Alli was an amazing waitress! very kind and offered excellent suggestions from the menu! even offered a tide to go pen when needed! will definitely be back read more

Food was amazing! Service was best we've had in Charleston and we're locals! Can't wait to come back!!!

Pelato, small plates was absolutely delicious. Being able to taste a variety of small truly Italian dishes allows a smorgasbord of different flavors. Meghan was an informative server who enhanced our dining experience with her positive enthusiasm elevated our dining experience. We are sure to recommend Pelato as well as to visit again on our next visit. Thank you. read more

Pelayo is very unassuming from the front and from the street but inside it's a swank Italian restaurant with a very vibrant vibe. See pics. Food is nothing more than amazing! All fantastic but my personal favorites were the Burrata Crostini and the Campanella Shrimp Limone. I also had the Barbera D'Asti wine to go with it and it was fabulous! No pics unfortunately as we dove right in to eating it was so fabulous. The service was phenomenal. Best of all the pricing is very reasonable especially for the top quality food! Parking was a snap so problem there. there read more

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A friend recommended Pelato and I'm so glad he did. Everyone here was very friendly. Our server was so kind and gave us all the specials and her favorite dishes. She insisted we get the burnt broccolini-- the way they cook it makes sit soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside. It was cooked with lemon and Calabrian chili. For the mains we got the vodka rigatoni, which is a must get its cooked to perfection and the sauce is fabulous, and we also had the chicken parm which is another staple dish and very tasty. We also had a side of the potato croquettes, which were cheesy and had a nice garlic aioli. We were so full we couldnt finish everything. You could probably skip the croquettes, but everything else you must get. The atmosphere is nice and there is plenty of seating indoor and outdoor. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone visiting Charleston. read more

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We made our first visit to Pelato on Father's Day. We were able to get a reservation about a week in advance. Our server recommended 2-3 dishes per person and we went with 9 for 4 people. The dishes come out as they are prepared and they are all designed to be shared. We tried a variety-most that we loved and would order again. Our favorites: short rib pasta special, Rav, crispy garlic potatoes, cheese calzone and our absolute fave: the Pelato salad. We also had calamari, burnt broccoli, stuffed mushrooms, artichoke arancini and baked clams. We would not order the stuffed mushrooms again-they weren't really stuffed. They just had some bread crumbs on top. They were cooked in a lot of butter, and the flavor was good, but they can't be considered stuffed. The drinks were pricy-If you like wine or cocktails, be prepared for a high price (though I think most are consistent with downtown). The sangria was delicious. The restaurant is well done and I especially like that they have 4 individual bathrooms!! The outside area is really nice as welll. I will definitely return soon! read more

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Very excited to try. Nice ambiance, we sat outside which we were happy about, inside was very loud. The server came to our table and took our drink order, me and 2 others ordered Diet Coke and my niece said water is fine, the server said sparkling or still, did not give the option for tap, so she said still thinking that would be tap, no charge. Nope, the server brought 5 bottled waters and in the bill $35. Other than complaining, just won't return. The food was fine, but two of us ordered pesto, came out about 10 minutes apart and both were actually cold. The pieces of zucchini were cold. The other meals came out extremely hot. read more

I pick an Italian restaurant to try each year for my birthday, and this year it was Pelato. My husband and I got an assortment of small plates to share. Everything was delicious, but the radiatori vodka pasta was my favorite part. I love that so many components on the menu are house made and I appreciated that there were mocktails on the menu. We made reservations, which I recommend doing for dinner time. We sat inside since it's July, but the large outdoor patio looked nice and I look forward to eating out there in the fall or spring. read more

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

Came here for a classy birthday celebration, and was very pleased with the restaurant. Still fairly new Italian eatery with tapas-style and shareable items. We did get the apps and some pasta with meat entrées. They recommend getting both but if you're getting apps and desserts, it might be a bunch unless you're hungry. Generally, a good idea to get a reservation on their website via app. Parking is also a major convenience at this restaurant- very simple. Items do come out when they are prepared so they will be fresh, but if you get a bunch of items, just be mindful that some things may get checked off as delivered and you're still waiting for them. They also have a fancy cocktail menu, which would impress. Cheers! read more

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Was my first time coming and walking in felt like walking in on family dinner. Sunday was busy but staff weren't overwhelmed and were super friendly. Large windows and lots of lighting make it a cheery feeling place, especially next to the brewery. Favorite dish was definitely the Radiatori Vodka pasta but the garlic bread with melted Parmesan was a close second. The Frozen Espresso martini was also the favorite drink. read more

