I am a really big fan of Depalma's downtown. Service was always friendly and the food was delicious. My favorites were the chicken caesar salad which had teriyaki marinated chicken on top, the fresh cheese bread, and the pizza! It's a great place for families and students alike and for an extra reason to visit they serve Prosecco (which is my absolute favorite Italian wine). I would definitely give this Italian eatery a try next time you're downtown.
(4)
Adelina Z.
Very average to well below average experience. Seafood risotto was awful--fishy smelling and tasting, watery, flavorless rice, not at all creamy. So bad I had to send it back. Veggie lasagna was good. Eggplant florentine was good. Angel hair pasta with marinara was bland. Breadsticks were good, not great. Definitely would NOT recommend.
(2)
G. Michael G.
People are always so excited about going to DePalma's. They say, "oooooooh, you went to depalmas--i love that place. it's so nice" No, it's not. it's nasty. Actually i'm lieing. it's not nasty. my number one complaint with everything i've eaten there is that it was flavorless. To quote a famous diva, "it'd have more flavor if they ran it under a faucet of water first." So go ahead and love your Depalmas, but for my taste i'd prefer olive garden or johnny carinos to Depalmas in athens.
(1)
Sheldon L.
So much good food here I really don't know what to do with it! My good friend used to work here and I was treated several times to the great food from here!.
(5)
Kat B.
I'm wondering what happened to 1/2 of the food my husband ordered when I read "large portions" below. Maybe they were running out of noodles the night of our visit, September 29, 2010, but I swear, his serving was the size one would receive when ordering a kiddie meal. Seriously small! He ordered the pasta with bolognese sauce and italian sausage on the side. The sausage came out somewhere between 5 & 7 minutes after our food and after mentioning that it was missing. This had to be mentioned because it is one of the reasons I didn't give a 4 or 5 star. Together we started with the spinach and onion bread sticks which were tasty as could be. It's kind of like a pizza made with connecting breadsticks together with the cheese. It is served with an "okay" marinara. Now, I had the eggplant florentine which was tremendous in flavor and the perfect size; not too much nor too little. I chose to try the Hofstatter Pinot Grigio but it was way too sweet and thick. Next time I'll try the Lageder Pinot. The service was nothing to brag about except for the host who took our reservation over the phone a couple of days before. I think uniforms of some sort would add a whole lot to the Italian atmosphere and add a lot more professionalism to the dining room and personalities of the weight staff. Everyone was wearing street clothes, and I couldn't personally tell who was working there except for the bartender that night. She was wearing classic Italian Restaurant clothing. The atmosphere was cozy making for a romantic dinner if you are in the mood for one.
(3)
Kelly L.
This location has the best food and ambiance. Stuffed mushrooms and/or breadsticks are the only appetizers worth ordering. Pizza is delicious as are the calzones. My only complaint is they need to have banana peppers as a topping/filling option! They are very nice about substitutions as well.
(5)
Timber W.
I've only been here once, but I'd like to go back. I really enjoyed the seafood charmaine, which contained scallops and shrimp tossed with fettuccine in a spicy sauce. My friends and I were squirreled away at a table in the back of the restaurant, and there were several instances where our drinks ran low/empty. That's really the only reason I wouldn't give DePalma's 5 stars.
(4)
Ashley P.
I always enjoyed Depalma's during my time in Athens, but I definitely think that they fall into that category of restaurants that serve and overrated dinner and an underrated lunch. I've been a couple times for dinner and I always felt like it was good, but not 15 bucks good. That and I'm kind of a pasta snob just because I feel like it's so easy to make great pasta at home. Now as for lunch, I was much more impressed. They have a pizza lunch special (I think it's only on weekdays) that offers a slice with 1 topping, side salad and a drink for 6 bucks. And the pizza and salad are definitely the kind of quality you'd expect from Depalma's. I LOVE the jalapeno citrus vinaigrette on my salad :) A warning about the toppings menu: There are a huge number of really delicious toppings like proscuitto, salami, meatballs, BUT, you will have to pay a little extra for these as they are "premium" toppings and if you start adding multiple toppings, the price of your pizza will steeply climb. But fear not, if you want to splurge on the pizza and skip the salad, you can easily go a la carte. Also cool: they have one of those pick-the-pasta-and-pick-a-sauce lunch specials for 7 bucks, also comes with a drink. So if dinner has always left something to be desired for you, try Depalma's for lunch. It's right near campus, so it's perfect for a between classes lunch!
(4)
Javier O.
Depalma's Italian Cafe in downtown Athens is located in the heart of the city. Around the corner lies the University of GA (Bull dogs), so the type of crowd consists of students, faculty families and business men. The Menu is excellent, especially for lunch when I visited today. Their Lunch Specials consists of lunch pastas, a slice & salad or just a slice of of Pizza. Although tempting, I opted for an antipasti and a panini. First, I had the stuffed mushrooms half filled with pesto, half with meatball and mozzarella then baked. Then I had the Grilled Chicken & Asiago Sandwich on ciabatta with apple bacon, red onion, garlic butter and mayo. The combination is probably one of the best I've ever had and the service was dead on. My waitress stopped by to refill my diet coke several times. Yes I did say diet coke. Although they had a spectacular wine list, I had to go back to work later in the afternoon and I did not want to deal with my clients having them ruin whatever buzz i would have gotten on during lunch. You may be asking, based on my review thus far, why can't I give this place a five? Although the food was good in portions and in taste and prize and the service was remarkable, I felt like 5 are should be reserved for a restaurant of higher caliber. Otherwise, I could find no fault and would love to revisit Depalma's Italian Cafe
(4)
Jennifer L.
We ate here two nights in a row while visiting Athens. The staff was very friendly. The food was delicious and filling. Booths are spacious, but at the same time the restaurant has a cozy feel to it. Cool decor compose of vintage, colorful movie posters. Not your traditional Italian restaurant environment, but excellent nonetheless.
(4)
Katherine D.
Huh? No review yet? This is very surprising to me. DePalma's (downtown) is one of my favorite hometown standbys. The one on the east side is good; I like it for lunch (esp. the Roast Beef sandwich, sounds plain I know, but it's oh-so-yummy), but downtown is where it's at for dinner. I've not been to the Homewood Hills location, so I can't compare it to that. Though you may wait a long time for a table in the downtown location (especially on a Saturday in the fall), the food is solid. I've never been let down. My favorite dish? The Wild Mushroom and Three Cheese Pizza is absolutely perfect. It's brilliant, transcendent even. I love, love, love it. I crave it. Also good: the Spicy Penne Charmaine. I've never had trouble with service, though I've heard of some who have. I give it five stars for Italian dining in Athens. Of course I've had better Italian in other cities, but for Athens, DePalma's rocks!
(5)
Joanne E.
I only travel to Athens rarely, yet this was my second visit to Depalma's. Not only did I eat here, before that I ordered a large pepperoni/sausage pizza for pick up (for my high-school senior son and his two friends who did not want to "dine out" with us) which, when they told me the price over the phone seemed expensive, but when I picked it up seemed cheap for the size and apparent quality. I didn't taste it, but my son and his compadres attested to the general goodness, and they appreciated the massive quantity they got. When we got back there for our meal I ordered the tortellini and of course, had to mix it up a little. They could not have been more gracious or helpful. My husband loved that they left him a huge carafe with iced tea. The food, once it arrived, was delicious. Why only four stars? Well, I think the ambience. I like an Italian restaurant with tablecloths. It just adds to the general experience for me. Can you say, "high maintenance?" Would I eat here again? Not only yes, heck yes. We're going back tonight!
(4)
Amy A.
Since my last review I have tried Depalma's again - definitely a no go. Blah and bland and blah again. My then-boyfriend (now husband) took me here for a nice date. The company was good, but the food was lacking. If you're like me, you go out to eat knowing you're going to get more calories and so I want it to be yummy and worth it! this place was alright, but nothing exciting - the flavors were kind of blah. But I married my date later, so that makes it a nice memory. :)
(1)
Randy B.
Delicious! Mouth watering Italian! Kick it off with the stuffed mushrooms and then anything else is over the top!!!
(5)
Kevin M.
My favorite italian place so far in Athens. I've had their tortelloni & grilled chicken sausage, as well as their lasagna, and both have been fantastic every time I go. The freshness and flavor of these dishes are hard to match in Athens. The bread they provide is great, and the prices are rather nice for the quality of food you get. Also, they serve some of Tammy's cheesecake there, so that's a huge plus. What adds to the food of this place is the atmosphere. Not only is it a downtown setting, but the inside is very cool and unique. It also has a very nice bar in the back. Definitely a must-eat and repeat-eat in Athens.
(5)
Jules S.
We were looking for a place on a Friday night with outdoor seating so we could dine with our friend's dog, and Depalma's could accommodate us quicker than Last Resort. So after a 15 min wait, they actually sat us in front of the Winery and just served us over there. Fine with us! we jus ordered our drinks from the Winery (which were incidentally very reasonably priced!) The service was incredibly friendly and we couldn't ask for more in that department. The reason for the 2.5 stars? Food. To of us got the pork tenderloin special with rosemary Demi-glace which was bland and boring which was a disappointment since it came highly recommended from our server. Hubs ordered the seafood lasagna special after hearing a diner compliment it. they were well warranted. It was the bomb dot com! I ordered the pasta margerhita which had sauce that was fine tasting, but I wanted a little more basil, and rigatoni that was cooked properly. The pasta was crunchy and way more al dente than appropriate. It needed about 2 more minutes in the hot water. The dish was only $10 or so which is a good price normally, but when the pasta is inedible, that's pretty expensive sauce. Our friends disliked their Caesar salads because it just tasted like italian dressing, but a positive note was the pesto surfed mushroom app was very good. All in all, we enjoyed ourselves but would not go back for the food unless we knew the seafood lasagna was on special!
(2)
Amanda D.
We had a large group of friends and made reservations for a friend's birthday. His birthday fell on a game night, so the restaurant wasn't very crowded during the game. Our server was very nice, she got us all our orders correctly. I tried a bite of the gouda pizza and it was fantastic, but I eat gluten-free so I got the eggplant something without pasta. Not bad, but not anything to talk about. The drinks were damn expensive and the blueberry lemonade should be toilet lemonade, it tasted like "dirty lemon rind that got left in the street and got run over by a hobo". (Our birthday boy had several drinks-and a ride home) I paid $25 for two specialty drinks and a knob creek... before tip. I think there was a mistake, but I didn't catch it until later when i looked at the receipt. Food cost was average. Get the pizza, skip the eggplant [insert Italian name here]
(3)
Monica C.
I think it was just the company I was with that made me give this place 2 stars. Went there again a few days ago. pretty delicious, somewhat expensive. seems to be a common theme in dt.
(4)
Colleen B.
Decent, no frills family style meal. Food wasn't anything to write home about but it filled our hungry bellies. Service was friendly and efficient.
(3)
Daniel M.
I ate there last night with a large group and was blown away, great job, variety, textures, and presentation. I really liked the scallops risotto with balsamic reduction and the pork medallions. I have never had a bad meal at DePalma's in more than 100 meals there in the last 30 years
(5)
Robby N.
I didn't think that I would like this place, but I actually had a really nice ravioli for lunch. For lunch, the food was priced well. I had a meeting, and as we were the only group there, it was a really nice space to talk, work and eat. Probably a 3.5 for food, and that extra half-star for the atmosphere.
(4)
Kevin V.
Food was good. Also I suggest they remove their long-expired Yelp offer. I was kind of disappointed not being to use it until i found the fine prints...
(3)
Mike D.
Overall was good. Great service and atmosphere, but food was slightly above average.
(3)
Chet M.
Visited after a Dawgs game and the were prompt about our reservation and everyones food was very good. Large menu reasonable prices.
(4)
Gino M.
DePalma's isn't perfect -- but it's getting 5 stars based on a decade of romantic dinners with my sweety. Sometimes the service is slow, sometimes the waiters are rude. Sometimes the food is bland, sometimes the food is cold. But damnit, this place has character. The original DePalma's (and the only one worth going to) has been a staple of my date-night rotation with my wife ever since she started attending the cow college across the street from it. We love the place. From the old and cheesy movie posters ("Follow this amazing journey down the Amazon to the heart of the jungle with a kiss starved princess!") to the ancient booths in the original section (the cafe expanded when a neighboring business vacated their location). Quick tip -- if you have time -- get the meatball and onion breadsticks. They cook them only to order so they will take 20 minutes -- but they're divine.
(5)
Eleanor W.
Fresh, flavor-popping food artfully prepared. Bread made fresh on premises served hot with oil and balsamic vinegar dipping sauce. The grilled eggplant served over kale (a healthy dish) was delicious. My lunch partner had chicken parmesan with a side of spaghetti which was excellent also. Great service by Rachel. We will definitely be back to DePalmas.
(5)
Kyle P.
I had a good experience grabbing lunch at Depalma's. I had the lasagna (the "classic" one, it changes daily apparently), which was good, but not great. My sister had the chicken scallopini which we both agreed owned bones. All in all, it was a good lunch for a good price.
(4)
Jonathon V.
Good, but relatively expensive. If you go, it is probably best to do so for lunch when it is cheaper.
(4)
Christine K.
DePalma's is definitely a fantastic dinner spot. I've been here many times and I've always had a good experience. The service is great and friendly. The food is very nice. People think Italian food is all the same old pasta and tomato sauce, but DePalma's really does add a bit of flare. They have a very diverse menu. Their chili-glazed grilled salmon salad is satisfying and the eggplant florentine with spinach angel hair is unique and delicious. Also, I have to give an extra kudos to DePalma's. I am interning at a non-profit this semester and DePalma's gave a generous donation to our cause. Thank you so much!
(4)
Carrie O.
Depalma's definitely has yummy Italian food, but what I like more about this place is their variety. The menu has a lot of neat dishes (for example, one of their specials that night was a seafood lasagna, I'd never heard of such a thing!) and enough vegetarian options to make this non-meat-eater happy. I had the mascarpone ravioli with spinach & tomato sauce, and it was so light & delicately delicious. My cousins rave about the Pasta Depalma as well, and it smelled quite good (has a rosemary cream sauce, yum!) The caramelized onion flatbread is worth a go as well, and it comes with a balsamic reduction drizzle that is fantastic. I'm not sure how "authentic" old-style Italian this place is (though some of the menu certainly was), but I kind of like places that take cuisines and shake them up a bit. If you're in the mood for Italian, I'm fairly sure that Depalma's would cure your craving!
(4)
Tonia D.
The husband and I were looking for a good date night and Italian was on our mind. We had heard good things about DePalma's and figured we'd give it a try. From the glass of Pinto Grigio, I was sold. I tried the tortellini and grilled chicken sausage and was blown away at the flavor. The spice builds, but it was oh so delicious. My husband opted for their trout special and let me sample a bite. I'm not a huge freshwater fish fan, but that was heavenly. The portions were huge and we both brought leftovers home. Still, we thought we'd splurge on a dessert. The Zuppe Inglese was sheer nectar from the gods and capped off the perfect meal. For a glass of wine, beer, side salad, two entrees, and a dessert, we spent about $65 (including tip). You could go cheaper easily by skipping extras, but you'd be missing out.
(4)
Betty R.
I chose DePalma's for a pre-race carbo-load, and then I got a little nervous. After all, I hadn't visited in probably 10 years - would it still be good, or were my memories overhyped due to intense nostalgia for my college days? I'm happy to report that, other than the focaccia (which was just meh), everything was stellar. I had a polenta dish with spicy shrimp, and it was incredibly flavorful and satisfying. And, lo and behold, I no longer have to order a whole dessert to myself in order to enjoy zuppa inglese - they have a little 2-3 bite mini version! Score.
(4)
Jason C.
Oh, DePalma's (westside)! How I'd love to love you! You're close, convenient, look nice, and have a great ambiance. You serve decent pizza and a truly acceptable lunch pasta special. And, to be fair, some of your entrees are pretty good. The problem comes when the kitchen tries to get creative. DePalma's is incredibly inconsistent. The menu is full of dishes that are so outstandingly lousy that you wonder if anyone ever tasted them before serving them to unwary customers. The kitchen is visible, which is another bad idea, because it's (when I visit) generally a smelly mess. At least the restrooms have soap. I had the "pan fried mascarpone ravioli with spinch and a tomato, butter and thyme pan sauce". It was completely nasty. You get four deep fried balls of dough and cheese covered in a greasy red mixture of canned tomato and food-service quality butter, with a couple of sad-looking spinach leaves and artichoke hearts putting up a brave fight against the tide of overall oiliness. All this for $13. The appetizer was "focaccia bread". It turned out be a collection of dense, oily, sweet-tasting wedges with a bizarre looking green sauce (this turned out to be a cheese dip). Why? Why not just make a decent focaccia (it's not that hard) and serve it with something appetizing? I think the real problem with DePalma's is that it's "Italian Food for People Who Don't Like Italian Food". If you want to sit in a nice place and don't particularly care what you eat as long as it's got lots of fat (and maybe some cheese on it), you'll probably love it. If you're forced into it, my picks would be the pasta dinner or lunch, the pizza, or the caesar salad. All of them are competently executed, if not inspired, and you won't go home with indigestion.
(2)
Tasaday L.
I love the Chili Glazed Grilled Salmon with the Citrus- Jalapeno vinaigrette. The other entries look good and they have many options.
(4)
Rani C.
I must go here whenever I'm in Athens. I dream about their stuffed mushrooms with sausage and cheese appetizer. Their wine list is very good. I love this place.
(5)
Elaine L.
I've been looking for a good pasta place since Spring. Wow, the spinach manicotti & spicy pnne charmaine pasta with jalapeno cream sauce were great. They were so light & delicious. The house pasta (Depalma pasta?) was not that impressive, still tasty. We loved the pizza with fresh ingredients. Loved the interior as well.
(5)
Lisa K.
Went to a wedding reception here, and it was surprisingly really good. I was half expecting overly priced, sub-par foods, to be honest. But this place was great.~ I decided to get something on their specials. A portobello mushroom top stuff with breaded crab on top of a specialty pasta. That one also seemed to be the crowd favorite too. It was really good, needless to say. From appetizers to desserts the place delivered. I didn't get to try any desserts, but from the unanimous opinion of the other guests, it was apparently very good as well. The decor was nice and very rustic and not over the top as well. Really relaxing dining experience. Maybe the next time I'm in Athens I'll drop by again. =]
(4)
Matthew L.
