Christiano’s
4942 Hwy 98, Santa Rosa Beach, FL, 32459
Christiano’s Menu
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Address :
4942 Hwy 98
Santa Rosa Beach, FL, 32459 - Phone (850) 267-2185
- Website https://www.meatballsrb.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:00 pm - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
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 : Quiet
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
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.
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
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Randy S.
We've been coming to Santa Rosa for several years but this is the first time we tried Christiano's, which just became my new favorite restaurant in the area. Great food and great service! Highly recommend it!
(5)Robert J.
We were a party of eight and each of us ordered something different--from appetizers to pizza to pasta to red snapper. The portions were quite generous and everyone loved their food. Our waitress was very friendly and both owners visited our table and made us feel welcomed. Half of us saved enough room for desserts and they were delicious as well. If you like key lime pie, be sure to save room for a piece!
(5)Leighanne L.
Thank you Yelp! We loved the service, the food and the atmosphere Destin needs more resturants like this one. Our friends from Pittsburg were with us and enjoyed the fact that the chef is a huge Steelers Fan! The food was wonderful and the deserts we loved! We will definitely be back!
(5)Sundy G.
This place was amazing. We showed up at 7pm without a reservation. The hostess was initially concerned but they made it happen. We had a party of 6. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. I ordered the Cesar salad which was very delicious and on par with my standards of a Cesar salad. I also ordered the triggerfish, which is a white flaky fish, sautéed in a brown butter sauce with tomatoes and capers. It was amazing! My son had a few bites and was sold. He wants to go back all week! Last we irdered the tirAmisu, of course. It was authentic, homemade, and very tasty. All in all you can expect A great atmosphere, very friendly, excellent food and top notch service.
(5)Jill M.
We stopped here after trying 2 other restaurants out one night that we changed our minds about. We figured, you can't go wrong with Italian, and we were right! Our server was very friendly, and the chef/owner came by and chatted with us for awhile, which was nice as well. We are used to the amazing selection of Italian restaurants in St. Louis, and we thought Christiano's could be right up there with the "big" restaurants! Our only suggestion was that they add toasted ravioli to the menu :)
(4)Alyssa M.
We were very nervous to take a family of Italians to this restaurant that we had never been to but only read about on the internet. The reviews on every site we looked at were stellar so we threw caution to wind and headed over. Don't be put off by the strip shopping mall locale. Christiano's is clean, bright and large on the inside. We went here for dinner with a group of 7 and not one person had a single complaint about any part of the meal. The service was excellent all the way around with the chef even coming out to say "hello". I would highly recommend the Triggerfish Meuniere and the Grouper Elizabeth. I am not a beef eater but the people in our party who ordered steaks said they were cooked to perfection. Our resident meatball connoisseur said the meatballs passed the Italian test with flying colors, a distinction she has only ever awarded to one other restaurant. Even my side of pasta marinara, something I usually assume will be awful and is there just to fill space, was spectacular. The meal was topped off by the best homemade Key Lime Pie that I've ever had. No one in our group tried the pizza but after reading the other reviews, I'm very curious. With so many overpriced, subpar restaurants in the 30-A area, Christiano's is a welcomed find and we will definitely be going back many times!
(5)Celia E.
Charming interior; warm, friendly ambience; deft, professional service. A manager at Sandestin pointed us to Christiano's--thank you! What a find! My husband had the calimari appetizer--said it was tender, hand-breaded, and perfectly cooked. I had the tomato foccacia--yummy, with lots of fresh basil chiffonade. Although the bread and olive oil & parmesan dipping sauce would have made a meal by itself. We split a Caesar salad--plenty to share--with a great, garlicky dressing and lots of fresh Parmesan. Both our entrees (Chicken Parmesan and Rene Cappelini) were excellent. Generous portions, and I could eat Chef Chris's red gravy on anything. My husband said the house Chianti was first-class. A tableside visit by Chef topped off a perfectly cooked and served meal; unfortunately, we were too stuffed to try one of the desserts. We'll definitely be back.
(5)Shaun D.
My family saw their ratings on Yelp, and went for dinner...by the end of the night we all agreed that it was the best meal experience of our vacation by far! Excellent service, delicious food, and friendly family atmosphere. You will LOVE this place!!
(5)G D.
Good food, great service. The owner greets you at the door. Their take on pasta wanders to the heavier side (esp. with the sauces), but it was good. I ordered the linguini w' white clam sauce, which should be in a simple olive oil and garlic based sauce, but their method was more of a cream base. I would return, but probably to try something else.
(3)Rico R.
Prices were not to bad. The place was Very Good but not sure if 5 stars good. maybe 4 1/2. We arrived about 15 minutes before closing, the waiter and the owner were happy to accommodate us but the hostess was not. Food was fresh and tasty, 'though it took a bit to get our food. The place is VERY classy, so, dress up and behave; at least for dinner. I definitely recommend this place if you're in the area.
(4)Marc A.
Excellent. Like many others, we ate dinner at Christiano's on our last night to the Emerald Coast, thanks to recommendations from Yelp! Al was our server and he was excellent. Knowledgeable on the menu. Excellent service. We had a big group of 8. Our table started with two appetizers, the shrimp and calamari. Both were excellent, and we're fairly picky calamari foodies. Entrees included the homemade lasagna, which Al warned was big, but nonetheless we ordered 3 of them and as advertised, didn't finish any. One reported "best lasagna I have ever had!" She's 71 by the way!! Also enjoyed the Grouper Elizabeth, which was excellent. Their marinara is sweet and tangy, without being acidic. Delicious. Great choice. Don't be fooled by strip-mall location. Once inside, it's worth it!!
(5)Susan K.
Spent the week at Destin and took my daughter and friend here for dinner our last night. I swear it is the best Italian food I think I have ever eaten, and I have eaten in great restaurants all over the world. Do not let the strip mall location stop you from going. It is very quaint and so friendly once inside. I had the lasagna and the portion was huge. Luckily for me I was able to have it twice because of that. My daughter and her friend both ordered the cheese ravioli. Ate till they were almost sick because they said it tasted so good. I honestly cannot wait to go back there and eat again. I will most definitely make the hour and a half drive whenever I visit my parents in Pensacola just to eat there. My only regret is that my husband had to fly back to MN the night before and did not get to go!
(5)Franklin F.
