Best Italian Restaurants in Pleasanton
8 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
De La Torre's Trattoria
Only Italian restaurant making fresh pasta daily with a rotating special menu that changes based on local seasonal ingredients
Essential Picks
9.1
This under-the-radar neighborhood trattoria has been Pleasanton's
best-kept Italian secret since 1992, with a daily-changing special menu showcasing locally-sourced produce and handmade pasta. The family-owned spot delivers authentic Italian comfort with zero pretense and remarkably fair prices for the quality.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tagliatelle Bolognese, Angel Hair with Shrimp, Daily Fresh Fish Special
What makes it special: Only Italian restaurant making fresh pasta daily with a rotating special menu that changes based on local seasonal ingredients
Notable Picks
8.4
Serving Pleasanton since 1959, this Tri-Valley Herald award winner crafts sourdough specialty pizzas from scratch in a vintage-themed parlor. The family-friendly restaurant combines six decades of tradition with consistently fresh ingredients and that distinctive sourdough tang locals have loved for generations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sourdough Specialty Pizza, Gourmet Combination, Classic Pepperoni
What makes it special: 65-year legacy with award-winning sourdough crust
8.3
Long-running downtown spot for classic Northern Italian pastas, steaks, and seafood with plenty of kid-friendly choices. Families use it for relaxed dinners where service is attentive and pacing is predictable.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Piccata, Linguine alle Vongole, Penne alla Vodka
What makes it special: Downtown mainstay with a broad menu and steady, accommodating service.
8.3
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Birthday & Celebration Central
Business Lunch Power Players
Hidden Gems Heaven
Chef Bilardi Carteli brings 30 years of Italian training from Bologna and Tuscany to this refined downtown trattoria. Daily off-menu specials reflect market availability, while homemade pasta and fresh seafood anchor a menu praised for authenticity and technique.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chilean Sea Bass with Risotto, Homemade Cannoli, Daily Chef Specials
What makes it special: Chef trained in Bologna and Tuscany creates authentic regional dishes
8.2
Italian–Argentine plates served on a leafy rear patio with partial cover and heaters. Empanadas and house pastas lead the way alongside approachable mains.
Must-Try Dishes:
Empanadas, Rigatoni bolognese, Lomo saltado
What makes it special: Heater-equipped garden patio tucked behind Main Street.
8.0
Casual Italian favorite known for approachable pastas, cioppino, and kid-friendly portions. Street-side seating and quick pacing make it easy for family meals downtown.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cioppino, Chicken Marsala, Shrimp Scampi
What makes it special: Reliable Italian comforts with quick, family-friendly pacing.
Worthy Picks
7.9
Italian-leaning bistro with pastas, chops, and cioppino; brunch and kids-friendly options make it versatile for families. Service is welcoming and the menu spans mild to adventurous.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Parmigiana, Spaghetti Carbonara, SF-Style Cioppino
What makes it special: Broad, family-friendly Italian menu with brunch and dinner service.
7.9
This upscale Italian restaurant brings Neapolitan thin-crust pizzas crafted by a certified Master Pizzaiolo from Naples alongside house-made pastas and small plates. Part of the Locanda restaurant group, it offers authentic Italian hospitality with a full bar and charming patio dining.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita Pizza, Diavola Pizza, Prosciutto e Arugula
What makes it special: Certified Master Pizzaiolo from Naples