There's no shortage of great Italian restaurants in the USA and many have been in the same family for generations. To help you seek out the best Italian dishes in the country, read on to see our favorite spot from every state – buon appetito. 

For unpretentious Northern Italian comfort food, head to family-run Gianmarco's in quaint Edgewood, which was established in 2003. The menu includes indulgent dishes such as mushroom ravioli with black truffle and spinach; risotto with clams, mussels, shrimp and calamari; and the less traditional but still irresistible wagyu steak with mac 'n' cheese. What's more, customer service is of utmost importance to the father and son team. 

Sorrento's has been serving loyal customers in Anchorage for more than 40 years. The family-owned restaurant offers dishes such as fettuccine alfredo (fettuccine pasta in a creamy Parmesan sauce with garlic and parsley) and four-cheese penne al forno (pictured). Guests are particular fans of the stuffed mushrooms and tiramisù. 

Reminiscent of restaurants in New York’s Little Italy, RigaTony’s is a spacious old-school spot with bags of personality and vintage style. Located in Tempe, the restaurant has cozy booths and low lighting. Customers praise the homemade bread and baked rigatoni (pictured), known as the Baked RigaTony, which comes with a rich mozzarella sauce, garlic marinara, and Italian sausage. 

Located in a beautiful Victorian-style building in Eureka Springs, Ermilio's has earned a loyal following over its many years of business. Customers love the attentive service and dishes such as pan-roasted pork chop with porcini mushroom sauce and shrimp in a creamy white wine sauce over linguine. The meatballs in red sauce with linguine (pictured) is a comforting classic.

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You know the food is authentic when it’s the first choice for Italians living in the area. They flock to Terún for its wood-fired pizzas, small vegetable plates, and homemade pasta. As well as margherita and Neapolitan with anchovies, there are creative pizzas such as one with mozzarella, Gorgonzola, and pears. It also has a huge patio for alfresco dining.

Consistently named one of the best Italian spots in the area, Paracivini’s is loved for its salmon in mustard and dill sauce topped with shrimp; and its steaks. It’s owned by an Italian chef, Franco Pisani, who grew up watching his mother cook in the family bakery. After years of training as a chef, he opened up shop in 2003 and has been going strong ever since. 

This busy Italian in Downtown Hartford is a local staple, unbeatable in terms of atmosphere and customer service. It opened in 2010 and is upscale, with contemporary interiors and a patio overlooking Bushnell Park. What to order? Patrons are big fans of the sweet potato ravioli, rose pasta (sausage, mushroom and spinach in tomato and cream sauce with four-cheese tortellini), and cheese bread. 

Ristorante Attilio opened its doors in the heart of Wilmington more than 30 years ago and is a must for reasonably-priced homemade pasta. Customers can't get enough of the cheese ravioli, which is said to melt in your mouth, but the lasagna and spaghetti also come highly recommended. The wood paneling and vintage interiors add to its retro charm. 

Guests of family-owned Fresco Cucina Italiana are consistently impressed by the food and service, regularly praising it as the best Italian in the area. On the menu you'll find wood-fired pizzas and pasta dishes – the orecchiette pasta with broccolini, spicy sausage, garlic, and white wine sauce is a particular favorite. Dessert has to be the cannoli or tiramisù. 

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This cozy Italian can be found in a renovated bungalow in midtown Atlanta. Famous for its creative pasta dishes, the tortelli di mele is what guests rave about – ravioli filled with apple, sausage, and Parmesan in a sage and brown butter sauce. However, you can also get mushroom ravioli, buckwheat tagliatelle, and spinach tagliatelle. 

Taormina Sicilian Cuisine serves up Sicilian-inspired pasta dishes with a Hawaiian twist. Chef Hiroyuki Mimura makes use of Hawaii’s incredible seafood offerings, combining these with his indulgent fresh pasta dishes. The bestseller is uni (sea urchin) pasta, but he also serves up the classics like carbonara with a generous sprinkle of truffle shavings and Sicilian lamb chops. Reviews describe the restaurant and its service as “just perfect.” 

