Ciao Ristorante

Our first outing at Ciao was back in February 2021 after Covid while on vacation in Louisville. It was amazing then and amazing tonight. We finished our vacation with a delicious, flavorful dinner at Ciao's.

This is the best Italian restaurant. Looked for a few days reading reviews for the best Italian restaurants to celebrate our 31st Anniversary. We had the eggplant Parmesan with linguine and gnocchi with vodka sauce. Blueberry lemon cake 10/10. Nothing disappointing I give this restaurant 100/100. The service was wonderful. I highly recommend. We will make this a place to revisit.

Big portions. Fresh ingredients. The bread and pizza dough are soft and clearly made in-house. The pesto is vibrant and full of flavor. The tiramisu is balanced and not too sweet. The pizza cheese and lasagna sauce are too much and overpower the dish. The $5 cocktails after 8PM are weak and miss the point.

This Place is very cool. Me and my eighty two year old mother were sat in the back. I wish we were sat at a different table, because it was very wobbly, a noticeable during the entire dinner experience. That said, our dinner was a great experience. I highly recommend the pastonioki. The cake is definitely shareable. If I could say anything that would make this establishment that much better, it be to have better refurbish tables. Or a piece of cardboard or something in there to wedge. Also sanitize does not mean clean. Glasses were noticeably Fogged,smudged. Tables sat dirty, even for you for over ten fifteen minutes, not cleaned off.

Had high hopes for this restaurant. We got the espresso martini and the old fashioned, which were very good! Our food on the other hand was very underwhelming. The sauce tasted like it was from the store and noodles were definitely from the box. Our server was very nice and accommodating, so 5 stars on service. The best thing was the free bread and oil… as sad as that sounds.

We had 2 of the 10oz Meatballs and they were huge and definitely didn't disappoint!!! They were very fresh and well seasoned with the ingredients they put in them... I couldn't finish my whole one lol!! We also had the Mussels and they were delicious, especially the sauce they came in!!! I enjoy every minute of this place. The staff was very attentive, super nice and also made sure our drinks stayed full and that our food was delicious!!! The atmosphere was very quiet and casual!!! The menu had a lot to choose from!!!

Excellent food and service! The toasted ravioli is a perfect appetizer, crispy with delicious sauce. For dinner we had the shrimp with polenta (Ciao Y'all) and the roasted salmon. Both were incredible dishes with amazing flavor. Service was attentive but not pushy. Highly recommend!

The menu has gotten so much less interesting. They used to have unique and tasty options but the last time we went the menu had changed and was basic things you can get anywhere. And the vegetarian options were quite cut back. Really disappointing. The food we got tasted fine and portions were good but they are now the same uninspired pasta dishes you can get anywhere.

We live around the corner, and this has become somewhat of a staple for us. Their dinner has been great, and we had been hoping they'd start weekend brunch. So we were pleasantly surprised when they started offering Sunday brunch a few weeks ago. Today was our first experience, and it was very tasty -- interesting menu options like squash frittata and espresso soda with rosemary syrup. Also quite generous portions at reasonable prices. It's got a great vibe inside, too. They are still working out some kinks so the service was a little slower than other busy brunch spots but I appreciated being able to savor the experience and not feel rushed just so they could turn over the table. It's not super busy there yet so it's a great chance to try it out before everyone in the city finds out about it (the restaurant hasn't updated the new Sunday hours on their website or on Yelp yet so it's still a bit of an insider secret). We will most definitely be back!

Just gets better with each visit. The service, food, and atmosphere are just phenomenal. The service has picked up here and was not as paced as it has been on my previous visits. Their ability to rotate new menu items in and keep solid dishes is truly beyond me. The variety on the menu just keeps me coming back to try new things! We sat on the patio and honestly I didn't know they had a patio so large. It feels private even though it's on a pretty popular street. The Neopolitan lasagna was super cheesy and fresh. The pasta sauce is just a tasty hit. It is not super acidic like some tomato sauces tend to be. The pasta alla bolognese was a great take on a classic dish. The sauce was thick and stuck to the noodles, and you got the perfect balance with every bite.

