Francesco's Ristorante & Pizzeria

We've dined at Francesco's about a dozen times, and have never been disappointed. This weekend when I saw their weekend specials included braciole I knew my husband would want to go. I was lucky enough to grab two seats at the pizza oven side of the bar. I've always wanted to sit there for a view of the open kitchen. Jacob was our server again, and he is such an asset to the restaurant. Attentive, personable, polite. We've had him before and just wanted to give a shout out for another great job. The braciole was delicious again, as was my vegetable lasagna. Watching everyone working in the kitchen as a well-oiled machine was impressive. It was opera night, and Chef would jump in and sing along with his favorites, there was a wedding reception going on at the front of the restaurant, so the atmosphere in this beautiful place was festive. If you've never been, highly recommended. They are expanding into the space next door soon, and it is to include a full bar, so martinis will be a welcome addition that personally, I can't wait for.

For months, my children are asking me to eat at this restaurant (their favorite). Right when you walk in you are greeted by Mgr. Darryl who makes you feel like family. Darryl checked on us from time to time, offered to take pics, helped us with a family video, gave us business cards to make reservations. Jacob simply possess a refined palate and in-depth knowledge of the menu. Every recommendation was simply perfect! Every dish was made with love, well balanced flavors, and fresh ingredients prepared by Francesco the owner and CEO! What an experience! Restrooms were clean, every dish cooked to perfection and the dessert was well prepared. My parents are Italian and I can say with confidence that the restaurant serves authentic Italian dishes that one will fall in love with! They even opened the door for us on the way out. I have been to so many restaurants from the US to other parts of the world and this is the first time we were treated as if we were part of the family! Thank you Darryl and thank you Jacob for making my day with the kids a special one!

This was our first visit to a lovely Italian restaurant in Maitland, Fl. It was so lovely. We had to make reservations because it is a small restaurant. They offer indoor, as well as outdoor dining. They also have private rooms. Everything from the time we sat down till the end of the meal, was perfect. The waitress was sweet, kind and very helpful. Her service was impeccable. The food was hot and made to perfection. We had Fried Calamari as an appetizer and it was tender, not too much oil, just a perfect crunch. We were celebrating a birthday and the highlight of the evening was when Nino came to the table and sang happy birthday in Italian to the guest of honor. He had such a beautiful lovely voice. I felt like I was in Italy. Our waitress, Mila, was very helpful. She asked us a few questions on our preferences and then made her recommendations based on our palate. She recommended we try a Chianti wine from Tuscany called, Monsanto Classico Riserva. She was spot on. A delicious wine full of flavor. For dinner we ordered, Rigatoni Palermitana. It was served with a cream sauce and topped with eggplant. Very delicious. For dessert we ordered the Italian Wedding cake. It was an elegant dessert, a moist cake made with coconut, chocolate chips and a cream cheese frosting. Boy was that good! It wasn’t overly sweet and went very well with the Cappuccino and the waitress served it at just the right temperature too. She was an excellent waitress. It was very nice to find such a wonderful friendly Italian restaurant here in Central Florida with excellent chefs, top service and excellent wines. A wonderful evening was made even better when I was going out the door, and a waitress tapped me on the shoulder and handed me a beautiful bouquet of red roses surrounded by Baby’s Breath. It made me feel so special. This restaurant has not only great food, they have a special team that work together to make your experience memorable.

Phenomenal dinner! Oversized portions but more importantly authentic and delicious! Jacob provided our table service and was attentive, cordial and prompt. (Apparently servers are available upon request as well.) We started with a 1/2 order of mussels that was larger than any standard full order we’ve had anywhere in central Florida! They were excellent and accompanied with fresh cooked bread with dipping oil, both of which were addictive. For the main course I had a seafood medley (Zuppa something or other…) over angel hair pasta that literally could’ve fed a table of at least 3 if not 4 and my bride ordered the special which was Chilean Sea Bass with lobster ravioli…both amazing. You need to go here and enjoy some truly fine cooking. Chef Francesco needs to come to Lake Nona, there would never be an empty seat!

Friendly neighborhood vibe. Great food. The grilled octopus is amazing. The servers are top notch. The chef is incredible. Sit at the bar for the whole experience!

