Arizona may not be widely known for its Italian cuisine, but locals know it probably should be. Not only is Phoenix home to award-winning pizza trailblazer Chris Bianco, but it is also home to numerous other Italian restaurants that serve a variety of options, ranging from pizza to pasta to deli sandwiches.
Earlier this year, The Arizona Republic shared our list of 100 essential restaurants in metro Phoenix for 2025. The list comprises reporter and editor favorites from the entire features team. Of the 100 on the list, these eight offer delectable Italian dishes that are absolutely worth a stop.
Here’s a look at essential Italian restaurants you simply must try in metro Phoenix.
Andreoli Italian Grocer
When you walk into Andreoli’s, you instantly feel transported to someone’s home with its low lighting, distressed wooden tables and chairs, and family photos adorning the walls…