The Most Flavorful Italian in Phoenix

Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante

★★★★☆ 4.4 (951) • $$

"Excellent Italian fine dining experience this evening @bottegapizzeriaristorante in Glendale, AZ! My daughter and I were looking for a good dinner after a doctor's appointment nearby and this spot had good @yelp reviews. It is now our favorite Italian spot. Half of the reason we had such a good experience was our server, Giovanni, who is winner of Server of the Year in our book. We arrived right before dinner rush and were seated right away without a reservation. The tables have cloth tablecloths and real candles. A live musician arrived and started to perform half way through our meal. This is an excellent spot for a romantic meal. Though this is a very nice establishment, we were welcomed in casual attire. When my daughter mentioned to Giovanni that she was worried coming in paint-covered work clothes, he instantly put her at ease and said underneath his own uniform his body was covered in paint. He had us laughing all evening. We needed some coffee and were brought a very good cappuccino and Latte Macchiato from a few doors down. Giovanni recommended that the polenta starter would go well with the pizza my daughter ordered so we tried that and it was so delicious! We were served a complimentary fresh rosemary bread basket and butter as well. We ordered:- Cappuccino - Latte Macchiato - Polenta (Happy Hour Small Bites Menu)- Pesto & Truffle Pizza Bianca: fior di latte, pesto, mushroom, arugula, truffle oil- Branzino (Mediterranean Sea Bass): grilled Mediterranean sea bass, mashed potatoes (My Brazino came with some spinach steamed perfectly with sliced fresh garlic and two large grilled asparagus atop the fish instead of potatoes)My Branzino was cooked to perfection and tasted so mildly sweet and amazing with just some fresh lemon. My daughter was impressed with her pizza, especially the freshness of the dough and ingredients she could taste so well. She loved the presentation of her latte macchiato as much as the drink itself. What a pleasant dining experience!"

Fabio On Fire | Pizzeria Italiana

★★★★☆ 4.3 (943) • $$

"Saturday night and the place was full. Family style not super loud, but very busy. Service was friendly. The food WOW delicious! I got the lasagna and wow what a flavor. Pricy but worth it"

Stone & Vine Urban Italian®

★★★★☆ 4.1 (1036) • $$

"If you know me, then you know I'm a caprese aficionado. Always looking for a great Caprese, which led me to trying this location as one of my besties mentioned this location closer to their house. We stopped in on a busy Saturday night after booking a reservation online same day. They quickly got us seated though arriving early for our reservation, and I was very grateful for that! Loved the front area for the small wait we did have. To start things off, we went with the Caprese which was beautifully plated and one of the better Caprese dishes I've had recently. It's priced at $14 which seemed fairly reasonable for the size of the tomato and mozzarella slices. Also, to kick start the meal I ordered the cranberry pomegranate mule which was refreshing and delicious! Perfect balance of flavors. For my entree, I went with the mushroom risotto which was amazing! It had great flavor and I felt was a good portion size for the price point of $20. Though it did have a random pat of unmelted butter in the corner which was slightly off-putting. Easily could have been oversight by the kitchen. When paying our bill, the pen did explode on my hand and made a big mess. Though washing in the restroom didn't remove fully, and took a couple days to fully dissipate. Not the way I would want to end the evening, and hope the establishment invests in better pens in the future. Though this left a damper on the evening, this was a solid experience and great tasting dishes."

Adela's Italian Restaurant

★★★★★ 4.6 (773) • $$

"This is an excellent Italian Restaurant. My first course was the Insalata di Spinaci (Spinach Salad). The salad was delicious and perfectly dressed. The complimentary bread that came with the meal was outstanding. For the main course, I ordered Fettuccine Della Casa and Penne all' Arrabbiata, both dishes were incredible. The service at the restaurant is top-notch. I highly recommend this restaurant, if you enjoy Italian Food."

Forno 301 Phoenix

★★★★☆ 4.3 (879)

"Great little find. Ordered a panini, salad and pizza. All food was superb quality. My husband raved about the Italian espressos. Inside looked cozy but decided to sit on the patio and enjoy the weather."