Luciano’s in Boise was voted Best Italian Restaurant by Boise Weekly in 2018. The restaurant serves Tuscan-inspired dishes in generous portions. Opt for the homemade pasta, such as the manicotti (large pasta tubes) stuffed with ricotta and herbs, or the Chicken Scaloppini, with sauteed chicken, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, cherry tomatoes, garlic, and prosciutto tossed with angel hair pasta in a lemon butter caper sauce.

The upscale yet welcoming Sapori Trattoria is often cited as one of the best Italians in Chicago. Specialties include spaghetti in red sauce with veal meatballs and Italian sausage, and pasta stuffed with lobster in a creamy sauce. Locals are also a fan of the huge portion sizes and the good-value prices. 

Regularly tipped as one of the best local Italian restaurants, Mama Carolla’s is a stucco house that has been transformed into a glamorous 1920s-style Mediterranean villa. Grab a table on the outdoor patio beneath the fairy lights, fountains, and Roman statues. Order a plate of the highly-recommended rosemary chicken lasagna or the rigatoni with sauteed chicken strips, spinach, pancetta, garlic, crushed red pepper, and romano cheese in a spicy white wine sauce. 

As you’d expect from the name, Tumea & Sons is an old-fashioned, family-run Italian located in Des Moines. Stop in for a drink and a snack or stay for dinner – steak or meatballs are options that customers really love. 

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A feast for the eyes, as well as the stomach, Cinzetti’s is a buffet with five dining rooms and 14 open-view cooking stations. Customers love the variety, from bruschetta and pepperoni pizza to profiteroles and gelato. It's impossible to leave hungry. It also has a second location in Northglenn, Colorado. 

Silvio's Italian Restaurant has only been open for a few years but it’s already one of Kentucky’s most popular Italian diners, dedicated to serving Italian-American family favorites. It’s owned by Bill Silvio Melillo, who’s no stranger to the industry having run Melillo’s in downtown Louisville until it closed in 2008. The marinara is the star of the show, featured on a number of entrées such as the chicken parm (pictured). 

Vincent’s is without a doubt one of the best Italian restaurants in Louisiana, having been nominated numerous times by readers of local publications. It was opened in 1989 by a New Orleanian named Vincent Catalanotto who grew up in a Sicilian family. The menu is quite meat-heavy with dishes such as lamb chops with marinated vegetables and osso buco. 

Elegant, refined Italian food is what you'll find at Solo Italiano Restaurant. Many of the dishes are inspired by the Northern Italian city of Genoa, which is where chef Paolo Laboa is from. In fact, customers say that dining here feels like eating at a restaurant in Italy and rave about the homemade pasta, especially the carbonara. 

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Manalú in Frederick is owned and managed by Italian chef Marco Pontecorvo, his wife Naomi and daughter Lucia, who are originally from Naples. Customers love the pasta dishes, such as the Puttanesca and Pasta Alla Vodka (bacon and shallots in a creamy tomato sauce). However, the brick-oven pizzas are also highly rated. 

Trattoria Il Panino claims to be Boston's first original trattoria. It's a casual, affordable restaurant serving homemade pasta and sumptuous seafood. Customers particularly rate the calamari, zucchini flowers, and the slow-cooked lamb, beef, veal, and pork ragù. For the authentic Amalfi Coast experience, grab a table outside overlooking Boston's historic and very Italian North End. 

This legendary spot in Detroit's Eastern Market is loved for its gargantuan pepperoni pizzas and specials such as kale pesto, smoked ham, feta, and ricotta. Partnering up with local producers, Supino Pizzeria champions organic ingredients. Also, be sure to follow your pie with a cannolo as there are heaps of cream and topping options to try. 

A traditional Italian, Yarusso Bros is one of the oldest family-owned restaurants in St. Paul, in operation under its current name since 1947. It serves pure comfort food with pasta, garlic cheese toast, and pizza options on the menu. But customers are really there for the huge meatballs and red sauce with spaghetti. 

A local favorite, Cerami’s was established in 1977, but closed for 14 years only to reopen in 2006. Much to the residents of Flowood’s delight, it picked straight back up from where it left off with old favorites such as the lasagna. However, it surprised with new additions like the grilled rib-eye and flatbread pizzas. 

