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    Rocco's Restaurant

    4.3 (257 reviews)
    ModeratePizza, Italian
    Closed 4:30 pm - 10:30 PM
    Updated a few days ago

    Rocco's Restaurant Photos

    ROCCO'S RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Rocco's Restaurant

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    If it's good enough for the real Rudy and the fake one, it's good enough for us.
    Dan B.

    After a long day on the motorcycle we ended our day in South Bend. We didn't really want to go out for dinner so we looked for pizza delivery. Only options were the chain places and that didn't strike our desire so we decided to give Rocco's a shot. We asked the desk clerk at the hotel if it was any good before heading out and he pinched his fingers together like they do when describing good Italian food. The place did not disappoint. You could tell this was the place the locals went. It had to be some of, if not the best, pizza that I have had anywhere. We didn't even let it cool down so that the cheese could set back up, hence the fork and knife. We just dove in and devoured it slice by slice. Great atmosphere. Tons of memorabilia for the school. Wonderful family story as well. If we ever make it back to South Bend, this will be at the top of our list of places to visit before doing anything with the university.

    Delicious large pepperoni, sausage and extra cheese pizza!
    Stephanie B.

    Hands down, the absolute BEST pizza I've ever had in my 50 years on Earth!!!! The hubs and I stayed in South Bend, IN on our last night on an 8 night motorcycle journey, and we were in the mood for pizza. A quick Yelp search and asking the concierge at our hotel where to find said pizza, and Rocco's was the resounding answer! And oh MY!! Are we glad we listened!! Never mind the amazing hospitality, charming ambiance, and delicious food, the history behind this unicorn find of a restaurant will fill your heart, soul, and belly!! If you live in South Bend and haven't been, shame on you!!! If you're visiting South Bend, you MUST carve some time to go!!! 100 out of 10 recommend!! Thank you Rocco's for the phenomenal food and service!

    Family enjoying our 1st time here!
    Dana M.

    Pizza is my favorite dish. I can't always eat it so when I do I want it to be the best. I have heard about this restaurant, but I've never had a chance to try it. Tonight my husband told me to look up some places. And that is exactly what I did. The reviews were great so I knew we had to give it a try! And when we came in we fell in love with the ambiance! We were greeted, seated and the service was impeccable! Danielle did not let us down! She refilled our drinks, kept our table cleared, and made sure our meal was to our liking. Danielle even gave us great suggestions on what to eat. The rest of the staff was also very helpful! Thanks so much for the great meal and a great time for our family. The best pizza ever!! I'm just sad that we haven't tried this place sooner!

    Pizza
    Dody E.

    The character alone makes this 5 stars. Amazing staff, owners, history, charm... experience was already made when we walked in the place. Pizza itself is best in South Bend, thanks to the crust primarily. It's especially good if you have a big, hungry group of people looking to eat well close to ND. I'll be coming again, God willing.

    Laura E.

    Another fantastic dinner at Rocco's last night. And being warmly greeted by Warren makes it even better! If you haven't been to Rocco's yet, get yourself over there!

    Shelly P.

    Yum! We've been to South Bend many times but this was our first time at Rocco's. Love the old school ambiance. Service was impeccable. The pizza had the most perfect crust and thinly sliced veggies. Just perfect! We will be back!

    Pepperoni and olive pizza with extra sauce on top. YUM.
    DeAnna P.

    I felt the family vibe as soon as we entered the building. It's so charming. The tables are packed tightly together and it can get LOUD. I was a bit worried as I had a headache, but everyone was so friendly and the food was so good that I was able to tune out all the noise. Do yourself a favor and try the pizza.

    Peter P.

    This is an Italian food icon for South Bend. It looks like it hasn't changed in 40 years. And the food is made with the same love as it was back then (probably). The servers are extremely knowledgeable and the owner(?) comes to your table to see how your meal went.

    Rocco's Combo

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

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    2 months ago

    Amazing pizza! The service was exceptional and it has an old school atmosphere. There's a reason why it's so busy all the time.

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    1 year ago

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    9 months ago

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    2 months ago

    Good food, good service, great atmosphere... a nostalgic pizza joint with good people! I love Rocco's!!

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    1 year ago

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    10 months ago

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    7 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    10 months ago

    Great service, great pizza and we love their lasagna! Warm family atmosphere. A good treat and break from my ordinary,

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    4 months ago

    We were expecting more about the food design and flavor based on the story of the restaurant that has been for decades.

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    10 months ago

    Outstanding pizzas!! Really busy on Friday nights. Salads are definitely shareable! Not much parking though.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Food service that great go to Italian place. Always a great time and good food. Get the lasagna.

