The Most Delectable Italian in San Jose

Ofena

★★★★★ 4.5 (171) • $$$

"Came here for lunch before the holidays. It was easy to find street parking. The restaurant had lovely decoration / vibes. Service was warm and friendly, maybe on the sparse side, which we didn't mind as I was here to catch up with a friend.They have a great lunch offering: Soup + choice of sandwich. It's served with a lovely salad that had yummy, crunchy parmesan crouton. The tuna salad is the house specialty which I want to try next time! I had the Italian combo sandwich which was great. The soup was delicious.We ended the meal with Panna Cotta (really well done) and coffee (well made, on par with a good coffee house).Overall, wonderful lunch and look forward to coming back!"

Ristorante da Maria

★★★★☆ 4.1 (683) • $$

"My husband and I were craving pasta but didn't want to go to a really fancy and expensive restaurant so we made our way here and it's such a hidden gem! Food: 10/10 I was craving a tomato sauce pasta instead of the meat sauce so penne pomodoro was perfect for me and the pasta was cooked al dente. My husband got the baked rigatoni and it was loaded with cheese, pepperoni, and Italian sausage. He enjoyed his meal and got really full. We also got garlic sticks and it was so fragrant and good paired with the marinara sauce and the crust was really crispy. Each table comes with red pepper, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. The prices here are insanely affordable! It was a little over $30 for 2 entrees and one appetizer and that's for dinner price. Ambience: 10/10 Lots of seating options. It's very cute and cozy inside. I see a lot of people getting take out but I encourage more people to dine in. They play nice romantic Italian instrumentals inside and there's 3 or so TV's in there to watch sports too. Highly recommend for a date or to dine with family or friends. It looks like a family run restaurant and all the workers are really nice and asked how the food was for us and refilled our water cups too. Parking: There's 1 hour parking spots in front of the restaurant and there's lots of parking in the plaza. We are already thinking of our next visit. Can't wait to come back!:)"

Bolare Trattoria & Pizzeria

★★★★☆ 3.6 (55)

"Truly shocking that this place isn't more crowded than it is. Pasta is delicious, pizza is extremely scrumptious, the price is greatly priced. It's an old school vibe so don't expect to be blown away by the establishment but if you're looking for a nice lovely evening with good Italian food, it's a must try. A Family joint."

Zorba's Pizza

★★★★☆ 4.3 (748) • $$

"We attended a friend's birthday party here tonight with about seven other families and I was really surprised at how fantastic it was. They reserved a large area of the restaurant just for our group and set the pizzas and salads out buffet style on the bar area for us to self-serve. The kids enjoyed the arcade area while the adults got to chat. It was our first time at Zorba's and the pizza and wings were really delicious. The party platter of wings was humongous and there was a ton of pizza leftover. They also let the host bring in their own ice cream cake. I would have never thought of this for a kids birthday location (kid was turning 11) but after tonight I would definitely recommend it."

La Posta

★★★★☆ 3.9 (427) • $$

"Had a wonderful time celebrating Valentine's Day at La Posta. The staff handled a full house with ease and the atmosphere still felt intimate. The food was delicious. My favorite was the polenta, it was so smooth and creamy. Everything was really excellent, though. I highly recommend La Posta."

San Jose Pizza Express

★★★★☆ 4.1 (314) • $

"Love this pizza place!! It's my favorite local place to get pizza. They have really good daily deals too. It is small and it's a to-go place, so no where to sit and eat which I don't mind at all. They do have some chairs to sit on while waiting for your order. The staff is always sooo nice and welcoming! The service is also very fast which is another bonus. 10/10"

New York Pizza

★★★★☆ 3.9 (568) • $$

"One of the best New York style pizza in the area! They have many options, sizes, and items. They make it fresh for every order and are usually very fast.Their King Kong sized whole pizza is huge when we need to feed a lot of people. I usually opt for a large size for family dinner nights. It's not a big store since most people take out but there is some space to seat indoors. Parking lot is shared strip mall but parking is limited near the pizza shop since cars are always parked there on that side. This is my go to pizza spot when we have any event!"

