Welcome to Prato
Prato is a delightful Italian restaurant nestled in the heart of Winter Park, FL, celebrated for its vibrant atmosphere and exquisite menu. Emphasizing fresh ingredients and traditional techniques, Prato offers an array of enticing dishes, from their famous meatballs to the rich, creamy Cacio e Pepe. With options ranging from exquisite pizzas to creative pasta dishes, diners are treated to a culinary experience that reflects authenticity and innovation. The rustic yet upscale ambiance complements its offerings, making it ideal for both casual meals and special occasions. Reservations are a must, as this popular spot almost always buzzes with eager guests.
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124 N Park Ave Winter Park, FL 32789 United States Hotline: (407) 262-0050
Welcome to Prato, a culinary gem nestled in the heart of Winter Park, Florida. Specializing in a delightful fusion of Italian classics, cocktail culture, and a trendy atmosphere, Prato stands out as the go-to destination for pizza aficionados and cocktail connoisseurs alike. Situated at 124 N Park Ave, this charming establishment boasts an ambiance that's both upscale and inviting—a perfect backdrop for intimate dinners, family gatherings, or a lively night out with friends.
As you step through the ADA-compliant entrance, you’re greeted by the warm tones of rustic decor and the alluring scent of freshly baked pizza. The space is thoughtfully designed with both indoor and covered outdoor seating; an inviting atmosphere that caters to casual diners and those looking to celebrate special occasions. The bustling vibe, particularly on weekends, adds to the overall experience, making it an exciting spot to unwind.
Prato prides itself on a diverse menu that showcases the best Italian culinary traditions with a modern twist. Highlights include:
- Meatballs: Tender and flavorful, they serve as a must-try appetizer that consistently garners rave reviews.
- Diavola Pizza: Featuring a spicy kick and a perfect crust, this pizza has earned its place among the favorites.
- Cacio e Pepe: Particularly lauded for its creamy consistency, this dish offers a gourmet experience where traditional flavors meet modern artistry.
- Cheesecake: Celebrated by patrons as the best they’ve ever had, it’s a fitting conclusion to your dining experience.
While the food is undeniably a highlight, the service at Prato cannot go unmentioned. With a team of knowledgeable and attentive staff, including notable servers like Julia and Manny, diners can expect a seamless experience from start to finish. Numerous reviews emphasize the combination of phenomenal service paired with flavorful dishes, creating a harmonious dining atmosphere.
Prato also caters to various dietary preferences, offering vegan and limited vegetarian options, as well as kid-friendly meals upon request. It’s a family-friendly venue that welcomes guests of all ages, ensuring everyone finds something to enjoy from the exceptional menu.
The restaurant’s commitment to sustainability is equally commendable. They utilize compostable containers and plastic-free packaging, showcasing a dedication to eco-friendly practices.
Don't forget to indulge in their happy hour specials, available primarily on Fridays through Sundays, which add an extra layer of appeal to this already vibrant locale. Given its popularity, making a reservation is highly recommended to avoid the long waits that frequent visitors are all too familiar with.
In conclusion, whether you’re a local looking to enjoy a delicious meal or a tourist hoping to experience the best of Winter Park's culinary scene, Prato delivers on all fronts. With its rich offerings, captivating atmosphere, and stellar service, this restaurant proves to be an essential stop for anyone seeking a delightful dining experience steeped in Italian charm.
Your next culinary adventure awaits at Prato—where every visit is sure to be an enriching experience filled with flavor and hospitality.
I had dinner at Prato at its peak-time on a Saturday night. I made the reservation 2 months in advance since it books up quickly and has a steady stream of customers throughout the night. The restaurant is beautiful but not pretentious and we were promptly seated. Our server, Julia was very knowledgeable and personable. The food was mostly really good and for the price, there was a good portion served. Highlights include the meatballs, pasta dishes, diavola pizza and both the desserts were phenomenal. The food did take a long time to come out and a couple of the appetizers were a miss but I still highly recommend checking out Prato.
Make sure to make a reservation! Prato is one of my favorite Winter Park restaurants, with elegant ambiance and fresh ingredients. Great for a date night or girls brunch
The meatballs were amazing and best cheesecake I have ever had in my entire life. I don't normally like sweets but I ordered the cheesecake and would go back again. Highly recommend!!!!
