Altruda's Italian Restaurant

We traveled from Cookeville 7/2/2025 to try Altruda's. I did not catch our waiter's name but he had glasses and reddish hair. He was absolutely amazing. The atmosphere is cozy but also gives speak easy/old world style vibes. We requested strawberry daiquiris but they said they were out of strawberries. The salad was the absolute best. The rolls were very good, but they were drowning in butter. Now the entrees were just ok. We were kinda disappointed. The cannelloni had too much cheese. It was kinda like a cheese soup with some pasta. The manicotti was ok, it was also drowning in sauce. We also ordered cannoli and tiramisu. They were both really good. The price for 3 entrees, a sweet tea, a sprite, 2 desserts, plus a tip was under $100. The prices are reasonable. Overall we had a good experience and we had food left over for lunch today. The experience was nice and we will give Altruda's another try when we have the chance.

My wife and I eat at Altruda's all the time. If you want the best of the best italian cuisine, this is the place to go! Very romantic setting, outstanding food, and the utmost of service. Our server tonight was Kendahl. She was very knowledgeable, professional, and friendly. She went above and beyond to make sure we were happy and had everything we needed. We give every aspect of Altruda's an A+

The food was okay I had gotten the spaghetti with everything added minus the mushrooms. It was very bland tasting but very fresh. The fresh cheese and meatball and sausage was definitely a pleasant surprise but the sausage lacked flavor. The sauce was good but I also found it lacked flavor. For the price point I felt like I can go to a different Italian restaurant and get more bang for my buck. It’s worth the try for most people but if you are going for spaghetti I suggest looking elsewhere. The salad is the star of the show being very fresh and delicious.

Altruda's is a great restaurant for those looking for cuisine that is a little more elevated. With that said the portions are on the small side so I would not recommend it if you are starving or if you are I would suggest ordering more than just an entree. We both ordered our dinners and they came served with a side salad which was fresh and tasty. We were also given a bowl of rolls covered in garlic butter. If you are a bread enthusiast you will love them. The rolls are doughy and warm and the butter adds a whole other component to them that makes them absolutely delicious. When our meals came out we were a little shocked at the size because they seemed to be a little on the small side but no worries we asked for another bowl of bread and it came in no time. The entrees were delicious with my only complaint being that my chicken Florentine could have had some salt added to it, but there was salt and pepper on the table for those of us that have a stronger preference for salt. Overall it was a great experience and definitely a place that people who are a little fancier than myself would enjoy. Our waiter was also fantastic. I wish I could remember his name. He was very attentive, always on top of refilling our glasses and making sure we were satisfied with our food.

I have a very sensitive pallet so when they serve me "shredded" lettuce in my salad, I get a taste of rotted lettuce unfortunately. The salad dressing is very tastey however there was a lot! Order it on the side!!! I ordered Pasta Alfredo with chicken. The chicken tasted fresh (chunks mixed in to the pasta) the Alfredo sauce tasted a bit like idk, rank or cheap or ? so I asked for some lemon and squeezed it over the pasta - that helped. So far, the "nicer" resturants in Knoxville have left me wanting. Maybe I am just spoiled? I also ordered for desert, Tiramisu - this was not that!

What a lovely place! Fantastic staff who were knowledgeable and friendly. Food was a delight! Wonderful sauces and great pastas, parmigianas, salads, and shrimp. Very warm atmosphere with nice room separation, so noise was minimal. Absolutely a worthwhile meal!

I've been going here for the past 15 years and have never been disappointed. The Eggplant Nicole is my favorite dish, it has always come out very fresh and is an excellent option if you are wanting a vegetarian dish. The restaurant also has a very charming atmosphere that I've always enjoyed. I recommend you try it out and see for yourself. I think you'll be pleased.

The first time here, everything was great. Our server, Ethan, was very knowledgeable and was able to recommend food choices. He checked on us just the right amount of times and made sure our beverages were never empty. The food was great, though the spaghetti sauce was oddly lacking flavor while the mariana with our starter was packed full of flavor. I'll agree with other reviewers who commented on the quarter piece of tomato in the shared salad a bit odd. The restaurant could use a good wiping down between the walls and the vent in the womens bathroom (which was quite nasty). Overall, it was great, and if we find ourselves back in the area, we would definitely visit again.

