Italian Restaurants in Bakersfield (2025)
A Bakersfield rite of passage since 1910, Luigi’s bridges grocery, deli, and dining room with family recipes and a lively daytime scene. Frequently covered by SFGATE and praised by local writers, it’s where agnolotti, sausage, and that famed sandwich meet community.
Downtown’s stalwart trattoria turns out seafood pastas, veal classics, and desserts from a local patisserie in a warmly run, family-owned room. Recommended by Visit Bakersfield and adored by locals, it’s a smart bet for date night or a pre-show dinner.
Family-owned since 1990, Frugatti’s leans into wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas, and a robust wine program—complete with a bookable wine cave. Lauded by Bakersfield Californian’s Pete Tittl, this northwest favorite blends celebratory energy with tried-and-true recipes.
A downtown hit where pastas like porcini sacchetti and osso buco ravioli headline alongside steaks and a lively bar. Spotlighted by Bakersfield Californian’s food critic for precise cooking and value, it’s a reservation-friendly choice for an evening out.
Since 1982, this Marketplace standby has served Neapolitan-inflected plates—think rack of lamb, fresh sea bass, and pastas—in an elegant, family-run setting. Celebrated in local media and cherished by longtime patrons, it’s ideal for milestones without pretense.
A chef-owned, white-tablecloth throwback where veal, carbonara, and nightly specials anchor an intimate dining room. Regularly recommended by locals and open for dinner most nights, it’s a polished alternative for old-school Italian and hand-picked wines.
A sister restaurant to Rosa’s, Sorella serves hearty pastas, parmigiana, and steaks to families in the southwest. Locals praise its welcoming service and dependable classics; it’s the kind of neighborhood spot Bakersfield leans on for weeknights and celebrations.
Opened in 1972, Rosa’s is an east-side favorite for pizzas, calzones, and red-sauce standards served with Bakersfield warmth. Frequently cited by the Bakersfield Californian, it remains a multigenerational gathering place with honest flavors and fair prices.
Hand-tossed, brick-oven New York–style pies and calzones define Cataldo’s original shop, which also offers pastas and salads. Noted by local critics for quality crust and technique, it’s a casual, independently owned option for a slice-and-salad night.
A 2025 arrival in a converted bank, this independently owned Italian-leaning steakhouse spins pizzas, pastas, and live music amid vault-era design. Covered by KGET and local campus media, it’s a fun, new-school counterpoint to the city’s classics.