Absolutely appalled and beyond disappointed with our experience at Pelato. This was one of the most frustrating, misleading, and disrespectful dining experiences we have ever had. From the beginning, Pelato failed to properly disclose major policies both online and in person. There was no clear communication that checks could only be split into four separate payments, which is extremely inconvenient for larger groups. Even worse, there was a strict $65 minimum spending requirement per person that was not properly disclosed when booking or upon arrival. Our group spent around $300, yet we were still told we needed to spend an additional $300 more to satisfy their policy. Hidden financial expectations like this felt deceptive, misleading, and incredibly aggravating. Management then shifted blame onto us, implying it was somehow our fault for not meeting the minimum because we did not order dessert. Being told that customers are responsible for reaching an undisclosed minimum by purchasing unnecessary extras was absurd. The manager even stated she had already provided "the policy" to the customer, despite the fact that we clearly did not knowingly agree to or pay under properly disclosed terms. When concerns were raised, the manager repeatedly stated there was "nothing they could do" because it was a strict policy. We were then escalated to the operations manager, who only made matters worse. She claimed to know the rules, yet admitted there was nowhere obvious to even find the contract and stated she herself could not properly locate it. Despite aggressively enforcing the policy, she refused to provide the contract when requested and could not produce immediate proof of what we had supposedly agreed to. Rather than resolving the issue professionally, the operations manager became loud, hostile, and deeply disrespectful. She stated she would be willing to call the police on us simply because she could not provide the contract until later. This level of escalation was unnecessary, intimidating, and completely unprofessional. To make matters worse, management repeatedly implied that because Pelato is considered a "#1" restaurant, if we did not enjoy the meal or experience, that was somehow our fault. This arrogant attitude was incredibly insulting. Instead of listening to legitimate concerns, they dismissed them and acted as though customers should simply accept hidden fees, poor communication, and disappointing quality without question. Their only flexibility was allowing for one guest difference, and they refused to assist beyond that. Parking was also a major issue, with little to no nearby options, adding unnecessary stress before even entering the restaurant. The food itself was nowhere near worth the cost. Meals averaged around $75 per person, yet the quality and portion sizes were severely underwhelming. The shrimp ravioli is presented as a shared plate, yet you only receive one piece, which feels absurd for the price. The calzone was unexpectedly spicy, and the meatballs were also too spicy for some guests. For the amount charged, the food quality and quantity were simply not justified. To make the experience even worse, there were repeated whiffs of rotten eggs or sewage throughout the restaurant, creating an incredibly unpleasant dining environment. The taxes and additional charges also felt excessively high, adding to the overall feeling that customers were being taken advantage of from every possible angle. Overall, Pelato's hidden fees, lack of transparency, misleading policies, poor food value, sewage odors, inability to provide proper contractual documentation, aggressive management, and shockingly disrespectful customer service created an experience that felt far more exploitative than enjoyable. In the long run, experiences like this only leave customers hungry enough to take their business somewhere else. read more

Night 2 in Nashville and we booked Pelato after seeing a bunch of glowing reviews... and yeah, they earned them. From the street it looks like a quaint spot, but once you walk in you realize it's way bigger than it looks and the staff is on it right away. Friendly, quick to get you seated, and you can tell they run a tight ship. Everything is tapas-style with shareable portions, which is dangerous if you're with someone who says "let's just get a couple things" (because you won't). Also if you come at peak dinner time, expect a bit of a wait for the main pasta, just relax and lean into it, because it's absolutely worth it. We started with the garlic bread and I'm not being dramatic when I say we had to actively stop ourselves from finishing the whole plate immediately. Buttery, perfectly toasted, and loaded with flavor. Get the dipping sauce, and do yourself a favor... save a piece or two for later because it becomes elite when paired with pasta. Next up was the Pelato salad, a big portion (enough for 3-4ppl) and completely worth it. Super fresh, packed with ingredients, dressed with the perfect amount of oregano vinaigrette, and ridiculously easy to keep eating even when you're "just having a few bites." Then came the crispy garlic potatoes with garlic aioli... and wow. Crispy outside, fluffy inside, shaved parmesan on top this could honestly pass as a main dish if you didn't know better. The meatballs were next to make it to the table. They came out warm (not piping hot) the flavor, texture, and sauce made up for it. Still a really solid order and worth every bite. Last to hit the table was the radiatori vodka, and that's the moment everything made sense. Creamy, packed with flavor, and the homemade radiatori noodles held onto the sauce perfectly. My final bites were a little pasta + a little meatball + a little garlic bread and it was basically a mic drop. We ate so much we didn't even have room for dessert, which is my only regret... but that just means we have a reason to go back. If you're in Nashville and want a meal that feels like a full-on experience, Pelato needs to be on your list. read more

