The Yummiest Italian in Oakland

St Helena Bistro

★★★★☆ 4 (181) • $$

"There weren't many restaurants open between lunch and dinner on a Sunday so we came here. Overall everything was ok, but nothing spectacular. The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating and is pleasant. Service was friendly, attentive, and food came quickly. The lamb ragu had good flavor, but I would have preferred the sauce be thicker. The fish tacos tasted ok, but the texture of the fish was off, almost hollow and slightly gray in color."

La Strada

★★★★☆ 4 (466) • $$

"Nothing like an old fashioned Italian restaurant that matches quality meals and service. We came here for a family Christmas Eve dinner and thoroughly enjoyed our quality time with family. We opened bottles of wine ate until we squeezed some dessert and took a few table side pictures. Nothing like a Christmas Eve tradition before the New Year."

La Borgata Italian Deli

★★★★★ 4.7 (286) • $$

"Was in the area, craving a sandwich and this little deli did not disappoint. We got two sandwiches and split them. Both were really good. Romano was more of a favorite. We also had a cannoli, not pictured but it was delicious. It's hard to find a good cannoli anywhere on the west coast! Service was quick, we did not have to wait long for our order. Really a cute little place, will be back when passing through the area."

Cenario's Pizza of Fairfield

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (153) • $

"My fav pizza spot for over 30 years! Consistent!! The Fred bread is my favorite! And the prices are still great :)"

A-town Pizza

★★★★☆ 3.9 (236) • $

"I've known of A-town Pizza for a looooong time. I don't know why we never went here because you shouldn't judge a store by its storefront.L O C A T I O NOn Whipple in a small plaza with Amy's Donuts. They have a parking lot that's shared with all the businesses here. Easily found parking directly in front.I N S I D EThere's not much space inside like it's like a few steps from the door to the desk. I peeked in and there's a small table that may seat two people. So make sure you're coming here to just grab and go.M E N UThe have pizza as well as some appetizers, desserts, calzones, salads, sub sandwiches, pastas, and soft drinks. For pizza, pricing is basically the same as doing custom toppings so if there's some items on a specialty pizza that you don't want, just build your own pizza. Though the one thing I did notice was that there was no choice on the sauce but I'm sure you can ask. If you do go online to order, it's nice you can split toppings to different halves of the pizza. Also the prices of the pizza was cheaper than another place we were looking at.We got a Party Size - 20" pizza with mushrooms and tomatoes all over the pizza, on one half - ground beef, ham, and pineapple and the other half - chicken, zucchini and (red) onions. It's not stated on the toppings list that it's red onions which I'm glad we ended up only putting it on one side as my stomach doesn't handle red onions (specifically) well.The pizza was a bit soggy in the middle but crisp on the outside which I'm not mad at. I just folded it over as it's large anyways and it was a nice contrast to the crisp outside. The pizza had a thin crust, love. The outer crust not super bready. The marinara sauce was full of flavor and the ground beef tasted like it was seasoned which was a nice touch.S E R V I C EI called in my order which I ended up using the phone number on their website which is (510) 471-7677. Yelp has a different number but if you try to edit it, it's locked and with the right number...quite weird.The person who picked up the phone was very kind and patient as I was trying to give specific half and half and full toppings. Everything was right on the order and we paid easily when we came. We were told 20 minutes and we came around that time and the pizza was just coming out. Perfect.O V E R A L LIn retrospect, we didn't need a party size but now we know. Crisp crust with fresh flavorful toppings. Great service and looking forward to trying out more of their toppings and smaller sized pizza. Definitely glad we finally tried this place out and nice to have another option in the area."

Locanda Ravello

★★★★☆ 4 • $$

"I brought a friend here for her birthday lunch. We were sat outside. With the perfect weather and the decor it was really cute. We ordered the mixed calamari and shared the carbonara. The food was decent (pretty salty but still good) and the portion sizes were large (which is why we shared). They also give you an olive tapenade with bread for the table.The main reason this isn't a 4 star review is because of the service. Immediately after we were sat by the host and given menus& drinks, someone came by to take our order. We said we needed more time and they came back again another minute later. We said again we needed more time. When we were ready to order we couldn't find anyone for another 20 minutes. Since we were catching up, waiting was no big deal but we definitely felt rushed when we first sat down and thought it was funny we couldn't find someone when we were ready. There were another couple of strange incidents where another staff member stood over us and watched us eat for a couple minutes without saying anything. All in all, it's a very cute place with good food (but a little too salty for my taste) if you don't mind some occasional weird moments."

