The 10 best Italian restaurants in Phoenix

Phoenix has become known as a go-to destination for pizza. And we certainly do have a wonderful selection of spots to grab a slice or share a pie. But Italian food is filled with riches. And, lucky for us, Phoenix is filled with exceptional Italian restaurants churning out everything from pizza and pasta to delectable seafood, bread dipped in the best olive oils, handmade gelato and so much more.

Two of the spots on this list were crowned as Best of Phoenix winners this year. Andreoli Italian Grocer was named the Valley's best Italian restaurant and Romanelli's took the top spot for the finest Italian deli in town. The other restaurants on this list range from longstanding staples to relative newcomers. The common thread? They all serve exceptional Italian food.

Here are the 10 best Italian restaurants in Phoenix.

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Try to control yourself inside Andreoli Italian Grocer.

Jackie Mercandetti Photo

Andreoli Italian Grocer

8880 E. Via Linda, Scottsdale

Giovanni Scorzo doesn't have time for your bullshit. He hasn't for the past 35 years. The oft-cantankerous teddy bear in disguise who runs this family-style market and trattoria is obsessed with doing Italian food the right way, and if you don't like it, you're wrong, and he'll just keep on doing it the right way until you eventually figure that out. What he won't do is dumb down his food to suit Americans' misconceptions, which is precisely why Andreoli remains such a treasure. Whatever Scorzo and his family can make fresh, they make fresh, from the bread to the charcuterie to the pastries. Whatever they can't, they purchase at great expense from quality suppliers, giving them the necessary raw materials to make their minimal ingredient-focused Italian cuisine sing. The permanent slate of sandwiches and salads is a treat, but the heart of the operation is a tiny white markerboard behind the counter that lists the daily specials. Try anything. All of it is perfect. And stuff yourself with some stellar sweets and an espresso before waddling out the door.

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A Phoenix institution since 1974, Avanti continues to deliver dependable food and an earnest retro vibe.

Jackie Mercandetti Photo

Avanti

2728 E. Thomas Road

Stepping into Avanti on Thomas Road is like taking a step back in time. The restaurant opened in 1974 and is split into two sections. In the bar, mirrors, neon, glass blocks and zebra-print booths set the tone. In the dining room, the vibe is a little more sophisticated but no less of a time warp. But if something isn't broken, you know the rest. Start your meal with an expertly executed Caesar salad before digging into some hearty pasta dishes. The Tortellini Pappardelle with braised beef shank ragu is rich and savory, while the spaghetti marinara has a welcome hint of sweetness. Chicken Parmigiana is massive and tender, topped with melty cheese. For dessert, opt for the tartufo, a silky smooth blend of milk and white chocolate gelato rolled in cocoa. The cocktails skew old school, so we’d recommend pairing your meal with a glass of Italian red at this Phoenix icon. Step into this piece of history with an open mind because the food will leave you coming back for years to come.

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At DiMaggio's, start with a lemony and herbaceous order of clams oreganata.

Sara Crocker

DiMaggio’s Italian Restaurant

3370 Hayden Road, #116, Scottsdale

Former New Yorkers Brandon and Michele Gioffre started their culinary journey in the Valley by launching the farmers market staple, Little Italy of Scottsdale. There, they hand-pull mozzarella and serve items they were on the hunt for when they relocated to Arizona in 2019, such as caponata, pesto and focaccia. The family began crafting breakfast sandwiches, pizzas and zeppole. As lines for Little Italy grew at the markets, the Gioffres decided to buy Scottsdale restaurant The Blind Pig in 2022. With the addition of a new business partner, the Gioffre’s revamped the space and changed the name to DiMaggio’s Italian Restaurant in September. But, their menu of East Coast-style Italian-American dishes remains. Start with clams oreganata, a dish that packs herbaceous breadcrumbs atop the mollusks, which sit in a lemony butter sauce. Then, buckle up for enormous entrees such as DiMaggio’s baked rigatoni. Crack through the cheesy golden shell of parmesan and mozzarella to reveal a dish that is layered similarly to a lasagna. The tender, wide rigatoni noodles flatten slightgly under the heft of bolognese, Italian sausage and ricotta. The dish is warm, rich and satisfying – and so generously portioned that it’s challenging to make a dent.

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After your meal at Fabio on Fire, make sure to order some tiramisu.

Tirion Boan

Fabio on Fire

8275 W. Lake Pleasant Pkwy. #101, Peoria

Like many Valley restaurants, Fabio on Fire is tucked into a strip mall shopping center across from a kung fu studio and a Wells Fargo. But unlike most Phoenix eateries, this restaurant transports diners to Europe. Chef Fabio Ceschetti was born and raised in Domodossola, in Northern Italy. His family roots, however, trace to the country’s southern Puglia region. His tastes and skills blend both influences to bring the chef’s unique and personal take on Italian food to Phoenix. Start with some arancini or bruschetta served on the chef’s signature bread before diving into a plate of tender ravioli or a showstopping brick of lasagna. Finish your meal with some fresh coffee and make sure to leave room for the house-made tiramisu or a scoop of gelato.

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The Rosso Creste di Gallo at Fat Ox is a must-try dish.

