Best Date Night Magic Italian Restaurants in Walnut Creek
4 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Montecatini Ristorante
Decades-strong kitchen led by Chef Ermes Paulin with meticulous classics.
Notable Picks
8.6
White-tablecloth Northern Italian mainstay since 1989 with precise pastas and gracious pacing. Locals book it for anniversaries and classic, unhurried dinners where the kitchen still executes old-school favorites with care.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lasagna Casalinga (beef & veal, tomato-cream), Gamberi Scampi, Tortellini Montecatini
What makes it special: Decades-strong kitchen led by Chef Ermes Paulin with meticulous classics.
8.3
Old-school Italian with warm service across from the Lesher Center, serving generous pastas and veal with steady execution. A reliable pick for pre-theater dinners and relaxed date nights.
Must-Try Dishes:
Frutti di mare, Osso buco (when offered), Zabaglione
What makes it special: Long-running supper-club energy with generous portions and hospitality.
8.2
Family-run since 1996 with intimate booths and a traditional menu tuned for conversation. Sauced-right pastas and attentive pacing make it a dependable choice for relaxed, classic Italian dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
House Lasagna (béchamel & meat sauce), Pappardelle al Ragu, Veal Scaloppine
What makes it special: Conversation-first dining room with handmade pastas and steady execution.
Worthy Picks
7.6
Polished trattoria with regional pastas and professional service, suited for business lunches that stretch into white-tablecloth dinners. The Lasagna Ferrarese leans porcini and béchamel for a richer profile.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lasagna Ferrarese (meat ragu, porcini, béchamel), Tagliatelle Bolognese, Gnocchi al Sugo di Cinghiale
What makes it special: Region-driven pasta program with polished service and patio options.