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    Bufala River District

    4.1 (16 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 10:00 pm

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    pepperoni & honey pizza 
 mushroom risotto
    Isabel C.

    Bufala is a modern and pretty Italian restaurant located in River District. I had no expectations prior to coming but a friend had been many times before and hyped up the food quite a bit. I love the decor and vibes of this place, especially the tall ceilings, ample lighting, and open bar concept. Service was prompt. We ordered a pizza and a pasta and it arrived quite quickly. I like that there were 3 different oils (herb, parmesan, and chilli) that you could season the pizza with. The mushroom risotto was delicious - very flavourful and not too salty and the risotto texture was to my liking. The pizza was thin crusted but also quite delicious, I liked the combination of sweet and savoury. Everything was great but unfortunately, the tiramisu fell a bit short for me. I think this was just a matter of my personal preference as I prefer more bitterness and flavour of the espresso. This tiramisu was a bit on the sweeter side so I likely wouldn't get it again. I would definitely like to return to try some of the other pastas and pizzas!

    Elaine L.

    Such gorgeous and spacious interior! Came here for brunch (went for the 50% off brunch deal before 11AM) and everything was such a deal! We got a classic breakfast (with bacon), sausage benedict and a tiramisu french toast! The food came quick, however I don't think the quality was that great, and our bacon was fried to a complete crisp and our toasts were a little tooo toasty. However, at the price we paid, I'm glad we tried it out!

    Pepperoni hot honey pizza
    Cecilia M.

    Bufala is the latest new restaurant in River District and I was super excited to finally have an Italian joint in my neighbourhood. After a long productive day getting our balcony ready for the summer, my boyfriend and I headed to Bufala for a late night dinner and was happy to learn that they have a late night Happy Hour menu. Bufala offers an exceptional dining experience with its inviting and vibrant ambiance. The restaurant's warm lighting and tasteful decor create a cozy yet sophisticated atmosphere, perfect for both casual dinners and special occasions. The attentive and friendly staff enhance the experience with their excellent service, ensuring that every guest feels welcome and well taken care of. The meal started strong with perfectly crispy arancini, setting the tone for the rest of the evening. I usually don't love pesto but the pesto it was served with was nice. The beef rigatoni was cooked al dente, showcasing the kitchen's skill in preparing pasta. However, the highlight of the night was the pepperoni hot honey pizza, complemented by three unique oils: Parmesan, herb, and chili. Each oil added a delightful twist to the already amazing pizza. Overall, Bufala is a fantastic choice for a memorable meal, combining great ambiance, outstanding service, and delicious food. This will definitely be one of my local spots I will be frequenting often.

    Porchetta with roasted potatoes,  poached lingcod with chickpeas/artichoke hearts
    Damien M.

    Stopped in to have a meal since we were in the neighborhood. Greeted by one of the staff very friendly and all smiles. Seated right away. The seats are quite soft and you almost feel like you sink in a bit which my wife liked I was ok with it but def comfy more so than a hard chair. We were given water right away but we also ordered drinks as well as our food items at the same time. The meals are served family style so you get a small plate to yourself and help yourself to the mains. The porchetta was good, nothing exceptional but solidly good. Crispy rind, meat a bit drier than I like but accompanied with the sauce and mustard was quite enjoyable. The potatoes were super crispy on the outside and soft in the middle though I would say there's a lot more crispy than soft. If you like that then go for it. The Ling cod was prepared nicely, with the tomatoes sauce/chick peas there was a nice acidity to go along with the seafood. The desserts are good, tiramisu definitely one of the better ones I've had. I don't think I've ever had an olive oil cake. The cake itself I thought was a bit dry. Luckily there was plenty of berry syrup and ricotta to moisten it up. Very nice all together in one bite. The meal as a whole was decent, I wasn't particularly wowed by anything but it was solid and would go back if I was craving this kind of cuisine in the area. The ambiance is very nice though and service decent.

    Menu
    Carmen P.

    Service was very attentive on a Saturday late afternoon. It was quiet enough to have a chat with background music. Lots of street parking too. Tried the funghi pizza, Arancini balls and garlic bread. This was a direct ticket to carb heaven. Everything was very delicious.

    Spiced oil to go with your pizza
    Rosemarie C.

    Chaya (I hope I spelled it right) our server was so warm and nice . We had the Rigatoni Bolognese and Pesto Pizza add prosciutto on it . it was a great experience . The ambiance was so relaxing .

    Rigatoni bolognese

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    Zefferelli's

    Zefferelli's

    4.2(550 reviews)
    11.2 kmWest End
    $$

    Tucked upstairs on a bustling downtown street, this place makes you feel in a different world than…read moredowntown Vancouver. It's quaint and charming and yes, it's hot as hell in the summer, but the big open windows help (if you reso definitely request a window seat). It's upscale but stripped down without the frills. Service is observant and efficient but not overbearing. The food is very generous, the spaghetti cooked perfect with a rich flavourful meat sauce with chunks of meat. Bread and marinara sauce as you're seated. Good food, great vibes, can't go wrong here. Classic spot.

