This place is a hidden gem. Michelina will come out from the kitchen to check on everyone-- such a nice touch. Been here for 3 decades for a reason!!! Even the waitstaff has been with them for just as long!! Brad always remembers what we drink. This is a true Italian family restaurant and the food is authentic! Prices are extremely reasonable .. and I often have enough for lunch the next day :) If I could only get gnocchi on the menu ... but then I may just be there every day then! read more

Wonderful little restaurant hidden in a strip mall. Great food. Service is top notch. If you have not tried this food you are missing a real treat. read more

This place was absolutely amazing. Michelina puts so much love into her food and you definitely can taste it. This woman cooks so good I wanted to kiss her hands. From the moment we walked into the restaurant they did nothing but impress. They knew my name and who I was as soon as we walked in. Greeted me and took us to our beautifully set candle lit table. The intimate, gorgeous, flower-filled restaurant illuminated alluring lighting. The manager was a master of his craft. He was an absolute pleasure. He knew everything on the menu and off the menu. We started off with the bread, olive oil, with a little balsamic, la caprese. The tomato was so fresh and the tomato and the mozzarella were perfectly sliced. The wine we ordered was a Malbec. Hands down the best wine I've ever had. We were going to order a salad but they bring you a delicious salad before you receive your meal. I was unsure about what to choose for my entree because everything looked so great. I thought I would keep it simple with spaghetti and meatballs with angel hair pasta. I should have known by now, nothing is simple with this place. It was the best spaghetti and meatballs I've ever had! After the meal, they brought us these small drinks. I'm not sure what they were but they had a hint of mint, and honey. Very delicious. We will definitely be back. read more

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We were in town for a few days and we were searching for a restaurant to meet up with friends that was half way between the Arizona Biltmore and JW Marriott. We LUCKED into finding Michelina's!! The waiter, the food, the ambience was all EXACTLY what we were hoping for! Loved it so much! read more

Found this place searching online for veal parmigiana. The food was excellent and the service by Joe was impeccable. I always judge an Italian restaurant on the marinara and it was excellent here. I can't wait to come back. read more

An "old-school" place that absolutely lives up to the billing. Just about all of their pastas are homemade, the bread they bring out before the meal is outstanding, and the waiter loved so many of the dishes that they make that he can't make a full recommendation on just one. My GF had the pasta pesto, and the pesto sauce is unbelievable. I had the tortellini, and it was outstanding. Will definitely be back! read more

We had not been to Michelina's for over a year. In the past it had always been a real treat. This time , with my wife and I, was no exception. As soon as we entered we were by the friendly staff as if we were old friends. We enjoyed the wonderful fresh-from-oven bread as we reviewed the menu and ordered wine. My wife ordered the lasagna and I had the eggplant parmigiana. We started with the included house salad, which was more than adequate. Both of our entrees were steaming hot and delicious. My wife loves Michelina's lasagna because the noodles are nice and thin like she remembers having years ago in Rome. My eggplant parmigiana was perfectly cooked with a nice texture, piled high with a very satisfying sauce and plenty of cheese. The portions were enormous, so we were able to enjoy them again for lunch a couple of days later. Our dinner was topped off with a complimentary Amaretto-based, after-dinner drink to send us on our way. We thought our dining experience at Michelina's was exceptional and we can't wait to return. read more

Great Italian restaurant. Everything tasted very fresh. Service was excellent. The menu selections are wide ranging. The personal touch given to the service was a breath of fresh air. We loved it. The cappuccino was especially wonderful. The final dinner"mint" was beautiful end to a great meal. read more

My son and I both ordered the Fehttuchini Alfredo. Eeeekkkk it was awful! Let me first say the pasta disintegrated in my bowl because it was so over cooked. As I pushed around my food it looked as if the Fehttuchini was cut into little pieces? Is this normal? My husband completely setup my whole birthday dinner with my family and friends. We were all disappointed in all of our meals. But I didn't try everyone's and can only speak to my own. We also had a party of 10 people and they didn't even make the effort in splitting the check. Did not accommodate what so ever. Also, not that I need to make sure that I get free a scoop of ice cream or dessert but they knew it was my birthday as well. And didn't do anything. Sorry but I won't be returning to this establishment. My husband felt horrible because it was my birthday dinner and it was so disappointing! read more

