Napoli É Ristorante Italiano

I recently had the pleasure of dining at a charming Italian restaurant that felt like a warm embrace from Italy itself. The place is owned by the sweetest Italian couple, whose passion for authentic cuisine shines through in every detail. Their genuine hospitality and love for their craft make you feel like family from the moment you walk in. The food was a delightful journey through classic Italian dishes, all made from scratch and bursting with fresh flavors. The homemade pasta was cooked to perfection, and each sauce had the perfect balance of richness and authenticity. One of the true highlights was the freshly baked Italian bread—crispy on the outside, soft and warm on the inside. You could taste the love and tradition in every bite. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, with a touch of old-world charm that made the experience even more special. If you’re looking for a taste of Italy, lovingly prepared and served with heart, this spot is an absolute gem. I can’t wait to return for another unforgettable meal!

Pizza was really good! Sauce and service were both very good. Food was flavorful, just wish the portions were bigger. Got the cannelloni and came with 2 tubes. They were really good and probably could’ve had 10 of them! Oh, dessert was also really good too!

After being ignored at our chosen spot in Smithfield we headed back for some sure to win us Bojangles when I remembered there used to be a BBQ place at the nearby shopping center. My Yelp search told me the BBQ was gone but in its place was this darling Italian eaterie. I had no expectations as I was just going by the photos-and they had me hooked, line and sinker! Hubby asked me what was I ordering & I replied "one of everything!!" I was pretty sure I knew the answer but I asked our server if the lasagna was homemade & since it was that's what I chose. It was so very fresh tasting, reminding me of the stuffed raviolis we would get in Palau, Sardinia. The multiple lasagna layers were so plentiful that the portion size was enough for me to have leftovers-twice! My husband is a man of few words but the ten that he had to share regarding his Gnocchi Bolognese were all quite complimentary. Honestly, this place is so far from our house but the food so good that we immediately made a promise to ourselves to be back in a month. I mentioned to our server Caitlin to let the chef know how much we loved our lunch that he immediately came out & introduced himself. It was our pleasure meeting Max and hearing and feeling the love and warmth he has for his home country that we were transported back to our time in Italy. Napoli è is an hour from our home but we are already making plans to go back. And Max even gave us his business card for us to call when we're on our way for reservations. You can not get this type of hospitality at a chain restaurant or even that little Cafe that we tried to dine at in Smithfield. If you don't dine here you are doing your taste buds a huge disservice and really, isn't life already full of disappointments. Why put your belly through that? Ps, I don't know why the food descriptions weren't listed on each pic but the reason for many lasagna photos is so you could see the many layers of the lasagna.

Casual and small dining with phenomenal food! The owner is from Italy and it shows. The bread, the pizza, the gnocchi, everything we have tried has been so delicious. Each time we go, I struggle with ordering something new or go with my favorite, the gnocchi that is so light and pillow like. They are great about keeping their Facebook updated and relaying any unexpected closures. If you have a larger party, call before going to ensure they can accommodate since it's a cozy location.

Your taste palate will dance. From the appetizers, entrees & desserts. Simply amazing. The Veal Marsala was robust. If you have ever been to Italy or lived in a big city to experience authentic Italian cuisine, this is the place to dine. Family oriented atmosphere, and date nights will be enjoyed. The service is exceptional. Maggie is the absolute best! The Chef really knows his stuff! The Tiramisu, Profiteroles and Limoncello are must have’s! I will definitely recommend this location and will be back. Thank you for such a wonderful evening.

Went with my sister for lunch and it was great! I had Max's beef tips focaccia and the steak was so tender and flavorful. The focaccia was crusty and all of the topping flavors went very well together. My sis had the cheeseburger and she really enjoyed that as well. The owner is very friendly and personable. He comes around to make sure everyone is enjoying their meals. The server was great as well! I would definitely recommend checking this place out. * I noticed that he used photos of our meal on his Facebook page which was great because I forgot to get a picture before I dug in to my meal

We had the most wonderful dinner here. I had the special which was rigatoni with salmon and green olives. I don't care for olives so the owner came and asked what I would like in place of the olives. He recommended clams. It was absolutely delicious! My husband had the linguine Napoli with white wine sauce. He said was delicious as well. We will definitely return to the gem!

Hands downs the BEST Italian food in Hampton Roads! Always so fresh and scrumptious and the staff is amazing! Kudos to Max, Simone and their staff~ Our neighbors invited us to join them a few years ago and honestly the food keeps getting better with each and every visit. You will not be disappointed. Truly authentic experience.