Primavera Ristorante

★★★★☆ 3.8 (663) • $$

"Great food, atmosphere and service. Great place to come get a bite and walk the beautiful neighborhood."

The Park Street Tavern

★★★★★ 4.5 (307) • $$

"Visiting from out of town and staying close to the neighborhood- The Park Street Tavern was an amazing find! We called ahead to see if reservations were needed and the person on the phone was kind, friendly, and gave us a table for two within the hour. When we arrived we knew we had found a gem, the bar area was filled with smiling and laughing patrons, cheering with full cocktails and raving about the food they had just had. We were met with a smiling face at the door and taken to our table immediately. The ambiance is wonderful- definitely an old school vibe, with eclectic art/decor on the walls that made it feel like a cozy spot I'd been to times before. Our server arrived to the table and all I have to say is WOW ANTONIO! He was WONDERFUL. Smiling, chatting, menu recommendations, drink recommendations, he was exactly the face we wanted to see at our table. We started with the beet salad and the wedge- both absolutely delicious, tried and true starters full of flavor and just enough difference to make it their own. Our entrees were the salmon w/risotto and the chicken piccata. Again, menu staples but cooked well, full of flavor, and absolutely satisfying. We finished off dinner with the lemon torte. This was spectacular! Not too sweet, not too sour- the perfect blend of citrus, almond, and berry. When it came to the drinks- they were above and beyond! The Sazerac was exceptional, definitely warned you up on the cold evening, and the non-alcoholic Cherry Lime Royale hit all the notes of a well made cocktail- sweet, tart, refreshing, and the rosemary added an extra I was not expecting- but delightfully delicious. I highly recommend this establishment, and if you can request to sit in Antonios section! You won't be disappointed!"

WiseGirl

★★★★☆ 4.2 (321) • $$

"It was a different ambience with a show going on while we are having dinner. I order spaghetti meatballs with garlic bread and it was just OK. I think the price is a little bit expensive."

Berevino

★★★★☆ 3.7 (686) • $$

"Wonderful dinner here tonight. Wife had the chicken parm, I had the short rib papperdelle and son had the Meatza pizza. The food was outstanding. Really really good. Drinks were good as well. Service (Antonio?) was really attentive and good. Kills me that they are changing to become a kebab place. That's tragic!! Oh well. Glad we went before the change."

Acre Kitchen and Bar

★★★★☆ 3.8 (205)

"This place has the best skinny fries on the strip--they changed them once, and a lot of people weren't happy about it. Fortunately, they've somehow brought back what works. The restaurant consistently delivers fresh ingredients and interesting menu options. I especially enjoy their salads and rotating dishes. I've even had oysters and some delicious appetizers during happy hour. Overall, it's a great sit-down spot next to Market Hall--just be sure not to upset the lunch hostess by bringing and eating your Market Hall finds on their patio!"

Straw Hat Pizza

★★★★☆ 3.9 (444) • $$

"I reviewed this place about 2 years ago and loved it. Just thought I would re-up my recommendation as I had lunch here today - gluten free crust, light amount of cheese, veggies - perfectly baked! Had that with a salad - perfect lunch at a great price!!"

Donato & Co

★★★★☆ 3.8 (326) • $$$

"I walked in here after my Pilates class next door over, and had to kill time to pick up my husband. It's a decent place near UC Berkeley with great atmosphere for date nights or just solo at the bar or table.I was recommended a fettucini and overall, it was nice and unique but then again, I chewed on small crab shells each bite. If you're on a date and you need to look good, avoid eating the fettucini unless you want to spit out the small broken shells each bite lolThe bread that came with the food was nice but I wish the sauce came on time.Portion is okay, but I would definitely order a salad or appetizer to fill up more.Service was friendly and chill all around from host to servers, but not too detail oriented. Might be back if I'm around the area when hungry. I also wouldn't say no if someone else makes a date to come here, but wouldn't travel just for this solo."

