Fresco Cucina Italiana Menu

  • Insalate
  • Antipasti
  • Zuppa
  • Pizze
  • Pasta
  • Entrees
  • Kids Menu
  • Desserts
  • Beverages

Healthy Meal suggestions for Fresco Cucina Italiana

  • Insalate
  • Antipasti
  • Zuppa
  • Pizze
  • Pasta
  • Entrees
  • Kids Menu
  • Desserts
  • Beverages

Visit below restaurant in Orlando for healthy meals suggestion.

Visit below restaurant in Orlando for healthy meals suggestion.

  • George O.

    If you want some great Italian food, check this place out. Everything we ordered was fantastic. The service was great and they were on top of things so that the meal was on a perfect pace. I would definitely eat here again!

    (5)
  • Pamela M.

    @FrescoDining is a real hidden Gem in Orlando. Delicious food and friendly service! Enjoyed the Chicken Artichokes in white wine sauce with Ziti Pasta. Attentive service made for a delightful dining experience. Great Italian Restaurant in Orlando just dow

    (5)
  • Daniel K.

    Excellent, next to a run down Kmart, but the food is top notch.

    (4)
  • Brook S.

    Awesome find! Visiting the Mouse...tired of "tourist" food traps....searches yelp and stumbled upon this place. In a strange location (next to Kmart), but don't be fooled...delicious. Quiet atmosphere, nice staff, awesome prices, and delicious food...just what we needed! We had Chicken Marsala, Chicken Parmesan, and our little one had spaghetti with a meatball! So good! Also, the fresco salad was fantastic! Not to be missed...just go!!

    (5)
  • Ryan K.

    This was a border-line 4 to 5 star for me. I have been here twice, the first time with my mom back in January for my birthday. On the first visit I order the bruschetta which although was great was always fairly expensive. I also order a bowl of chicken noddle soup which was swimming with tasty moist chicken and fresh vegetables. My main course was gnocchi which was AWESOME! The manager came by our table after our meal to ask how it was and he mentioned that the pasta had been made fresh that day and I believe it. The reason I decided to go with a 4 star rating rather than 5 stars is because my second visit here. It was an interesting experience. I had a date for Saturday night a few weeks ago and called ahead to make reservations even though I know this place is never packed. I got there before my date, told the host why I was there and he made sure we had a nice quiet table tucked away so my date and I could converse. The waiter was polite but when we ordered a bottle a Moscato he came back stating they were and recommended something they had that was supposedly very similar. IT WAS NOT! It was a dry sparkling wine that besides from being white was nothing like Mosacto. Another weird twist in the evening was one I tried to order my main course. I tried to order Farfalle Arugula which is a pasta dish with garlic and pesto. The waiter asked me if I ever had it and when I responded no he stated that the chef would not make it for me because they had complaints about it recently for being too strong flavored and that they were going to be taking it off the menu. I requested that he ask the chef to make an exception and he agreed to make it for me. When I got the dish it was fantastic, exactly what I had expected to be if not more. Overall, this place is a hidden treasure, tucked away next to a K-Mart in the Gold's Gym shopping plaza and I'm the vast majority of people never think twice of going in but they should. I honestly have lived right down the road and have been a member at golds gym for 3 years and never thought about walking in until a few months ago.

    (4)
  • Melly N.

    This place is in a very odd location. It is right next to the KMart. Even my GPS had a hard time finding this place. Being a New Yorker, when I see Fine Italian Dining, I expect the food to be better than the Olive Garden, but boy I was wrong. It was OK. The food was way over priced. The olive oil was not extra virgin and the bread from the bread basket was stale. It was 6:00 on a beautiful Saturday evening and we were the only ones in the whole restaurant. The menus were dirty, mine had sauce on it and my boyfriend's menu had bread crumbs all over it. The cover of the menu did not have the restaurant's name like many do, it was just plain white. The service was slow, if I am paying over $25 a person, I expect a bit more friendly and compassionate service. Lower the prices for what it is! The service was slow! Put a little pep in your step people!!!!

    (3)
  • Ashley K.

    Despite its location (next to Kmart), this restaurant serves authentic and fantastic Italian food. We had good service and found the decor to be nice. The open space gives it a great feel- to the likes of a courtyard. There was also a Sinatra impersonator that was fairly convincing while we were there. Ordered the proscutto wrapped fresh mozzarella for an appetizer and were blown away- a truly perfect flavor combination. Go for the pear and gorgonzola pasta which is not on the menu. I can safely say this is the most amazing Italian dish I have ever had! Overall, we had a fantastic experience and will return. P.s. There were actual Italians eating there too:)

    (5)
  • Stephany R.

    Fresco's is truly an exquisite Italian restaurant tucked away from the public. Only those with a hungry heart and an appreciation and love for food will be able to see it. I've been here twice, and it has never disappointed me. I have ordered the same dish both times because it is just that good. I don't recall the name, but if you read the menu descriptions you will be able to figure it out. Besides, I have added a photo so you guys can see it. The dish is spaghetti with pieces of prosciutto in a white sauce, which I think may be garlic sauce. Chicken or shrimp can be added for an additional charge. Believe me when I say that it has more than just a homemade taste, it has the taste of good times and friendly chatter. My boyfriend ordered a dish with pasta (Don't remember variation), chicken, and sundried tomatoes. It was smoothered in pesto. While the dish was good, my boyfriend and I determined the arugula overpowered the dish. I don't mean to be nit picky, but we both love love arugula pesto and like to put it in nearly all foods so when I say that the dish had too much arugula, I mean it! However, the entire meal was good. They offer a good selection of wine, although they didn't have chianti the second time we went. The cannoli was delicious! I love cannolis :) So when you find yourself hungry and desiring good food, don't panic just believe... And Frescos may make itself visible to you.

    (4)
  • John P.

    Where to begin. Everything was delicious. We enjoyed the pasta bolenais and the chicken cutlet. The salads were also excellent as well as top notch service.

    (5)
  • Stevie C.

    Like everyone else says...weird location. Food more than makes up for location. If you know me you know I'm on a constant search for bolognese sauce like my grams made. This place so far has the closest. They even had peas in there soooo pretty darn close. Very affordable option for Italian and worth every penny. They also have a fancy schmacy espresso machine so if that's up your alley I'd go for it!

    (5)
  • Julie D.

    We've eaten here 3 times and the last time was only because we had been given a gift certificate as a Christmas gift. It's ok. the two star description of "meh, I've experienced better" is pretty accurate. The restaurant/decor itself is very nice but the food is lacking. Which explains why we've never seen more than 2-4 tables filled on any visit. Just so you know, we LOVE italian food & make a point to try a good italian recommendation any time we are in a new city... so we have eaten alot of italian food! I love garlic as much as the next person but their dishes are SUPER heavy with it. Too much of a good thing is still too much! In this most recent visit, we had the bruschetta appetizer... burned bread. I had farfalle arugula (bowtie pasta w/arugula pesto) all you could taste was garlic. My husband had fettucini alfredo. They didn't drain the pasta very well so it watered down the sauce. It's not terrible, we'd eat there again if we were given free meal. It's just too expensive for the quality of food they serve.

    (2)
  • Anders L.

    Excellent food but, inflexible with the menu!

    (4)
  • Pete O.

    We came here for pizza and there oven is broken. We almost decided to leave but we were so hungry we stuck around. Good thing to because when we finally got our waiter to come over and order, our meal was ready. I had the chicken parmesan and it was excellent along with the side veggies and though the grilled potatoes weren't bad I didn't care for them. My date had the fettucini alfredo and although that was a bit thick and watery it was mighty tastey :). No dessert here as we were excited to go to Horror Nights XXI. I would come here again hopefully when the oven is fixed and with a new waiter.

