Villaggio Grille — Restaurant in Orange Beach

In town looking for a place to move to shortly. We decided to look for a nice place to sit down, relax, have some conversation, discuss the day's goings on, and enjoy some good food. With the raving reviews on Trip Advisor, Villaggio Grill caught our eye.

Know that in order to get to Villaggio, you'll need to park in the parking garages on either side of The Warf. When we got there, the restaurant was understandably busy as it was around 1900. We were greeted at the front desk and offered immediate seating outside or a waitlist for indoor seating. We chose indoor due to the overbearing heat of the day still sweltering in the evening. We were quoted a 30 minute wait time and the wait was indeed about what was quoted.

A review of the menu indicated price increases of some plates of upwards of 30% from that posted on Trip Advisor. Either way, we ordered two appetizers and one entree.

We tried have a discussion, but the music outside was so loud, the bass so penetrating, it was difficult to hear each other. Then cue the bright LED lights lining the entire street flashing and moving to the music, it sure didn't help the ambiance of the restaurant at all.

The bread and olive oil spread brought out prior to ordering was absolutely delicious! I could have just sat there and filled up on that alone and I would have been happy.

The waitress who took our order was quite busy. A gentleman, I assume from the kitchen brought out our entree, sat it down and departed quickly. A few minutes later the waitress, slightly embarrassed, asked if we had gotten our appetizers yet. We'd told her no, but not to sweat it. She asked if we still desired the two plates, which of course we did.

She returned a short time later and had told us that our order was next up from the kitchen. They may have told her that, but it certainly wasn't the case. Again, we were enjoying the entree so not a huge deal.

When the entree arrived, the calamari was really good. The only thing I didn't like about it was the sweet and sour sauce dip. Normally calamari comes with marinara. I wouldn't expect sweet and sour sauce.

The butter nut squash tortellini special was pretty good but the pasta was still a few steps away from Al Dente. Still a bit crunchy in the middle of the noodle.

After we'd paid our bill and were making our way out of the restaurant, I'd noticed a waiter with a large tray of food waiting to get out the front door to deliver to one of the tables outside. I went to hold the door open for him and a waitress grabbed the door in front of me. I said, "You beat me too it. I was going to get that for him." Her reply? "Yeah right." A bit rude, but perhaps it has been a busy day.

Overall, some of the food was good, a bit high priced in my opinion...

Where Exceptional Service Elevates the Ordinary

Nestled within the bustling charm of The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama, Villagio offers a dining experience that is both unassuming and memorable. Having dined here dozens of times, I can attest that the cuisine, while reliably satisfying, is not necessarily a revelation. The menu features familiar Italian-inspired dishes, competently executed and pleasing, though unlikely to astonish seasoned gastronomes. What truly sets Villagio apart, however, is not its fare but its people.

At the heart of this establishment is a team that transforms a pleasant meal into an extraordinary experience. Morgan and Jack, whose warmth and attentiveness create an atmosphere of effortless hospitality, are standout members of the staff. Yet it is Austin, the bar manager, who elevates Villagio from a respectable local eatery to a destination worthy of praise.

Austin’s mastery behind the bar is nothing short of remarkable. His Old Fashioned is, quite frankly, a triumph, a cocktail that transcends its familiar ingredients to achieve perfection. It is a study in balance, complexity, and finesse, the kind of drink that lingers in memory long after the glass is empty. Austin’s creations are not mere beverages; they are crafted experiences, reflective of his artistry and passion.

But it is not just his skill as a mixologist that sets Austin apart. His presence exudes a rare combination of professionalism and warmth, making every guest feel like a cherished regular. Whether you are enjoying a casual meal at the bar or celebrating a special occasion, Austin ensures the experience is seamless, personalized, and imbued with a sense of belonging.

Villagio’s staff, led in spirit by Austin’s exceptional standards, turns what could be an ordinary evening into something far more meaningful. They make you feel not like a customer but like family, with every detail attended to and every interaction imbued with genuine care.

In the world of dining, there is a difference between a good restaurant and a memorable one. Villagio at The Wharf owes its memorability not to its dishes but to the people who create its soul. It is a place where the ordinary becomes exceptional, thanks to individuals like Austin, who elevate not just cocktails but the entire experience. For that, Villagio earns my highest praise—not as a Michelin-starred dining destination, but as a place where the magic of human connection makes all...

I surprised my wife for her birthday and took her to Gulf Shores for a few days. A kind lady we met while there suggested we try the Villaggio Grille, at the Wharf in Orange Beach, before heading back home the following day. She recommended we order the porkchop and described how it was prepared and what all came with it. I was beginning to think she was the chef! Anyway, we went there the following evening around 6:30pm. I highly recommend reservations by the way! The place was BUSY! We actually got there about 40 minutes prior to our reservation and asked to be seated outside if they had an availability. The hostess was very kind and said she would have us seated in 15 minutes. Fifteen minutes later we were sitting outside at a corner table by the sidewalk/intersection. It was perfect. Our waitress was awesome, but I cannot recall her name! I want to say it was either Sam, or Jess? Anyway, she did an outstanding job of taking care of us. We started with drinks. I ordered my wife a red blend, which she said was very good. I had an Elijah Craig Old Fashioned. It was smooth and very tasty. We split the Caprese salad and then the Bone-In Duroc Porkchop, which came with Pancetta and Sweet Pea Gouda Mac and Cheese, and seasoned green beans. DELICIOUS!! The chop was huge and done perfectly! The mac and cheese was so good and practically a meal in itself and the green beans were very good. We were both glad we decided to split the food. There was lots of it! All in all, we had a wonderful experience at the Villaggio Grill and highly recommend it. In fact, we recommend going to the Wharf and checking it out if you have not been. There are many other restaurants, bars and shopping in this upscale, yet casual and relaxed area bordering Portage Creek. My wife and I didn't see nearly all there is to see there. If you have a boat, you can park it at the Marina, which is less than a 5 minute walk from the Villaggio Grill, and walk to wherever you want to go in the area. We will definitely go back to the Wharf the next time we are in the Orange Beach/Gulf Shores area. Besides, we want to check out the speak easy located across the street from Villaggio. I should mention there is a laser light show set to popular music every few minutes and includes fog machines positioned in the median of Main Street. The lights are mounted on the store fronts on both sides of Main Street. Very cool addition! Go check...