This was one of the most frustrating dining experiences I've had in a long time. The food was good and our server was kind, but unfortunately that's where the positives end. Throughout our meal, multiple ceiling vents were dripping water directly onto our table, our food, and our guests. This is completely unacceptable. We brought it to our server's attention, but nothing was done to properly address the issue or accommodate us. No apology, no offer to move us, nothing. To make matters worse, there were only two bathroom stalls for a restaurant serving well over 100 people. Every time someone needed to use the washroom, there was a lineup of 10 or more women waiting. It's clear the restaurant is not set up to handle the number of guests it accommodates. The most disappointing part of the evening, however, was the way management handled our concerns. Our table of 10 was apparently required to meet a $65 per person minimum. We have no issue with restaurants having minimum spend policies, but this was never communicated to us beforehand. Instead, throughout the night our server repeatedly reminded us that we weren't meeting the minimum, which made everyone feel uncomfortable and rushed to spend more money. When we spoke to the manager to explain that the policy had never been communicated, rather than listening or trying to understand why we were frustrated, he became defensive, argumentative, and rude. He talked over us, refused to acknowledge the lack of communication, and seemed far more interested in proving he was right than providing good customer service. A simple apology or a respectful conversation would have gone a long way, but instead we left feeling dismissed and disrespected. It's incredibly disappointing when a manager chooses to argue with paying customers instead of taking accountability and trying to make the situation right. Between the water dripping on our table, the poor communication, and the unacceptable attitude from management, this is not an experience I would recommend. The food may have been good, but good food doesn't make up for terrible customer service. read more

I had a wonderful evening at Pelato with a small group of friends. The energy hit you the moment you walked in the door -- buzzing, lively, and the kind of atmosphere that instantly makes you excited for the meal ahead. The space felt warm and packed in the best way possible, with great music, fast-moving staff, and tables all around us clearly having a great time. We basically ordered half the menu, and honestly there wasn't a miss all night. We started with the Mozzarella Caprese, Pelato Salad, Potato Croquettes, Crispy Garlic Potatoes, Burnt Broccolini, and Meatballs al Forno -- all perfect for sharing and paced really well by the kitchen. For mains, the Seafood Fra Diavolo and Campanelle Limone were both outstanding and easily the stars of the night for our table. To finish, we had the San Gennaro Zeppoles, which were the perfect ending to a big dinner. Service was excellent throughout the night. Despite how busy the restaurant was, food came out at a great pace, drinks stayed full, and the staff was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. Pricing felt fair for the quality and portion sizes, especially with how much we ordered for the table. Definitely one of the more fun group dinner spots I've been to lately. read more

This is a tough review to write because it's not necessarily a bad review about my experience AT the restaurant, it was what happened after. My co-workers and I went to Pelato last Friday night (1/31/25) and had a wonderful experience--food tasted great. Our server was fantastic and we left so happy with our experience. However, come Saturday night, I started feeling nauseous around 11:30pm. I went to bed and woke up around 1:30am and started vomiting. That continued on the rest of the morning and into the day. I vomited a total of six times. Had it been more than that, I would've gone to the hospital. I cannot remember the last time I've ever been that sick. Maybe the childhood flu? I was so sick that I had to miss work Monday and when I returned on Tuesday (today), as I finally feel somewhat normal enough, I find out that my two co-workers had also been sick. The only common denominator that we can think of is that we all ate here on Friday. Sadly, while I enjoyed my time there, I will never go back again. I don't like to write negative reviews, HOWEVER--because my sickness was as bad as it was, I feel like I have to take the time to give word of caution to anyone thinking about coming here to eat. read more

We had a fantastic experience. The food was delicious. Notably, the house mozzarella, burnt broccoli, potato croquettes, radiatori vodka, and gelato (coconut, pistachio, and chocolate hazelnut) stole the show as dishes worth revisiting multiple times. The former three dishes were as good or better than what we tasted around Europe and Italy. The attentive wait staff seamlessly delivered food and drinks. We saw at least 8 different servers and never felt a flurry of activity with dishes coming or going. We never looked up needing anything. Jordan made great food recommendations, and he led delivery with without harsh interruptions or delay. He recommended good food and appropriate portions. Every staff member had a smile on their face and seemed excited to share their personal menu recommendations when asked. The manager stopped by to ask about our meal. For a foodie family who lives out of town, we're marking Pelato as a non-negotiable Nashville stop and a top recommendation for friends. Pelato is worth it. Thank you to the entire staff, and we're excited to try more. read more

