Italian restaurants often have names such as “Osteria,†“Trattoria,†and “Ristorante†along with the name of the restaurant. This name subdivides the size and service of the store, and even if you know this meaning, you can estimate the quality of service and the approximate price range. An osteria is a restaurant that serves simple wine and food, and is the most comfortable place to stop by. A trattoria refers to a restaurant that has a somewhat higher quality of service than an osteria and is casual at the same time. They have a variety of dishes, including casual and course meals. Ristorante refers to the most formal fine dining restaurant.
Just because it's the most luxurious restaurant doesn't guarantee the best taste. There are many osteria restaurants that have received good reviews from Michelin and the like. Because of their casual nature, they have the advantage of being able to often find experimental menus from chefs, and fresh, unconventional variations are possible in plating and service.
Around Cheongdam-dong and Apgujeong Dosan Park in Seoul are Mipiace, Tok Tok, Mongone, Bonasera, Tutto Bene, Ristorante Eo, The Kitchen Salvatore Cuomo, Grano, Volpino, Cucciolo Terrazza, Titolo, Gardner Adria, Osteria Cotto, Melting Shop, El Omino, Bottegaro, Terra13, Pearl Shell, Cheese Room, Scopader Chef, Pairing Room, Gardi Rock, Spark, MUOKI, Choke There are many famous Italian restaurants such as Dot, Pasto, Soley, Benebene 2010, Restaurant Oh Sedeuk, Darobe, The Green Table, Luca 511, Wallot, Test Kitchen, Grand Ciel, Lazy Cuore, and Bespoke 420.
Other areas of Seoul include Itaewon Maremma, Itaewon ILCHIASSO, Haebangchon Cucholo, Yeonnam-dong AlChoC, Gyeongridan-gil Bizteca, Hannam-dong Second Kitchen, Seochon Duomo, Gwanghwamun Pomodoro, Namsan Engil, Namsan Harvest Namsan, Samcheong-dong Tereno, Gyeongridan-gil Toreen, Seochon Cadelupo, Noksa Trevia, Itaewon Classic House, Samcheong-dong Itae-ri Jae, Buolo-dong Demaria, Gwanghwamun Bocalino, Seochon Gastrotong, Euljiro Grand Blue, Seochon Bistro Chinchin, Seochon Galina Daisy, Namsan Festa by Mingu, Seochon Kim Seorante, Sangam Trattoria Malto, Hannam-dong Osteria Orzo, Seochon Olive Garden, Hapjeong Osteria Sam Kim, Seongsu Packi, Hongdae Sangsu Chao, Hannam-dong La Sandok Osteria, Hannam-dong Omanjia, Hapjeong Ipoh, Patuwon Get, Hapjeong Centopercento, Chungmuro Pasta Market, Hapjeong Camilo Lasaneria, Hapjeong Camilo Lasaneria, Seochon Casa Chef, Itaewon Itaewon, Mangwon-dong Bruserie Seogyo, Myeongdong ROOM201, Kondae Chaenak Youth Festival, Myeongdong Vicolo, Yeonnam-dong Sea Pasta, Hannam-dong Royal Mansion, Daehak-ro Dimateo, City Hall Lacantina, Kondae Ronilotti, Mangwon Cobra Pasta Club, Yeonnam-dong Gamchul, Haebangchon, Oriamdong Tonhill, Namdaemun Millennium Hilton Seoul Ilfonte, Gwangjang-dong Vista Walkerhill Seoul Delvino, Hannam-dong Yoon Se-young Restaurant, Sinchon Gino, Yeonhui-dong Enoteca Auto, Hannam-dong Pasta Fresca, Hongdae ALLATORRE, Sinchon Ragu Restaurant, Ikseon-dong No Signboard Shop, Seochon Enoteca Chinchin, Kondae Dawon Restaurant, Euljiro Picchi, Hannam-dong Noodle Bar, Yeonnam-dong Yunsung Yong Restaurant, Kumho-dong Gourmet Tree, Seongsu Osteria Jeanne, Seongsu Osteria Jeanne, Dong Baratier, Seongsu Boyer, Yeonhui-dong Mowdy, Sinchon Whale Pasta, Gunja Amuni, Hapjeong Topa, Sangsu Yun Seombang, Yeouido Ola, Garosu-gil Table Star, Yangjae Dogok Star Chef, Dogok Isubu, Delicious Italian in Dogok, Seocho TAVERN38, Seorae Village Re Jiu, Daechi-dong Guran Gusto, Seorae Village Dourroom, Bangbae Taboppo, Bangbae Flowerchild, Yeoksam Station, Songpa Kongil Kongme, Seorae Village Volare, Yeoksam Giannis Napoli, Jamsil Vintage 1981, Seorae Village Tombola, Seorae Village Bistronu, Nonhyeon Ichi, Yangjae Bistroians, Sinsa Garosu-gil Gatti, Seoul National University Sharosu-gil Mohing, Seorae Village La Mora, Gyeongridan-gil Jang Jin-woo Restaurant, Seorae Village Restoro, Garosu-gil Charming Italy, Songli Dan-gil Lavanrose, Garosu-gil Normal Ryunique, Bangbae, Pasta ship Wildflowers and the like are famous.
