The Best Italian Restaurant in Every State
Updated: Apr. 05, 2024
From bruschetta in Alabama to tiramisu in Wyoming, we've rounded up the best Italian hot spots in every state. Buon appetito!
In this list
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Alabama
Ariccia Cucina, Auburn
There’s something about eating al fresco that makes Italian food taste even better. At Ariccia Cucina, you can relax with risotto on the patio. Enjoy a seasonally rotating menu made with the freshest ingredients while eating outdoors. FYI: Here’s how to pair wine with Italian food.
If you are in the mood for some risotto at home, try Ina Garten’s risotto recipe. It is easy to make with a heavenly taste. Or you can also try your hand at her summer garden pasta’s recipe.
Alaska
Evangelo’s Restaurant, Wasilla
Evangelo’s takes advantage of all the seafood available in Alaska to offer a fresh, Mediterranean-inspired menu.
Arizona
Mora Italian, Phoenix
Fan of Food Network? Be sure to visit Mora Italian restaurant in Phoenix—it’s the brainchild of Chopped judge Scott Conant! He puts a modern twist on Italian classics, like polenta with porcini sugo and black campanelle pasta with clams.
Arkansas
Noodles Italian Kitchen, Fayetteville
With a focus on fresh, authentic Italian food (they import roma tomatoes from San Marzano Valley in Italy), Noodles Italian Kitchen is a family-owned restaurant that makes its marinara, meat sauce and Alfredo sauces from scratch every day. Noodles even has a “you’ll love it or it’s free” guarantee.
California
Tiramisu Trattoria, La Mesa
With a fun, casual atmosphere beloved by locals and visitors alike, Tiramisu Trattoria features a classic Italian menu, like lasagna bolognese, pizza margherita and, of course, tiramisu. If you’re feeling particularly hungry, try the three-course prix fixe menu.
Colorado
Ristorante Del Lago, Colorado Springs
Treat yourself to a luxe Italian dinner at Ristorante Del Lago at the Broadmoor Resort. You’ll dine on top-notch Italian food while overlooking the lake and mountains in the distance.
Connecticut
Restaurant Bricco, West Hartford
While most folks flock to this West Hartford hotspot for pasta dishes like baked rigatoni that’s served from a wood-fired oven that greets you as you walk through the door, the secret to Restaurant Bricco’s success is their use of fresh, seasonal ingredients like pea tendrils and morel mushrooms. You can bring that tip home by trying these farmers market recipes.
Delaware
Cafe Napoli Restaurant & Pizzeria, Wilmington
Known for its large portions and family-friendly atmosphere, Cafe Napoli offers everything from paninis and pizzas to baked ziti and linguini with mussels. You can stop in on Wednesdays for half-price wine—don’t mind if I do!
Florida
Perricone’s Marketplace & Cafe, Miami
Not only is Perricone’s a top-notch Italian restaurant, but it’s also a gourmet marketplace. They offer imported Italian products, meats and cheese, chocolate truffles and more than 100 types of wine, including a proprietary house brand.
Georgia
Mondo Italian Kitchen, Milton
With a patio and osteria (that’s Italian for “tavern”), Mondo’s Italian Kitchen’s menu features casual northern Italian cuisine. Every region in Italy is known for a unique type of food; northern Italy is famous for its stuffed pastas. Mondo’s also offers New York-style pizzas.
Hawaii
Pueo’s Osteria, Waikoloa
Pueo’s Osteria gets its name from the pueo, an indigenous owl that represents the chef’s goal of serving food until midnight. This Italian restaurant makes pasta and gnocchi from scratch, with 00 flour imported from Italy.
Idaho
Gino’s Italian Ristorante, Meridian
Traditional and timeless, Gino’s Italian Ristorante offers a huge selection of Italian classics, like cannelloni and quattro formaggi pizza. But the best part of this restaurant is the warm and inviting ambiance—perfect for family gatherings or date night.
Illinois
Spacca Napoli, Chicago
Dedicated to creating authentic Neapolitan-style pizza, Spacca Napoli boasts a pizza oven built by third- and fourth-generation artists from Napoli and is run by a certified pizzaiolo. After trying the pizza, be sure to check out the Italian desserts.
Indiana
Galo’s Italian Grill, Richmond
A hidden gem in Richmond, Galo’s Italian Grill is not to be missed. Enjoy sitting under an eye-catching ceiling mural, and try not to fill up on the fresh focaccia bread and seasoned olive oil served before every meal.
Iowa
La Tavola, Burlington
Run by a husband and wife team, La Tavola features old-school Sicilian cooking in a comfortable environment. Be sure to try the calamari and garlic knots.
Kansas
Renaissance Cafe, Assaria
If you’re looking for a unique dining experience, check out the Renaissance Cafe. It’s located in an old school gym, with tables overlooking the basketball court. The menu isn’t cafeteria pizza, though—it’s packed with authentic Northern Italian cuisine.