Tirion Boan

Fat Ox

6316 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale

If modern, high-end Italian is your vibe, look no further than Fat Ox in Paradise Valley. Think valet parking, stools to hold your purse and servers dressed to the nines. The cocktails, wine and food live up to the swanky glass-encased dining room and bar. Founded by chef and restaurateur Matt Carter of The Mission and Zinc Bistro, the restaurant focuses on letting individual ingredients shine in each dish. Opt for a cheesy start with some burrata or whipped ricotta, or choose some delicacies from the sea such as steamed mussels or grilled octopus. The entree menu also offers options from land and sea, from branzino to ribeye. The pasta selections include classics and seasonally rotating dishes. The wine-colored Rosso Creste di Gallo with dandelion greens, duck sausage, mushrooms and huckleberries is a standout dish not to miss.

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The testosterone pizza at Forno 301 in central Phoenix is legit.

Jacob Tyler Dunn

Forno 301

1616 N Central Ave. #104
7111 E Thomas Road, Scottsdale

Located across from the Phoenix Art Museum just north of downtown, the central location of Forno 301 is the perfect place to stop in after wandering through the galleries or heading out for a night on the town. The cozy yet modern restaurant is welcoming to all, from casual customers grabbing a pizza to first dates trying to impress, and the ownership group added a second location in Scottsdale. Start with a refreshing spritz or carefully crafted negroni before digging into some bruschetta topped with prosciutto and fig jam. For lunch, try one of the panini or pizza options. For dinner, pasta hits the spot. Make sure to check the rotating specials board for the pasta of the day.

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The fresh pasta at Marcellino Ristorante has a super-satisfying chew.

Tirion Boan

Marcellino Ristorante

7114 E. Stetson Dr., Scottsdale

Old Town Scottsdale has evolved a lot over the years. In many instances, its historic charm has been traded for flashy, modern restaurants and bars. But at Marcellino Ristorante, not much has changed over its two decades. Red brick walls surround white tablecloth-draped tables filled with groups of friends catching up over bread and Italian wine. To present the day’s specials, servers visit each table with a pasta board, displaying the varying colors and shapes available. Some are black with squid ink, others pale green from fresh herbs or orange from sundried tomatoes infused into the dough. The entrees section is filled with meat and seafood options such as lamb chops with balsamic reduction and salmon flambeed in cognac. But make sure you don't miss the homemade pasta. Each bite offers a super satisfying chew that will leave you wondering, how did they do that? Finish your meal with classic Italian desserts and gelato.

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Head to The Parlor this fall for the annual favorite Autunnale Pizza.

The Parlor

The Parlor Pizzeria

1916 E. Camelback Road

By name, The Parlor is a pizzeria. But this uptown restaurant is so much more than that, and some of its non-pizza dishes are the best items on the menu. Don’t get us wrong, the pizzas are great. We love the seasonal corn option in the summer and sweet potato version in the colder months. But the pastas leave us dreaming of more. Try the Lemon Ricotta Ravioli for a perfectly balanced bite with just the right amount of citrus, a contrast to some heavy-handed spots in town. For something comforting and earthy, enjoy the Lamb Agnolotti which is infused with the flavors of parsnip, sultanas, browned butter and sage. For a true classic, go for the spaghetti and meatballs. The pastas come in small or large orders, perfect for individual meals or a family-style feast. Along with the requisite wine list, this spot also offers craft cocktails, local beers and non-alcoholic options. Cozy and classy, you won’t believe this standout spot is right off the busy Camelback corridor.

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The pastry case at Romanelli's Italian Deli is filled with treats.

Chris Malloy

Romanelli’s Italian Deli

3437 W. Dunlap Ave.

It's more Italian-American than Italian if we're splitting hairs, but anybody who grew up with Italian subs, cannoli and a big pot of gravy on Sundays is going to feel right at home in this place. Romanelli's strength lies in its ability to offer a wide selection of groceries that range from the fancy-pants imported delicacies to the cheap everyday staples, with plenty of options in between. Meanwhile, the deli slings some formidable subs, from piles of cold cuts with cool vegetables and a tart vinaigrette on crisp bread to hot sausage and beef sandwiches dunked in marinara or jus with your choice of peppers. And when you're ready for some sweets, the bakery case offers a bevy of favorites, including cannoli that aren't too sweet, perfect almond-scented pignolate and surprisingly good sfogliatelle.

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The fresh pasta at Chris Bianco's upscale Italian eatery Tratto does not disappoint.

Tirion Boan

Tratto

1505 E. Van Buren St.

Tratto is the quieter sibling to Chris Bianco’s revered Pizzeria Bianco. But, it doesn’t shrink from the spotlight, offering toothsome housemade pastas, thoughtfully prepared proteins and pillowy focaccia. This isn’t a typical Italian-American red sauce joint. Instead, it stays true to Bianco’s belief of using local, seasonal ingredients and simple preparations that allow their flavors to speak for themselves. The menu rotates regularly, and can be found on Tratto’s Instagram page. When its stone fruit season, we’re ordering the restaurant’s thin-cut pork chops, which arrive in a sauce with big chunks of fruit and herbs. Pair it with one of the restaurant’s pastas, such as the classic, comforting but zesty cacio e pepe.