Italian restaurants nationwide include Uiwang Baiyun Lake Ola, Ansan Gozan Eunice's Garden, Anyang Pyeongchon Santa Lucia, Bucheon Middle East Narita Kitchen, Pangyo Benecuchi, Ilsan Yangjimi Restaurant, Ilsan Chef on Terrace, Yongin Bojeong-dong Vinioli, Pyeongtaek Montebianco, Bundang Seohyeon Pasta, Bundang Jeongja Sorella, Ilsan Pungdong Pino, Ilsan Janggang-dong Triple J, Songdo La Vista, Songdo Fragrance Restaurant, Songdo, Impasdo To, Bupyeong People's, Bupyeong Epic, Cheongna Italian Workshop, Ilsan Eunsu Table, Hanam de Carmelite, Yangpyeong Lalia Restaurant, Bundang Jeong Bellarosa, Paju Heyri Ittali, Paju Dining Noeul, Pangyo Seren, Pangyo Zero-Toon Nine, Pangyo Radio Bay, Pangyo Vintage 1988, Suwon Trattoria Family, Ilsan BARN110, Paju Adamas 253, Bundang Giocucina, Ilsan Upsi Table, Paju Stair Kitchen, Busan Seomyeon Osteria Lachibeta, Busan Station Choryang Osteria Couple, Busan Jeonpo Restaurant Osteria Fisherman, Dongnae Olive, Suyeong L Olive, Gijang Mare Restaurant, Seomyeon Vito, Suyeong Bistro, Nampo-dong Edera, Haeundae Italian Couple, Haeundae Kitchen Dongbaek, Haeundae Park Hyatt Busan Dining Room, Daegu Dongseong-ro VIN PLUS, Suseongmok Trap, Jisan-dong Labella Cucina, Daemyeong-dong Samstory, Geumyeong-dong The Kitchen Noi, Daebong-dong Organic Shilla, Banwoldang Piky Child Dining, Dongseong-ro Cuisine 59-2, Samdeok-dong Small, Gwangju Sangmu Gourmet Kitchen, Suwan District Tao, Yanglim-dong Yangrim Pinetree, Yangrim Honest Sixty, Chungjang-ro Dongmyeong-dong Auer Pasta, Daejeon Dunsan Italian City, Research Complex Salute, Gyeryongsan, Yuseong Nuovo Napoli, Yuseong Basilico Restaurant, Doan Vivarilli, Daldong Table, Changwon Alveto, Gimhae Elements, Changwon Sopul, Namhae Jemennamae, Tongyeong May, Gyeongju Seasoning, Gyeongju Societyatina, Jeonju Tea Girl, Jeonju Primo Pasta, Jeonju Ristorante Colli, Jeonju Gaeksa Pastology, Cheongju Shearing Room, Cheongju Fabrika, Eumseong Misdo Kitchen, Jeju Seongsan Hotel Mint, Andeok Biotopia, Pyoseon Haevichi Hotel & Resort Miliu, Namwon Yone Kitchen, Sehwa Kitchen Insehwa, Udo Sehwa Sehwa, Udo Seomsonai, Tasty Paul Kitchen in Hangyeong-myeon, and Kukuarim in Jeju City are famous. Let's meet the BEST 5 new Italian restaurants where you can find the best cuisine of your life.
1. Soft raw noodles mixed with rich sauce, 'Brussels Seogyo' in Mangwon-dong
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Image source: linsta_g's Instagram
Image source: linsta_g's Instagram
“Brussels West Bridge†was newly opened in Mangwon-dong in September 2019. It is run by Chef Song Do-ha, the executive chef of the three-star Michelin restaurant '3hat' in Australia. In the bar-shaped seats, you can enjoy a more in-depth meal while adding explanations about the food served by the chef. The signature menu “ragu tagliatelle†instantly grinds cheese powder over the finished pasta. The noodles, which have a chewy yet soft texture using raw noodles picked directly from the store, are richly infused with a rich sauce. Along with pasta, I also like the “sirloin steak,†which has been dry-aged to make full use of its rich flavor, and has crispy wedge potatoes.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 10, World Cup-ro 12-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
▲Opening hours: 12:00 — 21:30 every day, B/T 15:00 — 17:30, closed on Mondays
â–²Price: Ragu tagliatelle 17,000 won, sirloin steak 18,900 won
â–²Testimonial (My Dream Is BJ): When it opened, Brusselry Seogyo became a hotflow in Mangwon-dong, and its ragu pasta was insanely delicious. Compared to the taste of food at other restaurants that are boring these days, it's a very rich and compelling flavor. Beef brisket also goes great with mesh potatoes.