    (4)
  • Jose J.

    Good Italian fare, when there. Cannoli filling was top tier. Apparently the pizzas are still scarce (oven?). Natalie informed us right off about the pizza, and the scallop appetizer was similarly absent, once we had settled on it. We enjoyed some sloppy mussels (they just are, watch your shirt), salad and shrimp scampi. Bread, Parmesian and herbed up olive oil killed. However, the wife's veal Sicilian was not as described - we pointed out to the waitress the serious lack of tomatoes, olives and capers, to which she smoothly replied that it was, indeed, veal Sicilian and those items were all ground up so fine and in the sauce making it hard to see them. The highly visible capers in my scampi were shocked to hear of their brethren's demise. The check later confirmed it was veal saltimbocca. FYI: No cocktails, just beer and wine (large selection of uncommon reds). Spacious and well lit, the surprisingly few booths and tables were populated with a cross section from gaffers ("...as I recall when we were marching towards Cairo...") to families with kids (I know, what else would "families have"?).

    (3)
  • Rich H.

    The food was good (hot and tasty). Unfortunately, the service was poor. I had to stare down our waitress to get her to take out order. She seemed more interested in a large table of her friends (or frequent customers, I guess) than her other tables. I would not return. On a personal note, fettuccine Alfredo made with asiago cheese (clearly states on the menu) doesn't compare well to the original version. Avoid it.

    (2)
  • Nancy W.

    Had dinner here with a couple of friends and thought the food was really good--way better than average. I had the gnocchi, one of my friends had the farfalle. We all loved our meals. The owner was actually our waiter and was friendly, efficient and made great recommendations. The restaurant itself would benefit from a "Restaurant Impossible" makeover. It's one big room with tired, cliché Italian decor. No ambiance whatsoever. The prices were a bit high, considering the overall experience.

    (4)
  • Michelle P.

    What a cute place!!! Totally beautiful! The bolognese was excellent... hubby had the chicken sicilian and it was AMAZING!!! Perfectly juicy and flavorful! Ceasar salad was also really good you could tell every thing was fresh and made with care. My girls had a pizza and it was completely authentic! Disclaimer: If you must have dessert the chocolate cake is enough to feed four but oh so good! Also the lemocello cake was to.die.for!

    (5)
  • Ying D.

    Lost for a place to dine...my boyfriend and I remembered Fresco's and all the raving reviews. Upon entering we were seated immediately and noticed the depressing decor. The place was pretty empty, it was us and 3 other tables. It made us question why it took the server 5 min. to approach us, but whatever that gave us ample time to study the menu and decor. When the server finally got to us she was actually very friendly and attentive. We place our orders and in no time wine was flowing, bread was serving, appetizer was arriving and we were enjoying our meal. Although, they didn't have the wine we wanted they had one that was comparable. We started with the stuffed mushrooms, which were aaaaaahhhhhh-mazing! After, we finished with the Orichette pasta dish and the pork Osso buco. If there ever was a restaurant-oxymoron this place would be it. The quality of the food is phenomenal, the service was a little slow at the start but the server definitely redeemed herself, and the decor seemed outdated. Overall, I still enjoyed myself very much and can't wait to return. Two thumbs way up!!!

    (5)
  • Thea H.

    In Orlando, there is a maze of the most uninspiring chain restaurants that cater to tourist. It's so rare to find a place like this. The decor was classy in spite of being right next to a K-Mart. Don't let this fool you. My boyfriend said it's a neighborhood place that would be a regular spot if we lived in Orlando. It's true. It's cozy and familiar. The service was also attentive. The only problem was that the same song played like 5 times. But at least my server said something about it. The food? Fresh, homemade, filling, huge portions, incredibly tasty. We had the Caesar salad with anchovies. The salad could be shared by two people but we didn't know but we cleaned the plate anyway. The dressing was homemade and not as creamy as a typical Caesar dressing but it was delicious. My boyfriend had the Chicken Marsala. He cleaned his plate and really liked the Marsala gravy. It looked really good but I was too deep into my linguini to look up. I had the linguini with clams. I couldn't finish it and I couldn't take it with me. The tiny clams in the pasta and the clams in the shell were tender and delicious, not rubbery at all. What is really sad is that we were there and the restaurant was pretty quiet... on a Saturday night! They should have had a full house, easy. I hope they're still open when I visit Orlando again. Keep neighborhood gems alive!

    (4)
  • Geno K.

    Good not great. Probably had my hopes up a bit high after reading the reviews. Probably the best Italian restaurant within a 2-3 mile radius, but I'm sure there are better options.

    (3)
  • Scott C.

    The food was excellent, the service was adequate after the first request for a water refill, the only real knock against this Italian restaurant is that they skimped on the cheese. I bought the baked gnocchi, and there were maybe three or four pieces of cheese on top. They didn't even offer to sprinkle some grated parmesan cheese on top. I would go back, though.

    (4)
  • Luis A.

    Excellent food and service. Our entrees were impeccable choices, grouper, veal shank and seafood soup with linguine.

    (5)
  • Tom B.

    I stumbled upon this Italian spot next to a K-Mart on Turkey Lake Road, thinking I was "settling." Little did I know I'd be delighted. Fresco Cucina Italiano is a beautiful and not so small restaurant with gorgeous floors, seating and appointments, and a winning staff. My chosen starter was a saffron risotto with meat, cheese and green peas, which was accompanied by a delicious bread with the now-ubiquitous olive oil dipping sauce. The entree was "orecchiette pugliese," small shell pasta with broccoli, Italian sausage, garlic and white wine sauce. Very tasty, but the risotto was what won me over. I had never really thought about going here, until I tried without luck to get into several other spots in the Dr. Phillips area that were jammed. I'm glad to have found this place. If you work in the Dr. Phillips area, you might find this a little tight for an hour lunch, especially if you order the risotto.

    (4)
  • Dean W.

    I loved this place. My partner and I looked this place up for a place to eat after a day at Universal and it was a great end to a full on day. The waitress was not very knowledgeable but she was very nice and attentive and brought over the owner to answer any questions and get recommendations about wine and what was on the menu. We had a chat with him for about 10 minutes and he recommended a fantastic wine and a 2 cheese ravioli which was not on the menu which was really really nice. Food and ambiance was just right, staff were very friendly, recommend it highly.

    (4)
  • Ashley G.

    The food was amazing! We had the seafood stew and seafood risotto. The flavors were amazing. The staff were very nice and welcoming. If you're in Orlando and love Italian you must go here!

    (5)
  • John D.

    Delicious food and a very nice interior. Grouper Francaise is out of this world. We passed a lot restaurants on the way, and good thing we did. Fresco's was worth it!

    (5)
  • Hesays Shesays R.

    After reading all the reviews we went to this restaurant expecting just awesome food... and as much as we tried to really give the restaurant a good rating... it just felt short of the mark.. However we believe is a nice restaurant with a lot of potential. The flavors were good on the food... the pricing is descent... and the environment allows you to go for a romantic occasion. Additionally the menu contains many interesting dishes. Also there is plenty of free parking and close to I-4. We just had problem with the chef properly cooking the pasta... he under cooked the pasta twice. Additionally the waiting staff could be a little bit more attentive... not that they are bad... just be more attentive to your needs. We tired their mix fried seafood appetizer... and She loved it... but He found it a little too salty... but overall we enjoyed the appetizer and will recommend it. I will probably stay away from anything with Orso in it. They might do good with some of the other dishes.