I came here for a girls dinner. They serve some sliced bread with olive oil (not the best bread but it was nice to have that little touch). The inside is decorated well. They have some outdoor seating in the front and I believe elsewhere although I'm not sure where that is. We sat inside and the AC was blowing pretty hard. We initially asked to move outside but once the AC was turned off, it was comfortable. I shared the Ciao salad with my friend- it was a nice portion and good salad. I'm really here with my review for the eggplant parm. It was so huge. Like- I'm actually making it into 4 servings, huge. It was delicious and crispy. I had an espresso martini that was okay- it was pretty strong so if that's what you want then you'll probably be happy with it. My friends ordered the lasagna and then the shrimp scampi; both of them were happy with their food. I can't wait to come back!

Super disappointed once again. It really seems like they are trying to be an Italian restaurant but keep missing the mark. I wanted to order the Pre Fixe but couldn't get the servers attention in order to do so with enough time to have it delivered before we had to leave for the Headliners show. So much for that! No, they weren't busy (see photo of inside). Meatball was so-so. Bruschetta was not good. Server was nice but kind of clueless. I told 2 other servers that I wanted to order the Pre Fixe meal and they said they had to get MY server. OK but she never came and I ran out time. Still gave a 15+% tip because you just should. (20% goes to good service and 30+% goes to great service.) To sum up: Disappointed.

Chef's kiss! They have a Monday through Wed prefixed menu and you get wine, a pasta, and a salad. Say less. I got the Cabernet, gnocchi (which was good but a little heavy), and the wedge salad. I forgot to take pic of the cannoli which was also so good! I'll be coming back!

We popped into Ciao on cold and snowy day, it's was nice a toasty inside and we sat in a cozy booth. We had beet salad (pictured here), fried squash blossoms, prosciutto fig pizza, and spaghetti and meatballs. The staff was friendly and our server stopped by to check on us a few times. We really enjoyed this neighborhood restaurant and plan on going back in the future!

Had an overall good experience here. The staff were attentive. We were seated quickly. The environment was very casual and seemed to be a good place for families. We ordered drinks which were fine. We had the meatball appetizer which was good. My husband and I ordered 2 entrees to share. The Gnocchi alla vodka and the Short Rib Ravioli. The gnocchi was good. The ravioli was so bad we each ate one bite before deciding we would just share the gnocchi. The sauce was flavorless as well as the filling. Our waiter did ask if we wanted something else to take home since we did not like one of the entrees but we declined.

This was our first time to this restaurant. I thought it was fantastic. Their bread is really soft but did toast upon request. The calamari was delicious. Their crab cakes had a great flavor. Their fried raviolis were great. I would recommend all three of those appetizers. I got the gnocchi with pesto sauce. The edible bowl it comes in taste like pizza crust. Great dish and they give you plenty. The short rib raviolis were scrumptious with a tasty sauce. The lobster raviolis were filled with succulent lobster meat. They only give you four; I wish they gave more. The Ceasar salad used another type of lettuce vs. Romaine. It was equally good. No military discount which was the only negative. For birthdays they give a birthday shot and a canoli. This place was delicious!! Our waiter Jack and his trainee, jasmine, were both great and did a great job.

I can't believe I never knew about Ciao! An adorable little spot on Payne Street, offering delicious Mediterranean Italian fare in a rustic, comfy setting. Our waitress, Grace, was lovely. Attentive, friendly, and helpful. The service was beyond reproach, from seating to table clearing to REALLY FAST food delivery, I didn't have a single complaint. The food was delicious. We got the chips and dip appetizer: warm bread, meats and a cheesy dip. House bread with oil for dipping is standard, which was great because we had a lot of extra dip to scoop up! For entrees, we got the gnocchi alla vodka and the warm brussels sprouts salad. DELICIOUS The wine list is carefully curated, and the drink menu is massive and fun. As full as we were, we knew we had to end the evening with cannoli, so we packed up some of each entree to take home. The espresso martini was a lovely accompaniment. We will be back, now that we know it's there!

