Rich tomato sauce, gooey cheese, al dente pasta and garlic, garlic, garlic! What started in Italy has become a go-to comfort food for Americans and happy eaters around the world. Whether you crave meaty lasagna, primavera veggies, fettuccine alfredo or eggplant parmesan, Italian food just hits the spot—and it's even better the next day.
There’s nothing sadder than ordering a big plate of spaghetti and finding the sauce too watery, the bread too soggy, and the presentation just lacking. That's why we asked our editors across the country to pick the very best Italian restaurants in their city. Here, we’ve gathered a selection of those vetted picks, bringing you the ultimate list of Italian restaurants no matter what region you're in.
See also: 19 Of The Best Mexican Restaurants Across the U.S.
Whether you’re looking for something close to home, hitting the road on a culinary adventure, or just feeling a little curious, these are Modern Luxury’s picks for the best Italian restaurants in the United States.
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992 Virginia Ave. NE / Website
Located in the historical Virginia-Highland neighborhood, La Tavola Trattoria prepares its cuisine with mouthwatering Italian flavors and high-caliber, locally sourced produce. The dining destination offers signature antipasti like burrata and veal meatballs, along with must-try main courses like rock shrimp-topped risotto marinara, roasted chicken with panzanella and tagliatelle bolognese with beef and pork ragu. Once you've enjoyed its wares, check out the other spots on our list of best Italian restaurants in Atlanta.
105 S Mill Street; 970.920.2021 / Website
Cozy up with family and friends after a long day of skiing, overlooking both Aspen's mountainous and city views. Angelo's upholds an authentic Italian dining experience with a hand-selected and crafted menu that features everything from caviar to authentic pasta paired to perfection with a curated worldwide wine selection. Make every night of your Aspen adventure warm and cozy with each of the restaurants on our full best Italian list.
278 Newbury St. / Website
Travel to coastal Italy with every bite at Ken Oringer’s Faccia a Faccia. The contemporary take on traditional meals and seasonally inspired bites does not disappoint, featuring dishes like grilled octopus, stuffed olives, squid ink trottle and grilled scituate lobster. Before heading out, enjoy a nightcap from a list of over 70 wines at the downstairs wine bar, Bar Pallino. Gonna be in Boston for a while? See how many eateries you can try from our list of best Italian restaurants.
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523 N. Milwaukee Ave.; 773-661-1671 / Website
Vegetables play a leading role at chef-partner Joe Frillman’s charming 70-seat Logan Square spot, Daisies, but he also taps into his talent for pasta making, which he discovered working at Balena and The Bristol. Look for six seasonal pastas ranging from pappardelle with mushroom rage to addictive whole wheat tagliatelle with walnuts. If you're hungry for more, you can strike gold on one of the other best Italian restaurants from our full list.
1868 Sylvan Ave. / Website
With a name that translates to “divine food,” CiboDivino’s Sylvan Thirty location was modeled after an authentic Italian market where patrons gather to share food, wine and conversation. Large windows and an urban farmhouse design give the space a light, airy feel. Shop locally sourced meats from the carnezzeria, 300-plus Italian wines at the enoteca and artisan cheeses, olives and salumi at the asporto. Check Dallas' full list.
207 Main St., East Hampton / Website
LDV Hospitality’s beating heart is its commitment to culinary excellence. Spearheading it all is seasoned Scarpetta chef Jorge Espinoza, who skillfully transports tastebuds to the vibrant streets of Italy with authentic and undeniably delicious creations. Diners can savor the moment with spaghetti alla Nerano and squid ink linguine, complemented by meticulously crafted cocktails and wine—enjoyed during dining hours or the apertivo hours in the garden. Try the other truly fantastic Italian restaurants in the Hamptons, too.
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5210 Morningside Drive, 713-522-3535 / Website
The brainchild of restaurateur duo Charles Clark and Grant Cooper, this Rice Village eatery serves up crowd favorites like burrata pomodoro, fritto misto and Neapolitan-style pizzas. Pasta and pizza dough is handmade daily in the Dough Room (yes, that’s right), which is also available for private dining events. Buonissimo! What's better than one great Italian restaurant? All eight on our full Houston must-eat list!
420 S Rampart Blvd. #180 / Website
Discover a taste of Italy at Tivoli Village’s Al Solito Posto. At this award-winning neighborhood restaurant, chef and owner James Trees crafts Italian favorites—like the fried burrata Scarpetta and lasagna al forgo—in a modernized and elegant atmosphere, fusing two cultures in one unmissable dinner destination. Discover a taste of Italy at Tivoli Village’s Al Solito Posto. At this award-winning neighborhood restaurant, chef and owner James Trees crafts Italian favorites—like the fried burrata Scarpetta and lasagna al forgo—in a modernized and elegant atmosphere, fusing two cultures in one unmissable dinner destination. Of course, Vegas is a foodie city, and you've got to try one of the other incredible Italian restaurants on our full list.
