Discover hidden gems of Italian cuisine across the United States. From traditional trattorias to contemporary eateries, these restaurants offer authentic flavors and unforgettable dining experiences.
With dishes like chicken parmesan, lasagna, and spaghetti and meatballs, Italian food ranks as one of the foremost comfort cuisines in America, with plenty of reputable restaurants to show for it.
The crowd-pleasing appeal is what makes Italian chains so prolific, and while a bottomless pasta bowl at Olive Garden might scratch that itch now and again, it can’t hold a candle to enjoying a meal at an independent Italian restaurant, where they’re making pasta and pizza from scratch, adorning charcuterie boards like meaty works of art, and pouring wine from the finest regions in Italy — and/or New Mexico. Destination-worthy Italian restaurants are familiar and frequent attractions in big cities like New York and Chicago, and other metropolises have sizable Italian communities all their own, but in between the well-trod institutions, real-deal Italian restaurants are making marinara magic in under-the-radar cities too. Some skew chic and decadent, pairing contemporary cooking with skyline views, while others honor old-school techniques and red sauce rituals. No matter what style of Italian cooking is your preference, rest assured there’s a hidden gem out there waiting for you. As at these 10 best American Italian restaurants you’ve never heard of, but absolutely must visit. In the Old City district of Knoxville, you’ll find old-world influences with decidedly modern flair. It’s all courtesy of Osteria Stella, the Northern Italian inspiration of owners/operators Aaron Thompson and Jessica King. Consulting with Milanese chef Amalia Brusati, the menu is the real deal, spotlighting regional dishes that emphasize quality over quantity — most dishes feature just a smattering of ingredients at their freshest and finest, such as crispy saffron-scented arancini, and parmigiano-filled tortelli ravioli with artichoke beurre blanc, all paired with a robust Italian wine selection that focuses on family- and/or woman-run wineries. The space, too, has the naturally cozy hustle and bustle of a convivial Italian institution-in-the-making, while the same owners operate an Italian aperitivio bar, Brother Wolf, right next door. The veritable godfathers of upscale Italian cuisine, the Cipriani family is the force behind global icons like Harry’s Bar in Venice, where — among other accolades — the Bellini cocktail was invented. And in case you can’t fly to Venice for a cocktail, the next best thing is the aptly named Bellini restaurant in Providence, Rhode Island. Here, on the ground floor of the luxe Beatrice hotel, the legendary Cipriani family once again strikes gold, with an Italian restaurant at once authentic, inventive, and celebratory. The namesake cocktail, made with fresh peach puree and Prosecco, is a requisite libation, well-matched with rustic-chic Italian dishes, like grass-fed beef tenderloin carpaccio, creamy truffle polenta, baked taglioni with bechamel and smoked ham, and grilled lamb chops with carrot puree. The dazzling dining room is as much a feast for the eyes, as the food is for the mouth. What’s old is new again at DiTondo, a classic Italian restaurant in Buffalo that started out as a frills-free neighborhood joint in the 1930s, owned by Italian immigrant Sebastiano Di Tondo. Four generations later, and the restaurant is still in the family, albeit the focus has shifted to farm-to-table ingredients with a regional Italian showcase. Thus, DiTondo today represents a smart mix of local ingredients and purveyors, married with the family’s affinity for scratch-made cookery and authenticity. Start with habit-forming parmigiano puffs, or an antipasto platter brimming with charcuterie, mozzarella, and focaccia. The rest of the menu is concise but mighty, with pastas like gnocchi with Adirondack blue potatoes, wild-caught shrimp, and Prosecco sauce, and entrees such as grilled swordfish with parsley, lemon, and capers. Finish on a subtly sweet note with polenta-almond crumble cookies. In a sea of Italian restaurants, Trattoria il Panino stands out in Boston’s North End. The historic Italian neighborhood teems with trattorias and pizzerias, but this cozy spot — complete with a sizable covered patio — doubles down on old-school charm by matching black-and-white Italian photos with heaping platters of cheesy pastas, garlicky sautéed mussels, ricotta-stuffed zucchini flowers, and much more. They have a reputation for their show-stopping espresso martinis, and there’s a casual late-night menu on Fridays and Saturdays. Nestled in Portland’s Old Port, Via Vecchia blends the best of Italy with coastal Maine. It’s got some of the best meatballs in the country, but the vast menu skews contemporary and heavily influenced by seasonality. At any given time of year, this could mean small plates like fried Brussels sprouts with pomegranate agrodolce, scallop crudo with peach vinaigrette, braised short ribs with zucchini caponata, and filet with broccoli rabe and roasted baby carrot
ITALIAN FOOD RESTAURANTS AMERICAN CUISINE HIDDEN GEMS TRAVEL FOOD REVIEWS FINE DINING COMFORT FOOD
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