Buckhead Italian Market and Bakery

I stumbled upon this place with a friend. The appetizer of bread and olive oil was heavenly. I don’t think I have EVER had olive oil that tasted that good. I ordered the spaghetti marinara and it was divine. My friend ordered the lasagna and it was excellent, too. Can’t wait to go back to this place.

You’ll never try a different Italian restaurant in the Buckhead area again…
Their food is amazing. It’s not some Olive Garden fast-​food Italian. It is legit.
If you go there for dinner, you can bring your own wine, and have an amazing meal that hits the wallet a fraction as hard as other places. Their chicken parm and veal parm are both unbelievable. Save room for dessert too, because their cannolis are amazing. At lunch time, parking can be tough, but it’s more than worth it. They’re very nice, and their food is unmatched.

I thought I was done with all the Italian my stomach could handle, but this place is a gem! Discreetly located in a shopping center on Roswell and Piedmont, I’m in love with this place. Mama is adorable and she takes good care of you when you’re there.
Weeknight dinners in the restaurant seem really quiet with just a few occupied tables. I can’t imagine what this place is like during lunch — it must be a zoo! I ordered the Lasagna Verde which is pretty much a veggie lasagna with broccoli and spinach. The lasagna was perfect — not too dry, not too moist, not too salty and the right amoutn of marinara sauce served with it. I also had a side of the eggplant caponata which is a cold marinated eggplant salad. I didn’t see the chickpeas in it, but it’s delicious regardless, almost like a baba ganoush. My friend ordered the salmon with the same salad and a Greek salad. The food came out probably 5 – 10 minutes after we ordered, so I can only surmise that everything is made ahead of time and reheated. The salmon was almost a little too dry, but I think it’s from the reheating.
We also had dessert: a cannoli and a slice of tiramisu. Delicious. The cannoli was stuffed with a thick cream and not just an average light whipped cream. Tiramisu was also creamy and delicious without being too sweet. The slice of tiramisu was a bit pricey but clearly it’s a popular item because by the time I left, there was only one slice remaining. Oh, and the coffee is great too! Mama said it’s Italian coffee and I believe every word she says. I had two cups.
I really like how laid-​back the place is and I love Mama’s humor. Upon taking our drink orders of water, she held up two fingers and shouted, «two champagna!» When Marcello walked in, she told him, «I have two beautiful girls here!» She’s such a sweet old lady. I think I might like her more than Al at Café Agora. That being said, service is a little slow on a weeknight since it’s just Mama, but if you need her, just let her know.

Was not very impressed. First of all, it’s difficult to even know where to find this restaurant. There is no sign above the restaurant with its name. There is only a banner like the kind used for Grand Openings. Then when I walk in, there’s no one to greet you. The restaurant itself feels like the deli section at Kroger, except with less selections. The food did not look too fresh, and the entrees seemed cold and needed heating. Like I said, not a lot of options either. For the salad, I wanted to get the 1 entrée plus 2 salads combo for me and my wife. However, I couldn’t find 4 salads that looked good. So I ended up getting only 3, and even that was a stretch. I only ordered 3 because I bought a deal for this restaurant and wanted to use its full value. I ordered to go, and when I brought it home, my wife was like «is this it?» Luckily we had a deal for this place, otherwise we would’ve felt like we were overcharged for what we got.

My co-​workers and I came here for lunch two days in a row — this place is so good! Everything is reasonably priced, fresh, and everyone is extremely friendly. The tabouli is delicious, and the other salad that I tried (can’t remember the name but it had broccoli, tomato, cucumbers and lettuce) was good too. The chicken pesto with penne was also pretty good. Another thing that I appreciated was that nothing was greasy/​heavy.

We had the eggplant parmesan, spaghetti bolognese, cucumber and tomato salad, meatballs, tiramisu, and a cannoli! My husband loved the bolognese, it was super meaty so he didn’t even put the meatballs on it and we enjoyed those separately. The eggplant was assembled a little like a lasagne, in layers, and was de-​li-​cious (I am hoping it will also put me into labor… bonus). The serving of bolognese was rather large and he couldn’t finish it but I had no problem with my eggplant. Both deserts were out of this world. I actually though when looking in the pastry case that the tiramisu may be dry of old, but when I got it home and ate it I couldn’t believe how light and creamy and perfect it was. Overall it seemed like a ton of food but neither of us felt heavy or overly full after dinner, and we can’t wait to go back.

