11 Hidden Italian Restaurants In South Carolina That Locals Swear Are The Real Deal
I’ll be honest, South Carolina surprised me with its Italian spots. Everyone talks about the barbecue and seafood, but if you wander into the right corner of a small town or even a busy strip in Charleston, you’ll find places that make you feel like part of the family.
These restaurants don’t need fancy signs or big marketing, they just let the food speak for itself.
I stumbled across a few by accident, and now I can’t stop thinking about the garlic knots, slow-cooked sauces, and the regulars who swear they’ve been eating there since the doors first opened.
1. La Rustica On Magnolia, Summerville
Walk into this Summerville spot and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into someone’s Italian grandmother’s kitchen. The owners treat every guest like family, which explains why regulars come back week after week.
Homemade pasta is the star here, rolled fresh every morning. The marinara sauce simmers for hours, filling the dining room with a smell that makes your mouth water before you even sit down.
Everything on the menu comes from recipes passed down through generations, and you can taste the history in every bite.
2. Caffe Piccolo, Pawleys Island
This tiny spot sits quietly in Pawleys Island, easy to miss if you’re not looking for it. But locals know better than to drive past without stopping.
The chef trained in northern Italy and brings that experience to every plate. Fresh seafood from nearby waters gets paired with Italian techniques that bring out flavors you didn’t know were possible.
The dining room only seats about thirty people, so reservations are smart. Candles flicker on each table at night, creating the kind of mood that makes dinner feel special without trying too hard.
3. Il Giorgione, Columbia
Tucked away in a Columbia neighborhood, Il Giorgione doesn’t advertise much. Word of mouth keeps the tables full most nights.
The menu changes with the seasons because the chef insists on using what’s fresh. You might find wild mushroom risotto in fall or bright lemony dishes in summer. Service is attentive but never stuffy.
The staff knows their regulars by name and remembers what they ordered last time. It’s the kind of place where you settle in for a long meal and nobody rushes you out the door.
4. Di Vino Rosso, Columbia
This Columbia gem flies under the radar despite serving some of the best Italian food in the state. The name means red grape, and the owners take their food as seriously as their drink selection.
Pasta gets made in-house daily, and you can watch through the kitchen window if you sit at the right table. The osso buco practically falls off the bone, braised until it’s so tender you forget you’re using a knife.
Locals come here for special occasions but also for regular Tuesday nights when they just want something done right.
5. Trattoria Giorgio, Greenville
Greenville has plenty of restaurants, but Giorgio’s stands apart from the crowd. The owner grew up in Tuscany and brings that countryside simplicity to every dish.
Nothing here tries to be fancy or complicated. A plate of spaghetti carbonara arrives with perfectly coated noodles and just enough richness to satisfy without overwhelming. The chicken piccata gets finished with real lemon and capers that pop with flavor.
Regulars know to save room for tiramisu, which gets made fresh each morning. The dining room feels comfortable, like eating at a friend’s house who happens to cook really well.
6. Pomodori Italian Eatery, Hilton Head Island
While tourists flock to the big-name spots on Hilton Head, locals slip into Pomodori for food that actually tastes like Italy. The place doesn’t look like much from outside, which is part of its charm.
Fresh tomatoes show up in almost every dish, hence the name. The bruschetta arrives on bread that’s grilled just right, topped with tomatoes that burst with sweetness.
Pasta portions are perfect for finishing without feeling stuffed. The staff treats everyone well, whether you’re dressed up or still in beach clothes. It’s casual without being careless about the food.
7. Gusto Ristorante, Hilton Head Island
Gusto sits quietly on Hilton Head, known mostly to people who live here year-round. The chef worked in Milan before moving to South Carolina, bringing skills that show in every dish.
Seafood risotto comes out creamy and rich, with shrimp and scallops that taste like they came off the boat that morning. The veal gets prepared multiple ways, all of them good. Presentation matters here, but not in a showy way.
Plates arrive looking beautiful because someone cared enough to arrange them properly. The atmosphere stays relaxed despite the quality of food coming out of the kitchen.
8. Wild Olive, Johns Island
Johns Island isn’t where you’d expect to find exceptional Italian food, which is exactly why Wild Olive surprises everyone who walks through the door. The building looks unassuming from the road.
Inside, the kitchen turns out dishes that would fit right in on the Amalfi Coast. Fresh herbs come from a garden out back, and you can taste the difference. The gnocchi practically floats off the plate, pillowy and light.
Sauces get built from scratch, no shortcuts or canned ingredients. Locals book tables weeks ahead for weekend dinners. Once you eat here, you understand why they go to the trouble.
9. Ristorante Bergamo, Greenville
Bergamo hides in plain sight in Greenville, known to those who seek out real Italian cooking. The owner named it after his hometown in northern Italy.
Polenta appears on the menu in ways most Southern restaurants wouldn’t attempt. The braised short ribs over creamy polenta will change how you think about comfort food. Pasta dishes stay true to regional Italian traditions rather than American expectations.
The pappardelle with wild boar ragu is rich and complex, the kind of dish that takes hours to prepare properly. Servers know the menu inside out and can guide you toward something perfect for your taste.
10. Pasta Fresca, Columbia
The name tells you everything you need to know. Fresh pasta is what this Columbia spot does, and they do it better than just about anyone in the state.
You can buy pasta to take home or sit down and let them cook it for you. Either way, you’re getting noodles that were made that day. The ravioli gets stuffed with combinations that change based on what’s available.
Sauces are simple, letting the quality of the pasta shine through. Locals stop by to grab containers of sauce and fresh noodles for dinner at home, treating it like their secret ingredient.
11. Luigi’s Trattoria, Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach overflows with tourist traps, but Luigi’s isn’t one of them. Locals figured that out years ago and keep coming back for food that reminds them why Italian cooking became popular in the first place.
The owner Luigi runs the place himself most nights, greeting guests and making sure everything meets his standards. Chicken marsala arrives with a sauce that’s been reduced to perfection, not watery or bland.
The Caesar salad gets tossed tableside if you ask. Prices stay fair even during peak season. It’s honest food served by people who care about what leaves the kitchen.