When I first visited UGA my junior year in high school and decided it was indeed my destiny to go there, my folks took my brother and I to a little hole on Broad St. called Depalma's. Back then it was a small tired looking restaurant with a lot of charm. The food was good and the feeling was unpretentious. I loved it. Much to my chagrin, however, they expanded into the neighboring retail space, doubled their size, and the experience has since changed. While the feel is more upscale now it still remains one of the best restaurants in downtown Athens. Give it a shot if you like Italian food.
(4)
Matt J.
Perhaps the most overrated restaurant in Athens. The food would be just fine if it were less pricey, the prices would be ok if the food were better. The service is outstanding, the food very mediocre, and I suspect made with not the best of ingredients. If you really want a good, quality Italian meal, I suggest La Dolce Vita.
(3)
Joe R.
Incredibly slow service. The chicken in our make your own pasta was like rubber. When we pointed this out to the server no action was taken. With all of the great places to eat in Athens we will not be back.
(1)
Lee W.
The BEST pizza on the planet! Great staff! Sooo inexpensive!
(5)
Kate M.
You know that question in your "About Me" section on your profile that asks what your last meal on Earth would consist of? For me - it's Depalma's Goat Cheese Ravioli without question. I went to school at UGA and was thrilled to discover the wonder that is Depalma's. Even now when I make a return trip to Athens, it's on my short list of places I have to visit every time I come. When you walk in the door, you're greeted by a smiling host who is happy to seat you in one of the comfiest booths ever. There are tons of vintage art and movie posters on the wall that come from the early 1900s with lots of Italian flare. There's a cozy bar setup with an impressive wall of liquor and their wine list is well regulated. They've got a separate room with a view of the kitchen (my favorite place to sit since you can see the cooks and flames shooting up) and a separate private dining room where you can host events and get-togethers. The wait staff here is great. They really know their menu and are happy to recommend a good bottle of wine to pair with your selection. You can tell they love the food as much as the diners do and are passionate about their trade. On my last visit to Athens I stopped in for an early lunch with a girlfriend and the restaurant was a little slow. The waiter chatted and joked with us and made sure we were well taken care of. The extra attention definitely went the extra mile. For starters, we of course got the goat cheese ravioli. If you get nothing else at Depalma's please get this - I'm begging you. Five pieces of deliciously made ravioli with just enough bite that has warm gooey goat cheese filling. It pairs perfectly with the pear wine sauce they glaze it with and the roasted, candied walnuts and gorgonzola/blue cheese on top knock it out of the park. I also highly recommend their apple walnut salad as a starter. It comes with a balsamic vinaigrette, but I always switch that out for their house made gorgonzola dressing. The mixed greens come with thinly shaved green apple slices, candied walnuts, gorgonzola, and red onions and is always fresh and super tasty. You can get it as a side salad or a main course. On my most recent lunch visit, I opted to go with the calzone which was HUGE. I couldn't finish hardly half of it and ate the other half for lunch the next day. They have build your own options with tons of toppings and specialty offerings or you can choose from a palate they've created. The pizzas are done in the same way and are fantastic. The crust is perfectly chewy with a little crunch on the outside and the cheese stringy and melted just right - like an Italian pie should be. On past visits I've sampled various pasta offerings and they're all wonderful. They change up their lasagna offering daily depending on what's local and in season and during the week they have lunch specials that give you a slice, salad, and soda (perfect for the college student on a budget who can't for the life of them eat another PB&J). I've had nothing but good experiences at Depalma's over the years and their attention to detail and quality keeps me coming back for more.
(5)
Rich L.
Let's start with the outstanding Anything with the scallops Homemade focaccia bread Breadsticks-best part of the meal Pasta cooked just right aldente Now the not so good Anything with tough small shrimp Shrimp scampi with extra garlic which didn't have extra garlic And finally the horrendous Meatballs that were lumps of unseasoned ground beef, not browned just plain yuck
(3)
Steve K.
I've had several meals here; some have been 4 stars, others 3 stars. The variance of the meals caused me to hold off on reviewing them for a while, but I am reviewing based on my most recent meal, which is a buckwheat pasta with mild mushrooms. It was cooked properly, but the flavor was fairly dull--pretty much one note, unexciting. It would've benefited from an additional ingredient or two, to diversify the flavor. At $14 for the dinner entree, it's not too pricey but also not particularly cheap.
(3)
Cheezwhiz R.
Like the menu pasta is what they have and the bread AND SOOOOO GOOD. My husband created his own dish with meatballs and he.loved it. I had the shrimp fettuccine with sun dried cream sauce and oh did I mention the bread.
(4)
Larry M.
We stopped in on a Wednesday night around 8. Not really that crowded which was nice after a long drive into town. Had a very nice and funny waitress and the meal was great. Wife and daughter shared a Margherita pizza and I had chicken parm. Both were excellent.
(5)
Elizabeth B.
My husband loves Italian. If we are traveling and anyone asks him, what would you like for dinner? His answer will be "Italian" every... time... Ok, so that meant our recent trip to Athens Georgia had to include at least one nice Italian place so we hit Depalma's one busy weekend for dinner. Here's my review! We sat at the bar - yes there were tables available. No we didn't have a reservation. Yes we are weird that way. Bartender was great - never let our glasses go empty, attentive, talkative without being intrusive. We enjoyed a nice glass of port and they even have grappa! Didn't have a grappa, but am always impressed when I see it available. Now if only I would start seeing some good sherry options on wine lists, that and absinthe and I'd be one happy girl - but I digress... Nice glass of wine - great wine list and very excellent wine glasses - more restaurants need to realize how important wine glasses are! Started with a cesar salad which was perfectly dressed. I have an unusual love for gnocchi, can never get enough gnocchi. They said they don't make it there but it sure tasted fresh, just the way it should, soft but not too mushy. I had this with the tomato vodka sauce which was good but not excellent - needed more vodka. I always think this since I started to make my own vodka sauces at home - vodka sauce needs lots of vodka :) Atmosphere is classy, almost chic. You could wear a suit/dress but also feel comfy in jeans. It was about 1000 degrees out on this early August evening and we walked from the hotel so I was like a wet washcloth when I arrived...but I digress again. Overall highly recommend this lovely Italian place!
(5)
Valerie N.
I came for lunch the other day and was so happy to see delicious lunch specials, and of course, my fave meatball and onion braided breadsticks. The marscapone ravioli paired amazingly well with the spicy charmaine sauce - I highly recommend the combo! Delicious! I ended my lunch with a delicious cup of lemon ginger tea. Well done, DePalma's! Move to Atlanta, plllllllllleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease?
(4)
Kyle W.
Nice atmosphere and our waiter did a great job. Food took a while, but was delicious and worth the wait. Highly recommended.
(4)
Thomas W.
Excellent service, food, and drinks! We came in on New Year's Eve, which is VERY busy downtown Athens. The host/manager offered us a spot at the bar to wait for a table. We were served awesome mojitos, and were catered to as if we were the only people in the establishment! Our server recommended exquisite dishes (try the meatball/onion breadsticks..YUM!), and engaged in polite, fun conversation. (I believe her name was Mary) We were extremely pleased and look forward to coming back again. Overall, DePalma's is a great, classy place with a wonderful staff and top-notch food. Highly recommended. Thank you!
(5)
Laura R.
Bad service - the server took away my partner's plate while I was still eating, never refilled our water and then came out with the bill. All while I was still eating! The food also took ridiculously long and wasn't worth the wait. I went here because when I yelp searched gluten free restaurants they came up. First, they didn't have any quinoa pasta. I was also told that when the do have it, they cook it in the same water as the regular pasta. A big NO if you are advertising as gluten free. So we had the mushrooms and a couple of salads. I am also feeling sick to the stomach as i write this so Avoid if possible.
(1)
Katelyn K.
A go-to place for a classic night out in downtown, Athens. Nice classy interior, great wine choice, and efficient service. It's well decorated for a date, a family night, or just a night out with friends. The wine list is a very good complement to the dinner menus. Delicious wines! I've tried the riesling, malbec, and pino grigio, and they were fantastic. The service depends on the night. I went with a large group of friends once and receieved a very rushed, lacking service (but it's understandable to an extent considering we were a large party). The waitress rarely peeked her head in. However, when I went with just a few friends, this waiter was very helpful, knowledgable, and friendly. We had a great time, even though it was a busy game day. The only thing I would be iffy about is the food. I've only ever tried the pastas, but they're not something I find myself craving. Don't get me wrong, they're good... just average-good. Still, I return to this place because it's a nice place at a prime location downtown.
(4)
Emily Myles H.
LOVE DePalma's. My brother went to UGA and I have been many times over the past 6 years even after he graduated. Food is great and so is the atmosphere. Servers are very professional and attentive, they run a tight shift for sure. I end up getting the Eggplant florentine a lot of the time. DIfferent twist on an eggplant parm, very flavorful and has some spinach angel hair tucked underneath. Their cheesy bread is phenomenal, we always get that in big groups. Overall great place right DT.
(5)
R.c. K.
Every time I come to Athens, I HAVE to come to this place. Between all of my visits to this city, I have probably dined at DePalma's about six times. And every time, it is a 5-star visit. This past visit, we went on back-to-back nights. The server was very cool and down-to-earth. It wasn't too busy on these weeknights, so we actually spoke to him for quite a while. All the meals were excellent (as usual), but the standouts were the Eggplant Florentine and the Basil Gnocchi with Pesto. Both "wow" dishes. They have a good wine selection by the glass, with a great selection of bottles at reasonable prices. They even have some excellent high-end wines. And their bread with olive oil and balsamic is an excellent pre-meal treat. We didn't try the desserts this time around, but I do want to mention that they have a good selection of scotch. I usually go for the Oban 14, but this time went for Compass Box "Hedonism." If you drink scotch and are open to various types/profiles, get this. Trust me.
(5)
Tiffany N.
I was looking for a dog friendly joint in Athens and came across some reviews for De Palma's. There was a couple of other restaurants I saw but their prices weren't reasonable in my book so DePalma's it was! This is a wonderful dog friendly place if you're in Athens. They have about six or seven tables right in front on Broad Street that have two to four chairs each and room for the pups. The wait staff brought out a bowl of water for my dog immediately and he even got to canoodle with a cute girl at the table next to us. When I looked at the menu, I was completely pleased. They have standard Italian fare, pizza, pasta, salads, appetizers and tons of wine with prices that didn't make me wince. Score! I got the $6 pinot noir and it did the trick. Since it was June .....in Georgia and we were sitting outside, pasta or pizza was the last thing on my mind. I needed to cool down! I ordered the Insalata Cecilia-grilled shrimp, scallops, pineapple & tomatoes with feta over field greens with jalapeño-citrus vinaigrette. Holy crap, this was a refreshing salad with a generous portion of seafood. Pair that up with a handful of feta cheese and I was in hog heaven. My mom got the pepperoni and green pepper pizza. I tried a sliver of the pizza and wasn't too impressed. The pizza was bogged down with sauce and make it soggy plus the sauce was very sweet. Even if I didn't enjoy it, my dog ended up getting some of the pepperoni so everyone wins! I would definitely stop here again with the selection of food and great service they have but not so sure I would get the pizza again.
(4)
Jon S.
Parts of the meal were great, and parts of it were just awful. We were visiting from out of town and this place accommodated our large group (~30). Given how many of us there were the service wasn't bad. We didn't have to wait terribly long for our food and drinks were kept full. We started out with the breadsticks which were delicious and baked fresh. Highly recommended. Meatball or spinach baked right in and served with marinara. Caesar salad was pretty standard and wasn't soaked in dressing. I ordered the baked penne with grilled chicken for my main course and it was TERRIBLE. Literally had no taste at all. Decent portion of chicken but again no flavor (and a little dry). While most people seemed to enjoy their dinner a little more, the general consensus was that the food was okay but nothing was great. I wouldn't come back. Maybe for a side of breadsticks but not for dinner.
(2)
Enrique C.
This is a good Italian restaurant, now they have 3 locations but this one is in the main street of the city. The food is ok, nothing amazing. The selection of wine is mostly Italian as you can expect it and the prices are fair. If I have to say which is the best thing of the meal... it would be the appetizers. I like their "Stuffed Mushrooms" and the super cheesy "Garlic Bread". Service is good and I like to sit outside when is not raining. I think it is better than Dolce Vita (that it is like half a block away and pricier).
(3)
Janice S.
I am a big fan of Depalma's downtown location; however, today our experience was sub-par. The food was fantastic, but the waiter had a don't give a sh** attitude. Not that I am a fan of the chitty chatty, everything you order receives a "that's awesome" reply. But at least have some repoire with your customers. I mean when a waiter walks by your table, asks if everything is okay without stopping mind you, then goes on to the next booth and so forth until he reaches the end of his wait area never stopping just repeating the mantra, maybe it is an indication that perhaps he should have taken the day off. We had looked forward to treating ourselves to a fun lunch and well, it just took out a portion of the fun factor. Nobody wants to pay for poor service no matter how great the food.
(2)
Stacey S.
Went on Easter morning and they had some awesome seafood specials! There was a small mix up with my order but they were so awesome with getting everything fixed that I would recommend it to all of my friends.
(5)
Jill C.
Having grown up in Athens and moved away 10yrs ago, I always visit DePalma's whenever I'm back in town (which sadly isn't often enough). I've had their pizza, pastas, salads and desserts, but can honestly say their calzones and pizza sauce are truly my favorite. The service downtown recently has been stellar, and the staff is extremely knowledgeable about their wines and craft beers. Highly recommended, always!
(5)
Jessica S.
This place is absolutely amazing. The staff is always welcoming and the food is fresh and comes in a timely manner! Would recommend this place to anyone!
(5)
Carl M.
DePalmas never let's us down. Always great food. Always great with our kids. Always great pints in tap.
(5)
Dan H.
Quaint Italian place near the University of Georgia. The food was of acceptable standards and the service friendly. We went on a Sunday night, but we could hear and feel the bass coming from the dance club on the top floor of the building.
(3)
Scott A.
Pretty good Italian food, a great pre-game day starting point. With a group of folks who make this a tradition before every UGA game, and I was quite satisfied with the experience. The food wasn't anything crazy to shout about, but it fit the bill and had us ready to go for the day. You're right smack in the thick of things in Athens, so afterwards there are lots of spots to hit up afterwards and get riled up for the Bulldog's game. As a "must-see" spot in Athens I'd say it's certainly worth checking out.
(3)
Emily T.
DePalma's just earned itself another star! I dined on this occasion by myself, at the bar. First off, the lady at the bar was super-nice and even brought me a little bread and butter while I was waiting for my meal (probably because I looked like I was about to eat my glass). I ordered the "pan-fried mascarpone ravioli with spinach, and a tomato, butter and thyme pan sauce" and washed it all down with a local Terrapin Rye. The sauce was truly divine, as were the ravioli filled with mascarpone cheese and covered with just enough spinach, tomatoes, and few grilled artichoke hearts. I wonder if there's anything else on the menu THIS GOOD?? Only multiple visits will tell!
(4)
Chriss F.
I have been to Depalma's 3 times and loved it. I love Italian food so I am always looking for a place that serves it up. Service is usually excellent and the low lighting is nice. Parking might be hard because is is on the main college strip. Usually park in the parking deck down the hill and to the right. They have a nice selection of wines as well. I don't think you would be dissapointed. :)
(4)
Jason H.
I've eaten at Depalma's many, many times over the years and, up until recently, the food has always been very good. The last few times I've eaten here, though, the food has been, at best, bland. I'm not sure why the food is so much worse than it ever has been since the menu is essentially the same; perhaps a change in the kitchen staff or lack of oversight by management. I have two examples of how far down the food has declined. In the first, about a month ago a group of us came in for dinner and ordered a few appetizers to share. On the advice of the server, I ordered a crab cake bruschetta. The crab was most definitely fake, but it also tasted...off. As in a bit out of date. The rest of the appetizers weren't much better. Overall, everyone in our group left disappointed. In the second example, I went for lunch with a friend a few days ago. I had a caesar salad and a slice of pizza with Italian sausage on it. The salad was okay, but didn't have very much caesar dressing on it at all. It was just very, very lightly dressed romaine. Not awful, but disappointing and somewhat tasteless. The pizza was pretty much room temperature and the crust was incredibly tough, like it was made the night before and had been reheated, then left sitting out. In the past, Depalma's was one of my favorite restaurants in Athens. Now, and I'm very sad to say this, I think I'll wait a good while before going back.
(2)
C J.
Delicious! My mouth started watering when I started thinking about the great food I had here to write my review! I'll start by saying the only reason it's gets one star off is because their mojito (as you know my favorite drink) was pretty terrible. But what matters is the food and it was spot on! Three of my best friends and myself were together a few days before a wedding and we decided to have a nice treat. The one getting married had gone to grad school at UGA, so thankfully she was familiar with this great place! We started with drinks, my mojito not so fine, the others had wine, which they thoroughly enjoyed. We were able to sit outside and enjoy the sunset and the breeze as a storm started to roll in. We split three appetizers and two entrees, first we had the caprese salad, goat cheese ravioli and the bread sticks... but these are not your average bread sticks! These suckers were stuffed with meatballs, onions, and spinach and covered in mozzarella cheese. It's probably in my list of top 25 best things I've ever eaten, ever!! The goat cheese ravioli was my least favorite dish of the night, but I'm not the biggest goat cheese fan, the others loved it. The caprese salad had yummy summer tomatoes that were obviously fresh and very good and exquisite mozzarella cheese. We split the pasta margherita (rigatone, fresh pomodoro sauce and fresh chunks of mozzarella on top) and seafood charmaine (shrimp and scallops in a creamy spinach and jalepeno sauce over fetuccini). They were both heavenly, I particularly liked the kick to the seafood chamaine and stole all of the jalepenos that were there. In addition to the amazing food, the service was spectacular, man I miss the south! Can we transplant southern wait staff to the DC metro area please? If I ever find myself in Athens again, this will be the first place I come to to eat!