Correcting some gross Misconceptions on Yelp regarding Michelina's.... PART 1 My review will be overwhelmingly thorough, to aid others I will post in a 'bullet point' format for ease of reference (I have enjoyed this restaurant approximately 10 times in the last year (I am a foodie what can I say)... History- Michelina immigrated approximately 29 years ago and opened her wonderful "Ristorante"(more on what this means later) and blessed Phoenix approximately 27 years ago... Food- Excellent! Italian food from the area of NAPLES (this is where Michelina is from)... Food from this region is a blend, "Campania is one of the largest producers and consumers of pasta in Italy, especially spaghetti. In the regional cuisine, pasta is prepared in various styles that can feature tomato sauce, cheese, clams and shellfish.(Wikipedia)" PUTNESCA IS A POPULAR SAUCE from Naples... Recommendations for food: One SHOULD attempt to incorporate seafood/shellfish as a choice; however, Michelina's has many excellent 'Turf' options (osso bucco, veal, eggplant, etc...)... Appetizers: Escargots (dip the bread for garlic and butter lovers, this is the best) Oysters Michelina-fantastic SALAD IS OFFERED COMPLIMENTARY (FYI) The bread is exquisite (with butter how its meant to be churned) Entrees: Surf: Many fresh fish specials usually served ala Putnesca (fantastic) Turf: Osso Bucco (frequent special, this meat will fall off the shank and is incredibly tender, flavorful, and moist), Veal Saltimbucco, Veal Piccata Dessert- zabaione (with fresh berries) by far the best!!!! Tiramasu- not bad but do yourself a favor and get the Zabione A complimentary cordial is provided (fyi) REAL ITALIAN MASCULINE COFFEE (go espresso or Cappuccino and you will be pleased (don't expect fu fu starbucks) Dining EXPERIENCE- In Italy one enjoys the 'TABLE' for the evening (i.e. it is not a rushed affair, rather something to be savored and relished in)....(Notice it is an Italian named Restaurant (not Michelina's Restaurant) but rather "Michelina's Ristorante Costa Campagnia" which means, "Michelina's [exquisite/higher end] Italian restaurant featuring food from Campagnia".... Service- Brad is a wonderful and exceptional server... Request him if possible... Additionally, as inferred from "Dining Experience" above, this is an Experience to be savored... IF YOU HAVE TIME CONSTRAINTS, IMMEDIATELY INFORM BRAD, they will be accommodated (i.e. opera, symphony, movie, or just want a wonderful meal at a heightened pace).... The service WILL NOT HOVER over you as an American Restaurant will!!!!!! The exceptional service staff wants you to enjoy and relish the evening, as is done in Italy... Ambiance- The restaurant is classically subtle and expresses the 'family and regional' values of Michelina's experiences in Naples as a young woman.... Some may call it dated, others may suggest classically influenced, and yet those that appreciate the Italian cuisine and experience might suggest that it is "Old School" in a "Marlon Brando"-esque way... For those of you unfamiliar with Marlon, Michelina's IS HOW A NAPLES RESTAURANT IS?WAS?AND SHOULD ALWAYS BE.... TO CORRECT SOME GROSS MISCONCEPTIONS OF OTHERS I WILL ADDRESS them below... "There is nothing eye catching about the business front at all. It's in a strip mall and looks old. At night, they turn on strands of tacky Christmas lights that only attract attention to the fact that the lights are so poorly hung." - The restaurant is 'Unassuming' from the outside, this is a treasure, not to be shared with just anyone... It also looks old because it is, she has been in this location for 20+ years.... "When we arrived for dinner we were greeted by an empty corridor, no host station and no host. We could see what looked to be a bar but it wasn't a bar that I'd want to eat, drink and socialize at." -Michelina's is not a bar, they have excellent drinks however. Additionally, Michelina's is family run AND the expectation (once you have been their more than once) is to walk in and introduce yourself to Brad or Michelina's son (as you will become friends to dine with).... "To pass the time until we were finally greeted we browsed the many framed publications touting how incredible the place was. I'm already here...I don't need any more persuasion. It's time for the Chef/owner to take down the "look how good I was" trophy wall and go with a more inviting modern look." -See Ambiance section above... Michelina is a remarkable woman and created this restaurant from LITERALLY NOTHING 27 years ago... She has won best Italian in AZ/Phx many times and would continue to win (however the same restaurant winning does not sell reviews/publications)... ...To be continued.. read more

Oh Noes! You told! This was supposed to be a secret place so we could have it all to ourselves! Now, there will be crowds waiting for the eggplant rollatini and antipasto salads... I'll have to wait in line to get a table so I can have my Shrimp FraDiavolo or my Tortellini. Surely they will be running out of the dinner specials early now that everyone will be flocking there for dinner. I'll have to call ahead to make sure they save a Tiramisu or a cannoli for me. read more

We've been going to Michelina's for 8 years now. It's our favorite romantic date night spot. The food is unbelievable. The owner/chef is always in the house, but the main host is very sweet and attentive. Excellent service here. I can't even start to tell you what to try. Everything I've had is good, starting with the appetizers all the way to dessert. I love the Caprese, the chicken Marsala, and chicken parmigiana. It's all good. They have a pretty extensive wine list as well, including some very reasonable offerings price wise. Surprise your date with this fabulous spot. You won't be disappointed. read more

