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  • Francesco's Ristorante & Pizzeria

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Reserve at Francesco's Ristorante & Pizzeria

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Francesco's Ristorante & Pizzeria
Francesco's Ristorante & Pizzeria

Francesco's Ristorante & Pizzeria Details

  • Dining Style: Casual Elegant
  • Website: http://www.francescos-rist.com/
  • Phone: (407) 960-5533
  • Hours of Operation: Daily: Monday - Thursday: 11:00am - 10:00pm, Friday - Saturday: 11:00pm - 11:00pm
  • Payment Options: AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: Italian, Sicilian
  • Executive Chef: Francesco Aiello
  • Dress Code: Casual Dress
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
  • Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Beer, Counter Seating, Gluten-free Menu, Non-Smoking Area, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Personal wines welcome, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine, Wine Bar
  • Private Party Contact: Francesco Aiello (407) 960-5533

Getting there

  • Parking: Private Lot
  • Parking Details: Parking in the rear of Building, entrance to Francesco"s at Regions Bank.
A word from Francesco's Ristorante & Pizzeria
In the authentic Italian tradition, we select our simple, whole ingredients and combine them by hand with heart, using the time-honored method of open flame cooking. We utilize the intense heat of our wood burning ovens to lend unique flavor to our food.
From our hand-made mozzarella to our… artisanal pizzas, pastas and salads, we have a passion for quality and pride in our product that we know you'll appreciate. We only use sustainable, fresh, local ingredients. Continued
Foodspotting photos
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Awards voted by OpenTable diners
  • Diners' Choice WinnerItalian
  • Diners' Choice WinnerNeighborhood Gem
Diner Reviews
  • "Great for date night or family night with the kids- service varies- sometimes great and sometimes slow ! I enjoy their wedge salad - but sometimes it's huge with LOTS of goodies on it... (Prosciutto,cheese,olives)And other times it looks half the size with hardly any toppings- calamari sautéed is always great! Pizza too! And seafood special is always a favorite! I hope the continue to improve service(wait ,hostess,and kitchen staff included) and stay in business for a long time!!! We really enjoy Francesco's !"
    Dined on 4/9/2014
  • "I enjoyed my lunch ! Great bread too! Be sure to try the veggie pizza. It was delish!!"
    Dined on 4/3/2014
  • "It took to long to get our food. The chicken panini was ok nothing to brag over. The veal parm was ok. Had much better park at other restaurants. As stead it was not crowed but it took a long time to get one veal dish, two pan inis and a calzone.The waitress was very nice and did her job."
    Dined on 4/2/2014
  • "A family of 4 was seated next to us about 15 min after we arrived. It was impossible to ignore their meals were delivered and we were still waiting. Waiter never checked on us or explained what was taking so long. After about 1 hour, our meals finally arrived and 2 of us ordered another glass of wine. Those were never delivered. The take-out box I requested was never delivered. The food quality was inconsistent: my grouper special was very good, but the mussels were very small and the pasta carbonara was lacking in flavor."
    Dined on 3/29/2014
  • "The mussels should be on the menu all the time.....fabulous."
    Dined on 3/27/2014
  • "Good food.....would like to try lunch one day! The only complaint was that it was very noisy as the bar/kitchen are in the middle of the restaurant....and our waiter was very arrogant and rude at times. We were celebrating a birthday so a dessert would have been nice to have complimentary."
    Dined on 3/28/2014
  • "The food & service is excellent. Everything is made to perfection, appetizers, entree's & desserts. This is our favorite restaurant in Central Florida."
    Dined on 3/24/2014
  • "I am no food critic so in plain words: the food is outstanding! There are so many little Italian restaurants that are very good but they mostly stick to the heavy marinara/gravy recipes that you leave feeling like you just drank a commercial can of ragu. This place breaks that mold and treats you food that tastes great and leaves you feeling like it was made for you fresh as opposed to being assembled. Think backyard cookout at your neighbor's house only your neighbor is a lot better than you are at creative ingredients mixed with fire."
    Dined on 7/12/2013
  • "We've been to Francesco's several times and it's always a pleasure to dine here...the food is delicious and authentic. They also have the best pizza in town -- try the Campagnola. Everything was great from the appetizer to dessert. The strawberry tiramisu is delectable. This is a gem."
    Dined on 3/21/2014
  • "My BF and I were looking for a place to have dinner with both our parents (for the first time). We had both been here before and thought it would be a great location for this meeting. We were not disappointed.... The service was great, the food was excellent, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the evening. The noise level in the restaurant was energetic but we were still able to have conversations without a problem."