(4)
Jonathon V.
Good, but relatively expensive. If you go, it is probably best to do so for lunch when it is cheaper.
(4)
Christine K.
DePalma's is definitely a fantastic dinner spot. I've been here many times and I've always had a good experience. The service is great and friendly. The food is very nice. People think Italian food is all the same old pasta and tomato sauce, but DePalma's really does add a bit of flare. They have a very diverse menu. Their chili-glazed grilled salmon salad is satisfying and the eggplant florentine with spinach angel hair is unique and delicious. Also, I have to give an extra kudos to DePalma's. I am interning at a non-profit this semester and DePalma's gave a generous donation to our cause. Thank you so much!
(4)
Carrie O.
Depalma's definitely has yummy Italian food, but what I like more about this place is their variety. The menu has a lot of neat dishes (for example, one of their specials that night was a seafood lasagna, I'd never heard of such a thing!) and enough vegetarian options to make this non-meat-eater happy. I had the mascarpone ravioli with spinach & tomato sauce, and it was so light & delicately delicious. My cousins rave about the Pasta Depalma as well, and it smelled quite good (has a rosemary cream sauce, yum!) The caramelized onion flatbread is worth a go as well, and it comes with a balsamic reduction drizzle that is fantastic. I'm not sure how "authentic" old-style Italian this place is (though some of the menu certainly was), but I kind of like places that take cuisines and shake them up a bit. If you're in the mood for Italian, I'm fairly sure that Depalma's would cure your craving!
(4)
Tonia D.
The husband and I were looking for a good date night and Italian was on our mind. We had heard good things about DePalma's and figured we'd give it a try. From the glass of Pinto Grigio, I was sold. I tried the tortellini and grilled chicken sausage and was blown away at the flavor. The spice builds, but it was oh so delicious. My husband opted for their trout special and let me sample a bite. I'm not a huge freshwater fish fan, but that was heavenly. The portions were huge and we both brought leftovers home. Still, we thought we'd splurge on a dessert. The Zuppe Inglese was sheer nectar from the gods and capped off the perfect meal. For a glass of wine, beer, side salad, two entrees, and a dessert, we spent about $65 (including tip). You could go cheaper easily by skipping extras, but you'd be missing out.
(4)
Betty R.
I chose DePalma's for a pre-race carbo-load, and then I got a little nervous. After all, I hadn't visited in probably 10 years - would it still be good, or were my memories overhyped due to intense nostalgia for my college days? I'm happy to report that, other than the focaccia (which was just meh), everything was stellar. I had a polenta dish with spicy shrimp, and it was incredibly flavorful and satisfying. And, lo and behold, I no longer have to order a whole dessert to myself in order to enjoy zuppa inglese - they have a little 2-3 bite mini version! Score.
(4)
Jason C.
Oh, DePalma's (westside)! How I'd love to love you! You're close, convenient, look nice, and have a great ambiance. You serve decent pizza and a truly acceptable lunch pasta special. And, to be fair, some of your entrees are pretty good. The problem comes when the kitchen tries to get creative. DePalma's is incredibly inconsistent. The menu is full of dishes that are so outstandingly lousy that you wonder if anyone ever tasted them before serving them to unwary customers. The kitchen is visible, which is another bad idea, because it's (when I visit) generally a smelly mess. At least the restrooms have soap. I had the "pan fried mascarpone ravioli with spinch and a tomato, butter and thyme pan sauce". It was completely nasty. You get four deep fried balls of dough and cheese covered in a greasy red mixture of canned tomato and food-service quality butter, with a couple of sad-looking spinach leaves and artichoke hearts putting up a brave fight against the tide of overall oiliness. All this for $13. The appetizer was "focaccia bread". It turned out be a collection of dense, oily, sweet-tasting wedges with a bizarre looking green sauce (this turned out to be a cheese dip). Why? Why not just make a decent focaccia (it's not that hard) and serve it with something appetizing? I think the real problem with DePalma's is that it's "Italian Food for People Who Don't Like Italian Food". If you want to sit in a nice place and don't particularly care what you eat as long as it's got lots of fat (and maybe some cheese on it), you'll probably love it. If you're forced into it, my picks would be the pasta dinner or lunch, the pizza, or the caesar salad. All of them are competently executed, if not inspired, and you won't go home with indigestion.
(2)
Tasaday L.
I love the Chili Glazed Grilled Salmon with the Citrus- Jalapeno vinaigrette. The other entries look good and they have many options.
(4)
Rani C.
I must go here whenever I'm in Athens. I dream about their stuffed mushrooms with sausage and cheese appetizer. Their wine list is very good. I love this place.
(5)
Elaine L.
I've been looking for a good pasta place since Spring. Wow, the spinach manicotti & spicy pnne charmaine pasta with jalapeno cream sauce were great. They were so light & delicious. The house pasta (Depalma pasta?) was not that impressive, still tasty. We loved the pizza with fresh ingredients. Loved the interior as well.
(5)
Lisa K.
Went to a wedding reception here, and it was surprisingly really good. I was half expecting overly priced, sub-par foods, to be honest. But this place was great.~ I decided to get something on their specials. A portobello mushroom top stuff with breaded crab on top of a specialty pasta. That one also seemed to be the crowd favorite too. It was really good, needless to say. From appetizers to desserts the place delivered. I didn't get to try any desserts, but from the unanimous opinion of the other guests, it was apparently very good as well. The decor was nice and very rustic and not over the top as well. Really relaxing dining experience. Maybe the next time I'm in Athens I'll drop by again. =]
(4)
Katherine D.
Huh? No review yet? This is very surprising to me. DePalma's (downtown) is one of my favorite hometown standbys. The one on the east side is good; I like it for lunch (esp. the Roast Beef sandwich, sounds plain I know, but it's oh-so-yummy), but downtown is where it's at for dinner. I've not been to the Homewood Hills location, so I can't compare it to that. Though you may wait a long time for a table in the downtown location (especially on a Saturday in the fall), the food is solid. I've never been let down. My favorite dish? The Wild Mushroom and Three Cheese Pizza is absolutely perfect. It's brilliant, transcendent even. I love, love, love it. I crave it. Also good: the Spicy Penne Charmaine. I've never had trouble with service, though I've heard of some who have. I give it five stars for Italian dining in Athens. Of course I've had better Italian in other cities, but for Athens, DePalma's rocks!
(5)
Lindsay S.
I am a really big fan of Depalma's downtown. Service was always friendly and the food was delicious. My favorites were the chicken caesar salad which had teriyaki marinated chicken on top, the fresh cheese bread, and the pizza! It's a great place for families and students alike and for an extra reason to visit they serve Prosecco (which is my absolute favorite Italian wine). I would definitely give this Italian eatery a try next time you're downtown.
(4)
Adelina Z.
Very average to well below average experience. Seafood risotto was awful--fishy smelling and tasting, watery, flavorless rice, not at all creamy. So bad I had to send it back. Veggie lasagna was good. Eggplant florentine was good. Angel hair pasta with marinara was bland. Breadsticks were good, not great. Definitely would NOT recommend.
(2)
Emily T.
DePalma's just earned itself another star! I dined on this occasion by myself, at the bar. First off, the lady at the bar was super-nice and even brought me a little bread and butter while I was waiting for my meal (probably because I looked like I was about to eat my glass). I ordered the "pan-fried mascarpone ravioli with spinach, and a tomato, butter and thyme pan sauce" and washed it all down with a local Terrapin Rye. The sauce was truly divine, as were the ravioli filled with mascarpone cheese and covered with just enough spinach, tomatoes, and few grilled artichoke hearts. I wonder if there's anything else on the menu THIS GOOD?? Only multiple visits will tell!
(4)
Chriss F.
I have been to Depalma's 3 times and loved it. I love Italian food so I am always looking for a place that serves it up. Service is usually excellent and the low lighting is nice. Parking might be hard because is is on the main college strip. Usually park in the parking deck down the hill and to the right. They have a nice selection of wines as well. I don't think you would be dissapointed. :)
(4)
Kat B.
I'm wondering what happened to 1/2 of the food my husband ordered when I read "large portions" below. Maybe they were running out of noodles the night of our visit, September 29, 2010, but I swear, his serving was the size one would receive when ordering a kiddie meal. Seriously small! He ordered the pasta with bolognese sauce and italian sausage on the side. The sausage came out somewhere between 5 & 7 minutes after our food and after mentioning that it was missing. This had to be mentioned because it is one of the reasons I didn't give a 4 or 5 star. Together we started with the spinach and onion bread sticks which were tasty as could be. It's kind of like a pizza made with connecting breadsticks together with the cheese. It is served with an "okay" marinara. Now, I had the eggplant florentine which was tremendous in flavor and the perfect size; not too much nor too little. I chose to try the Hofstatter Pinot Grigio but it was way too sweet and thick. Next time I'll try the Lageder Pinot. The service was nothing to brag about except for the host who took our reservation over the phone a couple of days before. I think uniforms of some sort would add a whole lot to the Italian atmosphere and add a lot more professionalism to the dining room and personalities of the weight staff. Everyone was wearing street clothes, and I couldn't personally tell who was working there except for the bartender that night. She was wearing classic Italian Restaurant clothing. The atmosphere was cozy making for a romantic dinner if you are in the mood for one.
(3)
Kelly L.
This location has the best food and ambiance. Stuffed mushrooms and/or breadsticks are the only appetizers worth ordering. Pizza is delicious as are the calzones. My only complaint is they need to have banana peppers as a topping/filling option! They are very nice about substitutions as well.
(5)
Timber W.
I've only been here once, but I'd like to go back. I really enjoyed the seafood charmaine, which contained scallops and shrimp tossed with fettuccine in a spicy sauce. My friends and I were squirreled away at a table in the back of the restaurant, and there were several instances where our drinks ran low/empty. That's really the only reason I wouldn't give DePalma's 5 stars.
(4)
G. Michael G.
People are always so excited about going to DePalma's. They say, "oooooooh, you went to depalmas--i love that place. it's so nice" No, it's not. it's nasty. Actually i'm lieing. it's not nasty. my number one complaint with everything i've eaten there is that it was flavorless. To quote a famous diva, "it'd have more flavor if they ran it under a faucet of water first." So go ahead and love your Depalmas, but for my taste i'd prefer olive garden or johnny carinos to Depalmas in athens.
(1)
Ashley P.
I always enjoyed Depalma's during my time in Athens, but I definitely think that they fall into that category of restaurants that serve and overrated dinner and an underrated lunch. I've been a couple times for dinner and I always felt like it was good, but not 15 bucks good. That and I'm kind of a pasta snob just because I feel like it's so easy to make great pasta at home. Now as for lunch, I was much more impressed. They have a pizza lunch special (I think it's only on weekdays) that offers a slice with 1 topping, side salad and a drink for 6 bucks. And the pizza and salad are definitely the kind of quality you'd expect from Depalma's. I LOVE the jalapeno citrus vinaigrette on my salad :) A warning about the toppings menu: There are a huge number of really delicious toppings like proscuitto, salami, meatballs, BUT, you will have to pay a little extra for these as they are "premium" toppings and if you start adding multiple toppings, the price of your pizza will steeply climb. But fear not, if you want to splurge on the pizza and skip the salad, you can easily go a la carte. Also cool: they have one of those pick-the-pasta-and-pick-a-sauce lunch specials for 7 bucks, also comes with a drink. So if dinner has always left something to be desired for you, try Depalma's for lunch. It's right near campus, so it's perfect for a between classes lunch!
(4)
Javier O.
Depalma's Italian Cafe in downtown Athens is located in the heart of the city. Around the corner lies the University of GA (Bull dogs), so the type of crowd consists of students, faculty families and business men. The Menu is excellent, especially for lunch when I visited today. Their Lunch Specials consists of lunch pastas, a slice & salad or just a slice of of Pizza. Although tempting, I opted for an antipasti and a panini. First, I had the stuffed mushrooms half filled with pesto, half with meatball and mozzarella then baked. Then I had the Grilled Chicken & Asiago Sandwich on ciabatta with apple bacon, red onion, garlic butter and mayo. The combination is probably one of the best I've ever had and the service was dead on. My waitress stopped by to refill my diet coke several times. Yes I did say diet coke. Although they had a spectacular wine list, I had to go back to work later in the afternoon and I did not want to deal with my clients having them ruin whatever buzz i would have gotten on during lunch. You may be asking, based on my review thus far, why can't I give this place a five? Although the food was good in portions and in taste and prize and the service was remarkable, I felt like 5 are should be reserved for a restaurant of higher caliber. Otherwise, I could find no fault and would love to revisit Depalma's Italian Cafe
(4)
Jennifer L.
We ate here two nights in a row while visiting Athens. The staff was very friendly. The food was delicious and filling. Booths are spacious, but at the same time the restaurant has a cozy feel to it. Cool decor compose of vintage, colorful movie posters. Not your traditional Italian restaurant environment, but excellent nonetheless.
(4)
Steve K.
I've had several meals here; some have been 4 stars, others 3 stars. The variance of the meals caused me to hold off on reviewing them for a while, but I am reviewing based on my most recent meal, which is a buckwheat pasta with mild mushrooms. It was cooked properly, but the flavor was fairly dull--pretty much one note, unexciting. It would've benefited from an additional ingredient or two, to diversify the flavor. At $14 for the dinner entree, it's not too pricey but also not particularly cheap.
(3)
Cheezwhiz R.
Like the menu pasta is what they have and the bread AND SOOOOO GOOD. My husband created his own dish with meatballs and he.loved it. I had the shrimp fettuccine with sun dried cream sauce and oh did I mention the bread.
(4)
Kate M.
You know that question in your "About Me" section on your profile that asks what your last meal on Earth would consist of? For me - it's Depalma's Goat Cheese Ravioli without question. I went to school at UGA and was thrilled to discover the wonder that is Depalma's. Even now when I make a return trip to Athens, it's on my short list of places I have to visit every time I come. When you walk in the door, you're greeted by a smiling host who is happy to seat you in one of the comfiest booths ever. There are tons of vintage art and movie posters on the wall that come from the early 1900s with lots of Italian flare. There's a cozy bar setup with an impressive wall of liquor and their wine list is well regulated. They've got a separate room with a view of the kitchen (my favorite place to sit since you can see the cooks and flames shooting up) and a separate private dining room where you can host events and get-togethers. The wait staff here is great. They really know their menu and are happy to recommend a good bottle of wine to pair with your selection. You can tell they love the food as much as the diners do and are passionate about their trade. On my last visit to Athens I stopped in for an early lunch with a girlfriend and the restaurant was a little slow. The waiter chatted and joked with us and made sure we were well taken care of. The extra attention definitely went the extra mile. For starters, we of course got the goat cheese ravioli. If you get nothing else at Depalma's please get this - I'm begging you. Five pieces of deliciously made ravioli with just enough bite that has warm gooey goat cheese filling. It pairs perfectly with the pear wine sauce they glaze it with and the roasted, candied walnuts and gorgonzola/blue cheese on top knock it out of the park. I also highly recommend their apple walnut salad as a starter. It comes with a balsamic vinaigrette, but I always switch that out for their house made gorgonzola dressing. The mixed greens come with thinly shaved green apple slices, candied walnuts, gorgonzola, and red onions and is always fresh and super tasty. You can get it as a side salad or a main course. On my most recent lunch visit, I opted to go with the calzone which was HUGE. I couldn't finish hardly half of it and ate the other half for lunch the next day. They have build your own options with tons of toppings and specialty offerings or you can choose from a palate they've created. The pizzas are done in the same way and are fantastic. The crust is perfectly chewy with a little crunch on the outside and the cheese stringy and melted just right - like an Italian pie should be. On past visits I've sampled various pasta offerings and they're all wonderful. They change up their lasagna offering daily depending on what's local and in season and during the week they have lunch specials that give you a slice, salad, and soda (perfect for the college student on a budget who can't for the life of them eat another PB&J). I've had nothing but good experiences at Depalma's over the years and their attention to detail and quality keeps me coming back for more.
(5)
Rich L.
Let's start with the outstanding Anything with the scallops Homemade focaccia bread Breadsticks-best part of the meal Pasta cooked just right aldente Now the not so good Anything with tough small shrimp Shrimp scampi with extra garlic which didn't have extra garlic And finally the horrendous Meatballs that were lumps of unseasoned ground beef, not browned just plain yuck
(3)
Larry M.
We stopped in on a Wednesday night around 8. Not really that crowded which was nice after a long drive into town. Had a very nice and funny waitress and the meal was great. Wife and daughter shared a Margherita pizza and I had chicken parm. Both were excellent.
(5)
Elizabeth B.
My husband loves Italian. If we are traveling and anyone asks him, what would you like for dinner? His answer will be "Italian" every... time... Ok, so that meant our recent trip to Athens Georgia had to include at least one nice Italian place so we hit Depalma's one busy weekend for dinner. Here's my review! We sat at the bar - yes there were tables available. No we didn't have a reservation. Yes we are weird that way. Bartender was great - never let our glasses go empty, attentive, talkative without being intrusive. We enjoyed a nice glass of port and they even have grappa! Didn't have a grappa, but am always impressed when I see it available. Now if only I would start seeing some good sherry options on wine lists, that and absinthe and I'd be one happy girl - but I digress... Nice glass of wine - great wine list and very excellent wine glasses - more restaurants need to realize how important wine glasses are! Started with a cesar salad which was perfectly dressed. I have an unusual love for gnocchi, can never get enough gnocchi. They said they don't make it there but it sure tasted fresh, just the way it should, soft but not too mushy. I had this with the tomato vodka sauce which was good but not excellent - needed more vodka. I always think this since I started to make my own vodka sauces at home - vodka sauce needs lots of vodka :) Atmosphere is classy, almost chic. You could wear a suit/dress but also feel comfy in jeans. It was about 1000 degrees out on this early August evening and we walked from the hotel so I was like a wet washcloth when I arrived...but I digress again. Overall highly recommend this lovely Italian place!
(5)
Valerie N.
