At this point, Italian food is a staple all over the world with its sumptuous use of fresh ingredients and herbs. However, with so many options to choose from nowadays, where does one even start?
In this article, we listed down the best Italian restaurants in Waterford to satisfy your craving for delicious dishes.
How much does Italian food cost?
A highly important factor when it comes to Italian food is the quality of the ingredients used. Items such as cheeses, fresh tomatoes and vegetables, are just a few examples of what usually determines the price of dishes in restaurants.
Alongside this however, atmosphere, labor hours as well as expertise also come into play when determining their costs.
Below is a table of price estimates of different Italian foods.
Top Italian restaurants in Waterford
We assessed the restaurants based on the following criteria:
1. Emiliano’s
| Menu | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Appetizers and Main Course | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Desserts and Drinks | ★★★★★(4/5) |
| Price Range | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Ambience | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
| Customer Service | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Staff Approach and Attitude | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Convenience | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
An Italian restaurant praised for its value for money, Emiliano’s is an excellent well-rounded option for people looking to dig into delicious Italian dishes.
We really like that the menu they offer has a great depth and variety to it, from different flavor profiles to ingredients. For example, their appetizer selection features a soup, seafood options and even an antipasto.
Their main course and pizza section also has a lot of variety in terms of different flavors, meats and options to choose from and they even have a nutella based dessert pizza. Customers will surely be satisfied with the selection they have.
On the other hand, we find their price range for each category to be very reasonable. Numerous customers have praised how they are able to get their value for money.
In addition to this, this restaurant offers different amounts for customers looking to share portions.
Another great highlight to this restaurant is the attentive and very helpful staff. Many comments describe experiences with staff accommodating requests and how observant they are.
However, a thing of note is that the outdoor tables and chairs are quite small to accommodate large parties. In this case, customers would need to be aware of the availability of indoor seating.
If you are looking for the top to bottom restaurant experience of excellent food, atmosphere and service, Emiliano’s is a reliable choice.
Pros
- Excellent staff service
- Value for your money
- Extensive and in depth menu
- Great range of pastas, pizzas and desserts
Cons
- Certain days cannot accommodate in restaurant collection
- Outside tables are quite small
Customer Reviews
Flavorful Dishes
This restaurant is a gem. Booked for my mum’s birthday and we were so happy! My mushroom ravioli with hazelnuts was to die for! Pizza is also so good and you can never go wrong with a seafood pasta. Tiramisù is a big portion, definitely to share. The ice cream is actually so delicious! Tastes so authentic and is so flavourful. My mum got a surprise candle with her dessert and all waiters gathered around the table to sing her happy birthday. Thank you Emiliano’s for such a wonderful dinner 😊🎉
P. S. Definitely try the cocktails, especially strawberry daiquiri and mohito. Not too strong but will go so well with the food. -S.L.
Warm Welcome and Excellent Meal
We went with friends to Emiliano’s Restaurant in Waterford for my birthday. Table booked with a Happy Birthday banner. Very warm welcome by Emiliano himself. Excellent and very fine meal with Italian specialities. The staff, who are partly Italian, are very friendly and always take care of their customers. We will be back very soon. -Dominique Delpouve
2. La Fontana
| Menu | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Appetizers and Main Course | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Desserts and Drinks | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
| Price Range | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Ambience | ★★★☆☆(3/5) |
| Customer Service | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Staff Approach and Attitude | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Convenience | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
An Italian restaurant that is situated in a very atmospheric and unique location, La Fontana is a great option out there if you’re particularly looking for a lot of excellent Italian seafood dishes.
What stood out to us about La Fontana is how distinct and special their whereabouts are. They are located at the center of the Viking Triangle which makes them an excellent option to stop by for those touring around the area.
The medieval atmosphere and architecture will surely make a visit to their restaurant more memorable and what’s more is that it overlooks and faces out towards the view of the River Suir.