New York Pizza Pasta & More

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (254) • $

"Phenomenal pizza. Serves pizza by the slice with a thin, stiff crust. Can add as many topics as you'd like, which affect the price. I cannot forgive the business for having an offensive parking situation. All surrounding businesses have parking, at least or two spaces, but this one has none and there are always cars parked in the only available street parking in front of the entrance. Most of those cars are for adjacent businesses which already have their own private parking on the side as and back of their business, which are unused.I had complained to the staff and it was mentioned that there are no special exceptions for customer parking. There is parking in the back which has many available spaces, and the owner parks their corvette there. It was stated that the parking was only for employees. Also, the manager wasn't on duty and the staff didn't respond empathetically to the complaint and was dismissive. Will not return. It is unfortunate to be put in this situation by the parking availability, as I'm not a pizza person and this pizza was better than average."

Mr Pizza Man

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (358) • $

"I like the pizza and calzones here. Fast, hot and tasty. Will keep coming back for more."

Avanti Pizza Fresh Pasta

★★★★☆ 3.5 (215) • $

"Pizzas are very good here. Price is good too. Today i tried their spaghetti with meatballs and its delicious. The tomato sauce and meatballs and garlic bread is the best. Better than Amicis!"

Andiamo In Banca

★★★★☆ 4.2 (316) • $$$

"Good italian good and very friendly staff.If you eat inside the vault, then there will no phone signal."

Pronto Wood Fired Pizzeria and Rotisserie

★★★★☆ 3.9 (416) • $$

"For 20 years, we've driven past this place. Always murmuring "we need to try this." Well, we finally did. We started with calamari which was crispy and tender. My husband had a pasta with marinara and chicken which he liked but thought the chicken a bit dry. My pasta with clams was light but a tad salty. Still good. The focaccia was light and amazing. We bought a medium cheese pizza for our picky teen who said midst first bite "damn, I should've gone with you." Then ate over half despite having dinner an hour before. Staff is warm and friendly. We ate in their tiny restaurant and it was clean and cozy. Definitely coming back."

Al Castello Ristorante & Pizzeria

★★★★☆ 4 (483) • $$

"Had the Christmas menu dinner last night. Started with a persimmons salad which had a balsamic reduction, pomegranate and Parmesan. It was delicious. Then, lamb chops (medium well only) with a pomegranate reduction, fingerling potatoes and brussels sprouts were on point. Everything on the plate looked and tasted great. Service was friendly and on pace and atmosphere was festive and lively. Love this place."

Original Joe's

★★★★☆ 4.1 • $$$

"Original Joe's never lets me down. I absolutely adore this place. Is the wait long? Yes. Are there tourists swarming? Yes. But, both those mentions no longer bother me now that I've found the perfect watering hole across the street to have a few while waiting, Tony Nik's. North Beach is alive and it's exciting to see people out and about again. Original Joe's seems to always be a solid meeting hub and spot to dine with groups or gals. Original Joe's has also shared memories of wedding rehearsals, work dinners, and countless post-Giant game moments. Love the old school Italian vibes here, photos that adorn the walls, and dim lighting. Menu-wise ~ the warm sourdough bread and Original Joe's branded butter, house red wine, the chicken parm with side of pasta/signature marinara, cacio e pepe, and butter cake to finish it all off...perfection! The spaghetti and meatballs and Caesar are also solid. These dishes are not for those ready for a bikini shoot next day, rather shareable/family style. Although not going to lie, while pregnant, the chicken parm was not shared :)The tastes, textures, flavors, menu is so comforting and familiar. Not a spot easy on the wallet, but definitely one for the books. Staff just like famiglia."

