Trattoria Sbandati

TLDR: EIGHT 👍 from four diners. Absolutely fantastic find in Bend! If you enjoy authentic Italian, treat yourself to dinner here. We were in Florence in February and we felt transported back in time while dining at Trattoria Sbandati! We were four adults and every single dish on the table was an absolute joy to eat. To be fair, this was the only Italian restaurant we have visited in Bend, but after our first visit we aren't sure why we would need to find another. We had: - The mussels as an appetizer - TAGLIATELLE AL RAGU’ ALLA BOLOGNESE - A sardines and spaghetti off the menu special PAPPARDELLE ALLA CHIANTIGANA (pictured) - MERLUZZO ALL’ACQUA PAZZA (pictured) The restaurant is small. Make a reservation. Slow down. Dine well.

This place is an absolute gem! Their location is a bit obscure and hole in the wall. Once you're inside you feel warm, welcome and cozy. Exactly the type of place I'd love to sip on Italian wine. We started out by ordering the piatto di formaggi misti and I must say it was a lovely sharable starter. The three cheeses where distinct and flavorful, and the pine cone syrup was outstanding. Then we ordered a starter pasta that was made with saffron and burrata. It was delicate and beautiful! We also go the taglierini al gamberi, vongole e zucchine which was my personal favorite dish of the night. The clams were decadent. Stunning. For the main dishes we ordered the cannelloni in forno and the pancetta di korobuta. And wow. So delicious. So tender. We shared a bottle of the Nebbiolo Gattinara: Travaglini, Piemonte 2020 and that made a perfect evening even better. Lovely portion sizes on everything. Service was attentive but not intrusive. Really can't recommend this place enough. Will definitely be back.

The food is absolutely wonderful. The grilled bread is a brilliant take on it, not burnt and the olive oil and toppings are the best representation of these items. The primi and secondi options are superb and the cod in tomato sauce with bread stays in my Italian seaside dreams. Jesus that dish is majestic and addictive. The service was as expected and is great at any refills and specials delivery. Ambience is where it gets a little odd because of the location they are in, with outdoor seating before the front door and then walking into an active dining room while also trying to ask about your reservation, is a bit tough, but not their fault. Bigger spot or even a different layout, changes all of that. Cannot stress enough, this place is a gem, and if I lived in this town, I would come in probably 2 if not 3 times a month but also could be a date night or special occasion spot easily.

I had a reservation with my wife and our newborn (4 months). This restaurant went above and beyond for so many reasons. The day happened to be extremely smokey and my reservations were initially for the patio. With a newborn I was very apprehensive about sitting outside. I contacted the restaurant and they were able to move things around indoors to allow for the three of us to sit inside. Once inside, we experienced exemplary service. Food was delicious and came out in a timely manner. The bread was incredible. Towards the end of the meal, our newborn began to cry. I had to step outside to soothe him. The staff was able to give us a check in a timely manner, assist my wife with moving our stroller, and even came outside after us because we had left a binky. Thank you everyone. -aka Ken

Amazing, authentic Italian food. Make your reservation at least a few days in advance to ensure you get a table, it’s worth the wait! Can’t go wrong with the cannelloni dish and panna cotta for dessert. Forever will be our favorite restaurant in Bend!

Absolutely incredible! The homemade pasta is to die for! The desserts are heavenly! The specials are out of this world! Incredibly kind but not overbearing staff. Strict with reservations, so show up when you say you will and it will be one of the best dining experiences in Central Oregon!

We are very happy to have found this Italian gem. We started off with the antipasta and the board was beautiful. It wasnt my favorite as the bread was a little crispy but flavorful. We both ordered the Ragu Tagliatelle. It was really impressive all around. Great flavors and pasta was cooked well. We shared the meatballs and enjoyed them. I can see why they are a favorite. However, we think 10.00 a meatball is a little steep. It did come with sautéed spinach, which was cooked and flavored to perfection. We finished sharing the tiramisu and it didn't disappoint. We enjoyed trying Italian wines and our service was superb. This isn't a cheap restaurant so I was taken aback seeing them fill water glasses from the sink (no filter seen but can't deny if it was at the bottom). I'm sure most places serve tap water but once I know, I'll request bottle. Overall, a very nice dinner and we will be back.

