For the majority of people, the words “Italian Food” usually bring to mind a steaming plate of spaghetti and meatballs or pizza.  But there’s a lot more to Italian cuisine than pasta, pizza, and sauces. 

To help you experience it for yourself, we’ve prepped a list of the best Italian restaurants in Vancouver.  Now, we can’t give you a sample of their food, but we can provide some trustworthy reviews, pros & cons, and our own take on each food joint!

The Best Italian Restaurants in Vancouver

1. Lupo Restaurant & Vinoteca

SERVICES	Dinner services Wines Delivery
WEBSITE	https://luporestaurant.ca/
ADDRESS	869 Hamilton St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2R7, Canada
CONTACT DETAILS	Phone number: (604) 569 – 2535 Email: [email protected]
OPERATING HOURS	Monday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 5 pm to 11 pm Thursday: 5 pm to 11 pm Friday: 5 pm to 11 pm Saturday: 5 pm to 11 pm Sunday: 5 pm to 11 pm

If we had to describe Lupo in just five words, we’d call it “down-to-earth fine dining”, if that makes sense.  The restaurant’s owner takes these words to heart by serving high-class Italian cuisine in a cozy, relaxed dining room that’s reminiscent of family dinners.

This eatery is different from others due to the fact that it is also a vinoteca that ages and sells various wines.  This is, of course, a perfect pairing for any of their in-house pasta such as the Penne Bolognese or the Fettuccine.

But, if you’re not too keen on just pasta, Lupo also has a delectable assortment of main dishes such as lamb shank, roasted quail and classic veal ossobuco.  While good meat can be quite expensive, this restaurant’s main dishes are reasonably priced for the servings they provide.

In line with COVID-19 safety guidelines, Lupo has removed 60% of all their tables, leaving a 2-meter space between each dining place. 

Along with this, menus are single-use only and tables are covered with a layer of linen, which is washed and professionally cleaned after each use.

Customer Reviews

Lupo’s relaxed approach to fine dining has left numerous positive impressions with many past clients:

“Unique ambiance. Focused food menu and lengthy wine list. Fettuccini alfredo was excellent, succulent chicken with crispy finish and right amount of sauce. Lamb shank came off the bone nicely. Very tender. Service was excellent.” – Fraser I.

“Nice restaurant. Pasta was really good, as is expected from a good restaurant like Lupo. Salmon was good too and presentation was beautiful. Wine pairings were fabulous. If you like a small, European-feel, cozy restaurant, this is it. Lupo is essentially a re-purposed Victorian house with windows onto the street.” – Ali M.

2. Ask For Luigi Restaurant

SERVICES	Family meals Brunch & dinner Delivery
WEBSITE	https://www.askforluigi.com/
ADDRESS	305 Alexander St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1C4, Canada
CONTACT DETAILS	Phone number: (604) 428 – 2544 Email: [email protected]
OPERATING HOURS	Sunday: 10 am – 2 pm, 5 – 10 pm Monday: 5 pm – 10 pm Tuesday: 5 pm – 10 pm Wednesday: 5 pm – 10 pm Thursday: 5 pm – 10 pm Friday: 5 pm – 10 pm Saturday: 10 am –2 pm, 5 pm –10 pm

Ask For Luigi is a family-style Italian eatery located a few blocks from Japantown in Vancouver’s premier food district.  The food here is made with fresh local ingredients and the owners openly encourage splitting dishes.

As a result of this sharing-oriented dining, the portions of pasta, meats, and appetizers are very large and fit for big groups of people.  This approach to dining is strongly inspired by the traditional customs of Italian cuisine.

In line with these customs, this restaurant also serves a wide variety of apertivi or “pre-meal” drinks.  If you’d prefer not to have any alcohol, Ask For Luigi also employs in-house baristas to brew delicious coffee at any time.

Overall, this eatery is a classic model of everything an Italian restaurant should be.  With three separate menus for brunch, lunch, and dinner, Vancouverites can enjoy classic Italian comforts whenever they like.

Customer Reviews

Ask For Luigi has made a name for itself as a family joint with good food and a great atmosphere:

“Really good authentic Italian food made with lots of love. The whole experience from the moment you walk in to the moment you leave is amazing. The servers are very helpful and answer your questions with patience. Definitely make a reservation because it is a small space.” – Ashuni P.

“Ask For Luigi is one of the best restaurants in the city, especially if you’re a pasta or Italian lover. The restaurant is quaint with a ever-changing rotating menu. The food is absolutely delicious and the prices are more than fair. This will be a unique and memorable experience for you. Highly recommended, especially for a date night!” – Nicholas Q.