It's Italia

★★★★☆ 3.8 (965) • $$$

"This place was absolutely amazing. It closes at 8 on Sundays; our reservation was for 8pm. We walked in and they seated us right on time. The ambiance was perfect, romantic and intimate yet not overdone. The service was fantastic; quick but not rushed, and all the staff were extremely attentive. My better half had originally ordered gnocchi but they happened to be out at the end of the night. He went with the pumpkin gnocchi instead, and was pleasantly surprised. I tried a bite as well, and liked it enough to order again. The lemon caper salmon and mashed potatoes with greens was fantastic, and I am definitively picky when it comes to how my salmon is cooked... Hats off to the chef and kitchen staff; between the wine and the amazing dinner were were too full for dessert . We did not leave until well after closing, and were not rushed out at all. In fact quite the opposite. We asked if they would take our picture together; I attempted to dress up and put on cute shoes for the evening but as someone with a mobility disorder I am admittedly slow when it comes to standing and walking lol. They were so kind, patient and accommodating, and more than happy to take the camera and get some good shots before we left. I am truly impressed and do not have a thing to speak poorly of. We would most definitely return when we are in the area again!"

888 Ristorante Italiano

★★★★☆ 4.2 (275) • $$$

"The food was amazing! Highly recommend the bruschetta and fettuccine di tartufo. Vince and his staff were incredible. Had a really nice dinner! Thank you so much!!"

Vaso Azzurro Ristorante

★★★★☆ 3.9 • $$

"I've been here a few times and it's always great! This is one of my favorite Italian places in South Bay. I usually get their pastas and it's always so flavorful - I think their best one is the spaghetti carbonara. They also change up their specials. I've tried the salmon and enjoyed it a lot. Price wise, it is also quite decent. Each meal also comes with free bread, which is quite tasty! The ambiance is very casual, it's a great place for any occasion!"

Bogey's Pizza

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (356) • $$

"Pros:- Staff was friendly and served really quickly. Owner is a really nice lady that has a giant personality!- Great selection of full pizzas, burgers, and beers. They have a full bar as well. Some European style food and desserts as well- Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating and can accommodate big partiesCons:- Pizza is a floppy mess. Too much bread and too much cheese. Felt like I was eating a Chicago style pizza that's pretending to be a new york style one - Pricey. Each pizza is at least $15 and beers are $8. - Order ahead or it might take a while (at least 15-20min) Overall, I thought the environment was great with plenty of TVs so wouldn't be a bad spot to watch the game and enjoy some bites+drinks"

Trapeze Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.9 (627) • $$$

"Reservation for 8 to celebrate a birthday. The interior is nice and roomy. Our table was ready when we got there. Once seated, we ordered drinks and appetizers and they were decent; they were served within a reasonable time; however, we waited an hour for our dinner, which was unacceptable. Our server didn't even come by to update us or at least apologize for the long wait. I ordered the salmon, while others in our table ordered pasta. The salmon was very moist, but very salty. Others in my table enjoyed their pasta dishes. I'm giving them 3.5 since they compensated the long wait with free desserts. (Bread pudding)."

Locanda Sorrento

★★★★☆ 4.1 (759) • $$

"Hailing from Cinque Terre, the trofie al pesto is as legit as it gets and brought me back to our Italian holiday. Homemade short twisted pasta with a pine-nut forward pesto: this was delicious. Good sized portions too!Our server was also informative with my friend's gluten free, dairy free needs and knew what dishes could and couldn't be tweaked. Love the ambiance here as well!"

Sorelle Italian Bistro

★★★★☆ 4.4 (875) • $$

"We arrived for an early dinner and were able to park in front of the restaurant, but we noticed the small lot quickly filled up while we had dinner. Food was top notch- loved the bread, the fried artichoke was unique, and my lemon chicken risotto was delicious. Portions are large based on our entrees. We ordered the tiramisu and it tasted creamy and well-made. The servers were friendly and checked in frequently. We plan to stop by again soon."

