Call 604.430.2195 to book your table!

La Piazza Dario

Authentic Italian Food & Vancouver's Best Kept Secret!

La storia di La Piazza Dario! Get to know the story behind one of Vancouver's best kept secrets!



When we say that La Piazza Dario has some history, we mean it. Our restaurant has been in business for almost 40 years, having opened its doors in 1977 alongside the Italian Cultural Centre in East Vancouver. Two years after La Piazza Dario opened, a young Claudio Ranallo joined the culinary team, instantly adding his warm, personal touch to each plate of food that he lovingly prepared. Not long after he began his tenure with La Piazza Dario, Claudio became Head Chef Claudio, and just five years later, in 1984, he was made a partner in the business.

 Learn more about Chef Claudio Ranallo.



Since then, La Piazza Dario has become somewhat of an institution, consistently offering delicious, authentic Italian cuisine for the city of Vancouver. It is now a family owned and operated restaurant; one that continues to pride itself on serving exceptional Italian meals and warmly welcoming lunch and dinner parties of all size to its tables. At La Piazza Dario, you will find that each of our dishes are inspired by classic Italian food and ingredients. This is the way it has always been done. Our menus continue to be comprised of traditional Italian selections such as antipasti, pastas, Italian desserts and more. If you love Italian food and have yet to visit us for a meal, you will not be disappointed!

Grazie for taking the time to read our story. Now that you know it, we invite you to come experience La Piazza Dario in person! Make your reservation by telephone at 604-430-2195 or online via OpenTable.

 (Images via La Piazza Dario)
Gluten free, pasta lovers rejoice! Dine on gluten free quinoa pasta at La Piazza Dario.

Following a strictly gluten free diet can mean giving up some of your favourite dishes, especially if you are a fan of Italian food. For all of you pasta lovers out there endeavouring to go gluten free, we can image that abstaining from your favourite pasta dishes may be very difficult indeed. However, if you are committed to a gluten free diet and miss indulging in plates of pasta, we have some great news for you!


We are thrilled to announce that our menu now offers a gluten free pasta option. Available on both our lunch and dinner menus, La Piazza Dario's gluten free pasta is made from quinoa and is accompanied by a grape tomato and basil sauce. It is the perfect gluten free alternative to traditional pasta, and it is absolutely delizioso!

Join us for lunch or dinner this week and reunite your palette with pasta! Call ahead at 604-430-2195 or go to OpenTable to make your reservation.

(Image via Pixabay)
An Italian culinary experience awaits you at La Piazza Dario with Chef Claudio's delicious fettuccine dishes!

 Fettuccine, which means "small ribbons" in Italian, is a well known type of pasta that is enjoyed by pasta lovers all over the world. Cut flatter and wider than, say, spaghetti pasta, it is an absolute joy to eat. This is especially true when it is made fresh and cooked al dente, which is, of course, how Chef Claudio prepares it at La Piazza Dario. In fact, we have not one, but two incredible fettuccine dishes that you simply must try!


Chef Claudio has created both of his mouthwatering fettuccine dishes to satisfy your palette. Whether you're in the mood for pasta accompanied by a cream sauce or a tomato based one, Chef Claudio has got you covered! If you're craving cream, may we suggest the fettuccine al pistacchio, an absolutely delicious plate of fettuccine pasta made with a pistachio pesto cream sauce. It is magnificent. However, should you be more in the mood for a dish laden with tomatoes, we highly recommend the fettuccine “affumicato” alla claudio. This delightful pasta dish comes with sautéed sundried tomatoes, smoked ricotta chesse and arugola. You will not be disappointed!

Come to our table tonight and try Chef Claudio's handcrafted fettuccine! In the mood for something else? Peruse the rest of our dinner menu.

Make your reservation by calling ahead at 604-430-2195, or online via OpenTable. We look forward to seeing you and your friends and family!

(Image via Pixabay)
From the entire family at La Piazza Dario to yours...


We wish you happiness and success for this new year and hope to see more of you at our table. Come join us for a warm, hearty Italian meal created by our own Chef Claudio.

Don't be shy! We love sharing a meal with old friends and new! Our new year's resolution: to continue making you the best Italian food in Vancouver and create beautiful memories for you and your families!

