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The Best Italian Restaurants in York

The Best Italian Restaurants in York

Full of culture and renowned for its beloved history, York is continuously named one of the best cities to visit and live in the UK – and it’s got some brilliant Italian restaurants too. What better way to dine than in the company of your friends and family, with a fine bottle of Italian red and some delicious homemade pizza? We’ll wait…

Discover the creamiest Carbonara at Il Paradiso del Cibo and the greatest slice of crispy yet succulent Neapolitan-style pizza at Cresci Pizzeria. That’s what is at the heart of Italian food – a focus on fresh ingredients and authentic Italian cooking that everyone longs for.

The Old Liquor Store York Scallops and Oyster Dishes

The Old Liquor Store

The Old Liquor Store on the infamous Bishy Road is an Italian-influenced restaurant that also operates as a bar, cafe and deli. Housed inside a Grade II listed former Terry’s chocolate factory, on Friday and Saturday nights you can expect to find a weekly changing menu that boasts pizzetta and appetising small plates. An all-day menu features a favoured antipasti board filled with cured meats and cheeses, stone-baked pizzas and house ricotta pancakes with Amalfi lemon, limoncello syrup and fresh strawberries. If you’re looking for something fresh, new and exciting, The Old Liquor Store up there with the best Italian restaurants in York.

Bishopthorpe Rd, York YO23 1FT – 01904 950147

Il Paradiso Del Cibo Seafood - Italian restaurants York

Il Paradiso Del Cibo

Italian food expert Paolo Silesu has been running this show-stopping restaurant for over 7 years. Having begun life as a small deli, the restaurant has grown into a huge local success with many customers describing it as having a ‘homely feel’. Expect classic Italian dishes made from original recipes and extensive special boards featuring unique dishes created by Pablo and his team. From seafood risottos to fresh pizzas and stuffed cannelloni, expect the best of the best at Il Paradiso.

40 Walmgate, York, YO1 9TJ – 01904 611 444

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Italian restaurants in York - Little Italy pesto di pistacchio

Little Italy

Nestled between York Minster and Monks Bar lies Little Italy, one of York’s finest family-run Italian restaurants in York. Established in 1992, Little Italy has been serving gourmet Italian cuisine for over 30 years with an extensive menu of hot and cold starters, a range of pasta dishes cooked to order and main courses using only the best local produce from Yorkshire. A must try is their mouth-watering ‘Gnocchetti Alla Siciliana’ cooked with a delicious vegetable ragu and topped with grated ricotta cheese. Not only does this venue have an incredible upstairs dining area, but there’s also a downstairs deli open 7 days a week bringing a little taste of Italy to York.

12 Goodramgate, York, YO1 7LQ – 01904 623 539

Italian Restaurants in York - Marzano Italian Restaurant and Grill Linguine Gamberoni

Marzano Italian Restaurant & Grill

Situated right in the heart of York’s city centre on Fossgate lies Marzano. Expect stone-baked homemade pizzas, stuffed calzones or plates of pasta made with the freshest ingredients from marinated king prawns to rustic green pesto. With a beautiful and spacious interior, the Marzano team knows how integral history is to York which is why they have chosen to keep a lot of the original lettering found around the venue. The modern twist on classic Italian cuisine gives you a surplus of options in your search for the best Italian Restaurants York.

13 Fossgate, York, YO1 9TA – 01904 611 122

Spaghetti Buongiorno Best Italian Restaurants in York
Image by RitaE on Pixabay

Buongiorno

Just a short drive outside York City centre, Buongiorno is an authentic Italian family-run restaurant that specialises in Sardinian cuisine. For those looking for a menu that boasts Mediterranean seafood and exciting flavours, Buongiorno is the place for you. Serving up classic dishes and tasty specials, try out their ‘Pizianti Pastore’ pizza with spicy salami, chilli, gorgonzola and pecorino cheese. Here you can also find a full vegetarian menu filled with classic dishes with a twist. If you want a taste of homemade Italian cooking, Buongiorno is most definitely one of the best Italian restaurants in York.

