9 Best Italian Restaurants in Bend

“Absolutely incredible! The homemade pasta is to die for! The desserts are heavenly! The specials are out of this world! Incredibly kind but not overbearing staff. Strict with reservations, so show up when you say you will and it will be one of the best dining experiences in Central Oregon!“

“We usually only go out for supper once a week, but when I saw Salute Restaurant & Bar Bend post about their gnocchi special tonight, I looked at Jim and said, “We're eating out two nights in a row!” I kicked things off with an Italian Margarita while Jim ordered a pilsner from pFriem. The amaretto float in the margarita gave it this amazing aftertaste that made me go, “Wait, what was that?”—in the best way. We both chose the “Local Special,” which includes a three-course meal for just $39. Such a great deal! For starters, Jim had the Caesar salad, and I went with the zuppa di cipolle. The onion soup was rich and flavorful, and I especially loved the cheese toasts on top—just like we do at home. Jim's Caesar was creamy, well-balanced, and hit all the right notes. For our mains, Jim ordered the scampi, which he said had a bright citrus flavor and just the right touch of garlic. I, of course, had the gnocchi special. Let me tell you, those gnocchi were light, airy, and practically pillowy. The pomodoro sauce was simple and perfect, letting the gnocchi shine. Dessert was a win, too. I had the strawberry cannoli—stuffed with ricotta and mascarpone, topped with fresh strawberries and toasted pistachios. It was crispy, lightly sweet, and a perfect finish to the meal. Jim was too full to enjoy his tiramisu at the table, but he took it to go and it looked beautiful—he'll be digging in later tonight. Service was excellent! I'm kicking myself for forgetting our server's name, but she was warm, attentive, and made sure we were having a great time. Her friendly chit-chat added that extra special touch to an already wonderful evening. Fingers crossed that gnocchi becomes a regular on the menu—hint hint! We'll definitely keep the Local Special in mind next time we're deciding where to eat.“

“We have been here many times, the food is always outstanding, everyone there adds to the positive dining experience. Love this place !“

“Good food, great service...and someone else bought. How much better can it get? Good exactly as I've come to expect from Olive Garden.

Tonight, the kitchen was slow, but still worth the wait. The server was communicative about how busy they were and attended our every need.“

“On the river across from the amphitheater. The Boss and I had entrees from the lunch menu. My primavera was excellent. Wait staff was solicitous without being overbearing. My only suggestion would be to loosen up about the dog. Bend is a dog city. If the patio is empty (which it was) I wouldn’t get too hung up if my Berner is sprawled in the shade.“

“One of the best meals I’ve had. I can’t wait to come back!!“

“Honestly, some of the best Italian food in bend. Amazing flavor and atmosphere. PLEASE TRY IT, YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!!“

“Second time going to Thaipas. I love the shrimp pad thai! I prefer to sit in the Waypoint By Bend brewing company bar area, it's just more comfortable and cozy. The bartender was.Very friendly and accommodating. My friend ordered the teriyaki salmon bowl from Sebastian's. She loved it, we'll be back.“

“Great Latte and friendly staff. Good selection of scones, muffins and other treats!“