If I love you, really love you, I have taken you to Piazza Italia. Let me explain: this is real deal Italian. I've been to southern Italy (Amalfi Coast) and the authenticity shines through. Piazza's menu is northern Italian and traditional the Italian American marriage we all know and love. It's what Olive Garden promises: to treat you like an Italian family member. When you walk in most of the employees snipe at each other in Italian. Cured meats hang from the ceiling and soccer plays in the background. That's like every actual Italian restaurant I've been to. Their wine list is simple and ultimately not that impressive. It's there to accentuate the food. They have a solid spritz. Whether you choose a dish with fresh pasta or dried (they serve both, depending on the dish) it'll be prepared beautifully. I've been coming here for years and I've tried nearly every one on the menu. Last night I even shook it up and got it delivered: the quality still held. One thing to know: that dish that in essence looks like carbonara is NOT carbonara. It is delicious, but be advised it contains ribbons of actual egg. read more

Came here after getting a strong rec from friends. Unfortunately our visit didn't quite measure up to their praise. Walking in, the vibe felt a bit frantic with a bunch of people running around and a lack of overall awareness to the people walking in. There were a couple larger parties there at the time. Eventually we were seated at a 2 top near the bar. Food overall I was a bit disappointed by. We went with the special carbonara like dish and it was heavy, dense, and packed with onions. I understand the use of cream and cheese in these dishes but it lacked some freshness that I would have hoped from a classic spot such as this. Maybe there's some better dishes to order but our first impression was not great. read more

Piazza Italia - Italian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Authentic Italian vibe, excellent food choices and friendly service. A favorite spot. read more

Piazza Italia - Pesto penne pasta - Italian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Delicious meal. Amazing bread. Friendly, great service. Beautiful day sitting outside. Would recommend. No notes:) read more

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How many reviews can I write each year that I come here and it's usually once or twice a year but lately it's been twice a year mostly for my mother's birthday every now and then I get a niche for a good Italian food and it's hard to find good authentic Italian food that's ran through the hands of immigrants as such. They are good Italian places in Portland, but this is the best and there's a difference between authentic Italian and homestyle Italian for the Italian American, but it's really really weak and I really pray every year that this business thrives another one. I would be so heartbroken if this business action down. And you know those nice homes that are adjacent in front of the building? Those homes, the owner told me, no joke, are over $1 million a year! Random fact for you to read this review. Anyways, every dish is a winner and you're not gonna be disappointed with whatever you choose. That's why it's always hard for me to choose when I'm sitting there looking at the menu because I like all the flavors. You want a nice date take your mama to this place. I feel at home was surrounded by my Italian ancestors. read more

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A haiku review: Note- this was takeout Pasta and bread caught a chill Still smells like heaven I keep chewing on Microwave can make it right Best fresh- still yum tho read more

Piazza Italia - Italian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Flavor (5/5): Pasta here was on point! Perfectly cooked, pesto coated each noodle and the shrimp was juicy and not over done! I can see why this was marked as a favorite on their menu. Even one bruschetta as an appetizer was refreshing and bright with acidity. Instagram Worthy (4/5): Their ceiling hangs all these sport jerseys, very small restaurant but quaint. Their food presentation is also very simple but the food speaks for itself! Service (5/5): We called ahead to see if there was a wait on a weekend night and they told us not if we hurry up haha. Very classic Italian response. We got our orders taken and food car out promptly. They even threw in a free dessert for our friend's birthday. Takeaways: Street parking! Solid spot for pasta, one of our favorite meals this trip in Oregon. read more

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Trust me when I say this an Italian spot for true Italian food lovers. You won't leave feeling heavy and weighed this. Piazza is serving only the best pasta that feels straight from Italy. Reminded me of my travels. Grab a reservation if you can but not totally needed for a weekday night. The menu is very Italian. Don't expect chicken Alfredo, it's not there. Italian cuisine is very tomato forward. The staff are very kind (and speak Italian). The inside is very decked out in soccer jerseys. It's very cool. Come here for some light pasta that will make you happy. read more

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The food was great. The service was exceptional. I would highly recommend. It's a small establishment, but feels like a mom and pop place almost. Love it. Very friendly atmosphere. read more

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Ambiance was great! We had reservations and they sat up promptly after we arrived. The food was great and the tiramisu was DELICIOUS. Our drink order did get lost and our second appetizer they forgot about but we were chatting so it didn't matter much to us. The waitress did discount it due to them forgetting about it. Overall 10/10 would recommend. read more