La Pizza & La Pasta

★★★★☆ 3.9

"The food was fantastic as always! We ordered the drinks - Zabriskie Point and Gin and Tonic (my girlfriend loved the gin and tonic), two appetizers - calamari and the deep fried risotto balls, insalata di Cavolo, two pizzas - the pesto burrata (recommend sausage with this!) and salimiere (fantastic meat pizza), the raviolis, and pretty much the entire dessert menu (tiramisu was the bomb dot com, the Panna Cora is always a favorite, and the budino is rich and flavor packed!). Our server, Myceau, was fantastic and he really made for a great overall experience for all of us. He explained the menu and even went over the recommended drinks - spot on recommendations for the pizzas. The ambiance was lively as always and everyone was happy to be there, regardless of whether working or eating there. 10/10 recommend this place to anyone and we've had no better in the Bay Area at this time. We were so hungry that I only managed to snag a few shots! Tiramisu and calamari, and insalata di cavolo pictured. Until next time!Cheers,Stephen"

Bettola

★★★★☆ 4.3 (56)

"Bettola is my new favorite spot for Italian food! The ambience is amazing--think cozy yet chic with the perfect music to set the vibe. The staff? Absolutely wonderful. Not sure if they're all actually Italian or just nail the accent, but either way, it works, lol.Food is fantastic. This isn't your typical pizza, pasta, and ravioli joint. The menu has so many unique dishes that make you wonder which region of Italy they're from, but honestly, it doesn't matter because it's all so good! The arancini is a must-try. Seriously, it's bomb, soooo good!Plus, the prices are super reasonable, which is a nice surprise for the quality. Highly recommend if you're looking for something a little different in the world of Italian food!"

Upper Crust Pizza & Pasta

★★★★☆ 3.8 (500) • $$

"Upper Crust Pizza in Santa Cruz is a must-visit! The pizza was delicious!! It's super cheesy with the perfect crust and you can tell they use quality ingredients. The staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming. They were very approachable and that made the experience even better. The vibe inside was casual and upbeat. It's a great spot to relax and enjoy a good slice. It's always busy, which speaks to how good it is, but the wait is never long. Whether you're a local or just passing through, this place is definitely worth a visit!"

Doppio Zero San Carlos

★★★★☆ 3.8 (232) • $$$

"First and foremost, Thank you for fitting us in on one of the busiest nights of the year, Valentine's Day, when our original restaurant couldn't accommodate us after making reservations. Squid ink pasta! Lawwwwd! I love seafood and I love squid ink pasta so this dish is a must! Tasty and flavorful and gave just the right portion. My boyfriend got the steak and it was very tender. Not bad for a restaurant that wasn't a steak restaurant! Boyfriend was fully satisfied. Despite the crowd, service was amazing and did a great job checking in on us and other customers, given it was a very busy night. Friendly as well! Thank you for a great experience! Will definitely come back"

Pompeii Ristorante

★★★★☆ 3.9 (333) • $$

"We came here last night to meet up with my wife's cousin, who happened to be in town for the weekend for a business trip. Reservations are accepted, but need to be made via the phone. We were seated pretty promptly after arriving thanks to our reservation, and service was very attentive and friendly. We never had to ask for water refills as they were very diligent about filling water cups throughout the meal, as well as taking away empty plates. The food overall was pretty good, however the bread was served cold and was barely touched. It would have been significantly better and more appreciated had it been served warm. Located on a corner lot, parking is available both at the street level, as well as two public parking lots located out back on 4th St."

Howie's Artisan Pizza

★★★★☆ 3.7 (617) • $$

"Howie's is a happy pizza place. Their pizzas are on a different level of flavor. I've had many pizzas from hole-in-wall joints, frozen, chain restaurants, homemade ones, to indie-artisanal creations. Howie's is one of those truly artisanal pizzas. The ingredients may be the same as any other place, but you'll notice a level up when it comes to their sauce. I think that's where the difference is, aside from the distinct flavor that comes from the meats that they use. Each bite is a hearty mouthful. The only way to really tell is by going there and ordering one. I always get "The Works" and it has become my happy food, if you get what I mean. Their salads are also quite good, fresh and savory; a perfect complement to the pies and pasta fare that they offer.Service is friendly and efficient. That keeps me coming back, aside from the food. When you come in, it's like being welcomed by old friends in the Cheers bar, (if you get the reference, you're old). My wife and I were even lucky enough one time to have our food prepared by the owner Chef Howie himself. The pastas are also very good, going from mild, familiar tastes, to bold, earthy flavors that make you understand what comfort food really means. Each bite gives you that satisfying deep breath of texture and umami goodness. If you haven't been here yet... well I'm just going say, come on over.This location is quite busy with many different establishments around. Walk around and see for yourself. Lots of parking around the buildings in this town center, lots to see and try around here. It's worth it!"