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I was really impressed with all the food at my recent visit to Pelato. It was fun ordering share plates with my group and getting to try a variety of dishes. Our server recommended 2-3 dishes per person, but not everyone at our table was super hungry, so we did 2 dishes/person and that worked well, because we still had room for dessert! We were told that many items were made in house. Favorites included the radiatori pasta, meatballs, arancini, and broccolini. The only thing I wouldn't get again were the stuffed mushrooms, and they were fine, just not memorable. Overall, I can't wait to visit again and brunch is on my radar for my next visit! read more

Pelato - Artichoke Arancini - Italian Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

This restaurant is new and it did not disappoint. The vibe is similar to tapas and the waiter made she he provided us with enough information on what to order. 2 items each was perfect and with friends, we could all share. For the table we shared the cauliflower, burrata (made on site), broccolini and potato coquettes. We all order different meals and I forgot to take photos but their gluten free pasta is shells. Like wait-no one ever has shells so of course I had to try a pasta dish. The Campanella Limone was very good. You need to like lemon but definitely a must try! Get out and reserve a table to try all their dishes yourself. You won't be disappointed!! #charlestonfoodandwine #charlestonfoodie #pelatocharleston read more

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We enjoyed out experience at Pelato. After working in NYC for many years, this is about as close to authentic Italian as it gets. They describe themselves as "Brooklyn Italian reimagined," and it lives up to that. This is not your typical Italian spot. It is tapas style with small plates designed for sharing. My top two dishes were the Street Style Arancini and the Radiatori Vodka. Both were outstanding, though everything we tried was delicious! My only downside was the pacing. The plates came out very quickly, which made the experience feel a bit rushed, especially since I am a slower eater. There is also a posted two hour dining limit, which I did not love. While I appreciated the manager stopping by to check on us, I was told the owner was present and it would have been a nice touch if she had come around as well. Overall, I will definitely be back. Next time I will ask for a slower pace so I can better enjoy the meal. A beautiful restaurant with great staff! read more

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This place is very busy for good reasons. Their table service is phenomenal. U can see the floor manager floating, clearing empty places with the wait staff on the floor. No dirty dishes or emptied glasses on the table for the wait staff gets rid of it for u quickly. The restaurant is Loud! Every seats taken. We were lucky to get a 615pm reservation and sat in the patio, of which was still nice. The food. Oh the food is so good. We enjoyed every single dish there. I normally love dishes with proteins but the radiatori vodka pasta that dish a excellent, along with the bake zitti, zucchini. Tapas for sharing, get everything!!! Great cocktail menu. read more

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Cute interior and good service. Parking just around the corner in a big lot and/or street parking. We only stayed for about an hour or so but I think they want you out within 2 hours. RSVP was easy to get. Food was ... just okay. Arancini to me was a bit bland--needed a bit more seasoning. Might've been the cheese on top that overpowered it--unsure. The vodka pasta was a bit TOO tomato-y if that makes sense. The pasta itself was very nice and fresh--helped the sauce cling. Great texture. Broccolini was broccolini. Bombolotti was the best thing because the flavor of the sausage was quite nice. Thought it was a great date night but bang for buck didn't hold up for me. I'm not a huge eater (as in, I don't eat a lot unless it's 3am and I want shredded cheese) but the plates are just too small for the price point, as it's tapas style. These 4 dishes went around $86 including tip. We only ordered waters. I think at other spots we could've ran $60ish for two with the same amount of food OR the same price with even more food (apps/drinks/etc.). read more

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OMG!! The food was phenomenal! Each and every bite was delicious. The charred broccolini and the fresh limone pasta oh I can't get enough!!! The drinks were fantastic. We loved the service and throughly enjoyed the ambiance. read more

What a fun place and great dinner! The heated patio was cozy on a rainy night, and the noise level was just loud enough. Our shared dishes were terrific: The crostini with burrata, squash, onion and a delicious balsamic glaze was our favorite. The croquettes had delicious mozzarella inside crispy potato, a nice crunch. Loved the cacio e pepe, which had just enough richness. Our final dish was the amazing meatballs; a count of three nestled in a delicious homemade tomato sauce. Friendly server and lovely meal. Will return! read more

