Da Vinci's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria

Da Vinci's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria on Poole Quay — Italian, Pizzeria

Located at 7 The Quay in one of Poole's historic waterfront warehouses, Da Vinci's has been a beloved fixture on the harbour since 1993 . Housed in a building that reminded founder Nicola De Paula of his Italian hometown, the restaurant offers sweeping views of Poole Harbour's glistening waters from its picturesque setting .

The restaurant has recently embarked on an exciting new chapter, with Gennaro—a team member of over ten years—taking ownership in late 2025 . Originally from Naples, Gennaro began as a waiter and worked his way up, eventually being invited by founder Nico to plan for the restaurant's future . He has retained the much-loved menu while adding signature specials that celebrate his Italian roots .

Da Vinci's serves authentic Italian cuisine crafted from traditional recipes passed down through generations . The extensive menu features handmade pastas, artisanal sourdough pizzas, fresh seafood, and prime cuts of steak . House specialties include the Linguine Alla Ciro with king prawns, homemade gnocchi with four cheeses, and the Tortelloni Sofia Loren . The restaurant also offers vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, plus a daily changing specials board featuring seasonal dishes like fresh sea bass .

A particularly heartwarming initiative sees the restaurant donating a Linguine Crazy Alfredo to MyTime Young Carers for every one ordered, giving young carers the chance to enjoy a meal out on the house .

The venue boasts a warm, family-friendly atmosphere across two floors, with a cosy downstairs dining room and an upstairs function space for parties of up to 60 people . Dogs are welcome in the bar area, and outdoor seating on The Deck offers panoramic quay views for al fresco dining .

Service receives consistent praise across reviews, with staff described as friendly, attentive, and welcoming . Named staff members including Ciro, James, Callum, and Marco are frequently commended for going above and beyond . With over 2,300 reviews and a Certificate of Excellence on TripAdvisor, Da Vinci's delivers reliably excellent dining for everything from romantic dinners to family celebrations .