If you’re searching for the best Italian restaurants in Wisconsin, look no further. We’ve featured 10 of them in the list below.
1. Sorella
Located in the heart of Milwaukee, Sorella is an Italian gem of a restaurant. Open for dinner from 5-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 5-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 5-8 p.m. on Sundays, Sorella is the dinner spot in the area. Sorella is an Italian home away from home for owners Kyle Toner and Paul Demora and will be for you, too.
You’ll find a little bit of everything at Sorella. Their specialty lies in housemade pasta, delicate antipasti, and even pizza! If you want to dine in an Italian memory of late 1800s Brooklyn, Sorella will bring memories of nonna like no other.
Go to Sorella’s reservation page to reach out and find a table.
2. Santino’s Little Italy
Santino’s Little Italy is another unique Milwaukee gem, bringing laid-back, quiet energy to a truly high-end meal. Santino’s is open for dinner service from 4-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, until 9:30 on Friday and Saturday, and closes at 8 p.m. on Sundays.
You can expect to find many unique takes on Italian staples here, from classic antipasti and salads to pizza, housemade pasta and sauce, and even a rotating dessert menu! The true star here, though, is the cocktail and wine menu – it’s broad, unique, and brings new wine to the forefront – something that you don’t see often.
Head to Santino’s reservation page to get yourself a table.
3. Tenuta’s Italian Restaurant
Tenuta’s Italian Restaurant is the last Milwaukee-based Italian joint on this list. Founded by Cesare and Antonia Tenuta following their immigration to the States, Tenuta brings the flavors of Italy’s southern tip to the American Midwest. Tenuta is open from 4-10 p.m. every day of the week except Mondays.
The obvious antipasti (bruschetta & burrata) and pizza are on Tenuta’s menu, but the true stars are their classic southern Italian entrees, ranging from bolognese to pan-seared salmon risotto. You’ll also find an extensive wine menu and a surprisingly large beer menu, a standout in this list!
To reach out and find a table, go to Tenuta’s contact page.
4. Bar Corallini
Bar Corallini is the creation of chef and owner Giovanni Novella, named after the nickname for those who dove for small coral in his hometown, Torre del Greco. Italian cocktails and food are the names of the game here, each served with care and attention that comes only from a loving chef in the heart of Madison. Bar Corallini is open from 4-9 p.m. every day of the week except Friday when they’re open an extra hour and Monday when they’re closed.
You can expect to find several Italian classics at Bar Corallini. From traditional entrees and antipasti to vegan takes on Italian classics, there’s legitimately a meal for every palate. Bar Corallini also has an extensive housemade dessert menu and a massive, unique cocktail menu.
To book a table, head to Bar Corallini’s reservation page.
5. Naples 15
Owner and executive chef Salvatore Di Scala lived for most of his life in Italy. Since coming to the States, Di Scala developed a reputation in Madison as one of the best chefs in the area – and perhaps the States. Open from 5-11 p.m. for dinner service and closed on Sunday, Naples 15 delivers one of the only certified, authentic Neapolitan pizzas in the country and has won numerous awards.
Don’t be fooled, though – pizza isn’t the only thing on offer. You’ll find traditional Italian meals with seafood, veal, and more that it’s impossible to list it all. While the pizza is the obvious draw for true aficionados, there is legitimately a plate for every palate.
To reach out, go to Naples 15’s contact page.
6. Angelina Restaurant
Angelina Restaurant in Green Bay is yet another tale of Italian immigrants bringing delicious flavors to the Midwest. Angelina came to the States in 1993 and since then has established herself in the community as the best Italian in Green Bay. Angelina’s is open from 5-10 p.m. every day of the week except for Sundays when they’re closed.
Their menu is as broad as the experiences of the restaurant’s namesake. You’ll find classic bruschetta and Caprese antipasti, homemade pasta and sauces, and several desserts made with the utmost care.
To learn more and get a table, go to Angelina’s contact page.
7. Renzo’s Pizzeria & Trattoria
Renzo’s Pizzeria & Trattoria has been feeding the hungry in Kenosha for over 30 years. No matter your tastes or background, you’ll find that you’re greeted as family. Italian tradition is alive and well in Renzo’s and you’ll find that the flavors on offer here are simply unrivaled in the area. Renzo’s is open for lunch and dinner service every day except Tuesdays, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 4-9 p.m., closing an hour early on Sundays.
Among the dishes on offer here are many pizzas, calzones, stromboli, and a wide range of Italian-American antipasti dishes. There are also the standard Italian staples of pasta dishes and even frozen housemade gnocchi to take home!
Head to Renzo’s contact & location page for more information.
8. Italian American Society of Kenosha
The Italian American Society of Kenosha is something unique on this list. Rather than a restaurant, this is a society for those of Italian-American descent that just so happens to serve classic Italian fare. Established in 1923, this longstanding Kenosha staple is simple yet highly deserving of its reputation. They’re closed Sunday-Tuesday and open for dinner between 4-8 p.m. with an extra hour on Fridays and Saturdays.
You’ll find a simple yet highly fine-tuned menu with all of the classics. Spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, gnocchi – the Italian American Society of Kenosha has a little bit of everything. Their prices are reasonable, the servings hefty, and the environment relaxing – what more could you want?
To reach out or book an event/catering, head to the Italian American Society of Kenosha’s contact page.
9. Salute Italian Restaurant
Open since the summer of 1992, Salute Italian Restaurant is one of Racine’s most longstanding household names. They focus on creating a welcoming environment that’s rich in Italian culture and flavors. Salute is open from 4-9 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and is closed Sunday-Tuesday.
Among the dishes on offer with Salute is a broad entree menu consisting of handmade pasta, painstakingly created sauces, and house specialties such as carbonara and farfalle spinaci (spinach & ricotta farfalle). And their dessert and antipasti menu is equally impressive, boasting a rich list of appetizers and rotating housemade desserts.
To reach out, go to Salute’s contact page for more information.
10. Wells Brothers Restaurant
Unsurprisingly, Wells Brothers Restaurant was opened by the Wells brothers (James and Dominic) in Racine in 1921. Since then, the joint has grown into a family operation despite numerous fires, eventually becoming a third-generation family restaurant. That’s impressive! Wells Brothers Restaurant is open on Tuesday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., on Friday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and is closed on Sunday/Monday.
The dishes they serve are creative, authentic Italian entrees and appetizers. You’ll find pizzas, sandwiches, seafood, gluten-free options, and several daily specials. Seriously – the menu is so broad that I needed to link six menus – and there are six more where those came from! In short, no matter your tastes, there’s a plate for you with the Wells Brothers.
To find a table, go to the Wells Brothers Restaurant’s contact page.
