in ,

Top 20 Italian Restaurants in the US

Italian food is understandably popular in the US. From risottos and pasta dishes to pizza, Italian cuisine has a steadfast hold on the dining scene in the US.

Italy The Best Florence Restaurant Example Of Fettuccine Pasta Served

Italian restaurants appear across the country, offering everything from filling family-style feasts to fine dining and promising delicious food and a full stomach! 

As a self-proclaimed foodie, I made it my mission to uncover the absolute best Italian restaurants in the US, and I’ve found them!

Here are the 17 best Italian restaurants in the US for delicious Italian food – bring your appetite and dig in!

Monteverde

1020 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60607
Phone: 312-888-3041
Visit Website

This gem is located in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood and is a restaurant and pastificio.

Monteverde offers both lunch and dinner menus, and nearly all of their dishes can be made gluten-free! Monteverde offers individual portions and large or small shareable options. 

For dinner, I highly recommend the Spaghetti Al Pomodoro with the chile oil, a perfectly cooked, classic pasta dish with roasted tomato, basil, and oven-dried cherry tomatoes with a slight hint of spice and an incredible depth of flavor from the chile oil. 

I loved that $2 from each plate of Spaghetti Al Pomodoro sold goes to World Central Kitchen to provide meals to communities impacted by humanitarian and climate crises across the world. 

While you’re here, check out the custom pastificio elevated behind the bar! Using the vintage mirror, you can see the culinary staff hand making incredibly delicate and intricate pasta to be used in some of their delicious pasta dishes! 


Macchialina

820 Alton Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Phone: 305-534-2124
Visit Website

Macchialina is a trattoria in Miami Beach, Florida, specializing in rustic Italian dishes. The atmosphere here is absolutely incredible with the brick walls of the venue.

Macchialina’s is incredibly popular among the locals and tourists alike, so reservations are your best friend for a chance to taste their stunning and sophisticated cuisine. 

The menu is simple, but each dish is crafted and cooked to perfection. My personal favorite is the Lasagna special, which uses short rib and a deliciously melty cheese sauce, known as fonduta, created with taleggio cheese.

The short rib is tender and rich, while the taleggio is mild and creamy, creating a wonderful blend of flavors. 

If you have the time – and the appetite – the Chef’s Tasting Menu provides the perfect chance to taste your way through five courses of incredibly delicious Italian cuisine.

While it brings a slightly more expensive price tag, the cost is well worth it for the incredible selections and variety!


Frasca Food & Wine

1738 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302
Phone: 303-442-6966
Visit Website

Frasca Food & Wine is the epitome of fine dining, with a delicious selection of Nothern Italian dishes all made with locally-sourced ingredients.

The food is incredible, and the restaurant is popular with the locals in Boulder, Colorado, so reservations are required and well worth it. You can make reservations for either indoor or outdoor seating. 

Personally, I prefer the outdoor simply because Boulder is beautiful, and the sunsets are a gorgeous backdrop to a perfect dinner. 

My favorite dish is the risotto. It’s cooked perfectly, and the preserved lemon and tasty asparagus give it an incredibly light and fresh taste.

The secret? Aged carnaroli rice! Aging the rice creates the perfect risotto by stabilizing the starches found in rice and leads to an impeccable dish that I still think about months later! 

For visitors over 21, they have some delicious wines that pair perfectly with their dishes to give the classic Italian dining experience. Their wine list is sorted in several ways, including theme and flavor profile, for easy browsing and selecting. 


Acquerello

1722 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Phone: 415-567-5432
Visit Website

Located in San Francisco, California, Acquerello offers a high-end Italian dining experience in a beautiful converted chapel.

See also  Mod Pizza vs Blaze

The phenomenal food, elegance, and luxury of Acquerello have made it a favorite stop of mine, and I take the time to visit and enjoy it every time I pass through the area. 

They offer two tasting menus that are worth experiencing if your entire group agrees on a menu! For groups with varied appetites and tastes, the Prix Fixe menu allows the individual creation of four-course meals!

