Best Italian Food in Vancouver - The MICHELIN Guide (2024)

Ask for Luigi

305 Alexander St., V6A 1C4 Vancouver

$$$ · Italian

Pasta is the order of the day here, whether that’s pappardelle with rich duck ragu or bigoli with an abundance of shellfish; dishes that are as generous in size as they are in flavor—many plates are large enough for two. If you can take on Luigi’s meatballs and still finish your pasta dish, then take a bow.

Bacaro

1029 W. Cordova St., V6C 0B9 Vancouver

$$$ · Italian

The address may be Vancouver, but this spot is decidedly Venetian with its menu leaning toward the art of cicchetti, or small bites enjoyed on the go while quaffing a glass of wine. Some of the best include sardines in saor, and fusilloni, enrobed in a veal and pork ragu with chanterelles and red wine-braised snails, is nothing short of divine.

Carlino

1115 Alberni St., V6E 1A5 Vancouver

$$$ · Italian

The cuisine here is inspired by Friuli, in Northern Italy (as well as neighboring Trentino-Alto Adige and Veneto) and reflects the area’s Slavic and Germanic influences—think braised cabbage agrodolce with pork cutlet Milanese. The menu displays a typically Italian devotion to simplicity, celebrating seasonal produce from local farms.

Fiorino, Italian Street Food

212 E. Georgia St., V6A 1Z7 Vancouver

$$ · Italian

Giovanni "Gio" Mascagni presides over this serious Italian place where the bread-making skills he learned in Tuscany are on full display. At lunch, focaccia sandwiches and schiacciata, like the one stuffed with guanciale, drizzled with honey and spread with walnut crema, are the hot ticket. At dinner, it's all about pasta.

acquafarina

425 W. Georgia St., V6B 5A1 Vancouver

$$$$ · Italian

Chef Jefferson Alvarez originally meant to open as a pizzeria, which explains the large wood-burning ovens perched up above the room. But this pivot to fine dining (and a tasting menu to boot) is less severe than it seems. Diners can still order a la carte, including pizzas at lunch.

per se Social Corner

891 Homer St., V6B 2W2 Vancouver

$$$ · Italian

They may occupy a corner location, but this well-run establishment deserves center stage. It's the sort of place where you might pop in for a tapa or two one night, then return a few nights later to tuck into a heartier pasta.Lobster & crab ravioli in a chipotle coconut milk reduction is a top pick.

Cioppino's

1133 Hamilton St., V6B 5P6 Vancouver

$$$$ · Mediterranean Cuisine

This big, bold restaurant has been part of the city’s restaurant landscape for over 20 years and was an early pioneer in this part of town. The menu offers a roll call of classic Italian and Mediterranean dishes, from calamari and cannoli to prosciutto and pappardelle; all executed with care and craftsmanship.

Osteria Savio Volpe

615 Kingsway, V5T 3K5 Vancouver

$$$ · Italian

Dig in to warm and tender garlic knots studded with black pepper and a thatch of grated pecorino. Sop up every last dot of the piquant marinara—it's worth the additional charge. Thinly sliced beef carpaccio is plated in traditional fashion, then topped with a flavorful leek-accented aioli, and creste di gallo is an ideal pasta for the richly flavored lamb ragu with zippy sage and pecorino.

Magari by Oca

1260 Commercial Dr., V5L 2T6 Vancouver

$$ · Contemporary

A window opens onto an open kitchen here, so consider the specials, then peek into the pasta rolling station. A salad of romaine and chicory with oil-cured anchovy fillets and roasted red peppers is elegant in its simplicity. Tagliatelle with a wine-rosemary braised rabbit ragu is especially satisfying.

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