Avanti Restaurant

Avanti is a nice little Italian restaurant. We were seated on the porch, with beautiful weather. The atmosphere was great for a casual business dinner. Our server did a great job explaining drink and food menus. Service was quick, and he stayed on top of filling drinks. I ordered the chicken parmesean. This is often my go to meal at a new Italian spot, so that I am reviewing fairly off the same meal. I have probably reviewed 10 different Italian restraunt's chicken parm, and it would be tough for me to say that I have had one better than Avanti. It would be easy to say this was 'recency bias;" however, two days prior I again had what has long been the top. So within 2 days I had the pinnacle, and then tried Avanti's for the first time. I think Avanti's is the new pinnacle. I would drive from Tulsa to Dallas just to eat Avanti's (yes...I do tend to travel for good food). Well done. Keep up the great work. Noting but love and 5 🌟.

This place continues to impress me. My first time here was years ago, and I can definitely see why it maintains itself as a Dallas staple. The quality of food, level of professional service, and attention to detail is something that is becoming more difficult to find. I hope to continue to enjoy this place for years to come. The live guitar music during dinner also adds to the ambiance.

Food was tasty, good portion size, service was good Salem was our server, she had great timing and recommendations. Great date night on a Thursday. Presentation of the food wasn't too pretty but tasty.

Went to dinner on 4/6/24 and sat at the bar. Had the best pear martini and espresso martini and food. My partner and I shared the calamari and it was crispy and hot. I had the Avanti steak dish and he had the crab cakes. Both were incredible and filling. The best part was the service. Although busy, the bartender and manager on duty made great conversation and took care of us with complimentary dessert. Would love to be a regular if we lived in the city, but such a perfect dinner night for our first night in Dallas. 11 out of 10 stars ❤️

This was amazing. From the impeccable service that first started at the valet. To the incredible atmosphere and impeccable service. The food was delicious, the cocktails delightful, and the dessert made my tastebuds explode. If I could rate higher I would.

Talk about disappointing. I am convinced Texans have no idea what Italian food is supposed to taste like. I had high hopes for this restaurant as it had excellent reviews online. I took my dad here to celebrate his birthday. The atmosphere was great and the waitress was very sweet and personable, but the food was just edible. It had very little flavor and the pasta was overcooked. My dad order the Bolognese. I tried it and it was boring and overcooked. It was like child cooked it. I ordered the sea bass, which was the waitress' favorite menu item and also one of the more expensive entrees on the menu. It was so bland! I can make better Italian food at home and save $100. As a New Yorker, I just can't believe how wrong Texas gets Italian food.

I really didn't enjoy my dinner. It was my first time there. We got the date dinner package. For the appetizer, we went with the stuffed mushrooms and red wine. Gnats kept making their way into our wine glasses. We told the waiter, and he was non chalant about it. We finally covered with napkins. Dinner was good but not what we expected from a highly rated Italian restaurant. I feel like the waiter could have done much better with his service. We each spent about $75.

Great place. Service was on point. Food was really good. Calamari for all then i had crab crusted sea bass which was amazing. We also order mushroom risotto n 2 other dishes which i forgot the names. Every dish was really good and the vibe was amazing. Make sure to reserve though.

The food here is always top notch. I love the atmosphere and the hospitality. Our server/ Salem was one of better servers there so please ask for her or Ashley. The veal osso buco was the best I've ever had in several countries . I strongly recommend it.

The service was great and the food was delicious! We sat on the air conditioned patio and it was lovely. Pear martini was delicious and perfect for summer time. Would recommend to all my friends!

The mushroom risotto was excellent! The server was also very helpful when guiding us through the menu and helping us pick out a wine. Will definitely be back!

Outstanding food and service. No doubt we will be back! Crab crusted sea bass & mushroom/truffle risotto.

Nice Italian spot in uptown for a nice date or catching up with someone. The service was so attentive and decor was so cute and casual. Drinks were all so light and not too strong. I got the sangria cocktail and it was so sweet and good!! The Cesar salad was nothing above average but the calamari fritti was amazing- I loved how it was more bigger pieces of calamari versus more fried bits. I got the fettuccine avanti ($34) and the portion was more than I expected. The steaks were so tender but the sauce lacked a little flavor. Slightly underwhelming but if there was a touch of seasoning it'd be perfect!! I'd come here again and recommend carpooling since parking is limited.

