York, PA is one part historic charm, one part ‘I’m craving authentic pasta,’ and two parts family-owned tradition. Fortunately, this blend of heritage and hunger creates a remarkable Italian dining landscape. Here are our top picks for 2026.
Marcello’s Pizza
$ | (717) 854-5454 | WEBSITE
Marcello’s Pizza feels like a classic neighborhood joint that time forgot, with its clean, no-frills dining room and accommodating vibe. So you might be surprised to learn that this spot serves up some of the best thin-crust pizza around, reminiscent of those Manhattan pizzerias. Grab a table, order a large pepperoni pizza, and dig into the generous, flavorful toppings.
Just note that the California cheese steak sandwich, while tasty, could use a bit more meat or cheese to match its delicious flavor.
Mexitaly Brick oven Brewhouse
$$ | (717) 600-8226 | WEBSITE
Are we telling you to eat at Mexitaly Brick Oven Brewhouse right this second? Of course not. But it is in York, so this is a friendly reminder that you need to eat here once in your lifetime. Skip the next few months’ takeout orders and maybe you can get to it sooner rather than later.
Infinito’s Pizza Buffet
$ | (717) 815-8022 | WEBSITE
“Pizza buffet” often brings to mind soggy crusts and lukewarm cheese. Unless it’s Infinito’s, which is where you’ll find over 400 plates to choose from. All of the Italian food at this kid-friendly spot is great, but prioritize the custom pizzas. Fairly thin crust gets a generous scattering of toppings while in the oven, giving each slice a nice chew, and it’s all topped off with delicious bread sticks. Oh, and the salad bar with iceberg or spinach and 20 additional toppings?
It’s impressive—add a hefty portion of the good Alfredo sauce before each bite.
Levant Mediterranean Cuisine
$ | (717) 893-5891 | WEBSITE
Levant Mediterranean Cuisine is a family-owned Mediterranean restaurant in York, that could be somewhere along the Aegean coast. This cozy spot is all warm lighting and rustic wood accents, and when the evening settles in, sitting at a corner table can feel like it’s a world away. The varied menu is authentic, but the standouts are the exceptional Mediterranean platter and the chef’s special salad, both bursting with traditional flavors.
Most people will linger over their meals, but it’s worth the relaxed pace to fully appreciate the experience. Get the grape leaves to start things right.
Parma Pizza and Grill
$ | (717) 755-2900 | WEBSITE
Parma Pizza and Grill is part of the lineup of top Italian spots in York—and this friendly, casual restaurant is a reliable favorite. The menu has great pizza, especially the vegetable pizza that can be customized with grilled chicken, plus popular options like subs, salads, and wings. Everything is served quickly and consistently, with the vegetable pizza being a standout that you can build into a hearty meal (well, maybe not the wings) alongside choices like classic subs and fresh salads.
The 80s-inspired space is always welcoming, the staff is friendly and attentive, and it’s a solid option for a quick lunch or casual family meal in the area.
Pizza Al Bacio
$ | (717) 767-3600 | WEBSITE
The staff at this popular local pizza spot will probably greet you with a warm smile in hand, slicing up fresh pies of hot, delicious pizza like they’re handling family heirlooms. It’s ideal foreshadowing, since the slices of meat lovers pizza are exactly what you want. Like casual Italian places that rhyme with ‘shmizza,’ you can get those slices in a carry-out box, but the whole pies are the best things here.
Order yours with the light and airy crust, which gets baked so it’s substantial and holds up like a champion, then topped with all the fixings, plus salads, bread, and mozzarella sticks.
Tapenade Bistro
$ | (717) 741-1234 | WEBSITE
Tapenade Bistro is a beacon of hope for anyone that lives in the area or York residents needing a quick breakfast or lunch break between errands that double as me time. The Hot Rachel sandwich from this cozy bistro near downtown only has a couple of savory options like turkey and coleslaw, but they’re both tasty and come with a homemade, quality touch. The most flavorful dish is the pancakes—they’re sweet with a comforting fluffiness.
If you’re more of a breakfast person, the omelette here is also solid, with delicious options like classic cheese or veggie, all served in large, satisfying portions.
Brother’s Pizza
$ | (717) 739-8845 | WEBSITE
Brother’s Pizza is a neighborhood staple with solid Sicilian-style pizza and shareable specialty slices. When you’re in a hurry, you want to use the drive-thru. When you’re not, grab a table inside. Come for a quick lunch during the week, too, because you need that perfectly crisp crust with great dipping sauce in your life.
Vincenzo’s Place
$ | (717) 747-0102 | WEBSITE
In the great York County pizza debate, you’ve got the chain spots on the left, the fancy Italian joints on the right, and family-owned Vincenzo’s Place right in the middle. The crispy, flavorful crust with perfectly cooked toppings is what makes the difference here. This pizza may force you to reconsider previous favorites.
Victor’s Italian Restaurant
$$$ | (717) 854-7958 | WEBSITE
This Italian restaurant is one of our favorite spots in all of York. You can’t beat it for the price (very reasonable), atmosphere (fantastic but lively), and quality of drinks (excellent). The cocktails from Joseph the bartender are something special, and the veal Marsala and table bread are just as good. If you haven’t already visited Victor’s Italian Restaurant multiple times, you need to change that.