Pomo - Scottsdale

★★★★☆ 4.1 (953) • $$

"When we lived in Phoenix, we went to Pomo in downtown Phoenix quite often. When we moved to Scottsdale, we did not come here for food for many years. We did stop by a few times for gelato. Finally we made it back here during one of the busiest weekend. Luckily the bar seating is open on first-come first-served basis. We got the good spot to watch the sport games and enjoy bartender making all wonderful looking (and of course delicious) drinks. The pasta here is the best! Taste like freshly homemade pasta from their family kitchen. The food came out fast and tasty. The dessert options are huge and the gelato are exceptionally good."

Floridino's Pizza & Pasta

★★★★☆ 4.2 (890) • $$

"Not only delicious food but very friendly staff and SUPER fast service! This place is packed on Mondays for their senior citizen discount (55+) ... buy 1 get 1 free. The portions are huge and we always need a to go box. They also have weekly specials that are amazing!"

Tommy V's Urban Kitchen & Bar

★★★★☆ 4.3 (830) • $$$

"This restaurant is a cut above the rest. First of all I was tickled when I checked in on Yelp and I got a coupon for "one free fist bump from the bar tender" (which by the way I am still owed because I never did get this). The ambiance is great and we choose to sit in the outdoor seating. They had ample heating lamps which was perfect for the chilly desert nights. Our table was rocky but we quickly fixed that with some left over tickets we had from a place we went to prior. The service was great. Our waitstaff was friendly however the bar was a little slow on this night and we did have to wait a while for our second round of drinks. The food was great and the bread is to die for. My husband got the short rib and I got the mushroom risotto. Both were incredible good. We did not get a chance to try dessert but next time we will."

Pizza Heaven Bistro

★★★★☆ 4.3 (793) • $$

"We have been trying to incorporate more vegan and non dairy items into our diet due to hubs needing to keep that cholesterol lower. This place popped up with awesome reviews for their vegan offerings. This place smelled so good walking in. Like straight garlic and I love that. We put in an order over the phone and it was ready within a minute or 2 of arriving. The staff was friendly and offered us a drink while we waited. Now, the food. We have never had a fully vegan pizza and didn't know what to expect. We were happily surprised it was delicious!! No one really cared for the "pepperoni" but me. The cheese was melty and gooey and the bottom of the crust was not soggy which we like a crispy crust! They do not skimp on the toppings. The angel bites we got for dessert were super good too! I will add the cheese gets a little weird when cooled and reheated so we will definitely dine in next time and try the vegan ziti. Overall, an awesome experience and food was great!!"

Mora Italian

★★★★☆ 3.8 (993) • $$$

"Finally got to check out Mora Italian last weekend! i was very excited to do so, as I have heard great things and a My husband and I went on a double date with our SIL + BIL, so was a great evening for a date night or special occasion. They only have valet, which is complimentary. I am not a huge fan of valet personally, but do understand, as the parking is limited at the midtown location.The atmosphere was very fun, modern, definitely inspo from Rome with graffiti artwork. They also have an open kitchen if you ar interested in watching the team from pizza to pastries. We were promptly greeted and seated. I ordered Versace on 7th, which is a vodka based martini with olive oil foam. It was super unique and though I do not lean towards vodka, the ingredients really intrigued me and I definitely enjoyed it. It was a tad sweeter than I would normally go for, but with the richness of the olive oil and the natural herbs, it was very enjoyable. They have a unique cocktail menu with ample options! I only had one, but definitely saw some others that caught my eye. They also made a classic Lemon drop for my SIL and my husband got their version of an old fashion, he did say it was on the sweeter side.After perusing the menu, which had ample options from starters, salads, pizza's entrees, pastas and side. My group wanted to do the coursed meal they had. The menu lists that its priced for two, but the whole table has to partake if ordered, so by majority we rolled with it. At this time it was 5 courses for 190 per couple. They did not list what was included on the menu, a server did have to walk us through it, but from what I recall it included L Focaccia di Recco, Little Gems salad, crab salad, baby beets salad, polenta cremosa, calamari, three pastas including, the fettuccini, pomodora, fiorenti verde , steak and lobster tail, broccolini and their sundae fundaeNeedless to say we basically rolled out of there. It was a wonderful line up of great food. There were definitely a few stand outs such as the polenta, the focaccia, beet salad and fiorenti verde. Personally, i would prefer to scale it back on price point and food. It was delightful and they do portion it, but its a LOT of food and a lengthy experience. i would prefer smaller portions or just a few less options at a lower price point. I did opt for tiramisu instead of the sundae fundae, which the service was kind enough to accomodate for me! The sunda fundae is meant for two and is very cute, they have a cart they roll around FULL of different toppings. They do only have ONE cart though, so the rest of the table waited about 15-20 minutes on desert because of this. In addition, the ice cream seems like standard soft serve, so not as impressive or tasty as it could be.Overall, was a lovely meal, great atmosphere, lovely service and we left full and happy."

