The Top Italian Restaurants and Cafés You Must Try in York
The best Italian restaurants across York
Little Italy
12 Goodramgate
01904 623539
littleitalyrestaurantyork.co.uk
Established in 1992, Little Italy sits perfectly between York Minster and Monk Bar, and is steeped in Italian tradition – perfect for both romantic dinners and family gatherings. Every pasta dish is made from scratch in their kitchen, they take pride in using the best locally-sourced ingredients and each bottle of wine is handpicked to complement your meal. As well as their long list of pasta dishes, diners can look forward to seafood and quality meat, and we love the homemade ravioli with a crab and lobster filling served with a delicate saffron sauce and garnished with king prawns. You’re sure to want to check out Little Italy’s deli before you leave – a treasure trove of fresh Italian produce.
Delrio’s Restaurant
10–12 Blossom Street
01904 622695
delriosrestaurant.com
Owned and managed by Giovanni Delrio and his family since 1992, this quirky cellar restaurant has a strong Sardinian influence. The secluded tables here mean Delrio’s is perfect for romantic meals and a covered patio area means al fresco dining is possible on warmer days. The chefs use traditional methods with locally sourced and fresh Italian produce and diners can expect a range of seafood, poultry and meat dishes as well as homemade pasta and rice dishes, and vegetarian options. Plus, the desserts are made in-house by Delrio’s own pâtissier. Their pizza and cocktails are a must-try – and make sure you save room for the tiramisù.
Enoteca by L’UVA
5 Bridge Street
01904 626900
enotecayork.com
Enoteca is a family-run Italian restaurant in the centre of York. From classic Italian starters to sharing boards and pasta, pizza, risottos and steaks, you’re promised a real taste of Italy here – and there’s a rage of dairy- and gluten-free and vegan options too. Guests will also love the hand-selected wine which has been imported from Italy by their sister company L'uva Italian Wines, and there’s also a great range of Italian beers and an impressive cocktail menu here.
La Vecchia Scuola
62 Low Petergate
01904 644600
lavecchiascuola.co.uk
Situated in a 300-year-old building, La Vecchia Scuola brings contemporary Italian cooking to York with recipes handed down from generation to generation. Previously York College for Girls, there’s school memorabilia dotted throughout the restaurant in a nod to its past. Pasta, risotto, salads, pizzas and a whole range of main courses make up the menu and we love the sound of the slow-cooked lamb shoulder rillette and grilled lamb chop served with crushed potatoes, green beans, red wine jus and crispy oyster mushrooms. The homemade tiramisu here is a must-try too.
Valentino’s
78–80 The Mount
01904 733722
valentinoyork.co.uk
Authentic pasta is taken seriously at Valentino’s, a family-run favourite not far from York Racecourse, where skilled chefs make the most of handpicked ingredients (sourced daily) for delightful dishes such as lobster ravioli. But with so many starters to choose from, succulent steaks on the menu and chicken breasts cooked in a variety of ways, you’re spoilt for choice. But the show-stoppers here are always the desserts – they’re serious works of art.
Marzano Italian & Grill
13 Fossgate
01904 611122
marzanoitalian.co.uk
Combining both classic and contemporary Italian dishes, Marzano is a popular Italian in the city. Diners can expect generous portions, a friendly service and great value for money (with set menus available if you time it right). The calzones are bursting with flavour, you’ll refuse to share the sharing platters and you’ll struggle to choose from the never-ending list of pasta and risotto dishes (although we recommend the tagliatelle all carbonara with crispy pancetta in a velvety, cheesy sauce).
Cresci Pizzeria
20 Piccadilly
01904 639395
crescipizzeria.com
With a passion for southern Italy, Armando Imparato and Berardo Caggiano opened Cresci Pizzeria in the heart of York in 2020 and diners have been flocking there for Neapolitan pizza ever since. We love the Calabrese – San Marzano tomato, Fior di Latte mozzarella, sautéed red onions, Spilinga ‘Nduja and Calabrian spianata (a famous Italian spicy salami).
Trinacria
27 Bishopthorpe Road
07516 563022
trinacriayork.uk
Bringing a taste of Sicily to York, visitors to this vibrant restaurant are promised a warm welcome whether they pop in for an espresso, a homemade gelato or a three-course meal with family and friends. The open kitchen means you can see the chefs at work whilst you wait. Try the traditional deep fried rice balls with various fillings and add extra toppings to your pizza for a real treat. Don’t forget to check the board for daily specials.