Pelato is a cozy Italian tapas-style spot that delivers big on flavor, even if the vibe is a bit more casual than expected. The décor leans more "neighborhood pizzeria" than fine dining, but once the food started coming out, we quickly forgot about that. Our server, Christine, was absolutely fantastic -- friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about what she does. She gave us great background on the restaurant and helped us navigate the menu with perfect recommendations. Go see her if you go -- she made the experience even better! We tried a wide variety of dishes: Burrata Crostini, Burnt Broccolini, Chicken Parmigiana, Meatballs Al Forno, Baked Clams Oreganata, Drenched Fried Calamari, Campanelle Shrimp Limon, and the Eggplant Gnocchi special. One dish was better than the next -- beautifully prepared and full of flavor. We finished with the Rainbow Cookies and Zeppolis, both a sweet and satisfying ending. My only complaint: for a restaurant built around shareable small plates, the portions didn't quite fit the concept. For example, only three meatballs, three Burrata crostini, and three rainbow cookies per order -- which makes sharing awkward for groups of four. If you're promoting "shareable," there really should be at least four pieces per dish. It felt a little intentional to nudge a second order. That said, the food and service were excellent, and we'd absolutely come back -- just maybe with a plan to double up on our favorites next time! read more

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Pelato does not disappoint! Their espresso martinis are delicious - you've got to try! The chicken parm was incredible as were the zucchini fries, calamari, and ravioli. Wasn't the biggest fan of the cannoli pancakes - were a lil dry for my taste. Would still return! read more

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We had another lovely dinner at Pelato on their gorgeous patio! I love coming here on a beautiful night because the patio is bustling and the perfect date night or girls night spot. Our waiter was awesome. He was super attentive and personable. Food was yummy as always - we tried the potato croquettes, cauliflower picatta, meatballs, vodka pasta, and the ravioli. Everything was to die for. read more

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Ohhhh my goddddd. The food is AMAZING. The best Italian everrrr. First time we went we didn't expect anything. Nice and clean. And service was sooo friendly. read more

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The service and the food were impeccable. Catarina took such good care of us, but the other staff were just as attentive. We had a delightful meal to celebrate my niece's birthday. We will be back! read more

Wow.. not sure Italian could get much better than this. We had an aperol spritz, red wine, chicken parm, vodka pasta, and cacio e Pepe for mains. Absolutely zero notes. Everything was fresh and perfect Italian cuisine. For dessert we had the dough balls and cannoli dip. Both good, but a little underwhelming. Regardless, if you're in the area and want good, authentic Italian, this place is a must read more

Pelato - Italian Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Pelato has been on our list of places to eat for a while now. We had a freind in town and we decided to check out what all the fuse was about. When we got there the place was packed!! Definitely loud, they sat us in the back porch area. Our server Justin was Aw-mazing and so was everything we ordered. I feel that we tried so many different dishes and all were so good. The only issue I had was that they serve all small plates, when I think Italian I'm not thinking tapas sized portions (and for the price). That being said, it's definitely worth checking out and enjoying their food! Their dessert were just as delicious and I would not recommend on passing those up. The frozen espresso martini was so good, could have had 3 of those! Give them a chance, as they are always working on the menu and the quality was excellent! read more

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10/10 experience, every single plate was delicious... so delicious in fact that we forgot to take picture of it all and before we dug in! The dishes are meant to be shared and order one of everything because it all tastes exceptional. If I had to pick a least favorite I would say the ravioli could have used a bit more seasoning but overall delicious and very shareable with 4 ppl. Ask the servers for recommendations on food and cocktails they won't stir you wrong. The seating is a bit tight and on the smaller side but I would call it cozy and perfect for date night. read more

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I love pointing to Pelato when someone asked for an Italian recommendation in Charleston. A bit outside of the craziness of downtown, Pelato offers easy parking options in a safe neighborhood but the best thing about Pelato (other than the food) is the amazing all-weather patio that is cool in the summer and warm in the winter. It's so nice to dine alfresco while sipping on an amazing martini or spritz (which can be ordered from the window) or while finishing an incredibly satisfying meal with tiramisu. Pelato is definitely a place to have on your list. read more

I love Pelato and crave it often. Im surprised I dont have more pictures. I think I have tried pretty much everything on the menu. The cauliflower piccata, vodka pasta, and drenched calamari are some of my favorites. Everything is so good, and its so fun to go with a group of people and try everything. Ive always had great service and they have some of the best blue cheese stuffed olives for dirty martinis. There are a ton of Italian restaurants in the Charleston area, but this one is at the top for me. read more

