50 Best Italian Restaurants in Columbus

“My family had the pleasure of dining at Lola & Giuseppe's last evening, and it truly was a pleasure! We began with wedding soup (some of the best I have ever tasted), a Guiseppe's Salad, and spinach-artichoke dip. Two of our group had the meat lasagna which was delicious and a huge serving. Other entrees included egg plant parmigana and chicken marsala. All were excellent, large servings, and very reasonably priced. The surprise (and a good one) was the Creme de Limocello that was bursting with lemon flavor and a nice little nip. Service was excellent and the owner stopped by to chat on two occasions thanking us for dining there. It was undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable dining experiences we have had in quite a while. Highly recommend!“

“I get my food to go every week; the food is great; Nico is the guy who usually gets everything together. He couldn't be more efficient, helpful or friendly. His assistance is always appreciated!“

“We had a delightful lunch today at Gallo's, from the moment entering, we were greeted by a Fine Gentleman that discussed our seating options ( Yeah, I'm a bit picky) to the time we departed with full bellies that was topped off with the Belgium Chocolate Mussee cake that was Outstanding!! Ice cold beverages and our service (Bartender) was Awesome catering to our every whim. This is definitely a MUST stop when looking for a Great place to dine!!“

“Dinning is A classic vibe with excellent homemade food from pasta to pizza and subs. Highly recommend 😎😎😎“

“The atmosphere was fantastic! The staff was absolutely wonderful! The food was beyond fantastic!!! Highly, highly, highly recommend!!!“

“Wow.. I've been to alot of reetaunts around the us, AND a lot of Cameron Mitchell restraunts.

This hidden gem in the German Village Community of Columbus is hands down the best experience I have had at any of his restraunts.

The Arugula Salad was put together with flavors that complimented each other perfectly.
HOWEVER, by far, the Gnocci Filet Tomato dish was by far the best in 48yrs of being alive... the best steak!
I mean it was to the point you couldnt eat quick enough or wait long enough to get the next.

In 48yrs that has never happened before!! Stunned.

Thinking it was over until Mairren, convinced me to try the desert.. she has already had me try the new drink that she created, a whiskey (that's my go to) spin off of an old fashioned that was spicy. Liked it, but not a spicy booze guy.

I went with a new the Chocolate dessert, I don't usually do dessert so I can't comment on it, but leading is to say it was good. Not too rich and overpowering.

Between the Service from Mairren Exceptional...and the two best dishes I think I've had maybe ever let alone at a KM restraunt.. make this the best flaovered steak and salad combo , I've ever experienced.

Ive been to a lot of places and I don't give this recommendation out ever. But this is legit the BEST restraunt in Columbus!!!“

“Very friendly personnel , like hometown stations“

“Fine Italian dining, with an excellent, reasonably priced menu and gracious owners, Rick and Jackie. They have been a consistently high quality venue in Grandview Heights for 22 years!“

“The restaurant was clean and had a nice family atmosphere. All of the staff were friendly and attentive. The blackened chicken was delicious. The Gelato was equally delicious. I tested a few different flavors of gelato, then settled on the Lemon Cake and Mora. We will definitely visit again!“

“Today was a first, of many visits to come! Everything we had was superb, & Devon was a great server too! 😄“

“Best Location Piada Location! Friendly Workers. Food always cooked Fresh!“

“This is our happy place. When there is a special family celebration, we come here. Love walking in, as David greets us at the door every time. It’s like visiting your Nonna and Nonno’s house and seeing all of your cousins and knowing that you’re in store for the best meal ever. Look forward to a leisurely feast with good wine, warm bread and some of the best Italian dishes we’ve found. The entire staff is incredible. Be sure to make a reservation because every time we go it’s a full house.“