This has been the highlight of my husband and I's Florida trip so far. Phenomenal food, service and atmosphere, I can't wait to be able to visit Orlando again just for this place. Our waitress was Hailey (hi name twin!!) and she was awesome, let us know all the chefs specials and kept our waters topped off - I'm diabetic so that means so much to me thank you!! We didn't end up getting any of the specials this time around, though we definitely will when we return - my partner was a little sad we passed up on the mussels and sea bass haha. I got the Pollo Parmigiana, EXQUISITE, the most perfect robust, and decadent sauce I've ever had, and the noodles were cooked perfectly al dente. The chicken itself was also phenomenal. My partner got the Veal (I may be missing the rest of the dishes name) and it was served on-top of Rigatoni which he loved. There was also fresh bread with the best olive oil and balsamic dip I've ever had - I typically won't dip my bread in olive oil, but this one I couldn't get enough of it was so good. The calamari was also fresh and delicious. Overall, we loved our experience! We walked right up and were able to sit outside in a cute little patio with plenty of fans and airflow. We'll be talking about this place for years to come for sure, wish we had something half as good in our home state of Louisville KY! Thank you so much to the Chef and his team and also all of the wonderful staff at Francesco's! Grazie ancora!!

This restaurant was excellent! The food was amazing and our service was top notch. Victoria is the best waitress we’ve ever had. Thanks for making my birthday dinner great.

Many great experiences at Francesco’s. The servers are top notch (Hailey & Jimy), professional and very nice. The food is delicious. Spaghetti Carbonara & the Gnocchi are great. I get a side of grilled shrimp with every meal and it’s probably the best shrimp I’ve ever had. Pizza is good as well. Everything is very authentic tasting and the decor and ambience is beautiful & cozy. I really enjoy eating here. The hosts are also very nice and accommodating. I Highly recommend eating here.

What a gem! I can't say enough great things about Francesco's. I have been here several times and fall more in love with this place each time. Every staff member I've encountered as been so lovely and friendly. The atmosphere is dreamy- the outside is romantic with string lights; and the inside is a nostalgic and classy Italian restaurant. Yet, the vibe is so cozy and so familiar- it is like a Cheers vibe where everyone is welcome and everyone knows your name. The Goods: 1) Charred Octopus appetizer (sometimes on the menu) I am an octopus SNOB, and Francesco's charred octopus is my favorite one I've had, hands down. They marinate the octopus in a special way to break down the chewiness of the octopus, making each bite a buttery-bite, through and through every time. Absolutely delicious. A must-get item every time I'm at Francesco's. 2) Margherita Pizza I loveeee me a great, wood-burning oven. This is my favorite Italian-style, wood-burning pizza in Central Florida (as opposed to a NY-style pizza). The Margherita pizza is everything you'd want it to be. According to our server, the olive oil itself is shipped specially from Italy. Each ingredient is so fresh. The crust is scrumptious; the tomato sauce is perfectly balanced; the cheese is delightful. It is love. 3) Spaghetti Alla Carbonara While very good, I'm going to be honest and say this wasn't my favorite. When they list "black pepper" as an ingredient- rightfully so. There is a lot of black pepper in this. I do appreciate that this is a traditional carbonara made with eggs and no creams. But I am a huge carbonara fan and have had plenty of traditional carbonaras. I ordered this once here and probably wouldn't do it again. That being said, it was still good (but VERY peppery- tasted a lot like a Cacio e pepe dish). If that's your thing, you'd enjoy this. I really love Francesco's and will drive out of my way to have a yummy pizza here. I definitely recommend this place.

Enjoyed a great dinner again at Francesco's. We started with an Insalata Di Carciofi. Excellent flavors and great paring of items! The fresh bread hot out of the oven with EVOO and balsamic vinegar was a great dipping. We enjoyed the vegetable lasagna topped with an Alfredo sauce. Rich and delicious. We ordered with lite sauce. . Now for best dish of the night. A large order of mussels with garlics and white wine. Excellent!!! I ordered a side of spaghetti with olive oil and garlic ( lite and tasty ). I shelled all of the mussels and topped them all over my pasta. Drizzled a good amount of the liqueur over the dish. OMG. Outstanding dish. Enjoyed a red wine suggested by our server Victoria. Excellent service. Very attentive and knowledgeable. Victoria explained our dishes as if the chef preparing the dishes in front of her. Very passionate service. A traditional Italian vibe with the comfort of an open kitchen. Chef, thank you for great dining experience. Check out the photos below. Forgot to mention that I'm a chef that cooks because I want to, not because I have to. Retired. A great restaurant team doesn't just serve food; they serve spirit, sparking joy with every interaction." - Thomas Keller