I came for lunch the other day and was so happy to see delicious lunch specials, and of course, my fave meatball and onion braided breadsticks. The marscapone ravioli paired amazingly well with the spicy charmaine sauce - I highly recommend the combo! Delicious! I ended my lunch with a delicious cup of lemon ginger tea. Well done, DePalma's! Move to Atlanta, plllllllllleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease?
(4)
Kyle W.
Nice atmosphere and our waiter did a great job. Food took a while, but was delicious and worth the wait. Highly recommended.
(4)
Thomas W.
Excellent service, food, and drinks! We came in on New Year's Eve, which is VERY busy downtown Athens. The host/manager offered us a spot at the bar to wait for a table. We were served awesome mojitos, and were catered to as if we were the only people in the establishment! Our server recommended exquisite dishes (try the meatball/onion breadsticks..YUM!), and engaged in polite, fun conversation. (I believe her name was Mary) We were extremely pleased and look forward to coming back again. Overall, DePalma's is a great, classy place with a wonderful staff and top-notch food. Highly recommended. Thank you!
(5)
Laura R.
Bad service - the server took away my partner's plate while I was still eating, never refilled our water and then came out with the bill. All while I was still eating! The food also took ridiculously long and wasn't worth the wait. I went here because when I yelp searched gluten free restaurants they came up. First, they didn't have any quinoa pasta. I was also told that when the do have it, they cook it in the same water as the regular pasta. A big NO if you are advertising as gluten free. So we had the mushrooms and a couple of salads. I am also feeling sick to the stomach as i write this so Avoid if possible.
(1)
Katelyn K.
A go-to place for a classic night out in downtown, Athens. Nice classy interior, great wine choice, and efficient service. It's well decorated for a date, a family night, or just a night out with friends. The wine list is a very good complement to the dinner menus. Delicious wines! I've tried the riesling, malbec, and pino grigio, and they were fantastic. The service depends on the night. I went with a large group of friends once and receieved a very rushed, lacking service (but it's understandable to an extent considering we were a large party). The waitress rarely peeked her head in. However, when I went with just a few friends, this waiter was very helpful, knowledgable, and friendly. We had a great time, even though it was a busy game day. The only thing I would be iffy about is the food. I've only ever tried the pastas, but they're not something I find myself craving. Don't get me wrong, they're good... just average-good. Still, I return to this place because it's a nice place at a prime location downtown.
(4)
Emily Myles H.
LOVE DePalma's. My brother went to UGA and I have been many times over the past 6 years even after he graduated. Food is great and so is the atmosphere. Servers are very professional and attentive, they run a tight shift for sure. I end up getting the Eggplant florentine a lot of the time. DIfferent twist on an eggplant parm, very flavorful and has some spinach angel hair tucked underneath. Their cheesy bread is phenomenal, we always get that in big groups. Overall great place right DT.
(5)
R.c. K.
Every time I come to Athens, I HAVE to come to this place. Between all of my visits to this city, I have probably dined at DePalma's about six times. And every time, it is a 5-star visit. This past visit, we went on back-to-back nights. The server was very cool and down-to-earth. It wasn't too busy on these weeknights, so we actually spoke to him for quite a while. All the meals were excellent (as usual), but the standouts were the Eggplant Florentine and the Basil Gnocchi with Pesto. Both "wow" dishes. They have a good wine selection by the glass, with a great selection of bottles at reasonable prices. They even have some excellent high-end wines. And their bread with olive oil and balsamic is an excellent pre-meal treat. We didn't try the desserts this time around, but I do want to mention that they have a good selection of scotch. I usually go for the Oban 14, but this time went for Compass Box "Hedonism." If you drink scotch and are open to various types/profiles, get this. Trust me.
(5)
Tiffany N.
I was looking for a dog friendly joint in Athens and came across some reviews for De Palma's. There was a couple of other restaurants I saw but their prices weren't reasonable in my book so DePalma's it was! This is a wonderful dog friendly place if you're in Athens. They have about six or seven tables right in front on Broad Street that have two to four chairs each and room for the pups. The wait staff brought out a bowl of water for my dog immediately and he even got to canoodle with a cute girl at the table next to us. When I looked at the menu, I was completely pleased. They have standard Italian fare, pizza, pasta, salads, appetizers and tons of wine with prices that didn't make me wince. Score! I got the $6 pinot noir and it did the trick. Since it was June .....in Georgia and we were sitting outside, pasta or pizza was the last thing on my mind. I needed to cool down! I ordered the Insalata Cecilia-grilled shrimp, scallops, pineapple & tomatoes with feta over field greens with jalapeño-citrus vinaigrette. Holy crap, this was a refreshing salad with a generous portion of seafood. Pair that up with a handful of feta cheese and I was in hog heaven. My mom got the pepperoni and green pepper pizza. I tried a sliver of the pizza and wasn't too impressed. The pizza was bogged down with sauce and make it soggy plus the sauce was very sweet. Even if I didn't enjoy it, my dog ended up getting some of the pepperoni so everyone wins! I would definitely stop here again with the selection of food and great service they have but not so sure I would get the pizza again.
(4)
Jon S.
Parts of the meal were great, and parts of it were just awful. We were visiting from out of town and this place accommodated our large group (~30). Given how many of us there were the service wasn't bad. We didn't have to wait terribly long for our food and drinks were kept full. We started out with the breadsticks which were delicious and baked fresh. Highly recommended. Meatball or spinach baked right in and served with marinara. Caesar salad was pretty standard and wasn't soaked in dressing. I ordered the baked penne with grilled chicken for my main course and it was TERRIBLE. Literally had no taste at all. Decent portion of chicken but again no flavor (and a little dry). While most people seemed to enjoy their dinner a little more, the general consensus was that the food was okay but nothing was great. I wouldn't come back. Maybe for a side of breadsticks but not for dinner.
(2)
Enrique C.
This is a good Italian restaurant, now they have 3 locations but this one is in the main street of the city. The food is ok, nothing amazing. The selection of wine is mostly Italian as you can expect it and the prices are fair. If I have to say which is the best thing of the meal... it would be the appetizers. I like their "Stuffed Mushrooms" and the super cheesy "Garlic Bread". Service is good and I like to sit outside when is not raining. I think it is better than Dolce Vita (that it is like half a block away and pricier).
(3)
Janice S.
I am a big fan of Depalma's downtown location; however, today our experience was sub-par. The food was fantastic, but the waiter had a don't give a sh** attitude. Not that I am a fan of the chitty chatty, everything you order receives a "that's awesome" reply. But at least have some repoire with your customers. I mean when a waiter walks by your table, asks if everything is okay without stopping mind you, then goes on to the next booth and so forth until he reaches the end of his wait area never stopping just repeating the mantra, maybe it is an indication that perhaps he should have taken the day off. We had looked forward to treating ourselves to a fun lunch and well, it just took out a portion of the fun factor. Nobody wants to pay for poor service no matter how great the food.
(2)
Stacey S.
Went on Easter morning and they had some awesome seafood specials! There was a small mix up with my order but they were so awesome with getting everything fixed that I would recommend it to all of my friends.
(5)
Jill C.
Having grown up in Athens and moved away 10yrs ago, I always visit DePalma's whenever I'm back in town (which sadly isn't often enough). I've had their pizza, pastas, salads and desserts, but can honestly say their calzones and pizza sauce are truly my favorite. The service downtown recently has been stellar, and the staff is extremely knowledgeable about their wines and craft beers. Highly recommended, always!
(5)
Jessica S.
This place is absolutely amazing. The staff is always welcoming and the food is fresh and comes in a timely manner! Would recommend this place to anyone!
(5)
Carl M.
DePalmas never let's us down. Always great food. Always great with our kids. Always great pints in tap.
(5)
Dan H.
Quaint Italian place near the University of Georgia. The food was of acceptable standards and the service friendly. We went on a Sunday night, but we could hear and feel the bass coming from the dance club on the top floor of the building.
(3)
Scott A.
Pretty good Italian food, a great pre-game day starting point. With a group of folks who make this a tradition before every UGA game, and I was quite satisfied with the experience. The food wasn't anything crazy to shout about, but it fit the bill and had us ready to go for the day. You're right smack in the thick of things in Athens, so afterwards there are lots of spots to hit up afterwards and get riled up for the Bulldog's game. As a "must-see" spot in Athens I'd say it's certainly worth checking out.
(3)
Jules S.
We were looking for a place on a Friday night with outdoor seating so we could dine with our friend's dog, and Depalma's could accommodate us quicker than Last Resort. So after a 15 min wait, they actually sat us in front of the Winery and just served us over there. Fine with us! we jus ordered our drinks from the Winery (which were incidentally very reasonably priced!) The service was incredibly friendly and we couldn't ask for more in that department. The reason for the 2.5 stars? Food. To of us got the pork tenderloin special with rosemary Demi-glace which was bland and boring which was a disappointment since it came highly recommended from our server. Hubs ordered the seafood lasagna special after hearing a diner compliment it. they were well warranted. It was the bomb dot com! I ordered the pasta margerhita which had sauce that was fine tasting, but I wanted a little more basil, and rigatoni that was cooked properly. The pasta was crunchy and way more al dente than appropriate. It needed about 2 more minutes in the hot water. The dish was only $10 or so which is a good price normally, but when the pasta is inedible, that's pretty expensive sauce. Our friends disliked their Caesar salads because it just tasted like italian dressing, but a positive note was the pesto surfed mushroom app was very good. All in all, we enjoyed ourselves but would not go back for the food unless we knew the seafood lasagna was on special!
(2)
Amanda D.
We had a large group of friends and made reservations for a friend's birthday. His birthday fell on a game night, so the restaurant wasn't very crowded during the game. Our server was very nice, she got us all our orders correctly. I tried a bite of the gouda pizza and it was fantastic, but I eat gluten-free so I got the eggplant something without pasta. Not bad, but not anything to talk about. The drinks were damn expensive and the blueberry lemonade should be toilet lemonade, it tasted like "dirty lemon rind that got left in the street and got run over by a hobo". (Our birthday boy had several drinks-and a ride home) I paid $25 for two specialty drinks and a knob creek... before tip. I think there was a mistake, but I didn't catch it until later when i looked at the receipt. Food cost was average. Get the pizza, skip the eggplant [insert Italian name here]
(3)
Monica C.
I think it was just the company I was with that made me give this place 2 stars. Went there again a few days ago. pretty delicious, somewhat expensive. seems to be a common theme in dt.
(4)
Colleen B.
Decent, no frills family style meal. Food wasn't anything to write home about but it filled our hungry bellies. Service was friendly and efficient.
(3)
Gino M.
DePalma's isn't perfect -- but it's getting 5 stars based on a decade of romantic dinners with my sweety. Sometimes the service is slow, sometimes the waiters are rude. Sometimes the food is bland, sometimes the food is cold. But damnit, this place has character. The original DePalma's (and the only one worth going to) has been a staple of my date-night rotation with my wife ever since she started attending the cow college across the street from it. We love the place. From the old and cheesy movie posters ("Follow this amazing journey down the Amazon to the heart of the jungle with a kiss starved princess!") to the ancient booths in the original section (the cafe expanded when a neighboring business vacated their location). Quick tip -- if you have time -- get the meatball and onion breadsticks. They cook them only to order so they will take 20 minutes -- but they're divine.
(5)
Eleanor W.
Fresh, flavor-popping food artfully prepared. Bread made fresh on premises served hot with oil and balsamic vinegar dipping sauce. The grilled eggplant served over kale (a healthy dish) was delicious. My lunch partner had chicken parmesan with a side of spaghetti which was excellent also. Great service by Rachel. We will definitely be back to DePalmas.
(5)
Kyle P.
I had a good experience grabbing lunch at Depalma's. I had the lasagna (the "classic" one, it changes daily apparently), which was good, but not great. My sister had the chicken scallopini which we both agreed owned bones. All in all, it was a good lunch for a good price.
(4)
Daniel M.
I ate there last night with a large group and was blown away, great job, variety, textures, and presentation. I really liked the scallops risotto with balsamic reduction and the pork medallions. I have never had a bad meal at DePalma's in more than 100 meals there in the last 30 years
(5)
Robby N.
I didn't think that I would like this place, but I actually had a really nice ravioli for lunch. For lunch, the food was priced well. I had a meeting, and as we were the only group there, it was a really nice space to talk, work and eat. Probably a 3.5 for food, and that extra half-star for the atmosphere.
(4)
Kevin V.
Food was good. Also I suggest they remove their long-expired Yelp offer. I was kind of disappointed not being to use it until i found the fine prints...
(3)
Mike D.
Overall was good. Great service and atmosphere, but food was slightly above average.
(3)
Chet M.
Visited after a Dawgs game and the were prompt about our reservation and everyones food was very good. Large menu reasonable prices.
(4)
Matthew L.
When I first visited UGA my junior year in high school and decided it was indeed my destiny to go there, my folks took my brother and I to a little hole on Broad St. called Depalma's. Back then it was a small tired looking restaurant with a lot of charm. The food was good and the feeling was unpretentious. I loved it. Much to my chagrin, however, they expanded into the neighboring retail space, doubled their size, and the experience has since changed. While the feel is more upscale now it still remains one of the best restaurants in downtown Athens. Give it a shot if you like Italian food.
(4)
Joanne E.
I only travel to Athens rarely, yet this was my second visit to Depalma's. Not only did I eat here, before that I ordered a large pepperoni/sausage pizza for pick up (for my high-school senior son and his two friends who did not want to "dine out" with us) which, when they told me the price over the phone seemed expensive, but when I picked it up seemed cheap for the size and apparent quality. I didn't taste it, but my son and his compadres attested to the general goodness, and they appreciated the massive quantity they got. When we got back there for our meal I ordered the tortellini and of course, had to mix it up a little. They could not have been more gracious or helpful. My husband loved that they left him a huge carafe with iced tea. The food, once it arrived, was delicious. Why only four stars? Well, I think the ambience. I like an Italian restaurant with tablecloths. It just adds to the general experience for me. Can you say, "high maintenance?" Would I eat here again? Not only yes, heck yes. We're going back tonight!
(4)
Amy A.
Since my last review I have tried Depalma's again - definitely a no go. Blah and bland and blah again. My then-boyfriend (now husband) took me here for a nice date. The company was good, but the food was lacking. If you're like me, you go out to eat knowing you're going to get more calories and so I want it to be yummy and worth it! this place was alright, but nothing exciting - the flavors were kind of blah. But I married my date later, so that makes it a nice memory. :)
(1)
Randy B.
Delicious! Mouth watering Italian! Kick it off with the stuffed mushrooms and then anything else is over the top!!!
(5)
Kevin M.
My favorite italian place so far in Athens. I've had their tortelloni & grilled chicken sausage, as well as their lasagna, and both have been fantastic every time I go. The freshness and flavor of these dishes are hard to match in Athens. The bread they provide is great, and the prices are rather nice for the quality of food you get. Also, they serve some of Tammy's cheesecake there, so that's a huge plus. What adds to the food of this place is the atmosphere. Not only is it a downtown setting, but the inside is very cool and unique. It also has a very nice bar in the back. Definitely a must-eat and repeat-eat in Athens.
(5)
Matt J.
Perhaps the most overrated restaurant in Athens. The food would be just fine if it were less pricey, the prices would be ok if the food were better. The service is outstanding, the food very mediocre, and I suspect made with not the best of ingredients. If you really want a good, quality Italian meal, I suggest La Dolce Vita.
(3)
Joe R.
Incredibly slow service. The chicken in our make your own pasta was like rubber. When we pointed this out to the server no action was taken. With all of the great places to eat in Athens we will not be back.
(1)
Lee W.
The BEST pizza on the planet! Great staff! Sooo inexpensive!
(5)
Sheldon L.
So much good food here I really don't know what to do with it! My good friend used to work here and I was treated several times to the great food from here!.
(5)
Jason H.
I've eaten at Depalma's many, many times over the years and, up until recently, the food has always been very good. The last few times I've eaten here, though, the food has been, at best, bland. I'm not sure why the food is so much worse than it ever has been since the menu is essentially the same; perhaps a change in the kitchen staff or lack of oversight by management. I have two examples of how far down the food has declined. In the first, about a month ago a group of us came in for dinner and ordered a few appetizers to share. On the advice of the server, I ordered a crab cake bruschetta. The crab was most definitely fake, but it also tasted...off. As in a bit out of date. The rest of the appetizers weren't much better. Overall, everyone in our group left disappointed. In the second example, I went for lunch with a friend a few days ago. I had a caesar salad and a slice of pizza with Italian sausage on it. The salad was okay, but didn't have very much caesar dressing on it at all. It was just very, very lightly dressed romaine. Not awful, but disappointing and somewhat tasteless. The pizza was pretty much room temperature and the crust was incredibly tough, like it was made the night before and had been reheated, then left sitting out. In the past, Depalma's was one of my favorite restaurants in Athens. Now, and I'm very sad to say this, I think I'll wait a good while before going back.
(2)
C J.
Delicious! My mouth started watering when I started thinking about the great food I had here to write my review! I'll start by saying the only reason it's gets one star off is because their mojito (as you know my favorite drink) was pretty terrible. But what matters is the food and it was spot on! Three of my best friends and myself were together a few days before a wedding and we decided to have a nice treat. The one getting married had gone to grad school at UGA, so thankfully she was familiar with this great place! We started with drinks, my mojito not so fine, the others had wine, which they thoroughly enjoyed. We were able to sit outside and enjoy the sunset and the breeze as a storm started to roll in. We split three appetizers and two entrees, first we had the caprese salad, goat cheese ravioli and the bread sticks... but these are not your average bread sticks! These suckers were stuffed with meatballs, onions, and spinach and covered in mozzarella cheese. It's probably in my list of top 25 best things I've ever eaten, ever!! The goat cheese ravioli was my least favorite dish of the night, but I'm not the biggest goat cheese fan, the others loved it. The caprese salad had yummy summer tomatoes that were obviously fresh and very good and exquisite mozzarella cheese. We split the pasta margherita (rigatone, fresh pomodoro sauce and fresh chunks of mozzarella on top) and seafood charmaine (shrimp and scallops in a creamy spinach and jalepeno sauce over fetuccini). They were both heavenly, I particularly liked the kick to the seafood chamaine and stole all of the jalepenos that were there. In addition to the amazing food, the service was spectacular, man I miss the south! Can we transplant southern wait staff to the DC metro area please? If I ever find myself in Athens again, this will be the first place I come to to eat!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : No Best Nights : Tue, Wed, Thu Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Lindsay S.
