12 Highest Rated Italian Restaurants In All Of South Carolina
Mention South Carolina food, and most people immediately think of barbecue, seafood, and Southern comfort classics.
They are only telling part of the story.
Hidden among the state’s most celebrated restaurants is an Italian food scene that deserves far more attention than it gets. Family recipes, handmade pasta, bubbling lasagnas, perfectly blistered pizzas, and rich sauces simmering for hours have quietly earned loyal followings from Charleston to Greenville and nearly everywhere in between.
That is what makes these restaurants so special.
They do not rely on trends.
They rely on tradition.
The kind of tradition that turns first-time visitors into regulars and ordinary dinners into memorable experiences.
The contrast is surprising.
Southern hospitality on the outside.
Italian soul on the plate.
And together they create some of the most satisfying meals you will find anywhere in South Carolina.
If you arrive hungry, consider yourself warned.
This list has a habit of inspiring spontaneous road trips and immediate dinner reservations.
1. Sorelle, Charleston
There is something almost theatrical about walking into Sorelle on Broad Street in Charleston, where the room feels dressed up but never stuffy.
The menu leans into Italian tradition with a Southern confidence that makes every dish feel intentional.
Handmade pastas are the real stars here, and regulars will tell you the cacio e pepe alone is worth the trip.
The kitchen takes its time, and you will taste that patience in every bite.
The space itself is beautifully designed, mixing exposed brick and warm lighting in a way that makes you want to linger long after your plate is clean.
Service is attentive without being overbearing, which is exactly the balance a great Italian restaurant should strike.
Sorelle is the kind of place that raises the bar for everyone around it, and Charleston is genuinely better for having it.
Book your table ahead of time because this one fills up fast.
Address: 88 Broad St, Charleston, SC.
2. Pelato, Charleston
Not every great Italian restaurant needs a white tablecloth to make a statement, and Pelato on Morrison Drive proves that point beautifully.
This spot has built a reputation for bold, honest flavors rooted in Italian street food tradition, and the energy inside always feels alive.
The pizza here is the kind that makes you reconsider every other pizza you have ever eaten, with a perfectly blistered crust and toppings that feel carefully chosen rather than casually thrown on.
Beyond pizza, the menu explores Italian comfort food in ways that feel both familiar and exciting at the same time.
The casual atmosphere makes Pelato a great choice for a weeknight dinner or a laid-back weekend meal with friends.
Staff are friendly and clearly proud of what they serve, which always adds something to the overall experience.
Pelato keeps things real, keeps things delicious, and keeps people coming back week after week.
Address: 1085 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC.
3. Cane Pazzo, Hanahan
Hanahan might not be the first place you think of when searching for exceptional Italian food, but Cane Pazzo on Yeamans Hall Road has been quietly changing that perception.
The name translates to “crazy dog” in Italian, and there is a spirited, joyful energy to this place that matches perfectly.
The menu reads like a love letter to Italian home cooking, with dishes that feel rooted in tradition but never boring.
Pasta dishes here are rich, satisfying, and portioned generously, which means you will almost certainly be taking something home.
The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, the kind of neighborhood restaurant that feels like a discovery even after you have been there multiple times.
Families, couples, and solo diners all seem equally at ease here, which says a lot about how well the room is managed.
Cane Pazzo is a genuine treasure hiding in plain sight just outside Charleston, South Carolina.
Address: 1276 Yeamans Hall Rd, Hanahan, SC.
4. Melfi’s, Charleston
Red leather booths, moody lighting, and a menu that channels the golden era of Italian-American dining make Melfi’s on King Street one of Charleston’s most talked-about tables.
The vibe here is retro in the best possible way, pulling inspiration from mid-century Italian-American supper clubs without feeling like a costume party.
The food is the real anchor though, with dishes like chicken parm and housemade meatballs executed at a level that commands respect.
Pasta lovers will find plenty to celebrate, and the kitchen handles both classics and creative updates with equal confidence.
Melfi’s also tends to attract a lively crowd, so expect the room to have energy on most nights.
Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends when the demand for those coveted booths hits its peak.
Few restaurants manage to be this fun and this delicious at the same time, and Melfi’s pulls it off with ease.
Address: 721 King St, Charleston, SC.
5. Indaco, Charleston
Indaco sits on King Street in Charleston and manages to feel both polished and relaxed, which is a combination that is harder to pull off than it sounds.
The open kitchen anchors the room visually, with the wood-fired oven becoming its own kind of entertainment as the evening rolls on.
Housemade pastas are crafted with real care here, and the menu rotates seasonally to keep things fresh and ingredient-driven throughout the year.
Pizza fans will also find something to love, with thin, crispy pies that hold their own against anything you might find in a major Italian city.
The service team at Indaco tends to be knowledgeable and genuinely warm, happy to help you navigate the menu rather than just recite it.
The space fills up on most nights, and for good reason, as word has spread well beyond Charleston about what this kitchen consistently delivers.
Indaco is simply one of the best Italian experiences in the entire state.
Address: 526 King St, Charleston, SC.
6. Le Farfalle, Charleston
Le Farfalle on Beaufain Street has a personality that is hard to pin down in just a few words, but “graceful” comes close.
The interior is warm and considered, with floral touches and soft lighting that give the room a romantic, almost dreamy quality without going overboard.
Chef Michael Toscano brings a deep respect for Italian regional cooking to every dish, and that knowledge shows up clearly on the plate.
Pasta here is made with real craftsmanship, and the seafood preparations are particularly impressive, often drawing on both Italian technique and local South Carolina ingredients.
The menu changes regularly, which means repeat visits almost always bring something new to discover.
