Some of the best meals start with a plain front door and low expectations. Then a plate of fresh pasta lands in front of you, and suddenly you are planning your next visit before the first bite is gone.
South Carolina is full of these happy surprises, from beach towns to busy downtown streets. If you are hungry for noodles made by hand and sauces cooked with patience, this list is your map.
1. Sorelle
Broad Street in Charleston has seen plenty of history, and Sorelle sits right in the middle of it. The restaurant fills a beautifully renovated former Hebrew Society building, and diners can catch a view of the kitchen while the cooks work.
House-made pasta is the heart of the menu. The signature Pillows of Gold gets plenty of attention, along with truffle tortellini and the namesake Sorelle Spaghetti.
The Bolognese is the kind of slow, rich sauce that reminds families of old recipes passed down at home, and arancini and a bread service make strong openers.
Expect an upscale, romantic room with polished service and lovely presentation. Prices run high, around $100 or more per person, so save it for a special night.
Doors open daily from 5 to 10 PM, and reservations are required, especially on busy weekend evenings. Vegetarian and vegan menus are also available, plus a kids’ menu.
2. Jianna
Picture a twirl of handmade spaghetti with downtown Greenville glowing below you. Jianna sits above South Main Street, and its patio views alone could earn it a spot on this list.
The food, though, is the real reason to come. Pastas are made in-house, and the Spaghetti TBG has a devoted following.
Gemelli, rigatoni, and fusilli round out a lineup that changes with the seasons, while chilled market oysters add a coastal twist to the Italian theme.
The space feels sleek and modern, yet the staff keep things warm and helpful, ready to explain dishes in detail. Dinner runs Tuesday through Sunday, with weekend brunch hours from 11 AM to 2 PM.
Plan for about $20 to $80 per person. Parking downtown can get tricky, so give yourself extra time, and book ahead since tables usually have a wait.
Families are welcome, with high chairs and a kids’ menu on hand.
3. Pasta Fresca
Columbia locals have a soft spot for neighborhood places, and Pasta Fresca on Forest Drive fits that bill perfectly. The name says it all: fresh pasta, made right in the house.
Ravioli in creamy marinara is a standout, and the chicken spinach lasagna layered with mild sausage feels like a hug on a plate. Classic spaghetti and meatballs shows up too, along with seafood-focused dishes like Seafood Santa Fe.
Start with loaded bread or hand-breaded calamari, then finish with tiramisu.
The vibe is rustic-chic and relaxed, with a patio where dogs are welcome. Live music adds to the fun some nights.
At about $20 to $30 per person, it is one of the friendlier prices on this list. Hours run Tuesday through Sunday starting at 4:30 PM.
Kids are well cared for with high chairs, changing tables, and their own menu, and parking is usually easy.
4. Michael Anthony’s Cucina Italiana
Few restaurants care enough about pasta to teach you how to make it. Michael Anthony’s on Hilton Head Island does exactly that, hosting cooking classes alongside its regular dinner service.
Fresh pasta made in-house is the star here. The tagliatelle al nero, a seafood pasta, ranks among the island’s most memorable dishes, and pappardelle tossed with mushrooms pairs beautifully with lamb specials.
Scallops with beurre blanc and creamy risotto also shine. For something unusual, try the raviolo with duck confit.
Save room, because dessert is serious business. Limoncello tiramisu, profiteroles, and a warm chocolate sformata with vanilla gelato are all on offer.
The room feels quiet, contemporary, and elegant, ideal for a date. Dinner runs Monday through Saturday from 5 to 9 PM, and reservations are required.
Expect $30 to $80 per person. The lot fills up fast, so arrive a little early.
5. Lucy Anne’s
Old bank vaults once guarded money at 148 W Main Street. Now the historic Citizens and Southern National Bank building in downtown Spartanburg guards something tastier: Lucy Anne’s, which opened in June 2025.
The idea is simple and refreshing. Honest, chef-led cooking blends the flavors of the American South with dishes from different regions of Italy.
No shortcuts, no filler.
That promise shows up on the plate. Hand-cut pasta arrives fresh and tender, and the tomato sauce carries a deep, slow-built flavor.
Ragu and sausage dishes are especially satisfying, the kind you keep thinking about the next morning.
Though the building is grand, the mood stays casual and trendy. Dinner runs Tuesday through Saturday, 5 to 10 PM, with prices around $30 to $80 per person.
Vegan and vegetarian menus are available, kids are welcome, and parking garages and street spots sit close by.
6. Bricco Ristorante Italiano
Cloth napkins still matter at Bricco. In Bluffton, this cozy spot sets its tables with real tablecloths and simple decor, a quiet sign that the details get attention.
That attention carries into the kitchen. Pastas and breads are all homemade, and the veal meatballs in sauce are a must-order.
