We love this place. It has such a family atmosphere that’s probably why they’ve been in business so long. The food is amazing no matter what you order. I can’t pick one favourite. All the servers /bartenders are fast and efficient. I highly recommend Avanti’s. See you there. .
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lolita Ulloa
Over priced for pasta plates,$24 for a fettuccine Alfredo,when you can buy pasta for $4 a bag. Not worth the money.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
Michelle Kane
Wonderful meal and vino before heading to a concert at Bond St Events
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kevin Brock
I am not too sure what happened on Sunday November 16, but the service and the attitude of the server(male) was absolutely abysmal and judging by another review here from last night, something was definitely going on there and the staff took it out on their customers, big time.
We were treated like asking a simple question about menu, specific options or allergies was a massive inconvenience, the server was extremely rude and condescending. It's actually mind blowing that a party of 10+ spending over $400+ , asking simple questions are talked down to, dismissed and treated so poorly. We are nobody special, and we definitely do not need any type of special treatment - but basic decency and humanity was nowhere to be seen last night. It took everything in our parties party to not confront the server and inquire about what the issue was so that we could reset and try and enjoy our dinner.
I've never encountered a more disgruntled, angry , sad individual in my life. I wish them all the best and I hope they can get the help that they clearly so desperately need.
Given, the food was 5++++, compliments to the chef, I would find it hard to go back anytime soon, maybe take out is the way to go.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
Carol D
We booked a friend’s birthday dinner here for last night with a party of 12. We called in advance to confirm the reservation no issues, then we arrived yesterday and were told there was no reservation! Calls were made to all the guests to say we had to go elsewhere, but then the restaurant said they could squeeze our party in so it was on again.
I am sure it is not easy managing a table of 12 and trying to get peoples’ attention to take their orders, but our server was noticeably annoyed at times. Such as when one of our guests asked for bread before the appetizer order was taken, and when I politely asked if we could place our meal orders while waiting for the appetizers to arrive. It was clear that I was being scolded for daring to ask. It was a busy evening and I took the opportunity while we had her attention. She responded the same way as the bread question, that being they have a process and that we were asking at the wrong time. It wasn’t what she said, but HOW she said it that showed her annoyance.
The restaurant had largely cleared out about an hour after arriving and by the time our food arrived, yet our server disappeared for long periods. I was about 1/4 through my meal when I needed to order a drink refill. After waiting quite a while for her to return, I resorted to asking one of the other passing servers to place the order. She graciously said she would. I was happy about that. Again some time had passed and that server came by our table to say it would be arriving soon. Still more time and our server finally came by and I asked her about it. She said that the other server just told her about it and it would be ready soon. (Oh really?)
Keep in mind that the bar where it gets poured was about 10 feet from our table and we can see if anything is happening at the bar. The place was quiet now so no reason it should take this long.
More time passes and still no drink. I’m finished eating now. How disappointing. A different server passes and I let her know that I no longer need it. (I settled for water.)
Finally, our server returns again and asked me if I no longer want that drink, seemingly clueless about why this might be.
From the time I wanted to place the order to the time that she asked me this question, about 25 minutes had passed. Again with the bar 10 feet away and the place being quiet now. Horrible service.
Talking it over with my partner afterward, he asked if the server did it on purpose because I annoyed her by asking about placing the meal order earlier. That sounds really petty if she had, but we can think of no other reason why.
This server needs retraining on attending to guest needs in a timely manner, not disappearing while a table is in progress and not getting annoyed when a question is asked - she is in the business of providing customer service and that does mean being in control of what you say and do, for the happiness of the guests and the business’ reputation. To the server, we normally tip 20-25% and yes the lower 15% we left reflects on the poor service you gave - maybe this restaurant pools tips so she doesn’t care?
This server deserves a 1 star, but I give credit to the other service staff who appeared very attentive to the tables around us, to the chef as the food was good and to the hostess or manager who fixed the mistake on our reservation.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 1
Stewart Hyman
We love their fruitti de mare... highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bruce Weston
Pasta was excellent. Was with a large group and the server did a great job.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Becky
We sat at the bar with Joel & Jess…. What a fantastic experience! Our food (lasagna, penne con pollo, Caesar salad and the Roman pizza) were all phenomenal. Great flavours, good size portions and fair prices. The atmosphere was warm, inviting and was the perfect place to celebrate a family girls night out. Our experience was made even better with the interaction with Joel, he sold us on trying different things, kept up great one liners and had great customer service. We will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ro M
What a great experience. Food quality is outstanding. The flow from kitchen via the server to the table is seamless. Dishes arrive with the right hot temperature. Deserts are just delicious. you cant leave without trying them. Definitely one of the best restaurants in Durham.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dakota Webster
The food is good but the proportions are heavily lacking. The service is good and the atmosphere is good but I left unsatisfiedafter finishing my meal.
Great restaurant but I wouldn’t recommend it on a Friday night. Super busy - had to wait 20 minutes for our reservation. The food also took very long to come out.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Smeeta Kapadia
Great ambience. Food was ok. All dishes needed more salt. Gnocchi was too dry, had to ask for more sauce. Service was a little slow, but decent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Salvatore Grosso
my first time there I met some colleagues for a meeting, and I was so amazed at the quality of my pasta dish that was truly a southern Italian pasta dish. I loved it. I will definitely be back again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Karen Archer
Top notch service and the food is delicious. Checks all the boxes for what I expect in a restaurant. Atmosphere is relaxing and welcoming. We will definitely be back soon and I can hardly wait to try their outdoor patio next summer. 10/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sara Pearson
Had dinner with a friend Friday night (09/19/25), our server I believe was Alex. She did an amazing job! Food was delicious! Huge thank you to the staff for their patience and understanding, we were so caught up in conversation and never realized we were still there 30 mins after closing. The only pressure from this place is to relax and feel at home! Definitely will be coming back!