“As a chef who has been traveling around trying new places, this is by far one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. From the Hosts being friendly, to the flow of the servers during the rush, to the amazing service I had from app to dessert, and the staff being so kind to my girlfriend on her birthday. Will be coming back with my friends and family. Thank you
*Update: I came back a year later as now a supervisor for SoCal and it’s even better… Our Server Anders was incredible and was constantly making sure we were good, our food was fantastic, and the drinks were still on point. Could never hate you Marcellas!“

“My family visited the La Baia food truck during the Pumpkin Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus. No kidding, this was the best pizza I’ve ever had! The dough is amazing, the flavor of the sauce..just plain delicious. All of the ingredients are fresh and everything is prepared on site. I highly recommend. Be advised that since all of this is prepared at time of order that there is at least a 30 minute wait for your food to be prepared and oven fired cooked. Definitely worth the wait! The staff is very friendly and courteous as well. La Baia - Please consider looking up Knox Foodies on FB. (Ann is the page admin ) Tho we just had our annual food truck festival, we would love to see you in our town at that event, or other events that are held throughout the year. I know the witches walk is coming up, if there is still time to sign up for that. Keep up the good work and I hope to be able to dine with you again soon.“

“Fantastic food and service. Top notch - if your in Columbus this restaurant is a must.“

“We went there today { 2/14 ) As always great service. I have a fatal Dairy Allergy. So I always order Cherfs choice. I had the red Snapper. THE BEST FISH I HAVE EVER HAD. I even ate the skin ( which I never do ) Atmosphere as always was great even on a busy night!!!!!. Don't think about it, JUST GO“

“I decided to stop by here after work for lunch and the hot chicken carbonara was amazing. The staff was very nice and friendly, Diamond in particular was a great help with his recommendation and provided great customer service. Will be back again!“

“Such a charming space with really next level food and drink. We had sandwiches on their house-made focaccia, Americanos to drink, and gelato for dessert. The staff was lovely and helpful.

The flour in the focaccia is from Italy. The cream for our coffee was from a local producer, and was fabulous. Details like these really make the experience shine. And they also sell Italian wines and packaged foods.

I would impoverish myself eating here all the time if I was a local.“

“Last year you showed up and showed out for my cousins wedding reception Hunter and tonight again for another cousins retirement dinner! Thank you“

“We had a delightful Christmas Eve dinner with appetizers and three different entrees. The gnocchi was absolutely delicious and our favorite! The sauce was wonderful!“

“Outstanding in every way! It starts with a crisp white Pinot Grigio paired with hot fluffy focaccia dipped in a savory and quality olive oil with fresh herbs. Next, indulge in a bowl of handmade pasta with pesto. Wow! Chef’s kiss, literally! Service, on point, atmosphere- perfect! Do not miss this little slice of Italian perfection.“

“I brought 14 travelers in on a bus trip with 1018 Travels this morning. Called last minute and we had a beautiful table set for us when we got there. The food was amazing but the server was so sweet! We asked about the history and he answered . What a great place, will be back for sure“

“My all time favorite pizza. Only thing I miss about Ohio.“

“My time here was amazing! After a long day in front of customers, I came in for a good meal, but what I got was an entire experience. Oliva took care of me like we were old friends. Her drinks were on point and so were her recommendations. Espresso martinis are made with real espresso, and she packs it down before putting it through the machine. You can't leave without having the Veal meatballs, if you can do veal; the consistency is unparalleled. the Vodka Penne was not what I expected tbh, but was one of the most delish things i've ever had. It was spicy, but it was worth it! Coming here felt like coming home <3 I'll stop here anytime I'm in the Cbus area and I would love nothing more than introducing my friends to these beautiful humans“

“We were very impressed. Their Gluten free options were amazingly delicious, they took it seriously and everything was fresh, seasoned to perfection, and we will be going back. The portions were large, the presentation was immaculate, the wine and cocktail list was the stuff of dreams and legends. The restaurant was cozy and comfortable in a sexy Italian style. It could have come to life off the page of Conde Nast Traveler. Hidden jewel of Ohio worthy of the drive. The staff was professional and very welcoming. We loved it!“

