Home

 › 

Food

 › 

This Is the Best Italian Restaurant in Each State

This Is the Best Italian Restaurant in Each State

Published: by

Italian food remains the most popular ethnic cuisine globally, continuing to captivate taste buds around the world. Surveys by pickyeaterblog.com and Food Network revealed that 84% of eaters internationally name Italian as their preferred foreign fare. That affection rises even higher in the United States, with 88% of Americans singling out dishes from the Mediterranean as their #1 pick. One need only browse recipe sites or stroll restaurant-packed streets to witness the ongoing love affair with pasta, pizza, and other Italian specialties.

Most likely every city or town in America has at least one Italian restaurant, and probably more. The average American eats about 20 pounds of pasta a year, in fact, as well as 23 pounds of pizza – equivalent to about 356,000 acres of it. (Read about the best restaurant for pasta in every state.) 

24/7 Tempo reviewed and extrapolated from lists and rankings on numerous food and general interest sites, including Eater, Yelp, The Daily Meal, and Fodors, as well as a wide range of regional and city-specific sites to determine the best Italian restaurant in every state. Eateries that only serve pizza and not much more were not considered but we did include establishments that feature pizza along with other Italian dishes.

The culinary landscape proved expansive and diverse across sites celebrating Italian flavors. Certain restaurants like the star-powered Mother Wolf in Los Angeles aim for authenticity and time-honored tradition. Others such as Scampo in Boston take a high-end, imaginative spin on classics. Additional venues infuse local ingredients into Italian dishes or focus on specific regional cooking methods. And traditional red-sauce joints continue dishing tried-and-true comfort recipes, unaltered by modern trends.

Though approaches differ, these eateries all express Italian cuisine in ways both founded on heritage and shaped by current tastes. Their menus reveal both innovation and enduring influence while proving the versatility of this globally beloved fare. (If it’s just pizza you’re after, here’s a list of the best pizza place in every state.)

Here is the top Italian restaurant in each state

Alabama: Bottega

Source: Courtesy of Angela S. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Angela S. via Yelp
  • Location: Birmingham
  • Sample menu items: Tagliatelle with braised Mississippi rabbit ragù; bistecca alla fiorentina

Alaska: In Bocca al Lupo

Source: Courtesy of King L. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of King L. via Yelp
  • Location: Juneau
  • Sample menu items: Pork and ricotta meatballs; mafaldine with Alaska scallops

Arizona: Virtù Honest Craft

Source: Photo by Drew D. via Yelp

Source: Photo by Drew D. via Yelp
  • Location: Scottsdale
  • Sample menu items: Burrata with ‘nduja and orange salsa verde; branzino with melted leeks and fennel

Arkansas: Ermilio’s Italian Home Cooking

Source: Photo by Paul M. via Yelp

Source: Photo by Paul M. via Yelp
  • Location: Eureka Springs
  • Sample menu items: Choice of pasta with Mom’s homemade meatballs in red sauce; chicken parmesan

California: Mother Wolf

Source: Courtesy of Mother Wolf

Source: Courtesy of Mother Wolf
  • Location: Los Angeles
  • Sample menu items: Pizza bianca con porchetta; spaghetti all’arrabbiata

Colorado: Frasca Food & Wine

Source: Courtesy of Pauline M. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Pauline M. via Yelp
  • Location: Boulder
  • Sample menu items: Cotechino with grilled corn polenta; tagliolini neri (with caviar and squid ink)

Connecticut: Grano Arso

Source: Courtesy of Katherine B. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Katherine B. via Yelp
  • Location: Chester
  • Sample menu items: Green beans with soppressata; spaghetti Fra Diavolo

Delaware: Capers & Lemons

Source: Courtesy of Kimberly H. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Kimberly H. via Yelp
  • Location: Wilmington
  • Sample menu items: Fig flatbread with prosciutto and gorgonzola; C&L braciole with spicy capicola

Florida: Campiello

Source: Courtesy of Jan. K via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Jan. K via Yelp
  • Location: Naples
  • Sample menu items: Garganelli with roasted chicken, prosciutto, and peas; sautéed snapper piccata with parsley risotto

Georgia: Tre Vele

Source: Courtesy of Erick C. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Erick C. via Yelp
  • Location: Sandy Springs
  • Sample menu items: Charred octopus with Tuscan bread pudding; lemon ricotta pizza with prosciutto and fried artichokes

Hawaii: La Cucina Ristorante Italiano

Source: Courtesy of Hanna N. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Hanna N. via Yelp
  • Location: Honolulu
  • Sample menu items: Roasted marrow bone with pesto; risotto norcina with homemade sausage and wild mushrooms

Idaho: Àlavita

Source: Courtesy of Alavita

Source: Courtesy of Alavita
  • Location: Boise
  • Sample menu items: Calamari fritti; trottole with duck confit and peas

