These Are The Best 8 Italian Restaurants In Western Pennsylvania Every Foodie Should Try
One of these restaurants sits on top of an inclined plane and serves homemade donuts right after your pasta. I read that twice, and I still love it.
The rest of the list holds its own surprises. One spot serves Italian classics inside an old train station.
Another has been run by three generations of the same family for more than 70 years.
Western Pennsylvania clearly takes its red sauce seriously. I can’t stop thinking about the lobster stuffed ravioli, the scallops, and the gelato seating area waiting across these eight stops.
So which one gets your first fork? I have a feeling the answer depends on how far you’re willing to drive for a really great plate of pasta.
1. Alla Famiglia
Most dinners make you wait for the pasta. At Alla Famiglia, pasta shows up before your main dish even starts.
Each entree comes with a first course of cavatappi alla vodka and a house salad. That’s a generous warm-up, so pace yourself.
The main event can get theatrical, too. The cacio e pepe gets finished tableside inside a giant wheel of aged Romano, as your server spins and folds the fresh pasta until the cheese melts into a glossy, peppery sauce.
Beyond the cheese wheel, the menu leans upscale. Think prime aged steaks, milk-fed veal, homemade pastas, and wild exotic seafood dishes.
Mussels diavolo is a highlight for anyone who likes a little heat. Save room for raspberry tiramisu or a cookie dough cannoli, which sounds like dessert wearing a costume.
The building has its own story. The restaurant later expanded into the old Hilltop movie theater next door, and the new space draws on art deco style.
Alla Famiglia started as a tiny Old World cucina that could seat fewer than a dozen diners. Chef Jonathan Vlasic bought the business in 2005, and he and his wife, Brandy, later grew it into the space next door.
Today the setting stretches across multiple floors. You’ll find an open kitchen, several dining rooms, an outdoor patio, and a private ballroom that can host more than 100 guests.
Planning matters here. Reservations are required, and the dining room is open Monday through Saturday evenings, with Sundays off.
Plant-based diners aren’t left out either. The restaurant has offered a vegan tasting option, so note your preference when you book.
Allentown sits just south of downtown Pittsburgh, so it’s an easy trip for a big night out. Dress up a little and let the cheese wheel do the showing off.
Address: 804 E Warrington Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15210.
2. Colao’s Ristorante
Lake Erie gets plenty of attention for its beaches. Up on Plum Street, though, a small family-owned dining room makes a strong case for pasta.
Colao’s Ristorante keeps things traditional. The menu covers Italian pastas, seafood, and steaks, served in a homey setting that feels more neighborhood than flashy.
Seafood fans should look closely at the scallops amatriciana. Lobster stuffed ravioli is another standout, and it’s hard to argue with lobster tucked inside pasta.
Classic comfort plates hold their ground here. Veal parmigiana and chicken marsala sit on the menu, along with fried calamari for the table to share.
Dessert deserves its own plan. The lemon cake is a menu highlight, and the restaurant has a reputation for sweets worth saving room for.
Hours are simple to remember. Colao’s serves dinner Monday through Saturday from 5 to 9 PM and stays closed on Sundays.
Reservations are recommended, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings. The room is small, so calling ahead is the smart move.
Parking can take a little patience. Street spaces in the area can be tricky to find, so give yourself a few extra minutes.
Vegetarian diners have options, too. The restaurant offers a full vegetarian menu, so nobody at the table has to settle for a side salad.
Erie anchors the northwest corner of Pennsylvania, far from Pittsburgh’s busy food scene. That distance makes a dependable Italian dinner up here feel even more valuable.
If you’re celebrating something, this is a fitting pick. A quiet table, a plate of scallops, and lemon cake make a pretty great evening.
Address: 2826 Plum St, Erie, PA 16508.
3. Olives and Peppers
Trains used to be the big arrival here. Now the real arrival is a plate of chicken parmigiana big enough to need its own ticket.
Olives and Peppers serves classic Italian food inside a historic train station in Greensburg. That setting alone makes lunch feel like a small adventure.
Portions are famously generous. Plan on leftovers, or bring someone who doesn’t mind sharing a giant plate.