Pelato - Cannoli Pancakes - Italian Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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We had a fabulous experience at this restaurant! From the moment we walked into this cozy place, the service was outstanding - the welcoming, host and hostess staff, to our outstanding waitress-Ashley, to the phenomenal mixture of food with GF options, to drinks & bourbon butter pecan gelato!! Highly recommend for mixed lovers of Italian food - aka regular and gluten free selections read more

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This was the last place I took my parents before they flew back home, and it was a WIN. I heard multiple times how incredible it was and how they are so glad I picked there. Woo! Vibes? Amazing. Beautiful covered patio. Fun Italian inside atmosphere. PARKING. What more do you need? Service was also amazing, super helpful at going over the menu and helped us choose the perfect amount of food for the three of us since everything is shareable. We asked for some bread to go with the rest of our chicken Parmesan and she got it out to us within 90 seconds. Incredible!! Food? To die for. Everything we got was delicious. I am still dreaming of the chicken Parmesan and pasta. And the made to order, fresh, warm mozzarella with balsamic. Basically all of it. We didn't have cocktails but I can't wait to come back and try those too. I think I will have to come until I try everything on the menu, and then come back for my favorites. This is a MUST try, for sure!!! I would recommend maybe sitting on the patio, we didn't, but it looks lovely out there and the inside could get a little on the too loud side. All in all, I already can't wait to come back! read more

Pelato - Mozzarella caprese style - Italian Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Pelato is the kind of place that makes dining out fun -- small plates meant for sharing, great drinks, and cozy vibes. I tried the white sangria and a frozen espresso martini (too good). We started with the garlic bread, fresh mozzarella, drunken calamari, and meatballs. The radiatori vodka and rigatoni sausage were both hearty and satisfying, but the crispy zucchini strings stole the show -- easily my favorite bite. The eggplant stuffed bread was another standout. I love that the menu is designed for sharing, but heads up -- some dishes come in 3s, which works perfectly for a trio but is trickier with larger groups. The interior is elegant but cozy - warning it is quite loud. The service was outstanding from start to finish. Pelato is definitely a spot I'll be coming back to again. read more

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Pelato Italian is basically what happens when "let's order a little of everything" becomes a lifestyle choice -- and I regret nothing. Everything here is built to share, which is perfect... unless you came hungry and don't actually want to share (guilty). The calamari with sweet peppers? Crispy, light, and so good I considered faking an allergy just to keep it to myself. The cacio e pepe is creamy, peppery pasta perfection -- simple but unforgettable. The chicken Parmesan is the kind of classic that makes you wonder why you ever wasted calories on the frozen version at home. And the Campanelle Shrimp Limone? Bright, lemony, and the exact dish you didn't know you needed until you tried it. The vibe is casual but with enough charm to make you feel like you stumbled into a neighborhood spot in Italy (if Italy also had Charleston accents). Pair it all with a glass of wine and friends who are willing to share, and you've got yourself a night. Bottom line: Come hungry, bring people who play nice with forks, and prepare for serious food envy when you see what's on the next table. read more

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Second time here with in a week. This place is soooo good! The dishes are authentic and full of flavor. The service is top notch. Lively atmosphere that's not too fancy. Drinks were good and came out quickly as well. read more

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Ashley was an amazing waitress! Food was absolutely fantastic. Best dinner I've had in a long time.

I have never written a restaurant review before, good or bad, but I felt compelled to share this experience because of how disappointed I was by the lack of accommodation and customer service at Pelato. I was visiting Charleston while recovering from a significant medical procedure that has temporarily left me with a disability affecting my ability to swallow. At the moment, I need very soft foods and have to be careful about the texture and consistency of what I eat. This is a temporary medical limitation, not a dietary preference. Before our reservation, I stopped by Pelato to see whether there might be something on the menu I could safely eat. I noticed a dish consisting of polenta with ragu and asked a very simple question: Would it be possible to serve me the polenta without the ragu? I wasn't asking them to prepare a special dish or alter the polenta itself. I simply needed the polenta by itself because of my medical restriction. I was told that they could not accommodate this because the food is prepared ahead of time. I then asked if they could simply provide a side of the polenta, and I was told that they could not do that either. What made this particularly disappointing was that during the same trip I ate at The Obstinate Daughter and Oak Steakhouse , and both restaurants were incredibly accommodating. They were willing to make reasonable modifications to dishes so that I could eat safely and comfortably. Neither restaurant made me feel like my medical needs were an inconvenience. I have no doubt that the food at Pelato may be excellent, and perhaps under different circumstances I would have enjoyed dining there. But good food is only part of the restaurant experience. For someone traveling with a temporary disability, the lack of flexibility and accommodation at Pelato was deeply disappointing. I understand that restaurants have kitchen procedures and cannot accommodate every request. However, I don't believe my request was unreasonable. I was asking for a component of an existing dish in a form that I could safely eat. The way the request was handled left me feeling that there was simply no willingness to accommodate a customer with a legitimate medical need. I hope Pelato will consider providing better training and guidance to its staff regarding reasonable accommodations for guests with disabilities. read more