Kentucky
DiFabio’s Casapela, Louisville
Featuring a large selection of gluten-free options, DiFabio’s Casapela offers authentic Italian fare. Be sure to save room for dessert, because DiFabio’s make all its desserts in house, including a Samoa cookie cheesecake, three-layer cappuccino cheesecake and Italian cream cake.
Louisiana
Fausto’s Bistro, Metairie
Fausto’s Bistro offers Italian comfort food at its finest. Two brothers own this restaurant and serve up classic recipes passed down through the family. Be sure to try Fausto’s frutti di mare (chock-full of seafood) or veal scallopini Rolando—each named after one of the brothers.
Maine
Ports of Italy, Boothbay Harbor
After spending years working at Italian restaurants in Italy and New York City, the founder of Ports of Italy now serves up authentic Italian food, including homemade pasta, bread and desserts. Be sure to make a reservation—this is a popular spot.
Maryland
Primo Pasta Kitchen, Pasadena
Known for their outstanding service, Primo Pasta Kitchen offers a large menu of classic Italian pasta dishes. Take advantage of their happy hour deals, featuring an array of flatbreads, sliders and ravioli.
Massachusetts
Scampo, Boston
Located on the first floor of Boston’s Liberty Hotel (which once was a jail), Scampo means “to escape” in Italian and has been transformed into a contemporary space that offers a modern take on Italian food. Be sure to check out the mozzarella bar!
Michigan
Cantoro Trattoria, Plymouth
Not only does Cantoro offer an authentic Italian dining experience, it’s also a fully stocked Italian market. Enjoy a meal in the dining room, and then pick up the ingredients you need to re-create your meal in the market (the menus tell you exactly which ingredients they used).
Minnesota
Bar La Grassa, Minneapolis
Perfect for date nights, special occasions or business meetings, Bar La Grassa features a fun atmosphere and unique menu. Give the soft egg and lobster bruschetta a try. You can even sit at the pasta bar to see the chefs at work.
Mississippi
Salute, Gulfport
You’ll want to dine on the patio of Salute Italian Seafood as the sun sets over the Gulf of Mexico. This is an experience you won’t forget! Salute is also the perfect place to grab a quick bite or an intimate dinner, sharing an Italian coastal-inspired seafood dish.
Missouri
Garozzo’s Ristorante, Kansas City
Garozzo’s is the home of the signature chicken spiedini (marinated chicken breast rolled in Italian bread crumbs and grilled), which has become a Kansas City staple. They even bottle their own sauces and salad dressings for sale in their restaurant.
Montana
Lucca’s, Helena
Located in Helena, Lucca’s is a dinner-only spot that is frequently ranked as one of the best restaurants in Montana. The restaurant features a curated, fine dining menu of apps, pastas and meat-based entrees, plus an extensive wine list.
Nebraska
Lo Sole Mio Ristorante, Omaha
Founded by a husband and wife team, Lo Sole Mio offers large portions of Italian classics, like chicken marsala and baked lasagna. Be sure to take a picture with your sweetheart under the Ciao Amore Mio (translation: hello, my love) wall.
If you want to satisfy your lasagna cravings at home, try this quick recipe for the yummiest lasagna you can make: Giada de Laurentiis’s crispy sheet pan lasagna. And in case you have some extra time in hand, you must try Trisha Yearwood’s cowboy lasagna, it is worth it!
Nevada
Ferraro’s Italian Restaurant, Las Vegas
Toast a special event with a bottle of wine from Ferraro’s Italian Restaurant’s curated wine cellar. In addition to its time-honored recipes, the family-owned restaurant features special menus throughout the year, like a summer prix fixe menu and taste and learn events.
New Hampshire
Patty B’s, Dover
Known for large portions, tasty bruschetta and signature marinara sauce, Patty B’s is a local favorite for authentic Italian cuisine. Check out the homemade desserts on display, including a tasty limoncello cream cake.
New Jersey
ITA101, Medford
After watching his grandmother perfect Italian recipes, chef Kevin Maher studied in Italy and became an expert on Italian cuisine before opening ITA101. The limited, rotating menu takes advantage of in-season ingredients—creating a new experience every time you stop by.
New Mexico
Zeffiro Pizzeria Napoletana, Las Cruces
Founded by a lawyer-turned-baker, Zeffiro’s Pizzeria serves up Neapolitan-style pizza, homemade pasta and fresh-baked bread—baked in a steam-injected stone hearth oven imported from France. At the end of the day, Zeffiro’s donates all leftover bread to a local soup kitchen.
North Carolina
Joseph’s Italian Bistro, Southport
Joseph’s Italian Bistro offers top-notch service, a large wine selection and fresh Italian cuisine in a prime location. Be sure to snag an outdoor table so you can enjoy views of the marina while you dine.
