50 Best Italian Restaurants near Upper Arlington

“MOUTHWATERING. HOMEMADE AND AUTHENTIC. HIGHLY RECOMMEND“

“Update: Although this is a nice place with a quaint interior vibe, the price of wine is now exorbitantly priced. We’re not penny-pinchers, but we typically do at least a bottle, so it makes sense to go to other better alternatives in the same area. Additionally, my favorite crab cake appetizer was down-sized and is just a little disappointing. Service is not consistent. My original review is below:

Cute winery atmosphere with great food and service. The crab cake appetizer is recommended. It’s garnished with corn, which is a bit odd, so maybe leave that off. Great selection of wines, of course. There’s patio seating along Lane Ave when the weather is nice and convenient parking in the rear.“

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

“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 😎😎😎“

“We went for Valentine’s Day and it was very nice! Definitely perfect for a special occasion. We got the bread, king crab pasta, and lasagna rotolo. We finished with the tiramisu. Everything was great and service was exceptional. They also gave us some chocolates for Valentine’s Day. I thought they could’ve had more options as far as cocktails but actually super enjoyed the margarita. We had a great time!“

“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!“

“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.“

“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!“

“Can’t say enough good things about our first visit to this wonderful place. What a gem ! Atmosphere is stylish, warm and friendly. Service was experienced and very nice. House wine perfect. Complimentary fresh focaccia bread scrumptious. Salad was excellent. Chicken Parmesan outstanding. Tiramisu was so worth the calories. Can’t wait to get back there asap! Compliments to the chefs working hard in the kitchen.“

“Growing up in Italy, I’ve always been surrounded by food made with love, and Villa Nova Ristorante captures that same spirit. I come here often for their classic lasagna and hand-tossed pizza, and every bite feels like a return to family dinners back in Turin. The cozy, old-world atmosphere makes it more than just a restaurant. it fee ls like stepping into a true Italian home“

“Delicious and affordable, with super friendly staff!“

“We love the spaghetti & breadsticks.🍝 We do miss the caesar salads though.“

“WOW! the italian wedding soup was savory and delicious. The burrata cheese plate was loaded with fresh tomatoes, basil, pesto, and balsamic. We had the cacio e pepe and the penne alla vodka, both were a solid 11/10. This place is definitely on my list of top Italian restaurants in Columbus. The service was prompt, friendly, and attentive. Simply amazing experience.“

“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.“

“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!“

“Wow! On an overnight school bus trip from Centerville, Ohio, pizza and cheese curds were AWESOME!“

“Stopped into Little Grand for lunch and ended up making the best decision of the day by heading over to Frascati’s. The spicy salami on focaccia might just be the best sandwich in all of Columbus — bold, perfectly balanced, and unforgettable. The pasta dishes were just as impressive: the vodka sauce had the ideal touch of heat, while the pesto pasta was bright, fresh, and packed with flavor. We added the meatball appetizer on a whim, and it turned out to be the perfect complement to the meal.

Already looking forward to the next visit — and it’ll probably be sooner rather than later.“

“Super cute. I always went to Lox next door and didn’t know this was a cafe. Great sandwiches and wine selection to take home. Very cute decor with the umbrella touches. They tried to bring in the Italian vibe and they do it very well. Small, sweet and a good place for a mellow lunch.“

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

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

“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.“

“Good food and friendly staff 👍“

“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!“

“Customer Service was 5 stars!! The staff including manager made my day! Every staff member was so nice. The manager noticed I hadn't been there before (seemed he recognized other customers) he offered me items to try for free. The food was great place was clean and by far some of the best customer service I've experienced! Will difently be back“

“Went to Speck on a whim tonight after hearing only good things and I wasn't disappointed. The moment I walked in, the atmosphere was upbeat with a good din of conversation, but not overwhelming. I was seated at the Chef's Counter which gave an excellent view of the open kitchen. I started with the focaccia which is served with a delicious herb oil. The bread was super soft and pleasantly salty. For my main I got the Funghi pasta with occhi, white wine & crema, and fresh herbs as well as the Scallops served with a spicy yam risotto. The scallops were well cooked and the risotto was not-too-spicy and the pancetta gave it an addictive saltiness. However, the pasta was absolutely delicious and my top-pick. It was earthy, creamy, and the mushrooms gave it a great texture. The herbs also gave it a vibrant green (which, obviously means the pasta was healthy, right?). As I packed up, I ordered the Lemon Cookies to-go and was surprised with a delectable pair of mini cannoli with chocolate and raspberries as a gift from the kitchen. My waiter, Ethan, was attentive and friendly and gave some great recommendations. The next time I have someone I'd like to impress, I'm definitely keeping Speck high on the list. Can't wait to go back.“

“Had a filling and delicious meal! We planned our stops on a trip south and back so we could eat at Fazolis’ since there are none where we live. Wish they would expand north into New York State!“

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

“The food was phenomenal, and our server at the bar, Lindsey, was fantastic. I just wanted to mention one thing that really bothered me. Our power went out - again - in Muirfield, so we decided to go eat dinner at Moretti's. When we walked in, the hostess, who could have been the manager for all I knew, just stared at us as we walked up to the podium to request a table or seating at the bar. She just stared at us! No "hello," "Thanks for coming to Moretti's, can I help you?", nothing. I finally said we'd like to sit at the bar, and she said seating at the bar is self-service. I said thank you, and we sat down at the bar and had a fabulous dinner. My question is: With all the places to eat in the Dublin area and beyond, wouldn't you think a hostess would be grateful that you are there and at least try to make you feel welcome? Maybe I'm just old-fashioned, but it was a strange encounter.“

“Food was great . Had spaghetti with meatballs and short rib ragu all I have to say is wow. David was very nice and had really nice suggestions and was new a lot about the wines we were interested in definitely will be back soon“

