Korea's 10 Must-Try Italian Restaurants in Apgujeong

Start where classics meet creativity. Mongone is loved by locals and travelers alike for its seasonal plates and a Coravin program that pours grand cru by the glass, so the seafood sparkle or citrus lift in your pasta lands in perfect balance. Right now the kitchen is leaning into autumn with gizzard shad dressed in Mediterranean accents, while a bright lemon risotto and a pristine vongole show the chef’s lighter touch.

• Order this: Autumn gizzard shad pasta, lemon risotto, and vongole, then explore a glass from the grand cru list.

A few leafy blocks away, Conques blends Italian comfort with French finesse in a room that glows for dates and birthdays. It is a favorite of both locals and visitors, thanks to approachable pastas, generous mains, and a team that makes celebrations feel effortless without fuss.

• Order this: A classic pasta to start, then a shared main and a celebratory bubbly.

If Conques is about celebration, ARDERE is about craft. This Dosan Park favorite is embraced by families and couples alike, with chefs rolling fresh pasta every morning and a woodfire that kisses seafood and steaks with gentle smoke. The atmosphere is polished yet relaxed, which makes it easy to linger with a glass in hand.

• Order this: A hand-rolled pasta and a wood-fired main to share, guided by the sommelier’s pairing.

Next, lean into comfort. This witty trattoria riff loves both the pasta bowl and the cheese cart, turning ricotta, taleggio, and friends into silky sauces and oozy pizzas. It is a go-to for groups because the flavors are broad-appeal and the location is easy to gather around.

• Order this: Cacio e pepe or four-cheese pizza, then share a cheese-focused appetizer to start the conversation.

A few minutes’ walk brings you to soulful comfort. Cotto cooks with the instincts of an Italian home kitchen, then seasons the experience with modern touches and smart wine deals. Loved by both locals and visitors, it is the kind of place where a simple ragù feels elevated and the secondi arrive ready for sharing.

• Order this: Today’s pasta and gnocchi, then consider the dinner free-flow wine option with ham and cheese plate.

When the night calls for easy joy, PONO BUONO answers with pizza, pasta, and a room tuned to good times. It draws both locals and out-of-towners for casual dates, a last glass after a show, or a low-key celebration when the city hum is just right.

• Order this: A signature pizza and a comforting pasta, then follow the team’s drink suggestions for the mood.

Few doors down, a sunlit brunch space transforms into a travel-like evening with Italian classic lasagna, steak, and a deep drinks list. It is ideal for friends who want a relaxed chat or couples who like music on the softer side and service that reads the room.

• Order this: Italian classic lasagna with a glass of red, or pair a sirloin with a stirred cocktail.

For a stylish breather between pastas, Onlygo & Co folds Italian-friendly flavors into a modern Korean-Western table, the kind of pretty setting where dates and small groups settle in easily. Locals especially love the balance of price to quality and the way the room instantly lifts the mood.

• Order this: A signature pasta or shared mains, then stroll past the florals for a photo moment.

Ready to expand the frame. OPNNG is where art and dining intersect, and its seasonal courses often feature pasta with precision ingredients like pine mushrooms in peak condition. It attracts a global-minded crowd that cares about pairing as much as plating, and the staff guides you through both with ease.

• Order this: The renewed course menu with optional pairings, and watch for a seasonal pasta highlight.

End with a detour that makes perfect sense. While Spanish by heart, CAVISTRY’s pintxo omakase and thoughtful pairings slide neatly into an Italian night as either a pre-dinner aperitivo stop or a playful finale. Locals swear by the pairings, which sharpen flavors and keep the conversation flowing.

• Order this: Pincho omakase seats via CATCHTABLE and lean into the pairing suggestions.