From the most delicious pasta to the yummiest wood-fired pizza, Seattle has a lot to offer when it comes to Italian cuisine. The rain city has become a bonafide culinary destination over the years which guarantees you’ll be able to taste authentic Italian goodness without needing a passport.
Head on over to one of the best Italian restaurants in Seattle below to know what we’re talking about.
1. The Pink Door
Ask a local, search the magazines, or browse the internet on which restaurant serves the best Italian food in Seattle, and The Pink Door will always be a part of the list.
In an alley near Pike Market lies the infamous pink door that leads to this top-notch and classy Italian restaurant. Live music flows through the place, which feels like you’ve been transported to a restaurant in the streets of Rome.
A creamy and luscious spinach pasta layered with besciamella, pesto, and marinara sauce on top, the Lasagna Pink Door is perhaps the best lasagna you’ll taste in the world. You’d wish you lived near the area so you could eat this every day!
A popular item on their menu, the Lan-Roc Idaho Farm 11 Oz Bone-In Pork Chop is a massive cut of meat that is magically juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Who knew meat could be this thick but still be so tender?
What to order: Lasagna Pink Door, Lan-Roc Idaho Farm 11 Oz Bone-In Pork Chop
Address: 1919 Post Alley, Seattle, WA 98101
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2. Spinasse
An escape from the hustle and bustle of a big city like Seattle, Spinasse offers an intimate and wonderful Italian restaurant experience like no other. Once inside, you’ll discover yourself admiring the rustic and charming vintage-like interiors that look exactly like what you’ll find in Italy.
We recommend sitting in the bar area for the best kitchen view and seeing all the magic happen.
An extremely fine pasta made with extra egg yolks and garnished with a simple sage butter sauce, Spinasse’s Tajarin Con Burro e Salvia is a must-order for those who want decadent and rich-flavored pasta. It’s a pretty popular item on their menu, and locals often rave about this unique pasta dish.
The Cavatelli with braised short rib is so beautifully tender. The pasta is soft and supple with just the right amount of seasoning. Once you taste this dish, you’ll end up craving it every time.
What to order: Tajarin Con Burro E Salvia, Cavatelli
Address: 1531 14th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
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3. Cafe Juanita
A true culinary adventure for Italian cuisine lovers, Cafe Juanita offers vegetarian, vegan, pescetarian, or meat options. Each dish is delicious and artistic, paired with exceptional service, focusing on Italian cooking. The casual and relaxing atmosphere is the total opposite of their elegant work-of-art food. Cafe Juanita is the place to be if you have dietary restrictions and are craving Italian cuisine.
The A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Croccante is a remarkable meal that balances the creamy fattiness of wagyu with shallots and lime. It’s a melt-in-your-mouth experience that your taste buds will never forget.
Make sure to save room for dessert, as their Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta will steal the spotlight after all that food and wine. It’s so fluffy and light— as if you’re tasting clouds.
What to order: A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Croccante, Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta
Address: 9702 NE 120th Pl, Kirkland, WA 98034
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4. Ristorante Machiavelli
A cute corner neighborhood Italian restaurant, Ristorante Machiavelli has an enduring charm and timeless menu that many people love. Upon entering, the restaurant has a small bar and dining room with a cozy and lively vibe. With the best Italian food and splendid service, Ristorante Machiavelli is a true Italian treasure in Capitol Hill area.
The Eggplant Parmesan is gooey with all that cheesy goodness and goes so well with a robust tomato sauce. This is a classic Italian dish that screams comfort food. A fair warning: you might get full in no time.
Ristorante Machiavelli is known for their penne pasta, and the Penne with Roasted Pepper Pesto is a standout. The flavors are so on point; it’s like the dish is singing harmoniously. You might attempt to create this at home after tasting it, but it won’t be as good!
What to order: Eggplant Parmesan, Penne with Roasted Pepper Pesto
Address: 1215 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101
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5. Vendemmia
Gorgeously and artfully prepared Italian dishes that border on the exact definition of fine dining, Vendemmia is one of the go-to restaurants in Seattle whenever you’re craving Italian food. The place is quaint and intimate, perfect for dinner with a few friends or a date night with your special someone. If you want a memorable dining experience, Vendemmia doesn’t disappoint.
What better way to start your meal than a delicious buttery and thick Burrata paired with the freshest tomatoes? The bread is grilled to perfection, and the heirloom tomatoes are topped with just the right amount of salt.
If you enjoy the pesto flavor, the Strozzapreti is a must-have. With a more neutral taste compared to the strong flavor of the other pasta, the taste gets better and better with every bite. The pine nuts are the most pungent part of the dish, making up its flavor.
