The Yummiest Italian in San Jose

Maurizio's

★★★★★ 4.5 (957) • $$

"I had the Polenta with mushroom sauce. I love this dish and often order it instead of an entree, always want more. I saved room for dessert and had Tiramisu . Wonderful meal for me."

Pausa Bar & Cookery

★★★★☆ 4.2 (961) • $$$

"I went here for Valentine's day. I highly recommend the spring garlic pappardelle pasta!! I never knew spring garlic could have so much flavor and complement the pasta and the tender wagyu meat. The pizza was amazing as well, but I didn't enjoy the Funghi pizza as much. The clash of flavours was overwhelming. I opted for a lighter dessert option after indulging in carbs, as the desserts at this establishment are exceptional. The gelato and sorbet will definitely help with that, and it is delicious! Great spot for date night!"

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."

Luigi's Pizza & Pasta

★★★★☆ 4.3 (847) • $$

"I was in the area and came across this restaurant while searching for "pasta"I'm so glad this place was recommended because the spaghetti and meatballs was delicious! Service was friendly and super quick. The place, the food, the ambiance, it all felt authentic Italian.I will for sure be back and try other menu items and the pizza as well."

California Fish Market Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.4 (726) • $$

"**Updated review**I booked my reservation through SF Restaurant Week's official website and was excited to finally try this place. Upon arrival, we were greeted and seated right away, which was a great start. However, things took a turn when our server handed us the regular menu without mentioning the SF Restaurant Week menu.When I asked about it, the staff member I spoke to claimed they weren't notified that they were participating. How is that possible when the restaurant was listed on the official website and we booked our reservation through it? SF Restaurant Week is a well known event, and participating restaurants usually share their menus online. I even checked Yelp and found only one photo related, which made me suspect they were trying to avoid offering the prix-fixe menu to maximize profits. Their excuse? "They weren't notified in time to create a menu." That's frustrating and misleading, especially since the event details had been public for two weeks+ meaning they should have been aware well in advance. If they weren't prepared, they shouldn't have signed up.That aside, we decided to stay and order from the regular menu. Unfortunately, our food took a long time to arrive. We ended up filling up on bread and soup while waiting. To make things worse, two other tables - a small party and a larger group that arrived after us, received most of their food before we received one dish.Food Review: * Mixed Crudo - The halibut was the best part- succulent, slightly sweet, and of course, there were only four pieces. The scallops, on the other hand, were overpowered by coarse salt, making them way too salty. The salmon was pretty standard.* Dungeness Crab Linguine - Decent, but not memorable. There wasn't much crab or sauce, so I probably wouldn't order it again.* Crab Chowder - Delicious, but the portion was misleading. The bowl was super shallow, making it look like there was more than there actually was--probably the same amount as a cup.* Branzino - Fantastic! The skin was perfectly crispy, and the side of broccolini was a great touch."

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!"

iTalico

★★★★☆ 4.2 (785) • $$$

"I had dinner here with a couple of friends and it was my first time. We ordered the San Daniele pizza, paccheri, and the spaghetti di mare. The pasta dishes we ordered were perfectly al dente. The paccheri was a bit salty. The San Daniele pizza was cooked perfectly and was well balanced.The service here was friendly and attentive. The interior has a sophisticated feel with the slightly dim lighting."

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."

Pizza Bocca Lupo

★★★★☆ 4.1 (815) • $$

"I am updating this review to a 3 due to the SLR (Service Level Recovery) of the owner. He reached out to me, we discussed the issues, and then he provided me a refund.I still will never eat here again, but the spouse did enjoy his pepperoni pizza."

Vito's Trattoria

★★★★☆ 4.1 (807) • $$$

"A welcoming place amidst office complex, sjc airport, 101 and Kaizer! Love the free parking around it and welcoming outdoor and indoor seating.As you enter, you are greeted by friendly faces! You can make a reservation at "open table" if you plan to be there between peak hours.In $55 (before tip), we got:- your choice of 2 topping pizza - 4/5 - we got jalapeño, mushroom, olives. Bell peppers. They charged $1 for each extra topping. The pizza was loaded with veggies on a thin but tender crust.- veggie primavera pasta - 5/5 - we swapped the sauce from creamy white to vodka sauce for an extra charge and it was totally worth it. Bomb pasta and heavy/ huge portion size. Good to share!- garlic bread with cheese - 4/5 - huge portion and good quality cheese. I wish they added some herbs/ etc too on it to add a kick- complimentary sour dough rolls 5/5 are served on request. Loved it! - garden green salad - 4/5 - side plate of salad with greens, carrots, a big tomato slice and vinegar drenched onions. Pairs well with the sour dough rolls.Service is impeccable :) and it's a pleasure visiting them! #supportlocal"

