Looking for the best Italian restaurants in Seattle? Well, you’re in the right place!
From the most delicious pasta to the yummiest wood-fired pizza, Seattle has a lot to offer when it comes to Italian cuisine.
Quick Recommendations: The Pink Door & Spinasse
Head on over to one of the best Italian restaurants in Seattle below to know what we’re talking about.
1. The Pink Door
Nestled in an alley near Pike Market, The Pink Door offers an immersive Italian dining experience with live music reminiscent of Rome.
The Lasagna Pink Door, with spinach pasta, besciamella, pesto, and marinara, is a standout dish. Don’t miss their Fresh Northwest Oysters, enhanced with pink balsamico ice for a unique, tangy twist.
What to order: Lasagna Pink Door, Fresh Northwest Oysters, Pan Roasted ‘RR’ Ranche 16oz Ribeye
Address: 1919 Post Alley, Seattle, WA 98101
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2. Spinasse
Spinasse in Seattle provides an intimate Italian escape with rustic, vintage interiors. The Tajarin Con Burro e Salvia, featuring fine pasta with sage butter sauce, is a must.
For fish lovers, the Trota Alla Piemontese, a pan-seared trout with salsa Piemontese, is exceptional. Finish with their Gelato Al Miele, a honey gelato dessert with sesame nougat.
What to order: Tajarin Con Burro E Salvia, Trota Alla Piemontese, Gelato Al Mielle
Address: 1531 14th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
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3. Cafe Juanita
Café Juanita in Kirkland strikes a balance of classy and friendly, offering northern Italy-inspired cuisine with options for all diets. The A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Croccante, combining wagyu with shallots and lime, is a highlight. Don’t miss the Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta, a perfect dessert to complete your dining experience.
What to order: Tasting Menu
Address: 9702 NE 120th Pl, Kirkland, WA 98034
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4. Ristorante Machiavelli
Ristorante Machiavelli in Capitol Hill blends romance and affordability, offering a cozy, intimate dining experience. The Eggplant Parmesan, rich in cheese and robust tomato sauce, is recommended for first-timers. Their Penne with Roasted Pepper Pesto is another highlight, embodying classic Italian comfort food.
What to order: Eggplant Parmesan, Penne with Roasted Pepper Pesto
Address: 1215 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101
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5. Vendemmia
Vendemmia in Seattle presents finely crafted Italian dishes in a quaint, intimate setting. Start with the Beef Tartare with grilled baguette.
For a heartier option, the signature Rigatoni with rabbit confit, oyster mushroom, and parmesan is a must-try. The Moulard Duck Breast, paired with kohlrabi and cauliflower mushroom, is superb, and the Tiramisu Cocoa is a perfect dessert finale.
What to order: Beef Tartare, Rigatoni, Moulard Duck Breast, Tiramisu Cocoa
Address: 1126 34th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
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6. Serafina
Serafina, a taste of Italy in Seattle’s Eastlake area, is known for its romantic ambiance. The Polpettine, featuring beef and pork meatballs with green olive-tomato sauce, is highly recommended. Another top choice is the Rigatoni Bolognese, a delightful blend of al dente pasta and rich sauce.
What to order: Polpettine, Rigatoni Bolognese
Address: 2043 Eastlake Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102
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7. Il Terrazzo Carmine
Il Terrazzo Carmine in Seattle offers a sophisticated setting for Italian cuisine. Notable dishes include the Pennette Con Salmone with vodka cream sauce and the classic Rigatoni Bolognese. End your meal with their standout Key Lime Pie Dessert, offering a dense, cheesecake-like texture.
What to order: Pennette Con Salmone, Rigatoni Bolognese, Key Lime Pie Dessert
Address: 411 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104
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8. Cantinetta
When it comes to Italian cuisine in Seattle, Cantinetta should be on everyone’s list. Located in a cozy spot right in the middle of the neighborhood, away from the busy main street, this feels like a hidden gem.
During the day, the big windows bring in lots of sunlight, giving the place a warm and open feel. At night, when the lights dim, it turns into a romantic spot perfect for a date night.
The Burrata with tomatoes and grilled peaches is a perfect start. Their Pappardelle Alla Bolognese stands out with an exceptional Bolognese sauce that elevates the dish.
What to order: Burrata, Pappardelle Alla Bolognese
Address: 3650 Wallingford Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103
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9. How To Cook A Wolf
How To Cook A Wolf is a trendy Upper Queen Anne restaurant that serves phenomenally delectable Italian food.
The intriguing name was derived from a book written during The Great Depression era about how to take simple ingredients and transform them into culinary magnificence.
With an ever-changing menu featuring small Italian plates, creative cocktails, and an impressive wine selection, your taste buds are in for a treat.
The Sea Wolf Sourdough, with garlic balsamic spread, is a must-try starter. For mains, the Dry Aged Pork Chop, tender and perfectly smoky, is highly recommended.
What to order: Sea Wolf Sourdough, Dry Aged Pork Chop
Address: 2208 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
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10. Bar del Corso
Bar del Corso in Beacon Hill excels in Italian cuisine, especially its Funghi Pizza and Fried Risotto Balls. The pizza, loaded with crimini mushrooms and housemade sausage, is exceptional. Their Polpettine, crispy meatballs in tomato sauce, and the Grilled Octopus are also crowd favorites.
What to order: Fungi Pizza, Polpettine, Grilled Octopus
Address: 3057 Beacon Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144
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11. Altura
Prepare yourself for a staggering once-in-a-lifetime Italian fine dining experience once you decide to sit at the corner of Altura.
This restaurant looks very unassuming on the outside; you would never guess the gorgeous and first-rate interior inside.
At Altura, they make a new Tasting Menu every day using local ingredients from farmers, foragers, their garden, and the sea. They tell you about each dish when they serve it, and you get a menu at the end of your meal for reflection.
The journey starts with stuzzichini appetizers and progresses through various dishes, accompanied by a selection of wines like Le Piane ‘Bianko and Fenocchio.
What to order: Tasting Menu, Le Piane ‘Bianko, Fenocchio
Address: 617 Broadway E, Seattle, WA 98102
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12. Assaggio Ristorante
Assaggio Ristorante is a world-class Italian restaurant run by a big Italian family. They serve huge, flavorful Italian food that will send you straight to the heart of Rome.
The restaurant has a chill and relaxing atmosphere that makes you feel at home. The lights are toned down with soft music playing in the background, allowing an elegant and fancy vibe.
Start with their Caprese salad, featuring fresh tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella. The Rigatoni with Italian sausage, roasted red peppers, and tomato cream sauce is a well-balanced, flavorful dish.
What to order: Caprese, Rigatoni
Address: 2010 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121
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While it’s no secret that Seattle is widely known for their seafood, this coastal city won’t disappoint you if you’re craving authentic Italian food.
For more food recommendations around the area, check out our list of the best restaurants in Seattle.
How We Create Our “Best” Lists
All Noms Magazine’s “best” lists are created using multiple factors and signals to help readers find the best restaurants, things to do, and places to stay at. Some of these factors and signs include personal experiences, correspondence with locals, and compiling experiences from review sites.
Each list is also created to be balanced (in terms of price, cuisine type, ambiance, and more) as possible. This means that the lists are not specifically created in ranking order. You should be comfortable picking from any of the spots on the list and generally have a good time. But of course, YMMV (your mileage may vary) and everyone may have different experiences/palates.