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Where to Get Italian Food in Seattle

More and more people are heading to the Pacific Northwest, specifically Seattle, to experience the natural beauty, bustling city, see the Space Needle, and more.

delicious cooked polenta at seattle italian restaurants

While it’s no secret that this coastal city is famous for its seafood, they have plenty of other excellent places to eat.

Seattle won’t disappoint you if you’re craving pasta, pizza, or another classic Italian dish.

I’m not talking about great Italian restaurant chains, even though there’s nothing wrong with them. These are the best Italian restaurants in Seattle.


Altura

617 Broadway E, Seattle, WA 98102
Phone: 206-402-6749
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Over in Capitol Hill on Broadway East is Altura. This Italian restaurant boasts a slightly modern appearance and seasonal Italian cuisine.

From the minute you walk in, the staff treats you like the most important person in the room, which I loved.

Altura offers classic, seasonal, and elevated Italian dishes that are a must-try when you’re in the city.

The menu you see online probably won’t be the one you see when you’re there unless you check the day you plan on going.

Everything was delicious when I dined here, but my favorite dish was their taleggio caramelle which was pasta with pork belly and plenty of cheese.


Il Terrazzo Carmine

411 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: 206-467-7797
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Il Terrazzo Carmine is nestled between Smith Tower and Lumen Field on 1st Avenue here in Seattle. This is the restaurant you go to when you want to eat Italian food where the locals do.

The atmosphere is intimate with red velvet booths, warm wood tones, and a beautiful little terrace with flowers you can sit on when the weather’s nice.

Il Terrazzo Carmine is open for lunch and dinner service, but I suggest heading here for dinner. I started with the antipasti of burrata with veggies.

They also have plenty of pasta, risotto, meat, and seafood dishes. The fettuccine with pesto and prawns was highly recommended and amazing.


Serafina

2043 Eastlake Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102
Phone: 206-323-0807
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You’ll find Serafina to the east of Lake Union, on Eastlake Avenue East. This authentic and comfortable Italian restaurant is everything you imagine an old-school Italian joint to be.

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The walls are a deep red, and there are white tablecloths and dim lighting to set the mood. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to order when I arrived.

So I had a glass of wine, and my server said two of their most popular items were squid ink spaghetti and lasagna.

I opted for the lasagna, which features pork, lamb, beef, and the perfect amount of sauce and cheese.


The Pink Door

1919 Post Alley, Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206-443-3241
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One of Seattle’s most entertaining and delicious Italian restaurants is The Pink Door. If you’re wandering around Pike Place Market, you’ll find it on Post Alley, near all the hustle and bustle.

The atmosphere is lively yet intimate with burlesque shows, live entertainment, and friendly staff. The Pink Door has a little bit of everything on its menu.

Their caesar salad is the perfect way to start your meal, plus a nice cocktail if you enjoy alcoholic beverages.

I opted for their bucatini carbonara, but people were raving about their lamb chops if you prefer something that’s not pasta.


Assaggio Ristorante

2010 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121
Phone: 206-441-1399
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Assaggio Ristorante is less than a ten-minute walk from Pike Place Market on 4th Avenue. This authentic Italian joint is informal, but the food is anything but.

As you dine, you’ll be surrounded by Renaissance murals. I love this spot because it’s perfect when you’re craving Italian but don’t want to dress to impress.

What I love about this restaurant is that they stick to the classic Italian dishes. Not that there’s anything wrong with elevated and innovative dishes, but I was in the mood for something traditional.

I enjoyed their bruschetta to start and then finished my meal with their ravioli and, of course, a side of garlic bread.


How to Cook a Wolf

2208 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Phone: 206-838-8090
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Out on Queen Anne Avenue North is this small upscale Italian and Mediterranean restaurant. This red building looks unassuming from the outside.

But you don’t want to write this restaurant off based on exterior looks. Once inside, you’re surrounded by wood paneling, stonework, and an elegant atmosphere.

How to Cook a Wolf’s menu features several shareable plates. I recommend dining here with a friend or two, so you can try a little bit of everything.

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My friend and I decided to share the bone marrow, gnocchi, risotto, and a nice bottle of wine from their extensive wine list.


La Medusa

4857 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118
Phone: 206-723-2192
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Near the Beacon Hill neighborhood on Rainier Avenue South is La Medusa. This casual restaurant is the perfect spot when you want great Italian food at a great price.

They write all their menu items on a large, black chalkboard that you can see from almost every table. They have physical menus, too, though.

The menu at La Medusa is often changing, so you’ll want to check their menu online or call for updated menu items.

There’s a little pasta, meat dishes, and vegetarian dishes. Some of my favorite menu items are their sea bass salad, spaghetti alla bottarga, and the rigatoni.


Tulio

1100 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206-624-5500
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Across from the Seattle Central Public Library is Tulio. This downtown Italian restaurant is an upscale option that makes for a great date night or whenever you want to treat yourself to some delicious food and wine.

The restaurant is a welcoming and warm spot with an open concept kitchen so you can see the chefs hard at work.

When you first look at the menu at this restaurant, you’ll notice it’s a little smaller than other Italian restaurants. They focus on quality rather than quantity.

Staff at the restaurant told me that people often order their agnolotti which features three kinds of cheese, including mozzarella, sweet peas, and herbs. It was fabulous.


Bar del Corso

3057 Beacon Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144
Phone: 206-395-2069
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Bar del Corso is in North Beacon Hill, just north of Jefferson Park Golf Course. This eatery is warm and bustling.

While it’s a smaller restaurant, it’s almost always packed with people ready to feast on great food. You’ll feel immediately welcomed when you arrive, and the staff is passionate about their dishes.

When I arrived at this restaurant, I noticed almost everyone was eating a wood-fired pizza, so I knew I had to have one.

They have a handful of pizza recipes, salads, and appetizers. I went for a classic cheese pizza and had to try their grilled octopus while I waited for my main course. Everything was delicious!


Barolo Ristorante

1940 Westlake Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206-770-9000
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Barolo Ristorante is on Westlake Avenue, inside the Met Tower, near the Hotel Max. This stunning restaurant is elegant and the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion.

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The chandeliers are mesmerizing, and the sophisticated mood makes you feel like royalty when you eat here.

Everything on Barolo Ristorante’s menu looked excellent when I visited. I would’ve tried one of everything if I could have.

My favorite menu items were their garlic escargot, fettuccine alfredo with seafood, and their version of chicken marsala.

If you’re feeling adventurous, the chef’s choice appetizer is whatever they want to whip up for you and a complete surprise.


Bizzarro Italian Cafe

1307 N 46th St, Seattle, WA 98103
Phone: 206-632-7277
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On North 46th Avenue in Wallingford is Bizzarro Italian Cafe. This is one of the longest-running Italian joints in the city, so you can’t miss stopping here.

It’s a small restaurant that looks like nothing special from the outside, but inside, you’ll see funky decorations like a bike hinging from the ceiling. The atmosphere here is unmatched.

Bizzarro Italian Cafe is known for its “famous” dishes, so I immediately knew I wanted to try at least one of these.

They have fantastic eggplant or chicken parmigiana, weekend meatballs, and clam linguini. Luckily, I was with some friends, so we could try all of these without compromising.


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Written by Brian Nagele

Brian attended West Virginia University, then started his career in the IT industry before following his passion for marketing and hospitality. He has over 20 years experience in the restaurant and bar industry.

As a former restaurant owner, he knows about running a food business and loves to eat and enjoy cocktails on a regular basis. He constantly travels to new cities tasting and reviewing the most popular spots.

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