50 Best Italian Restaurants near Tonawanda

“Man, this place was amazing!

After a long day of hard work, me and some of my family didn’t have food all day. No breakfast, lunch or any type of snacks. We weren’t in the mood to cook so we decided to head to Olive Garden since we were craving Italian food. The Olive Garden near us had a hour long wait, so we checked some other Italian spots near us. We called 3 or 4 different restaurants, all telling us of their huge wait times. Then we finally called up Touch of Italy, who told us that they had seating available. So we rushed over there immediately. This place did not disappoint at all. First of all, our waitress was extremely friendly. Second, the food was amazing! I ordered the fettuccine Alfredo as it’s one of my favorite Italian dishes. Let me tell you that the fettuccine Alfredo that this place does blows Olive Garden out of the water. Since our first visit, we have tried their pizza, spaghetti, Chicken Marsala as well as a few other items. Every single thing we have tried has been a 10/10.

If you are ever feeling Italian and you want to go to Olive Garden, DON’T DO IT! Go to this place instead. Your stomach will thank you later.

Vegetarian options: There are many vegetarian options on their menu and they label all of the ones that don’t contain meat. If you’re unsure though, make sure to ask your waiter/waitress.

Parking: Most of the time they have enough parking, but sometimes when they are really busy, it might be difficult to find a spot.“

“Been going here for a few years now, Good Staff, Great Food. My favorite pizza shop in the Ken-Ton Area.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“Everytime I am in the area I make sure I stop. Pizza is always Delicious and amazing. Last time I had a steak n cheese sub delicious of course. ! This is my go to spot !“

“We stopped in for some pizza and subs after Niagara falls and it was absolutely delicious! It was definitely nice to get away from the falls to get some more reasonable prices! We had excellent service, kids said it was the best cheese pizza ever! We also had the chicken tender sub with blue cheese it was on point! It was easy to see why this place has been around since 1982! Family owned business with multiple locations in the area! We all need to be supporting these local small businesses that our family owned and operated! McKenzie family approved!!!“

“Great Pizza and Wings! DJ Trivia on Thursdays is an absolute Blast!“

“Vegetarian options: Josh the owner & main chef will make anything to your liking even when they are busy! His sister is one of the servers. Her name is Sam. She is wonderful! Everyone there goes out of their way to please you! It's a very comfortable & friendly place to eat at. They get the food out fast too! They really appreciate your business!

Dietary restrictions: See above comment

Kid-friendliness: It is a kid friendly place.“

“Good selection of NY Style Pizza slices, large but a little on the expensive side.
I ordered a Turkey Sub today through the Slice App. The Sandwich was ready in a timely fashion and they even accommodated my request for additional Banana Peppers ( Strangely enough not a selectable item on the app ).
Sandwich itself was fine, nothing special and they Turkey they use I think is a little lower quality than some other Sub shops but filled the need.

Good amount of seating also.“

“Amazing Pizza I love it I had the sweet sauce with just cheese and mushrooms it was so good and the crust and everything is made perfect!!“

“Had dinner for our 61st wedding anniversary. Wood roasted figs were amazing. We both had the branzino which melted in your mouth. Dessert and cocktails were the best we've had! Complimentary glass of Prosecco and an anniversary card made us feel like celebrities! Service was outstanding! We will return often!!“

“A must try if you're in the area. Very impressed after our first visit. The Artichoke dish was the best I've ever had. Can't say enough about the food, staff and atmosphere. Italian cuisine done right and delicious. Can't wait to come back again. Keep doing what you're doing Aroma!!!“

“I grew up coming here with my Father every Friday for pizza night. Today was my first time back since his passing in 2015 and I brought my fiancé and daughter. It really meant the world to me to walk through the door holding my own daughter and still seeing the same owners smiling face years later. The pizza was beyond delicious. My fiancé who grew up in his family restaurant (Lougus’s) and is a pizza snob absolutely loved it. Thank you!!!“

“A friend and I had an after church lunch at the Barrel this past Sunday The food as always was great Our server was patient and gracious. We who are older appreciate that kindness greatly.“

“Sinatra’s always delivers a wonderful and intimate experience. They were able to accommodate a rather large party, without a lot of advance. Our waitress (I believe her name was Jenny) was absolutely great and very attentive as were the serving assistants. Our food was all spot on without a single thing over done or served improperly. My friends and I will continue to dine here for years to come!“