Eating at Pelato's Italian Restaurant in Nashville's Germantown neighborhood is like eating Grandma's fresh, made from scratch home-made meals. Pelato's unique dining style invites everyone at your table to order at least three food items from a well thought out menu which includes breads, sauces, vegetables, chicken, pork, beef, seafoods and cheeses. Pelato's offers DELICIOUS unique food flavors in all their meals! Their service is top notch. The hosts and wait staff make your dining experience their main concern while you're eating. The restaurant's ambiance is one of family fun in conversation while dining. The servers stay engaged with you through out your meal to make sure you're having the best possible dining experience. The atmosphere is inviting and engaging. If you eat at Pelato's once, you will definitely go back again. I highly recommend that you have this experience. You will not be disappointed. Dress comfortable and come hungry! ​ read more

Unfortunately after celebrating my birthday at Pelato's on 1/31/25, 7 out of the 11 people in my party got extremely sick within 48 hours. I don't like to publicly post bad reviews for restaurants so I contacted the restaurant privately this morning to inform them of our issue. After speaking to the manager, Evan, he asked me if I was dining with a coworker named Kathryn. I said no did someone else call with the same issue and was told no and that he was just covering all his bases. He told me no one has ever had an issue like this before but after I looked at Yelp, I discovered another party had the same issue the same exact night. Looking more I saw someone else had a similar issue on 1/26. Because they were not honest, I wanted to make sure that others know about this ongoing issue at their restaurant. Please be cautious about dining here. I haven't been this sick in my entire life and don't want anyone else to go through it! read more

Our whole party got sick Friday night. Violent illness from this place. Only people who didn't, did not eat chicken parm. Also don't go with parties of 8 or more they require a minimum of $65 per person and you can't split checks. So, Basically we paid for our group to barf our brains out. EDIT: The review does not allow me to comment back to the response that Evan sent but please know that no business owner should ever respond to a clear health issue, with a response of gas lighting, and victim blaming. Know that I too take this very seriously as we are all very sick, and this has been reported to the TN health and safety board. This was not ever about money, we've already paid. And the accusation is insulting. It's about the safety of our friends due to consuming what was served to us at your establishment. The way the management has treated my review is astonishing. Be better. Accept the review, and inspect your meat. read more

The portions are definitely 'small'. Seeing the prices you'd think it would be a cheap meal but expect to spend well over $80+ a person for a basic meal and drinks once you actually get enough food to feel satisfied. Food is ok, cocktails all seem to be on the sweeter side, and it's definitely not a place to go for an intimate meal, it is so overcrowded with tables that I can honestly say I could grab off the next tables plate easily with how close the tables are. I think the most concerning thing was overhearing some staff by where the kitchen puts food. Hearing them talk about the environment there was a little off putting, but upon reading more reviews and seeing responses from the business to customers makes me believe the small bits I overheard were very valid. As someone who spent a lot of time in the industry in the past, I hate to hear there are still places being ran like this. read more

Bogan was the absolute man. One of the most personable and hospitable people I've ever met. The attention to detail from cleaning the table in between rounds and just making us feel so welcomed was on point. The food is unbelievable. Most people love Pelato. The people that don't, do not understand what they are trying to do. I've been to Italy. The food here is better. It's the classics reinvented with top quality ingredients. They aren't reinventing the wheel but they are giving me exactly what I want when I order, let's say, Carbonara. it literally brought me back to Rome to Osteria da Fortunata with the flavors and textures of the pasta. Highly recommend to any group looking for an amazing night. Get all the pasta you can afford, the broccolini is addicting and the zeppole are a "light" way to finish an incredible meal, paired with a frozen espresso martini of course. read more

Kept seeing this place on tiktok. After our group ate here, I'm not sure why. Our waitress was phenomenal, and I apologize. I can't remember her name, but it was a woman with a blonde ponytail. Literally walked us right through the menu and answered every question. The food was good, but pretty average, the octopus fish of the day Dish was intriguing, but when we finally got it, we regret paying almost $20 dollars for it. The food for the price wasn't much different than you can get full sized portions for around the city for the same price. And the quality isn't much better. It's definitely just a new trendy spot, and i'm assuming that's where the tiktok hype comes from. Besides the price point vs quality/quantity received, the staff just seemed...off? Nearly robotic. Every encounter just seemed to be forced and awkward. Very offputting dining experience. read more

