I didn’t realize how much I needed pasta until I started this little journey through Columbus. Not the kind you boil at home on a Tuesday night—but the kind that arrives bubbling in a skillet, layered with flavor and tradition, maybe served by someone’s uncle who’s been doing this for decades.
This city doesn’t shout about its Italian food, but it doesn’t need to. Whether I was sipping Barolo in a dimly lit booth or eating wood-fired pizza with sunlight streaming in, I kept thinking, "There’s a quiet confidence to the way Columbus does Italian." And every meal brought a different kind of joy—one creamy bite, one comforting swirl of red sauce at a time.
Best Columbus, Ohio Top Italian Restaurants
Red sauce comfort at Villa Nova
Villa Nova felt like stepping into someone’s neighborhood tradition—the kind of place where waitresses know your name and wine is served in short glasses. The dim lighting and wood paneling were a time capsule, and I found myself thinking, "This is exactly the kind of cozy I didn’t realize I was craving."
What I Loved Most: The no-frills warmth. It didn’t matter if you were in jeans or dressed up—everyone got treated like family.
My highlights? I ordered the classic lasagna, oozing with ricotta and sweet marinara, and a side of garlic toast that crackled when I bit in. With a glass of Chianti and Sinatra humming overhead, I thought, "This is Columbus comfort food at its finest."
Villa Nova At a Glance
- Location: 5545 N High St, Worthington, OH
- Vibe: Retro, relaxed, family-friendly
- Best Time to Go: Weeknights for a quiet booth or weekends for buzz
- Must-Try: Lasagna, garlic toast, meatball sub
- Cost: $ – affordable comfort fare
- Hours: Daily: 11AM–10PM
Garden romance at BBasi Italia
Tucked into a Victorian Village alley, Basi Italia felt like a secret date spot whispered between friends. I walked through a lush garden patio and thought, "This is where you fall in love—with someone, or at least with pasta."
What I Loved Most: The intimacy. Soft music, candlelight, and just enough room to feel like the staff was cooking just for you.
My highlights? I had the goat cheese-stuffed shells with basil pesto and roasted tomatoes. Each bite was bright, warm, and perfectly balanced. I paired it with a glass of Sangiovese and sat outside as the sun dipped below the trees. "It’s almost unfair how good this feels," I thought, savoring every last forkful.
Basi Italia At a Glance
- Location: 811 Highland St, Columbus, OH
- Vibe: Intimate, fresh, upscale yet homey
- Best Time to Go: Warm-weather evenings on the patio
- Must-Try: Goat cheese shells, short ribs, basil martini
- Cost: $$ – midrange with refined touches
- Hours: Tues–Sat: 5PM–10PM, Sun–Mon: closed
Neighborhood warmth at La Tavola
La Tavola had a lived-in ease—like the kind of place you stumble into once and end up coming back to for years. Tucked along Grandview Avenue, it greeted me with the smell of garlic and roasted tomatoes. I remember thinking, "This is the kind of place that knows who it is."
What I Loved Most: Watching the chefs through the open kitchen, tossing pasta with practiced hands and grins that told me I was in good hands.
My highlights? I went with the eggplant parmesan—crispy, layered, and smothered in rich marinara. I added a house salad with lemon vinaigrette and ended with a cannoli. “Simple, rustic, and honest,” I thought. “Exactly what I hoped for.”
La Tavola At a Glance
- Location: 1664 W 1st Ave, Columbus, OH
- Vibe: Casual, cozy, homey
- Best Time to Go: Weeknights or quiet weekend brunch
- Must-Try: Eggplant parm, tiramisu, lemon vinaigrette salad
- Cost: $$ – approachable and hearty
- Hours: Tues–Sun: 5PM–9PM, Mon: closed
Classic comfort at Caffe DaVinci
Caffe DaVinci had an old-school charm I immediately loved—soft lights, white tablecloths, and Sinatra playing like a gentle heartbeat. I remember walking in and thinking, "This feels like dinner at your Italian uncle’s house."
What I Loved Most: The generous portions and the warm, unrushed service. You don’t eat quickly here—you settle in.
My highlights? I had the chicken marsala with a side of penne—earthy mushrooms, rich sauce, and the kind of balance that comes from years of practice. I sipped a house red and thought, “This is what comfort tastes like.”
