10 Italian Restaurants Across America Foodies Swear By

Some Italian restaurants in America, from New York to California, are more than just menu items; they are culinary pilgrimages for pasta lovers who appreciate local customs and distinctive flavors. Here, we examine ten such restaurants that are praised by critics, chefs, and frequent diners alike for their authentic cuisine, ambiance, and atmosphere. You’ll learn what makes each unique, which dishes are a must-try, and why foodies nationwide have placed these on their “must visit” lists.

1. Carbone (New York, NY)

Greenwich Village’s Carbone pays homage to Italian-American dining in the middle of the 20th century by fusing theatrical service, strong flavors, and nostalgia. The experience is enhanced by servers dressed in sharp formality, and the menu focuses on classics like veal parmesan, spicy rigatoni vodka, and tableside Caesar. Foodies laud its ability to strike a balance between substance and style. Although it has since spread to several American cities, going to the original gives you a taste of what initially established the brand’s cult following.

2. Babbo (New York, NY)

Mario Batali and his associates created Babbo, which combines sophisticated technique with approachable Italian flavors. It is situated in the West Village of Manhattan and has received widespread praise, including a James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant shortly after it opened. Its menu, which emphasizes strong technique without sacrificing warmth, features seasonal ingredients, fresh seafood, and sophisticated pastas. Diners who enjoy Italian food can learn how it can be carefully adapted for the American setting by dining at Babbo.

3. Al Forno (Providence, RI)

Al Forno is credited with introducing grilled pizza and fostering regional Italian culinary creativity. It has been pushing the boundaries of how rustic Italian techniques can be applied in American settings since its founding in 1980. The chefs refer to the food as “cucina simpatica,” highlighting hearty, authentic flavors in a relaxed yet unique setting. More than just a local favorite, its creative pasta dishes, grilled pizzas, and desserts like its renowned apple tart have a national impact on chefs.

4. Osteria Mozza (Los Angeles, CA)

Osteria Mozza has established itself as a symbol of elegant Italian cuisine that is still approachable in Los Angeles. Nancy Silverton co-founded the restaurant, which serves ingredient-driven menus, handmade pastas, and a mozzarella bar. The dishes are accurate but never unduly pricey, and its reputation is built on a blend of elegance and integrity. Mozza offers a fascinating link between serious Italian technique and Californian sensibility for foodies in Southern California or tourists just passing through.

5. Frasca Food & Wine (Boulder, CO)

Frasca has received praise for its wine program, culinary discipline, and strong Italian and Friulian influences, despite not being a true “Italian restaurant.” Its success in bringing regional Italian concepts to a mountain town setting is demonstrated by its James Beard and wine awards. The food focuses on seasonality, local sourcing, and flavor balance, and the staff selects wines like Italian sommeliers. It demonstrates to foodies how Italian food can establish a strong presence even outside of coastal Italy.

6. Torrisi (New York, NY)

In Manhattan’s Nolita neighborhood, Torrisi, a more recent but already significant restaurant, continues to serve a bold, stylized take on Italian-American fare. It received immediate attention and a Michelin star when it was opened by the Major Food Group team, which is associated with the Carbone/Torrisi legacy. Its menu, which includes pasta, seafood, and shared plates, combines technique, visual drama, and traditional references. Torrisi is a case study of how tradition, design, and daring come together in contemporary Italian dining for serious diners.

7. Redzôra (New York, NY)

Redzôra honors the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy by emphasizing regional specialties, housemade pastas, and simple yet cozy dining spaces. Tortellini, cappelletti, ragu, and the type of pasta that necessitates slow, thoughtful eating are among the dishes that guests laud for their artistry in each bite. Despite being a smaller eatery, it perfectly embodies regional Italian cuisine. Instead of viewing a meal there as a typical Italian experience, foodies frequently view it as a master class in a particular region.

8. Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura (Beverly Hills, CA)

Gucci Osteria’s Beverly Hills location introduces Massimo Bottura’s creative, artistic take on Italian cuisine to a glitzy American setting. The restaurant, which has received Michelin recognition, combines Italian cuisine, fashion, and inventiveness. Dishes push the envelope—imagine whimsical textures and contemporary plating—while maintaining a connection to their true roots. For foodies, it’s a place to discover how, especially in a posh setting, Italian food can now be both art and nourishment.

9. Barbetta (New York, NY)

One of the oldest family-run Italian eateries in America, Barbetta was established in 1906 in Manhattan’s Theater District and has a strong Piemonte culinary heritage. Its distinctive features—seasonal truffles, sophisticated garden dining, and a dedication to old-world style—have been maintained for more than a century. It is regarded by foodies as a living connection to the early days of Italian dining in the United States. It serves as a reminder to tourists that Italian eateries in this area aren’t always brand-new or ostentatious; they can be venerable, traditional, and still thriving.

10. Faccia a Faccia (Boston, MA)

Faccia a Faccia in Boston serves modern regional Italian cuisine in a classy yet welcoming setting. The chef prioritizes dishes that feel both contemporary and rooted in tradition, as well as seasonal ingredients and portion sizes that are manageable. It appeals to both locals and critics despite not being large or ostentatious. For foodies visiting New England, it serves as evidence that Italian food can be prepared with intelligence, care, and genuine emotional flavor even outside of the major coastal centers.