Twisted Italian

★★★★☆ 4.2 (801) • $$

"Trip to yum city !!I usually order the salmon with vegetables but this time I decided to venture out and got me the Italian stack with garlic fries .... Oh so delicious!! I am officially hooked !! The bread it's crispy! The tomato and lettuce so fresh !! I absolutely love it!!"

Alessia's Ristorante Italiano

★★★★☆ 4.3 (707) • $$

"Always a great meal at Alessia's. Service is excellent too. We will be back soon Thank you team Alessia"

Anzios Italian Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.2 (739) • $$

"Great Old School Italian Food.Classic in every way.Food on point.Decor perfection.Service is always exceptional.We scored a Groupon and had to come by.Eggplant Parm Baked Rigatoni Chef's kiss for both!! Kilt lifter on Happy Hour $4.50 Always loyal customers to Anzio's.Mitzi was our waitress and she was Exceptional!! Thank you Mitzi"

Pizza A Metro

★★★★★ 4.6 (614) • $$

"OMG! My nephew and his girlfriend took me to this restaurant for my birthday. My first choice restaurant was completely booked and i honestly was bummed and wasn't looking forward to having to go to another spot.This place is located in a little plaza. It is super quaint and small. Our server was friendly and attentive. We received complimentary bread with this amazing tomato dip. We ordered calamari as our appetizer. Tasty!For my main course, I had Shrimp Scampi with Angel hair pasta paired with a glass of Moscato (my favorite sweet wine). Meal was delicious and a generous portion size. My nephew ordered the chicken parm and his girlfriend had the bolognese. We all thoroughly enjoyed our meals. Everything I ate here was bursting with flavor!"

Yo Pauly's New York Pizza

★★★★☆ 4.4 (664) • $$

"Came here with a buddy after a recent afternoon round of golf in the area. Was really jonesing for some true New York style slices, and this place delivered the goods!!!We ate in and ordered a few items to split...salad, sub and a pie. The house salad was piled high with greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, green and black olives and served with a tangy Italian style dressing. Then came a meatball sub brimming with tender meatballs, marinara sauce and baked mozzarella cheese. Finally, we tried their Ziggy's favorite pizza pie with had a perfectly chewy thin crust topped with marinara, mozzarella and both pepperoni and disc-sliced sausage. Perfection.Glad we decided to eat in, as everything came (and stayed) piping hot, making for a great meal experience."

La Piazza al Forno

★★★★☆ 4 (773) • $$

"We have seen this place a few times and I'm really glad we tried it! Nothing was a disappointment, the pizza was delish, our apps and dessert were great. The service was wonderful, and it's this cute little place. I do not usually like a Neapolitan pizza, I'm usually a New York slice kinda gal, but this pizza... I couldn't put it down. Crust was perfect, fresh ingredients, every bite was perfect. Not shown here was the ravioli fritti, amazing. Also not pictured is the Salvatore Pizza, and you guessed it, delish. The Zeppolis were perfect to share with our table of 4 and were so good!! Little puffs of heaven.There isn't much else to say, other than letting the food talk for itself! Try them out! Cute for a date night, friends in town, or just when you want some good pizza!"

