50 Best Italian Restaurants near James Island

“Been searching for an authentic Philly cheesesteak for a year. All places advertise that they are the real deal and we end up disappointed every time . A friend that we met recently is from up north and told us to try . Today we stopped in and thank GOD we did!! Literally our prayers have been answered. Soft bread , delicious meat , melty cheese. Authentic Philly food! We got a cheesesteak , Italian hoagie and turkey hoagie. If you’re looking for soft customer service , this may be alittle hard core for you as in normal Philly fashion , we loved it ! This is a MUST!! GO BIRDS!“

“Great experience,fast friendly service“

“Great food; great service“

“To say we’ve been sleeping on this culinary gem would be the understatement of the year 🫠 Unbelievable meal and wonderful service by Kim tonight!“

“When you go sit at the kitchen counter. Loved watching the cooks.“

“We had dinner at Legami the other night and had such a wonderful experience! Jackson was our server and was incredibly sweet, attentive, and professional. His recommendations were spot-on, and he truly made our evening extra special. Great food, great atmosphere, and outstanding service! We’ll definitely be back!“

“If you love authentic Italian sandwiches, Porkchetta is the place to go. Their sandwiches are served on fresh, homemade focaccia bread and packed with high-quality, fresh ingredients. Every bite is full of flavor, and the staff makes you feel right at home. An outstanding experience from start to finish — highly recommend!“

“We visit Le Farfalle every time we visit Charleston, as it is a tradition for me and my son. We love the food and the atmosphere. We can’t wait to have many more trips together to enjoy there.“

“Can't wait to visit! Looks amazing!“

“Fantastic food with personal service“

“The food was absolutely delicious with good sized portions and a great value for the price.“

“Mt Pleasant has a REAL Italian restaurant. The food is authentic tasty and cooked to perfection. I felt like my family & I were back in Italy w great Italian food. You can taste the love that this restaurant has for their food & their customers. The service was impecable and out waiter Jim was very attentative. My family is from NY, FL,SC and we all enjoyed a taste from Italia.“

“Amazing food. Everything is homemade. My fiancé and I live an hour away and it is always worth the drive. Must try! We have loved everything we have tried. After developing a gluten intolerance I can still enjoy their delicious gluten free lasagna. Even their homemade breads are much easier to digest than anything else I have tried! Such a treat to get their food 🥰“

“delicious meal with great service. everything was wonderful, from the bread to pasta to tiramisu. Dogu took good care of us.“

“The service, food and atmosphere are outstanding.“

“Being from NY, it has a hometown feel with excellent food, good sized portions and the best waiter ever in Joel.“

“Drinks, food and service— all fantastic!“

“I can confidently say it was one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had! Although we didn’t have a reservation, the staff went above and beyond to accommodate our large party and quickly arranged a lovely table for our group. When we asked for recommendations, our waiter suggested a family-style three-course meal, and we couldn’t be happier with his suggestion! Each course was beautifully presented, and simply delicious. From appetizers to desserts, every dish was crafted with care and creativity. It was a wonderful way to experience the menu and share in the joy of great food together. If you’re ever in the area, do yourself a favor and dine here—you won’t regret it! Thank you for an amazing experience; I can’t wait to return!“

“Delicious and creative menu!“

“We heard about this place and wanted to try it so we went there Thursday night. Had a 6 PM reservation for four people got seated immediately beautiful place out of the downtown traffic to Charleston easy parking. It’s a great experience family style. The recipe changes daily great selection of wine. . Only thing I suggested was that they would play Italian music instead of the the current top hits music that they were playing didn’t seem to suit the ambience, but the chef said he does not like Italian music although he’s not Italian and also I suggest that the waiters and waitresses have a similar uniform if you will like black pants and white shirts our waiter was great but he had blue jeans on it, just kind of declared the experience. We will be returning“

“Great Food, baked clams, chicken parm YUmmy“

“This is the closest thing to San Francisco North Beach Italian on the east coast. I had carpaccio, penne alla vodka and crème brûlée. O M G YOU MUST EAT AT CIAO BELLA“

“I have been to numerous Italian restaurants in my life. Out of every Italian restaurant this one is the absolute best, everything was so outstanding. Everything was made from scratch it had tons of flavor. Great service great atmosphere. I cannot highly recommend this place enough, today was my first day going there and I will be a regular there multiple times a month because it was that good. I can no longer hold other Italian restaurants that I’ve been to at such a high standard because this place was so outstanding and delicious.“

“Just ate dinner at the reopened Mondos and loved it! Great atmosphere, excellent server and delicious food! Highly recommend“

“I went for the first time and it was awesome. I saw that they had amoroso rolls and had to have the meatball sandwich. It helps to take the crave away if your from the Philadelphia area.“

“Good atmosphere and terrific food“

“Really authentic Italian at reasonable prices! So good! We especially like the Bolognese and Penne Ala Vodka. Great focaccia bread too. And we can't not order without getting my mom a Tiramisu! You can't support a nicer family-run business!“

“Great food! We came in for red sauce week. Service was a bit slow but it was pretty busy. Our server, Bryn, was very attentive! Only complaint was how loud it was/ talk to my partner, but it is a small space, so it’s understandable.“

