Anyone who thinks authentic Italian cuisine requires a passport hasn’t dined in Novato. From family-run trattorias to modern osterias that honor tradition while embracing California’s bounty, these restaurants share one essential quality: soulful cooking. Here are our favorite Italian spots in Novato that transport you straight to the boot.
Valenti & Co. Ristorante
$$$ | (415) 454-7800 | WEBSITE
Valenti & Co. Ristorante in San Anselmo is an Italian spot that (quite fittingly) has the feel of a cozy Piedmontese trattoria. It’s also a place that promises to change how you think about northern Italian cooking with its knack for turning simple ingredients into something like the juicy pear salad with radicchio.
Most dishes at this authentic Italian institution are delicious, and there’s no other place in Marin that makes eating traditional creations like mondeghili meatballs or seafood bolognese feel as welcoming.
Cucina Paradiso
$$ | (707) 782-1130 | WEBSITE
Cucina Paradiso delivers on authentic Italian cooking with its fresh pasta and seafood. The menu at this lively Petaluma spot covers classic ground, from generous plates of linguine with clams, Branzino Meditteraneo baked with Vera Cruz salsa, and striped sea bass that arrives perfectly flaky. We’re yet to try something at Cucina Paradiso that disappoints, but if you’re indecisive, the attentive servers will point to the wine selection that pairs beautifully with every dish.
Café Arrivederci
$$ | (415) 453-6427 | WEBSITE
Whenever someone asks us where to get classic Italian food in Novato, we usually send them straight to Café Arrivederci in Marin County. Walk into their warm and cozy dining room and you’ll be instantly greeted by the smell of simmering sauces. Their well-executed menu covers family favorites like gnocchi, risotto, and complimentary focaccia bread, all made with care and flavor.
Our go-to items here are the creamy and flavorful gnocchi, and the tender and juicy risotto con brasatto amped up with herbs and garlic.
Cafe Villa
$$ | (415) 459-6161 | WEBSITE
Cafe Villa sits humbly on the same property as a motel, where you’ll now find a mix of calamari fritti, pappardelle with beef brisket ragu, and prime rib with mashed potatoes and vegetables. As you might guess from the location, the ambiance here is simple, but while the traditional Italian family recipes are solid, the perfectly dressed Cesar salad and generous shrimp appetizer should be your priority.
We also love that the restaurant makes efforts to improve the space, with a small neighborhood feel, Happy Hour options, and friendly staff passionate about their work.
The Speakeasy Novato
$$$ | (415) 883-7793 | WEBSITE
Italian dining in Novato offers plenty of options, but The Speakeasy Novato stands out as a true hidden gem in a small shopping mall. This longtime local favorite (with a well-deserved regular following) specializes in dishes like tender petrale sole and perfectly cooked pork chop. Expect a menu of classic comfort foods like Caesar salad and fish and chips that’s been prepared with exceptional attention to detail.
Stop by for a fun weeknight dinner and order the club sandwich with fries, which comes with generous portions and vibrant flavors, plus incredible cocktails and nice piano music in the background.
Red Boy Pizza
$$ | (415) 258-0420 | WEBSITE
Pizza lovers who dream of finding that perfect late-night slice (we know you’re out there) will find their answer at Red Boy Pizza. This cozy pizza spot in San Rafael bakes its pies until the crust is perfectly crisp, and all of its salsa is made in-house. Whether you’re grabbing takeout or sitting in the small dining area, both the classic pepperoni and the creative options, like the Hawaiian with salami, black olives, and pineapple, satisfy that deep pizza craving.
Red Boy Pizza – Fairfax
$ | (415) 453-3138 | WEBSITE
The cozy, warm atmosphere and convenient location next to a 711 are reasons we like stopping by Red Boy Pizza, but the excellent thin-crust pizza is why you should make it a destination. This Novato spot does delicious classic pies with fresh ingredients, like a perfectly crisp margherita, a pepperoni with just the right amount of grease, and a veggie pizza that’s better than most in the area.
The friendly, accommodating staff makes you feel right at home, though be prepared for prices that might run a bit higher than expected—our recent meal for two came to around $45 with drinks. Still, the overall experience is absolutely worth it.
Fregene’s Pizza
$ | (707) 762-7000 | WEBSITE
This cash-only Novato pizzeria specializes in thin crust pies made with affordable prices and top-notch dough. The crust is praised as delicious, baked to just the right crispness along the edges, but it’s the Abundanza pizza topped with fresh cheese that’s a true local standout. The welcoming dining area is a good place to catch up with friends with some freshly twisted bread sticks, and they also have tasty brownies and cookies if you’re looking for something sweet.