Had a reservation and were cash only because of a power outage. Really should have tried to be notified. Just went somewhere else since we only had about 20 dollars in cash. Pretty annoyed/disappointed since I really like this place

CIAO!!! What an amazing atmosphere, I mean... seriously... the most PERFECT corner neighborhood Italian spot. Cocktails were fabulous. Service was attentive and kind. Got the calamari as an appetizer and it's 12/10. The peppers and aioli made the dish stand out from all the other calamari I've ever had (Hubby and I try it everywhere) BUT. The Caesar salad... 3/10. I love a good salad but this one was seriously nothing special. I mean, they didn't even use romaine lettuce. (Reference attached photo) Do better on the salad Ciao... but keep up the good work on everything else

Beautiful restaurant tucked away in a residential area of Louisville. The atmosphere is inviting and intimate with beautiful, rustic decor. Both the drink and food menus were extensive and stunningly designed. Their Aperol Spritz was highly boasted, and rightfully so. Meatballs were also roughly the size of a newborn baby (hand for scale). Delicious food, great for a date night or bringing friends to town.

Service was almost nonexistent. We were there more than 5 minutes before being acknowledged as we were seated near the kitchen. Ravioli was bland. Lemon drop was awful. The only saving grace was the pizza. Just not enough to make us return. I can give grace but the server didn't even attempt to make a connection.

We went to Ciao on a Wednesday night and took advantage of their Pre Fixe menu. This includes an appetizer, entree, and two glasses of wine for just $25!!! I LOVED the bruschetta basket-- the balsamic glaze was mouth watering. It was so much food that we took some pasta home. We ate in the dining room decorated in rustic decor, but the covered patio with hanging baskets and large fans looked like a great option for a warm summer night. Our server was kind, quick, and knowledgeable. She even offered to take a picture of us in one of their private booths. We will DEFINITELY be back!

Service was inviting, informative and always with a smiling face. From the drinks, appetizer, salad and main course everything was exceptional! The quaint cozy booth and decor was a perfect date night!

First off Ciao is a restaurant that I have been coming to for years. It used to be the best hidden spot for amazing Italian food. Tonight might be one of the saddest nights for my wife and I, when it comes to culinary happiness. Our party of six was extremely displeased with the quality of the food. Bland, tasteless, boring ... to be completely fair this was not our opinion before. I order my normal creamy chicken pesto : the "sauce" was food processor basil and literally nothing else. I felt like I was eating a plate of basil. I turned it away after tasting it for the chicken Alfredo, but just as before disappointed boring and bland. Service was fine as a whole but this is a death of an era of amazing Italian food, very sad.

Birthday dinner for the 22 year old. Variety of food options and servings are HUGE!! I ate off my leftovers for two days. The server was so attentive and made not only the birthday girl feel special, but our whole party. The restaurant had gorgeous woodwork that gives it a rustic look and large windows that keep it bright and airy. Definitely going to come here multiple tomes

Food. The food was very American rather than Italian. Our main waiter was very sweet but the waitress was very rude. Disappointed given the prices charged!

I did not know this place was in Louisville. A friend put me on to this place and it's definitely a hidden gem. The atmosphere is upscale but yet casual as well. They serve everything from pizza to your main staple of Italian dishes. Service was on point and speedy. Everyone was very nice. Food was phenomenal. The back patio should be open soon. Great place to chill, have a drink and vibe with friends.

One of my favorite places...great food at a great price...well, USED to be great price. I haven't been here in several months and the food prices have gone up astronomically. $28 for spaghetti and ONE meat ball (used to be $16), $32 for short rib ravioli (used to be $22), etc. I realize food prices have gone up but these prices reflect more than a 50% increase. Sorry, nope. These prices are now comparable to Porcinis and Volare which blow this place away as far as food quality, atmosphere and service. I'm just really sad, it used to be a great little neighborhood place. No more.

