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Italian charm with a modern touch. - Portofino Restaurant & Events, Utica, NY

Portofino Restaurant & Events

4.1
4.1
49 Reviews
$31 to $50
Italian
Nestled on the banks of the picturesque Erie Canal, Portofino is more than just a restaurant – it’s an exquisite taste of Italy in the heart of our beloved city.

Step inside and immerse yourself in an ambiance that blends classic Italian charm with a modern touch. Our menu showcases the rich and diverse flavors of Italy, prepared with passion and the finest ingredients.

Whether you’re seeking a romantic dinner for two, a gathering with friends, or a memorable family celebration, Portofino offers a warm and inviting atmosphere for any occasion. Join us and embark on a culinary journey to Italy without leaving Utica. Buon appetito!

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 8 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Elegant Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (315) 790-5026
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Mike Miravalle
  • Neighborhood
    Utica
  • Cross street
    North Genesee Street
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 49 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.1
4.1 based on recent ratings
  • 4.3Food
  • 4.2Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Upstate New York

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Mohawk Valley

    Innovative

  • Mohawk Valley

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Mohawk Valley

    Romantic

  • Mohawk Valley

    Great for scenic views

  • Mohawk Valley

    Lively

49 Reviews
  1. MarkW

    New York Area

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on November 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    This was our first visit to Portofino. We ate in the upper dining room which was totally renovated. It has a modern/seashore/upscale feel. The staff were tremendous: Our waiter Rod was very personable and helpful with our questions. The food..... Oh boy..... what a treat. Everything on the plate was magnificent. The prices reflect the quality - you're not going to get super-size, filler portions. Everything is expertly crafted and presented. I had rack the lamb which came with an absolutely delicious combination of brussel sprouts and artichoke. The desserts are to die for. This is a must if you enjoy great food. We can't wait to go back again.

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  2. NellyV

    New York Area

    14 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on November 5, 2023

    overall1food2service1ambience4
    Place and decorations are very pretty but the service was non existent we had to leave after we sat for 30 minutes with a glass of flat mimosa. We had brunch reservations for 10:30, we got served our drinks immediately but our mimosas were flat, we waited until 11:00 o’clock for the server to come back but he never returned so we finally got up and asked the check and left. Aside from my boyfriend and I, the was only one other table. Brunch is a big deal for us and we try new places every Sunday but we won’t return here. They can really step their service and they want business.

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  3. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 4, 2023

    overall2food4service1ambience2
    Food was good. Drinks were good. Service was slower than slow.

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  4. Swb17

    New York Area

    21 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on October 28, 2023

    overall3food5service2ambience3
    The food was wonderful. The staff seemed a bit inexperienced.

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  5. JohnW

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    excellent food. great service very friendly atmosphere will certainly come back again

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  6. OpenTable Diner

    Richmond

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Enjoyed our evening. Service was wonderful. Food was delicious.

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  7. Dani

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delicious food, amazing service, great atmosphere!

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  8. SandraP

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Meal was excellent, nice variety of choices on the menu

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  9. Danielle

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our waiter was fantastic ! The food was amazing and every item had huge portions . The pumpkin cheesecake was to die for. We will definitely be regulars!

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  10. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 7, 2023

    overall5food5service3ambience4
    Food was delicious and so was decor. We had to wait 30 minutes for our table and then long wait for food and drinks. Seemed short staffed or couldn’t keep up.

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  11. JohnM

    New York Area

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on October 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The service was excellent, the food was very good and the drinks were tasty. Interesting furniture and decor but overall a very nice dining experience. Will definitely return to try more entrees and cocktails.

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  12. BobM

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food and service! Must do it again soon! Really good martini!

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  13. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 3, 2023

    overall3food4service5ambience5
    The outdoor setting on the water was fantastic. Food was prepared well.

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  14. BrianC

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 29, 2023

    overall4food5service1ambience3
    The food was good but the waiter was very slow. They have two floors, and the waiter was working up and down made it very difficult to get his attention .

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  15. LynF

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 23, 2023

    overall2food2service3ambience2
    Party of 4, we had to send one meal back altogether, other dinners we're way over salty, restaurant was out of romaine lettuce for my salad, appetizers were flavorless, we didn't even finish them. Wine tastes old. Value was terrible for money spent. Overall very disappointed and will never go back

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  16. BethB

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was delicious, service was excellent and the owners mingled and chatted with their guests. Such a nice evening!

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  17. DebraD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, great service Planning on going back again

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  18. Lisa

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We have been there many times for dinner, lunch and brunch and the food is always delicious. We have enjoyed all our visits while eating outdoors by the water and indoors.

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  19. loriR

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fabulous dinner for our anniversary. Everything was absolutely wonderful. Dinner,service and libations were top notch! Our new go to restaurant!!

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  20. Bobby

    New York Area

    197 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    197 reviews

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    A little tricky to find, Portofino is so worth the effort. Adam was our patient and helpful waiter. Danica backed him up with water, dish removal, and leftovers-packing. Too lovely of a view of the Mohawk River ti describe, the restaurant offers indoor and outdoor seating. We opted for indoors on a warm and sunny evening. We enjoyed craft cocktails and well-present meals. I selected the lasagna which was generally colored like the Italian flag. My wife enjoyed a stuffed veal cutlet roll. We shared a delicious slice of tiramisu cheesecake for dessert before continuing our road trip on to Albany. Grazie!