Acomb Wood Dr, Woodthorpe, York YO24 3XN – 07985 797754

Italian restaurants in York - Lucia restaurant

Lucia York

For all fancy cocktail bar lovers, this is your next venture. Although it is incredibly hard to get past the breathtaking dining and bar areas, the menu, above all, does not disappoint at this Italian restaurant in York. Whether you’re just dropping in for some nibbles and an aperitivo or you fancy some classic Italian cuisine, Lucia has you covered. Expect everything from pasta and risotto to stone-baked pizza and signature dishes, such as their honey and balsamic glazed duck breast with dauphinoise potatoes, or herb-crusted lamb rump with a pea velouté.

13 Swinegate Court East, York, YO1 8AJ – 01904 731 599

Italian restaurants in York - Enoteca by L'uva exterior

Enoteca by L’UVA

For authentic Italian cuisine in York, Enoteca is the place to go. This independent, family-run restaurant in the centre of York prides itself on serving freshly cooked, homemade food showcasing the best of Italian culture. From al forno pasta dishes and risotto to steaks, pizzas and calzones, you’ll get a true taste of Italy. Start with an antipasto sharing platter followed by a fresh lobster ravioli in a creamy tomato and brandy sauce. Why not pair one of their specially imported Italian wines with your food? Produced by sister company L’uva Italian Wines, sample the finest primitivo or pecorino Italy has to offer. Stop by this Italian restaurant in York for a guaranteed high-quality meal.

5 Bridge St, York, YO1 6DD – 01904 626900

Italian restaurants in York - La Vecchia Scuola linguine all pescatora

La Vecchia Scuola

This next addition to our best Italian restaurants in York list is something truly special. Situated on Low Petergate lies La Vecchia Scuola, a 300-year-old building once a school refectory now turned into an Italian restaurant serving the best contemporary Italian cuisine. Indulge in La Vecchia Scuola’s excellent service and exquisite food as you take in the breathtaking views of their landscape gardens. Unwind in their restaurant while you enjoy a light lunch or savour an exciting evening meal. Their varied menus are sure to satisfy any palate for an unrivalled and relaxed dining experience. Sample their ‘Linguine alla pescatora’ filled with squid, prawns, mussels and clam meat or their ‘Misto di Carne’ pizza topped with salsiccia curata, pepperoni and salami.

62 Low Petergate, York, YO1 7HZ – 01904 644600

Italian restaurants in York - La Piazza Antica exterior

La Piazza Antica

If you’re looking for an authentic Italian restaurants York with a twist, this is the place for you. La Piazza Antica is made up of a team of passionate food lovers bringing you an authentic Italian dining experience. Their focus is on using only high-quality, fresh ingredients along with traditional cooking methods for all of their dishes to leave you wanting more. Whether you’re after a romantic meal for 2 or a night out with friends, La Piazza Antica has something for everyone. Graze on some Italian nibbles before diving into your main course of meat-filled ‘Calzone Diavola’ or 8oz fillet steak. Set in a stunning Tudor-style building, La Piazza Antica is not one to miss.

45 Goodramgate, York, YO1 7LS – 01904 642641

Burro Restaurant wild boar ravioli

Burro Restaurant

Winding down on our list of the best Italian restaurants York, last but certainly not least we finish off with Burro Restaurant. Situated in the village of Riccall in the Old Riccall Mill, it may not be in the city centre but it’s sure worth a mention on our list of Italian restaurants in York. This contemporary Italian restaurant offers hearty classics and dishes with a twist 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. Expect plates packed full of fresh ingredients and flavours carefully crafted by their highly experienced team. Top recommendations including the ‘Braised beef gnochetti’ and the house ‘Speck e zucchine’ with ribbons of grilled courgette and speck ham.

Old Riccall Mill, Landing Ln, Riccall, YO19 6TJ – 01757 249146


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Written by

Sloane Caetano

28/06/2024

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