Volare Italian Ristorante

We had an absolutely phenomenal dinner at Volare last night and it reminded us why this place is a Louisville classic. I ordered the braised short rib and they were rich, tender, and perfectly cooked with broccoli, beets, and polenta. Deep flavor, no shortcuts, the kind of dish you think about the next day. My wife had the limone vitello and it was just as impressive. Delicate, flavorful, and cooked with real care. Every bite felt intentional, like the kitchen actually respects the ingredients and the people eating them. The service was polished without being stuffy, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the pacing of the meal was spot on. Volare doesn’t try to be trendy. It just executes at a very high level, which is far harder. If you want an exceptional Italian meal done right, this is the place. We’ll be back.

What separates the extraordinary from the ordinary? Simple answer: Volare Italian Ristorante never disappoints! Consistently extraordinary service, amazing food, expertly crafted drinks, and a wine list that truly stands out. The atmosphere is warm and inviting—think contemporary Italian with cozy vibes. It's one place we can always count on for an extraordinary night out.

Wonderful experience, the dinner was amazing, as you can see in the photos. It is a bit loud so if you have a business dinner you may want to mention in your reservation that you require a more secluded area. The service was good, staff were respectful and responsive for the most part. We will be back

What an absolutely fantastic Italian restaurant! The food was outstanding—every dish full of authentic flavor and perfectly prepared—but what truly set the experience apart was the service. From the moment we walked in, we were treated with such warmth and care that it elevated the entire evening. The staff didn’t just serve a meal, they created an experience. I can’t say enough about how wonderful it was to be both so well fed and so well taken care of. An unforgettable night that will definitely have us coming back again and again! Thanks Greg

The first impression… we arrived at 5:10 PM and we had a very friendly greeting at the hostess stand. We wanted to sit at the bar, which was a great choice. We get to take in all the ambience, and it was a huge square bar. It filled up quickly, as there were many reservations, even just for the bar area. There a quaint area for regular tables and then they had a private room in the back. We started off with a bottle of wine, which was half priced and then calamari which was lightly battered, and it came with a Peppadew pepper aïoli sauce, which was fantastic and topped with three zucchini slices. Then we had the special kale salad with a light dressing with prosciutto Then for the main course we split the chicken limone, which was so delicious topped with a lemony sauce and capers. Came with collard greens and some risotto. Everything was delicious! Look forward to going back soon.

Volare Italian Ristorante in Louisville, Kentucky delivered an evening of refined dining that deserves recognition. A sincere thank you to Jonathan Derulo, managing partner, and executive chef Joshua Moore, whose leadership and creativity set the stage for a remarkable culinary experience. The balance of attentive service and carefully executed dishes showcased their dedication to excellence. Sharing the table with my good friend John Frazier , his wife Glenda Frazier, Ryker Salazar, and @Dylan made the evening even more special. Our friendship began right here on LinkedIn, and dinners like this remind me how professional connections can turn into lifelong friendships. Highlights from the meal included: • Calamari with zucchini, lemon, basil, and a bright pepper aïoli • Fried Green Tomatoes with a crisp Southern flair • Rotellini de Milan Zane with baked eggplant, ricotta, and marinara • Pappardelle Boscaiola house-made pasta with mushrooms, applewood bacon, and demi-glaze cream sauce • Roasted Duck with Gorgonzola risotto, asparagus, sour cherry, jalapeño demi-glaze, and toasted pistachio Volare, established in the mid-2000s, has become a Louisville staple. Chef Joshua Moore’s vision, from cultivating his own produce to showcasing his talent on Chopped, ensures every plate reflects a thoughtful marriage of Northern Italian tradition and Kentucky influences. This is a restaurant well worth the trip for anyone seeking elevated Italian cuisine paired with genuine hospitality. This restaurant is Restaurants USA, and #MeijerFineDiningClub approved. #FineDining #ItalianCuisine #LouisvilleEats #FoodieExperience #CulinaryExcellence

I give the food and service a 3/5 here. It seems like depending on the dish, it can be a 5/5 or below average. My friend had her braised short ribs which were EXCELLENT although the vodka ravioli tasted almost store bought. Our waitress was great although some of the staff felt to be somewhat unwelcoming towards me, the vibe was a bit off. I have a lot of mixed opinions on this place.