Caffe DaVinci At a Glance
- Location: 3080 Tremont Rd, Columbus, OH
- Vibe: Classic, intimate, old-world
- Best Time to Go: Date nights or family occasions
- Must-Try: Chicken marsala, calamari, house red
- Cost: $$ – timeless and satisfying
- Hours: Mon–Sat: 4PM–10PM, Sun: closed
Elegant flavors at Claudiana Italian Restaurant
Claudiana struck me as elegant but never stuffy. The dining room was quiet and softly lit, and I remember thinking, "This is where you come for a special kind of slow."
What I Loved Most: The attention to detail—from the perfectly folded napkins to the pacing between courses, everything was designed for savoring.
My highlights? I ordered the veal saltimbocca—tender, sage-infused, and finished with white wine butter sauce. Paired with a glass of Barolo, it felt like a dinner that asked me to slow down and stay a little longer. “This is a meal worth dressing up for,” I thought.
Claudiana At a Glance
- Location: 8475 Sancus Blvd, Columbus, OH
- Vibe: Upscale, quiet, polished
- Best Time to Go: Celebrations or anniversaries
- Must-Try: Veal saltimbocca, seafood linguine, tiramisu
- Cost: $$$ – fine dining feel
- Hours: Mon–Sat: 5PM–9PM, Sun: closed
City energy at Due Amici
Due Amici had a buzz to it—exposed brick, clinking glasses, and downtown foot traffic streaming past the windows. I sat near the front, people-watching over a glass of pinot, and thought, "This is the kind of place that always feels like Friday night."
What I Loved Most: The modern twist on old Italian standards and the great cocktail list. Everything felt just elevated enough to feel new.
My highlights? I had the spicy shrimp risotto and the arancini appetizer—crispy, cheesy, perfect. The whole meal felt playful and generous. “Dinner and a city vibe? Count me in,” I thought, sipping espresso as the city lights came on outside.
Due Amici At a Glance
- Location: 67 E Gay St, Columbus, OH
- Vibe: Urban, energetic, stylish
- Best Time to Go: Weekend evenings for full buzz
- Must-Try: Risotto, arancini, signature cocktails
- Cost: $$ – modern midrange
- Hours: Daily: 4PM–10PM
Bright bites at Figlio
Figlio had a lightness to it—windows full of sun, cheerful chatter, and pizzas that came out bubbling with charred edges. I sat at a corner table with a glass of white and thought, "This is what weekday joy looks like."
What I Loved Most: The focus on wood-fired pizzas and fresh ingredients. You can tell they care about balance in every dish.
My highlights? I tried the smoked chicken and gorgonzola pizza—savory, tangy, and a little sweet. I paired it with a citrusy sauvignon blanc and found myself smiling through the whole thing. “It’s pizza night—but elevated,” I thought.
Figlio At a Glance
- Location: 1369 Grandview Ave, Columbus, OH
- Vibe: Bright, casual, neighborhood favorite
- Best Time to Go: Weeknight dinners or relaxed lunch
- Must-Try: Wood-fired pizza, pasta carbonara, wine pairings
- Cost: $$ – casual elegance
- Hours: Daily: 4PM–9PM
Bold and hearty at Gallo's Kitchen & Bar
Gallo’s felt more like a neighborhood tavern with an Italian twist than a traditional trattoria—and that’s what made it fun. Loud laughter, big portions, and bold flavors filled the air. "This place doesn’t hold back," I thought, glancing over the cocktail menu.
What I Loved Most: The fusion of Southern Italian with New Orleans flair. Nowhere else in Columbus could you find gumbo next to spaghetti and meatballs—and both done right.
My highlights? I had the linguine and clams, buttery and garlicky with a kick, and a side of crab cakes that were all crust and zero filler. “This is comfort with a Cajun wink,” I thought, licking my fork clean.
Gallo’s Kitchen & Bar At a Glance
- Location: 2820 Nottingham Rd, Columbus, OH
- Vibe: Bold, busy, neighborhood favorite
- Best Time to Go: Weekend nights with a group
- Must-Try: Linguine & clams, crab cakes, Cajun pasta
- Cost: $$ – hearty portions, big flavors
- Hours: Tues–Sat: 5PM–10PM, Sun–Mon: closed
From Cannoli to Chianti: Why It All Stuck With Me
What I remember most isn’t just the meals—it’s the mood. Villa Nova gave me warmth. Basi Italia, elegance. Gallo’s, grit and boldness. Each restaurant told its own story, but all of them reminded me that great Italian food is never just about the food. It’s about feeling welcomed, seen, and full—in every sense of the word.
So if you find yourself in Columbus with a craving you can’t quite name, start with the pasta. The rest—like the sauce, the wine, and the company—tends to show up when you need it.