I love this restaurant, the food, servers, and the ambiance. I really loved the bread especially with the garlic, the potato fries, chicken parmesan, and mostly the meatballs. My family and I had a waiter named Yani serving us on her 3rd day and she was amazingly nice. This place is amazing and anyone that is reading this review should give this place a try. read more

My family and I were quite excited to try this restaurant. We chose to dine early to beat the rush. We were immediately put off by an older male waiter who wore his mask as a neck decoration while openly touching his face and fist pumping random customers in between serving meals. We ordered two appetizers and four entrees that were mediocre at best for the $180 bill that applied. I actually ordered the chicken parm which appeared to be made of frozen chicken fingers; "Disgusting" is the best description. There was also a loud and rowdy party in the restaurant that flitted between their table and the bar without their masks on. If you love Covid roulette and drunk people, this is the place for you. Cheers to fine dining. A restaurant that falls under $$$ price category is expected to put more effort in the preparation and presentation of their food. !Epic Fail! read more

The service is amazing starting with the hostess that greeted us, Jake that always helps us with our wine selection is one of the main reasons we always make this a stop for us while we are in town. The food is full of flavor, the dinner specials are well proportioned as the chef has a vested interest with his ownership. If your looking for a place with good service and food look no further than Forlini's. read more

I would feel more positive about my experience here if the prices were reasonable and reflected the quality of the food; however, I can't stomach $27 for a plate of 5-6 ravioli with runny, tasteless sauce. My husband did enjoy his Veal Parm, but I was deeply disappointed by the quality of food for a $100 meal for two. I'd rather eat at a chain like Carrabba's and get a better value. I'm willing to pay more for Excellent food and service, but this wasn't it. read more

Classic, old school Italian restaurant, with a white cloth on the tables and waitresses wearing white shirts with ties. We had a wonderful dinner there. My mamas lasagna was tasty, rich and creamy. The other food that we ordered was very tasty as well. read more

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The food was very good. We visited here on a family vacation and are a party of seven. Our drink and appetizer order was taken quickly and grab hot bread was brought out to our table. We ordered calamari which came out hot and well seasoned. I also thought it was cooler perfectly. I ordered the gnocchi and found it to be very light, like my grandmother used to make them! Almost all the pasta is homemade and the sauce was fresh. Our waiter, Peter, was phenomenal and we me the owner Luke. Great atmosphere and food! I'd definitely recommend this restaurant. read more

Forlini's Restaurant - Homemade gnocchi were amazing. They very very light and reminded me of my grandmother's recipe. - Italian Near Me - Clearwater Beach, Florida

Had a great Birthday meal there last night, awsome ! Like atthe Bar and Danna was our table server ! they are the very best, loved the seafood and drinks, hope to return very soon ! great job ! Joe and Elyse read more

Even with staff shortages (the situation EVERYWHERE these days) Forlini's makes it a priority to make dining there a distinctly pleasurable experience. Hostess was gracious (we had a reservation), our waiter was fabulous, the food was sublime. We simply LOVE this place and make a point of returning every time we are visiting Clearwater Beach! read more

My husband and I have been coming to Forlini's ever since it opened- either the two of us or with friends. We just love the delicious food and specials and the extraordinarily deep wine list. This is not your average "red sauce" Italian restaurant- the menu items are varied: the meats and fish are fresh, and the chef will happily make substitutions. The service is pleasant, helpful, and professional. We love the subdued lighting which gives the restaurant an elegant atmosphere. We've eaten in great and disappointing Italian restaurants when we lived in NYC and Forlini's is definitely up there with the greats! read more

People's bad reviews is very surprising to me. Rather eat at a chain restaurant than an authentic family owned restaurant. We look forward to eating here as much as we look forward to coming to the beach and relaxing from everyday life. Carrabbas has literally the most tasteless bland sauce and if that's your thing to save a cpl dollars than I probably don't want to be associated with you. I will say this is the best Italian food I've eaten anywhere from Cleveland Ohio to Clearwater Florida. Making my reservation as we speak. -Alan D. read more

Another evening spent dining at Forlinis Restaurant. Changed entrees and appetizers. My friends ordered lobster Sinatra, veal Parmigiano and I had the same special Linguini with meat sauce and meatballs. Everything served as ordered and piping hot. I also had the Escargo which was garlicky and delicious. As a matter of fact all items ordered were delicious. The wait staff are always ready to please and serve. And they're terrific. Hats off to Forlinis., Will dine again before we Leave . recommended. By the way..the soup is lacking taste .go with the salad.. read more

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Very nice staff and the food was very good and the selection was great! The prices were very reasonable.

Great service! The special were outstanding, braised short rib and shrimp and scallops! Great flavors! Atmosphere was very nice.

