Piazza Italia Reviews

We enjoyed a lovely dinner outdoors. There was a thirty minute wait on a Wednesday night. The service was a bit slow, but very friendly. The food was excellent.

We intended on eating there but they were very busy so we ordered takeout instead. I was hung up on during the attempt to order, put on hold three times and kept being told they were super busy. When I arrived for my food no one greeted me and then when I asked where to collect my pick up order they said go to the bar. I stood there for five minutes and finally asked someone and they said hold on a minute. Three minutes later they asked for my order and then gave it to me. I would normally understand if it was actually busy but there were multiple empty tables and only one family waiting to be seated. I know it's a small family run place but maybe they need to figure out customer service when they are "busy". The food was okay but not worth the ride service.

The food was very good & tasty. Gino's salad had the perfect amount of dressing, bruschetta monferrina with mushrooms was delicious, and the bechamel cheese in our lasagne was a great touch. But our favorite part of the evening was the attention & warm welcome by our friendly waiter, Michele (Michael). Although he was handling many tables, he took time to chat with us & made it a most memorable meal. We felt like family by the time we left!

This was our second visit to Piazza Italia. It was at least if not more fun than our first visit. This place has an amazing vibe. It’s cozy, packed, vibrant. Is that because of the decor or just because of the clientele. Either way, it works. Our waiter was fantastic. Efficient, helpful, friendly but not overly so. The hardest part of eating here is chosing what to eat. The menu is incredible. “I'll have one of each, please.” Our table of four shared a Caprese salad. My wife and I shared a Squarciarella, a kind of combination of Pasta al Pepe and All’ Amatriciana. Our son had the Bolognesa and his wife had Bucatini all’Ametriciana. It was her birthday, so she got a complimentary Tiramisu. The trio, shoehorned into an area near the entrance serenaded her with a rendition of “Happy Birthday.” We shared a carafe of house red. Everything was delicious. This is a very fun place. Go there! But get reservations. It is so popular that walk-ins are a rare occurrence at peak hours.

We've been going to this low key restaurant since moving to Portland almost 15 yrs ago and it's still packed. The food is always reliable and delicious. They're unpretentious and still serve free bread. The appetizers are all simple and delicious. I would give special thumbs up to La Burina, rigatoni w/ Italian sausage, peas, mushrooms and cream sauce and I always love the Pasta al Tonno, spaghetti with Italian tuna, garlic, capers in red sauce. My mom loved the bolognese. Can't go wrong with most of the pastas- always al dente and perfectly cooked! Prices are still reasonable too. I highly recommend this place if you can get in. Authentically Italian- there is always European soccer on TV and soccer jerseys on the ceiling! Great vibe. Service is good with Italian speaking waiters.

Went for an early evening dinner with a friend. Sat outside and had good service. There are leaves and pollen blowing around so don’t sit outside if that would bother you. Otherwise it is a nice spot to eat outside. Fresh bread and Rigatoni was great. Nice little spot for Italian.

Stopped in for a quick dinner with hubby. We split Gino's salad, nice toppings and good dressing. They do wine by carafe, so we did a 1/2 carafe. A nice Sangiovese. Tried the La Gricia for our entree. The pork jowl was interesting, A little gamey. Not bad tho. Enjoyed the staff, atmosphere is fun, prices are good.

Solo visit on an early Saturday evening. Inside was full and I didn't have a reservation but they had some tables outside which was perfect on a balmy October evening. The complimentary bread & dip was delicious with the caraffe of red wine and the friendly waiter recommended the pasta since I wanted something light. Great service, value & friendly staff. Only downside was the coffee being not strong enough. Cant recommend this place enough and going by the constant stream of customers, many looked to be repeat visitors.

Loved this place! Got a last minute table and our food came out so quick. The house wine was delicious, our pasta was exceptional and the staff was friendly. Definitely check this place out if you get a chance

There is nothing elegant about the restaurant - but the food is very good, the crowd convivial, and don't you dare show up without a reservation!

Hands down the best in town. Great food always, we've been many times and are yet to have a dish we didn't enjoy. The atmosphere is great and the staff is always friendly. Price is always right too. Anytime friends or family come to town I tell them Piazza is a must!

We took a friend here for her birthday dinner. The service was pleasant. The food was so, so. I had the lasagne. Rather than rich, distinct layers of pasta and fillings, it was more a dish of soft casserole. The pasta dishes ordered by my wife and her friend were also just so, so.

We have been there many times and never get a disappointing meal. I was told last evening by the middle aged gentleman seating us for our 5:30 reservation (made about a week ago) that he needed the table at 7:00 for another party. Service was fine but slow. We tried rushing and at 7:00 we were in the process of paying our bill. The gentleman was rude and minutes before 7:00 he was picking up our check and then back to bus our table and immediately back asking if I was finished with my wine while half a glass remained. I found him terribly offensive. If I didn’t already have reservations for later this week with different friends, I’d never go back. If he’s the owner, he should never work in the front!

Went here with a friend. It is a small place and not much room to move around. I would recommend getting a reservation if going during a busy time of the day. We were both very happy with the food and service. If you are looking for some good Italian food it is worth trying.

VERY Italian. Great food, good selection and reasonable prices. Wonderful staff. My daughter felt like we were in Italy!

Very friendly staff and great food. The bread is amazing! The pasta was al dente perfect. Charming and small enough to be intimate. Well worth a visit!

The food is exquisite, really top notch but the loud music, which included techno, Made it difficult to talk with our friends. Probably designed to get diners in and out quickly. Request a table outside or go to a restaurant that doesn't play loud music.

I thought I was at exit 16 in North Jersey. Everything very authentic, good and friendly service, all ranges of wine, and probably Portland's best Italian restaurant. Fairly large helpings mean you will leave full. This place is impossible to walk in to for weekend dinners and if you have more than two people, it would be a safe bet to have a reservation anyway.

My favorite place to eat in Portland! Go on a Monday night....great little Italian band playing. The food was amazing but the family love felt in that place brought back memories of Italy! Thank you

This is by far the best Italian restaurant in Portland, and I'm not just talking about the food, I'm also talking about the atmosphere and the vibe, which is fundamental. I am Italian and I come to Portland every year, and every time I eat at Piazza Italia at least twice. Their Pasta is great, especially Pappardelle al Cinghiale, as well as minestrone, caprese and desserts, in particular Tiramisu. The staff here is the best and the majority speaks italian as well. The owner is italian too. One thing I love is the importance of soccer for this restaurant: on the ceilings there are tons of team jerseys and most of them have autographs of the players on them. Also, soccer matches are always on and if you come here you'll likely be sitting next to one of the Timbers players. Another thing I love about Piazza Italia is that despite being a favorite spot for "celebrities" it's nor fancy at all and prices are below average. Quality is very good.

It has been several years since I ate at Piazza but it was just as good as I remembered. My wife and I shared a Gino's favorite salad, Lasagna, and the Bolognese. Everything was excellent. Our waiter suggested a house wine to pair with the food and it went perfectly. I wonderful evening sitting outside in downtown Portland! We will not wait as long for our next visit.

To date, this is the best Italian food I've found in Portland. Each time I've been it's always been the same great food with the same friendly staff. It feels like you're getting an authentic Italian experience here. I have my go-to dish but my wife always likes to try something new. We've yet to be let down. The restaurant is fairly small, so if you're going on a popular night, I'd recommend making reservations.

