Absolutely no criticism here. Service and food are the best! This is my go to Italian restaurant. I always look forward to dining at Pete's. Highly recommend! read more

Had a craving for Italian so stopped in when I was in town. Upon arrival they have a small parking lot next to the restaurant but there is a parking lot across the street attached to a vacant building folks were using. There was a separate bar and dining area for folks to chooses from. I opted for the dining area, I was alone and it took a while to be seated because they didn't want to seat me at an empty table in the middle of the dining room. When seated I was a table on the edge. The space looked accustomed for larger groups and had many large and small parties. The light in the space was a bit low in comparison to the bright sun outside coming through the windows. My server was very attentive and I was quickly able to order. The home made loaf of italian bread came out warm and was light and fluffy. I ordered the Utica Greens and Shrimp Riggies. While I enjoyed I had expected there to be a bit of heat in each dish which they didn't have. i ended up adding red pepper flakes to both to get it to my liking. read more

See all

Went for a carb overload before my race. Waited 15 minutes to get greeted by the bartender. They were out of almost every wine I asked for. Food took the prize though. Very good meal. The experience was turned around by the end. TV's were weird.. watched live bird watching and dog shows. Bread was large. read more

Sharing apps at Pete's Trattoria in Watertown. Clockwise from left, bacon wrapped scallops, Utica Greens, half-hots, roasted beet , walnut, goat cheese salad. I had Sauvignon Blanc. Tiramisu to go. We ate in the lounge, because their dining room was 'fully committed' until 6:30- it was 4:45. I was surprised as it was early on a Thursday in the winter, but maybe I shouldn't have been! A wholly satisfying experience. Our server was terrific especially considering she also had a full dining room. This is a classic Italian restaurant we are blessed to have. read more

Pete's Trattoria - Clockwise from left, bacon wrapped scallops, Utica Greens, half-hots, roasted beet , walnut, goat cheese. - Pizza Near Me - Watertown, New York

This isn't my cup of tea I wouldn't go there again. I was asked to go and try it out not my scenery not my type of atmosphere not my type of drinks, but the service was good. I gotta give you guys that read more

A couple of friends and I ran to Pete's after an event in the area. As soon as we opened the door we were met with the heavenly Italian scents of garlic, basil, tomatoes, and fresh bread. Immediately, we all looked at each other and knew we made the right choice for dinner! My friends ordered the bolognese that was on special and I had the manicotti. To be honest, I never order manicotti, but a friend said that's her usual Italian go-to meal so I ordered it. I loved Pete's manicotti!! Their sauce was a great consistency. I hate when it's too watery, and theirs certainly was not. It tasted fresh and it was piping hot out the oven. The two meatballs were like the size of my palms and also well seasoned. The bread that came was warm and fluffy. My friends both enjoyed their bolognese and we all had enough for leftovers. I regularly order espresso martinis and I very much enjoyed Pete's! So much so that I had two. Sadly, I was not able to snap any pics because we were enjoying each other's company and the food so much. Reservations are highly encouraged. The lighting was cozy and warm, and it led to some special conversation. If you're in Watertown, then give Pete's Trattoria a try! You won't be sorry. read more

We love Pete's. Food and drinks are always good and consistent. Love the help and the atmosphere.

Just ordered dinner from Pete's. The chicken parmigiana was the best I've had in a long while. Portion was huge! The fresh bread was warm and delicious as well! Service was excellent. I definitely recommend Pete's if you're looking for a delicious meal!! read more

Visiting the area and Mom and I wanted something healthy--I know I said salads at restaurants are usually not up to my standards, but the Beet Salad we ordered was terrific! We loved it so much, it was our go-to evening meal--we added garbanzo beans for even more protein. Two of the three times during the week we ordered this, it had pine nuts instead of the walnuts the menu states, but neither of us are allergic to those either, and they tasted good as well. The balsamic vinaigrette dressing is so very good. Service from the bar for all of our to-go orders was excellent! While we didn't dine in, I noticed the place was generally full when we popped in, so it has to be good for dine in too? read more

Pete's Trattoria - Beet salad with pine nuts and a nice hunk of bread (cut into two). - Pizza Near Me - Watertown, New York

See all

After setting up camp at work, drum, my wife and I that our usual dinner out! After checking Yelp for a couple of different places, we decided on Petes. Very happy that we selected this wonderful restaurant! There seemed to be a party going on in the dining room so we sat at the bar, which was quite full due to the party. Her bartender dash server was terrific! She explained the menu and the different options. After ordering the adult beverages, we decided on their garlic knots that had cheese in them. Absolutely delicious! My wife decided on their Italian sausage lasagna all I tried a more familiar Steak frites. Our orders came out a little bit slower than normal but not mad and we were not complaining as we were at the bar enjoying ourselves. My steak was absolutely huge and delicious! The garlic truffle fries were delicious as well! My wife truly enjoyed her Italian sausage lasagna. Looks like we'll have dinner at home with leftovers! So happy we stopped here! Keep up the great work. read more

