50 Best Italian Restaurants near Avalon

“We had a wonderful experience. Wayne was our server.. loved him! Fantastic service! I had the gnoccis, sauce was very reminiscent of my grandmothers... in other words, perfect. My husband had the lasagna, he loved it. The complimentary breadsticks were delicious.. the house salad was also great. Highly recommend!“

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“We decided on Juliano's to celebrate our anniversary--the food was outstanding and our waitress Linda was top-notch.Since we mentioned that we were celebrating our 44th wedding anniversary--we were given a complimentary desert which capped off a great meal--the "fried dough" was excellent-- which we will order each & every time we come here.“

“First time dining at Senti. Not a big menu to choose from, but what you do get is quality. The apps were very good to start the evening and the dinners were excellent. Nice portions and very tasty. Drinks are very good and paired nicely with dinner. We will definitely be back.“

“Love, love, love this place. Food is absolutely amazing, staff there are wonderful. Definitely on our must-list. I love a spicy marinara. One bite and I can hear my Italian grandmother give me back-handed compliments! :)Edit- April 2024Back again! Still perfect!“

“We’ve dined twice at Alla Famiglia and it’s the best Italian restaurant in Pittsburgh. Their portions are massive and we’ve always had enough for lunch the next day. The three things we recommend are the grilled octopus appetizer, any of the veal chops, and the seafood diavola. You need to see the size of the veal chops in person as pictures online don’t do it justice. We thought the Cavatappi tasted better than the Cacio pasta, even though Cacio costs more. Overall it’s pricey for Pittsburgh, but the quality is superior and you get enough for lunch the next day. Another tip is get a bottle of their spicy olive oil on the way out. I add it to many dishes for an extra kick and it makes for a great present.“

“This was my first time eating here with my husband and I must say, we were so impressed. Everything was so amazing from the food to the cocktails to the random little plates they gave you. The porkchop was literally the best I've ever had in my life! All the foods were so inventive and delicious. My husband has the bolognese and it was so tasty! We would gladly love to go back again soon!“

“Very friendly family environment! Husband and wife were very great to us. We drove all from Philadelphia to go to the hall of fame in Ohio to stop here because of diners drive ins and dives. They did not disappoint. They were busy but accommodating. Food was very large and very good! Highly recommend it!“

“When I arrived damen greeted me with a big smile and made me feel welcomed before I even had the chance to look at the menu He then helped me pick out a good salad which was delicious by the way He provided me with the upmost pleasureable visit If he is here again I would definitely “

“Vivo always delivers an outstanding experience. The menu is limited, focused, and impossible to categorize. We often share a few items from the appetizer section, but also have some of the entrees, which feature, in addition to great food, reasonable portions (like in Europe). It's our favorite place.“

“We forgot to take photos of the salads but they were great. The candied walnut apple chicken salad with champagne vinegrette was delicious. The boys split the carrot cake and highly recommend. The deep dish pizza was a favorite too. My husband liked the house Italian dressing too. Our server was great too. Definitely a favorite.“

“This place was well worth the visit and I hope to go back soon!!Dietary restrictions: They were very great when I indicated that I don't eat certain foods to keep mine separate.Parking: Right by a bus stop!Kid-friendliness: My 4 year old loved the quarter machines and surprised me and tried new food here!Wheelchair accessibility: It's got narrow spaces and the bathrooms aren't accessible.“

“Awesome vibes and food! This place was spotlessly clean and well lit, everyone is incredibly friendly, service staff and even the cooks were so helpful, welcoming, and kind! We got homemade meatballs, zucchini tower, and homemade tiramisu and every single single was just to die for!!! Drinks were strong and cheap and the pool table is well taken care of!Kid-friendliness: High chairs available, bar in the front and laid back dining area in the back“

“Seriously, the best thing in our area. Donella our waitress was fantastic and kept us happy the whole meal. It was my birthday and i got to pick the restaurant. I was under pressure , as my friends can be a lot! They loved everything about this place. The homemade manicotti was the best I’ve ever eaten. Cannoli for dessert was exceptional! I’ll be back for sure.Dietary restrictions: Gluten free pasta option.“