Atmosphere is 5 stars but I'm not eating the atmosphere. $55 (before tip) for 2 lunches and 2 sodas. I had high expectations for this place. I walked in and loved the open kitchen concept and decor. But that was it. 1. They were out of Coke. I run a large bar and one of my main jobs is to not run out of things. We don't drink diet soda and who wants water w/ their lunch? Both of our dishes had chicken. Tough over cooked chunks of chicken breast. It was overcooked and had that spaghetti meat texture. It was also oddly cut. Chunks of chicken that looked "ripped" or shredded. I love going out for lunch a couple times of week. For $55 and no cocktails-I expect the food to melt in my mouth. Not to toss the leftovers at home because you can't even reheat them. Server was also incredibly lackluster. Like it pained her to be there. One and done. We were going to another popular Italian place a few miles away but they were closed this particular day. Bummer.

Tonight's meal was a bit disappointing. We ordered the grilled artichoke appetizer for $18 and it wasn't cooked all the way. The leaves didn't fall off but had to be pulled hard to enjoy. Our lasagna came lukewarm, unusual for Francesco's. Service seemed rushed too. We love it here and realize this is our one time of many great experiences that wasn't amazing. But we wanted them to know.

First time dining in after office lunch takeouts. The restaurant is beautiful and our server was great even though it was his first day. He was great with our large table. The meat special was a Veal Cacio e Pepe that I subbed for chicken. I wish I ordered something else. What I got something different entirely. The sauce was chicken pan drippings with something dairy to thicken it a little and lots of red peppers and sliced sausage. The chicken breast was dry and hard to cut up. The noodles were delicious though. The Carbonara dish looks more like Cacio e Pepe than this picture. It had a nice taste but not at all what I ordered. $44 is way too expensive for this dish.

Francesco's is hidden away in Maitland next to the Walgreens. You might miss it if you're not looking for it ! It is family owned and run and it's VERY authentico! I had a margherita pizza, well done. It was cooked perfectly and soooo yummy. The dipping oil used for the bread was so good that we went home with a gallon (so glad they sell it.) There are 2 'down' sides to Francesco's... They don't have a lunch menu. One menu no matter the time of day. Which brings us to the second point, it can be an expensive lunch. My 13" pizza was $20. I can get a Margherita pizza down the road at Sixty Vines for $16. That said, I am already looking forward to my next visit to Francesco's. You should too!!

This was our first time visiting this beautiful and quaint Italian Restorante. They have been voted the best in Orlando this year for their fine Italian cuisine. It is very fine! Because my husband and I had eaten elsewhere not too long before we got here, we couldn't eat a whole meal; however, we were anxious to try something. We ordered a half order of their Calamari Fritti with fresh marinara sauce on the side and their Gamberoni Siciliana, which is fresh shrimp finished in a cognac cream sauce to go. The calamari was absolutely wonderful. We each had a glass of silky, rich delectable Moscato. The staff was very kind, courteous and professional. Many of them spoke Italian besides English. The ambiance is very welcoming, cozy and romantic. They have several different dining areas, including beautiful outdoor dining. Our server, Victoria was very kind, attentive and delightful. She explained that the chef prepared a different special everyday. She also informed us that Francesco's was making some exciting renovations to the restaurant; adding on, redesigning, and will have a full bar. Right now, it's beer and wine. This Restorante is going to be one of our favorites to frequent. Oh, I almost forgot to mention, for those of you that appreciate superb Octopus cuisine, seafood is one of Chef Francesco Aiello's specialties! I can't wait! I highly recommend this wonderful restaurant with their amazingly delicious cuisine.

I had high expectations coming into the restaurant- it was my family's favorite restaurant so we decided to celebrate my nephew's college graduation. We all left disappointed in the food, the slow pace of the restaurant, and the coordination of all the meals coming out. I had both the gnocchi and the eggplant Parmesan. The gnocchi was ok, 5/10 and the eggplant was not very good 3/10. I think the sauce is acidic and generally not flavorful. My sister in laws steak was supposed to be medium and it came out well. My family, who are regulars, said this visit was a p a lot during a very busy night yet she did it with a smile.

Amazing food, the service everytime is impeccable and it has this family cozy vibe that is very inviting. The pasta dishes are amazing. I went back for the purpose of trying the whole branzino and I was not disappointed. The grilled octopus is change your life delicious. Just run and try this place. I haven't tried their pizza but I'll be sure to head there for lunch and try that next.

