We Ranked The Top 7 Italian Restaurants In Washington And Here’s Who Came Out On Top
Handmade pasta has a funny way of turning a plain weeknight into a memory you talk about for years. Across Washington, some of the best Italian cooking hides inside old houses, tiny delis, and quiet downtown corners you might walk right past.
We traveled from Puget Sound to the wheat country of the east side to find the plates worth the drive. Grab a fork, because the winner might surprise you.
1. Il Terrazzo Carmine
Crowned champion of our list, this Pioneer Square landmark has been serving Seattle for more than three decades, and it still feels like a special occasion every time the door swings open. The dining room is airy and refined, with well-set tables and an inviting terrace that adds a touch of old-world charm.
Start with the burrata or a crisp Caesar salad, then move on to the Rigatoni Bolognese, which ranks among the most talked-about sauces in the city. The lobster pappardelle carries a deep, rich flavor with big, sweet pieces of lobster, while the Gnocchi Sorrentina offers a lovely vegetarian choice.
Seafood fans should look for the Cioppino Northwest or the Grilled King Salmon Battuto, a nod to local waters.
What really sets it apart is the balance. The cooking blends authentic Italian technique with the comfort of Italian-American favorites, and servers move through the room with calm, polished care.
Portions are generous, and the osso buco and calamari have loyal fans of their own.
Plan ahead, since reservations are required and a wait is common. Lunch runs weekdays, dinner runs Monday through Saturday, and the restaurant is closed Sunday.
Prices land at the top of the scale, often over $100 per person, so save this one for anniversaries, birthdays, or a milestone worth celebrating in true Seattle style.
2. Tavolàta
Spokane pasta lovers, meet your new favorite habit. Tucked along North Wall Street downtown, this stylish spot makes every noodle in house, and you can taste the difference in the first bite.
Picture high ceilings, thick wood tables, and communal seating that makes dinner feel like a lively gathering with friends. The mood is upbeat without being loud, and the staff know the menu well enough to steer you toward something you might never have ordered on your own.
Nonna’s Pappardelle is the star, with a firm, satisfying chew that pasta fans rave about. Traditionalists can stick with the Cacio E Pepe Tonnarelli, while curious eaters can explore playful twists like ragu brightened with mint and orange.
Rigatoni the King, Gnocchi Alla Romana, and inky Linguine Nero round out a pasta list that could keep you busy for months. Grilled octopus and a seasonal Summer Parmigiana add variety beyond noodles.
Here is why it earns the runner-up spot: the quality feels close to what you would find in Italy, yet prices stay friendlier than big-city fine dining, usually between $20 and $70 per person. Families are welcome, and a full vegetarian menu makes it easy for everyone at the table.
Doors open at 4 PM daily. Saturday evenings get busy, so a reservation is smart if you are heading over for the weekend.
3. Marzano Italian Restaurant
Named for the famous San Marzano tomato, this Parkland favorite lives inside a remodeled house just south of Tacoma. Walking in feels a bit like visiting a friend’s home, if that friend happened to cook like a grandmother from northern Italy.
The owner is a native of Italy, and her roots shape a menu that mixes classic dishes with personal specialties. Housemade pasta is the heart of it all, but braised rabbit is a signature worth trying if you want something you rarely see elsewhere.
Bruschetta, pizza, and a sweet slice of tiramisu make ideal bookends to the meal.
Small and intimate, the dining room works beautifully for date nights, yet high chairs and a relaxed pace mean families fit right in too. Locals often call it their go-to for Italian in the Tacoma area, and after one visit it is easy to see why.
Budget-minded diners will appreciate prices that generally fall between $30 and $80 per person, plus free parking nearby. That combination of homey charm and serious cooking earns it the third spot.
A few planning tips help. Doors open at 4 PM Tuesday through Saturday, with Sunday and Monday closed.
Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, when every table seems to fill quickly. Takeout is also available for cozy nights at home.
4. La Bottega Cafe Deli Wine Shop
Half deli, half dining room, and completely charming, this Main Street gem in Vancouver feels like a little corner of Europe dropped into Southwest Washington. Shelves stocked with imported Italian products line the space, so you can shop for pantry treats while waiting for lunch.
Hungry? The menu covers Italian sandwiches, pastas, and heartier entrees, all built from a smart mix of imported goods and local ingredients.