We found this place through the great reviews on Yelp. We are always looking for tasty and authentic Italian food. We split a caesar salad and I enjoyed the penne di casa...a large portion that was so tasty. This is definitely a great neighborhood find and it seems to have a great following of regulars to enjoy this great and reasonably priced food. The restaurant could definitely use an upgrade, but the food is good enough to overlook the decor (or lack thereof). read more

I went to dinner at Michelina's for the first time last night. It is located in a strip mall just west of the 51--and talk about unassuming from the outside! the strip mall neighbors include a psychic and a locksmith--once inside the aromas take over and you know you will be having something wonderful. The restaurant is nice inside, but it is the food that is wonderful. I had the sausage and peppers which was terrific and they provide everyone with a complementary frangelica after dinner. the meal was reasonably priced for the quality of food and i will definitely be going back. read more

After hearing from my parents how amazing this place was we decided to give it a try. It is small and intimate and exactly what you would expect a family owned Italian restaurant to be. The food was delicious (both of us had lasagna and both of us cleaned our bowls). The dessert was amazing (cheesecake was fantastic) and the after dinner drinks were a fun touch. We will return and often. I can't believe I never tried this place before! read more

Michelina's should pop up as the #1 Italian restaurant in a Phoenix/ Scottsdale Yelp search. The menu is large enough to satisfy anyone's cravings and the preparation spot on. Our first visit was a "word of mouth" recommendation and I'm passing along the favor. During my last visit, everyone at our table ordered a different entrée, and all I heard were raves. And the service was impeccable. Try the Veal Marsala or any one of the chicken dishes, you won't be disappointed. And save room for the Zabaglione; fresh and fabulous. If you are seeking delightful Italian dining, Michelina's is the place! read more

We come to Phoenix about three times s year, and we never miss a great Italian dinner at Michelina's. Family owned and great food.

I will begin by saying we never made it to the food. We went for our anniversary and actually had to walk out before ordering. I am SO very disappointed we have been talking about going here for years, so we waited for a a special occasion. I am truly perplexed by the actions of our server Joe. Like others have said the location and decor are not noteworthy but we went for the food. From the moment we arrived it felt that we were being judged as unworthy. Feels like it has a strong base of "regulars" and if you aren't one well tough. A few others have mentioned that they felt ignored we must agree. It seems that they are under staffed or that is their business model. The majority of communication is body language and Joe said through his that either we weren't welcome or we were an inconvenience. When we got up to leave after 30 minutes of waiting and we were still waiting to place a food order, he seemed surprised and charged us $5 for our tea. I don't remember ever having to leave a restaurant to avoid losing my cool but you did it. Thanks. We went across SR 51 to Bootleggers and that was much more our scene. Word of mouth is a great way to build a business, but it appears that they have been living on that for a while. But it can also tear a business down as well. I for my part will probably tell more than a few people our story of possibly the worst experience EVER at a restaurant. Oh by the way he didn't even ask why we were leaving, my guess he already knew the answer. read more

Mother's Day dinner, busy dinner. Excellent service and food. The sea bass was excellent, my husband had shrimp and scallops it was very delicious. The owner stopped by the table and we were were impressed. read more

I am always comfortable in Michelina's, the service is excellent and they are not rushing you to "turn the table". Michelina's cooking is fantastic! Her daily specials are so inviting that I rarely order from the menu. The drinks are excellent, bread just right, and the after dinner complimentary cordial is a nice finish. One of the best kept secrets in Phoenix! read more

We dine here about once a month, and have for years. Love the food - the oysters Michelina are so so good (especially with her homemade bread to sop up the sauce) and the pasta is fresh and lovely. It's a small place and has been at the same location for something like 20 years, so the decor is slightly dated but we go there all the time for the fabulous food and wine. Brad is awesome as host/waiter/bartender, and of course we alwasy enjoy a visit to our table by Michelina's herself, which is always a nice touch. read more

We were customers during the first week after opening and we have been coming back for all these years. We eat great Italian food at home, but sometimes the Italian cook wants to go out to dinner, too. For Italian, this is the place! However, we think that for seafood, this is the place, too. There are always 2 or 3 fresh fish specials and they are always terrific. The pasta is always well prepared. Michelina will adjust anything to taste, and, when time permits, she strolls through the restaurant, checking with all the tables. Brad is a waiter, a greeter, a bar tender, and a jack of all trades, having been there for as long as we can remember. There is nothing like a warm greeting when you show up at a familiar-feeling place. Don't miss the fact that there are big bouquets of fresh flowers spread throughout the dining room. read more

Originally from Chicago I'm used to great Italian food. Michelina's is now my "go to" restaurant in Phoenix. I judge Italian restaurants on their veal Parmesan. It was delicious! It is a down home Italian restaurant moderately priced. The service is fast and friendly. I have been there 2x in the last 6 weeks and will go again soon. Highly recommend if you like authentic Italian food read more