“It’s a darned good thing that Chef’s is a 2 hour drive away, or I’d be here every week and my hips would need their own zip code! Having seen this featured on YouTube’s America’s Best Restaurants, had to check it out. Wow! If you like hearty Italian food, this is the place to go! We went for their lunch special (Tuesday-Friday). Let’s start with the bread. Normally I avoid the basket of carbs but when I learned their bread was house made, had to try it. It was like butter. Soft, melt in your mouth, delicious white bread that tasted amazing whether dipped in their oil mixture or buttered. I could have eaten the entire basket. The house salad was great- plenty of dressing, fresh lettuce, a couple of veggies tossed in. Yum. And then the star attraction- their famous Spaghetti Parm that mixes spaghetti and butter, covered in what looks like 6 pounds of cheese, baked to perfection and served with a side of their delectable tomato sauce made from their 100 year old recipe. It included a meatball on top. The spaghetti parm was ridiculously good. SO good! I am salivating thinking about it. Their lunch special includes coffee, which was excellent, and Sanderson’s sherbet. The perfect ending to a perfect meal as the delicious sherbet, which tasted like an orange Creamsicle, was just enough to wrap up a magnificent dining experience. We did sneak a peek at the dessert tray - everything looked tempting. We ordered a cannoli to take home on the recommendation of our server, Liz, who was wonderful- friendly and attentive. The cannoli was one of the better ones I’ve had! Chef’s famed tomato sauce (some call it gravy) is available in jars on the way out - we stocked up until we can return. Btw, the restaurant walls are lined with hundreds of photos of celebrities who have enjoyed Chef’s- very interesting! Free parking available in the lot across the street. Reservations recommended for both lunch and dinner. For anyone in the Buffalo Niagara area, who loves delicious, unpretentious, comforting, Italian food, I high recommend Chef’s!“

“Went for local restaurant week and was not disappointed. Highly recommend. Food and service were great!“

“I am SO tired of people writing reviews to complain, so I'm writing one to SING PRAISES!! I'm embarrassed to say that this was my first visit, but it absolutely will not be the last! Supposedly, there was a little snafu before I arrived and my dad and uncle waited a little bit to be greeted. When I arrived, a wine, cocktail, and appetizer order was placed. Then, 30 seconds later bread service and a complimentary appetizer hit the table with apologies for their wait for a server!! Not necessary, but thoroughly appreciated! It was absolutely fantastic the whole time after! Well executed, tasty, HOT, food. Great service! Super reasonable prices. And did I mention, GREAT FOOD!! I didn't have a want or need for anything while there. This place should be sold out every night they are open!“

“I’ve been to this little gem in the city several times and each time I was extremely pleased with the food and service. I’ve gone with different people as I felt I just had to introduce them to the Blue Cave. Everyone was amazed at the quality of the food! I have also recommended this restaurant to other friends and they have loved it! I am a huge cheese lover and you can just taste the freshness of the cheeses used. The service was efficient and friendly and I was not lacking for a thing. I enjoyed taking in the view of the downtown area while savoring my delicious wine and meal. I was also pleased to meet the chef and his charming wife who seem to work so hard to make this place a unique dining experience. I would without a doubt highly recommend the Blue Cave! I’m looking forward to my next visit!“

“We were looking for something new for our dining experience and my husband chose this little restaurant. Not disappointed! Although we didn't have reservations, we were seated immediately upon our arrival. Just a few minutes later, our server came by asking for our drink order and at the same time, put a small basket of wonderful, warm Italian bread in front of us. We ordered an insalata arugula to split between us. When the salad was served, we actually thought that the server had made a mistake by giving us 2 large plates of salad. When I pointed out to her that we had only ordered 1 to split between the 2 of us, she smiled and told us that she had already split it! Each split portion was just the right amount for us. I ordered the saltimbocca alla romana (veal) and just can't say how absolutely wonderful it was! I could taste the white wine, garlic, fresh sage, parma prosciutto and mozzarella cheese, but each flavour was subtle and one didn't overpower the other. Absolutely delicious! My husband ordered the pollo trastevere, which was a delight, seasoned precisely and the vegetables were light and delicious. Each of our dinner portions were a nice size and I even had a bit left over to take home. Overall, the service was fantastic - very attentive - and the food was exceptional. We will be back!“

“I am unable to eat dairy, gluten, and soy. Our waitress was SO accommodating and patient with helping me figure out what I could eat on the menu. She went back and checked ingredients for me to make sure I could eat what I ordered. A lot of the time, I feel like a nuisance for having these allergies and our waitress, Courtney, made me feel comfortable and accommodated.

