Diners' Choice: Italian restaurants in East Bay

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Italian cuisine in East Bay? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Montecatini Restaurant - Walnut Creek

4.8

4.8 (787)

$30 and under

Italian

Walnut Creek

About the restaurant

Montecatini is a stable for Walnut Creek as it opened October 17, 1989, the day of the Loma Prieta earthquake in California. Since then, Montecatini Ristorante has become a place for "regulars" to enjoy a true Italian dining experience. We are a loud and bustling environment where many have come to say we're like family. All our dishes are meticulously prepared with the finest and freshest ingredients. Our pastas and entrees are served piping hot from our kitchen to your table.

Montecatini has been awarded "Best of East Bay" for Best Italian Restaurant in the East Bay Area by Diablo Magazine for several years. As of January 2022 our chef, Ermes Paulin, has passed ownership down to two of Montecatini's long-time employees, Terrance and Taylor George. They plan to keep Montecatini thriving on its "old school" vibe while enhancing the cocktail and wine program. So come in and experience Montecatini for yourself and see what a true hidden gem we are!

Top review

Angela

Dined 1 day ago

We always have great dining experiences at Montecatini. From the minute we are greeted by the energetic host, to the hours we spend dining on delicious food and drinks, to the attentive servers and hellos from owners Terrance & Taylor, we will continue going back for more. Thank you!

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Experience

Daily Happy Hour from Open - 6:30PM

Via del Corso

4.8

4.8 (1374)

$30 and under

Italian

Berkeley

About the restaurant

a destination
… is really just a place you are going along your way. When you enter Via del Corso, you may feel as if you are in any trattoria in Florence, Rome, or any other place in Italy. In the heart of North Berkeley, we bring you a place to relax, restore, dine and have drinks with family and friends. Leave the outside world outside for a moment. It is our pleasure to welcome you to Via del Corso.

Top review

Susan

Dined 4 days ago

This is a first class restaurant with outstanding service and divine food. I can't wait to return to enjoy another tempting menu item.

Pasta's Trattoria - Pleasanton

4.7

4.7 (830)

$31 to $50

Italian

Pleasanton

About the restaurant

Taste the difference in "Northern Italian" cuisine by sampling from our new exciting menu which includes famous pasta dishes, as well as great steaks, and fresh seafood. Pasta's Trattoria offers a full service bar with a fabulous variety of libations and a wide selection of regional wines to satisfy even the most sophisticated of connoisseurs. The restaurant provides a warm, friendly atmosphere, and an attentive wait staff that will cater to your every need.

Planning a rehearsal dinner, special event, or business meeting? Pasta's offers a semi private and/or private banquet room. Danielle our Director of Catering will work with you and your budget to plan and customize your special event.

Join our e-mail newsletter (found on our website) for special events and VIP discounts!

Top review

Ellen

Dined on May 2, 2025

We can always depend on a good meal and good service at Pastas.

Montesacro Walnut Creek

4.7

4.7 (540)

$31 to $50

Italian

Walnut Creek

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of Walnut Creek, Montesacro introduces Pinsa and pays homage to Roman culinary traditions.

Top review

Gurpaul

Dined 2 days ago

Closest thing you’ll have to pasta from Italy itself, truly delicious, light, flavorful, and utterly divine

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4.8

4.8 (1090)

$30 and under

Italian

Oakland

About the restaurant

Just like the small family-owned trattorias of Italy, Marzano is simple, rustic, and generous in spirit. Executive Chef, Robert Holt, draws his inspiration from Southern-Italy, with an emphasis on wood-fired Neapolitan pizza.

Top review

Bill

Dined 4 days ago

Outside seating was perfect for dinner with our son, daughter-in-law and 6 month old. Service was efficient and the food was excellent - shared 2 tasty pizzas.

