Call 604.430.2195 to book your table!

La Piazza Dario

Authentic Italian Food & Vancouver's Best Kept Secret!

What better way to practice your Italian than at an Italian book club?


This coming Monday come join us for an early dinner or a post book club meal! Il Centro (just across the piazza) is hosting a book club event where guests can get together to read and discuss Italian short stories in Italian of course! 

Practise your Italian and really immerse yourself into the culture with a tasty and authentic Italian dinner at La Piazza Dario! 

The book club is on Monday, April 11 from 6:45 to 8:45pm.  To learn more about how you can join, call Edda Onesti at 604.430.3337 ext. 239.

We can't wait to see you and of course, if you want to continue practicing your Italian in our dining room, don't by shy! 

(Image via Pexels)

Our neighbours across the piazza are teaching something delicious!

There are times we all just want to sit and enjoy a home cooked meal without the work of whipping it up. That's when you come and visit us at La Piazza Dario! We'll make the home cooked culinary magic happen and you won't have to life a finger (except for when you want to enjoy the authentic flavours of Italy!).

Then there are times we want to get our hands dirty and really create those scrumptious bites from scratch! If you are in the mood for tasty and fresh Italian sausages, Il Centro is hosting a sausage making class!

Community garden supervisor and sausage maker extraordinaire, Luigu Bastone, is sharing his expertise on March 14, from 7 to 8:30pm. You will get to learn and make sausages that you can take home with you!

Come celebrate your new skills with us and an excellent glass of wine! Perhaps you'll be hungry as well. We'll take care of you and your taste buds!

Learn more about the workshop.

(Image via Pixabay)
Get ready for your trip to Italy with this four week course!
Are you ready eat and speak like an Italian? We've got just the solutions to help you before your trip to Italy!

First we recommend that you get your taste buds and palate ready for the tasty Italian meals. Come join us for dinner. Chef Claudio will whip up a truly authentic Italian meal just as if you were all over  at his home for a cozy dinner.

Then we recommend to take the Let's Go Italy, Italian for Travellers Course at Il Centro! The course begins next week on January 20th and runs for four weeks. You'll learn exactly what you need to help you make the most out of your trip to Italy, even if you've never spoken a word of Italian before now!

Learn more about the course and give us a call to make your dinner reservations!
La Piazza Dario wants to help you and your family get into the holiday spirit, Italian style!

The holiday season is now officially upon us and, as always, we want to help you celebrate the best way we know how: the Italian way! As Christmas is a largely celebrated holiday in Italy, we wanted to share a few fun and festive Italian holiday activities that are offered right here in Vancouver. Below are a few of our Italian-themed suggestions for you and your family to partake in this December. Enjoy!


Italian Holiday Activities in Vancouver
We hope you enjoy getting into the holiday spirit and we look forward to welcoming you to our table at La Piazza Dario!

(Image via Pixabay)
This Monday, our neighbours at Il Centro are hosting a book club night!



Keep your Italian alive and practice your reading and conversation skills over delicious dinner and short stories! On Monday, December 7th, Il Centro is hosting an Italian Book Club.

Read and discuss short stories in short stories in Italian with like minds and fellow literature enthusiasts! What would make the evening even better is a tasty meal whipped up by Chef Claudio especially for you! Join us for an early dinner or a post-book club treat. We're just across the plaza!

The book club is from 6:45 pm to 8:45 pm and is free for Il Centro members. Call Edda Onesti at 604-430-3337 ext. 239 for more information. And call 604-430-2195 to make your reservations!
Coming to our neighbour, Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre, the work of Italian mosaic artist, Lilian Broca!



Heroine of A Thousand Pieces: The Judith Mosaics of Lilian Broca

 The recipient of the Lorenzo il Magnifico gold medal at the 2003 Florence Biennale, Lilian Broca will be unveiling her new mosaic series here at the Museo. There will be seven monumental pieces on display featuring the story of Judith, a biblical heroine.

The opening reception takes place on November 12th an 7pm. Come join us for dinner and experience an evening of Italian flavours and art!

Chef Claudio will whip up a tasty and authentic Italian meal for you to enjoy with your friends and family. Discuss beautiful art and the art of living beautifully over a delicious glass of wine!

See you here!

(Image via Lilian Broca home page)

One week from today the Antonio Ciacca Quintet plays the Italian American Song Book!