Smoked Mushroom Ravioli is a standout, and the carbonara earns plenty of praise too. An antipasto platter makes sharing easy, while a daily vegan soup keeps plant-based diners happy.
Save room for dessert. Tiramisu cake and cannoli close things out on a sweet note, and a cup of coffee pairs nicely with either.
What earns this spot a place on the list is value. With most meals landing around $20 to $30 per person, it is one of the most wallet-friendly stops in our ranking, yet the pasta tastes fresh and carefully made.
Service is quick and friendly, whether you order at the counter or sit for table service.
Families will find high chairs and a welcoming, casual mood. Hours run 11 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday and until 8 PM on Sunday, which makes it an easy choice for a weekend lunch after strolling downtown Vancouver or the nearby waterfront.
5. Passatempo Taverna
Passatempo means pastime in Italian, and the name fits perfectly. On historic West Main Street in Walla Walla, this laid-back taverna invites you to slow down, linger, and enjoy every bite without rushing.
Nothing here is generic or quick. Pasta is made fresh, and the flavors lean closer to Italy than to the usual American-Italian chain.
Bucatini and rigatoni both shine, and the Amatriciana has a loyal following. Polpetti, tender little meatballs, and pillowy gnocchi are excellent for sharing.
Salads deserve a mention too. A creamy Italian dressing with massive fresh-baked croutons turns a simple starter into a highlight, and seasonal plates like asparagus celebrate the valley’s rich farmland, especially in summer.
For dessert, go classic with tiramisu or try affogato, a scoop of gelato drowned in hot espresso. It is small, simple, and wonderful.
The atmosphere is stylish yet relaxed, with a full vegan and vegetarian menu plus high chairs for little ones. Prices usually fall between $30 and $70 per person.
Timing matters. The restaurant opens at 4 PM Thursday through Monday and closes Tuesday and Wednesday.
Friday and Saturday evenings fill up fast, so book ahead if you plan a weekend trip to southeast Washington. Pair dinner with a stroll past the old brick storefronts downtown for a memorable small-town evening.
6. Lombardi’s in Bellingham
Water views and warm pasta make a hard pair to beat. Sitting right on Bellwether Way, this Bellingham restaurant looks out over the harbor, and on a clear evening the deck might be the prettiest dinner seat in Whatcom County.
Inside, a fireplace keeps things cozy when the Pacific Northwest drizzle rolls in. That mix of indoor comfort and outdoor scenery is exactly what earns it a spot here, since few Italian restaurants in the state offer a setting quite like it.
The menu sticks to traditional favorites done well. Mushroom Ravioli and Tortellini Gorgonzola are rich and satisfying, while Chicken Marsala, Saltimbocca, and Sicilian Lamb Meatballs cover the heartier side.
Smoked salmon ravioli and grilled salmon give a salty nod to the nearby sea. Clams, calamari, and ribeye appear too, so everyone finds something.
Families will feel especially welcome. A kids’ menu, high chairs, and free parking make it an easy stop after exploring the waterfront or a day trip up I-5.
Prices generally run $20 to $70 per person.
Hours are generous, with lunch and dinner served every day starting at 11:30 AM. Reservations are a good idea for dinner, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Finish with the traditional tiramisu and a cup of coffee while boats drift by outside the windows.
7. Carmine’s
Downtown Bellevue has plenty of polished restaurants, but this one brings a classic Italian soul to the Eastside skyline. From the moment you step through its beautiful entrance, the bright, charming dining room sets the mood for something memorable.
Sauces are the secret weapon. Whether it is the savory glaze on a pork chop or the silky sauce coating the Pennette Con Salmone, each plate shows careful attention.
Venison ravioli, a bone-in filet, and halibut risotto rank among the favorites, and Ossobuco delivers old-school comfort.
Starters are fun too. The Bruschetta Trio and Calamari Fritti are great for sharing, and a unique eggplant appetizer surprises many first-timers.
The Caesar salad has earned a reputation as one of the best in town, and oven-baked pizza is available for simpler cravings.
Dessert lovers get a treat with the Trio of Cannoli or a smooth panna cotta.
So why seventh? Honestly, the cooking is excellent, but prices lean high, even by Bellevue standards.
It is a splurge more than an everyday outing, which puts it just behind friendlier options on our list.
Lunch runs weekdays, and dinner is served Monday through Saturday, with Sunday closed. Evenings get busy midweek and on weekends, so reservations are recommended.
Valet and nearby lots make parking simple for your special night out.