43 Best Italian Restaurants near Portola Valley

“Wonder lunch and dinner restaurant in a very cozy neighborhood. Had their pan seared salmon along with an order of chicken & waffles.

Both were pretty solid with the salmon being their best out of the things today. The chicken was also quite nice, and the rest was just fine.

Pricing wise actually not that bad for the area so definitely worth a visit if around town.“

“Very good place for morning coffee“

“In July of this year we celebrated our 60 th wedding anniversary by booking their side room.for a dinner party. Carlos , manager , was so helpful in planning menu and each guests could order thatvnite with everyone menu. We had choice of 2 salads, 5 entrees and 2 desserts. Our guests all raved about food and service. There was a table with appetizers for guests as they arrived and presented so nicely. Couldn’t have been happier and we were not charged for the room which several other places wanted to charge for just room. My daughter in law was able to go over that Saturday morning to decorate and put all flower arrangements in the tables. It looked amazing. Can’t say enough good things about the evening. Good service the best ‘“

“Good food and great customer service. Do recommend“

“Food was fantastic! Covid has hit all restaurants hard and La Stanza was new to Menlo Park opening in January 2020. The owner / chef has his Italian cuisine dialed. The cesar salad was dressed to perfection served on a chilled plate w/shavings of Parmigiano Reggiano.. Delish! My short rib ravioli special was exactly what I was hoping for. Hand made in house pasta baked to perfection. My wife had the sacchettto vegi pasta pocket stuffed w/vegis . The red sauce had tremendous flavor... and perfect to mop up with the bread. 🤪... This place is a must try!“

“I had an amazing experience at Italico Restaurant! The food was fresh and flavorful, especially the truffle pasta and wood-fired pizza. The service was top-notch, and the atmosphere was cozy yet modern. I’ll definitely be back to enjoy more of their delicious dishes. Highly recommend!“

“Great customer service, good food and fine wine 🍷“

“In truth, I recommend Jessica --the front desk-- who makes sure that I receive extra marinara as well as extra sauce Anglaise... for takeout. Until, we talked, I stopped ordering from Terun on principle. I was a frequent client. Takeout customers must be honored for requests that are gladly honored when in the dining room. Takeout customers should be thanked for not causing dirty tablecloths and dishes -- and LOYALTY. Jessica reinstated that loyalty. I truly hope that the owners appreciate her. Without extra sauces the food is too dry. With it, delicious. The prices honor extra sauces and more!“

“Most delicious desert ever!“

“5 STARS! No BS corporate Olive Garden here! Calzone's my fave. Few Italian spots make'm nowadays. Bread's pillow soft. Mushrooms & tomatoes retain a lotta H2O. I've had some watery ones from other restaurants that spilled out when cut open in the past. Theirs is legit. Customize your own, but the 1 on the menu's fabulous as is. They make their own herb focaccia! Ordering mouthwatering meatballs a la carte is a must! Pastas, paninis, open face, salads, rotisserie chx, ribs, draft beer, wine, delivery, takeout, etc. Perfect place to take your loved ones/friends who'd appreciate the art & hard work the staff serves up so quickly!“

“We love Vivace! It’s like a party and the food is good! We esp enjoy the orichette and the salmon w/couscous. Cocktails 👍“

“The complementory bread and dip is really delicious. We also had Bruschetta which was also good. However, he pastas are quite mediocre. They're not bad by any means but I doubt I would order pasta again at this restaurant. I really enjoyed the service and vibe of the restaurant itself.“

“Atmosphere was great and service was fantastic for our large group. Food was excellent.“

“Had a wonderful dining experience at Bistro Elan. The food was flavorful and beautifully presented, and the atmosphere was cozy and inviting. The staff were attentive without being intrusive, making the meal feel relaxed and enjoyable. A great place for a casual dinner or a special occasion. Looking forward to visiting again.“

“Fantastic service and Delicious food. Our server ( didn’t catch her name ) was awesome. I do remember she had a beautiful accent. I believe when asked she said she was originally from Kenya! Kudos to her for taking such good care of us! We live in San Joaquin Valley but we will definitely make the trip back for dinner!“

“Great food, drinks and service!“

“Amazing Sicilian food, cozy patio and dining experience. Wait staff are welcoming❤️“

“I ate at Pazzo on Wednesday and had a great experience. The restaurant is take out only. I ordered at the restaurant instead of on the phone. The staff were super friendly and helpful with recommendations. The order took about 20 minutes and we had a drink outside while waiting. I HIGHLY recommend the shrimp and grits. Over anything else on the menu! And I was told the gnocchi was amazing too iAnd of course the pizza is awesome!“

“I tried the breakfast sandwich and it's on focaccia bread! Its soooo good it changed my idea of a sandwich. The staff is so helpful and kind and really pushed to make me feel welcomed which was great since I was dizzy from a blood draw. Being there definitely felt like a nice break in the day.“

