Casa Rugantino: classic Italian cuisine with open-air charm and friendly service in Kitchener
Casa Rugantino delivers classic Italian fare in a lively Kitchener setting. Diners highlight pizza, veal parmigiana, gnocchi, and eggplant parmigiana, with cheese-forward flavors and fresh ingredients. Service is often friendly and efficient (a server named Tara is noted in reviews), and open-air seating and a patio add a breezy vibe. Sangria is a standout; some guests find portions smaller or prices higher, yet many call it a worthwhile dining experience.
709 Belmont Ave W, Kitchener, ON N2M 1P1, Canada
Enjoy traditional dishes like veal parmigiana, linguine alfredo, and gnocchi in a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Handcrafted pizzas baked in our wood-fired oven, featuring fresh toppings and authentic Italian flavors.
Affordable midday options including sandwiches, salads, and pasta, perfect for a quick yet satisfying meal.
Begin your meal with favorites like bacon-wrapped scallops, Caesar salad, and other Italian-inspired bites.
Sip on expertly crafted drinks, including our popular sangria, to complement your dining experience.
Dine al fresco on our patio, offering a relaxed outdoor setting during warmer months.
Overall rating
Christine Hillis
We went for dinner last night and even though it was busy, the food and service were still great. For classic Italian food, there's nothing better in the area. Our server Tara was friendly and helpful. If you're looking for good Italian food, good atmosphere, and good service - this is the spot!
Joy N
Came here for lunch with a colleague on a weekday and were seated on the patio. I had the eggplant parmigiana sandwich lunch special while my colleague went with a salad. The portions were decent and I enjoyed the eggplant. When it came to paying the bill it came to over $50 with tip and tax just for the 2 dishes and water so it is on the pricier side. Only saw one server working the lunch crowd so service was a little slow as well.
Namah
First time here and we decided to try more dishes. Atmosphere and service is good, but the food is just alright for the prices here… we definitely have our favourite Italian place and this one didn’t make the cut with the food for us. The portions are a bit small.
Steve Martin
Casa Rugantino is a well established Waterloo, Ontario restaurant. It has built its reputation on a menu of fresh Italian cuisine. Our visit did not disappoint. The Pizza, Veal, Linguine Alfredo, and Gnocchi were all delicious. Let's not forget the awesome bacon-wrapped scallops that we started with; very good indeed! The service was excellent. Clearly our Server knew her job well. As there were only two Servers on the floor, however, our Server seemed a bit rushed occasionally. She remained pleasant and knowledgeable in spite of the busy evening. It was a cool evening, our table was right by the door so we had the breeze directly on us. It would have been nice for a Staff person to have inquired about our comfort. All in all Casa Rugantino is a sure bet if you're looking for a very worthwhile and tasty dining experience.
Mark Mollison
Restaurant is essentially open air. When we went it was hot outside and inside was hotter due to the kitchen which made it a bit uncomfortable. We got seated at the open window wall which helped but not ideal. Food service was very fast with little to no breaks between courses. Depending on what you are looking for that may be good or bad. Caeser salad was mid. We had the veal parmigiana and I asked the spaghetti be switched to a carbonate sauce which was very good. Overall good. The gnocchi had a nice texture but the sauce could use a boost. The pizza was very good as well. The sangria was excellent and very large. Overall a nice experience and we would go back again although there are other places with similar fare so maybe when it is cooler out or if we can get an outside seat in the shade. Matter of preference. I would recommend.