It is surely an excellent choice for those looking for both a delicious place to drop by while touring the historical sites.
Although, we will admit that their store is quite small and slightly cramped, especially during peak hours. Some customers note that it can get crowded and busy, making the experience not as pleasant.
There are tables for slightly bigger parties, but we would not recommend it for very large groups.
In terms of their menu selection, we really liked that they had some notable seafood options. For example, these include carpaccio di salmone, mussels and pizza al frutti del mare.
If you’re looking for a wider selection in terms of Italian seafood dishes, this may be the place to check out.
Pros
- Great selection of Italian seafood dishes
- Located at the Viking triangle
- A lot of options for pastas and pizzas
- Pleasant customer service
Cons
- Two course special only served in a specific timeframe
- Store is quite small and not the best for large parties
Customer Reviews
Excellent Staff and Food
Had a wonderful dinner in La Fontana last night. Food was excellent and the staff were very attentive and pleasant. -Barbrie Ruddock
Exceptional Food and Friendly Service
Had a lovely meal in La Fontana last weekend food was beautifully cooked and good value. The rack of lamb was exceptional. Excellent friendly service, will definitely be back. -Siobhan Comerford
3. Espresso
| Menu | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Appetizers and Main Course | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
| Desserts and Drinks | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Price Range | ★★★☆☆(3/5) |
| Ambience | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
| Customer Service | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
| Staff Approach and Attitude | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
| Convenience | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
Espresso is a family run restaurant that focuses on providing customers with a light atmosphere and deliciously fresh food.
What makes them stand out is that they have their own vegetable garden where they source some of their ingredients. In addition to this, they locally source their meats and ensure the freshness of the fish they use.
We greatly appreciate that a lot of their meals highlight the quality of the produce.
In terms of their menu, they have a good selection of different pizzas, pastas and dishes. We really like that a lot of the choices they have cater to different preferences and needs, like having a vegetarian option available for pizza.
Customers can also have the choice of choosing different toppings at an additional charge to customize their pizza with options like sun dried tomatoes and red roast peppers.
However, we would also like to point out that in terms of their mains category, there are less options for Italian dishes. This category includes a Philly steak sandwich and a chicken filet burger.
In addition to this some customers have also commented that some of the dishes may be a bit pricey for the quality and portion size. However, they do praise that the staff were very friendly and helpful.
It’s a solid offering if you also want great wine options to pair with your meals as they have a solid selection of both red, white and even house wines.
Overall, Espresso is a solid choice if you’re looking for customizable options with great in-restaurant customer service.
Pros
- Source fresh ingredients from close local suppliers
- Excellent selection of affordable desserts
- Solid options for wine pairings
- Customizable pizza toppings
Cons
- Slightly more pricey for the portion sizes
- Less amount of Italian dish options in the mains category
Customer Reviews
Would Always Recommend
Fantastic food and service always. Never had a bad experience there would always recommend it and always look forward to eating there. -Emer Elizabeth O’Neill
Staff and Owners were Pleasant
Had an absolutely beautiful meal tonight here at espresso.. complete lastnight minute decision, but best decision.. finding someplace to eat with 2 small kids can be frustrating, but we were made more than welcome.. staff and owners were so pleasant and helpful, nothing was too much to ask.. will definitely be revisiting.. -Louise O’Donnell
4. Azzurro Restaurant
| Menu | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
| Appetizers and Main Course | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
| Desserts and Drinks | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
| Price Range | ★★★☆☆(4/5) |
| Ambience | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Customer Service | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Staff Approach and Attitude | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
| Convenience | ★★★★★(5/5) |
Established in July 2007, Azzurro provides customers with both an amazing atmosphere and a wide selection of Mediterranean dishes.
They source their ingredients straight from Dunmore East harbour so customers can expect their seafood to be especially fresh. Their highlight as well of their seafood dishes also ties in very well to their strength in location.
