Italian Restaurants in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

There are many things that contribute to making Milwaukee, WI a great city to not only visit, but to live in as well. There are numerous sporting venues, shops, historical landmarks, and restaurants. There are many great restaurants in Milwaukee, especially Italian restaurants. There are various Italian restaurants scattered throughout the city of Milwaukee, so I will list and describe the top 8 Italian restaurants located in Milwaukee, in my opinion.

Louie's Trattoria

This restaurant is my favorite Italian restaurant in Milwaukee. I love to eat at Louie's Trattoria whenever I can, because they have great food at great prices. It is also located in a great location right off of Cathedral Square, making it very convenient to eat at. They have excellent and friendly service. This place is great for couples, families, or even if you feel like eating by yourself. The atmosphere of the restaurant is very peaceful and calm, and the dress is casual to somewhat business-casual. Some of the local favorites on the menu are the pizza, lasagna, pasta salad, and obviously spaghetti. This restaurant is constantly busy. They are open for lunch and dinner. The restaurant's entrees can cost anywhere from 8-20 dollars, but a majority of the items are not over 15 dollars. Louie's Trattoria is open year round, and it is especially nice to eat there in the summer because they have outdoor dining.

Ristorante Bartolotta

Ristorante Bartolotta is another popular Italian restaurant in Milwaukee. The restaurant is located in what used to be The Pabst Brewery Saloon, so their building has historical significance, thus making it and interesting and fun place to visit and eat at. Their atmosphere is very calm and welcoming, kind of reminding me of a cozy log cabin, because their interior contains a lot of natural wood. Visitors can be dressed casual. They have great service. This restaurant is somewhat unique because they host different events, the most popular being dinner and a movie, where you can dine and watch a class movie at the same time. Families and couples would enjoy this restaurant because it is unique, but most importantly they have great food. They have a wide variety of entrees such as: seafood platters, and very good homemade pasta. The food at this restaurant is a little more expensive than other Italian restaurants in Milwaukee with their entrees ranging from 15-30 dollars. This may sound a little expensive, but it is well worth it, especially if you are looking for great Italian food combined with a unique experience.

Zaffiro's

Zaffiro's is a local favorite. Most people when they think of classic Italian restaurants, they think of red and white checkered tablecloths, and this place has them. Zaffiro's is a classic Italian restaurant located in Milwaukee and has been around for over 50 years. The atmosphere in this restaurant is hectic, crowded, but fun. Their dining room is small, so I would recommend making reservations before you dine. They offer a variety of food such as pizza, pasta, sandwiches, and soda. The food is basic, but good. This isn't a fancy restaurant by any means; it is a basic Italian restaurant but if you are looking for quick, but good food try Zaffiro's. The food is very cheap compared to other Italian restaurants in the area.

Ann's Italian Restaurant

This restaurant is hidden gem in Milwaukee. They do not have the best of locations; they are housed in a converted house located behind another business, making them hard for people to see. If you have the time to search and find Ann's Italian Restaurant, you will have a great dining experience. The atmosphere is very intimate and cozy, thus making a great place for couples to dine. Since they are located in an old converted house, there are several rooms once you walk inside. Each room is decorated beautifully. Their food is excellent, they are known for their pizza, but they also have great ravioli, pasta alfredo, and various seafood entrees. There food is good, but the prices are a little bit more expensive than other Italian restaurants in Milwaukee. The entrées at Ann's range anywhere from 18-30 dollars. Great food, great service, and an excellent atmosphere makes Ann's Italian Restaurant a first-rate dining experience.

Capri Pizza Restaurant

Capri's is an excellent Italian restaurant in Milwaukee to have dinner. It is somewhat similar to Zaffiro's in that it has a small dining room, and is somewhat reminiscent of a classic Italian restaurant. They have a somewhat outdated décor, but that only adds to the experience. They have fast service, and they have a very fun atmosphere. If you choose not to eat in the dining area, you are able to do carry out. This is an awesome restaurant for anyone, especially families. They have great lasagna, pizza, and pasta that are served to you very quickly, and the portions of food that you get are quite large. Capri's food may not be the best of quality, but it is still good and better yet, cheap.

Barbiere's Italian Inn

Barbiere's goes along with the other restaurants mentioned that have a small dining room, but gives you the feeling of coziness and comfort. This is restaurant is very family oriented, and is located near Miller's Park in Milwaukee. So, many families that are enjoying the nearby park often frequent Barbiere's for some great food. If you choose not to dine-in, you can also call ahead and do carry-out. They have a variety of foods available, but the most popular are the pizza, pasta, garlic bread, and their deserts. Their food is very good and is homemade. Their staff is very friendly and fast, thus making one's dining experience even better. The food is very affordable with a majority of their entrees and items costing under 20 dollars.

Pasta Tree

If you are looking for a fancy and awesome dining experience you should visit Pasta Tree. Pasta Tree is an Italian restaurant located on the east side of Milwaukee. The atmosphere of this restaurant is somewhat intimate and warm. They have a wine bar, outside dining, and a somewhat small dining room. Their food is of great quality, with most of it being made from scratch at the restaurant. They have great ravioli, tortellini, pastas, and awesome deserts. I would recommend this restaurant to couples wanting a nice romantic dinner. They have friendly service, and you do not feel rushed when dining here, you can take the time to enjoy the atmosphere, food, and your company. The food is expensive compared to other popular Italian restaurants in Milwaukee with the average entrée costing between 18-30 dollars. You will a great experience at the Pasta Tree, and you will leave wanting to visit again and again.

Mama Mia's

Mama Mia's is located in the heart of Milwaukee on Greenfield Ave., and makes for an excellent place to have lunch and/or dinner. The atmosphere is very welcoming, but at times can be somewhat loud. The style of this restaurant is based around families. So, there often large groups dining in Mama Mia's making it hard sometimes to get seated quickly. There are always a lot people there, and a lot of times you will have to wait for a table. The food is great! They have a variety of classic pizzas, pastas, garlic bread, and a great wine list. They use only the best quality ingredients when preparing their dishes and you can definitely taste the difference. The cost of the food is expensive compared to other restaurants in Milwaukee. Each entrée can cost anywhere from 21 to 30 dollars. I would recommend Mama Mia's on Greenfield Ave. to anyone living in or visiting Milwaukee if they are looking for great, authentic Italian food. It is well worth the money!

I've only listed 8 Italian restaurants in Milwaukee, but there are many more great Italian restaurant locations scattered throughout the city of Milwaukee. Residents, as well as visitors of Milwaukee should visit one or more of the restaurants I have listed here if they are in the mood for Italian food, I promise that they will not be disappointed!