    Dined on 3/21/2014
  • "Everything was great! The new sausage/penne dish was delicious. The pizza was cooked perfect. Our previous visit was just as good."
    Dined on 3/22/2014
  • "Having visited Francesco's numerous times in the past I recommended it to friends visiting from out of town. They were delighted with the experience from the excellent food and wine to the fine service. I highly recommend Francesco's to friends. Francesco Aiello is a wizard in the kitchen, creating culinary delights."
    Dined on 3/18/2014
  • "This restaurant is wonderful! The food is a cut above the other Italian restaurants I've tried - everything cooked to perfection. The pasta! I can only think it's homemade it was so much better than I'm used to. Service was spectacular (kudos to Cory, our server). The restaurant is upscale urban, very nice. When you walk in it's impressive. My only issue with Francesco's is that it's noisy to sit inside - there's nothing to absorb noise. You can hear a companion sitting next to you, but across the table would be difficult. If the weather is nice next time I'd opt for the outdoor seating. No matter, I will definitely return for the great food and service. Prices are good here also. Go and enjoy!!"
    Dined on 3/15/2014
  • "I don't usually get excited about large portions as there is often an inverse relationship between portion size and quality. But, Francesco's is the exception. We started with the fried calamari appetizer which was about double the size of most orders and very tasty. The maranara sauce is some of the best I have had. The spaghetti alla carbanara was also a more than one can eat but is delicious. Likewise for the the eggplant parm and lasgna. Here's my one gripe - I have dined at Francesco's twice and both times I have had my food served and not had a knife, fork or spoon on the table. The first time this happened we could not get anyone's attention so my wife finally got up and walked to the bar to fetch our own utensils."
    Dined on 3/15/2014
  • "The food is consistent and the atmosphere is friendly & fun. We always enjoy dining here."
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "Food was so fresh, we wanted one of everything on the menu... Can't wait to go back and try the pizzas!"
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "When our 7 and 9yr old are given the choice or where to grab a bite to eat...9 out of 10 times this is our go-to!!great for casual date night too. Food is fresh and delicious. They always try to accommodate their guests. Service can be slow at times- but still would recommend!! Obviously some entrees are better than others- pizza-pastas and seafood specials are always great! Love their wedge too!"
    Dined on 2/7/2014
  • "Varied menu, the food is always fresh and prepared well. Our go to for a great meal."
    Dined on 2/5/2014
  • "We had a wonderful dinner at Francesco's. The pasta dishes were amazing - everything is cooked to order. The restaurant is beautiful inside and there is a great patio outside as well. We chose to dine at the bar and we enjoyed watching the chefs cook. I highly recommend this restaurant if you are in the mood for excellent Italian food."
    Dined on 1/28/2014
  • "We ordered the Italiano pizza with mushrooms and it was delicious!"
    Dined on 1/28/2014
  • "We were very pleased to find this gem of a restaurant. We have been twice first for dinner and then for lunch and both times we were very pleased with the food and service. While never being in Italy I am not an expert of authenticity except to say that I have gone to many Italian restaurants in our area and there is a distinct difference between those that have that fresh and flavorful food that distinguishes it as authentic and those restaurants' that don't. It also helps when you hear them speaking Italian, it is sort of a clue. Both times we were there it got very busy so suggest reservations for dinner be made in advance."
    Dined on 1/25/2014
  • "Classy, good food, a little pricey but worth it. Siurprised to see famies with children. Glad to see an Italian with gluten free options!"
    Dined on 1/23/2014
  • "Food is always made to order! Fresh! Delicious!! Reasonably priced!! My favorite is their version of wedge salad and the sautéed calamari in red sauce!!! Pasta is outstanding too! Save room for dessert! Cannoli or Cassada cake is heavenly!"
    Dined on 1/18/2014
  • "I never write reviews, but this place is so authentic and charming that I can't not write in to rave about it. I went to Italy in '09 and have been trying for years to find real, true Italian cuisine in Orlando, but nothing came close to the real thing. No longer. Francesco's is a neighborhood gem with food that rivals Italy and service that's exceptional. Some favorites: Calamari fritti, spaghetti pesto, penne palerminata, gnocchi, pasta vongole, canolli. If you haven't been there yet, go! You'll love this new local favorite!"
    Dined on 1/18/2014
  • "Impressed with the gluten free pizza! The owner is always walking around making sure everyone is happy. Great spot for family meals."
    Dined on 1/18/2014
