Have been in Charlotte for a little over a year now, and this was probably the best Italian place I have found so far. I was torn between the ravioli and lasagna, and the server suggested the lasagna, so that's what I went with. There was a little bit of grease on top when I got it, but that means you know they made it with a little extra love, right? The Italian dressing on my side salad was very good, as was the bread they brought out.
Explore62338610843
My family and I have been coming to The Open Kitchen for decades. The food and the service always succeeds. Tonight was terrific. My wife and I arrived after work. We sat in our favorite booth. The Open Kitchen has various seating arrangements in different rooms throughout. The ambience and history is what you would expect from a family run restaurant for more than sixty years. We had the Chicken Parmigiana with pasta and Mariana sauce. Also a house salad with their Italian dressing along with a glass of Chianti. Everything was excellent. Other favorites are the lasagna and various pastas. Portions were generous. Prices are reasonable. The service is friendly and attentive. If you’re looking for an authentic Italian experience, The Open Kitchen is it.
Clare M.
Don't let the exterior fool you - this Charlotte establishment is a must try! Family-owned and dripping with old-world Italian charm, Open Kitchen is the red-and-white-checked-tablecloth was-the-Godfather-filmed-here restaurant you need in your life. Great for families and groups, the food is simple but the atmosphere something truly special.
Shauntae F.
The food was excellent. I was a little wearing going inside because it didn't exactly look like a nice restaurant. Even the inside was not exactly welcoming and seems a bit unclean, it could use some freshening up, we looked up and the vents and cakes of dust. However, the staff was so nice, the service was excellent, and we loved our food.
Sally Douglas Bedenbaugh
Great food and service. Friendly and always, always perfect. Thankfully the Open Kitchen survived the pandemic and still going strong for many generations to enjoy ❤️
Jenn J.
I think everyone knows this spot is past it's prime. We went with family in town to celebrate someone we lost, who used to love this place. The food comes in really large portions, but just is not good. We started with the mozzarella sticks and some cheese bread, both were acceptable, but nothing to write home about. I had the chicken parm, which is nothing like any other chicken parm I've ever had. After it was delivered I realized that I had ordered it a long time ago and also thought the same thing. My mistake. It was basically grilled chicken swimming in a dish of underwhelming pasta sauce with some cheese on top. We will definitely not be back here again - there are a ton of other better options in Charlotte for Italian.
Mike A
Could not even get waited on! Sat for 30 minutes while 2 waitresses walked by MANY times. Finally walked out after the “manager” called us rude and wanted to do nothing to make it right. Made a reservation because I was so looking forward to eating here after not being in Charlotte for 50 years! Such a disappointment!!
Cher C.
We have been here before, but this time we were planning to speak with a concierge about booking a party. Our dining experience was okay when we first arrived. We were seated quickly since the restaurant was pretty empty, which is what we were looking for. We had told our server that we were happy that we got seated away from others since things are still unstable in the community. We got our food and began eating. About 5 minutes after we got our food, a host came over and began rearranging the tables directly beside us for a large party. The chairs were so close that the guy sitting in the end chair could not get in his chair without bumping our table. We ended up taking our HOT food out since they no longer cared about our comfort or needs. Even when we explained what happened to the cashier, he simply said "oh, no" and let if at that. There was no mention of reseating us in a different section or any solution to try to make your customer happy. We were not irate or rude to anyone, we just wanted to enjoy our meal inside of the restaurant. I know it's all about money. Little did they know we were looking for a restaurant to host a party of 70-85 people and that this was the restaurant we wanted to reserve. We will take our business somewhere else.
Susan H.
I really enjoyed my lunch at The Open Kitchen. My dining partner and I both got the same meal, which was the lasagna special that included tea, a side and bread. We also got it Parmigiana style which meant the lasagna dish was covered with mozzarella cheese and then baked. For our side we chose the tossed salad with balsamic vinaigrette. The bread was served right when we were seated. Wow, was it good. I believe it was Italian bread or possibly French and when we buttered it it was an excellent start to the meal. Next came the salad. All it was was some spring greens and a tomato slice. Extremely basic and lackluster. My friend took two bites and pushed it aside. She did not like the dressing at all. I thought it was just okay and not bad enough to spoil the salad. I would order a different dressing next time. The lasagna was a huge portion and a total hit! They did not skimp on the lunch size or the cheese. Sooo much cheese covered the top...I was in heaven. The taste and flavor was outstanding and tasted like homemade. We could each only eat about half, giving us a nice portion to take home for later. Our server was really nice and very attentive. She was working her butt off and keeping everyone happy in our area. Loved the old school vibe, the food, and the service. The only ding was the sad salad. Can't wait to come back and try other things.
