Very pricey with small portions, but DELICIOUS!!! Every single thing I had was amazing, and I am THRILLED to have finally found a GREAT vodka sauce in our area!! I haven't had a good one since I moved out of NYC, and this is it!! Bar is first come first served - love that! The staff is all so wonderful - welcoming, pleasant, and friendly. There is onsite parking, which is a TREASURE to have downtown! Can't wait to go back!! read more

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I will say the broccolini and the parm dip for the bread were to die for !! The food was good, but definitely not the best Italian here in Charleston. The inside was packed which made it feel very family oriented but also made the tables really close to each other. The servers did a great job with making recommendations and bringing food out efficiently. read more

My wife and niece showed up for our reservation for our once a month date night. My niece was joining us last minute and we were told by a very unfriendly hostess that "we could not be accommodated" with a third seat. I ended up leaving and going to Timber Pizza while my wife and niece remained to dine. They sat at a table that could have allowed a third seat without disrupting flow of traffic. It was embarrassing to leave my family to go patron another establishment when all we wanted was to enjoy family night at Plato. Instead, my family was split up in order to allow them the pleasure of enjoying your food while I was basically told to kick rocks. We are year round residents and we frequent down town Charleston regularly but we were treated like disposable silverware. Not a great feeling at all. read more

We stopped in Edmunds Oast for drinks and sat outside at the Bower. The whole time we sat there I kept saying to my husband, we still haven't tried Pelato and it's been on my list for awhile. It didn't take much convincing, we made our way over for an early dinner with our 9 month old and sat on the lovely outdoor patio. We enjoyed 5 shareable plates which were all delightful! The Burrata and Bucatini were my faves but don't sleep on the Meatballs, they're phenomenal! We topped the meal off with the Canolli Chips and Dip which were also fantastic! Our little girl is usually the easiest quietest little thing but she proved to be the most difficult she'd been in public since coming into this world. My husband assured me she was annoying us much more than anyone around us as she was still relatively quiet, just overly needy making it a little difficult to enjoy the meal. I have to hand it to the manager and all of staff for making us feel welcome despite dealing with a fussy kid. They checked on us a bunch and ensured we had the best experience we could despite our baby. Oddly enough she's not a big "real" food eater at this age but calmed down and smiled a bunch after we shared some of the deliciousness with her! She enjoyed the Burrata and Meatballs as much as we did! We'll definitely be back, whether it's to try some more plates, Sunday family style dinner, or their brunch which sounded extra awesome! read more

This place is amazing I love small plates which allows me to experience more different dishes and that is why I love this place and the staff are very attentive and polite Can't wait to go back read more

Great food and service! All the appetizers, dinner and desserts we had were excellent.

We ate outside on a very hot day/ evening but were surprisingly comfortable. The porch was packed with a good mixture of ages. The food was outstanding as well as the service. Everything that we ordered was delicious! read more

Nice ambiance. Good accoustics. Beautiful outside patio. Andrew from Brooklyn was a good server. Very Italian family dinner feel. Sauces were like Nonna was in the kitchen. Loved the eggplant bread, Bombalitta, salad and vodka sauce. A nice piece of bread to sop up sauces would have been nice. Shrimp lemon was a bit too lemony. Nice addition to downtown and easy parking. read more

Food was decent, I could tell they use very fresh ingredients. But where they lost me was one how close you're sitting to eachother you can just hear everyone conversations around you which I hated, and it was a celebration dinner for my 26th birthday we even added that in the notes our waiter came and said "I hear we have a birthday tonight correct handed me a dessert menu and said select something" I'm assuming like every other restaurant I've been to on my birthday they wouldn't charge us for that but no our check came and they charged us for it completely ruined the night for us and our experience here sadly we had high hopes read more

Just not good in so many ways Ambiance is either way too hot or way too cold - outside seating is a mess - inside is better Staff is ill-prepared for proper Charleston service - not a good staff and managers less talented Food is fair and maybe a bit better, but not by much - just go to the restrooms and spend 30 seconds looking into the kitchen - scary at best - wow oh wow Too many other great options in town to visit here any more Gave them 3 honest try's with limited to no ownership engagement or oversight - just not willing to accept feedback Best of luck read more

The food was great. They said the serving sizes were for sharing but we could've ordered more of everything. The interior is super cute read more