  • "My last visit to Francesco's was over a year ago because I was disappointed with the hostess/promised wait time and reality. We walked away after waiting 50 minutes for a promised 30 minute wait. This visit I went armed with a reservation. We were seated 25 minutes past our reservation time. It was a busy Saturday night but they should not take reservations if they can not honor them past a 10-15 minute wait. The food was good, reasonably priced, and the waiter was pleasant and knowledgeable. The noise level is significant because of other open concept kitchen and the crowded atmosphere. If you don't mind noise or a wait, you will enjoy the food at this popular neighborhood restaurant."
    Dined on 1/18/2014
  • "Food delivery was very bad. My wife received her meal but I did not get mine until I had flagged down our waiter and ask three times about my meal. It arrived approx 15 minutes after my wife received hers. I was told that someone else had gotten my order. In addition the couple sitting next to us was there when we arrived and had not received the pizza they ordered before we were seated. They got up to leave and the owner offered to cop their desert if they would return."
    Dined on 12/21/2013
  • "Francesco's is a great place to meet your spouse or good friend after work to unwind. The food and wine is excellent and the service is fantastic."
    Dined on 8/8/2013
  • "This is my family's favorite restaurant. Prices are good and the food is spectacular! My wife and daughter are gluten free and this restaurant accommodates them exceptionally well. This is a rarity for Italian restaurants. We love it!"
    Dined on 1/4/2014
  • "Excellent food and wonderful service. The portions can be hit or miss. Eggplant meal was enormous. The cannoli was itty bitty. Calamari, huge. Polenta and rice balls, small. Plan for small appetizers and desserts, with large main courses. Excellent service and taste"
    Dined on 12/31/2013
  • "This was our 3rd visit to Francesco's and we have enjoyed the food every time. Just a warning...it's never a fast meal. Service has been mediocre all three times, but really the reason the meal takes so long is that the kitchen is really slow. The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated."
    Dined on 12/27/2013
  • "Better than anything we would have done at home for Christmas Eve. Family truly enjoyed the hospitality, food and wonderful staff. Francesco's is great for anything from lunch to a special occasion. We could dine there everyday. This is our favorite restaurant."
    Dined on 12/24/2013
  • "A friend and I celebrated Christmas at Francesco's and it was delightful. The strolling music and singing was first class. I enjoyed the food so much, every bite was Hmmmmm...."
    Dined on 12/21/2013
  • "We had family in for the holidays and I wanted to take them to a nice place they would remember when going back home. They were busy but we had great service and what a meal. The family will be talking about his one for a while. I cant wait to go back!!!"
    Dined on 12/18/2013
  • "The greeting and seating were excellent on this busy evening. Loved having a reservation. Only downside was probably my own fault. The pizza was much more spicy than I expected. The wedge salad was great and my wine was a great choice."
    Dined on 12/17/2013
  • "Always great food, served hot and fresh. Nice wines, good service and friendly staff. We're always pleased."
    Dined on 12/17/2013
  • "There's many inconsistent reviews on the service provided here, so when we had such an amazing experience I had to write this review. Not only was the food delicious, but our server could not have been more attentive. In fact, all the wait staff seemed friendly and appropriate. The manager even came through asking about our food and how we were enjoying the meal. Francesco's is a great find and we will be back. Saturday was my birthday so it was a special dinner out, but this spot would be great for families and larger parties too. The food is really the star attraction!"
    Dined on 12/14/2013
  • "I'm sorry it took so long for me to try this place. Definitely will be back."
    Dined on 12/13/2013
  • "Francesco's was a great place of our group's special event. It was easy to make the reservation. The restaurant is a decorated well and arrange so private conversations were possible. The food was excellent. Many commented the salmon was some of the best they had had. The service was friendly and most efficient."
    Dined on 12/11/2013
  • "1. The reception was cold. When we arrived, we stood waiting with other customers, as waitstaff and other help paraded by. No one greeted us. No one explained why the hostess was missing or when she'd be back. No one offered to seat us. Lots of employees saw us, but all averted their eyes and scuttled off to take care of something more important than customers. 2. Food presentation was laughable. Our Frittura Siciliana appetizer arrived looking like a couple of Totino's Pizza Rolls® lost on a huge expanse of white platter. Then, my wife's fettuccine arrived looking more like soup due to a gross excess of sauce. 3. Some food was tasty: the appetizer and my Calabria calzone. 4. As always, staff and food are reflections of their management."
    Dined on 12/3/2013
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Diners' Choice Awards
  • Orlando / Central Florida East Winners
  • Neighborhood Gem
  • Orlando Winners
  • Italian
  • Neighborhood Gem
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