Took my wife for Valentine’s Day. First time we came here. Food was really good. Service was just ok. Waitress never came by to see if we needed anything or ask how our food was. Guess that is because there was a 20% gratuity already imposed on my bill. I’m all about including a tip with good service. But I don’t like paying full 20% when my service is subpar.

Just went back after a few years and had an AMAZING Dinner! Michael (our server) helped us pick out our dishes. With a pescatarian and a couple of meat lovers, he made our dinner perfect by recommendations for specials and regular menu selections. He also gave suggestions for cocktails and wine that were spot on. Looking forward to going back and absolutely asking for Michael to serve us! He also was able to find a pair of reader glasses to use as my husband forgot his and couldn't read the menu... Thank you Michael for making our night great!

Service: Great Ambiance: good, little outdated, could use some TLC Food: in the two times I've been there, it's been lacking on multiple fronts. Unfortunate, as I've had multiple people tell me how great it is...I just haven't been impressed. I'd say give it a shot and be your own judge. But personally, after two lackluster experiences, I won't be going back. Not worth the $$$

Best meal I've had in a very, very long time. Food is prepared with heart and soul, and you can taste it. Cured meat selection was perfect starter for me. The soup of the day almost made me cry. The pan seared cod with tomato sauce was flavorful and satisfying. Italian cuisine is know for being fresh, flavorful and relatively simple. Trattoria Sbandati has been and always will be the best authentic Italian restaurant in Bend.

Bend has pretty much converted me to a food truck or pub kind of diner. It's infrequently that I opt for a "sit down" restaurant. But I have some places bookmarked to try, which included Trattoria Sbandati, so we popped over there yesterday to check it out (and by 'popped by,' I mean we made a reservation two days prior). Sbandati has the 'starter, first course, second course, dessert' thing but we're typically not big eaters so we ordered just two entrees (both first and second courses are full-plate 'entrees') and two sides, no dessert: polpette (three big meatballs in a tomato sauce), merluzzo all'aqua pazza (Alaskan cod in a different tomato sauce), cannellini beans and sauteed spinach. The meatballs also come with spinach but we like spinach. Everything was excellent. Food, service, ambiance. Sbandati is a small place and I imagine when it fills up it might get loud with conversation but we had an early reservation, so it was nice. I know Sbandati gets mentioned a lot when folks are asked about their favorite Italian restaurants in Central Oregon so it's probably no surprise that my verdict is: highly recommended.

Classically great food in a great neighborhood. Friendly staff. Has the mushroom pasta this round and cheese plate. Yum!

5 Stars are few and far between these days but Trattoria Sbandati got me thinking, why did we wait so long to return other than I cannot pronounce the name, it takes me a few tries, ok I got it, ahh lost it again, no I don't have the skills, oh $#!&. YELP Short Answer: Yes for sure, make a Resi and enjoy a classy meal which is the BEST real Italian in Bend but not the most expensive, enough said there. Location: Kind of a funky location but it has stuck, was the old LaRosa back in the day and it wasn't that great then. Parking can be an issues so plan ahead. Buildout: Simple Italian, great kitchen I have visited several times when the owner was trying to do cooking classes ; ) Menu: Very simple, everything is explained and on our last visit, Joanna assisted and and was so perfect with drinks, wine, and menu explanations made decision making easy. Food Prep: Well done, nothing goofy about it just like being in Italy, the meal is the experience not the flower on top. Food Quality: This would be a 6 star on our night. Sorry to see some negative reviews but who knows all I can say is eccellentemente. Drinks: Great Martini here. Diner: Incredible both items were perfect which is pretty good. Wine: Perfect pairing Chianti of course. Desert: TM was great with an espresso. Waitstaff: Joanna is a professional and so exceptionally nice, glad she is back she is a 10 and you know I mean that! Overall Value: Excellent please enjoy, treat people as you'd like to be treated, Trattoria Sbandati is not an upscale kiss your @$$ overpriced, BS journey like some others have grown into. Venting I am. TIP: Resi app and get a confirmation. Outdoor seating is very nice weather dependent of course. Menu on website is not current, but that's Italian !!!!

