CARRABBA'S ITALIAN GRILL

CARRABBA'S ITALIAN GRILL is among the lower-graded kitchens we track. Its most recent inspection on May 6, 2026 put it at 58/100 — an F on our A–F scale.

Inspectors cited 3 high-priority and 8 basic violations. That leaves it safer than 6% of Lake County restaurants we grade. On the upside, the trend has been improving. Safer, higher-graded options nearby are listed below.

F grade · 58/100 · safer than 6% of Lake County restaurants we grade

Get directions Call (352) 430-1304

Safer options nearby

Higher-graded restaurants close to CARRABBA'S ITALIAN GRILL, by Florida DBPR grade:

  • JERSEY MIKE'S SUBS 13082

    4.4★ nearby

  • PANDA EXPRESS #1222

    3.8★ 0.2 mi away

  • PAPA JOHN'S

    3.8★ 0.2 mi away

Restaurant details

Health grade
F (58/100)
Violations
11 total — 3 high-priority, 8 basic
Address
650 US HWY 441 N, The Villages, FL
Cuisine
Italian
Categories
Italian restaurant, American restaurant, Bar, Bar & grill, Caterer, Gluten-free restaurant
Price
$20–30
Rating
4.3 stars (2179 reviews)
Seats
232
Phone
(352) 430-1304
Website
Official website
Photo of CARRABBA'S ITALIAN GRILL
Photo: Yvonne Schlatter Helbling

Community Rating

Reviews via Google
4.3 Community-sourced rating 2,179 reviews
Read all reviews on Google →

What diners say — our read

This listing's ratings cluster at the two ends of the scale. Reviews mentioning service average 3.8 stars, so it divides opinion rather than settling it. Pacing follows at 25% of reviews, where ratings average 2.3.

If you had to pick one number to represent this corpus it would be 5, the most frequently given rating (10 reviews). Newer reviews score better than older ones (4.2 recent against 3.6 earlier), so direction is worth weighing alongside the average.

None of that is visible in a star rating: the most recent DBPR inspection graded this kitchen an F (58/100), citing 3 high-priority and 8 basic violations. Diner sentiment and inspection result are measuring different things here, and only one of them is checked by the state. DBPR last walked in on May 6, 2026. The trend across inspections is improvement. Ranked against Lake County, it is safer than 6% of the restaurants we score. The citations behind that grade include cross-contamination.

Both halves of this page point the same unflattering way, which at least makes it simple. Read the originals below and judge the pattern yourself.

Our own analysis of 16 reviews for this restaurant, set against its Florida DBPR inspection record. How we calculate grades →

  • June 28, 2026

    Service was poor, food was cooled, never got our appetizer, waited long time for waitress to return, had to flag down other waitresses to help us. Will not be returning.

  • June 28, 2026

    Delicious food and great service The Caesar salad is outstanding. Our server Zach was excellent

  • June 8, 2026

    Good food, and outstanding service by our waitress, Joan.

  • June 8, 2026

    Overall definitely five stars for what it is. Excellent service from the waitress whose name I unfortunately do not recall. The lentil soup was excellent and the chicken parmesan with mashed potatoes very good. My mother also really liked the italian salad paired with a shrimp and scallop linguine. As for the music, it started off well for the environment then strangely transitioned to some random modern pop. RR above average and clean. Hidden location, having been to some of the other businesses next door I have never seen this restaurant here before. Plenty of parking.

  • June 5, 2026

    Alex is a top notch server and our food was delicious!!! Carrabas in the Villages never disappoints. We love the $10 dollar take home meal too.

  • June 4, 2026

    We had a delicious dinner and had an absolute wonderful server named Alex. She was such a delight and helped me decide on a wine and was super helpful with recommendations. Will be back soon!

  • June 4, 2026

    We had a fantastic night and had delicious dinner. Alex took amazing care of us, she has the most wonderful personality and is super helpful, she helped me find my new favorite wine. 10/10!!

  • June 4, 2026

    Our server in training, Myah, was amazing! She was very attentive and so helpful with the new summer items! We had some complicated drink orders so she went over and got the bartender for us for them to be perfect! The bartender, Cameron, came over and helped insure every drink was made exactly how we wanted them and everything was amazing! She will be this locations best server!

