We went out for dinner here last night and ultimately had a great experience. Our server was amazing (I don't remember his name but he had long blond hair). He took wonderful care of us and was very attentive without being intrusive and was just very kind. The food was amazing, as always! I got the salmon piccata, my husband got the Diavola pizza and we shared the Tomatoes Vesta appetizer. Literally all of it was soooo good. We got their maple bacon cannoli to take home and ate those later - literal perfection! The only downside to the whole evening was the hostess. She was not very nice and to be honest, we almost left and went somewhere else because of her. BUT, I'm still giving the experience 5 stars - the food is just too good and our server went above and beyond to make up for the hostess and make sure we had a wonderful evening! read more

Fantastic food. They also seem fairly knowledgeable about gluten and were able to help me navigate their menu since I am celiac. Our waitress kept telling me to get the salmon and even though I was thinking pizza, I did get the salmon and it was to die for. My wife got something that started with the word eggplant which didn't sound good, but she swore it was fantastic. The kids got a pepperoni pizza and a margarita pizza and said it was good. They also liked the fact that they got to take some home, but this is a college town and who doesn't like to take home pizza. Just saying. I would come back to this place in a heartbeat and get the salmon again. Since I am celiac, I couldn't get the pasta so I just put it on vegetables, but it was really good I might get an appetizer next time. The place was actually kind of small and not that many tables. A booking through OpenTable would be a good idea for you. read more

Osteria Rago is absolutely worth the reservation--and yes, you will need one. The dining room is very small, which makes the experience feel intimate, but it also means they're strict about timing based on party size. Honestly, it keeps everything running smoothly. The staff is exceptional across the board, and the wine list is fantastic. The food hits that perfect balance of classic Italian flavors with a modern touch--beautifully executed and extremely good. It's totally worth the drive to Bloomington, and you can easily wrap up the night with drinks just around the corner. A great spot for anyone who appreciates thoughtful service, great food, and a cozy atmosphere. read more

Osteria Rago - Italian Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

Another great meal! We keep coming back. Drive about an hour to get here. Thanks again. read more

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Best Italian restaurant in the town! Loved the meatballs and pizza. The restaurant was amazing and I have never noticed such nice place before in downtown. read more

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I was very impressed with the quality of the food and its authentic aspects. Service was excellent. The singing was on key and it was just a really fun time. See you next week! read more

Visiting our daughter for the weekend. We were excited to try her favorite Italian Restaurant. She speaks so highly of the staff and food quality. They have a full bar and something for everyone on their menu. We had a reservation for 3, we arrived early and they eagerly accommodated us. We started with Focaccia and oil for the table, our waitress was amazing. She made recommendations and of course we listened. The pizzas were thin, light and so flavorful. I had the chicken Marsala with polenta and I could have literally licked the plate. To top off the dinner we had the tiramisu and it was fabulous. I'm so glad my husband and daughter were there to help me eat it. This place is a gem nestled away in downtown Bloomington. The inside is small and intimate, but very welcoming. I can't wait to visit again. read more

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Food was phenomenal. Especially the meat ravioli and the spaghetti with meatballs! I highly recommend trying!

Delicious, authentic Italian food made fresh. Highly recommend. Everything was fantastic. Best Italian in Bloomington. read more

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When we booked the reservation over a month ago for Friday of graduation weekend on Open Table we were required to put down a $10 per person DEPOSIT. After we finished lunch and they ran my credit card through I was reminded of the $40 deposit. When I looked at the bill the $40 deposit had not been credited to my tab. I asked the manager about correcting the amount and she said the $40 was for the privilege of making the reservation. I told her that nowhere on Open Table did it say anything other than it was a deposit. She disagreed and said it stated clearly it was a fee. Attached is a screenshot of my Open Table DEPOSIT. The Acacia de Pepe was excellent as always. The Chicken Piccata was great as always. I got adventurous and ordered the Big Al sandwich. It was huge but I made the assumption it would be toasted, it was not. It was ok at best, avoid. My total disappointment with Osteria Rago was more with the deception and crappy attitude of the Manager than the $40. Never dining here again. read more