Excellent Italian pasta and pizza date night. Upon checking in, we were whisked away to a cozy patio table and treated like royalty while being spoiled with a wonderful meal. The home made table bread was delicious with a warm moist light doughy center and served with excellent olive oil. The sauce on our Carbonara Pasta was on the thicker side with lightly cooked pancetta (albeit missing some contrasting flavor) but overall was very enjoyable. The Margherita Pizza had a delicious light crispy crust which I would describe it as a "thin" round Sicilian with semi-thick neutral red sauce and a nice generous blend of cheeses.

Hands down, my new favorite Italian spot in town! We had an amazing night celebrating my birthday on the patio. Come hungry and still expect to take home leftovers because the portion sizes are generous. We shared the mussels and calamari as appetizers, both of which were meaty, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. For my main course, I had a Cacio e Pepe Chicken special with pappardelle pasta, while others in our group opted for the Lasagna Bolognese or various pasta dishes, all of which were raved about. A standout was the caprese salad - fresh, vibrant, and had sautéed red peppers for an extra touch. The night was finished off perfectly with tiramisu for dessert, which had mini chocolate chips in it for a twist. Everything was delicious and made for a wonderful night! No pictures were taken as we were all having the best time! The owner even came out to greet our group. I can't wait to go back!!

Every visit to Francesco's is better than the last... and that's pretty hard to do. On our latest visit, our server Joey was attentive, knowledgeable about the menu, friendly and professional. The rest of the staff kept water filled and tables clean during a very busy service. The food is just outstanding. I had the spaghetti and meatballs. My friend had chicken Parmesan and we shared a piece of limoncello cake. We had a lovely wine to go with it. I could drink that marinara. The restaurant is cozy, clean and upscale while being inviting. You really feel the love in the food at Francesco's.

If you enjoy fresh farm to table cuisine plus Italian, this is the place to be! Chef Steve is amazing. The food and wine service was superb. Chef's table feature is cool. Apres' Ski apparel.

Just 2 Medicare agents having a great time! Had a great lunch with amazing gluten free options with our waitress Wanda. Patrice and I were able to turn our great lunch outing into a Medicare business meeting with great food and great company. Look forward to our next business lunch at Francesco's! Audrianna Leiphardt/ Patrice Lynch Bridlewood Insurance Services Florida 352-432-8659 Bridlewoodflorida.com

Came in and Chris a server, waited on my son and I. Didn't offer to share the specials. When I asked about them and he stated it was shrimp and scallops, but nothing else, I asked what came with it. He is rude. May have great food, but didn't want to even take our drink orders! We won't return!

The service was excellent. Servers Wanda and Vanessa made me feel welcome, answered all my questions about the menu, and we're just genuinely nice. I only ordered a pizza and took it to go. The pizza was good. However, I plan to return to dine in and try a traditional lunch or dinner menu item.

This place is second to none! Absolutely hands down the BEST ITALIAN restaurant in Central Florida!!

I love this place! I come here a lot with my coworkers for lunch. They have a great lunch special and they keep the warm bread coming! The fresh bread with the olive oil balsamic dip here is sooo good! The staff here has always been kind and attentive to us. The restaurant itself is beautiful. This time I got the Caprese Salad with Chicken. This was so good! All the veggies were very fresh tasting. I've been to places that give just tomato and mozzarella nothing else and a small amount. This place did not disappoint! Very filling and if you are still hungry there's always the bread! All my coworkers love this place and always want to come back. I definitely recommend this place if you like Italian food or if you just like bread haha. I will continue to come here when I'm craving Italian and I'm excited to try their other menu items.

I had never even heard of this place before it was recommended to me but I'm glad I tried it and will definitely be back. We came with a larger group and our server was very friendly and informative, letting us know right away that it's a scratch kitchen and everything is made in-house. The inside was well decorated and the menu was large. Although they are not on the magical dining list, they had two three-course menus of similar pricing available. They served complimentary bread with oil and vinegar. I loved my special burrata salad and carbonara pasta. The pasta options were huge and everyone who got one left with leftovers. The cannoli and gelato were tasty but small.

Ok, so when we went because we were on the mood for some good Italian. Never being here or knowing if it was actually good or not. But seeing the reviews and being in the area we decided why not give this place a try! I was surprised how crowded it was when we entered. But everyone looked happy and seemed to be enjoying their food! So I thought this is a good sign, the fact that the place is packed and everyone was joyful! The staff all working together behind the scenes to prepare everyones desires. Each and everyone busy in their own profession in the kitchen. But working as a team to complete the mission of the day. Both my husband and I ordered pasta. My husband wasn't too crazy with his. It was a pasta that didn't have much flavourful sauce. It was like a butter sauce. Light on flavor. Mint was the total opposite. Fully of flavor and lots of delicious sauce! And it have chunks of eggplant . My husband really enjoyed the sauce of my pasta. He ended up taking some of my sauce to put on his. Oh I forgot to mention the house salad is a mouthwatering deliciousness appetizer that is a must try! We definitely go back to try something new. And next time we will order dessert.

