A distinctive, family-operated Italian restaurant in historic Old Town with attractive surroundings, strong pizza and pasta reviews, live music, and meaningful but minority reports of service and payment-control problems.
Maria's Old Town 21 earns its standing through well-regarded pizza and pasta, served in a historic Old Town building with an inviting bar and patio. Occasional reports of cold food, dry pizza, and uneven preparation keep it just short of the very top tier, though many diners return weekly as a local go-to.
Maria's Old Town 21 occupies a memorable corner of historic Petersburg, with an Italian-villa feel, murals, a substantial bar, and recurring live music. Reviewers describe it as warm and inviting, with one regular calling it a favorite date-night destination and another praising an atmosphere that stays lively without overwhelming conversation. The setting is a genuine part of the draw, not just wallpaper around the food. The cooking is broad, familiar Italian-American fare rather than a tightly regional Italian program: pizza, pasta, seafood, ciabattas, burgers, salads, and classic desserts all share the menu. Pizza, chicken piccata, wild mushroom ravioli, she-crab soup, and desserts receive especially enthusiastic feedback, though seafood ravioli and pizza show some preparation variability. Service is often warm and knowledgeable, but busy nights and large parties can expose staffing weaknesses. Pay close attention to the final check, since several diners report tip or charge corrections that management says were mistakes and refunded. Families have plenty of practical choices: cheese or custom pizza, lasagna, baked penne, Alfredo, burgers, wings, fries, gelato nearby, and desserts such as cannoli or chocolate lava cake. Reviews specifically mention children enjoying lasagna, gelato, and kids' pizza portions. It is a strong family option, though live-music nights and the broad full-service setting may suit an early dinner better for very young children.
Area vibe: Historic downtown with antique streets, museums, and a modest dining scene
Safety: Mixed; daytime foot traffic near attractions but some streets quieter and less well-lit after dark
What's nearby: Near Petersburg’s downtown attractions, courthouse, museums, the Appomattox River waterfront, and US-1/Business routes
The safest bets range from chicken piccata and mushroom ravioli to she-crab soup, with a few classic desserts worth saving room for.
Plan for a lively dinner and potentially slow service, then inspect the bill closely, especially with a large party.
Historic Old Town character, villa-style decor, and live music make the setting part of the appeal, with weekend evenings bringing extra energy.