Osteria Rago - The Open Table receipt that clearly shows a $40 deposit and not a $40 fee for the privilege of making a reservation. - Italian Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

What an incredible dinner! We had an 8:15 PM reservation at Osteria Rago, but since we arrived downtown early, we decided to grab a cocktail at Nick's beforehand. Just as we were finishing our drinks, Osteria called to let us know our table was ready ahead of schedule - an added bonus. We started the night with a bottle of Cakebread wine and the bruschetta appetizer, both of which were outstanding. Our group ordered salads all around, including the Caesar and chopped. These were some of the best salads we've ever had. Our server highly recommended the chopped salad, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. For the main course, we went with the lasagna, piccata, and ravioli. We were all extremely impressed with our selections! The service was impeccable, and the entire experience was nothing short of fantastic. If you haven't been yet, do yourself a favor and make a reservation soon. You won't be disappointed! read more

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Great service, good food. It's busy, so little noisy and a reservation is a must. And it's a little pricy at least $20 per entree. Recommended. read more

This was the biggest disappointment of a restaurant. For a place that charges $20-25 a plate for a dish of pasta, it's an embarrassment. Everything from the server to the food quality was atrocious. First off, the sever acted like she had no concept of hospitality; no "hi" or "welcome" not even "my name is xyz and I'll be your server". We didn't even realize she was our server at first; thought she was just the hostess. Then she showed up at our table 20 minutes after seating us acting as if we're a nuisance (with a "dead face" just standing there silently until I say "I think we're ready to order). Even my husband, who never makes a remark, was appalled. But that's not the worst part!!!! FORTY minutes after she takes our order she comes back to say that they're out of fettuccine and which other pasta would we like to substitute for. (I wish I was kidding!). We were there at 2pm and only 3 other tables were filled so no reason for this wait. Then we finally get our food after being there for nearly an hour and a half....and it's super underwhelming. My daughter didn't even eat her meatballs after two bites, husbands chicken was super dry. My Tuscan salmon was the only one decent enough although a bit undercooked. I don't enjoy writing bad reviews but this place is seriously overrated. I don't know if the good reviews are outdated or come from just friends and family but I will never come here again. read more

Osteria Rago - Undercooked salmon (Tuscan Salmon) - Italian Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

I've had multiple pizzas here; all great. The burrata appetizer was amazing. Looking forward to trying some of the pasta dishes. One of the better restaurants in Bloomington. read more

Made a reservation here for my birthday and went with a couple girlfriends. A reservation is an absolute must, because they're always super busy and don't have a lot of seating. The food is really really good, and a great spot to wine and dine with friends. The staff was friendly and helpful. I'll definitely be back! read more

Osteria Rago - Carbonara - Italian Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

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We dined at Osteria Rago yesterday, 7/3/2024, for my birthday dinner. I am a huge lover of Italian cuisine, and this restaurant did not disappoint! The restaurant is cozy. The hostess was welcoming, and our waitress was very kind and attentive. We began with the appetizer of Tomatoes Vesta. This dish is one I will crave forever! It starts with a lightly crisped focaccia that is still so airy and tender, topped with lemon ricotta, roasted tomatoes, roasted garlic, arugula, and finished with a balsamic reduction. Arguably one of the best bites I've ever had. Our son was adamant that he was not hungry, but I knew if I ordered spaghetti and meatballs he would want to share. I did request to have the spaghetti substituted for bucatini as it's a favorite pasta of mine. The sauce was rich in flavor, pasta cooked to perfection, and the meatballs were delicious and tender. My son ate over half of the dish despite not being hungry and not wanting anything lol. My husband ordered the Patata Suprema wood fired pizza. He said it is hands down the best pizza he's ever had. This pizza had potatoes, bacon, sausage, white sauce, parmesan, romano, and a rosemary calabrese oil. The crust was thin and crispy, yet held up well with the substantial toppings. We were so stuffed after dinner that we requested a piece of tiramisu to go. We enjoyed this later in the evening, and it was decadent! Needless to say we will be making repeat reservations to enjoy this place again! read more

