Let’s Eat! The 10+ Best Italian Restaurants
in Columbus, Ohio

Italian food is by far one of the most popular cuisines worldwide and for good reasons. Pizza and pasta are obvious choices for quick and easy dinners but they can be made transcendent with fresh, high-quality ingredients, and traditional cooking techniques. Risotto, tiramisu, and Osso Bucco are other favorites that are more difficult to make at home or get delivered and are worth seeking out.

But making Italian food the right way takes talent and experience. To avoid an unsatisfying experience, head over to one of the spots on this list of the best Italian restaurants in Columbus. You are sure to enjoy a delicious meal with friendly and attentive staff and spend a pleasant evening in the inviting atmosphere the Mediterranean area is known for.

TAT Ristorante Di Famiglia

TAT Ristorante Di Famiglia, as its name indicates, serves authentic family recipes that taste as if they came out of a traditional home. As one of the very first Italian restaurants in Columbus, it has had time to refine its dining experience to please most of the people in the area.

Their menu is pretty extensive, but if you’re hesitating between several dishes, you might want to go for the Sicilian 10 Course meal for under $30 (as of this writing) featuring a glass of wine, Italian salad, homemade soup, homemade spaghetti, veal parmigiana, meatball, Sicilian bread, meat-filled ravioli, homemade Italian sausage, manicotti with ricotta cheese, and Spumoni ice cream.

Or, try the Antipasti Salad (crispy tossed salad seasoned with their own special dressing and topped with crumbled blue cheese, salami, olives, oranges, pepperoncini, and a whisper of oregano), their Deep-Fried Calamari, or their Homemade Cannoli.

Not in the mood to leave the house? They deliver with Slice, DoorDash, and Uber Eats. They also provide a banquet room and party trays for special occasions.

The Best Italian Restaurants in Columbus: TAT Ristorante di Famiglia

Service options: Dine-in · Curbside pickup · No-contact delivery

Address: 1210 S James Rd, Columbus, OH 43227 • (614) 236-1392

Photo Credit: TAT Ristorante Di Famiglia

Basi Italia

This small and intimate spot is known as one of the best Italian restaurants in Columbus by many. You will definitely want to check it out if you’re looking for simple, clean, yet innovative Italian food in the heart of the Victorian Village neighborhood.

Their Baked Ricotta Gnocchi is a plate of delicious, tender morsels served with maple roasted root vegetable and parmesan fonduta, the Prosciutto Wrapped Scallops come with butternut squash, brussels sprouts, and a blood orange glaze, and are a firm favorite among customers, and the Basi Caesar is a reinvented version of the classic salad that will have you asking for seconds.

Basi Italia also serves a variety of red and white wines as well as cocktails, such as the delicious Basi Greyhound made with Tito’s, fresh grapefruit, and St. Elderflower. Can’t find a parking spot? They offer valet parking for your convenience. A great spot for a date night!

Service options: Dine-in · Curbside pickup · Delivery

Address: 811 Highland St, Columbus, OH 43215 • (614) 294-7383

Photo Credit: Basi Italia

Marcella’s

Marcella’s is what you would expect of an authentic Italian restaurant, with a friendly and lively atmosphere that is perfect for big groups. And what’s more, they clearly label their gluten-free dishes and offer gluten-free pizza dough as well, something that is becoming more common but isn’t exactly mainstream.

Some of their best options include the Chicken Parmesan with Linguine, and the Salmon Al Fresco with brick oven tomatoes, kalamata olives, capers, and roasted potatoes. Their Pizzas are some of the best around and come with fresh ingredients like plum tomatoes, sweet basil, Taleggio cheese, pancetta, and more. Meat-eaters won’t want to miss the Braised Veal Meatball appetizer, which they call “the eighth wonder of the world” and customers describe as “melt in your mouth.”

