Italian at Heart. Pacific Northwest by Nature.
Volterra is a contemporary Italian restaurant in the heart of downtown Kirkland, built around a simple philosophy: begin with exceptional ingredients and treat them with respect.
Our cooking draws from the traditions of Italy while celebrating the remarkable ingredients of the Pacific Northwest. House-made pastas, carefully sourced meats and seafood, seasonal produce, an award-winning wine program, and genuine hospitality come together around one idea – that a memorable restaurant experience is about much more than what is on the plate.
At Volterra, we want every guest to feel welcomed, cared for, and part of the restaurant from the moment they walk through the door.
Our Story
Volterra takes its name and inspiration from the ancient hilltop town of Volterra in Tuscany, a place known for its history, beauty, food, and enduring sense of tradition.
Executive Chef Don Curtiss brought that inspiration to the Pacific Northwest, when he established Volterra in 2005, developing a style of cooking that respects Italian tradition while embracing the ingredients available here at home. Volterra’s Kirkland restaurant opened in 2012 at 121 Kirkland Avenue, just steps from the downtown waterfront.
Over the years, Volterra has become part of the fabric of Kirkland – a place where guests return not only for dinner, but for birthdays, anniversaries, first dates, business dinners, celebrations, and evenings shared with the people who matter to them.
Today, Don and Jasmin continue to evolve Volterra while staying true to what has always mattered most: exceptional food, thoughtful hospitality, meaningful connections, and a restaurant where people genuinely enjoy spending time together.
Executive Chef Don Curtiss
For Executive Chef and owner Don Curtiss, Italian food is both personal and deeply rooted in tradition. Raised with the influence of his Sicilian mother and shaped by decades in professional kitchens, Don developed a cooking philosophy grounded in technique, quality ingredients, and respect for where food comes from.
His travels throughout Italy further shaped his approach: allowing great ingredients to speak for themselves rather than overwhelming them. At Volterra, that philosophy is expressed through house-made pastas, seasonal produce, premium meats and seafood, carefully developed sauces and stocks, and dishes that pair Italian tradition with the abundance of the Pacific Northwest.
For Don, the goal is not to recreate Italy in Kirkland. It is to take what Italian cooking teaches us – simplicity, seasonality, craftsmanship, and respect for ingredients – and make it distinctly Volterra.
Executive Chef Don Curtiss
For Executive Chef and owner Don Curtiss, Italian food is both personal and deeply rooted in tradition. Raised with the influence of his Sicilian mother and shaped by decades in professional kitchens, Don developed a cooking philosophy grounded in technique, quality ingredients, and respect for where food comes from.
His travels throughout Italy further shaped his approach: allowing great ingredients to speak for themselves rather than overwhelming them. At Volterra, that philosophy is expressed through house-made pastas, seasonal produce, premium meats and seafood, carefully developed sauces and stocks, and dishes that pair Italian tradition with the abundance of the Pacific Northwest.
For Don, the goal is not to recreate Italy in Kirkland. It is to take what Italian cooking teaches us – simplicity, seasonality, craftsmanship, and respect for ingredients – and make it distinctly Volterra.
21 Consecutive Years of Wine Spectator Recognition
Wine has been an integral part of the Volterra experience since the beginning. For 21 consecutive years, Volterra has earned the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, recognizing the quality and depth of a wine program built to complement the restaurant’s cuisine. Executive Chef Don Curtiss personally curates the wine list, with a particular appreciation for Italian wines alongside exceptional selections from Washington and the Pacific Northwest. The result is a collection that is approachable enough to discover something new and deep enough to reward the serious wine enthusiast.
Other Press & Recognition
Over the years, Volterra has been fortunate to receive recognition for its food, wine, hospitality, and place within the community.
Wine Spectator Award of Excellence — 21 Consecutive Years
Seattle Restaurant Week
Best of Kirkland — City Lifestyle
OpenTable Diner’s Choice Recognition
We are grateful for every recognition, but the one that matters most remains the same: guests choosing to return to our table.