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Authentic Italian dishes abound in the Mahoning Valley.
“In the late 1800s, Italian immigrants began arriving in the Mahoning Valley, settling in places like Youngstown, Warren, Lowellville and Niles. They brought with them their culture and an abundance of food, including pasta. This food has become a staple of restaurants everywhere, including Trumbull County,” Valley native Vince Guerrieri wrote in 2018 on the cover. Trumbull County Italian Food Trail for TourismOhio.
We looked for TripAdvisor for the top 10 top rated local Italian restaurants around Youngstown. We also checked with meal delivery sites for top-ordered items on the menu.
Do you agree with this list? Tell us your favorite local Italian restaurant – or favorite menu item – by emailing [email protected] or leaving us a message at 888-655-1012, option 2.
ten. V2 Trattoria Wine Bar
- 100 W. Federal St., Youngstown;
- 330-742-5595;
- Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday and Tuesday;
- See the map.
V2, the second restaurant of Vernon Cesta, owner of Vernon’s Cafe in Niles, is on the first floor of the Federal Building at the corner of West Federal and Phelps streets. He shares many of the favorites on this menu: meatball salad, crispy calamari, edamame hummus and, of course, hot peppers in oil, according to his website. It also offers dozens of craft beers and imports and specialty martinis. Order online here Where plan a private event.
9. Pizza and Pasta Bella Napoli
- 419 E. Main St., Canfield;
- 330-533-3434;
- Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Friday; noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; closed on Mondays;
- See the map.
Owner Giuseppe Cincinnato “grew up cooking with his nine siblings in his hometown of Zia Teresa, a small island in Italy,” the restaurant’s website reads. He has worked in the restaurant business since arriving in the United States in 1975. The restaurant is known for its New York-style pizzas – and specialty pies like margherita napoletana – penne napoletana and cavatelli and meatballs. Order online or call for dining options.
8. Inner Circle Pizza Canfield
- 6579 Ironwood Blvd, Canfield;
- 330-533-7575;
- Open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily;
- See the map.
The classic menu at Inner Circle Canfield’s hometown pizzeria also features premium buffalo wings, calzones, stromboli, flatbreads, salads, hoagies, burgers and sub sandwiches.
seven. Aqua Pazzo
- 492 McClurg Road, Boardman;
- 330-965-5899;
- Open 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday; 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; closed Sunday and Monday;
- Call to make a reservation or book online with OpenTable;
- See the map.
According to its website, Aqua Pazzo, a modern Italian restaurant near South Avenue, “brings Italy to Boardman” with a wide array of pasta, steak and seafood dishes “that capture the true essence of its land. natale”, as well as specialty teas and espressos and an expansive wine list. Order online here.
6. Caffé Capri Italian Bar & Grill
- 8000 Market Street, Boardman;
- 330-726-9900;
- Open from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday and Tuesday;
- See the map.
Caffé Capri was founded in 1996 by members of the Quaranta family, local restaurateurs for more than 75 years, according to the restaurant’s website. Its menu features traditional Italian cuisine — chicken parmigiana with spaghetti, French chicken, and tiramisu are the most popular — and contemporary dishes. Order online for takeout or delivery Where ask about catering.
5. Salvatore’s Italian Grill
- 4831 Mahoning Ave, Austintown;
- 330-799-2285;
- Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; noon to 8 p.m. Sunday;
- See the map.
Salvatore restaurants, locally owned by cousins Salvatore Coppola, Mike Carannante and Michele Lucignano, have already been placed in the top three best restaurants by Vindicator readers. Its traditional pastas – meatballs or sausages, and with different pasta choices – are the most popular. The menu also features baked pastas, ravioli, steaks, seafood and pizzas. Order online at Slice Where get delivered by GrubHub.
4. MVR from Cassese
- 410 N. Walnut St., Youngstown;
- 330-746-7067;
- Open 4-9 p.m. Monday-Friday (Monday is bar service only); 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; close on Sunday;
- See the map.
MVR is a downtown landmark that’s been around since Prohibition, and it has the second-oldest liquor license in Ohio, according to its website. Among his menu favorites are Carmela’s pasta, angel hair and marinara with roasted red peppers, mushrooms and spinach; and Francesca’s chicken, sautéed in Madeira wine and garnished with provolone; and the Tressel Tortellini, named for Youngstown State University President Jim Tressel. Call for plan a banquet.
3. Restaurant and wine shop of Michael Alberini
- 1140 Boardman Poland Road, Boardman;
- 330-965-2524;
- Open 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; closed Monday and Tuesday; temporarily closed on Sundays due to lack of staff;
- See the map.
Michael Alberini’s also concocts American, Cajun and Creole cuisine. This restaurant just off Interstate 680 has a “global-local philosophy”. According to its website, it sources the produce and meats locally for its international menu items. It claims to be “one of the best calf farms around, and that’s no boasting.” It also offers hundreds of wines. Its cellar is open from noon to closing time from Wednesday to Saturday. Its large banquet hall up to 110 seats.
2. Pizza Wedgewood Fernando
- 1620 and 1622 S. Raccoon Road, Austintown;
- 330-799-2102;
- Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday;
- See the map.
“Never lower the quality. That’s the thing. If you change, always change for something better,” are the standards of Wedgewood owner Fernando Riccioni. This iconic pizzeria, founded in 1967, has gained national recognition for its Brier Hill style pie (tomato sauce, green peppers and Romano). For his 90th birthday in 2020, Austintown trustees presented Riccioni with the key to the township. Its menu is nothing extravagant, say the owners – “we only do pizza!” Order online through Slice.
1. Station Square Ristorante
- 4250 Belmont Ave, Liberty;
- 330-759-8802;
- The kitchen opens at 11 a.m. Monday to Saturday; close on Sunday;
- See the map.
Station Square, just off Interstate 80, was founded in 1986 and purchased in 2001 by Italian chef Ottavio Musumeci and his wife Bridget. Some of his most popular dishes are Chicken Parmesan, VIP Stuffed Mushrooms and, for dessert, Cannoli. The restaurant received Wine Spectator’s Best Of Excellence award in 2021, for the ninth time in a row, according to its website. You can plan a banquet at one of four locations. Station Square also hosts private events.
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