3. Osteria Savio Volpe

SERVICES	Dinner Lunch Brunch Italian desserts Sodas, wines Local Brews Delivery
WEBSITE	http://www.saviovolpe.com/
ADDRESS	615 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5T 3K5, Canada
CONTACT DETAILS	Phone number: (604) 428 – 0072 Email: [email protected]
OPERATING HOURS	Monday: 5 pm – 10:30 pm Tuesday: 5 pm – 10:30 pm Wednesday: 5 pm – 10:30 pm Thursday: 5 pm – 10:30 pm Friday: 5 pm – 10:30 pm Saturday: 5 pm – 10:30 pm Sunday: 5 pm – 10:30 pm

Situated along Kingsway right next to Robson Park, Savio Volpe treats clients to fresh Italian dishes and wood-fire grilled meats.  Helping to wash this down is an assortment of Italian wines and coffee.

Of course the refreshments don’t stop there, if clients prefer non-alcoholic drinks, Savio Volpe proudly makes its own italian sodas, which are perfect for kids.  For adults, the eatery keeps a bar stocked full of the many local brews made in the same neighborhood.

This restaurant usually entertains parties of 1 to 6 guests but for parties over 6 guests, this eatery also offers a family menu for large sharing portions.  Regardless of party size, clients can choose to sit inside to enjoy the rustic interior, or outside to take in the fresh Vancouver air.

To top things off, nothing says classic Italian dessert like an ice-cold scoop of gelato that’s freshly made every day.  This also pairs nicely with the various pastries and cookies baked in the cafe section of Savio Volpe.

Customer Reviews

With good food and an interior that smells of fresh pastries and pasta, it’s easy to see why so many people choose Savio Volpe as their hideaway from the Vancouver rain:

“It was the very first time to visit here, and now absolutely I like this fantastic restaurant. The food taste is just perfect like not too salty or not too bland. Definitely, I will be back!” – Jina O.

“We had an absolute blast here here. The food was unreal everything we had was incredible. The Albacore Tuna was so good and all the pastas were too. Definitely would come back here again soon! Our server Stephano was great along with all the staff here!” – Wilson L.

4. Italian Kitchen

SERVICES	Lunch and dinner Italian Desserts Beverages Wine Delivery
WEBSITE	https://glowbalgroup.com/digital-menus/italian-kitchen/
ADDRESS	860 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1X9, Canada
CONTACT DETAILS	Phone number: (604) 687 – 2858
OPERATING HOURS	Monday: 11:30 am –10 pm Tuesday: 11:30 am –10 pm Wednesday: 11:30 am –10 pm Thursday: 11:30 am –10 pm Friday: 11:30 am –10 pm Saturday: 11:30 am –10 pm Sunday: 11:30 am –10 pm

Among our many entries, Italian Kitchen departs from the standard rustic interior of most Italian restos.  In lieu of this, it goes for an upscale fine-dining aesthetic with pure white ceilings and walls adorned with pillars and a few artificial vines.

Despite this more modern look, the place is still extremely cozy and their various special offerings always make things interesting.  For example, on Fridays, clients can enjoy a 17$ spinach and ricotta cannelloni paired with a beer or beverage of their choice.

Pasta lovers who’d prefer to skip the cannelloni can choose between a single dish or a whole sampler.  This is perfect for individuals or couples who want to get a feel for what Italian Kitchen has to offer.

It is worth noting that many past diners particularly like the truffle spaghetti and meatballs as well as the seafood linguine. 

Last but not least, this eatery has also earned much praise for desserts like the zeppole, which are essentially Italian doughnuts filled with molten chocolate.

Customer Reviews

One look at Italian Kitchen’s reviews and there should be little doubt as to why they’re a staple in upscale Italian dining:

“Beautiful place with a huge patio and enough outdoor heaters, so it was very comfortable to dine there. Decor and attention to details and a excellent customer service. Drinks a good and food well presented and what is more important tasty. Will go back there for sure” – Chef Menajem P.

“My favorite Italian restaurant in downtown. I enjoyed the happy hour menu, and good are all tasty. Patio is clean and beautiful. I recommend this place!” – C. M.

5. The Old Spaghetti Factory (Gastown)

SERVICES	Pasta Lunch Dinner
WEBSITE	https://oldspaghettifactory.ca/locations/gastown/
ADDRESS	53 Water St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1A1, Canada
CONTACT DETAILS	Phone number: (604) 684 – 1288 Email: [email protected]
OPERATING HOURS	Monday: 11 am – 9:30 pm Tuesday: 11 am – 9:30 pm Wednesday: 11 am – 9:30 pm Thursday: 11 am – 9:30 pm Friday: 11 am – 9:30 pm Saturday: 11 am – 9:30 pm Sunday: 11 am – 9:30 pm

The Old Spaghetti Factory is a chain of 15 restaurants that have served Canadians for over 50 years.  Their Vancouver location has been in Gastown since 1970 and in that time the eatery has become known as the standard for classic Italian dining.

