Did you know there are over 60,000 Italian restaurants in the United States?

With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to know which dishes you should try. In a city like Las Vegas, it’s an even harder decision to make. That’s why we’re here to help you learn about a few of the best Italian dishes to choose from.

Read on to find your new favorite.

The Classics

Traveling is the best time to try something new, but sometimes you just want to stick with what you know. With how diverse Italian cooking is, it can feel like you’re trying a new dish each time anyway.

Here are a few of our favorites.

Caprese

Starting off with lighter fare leaves room for more things to try later, and Caprese is the perfect starting option. A salad with fresh imported Bufala mozzarella, vine ripe tomatoes, basil, pine nuts, and a balsamic reduction make up our happy hour Caprese.

For wine options, you’re best to start with an acidic white wine, like Pinot Grigio, Prosecco, or Vermentino. 

Margherita Pizza

Keeping it simple, Margherita pizza comes on a thin crust with a layer of tomato sauce, topped with mozzarella cheese and fresh basil. This dish is perfect for a group or yourself, depending on how light you’d like to keep your fare.

Similar to Caprese, Pinot Grigio is the perfect partner for this classic pizza. 

Pasta e Fagiole

Another starter, Pasta e Fagiole, or pasta and bean soup, is the perfect way to warm your body up before dinner. Each Italian restaurant has its own way of making this famous soup, so it’s never going to feel like you’re eating the same thing twice.

It might seem unnecessary to try, but making the space for soup before your meal is a great primer for whatever you’d like as a main entree.

Taste of Something New

If you’re feeling adventurous, though, trying a new dish is the perfect way to get out of your comfort zone. Whether you’re in the mood for something light and refreshing or rich and savory, you’ll be able to find it.

Polipo

A Sicilian favorite, Polipo is made with marinated octopus, potato, black olive, and fried capers. Each ingredient is left to simmer together and soften.

This dish is another great primer for whatever entree you’d like to eat.

Pappardelle Mimmo

Our pappardelle Mimmo is made with long, wide pasta and paired with scallops, lobster, asparagus, butter, sage, and truffle. Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay is a great pairing for this savory dish. They’re light enough to add flavor to the dish without taking away from the rest of the ingredients.

Spaghetti Scoglio

If you’re in the mood for seafood, this is the perfect plate. This pasta dish comes with clams, shrimp, scallops, mussels, squid, and Campari tomatoes. Pair it with a dry white wine for the perfect balance for your dinner.

Bucatini Amatriciana

For the nights you’re not interested in seafood, Bucatini Amatriciana is a great pick. This dish combines long, hollow pasta with guanciale pancetta, tomato, pecorino cheese, and pepper flakes for a rich, spicy addition to any dinner.

The great thing about this dish is that you can pair it with either red or white wine. If you prefer white wine, Pecorino is a great choice. For red wine, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is your best option.

Both these dry options are perfect for offsetting the spiciness of the dish without detracting from the overall flavor. Both add depth to your dinner without overwhelming one another, making it the perfect plate for any occasion.

Desserts to Try

Nothing ends a good meal quite like something sweet. Whether it’s sticking to the classics or reaching for something new, these dessert options are sure to satisfy you.

Tiramisu

There’s nothing that ends a meal better than classic tiramisu. With ladyfingers, mascarpone cheese, and espresso, you’ll leave wanting to come right back.

If you want to pair your dessert with a glass of wine, a dessert-style sweet wine, like Marsala or Vin Santo, are both excellent options.

Passione Pistachio

If you want a sweet dessert to pair with espresso after you’re done eating, our passione pistachio is the way to go.

Atop a rich walnut crust, you’ll find pistachio cream layered with cream cheese custard. The bitterness from a fresh espresso is the perfect flavor to offset the sweetness of this dessert.

Gelato or Sorbetto

For something icy, reach for gelato or sorbetto after your meal. Each Italian restaurant has its own variation of this dessert, so it’s best to take a good look at the menu or ask your server about flavors for the day.

Sorbetto tends to be fruity and light with an icy texture. Gelato is made with dairy and is typically smoother than sorbetto, coming in flavors you’d typically associate with ice cream.

Ready to Try the Best Italian?

Do any of these dishes sound like something you want to try? Whether you’re going for something new or want a taste of the classics, each Italian restaurant can add its own spin to keep flavors new every time.

When it comes to the best Italian food in Las Vegas, Ferraro’s is the place to go. Book a reservation today.