We had reservations and came to avanti last night for date night and I just wanted to say 10/10! The ambiance was amazing there was someone playing guitar and it was the perfect for a date night, lots of talking, but not too loud full house, low lighting, candlelit kinda vibe. We absolutely loved Salem, our server. She was checking in with us and making sure our experience was too notch! She noticed my beef tenderloin wasn't cooked to MY liking and reassured me it's okay for me to switch it out and they brought me out a new one exactly to my liking and for that I appreciate her! My boyfriend and I LOVED it here, and will definitely be coming back! The food was delicious and well worth the pricing and the drinks were great. Avanti will definitely be seeing us again, and if you can, ask for Salem!

I always think of Avanti as a special place to go because it's a special place. Old school customer service, candle light and waitstaff who are actually familiar with the menu. The bar is fully stocked and the guitar player makes the room inviting and warm. The food was incredible. I had the Lentil soup, Avanti Garlic Loaf and Linguine Pescatore. I was stuffed! The garlic loaf was garlicky and cheesy. The pasta has a creamy tomatoey flavor to the sauce. Very good with the shrimp and calamari in the dish. The lentil soup as an earthy flavor with lots of vegetables in it. I had to peel myself out of my seat to leave. Beautiful experience.

Had a reservation here on Saturday night at 8:30pm for a friends birthday. Our table was ready when we got there, the restaurant was lively, and there was live music which was fun and helped set the mood for a cozy, pasta dinner. We got wine by the glass (~$13), a caprese salad and garlic bread for appetizer, and the spinach lasagna and chicken fettuccine for our main course. The spinach lasagna was very spinach-y and kinda got lost in the sauce, but we enjoyed the other main. Overall, we enjoyed the food, took off a star because our server was rushing us through the whole process. It was a bit overwhelming.

I really enjoyed this spot. The service was great, there was live music, it's a cozy restaurant. The food is solid, but the ambiance is what makes it a great place to go for a date night. They also have a sommelier which I thought was really helpful!

Everything about our dinner was amazing. The service, the food, the wine, the ambiance. The place is so cute inside and live music started during our meal. Will absolutely be going back for more- especially more of the Escargots!

We went here for my birthday. It was mild blowing Italian which we don't often find. Service was incredible, all of the waiters were very kind and wished me happy birthday many times. It was a romantic dim candlelit dinner, the waiter even had a flashlight to help people see the menu. We ordered the calamari fritta as appetizer and it was light, airy, and delicious. The sauce it came with paired perfectly. For mains we did the farefalle carbonara and chicken Parmesan. The carbonara was not your traditional but was like nothing I've ever had. It was incredible. The pasta was perfect and it had ham, prosciutto, and scallions with a delicious sauce 11/10. The chicken parm was probably the best I've ever had, chicken was cooked and breaded perfectly. It came with green beans and carrots over a fettuccine Alfredo with marinara over the chicken as well. I would highly highly recommend! Thank you for making my birthday incredible!!

I returned to Avanti for a solo dinner mid-week ahead of the Memorial Day weekend and had another wonderful meal and experience. The staff were warm, welcoming and friendly, the food excellent (the tagliatelle bolognese was spectacular) and a selection of wines by the glass complimented my meal in a terrific way.

This place was so cute and intimate- I felt like I was in little Italy. There's complimentary valet but the lot is really small- in my opinion it's easier to Uber if you can. Since it is such a small place- I also recommend making reservations. Ashley was our waitress and she was so nice and had a very positive attitude ! Loved her and the food was so yummy! They also have an amazing list of wine and cocktails

The food here is always top tier. My parents enjoyed their anniversary here and the manager was so gracious to permit me to decorate the table before they arrived. My dad ordered the lamb chops and my mom ordered the special: veal. Both were amazed at the quaint ambience, the amazing food and cream coconut cake.

We had a large group of 8 and they made a spot for us. We were traveling from al over. The food was the best meal we had all week. I had the tag bol and it was delicious. Great wine selection. Live music and our waiter was top notch. Oh creme brûlée was tasty too.

The food was fantastic! The service was extraordinary! The live music and ambiance were a plus! Highly recommend this restaurant.

