North Italia, an Arizona-born concept renowned for its scratch-made Italian cuisine and craft cocktails, recently opened its newest location in Novus Place, an entertainment district on ASU’s Tempe campus. This location follows closely on the heels of the Peoria opening in 2024.
North Italia Tempe offers a prime location within walking distance of ASU’s main landmarks, including Old Main, Noble Library, Hayden Library, and the ASU Art Museum. Sports enthusiasts will also appreciate the restaurant’s proximity to venues such as Mountain America Stadium, Desert Financial Arena, Mullett Arena, and Sun Devil Fitness Complex. Additionally, the nearby Tempe Improv, Tempe Town Lake, Rural Road Bridge, and Tempe Beach Park ensure that North Italia Tempe will quickly become a favorite spot for both locals and visitors.
The 9,787-square-foot dining space is designed to accommodate up to 157 guests. With the largest indoor/outdoor bar of any location, the restaurant offers a fully covered patio that can seat an additional 141 guests. Inside, the restaurant features artwork that celebrates both the community and Italian heritage, including a striking multi-dimensional mural that tells the story of a rooster, an Italian symbol of good fortune in the kitchen.
A dedicated team of long-time Arizonans leads North Italia: Regional Manager Antonia Wagner, Regional Chef Chris Barch, Executive Chef Luis Arellano, and General Manager Matthew Shaloo. Together, they’ve curated an exceptional dining experience for the community.
On the menu, guests can enjoy signature dishes such as zucca chips, white truffle garlic bread, and chef’s board. Classic pasta dishes like trottole chicken pesto and spicy rigatoni vodka are perfect for carb-loading before a game or a late-night indulgence, while hand-tossed pizzas like hot honey and smoked prosciutto offer a satisfying, shareable option.
For those looking for something new, North Italia’s seasonal menu includes the vegetable salad with butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, and pistachio or the lasagna bianca al forno, made with braised short rib and an indulgent blend of cheeses.
Guests can also enjoy craft cocktails like the Marco Polo, a Japanese whisky-based drink, or the Piña No-Lada, a refreshing zero-proof option.
On Friday, February 14, a special Valentine’s Day prix fixe menu will be available at all North Italia locations, featuring dishes like carne di crudo, made with beef tenderloin and black truffle, as well as lump crab & lobster bruschetta. Pasta lovers can indulge in lobster tortelloni, and for dessert, guests can savor the seasonal white chocolate spiced apple butter cake or the reimagined hazelnut torta, a potential new addition to North Italia’s seasonal menu. Learn more at northitalia.com.
