When I first moved here from the east coast, I was disappointed by the lack of Italian restaurants in Seattle. But, since Seattle is such a popular foodie destination, I knew they had to be hiding around somewhere. So I set my sights on visiting as many authentic Italian restaurants as possible.
While you won’t find many of those classic old-school tomato joints typical on the east coast, I’ve discovered many notable Italian spots in Seattle. Here’s my roundup of the best Italian restaurants in Seattle that I’ve found to date, ranging from casual pizzerias to upscale fine dining with Pacific Northwest flare.
19 Best Italian Restaurants in Seattle
Save this to Pinterest this for later because I’m always updating and adding to this list as I visit more Italian restaurants in Seattle!
Spinasse
website | get directions | neighborhood: Capitol Hill | best for: tajarin al ragu
If you read my post on the best fine dining in Seattle, you know I have a special place in my heart for Spinasse. They specialize in northern Italian cuisine with handmade pasta served in a cozy setting reminiscent of an authentic eatery you’d find in Piemonte.
You can’t go wrong with any of their homemade pastas, though the tajarin with butter and sage might be my favorite. If you can’t decide then I suggest getting the Menu Degustazione since it allows you to try everything on the menu except dessert. It’s served family style and even comes with an optional wine pairing. I find it to be one of the most affordable tasting menus in the city at just about $115 per person.
Pro tip: I suggest making a reservation well in advance since this is a pretty fancy spot that fills up quickly on the weekends.
La Medusa
website | get directions | neighborhood: Columbia City | best for: small plates
La Medusa is one of the best examples of an Italian trattoria I’ve found on my hunt for Seattle’s best Italian food. With an open kitchen and a chalkboard menu, it’s essentially a cozy spot that toes the line between intimate and casual.
This spot is known for making Sicilian-inspired dishes. I recommend sharing a couple of their smaller plates since they have quite a lengthy list to choose from. Many of their dishes, like arancini and caponata, are unique and hard to find at other Italian restaurants. You also can’t go wrong with any of their homemade pasta dishes either.
In addition, La Medusa also owns the spot next door, Persephone, an aperitivo bar and bottle shop that offers small snacks and amari. So, if you get put on the waitlist for a table, definitely pop over next door for a quick aperitif.
Pro tip: In addition to amari and snacks, Persephone also has an honor system mini-market featuring local fresh produce, meats, and cheeses.
Delancey
website | get directions | neighborhood: Ballard | best for: Brooklyn pie
I’ve already put myself on the record before, but when it comes to the best pizza in Seattle, Delancey has my vote!
Having been a regular at Delancey since I first moved to Seattle, it’s got a special place in my heart. Their Brooklyn-style pies are just like the New York pizza I grew up eating.
Delancey long-ferments their dough, giving it a pleasantly tangy and fluffy texture that lets you know it’s the real deal. They also have a wood-fired pizza oven that gives each of their pizzas that classic crisp and occasionally burnt bubble that I always claim as my slice.
Their toppings are all seasonal and locally driven, though I usually keep it simple and stick with the same order: one white pie, one Brooklyn pie, and their small Jersey salad.
Stoneburner
website | get directions | neighborhood: Ballard | best for: carbonara
Stoneburner features some of the best carbonara I’ve had and easily makes the top of my list when it comes to the best pasta in Seattle. In addition, they feature a constantly rotating menu to reflect the seasons and what they find at the nearby Seattle farmers markets.
Also, if you’ve never treated yourself to pasta for brunch, then Stoneburner is the perfect place to rectify that. Their brunch is easily one of my favorite brunches in Seattle!
Pro tip: Stoneburner is located on the ground level of Hotel Ballard and offers room service if you book one of their rooms for your next trip to Seattle.
Pasta Casalinga
website | get directions | neighborhood: Downtown | best for: wild boar ragu
For being in the center of Pike Place, I’m always amused by how many people miss this spot. It’s one of the few authentic Italian spots where you can routinely watch Italian-born chef Michela making the pasta in her open-air kitchen.
