Amore in Pune: Italian Spots for a Lunch Date

Sorriso at Marriott Suites is one of Pune's few Italian restaurants with an Italian chef on board, and that shows on every plate that lands on the table. Handmade pasta made fresh every day, the aroma of wood-fired pizzas fills the air, and a thoughtfully curated menu features dishes from different parts of Italy, lending it credibility. Book the alfresco section for a lunch date, surrounded by greenery and an unhurried ambience.Vibe Check: Handmade Pasta, Alfresco Dining, Relaxed LunchesWhat to Order: Gustosa Pizza, Tomato Bruschetta, Fritto Misto, Classic Tiramisu

In a time where restaurants open and close in the blink of an eye, Little Italy has been feeding the city for over three decades, a record that speaks for itself. The interiors are simple, with a classic warmth. The menu is extensive and all vegetarian, which can be rare to find. Regulars have been frequenting the spot since childhood, making it a nostalgic option for a lunch date.Vibe Check: Vegetarian and Jain Options, Three-Decade LegacyWhat to Order: Pizza Napoli, Aglio Olio Pasta, Lasagne Alle Verdure, Chocolate Bomb

Donna Cucina has arched doorways, intricate Italian tiling, soft lighting, and handpicked antique crockery, all of which make the restaurant feel deeply personal. The music is a playlist of feel-good, popular songs that will have you humming along on your date. The menu is a love letter to Italian simplicity, paired with carefully curated drinks that you can tell have been concocted by someone with a genuine love for the cuisine.Vibe Check: Pastel Interiors, Comfort Food, Handmade PastasWhat to Order: Lasagne Di Zucca, Gnocchi Di Patate Ai Funghi, Tagliatelle Di Ragu Ai Funghi, Tiramisu

Squisito has hanging flowers, warm yellow-coloured walls and a laidback atmosphere that lend an unhurried quality to your lunch date. The staff is extremely friendly and walks you through the menu with consideration. This is another pure vegetarian restaurant that has earned its reputation entirely on the quality of its food, the warmth of the room, and its iconic tiramisu.Vibe Check: Cosy, Nostalgic, Intimate Neighbourhood GemWhat to Order: Spinach and Asparagus Soup, Stuffed Garlic Bread, Caesar Salad, Pesto Pasta, Sizzling Brownie

Cream-coloured walls, dark, polished tables, and white, cushioned chairs lend Alto Vino a sense of refinement. The layout is spacious with ample distance between tables, a small detail, but one that makes an enormous difference on a lunch date. This is the kind of room where you can actually hold a conversation and relax, while enjoying a collection of international wines that pair perfectly with the delicious food.Vibe Check: Italian Fine Dining, Spacious Seating, Wine SelectionWhat to Order: Margherita Pizza, Ravioli Alla Zucca, Funghi Golosa Pizza, Burrata Fresca

Loosely translating to “good food”, Buon Cibo is a small, warmly run Italian cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. The ambience is laid-back and welcoming, perfect for a first date without added pressure. They have perfected the concept of serving pizza as a large slice, which lends the restaurant a casual quality. The staff is friendly, and the owner's personal involvement adds a touch of personalisation reminiscent of eating at a small diner in Italy.Vibe Check: Cosy Neighbourhood Bistro, Honest Italian, UnhurriedWhat to Order: Stile Capo Nachos, Pesto Toastie, Hot Italian Crush, Rossa Town Pasta, Affogato

Started by owner and chef Dario Dezio, with over 30 years of experience, Dario's does outdoor dining better than anywhere else in the city. Whitewashed walls with blue accents lend the space a sunny Mediterranean disposition, while lush greenery and music create a hideaway perfect for a lunch date. On a good day, you may even see peacocks roaming the garden, to add to the charm. Pune's first restaurant to earn the Ospitalità Italiana certification, it carries the weight of Italian dining history.Vibe Check: Al Fresco Seating, Art Deco Bar, Traditional ItalianWhat to Order: Ravioli Chiaramonte, Pesto Pizza, Bruschetta Classica, Blueberry Cheesecake

La Magia is an Italian restaurant conceived by the Sante team, and the setting is one of the most spectacular on the list. The outdoors are nestled among tall trees that make a lunch date feel special. The interiors are a mix of contemporary and classic furniture with ornate wall plates and textured finishes. The ambience is beautiful and makes you feel at ease, something a good lunch date deserves.Vibe Check: Chef-Driven Menu, Garden Seating, Relaxed DiningWhat to Order: Lady Margherita Con Burrata Pizza, Truffled Wild Mushroom Risotto, Spinach Pistachio Mascarpone Ravioli, Pistachio Tiramisu

The interiors at Grandmama's resemble an English countryside cottage with pretty frames, swings, lace curtains and planters, giving it a classic touch. A vintage Beetle greets you at the entrance to the space, which has both indoor and outdoor seating. The soft green carpet lends a garden energy to the al fresco section, while the food draws inspiration from three grannies - a Bombay granny, a Parsi granny, and an Italian granny, which gives the menu a warmth that matches the decor.Vibe Check: English Cottage, Whimsical, Dreamy and NostalgicWhat to Order: Grandmama's Special Pizza, Wild Mushroom Risotto, Mezze Platter, Signature Hot Chocolate

Brainchild of Cordon Bleu-trained chef Ambar Rode, Nanna's Negroni transports you to Europe with leather booths, marble-top tables and warm lighting reminiscent of an Italian cafe. The room has a personality, rather than a theme, which comes through in the whimsical pieces of art. The food matches the space in its restraint and confidence, almost like an Italian nonna cooking in her kitchen. For a lunch date in Pune that feels special, without being stiff, this is the place to be.Vibe Check: Dark Green Booths, Modern ItalianWhat to Order: Lemon Ricotta Ravioli, Braised Pork Pappardelle, Grilled Peaches and Burrata Salad, Olive Oil Cake