Volare Italian Ristorante

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.

One of my all time favorites. Tonight was my first time here. The service- impeccable. The food- BEST bruschetta I’ve ever had. Tender steak, melted in your mouth. Best Caesar salad I’ve ever had. Our group shared food with one another to taste. Collard greens, I don’t even like them- but these, FANTASTIC. Cocktails were heavy handed- which was nice because of the price of the cocktails. The parking is a bit of a headache, we had to park on the street a block down. They offer valet but the people in valet looked very young and I just couldn’t trust with my vehicle. BUT. I’ll be returning here, until we have tried everything on the menu. 10/10.

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!

While visiting Louisville, my wife and I wanted to try a variety of restaurants before leaving. We did Cuban, Creole and our last night was going to be Italian. We chose Volare based on online reviews and let me tell you, their high rating speaks for itself. From start to finish the experience was extraordinary. From atmosphere, service, appetizer, entrees and dessert, this is probably the best Italian restaurant I have ever eaten at. We started with the Rotollini di Melanzane. The marinara sauce was exquisite and the eggplant with Ricata was tender, creamy and just the right richness to leave you begging for more. They also brought out some nice bread while we waited on our food with seasoned olive oil and roasted garlic. For our entrees, I had the Lemache Carcerata. It was a nice blend of sausage, cream, Parmesan and marinara. My only complaint on mine was that the shell noodles I had were a little undercooked, leaving them slightly al dente. My wife chose the Parmesan chicken and it was perfectly lightly breaded and seasoned covered in mozzarella cheese and baked to perfection. Hers included a side of spaghetti. Again, the marinara sauce is so good, it is practically what makes each dish that uses it. Finally, we were so stuffed we decided to share a small dessert and went with the Bourbon Ball Gelato. It was fantastic. If you have ever had Tortoni ice cream, it very much tasted like it. The wait staff throughout the entire restaurant worked in tandem with each other, filling water glasses, getting drinks, serving food…it was like a well oiled machine. Our server was awesome. He was friendly, very informative about the specials and the menu choices. We did not order any drinks and had water with dinner. With a $15 tip, we paid right at $102 and it was worth every penny. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who loves Italian food.

Some fine dining at an affordable price compared to other places. The salads were delicious, the Caesar salad was hands down the best ive had. Yeah, it's just a salad but how it's made makes a difference. The seafood was perfectly cooked and seasoned. The steak was amazing, tender enough to cut with a butter knife. Everyone was very friendly and professional. The desserts were portioned well and are a great option to end a delicious meal.

We loved our experience for my nieces 21st birthday. The braised short ribs are incredible! The lasagna had an amazing sauce, very bold and well built. Loved it! Beef capaccio was okay. My nephew loved his steak. Water was never not full, and the waitress, Brandy, was incredibly helpful. They even brought my niece a nice slice of cheesecake as a present.

Definitely one of Louisville's finest... if you're looking for continental style service, atmosphere and food quality - this is it. The lighting is just perfect for elegance and table atmosphere, our server was very well informed on the menu, could answer our questions and described the specials perfectly. Everyone is an absolute professional - bartenders, host, etc., food quality I gave a four, only because I found the portions much smaller for myself and my three guest than I had experienced in the past and the prices have gone up. Service was excellent I gave it for because we did have to wait for water glasses to be refilled in my wine glass set empty for a while even though I had requested another one. So, still a one of a kind in many ways for Louisville, bon appetit!

It was absolutely fabulous. From seating is early, wonderful waiter and staff, to the valet. Could not have asked for a better experience.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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..

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.

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!!

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

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.

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.

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!

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!!!

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".