I usually stick with the wild boar ragu since it’s available year-round, but you shouldn’t pass up their constantly rotating seasonal menu. No matter what she churns out, Michela’s consistency makes this one of the best Pike Place Market restaurants.
As for the pasta, it’s always served in generous portions and for a reasonable price. Each dish comes perfectly garnished in a way that illustrates Michela’s attention to detail, making for an over-the-top dining experience in this unassuming but essential Pike Place spot.
Cafe Juanita
website | get directions | neighborhood: Kirkland | best for: tasting menu
While they may not technically be in Seattle, Cafe Juanita is worth a mention since they offer both some of the best fine dining in Seattle, so you’re bound to visit at some point. Lucky for you, they also are one of the best Italian restaurants in Seattle.
Cafe Juanita is owned by James Beard winner and former Top Chef Masters contestant chef Holly Smith. The restaurant specializes in northern Italian fare with an emphasis on local Pacific Northwest ingredients.
Cafe Juanita only offers tasting menus, and you can choose between the omnivore, pescatarian, vegetarian, or vegan menus. For an additional charge, you can also get a sommelier-approved wine pairing or add on extra courses.
As for the tasting menu itself, each dish comes out perfectly balanced. It’s obvious from the first bite that chef Holly uses thoughtful ingredients to create an authentic Italian American experience. If available, definitely make sure to add on tajarin to your meal for a beautiful example of this classic Italian dish.
The Pink Door
website | get directions | neighborhood: Downtown | best for: lasagna
The Pink Door is another one of the best Italian restaurants in Seattle tucked away down Post Alley right next to the infamous Seattle gum wall. It’s a speakeasy vibe, with the only signals for the entrance being the pink door and a small sign.
One step inside The Pink Door and you’ll notice the adorable pink interior and Venetian-carnival decor of their dining room. They also offer an array of entertainment, including cabaret, aerial performers, and classical jazz.
In the warmer months The Pink Door also opens their patio, which is covered and offers an incredible view of the Seattle waterfront, making it one of the best restaurants in Seattle for epic views.
As for the food, it’s surprisingly good, considering this is a spot right in the heart of Pike Place Market. I usually stick with the classics like their lasagna or bolognese, and it’s honestly as good as any Italian restaurant I’ve tried.
Pro tip: The Pink Door takes reservations online as well as walk-ins. If you have a preference for either indoor or outdoor seating, you’ll want to indicate that when you make your reservation.
San Fermo
website | get directions | neighborhood: Ballard | best for: saffron spaghetti
San Fermo is an adorable restaurant right in downtown Ballard. It’s located inside a refurbished white farmhouse that looks like it was from the 1700s. The inside is beautifully decorated to feel both historic and modern.
But this place isn’t all looks. They’re making some seriously good Italian food. You’ll find small plates, breads, charcuteries, and salads, but the real draw is the pasta.
My go-to order is the saffron bolognese. The saffron gives it a deep orange-red color and a complex flavor that makes you go, “Hmm.” However, there seasonally-rotating pasta dishes are all good, so get a few to share among the table!
Osteria la Spiga
website | get directions | neighborhood: Capitol Hill | best for: tiramisu & vegan options
Osteria la Spiga has long been one of my go-to restaurants for tiramisu, but weirdly it took me forever to actually order dinner there. Luckily I finally made it in, and I can confidently say their dinner is as good as their dessert.
La Spiga is one of the best Black-owned restaurants in Seattle and specializes in northern Italian fare with classic dishes like tortellini al porcini and tagliatelle al ragu. They also have an excellent selection for vegans, vegetarians, and gluten-free pasta lovers.
I highly recommend focusing on the pastas, as they’re all handmade and elevated with irresistible sauces. My favorite is the mushroom gnocchi, but I hope to try their famous lasagna next time (they sell out regularly!).