The Seasonal Tasting menu and the Prix Fixe menu offer optional supplemental caviar courses, which I highly recommend if you like caviar.

Acquerello’s Royal White Sturgeon caviar is delicious and has a slightly nutty flavor with a buttery finish.  


Frankies 457 Spuntino

457 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Phone: 718-403-0033
Visit Website

Frankies 457 Sputino is one of the most popular Italian restaurants in Brooklyn. This neighborhood spot isn’t pretentious, but serves simple Italian cooking that will remind you of your nonna’s.

Getting a table at Frankies 457 can be challenging, as it’s a cozy restaurant with red brick with outdoor garden seating as well.

The menu at Frankies features expertly prepared classics as well as some more inventive specials. The pasta is house-made, and they even offer a mozzarella tasting that we highly recommend.

You can also check out sister restaurants, Franks Wine Bar and F&F Pizzeria.


Bottega

2240 Highland Ave, Birmingham, AL 35205
Phone: 205-939-1000
Visit Website

Bottega in Birmingham, Alabama, combines cuisine inspired by Italy with ingredients from the American South, all served in a warm, sophisticated atmosphere.

They offer daily specials alongside their standing menu, and everything is cooked to absolute perfection with fresh ingredients.

If you visit on a Tuesday, I highly recommend trying the wood-roasted scallops, Bottega’s Tuesday special. The scallops are fresh and delicious, and the wood roasting gives them a wonderful and slightly smoky taste.

I also recommend the crawfish risotto, which uses sweet corn and fresh crawfish for a unique southern twist on a classic dish. 

If seafood isn’t your thing, they also offer tasty wood-fired pizzas and a variety of pasta dishes that are to die for! If you’re in the mood for a meat dish, they offer chicken and steak dishes cooked and seasoned to perfection. 


Vetri Cucina

1312 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215-732-3478
Visit Website

Vetri Cucina is a historic townhouse turned incredible fine-dining Italian restaurant in Philly.

Located in downtown Philadelphia, Vetri Cucina uses locally sourced, fresh ingredients and truly makes you feel like family while you dine with them.

The dining room seats 32, so reservations are vital for a taste of the impeccable food and intimate atmosphere. 

Vetri Cucina offers a four-course meal style of dining, and each dish is carefully handcrafted. Vetri Cucina’s desserts are phenomenal, and all of them are well worth trying. If I had to choose a favorite, it would be the chocolate Tartufo!

With hazelnut and sour cherry, this chocolate-covered gelato dish is a delightful blend of flavors that melts in your mouth. 


Da Marco

1520 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006
Phone: 713-807-8857
Visit Website

Da Marco in Houston, Texas, focuses on fine dining and is well worth visiting. It’s important to note that the dress code requires diners to wear elegant or business attire.

The food is phenomenal, as is the service, and they offer several menus. Among the menus are a lunch menu, a dinner menu, and a cheese menu. 

My favorite from the lunch menu is the butternut squash cappellacci, fresh pasta stuffed with butternut squash and served with a sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan over the top.

It’s a fresh, light dish perfect for lunch on a busy day! The dinner menu is impressive, focusing on fresh ingredients and full flavors.


Cotogna

490 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone: 415-775-8508
Visit Website

Cotogna is another San Francisco gem and is incredibly popular. They serve wood-fired pizza, house-made pasta, and spit-roasted or grilled meat and fish dishes.

They offer walk-in seating at the Chef’s counter and bar, where you can watch as the chefs work. If you’re looking for a more casual Italian dining experience in San Francisco, Cotogna is perfect! 

I highly recommend trying one of their wood-fired pizzas for some of the best pizza in the country.

See also  The Ultimate Guide to Korean BBQ in Houston

If you’re in the mood for pasta, they make all of their pasta in-house by hand, and it shows in the taste and freshness of each pasta dish. I love the raviolo di ricotta, a charming and classic favorite. 