We hope to see you soon and, of course, Happy New Year!

(Image: Pixabay)
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)
Come celebrate the weekend with our Head Chef's specialty: spaghetti alla "Claudio"!

 As one of the finest Italian restaurants in Vancouver, we are extremely proud of our wide selection of authentic pasta dishes. Consisting of pasta that has been handmade with care by our Head Chef, Claudio Ranallo, and combined with fresh, traditional Italian ingredients, our pasta dishes will have you feeling like you've been whisked away to Italy for the evening.



Among one of our absolute favourite pasta dishes here at La Piazza Dario is the spaghetti alla "Claudio". This dish is, of course, named after our Head Chef, as no one can make an authentic, mouthwatering plate of spaghetti quite like Chef Claudio. Spaghetti alla "Claudio" is made with fresh, handmade spaghetti pasta and sundried tomatoes sautéed in garlic, complete with fresh herbs. A classic meal with a delicious twist. You will not regret ordering this item off of the menu!

Peruse the rest of our dinner menu and call us at 604-430-2195 to make your reservation today. We look forward to welcoming you to our table!
La Piazza Dario is thrilled to have received a Diners' Choice Award from OpenTable!

Earlier this year, OpenTable diners voted and selected La Piazza Dario as a 2015 Diners' Choice of the month! The Diners' Choice Awards are presented to restaurants based on diners' real time feedback, and celebrate the top-rated dining establishments, giving them greater visibility on OpenTable.com. Learn more about the OpenTable Diners' Choice Award.


We are, of course, thrilled to have received such wonderful praise from our patrons! Thank you for taking the time to share your positive experience with our restaurant through OpenTable. We look forward to seeing you again soon!

Book your reservation for lunch or dinner this week by visiting OpenTable and come to our table with an open heart.

Learn more about La Piazza Dario and our Head Chef, Claudio Ranallo. Or have a look at what's on the menu!
Come visit us! Easily accessible by car or transit!

If you've ever stopped by La Piazza Dario for lunch or dinner, you know that our restaurant is incredibly easy to get to. Less than a 20 minute drive from the downtown Vancouver core, our location is also easily accessibly by train! See below for more details on our location and how to get to us by car or transit.



La Piazza Dario's Location

Address: 3075 Slocan Street, Vancouver, B.C. V5M 3E4

Directions: Visit the La Piazza Dario website for specific directions from your departure location.

Travelling by Car

For those of you who choose to drive, we have a FREE parking lot located just out front of our restaurant, which is accessible just off of Slocan Street. We are conveniently located right beside Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre; you can't miss us!

Travelling by Transit

La Piazza Dario is also just a five minute walk from the SkyTrain Renfrew Station. If you are travelling to us from downtown, all you need to do is hop on the SkyTrain, line 996!

For more information on our location and hours, or to get in touch with us, visit our Contact Page.
La Piazza Dario is in search of a hostess! Apply today to join the La Piazza Dario team.

As you may have seen last week, La Piazza Dario is currently hiring! In addition to a part time dishwasher and kitchen helper, we are also looking to hire a hostess. La Piazza Dario is a fantastic place to work, filled with great people and serving delicious, authentic Italian cuisine. The restaurant is conveniently located on Slocan Street, right beside the Italian Cultural Centre, which is just a short five minute walk from the Millennium Line at Renfrew Station.

If you have a friendly and helpful disposition, and enjoy working with people in a bustling restaurant environment, we would love to hear from you! To apply, please email us at lapiazzadario@gmail.com and include your resume. We look forward to hearing from you!

Learn more about our restaurant by visiting the La Piazza Dario website.

View more photos by visiting our photo gallery.
Greetings all! La Piazza Dario is hiring!


If you're need of a great place to work, we're hiring! Delicious food, great people, and a team like family is what we're all about at La Piazza Dario.

Currently we are looking for a part time dishwasher and kitchen helper. Learn the ins and outs of a popular restaurant kitchen and help us create the perfect dining experience for our guests.


Available on weekends? This might just be the perfect part time job for you! 


Looking forward to having you as part of the La Piazza Dario family!
Less than 12 hours left to take advantage of this tasty deal with SocialShopper!
Save up to 52% off now with SocialShopper's lunch and/or dinner deals from La Piazza Dario!

