Updated: May 16, 2025
Did you know you could take a culinary tour of Italy in Dallas or Richardson? No passport, no airline ticket necessary. By visiting Partenope Ristorante, you can visit Northern Italy, Southern Italy, or anywhere in between through your tastebuds, your sense of smell, and the ambiance of our restaurants.
In Southern Italy, it is all about pizza, and we have many offerings. Visit Northern Italy with our favorite gnocchi. And in the center of the boot, you may prefer a dish of pasta such as Spaghetti alla Carbonara or the taste of some fantastic Italian cheeses mixed into our favorite entrees. Come and let us explore.
Northern Italy
One of our favorite dishes from Northern Italy is gnocchi. Rich in history, gnocchi is considered a pasta or dumpling. The actual pasta, or dumplings, were originally made with squash, but after potatoes became a European crop in the 16th century, they became the main ingredient for gnocchi. Gnocchi means lump in English, and the mashed potatoes coupled with wheat flour and eggs revolutionized this pasta. Partenope Ristorante offers Gnocchi alla sorrentina, and includes our homemade San Marzano tomato sauce, mozzarella, parmesan, basil, and black pepper.
Central Italy
The Lazio region, which encompasses Rome, offers a variety of savory dishes, including native Italian cheeses and a variety of pasta. Here, we serve Spaghetti alla Carbonara, a pasta dish with egg yolk and guanciale with parmesan cheese and pecorino cheese, which is made from sheep’s milk rather than cow’s milk. Traditionally a Roman dish, Spaghetti alla Carbonara will take your tastebuds into a local ristorante (restaurant) in Rome.
Another of Partenope Ristorante’s vegetarian dishes is Cacio e Pepe alla Crema di Tartufo. Known for its pepe, or pepper, this dish is reminiscent of the traditional Cacio e Pepe, also using pecorino cheese, which is favored not only in Central Italy but in the North African and Asia Minor coasts as well. Our Cacio e Pepe alla Crema di Tartufo combines spaghetti with parmesan, pecorino, pepper, and truffle cream. An unusual item in a Texas restaurant, we recommend you try it!
Southern Italy
Italy is, perhaps, best known around the world for its pizza. But New York or Chicago-style pizzas won’t be found in Partenope Ristorante, but rather some more true to our Italian roots’ pizzas. We make our pizzas with our special touch.
Traditional Pizza of Southern Italy
One of the most basics of traditional Italian pizza is said to be named in honor of Queen Margherita of Savory. Pizza Margherita was created in the late 19th century when the Queen paid a visit to Naples. Standing for the Italian flag, the toppings include tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil.
Other pizzas featured on our menu include Calzone Napoletano with smoked mozzarella, whipped ricotta, salame dolce, parmesan, and tomato sauce. Or, if you like it hot, try our Calabrese pizza with spicy mozzarella, hot soppressata, Calabrian chili, Calabrian chili honey, tomato sauce, and ricotta. You may want a cool drink with this one!
See What Italy Has to Offer Without Leaving Texas!
Whether you want to visit one region of Italy and your guests another, you can all dine in the region you desire here at Partenope Ristorante. With locations in Dallas and Richardson, you are sure to find your Italian culinary delight nearby. Contact us now for a reservation near you.
Image(s) Sources: Golub Oleksii & MariaKovaleva // Shutterstock