Food was super good and generous portions. And after reading other reviews of the chef / owner coming to personally thanking patroons, he did it to us as well. They really take your overall dinning experience personally. Awesome experience for a foodie who originally didnt want to eat Italian at the beach.
(5)Craig N.
Just an amazing meal. From the service, to the food, to the chef coming out to talk with us and insure everything was to every one's liking. Even the side pasta with marinara sauce, normally a throwaway, was excellent and completely devoured. One of my sons insisted on Spumoni for desert. I was thinking the usual brick on a plate with bad dried fruit. What we got was an amazingly creamy ice cream with great flavor..just perfect. If you are in the Seaside/Watercolors/Destin area, this is not be missed!
(5)David K.
Excellent setting for a casual and quiet dining experience. Food was fantastic and portion sizes were large for the price paid. The service was excellent. I can't remember the last time I complimented a place on their service, but the feel good and courteous attitude of the staff was way above par and was nothing that I have had in a while. I will be back many times.
(5)Terry F.
Looking for a dinner location on a rainy Saturday evening, our first night on vacation in the 30A corridor. Saw the excellent reviews on Christiano's, so drove a bit to give it a try. Boy were we glad we did. Very nondescript exterior, in a strip center, but interior has nice traditional Italian character. Excellent, knowledgeable service staff. The food was consistently excellent. It began with the bread.....unlike most restaurant bread, this was very much worth the carbs. We had the Kobia (sp?) fish, pan seared in a delectable almandine sauce......some of the best fish I have eaten. Had never eaten this type of fish before, but it is my new favorite. Also tried the Seafood fra diavolo....very good. Ended it with the carrot cake....very flavorful....but a bit dense. We will definitely be going to Christiano's again before heading back to Ohio.
(5)Leslie A.
A perfect way to escape from the usual tourist beach madness. A welcoming hostess and pleasant decor. Wonderful authentic fresh Mediterrean fare. The grouper Elizabeth was delicious and the lobster ravioli was heavenly. An nice selection of modestly priced wines. Rosalee plays the piano and ask for Al for wonderful service with a smile. Top it off with a slice of chocolate amaretto cake. This is not a chain or franchise. The real deal family run Italian delight!
(5)Elizabeth M.
A friend and I decided to check out Christiano's one night while we were in the area on vacation, and we loved it. Don't be fooled by the strip-mall exterior; inside it's as well designed and tasteful as you'd expect it to be. The staff was friendly and knowledgable, and the chef made a point of coming by our table toward the end of our meal. I had the Shrimp Tuscana, which I loved. My friend (who's Italian-American) ordered the Seafood Fra Diavolo with the challenge, "Let's see if it's as good as what I made last week"; when she took the first bite and gave a nod of deep approval, I knew we'd picked a winner! The chocolate amaretto cake is a must, and even the bread before the meal -- still steamy from the oven and served with that yummy seasoned oil -- was just right. We'll definitely be back the next time we make it to town.
(5)Steve M.
In a strip mall but once you're inside you wouldn't know. Tastefully decorated and very calming compared to other Destin restaurant craziness. Family owned. Food is excellent and reasonably priced. Approximately $15 for an entree but the quality is much higher than you would get for $25 anywhere else in the area. No beach/ocean view but if you want to take a break and have a nice dinner from nice people for a reasonable price, go here. Not necessarily the best place for small kids. If they act up everyone in the restaurant will know. We will definitely make this an annual stop during our vacation. Note: the map function on your iphone gets the location wrong; it's actually about 1/4 mile west of where it says it should be.
(5)Van J.
We stopped here after seeing the review on Yelp. Don't miss this place if you are in the area. Awesome food- great presentation and fine service. The prices are very good as well. You can't miss if you like Italian. The atmosphere was very comfortable as well. There were 4 of us and the rating was unanimous. Can't wait to return.
(5)Frank C.
They may be a little out of the way for some vacationers in the Destin Area but this place is the best "Italiano Restaurante" in a 80 mile radius. They're family owned and operated and take pride in their product. Ok, so I may be a little bias as an Italian American with Pittsburgh roots. Or maybe you should really trust me. The calamari was very very tender and perfectly fried in a light batter. The Bada-Bing shrimp should come with an optional straw for the sauce but I can deal with fighting over the bread in order to mop it up. The dressing for the caesar salad had to be homemade. We were pretty much full after that but had ordered a tomato and basil pizza. The only thing I could complain about was that the pizza could've been cooked for maybe another minute. The crust was good but lacked the crispy snap that would make it spot on and great. The saving grace for the pie is that when we re-heated it, it was actually better than the night it was served. Overall the entire experience at Christainos was way above enjoyable, from atmosphere, service, food, value and quality. Christianos is a "go-to" place for mi familia from here on out.
(4)David B.
We had seafood all week and wanted something a little different so gave it a try. Excellent food and good service. Highly recommend.
(4)Jonathan C.
Saw this on yelp with all 5 star reviews so we gave it a chance. The five stars are well earned. The food is great and the building was clean and really neat. The bread was perfect along with the dipping oil. The lasagna was fabulous and huge. Ravioli was excellent as well. Owner and chef came out and talked with everyone. Absolutely worth the visit. The best meal we had while in Destin.
(5)Mark E.
Everything great you have read about this restaurant is true. The staff, the food, the chef are all GREAT! We (all 7 of us) are from St Louis and we know great Italian food. This is the real deal. The Grouper specialty is not to be missed and the fried zucchini is a great start. Plan to eat here often.
(5)Carter C.
I took my family to this restaurant after accidentally happening upon the consistent list of great reviews. What a wonderful spot. We will definitely go back. My mom and dad loved it - everything from the bread to the calamari to the main dish. I had the triggerfish with asparagus and steamed spinach...delicious. The service was perfect - not over the top but always there we you needed something. The owner came out at the end of the meal to visit which made for a nice final touch to the evening. I hope Christiano's stays around 30A for many years to come.
(5)Jason P.
Incredible food, atmosphere, and service. We were looking for some classic Italian dishes and left totally satisfied. A must try!
(5)Lesa T.
The best meal we had all weekend. The atmosphere was relaxed and the live music being played was a nice touch. We started with the bada bing shrimp - yum, had two baskets of the bread with spicy olive oil. The salads with house made dressings were nice and then when you think it cannot get better out come the entrees. Lasagna - two lbs of it folks, YES - leftovers for the lunch the next day, the tri-colored pasta and the fish special, we all sampled and decided it was all very good. Don't let this little gem tucked away in a strip mall fool you, go try it and I promise you will like it. At the end the chef came out to thank us for sending the accolades his way. Very nice touch. The service was outstanding as well, very nicely timed.