“If you haven't been to Riva Mare at the Navy Yard yet, make a reservation immediately. I recently had the Trofie alla Genovese, and it was exceptional—perfectly twisted trofie pasta coated in a vibrant basil pesto with crunchy pine nuts, rich parmesan, and fresh summer beans. It is the ultimate light, fresh coastal Italian dish.Beyond the incredible food and the hospitality is top-tier. Georgia at the bar completely made our night—she is fantastic, welcoming, and shakes up an amazing cocktail. Between the pasta and Georgia’s stellar service, this has easily become one of my favorite spots in Charleston.“

“Stopped at Joey’s Tomatoes right before close for a last second dinner before the wife’s night shift! We ordered two #1’s, the pasta salad and a cookie to share. The product surpassed all expectations from atmosphere to service, all the way down to the superb food curated by Curtis. This will no longer be a second thought when I need a great meal! Don’t shy from the bread pudding!“

“The pizza was good, but the watermelon gazpacho special didn't do much for me, personally. The waitress seemed put off and moody the entire time, but did her job. I'd browse more pizza places in the area before immediately going back to Crust.“

“Great pizza. Excellent service. We always love eating here when we are on DI !“

“First timing eating here last night. Amazing food, service, etc!“

“Chicken piccata was amazing. Our server Dominick is a true professional. Our experience was terrific. Compliments to the chef🫶“

“👊 Pizza A Modo Mio continues to impress with their quality. Definitely the best in the area and love to see them prosper!!!“

“Excellent food and service-everything we ordered was over the top and there were 8 of us, each ordering a different appetizer and entree!Our server Pat, was so well informed about the food, and his service could not have been better!“

“I took my wife on a mini food tour and this was our last stop. The food was very delicious! We only ordered the Disco Fries and the Bruno Bianco pizza. The fries were very flavorful with vodka sauce, pesto, and fresh mozzarella. The Bruno Bianco was extremely fresh and very delicious. You could definitely taste the aromas of the parmigiano and basil pesto ranch sauce. It was phenomenal!! I completely recommend this place and these options.“

“I had such a fantastic time at this spot. The atmosphere was exactly what I was looking for—it felt relaxed and welcoming, with just enough energy to make it feel lively. The drinks were crafted perfectly, and the staff were genuinely friendly, which really made the evening. It is definitely one of my new favorite places to unwind.“

“This place is fabulous. Chicken piccata with the best buttery lemon garlic sauce. Pasta fagioli tastes like my grandmas. The arancini are the best ones I’ve found so far. Cocktails are fantastic. Then topped it off with homemade Pistachio cheesecake 🤤. All of this tops wild olive any day and not as pricey. Closest authentic Italian I’ve been able to find in the area. Food tastes like home!“

“Best food and service in all of a Charleston. Ask for Gage Jenkins. Best server in town.“

“Very busy time before a concert and they accommodated the crowd! Bianca pizza was extraordinarily good! Meatballs very good too. Service was very good from both the female server we had as well as the gentleman bartender. It was also cool to watch at the small bar where you can watch the pizzas cook.“

“Only have one question…how come you are not open at 9am. So glad you are here to make these amazing pies. Never disappoints, well except having to wait for you to open!“

“Absolutely best Italian combo sandwich ever! The ciabatta is out of this world. Crispy and fresh. You have to try this one!“

“love JI's pizza best in Charleston“

“I am so upset that we’ve never ordered from here before!! It was the best pizza and pasta we’ve ever gotten in the Charleston area. I would even compare it to the food we got in Little Italy in NY. The pizza is superb with the best crust, sauce and mozzarella!! The spaghetti with marinara and the Lasagna were AMAZING as well. It’s our new go to for pizza and pasta!!“

“La Mejor Pizza Que Hemos Comido En SC ✨ 10/10 Excelente Servicio Al Cliente!“

“If you’re in downtown Charleston SC, and craving pizza, Pizzeria di Giovanni is a must-visit! The inviting atmosphere and the aroma of freshly baked dough will transport you straight to Italy.

The menu features both traditional and innovative pizzas. The Margherita is a standout, with a perfectly charred crust, rich San Marzano tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella. Don't miss the seasonal specials that highlight local ingredients.

What truly sets this place apart is the attentive staff, eager to suggest wine pairings that enhance your meal. Their commitment to customer service makes you feel like part of the family.
Pizzeria di Giovanni is a gem in Charleston’s culinary scene, offering exceptional pizza and a warm atmosphere. Your taste buds will thank you! 🍕✨“

“We ordered an Italian sub, a steak sub and a medium thin crust pizza with 4 toppings, from Ryan. Everything was fresh and tasted great ! Ryan really has it going on !!!“

“Visiting Charleston,SC, needed something filling . Found New York Pizza on East Bay Street. The young lady April who took my order over the phone was wonderful. She was most helpful in suggesting the amount and toppings. My mobility issues allowed me to go to the Lobby and receive my Pizza. Leo brought it to the desk, he was very nice, appreciative and caring. April and Leo are great employees to have, they accommodate others issues and make it happen. I am most grateful and thankful. My Pizza,Side Salad, Strawberry Lemonade mad the difference also. Thank you again and again April and Leo.“

“Food was good- pepperoni and basil on gluten free crust & another pepperoni on regular crust. Pizza is wood fired and has that thin crust, rustic, floury thing going on. The kids tried the hot honey on theirs and loved it! The meat and cheese board was good as well. We went on a weekend and there was competing music between here and the bar across the street, lots of people, lots of kids playing on the playground in the seating area.

Dietary restrictions: Gluten free crust available“