3 of Duluth’s Best Italian Restaurants (2023 Edition)
If you're in the mood for flavorful Italian cuisine, look no further than Duluth, MN! Our quaint city on the shore of Lake Superior is home to some of the best Italian restaurants in all of Minnesota. Whether you're in the mood for a cozy meal with the family, a romantic date night, or a luxurious lunch there's an Italian restaurant in Duluth that's perfect for you. Here are three of our top picks!
Va Bene
Va Bene is a Duluth Italian restaurant that is located a few blocks East of Fitgers. Va Bene offers authentic, in-house made-from-scratch Italian cuisine, with an amazing view overlooking Lake Superior.
The atmosphere can be described as casual and relaxed. Their menu features a range of salads, soups, fresh in-house-made Italian pastas, gnocchi, pan-seared seafood, Paninis, and a rotating series of made-from-scratch desserts.
Va Bene’s drink menu features over 20 perfectly crafted cocktails and signature Martinis. They also offer a variety of wines, beers, Italian coffee, tea, espresso, and sodas.
We recommend Va Bene to anyone looking for great authentic Italian cuisine in Duluth that comes with an easy and relaxed environment.
(Duluth Locals Tip - We highly recommend you call ahead of time to create reservations, this is especially true if you would like one of their tables overlooking Lake Superior.)
To learn more about Va Bene or get directions visit their profile here
Bellisios
Bellisio’s Italian Restaurant is located in Canal Park. Bellisio’s offers a high class ambiance and beautiful interior with a team of servers who are consummate professionals.
Their menu features a range of starter options including their bread basket with house-made Italian Focaccia bread which is served with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. For entrees, they have multiple specialty dishes, char-grilled steaks, authentic Italian pastas made with high-quality imported Parmigiano-Reggiano, and a selection of Sausage or shrimp Risotto. In addition to the Parmigiano-Reggiano they import from Italy, Bellisio’s also imports fettuccine and uses European-style butter for their amazing alfredo that can be served solely with their homemade sauce or complemented with grilled shrimp or chicken.
Bellisio’s pairs its authentic Italian dishes with an extensive wine list that features over 500 different wines, 125 of which can be ordered by the glass. In total, they carry over 4,000 bottles in their local Duluth Italian restaurant.
(Duluth Locals Tip - If you’re new to the wine scene don’t let the number of offerings intimidate you. Their staff is extremely knowledgeable and happy to help you find the perfect pairing for your meal. Also, if you want to sample ask about their four wine flight option!)
To learn more about Bellisio’s or get directions visit their profile here
Valentini’s Italian Bistro
Since 1934 Valentini’s has been sharing their Authentic Italian Cuisine with folks of Minnesota. Originating in Chisholm, MN the family-owned restaurant expanded to the Duluth area in 2008, where they opened a new Bistro in Hermantown off of Miller Trunk Highway.
At their Duluth location, Valentini’s offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner selections. (While their breakfast menu is beyond the scope of this post we will just say their Italian Style French Toast is amazing and worth a try!)
If you visit the Bistro for lunch you’ll get to choose from their lineup of Italian Style Appetizers, Salads, Pizzas, Burgers, and Specialty Italian dishes including the likes of chicken alfredo, lasagna, and gnocchi to name a few. They also offer 6 specialty Italian Pastas, and 10 sandwich and wrap variations which they serve with Hot Kettle Chips.
For dinner at Vanlentini’s you’ll find a menu with some selections overlapping from their lunch menu including Italian Style Appetizers, and their specialty Italian pastas including their locals’ favorite Lasagna. If you look closely you’ll find two pasta dishes that are only offered on their dinner menu - their Spicy Shrimp Linguini, and Mediterranean Cheese Ravioli. The dinner menu also features a series of Italian Entrees that include grilled steaks, kabobs, and chicken, pan-fried walleye, Eggplant Parmesan, and their 3 piece chicken cacciatore Dinner which is served with a rosemary wine sauce and a side pasta of your choice.
Regardless of which mean you join them for, when you dine at Valentini’s Italian Restaurant you experience a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Their food is expertly prepared and their atmosphere has that little extra joy and passion that comes with being a multi-generational family-owned Italian restaurant!
To learn more about Valentini’s or get directions visit their profile here
Conclusion
While there without a doubt more amazing pasta’s, pizza’s, and Italian-inspired cuisines in the city of Duluth the three that we named above are some local favorites with the community. While each of the three may offer some similar dishes they each bring their own expertise, tradition, and authentic flavors to our city! Thanks to their hard work and dedication to their craft we can enjoy a taste of Italy in our friendly community on the shores of Lake Superior.