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Everything was great. Huge portions and good flavoring. On our first visit, We had the oanzanella and polenta for starters. The croutons were legit, from their focaccia. For the mains we had the eggplant rolatini and pepperoni pizza. Both generously sized we had enough to take home for another meal tomorrow. We ended the meal with tiramisu for dessert. Not disappointed with anything. Friendly staff and great atmosphere. Will come back read more

For delicious, creative yet authentic Italian cuisine, THIS IS YOUR SPOT. I dined here in a party of 3 earlier this week, and we loved everything about our experience. This was my first time at Osteria Rago (I live out of state); the rest of my party has dined there several times. The wines by the glass we chose from the huge wine menu were excellent (a California chardonnay and an Italian chianti). We got 2 appetizers: 1) Tomatoes Vesta, which was big enough for the 3 of us to split and have plenty each; delicious, especially that lemon ricotta! 2) The appetizer special: veal & rabbit meatballs with peppers and an agridolce sweet & sour sauce. It was unique and FANTASTIC - so glad we ordered it! We wished we could have had 3x as much of it. For my entree, I had the Lasagna (I happen to love crunchy burned edges, and this had some!). The others in my party had the Veal Braciole and the Pesto Pasta, and they said both dishes were excellent. Osteria Rago is small and busy (though cozy), so on weekends or holidays it can be tough to get a table at the time you want - make sure you plan ahead. Service was just right: attentive but not intrusive. I look forward to coming back to this place the next time I visit! read more

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Love it here! Highly suggest a reservation as they tend to fill up fast. Not a huge space but food is delicious and reasonably priced. The bruschetta was delicious, as was the cacio e pepe and the chicken parm dish was very big and filling! For dessert, don't skip as the cannoli were excellent. Our waitress was incredibly knowledgeable and had great recommendations on both entrees and wine selections. Will go back whenever visiting Bloomington! read more

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The food was fantastic. Salad was the best in Bloomington! Pasta fresh and perfectly al dente. I asked to mix the pomodoro sauce with alfredo and they happily obliged! IT WAS DELICIOUS! Make reservations. It will be a little warm in the side section if it is hot outside but its all worth it! What a great spot! read more

I truly appreciate them getting me in tonight on short notice. The service team is great!!!! I went with carbonara as it is a classic and I wanted to see how they did the basics. I'm sorry to say it fell well short. The egg was not incorporated. The pig cheek was soft and not crisp. The pasta was cooked inconsistently. And there was a large miss on the cheese. Not sure if mid-week there is another chef, but just fell well short of expectations. The server told me they are booked regularly. Don't get complacent. I'll try again the next time in Bloomington and hope for a better result. read more

We had a wonderful meal here. Started with bruschetta which was excellent, very fresh and delicious. All of our pastas were fantastic with the pesto pasta being a standout. Also tried a prosciutto arugula pizza and it was packed with flavor. Will come again! read more

This is a hidden little hole in the wall tucked away behind Nick's English Hut on Kirkwood. You practically enter through the alley. But once inside, it's a nice place. It's not open on Sundays, so pick your timing carefully. It's not cheap, and the entrees are not large, but the food is delicious. We had the polenta balls as an appetizer, and I had the braciole (probably a special). It was so tender and bursting with flavor. Wow! The servers were attentive, but not in your face. And while the entrees were not big, the tiramisu dessert was quite big... and also terrific. This place is almost too good for a college town. read more

Osteria Rago - Italian Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

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For as long as I have lived in Indiana I have tired to find a great Italian restaurant in line with those available in New York and Italy. Here it is. my wife and I visited based on the positive comments of friends. You can taste the freshness of the ingredients. Nothing heavy handed, just good Italian cuisine. Can't wait to return read more

The eggplant dish was outstanding! Will be back for sure. Such a cute little place. Make reservations if possible.