Such an amazing find located on a corner in a residential area. Quaint interior with lots of indoor and outdoor seating. Our waitress was polite, efficient and knowledgeable of the menu. The monkey bread was great as stated in other reviews. Definitely on my list of places to go again!

loved the alfredo pasta (shrimp were huge) and the saturday beef special was also very good.

Its been a minute since I have been here and I am so glad to see it is still as good as the last time. My entree was the Linguine bolognese (slow cooked pork and beef bolognese finished with olive oil and parmigiano reggiano) but I also sampled the Ciao meatball (Freddy P's recipe, house marinara, 10oz, topped with mozzarella, served with grilled bread) and the Tagli de Formaggio (Cheese sticks, house blended selection, melted over our signature dough). Everything was wonderful and we left stuffed with ample leftovers. If I had any critique it would be that out server, while very prompt, never told us about the specials or what the fish of the day was, and that was a little disappointing, but I cant be too sad because what we ordered was fire on its own.

Food was below average. One of the meals we had we could t even eat. Tasted as if the poured broccoli soup over som pasta. We spent 2 hours waiting on food and drinks for dinner. Waitress was slow and basically forgot we were here. My gnocchi aka vodka was good and only reason I'm giving this many stars. Ambiance was good, but don't recommend coming here for any reason

To start, our order was Carry out.. The food is average at best. I am embarrassed to say Olive Gardens eggplant Parmesan is better. The calamari was ok, but nothing great. My wife got the lasagna which had good flavor but was very dry. There are many better Italian options in Louisville. I will probably never return to Ciao.

Ravioli lobster was great. Very well made and good service. Will be back. Only thing to note is the back was completely quiet, faint or background music would have been nice.

Every meal has been a pleasure. The past is fresh and the risotto flavorful. Our goto place for a great meal and enjoying friendship (Middle tables can be a little loud- but with people enjoying themselves!

I was super excited to try this place but it was truly the worst food and service I've ever experienced :( it took us 30 minutes to get complimentary bread but we were unaware we were getting that so we got 12$ bruschetta - not worth the money whatsoever. Our server barely acknowledged us and didn't check up on us or anything. We unfortunately had to flag down another server to get her attention. We won't be back, which saddens me because I had high hopes! The place is not ran very well whatsoever

Very Very good! great service and even better food. the shrimp scampi was perfect very even balance of flavor and the nido was very well done with the bread bowl cooked to perfection!

Prices raised on average $10 a plate over the course of a single year. That's not inflation, that's price gouging. One of the more extreme examples I've seen of it, especially in Louisville.

Went here for a girls night and no one was impressed. The drinks were really good. We ordered the Kentucky Daisy, old fashioned and Italian margarita and everyone enjoyed their cocktails. For appetizers we got the toasted ravioli which ended up being our favorite part of the meal. We also ordered the bruschetta and it was lacking some serious flavor. It may be because it's hard to get fresh tomatoes and basil this time of year. We were anxious to try our entrees after reading numerous prior reviews and asking the waiter for recommendations, but it was mid at best. We also heard great reviews about the dessert and so we ordered a piece of the chocolate orange cake and I wish I would've taken a picture of the sad little slice of cake that came out for $13. We were hoping to be able to share but it was gone in 4 bites. The ladies in my party also kept complaining about one of the restrooms smelling like a port o pot so badly that we went somewhere else to have more drinks and use their amenities. I was so excited to try this place but it's a one and done for me. There was nothing I experienced that made me want to return unfortunately.

Everything about our experience was phenomenal. Loved the atmosphere/ambiance. The service was swift. The food was delicious. I had lobster ravioli, and my lady had the nido di gnocchi al pesto. Neither one of us could have complained about anything. PERFECTION! We aren't from the area (drove over 90 minutes to eat here and go to Lights Under Louisville). We will be back. Absolutely did not disappoint in the least bit.

Great italian restaurant! Arrived at 5:30 p.m. on a Saturday evening. Perfect timing. We did not have a reservation but were promptly seated. Quaint and cozy booth. Great service and fabulous food! Rotating tap and casual vibe. Stop in. You won't be disappointed!