What a stunning beautiful and elegant place to have dinner. It’s definitely has a romantic flare and the ambience was perfect, full of classy people in their own domain. Started off with an Old Fashioned, as expected good. I ordered the Vodka Ravioli and my God, this was so flavorful, I did it the Italian way, dipping my bread on the sauce lol. There was live music and it felt so great just to be here! Finally, for dessert, I ordered the Chocolate Cake and again, so flavorful and rich, it was so good! I didn’t eat it all, it was a big piece! This place was packed! Everyone was cordial, respectful and polite… as you would expect from a great fine dining Italian restaurant. I suggest reservations if more than one person. They have valet parking for the record so don’t worry too much about finding a spot as it can be challenging in this area. There are a handful of places on this street, all types of food. This is a Valdi approved joint!

Dining group of ten friends visited on a Thursday evening and were excited to experience a wonderful multi course dinner. Orders of items from the menu as well as specials for this specific visit were all met with much praise. Caesar salad, seafood chowder, shrimp pasta entree, sea bass with pine nuts on a bed of pasta and flavorful tomato sauce, and a shared rich chocolate dessert were all spectacular. Wine selection and cocktails were also impressive and a great time was had by all. Service was excellent and attentive to detail. Atmosphere was lovely and comfortable. Valet parking is available and the easiest option, would recommend for simplicity.

Desperate to rectify a night gone wrong trying to celebrate my wife's birthday at another restaurant, We arrived at Voltaire's without reservation. The valet immediately parked our car and I went to the Maitre De and explained we did not have a reservation but could he seat us? Commanding power, he vowed the books and told the hostesses to seat us at what appeared to be the last table at a high top which we were ever grateful. Within moments water poured and the server was present to greet, explain the specials, and take drink orders if we knew what we wanted or would come back. A long story made short-- flawless service, incredible food and night restored to being special for my wife's birthday. From arrival to dining and leaving staff was impeccable! Applause!

Very tasty food. Some friends, my husband, and I are in Louisville for vacation this week and stopped by here for dinner today after drinks at Pretty Decent down the street. We didn't have reservations but were able to be seated quickly. We ordered a bottle of shiraz for the table and they also brought us fresh crusty bread with a side of oil and cooked garlic, which was delicious. I had the lasagna for my meal, which was great and filling, and my husband had a shrimp pasta dish with some sort of oil or cream sauce. Our friends had the risotto, and the ravioli, and both said they were delicious. For dessert, I had to get the tiramisu, as that's my favorite, and it was tasty, albeit huge. Overall I would definitely come here again - I forgot my sweatshirt at the table too, and when we got back to our Airbnb I realized it and called them. They were able to find it so we quickly returned back before closing to get it - very good customer service.

All of the staff were amazing! I was greeted immediately upon walking in and the hostess was nice enough to walk me right over to my friend who was already seated! First time coming here and I really love how beautifully decorated it was, there was also a live band in the bar area. The food was so good! My friend and I ordered from the small plates menu and they did not disappoint. She ordered the meatball and I ordered the fried chicken slider, no bun! I can't believe for $9, it came with fries and they were delicious. My cocktail was also very refreshing! The service was amazing and I can't wait to go back, next time I will order off the main menu. We just did small plates because we were headed to another place but I'm so happy we started our night here.

Food was spectacular. Service was friendly, helpful & quick. Ambiance was dark, soothing and comfy.

Our first and my favorite dinner while we were on vacation. It was so delicious. Service was a bit slow but it was a packed restaurant. Ambiance was nice.

I truly can't say enough good things about Volare--and clearly I'm not alone, so make sure you snag a reservation ahead of time. My go-to is the saltimbocca (I always swap the sides for broccoli), but the lasagna will also make your taste buds do a happy dance. Add in live music, excellent service, and food that basically makes you melt into your chair, and you've got a dining experience that's hard to beat.