My wife and I love this place. It's one of our go to date spots. We especially like their risottos

This is one of our favorite Italian restaurants. The service is always spectacular, food superb and the space is nice and intimate.

such a cozy vibe inside. we got the caprese salad which was delicious, i would definitely recommend the halibut, and the apple dessert was the special of the night and did not disappoint. service was very attentive and very welcoming, lovely place to eat

What a great experience at Avanti. This place has been around for a long time, but we had never been there yet. Our friends asked us to meet them there and I'm so glad we decided to join them! Food was amazing, the waitstaff was friendly and helpful with the menu, and the whole place was inviting. Highly recommend this place!

Seated immediately as a walk-in, party of 2. Local restaurants were loud and full so we saw Avanti and checked it out. It looked a lot less busy from the outside but once we entered the nice dining area, we saw at least 35-50 people dining. The food and service were extraordinary. Water was refilled every 4-5 minutes it seemed. Vegetable lasagna and Cesar salad were a nice surprise, as they are usually pretty basic but at Avanti, I'd go back to eat that same meal over and over again. There was a classical guitarist playing. Overall, a very pleasant and elegant ambiance, nice decor. Happy accident that we found this restaurant, can't wait to go back. Great for a date night or with a group of family and friends. Indoor and outdoor seating, nice table sets with flowers and candles. Temperature was on the warmer side indoors. I think they also had outdoor heaters across the patio but we didn't sit outside.

Dined here for dinner a few days ago. Service was very good, food was very good as well. Atmosphere was nice. I ordered the linguini clams. My only complaint is the portion size. This dish was plentiful with clams; however, there wasn't much pasta. The portion size was very small. It was more like the pasta course in a five course meal. It should've been double the pasta. It was very expensive for the size.

This restaurant is an intimate dining experience that gives subtle European vibes, making it a great date night spot. The best part is the pasta is delicious while being at a fantastic price point. The chicken parmesan was tender with a breaded herb crust. The mozzarella was fresh, and the soft green beans complemented the fettuccine alfredo perfectly. Even with a reservation, it took a while to get seated (~30 mins) but the meal was worth the wait. Complimentary valet parking is available also. I can't wait to be back!

We were thrilled with our meal and service!! We showed up before they opened like a bunch of blue bird specials. We interrupted a staff meeting and thought we could have a drink at the bar. They were beyond nice and seated us immediately. We started off with a bourbon and an d fashion. I am a snob when it comes to old fashions and this was EXCELLENT!! We ordered the calamari and mussels. The apps were delicious and full of flavor. We then ordered our main courses which were a colorful presentation, perfect presentation and temperature. We had tenderloin tips over linguine and it was fabulous!! I had the sea bass over risotto with vegetables and it was amazing! My mouth is watering just thinking about it!! Our server was wonderful and so much fun!! We loved the atmosphere and if I lived in Dallas I would be a regular!! Thanks for offering a fresh menu with a variety of selections! Highly recommend this restaurant!

I'm honestly not sure where the positive reviews are coming from. I ordered chicken Alfredo and the dessert special, 3 layered Italian cream cake. Cake was super dry. Alfredo was not seasoned at all and lacked flavor. I had to personally season it with so much salt and garlic powder. There was zero garlic. All I tasted was bland heavy whipping cream that was thickened. Does management not taste the food? So disappointed. Not to mention, it's not cheap so you can afford to hire better chefs.

I dined at Avanti on New Year's Eve. Food, service, ambiance: everything was perfect. I had a Shrimp Cocktail for starter, then Crabmeat Stuffed Jumbo Shrimps with Wild Mushroom Risotto for main course. Each dish was tasty and very well thought of and executed. The portions were generous, and I could only eat a few bites of their delicious garlic bread. I enjoyed the wines from their amazing award-winning wine list and the pairing advice was spot-on. For dessert, I had their creme brulee. It was scrumptious. The staff is very diligent and dependable. Top quality/price ratio overall. I'll make sure to book a table next time I'm in Dallas!

Came here with wife n others. The service from start to finish was great. App got calamari and garlic bread both we're really good. I got the sea bass with rissoto and it was amazing. I tried all dished n each was really well cooked. Will be back again.