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  21. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 8, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Our food was absolutely delicious beautiful decor service was very good. We will definitely return.

    Is this helpful?

  22. mjgtravel

    New York Area

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on September 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Lucch was excellent! food and service was great! lovely to eat outside.

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  23. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was outstanding. I had the filet which was cooked to perfection. The service was excellent. Loved being by the canal. Definitely will go back.

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  24. StephanieAlberico

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 31, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Everything was perfect! Best place in Utica! Highly recommend

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  25. OpenTable Diner

    Upstate NY

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Overall we had a great night! The food and drinks were so good! We wanted to sit outside but the weather wasn’t great, inside was beautiful and still perfect! We will be back!

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  26. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent service and the food was INCREDIBLE!!!!!

    Is this helpful?

  27. CynthiaB

    New York Area

    11 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on August 26, 2023

    overall1food4service1ambience1
    Painfully slow service. Restaurant needs alot of tweeking.

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  28. RedFishFan

    Chicago

    47 reviews

    4.0

    47 reviews

    Dined on August 26, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    We had a very pleasant dinner at Portofino. We were seated promptly in the indoor area, and the restaurant has a very nice outdoor area on the canal. The indoor area was quite noisy, and it was hard to hear our conversation. The staff were very friendly and helpful. Our appetizer was delivered immediately and before the cocktails that we ordered. There was then a substantial wait between that course and the main course. Our dishes (pasta, salmon, and scallops) were quite good. Overall, we enjoyed the experience and will be back.

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  29. Babbs7

    San Diego

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on August 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    All the staff were very friendly and it was a team effort to serve us. Adam was our main waiter and he was very good. Very nice outdoor seating overlooking the Erie Canal. Food was very good. Utica Greens and Broccoli Nonna were excellent.

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  30. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Party of 7 and everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meal. Extensive menu! Hospitable hosts, delicious dishes, beautiful presentation, wide wine list. Beautiful atmosphere. Would highly recommend.

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  31. RebeccaA

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 24, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Need more comfortable chairs. The food and service was amazing.

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  32. JaneB

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    1.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 24, 2023

    overall1food1service3ambience4
    Portion size was ridiculous for the price. Explained to the manager but still nothing was taken off the bill and 4 out of 7 of us had the summer salmon salad that looked worse than a side salad but was listed as an entree. We won't be back.

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  33. vince51

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    Our first time at Portofino. The weather was perfect for outside seating, so we had our dinner outside. Food, service, ambiance...excellent. It was a special occasion for us, and we received a little extra. Prefect!

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  34. RobertG

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Employees could slow down a little bit. No need to zoom around like that. Everybody in the place looked really relaxed and in no hurry to be waited on. Great food great service. Was seated right away.

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  35. ArthurC

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience4
    Service was slightly slow Server was very pleasant however. Food was good but mostly lacking a little zing in taste quality was very good. This was our first visit Will go back again and try different items

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  36. Renee

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    2.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall2food3service1ambience2
    We weren’t seated until 20 minutes after our reservation. Not a very good value for the price of the meals. No salad or bread included for a meal costing $42. Service people are clueless as to how to implement fine dining experience. Put fingers in glasses when removing and served dinners without removing plates from finished salads and appetizers. When hostess seated us she did not carry our drinks from the bar on a service tray. E carried our own drinks. Very loud in the restaurant.

    Is this helpful?

  37. LisaA

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Amazing food and service! Our server was so personable!!! We will be back!

    Is this helpful?

  38. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This restaurant is PERFECT for gatherings ( like we did today for 9) or for a date night out! Been here a couple times but should of left a review every time! The managers were super kind, and so was everyone else, even the lovely lady answering the phone. We had a server named Jimmy and he was great!! Obviously we go back for the great food, and deserts! Absolutely will be here again, especially for their outdoor seating with the lake/waterfall view. Will be back for sure

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  39. Unimpressed

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 17, 2023

    overall2food3service2ambience2
    Food was not terrible, presentation was ok. For the price, well I will not be going back. Took forever to get waited on for lunch at 2pm in the afternoon. Wait staff was friendly but nothing out of the ordinary. While my expectations were not that high, they were still not met. The wine list was terrible. There are some with more means and that appreciate good wine which was not to be found on that beverage menu.

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  40. Nonny

    New York Area

    22 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on August 16, 2023

    overall2food2service5ambience5
    This is our second trip to the new Portofino. The first trip we waited an hour and 20 minutes for a dinner. The veal was tough. Thought I'd try again after a couple more weeks. Todays lunch salads were not good. Had to take a lot of the lettuce awake as it was brown. Again waited over an hour for our salads Server was excellent. She said that it was the most people they had for lunch and they were having a hard time with that. It certainly wasn't full so I'm not sure what the problem is but it we won't be back. 

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily

FAQs

Portofino Restaurant & Events offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (315) 790-5026.

Portofino Restaurant & Events is rated 4.1 stars by 49 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 8 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Portofino Restaurant & Events

16 Harbor Lock Rd, Utica, NY 13502

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    North Genesee Street
  • Neighborhood
    Utica
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian
  • Dining style
    Elegant Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Mike Miravalle
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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