Unbelievable experience. Hans down one of the best italian meals I have ever had. Great food, ambiance, and service

Been wanting to try this place forever, and I finally got to for my birthday. The ambiance is classy but relaxed. The service was great, and the servers were clearly very knowledgeable about the menu. They also quickly ensured that my two year old's son food came out before the rest of the table. We ended up all getting chicken or veal parmigiana. They were large portioned, and they tasted pretty good. For desert, I opted for the cheesecake which was delicious and definitely the highlight of the meal.

A+ food, atmosphere and service. I loved every detail. Moralea our server was outstanding and made our experience superior. Classic Italian with a twist of creativity. Great wine, salad and chicken parm.

Great food, great service. JohnZ is a bloody legend (that's good, if you were wondering). My only criticism is of the young lady who kept trying to clear away plates, sometimes when we were still eating. She was probably trying to do her job, but it made us feel like she was trying to hurry us along. However we plan on returning in the not-too-distant future.

Oh, yum!!! This is our second visit but it has been years...way too long. The restaurant is in a nice older business area and has a lovely vibe. Prices aren't cheap but this is a beautiful place for a special night out. Lovely wine list and good cocktails. The wait staff is good, well-trained. The food: RRR and I split a caesar salad and we still had very large portions. I had the pappardelle with bacon and mushrooms in a cream sauce, oh my, heaven!!! RRR had the cappellini pasta with shrimp in a wine lemon cream sauce and he loved his as well. Our friends had the 16 layer ( !) ravioli and the rigatoni with a sausage basil tomato sauce and they both really enjoyed these. As usual, no space for dessert. It was a lovely evening.

One of, if not the best restaurant in town. The service is top notch and the food is outstanding. Get the sausage and peppers appetizer, you can thank me later.

Food was amazing! Definitely recommend the ravioli for any vodka pasta lovers. The espresso martini was a perfect pairing with the cheesecake!

Great Italian food in a nice atmosphere! We enjoyed Ceasar salad, pasta, and cheesecake for dessert. The pasta and salads were good, but the cheesecake stole the show - it was excellent!!

For me, environment really shapes an experience. Walking into Volare set expectations for a special time with its dark ceiling and fashionable ceiling lights with warm golden glows. Garry, our server, was quick with a smile and attentive service. The veal chop was a pretty as it was delicious. The steak was cooked to perfection and the bourbon sauce made it special. Dessert was served and gobbled up so quickly I almost didn't get a picture. Want a special dinner out with fabulous food? Try Volare.

Food is fantastic! Wonderful atmosphere, lighting and soft music in background. Easy parking. Should have a reservation, however you can eat at the bar.

We had a delightful dinner at Volare tonight. The menu was filled with amazing Italian dishes and the service was amazing. Even though we sat in the outside dining area the atmosphere we experienced was well done. We look forward to being able to eat here again in the future.

I was not impressed with Volare Italian Ristorante. The service was good but the food did not meet an upscale dining experience for the menu prices. I ordered the Cappellini Di Sorrento as my entrée. The presentation was nothing special. It was a pile of capellini and a scattering of rock shrimp on a plate. The sauce was an extremely flavorless cream sauce with no essence of basil, garlic, white wine or lemon. I was hoping that I could at least squeeze my half lemon onto the dish to add some acidic flavor but it was a hollowed out garnish. How does this restaurant receives such high ratings? I was hoping for more from award winning Chef Joshua Moore's kitchen but it was lackluster and so disappointing. I will not return nor recommend this restaurant to others.

One of the best restaurants in Louisville period. Jonathon and his team are always hospitable, smiling and provide great service with amazing atmosphere. Some of the Italian in Kentucky and Indiana- Chicken Limone- my fav (Chicken Picante) Chicken Marsala, Sausage and Peppers- must order app, Bruschetta- great app, Short Ribs are awesome too.. If you are in Louisville you gotta come to Volare for a great dining experience! Great Bar with fantastic wine selection and bourbon options..

