Portofino's Italian Restaurant

I found my El Salmone to be bland. What the heck happened to butter for the bread? I had an issue in the ladies' room. Latch for stall door scraped my arm, causing it to bleed. All I got was a sorry & a band-aid by the waiter. Nov.8, 2024

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Everything about them is amazing, their food is authentic delicious Italian food, and their customer service 100/10. Definitely recommend, the BEST.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

When we arrived at the Gastonia location, I thought I was being seated in the pizza shop. Then I turned and realized the restaurant seating was to the right; but still had the atmosphere of a pizza shop with booths and tables down the center. The lighting was much to bright. I was taken back how the wait staff were dressed; black t-shirts. My salad consisted of lettuce, two small slices from a tomato and a mound of shredded carrots. I chose blue cheese dressing; it was watered down and had NO taste. My boyfriend ordered Italian dressing for his salad. The waiter came back and said this is our house dressing; it's like Thousand Island. WAIT! WHAT? The house dressing in an Italian restaurant is like Thousand Island????? We fumbled through the salad. The bread was very good, but no butter offered. My dinner, Spaghetti Carbonara was tasty, but room temperature. My husband's dinner, Zuppe di pesce with spaghetti. That was piping hot, but the spaghetti portion was ridiculously small; I mean like maybe a half cup. We were NOT asked if we wanted dessert; the check was placed on the table and the waiter walked away.
Angrily, I took out my credit card and couldn't wait to pay the bill so I could leave this place.
TEN MINUTES LATER (YES 10 MINUTES) the waiter reappeared with the credit card receipts, my card and $6 and change in cash. He apologized for getting checks mixed up and over charged my card. He stated, they cannot do refund, so he gave me the difference in cash. I signed the merchant receipt and left the $6 and change as a tip.
Needless to say we will NEVER go back to the Gastonia Portafinos's again!!!! However, I highly recommend Portafinos's in Ayrsley Town Center in Charlotte.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 2

Easily the worst dining experience in Gastonia. I took my family here before a movie night at Franklin Square. Took longer than it should have to seat us in any of the numerous open tables or booths, the food showed up 45 minutes later. We had an hour and a half before our movie started when we arrived and the food didn't show up until after the movie had started. They took another ridiculous amount of time to transfer the subpar food to boxes.
Needless to say, we missed our showing and my food ended up in the trash where it belonged.
DO NOT waste your time. Find a Fazolis instead.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Already looking forward to our next meal here

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Lasagna

The food was the best Italian food I've ever tasted. It was made with love is the best way to describe it. The staff was helpful, and friendly.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Tiramisu, Sauce, Lasagna, Veal Parmigiana

We stopped in for dinner after traveling all day. As soon as you walk in you can tell it’s authentic. The food and service was amazing, honestly the best I’ve had. My only complaint is that they don’t have a location in Nebraska! ;)

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Absolutely the best pizza in the area. I’ve went to them all, and Portafinos is definitely the best of them all. Never been disappointed in the slightest.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

If an Italian restaurant doesn't know how to make a good marinara they should find a different occupation

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 3

We arrived about 30 minutes before closing and the staff was more than happy to accommodate us. Shelly's service was top notch! She was welcoming, gave excellent recommendations, and stopped by just enough to make sure we had everything we needed. She recommended the Seafood Adriatico and it was excellent (pictured). The only critic I have is that it was smothered in sauce. It could have had 1/3 the amount and it would have been great. Our bruschetta appetizer was fresh and delicious! Overall, pleasant experience and we look forward to our next visit.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Bruschetta

Food was delicious nice portions for your money. Service was great with a big warm smile.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

First time coming to this restaurant and it was great. Ordered the bruscetta as an appetizer and it was really good, especially if you add vinaigrette glaze. For dinner I had the spaghetti carbonara, the flavor was really good, only thing is that there was way too much sauce and after a few bites it felt like having carbonara soup with a few bites of spaghetti in it. Our server, Shelley was awesome! She was super nice, suggested the seafood adriatico which he loved but unfortunately had way too much sauce as well. Would definitely come back but would probably ask them to take it easy on the sauce next time. Oh and the bread was good too!! We took some home!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Bruschetta

Casual Italian dining. Delicious homemade bread. Very large servings; plenty for leftovers. Fast and friendly service.

Kid-friendliness: Casual dining. Tables or booths.

Wheelchair accessibility: No steps

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

Excellent cozy Italian restaurant.

I wish I could give more than five stars for my waiter. He went above and beyond, and was simply AMAZING. The food is legit Italian food, AND THE BREAD!!! OMG the bread was SO GOOD! They make it fresh and serve it hot! I CANNOT recommend this place enough!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Tiramisu, Sauce, Lasagna, Chicken Portofino