50 Best Italian Restaurants near Upper Arlington

“I came in hungry and left spiritually healed. Whoever is in charge of making the piadas deserves a raise because that thing barely survived the drive home. The food was fresh, the staff was awesome, and the whole place had a great vibe.

Honestly, if loving carbs is wrong, I don't want to be right. Definitely one of my new favorite spots!“

“MOUTHWATERING. HOMEMADE AND AUTHENTIC. HIGHLY RECOMMEND“

“I almost don’t want to say how amazing this place is, because it’s Columbus’ best kept secret. Best wine and food! Great variety and I love the reasonably priced wine flights. One of my favorite spots in the city.“

“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!!!“

“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!!“

“Delicious and affordable, with super friendly staff!“

“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!!!“

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

“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.“

“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.“

“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!“

“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!“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“I'm a big fan of public markets, and decided to check out Little Grand today! Frascati is legitimately the best food I've accidentally found. The penne with pesto was amazing, as was the penne with vodka sauce! The truffle potatoes were top notch, and they have a good selection of imported goods! Definitely will be coming back!“

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

“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!“

“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.“

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

“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!“

“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!“

“Good food and friendly staff 👍“

“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“

“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“

“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!“

“Had dinner at Speck Italian Eatery before heading to Yours Truly: A Night of Jazz + R&B and it was the perfect start to the night. The ambiance was such a cute vibe — cozy, stylish, and perfect for a downtown dinner date or girls night out. I sat at the bar and the service was amazing from the moment I walked in. My server was prompt, attentive, and made sure everything came out quickly since I was headed to a show nearby.

The food was super fresh and absolutely delicious. I had the focaccia bread, sausage ragu, and potatoes, and every single item hit. The focaccia was warm and soft with the perfect olive oil dip, the sausage ragu was rich and flavorful, and those potatoes were crispy, cheesy, and addicting.

If you’re going to an event at The Citizens Trust, this is honestly such a great dinner spot because it’s so close to the venue. Definitely adding this place to my downtown Columbus favorites.“

“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!“

“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!“

“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“

“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“

“If you enjoy a great mom and pop shop feel with great family friendly service, with ties to the “Youngstown” area stop for a feeling of the steel valley. The meatball sliders are great, the buffalo cauliflower has to be the best in city I’ve every had run there to try both“

“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“

“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!“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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!“

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

“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 staff was friendly and upbeat as soon as we were walking in. Leah was our server and she was super kind and willing to answer any questions we had!!! The food was well portioned and tasted so good! I had always wanted to try one of their shrimp dishes and I was not disappointed!!!!!“

“service was excellent and food was good“

“Great food and atmosphere!…Try the Chef’s Specials“