Wayne H.
I'm torn on the rating. The staff is fun but the food is basic . We had a party of 10 and ordered a variety of food. Top of the list is the cheese bread, everything else is run of the mill. The shrimp had a "funny" taste and everything else is coated in cheese . Parking is a pain, but you can park across from the airport. It's a full bar and martinis have vermouth, even when ordered up
Best Italian anywhere near or around Charlotte. Delicious food and amazing staff. We have been going for 57 years. My parents took me. We took our children and we are now taking our grandchildren. We are hoping they will be taking their children there one day. A date night romantic place and also family friendly. The atmosphere that other Italian restaurants try to duplicate but can’t. A historical experience and fantastic meal. Atmosphere, food, staff and prices can’t be beat! Do yourself a favor and go there.? ?
Melaney Goodman Brakefield
Party of 11. Amazed how great the visit went with such a large party. Food was amazing. Service amazing. Highly recommend.
Elena G.
I would give zero stars if I could...I found a long thick hair in my food. And no refund. Don't ever go here. Ever.
Charlene T.
Today was my 1st time eating here & it was fantastic. Being Italian & from the NE where Italian food is premiere, I am a snob when it comes to the sauce. The marinara sauce on the cheese ravioli was stellar. I mopped up the remains with some bread & I am very pleased. I am in Charlotte 15 years & no one ever told me about the Open Kitchen until my husband had me meet him there today. We will be returning & trying the pizza. The atmosphere reminds me of the older Italian restaurants in Little Italy, NY. Our waitress was awesome & very attentive which is hard to find since Covid & all of the restaurants complain that they are short staffed. This 1 waitress handle the dining room like a pro.
Have been in Charlotte for a little over a year now, and this was probably the best Italian place I have found so far. I was torn between the ravioli and lasagna, and the server suggested the lasagna, so that's what I went with. There was a little bit of grease on top when I got it, but that means you know they made it with a little extra love, right? The Italian dressing on my side salad was very good, as was the bread they brought out.
My family and I have been coming to The Open Kitchen for decades. The food and the service always succeeds. Tonight was terrific. My wife and I arrived after work. We sat in our favorite booth. The Open Kitchen has various seating arrangements in different rooms throughout. The ambience and history is what you would expect from a family run restaurant for more than sixty years. We had the Chicken Parmigiana with pasta and Mariana sauce. Also a house salad with their Italian dressing along with a glass of Chianti. Everything was excellent. Other favorites are the lasagna and various pastas. Portions were generous. Prices are reasonable. The service is friendly and attentive. If you’re looking for an authentic Italian experience, The Open Kitchen is it.
Don't let the exterior fool you - this Charlotte establishment is a must try! Family-owned and dripping with old-world Italian charm, Open Kitchen is the red-and-white-checked-tablecloth was-the-Godfather-filmed-here restaurant you need in your life. Great for families and groups, the food is simple but the atmosphere something truly special.
The food was excellent. I was a little wearing going inside because it didn't exactly look like a nice restaurant. Even the inside was not exactly welcoming and seems a bit unclean, it could use some freshening up, we looked up and the vents and cakes of dust. However, the staff was so nice, the service was excellent, and we loved our food.
Great food and service. Friendly and always, always perfect. Thankfully the Open Kitchen survived the pandemic and still going strong for many generations to enjoy ❤️
I think everyone knows this spot is past it's prime. We went with family in town to celebrate someone we lost, who used to love this place. The food comes in really large portions, but just is not good. We started with the mozzarella sticks and some cheese bread, both were acceptable, but nothing to write home about. I had the chicken parm, which is nothing like any other chicken parm I've ever had. After it was delivered I realized that I had ordered it a long time ago and also thought the same thing. My mistake. It was basically grilled chicken swimming in a dish of underwhelming pasta sauce with some cheese on top. We will definitely not be back here again - there are a ton of other better options in Charlotte for Italian.