Spend only $12 and receive $25 worth of Chef Claudio's authentic Italian cuisine, as listed on our lunch menu. This deal is available Monday through Friday between 11:30 am and 2:30 pm. Or, if you're in the mood for a delicious, classic Italian dinner, spend $25 and receive $50 worth of food, available Sunday through Friday between 5:00 pm and 10:30 pm.

Watch the below video or visit SocialShopper for full details.



Browse Our Menus Below:
After you've purchased your deal, be sure to make your reservation with us! Reserve your table online via OpenTable, or give us a call at 604-430-2195.
Chef Claudio's delightful combination of pistachio and fettuccine is delizioso!

You will never forget the first time you try Chef Claudio Ranallo's pistachio pasta, or fettuccine al pistacchio as it's listed on the menu. Don't let the seemingly simple combination of pasta and pistachios fool you; it is far from a plain dish of pasta.

All at once flavourful, unique, yet reminiscent of your favourite comfort food, this dish is sure to please all who taste it! And don't even get us started on the fresh, al dente fettuccine that comprises this lovely plate of Italian heaven. Or the incredible pistachio pesto cream sauce covering it, for that matter!

If you've never had the pleasure of eating fresh pasta, you're in for a wonderful treat. All of our pasta, including the fettuccine for this mouthwatering dish, is made fresh every day. Read Muah! Pasta Fresca! for more information on our delicious fresh pasta.


Join us this weekend and experience this unforgettable dish for yourself! Make your reservation online at OpenTable or give us a call at 604.430.2195.

Pistachios not for you? Peruse the rest of our Dinner Menu.
Antipasto: The perfect solution for a light Italian snack or a lovely start to a meal!

If you're in the mood for a light meal, or are just looking to round out your Italian feast, indulging in an spread of the delectable flavours of of an antipasto platter is a wonderful way to go!

 Antipasto, which can be translated into English as 'appetizer,' is a starter course within the traditional Italian meal structure that generally follows the aperitivo. Often served cold, the antipasto is a light course that usually includes cured meats, olives, cheeses, and pickled vegetables and meats.

Learn more about the traditional way to order an Italian meal.

When the mood strikes for a plate of antipasto, we hope that you will visit us at La Piazza Dario to satisfy your craving! Our antipasto “la piazza” is an assortments of cured meat, fish, cheese and marinated vegetables that serves two. Now, doesn't that sound delicious!

Make your reservation with us online via OpenTable or call us at 604.430.2195.

 La Piazza Dario Lunch Menu
La Piazza Dario Dinner Menu
Going to Italy this year? We've got a few handy tips for you...


First of all, congratulations on your exciting vacation plans! We are definitely jealous of you. Of course, we want you to enjoy your trip to the fullest and we've got a few tips to help you.

Believe it or not, there is a right way and a "wrong" way to enjoy your Italian meals. Of course, if you do make an etiquette mistake, it's not the end of the world. It's merely an announcement of your tourist status, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. However, while you are in Italy, we want you to truly experience the Italian way of life!

Did you know that Italians never order a cappuccino after noon? And did you know that it's simply not done to have your coffee with a meal? Caffe normale is what you have in the afternoon. If you're expecting a tall or grande coffee to go, think again. Eating and drinking on the go is just not done, unless of course you've got a gelato.

When it comes to eating in Italy, the Italians know best how to enjoy their delectable meals. Check out this article from Revealed Rome to get more tips on how Italians enjoy their meals:


Before you go, drop by for a visit and have a practice run at ordering and enjoying an Italian meal! Have a great trip!

(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)
We love Italy any time of the year, but here are a few reasons that make Italian autumns extra special!



We love our adopted home of Vancouver in the fall as well, but Italy will always hold an extra special place in our hearts. After all, it's the mother country, the birthday place of our delicious cuisines and meals that we lovingly create and share with you at La Piazza Dario!

So without further ado, here are our fall favourites about Italy!

1. Italian Sagre

Autumn in Italy is the time of sagre, or festivals celebrating local food and wine! These festivals pop up all over the country and celebrate one of the most renowned contributions to human cultures: food! What better way to enjoy Italy than by attending a food festival. You can truly get a taste of Italy…literally!