Their all-inclusive menu comes with a starter salad, soup, bread, and ice cream, coffee, or tea, with all entrees.  This means that clients get the full culinary experience without lightening their pockets too much.

As their name implies, these folks know a thing or two about making delicious spaghetti.  That’s why their menu comes with 9 unique variations of the classic Italian dish, from regular spaghetti and meatballs to spaghetti carbonara and even mushroom alfredo spaghetti.

As one of the oldest Italian eating establishments, these folks practically set the bar for other similar restaurants.  To that end, clients are sure to enjoy the wealth of quality and experience that comes with it being THE Italian restaurant of Vancouver.

Customer Reviews

These are just a few of the many clients whom The Old Spaghetti Factory has wowed over the years:

“Excellent food and service, even when we arrived 10 minutes before closing. Wonderful experience. Highly recommended.”Jose B.

“Totally cost benefit guaranteed! Bread + soup or salad + main dish + ice cream (all included) for affordable prices, I guess the most expensive dish was $22.00 the ambience is very well decorated as a classic Italian restaurant, it is really cozy. The food is tasty, I just felt my chicken parmigiana was under salt but was yummy. Also, it did not take too much time to the dishes arrived, good service. First time visiting this italian restaurant and I really like it. You get full for a good price and savory food.” – Carla C.

6. Cibo Trattoria

SERVICES	Take-out and Dine-in services, Gift cards, Private dining
WEBSITE	https://www.cibotrattoria.com/
ADDRESS	900 Seymour Street, Vancouver BC V6B 3L9
CONTACT DETAILS	604.602.9570 / [email protected]
OPERATING HOURS	Everyday – 11:30am – 10pm Brunch – 11am to 2pm, Saturday and Sunday Lunch – 12 to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday Happy Hour – 2 to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday Dinner – 5 to 10pm, Wednesday to Sunday

Cibo Trattoria is an Italian restaurant located in Vancouver with a wide array of food delicacies to choose from such as salads, pasta, desserts and to be paired with a cocktail or wine of choice. The said restaurant is located within the Moda Hotel that offers a memorable Italian dining experience may it be lunch, dinner, or happy hour.

The restaurant places each of its dishes in a rustic Italian fashion that showcases the elegance of the cuisine itself. With each dish prepared in the traditional manner and made from scratch, the restaurant prides itself on preparing each the traditional manner to deliver a delectable dish.

They are also part of the award-winning hospitality group Viaggo Hospitality and are acclaimed by customers for their excellent dine-in experience due to the outstanding dishes and ambient atmosphere the restaurant exudes.

We recommend this restaurant for customers who are looking for a close to authentic Italian dining experience may it be dine-in or take-out.

Customer Reviews

Here are some reviews from their customers:

“Authentic Italian food, great selection of Italian wines. The staff treated us amazingly. Big portions and beautifully plated dishes. My wife and I came here to celebrate our anniversary and the staff entertained us with some bubbly wine form Asti. On the house. We tried the 4 course sicilian menu and it was all delicious and beautifully plated. Great ambience, and super friendly and knowledgeable staff. I’m making this place my new favorite Italian restaurant in the city we are definitely coming back!” – Aldo G.

“Came here in September for brunch on a Saturday and it was completely empty. As much as I feel sad for the restaurant, it was an awesome experience for me. We sat right next to an open window, so I felt very safe about my dine-in experience.

We ordered the build your own mimosa set and it was super cute. Apparently our ratios of juice to alcohol was completely incorrect but I think that’s the beauty of making it yourself 🙂 I’ve also never tried a watermelon or mango mimosa before but they paired super well.

All the brunch items were also very delicious. The price is great as well, since all their brunch items are just $15 and they have a lot of nice options. They also offered us French toast at the end for dessert since we were celebrating an anniversary. It was super sweet of them and it tasted fantastic like everything else.

Overall a good experience. The server was really nice as well.” –  LuFei L.

7. BiBo

SERVICES	Dine-In & Takeout Kitsilano
WEBSITE	https://www.thebibo.com/
ADDRESS	1067 Templeton Station Rd Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
CONTACT DETAILS	+1 (604) 568-6177  [email protected]
OPERATING HOURS	Tuesday & Wednesday: all bottle of wine 50% OFF Thursday: all take out orders are 20% OFF Friday: Happy Hours from 3pm to 6pm

BiBo specializes in authentic Italian cuisine and Neapolitan Pizza. In comparison to other restaurants, their team of young Italian expatriates is keen to share the culture, enthusiasm, and passion for Italian food.