“Can’t rate this place high enough. Every time my family has dined in we are treated like family and leave with full bellies and happy hearts. We love to come as large groups and order from their Family style menu for larger portions to charge. The Roman pizza is unique in the area and we love it. The homemade pasta divine is our favorite. The espresso martinis are made with in-house vanilla infused vodka and real espresso! 20 drafts on tap! Wine on tap for Prosecco floats?! We always make sure to save room for the best gelato in the states! So many tasty options. We recommend the Wild Italian Cherry and the Orange Julio with candied oranges. The sweat cream topped with espresso affogato style is to die for ? The whole team are rockstars. Reservations are easy to make and change online. We love the clean open kitchen and the vibe of the dining room space as well as the bar.Kid-friendliness: Foosball table!Wheelchair accessibility: Multiple entryways, ramp to bar“

“What a wonderful hidden gem! I had no idea this place was even here. It was a busy bustling night on a Tuesday. Service was great, food all Homemade and delicious and the DESSERTS!!! I can't wait to go back and try everything on the menu.“

“Hands down the best pizza in Robinson…possibly in all of Pittsburgh. Their prices are reasonable and their free breadsticks deal is unmatched! Idk how they do it, but you’ll know what I mean by the first taste. Customer service is on point too, Rindha is always smiling and friendly when I come in to pick up my take out order. Quality spot all around ? (p.s. they have tiramisu!)“

“Started my Pittsburgh foodie adventures in this adorable little sit-down pizza restaurant in Shadyside! We tried the Pizza Del Re (white pizza) and Pizza Della Casa (red pizza), and both lived up to the hype! Pizza Del Re: - White pizza with mozzarella, truffle spread, & prosciutto (it comes with mushrooms too, but we got it without because my boyfriend doesn't like mushrooms) - A super rich truffle taste that was so yummy - Loved the thin crust, but there were parts that tasted a little too burnt Pizza Della Casa: - Red tomato sauce pizza with mozzarella, grape tomatoes, arugula, prosciutto, & parmigiano - I love the combination of prosciutto & arugula and it was a plus that the arugula tasted so fresh & wasn't bitter - I personally prefer red sauce over white sauce, so I liked this pizza a little bit more To top off your meal here, make sure to get their gelato for dessert! I got a small size with 2 flavors -- tiramisu and hazelnut. Both flavors were super rich and yummy and definitely satisfied my sweet tooth.“

“This place is amazing, the pizza is so awesome, the baked goods are so good, they have these cherry and cheese Danish type pastry, they have a specific name i forget, but WOW they are amazing, there is cherry, apricot and a few others and I'm sure they are all as good as the cherry....The staff is always awesome too ?“

“We had a wonderful dinner. The food was prepared perfectly by Executive Chef Nick Senske and his team. The cauliflower and truffle dip was sooo delicious as was the carrott appetizer. We shared three pasta dishes, all were delicious. The Short rib casserchia was very tasty! We will be back.“

“my boyfriend and i tried pelegrino’s after we got sent a menu from them in the mail. we each got a pizza, and the cost was INCREDIBLY lower than the other pizza places we’ve ordered from. they deliver as well, which is nice. what i also appreciate about pelegrino’s is the option for online ordering, which allows me to pay & tip so i don’t have to fumble whenever the delivery comes. it takes some time, but it’s always worth the wait; we’ve never been disappointed!! this is our go to pizza spot!!“

“What can I say… what can I say… that has not already been said about the cathedral of pizza that is Pizza Bosa. Upon walking in I was greeted with the smell of fresh pie and was handed the menu with a friendly greeting from the man behind the counter. Got 12 Hot wings which came out beautifully presented on a paper plate, they tasted just as good as they looked. On my next visit I plan to order the Seafood Salad, which I’ve heard is a Pittsburgh hidden gem.“

“Amazingly delicious no-frills neighborhood pizza joint. It is a treasure! When you factor price and taste (are there others?), Eddie's has the best pizza in Pittsburgh. Really, it's that good!!! Give it a try. I promise you'll love it.“