Really enjoyed the food, and the bread is to die for!! The staff is absolutely great, they made the dining experience that much better, I will be back!!!

We were in Bend for a conference and looking for local restaurants. We would have never stumbled across this one behind a chevron in a small strip mall without yelp's reviews. The service was welcoming and attentive. The fresh bred with olive oil was a nice add. Even at the end of tomato season they offered a lovely caprese salad. My only regret is not saving room for dessert. Would definitely return. Definitely recommend reservations.

Arrived in town late and this place was nearby. We tried it and were happy we did. Food and service were fantastic, If you can get a reservation it's recommended. This place is quite popular. Home made pasta and sauces.

Everything was incredibly awesome!!!! The food, the service and the ambiance. So grateful for this gem is in our town!!!

Exceptional menu and service. First time ever just telling the staff to let the Chef decide my options for me. Sooooo good.

Please keep in mind that this is a jersey guy going to an Italian restaurant in Bend Oregon so I wasn't expecting very much. I even thought about taking an edible to get through it but the food was amazing. I mean amazing. There were 12 of us so we ordered family style and each dish was better than the last. Pastas were absolutely delicious, bread amazing, and all fish and meat entrees great. Service superb. When I go to bend again probably in about 10 years I will definitely return.

Food is very good, pasta dishes are great. Menu never changes!! Love the staff; always friendly. Ambience varies by where you're seated - the main dining ro is my preference. In the summer the outside seating is the place to be.

This restaurant has to be in everyone's short list. Such charming ambience, friendly staff, and amazing food! One of the few places I want to visit again right after being there tonight. Get a liter of house wine for the table and enjoy amazingly authentic Italian food.

Food was mediocre at best. Steak was under seasoned and tough. Pasta was well made but the sauce itself was also under seasoned. I had high expectations for this place seeing that the price point is on par with mid to high end places. The service was good they kept and eye on up but didn't hover. Food is said to be shared such as one person gets 1st corse another person gets 2nd corse and the share. Don't do that it won't be enough food for 2 people. All around was not every happy with the food or the experience. The desert and the drinks redeemed itself but if it wasn't for those two things I would have given this place a 2 star rating.

I was visiting Bend ( from the Hoboken area famous for Italian food) and my local colleague took me here for dinner as she loves this place . Well, it's easy to see why ! The place has quaint outdoor, indoor and bar seating with very friendly staff and attentive service - it's Bend ! The menu was very impressive as well with real Italian verbiage and entrees. We started off with the Burrata and a bottle of red and both were excellent. For the mains I had the chefs meatballs served with spinach ( and I ordered a side of pasta ). She had mushrooms in white sauce with pasta. Everything was absolutely delicious: seasoning , temperature and the serving size was ideal as well . Really impressed with the taste, consistency and presentation and would put this place up against any NY Italian Bistro ! Well done

Three stars, and I'm feeling generous today because the people were nice, if a bit too chill in greeting us and getting us seated. Net: I think this is a locals place where there is likely a successful path through a difficult menu. We just didn't find it. The negatives: offbeat location (on a traffic circle well outside central Bend), bad setting (gas station view, literally though they do their best to hide it with trees), the menu structure (it's done Italian style, primi, secondi, entree) but the portions don't support ordering that way (i.e., they're too big). Suggest: offer the primi dishes in two sizes, primi and entree; it would make it much easier to order. The food (just not that good, the meatballs, e.g., which I were really looking forward to, were almost inedibly salty). The naming: the zuchini salad simply is not a zuchini salad and somehow the balsamic vinegar on it didn't taste very good. Limited starters: 4 dishes of which is bruschetta, not really a starter. See prior suggestion on appetizer sized primi dishes. The service: chill and friendly, but almost too chill. The positives: the people were definitely nice, the vibe was warm, and the specials were both quite good (the mussels and in a correct starter portion) and manicotti-like pasta (which is perhaps a standard menu item, can't quite remember). Two of us really disliked it because of our choices. The third thought it was good because of hers. But menus shouldn't be minefields. This one was. Won't be back.

