50 Best Italian Restaurants near Orinda

“Deliciousness for value and warmth for atmosphere. The host is always welcoming and service accommodating. New favorite place for life. 🤓“

“This was our first time. Food was authentic Northern Italian. My family are from Le Marche’. The pizza & polla Parmagano was loved by our teenagers. And the Gnocchi was cooked to order per my request. Definitely adding this to my top 3 restaurants“

“Located not far from the Orinda library, easy parking. As you enter, you are greeted by yummy smells that instantly reminds you of pizza and pasta. Friendly greeting. I loved the private booths and the dining area overlooks a trail with a woodsy window views. Lighting is friendly on the eyes. Our server was Sasha, who was friendly, warm, engaging, and competent. We order the soup of the day, a spinach salad to share, a large pizza , and ravioli. The sauces are all made in house. The pizza crust was super tasty with a good crumb and chew . Plenty of leftovers. We ended preventing with the Nutella cheesecake. There were families and locals. Good music. Recommend for a casual evening out or for take out. Got the impression this was family owned and they hire local students, so bring the support!“

“Short wait on a Friday night for 7 of us. Really small place but the wait staff and owner very friendly and everyone was very happy with their meal. If I lived here I would go back.“

“My daughter took me and the hubby here for our Thanksgiving celebration since she couldn't come home (Sac) for actual Thanksgiving, we went to her. This was a night I won't soon forget! Having a nice meal with our daughter was a treat, the service was amazing and the food....OMG! Every bite of every dish I tasted was so so delicious! I can't get the butternut soup out of my head it was THAT good! We all ordered different food & shared bites with one another. This night was so enjoyable! Thank you, Sis & Thank you Mama Oakland!“

“Great atmosphere and delicious food! Outdoor dining, too!“

“The food was great, the service was excellent, I was very satisfied“

“The lamb chops were phenomenal!“

“Honestly one of the best pizza crusts I've ever had. I had the focaccia spring special pizza - with squash blossoms and burrata. The Pear Basil Gimlet is one of the best mocktails I've ever had. The brussels are dark brown and crispy and melty. Plus - LOTS of gluten free options!

I rarely have a meal where every single part of it is delicious. This place is a treat, I'd highly recommend it.“

“I loved that the menu happened to be all vegetarian when we went. The fact that they have a seasonal rotating menu will also definitely keep us coming back. The mushroom bolognese sauce was so rich and filled with umami. I didn’t take a picture of the saffron poached pears as I took it home to eat but I really enjoyed it - the flavors were very reminiscent of the Indian dessert Srikhand. There’s limited seating so it felt a little loud and crowded inside but I did enjoy the open kitchen concept.“

“My husband and I were recently recommended to try Dolly’s restaurant and we’re so glad we did. From the moment we walked in, the whole experience felt relaxed and welcoming. The hosts and owners were incredibly warm and friendly.

The food was delicious. We loved the cheese wheel pasta, the bread and tomato salad, and they also had a really good wine selection. As a small business owner myself, I always appreciate supporting local family-owned spots that truly care about good food and good service. Dolly’s is definitely one of those places. We’ll absolutely be back.“

“They have a guest dock. Good food.“

“I had a takeout pizza from this restaurant last night first of all the customer service was absolutely excellent. The person that answered the phone had a really pleasant customer focused manner , nothing was too much trouble and he was so polite. The pizza was absolutely amazing , I hate anything that is too heavy and it was so light and lovely , the ingredients tasted extremely fresh , I would 100% recommend this place based upon my first experience and I will be back thanks so much 🥰“

“We are new to the area/California from NY we were delighted to find pizza as amazing as home! Friendly owner and staff.“

“Very tasty and carefully seasoned. All dishes were perfection“

“great food, ambiance and service and wine list.“

“Went for dinner the other night. Had the Cacio e Pepe, one of my favorite pastas. It was delicious. Wife had the Saffron Risotto, also perfectly cooked. Service was a bit slow but the sever was friendly and the food was a welcome surprise. Only complaint was the chairs were uncomfortable. Will definitely go again.“

“Wonderful staff, food is fresh and delicious. Consistent quality and warmth of environment. - Don Dikun“

“The food is excellent and employees are friendly and professional. We had a very pleasant time.“

“The food is absolutely incredible! Fresh, flavorful, and some of the best Italian cuisine I’ve had. Every dish is made with care, and you can really taste the quality.