“Had a great experience here! The calamari was crispy and delicious, the pasta was full of flavor, and the dessert was the perfect way to finish the meal. Everything was fresh and beautifully presented. A special thank you to Mr. G
for his warm hospitality and attentive service. He made us feel truly welcome. I’ll definitely be back!“

“I got my food to go, and it was ready promptly, and the food was absolutely outstanding! I would recommend this place to anybody!“

“Four of us sat at the bar. Terrific service. Music rather loud but less so as time went on. (Prefer not to have music loud so conversation is easy to hear ). The chopped salad and bread is always a must! Our friends loved everything! Our entrees, tops! My fav restaurant! We enjoyed a gift certificate for most of the meal from friends who know I love Che Fico!“

“Best pizza in the Bay Area!“

“authentic Calabrese food - molto bene!“

“Love the sandwiches here - The Hitman, The Pep Talk, and the Dirty Bird are my favorites, but there are plenty to choose from and you can always build your own. Great staff, always friendly and professional. Parking can be tricky, sometimes you can find a spot in the alley adjacent if nothing is available on the street. Worth it. I have literally driven a little out of the way to get a sandwich here.“

“I discovered the place by accident. I was next door inside Michaels having some art pieces custom framed when I decided to look for a place to stop by to eat. I was starving. I was craving for pasta. And thats how I got to discover this place. I ordered the chicken fettucine alfredo. Love the dish with its chunky chicken pieces and al dente pasta. The complimentary cheese sticks with that cheese pimiento cheese spread was a delightful surprise. Next time Ill check their lasagna and clam chowder. I heard their clam chowder is as good as Boulins in San Francisco. I dont have to make a drive to the city to enjoy a good bowl of chowder. The lasagna looks so rich as well as their chopino. Im definitely comjng back.“

“Loved the food. Delicious and good portions. Loved the Appetizers“

“Il Fornaio as a chain is a favoured venue for casual family dinners and for special occasions. The Mountain View location especially is a frequent haunt for us since we live in the same neighbourhood. The restaurant is always busy and yet service is always prompt. We've come to know servers like Sanjeev and managers like Maninder personally and always feel very welcome. While we wish there were more veggie pasta options, their soups, salads, pizza and appetisers have become familiar and comfort food for us over the years. I have been dining at the Il Fornaio chain of restaurants for over a decade and I've always had a great experience.“

“My family and I were searching for a great pizza spot near San Carlos and stumbled upon Impasto through Google Maps. I managed to snag a reservation just an hour beforehand, and I’m so glad I did because there were only two slots left. Shortly after we arrived, the place packed out—in the best way possible.

The interior is absolutely beautiful. My wife and I couldn't stop admiring the color palette and how well the entire design came together. Even the small details, like the flower vases on the tables, were incredibly thoughtful.

Our server, Jackson, was fantastic. He gave us great recommendations and, refreshingly, didn't make us feel uncomfortable when we decided to skip drinks that night—something that happens way too often at other places.

Every single thing we ordered was incredible, from the pizza and the roasted beet salad to the veal cannelloni special and tiramisu.

My only minor hurdle was the initial confusion with parking, but the hostess kindly cleared that up for us so we know exactly where to go on our next visit. We will definitely be back!“

“Excellent place to share Cheers with your friends and family. Salute!“

“Pizza calzone was amazing! The desserts were so delicious 😋.“

“Mi fermo spesso da Cafe Borrone per un caffè e una brioche, ma non riesco a trovare il locale nell’app Coverflex: accettate i buoni pasto?“

“Excellent pizza and service is great!“

“Prima Deli is now my goto deli in the area. Their tri-tip sandwiches is one of the best that I have ever had. They cook it in house and use the deli slicer to cut the tri tip, so it is never chewy and always tastes great. The staff is friendly and efficient and there is plenty of seating. Can’t miss this spot.“

“Was excited to try Tony Gemignani’s “Apricot Fields” slice (exclusive to Mountain View), and he did not disappoint. Chalk up another winner that went great with our Cal-Italia, and the Wise Guy. A little Hot Honey and extra fig preserve allowed us to add a custom touch as each desired. Can’t even complain about the wait for a closer Slice House, because I know Tony Respects the Craft too much to rush any location before they are up to the highest standards. Bravo!“

“Quattro Restaurant and Bar was a fantastic place to enjoy a meal! The food was flavorful and satisfying, the service was friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming. Everything came together for a really enjoyable experience, and I’d definitely be happy to return again!“

“it was very good 👍 my new favorite place for pie“

“I wish you would open another location outside downtown Palo Alto. Your food is fabulous but too hard for parking!“

“Love the pizza there, we ordered white pie and red pie. Both are great taste“

“My first time here and the food was great I tried the pepperoni pizza and I would 100% recommend. The service here was amazing the staff were very helpful and friendly. Also thanks to Nelson my first interaction with Avanti pizza was wonderful! Would 100% come again.“

“Appetizers and dinner was great. So good to be able to eat outdoors.“