Diners' Choice: Italian restaurants in Wisconsin

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Italian cuisine in Wisconsin? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Santino's Little Italy

4.9

4.9 (129)

$30 and under

Italian

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

Santino's Little Italy, tucked away in a quiet neighborhood with rich history echoing years gone by in the City of Milwaukee. The building housing the restaurant is over 130 years old and has been beautifully remodeled by talented designers and carpenters. The vibe has an old school Brooklyn New York feeling and is the perfect place to make wonderful memories with friends and family.

The menu features delicious gourmet pizzas / house-made pastas / salads / appetizers / deserts along with delicious Italian wine / cocktails and are professionally served to you by our attentive staff. Our amazing Neapolitan Style Pizza is hand made with the finest and freshest ingredients and cooked in a 6,000-pound Italian woodfired oven. With humility and gratitude our pizza was ranked nationally as the 46th best pizza in North America and we are very proud to serve many happy diners here in Milwaukee.

Reservations are highly recommended as space is limited. We look forward to serving you.

Top review

chris

Dined 2 days ago

We love Santinos. We have been going for a few years now. From dining in the main room or sitting at the bar, it’s fantastic. The bartender is always great! Just ate there last night again. 12-19-24.

Safina

4.9

4.9 (319)

$31 to $50

Italian

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

It’s been over four years since guests last tasted the Sicilian dishes from longtime Milwaukee restaurant Giovanni’s. But all of that changes with Safina: a new casual Italian concept that comes to the historic building at 785 N. Jefferson St.

Focusing on comforting dishes with roots in Sicily and the southern regions of Italy, Safina's goal is to keep the menu familiar and accessible. The restaurant also features a full bar and second-level seating, complete with wood and marble finishes that highlight the rustic, modern Italian ambiance.

Top review

ThomasVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Always a great experience. The food is outstanding. My favorite is the Veal Cotoletta Our server-Kayla was very attentive and did a great job You need to try Safina asap!!

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4.8

4.8 (2917)

$31 to $50

Italian

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

DINE IN & CURB SIDE SERVICE NOW AVAILABLE!

CURBSIDE FOOD AND RETAIL WINE SERVICE
MONDAY-SATURDAY 1:00PM-8:00PM

DINE IN FOR DINNER ONLY
MONDAY-THURSDAY 4PM-8PM
FRIDAY & SATURDAY 4PM-9PM

PLEASE CALL 414-225-0000

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!

Zarletti is a fine dining northern Italian restaurant located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee. Executive chef and owner Brian C. Zarletti focuses on creating regional Italian cuisine inspired by lessons learned in his grandmother’s kitchen and on his extensive travels in Italy.

Top review

LyndaVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Great dinner before a show. Food was delicious and service was outstanding. Intimate setting and easy to have a conversation.

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Popular dish

Pasta alla Bolognese

Ristorante Bartolotta dal 1993

4.9

4.9 (3274)

$50 and over

Italian

Wauwatosa

About the restaurant

Nestled in an historic brewery building in the Village of Wauwatosa, Ristorante Bartolotta dal 1993 is the flagship restaurant in The Bartolotta Restaurants portfolio.

Conceived by The Bartolotta Restaurants co-founders, restaurateur Joe Bartolotta and his brother, Chef Paul Bartolotta, Ristorante Bartolotta dal 1993 is acclaimed for its handmade pasta and authentic Italian cuisine in a cozy, intimate setting.

Executive Chef Juan Urbieta presents the popular “Un Viaggio in Italia” menu series, highlighting a different city or region of Italy with a four-course, customizable menu that takes guests on a journey of Italy and changes monthly.

The restaurant was recently awarded the coveted Marchio Ospitalità Italiana certification of excellence by the Italian Union of Chamber of Commerce. This prestigious award honors a restaurant for its commitment to “Made in Italy” quality and authenticity.

Top review

Stuart

Dined 4 days ago

As always we had an excellent experience! Great service and atmosphere.

Villa Dolce

4.6

4.6 (641)

$30 and under

Italian

Middleton

About the restaurant

A modern Italian cafe in the heart of downtown historic Middleton. With a contemporary vibe this fusion Italian gem features unique topping gourmet pizzas, handmade pasta and famous Gelato.

Top review

Rene

Dined on Nov 17, 2024

The food is so tasty and the staff so friendly, the restaurant has the warm of a home kitchen it permeates into everything. We moved away and never miss an opportunity to go back.

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Popular dish

Meat Lovers

Sorella

4.7

4.7 (1145)

$30 and under

Italian

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

Old school meets new school, East Coast meets Midwest, with a Southern-style Italian restaurant landing right in the middle of it all. Delivering distinctly Italian cuisine that’s easy to pronounce and even easier to share, guests will enjoy seasonally inspired dishes throughout the year. Sorella serves healthy foods with elegant flavors, which are often made with locally sourced products.

Top review

ShirleyVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Always wonderful: innovative menu choices, excellent food, friendly and efficient service, lively ambiance.

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4.7

4.7 (359)

$31 to $50

Italian

Green Bay

About the restaurant

The Mangiare Story
We trace our roots to Republic Chophouse, Green Bay area’s premier steakhouse and standard bearer of fine dining in northeast Wisconsin. Located just down the street from each other and under the same local ownership, Mangiare and Republic are sister restaurants that offer the best dining experiences north of Chicago.

We use only the freshest and most authentic ingredients for the offerings on our Mangiare menu. Featuring balsamic and oils sourced directly from Italy and breads from specialty bakeries, our chefs create intensely satisfying dishes that match the level of service which sets us apart.

Our attention to detail and commitment to excellence holds true regardless of whether your taste for the evening is classic Italian fare in a family-friendly atmosphere at Mangiare or steak in the unpretentious, yet fine dining environment of Republic.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Top review

tom

Dined 7 days ago

food was awesome and our server (Sammy) was so much fun. it was my wife's birthday and you made it special. thank you

Onesto

4.7

4.7 (2625)

$30 and under

Italian

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

Onesto, which means “honest” in Italian, serves a modern twist on Italian fare with an emphasis on fresh, handmade, flavorful cuisine. We also feature an approachable wine list and a craft cocktail menu. When you visit, be sure to check out our dramatic event space.

Top review

Amber

Dined 1 day ago

Enjoyed our dinner and would return. Glad it wasn’t too loud inside. Sat upstairs with beautiful window views

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Roasted Pepper Bruschetta

Tre Rivali

4.7

4.7 (1513)

$31 to $50

Italian

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

Tre Rivali is a vibrant restaurant, lounge and cafe. This inspired restaurant is in the heart of Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward District. The menu features Italian and Mediterranean influences. Think scratch made pasta and wood oven pizzas. Paired with craft cocktails and a well curated wine list.

**Please note when making a reservation that we do not reserve tables for outside patio dining. We will do our best to accommodate your request but patio dining is on a first available and walk-in basis only. We appreciate your patience and understanding.**

Top review

BrookeVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Server and food were fantastic. Always a great time and ambiance

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Popular dish

Pappardelle Bolognese

4.6

4.6 (855)

$30 and under

Italian

Beloit

About the restaurant

Modern in experience. Timeless in taste.

Velvet Buffalo Modern Italian delivers fresh ingredients with a side of rustic charm. Our rotating seasonal menu features thoughtfully crafted dishes made from scratch that are inspired by the many regions of Italy–from house-made pasta and artisan-style bread to sustainably sourced seafood and our own spin on traditional desserts.

Top review

Irma

Dined 4 days ago

The food and service were excellent. Decorated nicely for Christmas.

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