Located right in the middle of thousands of acres of farmland, Columbus, Ohio is known more as an agricultural center than as a destination for Italian food. However, visitors to the city will be pleased to find a vibrant restaurant scene with no shortage of options, especially when it comes to pizza, pasta, and other Italian favorites. The city has an Italian restaurant to suit every mood and occasion. Whether you're looking for a romantic date night spot, a family-friendly place your children will love, or a cozy mom-and-pop joint with a traditional Italian atmosphere, you won't be disappointed.
1.Villa Nova
Villa Nova is one of Columbus' most authentic Italian-style dining destinations, originally opened in 1978 by married duo Donna and Frank Colleli. Today, the restaurant is still helmed by second-generation Colleli family members and is known for its generous portions of hearty Italian fare and its unique displayed collection of antique teapots, which were accumulated by Frank Colleli throughout his retirement. Diners can enjoy a wide variety of delectable Italian entrees at lunch and dinner, including pasta favorites such as chicken cacciatore, spaghetti carbonara, eggplant parmesan, and seafood fettuccine. Seven, 11, and 15-inch pizzas are available for sharing, including gluten-free crust pizzas. An impressive wine and liquor selection is served up from the restaurant's bar, along with a list of craft beers and specialty cocktails.
5545 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214, Phone: 614-846-5777
2.Basi Italia
Located in the inviting Victorian Village neighborhood, Basi Italia specializes in Italian and Mediterranean food prepared with a bit of creative flair. The menu features seasonally-inspired appetizers, salads, pasta dishes, and meat and seafood entrees, and guests can expect unique offerings such as smoked salmon bruschetta, eggplant Parmesan made with basil pesto, and roasted beet salad with feta cheese, mint, and pistachios. Several vegetarian options are available, and the restaurant is also proud to offer gluten-free pasta. The restaurant also boasts an extensive wine list, and weekly wine tastings are held outside on the patio every Wednesday during the summer.
811 Highland St, Columbus, OH 43215, Phone: 614-294-7383
3.Tre Bicchieri
Tre Bicchieri is a cozy Italian eatery with an excellent wine list and an intimate, date-friendly atmosphere. The seasonally inspired menu is constantly changing but expect to see a good selection of antipasti, salads, and meat or seafood entrees. Build-your-own pasta bowls are also available, and they come with a choice of traditional Italian sauces and toppings such as salmon, roasted seasonal veggies, and savory swine sausage. Many of the ingredients used to prepare the food are sourced locally, and the restaurant is also proud to showcase works of art done by local artists. All pieces are available for purchase.
425 Washington St, Columbus, IN 47201, Phone: 812-372-1962
4. La Tavola
Known for its excellent service and welcoming atmosphere, La Tavola serves up modern twists on classic Italian favorites. The menu includes appetizers, salads, and pizzas. Traditional options like cheese pizza are offered beside more unique choices like a pizza topped with bacon and Brussels sprouts. Pasta dishes and other entrees can be ordered in individual portions or in family sizes that are perfect for sharing. Nightly dinner specials typically include appetizers, entrees, and pizzas made with the freshest products of the moment, and the restaurant also hosts frequent special events such as fall harvest dinners, wine tastings, and Mother's Day brunches.
1664 W 1st Ave, Grandview Heights, OH 43212, Phone: 614-914-5455
5.Borgata Pizza Cafe
Despite its unassuming exterior, Borgata Pizza Cafe serves up huge portions of some of the best-quality Italian food in all of Ohio. The restaurant specializes in create-your-own New York style pizza pies, but there are also a number of other traditional Italian specialties available, including calzones, house made pasta dishes, and both hot and cold sandwiches. There is also a good selection of appetizers and salads, and those with special dietary requirements will be pleased to find a good selection of vegetarian and gluten-free options. The menu also boasts several homemade desserts, including lemon ricotta cake and several flavors of cannoli.
