The 8 best Italian restaurants in Rotterdam that you need to know about!

1. Nerello – In Kralingen you’ll find Nerello, a charming Italian restaurant where you can enjoy a slightly more elaborate dinner. The warm interior, the cosy lighting and the excellent wine list make this a lovely spot for a date night. The menu features Italian dishes with a Sicilian influence and a strong focus on quality ingredients. But what Nerello is best known for is its pasta, which is prepared inside a large cheese wheel. It’s a dish that’s not only incredibly tasty but also a delight to see served at the table.

Our tip: The pasta from the cheese wheel. Highly recommended for lovers of creamy pasta!

2. O'Pazzo – O'Pazzo has been a household name in Rotterdam for many years and now has several branches across the city. Inside, there’s a lively Italian atmosphere, with warm lighting, cosy tables and an interior where there’s plenty to discover. You can come here for fresh pasta, antipasti and delicious wood-fired pizzas. It’s a particularly lovely spot for a group meal, as there’s something to suit everyone’s taste on the menu.

Our tip: Start with some burrata or a platter of antipasti, then order one of the wood-fired pizzas.

3. Napoli – Right in the heart of the Meent you’ll find Ristorante Napoli, a family-run Italian restaurant that has been a household name in Rotterdam since 1975. The second generation is now at the helm, and this is evident in their passion for traditional Italian cuisine. The restaurant has a warm, lively atmosphere and is a lovely place to enjoy a leisurely meal. The menu features everything from fresh pasta and pizzas to superb meat and fish dishes. The extensive Italian wine list also makes a visit well worth it. And the best thing about this spot? After your meal, you can enjoy a lovely drink on one of the cosy terraces on the Meent.

Our tip: The lobster pasta! A delicious choice if you fancy treating yourself.

4. Lucia – On Zaagmolenkade in Rotterdam North, you’ll find Lucia, a stunning Italian restaurant that’s worth a visit for the interior alone. The warm colours, stylish details and open kitchen create an elegant yet cosy atmosphere. Here, traditional Italian dishes are prepared with a modern twist, including some cooked over an open flame. Think refined antipasti, delicious pasta dishes and superb meat and fish dishes. The pasta alla vodka, in particular, is a dish to remember. And when the weather’s fine, you can also enjoy sitting outside by the River Rotte. A fantastic spot for a date night or a leisurely dinner with friends.

Our recommendation: The pasta alla vodka, followed by a delicious tiramisu to finish!

5. Panzero – At Panzero, it’s all about the flavours of Puglia, a region in southern Italy. This cosy restaurant on Botersloot has a relaxed atmosphere and is best known for its panzerotti. These are deep-fried, stuffed pastries that are deliciously crispy on the outside. Think fillings such as tomato, mozzarella and other typical Italian ingredients. Panzero has recently opened a second branch on Witte de Withstraat, so you can now visit them at two locations in Rotterdam. And what do we particularly like? You can enjoy delicious Italian food here for less than €30 per person. Ideal for a cosy, affordable night out!

Our tip: Try a classic panzerotto with tomato and mozzarella.

6. La Salute – In Hillegersberg you’ll find La Salute, an authentic Italian family restaurant that’s been around since 1995. Here, it’s all about good food, hospitality and that wonderful Italian conviviality. Inside, there’s a warm, traditional atmosphere, but the garden terrace is particularly recommended in summer. Amidst the grapevines, you can enjoy a glass of Italian wine and dishes that will transport you to Sicily. The menu includes fresh pasta, pizzas and Sicilian specialities. In the colder months, they also prepare dishes at your table, such as spaghetti with truffle served from a large wheel of Parmesan cheese. And the tagliatelle with fillet of beef is definitely worth a try! Fancy a drink after dinner? Then walk a little further to Café Van Eijk, a cosy spot to round off the evening.

Our tip: The tagliatelle with fillet of beef or the spaghetti with truffle from the cheese wheel. And don’t forget their homemade limoncello!

7. Due Tonino – Sometimes you just want a cosy Italian restaurant where you can enjoy a good meal without too much fuss. In that case, Due Tonino on Goudsesingel is a lovely choice. This family-run restaurant has a warm, homely atmosphere and an interior reminiscent of a small Italian garden. The menu features classic Italian dishes, ranging from pizzas and pastas to a variety of meat and fish dishes. It’s the personal atmosphere in particular that makes this the sort of place you’ll want to return to time and again.

Our tip: Go for a classic Italian pasta dish or a freshly baked pizza.

8. Old Scuola West – In the lovely Little C, you’ll find Old Scuola West, one of our favourite spots for a proper Neapolitan pizza. The restaurant has a warm, industrial feel with an open kitchen and a cosy, lively atmosphere. But it’s the spacious terrace on Coolhaven that really makes this spot so special. On sunny days, you can sit here by the water with a glass of wine or an Aperol Spritz. And then, of course, there are the pizzas! The dough is given plenty of time to rise, giving the pizzas a deliciously light crust and a thin base. Combine this with top-quality Italian ingredients and you’ll understand why we love coming back here. Old Scuola also has a branch in Rotterdam city centre, by the way. Here you can enjoy the same delicious pizzas, although this branch doesn’t have a terrace.

Our tip: Start with the burrata stracciatella and arancini, then order the San Daniele pizza with prosciutto and truffle oil. Delicious with a glass of natural wine!

Where do you go for Italian food in Rotterdam?

Whether you fancy an authentic pasta dish, a crispy panzerotto or a sumptuous dinner with matching wines: in Rotterdam, there’s plenty for every lover of Italian cuisine to discover.

Fancy discovering even more great restaurants? Check out our other hotspots and be inspired by Hotspots For You!