Looking for the finest Italian food in Düsseldorf? Look no further. In this blog post, we'll point you to the best Italian restaurants in Düsseldorf, where authentic flavors and satisfying meals await.
Top 10 Italian Restaurants in Dusseldorf
Ristorante La Luce Due
You hardly come across such fantastic Italian food, even in fancy Italian restaurants, but award-winning La Luce Due has been dishing out delicious Italian dishes for 20 years.
An extensive Italian wine list, antipastos, pasta, pizza, and soups still impress here.
The truffle pasta is reason alone to visit, but I'd be remiss not to tell you the veal cheeks in red wine sauce is melt-in-your-mouth. My wife enjoys the lamb chops – tender and cooked to perfection!
The attentive and patient staff, combined with excellent food, ensures a great dining experience.
The only downside? When the restaurant gets really crowded, it's loud and you can't help overhearing the conversation at the next table.
Address: Dorotheenstraße 20, 40235 Düsseldorf, Germany
Pizzeria Lupo
Delicious, authentic stone-oven whole pizzas from €10? Yes, please.
Pizzeria Lupo may be a fast food resto, but it's been churning out no-nonsense but mouth-watering pizzas since the 1980s, and it's still very, very good.
All pizzas are topped with tomato sauce, perfectly melted cheese and oregano, and the dough is crunchy and delicious.
My fav is the basic Margherita, with garlic and spicy. Don't forget to ask for the extra garlic and pepperoncini sauce! It's DIVINE.
If you're in the Old Town, this is the perfect place to have a quick bite before going on the rest of your day.
Address: Bolkerstraße 52, 40213 Düsseldorf, Germany
Rossini
Ristorante Rossini is one of the finest Italian restaurants in Düsseldorf, and an ideal spot to impress a date, client or simply celebrate an important day.
Indeed, many flock to Rossini thanks to their faultless service and impeccable food.
I enjoyed the signature "Rossini" Grilled Fish (expertly filleted by the chef) and the Spaghetti an Gambas featuring fresh, juicy prawns.
Da Clà Restaurant
Da Clà is a cool and classy Sicilian restaurant in the Medienhafen district, and with the right seat you can get views of the harbor.
Owner Claudio Palazzolo is behind the successful Da Clà in Sicily, so you can expect great things at its Düsseldorf rendition.
But if you're looking for a quick bite, this place is not it. A meal at Da Clà is best enjoyed slow and luxuriously, delighted by their familiar Italian classics with an inventive take.
For example, we particularly enjoyed the creamy Burrata salad with eggplant chips and the tuna steak topped with wasabi & sesame mayo.
Spaghetti & Stars
Spaghetti & Stars, located near Belsenplatz and on the ground floor of the Me and All hotel, is sort of the "living room" of locals in Oberkassel.
We decided to drop by this romantically themed Italian restaurant after hearing rave reviews — and from the moment we stepped inside, we could sense the Italian atmosphere.
They serve a variety of perfectly cooked pasta, including the popular carbonara, Vongole, and even a ribbon-pasta dish dubbed the "Tom Hanks", featuring Filet Mignon and fragrant porcini mushrooms.
By the end of our meal, all our plates were clean. The staff, displaying true Italian hospitality, accommodate all our wishes without complaint – a relief for us as parents dining with two young children!
The restaurant's popularity is evident, so it's best to book in advance!
Pizzeria Pinocchio
I know an Italian family who eats here regularly, so I figured their pizzas had to be good!
Walking in, I'm instantly reminded of the magical cave hotels of Matera. Its white, roughly-hewn walls and curved corners create a cozy space.
As we waited, we watched our pizzas being transferred into a stone-fire oven, and moments later, deftly lifted out and served at our table.
We quickly devoured every slice with gusto; each one was piping hot, savory, and delightfully smoky.
Address: Altestadt 14, 40213 Düsseldorf, Germany
L'arte in Cucina
We found this authentic Italian ristorante in the Michelin Guide. The warm, home-like atmosphere and the hostess, who exudes the charm of a real Italian mamma, is really unforgettable.
