7 Best Italian Restaurants in Arizona!
Little Italy. Chicago. Scottsdale. What do all these places have in common? Great Italian food. While Arizona has a reputation for dishing out great Mexican and Southwestern dishes, it’s oft left out of discussions about great Italian food. But there is plenty of excellent Italian cuisine in the Grand Canyon State. Here are some of the local places to chow down Italian style.
DeFalco’s Italian Eatery, Scottsdale, AZ
DeFalco’s food is so good that you’d think the recipes came straight from Italy. Actually, you’d be right. The DeFalco family emigrated from Italy to Canada back in 1903 before settling down in Phoenix. Family owned and operated since 1972, this Italian eatery and deli is home to delectable calzones, Italian sausages, and homemade pasta sauces. In fact, it’s so good that notorious foodie Guy Fieri visited the restaurant on an episode of “Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives.
Lou Malnati’s, Phoenix, AZ
Fans of deep-dish pizza rejoiced when news broke that Lou Malnati’s was heading to the Valley. The Chicago based restaurant opened in Phoenix back in May 2016 and has had a packed house ever since. Their secret dough recipe and deep-dish pizzas attract hungry customers from across the state. Lou Malnati’s is like a slice of deep-dish pizza – it’s tasty, full, and leaves you craving more.
Ristorante Giuseppe, Scottsdale, AZ
“Holy Rigatoni!” and “Just restored my faith in humanity via amazing pasta.” Those are just a few of the high praise comments found on Ristorante Guiseppe’s Yelp page. This hole in the wall restaurant in Scottsdale has thrived for over 25 years by dishing out simple, Italian fare. Their signature dish, Pasta Alex, is pasta served in a cardinale pesto combination sauce with roasted garlic and spicy Italian sausage. They also allow customers to bring their own choice of wine to their meal without a corkage fee. Feast away!
Arrivederci, Scottsdale, Ahwatukee, AZ
Two words: Lobster ravioli. Arrivederci’s most famous menu item is served in a cream sauce with generous portions of lobster tail. This is just one of the many compelling menu items found at Arrivederci. Chef Franco hails from the Amalfi coast and specializes in “Nouvelle Italian” which is a fresh and healthy spin on traditional Italian cuisine. Arrivederci is also budget-friendly and has some of the best daily happy hour specials.
North Italia, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson, AZ
North Italia is a modern, trendy take on a traditional Italian restaurant. So it should come as no surprise that this is a Fox Restaurant Concept. Indeed, this has many of the attributes of a Fox restaurant like trendy appetizers and spins on classic dishes. Their zucca chips are a thinly sliced, deep fried zucchini bits and a bestseller. Their prosciutto pizza blends classic pizza with fig and goat cheese. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Fox restaurant without happy hour deals.
Maggiano’s Little Italy, Scottsdale, AZ
Armed with Chicago roots and epic portions, this restaurant has become a favorite among Italian food fans. Their menu showcases a range of traditional dishes from specialty pastas, steak and veal, and an extensive seafood list. Each location has a vibrant bar and lounge in addition to private dining rooms perfect for special occasions.
Spiga Cucina Italiana, Scottsdale, AZ
Spiga is a rustic, modern restaurant with an appreciation for Italian food and wine. Their 2,350-bottle wine cellar features the finest of the Mediterranean’s vineyards with wines from all around Italy, Portugal, and Spain. Their expansive patio, bar, and lounge help to create the ambiance of an Italian cucina. Spiga’s menu consists of house-made pastas, wood-baked pizzas, and Sicilian-style seafood. Spiga is the whole package for wine lovers and foodies alike.
