Maybe you’re craving a classic bowl of cacio e pepe after a long week. Perhaps you’re planning a special date night that demands perfect pasta. Or hey, maybe you’re just stuck in Novato, wondering where to find authentic carbonara. No matter what brings you to the table, these Italian spots are here for you, with plates of fresh pasta, wood-fired pizzas, and tiramisu that transport you straight to Nonna’s kitchen.
Alfredo’s Italian Restaurant
$$ | (707) 782-0500 | WEBSITE
Alfredo’s Italian Restaurant is making things easy this weekend with a standout option for dinner: The fried calamari appetizer with squid, green beans, and artichoke hearts, all fried golden brown and seasoned well. The dish serves two for $18. The shrimp Fettuccine comes in large portions that are perfectly cooked for $24. Don’t miss out on the super moist tiramisu for dessert at $9, along with deep fried Oreos and cheesecake, which are also crowd-pleasers.
The atmosphere is cozy, with bright warm orange walls. Order in person – the staff is hospitable and kind, ensuring a pleasant dining experience.
Red Boy Pizza
$$ | (415) 258-0420 | WEBSITE
This pizza joint in San Rafael is running a late-night special for the holidays. Each order includes pepperoni pizza, Hawaiian pizza, salami, black olive, and pineapple pizza, and more. Pre-order by 12/22 for 12/24 pick-up.
cucina sa
$$ | (415) 454-2942 | WEBSITE
One of the best Italian restaurants in Novato, Cucina Sa offers a three-course dinner for $45-per-person (minimum two). It includes their famous soup, a special pasta dish, and the decadent almond cake for dessert. Every order also includes a margarita pizza, a tasty meatless option for those seeking vegetarian fare. The cozy downtown spot provides solid Italian cooking and a relaxed environment that many guests enjoy.
Reserve ahead for weekend evenings when the lively atmosphere makes parking a challenge.
The Speakeasy Novato
$$$ | (415) 883-7793 | WEBSITE
The Speakeasy Novato, the hidden gem in a Novato shopping mall, will have a $95 family-style dinner for two for Valentine’s Day, featuring their signature petrale sole and pork chop. There’s also a call (415) 892-4111 for weekend reservations.
San Rafael Joe’s
$$ | (415) 456-2425 | WEBSITE
San Rafael Joe’s, the beloved Italian institution in Novato, is offering a special Valentine’s Day dinner for up to four people ($95-per-two people). Along with a four-course meal with options like veal scaloppine with mushrooms or beef stroganoff, the experience also includes a complimentary cocktail and traditional dessert. The old-world ambiance creates a warm setting, with professional waiters providing excellent service and genuine wine knowledge without rushing diners out.
It’s the perfect spot for special occasions, with generous drinks and flavorful meals that make it the best restaurant in the area.
Sorella Caffe
$$ | (415) 258-4520 | WEBSITE
This charming Italian spot in Fairfax is running specials that are truly worth trying on a night out. They’ve got family-friendly meals perfect for groups of all sizes, which include delicious pasta dishes and those incredible specials that have remained consistently fantastic over the years. Note that the atmosphere gets quite lively with outdoor live band performances, though sometimes the music can be loud enough to be intrusive.
Arriving early often helps with the challenging parking situation. For kids, it’s a very friendly environment where children are given animal graham crackers and gummy bears at the end of dinner.
Volpi’s Ristorante & Bar
$$ | (707) 762-2371 | WEBSITE
Volpi’s is a charming, old-school Italian restaurant in Novato, serving classic family recipes that have been perfected over 100 years, like their homemade pasta, fabulous Minestrone soup, and standout dishes like Veal Piccata, Salmon, and Veal Saltimbocca. Customers love starting with the Deep Fried Calamari, which is fresh with great texture and comes with tried-and-true dipping sauces.
The staff is courteous and attentive even on busy nights, ensuring a pleasant dining experience with generous portions perfect for families. Whether you’re craving Alfredo-sauced Seafood Spaghetti, Chicken Carbonara, or the exceptional half-and-half gnocchi ravioli, Volpi’s delivers that warm, family-cooked feeling in a setting full of local character with classic Italian decor. For dessert, the tiramisu is a must-try, beautifully made to cap off the evening.
Gaspare’s Pizzeria Ristorante
$$ | (415) 472-7100 | WEBSITE
This excellent Novato pizzeria is currently serving a variety of classic Italian dishes. For celebrations, they’ve got specialties like Romano style crust pizza, cheesy cannelloni, and delightful cocktails like chocolate mousse with orange peel. All details for dining here.
Italian Delite Sub Sandwiches
$ | (415) 892-9221 | WEBSITE
The beloved Novato spot Italian Delite Sub Sandwiches continues to serve its legendary Philly Cheesesteak and popular Delite Assorted sub. Their meatball sub remains a crowd-pleaser, and even the half sandwich portions are huge, offering fantastic value. The friendly staff and talented grill cooks make every visit welcoming. While the space could use some tidying, the delicious food and kind service keep locals and visitors coming back for more.