See all

Watertown New York isn't exactly known as a destination for Italian food; however, this charming neighborhood gem does not disappoint! It's conveniently located off a main street and offers customer parking in an adjacent lot. The interior has a dimly lit ambiance that sets the stage as soon as you walk through the doors. I entered and sat down at the bar, which was located in the front. The bartender - a pretty gal with a smile - was very attentive and handed me a food menu. They have an array of classic Italian fare ranging from wings, pizza, soups, salads, steak, chicken, seafood, and of course spaghetti! With so many fabulous options, which one was I going to select? Well, craving carbs, I chose the Gnocci Marinara with added mushrooms! Complementary rolls were brought out. The rolls were warm and soft, and came with butter. When the main entree arrived, it was generously portioned and unbelieveably flavorful. The gnocci was remarkable as it was homemade, soft, and looked different than the variety purchased in most stores. For dessert, I got the tiramisu. It came in a layered glass with whipped topping and cocoa on top. It was deliciously gratifying and quite calorie dense - but so worth it! I finished everything off with a digestivo - dark sambuca! If you're a fan of Italian food and find yourself in the Watertown area, look no further than Pete's! read more

See all

When you walk in you're greeted by a friendly reception. It has a date night ambience due to being dim inside and lit with wall sconce type lighting. Good is delicious and old school style of Italian where I felt like I was at home on a Saturday with my mom cooking all day. I had the Cavatelli and the sauce along with the slight spice of the pepperoni gave it a perfect balance. Pizza was also very good and we had the arancini for our appetizer. Can't miss with this Italian if you're in the mood for home style cooking. read more

See all

I was visiting for work and happened upon this place. I got food to go because they were so busy! A good sign on a Monday. I got take out. The bartenders were so incredibly nice and made me feel very welcome. I got chicken portobello and it was amazing! I also ate the leftovers for lunch the next day. I will come here again next time I'm in town! read more

The gold standard for Italian food in Watertown NY. I'm from the tri-state area originally...Cam's for Pizza (Long Islanders started Cams) and Pete's (the gnocchi is great along w the pork Osso Buco). Definitely hometown staff at the bar (where I usually eat when in town...). Can be a little snug at happy hour (smaller bar space..). Always enjoyable tho.... read more

Another time in town, so another visit to Pete's! The Good + Service was friendly, informative, and attentive. + Lots of stuff made in the restaurant, with good ingredients. + Generous portions. + Wife raved over the steak; son raved over the osso bucco. + Desserts were fantastic + Broad menu, beer/wine list + Walked out of there stuffed. The Bad: - Mixed drinks tended toward the sweet and bland. - My lasagna was beautifully layered and full of fresh cheese and pasta. But it, too, was kind of bland. No meat, not enough sauce. (I was sort of expecting "Lasagna with Sausage" to be a lasagna with sausage in it, not a sausage placed alongside the sizeable slice of lasagna. Overall, not a cheap meal, but filling and well-made. Definitely on the "visit again" list. read more

The company was better than the food. The ambiance looked inviting when we walked in. They were able to accommodate our group without a reservation on a Monday night. The bread was wonderful and definitely my favorite thing. I ordered the Haddock with broccoli risotto. The haddock was bland and the risotto was soupy. I'd heard good things about it and maybe it was an off-night. I just wouldn't order that again. read more

We went early and had the pasta special which I can't even describe. Sea scallops over penne pasta in an amazing cream sauce! Salads were delicious- get the house dressing. You can't go wrong at Pete's read more

