+1 417-358-2000
Located in the heart of Carthage, Missouri, Taste of Italy is a cherished gem for lovers of authentic Italian cuisine. Nestled at 4321 S Chapel Rd, this inviting restaurant offers a genuine taste experience that transports guests straight to the cobblestone streets of Italy. From the moment you step inside, the warm, cozy atmosphere—accented by charming decor and attentive staff—sets the perfect scene for both casual family dinners and special occasions.
The culinary mastery of Chef Aleks, the owner and heart behind every dish, shines through in every bite. His dedication to freshness is evident, with everything from hand-tossed New York-style pizza dough to daily made-from-scratch bread and pasta. The menu is a rich tapestry of Italian classics, each bursting with authentic flavors and made to perfection.
Start your meal with the crisp, refreshing House Salad or the comforting, velvety Tomato Basil Soup, perfect preludes to the heartier fare ahead. Indulge in signature dishes like Chicken Alfredo, layered with creamy, dreamy sauce over perfectly cooked fettuccine, or savor the tender, flavorful Chicken Marsala that melds rich mushrooms with a delicate wine reduction. The Lamb Shank Special stands out as a savory masterpiece, slow-cooked to melt-in-your-mouth perfection.
Seafood lovers will appreciate the fiery kick of Shrimp Fra-Diablo or the crispy, golden Fried Calamari, which arrive fresh and tantalizing. Not to be missed is the classic Tour of Italy plate, a delightful sampler that perfectly captures the breadth of Italian culinary tradition. The meal rounds off sweetly with a luscious Tiramisu or a sip of zesty Limoncello, leaving your palate satisfied yet longing for just one more bite.
What truly elevates the dining experience at Taste of Italy is the inviting ambiance combined with heartfelt hospitality. Customers consistently highlight the exceptional service, with friendly waitstaff always attentive and engaged, and Chef Aleks himself often greeting diners with a warm smile. Patrons also rave about the handmade bread served with olive oil, vinegar, and parmesan—a seemingly simple starter that sparks delight in its freshness and flavor.
Reviewers frequently mention the generous portion sizes, making it a wonderful value, especially for families or those wanting to savor multiple courses. Whether you're visiting after exploring nearby attractions like the Precious Moments Museum or simply craving genuine Italian fare, Taste of Italy offers a memorable, mouthwatering experience that beckons guests to return again and again.
Contact Information:
4321 S Chapel Rd, Carthage, MO 64836, United States
Phone: +1 417-358-2000
My wife, family, and I have been to Taste of Italy many times for dinner or lunch. Chef Aleks (owner/Chef) is very talented and makes everything fresh daily, from bread to pasta to the pizza dough for hand-tossed NY Style pizzas. He makes a wide variety of pasta dishes from Italian classics, to a variety of individually made sauces for various combinations with shrimp, chicken, steaks, lamb shanks — too many to list. Also a nice selection of cheesecakes and cake desserts. On Friday & Saturday nights, there frequently is a local musician playing Vintage Classic tunes on their piano — I nice touch for dinner.
First time coming here! The inside is not anything fancy. However, they had it decorated very cute! The food was amazing! Customer service, was awesome!! We came on a Sunday & they had our food out within 10-20 after ordering. Pricing was reasonable as well. We will be coming back & would recommend to anyone!
Fantastic experience. Food is good. Bread is excellent. Try the bread with their vinegar, oil, parmesan…very good. Come prepared with a reservation on a Saturday evening.
Best thing, right next to Precious Moments and the piano man. I tip him to play Louie Armstrong 'la vie en rose' and 'what a wonderful world' while we ate, enjoyed our Italian lunch and chat. Awesome waitress, checking on us all the time too. Owner even greeted us on our way out. Can't beat all this.
I went here a couple months ago when I visited the Precious Moments museum. The bread was great as well as the pizza. Me and my grandma went twice in one night. The portion sizes were quite large and the staff was very attentive and the owner was interacting with patrons. Very amazing place I hope to go again some day. The owners accent was intriguing and cool.
The food wasn't bad. I got the chicken Alfredo and it was really good. My wife ordered the combo plate and the red sauce tasted almost like it was from a can and the Italian sausage was really mushy. The bread was really good and our server was top notch. I think the biggest complaint for me was the noise. The dining room was a large open space. It looked like it had once been a conference room or a small auditorium. There was a rather large party with a lot of kids there at the same time and the kids were being kids and screaming and playing and running around their table. It's not necessarily the restaurants fault, however their screaming echoed in the large room and it made it hard to carry on a conversation. It was good, but I don't know if I would go out of my way for it again.