About Davanni's
Serving Minnesota with authentic Italian flavors, crafted with passion and the finest ingredients since 1975.
A Family Recipe That Became a Minnesota Tradition
Davanni's was born from a simple idea: bring the warmth of authentic Italian home cooking to the heart of Minnesota. Founded in 1975 by the Davanni family, our restaurant began as a small neighborhood pizzeria with one oven, one counter, and a recipe handed down through generations.
Decades later, that same spirit drives every pizza we stretch, every hoagie we craft, and every pasta dish we serve. We use real dough, fresh toppings, and house-made sauces — no shortcuts, no compromises.
Our Mission & Core Values
Quality First
We never compromise on ingredients. Every item is made fresh, every day, with the best available produce and imported Italian staples.
Community Roots
Deeply embedded in the Minnesota community, we sponsor local events, support schools, and invest in the neighborhoods we serve.
Genuine Hospitality
From your first visit to your hundredth, every guest deserves a warm welcome and a great meal. That's a promise we keep every day.
Sustainability
We source responsibly, minimize waste, and work with local suppliers to reduce our environmental footprint while supporting our region.
Meet Our Team
Our passionate team brings decades of culinary experience and genuine love for Italian food to everything they do.
Marco Davanni
Founder & Owner
The visionary behind it all. Marco carried his grandmother's recipes from Naples to Minnesota, turning a small shop into a beloved institution over nearly five decades.
Sofia Reyes
Head Chef
A culinary arts graduate with 15 years of experience, Sofia leads our kitchen team and constantly refines our recipes while honoring their original soul.
James Thornton
Operations Manager
James ensures every location runs like clockwork. With a background in hospitality management, he's the driving force behind our seamless guest experience.
Priya Nair
Customer Experience Lead
Priya is the heart of guest relations at Davanni's. She champions feedback, trains front-of-house teams, and ensures every visit feels personal and memorable.
Interested in joining our team?
View Open PositionsA Half-Century of Milestones
From a single storefront to a Minnesota staple — here's how we got here.
The First Oven
Marco Davanni opens the very first location in Minneapolis, MN, with a 600 sq ft storefront, a handwritten menu, and a stone pizza oven imported from Italy.
Hoagies Enter the Menu
Responding to guest requests, we launched our legendary hoagie line — freshly baked sub rolls loaded with premium meats and house-made dressings. Instantly a fan favorite.
Expanding Across the Twin Cities
Davanni's opens its 5th location in the Twin Cities metro, establishing a reputation for consistent quality and family-friendly dining across Minnesota communities.
Catering & Events Launch
We introduced our full-service catering program, bringing Davanni's favorites to offices, school events, and celebrations across the state.
Online Ordering Goes Live
Davanni's launches its online ordering platform, making it easier than ever for guests to enjoy fresh pizza and hoagies delivered right to their door.
Menu Refresh & Sustainability Pledge
We revamped our menu with gluten-friendly options and made a formal commitment to sustainable sourcing and reduced packaging waste across all locations.
Celebrating 50 Years
As we reach our golden anniversary, Davanni's continues to grow — new locations, new offerings, and the same unwavering commitment to the food and community that started it all.