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    7 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Great Food! Old school feel and Great service! Will go back next time we are in town!!

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    10 months ago

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    1 year ago

    We had pizza. We could definitely tell it was homemade. It was really good. We would definitely order from there again.

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    9 months ago

    The food was prepared to perfection. Great raviolis and pizza. Service was spot on. Looking forward to a return so we can try other dishes.

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    10 months ago

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    3 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Food at this location seems to be really good, my first impression was the ambiance and service, so professional.

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    2 years ago

    Great food and always a great experience. Traditional Notre Dame spot for home games and any other visit to South Bend.

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    Page 1 of 7

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    Fanellos

    Fanellos

    4.3
    (68 reviews)
    3.1 mi

    It's been years since our initial visit to Fanello's so we decided to get it another try on a…read morerecent Saturday night. We didn't have reservations, but luckily it was only a 10-15 minute wait before we were seated. Our server was hustling and did a great job (never mentioned her name). The salad and garlic bread came out right away. The bar was a little backed up, but we eventually got our drinks. Just a glass of chardonnay for me and the hubby opted for the cinnamon maple old fashioned - definitely a miss with overly artifical tasting syrup. Our entrees came out quick, but were only warm not hot. I ordered the chicken carbonara, but it is not a true carbonara - it was a garlicky, heavy cream sauce. I had to ask for parmesan and pepper. There must be a shortage since salt and pepper were only on some of the tables and then another server came and took the parm and pepper before we were even done with our meals. My husband ordered the baked mostaccioli which came with meatballs and he added Italian sausage. The sausage was just sliced with no browning or coloring. The dish was definitely not baked, in fact the shredded mozzarella on top was barely melted. We ordered the tiramisu for dessert which was not good. It was layers of a thin spiced-like sponge cake instead of lady fingers and lacking in any sort of flavor. Overall, it was fine, but there are so many better options for amazing Italian in the area.

    2nd time to visit. Both times informed, courteous, attentive wait staff. Prices very reasonable…read more Portions large.

    Photos
    Tiramisu - definitely not a traditional tiramisu
    Tiramisu - definitely not a traditional tiramisu
    Pizza & lasagne
    Pizza & lasagne
    Salad and garlic bread

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    Salad and garlic bread
    Parisi's Ristorante Italiano

    Parisi's Ristorante Italiano

    3.5
    (141 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    Parisi's is the kind of Italian spot that makes you feel like you've stumbled into someone's home…read morekitchen... in the best way. Cozy, charming, and the food? Chef's kiss. I ordered the carbonara and WOW. Creamy, perfectly salty, and the pasta was cooked just right. I still think about it, honestly. The portion was generous without being overwhelming, and you can just tell it's made with love. Service was just as impressive. Our server was friendly, checked in the perfect amount, and gave great recommendations. Everyone there made us feel so welcome, like regulars even though it was our first time. Definitely bookmarking this place for my next visit to South Bend. If you're craving authentic Italian in a warm, laid-back setting... this is it.

    Parisi's is a very quaint and authentic Italian restaurant that is a local establishment. We…read moreenjoyed the ambiance and the food was delectable. With that being stated, you can't be in a rush if you are planning to try Parisi's. We arrived at 7:30 and waited a bit to be seated. Our food also took a while to come out. I only saw two employees so they might be on a skeleton crew during the week. We visited on a Tuesday night. I wanted to order the lasagna but it was out for the day. We had an appetizer and some drinks to start the meal. My shrimp ravioli was very good and I loved the spicy red sauce. I was so happy with my selection. My husband ordered the lemon chicken and gave me a taste. The chicken was tender and had a tangy lemon flavor. We were both pleased with our plates. We will be back soon.

    Photos
    Sitting out on the patio.
    Sitting out on the patio.
    The ONLY public place entertainer Greg Rini will perform at in South Bend!
    The ONLY public place entertainer Greg Rini will perform at in South Bend!
    This is the supposed garden salad. It's missing most of the garden though.