What's a truly delightful way to spend a Friday evening? Well Italian food, wine and excellent live music of course! 

Antonio Ciacca will be playing next Friday, October 16th, at Italian Cultural Centre, less than one minute away from La Piazza Dario! Pianist and composer, Ciacca carries the torch for Italian American jazz and will be bringing his musical stylings right here for youth enjoy. 

Join us for a delicious Italian meal lovingly put together in the a truly authentic Italian kitchen by our own, Chef Claudio Ranallo. His tasty meals will be the perfect way to spend a truly Italian evening: delicious food, music and dancing. It truly will be La Dolce Vita!

Here's a sample of the tastes and tunes you can expect to enjoy here at La Piazza Dario and Il Centro!
Visit La Piazza Dario at the Italian Cultural Centre's Il Mercato Italian Market!

Earlier this year we shared that Il Centro's Italian Market - the only Italian market in Vancouver - was back for another season. While we didn't have a booth set up throughout the earlier dates this year, we are pleased to announce that should you drop by in the coming months, you will find us at our very own booth!



La Piazza Dario is excited to not only be located right beside the Italian Cultural Centre and, therefore, the Italian Market, but also to have the opportunity to take part in Il Mercato! Stop by and visit our booth and then make your way to La Piazza Dario for a delicious Italian dinner created by our head chef, Claudio Ranallo. In case you're unable to make it for a full meal, we will be selling Chef Claudio's famous tomato sauce and authentic bread dip so that you can take a little piece of our authentic Italian cooking home.


The next date for Il Mercato is Friday, August 21st. Following that, there will be three more dates, all of which Il Centro added due to the previous success of Il Mercato! The specific dates are listed below.
  • September 18th
  • October 16th
  • November 20th
We hope to see you there! For more information, visit MERCATO Italian Market.

(Image via Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre and Jessica Ranallo-Baek)
Celebrate Italian Heritage Month this year with Italian cuisine and festivities!

Every year, throughout the month of June, Vancouver and the rest of British Columbia celebrates Italian Heritage Month. This year is no exception with plenty of fun-filled events that have been taking place all month long, celebrating Italian culture.

Here in Vancouver, Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre has been celebrating Italian Heritage Month throughout June by providing activities and events that pay tribute to Italian heritage. As we wrap up this month, if you have yet to make it to any of the Italian Heritage Month events that Il Centro has put on, there are still many left to attend, including banquets, festivals, concerts, and more! Visit the Italian Cultural Centre's website for more details on the days and times of each event.

Come join us at La Piazza Dario for dinner and celebrate Italian culture with authentic Italian cuisine created by our very own Chef Claudio Ranallo. Chef Claudio has been cooking since he was a small boy, born and raised in Ateleta, l’Aquila, Italy - it doesn't get much more authentic Italian than that!

Call 604.430.2195 to make your reservation, or reserve a table with us online through OpenTable.

Happy Italian Heritage Month!


(Image via Italian Cultural Centre)

We've got the perfect date night plan for you!

Tonight is Italian movie night in the park! The sun is shining and the air is warm and balmy. What better way to spend your Friday evening than enjoying a delicious meal, a good glass of wine, and an open air film?!

Join us for a delicious dinner of authentic Italian cuisine created by Chef Claudio. He creates each and every dish using family recipes he enjoyed as a child in Italy. Round off your meal with a sweet treat and liqueur!

Then grab your blankets and walk over to the North East corner of Beaconsfield Park (just behind La Piazza Dario and Il Centro off of Slocan Street) to enjoy the warm night air with a movie! Showing tonight is the Italian charmer, Pane e Tulipani, or in English, Bread and Tulips.

For more details on tonight's feature film in the park, visit Il Centro and to book your table give us a call at: 604-430-2195

Hope to see you for a delicious Italian evening!
Il Mercato Italian Market is coming back to Il Centro!

This Friday, May 15th, between 3:00pm and 7:00pm, be sure to stop by the Italian Cultural Centre and explore Vancouver's only Italian market!

Back due to its wonderful success last year, tomorrow's market will be the first of many for the 2015 season. In fact, Il Mercato will be hosted by Il Centro every third Friday of the month until November. See below for a full list of dates!

Il Mercato Italian Market Dates
  • May 15th
  • June 19th
  • July 17th
  • August 21st
  • September 18th
  • October 16th
  • November 20th
While we won't be selling at the Market itself, La Piazza Dario is located right beside Il Centro and, as always, Chef Claudio's delizioso tomato sauce and authentic bread dip will be for sale! We will also be open for dinner and welcome you to bring your appetite once you have finished exploring Il Mercato.


