Al Dente Pasta & Pizza — Restaurant in Atlanta

My son and I dined here for lunch earlier in January 2025. We don't live anywhere near this restaurant, but were in the area and wanted to give them a try since they're Black-owned and the photos looked good.

We walk in there were no other customers dining in. While there, I did see a handful of customers come in and pick up to-go orders.

Our waitress wasn't great. She wasn't bad, but she wasn't great. Her customer service is taking your order and bringing your food. No pleasantries, no checking in to see how you're doing.

The pizzas are a bit pricey for my liking. We ordered a large pepperoni pizza. I decided I should get a salad. I asked the woman to add a salad and take off a couple ingredients. I asked her if they put onions on it and she said no so I asked if she could add some. She said yes, it would be an additional charge. Ummmmmm....no thanks. I'm not paying extra for a few slivers of onion on a side salad.

Anyway, we get our pizza. It smells great and is piping hot. I bite into it and it tastes ordinary. Nothing special. It wasn't horrible, just average. Nothing to write home about. I ate a couple slices and let my hungry college kid eat the rest. Got the ticket and they added 18% gratuity. How insulting to add a gratuity on customers checks. Tacky, tacky, tacky! We know how to tip and we tip based on the quality of service and food provided. I really should give them 2-stars, but I'll be generous and give 3.

There are better pizzerias...

So…I don’t usually post negative reviews unless it’ll help someone else. Consider this a warning. Two things: First, this isn’t an ‘authentic Italian restaurant.’ It’s a pizza joint and nothing more despite the website claims and photos. I needed an Italian place within walking distance of GT campus and they were the only ones that purported to be an actual restaurant. They’re not, it’s just another pizza place. Second, I have no idea what the food is like. I’m from outside GA and had 6-7 people to feed. I called a month before to confirm they could take a party that size, then called to finalize the reservation the day before. Online system doesn’t work…because there is NO reservation system whatsoever. The very nice person who took my ‘reservation’ apparently “didn’t leave a note” for the Friday shift! I’m sorry, but leaving a note does not constitute a reservation system. The woman who I spoke with when we got there didn’t even apologize. Acted like it was my fault, said she has just seated the ‘dining room’—it’s a few tables shoved into a small space—so it’d be half an hour or so. We ended up next door at the sandwich place Cheba Hut, which had very tasty sandwiches and more seating capacity than Al Dente. Also recommend the ice cream place on the same block, Pecan Jacks. Both good food and friendly service.

In short, if you’re looking for an actual Italian restaurant, probably ought to...

08-10-2025: Al Dente Pasta & Pizza serves frozen leftovers. OVER PRICED AND OVER RATED. YUCKY! Its noted Atlanta is not known for good quality food. High turn over restaurants. But I live here so I try to support my community. The food was horrific. Pizza, frozen. Alfredo, no cheese, Chicken fillet, frozen. Calamari, frozen. Salad wilted and old. . LOL. Stop posting the their food pictures. Do people not no what good food is? It shows how bad the food looks. My mistake for not looking at the reviws. 4.2 stars translate in GA is really a 3.0...lol...only in ATL, GA. Do not give them your your credit card should you need to have a plate credited. The server AJ said, there's NO manger on site therefore, you can not get or correct credit charge when the waiter wrongly charges. The server is just as guilty. Check your reciept, they will over charge you. They will charge your card without your permission. I called my bank while I was in the restaurant. This restaurant is an episode of Hell's Kitchen. SMH. This restaurant will soon be closed, like most restaurants in ATL.. SMH. Thanks to my bank for...