I had a bad experience at a different restaurant down the street so I walked to Fortini's and was greeted with a smile. The food and drink were terrific and I had a very pleasant and friendly evening. This place has been around for years and the family and neighborhood feeling still exists. read more

Bad service and wait staff. Hostes is not very nice/customer service friendly. Better have a reservation or go somewhere else. Lots of better options on the island. read more

Unfortunately I have to leave this review to explain why we'll never come back to this restaurant. We had a group of 6 people eating there, that was an anniversary of ours friends, and my parents in law. At first look the restaurant looked nice We ordered the plates and when they brought them the waiter dropped a hot sauce from one of the plates on the head of my mother in law (which burned her head) , the waiter didn't say sorry very well and only after we tried to talk with him about it, he basically tried giving my mother an law a awkward hug and saying something like "it's ok, we'll bring a chocolate cake to her, a very weird and disrespectful attitude. After that she went to the restroom to try to wash her hairs and she noticed she was a little bit burned, but she as a very nice person said it was ok, and we started to eat. Coincidentally a friend that was with us found TWO hairs on her plate, we called the service again to explain the new situation. This time was the owner's wife. We explained both situation, she took the plate away and never came back. Who was still eating, finished and they brought the check... The plate with the hair was included on the check. We called the owner's wife again, she just told us there wasn't any hairs on her plate, and it was just bristles came from the brush they clean the grill and the plate was half eaten. We replied that it was unacceptable, and she called her husband, the owner. He came already angry, and me and my wife tried to explain the situation, so he didn't even let us finish explaining, then he said something like, "we have an email, you can send me any text, but you need to pay the check now". We were absolutely shocked after this reply. This situation was unacceptable.. I've never seen that before in my life.. the worse service of my life. I hope this can alert you and prevent you from future headaches. The food was very good, and I'm not used to saying anything bad about the places, but after that I needed to leave this review. read more

Place was cool. I love the old school red sauce joints. Bread was great. Pasta was below average. Over cooked and mushy. All the dishes.

Not impressed. To start off, the waitress told us we could not add a protein to the pasta dishes because "the owner was cooking because he is short staffed and he doesn't want any crazy tickets." So... ok. The Coke was in a can and $3 each refill. I asked for a side of Cesar dressing for my salad and the cup was maybe 1/4 full (I don't know why she bothered). We asked for a roll and more pesto when the waitress brought out our meal. She brought two rolls as we were finishing. She said she had to help with the "ancient system" but really she forgot. The portions were rather small for the price of the meals. The atmosphere was nice and clean but for $87 for a dinner for 2 for just salad, pasta and one roll, we probably wouldn't go back. read more

I thought it was meh. Walked in a little after opening, place like a ghost town, but we get a seat by the window. Server was lovely, very attentive and kind. Bread was delicious but was disappointed by entree. read more

Was staying at the Hilton resort. Wandered over and sat at bar. Great selection of wines and Luke helped me select a nice red. Wasn't too hungry so had the scungili appetizer. The locals told me the entrees are excellent. Nice little gem of a place in Clearwater Beach. May go back tonight I liked it so much and get a entree! read more

Well being from the NorthEast my expectations are particularly high when it comes to Italian food. But I guess I need to really lower them when it comes to this Clearwater Florida establishment. I ordered Chicken parmigiana it was served like chicken strips Meatballs were good marinara was like tomato soup my wife ordered chicken cutlet breaded with pasta with olive oil and garlic just no marinara order came it grilled chicken un breaded my wife question the server and he was rude my said fine I'll just take the pasta he mumbled something under his breath RUDE!!!!! Server's name was Steve and to add insult to injury she was charged 27$ for a F"@king pasta I really don't want to Insult all Floridian Italian Restaurants but I can tell ya this one SUCKED!!!!!!!! And the Absolutely The worst server in all of Clearwater Florida in my humble opinion no read more

I go often to this Restaurant and I love the food. My favorite meal there was the lamb shank. It's delicious! My husband gets different meals and they all are tasty and delicious. The owner is always there and he makes sure everything is up to your expectation. read more

Tried making a reservation and woman whom answered the phone was rude and not accommodating at all. Told me blatantly not to walk in and try eating there.... Makes sense why their ratings are currently at 3 stars. read more

Great dinner on Saturday night. Peter is a wonderful server. Scallops and shrimp were cooked to perfection. We will definitely return!