    The vibes here are impeccable! The cozy ambiance, lighting, and decor make it feel like a family…read morerestaurant, and it was the perfect location for our party of 8. The service was also great, with multiple people checking in on us. The corkage, at $20, is very reasonable and the restaurant even comp'ed our tiramisu! We will miss it once it is gone. The food was quite decent. I thought the prices were a bit inflated for just pasta, but the portion size was pretty massive -- most of us took leftovers to go. The sauces in general were a bit bland and the pasta was definitely cooked to beyond al dente, which isn't my preference for dried pasta. That said, the toppings were generous, especially for the linguine crab that I ordered (would highly recommend!). Come by before they close permanently!

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    Zefferelli's - Pesto Seafood Fettucine

    Pesto Seafood Fettucine

    Zefferelli's - Linguine Vongole

    Linguine Vongole

    Zefferelli's - Ambiance

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    Ambiance

    Italian Kitchen - Seafood Linguine

    Italian Kitchen

    3.8(773 reviews)
    10.9 kmDowntown
    $$$

    Excellent food and wonderful service! Our family had a great experience and loved the ambiance.read more

    My friends and I recently shared a few dishes here, and while the flavors were truly impressive,…read morethe portion sizes left us wanting more. We started with the complimentary bread, which was a total highlight. Each person gets a fresh slice that has an incredible crust and a soft, pillowy center--dipping it into the oil and vinegar was the perfect way to start the meal. For our mains, the Gnocchi Asparagi e Funghi was my favorite - the gnocchi themselves were clearly handmade and had a great texture that didn't feel heavy. The earthy mushrooms and asparagus worked really well with the parmesan cream, which was rich but didn't overpower the other flavors. The Squid Ink Linguine ai Frutti di Mare was also solid; the lobster bisque base gave it a deep, savory saltiness that coated the clams, prawns, and scallops perfectly without making the dish feel too "fishy." We also tried the Candele Al Ragù D'Anatra. The duck ragu was tender and savory, and the combination of the parmesan fondue and aged asiago added a nice, sharp saltiness that made every bite really satisfying. Everything we ate was seasoned perfectly and tasted fresh, it's just a shame the portions were so small because the flavors were definitely there. The service was excellent and very attentive; I especially appreciated that they were constantly on top of refilling my water throughout the night. The ambience also hit the right note, making it a great spot for a night out. However, the portions are definitely on the smaller side and aren't super filling. Even though every dish tasted amazing, we weren't full by the end of the meal, so it's something to keep in mind if you're arriving with a big appetite.

    Photos
    Italian Kitchen
    Italian Kitchen - Black Squid Ink Seafood Linguine

    Black Squid Ink Seafood Linguine

    Italian Kitchen - The risotto going into the cheese wheel!

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    The risotto going into the cheese wheel!

    Robba Da Matti

    Robba Da Matti

    4.6(34 reviews)
    10.1 kmGastown, Downtown

    Decent Italian spot, though there are probably better spots in town…read more We had the bruschetta, seafood ravioli and pappardelle with chicken, sausage, and beef. The seafood ravioli was tasty and I'd have it again. The pappardelle was decent although didn't have as much depth or complexity of flavour as it could've. The bruschetta, which was kind of like an open faced sandwich - a spread on bread with some prosciutto on top (no tomatoes in case that's what you're expecting!), was pretty meh and I wouldn't order it again. Service was nice enough. It's a cute, cozy spot in Gastown. Overall, it was just fine but given the abundance of great Italian restaurants in town I probably would go elsewhere when craving pasta.

    Husband and I were out for a Friday date night and wanted to try a new place while walking around…read moreGastown and walked by this place. The restaurant was cute, cozy, and could seat us right away so we decided to give it a try. We got the poached pear salad and enjoyed it! The pears were delicious and a very refreshing salad. It did come with burrata on top which was a bit disappointing since it wasn't gooey at all. For our mains, we split the pesto rigatoni and the special which was also a rigatoni with white wine, capers, shrimp and lemon. First off, the noodles are delicious on both dishes. They are clearly handmade in the best way possible. Very tender, delicate, and almost melt in your mouth. The pesto dish was perfect but again the burrata on top was disappointing since it was sort of tough/dry and not gooey. The special dish was very good but the lemon was quite strong. Initially it was a bit too much but it did grow on you over time and I did like the dish. We ended with a tiramisu and while it was delicious, there wasn't much of the bread/cake/cookie part as it was mostly cream. Overall, it was fun to try a new place but I expected a more for the price point. For $35 per plate plus salad and dessert it was a very expensive dinner and we weren't full.