Truly delish! 3rd time here and it was been consistently great in taste and service! Make a reservation or you'll be waiting a while but still worth it. Have tried multiple menu items and love their calamari! This time around the husband enjoyed the chicken milanese panini which comes with a side salad. I had the mustard spaghettini yet again! It's said to be their "Cacío E Pepe" but it tastes more like a carbonara to me, either way it's delicious and you should give it a try! Got the $17 "regular" portion but didn't finish it. Great idea to get the tasting portion ($10) along with something else. No kids menu but they do offer a kid-friendly butter style pasta if you ask your server or a cheese or pepperoni pizza which is always our choice. Dark atmosphere inside with tables and bar seating, or lovely outside seating! Pretty tightly spaced so if you're with a stroller - beware. Highchairs and booster seats are available for children. Family friendly but ideal for business casual meets or date nights.
A very good experience at this restaurant recently. I had the Cacio E Pepe. This was as good as its reputation, cooked perfectly and really tasty with bits of speck or prosciutto meat. Also quite creamy and tasty similar to a Carbonara. Get the larger portion as it's a great value and you'll have half of it to take home for lunch the next day. My wife had the salmon which was also tasty. She substituted the fresh spring vegetables instead of the potatoes due to her dairy sensitivity. The atmosphere was nice. This restaurant takes orders off the main menu starting at 5:30 PM so try to get there around that time. A+ Experience and great service.
Went to Prato on a Friday night, made a reservation for two at around 6ish! The atmosphere was great! Our server was super helpful suggesting the meatballs as the appetizer. We got the pretzel crusted calamari & although it was great, it didn't taste any different than regular calamari. We got the large dish of the mustard spaghetti cacio e Pepe and it was AMAZING! If you're considering getting it, you definitely should, I was concerned with the mustard but the waitress informed us that the "mustard" was just mustard powder added for the yellowy color. The last thing we got was the pepperoni pizza, which I didn't love just because I don't love pepperoni as much but my boyfriend loved it. It was just a little too salty for me.
Everything about this place was EXCEPTIONAL! Native New Yorker seeking restaurant with infusion vibes and phenomenal service. Genie blink..done! Here you will find a very, very, creative menu. Francine with a touch of turmeric essence..divine. Casio de pepe? Don't ask..juest order it. Fantastic! Pizza margarhite..out of this world! We were fortunate to have Joseph as our server...just wonderful service skills. TJ was amazing as he greeted us at the door and accommodated us..Cat. one of the managers was so personable...lovely! From start to finish, EXCEPTIONAL experience. Thank you all! See you soon! What a great time we had...and don't forget to get the cookbook! It has wonderful recipes with infusion vibes. Total overall experience was a 10!
Upscale, rustic feel, with traditional Italian flair. Located in downtown Winter Park. We walked in on a weekday evening and were seated immediately. The atmosphere is slinky, intimate, and refined, fashioned with stylish accents all throughout. Our server, Manny, was fantastic. So knowledgeable and accommodating. HAMACHI CRUDO: So fresh & flavorful. Loved the pomegranate. One of the best hamachi crudo dishes I've had :D OAK ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP: Perfect for a winter evening! Their spices really bring out a depth of flavor from the squash. SPINACH & SORANA BEAN AGNOLOTTI "DEL PLIN": Savory and sweet balanced well. Loved the bursts of freshness in each bite from the pole bean. FUNGHI PIZZA: Very... Salty... Any mushroom flavor was indiscernible from the sheer amount of salt. Not for me. After searching for a decent meal after a long flight, we were grateful Prato was open late and had no dress code lol.
Since Prato is one of my favorite restaurants I feel like I only talk about the good. So let me talk about the bad for one second. However, just know the bad does not outweigh the good. It's just a couple of thoughts as a person who comes often. I hate where the host stand is. I'm busy nights. There's always a logjam there, which makes it uncomfortable when you're standing and trying to check in, but also uncomfortable when you're trying to leave. If you sit in that first table to the right, it's a horrible experience because people are trying to squeeze through the line and your table and the door is always open because there's not enough room for people to get inside and wait. I digress. Let's talk about the good. I don't think I've ever been to Prato and the service has been poor. Everyone who's ever helped me has done so with a smile and done so with maximum effort. This latest trip I ordered the olives, a couple of drinks and the mustard noodles Everything was fantastic
This is my top place to take out of towners when I want to impress them with Orlando's food scene. Well, top 3 for sure, it's im-pasta-ble to choose just one ;) The whole place is a vibe, dark wood and mood lighting, floor to ceiling windows, no wonder this place is never empty. For the food, my go to are the meatballs, the arancini and the Widowmaker. I also like the squid ink mafaldine pasta, but tend to lean on the pizzas more often. Ive been on a no alcohol kick lately and tried the Apple of my Eye, and it was amazing. I thought it was a gin fizz and it tasted delicious, who knew. Life is full of pasta-bilities :)