We were treated to a splendid meal here. The natural light and size of the place is not obvious from the outside and wonderfully spacious on the inside. The service is quick and attentive. The dishes taste so fresh and flavorful, but not heavy or salty. We will return again very soon, to try more dishes and repeat a few. read more

See all

We stopped in for a holiday catch up and it was great. It's my first time since they had a kitchen leadership change. The place was packed and the pasta dishes were great. Big enough to share and everything was tasty. I need to come more often. I am a fan. read more

recently visited Café Lago and had a delightful experience. We enjoyed two thin-crust pizzas: the Fungus pizza with chanterelle mushrooms and pork loin, and the Margherita pizza with prosciutto and fresh basil. Both were top-notch. We also had the Insalata Mele, which balanced spiciness and sweetness perfectly. I paired everything with a lovely GSM red wine from Columbia Valley, and it was a great match. For dessert, the tiramisu was delicious, though a bit on the wetter side. The ambiance was lovely, blending white interiors with an old brick building and some quirky art pieces. The service was friendly, sincere, and attentive, making it a great date spot. Plus, the wood-fired oven really elevates their pizza, making it one of the best in Seattle. read more

See all

Wowowowowow! A great meal. We came on a Monday because you can't miss a great deal. We got two pizzas and a salad The pizza is extremely fluffy, like a cloud. After finishing the salad, we made culinary synergy, by dipping the pizza crusts into the green goddess dressing. The waiter was totally onto our scavenger nature, because he brought back a little bowl of olive oil, for us to concoct his fave dipping sauce- olive oil + red chili flakes + parm. It's a cute spot with great ambience and a key pillar of the Montlake neighborhood! Will definitely be coming back for this deal! read more

See all

we had lots of wonderful food. all good antipasto to start, asparagus salad, a couple of us had lasagna which was very good, light and tomatoey sauce (but no meat which was disappointing), 2of our party had pizzas that were tasty. the service was amazing! friendly & helpful. the ambiance is great. very trattoria in style. well lit, nice decor. loved it! if you like tiramisu, theirs is quite good. read more

See all

Gnocchi with peas and mushrooms in a cream sauce so good we ordered extra bread for it. Wood-fired margherita, torn basil, perfect crust. Tiramisu to close -- light, not too sweet. Cozy, warm, old-school Italian done right. Get the gnocchi. Already planning my next visit. read more

See all

Came here for their pizza night. The olives was amazing. Different varieties in a herb infused olive oil. You get a good amount and selection. Would be even better if we had gotten some bread to go with it. Pizzas were both really good. We ended up getting a margarita and another one with sausage and some other stuff. Both were good but I preferred the margarita more. Enough to take home for another go at it for lunch the next day and it was still very good. I'll come back again. Service was good and the white table cloth and napkins made it feel a lot more special. Also like those little LED light on each table. read more

Cafe Lago - Pizzas and olives - Italian Near Me - Seattle, Washington

We were visiting and we had a beautiful day at the arboretum and Japanese Garden. We walked to Cafe Lago from the arboretum and it looked nice, so we went in. The hostess looked at us with disdain and said that we could eat at the bar or we could get a table, but we'd have to be out by 6:30 - the way she said it wasn't pleasant. Yes, she actually told us that and in that manner. Funny, because the dad with two kids was in front of us and was given until 7:00 to eat and was treated much better. Oh well, the hostess has the job, because that's all she's capable of doing! Our waitress was really good. Very personable and knowledegable too. We had the lasagna and it was very well made. Not salty, like other places. Wonderful pasta that we were told is made right there! I personally like al dente, which this isn't, however the texture was really nice and I could tell it's good pasta. Sauce was delicious too! On the way out, my better half had to be a little snarky and told the hostess that we had finished before 6:30! I laughed when she did that! So, if you go there, be ready for really good pasta. If you want mainstream salty food, don't come here. Ignore the hostess and her attitude. Four stars - could've been five, but the you lost a star by hiring the wrong hostess. read more

