Italian Restaurant in Sedona — Roman Pinsa, Baked to Order
Hey there, food lovers and wanderers. If you’re looking for real Italian food in Sedona, you can stop looking. Imagine stepping into a small restaurant in the back streets of Rome — the espresso machine going, someone shouting an order, bread that smells like it took time. That’s what we built here, on 89A in West Sedona.
Family Operated in Arizona Since 1998
We’re not one of the many restaurants around here. We’re family operated, we serve with humility and pride, and we cook the food we actually grew up on — Sicilian from Palermo, Piemontese from Torino, Roman by training. Whether you’re craving pizza, a memorable dining experience, or a pinsa romana after a long hike, Vespa is your go-to destination. No doubt.
Food Is Our Love Language
What Actually Makes Us Different
Seventy-Two Hours of Patience
Our pinsa dough is imported Di Marco flour, water, yeast and sea salt, and it rests cold at 4–6°C for three full days before anyone touches it. That is what makes it light and crisp at the edge. We did the waiting so you don’t have to think about it afterward. How the dough works →
Flour From the Man Who Invented Pinsa
Pinsa romana was created in 2001 by Corrado Di Marco. We buy our flour from Di Marco — the original three-flour blend, not an American approximation. Milled outside Rome and certified GMO-free, confirmed to us in writing by Di Marco. Our pasta is made fresh in Italy and imported; we don’t pretend to do it better than people who have done it for generations.
Two Grandmothers
Nonna Pina taught this family the kitchen. Nonna Maria taught the coffee bar. That is why we are a café and not only a restaurant — the espresso here is its own discipline, handed down by its own teacher. Meet the family →
LIGHT, NOT HEAVY
Seventy-two hours of cold fermentation and a high-hydration dough give pinsa an open, airy crumb — lighter in texture than standard pizza. Guests regularly tell us it eats lighter than they expect, which matters when you’ve got a trail to get back to.
Perfect Location
1350 W State Route 89A, Suite 22 — West Sedona, not Uptown. Easier parking, and we’re open from 11am every day without closing between lunch and dinner.
A Culinary Journey Through Italy
Sicilian aubergine, Ligurian pesto, Roman flatbread, and the desserts that close an Italian meal properly. Our menu is a map of where this family comes from. See the full menu →
72-HOUR FERMENTED | THREE ITALIAN FLOURS | ROMAN FLATBREAD
NOT GLUTEN FREE: UNIQUELY BETTER.
Our menu is a trip through Italy — Roman flatbread, Sicilian aubergine, Ligurian pesto, and the desserts that end every Italian meal properly.
Some dishes live beyond the main list. Ask us what is available or explore our secret menu.
LA PINSA ROMANA
Roman Style Pizza
Ten varieties on a 72-hour, 85%-hydration dough. Oval, not round. Airy inside, shattering at the edge. Start with the Margherita if it’s your first time, or the Rucola e Prosciutto if it isn’t.
ANTIPASTI & INSALATE
Appetizers & Salads
Bruschetta Capri, Burrata Caprese, MIXED LEAVES WITH APPLE AND TOASTED PISTACHIO. Italian starters wake your appetite rather than blunting it.
SORRISI FARCITI
Sandwiches
Built on the same three-day dough, filled and folded. Lunch that doesn’t slow you down.
People come to Sedona and search for pizza. Then they find us and see the word pinsa, and reasonably wonder whether they’re about to be talked out of what they wanted.
YOU’RE NOT. PINSA ROMANA IS PIZZA — THE ROMAN VERSION. ROUND VERSUS OVAL. ONE FLOUR VERSUS THREE. A FEW HOURS OF RISING VERSUS SEVENTY-TWO. CORRADO DI MARCO REBUILT THE RECIPE IN 2001, WORKING BACK TOWARD THE OLD ROMAN FLATBREADS, AND IN 2025 THE LAZIO REGION ENTERED PINSA ROMANA IN ITS OFFICIAL REGISTER OF TRADITIONAL FOODS. THAT IS THE TRUE STORY, AND IT IS BETTER THAN THE MYTH.
What that means when it arrives: a base that’s crisp underneath and open inside, with a bit of chew and no grease. It doesn’t fold like New York pizza and it isn’t soupy in the middle like Neapolitan. It’s its own thing, and once people have had it they tend to stop comparing.
We bake it on stone over gas at around 608°F. Not a wood oven — Neapolitan pizza wants ferocious heat for ninety seconds, and this dough doesn’t. It wants steady heat, held exactly, from the first order at 11am to the last one at night. So if you searched for the best pizza in Sedona and ended up here: you’re in the right place. It just took us three days to get ready for you.
Nonna Maria taught this family the coffee bar, so the espresso here is not an afterthought. Italian beans, pulled the way it is drunk in Rome — standing at the counter, quickly, no ceremony.
The wine list is short and chosen to sit alongside this food rather than to impress anyone. We keep a proper range of amari, the herbal digestivi that close a meal in Italy — a little sweet, a little bitter. Italians will tell you an amaro settles a big dinner; we won’t make any claims for it.
Espresso That Wakes You Up: We use Miscela d’Oro, a Sicilian roaster, for espresso that’s rich, strong and authentic.
Wines for Every Taste: Red, white, rosé – we’ve got a wine to match your mood and your meal. Let us help you pick the perfect one!
Cool Cocktails and More: From Italian NA sodas, classic aperitivos staples like Aperol Spritz and Campari soda, to Locally sourced Mocktails, and Classic Martinis and Craft Cocktails, we’ve got plenty of ways to quench your thirst.
Amaros (Trust Us): These herbal liqueurs are a classic Italian way to end a meal. They’re a little sweet, a little bitter, and totally unique.
