FORLINI'S RESTAURANT

Came here with my family for a birthday dinner. The appetizers were delicious and the main dishes were amazing! Everything was fresh and made to order. You can definitely taste the fresh ingredients. Paul and his staff treated us like we were part of their family. Will definitely be back again!

When most RI people travel, we care about finding good food. Finding good Italian food that compares to home is generally difficult. Amazingly we found it here at Forlini’s. Great service and terrific food. We had a delicious calamari, chicken parm, Scallops Sinatra over homemade fettuccine, Shrimp Capri and spaghetti & meatballs. Everyone was more than pleased, a taste of home while away.

Absolutely outstanding experience at Forlini’s. From the moment we walked in, the family and the entire staff provided exemplary, genuine hospitality. You can immediately tell this is a place where pride, tradition, and care still matter. Every interaction felt warm, professional, and personal—something that is increasingly rare. The food was absolutely incredible, and that assessment comes from someone who has traveled to Italy multiple times and has very high standards for authentic Italian cuisine. The flavors, preparation, and attention to detail were exceptional—nothing rushed, nothing careless, and nothing disappointing. This was our first visit, and we were traveling from out of town. After this experience, Forlini’s is now a must-return destination for us. The next time we’re in Clearwater Beach, we will 100% be back. I also want to address some of the negative reviews mentioning longer wait times. We dined here on New Year’s Eve, one of the busiest nights of the year, and our food took maybe 5–10 minutes longer than what some people might consider “fast.” What became immediately clear to us was that true quality takes time. The extra few minutes were more than worth it, and the results spoke for themselves. If you value authentic Italian food, exceptional service, and a family-run atmosphere that still cares deeply about the craft—Forlini’s is absolutely worth your time. Highly recommended.

Went to Forlini’s for the first time and it was fabulous! From the atmosphere, service, food, everything was great! Our server, Deanna, was very friendly and helpful with our order. They also serve a hot roll and olive oil before the meal. I had the Chicken Parmesan and Kris had the Shrimp with pasta. We both ordered a Caesar salad and it was all served on time and was delicious! We will definitely return! Reservations, especially on weekends and holidays is recommended!

Forlini's is always a great experience! Excellent true Italian cuisine! New Year's Eve dinner was fantastic! The Lamb was so tender and perfectly prepared. We had a table of 12 and all of us had excellent food. Drinks were delicious and perfectly made. Love the Espresso martini! This is a family owned restaurant and it shows in the personalized service, excellent food, and an atmosphere that makes you feel at home! Perfect for a romantic evening out or to gather with friends, Forlini's is the place to be! Definitely a place to return to again and again! What an excellent way to bring in the New Year, any special occasion or just a nice evening out!

I wanted more flavor. If you like a more subtle flavor this may be the place for you. The drinks were nice.