Oh, and my husband got the steak sandwich and he said it was the best thing he's ever eaten.“

“We recently had our twins college graduation party at Caio Caio and were extremely satisfied with the whole process from scheduling and planning (Gina) to the party itself. The food was delicious and service was exceptional. Nick and his crew were on top of their game!! Everyone had a great time and we received numerous comments on how great everything was, especially the focaccia sandwiches and mini cannolis. We live down the street and will definitely be back soon.

Thank you All ?“

“Nathan and Olivia were great! Busy Saturday night we ate at the bar, they never stopped moving and kept checking in on us! One of our favorite places!“

“The food was The bomb, the drinks was the bomb, the waitress was the bomb !!“

“We were recommended to stop in on our way to Niagara Falls and the food did not disappoint! It was delicious!“

“Great food (I won't shut up about their pizza), great service (everyone is so nice and just want you to eat well)! The prices are so friendly to one's wallet, especially when factoring in how GOOD the food is! Each bite of the various food I'd gotten here had me thinking "This would be $x more somewhere else." Highly recommended. Definitely taking my little family here next time we're in Buffalo!“

“I grew up eating here..28 years says ALOT!! The food is AMAZING like your auntie from Italy is in the back making dough..I swear. Favorite Italian place EVER!!!????“

“One of the best dining experiences I have had in a while. The food here is fantastic - full stop. Everything was cooked to perfection and the presentation and table side preparation were great. Service was also great, we came with a young child and were accommodated in a way that made us feel welcomed and comfortable, something that regularly doesn’t happen when at a fine dining restaurant. It’s well worth the prices.“

“Wonderful!!!!We had make your own antipasto salads. Perfect option for those who are gf/ dairy free. (No bread for gf but they do have dairy free mozzarella)Well beyond our expectations! Honey chicken, cheeses, Soppressata, olive tapenade, bread all delicious!!! Within walking distance if ur staying at the Hampton Inn on main st.“

“Great old school Italian meal! We will be back the next time we visit our boy at school!“

“My family of 8 and I dined here in March 2024 in celebration of my daughter's 21st birthday. Our server was a young lady named Francesca and she was warm, attentive and inviting from the moment we arrived. Francesca presented us with the house specials and was able to describe each menu item we inquired about in full with complete knowledge of its contents and preparation. Each course was brought to us in a timely manner and in it's appropriate order down to the delicious palate cleanser. The food was amazingly presented, flavorful and delicious. Each course was amazing and the portions were plentiful. The music was lovely and the decor combined created an authentic Venetian/Neopolitan feel in the atmosphere. My family's overall experience was amazing which created a beautiful lasting memory for a milestone event in our lives. Thanks again Casa Di Francesca's!!“

“Great Service. Beautiful Decor.“

“This is our first time to this restaurant
We were very pleased at the menu and all the options they had to offer
The food we selected was hot very nicely prepared and our Server Carri was very pleasant and we commend her for her positive attached towards the Resturant and the menue items she as very pleasant and kind to us as this was our first visit and we return again for meals and take out
We highly recommend this restaurant and make sure you ask for Carri on your visit“

“The food was incredible. Our service was impeccable! Highly recommend this lovely place that offers fresh & unique food pairings that completely satisfy!“

“Attended a bridal shower recently. The food was excellent and the staff was awesome as well. It was the first time I had ever been there and I absolutely loved it.“

“Honestly some of the best Italian food I’ve ever had. My fiancé and I just found this restaurant by luck and it made our whole trip! Our server Nicole was incredible and I know our experience wouldn’t have been the same without her. Highly recommend and I know we will be back soon! ☺️“

“the good we had for dinner which was delicious.“

“Nice atmosphere, authentic cuisine!“

“Amazing pizza and salad bar. Friendliest staff! Love coming here!“

“I ordered the fried haddock meal. The fish was hot and crispy. The sides were delicious also. I will definitely be ordering again.“

“My new favorite restaurant! The sauce is delicious!“

“We frequent Roman cafe ever since we moved to the area. Both my kids like it, as do I. Great food at reasonable prices. Staff is extremely friendly! Highly recommend this family owned & operated restaurant!! ❤️“