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    This is the supposed garden salad. It's missing most of the garden though.
    Sunny Italy Cafe

    Sunny Italy Cafe

    3.7
    (88 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    My bf and I went to Sunny Italy Cafe for a romantic dinner during the Winter 2026 South Bend…read moreRestaurant Week to take advantage of their fantastic 3 course dinner special. For $24/$25 a person, my bf and I ate like kings! If we were smart, we would have saved some for leftovers but we weren't, and ate everything. We left feeling so full! FYI, Sunny Italy Cafe is celebrating their 100th anniversary this year! First things first, I want to mention the fabulous service we received from our waitress, who has clearly worked here forever. She was kind, funny, and made us feel like family. When we were checking in for our 6:30 reservation, the man behind us was called by his name and given a big old hug by the elderly lady behind the hostess stand. He is clearly a beloved regular. I got their special cocktail, the $7 "Italian Wedding Martini," which is not a Martini at all, got me super tipsy. It was like the long Island iced tea but tastier and with amaretto. 10/10 would recommend. My boyfriend's pinot grigio wasn't my favorite but it was only $7. So I got the broiled chicken, salad with garlic sauce, the spaghetti as my side, and the bisque tortoni as my dessert, all for $24. My bf got the salad with french dressing, the sausage ragu, and pistachio cannoli for $25. The starter salad was basic but I enjoyed my homemade garlic sauce dressing immediately. Definitely not low calorie! FYI you can buy their dressings to bring home by the quart. Our waitress was excited to tell us that their complimentary Italian bread is supplied by a Chicago vendor called Gonnella's, which is also 100 years old. It was warmed up and incredible. One of the best free breads ever. The chicken was a massive portion, drenched in the most delicious herb-y oily sauce. Their famous spaghetti, which was my side, was clearly a very large portion for being a "side," but their famous sauce was fabulous. I'm very glad our waitress suggested I choose it as my side. My boyfriend, who has been to Sunny Italy before, ordered the sausage ragu for his main. Piled on top of a large pile of spaghetti were two massive sausages. It was yummy and filled him right up! Lastly, we indulged on our two Italian desserts. My bisque tortoni was an amaretto flavored rum ice cream and my boyfriend's cannoli was large and covered in pistachios. We are happy we basically got our desserts for free with this restaurant week special. All in all, for about $80ish dollars with tax and tip, we were very happy with our dinner here. I can't wait to come back and support this wonderful 100 year old family business!

    First time at Sunny Italy and hopefully not the last time. My wife and I went to Sunny Italy on a…read moreFriday during a Notre Dame home football weekend. We arrived right at 430 when they opened and were promptly seated. Our waitress was young, attentive and seemed sweet. She took our orders, I had the half split complete (meat ravioli and pasta). Meal came with warm Italian bread and salad. My wife had a penne pasta type dish. Both of us enjoyed our meals. Restaurant itself is fairly large and had a lot of character. I would recommend Sunny Italy if you are in the mood for Italian food while in South Bend. It's a quality experience.

    Photos
    Upstairs dining room
    Upstairs dining room
    Fried chicken regular
    Fried chicken regular
    Dining room

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    Dining room
    Macri's Italian Bakery & Trattoria

    Macri's Italian Bakery & Trattoria

    4.6
    (137 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    Love this place forgot to take photos I will on my return trip which will be sooner than later. Had…read morethe meatball appetizer excellent! Caprese sandwich also great. Also tried Italian panini all the best meats and cheeses. They have fantastic baked goods including cookies and cakes. Homemade gelato and fresh handmade pasta. Didn't try the pizza but it also looked delicious. This is a must try

    Let's start with the sweets because honestly, that's still this place's strong suit. I've grabbed…read morecookies and random goodies from the case before, and they've never missed. Today though, I walked in thinking this might be it... my hunt for the best fired pizza in South Bend might finally be over. I saw the giant pizza oven and thought, "yeah, this is about to be serious." So naturally... I stayed for lunch. It was busy, but the self-serve kiosk made ordering easy. I went all in Pepperoni Pizza, Cheesy Garlic Bread, Chicken Noodle Soup, and Shrimp Diavolo. For a packed lunch rush, 15-20 minutes wasn't bad at all. Now... the pizza. I wanted to love it. I really did. But it just didn't show up. It was pretty bland overall, and most of the flavor came from the cupped pepperoni which tasted like something you'd grab off a store shelf. The sauce tried to make a comeback, but it got completely overshadowed. The rest of the food? Honestly solid. The Chicken Noodle Soup hit the spot, and the Shrimp Diavolo was actually really good. So yeah the pizza hunt continues. The oven might look impressive, but it's not ending anyone's search just yet. But the sweets? Still a slam dunk. -The interior was clean and the seating area is large.

    Photos
    Pastries, Baked Goods, Cakes, Coffee and more!
    Pastries, Baked Goods, Cakes, Coffee and more!
    Pastries
    Pastries
    Dining area

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    Dining area

    Rocco's Restaurant - pizza - Updated July 2026

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