Amazing Authentic Italian cuisine! Service was prompt and friendly. The restaurant atmosphere felt like old world Italian. read more

Forlini's Restaurant - Osso Buco, Chicken Parmigiano , Shrimp Capri, Gnocchi Bolognese - Italian Near Me - Clearwater Beach, Florida

I have tried several authentic Italian restaurants, but nothing comes close to Forlinis. We had the sausage and peppers and Brie pastry for starter. It was exquisite! As main course, we had spaghetti carbonara and pork chops. The spaghetti carbonara was phenomenal. The pork chops were tender and delicious. I can't wait to come back to Clearwater beach to eat again at Forlinis. read more

Well this is the 1st time dining in Forlini's and for the price and quality of Formal Italian restaurant ambiance. My friends neighbor owns this restaurant and I am curious to try. So far bread was delicious. Warm and soft. For appetizers or antipasti was sausage and freschetta cheese with sweet pepper and red wine and it was phenomenally delicious. Wow . it was either super salad and I went for the soup du jour which was lentil soup surprisingly but it was fresh and delicious. I ordered for the 1st time for any Italian restaurant chicken cacciatore it was very good but I have to remember the portions are going to be big so do save your stomach not to eat anything heavy. my friend also had some lamb shanks which was also delicious but don't have the stomach for it anyways it is worth trying a restaurant around the Clearwater Beach area only rest Italian restaurant in Clearwater Beach because everything else is seafood based restaurants and to Japanese fusion restaurants in Clearwater Beach read more

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Just outstanding food and service A great wine list! The gnocchi are homemade! If you like great home made Italian food, it is definitely worth a visit to this Clearwater Beach restaurant! read more

The waitress we had was horrible!!! She started out with an attitude, she wasnt attentive at all. We had to ask for water refills, then when we asked for more rolls she had an attitude. We watched this server go to 2 other tables with more bread and kept walking past us. When we asked for more bread she immediately had an attitude. We watched 2 other tables get up and leave because of the poor service. The manager was really nice and tried to accomodate us but by then we were over it. It was a celebration for my sister in law and the experience was ruined by this disgruntled waitress. We left after only having a roll and water. I was so disappointed. read more

Don't waste your time or money. Service was terrible and food was okay, but it for the price. Waiter was an old dude with an attitude. Our service was so bad that I don't have the time to type it all. Just know that it sucked. They charge 25.00 for chicken parm and serve chicken fingers (no lie) covered in ketchup. Go to a sub shop and order a chicken parm sub and save a headache and money. Also, it takes a lot for me to Yelp! read more

Excellent family owned restaurant in Clearwater beach. Went for our anniversary and was not disappointed. They sat us in a nice booth by the window. We ordered a bottle of wine, and was in for a wonderful dinner. Out server was, then word that comes to mind is "genuine." She was sweet and took her time with questions. What she didn't know she got an answer quickly from others. The service was attentive but you are not "rushed" through dinner like other places. The food was too notch; lamb was seasoned well and not salty as most restaurants. Wife got the cheese ravioli and it didn't disappoint. Tiramisu for dessert was delightful. Would go back if I'm in Clearwater beach. read more

Forlini's Restaurant - Pesto! - Italian Near Me - Clearwater Beach, Florida

I don't normally do reviews, but this one couldn't pass by. Honestly, this place was the worst experience ever. My family and I were visiting Clearwater beach from out of state. We felt like try Italian food since my husbands family is half Italian. We were also celebrating my parents 32 years anniversary and our friends 16 year anniversary. I called the restaurant and made reservations for 6 people. We arrived at the restaurant and were seated pretty quickly. Everything was going well until our orders arrived. The waiter had the unfortunate accident, spilling some hot lamb chops sauce over my mother's head/ hair and arm because he was reaching over her head to give my husband the plate, which wasn't even his order. The waiter saw what happen because my mom started to clean her arm with napkin towel. The waiter kept serving, reached over her head for the SECOND time to give the plate to my father. The waiter barley apologized and finished what he was doing and left. My mother went to the bathroom to wash her head/hair and clean herself. The sauce was hot and burned her head a little. My mom came back to the table. The waiter came to our table to ask how the food was, like everything was just fine and nothing had happened My mom mention that her head burned from the spill. That's when he kinda weirdly said "oh sorry" and basically started giving my mother an awkward hug touching the sides of her arms and leaning down towards her. (this was the weirdest and most uncomfortable thing ever, I asked him not to touch her) he continued saying "it's okay We'll get her chocolate cake." With an attitude it's all good. My mother sat there uncomfortable and with a burn head. To make matters even worst. Coincidentally, half way through our friend's dinner she found hair on her salmon. We wanted to speak to a manager this time. The owner's wife came, we told her about the first situation with the waiter spill ( just so he could be more aware and careful, next time). We told her about the new situation with the hair in the salmon. She took the plate away with a rude attitude, walked away never came a back to say anything about neither of the situations. Everyone was already unhappy with what was happening. Side note, their food was actually good, but after all the rude attitude I completely lost my appetite. Furthermore, who was still eating, finished. The waiter came with the checks (to our surprise they charged the salmon, with the hair) We called her back over to ask why they were charging. She rudely said "what our friend found was not hair, but it was bristles from the brush they clean the grill" and she added, "the plate was half eaten". Her reply was completely unacceptable. Why would anyone be ok with having residue from cleaning tools on their food.?? I was completely stunned by their attitude. She called the owner (the husband) He came over already angry. My husband and I were nicely trying to explain to him the situation, however he didn't even let me finish what I was saying. With the rudest attitude possible he said "let me just cut this short, there is an email you can send whatever you want on there." In shock I replied " wow, we have someone with a burn here and someone with hair/ residue from their grill on the food, and that's your attitude," He reply with "go to the doctor to check that out," like it was not his problem. He continued to say, "just pay your bill". The rudest guy ever. We do not have any issues paying good money for good food and good service. I can't even say we had bad service, because what they did wasn't even service. Their atitudes and action toward us were disgusting, rude, disrespectful and oppressive. I've never experienced such rude people in my life. In conclusion, I've never experienced this terrible situation before. I DO NOT recommend this place. Save yourself from the terrible experience. read more