“I wanted to go someplace different for my "Belated" Birthday Dinner and I was in the mood for Italian. I needed Pasta . So, I looked on YELP & decided on "Carrabba's". I am so glad I did !!! My son & I got there around 6pm and had about a 10-15 minute wait. There was a bar to the right & most of the dining was to the left. It was clean & had a comfortable feel inside. We were seated & I had already planned what I wanted to eat the night before, so I wouldn't take forever deciding once I got there. But first, we were served delicious, soft, warm Italian bread . It was so good. We ended up getting it 3x I believe. Our waitress's name was Ashlie S. She was great !!! Very nice, friendly, helpful, funny & very easy to talk to. I order the LINGUINE POSITANO WITH CHICKEN, I got the MAMA MANDOLA'S SICILIAN CHICKEN SOUP & the CANNOLI CAKE FOR 2 for dessert. Everything was phenomenal !! The pasta was so light but with a burst of amazing flavors ! The soup was so good & with huge pieces of chicken in it. Yummmmmmy !! The Cannoli Cake was very good & because my birthday was yesterday, Ashlie gave me a few scoops of vanilla ice cream with syrup & a little birthday candle in it. She was so sweet. Everything was just perfect ! I had an amazing experience here tonight . I found the prices to be reasonable , at least for what I got. We had quite a Long waiting time to get our food, but it was soooo worth it ! They have a special deal going on. I don't know if it's temporary or always going on, but it is a great deal. Whatever the price of something you order for in the restaurant, you take home ANYTHING for less for $10.00. No matter what the regular price. I took home another Linguine Positano,but without the chicken. So now I have an amazing lunch & dinner for tomorrow, since I didn't even finish my pasta there. We also received extra fresh bread to take home. 100% satisfaction on the trip. Also, the ladies room was very clean & smelled good. (That never happens ) I will most definitely be returning to this Carrabba's & I hope I get the wonderful Ashlie S. as my server again. She was full of life, unlike a couple others I saw that looked like they were ready for bed. lol“

“I was referred by my neighbor and this was my first time trying the food. I ordered the family chicken Parm combo and raviolis. Everything was great! A lot of compliments on the sauce especially. The chicken parm was tender and very flavorful as well as the raviolis. A very nice surprise was the garlic knots, they were very good!
I’m not sure what is made in house but everything tasted like it was. I will definitely be ordering more from here.“

“The absolute best chicken cutlets in wny. The milanese is incredible. the salad that comes as a soup or salad choice is the best included salad ive ever had with a meal. the bread with olive oil and fava bean hummus is my favorite bread service around. Let's not forget the awesome and welcoming staff that always makes us feel like family. Yesterday my wife had a beet salad special that was in her opinion better (by far) than the ones she has had at the western door and other "high end" restaurants. Very reasonable prices as well especially considering the quality of the food.“

“Really good food and the service was great“

“Will the bistro be open on Sundays this season?? Such a mistake being closed on sheas Sundays!!“

“Great food. Good portions“

“I used to live near there and ate there regularly. Moved away 10 years ago, but was back in the area and had to stop in. The food is as good as it always was. Hubby had to have the fried chicken, his favorite! The food was good, the service friendly and attentive...we'll have to go back again!“

“I love going to Bings although don't get to go enough. It's always so great to see Shelly always there with her awesome family always helping..The service is outstanding and the food to die for...can you tell I'm a bit of a fan of the best damn small italian restaurant in our area!! If you haven't been you will be hooked...great prices too!!!“

“This place is an old school Italian restaurant that has been family owned and operated since it opened in 1946. The building is quite a bit older than that though and served as a movie theater before it became a restaurant. Also, the 1980 James Caan film, Hide in Plain Sight, which took place and was filmed in Buffalo had some scenes filmed at this restaurant. Anyways this place is very simple. You walk in and there are several red and white checkered table clothed tables and an older looking bar that is fully stocked. They also have a good sized flat screen TV up on the wall above the bar that you can watch. From the bar you can see a very small and simple looking kitchen area where they home make all of the food.“

“I love Giancarlo’s! We always get the arancini for an app. For the first time we got the salad with the goat cheese and pine nuts, and the 8oz filet. Everything was perfect. The raspberry martini is my favorite drink there!!! Our server was Jake and he was exceptional! If I’m being honest this was our 4th time dining there and every time the food and service have been phenomenal! I’m already looking forward to the next time.“