The 10 Best Nevada Italian Restaurants In Reno And Carson City, Ranked
Walls covered in customer signatures say a lot about a dining room. So do ravioli presses that crossed an ocean to get there.
Nevada serves Italian food with real history behind it. Some kitchens have stayed in the same family since the sixties.
Another earned a national title for a single plate of pasta. Who knew mushroom ravioli could become famous?
The range runs from red-sauce classics to modern house-made pasta. A dining room even nods to Sinatra with its decor.
Do you crave meatballs, seafood lasagna, or gluten-free noodles? There is a table on this list for each of those cravings.
I love how these cooks treat old recipes like family heirlooms. Their sauces took generations to perfect.
So which plate in Nevada should you chase first?
1. Johnny’s Ristorante Italiano
Family ownership since 1966 is a long run for any restaurant. Johnny’s Ristorante Italiano has kept that going on West Fourth Street in Reno.
The setting feels old-school and elegant.
The menu leans upmarket, and pasta is the star. Seafood lasagna shows up on Fridays and Saturdays as a special.
Sausage lasagna, shrimp scampi, and calamari fritti round out the favorites.
Garlic bread gets plenty of love here, so save room for it. Parmesan Crusted Petrale Sole comes with a lemon-cream sauce, angel-hair pasta, tomatoes, and basil.
Osso Buco is another signature plate.
Pizza Piacenza is a fun change of pace. It’s topped with prosciutto, grilled asparagus, and white truffle oil.
Not your usual pie.
The view adds a nice touch to dinner. The room looks out over a panoramic scene.
That makes it a solid pick for a milestone night.
Dinner is served Tuesday through Saturday from 5 to 9 in the evening. Reservations are recommended, since Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings tend to be the busiest.
A full vegetarian menu is available too.
The kitchen also sends out dessert, so plan on finishing with something sweet. For a long-running Nevada classic, this one earns its spot at the top.
Address: 4245 W 4th St, Reno, NV 89523
2. La Strada
Food Network once named a pasta from this kitchen the best in the country. That was 2019, and the honor went to the Mushroom Ravioli.
It’s still the signature dish at La Strada.
You’ll find the restaurant inside Eldorado Reno in downtown Reno.
The dining room has a rustic, European-inspired feel. Brick accents give the space some character.
Pasta is made fresh daily in the Eldorado Pasta Shop. That means the ravioli, carbonara, and pappardelle bolognese all start from scratch.
Wood-fired pizzas are on the menu too.
Meat lovers have options. Osso buco and grilled veal chops sit alongside prosciutto-wrapped prawns.
A grilled rib eye and a panzanella salad also have their fans.
The restaurant has also picked up several Best of Reno awards.
A private dining room is available for groups. It’s a fine place to mark a special night in Nevada.
Dinner is served nightly except Tuesday, starting at 5 in the evening. Friday and Saturday run until 10.
Reservations are recommended.
Address: 345 N Virginia St, Reno, NV 89501
3. Cucina Lupo
Sinatra fans will feel right at home on North Curry Street. The decor at Cucina Lupo nods to Ol’ Blue Eyes.
It sets a fun tone before the first bite.
The kitchen makes pasta, bread, and salumi in house. Short Rib Ravioli comes with Wagyu beef, mushrooms, demi glace, and truffle mascarpone.
Pappardelle Bolognese uses Park Ranch beef and pork.
Ingredients come from Northern Nevada, and the menu changes with the seasons. Cast iron focaccia and pull-apart cheese bread with a frico crust start the meal.
Burrata, crispy polenta, and an antipasto board are other starters.
Lunch fans get a treat. A chicken parmesan sandwich and meatball sandwiches show up on the menu.
Spaghetti and Meatballs and Chicken Piccata cover the classics.
Tiramisu and budino finish things off. You can eat indoors or on the patio.
Dogs are allowed outside, and kids have their own menu.
Hours run Tuesday through Saturday, from 11:30 in the morning to 8:30 at night. Cucina Lupo is closed Sunday and Monday.
Reservations are recommended for dinner.
Address: 308 N Curry St, Carson City, NV 89703
4. Mario’s Portofino
Booths line the room, and the feel is pure old-school Italian. Mario’s Portofino sits in Midtown Reno.
It’s just minutes off the freeway.
The menu sticks to Italian classics. Pasta and risotto share space with wrapped shrimp and ravioli in bolognese sauce.
A ravioli special pops up too.
Old-country recipes are part of the pitch here, and the classic menu gets a lot of attention.
The setting suits a relaxed dinner.
You can dine in, order takeout, or pick up at the curb. Outdoor seating is available as well.
A private dining room works for bigger gatherings.
Hours stretch a bit longer than at many neighbors. The restaurant opens at 4 in the evening Monday through Thursday.
Friday and Saturday run until 9:30.
Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest times. Quieter nights, such as Sunday and Wednesday, make a calmer choice.
Reservations are recommended.
It’s a handy pick for a relaxed Nevada dinner. High chairs are available for little ones.
Address: 1505 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89502
5. Casale’s Halfway Club
Elvira Casale’s original presses and rolling pins still make the ravioli. The restaurant opened in 1937, started by Italian immigrants John and Elvira Casale.
It’s Reno’s oldest continuously family-owned restaurant.
The vibe is unfussy and throwback. Casale’s calls itself a family place, and recipes have passed through four generations.
The dining room is small, with about 10 tables. Customer signatures cover the walls.