Good food, great ambiance. Came here for dinner last night looking for something tasty and filling. Altruda, hit the spot perfectly. We came around 7:30 on a Thursday night the restaurant was busy, but not super packed. We were lead to a room in the back and given the menu. Our server greeted us with waters and asked if we wanted anything else to drink. She answered our questions and gave really good suggestions. I took her suggestion of the Pollo ala Melanzane with marinara sauce instead of the meat sauce. My husband got the Snapper ala Limone. While you are waiting for the main dishes you get a salad and garlic rolls. The rolls were hot, garlicky and delicious. The salad was lightly dressed and fresh. Our main dishes were really good. I loved mine. The flavors were great and it was nice and cheesy. The snapper was light and flaky. Both were served with noodles. Everything we had was really good. I definitely want to come back and try more things. The service and the food make this place great.

This place is incredible!!! The ambiance is amazing- we felt like we were eating in an Italian library. Our server was very friendly and helpful. The salad had lots of fixings (but is iceburg lettuce which is not my personal favorite) and the garlic rolls are COVERED in garlic (super yummy). I had the Pollo Dill- I have never seen a dill pasta dish and I love dill. It was unique and very good. We also had the sausage stuffed mushrooms and Pasta e Fagioli which was very good.

An overpriced, small portioned, knock-off Olive Garden. Mama mia, what a disaster! Authentic Italian food seekers, avoid this place at all costs.

Altruda's is simply wonderful! I've been going visiting for over 10 years! If you are dining in, you will get unlimited salad and rolls. The house salad is so hearty and packed with flavor! Changed my mind on Italian dressing for sure. The rolls....goshhh so good. I definitely have to limit myself to one, but for the indulgent, that's going to be so difficult. They rolls are hot and fresh, served coated in garlic butter with big chunks of garlic. (Good to accept before planning any post dinner make-out sessions ). I always get the shrimp dill....literally last me for days. It is so hearty and delicious!! For me, one entree would be more than plenty to share with another, especially with the salad and bread to accompany your meal. While I love dining in, take out won't disappoint a bit. You will get one large portion of the house salad per entree, as well as 3 rolls (I thiiink?-You could always ask for extra, I'm sure!) They wrap every Togo box with plastic wrap so nothing gets messy during transport. The service is so lovely as well! The owner is almost always there, offering up a warm hello and checking on you/your experience. The staff definitely echos this style of service as well. Whether dining in or out, you will be thoroughly satisfied and coming back for more!

Food was great, as always! We sat at the bar so we could watch the Vols game and the service was fantastic! Always refilling waters and checking in. Ambiance is homey and would come here time and time again.

We had high hopes for dinner here based on the reviews but sadly we were disappointed. First the good - our server was helpful, pleasant, and our glasses were never empty. The salad was very good - dressing was spot on. Now - everything else. Garlic rolls were just plain thick rolls covered in butter and garlic. No flavor and way too greasy. The lasagna had potential but they use ground beef with no flavor and thick store bought style noodles. The best thing about it was the cheese on top. The fettuccine Alfredo with chicken was worse than store bought Alfredo sauce. The chicken wasn't freshly made it was cold chunks heated up and the noodles were egg noodles. Egg noodles??? It was gritty and had zero flavor - you couldn't taste garlic or anything. And to top it off the bowl of egg noodles was $28! The tiramisu horrible as well. It was thick and custard like and again no flavor. We really did want to like this place - being new to the Knoxville area we were searching for a great Italian restaurant. This was not it. It was overpriced and a let down.

Overall Altruda's is a nice place to go for Italian food. The food itself was very good, nice atmosphere, great customer service, very friendly, lots of parking. We tried the chicken parm and the chicken Amanda, along with a side of meatballs. I found the portions a bit small, especially the chicken breast for both dishes. Although the meatballs were huge! Was also put off by the plating they used. They put the chicken parm on one dish, pasta on another very small dish, very odd. First thing I did was move the pasta over to the plate where the chicken was. Just makes it easier to eat and looks nicer. The chicken Amanda was excellent. A vinaigrette infused chicken breast and we chose the fettuccine alfredo with it. For some reason that dish was served on one plate, go figure. Both meals include unlimited salad and fantastic garlic bread soaked in garlic butter.