5701 Parkville St, Columbus, OH 43229, Phone: 614-891-2345
6.Best Restaurants in Columbus: Caffe DaVinci
Family owned and operated since 1974, Caffe DaVinci specializes in simple but elegant Italian fare. The menu has a wide range of starters, soups, salads, paninis, pizzas, and customizable pasta dishes that come with the choice of four different sauces. There are also several meat and fish entrees for anyone who wants a heartier meal, while a good selection of homemade gelatos are on the menu for dessert. Lunch and dinner are served from Monday until Saturday, and the restaurant is open for dinner on Sundays. The space is available for private events on Sunday afternoons between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
3080 Tremont Rd # B, Columbus, OH 43221, Phone: 614-459-9945
7.Claudiana Italian Restaurant
Claudiana Italian Restaurant is located in a strip mall, but the interior will transport you straight to Little Italy. The lunch menu includes appetizers, soups and salads, sandwiches, pizzas, and a wide array of pasta dishes. When dinner time comes around, the sandwiches are replaced by hearty meat and seafood dishes such as pork chop in a red wine reduction and saffron seafood risotto. Claudiana is open for lunch Monday through Friday and for dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings, and the space can be reserved for parties of 25 or more people during closed hours. Things to Do in Columbus
8475 Sancus Blvd, Columbus, OH 43240, Phone: 614-846-2236
8.Italian Restaurants Columbus Ohio: Due Amici
Located in a historic brick-walled building in downtown Columbus, Due Amici offers guests the choice between a bustling lounge and a sleek dining room. The menu changes regularly so as to feature the best products available, but guests can always expect an excellent selection of small plates, pizzas, pasta dishes, meat and fish entrees, and desserts. A private dining room is available by reservation, and it includes professional A/V equipment and a special banquet menu. Due Amici is open for brunch, lunch, and dinner 7 days a week, and special Bloody Mary brunches are held on weekends between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
67 E Gay St, Columbus, OH 43215, Phone: 614-224-9373
9.Figlio
Established in 1991 by Peter and Laurie Danis, Figlio is a modern Italian restaurant with a welcoming interior. The kitchen specializes in brick-oven pizzas, but the menu also includes a selection of pasta dishes and other entrees. Salads can be ordered as a starter or in an entree size, and diners can even choose from a selection of proteins at an additional cost. There is also an extensive gluten-free menu, although the restaurant cannot guarantee that any of the food is free from cross-contamination. Dinner is served Monday through Saturday beginning at 5 p.m., and the restaurant is closed Sundays.
1369 Grandview Ave, Columbus, OH 43212, Phone: 614-481-8850
10.Gallo's Kitchen & Bar
Locally owned and operated, Gallo's Kitchen & Bar serves a unique mix of Italian and Creole cuisine. The owners are dedicated to giving back to the community, and everything here is made from scratch using local products whenever possible. The menu offers appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, pasta dishes, and entrees, and Creole dishes like Jambalaya sit alongside Italian favorites such as pasta with Bolognese sauce. The restaurant also offers a daily menu that showcases unique culinary creations made with the best meat and produce of the moment. Opening hours are from 5 p.m. onwards Monday through Saturday, and the restaurant is closed Sundays.
2820 Nottingham Rd, Columbus, OH 43221, Phone: 614-754-8176
11.Lola & Guiseppe's Trattoria
Lola & Guiseppe's Trattoria is a charming mom-and-pop restaurant that serves hearty Italian fare in a welcoming, family-friendly environment. The menu includes an excellent selection of starters, soups and salads, hearty pasta dishes, and chicken, veal, or seafood entrees. Daily and seasonal specials are also usually available. The restaurant is open for dinner from 5 p.m. onwards Tuesday through Saturday and is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Lola & Guiseppe's is unable to accommodate parties of more than eight people due to its small size, but the dining room can be reserved for private events on Sundays and Mondays.
100 Granville St, Columbus, OH 43230, Phone: 614-473-9931
12.Marcella's Ristorante
Open since 2007, Marcella's Ristorante provides guests with a lively atmosphere and delicious, traditional Italian food. Guests can assemble their own appetizer platters from a selection of antipasti, meats, and cheeses, and the menu also offers salads, pizzas, pasta dishes, and meat entrees. Many of the dishes can be prepared gluten-free upon request. The restaurant also includes a well-stocked bar that has a selection of more than 50 Italian wines served by the bottle or carafe. Happy hour takes place Monday through Friday between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. when select food items and beverages are available for half price in the bar area.
615 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215, Phone: 614-223-2100
13.Best Restaurants in Columbus: Martini Modern Italian
Located in a beautifully contemporary space complete with chandeliers, Martini Modern Italian serves up classic Italian food with a twist. The menu offers appetizers, soups, salads, and pasta dishes. All food is made from the freshest ingredients available, and the mozzarella is handmade to order. Chicken, beef, veal, and seafood entrees are also available. Happy hour is held every weekday between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., and bottles of wine are half price on Sunday evenings. The restaurant is open for dinner seven days a week from 4 p.m. until close, and valet parking is available for a fee.
445 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215, Phone: 614-224-8259
14.Pasqualone's Ristorante
Formerly known as La Plaia, Pasqualone's Ristorante is owned by David Pasqualone, whose strong connection to his Italian heritage can be seen in both the welcoming atmosphere and the delicious food. The menu has a good selection of appetizers, pasta dishes, meat entrees, and desserts, and the extensive wine list includes both domestic and Italian options. Three to five dinner specials are offered every night, and the kitchen is even happy to accommodate special dinner requests if informed two days in advance. There are plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options, and three course family style meals are available upon request.
