5 great restaurants for Italian food in Ann Arbor

ANN ARBOR, MI -- We all seem to know where to find pizza in Ann Arbor, but, where do you go when you want an authentic Italian meal?

Ann Arbor has a variety of Italian restaurants that pride themselves on their cuisine that includes their homemade pasta, pizza and many other dishes.

Here are five Ann Arbor restaurants to check out if you are interested in exploring and eating some popular Italian dishes.

Mani Osteria and Bar

Mani Osteria and Bar has been bringing handmade pasta, wood-fired pizza and its well-known antipasti to Ann Arbor since 2011.

Try pasta dishes like baked gnocchi, ricotta ravioli, Bolognese and carbonara sauces, or take a bite out of any one of its many wood-fired pizzas, which include pepperoni, Margherita, red onion and pistachio.

The Italian restaurant at 341 E. Liberty St. also has an extensive wine menu with options for white, red, rosé and sparkling.

The restaurant is open 4 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday. Learn more about Mani Osteria and Bar online, on social media or by phone at 734-769-6700.

Paesano Restaurant & Wine Bar — MLive file photo of Paesano's rigatoni with country greens on Wednesday, November 8, 2017.ANN ARBOR NEWS

Paesano Restaurant and Wine Bar

Experience seasonal Italian dishes at Paesano Restaurant and Wine Bar.

The family-owned restaurant at 3411 Washtenaw Ave. has been operating since 1984 bringing all kinds of Italian dishes to Ann Arbor, including some classics like its Rigatoni and Country Greens, Shrimp Scampi, Classic Marsala and Paesano Lasagna.

The business makes its own pasta, bread, sauces and desserts with locally sourced ingredients. Paesano also offers vegan options, and can prepare a few gluten free dishes.

Along with serving Italian cuisine, the restaurant offers three levels of Italian language classes, Italian cooking classes, a popular series of wine tastings and wine education classes.

Find Paesano Restaurant online, on social media or by phone at 734-971-0484.

Bean soup The Earle — The white bean soup at The Earle in Ann Arbor, also filled with pork, pasta and tomatoes. Topped with parmesan cheese.Sam Dodge | MLive.com

The Earle Restaurant

Enjoy a glass of wine and explore The Earle’s extensive menu, mixed with both Italian and French cuisine.

The Earle opened in 1977 as a jazz club that sold sandwiches, soups and omelets until 1979 when it decided to transform into what it is today. Now, customers can try dishes like bruschetta, eggplant parmesan and many other meals.

The restaurant’s extensive wine list features more than 1,200 selections and has received the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence for 35 consecutive years. The Earle also features live jazz and piano and guitar performances.

The Earle Restaurant, 121 W. Washington St., is open from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 5 to 9:30 p.m. Friday through Saturday and 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Learn more about The Earle Restaurant online, on social media or by phone at 734-994-0211.

Palio

The longtime Ann Arbor restaurant began serving its country-style Italian meals to Ann Arbor in 1991.

Palio serves pasta dishes, such as rigatoni Bolognese, fettucine alfredo, cavatappi pesto and more. The Italian restaurant also has some pasta specialties, pizza, antipasti and desserts like espresso chocolate cake and tiramisu.

Over the years, the restaurant has expanded its operations with a second location in Grand Rapids.

The restaurant’s hours are 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday, 5 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 4 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Find Palio, 347 S. Main Street, online, on social media or by phone at 734-930-6156.

Bigalora Wood Fired Cucina

Discover pizzas, pastas, soups and desserts at Bigalora Wood Fired Cucina in Ann Arbor.

The restaurant brings a multitude of pizza options. Customers can order Bacco Sausage pizza, that features mozzarella, roasted onion, hot peppers and house made sausage or a Vegetali pizza that has mozzarella, roasted yellow tomatoes, red drop peppers and arugula salad.

The Italian restaurant has other locations in Royal Oak, Plymouth and Southfield. Along with pizza, Bigalora also serves smalls plates, salads, soups, pasta, entrees and desserts.

The restaurant’s hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Find Bigalora Wood Fired Cucina, 3050 Washtenaw Ave. Site 112, online, on social media and by phone at 734-971-2442.

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