When I read on social media that this was THE Italian restaurant to go to in Orlando, I knew I simply had to go check it out one evening for dinner. After returning from Italy in 2022, I've been on the hunt for local Italian food that tasted authentic but as to be expected, it's a mission to find after experiencing the real deal. This spot was described as authentic as it gets, so I was really looking forward to feeling like there was a little slice of Italy residing in Orlando. The exterior of the restaurant totally felt like it was straight out of Italy and it made me even more anxious to make my way in. Once inside, I was greeted by a cozy, warm environment complete with an open kitchen-concept, brick walls, lovely chandeliers and an all around romantic but not overly upscale ambiance. My boyfriend & I were seated at a table promptly at our reservation time and it wasn't long before Ellia made her way over to introduce herself. She was friendly and personable and was kind enough to allow us to sample a couple wines to ensure we found the perfect one to enjoy with our meal. Once we had our wine, we placed an order of calamari. a Cesar salad to split and then shortly after, our entrees (rigatoni alla Pete piacenti & veal parmigiana). The breading on the calamari was just right but the calamari itself was a little tough and difficult to chew. The cesar salad didn't blow us away but it was decent. My boyfriend's veal was flavorful but pretty soggy and lacked the crunch he was looking for. My rigatoni dish was.. interesting. I misunderstood when I read the description on the menu, because I was under the impression it would have pesto sauce with actual plum tomatoes, so I was thrown off when I had the dish placed in front of me. They mix tomatoes into their pesto which makes for a very unappetizing looking brown sauce. Although you eat with your eyes first, I was hoping it would be tasty enough to overlook the unsightly color, but to my disappointment it didn't. I felt mixing in the tomatoes actually took away from the pesto flavor - I just didn't understand the concept, but maybe it's just not for me. Everything was perfect up until we received our entrees and i'm left wondering if it would have been a 5 star experience had we ordered differently. I will surely be back in the future to find out and give an update. Based on my visit, I wouldn't go as far as saying this is the best Italian in Orlando, but I'm looking forward to trying more on their menu to see if my opinion changes.

I got fettucini with scallops in a vodka sauce!! It was delicious, rich and creamy sauce and scallops were hege and cooked perfectly! Not pictured is the burrata appetizer, which was incredibly delicious; I would order it again for sure! We had the Italian wedding cake, which is always great; my only complaint is that the cake was a bit dryer today, but that cannoli cream really makes up for it! Great service and and warm, elegant ambiance!

5 Stars for ultra romantic vibes and the best vegetarian lasagna I've ever had. I can't believe it's taken me this long to discover Francesco's. I came on a friend's recommendation and left thinking I had found my new favorite Italian spot in town. First thing to know is even if you haven't heard of Francesco's before, others have. That means a reservation is necessary here. We arrived on time, and as we were led back to our table, I noticed the decor. It was late November, so it looked like they had decorated for the holidays and the ambience was warm and romantic. This is definitely a good spot for a date. Our server was Jacob, and next time I go in, I will request him. He really was the epitome of enthusiastic kind service. He helped us with recommendations and suggested we get the antipasto for two rather than for four, even though we were a party of four, knowing it was so large. He was right about that one! We had enough for leftovers before we ever got to our main dishes! My partner and I decided to order two vegetarian dishes to share. I would HIGHLY recommend both the eggplant Parmesan, and the vegetarian lasagna. Just note that the portions are quite large and you will definitely be taking some home with you for the next day. My husband and I agreed that it was the best vegetarian lasagna we had ever tried. I legitimately haven't stopped thinking about it since. Highly recommend. It didn't appear that they have liquor or cocktails available on the menu, but I enjoyed their wine list and found a great dry white to go with my dishes. Finally for dessert, we got the tiramisu. This one is homemade and terrific. I have never had a tiramisu with chocolate chips in it, but I'm a convert now. Overall, this was a fantastic dinner, and I would say that Francesco's is at the top of my list of favorite, romantic Italian restaurants in Central Florida.

