8 Best Italian Restaurants in York city centre (chosen by a local)

If you’re visiting York and craving a taste of Italy, you’re in for a treat as there are excellent Italian restaurants in York city centre to choose from. 

York has a vibrant food scene, and our Italian restaurants range from cosy trattorias, trendy restaurants in historic buildings to chic family-run bistros.

The recommendations below are my tried and tested top picks of the 8 best Italian restaurants in York city centre. These are places where us locals go to eat and which I think offer great food and a welcoming service for an affordable price.  

I’ve only included independent restaurants in this article as I like to promote York owned businesses but you can also find chain Italians such as Pizza Hut, Pizza Express, ASK and Prezzo in York city centre. Note that some of the Italian restaurants in York UK include a service charge.

 

Lucia’s 

📍 13 Swinegate Court East, YO1 8AJ

 

Lucia’s is one of my favourite restaurants in York. When I dine on their heated outdoor terrace, I feel as it I am in the Mediterranean, no matter what the Yorkshire weather may be! 

It’s a restaurant, lounge bar and cocktail bar all in one but with three distinct sections, each of which has an elegant art deco vibe. If you want the best Italian restaurants in York city centre for a full night out, visit Lucia’s. 

There’s a set and a la carte menu plus a kids menu, a Sunday roast menu and a bottomless brunch menu. There’s even an impressive separate vegan menu with a choice of eight main courses.

Lucia’s main courses start from a reasonable £13.95 with pizzas costing from £15. The 2 course kids menu costs £8.50 (including a drink) whilst the 2 course lunch menu costs £20. 

I know it’s a cliche but I always eat lasagne when I visit Lucia’s; it’s the best lasagne in York. 

Set on the cobbled backstreet of Swingate, Lucia’s is a 5 minute walk from York Minster. Parking isn’t available on site – the nearest parking is either Marygate or Castle Car Park. 

Lucia’s is popular with locals and tourists alike so pre-booking is essential. It’s open everyday from 12pm until late. 

 

Delrio’s 

📍 10-12 Blossom St, YO24 1AE

Tucked away in a cellar adjacent to Micklegate Bar and 5 minutes from York railway station, Delrio’s is arguably the best Italian in York.

It has it all – atmosphere, a diverse menu, great food, good service plus it’s great value for money. Family-run Delrio’s has been open for 32 years and is a favourite with Yorkies. 

Inside, the restaurant has cozy, rustic feel with stone walls, candlelit tables, and wooden beams. It’s perfect for a romantic dinner in York or for a laid-back night out with friends. 

The varied menu has a strong Sardinian influence and includes seafood, meat, pasta and pizza. 

Main courses start from £13.95 whilst home cooked pizzas start from as little as £10.50. 

The award winning Delrio’s is justifiably popular so book a table in advance to avoid disappointment.

It’s open from Tuesday to Saturday from 5.00pm, with last orders at 10.00pm. The restaurant is closed on Sundays and Mondays. 

There isn’t parking on site but Nunnery Lane car park is a 2 minute walk away. 

La Vecchia Scuola

📍62 Low Petergate, YO1 7HZ

Set in a former schoolhouse on Low Petergate in the heart of the city centre, La Vecchia Scuola is one of the best Italian restaurants in York city centre for fine dining. 

It’s an elegant restaurant with high ceilings, arched windows, and a sunlit conservatory overlooking a garden. It’s got a lively yet refined atmosphere, perfect for a families, couples or a special celebration.

Main course dishes include fish, meat and pasta and start from £17.95 with most options costing between £25 – £30. Pizzas start from £14.95. There is a separate menu for kids and vegans. 

It also offers value for money lunchtime specials with all main courses priced at £12.95. 

La Vecchia Scuola is open from 11.30 am – 10 pm (10.30pm on weekends) seven days a week. There isn’t parking on site – the closest car park is Castle car park or Monk Bar car park. 