Service options: Dine-in · Curbside pickup · Delivery

Address: 615 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215 • (614) 223-2100

1319 Polaris Pkwy, Columbus, OH 43240 • (614) 844-6500

Photo Credit: Marcella’s

Martini Modern Italian

One of the strongest contenders in this list of the best Italian restaurants in Columbus is Martini Modern Italian, thanks to incredible dishes like the Arancini with gorgonzola, marinara, and parmesan reggiano, the Mushroom Ravioli with porcini, mizuna, and black truffle, the Pennette Alla Vodka with San Marzano tomato sauce, prosciutto di Parma, vodka cream, and mushrooms, and of course the decadent Chocolate Bread Pudding with banana Anglaise, hazelnut chocolate, and warm ganache.

While Martini Modern Italian can get pretty busy, you can often get seated at the bar if you don’t have a reservation. They also have several gluten-free options, which is great with Italian cuisine where menus often center around fresh pasta and pizzas.

Service options: Dine-in · Takeout · No delivery

Address: 445 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215 • (614) 224-8259

Photo Credit: Martini Modern Italian

Lola & Giuseppe’s Trattoria

Grab your phone and make a reservation, because Lola & Giuseppe’s Trattoria can get pretty busy with its loyal customer base. You won’t regret this extra step when you sit down to enjoy their highly-rated dishes. Pick from the long list of highly recommended options, like the Bruschetta with plump, ripe Roma tomatoes with basil, garlic, and olive oil on toasted baguette, the Wedding Soup made from a whole chicken, homemade meatballs, and pasta, the vegetarian portobello Mushroom Ravioli in a spinach and pesto cream sauce, and the tender layered Carrot Cake.

Service options: Dine-in · Takeout · No delivery

Address: 100 Granville St, Columbus, OH 43230 • (614) 473-9931

Photo Credit: Lola & Giuseppe’s Trattoria

Forno Kitchen + Bar

Cozy indoors in the winter and with a beautiful sunny patio in the summer, Forno Kitchen + Bar is the perfect spot for great Italian food year-round with a great view of the city to boot. And while many Italian restaurants focus on wine for their alcoholic beverages, here, you can get fantastic cocktails like their Frosé 12 with frozen rosé wine, Wheatley vodka, Pamplemousse, fresh strawberries, lemon juice, and sugar, or their Jumbo Martini with Saltwater woody grapefruit rum, Lichi-Li liqueur, cranberry, lime, and mango white claw.

But the stars of the menu are their Pizzas made with fresh, hand-mixed dough made daily and finished in their custom-made stone-fired oven at 750 degrees, and their main meals like the vegetarian Eggplant Parmesan, Baked Lobster Rotini, and Confit Chicken Marsala with mushroom risotto. Forno Kitchen + Bar often gets very busy so don’t forget to reserve a table, and avoid peak times if you prefer quiet dinners.

Service options: Dine-in · Takeout · No delivery

Address: 721 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215 • (614) 469-0053

Photo Credit: Forno Kitchen + Bar

Trattoria Roma

Located in the heart of Grandview, Trattoria Roma prides itself on serving authentic Italian dishes with a fine-dining experience. With very reasonable prices, locally sourced ingredients, and friendly staff, it’s easy to see why it is considered one of the best Italian restaurants in Columbus. Those with gluten sensitivities and allergies can feel safe knowing that the right precautions are taken for them.

Try the Crispy Polenta with caramelized onions, baby portabellas, and balsamic-gorgonzola cream sauce, the Taste of Italy (a trio of lasagne, chicken parmesan, and fettuccine Alfredo), the Lasagne with sausage and beef tomato ragu, ricotta, spinach, and slow-cooked marinara, and the Limoncello Tiramisu made with whipped mascarpone cheese and lady fingers with a limoncello accent.

Service options: Dine-in · Curbside pickup · No-contact delivery

Address: 1447 Grandview Ave, Columbus, OH 43212 • (614) 488-2104

Photo Credit: Trattoria Roma

Pasqualone’s

Pasqualone’s is not only one of the best Italian restaurants in Columbus, but it is also one of the best dining spots in the city in general. Go there for a casual dinner or for a special occasion, and you will be treated like family by the chef himself as well as the rest of the staff. Located in the Columbus Square Shopping Center and with less than 10 tables, it may not look like much from the outside, but don’t be fooled! The menu is excellent.