Service: Amazing! Our server was very friendly, knew how to read people, had a lot of knowledge of the food and wine pairings. He also told us about himself which I appreciate, I like getting to know the servers. Ambiance: the location was very busy, we didn't have a reservation and were able to get a seat outside. I would highly recommend getting reservation ahead of time if you are coming here. The hostess was very friendly and made us feel welcomed Food: I only rates it 4 out of 5 because the food was good but it wasn't great. The octopus was a bit overcooked and chewy. Seems like they boiled it and then charred it on the grill. I would have personally cooked it in a different manner. The pasta was delicious but a bit dry, I wish it had more sauce/juice. Value: The specials were a bit overpriced, we paid $45 for the specials dish. Everything else was worth the price we paid for. Would come back again!

Food: amazing!! Scratch kitchen everything made home made. Authentic Italian. Mussels are a very good shareable size, taste fresh and not chewy made to perfection and Lasagna delish!! Service: Our server was very knowledgeable, gave us great recommendations and most importantly made sure we will be coming back. Ambiance: is very family oriented, loud as true Italian family, everything was very clean and Tuscan looking. Loved it!!

I wish I could give this place 100 stars ! Everything here is perfect. The owner/chef is involved everyday engaging with guests, the staff is friendly and all seem to love it, the food is so fresh and good, the atmosphere is beautiful as well!

The ambiance is good. The food is okay, it's what you expect. I only go here once a year. I love the bread they give with balsamic vinegar.

The experience was amazing! The staff are Italian, so I could say some words in Italian LOL, and listen them talking in Italian. Complementary bread was old and mushy, but I will not give 4 starts because of that, pesto was good. The wedge salad was nothing I was expecting, it was delicious! (A little pricy for the amount, anyways). Carbonara was amazing! Fettuccine Alfredo with chicken was also delicious. The environment is very cool, I just love everything!

Wow wow wow. The pizza, the lasagna bolognese, the chicken parm, the Caesar salad.... All of it was phenomenal. The star of the show was the pizza, it was fantastic. Had the perfect amount of cheese, crunch and sauce. We will definitely be back. Shout out to our server Sean who was amazing and made the experience that much better. Thank you all!

Pizza, pasta, and wine ... oh my! That's the trifect for me and this spot is great for all of it. I love sitting on the patio with twinkly lights in the evening. The staff is so friendly and watchful, no matter if you sit inside or out. Highly recommend.

Absolutely fabulous!! Service during this "in between" time (3;30 in the afternoon) was not lacking at all. Austin ad Nicholas were fantastic in every way! And the food - full of brigh, delicious flavors beautifully presented in a very comfortable setting. I had just come from getting my car serviced and remembered that this place I wanted to give another try (had been here years ago) was nearby. Yay me! Good choice: I ordered chicken cacciatore and broccoli. OMG!! So very good. First, you don't find cacciatore on a menu very often. Then to find it so perfectly executed- thing of beauty.

We decided to stop in Francesco's before our flight home. Once you walk in, it feels like you are in a little eatery and Italy. There was the stone, all the vines, and the kitchen open front and center where you could see the chef's work magic! We started with the Shrimp in vodka sauce which was delicious as the capers complimented the flavors. My fiancé had the branzino in olive oil and wine sauce. The fish was huge, lightly seasoned, and typically comes with asparagus or pasta. He got the gluten free penne since they ran out of whole wheat pasta which is actually why we came to this particular restaurant. I got the special which was grouper, shrimp and lobster meat over papperdelli on a light marinara and olive oil sauce. The pasta itself was so light and the seafood was cooked to perfection. 10/10 would highly recommend!

This was my first time experience at the restaurant with a friend and it was simple amazing! The ambience, service and food were excellent! All the dishes were authentic, very well prepared and served. Another note: I lost my wallet and went crazy looking for it then I called the restaurant and they found it. When I called the manager he was so accommodating and exited to be able to locate and give it back to me..!! This, I think is so Special..! Thank you guys.. I will be coming there very often!!

I really hate to write this review, especially because it will make it difficult to return here anytime soon. I tried to reach out to the restaurant with a private message, but was shut down by whoever runs their Facebook page. We have been going to Francesco's for many years, and usually have wonderful experiences, especially with the cooking classes. However, this recent class was a huge disappointment. Even though we were one of the first to arrive, we felt neglected from the start, which, in and of itself was unusual. Then when the first course of focaccia was passed out, hubby and I each only got a tiny slice that was mostly crust, while the people at the tables around us each got two generous slices from the center with lots of toppings. Even when the servers came around again with seconds, it was the same. Throughout the entire event, we felt neglected. Our water wasn't topped up, and our wine glasses weren't refilled unless we flagged the servers down, even though those around us seemed to be getting excellent service without having to do that. The servers were quick to remove our plates once we were finished; however, when the next dishes were brought, we had to repeatedly ask for cutlery. It became obvious that there are favorite customers here, and equally obvious that we weren't among them. We not only felt neglected, but also as if we were imposing on them. All this said, the food was wonderful, as always, but we didn't enjoy the experience. With tax and gratuity, for a couple, it was over $300, and we don't feel it was worth it. And we certainly would not have tipped at 20% if we had a choice. The only reason for the 2 stars, rather than 1, is because the food was amazing.