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Experience

25% OFF Bottles of Wine on Wednesday

Experience

Aperetivo O'Clock

Baci Bistro and Bar

4.7

4.7 (980)

$31 to $50

Italian

Pleasanton

About the restaurant

Baci (Kiss in Italian) is an exquisite Italian, Steak and Seafood jewel nestled in the heart of Historic Main Street Pleasanton. Baci is a special place where people come to enjoy great food in a classy causal setting. With an ambiance that is warm and exciting. If it is catering, dining, take out or delivery, our team of dedicated professionals are eager to serve you. We accept reservations of parties of five or more through Open Table and parties of four are less are welcome walk-ins. Please feel free to call us on approximate seating time wait if any for parties of four or less. 925-600-0600.

Top review

Alisa

Dined today

Great service, delicious food and good ambiance. I come here about once every two months for dinner with the family. We usually come here to celebrate birthdays or Mother’s Day or Father’s Day. I also love their downtown location. We will be back again soon sometime next month.

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Popular dish

Chicken Parmesan

Melo's Italian Table

4.7

4.7 (340)

$31 to $50

Italian

Walnut Creek

About the restaurant

Chef John Paul Piccolo, studied culinary arts at the ICIF prestigious Castle of Costigliole d’Asti in Italy. He has now brought his expertise and passion for food to Walnut Creek. With his extensive knowledge of Italian cuisine, he has crafted a menu filled with delicious and authentic dishes that are sure to satisfy any palate. From homemade focaccia to mouthwatering pizzas, every bite is a taste of Italy. Whether you're craving a classic Margherita pizza, a gourmet salad or a hearty plate of lasagna, this new restaurant is the place to be for a truly memorable dining experience.

Top review

Debbie

Dined today

We all decided on pizza. My husband and I normally go to the Mello's in Pleasant Hill but we had out of town guests with a small dog so Mello's in Walnut Creek was the place. Pizza was delicious just as good if not better than PH location. We ended up ordering an 2 additional large pizzas they were so good. Got the combo. Service very good we will definitely come back.

Paradiso - San Leandro

4.7

4.7 (2107)

$31 to $50

Italian

San Leandro

About the restaurant

Welcome to Paradiso! We are open daily from 11:30am to 9:00 pm (closing at 9:30pm on Friday & Saturday). Whether you are looking for a birthday, anniversary, romantic dinner for two, corporate event in our private dining room, or anything in between, your great experience is waiting for you. With our award winning Level 2 Wine Spectator list, craft cocktail program, and "everything made from scratch" menu, Paradiso's California inspired Italian seafood and steakhouse has been a crowd favorite for nearly three decades. By booking your anniversary with us on open table, you get a anniversary Gift Card, so come celebrate with us! We also have takeout and delivery available, please check our website for hours and details.

Top review

Stacy

Dined 2 days ago

Brunch was a much quieter and enjoyable experience. Excellent Bellini!!

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De La Torre's Trattoria

4.7

4.7 (1458)

$30 and under

Italian

Pleasanton

About the restaurant

De La Torre's is a quintessential Italian trattoria. Our recipe is not a secret- we prepare and serve delicious food using quality ingredients. The menu is distinctly Italian offering trattoria classics and our hallmark special menu which changes daily to accentuate the freshness of locally grown produce, naturally raised meats and freshly caught fish presented in numerous creative dishes.

The wine list showcases exceptional and unusual varietals from small producers and family wineries in Italy and in California.

The service is friendly, efficient and professional.

Simply put, we feature delectable food at a fair price, food people want to eat everyday.

Top review

Janice

Dined 5 days ago

We had a wonderful lunch. I invited five people who has not been to De la torre before and all the ladies enjoyed it very much. The food and service was exceptional. Thank you for letting us get together to enjoy a time of great food and fellowship together after not seeing each other for many years.

Enoteca Molinari

4.8

4.8 (615)

$31 to $50

Italian

Oakland

About the restaurant

Enoteca Molinari is an Italian restaurant & wine bar (with heated outdoor seating) that specializes in house-made pasta and Italian dishes using local and seasonal ingredients. Enjoy our all Italian wine list and don't forget to try some dessert.

Please make sure to give us 24 hours of notice if you can't make your reservation.

Thank you for your understanding!

Grazie mille!

Top review

Ethan

Dined on Jun 6, 2025

Great food very fresh ingredients. We love to watch the chef prepare the dishes

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