Cantina Cafe Ristorante in Middletown

Holy cats was this good food! I was here with a large group of over 30 (work) and they were not only able to accommodate us, they even served us family style.My only complaint were the portion sizes. Most of us were from out of state and flying home the next day and so unable to take leftovers....of which there was a ton. Thankfully a couple in our group were local and could take what was left. Otherwise it would have been a sad waste of food.

My all time favorite restaurant. It's always a treat to go to Cantina. Start your meal off with an antipasto, the most delicious fresh meats, cheeses, house roasted peppers and olives with a piece of Italian bread for dipping. Meals are all served family style, so pick a few to share. We usually do a meat and a pasta and that's more than enough for 4 people to share. I highly recommend it, and make reservations if it's Friday or Saturday for sure.

Great Food huge portions

The food is not great.

Food is great, and I mean great! Large portions. Consistent quality. Its not on the main drag in Middletown. It's on a side street down in a basement of some sort of Italian social club I believe. But don't let that stop you. If you want some real good Italian food, this is the place. My one small complaint is the atmosphere is dark and almost gloomy. A most cozy but not quite. It's better when it more lively and there is a full house.

This is real deal old school mom and pop southern italian cooking

I've always loved this restaurant nice staff and the best italian food heeeey there on the early dinner hour

Awesome veal special, service and an outstanding capuchino. Giant portions.

Great place, dinner takes time because they cook just for you. This is real food and great service

I had a veal and eggplant rollotini and it was excellentThe only reason it's a 4 and not a 5 is the service. It was inaccurate and slow. I never received my Caesar salad, didn't get asked if we wanted refills on drinks. Still good place to go but I'm all about service.

Called to verify hours of operation. Was told they close at 11pm. We arrived at 8:15. Was told by waiter to hurry and place order as the kitchen was closing in a few minutes. Asked for a few items on the menu and was told no they didn't have it. One person in our party of 3 only wanted to have soup. Waiter said no, no soup. We ordered pasta dishes. Both with marinara sauce. One dish clearly did not have a marinara sauce. It was light in color and tasted like an ala vodka sauce. I don't know if it was an off night or what but I was extremely dissatisfied. I am not willing to revisit this restaurant.

Oh my god bring your apatite and someone else's. Food was excellent traditional family style Italian cuisine. The portions were off the chart. We won't have to cook for the rest of the year.

A true Hidden gem. Went there only because my wife won a gift certificate. Will definitely be going back. Food was amazing and portions huge, service was excellent. Drinks were good and all pricing was reasonable. I rated only 4 stars due to the salad leaving something to be desired.

Great place to eat

My sister went there at 8:10 for dinner the waiter said you need to order fast the kitchen is closing my sister said I thought you were opened until 11:00 PM she ordered pasta with meat sauce and they said we only have plain sauce she said it didn't taste very good and was over priced. Waiter was rude.

So, this is our 2nd time here and we truly enjoined our meals and service! Excellent portions and quality food items and choices abundant. Not a fancy place and definitely a bit dated- but we go for the terrific food not to nibble on the decor. Lol-

5 star restaurant. Friendly people and we went home with leftovers. Everyone has to try this restaurant, the portions were huge

I've been here many times and it is always a great meal. The staff works very hard to make it a pleasant experience

Huge portions, I was full and took my leftovers home which fed both myself and my son the next day for lunch. Not to mention DELICIOUS. I had chicken caprese, I can tell you it will be the only of a craving in the future. Also, calm environment so I didn't have to yell across the table to have a nice conversation with my cousin. Overall an excellent experience and I will be back.

Extremely poor service. At times no service . However, no fault of the wait staff - only a few working. Very badly managed. Place was a mess. Food was average, if that.

Great food, great value

Wonderful Italian restaurant. Food was excellent!

This place always delivers the best meal. Thanks Tomas

My family always rents out the big room for parties and they do a fantastic job every time

Good food, huge portions. I would check themout. Tip- no to go on weekends

Even though inside dining is open again. We chose to order food to go. We heard about this place from a friend. She was spot on! The food here was amazing! The Veal Tommy melted in my mouth. My wife had the Veal Parm and said exactly the same. Do yourself a favor and seek out this hidden gem.

Service was great. Had enough in my bowl for three people. Not kidding

The portions are HUGE. the veal and eggplant sorrentino was AMAZING. I did take out and went to pick up. I ordered two entree and I have enough to feed soooo many people. They came in catering tins lol. Also was given salad and bread. We weren't very impressed with the shrimp and clam fra diavolo though. Only 6 shrimp in a catering tin full of pasta, no whole clams was obviously canned chopped clams. But thats my ONLY complaint. I will be coming back to try other dishes but likely not any seafood ones.

You'll never find this place unless someone tells you about it or you stumble across it. If you stumble across it it would be shocking since it's down a side street and in the basement of a banquet hall. A friend of mine took me there about 8 years ago and I've enjoyed it ever since. The food is excellent. entrees are huge. The only downside is that on a Friday or Saturday night the place is jammed and they do not rush you out the door so if you can't get a table straight away just turn around and go find somewhere else to go because you'll be waiting all night for a table. Highly recommended

Last visit fell short from their normal excellent food. Disappointed. Will try again?

Best authentic Italian food that you can have besides your own Nonna's kitchen. The owner is a nice man, my father has had some family events here and everytime they treat us very good and the food is spectacular. Highly recommend!!

In Middletown a little over 2 years, never tried this place. Was told by family that it was very good. Well! My boyfriend and I ordered from there tonight and it was EXCEPTIONAL! The entree was delivered in a catering style tray (that's how big the cutlet of veal was!) It was smothered in mozzarella and delicious tomato sauce. Everything also comes with a pasta and salad on the side which also were amazing! This place is a truly delicious little Italian gem! It should be in Little Italy LOL

Cozy ambiance and friendly service. Great Italian food and large portions. Shared a "football" (veal, eggplant, and cheese rollatini) with salad and bread with house oil. Phenomenal!

If you're going to the Cantina, you're going for the extra large portions. Italian food is decent; very good bread and salad. Service is friendly. Worth going once in awhile.

Excellent food and service

Food is fantastic!

Food is fresh and delicious and planty

I went with my family to eat dinner here for my first time and was beyond impressed with the food and service. Not only was the portions large but the quality of food was spot on. From the appetizers to main course to dessert everything was on point. The server who was the owner/owners son went out of his way every turn to ensure we had a great experience and had great food. 10/10 experience!!

Fabulous food and atmosphere!

THIS MF FOOD SSSHHHMAAACKSSSSS!

Break Italian food homestyle

Look at the picture. The table is FULL of food. All of it delicious. My god, this is amazing.

This place is amazing. Best Italian food I've ever had.

I raveled 800 miles, and the 1st place I needed to go was Cantina. Outstanding food, outstanding staff... Did I mention it is now, and has always been Outstanding?

Awesome food and great aesthetic. Highly recommend

Authentic Italian restaurant. Great atmosphere,and servicePortions are very large extremely delicious. Definitely need a canoli so save room.

Great food large plates and you have dinner for the next day.

Great food and service. A hidden little gem in the heart of Middletown.

One of the BEST Italian restaurants in Middletown, CT hands down. Great service and great prices.. Always make you feel like family.. Clean and very presentable. Just like being in Italy itself..been going for years!

This place is like eating Sunday dinner at your Italian Grandmas house. Service was polite and thorough, portions were generous.... several meals worth generous. I've been around Middletown my whole life and only just tried this place. I regret not coming sooner.