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Visit Piazza Italia...: On any kind of date. Your first or your fortieth, it is my favorite date spot. Food: I can't find a lot of food in PDX that tastes like American Italian food from the midwest or East Coast. Piazza Italia might be the exception. The Chicken Parmesan and Bruschetta came in the perfect quantity and taste homemade. Service: the Hosts were warm and welcoming, it felt familiar Ambiance: It is busy and pretty tight. one of the reasons it's great for a date space is because there are lots of people to watch and things moving, creating a fun environment to share with someone special. read more

The food was delicious and the waitstaff delightful! It's clear they all love what they are doing and that energy is infectious! If you are visiting Portland, Oregon...be sure to enjoy and savor this experience ! read more

I wanted to like this restaurant so badly. Some of the staff spoke Italian so I thought, surely, this is going to be so authentic. Ambiance: fun and very cozy Service: if I could give service 10 stars, I would. The staff was nice and accommodating to guests at tables we saw, including ours. They packed extra olive oil for the bread we took to go. Food: we order the Papardelle and asked to substitute the rigatoni bolognese pasta with the house made linguini pasta. Housemade, right?!? The sauce was solid. However, I was so disappointed that the pasta was over cooked. We went to several regions in Italy and no where did we taste pasta that was over cooked. The linguine looked like it was broken down to bits vs a longer strand. read more

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Once again, we're enjoying lunch outdoors in the fresh air under the umbrella at Piazza Italia, one of our favorite neighborhood spots in Portland's Pearl District, after a wonderful morning at the Pearl District Culinary Farmers Market. The Pearl is back in full swing, bringing together local farmers, artisans, food producers, and neighbors for a vibrant Sunday tradition. We're grateful to have these wonderful culinary experiences right here in the neighborhood. Good food, fresh air, community, and a beautiful day in Portland's Pearl District. Enjoy the wonderful staff too! read more

I cannot rave enough about this place. My husband and I were arguing over what to eat for dinner. We found this place and decided to give it a try. We were seated promptly despite it being a full house. The place was lined with soccer jerseys which quickly caught our attention (huge soccer fans), which made for great small talk. The food however, was like love on a fork. You did not want to stop eating. The pasta was cooked to perfection and the flavors combined so well it was pure comfort in every bite. We are already trying to decide what to get next time we come which I hope to be soon, like before the week ends soon! Don't pass up this place if you enjoy Italian food. read more

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We wiped out everything on our plate cause it was so good. The service was great, and ambience is pretty intimate. I recommend making a reservation if you have a larger party. They gave us an extra tiramisu on the house cause we were celebrating a birthday. It was the best Italian I have had so far. Highly recommend. read more

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We haven't been since Covid, but so glad to be back. Hasn't changed. Excellent service and great pasta. House wine is always good and always a steal. Wish they had cocktails. Lovely in summer when you can sit outside. read more

Food was the best Italian I've ever had. Our service was impeccable, thank you Luca! Congrats on wedding!!!

I got take out for my birthday so I cannot speak to ambience or service. I will speak to the food. I ordered the linguine with clams and it was delicious! The pasta was a perfectly cooked as were the clams. Garlicky with a hint of wine. Perfection! Hit this place up. It's a great little place! read more

This place has been around for as long as I can remember and is still a neighborhood favorite -- it's always bustling with people every evening. As you walk in, you're likely to be greeted by one of the many friendly Italian staff members. There's an authentic, casual feel here, with soccer jerseys lining the walls and sports playing on the TVs, especially when there's a soccer match on. I especially love dining outside in the summer. They have a great selection of pastas and antipasti, and the service is always warm and wonderful. Plus, they even have a wine bar next door! read more

Piazza Italia is one of my favorite Italian restaurants. It's a small one, and is always busy so expect to be on a wait list. The good news is, they will give you call when your table is ready, and with so many bars nearby, you can stop and get a quick drink before dinner. I got the pappardelle al cinghiale which is my absolute go to. And it hits every time! read more

Piazza Italia - Italian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Enjoyable experience with well-prepared dishes, good flavors, and smooth service. The welcoming ambiance and attentive staff created a reliable option for casual dining or small gatherings with friends or family. read more

Delicious pasta and great wine! Our whole group loved every dish. It's a small family-owned spot, so seating takes a bit, but it's absolutely worth the wait. read more