Unless you're one of the thousands of my rabidly regular followers, the only reason you're gonna want to read this particular review is if you like to visit places typically regarded as "the most..." about some or another regard in life. you know like what place makes "the most" unusual pasta sauce (cincinnatti "chili") or has "the most" sweltering summer (houston, ok I know it has a lot of competition in this but no matter anyway, just believe what i tell you. or don't just go see for yourself in mid-summer and enjoy miserable). But on the other hand if you want to visit the place that has "the most" snow in winter you'll have to put Watertown, NY on your bucket list. As you might have guessed already, that is not how I happened to stop here. How it happened is that usually once a year for a couple of weeks during summer I visit friends who live in the thousand islands, a string of overgrown rocky outcroppings, perhaps an acre or two in size, that are cruising downstream, ever so slowly mind you, in the st lawrence river a few hundred miles from niagara falls. I've promised not to say too much more here as these islanders aren't keen about their summer houses getting more famous or otherwise visited upon by today's burgeoning overload of would-be summer house residents to the east. Let's just say that once upon a time and far far away, people of some means who lived in the tonier galaxies of manhattan, southern connecticut and boston, realizing there were plenty too many people discovering their traditionally precious hidey holes in the hamptons and martha's and nantucket, headed west where they could own their very own small island, or at least part of a larger one, then cause a house to be erected, and spend their gravy and afternoon vacations there during months when the st lawrence is still liquid. And that's exactly what some did, as they or more likely their heirs still do to this very day. Considering their private and secluded beauty, not many locations can be had that rival the area (just in case you're wondering, yes this is where that famous salad dressing of the same name was created by some nameless cook who figured out how to mix mayo, ketchup and pickle relish on that day when she ran out of vinaigrette with a largish dinner party arriving less than an hour from now. This is KNOWN FACT!). To get down to my visit to Watertown, as it happened one of my friends developed an annoying bit of urinary blockage during my recent stay, thus requiring prompt medical attention at the VA hospital in Syracuse so he could finally relieve himself (I know some may say this is "tmi" about this situation and maybe so, but that's what you get when you read my stuff, crass crude philistine, at times deranged. All this due to whatever affliction it was one could get while cramming 4 years of first class draft dodging into 6 in Austin when living there was seriously good). (On the other hand, sometimes my 10 second review of a hamburger is just that, because sometimes a hamburger is just a hamburger...really you never can tell about a guy like me.) Now quit interrupting willya?... get back to the 1,000 islands. Being the ever-so-helpful-out-of-towner I volunteered to drive my friend to Syracuse, in itself not so onerous a task. But as it turned out, finding a proper place to eat afterward was. in quick disgust we gave up finding anything good in Syracuse, so headed north and stopped at a friendly wine store in Watertown to grab a few roadies for our jangled nerves. Then, in addition to those ever-popular, easily concealed bottles, I also scored half a case of fine though overpriced bottles for later. But for our patronage we did receive from the store owner an immediate return: her most enthusiastic endorsement for Pete's as, without doubt "the (most) best" Italian restaurant in Watertown. Without going into the usual needless details about its various qualities, I will venture to say that Pete's is likely "the best restaurant" in this town, which as I mentioned also happens to get "the most snowfall every winter". So tell me how much more can you get in a Yelp review? Here's what amounts to a two-fer word to the wise (best restaurant in snowiest winter town) delivered in the kind of hipshot, gut-reaction synchromeshed prose that you simply won't find anywhere else (albeit due less to exclusivity than to its being frankly unpublishable in any other venue). I suppose I may as well add that my vote for best item on Pete's menu was the osso buco, but then that's because it's the only thing I ate. And the reason I went to so much trouble writing this is that the osso buco was 100% terriffic. read more

Pete's Trattoria - suitable beverages for gravy and afternoons - Pizza Near Me - Watertown, New York

Food was amazing !! Goat cheese app is a must!! Only thing missing was some butter for the fresh bread.

Service was horrendous. We waited forever for our food. Waiter never came back to check on us. The food was mediocre. I wasn't impressed no seasoning. Bland. We had fried Brussels sprouts which was soaked in grease. Fried goat cheese needed honey not raspberry. Chicken parm needed seasoning. It was super bland and the sauce was as well. I won't be returning read more

Pete's Trattoria - Fried goat cheese. Honey would be better than that raspberry glaze. - Pizza Near Me - Watertown, New York

See all

Good food, good service and a cozy, family atmosphere. We've been twice and between us tried about half the menu. Everything is good. I particularly like the Utica greens. read more

4 3/4 STARS First the host rearranged things to accommodate us because we did not have reservations ( it was not crowded yet but I understand reservations are important). Nice , polite, good waitress, excellent real Italian food! WE WILL BE BACK , unfortunately we live 1 1/2 hours away. read more

Pete's is always on-point with their food, drinks and service! Went here to celebrate my husband's graduation and everything was good! Started off with their kale and sausage soup and scallop bisque-their soups are always delicious. Had Pete's salad and that is always yummy! Fresh hot bread is always plentiful and they provide butter and/or olive oil for the bread. For dinner my husband had a Cajun shrimp and sausage pasta special and it was delicious! Cooked perfectly. I had the Parmesan encrusted haddock with risotto and it was all yummy! Going to miss this place when we leave the area. read more

