These 10 Italian Restaurants In Central Ohio Stand Out For Their Food, Atmosphere, And Charm

One Italian dinner on this list happens in a room with roughly five booths and a handful of tables. That’s the whole dining room.

I love a place that small, because it tells you the kitchen is the real star.

The list doesn’t stop at tiny, though. One spot serves pasta under barrel-vaulted ceilings and painted wall murals.

Another serves pizza inside an event center, which is a combo I didn’t know I needed.

Central Ohio clearly doesn’t do Italian food just one way. A single dinner could be date night, a family supper, or a fancy garden escape.

That range makes picking a place way more fun than picking a single dish.

I rounded up ten restaurants with real personality on the plate and in the room. So, are you in the mood for a tiny trattoria, a candlelit splurge, or a pizza feast tonight?

1. Cardone’s Restaurant & Bar

Five booths and five or six tables make up the whole dining room, so landing a seat here feels like winning a tiny lottery. The good news is that the prize comes in pasta form.

Cardone’s is a family-run spot on West Main Street in Westerville, with rustic decor and a quiet, relaxed mood. It feels more like a neighborhood secret than a big production, even when you dress up a little.

Dinner starts strong with fresh bread and herb-infused olive oil. Pace yourself, though, because the main menu deserves your full attention.

The cracked pepper and short rib agnolotti gets serious praise, and the sauce is the real headline. The chicken carbonara and the bolognese lasagna are also big reasons this place earns its spot.

Craving something classic? Spaghetti and meatballs, sausage arrabbiata, and stuffed shells cover the comfort side of the menu nicely.

Feeling fancy, or just very hungry? The Osso Buco di Cardone is a hearty pick, and arancini make a smart opener for the table.

Save a corner for cannoli, because ending an Italian meal any other way feels a little wrong. Vegetarian diners will also find plenty of choices here.

Doors open Tuesday through Saturday at 4 p.m., and the kitchen wraps up at 9. With so few tables, booking a dinner reservation ahead of time is a very good idea.

Address: 377 W Main St, Westerville, OH 43081.

2. Mezzo

Rooftop seating and Italian food on the same evening plan? Historic downtown Dublin makes that happen at this modern spot on West Bridge Street.

Mezzo mixes classic dishes with a lively, trendy feel. There’s a patio for nice days, and live music shows up on the schedule too.

Start with the truffle garlic bread, because sharing it is the polite thing to do. Then again, nobody will blame you for guarding the last piece.

The bolognese and the lemon ricotta ravioli are two pasta picks that stand out. The chicken carbonara is rich and full of flavor, and a well-dressed spinach salad keeps things fresh.

The bigger plates get interesting fast. Short rib risotto, mussels, and the house Mezzo Chicken all compete for your order.

Plant-based eaters get real love here. Eggplant parmesan is a classic option, and the restaurant offers both full vegan and full vegetarian menus.

Timing matters if you like a quieter meal. Fridays and Saturdays open at 11:30 a.m. for lunch, while evenings on those days tend to be the busiest.

Bringing your pup? Dogs are welcome outside, which makes patio season even better.

A private dining room also works for birthdays or family gatherings.

Dinner reservations are recommended, especially on weekends. Free parking options nearby make the stroll through this charming Ohio district easy.

Address: 12 W Bridge St, Dublin, OH 43017.

3. Vittoria

Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin on the speakers set the mood before your ravioli even arrives. Add barrel-vaulted ceilings and wall murals, and dinner starts to feel like a trip overseas.

Vittoria sits on Sawmill Parkway in Powell, and the room leans romantic. A fireplace adds even more old-school charm on chilly nights.

House-made pasta is the backbone of the menu. The ravioli comes in a generous portion with a large meatball and house-made marinara.

Love a classic? Chicken marsala and Veal Bella Vista bring that dressed-up, special-occasion feeling to the table.

Rack of lamb is another strong choice for a celebration. Willi’s Linguine is a meatless pasta pick with its own spot on the menu.

Salads deserve a mention too. The Vittoria Salad and a wedge salad give you a crisp break before the heavier plates show up.

Dessert lovers can pick between chocolate cake and a lemony cheesecake. Honestly, splitting both sounds like the smartest plan.

Families are welcome here, with a kids’ menu and high chairs ready to go. A private dining room also makes this a strong pick for anniversaries and milestone birthdays.

Weekend evenings get busy, so make a reservation before you head out. Live music sometimes adds another layer to the evening.