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Volare is one of my long time favorite restaurants in Louisville. The food is always delicious! I decided to pop in for dinner but got here before they open. They don't open until 4:30. Did some walking around in the area to try to find a cocktail at 4pm but Bourbons bistro also doesn't open until 4:30. Only place I found was the Pretty Decent botany and cocktail bar. I had a nice little cocktail in there while waiting for Volare to open. Headed there after that to discover that you can no longer just walk in and find a place at the bar. Again it's been a while since I have been here. That's a little off putting for me when alone for some reason. The hostess had to seat me at the nearly empty bar. The bartender was wonderful and it was 1/2 price wine night. Lucky for me! I chose a beautiful Cabernet and she did a wonderful job sharing the specials with me. I had been craving the Papperdelle pasta in the Demi glacé for a while, so I knew this would be my choice. However the soup sounded divine, with beef and veggies and a lovely broth, it was heavenly! The Papperdelle dish did not disappoint. The tender noodles perfectly made and prepared were so delicious and by far this is the best Demi glacé I have ever had, accented with bacon or pork bellies it was a rich, smooth decadent meal! If this were my last meal before I died, I couldn't be happier! My favorite dish ever! Excellent dining experience!

One of my favorite Italian restaurants. The food is great, the staff is fantastic, and it's pretty affordable for an upscale restaurant. I recommend the duck!

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.

We had the "pasta special". It had grilled chicken, veggies in a lemony marinara sauce. It was just Ok. It needed seasoning and there was no salt or pepper on the table. The featured vegetables (broccolini, braised beets and polenta) were absolutely delicious. I could have made my meal with just the veggies. The drinks were delicious. We had 2 of the Fly Me To The Moon. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu and attentive. The setting is upscale and valet parking is a nice touch.

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.

Meredith always takes great care of us at the bar. The food and service are very consistent... they always seem to remember your name and what you drink. It's amazing!! Typical Italian restaurant ambiance, but the service pushes it above the rest. Kudos Jonathan.... Your staff is a notch above the rest.

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.

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.

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!

We have been here several times over the years. Chef Josh Moore and his staff never let us down. The food is always great. We had salmon and sea bass tonight and both were well cooked and flavorful. The place was packed but wasn't so loud so you could not enjoy your fellow diners. Volare is one of our favorite places and we keep returning..

I went with my husband and children last night for our anniversary. The service was good but the food was flavorless. I even tried my children's food thinking my dish was a one off but theirs wasn't good either. I definitely don't think it's worth the price.

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.

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!

My first time eating at Volare, and I will definitely be back when in Louisville. The atmosphere and service were fantastic, but the food is possibly the best authentic Italian food I've ever experienced in a restaurant. We took the recommendations of our server with a few items, and it was delicious!

Food was good, drinks were ok. Feels a little pretentious, but overall a good place. It seems to be the "fancy" place to go to in Louisville, and only has valet parking, but it is complimentary.

Our server Frederick was awesome. He is really what set this Italian place apart from other Italian restaurants we have been to. The food was also amazing. Everything we ordered is captured in the pictures below and none of them disappointed. Everything was absolutely what we had a taste for and the taste was amazing! Also, what isn't captured here because I ate it before I could get a picture was the Heath Cheesecake for dessert! We will be back.