The restaurant has a very authentic ambiance and the staff is extremely nice and friendly. Food was great!!! I ordered Linguine squarciarella for the main, and tiramisu for desert.

You know you got a good one when the staff speaks fluent Italian and some of the clientele are from Italy. That tells you, you have found a gem. Look at the bread basket photo. The selection is varied and excellent. The focaccia was heavenly. The Pappardelle al Cinghiale with wild boar sauce was a new taste experience for me. I wish the family was here so we could try more dishes. Off the hook good!

Lasagna was excellent. Pasta al pesto had no taste at all and would remove from the menu!!! I would go again and try other dishes.

This is one of our favorite Portland restaurants. The food is authentic and excellent, the prices reasonable, the wait staff friendly and efficient. Highly recommended.

This is a good Italian restaurant - but not great. Food is fresh and everything we had was good. The atmosphere is nice and the service is good. It is rather small and popular so make reservations in advance.

Well we can start by stating that it's fresh, it's homemade and it is delicious! My friend and I both ordered the bolognese and loved it. The staff is very helpful and the food is superb. Book a reservation or you may not get in for hours. We had to wait about 45 minutes but it was totally worth the wait. The bread is great with the sauce on it and the pasta was perfect. It's my go to place in Portland

My favorite low key, authentic Italian restaurant. Their braised lamb shank served on a bed of polenta is the best around.

Was drawn here because of the soccer jersey displays (my family is crazy soccer fans), and this place did not disappoint. Food was amazing, John was a very considerate waiter, and dishes were the perfect size to fill you up but finish every bite. Would recommend to anyone looking for some pasta in Portland with a spot to watch the weekend soccer game!

Quaint and comfortable atmosphere very reminiscent of a European restaurant. The food was excellent and perfect stop for lunch. I am anxious to go back for dinner!

I have eaten here at least 50 times, the first time since Covid. First of all, the minestrone soup was it literally just carrots onions celery and potatoes chopped up in hot water. And no flavor at all. None! $10 for a hot water? We dumped the Parmesan cheese in it but still had to add better than bullion. It was a joke. I enjoyed the lasagna but what’s not to like about lasagna? Spaghetti was nothing I couldn’t do at home

First meal so good...rabbit beautifully done. Tender, juicy with simple braise. Other dish was lousy: "gino" special which is a version of carbonara...had somewhat curdled sauce in the half portion which was served lukewarm. Terrible older woman hostess who acts like she's doing you a favor seating you even tho we made a reservation the day before. Hey. Overall too aggravating, inconsistent.

Authentic Italian down to the Italian speaking waiters that like to watch the Soccer game as much as serve tables. Mostly freshly made pasta with various sauces offer a good variety and can be substituted, within reason, at a $2 up-charge. We sampled a tasty, simple green salad and a fantastic Tiramisu, all sold Ala-cart. The light, fluffy Gnocchi special was served with a silky smooth saffron sauce that was quite overpowering. I counted enough saffron threads in my plate to make 6 quarts of rice pilaf. I really wanted to find an Italian place that had fresh pasta that was, at least, an above average experience. I'll have to agree with another reviewer's comments that the pappardelle was reminiscent of lasagna noodles that , albeit still fresh and hand made, had just been sliced to a narrower dimension. They lacked the thin, light tooth of an outstanding papparedelle, fettuccini or tagliatelle. One star was removed for ALL the waiters soccer distractions that added an additional 15 unnecessary minutes to our dining experience and of course, the big let down with the papparedelle. and the minor faux-pas with the gnocchi. Another was removed for a lack of veal, lamb, poultry or fish options. A "wild boar meat sauce" (can you say pork butt?) and some sliced sirloin salad like thing were available...but no "real" options. Yeah, It's authentic Italian to a point, but...there are just too many "noodle joints" around here already. Minus another star Tried this place again and was served ravioli that was just plain un-cooked. Yeah, yeah, yeah...you're gonna say, "it's supposed to be 'Al Dente' "... Yep, I get it...and I KNOW the difference! This was raw pasta, stiff and tepid, covered in a pink sauce that was nearly as frigid...all that topped with some day old fried ham slivers that could have doubled as the rubber bands that come wrapped around the morning newspaper. This is a pasta joint that cant even get their pasta right. Look elsewhere. Incidentally, too many bone heads out there think that ALL pasta is supposed to be served "al dente"....Spoiler Alert......Fresh pasta is NOT!!! By definition, fresh pasta can not be "al dente" because it was never dry in the first place. So quit writing reviews stating that "ABC Trattoria" doesn't serve their pasta "al dente" you're embarrassing yourselves.

We had dinner over the weekend at one of our hometown favorites. It's a small place, but worth booking a reservation for because they're always fairly busy. Their lasagne is the best, but they have a great menu of Italian dishes, and there are always great specials, too. The service is always perfect, never rushed even when they're busy. Prices are more than reasonable for the quality of food they serve.

This appears like a truly authentic Italian restaurant. Small with great service and fantastic food. Price is also reasonable.

I tasted the Aglio Olio e peperoncino... It was absolutely great great!!! The staff was welcoming, the ambiance great and the dishes delicious!!!! I highly recommend!!!

We’re long time customers of Piazza Italia and there are many good reasons why! The food is top notch and consistently delicious. We usually start with a glass of Prosecco then have a charcuterie plate with fine Italian meats, cheese and olives. Pastas are always filling and delicious! The house made pasta is primo along with the ravioli! The ravioli is made in house by one of the waiters and its filling varies and is always a real treat with fantastic flavors! The service is good, sometimes they are short a staff member but many restaurants are these days. We end with tiramisu most often. Other desserts are good too. Highly recommended. Reasonable prices, fun energetic atmosphere , good food and service. We will continue to return.

Such a charming Italian restuarant with great food and homemade pasta. Will come back for sure when back in town..

We had pretty high hopes for this restaurant because of the reviews. The host that sat us was very friendly, but after that, it kind of went down hill. The girl who brought water and bread was extremely unfriendly and our server wasn't very attentive. The food was good for the most part but the not so great service kind of ruined it for us. Pretty disappointed because it had some great reviews and we were really excited to try it. I would go somewhere else next time.

I was an Italian exchange student in Portland for one year and this place was definitely my favorite in town. In this restaurant you can breathe that special atmosphere that only Italians can give; It is impossible to enter and not feel overwhelmed by the hospitality and the warmth of the waiters (not all of them are Italians). Food is simple and authentically Italian. The menu is mainly focused on pasta which is their highlight. It's worth going to this restaurant just to understand, if you are not lucky enough to come to Italy, what it means to eat in a real trattoria. Thanks to these guys I spent the most enjoyable evenings of my stay in Portland and I can't wait to go back. Bravi!

Outstanding food! Just simple things like spegatti and sausage but probably the best ever anywhere. Lasagna was amazing. Small seating area gave a real Italian feel. Truly a spot to go if you want itialan a d you are in Portland!

Was recommended to this place and was not disappointed. Fresh olive oil, pasta al dente, crisp,salad. We had one salad and one pasta dish and two glasses of wine.and a coffee 42.75 plus they charged us two dollars more to split the orders. Very good, very expensive, has about 12 tables.

Great little Italian restaurant in the Pearl. We felt like we had just walked in off the piazza in some small Italian village. The ambiance is that of a casual, family run Italian restaurant that has friendly service, excellent food and very reasonable prices. Salads were fresh and the Lasagna was not the typical “heavy on red sauce and cheese”, but light with a Pomodoro sauce that melted in your mouth. Try Linguine Squarciarella (Gino's favorite) for a wonderful pasta dish. There are lots of wine choices to accompany your meal too.