Planning Your Visit
WALK-INS WELCOME | DOGS WELCOME OUTSIDE | OPEN 11AM DAILY
No reservations, and that’s on purpose
We don’t take bookings. Walk in and we’ll find you a table. The quiet window is 11am to 12:30pm — hikers come off the trails around 1pm and every kitchen in Sedona gets slammed at once. Come before noon and you’ll barely wait.
Bring the dog — here’s how it works
Dogs are welcome at our outdoor tables. It runs a little differently from inside: order at the counter, we pack it up for you, and you carry it out. There’s no table service outside, and Arizona liquor law keeps wine and cocktails indoors. But after a morning on the trail together, you and the dog get to sit down in the Sedona air instead of eating in the car — and that’s worth knowing before you drive over.
Order ahead or take it with you
Order online through Toast and collect, or call and we’ll have it ready. Everything on the menu travels — the pinsa in particular holds up far better than pizza does.
Open straight through
11am to 9pm Sunday through Thursday, 11am to 10pm Friday and Saturday. We don’t close between lunch and dinner, which in this town is rarer than it should be.
Finding us
West Sedona, on 89A — not Uptown. 1350 W State Route 89A, Suite 22. Free parking in the plaza lot, though it fills up around the middle of the day like everything else in this town. Another reason to come before noon. Directions and landmarks →
CUSTOMIZED MENUS TO SUIT YOUR EVENT | OFF & ON-SITE EXPERIENCE
We cater weddings, private parties, corporate events and retreats across the Sedona area — the same kitchen and the same 72-hour dough, wherever you are celebrating.
Every event is fully custom. Tell us what you are planning and someone will reach out within ten minutes during business hours. That is the thing our clients mention most.
CAREER GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT | EMBRACE THE VESPA SPIRIT
Join our team at Vespa. We value excellence, creativity and a real commitment to hospitality — the Italian kind, where looking after people is the job rather than a policy.
The Zacchino family came from Piazza Sant’Onofrio in Palermo, by way of Sanremo on the Ligurian coast, and reached Arizona in 1996. Its first restaurant opened in Phoenix in 1998 — Tutti Santi by Nina, still going today. Vespa came later, and further north.
Leonardo is the patriarch. Matteo runs this kitchen. Over the years we have become the local’s favourite and a visiting must, and the reason is not complicated: we cook the way our grandmothers taught us, and we treat people like they have come to the house. More about the family →
We came to Vespa for lunch because they had vegan and vegetarian options. The restaurant did not disappoint. We ordered the Burrata with focaccia and the vegetarian sandwich. We were amazed by the presentation and the flavor. It was incredible and we did not leave much on our plate left. Our server was really nice and he gave us recommendations to visit in the area. I highly recommend visiting.
Kristie W.
4 January 2024
Verified
This food is incredibly special. It's a cute little place tucked in next to Whole Foods. The ingredients and flavors are fresh and absolutely delicious. We tried several samplings including bruschetta, sandwiches, pizza, and desert. Just when we felt that each course couldn't be topped, the next surprised us. We finished up with the desserts - the strawberry/hazelnut one and the croissant with pistachio filling. Both were delightful but the croissant really sealed the deal. It was spectacular, the perfect blend of soft, flaky, and sweet. We joked that we would be back tomorrow, but we may do just that!
Stacie Barton
5 January 2025
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
An upscale restaurant that presents itself with casual vibes. I couldn't get enough of every part of our meal and I was so pleased that they could accommodate a vegan. We had the avocado toast, genoana pizza sub vegan cheese, cacciatore and the strawberry hazelnut dessert. Everything was vegan and gluten friendly. And the little bottles of wine were perfect. Well worth the money and the food was so fresh! Our server was very knowledgeable and gave us recommendations for the area as well.
Jay Anderson
19 May 2022
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I wish I could give 6 stars. I was hesitant over the crust (I don't generally concern myself with gluten, vegan, keto, etc.). This is the best pizza in town. On top of that, every single employee in the restaurant is genuinely kind.
FrankJ Blando
11 December 2023
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Selected it because of the reviews, and we were not disappointed! Excellent bruschetta, and Mela & pistacchi salad, and lasagna. A bit loud, but the most affordable meal in Sedona.
Laura Carlson
3 April 2025
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Excellent, tasty and healthy options. Great service with attention to detail. Well run business with quality food.
Mose
22 May 2022
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Super delicious gluten free pizza. Authentic Italian flavors
Theo Doucakis
15 February 2026
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
One of the best Italian restaurants we have ever gone. So good that we came 2 days in a row. The kids (<10yr) devoured the pinsa, the burata, the lasagna, the tiramisu...
The service was also amazing, especially Francesca.
Makenzie Marzluff
15 May 2023
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Incredible!! Highly recommend. Owner is fabulous and the food is so delicious. Our favorite was the Prosciutto & fig spread sandwich! Everything was very flavorful, we will definitely be back.
Kerri Ward
14 October 2026
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
My husband discovered Vespa after doing an online search for pizza in Sedona. It was our first visit there & they were so accommodating after a brief wait for a table. The restaurant is small. We shared the Mela & Pistacchi Salad. It was plenty for two & so fresh & delicious! We each got our own pizza. My husband ordered the Contadina pizza. He enjoyed the combination of Italian Sausage, Mushrooms, Mozzarella, & Truffle Oil. I loved the Genoan Pizza with Pesto base, Slow-Roasted Tomatoes, Red Onion, & big Olives! Absolutely one our Top 5 pizzas ever!! We took Tiramisu back to our B&B to enjoy afterwards. Our server, Emma, was excellent & very helpful! We enjoyed chatting with the owner, Mateo, who previously lived in my husband's home town in NC. Small world! We highly recommend this restaurant for awesome pizza, service, & fresh ingredients!
Verified by Trustindex
Trustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