Stop by for a satisfying meal that won’t break the bank—most sandwiches run $12-$16.
Il Davide
$$ | (415) 454-8080 | WEBSITE
Il Davine, the Italian gem in Novato, is offering what they’re calling a Catering Celebration Package – perfect for weddings and events – for the upcoming season. This package starts at $75 per person, and includes their signature chicken parmesan with that subtle kick, tender filet mignon, memorable ravioli, coconut citrus pie, and more. Book through their website for custom event planning.
Valenti & Co. Ristorante
$$$ | (415) 454-7800 | WEBSITE
Though they’re not running any holiday-specific specials, Valenti & Co. does have seasonal offerings. They’ve added handmade tortellini, truffle ravioli, and handmade panettone from Italy for the month of December. The pasta options are all fantastic and thoughtfully selected, particularly those focusing on Piedmont. The wine list is fabulous and affordable, showcasing a reasonable selection, especially from Piedmont.
The staff treats guests like old friends, and the cozy ambiance, along with the lack of rush even on busy nights, makes it a top choice for Italian cuisine in San Anselmo, if not all of Marin.
Chianti Cucina
$$ | (415) 878-0314 | WEBSITE
Chianti Cucina isn’t running any holiday specials, but if there’s a more seasonally-appropriate Italian spot in Novato, we haven’t found it yet. The restaurant behind the operation is Chianti Cucina, a warm and intimate Italian eatery that personally delivers each dining experience. Order the chicken piccata or Pasta pescatore—that’s not a suggestion, it’s a command.
Cucina Paradiso
$$ | (707) 782-1130 | WEBSITE
Though you won’t get the same bustling energy as you would on a busy weekend night, you can still enjoy Cucina Paradiso’s Italian classics at home. They’re offering their linguine with clams dinner for two-to-four ($68) or six-eight ($129), which includes the fresh pasta dish, a generous brussel sprouts appetizer, and a bottle from their great wine selection. They’ve also got a variety of a la carte options like the Branzino Meditteraneo and salads. Order ahead for weekend pick-up.
Hank’s
$$ | (707) 981-7852 | WEBSITE
Novato favorite Hank’s has a standout menu with generous portions, featuring highlights like massive calzones ($18) and huge salads ($14). The pasta dishes come in smaller sizes, but the quality remains exceptional. The bolognese is good though not remarkable. The house-made lemonade ($4) continues to be a refreshing staple.
Diners rave about dishes including Burrata ($16), Meatballs ($12), Ciotola di Gnocchi ($19), Grandma Gina’s Gnocchi ($21), and Calabrese Pizza ($22), with Grandma’s Gnocchi noted as an original family recipe that truly melts in the mouth. The pizza dough is praised for its artisanal quality, crafted carefully by one of the owners. The restaurant also serves delicious espresso martinis available in two styles ($13 each).
With great service, a friendly atmosphere, and a historic bar wall that adds rustic charm, Hank’s is a destination worth returning to often.
La Gastronomia di Porchetta
$$$ | (415) 419-5465 | WEBSITE
La Gastronomia di Porchetta’s cozy weekend brunch runs Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 2pm. It features fresh, vibrant dishes like colorful vegetable frittatas, seasonal fruit platters, and homemade pastries, along with optional add-ons like a porchetta benedict and a make-your-own mimosa bar. Reservations recommended.
Aurora Ristorante Italiano
$$ | (415) 382-8488 | WEBSITE
Novato favorite Aurora Ristorante Italiano is serving a special à la carte menu for the winter season, featuring dishes like salmon piccata with perfectly cooked fish and crisp vegetables, penne with a beautiful red sauce, Brussels sprouts with apple and Gorgonzola, and their signature homemade ravioli de zuca stuffed with butternut squash and pancetta topped with a brown butter sauce and asparagus tips. They’re also offering wine recommendations to complement the meal, with no corkage fee.
Dine in or order online.
Sugo Trattoria
$$ | (707) 782-9298 | WEBSITE
Sugo Trattoria will have a three-course Valentine’s Day dinner ($65) that includes Chicken Parmigiana and Tiramisu, the fig salad, and more. And for Mother’s Day, they’ve got a family-style meal for two-to-four ($120) or six-to-eight ($240), with the “Kitchen Sink” salad, Chicken Parmigiana, Tiramisu, and more. Order online.
THE VENUE by Ghiringhelli’s
$$ | (415) 878-4977 | WEBSITE
Novato’s THE VENUE by Ghiringhelli’s will be hosting special salsa dancing events for parties of ten-to-twenty or thirty-to-fifty people. Options include live music performances, vintage clothing showcases, and personalized decoration packages. Book through their website.
Red Boy Pizza – Fairfax
$ | (415) 453-3138 | WEBSITE
Novato’s Red Boy Pizza isn’t running any special New Year’s Eve dinner, but they do have their regular menu and will be offering 10% off pre-orders with code RB2026. Pre-order online.