We've been to Ciao approximately 15 times in the last year, however, last night might've been our last. It appears there's a new owner or chef because the menu and our dishes were nothing like what we've been accustomed to. We ordered mussels, a Caprese salad, the Nido, several pizzas and the carbonara. The carbonara tasted like the vinegar from the poached egg. The mussels were not served on a plate rather than the bowl with broth, and they were drowned in a thick smear of pesto sauce. The menu indicated it was the same as it previously was, but it was almost inedible. Also of note, some of our favorite dishes and drinks are not available anymore. Our server seemed rather irritated when we asked for any substitutions or extras. As such, we didn't even feel like it would've been worth our time to speak with a manager. This was also unusual as again we've been there so many times with amazing service and even better food. I hope they can figure it out. We probably would be willing to give it one more try. Otherwise, we'll try our next options in our search for the best Italian food in Louisville.

Everything was absolutely delicious. Great staff too! We ordered the focaccia and enjoyed it alongside the house bread. I had a white wine which was perfect. The drink menu felt a bit overwhelming though. I had the lobster ravioli and holy h*ck, it was DELIGHTFUL. The ravioli are made in-house, not frozen. Hubs had duck ragu which he loved, no complaints. The wait staff was very accommodating to our toddlers! Our only complaint was the seating, it was terribly uncomfortable. However, the overall ambiance was awesome!

So disappointed in our last visit to Ciao. It seems that they got a new owner and they have changed it for the worse. We used to love coming here for anniversaries and it was our Valentine's day tradition to come here but we won't be back. Upon walking in, both of us said something seemed different. The staff didn't seem as friendly and the ambiance didn't feel the same. Our food was cold and bland and we were sat in a row of tables in the middle of the floor despite many booths being open and us booking a reservation. We ordered the calamari which came with aioli drizzled on top but the menu did not clarify this. Our server was quick to send it back and bring us a "new" one, however, it looked like they just picked off the ones on top that had aioli on them and brought the same plate back because our first plate had a substantial amount more on it. The drink menu was SUCH A LET DOWN. Ciao used to have the most fun and unique cocktail menu with things we had never had before and they changed it to a boring menu that every restaurant has. Nothing stood out this time besides the exceptionally bad experience we had. So disappointed.

Wonderful food, Louisville s best mid- range Italian. Great service and nice atmosphere. Great for a date night or pre show meal. Definitely give them a try.

I've tried a burger before from here and it was delicious! This time, my friends and I got ravioli, bolognese, pizza, gnocchi, and carbonara. We shared baguettes with different toppings as our app. We also got wine. Loved it! Everything was delicious and shareable portions. We also shared tiramisu. It was the largest slice I've seen!! It was very light and well-presented. Great ambiance here! Most of the tables are booths. It seems fancy but you don't have to dress up to show up. Found parking easily just a bit down the street.

Whitney was our server and did a wonderful job. Everything was spaced perfectly for each course and the food was delicious. I had the chicken limone, hubby had the chicken Parmesan and dessert was lemon cake with blueberry also the tiramisu. I couldn't have asked for a better birthday meal. Thank you Ciao

Ciao is literally the best restaurant in Louisville. The food is amazing, ambiance is a pleasure and service is friendly and spectacular. I wish I could eat here everyday

2 Friends and I popped in late afternoon on a Saturday. The decor is interesting and doesn't scream faux-Italian like a lot of smaller Italian places do. The Menu had a pretty good range of Italian options to choose from. We all ordered different items with an app to start. I was pleasantly surprised starting when they brought the bread to the table. Really nice focaccia. the bruschetta appetizer was on this same break and was excellent. fresh and straight-forward. Everyone enjoyed their entres. my linguine was not to be missed. we didnt quite understand their after dinner coffee/drink offerings, so ask some questions there. the Pour-over isnt actually coffee for instance. Didn't subtract any points due to our misunderstanding though. This was a great meal. I recommend you give it a shot.

Ciao is an interesting venue with a surprise party room! Great place for groups and an elevated Italian culinary experience.

