50 Best Italian Restaurants near Waterford

“We went to Norrine's for dinner last night and it's definitely a "do over"! I got the stacked fried haddock. It's out of this world! Our waitress Kathy was very accommodating and very funny. We never laughed so hard!Our entire dining party was impressed with everything. Kudos to the chef. We will be back! Five Star for sure!“

“I ordered the grilled chicken sub and the tomato slices were thicker than the chicken!!! Why would you think it’s ok to send this out?“

“Grappa 72 has always been my favorite. ❤️here’s why. I hadn’t been in awhile- used to go frequently, so I grabbed a to-go order of their excellent fettuccini bolognese and some bruschetta to take home after a very long drive- ❤️❤️❤️and had a glass of wine at their friendly and comfortable bar while I waited. It’s 100 degrees outside- so I wasn’t dressed (shorts and an ocean city tee lol) but it was early.. so I popped in to wait for my order. From reception to bar to the chef popping out with my order- to the other lovely guests who were popping in as well and enjoying banter and kind conversation.. the bartender primo making everyone happy- I can’t tell you how much that atmosphere warms my soul. Good people, great food, no pretensions, phenomenal service.. and I can attest from so many previous visits- a warm and inviting dining room where when they have music you never want to leave. Soooo well done from every aspect. Thanks Grappa!!! I’ll be back soon, I’ve missed you while I’ve been away! Did I mention the bolognese? It’s better than my own- and that’s saying a lot! 😉Sincerely, Mary“

“Cute, authentic Italian deli, mac salad hit the spot, not too much mayo-just right. Turkey sub tasted like an authentic Italian deli sub should taste, I didn't find the bread to be too thick whatsoever - it seemed like authentic Italian bread. Impressive selection of Pastoso in the freezer, Manhattan Special (coffee) soda, nice assortment of imports, interesting confections packaged Italian desserts. May not be Brooklyn, but for upstate NY, this place is top notch. Thank you.“

“Villa di Como Ristorante is a true gem in Albany! From the moment we walked in, we were welcomed with warm hospitality and a cozy atmosphere that made us feel right at home. The food was absolutely outstanding, authentic flavors, beautifully presented, and prepared with such care. Every dish tasted fresh and full of flavor, and the service was impeccable throughout the evening.“

“Bacchus has been the best most under-rated pizza in the area…in NY..for years. However something changed recently. I don’t know if it was a one-off but their flour or dough changed. Not in a good way. What happened?!?“

“The best chicken parm around!! It never disappoints! ☺️“

“Pollo alla Rusa, perfection, bread and butter, perfection, vegetables, perfection, portion sizes ample. BYOB Chef seasoned my meal expertly! Atmosphere could use a bit of upgrading. Best real Italian meal I have had in Florida.“

“Great happy hour spot. Don't arrive during happy hour for a dinner table without a reservation on a weekend night. High tops are seated for dinner guests only when guests finally are done with the long happy hour.

Drink specials at happy hour are worth the trip but someone has to wait in line at the door at 4:30 for high top seating. Meeting people at happy hour is easy because seating is close and you can hear everyone's chatter.

Well staffed. Good service. Catering takeout is easy and consistent.

Parking: EV charging for a fee.“

“Great apps, amazing entrees, decent wine list, and omg those desserts! Our waiter was awesome. We shared the garlic bread and calamari, we all loved both. I had the veal parm, so good. For dessert I had a pistachio ricotta pie that was out of this world. Highly recommend checking Anthony’s out asap. Great new space too, I had only been to the original restaurant. Love the addition of the salad bar too!“

“My husband myself and my mother went there tonight to celebrate my birthday August 24. We’ve never been there before and I just want to say that the service was fantastic! The food was fantastic! Our waiter really outdid herself and we will definitely go there again.“

“Just this evening, I ordered take out from the wrong location. I called Stuyvesant plaza instead of Slingerlands. When I called Stuyvesant about the mistake the manager said, “ No problem”. What’s your address ? I will drive it out to you. Within a 1/2 hour this awesome guy Justin pulled into my driveway with all our food. Hot food and cold salad !! Thank you. Way to go!!“

“Absolutely phenomenal establishment! The staff here go out of their way to meet, greet and actually take time to have a conversation with you. This restaurant feels like home. There are a lot of regulars here.

Let’s talk about the food…. As the pictures indicate, plating is beautiful! The portions are generous. The flavor is exquisite! Everything was just Perfect.