Very much overdue review from March but I haven't forgotten. And not in a good way. This was without any doubt the worst Italian restaurant we've ever been to, ever. We saw very good reviews, which is why we decided to give it a try while we were in Dalllas but I guess the standard when it coes to Italian restaurant is pretty low bar around there it seems. First, the noise level of the restaurant was intolerable. We've been to enough restaurant with live music but even considering that, this was way beyond what we would be willing to put up with. And we're from New York City, not the most quiet city in the world. Service level was sub-par as well. The only one who gave an ok service was the valet. Because we were supposed to go visit our friends after dinner and realized that we'd need to buy something from Whole Foods nearby which would be closing by the time we finished dinner, after ordering, we decided that I should step out so that I could do necessary shopping there. And according to her, the waiter approached her a couple of times asking if everything was ok, she said yes and that's it, nothing was brought in, not even a drink at all. They could have asked if she wanted to start getting food/drink and they didn't . So she was left at the table hungry. She's not allowed to eat until her man returns? That's kind of sexist too I must say. Is this a Texas thing? I hope not. And the food.... I'm sorry, the chicken was too rubber-ry to our taste and overall feels is like some kind of cafeteria food, defintiely not worh the price I ended up paying. But this isn't the reason why I gave 1 star to this restaurant. Any restaurants can have off days. We can live with that. What pushed us off the edge was this guy who approached me after getting the bill. First of all, he didn't even bother introduce himself to us (I assumed he's some kind of manager but who knows) and basically yelling at us for making comments about the food, saying how dare we complaining about their "top notch house recipe" while I was gone from the restaurant for an hour (not true and what does that have to do with anything?) and kept them hanging (they could have just started serving food also) so they wouldn't take anything off the bill (which we never asked either) and they also added 20% gratuity without telling us anything (and there were just 2 of us, I understand if there were more than a few at the table in which case, adding gratuity would be normal but this wasn't the case) because they had to pay the valet (again, what does THAT have to do with anything?) Apparently this guy yelling at the customer is not an isolated incident. If you read a couple of past negative reviews, you'd see it. Not a good look for this restaurant and they should reconsider how to deal with customers, especially unhappy ones. We're not returning, I doubt we'd be welcomed back either which is perfectly fine with us (we aren't even Dallas local anyway) but please, this is definitely should not be considered as a standard when it comes to Italian restaurant.

Visiting Dallas.....so when my sister suggested we have Avantis delivered for dinner I was like sure. My sister knows Italian is one of my favorites so I was excited. We ordered food and when it arrived it smelled FAN-TAB-ULOUS! I had the asparagus salad and chicken parmesan. Everything was in large proportions and very tasty. One thing I would say is they could definitely have more sauce on their dishes.

Very amazing service! Small place but intimate so it's small in a good way, the vibe was slightly upscale and romantic great for a date night! (Lighting is a little dark for some people but I liked the ambiance)

Went for my birthday this year and the service + food were amazing. Plus, they offer 50% off wine bottles on Sundays. Win-Win.

So good. Live music, intimate spot, great food. We waited for a table for two for more than an hour (got a drink nearby at Bowen House) but was well worth the wait! For my fellow vegans and vegetarians- the gnocchi and the ravioli have eggs. The spinach lasagna was amazing. Will 100% be back.

Went here on a date and tbh left very impressed. The vibe is very romantic and the service was amazing.

The restaurant was cozy and reminded you of a throwback. The service was great and courteous. The food was pretty good. The meatballs were salty to me. I would certainly go back. The parking is tight.

This is the greatest restaurant in Uptown. Everyone genuinely makes you feel like the most important in the world. I just like to sit outside in the cold with my Mocha with a Hot Toddy and enjoy. Thanks Avanti!

Came here as it was close to a place we were having a drink at. Wine was on a fantastic special for Monday. Bottles were half off so we had to partake. Our server was fantastic a true master of his craft. Very friendly and patient. I ordered the mushroom risotto and it was fantastic. Carbnara was also fantastic. Definitely recommend this place if you are looking for a nice relaxing Italian dinner. I would go back.

Avanti is the real deal, authentic Italian food. I ordered the Chilean Sea bass and the Diablo pasta. The service was fantastic and the live music made it very romantic. Beautifully placed fresh roses on every table.

Great atmosphere. Food was great. Ashley surpassed everything though. She was welcoming, patient, and by far one of the best servers we have ever had!