We love this place. It has such a family atmosphere that’s probably why they’ve been in business so long. The food is amazing no matter what you order. I can’t pick one favourite. All the servers /bartenders are fast and efficient. I highly recommend Avanti’s. See you there. .
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Over priced for pasta plates,$24 for a fettuccine Alfredo,when you can buy pasta for $4 a bag. Not worth the money.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
Wonderful meal and vino before heading to a concert at Bond St Events
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I am not too sure what happened on Sunday November 16, but the service and the attitude of the server(male) was absolutely abysmal and judging by another review here from last night, something was definitely going on there and the staff took it out on their customers, big time.
We were treated like asking a simple question about menu, specific options or allergies was a massive inconvenience, the server was extremely rude and condescending. It's actually mind blowing that a party of 10+ spending over $400+ , asking simple questions are talked down to, dismissed and treated so poorly. We are nobody special, and we definitely do not need any type of special treatment - but basic decency and humanity was nowhere to be seen last night. It took everything in our parties party to not confront the server and inquire about what the issue was so that we could reset and try and enjoy our dinner.
I've never encountered a more disgruntled, angry , sad individual in my life. I wish them all the best and I hope they can get the help that they clearly so desperately need.
Given, the food was 5++++, compliments to the chef, I would find it hard to go back anytime soon, maybe take out is the way to go.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
We booked a friend’s birthday dinner here for last night with a party of 12. We called in advance to confirm the reservation no issues, then we arrived yesterday and were told there was no reservation! Calls were made to all the guests to say we had to go elsewhere, but then the restaurant said they could squeeze our party in so it was on again.
I am sure it is not easy managing a table of 12 and trying to get peoples’ attention to take their orders, but our server was noticeably annoyed at times. Such as when one of our guests asked for bread before the appetizer order was taken, and when I politely asked if we could place our meal orders while waiting for the appetizers to arrive. It was clear that I was being scolded for daring to ask. It was a busy evening and I took the opportunity while we had her attention. She responded the same way as the bread question, that being they have a process and that we were asking at the wrong time. It wasn’t what she said, but HOW she said it that showed her annoyance.
The restaurant had largely cleared out about an hour after arriving and by the time our food arrived, yet our server disappeared for long periods. I was about 1/4 through my meal when I needed to order a drink refill. After waiting quite a while for her to return, I resorted to asking one of the other passing servers to place the order. She graciously said she would. I was happy about that. Again some time had passed and that server came by our table to say it would be arriving soon. Still more time and our server finally came by and I asked her about it. She said that the other server just told her about it and it would be ready soon. (Oh really?)
Keep in mind that the bar where it gets poured was about 10 feet from our table and we can see if anything is happening at the bar. The place was quiet now so no reason it should take this long.
More time passes and still no drink. I’m finished eating now. How disappointing. A different server passes and I let her know that I no longer need it. (I settled for water.)
Finally, our server returns again and asked me if I no longer want that drink, seemingly clueless about why this might be.
From the time I wanted to place the order to the time that she asked me this question, about 25 minutes had passed. Again with the bar 10 feet away and the place being quiet now. Horrible service.
Talking it over with my partner afterward, he asked if the server did it on purpose because I annoyed her by asking about placing the meal order earlier. That sounds really petty if she had, but we can think of no other reason why.
This server needs retraining on attending to guest needs in a timely manner, not disappearing while a table is in progress and not getting annoyed when a question is asked - she is in the business of providing customer service and that does mean being in control of what you say and do, for the happiness of the guests and the business’ reputation. To the server, we normally tip 20-25% and yes the lower 15% we left reflects on the poor service you gave - maybe this restaurant pools tips so she doesn’t care?
This server deserves a 1 star, but I give credit to the other service staff who appeared very attentive to the tables around us, to the chef as the food was good and to the hostess or manager who fixed the mistake on our reservation.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 1
We love their fruitti de mare... highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pasta was excellent. Was with a large group and the server did a great job.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We sat at the bar with Joel & Jess…. What a fantastic experience! Our food (lasagna, penne con pollo, Caesar salad and the Roman pizza) were all phenomenal. Great flavours, good size portions and fair prices. The atmosphere was warm, inviting and was the perfect place to celebrate a family girls night out. Our experience was made even better with the interaction with Joel, he sold us on trying different things, kept up great one liners and had great customer service. We will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
What a great experience. Food quality is outstanding. The flow from kitchen via the server to the table is seamless. Dishes arrive with the right hot temperature. Deserts are just delicious. you cant leave without trying them. Definitely one of the best restaurants in Durham.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food is good but the proportions are heavily lacking. The service is good and the atmosphere is good but I left unsatisfiedafter finishing my meal.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
Great restaurant but I wouldn’t recommend it on a Friday night. Super busy - had to wait 20 minutes for our reservation. The food also took very long to come out.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Great ambience. Food was ok. All dishes needed more salt. Gnocchi was too dry, had to ask for more sauce. Service was a little slow, but decent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
my first time there I met some colleagues for a meeting, and I was so amazed at the quality of my pasta dish that was truly a southern Italian pasta dish. I loved it. I will definitely be back again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Top notch service and the food is delicious. Checks all the boxes for what I expect in a restaurant. Atmosphere is relaxing and welcoming. We will definitely be back soon and I can hardly wait to try their outdoor patio next summer. 10/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had dinner with a friend Friday night (09/19/25), our server I believe was Alex. She did an amazing job! Food was delicious! Huge thank you to the staff for their patience and understanding, we were so caught up in conversation and never realized we were still there 30 mins after closing. The only pressure from this place is to relax and feel at home! Definitely will be coming back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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