We as a culture have become obsessed with pizza, pasta, and the Italian way of eating. Cheesy sauces, perfect al dente noodles, and lots and lots of carbs — what's not to like?
But we've also done a great job of corrupting standard Italian fare with our pizza cone crusts and sliders, ignoring the simple, homemade ingredients that make food from the Old Country so wonderful in the first place.
Thankfully, there are still Italian gems in every city across the US that the Zagat editors took it upon themselves to find. They then put together a list of the top restaurants in 25 cities — from Austin to Washington, DC. — for traditional Italian dishes. Buon appetito!
Zagat ranks restaurants on a 30-point scale based on food, decór, and service. Ratings of 26 to 30 are considered "extraordinary to perfection," according to the company.
ATLANTA: Valenza
Food: 28
Cost: $39
Beloved for its specials, this Northern Italian spot serves the freshest food in large portions. The Venetian-inspired décor and low, ambient lighting make it pitch-perfect for a dinner date, too. Pro tip: Don't miss the wine list or the butternut squash ravioli.
AUSTIN: Vespaio
Food: 26
Cost: $43
This restaurant offers a broad selection of Italian meats, pastas, and pizzas through lunch and dinner — they even make gluten-free pasta! The only negative about Vespaio is that the wait time can get long at prime meal times.
BALTIMORE: Di Pasquale's
Food: 28
Cost: $16
Brick-oven baked pizzas and Muffuletta are the norm at this East Baltimore specialty store. Not only can you eat-in with delicious sandwiches, homemade soups, and mozzarella, but it doubles as a great Italian grocery store, too.
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