Italian is not an easy cuisine, despite the fact that pasta is just a mixture of flour and water. My wife and I were in the mood for exactly that though, and after picking her up from work, headed up Midtown to try Avanti, located on McKinney Avenue. Our first impression upon walking in was positive. The dining room was beautiful with the bar in the back. We were immediately greeted and then sat. My wife ordered a cabernet, while I asked for diet soda because I was driving. She got hers. I got a cup of water. Not sure if they didn't have any diet soda, or if the waiter just decided I didn't need one. He spent quite a bit of time trying to convince me to purchase the day's special - a veal shank that would cost me almost fifty bucks. I declined and I could tell he wasn't happy with me. To start off, we selected the Calamari Fritti and the Avanti Garlic Loaf from the Starters Menu. Visually, both looked good, but neither dish passed the "average" level for me. The calamari were made of huge, sliced rings of squid, with a disturbingly even and unflavored breading, while the garlic basil loaf was drenched in a low-quality olive oil that had a bitter and unappealing taste. Only the marinara served with alongside the bread made it palatable. Our entrees arrived soon afterward. My wife ordered the Mushroom Risotto, which I sampled. It was smooth, creamy, and the woodsy mushroom flavor permeated the entire bite. I liked it. Too bad it wasn't mine. I had ordered the chicken parmesan in béchamel sauce. It was fine, but again, the flavor was lack luster, as if the ingredients being used weren't the best quality or the preparation was sub-par. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either. Just... okay. But with the prices we were paying... it should have been great. While my wife was positive about the experience and felt that a return visit was warranted, I'm not as enthusiastic. You must be able to do more than just pasta. And darn it... I want my diet soda.

All about Todo la comida , el servicio, los martinis en si muy bien todo , el personal

Best Italian food in Dallas! This place does not disappoint! It has a small restaurant feel! I am always taken care of here!

Great Service, but the food is consistently good and worth the money. Owner is also very friendly and welcoming.

Haven't been to Avanti in over a decade and it did not disappoint. A wonderful culinary experience. The food was great but the service was better. Our waiter Tom was educated about the menu selections and very attentive to our table. From the appetizers to the entrées, the food was outstanding. Only knock was the calamari which was good...not great. Enjoyed it, nice ambience and I had great dinner companions. Old friends reacquainted.

Nice find! This place feels intimate and has an old Italian feel. Impeccable service, fantastic food and they did a great job accommodating our large party of 8. We started with cocktails - they make a good Negroni. Our table shared a variety of appetizers, everyone loved their food.

This is an Italian staple in Dallas. If your looking for a special occasion or great Italian food and service you have come to the right place. They greet you like an old friend. The food is excellent, cooked perfectly and presented delicious. Went with my daughter for dinner and to catch up. We were seats on their patio, however I thought it was a bit cold and they had not problem or attitude moving us inside. We had a long dinner and was never felt rushed. Looking for perfect atmosphere and wonderful service this is the place..

You walk into this restaurant and feel like you just left Dallas and ended up in Italy. The service was out of this world. The food was fabulous. I would have to say it was one of the best meals I've had in quite a while.

Had the Mexican Manhattan 9/10 The chicken parm 10/10. The chicken was so tender and the Alfredo sauce was delicious

Very sheik place. Very good for romantic dinner or date if you are more mature. Not for young crowd. Food and services are amazing

Avanti came into my life in 1998 and while residing in the Metro area has been "that place" where family and friends gather for magical fellowship. Fast forward to 2023 I return to Avanti visiting from out of town to celebrate a new grandson and Avanti did not miss a step! Server Martin, who was my first impression, continues to be that cornerstone of excellent service. Fritz the chilled bartender rocks behind a bar that mixes and pours amazing cocktails. The Fettuccine Diablo was savory; however, the Tournedos Avanti is a beef plate which melts with such flavors. Dessert offered familiar staples like Tiramisu and Creme Brulee yet the One More was delightful. An amazing kitchen. Surrounded by acoustic guitar and holiday decor the evening was perfect for celebrating. Dress high or low or however you'd like to go. I can't wait to get back. Btw reservations work best and the valet is just a tip.

This place is 10/10! Great ambiance. Great food. Great drinks. Great service. My bf and I came here for date night one evening because we couldn't get reservations anywhere else. And I heard about this place from a client of mine. I was very impressed immediately. The staff as we walked in was very nice and accommodating. We enjoyed the recommended appetizers and cocktails then enjoyed two beautifully prepared entrees, the food was phenomenal. I'm still mad I didn't get to enjoy my leftovers due to my bf forgetting to put in the fridge *sad face* lol but I definitely recommend this place. It's very cute aesthetically and they even had a live musician. Definitely will be coming back. CHEERS