You’re going to want to try one of everything, from their impressive "chopping board" of Tuscan prosciutto, Florentine salami, and cheeses, to bowls of homemade gnocchi.
Although there's a bit of a wait for the food, every second is justified!
da noi
As the unofficial "pizza capital" of Germany, Düsseldorf has no lack of great pizzerias — da noi is popular among locals for their authentic wood-fired oven.
It creates delectable pizzas with a thin inside, and a light and fluffy crust. Topped with fresh Fior Di Latte mozza cheese, they are unbelievably good.
Slip on stretchy pants before heading to the restaurant, because you're going to want second helpings!
The vegetarian and vegan options are stellar too — as are the gluten-free options.
Address: Graf-Adolf-Straße 25, 40212 Düsseldorf, Germany
Aurora & Vito's Süßholz Pizzeria
Aurora's Vito is a hidden gem for pizza lovers. We heard so much about their pizzas, and it still exceeded all expectations.
Take note that these are Neapolitan style pizzas, which have a thicker, but delightfully crispy crust. Whether it's the Margherita, Al Capone, or the Salsiccia e Scamorza — they're all delicious!
The restaurant is small, but has a colorful funk deco vibe, with neon signs and interesting decor. From the open kitchen, you can see them making the pizzas, which gives the place a lovely homey vibe!
Address: Sommersstraße 19, 40476 Düsseldorf, Germany
Casa Luigi
Casa Luigi is a lovely trattoria on Düsseldorf’s iconic shopping street, Hohe Straße.
The restaurant's cozy interiors are ideal for intimate lunches and romantic dates. During the summer months, you can enjoy the beautiful courtyard for soaking up the sun.
We swooned over plates of tagliolini and bowls of homemade gnocchi with prawns. And at the end of our meal, we dug into a generous helping of vanilla ice cream topped with a luxurious chocolate sauce. Che bontà!
Address: Hohe Str. 33, 40213 Düsseldorf, Germany
What to Look for in an Italian Restaurant
Ask Italians Where They Eat
When it comes to finding the best Italian food, there's no better way than asking Italians themselves where they eat!
Italians take pride in their food no matter where it is, from family-run trattorias tucked away on quiet side streets to bustling neighborhood pizzerias frequented by locals.
Quality Ingredients
Italian cuisine puts a big emphasis on using fresh, high-quality ingredients.
When you sit down at a good Italian restaurant, you can bet you'll be tucking into dishes made with fresh, quality ingredients around.
From crafting homemade pasta and bread to sourcing imported Italian cheeses and olive oil, these chefs often go the extra mile to ensure each dish is prepared with the finest ingredients available. [1]
The Menu Is Divided Into Courses
Italian menus typically follow a structured format. [2]
You'll typically start with antipasti (appetizer), followed by primi piatti, the first main course of the meal, like pasta, risotto, or soup.
Then yes, there's a second piatti of meat, fish, or poultry, often accompanied by side dishes.
Some meals include formaggi e frutta, a course of cheeses and fruit, followed by dolci, or desserts.
Sometimes the meal concludes with caffè e digestivi, coffee and digestifs.
Atmosphere
A typical atmosphere of an authentic Italian restaurant is designed to make diners feel at home, like eating at nonna's.
Think staff who treat guests like family, rustic decor, the aroma of freshly cooked food, and the sound of lively conversation. And don't forget those red and white checkered tablecloths!
Whether it's a cozy family-run trattoria or an upscale ristorante, a carefully crafted atmosphere helps make dining at an Italian restaurant truly memorable.
Top-Notch Service
Staff members are typically friendly and welcoming, treating guests like family and making them feel at home.
But that's not all, a major key to Italian hospitality is creating a relaxed and unhurried atmosphere, so diners can enjoy their meal at their own pace!
Good wait staff are also knowledgeable about the menu and ingredients, offering recommendations and answering any questions diners may have.
