The top 10 Italian restaurants in Fresno, Clovis according to Yelp. See who’s on the list
Nothing beats a good Italian meal – some pasta, some bread, a glass of wine.
So who’s got the best Italian food around?
The Bee turned to restaurant review site Yelp.com to find out. Yelp used its data to rank the top 10 Italian restaurants in Fresno in 2020.
The nitty gritty behind the ranking, according to Yelp: “We identified businesses in the Italian category, then ranked those spots using a number of factors including the total volume and ratings of reviews between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020.”
The No. 1 winner might surprise you, as it opened last year during the pandemic, and is not as well known as some other Italian restaurants, like Five or DiCicco’s (neither of which landed on Yelp’s list).
Top 10 Italian restaurants
1. L’Aperitif Bistro Fusion, 6650 N. Cedar Ave. This fusion restaurant blends Italian, French and Asian flavors and opened last summer in the former Shenanigans Irish pub spot.
The Bee profiled chef Thomas Nouantanouvanh at the time, who many Fresnans may know from his previous restaurant, Tower Sushi.
L’Aperitif (French for aperitif, the pre-dinner drink) has lots of pasta on the menu, along with cioppino and gnocchi, and an extensive wine menu.
When reached by phone and told he owns Yelp’s No. 1 Italian restaurant in Fresno, the chef responded: “No way! Seriously? That’s good news.”
After being reassured a second time that it wasn’t a mistake, Nouantanouvanh said the secret to success is fresh ingredients and line cooks who listen.
“You need to have freshness – fresh herbs, good cream, good butter, good Parmesan,” he said. “It’s all about your ingredients and your love of food.”
He learned to cook Italian food while growing up in France, going home with friends who were Italian immigrants and learning from their mothers in their kitchens.
His favorite Italian dish on L’Aperitif’s menu? The truffle risotto, a dish that requires a cook to babysit the pan for at least 15 minutes, constantly stirring.
2. The Annex Kitchen, 2257 W. Shaw Ave. Describing itself as “Italian inspired,” the restaurant run by Jimmy Pardini and his family has a reputation for being one of the best in town. Diners rave about the wood-fired pizza, and the agnolotti – pasta filled with Fresno State corn in the summer and butternut squash in the winter.
3. Trelio Food & Wine, 438 Clovis Ave #4, in Old Town Clovis. Trelio is another restaurant that spans several types of cuisines, with a focus on local ingredients. It’s got a strong wine program and has been posting online lately about its agnolotti filled with roasted pumpkin and mascarpone and tossed in a browned shallot butter and topped with sage.
4. Mama Mia Pizzeria, 737 E. Olive Ave. This is the Tower District restaurant that shares space with Lucy’s Lounge cocktail bar. It’s known for its pizza, deep-fried calzones and baked sandwiches.
5. Angela’s Italian Restaurant, 5251 N. Blackstone Ave. This is the restaurant that took the place of the former DiCicco’s near Whitie’s Pets. Yelp reviewers rave about its calzones, the chicken fettucine Alfredo and other pastas.
6. Roma Italian Street Cuisine is a food truck. Started by the grandson of the founder of Mike’s Pizzeria, the truck serves pasta and appetizers. Yelpers praise the lasagna, the meatballs (on their own or in a sandwich) and the pasta.
Follow them on Instagram to find out everywhere the truck will be, but it’s usually at Enzo’s Table (at Willow and Shepherd avenues in Clovis) from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.
7. Piazza Del Pane, 8043 N. Cedar Ave. (the one in northwest Fresno is closed right now). Owned by the same parent company as Me-N-Ed’s, the restaurant offers pizza, pasta, salads, and more. The restaurant gets glowing reviews for its Sunday brunch with bottomless mimosas and bloody marys, its patio, and drive-thru window.
8. Michelangelo’s Pizzeria, 619 Woodworth Ave., suite 102, Clovis. This eatery is known for its pizza, and its selection of craft beer and bourbon.
9. Mama Mia Pizzeria, 734 W. Bullard Ave. Yes, this one made the list twice, this time for its northwest Fresno location. Diners like the pizza here.
10. Oggi Cosi Si Mangia, 1110 N. Van Ness Ave. Simply called Oggi (pronounced “Oh-gee”) by most people, this restaurant is often labeled a hidden gem and is one of the most romantic restaurants in town. It has a classic Italian menu, with Yelpers praising its steak, cioppino and chicken piccata.
The name is Italian for “This is how to eat today.”
This story was originally published October 19, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