Rachel was our server. She was very attentive even though she has a lot of tables. We didn’t have to wait or wonder when a drink would be refilled. The remainder of the wait staff hustled and bustled. Tommy and Joe made us feel welcomed and important. We can’t wait to come back! Go Bills! Oh and Josh Allen, Joe says hello :)“

“Thank you! For a great take out order!! For my Mother on Mother’s Day! Delish! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I will be back!“

“The food, service & ambience were all superb!! 5⭐️“

“Ordered pick up and it was out to my car almost immediately despite being there early. Everything was well packed, generous portions, hot and fresh- breadsticks soft and warm. Food was delicious. Shrimp scampi, Pasta Fagioli Soup, Shrimp Carbonara, two large salads with all the fixings and a really great Raspberry lemonade. I shared with a friend - ate for dinner, lunch, and leftovers the next night. $50, 3 meals, 1 meal was for 2 people. I'd call that a win #happycamper“

“Named Albanys best Italian Restaurant for over 10 years .
The food quality is unmatched by most other restaurants anywhere.
Attention to preparation detail is apparent. Good value! Good service!
You can tell they care about producing the best dishes they can
which a rarity today.“

“My son goes to RPI and we discovered Moscatiello's Italian Restaurant two years ago. We love going there for dinner. The food is great, the menu is HUGE and the customer service has always been excellent! It is our go to restaurant in the Troy area.“

“Sat at the bar and was served by Vinnie. Vinnie was super nice and we had great conversations. Gabriella was also very smiley and friendly (she drinks a lot of water lol [inside joke]). I ordered the veal cordon bleu and my adult son had the lasagna. I’ve been to Italy and this meal was just as good, if not better, than some of the food I ate in Rome, Gaeta or Naples. The food was nice and hot, the bread was perfect and the everything was tasty. Great job we will definitely be back!“

“Solid and reliable! Always good food and great portions- easily accommodated our large party and super attentive staff.“

“The food the atmosphere... Ali, the owner .... I’m speechless ... best Italian food , no other place exists around here ! You want to experience great food ? Go here !“

“Great menu....great food... courteous service....fair pricing...Great people! I've never been disappointed with my meal.“

“As someone who’s traveled around the world and lived in many different cities, I can confidently say I haven’t found pizza better than Red Front’s—especially their incredible COB pizza.

Their chicken wings and antipasta are also top-notch. And seriously… what I wouldn’t give for their red sauce and pizza dough recipe! This place is a gem and a must-try for any true pizza lover.“

“Thank you! For a great take out order!! For my Mother on Mother’s Day! Delish! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I will be back!“

“Thanks for the pickle pizza!! You made this pregnant lady very happy 🥰🥒🍕“

“Thank you for everything. I placed a large order a day ahead of time and everything was delivered perfectly. It was on time, hot and delicious. Your antipasto is the best I’ve ever gotten and the wings were huge! Everyone was so happy and full. Great job!“

“All of the food here is amazing! Wonderful family and wonderful food!“

“Great place to stop when passing through Albany for some quick fresh Italian food take-out for the whole family. Seriously, forget the Thruway rest areas. If you have kids whose staple food is boiled noodles and butter, no matter the time nor the day, Bellini's will satisfy, and won't break the bank. Without a Noodles & co around for at least 100 miles, Bellini's has you covered, and is a must-stop for us. I can also recommend the meatballs and sausage.“

“Been seeing the shop. Finally ordered tonight. Chicken parm sub and a buffalo chicken wrap. Fresh ingredients. Hand cut fries. Excellent. Now my go to for to go.“

“So this was my first time here…we had a birthday celebration for my boss! About 13 people. Reservations were for 6:00pm. I came about 15 minutes late, and some people had drinks already. We waited for our waitress to return and it was almost 1/2hr. She took our second drink order, and seemed annoyed. The restaurant was very busy (which we were told by other servers) another 1/2hr pasted and finally she took our food orders. At this point, we were very hungry and disappointed-I guess our server had another big table.. So our salads were dropped off but another female server (who seemed very professional and much nicer than our original server) After that things seemed better. Food was good! I just thought about the customer service of the first waitress. She seemed like she didn’t want to be there. I work in customer service (which is very important especially for first impressions) would i recommend this restaurant yes, food was good. Service was not so great.“

“Went there twice, I'm a single mom of twins with one daughter who has autism. I wanted to start going here regularly if I could because the first time I went here was absolutely perfect and the waiter was very patient, understanding, terrific and helpful. I wish I knew his name because he provided outstanding service. He bagged everything for me, went to my table multiple times to check how everything was going. Even gave my daughters two tablets to play on while we sat down and ate (this was also during a busier time of day). If I could I would request this waiter again in the future if he was ever on shift. The second time I went there, today, exact opposite experience. the waitress who waited on my table wasn't as helpful as the first guy and it was dead silent when I went in. Told me they had no other tablet to give my daughter who has autism when there was only a couple of other people besides me. Gave me the smallest boxes to pack everything myself and the thinest bags when we had a lot of food to take home. Told me those were the only boxes they carried when the other waiter before packed everything properly in bigger casing. I'd consider going more often if the waiter prior was always working if I'm being honest but either the one today was a trainee or she just didn't care enough to do it herself. Other than that the food is always great to me but sometimes I want to personally get out for the one day I'm available to.“