(5)Gary W.
Great Italiano!!!
(5)Diana W.
We have visited Christiano's on many occasions, because we have a second home in the area. We've tried the lasagne, the veal, triggerfish, grouper Elizabeth, and other specials. All were prepared perfectly. We also like the infused olive oil for the bread. The wait staff is very attentive. We plan to try the hand-tossed pizza on Wednesday and listen to jazz, before returning to Chicago, the home of many Italian eateries, but none better than Christiano's!
(5)Jodie G.
We were looking for somewhere to eat on our last night in Destin. We saw how highly rated this place was on Yelp so decided to give it a try. What a great decision that was! The food was excellent, the hostess and waiter were extremely nice and personable, and it wasn't a crowded tourist spot like most other Destin restaurants. Too bad we found it on our last night instead of our first, but we'll be back on future beach visits for sure.
(5)Manny L.
Little Italy in Beach Town! Reservations recommended! Went to dinner without and was quickly accommodated outside for a table of 8 because restaurant was ful for the evening. Owner waited on us and was just lovely. (Wife manages/ Husband chef). Meatballs were excellent along with the Triggerfish special . Wonderful experience in a local family owned restaurant . From one fan to the next, Go Steelers!!
(5)Jennifer G.
Yum! Deserves 6 stars! Great homemade pasta. Light and tasty salads, amazing hot bread. It was too bad there was just no room for dessert. Service was excellent. Could tell it was a family run restaurant. Chef owner greeted us on arrival, his wife cared for us along with the waitstaff. Hope we get back to Santa Rosa Beach so we can eat there again!
(5)Edward K.
Erroneous review printed before. This place is good and has been a reliable restaurant for us for many years. The owner is the chef and his wife is one of the Maitre D's. We have been a consistent diner here.
(4)Rick C.
My wife (100% Italian) and I both had the trigger fish - excellent! Bread was good and house wine was only $5 for a generous glass. We had Rene whose husband is the chef. Excellent service as well. Nice Italian atmosphere. Highly recommend and priced very well for the quality of the food.
(5)Shannon K.
This is our third trip to this area but only our first time going to Christiano's. We did not know what we were missing! We had a party of 8 and had reservations. Every dish served was delicious! Topped off with a carrot cake so good, my husband wanted to bring the chef home with us! If we are fortunate enough to come back here for vacation, we will certainly be back.
(5)K K.
Great food, great atmosphere. A welcome change from crowded restaurant were you can't here the person across the table. Nice adult dining, reasonable pricing and excellent service. Trigger fish was awesome so was lasagna.
(5)Sara F.
The food is devine, perfectly seasoned and beautifully presented. The atmosphere of this special Italian restaurant is elegant, and even has charming live music on Saturday nights.
(5)Ambre G.
I took my husband here for a birthday dinner and we we had a wonderful experience on every level. The decor is tasteful and the staff is very friendly. The food came out quickly and was extremely fresh and flavorful. Everything was also very reasonably priced. For a starter we ordered the insalada pomodoro. The dish was well balanced and they didn't skimp; there was a lot of food on the plate. I ordered the fettuccine alfredo and it was delicious; it was creamy and cheesy, but not so heavy that I felt insanely full afterward. I was accidently brought an order with shrimp which I had not requested. However, the waitress noticed the mistake as she went to hand it to me and she corrected it in no time at all. Thanks Lexie! My husband ordered the shrimp toscana. The shrimp were perfectly cooked, as was the asparagus. He thought it had a really good ratio of pasta to non-pasta ingredients, too. It was a very refreshing dish. Overall, everything tasted great and the atmosphere very pleasant. We will be back.
(5)Brian B.
I don't agree with the 5 Star ratings running rampant here, but this place is above average. I'd give 3.5 if possible. The welcome we received upon walking in the door was exceptional and the ambiance is very welcoming. However, our waiter was very robotic and Terminator-esque. Many Eastern Europeans are, but it doesn't bode well for the service industry. The food good but nothing outstanding. The marinara was decent and the ravioli was tasty. I did appreciate the freshly grated cheese upon request. And the bread they brought out was just right. However, when overcharging for an entree, I think a salad should be mandatorily be included. I will go back to try the pizza as that seemed to be the fan favorite.
(4)Jessamyn B.
If you like mussels, you'll LOVE theirs. Christiano himself came to speak to us. Wonderful vacation spot.
(5)Andrew B.
Looking for a five star meal, but have small children and it's vacation so who wants to pack up and go through the hassle that is getting the kids ready? This is a perfect pick up and go spot. The Elizabeth Grouper was absolutely to die for. Very friendly staff and the entire meal was cooked to perfection. A great spot to dine in or dine out make sure to try this 30a highlight of a resturant!
(5)Dallas H.
Absolutely an AMAZING experience. If you're considering going DO. Service, atmosphere, food, and prices all fantastic. CThis may be the best customer service I've ever experienced. Genuine, curious, funny, and friendly. Food exquisite and fast as well priced. Atmosphere is intimate n quite with lovely jazz music. Many small rooms sectioned off so you don't ever feel the crowd. Overall a wonderful experience!
(5)Nancy J.
Just finished yet another amazing meal here. This is THE best authentic Italian food!! Portions are huge. The lasagna is 2pounds & an amazing combo of pasta, cheese, meat & Chef Chris's signature red sauce. It is the best red sauce.....light & fresh & full of flavor. Tonight we had spaghetti & clams; eggplant parmigiana & their signature fish dish Grouper Elizabeth. All excellent! If u want a great meal go to Christianos!
(5)Brandon O.
Excellent! Baked feta has subtle flavors of olive and spices ...definitely a winner! Excellent Greek salad!
(5)Erin S.
Wow! Great food even better service. The baked feta is a must as well as the meatballs. Hopefully you are lucky enough to have Collin as your server. He was a joy. This is our new "go to" restaurant on our annual beach trip from New Orleans. You cannot go wrong here. Please do yourself a favor and eat here and often. I know we will.
(5)Mia N.