Pro tip: They have a Italian deli and larder in Chophouse Row called La Dispensa. They also do a monthly delivery box filled with homemade and curated goodies. My dad gets it and loves it because you get a lot for a reasonable price.
Willmott’s Ghost
website | get directions | neighborhood: South Lake Union | best for: Roman pizza
Willmott’s Ghost is one of Renee Erickson’s restaurants and is likely one you’ve driven by if you went to check out the Amazon Spheres. Its pastel and Gatsby-esque vibe is one of the cutest restaurants in Seattle and worth a stop, even if it’s just for the view inside the spheres and a quick cocktail.
That said, the Italian food there is pretty good, and it’s easily one of the best restaurants in South Lake Union. They serve up Roman-style Italian foods, particularly pizza. If you haven’t had Roman pizza it’s rectangular and similar to focaccia. I always get the white version with mushrooms!
Tavolàta / Cortina / Staple & Fancy
website | locations: Tavolàta (get directions), Cortina (get directions), Staple & Fancy (get directions) | best for: handmade pasta
Ethan Stowell knows his pasta, and you honestly can’t go wrong with any of his restaurants. Each of his spots is focused on rustic and authentic Italian, with a unique twist.
Tavolàta focuses on handmade pastas served in a modern setting at communal tables. Cortina is a bit fancier. Staple & Fancy is the most rustic and laid-back of the three, featuring a fun happy hour tasting menu where you select a cocktail and the chef prepares small plates to pair.
Carrello
website | get directions | neighborhood: Capitol Hill | best for: tasting menu
Carrello features an assortment of al la carte Italian dishes, handmade pasta, and a lengthy wine and cocktail menu. The vibe is rustic-chic and semi-casual, though it’s still nice enough for a fancy dinner.
If you and your table mates are game, I highly suggest you partake in the five-course family-style tasting menu. The chef customizes the menu to suit your preferences. Each dish I’ve tried reminds me of classic Italian taken up a notch, with attention to detail paid to every course.
Cafe Lago
website | get directions | neighborhood: Montlake | best for: ravioli di zucca
Cafe Lago is serving up classic Tuscan-inspired Italian, including handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and a veggie-lover’s dream antipasti menu. Each dish is generously portioned and perfectly matches the restaurant’s fuss-free and casual vibe.
I recommend the divide-and-conquer method of ordering. Split a pasta and a pizza, plus a couple of antipasti dishes. If you can save room for dessert, then their panna cotta is a must-try.
Pizzeria Pulcinella
website | get directions | neighborhood: Rainier Beach | best for: Margherita pizza
Pizzeria Pulcinella offers authentic Neapolitan-style pizza in a very casual atmosphere where the focus is on the pizza. The dough is nicely crusted on the outside with a bouncy, chewy interior. The sauce-to-cheese and toppings ratio is always perfect. Definitely on the top of my list when it comes to pizza in Seattle, so be sure to check it out!
Bar del Corso
website | get directions | neighborhood: Beacon Hill | best for: Margherita pizza
I don’t know if I could pick between Pizzeria Pulcinella and Bar del Corso since both offer equally delicious wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas. That said, Bar del Corso might win on ambiance with its slightly more upscale (though still casual) vibe.
I also like Bar del Corso for their small plates. Definitely try their baccala fritters. If you haven’t had it, baccala is a traditional cured white fish that goes beautifully in dips and croquette-like mixtures similar to what you’ll find in the fritter.
Ristorante Machiavelli
website | get directions | neighborhood: Edmonds | best for: old school red sauce joint
This is one of the few Italian-American red sauce joint I’ve found in Seattle. La Rustica in West Seattle is a close second, but overall I think Machiavelli is better.
I’m used to being surrounded by casual pizzerias on the east coast, all of which served comfort food classics like chicken parm, fettuccini Alfredo, and clam sauce. You can find all of these at Machiavelli.
My go-to is always the spaghetti and meatballs. I’m super picky with both red sauce and meatballs, but they make a great version worthy of any nonna’s kitchen!