Honest Take: Overpriced Tourist Trap with Publix Quality If you take a look at my profile, you’ll see I’ve reviewed a wide range of restaurants, so here is my straight-up, honest take on this joint. The Vibe Let's start with the look and feel. The place looks decent from the outside, but once you’re inside, it’s a different story. It is rather plain and has a "used" vibe to it. They have the stereotypical Italian music playing in the background, but it’s really nothing special. The Service The service was mid at best. Our waitress kept forgetting which person ordered what, and simple details were totally overlooked, like bringing out small plates so we could split the appetizers. The Food Now for the food: it’s Olive Garden grade at best. Many of the dishes, especially the appetizers, were low quality. Shrimp Cocktail: This was just four shrimp that looked like they came from Publix, served on a plate of loose lettuce. They cost over $4 a pop and were not even jumbo size. I’m fairly certain these were the exact same frozen ones you get in a bag at Publix. Caprese: Nothing special and greatly overpriced. It was four unripe tomato slices with a bit of mozzarella and a forgettable vinaigrette sauce drizzled on top. Peppers and Sausage: Your classic Publix Italian sausages. They were super greasy and nothing special. Again, it wouldn't surprise me if they were from Publix as well. The peppers were just a couple of slices of red bell that added zero to the dish. The Entrees Since we were a large group, we got to see a lot of the main dishes. Salmon: Somehow both greasy and overcooked. It was very dry, and the broccoli it came with was minimal and lightly cooked. It was still very crunchy and had zero character. Scallops: These were pretty small (smaller than a 50 cent piece) and were right on the border of being overdone. Once again, these looked and tasted exactly like the frozen kind from a bag at Publix. Sinatra Dishes: Nothing special about the sauce. The meats were pretty plain and really lacked any sort of special flavor. Veal: Extremely small and pretty tough, which should never be the case with veal. Chicken Parmesan: This was an epic disappointment. It came with a sad, very small bowl of noodles with what appeared to be Ragu sauce. The chicken itself looked like something you’d make at home when you’re trying to use up meat before it goes bad. It was just layered with basic tomato sauce and shredded pizza cheese. The Bottom Line If this place were located anywhere other than a tourist trap, it would never survive. You are essentially paying premium prices for low-end Olive Garden quality food. Actually, I’m being mean to Olive Garden there; at least they shred the parmesan in front of you. This place just brought out a bowl of what looked and tasted like Kraft Parmesan from the green plastic container you buy at Publix.

I had been wanting to go here for a while, so we had my birthday as well as my sons so we decided to go here. It wasn’t that busy when we got there but took a while to get drinks and forever to get food! We had to ask several times about drinks and food. The food was good but for the price not worth it! We were so ready to get out bc we were sitting for so long! We will definitely not be going back. I was looking forward to a nice evening out but wasn’t so good..

Forlini's is always a great experience! Excellent true Italian cuisine! New Year's Eve dinner was fantastic! The Lamb was so tender and perfectly prepared. We had a table of 12 and all of us had excellent food. Drinks were delicious and perfectly made. Love the Espresso martini! This is a family owned restaurant and it shows in the personalized service, excellent food, and an atmosphere that makes you feel at home! Perfect for a romantic evening out or to gather with friends, Forlini's is the place to be! Definitely a place to return to again and again! What an excellent way to bring in the New Year, any special occasion or just a nice evening out!

The quality of the food does not match the prices they charge. The Caprese salad- tomatoes were not ripe and no seasoning. The chicken parm- it is not freshly breaded, breading is soggy and clearly pre-made. The spaghetti that came with it was overcooked. The carbonara uses bacon (it does state this), however for the price it should use better quality ingredients and guanciale. The service was slow but friendly .

Looking for a great Italian restaurant, good food, good service, casual relaxing atmosphere, this is the spot. Wasn't crowded but it was a Wednesday evening. Server said on weekends make a reservation. We are visiting from California, walked from our hotel. Quick service, and fresh ingredients. I had the sausage and peppers. Very good. Wife had a seafood pasta also very good. Extensive wine list. Nice bar area. All locals were there we could tell, yet we were treated as if we were locals. Not ignored. Fresh baked bread was delicious. Music was soft, place is clean. Great spot for a family or a romantic dinner.

Great service and food! Luke and his team never disappoint, the sausage and peppers are a staple!

Made a reservation but totally not needed. Place was empty, even during spring break. Waited forever for bread. Food was good but really pricey. Waitress seemed annoyed. Would not recommend.

The food was delicious and the service was excellent, our server was Brooke. She was always there when needed, from checking on us if we needed anything . I would highly recommend this place, just wish I knew about it a lot sooner. For sure to return.

Food was delicious and made to order...we loved getting to know the history and family..Accommodating and fun experience...wish we would have found this place our first night in town.