“I buy pasta, sauce, coffee & desserts here and I’m never disappointed. My SIL is NJ Italian & a tough critic so I’m only going to serve him the best I can find. I recently tried PD’s gelato and I’m going to be eating this all summer. You can really taste the difference between grocery gelatos and the real thing.“

“Had a very nice experience there for a Sunday afternoon dinner. Espresso Martini and Bridgepark Manhattan were nicely done. Server was a pleasant person with quite a nice table side manner. My wife had the Tagliatelle pasta with veal and mushrooms. She said the veal was extremely tender. I had the lasagna. Large portion and very tasty. perhaps a little sauce on the side would be nice. We met the manager there and he was very accommodating. He is a long time Cameron exec and we can see why. Just the person you want to have overseeing your service. Recommend you go for lunch or early dinner. Reservations strongly suggested.“

“10/10

When I say this is the most amazing restaurant I have been to in my 20 years of life, I truly mean it. From the moment you walk in, it’s breathtaking. The chandeliers, the accents, the overall ambiance. Everything is absolutely stunning. It feels elevated and intentional in every detail.

Before I even get into the food, I want to give a shoutout to our waiter, Matt. He was incredibly knowledgeable about the menu, kind, attentive, and made the entire experience feel seamless. Service like that sets the tone for the whole evening. I did tell Matt I was planning on writing a review and I just wanted to say personally that he did an impeccable job. Myself and my group were truly lucky to have him as a server.

Now, the food.

We ordered several sides to start: bruschetta, arancini, and fritto misto. All of them were delicious, but the arancini especially stood out. It was easily some of the best I’ve ever had. Perfectly crispy on the outside, warm and flavorful on the inside, and it practically melted in your mouth. The bruschetta was also super flavorful and the goat cheese really married everything together so well.

For my entrée, I ordered the chicken parmesan and I can confidently say it was the best chicken parmesan I’ve ever had. I’ll admit, I was initially skeptical because the pasta was served on top, which isn’t the traditional presentation that I am used to. But the way they crafted it was truly brilliant. Having the pasta on top created the perfect ratio of chicken to pasta in every bite. It was balanced, beautifully executed, and completely deserving of the “best chicken parm” award in my book. The chicken was perfect, the pasta on top was perfect, and the sauce was perfect. It wasn’t overpowering or too acidic and everything was balanced incredibly well.

For dessert (yes, I got two — one for the moment and one to take back to the hotel), I tried the crème brûlée for the first time ever. I was not disappointed. The crisp caramelized topping paired with the smooth custard and sorbet was incredible. The textures and flavors complemented each other so well and left you wanting another bite immediately. It was citrusy and fun and reminded me of summer.

I also had the cheesecake — an Oreo crust with classic cheesecake filling, chocolate pieces in the cheesecake filling, and cherry mousse on top. The chocolate and cherry flavors were beautifully balanced and blended together perfectly.

I can gladly say I will be back this summer. If you’re considering Martini, let me be your sign to go.“

“My husband & I had the privilege of dining at Z Cucina in Dublin on Valentine’s Day. The concierge’s at the front were wonderful, and our most pleasant experience was not only they food, but our wonderful waiter, Benjamin. He is such a great host at one’s table, but has an expert knowledge of the menu. I will request him again!“

“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“

“Chef Kevin knows what he is doing! Went in with my family of 3 and he was so hospitable and gave prompt service.

As we ended our meal he stopped to see how our meal was and helped clean up.

My favorite Piada in Columbus, hands down :)“

“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“

“Thank you for supporting Dublin Coffman Athletics Track and Field Team. You helped us raise much needed funds ! For any 5013c organizations wanting to do a restaurant night I highly recommend Piada Italian Street Food“

“Tables are in need of wipe down, floors are in need of sweeping but, Lobster bisque is delightful but can't see lobster chunks but it's in there.“

“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 ordered a meat lasagna and a make it yourself pizza and picked it up yesterday. Guys. Lemme tell ya. You can just tell it’s made with love. The pasta sauce is so fresh, it’s literally the best ricotta I’ve ever had, nice and cheesy all around and even the garlic butter and loaves of bread you get it really good! Haven’t done the pizza yet but I expect no less! Thanks so much!!!“

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

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

“We were just in here (leaving the lot as I type this) and I have to applaud the crew tonight. The food was hot and fresh with great taste. I also want to give a standing ovation to Emily who was running front cash and handled one of the most rude individuals I have ever encountered in food service. He was belittling, demanding, and arrogant from the start and she never once stopped smiling or offering him the best service.“

“My son really wanted Stromboli. Chat GPT put this place as the #1 spot to check out. Our server Cheryl was fantastic. The food was delicious especially the Stromboli. We will absolutely be back to explore more of the menu. Highly recommend.“

“My husband and I took a friend with us for dinner. It was exceptionally clean. Our food was pretty much perfect. So was our service. We had a late dinner so it wasn't too crowded and they went out of their way to accommodate us for our disabled dinner quest. It was very enjoyable. Everyone was very polite and helpful. Our server even chuckled at my husband's corny jokes. He was a peach. We will Def return to that location.“

“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!“

“Great customer service! I walked in just after opening and they were still setting everything up so I got the chicken free cuz I was waiting for 5 min for it to come and since their Apple Pay machine wasn’t working and Danny was such a nice person giving it for free just for the waiting on the system!! Will definitely eat here again 10/10“

“service was excellent and food was good“

“Our waitress Kendra was amazing! The food and drinks were fabulous! Our extremely picky child said they have the best pizza she’s ever had. We had to order an entire pizza to go! Thanks for a great time! We will absolutely be back!“