Baci Italian Bistro

★★★★☆ 4 (766) • $$

"I've been wanting to visit Baci Italian Bistro for some time now. As a native from Chicago, I've been spoiled by the culinary scene in one of the best cities in the country known for their gastronomy. Last week I had the pleasure to visit Baci and man it brought me back to the quality and service of some of my favorite Italian restaurants back home!We started off with the Bruschetta and the Fried Calamari. I am still buzzing over that Bruschetta! The way those flavors marinated on top of that warm baguette blew me away. For our entrees my wife ordered the special which had Chicken, Linguine and this amazing white sauce. I ordered the Chicken Limone and I really enjoyed it. It was very lemon-y so if you aren't a big fan of strong lemon flavors then I would say to steer clear of this dish. For the kids we got Chicken Alfredo (what I call the basic white girl dish) and Mozzarella Sticks. These were also excellent.I will just say that the left overs the following evening were just as good! Also, I cant say enough about the service and the ambience of the restaurant. Our server Diana was very knowledgeable on the daily specials and gave us very good feedback on the questions we had. Therefore, in the famous words of Julian Potter in My Best Friends Wedding - "I am writing it up as... inventive and confident".Honestly, if you haven't yet, go check out Baci Italian Bistro. Amazing food, classy environment and phenomenal service with a friendly wait staff."

Sapori D'Italia

★★★★☆ 4.3 (651) • $$

"We finally made it in- I have been wanting to try this establishment for sometime- I'm here for my 60th birthday!! We got lucky and stopped in on a week day evening and we able to be seated. Our server was very friendly & attentive- we ordered drinks and they came promptly. We decided to share a pizza and it was delicious! The fire Roasting in the fire brick oven really enhanced the flavors- it was super tasty! We also noticed the sample platter at the next table- we are going to try that next visit!! Thanks for a wonderful evening!!"

VinciTorio's

★★★★☆ 3.8 (810) • $$

"Great atmosphere for a place that looks from the outside, no different than any other diner. The actual food is good too, but I have to take off a star for the cream of mushroom soup, that thing is so sweet, it feels like a supermarket cake. Take it easy on the sugar please!Otherwise the pasta and other stuff are good."

Bella Gusto Urban Pizzeria

★★★★☆ 4.3 (631) • $$

"For months, my friend has been mentioning this place near her house to try one night. The stars finally aligned for me to try this location this month, and I'm glad I did! Immediately upon entering we were greeted and noticed we came at an off time, so there was plenty of seating. The dining area would slowly fill up as we dined, but with how fairly spacious this place is, it still felt fairly intimate and private. My friend raved on and on about the Fried Eggplant ($13.25), so that was a must to start the meal! It was likely the best tasting eggplant I've ever had, and I can easily see just dining in to have this and being content. It is so crispy, delicious, and packed full of flavor! Also for a starter, we had the house bread ($8.25) which was also delicious and fresh out of the oven. Though the Fried Eggplant was a clear winner if you only wanted to get one appetizer to start. As for entrees, I was torn between pasta or pizza. Both I have heard are fantastic, so it made for a difficult decision. Ultimately, I decided to go with an old standby favorite of mine - Cacio e Pepe ($16.75). Overall, it had really good flavor but wasn't my favorite comparing to other locations I've had it. Though still a very good pasta! I just might try another pasta dish or a pizza when we return. Because yes, we will be back here! If you are in the area, even if just looking for a glass of wine and a small bite - this is your destination! Want something heavier, they have you covered! Be sure to check this great place out as I'm sure you won't be disappointed."

Va Bene Italian Restaurant - Martini & Wine Bar

★★★★☆ 4 (713) • $$

"The ambiance was great, but the service was mid. When we arrived the server gave us the specials, but then he came back and wanted to go right to food orders. He didn't ask if we wanted drinks or appetizers. We ordered our food and as well as appetizers. We got the tomato soup, calamari fritti, and gamberoni con prosciutto for an appetizer. Half way through the soup we pulled a hair out. Our dinner was gnocchi Ala vodka, mussels, and the chicken Parmesan that was the special. The food lacked in flavor and I found myself wanting more Italian flavor to every dish we had. At the end of dinner the waiter again just brought the check and didn't ask if dessert was wanted or if we needed anything else. I will say that at 9pm a band started playing and they were really good. I would go back to listen to them but most likely not to eat."