What to order: Buratta, Strozzapretti
Address: 1126 34th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
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6. Serafina
When you ask a local about Serafina, and they tell you it’s perfect, trust their judgment and get a reservation ASAP. The minute you walk into the restaurant, you’ll be enthralled by the romantic vibe and intimate setting— the perfect place to bring a date! A taste of Italy in Seattle, Serafina is one of the best Italian restaurants in the Eastlake area.
Dining in Serafina without ordering their famous Casarecce is a crime. This dish is made with Parmigiano light cream sauce and duck confit that you will regret not having. Perfectly cooked pasta with all the rich and salty flavors, what more could you ask for?
Serafina’s Rigatoni Bolognese is another contender for the top pasta on their menu. It’s a wonderful combination of tasty Rigatoni cooked al dente and yummy Bolognese sauce. This is impressive, upscale Italian at its best.
What to order: Casarecce, Rigatoni Bolognese
Address: 2043 Eastlake Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102
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7. Il Terrazzo Carmine
One of Seattle’s top Italian restaurants, Il Terrazzo Carmine is a favorite date spot among locals. They have a diverse menu focusing on Italian cuisine that has appetizing options for everyone.
With an elegant and sophisticated ambiance, this is the best place to impress a date or a business partner who shares a love for Italian food.
If you like carbs in the shape of noodles in mouthwatering sauce (yes, we’re talking about pasta), we highly recommend the Pennette Con Salmone and Rigatoni Bolognese. The former is a killer pasta dish with vodka cream sauce, even if you’re not a seafood pasta person, while the latter is just pure Italian pasta goodness that is perfectly salted.
The Key Lime Pie Dessert is an excellent option for dessert. It has a firm and dense texture, similar to that of a cheesecake. Il Terrazzo really entices you to make room for dessert with their delightful dessert tray, showcasing all of their heavenly desserts.
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. The food here is just incredible, no matter what you order. Dining in the restaurant gives off medieval-era vibes because of the interior and dim lighting brought about by candles on the table.
Super fresh and cleverly combined Burrata with tomatoes and grilled peaches is the best way to start your meal. The taste and quality are top-notch Italian perfection brought to Seattle.
The Pappardelle Alla Bolognese is beyond the level of other Italian-style restaurants that can’t bring out such excellent flavor. The Bolognese sauce is stick-to-your-ribs delicious and so deeply satisfying.
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 depression era about how to take simple ingredients and transform them into culinary magnificence. They have an ever-changing menu of small Italian plates, crafty cocktails, and wine programs.
The Sea Wolf Sourdough is one item you need to add to your starter list. The addition of garlic balsamic and spread takes this sourdough bread to another level. If you have a no-carb diet, this makes it worth breaking it.
Another star of a dish on How To Cook A Wolf’s menu is the Pork Chop. Cooked to perfection, it magically has tender and moist insides. Smoke can be an overpowering flavor, but this one is perfectly smoky.
What to order: Sea Wolf Sourdough, Pork Chop
Address: 2208 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
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10. Bar del Corso
From pizza to small plates to cocktails, Bar del Corso is easily one of the best Italian restaurants in Seattle. The buzz in the restaurant is warm and inviting. Bar del Corso serves exceptional Italian cuisine you won’t normally find in the area— a true gem in Beacon Hill area.
Bar del Corso is particularly famous for two items on its menu: Funghi Mushroom Pizza and Fried Risotto Balls. Funghi Mushroom Pizza is a must-try if you’re a mushroom lover. The Fried Risotto Balls are crispy yet piping hot with melty mozzarella cheese that tastes amazeballs.
So soft and scrumptious, their Grilled Octopus is also a crowd favorite because of its magical sauce.
Pro tip: order a side of housemade bread to soak all the flavors up.
What to order: Fungi Mushroom Pizza, Fried Risotto Balls, 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 this superb restaurant. Altura looks very unassuming on the outside; you would never guess the gorgeous and first-rate interior inside.
A fermented mashed potato dish over green herb oil and topped with caviar, the Potato Crushed Pacific Ling Cod is a perfect entry to your meal. The potato has a pleasant hint of sour and garlic that melts into your mouth.
Probably one of the most creative meals you’ll ever encounter in your life, Altura’s Roasted Corn Pansotti is a soft and tender pasta filled with a creamy sweet corn filling. It is paired with a nutty browned butter and perfumed with floral scents of lavender. Not only does this dish taste utterly sensational, but it smells incredible too!
What to order: Potato Crusted Pacific Ling Cod, Roasted Corn Pansotti
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. If you love everything Italian, you’ll love Assaggio Ristorante.
For starters, their Caprese salad with fresh tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella topped with basil is just perfect. The quality of the tomato is top-notch, setting the whole tone of the dish.
The Rigatoni with juicy Italian sausage roasted red peppers and thick tomato cream sauce particularly stands out among their pasta. The sausage and pasta worked well together, allowing a well-balanced taste.
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.