I am a really big fan of Depalma's downtown. Service was always friendly and the food was delicious. My favorites were the chicken caesar salad which had teriyaki marinated chicken on top, the fresh cheese bread, and the pizza! It's a great place for families and students alike and for an extra reason to visit they serve Prosecco (which is my absolute favorite Italian wine). I would definitely give this Italian eatery a try next time you're downtown.
(4)Adelina Z.
Very average to well below average experience. Seafood risotto was awful--fishy smelling and tasting, watery, flavorless rice, not at all creamy. So bad I had to send it back. Veggie lasagna was good. Eggplant florentine was good. Angel hair pasta with marinara was bland. Breadsticks were good, not great. Definitely would NOT recommend.
(2)G. Michael G.
People are always so excited about going to DePalma's. They say, "oooooooh, you went to depalmas--i love that place. it's so nice" No, it's not. it's nasty. Actually i'm lieing. it's not nasty. my number one complaint with everything i've eaten there is that it was flavorless. To quote a famous diva, "it'd have more flavor if they ran it under a faucet of water first." So go ahead and love your Depalmas, but for my taste i'd prefer olive garden or johnny carinos to Depalmas in athens.
(1)Sheldon L.
So much good food here I really don't know what to do with it! My good friend used to work here and I was treated several times to the great food from here!.
(5)Kat B.
I'm wondering what happened to 1/2 of the food my husband ordered when I read "large portions" below. Maybe they were running out of noodles the night of our visit, September 29, 2010, but I swear, his serving was the size one would receive when ordering a kiddie meal. Seriously small! He ordered the pasta with bolognese sauce and italian sausage on the side. The sausage came out somewhere between 5 & 7 minutes after our food and after mentioning that it was missing. This had to be mentioned because it is one of the reasons I didn't give a 4 or 5 star. Together we started with the spinach and onion bread sticks which were tasty as could be. It's kind of like a pizza made with connecting breadsticks together with the cheese. It is served with an "okay" marinara. Now, I had the eggplant florentine which was tremendous in flavor and the perfect size; not too much nor too little. I chose to try the Hofstatter Pinot Grigio but it was way too sweet and thick. Next time I'll try the Lageder Pinot. The service was nothing to brag about except for the host who took our reservation over the phone a couple of days before. I think uniforms of some sort would add a whole lot to the Italian atmosphere and add a lot more professionalism to the dining room and personalities of the weight staff. Everyone was wearing street clothes, and I couldn't personally tell who was working there except for the bartender that night. She was wearing classic Italian Restaurant clothing. The atmosphere was cozy making for a romantic dinner if you are in the mood for one.
(3)Kelly L.
This location has the best food and ambiance. Stuffed mushrooms and/or breadsticks are the only appetizers worth ordering. Pizza is delicious as are the calzones. My only complaint is they need to have banana peppers as a topping/filling option! They are very nice about substitutions as well.
(5)Timber W.
I've only been here once, but I'd like to go back. I really enjoyed the seafood charmaine, which contained scallops and shrimp tossed with fettuccine in a spicy sauce. My friends and I were squirreled away at a table in the back of the restaurant, and there were several instances where our drinks ran low/empty. That's really the only reason I wouldn't give DePalma's 5 stars.
(4)Ashley P.
I always enjoyed Depalma's during my time in Athens, but I definitely think that they fall into that category of restaurants that serve and overrated dinner and an underrated lunch. I've been a couple times for dinner and I always felt like it was good, but not 15 bucks good. That and I'm kind of a pasta snob just because I feel like it's so easy to make great pasta at home. Now as for lunch, I was much more impressed. They have a pizza lunch special (I think it's only on weekdays) that offers a slice with 1 topping, side salad and a drink for 6 bucks. And the pizza and salad are definitely the kind of quality you'd expect from Depalma's. I LOVE the jalapeno citrus vinaigrette on my salad :) A warning about the toppings menu: There are a huge number of really delicious toppings like proscuitto, salami, meatballs, BUT, you will have to pay a little extra for these as they are "premium" toppings and if you start adding multiple toppings, the price of your pizza will steeply climb. But fear not, if you want to splurge on the pizza and skip the salad, you can easily go a la carte. Also cool: they have one of those pick-the-pasta-and-pick-a-sauce lunch specials for 7 bucks, also comes with a drink. So if dinner has always left something to be desired for you, try Depalma's for lunch. It's right near campus, so it's perfect for a between classes lunch!
(4)Javier O.
Depalma's Italian Cafe in downtown Athens is located in the heart of the city. Around the corner lies the University of GA (Bull dogs), so the type of crowd consists of students, faculty families and business men. The Menu is excellent, especially for lunch when I visited today. Their Lunch Specials consists of lunch pastas, a slice & salad or just a slice of of Pizza. Although tempting, I opted for an antipasti and a panini. First, I had the stuffed mushrooms half filled with pesto, half with meatball and mozzarella then baked. Then I had the Grilled Chicken & Asiago Sandwich on ciabatta with apple bacon, red onion, garlic butter and mayo. The combination is probably one of the best I've ever had and the service was dead on. My waitress stopped by to refill my diet coke several times. Yes I did say diet coke. Although they had a spectacular wine list, I had to go back to work later in the afternoon and I did not want to deal with my clients having them ruin whatever buzz i would have gotten on during lunch. You may be asking, based on my review thus far, why can't I give this place a five? Although the food was good in portions and in taste and prize and the service was remarkable, I felt like 5 are should be reserved for a restaurant of higher caliber. Otherwise, I could find no fault and would love to revisit Depalma's Italian Cafe
(4)Jennifer L.
We ate here two nights in a row while visiting Athens. The staff was very friendly. The food was delicious and filling. Booths are spacious, but at the same time the restaurant has a cozy feel to it. Cool decor compose of vintage, colorful movie posters. Not your traditional Italian restaurant environment, but excellent nonetheless.
(4)Katherine D.
Huh? No review yet? This is very surprising to me. DePalma's (downtown) is one of my favorite hometown standbys. The one on the east side is good; I like it for lunch (esp. the Roast Beef sandwich, sounds plain I know, but it's oh-so-yummy), but downtown is where it's at for dinner. I've not been to the Homewood Hills location, so I can't compare it to that. Though you may wait a long time for a table in the downtown location (especially on a Saturday in the fall), the food is solid. I've never been let down. My favorite dish? The Wild Mushroom and Three Cheese Pizza is absolutely perfect. It's brilliant, transcendent even. I love, love, love it. I crave it. Also good: the Spicy Penne Charmaine. I've never had trouble with service, though I've heard of some who have. I give it five stars for Italian dining in Athens. Of course I've had better Italian in other cities, but for Athens, DePalma's rocks!
(5)Joanne E.
I only travel to Athens rarely, yet this was my second visit to Depalma's. Not only did I eat here, before that I ordered a large pepperoni/sausage pizza for pick up (for my high-school senior son and his two friends who did not want to "dine out" with us) which, when they told me the price over the phone seemed expensive, but when I picked it up seemed cheap for the size and apparent quality. I didn't taste it, but my son and his compadres attested to the general goodness, and they appreciated the massive quantity they got. When we got back there for our meal I ordered the tortellini and of course, had to mix it up a little. They could not have been more gracious or helpful. My husband loved that they left him a huge carafe with iced tea. The food, once it arrived, was delicious. Why only four stars? Well, I think the ambience. I like an Italian restaurant with tablecloths. It just adds to the general experience for me. Can you say, "high maintenance?" Would I eat here again? Not only yes, heck yes. We're going back tonight!
(4)Amy A.
Since my last review I have tried Depalma's again - definitely a no go. Blah and bland and blah again. My then-boyfriend (now husband) took me here for a nice date. The company was good, but the food was lacking. If you're like me, you go out to eat knowing you're going to get more calories and so I want it to be yummy and worth it! this place was alright, but nothing exciting - the flavors were kind of blah. But I married my date later, so that makes it a nice memory. :)
(1)Randy B.
Delicious! Mouth watering Italian! Kick it off with the stuffed mushrooms and then anything else is over the top!!!
(5)Kevin M.
My favorite italian place so far in Athens. I've had their tortelloni & grilled chicken sausage, as well as their lasagna, and both have been fantastic every time I go. The freshness and flavor of these dishes are hard to match in Athens. The bread they provide is great, and the prices are rather nice for the quality of food you get. Also, they serve some of Tammy's cheesecake there, so that's a huge plus. What adds to the food of this place is the atmosphere. Not only is it a downtown setting, but the inside is very cool and unique. It also has a very nice bar in the back. Definitely a must-eat and repeat-eat in Athens.
(5)Jules S.
We were looking for a place on a Friday night with outdoor seating so we could dine with our friend's dog, and Depalma's could accommodate us quicker than Last Resort. So after a 15 min wait, they actually sat us in front of the Winery and just served us over there. Fine with us! we jus ordered our drinks from the Winery (which were incidentally very reasonably priced!) The service was incredibly friendly and we couldn't ask for more in that department. The reason for the 2.5 stars? Food. To of us got the pork tenderloin special with rosemary Demi-glace which was bland and boring which was a disappointment since it came highly recommended from our server. Hubs ordered the seafood lasagna special after hearing a diner compliment it. they were well warranted. It was the bomb dot com! I ordered the pasta margerhita which had sauce that was fine tasting, but I wanted a little more basil, and rigatoni that was cooked properly. The pasta was crunchy and way more al dente than appropriate. It needed about 2 more minutes in the hot water. The dish was only $10 or so which is a good price normally, but when the pasta is inedible, that's pretty expensive sauce. Our friends disliked their Caesar salads because it just tasted like italian dressing, but a positive note was the pesto surfed mushroom app was very good. All in all, we enjoyed ourselves but would not go back for the food unless we knew the seafood lasagna was on special!
(2)Amanda D.
We had a large group of friends and made reservations for a friend's birthday. His birthday fell on a game night, so the restaurant wasn't very crowded during the game. Our server was very nice, she got us all our orders correctly. I tried a bite of the gouda pizza and it was fantastic, but I eat gluten-free so I got the eggplant something without pasta. Not bad, but not anything to talk about. The drinks were damn expensive and the blueberry lemonade should be toilet lemonade, it tasted like "dirty lemon rind that got left in the street and got run over by a hobo". (Our birthday boy had several drinks-and a ride home) I paid $25 for two specialty drinks and a knob creek... before tip. I think there was a mistake, but I didn't catch it until later when i looked at the receipt. Food cost was average. Get the pizza, skip the eggplant [insert Italian name here]
(3)Monica C.
I think it was just the company I was with that made me give this place 2 stars. Went there again a few days ago. pretty delicious, somewhat expensive. seems to be a common theme in dt.
(4)Colleen B.
Decent, no frills family style meal. Food wasn't anything to write home about but it filled our hungry bellies. Service was friendly and efficient.
(3)Daniel M.
I ate there last night with a large group and was blown away, great job, variety, textures, and presentation. I really liked the scallops risotto with balsamic reduction and the pork medallions. I have never had a bad meal at DePalma's in more than 100 meals there in the last 30 years
(5)Robby N.
I didn't think that I would like this place, but I actually had a really nice ravioli for lunch. For lunch, the food was priced well. I had a meeting, and as we were the only group there, it was a really nice space to talk, work and eat. Probably a 3.5 for food, and that extra half-star for the atmosphere.
(4)Kevin V.
Food was good. Also I suggest they remove their long-expired Yelp offer. I was kind of disappointed not being to use it until i found the fine prints...
(3)Mike D.
Overall was good. Great service and atmosphere, but food was slightly above average.
(3)Chet M.
Visited after a Dawgs game and the were prompt about our reservation and everyones food was very good. Large menu reasonable prices.
(4)Gino M.
DePalma's isn't perfect -- but it's getting 5 stars based on a decade of romantic dinners with my sweety. Sometimes the service is slow, sometimes the waiters are rude. Sometimes the food is bland, sometimes the food is cold. But damnit, this place has character. The original DePalma's (and the only one worth going to) has been a staple of my date-night rotation with my wife ever since she started attending the cow college across the street from it. We love the place. From the old and cheesy movie posters ("Follow this amazing journey down the Amazon to the heart of the jungle with a kiss starved princess!") to the ancient booths in the original section (the cafe expanded when a neighboring business vacated their location). Quick tip -- if you have time -- get the meatball and onion breadsticks. They cook them only to order so they will take 20 minutes -- but they're divine.
(5)Eleanor W.
Fresh, flavor-popping food artfully prepared. Bread made fresh on premises served hot with oil and balsamic vinegar dipping sauce. The grilled eggplant served over kale (a healthy dish) was delicious. My lunch partner had chicken parmesan with a side of spaghetti which was excellent also. Great service by Rachel. We will definitely be back to DePalmas.
(5)Kyle P.
I had a good experience grabbing lunch at Depalma's. I had the lasagna (the "classic" one, it changes daily apparently), which was good, but not great. My sister had the chicken scallopini which we both agreed owned bones. All in all, it was a good lunch for a good price.
(4)Jonathon V.
Good, but relatively expensive. If you go, it is probably best to do so for lunch when it is cheaper.
(4)Christine K.
DePalma's is definitely a fantastic dinner spot. I've been here many times and I've always had a good experience. The service is great and friendly. The food is very nice. People think Italian food is all the same old pasta and tomato sauce, but DePalma's really does add a bit of flare. They have a very diverse menu. Their chili-glazed grilled salmon salad is satisfying and the eggplant florentine with spinach angel hair is unique and delicious. Also, I have to give an extra kudos to DePalma's. I am interning at a non-profit this semester and DePalma's gave a generous donation to our cause. Thank you so much!
(4)Carrie O.
Depalma's definitely has yummy Italian food, but what I like more about this place is their variety. The menu has a lot of neat dishes (for example, one of their specials that night was a seafood lasagna, I'd never heard of such a thing!) and enough vegetarian options to make this non-meat-eater happy. I had the mascarpone ravioli with spinach & tomato sauce, and it was so light & delicately delicious. My cousins rave about the Pasta Depalma as well, and it smelled quite good (has a rosemary cream sauce, yum!) The caramelized onion flatbread is worth a go as well, and it comes with a balsamic reduction drizzle that is fantastic. I'm not sure how "authentic" old-style Italian this place is (though some of the menu certainly was), but I kind of like places that take cuisines and shake them up a bit. If you're in the mood for Italian, I'm fairly sure that Depalma's would cure your craving!
(4)Tonia D.
The husband and I were looking for a good date night and Italian was on our mind. We had heard good things about DePalma's and figured we'd give it a try. From the glass of Pinto Grigio, I was sold. I tried the tortellini and grilled chicken sausage and was blown away at the flavor. The spice builds, but it was oh so delicious. My husband opted for their trout special and let me sample a bite. I'm not a huge freshwater fish fan, but that was heavenly. The portions were huge and we both brought leftovers home. Still, we thought we'd splurge on a dessert. The Zuppe Inglese was sheer nectar from the gods and capped off the perfect meal. For a glass of wine, beer, side salad, two entrees, and a dessert, we spent about $65 (including tip). You could go cheaper easily by skipping extras, but you'd be missing out.
(4)Betty R.
I chose DePalma's for a pre-race carbo-load, and then I got a little nervous. After all, I hadn't visited in probably 10 years - would it still be good, or were my memories overhyped due to intense nostalgia for my college days? I'm happy to report that, other than the focaccia (which was just meh), everything was stellar. I had a polenta dish with spicy shrimp, and it was incredibly flavorful and satisfying. And, lo and behold, I no longer have to order a whole dessert to myself in order to enjoy zuppa inglese - they have a little 2-3 bite mini version! Score.
(4)Jason C.
Oh, DePalma's (westside)! How I'd love to love you! You're close, convenient, look nice, and have a great ambiance. You serve decent pizza and a truly acceptable lunch pasta special. And, to be fair, some of your entrees are pretty good. The problem comes when the kitchen tries to get creative. DePalma's is incredibly inconsistent. The menu is full of dishes that are so outstandingly lousy that you wonder if anyone ever tasted them before serving them to unwary customers. The kitchen is visible, which is another bad idea, because it's (when I visit) generally a smelly mess. At least the restrooms have soap. I had the "pan fried mascarpone ravioli with spinch and a tomato, butter and thyme pan sauce". It was completely nasty. You get four deep fried balls of dough and cheese covered in a greasy red mixture of canned tomato and food-service quality butter, with a couple of sad-looking spinach leaves and artichoke hearts putting up a brave fight against the tide of overall oiliness. All this for $13. The appetizer was "focaccia bread". It turned out be a collection of dense, oily, sweet-tasting wedges with a bizarre looking green sauce (this turned out to be a cheese dip). Why? Why not just make a decent focaccia (it's not that hard) and serve it with something appetizing? I think the real problem with DePalma's is that it's "Italian Food for People Who Don't Like Italian Food". If you want to sit in a nice place and don't particularly care what you eat as long as it's got lots of fat (and maybe some cheese on it), you'll probably love it. If you're forced into it, my picks would be the pasta dinner or lunch, the pizza, or the caesar salad. All of them are competently executed, if not inspired, and you won't go home with indigestion.
(2)Tasaday L.
I love the Chili Glazed Grilled Salmon with the Citrus- Jalapeno vinaigrette. The other entries look good and they have many options.
(4)Rani C.
I must go here whenever I'm in Athens. I dream about their stuffed mushrooms with sausage and cheese appetizer. Their wine list is very good. I love this place.
(5)Elaine L.
I've been looking for a good pasta place since Spring. Wow, the spinach manicotti & spicy pnne charmaine pasta with jalapeno cream sauce were great. They were so light & delicious. The house pasta (Depalma pasta?) was not that impressive, still tasty. We loved the pizza with fresh ingredients. Loved the interior as well.
(5)Lisa K.