    (2)
  • Mark J.

    Great food. Nice inside. Don't be turned by shopping center. Pizza was authentic! Quality ingredients. We all loved it!

    (5)
  • Daniel F.

    In town for a convention. Tired of the typical tourist trinity of bad food, kitschy decor and high prices. Found this little place in a mall next to a kmart and delighted with the atypical orlando experience. Going back for seconds tomorrow night!

    (4)
  • Ross P.

    Had dinner at Fresco's the other night. The food is definitely above average Italian, especially for this price range. I had the chicken picatta, really enjoyed it. Another person in our group had lasagne, said it was great. Only complaint: the iced tea was pretty bad. It was probably made from a powdered mix instead of being brewed. The service was satisfactory. The owner (or one of the owners, anyway), came by a couple of times to ask if everything was okay. That's a nice touch.

    (4)
  • Tony E.

    Fresco's Italian restaurant and market is a hidden gem in Dr Philips / I -drive area. The Italian menu is varied and authentic, and the service is friendly. Prices are reasonable, and the food is well prepared, seasoned and fresh. Deli cases display desserts, hams, and seafood. The pizza menu offers interesting signature pies, but can accommodate custom orders. Try the grilled vegetables with balsamic glaze for a light start.

    (4)
  • Brenda B.

    Fabulous food and atmosphere. Get past the neighboring store and enjoy this old country family-feel foodie delight. Wine list will only get better but in the meantime the manager will make an excellent recommendation. Great value. Wish we lived closer - would go again and again. Try the mushrooms - just to get your tastebuds primed for more!

    (5)
  • Bob P.

    Haven't been to Fresco's in a few years. We stopped there for dinner before the MLB All Star Game and the quality is still pretty good. We ordered the antipast for two and a rice ball as appetizers. My wife had a nice lasagna, my son the lobster ravioli and I had the veal parmigiana. The veal came with sides of fries(I don't understand the fascination Orlando chefs have with rosemary but they overdid it on the potatoes)and peas with mushrooms and onions. As expected everything was as good as I remembered and I would recommend Fresco's for a reasonably priced Italian meal. It may not be on a par with the string of Italian restaurants on Mulberry Street in Little Italy but for Orlando it's definitely a cut above.

    (4)
  • Virginia D.

    Service was excellent and the food was to die for. The bathroom was beautiful. Nice family restaurant and make sure you get the lemoncello. The bread and oil was to die for also!

    (5)
  • J T.

    Decent dining but go somewhere else for dessert. Went to this restaurant after a long day at Universal theme park. We were ready for comfort food. The warm goat cheese salad was good, and the kids enjoyed the pizza though I wished for a crisper crust. The dessert was a miss. The kids had cheesecake which they normally gobble up, but this was a ricotta cheesecake variety that was bland and had me thinking of tofu. The flan was ok, but how do you make a bad cheesecake?

    (3)
  • Jason D.

    The location is not the most hip but the Pear Gorgonzola is great.

    (4)
  • Janet S.

    Gosh if this one of Orlando's best then Orlando is in trouble. Our definition of fine dining seems to be something quite different. However, the meal was more than acceptable and the menu had more than enough to choose from. Pastas, veal, fish, meat... We had a clam linguine in white sauce to share as an appetizer. Fresh clams in their shells in the dish -nice!, additional canned clam meat in the dish - not so nice, visually unappealing. Too much garlic -stayed with me for two days. Pasta nice and al dente. We both had the sea bass grilled over a risotto and topped with lobster sauce. Sea bass tasted suspiciously like cod, the lobster sauce was too rich and creamy and way too much was served ruining the flavor of the nicely cooked risotto.Side of sauteed spinich arrived half way through the meal, drowned in oil and garlic. A nicely imagined dish poorly executed. We were told they only served beer and wine but somehow they managed to produce sambucca at the end for us...and what was that bottle of patron the shelf back there. There is a small bar to sit at in addition to tables and banquettes. Dinner for two inc two glasses of wine each and a sambucca, no dessert. $100.

    (3)
  • Scott M.

    Pasta is above average. Try the caesar salad, very good! But service is so so.

    (3)
  • Suzana S.

    Great food, attentive service in a lovely place that caters to a local crowd.

    (5)
  • Davey Y.

    Fresco's is truly a gem! I knew when I walked by a table and saw the giant meatballs being served. Started with the Fresco Platter, it was a mix of high quality cured meats and cheeses. The Alfredo sauce was made with fresh cheese and light cream, the linguine alle vongole came with some of the freshest and biggest baby clams I've seen in a long time. Staff was friendly and truly knowledgeable about the menu. I am mad that I didn't discover this fine Italian restaurant sooner!

    (5)
  • Justin H.

    Amazing appetizers, entrees, and desserts. An unassuming Italian restaurant (from the outside) that is really the best Italian I have had yet in Orlando ...and at a very reasonable price.

    (5)
  • Bill H.

    My wife and I found this place through Yelp. All the reviews were accurate! Marvelous food. Do not let the strip center location fool you, this place has great Italian food. Having grown up in Toronto, with it's large Italian population, I know good Italian food when I taste it, and Fresco's is the real deal. I had the veal marsala which was fork tender with a wonderful marsala sauce. My wife had the shrimp fra diavlo which she thoroughly enjoyed and which was just spicy enough to please her Texas taste buds. The service was excellent and efficient without making you feel rushed. Fresco's is not a large place, but the layout and decor make it comfortable but not claustraphobic. If you are in Orlando you owe it to yourself to give Fresco's a visit, you won't regret it.

    (5)
  • #NAME?

    Place was very nice on the inside and had nice music, but food was terrible... very bland, no spices, overpriced. Owner was also extremely rude and cold. Overall our experience was not very good at all, and I would not recommend to ANYONE!!!!

    (1)
  • Sarah P.

    Location was easily accessible. Ambience was decent as was decor. We had a party of 7. Appetizers came out promptly but no one finished them- too much balsamic glaze. Bread was of the crusty borderline stale variety with a side of oil. After 65 minute wait we received our main course. Manager was unapologetic and had the nerve to say we were rude for asking. Whole wheat penne was crunchy and tasteless. Chicken among the guests was wry inconsistent- from rubbery to overdone. Broccoli had yellow patches indicating a lack of freshness. One guest ordered a salad with iceburg lettice substituted. 65 mimutes later after the waitress returned with the salad she then says "oh we don't have iceberg lettuce" Really? You couldn't mention that 65 minutes ago? Overall very miserable experience. Strongly - very strongly recommend against going to this establishment.

    (1)
  • Amy G.

    Don't go here. It's mediocre at best. Restaurant was almost empty. Should've been a clue not to eat there!!!! Chicken and aritchokes were poor quality and in a heavy sauce. Another person in our party had the lobster ravioli. We are guessing it came from Costco.

    (2)
  • Fernando G.

    The restaurant has a nice feel, food was good and the server Stephanie was very attentive and friendly.

    (3)
  • M W.

    We had a great meal at Fresco. The service was attentive and the food is very fresh and authentic. The owner was very nice and friendly. We would highly recommend.

    (5)
  • Terry S.

    Great food and service, recommended, authentic Italian. Enjoy!!!

    (4)
  • Melissa J.

    I recently went to Orlando and had no idea where to go for dinner...after some searching, found this restaurant on yelp and couldn't have been more pleased. It is the real deal! My boyfriend and I started off with appetizers Cozze alla napoletana(mussels in garlic wine sauce) and fritto di calamari, both had generous portions and were delicious! We also had the caprese and a steak with carbonara (wasn't exactly on the menu but they accommodated the request)...this was no steakhouse but still one of the best steaks ever. The wine selection was great and so was deli. The staff and owner were very friendly and I would definitely recommend to anyone who is in the area. Real Italians, real Italian cuisine, great menu, friendly atmosphere, and great prices. Can't wait to go back :)

    (5)
  • Pauline N.