Address: 10241 Sawmill Pkwy, Powell, OH 43065.

4. Little Italy Ristorante

Deep-fried beef ravioli might be the best argument for skipping a diet that anyone has ever made. Groveport’s neighborhood Italian favorite serves it up proudly.

Little Italy Ristorante sits right on Main Street in this small, historic community southeast of Columbus. The vibe stays casual, so come as you are.

Signature pizzas and homemade pasta are the main event here. The homemade noodles get plenty of attention, and the pepperoni pizza is a crowd-pleaser.

The appetizer list is where things get playful. Deep-fried cup-style pepperoni and Tater Kegs both sound like snacks invented for game day.

Craving a sandwich instead? The meatball sub is a classic, while the Monster Sub sounds built for serious appetites.

Chicken parmesan holds down the comfort food corner. Fettuccine Al Forno and an antipasto salad round things out nicely.

Bread sticks also make a smart add-on for the table. Kids will probably claim them first, so order extra.

Families have it easy here, with a kids’ menu, high chairs, and changing tables. The place is also good for catching a game on TV.

Doors open at 11 a.m. daily, so lunch is an option too. Friday evenings tend to be the busiest stretch of the week in this Ohio town.

Address: 480 Main St, Groveport, OH 43125.

5. Scali

Don’t judge a restaurant by its parking lot. This white-napkin Italian spot sits in a strip mall, yet the dining room feels classy and intimate.

Scali is a family-owned restaurant along OH-256 in Reynoldsburg. It’s the kind of place people pick for anniversaries and special dinners.

The lasagna is the dish to know. It’s rich, hearty, and one of the most talked-about plates on the menu.

Peasant Tortellini is another strong pick for pasta fans. It brings a rustic, homestyle feel that fits the room perfectly.

For starters, stuffed mushrooms and bruschetta set the table nicely. Brascioli is also on the menu if you want something more traditional.

Save room, because dessert matters here. Tiramisu and cannoli give you two classic ways to finish on a sweet note.

Plan ahead, since Scali serves dinner only and stays closed on Mondays. Tuesday through Thursday, the kitchen opens at 5 p.m.

Weekends start a little earlier, with Saturday and Sunday doors opening at 4:30. Evenings fill up on many nights, so reservations are smart.

Kids are welcome, with a kids’ menu and high chairs available. Takeout and catering are options too, in case you’d rather enjoy the lasagna in your pajamas.

Address: 1903 OH-256, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068.

6. Alfonso’s Italian Steakhouse & Event Center

Scratch-made pasta inside an event center sounds like a mix-up at first. In Lancaster, it turns out to be a delicious combination.

Alfonso’s sits on Country Club Road in the county seat of Fairfield County. The space works for a quiet dinner, and it also hosts bigger celebrations.

Pizza fans should start with the Traditional Neapolitan Pizza. It has earned a reputation as one of the best pies in the Lancaster area.

Pasta gets equal billing here. The rigatoni bolognese and the chicken parmigiana are two dishes worth putting at the top of your list.

Specialty pizzas give you even more choices if you can’t decide. Small plates also make it easy to share a few things around the table.

The mood shifts with the night, from casual to romantic. Live music adds a fun soundtrack on certain evenings.

Hours change throughout the week, so check before you go. Tuesday through Friday runs 4 to 9 p.m., and Mondays are closed.

Weekends bring more flexibility. Saturdays open at 11 a.m., and Sunday service runs from noon to 7 p.m.

A private dining room and event space make this a natural fit for parties. If you’re planning a reunion or shower in Ohio’s Hocking Hills gateway region, keep this spot in mind.

Address: 3100 Country Club Rd SW, Lancaster, OH 43130.

7. Lola & Giuseppe’s Trattoria

Fried spaghetti is a real thing here, and it might change your life a little. The Pasta Fritto comes with a creamy blend of mozzarella, provolone, and romano, plus marinara.

Lola & Giuseppe’s is a mom-and-pop trattoria on Granville Street in Olde Gahanna. Red-checked tablecloths and eclectic decor give it a family supper feel.

The pastas and sauces are handcrafted from old-world recipes. Many fans call this some of the best pasta in the Columbus area.

Seafood lovers should look at the shrimp and lobster ravioli. The thick sauce is a big reason it stands out.

Baked rigatoni, veal parmigiana, and Giuseppe’s Gnocchi keep the comfort level high. The meatballs are famously gigantic, so maybe share.