2. Harvest Time

Much of the ingredients that make Italian food so delicious are being harvested during this season: olives, white truffles, almonds, and chestnuts to name a few. Why not get your hands dirty and participate in an olive harvest?!

3. Cool Weather

Summers can get hot. Really hot. Although summer has its own virtues, it can be a difficult time to explore when you find yourself putting all your energy into staying cool and hydrating! Autumn boast some of the most perfect weather-wise days, with cooler temperatures making it an enjoyable time to walk around and explore.

4. Fall Colours

Along with that cooler temperature, comes the stunning fall colours of the Italian countryside. It's true we get some fabulous seasonal colours here on the West Coast but hey! It's Italy!

5. Fewer Crowds, Lower Costs

It's one of the best times to travel to Italy, and practically anywhere for these two reasons: fewer crowds and lower costs. Why not get the Italian experience with less of a dent in your wallet?!

Until then, however, come join us for a delicious dinner that will send your taste buds to Italy! We guarantee you will enjoy every last bite!

(Image via Pexels)
We're thrilled by the incredible reviews that our patrons have been leaving us on TripAdvisor!

A big thank you to our patrons who have been leaving us wonderful reviews on the travel website, TripAdvisor! We are blown away by your kind words and so thankful to have such thoughtful customers. Our business is built around family and providing authentic, quality Italian food to you and yours and we are proud to have been able to express that to you through our restaurant, staff and, of course, our food.

Below are some of the thoughtful reviews that made our day. Thank you!

“Traditional values, wonderful food and service.”





 “La Migliore”  (English translation: “The Best”)


“Always a pleasure to return”



 “Our Great Experience”

“Classic Italian Meal”

Thank you again for the reviews! We hope to see you soon for lunch or dinner. Make a reservation today by calling 604.430.2195 or online via OpenTable.

What makes Italian food so mouthwatering and luxurious? Fresh ingredients and dishes crafted with love!


You simply can't go wrong with fresh Italian formaggio. No matter what time of the day it is, there is a cheese that will make any meal extra satisfying! There are so many delicious Italian cheeses, each with its own unique aroma, flavour and consistency.  

There is a lot that goes into producing a beautiful and truly Italian cheese. Conde Nast Traveller visits a cheese-maker in Tuscany and explores the meticulous care he takes in his art: creating a perfect, delicious batch of Tuscan cheese!

You may not be able to fly to Italy and try his cheese but at La Piazza Dario, we relish in creating truly authentic Italian meals using only the best ingredients! Join us for a delicious meal and transport your tastebuds to Italy!

(Image via Pexels)
Join us this month and indulge in our Summer Seasonal Menu!


If you've ever been to La Piazza Dario, you know that Head Chef Claudio Ranallo always has something delicious cooking up in his kitchen. Whether it's a refreshing appetizer, like prosciutto and melon, an authentic Italian pasta dish, such as potato pasta dish gnocchi or spaghetti alle vongole, or a delectable dessert, such Chef Claudio's cannoli, there's always an incredible Italian meal awaiting you at La Piazza Dario, and this month brings no exceptions!

Drop by for dinner this month and take advantage of our Seasonal Menu. Packed with mouthwatering Italian dishes, such as fresh burrata bocconcini served with heirloom tomatoes and arugola, ricotta and spinach ravioli, or zuppa di pesce complete with crab, mussels, prawns, calamari and salmon all in a tomato broth, our Seasonal Menu is bound to satisfy your tastebuds.

Don't miss out on this exceptional menu selection! Join us tonight and peruse the full menu. Make your reservation online or call 604.430.2195.

(Image via Pixabay)
Have a happy long weekend! 


Usually the perfect time for a weekend getaway, long weekends just aren't long enough to get us to Italy and back before the work week begins again. But we do have a two solutions for you to help you take care of your Italian cravings!

Join us on Friday or Saturday for a delicious and authentic Italian meal that will have your tastebuds completely satisfied. In fact, as you take your first bite of perfectly al dente pasta, close your eyes and let the flavours transport you to lively Italian piazzas! Then, once you have your fill, sit back and relax with a beautiful dessert and Italian espresso!

We'll be closed on Sunday and Monday but we home to you very soon! For now, enjoy these travel bites from Rick Steves!




(Image via Pixabay)