I had no idea this place even existed until my wife made dinner plans with friends who ended up getting sick and then I was tapped for a date night. Pelato says they are a Brooklyn Italian cuisine (idk what that is). I typically do not gravitate toward pasta with my celiacs but the owner here is also celiac and according to the server perfected the handmade gluten free noodle. The menu is Italian tapas so all plates are meant to be shared. I ordered the blood orange martini which was delicious and for starters we had the house made mozzarella and the sliced meat with balsamic! Amazing!! For small plates the polenta and my wife had the chicken parm I had the shrimp lemon sauces gf pasta. My favorite was the mozzarella and the polenta. I wasn't a fan of the lemon sauce but overall it was a good meal! Definitely worth a try for anyone that enjoys pasta! read more

I was so excited to try Pelato and my experience did not disappoint. There was accessible parking in the front of the restaurant. The restaurant had two dinning areas, a large bar, as well as an enclosed patio. The restrooms were easy to navigate to. The staff were friendly and the service was fast. I loved the small plates concept for sharing. The food did not come in any specific order, just came out when ready. The food was fresh and hot. I absolutely loved and recommend the burnt broccolini and chicken parmigiana. read more

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We just loved this place! We came in on a Wednesday early dinner without a reservation and were quickly seated outside, just love that we were able to get in. They serve tapa style flare with a focus on Italian classics. All the tapas were delicious! The Potato Croquettes were honestly amazing. They had perfect texture and the filling was well balanced between potato, cheese, and their aioli. The other stand out dish for me was the polenta and bolognese sauce dish. This was packed with flavor and creamy. I wish there was more polenta, because honestly this was wonderful. Honestly everything we selected was wonderful and fresh. Pasta = great! Meatballs = juicy! Dirty martini was bar none. The olives had great texture and the right amount of oil in the cocktail. Umut took care of us and was very helpful and patient. Overall a wonderful addition to Charleston and a must try. Also, there's a parking lot behind the restaurant with plenty of parking so easy to get to for locals ! read more

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Had reservations for 530 on a busy Saturday evening. Walked in a few minutes early, immediately greeted by super sweet hostesses and were immediately taken back to our table. Our waiter greeted us quickly and grabbed our drink orders while we perused the menu. Once our waiter returned with our drinks he went over the restaurant (family style, items come out as they're prepared, etc) and gave some recommendations. We went with the burrata with toasted sesame bread, chicken parmigiana, vodka pasta, and the zeppoles. Everything was outstanding. Have to say this might be hands down my favorite Italian I've had in Charleston. The servings sizes were quite small so know that you may have to order a few more dishes - not that it would be a problem as everything was delicious. Did expect the servings to be a bit larger, but this is also downtown Charleston. Looking forward to another visit - also there's a free parking lot! read more

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Pelato was a super fun spot for me to meet a couple of friends after work. Our server Auden made the comment that party of 3 was the perfect size and I can see that is about right. We ordered 7 plates to share and that was maybe 1 or 2 too many. I loved the cauliflower and the broccolini. The lemon pasta with shrimp was delicious. The ice cream sandwiches were really profiteroles. All was super yummy. They also have a great wine list. The montepulciano for the win. Auden was super attentive and knowledgable! read more

Pelato - Italian Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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A must visit when in Charleston! They have such high-quality food and an interesting system. Everything on their menu, including pasta, is considered a "small plate" meant to be shared or meant to order multiple items. Everything we got was fantastic. Highly recommend the crispy zucchini though. The staff is excellent at what they do and everyone is helping everyone out to ensure the best experience. Their bathrooms are also private and very clean. They have quite a few private bathrooms as well, so there's not usually a long wait or anything. Reservations recommended because they're very busy, but they do accept walk-ins. We had to wait about 45 minutes on a Thursday night because we didn't have reservations. Well worth it! read more

Pelato - Radiatory Vodka Pasta - Italian Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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