North Dakota
Fireflour Pizzeria & Coffee Bar, Bismarck
Known for its Neapolitan-style pizzas made in a wood-fired oven built in Italy, Fireflour Pizzeria was first founded as a mobile restaurant before moving to its current location. Not only do they serve pizza, but they also have a full coffee bar and offer breakfast pastries.
Ohio
Mia Bella Restaurant, Cleveland
This Cleveland spot serves up delicious Italian and Mediterranean-fare in a relaxed environment. Guest favorites at Mia Bella include cheese tortellini, lobster ravioli and frutti di mare.
Oklahoma
Stella Modern Italian Cuisine, Oklahoma City
With a relaxed, neighborhood feel, Stella Modern Italian Cuisine offers oak-fired pizzas, shared plates and traditional Italian fare. Plus, they have live music every week! Try grabbing a table at the bar to watch the wood-fired brick oven at work.
Oregon
Piazza Italia, Portland
Located in the trendy Pearl District, this family-oriented restaurant is known for two things: great Italian food and soccer. Piazza Italia is also home to a deli that offers Italian meats, cheeses and olives—perfect for a picnic lunch.
Pennsylvania
Gabriella’s Italian Restaurant, Harrisburg
Gabriella’s chef and owner arrived in the US in the 1970s to open an Italian restaurant that offers guests a memorable experience. With a menu full of unique creations and traditional Italian fare, Gabriella’s is a local favorite. Be sure to try the homemade meatballs.
Rhode Island
Al Forno, Providence
Set on the riverfront, Al Forno offers cuisine from various regions of Italy. Their specialties include grilled pizza, dirty steak with hot fanny sauce and made-to-order desserts like fresh fruit tarts. Grab a spot on the outdoor patio—and definitely try the roasted corn pizza.
South Carolina
The Obstinate Daughter, Sullivan’s Island
The Obstinate Daughter serves up pasta and pizza on historic Sullivan’s Island. The name even pays homage to the Revolutionary War history of the local area. For dinner, order the pizza with a farm egg cooked on top or one of the many seafood options.
South Dakota
La Minestra, Pierre
With a relaxed atmosphere and award-winning menu, La Minestra is a local favorite. They serve up a variety of hand-cut steaks, seafood and housemade pasta.
Tennessee
Amerigo, Nashville
Serving up fresh Italian meals in a warm and inviting atmosphere, Amerigo offers everything from brioche French toast for brunch to a gorgonzola filet for dinner. Each month, the chef presents a five-course dinner with seasonal ingredients from the local farmers market.
Texas
Tony’s, Houston
This iconic Houston restaurant has offered fine Italian dining for more than 50 years—and has even served seven sitting presidents! Whether you enjoy a meal in the main dining room or celebrate a special occasion in the wine room (it features a custom Murano chandelier), Tony’s offers an inviting atmosphere and delicious cuisine.
Utah
Valter’s Osteria, Salt Lake City
With a focus on simple and authentic Tuscan-inspired food, Valter’s Osteria offers classic recipes from Valter’s own mother to modern, creative fare in a bustling restaurant complete with full bar, seasonal outdoor dining and a private room. Be sure to have a conversation with the man himself, Valter!
Vermont
Sarducci’s, Montpelier
Enjoy beautiful views of picturesque Vermont while dining on fresh, authentic Italian at Sarducci’s. Nestled on the banks of a river, the restaurant has an extensive gluten-free and dietary-restriction-friendly menu in addition to their classic cuisine.
Virginia
Tavola, Charlottesville
Tavola is an intimate neighborhood restaurant that offers fresh and simple Italian. Try a craft cocktail, enjoy a snack at the Cicchetti bar and check out the daily trio of bruschetta.
Washington
Spinasse, Seattle
Spinasse focuses on traditional cuisine inspired by the Piedmont area of northern Italy and uses products from local farmers to craft their meals. You’ll want to snag a seat at the bar to get a view into the open kitchen.
West Virginia
Pasquale’s, Beckley
With a full bar and extensive wine list, Pasquale’s is a local favorite. They serve up large portions of classic meals, like fettuccine Alfredo and eggplant Parmesan.
Wisconsin
Tenuta’s Italian Restaurant, Milwaukee
A gem of a restaurant in Milwaukee’s Bay View neighborhood, Tenuta’s offers a wide range of authentic Italian dishes and wine in a cozy atmosphere. You’ll want to try everything on the menu, but start with the mushroom gnocchi, pappardelle bolognese or fettuccine bistecca, which are local favorites.
Wyoming
Glorietta, Jackson
Located in downtown Jackson, Glorietta is a laid-back Italian trattoria that serves up everything from handmade pasta and wood-roasted rabbit to gnocchi with brown butter and tiramisu.
Also, read up on our favorite new and traditional Italian recipes.
Next: Learn how to create magic with the leftovers. Try Stanley Tucci’s pasta casserole’s recipe.
Originally Published: August 28, 2021