Lasagna is made from scratch, and meatballs are rolled by hand. Spaghetti, lasagna, and ravioli come with red sauce.
Garlic bread, minestrone, and a house salad round out a meal.
Personal pizzas and half-and-half lasagna are on the menu too.
Plan ahead on payment. It’s cash only, with an ATM on site.
Parking can be tight, so allow a few extra minutes.
Hours run Tuesday through Saturday, from 11 in the morning to 8 at night. It’s closed Sunday and Monday.
This is a true slice of Nevada history.
Address: 2501 E 4th St, Reno, NV 89512
6. La Famiglia
Spaghetti and meatballs here goes by its Italian name, spaghetti con le polpette di carne. That’s a fun hint at the Old-World approach.
La Famiglia serves polished classics in a laid-back, modern space.
Pasta is homemade. House Ravioli is a vegetarian pick.
Lobster ravioli comes with a lobster tail.
Truffle Mushroom Sacchetti and Seared Citrus Scallops are among the favorites. Lasagna and cannelloni with Alfredo have fans too.
Portions run big.
Dessert gets attention. House-made cheesecake, panna cotta with fresh berries, and cannoli are on offer.
A fireplace and rooftop seating add some charm.
Wednesday brings half-off appetizers. Thursday brings a special perk for entree orders.
Those deals are a nice bonus.
Dinner is served Monday through Saturday, from 5 to 8:30 in the evening. Sunday is a day off.
Saturday evening is the busiest, so book ahead. Street parking can take some patience in downtown Reno.
Address: 170 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89501
7. Marcolino’s Italia
Dinner in a landmark building is hard to beat. Marcolino’s Italia now sits in the former Rapscallion building on Wells Avenue.
The kitchen makes pasta by hand and serves signature desserts. Chicken Piccata and Mushroom Ravioli are popular.
Fresh seafood dishes are on the menu too.
Cannoli comes from the house dessert menu.
Garlic bread and zucchini get shout-outs as well. Portions are well sized.
It bills itself as fine-casual, and it fits in Midtown Reno. Lunch and dinner are both served.
Organic dishes and a full vegetarian menu add choice.
A fireplace, outdoor seating, and a private dining room give you options. Catering is available too.
Curbside pickup and delivery help on busy nights.
Hours run Tuesday through Saturday, from 11:30 in the morning to 9 at night. It’s closed Sunday and Monday.
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings are the busiest. Reservations are recommended.
Address: 1555 S Wells Ave, Reno, NV 89502
8. Ti Amo Italian Grille
Roasted garlic and fresh bread kick things off here. Ti Amo Italian Grille serves them before the hearty pasta arrives.
It’s an easy way to start dinner.
The restaurant sits on South Carson Street in Carson City.
The dining room is quiet and comfortable, set apart from the casino floor. A working fireplace adds some charm.
The menu mixes old-country recipes with new takes. Wood-fired pizzas and fresh salads share space with seafood, steak, chicken, and veal.
Gorgonzola-stuffed mushrooms and a signature cioppino are among the starters.
Seafood Lasagna, Spaghetti and Meatballs, and Manicotti are on offer. So are Sausage and Peppers Arrabiata and Home Style Lasagna.
House-made gelato wraps up the meal.
The mood works for birthdays and family dinners. High chairs are available.
Prices are friendly for the portions.
Dinner runs Wednesday through Sunday, from 4 to 9 in the evening. It’s closed Monday and Tuesday.
Address: 3800 S Carson St, Carson City, NV 89701
9. Zozo’s Ristorante
Exposed brick walls frame the room at Zozo’s Ristorante. The setting is cozy and informal.
It suits a relaxed date night.
Lobster ravioli gets a lot of love. It comes in a rich, creamy sauce.
Sauteed shrimp scampi and cioppino are also crowd favorites.
The menu focuses on hearty Italian staples. A full vegetarian menu is available.
Dessert is part of the experience.
Lunch is an option here. Weekday service includes a midday window.
That’s handy if dinner crowds aren’t your thing.
Hours run Tuesday through Friday for lunch, from 11:30 in the morning to 2 in the afternoon. Dinner starts at 4:30 most days and ends at 8:30 or 9.
The restaurant is closed Monday. Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest.
Prices are friendly for a sit-down meal. Kids are welcome, and high chairs are on hand.
It’s a nice neighborhood stop in Nevada.
Address: 3446 Lakeside Dr, Reno, NV 89509
10. La Cucina
Gluten-free pasta is a real draw here. La Cucina offers it alongside handcrafted pasta and wood-fired pizzas.
The family behind Johnny’s Ristorante Italiano owns it.
The menu runs wide. Fettuccine Alfredo, Baked Rigatoni, and Porcini and Truffle Ravioli are on offer.
Veal Piccata covers the classics.
Seafood fans have choices too. Shrimp Scampi and Tuscan Grilled Salmon sit on the menu.
The Tuscan salmon gets glowing praise.
Salads and sandwiches fill out lunch. Cashell Salad has apples, dried cherries, bacon, and gorgonzola.
Bruschetta and Johnny’s Garlic Bread are easy starters.
A patio is open in spring and summer. Free WiFi is available, and kids have their own menu.
It’s a friendly pick for families.
The doors are open daily, from 11 in the morning to 9 at night. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings are the busiest.
Weekday afternoons are quieter. It’s a steady Nevada favorite.
Address: 3600 Lakeside Dr, Reno, NV 89509