We had reservations and though the place wasn't crowded the service was terrible. Our waitress messed up our order, totally forgot my salad, which I was really looking forward to as they were. All highly recommended. Cheese and meat raviolis were both unavailable, which was disappointing because they were also highly recommended. We ended up with pizza (floppy and under cooked), lasagna (dry and lacked flavor) and eggplant rotini was dry and placed on a pool of water with two wet big noodles that look like lasagna sheets. We were so disappointed because this restaurant had been one we've been wanting to try. I'm skeptical when the waitress doesn't write down any of the order and there was no special order whatsoever even after she forgot the salad she just said 'my bad' didn't even apologize or try to make it right. read more

Oh my! The Cacio e Pepe was excellent! Nice small venue with a great little restaurant feel. Definitely will be back!

Yummy Italian near campus. Loved the rustic atmosphere and service was super friendly. The polenta was delicious- so much flavor in the mushrooms and red sauce! The other dish we enjoyed was the Cacio de Peppe. Always amazes me how comforting and delicious such a simple dish can be. For dessert we split the Tiramisu and enjoyed Americanos. Overall a lovely meal. The only thing keeping it from 5 stars is that the prices felt a bit high for the portions. It won't stop me from returning, but it will keep me from visiting every week. read more

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Another special occasion, and another delight. The Birthday Person enjoys the eggplant rolotini served here. There are offerings in places like Boston's North End, and in Chicago that don't compare. Very fresh and flavorful, it's this person's favorite. My own cacio e pepe was pretty good. It's not easy to make. In parts of Rome, they serve it in a parmesan bowl, but this version was very flavorful and threw me into the Wayback Machine, wandering restaurants along the Tiber in Rome on a warm summer evening. Yummm. We shared a caprese salad. This has mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and a balsamic reduction. The challenge would be... tomatoes-- which aren't in season. Crazily, the tomatoes were huge, delicious, and the balsamic was stellar. They've a huge wine menu, but instead, we did coffee, which has improved vastly from our last visit. Prices are fair; they haven't inflated like other spots in this area. Expect $25/each before wine, a bit higher if you go for more appetizers or high-value protein selections. This is formal dining, well-done, and worth the visit into the alley between Nick's and The Runcible Spoon. It can be noisy and lively, part of its charm. read more

You have to have a reservation, because it's a very popular place! I saw many people turned away at the door. We had the Chopped Salad. It's huge, we took half of it home. There are delightful crispy pieces of Prosciutto in the salad. My husband had the Chicken Parm. Huge chicken breast and their "to die for" tomato sauce. I had my usual... Carbonara...( cue the eye roll). Add a glass of Chianti and a Ruby Bloom for my husband and we were two of the happiest people in the world. Our server was fantastic!! Please make plans to visit this wonderful local restaurant. NOTE: no longer taking reservations for Graduation 2024. read more

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Excellent food...salad and pizza are very sharable! Pleasant service! Highly recommend!

First, you get what you pay for. The portions are huge and delicious. As someone from southern Indiana, it is difficult to find Italian food that is to my tastes. I can't wait to come back to Osteria Rago. I had the spaghetti with ragu and the tiramisu. The service was also great, our server was kind and attentive. The ambiance was nice as well. Everything is made from scratch. read more

The food was delicious! Had the ravioli and ate every bite. Loved this restaurant and will be back for sure!