766 Emporium Square, Columbus, OH 43231, Phone: 614-890-2070
15.Italian Restaurants near me now: Trattoria Roma
Trattoria Roma has been serving classic Italian cuisine since 1990, and they are proud to make all their food from scratch with the best ingredients available. In addition to appetizers, soups, and salads, the menu has both Italian classics like lasagna and chicken Parmesan and contemporary dishes such as quinoa-stuffed chicken breast. The restaurant also offers a full bar with an extensive wine list and a unique selection of cocktails. Happy hour small plates are offered in the bar from 4 p.m. until close, and drink specials are available from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. every day.
1447 Grandview Ave, Columbus, OH 43212, Phone: 614-488-2104
16.Carfagna's Kitchen
Founded in 1937, Carfagna's Kitchen is an old-school Italian restaurant that has been proudly family owned and operated for generations. All the food served here is handmade in the authentic Italian style, and the chefs proudly prepare the food using only the freshest ingredients available. The menu includes appetizers, soups, salads, pasta dishes, pizzas, and strombolis, and a unique "pick two" menu is available until 6 p.m. House dinner specialties such as chicken Parmesan and Veal Picatta come served with a variety of sides. The bar offers wine, beer, and a good selection of non-alcoholic beverages for guests to enjoy.
2025 Polaris Pkwy, Columbus, OH 43240, Phone: 614-848-4488
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17.Z Cucina di Spirito
Z Cucina di Spirito is a self-described "neighborhood restaurant with an edge," and it specializes in gourmet fare prepared using seasonal ingredients. The menu consists of traditional Italian and Mediterranean dishes with a creative flair, including appetizers, salads made using organic produce, grilled flatbread pizzas, pasta dishes, and a selection of meat and fish entrees. All the food is made fresh from scratch, including the ricotta, mozzarella, sausages, breads, and pastas, and vegetarian and gluten-free options are available. Dinner specials are offered Monday through Wednesday, and happy hour takes place at the bar every weekday between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
1368 Grandview Ave, Columbus, OH 43212, Phone: 614-486-9200
18.Cafe Napolitana Pizzeria & Bar
Located right downtown, Cafe Napolitana Pizzeria & Bar is a family-run eatery that has been operating since 1992. The food is always prepared using the highest-quality ingredients available, and all doughs, pastas, and sauces are made fresh from scratch daily. The menu offers traditional Italian-American cuisine, including appetizers, salads, strombolis, calzones, pasta dishes, and New York-style pizza pies. Lunch specials are offered every weekday between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., and happy hour takes place Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the dining room and between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the bar.
40 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215, Phone: 614-224-3013
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19.DeARINI'S TAVERN & GRILL
Known for serving up delicious versions of traditional Italian favorites, DeArini's Tavern & Grill is a casual, family-friendly restaurant with plenty of room for large groups. The restaurant also houses a fully licensed bar, which hosts regular karaoke nights and has multiple televisions. The extensive menu offers starters, salads, soups, subs and sandwiches, pizzas, pasta dishes, and dinner entrees served with salad and a roll. Ice cream sundaes are available for dessert. DeArini's is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, although guests should note that the bar hours are different from the restaurant hours.
1942 W Henderson Rd, Columbus, OH 43220, Phone: 614-451-8000
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20.Giuseppe's Ritrovo
"Ritrovo" is Italian for "hangout," and true to its name, Giuseppe's Ritrovo is a welcoming yet relaxed restaurant that prides itself on its serious interpretations of traditional Italian dishes. Much of the ingredients are sourced locally and seasonally, but some foods are imported from Italy, including the parmigianno reggiano, olive oil, and pasta. The menu starts off with a wide range of appetizers and salads, while pizzas, pasta dishes, and meat and seafood entrees are offered for the main course. There are plenty of vegetarian options available, and the kitchen staff are happy to work to accommodate other dietary needs.
2268 E Main St, Columbus, OH 43209, Phone: 614-235-4300
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21.Milano's Italian Restaurant
Milano's Italian Restaurant has been in operation since 2001, and the owners pride themselves on serving traditional Italian dishes in a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere. The restaurant offers a full wine bar, and the food menu includes a wide selection of appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, and entrees. The dinner plates come served with salad, rolls, and butter, and there are options available to please vegetarians and carnivores alike. Daily specials are offered every evening from 4 p.m. onward; highlights include the Italian sampler on Mondays, the homemade cheese manicotti served on Thursdays, and the broiled orange roughy offered on Fridays and Saturdays.