    Searched for this place using yelp when it popped up on the GPS as a pizza option in Orlando. Decided to give it a try. Sat down, ordered wine, started to order our pizza and we were informed then and only then that the pizza oven was broke. We were super disappointed, BUT we were so pleasantly surprised with how delicious our second pick was!! We ordered occhietti (sp?). Soooo good! I was overall really pleased with Fresco. I just wish we were told about the lack of pizza earlier.

    (4)
  • Julie M.

    My family and I were looking for restaurants while on vacation in Orlando. As I'm pretty much a foodie that's gone to culinary school, finding something that satisfies me and my family while still trying to stay on a budget is a tall order. I did just that. It was so good that we went two days in a row. The prices are fair and portion sizes on the pasta dishes are big so can be shared. That way you can get a secondi or dessert. Now on to the restaurant. Decor is just ok. Cuz food is so good, I chose to give back the star that decor lost. Service was good but not many customers when we went. Really a pity. Just really great food. Started with calamari two days and it was good but would recommend skipping appetizers and getting a pasta course with a meat course if you're hungry. That's exceptional, the pasta dishes. Hubby had gnocchi one day and Shrimp Fra Diavola with Angel Hair Pasta. I had the seafood risotto both nights cuz it was sooo good. Kids had the carbonara and the alfredo. Everything was cooked and seasoned perfectly. That's one of my pet peeves, not enough seasoning. The portions are big and can really be shared for even more value. We got a piece of their chocolate cake to go the second night. IT WAS FREAKIN' AMAZING! Hubby is a chocolate cake connoisseur and he went back a 3rd night to get more chocolate cake. Fresco's is worth the extra trip out of the parks to get amazing food at a good value. You can always go back into the amusement parks for the thrills and sites. Tourists and locals should flock to this place. Also, the wine list a good and reasonable also. I was also in the wine business and know that they could be charging a lot more for their wines. Fantastic job Fresco family. Always great seeing non-chain restaurants still open and doing such an amazing job. Molto bene!!

    (5)
  • Alex F.

    We were driving around Orlando on a Saturday night around 6:30 and couldn't find anywhere to stop that didn't have a two hour wait-- and then we yelped the area and found Fresco's. Why this place didn't have a wait, I do not know-- my only guess is its obscure location. It's tucked behind the K-Mart off of Turkey Lake rd. The decor was so great-- classic Italian colors and wine everywhere :) We got seated immediately, which was good because we were hungry. Got our water and wine quickly. The bread was a little slow getting to the table, but it was warm and fresh. We all had trouble deciding on what to eat because everything sounded absolutely delicious. We settled on the pollo e broccoli, the fiocchetti (the pear and gorgonzola pasta on the special menu), the bruschetta, the gnocchi in a white wine sauce, cheese ravioli, and the shrimp carbonara. The food took a little while to come, but after tasting it we think they may make their pasta from scratch and it was so good we excused the tardiness. All of the dishes were wonderful-- we were forcing each other to try them, but the FIOCCHETTI-- oh my goodness. Nothing has ever tasted so wonderfully amazing. We were fighting over bites. If you are in Orlando and are craving authentic, delicious, incredible italian food-- you have to go to Fresco's. Even just for the one dish-- and go quickly, the waitress said it's only on the menu for another month!! :( Buon Appetito!

    (5)
  • jake g.

    We visited this excellent restaurant twice during a recent stay in Orlando. The decor is rather plain, and it's located in a strip mall, but it ranks among the very best Italian restaurants we've ever been to (and we travel and eat out a lot!). Everything we ordered was superb, but I would especially recommend the Prosciutto Rollatini, fresh prosciutto wrapped around mozzarella and then sauteed; and the Beef Carpaccio, very thin rare beef with arugula and parmesan. We also enjoyed the Orecchiette Pugliese, which was perfectly done, several veal dishes, and the Osso Buco with Risotto. They had a very good selection of wines, not terribly expensive. I can't recommend this more highly.

    (5)
  • J R.

    I don;t have any specific complaints the food was good to very good. Atmosphere was OK, The place was full when we arrived and had to wait for our reservation no biggie had a glass of wine at the bar. After about 10 minutes we where seated we then had to wait about another 10 minutes for a waitress to finally realize we had not been taken care of. We ordered an appitizer of the Rollatini which had a nice taste and the bread was served nice and warm, coursing is something that the service staff may need to work on as it seemed forever before the entrees arrived. My date had the chicken parmasean which she said was okay and would have been better if the had pounded out the chicken a little more. I had the Farfalle vodka con Salmone after debating over the menu since it had a few of my favorites. The dish tasted very good however it was very rich and very creamy, I should have made it two meals. Again the service was sloooowwwww but we were not in a rush. The one thing that did catch me off gaurd is that the wine that (what I assume was the owner) poured for me and my date at the bar I was informed at the table that it was only available by the bottle. Don't tease me with a good glass and than tell me I have to order a bottle.....or I can take the house cab or merlot atleast offer a Chianti, or simply pour me another glass of that since it was rang up as a house cab for the first two that we had at the bar just a little confusing to me. I was at first anxious to rush back to try something else but like the service I experienced there's no rush.

    (3)
  • Neta D.

    In town for business and unfamiliar with the area, I found this place on yelp and decided to give it a try. Definitely worth a return visit the next time I'm in town. Had the pear & gorgonzola pasta in creamy vodka sauce--wonderful! So was the caprese salad. My only complaint is that there was no wine list and the server only gave me two options despite there being several stocked wine racks throughout the place. The tiramasu was great too. Went around 6 pm on a Tuesday night and it was nearly deserted, which is a real head-scratcher. Can't believe more locals or nearby hotels don't fill up this place. Oh well, better chance for us yelpers to get a table!!

    (4)
  • Gina B.

    I am an Italian living in Chicago and I haven't had an Italian meal this good in more years than I can count. The service was attentive, the food (bruschetta, eggplant parm and veal parm) was plentiful, freshly prepared and delicious. The bread was perfectly crusty on the outside, airy on the inside, and served warm with a delicious olive oil mix. Simply spectacular. This fine casual restaurant will be on our list to visit whenever we are back to Orlando. I only wish they would open one in Chicago!

    (5)
  • Jessica S.

    We went to this place on a Thursday night. There was no greeter at the front table. The waitress that we had that night was on her first day there. The owner of Fresco's was in the kitchen training a new chef and was cooking the meals for the night. My table of three waited for over an hour for our food. It took the staff a half an hour to get us our salad. When the waitress brought us our dinners the only dinner that was correct was the dinner made from the menu. The two other dishes needed to have meat subtracted from the meal and changes in ingredients and this was not accomplished. I know a lot of people who come to Fresco's and we were very upset about this experience.

    (2)
  • John P.

    We are from NE Florida and have been coming to Orlando for years. We were in the mood for Italian and the yelp app recommended this place. On the outside it looks meh and it's next to a kmart so we almost didn't go in. That would have been a huge mistake because this place was AMAZING!!! The food was the best Italian I've had in years and very affordable. The atmosphere is warm and very clean. The staff are courteous and attentive even when the rude customer behind us refused to eat her meal because cream sauce is too fattening our waitress removed it and gave a coupon for their next visit, I hope for her sake it won't be for a long time! The food was fresh, hot and delish! They had unique twists on classic dishes that made them special. I would recommend this to anyone looking to get away from the crowds and enjoy a relaxing, amazing meal. Definitely on our list on must haves in Orlando!