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The good: the food came out quickly and was served hot. Ingredients were fresh. The atmosphere and seating were great; an improvement from Butcher and Bee The bad (and the ugly) NO SUBSTITUTIONS AT ALL. My wife is gluten intolerant. The GF pasta was made from buckwheat, which has reduced amounts of gluten in the grain, but has gluten. . The bucatini based cacio y pepe was "gloppy". The consistency of a pasty pasta vs the cacio y pepe from Italy. Could not order plain bread. Only what was on menu, which included sausage and tomato stuffed bread, and garlic bread. Could not pay to add bolognese sauce to the sheet of ricotta ravioli. No changes to the items on the menu. No sleep till Brooklyn. The "tricolor" cookies? Stale. And one normal cookie cut into 3 pieces. When the "buzz" around this new place dies down, management should try to accommodate client requests, Especially if it adds to the restaurants bottom line. Great atmosphere. Food gets a 3/5. Mixed drinks cost more than a glass of wine. Buono fortuna per ora. read more

Overall food was ok, overpriced. Better options in Charleston. Service was good though. Place is a bit loud as it gets full

Pelato is absolutely amazing! I had the pleasure of meeting the Director of Hospitality, Evan who pointed us in the right direction of the establishment. Maddie was extremely helpful in providing that 'low country southern charm' and our servers Ashley & Will were amazing! Come for the food, stay for a cocktail, indulge in their decadently light sorbets and make a new friend amongst the staff! s/o to Tyler for the accommodations and being so cool! Will definitely come back again! If you're in the area, do not walk here -- run, or fly for you will not be disappointed read more

Tall handsome guy with gold glasses was our server. hated how much he checked up on us and hated how amazingly good spirited he was. Just kidding... he was so friendly and one of the nicest servers I've ever had! His amazing suggestions kept us so full we had to roll out of the restaurant. He may have made us chubby.... But he made us happy. The amazing sunshine that radiated from him made this an experience like no other. No noddle left behind!!! Will come again! read more

This may have been the WORST dining experience I hav ever had today, due to the management. The people who run this establishment must have every little going on with their lives as they relish and enjoy disturbing the customers and "paleto" experience. Immediately once my party of 8 arrived, we were met with hostility about our large party and the service fee. We were asked to wait to sit together and asked to buy drinks as we wait. The bartender immediately said after being asked for 2 martinis and a red wine that he "couldn't handle this and had to wait until someone else could." If we had known that we weren't going to sit together from the jump, we could have appropriately accommodated our group, including a pregnant woman and a diabetic. The man who ran the establishment was fixed on making us pay for the 65$ dollar large party fee and if we didn't, we would get punished. He stated- in an empty room- that all the tables were specially reserved. As a psychic of 25 years, the desperation and vitriol permeated the establishment, and its honestly on my discernment for not immediately running from the disgusting, putrid energy. They reply to every single negative comment - due to the severe lack of professionalism and social adjustment in the work force - whoever that mustached blonde man is, needs serious, serious help. I pray for you and your team and the adjustment to this world that seems far beyond you all and your capabilities. I pray you (the manager) find something to look forward too that is meaningful and just, and I will not be surprised to see my comment taken down or replied to as if by a child, like the others before mine. I pray for who you all are and the energy you will need to continue in this world - if this situation and the many, MANY others before mine truly shake you - I pray for the backbone you do not have and hope you find it. Good luck read more

We had an incredible meal at Pelato! Our server (Rebekah) was knowledgeable and had great recommendations. During our trip to Charleston, we ate at some of the most popular and recommended spots in town but Pelato was both my husband and I's favorite restaurant of the trip. Also the drinks were delicious! read more

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Honestly this felt like any other chain Italian that is over priced. It was tasty but between the service, amount of food, quality of food and price I just don't think it's worth it. read more

So glad we chose this restaurant for dinner during our trip! Amazing food, service and ambiance! We also ordered the garlic bread, chicken parmigiana, and ice cream sandwiches, very delightful. It was my husband's birthday celebration and they surprised us and gave him a cute sparkler to celebrate with the dessert. Also, parking was confusing??? maybe because we aren't from charleston but online said on site parking lot but everything like signage said we'd be towed or no parking so we were confused on that. read more

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We recently dined at this Italian tapas spot and, despite a rocky start, ended up having a truly wonderful experience. When we arrived, we were greeted by the hostess, Theresa, who unfortunately was extremely rude when I politely asked if we could be seated at a different table (we were initially placed right by the door). Not the welcome I had hoped for. I did speak to the manager, Ian, who couldn't have been kinder--he handled the situation with professionalism and made us feel truly cared for. From there, everything improved dramatically. We started with a non-alcoholic Peroni--something you don't see often, and it was actually quite good. Our server, Lea, was absolutely perfect: friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable without hovering. Food-wise, every dish we ordered was excellent: the burrata crostini, burnt broccolini, baked clams oreganata, chicken parm, and the rigatoni special. I especially appreciated that all of their pasta and desserts are made in-house, which really came through in the flavor and texture. I had expected tapas-sized portions based on other reviews, but we were pleasantly surprised--there was plenty of food for both of us, with leftovers to bring home. We dined on the patio, which was enclosed due to rain but clearly designed to open fully in nicer weather. While charming, it was quite noisy--next time I'd likely request a table inside for a more relaxed vibe. Prices are on the higher side, but the quality is absolutely there. As someone from Brooklyn who's picky about Italian food, I was impressed. The free parking lot is a huge plus and made the whole experience that much easier--no circling for street parking or dealing with a garage. Despite the initial hiccup, this place completely won us over. Excellent food, warm service (once seated), and a strong commitment to quality. We'll definitely be back! read more