What we really like about Azzurro is that their setting provides customers with a refreshing and light atmosphere. Their restaurant faces out looking onwards towards the ocean, providing a great complement to families looking for food on beach days.
What’s more is that we find that their ambiance inside the building to be very warm and cozy, filled with brick walls and paintings of the seaside.
In terms of their menu selection, we do recognize that this may not be the best place to eat at if you’re looking for a wide variety of Italian dishes. This restaurant does have a focus on the wider scope of Mediterranean cuisine.
However, the Italian dishes are exceptional in terms of varying flavors. They have a goat cheese panna cotta starter, a classic pizza margherita as well as gelati italiani.
Keep in mind that their prices are slightly more costly, but we think that Azzurro’s ambiance and flavorful dishes more than make up for it. This makes them an excellent option for your next seaside outing.
Pros
- Excellent seaside location
- Source local and very fresh ingredients
- Very delicious Italian dish options
- Great service
Cons
- Comparatively less options for Italian dishes
- Prices are slightly more expensive
Customer Reviews
Attentive Staff, Great Food
Nice warm welcome. The menu here is amazing and we found it difficult to choose but we decided on calamari to start which were cooked perfectly, more mayo next time please. We had the salmon special and the prawns for mains and again expertly cooked accompanied by very nice sauté potatoes. We both had the cheesecake for dessert and it was the nicest I have had in a while. Staff were very attentive and always had something nice to say. Azzurro is a little pricey but has a great buzz and the food makes it really worth it. We will most definitely be back. -Wayne Logan
Fabulous Selection
Great menu with a great choice of starters, mains and desserts, also a great wine and cocktail menu. Food was fabulous but the service was excellent. Cannot recommend enough. 5 🌟. -Mary
5. Burzza
| Menu | ★★★★☆(3/5) |
| Appetizers and Main Course | ★★★☆☆(3/5) |
| Desserts and Drinks | ★★★☆☆(3/5) |
| Price Range | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
| Ambience | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Customer Service | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Staff Approach and Attitude | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Convenience | ★★★★★(5/5) |
A pizza restaurant that has an assortment of food extending outside Italian cuisine, Burzza is a great place to pass by if you’re looking for more classic type meals.
They make sure to use only the freshest local ingredients as well as seasonal ones, making their dishes taste particularly bright.
What’s also commendable about them is that their processes and methods make for a more authentic and rustic experience. For example they make sure to source 00 Italian flour and what’s more is that they use a dual gas/fuel wood fired oven.
This gives their pizzas a great char as well as a hint of a woody flavor!
We really like that the layout and space of the restaurant is very open and bright. The interior of the store feels very cozy and warm while the outside area of the store also has a good amount of streetside space under a roofed area.
We find it to be an excellent choice for those looking to have a relaxing and at ease weekend lunch and dinner.
In terms of their menu, because it doesn’t particularly focus on Italian cuisine, there are much fewer options but we really appreciate that the staff can accommodate different dietary requirements and requests such as gluten free buns.
Overall, for a quick bite alongside a varied selection of classic foods, we recommend Burzza as the way to go.
Pros
- Very helpful staff
- Can accommodate tastes and certain food restrictions
- Wide assortment of other types of foods and sides
- Uses woodfire to cook their pizzas
Cons
- More limited options in terms of Italian dishes
Customer Reviews
Great Atmosphere
Absolutely Delicious, lovely setting and great atmosphere inside while dining. -Limerick Lad
Attentive Staff, Choices for Everyone
Pizza pasta and more. Lovely atmosphere staff attentive but not too much.
Cracking pizza, choices for everyone. Was so good we went back the night after again -Mark Darcy
FAQs about Italian Food and Restaurants
Having Italian food whether for a light meal or decadent dinner is an experience in itself. We hope our list helps you in deciding possible restaurants the next time you may crace some.
If you would like to read more, we also have an article on the best Spanish restaurants in Dublin.