Thank you so much, Yelpers, for directing me to this amazing restaurant! My experience at Christiano's was excellent, from start to finish. Starting with the person who took my reservation over the phone. He was extremely friendly and helpful and had no problem accomodating my party of 17 people. When we arrived at the restaurant our tables were set up and everything was ready. We ordered some appetizers (mussels, seafood veloute, and calamari) and they brought out bread with a delicious garlic/spice oil dipping sauce. Out of all the appetizers, the seafood veloute (a type of cream based soup) was the best! So rich and flavorful. Of course, the other two apps were also great. I didn't get to try the calamari but I heard from my family members that it tasted really fresh. I ordered the Pasta Diavola (seafood pasta in a spicy marinara) for my entree. They weren't kidding about the spice! But I really enjoyed it. I tried a little of other people's entrees. The lasagna was good, but I definitely preferred my entree better. My sister thought her Grouper entree was a little bland, but that might have been because she ordered it without the almonds on top (she's allergic). Dessert was so awesome. I ordered the key lime pie and loved it. So light and refreshing, everything about it tasted so good! I also tried a bite of my boyfriend's carrot cake. It was heavier than I expected, but still delicious. So if you are in the area, do not hesitate to eat here. You will be so happy you did! Edited to add that they have live piano music on Friday night, which we really enjoyed.
(5)John B.
Oddly, it's in a strip mall, but nicely decorated and good ambience inside. Excellent service every time. Delicious classical Itslian food. Beef ravioli, mussels in marinara, ribeye steak, rack of lamb - all great! Even the pizzas are awesome! Don't forget to save room for the spumoni. Very tasty and enough to share. We love this restaurant!
(5)Dz B.
Pizza is the best on the beach. I have never dined in, but the service is friendly and courteous.
(5)Laura D.
This restaurant is delicious. Random location in the middle of a strip mall but good ambience with a live pianist who played American standards to accompany our meal. Tasty Cesar and yummy bread with aromatic olive oil. Gigantic portions but everyone at our table loved their meal! Highly recommend for a night when you are tired of fried shrimp and fries.
(5)Rosy E.
We were visiting from out of town and found this restaurant on Yelp, it is one of the best I have ever ate. It has a great atmosphere, excellent service, and the food was exquisite. We highly recommend this place, we will definitely come back next time we are in town.
(5)Rob P.
This is true gem of a restaurant. Though it's located in strip mall you forget when you walk in. Staff and service very good. The food is excellent. I had the lasagna which really is a meal for two. Fresh sausage with fennel which make all the difference. The key lime pie is fantastic as well. The house Chianti from Melini is fantastic. A must eat when in the area.
(5)Brian B.
Found Christiano's on Yelp and went there based on the review. Was not disappointed. We had a sausage & pepperoni pizza, eggplant parmesan, lasagna, and the shrimp tuscana. All were excellent but the shrimp tuscana was to die for.
(5)Larry M.
Awesome. If u go home hungry it's your own fault. Lasagna is huge and delicious. Pizza is top notch .
(5)Stacey B.
Great Italian restaurant with traditional options. Service was great, atmosphere was casual and friendly and most importantly food was exceptional. A must try!
(5)Julie M.
Don't visit the Destin, Seaside, Grayton Beach area without dining here. Call ahead and make a reservation. It's packed regardless of the season. Don't judge a book by its cover. You won't eat finer Italian anywhere. Menu has everyone's taste covered...seafood, pizza, meat, veggie, pasta and salads. Listen to your waiter. He will clue you in on what to order.
(5)Grant D.
The food was absolutely amazing, as well as the service. Lucas was our server and he was great. You can really tell that the food is made from scratch. Would recommend that you don't miss this place!
(5)Dan O.
Dinner was excellent. The chef owner and his wife came out to visit with the guests. The food was well prepared and the portions were large! Appetizer of zucchini Ernesto was very tasty. Main dishes chicken parmigiana and eggplant parmigiana were both superb! And after the meal we tried the chocolate amaretto cake they make in house. Oh my ... Hard not to lick the plate! We will return here on next visit to the area!
(5)Brian L.
My wife and I tried this restaurant based solely off of yelp reviews. We started off with the mussels appetizer with the white sauce. It is good that they provide a hearty foccacia bread... You will want to make sure to sop up all of the white sauce, it is incredible. My wife then got a house salad, which was very crisp and fresh. For the entree, I had the rack of lamb and she had the seafood in pasta with a spicy red sauce. Don't really know what they could have done to make either dish better - these were well composed dishes. I'd recommend either getting there earlier (5:45 was fine) or making a reservation. Would definitely come back on our next trip here.
(5)Judy S.
Delicious food, great wait staff, reasonable prices in this family owned restaurant. We are visitors from out of state and we found this place online and were in the mood for an Italian dinner, so decided to try it out. Air conditioned, but didn't need a parka to sit in there. Live music on this Saturday evening that added a nice touch to our experience. Too bad it's over 3000 miles from home!
(5)Karen W.
I'm sorry but I don't know what all the hype is about. The good was average, nothing extraordinary. The best part of our meal was the bread with oil, which was delicious. The baked feta and olive was so salty it was almost inedible. Calamari was okay. Eggplant parm left a lot to be desired. It's too bad after reading all the other reviews but this place just did not leave us feeling satisfied.
(3)Taylor H.
Had the salmon and it was great. Tons of flavor. Complimentary bread was fresh and tasted great too.
(5)Bliss R.
Cozy environment, very friendly service. Food was delicious!! We recommend this for a nice night out!! :) we had grouper Elizabeth and rack of lamb.
(5)Shelby A.
Our family decided to eat dinner at Christiano's as a last minute decision on April 3rd. It exceeded our expectations! I had the Greek salad and added the fish (Mahi Mahi) on top, it was fantastic!! everything was fresh, and the dressing was delicious! My husband had the grouper and loved it...though our son wasn't in the mood for Italian food, his chicken tenders and fries were really good! (nice option for kids who may be picky). While waiting for our food, we were able to see the food being served to other tables, the lasagna looked amazing as did the pizzas FYI!! Atmosphere was relaxing and comfortable! Service was great! We will definitely be back!!!
(5)Cheryl G.
We loved it! Service was great , food wonderful, and loved the entertainment! You cannot go wrong with anything on this menu! We had 6 adults in our party and ordered a variety of things and there were no complaints! If you have to, take your leftovers home , but be sure to have dessert! We had carrot cake, chocolate amaretto cake and tiramisu . All good!
(5)Mr G.