    (5)
  • Valerie A.

    I went to this restaurant based on Yelp reviews. We ordered the calamari as an appetizer. The calamari was a bit rubbery but the batter and seasoning were very good. I would not order it again. My husband ordered the pear and Gorgonzola tortellini which was delicious. I ordered their special which was a rib eye. I ordered medium and it was but only in the middle. The rest was well done. The potatoes and vegetables were very well prepared. This was one of the most expensive meals on the menu so very disappointing it was overcooked . I told the waitress and she offered to have another one made but i said no as my husband would have been finished eating before it came. I would have given this restaurant 4 stars and would have returned except for the fact that neither the waitress or owner seemed too concerned my $ 36 meal was not prepared as it was ordered. An offer of a free desert or take a portion off the bill would have brought us back on another occasion

    (3)
  • Mark C.

    I'm so annoyed with myself. I moved here four years ago and was firm in my belief that there was no good Italian food in Orlando, so I didn't bother to try Fresco...even worse, I live across the street from this gem. I think it's the poor water quality that affects the flavor and consistency in the pasta and pizza dough at most restaurants in central Florida. Either the crew at Fresco import their dough from Napoli or they use some type of sorcery to make some of the best pizza I've had...ANYWHERE. This makes me so euphoric, because eating good Italian food is my favorite thing to do with my clothes on. I've been a few times now and I've tried something different every time. It's all good. So do yourself a favor, don't wait to try Fresco like I did.

    (5)
  • michele m.

    After searching and coming up empty handed with yelp suggestions for various chains (Landry, Oceanaire, Capital Grille etc), DH found this place.. We have been to Orlando for YEARS and sad to be coming across the restaurant just now. Great service, fantastic wine, live sax player and great food to boot! We had Della casa salad (great portion, lovely dressing) Warm crusty bread (complimentary) Mushroom appetizer (highly recommend, though bear in mind 3 pc for $10 Vongole - perfectly al dente, fresh garlicky wine flavor $19 Zuppa de pesce- great portion, DH loved it! Risotto w seafood - mom didn't care for it (the main dish was the risotto and not the seafood, we should have asked for clarification before ordering Tiramisu - big enough to share, perfect balance of sweet and coffee! Another highly recommend. Hope you will try this place (just don't take my place in line) over the chain restaurants - just read reviews on what to order and you won't be led astray!

    (4)
  • Steve A.

    A long time favorite, Fresco has moved across the parking lot from their former location, and their new digs suite them well. Completely new, and yet with a comfortable rustic air, the space is pleasant and inviting. The menu seems largely unchanged. Most important, my favorite salad is still on offer. The Chicken Salad name does this dish a disservice, as it is a complete meal on a plate, with grilled chicken atop mixed greens, and then succulent sautéed mushrooms on top of that, then the whole thing drizzled with balsamic. Along with a fairly vinegary ramekin of dressing, the combination is one of my favorite salads in town. The meal is preceded by tasty Italian bread and traditional dipping oil with herbs. Lunchtime service is quick and efficient, and the kitchen does a good job of keeping up, even though the new location seemed to have increased their business. Definitely a move up for them.

    (4)
  • Kate G.

    The Pear Ravioli is beyond amazing. I rarely give five stars, but this place is definitely worth a trip. Their three chefs are Italian and don't even speak English. They've brought abut of Little Italy to Orlando, and we should all be thankful. I was travelling thru town, but my uber driver recommended the place - a sign of high local support.

    (5)
  • Regina K.

    This place has been around for years and is still one of my favorites in Dr. Phillips. Simple, authentic Italian cooking and a family atmosphere. Good size portions with fresh ingredients.

    (5)
  • Leila C.

    Deliciuos!!!!!! Excelent service by Ricardo! The live music was amazing. The best Italian food you will find in Florida. All the entrees we ordered were just deliciuos. Excellent food, great service and good prices.

    (5)
  • Keelan P.

    Since it's move across the plaza ( right beside the huge Gold's Gym ), Fresco has gotten even BETTER. The new digs are brighter ( lots of windows ), the bar at the front looks great, and service is better than ever. It's also BUSIER than ever. Oh, and for all of you Gluten Free foodies like myself, they have GF pasta and GF Pizza! Yep, PIZZA. And it tastes GREAT.

    (5)
  • Gabe M.

    Fresco: Honestly one of the most authentic Italian dining experiences I've had since my visit to Italy. If you're skeptical like I am whenever someone says "authentic" in their reviews of a restaurant...then read on. I'm always skeptical when someone says that. 1.) The Aperol Spritz is a drink that's extremely common in Northern Italy, and yet extremely rare in the States. The majority of Italian restaurants in America have never heard of Aperol, let alone the infamous Aperol spritz. Fresco nailed the recipe, hands-down, complete with the orange slice. 2.) Nothing is reinvented or made to be a unique dish, like a chef specialty or twist. The menu isn't even listen based on popularity, but rather alphabetically. Everything is traditional and classic, including the typical cuts of pasta like pappardelle and sauces like amatriciana. 3.) The Bolognese sauce had the exact level of sweetness that surprised me in Italy, because it reminded me of Chef Boyardi as a kid. I thought it was silly at first, until more dishes in Italy shared this sweetness in the Bolognese sauces. The secret? San Marzano tomatoes. 4.) What restaurant has an Italian guy playing Napoli music from the 1950s? I digress. 5.) The pizzas here are the original Napoli style, how they were invented. No pies, no coal fire, not thick crust or thin...but traditional. Real pizze. I could go on with more, but I hope I can rest my case (and fingers). I am so excited to have discovered this restaurant tonight and will absolutely be back. The service, quality of food, environment...completely unpredicted in this somewhat rundown shopping plaza. If you're a fan of Italian food...real Italian food, clear your calendar for the evening and come check this place out. You will be happy you did! See you there. ;-)

    (5)
  • Rachelle I.

    We came in and sat at the bar. They've definitely got the regulars that come in, those who look for authentic Italian cuisine. Plays the classics while I enjoyed my favorite sweet red wine that they serve! Such a great surprise!

    (4)
  • Sarah C.

    Loved it. Was here on a business trip and originally came to the plaza to dine at a different restaurant then decided I was craving a nice glass of wine with lunch so popped over to Frescos. Authentic Italian restaurant with a perfect atmosphere for what I was looking for. Enjoyed the Italian Misto sandwhich with salad -- was great (and largely portioned). Service was friendly. Highly recommend if looking for a true Italian restaurant in the area!

    (5)
  • Dominic T.

    This review is long over due. I've been back to this place too many times to count since our first visit months ago. My wife found this place by searching for places to eat at around us. We have always seen this place but never thought about eating here. This place is truly a diamond in the rough. You wouldn't think much of the place when pulling up to it or from the strip mall that it's in, but the food and atmosphere is great. As far as the food my wife usually gets the Bolognese or Chicken Marsala which she loves both. I usually get one of their fresh made pizzas, usually the Fresco. We never leave without getting the Tiramisu, it is truly the best I've ever had!! Make sure it try it! We will continue to eat here every couple weeks, so glad we were able to find this place!

    (5)
  • Vicky C.

