We love Italian food. I grew up with Sunday gravy, my partner dreams of perfect pasta, and if you’re anyone who appreciates a great meal, you probably love it too. It’s comforting, it’s celebratory, and it’s delicious—assuming you know where to find the real deal in Mount Pleasant. That’s where we come in.
Opal Restaurant & Bar
$$$ | (843) 654-9070 | WEBSITE
Consider this your upscale option for Italian, as Opal Restaurant & Bar is a relaxed yet elegant restaurant that sort of looks like a classy wine cellar from Tuscany on the inside. The food here, however, happens to be excellent, especially the She Crab Soup. Opal’s version has a richer flavor profile than many, but the texture is still perfectly creamy. All of the other Italian EEEEEATS at Opal are slammin’ too, from the tender ricotta gnocchi in brown butter to the amazing charcuterie board.
Make a night of it.
Migliori’s Pizzeria
$ | (843) 856-7800 | WEBSITE
Everybody’s had a slice from Migliori’s, right? What’s that? You haven’t? You clearly aren’t a) hungry enough or b) wise enough. Get with the program no matter what you’re craving and hit Migliori’s for a $5 garlic knot that will change your life. The fluffy knots come with that awesome crust they’re famous for, and the friendly staff makes you feel like family. Don’t skip the meatball appetizer—just two per order, but each one’s a masterpiece.
The cozy spot’s perfect for date nights or casual bites, with ravioli and chicken parm that’ll have you coming back. Trust me, this hidden gem’s the real deal.
Coastal Crust
$ | (843) 936-3199 | WEBSITE
Coastal Crust has to be the most popular pizza spot in this town, and for good reason. These wood-fire pizzas are unequivocally some of the best things you can eat in this city for less than $15. If we’re craving a pizza, we’re usually craving a Coastal Crust pizza.
PrimoHoagies
$ | (843) 606-2636 | WEBSITE
This Mount Pleasant sandwich shop has become a local favorite, which is pretty much the same thing as earning a culinary crown if you serve Italian hoagies in the Lowcountry. The staff, including Nick, Rocko, and Ella, make customers feel at home with their friendly service and attention to detail—they even remember special requests. The Big T sandwich is a standout, packed with high-quality meats that hit the spot every time. That’s what you’ll want to be eating if you visit.
Don’t skip the mini pepper poppers.
Abbracci Italian Cuisine & Cocktails
$$$ | (843) 779-8300 | WEBSITE
A well known Mount Pleasant Italian spot, Abbracci has been on the scene for years, serving up quality pasta and seafood for families and date night folks who otherwise have very few decent options. The decor is tastefully done with warm lighting and rustic touches, creating a cozy yet sophisticated atmosphere perfect for special occasions.
The staff is attentive and friendly, especially when serving dishes like the phenomenal branzino filleted right at your table or the perfectly cooked octopus appetizer. While service can be slow during peak hours, they try their best to keep things moving. The menu offers delicious house-made pasta, including the standout fusulli and rigatoni, alongside fresh seafood options and crisp salads like the limone.
With an extensive wine list and fabulous cocktails, including a Negroni that’s worth the trip alone, plus a private outdoor area with a fire pit and grassy space for kids to play, Abbracci delivers a complete dining experience. At around $25-$40 per entrée, it’s a solid value for the quality. With a few tweaks to timing, this place could easily become the go-to for Italian cuisine in the area.
La Pizzeria
$$ | (843) 375-4607 | WEBSITE
If you find yourself in Mount Pleasant craving authentic Italian, La Pizzeria is your destination. Ask anyone who frequents this family-owned spot, and they’ll tell you they’ve been coming here for years, and that this is up there with the best pizza in Charleston. The pasta? Absolutely worth trying.
Rivertowne Pizza & Deli
$ | (843) 884-9990 | WEBSITE
Tired of hearing people complain about how there’s nothing decent to eat in Mount Pleasant? Send them to Rivertowne Pizza & Deli. This little Italian spot does pizza right – freshly made, crispy, flavorful and satisfying. The pepperoni pizza hits all the right notes with its perfect crust and generous toppings. While the chicken fingers and waffle fries make for a solid combo, and the hot wings pack a pleasant punch.
Save room for dessert – the tiramisu is creamy and balanced, the carrot cake moist and spiced just right, and the eclair and coconut cake are both worth indulging in. Just be aware that if you’re ordering delivery through third-party apps, you might run into some hiccups, and the customer service can sometimes come off as a bit curt. But for a straightforward, no-frills meal that delivers on taste, Rivertowne Pizza & Deli gets the job done.
Bricco Bracco
$$ | (843) 416-8290 | WEBSITE
Just a short drive from the waterfront is a much more authentic, much heartier Italian experience. The chicken giambotta at Bricco Bracco will only set you back $18, and it’s one of the best Italian dishes in the area. There’s also apparently a daily special seafood fra diablo that looks like a f*cking masterpiece, and jeeeeezus we need to try it. We’re gonna need to get back here soon/tomorrow.
Joey Tomatoes Deli & Market
$ | (843) 352-2294 | WEBSITE
Great name, exceptional chicken sandwich, perfectly toasted bread flown in from Jersey, and that delicious aroma that greets you at the door. What more do you want from life? True love? This is easier to find and definitely more satisfying.
Orlando’s Pizza Mt Pleasant
$ | (843) 203-7437 | WEBSITE
Orlando’s Pizza stormed onto the Charleston scene (yes, I just said that) a few years ago, racking up a bunch of good press and getting Mount Pleasant excited about casual Italian food again. Maybe people had just grown tired of all the downtown spots, or maybe they just wanted some new blood, but either way, Orlando’s made some big fans pretty fast. Once you try the Buffalo Chicken pizza with blue cheese, you’ll understand why. Not in the mood for chicken? Hit up the all meat pizza instead.