I suggested having lunch here and my coworkers love me for that!
It was like a getaway because of the authentic food and laid back atmosphere. I didn’t wanna go back to work LOL.
I had lasagna bolognese, tabbouli salad and eggplant & chick pea salad (CAPPONATA). Portion was kind of small (1 entrée & 2 salads for about $ 10). Delicious. The eggplant salad was so good that I miss it a lot and try to duplicate at home.
I bought dessert for everyone, using a HALF OFF DEPOT voucher. Yay! Had bak lava. Not a big fan. Will try their mousse next time.
Be patient with parking. During lunch time this plaza will be packed.
PLUS they deliver. Next time we’ll probably consider here for catering because every one loves it.

Wow, Best lasagne I’ve ever had. How has this place been in business 30 years and I’ve never heard of it. What a hidden authentic Italian Gem!
And I can even bring my wine…
If more people knew about this place it would be packed constantly… go go go

I saw a voucher for this place so decided to try it out with a friend. You have to really look for this place. Luckily, I knew the plaza it was in. My friend had never been in the area before so had to make a couple passes in order to find it. Also, there is poor signage at the storefront itself. Had to look all around for it.
It is a small operation with a husband and wife (I assume) team working the place. The man cooks, the woman serves. The woman’s English isn’t too great. We had a hard time understanding her. And, I think, she had a heard time understanding us. I ordered the lasagna bolognese and a caesar salad. Well, I didn’t get my caesar salad. I ended up with a plain salad– but I didn’t want to make a fuss so I just dealt with it. The lasagna had a different taste than I was used to. Hard to explain– a bit more acidic tasting. At least it was amply sized and piping hot.
We were the only ones in there seated to eat. Others were coming in to get take away.

It had been about two years since the allure of rich olive oil and tomatoes drew me into the Buckhead Italian Market and Bakery, but this afternoon I was stopped next to the turn-​in for the shopping center in which they are located and decided to make a right. The Market is nearly hidden, mostly due to signage, next to Zoe’s Kitchen and Menchie’s. Long ago someone other than Marcello, the more-​than-​gracious owner, helped me with a to-​go order and I just did not feel like I was as impressed as I should be. So, after hearing highly complimentary reviews from friends and reading about them on Unilocal,I felt like I needed to return to give it another shot.
I was able to wander around a little before catching Marcello’s attention from the back and decided that it would be in my best interest to ask for advice before ordering. The entrée + 2 sides combination meal was recommended to me and I put the fate of my meal in his hands, save an order or caponata, which I simply cannot turn down. To complete my order for take-​away we went with a piece of chicken parmigiana, which was perfectly cooked with just the right amount of cheese and tomato, and a few slices of caprese salad since I guess you cannot go wrong with fresh mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, fresh basil and a heavy dousing of olive oil. I was obliged to hit my caponata and salad with a little cold-​pressed olive oil when I got home, just for good measure, and greatly enjoyed my whole meal.
When I got to the checkout counter «Mama» was patiently doing her own thing between customers and sweetly greeted me and packaged up a cannoli to go with my meal. Hey, a girl needs her cannoli! How could I turn that down?! Lightly sweetened ricotta, crispy and substantial shell, thin chocolate lining and the faintest kiss of icing sugar… perfection! I am looking forward to heading back to try their lasagne, tabbouli salad, more caponata, a panini, some tiramisu and whatever else tickles my fancy. Well done!