A St. Louis institution, Charlie Gitto’s on the Hill has been serving traditional Italian dishes for more than 35 years. The toasted, meat-filled ravioli with tomato sauce, thinly-sliced veal, and ricotta-filled manicotti are highly recommended. There's another location in Maryland Heights too.

Ciao Mambo in Billings is one of the best restaurants in Montana and customers rave about the excellent service, pasta, wine selection, and garlic bread. Start with the antipasti followed by the pasta ravenna (farfalle with chicken in a roasted garlic cream sauce) or the penne isabella (penne with spicy Italian sausage and fresh ricotta). 

For great Italian in Nebraska, Vincenzo’s Ristorante is the place to go. It received a Best of Omaha 2019 award for Italian dining from Omaha Magazine. We like the sound of the salmon soto (topped with cheese, cracked black pepper and mushrooms) and the penne marsala (topped with beef, mushrooms and scallions in a marsala wine sauce). 

Piero's Italian Cuisine has been a popular spot since it opened in 1982. Old-school charm and traditional dishes are the order of the day here and guests can't get enough. Customers love the atmosphere and highlights from the menu include the bone-in veal Parmesan and rigatoni bolognese. 

With a record of receiving great reviews, the reputation of this modern Manchester spot precedes it. The focus at Campo Enoteca is on contemporary small plates and antipasti in a chic bistro setting. Find a table on the front patio and be sure to try the freshly-sliced charcuterie, fluffy focaccia, and homemade ricotta. 

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This restaurant is named after owner Mark Pascal’s grandmother, who came to the US from Naples. The menu is based on her recipes and customer favorites include the garlic bread; spinach and mushroom ravioli, and fried calamari with sweet and spicy marinara. 

Touted by many as the best Italian restaurant in New Mexico, M’tucci’s Italian in Albuquerque is a real family affair. It was opened by Jeff Spiegel and Katie Gardner and they’ve since added several more M'tucci’s locations. Customers praise the beef, pork, and veal meatballs which come with spaghetti and marinara sauce; potato leek bisque; and tiramisù.

Reported to have been a favorite of Frank Sinatra, Patsy's Italian Restaurant in NYC has been in operation since 1944, which is no mean feat in this fast-paced city. It prides itself on serving simple, unpretentious comfort food, with popular dishes including the linguine with clam sauce. and what was reportedly Sinatra's favorite dish, veal Milanese with arugula. 

Gravy celebrates traditional Italian-American cooking and prides itself on creating nostalgic pasta sauces just like grandmother used to make. It serves a cracking brunch as well as lunch and dinner. Customers praise the risotto balls with marinara sauce and Parmesan, the kale Caesar salad, and the lasagna. 

Though not strictly authentic, guests of Nardello’s Pizza in Bismarck can’t get enough of its incredible steak sandwiches and hoagies. Using thinly-sliced rib-eye on Italian bread, some tip them as the best in the state. It also serves huge slices of pizza with toppings such as spicy barbecue chicken, Hawaiian, and pepperoni. Italian-American food at its finest. 

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This lively Columbus restaurant is a real hit with its customers. It has a relaxed, vintage-inspired atmosphere and serves comforting Italian dishes such as risotto with chicken, sundried tomato and torn basil (pictured), baked rigatoni, and ricotta and Parmesan and truffle ravioli. 

Proud owner Lori Burson came up with the idea for Stella Modern Italian Cuisine while studying in Rome, where she fell in love with the Italian way of eating. Located in Oklahoma City, the restaurant is a resounding success and gets great reviews. On the menu you’ll find charcuterie boards with homemade pâté, wild boar bolognese (pictured), and grilled peach and prosciutto pizza. 

For an unforgettable Italian dining experience in Portland, head to a Cena, a chic yet unpretentious restaurant with some of the best reviews in the state. It’s not difficult to see why with dishes such as butter-poached lobster with stuffed raviolini or grilled octopus on the menu. Visitors praise the ravioli and desserts such as tiramisù.