The food here is amazing! Decor is unique - walls (and ceilings!) are plastered with soccer memorabilia. We ate 3 courses and each was fantastic and very reasonably priced. One of the staff played the accordion, another sang, and all provided great service. Overall, a great experience. Highly recommended! Reservations accepted and recommended, it does get busy and is quite small.

I have eaten there many times over the years and both the food &the service are very authentic Italian!

What a find and so pleased that my girlfriends picked this restaurant for b-day celebrations. The food and ambiance is authentic. From our antipasto dish to our main courses, all were delicious. Our table had the risotto, lasagna and lamb shank. Wine assortment is well versed to satisfy all needs and requests. Our lemon dessert was a perfect accompaniment to all of our meals. Thanks to the staff for making this dinner memorable. Will look forward to visiting once again! Note, reservations are highly recommended.

My daughter and I just happened to walk by and the place was packed which I took as a good sign. We decided to stop and have dinner. After s short wait we were seated and had an amazing dinner! The pasta is phenomenal. So good I had it for breakfast the next morning too!

We've eaten at this restaurant several times in the past several years ago. The food was excellent then-and still is today. This establishment is located in the trendy Pearl District-a neighborhood of beautiful, newer high rise condominiums, apartments and largely white collar businesses that replaced the older blue collar industries. There are some fine dining places in this area-most seemed to be priced in alignment with the expensive real estate. The Piazza Italia is a welcome outlier in the trend to more expensive dining in PDX. We were at the front door about 15 minutes before the advertised 5:00 PM opening. The line of expectant diners began forming just after we arrived. We were seated promptly when the doors opened and were greeted by a friendly server. The small inside dining area and sidewalk tables were virtually full 30 minutes after opening. We both ordered pasta-bucatini all amatriciana for me and pasta al Tonno for my wife. Both portions were large-certainly larger than portions we've seen in a couple of the trendier PDX Italian eateries. Both dishes were very flavorful-the pork in my dish was delicious and in generous amounts. I tried the al Tonno with the same result-excellent! I finished with an expresso and we split a deliciously smooth chocolate gelato for dessert. Price of dinner with a $35 bottle of Barbera-$85 without gratuity. We both thought this was excellent considering the equally good but more expensive alternatives in the area. The service was prompt and casual. The atmosphere is more cafe than traditional dark wood fine dining. The proprietors are soccer fans and the ceiling and walls are covered with team jerseys and banners. Don't let that casual appearance fool you. There's a line at the door for a reason-great Italian food is waiting to be served inside.

Very good, authentic (i.e. NOT Olive Garden) Italian with a complement of a very good Italian wine list to accompany your Lunch or Dinner. In good weather they have additional outside seating. Service is personnel but not overwhelming. A greal little venu for Italian.

Been here twice, the variety of pasta and rotating specials will have something for everyone. Staff is very friendly. It is a little tight, but has a relaxed atmosphere, despite being very busy. The quality of the pasta is what really stands out. This is not American/Italian...this is straight out of Rome pasta classics using the best ingredients.

Great neighborhood Italian. Always busy. Fresh pasta. Special seafood pesto past was memorable. Good monti wine.

A previous reviewer (who obviously never has dined outside of the Vancouver, WA/Portland, OR area) unnecessarily trashes this restaurant. Perhaps the "P" in "Old P" stands for "Picky" and the "Old" stands for "Old Curmudgeon" because he gratuitously runs down this place which IS very authentically Italian – even including the VERY authentic tendency of Italian servers to follow soccer! We heartily recommend this place for a real experience. People ought to learn that, as diners, they should revel in the quirks of the places they dine (within reason, of course) and just go along for the ride.

The food is delicious and reasonably priced. The place has a mellow little vibe, but the best thing about Piazza Italia is the staff. If you don't strike up a conversation with these fun-loving folks, you're missing out.

What a fun location for a good meal. The dining month selections are fun and tasty. Went with a friend, she tried the halibut. The serving size of fish was small, but the flavor was fantastic. Came with a side of potatoes and spinach. There was plenty of food overall. I tried the special, oxtail. Was so tender it fell off bone. Served with a side of pasta and a great red sauce. Starters were a caprese salad and a meat/cheese board. Both nice serving sizes. Fresh bread with oil and basalmic too. Dessert was hazelnut gelato and panna cotta. Both lovely. The house red (you can order by glass or carafe) was very good.

We have been going to this restaurant for over ten years. They treat us like family and that is part of their charm. The food is simple but delicious. Most nights you would need a reservation if you are a party of four or more. The staff is a bit inattentive and might seem careless to some but they're Italian! It's just the way they are. Soccer is playing most nights on the television and soccer jerseys cover the wall. We love it!

My mother and I were looking for an Italian place to eat in Portland and saw this place with great review. When I arrived at this restaurant the ambiance was inviting and friendly just like I remembered back in Italy. A few years ago, my family and I lived in Italy for 3 years and eating here brought back those memories. The food we ordered was FANTASTIC, so authentic and delicious. Along with these decent sized portions, the price was decent! 16.50 each for our plates of pasta with shrimp and clams. The waiters had an accent which spiced up the place and there was laughter and great smells that filled the block. Overall this has been the best restaurant I have eaten at in America for this Italian food, never had anything more authentic. If you are craving real Italian food, come to this place and you won't regret it.

It's our favorite Italian spot in Portland. Excellent personalized service! Delicious food and good cost

We came on a busy Sunday night over the 4th of July holiday weekend. We were seated on time. The staff had so much energy. The pasta was great. You can add a side of pasta to one of the larger entrees, fyi. Fun night. Makes me want to head to Italy!

Piazza Italia is living proof that the only thing you need to do is have fantastic ingredients and friendly service to really knock it out of the park. This place has a completely different vibe than Mucca Osteria in Portland. While I love Mucca, I would give this place SIX stars if I could. We arrived sans reservation on Sunday night, but the wait was only 10 minutes. They directed us to the bar around the corner (where I had the best strawberry lemonade I’ve ever had!) and they would come grab us. About 10 minutes later, they cane and got us from the bar and we were seated. Food: perfection, 10/10. The rundown: started with antipasto plate, entrees were linguine squarciarella (similar to carbonara) and linguine alle vongole (linguine with clams) tiramisu, creme brûlée and two Caffe Eros. Everything was out of this world. I’ve eaten at Michelin star restaurants in Tokyo, Paris and New York, and this is STILL one of my top three meals I e evernhad. Absolutely spectacular.

We were treated here, so I have no idea of prices. But the portions were large enough to be shared by two. The staff (family-run) were very friendly and the food and the wine was good. As our hosts were regulars here, the manager brought us a spectacular-looking and delicious-tasting, balsamic-reduction drizzled over asiago wedges. It was great to sit out on the sidewalk with friends, watching the street life, with good food and wine like in an Abruzzo piazza.

We had great service! We were able to sit outside on a Saturday night. It was so fun to watch the Portland crowd. Our server was very friendly and courteous. We all ordered different items and all were wonderful. I'm looking forward to going back on my next Portland trip!

We went there thinking this would be the best. It wasn't...my lasagna was good but my friends pasta was fair by any standard. We did not have a reservation which we should have had, but the owner said he could give us a table if we vacated in an hour. That does not set one ready to dine.