The atmosphere is nice. This is a fantastic place with wonderful and welcoming staff. Minimal noise, so you can actually talk across the table without feeling like you're yelling. A wide amazing range of sauces, pastas, parmigiana, salads and shrimp.. They use Reggiani parmesan for their Alfredo sauces, which has a strong distinct taste to that who are not familiar may find off putting. one of the most impressive wait staff that was on top of every thing. The staff checked don us just the right amount os times and made sure our glasses where never empty. I would recommend make reservation for going. Specific recommended dishes are Rigatoni Alla Carbonara, Salad and Garlic Rolls, Ravioli, Antonio's Sampler, Chicken Marsala, Salad Rolls, Pollo Amanda, and the Chicken Parmesan. The place does not use fettuccini noodles, but rather use egg noodles. You can ask for spaghetti noodles when ordering as many find egg noodles off in chicken fettuccini Alfredo, The cannoli was great. The service exceeded expectations. Overall a fantastic dinning experience.

Great food. Love their salad!! The spaghetti La Grande is so good especially with the ricotta and meat sauce. Service is always great.

Worst restaurant I have eaten in. The lettuce in their salad was a mass of soggy leaves. On wedge of tomato for my wife and I. The Zinfandel wine tasted like a 5$ bottle from Walmart. Their tomato sauce was tasteless and watery. The veal was the worst. It was stale and had the texture of a pressed frozen patty. They probably have a bag of frozen breaded veal patties from Costco. 100$ down the toilet.

Best Italian in Knoxville--hands down! From the garlic rolls and salad, to just about any entree.. it's consistent and wonderful. Fettuccini is amazing! I've been coming to this restaurant for 30 years and I've never had a bad experience. Service is always flawless, the ambiance has always been so quaint and cozy. Even in a dining room full of people, it still has a private feel. Love it!!

Hands down, Altruda's is my favorite Knoxville Italian. This place has been a staple of west Knoxville dining for as long as I remember. Garlic rolls are the best I've ever eaten. House salad is absolutely stellar. Keep up the great work y'all! Pasta dishes are outstanding. Favorites are fantastic Desserts are a great end to your meal. I've never had a bad experience here in 30 years.

Great ambiance and service. The food is good but the sizes are not really worth the price. The salad is really good and the ingredients all work well together. Have a pretty good wine selection but the bar area isn't open since Covid.

Where do I start. WORST $120+ meal for TWO in a while. Firstly; let's start with the fact that I ordered FETTUCCINE Alfredo and was given water disgusting EGG NOODLES. Apparently, this IS their standard.... You can't call it fettuccine if you DONT USE THE NOODLE. I hate egg noodles, they're cheap, have zero flavor and barely hold sauce. The menu is riddled with egg noodles and I purposely chose the Fettuccine because of my dislike for egg.... Apparently going to an Italian restaurant and expecting to get the noodle you order... an issue. Sauce was a watery flavorless mess (which happens with egg noodles and their sogginess). An underwhelming experience doesn't even encapsulate the meal. Bread rolls are frozen and a vat of garlic butter poured on top of, they were cold when delivered. My boyfriend's veal was soggy and soaked in oil/butter we had to use the salad plate as a vessel to drain the excess into. Best part of the meal was the salad... even then the house dressing have zero flavor was main oil with little vinegar or seasoning. If I hadn't spoken to several friend after this experience and they also agreed with me, I wouldn't be posting. But clearly this establishment has lost any pride in their cooking. Dog got the veal after we peeled off the soggy breading, and I threw away $30 worth of "fettuccine" Alfredo. Ps the grey chunks in the picture is the boiled bland chicken you're adding on for $7. 2 stars for prompt service and the 40min getting us in and out from seating to out the door...

We had the alfredo and lasagna and they were both outstanding. The house salad was a great mix with perfect ingredient ratios. The garlic rolls were delicious but could have used a bit more butter - KIDDING! They are served in a bowl with a generous portion of drawn butter. 10/10 would recommend!