2. The rich flavor of truffles that fills your mouth, 'Titolo' in Cheongdam-dong
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Image source: Universeclass's Instagram
Image source: Universeclass's Instagram
“Titolo†is a place where you can find authentic Italian cuisine presented by Chef Kang Yun-suk, who has worked in famous Italian restaurants such as “Grano,†“Scopader Chef,†and “Pasto.†The interior of the store, decorated using wine bottles and flowers in dim lighting, has a romantic atmosphere. The signature menu is “TRUFFLE,†which has an impressive curled mapaldine noodles mixed with a rich truffle sauce. The thick noodles are covered with sauce flavored with truffle butter and strawberry reggio cheese, so you can fully enjoy the rich flavor of the truffles. You can also enjoy a richer truffle flavor by adding truffle slices to the pasta.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 27-3 Seolleung-ro 162-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
▲Business hours: 18:00 — 01:00 every day
â–²Price: TRUFFLE 36,000 won, SEA URCHIN 30,000 won
â–²Review (Shikishin Young's Kaffin): If you really like truffle dishes, I really recommend Titolo's truffle pasta! The truffle flavor is very vibrating! The atmosphere is great, so I think it would be great to go on a special anniversary.
3. 'Al Choc' in Yeonnam-dong, which perfectly recreates the local flavors of Italy
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Image source: al.choc's Instagram
Image source: al.choc's Instagram
Chef Marco from Venice, Italy, creates food based on traditional cuisines from various regions of Italy. To maximize the flavors of the mainland, most ingredients such as cheese, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and pasta are brought directly from Italy. The signature menu, “Caponata burrata,†draws attention with the colorful colors of green sprout vegetables, stir-fried reddish vegetables, and white burrata cheese in that order. When vegetables and burrata cheese are placed on a baguette sprinkled with balsamic vinegar and eaten in one bite, the subtle sweetness of the vegetables blends harmoniously with the light yet savory flavor of the cheese. They also have a variety of alcoholic beverages that go well with food, such as Italian wine, Spanish wine, Chilean wine, etc.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 43 Seongmisan-ro 26-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
â–²Opening hours: 17:30 to 23:00 on weekdays, 12:00 to 23:00 on weekends, closed on Mondays
â–²Price: Caponata burrata 15,800 won, truffle gnocchi 22,500 won
â–²Testimonial (Leoreo Jeolmni, the god of food): It was my first visit, and the burrata dish felt as soon as the cheese was fresh, and the chewy texture of the truffle gnocchi was perfect.
4. Dosan Park's “El Omino†captures the natural flavors of the ingredients
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Image source: krisgoh323 on Instagram
Image source: _ming_k__j on Instagram
“El Omino†is an Italian restaurant opened by the Italian total lifestyle brand Henby Veglin. We want to make food that makes use of the natural flavors and flavors of the best ingredients imported from Italy. If you order a meal, grissini and flatbread made homemade in the Piedmont region will be served as an aperitif. The signature menu is “Sardinia bottarga fedellini,†which is flavored with shellfish broth made from simmered clams and ramie clams, and bottarga (fish roe) made from mullet eggs from Sardinia. The moment you taste the salty yet rich flavor of the pasta, the umami of the seafood fills your mouth. There are also regular cooking classes where you can learn about Italian dining culture and try making your own dishes.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 2F, 22, Seolleung-ro 153-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
▲Opening hours: 11:30 — 22:00 every day, B/T 15:00 — 17:30, closed on Sundays
â–²Price: Sardinian bottarga fedellini 28,000 won, asparagus pregola 25,000 won
â–²Testimonial (Hoppy Hoppy Hat): I prioritize the atmosphere and friendliness at the restaurant, and I was most satisfied with the places I've been to this year. I also wanted to eat truffles, but I had never eaten fish pasta, so I tried it, and it seemed like I could really feel the taste of the sea.
5. City Hall “Deerwildâ€, a rich course meal with seasonal ingredients
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Image source: dearwildseoul's Instagram
Image source: dearwildseoul's Instagram
“Dear Wild†is a fine dining restaurant located on the 2nd floor of The Plaza Hotel near City Hall Station Exit 6. It is the third brand in the Swaniye Restaurant Group after Swaniye and Doughroom. Lunch and dinner are prepared as course meals, and are divided into regular courses and special courses depending on the composition. The signature menu “Lunch Special Course†starts with Amuse Bush, and offers bottled sea bream ceviche, seafood chips, steamed fish, beef rib Wellington, sweet pumpkin tart, and drinks one after the other. The main menu, “Beef Ribs Wellington,†is a dish made by wrapping beef ribs cooked at a low temperature with serrano ham, minced meat, and puff pastry. The tender and moist texture of the meat is excellent. Please note that the course menu changes seasonally using seasonal ingredients.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 119 Sogong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
▲Business hours: 12:00 — 22:30 every day, B/T 15:00 — 18:00
â–²Price: Special lunch course 100,000 won, dinner course 120,000 won
â–²Testimonial (Ripopuppo, the god of food): I had a very tasty meal in Swaniye before, so I went there after hearing about the launch of a new restaurant! It was great to be able to enjoy Chef Lee Joon's signature dishes such as ravioli and Wellington. If you make a reservation in advance, you can also eat grilled food in your room, so I definitely want to go there on my next anniversary!