15 Kentucky Hole-In-The-Wall Italian Kitchens Serving Sunday Supper–Style Plates
In Kentucky, tucked away in quiet streets and unassuming storefronts, these 15 hole-in-the-wall Italian kitchens bring Sunday supper to every night of the week.
Locals savor rich sauces, hand-tossed pasta, and generous portions that feel like a warm hug from Nonna herself.
From Louisville to Lexington, these Kentucky gems prove that big flavor doesn’t need a flashy dining room, making each plate a cozy, unforgettable celebration of classic Italian cooking.
1. Porcini
Tucked away in Louisville’s Crescent Hill neighborhood, Porcini sits quietly on Frankfort Avenue, serving up Italian comfort food that’ll make you forget every chain restaurant you’ve ever visited.
The space is small, intimate, and perpetually packed with locals who know a good thing when they taste it.
Their Sunday supper vibe comes through in every dish, especially the house-made ravioli that practically melts on your tongue.
The chefs here treat pasta like an art form, rolling and stuffing each piece with care. Y
ou’ll find classic red sauce done right, creamy alfredo that doesn’t skimp on butter, and seasonal specials that showcase whatever’s freshest.
Located at 2730 Frankfort Avenue in Louisville, this spot doesn’t need flashy advertising or a massive social media presence. Word of mouth keeps the tables full, and one bite explains why.
2. Sarino
Walking into Sarino feels like stumbling upon a secret that Louisville residents have been keeping to themselves.
Situated on Goss Avenue, this unassuming spot delivers Italian cooking that would make any nonna proud.
The menu reads like a love letter to traditional recipes passed down through generations.
What sets Sarino apart is their commitment to doing the basics exceptionally well. Their marinara tastes like it’s been bubbling on the stove since dawn, and the meatballs are tender enough to cut with a fork.
The portions are generous without being ridiculous, and the prices won’t require a second mortgage.
Sunday supper here means hearty plates of rigatoni, chicken parmigiana with cheese that stretches for days, and tiramisu that’s worth saving room for.
The staff treats you like family, which is exactly the vibe you want from a neighborhood Italian joint.
3. bar Vetti
Don’t let the lowercase letters fool you; bar Vetti in Louisville’s East Market District brings serious Italian flavor to the city’s dining scene.
This place leans into the casual Italian bar concept, where small plates and pasta dishes share equal billing with an impressive wine selection.
It’s the kind of spot where you can pop in for a quick bite or settle in for the evening.
The Sunday supper spirit shows up in their handmade pasta selections and rotating specials that highlight seasonal ingredients.
Their cacio e pepe is simple perfection, proving that you don’t need a dozen ingredients to create magic.
The antipasti options are perfect for sharing, though you might not want to.
Located in the East Market neighborhood near downtown, bar Vetti captures that effortless Italian vibe where good food and good company matter more than fancy presentations.
4. Silvio’s Italian Restaurant
Silvio’s has been feeding Louisville families since the 1980s, and they’ve perfected the art of making everyone feel like a regular.
Located just off Westport Road on Fairfax Avenue, this spot embodies everything a neighborhood Italian restaurant should be: warm, welcoming, and consistently delicious.
The dining room has that lived-in comfort that only decades of satisfied customers can create.
Their menu is a greatest hits collection of Italian-American classics done right.
The lasagna is layered with love, the chicken marsala comes swimming in rich sauce, and the garlic knots are dangerously addictive.
Sunday supper here means big plates, bigger flavors, and the kind of satisfaction that comes from eating real food made by people who care.
Silvio’s doesn’t chase trends or reinvent the wheel. They just keep serving the same reliable, soul-warming Italian food that’s kept them in business for decades.
5. Bella Notte
Bella Notte translates to “beautiful night,” and that’s exactly what you’ll have at this Lexington gem on Nicholasville Road.
The atmosphere strikes that perfect balance between date-night romantic and family-dinner comfortable.
Soft lighting, Italian music playing quietly in the background, and the smell of garlic and herbs greeting you at the door set the stage.
Their approach to Italian cooking honors tradition while adding just enough creativity to keep things interesting.
