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!“

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

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

“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!“

“The lamb chops were phenomenal!“

“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.“

“Lucia’s is our favorite pizza restaurant, and a fav in general. The owners and staff are super nice. And they really take food restrictions seriously. One of our family is celiac and so we started going for an amazing GF pies!! But everything is delicious. Reservations are always a good idea here. We even had them cater a milestone birthday party with their super cute wood-fired traveling pizza oven.“

“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.“

“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 🥰“

“great food. good service.“

“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.“

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

“Fantastic all around! The experience was amazing, the food was absolutely delicious, and the service was top notch. Elizabeth was the best server and Tristan's drinks were to die for. 10/10 experience, I highly recommend everyone try this restaurant, you won't be sorry!!“

“They have a guest dock. Good food.“

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

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

“We tried them for the first time tonight and we have found our new pizza and wing place wow is all I can say AMAZING food I'm excited to try other things on the menu. The waitress was Sooo sweet my 9year old son loved her haha thank you so much“

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

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

“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.“

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

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

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

“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.“

“My first time trying the Gamberi and I absolutely loved it. The scallops and shrimp were cooked to perfection and the sauce was to die for. My husband devoured his steak in one sitting which is unusual for him. As he finished his after dinner dessert coffee drink he was in a food coma 🤣🤣. One of my favorite dish is still the Clam Chowder. If you haven't tried PJs what are you waiting for, this is a hidden gem ✨ in El Sobrante there is something there for everyone.“

“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!“

“If you love Italian 🇮🇹 food this is the spot. I've been going here for years the 🍞 will keep you coming back for more. We had salmon pasta , puttanesca , and meatballs. Let's go back to the 🍞 and butter cold butter hot bread yes it's all you need.“

“Great sandwiches in downtown Berkeley with a lovely patio“

“Great Hamburgers and garlic bread.“

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

“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.“

“Great ambiance, service, and cuisine!“

“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!“

“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!“

“love the food and the family“

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

“I have not dined-in yet as they were pick up only when I ordered. The pick up service was excellent and easy! The intoxicating smells from the food filled my car's atmosphere instantly. I went from 0-100 in terms of hunger. Absolutely delicious! Prices more than fair. Honestly, a great hidden, random treat for myself.Will definitely be returning again. Hopefully, to dine-in next time!“

“Doppio Zero is a wonderful pizza restaurant with great food and a fantastic atmosphere. Their signature Doppio Zero pizza was excellent, and the quality of the cheese really stood out—it was fresh, flavorful, and delicious.

The restaurant has a very ambient atmosphere with a modern downtown restaurant feel, making it a great place to enjoy a meal. We were really happy with both the food and the quality of service. Overall, a great experience, and we would definitely recommend Doppio Zero to anyone looking for good pizza and a nice dining atmosphere!“

“We made our first visit to Ristorante Due Rose last evening (6/2/2023)--what a amazing dinner we had! I had the Linguine Tutto Mare (thin flat pasta with clams, squid, prawns, scallops and fish, seasoned with tomatoes, crushed red pepper, garlic and white wine.). I think the best Italian dish I have ever had (and I have been to Italy). The pasta was cooked to perfection--none of the flavorless stuff you might find elsewhere, and the sauce was out of this world. My husband had the Grigliata di Mare (Grilled scallops, prawns, calamari, parsley, lemon sauce, roasted potatoes and arugula salad) and also raved about it. Great service and reasonable prices. 💞We will definitely be back!“

“Had a late lunch today and it was absolutely fabulous! Started with the Buratta Bruschetta , Ceasar salad and ended with The Meatball pizza ! Never disappointed!“

“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 food and service! Special atmosphere“

“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.“

“Friendly, professional and fine cuisine!“

“This is hands down my favorite cozy Italian spot in downtown Berkeley! Service is always quick and fast. My friends and I go to Gypsy's at least once a month, and we never had trouble looking for parking. Food is very affordable, fresh, and delicious.“