Cafe Eataly — Restaurant in Marietta

We really wanted to love this place. After eating at Pala in Buckhead, we were excited to have this style of Italian food in Marietta. Unfortunately, it wasn't quite up to par. We got a few different things and here's what we thought:

Pros: We got our son a spaghetti and meatballs -- the spaghetti was cooked perfectly and the sauce is nice. Service is fine and the guys were very friendly.

Cons: The meatballs in the spaghetti are basically inedible -- they are tiny and are completely bland. It's unreal. The sandwich we got had one thin layer of salami on it. For 17 bucks. The ingredients on the sandwich taste fresh, but the ratios are off. Way too much cream/cheese and not enough meat/spice/vinegar. Just way too creamy with no other real flavors. I brought it home and added Calabrian chili spread to it, and it improved a bit but still way too creamy and I just tossed it. Total bummer. We also got a Farro salad, which tasted good but there were no greens, so again the balance was off. Pretty much just farro and chicken (which was cooked nicely).

It seems like this place has all the right tools to be good, they just need to dial the flavors/ratios in a bit. I'll also point out that a spaghetti with meatballs, one sandwich, and one farro salad with chicken was $60, without tip. Everything was served in plastic, which was convenient for leaving and not having to ask for a box, but still.

I think the super high rating may be from most people in Marietta not having had this style of Italian food before? They've got potential, but we probably wouldn't go back unless we knew they...

Café Eataly – A True Delight! Our family had a wonderful experience at Café Eataly. We are frequent visitors to the marketplace and noticed that the café was open for the first time, as it is slightly set apart from the main vendor area. Since this was a dinner night out, we decided to see if outside food from other vendors was allowed and whether the space was family-friendly for our group of six.

What a treat it was! The owner greeted us as if we were regular customers. He immediately joined tables together so we could enjoy our meal family-style and gave us a warm welcome to the café.

The food selection is incredible. I was recovering from dental surgery and needed soft food options. The owner took the time to suggest perfect dishes for me. Everything was hot, fresh, and absolutely delicious.

The café offers a lovely variety of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The atmosphere is clean, ambient, and truly welcoming. The soft background music, with its Italian charm, added to the relaxing experience.

This is an excellent spot to visit after work or to plan a special date night. It feels like a home-cooked meal out—no microwaves involved, just fresh and flavorful food. I also appreciated seeing a sign advertising pasta classes.

One of the best features is that meals from other marketplace vendors are welcome in the café. This level of flexibility makes it ideal for families or groups with varied tastes.

We will definitely be back. Highly...

Easy 5 stars!! My wife and I stopped by on a Monday evening and so the quaint spot was almost all to ourselves. It sets a mild European atmosphere; great jazzy tunes in it own space next to the busier and louder Food Hall. A few other patrons walked in behind us and equally were treated like family, as we were, by the staff. The handmade pasta (spaghetti) with meatballs was sensational! I was not sure what sauce to add and the young man at checkout suggested I go with carbonara since I enjoyed a bit of bacon as well. My wife had the Lemony Chickpea Salad and she was kind enough to share some of her savory salad dish. The food was served in travel size bowls for convenience and with bamboo cutlery to minimize plastic use. To top off our impromptu stop we had an Affogato with their vanilla ice cream, which like the food was top of its class! Now, we’ll enjoy the super chill space and get some creative work done. If you’re looking for some quality Italian flavor and a quick sit down/counter service, this is a great spot....