The 20 Best Italian Restaurants in America: A Culinary Journey Across the Country
talian cuisine is one of the most popular in the world, and for good reason. From pizza to pasta, Italian food is delicious, comforting, and often served with a side of warm hospitality. In the United States, there are plenty of Italian restaurants to choose from, each offering its own unique take on traditional Italian dishes. In this article, we’ll be exploring the 20 best Italian restaurants in America, based on factors such as food quality, ambiance, and customer reviews.
The 20 Best Italian Restaurants in America: A Culinary Journey Across the Country
1. Carbone – New York, NY
Carbone is a retro-style Italian-American restaurant located in New York City’s Greenwich Village. The restaurant is known for its classic red leather booths, tuxedo-clad waitstaff, and delicious Italian-American cuisine. The menu features dishes such as veal parmesan, spaghetti and meatballs, and chicken scarpariello. Carbone is a great spot for a romantic dinner or a night out with friends.
2. Del Posto – New York, NY
Del Posto is a Michelin-starred Italian restaurant located in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood. The restaurant offers a fine-dining experience, with a menu that includes dishes such as lobster risotto, veal chop, and roast duck. Del Posto also has an extensive wine list, with over 3,000 bottles to choose from.
3. Babbo – New York, NY
Babbo is a rustic Italian restaurant located in New York City’s Greenwich Village. The restaurant is known for its pasta dishes, which are made fresh daily. Babbo’s menu includes dishes such as black spaghetti with rock shrimp and spicy salami, and beef cheek ravioli with crushed squab liver and black truffles. The restaurant also has an impressive wine list, with over 2,500 bottles to choose from.
4. Spiaggia – Chicago, IL
Spiaggia is an elegant Italian restaurant located in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood. The restaurant offers a menu of modern Italian cuisine, with dishes such as sea urchin pasta and roasted rabbit loin. Spiaggia also has an extensive wine list, with a focus on Italian wines.
5. Osteria Mozza – Los Angeles, CA
Osteria Mozza is a casual Italian restaurant located in Los Angeles’ Hancock Park neighborhood. The restaurant is known for its mozzarella bar, where diners can sample a variety of fresh mozzarella cheeses. Osteria Mozza’s menu includes dishes such as bone marrow al forno and agnolotti with braised beef cheeks.
6. L’Artusi – New York, NY
L’Artusi is a contemporary Italian restaurant located in New York City’s West Village. The restaurant offers a menu of modern Italian cuisine, with dishes such as ricotta gnocchi and black spaghetti with crab. L’Artusi also has an extensive wine list, with a focus on Italian wines.
7. La Ciccia – San Francisco, CA
La Ciccia is a cozy Italian restaurant located in San Francisco’s Noe Valley neighborhood. The restaurant offers a menu of traditional Sardinian cuisine, with dishes such as fregola with clams and bottarga, and roasted suckling pig. La Ciccia also has an impressive wine list, with a focus on Sardinian wines.
8. Marea – New York, NY
Marea is a seafood-focused Italian restaurant located in New York City’s Central Park South neighborhood. The restaurant offers a menu of modern Italian cuisine, with dishes such as fusilli with red wine-braised octopus and grilled swordfish with eggplant caponata. Marea also has an extensive wine list, with a focus on Italian and French wines.
9. Vetri Cucina – Philadelphia, PA
Vetri Cucina is an intimate Italian restaurant located in Philadelphia’s Washington Square West neighborhood. The restaurant offers a prix fixe menu that changes daily, featuring dishes such as sweet onion crepes with black truffle fonduta and ricotta gnocchi with wild mushrooms. Vetri Cucina also has an impressive wine list, with a focus on Italian wines.
10. Patsy’s Italian Restaurant – New York, NY
Patsy’s Italian Restaurant is a classic Italian-American restaurant located in New York City’s Theater District. The restaurant has been serving traditional Italian-American dishes since 1944, including spaghetti and meatballs, chicken parmigiana, and veal marsala. Patsy’s has also hosted numerous celebrities over the years, including Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett.