What truly sets this place apart, though, is the outstanding staff. Everyone is friendly, welcoming, and goes above and beyond to make you feel at home.“

“You have to go there from brunch!! The dishes are packed with flavor and love. Fresh wonderful oatmeal, cheese eggs on toast! Omg all so delicious and Donna is an amazing host.“

“great food. good service.“

“I’ve put off writing this review because sometimes when you rave about your favorite restaurant, they eventually let you down. Lo Coco has done the exact opposite. Time after time, year after year, they have been remarkably consistent.

The staff is one of the biggest reasons I keep coming back. You see the same familiar faces, everyone is genuinely kind, and you immediately feel welcome. The atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable. There’s nothing pretentious about the service, even though the food easily competes with restaurants that are.

I also love that they don’t take reservations. It’s first come, first served, and they don’t make you wait until your entire party arrives before seating you.

Now, the food…

The focaccia is incredible. The tomato sauce is one of the brightest, richest, freshest sauces I’ve ever had. Their pizzas are flawless. The homemade pasta is always cooked to the perfect al dente. The meatballs include currants, which might surprise some people, but they work beautifully and feel like a nod to traditional Italian cooking.

I’ve been fortunate enough to travel extensively and eat in restaurants all over the world. Lo Coco is genuinely in my top five. Not because it’s flashy, but because it’s consistently outstanding. Every single visit delivers exceptional food, warm hospitality, and an experience that keeps me coming back.

If you’re looking for authentic Italian food in Oakland, this is it.“

“We walked in here not expecting anything! We came with an open mind and an empty stomach. Pleasantly surprised by the food, the calamari was crispy with a very delicious spiced batter no oil or grease. The Caesar salad with shrimp was awesome. They did a nice job of preparing and cleaning the shrimp and they grilled them exactly how you should, Cesar dressing needs a little anchovy and pepper. Grated Parmesan on top on request! The pizza was delicious although the way it was fired was a little strange. It could’ve been a little more crispy on the bottom, but the flavor was right and it was an honest bistro style pizza. Ice cream and coffee at the end was great - guys get a nespresso machine for an after dinner coffee shot! Overall it was a fun and honest Italian dinner with quality. I would definitely return and reccomend a visit. The website has some cool stories about the location and chef is doing a great job here.“

“Recently enjoyed a fabulous dinner at Postino's The food was wonderful, and the service excellent. It was a perfect al fresco dining experience“

“Great wine, love the squid, love the pastas and desserts!“

“We went to a baby shower last Saturday. We sat outside which was lovely. The service and food is ALWAYS so good! They do not skimp on their portions! We have been coming here since 1985. Thanks Tony, you know how to do it right!“

“There's some slight confusion because ordering from "Slice of Hollywood" from Eat24, you get pizza from Pizza Nation, but that's no big deal. The food is GOOD. Best wings I've ever had delivered, and the pizza is really good as well. plenty of toppings, and so far I've only had great experiences with them. Great combo price deals too!“

“Great ambiance, service, and cuisine!“

“love the food and the family“

“Fabulous Food, Drinks and Ambiance! Love this place!!! Five Stars!!!“

“I'm from Italy (have lived in Philadelphia for 20 years), and I was in Alameda in 2015 for a friend's wedding. I happened upon this place, and what a joy! Not only is the owner (who ended up at our table, where we had a lovely conversation) Livornese (I'm from Tirrenia, a province of Pisa), but the food was incredible, AND he knew a number of people that I knew! It's been five years, and I really want to go back some day. BOIA! CHE GIOIA!“