See all

We loved Pete's! We had the manicotti and meatballs and the chicken bruschetta and both were delicious. The manicotti was light and delicate and both dishes were flavored beautifully. Our server Sherry was also terrific. So friendly and attentive -and knowledgeable about the food. Wonderful dining experience although the back room where we ate could use a little updating. Main dining area def provides a nicer ambiance! read more

We used to be huge customers of Pete's. After we knew the menu by heart it got to be boring. Geoff is a great cook but other than the specials it was repetitive. Since last year I have been in a wheelchair. There is NO someone who is disabled can get a wheelchair up the 'ramp' is at a 55-60 degree incline. And don't even think about going to the ladies room! You can barely use the stalls is you are not in a wheelchair! I'm sad as there are so 'good' restaurants in Watertown for fine dining. Maybe there will be changes.. I hope so. read more

Food was amazing, service was awesome and the ambiance of the restaurant was nice as well. read more

See all

I always stop here on my way to Canada after 4 hrs of driving. The food is really epic; the service astronomically better in the pub area. If you don't have a rez, forget getting into the dank, dark dinning room. Got there twice and it wasn't a great experience. Next visit was the pub(the overflow if no rez) and it was all that and a great martini! The staff in the pub handle a huge amount inc takeouts and do it with a smile and humor! It appears to be where the locals hang, too! This alone says it's the best side of the establishment. Don't waste your time trying to get a table with no rez and feeling like you're on a Seinfeld episode with a tsk, tsk, thumb tap belittlement from the host...ask for the pub and eat where the locals gather, they know! The two gals here, got it on the ball tag teaming to give you the best service. read more

Excellent food and service!!! You need to make reservations as they are always packed!!!

Absolutely outstanding food here. All in house too!!! If you love Italian, then Pete's is your go to restaurant in the city!!!

Stopped for dinner. Ordered the ahi app. Beautiful piece of fish prepared to perfection! Cindi had the Chilean sea bass which was delicious. I ordered the chicken parm, ditto. Service was great. Will definitely be back! read more

If you are expecting a real NYC pizza you won't get it but for upstate it's decent. The escargot were delicious. The bread was good and drinks were flowing . Plenty of parking and great service so I'd love to try other items soon . read more

Pete's Trattoria - Half Onion pizza half mushroom - Pizza Near Me - Watertown, New York

See all

We've had Isaac both times we went in and he is awesome!! The first time I ordered the ribeye. That was cooked perfectly just not seasoned but it's my fault for ordering a steak at an Italian place. The second time I ordered the duck wings and mushrooms as my meal (they are appetizers) and oh my god... amazing!! The only weird thing is they serve bottled tea and lemonade (not sure about the sodas) we will definitely be back! read more

Great atmosphere, great service, Good cocktails . A Beautiful meal ! Everything was delicious. A definite winner!!

the appetizer Goat Cheese Fritters w/spicy Raspberry Sauce was spectacular. Scallops Florentine came lukewarm warm however the scallops were cooked perfectly. Side of Rissotto also was lukewarm. The restaurant was fairly busy and it appeared as if there was only one waitress. Got 2 Cannolis to go, they were mediocre at best considering it is an Italian restaurant. I would try the restaurant again on a non holiday week to give it another chance thought. read more

We came in as a table of five. The wait staff was absolutely immaculate and extremely accommodating. From the meal to the drinks, everything was on point and delicious. I would definitely recommend the Arancini and the Braised beef short ribs. I can't wait to visit here again and recommend it to everyone in the area. read more

Finally, an owner that knows food. What can I say? I miss the meatballs that Tom's mom used to make on factory Street. I also miss Tom. With all of that said, this is absolutely the best restaurant in Watertown. This place competes with remember "Morgia's," Dantes and the old Arts jug. For a moment I felt like I was in a New York City Italian restaurant. The ambience is nice and understated. The tab came to $141 including a $25 tip for my table of 4. It's so nice not being ripped off and getting your moneys worth. read more

While the food was tasty; the service was horrible. We had a surly server that seemed to do the bare minimum. After we had ordered; we learned from listening to a different server at an adjacent table that there were specials. We needed to ask a different server to find ours so we could pay our check. Unfortunately the feeling of neglect by the server overshadowed the meal. Amy L read more

They brought out he wrong order on my boyfriends birthday. It was just a disappointing visit

Excellent food and service. I had the braised beef short ribs. They were delicious! We also had chicken Parmesan and tortillini. read more

See all

This place is so great!! We just moved here and wanted to find an Italian place and Pete's (and our server) knocked it out of the park. The encrusted mozzarella was phenomenal, pizza was delicious, chicken special (Marsala) was so good, and the desserts were great! We got the cherry chocolate cheesecake and crème brulee and everything is homemade there and you can tell! We'll definitely be going again!! The building and set up is great too. read more