PEAKLIFE

Dreaming about some cheesy pizzas with fresh toppings and ahem, pineapple? Chances are, we are too. Italian food is just that – always leaving us wanting for more.

Right off the bat, Italian food is a muse for us Indians. It’s not just the tasty pizzas and pastas, but the fact that every turn you take serves Italian like it’s always been part of our culture. Even when cuisines from all around the world have arrived and been loved, Italian still stands at the top of the list.

 

Italian food is diverse but simple and fresh, and often more similar to the Indian palate. Raving on about risottos and raviolis, here are the ten best Italian restaurants established in India for when you’re craving some cibo Italiano. Peek for yourself!

 

The Pasta Bowl Company, Gurgaon

 

Convicted to an authentic display of its country’s flavors, award-winning The Pasta Bowl serves a veritable and freshly prepared Italy right on your plate. You’ll discover Ciabette bread, Cream Cheese Bruschettas, and weirdly enough, Risotto al Funghi. Effortless yet delicious, the restaurant deserves all its points on the top of this list.

 

What to Try: Spaghetti Pomodoro-e-Basilico and Cannoli on Ricotta-e-Limone

 

Caffe Tonino, New Delhi

 

A rustic Tuscan setting, aromas of fresh drinks and a heartfelt conversation while you strip the cheese off your pizza. Caffe Tonino is a dream! You’ll be enamored by the countless selections on the menu escorting you to the sweet flavors of Italian cuisine. Pan-grilled chicken with garlic, Spaghetti suracusona and many more dishes are on the menu. The wine is another dream brought to life.

 

What to Try: Pesto Pasta and Fried Fish? Yes please.

 

  La Piazza, New Delhi

La Piazza has been at the cornerstone of Italian food for decades, so when the 23-year old menu changes you can only expect things to get better than the best. As you’d think, La Piazza serves classic Italian pizzas with a commendable bar menu like Italy’s own Marchesi Antinori Tignanello and Australaia’s best – Bin 707. It’s always real real at La Piazza.

 

What to Try: Their signature Veg Pizza and in-house Red Wine.

 

  Olive Bar & Kitchen, Mumbai

 

Olive Bar & Kitchen is a lush location for your Italian cravings. The thematic greener,, an experimental bar and live music for the Thursday nights – you’ll experience culture in a modern sense. Dishes include spice watermelon and goat cheese mausse, seasonal pears and Romaine hearts, and some good ol’ tiramisu with chunky chocolate soil. The city’s nightlife is a scene perfectly Gram-worthy.

 

What to Try: Their Sangrias and Stuffed Mushroom are customer favorites.

 

 Pasta Street, Bangalore

 

Here is the quickest way to fall in love with Italian food. Pasta Street is renowned for its high quality ingredients and fresh combinations of flavors Italian. Their menu’s sorted for both veg and non-veg, each with a wide amount of options and a fine wine list to accompany your meal. Items include Grilled Basa Fish Fillet, Pomodary Tuscany, Torino cal-de-lite and some more on the seafood side.

 

What to Try: Their raviolis and mojitos are to die for.

 

 Little Italy, Bangalore

 

Tailor-made for the Indian taste, Little Italy is warm and inviting. You may gorge on a variety of pizzas and pastas and move over to more intricate ones like the Crostini Rustici, Crema di Zucca and more. No lie, their food is commendable but the desserts are well-worth melting all holes in that pocket.

 

What to Try: Their Chocolate Bomb in the Desserts menu

 

 Sorriso, Pune

 

Sorriso swerves just as elegantly as it rolls off your tongue. The restaurant has an open kitchen that displays a passionate process of creating fine dishes. The menu is vast and you’ll definitely be spoiled for choice. Order in some fine wine to befriend you at your bespoken time at this lavish fine dining restaurant.

 

What to Try: Their Thin Crust Pizza and Tiramisu

 

 Café Mezzuna, Kolkata

 

Café Mezzuna, now having two major outlets in Kolkata, explores not just Italian but Spanish, French and Mediterranean flavors. The café’s Italian menu is diverse but common in the sense that they’re all made of the highest quality ingredients. The fresh zest of vegetables and fruits, tender meat and fish melting in your mouth, warm cheese invading your mouth – at Café Mezzuna you’re in for a fresh treat.

 

What to Try: Jalapeno Cheese Balls and Sun-Dried Tomato Risotto

 

  My Big Fat Belly, Kolkata

 

It’s a small cute place serving good authentic food. The menu is extensive so you never really can make a choice that easily, especially when the food is top-tier quality. You’ll enjoy their range of pizzas with funky names like Alpachino, Porked You, Made in Punjab and Calypso. Their Virgin Mojito is a customer favourite.

 

What to Try: Their Meaty Monster Pizza and Mojitos.

 

 Pizza by The Bay, Mumbai

 

A sleek, monochrome restaurant, Pizza by The Bay is an art-deco inspired place serving lavishly prepared dishes. Their ‘freshly doughed pizza’ accounts for their classic range the city loves so much. Homemade tomato sauce and a passion for constantly serving better, Pizza by The Bay is rightfully beloved by all foodies in the town. Live music adds a special touch.

 

What to Try: Their Gourmet Pizzas are a must-have.

 

Buon appetito, amichi!