Guangzhou is a great place for anyone who loves food. Guangdong Province is known throughout China for its southern delicacies, but every now in then, you fancy something a bit different. Sometimes you just need comfort food. Whether it’s lasagna the way grandma used to make it, or flatbread pizza like you used to eat at that corner deli back home, Italian cuisine is a little taste of home, whether you’re Italian or not. So where can you go for Italian food in Guangzhou?

If you want to pull out all the stops, go to Il Forno in the Shangri-La Hotel. This is one of Guangzhou’s best Italian restaurants, serving up fresh seafood, steaks, oven-baked pizza, pasta, antipasti, and soups. The dress code is smart casual so it’s wise to dress up a little before you swing by. The ambiance is pleasantly upscale, the staff is friendly and helpful, and there’s a non-smoking section. The wine selection is quite extensive, and the beef dishes come highly recommended; if you like good tenderloin, this is the place for you.

Il Forno 爱弗罗View In Map
Add: 2F, Shangri-La Guangzhou, 1 Huizhan Donglu, Haizhu District, Guangzhou
广州市海珠区会展东路1号香格里拉2层
Tel: 020 8917 6498
Open: 18:00-23:00
Price: 300-400 RMB
Getting There: Metro Line 2, Haizhu Square Station

Another great choice is Buongiorno, a new Italian restaurant just opposite the Garden Hotel. It’s is owned and run by bona fide Italians who you’ll see moving about the restaurant chatting with guests and making sure that everything is to their liking. They claim that they would never make Italian food that an Italian wouldn’t be pleased with. This is one of the most popular restaurants among foreigners in the city, so make sure you get a reservation before you come, epically during the exhibition season. Prices are quite high, but then again, so is the quality. With great food, great service, and a great location, there’s not much more you could ask for.

Buongiorno 邦奴意大利餐厅View In Map
Add: 3F, Yi’an Plaza, 33 Jianshe Liumalu, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou
广州市越秀区 建设六马路33号宜安广场3楼304/310
Tel: 020 8363 3587
Open: 10:00-24:00
Price: 200-400 RMB
Getting There: Metro Line 1, Martyrs’ Park Station

An equally good bet is Di Matteo in the Tianhe area. This restaurant boasts a wide menu featuring steaks, pizza and pasta, as well as a decent brunch selection. Di Matteo’s strength lies in its emphasis on high quality pasta and pizza, and plenty of choice. It may take you a while to decide on what you want, as there are so many possibilities. Service here is good and the atmosphere is pleasant. If you want high quality Italian food, but don’t want to pay a fortune to get it, this location might be a bit more up your alley than Buongiorno and Il Forno.

Di Matteo 意庐意大利餐厅View In Map
Add: 1F,Xianglong Garden, 175-181 Tianhe Beilu,Tianhe District, Guangzhou
广州市天河北路175-181号祥龙花园首层西侧
Tel: 020 8525 1300
Open: 11:00-23:00
Price: 100-200 RMB
Getting There: Metro Line 3, Tianhe Sports Centre Station 

Then there’s the 2008 Pearl River Delta Reader’s Choice Best Italian Restaurant, OGGI. A perennial favourite among expats, OGGI specializes in pizza in a home-style environment. The owner and chefs all come from the Mediterranean so they know exactly what they are doing when it comes to pizza, and it shows. The authentic Capri Pizza is cooked in an immense oven and is a treat for the taste buds. It may be a cost a bit more than you’re used to paying for a pizza, but it’s definitely worth it. If you stay long enough you might get a chance to speak with Chef Ferrari (a Capri native himself) when he comes to your table to see how you liked your meal.

OGGI TRATTORIA (OGGI卡布里餐厅)View In Map
Add: 1 Tiyu Donglu, Tianhe District, Guangzhou
广州市天河体育东路 1 号
Tel: 020 8751 5882
Open: Mon-Fri: 11:45 -14:30; 17:30 – 23:00, Weekend: 11:45 – 23:00
Price: 50-100 RMB
Getting There: Metro Line 3, Tianhe Sports Centre Station

So next time a pizza craving hits, or you fancy a big bowl of pasta, try one of these Italian restaurants for a little taste of Italy.

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