“We tried Antonio’s for the first time tonight. We ordered a deep dish pizza with pepperoni and the general tso’s chicken pizza. Both pizzas looked and tasted amazing. I don’t find many places that put fried chicken on pizza, so I appreciate the unique menu items. This style and quality of food is exactly what we were looking for. We will definitely be back.“

“Chef Eric and our server Mike were fantastic! Our large group was able to enjoy a delicious business dinner in a timely fashion. Apps, entrees, and dessert were absolutely incredible! The Cesar salad was perfectly composed, they make their own mozzarella, and the specials are on point! You could taste the love and passion that created each dish. It was so nice that Chef Eric came out to meet us and personally described some of the dishes to us.The owner was a little unprofessional about an accommodation we needed, but the food and other staff made up for it, so I would still highly recommend this establishment.Dietary restrictions: Chef Eric did a great job accommodating a gluten friendly appetizer and entree.“

“This has become my favorite place to eat. The food is amazing. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming. The service is over the top. It is a must try! One of the best cannoli’s around! The steaks are melt in your mouth! The pasta is home made so fresh with all types of sauces. Be prepared to eat! The servings are very large. Compliments to the Chef and his entire staff!“

“Went here for dinner. I had the gnocchi bolognese and it was terrific. They don't over salt their dishes and the portion was big. My wife had the chicken Parm and that was very good too. They use a thinner breading which doesn't make for a crunchy chicken cutlet.The place is cozy but that just adds to the atmosphere. And the service was great as well.I would definitely recommend a reservation as a smaller place this good fills up quick.“

“We just received a shipment of the caramel, sea salt chocolate drenched biscotti. They are divinely delicious! Just as we remembered from a trip we took last summer to Pittsburgh and surrounding areas. I told my husband that from now on, we will never send people flowers. We will send them these biscotti instead, and you can bet they’ll be more appreciated.“

“Food and service were amazing! Hostess, Michelle is incredible! She kept circling the restaurant for available seats and keeping us updated on the wait time until we were seated! We were able to eat and get to our event on time! Great experience!“

“Absolutely LOVED this place! The owners and all the guys working there were amazing. We came from Tennessee to Pittsburgh for a wedding and decided to stop in here since it was right by our hotel. BEST decision ever. Best pizza we have had and our kids LOVED it. We have a son that is very picky and he ate three huge slices! Thank you so much for the hospitality and the next time we are in Pittsburgh we will be stopping by again!“

“Zuppa’s is a casual local restaurant that serves foods such as soups, salads, sandwiches, paninis, sides, and desserts. Foods can be ordered in person or online for takeout or delivery.I purchased several foods from here, and they all tasted very good. I recommend the veggie panini, mac and cheese, spoon bread, corn and shrimp chowder, and lobster bisque.“

“Come for the tasty pasta, stay for the excellent service and homey vibes.My boyfriend and I love places like this. We live just down the block, and really, there isn't enough local eats that still feel a bit dressed up, even though casual wear is appropriate. We've gone twice now, and both times, our servers have been lovely. On our latest date on Thursday, our server was there to greet us and ask about beverages not a minute after we sat down. She was super attentive, very fast, and a total sweetheart. The food has some hits, but it's all up to preference. I love the cheese ravioli. My boyfriend had the steak hoagie and we both agreed that while the steak was perfectly cooked, the sauce was a bit on the sweet side for us. That said, it was well made and presented, and we still left with full bellies. Carbonara's is fast becoming a regular date spot for us, and I haven't been disappointed yet. And those portion sizes? Perfect for work lunch leftovers! Yum!“

“Piccolo Forno is the BEST Italian food you can ever ask for and find in Lawrenceville!!! My husband and I had our first date here back in 2019, so we thought it would only be fitting to have our wedding reception here as well. We recently rented their private event space and couldn’t have been happier with the outcome! From the very beginning, the communication with Nealey (the restaurant’s manager) was very thorough and she was always willing to answer any and all questions I had. She was able to accommodate our guests different dietary restrictions in addition to my husband’s celiac disease. Our waiters were Bri and Addison for the night and they were incredibly polite and professional. We were so stunned by how beautifully all of the food and our decorations were displayed! All of our guests (and us!) were more than content and enjoyed ourselves throughout the entire night. Thank you Nealy and Piccolo Forno staff for being a part of our special day and being so welcoming with our son! It’s not often you can find amazing food, wonderful service, and a kid friendly atmosphere at restaurants anymore.. but Piccolo Forno is where you can find all three! :)(photos by Carmen May Photography)“