I have passed this place for 20 years and had always heard good things. Well one night when we were kidless we went. It was pricier that we thought but we forgot the price once the meals arrived. We were both very impressed. Warm homemade bread. Awesome salads. I tried the escolar (it's a fish that a friend of mine loved but I had never tried it) and it absolutely melted in my mouth. My husband enjoyed his sausage and peppers. We will definitely go back! read more

Unbelievable food! The oysters Michelina is some of the most amazing food I've had in a long time! The family atmosphere and personal service make me feel like a vip! read more

We had a wonderful experience at Michelina's. We had a large group, and they were able to put us at a wonderful table. The service was spot on with Joe - it was timely and entertaining. And the food was way beyond our expectations, so delicious. And the portions were very nice size, which is my Number One priority when it comes to eating at unique and rustic Italian restaurants. We've left too many restaurants still hungry! Not that night at Michelina's! Michelina herself was so outgoing, and made the experience even better. And the location - right off the 51 on Shea - enabled all of us to meet without too much trouble from different parts of the valley. There were couples from three different parts of the Valley, and everyone was early. We will be regulars at Michelina's! read more

Yum! Good hearty Traditional Italian food. The chicken Parmesan was delicious and everything tasted completely homemade. The house dressing was absolutely delicious as well. Service was good and I would definitely come back. read more

Had a very good experience approximately a year ago and decided to go there for Mother's Day. What a miserable experience! I don't think that they can handle a full restaurant. The service was terrible and the food was below average. The Salmon Special was very fishy and the chicken dish i ordered was dry and didn't taste very good. Nobody at our table enjoyed their meal. We chose the worst to complain about and they did take the Salmon off the bill. The waiter said that nobody else complained about it. I find that hard to believe. As we were exiting the restaurant the fishy odor was so strong we could hardly breathe. The bread and salad were good and the fresh flowers very pretty, but the food wasn't. It took over an hour to be served and the order wasn't right, when we got it. So disappointed! We all left feeling hungry. read more

Our daughter visiting from NJ decided to treat us to dinner and found Michelina's. Our whole family decided to join us and we were all impressed with the service and the delicious taste of their foods. We had the Caprese Salad for an appetizer. Three of us decided to have their Lasagna, one of us had Eggplant Parmagiana, one had their Bracciole, (which reminded him of my mom's bracciole), one had their Mahi Mahi special, one had Tortellini Pesto with chicken, another had Broiled Salmon, and one of us had Fettecini Alfredo with chicken. We were all raving about our dishes. We will definitely go back again. read more

We came to this restaurant on the recommendation of a friend. We were sadly disappointed. While the atmosphere and service were great, the food was barely mediocre especially for the prices. Their meatballs are like rubber. Won't go back. read more

Had I great experience and outstanding dinner at Michelina's tonight! Brad our waiter was very personable and made some great suggestions. The bread was very good & hot and there was plenty of olive oil & butter on hand. I had the cioppino which was excellent and huge - large amounts of fish calamari & clams. Others in the group has the sea bass putenesca & the the braciole - all were very pleased - will certainly go back soon read more

Terrific meal, family owned, the cook came out and talked with our group!

I go to the high school near by and I had no idea this place existed, but Im so glad i do now! I came here to celebrate my mother's and my birthdays and we absolutely loved it. My favorite were the oysters, they were absolutely phenomenal! The service is great, very nice people who work very efficiently. My family and I are definitely coming here again!! read more

We have ordered take out from this place for the last few years and finally had dinner a couple of weeks ago. I love the food and the out-dated decor. I really do. I would not change a thing here. The food is great, the wait staff remember us, the owner/chef is always cheery and welcoming. The food is always delicious and we always say that we need to come here more often. read more

As I gave a presentation early in the week on Memorable Customer Service. A woman mentioned this place. I am delighted by the food, and especially the service! Wonderful find. Support local business, and having amazing cuisine makes it easier. read more

this place is terrible! sour wine,shoe leather chicken parm! way too expensive! and they do not post bad reviews! i know 10 people who have had terrible experiences,written them up on yelp,and removed in 1 day! bogus review system!!! save your money!!! read more

Great spot, excellent traditional northern Italian meals. Great service, price is right. Hidden gem.

Excellent Italian food. We had the cannelloni and the lamb chops. Everything was cooked perfectly. Service was great. Everything was home made. Cant wait to go back. read more

Too pricey for the food. The meal I had was just ok. My MIL had a terrible loud garlic pasta. It was stinky. They were also not too happy to see my two kids in tow. read more

Meh. There's so much better food and service out there in Phoenix/Scottsdale. We tried this place again, only to be disappointed by the small portions and very poor service. Our third time here was not a charm! read more