Based on 79 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 4.6 stars. Price
✔️ Dine-in ✔️ No delivery
Address:
11 Water St, Exeter, NH 03833
Phone: (603) 580-4604
Website: http://www.ilcornicello.com/
Social Profile: 
Hours
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 4:30–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 4:30–8:30 PM |
| Friday | 4:30–8:30 PM |
| Saturday | 4:30–8:30 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | Closed |
Menu
… View more
Photo Gallery
Reviews
Tony K.
Was very excited to eat here with my lady last night, we had to reserve our dining experience 3 weeks in advance, this alone led us to believe it was going to be an amazing night out. We were almost instantly let down. Upon arriving we ordered our first drinks, not great, unbalanced and just not very good. I will say the pasta itself was good, as they make it there, but that is the pasta itself. The sauces were bland and lacked flavor. We were really bummed out. An evening we had been looking forward too for so long fell so flat. Side note, it was weird as they had what we considered a very racist poster representing a caricature of an Asian person eating a giant bowl of noodles, kinda weird and uncomfortable ambiance. Too bad, but live and learn. Hope this is helpful as this seems to be like one of the many places popping up that is popular just because it is “exclusive” and doesn’t need to deliver on the other aspects of dinning like…food. The waitress was very kind as a side note.
… more
Anson W. Loyd
My neighbor & I Live Locally on Water Street. So were treated like Good Neighbors when we were greeted by the Staff & Expressed our Culinary Adventure to the Owner On the way out. They need no Good Reviews because the Pasta can speak for itself!
… more
Tim Ashe
Well, Seacoast Eaters, it’s Sunday again and we’re fixin’ to start another week. Tell me, who was the dundah head who said he could smell Spring in the air last weekend?
… more
Laura Ross
We saw this restaurant on NH Chronicle and we’re super excited to try it! My husband cooks Italian including homemade pasta and we have visited Italy. We also eat out often and are always looking for new places. We weren’t able to get in for about six weeks, but that’s OK, if it’s good and worth the wait. We were terribly disappointed!
… more
Kara Crowell
Very good Italian food! Fresh pasta in interesting and delicious dishes. They were out of some ingredients for cocktails, which was a bummer. But wait staff was well informed of wine offerings. The bruschetta appetizer was super good (we got the hot mess). Dishes were definitely large enough to share. Great views as well!!!
… more
Serina B
Great place, food was delicious and will definitely go again! The pasta was incredible, pesto tasted fresh, and the salmon was moist throughout.
… more
Marilyn Mahoney
Superb food, flavorful, nicely presented. Helpful but unobtrusive and friendly wait staff. Party of 6 – everyone loved their meals.
… more
Rick Phillips
Really, how could one give this place anything less than 5 stars? We have been trying to see what it’s all about for almost a year now. They are virtually always booked a month in advance and it’s easy to see why. First of all, it’s small. And that’s great because there really isn’t a bad seat in the house–all the tables line the widows with spectacular river views. But the tables are well spaced so it’s airy, not tight or stuffy. I don’t know what my fellow diners ordered nor what their kids are doing at school. Secondly, the food is nothing short of superb. We split a bruschette (highly recommended), a salad and each had an entree. Perfect amount of food for two and we left neither stuffed nor hungry–an elegant sufficiency it’s called. Each course was fresh, original and really, really tasty. The service was just right–friendly without being overly intimate, helpful, non-intrusive and always there when needed. The wine list is very well curated and offers a good price range for every wallet. We even had dessert (rarity for us) because it all sounded so delicious–and it was. We had the nonna’s cookies. Awesome. Reservations are required even at the bar to keep the place uncrowded and we applaud that. I could see eating at the bar every night, trying a different bruschette and wine by the glass. Oh, and the prices? Quite reasonable. We have spent much more on lesser (and less tasty) meals. We actually couldn’t believe how little we spent having ordered so much food. Parking was even easy just accross the street. Most definitely will go back.
… more
Jon Scolamiero
Il Cornicello is a really special place. Always fresh, always warm, and always inspiring. From the top notch wine list and pasta made in-house, to the custom negroni bar and elegant staff, dining here is a pleasure.
… more
Jaime Oesterle
My wife and I went last night for the first time and we were not disappointed. Smiles from the staff as soon as we entered, everyone was so friendly and the food was outstanding! The one tip I can give is to ensure you make reservations as this is a small restaurant and you will NOT get in without them. Reservations book out for a few weeks but totally worth the wait!
… more
… View more