Whenever I visit Louisville and I want to enjoy the best Italian the City has to offer, it's Volare! From the service from Jonathon and his staff or the food from chef Josh and his staff, it's CLEAR as an industry pro they know how to take care of people, their business and create memorable experiences. An absolute MUST for anyone living in Louisville weekly, and any visitor must happen upon this true Louisville treasure. Thanks Johnathon and Josh.... Can't wait to see you again! Ps. No pics of the sausage and peppers. Ate them too fast with Tim!

We love dining at Volare! Always such a wonderful experience. Ambiance, service, cocktails and food never disappoint. We recently celebrated a landmark birthday with my parents. Everyone loved the experience.

Volare is one of my favorite bars and places to share a plate of something amazing with a date. The people watching is some of the most upscale in Louisville, and the service is impeccable.

Everything was amazing - from the service to the food to the live music! Highly recommend.

This place is amazing, very classy atmosphere. They offer a private dining area that officers an intimate dining experience. They have street parking and complimentary valet parking which is a great draw for those of us who have mobility issues. This place never a disappointment. We started off with the Bruschetta and the calamari, which is served with a horseradish, lime and ginger aioli which is very flavorful and goes well with the calamari. The Bruschetta is a unique combination of goat cheese, oyster mushrooms combined with roasted red pepper in a white truffle oil. My wife had the Rotollini Di Melanzane, which is baked eggplants with ricotta cheese and served with a delightful sauce. For my main course I had the Bistecca Con Bourbon, a 14 oz steak with a balsamic glaze and grilled scallions. The bourbon was nicely balance and not over powering. My wife had the Roasted Duck with is served with Gorgonzola risotto and grilled asparagus TS that is topped with a unique cherry and roasted jalapeño on Demi glaze that is topped off with toasted pistachio. A tru work of art, I wish I had gotten the Duck instead of the steak. I had the Tiramisu for dessert along with the Cannoli. I love Cannolis and always try them whenever they are offered. These are dipped in chocolate, filled with ricotta, chocolate chips and candied fruit filing and toed with toasted pistachio and fresh berries. My wife opted for the Crème Brûlée , that features a traditional crème brûlée flavored by the chef's choice. It was a great selection. All in all I have to say this is an excellent place for Italian cuisine. I will return when I am have in the area.

Perhaps the largest chicken Parmesan I've ever seen! We tried several of the desserts. The chocolate cake was probably the best chocolate cake I've ever had. It was very busy when we were there, so I highly recommend making a reservation in advance.

Took my son on our annual valentines dinner this past weekend and it was so fun! He loves Italian and was excited to upgrade from Olive Garden haha It is beautiful inside! The ambience is really cool. We got the Chicken Parmesan and Bolognese and both were delicious. He chose chocolate cake for dessert, it was very rich but he loved it. Our server Gavin did a great job and we had such a relaxed dinner! Would definitely return.

The food ins impeccable always. The service is always top notch. My wife and I have been here twice for special occasions and it always makes for such a lovely date night. Nothing beats it.

Went here for a work event recently. The food was incredible and the service was stellar. I will be coming back here again!

Volare is my favorite Italian in the city! Volare is a unique restaurant as the chef sources a lot of food from his farm. There are amazing specials with seasonal foods. If you love tomatoes, make sure you get here during the summer. The staff is very professional. Each meal starts with bread service with olive oil. You have a number of pasta options a well as some of the Italian dishes you would expect. They have several daily specials to tempt your tastebuds. Every Friday there is a new fish special which is always a treat! Be sure to save some room for dessert as they have some decadent options for you such as the tiramisu! Volare offers daily happy hours at the bar and half price wine nights on Wednesday. Volare offers complimentary valet.

We went after a tiring volleyball game. Wanted to splurge on food so we tried Volare!! Honestly going there at 840 at night was pretty scary so opted for their valet service!!! Everyone was amazing!! The recommendation was awesome and my picky daughter ate their food which is a plus for me!!! I wish I took picture but unfortunately I did not think of it!! Trust it was a great night for both of us and we ate everything!!! I had something from the bar and it was delicious. Their calamari, pasta and steak were cooked to perfection!! Lived their choice of desserts which we chose their chocolate cake and bourbon crème brûlée !!! Their pastas were things I've never had before and their pasta was truly an experience. Authentic Italian dining would definitely go again!!!