Luca Cucina Italiana

★★★★☆ 3.8 (470) • $$

"Great authentic Italian Food. I love this place!! Love watching them cook too!! I order to go too have a glass of wine and watch them cook"

Creekwood

★★★★★ 4.5 (536) • $$

"I have not been there since they are first opened.Went on saturday night dinner.1) same nice decor, clean, modern look2) Waitress is attentive and nice3) Ordered Gaupacho cold tomatoes soupvery tasty4) ordered mushroom pizza, I have more high expectation, somehow, when they first opened, I felt their pizza is better than saturday.5) ordered Gnocchi in pesto sauce, very tasty according to my husband.6) dessert tiramishi's size is very big, good value."

Tony's Kitchen

★★★★☆ 3.6 (45) • $$

"Stopped by Tony's this morning after picking up a friend at the airport. This little gem of a restaurant is tucked back behind some county buildings.Great food - chilaquiles and more, great coffee and service!"

Three Italian Restaurant

★★★★★ 4.7 (323) • $$

"This lil place was awesome. Great food and appetizers. We sat at the bar, the were so accommodating. I will definitely be back."

El Chalán Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.8 (190) • $$

"We ordered from the Peruvian side of the menu. I was delighted with my aguadito de mariscos! The delectable seafood tidbits (shrimp, scallops, mussels, fish) just kept coming! There was hominy the size of scallops, (or scallops the size of hominy?) and mostly what I thought was hominy turned out to be scallops! Hubby enjoyed his seco de cordero (lamb) and the Son ordered pescado a la chorrillana from the specials board and loved it. He gave me a bite of the fish which was so well seasoned, I almost wanted to swap dishes. We'll definitely come back when we're back in town! Muchas gracias!"

Trabocco Kitchen & Cocktails

★★★★☆ 4.2 • $$

"We stumbled upon Trabocco while looking for a restaurant to celebrate an occasion with family. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their time! The service was impeccable, the restaurant was warm, and the food was delicious. Though our group ordered a variety of dishes from pasta, to calamari, and panini, the favorite at our table was the pizza. It was delicious and the crust was cooked to perfection. Additionally, if you are a pesto lover, please be sure to purchase a container of their pesto. It is simply divine!"

Massimo's

★★★★☆ 3.6 (694) • $$$

"Massimo's is a Fremont classic. It's Fremont style fine dining and that's all good, especially for a family celebration. We recently celebrated my mom's 79th birthday with our group of 8 and it was perfect. Reservations are easy to make and modify on open table, which I had to multiple times that day due to changes in plans. Since my mom previously signed up for the birthday club, we used a voucher for a free entree (or take $25 off). Super easy and generous.My mom loved the halibut special and she's picky. The risotto with scallops and sausage is flavorful and rich. It's a must try. The eggplant parmigiana was good and not overly breaded. Cocktails were reasonably priced.I am a Fremont local and appreciate these well established spots. It's a cozy elevated restaurant (mood lighting and linen table cloths), but not stuffy. The bar area is somewhat casual. I have been here in then past for my own birthday dinner, mom's past birthdays, and a casual catch up with a girlfriend dinner. This may just be our go to for family birthdays!"

Americana Pizza & Taqueria

★★☆☆☆ 2.3 (309) • $$

"I have been coming to this restaurant of about 5-6 years now...they have really good food. I usually get a chicken Alfredo burrito which is basically the filling cooked in Alfredo sauce. Or a chicken pizza with Alfredo sauce instead of marinara sauce with olives mushrooms and jalapeños. But I've tried their chicken wings nachos and calzones which also ready good. However there is a employee there who is very rude..it's like she doesn't know how to smile or common courtesy and manners. I think her name is Jackie."

La Strada

★★★★☆ 4 (543) • $$

"I can't say anything bad about La Strada. Olivia, Carlos, the entire staff are amazing. The location is always super clean, no dust, organized, clean. It's a been a go to spot for my team for the past 18 months. Way too good to be overlooked."