“Wake held and we had delicious chicken Romano, meatballs and cheese raviolis with green beans, mashed potatoes and Caesar salad. Everyone enjoyed it very much. Service was good with beverages etc as was buffet. It was in a room above restaurant and private. Plenty of space for 40 people. Would use them again“

“I really enjoyed this kinda hidden Italian gem! It's just the right size - not too big with an overdone menu. Enough choices but not overwhelming. The bruschetta was very good, but, for me, th spinach ricotta ravioli was mouth melting deliciousness! My friend ordered the penne with meatballs which was also a big hit. To finish our meal we decided on canole, yum! My only disappointment was the bread - nothing special, nor did it seem much like what I had in Italy. The wine list had some nice options... the Aldo Conterno Bussia Barolo caught my attention (yeah, we ordered it - def decant). The balsamic/olive oils served were above par and also loved the copper wrapped tables and rustic elegance. Service was great. They also had little gift package "meal kits" which I thought was a clever idea. Def would go here again!“

“I just attended the Grand Opening of COhatch in the South Side which Gaetano's catered. Upon walking in, everything was set up so beautifully and creatively. There was such a great variety and everything was delicious. Anna's staff was excellent and Anna was very hands on, showing she loves what she is doing. It was a great pleasure to meet and talk with her.“

“Amazing food! Truly delicious Italian food, and some of the best I’ve had in a long time. It’s a hidden gem that goes unnoticed way too much. A perfect place to get upscale food and classic Italian-American food. I tried the Pick a Pasta with vodka sauce and penne and a mini peanut butter chocolate bombe for dessert.Both items were stellar. The pasta was perfectly cooked, not too soggy or too Al dense. The sauce had a nice balance of sweetness and creaminess, with that tomato bringing in a touch of acidity. Great portion for the price, too. Highly recommend it.The bombe was a lovely little dessert, and the perfect size for a person (you might be able to split if you’re too stuffed). Rich peanut butter and chocolate, tasty cake. Very good for the price. And very clearly made in house.They also gave me some complimentary bread, which was absolutely delicious. A humongous piece of bread! Topped with some seeds, and it goes perfectly with the olive oil they added in as well. So delicious.All in all, this place is amazing. Delicious pasta and desserts, and what a nice surprise with the bread! I would definitely order from here again.Vegetarian options: You can make pasta dishes that are vegetarian, salads, etc“

“Been eating at Armstrongs since I was in high school, 20+ years ago. It is the most remarkably consistent food, and delicious every time. You literally can’t go wrong with anything on the menu…I’ve had most all of it over the years. Never, ever anything less than a delicious, filling meal.“

“I was in Pittsburgh with my sister and two friends for a girls weekend. LeVia was recommended to us by the owners of SPill Wine Bar. We were seated immediately and greeted by the best waitress! Her timing of service was spot on, as well as her recommendations. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of the dishes. The space was small and quaint, and we loved the intimacy of our surroundings. We ordered the garlic knots with sauce and cheese, I can’t even begin to describe how incredible they were. We all ordered a different meal. Our waitress gave us four extra plates to share all of our meals, great idea to be able to try an assortment of dishes! Thank you for an amazing meal, we will be back!“

“Our first visit. Very pleased. Nicely made cocktails. The loaf of fresh buckwheat focaccia with herbed olive oil was addicting. I had a tasty seafood linguine loaded with shellfish, calamari, shrimp, and fish in a mild white wine sauce. My wife enjoyed several small plates; the finocchiona and duck prosciutto followed by the shrimp. She liked all of them. Kate, our server, was friendly, efficient, and knowledgeable about the menu options. It's definitely a good choice for a really good meal.“