Our first visit to Pelato was absolutely wonderful! Blayne was our server and she did an outstanding job taking care of our table of six. Her attentiveness and friendly attitude made the evening even more enjoyable. We ordered just about one of everything on the menu, and everything tasted amazing. Some of my favorites were the Fresh Mozzarella, Caprese, Garlic Bread with Cheese Sauce, and the Vodka Pasta. My husband couldn't stop raving about his salad--he said it was the best he's ever had! The quality of the food and the service made our first experience at Pelato truly memorable. The only downside was that, after spending nearly $400 on dinner, we still had to pay for parking--but that's more of a general inconvenience than a reflection on the restaurant itself. Overall, Pelato delivered an exceptional dining experience that we can't wait to enjoy again. read more

I was looking up restaurants and when I saw Pelato had 4.9 stars I knew we had to try it. It is a small plate tapas style restaurant. The food was divine!! The broccoli is the best I have ever eaten in my life. So so yummy! Everyone around us was ordering it as well. The garlic bread with melted Parmesan dip was delicious. The burrata on crostini was also amazing. The cheese was as fresh as it could be. The Campanelle shrimp limone pasta was delightful. The chicken Parmesan was good but compared to everything else it was my least favorite item we tried. We also had the dark chocolate budini for dessert amd it did not disappoint. The staff was also exceptional. Very friendly and helpful. There isn't free parking that I am aware of and parking anywhere in Nashville isn't cheap. We rode the Lime scooters which is fun but more expensive than parking. read more

she did a very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very, very, very, very, very very very very very very very very very, very, really very, very, very very very very very, very, very very very, very, very, very, very, very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very, very really reall very, very, very, very, very, very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very, very very, very, very, very, very, very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very, very, very good job read more

This is BY FAR my favorite Italian restaurant in Nashville! Located conveniantly in Germantown, the restaurant transports you to Italy right when you walk in. I always get the vodka pasta and their crispy garlic potatoes because you simply cannot go wrong. I usually don't like spicy dishes, but the kick in the vodka pasta is suddle and brings out the flavor. The potatoes are topped web parmesan cheese and served with a garcia aioli sauce which just melts in your mouth. They also have an outdoor patio with fire lamps to keep warm in the cooler months. Service is always amazing too! I seriously reccomend this place to everyone who moves here and visits. 10/10 every time. Pro tip: Make a reservation because they are always packed. Also, there is street parking, but I have never had an issue finding a spot! read more

Palato in Nashville was an absolute gem. From start to finish, everything was spot on--especially our server, Jada, who was phenomenal. She was attentive, knowledgeable, and just made the whole experience even better. The pastas were fantastic--perfectly cooked with great portions. We had the cacio e pepe and the vodka pasta, both of which were rich, flavorful, and absolutely worth ordering. They also had a Super Tuscan by the glass, which was a solid pour and paired perfectly with the meal. One of the biggest surprises of the night was the burrata crostinis. A simple dish but executed so well--the olive oil they used took it to another level. Overall, the vibe, the prices, and the entire experience were fantastic. Definitely a spot worth checking out, and if you go, ask for Jada--she's the best. read more

*** PATRONS BEWARE *** I was one of a party of 11 that celebrated a birthday dinner at Pelato on 1/31/25. I'll be blunt - within 48 hours, 7 of 11 in our party were extremely ill with the worst diarrhea and vomiting imaginable. Several in our group had to visit doctors and/or receive IVs, and five of us missed work on Monday/Tuesday - it was truly terrible. It is a shame, because the dinner and cocktails were solid, service was good, and the restaurant is chic and well-designed. However - after seeing there was another group that had the exact same experience on 1/31 and seeing there was another couple that experienced this on 1/26 - it is clear this this restaurant has systemic, recurring issues. THIS RESTAURANT SHOULD BE AVOIDED!! (unless you want to feel the need to be hospitalized) read more

If you're in Nashville and craving something Italian that feels straight out of Nonna's kitchen, Pelato on a Sunday is a must. Their Sunday sauce? Pure comfort in a bowl--it'll have you calling relatives just to tell them about it. Let's break it down: The meatballs? Tender perfection. The Vodka Pasta? Creamy, dreamy, and oh-so-satisfying. The in-house mozzarella? Fresh and indulgent. And the crown jewel? Cacio e Pepe. This dish stole the show--simple, elegant, and executed like a symphony of cheesy, peppery goodness. Service? 5 stars across the board. Prices? Half of what you'd shell out in Beverly Hills, but with double the heart and soul. Pelato doesn't just serve food; it serves an experience. Come hungry, leave happy, and maybe make Sunday dinner here a tradition. read more