Napoli Pizzeria & Italian Food

★★★★☆ 4.3 • $$

"Napoli Best pizza in Vallejo imo... although all of their food is delish. The calzones and pesto breadsticks are truly amazing! My favorite pizza is their ranch house pizza. Pro tip: If the wait at the Vallejo restaurant is too long they have a second location in Benicia."

Italian Colors

★★★★☆ 3.9 (482) • $$

"A Perfect Oakland CelebrationEvery so often, you stumble upon a dining experience that reminds you why Oakland is so special--and this was one of those nights. From start to finish, the meal was flawless.This is an updated review- 8 years later since my earlier review is from 8 years ago and I don't know why I haven't reviewed since because I have been back but not a notable occasion. The calamari starter set the tone, crisp and tender. The Brussels sprouts, elevated with Parmesan, were an absolute standout. The pear salad was perfectly tossed, fresh and balanced. For mains, the pizza with mushrooms and fennel sausage delivered on every level, and the linguine vongole was a dream--light, flavorful, and brimming with clams. I brought my 21 year old Jordan Cabernet so I didn't order wine but they have a very good wine selection. Dessert was the ultimate ending: a ricotta cheesecake with a key lime twist, accompanied by pomegranate sauce and whipped cream--simply divine.The service was everything you'd hope for: top-notch, welcoming, and delightfully cheery. This is a family friendly place. There were folks of all family dynamics here tonight; the restaurant decor festive for the occasion. And plenty of parking that feels secure and safe. Special shoutout to our magnificent server, Conor, who made our visit feel extra special. This meal was a beautiful reminder of how extraordinary Oakland is and always will be, a city full of incredible food, community, and vibrance. A true celebration of everything Oakland has to offer."

Villa Roma Pizza

★★★★☆ 3.8 (381) • $$

"We LOVE this place!! The pizza is delish and their kabobs are my absolute favorite thing to chomp when it's a little chilly out. The owner is great, he knows my family and always makes our pies with love. I am the daughter of the family and I approve this message! ( The one typing before the daughter thing was my mom)."

Doppio Zero Concord Veranda

★★★★☆ 3.9 (648) • $$$

"Service was great super friendly , food is delicious. Perfect lighting inside very cute. Pizza was delicious, flat thin and super tasty . Jalapeño pizza had a really good kick not spicy just enough kick"

The Star on Park

★★★★☆ 3.9 (693) • $$

"Bomb, per usual! Service was great and the environment is always chill. Got the Dinner for Two and loved every bite. We love this place!!"

Kuriosity Kitchen

★★★☆☆ 3 (11)

"New York PizzaAround here usually just a name.If the crust isn't fresh or the ingredients aren't good quality, just because it's a thin crust pizza doesn't mean it's a New York pizza.Kuriosity Kitchen seems to have nailed it though.Thin fresh dough, quality meats and cheese, and a sauce that compliments the pizza without overpowering the flavor.Definitely found a new go to spot when I get that good old pizza craving!!"