“Favorited restaurant for their homemade ravioli, pizza, and hoagies. Food quality is good. Gets crowded fast during the dinner rush and parking becomes scarce. Pricing is average for the area. Local family owned. Has a separate bar area. Dining area is a bit on the smaller side. Had a separate area and entryway for takeout pickup.“

“We tried this place for the first time last month and it did not disappoint. The staff was very friendly and the service was great. We didn't have a reservation but they sat us in the bar area so I guess I would most likely make a reservation next time . I ordered the chicken parmigiana and it was huge ! Also very good . Very generous portions for sure . Can't wait to go back“

“They were extremely accommodating of my many dietary restrictions! I reached out weeks in advance of my groups reservation and they were receptive and kind. They had an option for me at every course which I did not expect at all. Everything was delicious!! Will return for sure.“

“What a great idea to have a "fast food" shop just 1/2 block from the actual full service, very busy restaurant. With fresh, refrigerated, and frozen food, bread, sandwiches, the restaurant favorites, without the wait. No seating, just an order counter, with wonderful staff, anxious to help. Go!! You will not be disappointed!“

“The owner is a total prick. Don't care if he is like 75. He needs slapped. Just relax Sir. You got a great business. Very good food. You don't need to be a jerk. You don't have to rush us. You don't have to scream at us when we are looking on what to get. Just settle. Respect your customers. Especially one's like myself and family that always show a ton of respect for local business. I could never treat anyone like you did if they are showing me respect and spending money.“

“I read some good reviews about this place, so I stopped in for carry-out for lunch on a Monday. The folks working there were GREAT! Really friendly and they explained how they make much of their food. I was tempted by their chicken tenders, so I asked if they used frozen chicken tenders and they not only said “no” and explained how they made them, they just happened to be making a batch of fresh tenders and showed me the fresh chicken breasts they use to make them. I ordered their Nashville Hot tenders and they were AMAZING! The breading was very light and flavorful and the dry Nashville Hot seasoning was spicy… very tasty!!I also got their Deluxe Italian sub, half size and it was excellent! Very fresh ingredients and the sub came together great… Very Nice!!This place is carry-out only, but they do deliver and they do prepare food rather quickly. Highly recommend! I’ll definitely return!!“

“Food was so so good! I ordered the spaghetti carbonara and the greens & beans & sausage. Tiramisu for dinner finished me off. All made to perfection. The BYOB is such a great part of the experience. Always love to have a personable waitress. Underrated spot for such a quality meal. Will return.“

“Great fish dinners! This is a nice little local place. Great affordable food, delivery/carryout only.We always make sure to stop by during Lent to get our fish. Make sure you hit the ATM first, the Sauce Pot is cash only but worth the extra effort.Parking: 3 free spots in front of the restaurant and a terrible parking lot for a few cars on the side.“

“I want to shout-out Pietro’s for excellent customer service. Pietro’s is our favorite pizza place around us and we normally order through Grubhub. We love their variety of pizza and the Sicilian is a family favorite. There was an unfortunate issue today which was not a fault of their own where someone had stolen our order and when the new driver went to pick it up there was no order there. Grubhub rectified the money portion and gave us a credit, but we got a personal call from the restaurant which told us exactly what had happened, and how they wanted to make sure as regulars we weren’t mad at them. Honestly it meant so much to my wife and I and we will be ordering from them very shortly because one the pizza is great but 2, the service is even better.“

“We were fairly regular customers and always had great service at the bar - that ended about a month ago, and we haven’t been back since. I wouldn’t recommend going on a Sunday and sitting at the bar if there’s a Lisa there. She gave us an attitude from the beginning and explained that Sunday was “her Friday” and she was tired - also told us that she wouldn’t be chatting. Another server came over and said that he wanted to speak to “these two gentlemen” to which she responded, “They’re not gentlemen”, and lied when I brought it to her attention. After she dropped off our food - literally - she went back to the kitchen and totally ignored another gentleman at the bar. We spent a pretty good chunk of change here and ALWAYS tipped above most, but we haven’t been back since. I know I should have brought this to Management’s attention before this, but life happens and she really meant nothing to us. So, Lisa - congratulations! You have proven again that your generation has no clue about the service industry, or how to respect others.“