The veal dishes are tender and flavorful, the seafood pasta showcases quality ingredients, and the pizza comes with a crust that’s crispy on the outside and chewy inside.
Every plate looks like it could be served at Sunday supper in someone’s Italian grandmother’s dining room.
The staff here knows their regulars by name and treats newcomers like they’re about to become regulars, which most people do after one visit.
6. Giuseppe’s Ristorante Italiano
Giuseppe’s on Nicholasville Road brings a slice of Old World Italy to Lexington, complete with the kind of hospitality that makes you feel like you’ve been transported across the Atlantic.
The restaurant has been a Lexington staple for years, building a loyal following through consistent quality and genuine warmth.
Walking through the door feels like entering a different era, in the best possible way.The menu features all the Italian classics you crave, prepared with techniques that haven’t changed because they don’t need to.
Their eggplant parmigiana is perfectly breaded and baked, the fettuccine alfredo is rich without being heavy, and the cannoli are crispy shells filled with sweet ricotta cream.
These are Sunday supper plates that satisfy both your stomach and your soul. Giuseppe’s proves that sometimes the best restaurants are the ones that stick to what they do best.
7. Pasta Garage Italian Cafe
The name might sound quirky, but Pasta Garage on Delaware Avenue in Lexington takes its Italian food seriously.
This counter-service spot proves that hole-in-the-wall doesn’t mean compromising on quality or flavor.
The casual setup actually adds to the charm, making it feel like you’re grabbing a quick meal at a family friend’s place.
What they lack in tablecloths, they make up for in flavor and portion size.
The pasta dishes come loaded with sauce and toppings, the sandwiches are stuffed with quality meats and cheeses, and the prices are shockingly reasonable.
It’s the kind of place where regulars order by number because they’ve memorized their favorites.
Sunday supper vibes come through in the generous helpings and the no-nonsense approach to good Italian food.
You order, you eat, you leave happy. Sometimes that’s all you need from a great Italian spot.
8. Joe Bologna’s Restaurant & Pizzeria
Joe Bologna’s on West Maxwell Street has been slinging pizza and pasta to Lexington families since 1993, and they’ve mastered the art of crowd-pleasing Italian-American fare.
The name alone tells you this place doesn’t take itself too seriously, but the food quality is no joke.
It’s the kind of spot where kids’ birthday parties and date nights happen at neighboring tables without either group feeling out of place.
Their pizza features a thin, crispy crust that holds up to generous toppings, and the pasta dishes come in portions that’ll have you taking home leftovers.
The spaghetti and meatballs taste like someone’s Italian grandmother made them, and the calzones are stuffed so full they practically burst.
Sunday supper here means comfort food that hits all the right notes without breaking the bank. Joe Bologna’s keeps it simple, affordable, and consistently good.
9. Sutton’s Family Italian Restaurant
Sutton’s on Locust Hill Drive lives up to the “family” part of its name in every possible way.
This Lexington institution has been serving the kind of Italian food that brings generations together since 1989.
The dining room buzzes with conversation, laughter, and the clinking of forks against plates piled high with pasta.
Everything here tastes homemade because it is. The sauces simmer for hours, the bread comes out warm, and the portions are sized for people who actually enjoy eating.
Their lasagna is legendary among locals, layered thick with meat, cheese, and sauce. The chicken cacciatore falls off the bone, and the minestrone soup could cure whatever ails you.
Located in the heart of Lexington, Sutton’s doesn’t need gimmicks or trendy updates.
They’ve been doing Sunday supper style right for over three decades, and they’re not changing now.
10. Pompilio’s Restaurant
Since 1933, Pompilio’s on Washington Avenue in Newport has been serving Italian food to generations of Kentucky families. Yes, you read that right.
This place has been around since before your grandparents were born, and it still packs the house.
The vintage photographs covering the walls tell stories of nearly a century of satisfied diners.
Walking into Pompilio’s is like stepping into a time capsule where the recipes haven’t changed because perfection doesn’t need updating.
Their spaghetti comes with sauce that’s been perfected over decades, the ravioli are hand-stuffed, and the atmosphere is pure old-school Italian-American charm.
Sunday supper here means connecting with culinary history while enjoying plates that taste exactly like they did in 1933.