Lillian's Italian Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.3 • $$

"I'm really bummed by our last experience here. We've been coming since they were in their previous tiny restaurant and usually the experience is nothing short of amazing. I understand after Covid. Everything is more expensive but charging for bread? Are you kidding me? We asked our server for bread and butter And we're shocked when we were charged on the bill without being told pretty big bummer."

John's of Willow Glen

★★★★☆ 3.7 (577) • $$

"Great people who work here, like seeing family and always greeted with happiness and love! Been coming here for years, and it just consistently keeps being great. breakfast is our go to here and the late bird croissant sandwich is a favorite as well as any of the Benedicts. They offer a chicken apple sausage Benedict that is delicious and comforting with a hollandaise sauce that is always spot on and definitely homemade. We highly recommend coming for breakfast at this neighborhood gem. And the remodel is still clean and inviting and we love the bar and outside seating area!"

Bottega

★★★★☆ 4.3 • $$

"We arrived on a Friday night at around 5pm and thankfully we skipped the dinner rush! Their aesthetic plates drew me in but I was a bit underwhelmed with the food.We tried their truffle risotto special which was on the milder side of truffle so I'd say it was about 3.5/5. The flavor was slightly bland imo and could've had a bit more salt. The calamari was decent but not the best I've had. It was also a 3.5/5 the calamari itself was very soft but the breading wasn't as crispy as I'd like it to be. I tried the pink vodka pasta with sausages and it was alright as well. The pasta was a bit too hard for my liking and the pink sauce needed a tad bit more flavor. The sausage was also kinda hard and I'd prefer a softer textured sausage. This dish was a 3.5/5. TLDR: I'd give this spot a 3.5/5. The atmosphere, environment, and service was great but the food fell a bit short for my liking."

Bella Trattoria

★★★★☆ 4.3 • $$

"Awesome pizza and pasta. The pasta was rich but not overwhelmingly heavy. Dessert was very delicious. Easy to find parking nearby."

Original Joe's Westlake

★★★★☆ 3.9 • $$

"Came here for a family get together and overall had a good experience. Food was good satisfying comfort food with big portions. It was super busy and it was difficult to hear conversation, so I would suggest they get some sound absorption panels for their walls."

Milan

★★★★☆ 4.2 (146)

"House made pastas (especially the carbonara) were great!! Wine selection was great, we got a bottle of sauv Blanc that was super good!The service was a little slow and we had to ask several times for our waitress, but the Christmas ambiance and decorations were super cute!Tiramisu and panna cotta were really good as well! A nice casual/upscale eatery in Willow Glen!"

Cafe Savini

★★★★☆ 4 (121) • $$

"Due to the rainstorm, I didn't want to go very far for food and opted for the nearby cafe. The Café was open and pretty much empty (understandable because I'm sure most people were working from home instead of trying to drive into work).I ordered the croissant and a banana nut muffin. The muffin, you can request to be warmed which I opted for. The egg, cheese, and bacon croissant was delicious, and I would order again. But I am curious about the other items on their menu, especially when it comes to the latter half of the day. There was a lasagne on there that I'm super curious about."

Two Cousins Deli

★★★★★ 4.6 (74)

"this small deli serves amazing sandwiches local to Belmont, but with elite service and food, i would make a drive out here from walnut creek any day of the week. i ordered their ham / salami / pepperoni sandwich, filled with protein and veggies alikethe ambiance inside is tranquil and neat; in fact, the neighborhood itself is very nice and chill, with Two Cousins Deli close to residential areathats one hell of a sandwich id recommend"