Palermo Italian Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.2 (765) • $$

"LOVEI went here for a memorial celebration of a lovely man. This was his favorite restaurant and I can see why. The food was excellent, as was the service. The buffet luncheon was wonderful. I liked the chicken, loved the potatoes and perfectly cooked vegetables, and of course the pasta, a lovely tortellini in cream sauce. The dessert buffet was epic. I especially loved the intensely chocolate cake.LIKEI really appreciated the covered open patio seating. As someone still trying to avoid Covid and all the other viruses floating around, the airflow helped me feel safer in a crowd of a few hundred people. I will return when I'm in the neighborhood."

Spiazzo Ristorante

★★★★☆ 3.9 (882) • $$

"The salmon penne was so good! It was creamy and savory and hot. The bread appetizer was so fresh, we well as the sole. Amazing service and friendly staff in a cozy Italian restaurant within West Portal."

Cafe Pro Bono

★★★★☆ 3.9 (873) • $$$

"Café Pro Bono - A Classic Italian Spot with a Loyal FollowingCafé Pro Bono is an older, classic Italian restaurant with a clear sense of community. The clientele seems well-established--by the time we were leaving, regulars were chatting with the owner, asking about his family as if it were a weekly tradition. It's the kind of place where everyone knows each other, which gives it a warm, familiar charm.When we asked for recommendations, we got the classic "it's all good" response. And while everything was good, nothing stood out as great.We tried Susan's Downfall, a delicious ravioli dish topped with a rich Gorgonzola-based cream sauce--easily the highlight of the meal. The Tagliatelle with Smoked Chicken was also excellent, with perfectly cooked pasta and well-balanced flavors. For dessert, we had Bertucci's Favorite, a simple but satisfying vanilla gelato with a boozy berry compote that was just the right way to end the meal. Although- we were brought a delicious port after dessert. What a kind classic touch!Overall, Café Pro Bono is a solid, classic Italian joint that delivers good food in a welcoming setting. However, to stay relevant long-term, I'd love to see them modernize the experience a bit or develop a signature dish that truly sets them apart. Every great restaurant should have at least one thing it's famous for--right now, they do a lot of things well, but nothing exceptionally."

Sole Ristorante Italiano

★★★★☆ 4.3 (716) • $$

"I've eaten here twice. The first time was well over a year ago and spontaneously. It was a warm Friday afternoon for dinner. They sat us in the back which was nicely set up. The service was very kind and attentive. I appreciated how they were welcoming to my young child despite it being a white linen table. They showed no fear of a child ordering pasta with marinara! Haha The second more recent time we ate here was planned although I forgot to make a reservation. Still, no problem. They took our party of four and offered us a seat outside immediately or inside with a 30-45 minute wait. We took the outside despite the cold. They had heaters nearby although they did let us know the one directly next to us wasn't working. It was during winter holiday time so they were a little busy but the service was still very kind. They apologized for the waits but we understood. The bread came out and was warm and yummy. When our food came out, everyone was pleased with their orders. We'll plan to come here again."

Garlic City Cafe

★★★★☆ 4 (824) • $$

"Omg! This is a gem of a place in Gilroy! This was our "special" meal of our trip and I'm glad we chose this over the other places we were looking at.Place is clean, bright, and inviting! We came in a little before 1pm on Friday and we were seated immediately (party of 4).Everything we ordered was great. I had the Garlic City burger and I love all the garlic that was in it. I couldn't finish it though because of how big the patty is. My husband's was the eggplant caprese panini and I got to try a bite out of it. My mind was blown by all the flavors it had. It was expertly crafted for a panini!Overall, I'd definitely recommend this to anyone new and want to try something from Gilroy! We'd definitely be coming back next time we're here. If I can give them more than 5 stars, I would."

Centonove

★★★★☆ 3.9 (855) • $$

"Centonove is one of my favorite restaurants in Los Gatos. It's our go-to spot for my friends and me. Our favorite drink is the Pear Martini--it's so delicious and dangerously easy to have too many!The first time I went, we ordered pizza, which was a great choice, especially since they offer gluten-free and vegan options. However, since then, I've become partial to their Fiocchi di Pera--pasta pockets with pear and cheese in a Gorgonzola cream sauce. Absolutely divine!The staff is knowledgeable and super fun, adding to the great atmosphere. I highly recommend making a reservation, especially on weekends, as seating--both indoors and outdoors--is limited. But even if you have to wait, it's definitely worth it!"