Clif Family Bruschetteria

★★★★★ 4.7 (135) • $$

"Clif Family Bruschetteria might be my favorite food truck, period! Whenever my wife and I are exploring wine country we always make a pit stop at Clif for some wine and accompanying delicious food.Located in St. Helena off Highway 128, stopping at Clif Family Winery and Clif Family Bruschetteria is an absolute necessity. We typically do some wine tasting early in Calistoga before making our way south down to Napa. St. Helena is located about 15 minutes from Calistoga making it a perfect stop for lunch! And the vibe here is very relaxing! While there isn't a "view" per say, I love the casualness of Clif compared to other wineries that might be a bit stuffy. My wife and I typically can pop in on a Friday with no reservation needed. I haven't been on a Saturday or Sunday, but if you want to do a flight and/or tastings with some food from Clif's food truck you might need to make a reservation.The food truck is located right next to the winery. Ordering is very simple and incredibly easy! You can order off your phone using a QR code or you can place an order directly at the truck. You receive a 'buzzer' which conveniently will go off when your food is ready. I like that the Bruschetteria does this because I hate having to wait around for my order at most other food trucks. I like the fact that I can relax with a glass of wine at my table and will be notified about my order.My go-to is typically the Nashville hot chicken sandwich. Arguably one of the best fried chicken sandwiches I've ever had. Perfectly crispy, spicy, and full of flavor. The hot sauce is tangy and not too overpowering. And the sandwich is finished with some fresh coleslaw. It's not overly filling for a fried chicken sandwich and you can tell the ingredients are top notch and fresh. (Just be aware that the Nashville hot chicken sandwich is somewhat seasonal and at times they don't have it).I've also had their bruschetta which is fantastic. And I'm always tempted to get a rotisserie chicken, but that's a lot of food for two people (lol).In a nutshell, if you're in Wine Country and need to make a pit stop this is the spot for an a delicious casual lunch. Clif Family Bruschetteria works in combination with Clif Family Winery. There's nothing better than their Nashville hot chicken sandwich accompanied with a glass!"

Red Boy Pizza

★★★★☆ 3.5 (279) • $$

"I've been here for take out pizza and wings and have always enjoyed both. I get the red boy special but haven't tried others yet. It's a little on the expensive (that brings this place down to 4 stars for me). The interior looks nice and maybe someday my crew will go and have a sitdown lunch there.Note: it's in the same parking lot as the liquor store near the safeway. Walk uphill on the sidewalk left of the liquor store and it's on your right."

Cugini Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.6 (395) • $$

"The food, ambiance and service is second to none. Jenny and I have had most of what Cugini has on their menu. We have never had a bad meal. Armando and Becka are always at their best, making you feel at home. Stephanie, Mia, Angel, Marco and Jesus work as a team in making sure all of their guests are taken care of. Thank you Armamdo for making the best Martinis in town. Simply fabulous place. Love you guys."

Bambino’s Vallejo

★★★★☆ 4.1 (394) • $$

"Large portions and friendly staff. They were very busy, but once they noticed us it was all good. Staff was working well together and chatting with customers. When the food arrived, we were shocked at the size of the portions. Place was roomy with a stage and full bar. For just the two of us, it was very comfortable. We will bring our friends next time."

Cenario's Pizza - Dixon

★★★★☆ 4.3 (212) • $

"Pizza is amazing and I have nothing but good things to say about the service. This place stays pretty busy with takeout orders but I've enjoyed the pizza more when I eat it in the restaurant."

Isola Osteria

★★★★☆ 3.8 (191)

"No need to gate keep on this one! Isola Osteria is already the hot new Sicilian / Italian restaurant in the Tri-Valley. Located in Downtown Danville railroad Ave. Isola has already expanded its hours to accommodate its popularity. Now open for lunch / dinner and happy hour on Tuesday thru Friday. We grabbed a sit outside on the patio a jazz guitarist plays in Friday and Saturdays. My daughter and I got a couple of cocktails and the following appetizers. Arancini Rice ballsBeef carpaccio Grilled VeggiesAhi tunaMusselsAll were excellent but the mussels really stood out. They were large plump and in a saffron sauce. Plenty of parking in the large public lot. Look for the Vespa and the Fiat in the front. Pro Tip go early on a nice day order up a some drinks and appetizers enjoy the music then at 5 pm the dinner menu is available."

Santoro's Italian Market & Deli

★★★★★ 4.5 (360) • $$

"We were in town for our son's water polo tournament at Encinal High School. During a break between games, we went out for a quick bite and found Santoro's about a couple minutes away.Santoro's is located on the corner of a residential area so you'll need to park on the street. However, the location is part of the charm as you feel like you've stepped back in time when you enter Santoro's. You're greeted by a friendly crew and asked to fill out your order slip. We ordered a couple of sandwiches which were bigger than we expected with layers of delicious roasted meat and all of the condiments. I had the chicken sandwich and highly recommend it.The staff was very attentive and checked on us regularly to make sure we were enjoying our sandwiches. You can tell this is the neighborhood spot as locals came in to grab their usual orders and have a quick chat with the staff/owners."