Really fantastic. Super good food. On point service. Most impressive craft cocktail menu I've probably ever seen. Lovely atmosphere. Down to earth staff. New favorite place!!

Terrific food and atmosphere. The bar staff served our table as our table was in the bar area and were very engaging and hospitable. We really enjoyed the eggplant parm and the mushroom and truffle pizza. We look forward to going back.

Really cool space and not too loud. We were able to find parking nearby on the street. We had a reservation but probably didn't need it for 5 pm on a Saturday night. Menu had lots of options but we opted for some breadsticks and a chicken pizza. The breadsticks, while they looks very white and plain, were so so good. The garlic butter sauce was *chefs kiss*. Pizza crust was bomb, slightly crispy and chewy and not too thick. For dessert we got a cannoli (drooling so good) and some gelato (double drooling so good). Great place for date night, definitely will check out again!

Food was amazing seating is a little tight unless you request a booth. We have been back several times. Servers can be hit or miss at times but even that doesn't deter us from making it a go to dining destination!

Wonderful atmosphere and the food is so delicious. Excellent service. The veal parmigiana was perfectly prepared, as was the Ciao salad.

Ciao is an Italian eatery located just outside the popular Frankfort's ave and Baxter ave areas of Louisville. This Deceptively large establishment (isn't very wide but very long) does not have a private parking lot that I seen so you will need to street park. Around noonish today my wife and I along with our youngest daughter who is one stopped in here for lunch. Very unique and cool designed outside that has you enter through the side and not the front. Upon walking in it had really Cool decor in what I would describe as a steam punk theme. In the back of the restaurant it seemed like the theme may have been similar to a dinner train cart theme. Still interesting but makes me think that at one point this was two separate buildings that merged. The service we received here was fantastic. It was just after opening so when we arrived we was the only ones here. We started with a calamari app and got the baby a penne with Alfredo sauce. They have complimentary bread which was solid. The calamari was way different then anything I've seen before. Served in a bowl with olives and peppers everywhere and a white sauce. I'm personally not a peepers and olive guy so that turned me off from it. But picking around them the calamari had a solid and chewy taste to them. Kind of average tasting. My wife also ordered a roasted beet salad. She said she wanted to try something new. She is glad she did it but wasn't anything earth rattling and likely wouldn't order again. I must admit though it was an interesting looking dish. For our entrees my wife got the chicken parm. It cost around $16 so a bit pricey but it was a generous serving. She said she liked it and it was good but it was nothing to get excited about. She has had much better before. Chicken at parts was kinda bland. I ordered a siciliano hot brown which I guess is an Italian take on the Kentucky hot brown. There really wasn't any differences except the toast was thicker like the complimentary bread and hot browns usually have nIce soft toast so that made it a bit difficult to eat. It was served on very lovely flat wooden serving platter. Which was fancy and pretty but not practical. When eating Hot browns it requires a lot of cutting and slides around everywhere already so on the flat wooden plank it was hard to keep it from sliding all over the place or spilling. Outside of that the bacon on it was good and the sauce was good but there wasn't enough of it. Very solid. The one year old ate her penne along with calamari so she was happy. Overall the service here was great. The decor while different in some areas was cool. The food was just plain average. Pricing solid. The parm was a bit high but the hot brown was only $10. So solid value on some items. I'd be open to coming back one day to try some different items as The service was very good.

Came on a Friday night for a date night wanting to try a restaurant on our list. Didn't realize it used to be the former Baxter Station spot. As most restaurants are in the current climate, they were slightly understaffed and were tending to a few parties of 10+ or more. They still went out of their way to ensure that we were taken care of and not ignored which could've easily happened. I was really interested in their beer/wine list but decided to not drink for whatever reason. Each course was nothing short of phenomenal! I wish we could have tried a few more of the appetizers but the individual salads were large portions and did just fine. I went out on a limb and ordered the Gnocchi alla Vodka and it was the best decision I could have made. I think I could eat that 5 times a week. Need to come back and try some more stuff they have to offer