This is a nice casual Italian restaurant and deli. The quality of the food is high, so things can get pricey. As other reviews have mentioned, the owners, Marcello and «Mama» are great. They are very friendly, sociable, and accommodating hosts. They’ll make you feel like family.
The Buckhead Italian Market & Bakery is located next door to Zoes Kitchen, near the intersection of Roswell and Piedmont. Signage for the restaurant isn’t very clear. There is a white tarp that hangs over the storefront that simply reads, «Buckhead Italian Restaurant.»
Inside, the store is setup like a traditional deli with glass cases everywhere. On display are all sorts of gourmet salads, Italian appetizers, pastas, meats, cheeses, homemade sauces, and desserts. They also stock some imported groceries such as oil, vinegar, and olive paste. There’s an assortment of tables and chairs set up in one area of the restaurant for dining in, though many opt to get their orders to-​go. Outdoor seating is available as well. Overall, the space definitely gives off an authentic and relaxed Italian atmosphere.
The menu includes items like paninis, parmigiana, bruschetta, caprese salads, spaghetti, zitis, lasagna, and ravioli. The gourmet salads are really good and include tabbouleh salad, okra salad, eggplant caponata and chickpea salad, and white albacore tuna salad. Desserts include sorbet, gelato, and various Italian cookies. The paninis and parmigianas are about $ 10 each and the larger entrees like the lasagna are about $ 14 each. The gourmet salads are about $ 10 per pound.
The lasagna is extremely rich and delicious. I am a big fan of the lasagna salcice (Italian sausage). The salcice is savory, fragrant, and a bit sweet. Combined with the pasta dough and cheese, the flavor is heavenly. I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the lasagna here. They are also quite filling.
The eggplanta caponata and chickpea salad is superb. It’s fresh and very refreshing. If you like eggplant, I highly recommend it.
Complimentary bread and olive oil is served at sit-​down meals. I really like the bread here because it’s already infused with chunks of seasoned butter. The olive oil is icing on the cake. If you’re lucky, Mama will give you an assortment of small cookies and treats to munch on for dessert. Or you can just nosh on one of her gelatos.
Service is great.
Check out Half Off Depot for a coupon to this restaurant (
). Expires 8÷18÷12.

LOOOOOVE this place! Great for lunch or takeout.
The service is great, the owner is so cute and genuinely sweet.
The fresh salads are awesome.
I had an Italian sandwich and a caprese salad. Both were great!
We go back often for the homemade tiramisu.

Came here for the first time yesterday for lunch. Our group all ordered the panini and a salad. I had the turkey panini and the pasta salad. They both were pretty solid, nothing mind blowingly awesome, but good, solid food.
The service was quick and prompt. The place was definitely not busy, and yes, whereas the shelves were full of odds, ends and pictures instead of products, it lent a homey feel to the place.
The owner was very nice and sweet; coming in to check up on us outside and even chatting with us a bit.
Overall, a nice place to go to get out of a hectic office for a nice meal.

The food was so-​so.
Pasta was very plain and not very fresh.
Hummus was gritty and also not that fresh.
Italian Panini was nothing special, lacked taste.
The place looks a little overbuilt. Most of the shelves have pictures in them rather than product. If they spent more effort on the food than the decoration they’d have a better result.
At least the service was excellent.

Wow, this place was hard to find. About 8 of us came to this place for CUCCUYEIBIHOH [1]. They didn’t even have a proper sign for their restaurant. If you want to find this place, just look for Zoes. It’s right next door to it.
Mamma mia! I just had to say that because this place is Italian, and because of Mama, one of the owners of this restaurant. Mamma mia literally means «my mother» in Italian [2]. And Mama seems to be everyone’s bestest mom when they come here. She was a sweet mother and fed us good food – except you had to pay her. It was weird having an Italian mother for a night. She didn’t nag me about how I disgraced the family for not going to Harvard.
The food tasted good. It didn’t blow me away though. I think all the reviews here overhyped it. I do think they made solid Italian food. The bread seemed nice and fresh. The paninis, lasagna, and pasta dishes all tasted good. It seemed everyone in our group enjoyed their dish.
The food is good. Although, I think the main attraction is the people that work there, the service, and the atmosphere. It was an enjoyable experience. So bring your friends, bring your own bottle of wine, get comfortable, and enjoy a nice family-​like meal at Buckhead Italian Market and Bakery.
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[1] Basically, a UUYE, or an unofficial UYE. The acronym is actually something ridiculous and laden with inside jokes. So I won’t spell it out. I got a bunch of Unilocalers to come here without creating a UYE. Sorry guys, it was a last minute thing so I couldn’t create an official one.
[2] I think it’s used as an expression similar to «oh my god!»

I am in love. Came here with the fam on a Friday night. We were the only people eating here although there was a woman who came in to get stuff to go from the market/​bakery part. I knew as soon as the Italian woman greeted us that we were in store for some great authentic food. I had the ravioli which was fantastic. My mom had the lasagna and said it was probably the best she’s ever had. My dad was all about his salad, but I can’t remember what kind he got. I don’t think you can go wrong here. I definitely intend to come back, and if I ever need anything catered, I know who to go to! Also, btw, prices are very reasonable. If I worked nearby I would come for lunch all the time.

