Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante (2321 W. Hwy. 89A, 928/282-5219, 5–10 p.m. daily, $19–30) is always packed with locals and visitors, who swear by the crispy calamari and fresh pasta. Be sure to start with the incredible antipasti menu, which includes roasted heads of garlic, grilled asparagus wrapped with prosciutto, and fried Greek olives, stuffed with cheese. There’s often live music and a lively atmosphere in the bar, though you may want to skip the Tuscan-inspired dining room.
I’ve never seen so many options for a pizza. Order an Oak Creek Nut Brown beer and dive into Picazzo’s (1855 W. Hwy. 89A, 928/282-4140, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Sun.–Mon., 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Fri.–Sat., $11–22) epic menu. Ingredients range from the meaty (sausage, pepperoni, Canadian bacon) to the cheesy (ricotta, parmesan, mozzarella) to the spicy (yellow peppers, red chile flakes, fresh jalapeños). Or you can go the gourmet route with shrimp, applewood-smoked bacon, and gorgonzola. The modern-but-casual restaurant is also known for its big salads and insanely decadent desserts.