    My first review! During my trip to Orlando, Florida I came across this amazing italian restaurant while on the way home from universal studios :) The food is very authentic and tastes absolutely delicious! I ordered the Zuppa de Pesce which is a seafood stew with tomato broth over your choice of linguine, risotto, or just broth (I chose risotto). My parents ordered the chicken parm and the quattro stagioni pizza. My only critique of my dish would be that it was just a little on the salty side, not sure if it was the broth or the risotto because I ate everything together .-. but the flavor was definitely there, you could tell the seafood was fresh because everything was tender and not chewy. I tasted a little bit of the mashed potatoes from the chicken parm entree and it tasted like those boxed instant mashed potato flakes(the texture had that starchy dryness), it was also a yellow color; not sure if it was the color of the potato or if it was butter or spices but the mashed potatoes were definitely nothing special. The pizza came out perfect and piping hot. As you picked up a slice of the pizza the hot gooey cheese would just stretch like a string(you get the picture), flavor wise- the pizza as a whole was okay, not for my palate. The ambience is good, perfect for a romantic dinner, the bathrooms are clean, and the service is great. Our server was very attentive and came to check on us every so often and had no problem at all catering to our every need. This place is a must-try if you're in the area even if it is a little pricey (what italian place isn't pricey?) the food is definitely worth coming back for!

    (4)
  • Noel A.

    Amazing! We were on vacation with the kids and another family to the theme parks. We found this restaurant on Yelp. The reviews are right on! My group is accustomed to gulf Coast cooking and new Orleans cooking. You know how good OUR food is! THIS restaurant had everyone one of us non stop chewing and in awe! We couldn't even stop to take a picture of our food! We eat out often and in nice restaurants. I usually do NOT care for italian food... people have told me that is just because i haven't had 'real' italian food. I will have to revise my statement. I LOVE authentic italian food.... such as the food here! We will return to the same hotel just so we are next to this restaurant!

    (5)
  • 32819 Resident S.

    Make "Time" to go. Best Italian food in town.

    (5)
  • Jessica W.

    This place is the best Italian restaurant in Orlando hands down. After all the chain restaurants it is so nice to find a restaurant that serves authentic cuisine. We had my grandmother's 90th birthday here last year. It was such a nice time. The owners worked with us directly to pull it off. The food was exceptional as was the service. Don't waste your time going to other chain restaurants when Fresco is available. Make sure to get a reservation, although the bar dining is pretty great too. You can even watch a game at the bar!

    (5)
  • Russell A.

    Food is authentic Italian. You can tell a lot of love goes into he food and prep. Be sure to check out the dessert menu. Nutella cheesecake....need I say more?!

    (5)
  • Cynthia P.

    Wow what an amazing find. Tucked in a back corner of a shopping center next to Gold's Gym (you will need the membership to the gym for after), is the best Italian food I have found in Orlando. Ask your server for their favorites they give great recommendations. My friend had the pear gnocchi (amazing) and I had I believe a truffle dish. The wine list is amazing, an excellent selection at reasonable prices. Seems like a Rez is needed as even on a weekday evening it was packed. I left so happy and stuffed I couldn't leave anything behind. Do yourself a favor and go I promise no disappointments.

    (5)
  • Jason H.

    This place was excellent. Great food AND service! I highly recommend the Sacchetti Tartufo (Pocket flower pasta stuffed with truffle cheese & served with a mushroom creamy white sauce). It's so good! Just a heads up though, don't expect giant American portion sizes. Also, if you plan to come on the weekend make a reservation. We went on a Tuesday night and the place was pretty busy so I'd expect on a Friday they'll be slammed.

    (5)
  • Hue N.

    Best place to have Italian food in Orlando, I've lived here my whole life and am upset at myself for not going sooner.

    (5)
  • Lola B.

    Wow !! Pleasantly surprised !! Just ate at Fresco Cucina Italian. Excellent food . The best Italian restaurant on Turkey Lake Rd definitely a hidden gem. It tastes just like homemade Italian food..!

    (5)
  • C O.

    Excellent! If Ricardo offers a suggestion on how to make your meal even better listen to him. We found this restaurant on Yelp while traveling. I will make a point of eating at Fresco Cucina again.

    (5)
  • Cyrus P.

    The food is okay. Nothing to rave about. The staff was cordial. The price was moderate. The experience was dull. If I need to complain, it would be the small things. They forgot to bring my water. I asked them twice. They didn't ask if I wanted more wine. While the restaurant wasn't busy, they sat me next to small Russian family with noisy kids playing on their I-Pad. My table was next to 5 foot wall which divided the main dining room and the kitchen/prepping area. The waitress has the nerve to place dirty dishes on top of the ledge near my table. I guess they were tired to carry the plates around the corner and set them on the other side of the wall. Overall, the food is good. Something I can do at home, but I wanted to drive 30 minutes through traffic and spend 60 bucks for mediocre food (sarcasm). Lol I love to dine out. I don't mind spending the money. I expect to experience a memorable dinner which will bring me back for more; anywhere but here. Lol If you want a true Italian restaurant in Orlando, may I recommend Ciao Italia Restorante near Sea World for a casual atmosphere, or go to Vincenzo on I-Drive for semi-formal Italian affair.

    (3)
  • Miriam G.

    I am a New Yorker! Spoiled rotten when it comes to good food! This place is amazing! The stuffed mushroom were ridiculous and so was the mushroom risotto. I am in haven! Thank you! Sat by bar and Kim, the bartender, kept me company! Great food and great conversation!!!! Cant wait to bring my husband here!!!

    (5)
  • Jarrod C.

    Overall = Meh Are you looking for Italian dining in the I-Drive / Sand Lake / Dr. Phillips area? I would suggest Del Monico's (International Drive and Westwood) over Fresco's. The service was sub par, partly because the four top table behind us had the owner of Graffiti Junktion (another local Orlando restaurant) at it. Fresco's manager spent the majority of his time placating to them. Seriously we only had a waiter come over to the table of four times. Take drink order, bring bread/take order, bring food/ refill drinks, and clear table/bill. That was it.... Bare minimum service. The food quality was a 6 out of 10. I had the clam linguini and it was a decent size, but very salty. Part of this is to be expected, but definitely more than your usual. The clams were nice and clean though, plus the linguini was nice and firm. My wife ordered a pear and gorgonzola pasta (at the suggestion of a previous yelp reviewer) and it was delicious. Just be prepared the portion was quite small. This is fine with us as we are light eaters, but it was much smaller than your typical Italian/american plate. All in all, okay.... But pricy

    (3)
  • Coralis T.

    The only thing I regreat about this is... Not finding this restaurant earlier!!!!! The food and service were amazing! Ricardo (our server) was so friendly and informative about the dishes and he made us laugh the entire night lol.. We cannot wait to go back... My husband and I had a very romantic night... It took us back to our honeymoon in Europe and reminded us why we love Italy and the food so much! Grazie

    (5)
  • Luis G.

    Make sure you make reservations ahead of time , it is almost impossible to get in if you don't ( or you would have to wait for a long while). The food and service is OUTSTANDING, everything pretty much on the menu is very good. Ask the servers for their most popular items and you won't go wrong if you can't make up your mind on what to order.

    (5)
  • Nancy M.

    This was our first visit and we were very impressed. The Calamari appetizer was light crisp and tasty. My Bucatini all.Amatriciana was excellent, pasta was al dense and the sauce was extraordinarily fresh tasting. My husband had Lasagna and it also exceeded our expectations. We are not easily wowed, but we will definitely be back to Frescos.

    (5)
  • Gina M.

    Some of the best Italian food you can find in Orlando, hands down. My family and I have been coming here for awhile now. The owners are very friendly and hands on, which I appreciate and respect. The staff is great, always helpful and on top of things. Food is fresh and delicious. We always have an awesome time when we come here! Totally deserving of 5 stars.