6916 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43213, Phone: 614-861-1277
22.Morone's Italian Villa
Morone's Italian Villa is a traditional red-sauce Italian joint with excellent food and a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere. The menu has a tempting variety of Italian favorites, including appetizers, entrees, salads, pastas, pizzas, and both hot and cold subs. Build-your-own options are available for pizzas and pasta bowls. A hearty lunch buffet is offered on weekdays from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., and there is a dinner buffet every Wednesday evening as well. The restaurant also has specials every day of the week, including two-for-one spaghetti dinners on Tuesdays and a dine-in family dinner special on Sundays.
1490 Bethel Rd, Columbus, OH 43235, Phone: 614-457-7444
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23.Palle by Moretti
Located in Grandview Heights, Palle by Moretti is a casual but modern restaurant that serves Italian food with flair. The restaurant is especially well known for its meatballs, which are prepared daily using hand-ground, locally sourced meat. They can be ordered on their own, in a bun, or as part of a dinner bowl. All side dishes, sauces, and pastas are lovingly made from scratch every day as well. Daily food specials are offered Monday through Thursday, and happy hour takes place between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays as well as from 10 p.m. until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
1021 W 5th Ave, Columbus, OH 43212, Phone: 614-421-2255
24.The Market Italian Village
Located right in the heart of the Italian Village, the Market Italian Village is an informal eatery with a market selling specialty food, a deli counter, and a cafe. The seasonally-inspired menu offers small plates, pizzas, and filling entrees, and happy hour is held all day on Monday and between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; specials are offered on both drinks and food. Other weekly specials include Sunday pizza night, oyster Thursday, and a takeout pizza and growler special offered Friday through Sunday. A weekend brunch is held on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
1022 Summit St, Columbus, OH 43201
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25.Verdi Restaurant & Pizzeria
Specializing in delicious but reasonably priced Italian comfort food, Verdi Restaurant & Pizzeria is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. The menu starts off with traditional appetizers, soups, and salads, but heartier fare like pizzas, pasta dishes, calzones, strombolis, and chicken, veal, and seafood entrees is also available. A lunch buffet is offered every weekday between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Pastas, pizzas, strombolis, and salads are typically on the menu. Lunch and dinner reservations are accepted for groups of four or more, and delivery is available Monday through Thursday within 5-7 miles.
7770 Olentangy River Rd, Columbus, OH 43235, Phone: 614-885-1061
25 Best Italian Restaurants in Columbus
- Villa Nova, Photo: Villa Nova
- Basi Italia, Photo: Basi Italia
- Tre Bicchieri, Photo: Tre Bicchieri
- La Tavola, Photo: La Tavola
- Borgata Pizza Cafe, Photo: Borgata Pizza Cafe
- Best Restaurants in Columbus: Caffe DaVinci, Photo: Courtesy of Giuseppe Porzani - Fotolia.com
- Claudiana Italian Restaurant, Photo: Claudiana Italian Restaurant
- Italian Restaurants Columbus Ohio: Due Amici, Photo: Due Amici
- Figlio, Photo: Figlio
- Gallo's Kitchen & Bar, Photo: Gallo's Kitchen & Bar
- Lola & Guiseppe's Trattoria, Photo: Courtesy of dariazu - Fotolia.com
- Marcella's Ristorante, Photo: Marcella's Ristorante
- Best Restaurants in Columbus: Martini Modern Italian, Photo: Martini Modern Italian
- Pasqualone's Ristorante, Photo: Pasqualone's Ristorante
- Italian Restaurants near me now: Trattoria Roma, Photo: Trattoria Roma
- Carfagna's Kitchen, Photo: Carfagna's Kitchen
- Z Cucina di Spirito, Photo: Z Cucina di Spirito
- Cafe Napolitana Pizzeria & Bar, Photo: Cafe Napolitana Pizzeria & Bar
- DeARINI'S TAVERN & GRILL, Photo: DeARINI'S TAVERN & GRILL
- Giuseppe's Ritrovo, Photo: Courtesy of asife - Fotolia.com
- Milano's Italian Restaurant, Photo: Milano's Italian Restaurant
- Morone's Italian Villa, Photo: Morone's Italian Villa
- Palle by Moretti, Photo: Palle by Moretti
- The Market Italian Village, Photo: The Market Italian Village
- Verdi Restaurant & Pizzeria, Photo: Courtesy of boomeart - Fotolia.com
- Cover Photo: Courtesy of Belokoni Dmitri - Fotolia.com