We gathered for a family dinner tonight at Altrudas. FYI, they will not take reservations for less than six. The indoor decor is nice. All the servers were dressed in black which was classy. The dining rooms (I think there about six) had tables squeezed in tightly. It was noisy so it was difficult to hear conversations at our table. The food was reasonably priced but not outstanding. It was flavorful but not the best I've tasted in Knoxville. A three star review is average which is a fair assessment on this evening's visit. Our server was pleasant, but we felt rushed. She handed out to-go boxes while I was still eating. After she handed out the to-go boxes, she asked if we wanted dessert (check in hand) and readily handed it to us when we declined.

Last review was 7 years ago....wow. Back for another visit! Really enjoyed our experience - the inside as you walked in was decorated very nicely. The staff was very kind and tended to any requests that came up. The food came out cooked great and to temp as well. The scallop dish was amazing. Will be back soon! Definitely a great food to have on a cold day :)

Altrudas has stood the test of time. I remember when Altrudas was one of the few "nice" restaurants in Knoxville, fast forward 30 years and you can find hundreds of upscale restaurants in the area. Altrudas still delivers a memorable experience and delicious meal. It will always be one of my favorite restaurants!!

The ambiance of Altruda's has not changed for years. And the food is well worth the wait. The salad and rolls were a perfect way to start an amazing dinner. Our server was amazing and the staff as a whole is welcoming. Thank you for a fantastic night out.

A stunning atmosphere to enjoy your food, food is pricy but can't beat the scenery. Staff is always friendly. Would recommended locals to try it at least once.

This place used to be good, but our last experience sucked!! Great service, but the food tasted horrible. I struggled with this one since I normally like Italian, but it's a pass.

YUM!!!! Went today for mine and adopted sister's birthday celebrations! We had not been to Altruda's in years! What a wonderful evening we just had!!! Taylor & Charlotte (her training shadow) were our servers, a terrific team they were. They covered everything our group of 5 needed with total professionalism. The owner even stopped by our table, he was so enjoyable. Now the FOOD? Over the top!!! Our son & HH (hungry hubby) both order the Eggplant Nicole and it was very enjoyable & tasty! I had the Ravioli with Alfredo, soooo yummy! And HOT out of the oven. Our friends both had the Fettuccine Alfredo and took a lot home! Our server even told them exactly how to reheat it. Then came our Birthday deserts. I so enjoyed my (HH had it too) Cannoli and it was sooo close to what I remember as a child living in Italy! My b-n-law & son all had the Tiramisu, it was a real hit! My sister had the Spamoni ice cream and throughly enjoyed it! We will back soon!

Brought my friends. It's still delicious and I would come again. I got my usual shrimp Alfredo with ziti noodles because I like my noodles to be more al dente. I always ask for dressing on the side and I'm looking forward to my leftovers!

Altruda's is one of my very favorite restaurants in Knoxville. Reliably good, and nothing beats their salad & garlic rolls! I ate here a couple of weeks ago for the first time in awhile. I ordered my "go-to" choice of Chicken Limone. It never disappoints. Lightly breaded, tender breast fillets of chicken, with a delicious lemon butter sauce. It comes with a side of pasta & marinara. However, I always request the chicken be placed on top of the plain pasta. So perfectly delicious! My friend had a baked ziti and was super happy. We shared a bottle of wine, and spent a good bit of time talking and visiting. Service never disappoints either.

Our food was prepared and cooked to perfection. The food was absolutely delicious, and freshly made to order. This restaurant is the next best place for real authentic Italian cooking outside of NYC's little Italy. The service was excellent and our server "Taylor" provided the best experience. Her customer service skills are outstanding. Family friendly and handicap accessible. I highly recommend this restaurant for your family dining or that special occasion.

Cool looking place. In a strip mall but they made it look like an old house with multiple small dining rooms. Nicely done. Food was pretty good. Salad and rolls were top notch. The lasagna I had was baked and served in a bowl. Taste was very good but not what I was expecting. Kind of like a lasagna soup... but not that runny of course. Chicken Parm was very good. Wife really liked it. Couple of minor complaints. The serving size was kind of small, even the pasta side. And a pet peeve of ours.... We were not even finished with our salad and they brought the mains. Please let us finish and maybe even a little time in between courses. Will we be back? Maybe.... Lots of other good choices out there but glad we went once.