For more information on the Italian Market visit MERCATO Italian Market.
Il Centro Presents: Gomorra

 Next Tuesday, join us for some hearty Italian food before heading to an Italian movie next door at Il Centro!

 Il Centro will be showing another Italian movie this month and we would like to take this opportunity to warmly welcome you to our place beforehand to make it a full blown, Italian night out!

Next week, on Tuesday, February 24th, Il Centro, also known as the Italian Cultural Centre, will be showing Gomorrah, or Gomorra in Italian. Make the entire evening an Italian affair and join us for an authentic Italian dinner before you head to the movie at Il Centro. Located right beside the cultural centre, we think that La Piazza Dario would make the perfect place for you to grab some dinner before the start of the show!

A mob drama, Gomorra was released in 2008, directed by Matteo Garrone and based on the book by Roberto Aviano. Il Centro will be showing the movie in Italian with English subtitles.

Beginning at 7 sharp, you will have plenty of time to get in an early dinner before it's showtime. And trust us, you won't want to go into the showing hungry, as Gomorra is three hours long!

Satisfy your tastebuds with us and then indulge the rest of your senses with Gomorra!

Book your reservation for dinner now via telephone at 604.430.2195 or online at OpenTable.

Learn more about Gomorra.

(Image: "Gomorra" via Wikipedia)
Get in the Christmas spirit this Monday and start your week off with beautiful music and delicious Italian food!

We can hardly believe it's December already! Time flies when you are enjoying the beautiful flavours of Italian food and excellent company of our guests at La Piazza Dario! We know the weekends get busy but we hope to see you very soon so we can share an early Christmas celebration with you!

This Monday, just across the piazza, Il Centro is hosting a community choir Christmas concert! It's sure to be wonderfully festive and will inspire that holiday spirit! So we've got the perfect Monday evening planned for you and your loved ones:

First, a delicious dinner created especially for you by Chef Claudio Ranallo in the La Piazza Dario kitchens! He's got every fresh ingredient ready to be whipped up into a truly delectable and authentic Italian meal.

Second, round off the meal with a sweet treat and Italian coffee!

Lastly, walk across the piazza for a lovely Christmas concert beginning at 7pm!

We hope to see you next week!

(Image via Pixabay)
Five ways to get into the holiday spirit, the Italian way!

With the start of December right around the corner and less than a month to go until Christmas, it's time to start getting into the holiday spirit! While we're positive that you and your family have traditions of your own, we hope that we can provide some ideas on how you can have even more festive fun this holiday season.



As you may know, Christmas is a largely celebrated holiday in Italy. And with that in mind, we warmly welcome you to join us in beginning to celebrate the holidays, the Italian way! Below are five festive things to do in Vancouver that are bound to get you into the Christmas spirit, all of which are a little Italian in one way or another. Enjoy!

Five Festive Things to do in Vancouver This Year
  1. Attend the Community Choir Christmas Concert at Il Centro!
    When: December 8 at 7:00 pm
    Where: Ballroom of the Italian Cultural Centre
    Cost: Free
  2. Try a few Italian Christmas recipes. Some of our favourites include Italian Christmas desserts, such as panetonne and pandoro.
  3. Visit the Vancouver Christmas Market! Christmas markets are a European tradition and the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit.
    When: Novebmer 22 to December 24, daily between 11:00 am and 9:00 pm
    Where: Downtown Vancouver on the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza
    Cost: $0 to $7, depending on age (Buy Tickets)
  4. Discover what celebrating Christmas in Italy entails. Watch Rick Steves' European Christmas Part 8: Italy video and learn all about Italian Christmas traditions.
  5. Last but definitely not least: Feast like an Italian! Join us at La Piazza Dario for an authentic Italian meal and celebrate the upcoming holidays with family and friends. Enjoy a night away from your kitchen and treat yourself to Chef Claudio's delicious cooking.
We hope you enjoy getting into the spirit and we look forward to seeing you at La Piazza Dario!

(Image via Pixabay)
Starting November 3rd: the Italian Book Club!



What a wonderful and relaxing way to explore Italy and it's gems! Joining a books club can be a wonderful way to unwind and take a break from work. On November 3rd, Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre will be hosting an Italian Book Club just across the piazza from us!