It's not often I dine at restaurants that offer a true multi-course dining experience, are billed as "fine dining," or assign a coat-check ticket to leftovers, allowing them to be collected on the way out so as not to clutter up the table. Volare is such a place, and during my recent dining adventure I was delighted from beginning to end. The front of house staff was friendly and non-pretentious, and our serving team made sure every need was met, even those we didn't know we had (fresh silverware for each course, regardless of whether we had used it). Our glasses were never empty, and our food was delivered in a well-orchestrated symphony of timing. And it was delicious. Everything. Perfect temperature, excellent flavor, beautiful textures. I truly have nothing but good things to say. Order these things: rotollini di melanzane, goat cheese bruschetta, della casa salad, ALL the garlic and olive oil, penne with vodka sauce, chef's vegetable plate, tiramisu, and vanilla pean panna cotta. For a special occasion, Volare exceeded every expectation. Thanks for a wonderful experience.

Went to Volare Italian Ristorante for my 13 year anniversary. They have valet parking if needed. They open the door for you as soon as they see you walking to enter the restaurant. I ordered their sea bass. It was delicious. Perfectly cooked, tender, and fluffy. My baby ordered the braised beef short rib. Everything was perfect, and our waitress Kristin J was awesome. For our anniversary, they gave us a complimentary heath cheesecake with oreo cookie crust. It was to die for. The restaurant is upscale. You will never have an empty glass on your table. Also, the caprese salad is the chefs very own homegrown tomatoes. They were very good. I'm glad I had the opportunity to dine at Volare for my anniversary.

I went here for my birthday and It was pretty fantastic the steak was immaculate yk I'm extra so I was jus trying stuff but for the price I got a lot of options considering how nice the restaurant was and they gave me a complementary cake The owner said he liked my style because of all the different things I tried I would honestly say jus do your research if you're a picky person because the food is different but its fantastic

So we walked in for seat at bar but was full but the manager found us a side table in bar area that was perfect. Welcomed us as family and made sure we were taken care of. We ordered from the bar menu and let me just say... it was the best ever!! We had the Gnocchi with braised Certified Angus Beef short rib, gorgonzola cream, poached egg. It's just... heaven. The size was perfect and flavor was nothing like you could have done at home. THIS... is a MUST. And it's not as small as you would think for coming from bar menu. Also ordered from bar menu the eight-ounce veal meatball, marinara, Reggiano parmesan. My wife didn't want to know that it was veal... so I just ordered it. We both said it was the best meatball we have ever had. We noticed some plates coming out with grilled bread on the side. So we ordered a could pieces to mop up the sauce and marinara. Wow! Game changer!! You could taste the wood grilled char with a hint of smoke on the bread and then dip it in the sauces.... Just amazing. The bread just made two amazing dishes that much better. We topped it with espresso martinis. We have tried these from many places around the country. And you always need to ask if they use fresh brewed espresso or not. If the use espresso flavored vodka. Forget it and move on. But a place like this does use fresh brewed espresso and you will not regret. So flipping good! We had a glass of the AVIGNONESI CANTALORO ROSSO CAB/MERLOT/SANGIOVESE. For $12/glass you will not regret it! It was the perfect pairing for a fun, last minute meal. Our server Ellie was amazing and super fil helpful and attentive all night , albeit they were busy. Valet parking is on the house but bring a couple bucks, those guys were great!! Cannot wait to go back!!

I attended a private event at Volare's this past week. The servers were great and the food was spectacular. The bruschetta was especially good with the truffle oil. The rolled eggplant with ricotta was another favorite app. The Rigatoni Carcerata was amazing and extremely flavorful. I was too full when the main meal arrived, so I had to take that home. My husband said it was excellent. I did find some room for a couple bites of dessert. If you make it to dessert, I highly recommend the Vanilla Bean Pana Cotta. It was delicious.