11. Rao’s – New York, NY
Rao’s is a legendary Italian restaurant located in New York City’s East Harlem neighborhood. The restaurant is known for its cozy atmosphere and traditional Italian cuisine, including dishes such as lemon chicken and spaghetti with marinara sauce. Rao’s is also notoriously difficult to get a reservation at, with many regulars holding their tables for years in advance.
12. Misi – Brooklyn, NY
Misi is a trendy Italian restaurant located in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood. The restaurant offers a menu of modern Italian cuisine, with dishes such as orecchiette with sausage and swiss chard, and spaghetti with tomato and anchovy. Misi also has an extensive wine list, with a focus on natural wines.
13. Scarpetta – Las Vegas, NV
Scarpetta is an upscale Italian restaurant located in the Cosmopolitan hotel in Las Vegas. The restaurant offers a menu of contemporary Italian cuisine, with dishes such as spaghetti with tomato and basil, and roasted branzino with fennel and lemon. Scarpetta also has an impressive wine list, with a focus on Italian and Californian wines.
14. Lilia – Brooklyn, NY
Lilia is a popular Italian restaurant located in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood. The restaurant offers a menu of modern Italian cuisine, with dishes such as cacio e pepe fritters and malfatti with pink peppercorn and parmesan. Lilia also has an extensive cocktail menu, featuring drinks such as the negroni sbagliato and the Italian greyhound.
15. Giorgio Baldi – Santa Monica, CA
Giorgio Baldi is a high-end Italian restaurant located in Santa Monica. The restaurant is known for its classic Italian cuisine, including dishes such as spaghetti alle vongole and veal chop with porcini mushrooms. Giorgio Baldi has also hosted numerous celebrities over the years, including Rihanna and Tom Cruise.
16. Eataly – New York, NY
Eataly is a food hall and marketplace located in New York City’s Flatiron District. The space features numerous Italian food stalls and restaurants, offering everything from pizza to pasta to gelato. Eataly also has a wine shop and a rooftop bar with stunning views of the city.
17. Frankies 457 Spuntino – Brooklyn, NY
Frankies 457 Spuntino is a cozy Italian restaurant located in Brooklyn’s Carroll Gardens neighborhood. The restaurant offers a menu of rustic Italian cuisine, with dishes such as cavatelli with hot sausage and browned butter, and pork braciola with polenta. Frankies 457 Spuntino also has an impressive wine list, with a focus on Italian and natural wines.
18. Lupa – New York, NY
Lupa is a Roman-style trattoria located in New York City’s Greenwich Village. The restaurant offers a menu of classic Roman dishes, including spaghetti carbonara and saltimbocca alla romana. Lupa also has an extensive wine list, with a focus on Italian wines from small producers.
19. Osteria Mozza – Los Angeles, CA
Osteria Mozza is an upscale Italian restaurant located in Los Angeles. The restaurant offers a menu of contemporary Italian cuisine, with dishes such as grilled octopus with potatoes and celery, and black truffle risotto. Osteria Mozza also has an impressive wine list, with a focus on Italian and Californian wines.
20. Carbone – New York, NY
Carbone is a retro-style Italian-American restaurant located in New York City’s Greenwich Village. The restaurant offers a menu of classic Italian-American dishes, including spaghetti and meatballs, chicken scarpariello, and veal parmesan. Carbone also has an old-school atmosphere, with red leather banquettes and tuxedoed waiters.
Conclusion
Italian cuisine has captured the hearts and palates of many food lovers around the world. From traditional dishes to modern interpretations, Italian cuisine is known for its bold flavors and use of fresh ingredients. In this article, we’ve taken you on a culinary journey across the United States, highlighting 20 of the best Italian restaurants that are a must-try for any foodie.
From New York to San Francisco and everywhere in between, these restaurants offer a diverse range of Italian dishes that will leave your taste buds craving for more. Whether you’re in the mood for classic pasta dishes or want to indulge in some seafood-focused cuisine, there’s something for everyone on this list.
So the next time you’re looking for an exceptional Italian dining experience, make sure to check out one of the restaurants on our list. You won’t be disappointed!