You'll be able to read and discuss short stories in Italian and practice the language while exploring the written word. After you've filled your brain with the written wonders of Italia, why not walk across the piazza and complete your Italian experience with a delicious Chef Claudio special!

We've got everything to satisfy your taste buds and more! Join us for dinner and make your reservations by:

See you soon!

(Image via Pexels)
Make next Tuesday evening an Italian Night with La Piazza Dario and Il Centro!

 Join us on October 21st for an Italian dinner before attending this month's Italian movie at Il Centro.

Mark your calendars! Next Tuesday night on October 21st, Il Centro, otherwise known as the Italian Cultural Centre, is putting on an Italian movie night right next door to La Piazza Dario! So, why not make an Italian affair out of the entire evening and combine an Italian dinner with us before you head to the movie at Il Centro!

Join us at La Piazza Dario for an authentic dinner, filled with your favourite Italian dishes, such as antipasti platters and both original and traditional pasta dishes, created by our Head Chef, Claudio Ranallo. Then after you've satisfied your Italian palette, make the short trip next door to the Italian Cultural Centre for this month's Italian movie, Human Capital, or Il Capitale Umano in Italian, a film by Paulo Virvzì.

 The movie begins at 7 o'clock, giving you plenty of time to get in an early dinner before it's showtime. Il Capitale Umano is just under two hours long and admission is free!

Book your reservation for dinner now via telephone at 604.430.2195 or online at OpenTable.

Find more info on the movie.

(Image via Pixabay)
June is not over yet! Come celebrate Italian Heritage Month at Il Centro and La Piazza Dario.

Italian Heritage Month may be more than half over, but there are still lots of events to attend and fun to be had. For example, there's even an event taking place today! Happening today at Il Centro, otherwise known as the Italian Cultural Centre, is the Trevigiano-Veneto Choir & Italian Men's Choir in Concert. 

As you may know, Il Centro is located on Slocan Street right beside La Piazza Dario. Which is why we would like to welcome you to partake in Italian Heritage Month, get lost in the Italian culture, and then finish up your day Italiana with a gorgeous, authentic Italian meal by Chef Claudio Ranallo here at La Piazza Dario.

Can't make the concert today? Below is a list of events, compliments of the Italian Cultural Centre, being put on at Il Centro in celebration of Italian Heritage Month. 

We look forward to helping you celebrate!

(Image via Il Centro)
Learn to speak Italian in Italy through Il Centro's exchange program!


There's no better way to learn a language than to fully immerse yourself! You can get yourself started by attending local classes or even trying out language software, but there really is nothing like visiting the country. You would be completely surrounded by it: the signs, the people, the music, the sights and the food...

We at La Piazza Dario can help you get started with Italian food. Come and visit us for an Italian meal, explore the menu and learn the Italian for authentic dishes such as lumache alla pavarotti, spaghetti alla vongole, zabaglione, and grapa di proseco!

And then hop on over to Il Centro (conveniently located across the plaza) and explore your options to study abroad!

 See you soon! 

(Image via Pixabay)
Put one night aside this month to enjoy dinner & a movie, the Italian way.

This month stop by La Piazza Dario and Il Centro for an unforgettable Italian night! With two Italian movies screening this October, one of which is at Il Centro, plan an evening filled with Italian food and culture at La Piazza Dario and Il Centro. Located side by side, the scenario could not be more perfect. Drop by La Piazza Dario for an early dinner and then head over to Il Centro for the screening of an Italian movie, or come see us after the screening for a late bite.

"Through our Italian film nights and partnerships with film festivals, we bring the stories and the voice of Italy to Vancouver." - Il Centro

Upcoming Films This Month:
  • Lo spazio bianco on October 7th at 6:15pm at Instituto.
  • Manuale d'amore on October 21st at 7:00pm at Il Centro.
We've made it nice & easy to come visit La Piazza Dario!

Not sure where to find us? We've got you covered!

Located just off of Grandview Highway in East Vancouver, you can find La Piazza Dario on Slocan Street. With lots of free parking, we're right beside the Italian Cultural Centre - and no, you don't have to be a member to dine with us!

Still unsure of where to find us? You can look up easy directions from your location. Just look for the map on our website, like the one you see to the right, and enter your address or the address of where you're coming from.

Any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via email or give us a call at 604-430-2195. We look forward to seeing you!