Who doesn't love Italian food? Whether it's pizza, pasta, bruschetta, or a nice tiramisu, Italian cuisine has something for everyone. That's probably a big part of why Italian restaurants are so popular - no matter who you're dining with, they're sure to find something on the menu that they like!

If you fancy a fun family dinner, a big Italian banquet with friends, or romantic meal for two, Cardiff has plenty of excellent Italian eateries to choose from. Here are 5 of our favourites:

Da Mara

25 Clear Water Way, Lakeside, Cardiff CF23 6DJ

Formerly known as Anatoni's, Da Mara (stylised as 'da MARA') is a lovely restaurant near Roath Lake that offers authentic Italian food and great service. They specialise in proper Italian pizza - the pizzas have their own separate menu, in fact - but there are plenty of other dishes available too if pizza isn't your thing.

Image Source: @DaMaraCardiff

Zio Pin

74 Albany Road, Roath, Cardiff CF24 3RS

With a cosy, welcoming atmosphere and a huge variety of Italian meals on the menu, Zio Pin is one restaurant that can always be relied upon to provide a wonderful dining experience. Arrive hungry and you'll leave full, satisfied, and very happy indeed!

Image Source: @ziopincardiff

Giovanni's

38 The Hayes, Cardiff CF10 1AJ

Conveniently located right in the centre of Cardiff (just across from the St. David's 2 shopping centre), Giovanni's offers a warm welcome and a menu that encapsulates, as the restaurant's website puts it, "the true taste of Italy".

Image Source: facebook.com/giovannisonthehayes

Strada

24 Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff CF10 5BZ

Situated in the splendid waterfront restaurant complex at Mermaid Quay, Strada is a great choice if you're looking for a mouth-watering Italian meal in Cardiff Bay. Their set menu is great value for money if you're on a strict budget.

I Giardini di Sorrento

12 City Road, Cardiff CF24 3DL

Located on City Road, a street better know for its takeaways than for its tiramisu, I Giardini is one of Cardiff's highest-rated Italian restaurants on TripAdvisor and a great place to go if you want some "truly Italian" cuisine. Specials are revised daily, so you never know what delicious treats you might get to try during your visit!

Image Source: @i_giardini

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When it comes to pizza, Cardiff has an abundance of tasty offerings, dotted throughout the city centre and beyond. It's fair to say, that even Cardiff's chain restaurants pack a decent punch when it comes to pizza, as regular visitors to Zizzi or ASK Italian will testify. The real jewel in the city's crown, however, are some of its smallest spaces, serving up authentic pizza offerings that are good enough to rival those of Italy itself. 

Putting together this list certainly wasn't an easy task, but we wanted to show off some of Cardiff's best teeny tiny restaurants, which are doing amazing things with dough...

Dusty Knuckle

(Image source: facebook.com/dustyknucklepizzacompany)

The first Pizza perfectionist on our list, is one of the city's top street food success stories. Having evolved from a well-loved pop-up, to their current set up at the Printhaus, Dusty Knuckle continue to retain their relaxed, authentic approach, while keeping up with Cardiff's growing appetite for their first-class pizzas. Combining well-thought out flavours, with authentic cooking methods and top Welsh ingredients, Dusty Knuckle bring their own unique flair to Cardiff's pizza scene.

Calabrisella 

(Image source: facebook.com/Calabrisellacardiff)

 On a sunny day, you may just forget you're in Canton, and be transported to the Italian shores of Calabria. Decorated with a kitch collection of artefacts and photographs from the region which birthed this popular restaurant, the owners truly succeed in providing a distinctive atmosphere in which to serve their famous pizzas. The pizza offerings at Clabrisella are not only delicious, but come in a more-than-generous portion size, which means you'll often be able to take a little slice of Italy away to enjoy later.

Cafe Citta 

(Image source: facebook.com/Cafe-Citta-148498355190243)

We know it can be pretty hard to get a table, but if you haven't visited Cardiff's best-loved Italian yet, then what have you been doing? Popular with visitors to the city as well as locals, there's a reason that this mini marvel always makes it to the Trip Advisor top ten. While Cafe Citta specialise in a a selection of Italian dishes, all of which will leave you wanting more, their Pizzas really are a stand-out pick! If you're spoilt for choice, go for the daily special - you won't be disappointed!

Real Italian Pizza Company 

(Image source: facebook.com/therealitalianpizzacompany)

If you're looking for a modern take on authentic Italian pizza, then The Real Italian Pizza Company are the ones to deliver. The relaxed, bright and modern venue sits just opposite St John the Baptist Church, which makes their dining experience a feast for the senses before you've even tucked into your food! If the smell of their wood-fired oven isn't enough to entice you inside, then the sheer variety of pizzas on offer is sure to seal the deal!

Da Mara

(Image source: @DaMaraCardiff)

 To get an idea of how good this place is, all you really have to do is look at the amount of exclamation points used in its Trip Advisor reviews. In short: It's fantastic!!!! Just a  stone's throw away from Roath Lake, a pizza fresh from Da Mara's 'Stefana Ferrara' log burning oven is the ultimate compliment to any day-out in the city. Using a traditional Neapolitan recipe and quality ingredients, Da Mara produces a classic pizza that will impress even the most well-versed pizza connoisseurs. 

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