My favorite dessert is the Pan Dulcis, flavored with rum caramel and vanilla bean, which are a deliciously sweet treat. 


Il Buco Alimentari & Vineria

53 Great Jones St, New York, NY 10012
Phone: 212-837-2622
Visit Website

Il Buco family has a few establishments in NYC, but our favorite is the Alimentari & Vineria, which serves as a restaurant and market.

The concept behind Il Buco Alimentari & Vineria is to reimagine the classic markets of Italy. It serves as both a restaurant and a production outpost, serving simple, authentic foods. Almost everything is house-made the traditional way.

The restaurant menu features classics like cacio e pepe, branzino, and pizzas, as well as some modern and inventive dishes.

This stop also serves as a wine shop with a diverse range of wines, which you can also pair with your dinner. The market features artisan coffee, homemade pastries, local and imported cheeses, fresh pasta, and much more. The bread is fresh baked, and you can find a range of Italian products here.


Bestia

2121 E 7th Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90021
Phone: 213-514-5724
Visit Website

Bestia in downtown Los Angeles is all about great food and great vibes.

One of my favorite parts of dining at Bestia, aside from the mouthwatering food, is that you can see the chefs working together on the line from your seats. When you eat at Bestia, you feel like you’re part of their family! 

Bestia takes inspiration from modern Italy, and their dishes are a combination of Italian classics and modern twists.

I love the saffron gnocchi, which uses buttermilk ricotta that they make from scratch. They also offer delicious seafood and meat-based dishes and a selection of wood-fired pizzas. 


Spiga Cucina Italiana

7500 E Pinnacle Peak Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Phone: 480-513-9000
Visit Website

Spiga Cucina Italiana is casual and delicious Italian dining located in Scottsdale, Arizona.

They offer indoor seating in a warm and inviting brick-wall venue or outdoor seating on the patio for gorgeous views of the Arizona skyline. I absolutely love the menus here, with choices for both individuals and groups. 

From the individual menu, I adore the Raviolo di ‘Sorala’ – ravioli stuffed with short rib and roasted garlic herb goat cheese for a savory dish packed full of flavor.

A second personal favorite is the Pollo Parmigiana – lightly breaded chicken sauteed and topped with fresh mozzarella and a campanelle vodka cream sauce for a tasty classic dish. 

The group menu is a blessing for dining out with friends, with enough variety that finding something everyone will enjoy is easy. 


Quince

470 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone: 415-775-8500
Visit Website

Located in San Francisco, Quince serves contemporary Californian cuisine with Italian influences, making it a unique dining experience.

Quince has an exclusive partnership with the nearby Fresh Run Farm to provide fresh, locally grown, organic produce to the restaurant. This helps Quince create spectacular dishes using seasonal ingredients. 

Since Quince has a partnership with a local farm for produce, their menu changes with the seasons.

This allows for a different dining experience each time you visit, based on the current season and which fruits and vegetables are able to be harvested. 


La Grotta Ristorante

2637 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
Phone: 404-231-1368
Visit Website

La Grotta Atlanta focuses on Northern Italian dishes and fine dining in a white-linen style space.

While ties are optional, business casual to elegant attire is required to experience the incredible food and atmosphere. 

La Grotta focuses on pasta and seafood dishes for the main course but also offers risottos and other meat dishes – all excellent and cooked to perfection.

They have an extensive wine list and handcrafted Italian desserts. An added benefit for diners with culinary restrictions, the chef can and will prepare dishes as low-fat or vegetarian on request! 

See also  The Top Sushi Restaurants in the World

Sotto Sotto

313 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30307
Phone: 404-523-6678
Visit Website

Sotto Sotto in Atlanta, Georgia, specializes in simple, fresh, and delicious authentic Italian dining.

All of the dishes they offer are firmly rooted in centuries of tradition, from classic favorites to seasonal dishes.