The menu sticks with comfort favorites. Chicken alfredo, chicken piccata, and chicken parmigiana are popular picks for hearty appetites.
Want something a little different? The bistecca calzone and wild mushroom gorgonzola bring extra personality to the lineup.
Start light with wedding soup if you’re smart. Then finish with tiramisu, because skipping dessert in a train station feels like missing your stop.
Unlike some spots on this list, Olives and Peppers serves lunch. It opens at noon Wednesday through Saturday and at 11 AM on Sunday.
Mondays and Tuesdays are off days, so plan around them. Friday and Saturday evenings tend to be the busiest stretch.
Reservations are recommended for dinner. A private dining room is also available, which works well for family get-togethers.
Prices land on the friendly side for such big plates. That makes it a strong pick for groups who want plenty of food without a fancy bill.
Greensburg sits in Westmoreland County, east of Pittsburgh. If you’re exploring the area, this makes a handy and memorable meal stop.
History, huge portions, and red sauce all under one roof. Not bad for a building that once just waited on schedules.
Address: 101 Ehalt St #105, Greensburg, PA 15601.
4. Angelo’s Restaurant
Three generations have kept the same family recipe box busy for more than 70 years. That kind of staying power says a lot about a kitchen.
Angelo’s Restaurant in Washington is a family-owned standby. It has served Italian fare to the area for decades, and it still draws a crowd.
The menu feels like a greatest hits album. Meatballs, wedding soup, chicken parm, and shrimp scampi are all highlights.
Angel hair with marinara keeps things simple and classic. Chicken marsala and chicken parmigiana with spaghetti cover the hearty end of the table.
Here’s a fun bonus for dessert lovers. Angelo’s has a gelato seating area, which might be the best reason yet to skip the bread basket.
Hours are generous, too. The restaurant opens at 11 AM daily, so it works for lunch, dinner, or even brunch.
Need room for a crowd? Private dining space is available, and the restaurant is a popular pick for special occasions.
Families will feel at home here. There’s a kids’ menu and high chairs, so little diners can join the meatball fan club early.
Outdoor seating is available when the weather cooperates. Parking is usually easy, with a free lot for guests.
Washington sits in the southwest corner of the state, south of Pittsburgh. Angelo’s has been a dining staple in this area for a long time.
Reservations are recommended for dinner, especially on weekends. Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest times.
Seventy years of recipes is a lot of practice. You get to enjoy the results without washing a single pot.
Address: 2109 N Franklin Dr, Washington, PA 15301.
5. Sal’s Ristorante And Bar
Old-school Italian cooking has a home on Darlington Road. Sal’s has been serving it since 1985, which is longer than some of its fans have been alive.
The setting is casual and quaint. You’ll find a seating area and a patio, so it fits a relaxed weeknight just as easily as a family dinner.
Lasagna leads the menu highlights. It’s the kind of dish that tells you a lot about an Italian kitchen.
Classic plates fill out the rest. Chicken parmesan, chicken marsala, chicken alfredo, and simple spaghetti are all on deck.
Feeling a little rebellious? The buffalo chicken calzone mixes Italian comfort with a Western Pennsylvania love of spicy wings.
There’s even a fish sandwich on the menu. That’s a fun nod to a regional favorite you’ll spot across the area.
Portions run generous, so come with a plan. Splitting an appetizer might be wiser than ordering three.
Hours stretch late on weekends. Sal’s stays open until 11 PM on Friday and Saturday, which is handy for late dinners.
Plan around Tuesdays, though. That’s the one day the restaurant is closed each week.
Vegan and vegetarian diners can relax here. Sal’s offers full vegan and vegetarian menus, which isn’t something every old-school spot can say.
Beaver Falls sits in Beaver County, northwest of Pittsburgh. The free parking lot makes stopping in quick and easy.
Watching a game? The seating area works for sports nights, too.
A plate of lasagna during overtime sounds like a strong game plan.
Address: 2764 Darlington Rd, Beaver Falls, PA 15010.
6. Gallo’s Italian Villa
A weekday lunch buffet full of Italian food is a strong way to fix a Tuesday. Gallo’s Italian Villa offers exactly that in New Castle.