    (5)
  • Jackie K.

    I was not expecting much because of where I was (near theme parks in an area I do not see as having good food) and it was really good (thanks yelpers!) The panzanella salad, caesar salad, and pear/gorgonzola pasta dish were exceptional. Good ingredients and nice flavors. Sometimes Italian restaurants just put on tons of cheese and oil to mask the bland good but that was not the case here. The cheese ravioli was good too and my aunt liked her veal. I would come back if I am ever back in the area. Do not let the Kmart next door deter you---it is good. Service was great too.

    (5)
  • Annette H.

    Check out Fresco restaurant's new location. They moved next door to the Gold's Gym on Turkey Lake Road, directly across the parking lot from the PGA Superstore. It is now Bright and inviting. Has an Excellent wine selection. And a LaCordon Bleu chef in the kitchen. A neighborhood gem with tons of regulars. Myself and neighbors included. The food is truly remarkable.

    (5)
  • Shevlin P.

    I have nothing against hidden gems in shopping centers -- in fact, I have some favorites next to a public or in this instance next to a Golds Gym! The place was filled with happy people and had great live entertainment. We got a perfect table towards the back so we could hear and see the dancing but could also speak without raising our voices so it was going well. Our server was knowledgable and the owner checked in on us throughout our meal. I could have ordered everything on the menu because I kept seeing truffle this and fresh mozzarella that and burrata and the list goes on of all the delicious ingredients. So we started with the bread and dipping o/v which was great. We ordered the Fritto Misto with the most amazing lightly fried grouper (I thought it was a sea scallop) I have ever had with perfect marinara. We had meatballs which were good. And for our entree we created our own margarita pizza with the Sopressata added, highly recommend! But my favorite thing was the Fiocchetti Pear which were little balls of heaven stuffed with mascarpone Gorgonzola and pear topped with vodka sauce I could bathe in. I was shocked when the bill was under $60 for what I consider the best meal I've had in a long time. I will dream about the pasta dish and can guarantee I will be back soon.

    (5)
  • Douglas S.

    Delicious food. In a strip mall but, again, don't let the location fool you. Delicious margarita pizza. Italian chicken soup is homemade. Excellent food!!!

    (5)
  • Leonidas P.

    What a great a little Italian joint. Modern, quaint, friendly, with great service and authentic food. Prosciutto wrapped mozzarella was surprisingly good, sausage and the sauce had just the right amount of spiciness, but meatball unfortunately was bland and dry. My lasagna was delicious, my wife's warm goat cheese salad amazing and my daughter loved her fettuccine Alfredo with chicken. We were sat immediately and waited on promptly. However, we had to ask for a wine list, which seemed strange for a restaurant with a huge wine list and a full bar. Wish they had more wine choices by the glass. Definitely a hidden gem of Dr. Phillips.

    (4)
  • Jon B.

    Fresh pasta and bread. Surprised us on all fronts. Goat cheese salad was enjoyed by the whole family. Balsamic was well balanced. Not sour at all. Everyone loved the pasta. Very reasonably priced.

    (4)
  • Dustin D.

    After reading all of the awesome reviews, my wife and I were very excited to visit as we live literally right down the street. Fresco is located in an up and coming shopping center right off of Sandlake Rd in the Dr. Phillips area. We arrived and weren't greeted immediately and were surprised as it was an early, less busy Thursday night. The bartender ended up asking us if we wanted a table for two and since she seemed to the be the most friendly person so far, we decided to sit at the bar. I'm not sure if she just found out bad news about something but she just "wasn't there" mentally. No engagement, no excitement about the menu. Just blah. She also didn't know much about the menu even though she said she had been there since December! Really? We ordered the Italian Wedding soup and Caprese to start and they were both fresh and homemade. We didn't get 25% of the way through and our meals came in on top of them. At this point, we had a bad taste in our mouths about the whole experience. I ordered the Chicken Piccata and she got the Chicken Parm. Both were fresh and above average but it really was ruined by our overall experience. I'm never one to write off a restaurant due to ONE experience so we will most likely give this place another try in the near future. When you're so close to SO MANY restaurants in the area, you really need to be on point all or most of the time or find staff that wants to be there at the least.

    (2)
  • Christina C.

    Chicken Marsala was best I ever had, caesar salad was a little salty. This is a cute place that if you blink you would miss it. It is at the back of a Kmart parking lot. Look for the Gold's Gym or Kmart, because if you are on the lookout for the Fresco sign, you will not see it. We drove past the parking lot twice! Obviously, parking is not an issue here. The interior is really cute and pretty spacious. It was not hard to get a table on a Friday night. They have a great wine selection. I would consider this a top notch date spot. I got the caesar salad for my main and boy is it big. You can choose it with or without anchovies. Normally I love anchovies, but the sauce is kind of salty too, so put it all together and it was too salty for me. If you do not want a meal side caesar salad, make sure you specify you want a side caesar salad. My fiance got the Chicken Marsala and it was fantastic. Best I have ever tasted. The sauce was absolutely amazing. He demolished it and wanted more. The server was great and handled our table of 10 with ease. This is definitely a spot to check out when you are in Orlando.

    (4)
  • Katlyn J.

    Italy in Orlando! Beautiful setting, from the table setting to the soft Italian music. Excellent wine selection, and nothing overpriced. Staff is polite and service is top notch as well.

    (5)
  • Frank K.

    Had the Carbonara and was disappointed. Dry, virtually no sauce, tasted like I was having leftovers. Uniquely served with an over easy egg on top. Egg was cooked too fast to the point the edges were crisped.

    (2)
  • Carlos V.

    I was going to be in the Dr. Phillips area and I wanted Italian food. Specifically Chicken Piccata, which is why I came here after reading some good reviews about the place. The location is off of the I-4 Sand Lake exit. Take the West exit, then a right turn on Turkey Lake Rd, and then you should easily see the Kmart shopping plaza on the right side, along I-4. We arrived a little after 6 and there were relatively few people there, so we were seated right away. The waiter, who I felt was also the manager or owner, had a tough Italian exterior to him, but was very nice and welcoming. Everything came out very quick. My wife and I both ordered a glass of their house Montepulciano. It was good, but I felt the $7 price a little high for a glass of house wine, when the entire bottle probably didn't cost them more than $10 or $15. For an appetizer, we ordered the Bruschetta with mushrooms. The bread had some burnt streaks on it, so was hard to enjoy fully ( I noticed in another review that they had slightly burnt bread too). The free bread they gave us had no issues though ( I would have rather had this bread, then the different Bruschetta bread they offered). As I mentioned, I ordered the Chicken Piccata with its normal sides, potatoes and veggies. It was ok. The Piccata sauce was a creamier version. I tend to like a more olive oil based version. I really did like the sliced veggies, which were zucchini and summer squash, and the garlic mashed potatoes. For dessert they had many options. I originally wanted the Tiramisu, but it wasn't ready yet. I'm not complaining about that, since they were making it fresh and we were there for an early dinner. Instead, he recommended about 5 other desserts, and we chose the Italian Lemon Torte. It was delicious!!! I would go back just for that! I think it was the dessert of the day though, because I don't see it on their online menu. Overall, even though the atmosphere and staff were friendly, I felt the prices weren't warranted for a place I thought was just a little above average. I keep thinking that maybe because they had a full liquor bar, their liquor license brought their prices up, or maybe being in the Dr Phillips area did.

    (3)
  • Dania U.

    Best service and food. My husband and I had the pizza, lobster ravioli, meatballs, and some dish the owner suggested. It was all wonderful and will be going back! Highly recommend this place!

