Best Italian Restaurants in Gosforth
Gosforth has more Italian restaurants than any other cuisine. From a 25-year family institution to Sardinian specialities and Michelin-adjacent seafood.
Italian restaurants outnumber every other cuisine on Gosforth High Street — and the quality is genuinely strong. From a family-run trattoria that's been booked solid since 1998 to Sardinian specialities, contemporary Italian-with-a-twist, and a Michelin Guide-adjacent seafood restaurant from the Lovage team, there's far more variety than you'd expect from a suburban high street.
Francesca's
Francesca's at 134 High Street has been a Gosforth institution since 1998. Run by the same family for over 25 years, it has earned a devoted local following for handmade pasta, wood-fired pizzas, fresh seafood, and classic Italian desserts. Booking is strongly recommended, especially at weekends — it's one of the most consistently busy restaurants in Gosforth for good reason. The lunch menu offers excellent value.
Best for: The established favourite, family celebrations, consistently excellent.
Corsaro
Corsaro at 197-199 High Street brings something genuinely different — Sardinian and Sicilian cuisine rooted in centuries of island tradition. The dough, the recipes, and the flavours have a depth that sets it apart from standard Italian. Look for the guttiau bread alongside the main menu. The deli counter at the front sells imported Italian goods — olive oils, cured meats, cheeses — so you can take a piece home.
Best for: Sardinian specialities, something different, deli shopping.
Basilico Ristorante
Basilico at 47 High Street has been serving classic Italian since 1990 — over 35 years. This is a family-run trattoria with a rustic interior where the staff know the regulars by name. The menu doesn't chase trends: classic pasta, pizza, and Italian mains done reliably well, year after year. The kind of neighbourhood restaurant that cities twice Gosforth's size would envy.
Best for: Classic Italian, a neighbourhood trattoria, reliability.
Florence Gosforth
Florence Gosforth at 123 High Street is the Gosforth branch of the Florence restaurant group (also in Jesmond). The menu offers Italian favourites with a contemporary twist — pizza, pasta, and sharing plates alongside a wide selection of beers, gins, and cocktails. The atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly, with a modern interior. A good mid-range option for a weeknight dinner or weekend lunch.
Best for: Contemporary Italian, cocktails, family-friendly.
Osters by Lovage
Osters by Lovage at 125 High Street isn't strictly an Italian restaurant — but it comes from the same team behind Lovage in Jesmond (Michelin Guide listed, 2 AA Rosettes), and the Mediterranean-leaning seafood menu makes it a natural fit here. Fresh, seasonal oysters, ceviche, and beautifully prepared fish alongside a curated wine list. This is Gosforth's most refined dining option, and it happens to sit on the High Street between two traditional Italians.
Best for: Seafood, refined dining, the Lovage team's quality.
Raffaello
Raffaello at 149 High Street is a newer arrival opposite Central Park. Pizza, pasta, and Italian classics available to eat in or take away — with delivery through Just Eat. The interior is modern and smartly designed. A practical option for both eating in and ordering at home.
Best for: Delivery via Just Eat, eat-in or takeaway, central location.
See also our [Best Pizza in Gosforth](/blog/best-pizza-in-gosforth) guide for a pizza-specific deep dive.