Went to a wedding reception here, and it was surprisingly really good. I was half expecting overly priced, sub-par foods, to be honest. But this place was great.~ I decided to get something on their specials. A portobello mushroom top stuff with breaded crab on top of a specialty pasta. That one also seemed to be the crowd favorite too. It was really good, needless to say. From appetizers to desserts the place delivered. I didn't get to try any desserts, but from the unanimous opinion of the other guests, it was apparently very good as well. The decor was nice and very rustic and not over the top as well. Really relaxing dining experience. Maybe the next time I'm in Athens I'll drop by again. =]
(4)Matthew L.
When I first visited UGA my junior year in high school and decided it was indeed my destiny to go there, my folks took my brother and I to a little hole on Broad St. called Depalma's. Back then it was a small tired looking restaurant with a lot of charm. The food was good and the feeling was unpretentious. I loved it. Much to my chagrin, however, they expanded into the neighboring retail space, doubled their size, and the experience has since changed. While the feel is more upscale now it still remains one of the best restaurants in downtown Athens. Give it a shot if you like Italian food.
(4)Matt J.
Perhaps the most overrated restaurant in Athens. The food would be just fine if it were less pricey, the prices would be ok if the food were better. The service is outstanding, the food very mediocre, and I suspect made with not the best of ingredients. If you really want a good, quality Italian meal, I suggest La Dolce Vita.
(3)Joe R.
Incredibly slow service. The chicken in our make your own pasta was like rubber. When we pointed this out to the server no action was taken. With all of the great places to eat in Athens we will not be back.
(1)Lee W.
The BEST pizza on the planet! Great staff! Sooo inexpensive!
(5)Kate M.
You know that question in your "About Me" section on your profile that asks what your last meal on Earth would consist of? For me - it's Depalma's Goat Cheese Ravioli without question. I went to school at UGA and was thrilled to discover the wonder that is Depalma's. Even now when I make a return trip to Athens, it's on my short list of places I have to visit every time I come. When you walk in the door, you're greeted by a smiling host who is happy to seat you in one of the comfiest booths ever. There are tons of vintage art and movie posters on the wall that come from the early 1900s with lots of Italian flare. There's a cozy bar setup with an impressive wall of liquor and their wine list is well regulated. They've got a separate room with a view of the kitchen (my favorite place to sit since you can see the cooks and flames shooting up) and a separate private dining room where you can host events and get-togethers. The wait staff here is great. They really know their menu and are happy to recommend a good bottle of wine to pair with your selection. You can tell they love the food as much as the diners do and are passionate about their trade. On my last visit to Athens I stopped in for an early lunch with a girlfriend and the restaurant was a little slow. The waiter chatted and joked with us and made sure we were well taken care of. The extra attention definitely went the extra mile. For starters, we of course got the goat cheese ravioli. If you get nothing else at Depalma's please get this - I'm begging you. Five pieces of deliciously made ravioli with just enough bite that has warm gooey goat cheese filling. It pairs perfectly with the pear wine sauce they glaze it with and the roasted, candied walnuts and gorgonzola/blue cheese on top knock it out of the park. I also highly recommend their apple walnut salad as a starter. It comes with a balsamic vinaigrette, but I always switch that out for their house made gorgonzola dressing. The mixed greens come with thinly shaved green apple slices, candied walnuts, gorgonzola, and red onions and is always fresh and super tasty. You can get it as a side salad or a main course. On my most recent lunch visit, I opted to go with the calzone which was HUGE. I couldn't finish hardly half of it and ate the other half for lunch the next day. They have build your own options with tons of toppings and specialty offerings or you can choose from a palate they've created. The pizzas are done in the same way and are fantastic. The crust is perfectly chewy with a little crunch on the outside and the cheese stringy and melted just right - like an Italian pie should be. On past visits I've sampled various pasta offerings and they're all wonderful. They change up their lasagna offering daily depending on what's local and in season and during the week they have lunch specials that give you a slice, salad, and soda (perfect for the college student on a budget who can't for the life of them eat another PB&J). I've had nothing but good experiences at Depalma's over the years and their attention to detail and quality keeps me coming back for more.
(5)Rich L.
Let's start with the outstanding Anything with the scallops Homemade focaccia bread Breadsticks-best part of the meal Pasta cooked just right aldente Now the not so good Anything with tough small shrimp Shrimp scampi with extra garlic which didn't have extra garlic And finally the horrendous Meatballs that were lumps of unseasoned ground beef, not browned just plain yuck
(3)Steve K.
I've had several meals here; some have been 4 stars, others 3 stars. The variance of the meals caused me to hold off on reviewing them for a while, but I am reviewing based on my most recent meal, which is a buckwheat pasta with mild mushrooms. It was cooked properly, but the flavor was fairly dull--pretty much one note, unexciting. It would've benefited from an additional ingredient or two, to diversify the flavor. At $14 for the dinner entree, it's not too pricey but also not particularly cheap.
(3)Cheezwhiz R.
Like the menu pasta is what they have and the bread AND SOOOOO GOOD. My husband created his own dish with meatballs and he.loved it. I had the shrimp fettuccine with sun dried cream sauce and oh did I mention the bread.
(4)Larry M.
We stopped in on a Wednesday night around 8. Not really that crowded which was nice after a long drive into town. Had a very nice and funny waitress and the meal was great. Wife and daughter shared a Margherita pizza and I had chicken parm. Both were excellent.
(5)Elizabeth B.
My husband loves Italian. If we are traveling and anyone asks him, what would you like for dinner? His answer will be "Italian" every... time... Ok, so that meant our recent trip to Athens Georgia had to include at least one nice Italian place so we hit Depalma's one busy weekend for dinner. Here's my review! We sat at the bar - yes there were tables available. No we didn't have a reservation. Yes we are weird that way. Bartender was great - never let our glasses go empty, attentive, talkative without being intrusive. We enjoyed a nice glass of port and they even have grappa! Didn't have a grappa, but am always impressed when I see it available. Now if only I would start seeing some good sherry options on wine lists, that and absinthe and I'd be one happy girl - but I digress... Nice glass of wine - great wine list and very excellent wine glasses - more restaurants need to realize how important wine glasses are! Started with a cesar salad which was perfectly dressed. I have an unusual love for gnocchi, can never get enough gnocchi. They said they don't make it there but it sure tasted fresh, just the way it should, soft but not too mushy. I had this with the tomato vodka sauce which was good but not excellent - needed more vodka. I always think this since I started to make my own vodka sauces at home - vodka sauce needs lots of vodka :) Atmosphere is classy, almost chic. You could wear a suit/dress but also feel comfy in jeans. It was about 1000 degrees out on this early August evening and we walked from the hotel so I was like a wet washcloth when I arrived...but I digress again. Overall highly recommend this lovely Italian place!
(5)Valerie N.
I came for lunch the other day and was so happy to see delicious lunch specials, and of course, my fave meatball and onion braided breadsticks. The marscapone ravioli paired amazingly well with the spicy charmaine sauce - I highly recommend the combo! Delicious! I ended my lunch with a delicious cup of lemon ginger tea. Well done, DePalma's! Move to Atlanta, plllllllllleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease?
(4)Kyle W.
Nice atmosphere and our waiter did a great job. Food took a while, but was delicious and worth the wait. Highly recommended.
(4)Thomas W.
Excellent service, food, and drinks! We came in on New Year's Eve, which is VERY busy downtown Athens. The host/manager offered us a spot at the bar to wait for a table. We were served awesome mojitos, and were catered to as if we were the only people in the establishment! Our server recommended exquisite dishes (try the meatball/onion breadsticks..YUM!), and engaged in polite, fun conversation. (I believe her name was Mary) We were extremely pleased and look forward to coming back again. Overall, DePalma's is a great, classy place with a wonderful staff and top-notch food. Highly recommended. Thank you!
(5)Laura R.
Bad service - the server took away my partner's plate while I was still eating, never refilled our water and then came out with the bill. All while I was still eating! The food also took ridiculously long and wasn't worth the wait. I went here because when I yelp searched gluten free restaurants they came up. First, they didn't have any quinoa pasta. I was also told that when the do have it, they cook it in the same water as the regular pasta. A big NO if you are advertising as gluten free. So we had the mushrooms and a couple of salads. I am also feeling sick to the stomach as i write this so Avoid if possible.
(1)Katelyn K.
A go-to place for a classic night out in downtown, Athens. Nice classy interior, great wine choice, and efficient service. It's well decorated for a date, a family night, or just a night out with friends. The wine list is a very good complement to the dinner menus. Delicious wines! I've tried the riesling, malbec, and pino grigio, and they were fantastic. The service depends on the night. I went with a large group of friends once and receieved a very rushed, lacking service (but it's understandable to an extent considering we were a large party). The waitress rarely peeked her head in. However, when I went with just a few friends, this waiter was very helpful, knowledgable, and friendly. We had a great time, even though it was a busy game day. The only thing I would be iffy about is the food. I've only ever tried the pastas, but they're not something I find myself craving. Don't get me wrong, they're good... just average-good. Still, I return to this place because it's a nice place at a prime location downtown.
(4)Emily Myles H.
LOVE DePalma's. My brother went to UGA and I have been many times over the past 6 years even after he graduated. Food is great and so is the atmosphere. Servers are very professional and attentive, they run a tight shift for sure. I end up getting the Eggplant florentine a lot of the time. DIfferent twist on an eggplant parm, very flavorful and has some spinach angel hair tucked underneath. Their cheesy bread is phenomenal, we always get that in big groups. Overall great place right DT.
(5)R.c. K.
Every time I come to Athens, I HAVE to come to this place. Between all of my visits to this city, I have probably dined at DePalma's about six times. And every time, it is a 5-star visit. This past visit, we went on back-to-back nights. The server was very cool and down-to-earth. It wasn't too busy on these weeknights, so we actually spoke to him for quite a while. All the meals were excellent (as usual), but the standouts were the Eggplant Florentine and the Basil Gnocchi with Pesto. Both "wow" dishes. They have a good wine selection by the glass, with a great selection of bottles at reasonable prices. They even have some excellent high-end wines. And their bread with olive oil and balsamic is an excellent pre-meal treat. We didn't try the desserts this time around, but I do want to mention that they have a good selection of scotch. I usually go for the Oban 14, but this time went for Compass Box "Hedonism." If you drink scotch and are open to various types/profiles, get this. Trust me.
(5)Tiffany N.
I was looking for a dog friendly joint in Athens and came across some reviews for De Palma's. There was a couple of other restaurants I saw but their prices weren't reasonable in my book so DePalma's it was! This is a wonderful dog friendly place if you're in Athens. They have about six or seven tables right in front on Broad Street that have two to four chairs each and room for the pups. The wait staff brought out a bowl of water for my dog immediately and he even got to canoodle with a cute girl at the table next to us. When I looked at the menu, I was completely pleased. They have standard Italian fare, pizza, pasta, salads, appetizers and tons of wine with prices that didn't make me wince. Score! I got the $6 pinot noir and it did the trick. Since it was June .....in Georgia and we were sitting outside, pasta or pizza was the last thing on my mind. I needed to cool down! I ordered the Insalata Cecilia-grilled shrimp, scallops, pineapple & tomatoes with feta over field greens with jalapeño-citrus vinaigrette. Holy crap, this was a refreshing salad with a generous portion of seafood. Pair that up with a handful of feta cheese and I was in hog heaven. My mom got the pepperoni and green pepper pizza. I tried a sliver of the pizza and wasn't too impressed. The pizza was bogged down with sauce and make it soggy plus the sauce was very sweet. Even if I didn't enjoy it, my dog ended up getting some of the pepperoni so everyone wins! I would definitely stop here again with the selection of food and great service they have but not so sure I would get the pizza again.
(4)Jon S.
Parts of the meal were great, and parts of it were just awful. We were visiting from out of town and this place accommodated our large group (~30). Given how many of us there were the service wasn't bad. We didn't have to wait terribly long for our food and drinks were kept full. We started out with the breadsticks which were delicious and baked fresh. Highly recommended. Meatball or spinach baked right in and served with marinara. Caesar salad was pretty standard and wasn't soaked in dressing. I ordered the baked penne with grilled chicken for my main course and it was TERRIBLE. Literally had no taste at all. Decent portion of chicken but again no flavor (and a little dry). While most people seemed to enjoy their dinner a little more, the general consensus was that the food was okay but nothing was great. I wouldn't come back. Maybe for a side of breadsticks but not for dinner.
(2)Enrique C.
This is a good Italian restaurant, now they have 3 locations but this one is in the main street of the city. The food is ok, nothing amazing. The selection of wine is mostly Italian as you can expect it and the prices are fair. If I have to say which is the best thing of the meal... it would be the appetizers. I like their "Stuffed Mushrooms" and the super cheesy "Garlic Bread". Service is good and I like to sit outside when is not raining. I think it is better than Dolce Vita (that it is like half a block away and pricier).
(3)Janice S.
I am a big fan of Depalma's downtown location; however, today our experience was sub-par. The food was fantastic, but the waiter had a don't give a sh** attitude. Not that I am a fan of the chitty chatty, everything you order receives a "that's awesome" reply. But at least have some repoire with your customers. I mean when a waiter walks by your table, asks if everything is okay without stopping mind you, then goes on to the next booth and so forth until he reaches the end of his wait area never stopping just repeating the mantra, maybe it is an indication that perhaps he should have taken the day off. We had looked forward to treating ourselves to a fun lunch and well, it just took out a portion of the fun factor. Nobody wants to pay for poor service no matter how great the food.
(2)Stacey S.
Went on Easter morning and they had some awesome seafood specials! There was a small mix up with my order but they were so awesome with getting everything fixed that I would recommend it to all of my friends.
(5)Jill C.
Having grown up in Athens and moved away 10yrs ago, I always visit DePalma's whenever I'm back in town (which sadly isn't often enough). I've had their pizza, pastas, salads and desserts, but can honestly say their calzones and pizza sauce are truly my favorite. The service downtown recently has been stellar, and the staff is extremely knowledgeable about their wines and craft beers. Highly recommended, always!
(5)Jessica S.
This place is absolutely amazing. The staff is always welcoming and the food is fresh and comes in a timely manner! Would recommend this place to anyone!
(5)Carl M.
DePalmas never let's us down. Always great food. Always great with our kids. Always great pints in tap.
(5)Dan H.
Quaint Italian place near the University of Georgia. The food was of acceptable standards and the service friendly. We went on a Sunday night, but we could hear and feel the bass coming from the dance club on the top floor of the building.
(3)Scott A.
Pretty good Italian food, a great pre-game day starting point. With a group of folks who make this a tradition before every UGA game, and I was quite satisfied with the experience. The food wasn't anything crazy to shout about, but it fit the bill and had us ready to go for the day. You're right smack in the thick of things in Athens, so afterwards there are lots of spots to hit up afterwards and get riled up for the Bulldog's game. As a "must-see" spot in Athens I'd say it's certainly worth checking out.
(3)Emily T.
DePalma's just earned itself another star! I dined on this occasion by myself, at the bar. First off, the lady at the bar was super-nice and even brought me a little bread and butter while I was waiting for my meal (probably because I looked like I was about to eat my glass). I ordered the "pan-fried mascarpone ravioli with spinach, and a tomato, butter and thyme pan sauce" and washed it all down with a local Terrapin Rye. The sauce was truly divine, as were the ravioli filled with mascarpone cheese and covered with just enough spinach, tomatoes, and few grilled artichoke hearts. I wonder if there's anything else on the menu THIS GOOD?? Only multiple visits will tell!
(4)Chriss F.
I have been to Depalma's 3 times and loved it. I love Italian food so I am always looking for a place that serves it up. Service is usually excellent and the low lighting is nice. Parking might be hard because is is on the main college strip. Usually park in the parking deck down the hill and to the right. They have a nice selection of wines as well. I don't think you would be dissapointed. :)
(4)Jason H.
I've eaten at Depalma's many, many times over the years and, up until recently, the food has always been very good. The last few times I've eaten here, though, the food has been, at best, bland. I'm not sure why the food is so much worse than it ever has been since the menu is essentially the same; perhaps a change in the kitchen staff or lack of oversight by management. I have two examples of how far down the food has declined. In the first, about a month ago a group of us came in for dinner and ordered a few appetizers to share. On the advice of the server, I ordered a crab cake bruschetta. The crab was most definitely fake, but it also tasted...off. As in a bit out of date. The rest of the appetizers weren't much better. Overall, everyone in our group left disappointed. In the second example, I went for lunch with a friend a few days ago. I had a caesar salad and a slice of pizza with Italian sausage on it. The salad was okay, but didn't have very much caesar dressing on it at all. It was just very, very lightly dressed romaine. Not awful, but disappointing and somewhat tasteless. The pizza was pretty much room temperature and the crust was incredibly tough, like it was made the night before and had been reheated, then left sitting out. In the past, Depalma's was one of my favorite restaurants in Athens. Now, and I'm very sad to say this, I think I'll wait a good while before going back.
(2)C J.
Delicious! My mouth started watering when I started thinking about the great food I had here to write my review! I'll start by saying the only reason it's gets one star off is because their mojito (as you know my favorite drink) was pretty terrible. But what matters is the food and it was spot on! Three of my best friends and myself were together a few days before a wedding and we decided to have a nice treat. The one getting married had gone to grad school at UGA, so thankfully she was familiar with this great place! We started with drinks, my mojito not so fine, the others had wine, which they thoroughly enjoyed. We were able to sit outside and enjoy the sunset and the breeze as a storm started to roll in. We split three appetizers and two entrees, first we had the caprese salad, goat cheese ravioli and the bread sticks... but these are not your average bread sticks! These suckers were stuffed with meatballs, onions, and spinach and covered in mozzarella cheese. It's probably in my list of top 25 best things I've ever eaten, ever!! The goat cheese ravioli was my least favorite dish of the night, but I'm not the biggest goat cheese fan, the others loved it. The caprese salad had yummy summer tomatoes that were obviously fresh and very good and exquisite mozzarella cheese. We split the pasta margherita (rigatone, fresh pomodoro sauce and fresh chunks of mozzarella on top) and seafood charmaine (shrimp and scallops in a creamy spinach and jalepeno sauce over fetuccini). They were both heavenly, I particularly liked the kick to the seafood chamaine and stole all of the jalepenos that were there. In addition to the amazing food, the service was spectacular, man I miss the south! Can we transplant southern wait staff to the DC metro area please? If I ever find myself in Athens again, this will be the first place I come to to eat!