    (5)
  • Miguel S.

    Awesome real Italian food. This is no Olive Garden. Best Pomodoro sauce I had in a while. The Arancini is to die for. You should definitely go there.

    (5)
  • Fran A.

    I asked for special order on the gnocchi and it came out perfect. Nice atmosphere and live music. The waitstaff was awesome. We also split a mushroom pizza as an appetizer and it was excellent. Very nice large wine list. Who would've thought a small restaurant in the strip mall would be so good And the prices are a lot better than at the resorts. Carbonara was excellent and made the way it's supposed to be. Full bar. Very cozy.

    (4)
  • Stephanie M.

    Best italian food ever! Fresh bread and fresh herbs in olive oil. Soup and salad excellent. Had creme Brule that was as good as I have ever tasted. Good family atmosphere. Locals know about this but not the tourists!

    (5)
  • Jackie R.

    I'm visiting from NYC. My brother who lives in Orlando told me about this new, great, hidden gem of a restaurant! My sister in-law was raving about it!! First I was skeptical.... but when my carbonara dish came I was blown away! The flavor is devine! I'm not Italian but the flavor tasted authentic. It's delicioso!! I like my carbonara not too creamy or saucy...this was a light, dry sauce with delicious pancetta and fresh herbs. I want to go back soon to try the pasta vongole. Thank you for a great dining experience!

    (4)
  • Martin C.

    The best Italian food in Florida !! I take my Italian food very seriously, I moved down from New York about five years ago and it has been very hard to find good Italian food. I have tried many places and have found some very good restaurants in Florida but fresco is by far the best....Service is great and they recently moved into a new larger location... If you have not been to fresco do yourself a favor and go there for the best Italian meal you've ever had !!

    (5)
  • Gusty W.

    With the amount of "So Called" Italian restaurants here on Orlando this by far is the best! The food is cooked to perfection and everything is fresh. Linguine with clam sauce , Pappardelle with meat sauce , or Mussels in red sauce you won't go wrong. Forget the massive chain restaurants where everything is cooked in some central kitchen and shipped to the various locations. (Ever wonder why the food tastes exactly the same no matter what state you eat in). You must try this, you won't regret it.

    (5)
  • Nick W.

    One of the best restaurants in the area. A family place where the food and service was excellent. One of the best gnocchi I have ever had. Decently worth the trip!

    (4)
  • Paola J.

    I found this place on yelp while searching for a casual Italian dinner place. I was skeptical when I drove up as it's in an old walmart shopping center and hard to find. It looked nondescript from the parking lot. Boy was I pleasantly surprised? Excellent food and great value. The pizza is delicious, and authentic to Naples as they claim. Menu is big and they give you the option of getting any pasta as a side with an entree for $2+. We were all very happy with the food. Service was fast and friendly too. Would def recommend! A great escape at the end of a crazy chaotic theme park day.

    (4)
  • William W.

    This was our third visit to Fresco's over the past 3 years. We love it and will go back later this week. The menu is interesting, the quality very high, the service skilled and attentive. We loved the Caesar salad, the pear salad, the risotto, the orichietti, the gnocchi, the cappuccino. It is one exit south of Universal on I-4. To think that Olive Garden is packed when there are open tables at a gem like this!

    (5)
  • Edward W.

    3.75 stars. Fresco's is hard to find. Your gps will probably take you to the office park next door, but if you see a KMart shopping center, forget the gps, pull in, drive to the back, and there you'll find Fresco's. This is solid, family style Italian fare served by friendly staff at reasonable prices. Pasta Fagiole is rich with pasta and beans and very tasty. Tagliatelle Bolognese is a classic version of the dish that I liked very much, though was that thyme that I tasted in the sauce? Maybe a little heavy handed on this herb, but otherwise this was a great meal. Located in a strip center, ambience is nice with a bar up front at the entry, and the dining room is located just beyond the bar area. Mangia Fresco!

    (4)
  • Jennifer G.

    Really good, really fresh, really reasonably priced authentic Italian food. My beef Carpaccio was topped with fresh arugula and tomato - Fresh being an important word here. Wine prices were on the Meh side ($35 for a grocery store $8 bottle of pinot Grigio? ) but food prices were very reasonable and the quality was great. My Carpaccio was thinly sliced pieces of high quality (raw) beef. I come from a cattle-raising family and could only compliment this meat.

    (4)
  • Mickey G.

    Delicious local spot for great Italian! Everything seems to be homemade. Always the same staff so it feels more personal when I arrive. Best pizza, best pasta, best everything!

    (5)
  • Benson S.

    This place is in a weird location, the decor is kind of weird, and it kind of just has this weird vibe to the entire place. However, the foods rocks. It's excellent. Flavorful, lots of garlic, and not watered down for American tastes like many places do. My Father is Italian and I grew up eating Italian foods all the time, so I do know a bit about authentic Italian cuisine. The Seafood Risotto really stood out, but the entire meal was very good. I found it like many others did, by reading the reviews on line.

    (4)
  • Jason C.

    Well the anticipation is over. Highly recommend. Ask for Ricardo. He moved from Italy. Great guy and wants to make sure you get something you like. Good was great. Only complaint was I got the Lobster Ravioli and one was a bit cold in the middle. Give this place a shot. I hear they do a good lunch too.

    (4)
  • Jerry M.

    Food and service were good. The dessert was my favorite!

    (4)
  • Hot_test1 C.

    OMFG! I ordered the shrimp Alfredo to go and this is the best shrimp Alfredo in Orlando! The fettucine creamy Alfredo egg noodles was ridiculous! Like I can't even! The shrimp was butterflied big juicy seasoned shrimps in the perfectly al-dente noodle cream sauce. I am a shrimp Alfredo addict so I pretty much know what's a dream come true.. I cannot WAIT to order again!

    (5)
  • Alvaro D.

    Everything is great at this restaurant! Starting from the owners, who are the ones running the restaurant and giving you a great service and an incredible meal! The food is fresh and it shows on the flavors and presentation! A must try and definitely a place to be a regular!

    (5)
  • Lauren G.

    I only had the Ceasar salad and carpaccio...and the carpaccio was out of this world. It was so good, I ordered a second as my meal. The atmosphere is nice, it wasn't very crowded at lunch - like 4 other tables. But the carpaccio is memorable.

    (5)
  • Laurie Y.

    An excellent, authentic family owned Italian restaurant in an eclectic, unimpressive strip center... Old Kmart next door and hookah bar across the parking lot. The sounds of Sinatra set the tone as walked thru the door. We're a family of New Yorkers and New Englanders and this meal ranks as a top choice for quality, price and authenticity. The Antipasto platter as a starter for the table was a winner and all our entrees - chicken Marsala, eggplant parm and chicken with artichokes were all fantastic. The only reason I'm not giving it five stars was b/c service could have been tighter. Overall a very nice family meal... And half of what it would have cost for something not as good at one of the properties.

    (4)
  • Eric E.

    Too bad I did not find this place sooner. Read the reviews and believe them. Service at first is standoff-ish, then gets better. We had the stuffed mushrooms and the chicken and artichoke dish...EXCELLENT It's not that hard to find, folks...check it out.

    (5)
  • Bryan B.

    Very high quality. Weird location but once you find it you are in for a real treat. Seriously this place is special family owned operated and you will not be disappointed.

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:30 am - 10

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : Yes
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Good For Dancing : No
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Happy Hour : Yes
    Best Nights : Tue, Fri, Sat
    Coat Check : No
    Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Categories

Italian Cuisine

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.

Fresco Cucina Italiana

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