Belfast boasts a huge foodie scene, with restaurants and cafes tucked away around every corner, and Italian cuisine is well represented across the city. So much so that there's even a neighbourhood known at Little Italy, due to the large Italian population wo lived there in the early to mid-1900s.
From Lisburn Road to Victoria Square, there are countless places to try for your fix of Mediterranean fare. Dive into plates of fresh pasta, hand-stretched pizza and meat or seafood dishes across these top spots. Whether it's for date night, a casual meal out with friends or a celebratory dinner, take a look at the very best Italian restaurants Belfast is providing.
Best Belfast Italian Restaurants
Fratelli
Found on the bustling Great Victoria Street, Fratelli is a stunning restaurant flaunting sultry, dark interiors and an outdoor terrace that looks out over the street below. Expect plush velvet booths and rustic wooden tables, where you can enjoy authentic eats and a vast collection of wines.
Whether it's for date night or a pre-theatre meal, there are plenty of delicious dishes to suit all tastes. Their goat's cheese and nduja bruschetta has us drooling, which you can follow with chicken parmigiana, Jerusalem artichoke risotto or a truffle and bechamel sauce pizza.
The stunning balcony makes this one of the best Italian restaurants in Belfast city centre.
Villa Italia
First opened in 1988, Villa Italia is a family-run pizzeria that's housed inside a gorgeous Georgian building. You'll find them just across from Queen's University, often with a queue outside, which speaks to the popularity of the venue.
From handmade stone-baked pizza and fresh pasta to locally sourced meat or seafood, there's something for everyone here. As for the interiors, expect rustic wooden furnishings, old-school Italian artwork and grapevines hanging from the ceiling.
For some of the most charming surrounds while you dine, head to Villa Italia.
Scalini
Located in South Belfast, Scalini is a family-run restaurant that's owned by the team behind Villa Italia. A popular local spot since 2001, the focus here is on authentic, affordable Italian dining. Expect a warm, welcoming atmosphere and rustic interiors, complete with white marble pillars, checked tablecloths and lots of traditional art on the walls.
There are multiple levels of the restaurant with different themes to each, though each area boasts the same delicious menu. Munch your way through spicy piccante pizzas, seafood linguine or slow-braised beef shin ragu, with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options available too.
Premium plates are washed down by spritz cocktails here.
Coppi
One of the best Italian restaurants in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter, Coppi is a stylish space flaunting dark wooden tables, tiled walls and industrial-style beams throughout the restaurant. There's also an open kitchen along one wall, where you can watch the chefs grilling meat and preparing fresh pasta on-site.
Inspired by the Cicchetti bars of Venice, this place was opened by husband and wife duo, Andrea and Chef Tony O’Neill, in 2012. They showcase authentic Italian dishes without ever compromising on quality, using locally sourced ingredients as much as possible. Think feta fritters dipped in truffle honey, spicy tomato ragu rigatoni, Tuscan-spiced pork belly and much more, with a range of signature cocktails to wash it all down.
Fronting sleek, industrial interiors and fresh pasta, Coppi is a perfect pick for date night.
Nucci
Looking for new Italian restaurants in Belfast? Then check out Nucci, which opened mid-2024. The welcoming venue promises friendly Italian hospitality and a range of flavours from across the country, with laid-back interiors full of colourful booth seating and marble-topped tables.
They serve breakfast right through to dinner here, with all the classics you'd expect. Tuck into the likes of pollo parmigiana, wild mushroom risotto or spicy nduja and prawn linguine, with a wide selection of pizzas up for grabs too.
Whether you're after coffee and pancakes or charcuterie boards with wine, you'll find it at Nucci.
The Chubby Cherub
Whether you're after an Italian restaurant on Lisburn Road or in the city centre, The Chubby Cherub has got venues in both locations. They use authentic Italian cooking techniques to create a variety of traditional recipes, ranging from blue cheese and leek risotto to chicken and chorizo pizzas.
They're not afraid to switch things up with more unique flavour combinations though, including quirky toppings like mac 'n' cheese or even a Nutella dessert pizza. Expect charming, laid-back surrounds while you dine, complete with lots of greenery and comfy booth seating.
Try out unique toppings in pretty surrounds here.
Little Wing Pizzeria
You'll find Little Wing Pizzeria on Ann Street, just off of Victoria Square. They've been around since 2009, and there are now nine different locations across Northern Ireland, thanks to the success of their mouthwatering menu.
Their secret sauce recipe is made using specially picked tomatoes from Parma, paired with fresh mozzarella before being cooked in a wood-fired oven. Toppings include sweet red peppers, spiced pork sausage, cured anchovies and many more, with vegan options available too.
This relaxed pizza joint is a top choice of Italian restaurants on Belfast's Victoria Square.
Orto
With three different locations across the city, all filled with simple wooden interiors and white walls, Orto is a top choice for pizza wherever you are. They use wood-fired ovens to cook up their focaccia and dough all day long, though in the mornings you'll find a range of specialty coffee and viennoiserie (breakfast pastries).
Their talented chef and brilliant baker work together on these bready delights, including salt and chilli za'tar flatbread, braised ham hock pizza or cheesy slices topped with goat's cheese and caramelised onion. Plus, they offer small plates such as arancini or crispy lasagne bites - paired with a selection of cracking cocktails.
Orto is one of our favourite Italian Belfast restaurants for pizza.
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