Exploring Seattle’s Italian Cuisine: The Best Italian Restaurants in 2023

Seattle is known for its diverse culinary scene, offering a variety of international and local cuisine. Italian food is one of the city’s most popular choices among foodies and restaurant-goers.

With its rich history, unique ingredients, and flavorful dishes, Italian cuisine has captured the hearts of many. We’re giving you a rundown of the five best Italian restaurants in Seattle!

The Pink Door

The Pink Door is a unique Italian-American restaurant that fills Post Alley with some of the best Italian food in Seattle.

The restaurant is filled with artistic touches, a seasonal menu of delicious Italian-American food and wine, and friendly service.

The Pink Door is an excellent spot for dates and catching up with friends and family. People recommend Linguine Alle Vongole, Pappardelle Al Ragu Bolognese, and the way-better-than-it-sounds squid ink pasta.

Menu: Pink Door Menu

Top Review: “There’s a reason why Pink Door holds high reviews and is tough to get a table at without a reservation; it’s freaking good. It’s comfy, cozy and has sort of a hidden gem quality to it that lends itself well to chilly, wet northwestern nights. The service is super friendly and attentive without being pushy or snobby. It’s kind of fancy but nowhere near being uptight. The food is amazing. Yours truly had the winter risotto with duck leg confit and we shared beef carpaccio and Tuscan fries. All was delicious,  expertly prepared and plentiful; we had to get the leftovers boxed up. If you’re on the hunt for top-notch Italian good with a great ambiance and a view, look no further than Pink Door.”Jason L.

1919 Post Alley Seattle, WA 98101, (206) 443-3241

Spinasse

Spinasse is the perfect place for a relaxing and authentic Italian dining experience.

They have rustic and charming vintage-like décor and a bar area with a front-row view of the kitchen action.

They use the best quality ingredients that you can taste with each plate.

Visitors recommend the Tajarin Al Ragu (pictured above), Tajarin Con Burro e Salvia, and Antipasto Misto Della Casa.

Menu: Spinasse Menu

Top Review: “Wow, there is a good reason why this is often listed as the best pasta restaurant in Seattle. We went for a girl’s night and had such an awesome experience. We started strong with the complimentary bread. The bread was soft and pillowy with a nice crust and also came with thin bread sticks that were perfectly seasoned for such a small surface area. Next, the eggplant appetizer was such a refreshing palate cleanser from the heaviness of the bread. And lastly, the star of the show was the deceptively simple sounding pasta dishes. Each dish had minimal ingredients listed on the menu but they really delivered on flavor. I had the cavatelli with braised short rib that was so beautifully tender, completely the al dente pasta. Definitely check this place out!!”Vanessa A.

1531 14th Ave Seattle, WA 98122, (206) 251-7673

Il Terrazzo Carmine

Il Terrazzo Carmine’s vibes are perfect if you’re looking for a fancy date night with your special someone.

The elegant and sophisticated ambiance and great service make it a cut above the rest.

Their Rigatoni Bolognese, Fettucine Al Pesto Con Gamberi, and Pennette Con Salmone are why they’re one of the best Italian restaurants in Seattle.

Menu: Il Terrazzo Carmine Menu

Top Review: “The food here is amazing. Even better is the staff. They treat you incredibly well and make you feel special. The food is great. My favorite was the Pasta Capelline Di Mare. You just can’t beat it. It was the best I have ever tried anywhere. I will definitely be back for it sometime. The Desert was also very good. I tried the Red Velvet and the Tiramisu. It was really great!”Heather B.

411 1st Ave S Seattle, WA 98104, (206) 467-7797

Ristorante Machiavelli

Despite their name, Ristorante Machiavelli has a casual and charming Italian restaurant you can find on Capitol Hill.

The small bar and dining room give the place a lively and intimate vibe with classic Italian dishes and comfort food like getting a warm hug.

Don’t miss their eggplant parmesan, penne with roasted pepper pesto, or chicken Milanese.

Top Review: “Fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. I dug in and didn’t even remember to take pictures at first because it was just too good. We got the tuna carpaccio, their Chef Special with scallops, and gnocchi. There were also a few cocktails in the mix (Cardamom Champagne and Pear Martini, which were both alright). The tuna appetizer was superb, so many intense flavors in harmony; there was the richness of the tuna, the sourness of baby olives, the balance of the Parmesan, and the acidity of the lemon. It was a masterfully crafted plate. Both entrees were perfectly cooked, carbs were a flawless texture, and the sauces were just breathtaking. I could chug both as a soup if I had to. We cleaned our plates well, and I felt like I couldn’t stop taking bites; no pause, no breaks, just pasta.” – Angel C.

1215 Pine St Seattle, WA 98101, (206) 621-7941

Assaggio Ristorante

Assaggio Ristorante is a top-notch Italian eatery run by a big, loving Italian family.

It’s up there as one of the best Italian restaurants in Seattle, with plates of comfort delivered to your tables, soft music in the background, and excellent homey service.

Dishes you can’t miss out on include penne vodka pasta, seafood pasta, bruschetta, Caprese salad, and the Rigatoni.

Menu: Assaggio Ristorante Menu

Top Review: “Absolutely obsessed. This Italian family restaurant owner is an absolute hoot– sitting at the bar when I walked in telling me how they make their bruschetta. Spoiler alert: it was fab. I got the rigatoni and thought I was going to fall over if I ate the whole bowl. Big, flavorful portions that will send you straight to the heart of Rome. Loved the Red Blend– 2 glasses that were poured heavy (thank God). Next time in Seattle, I’ll be booking a bar seat next to the owner. All for the laughs.”Erin K.

2010 4th Ave Seattle, WA 98121, (206) 441-1399

Seattle is a great place for any foodie to visit, and you won’t be disappointed with your choices for Italian restaurants. The city delivers classic Italian comfort dishes, elegant dining perfect for special night outs, and charming neighborhood eateries. So, next time you’re looking for some delicious Italian food, head to these best Italian restaurants in Seattle and enjoy what the city offers.

You might also like drooling over these articles:

best italian seattle, italian seattle, best italian restaurants in seattle