Could not even get waited on! Sat for 30 minutes while 2 waitresses walked by MANY times. Finally walked out after the “manager” called us rude and wanted to do nothing to make it right. Made a reservation because I was so looking forward to eating here after not being in Charlotte for 50 years! Such a disappointment!!
We have been here before, but this time we were planning to speak with a concierge about booking a party. Our dining experience was okay when we first arrived. We were seated quickly since the restaurant was pretty empty, which is what we were looking for. We had told our server that we were happy that we got seated away from others since things are still unstable in the community. We got our food and began eating. About 5 minutes after we got our food, a host came over and began rearranging the tables directly beside us for a large party. The chairs were so close that the guy sitting in the end chair could not get in his chair without bumping our table. We ended up taking our HOT food out since they no longer cared about our comfort or needs. Even when we explained what happened to the cashier, he simply said "oh, no" and let if at that. There was no mention of reseating us in a different section or any solution to try to make your customer happy. We were not irate or rude to anyone, we just wanted to enjoy our meal inside of the restaurant. I know it's all about money. Little did they know we were looking for a restaurant to host a party of 70-85 people and that this was the restaurant we wanted to reserve. We will take our business somewhere else.
I really enjoyed my lunch at The Open Kitchen. My dining partner and I both got the same meal, which was the lasagna special that included tea, a side and bread. We also got it Parmigiana style which meant the lasagna dish was covered with mozzarella cheese and then baked. For our side we chose the tossed salad with balsamic vinaigrette. The bread was served right when we were seated. Wow, was it good. I believe it was Italian bread or possibly French and when we buttered it it was an excellent start to the meal. Next came the salad. All it was was some spring greens and a tomato slice. Extremely basic and lackluster. My friend took two bites and pushed it aside. She did not like the dressing at all. I thought it was just okay and not bad enough to spoil the salad. I would order a different dressing next time. The lasagna was a huge portion and a total hit! They did not skimp on the lunch size or the cheese. Sooo much cheese covered the top...I was in heaven. The taste and flavor was outstanding and tasted like homemade. We could each only eat about half, giving us a nice portion to take home for later. Our server was really nice and very attentive. She was working her butt off and keeping everyone happy in our area. Loved the old school vibe, the food, and the service. The only ding was the sad salad. Can't wait to come back and try other things.
I'm torn on the rating. The staff is fun but the food is basic . We had a party of 10 and ordered a variety of food. Top of the list is the cheese bread, everything else is run of the mill. The shrimp had a "funny" taste and everything else is coated in cheese . Parking is a pain, but you can park across from the airport. It's a full bar and martinis have vermouth, even when ordered up
Restaurantji Recommends
Best Italian anywhere near or around Charlotte. Delicious food and amazing staff. We have been going for 57 years. My parents took me. We took our children and we are now taking our grandchildren. We are hoping they will be taking their children there one day. A date night romantic place and also family friendly. The atmosphere that other Italian restaurants try to duplicate but can’t. A historical experience and fantastic meal. Atmosphere, food, staff and prices can’t be beat! Do yourself a favor and go there.? ?
Party of 11. Amazed how great the visit went with such a large party. Food was amazing. Service amazing. Highly recommend.
I would give zero stars if I could...I found a long thick hair in my food. And no refund. Don't ever go here. Ever.
Today was my 1st time eating here & it was fantastic. Being Italian & from the NE where Italian food is premiere, I am a snob when it comes to the sauce. The marinara sauce on the cheese ravioli was stellar. I mopped up the remains with some bread & I am very pleased. I am in Charlotte 15 years & no one ever told me about the Open Kitchen until my husband had me meet him there today. We will be returning & trying the pizza. The atmosphere reminds me of the older Italian restaurants in Little Italy, NY. Our waitress was awesome & very attentive which is hard to find since Covid & all of the restaurants complain that they are short staffed. This 1 waitress handle the dining room like a pro.
Good food and good service! Highly recommend!