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Beverly Grove: 7313 Beverly Blvd.; 323-297-0070 / Pacific Palisades: 1038 N Swarthmore Ave.; 424-238-5870 / Website
Celebrating over 20 years in L.A., Angelini Osteria is best known for their authentic Italian cuisine with a side of honorable hospitality. With staples such as Sea Urchin Spaghetti and Lasagna Verde, there’s a reason Angelini Osteria has been awarded for being a top Italian restaurant in the world. Head to the Palisades Village for a bite at the brand new Angelini Ristorante to sample other tasty Italian dishes like penne rosa and ribeye tagliata. Trust me, they’ll have you saying Grazie. Angelini is one of 18 great eats on our full list of best Italian restaurants in L.A.
100 Demonbreun St. / Website
Holding court on the first floor of the Four Seasons Hotel Nashville is Mimo. This buzzing Italian restaurant is known for its modern twists on classic Italian cuisine and its Tuscan-inspired design. Don’t miss the stunning (and delicious) Amalfi lemon dessert.
181 Thompson St. / Website
In the foodie wonderland that is New York, one name stands out like its neon sign: Carbone. This iconic spot has earned its legendary status, thanks in no small part to its spicy rigatoni vodka that’s nothing short of life-changing. With Major Food Group’s culinary magic sprinkled all over the city, the original Carbone location remains the crown jewel, living up to every bit of its hype—and then some. See what else he recommends on our full list of best Italian restaurants in NYC.
2050 University Ave., Palo Alto / Website
Chef Daniel Garcia’s northern Italian comfort food is the fare at this restaurant located in Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley. Dinner could include a roasted heirloom carrot salad to start; followed by handmade ancho pepper pappardelle with wild boar ragu; an an entree of pan-roasted branzino with celeriac puree. Pastry chef Guillermo Soto Torres makes a mean Magic Hour chocolate olive oil cake. Still, there are other amazing Italian restaurants on our full Silicon Valley list.
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1200 Bison Avenue ste. C2 Newport Beach / Website
It’s no surprise that this Newport Beach restaurant is Michelin-recognized under the guidance of renowned chef Sandro Nardone. You can’t go wrong with any of Nardone's curated dishes, but the Norcia pasta—featuring rigatoni, pork sausage, roasted porcini and crimini mushrooms, parsley and black truffles—is popular among Bello's loyal patrons for a reason, and that's just one Italian restauarant on the full list.
2345 S. Ocean Blvd. / Website
After you finish a round of golf at the oceanfront Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course, take in the green and blue views from Al Fresco restaurant located upstairs in the clubhouse. With the same menu as its Worth Avenue counterpart, you’ll enjoy delicious Italian fare in an equally tasteful setting. Don't stop there, though. Try all of the must-taste Italian restaurants on Palm Beach's full list.
1437 Chestnut St. / Website
From homemade pasta to Neapolitan-style pizzas and other classic Italian dishes, Dolce Italian at W Philadelphia knows how to live la dolce vita. Guests are transported to 1960s Federico Fellini’s Rome with Dolce’s Italian flair and chic atmosphere. Looking to share Dolce with everyone you know? Take advantage of the restaurant’s private party space for a large reception, small dinner or cocktails with friends at Dolce’s exquisite bar seating. There's much more where that come from on our full list of the best Italian restaurants in Philly.
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421 Grape St. / Website
Locals flock to Cucina Urbana for its comfortable atmosphere, Michelin Guide-recommended cuisine and retail wine shop, which sells over 200 labels from around the world. Opt for the burrata and stone-fruit salad and piping hot honey pepperoni pizza. That's not all, because our full list features amazing Italian restaurants.
2355 Chestnut St. / Website
Opened in 2004, this bustling Italian eatery serves up Neapolitan slices, housemade pasta and more alongside an award-winning wine list. Expect seasonal menus rich with decadent dishes like braised meatballs, creamy burrata, pizzas made according to Vera Pizza Naploletana requirements and fresh seafood. When you're ready to go for seconds, thirds, fourths and more, check our full list of great Italian restaurants in SF.
7114 E Stetson Dr. / Website
It’s a good night when osso buco makes it to the menu. Then again, any of Marcellino Verzino’s handmade daily pastas are a treat, and wife Sima’s songs and hospitality are nourishing in their own right. Still hungry? Try the other delicious restaurants on our full list for Scottsdale.
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1902 Reston Metro Plaza, Reston, Va. / Website
Whether you’re looking for an inviting Sunday brunch or fancy Friday night dinner, Davio’s is the place to be. Situated in Reston Station, this eatery prioritizes creating a guest-centered experience and serving carefully sourced, seasonally inspired meals. Try your choice of a hot or cold torre di pesce, hand-rolled potato gnocchi in a truffle butter or 55-day Prime aged strip steak. Of course, this is only one of the great Italian restaurants on our full list.
Still hungry? Looking for something a little lighter? Why not check out one of the fine plant-based eateries on our list of the best vegan restaurants across the country?
Photography by: iStock
