking forward to returning soon!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Excellent restaurant. Great service. Wonderful atmosphere

Probably the best chicken Florentine I've ever had. Was out of this world

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Found this place on TikTok. It did not disappoint. Owner greeted us when we came in. Service was excellent. The calamari is real calamari! Our dishes superb!! And the dessert, I thought we were back in New York. Live piano music played as we enjoyed our night. A real treasure that I am glad we got to experience!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

i read about this place and all reviews so i was expecting something great but i was very disappointed. we drive one hour which is fine but the quality of the food for the price was ridiculous. bread was blah with oil and balsamic vinegar no spices. the pasta was terrible. i would have gotten better pasta from a chain restaurant. i expected real Italian pasta and that sauce was bland. it was as good as can pasta. we have traveled many places so not at all tasty. i had steak which was good but not $75 good. again not impressed. the creme brûlée was probably the only thing we enjoyed. can’t say it until you try it so i tried it and was not happy. will not return. not worth the hype.

Omg authentic Italian l!! You gig g try this place! Evening u have to drive it is so worth it!!!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We celebrated the day after Christmas with friends from Virginia. The food was amazing having authentic Italian taste with incredible flavor. We savored especially the “mici” - small burgers cooked over charred grill. The wine Luigi recommended for our dinner was delicious. Mariana, the owner, kept us company and together with our friends we all enjoyed a memorable evening in a cozy -friendly atmosphere . We highly recommend The Leaning Tree Restaurant for any occasion!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5