I can't say enough about this establishment!! Food was one of the best meals I've had in some time and the ingredients were well thought out and executed perfectly. Our waiter s name was Michael and he was great!! He was patient and answered all of our questions. His wine recommendations were perfect for our meals! Nothing too flashy about the place which made it perfect. Great service and food is all you need. They have a large bar that looked super nice!

Drinks and hor d'oeves for a hosted event were spot on with taste and service ... will appreciate a meal here soon

The food and service is always top notch. This is my fiancé's and I's go to place for a nice dinner. The Ambiance is wonderful and always what we are looking for.

Monnie, our Server, was impeccable!! Friendly, informative and very genuine. The service all evening from all wait staff that took care of us was beyond exceptional! Food and ambiance were perfect for our evening. Highly recommend!

Food and service were amazing. Even on a busy night they made every effort to accommodate our large group. It was my birthday and they met me choose 3 desserts on the house. Will definitely visit again.

The food was excellent and had grade A service to match! I ordered the Filletti di Manzo and it was so good, I didn't get any pictures of it because I dived right into it. Everything was perfectly cooked and seasoned. 100% one of the best meals I've had. This is the type of place you go for a special occasion or when someone else is paying, but WORTH IT. I look forward to my next time here.

I really like to come here when I am in town. The restaurant has such a *luxe* feel and I love the atmosphere that the dining room gives off. Our server was very attentive and kind. We both grabbed an espresso martini (they were delish!) and a couple pasta dishes. We also saved some room for dessert this time and tried the tiramisu. We both felt that it was lacking the coffee flavor you should get with tiramisu and tasted more like a custard cake. Not bad, but not "tiramisu".

You'll leave here remembering some exquisite meals along with great table-side service. A nice wine menu kicks off the meal after a round of drinks. Enjoyed the Cappesante to start and then split a Caesar. Then on to the braised short ribs for me and Gemini Bolognese for my partner. An absolute treat as a dining experience. Must try this place int for yourself when you're on the Bourbon Trail!

Service was great. The people were nice and the ambiance was a vibe. I had the lasagna and unfortunately it was a let down. It looks delicious but as someone who love authentic italian it lacked in flavor and texture was a bit soft. I tried my cousins asparagus and that had no flavor. Idk maybe it was just steamed no seasoning. The shrimp pasta was also pretty regular. The short rib was impeccable on the other hand. Great flavor. I recommend 100%. Pasta just may not be their strong suit.

Above and beyond in quality and service, Dinner and entertainment that can't be beat. Volare never disappoints especially if Robbie Bartlett is there to entertain. A wonderful locally owned Italian Resteraunt I love the people and the service, as well as the great dishes that never disappoint. Volare is a great place to meet with family and friends and date night all of which Iv done for year and will continue to do, Volare is the only consistent pleasure in our restersunt rotation in service, quality and great value.

fabulous Italian food! I highly recommend the Vodka Ravioli and Chicken Fradiavolo, finished with their delicious Tiramisu! Five stars! Ambiance is tradional Italian, sophisticated, but relaxed. A nice combination for an enjoyable evening.

What a great experience! First and foremost, the service was PHENOMENAL! Every member of staff was attentive and friendly. Genuinely was such an amazing experience because of them. The food was absolutely incredible. It was difficult to even choose what we wanted because everything sounded so good. I ordered the calamari which was crispy, tender and fresh. The dipping sauce was incredible. I also got the sea bass special tonight and omg..... it melted in my mouth. I mean, seriously it was unreal. I highly recommend trying whatever sea bass the chef creates. The dessert was phenomenal. The chocolate fudge brownie and creme brulee both were the perfect pallet cleanser and fulfilled our sweet tooth in all the best ways.

A fantastic find! Great service that is friendly and attentive in all the right ways. Food was delicious, fresh, and well prepared! Dessert and drinks were amazing! Very beautiful ambiance inside with Italian artwork all over. Highly recommend this place!