Fabulous! I don't know why I've slept on this so long, having passed it a million times. The quality of the food, the dining experience, and outstanding service make this easily the top of my recents list. Restaurant is bright and open, all the way through to the bar and kitchen. Matt was our waiter, and we found him to be fantastic at accurate recommendations, ingredients, history, etc. The ravioli was without a doubt our favorite, but the gnocchi was super light and bathed in kale and guanciale. Pizza was great - incredible dough/crust. I ordered the lasagna because 1) I'm chasing my experience at Cucina Parma in San Diego, and 2) apparently this place is known for it and sells out nightly. While it didn't match the high, it was fantastic. Pasta almost more of a crepe layer with a fine béchamel and balanced marinara. I have no problem recommending it as likely one of the best local. Started with a Cesar and Pomodori al Forno (each were easily split 4 ways). Since it was a double-birthday for twins, we got tiramisu and poached pears. These were both INSANE. Much more traditional tiramisu which let the mascarpone really come through, and not overly sweet. The pear dish was extraordinary and I guarantee I will have it every time. Love this place and will put it in rotation. Reservations highly recommended. Parking is street/neighborhood, just be aware the neighborhood behind the restaurant is up a considerable hill, so you may choose opposite street side for anyone needing easy/level access. Not pictured Cesar salad and Pomodori al Forno (get this!!!) read more

See all

What a sweet, lovely neighborhood restaurant! Everything about it was just cozy and warm. And everyone was so friendly! We came on a Monday to try out the $15 pizzas. We came right at 5pm when they opened and we were able to get a table for 3 right away. The pizzas were good. Also had the gnocchi, which was okay. But the star was the lasagna!!! One of the best lasagnas I've had!! The pasta was so thin and silky. The sauce and cheese were so flavorful! Taking a bite was so airy yet bold, but also simple...if that makes sense. Anyways, come here for the lasagna, good vibes, and friendly faces!! read more

Cafe Lago - Lasagna - Italian Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

The food here is consistently good and the homemade pasta is to die for; takes me back to Italy in a heartbeat. Everything on the menu is so good you can't go wrong with your order. Typically I get the potato gnocchi with kale and my boyfriend the lasagna. Remember to make a reservation for an early spot since the lasagna tends to sell out as the evening progresses. If you're into Espresso martinis, they are spot on here. As for desserts, last night I ordered the lemon tart with meringue and the plum sorbet, both were exceptional and tough to beat their tiramisu but they did. It's Seattle so parking can be a challenge, but parking nearby is easy to find in the adjacent neighborhood as long as it's not during the UW football season. read more

We ordered the lasagna and the linguine with mussels. The lasagna was impressively light and fluffy, featuring incredibly thin layers that gave it an airy texture--highly recommended! The linguine was equally fantastic, with fresh, perfectly al dente pasta. I especially appreciated that the generous portion of mussels came pre-shelled, ensuring a seamless dining experience without any stray shell fragments. read more

Cafe Lago - Mussel Linguine. So yummy! - Italian Near Me - Seattle, Washington

One of my favorite restaurants in Seattle. I've been going here for 20+ years and it's perfect. Everything here is delicious: in particular, they have the best Caesar salad in the city, and the best plate of pasta: the fettuccine con polpette is simple and delicious. The pizzas and other salads are excellent as well, as are the cocktails and the famed lasagna. The restaurant is adorable, with the checkered floors, and the service has always been friendly and prompt. read more

I live in Montlake and Cafe Lago is such a charming part of our neighborhood! The staff are professionals and the food is so consistently good. I love how they keep the interior minimally designed with the classic Italian white tablecloth look! A must order is the slow roasted tomato appetizer, I am still thinking about it. Also- the butterscotch budino is one of the best things I've eaten in a long time!! read more

Cafe Lago - Butterscotch Budino - Italian Near Me - Seattle, Washington

We found this Italian restaurant after walking Washington park in Montlake, Seattle area. We shared the sausage and red peppers pizza. Paired well with the local Rainer lager. The pizza was flavorful, although the center was a little limp. Service was excellent. The restaurant was very busy, we were fortunate to land a table without reservations with a good vibe. Traditional white table clothes and good natural lighting provide a nice atmosphere. Recommend! read more

Any negative review of this place is likely from someone who is mad at the world. Cafe Lago is one of the best restaurants in Seattle and has been the go-to date spot with my wife for years. The Pomodori Al Forno is a must.... Pizza Salsiccia is divine, and their Ravioli Di Formaggio will make you book your next reservation on the spot. Long. Live. Lago. read more

Cafe Lago hosted our party of ten this last Saturday following a graduation. As they do, graduation ran late and we were nearly 30 minutes late for our reservation. They were gracious about accommodating our party. What an efficient kitchen - the place was packed, yet our salads and entree timing was spot on. Service was warm and efficient also. Members of our party enjoyed the lasagna, pizza and halibut. Great bread service and good cocktails. Overall, we loved the cozy ambiance - a celebratory atmosphere. A lively spot! read more