Illinois: RPM Italian

Source: Courtesy of Priyanka R. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Priyanka R. via Yelp
  • Location: Chicago
  • Sample menu items: Squash blossoms stuffed with mozzarella di bufala; gorgonzola-cured wagyu

Indiana: Ristorante Roma

Source: Courtesy of Niki B. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Niki B. via Yelp
  • Location: Carmel
  • Sample menu items: Brussels sprouts al pecorino; maiale al pistacchio (pork tenderloin in a pistachio crust)

Iowa: Maggie’s Farm Wood-Fired Pizza

Source: Courtesy of Karan V. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Karan V. via Yelp
  • Location: Iowa City
  • Sample menu items: Scampi pizza; seven-layer lasagna bolognese

Kansas: Genovese

Source: Courtesy of Scott T. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Scott T. via Yelp
  • Location: Lawrence
  • Sample menu items: Risotto fritters with peas and mozzarella; house-made spinach fettuccine Alfredo

Kentucky: Pompilio’s

Source: Photo by Jaes L. via Yelp

Source: Photo by Jaes L. via Yelp
  • Location: Newport
  • Sample menu items: Toasted beef or cheese ravioli; veal marsala with linguine

Louisiana: Ristorante Gianna

Source: Courtesy of Gianna Restaurant via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Gianna Restaurant via Yelp
  • Location: New Orleans
  • Sample menu items: Ribollita soup; lamb lasagna

Maine: Ports of Italy

Source: Photo by Jane B. via Yelp

Source: Photo by Jane B. via Yelp
  • Location: Boothbay Harbor & Rockport
  • Sample menu items:Mussels with sambuca; pork osso buco with risotto milanese

Maryland: Cinghiale

Source: Courtesy of Isaiah W. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Isaiah W. via Yelp
  • Location: Baltimore
  • Sample menu items: Potato gnocchetti with forest mushrooms and favas; grilled Mediterranean branzino with eggplant caponata

Massachusetts: Scampo

Source: Courtesy of Scampo via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Scampo via Yelp
  • Location: Boston
  • Sample menu items: Prime sirloin carpaccio with bottarga and cured egg yolk; grilled pink swordfish with zucchini fritters and ricotta gnocchi

Michigan: SheWolf Pastificio & Bar

Source: Courtesy of Jennifer M. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Jennifer M. via Yelp
  • Location: Detroit
  • Sample menu items: Farinata (chickpea pancake) with charred corn purée; rigatoni alla gricia (with guanciale and pecorino)

Minnesota: Broders’ Pasta Bar

Source: Photo by Monica K. via Yelp

Source: Photo by Monica K. via Yelp
  • Location: Minneapolis
  • Sample menu items: Linguine al pesto genovese; lemon chicken risotto

Mississippi: The Sicilian II

Source: Photo by Robin C. via Yelp

Source: Photo by Robin C. via Yelp
  • Location: Biloxi
  • Sample menu items: House-made mozzarella sticks; stuffed manicotti

Missouri: Lidia’s Kansas City

Source: Courtesy of Lidia's Restaurant

Source: Courtesy of Lidia’s Restaurant
  • Location: Kansas City
  • Sample menu items: Daily pasta tasting menu; anatra (seared duck breast with stuffed zucchini and soft polenta)

Montana: Michelangelo’s Big Sky

Source: Courtesy of Michelangelo's Ristorante Italiano via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Michelangelo’s Ristorante Italiano via Yelp
  • Location: Gallatin Gateway
  • Sample menu items: Hazelnut-crusted fried jumbo shrimp with basil aïoli; quattro formaggi (four-cheese) ravioli with tomato sauce;

Nebraska: MoMo Pizzeria & Ristorante

Source: Photo by Jeff K. vie Yelp

Source: Photo by Jeff K. vie Yelp
  • Location: Lincoln
  • Sample menu items: Prosciutto and egg pizza; baked lobster and shrimp macaroni

Nevada: Ferraro’s Ristorante

Source: Courtesy of Ferraro's Ristorante via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Ferraro’s Ristorante via Yelp
  • Location: Las Vegas
  • Sample menu items: Nonna’s peperone ripieno (peppers stuffed with veal and eggplant); coniglio brasato (braised rabbit with soft polenta)

New Hampshire: Campo Enoteca

Source: Photo by P M. via Yelp

Source: Photo by P M. via Yelp
  • Location: Manchester
  • Sample menu items: House-made ricotta with grilled sourdough; chicken piccata tagliatelle

New Jersey: Cafe 2825

Source: Photo by Chrissy Q. via Yelp

Source: Photo by Chrissy Q. via Yelp
  • Location: Atlantic City
  • Sample menu items: Spicy scungilli; Sunday Gravy (homemade meatballs, pork braciole, and Italian sausage in Old World thick red gravy)

New Mexico: Osteria d’Assisi

Source: Photo by Kinnie I. via Yelp

Source: Photo by Kinnie I. via Yelp
  • Location: Santa Fe
  • Sample menu items: Margherita pizza; veal osso buco with farro risotto