(4)Jonathon V.
Good, but relatively expensive. If you go, it is probably best to do so for lunch when it is cheaper.
(4)Christine K.
DePalma's is definitely a fantastic dinner spot. I've been here many times and I've always had a good experience. The service is great and friendly. The food is very nice. People think Italian food is all the same old pasta and tomato sauce, but DePalma's really does add a bit of flare. They have a very diverse menu. Their chili-glazed grilled salmon salad is satisfying and the eggplant florentine with spinach angel hair is unique and delicious. Also, I have to give an extra kudos to DePalma's. I am interning at a non-profit this semester and DePalma's gave a generous donation to our cause. Thank you so much!
(4)Carrie O.
Depalma's definitely has yummy Italian food, but what I like more about this place is their variety. The menu has a lot of neat dishes (for example, one of their specials that night was a seafood lasagna, I'd never heard of such a thing!) and enough vegetarian options to make this non-meat-eater happy. I had the mascarpone ravioli with spinach & tomato sauce, and it was so light & delicately delicious. My cousins rave about the Pasta Depalma as well, and it smelled quite good (has a rosemary cream sauce, yum!) The caramelized onion flatbread is worth a go as well, and it comes with a balsamic reduction drizzle that is fantastic. I'm not sure how "authentic" old-style Italian this place is (though some of the menu certainly was), but I kind of like places that take cuisines and shake them up a bit. If you're in the mood for Italian, I'm fairly sure that Depalma's would cure your craving!
(4)Tonia D.
The husband and I were looking for a good date night and Italian was on our mind. We had heard good things about DePalma's and figured we'd give it a try. From the glass of Pinto Grigio, I was sold. I tried the tortellini and grilled chicken sausage and was blown away at the flavor. The spice builds, but it was oh so delicious. My husband opted for their trout special and let me sample a bite. I'm not a huge freshwater fish fan, but that was heavenly. The portions were huge and we both brought leftovers home. Still, we thought we'd splurge on a dessert. The Zuppe Inglese was sheer nectar from the gods and capped off the perfect meal. For a glass of wine, beer, side salad, two entrees, and a dessert, we spent about $65 (including tip). You could go cheaper easily by skipping extras, but you'd be missing out.
(4)Betty R.
I chose DePalma's for a pre-race carbo-load, and then I got a little nervous. After all, I hadn't visited in probably 10 years - would it still be good, or were my memories overhyped due to intense nostalgia for my college days? I'm happy to report that, other than the focaccia (which was just meh), everything was stellar. I had a polenta dish with spicy shrimp, and it was incredibly flavorful and satisfying. And, lo and behold, I no longer have to order a whole dessert to myself in order to enjoy zuppa inglese - they have a little 2-3 bite mini version! Score.
(4)Jason C.
Oh, DePalma's (westside)! How I'd love to love you! You're close, convenient, look nice, and have a great ambiance. You serve decent pizza and a truly acceptable lunch pasta special. And, to be fair, some of your entrees are pretty good. The problem comes when the kitchen tries to get creative. DePalma's is incredibly inconsistent. The menu is full of dishes that are so outstandingly lousy that you wonder if anyone ever tasted them before serving them to unwary customers. The kitchen is visible, which is another bad idea, because it's (when I visit) generally a smelly mess. At least the restrooms have soap. I had the "pan fried mascarpone ravioli with spinch and a tomato, butter and thyme pan sauce". It was completely nasty. You get four deep fried balls of dough and cheese covered in a greasy red mixture of canned tomato and food-service quality butter, with a couple of sad-looking spinach leaves and artichoke hearts putting up a brave fight against the tide of overall oiliness. All this for $13. The appetizer was "focaccia bread". It turned out be a collection of dense, oily, sweet-tasting wedges with a bizarre looking green sauce (this turned out to be a cheese dip). Why? Why not just make a decent focaccia (it's not that hard) and serve it with something appetizing? I think the real problem with DePalma's is that it's "Italian Food for People Who Don't Like Italian Food". If you want to sit in a nice place and don't particularly care what you eat as long as it's got lots of fat (and maybe some cheese on it), you'll probably love it. If you're forced into it, my picks would be the pasta dinner or lunch, the pizza, or the caesar salad. All of them are competently executed, if not inspired, and you won't go home with indigestion.
(2)Tasaday L.
I love the Chili Glazed Grilled Salmon with the Citrus- Jalapeno vinaigrette. The other entries look good and they have many options.
(4)Rani C.
I must go here whenever I'm in Athens. I dream about their stuffed mushrooms with sausage and cheese appetizer. Their wine list is very good. I love this place.
(5)Elaine L.
I've been looking for a good pasta place since Spring. Wow, the spinach manicotti & spicy pnne charmaine pasta with jalapeno cream sauce were great. They were so light & delicious. The house pasta (Depalma pasta?) was not that impressive, still tasty. We loved the pizza with fresh ingredients. Loved the interior as well.
(5)Lisa K.
Went to a wedding reception here, and it was surprisingly really good. I was half expecting overly priced, sub-par foods, to be honest. But this place was great.~ I decided to get something on their specials. A portobello mushroom top stuff with breaded crab on top of a specialty pasta. That one also seemed to be the crowd favorite too. It was really good, needless to say. From appetizers to desserts the place delivered. I didn't get to try any desserts, but from the unanimous opinion of the other guests, it was apparently very good as well. The decor was nice and very rustic and not over the top as well. Really relaxing dining experience. Maybe the next time I'm in Athens I'll drop by again. =]
(4)Katherine D.
Huh? No review yet? This is very surprising to me. DePalma's (downtown) is one of my favorite hometown standbys. The one on the east side is good; I like it for lunch (esp. the Roast Beef sandwich, sounds plain I know, but it's oh-so-yummy), but downtown is where it's at for dinner. I've not been to the Homewood Hills location, so I can't compare it to that. Though you may wait a long time for a table in the downtown location (especially on a Saturday in the fall), the food is solid. I've never been let down. My favorite dish? The Wild Mushroom and Three Cheese Pizza is absolutely perfect. It's brilliant, transcendent even. I love, love, love it. I crave it. Also good: the Spicy Penne Charmaine. I've never had trouble with service, though I've heard of some who have. I give it five stars for Italian dining in Athens. Of course I've had better Italian in other cities, but for Athens, DePalma's rocks!
(5)Lindsay S.
I am a really big fan of Depalma's downtown. Service was always friendly and the food was delicious. My favorites were the chicken caesar salad which had teriyaki marinated chicken on top, the fresh cheese bread, and the pizza! It's a great place for families and students alike and for an extra reason to visit they serve Prosecco (which is my absolute favorite Italian wine). I would definitely give this Italian eatery a try next time you're downtown.
(4)Adelina Z.
Very average to well below average experience. Seafood risotto was awful--fishy smelling and tasting, watery, flavorless rice, not at all creamy. So bad I had to send it back. Veggie lasagna was good. Eggplant florentine was good. Angel hair pasta with marinara was bland. Breadsticks were good, not great. Definitely would NOT recommend.
(2)Emily T.
DePalma's just earned itself another star! I dined on this occasion by myself, at the bar. First off, the lady at the bar was super-nice and even brought me a little bread and butter while I was waiting for my meal (probably because I looked like I was about to eat my glass). I ordered the "pan-fried mascarpone ravioli with spinach, and a tomato, butter and thyme pan sauce" and washed it all down with a local Terrapin Rye. The sauce was truly divine, as were the ravioli filled with mascarpone cheese and covered with just enough spinach, tomatoes, and few grilled artichoke hearts. I wonder if there's anything else on the menu THIS GOOD?? Only multiple visits will tell!
(4)Chriss F.
I have been to Depalma's 3 times and loved it. I love Italian food so I am always looking for a place that serves it up. Service is usually excellent and the low lighting is nice. Parking might be hard because is is on the main college strip. Usually park in the parking deck down the hill and to the right. They have a nice selection of wines as well. I don't think you would be dissapointed. :)
(4)Kat B.
I'm wondering what happened to 1/2 of the food my husband ordered when I read "large portions" below. Maybe they were running out of noodles the night of our visit, September 29, 2010, but I swear, his serving was the size one would receive when ordering a kiddie meal. Seriously small! He ordered the pasta with bolognese sauce and italian sausage on the side. The sausage came out somewhere between 5 & 7 minutes after our food and after mentioning that it was missing. This had to be mentioned because it is one of the reasons I didn't give a 4 or 5 star. Together we started with the spinach and onion bread sticks which were tasty as could be. It's kind of like a pizza made with connecting breadsticks together with the cheese. It is served with an "okay" marinara. Now, I had the eggplant florentine which was tremendous in flavor and the perfect size; not too much nor too little. I chose to try the Hofstatter Pinot Grigio but it was way too sweet and thick. Next time I'll try the Lageder Pinot. The service was nothing to brag about except for the host who took our reservation over the phone a couple of days before. I think uniforms of some sort would add a whole lot to the Italian atmosphere and add a lot more professionalism to the dining room and personalities of the weight staff. Everyone was wearing street clothes, and I couldn't personally tell who was working there except for the bartender that night. She was wearing classic Italian Restaurant clothing. The atmosphere was cozy making for a romantic dinner if you are in the mood for one.
(3)Kelly L.
This location has the best food and ambiance. Stuffed mushrooms and/or breadsticks are the only appetizers worth ordering. Pizza is delicious as are the calzones. My only complaint is they need to have banana peppers as a topping/filling option! They are very nice about substitutions as well.
(5)Timber W.
I've only been here once, but I'd like to go back. I really enjoyed the seafood charmaine, which contained scallops and shrimp tossed with fettuccine in a spicy sauce. My friends and I were squirreled away at a table in the back of the restaurant, and there were several instances where our drinks ran low/empty. That's really the only reason I wouldn't give DePalma's 5 stars.
(4)G. Michael G.
People are always so excited about going to DePalma's. They say, "oooooooh, you went to depalmas--i love that place. it's so nice" No, it's not. it's nasty. Actually i'm lieing. it's not nasty. my number one complaint with everything i've eaten there is that it was flavorless. To quote a famous diva, "it'd have more flavor if they ran it under a faucet of water first." So go ahead and love your Depalmas, but for my taste i'd prefer olive garden or johnny carinos to Depalmas in athens.
(1)Ashley P.
I always enjoyed Depalma's during my time in Athens, but I definitely think that they fall into that category of restaurants that serve and overrated dinner and an underrated lunch. I've been a couple times for dinner and I always felt like it was good, but not 15 bucks good. That and I'm kind of a pasta snob just because I feel like it's so easy to make great pasta at home. Now as for lunch, I was much more impressed. They have a pizza lunch special (I think it's only on weekdays) that offers a slice with 1 topping, side salad and a drink for 6 bucks. And the pizza and salad are definitely the kind of quality you'd expect from Depalma's. I LOVE the jalapeno citrus vinaigrette on my salad :) A warning about the toppings menu: There are a huge number of really delicious toppings like proscuitto, salami, meatballs, BUT, you will have to pay a little extra for these as they are "premium" toppings and if you start adding multiple toppings, the price of your pizza will steeply climb. But fear not, if you want to splurge on the pizza and skip the salad, you can easily go a la carte. Also cool: they have one of those pick-the-pasta-and-pick-a-sauce lunch specials for 7 bucks, also comes with a drink. So if dinner has always left something to be desired for you, try Depalma's for lunch. It's right near campus, so it's perfect for a between classes lunch!
(4)Javier O.
Depalma's Italian Cafe in downtown Athens is located in the heart of the city. Around the corner lies the University of GA (Bull dogs), so the type of crowd consists of students, faculty families and business men. The Menu is excellent, especially for lunch when I visited today. Their Lunch Specials consists of lunch pastas, a slice & salad or just a slice of of Pizza. Although tempting, I opted for an antipasti and a panini. First, I had the stuffed mushrooms half filled with pesto, half with meatball and mozzarella then baked. Then I had the Grilled Chicken & Asiago Sandwich on ciabatta with apple bacon, red onion, garlic butter and mayo. The combination is probably one of the best I've ever had and the service was dead on. My waitress stopped by to refill my diet coke several times. Yes I did say diet coke. Although they had a spectacular wine list, I had to go back to work later in the afternoon and I did not want to deal with my clients having them ruin whatever buzz i would have gotten on during lunch. You may be asking, based on my review thus far, why can't I give this place a five? Although the food was good in portions and in taste and prize and the service was remarkable, I felt like 5 are should be reserved for a restaurant of higher caliber. Otherwise, I could find no fault and would love to revisit Depalma's Italian Cafe
(4)Jennifer L.
We ate here two nights in a row while visiting Athens. The staff was very friendly. The food was delicious and filling. Booths are spacious, but at the same time the restaurant has a cozy feel to it. Cool decor compose of vintage, colorful movie posters. Not your traditional Italian restaurant environment, but excellent nonetheless.
(4)Steve K.
I've had several meals here; some have been 4 stars, others 3 stars. The variance of the meals caused me to hold off on reviewing them for a while, but I am reviewing based on my most recent meal, which is a buckwheat pasta with mild mushrooms. It was cooked properly, but the flavor was fairly dull--pretty much one note, unexciting. It would've benefited from an additional ingredient or two, to diversify the flavor. At $14 for the dinner entree, it's not too pricey but also not particularly cheap.
(3)Cheezwhiz R.
Like the menu pasta is what they have and the bread AND SOOOOO GOOD. My husband created his own dish with meatballs and he.loved it. I had the shrimp fettuccine with sun dried cream sauce and oh did I mention the bread.
(4)Kate M.
You know that question in your "About Me" section on your profile that asks what your last meal on Earth would consist of? For me - it's Depalma's Goat Cheese Ravioli without question. I went to school at UGA and was thrilled to discover the wonder that is Depalma's. Even now when I make a return trip to Athens, it's on my short list of places I have to visit every time I come. When you walk in the door, you're greeted by a smiling host who is happy to seat you in one of the comfiest booths ever. There are tons of vintage art and movie posters on the wall that come from the early 1900s with lots of Italian flare. There's a cozy bar setup with an impressive wall of liquor and their wine list is well regulated. They've got a separate room with a view of the kitchen (my favorite place to sit since you can see the cooks and flames shooting up) and a separate private dining room where you can host events and get-togethers. The wait staff here is great. They really know their menu and are happy to recommend a good bottle of wine to pair with your selection. You can tell they love the food as much as the diners do and are passionate about their trade. On my last visit to Athens I stopped in for an early lunch with a girlfriend and the restaurant was a little slow. The waiter chatted and joked with us and made sure we were well taken care of. The extra attention definitely went the extra mile. For starters, we of course got the goat cheese ravioli. If you get nothing else at Depalma's please get this - I'm begging you. Five pieces of deliciously made ravioli with just enough bite that has warm gooey goat cheese filling. It pairs perfectly with the pear wine sauce they glaze it with and the roasted, candied walnuts and gorgonzola/blue cheese on top knock it out of the park. I also highly recommend their apple walnut salad as a starter. It comes with a balsamic vinaigrette, but I always switch that out for their house made gorgonzola dressing. The mixed greens come with thinly shaved green apple slices, candied walnuts, gorgonzola, and red onions and is always fresh and super tasty. You can get it as a side salad or a main course. On my most recent lunch visit, I opted to go with the calzone which was HUGE. I couldn't finish hardly half of it and ate the other half for lunch the next day. They have build your own options with tons of toppings and specialty offerings or you can choose from a palate they've created. The pizzas are done in the same way and are fantastic. The crust is perfectly chewy with a little crunch on the outside and the cheese stringy and melted just right - like an Italian pie should be. On past visits I've sampled various pasta offerings and they're all wonderful. They change up their lasagna offering daily depending on what's local and in season and during the week they have lunch specials that give you a slice, salad, and soda (perfect for the college student on a budget who can't for the life of them eat another PB&J). I've had nothing but good experiences at Depalma's over the years and their attention to detail and quality keeps me coming back for more.
(5)Rich L.
Let's start with the outstanding Anything with the scallops Homemade focaccia bread Breadsticks-best part of the meal Pasta cooked just right aldente Now the not so good Anything with tough small shrimp Shrimp scampi with extra garlic which didn't have extra garlic And finally the horrendous Meatballs that were lumps of unseasoned ground beef, not browned just plain yuck
(3)Larry M.
We stopped in on a Wednesday night around 8. Not really that crowded which was nice after a long drive into town. Had a very nice and funny waitress and the meal was great. Wife and daughter shared a Margherita pizza and I had chicken parm. Both were excellent.
(5)Elizabeth B.
My husband loves Italian. If we are traveling and anyone asks him, what would you like for dinner? His answer will be "Italian" every... time... Ok, so that meant our recent trip to Athens Georgia had to include at least one nice Italian place so we hit Depalma's one busy weekend for dinner. Here's my review! We sat at the bar - yes there were tables available. No we didn't have a reservation. Yes we are weird that way. Bartender was great - never let our glasses go empty, attentive, talkative without being intrusive. We enjoyed a nice glass of port and they even have grappa! Didn't have a grappa, but am always impressed when I see it available. Now if only I would start seeing some good sherry options on wine lists, that and absinthe and I'd be one happy girl - but I digress... Nice glass of wine - great wine list and very excellent wine glasses - more restaurants need to realize how important wine glasses are! Started with a cesar salad which was perfectly dressed. I have an unusual love for gnocchi, can never get enough gnocchi. They said they don't make it there but it sure tasted fresh, just the way it should, soft but not too mushy. I had this with the tomato vodka sauce which was good but not excellent - needed more vodka. I always think this since I started to make my own vodka sauces at home - vodka sauce needs lots of vodka :) Atmosphere is classy, almost chic. You could wear a suit/dress but also feel comfy in jeans. It was about 1000 degrees out on this early August evening and we walked from the hotel so I was like a wet washcloth when I arrived...but I digress again. Overall highly recommend this lovely Italian place!
(5)Valerie N.
I came for lunch the other day and was so happy to see delicious lunch specials, and of course, my fave meatball and onion braided breadsticks. The marscapone ravioli paired amazingly well with the spicy charmaine sauce - I highly recommend the combo! Delicious! I ended my lunch with a delicious cup of lemon ginger tea. Well done, DePalma's! Move to Atlanta, plllllllllleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease?