This relaxed restaurant serves pasta, pizza, and salads. The menu covers comfort classics like spaghetti and lasagna, served hot and fresh.
Eggplant parmesan is a menu highlight. It’s a great pick for vegetarians, and honestly, for anyone who loves crispy, cheesy layers.
Budget-minded diners will appreciate the prices. Gallo’s sits at the friendlier end of the cost scale, making it easy to bring the whole family.
Speaking of family, kids are welcome. There’s a kids’ menu, high chairs, and a family-friendly feel throughout.
Got a party to plan? Gallo’s has two banquet rooms, which makes it a solid choice for birthdays, showers, or team dinners.
Dining in isn’t your only choice. The restaurant offers takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery for nights when the couch wins.
Outdoor seating is available, too. Dogs are allowed outside, so your four-legged buddy can join the pasta party.
Hours run long, from 11 AM daily. Gallo’s stays open until 10 PM Monday through Saturday and until 9 PM on Sunday.
A salad station is also part of the setup. It’s a nice way to add some crunch before the pasta arrives.
New Castle sits in Lawrence County, north of Pittsburgh. Parking is usually plentiful, with a free lot on site.
Simple, friendly, and easy on the wallet. Sometimes that’s exactly the Italian dinner you need.
Address: 2420 Wilmington Rd, New Castle, PA 16105.
7. Villa Grande Restaurant & Pizzeria | Italian
Pizza, pasta, and a mom-and-pop feel make a pretty unbeatable trio. Butler has all three wrapped up at one long-standing eatery.
Villa Grande Restaurant and Pizzeria serves homestyle Italian entrees alongside its pizza. It’s family-owned and locally loved.
Chicken romano is a menu highlight worth noticing. It’s not on every Italian menu, which makes it a fun pick.
Chicken parmesan holds down the classic side of things. French onion soup is also a highlight, proving the kitchen doesn’t mind a little detour to France.
Calzones get plenty of attention here, too. If you like your pizza folded and stuffed, you’re in luck.
Prices stay friendly, which makes it easy to come back often. This is a weeknight spot as much as a weekend treat.
Hours couldn’t be simpler. Villa Grande is open seven days a week, from 11 AM to 9 PM.
That means no guessing games about closed days. Lunch on a Monday or dinner on a Sunday both work.
Outdoor seating is available in nicer weather. Takeout and delivery are options when you’d rather eat at home in your comfy socks.
Kids fit right in. There’s a kids’ menu and high chairs, so the whole crew can come along.
Butler sits north of Pittsburgh in Butler County. Parking is usually easy, with a free lot right there.
Save room for dessert, since the sweets get high marks. A calzone followed by dessert is a perfectly reasonable life choice.
Address: 183 New Castle Rd, Butler, PA 16001.
8. Asiago’s Tuscan Italian
Few dinners come with a ride up an inclined plane. Asiago’s Tuscan Italian sits at the top of one, looking out over Johnstown.
The view is the first thing that grabs you. You can see the city and valley from both inside the dining room and the outdoor area.
The food keeps up with the scenery. Asiago’s serves elevated pasta dishes, so this isn’t just a pretty window seat.
Lobster ravioli is a popular pick. Crab dip makes a tasty starter, and veal parmesan holds down the classic side of the menu.
Then come the donuts. Homemade signature donuts are a big part of the Asiago’s identity, and they make a fun finish to an Italian meal.
Pasta followed by donuts with a mountain view? That might be the most Western Pennsylvania dessert plan ever.
The atmosphere leans romantic and historic. It’s a great choice for date night, anniversaries, or showing off the area to visiting friends.
Live music is part of the experience at times. Check ahead if you want a soundtrack with your ravioli.
Hours vary by day, so plan ahead. Asiago’s is closed Monday, opens at 4 PM midweek, and starts at 11:30 AM on weekends.
Reservations are recommended for dinner. Saturday evening is the busiest time, so book early for a sunset table.
Johnstown sits in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania. It’s a scenic drive, and the view at the top rewards the trip.
Come for the pasta, stay for the donuts. The skyline just keeps watching.
Address: 709 Edgehill Dr, Johnstown, PA 15905.