“We love The Little Grand, and today I tried Frascati Market for the first time. Absolutely fantastic. I got the Chicken Milanese sandwich, and their Truffle Potatoes. The sandwich...so, so good. Every part was fresh and cooked perfectly. The focaccia bread was yummy and just right. The breading on the chicken was perfectly crispy and flavorful. 10 out of 10. THE POTATOES. You would think that something as simple as smashed fingerling potatoes would be an easy slam dunk, but many places get them wrong. The potatoes at Frascati are AMAZING. Seriously. My wife is not a potato person, and she was nibbling them like, YUM. Really, really flavorful, cooked well. Did I mention the staff are lovely? 100% recommend.“

“Atmosphere was beautiful, food was delicious, and sever was professional yet still personable. Before we left our waiter, Daniel, made sure to tell us to come back and when promotions are for wine. I had been wanting to try it out for years and were so glad we did! Loved the veal meatballs and carbonara, my fiance enjoyed his chicken Parmesan!“

“Ciao Cafe Gelato was the perfect addition to our wedding reception! The gelato was absolutely delicious, and our guests couldn’t stop raving about it. Many even commented on how friendly and welcoming the owner was. Communication throughout the process was seamless — the owner was incredibly responsive, reliable, and easy to work with. We’re so glad we included them in our big day!“

“When are you guys going to come into this century and sign up with GrubHub or DoorDash? You'd definitely increase your profits. Driving to pick up food is old school, LOL!!“

“From the moment we walked in, we felt like welcomed guests rather than customers. The atmosphere transported us straight to Italy, with a warmth and authenticity that set the stage for what became an extraordinary evening. Each course felt like a carefully wrapped gift, designed with intention and presented with artistry. The flavors carried unexpected complexities—layers that unfolded in ways you rarely find in restaurants around here. Every bite told a story, both comforting and refined, and left us excited for what would come next. This wasn’t just dinner—it was an experience. One that lingered long after the last course, reminding us how exceptional dining can be when passion and craft meet. Truly unforgettable. We added the 4 course wine pairing with the Pelino’s Dinner. We ended the experience with espresso, which was better than any espresso we’ve ever had (even the 3 times we’ve been to Italy). Truly a special night.“

“OMG!!! The fresh pasta with Alfredo is so amazing. I am not a cooker and this was easy and so delicious my son devoured it and he is not an eater. I cannot wait to go back and try something else. I love the new online menu too. It makes it so convenient“

“I’ve been coming to Olive Garden all my life. However I was surprised at the incredible service and delicious food I received tonight. I felt like a celebrity. Ren and the rest of staff was attentive, and friendly and comforting. I will never forget this random dinner on a Monday for As long as I live. 10 stars, no notes“

“Great food for lunch and the patio area is a plus. 😊“

“Great place and food! I’ve been getting the Chefs Favorite w/chicken. Bomb every time! I prefer getting food here than getting Chipotle.“

“This is gotta be hands down. The best pizza and salad in Columbus period“

“Great Pasta. Top notch service and wine selection!“

“Our waiter was absolutely fantastic. He was ready to graduate and move to Texas for work . We were able to give him some pointers on where to find apartments and where to avoid since he was moving to our old stomping grounds. Very good food.“

“great food, comfortable environment“

“Someone recently mentioned this place in a pizza group on FB. I decided to try it today & I'm glad I did. Probably the best non-deep dish pizza in Columbus. The prices were good as well. There's also plenty of nearby parking.“

