Top 3 Italian Restaurants in Columbus, Ohio

Here in the U.S., Italian cuisine is a popular staple in restaurants, but quality and authenticity are rarely a guarantee. Instead, if you want to enjoy some fresh, authentic Italian food, or want to share it with others, you need to find the right local spots to choose from.

In Columbus, there is no shortage of Italian restaurants to choose from. But only a few make the shortlist of delicious spots to dig into pasta and other Italian-inspired dishes. The following restaurants are among the best that the city has to offer. While they're great for enjoying yourself, each one also makes a great spot to purchase a gift card for a friend or family member for a special occasion.

Gift cards are always a great choice when you're looking for a gift. Not only are they easy to buy, but they are also more likely to be loved by the recipient. You don't have to worry about sizes or about whether they already have the gift. Purchasing a virtual GiftYa card for a friend or loved one is a great way to celebrate a special occasion or just let them know that you're thinking about them. Plus, you can add a personalized note of congratulations or wishing them a happy birthday, anniversary, wedding, and more.

If you're looking for just the right spot to purchase a gift card for a friend or family member, keep reading to learn the top 3 Italian restaurants in Columbus, Ohio.

1. Lola & Giuseppe's Trattoria

Classic Italian dishes in a laid-back atmosphere.

100 Granville St, Columbus, OH 43230 (https://www.lolaandgiuseppes.com)

When you're in Columbus and in the mood for authentic, freshly made Italian classics, Lola & Giuseppe's Trattoria is the place to go. A favorite among locals for years now, it's a must-see for visitors to the city as well. Menu favorites include Giuseppe's Baked Rigatoni, which features rigatoni pasta layered with bolognese sauce and plenty of cheese that is baked to perfection, and Eggplant Parmigiana, which features thick slices of eggplant that are breaded and topped with cheese and served with a side of pasta. While the restaurant does have a casual atmosphere, it's still a great spot for celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and more.

"I had a lovely takeout dinner from Lola & Giuseppe's on Thursday and ordered on ChowNow. The whole process was a breeze and my food was ready when I arrived. My husband was impressed with the taste and portion size.  This was our first time so we wanted to get several options. He started with the Caesar salad and raved about their homemade croutons. They make their dressings and items from scratch. He had Giuseppe's gnocchi and added chicken. He was happy to have some leftovers given the portion size. I had the Alfredo with shrimp and ordered extra sauce. I finished my Alfredo. It was creamy and so good. The extra sauce was great so I could use it with the complementary garlic bread. We got a cannoli and bread pudding with caramel sauce. We both split the desserts over the course of 2 days. You must order the bread pudding! We were full after our meal that evening, so we warmed it up the next day for dinner. It was so light and fluffy. The caramel sauce was excellent with it melted overtop. This place is fabulous and a great value. I can't wait to order from here again and would love to dine there in person. I can't wait to try more dishes from here!! Stellar Italian food overall." -Yelp Review

Purchase a GiftYa card for Lola & Giuseppe's Trattoria.

2. Market Italian Village

Trendy restaurant serving Mediterranean-inspired dishes.

1022 Summit St, Columbus, OH 43201 themarketiv.com

If you're looking for classic Italian fare, this isn't the place for you. Instead, Market Italian Village specializes in serving up trendy, modern meals that are inspired by the flavors, colors, and cuisine of the Mediterranean, and Italy in particular. Foodies will love the daring flavors and impeccable plating. The menu features a variety of unique and eye-catching dishes, like Ohio Shrooms, Poached Farm Duck Egg, Honey Cake, and House-made Ricotta. The atmosphere of the restaurant matches the food. While it is casual, it's also a great spot for a date night out—though young palettes may find the dishes tough to swallow.

"The Market Italian Village's revamp exceeded any and all expectations -- we had a reservation for a party of 4 at 8:45p and we opted to dine outdoors.

We got the Deviled Duck Eggs (the crispy fish skin was a very, very nice touch), the Baby Carrots, the Smoked Walleye Croquettes (a tad over-salted/seasoned), the Strozzapreti Pasta (the perfect amount of kick to the spicy tomato sauce), the Ohio Mushrooms (who knew OH had mushrooms this delicious??), the Walleye (this was the crowd pleaser!), and the Pork Chop (not something I'd order again but it was delicious), an Aperol Spritz, a Negroni Sbagliato, and a bottle of the Cleto 'Vecchia Modena' Lambrusco. There's a drink called Welcome to the Jungle Baby...You're Gonna Die and that name's intriguing enough that I'm definitely coming back to try it + I also really want to check out their daytime/brunch vibe!" -Yelp Review

Purchase a GiftYa card for Market Italian Village.

3. Martini Modern Italian

A classy atmosphere and Italian dishes with a modern twist.

445 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215, Short North martinimodernitalian.com

If you're looking for a classy spot for a date night out or a special celebration, you can't go wrong with Martini Modern Italian. This fancy spot features dramatic lighting, crystal chandeliers, and plush seating that's ideal for every special occasion. The menu matches the restaurant's style, with decadent dishes and handcrafted cocktails. Unique menu favorites include Butternut Squash Tortellini, Fettuccine & Clams, and Veal Martini.

"My family and I had reservations to celebrate my aunt's birthday. Eight women, who haven't seen each other in over a year due to COVID, gathered around the same dinner table for the first time in forever... plus wine, two of them pregnant, and one being a preteen, just picture the scene. Now that you know how much of a handful we were, continue reading.

Our reservations ran about thirty minutes late which left everyone in a different mood. The ladies expecting were getting hangry, the others thirsty, the young one being a brat. However, the moment we all were seated (at a great table by the way, definitely worth the wait) all of that disappeared. Our waiter was an absolute queen and kept our waters filled, the booze flowing, the birthday girl feeling special, and everything in between. I ordered an old fashioned, many got wine, and appetizers were ordered right away. This was my first time here so I tried a little bit of it all. Of course, the arancini was a crowd favorite and the bruschetta wasn't far behind. I also ordered a caesar salad and the fritto misto di mare. My salad was great but the calamari dish wasn't my favorite. The sauce in the greens made the fried calamari soggy and everyone at the table was grossed out by it.

The birthday girl was treated to a slice of decadent chocolate cake, including a birthday candle and edible "happy birthday" sign. She definitely felt special and we all appreciated the extra effort from the staff, including taking a picture of us... first one of all eight of us in 10+ years. While I came for a special occasion, I totally see why folks like to come here for happy hour and I won't shy away from visiting again soon." -Yelp Review

Purchase a GiftYa card for Martini Modern Italian.

Whether you're looking for a place to enjoy a tasty dinner tonight or want to find the perfect spot to buy a gift card for a friend or family member, this list is a great place to start. These tasty destinations are among the best Italian restaurants in Columbus, Ohio, offering a wide range of Italian-inspired cuisine and restaurant atmospheres to choose from!