Service at Le Farfalle is thoughtful and precise, never rushed, always attentive.
This is the kind of restaurant where a Tuesday dinner can feel like a special occasion simply because of the care that goes into every detail.
Address: 15 Beaufain St, Charleston, SC.
7. Frannie & The Fox, Charleston
Tucked onto Church Street in downtown Charleston, Frannie and The Fox has carved out a reputation as one of the city’s most creative and personality-packed dining destinations.
The space is intimate and layered with character, mixing vintage touches with a modern sensibility that feels genuinely unique rather than designed by committee.
The menu takes Italian cooking as its foundation and then builds something a little unexpected on top of it, with small plates and shared dishes that encourage the table to explore together.
Every visit here tends to produce at least one dish that stops the conversation entirely, which is exactly the kind of moment a great restaurant should deliver.
The staff clearly loves what they do, and that enthusiasm is contagious in the best way.
Frannie and The Fox rewards adventurous eaters while still offering enough comfort for those who prefer the familiar.
Booking early is a smart move since the room is small and the demand is consistently high.
Address: 181 Church St, Charleston, SC.
8. Villa Romana Italian Restaurant, Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach has no shortage of restaurants competing for tourist attention, but Villa Romana on South Kings Highway has been winning over locals and visitors alike for years with something much simpler: consistently excellent Italian-American food.
The atmosphere here is classic and comfortable, the kind of place where checkered tablecloths and candlelight set the mood without any pretension.
The menu covers all the beloved Italian-American standards, from chicken marsala to veal parmigiana, and each one is executed with the kind of reliability that keeps regulars coming back year after year.
Portions are generous and satisfying, which means sharing dishes is always a smart strategy at this table.
The staff treats every guest like a regular, and that warmth is one of the reasons Villa Romana has maintained such a strong reputation over time.
For a beach town dining experience that goes beyond the typical tourist trap, this restaurant delivers something genuinely memorable.
Address: 707 S Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC.
9. Di Vino Rosso, Columbia
Columbia’s Gervais Street has developed into one of the state’s most interesting dining corridors, and Di Vino Rosso sits comfortably among its best offerings.
The restaurant brings a sophisticated Italian approach to a city that has grown increasingly serious about its food, and the result is a dining room that consistently impresses both locals and out-of-towners.
The menu spans antipasto, housemade pasta, and hearty main courses, all prepared with evident care and a respect for Italian culinary tradition.
The interior is warm and inviting, with exposed brick and thoughtful lighting creating an atmosphere that works equally well for a business dinner or a romantic evening out.
Pasta portions here are generous and deeply flavorful, with each dish feeling like it was built from scratch rather than assembled from shortcuts.
Di Vino Rosso manages to feel both accessible and elevated, which is a balance that not every restaurant in this category gets right.
Address: 807 Gervais St, Suite 100, Columbia, SC.
10. Luca’s Wood Fire Pizza & Restaurant, Columbia
A wood-fired oven is a promise, and Luca’s on Polo Road in Columbia keeps that promise every single time the door swings open.
The pizzas here emerge from the flames with that signature char and chew that only a true wood-fire method can produce, and the toppings are chosen with real intention rather than thrown on for decoration.
Beyond pizza, the restaurant offers a broader Italian menu that includes pasta dishes and hearty entrees capable of satisfying even the most committed appetites.
The atmosphere at Luca’s is relaxed and family-friendly, making it a natural fit for a casual weeknight dinner or a group gathering that needs room to breathe.
Regulars rave about the consistency here, which is one of the hardest things for any restaurant to maintain over time.
The staff is approachable and quick, keeping the experience smooth even during busy service hours.
Luca’s is the kind of place that earns genuine loyalty one pizza at a time.
Address: 843 Polo Rd, Suite 4, Columbia, SC.
11. DeLucca’s Italian Grill, West Columbia
Cross the river from Columbia and you will find DeLucca’s Italian Grill on Sunset Boulevard, a restaurant that has quietly built one of the most loyal followings in the entire Midlands area.
The menu here reads like a greatest hits collection of Italian-American cooking, with everything from baked lasagna to shrimp scampi prepared with a consistency that keeps regulars returning on a near-weekly basis.
DeLucca’s has a warm, neighborhood-restaurant energy that is increasingly rare to find, where the staff knows your name and your usual order after just a couple of visits.
The portions are substantial and the prices are reasonable, which is a combination that never goes out of style.
Families love it here, and the relaxed setting makes it easy to linger over a long meal without feeling rushed.
It might not have the trendy buzz of some Charleston spots, but DeLucca’s delivers something arguably more valuable: reliability, heart, and great food.
Address: 1720 Sunset Blvd, West Columbia, SC.
12. Paesano’s Italian Restaurant, Seneca
Way up in the Upstate, near the Blue Ridge foothills, Paesano’s Italian Restaurant on Blue Ridge Boulevard in Seneca has been serving the kind of food that makes you feel genuinely cared for from the first bite.
This is a family-run operation in the truest sense, and that spirit comes through in every plate that leaves the kitchen.
The menu is anchored by Italian-American classics done right, with hearty pasta dishes, rich sauces, and bread that arrives at the table warm enough to make you forget everything else.
Seneca might be a smaller city, but Paesano’s punches well above its weight class in terms of quality and heart.
The dining room has a cozy, lived-in feel that makes it perfect for a relaxed evening meal with people you actually enjoy spending time with.
In a state full of excellent Italian options, Paesano’s stands as proof that South Carolina’s best Italian food is not limited to its biggest cities.
Address: 1727 Blue Ridge Blvd, Seneca, SC.