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I hate to go to Italian restaurants because I can easily make Italian food as well as any Nonna. However we decided to go to Piazza Italia after a disappointed outing to the Festa Italiana. What we were looking for was the Italian ambience which definitely delivered. Piazza reminds me of the many hole in the wall bars and cafes in Italy. It's small, well decorated and cozy. The staff actually speaks Italian which is a rarity in Portland. The service was great, the dishes were very flavorful and most importantly Al dente! And we had an overall great time. It's the most authentic Italian experience you will find in Oregon. I recommend a visit but be aware it's usually packed and you may have to time it accordingly. read more

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We went on a Saturday evening and got to the restaurant just after opening. We were greated by our server and seated immediately. Water was brought right away and we started checking out the menu(s). Our orders were taken for dinner and, also, our choices for wine. The food and wine choices were excellent. We were all so full that we had to skip desert. We will save that for next time. Food and service get 5 stars! ***** read more

Casual spot with lots of little tables tucked into every nook and cranny giving cozy Italian cafe vibes. A few small outside tables too. They serve a good list of classic Italian pasta favorites. I almost always get the vongole but I went w/ the sqarciarella this time. It was hearty and cheesy topped with chopped prosciutto, similar flavor to carbonara. My dad ordered rigatoni but they brought out a pesto spaghetti instead, but we just ate it cause it seemed tastier than what he ordered anyway. Servers/bosses are actually Italian which I've rarely seen at Italian restaurants in Portland. It was good and prices & portions were fair, but don't be expecting anything crazy or fancy, just some tasty simple pasta. Also I think they are connected to the bar next door where you can order some pizzas and paninis and other snacks. read more

Heaven!! So so good! From the smells that swirled outside the door to the heavenly pasta and bread! It's a sweet little gem of a restaurant. We highly recommend you take the time and treat yourself! read more

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Second time dining here. The owners granddaughter waits tables and she is very friendly and attentive. I had a spinach and ricotta ravioli special with the the beef and pork sauce they use on their pasta bolognese. It was delicious. Wife had their Linguine alle Vongole (Amy's Favorite!) Linguine pasta with Clams, light red pepper in a white wine and garlic sauce, but it was quite bland as if they forgot the garlic and the clams were oddly tasteless. We didn't day anything as my guess Portland thinks garlic is hot. A friend wanted to try their lasagna, but their oven was down. He very much enjoyed their Pappardelle al Cinghiale, a jomemade Pappardelle pasta with slow cooked wild boar meat sauce. We enjoyed the antipasto, the meats were excellent but it was odd to us without any lettuce, oil and vinegar. The table bread was very nice. We don't expect good bread in PDX, so that was nice. The red wine they suggested was dry (the way we like it) and easy to swallow without that after burn you get from cheap wines. I don't recall the name or price. The cheesecake and creme brûlée were fine as was the Cappuccino. They don't have a hard liquor license, so no after dinner drinks. We are NYC area Italians from the days when Little Italy was several blocks of excellent restaurants and every mile for twenty miles around had a mom and pop that cooked food that was out of this world. So we are a bit spoiled. None-the-less, Pizza Italia is a real Italian family restaurant with a welcoming atmosphere and reasonable prices. We will be back. read more

Service was horrible. We had to ask for menus, ask for water and to then to order wine and bread. Never checked on us once. Ignored our table the entire time.I wouldn't go back nor recommend. One dish was not even hot. Disappointing. Portland has other great choices with wonderful staff who want to provide service and not make you feel like your begging. read more

I'm from Spain traveling around USA I went to piazza Italia with my friends for dinner it wasn't good all the opposite it was bad idk what's the hype with this place I thought it was gonna be good because it's one of the few Italian restaurants that it has good reviews but no so if u have good taste and u like enyoing a good Italian place dont come here read more

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Very cozy Italian spot. This restaurant is most recognizable for their ceiling decorated full of soccer jerseys. We came for a reservation but aside from our table, the whole restaurant was packed. Our server was great, he took care of us well. It seemed like he was the only server running the restaurant, which was impressive. We got the Bruschetta al Pomodoro for an appetizer. It was light and refreshing, a good way to start out the meal. For my main, I order the Spaghetti Mare e Monti. The pesto sauce was good, it had a great garlicky flavor. The shrimps were plump and juicy. Most of the table ordered the special, which was a chicken mozzarella dish served with pasta. The general consensus for it was that it was okay. We also got a few basket of breads but the breads were cold. Lastly, we finished our meal with some tiramisu cake and gelato, both of which were delightful. Overall, it was a pleasant meal. Definitely recommend if you love Italian food! read more