I'm telling you, it's slim pickins on *actual* good food in Destin that you can take your family to. We got a tip from someone who has been coming to Destin for something like 30 years, and we were very glad to have gotten it. Thankfully, our kids behaved very well and everything went smooth. The food was very good, and the waitstaff were sweet and attentive. My only gripe, which is a small one, is that the decor felt kind of 1980's, and not in a good way .. hard to describe, but a design update could be in order .. would make it amazing!
(4)Ashley W.
I've never posted a review on Yelp before but this place was so good I just had to do it. My husband and I went because I was craving Italian + seafood and yelp seemed to think it was a good place. Boy were they right! Started with the Zuppa Squisito which was very tasty (as was the bread). But the real winner was the fettuccine Alfredo with shrimp. Best I've had anywhere (and my family is Italian so I have high standards. None of that Olive Garden crap!) We enjoyed it so much that we wanted to go back on our last night in Destin. Unfortunately, they are closed on Sundays.
(5)Chris H.
We spent over a week in the Destin area looking for good affordable food. Wow, this place knocked my socks off. I had the lasagna . My wife had the Mahi and loved it. The kids had shrimp Alfredo and chicken Alfredo and was happy with what they had. There is nothing I can think to say that is negative from the outside you would not guess his hidden gem is there.
(5)Justin B.
A+ all around. The food was fantastic as was the service and atmosphere. Our waiter Tyson was personable, professional, and great with our kids. You can tell this is a true family operated establishment and that great care is taken in the food preparation as well as the service. The menu had both traditional Italian selections as well as gourmet-quality local seafood selections. My wife had a fantastic plate of Manicotti and I thoroughly enjoyed the Grouper Elizabeth (their signature dish). Judging by the crowd steadily flowing in the door after six o'clock on a Tuesday, Christiano's is a true local gem.
(5)Griffin B.
For Destin eateries this deserves 5 stars! We walked right in and sat down without waiting. The atmosphere was very nice, they had a live pianist playing which added a lot to the dinner. I had eggplant Parmesan which was delicious. Our waitress was very nice and attentive to our table as well. My dinner was only $13! For Destin food prices I thought this was a great price. This place was much nicer than an Olive Garden but had very similar prices. I'd come back again and recommend them for sure!!!
(5)Jesse M.
First off -- thanks Yelp'ers for the recommendations and reviews of this little mom and pop Italian bistro. We would never have found it without you, as Christiano's is located a few miles outside of Destin, and tucked away in a strip mall off 98. Don't let that hold you back... As most of the reviews have mentioned, the service is simply great. We were met at the door by chef Chris (owner) -- probably less an accident than we had reservations on a slow night, but still a nice touch. Service continued to be great throughout the evening, with our server Al offering recommendations and chatting up my 7 year old about his '63 toy corvette car. The food was also very good. Not quite 5 star worthy, but definitely homemade and very tasty. A few standouts... - Greek salad - loved every bite, tasty dressing, ample heat in the peppers - Lasagna - ordered this based on Yelp'ers reviews (thanks again). Loved the fresh, rich red sauce. Should be listed as family sized, as you could share with two adults easily (or a table of your minions) - Rack of Lamb - not our typical choice at an Italian joint, but it was a chef favorite. Well prepared and good size chops. Sides were good but nothing notable. ---- Key lime pie- probably the best thing we tried all night. Perfect tartness, smooth, great crust. Definitely worthy of the rave reviews.
(4)Scott E.
THE BEST Italian food around - hands down!!! By looking at the exterior in a strip mall you wouldn't think much of it. Interior is very comfortable and the service is over the top incredible. We've had Ed as a server a couple times and he is the best. We brought friends last time and we were all sampling each others food - I had the tortaleni in a creamy Alfredo sauce. You mush try their shrimp and crawfish soup. Our friend had the lasagna (which was about a half a pan - huge!) They make all their own sauces...everything is homemade. It your disappointed, you ca write me back and chew me out, but I'm sure you'll be thanking me instead for letting you in on this best kept secret. Scott
(5)Elizabeth D.
Cute little place to take the family! Great service, enjoyable atmosphere. Not the best, most seasoned food I've ever tasted, but it was good quality. My family was dressed pretty casually, but those around our table were fairly dressed up. It wasn't awkward for us!
(4)Therealladyof L.
I wasn't hungry when we came here for dinner, and the plan was to box my dinner. So I ordered the Seafood Fra Diavolo. I finished it all. None left for the next day.
(4)John P.
Zuppa is outstanding. Super Caesar salad. Friendly staff. Lasagne is 2lbs. Get there early if you want the fresh fish. Good prices.
(4)Gillian H.
We were intrigued at the concept of such a highly rated Italian restaurant in a strip mall in Santa Rosa Beach .. so we made a reservation. Came in with two families - 4 adults and 4 kids (chaos) - and enjoyed our evening. Service was wonderful though we found it a bit kitschy that our waiter pointed out several times that Christiano's was the "#1 ranked Yelp! restaurant" and the "#1 ranked Trip Advisor restaurant" for the area .. yah, we knew, we researched. That piece aside, he was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and we enjoyed his company. We ate all over the menu; yes, the red sauce is good, but it isn't best-ever. I had the chicken parm, which came out kind of burnt. I ate around the burns and enjoyed the sauce. My caprese would have been better if the balsamic (drowning) would have come on the side. Everyone else at the table enjoyed their meals and dessert. This was kind of one of those "we came, we saw, we ate at the strip mall #1 Italian restaurant" kind of moments .. it was good, but not good enough for a return trip.
(4)Thomas B.
Simply put, absolutely awesome Italian food at a reasonable price. Large servings. Fantastic service. Deserving of all 5 stars. Reservations recommended especially on Friday/Sat nights as they are very busy.
(5)David F.
It may not look too inviting from the outside but once you get in there, you are met with a warm and welcoming relaxed atmosphere. The staff is very friendly and are super knowledgable about their menu. I personally get the shrimp Alfredo every time. I've been looking for an Italian place locally that makes their own sauces and this place is it.
(5)Robert R.
My girlfriend & I visited here at the end of the Labor Day weekend and loved it. She had the eggplant parmesan & I had the red gravy and seafood. We both really loved our dinner. Do yourself a favor and get the carrot cake for dessert. It is incredible! The service is impeccable and a visit from the owner Cristiano (Chris) made for a really nice touch. You really owe it to yourself to attend this great restaurant.
