Who loves Italian? Do you love all Italian food or just food from a certain region? When you think about Italian food go you just imagine just pizza and spaghetti? Or, is it the fresh seafood, fresh handmade pasta or ravioli, and bruschetta? No matter what your preference is when it comes to Italian food, I have a list of 15 restaurants that will make your mouth water.
1. Trattoria Lucca 41 Bogard St, Charleston
Featured in too many magazines to list and offering authentic Italian cuisine. Your taste buds will be thanking you for a long time to come and begging for you to go back.
2. The Obstinate Daughter, 2063 Middle St, Sullivan's Island
A little southern, a little Spanish, a little French, and, yes, a little Italian. The Obstinate Daughter is a chic place where Chef Jacques Larson makes magic on the plate.
3. Davini's, 1922 Augusta St #111A, Greenville
They tout the fact that they are one of the best restaurants in Greenville. The fact is in the details of their beautiful plates they place before you. They use local, fresh ingredients and the freshest seafood available. If you get a chance to go, try the Moscuvy Duck...it's to die for!
4. Trattoria Giorgio, 121 S Main St, Greenville
They specialize in Northern Italian cuisine such as veal scallopini. Due to their overwhelming success, they strongly recommend that you call for reservations so that you aren't waiting for a very long time to get in. Do you have your phone in your hand yet?
5. DeLucca's, 1720 Sunset Blvd, West Columbia
Believe it or not, they make everything in house! I'm talking about fresh made bread...the smell alone is enough to make me hop in the car to go get some. However, their dishes are amazing. They do just about all Italian, but what they can do with a grill is just beautiful.
6. Ducati's Pizzeria & Trattoria, 960 Cipriana Dr B4, Myrtle Beach
In 2014, Gino and his partner, Nick, decided that we needed a taste of their kind of Italian...the kind that has roots in Brooklyn. And, they were right. They serve a little of everything, but I would try the pizza. They just don't make that everywhere here in South Carolina.
7. Al's Upstairs Italian Restaurant, 300 Meeting St, West Columbia
This restaurant has been voted by the people of Columbia to be the most romantic and best Italian restaurant in Columbia. I have to say that it's awesome! What you see here is Lamb Rack New Zealand with a beautiful rub and cooked to perfection.
8. The Red Pepper, 709 N Main St, Summerville
Not only can you dine in here, but you can also take home with an option to bake the food yourself! How awesome is that? Everything here is handmade with the freshest ingredients available and all desserts are made in-house as well.
9. Casa Bella, 120 Chesterfield St S, Aiken
They serve Old World Northern Italian food here and it's authentic as you can get as the chef himself was born there. You'll feel like you've stepped right over the sea and into Italy. It's all done the way it supposed to be and deliciously. If you get a chance to go there, I would try the homemade manicotti.
10. Ombra Cucina Rustica, 1000 William Hilton Pkwy #G-2, Hilton Head Island
Chef Michael Cirafesi has made a gem here in Hilton Head and everyone who has been there knows it because they go back again and again. Beyond the authentic Italian, they have a full list of Tuscany wines to accompany your food for a complete dining experience you won't forget anytime soon.
11. Brioso Fresh Pasta, 360 College Avenue
Suite 200
Clemson
This is a unique type restaurant that prepares some of the meals right at the table side so that you can see all they do by hand. The pasta is fresh made as well as the ravioli and sauces. That's fresh!
12. Paesano's Italian Restaurant, 1727 Blue Ridge Blvd, Seneca
An amazing restaurant that serves great Italian dishes such as the Wild Mushroom Pasta.
13. Amalfi's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, 664 Long Point Rd, Mt Pleasant
Amalfi's offers dishes that are familiar with high quality. Their calzones are amazing and homemade like their other dishes, but the calzones...did I say they were amazing?
14. La Taverna Italian Cuisine, 120 Dorman Commerce Dr, Spartanburg
It's homemade food without you having to cook! What could be better than that?
15. Scatori's Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant, 1399 S Commons Dr, Myrtle Beach
Fine Italian dining at your fingertips. Call ahead and reserve the Chef's 5-course special dinner for you and that someone special. You'll not be disappointed here.
Do you have a few to add to your list? What’s your favorite Italian restaurant? Let us know in the comments below.
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