50 Best Italian Restaurants near San Carlos

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

“Great food, drinks and service!“

“We went tp Pranzi on my birthday which was on a Monday. I didn't tell them it was my birthday when I made the reservation. My nephew called the night before informing me that he was flying from East Coast and possibly could visit with me. He was able to join us for the birthday dinner. The restaurant overheard us speaking about my birthday and delivered raspberry sorbet with a candle! Staff was attentive. The food was delicious.“

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

“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!“

“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!“

“GREAT SERVICE! They made me feel like family! The owner Carlos is such a nice and friendly man and the bar tender Gio was the sweetest gal! Everyone was so kind! And the food!!! 🤤🤤🤤 So good!! Like…memorable! Highly recommended! The desserts were just as good! ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“Good food and great customer service. Do recommend“

“great service from the staff , good food , good ambience“

“Leonardo’s is OPEN for business, phone orders and pick up. Uber Eats option available this Friday March 20th. Please keep them in mind during this time, with everyone home from school and work enjoy a great deli sandwich, homemade soup or fine salads.“

“Cocktails and Wagyu - soooo good!“

“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!“

“Warm and friendly spot. If the Rack of Lamb is offered… do not pass it up, it was a Culinary experience!“

“Great food and place . Love it“

“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!“

“They are by far the $1 restaurant around. right on the mark“

“Amazing service. Great food. Awesome staff! Can’t recommend it more highly.“

“A hidden gem of a family-run Italian restaurant—don’t be misled by the humble exterior. Inside, you’re welcomed with genuine hospitality and unforgettable food. My husband and I ordered the filet of sole and the white Provini veal scallopini—both were bursting with flavor and perfectly portioned. This isn’t a place for flashy plating—it’s all about honest, delicious Italian cooking made with care. The host greeted us with a warm smile and made us feel instantly at home. The retro, moody lighting adds a cozy, nostalgic touch. We’ll definitely be back! Tip: Make a reservation—this spot stays busy, and for good reason.“

“Came in for the first time and ordered two sandwiches. One, the Pastrami, the other roast beef, both with cheddar and everything on it. The habanero sauce is fire. The ravioli plates. All looked amazing. I gotta go back for some of that action. This might be my new favorite spot.“

“Nice all the time“

“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!“

“Great people. First class bocce ball and facility“

“Most delicious desert ever!“

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

“I had the pleasure of dining at Aracini last night! The atmosphere was wonderful - open and airy - beautiful interior design! The food was exceptional - polenta and the aracini were delicious. The service was wonderful! I enjoyed our meal and the atmosphere added to this special night@“

“Great food and service. My wife said it was the best spaghetti she ever had.“

“I absolutely loved my experience here. The workers here are so pleasant, and my waitress made my dinner feel extra special.
The Burrata caprese with prosciutto was so good!! I was mind blown. The pastas were all delicious and you can’t go wrong with tiramisu either.. My only regret is not getting lasagna which seems to be their signature.
I will be back for that next time. :)“

“I go here for fettuccine aglio e olio - the easiest pasta dish to make at home - because Sapore's fresh pastas are that good and the dishes are so consistent. I can just pop in and get the platonic ideal of pasta aglio e olio here whenever I want. Love this place!“

“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!“

“Three days later and I’m still thinking about our experience at Stella. Incredible food, and exceptional service by Guillermo. He went into so much detail describing each dish, the region where the recipes originated, and his recommendations were spot on. Can’t wait to come back!“

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

“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.“

“Easily one of the best pizzas in Los Altos - perfectly cooked with tons of flavor (and it’s consistently good). For families, they have a kids’ menu with good-sized pasta portions and kid-sized cheese pizzas if you have picky eaters, like one of ours is!“

“Stanford Childrens' and a broken leg, CAN ONLY be better by a visit to Tootsies Barn on Welch Road, what a treat! Everything there is perfection, from the foamy strong creamy coffee, to the quality and fresh food, to the happiness of a child in pain, enjoying a sugar coated, soft fresh Bomboloni after a medical appointment at LPCH - Please, stop by and enjoy the happiness on your child's face! WORTH IT, Thanks Tootsies Barn, you are an amazing delicious treat!“

“The ambiance and food are quite enjoyable here, but the last two times I visited, I had to wait 10+ mins for a host to appear to sit us. It's amazing how in a half empty restaurant, no one could be bothered to seat us for a long time. And this is after I went into the restaurant to request service as we had waited a fair amount of time at the host stand“

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

“Kasa has beautiful restaurants in the Bay Area with a heart. The decor is gorgeous with pretty details sprinkled around. For example the bench outside the Redwood City restaurant is so pretty and show cases the colors and designs of India. The food itself is very comforting. It is inspired by the recipes of the founder's grandmother and it is delicious. I love the chai there and love that they have a chai kit. They also have a location in Castro, San Francisco with its own unique decor and very friendly staff. Thank you Kasa for sharing your food and beauty with the Bay Area.“

“Great service, delicious food.“

“Food was great. Service was excellent even the restaurant was packed at height of dinner. Great food!“

“Fiero Cafe is a great spot for a casual but satisfying meal. The pasta here is authentic and delicious — the bolognese especially stands out, rich and full of flavor. Portions are just right, and you can tell the ingredients are fresh. They also serve omelets, which make a nice lighter option if you’re not in the mood for pasta. Overall, a cozy place with tasty, well-made dishes that feel genuinely Italian.“

“Best pizza in the Bay Area!“

“Can I give them 10 stars, because they deserve that. By far the best Pastrami sandwiches ever. I tried the Italian Cousin Vinny and the meatballs too. Every sandwich was amazing, tasty and delicious. The service was excellent and quick. I’m definitely going back to try the rest of their menu. They have 11 options just for Turkey. How incredible!“

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

“I love supporting small businesses and this place is the Best! I love their Lavazza cappuccino and pastries especially the cannolis! Got to try the vegetariana sandwich today and it was the best vegetarian sandwich I’ve had! Super cute spot and very kind people!“

“Quattro is one of my favorites restaurants, bar none. The food is very delicious and unique, and the service has always been the right level of attentive. However, the manager is extraordinary and truly above and beyond. She is Turkish and I can not remember her name but her smile is so radiant and she truly cares about making this not just about fine dining, but a place that you can also relax and have a wonderful time. Been coming here since its opening, and will continue to come back again and again.“

“So good i couldn’t even wait to take a picture of the full pizza! Look at the cheese. Very nice people work here, and I always have an experience, I’ve ordered on DoorDash and picked it up and it’s always the same great quality. I’ve recommended this spot to my mom and she loved it; and my mom is a picky lady when it comes to pizza. Definitely come here, they have more than just pizza“

“Very good place for morning coffee“