Everything from the appetizers to the main course was incredibly fresh. The service was excellent. One thing that stood out to me was their amazing lunch options, they have amazing pizza and pasta options! Ps. Don't forget to order an espresso at the end of the

Chicken parm very good. Pizza also is excellent. Nicely decorated and service was good. I always go for lunch. Always have leftovers.

I had a business lunch at Francesco's in Maitland. Immediately what caught my eye on the menu was the vegetable lasagna. As a kid, Stouffer's had a frozen vegetable lasagna we would eat on the weekends. Creamy with carrots, broccoli, and topped with buttery bread crumbs it was one of my favorite parts of the weekend lol. So that's what I ordered as the descriptions seemed eerily similar. The service was excellent and the vibe of restaurant gave off "authentic Italian." The bread they served us... chef's kiss. Soft, warm, with oil... good start. On to the lasagna itself... amazing. It gave me the Stouffer's nostalgia but was exponentially elevated. Now for the bad part, it was ice cold dead in the center. The server mentioned when I was placing my order that it was prepared in the morning en masse. Time was of the essence due to work so I didn't send it back as I had to leave. I ate around the center, paid my bill and left. I would absolutely come back just for that lasagna as the quality was high... I just hope it's warm next time.

Super cute place, feels very authentic and amazing food to go with it! Unfortunately, the dish I got was a special, and it's not always available, but it was incredible! It was a seafood pasta in the perfect pink sauce. Listen to the specials, would highly recommend!

Walk into this beautifully lit, yet cozy restaurant for some authentic Italian food. The decorations were picture worthy and elegant. The only down side is that they are consistently busy and it's a small place so I suggest to call ahead & make a reservation so you can skip the line. The food was amazing and the portions were great. Try the lasagna it's perfect! Only thing that I could say needed improvement is the service and the server, it could have just been that specific server. She talked too fast to take in what she said and she didn't come around to give us refills. It's not a big restaurant so there isn't much tables to attend. I would still give it another shot, just not with that server.

"Outstanding" is the best way to describe this restaurant. From food, to service, to atmosphere!!! It's just special! No they don't have a full bar and they don't need it. Grab a glass (or bottle) of Vino from their un intimidating wine list, and order off their menu without modification. Let the chefs cook!!!! Take a chance on something here and you won't be disappointed! They also offer classic Italian American dishes that everyone can get on board with so don't stress if that's not your bag, you'll still love it! The staff is attentive and knowledgeable. Trust them. The chef/owner is present and friendly which just makes the vibe better! It's just great. Go experience it! Orlando staple for sure!

We had a date night here recently and I loved the place. If you've never been parking is behind the building and the way to get there is turning right immediately after the shell station if you're driving north on Orlando Ave. The service was great we were greeted right away and seated within a few mins. We had reservations but wanted a booth inside so just had to wait for them to clear off the table. To start off they give you some bread which really good and comes with an olive oil dipping sauce. We also got the calamari which was awesome. The picture doesn't do it justice, the portion size for if is huge we had trouble finishing it. For entree I had the veal parm and she had the pesto pasta. I ended up changing the noodles because I wanted something closer to spaghetti with it. The veal was perfect cooked but I think they should have laid it on top because it being buried underneath everything the breading gets a little too moist and takes away the crunch. Totally recommend it still. My girlfriend had the pesto but she couldn't take her mind off of the way it looked. She gets pesto quite often when we go out so the fact the color/presentation looked the way it did really turned her off to the dish. Don't let it fool you though it tastes exactly like it should, the reason for the way the color is that brown look is because they mix tomato's to the pesto. It doesn't look very appetizing but to me still tasted the way it should. We both thought it was a great little local spot!

Amazing food great service. We heard about this place through word of mouth and it did not disappoint

Great service as soon as you enter from Daryl. Staff is hard at work making your meal as good as can be. Fresh bread is delicious as well as meticulousy done pizza

Definitely one of my favorite Italian places to eat in Central Florida! I have tried various things on their menu and I am never disappointed! I would say my favorite dish has been the sautéed calamari with a side of Angel hair pasta. Make note though, this dish is not on the menu, but ask for it!