Siena Bistro

★★★★☆ 4.3 (694) • $$

"Came here 3/20/2024 for dinner. We decided to sit outside since it wasn't too cold and there was fire so it was cozy. The owner was extremely nice and welcoming. I believe he went to all the tables to talk to the customers, overall a friendly guy. Apparently, he's never been sick and works in the restaurant almost every day. Hey, I mean great staying healthy and strong!! The other workers were also very nice and provided excellent service. I ordered the Dijon Crusted Salmon ($34)The salmon was not dry and it was lightly covered in sweet Dijon Mustered. I like it a lot but I realize I like my salmon with lemon more. The veggies and mashed potatoes were perfect, wouldn't change a thing. French Vanilla Bean Gelato Single ($5) The owner told me it was going to be the best vanilla bean gelato I've ever had and hey it was delicious. I wished I had more, but I was too full from the salmon dinner. Overall, great dining experience, and the outdoor seating was a change of setting. Time to plan my next visit!"

Delizie Cucina & Vino

★★★★☆ 4.4 (653) • $$

"What an amazing experience we had for dinner tonight! Service was incredible, the house made pastas were made to perfection (we tried the pappardelle, rigatoni, and risotto), and the ambiance was warm and inviting. This is a place you come back to over and over again. Definitely a little gem of San Carlos."

Pranzi

★★★★☆ 4.3 (641) • $$

"Wonderful food and service! We sat outside , although it was a cloudy day. Their heat lamps were very hot. So much so, we had to ask to turn them down.The focaccia bread served at the beginning of our meal was soft and fresh!We are big fans of squid ink pasta and their rendition was very good. We appreciate how attentive the staff was. We will definitely be back!"

Mio Vicino

★★★★☆ 3.8 (757) • $$

"What a little gem located in downtown Santa Clara! There are so many chain restaurants in the area nowadays that it's refreshing to visit a small business like this. We've been a couple of times to celebrate special milestones and have enjoyed it every time.Their food always tastes fresh and their service is good. All dishes are priced appropriately (not expensive but not for every day dining). We will be back whenever we can!"

Willow Street Wood-Fired Pizza

★★★★☆ 3.7 (790) • $$

"Very cozy, inviting and pleasant atmosphere. The food is really good and the pizza from an oven wooden is super tasty. The good thing is the happy hour has great deals! The service was excellent and super fast - no long waiting to be seated and served."

Fiorella -Clement

★★★★☆ 4.1 (643) • $$$

"I'm always trying to find good food deals in SF, and Fiorella has one of my favorite ones! On the last Monday of every month, they have certain pastas, pizzas, and wine for $10, and lower priced appetizers. I had to book my reservation 2 months in advance though, but luckily there are 2 other locations in SF (Polk and Sunset) you can try to reserve too! We picked the Neopolitan Pizza (and added the pepperoni, mushroom, and sausage toppings) and the Lumache Fra Diavolo pasta. I loved the spice with the pasta, and the sauce was so creamy and flavorful. We also ordered the meatballs which were some of the best meatballs I've had in SF. The $10 house red wine was great, and they definitely gave us more than 1 glass worth (felt like 2 glasses with the carafe they gave) which is a steal!One thing to note was that their back patio seating only allowed service dogs, which is the first time I've been in a restaurant in SF where they didn't allow dogs to sit outside or on the patio. Other than that, I had such a great experience here! I do think it's a little overpriced to come here on a normal night, so I highly recommend trying to get a reservation on the last Monday of the month, so much more worth it."

Rise Pizzeria - Burlingame

★★★★☆ 4 (663) • $$

"Went here for dinner with my friends recently and all the pizzas were so yummy! They were pretty busy on a Thursday night as well but the food came out pretty fast. There was a bunch of options to choose from but we ordered the burrata, Ccalabrese + honey, and funghi pizzas. Definitely devoured those slices of pizza. I recommend coming here if you're craving some wood fired oven pizza with a good ambiance."

Spasso Ristorante

★★★★☆ 3.9 (695) • $$

"This place is amazing! The hostess, Delaney, is what made our night. I'm currently disabled and she went out of her way to accommodate my needs from the very beginning all the way until the end of our dinner. I had to use the restroom and she personally walked me all the way back to the restroom and held the door for me! The food was incredible, our server was extremely attentive, and the food came out fast. I'll definitely come back. Thanks Delaney!"