(5)Greg M.
I'm not sure what I can add that hasn't already been said. I few highlights? The bread and olive oil dipping sauce are reason enough to go, but the red sauce & meatballs on the spaghetti were amazing. Service was perfect, and a personal visit from Chris, the owner & chef, topped it off. Absolutely superb from start to finish!
(5)Denelle K.
This is THE place to visit if you are looking to get away from the long waits and crowds in Destin. We could not believe we found this gem and wished it wasn't on our last day of vacation! My husband found it from the reviews on Yelp, so I felt compelled to write my own. Everything was fantastic, from the appetizer to dessert. You must try the zucchini apps and the Greek salad is a MUST. I had the lasagna which was enough to feed a small army! My husband had an amazing shrimp tuscano, which if you love asparagus, this dish is for you. Our teenaged kids both loved their dishes, the shrimp Alfredo and the capellini. The best part about this place was the service! Everyone was so friendly. What a difference from the usual 2 hour waits and heavy crowds of the summer season in this area. Kudos, Christianos!!
(5)Peg L.
Got the meal to-go because our dogs were with us and they didn't have table service on the patio. Husband went to get the food and said the staff was nice. Together we ordered Fra Diavolo, Lasagna, Bad-a-Bing Shrimp, Chocolate Amaretto Cake and Key Lime Pie. Bad-a-Bing Shrimp - amazing; it's everything that everyone has said about it; so good you want to slurp up the sauce; if I returned I would ask if they could make an entree with it by throwing in pasta because it was that good Fra Diavolo - the scallops were a little tough but everything was good and had a nice spicy kick to it; ate every last bit Lasagna - husband really enjoyed it Chocolate Amaretto Cake - not my thing Key Lime Pie - the best one I've had in my stay here
(5)Dillon S.
Mmmmm where do I begin? We're honeymooners and have relied on yelp for dinner ideas. We have yet to be disappointed. The Italian ambience of the restaurant, restaurante, was very chill and jazzy. The waiter was a cool dude named Zachary. He was extremely accommodating and genuine. And the food was prepared by an Italian chef. And the price was very inexpensive for a usual dinner date. 50 dollars gets you an appetizer, entree, all the bread you can eat, two alcoholic beverages and one regular beverage.(I had water, which is brought out immediately before you order which I found very pleasant). If you're in the mood for Italian, think no more and go here NOW! They also had Pizza, I'm trying that next time.
(5)Gina H.
Love this place. We've been a few times now and everytime it's awesome. Great tasting food. You will need reservations in the tourist season. Highly recommend it.
(5)Rachel B.
We are visiting watercolor from San Francisco and we were getting sick of seafood, so wanted to try and find something different. Found this spot was 5 star rated on yelp, so of course we were going to try it even though it was 15 minutes from Watercolor. We literally don't go to a restaurant if it has bad yelp reviews. It's not in a fancy beach front location, but don't let that fool you. The good was so flavorful and delicious. The bread and dipping sauce to start we're sooo good! Me and my husband shared a Caesar salad that was great. I got the lamb chops. They were cooked to perfection with a delicious reduction sauce on top. My husband got the lasagna and it was HUGE. I think the waitress said it was over 2 pounds. Could definitely share it.
(5)Brenda D.
Wow! Food was excellent and service was top notch! The Zuppa Squshito soup was so yummy. We were in the mood for pizza and it was delish! The place filled up by dinner time. From listening to what others were saying the pasta and seafood dishes are big hits as well. We topped it off with a wonderful from scratch carrot cake. We will definitely be back! The chef even came out and talked to us...nice touch!
(5)Mickey C.
Me and my life partner Richard Steele have been coming here for as long as we can remember. People who visit Destin often will agree to this - it can be HIGHLY priced and the food can be MEDIOCRE often times as the 'tourist' have no other options or local insights. Christiano's is a huge winner, YAY~~~~!!!!!!!! Large portions, great pricing, and the food I believe is truly made from scratch. Not a bunch of resold stuff that is marked off from a Sysco truck. The Zuppa Squshito soup is to die for and the Pasta Fangoule is right out of Canarsie Brooklyn.... just incredible. It's easy to waste your money in Destin, it's not wasted here!
(5)Ben W.
After a long day on the beach we were in the mood for appetizers and a salad. The calamari was some of the best I have ever had and the dinner salads were large and served with cucumber, tomato, and purple onion. The fresh bread complimented the meal nicely. The wait staff was excellent.
(5)Debbie N.
The best lasagne I've ever had. So many items on the menu sounded good, but I had been craving lasagne and I wasn't disappointed. The portion was crazy HUGE. The salad was fresh, dressing light yet with good flavor, only downside is we ordered small salads and were charged the large price. Salads were nice sized so maybe we got larges, who knows. My husband had spaghetti and meatballs, he says it was just okay. He didn't like the flavor, but he is real picky when it comes to his sauce. For dessert we had creme brule, another yummy item. Overall we found a nice gem of a restaurant set in a small strip mall location, that I highly recommend. Thanks Robert for all the traveling advice!
(4)Mike C.
This was one of the best meals I have ever had in Destin and it wasn't nearly as expensive as other places that seem twice as uppity. The lamb chops were amazing and I could eat them every day for the rest of my life. Also the key lime pie was exquisite and rather light on its crust.
(5)Ann R.
Just what Christiano's needs - one more FIVE STAR review! But really, i just wanted to heap on the well-deserved praise for this gem. I travel to the area yearly, usually with my mom, and the frequency of our trips may have to increase just so we can get back to the friendly confines of Christiano's. The owner and his folks make you feel like family. This last trip, we took the time to chat about Italian neighborhoods in STL and Chicago, and it's quite clear that the owner knows his stuff. Chris and co., keep doing what you're doing, and I hope to see you soon!
(5)Ben B.
The best experience ever at an Italian Restaurant! Why? Let me tell you: * Food: Awesome. Was in a party of 4 and all felt the same. * Service: Was a busy night and we felt like the only ones there. Awesome service! * Atmosphere: Quaint. Nice decor. Santana in the background. When I consider a 5 star rating, I ask myself, "Would I go back sooner rather than later?" All 4 in my party insisted on going back the next day. We all ordered something different and all 4 of us enjoyed as much as we did the night before. Added bonus: The owner (who is also the chef) comes out to personally thank everyone for coming in. Wish this place was local (I live in Dallas). If you're in the area, you cannot go wrong. Little tip... 1/2 priced pizza on Wednesday!