“I usually order a white pizza with sausage, onions and roasted red peppers. I get a Gino's salad and on occasion a piece of cheesecake. All excellent choices, and I recommend them highly. Less than 30 minutes from call to pick up!“

“Me and my hubby had a wonderful meal , excellent service and definitely going back again .“

“We went to Milanos for the first time today, and we’re never going back. To say that the service was terrible would be an understatement. Ordered a large pizza and watched it sit there on the counter getting cold because the server was MIA. I was going to walk over there and pick it up myself, but I flagged down the other server who did it for me. Same thing when I asked for the check. I could see if the place was busy and they were understaffed, they weren’t. As far as the food goes, mediocre at best. The “large” pizza was actually small and we left there hungry. We should have eaten at the burger place a few doors down.“

“Very delicious pizza, very good recommended to anyone.“

“Enjoyed a great meal while in town for soccer games from RI food was great and are waitress Tammy was exceptional“

“We recently celebrated our 49th wedding anniversary, which was a good choice. We found the staff to be polite and friendly from when we entered until we left two hours later. The environment was pleasant and easy with a touch of class. The half-chicken "Picata" ordered was "mm-hmm good" served with an exquisitely savory sauce, prepared by Chef Jake, who is a rising star and a compliment to Troy's fine dining experience. My wife and I also appreciated and thought it "cool" that the owner "Vic" took the time to talk with us. Enjoyable evening and location!!!“

“I visit there about 4-5 times a month to grab a bite to eat, I usually get the lasagna dinner or their hot subs. Hands down the best in the area. The staff is always friendly and helpful. when in the area a must stop it won't disappoint!“

“Hands down best Italian mix sub I've ever had!!! The care and time that they put into their food and customer service is exceptional! Owner, Jason, recommended hot peppers on it 👌😋🔥 all about it!!! If you haven't visited this local business what are you waiting for!? They cater too!“

“Just had date night and have absolutely nothing bad to say! Brian served us and he was knowledgeable and knew the menu well. The food was cooked professionally, there was no feeling of “another chain restaurant “ it was delicious! Cocktails were nice, presentation was good. It was everything we needed tonight!“

“I can’t recommend this place enough! It’s not just a pizza place—it’s a haven for anyone who loves delicious artisan food. Their pizzas are phenomenal, with a variety of creative and flavorful options that cater to all tastes. But it doesn’t stop there! Their Mediterranean bowls and dishes, like the Gyro and meze platters, are equally amazing—fresh, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. I order from them at least four times a month, sometimes even more, and they never disappoint. The food is always delivered on time, piping hot, and exactly how I want it. Their attention to detail and commitment to customer satisfaction truly set them apart. Nasıl? The quality of their ingredients is exceptional, and everything is so clean and fresh. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick snack or a hearty, healthy meal, this place has it all. I genuinely look forward to every order. Fast, reliable, and absolutely delicious—this restaurant is a gem!“

“Wow the pizza is amazing! I ordered the gluten free pizza and it was incredible. Husband and son got the regular pizza and it was also delicious! Cool atmosphere and the outdoor area is neat!“

“My bestie recommended Clifton Park Pizza Shop and it did not disappoint 🥰 I ordered the Lasagna and it is hands down the best lasagna i have ever had! The sauce is so good. You can definitely understand why this small place is always so busy!! Highly recommend.“

“Moved back to my hometown and was so happy the Zotto’s reopened a new place. The best pizza, and wings around. Brunswick needed this place!!! All the waitresses were amazing and welcoming too!!“

“They have 4 vegan pizzas and 2 vegan appetizers (mozzarella sticks and jalapeño poppers). I had the appetizers and both the vegan Florentine and vegan Fra Diavolo pizzas. Highly recommend to grab the pizza to the Albany Distillery Company and grab some drinks too!“

“I have ordered a couple of times here and my girlfriend always recommends this place for good food. Their boneless wings, AMAZING!!! Literally my favorite in the area, please keep doing what you're doing, their pizza has never disappointed and everyone has always been very friendly and attentive. My number one pizza place by far!“

“Yo Venezia is the best dam Pizza & Pasta Shop !! Highly recommend this Old school family oriented restaurant. Been coming here for years. Food & service is outstanding.“

“Best pizza ever. I’d eat it everyday if I could. Just really disappointed in their shortened hours into the evening and only being open 4 days a week. Im writing this review on a Sunday and am ordering pizza somewhere else because my favorite place isn’t open. They close early too. One time I called at 6:30 pm and was told I couldn’t order bc they wanted to close early that evening. So just make sure you order for an early dinner or else you’ll be out of luck. Still the best pizza ever. We usually order their square cut regular pizza. Perfect crust and amount of cheese. Never had another pizza like it.“

“Best Italian food in Albany!“

“Franks has the best of both worlds; Italian food and ice cream. Don’t miss out on their holiday treats or the fact that they are open almost year round. The staff is friendly and always treats my family great when we visit for a quick dinner and treat. One of our favorite places to have dinner with the kids.“