This place holds such a special place in my heart. The restaurant is charming and filled w/ such warmth from the staff and those who attend. Reservations are a must for Monday's as they have pizzas for $10 (such a steal) and everyone wants a seat. Tables are a little small, but they make it work. There's parking up the hill and around the residential area. We ordered: Lasagna Bolognese - Some of the best lasagna I've ever had. It's heavenly light and tender w/ the perfect blend of ricotta. Don't get the half lasagna, order the full and thank me later :-) Margarita Pizza - Generous in size and full of flavor. The pizza topped w/ their parmesan... chefs kiss. The parmesan is so fluffy it almost looks like fresh snow powder. I would buy a container if they ever sold it. I always leave here happy and overly satisfied. The staff is incredibly friendly and attentive despite it being busy almost all the time. I'll see you very soon delicious Cafe Lago lasagna (in my dreams and in person). read more

Cafe Lago - Margherita Pizza - Italian Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

Just OK pizza. We've been wanting to try Cafe Lago for a while, and finally made a reservation to get in Monday night. + Ambiance was the best part of the night; cozy small tables with paper covering and LED candle light. Black and white photographs of Italy on the wall. We were excited to order after sitting down anticipating awesome food. + Staff was friendly and attentive - Pizza reminded me of the chain Mod Pizza, though the ingredients were a higher quality. Dough didn't have much flavor and it was a bit puffy/chewy. Sauce had a bunch of oregano/marjoram flavor. I'm not sure I'd come back to try other dishes. For me personally, I know I wouldn't have the pizza there again. read more

Ravioli was fantastic. Caesar too. Easily split btw 2 don't forget the anchovies! The service couldn't be better. Parking was a chore and I wonder where all those other folks parked! read more

I've never had a disappointing meal here ... until now. I looked forward to the linguine with mussels but I should have had something else. The pasta was dry and sauce-less. The mussels weren't served in their shells, rather just as small pale orange blobs, so the presentation was boring. There was no flavor to the dish -- it was as though someone forgot to add the "fine herbs and lemon" advertised on the menu. The other three people in my party loved their food, but I felt totally cheated. I expected much more from the most expensive pasta dish offered. read more

Love love love the lasagna, but you can't get it to go anymore. Very disappointing. I still would tip 20%. BOO HOO!!!

Had an incredible meal at Cafe Lago last night. Having been coming for many years we decided to change up our usual orders. The Pomodori al Forno started the night off with a bang of beautiful flavors and textures. Delicious Caesar! The Ravioli di Formaggio wouldn't have been on our radar but for our friend recommending it. OMG, Other Worldly! Can pasta be voluptuous? The Papardelle sure was! Our server steered us toward the chicken which reminded us of the famous Zuni Cafe chicken. But, dare I say that it was Better?!?!!!! Amaros to finish - YOLO! Can't wait to return. read more

This is such a homey neighborhood-like italian restaurant with amazing food. I can only speak for the pizza here because that's all we ordered but it was delicious. I made a reservation online for the Monday night pizza deal where each pizza is $10. The pizzas are very generous in size (I had to take home leftovers) and the ingredients are really fresh. We got the caprino this night and I highly recommend if you're a goat cheese lover or just want to try something different! Although they were very busy, our server was very attentive and kept checking in on us throughout the meal. I highly recommend making a reservation (especially if you want to come for Monday pizza night) as it can fill up pretty quickly here. The perfect casual date night spot! read more

Cafe Lago - Caprino Pizza - Italian Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Quiet ambience - half empty on a weekday evening. Prompt but not attentive service. Many cocktail selections but only a few (not very good) beer choices. Entrees were warm and heavy. Might be good as a stand alone desert place - some in our group picked that as the highlight. Did I mention the service a group of 6 gets when the server knows there is a mandatory 20% gratuity? read more

Amazing staff and service. They were very attentive and knowledgeable about the courses and gave excellent recommendations. We loved the spot prawn summer pasta and the nectarine salad. We also had the classic lasagna which was wonderful. Will definitely be back to try their seasonal dishes. read more

Cafe Lago - Nectarine Salad - Italian Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The food and menu were great and were served at the right portions. Service was a bit weird, not sure if they were too busy or didn't like that we arrived ~10mins late, but we're not very welcoming to seat us. Dessert and drinks selection was ok, nothing special but their lamp osobucco and squash pizza were amazing! read more

On Mondays, they have $10 for a pizza, so I'd definitely recommend going on a Monday if you go. Make a reservation as it's quite busy. The actual pizza itself is a little soggy and can use more flavor, and it could be more crispy. I'm not sure I would come when it's not a Monday as I'm not sure it's worth it. If you come, come with a small group! They have a good selection of cocktails and wine as well. read more