I love the authentic atmosphere and food. The service is amazing! If I ever move to Portland, I will make it a point to live in the vicinity. A must visit location for all!

Overall the food is average, nothing special to comment on. The mozzarella and tomatoes used in the caprese were small. The ham in the antipasto was lacking, and some of the provolone cheese was dry, as though left out to long. The three main courses were of average taste. The chocolate cake was very good, but at $8.50 a slice, I consider it over priced. Our server was a delight and we certainly enjoy our interaction with him, You get the feeling that you are rushed from the moment you seat down. The food is delivered way to fast, some time between each stage would be more enjoyable.

On a recent trip to Portland we wanted to go out for a celebration dinner with family. My daughter in law worked right around the corner and spoke highly of this place. We weren't disappointed. Coming from Boston and having many places like it in the North End this compared favorably. The food was authentic and delicious. Everyone loved their meals and we even split several desserts.

Came for lunch on a Friday. The space is small, mostly two tops with the ability to form more seating. They have an interesting array of stuff on the walls and ceiling. The menu includes soup, a variety of salads, interesting pastas as well as the traditional, meat / seafood entrées, and pizza. There was a variety of wine, but the espresso machine had died that morning. Bread, including pieces of focaccia, arrived as soon as we sat. The mix up in the order was fixed within minutes. I had the clams (I'm a sucker for clams) with the linguine which were delicious although I would have preferred the pasta cooked just a little more. My companion loved her selection. We decided to indulge in dessert, also delicious. Even though it was lunch service was professional and not rushed. I'll be back next time I'm in Portland.

this is a small neighborhood restaurant. it was crowded on the Monday night that we went there. the host (I think the owner), was really helpful. the wait staff was also very nice but a little slow. the food however, was entirely worth the wait. Delicious pasta and salad (and house carafe wine). we sat outside on the sidewalk and loved every minute.

Food was fantastic. Atmosphere was welcoming and casual. I am so happy to have found this super establishment with so much Portland and family history.

We ordered the spaghetti pomodoro and it was very good . I was surprised by the menu. I thought that it would be pizza, calzones, and pasta. There was salads, pasta and bread. The bread was very good.

The restaurant was jam-packed, but it did not feel crowded at all. We did not make a reservation, but we were seated within reasonable time. Every dish was delicious and well priced. We sat on the patio. It was a very pleasant meal.

Amazing food in a lively atmosphere with friendly service. Artichoke ravioli are highly recommended. End with the tiramisu and cappuccino and leave very happy.

My husband, sister and I arrived at 5:55pm and asked for a table. We were told by the hostess that due to incoming reservations, there was no room but we were welcome to wait outside for 15 minutes. If someone did not show up, we would be seated. The restaurant was 80% empty- 5 tables were being used. No offer to place a drink order for us, no seating area- just please wait outside. After the promised 15 minutes, the hostess came out to inform us that she had pushed two round tables together, specifically for us. The tables were at the very entrance to the restaurant, almost against the hostess station. The manager (?owner?- not sure) was also resting his backside on the back of our chairs, and had been doing so since we arrived. No thank you, I don't want butt in my face while I am eating. We declined the table and left after a few minutes. The restaurant was still mostly empty. At 6:29, we received a call from the owner/manager offering us a table- we were already seated elsewhere.

We had not made reservations but were in the area about 10 minutes before opening. By the time the restaurant started seating people, the line to get in had increased quite a bit. We were lucky & managed to get a table without a reservation. Service was friendly and the food was very good. We ordered the antipasta platter, carbonara & straccetti. Antipasta board was good but I especially LOVED the prosciutto. It was SO dry, so thinly sliced and so delicious - could have eaten a ton of it! The Man says the carbonara here is the best in town. I'm not normally a fan of the dish, but Piazza Italia's was a little bit different than other ones I've tried ....in a good way. Not something I would order but here, if it was accidentally served to me, I would gladly eat it. The straccetti was not very tender and heavily seasoned. Loved the flavor, just too much of it.

Authentic Italian food in the pearl for over 14 years. It's always delicious and has a great atmosphere. It's noisy but fun.

We loved this restaurant! The food was spectacular; the service was professional and almost personal; and all at a very reasonable price. Our waiter was extremely knowledgeable and helpful and really added to the experience. The fact that it is family-owned is quite apparent and it’s as if they are inviting you into their home. But the biggest hit was the food; we shared the Ossobuco and La Gricia, which is pasta in a bacon and cream sauce. Excellent! We had 1/2 bottle of the Sangiovese, which was very reasonably priced. We could have been in Italy for the evening; it was just perfect!!

We walked from our hotel in the Pearl. Small and cozy. It was midweek so we didn't think we would need a reservation. They seemed to prefer it, but they did seat us and let us know that we had an hour and a half before the next patron was arriving. I am glad they seated us, but I was a bit put off by the attitude. We had lasagna and linguine with clams. Both were delicious. If you like garlic, you will love the 2nd dish. The gravies/sauces were fabulous. Loved the bread with balsamic & oil. Everything was authentic. Excellent pino grigio. Price was reasonable. I would return, but I would make a reservation.

The quarters are tight and there is a never ending line so be sure to make a reservation. The antipasto plate is delicious and the wine list exhaustive. We ordered salads and bolognese, ravioli and the clam linguine and all was tasty. We also ordered cheesecake, gelato and cream brûlée and all were delicious. Overall a satisfying dinner for all.

Visited Portland and wanted to experience local dining. Found this place and liked the reviews. Parking is a challenge. Space is not very big. They offer reservations, which definitely is the way to go. The reservation system wasn't working correctly so we made an attempt to walk in. The Manager (owner?) was less than pleasant for the entire experience. He told us he could possibly get us in but the wait was 40 minutes for 4 of us. We waited for about 10 minutes and he came out and got us, but was really rude about how much time we had to eat. Our Server was very pleasant and attentive. Food portions were very small. Prices were decent (except for portion size). Lasagna was quite tasty, but very small portion. Bucatini All Amatriciana was just good. Spaghetti al Pomodoro was pretty good as well, but again, very small portions. We won't be back just for the Manager's attitude. And portion size was very small. We would probably have ordered appetizers if we had known. Spent around $130 between the 4 of us (didn't order dessert), and had just one glass of wine.

We had a 9-person lunch here the other day, and we all loved it. The waiter and servers are funny, casual (but on top of everything) and familiar. They will joke and expect you to joke back -- which we loved. Victor and Mateo especially stood out. We ordered the specials and loved them. Good value for the money, and a fun time.

We sat outside which was nice. The I door looked nice, too. Big wine menu. We had lasagne and pasta with pesto and shrimp. Both were great- especially the lasagne. I had half a liter of white household wine which was good, too. Service very friendly and fast. Loved the fresh bread.

We always try to explore an authentic restaurant of any cuisine and this was one such find! When we stepped into this tiny well decorated Italian restaurant, we knew we had made an excellent choice. The house wine, appetizers, pasta and the desserts were exceptional. The service matched that...It is very welcoming that the people who serve get involved in a meaningful conversation than the plastic smiles. I would visit them in a heartbeat! Thanks guys for making it a wonderful experience:)

Love this place! Very authentic Italian. The owner was our waiter! There were 6 of us ordering appetizers and entrees and everyone loved their dishes. They have a homemade pasta each night, great specials. Even the traditional penne arrabiata that I had was delicious. It was a Monday night in summer and there was live guitar music in Italian! And cute tables outside too.

