When most Las Vegas pizza joints were serving thick-crusted, cheese-heavy pies, one ambitious pizza spot decided to turn tradition on its head. 🔥
Born from a quarterback’s obsession with authentic Italian pizza, Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana has become the city’s most celebrated pizza destination.
The secret wasn’t bigger or cheesier – it was doing something completely different.
How Settebellos’s won local’s hearts
Back in 2005, former USC quarterback Brad Otten opened Settebello when authentic Neapolitan-style pizza was virtually unknown in America.
Only about ten restaurants in the entire United States were making this style of pizza at the time, making Otten’s venture a massive gamble in a city known for indulgence.
After spending two years on a religious mission in southern Italy, Otten fell in love with the traditional pizza-making methods of Naples and knew he had to bring this authentic experience to Las Vegas.
The restaurant’s breakthrough came through its commitment to centuries-old traditions. Settebello became one of the first pizzerias in the United States to receive VPN (Vera Pizza Napoletana) certification from the Italian government – essentially the gold standard for authentic Neapolitan pizza.
They imported flour, tomatoes, and specialty ingredients directly from Italy, cooked pizzas in 900-degree wood-burning ovens for just one minute, and created the signature charred, soft crust that defines true Pizza Napoletana.
What initially confused customers – the thin, foldable crust and “wet” center – gradually won them over as word spread about the restaurant’s authenticity.
Regular customers began educating newcomers, and food critics like John Curtas from NPR Las Vegas declared it “one for the ages, and the best in town by a mile.” 💪
Food Highlights
- Margherita DOC: The gold standard featuring crushed San Marzano tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella di Bufala, aged Parmigiano, fresh basil, and olive oil that showcases the perfect balance of sweet tomatoes and creamy cheese on Settebello’s signature soft, charred crust.
- Settebello Pizza: The restaurant’s namesake creation loaded with crushed tomatoes, house-made sausage, pancetta, roasted mushrooms, toasted pine nuts, mozzarella, and fresh basil that delivers rich, salty flavors enhanced by the unique crunch of pine nuts.
- Diavola: A spicy masterpiece combining crushed tomatoes, red bell peppers, spicy Calabrese sausage, garlic, mozzarella, fresh basil, and chili oil that provides a perfect kick of heat balanced by the cooling effect of fresh basil.
- Bianca: A white sauce pizza topped with prosciutto crudo, peppery arugula, 36-month aged shaved Parmigiano, mozzarella, and olive oil that offers an elegant combination of salty cured meat and sharp, nutty cheese flavors.
- Quattro Formaggi: A cheese lover’s dream featuring a harmonious blend of fontina, gorgonzola, mozzarella, and aged parmigiano that creates a complex flavor profile ranging from mild and creamy to sharp and tangy with hints of fresh basil.
- Capricciosa: A traditional Italian favorite loaded with mozzarella, roasted button mushrooms, spicy artichoke hearts, olives, and cooked prosciutto that delivers earthy mushroom flavors complemented by briny olives and tender, perfectly seasoned prosciutto.
Atmosphere
Settebello creates an industrial-meets-Italian charm that transports diners straight to a modern Neapolitan pizzeria. The dining room features warm earth-tone colors, exposed pipes, and dark wooden accents that blend rustic Italian elements with contemporary design. 🍕
The centerpiece wood-burning oven, built with volcanic rock from Mt. Vesuvius, serves as both a cooking tool and visual spectacle where diners can watch pizzaiolos craft their pies.
Large windows flood the space with natural light, while the open kitchen concept allows guests to witness the artistry of pizza-making in action.
Bottom Line
- Authentic experience you can’t find anywhere else in Las Vegas with true VPN-certified Neapolitan pizza
- Unbeatable Monday special offering Margherita pizzas with one free topping for just $8
- Educational dining where you’ll learn to appreciate traditional Italian pizza-making techniques
- Perfect for food lovers seeking genuine Italian flavors made with imported ingredients and time-honored methods 🎯
Address: 9350 W Sahara Ave Ste 170, Las Vegas, NV 89117
📞 (702) 901-4877
🕔 Open Mon, Thu-Fri 11 AM–10 PM; Tue-Wed 11 AM–9 PM; Sat 11 AM–10 PM; Sun 11 AM–9 PM