Brooklyn V's Pizza

★★★★☆ 4.2 (642) • $$

"Came here for dinner after visiting the Cozy Claw next door, and soooo glad we did! The food was awesome, everything tasted great, we got the margherita pizza, eggplant hero, and garlic knots. Our kids split bowtie pasta with marinara and a slice of pepperoni pizza, which they both LOVED. The service was excellent and super friendly, great relaxing atmosphere, and it smells amazing inside. They were even nice enough to cut the slice of pizza into small pieces for my toddler! Wonderful all around, will be back for sure"

Mimi Forno Italiano

★★★★☆ 4.4 (555) • $$

"We came here to try the pizza on a Thursday night, although fairly busy we found 2 seats at the bar right away. The pizza was delicious crispy crust and the cheese was very flavorful. Service was great, very friendly and efficient. The place is cute not too big but they get quite a few tables in this place!"

Caffe Boa

★★★★☆ 3.5 (846) • $$

"We came here before going to a show at Gammage Auditorium. This must be a frequent stop for people on their way to Gammage, because as soon as we entered and got seated, the server asked if we were headed to a show there. We said yes, and she promised to get us out in time. Caffe Boa has a great atmosphere with lots of dark wood and exposed brick. We sat in the little sunroom separated from the dining room with our doorways. It's brighter in there. There's a separate bar and a glassed off room for more private dining. One of the best things about this place is the great art posters, all having to do with wine.The food here is fantastic. Hubby had the spaghetti and meatballs. The meatballs were delicious, although I admit I love all meatballs. I did like the red sauce, which I can be a little picky about, and would definitely order anything with the red sauce. I had the steak salad, which was very large. It was dressed greens with sliced steak on the side, and I could hardly finish it. I did, because it was soooo good, but I left feeling stuffed.Caffe Boa is a really great place in general, but especially Great for a pre-event dinner in Tempe."

L'Amore Italian Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.4 (520) • $$$

"Ok I'm absolutely obsessed with L'Amore! The staff is phenomenal and the owner Greg gives you the red carpet experience. The food is absolutely fresh italian with a cozy vibe. The happy hour is amazing and the live music is a plus. Don't miss out on this local favorite that's been a classic for 23 years."

Pasta Brioni

★★★★☆ 4.2 (552) • $$

"Wow! What an excellent dining experience! We had reservations for two, and had the pleasure of being served by Mike tonight for dinner. Starting off with their orange and hazelnut old-fashioned was an experience all in itself, and worth my trip out there! For dinner I had the chicken martini, which could not have been prepared any more decadent than it was. The food tasted great, the environment here is friendly, welcoming, and classy. We somehow managed to enjoy a piece of their amazing chocolate cake for dessert, before calling it a night. I will absolutely be back to enjoy more of their famous pasta options!"

Basil & Garlic Bistro

★★★★☆ 4.4 (492) • $$

"Came here strictly off of other Yelp reviews. This is a small whole in the wall type of establishment. Inside was completely redone since covid due to an unfortunate fire. :( The waiter we had was very friendly. We asked him about the dishes & what he would recommend. He was very helpful & patient with us. I ordered the linguini & clams with white sauce, it was quite tasty, but, in all honesty it was a little on the salty side. But, very flavorful. My husband ordered some chicken pesto pasta dish & he said his was very tasty. We also had some cheese garlic bread as an appetizer. Also good! He did say that the bread for the garlic bread is the same as what they use for their pizzas, all in all, I'd say this is a very good hidden gem, definitely would suggest giving them a try if you ever in the area. Oh & just fyi, they are located in a strip mall type of place."

Hush Public House

★★★★★ 4.5 (456) • $$

"I looked up top restaurants in Phoenix area and Hush was highly recommended!The place is pretty discreet in a shopping center- you wouldn't suspect there is a bustling restaurant inside!We were a party of 6 and we all enjoyed our dishes. Standout for me was the french fries! Yep! They mash the potatoes up and then make them into fries, it is so pillowy and delicious inside because of that!! Still dreaming of them. The crab hush puppies were delish and crispy- a must share with a group. Also, that date cake is to die for. I am not huge into desserts but this was a winner across everyone at the dining table. Don't skimp on getting dessert!Overall, a great place to come if you are in the area and want a more upscale place to dine."

