15 Best Italian Restaurants near Cave Creek

“I went there with a large group (nearly 20) and we had the most wonderful time. The environment felt like a family dinner, the food like a home cooked meal. The highlight was by far the Cesar salad. The staff was amazing and friendly and made it a great night. The even accommodated us on short notice on a Saturday night.

The group I was with had just spent the day commemorating the life of a lost friend and dinner at your restaurant was really heartwarming and healing. Thank you Albert, Roberto and everyone else who served us.“

“Great service with an amazing staff. Food was above and beyond our expectations. please ignore the negative Nancy reviews, some people just cannot stand seeing people succeed while they fail in their own lives.“

“Amazing service from the hostess to the waitresses and the food there is made with a love and flavor i havent had before! Take a trip and pay your compliments to the chef! This restaurant is amazing!!! i would highly recommend the ragin cajun chicken“

“A great neighborhood pizza place! They serve pizza by the slice for lunchtime at a great price. Barro’s on Cave Creek Rd is very supportive of local school groups like our high school band, and always willing to host a restaurant night to help us out. (Fast turn on getting the turnout numbers and check too) We absolutely love our local Barro’s Pizza! And yes, of course the pizza is delicious. Win-win for everyone, and scrumptious pizza. 🍕🍕❤️❤️“

“The pizza and salad were really good but the mango-habanero wings were to die for 😋. Really impressed will the great service and the cozy comfortable neighborhood vibe. Cheers to the owners 🍻“

“Having dined here several times, I can confidently say this restaurant continues to impress where it matters most — the food. Each visit reaffirms its standing as a place that knows how to deliver bold, authentic flavors and a well-balanced dining experience. On my most recent visit, every dish from our table was spot-on, beautifully prepared, and deeply satisfying. The kitchen remains the restaurant’s strongest asset — consistently turning out vibrant, flavorful plates that celebrate Italian cuisine without pretense. The cocktails arrived promptly and were well-crafted, setting the tone for an enjoyable meal. The wine list deserves a special nod: it offers a thoughtful selection of Italian wines that are both excellent and reasonably priced — a rarity that regulars will appreciate. Ambiance can vary depending on the night. At times, the tables feel a bit tightly packed, and the noise level can climb higher than comfortable. This visit, however, was more balanced — the addition of live music created a warm, convivial atmosphere, and conversation flowed easily. Service, unfortunately, remains the restaurant’s weakest link. Our server spoke so quickly that explanations about the menu were rushed and unclear, and attention throughout the meal was uneven. While this lack of polish doesn’t overshadow the exceptional kitchen, it does detract from what could otherwise be a near-perfect dining experience. In short, come for the food — it’s worth it. The culinary team continues to deliver excellence on the plate, making this a restaurant that earns repeat visits. But with a bit more focus on service refinement, it could elevate from “very good” to truly outstanding. Bottom Line: ⭐ Food: 9/10 – Consistently excellent, authentic, and flavorful 🍷 Drinks: 8.5/10 – Strong cocktails and a well-priced Italian wine list 🎶 Ambiance: 8/10 – Lively, sometimes loud, but charming with live music 💁 Service: 6.5/10 – Rushed and inattentive; room for improvement 💰 Overall Value: 8.5/10 – Excellent food at fair prices Verdict: Go for the cuisine — and hope the service soon matches the kitchen’s brilliance.“

“We where a party of 8 celebrating my birthday. All of dinners where different and each one was very good and beautifully presented. The service was attentive and just at the right pace. Thank you Giordano’s we enjoyed“

“Friendly, delicious and timely. I love this place!“

“OMG. The best food ever. Lovely Owner. I highly recommend. ❤️❤️❤️ love you Gigi“

“Nick's is my goto Italian restaurant. There are a lot of Italian restaurants in Scottsdale but Nick's stands out because of the consistency and classic Italian entrees. Their gnocchi is the best I've had outside of Italy. My favorite entrees are the veal picatta, Marcela and parmasean.

Their tiramasu is the best I've had anywhere.“

“A local staple under new ownership, Lorenzo may not be in the kitchen, but the great dishes are frankly better! He was always a little heavy handed with the salt, sorry. Portions are huge, menu is expensive, and the service is perfect. Nothing fancy, but just great, dependable Italian fare, at family friendly prices. Our favorite, once again!“

“Spiga Cucina Italiana is easily one of the best Italian meals we’ve had in Scottsdale. From the moment we walked in, the space felt warm and inviting – cozy lighting, lots of wood, and an elegant yet relaxed vibe that works equally well for a family dinner or a date night. The staff was friendly, attentive, and on top of things without ever feeling intrusive. 

The star of the evening was the pasta. You can really taste that it’s made fresh in-house – the texture has that perfect bite and the sauces are rich without being heavy. The agnolotti, in particular, was outstanding: delicate pillows of pasta with a deeply flavorful filling and a sauce that you want to mop up every last drop of. Every pasta dish we tried had clean, balanced flavors, the kind of food that makes you slow down and enjoy each bite. 

Dessert was just as memorable. The chocolate cake was rich and indulgent without being cloyingly sweet, and the tiramisu was exactly what you hope for – light layers with plenty of mascarpone, soft ladyfingers, and just the right hit of coffee. It felt like a proper Italian finish to the meal rather than an afterthought. 

And the unexpected hero of the night: the garlic bread. Fresh, hot, and perfectly crispy on the outside while still soft inside, with enough garlic and olive oil to be addictive but not overpowering. It really was the icing on the cake and set the tone for everything that followed.

Overall, Spiga Cucina Italiana delivers on all fronts – food, ambience, and service. We’ll definitely be back and would recommend it to anyone looking for genuinely good Italian in North Scottsdale.“

“The pizza was delicious! The people in the kitchen are hard working, most of them family members. I wasn’t impressed with the hostess, or a couple waitress, although others were great. Being in the Restaurant business for yours it’s just really hard for me to watch somebody just stand around, especially when there’s dirty, filthy areas that could be clean, even just the top of tables and condiments.
We did enjoy the pizza, we might order to take out. I was a bit disgusted by the attire that a couple people wore. I think you need to be more presentable when you’re working with the public. Not just my opinion.
I JUST——-“

“The pastas are wonderful, especially the carbonara. We had a great waiter, attentive and friendly. Somehow, I think the pizzas are different than I remembered, maybe smaller? They just didn't look the same as before. However, the taste was still good. Love eating outdoors, and a Wednesday was perfect because there was no live music. The only downside to eating outdoors here is that the music is loud if you sit near the guitar player, making it hard to talk at the table. Otherwise, the outdoor space is great.“

“I'ts like going back home to Chicago!!! Square cut, lots of sauce and seasoning... XOXOXO!!!!“