You will love the broiled Escargot with breadcrumbs and a white wine shallot butter sauce, the Antipasto platter loaded with fresh mozzarella, vine-ripened tomatoes, prosciutto di Parma, Genoa salami, Soppressata salami, capicola, imported olives, pepperoncini, and imported Fior de Sardegna cheese, the braised pork shoulder Lasagna, and Cannoli.

Reservations are required.

Service options: Dine-in · Takeout · No delivery

Address: 5766 Emporium Square, Columbus, OH 43231 • (614) 890-2070

Photo Credit: Pasqualone’s

Villa Nova Ristorante

Villa Nova Ristorante is a family-owned, “mom and pop” style establishment that first opened in 1978. There, you will find large portions of freshly made Italian dishes that have earned hundreds of perfect 5-star reviews over the years. Look around and you will find the owner’s extensive teapot and pressure gauge collection.

Customer favorites include the Shrimp and Crab entrée, the Fried ravioli, the renowned Pizzas (with gluten-free options), and of course the homemade desserts like the Butter Cake and Chocolate Cherry Bread Pudding.

Service options: Dine-in · Curbside pickup

Address: 5545 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214 • (614) 846-5777

Photo Credit: Villa Nova Ristorante

Giuseppe’s Ritrovo

A cozy spot with indoor and outdoor seating, Giuseppe’s Ritrovo is the place in Columbus for martinis and Italian classics, with Giuseppe himself on the premises, making each customer feel like they’re family. We could write lengthy paragraphs with all the mouth-watering options available on the menu but instead will limit ourselves to just a few. Don’t hesitate to venture out of these recommendations, as they offer dishes and wine from a different region of Italy each month!

The Burrata with cherry tomatoes, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar is fresh and fragrant, the Halibut with capellini, tomatoes, capers, and kalamata olives is flavorful is perfectly cooked, the Smoked Chicken Ravioli with Parmigiano Reggiano cream sauce is filling and comforting, and the Ricotta & Pistachio Sponge Cake and Profiteroles are everything you would expect from the most high-end restaurants.

Service options: Dine-in · Curbside pickup · No delivery

Address: 2268 E Main St, Columbus, OH 43209 • (614) 235-4300

Photo Credit: Giuseppe’s Ritrovo

Claudiana Italian Restaurant

When it comes to flavorful, made-to-order Italian dishes, the staff at Claudiana Italian Restaurant knows what it’s doing, as everything from the bread and butter basket to the desserts is cooked to perfection

The Caesar Salad, with crispy romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, homemade croutons, and hard-boiled eggs with the classic dressing, the Lasagna, made from homemade pasta sheets layered with homemade meat sauce, Italian cheeses, and tomato basil sauce, and the Fettuccini Alla Romana with smoked ham, fresh mushrooms and peas tossed with their homemade fettuccini pasta and creamy Alfredo sauce, are all safe bets.

Service options: Dine-in · Takeout · No delivery

Address: 8475 Sancus Blvd, Columbus, OH 43240 • (614) 846-2236

Photo Credit: Claudiana Italian Restaurant

Z Cucina di Spirito

Last but not least on our list of the best Italian restaurants in Columbus is Z Cucina di Spirito. With its romantic candlelit atmosphere, made-from-scratch dishes, and generous wine servings, it is the perfect pick for a date night but is also great for large parties and special events.

Some of the highlights include the Calamari Fritti with chile mayo and crispy buttermilk vegetables, the Mussels Alla Diavola with roasted tomato, marsala, oyster leaf, and guanciale, the Lamb Shank with new potato, Castelvetrano olives, and borage, and the Rock Shrimp Triangoli with paprika-honey butter, mushroom, and artichoke, with optional Spoonbill caviar or Pacific sturgeon caviar.

While the menu doesn’t have a huge amount of plant-based dishes, the staff will be more than happy to make special meals centered around your dietary preferences.

Service options: Dine-in · Takeout · No-contact delivery

Address: 1368 Grandview Ave, Columbus, OH 43212 • (614) 486-9200

Photo Credit: Z Cucina di Spirito

Joanna Steven
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