Pro tip: They used to be located in Capitol Hill, but closed that location in favor of Edmonds in 2024.
Haymaker
website | locations: West Seattle (get directions) | best for: bolognese
Haymaker is just one of the restaurant concepts belonging to the General Harvest restaurant group led by Chef Brian Clevenger. His other successful ventures include Seattle staples like Raccolto, GH Pasta Co., and Vendemmia. Each spot is worth a mention, but I have to single out Haymaker as my favorite for their exceptional homemade pastas.
Every pasta dish I’ve tried at Haymaker comes out well-balanced and lets the noodles, rather than the sauce, play the starring role. Always served al dente, the combination of slightly chewy noodles with a thick and aromatic sauce is very reminiscent of classic Italian.
Il Nido
website | get directions | neighborhood: West Seattle | best for: fancy Italian entrees
This fancy Italian restaurant is in a refurbished historic home right near Alki Beach. It used to be owned by “the godfather of pasta”, Mike Easton, who used to own the late Il Corvo. However he sold it to his employees in order to move to eastern Washington.
You can still expect the same great recipes though because once a chef reaches celebrity status, it’s always the cooks in the kitchen doing all the work amiright? Order pasta if you want to understand what all the fuss is about, but don’t miss the large plates. I particularly love how they handle meats like steak and pork, so get what looks good on the menu!
Mezzanotte
website | get directions | neighborhood: Georgetown | best for: small plates
Mezzanotte is one of the honorable mentions in my self-guided Georgetown food tour. It’s inside a cool historic building that has a great outdoor dining situation, making it one of my favorite Seattle date night spots. But the food is what keeps me coming back for more.
The kitchen is run by Top Chef contestant, Jason Stratton. He is a wizard of taking seasonal ingredients and turning them into the most elevated version of themselves. For example, there’s often a carrot dish appetizer that seems humble but includes the most perfectly-cooked carrots you’ll ever try.
Pro tip: They do a “Nonna-kase”, which is like a sushi omakase but with Italian food. Make a reservation for the chef’s counter experience Fridays and Saturdays.
Darkalino’s
website | get directions | neighborhood: Pioneer Square | best for: that aperitivo spritz life
Darkalino’s is Mezzanotte’s sister restaurant. The menu was also developed by Jason Stratton, so you can expect the same exceptional quality.
This more casual Italian spot is located in the old London Plane space right in Occidental Square. It has great outdoor seating and large windows for people watching, especially over one of their exceptional aperol spritzes.
Like London Plane ,there are multiple concepts under one roof. Darkalino’s is the Italian deli and restaurant, but Home Team is where you can buy cool sneakers. The combo may seem random, but owner Marcus Lalario is behind a lot of streetwear brands in addition to restaurants, a lingering connection to his time running hip hop music venues.
Food wise you’ll find appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and pastas. I love how they serve half sandwiches. If it’s on the menu, get the mortadella sandwich with pistachio ricotta. Darkalino’s has a ton of Sicilian references on the menu and this dish whisked me back to my time in Bronte last spring.
The ragu pasta is my absolute favorite thing on the menu, so prioritizing getting that. The meat had that deep, cooked-for-hours flavor not too unlike the scrapple I grew up eating.
More Seattle Italian food spots to try
Now that I’ve lived in Seattle for over a decade, I can confidently say the number of delicious Italian restaurants has increased tenfold. With new spots popping up every year, there are still some that are on my shortlist to try or revisit because it’s been ages.
Save this list to Pinterest for later because when I try these spots I will be sure to update this list!
- Cornelly – Spot in Cap Hill that I hear has great pizza
- Il Terrazzo Carmine – So many people rave about this Italian restaurant
- Serafina– I haven’t been in ages, but I remember the cute garden patio
- Stella – The Italian spot inside Sorrento Hotel with a great logo
More to eat in Seattle
After making your way through these best Italian restaurants in Seattle, check out these other eats around the city.