New York: Via Carota

Cacio e pepe at Via Carota, We... by Bex Walton
Source: bexwalton / Flickr

Cacio e pepe at Via Carota, We… (CC BY 2.0) by Bex Walton
  • Location: New York City
  • Sample menu items: Peas with lettuce and prosciutto; grilled sea bream with charred escarole

North Carolina: Ristorante Paoletti

Source: Courtesy of Eva D. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Eva D. via Yelp
  • Location: Highlands
  • Sample menu items: Cannelloni all’Emiliana; cioppino Paoletti

North Dakota: Anima Cucina

Source: Courtesy of Anima Cucina

Source: Courtesy of Anima Cucina
  • Location: Bismarck
  • Sample menu items: Adult mac’n’cheese; porchetta with fried polenta cake

Ohio: Martini Modern Italian

Source: Photo by Alexa N. via Yelp

Source: Photo by Alexa N. via Yelp
  • Location: Columbus
  • Sample menu items: Tomato soup with pesto and goat cheese; fettuccine with clams

Oklahoma: Stella Modern Italian Cuisine

Source: Courtesy of Victoria N. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Victoria N. via Yelp
  • Location: Oklahoma City
  • Sample menu items: Oak-fired apple and prosciutto pizza; limoncello ricotta cheesecake

Oregon: Nostrana

At Nostrana by stevekc
Source: stevekc / Flickr

At Nostrana (CC BY 2.0) by stevekc
  • Location: Portland
  • Sample menu items: Oregon albacore tuna crudo; overnight-roasted pork shoulder with salsa verde and creamy scallion polenta

Pennsylvania: Vetri Cucina

Source:

Source: Courtesy of J. L. via Yelp
  • Location: Philadelphia
  • Sample menu items: Sweet onion crêpe with truffle and parmesan fondue; smoked baby goat with house-milled polenta

Rhode Island: Al Forno

Source: Photo by Sally C. via Yelp

Source: Photo by Sally C. via Yelp
  • Location: Providence
  • Sample menu items: Clams al forno; pappardelle with Venetian chicken meatballs

South Carolina: Le Farfalle

Source: Courtesy of Victoria B. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Victoria B. via Yelp
  • Location: Charleston
  • Sample menu items: Umbrian-style stewed chickpeas; lamb chops scottadito

South Dakota: Sabatino’s Italian

Source: Courtesy of Desiree B. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Desiree B. via Yelp
  • Location: Rapid City
  • Sample menu items: burrata and prosciutto; spaghetti primavera

Tennessee: Yolan

Source:

Source: Courtesy of Yolan via Yelp
  • Location: Nashville
  • Sample menu items: Gnocchi with black winter truffle and ricotta; breaded veal chop

Texas: Lucia

Source: Courtesy of Jolene J. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Jolene J. via Yelp
  • Location: Dallas
  • Sample menu items: Mortadella ravioli with pistachio pesto; wild striped bass with tomatoes, cream peas, and clams

Utah: Valter’s Osteria

Source: Photo by Andrew S. via Yelp

Source: Photo by Andrew S. via Yelp
  • Location: Salt Lake City
  • Sample menu items: Zuppa cotta (cannellini beans, mushrooms, and truffles); chicken piccata with artichokes and lemon sauce

Vermont: Sarducci’s

Source: Photo by Tim M. via Yelp

Source: Photo by Tim M. via Yelp
  • Location: Montpelier
  • Sample menu items: Mussels al diablo with linguine; eggplant alla parmigiana

Virginia: Edo’s Squid

Source: Courtesy of Carmen H. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Carmen H. via Yelp
  • Location: Richmond
  • Sample menu items: Squid with white beans and arugula; penne with sausage, ricotta, and broccoli rabe

Washington: Spinasse

Source: Courtesy of Amy C. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Amy C. via Yelp
  • Location: Seattle
  • Sample menu items: Risotto with Alaskan spot prawns; pan-seared quail with cherries, radicchio, and thyme

West Virginia: Muriale’s

Source: Courtesy of Michael B. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Michael B. via Yelp
  • Location: Fairmont
  • Sample menu items: Spicy Italian sausage and peppers; linguine with white clam sauce

Wisconsin: Ristorante Bartolotta

Source: Courtesy of Ristorante Bartolotta dal 1993 via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Ristorante Bartolotta dal 1993 via Yelp
  • Location: Wauwatosa
  • Sample menu items: Frittatina di maccheroni (fried croquette of pasta, ham, peas, and pecorino); fried meatballs with tomato-basil sauce

Wyoming: Glorietta Trattoria

Source: Photo by Trattoria via Yelp

Source: Photo by Trattoria via Yelp
  • Location: Jackson
  • Sample menu items: Glorietta’s classic Caesar salad; wood-fired Idaho red trout with house-made sausage
To top