Volpi’s Ristorante & Bar
$$ | (707) 762-2371 | WEBSITE
Before artisanal pasta at some hipster spot, there were red-checkered tablecloths and family recipes at Volpi’s. This Novato institution has been around for a century and is known for its classic Italian restaurant, which does old-school standards prepared old-school with an extra helping of tradition. Dinner might entail fabulous minestrone soup, an order of deep-fried calamari for the table, and the popular veal piccata that tastes like your favorite nonna’s cooking.
Il Davide
$$ | (415) 454-8080 | WEBSITE
When a special occasion calls for classic Italian dining, Il Davide’s traditional menu is the way to go. For $85 per person, the Novato restaurant offers a three-course dinner that leans into comfort. The menu stays consistent, but one course might be tender filet mignon calibrated to make the taste buds sing, followed by signature chicken parmesan with its subtle kick.
The grand finale is an elaborate dessert course with coffee, a refreshing coconut citrus pie, and rich nibbles like tiramisu, best enjoyed with Il Davide’s equally varied (and robust) wine and margarita pairing. Heads up though: You’ll need to request Il Davide’s catering services at least 48 hours before your event.
Sugo Trattoria
$$ | (707) 782-9298 | WEBSITE
This cozy Italian trattoria in Novato stays true to its promise of an excellent dining experience by loading up flavor into every satisfying dish. The Chicken Parmigiana is a standout, with crispy breading giving way to tender chicken in a rich tomato sauce. The “Kitchen Sink” salad brings together fresh greens with a nice crunch from various toppings, while the fig salad offers a sweet, slightly tangy finish.
The tiramisu rounds things out with creamy layers that sell the classic dessert perfectly. The menu also features approachable pasta dishes and other Italian classics, all of which are solid enough that no one will be saying they’re only good “for the price.” With friendly, attentive service in a warm atmosphere where entrees run around $18-25, it’s a spot that makes for a memorable meal whether you’re celebrating or just craving some comfort food.
San Rafael Joe’s
$$ | (415) 456-2425 | WEBSITE
This old-world Italian institution in Novato quietly shares its neighborhood with more modern eateries, but it’s not just the token special-occasion spot: San Rafael Joe’s serves classic comfort foods that can hold their own. The veal scaloppine with mushrooms delivers rich flavor without the heaviness that ruins some traditional dishes, and the seafood platters shout coastal freshness.
The bar and cocktails are generous but refined, including our favorite Caesar salad, a boatload of crisp romaine, and bright lemon dressing.
Stefano’s Pizza
$ | (415) 460-6330 | WEBSITE
This pizza joint in San Anselmo might look like a typical slice shop, but its offerings are very much present-day Novato. Instead of relying on frozen dough or generic toppings, Stefano’s crafts its delicious pizzas with fresh, vibrant ingredients, like the Petaluma Pesto: a savory, herby pesto pizza on a thin NY-style crust. Grab a slice and find a cozy spot in their welcoming dining area.
The Kitchen Table
$$$ | (415) 521-5568 | WEBSITE
The Kitchen Table does make outstanding steak tartare and a rich, creamy carbonara, but its raviolo uovo is the real star. Use it as the centerpiece for a convivial dinner at this minimalist Italian spot in Novato. This delicate, egg-filled raviolo feeds one to two people and is complemented by a selection of fabulous dishes, including mushroom ravioli swimming in buttery sauce, petrol sole stained with lemon zest, and scallop ravioli that smell like the ocean.
And if the beignets special is available, ordering them is non-negotiable.
Aurora Ristorante Italiano
$$ | (415) 382-8488 | WEBSITE
After years of serving authentic Italian cuisine in the community, Aurora Ristorante Italiano has become a culinary staple in Novato—a cozy spot to enjoy salmon piccata with perfectly cooked fish, penne with beautiful red sauce, and homemade ravioli de zuca stuffed with butternut squash and pancetta. The specialty here is the Brussels sprouts with apple and Gorgonzola—a signature dish that keeps diners returning, especially when paired with their excellent wine recommendations.
Though tucked away in a business park, it offers a friendly, unassuming atmosphere where the personable staff provides attentive service even during busy times, with easy modifications for vegetarian and vegan options and no corkage fee. It’s the kind of welcoming neighborhood gem that feels worth every penny.
Hank’s
$$ | (707) 981-7852 | WEBSITE
While you probably won’t bite into Hank’s bolognese and think you’re eating the best version you’ve ever had, there’s a good chance you will have a newfound appreciation for their other dishes. This local Italian spot has a diverse menu with massive calzones, huge salads, and smaller pasta portions (we’d advise you focus on the former).
The house-made lemonade continues to be a highlight, the Grandma Gina’s Gnocchi could almost pass for a family secret, and the espresso martinis are simply fantastic, which makes Hank’s a solid choice, whether you’re craving Italian classics or just a great drink.