The dining room is intimate, and the staff is friendly, making the dining experience at Sotto Sotto feel like you’re eating with family and friends rather than strangers. 

Sotto Sotto offers an incredibly extensive wine list of exclusively Italian wines, creating a truly authentic Italian dining experience.

The menu includes several varieties of impeccable risottos, a plethora of perfect pasta dishes, and several meat-based dishes with options of fish, veal, or chicken. 

I love their polletto al limone, a lemon chicken dish that is tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned! 


Sinatra

3131 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Phone: 702-770-5320
Visit Website

Nestled within the Wynn, Sinatra is an Italian fine dining experience that matches the extravagance and luxury of Las Vegas perfectly.

The dress code is business casual, and children under five are not allowed. The atmosphere is the picture of elegance, and Sinatra is perfect for an evening out with a significant other. 

They offer vegan and vegetarian options in addition to perfectly executed classics and offer an extensive wine list.

Listen to the music while enjoying Italian favorites indoors, or dine outside under the stars by cozy fireplaces for a more romantic atmosphere. 


Felix Trattoria

1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
Phone: 424-387-8622
Visit Website

Felix, which is in Venice, California, focuses on fresh ingredients and the culinary traditions of regional Italy.

Seating is by reservation, and they offer both indoor and outdoor seating options. They make their pasta fresh in-house and use local ingredients to provide delicious freshness to Italian classics. 

I highly recommend the Costata Alla Fiorentina, a 60-day dry-aged ribeye served with fried potatoes and arugula.

The ribeye is cooked to order, always perfect, and unbelievably tender. The potatoes and arugula round out the meal, balancing fresh greens and perfectly cooked potatoes with the intensity of the ribeye for a delightfully simple combination of flavors. 


Osteria Mozza

6602 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Phone: 323-297-0100
Visit Website

For a taste of luxury, Osteria Mozza is an upscale Italian dining experience in Los Angeles, California.

They offer a mozzarella bar featuring fresh and delicious dishes for grazing, all centering around fresh mozzarella. 

The menu is extensive and varied, and everything is seasoned and designed to create both the perfect meld of flavors and the perfect dining experience.

Osteria Mozza is on my list of restaurants to revisit, as the large menu all looks, sounds, and certainly tastes delicious. 


Coppa Enoteca

253 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118
Phone: 617-391-0902
Visit Website

Coppa Enoteca is located in Boston’s South End, with a menu from James Beard-award winning Chefs Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette. This cozy neighborhood spot has a rustic feel, but the food offered is creative and expertly prepared.

The menu at Coppa features Italian small plates, including house-made pastas, pizza, and natural wines. It changes seasonally to include local flavors. Coppa is known for unique charcuterie offerings as well, so you can find different options than your standard cheese board here.

Coppa features classic Italian fare, but with a modern twist that keeps customers coming back. Since the menu changes seasonally, you can always find something new to try!


No. 246

129 E Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA 30030
Phone: 678-399-8246
Visit Website

Last but certainly not least, No. 246 serves locally sourced Italian food.

A local favorite in Decatur, Georgia, No. 246 offers delicious food in a sunny atmosphere with seating options both indoors and out on the patio. They have a dinner menu, a dessert menu, and an extensive wine list. 

What I love about No. 246 is that they offer two incredibly unique dining options! They offer the ‘Black Sheep Table,’ a communal table that seats 12 for family-style dining that will leave you full and happy. 

If you have a smaller group, check out the Chef’s Counter, a counter at the edge of the kitchen that seats four people and provides the opportunity for guests to receive a custom five-course meal! 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Written by Brian Nagele

Brian attended West Virginia University, then started his career in the IT industry before following his passion for marketing and hospitality. He has over 20 years experience in the restaurant and bar industry.

As a former restaurant owner, he knows about running a food business and loves to eat and enjoy cocktails on a regular basis. He constantly travels to new cities tasting and reviewing the most popular spots.

Follow him on LinkedIn, Instagram, Quora, Google Guide and Facebook.