Port Charlotte Restaurant Guide

We tried Donato's based on one of the reviews posted here. The front entrance is deceiving. You think you're going into a dry cleaner's but once inside the dining room is utterly fantastic and portrayed as a Little Italy street corner with sidewalks and streetlamps. The food is absolutely incredible and the prices are reasonable. If you want a really good meal in a beautiful atmosphere and served by very friendly and attentive waitstaff, Donato's is the place to go.

reminds me of the old days in n.j. the best

Their Sangria is home made and incredible. The food was awsome and the wait staff attentive. This place is the best Italian in Port Charlotte. If you go try to be at your table @ 7pm they do something special at that time.

Just love that little Italian Restaurant we now are back in NH but really miss that little place. The BEST we have every had and would recommend it anyone wanting good Italian cuisine. What I miss also is the dipping for the delicious bread that they serve.

We have been going to Donatos for over 3 years now, we've gone for both lunch and dinner, just the 2 of us and with a large group and we have always had great service, and delicous food. If you're Itallian, and you want delicous Itallian food that's worth every bite, try this place once, you'll go back again!

Well the years just keep going by, and me and my husband just keep on coming back to our favorite little Italian restaurant. Our out of town guests always ask if we all can go to Donato's when they come to town. Food is always great, love when the staff sings, and owners Dennis and David always go out of there way to greet us. My husband said it best, why cook, why mess up the kitchen, both of us are tired. Let's just go over to Donato's we love it there.

A GROUP OF 10 WENT THERE. WE WERE SEATED RIGHT
AWAY. THE WAITRESS WAS EXCELLENT. THE FOOD
DELIOUS. WE WOULD RECOMEND THIS RESTURANT
TO ANYONE WANTING GOOD ITALIAN FOOD AND SERVICE

My family and I just had a wonderful experience at this local restaurant. The food was absolutely the BEST Italian food I have had in years....but there was MUCH more. My children were welcomed and had a place to color, but they were so busy looking at all the clever decor that I never really needed the distraction of the crayons. It reminded us of Disneyland, we were sitting on the sidewalk of an NY street with balconies and store-fronts, it was really amazing. The servers were nice and the owner came out and sang a song and gave my daughter a rose! It was not just dinner it was a night out!!! Well Done Donato's!!!

Donato's is the BEST Italian! We have been going to Donato's for almost 14 years now. The food is always excellent and the service...they treat me like one of the family! I have many favorite dishes but I highly recommend the Chicken Florentine and the Eggplant Parmesan! MMMM!

I also love the atmosphere! The outside-inside theme is great for a romantic date, but also not pretentious so I can bring the kids too! My kids especially like the STOP LIGHT service that Donato's began recently. Flip the switch from green to red and the closest waitperson stops to answer your request!

We have celebrated many special occasions at Donato's both large and small! It is a must if you're local or just visiting! You'll probably see me there!

Current owner dishonors spirit and heritage of Donato's!

Donatos used to be a good family Italian restaurant. However, much about Donato's has changed for the worse following departure of elder founder and move to larger quarters at Murdock Carrousel Plaza in Port Charlotte a few years ago. Particularly noteworthy regarding demise of overall quality, service and value is the attitude and personality of current co-owner, Dennis Valentino. Dennis is an arrogant and rude person. In addition to poor value, tacky decor, loud atmosphere etc... I would not recommend Donato's particularly as a matter of principle given abusive and insensitive behavior I have observed from Dennis Valentino directed at his staff and his customers. There are so many other good restaurants in Charlotte County more gracious, appreciative and deserving of your business!!

Happy 57th Birthday until I went to Donato’s Italian Restaurant. I made a simple request, can I have roasted garlic in my Shrimp Alfredo? When the food was served it had no garlic. I called the waitress over and she said the chef would not put garlic in it. I told her I did not like it and to take it away. She offered another dish, but since it had taken 45 minutes to get this point, I declined and thanked her. The owner “chef” came over with an attitude on his face. Asked why I did not want the meal. I explained and then he started ranting that he “does not alter his recipe for anyone, no special requests” and he said that the waitress told me that. Yes, but only after the meal was served. He then said “no she told you before” and I tried to tell him she did not, so he called us a liar, and stormed off. I later tried to tell him that she did not and that I would have ordered something different if she had be clear that “he” will not alter his recipe. I told him that he ruined my Birthday. He said ”Oh my god, you have been sitting over there this whole time pouting like an eight year old”. I had to walk away before I starting to cry. I had never been talked to or treated so badly by anyone owner or not at a Restaurant. I guess he feels superior to the people here in Port Charlotte. He reeked of arrogance and I will never be able to have a nice memory of my 57th Birthday. I will never go back and I will make sure all my co-workers and friends hear about this. I recommend that you Do NOT eat at Donato’s in Port Charlotte.

He could not and never did look me in the eyes when he talked down to me, he looks up to the ceiling.

Excellent italian food, best in the area! Love the family atmosphere and the staff singing! Wish they still had the deli.

This is the best Italian food I've had since leaving Ct. almost 5 years ago! Excellent! I had a birthday party there for my husband recently; nine of us and not one person had the slightest hint of a complaint. If you want to experience real Italian food, this is the place. The food is fantastic, the price is right and the ambiance is romantic! What more could you want??????????

This place was fixed up so cute after Hurricane Charley. My favorite new sandwich was the proscuitto and red pepper on ciabbatta. The third time I had it, the ciabbatta tasted "off" and was the fattiest I have ever seen. The meat part of it I could not get my teeth through. I told the waitress that the proscuitto was inedible. She said she would tell the chef. We didn't see her again until she brought the check. I had eaten some of the bread and cheese, but left the rest. I told her she didn't even deduct anything and had charged me $8 for the sandwich. She said I had to pay because I ate it. I pointed to my plate to show I had eaten very little of it. She went and got the owner and he told me that I should have told him and he would have made a fresh one. He is then telling me that I had to pay full price because I had eaten part of it. Apparently the waitress never told him what was wrong. Not to embarrass my husband any further, I told the owner "Fine! We'll pay for something I didn't get to eat, but I'll be sure to tell everyone that you are charged whether the food is acceptable or not!" The service has always been poor in the new location, but the ambience and food kept us coming back. Needless to say, we won't be going back there EVER!