(4)Kyle W.
Nice atmosphere and our waiter did a great job. Food took a while, but was delicious and worth the wait. Highly recommended.
(4)Thomas W.
Excellent service, food, and drinks! We came in on New Year's Eve, which is VERY busy downtown Athens. The host/manager offered us a spot at the bar to wait for a table. We were served awesome mojitos, and were catered to as if we were the only people in the establishment! Our server recommended exquisite dishes (try the meatball/onion breadsticks..YUM!), and engaged in polite, fun conversation. (I believe her name was Mary) We were extremely pleased and look forward to coming back again. Overall, DePalma's is a great, classy place with a wonderful staff and top-notch food. Highly recommended. Thank you!
(5)Laura R.
Bad service - the server took away my partner's plate while I was still eating, never refilled our water and then came out with the bill. All while I was still eating! The food also took ridiculously long and wasn't worth the wait. I went here because when I yelp searched gluten free restaurants they came up. First, they didn't have any quinoa pasta. I was also told that when the do have it, they cook it in the same water as the regular pasta. A big NO if you are advertising as gluten free. So we had the mushrooms and a couple of salads. I am also feeling sick to the stomach as i write this so Avoid if possible.
(1)Katelyn K.
A go-to place for a classic night out in downtown, Athens. Nice classy interior, great wine choice, and efficient service. It's well decorated for a date, a family night, or just a night out with friends. The wine list is a very good complement to the dinner menus. Delicious wines! I've tried the riesling, malbec, and pino grigio, and they were fantastic. The service depends on the night. I went with a large group of friends once and receieved a very rushed, lacking service (but it's understandable to an extent considering we were a large party). The waitress rarely peeked her head in. However, when I went with just a few friends, this waiter was very helpful, knowledgable, and friendly. We had a great time, even though it was a busy game day. The only thing I would be iffy about is the food. I've only ever tried the pastas, but they're not something I find myself craving. Don't get me wrong, they're good... just average-good. Still, I return to this place because it's a nice place at a prime location downtown.
(4)Emily Myles H.
LOVE DePalma's. My brother went to UGA and I have been many times over the past 6 years even after he graduated. Food is great and so is the atmosphere. Servers are very professional and attentive, they run a tight shift for sure. I end up getting the Eggplant florentine a lot of the time. DIfferent twist on an eggplant parm, very flavorful and has some spinach angel hair tucked underneath. Their cheesy bread is phenomenal, we always get that in big groups. Overall great place right DT.
(5)R.c. K.
Every time I come to Athens, I HAVE to come to this place. Between all of my visits to this city, I have probably dined at DePalma's about six times. And every time, it is a 5-star visit. This past visit, we went on back-to-back nights. The server was very cool and down-to-earth. It wasn't too busy on these weeknights, so we actually spoke to him for quite a while. All the meals were excellent (as usual), but the standouts were the Eggplant Florentine and the Basil Gnocchi with Pesto. Both "wow" dishes. They have a good wine selection by the glass, with a great selection of bottles at reasonable prices. They even have some excellent high-end wines. And their bread with olive oil and balsamic is an excellent pre-meal treat. We didn't try the desserts this time around, but I do want to mention that they have a good selection of scotch. I usually go for the Oban 14, but this time went for Compass Box "Hedonism." If you drink scotch and are open to various types/profiles, get this. Trust me.
(5)Tiffany N.
I was looking for a dog friendly joint in Athens and came across some reviews for De Palma's. There was a couple of other restaurants I saw but their prices weren't reasonable in my book so DePalma's it was! This is a wonderful dog friendly place if you're in Athens. They have about six or seven tables right in front on Broad Street that have two to four chairs each and room for the pups. The wait staff brought out a bowl of water for my dog immediately and he even got to canoodle with a cute girl at the table next to us. When I looked at the menu, I was completely pleased. They have standard Italian fare, pizza, pasta, salads, appetizers and tons of wine with prices that didn't make me wince. Score! I got the $6 pinot noir and it did the trick. Since it was June .....in Georgia and we were sitting outside, pasta or pizza was the last thing on my mind. I needed to cool down! I ordered the Insalata Cecilia-grilled shrimp, scallops, pineapple & tomatoes with feta over field greens with jalapeño-citrus vinaigrette. Holy crap, this was a refreshing salad with a generous portion of seafood. Pair that up with a handful of feta cheese and I was in hog heaven. My mom got the pepperoni and green pepper pizza. I tried a sliver of the pizza and wasn't too impressed. The pizza was bogged down with sauce and make it soggy plus the sauce was very sweet. Even if I didn't enjoy it, my dog ended up getting some of the pepperoni so everyone wins! I would definitely stop here again with the selection of food and great service they have but not so sure I would get the pizza again.
(4)Jon S.
Parts of the meal were great, and parts of it were just awful. We were visiting from out of town and this place accommodated our large group (~30). Given how many of us there were the service wasn't bad. We didn't have to wait terribly long for our food and drinks were kept full. We started out with the breadsticks which were delicious and baked fresh. Highly recommended. Meatball or spinach baked right in and served with marinara. Caesar salad was pretty standard and wasn't soaked in dressing. I ordered the baked penne with grilled chicken for my main course and it was TERRIBLE. Literally had no taste at all. Decent portion of chicken but again no flavor (and a little dry). While most people seemed to enjoy their dinner a little more, the general consensus was that the food was okay but nothing was great. I wouldn't come back. Maybe for a side of breadsticks but not for dinner.
(2)Enrique C.
This is a good Italian restaurant, now they have 3 locations but this one is in the main street of the city. The food is ok, nothing amazing. The selection of wine is mostly Italian as you can expect it and the prices are fair. If I have to say which is the best thing of the meal... it would be the appetizers. I like their "Stuffed Mushrooms" and the super cheesy "Garlic Bread". Service is good and I like to sit outside when is not raining. I think it is better than Dolce Vita (that it is like half a block away and pricier).
(3)Janice S.
I am a big fan of Depalma's downtown location; however, today our experience was sub-par. The food was fantastic, but the waiter had a don't give a sh** attitude. Not that I am a fan of the chitty chatty, everything you order receives a "that's awesome" reply. But at least have some repoire with your customers. I mean when a waiter walks by your table, asks if everything is okay without stopping mind you, then goes on to the next booth and so forth until he reaches the end of his wait area never stopping just repeating the mantra, maybe it is an indication that perhaps he should have taken the day off. We had looked forward to treating ourselves to a fun lunch and well, it just took out a portion of the fun factor. Nobody wants to pay for poor service no matter how great the food.
(2)Stacey S.
Went on Easter morning and they had some awesome seafood specials! There was a small mix up with my order but they were so awesome with getting everything fixed that I would recommend it to all of my friends.
(5)Jill C.
Having grown up in Athens and moved away 10yrs ago, I always visit DePalma's whenever I'm back in town (which sadly isn't often enough). I've had their pizza, pastas, salads and desserts, but can honestly say their calzones and pizza sauce are truly my favorite. The service downtown recently has been stellar, and the staff is extremely knowledgeable about their wines and craft beers. Highly recommended, always!
(5)Jessica S.
This place is absolutely amazing. The staff is always welcoming and the food is fresh and comes in a timely manner! Would recommend this place to anyone!
(5)Carl M.
DePalmas never let's us down. Always great food. Always great with our kids. Always great pints in tap.
(5)Dan H.
Quaint Italian place near the University of Georgia. The food was of acceptable standards and the service friendly. We went on a Sunday night, but we could hear and feel the bass coming from the dance club on the top floor of the building.
(3)Scott A.
Pretty good Italian food, a great pre-game day starting point. With a group of folks who make this a tradition before every UGA game, and I was quite satisfied with the experience. The food wasn't anything crazy to shout about, but it fit the bill and had us ready to go for the day. You're right smack in the thick of things in Athens, so afterwards there are lots of spots to hit up afterwards and get riled up for the Bulldog's game. As a "must-see" spot in Athens I'd say it's certainly worth checking out.
(3)Jules S.
We were looking for a place on a Friday night with outdoor seating so we could dine with our friend's dog, and Depalma's could accommodate us quicker than Last Resort. So after a 15 min wait, they actually sat us in front of the Winery and just served us over there. Fine with us! we jus ordered our drinks from the Winery (which were incidentally very reasonably priced!) The service was incredibly friendly and we couldn't ask for more in that department. The reason for the 2.5 stars? Food. To of us got the pork tenderloin special with rosemary Demi-glace which was bland and boring which was a disappointment since it came highly recommended from our server. Hubs ordered the seafood lasagna special after hearing a diner compliment it. they were well warranted. It was the bomb dot com! I ordered the pasta margerhita which had sauce that was fine tasting, but I wanted a little more basil, and rigatoni that was cooked properly. The pasta was crunchy and way more al dente than appropriate. It needed about 2 more minutes in the hot water. The dish was only $10 or so which is a good price normally, but when the pasta is inedible, that's pretty expensive sauce. Our friends disliked their Caesar salads because it just tasted like italian dressing, but a positive note was the pesto surfed mushroom app was very good. All in all, we enjoyed ourselves but would not go back for the food unless we knew the seafood lasagna was on special!
(2)Amanda D.
We had a large group of friends and made reservations for a friend's birthday. His birthday fell on a game night, so the restaurant wasn't very crowded during the game. Our server was very nice, she got us all our orders correctly. I tried a bite of the gouda pizza and it was fantastic, but I eat gluten-free so I got the eggplant something without pasta. Not bad, but not anything to talk about. The drinks were damn expensive and the blueberry lemonade should be toilet lemonade, it tasted like "dirty lemon rind that got left in the street and got run over by a hobo". (Our birthday boy had several drinks-and a ride home) I paid $25 for two specialty drinks and a knob creek... before tip. I think there was a mistake, but I didn't catch it until later when i looked at the receipt. Food cost was average. Get the pizza, skip the eggplant [insert Italian name here]
(3)Monica C.
I think it was just the company I was with that made me give this place 2 stars. Went there again a few days ago. pretty delicious, somewhat expensive. seems to be a common theme in dt.
(4)Colleen B.
Decent, no frills family style meal. Food wasn't anything to write home about but it filled our hungry bellies. Service was friendly and efficient.
(3)Gino M.
DePalma's isn't perfect -- but it's getting 5 stars based on a decade of romantic dinners with my sweety. Sometimes the service is slow, sometimes the waiters are rude. Sometimes the food is bland, sometimes the food is cold. But damnit, this place has character. The original DePalma's (and the only one worth going to) has been a staple of my date-night rotation with my wife ever since she started attending the cow college across the street from it. We love the place. From the old and cheesy movie posters ("Follow this amazing journey down the Amazon to the heart of the jungle with a kiss starved princess!") to the ancient booths in the original section (the cafe expanded when a neighboring business vacated their location). Quick tip -- if you have time -- get the meatball and onion breadsticks. They cook them only to order so they will take 20 minutes -- but they're divine.
(5)Eleanor W.
Fresh, flavor-popping food artfully prepared. Bread made fresh on premises served hot with oil and balsamic vinegar dipping sauce. The grilled eggplant served over kale (a healthy dish) was delicious. My lunch partner had chicken parmesan with a side of spaghetti which was excellent also. Great service by Rachel. We will definitely be back to DePalmas.
(5)Kyle P.
I had a good experience grabbing lunch at Depalma's. I had the lasagna (the "classic" one, it changes daily apparently), which was good, but not great. My sister had the chicken scallopini which we both agreed owned bones. All in all, it was a good lunch for a good price.
(4)Daniel M.
I ate there last night with a large group and was blown away, great job, variety, textures, and presentation. I really liked the scallops risotto with balsamic reduction and the pork medallions. I have never had a bad meal at DePalma's in more than 100 meals there in the last 30 years
(5)Robby N.
I didn't think that I would like this place, but I actually had a really nice ravioli for lunch. For lunch, the food was priced well. I had a meeting, and as we were the only group there, it was a really nice space to talk, work and eat. Probably a 3.5 for food, and that extra half-star for the atmosphere.
(4)Kevin V.
Food was good. Also I suggest they remove their long-expired Yelp offer. I was kind of disappointed not being to use it until i found the fine prints...
(3)Mike D.
Overall was good. Great service and atmosphere, but food was slightly above average.
(3)Chet M.
Visited after a Dawgs game and the were prompt about our reservation and everyones food was very good. Large menu reasonable prices.
(4)Matthew L.
When I first visited UGA my junior year in high school and decided it was indeed my destiny to go there, my folks took my brother and I to a little hole on Broad St. called Depalma's. Back then it was a small tired looking restaurant with a lot of charm. The food was good and the feeling was unpretentious. I loved it. Much to my chagrin, however, they expanded into the neighboring retail space, doubled their size, and the experience has since changed. While the feel is more upscale now it still remains one of the best restaurants in downtown Athens. Give it a shot if you like Italian food.
(4)Joanne E.
I only travel to Athens rarely, yet this was my second visit to Depalma's. Not only did I eat here, before that I ordered a large pepperoni/sausage pizza for pick up (for my high-school senior son and his two friends who did not want to "dine out" with us) which, when they told me the price over the phone seemed expensive, but when I picked it up seemed cheap for the size and apparent quality. I didn't taste it, but my son and his compadres attested to the general goodness, and they appreciated the massive quantity they got. When we got back there for our meal I ordered the tortellini and of course, had to mix it up a little. They could not have been more gracious or helpful. My husband loved that they left him a huge carafe with iced tea. The food, once it arrived, was delicious. Why only four stars? Well, I think the ambience. I like an Italian restaurant with tablecloths. It just adds to the general experience for me. Can you say, "high maintenance?" Would I eat here again? Not only yes, heck yes. We're going back tonight!
(4)Amy A.
Since my last review I have tried Depalma's again - definitely a no go. Blah and bland and blah again. My then-boyfriend (now husband) took me here for a nice date. The company was good, but the food was lacking. If you're like me, you go out to eat knowing you're going to get more calories and so I want it to be yummy and worth it! this place was alright, but nothing exciting - the flavors were kind of blah. But I married my date later, so that makes it a nice memory. :)
(1)Randy B.
Delicious! Mouth watering Italian! Kick it off with the stuffed mushrooms and then anything else is over the top!!!
(5)Kevin M.
My favorite italian place so far in Athens. I've had their tortelloni & grilled chicken sausage, as well as their lasagna, and both have been fantastic every time I go. The freshness and flavor of these dishes are hard to match in Athens. The bread they provide is great, and the prices are rather nice for the quality of food you get. Also, they serve some of Tammy's cheesecake there, so that's a huge plus. What adds to the food of this place is the atmosphere. Not only is it a downtown setting, but the inside is very cool and unique. It also has a very nice bar in the back. Definitely a must-eat and repeat-eat in Athens.
(5)Matt J.
Perhaps the most overrated restaurant in Athens. The food would be just fine if it were less pricey, the prices would be ok if the food were better. The service is outstanding, the food very mediocre, and I suspect made with not the best of ingredients. If you really want a good, quality Italian meal, I suggest La Dolce Vita.
(3)Joe R.
Incredibly slow service. The chicken in our make your own pasta was like rubber. When we pointed this out to the server no action was taken. With all of the great places to eat in Athens we will not be back.
(1)Lee W.
The BEST pizza on the planet! Great staff! Sooo inexpensive!
(5)Sheldon L.
So much good food here I really don't know what to do with it! My good friend used to work here and I was treated several times to the great food from here!.
(5)Jason H.
I've eaten at Depalma's many, many times over the years and, up until recently, the food has always been very good. The last few times I've eaten here, though, the food has been, at best, bland. I'm not sure why the food is so much worse than it ever has been since the menu is essentially the same; perhaps a change in the kitchen staff or lack of oversight by management. I have two examples of how far down the food has declined. In the first, about a month ago a group of us came in for dinner and ordered a few appetizers to share. On the advice of the server, I ordered a crab cake bruschetta. The crab was most definitely fake, but it also tasted...off. As in a bit out of date. The rest of the appetizers weren't much better. Overall, everyone in our group left disappointed. In the second example, I went for lunch with a friend a few days ago. I had a caesar salad and a slice of pizza with Italian sausage on it. The salad was okay, but didn't have very much caesar dressing on it at all. It was just very, very lightly dressed romaine. Not awful, but disappointing and somewhat tasteless. The pizza was pretty much room temperature and the crust was incredibly tough, like it was made the night before and had been reheated, then left sitting out. In the past, Depalma's was one of my favorite restaurants in Athens. Now, and I'm very sad to say this, I think I'll wait a good while before going back.
(2)C J.
Delicious! My mouth started watering when I started thinking about the great food I had here to write my review! I'll start by saying the only reason it's gets one star off is because their mojito (as you know my favorite drink) was pretty terrible. But what matters is the food and it was spot on! Three of my best friends and myself were together a few days before a wedding and we decided to have a nice treat. The one getting married had gone to grad school at UGA, so thankfully she was familiar with this great place! We started with drinks, my mojito not so fine, the others had wine, which they thoroughly enjoyed. We were able to sit outside and enjoy the sunset and the breeze as a storm started to roll in. We split three appetizers and two entrees, first we had the caprese salad, goat cheese ravioli and the bread sticks... but these are not your average bread sticks! These suckers were stuffed with meatballs, onions, and spinach and covered in mozzarella cheese. It's probably in my list of top 25 best things I've ever eaten, ever!! The goat cheese ravioli was my least favorite dish of the night, but I'm not the biggest goat cheese fan, the others loved it. The caprese salad had yummy summer tomatoes that were obviously fresh and very good and exquisite mozzarella cheese. We split the pasta margherita (rigatone, fresh pomodoro sauce and fresh chunks of mozzarella on top) and seafood charmaine (shrimp and scallops in a creamy spinach and jalepeno sauce over fetuccini). They were both heavenly, I particularly liked the kick to the seafood chamaine and stole all of the jalepenos that were there. In addition to the amazing food, the service was spectacular, man I miss the south! Can we transplant southern wait staff to the DC metro area please? If I ever find myself in Athens again, this will be the first place I come to to eat!
(4)