(5)Bhagwan Shree W.
Recommended to us by some transplant friends from Southeast Louisiana. It better be good if you're one of us or else we'll let everybody know about our disappointment. We got seated quick and some nice warm, crusty bread came out with good dippin earl. Ordered the snails and the Greek salad. Snails were wonderful, chock full of garlic and buttah and garlic buttah. Wife ordered the lasagna on a recommendation and I got the Seafood Diavalo. The lasagna is the size of a compact car and good. Not greasy and heavy. Substantial, but not brick-like in the gut. The Diavolo had a great blend of spices in the broth along with lemon rind, peppers, plenty of shrimp and scallop. I'm not a big angel hair fan, but I scarfed it all up like a rabid animal. I'd like to see that dish done with a spaghetti noodle. I missed the whole snapper by one fish and I got there pretty early in the night on a Thursday. I will go back and try it. Brought a lot of lasagna home(enough for two at the joint and still enough for two at home). Destin is a food desert and the options are slim. This is a very good, solid Italian joint with big portions and good prices. There are only a few really good dining options around and this is one we'll revisit often.
(4)Jacob G.
Ordered the Beef Ravioli with meatballs, which was excellent. Meatballs weren't exactly my taste, but then again i've probably never been to a restaurant with meatballs made the right way! Everyone else who came along with me enjoyed their food. Good customer service, but the dim lighting makes it a bit hard to see. Great Restaurant for couples.
(4)Amy P.
Really great atmosphere, friendly and helpful staff. Chef stopped by each table to see how food was. Food was excellent and very reasonably priced. Key lime pie best I've had!
(5)Steve G.
Ok, so who drives 13 hours to the beach to eat Italian from a strip mall? Well, I will from now on. I live in St. Louis and eat Italian at a place called "the hill". It's where all of the iris loan immigrants settled when they moved to St. Louis. Best Italian food around. This place makes me believe that the chef has eaten there and liked it as well. We just walked in to try this place off of the yelp recommendations. We asked for a table for 9 and they asked if we made recommendations. In the future we will. They took us immediately and were able to seat us. Lucked out. We all ordered something different and everyone loved what they ordered. Had desert as well. Yum yum. We will come back here every year. It has made the required dinner list. Oh by the way. The owner came by and apologized for our dessert wait and took it off the bill. I don't think I had to wait to long at all. We paid for our desserts anyway.
(5)Ed N.
Tyson is an amazing waiter....Awsome friendly service. When I called for a reservation the Owner Chris picked up the phone to take the reservation while he was making sauce. The zucchini was out of this world. We wanted traditional Italian, so we had chicken parma and lasagna. Both amazing. Multiple people politely come up to your table to make sure everything is perfect. I live in FL but on vacation. If you do not live in FL don't worry about a restaurant in a strip mall. this is where some of the best finds are. Christiano's is a find not to miss
(5)Drew B.
Christiano's was pretty darn good. The fried zucchini appetizer was huge. The lasagna put me into a deep 8 hour coma.The portions were not only tasty; they were massive too. Eat away and enjoy this quality locally owned establishment.
(5)Dylan V.
On vacation from San Francisco where dining is overall a great experience, we've found travelling to beach destinations can present dining challenges. We had the absolute best dining experience at Christiano's. It was definitely the dining highlight of our trip to the Florida panhandle. This is not the typical pizza and pasta restaurant. Their menu is diverse (seafood, pasta with interesting, not typical starters) and offers some Italian dishes not normally found on menus. For our dinner we started off with the Greek salad which was fresh, the feta was just right (moist and not too strong), and the dressing (homemade oregano and lemon vinaigrette) great. We almost filled up on the artisan bread (turns out to be from La Brea Bakery) and fresh olive oil dip. For our main course we ordered a vegetable pizza (make sure to be hungry because the pizzas are big (16")), manicotti (don't see too often on menus), and a side of asparagus (very fresh and nicely presented). Our waiter, Marni, topped off the our entrees with fresh grated parmesan cheese (not the dry grated stuff served at most Italian restaurants). Marni and the rest of the restaurant staff was very attentive and friendly. After dinner the owner/chef, Chris, and his 10 year old daughter Grace came out to our table and checked in on our experience. Chris and Grace were great hosts. If you're in the Santa Rosa Beach area of Florida please make a point to dine at Christiano's. It's a slice of North Beach on the Florida panhandle. You won't be disappointed. Look at all the other reviews. We've never posted a Yelp review before but our experience was so good we felt obligated to share our wonderful experience at Christiano's on Yelp.
(5)Rachael J.
Directions on iPhone send you on a wild goose chase! Whenever you get there, travel up 98 a little more, or get directions to Fat Daddy's and it's right next door. Anyways, this place was bout as good as it gets. The food was great. We came in very close to the time they opened, but the family was greeted by the owner and a waiter. Then, we were seated and the waiter gave us a great overview on everything. He was very helpful on info on the menu. We got pizza and ravioli and manicotti that the whole family shared. There were no complains. Not to mention the dessert was AMAZING!!!! The key lime pie was amazing. So glad that we found this place!!
(5)Jeff C.
Great service from the time my wife made the reservation til we left. Very personable staff and owner. Food was great. Fresh baked bread, lobster ravioli, zucchini apps were the bomb. Wife had the grouper. Kids went nuts over Alfredo and lasagna. Loads if it! We had to make room for the key lime pie. But it was worth it. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Doug T.
Exceptional. Don't let the strip mall location fool you. Liked it so much the first time went back later in the week. Not a place to go if you are in a hurry - it's an experience. Favorite dishes from our group were the grouper, pasta al diavolo and the shrimp Toscana. Soup was also a hit. Highly recommend Christiano's.
(4)Tommy R.
Excellent service, great food. This is how you should be treated at a restaurant. Prices were good for the quality. Our server made excellent recommendations and was knowledgeable about the menu and wine list. We had fried calamari which was very tender. Good Caeser Salad and the Grouper entree was very well done. Attractively presented in a flavorful white wine sauce.
(5)Denis C.
