Diners' Choice: Italian restaurants in Milwaukee

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Italian cuisine in Milwaukee? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyses more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favourites. 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 1 day 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 (318)

$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

Nick

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

What a gem to the city of Milwaukee. Place had excellent service and amazing food.

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4.8

4.8 (2916)

$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

ChrisVIP

Dined today

Zarletti was fantastic all around! Great atmosphere, delicious, unique food, fantastic service. Amanda was wonderful! Will definitely make this a regular stop when I’m in Milwaukee!!

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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 3 days ago

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

Sorella

4.7

4.7 (1144)

$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

Claire

Dined 1 day ago

Service is always courteous and the food delicious. We've returned many times and each time is excellent. Highly recommend.

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4.7

4.7 (2624)

$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

Abby

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

We loved the food and ambience was great. Will definitely be back! Thank you!!

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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 today

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

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Popular dish

Pappardelle Bolognese

4.4

4.4 (1151)

$31 to $50

Italian

Mequon

About the restaurant

Zarletti Mequon: A dining experience designed by restauranteur, Brian Zarletti. The restaurant reflects Brian’s lifelong passion for Italian wine, food, and culture bringing a genuinità to Zarletti Mequon that can be felt throughout.

We hope you enjoy the simple, thoughtful cuisine. Whether it’s our Neopolitan pizza, hand-crafted in the wood-burning oven imported from Italy, or one of our many housemade pastas, each dish is prepared and presented with both appetite and aesthetic in mind.

We are thrilled to welcome you to the world of Italian food, wine, and fun! Buon appetito!

Top review

TrudyVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Food was great. Service was a little slow, but she tried! Will definitely come back.

Maggiano's - Milwaukee

4.5

4.5 (2845)

$30 and under

Italian

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

Join us for lunch or dinner at Maggiano's Mayfair Mall and savor the rich flavors of Italian-American dishes inspired by Nonna’s traditional recipes. Sit and enjoy a delicious Italian meal at our two-story location, which offers 3 banquet rooms, a beautiful patio and an award winning landscape giving guests a memorable experience. Visit us at 2500 N Mayfair Rd. and book your reservation today!

Top review

Carol

Dined 5 days ago

Our waitress was fabulous...whole experience was very enjoyable.

Bravo Italian Kitchen - Milwaukee - Brookfield

4.3

4.3 (1260)

$30 and under

Italian

Brookfield

About the restaurant

Bravo Brookfield is an upscale-casual Italian restaurant in Brookfield, perfect for those seeking authentic pasta, wood-fired pizza, and signature entrées. Enjoy handcrafted cocktails and wine in our inviting, family-friendly atmosphere, surrounded by stunning Roman-ruin décor. Planning a holiday party or Thanksgiving celebration? We offer catering services and easy reservations to make your event special. Whether dining in or ordering online, Bravo Brookfield is the place to eat in Brookfield, WI for great Italian cuisine. Visit us today-reserve your table or order online!

Top review

Jeffrey

Dined 7 days ago

Outstanding service for a group of 17 of us. Couldn't ask for better servers! They were very patient with us as we celebrated the holidays early with family from out of state. Thank you Bravo Team!

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Popular dish

Eggplant Parmesan (V)

Popular dish

Lasagne

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