Altruda's has been our "go-to" Italian restaurant for 25 years. And somehow they always exceed expectations. The food was amazing we both had al limone, veal and snapper. Outstanding! The service is always fantastic, and Taylor was attentive on a busy night. Altruda's is a very cozy, traditional Italian restaurant, great for casual conversation.

This was my second time eating here. The first time was 5 years ago, and although I don't remember what I ordered, I do remember I was not impressed. This visit was because the birthday girl wanted to eat here, so we did. I ordered the veal marsala. with a side of spaghetti. The veal was sooooo sweet! I ate a little, trying not to be rude, but I did not like it. The spaghetti was edible, but not very good. Very similar tasting to a poor quality canned spaghetti from the grocery store. The bottom pieces of bread in the bowl sat in either butter or oil. I had a piece from the top so it wasn't bad. The salad was the only thing I enjoyed. Before tip, my meal of Veal Marsala, which comes with a side of spaghetti, salad and rolls, and a water to drink was 29.44. For that price range, I would expect house made pasta, and rolls with a nice olive oil to DIP my bread into. Oh, and one person in our party ordered fettuccini alfredo. The fettuccini was actually egg noodles, which changes the conststancy and how the sauce sticks to the pasta. I don't understand how this quality justifies the prices. There are too many other Italian restaurants with better food and lower prices in town. There are also a few really good Italian spots around town that can justify their prices by the quality of the food they serve.

Went for a date night with my partner who wanted something nice but not over stimulating. Altruda's was the perfect atmosphere and setting. We received great service from the team and our food came out quickly and hot. Only hiccup was the pasta that came with our entrees lacked much flavor, but the entrees themselves were very tasteful. Definitely recommend this locally owned restaurant.

Good Italian fare and seems fairly authentic. After a few hit and misses for pasta locally, we needed our carb fix STAT. Tried first on a Saturday for takeout and the wait was over an hour. On a Tuesday, we were able to pick up within about 30 minutes. The inside is charming and looks like it would be lovely for an intimate meal or date night. So, if you actually like talking to the person you eat with, Altruda could be an option. As for the grub, we ordered fettuccine alfredo with meatballs and baked ziti al forno. We heard the portions were huge, so my husband was a bit sad when he saw his baked ziti. Not sobbing in the corner sad, but he was hoping for more for the price. He liked that there was meat in it AND in a meat sauce. My portion with the alfredo was fine and the meatballs were the size of my cat's head. Probably one would have done the job. You can tell the meatballs were homemade, which is awesome, but they were a bit dry and would have loved them simmered in a sauce. We anticipated two small side salads but opened a single container with a huge amount of salad inside. SO.MANY.TOPPINGS. It had lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, garbanzo beans, mushrooms, onions, and cheese. It was already dressed in a vinaigrette. They also gave us a container filled with their garlic rolls...there probably ten rolls in there. Yowza.

Great meal. We stopped for the night and decided to have an Italian dinner. Altruda's didn't disappoint!! Shrimp Pomodori and Shrimp Altruda dishes were fabulous!! Just what we were craving. Atmosphere and service were also on point!!!

My dad was having cravings for Italian for Father's Day and this place delivered! I just moved to the area and didn't know of any places and Altruda's popped up in my search did not disappoint! We arrived 15 minutes before they opened and there was already a line at the door or people waiting to get in. We were seated once we were inside and immediately brought waters by our server. Tables are fairly close together but not right on top of each other. They bring out garlic rolls and salad for the table before your entrees and they were delicious! The salad had a good variety of veggies and a wonderful Italian dressing and the rolls were piping hot snd had just the right amount of butter and garlic! For our entrees we all ordered something different. We indulged in the veal parmigiana, chicken parmigiana, ziti, and manicotti. The pasta was perfectly cooked and the tomato/red sauce was very hearty. More importantly they did not skimp on the cheese! Every loved their dish and there was a lot more that we all wanted to try. From eggplant dishes, seafood, and other veal, chicken, and sausage dishes there's something to satisfy everyone. We didn't order an appetizer but several tables around us ordered the fried mozzarella. If you're looking for amazing Italian cuisine do not look any farther than Alruda's! We will definitely be back!