This was my second visit to Forlini's. My first experience was very good. The only negative was a less than pleasant server. The food was great so I overlooked that. My sister and I decided to go back New Years Eve and what a disappointment. The food was great as usual but the service - not so much. We felt rushed and wow - the menu was reduced in half and prices doubled. Shame on you!!! We are locals and were prepared to refer many friends but not now. What was more shocking was we ordered dessert to go only to find that the portions were cut in half for prices that were doubled. SHAME on you again. I guess we would have had better service if we were part of that large party that got all the attention - including the hostess. Great food will not compensate for doubled prices and reduced portions taking advantage of people and unsmiling service faces . . . read more

We came to town with idea we would go big and splurge since we couldn't for so long. We walked in and we're judged based off of our clothes. I would apologize for not having designer clothes all over our family but we are simple people. The fact that we walked in and we're told to come back in an hour only yo find out 5 minutes later we could have been in there eating already is disgusting. No one should be treated this way. read more

We had dinner at Forlini's as a party of 8 last week Saturday as we had heard it was a nice place to dine out. However, although the food was good and their bread was fantastic, there are a few comments to be made. Upon entering, the first thing you see is a sign saying that dining is limited to 90 minutes per party. Not a very welcoming start. And yes indeed their bread rolls are amazing. I wish I could order them to go and enjoy them at home. However, the dipping oil and butter seemed to be rationed. We were a party of 8 and there was only one small bowl of oil and very little butter and when we asked for more, it took forever to come out. Also when we asked for more bread, we were told that that would cost extra. This was something I would not have expected in a restaurant with these prices. As a local I'm not sure if I would consider a repeat visit. read more

Hands down the best Italian food and service in the state of Florida!! The Ribeye parm was cooked to perfection and the flavor was out of this world! read more

Visited Friday night for dinner with Mom. Made reservations made it really wasn't necessary since it was pretty quite for a Friday @7:30. We both had the escargots and I had the Osso Buco whihc was excellent. She had the veal which was one of the daily specials which she enjoyed a lot. The home-baked bread was fresh out of the oven and great to dip in the butter garlic sauce. We passed on desserts, since we were full. Overall a good experience and I'll definitely come back. read more

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This place was pretty solid. We just stumbled upon this while walking, and for the area, it was a great choice for a nice restaurant. We got seated right away, and the food was great! I got the Penne Alfredo, and really enjoyed it. The only reason I'd give this place 4 stars is because our service was a little slow, and the food was a tad overpriced in my opinion. That being said, we knew what we were getting into and would go back in a heartbeat. read more

Forlini's Restaurant - Penne Alfredo - Italian Near Me - Clearwater Beach, Florida

This is one of the finest family Italian restaurants that I've ever enjoyed, and I've been to Italy several times their food and service is extraordinary. We had the stuffed olive appetizer and Easy lobster Sinatra fettuccine with vodka sauce and it was delicious read more

I dined here with a largish group of 12 and unlike many reviewers, we had a fun and relaxed experience. The atmosphere was quiet and the service was on point. Although we ended up ordering 12 unique multi-course meals, every single person got the right dish at the right time, every time. A second waiter also helped to make sure things went smoothly. They didn't rush us and everyone enjoyed their dishes. I had a lobster on pasta with a homemade caper/cream/tomato sauce that was really really tasty. Next time I'll ask for extra capers since when some is good, more is better. Any customization we wanted for the meal were happily accepted and wine service was also well done. I would not classify this as a true traditional Italian place as some of the items were not straight from Italy. But, who cares? We enjoyed it! read more