  • June 3, 2026

    Honestly I used to go to this specific carrabas all the time. On my most recent visit however I was out for my friends birthday with me being the dd. We come in and my friend wants a glass of wine. The server does not bother to ask for ID age verification but instead says upon hearing this request she needs to speak to her manager about the drink. He then comes out claiming he cannot serve him alcohol because he does not know how much he has had to drink previously. (About two shots spaced out between 3 hours for the record.) We say alright because what other choice do we have. Leaving soon after completing our appetizers boxing up our entrees and promptly using the restrooms.

  • June 2, 2026

    For the price the food was not all that. Cold dry chicken. Kids shrimp was to spicy for a kid

  • June 1, 2026

    Eight of us went to Carrabba's after not having been there for at least 3 years. We had great memories of their veal dishes. Veal is no longer on their menu! All meals were a disappointment. Won't be going back.

  • June 1, 2026

    Server was great. We had a large group and there were no issues. Food was timely and delicious.

  • May 30, 2026

    As usual, absent staff Couldn't even get waited on after 15 minutes Don't waste your time

  • May 27, 2026

    Food is always great only issue in the past is my wife finding random noodles in her spaghetti.. I asked if they could make sure that doesn't happen and they gladly did

  • May 26, 2026

    Went on Mother's Day, waited for table 15 mins. Seated & waited on food, appetizer came & husband dinner & mine but there was 4 of us, no salads or soup that came out. Had to get manager to get rest of food to take home

  • May 22, 2026

    Alex our waitress was exceptional. Food was good as usual. Price was a tad high but made up for it with the extra take home dinner for $10

Overall Score

40 / 100

  • Health inspection grade 0/40
    Grade F
  • Dietary transparency 17/20
    5 options listed
  • Community rating 17/20
    4.3★ average
  • Hidden-gem status 0/10
    Not flagged
  • Track record 6/10
    Improving, 0% clean

Composite score from health grade, dietary options, ratings, and inspection record — distinct from the state-derived health grade.

Opening hours

Monday
11 AM to 9 PM
Tuesday
11 AM to 9 PM
Wednesday
11 AM to 9 PM
Thursday
11 AM to 9 PM
Friday
11 AM to 10 PM
Saturday
11 AM to 10 PM
Sunday
11 AM to 9 PM

Inspection history

The following records are from Florida DBPR public inspection records, most recent first.

  1. May 6, 2026 · Routine - Food

    Administrative complaint recommended

    3 high-priority · 0 intermediate · 8 basic

    • 03 — Temperature control of foods (cold/hot holding, cooking, cooling, reheating) (×3)
    • 08 — Cross-contamination: raw foods separated; food protected during prep/storage
    • 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained
    • 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
    • 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
    • 31 — Handwash sinks accessible; handwashing supplies & sign provided
    • 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation (×3)
  2. November 17, 2025 · Routine - Food

    Call Back - Complied

    0 high-priority · 0 intermediate · 4 basic

    • 10 — In-use food dispensing utensils properly stored
    • 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained
    • 31 — Handwash sinks accessible; handwashing supplies & sign provided
    • 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation
  3. November 6, 2025 · Routine - Food

    Warning Issued

    4 high-priority · 3 intermediate · 15 basic

    • 01 — Food from approved source; safe, unadulterated, sound condition (×2)
    • 03 — Temperature control of foods (cold/hot holding, cooking, cooling, reheating) (×3)
    • 10 — In-use food dispensing utensils properly stored
    • 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained (×2)
    • 21 — Wiping cloths; clean & soiled linens; laundry (×3)
    • 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
    • 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean (×2)
    • 24 — Storage & handling of clean equipment and utensils; air drying (×2)
    • 31 — Handwash sinks accessible; handwashing supplies & sign provided (×2)
    • 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation (×2)
    • 40 — Employee personal belongings
    • 41 — Chemicals / toxic substances properly stored & used

This grade is calculated by us from Florida DBPR public inspection records — Florida does not issue official grades. How we calculate it →

Data last updated: May 6, 2026