With their warm hospitality, you can expect a memorable dining experience at any of these Italian restaurants in Düsseldorf.
Must-Try Dishes at Italian Restaurants
Homemade Pasta
Freshly made pasta simply tastes better compared to dried pasta!
Plus, it contains fewer preservatives, allowing the natural flavors of the flour and eggs to shine through. The result is a more authentic and delicate flavor.
The texture of freshly made pasta is noticeably different from dried pasta too.
Fresh pasta has a tender and silky texture with a slightly chewy bite, thanks to its higher moisture content. This gives it a luxurious mouthfeel that is difficult to replicate with dried pasta, which tends to be more firm and dense.
If you have the choice between homemade or regular store-bought pasta, then you have to try homemade!
Wood-Fired Pizza
The intense heat generated by a wood-fired oven is blisteringly hot, which results in a perfectly crisp and charred crust that adds depth that a regular oven can't.
And the wood-fire adds a hint of smokiness to the pizza, which is hard to recreate with regular oven-baked pizzas, which don't have the same intense heat or smoky taste!
Veal Milanese
The Veal Milanese is a traditional and well-known dish from Milan. It's a veal cutlet that is breaded and fried to create a crispy and flavorful meal. [3]
Often served with salad or potatoes, it's a popular choice at Italian restaurants in Düsseldorf and around the world.
Considered one of the most typical dishes in Milan, the Veal Milanese showcases the delicious flavors of Italian cuisine.
Tiramisu
Tiramisu is a beloved Italian dessert that has gained worldwide popularity. Its exact origins are still debated by food historians, but it is widely enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.
Tiramisu is Italy's best-known dessert and has become a staple in many Italian restaurants around the world.
This delectable treat consists of layers of ladyfingers dipped in coffee, layered with a rich mascarpone cheese mixture, and dusted with cocoa powder on top. [4]
The combination of flavors and textures makes tiramisu an irresistible indulgence for anyone with a sweet tooth.
Risotto
Risotto is a creamy rice dish that hails from northern Italy. It's a popular first course in Italian cuisine and can be made with a variety of ingredients, such as cuttlefish, beef, pork, or vegetables.
Unlike pasta, risotto takes center stage in the northern regions of Italy and is even considered a staple in some areas. Milan, in particular, is known for its love affair with this delectable dish.
Risotto gets its creamy texture from being slowly cooked in broth - whether it's meat-based, fish-based or vegetable-based - until the rice is tender and absorbs all the flavors.
So if you're dining at an Italian restaurant in Düsseldorf, don't miss out on trying their delicious risotto!
Conclusion: Best Italian Restaurants in Dusseldorf
When it comes to finding the best Italian food in Düsseldorf, Ristorante La Luce Due takes the crown. With its delicious cuisine and inviting atmosphere, it's no wonder why this place is ranked number one.
Rossini and Da Clà are also top contenders that you don't want to miss out on. So, get ready to experience authentic Italian flavors right here in Düsseldorf!
Key Takeaways
- Pizzeria Lupo in Altstadt offers delicious pizzas with fast service and affordable prices.
- Rossini is known for its fabulous collection of Italian dishes, great wines, and faultless service.
- Da Clà Restaurant in Unterbilk serves authentic Italian food in a cozy atmosphere.
- Spaghetti & Stars in Oberkassel is a popular Italian restaurant with delightful pasta, pizza, and Aperol-based drinks.
References:
1: 7 Traditional Ingredients in an Italian Restaurant, retrived from https://www.denicolasitaliandining.com/blog/7-traditional-ingredients-in-an-italian-restaurant
2: Eating in Italy: Menu & Dining Tips, retrived from https://italyexplained.com/eating-in-italy-menu-dining-tips/
3: HISTORY OF THE ORIGINS OF THE VEAL MILANESE, retrieved from https://www.pizzacappuccino.com/history-of-the-origins-of-the-veal-milanese/
4: Tiramisù, All You Need to Know About the Iconic Italian Dessert, retrieved from https://www.goldsheim.coffee/