Such a delightful discovery! A romantic little hideaway, tucked out of sight, offering the most gracious hospitality to two hungry, tired travelers without reservations (highly recommended:). And now on to the food! If you order nothing else, be sure to get their beef broth based soup....... move over Bobby Flay! Our main dishes were pasta with red sauce, but if you look at their menu, I don't think you could go wrong no matter what you chose. We highly recommend this restaurant and can't wait to go back!

Great meal! My Italian dad was very skeptical going into this meal since he didn't think Bend could do Italian but by the end of the meal he was ready to book his next trip to visit. Getting a reservation anywhere in Bend is a bit trick so with family visiting I had this one on the books for several months. Unfortunately, the smoke/ash was so bad that we couldn't sit outside and they didn't have an indoor table that would accommodate a larger party BUT even though they don't typically do takeout (not a surprise, it's very clear that they don't on their website) they made an exception and prepared our food to go. We had a great time waiting for our order over a martini and amazing bread and our order came out at exactly the time promised. The food also kept for the short drive home. Yes, the menu is hard to say but why shouldn't it be in Italian? The servers are helpful and will pronounce items for you. There is no shame in learning how to say something. Our favorites are the mushroom pasta and ragu but at this point I think we've had everything on the menu and have left happy. One tip, select inside seating since the outdoor conditions (mainly smoke) can be a bit sporadic here in Bend.

Enjoyed our meal immensely, especially the canneloni dish. Highly recommend.

Finally came here for our 35th anniversary after meaning to get here for sometime. Restaurant is small and you need reservations. Unfortunately we were seated next to the door on a cold weather night and for a Wednesday night it was packed. The large table with unruly children didn't really add to a romantic mood. Our waitress was also the bartender who had to keep running back to make drinks. The pastas were above average but not spectacular. The profiteroles were not fresh and a big disappointment. Given all of the above I'm not sure if I would return any time soon.

Food is hot and fresh, I had lasagna Wait staff was slow to bring menus, or even take drink orders.,Manager brought us menus,, drink and food order. Slow night for staff.,

Just get on the website and make reservations. This restaurant was the highlight of our recent visit to Bend. It started with the bread. Made daily in the restaurant along with the pasta, the bread was served with an incredibly flavorful olive oil. Melted in our mouth. Then because we had received a great recommendation from the wine bar next door, ordered the seafood linguini to share and it was perfect. We finished with one order of beef tenderloin and one filet (a special that night). Both were beyond compare. The filet was truly one of the best steaks I've ever eaten. The only knock I have is that our waiter was distracted by a previous grouchy customer and the service was slow compared to those around us, but we will just mark that off as an anomaly. Go; get adventurous when ordering, you won't be sorry.

Some of the finest Italian food I've had in Oregon was unfortunately marred by the fact that they let a huge, hairy dog inside recently (11/18/22) as though this was an off leash park or maybe a cart pod. No, it wasn't a real service animal. Not every dog is service animal, just because people call it a service animal doesn't make it so. And "emotional support animals" are a just a way for entitled A-holes to bring their animals everywhere. Management needs to clamp down in this. Consult an attorney if needed.

The best Italian in the Pacific Northwest by far. The service is warm and attentive. They make the small space comfortable. It feels like a family Italian restaurant you search for in Italy.

Great time. Amazing food. We came here for date night and they made it very enjoyable, Michael our server was great. 10/10

