In the heart of Reno’s Riverwalk District, Marcolino’s Italia Restaurant built its name the way most great Italian kitchens do: with family recipes and dishes named after the people who inspired them.
This family-run Italian restaurant is led by Marco and his family, who fill the menu with dishes bearing the names of grandchildren, wives, and daughters, turning every plate into a small piece of family history.
It’s the kind of place where the menu reads like a family tree, and the food tastes like it’s been perfected over generations. 🍷
How Marcolino’s won Reno’s hearts
Marcolino’s charm starts with its personal touch. Nearly every dish on the menu carries a name, from “Benny B’s Garlic Bread” honoring Marco’s grandson to “Lenny’s Lasagna” named for his wife, giving this Reno restaurant an intimacy that chain Italian spots can’t replicate.
That naming tradition isn’t just sentimental window dressing; it reflects a kitchen built around real family recipes passed down and perfected over time, which is exactly the kind of story that turns first-time diners into lifelong regulars. 👨👩👧👦
What really cemented Marcolino’s as a Reno favorite is the sheer consistency of its authentic Italian cuisine.
Guests keep coming back for the same standout dishes again and again, whether it’s the tableside presentation of fried ravioli with three dipping sauces or the rich seafood stew that regulars call one of the best dishes they’ve ever had.
That reliability, paired with genuine hospitality from Marco and his family, has made Marcolino’s one of the most talked-about spots for Italian food in Reno. 🦞
Food Highlights
-
Maddie’s Mushroom Ravioli: Ravioli stuffed with porcini mushrooms and ricotta cheese, served in a homemade porcini mushroom cream sauce.
-
Fried Cheese Ravioli: Hand-breaded ravioli served on a bed of three sauces: homemade marinara, pesto, and Alfredo, for dipping.
-
Kristen’s Chicken Marsala: Pan-seared chicken breast with sautéed cremini mushrooms and shallots in a Marsala wine sauce, served with garlic mashed potatoes.
- Lenny’s Lasagna: The restaurant’s number one dish on the menu, named after Marco’s wife, layered with the kitchen’s signature homemade sauces.
-
Ashley’s Chicken Piccata: Chicken breast pan-seared in a white wine, lemon, butter, and garlic sauce with shallots and capers.
-
Luca’s Linguini Scampi: Jumbo shrimp or clams sautéed in a white wine, lemon, butter, and garlic sauce over linguine.
- Billy’s Artichoke Salmon: Pan-seared salmon in an artichoke cream sauce, served over dill risotto with grilled artichoke hearts.
-
Aria’s Carbonara: Bucatini pasta tossed in a creamy pancetta sauce, finished with toasted pepper and a crispy bacon garnish.
-
NaNa’s Eggplant Parmesan: Sliced fried eggplant layered with marinara, mozzarella, and Parmesan, served with capellini marinara.
Atmosphere
Marcolino’s Italia brings a warm, family-driven energy that fits its Riverwalk District setting, polished enough for a special occasion but relaxed enough for a regular weeknight dinner. 🕯️
The vibe leans intimate, with the sense that you’re dining in someone’s family kitchen rather than a corporate chain.
It’s the kind of Italian restaurant built for lingering over a second glass of wine.
Bottom Line
Visit for the family-recipe pastas, the personal touch of dishes named after loved ones, and consistently praised seafood specials. Add genuine hospitality and a Riverwalk District setting, and Marcolino’s earns its reputation as a true Reno favorite. 🍤
Address:
1555 S Wells Ave, Reno, NV 89502
📞 (775) 800-1693
🕔 Open Tue-Sat 11:30 AM–10 PM (closed Sun-Mon)