We were welcomed into the restaurant by the owner. She thanked us for coming in and lead us to our table. We had reservations for 7pm on a Thursday night. The restaurant was completely full by 7:30. We had the cheese ravioli and linguine (both with meatballs). The dinners were good--I'd give them a 4. The service was great and attentive. For dessert, we had key lime pie and a cannoli. Both desserts were excellent. FYI--the bar only serves beer and wine. We had a good dinner and overall a great experience. Thanks to the entire staff.
(4)J.P. D.
Incredible dinner tonight, we had the Roman Chicken Tortellini and the Shrimp Tuscan, both in a white pasta sauce. Favors burst, exquisitely prepared, great waiter, a fine experience! This restaurant is a little treasure the wife and I will not forget.
(5)C R.
Phenomenal. In an area where everything is either over priced or just plain yucky, Christiano's shines. We were looking for something different besides the local seafood fare. This popped up on yelp and we decided to check it out. So very glad we did. We called and made a reservation and the super nice lady on the phone set us up. We arrived and were so politely greeted. Our waiter was sublime and the food was out of the world. I agree with the shrimp appetizer. I could have drank the sauce....oh wait I did. Very discreetly with the spoon. The bread and dip was fabulous and even the iced tea was great. The star was the fettuccini alfredo with shrimp. No kidding. Best Italian I have ever eaten and I have eaten my share. I live in the Dallas/ Fort Worth area and have never tasted food this amazing. Our two young children also dined with us and they were treated very well by all the staff. They however are well behaved kids. Please know that this is not Burger King. If your children do not sit at the table and need video games to keep quiet, go to one of the local fast food joints. This is a very classy place and you need well behaved children here. We will for sure go back year after year. Thanks Christano's for giving us one fabulous meal while on vacation.
(5)Todd S.
The staff and every one were great. The food left a little to be desired. It was not bad, but I did not feel that the value was there. We started with the calamari and it was good and crisp, but not overcooked. l had the linguini and clams and my biggest complaint with the dish was that it was light on clams and I had one that had not opened and also bit into a broken piece of shell. The taste of the dish was ok, but a little to cream based for me. My wife had Spaghetti and meatballs it was good, but not great. I thought the wines by the glass were a little over priced and the pours light. There are better values for Italian in the area. All of this said this was my first visit. I may have just hit them at a bad night. Unfortunately, I will probably not try again.
(3)Karey H.
This restaurant was fantastic. It has a wonderful decor and great family-owned feel. The Roman Chicken Tortellini was one of the best Italian dishes I've ever had, and the food was delivered rather quickly as well. Overall, extremely impressive.
(5)Edward O.
Best Italian in the area. Excellent food and service. Large portions. My new favorite . Really enjoyed the spicy Italian sausage over penne.
(5)Ankit S.
I'm a sucker for Italian food, but that doesn't mean I'll adore just any Italian restaurant. When I looked up Christiano's and noticed that it was a family-run place, I could sense that I couldn't go wrong with it...and guess what....it was one of the best Italian food I've ever had!!! I had the lobster bisque as appetizer, and shrimp pasta for my entree--both were amazing!!! My friends couldn't stop saying how awesome their entrees were. In fact, one of them had said "tasty is an understatement." The portions were so large that we didn't have any room for dessert. But we still ordered deserts to go because we knew it would be awesome. You have to try the Tiramisu if you're there. Although the carrot cake and cannoli were awesome as well. Also to note, our server was also the wife of the chef. There's something about places that are family-owned that makes you feel like you're a guest at someone's house. All in all, you're guaranteed to have an amazing dining experience here.
(5)Claire C.
LOVE THIS PLACE!!! went here last year and again this past weekend....I brought my skeptical parents and they were very (pleasantly) surprised. They both got the lasagna and I got the totellini...I like to think of myself as an Italian food connoisseur after living in Italy for 3 months and this place has amazing food- will continue to go back!
(5)David F.
I can see why this place has 5 stars. Well deserved! We were on vacation and looking for a place to eat. We found it on Yelp. This place was great! Great food! Great wine! Great music and great service! The seafood bisque was the bomb! Highly recommended
(5)Larry R.
I've eaten at some the finest restaurants in the world and Christiano's rates among the best I've ever been to. We spent a week along the Emerald Coast and this restaurant was the best of the week. We enjoyed the Red Bar, Firefly, Sweet Racks, and several others, but Christiano's was the best of the week. My wife and I had the Filet Mignon (her's well done, mine medium), and they were both cooked perfectly. The taste and tenderness were fabulous. The filets were served with mashed potatoes and wilted spinach drizzled with olive oil, garlic and lemon. I normally just "tolerate" spinach, but this was amazingly good! My son had the Triggerfish and said that it was the best fish of the trip. The flavor was magnificent and was served with asparagus and pasta with marinara sauce. The bread was wonderful. The carrot cake was the best I've ever had. The tiramisu was excellent as well. The coffee was freshly brewed and perfectly complemented the deserts. The service was the best we had the entire trip also. The waiter made excellent suggestions and gave us world class service. The owner/chef stopped out twice to see us and make sure everything was ok. We will definitely be back.
(5)Curt H.
I can't say enough good stuff about Christiano's. But I do want to say GET THE GROUPER ELISABETH! You will not be able to forget it. worth a three hour drive to get it? YES!
(5)Joyce F.
can this place be 5 stars? really? YES! loved everthing about it. parking was easy and free. the food was to dies for and the services was fantastic! at the end of the meal we even had owner/chef come out to thank us for coming. the bread came with a terrific oil, herb sauce that i ate too much of. i had the pasta and shrimp in alfredo sauce and it was delish! with the app and dinner so special had to try the dessert and wasn't disappointed. actually went back the next day too! will go back.
(5)Tony B.
Wonderful food and great service. Don't miss this one if you want great Italian.
(5)Ian C.
Wonderful atmosphere, great service, amazing food. Great value - Family friendly. If you're looking for traditional Italian fare close to the beaches of Seaside, Watercolor, Grayton Beach, or Seagrove Beach - you must try this place. Everything we ordered tasted exceptional - from the still warm fresh bread (with amazing infused oil mixture on the table for dipping), to the chicken parmagiana and pasta (so large I could only eat half), to the traditional cannoli for dessert. Very kid friendly - the children's menu offered a wide variety and the portions were large. Only one of my kids could finish all the pasta they got! Very reasonably priced, even with wine. Entire staff were very engaging; hostess, waiters - even the chef came out to say hello! We will add this place to our list of "must eats" for our annual beach trips.
(5)