We came back to Trattoria Sbandati after such an amazing experience on our honeymoon two years ago. It was so good, that we ate at the restaurant two nights in a row during our honeymoon. The food was excellent, and the owner's wife was very hospitable and kind. So we came back to Bend to visit a few family friends, and invited them to join us at the restaurant. When we arrived, it was a day that was 100 degrees at 5 pm. We had made for the reservation outside, not knowing that there was strict policy that once you decide inside or outside there would be no exceptions. It was four adults plus our infant son, and knowing 100 degrees would be terrible for a baby, we asked to move our table indoors where we saw several open tables. We were told by our waitress, Joanna, that it was not possible. Adding to this, one of our family friends was not feeling good from the heat, and even though Joanna noticed this, it didn't faze her to keep us outside. Fast forward to our experience - that family friend ended up throwing up in the parking lot from the heat, and our son was also not feeling good. We had just received the food, and asked for it to be boxed up to go because we could not stay longer. Upon leaving, Joanna said good luck to us. I gave her a 15% tip by default mistakenly, because she didn't deserve a tip - the service and experience were just awful. We rarely dine out with a young child, so when we do, we want good service, but didn't get it. The food was excellent two years ago, and was also excellent again: the charcuterie board was still excellent, and their bolognese pasta is something we could eat daily. Now you may be thinking, why didn't we leave from the start? Because the restaurant has a policy, or at least with Resy, to charge $30 per guest for not showing up, and we thought this would've been applied had we left at the start. Crazy policy if you ask me, but I'm not surprised after the service and experience. Maybe the owners can correct us if we we're wrong, but they had our credit card information to make the reservation and could hence charge us. I also think the restaurant would do all of their guests and potential guests a favor by refusing to do outdoor dining when the temperature is too high.

Absolutely FABULOUS, just wish there was more seating. The food is outstanding! We will be back.

Amazing food... Service and atmosphere were lacking. Made a reservation for my boyfriend's birthday and had high hopes as we've been eyeing this place for years and saving it for a special occasion. The food was full of flavor, and portions were a good size. Unfortunately, we were disappointed in the overall atmosphere of this place. There was no music playing inside; however, there was a speaker across the parking lot at the gas station, providing tunes for patio diners. We sat inside and were distracted by the continuous beeping of timers in the kitchen. Our waitress was friendly, but we felt neglected from the moment we sat down. It seemed she focused more on providing excellent service to the table next to us, an older couple. Perhaps she expected them to rack up a higher bill than my younger boyfriend and I. Feeling neglected is never a big motivation to continue to spend money. We cut our time short and finished with a glass of port instead of more drinks and dessert. The port was served with a single candle for my boyfriend's birthday, and honestly, it was a weird touch at that point. As good as the food was, we were let down by the service and will take our business elsewhere next time.

A month ago I was driving around Tuscany, enjoying everything the region has to offer. When I came to Bend to visit family, I checked out the menu here, and enthusiastically looked forward to our reservation. Trattoria Sbandati exceeded my expectations for an Italian restaurant in America. It was like being back in Italy - the food, the service, bravissimo!

Excellent. from salty bread to great wine and the pappardelle and vongole! Great service and recommendations. definitely a return visit

This is a hidden gem for sure. It sits in an place you might easily pass by but don't be fooled! This is the best Italian food I've had and our server Mary was wonderful. We sat on the patio and believe it or not, the guy working at the Chevron station next door plays music for the diners! I thought it was coming from their own speaker system hidden in the shrubs. Hilarious and wonderful that diners get sweet music on the patio courtesy of a gas attendant! This place will be on our MUST GO list when we are visiting Bend. Thanks to Mary and all the staff for making it one of the best date nights we've had.

Friendly people, good service. Antipasto, tagliata, papparadelle, and bongo were good. Filet was over-charred, overcooked, and tough. An expensive place like this should know how to pick pieces of meat and how to cook them.

Wonderful! Excellent service in a quaint setting with delicious food. It's becoming a local neighborhood restaurant.

Love this place. Ambiance steals the show. Service was great, food was good. Blah blah blah.......

Wow!! Authentic Italian cuisine! Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable. Ambiance was romantic. I was very impressed with everything we ordered and I would definitely go back just for the bread we received when we sat down.

The menu is similar to those that are in Italy-appetizers, first course (pasta), second course (proteins - fish, meat balls, etc.), desserts. It takes some practice to get the right combination or you are taking home a lot of the meal or eating too much.

