Here’s the brutal truth about Mountain View’s tech grind: you’re surrounded by geniuses who’ve already clocked out for lunch. While you’re debugging code, they’re debating carbonara versus cacio e pepe. But check out these spots and you’ll have one advantage over all the early-quitters: you’ll know exactly where to find authentic Italian perfection.
Johnny & Sanny’s
$$ | (650) 282-5251 | WEBSITE
You might need to wait a few minutes for a patio table at Johnny & Sanny’s, which feels cozier than your favorite neighborhood cafe. But once you’re seated, the service moves at a relaxed pace, so if you time it well, you’ll make it back to your afternoon meetings before anyone notices you were gone (or maybe you’ll decide to skip those meetings altogether).
The perfectly seasoned branzino is excellent, and the cocktails are thoughtfully crafted, so go for the lighter options if you’re planning to be productive for the rest of the day.
La Fontaine Mountain View
$$ | (650) 968-2300 | WEBSITE
If you’re craving Italian but don’t have quite enough time for a formal multi-course affair, La Fontaine Mountain View is your spot. The menu isn’t quite as extensive as at some high-end trattorias, but just about everything is really good and the atmosphere is significantly cozier. It’ll even work for any Italian-food skeptics, as the smoked salmon crostini and the goat cheese with caramelized onions are actually some of our favorite things they make.
Il Fornaio | Mountain View
$$ | (650) 567-5100 | WEBSITE
Il Fornaio feels special. But it isn’t any one particular dish that will have you planning your next visit before you’ve finished your meal. The experience is the result of serving as the reliable Italian restaurant for people who celebrate anniversaries and host business dinners for over a decade. The happy hour in the bar area is a great option for discounted cocktails and perfectly tender calamari.
New York Pizza
$ | (650) 210-9700 | WEBSITE
The thing about being a known entity applies to New York Pizza, too. And, judging by the lines in this place every day from 12-2, there aren’t a lot of people we need to tell New York Pizza about. But if you’re someone who’s been wondering if waiting in line is worth it, we’re here to tell you that it absolutely is. They have a large regular selection of pizzas and sandwiches that are really good.
This is also a place where it’s really hard to pass by the pizza counter without stopping, so do yourself a favor and don’t even try to.
Napoletana Pizzeria
$$ | (650) 969-4884 | WEBSITE
Tucked away in a strip mall corner, Napoletana Pizzeria might be easy to miss, but that doesn’t mean it’s still not one of the best pizza spots in Mountain View. The cozy Italian-like atmosphere makes a really good margherita pizza with perfect sauce and crust (and has a popular vegetarian option, too), but our favorite thing on the menu may actually be the ricotta-filled crust pizza.
Doppio Zero Mountain View
$$ | (650) 938-4147 | WEBSITE
It’s understandable if you’ve never actually noticed Doppio Zero in Mountain View, since the area has plenty of Italian spots vying for attention. But this cozy restaurant with its friendly service is one of your best bets for satisfying and surprisingly filling Italian fare for two. The pizza crust is creamy and soft, you can have a meal for around $25 per person, and the Marechiaro dish is noticeably popular, which is nice if you plan on dining and conversing at the same time.
Vaso Azzurro Restaurant
$$ | (650) 940-1717 | WEBSITE
Vaso Azzurro Restaurant probably isn’t going to be your everyday Italian spot. It can’t be – with its cozy, intimate setting and the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to linger over multiple courses, you’ll rarely have time to squeeze it into a rushed evening. But on one of those rare nights when you don’t have to rush home, the week has been strangely calm, or, better yet, you’ve got a real reason to celebrate, then this place needs to be your destination.
It’s Mountain View’s most delightful family-owned trattoria, a little slice of Italy with a menu that does everything from rich, creamy Pollo Niko to an Apple Strudel so good it makes you forget your name. Check your calendar, find the next evening you can actually block off for a proper dinner, and really enjoy a meal for a change.
Don Giovanni
$$ | (650) 961-9749 | WEBSITE
The best thing about Don Giovanni is that you’ll walk through the entrance and forget you’re anywhere but a cozy corner of Italy. With warm wood accents, soft lighting, and the gentle hum of conversation, this place feels like a celebration in a Tuscan villa. The lamb shank with risotto is exceptional and, if you really want to embrace the experience, the attentive service and welcoming owner make every visit feel special.
Slice House Mountain View by Tony Gemignani
$ | (650) 966-7772 | WEBSITE
When a restaurant has a celebrity chef’s name attached to it, you kind of expect it to feature all sorts of fancy pies that may or may not actually work as casual weeknight dinners. That’s not the case at Slice House Mountain View by Tony Gemignani, though. This fast-casual Mountain View spot doesn’t try any pizza wizardry to make over-the-top creations, it just has a varied menu of fresh, high-quality slices that happen to be delicious. And more importantly, they’re also reasonably priced.
They have unique flavor combinations like the Apricot Fields slice, which is exclusive to this location, but leave it up to the pros when you go the first time – order the Detroit “Red Top” pizza and definitely add a house-made cannoli.
Cucina Venti Restaurant
$$$ | (650) 254-1120 | WEBSITE
It’s really, really hard to pick the best thing at Cucina Venti, an elegant Italian spot in Mountain View. The menu is built around classic dishes, which are made with great pasta, tender meat, and layered with rich sauces. But the lamb meatballs deserve a shout out, the short ribs are just as good on their own as with sides, and the chocolate hazelnut cake (think decadent, but moist and topped with things like whipped cream, cocoa, and toasted nuts) will haunt your dreams.
If we ever do a guide called Where To Go When It’s 7:30 And You’re Celebrating An Anniversary And Need Something Special, Cucina Venti will be on it.