Great food. Great ambience Great wine Great price Pasta dishes are not heavy with daily home made pasta noodles. Server engages with you and offers wine taste prior to selection

Ate here this evening. First clue I should have left was the guy that greeted me at the door. Unprofessional, cocky, and not welcoming. The breadbasket was a welcoming treat. The pasta fair at best. Long list of pasta items and would have expected more from the dishes. Service was good although slow. Lots of choices for Italian in the city and definitely will not repeat. The first impression walking in should be a great impression. Even the pasta was not good enough to offset the lack of welcoming.

Some friends and I had dinner at Piazza Italia on a Friday night in mid-August 2016. One of my friends splurged and made reservations a few hours before we went to dinner, and we barely got a reservation. (That's a long-winded way of saying: Make reservations!) I like my food like I like my life: simple. And, that means that I like simple dishes, like Spaghetti al Pomodoro. I oftentimes find that simple meals tend to be cooked surprisingly poorly. Therefore, I was wonderfully surprised by the EXCELLENT preparation of this seemingly simple dish. Service was excellent. Overall, a GREAT dining experience. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

We enjoyed this place so much we ate there two nights in a row while visiting Portland. We had pasta aglio, penne with pesto and spaghetti mare e monti. We also enjoyed a very fresh and delicious salad. Service was quick and attentive. A good value all around.

Small, charming, cozy very authentic Italian restaurant. Mostly pasta dishes with just a couple meat-oriented items, but one was out of this world wonderful. The Pizzaiola was thin shaved beef (think Philly steak sandwich) in the most marvelous Pizzaiola sauce imaginable. Can't get it out of my head weeks later.

Very popular restaurant - and it's because of their food. Minestrone soup was good and the pastas were delicious. Unfortunately they - like many other places -are short of staff so our poor waitress was - as she put it - "doing four jobs." If you want great food at reasonable prices in a bustling atmosphere this is the place for you.

As good as some of the little locals restaurants we ate in in Firenze. Had their homemade sausage spaghetti special. Going back again soon.

Lively, always busy Italian place in the Pearl District. The food may not be the absolute best in the area, but it is solidly good, and the atmosphere is fun. The outdoor tables in good weather are highly recommended. Expect to wait if you don’t have a reservation.

The restaurant had a very old vibe to it which was fun. Some of the staff even spoke Italian. We were there with business associates for the first time while in town. Food was average but to be fair I am an Italian food snob. Staff was not very welcoming. Kinda gave us the feeling that they wanted us to get in, eat and get out.

Outstanding, authentic Italian fare. Make reservations. Allow time to find parking. It's a European restaurant so everyone is pretty closely packed, but as long as this is the the dinner you choose to share some secrets, your party will have a great time here and feast like kings and queens. The pappardelle with wild boar was amazing. My wife found the actual spaghetti pretty 'samey' with other restaurants. The olive oil comes in a small cup and is awkward to share. But the staff was super friendly and accommodating. The creme brulee arrived on fire and was one of the best I've had; other desserts were well received by our party.

Simple, fresh and delicious! We all tried different dishes for apps, first and second courses and everything was authentic tasting. Attentive and engaging staff that made our dinner even more enjoyable.!

The food at Piazza Italia is quite delicious but you will need to have reservations. This fabulous little place has been here for years and you might have been able to stop by without a reservation in the past (I did) but it doesn't work that way any more. So plan your dinner and enjoy plenty of time to order at least three courses. There is a lot to try though I often stick to the basics which delight every time. Spaghetti Al Pomodoro here is my favorite!

The food was incredible and Michaele was a wonderful host to us and taught us about Italian cooking while serving us. The pasta was unbelievable. We just happened upon this little gem as we walked in downtown Portland. In a lovely neighbourhood and we sat on the front street patio. It was perfect and we will be back the next time we travel to Portland!

They simply got it right .... an excellent atmosphere, great value for money, authentic Italian products and a very friendly service. This is not a posh place, but a place where you can enjoy some real Italian food in a very friendly environment. Well Done !!

Piazza Italia is one of our favorites. We even treated friends here for my 80th. It was crowded so we settled at an outside table, a bit tilted so the olive oil collected on one side of our plates and the wine was a little uneven in the glasses. Still, both bread and a half carafe of house red were excellent. We shared a caprese salad with homemade cheese surrounded by lots of multicolored halves of cherry tomatoes. Next, pasta with boar sauce: no room for dessert even though we realized what we were missing. Hearing Italian spoken was an added treat even though we know only a few phrases (no subtitles like in the PAVORATTI film we had just seen).

When in Portland, I actually plan the visit around when we are having dinner at Piazza Italia. This time, I was with business friends. Two of us had the special. It was magnificent! Everyone enjoyed the food, atmosphere, wine, and dessert. What an authentic place! You must have reservations because space is limited . The fare is moderately priced for this authentic neighborhood eatery.

Great restaurant. Must thank Knit Purl for this recommendation. Reservations are a must. Small neighborhood bistro in the Pearl District. Excellent pasta, we had the clam sauce and the sausage. Yum.

We greatly enjoyed a very authentic Italian dinner here. The place was packed, even on a Monday. We tried to dine there on Sunday but without a reservation it was impossible so we reserved a spot for Monday. It appeared that all the people working there are Italian and that they really enjoy their work. Food was fantastic but the place is a bit hectic and not conducive to a quiet, romantic meal. The only reason I'm not giving an "Excellent" rating is because no one asked us if we wanted something other than water to drink (we didn't, but they should have asked). Otherwise, it's a fun place with both indoor and outdoor seating. We'd go again.

We walked 15 mins family of 5 in the rain to be treated rudely by the hostess and mid quoted. We lyfted to Another restaurant after being told it would be almost 2 hours. No empathy or flexibility to accommodate us and hungry teens. Yet we were called withi. 40 min after being sat and ordered at another restaurant. I wrote an email have not heard back. Thumbs down go to Brassa!

We always feel like we're back in Rome when we hit up this great little gem. The service is great (Mateo our favorite!); the food is consistently great. They're usually busy (lunch or dinner); reservations help, but not always needed. It's small inside so you'll sit close to others - if you want those cute tables by the window, call ahead. As a regular now, you feel like you're 'in' with the family! Love our local gems in the Pearl.

We come here so often that I like to think of it as my Italian grandpa's place in Rome. I almost always (no ALWAYS) get the Squatcherella pasta; it's a carbonara-like like concoction of ham, eggs, cheese and linguini that is so awesome that I am powerless to resist. Plus their bread is as good as it gets. One trend that really pis**s me off is charging huge amounts of dough ($) for the dough (bread) they give you. Renata is a very bad player in this respect. You simply must come here to try the Roman style of pasta prep. You will not be dissappointed!

Stopped by for dinner for four. The wine list is great, had a nice bottle of red. I had the lasagna. It was truly delicious, the pasta, the sauce, the meat. Ended with the crème brulee, a true treat. Our waiter was a great guy, totally outgoing personality. Love this place. We'll be back!

Well what can I say, this place is just awesome. Italian cuisine at its finest. Lovely atmosphere, staff always smiling and friendly. They have football matches being always ;), the location is lovely and most of all the food is excellent, even the bread they bring out is awesome... If you want a very nice Italian then I would highly recommend this place. I will most definitely be going back so might see you there. Special note for first timers, if you go in the evening for diner, either try and book a day or at least 5 hours in advance as the place will very very busy. It will save you time and hassle when turning up and having to wait an hour or so...