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Food was delicious. We got 2 pastas and 2 apps for 2 people. Atmosphere was great. Our server Ryan was excellent. read more

The food here was amazing! The dishes reminded me of growing up in NY. I can't believe they had potato croquettes! They were amazing and didn't even need the garlic aioli that was served with them. The radiatori alla vodka was also so good. The sauce was flavorful and the pasta was perfectly al dente. I sat at the bar and the bartender was so nice. read more

Pelato - Pita - Italian Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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I typically do not write negatively about an establishment, however Pelato did not meet up to the written hype. The server was horrible, she rushed everything, did not follow up, and forced the word "y'all" into every sentence despite not having a Southern Accent. Their "signature" dish, chicken parm was just OK. Their best thing was the Campanella Shrimp Limone, great flavor but was lukewarm warm. The Penne Carbonara clearly did not meet up to the NY Brooklyn standards. What was make this even more of a disappointment was they may have been 40% occupied at best for brunch. read more

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Definitely lives up to the hype. We were a table of 4 and our waiter suggested 3 dishes per person (which was definitely accurate; we had no left overs and everyone was satisfied, not stuffed) so we had almost the whole menu. Garlic bread w/ melted parm: excellent. Wasn't pulling like mozz cheese; was like a soup/ cream dip of cheese Fresh mozz and caprese: we got both. One plain in oil, one with balsamic and green tomatoes. Salty and delicious Prosciutto, chicken parm, meatballs, calamari, rigatoni with sausage: the meat eaters loved. That's all I got, I (vegetarian) didn't try them Potato croquettes, stuffed mushrooms, eggplant bread, ravioli and cacio e pepi: all excellent. Great flavors and I was glad the portions were so small so I could taste everything. The plates are really small: example the potato croquettes are 3 pieces so you're gonna cut and share. If you're used to big portions, like many Italian restaurants , just know that coming in. They say they're "Brooklyn Italian" and yes the flavor is on point for Brooklyn NY but the portions are more Spanish tapas. Dessert: rainbow cookies (not my jam so didn't even try but everyone else liked them), ice cream sandwiches were like cream puffs with ice cream: delicious and zeppoles were very good Inside and outside seating. High chairs available. More casual looking inside than I had thought. Parking lot was packed at 5:15 on a Thursday (shares w/ Edmonds Oast) but easily got a spot on the street. Definitely get reservations. Highly recommend, we will be back read more

Very attentive staff. "Tapas style" 2-3 plates per person. Some of the most delicious pasta I've had in the US. Vodka, shrimp limone, and cacio e Pepe was phenomenal. Things to improve: Would love a glass water pitcher. read more

My girlfriend and I visited on Friday night. The food was fantastic. We had the pleasure of being served by Caleb, he was very friendly, explained everything throughly and made the whole night even better than expected. I would highly recommend visiting. read more

Caleb was the best server! Great service, amazing food! Highly recommend!! Go on your next trip to Charleston! read more

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Our waitress was nice and explained the menu and suggested 2-4 plates per person. Initially, I was apprehensive about the ordering and plate size but it was perfect! We had a party of 4 and ordered garlic bread, calamari, croquettes, broccoli, meatballs, rice balls, and 4 pasta dishes. Plenty of food! read more

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Exceptional. Every single food item was beyond expectations and service was super friendly. I would warn of over-ordering like we did, but absolutely reccomend trying all you can read more

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From the moment I walked into this restaurant, I fell in love with it! The wonderful smell of Italian food, friendly staff, and cozy interior was a great first impression. The food - oh my goodness! It was so delicious and generous portions. The recommendation is to order about two small plates per person and share. We had these dishes: Burrata Crostini, Stuffed Mushrooms, Meatballs Al Forno, and The Pelato Rav. All were incredible. Our friends had similar dishes, but I ended up stealing their Fusilli Pesto because it was that good! For dessert, our server recommended the Torta Di Mele - a caramelized upside-down apple cake with vanilla gelato. WOW - it was fabulous. Their service here is impeccable - friendly, knowledgeable, and just the right amount of interaction. Empty dishes were removed promptly. We never felt rushed. There is a lovely wine list and cocktails and mocktails as well. The outdoor patio is spacious and lovely. I will come back on Sunday for a special dish they only serve then called, "Sunday Sauce", served family style. One small touch that I appreciate - plenty of free parking in an adjacent lot. I highly recommend this restaurant! read more