“My experience at Passione Caffè in their gorgeous two-story, well-decorated café at 91 Shattuck Square was simply marvelous. The staff was friendly, quick, and accommodating and the food, drinks, and desserts were delicious! I highly recommend Passione Caffè to those looking for a quick and yummy lunch (or breakfast/brunch everyday), to snack and study, or for an authentic Italian coffee. Don’t miss out on the great happy hour/aperativo deals between 4-7PM! It almost goes without mentioning, but Passione Caffè is absolutely true to its slogan: “A corner of Italy in Berkeley.” From the food and drink to the atmosphere and the service, this is the only truly Italian café I have found in Berkeley! And that comes from over a year of experience living and traveling in Italy! Besides the beautiful architecture and interior design of Passione Caffè—not to mention its convenient location next to Downtown Berkeley BART—I would like to point out some highlights on the menu. The pastas are all made with homemade, organic noodles and made-to-order sauces. The pasta dishes are so fresh and authentic! The spaghetti with meatballs, their only Americanized dish, is to die for! The pizzas also are also made with home-made dough and gluten-free options are offered. Try one with fresh prosciutto, mozzarella, and arugula! The fresh panini with Italian meats and cheeses round out the lunch menu. It is possible to have a filling lunch for $7-15, which is definitely reasonably priced by Berkeley standards! A serious final highlight was the artisanal gelato, made in-house by the Italian co-owner, Eleanora Cercatore. There are 12 flavors, weekly made with gluten-free options, that are displayed on a beautiful rotating wheel. The gelato is spectacularly tasty—I cannot recommend it highly enough! For your time, money, and fine Italian bites and drinks, I cannot recommend a Berkeley café more highly than Passione Caffè! Please pay them a visit soon—you won’t be disappointed!“

“food was excellent..service was great...if u want excellent authentic Italian food...this is the place for you ..“

“Great sandwiches in downtown Berkeley with a lovely patio“

“I really like Pancoast. Wife is a newyorker and Pancoast’s pizza style is right up her alley. They have 4 tap beers and they’re some of the best in Norcal - nice to see somebody cares about great beer. I order to go, get a beer at the bar, and take home. They’re seemingly busy all the time so Pancoast has a following.

Parking sucks, they have to share with their neighboring businesses so plan to get a spot on the street.“

“Excellent food, and the patio dining offered perfect weather. Plenty of excellent wines available to accompany the meal. And the staff- wonderful as always“

“Great Hamburgers and garlic bread.“

“This is the best place for eating in San Leandro and aokland, the team is super kind and super friendly. I like their pizza very much, it is halal , for family and clean . I recommended this place highly .“

“This restaurant is no doubt one of the most attractive place in the region. Anytime I visit this place I am so glad. They always keep their high standard service and the highest level of food they offer. You definitely will enjoy this this restaurant. Highly recommended.“

“Good pizza !!! Also affiliated with Haddon Hill Cafe. Nice local businesses“

“Had our pastor and wife appreciation luncheon there. Food was great. Servers were great. Had to thank cook myself.“

“This is the best for many reasons. The portions are gigantic for the lowest prices possible. Usually, this means you sacrifice flavor and quality... not here. Gypsy's does great meals at low prices and they give you a TON of food. Door Dash or in person, this place always hits. The cheese and Alfredo raviolis are my go-to and I love the bread they add on the side of every dish too. Gypsy's thank you for being here in the Southside! 10/10“

“I was introduced to this restaurant by my other “foodie” friend Maria Vargas. I have been there about 4 times now. I appreciate the fresh pasta, the fresh veggies and the excellent service. Will be back again soon.“

“Took my friend here for a Mother’s Day lunch. She was feeling blue because her kids didn’t show up. Panini’s was the closest and most convenient since I had to go back to work. I hoped it wouldn’t disappoint and it didn’t. She had a turkey avocado and she said it was just right. The service was spot on&she cheered up a bit. Thanks for that Panini crew.“

“Great food and superb service. love the beef wellington!!“

“ok so at first i didnt know this place was even a thing but the pizza we order was very good and there was code on our coupon and we used and it said we could get a free 2 liters bottle soda but we used it to knock down the price and so when we went to go pick up the pizza and we told the worker about the coupon and ect and they told us since we used the code to knock down the price if we wanted the bottle soda we would have to pay 5 bucks for it so we decided to leave the place and we arent coming back to this place“

“So good tried a classic & a square pizza Recommendation from our Genna server. Definitely be back soon.“

“Friendly, professional and fine cuisine!“