Fresh seafood like salmon and mussels shows up often, and a brick oven turns out thin-crust pizza with a lovely char. Finish with the tiramisu, a house favorite.
Here is a fun bit of trivia: the word bricco often refers to a small hill or a little pot in Italian, fitting for such a warm, compact restaurant.
Service feels personal and friendly. Dinner runs Tuesday through Saturday from 5 to 9:30 PM, and reservations are recommended.
Parking is easy, with a free lot and street spots, so you can focus on the food.
7. Costa Coastal Kitchen & Bar
Chalkboards do the talking at Costa. Just off Business 17 in Murrells Inlet, this warm, unfussy restaurant writes its specials by hand, mixing Italian classics with the fresh seafood this coastline is known for.
Freshly made pastas anchor the menu, and gluten-free pasta is available too, a thoughtful touch many places skip. Grouper specials with risotto, shrimp scampi, veal parmigiano, and chicken marsala all get the care of farm-to-table ingredients.
Starters like calamari, meatballs, and a stuffed pepper set the tone early.
A fireplace and a calm, intimate dining room make it easy to linger. Plates arrive beautifully presented, and service moves quickly without feeling rushed.
Hours run Monday through Saturday from 4 to 10 PM, with Sundays off. Expect about $30 to $80 per person.
Parking is plentiful, and reservations are smart on Tuesday, Thursday, and weekend evenings.
8. Abbracci Italian Cuisine & Cocktails
Abbracci means hugs in Italian, and the name feels earned. This Mount Pleasant restaurant pairs a coastal mood with fresh handmade pasta that tastes authentic and full of flavor.
Two dishes deserve a spotlight. The Raviolo al Uovo hides a soft egg yolk inside one large pasta pillow, which spills out when you cut in.
Lobster Spaghettoni Neri brings dark, briny noodles and sweet lobster together in one dramatic bowl. A bright Insalata al Limone makes a crisp start.
Inside, a fireplace and live music give evenings a lively but cozy glow. Outdoor seating works well on mild nights.
Hours run Tuesday through Sunday starting at 4 PM, with later closing on Fridays and Saturdays. Prices land around $50 to $100 per person.
Parking is easy with an on-site lot, and dinner reservations are recommended, especially Wednesday and Friday evenings.
9. Macaluso’s Restaurant
Sinatra on the speakers, bread warm from the oven, and a cottage-like room buzzing with chatter. Macaluso’s in Aiken feels a bit like dinner at a big Italian family’s house.
Traditional recipes guide the kitchen, and everything is made fresh to order. Locally made pasta and meatballs lead the way.
The ravioli paired with a roasted red pepper meatball is a memorable combo, and the sausage with pasta is hearty and satisfying. Homemade bread and pizza round things out nicely.
The room can get loud on busy nights, which honestly adds to the charm. Outdoor seating offers a calmer option, and dogs are allowed outside.
Dinner runs Tuesday through Saturday, with later hours on weekends. Expect about $30 to $90 per person.
Reservations are not accepted, so arrive early or plan to wait. Free parking makes the trip simple.
10. Luigi & Sons Now Rizzo Brothers
Big portions and small prices still exist, and Rock Hill has proof. Luigi & Sons, now run as Rizzo Brothers, is an old-fashioned, family-operated eatery on Cherry Road where nobody leaves hungry.
The sauce is the secret weapon. The Sicilian Spaghetti tastes like its sauce simmered for days before reaching the table.
Lasagna earns plenty of love, and stuffed shells, stromboli, veal parmigiana, and Chicken alla Luigi keep regulars coming back. Fresh breadsticks and garlic bread arrive with most meals.
At around $10 to $20 per person, this is the budget pick of the whole list, without cutting corners on flavor.
Unlike most spots here, it serves lunch too. Hours run Tuesday through Saturday, 11 AM to 10 PM.
The mood is casual and cozy, kids have their own menu, and delivery, takeout, and catering are all available. Parking is free and easy.
11. Toscana Italian Kitchen
Myrtle Beach is famous for pancakes and seafood buffets, so finding true Tuscan cooking along North Kings Highway feels like a pleasant twist. Toscana Italian Kitchen brings white tablecloths, an open kitchen, and chefs who clearly take pride in authenticity.
Watch the cooks work while you choose from classics. Mama’s Lasagna is a comforting favorite, and the lobster ravioli feels like a beach-town treat.
Spaghetti Carbonara, fettuccine Alfredo, chicken piccata, and shrimp and scallop scampi all deliver, while Grouper Florentine nods to the coast.
Despite the elegant look, prices stay friendly at about $20 to $30 per person. The room works for a quiet date or a family night, with high chairs and a kids’ menu ready.
Doors open daily at 4 PM, closing later Thursday through Sunday. Reservations are required, so call ahead.
Parking is plentiful, and dogs are welcome outside.
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