Great date night spot but hold my beer. I normally try to come about 3 times a year. With that, I would really love to see more to the menu or simply a change of odd choices....the sides seem to only ever be beets and polenta along with a mixture of blue cheese on many of the items. Three very purposeful choices I must say! I felt I had to ask for bread only to be served baseballs, I was confused that this was served here, maybe because it was later in the night but I put it right back in the basket because what was that. I challenge myself to order something different each time but I think one can only have roasted beets and polenta once ...& be just fine ever again. (Mix it up! Leave that comfort zone!) my partner who goes often made that comment first. I have gotten the chicken parm every single time I've been to Volare as it's simply amazing, this most recent time it was obvious the portion size has been reduced but not the price, don't you make your own pasta..... Pasta is 1.25 at Kroger, come on guy! Getting into volare was pretty hectic as people were rushing out and valet seemed swamped, we simply felt like it was a cluster to simply get in, like entering a NYC subway, haha. Normally we have to wait awkwardly for a table, even with reservation, but not this time so we enjoyed that! Overall the flavor is good, my server was amazing! I'd love to see a change in the menu, Volare is great compared to what most of the city deems Italian. I blame my family for being critical but Italian food is meant to be enjoyable along with fresh, ask my grandma not me. For the common man it's not justifiable price wise with other reasonable eatery's elsewhere including chains. Louisville struggles with offering simple yet straight to the point local Italian. Save this for a special night but come expecting to enjoy those beets, polenta & cursed blue cheese on about 70% of the menu. I'd rather never eat blue cheese so understandably call me biased. Four stars for the flavor of that chicken parm, but missing one for the missing noodles that accompanied, that was not a Sunday dinner at grandmas. I also loved seeing chefs chopped trophy, so fun. I'd argue this is becoming more Mediterranean with Italian fusion....? I'll be back someday but this is no longer my go to place for good, simple, solid Italian food, I struggle knowing where that is in Louisville anymore .., until then I'll enjoy the instagram fish pictures from afar.

Food is phenomenal! Ambiance is great! Life band on Fridays and half of bottle of wine on Sundays! You can't beat that. Personnel is attentive and food portions are perfect! One person that stood out to us was Gerry . He is very attentive and always busy trying to make our bar experience better . From beginning to end, the entire team is very welcoming. This is our new spot for sure.

If you have not been to Volare it is a MUST try! We absolutely LOVE this place!! We typically go on a Wednesday or Thursday when Robbie Bartlett sings and sit in the bar for 1/2 price bottles of wine. It is always such a fun evening! I always like to start off with the GNOCCHI which is off the small plates menu. This consist of Braised Certified Angus Beef® short rib, gorgonzola cream and a poached egg. This dish is extremely rich so I suggest sharing it, but damn it is phenomenal! Another favorite and must try is the ROTOLLINI DI MELANZANE which is baked rolls of eggplant with ricotta, marinara and I believe it has a balsamic drizzle on it (it's not listed on the menu but there is definitely a drizzle on it). This dish makes this place for me, which I know sounds silly, especially since I am not a huge eggplant person, but I could literally eat these EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. For dinner I ordered the BISTECCA ALLA COSTOLA-OCCHIO, which is a 14oz certified angus beef ribeye served Florentine style with extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, and a charred lemon, with a side of Broccolini and Polenta (I think that is what it's called). The steak was cooked to perfection as was the broccolini (I do not like soggy broccoli). My gal pal got the LINGUINI FRUTTI DI MARE, "fruit of the sea" shrimp, scallops, sea bass, salmon, mussels, and clams in a spicy white wine tomato sauce. I tried a bite of her dish and I would definitely recommend the white wine tomato sauce even if your not a seafood fan, you could get his on any pasta.

Went for a birthday dinner . Food and drinks were amazing . Wait staff was very knowledgeable and very attentive. Would definitely recommend!

Volare is my all time favorite restaurant. The food and service is top notch. Looking forward to my next visit

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.

This place was a 10/10 !!! Best restaurant I've visited in Louisville. The service was quick and they seated us promptly. They have guys that come refill your water and bread on a rotation, they never miss! It was crowded since we went on a Friday night but the food came out quickly and quality did not suffer. The bathrooms were clean and our presentation of the table was very neat.

Pretty good food. Good service. But the noise level is disco LOUD. (No place for old men, unless they don't care to hear their compatriots.

I've been here more than a few times and I've always had a reservation yet ALWAYS had to wait. That's because the manager, Jonathan, will let his buddies just walk in and get a table in front of people with a reservation. We waited almost half an hour after our reservation time to get seated the past two visits here. The last time, 3 other separate couples walked in and stated they didn't have a reservation but asked for Jonathan. He personally escorted them to their seats. Food is amazing, the servers are wonderful but that one guy made us feel like second class customers more than once.