Talking about the “best” of anything is highly subjective. The best for one guy might not be the best for another. But when it comes to Italian restaurants there are a few that stand out and year after year they appear on lists of the “Best Italian Restaurants in the World.”
Osteria Francescana, Modena, Italy
Where else! Of course, this list has to include some restaurants in Italy, and Osteria Francescana (Franciscan Tavern) is among the best of the best. At the helm is restaurant owner and chef, Massimo Bottura. The restaurant has 3 Michelin stars and scores highly in the Italian food guide IÉspresso-Ristoranti dÍtalia. It has also been named among the top Italian eateries in the William Reed list of The World’s Best 50 Restaurants which is published annually. The restaurant has been described as being classic, without pretense. The decor is a modern classical style, with crisp white linen tablecloths, and comfortable leather restaurant chairs with armrests. The menu pays homage to Massimo’s childhood memories of traditional Italian home-cooked cuisine but it is served with a contemporary, minimalistic twist.
Da Vittorio, Shanghai, China
If you’re traveling to China then don’t miss Da Vittorio. The Cerea family had been serving Italian seafood dishes in Brusaporto, Italy for over 50 years before opening in Shanghai in 2019. Located at Shanghai’s famous Bund, Da Vittorio serves satisfied customers in elegant, stylish surroundings. The intimate restaurant holds 14 tables but there are also private dining rooms and a banquet room. The overall design aesthetic is reminiscent of the mid-century modern style. Leading the kitchen are Chef Stefano Bacchelli and Chef Leonardo Zambrano. They use local and imported seasonal ingredients and create signature dishes like Paccheri Alla Vittorio, and some dishes that combine Asian and Italian styles like the popular fish maw pasta. And don’t miss the mashed potatoes and white truffle or the pigeon cooked in bread crust, dry fruits, and morel mushrooms. The Guida al Migliori Ristoranti Italiani in Italia e Nel Mondo 2023 named Da Vittorio as the Best Italian Restaurant in the World.
Don Alonso 1890, Toronto, Canada
Don Alonso is Toronto’s most celebrated restaurant. It was established in 1890 and has since earned countless accolades. The Michelin-star restaurant sits on the top of the Westin Harbour Castle, on the edge of Lake Ontario. The restaurant showcases the cuisine of Chefs Ernesto and Alfonso Laccarino and celebrates the flavors of the Amalfi Coast. In addition to Toronto, the restaurant has branches in Sant’Agata, on the Amalfi Coast; Levello, Basilicata; Helena Bay; New Zealand, and Macau, China. The food is characterized by modern Mediterranean flavors and exceptional quality, using the best raw ingredients. They offer a tasting menu, an a la carte menu, and a lounge menu. Each mouthful is a symphony of flavors, for example, Il Trionfo Alla Nocciola – Piedmont hazelnut parfait, mousse, sponge cake, and raspberry marmalade, topped with 24 karat gold leaf. Or the ravioli stuffed with west coast crab in Mediterranean-style ragu, crab legs, and cheese and pepper sauce.
Fiola, Washington DC, USA
You don’t have to fly halfway across the world to taste the best Italian food in the world. There are several internationally ranked Italian restaurants in the USA. Fiola is one of the eateries that frequently makes it to the “top” list. This excellent restaurant has been around for 11 years and is a Michelin-starred establishment run by acclaimed Chef Fabio Trabocchi. Their signature characteristic is farm-fresh ingredients and fine-dining authentic Italian traditional dishes creatively modernized. From the Alba white truffle shavings that can be added to any dish to the whole wheat bread with pumpkin and flax seeds, and oat. Attention is given to every detail to make it a memorable gastronomic experience. And don’t leave without tasting The Golden Cow – Piemontese-style soft Robiola cheese with cranberry ginger compote, crystallized bread, and olive oil jam.
More Top Italian Restaurants
In case your travels take you to other cities of the world and you want to try the best Italian food around, then here are a few more of the top Italian restaurants in the world: Il
- Carpaccio, Paris, France
- LOcanda Locatelli, London, England
- Rezdora, New York, USA
- Masseria, Washington DC, USA
- Acquarello, San Francisco, USA