Chef-owner Pietro Carcioppolo and his wife Antonella opened Gabriella Italian Ristorante in 1997 and it has been highly recommended ever since. As well as the classics, it serves specials such as scallops, sautéed cherry tomatoes and basil in a garlicky sauce over linguine, and portobello mushrooms in a garlic white wine sauce. Visitors unanimously agree it has a great atmosphere. 

This old-school Italian restaurant in Providence, established in 1988, has been serving loyal customers in the area for more than 30 years. They're fanatical about the great food and service. Head there for martinis, fried calamari, arancini, and huge pasta dishes. Expect low lighting and Frank Sinatra to be playing. 

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For authentic Italian dishes in elegant Roman-inspired surroundings, Villa Romana Italian Restaurant is the place to go. It opened in 1985 and serves family recipes such as Veal Absolut (veal cutlets sautéed in mushroom, vodka and cream sauce) as well as great seafood. The Shrimps San Marzano (jumbo shrimp with zucchini, provolone, prosciutto, tomatoes, and wine) comes particularly well-recommended. 

One of the most top-rated Italian restaurants for pasta in South Dakota, Roma Ristorante Italiano is loved by locals and visitors alike. Try the baked ziti, angel hair pasta with meatballs, or spinach ravioli. If you can't decide, opt for the pasta sampler which comes with lasagna, cheese ravioli, and manicotti. Customers love the vegetarian and gluten-free options too. 

Since the opening of L’Oca d’Oro, executive chef Fiore Tedesco and his team have been impressing with high-quality, contemporary Italian creations. The menu changes but you might find dishes like carbonara with pink peppercorns, short rib confit with polenta, and eggplant Parmesan. 

This modern restaurant in Nashville, Tennessee specializes in elevating rustic Italian food into refined dishes. On the menu is a hot honey and sausage Calabrese pizza and black spaghetti with lobster ragù, shrimp and chili. Customers also rate the appetizers and say the pasta dishes are spot on. It also has an impressive wine list. 

Owned by the charismatic Valter Nassi, who is familiar to many in Utah, Valter's Osteria in Salt Lake City serves high-quality Tuscan food. Customers rave about the pasta sampler, which includes four of the daily homemade gnocchi and ravioli. The butternut squash ravioli, angel hair pasta, and bright, airy ambience are other highlights. 

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One of Burlington’s most historic venues, Trattoria Delia is located in Vermont House – a former hotel built around 1900. Established in 1993, the restaurant celebrates seasonal ingredients and local produce. Favorite dishes include the truffle gnocchi with sausage and Parmesan, and the grilled rabbit and polenta cake. You’ll also find some impressive Italian selections on the wine list.

This quirky restaurant in Clifton has been built to look like an old Italian train station. At Trattoria Villagio guests can choose between the classic dining room or opt for drinks, cheese, and salumi at the marble-topped bar. Guests often rave about the grilled octopus appetizer and the homemade pasta, in particular the seafood pasta with mussels, clams, calamari, and shrimp. 

Cinque Terre celebrates the cuisine of the Italian Riviera in contemporary surrounds. Opened by the owners of already popular spots Barolo and Mamma Melina, the restaurant is a firm local favorite in its own right. The grilled octopus with chimichurri and the pizzas come highly recommended.

Figaretti’s Restaurant's legacy dates back to the early 1940s when Italian immigrants Anna and Joe Figaretti began making and selling spaghetti sauce to local grocery stores. It was such a hit, the family opened Figaretti's Restaurant. It’s now still owned by the family and customers praise the meaty lasagna with sausage, ham and provolone, the wild mushroom ravioli, and the cannoli. 

Family-owned Tenuta's Italian Restaurant was founded by Cesare and Antonia Tenuta, who came to America from southern Italy in 1961. The traditional recipes they brought with them can still be found on the menu, including their original sauces, and seafood and pasta dishes. Customers enjoy the thin-crust pizza, butternut squash ravioli, and tiramisù. 

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Established in 1966, Calico claims to be one of the oldest restaurants in Jackson Hole. Customers love the wood-fired pizza, family-friendly setting and extensive wine list. We recommend trying the Tom's Bomber pizza, with sausage, grilled hamburger, pepperoni, scallions, and black olives.

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