Portland's Best Italian Food 2008

A casual Southeast haunt with hearty Italian cooking.

Reviews:

• “Delicious Food”
• “wonderful sea food, Cosmo quiet dinning…”
• “Wonderful Anniversary”
• “Excellent Dining Experience”
• “Great… everything!”

Iorio Restaurant or email Iorio Restaurant

Pearl’s true trattoria, complete with family-style service and hearty fare.

Reviews:

• “great sauce, pasta al dente, friendly staff…we love it!!”
• “Mille Grazie – A presto!”
• “BAD SERVICE…TERRIBLE FOOD…NO CLASS!!!”
• “Great Italian!”
• “Wow! Great Italian”

Tips: For the linguistically adventurous, visit from 6pm to 10pm Thursday nights when everyone brushes up on their Italian.

Piazza Italia

Refined Italian dining and a romantic bistro setting attracts Pearl District diners.

Reviews:

• “Tremendous service with fabulous food and top-notch setting and ambiance”
• “A Wonderful Treat”
• “Fantastic cuisine; delightfully served!”
• “Top 10 worst place in Portland”
• “Always outstanding”

Tips: If you can’t get a table, ask to dine at the copper-topped bar, which also offers the full menu.

Giorgio’s or email Giorgio’s

Classic Italian cuisine meets Pacific Northwest ingredients for elegant dining in the Hotel Vintage Plaza.

Reviews:

• “We always bring our guests to Pazzo Ristorante”
• “Dreadful beyond belief”
• “Best Italian In the World "
• “Best Caesar I ever had”
• “Wonderfully Delicious Dining Experience”

Tips: Join the monthly last-Saturday wine tasting by calling (503) 228-1515 for reservations.

Pazzo Ristorante

Italian fare and warm, lustrous ambience minus Pearl District pretentiousness.

Reviews:

• “that’s amore”
• “Never Again”
• “Best overall restaurant experience in a long time”
• “Best Service and Food”
• “Great American-Italian food”

Tips: The extensive Italian wine list is studded with affordable gems starting at $21 a bottle and running up to $150. Ask for recommendations or try the seasonal special.

Fratelli or email Fratelli

Soul-soothing Italian cuisine in a cozy space that hums with energy.

Reviews:

• “Amazing Food”
• “The BEST Customer Service”
• “Fantastic, Classy way to celebrate turning 21”
• “Happy Hour!”
• “Great Service, Good Food”

Tips: Serratto has a lot on NW Johnson between 21st and 22nd. Validate your ticket at the restaurant to reduce the price from $10 to $4 and parking is free during lunch time daily.

Serratto or email Serratto

Pearl District place serves Italian favorites and features a fully stocked bar as well as weekend brunch specials.

Reviews:

• “A horribly run establishment”
• “Italian name,not Italian food”
• “Go, eat, enjoy…. "
• “Best Italian Food Ever Had”
• “Microwaved Chicken Parm”

Leonardo’s on Lovejoy or email Leonardo’s on Lovejoy

Old standby draws tourists and special-occasion diners with multi-course Italian-inspired meals.

Reviews:

• “Very dissapointing”
• “Surprisingly delightful”
• “Massively overrated”
• “It’s not what it used to be”
• “Best FOOD EVER IN PORTLAND”

Genoa

A happening neighborhood trattoria with fantastic made-from-scratch classics.

Reviews:

• “I do recommend but be prepared. Finally get the truth here-no need to read some of the other lies”
• “Unpretentious, Rustic and Wonderful”
• “i would die without gino’s to inspire me”
• “We Dream of Gino’s!”
• “Not so good”

Tips: The wine list features a large selection of bottles less than $20, perfect for this atmosphere and clientele.

Gino’s Restaurant & Bar

A casual Italian trattoria gives Beaverton a taste of the dolce vita.

Reviews:

• “best service, easy food”
• “One of the Worst.”
• “MINGO”
• “Great food, nice decor, original dishes”
• “rude, rude, rude”

Mingo or email Mingo

Come enjoy delicious Italian cuisine in a fun atmosphere at Portland’s Mercato Restaurant.

Reviews:

• “YUM”
• “Nice place to meet up with friends”
• “Great pizzas and pastas, wonderful gelatos!”
• “MR food goes to Italy{awful}”
• “Best Italian in PDX hands down”

Mercato or email Mercato

Authentic Tuscan wood-fired cooking and a rustically elegant Italian Alpine setting lures the dolce vita crowd to the SE.

Reviews:

• “This place BITES. Stay away!!!”
• “Great Attentive Service and items from Scratch”
• “Ok, but the chefs should take a trip to Italy more often”
• “Elf Food”
• “Yes, Overpriced!”

Tips: A long bar separates kitchen and dining room, then curves around the front of a library-wall of liquor destined for Italian themed cocktails, like the Negroni, of Bombay, sweet vermouth and Campari.

Nostrana

Reviews:

• “Very Consistent Food, Great Service”
• “Terrible Service”
• “dry pasta dish for $18?”
• “Dinner was excellent”
• “Bad Service”

Bugatti’s Ristorante

An homage to home cooking draws in the faithful at this bright, sunny space.

Reviews:

• “Fabulous Brunch with our Sons!”
• “I Love this Place!”
• “Breakfast and dinner.. ok comfort food.”
• “Worst food I’ve ever had!!!!!!”
• “No “comfort” food here"

Tips: The place is packed on weekends, so call ahead for reservations. Only complete parties will be seated.

Mother’s Bistro & Bar or email Mother’s Bistro & Bar

Art fans and wine aficionados nosh on American fusion cuisine at this bistro in the heart of the Pearl District.

Reviews:

• “So Disappointed”
• “I like it”
• ""The Best Day in My Life""
• “Great wine tour”
• “Best Wine Bar!”

Tips: Pay the $20 corkage fee and sip on your own wine.

Vino Paradiso Incorporated

This Portland-based mini-chain serves up sophisticated slices.

Reviews:

• “Horrid service!”
• “Great salads. Not enough seating. Inattentive staff.”
• “great taste”
• “Very Good Pizza, Excellent Salads”
• “just ok”

Tips: Having a pizza party? Call (503) 274-8855 to learn about Pizzicato’s catering options.

Pizzicato Gourmet Pizza

Waterfront dining as it should be at this elegant Italian standby.

Reviews:

• “Why is this not the hottest restaurant in Portland?”
• “Dungeness crab pasta was AWESOME!”
• “Check your bill for suprises at the end”
• “A really big miss tonight”
• “Aquariva is not a hot spot”

Tips: Valet parking is complimentary.

Aquariva Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar

Powered by Citysearch