They are one of the restaurants we recommend because they make everything from scratch. All of their pasta is handmade making them chewy and their pizzas undergo a leavening process of at least twenty-four hours that makes it light and easy to digest.

If you love drinking cocktails, they can be your go-to restaurant. They offer a Kits Happy Hour Menu every Thursday, from 5:30 PM to closing, where all cocktails will be 50% off.

Their delivery services are through Doordash, Skip the Dishes, and Uber Eats. They accept credit cards, have free wifi, and outdoor seating.

Customer Reviews

Here are some reviews from their customers:

“Great service from our waiter. Food was tasty, well presented and did not take too long to arrive after ordering. Mixed drinks were really good and unique. We would go back again.“

“What a great surprise, I felt like in Italy (for real)Thanks to Antonello, Danilo, Max, Nicholas and all the staff of Bibo pizzeria for making an ordinary lunch something special. Was literally like to be home.I will be back for sure. Grazie ragazzi 😉“

8. Bravo Cucina Ristorante Italiano

SERVICES	To Go and Dine-In Italian food daily
WEBSITE	https://www.bravocucinanorthvancouver.com/
ADDRESS	1209 Lonsdale Ave. North Vancouver, B.C.  V7M 2H5
CONTACT DETAILS	604-985-3006
OPERATING HOURS	Open Daily Reservations are Recommended Lunch: 11:30 AM – 2 PM​ Dinner: 5:30 PM – 9 PM (Mon-Thurs & Sun) 5:30 PM – 10 PM (Fri & Sat)

Since 1996, Bravo Cucina Ristorante Italiano has been serving the locals of North Vancouver with traditional and innovative Italian cuisine thanks to the owner, Chef Sam Bentroudi.

It started as a small restaurant and as years goes by, it expanded its size and its family of chefs and servers. These amazing talented people include Chef Mezzi, Chef Fabrizio, Manager Trevor, and Head Servers, Walter and Whalen. These people have been in business for 26 years and have been evolving along with their local families.

Compared to other restaurants, Bravo Cucina has been the go-to place for people who would like authentic Italian food in an intimate ambiance.

We are also impressed with how they are able to combine deeply rooted tradition and culture and innovate it to today’s modern palates.

From seafood to pasta, they make sure that they are made fresh and that you will feel the comforts of your home when dining here. They also have a huge variety of international and local wines and cocktails.

May it be for an intimate lunch or dinner with your significant other, or for a milestone celebration with your family or co-workers, they got you as they accommodate a large group of people. Just make sure that you would be able to submit your reservation via the form on their website.

Customer Reviews

Here are some reviews from Open Table, Foursquare, TripAdvisor, Sirved Web, Chris Dagenais North Shore News, and Facebook.

“It’s my families favourite restaurant to celebrate all occasions. It’s the closest to Italian I’ve had since I was there.”

“The chefs make meals inspired by every part of Italy, covering all the territory from Alba to Sicily. The vision of Bravo Cucina is to provide elite food in a warm, inviting atmosphere at prices that remain affordable.”

“Absolutely beautiful meal served in lovely surroundings by friendly staff. We were here for a celebration dinner with kids in tow. The waiter was so helpful and fun with the kids. We enjoyed everything we ordered and were tempted by so many more items on the menu. Some wonderful standard Italian faves but also some more creative flavours. Fantastico!”

“Being of periodically weak resolve, I chose not to choose in the end, and asked for a half order of fettuccine “Expo 86” as an intermezzo before the beef. The pasta, expertly made and served al dente, featured fresh crab meat and shrimp in a light tomato cream sauce with, once again, a truly formidable garlic kick.”

“Their tiramisù was so incredibly good it was mouth melting. Very good service very good Italian cuisine in a small intimate setting.”

“Looking for your fix of Italian food? Get the family together and visit Bravo Cucina Ristorante Italiano in North Vancouver and enjoy their yummy soup. It’s sure to be a memorable experience.”

“I have been going to Bravos for 20 years and have celebrated many birthdays and special occasions here!! Sami makes the best Fettuccini Alfredo with prawns!! The servers are amazing and Sami always takes a moment to stop by our table and chat. Great place to eat!! I recommend this place to everyone I know!!”

FAQs About Italian Restaurants

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That wraps up our list of the best Italian restaurants in Vancouver.  With all the mouth-watering dishes available, choosing a restaurant seems like a near-impossible task.

But, we certainly hope our breakdowns were able to help in some small way.  In case you need a big meal for a special occasion, we’ve also got a list of the best caterers in Vancouver.

Just like with this list, we’ve included a ton of helpful information to help you pick the best caterer for your event.

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