See all

The ambiance was great but the food on the other hand was just okay. I went for Monday pizza night. I started with their salad and swear to god it was just lettuce and dressing. I guess that's on me for not double checking what was on it but it was so lackluster. I then got the margarita pizza which was served lukewarm and the center of the pizza was pretty floppy. The sauce was a shining beacon of light and the best part. Overall I would not come back but I guess given the that the pizza was only $15 my trip doesn't feel like a complete waste. read more

They have the best service and delicious food. My favorite place to dine. I wish they would bring back the lemon tarts and flourless chocolate cake. read more

I live right up the street, and this is the perfect neighborhood Italian cafe. The ambiance is very nice, and the service is fast and friendly. We always start with a bottle of wine (great selection) and an appetizer. The goat cheese is to DIE for! Pizzas are 10/10 as well as the ravioli! read more

Really a great experience all the way around. The raviolis are stupendous, but of 4 meals, all were amazing. Service was impeccable as well. Highly recommend read more

We came for $10 pizza night, quite by accident. I think we were both considering the lasagna, which was highly rated, but pizza sounded too good to pass up, so all things being equal, we opted for the pizza, which we split between us. We ordered the Caprino, which had goat cheese, caramelized onions, tomato sauce, garlic, herbs. It was really quite tasty, and a great example of Italian-style pizza. Great selections of drinks too. My date had the Cin-Cinnati, which was Prosecco-based. I wanted a red wine, and our waiter suggested I try the Chianti Cultusboni, which was a good pairing with the pizza. The place was very crowded: Monday night $10 pizzas draw big crowds. I'm glad we had a reservation, since we likely wouldn't have gotten a table otherwise. Seating is a bit cramped: we were wedged in a table really close to where the hostess took in guests, so the noise level was probably a little higher than elsewhere in the restaurant. Wait staff were incredibly accommodating and polite. Since we stayed for a couple of hours, there was a shift change: our waiter needed to head out. The person covering for him came over to our table to let us know so that we wouldn't be shocked to see a new face. Very nicely done. read more

The lightest lasagne i have ever eaten. We tried the meat AND the veggie and surprisingly the meat version after felt lighter in texture. Both are delicious and feel like angel food cake as you fill your mouth. Sauce is perfect - rich and a tiny bit tangy but not too much, balances the dish very well. The Caesar salad was quite good, and all other dishes were good: gnocchi, pizza. read more

See all

this place is no longer good or worth the money! the service is indifferent, the food is bland, the spaghetti and meatballs barely had sauce. the best part of the place is the wine, which you can get anywhere. read more

As always Cafe Lago food is exceptional, the service flawless and Carla the owner, working as hard as her staff. The staff & guest adore Carla. Cafe Lago is one of Seattle's jewels and Seattle is fortunate to have this neighborhood restaurant. Thank you Carla and all the staff for always making our visit so beautiful. I won't post photos because they don't really give you the entire experience. " I LOVE CAFE LAGO" Rocket read more

Best Italian in Seattle. As a nearby neighbor, I frequent cafe lago once a month. Their pizza is so good and you don't feel like you had a gut bomb after you eat it. The lasagna melts in your mouth! Their desserts are all to die for. Love everything on the menu. Also they are so friendly with kids! Always have great service. Can't say a bad thing about lago :) read more

Cafe Lago is a good restaurant. However, the food is incredibly pricey for the portions and the quality. Nevertheless, we always enjoy coming here, as the servers are super nice. The ambiance is also good, if you like lively chattering. We will come here again for a special celebration, but not just for a dinner read more

Amazing doesn't describe this place. My wife and I tried here after being in the area before and seeing it. Food heaven. We got the Ravioli di Formaggio. Very light and thin pasta, with the right amount of filling. The morels were amazing (never had them before). We also got the Spicy Bobby B pizza. I loved it - thin crust, good flavor. My wife didn't like the sausage but I loved it. We got the olives mista and bread appetizers. So good. The butter and olive oil was to die for. We opted for the Panna Cotta dessert. Absolutely fabulous and a great finish to our meal. No complaints. The service was great, and while busy it wasn't too loud. It's a little on the pricier side but worth every penny. read more

The lasagna with no meat? Not a vegetarian lasagna, just no meat sauce. Why call it a lasagna? I did not read the menu and assumed the lasagna had one of the four main ingredients. (bolognese) Friends, don't make that mistake. Unless you are a vegan. I am not. Maybe they should not call it lasagna. Just an idea. Or have your staff explain that this lasagna has no meat! Just a heads up! The rest of the meals my friends had was nothing to write about. It was ok. Not much flavor. Expected more from a "real" Italian restaurant. read more