What locals are saying
Le Farfalle earns consistent local praise as one of Charleston's best Italian restaurants, with house-made pastas — especially the Fusilli Lunghi and ricotta bottoni — drawing repeat visits from regulars; the whipped ricotta and Ceci in Umido appetizers are also local favorites. Critics and casual diners alike note that the restaurant delivers 'truly Italian food, not Italian American,' though some reviewers flag uneven non-pasta dishes (notably the Sicilian meatballs) and a dining room that gets loud on busy nights. Chef Michael Toscano's NYC background anchors the kitchen's credibility, and his expanding local empire — including Da Toscano Porchetta Shop, Fugazzi, and the newer Blanca Estrada pop-up — signals deep investment in Charleston's food scene beyond Le Farfalle itself.