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If you want some rustic Italian, this is your place. It feels like an old world Italian place with a touch of modern sports bar for some reason. The staff were friendly. To be honest, there was a mixup with our reservation, but they took a minute to adapt and accommodate our group. This was much appreciated! The bread basket is mixed and I will say some are not as good as others, at least in my opinion. It was also cold, which I had hoped it would be warm. All was made well for the olive oil is wonderful! The caprese appetizer was good. Bruschetta was just okay. All the appetizers washed down well with some carafes of the Chianti we ordered, yum! Highly recommended! All our pastas looked amazing, I got the lasagna and it is gorgeous. It tastes even better. It would definitely be a dish I would get again. read more

Piazza Italia - Lasagna - Italian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Today was the second time I've been to Piazza Italia in downtown Portland in the Pearl District. This is also the second time where I got charged more than I was supposed to. First time I went, the sons charged me $3 for bread on a bill that shouldve been $22. The second time I went I didn't get charged for bread, it was just brought to me, but I was charged an extra $2 for no reason on a item that was $21. So when I got the bill it was $23 with no explanation. If it only happened one time I would have given them the benefit of the doubt. This is now the second time so they can burn down as far as I'm concerned. read more

This is a small Italian restaurant with around 15 tables, open for dinner only. The menu focuses mainly on pasta, with one fish entrée and one meat option. The complimentary bread with olive oil was excellent, and we really enjoyed the lasagna, the spaghetti with clams, and the creamy, mild pesto that wasn't overpowering. We finished with tiramisu, which was delicious. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends, and the service was relaxed and unhurried. read more

Such a hidden gem. LOVE the lasagna and everything else about this place. Highly recommended.

Great place for your pasta craves! Ambience is great as the inside is decorated like a traditional Italian restaurant plus the tons of soccer fandom. Tons of food options besides the awesome pasta. Must recommend visiting here. Shoutout to our server, Rob, he got the job done and made our experience superb! read more

What a great meal, everything was perfect! Enjoyed the whole experience, from calling for a reservation, the friendly service, to the appetizer, the house wine, table bread and the entree. The Prosciutto, with mozzarella and arugula appetizer was simply amazing! So light and fresh. Full of flavor. Must try! I ordered the Linguine Alle Vongole (Linguine w/Clams). OMG... could eat this dish every night! Waiter was fun and attentive. Fun place to eat, great food, good music and a good spot for people watching outside the big windows into the downtown streets. read more

Piazza Italia - Prosciutto w/ Mozzarella Appetizer - Italian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Love the vibe here! It feels authentically Italian--with calcio (soccer) jerseys hanging from the ceiling, this could be a local sports bar in Turin or Trastevere (Rome)--but it's on a quiet, tree-lined street in Portland's Pearl District Instead. The food here is delicious, the service is usually spot on, and sometimes you'll even hear Italian being spoken. It's as close to "being there" as you'll get in Portland without the 15 hour flight! read more

I love pasta, so much so that every birthday I've had in recent memory where we went out to dinner was spent at an Italian restaurant. From DiNicolas to Nostrana, I've dined at and loved all of them. However, this restaurant is different. It's authentic yet not heavy. It's fresh, but not fancy. It uses high-quality ingredients, but it is not overpriced. As a friend said, this is what eating in Italy truly is like. We ate everything: insalata mista and Gino's salad to start; lasagna, linguine alle Vongole, La Burina, Rigatone Bolognese, and the absolute star of the show, Gino's favorite Linguine Squarciarella. Seriously, I've eaten 100 different pasta dishes and this was the best ever. Every bite was a perfect bite. For dessert, we had cheesecake, tiramisu, triple chocolate, mousse, cake, and lemon gelato. We also enjoy a few glasses of the house, rosé and Barbera. It's a week later and I'm still thinking about this meal that was so special but so casual. I cannot recommend it enough. If you're looking for authentic yet and expensive Italian cuisine in the city of roses, you cannot go wrong with Piazza Italia. read more

Piazza Italia - Happy birthday to me! Perfectly delicious cheesecake. - Italian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

the spicy seafood pasta is on their 'secret menu' & it was sooo good ! the ambiance is super fun, love the decorations and the service was nice. read more