Great ambiance, great food, great service. 4 people four different dinners, one better than the other Never would've thought of veal cutlet unbreaded, but it was especially good. Luke recommended a great bottle of wine that was reasonably priced. Overall 5stars *****

Came in late on a Saturday night with some friends for dinner. Our server was fantastic but the food is subpar and overpriced. I ordered the chicken parm thinking it would be like any other Italian restaurant, it was 4 chicken tenders covered in cheese. Should have known this was a tourist trap since we were the only group in the building.

food was mediocre at best, and terribly, terribly overpriced! Service was slow and poor. A $32 plate of lasagna did not even come with a small salad. Bread was minimal.

Wonderful restaurant and food. Specials are always good and everything is reasonably priced. Staff is always helpful and gives good recommendations!

The place was bad overall. The scallops had so much sand in them that I eventually gave up eating them. The pasta was lack luster and hardly had any flavor. I took the left overs home, attempted to reheat the pasta, and just threw it away. Everyone else's meal with mediocre at best. Even the bread and oil were terrible. The prices are outrageous for food that 100% tastes frozen. This place is definitely a tourist trap. Stay off the strip.

I had the short rib special which was as good as any I have ever had. My wife and I sat at the bar where we enjoyed lively conversation and Luke, the bartender, took great care of us. This is a family owned business and long time staple on Clearwater Beach.

Great food for the beach. They are a bit local minded to customers, I suggest going at least twice. The owners and bar manger are nice once you get to know them. Had a bit of everything. Meatballs were great.

Food and service was great but the reason for 2 starts is then charging us extra $10 per plate for sharing, even though there is no mention of that on their menu.

Walked in at 5:09 this evening. The place was empty. Three employees standing at the bar prepping for the evening. We stood there several minutes and no one even greeted us at all. We were looking forward to trying this place. We walked out.

I really wanted to love this place. Italian restaurant on the beach - could have been so perfect! The good - the staff were all very kind, welcoming and friendly. We went on Valentine's Day without a reservation and were graciously seated. The atmosphere is lovely and the restaurant is clean. The not so good - the food. I had the penne bolognese and it was in the bottom 25% of all similar dishes I've tried at Italian restaurants (and we visit many since I'm actually Italian). My husband had the Chicken Parmesan and the chicken tasted like it was previously frozen. Sadly, the best part of the meal was the bread and my husband's soda. Lots of potential here, but the food sadly falls very short.

Negatives: Service was poor with a waiter who did not check on us at all; we sat 25 minutes at table without any bread service; food was average; overcooked mushy pasta and chicken parm was not good quality chicken; made with tenders. Positives: Good red sauce and friendly hostess but the rest of the dining experience is only 3 stars.

Love Love Love the Management, staff and food! Friendly and accommodating the moment you walk in, as opposed to next door neighboring business... IYKYK. Large delicious portions and made to order. If they dimmed the lights, put some candles on the tables put in some overstuffed booths and reconfigured the sound system, I would have scored it 5 stars. Thanks Forlinis! My new go to place for Italian!

Our family had a wonderful dining experience. Thank you Deana for the excellent service.

Clearwater local here. Doubled their prices for Valentine's Day with no warning or notice. Scummy thing to do. Food was extremely average as well. Could've made a better meal for myself with $7 at Walmart. Would recommend many other places in Clearwater above Folini's. Definitely won't be eating here again.

Looks, feels, and tastes like a NY Italian restaurant. While my recollection of what we ate is limited by the passage of time (almost two months ago) I do remember that the 4 of us had several dishes that we all enjoyed. Also, the bar had my favorite brand of flavored vodka; Van Dyke's Espresso.

Cool ambiance and was craving Italian. We got a cool booth by the window, perfect for sunset. It took our server, Bobbi, about 25 minutes until she came over. She didn't apologize or anything. Food was average.

Steak was raw, potatoes were hard, cold little home fries. Two little pieces of hard cold broccoli. Dont waste your time or money!!

Great service and fantastic family Italian food! Also several fish related dishes. Plus. Bread/rolls are amazing!

Awesome ambiance, food, and service. We there for a company dinner after meetings all week. Clearwater Beach, FL has a hidden gem Great Italian food with an upscale atmosphere. Must take the time and enjoy the food.