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    Robba Da Matti - Interior

    Interior

    Robba Da Matti - Arugula Salad

    Arugula Salad

    Robba Da Matti

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    Acquafarina - I could eat this pizza every day

    Acquafarina

    4.1(59 reviews)
    10.4 kmDowntown

    I had dinner at Acquafarina recently and honestly, everything felt very intentional. We started…read morewith a few appetizers to share and you can tell the ingredients are high quality right away--nothing feels overcomplicated, just really well executed. The pasta was probably the highlight for me. Perfect texture, rich but still balanced, and not heavy at all. You can taste that it's made with attention to detail, not just thrown together. We also tried the branzino, which was super clean and fresh, cooked perfectly. What I liked most is that it feels like a proper dining experience without being pretentious. The room, the service, the pacing--it all comes together really well. Definitely a place I'd go back to, especially for a slower dinner with good wine and great food.

    Went to Acquafarina for Dine Out. Yes, a bit of a late post but it's a spot I've always wanted to…read morecheck out. The decor and ambiance were beautiful, especially the raised pizza area and the artwork, which really added to the overall atmosphere. It definitely feels like a great place for a date night or gathering with friends and family. The food was good and we had an enjoyable experience overall, but nothing in particular stood out as especially memorable. With so many new Italian restaurants popping up locally and the competition being quite strong, I think at this price point there are other places you might also want to explore. That said, Acquafarina is still a solid choice with a great vibe, good food, and a welcoming atmosphere. I'd consider coming back, especially for a relaxed evening out.

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    Acquafarina - Interior

    Interior

    Acquafarina - Octopus

    Octopus

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    Bolognese

    Ask For Luigi - rigatoni alla bolognese

    Ask For Luigi

    4.1(588 reviews)
    10.0 kmDowntown Eastside
    $$

    This might be one of the best Italian restaurants I have been to, and my first experience here was…read moreunforgettable. This was my first stop after having just landed in Vancouver. I had secured a weekday lunch reservation a few weeks prior in anticipation, which I highly recommend. The staff was incredibly friendly when we arrived, and we were seated moments later. The inside was quite full (a good sign), cozy, with all the tables in close proximity, but it provided a very inviting atmosphere. To start I ordered the Fried Cauliflower and Sourdough bread based on other recommendations I had seen, which both lived up to the hype. My wife and I had to stop ourselves before the main course, the rigatoni alla bolognese, arrived at our table. It was perfectly portioned, still steaming as we devoured the last few bites. Our waitress was even kind enough to provide us some other recommendations in the neighborhood to try during our trip, as it was our first time in the city. Prices were more than fair for quality of what we received. Though parking might not be the easiest, and reservations are in high demand, it's worth the wait. Whenever I find myself back in Vancouver, I'll always Ask For Luigi.

    Insane. Still thinking about the ravioli. My boyfriend has celiac and they had plenty of amazing…read moreoptions including homemade gluten free pasta. I'm from Boston and this place blows nearly every Italian spot out of the water. Cocktails are premade in bottles. I do wish they had a full service bar.

    Photos
    Ask For Luigi - Inside

    Inside

    Ask For Luigi - Radicchio Salad! IG - @bilalandjesseatfood

    Radicchio Salad! IG - @bilalandjesseatfood

    Ask For Luigi - Salad and foccacia bread.

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    Salad and foccacia bread.

    Bacaro - Moscardini
 baby octopus, white beans, saffron, olives, preserved tomato @GiovaneBacaro (The Fairmont, Vancouver)

    Bacaro

    3.9(42 reviews)
    11.1 kmDowntown, Coal Harbour

    Nice little Italian spot in walking distance from the Fairmount waterfront hotel. We sat on the…read morestreet / patio and enjoyed some wine and dinner with my two kids and friend. The tartar was second to none and the kids pasta was the surprise hit of the evening when My daughter couldn't finish it my son and I finished it off. I had the lamb, very good but wouldn't get it again at the price. The rigatoni was also lights out. The server was so friendly but the wait was long due to two waiters handling the entire restaurant. She explained they don't know how busy it gets sometimes and over staffs when cruise ships are scheduled but under staffs when they are not sometimes. Didn't bother us, wine and great company for the win

    I remembered to take pictures this time let me start by talking about Miriana, she explained the…read moremenu adequately talked about wine pairings and asked about preferences which would help us feel more confident when choosing our meals. When the food arrived the plates were beautiful the sauce on the pork chops my partner had was rich and balanced. My plate the steak rigatoni went was complemented by the Cabernet I received. The beef was tender and well seasoned and the carrots roasted in honey gave a sweet but delicious addition to the entree. For desert we had a gelato...forgot that picture...oops but it was rich smooth and creamy. The calm dimly lit atmosphere with smooth jazz in the background was a great environment that helped us celebrate our anniversary in style. We loved the experience. Thanks a million Miriana!!

    Photos
    Bacaro - Bar@GiovaneBacaro (The Fairmont Vancouver)

    Bar@GiovaneBacaro (The Fairmont Vancouver)

    Bacaro - Not a fan these tables @GiovaneBacaro (The Fairmont Vancouver) #opinions

    Not a fan these tables @GiovaneBacaro (The Fairmont Vancouver) #opinions

    Bacaro - Keep it Casual @GiovaneBacaro (The Fairmont Vancouver)

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    Keep it Casual @GiovaneBacaro (The Fairmont Vancouver)

    Bufala River District - italian - Updated May 2026

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