Located just across the river from Cincinnati, Pompilio’s is worth the drive from anywhere in Kentucky. This is living history you can eat.
11. Camporosso
Camporosso on Dixie Highway in Fort Mitchell brings a touch of sophistication to the hole-in-the-wall concept.
The space is small and unassuming from the outside, but inside you’ll find carefully crafted Italian dishes that rival anything in bigger cities.
The owners clearly care about every detail, from the wine selection to the way each plate is presented.
Their menu changes seasonally, showcasing fresh ingredients and creative preparations that still honor Italian traditions.
The risotto is creamy perfection, the osso buco melts in your mouth, and the homemade desserts are worth every calorie.
Sunday supper here feels a bit more elevated, but the warmth and hospitality keep it grounded.
Located in Northern Kentucky near Cincinnati, Camporosso proves that hole-in-the-wall restaurants can deliver both quality and refinement.
Sometimes the best Italian food comes from the places you almost drive past without noticing.
12. Frank & Dino’s
Named after two of the coolest cats in entertainment history, Frank & Dino’s on West Short Street in Lexington channels Rat Pack vibes while serving seriously good Italian food.
The retro atmosphere makes you want to order a martini and some pasta, then hang out all evening.
It’s dinner and a show, except the show is watching skilled cooks work their magic in the kitchen.
The menu covers all the Italian-American favorites with style and substance. Their chicken parmigiana is crispy, cheesy, and exactly what you want it to be.
The pasta carbonara is rich and indulgent, and the tiramisu is the perfect ending to any meal. Sunday supper here comes with a side of nostalgia and a whole lot of flavor.
Frank & Dino’s proves that themed restaurants can still deliver quality when the food is the real star of the show.
13. Serafini
Finding exceptional Italian food in Kentucky’s capital city might surprise some people, but Serafini on Broadway in Frankfort delivers the goods.
This downtown gem combines fresh, quality ingredients with traditional Italian techniques to create meals that feel both special and comforting.
The intimate dining room makes every meal feel like an occasion.
Their approach focuses on letting quality ingredients shine without overcomplicating dishes. The pasta is made fresh, the sauces are built from scratch, and the proteins are cooked to perfection.
You’ll find classic preparations done with care and attention that shows in every bite. Sunday supper here means savoring food that’s been thoughtfully prepared by people who genuinely love Italian cooking.
Serafini proves that you don’t need to be in a big city to enjoy restaurant-quality Italian cuisine. Sometimes the best meals come from unexpected places.
14. Chirico’s Ristorante
Way out in Eastern Kentucky, Chirico’s on Cassidy Boulevard in Pikeville serves Italian food that rivals anything you’ll find in Louisville or Lexington.
This family-owned spot has become a regional destination, drawing diners from surrounding counties who crave authentic Italian flavors.
The fact that it thrives in a smaller market speaks volumes about the quality.
Chirico’s menu features generous portions of classic Italian dishes prepared with obvious care and skill.
The lasagna is layered thick with meat and cheese, the chicken marsala comes in a wine sauce that begs to be soaked up with bread, and the cannoli are crispy and sweet.
Sunday supper vibes are strong here, with families gathering around tables piled high with shared plates.
Located in the heart of Appalachia, Chirico’s proves that great Italian food can flourish anywhere people appreciate quality cooking and warm hospitality.
15. Danny’s Italian
Danny’s Italian on College Street in Bowling Green keeps things simple, affordable, and delicious.
This no-frills spot focuses on what matters most: good food at fair prices served by friendly people.
The dining room won’t win design awards, but the plates coming out of the kitchen will win your heart and stomach.
Their pizza features a perfectly balanced crust-to-topping ratio, and the pasta dishes come loaded with sauce and cheese.
The spaghetti and meatballs taste like home cooking, the calzones are stuffed to bursting, and the garlic bread is addictive.
Sunday supper here means filling up on comfort food without emptying your wallet.
Located in Southern Kentucky, Danny’s Italian represents the best of what hole-in-the-wall restaurants offer: honest food, generous portions, and the kind of service that makes you want to come back.
Sometimes that’s all you need for a perfect meal.