I had been here once before and the food impressed me so much that I returned. I was less than impressed this time. Appetizer: - Rago's meatballs: for $15 worth of meatballs, I expected more than mediocre meatballs that I can make better at home. They were lacking in flavor- they were so regular. Would not order again. Entrees: -Carbonara: this was my first time trying carbonara. It was pretty good, but I won't order it again. It was very simple. I wish there were more mushrooms and that the pork fat was crispier- it was a bit too chewy. -Wild mushroom pizza: this pizza was alright- would never order it again. The mushrooms were a little mushy and there were whole entire garlic cloves on each slice of pizza. A little too garlic-y in my opinion. I will stick to the prosciutto & arugula pizza next time- it's so good from here. Their focaccia is AMAZING. It is so moist and has amazing flavor. I love that they serve it with most entree orders & the appetizer. read more

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We had the pizza of the month, the carbonara, followed up with the tiramisu and an order of cannolis alongside double espresso. Heaven!! read more

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The food was nothing special, but expensive. The server was one of the least friendly I've had in years. And it took a very long time to get our food. We arrived at 1:45 on a Saturday. Took at least 15 minutes for someone to finally take our order. After 40 minutes, they informed us that they were out of fettuccine. That's fine, but why did it take them 40 minutes to realize that?! Food finally arrived after about an hour. And there were very few other tables, so it wasn't because they were busy. Will not come back. read more

We had the eggplant rollatini, Tuscan salmon, and pasta aioli olio with shrimp. These were all amazing. The eggplant rollatini is crispy eggplant with cheese rolled inside on bed of pasta with spinach. The combination of flavors was wonderful and even the kids enjoyed different parts of it. The salmon was cooked perfectly - slightly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes and fettucine that accompanied the salmon were also good. The artichoke kind of stuck out to me but it was not horrible. The pasta aioli olio is a simple dish but it was very tasty. The shrimp was cooked and flavored well. Next time, I might try to pesto or lasagna if I wanted to try something new. Kids had the spaghetti with meatballs and the capellini in butter sauce. The spaghetti was better than the butter pasta. The butter pasta did not have any flavor to it at all. Both these items were very plain and not very good. We also had the nutella cannoli. It was ok but the kids loved it. Came by spontaneously on a weekday without a reservation and was able to be seated but with a 1hour+ wait. You definitely should make a reservation before coming here! I think they schedule reservations with fairly tight windows to get more parties in but the later reservations end up having to wait because the earlier reservations linger after they finish eating. Cute ambiance and service is good. This is one of the best Italian restaurants and I highly recommend it! read more

I tried this place three times with different experiences, and it got worse each time . Pizza was good , pasta was mediocre, small and overpriced, dessert tiramisu was good and generous. Dining área is small and the seats are not comfortable. Service needs improvement. read more

The HIDDEN GEM of Bloomington - part of me wanted to gatekeep this one for myself but I had to let my fellow foodies in on the best kept secret! Nestled behind Nick's is a small Italian restaurant with delicious pasta, pizza, and wine. Perfect for a date night, girls night, family dinner - all of the above. On Wine Wednesdays - bottles are 50% off. The service and vibes are impeccable. We ordered: - Tomatoes Vesta: Fire-roasted cherry tomatoes, lemon ricotta, arugula, red wine balsamic reduction, house-made focaccia - Seasonal Special: Shrimp & asparagus risotto - Fettuccine Alfredo with spinach, chicken, and sun-dried tomatoes - Chicken Parmesan: breaded chicken breast wrapped in prosciutto di Parma, organic tomato sauce, pesto - Served with spaghetti I will be back again - need to save room for dessert next time! read more

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The food and service are incredible - but as others have said on here - DO NOT GET THE WILD MUSHROOM PIZZA! It's honestly inedible. Our party got 3 pizzas and the lemon ricotta and potato sausage pizza were to die for, we didn't even get into the mushroom pizza so we split it and took it home. My friend and I were appalled at how bad it was after having the other two pizzas. The mushrooms are rubbery and almost tasted canned, the sauce was bland and they try to cover up the lack of flavor with a copious amount of cheese and whole cloves of roasted garlic. I'd love to see a different pizza in its place, it's just bad. Otherwise the food and service have always been amazing here, even if the location is a bit hidden and the atmosphere is very...rustic. I will return, but not for the mushroom pizza. read more