I order veal piccata. The veal was tasteless and it was severed with fried potatoes, not pasta. My wife had spaghetti and meatballs which were ok. The Italian dressing was a big disappointment as well. For the price, it was a huge disappointment. I recommend selecting a different restaurant.

We have walked by Forlini's on every previous trip to Clearwater Beach, and we wish we had learned of it sooner. We called for a reservation on a Friday and they were able to accommodate a party of 4. They do not take online reservations. The place is well known to regulars. We had two of the specials - veal chop parmigiana and the chicken saltimbocca. Everything was delicious. The hot rolls out of the oven were amazing. The waiter was personable and was so nice to get to know. We enjoyed Forlini's very much.

Went for dinner on a really crowded night in Clearwater. The restaurant was relatively empty and quiet. Our server was really nice and brought out fresh warm bread immediately after sitting down. We really enjoyed the sausage appetizer. Shrimp sobo, lasagna, and caprese were all pretty average but no complaints. Seems to me that this place use to be super busy but has lost popularity over the years.

Wow. We have been to Clearwater Beach a number of times and walked past this place without ever trying it. Our loss. The food and the service were fantastic. I had a filet veal chop served Parmesan style and it was delicious. The chicken saltimbocca was a different preparation which was also great. The chicken Parm was good as was the shrimp dish my son ate. The server was fantastic giving us places we should visit during our stay. I will definitely go back and highly recommend this place. What a treat.

Unfortunately I don't have much positive to say. My husband orders chicken parmigiana with meatballs. I asked for breaded chicken cutlet like you get in chicken parmigiana with no cheese or sauce, just olive oil and garlic on the pasta. Steve the waiter looked at me like I had three heads. He brought me a plain broiled chicken on the pasta. I asked for the chicken cutlet like you use in parmigiana and he said they can't do that and just brought me the plain pasta again. Didn't ask if he could get me anything else just no. I've never been to an Italian restaurant that can not serve me a chicken cutlet with out the cheese and sauce unless it's all pre-made which is another reason to avoid. To top it off he charged $27 for the plain pasta. I don't mind paying for good food and service but this was neither. The wine was good and my husband said the meatballs were ok (although the sauce was like soup). That's it.

Sweet baby Jesus this place is amazing. My BF and I discovered this place in 2020 and my family and I were back in town and went tonight. It was absolutely delicious! It's all authentic and homemade. I highly suggest this on your bucket list. My hubs and I had the special which was shrimp and scallops in a homemade vodka cream sauce with capers and fresh tomatoes, chefs kiss. My son had the chicken parm and his GF had the spaghetti carbonara.

Diner was perfect . The bread was not just warm but Hot out of the oven . We Ordered lasagna and pasta carbonara both were delicious . The pasta tasted homemade , sauce and flavor perfect . Wine was good as well and priced fair . Waiter a tad slow refilling water. Would definitely go back next time craving Itialian .

Had a great Birthday meal there last night, awsome ! Like atthe Bar and Danna was our table server ! they are the very best, loved the seafood and drinks, hope to return very soon ! great job ! Joe and Elyse

I love this restaurant, the food, servers, and the ambiance. I really loved the bread especially with the garlic, the potato fries, chicken parmesan, and mostly the meatballs. My family and I had a waiter named Yani serving us on her 3rd day and she was amazingly nice. This place is amazing and anyone that is reading this review should give this place a try.

We had a fantastic experience for dinner. Peter was our server, gave us the history of the restaurant and the family who both owns and still works in the place. We had 4 different meals and loved every one of them was superb. Service was impeccable for the entire experience. We would go back every time we are in town. I have no idea how there are several negative reviews about the service or food.

Absolute best Italian restaurant in Clearwater Beach. Family run, friendly service. Oh, and the carbonara, it is soooo good. I LOVE Forlini's! Never had a bad meal. Everything has always been EXCELLENT. Every single time I have been there. Classy, upscale. You will not be disappointed.