Poor service and the food not good. Disappointed. Clams raw and the lasagna not good. We were told it would be 30 mlnutes and we went to the bar next door. Gave them our phone number and they did not call.

We were looking for a great Italian restaurant to celebrate our anniversary. All the reviews suggested that this was the place; good food at a good price. We made our reservations. We showed up a little early, and but were immediately ushered immediately in to a small table. Our server was prompt and thorough, explaining all of the choices and then reappearing with my wife's wine choice. The choice of wines was extensive and price points were excellent. I, on the other hand, was limited by a Doctors order of "no alcohol". When I asked if they had a non-alcohol" beer they said "no". Oh well, this is a Italian restaurant. We searched the menu, and found some great options. We ordered the antipasto appetizer: it was awesome. We we ordered our main courses; I ordered the Linguine alle Vongole, and the Boss ordered the Papadelle allle Cinghaile. The prices seemed quite fair. While we were waiting, my wife saw me squirming in my chair, and asked: "What's wrong"? I said " this is the most uncomfortable chair that I have ever sat in, in a restaurant!". I called it a a "clown chair"; way too short, and too small for an adult. My wife (who is a lot smaller than me) remarked " I agree; it IS small and uncomfortable." Our main courses arrived. I took one bite of mine and noted that the pasta was cooked perfectly. My wife said the same about hers. So many pasta places overcook their pasta; but this was perfect. But ….then we noticed that the sauces were not up too par. Mine was waaaaay too salty. When you add clams to any pasta dish it is important to thoroughly rinse or soak them; this had not been done to my meal. Consequently the salt overwhelmed the awesome pasta. My wife was even more upset. She said her sauce tasted exactly like her teenage memory of a Chef Boy-ar-dee meal. I tasted it, and agreed. We had been expecting a romantic Italian dinner, but we were pressed together like sardines in a noisy restaurant with lousy chairs, and food that was not up-to-par.. My wife could not handle sitting in her chair any longer. She asked me to pay the bill, and we left before she could finish her wine. There are much better Italian restaurants in our city; ones that know how to cook a great meal, and treat their customers to a relaxing and enjoyable experience.

I visited two times this month for dinner. Both times we were able to sit outside on beautiful summer evenings. On both visits my companion and I split one entrée salad and one entrée. We wished to have a lighter dinner and I was impressed that we weren't pressured to order more food than we wanted. Both times we split Geno's salad consisting of greens, gorgonzola, apple and a variety of nuts. This was an ample portion even when split. One evening we split linguini with clams, the other night lasagna. Both dishes were tasty but I really enjoyed the clams. We enjoyed the variety of wines by the glass at reasonable prices. Service was friendly and attentive. Overall this is a great neighborhood restaurant.

Taking advantage of Portland Dining Month, on March 7th, I went to Piazza Italia for the $33 - Three Course Dinner, and it was FANTASTIC! They had 3 choices to choose from for each course, and I loved the choices I made: 1st course, the Insalata Caprese; 2nd course, the Filetto di Pesce: Halibut fillet with roasted potatoes and garlic sautéed spinach, and for the 3rd course, the Tiramisú (best I've ever had). It was a wonderful dinner, and the server was awesome. I always get excellent service when I dine at Piazza Italia!

This place is great...It's small, with some tables out in front. The waiters and staff are incredibly friendly. The dishes we had (Pomodor Pasta, Bolognese, and the Birra Moretti) were all delicious!. Highly recommend this restaurant if you are looking for good Italian food.

Last night enjoyed some excellent italian food and ambiance in Portland. The soccer theme,service, wine and food is exceptional at a reasonable price.In a new building in the heart of the best of Portland. Perfect for lunch too. Reservations recommended.

We try and keep this place a secret. It's amazing food with one of the most down to earth atmospheres. We go back often, and we will continue to do so.

Great family dinner, as always!!! Have been coming here for 15 years, it never disappoints!!! A little piece of Italy on the streets of Portland Great Service, amazing food, great prices

If you want to go to a fun, lively restaurant and eat some delicious, Italian food, this is your place! Simple not stuffy and great authentic style dishes, you can't go wrong choosing Piazza Italia.

Food was great, and our waiter was very nice. Not too pricy, definitely value for money. In the weekends I would recommend to make a reservation, we had to kill an hour or so while we waited for a table to open (and it was totally worth it).

First time in Portland, we were cruising the Pearl District looking for lunch, found Piazza Italia. If the weather is nice, sit outside. It is a small local, true Italian restaurant. For lunch, I would suggest the 3 slice pizza sample. We enjoyed lunch so much, we return the next night for dinner. We were not disappointed. A slightly different menu, but still excellent choices. If you are looking for a quiet romantic dinner, this is not the place. It can be crowded, but it did remind me of several places in Italy. They do take reservations, which I recommend for the Friday or Saturday. They have an incredible wine list. Next time in Portland, we will return.

One of the best Italian resturants in Portland, wife and I have had our anniversary dinner here for the past 20 years...

We've been coming here for multiple years now and have enjoyed many meals here. It's a charming restaurant with terrific food and great service. However, my 2 most recent visits have been less than enjoyable. While most of the waitstaff here is outstanding, twice now a heavyset gentleman, (perhaps manager or family member of the ownership) ruined meals. He coldly greeted and seated us and unfortunately was our waiter for the evening. The place was not busy and we had long periods of wait then after being served, rushed out. He cleared salad plates that still had food on them and brought our main courses. Bread was taken away mid-meal and check brought with a half bottle of wine remaining. Perhaps it was a bad night for the guy. Then a couple months later I returned with a business associate. I told my friend about my last experience and we watched the same guy ignore some of the tables he was in charge of. His service to us was just going through the motions, another server took over our table and was a welcome contrast. The restaurant business is a service business and I hope this guy will get out of it as he clearly doesn't enjoy it and is selective on who he chooses to serve. Other reviews on other platforms seem to confirm this. The place is too good for one person to ruin for all.

Best food we’ve had since we’ve been in the US! (And that’s travelling around 6 different states!) Authentic, delicious and fresh, and I’m Italian so I know what I’m talking about. Next time I visit Portland I’ll be sure to go back.

Service: very good without being intrusive. Will let you linger, we normally spend three to four hours for dinner. Food: very good Ambiance: crowded a bit noisy, just like in Italy. Love this place, especially in summer when you can sit out in the sun. For a full meal (appetizer, main, wine, dessert, coffee) for two expect to spend $100+.

We went for dinner and had a very nice time. It was very crowded but by the time we finished it was very quiet. Very reasonable prices and good Italian food, what could be better?

This review won't make much of an impact because this restaurant is always packed to the rafters. That is precisely the problem. You may feel rushed and insulted, but that's okay, just move out of the way because there are plenty more people waiting in line. Sure, the food and atmosphere are pretty good and there's the nice free breadbasket and affordable carafes of wine. But if feeling respected as a patron is important to you, you may want to skip this place. We live right around the corner and it's hard to get a reservation. We finally got one for 5pm for our party of four, but we were told we would have to be finished by 6:30 because the next group had the table reserved. Later, we walked over in the rain and were ten minutes early, and their door wasn't locked but they asked us to leave until the restaurant opened at 5. They said if we stayed, others would think they were open. It seemed odd to us because there were two men inside finishing up their late lunch. Well, we waited outside in the rain. Once seated, the server gave us the various specials but we apparently weren't fast enough ordering, so he hovered over us waiting, pen in hand, until we made a decision. We all enjoyed our meals very much...the food is really quite good, even if it came out in record time. We finished well within the time allotted to us, but decided to go to another Italian restaurant a block away for dessert, after-dinner drinks, and coffee. We liked the second restaurant...Giorgio's, so much more and we'll be going back there whenever we want a fine, relaxing, unhurried Italian meal.

