Comedian John Pinette used to joke how he would go into Italian restaurants, and then in Italian, say “sono affamato,” or roughly “feed me, I'm hungry.” Italian restaurants in Michigan have long succeeded in satisfying customers with truly authentic cuisine. So settle in, tuck in your bib, loosen your belt a notch or two and try great Italian restaurants in Michigan.
If the name sounds way too kid-friendly for anyone's own good, never fear. Muskegon's Teddy Spaghetti's will deliver plenty of adult-friendly fare as well. Best known for its toasted ravioli—it says as much right on the sign—Teddy Spaghetti's offers a range of pizza, pasta, and appetizer options. An array of house wines make it clearly adult, while a children's menu augments the experience for the younger set as well, making it a fully family-friendly option.
Head on out to Midland to check out Villa D' Alessandro, an Italian restaurant operating there for over 30 years. That kind of longevity speaks well of any restaurant, especially one in a comparatively cosmopolitan area like Midland. Throw in the fact that a good chunk of Villa D' Alessandro's food—including meats, cheeses and wines—are directly imported from Italy itself, and it grows much of its own produce in its own gardens, that adds up to an experience you can't readily beat.
Southfield's Bacco Ristorante has won its share of awards, and when looking closely at it, you'll see just why it's won those awards. Start with a top-notch wine list, and follow it up with hand-rolled pasta. Now that's the kind of thing that will make you look twice. When you take your third look, however, focus on the menu itself; check out authentic dishes like pappardelle and tagliatelle to realize you're dealing with a real winner.
Ann Arbor's Paesano restaurant takes Italian food seriously. How seriously? Seriously enough to offer three different levels of Italian language classes, that's how seriously. A complete wine list, a gluten-free menu, and dishes ranging from the Bucatini Rustichella to the Pork Arista with Dried Fig Au Jus, all come together to make Paesano a thoroughly formidable Italian dining experience.