A little "Little Italy" in little 'ol Knoxville. Solid Italian, like real Italian family influenced menu. It's the kind of business that any city needs; a focus on quality with great personal service and terrific flavors. Only complaint was the limited wine selection, but don't let that stop you. Get there early, since they don't take reservations, and ask your server for suggestions. We did and it changed the direction of our time, and really made it awesome!

Service was the best! Place was busy and as they state everything is made to order. Hibiscus tea was refreshing and perfectly sweeten. Average ambiance; seems tables are spread out for covid still, not warm and inviting. We had the Cuban sandwich made on bread shipped in from Florida they say. It was so flaky on the outside it really took away from the flavorful inside. The beans were tasty and the plantains were perfectly prepared. It is definitely worth a stop

This was delicious! The service was top tier and everything the waiter recommended was great! The ambiance was super cool!

I always loved coming to Altruda's, I mean, i would go out of my way to make this a stop Everytime i was in Knoxville. For years, it was my favorite restaurant. Since Covid hit and shut them down for a while, when they reopened it has never been the same. The food quality is not that good, they seem annoyed when you order to go, and they raised prices but not as good of portions as before and just not the same. Altruda's, you were for years my favorite restaurant in knoxville, please, please figure it out and get back to the great food you had!!!. I want you to be around for many years to come.... If you hired new cooks, teach them your old ways, fix it before it is too late.

Omg sooo good and definitely not what you expect walking in. The salad is great, almost didn't try it but could have been my whole meal.

My wife, another couple and I went on 2/8/2024. We got there about 7:15 and was told the wait would be about 60 minutes. It only took about 30 minutes, which was great. The menu had a lot of options and all sounded good. They start you off with garlic rolls and a large salad to share at the table. The salad was great, it was loaded with tomatoes, cucumbers, mushrooms, beets and the dressing was nice and tangy. The garlic rolls were a standard roll with melted butter and garlic. Refer back to the menu sounded good, but it really feel short. I had the Ziti Al Forno. It was just ok at best. The sauce was very bland and the sausage and meatballs again were lacking any flavor. My wife had the Pollo Al Limone. This was just the chicken on a plate with the butter and wine sauce served with a random plate of spaghetti and meat sauce. Usually this dish is served with noodles accompanied by the butter and wine sauce or potatoes. They really need to step up their flavor profiles.

This restaurant is often overlooked in Knoxville! It is in a strip mall so the outside is misleading. It is a great restaurant. It is quaint and made up of small rooms. Their rolls are hot, fresh, and delicious. The pasta dishes are very good. Service was good. No outside seating, but it is not a big deal to us. I recommend Altruda's!! Great Italian food.

Now that's Italian! Dinner here on a weeknight and overall they delivered across the board. Plenty of parking but no reservations for parties under six. We had no trouble getting a table but wish they would allow us to book in advance. Greeted promptly and no wait. Service was "okay". Friendly but struggled to answer questions or offer advice. Maybe new? Food was delicious. Lasagna, manicotti, ravioli, and more all enjoyed and bowls cleaned. Salad was a highlight of the meal as well. Loved the dressing and big bowl refilled if needed. Yum! Cannoli shared by the table were very good and a nice ending to the meal. The website doesn't show but full bar with cocktails and wine. We will definitely be back and look forward to exploring the menu.

My husband and I dined here to celebrate our 2nd anniversary. The menu had a lot of great dishes that it was hard to decide, but we knew exactly what we wanted for an appetizer! The calamari was delicious and they offered a horseradish and marinara sauce for dipping. I ordered the Vitello (Veal) Melanzane and my husband ordered the Snapper Parmigiana. They were both great dishes and we had plenty of leftovers. The only negative was the overcooked pasta. Next time, we will save room for dessert!

