The Villa Italian Restaurant

Location
12111 W Markham
219-2244
Pros: In Little Rock since 1951, Great atmosphere
Cons: Sometimes food quality can be spotty, depending on the time you visit

The Bottom Line - Great Italian food at reasonable prices.

Guide Review

I will always remember The Villa as the small little place on University that was always crowded and had the most wonderful atmosphere of any Italian restaurant I've ever been in. I used to beg my mom to take me there because I loved the place so much. However, all things must come to an end someday and that location closed and the Villa had a series of moves to new locations.

Their newest location in Rock Creek Square is a great replica of the atmosphere of their old location. The wait staff is great (as always) and the food is just right. Reviewers on this site seem to describe the food as hit or miss but I've never had a bad meal there. The marinara sauce tastes too strongly of wine for my palate but, other than that, the food is always great.

Personally, I think you get huge portions of food for a reasonable price. You can get half a portion for a little less and that's always plenty to fill me up. I can't say that The Villa is my favorite Italian restaurant in Little Rock anymore but it beats the Olive Garden any day.

Oh, and the Villa has the most wonderful salad of any Italian restaurant around. I could live off the Villa house salad. I don't know what they put in it, but yum!

Visitor Review: Non-Chain Italian Food Lover

I've been eating at The Villa since its' University Avenue days and it is a great restaurant. The Pizzas are fun and different and yes, their "Villa Salad" with its chunky cheese is great! They cater, too, and can make anything to go. The staff is great at helping figure out how much food you need for a crowd.

Visitor Review: Sandy

I was somewhat hesitant when my son suggested we go but it was well worth it. The food was good and so was the bread.The waistress was tired and you could tell, she wasn't rude but not concerned. The restuarant could use a bit more uplift.

Visitor Review: Diner in LR

We went to this restaurant 11/4/05 and it was one of the worst meals I have ever had. The butterfly shrimp appitizer was so greasy that it was almost funny. The lasagne looked like it was covered in ketchup. We ate so little the it was embarrasing. We paid the check quickly because we just wanted to get out of there. We had to stop by Mexico Chiquito on the way home!