Pitch

★★★★☆ 3.8 (636) • $$

"Wow! This place is a hidden gem! Incredible menu and great service. Plus you can get their many unique pizzas by the slice! We had the grilled artichoke appetizer and it was delish! I had the Thai pizza slice and my friend had the shrooms slice. Both were fabulous. Then for dessert the coal fired cookie in a skillet with gelato and toasted marshmallows. Wow! Can't wait to come back and try all the other delicious items!"

Papa Paul's Brick Oven Pizza & Pasta

★★★★☆ 4.3 (493) • $$

"Impromptu dinner on a Thursday with my mom and son! This place has been on my list to try. It was busy but a steady busy, not an overwhelming busy. Our waitress was attentive and knowledgeable. I couldn't decide between the bruschetta or burrata and she quickly recommended the burrata. Great suggestion, it was really good. My son devoured his spaghetti. Great serving of pasta and three huge meatballs. My mom had a pizza. She said it was good too. I had her rate the restaurant and she gave it 5 stars also. This will now be our go to Italian spot. I'm eager to try their other menu items."

North Italia

★★★★☆ 3.9 (591) • $$

"Having traveled to Italy and very in step with good Italian food, I was very happy with this visit here with a friend colleague.The place is gorgeous and when we arrived for dinner at 6:45pm, the place was swarming with lot of people! That's a good sign.We made reservations and were seated in a booth in the middle of the restaurant. This place is huge and also with a nice bar area and big TVs.We had a lovely waiter and my dining mate was interested in a glass of wine and since it's the summer, we went with a sparkling rose and my friend wanted a new bottle opened. Sparkling rose was great!We both also opted for the branzino and that was just delicious, reminded me of the summer I was in Sardinia and plenty of meals I had in NYC.There was a squid ink pasta on the menu and I would've loved to try that and I'll be back to have that next time.What was the cherry on top of this dining experience was the tiramisu. I'm not a fan of the typical tiramisu but this was made more like a pudding and that worked really for me! I loved this dessert and would come back just for this!Overall, an amazing dining experience, excellent service, solid meal and lovely company! I will be back!"

La Locanda

★★★★☆ 4.3 (483) • $$$

"A large group of us met up for dinner here....included 3 kiddos and 7 adults. We got the back room which was excellent, the kiddos were able to just be free and loud.The team was great there, very attentive to us, patiently taking our orders through giggles and laughter from the kids and honoring our special requests.We definitely will be back and recommend to families! we had a great time"

Fellow Osteria & Pizzeria

★★★★☆ 4.2 (495) • $$

"We have gone to Fellow Osteria a few times and have always had a lovely time. Good service. Pizza is great. Big patio. If you go on Monday or Tuesday, they have a $65 deal for salad, pizza, and 4 cocktails!"

Rinaldi's Italian Deli

★★★★☆ 4.2 (484) • $$

"We decided to give this place a try after seeing them on the Good Morning Az show a few weeks ago. I had the Italian combo wedge and my wife had the small meatball both toasted. Great sandwiches and definitely recommend. Also tried the infamous black and white cookie actually made in New York. Was not as impressed, the white frosting was pretty hard and was nothing special. The team was friendly and helpful, even checked on us while we dined out front on the patio."

Tutti Santi

★★★★☆ 4.1 (506)

"felt like having dinner at best friends house (well we did have a best friend with us). When you enter a restaurant & the first thing that happens is the owner (or manager) welcomes you & thanks you for coming you know it's going to be a special night!!!!We sat inside and had an absolutely fabulous evening. The company helped, but the food, service and experience was top 1% of any meal I have ever had.It's cozy inside. Maria tended to every need. The food is perfect & delicious. I had the bolognese and could have licked the plate clean. I also overindulged w a cannoli that was perfect. The ladies loved the ravioli, bruschetta & tiramisu. It has a "Chicago touch" to the place w many sports stars pics - I am sure Spring training helps - but I never got the full story.We left full, happy, and w a strong desire to return.Don't let looks deceive you - as it's located in a strip mall off a busy road.Ps. Not sure how long they have been open, but I know it was a favorite of my dads. He always knew of hidden gems."