Discover Malacari's Italian Restaurant & Winery, a standout culinary destination nestled at 80-82 Wilkes Barre Township Blvd, Wilkes-Barre Township, PA 18702, United States. As a passionate food blogger, I was eager to explore this vibrant spot that seamlessly combines authentic Italian cuisine with an inviting winery experience, making it one of the best restaurants in Wilkes-Barre Township for both locals and visitors seeking a memorable dining experience.
Upon entering Malacari's Italian Restaurant & Winery, you’re immediately struck by its warm, rustic charm. Exposed brick walls, elegant wooden accents, and intimate lighting create a cozy atmosphere that feels both upscale and welcoming. Guests can enjoy spacious indoor seating, perfect for family dinners or romantic evenings, while the outdoor patio offers a charming spot for al fresco dining during warmer months. The attention to detail in the décor enhances the overall dining experience, emphasizing comfort without sacrificing sophistication.
The menu at Malacari’s showcases classic Italian favorites alongside creative twists that elevate the flavors. Signature dishes like the Lobster Ravioli, generously filled with fresh lobster and served in a delicate saffron cream sauce, exemplify the chef’s commitment to quality and innovation. Another must-try is the Chicken Marsala, featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a rich Marsala wine sauce with earthy mushrooms-a dish that perfectly balances savory and aromatic notes. For pasta lovers, the homemade Gnocchi with a truffle cream sauce is a true delight, offering a light, pillowy texture that melts in your mouth. Prices are reasonable considering the generous portions and high-quality ingredients, making it a great choice for both casual dinners and special occasions.
One of the standout features of Malacari’s is its in-house winery, which allows diners to pair meals with a curated selection of wines. From crisp whites to robust reds, each wine complements the dishes beautifully, enhancing the overall culinary experience. Guests have praised this unique combination, noting that it sets Malacari's apart from typical Italian eateries in the area. “The wine selection is superb, and the staff helped us find the perfect pairing for our meal,” one diner commented, highlighting the attentive service that adds to the restaurant’s charm.
Service at Malacari's is consistently described as friendly and knowledgeable, with staff going above and beyond to ensure a memorable visit. Whether you’re indulging in signature desserts like the Tiramisu or savoring freshly baked bread with olive oil, every detail reflects the restaurant’s dedication to excellence. Pet-friendly seating options and occasional live music events add special touches that make each visit unique and enjoyable.
Malacari's Italian Restaurant & Winery is more than just a meal-it’s a full sensory experience that combines exceptional food, a warm atmosphere, and a passion for Italian culinary traditions. If you’re searching for local dining experiences that capture the heart of Wilkes-Barre Township, Malacari’s is an inviting destination that promises unforgettable flavors and a welcoming ambiance. Don’t miss the chance to explore this culinary gem for yourself and discover why it’s celebrated as one of the best restaurants in the area.
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“ Great food, wine selection is excellent, overall a pleasant experience. I had the salmon and the flavors were delicious. The flatbread pizza was also very good. I have no complaints with the food. Service was pretty good, although our waitress didn't attend/check in as frequently as expected (there weren't many tables filled when there). Finally, as for the atmosphere, the lighting was way too bright. I felt like I was at an office, not a restaurant. Overall food was 9/10, service was 7.5/10. ”
“ In full disclosure, my husband and I have been friends with Vito and Cindy for years but that aside, they run this family business with their sons and several other popular businesses with great pride and dedication and this particular restaurant and winery is no exception. They are dedicated to serving their customers the best they can offer and there is a long list to choose from. Vito’s extensive wine list has anything to choose from to your liking or get a flight of samples to choose your favorite. We had the Cabernet and Nero D’Avolo and they were both great. His wide ranging selections on the menu offer many choices. We had appetizers of oysters and bruschetta which were excellent but he also serves olive oil with seasonings for dipping the homemade buns for each table. Our dinners were also a huge hit of white clam sauce, ahi tuna and bolognese….all fantastic! Only problem was we enjoyed all the food and didn’t have room for the desserts which sounded wonderful….next time! We are anxious to go back with friends to introduce them to a wonderful new local family run establishment ”
“ You Need To Know? Arrived around 6;30 & we were seated immediately. The environment was very nice with a large bar & lots of tables. We ordered the arrabbiatta & spaghetti, Meat Ravioli, Linguine Alfredo, & a side of meatballs. We were shorted a salad but eventually we got it. The food was delicious Italian plates, however, they put the meatballs with marinara sauce on top of the Alfredo sauce instead of on the side like was requested was disappointing. The Alfredo sauce was fantastic but not mixed with the marinara. Would definitely return as the food was delicious! Now You Know! -TBH ”
“ Loved it. They're still working out the operational kinks but so worth going to try. Went with a small group of 6 to try out some local Italian. Bruschetta is amazing, best I've ever have had as are the stuffed mushrooms for appetizers. Calamari was also delicious. They have two portion sizes for each plate. Get the larger ones like we did if you want more than a taste. Got the Homemade Tagliatelle with Bolognese.. amazing. Angel hair pasta was also fantastic as was the vodka penne. Get the meatball sides! So good. Disappointed they weren't included in the dish but worth paying for. The small meatball side had 4 meatballs. They had a large side but not sure how many are included there. They've been open a month so there were some hiccups. Calamari we ordered, we didn't order but they told us to eat it as it was late at night. The group also wanted Caesar salad instead of the dinner side salad but that's not an option as they only make Caesar salad on the grill per order. They also ran out of the balsamic dressing and we all had to have their Italian dressing (which was good but not our first choices). Dinner portions were large so we had take home. Will certainly be going back. Staff was very nice and apologetic for the hiccups. We were just happy to eat there so good. Don't use Google gps directions to get there as they take you behind the building. Owners need to change the location via Google maps so others can find it easier. Also the parking lot was small and packed. ”
“ Great Food. Every dish was Excellent. Variety fresh delicious entres and appetizers large selections of great taisting wines. Authentic. Will Return . ”
“ Let's get the negatives out of the way first. Called around noon for a reservation the same day. Confirmed the date and time. When we arrived they didn't have the reservation. They seated us in the back room, against the wall, exactly where the waitress and waiters go back and forth from the kitchen. We asked to be moved and they did move us to another location. Now let's get positive. The service was very good. The food was delicious. They had 2 nightly specials. We missed out on the Lobster Risotto. Ordered the Steak Filet Mignon Special with asparagus and mashed potatoes. The filet was delicious, asparagus was done perfectly. The mashed potatoes were tasty but not hot enough to melt the garlic butter. The Shrimp and Garlic Capellini was very good and well proportioned and highly recommended. The desert was their homemade cannolis, which were a perfect ending to a very good meal. Although there were a few bumps in the road. We definitely will be back as the food and service was excellent. ”
“ The first time visiting was for the 99 cent sundae. It was extremely hard to get a parking spot as the lot isn't that big. Finally got a spot to park, and the line was long. But, it didn't take as long as I had thought. The staff was very kind, efficient, and professional. I got the Chocolate Covered Cherry sundae. The sundae is one size, but OH MY! It was bigger than I expected! And it was absolutely delicious! My daughter loved her marshmallow sundae, too! We will be going back when we're in the area. ”
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