 

Enoteca 

📍5 Bridge Street, Y01 6DD

 

This intimate, family-run restaurant boasts excellent customer service and a central city location close to Coney Street and the river. It’s a 10 minute walk from York train station so it’s a good option if you’re looking for a bite to eat before catching a train. 

Pasta dishes range between £14 – £20 and there are 16 pizzas to choose from starting from £13.95. There’s also a value for money 2 course set menu for £21.95 (with a surprisingly good range of main course options) plus an excellent 3 course menu for kids at just £7.95.

If you like Italian wine, Enoteca has an extensive hand selected wine menu (as well as cocktails and Italian beer). 

Enoteca receives consistently good reviews and is a great option if you want home cooked food in a quieter setting. 

The closest parking is Castle Car Park or there is some off street parking available along North Street near the Aviva building. 

 

Valentino’s Restaurant

📍 78-80 The Mount, YO24 1AR 

Valentino’s is a warm, intimate restaurant with rustic Italian decor and a welcoming atmosphere. It’s perfect for a quiet dinner date or a laid-back evening with friends. The restaurant is outside the city walls, a 5 minute walk from Micklegate Bar but it’s worth the walk!

This award winning, family-run restaurant known for its good service and pasta dishes, particularly its outstanding ravioli. It also serves seafood, meat and pizza plus a seasonal menu to match the York weather.

Pizzas start from a reasonable £13.95 whilst pasta dishes range between £14 – £16. 

Valentino’s is open seven days a week from 5pm – 10pm (9pm on Sundays). The closest parking is Nunnery Lane car park. 

This is one of the closest Italian restaurants to York racecourse so it can get very busy when York races are on. 

 

Marzanos 

📍13 Fossgate YO1 9TA

 

Looking for a great Italian in one of the livelier parts of York? Check out trendy Marzanos Italian Grill on cobbled Fossgate which is close to some of the best pubs and bars in York.

Housed in a historic building, Marzanos is packed with character.

It offers a weekday 2 course lunch menu for £15.95 which is great value for a city centre location. The a la carte menu has pizzas starting from £13.50 and pasta ranging between £14.50 – £20 plus steak, seafood and risotto options. Note that there is a charge for bread and olives. 

Almost all the menu options can be made vegan or gluten free on request. There’s also 2 course kids menu for £7.50.

The nearest public parking is Castle Car Park. 

 

Il Paradiso del Cibo

📍 40 Walmgate, YO1 9TJ

Il Paradiso del Cibo is an award winning, unpretentious trattoria with colourful decor. It’s suitable for friends, families and couples looking for a quick, quality bite to eat but as the restaurant is small with tightly packed tables, it’s not ideal for couples on a romantic night out! 

There’s an extensive pizza selection plus risotto, pasta, meat and fish options as well as a daily specials board. You can also order a takeaway to take back to your York hotel. 

This quirky restaurant may not be to everyone’s tastes but I think they serve the best pizza in York.

It’s open everyday from 12pm – 10pm. There isn’t parking available on site so the closest car park is either Castle car park or the Barbican. 

 

Little Italy

📍12 Goodramgate YO1 7 LQ

 

Looking for Italian restaurants near York Minster?  Little Italy is a family-run restaurant and deli next to Monk Bar. It’s a favourite with Yorkies and has been open since 1992. 

As well as offering freshly prepared home cooked food, the ambiance will make you feel as if you have stepped into a cosy trattoria in Italy. 

Pasta dishes range between £15 – £21 plus there are locally sourced meat and seafood options. All pasta is made from scratch on the premises. If you want pizza, you’ll need to go elsewhere as Little Italy focuses on pasta. 

The restaurant is open from 10 am – 10 pm everyday except Tuesday. Goodramgate has several historic pubs which are ideal for a pre or post dinner drink. 

The nearest public parking is Monk Bar car park, just a 5 minute walk from the restaurant. 

 

I hope my local’s recommendations have helped you find a fantastic Italian restaurant in York city centre for your meal.

If you discover somewhere that you think should be included in this list, please drop me an email. I’d love to try it too!