Had dinner here last night. The food was a little better than average. Atmosphere is nice. The service left a lot to be desired. We arrived 15 minutes before our reservation time and we're taken to the worst table next to the kitchen. Asked to be seated at a table across from ours that was already set up and we're told it was reserved for 7:00. I pointed out to the server that our reservation was also for 7:00 and we were there. The answer was " no I'm sorry , it's reserved ". Another server moved us to another table close by . We ordered drinks and an appetizer which both took forever to arrive. Meanwhile two other couples in tables next to ours, who ordered their food after ours, got their food and we were left waiting. We were there to celebrate my husband's birthday and mentioned it on the reservation, nothing was said about the birthday and the whole evening was to say the least, less than what we expected. The server became more friendly when it was time for the check. Needless to say it was too late to make any kind of difference. We always leave at least a 20% tip, especially during the pandemic, because we realize that restaurant work is hard. I elected not to leave anything for the tip, above the objections of my husband because I felt we were treated poorly and our evening ended on such a sour note. So, too bad, because our previous dinner here was good enough to return for a special night out.

Can't believe we waited 8 years to try this place. Wonderful food and ambience. Great wine selection too

A personal favorite. Pleasant surroundings, attentive and knowledgeable staff, and excellent food and drinks. You won't be disappointed.

Sadly, food was not flavorful. And a $31 bowl of pasta requires it. The bolognese sauce tasted...tomatoey. The bread served at table was drenched in way too much olive oil. An underdressed $16 salad was disappointing although it was loaded with more walnuts than I could eat. The Prosecco cocktail was tasty, however. Our waiter, attentive, although when asked how to pronounce the menu item told us he can never get that one right... It was expensive and disappointing and we won't be back. There were plenty of others there though. To each his own...

I had an amazing meal here. All the dishes were fantastic. I've heard great things about this restaurant and I wasn't disappointed. The food was amazing and the service was great. We had the beef special as well as the meatballs. World Class food. I'm so glad I finally came here. I can't recommend this place highly enough. Perfect for a romantic date.

Our first time here and I wish we would have come sooner. Best Italian food in Bend, no contest. No one else is even close. Even during the pandemic, the friendly servers and pleasant patio ambience helped us forget the virus for a while. Service was team concept, and we had three different servers come to our table. All very friendly and professional. My pasta dish, red meat sauce and wide ribbon pasta was superb! Served with a reasonably priced silky Sangiovese and fresh bread drizzled with EVOO. My mate had a cheesy, saucy cannelloni stuffed with more gooey cheese and spinach. Creamy good, but drowned in sauce. We poured off a 1/2 cup or more sauce, just to see where the noodle was. Good, but way too much sauce. Prices were a few dollars more, but considering the excellent dining experience, well worth it. A new favorite for us. We'll be back.

Had appetizer of bread and cold sliced Italian meats. The wife had the special of the night which was a filet with arugula, capers and some sauce. She enjoyed hers. I was hoping for a chicken or veal parm but wasn't on the menu so I had a recommended pasta with Italian sausage in red sauce that was pretty tasty. A very limited bar with a small selection.

We have always enjoyed the food here, but last week's service was abysmal. We were greeted and shown to our table in a manner that was more haughty than friendly. Two entrees were served promptly but the third lagged behind by 10 minutes. Our waitress apologized and said she would comp a beverage, but did not. The food was very good but the screw up took some sparkle out of the evening

Nice atmosphere inside the restaurant. Excellent service with warm staff. Food was generally good with generous portions and served at correct temperatures. No up charge for extra parmigiana cheese like some other restaurants in town, Menu is varied with some interesting choices. The weakest part of the meal was the desserts. The Tiramisu was weak and the profiterole dish was bad. The coffee Americano was not very good. Would try again.

Great service and delicious food- tucked away in a small corner, make sure to book your reservation in advance.

The only authentic Italian food we have found in Bend. The prices are slightly on the higher end but the food is of great quality and taste. Very small inside, not much seating. Reservation recommended.

Everything I have eaten here has been superb! The cocktails are expertly made, and the wine list is more than I'll ever get through. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly, so this restaurant is s completely delightful experience!

Birthday dinner success! Arrived for a 5pm reservation, seated promptly and service was quick. Pasta was handmade, so delicious. Recommend stopping by this gem for your next special occasion.