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Wow! This place was amazing. Our server was very kind, helpful, and knowledgeable about the menu. The restaurant itself was beautiful we sat outside & the vibes were amazing. It is a small plates restaurant so def be prepared to order 2 dishes per person. The food was all amazing!! It's hard to choose a favorite but we LOVED the shrimp camponelle. We will 100% be coming back! read more

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Best meal we have had in Charleston in sooo long. Pricy, but WORTH IT!! Our waitress Giana was also a gem. We really enjoyed her

I really liked the vibe. The staff was friendly. Food came out on time. It's an experience restaurant. It's not quiet, and everyone is chatting and enjoying company. Food was solid. Everyone liked their dishes. Prices on par with other restaurants downtown. We really enjoyed it and will be back. read more

The food was absolutely delicious! We got 5 tapas style dishes to share, and a dessert to share. Every single bite was incredible, beyond expectations! Gibran was our waiter, and he was awesome! Friendly, helpful, and made sure everything was perfect for us! This was our Anniversary dinner, and between the food, the service and the atmosphere, we couldn't have picked a better place! We will be going back! read more

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Top tier pasta spot! We tried a bunch of different dishes, some were fantastic, some just good. The hand made pasta and homemade rainbow cookies were a highlight for me. Salad was also great! It is very busy and loud so if you are looking for a quiet spot, go on the week day. Waitress was extremely helpful and always made sure we had drinks and anything we could need. read more

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A group of 6 of us had a disappointing meal at Pelato. We wrote a review that was several sentences long. Within 20 minutes, Pelato posted a L O N G scathing review of US, as customers. Given how fast Pelato posted, it's safe to say they re-used an email they'd sent to previous unhappy customers. Here's our bottom line: Charleston has good Italian restaurants. Pelato isn't among them. We wrote: The payment nonsense--must divide the bill evenly across our group of 6 people along with a mandatory 20% tip--put a damper on the entire evening. A silly and defensive response from management along with only okay food ensures that none of us will be returning or recommending the restaurant to friends. Charleston has excellent Italian restaurants--this isn't one of them. Pelato's defensive response: Hi. I'm sorry if our policies put a damper on the evening. We are completely up front about our payment details on our website, on OpenTable, and printed on the menu itself. Our restaurant is certainly not the first or only to implement a standard gratuity for larger groups of 6 or more, and our practice of splitting the check evenly up to 4 ways has worked wonderfully to eliminate delays for split check errors and to simplify the experience for our guests due to the nature of the shared dish experience at Pelato. It's rare to see such distain for this these policies as our typical guests appreciate the expediency and how up-front we are to set the expectation. In the future we hope you'll come back with a more positive attitude towards the food and service. Kind regards - PELATO read more

What a fun experience tonight! Tapas Italian where we all got to try a bunch of different items on the menu. The mouth watering Cacio e pepe was my favorite and I can't wait to have it again! The Radiatori Vodka has a great spice to it! Just the right amount of heat! Don't forget to order the burnt broccolini, grilled to perfection! The white Peach Sangria was a perfect summer drink to have while we waited for our table. This dinner experience was worth the small wait and I can't wait to go back because there are still so many other items on the menu I'd like to try! read more

Pelato - BUCATINI CACIO E PEPE, RIGATONI & ITALIAN SAUSAGE, RADIATORI VODKA and THE PELATO RAV - Italian Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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The atmosphere is lively and social making it a great place to go with friends or family. The food is flavorful and comforting especially the pastas and classic red sauce dishes which feel homemade and satisfying. High quality and overall experience make it a solid choice for a lively dinner. read more

Absolutely fantastic place! Pelato is a unique gem: beautiful interior, different seating areas (main room, side room, patio), amazing food served family style, and a buzzing atmosphere with attentive and sharp waiters. (we had Ashley and she was such an impressive delight!) The dishes come out when each is individually ready, intentionally spaced out perfectly for a wonderful experience! We had the garlic bread (red sauce was out of this world), the croquettes, vodka pasta, chicken parm, and our new favorite, the RAVIOLI (a must). At the end, we got the rainbow cookies on a whim (not something we normally would have gotten) and will definitely get them again! 10/10 killed it! read more

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Went here for the first time on my birthday this past Saturday and it was amazing. Our server Frederick was such a sweetheart and answered all our questions. He even wrote me a little birthday card and made a makeshift cupcake with a candle. The food was so good we had the calamari crispy, chicken, Parmesan, and the shrimp lemon pasta. They were all amazing and I'd go back to try a few more of their other dishes. read more

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