I’m always amazed the place isn’t packed. The good news is I never have to wait.
The paninis and salads are among the best I’ve ever had. If you are lucky, you will visit on the night he has made Italian okra — sauteed hen baked in tomatoes. I’ve never had a salad with a bad tomato — never mushy, never a core.
Love their chicken salad. The roast beef is yummy. They roast their own turkey.
The owner and his Mama are delightful.
5 stars from me.

I almost couldn’t find this restaurant on Unilocal to review it, because all of my friends refer to it simply as «Mama’s». Mama is wonderful — she remembers you and makes the place feel like you’re there as family… although you still have to pay! (She’s never taken me up on the bid to wash dishes for my dinner.)
Every day dining is great. I usually do an entrée with two sides, from which there are many to choose. As someone who does not normally like pasta so much, I love her sausage lasagna.
The real event — and sure fire one to take out of town guests for a laid back evening — come for Taste of Italy on Saturday. You’ll get more food than you think you could eat… well, more food than I can eat and probably more than you can eat, for a great price. It’s great quality: antipasta, salad plate (5 salads or so), meat plate (five meats) and past plate (yes, five pastas).
One last thing… if you bring your own wine, NO CORKAGE!!!
I’m almost sorry I wrote this review, because I don’t want everyone to find Mama’s.

Just an excellent place to go. The staff is so friendly. The food is delicious. You can eat outside or inside. It definitely has a warm feeling. It’s so strange that it’s tucked away in a strip mall. Great value on the price of food! They will allow you to bring in wine any night and not charge you a cork fee. The owners of this place really make it special. In the morning you can get fresh pastries and excellent coffee. On friday night they have an italian feast for 14.95. I’m excited to try the BYOW thing. Think about how much money that would save. Go to this place!

So… my family was visiting me from KY this weekend, and we are a family that always struggles with agreeing on where to eat. We actually stumbled upon this place by accident, after trying to get into another restaurant close by on a busy Saturday night. We walked in to check out the menu, and another couple eating immediately recommended that we stay. The weather was gorgeous, so we chose to sit outside. As soon as we were seated the owner, Marcello, came out and introduced himself. They were having a $ 14.99 ALL YOU CAN EAT special, and he explained it to us. After glancing at the menu for a moment, we decided that we would prefer Marcello to bring out whatever he thought was best. BOY am I glad we did this!
First, we had bread (I think it was Ciabatta) with oil… which was so yummy! Then he brought out a huge plate of Antipasto, followed by another huge plate of Insalatas. ALL great! My family wasn’t big on the eggplant, but I loved it all. Next we were served with a plate of various stuffed raviolis (portobello mushroom, seafood, meat, etc) which were a HUGE hit! There were also a couple jumbo shells stuffed with 5 cheeses that I loved. NEXT we had filet mignon, chicken, and vegetables from the grill… OMG! I just loved every bite. Lastly, we were served with a variety of Italian cookies, vanilla gelato (for my 6yr old niece), a cannoli, a large piece of chocolate cake, and a couple other chocolate things that were to die for! Not sure what the one I loved the most was called, but I claimed it for myself. We were completely stuffed, but very happy!
Oh, and did I mention this place is BYOB? I used to live in Chicago where BYO places were huge, and I am always looking for a place to bring my own bottle of wine. We didn’t have a bottle with us, so Marcello was nice enough to bring out a spare bottle from the back (he had 2) at no charge. Of course, paying for it is left to your discretion. ;) (I would recommend bringing a bottle, as he may not always have one available.) Also, according to the card I was given, they also have «Wine Down Wednesdays» every Wed from 6 — 9pm.
I also noticed a sign that said they have complimentary wireless access, so for those of you with laptops… that’s another plus!
So to sum things up, my dad made the comment that after 30 plus years of dining at NICE restaurants this was one of the (if not THE) best experiences he has ever had. My niece had a blast, and even wanted to help Marcello as he set the tables for the next day. She even assisted with running my dad’s credit card (see photos)…it was sooo cute! She even asked if we could take him home with us. lol I just couldn’t imagine not writing a review for this place. Definitely check it out!
PS: They also have a catering menu, including breakfast items & corporate lunch boxes.