Bad service and wait staff. Hostes is not very nice/customer service friendly. Better have a reservation or go somewhere else. Lots of better options on the island.

I would feel more positive about my experience here if the prices were reasonable and reflected the quality of the food; however, I can't stomach $27 for a plate of 5-6 ravioli with runny, tasteless sauce. My husband did enjoy his Veal Parm, but I was deeply disappointed by the quality of food for a $100 meal for two. I'd rather eat at a chain like Carrabba's and get a better value. I'm willing to pay more for Excellent food and service, but this wasn't it.

Even with staff shortages (the situation EVERYWHERE these days) Forlini's makes it a priority to make dining there a distinctly pleasurable experience. Hostess was gracious (we had a reservation), our waiter was fabulous, the food was sublime. We simply LOVE this place and make a point of returning every time we are visiting Clearwater Beach!

My husband and I have been coming to Forlini's ever since it opened- either the two of us or with friends. We just love the delicious food and specials and the extraordinarily deep wine list. This is not your average "red sauce" Italian restaurant- the menu items are varied: the meats and fish are fresh, and the chef will happily make substitutions. The service is pleasant, helpful, and professional. We love the subdued lighting which gives the restaurant an elegant atmosphere. We've eaten in great and disappointing Italian restaurants when we lived in NYC and Forlini's is definitely up there with the greats!

My family and I were quite excited to try this restaurant. We chose to dine early to beat the rush. We were immediately put off by an older male waiter who wore his mask as a neck decoration while openly touching his face and fist pumping random customers in between serving meals. We ordered two appetizers and four entrees that were mediocre at best for the $180 bill that applied. I actually ordered the chicken parm which appeared to be made of frozen chicken fingers; "Disgusting" is the best description. There was also a loud and rowdy party in the restaurant that flitted between their table and the bar without their masks on. If you love Covid roulette and drunk people, this is the place for you. Cheers to fine dining. A restaurant that falls under $$$ price category is expected to put more effort in the preparation and presentation of their food. !Epic Fail!

People's bad reviews is very surprising to me. Rather eat at a chain restaurant than an authentic family owned restaurant. We look forward to eating here as much as we look forward to coming to the beach and relaxing from everyday life. Carrabbas has literally the most tasteless bland sauce and if that's your thing to save a cpl dollars than I probably don't want to be associated with you. I will say this is the best Italian food I've eaten anywhere from Cleveland Ohio to Clearwater Florida. Making my reservation as we speak. -Alan D.

I had a bad experience at a different restaurant down the street so I walked to Fortini's and was greeted with a smile. The food and drink were terrific and I had a very pleasant and friendly evening. This place has been around for years and the family and neighborhood feeling still exists.

Very nice staff and the food was very good and the selection was great! The prices were very reasonable.

The service is amazing starting with the hostess that greeted us, Jake that always helps us with our wine selection is one of the main reasons we always make this a stop for us while we are in town. The food is full of flavor, the dinner specials are well proportioned as the chef has a vested interest with his ownership. If your looking for a place with good service and food look no further than Forlini's.

Great service! The special were outstanding, braised short rib and shrimp and scallops! Great flavors! Atmosphere was very nice.

Classic, old school Italian restaurant, with a white cloth on the tables and waitresses wearing white shirts with ties. We had a wonderful dinner there. My mamas lasagna was tasty, rich and creamy. The other food that we ordered was very tasty as well.

The food was very good. We visited here on a family vacation and are a party of seven. Our drink and appetizer order was taken quickly and grab hot bread was brought out to our table. We ordered calamari which came out hot and well seasoned. I also thought it was cooler perfectly. I ordered the gnocchi and found it to be very light, like my grandmother used to make them! Almost all the pasta is homemade and the sauce was fresh. Our waiter, Peter, was phenomenal and we me the owner Luke. Great atmosphere and food! I'd definitely recommend this restaurant.