“The food is great - we’ve tried most of their pizzas and the antipasti salad is to die for. Unfortunately I can’t speak as highly about the staff. On several occasions, usually on Sundays when they close at 7, I’ve gotten my food close to 7 but NEVER after 7. I’ve placed orders for pick-up at 6:45 and if I wasn’t there at 6:45 on the dot I’ve been called being harassed to get my food because they close at 7. Today I went in at 6:50 and they had already put everything away, taken out the trash, and sanitized everything and gave me lip about wanting to place my order (1 pizza and 1 salad). They proceeded to loudly complain to each other while making my order. Closing at 7 means you stop taking customers at 7 - not that staff gets to walk out the door and lock it behind them at 7.“

“We enjoyed our family outing when we came in for a late lunch. Service was good but the food took alittle long to come out. The salad and bread sticks are always a great beginner. Prices are up like so many places. We left full and satisfied with a good desert for later. We will be back when we can afford it.“

“Last night was our first time at Tony’s and I will absolutely be back! The service there was so accommodating and friendly. Tony himself was our host! The man even helped someone with wheelchair needs by storing the chair and bringing it back out when they needed it and was so kind. Our waitress was so friendly and outgoing and was so accommodating when my husband needed plain noodles with no sauce for his marsala. Speaking of food we ordered the chicken Marsala and Tony’s Own Fettuccine and oh my god they were both mouthwatering. They both came with salad and my husband switched to a Cesar salad instead for an upcharge and it was soooo good. I loved the uniqueness to the house salad with the two garbanzo beans, one pasta salad noodle, olives, tomato and blue cheese. It was soooo good especially for someone who loves blue cheese. The Cesar salad was also so good. We also ordered an appetizer of the bruschetta and it had to be one of the best orders of bruschetta I’ve had in a long long time. The bread they used complimented the ingredients so well and really brought the flavors together. Tony’s own fettuccine is now hands down my favorite pasta I’ve ever had to date. The cream sauce was so so good and the crab used was melt in your mouth amazing along with the shrimp and scallops. The chicken marsala was incredible and the sauce was so savory and perfect. My husband and I will definitely be back soon!! If you haven’t tried Tony’s yet please do!“

“The ONLY place to get pizza from. Nicest guys in the world and piled on toppings! Professional, polite and LOCAL! Thanks a lot!“

“Great food and people would Definitely go back“

“service was excellent and food was good“

“Everything we had was AMAZING!!! You gotta try it for yourself.“

“I dined here for the first time yesterday and order the Fettuccine Alfredo w/chicken and a Caesar salad…both were absolutely delicious, the flavor was amazing and so was the Moscato wine which had the perfect amount of sweetness that I like! The breadsticks were amazing, they melt in your mouth. My server Aaron, was excellent, great personality with a wonderful sense of humor! I will definitely be back and will be making Milanos a regular place to have dinner! If you’ve never been here, I totally recommend giving Milano’s a try!!!“

“This is consistently some of the best pizza in down, and worth every penny. The staff are great and if I forget, they make sure to suggest dip or drizzle options to compliment my order without making it feel like a pressure add-on. They’re just friendly, helpful, and assemble a darn good pizza!“

“Great food. Don’t miss out. Trust me, you really want to eat here. I’m a pretty harsh critic and I LOVED it. Will be back soon. If carbs didn’t make people fat, I would eat here at least once a week.“

“I usually do not order the chocolate gelato flavor but this was amazing for such a common choice. The texture of the gelato was inclusive of chocolate shavings that made the overall tasting experience that much better. I tried a slice of their pizza and the seasonings and crust was en-point. I am used to NY thin slices so it is hard for me to be happy with other places outside of NYC but this was very good. We also tried the à la carte cookie section in the bakery and felt the presentation was very good but a bit pricey for what you get. We ordered maybe 9 cookies which came out to 16.00. Whether determined by weight or by individual cookie, it was a bit extraneous, however still worth it. We also bought some dubai chocolate bars which were thick and creamy. Very satisfactorily like the bars that have gone viral online. We loved it. The buffet looked very good and we may try that next time we come. This place has a little bit of everything and is truly a Little Italy and we enjoyed our visit. Thank you!“