Avicolli’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria
Some restaurants serve dinner, while others serve generations of tradition, unforgettable flavors, and the kind of food that keeps you coming back for more! At Avicolli’s, every meal feels like a little taste of Italy! Located at 7839 Oswego Road in Liverpool, Avicolli’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria is a beloved Central New York institution that has been satisfying appetites for more than four decades. Open Monday through Thursday from 11am to 9pm., Friday and Saturday until 10pm, and Sunday from noon to 9pm, Avicolli’s offers traditional sit-down dining, a casual attached pizzeria, and convenient online ordering. For more information or to place your order online check out their website at www.myavicollis.com. It’s one of our family’s longtime favorites, and we can confidently say we’ve never had a bad meal. In fact, the hardest part of visiting is deciding what to order because everything is consistently delicious!
The restaurant’s history is as rich as its food. The Avicolli family immigrated from Isernia, Italy, in 1972, bringing generations of treasured recipes and culinary traditions to America. In 1983, they opened their Liverpool restaurant, introducing Central New York to the hearty Italian cooking that would make Avicolli’s a household name. More than forty years later, their dedication to authentic flavors and generous hospitality continues, with the family’s success eventually expanding to Avicolli’s Coal Fire at 104 Limestone Plaza in Fayetteville. Few restaurants maintain that kind of loyal following for so long, but one visit makes it easy to understand why!
On a lovely fall Monday evening, we headed to Avicolli’s with the kids for a comforting family dinner. We began with the fried calamari, an enormous platter of golden, lightly breaded calamari accompanied by crispy fried banana peppers, fresh lemon wedges, and rich marinara sauce. Each bite delivered a delicate crunch followed by tender seafood, while the peppers added a delicious little kick. Alongside it came the Utica greens, a Central New York favorite prepared with tender greens, bold garlic, savory Romano cheese, crispy pancetta, and a golden breadcrumb topping. The combination of garlicky richness, subtle heat, and perfectly seasoned greens was absolutely irresistible. Both appetizers are must-orders, especially for anyone looking to experience some of CNY’s favorite Italian specialties. Of course, we couldn’t overlook the fresh garlic knots, which are practically legendary in our household. Warm, pillowy, and bursting with garlicky goodness, they’re our kids’ absolute favorite. They’re so delicious that, if you are like my kids, you may find yourself reaching for another before you’ve even finished the first.
If you’re visiting Avicolli’s, make sure these make their way to your table! When our entrées arrived, the kids were thrilled with their spaghetti and meatballs. Their plates were piled high with tender spaghetti, smothered in a thick, flavorful tomato sauce and topped with a hearty Italian meatball. The portions were absolutely enormous, so generous that even our resident spaghetti monster, Johnny, couldn’t finish his plate! It’s classic Italian comfort food at its finest, simple, satisfying, and wonderfully delicious. Kyle ordered the Cavatelli with Broccoli & Mushroom, adding shrimp for an extra indulgent touch. Typically my favorite dish, it is a huge portion of tender cavatelli tossed with fresh broccoli and sliced mushrooms sautéed in extra virgin olive oil, then finished with fragrant garlic, white wine, and Romano cheese. The plump shrimp complemented the savory mushrooms and garlicky sauce beautifully, creating a dish that was both hearty and full of fresh flavor. Our table also featured my order of Filet Marsala, beautifully prepared steak medalions topped with sautéed mushrooms, surrounded by a rich, glossy sauce that made every bite wonderfully savory. Accompanied by pasta with marinara, it was another reminder that Avicolli’s excels at much more than traditional pasta dishes. Fresh salad with house balsamic and crumble blue and a warming bowl of Italian Wedding soup rounded out our feast.
While we enjoyed the full restaurant experience, don’t forget about the attached pizzeria, which is a fantastic option for a more casual family outing. Whether you’re craving a delicious pizza, wings, or a quick Italian dinner without the formality of a sit-down meal, the pizzeria offers another wonderful way to enjoy Avicolli’s. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, relaxed dinners with the kids, or takeout when you’d rather enjoy your meal at home. And yes, those irresistible garlic knots deserve a spot in your order! For first-time visitors, we highly recommend starting with the calamari, Utica greens, Arancine and Polpette before exploring the extensive menu. The Eggplant Rolatini with battered and fried eggplant stuffed with a ricotta & cream cheese seasoned mix with tomato sauce topped with Romano and mozzarella then baked is another guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Other Italian favorites worth exploring include chicken parmigiana, lasagna, and chicken riggies. With such a wonderful variety of pasta, seafood, meat dishes, and pizza, there’s truly something for everyone, and the generous portions mean you may even have enough for lunch the next day! Just as memorable as the food is the incredible staff, especially our wonderful server, Heidi, who always remembers us and makes every visit feel like we’re being welcomed back by family. Her warmth and attentiveness, along with the genuine hospitality of the entire Avicolli’s team, are part of what makes this restaurant so special and keeps us coming back time after time and year after year.
What makes Avicolli’s special isn’t just one memorable dish or one wonderful evening. It’s the remarkable consistency that keeps us returning year after year. The food is always delicious, the portions are plentiful, the staff and atmosphere is warm and welcoming and there’s something comforting about sharing a meal at a restaurant that has been part of Central New York’s culinary landscape for generations. Whether we’re settling in for a leisurely family dinner, date night or simply grabbing pizza and wings, Avicolli’s never disappoints! More than forty years, countless plates of pasta, and generations of happy diners later, Avicolli’s proves that great Italian food never goes out of style. Bring your appetite, bring your family, and prepare to fall in love, one delicious bite at a time!