I really did not care for the food! The shrimp did not taste right and also the garlic in the bread tasted super fishy! The service was great but I am not sure I will be going back anytime soon

There was one positive about this experience, and that was the server. He was friendly and prompt. Everything else was so poor that i couldnt believe this was the same restaurant i spent my 12th birthday at, and loved. The room was very hot, even my wife was sweating. The food was bland and watery, and incredibly expensive for what we got. Even gondolier is far better than this. I dont know if theyve slipped, or if standards have increased so much around town, but this place doesnt hold up. I honestly cant believe how crowded it was. 2 stars

First the customer service was excellent; more specifically our waiter. He was very knowledgeable, patient and attentive. The ambiance was dark and over decorated though some of the furniture items towards the front were beautiful. Now the food--the salad was great and plentiful; the garlic rolls were some of the best I've tasted. The appetizers: mushrooms, baked clams, fried calamari were delicious; especially the clams. Then the meal came and it just didn't measure up. We had shrimp fettuccini Alfredo, chicken, ravioli and spaghetti w/meatballs. They don't have too many choices for someone who can't eat dairy. The spaghetti sauce and meatballs were strange. I took a couple of bites and that's it. Unlike any spaghetti I've ever had. I'm not a big fan of spaghetti but there wasn't much else to try. The tiramisu also left much to be desired. Three stars largely for the main meal and ambiance.

We were coming in town for a track meet and my son needed to carbo load so I told him to search for pasta near our hotel. He found Carrabba's and I replied blah, because a chain spot when we're out of town, no thank you. He then found Altruda's and he is a winner for that! The place is in a strip mall and very unassuming but when you walk in the lights are low and I felt like I was walking into an Italian spot in Brooklyn (I don't know why Brooklyn but I guess because of the movies). Our waitress was awesome and did her job very well. She made recommendations and explanations because the menu was very Italian. The food didn't disappoint, I had the Ziti Al Forno and he had the Rigatoni Alla Carbonara. Both were delicious and filling, we each had left overs. We also had the La Zuppa Di Salsiccia and it was wonderful. My son has had that soup at Olive Garden and he called that the fast food version. Super authentic, super delicious, one of the best Italian restaurants I've had in a while and would definitely come back or be here frequently if I was a local.

Quality food. Good portions on pasta dishes for the price. I enjoyed the salad and bread, but it's more of a garlic oil bread versus a garlic butter. So I tried to get the least oily pieces of that...but over all, good pasta options and good portion for the price. Maybe it was an off night, but the meatballs absolutely tasted like nothing...very friendly service. Good atmosphere but it's dark and a bit loud.

My friend recommended this Italian place to me. Private parking lot that is shared with other businesses in the lot. It might be hard to find parking around weekend dinner time. Altruda's does accept reservations, and I would recommend calling for one. My friend and I waited about 20 minutes my first time here because we did not have a reservation. The restaurant feels cozy and warm, especially with the dim lights and red tones. There is a huge menu selection with prices a tad high for Italian in Knoxville. Portions are generous though. FOOD: House Salad and Garlic Rolls (3/5): If you like Olive Garden's salad, then this salad is somewhat similar. Both use Italian dressing, but Altruda's has mushrooms, beets, and chickpeas. Garlic rolls are OK when they are freshly warm. If it's cold, then not going to touch them. Garlic rolls are literally soaked in garlic butter. Shrimp al Limone (Seven Large Shrimp, Dipped in Egg Batter and Sauteed in Butter, Lemon, and White Wine, 1/5): My goodness. This was definitely the worst pasta I've tried in my life. My boyfriend got a similar dish but the chicken one. We both agreed it was too much lemon with meat drowned in watered-down white wine. Salsiccia Con Pepe (Sausage With Peppers in Marinara and Garlic Sauce Served Over Pasta, 2/5): Rich marinara with nice, thick consistency but lacking everything else. Definitely a lot of pasta so was used for leftovers next day. Service was great. No problem. Both times, the servers were personable and would come by often. Would I return? Nope...... just average and not worth the price. But follow Altruda's on Facebook.. can get a house entree for half price off the menu.

I gave it a second and last chance. The staff was very pleasant and accommodating. The atmosphere is dated but cozy; honestly, had better food at fazolis. Came out very cold and blahh. The pairings make absolutely no sense, but thank God for the slightly redeeming garlic rolls. Olive garden, I'll be back.

Loved it years ago. Recently moved back. Tried them out. The food was very salty and the service was lacking to say the least. Disappointed. I used to love this place.