Soup fans can try the cream-based Sicilian Onion Soup. Giuseppe’s Salad even sneaks cheese tortellini into the bowl.

Gluten-free diners get good news too. The sauces are gluten-free, and you can pair them with gluten-free penne.

Reservations are only taken through OpenTable, and they’re highly recommended. Patio tables in warmer months go first come, first served.

Dinner runs Tuesday through Saturday, starting at 5 p.m. Afterward, the owners’ bakery next door is right there for something sweet.

Address: 100 Granville St, Columbus, OH 43230.

8. La Tavola

Want a table? You’ll need to pick up the phone, because reservations here are taken the old-school way.

That fits a kitchen focused on Old World Italian food made from scratch.

La Tavola has been part of Grandview Heights since 2014, led by chef-owner Rick Lopez, who later opened Lupo in Upper Arlington. The dining room feels homestyle and intimate, like a small Italian cafe.

Handmade pasta and fresh-baked bread lead the way. Seasonal dishes use local produce along with authentic Italian ingredients.

The Tagliatelle Bolognese is a standout worth ordering on your first visit. Squid Ink Linguine is a fun, dramatic pick if you want something different.

Lasagna gets a seasonal twist here, with roasted squash and burrata. Roasted chicken and saltimbocca alla Romana cover the heartier side of dinner.

To start, try olives with orange zest or grilled calamari. Both feel light, bright, and easy to share.

The specials menu changes weekly, so there’s always a reason to return. Finish with tiramisu, which has earned a serious fan base of its own.

Certain seats offer a peek at the kitchen action. It’s dinner and a show, minus the tickets.

The restaurant has its own lot, but spaces can be tough to find. Arrive a little early and enjoy a walk along West First Avenue.

Address: 1664 W 1st Ave, Grandview Heights, OH 43212.

9. Basi Italia

Zucchini isn’t usually the dish people talk about all week. At this tiny Victorian Village restaurant, the Zucchini Pronto with toasted almonds and shaved pecorino earns that honor.

Basi Italia sits on quiet Highland Street, surrounded by historic homes. A husband-and-wife team runs it, with the chef leading a creative kitchen.

The menu leans Northern Italian and changes with the seasons. Local produce shapes what lands on your plate, so expect some surprises.

The Rigatoni Salumeria is a pasta favorite that keeps earning praise. Baked chive ricotta gnocchi with truffle oil is another one to consider.

Looking for something heartier? Slow braised beef short ribs and grilled lamb chops bring plenty of comfort.

Starters are where the kitchen really plays. Pan roasted PEI mussels, burrata with salsa verde, and grilled artichoke carpaccio all deserve a spot.

The patio is a big part of the charm in warmer months. It feels like dining in a friend’s backyard, only with much better pasta.

Reservations are required, and the small room fills up quickly. Dinner runs Tuesday through Saturday, starting at 5 p.m.

Street parking can be tricky in this busy neighborhood. Valet service helps, so you can focus on dessert instead of circling the block.

Address: 811 Highland St, Columbus, OH 43215.

10. Cento

Cento means one hundred in Italian, and the name honors the 100th Cameron Mitchell restaurant, which opened in 2023. Fun fact: the name came from one of the company’s own corporate chefs, who submitted it when associates were asked for ideas.

The restaurant sits in historic German Village, known for its brick streets and old homes. Inside, a garden-style setting gives dinner an enchanting, Italian retreat feel.

The pasta is handmade on-site, and it shows. Stuffed pappardelle and scarpinocc are two vegetarian standouts.

Splurging tonight? King crab tagliatelle and fettuccine with clams bring seafood into the spotlight.

Meat lovers aren’t left out. Veal parmesan and a Piedmontese filet mignon anchor the heartier side of the menu.

Start with whipped ricotta or tomato focaccia and garlic bread. Fritto misto is another crispy, shareable pick.

Dessert lands in grand style with a chocolate hazelnut torte. Tiramisu and affogato also make a strong finish.

Bringing kids? A dedicated kids’ menu offers spaghetti, chicken, and French bread pizza.

A private dining room seats up to eight guests. It’s ideal for a small celebration that still feels special.

Reservations are highly recommended through OpenTable or by phone. Walk-ins can still try for Garden Terrazza seating, and daily valet makes the Ohio evening even easier.

Address: 595 S 3rd St, Columbus, OH 43215.