17 Best Italian Restaurants in Detroit

“Having recently dined at Mad Nice, with an exceptional waitress Alaina, at an upscale Italian-inspired establishment nestled in Detroit’s vibrant Midtown at 4120 Second Ave, I find myself compelled to share an erudite reflection on what proved to be a most memorable culinary experience. This restaurant, a venture by Heirloom Hospitality Group, masterfully intertwines the rustic charm of Italian tradition with a modern, coastal California sensibility—an ambitious fusion that, on this occasion, delivered a resounding success. What truly distinguishes Mad Nice, however, is its outstanding customer service—a rarity in an era where such attention can sometimes wane. The staff, from the warm hosts to the attentive servers, exuded a genuine passion for their craft. Our waitress, Alaina, was nothing short of exceptional—her humor and knowledge enriched the evening, as she anticipated our needs with an almost preternatural finesse, ensuring that water glasses remained filled and recommendations flowed freely. My sister Alaina’s evident pride in her work elevated the meal from excellent to extraordinary, making her a standout memory of the night. In sum, Mad Nice is a culinary gem that not only meets but exceeds the lofty expectations set by its stylish veneer. The food is delicious, the choices abundant, the drinks sublime, and the service—thanks in no small part to Alaina—unparalleled. I wholeheartedly recommend it to locals and travelers alike, and I, for one, shall make it a ritual to return whenever my journeys bring me back to this dynamic city. Mad Nice is not merely a restaurant; it is a destination, a delightful paradox of “mad” ambition and “nice” execution that lingers long after the last bite.“

“Great experience. Kimberly went above and beyond. Will definitely return.“

“We celebrated my birthday after a late arrival at Detroit Metro Airport on a weeknight. The hostess, our waiter, and servers were all very friendly and helpful. Everyone was wonderful, the food was fantastic, and the atmosphere was perfect. It was one of my favorite birthday celebrations. Thanks so much for always making my visits to Detroit extra!“

“Super fresh subs and veggie tray. Gonella's trays were a hit for our party!“

“If I could give more stars, I definitely would! Everything was delicious 😋“

“Food was amazing and staff was incredible“

“Excelente !!!!! Para una buena estadía y tomarte algo refrescante“

“The food was outstanding - that’s first. From raclette to start to trout for our shared entree and then farro pudding dessert, every bit was perfectly balanced and delicious. But the sense of community and camaraderie was even better. Cannot wait to return.“

“Wow! Had one of our best meals in Sorrento tonight. Make sure to put this one on your list!“

“Such a great Birthday experience! From the delicious whipped feta, filet mignon, and date cake to our AmaZing server Rasool who was efficient, engaging and entertaining and the atmosphere is simply beautiful.“

“Wife & I love the friendly atmosphere. To complement that statement, the food & drink is second to none ! We've met so many people there, it's amazing ! As mentioned previously the food is amazing, and the best way I can define / complement the bar is, Stephaine, Skylar, and John are NOT bartenders, they are cocktail ENGINEERS !!!“

“Fantastic food. Pizza was amazing as well as the chicken Parm.“

“Best pizza ever, crunchy, juicy and tasty“

“Oh MAN Rocco's is the place I have searched for in vain until last year when I tried them for the first time. Since that first meatball sub I have had almost every sandwich on the menu and so far not one has disappointed! Today I had the Corner Deli and was transported to Italian paradiso! In case you non-Italians did not know, ciabatta is the Italian baguette and Rocco's bakes many fresh loaves several times per day! Usually it is still warm from the oven even if you get a cold sandwich! There is no better sandwich bread in my progenic-Italian opinion! They are in Midtown on Cass just East of Mack. Try them if you have yet to do so. You will thank the gods!“

“We ate here for the first time had the Fungchi and the San Gennaro fabulous best pizza we have ever had. Very light crust which brought out the true flavors that were on top of the pizza. Highly recommend if you are in Detroit and want great pizza.“

“Our server Jazzman was great and very professional … on top of being “Stunning” Food was absolutely delicious ‼️“

“Our server Carina was outstanding, knowledgeable and polite. The truffle bumblebee app was a little underwhelming and lacked flavor. The pizzas however were on point. Piping hot and flavorful, great crust. We will certainly be returning. As far as cost goes, dining downtown it is what it is. Can't really say they're overpriced considering most restaurants in that area are on that same ticket price“