I've only heard good things about this place from a lot of coworkers who have eaten here. I had a lunch meeting and enjoyed the service and ambiance here. The server was friendly and efficient, but didn't come as often as I would have liked. I ordered the salmon salad which was good but portion size was kind of small. The salmon was cooked very well. Overall a positive lunch.

We love the food but we didn't like the service. Bucatini Amatriciana was great. We went there for our anniversary. Hopefully different server next time

The. Best. Italian. Ever. 5 stars isn't enough. This is the best! This is our go to place. We come one time a week. It is consistently amazing! Chicken Parm Eggplant Parm Stromboli Pizza We even had a large party here and it was perfect. Thank you for the amazing Italian!

I really wanted to like this place but it was overall very disappointing. When I got there, there was no hostess. Several employees walked passed my group and a group ahead of us and said nothing. Turns out one of those people was the host. After an employee walked by for the third time and didn't even acknowledge the two parties waiting to be seated, i asked if there was a hostess and she said he'd be right there. When he did get there, he was very polite and seated us. We did not have one server throughout the night, several people kept coming to our table to drop off orders and take orders, which wasn't very great. The female server also did not seem to know anything about the food. We asked what flavors gelatos they had and she seemed genuinely puzzled. She also didn't know what the base to the ice cream was...but I'll get to that later. So we are seated, order wine, and they bring bread. We had to ask for plates and silverware and napkins. Lol. Then we ordered. I ordered the carbonara with scallops added. A different person came to our table asking if we ordered a side of shrimp. I said no. Turns out those were my scallops - this should have been a red flag. If the staff doesn't know the difference between shrimp and scallops, the food can't be good....well, she dropped off my scallops even though I still did not have my carbonara and I expected them to be added to the pasta, not served on the side. The pastas came a few minutes later and I quickly added the scallops so they wouldn't be cold. My friend ordered the rigatoni alla Pete piacenti- which was described as having a pesto. Her pesto looked like a curry - the rigatoni was swimming in "pesto". It was runny and did not stick the pasta. She said the taste was good though. My carbonara was under seasoned. There was not a good sauce to pasta ratio. It just tasted like butter noodles. It was not creamy, just buttery. It was supposed to have shallots and black pepper but there was none. There was no seasoning at all. The scallops were also not seasoned. This was a very disappointing meal. For dessert, we order the pistachio gelato...but it was not pistachio gelato. It was some other gelato base with whole pistachios inside. I tried asking the waitress what the base was and she did not know. She also never found out for us. Instead they tried to bring up more pistachio ice cream saying we must have gotten the salted caramel one because the waiter (male one now) though the pistachios looked like chocolate chips. Um, sir, I can tell a chocolate chip from a whole ass nut. Lmao. We didn't at the gelato and sent it back. I got the profiteroles because I adore cream puffs. I was hesitant because it said it came with a chocolate ganache and that sounded too heavy for cream puffs. I was happy to find out that it was actually a type of chocolate mouse. Not sure why they called it a ganache on the menu...either way, the profiteroles were the best thing I ate. Light and airy and delicious with just the right amount of sweetness. Overall, I probably won't come here again. I can deal with service being not great, but food being under seasoned or not cooked right is a red flag. This place has potential, so I hope their quality of food and service improves. There's already enough mediocre Italian places in the Orlando area.

Went here recently for a rehearsal dinner for a wedding I was a part of. We were in the back room, and they did a great job accommodating all 17 people as part of the wedding party and families. I ended up placing my purse off to the side of the table, as there was an empty table in the corner and not a lot of room at the long table (after all, 17 people- we had to squish in just a little). The food- absolutely wonderful. I have a raw tomato allergy, I have to have it cooked to a specific temperature to break down an enzyme. I told the waiter as soon as I arrived (I was the last person for the 6:30 reservation, got there due to a late work meeting). He wrote it down and not only informed the kitchen, but also his assistant server so it was sure not to be missed. I had a create your own pasta with rigatoni, vodka sauce, and Parmesan crusted chicken. My dish came out of the kitchen first, and when placed in front of me they double checked that I was the person with an allergy. The only complaint I might have is that the food took a while to come out of the kitchen for the entire table. However, everything was so fresh and delicious that a bit of a wait for everyone to indulge seemed worth it. Portions were large, several of us took home leftovers. I'd love to come back as part of a smaller group, but they were able to accommodate a large party well.