Genova’s Italian Restaurant & Brewery
$ | (717) 792-4602 | WEBSITE
Genova’s Italian Restaurant & Brewery is a delightful, laid-back spot with a warm and comfy ambiance that’s perfect for date nights, family dinners, or casual gatherings. It’s the kind of place where you’ll find friendly wait staff who are attentive without being overbearing, and where the garlic bread—especially with that extra garlic on top, extra gooey—is a must-try.
Genova’s Italian dishes are out of this world overall, but the chicken marsala with soup and fettuccine is why this restaurant is more than just a great choice for a delicious meal. It’s a flavorful and tender dish that pairs perfectly with the very well-made drinks from the bar. Just know that this place offers plenty of options, including vegan choices, at very reasonable prices, so whether you’re dining in or using the convenient drive-thru, it’s worth a visit.
Pastanito (South York)
$ | (717) 650-2948 | WEBSITE
Pastanito stands out—not only because it has friendly, helpful staff like Ryan who patiently explains the menu, or a welcoming, kid-friendly atmosphere perfect for families, but because it has some of York’s best Italian food. Flavors and textures work in harmony throughout the $18 build-your-own pasta bowls, but a must-order is their creamy Alfredo sauce with fresh chicken and vegetables over perfectly cooked pasta.
Pastanito works for a family dinner, or for a meal where you can customize your perfect dish. But the cozy seating by the open kitchen area is ideal for some quality alone time with your new crush: that Alfredo pasta.
Shakey Jakes
$ | (717) 846-5599 | WEBSITE
Tucked away among the usual pizza joints and sandwich shops, you’ll find Shakey Jakes serving up some solid Italian-American fare. Their standout is the Italian Sub Trio (the bread-to-filling ratio is just right), and they do a mean California cheesesteak, too. There’s a serious delivery and pick-up game happening here, so think of Shakey Jakes when you need something satisfying without the fuss.
Tutoni’s Restaurant
$$$ | (717) 885-5169 | WEBSITE
This beautiful Italian spot is stellar. Tutoni’s specialty is exquisite dining, and dishes like Bolognese, pumpkin fettuccine, and pasta with mushrooms and duck are all incredible. The charming dining room works well for a relaxing romantic dinner, and it’s also worth noting that they do a fantastic job with the chefs table: Our chilled cucumber soup, bruschetta, and duck and gnocchi plate always manage to stay perfectly balanced despite the multi-course progression.
PR’s Bar-N-Grill
$ | (717) 843-1624 | WEBSITE
Looking for an Italian restaurant that feels like home? PR’s Bar-N-Grill is your spot. It’s cozy without being cramped, and perfect for a casual family dinner or even a relaxed night out with friends. Order the ‘Small’ pizza—it’s anything but small—and don’t skip the Chicken and Corn Soup. The smoky atmosphere, complete with pool tables and video slots, adds to the laid-back charm, and the friendly staff makes you feel like a regular from the moment you walk in.
With great prices and that welcoming, always-open vibe, it’s easy to see why this place is a local favorite.
Marino’s Pizza & Pasta House
$ | (717) 757-2659 | WEBSITE
Marino’s serves classic Italian-American fare, meaning hearty portions and familiar flavors that keep customers coming back. The pizza has a light airy crust and generous cheese and pepperoni, so the toppings really stand out. There are daily lunch specials that rotate, and you’ll find favorites like large cheese pizza, large pepperoni and sausage pizza, and chicken parmigiana. Even if you’re just grabbing takeout, it works.
And compared to other spots in York, this location is much busier and has a small parking lot with accessible spots.
Olive Garden Italian Restaurant
$ | (717) 845-2264 | WEBSITE
York doesn’t have very many standout Italian chains, and Olive Garden is a reliable option in the scene. This casual Italian spot has great starters, like their unlimited soup and salad with the famous Olive Garden salad or their freshly baked breadsticks. Follow those up with some Carbonara or other Italian dishes, and make sure to save room for dessert.
Since the staff goes above and beyond for large groups and Olive Garden has plenty of parking, coming with family and sharing a bunch of dishes is the best strategy.
Jim & Nena’s Pizzeria
$ | (717) 792-6633 | WEBSITE
The bright lighting, no-frills interior, and classic rock playlist makes you want to wear jeans and a t-shirt at Jim & Nena’s Pizzeria. This local pizza shop is a favorite in the York area, and similarly, it’s also very popular. So though a counter seat may be open for a walk-in, you’ll want to call ahead for a large veggie pizza during peak hours. Order the pizza burger sub, any of the hot subs, or the terrific thin and crispy pizza with fresh-cut fries and onion rings on the side.
Ferrante’s Pizza and Italian Restaurant
$ | (223) 232-4004 | WEBSITE
Ferrante’s Pizza and Italian Restaurant arrived with high hopes—it’s not simple to deliver authentic Italian cuisine in York, PA. But this intimate spot carves its own niche with excellent pizzas made from quality ingredients. The menu is full of hits: large cheese pizzas with real mozzarella, margarita woodfire pizzas with crispy crusts, and cheesesteak stromboli made with very good quality meat.
And while it’s perfect to grab buffalo wings for takeout, the cozy dining room has plenty of space to sit with your pizza, specialty cocktails, and conversation near the welcoming atmosphere. The owners are very nice and accommodating, providing great service that makes you feel at home.