The two dinners we had were excellent, wait staff fantastic, house red wine alwasy great, atmosphere very appealing (very Italian) and we were given a free desert for our anniversary. Really pleased...

I loved this place. I had lunch and had a great meal of linguine and clams which was so delicious. I watched the Italian soccer game on the TV and when it was over they had Italian music playing. The ceiling had many soccer jerseys. I imagined I was in Italy. I will eat here again for sure if I ever come to Portland again.

The pasta was Devine! Not to mention the pizza! The service was great too! Doted over my baby which every mother loves! And very attentive to every person. The ambiance is unique and very Italian. You feel like you're in Italy! Will go back!

I find this restaurant on google map They suggest this to try It seems very poplar in Portland It is full quickly on dinner time We order two pasta nice and good taste The bread is fresh and delious I wish i can come here again

On entering Piazza Italia to me it looked more like an authentic Italian Cafe than restaurtant with small square tables seating 2-4 people. The Italians love of Soccer and food was evident in their decor and Soccer on the tv sets. The food reminded me of my husbands grandmothers cooking, who was from Italy. Giovanni was a blast (one of the servers) he even came and had a drink with us afterwards at Olive R Twist. Everything was delicious.

This is a great spot in the Pearl, every thing on the menu is a ***** 5 star Great room, great food, great people, great area, always busy, make reservations so that you won't be turned away or waiting a long time. This is a really nice place and real reasonable prices for the Northwest

The pasta is fantastic at this small restaurant with a real neighborhood feel. Reservations are recommended. Both the menu and the wine list are reasonably priced. If I lived in Portland I would be a regular.

Picked this restaurant based on reviews and it was wonderful. Gino’s favorite (linguine) is the best I’ve ever had. Service from Victor was top notch. Red wine gelato - yum!Victor Serv(k(Victor) was

We went to this restaurant based on the good reviews, but we were disappointed from the beginning. The man that hosted us at the door seemed like he didn’t want to receive more people, he barely said Hi, just got our phone number and told us we could wait in the bar next door if we want. The antipasto plate was pathetic. We ordered 2 pasta dishes, they tasted good, but they just dropped the dishes and left, never asked if we needed anything else, didn’t even parmesan cheese (which is a must for pasta), and we never had a chance to ask because the server never came back to our table. Nobody smiles in this restaurant, they all looked miserable. Very disappointing!

Sunny, cold day in Portland: found this great place during lunch hour! Nice view of the street, bright and cozy. Good service and excellent Pasta dishes. Pasta al Tonno, fresh, and with the capers delicious. Other pasta dishes very good as well. The gnocchis, when available, the best. The wine list, whites, reds, sparking, all Italian, offering a wide variety. They have Vermouth as well and a few beers. Worth the visit. Make a reservation.

OMG, it was so perfect. The food was great, the staff so attentive, They had many regular customers who you can tell they just love being there. If I lived in Portland, I would be there a lot

We ate outside and it was very pleasant. I'm not usually big on sidewalk eating either. The food was delicious. The lasagna was a good rich sauce. The Bucatini all'Amatriciana was delightful also. The service was slow, but I think its because the meal is supposed to be an event itself. I liked how the servers wore soccer shirts.

A long time Portland restaurant in a great location in the Pearl district. Make a reservation or you might have to wait a long time. There are sidewalk tables, but I prefer the indoor restaurant. This is a family run place and makes you feel very welcome. Wine and beer are your options for alcohol. A quite large menu with authentic choices. We went with another couple and shared an Insalata Mista for each couple. The bread is made freshly daily and is really tasty. I had the spaghetti with oil and garlic, fresh and delicious. My husband had Gino's favorite and was licking his lips when done. Service was personal and great. We all enjoyed our meal and highly recommend this wonderful place.

We thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience at this excellent restaurant! The food was magnificent and the desserts sublime. Do not miss eating here.

Excellent Italian food with heavy influence of old country flavors. Servers very friendly and attentive. We had 2 little ones and were not made to feel unwelcome. Probab

With 4 people at a birthday celebration we got to try a lot of dishes. Although we have passed before on the lasagna, thinking "I can do that at home", the lasagna here is not like anything you've made or had before - it is a must-eat. The shrimp in pesto cream pasta is also excellent,as is the buccatini and pappardelle. The breseola salad with arugula is also a great starter. Service is fast and the atmosphere is terrific, and there is nothing on the menu above $20. A great meal and a great value. The place is pretty empty after about 8:30 on weeknights so one could easliy go then.

Nice casual place with outdoors seating. Authentic Italian. Good fresh food. Waiters take it easy so you don't feel hurried.

We went here with friends, who had been before and were certain we didn't need a reservation. Since it was at the end of lunch rush, they did give us a table - right by the kitchen - which turned out to be fine anyway because the whole place feels like you've been crammed in with a shoe horn, so location probably doesn't matter. The waiter was very pleasant and helpful, and even though I didn't care for the special I ordered, everyone else was very happy with their food. My husband even went back with a friend. But just be aware that this place is small, noisy and almost a sports bar with sports memorabilia covering every available space. It is not a romantic or quiet experience!

Very authentic Italian experience. Hearing the daily specials with an Italian accent is always a nice start...but when the Italian prosciutto hit my palate, wow!!! My main course consisted of pappardelle mare e monti (outstanding) and the tiramisu was fantastico. Want to come back here with my wife. Merci beaucoup!

We were visiting from NC and decided to take the streetcar to the Pearl District. No sooner did we get off, the rain started so we ducked into Piazza Italia. Luckily it was only 2 of us so we were able to be seated. We haven’t tasted this quality of Italian food since our days in NYC. The restaurant reminded me of Little Italy. The caprese salad had the freshest mozzarella!! And, I haven’t had pesto this delicious ever!!! So glad it started to rain when it did!!!

Great bruschetta monferreti. Gino's salad large flavorful. Special ravioli was excellent. Friendly helpful service. No reservations and no name on list by phone but could put name on list in person

Don't know why I hadn't heard of this restaurant until last week, Had an amazing meal with 4 family members. We all enjoyed our meals and each had something different. Pasta cooked perfectly. Antipasto as great. Our waiter, John, had such a great personality and was very attentive. Will definitely be back. Gino's Favorite was amazing.

Perfectly fine Italian food, but nothing to write home about. Standard pastas and salads, small crowded tables.

This place is all about the pasta. My date had the pappardelle al cinghiale while I ordered the Rigatoni Bolognese. Both dishes were great. We also shared the "Antipasto Italiano," which is a large plate of smoked salmon (quite good, too), vegetables, beans, and olives. This, along with a basket of bread, was more than enough to fill two people, and so we skipped dessert. The restaurant is small, very crowded with tables (not in a bad way, but in a good way that one would expect of a popular restaurant making the most of the space it has available), and quite busy. On a weekday I made a reservation for dinner the same day and had no problem getting a table, but I would guess that weekends are full up. In fact, I think I tried to stop here last summer and was put off by the long wait list. I've eaten here twice, and both times had a great meal at a good price.

