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The best Italian restaurants in Maastricht

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Mestreech is called by many the most Italian city in the Netherlands. It has a rich Roman history, and the Romans left lasting traces along the trade route that once ran through the city. These Italian restaurants in Maastricht may not have been founded by men wearing plumed helmets or togas, but they are the city’s tastiest, according to colleague Sophie from Italiamo —and she would know.

Foto van culinair journalist Sharon van Lokhorst

The best Italian restaurants in Maastricht: places you’ll want to pull up a chair at

Pasta like nonna makes it, pizza with a crisp crust you won’t leave behind, and tiramisu that leaves you speechless… Italian food in Maastricht isn’t an afterthought, but pure art. Whether you’re going for a classic trattoria, a stylish osteria or modern Cucina Italiana: in the Burgundian south, they know how to serve a plate of spaghetti vongole properly.

Looking for the best Italian restaurants in Maastricht? We’ve listed the addresses (in no particular order) where you’ll not only eat well, but also feel a little la dolce vita on the Meuse.

1. Gio’s Cucina Casalinga

An authentic Italian restaurant on the Vrijthof where you eat whatever is on the menu that day. No menu to choose from—simply pick meat, fish or vegetarian, and the food comes to you. That guarantees quality fare. This living-room restaurant is run by an Italian couple who have been at the helm since the early ’80s, and although Gio has long passed retirement age, he still comes out of the kitchen to show his face. Booking online isn’t possible and it’s always busy, so drop by on the fly at an un-Italian hour and put on your best smile.
Gio’s Cucina Casalinga – Vrijthof 29A, Maastricht

2. Toscanella Apuana

Don’t be put off by the fluorescent lighting: Toscanella is genuinely Italian in every respect (except the prices), and therefore good. If you’d prefer somewhere cosier, walk a few doors further for the wine bar. You’ll be comfortable there, and they serve part of the same menu.
Toscanella Apuana – Rechtstraat 22, Maastricht

3. Mediterraneo

This is where you eat Tuscan food at a high level. Beautiful ingredients, good wines, a lovely atmosphere and friendly Italians at your table. The price reflects that. So don’t go for a quick daily special; treat yourself and order a set menu. Then hope they add enough truffle, because they’re crazy about it at Mediterraneo.
Mediterraneo – Rechtstraat 73, Maastricht

4. Il Bacaro

Another Italian on the Vrijthof, but this one is a cosy, hip type. Here you’ll find Venetian-style bar snacks: cicchetti you can order all day and that are perfect for sharing. I say: zucchini fritti (fried courgette), melanzane con miele (aubergine with honey), affettati (the Italian equivalent of charcuterie)… There are also weekly speciali on the menu, such as Italian cheese fondue, plus salads, pastas and dolci. And a selection of Super Tuscans!
Il Bacaro – Vrijthof 16E, Maastricht

5. Vino&Friends

At Vino&Friends, it’s not only very convivial—the food is a celebration too. They cook with produce from their own vegetable garden a little further away, and their homemade pastas are ‘the perfect symbiosis of semola rimacinata, egg yolk, a whole lot of passion and hard work’. A quote from them, because I couldn’t make it more poetic for you. An added highlight is the fourth Tuesday of the month, which they recently introduced: during this Giro d’Italia, a different region is put in the spotlight each time through regional dishes and local wines. Ah, speaking of wine: an impressive wine cellar awaits you here too, filled with aged gems.
Vino&Friends – Plankstraat 6, Maastricht

6. Sjiek Kookpunt

An Italian restaurant run by Italy lovers, where workshops are also held and you can take fresh dishes, olive oil, self-imported wines and more home from the shop. Planning to work your way through this entire list? Save this one for summer, when you can eat outside at long tables with white tablecloths.
Sjiek Kookpunt – Hoogbrugstraat 15, Maastricht

7. Tomato

Tomato is the place to go when you’re not in the mood for the Italian language, waving hands or hard-to-pronounce antipasti, but you are in the mood for excellent pasta or pizza. You can eat it in a pleasantly hip, Dutch hospitality interior.
Tomato – Koestraat 21, Maastricht

8. Restaurant Laus

A genuine Italian with cleverly chosen classics on the menu that we all know and love. Having drinks at Laus is fun too, because drinks with panzerottini (a kind of mini calzone from Puglia) and arancini (Sicilian bitterballen, but made with risotto—don’t let them hear me say that) are guaranteed to be a success.
Restaurant Laus – Bredestraat 7, Maastricht

9. Il Giardino

At this restaurant in Maastricht, too, everything revolves around Italian food and life. The owners are from Sicily, so they give the dishes their own twist, as they would on the island. At Il Giardino, you’ll find a lovely, comprehensive menu with antipasti, pizza, meat, fish, pasta and risotto—and it’s all delizioso!
Il Giardino – Onze Lieve vrouweplein 15, Maastricht

10. Infinito

This beautiful restaurant has a somewhat more formal feel. You can put together your own menu or order dishes such as zucchini tempura, pasta vongole, scampi and burrata with watermelon and pistachio separately. Add a glass of Baralo and you’ll imagine yourself in Italy for an evening—and all in Maastricht.
Infinito – Sint Bernardusstraat 2, Maastricht

11. Da Gapetto

Stracciatella alla Romana, Bruschetta Al Pomodoro, Risotto Milanese con croccante di parmigiano, Gnocchi con ragú di salsiccia, scaglie e rucola… they have it all. But according to the people of Maastricht, this is also where you’ll find the best pizzas in Maastricht. And if you fancy something different, order the Pizza Taco. Exactly what you’re thinking: a pizza with spicy minced beef, salad and garlic sauce. Completely crazy, but worth trying?
Da Gapetto – Markt 63-64, Maastricht

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Source: Italiamo

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