Renato's Italian - Spartanburg

Renato's is truly a hidden gem that you can't help but explore, even though the enticing specials always tempt you away from the regular menu! The cozy ambiance, accompanied by Sinatra's classics playing softly in the background, creates the perfect setting for this Italian delight. The pastas are exceptional right from the start, and if you manage to move beyond the specials, the seafood dishes on the menu are also worth a try. Personally, I love to sit at the bar for a quick and delicious lunch. It's definitely a must-visit in Downtown Spartanburg!

What a hidden gem in downtown Spartanburg! It's the perfect spot for a romantic dinner.

This is the best Italian restaurant I’ve visited in the Southeast. The service is excellent, and the hospitality is warm without being intrusive. The owners truly made me feel welcome, as if I were part of their family. If you love Italian food, Mangia is definitely the place to eat!

My family and I went to Renato 's for our 'Pre Thanksgiving ' meal yesterday. As always, we had a superb dining experience. The service was impeccable, the food divine, and the atmosphere chic, yet cozy. Impressively, Renato plans and often invents new specials every morning, and has fresh seafood flown in to the restaurant every day. Also, he periodically takes a little time out from his kitchen to say 'hello ' to all his customers, and to be sure people are enjoying their food. Yesterday, he 'd made a gorgeous potato soup with fresh shrimp and topped with crispy pancetta. My husband ordered this soup as his primi, and we all tasted it. My son and I ordered one of the specials homemade gnocchi stuffed with buffalo mozzarella and dressed with a creamy gorgonzola sauce. This dish was an absolute marvel! The dumplings were light and pillowy, made to perfection, and each bite burst with the loveliest mozzarella cheese I 've ever tasted. I was contemplating ordering an affogato, an Italian dessert made by pouring warm espresso over ice cream. Though this dessert was not 'officially ' on the menu, Renato 's son, Andrea, cheerfully offered to make one for me; he was going to pour the espresso over coffee ice cream, and top it with chocolate shavings! I opted out of the dessert, but only because I figured I 'd be eating a bit more than usual on Thanksgiving. However, I will be back to taste this affogato and, most definitely, to have another highly enjoyable meal. The true beauty of this remarkable restaurant lies in the fact that all the family and staff members who work here ascribe to a classic Italian philosophy, la bella figura. Roughly translated, this phrase means the belief in beautiful food, a beautiful atmosphere, beautiful manners, beautiful hospitality. La bella figura is about working hard, and being kind and good hearted to the people you encounter. It 's about being gracious and respecting the artistry that goes into a delicious meal. Renato 's restaurant embodies all of these qualities, and more.

We had excellent food and the service was wonderful! Our server, Chris was very attentive and right on top of everything. Our only complaint was the fact that it truly was very expensive. We knew it was pricey but $50 for a porkchop special? Holy cow.. we will return but only once in a while. Can't afford this all this time.