Gumba's Italian Restaurant

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (912) • $$

"We ordered the Linguine Pesto Chicken, Fettuccine al San Francisco, Sausage Polenta, and cannoli. Everything was delicious! The service was amazing and the servings were generous, not like other restaurants. We will definitely be back."

Campo Di Bocce of Los Gatos

★★★★☆ 4 (618) • $$

"Never knew this place existed. So thankful to family friends for hosting an event here and allowing us to join in on the fun. Such a cool spot for family and friends to play bocce ball, eat yummy Italian foods, chat at the long tables, and order drinks at their bar. Love how the interior was decorated! There are 4 big lanes inside to play with. Such an easy sport to pick up and enjoy with others. Good service when creating our drinks and helping bus our areas! Hope to come back one day to try other cocktails, play some more and check out their outdoor patio."

Rocca Ristorante

★★★★☆ 4.1 (577) • $$

"I thought I had reviewed this place! This place is good. Quick and comes tasting the same every time. The steak is huge. I love the desert and the Gorgonzola salad and the shrimp!!"

Pazzo

★★★★☆ 4.4 (491) • $$

"Came here on a Thursday evening for dinner and I'm glad we came early (~5:15) because it started to get packed shortly after!We ordered the crispy cauliflower and the New Haven style baby clam pizza. The crispy cauliflower was delicious and I was surprised that I haven't had cauliflower served this way before. It had a nice caramelization and slightly crunchy texture that was light and not heavy at all. It reminded me of maple glazed brussel sprouts which I'm a big fan of. I'm usually not a white sauce pizza kind of person but I was very intrigued by the clam pizza. It was good and I was pleasantly surprised by the abundance of baby clams and how they did not give off an overly seafoody or fishy flavor. After a couple slices though, it did become a little one note for me and I think I might have preferred it without the mozzarella.Service was super friendly and food came out in a decent amount of time, with the pizza piping hot from the wood-fired oven.I'll be back to try their other pizzas soon!"

Beretta Divisadero

★★★★☆ 4.1 (563) • $$

"We've been back several times and in the past found the host to be rather unpleasant although we enjoyed the food. The place isn't large but nicely organized with good amount of tables.This time the host and guy behind the bar were all friendly and cheery.We ordered a fungi pizza, Caesar salad, and lasagna bolognese. We liked them all but especially the pizza and salad!"

Divino Ristorante

★★★★☆ 4.2 (523) • $$

"Always order the specials! Everything is fresh, but the daily specials are thoughtful, complex, filling, and delicious! Staff is friendly and attentive. The bar area is welcoming for people, dining alone. Wonderful, wonderful owner and staff!"

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!"

Ristorante Don Giovanni

★★★★☆ 3.5 (734) • $$

"Still very good Italian food in a more casual setting. I tried the spicy sausage pasta with red sauce and the butter lettuce salad. Also tried the pesto pasta the sauce is very creamy. Everything went well with a glass of wine. Service is great and they also have the payment system to use a QR code on your smartphone. Very good comfort food and value for your money. They don't have the antipasto platter anymore they should bring it back."

Rosie's New York Pizza

★★★★☆ 3.6 (693) • $$

"Do you need a quick fix for a slice or perhaps scratch that pasta itch? Rosie's will make it happen for you. The pasta portions are super generous (easily 2 meals for me). The pizza is definitely NY style, thin crisp crust that are large enough to fold and consume with much gusto. The dine-in vide is not NY neighborhood pizza joint though, more of a sports bar vibe.The garlic knots are delish but best eat fresh."

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!"

Italian Brothers Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.3 (461) • $$

"My family and I lived in Los Gatos for 30 years and sadly moved 25 min away to San Jose the same summer the restaurant opened. And being how we are, we would never drive more than 10 min usually to go out to eat lolBut my sister now lives in LG and I was in town visiting everyone (I live in Hawaii now) and we decided to eat near her for once! I found this spot on yelp as one of the few with a good rating and $$ open on a Monday night. We arrived at 8 pm and the place was packed!! My whole family kept saying over and over how did we not ever hear of this place? The food was AMAZING and AUTHENTIC and we will definitely be visiting again!!I wanted a spicy spaghetti and the closest they had was spicy linguine marinara with meatballs - my dad tried everyone's dish and said mine was the best and I wholeheartedly agree!!The server was quick and attentive. And as I mentioned the place was packed, well it was also very loud! We probably would have eaten outside if it wasn't so cold!"