We try to dine here on each visit to Portland. The food is predictably good, the atmosphere pleasant, and the service excellent. We missed the live music this time because we were not able to be here on a weekend. The wine list has a nice variety of Italian wines in a range of prices.

What a wonderful, fun place to delight in some delicious Italian food. The ambience has a very casual European edge to it. The tables are fairly closely spaced by American standards, but the noise level was still low enough to allow easy conversation. The decor is eclectic, from football (soccer) jerseys adorning the ceiling to wine racks and banners and photos adorning the walls. All of the 5:30 tables were filled (we had reservations) and the vibe was almost electric. The service was excellent. We received our water promptly and our orders were taken when we were ready. We were not rushed. The excellent bread, olive oil and balsamic vinegar kept us nourished while we were trying to choose between the options. It was very hard to choose. We ended up ordering a carafe of house red wine and two salads to share between the four of us. These were served promptly. For the entrée, my wife and I chose the evening special of ravioli with fontina and asparagus and a creamy walnut sauce. The other couple ordered the Rigatoni Bolognese and the Pappardelle al Cinghiale. For dessert we shared a teramisu and a Cremé Brûlée. Everything was delicious. We were never rushed and we had a most enjoyable, leisurely dinner.

Went with my partner who is from Italy and we were treated like family. Live music and awesome pasta (American portions!). He was happy to be greeted with a basket of bread. Was brought tiramisu for dessert as it was my birthday, came with a candle. Charming, fun, and intimate place. Would definitely go back!

I don't really dine out alone but found myself in that situation for lunch while on a short trip to Portland. I was craving pasta and decided on Piazza Italia. The delicious food, wonderful service, and lovely surrounding atmosphere contributed to a really pleasant experience that I'd like to repeat. Got in not long after they opened at 11:30 (wanted to beat the rush I read about during peak times and have a quieter meal, if possible), and was seated by the window. Ordered a glass of house white, which was surprisingly good with a very generous pour. The bread basket consisted of a pizza bread, white bread with a great chewy crust and the best focaccia I've ever had. I enjoyed the bucatini all amatriciana and best of all sopping up the leftover sauce with the focaccia! I had some bread leftover and told my server I would be taking that with me, while raving about the focaccia. He bagged the bread and threw in several more pieces for me! A walk in the pretty neighborhood back to my hotel made the whole experience such a treat and made me so very happy.

Dinner at Piazza Italia is a delicious event. We dined early and even so the entire restaurant was filled with all of us who had reserved seating. It is an intimate spot so be sure to plan ahead. Our server was very attentive and friendly, the variety of pasta dishes was wonderful and there were interesting salads and antipasti. My pasta was cooked perfectly and the pesto sauce delicious, mushrooms and shrimp aplenty. Tiramisu for dessert was our choice and it was a generous portion and very tasty. I can hardly wait to return.

You must have a reservation or forget going. We walk in Sunday at 5:00PM at opening and ask if we could be seated. YES... the table was a bad table location in with a large group and we were told we have to leave in one hour since this bad location table was reserved at 6:00PM. We did feel welcome and walked out. No one cared or offered one of the many open tables with better locations. over the years we have been a good customer and have taken many family members and friends to Piazza Italia with no problems. So why the RUDE treatment and told we had to leave in one hour. I have NEVER been told i had to leave at a pre selected time. RUDE!!! I do not recommend this former great restaurant in the Pearl. We will not return.There are many other great restaurants in the Pearl. If you enjoy RUDE service then this is your place for lunch or dinner. Not my choice.

Awesome food and atmosphere. If you are coming here be sure to make a reservation and be creative when finding a place to park...you might have to walk a little but it's worth it!

SMALL restaurant with homey Italian feel. Felt a bit like having dinner at an Italian friends momma's house. Happy we got reservations in advance as those arriving after us without them were told wait would be over an hour. Had musician playing guitar and singing which was nice but a bit loud at times making conversation challenging. Clams and pasta was fresh and the complimentary bread was good. That and a nice bottle of wine made our meal complete. Enjoyable!

Just finished dinner here tonight. The food is fresh and flavorful with an authentic taste. Recommended highly. Good vegetarian options.

Italian food made by real Italians. I joked that my meal must have been made by a cadre of Italian grandmothers in the kitchen. Everything tasted so fresh and delicious. The ambience is casual and lively.

This restaurant has been around for many years but the quality never goes down. The food is amazing every time. The free bread basket is delicious w/ focaccia and a hearty loaf, the bruschetta was tasty w/ delicious tasty tomatoes and quality olive oil. The pastas are incredible - each one is better than the last. We had the the rigatoni w/ cream sauce and sausage and peas (can't recall the names) and the spaghetti w/ tuna and red sauce. The pastas are so well cooked- always al dente, never overdone. The place is always packed but we only had about 15 min wait. The service is always very good. The food is rich so not an every day place but wonderful every time.

We frequently go here & have always enjoyed it so when my friend from out of town stopped to visit, I decided to take her here for a light lunch. Disappointed. The minestrone soup was bland & not one bean. The waiter was rather dismissive. The bread was good.

I visited this place by hotel recommendation. Piazza makes its pasta fresh daily. It's a very small and cozy spot and offers outdoor seating as well, but it is a popular place, so reservations are recommended. They have a portion of the restaurant dedicated to the appetizers and breads. The bread brought to the table was good so I had to monitor my intake not get full. I had the pappardelle pasta with red wild boar meat sauce. Very good meal. The sauce was fresh and the meat had a very good flavor. I finished with the chocolate gelato. Excellent!

This is a small restaurant/deli in the Pearl District that serves authentic (not americanized) Italian food. We were walk-ins for dinner (no reservation), but despite being crowded, they quickly found a spot for us. Service was very good and our waiter was extremely friendly. We each ordered a different pasta dish and all meals were well executed and perfectly seasoned, using very fresh ingredients. The antipasto board was one of our favorite things. Worth a trip just for the deli items! Dessert was also wonderful. The decor is fun - soccer jerseys hung on the ceiling.

so we have eaten here in the past, and have eaten twice more this year. You can now book. The wines are sensibly priced and authentic heavy italian reds. The limited menu offers enough of a choice but all is freshly prepared and well cooked. You are probably safe choosing anything off the menu and it will be great

Living in Italy and then coming to Portland, this makes me feel like I'm back in Italia. The staff all speak Italian and you'll be sure to get some amazing Italian food!

We had to wait outside for about 15 minutes because our table was not ready. There are several tables on the sidewalk which I don't think I'd like to be seated at. The restaurant is small but quite attractive and it appeared that our table was the only one that could seat 10 people. We were celebrating my wife's birthday and decided on this place at our daughter's recommendation. Everyone had their favorite Italian meal which was very tasty and prepared very well. The one downside - the wine list. I requested two different wines from their list that they did not have. The alternatives were fine but in this day of computers wine lists and menus can be changed almost instantly. This is not the first restaurant at which I've experienced this. The service was excellent and not hovering. I'm not sure haw the wait staff manages but they each help out. The gratuity was added to the bill and was stamped in bold letters on the receipt.

This is a great little Italian restaurant in the Pearl. It has a hole-in-the-wall/family-style feel to it. The food is delicious. There's always a wait there, so either go early during dinner time or make a reservation! Gino's Favorite is wonderful, as is the gnocchi!