Charlotte isn’t simply known for its sports, museums, and outdoor life – it is also one of the best places to explore for fine dining in North Carolina. Amid classic burger joints and southern BBQ spots, you will also come across many Italian restaurants considered the best across the city.
If you are planning an evening out with the ones you love, here are some of our personal favorite Italian restaurants that will leave you heartily fulfilled! So, let’s start our Italian restaurants Charlotte NC guide.
Mama Ricotta’s
Mama Ricotta’s is the perfect place to be if you crave authentic home-style Italian cooking. It has consistently been voted the best Italian restaurant in the region. Undoubtedly, that’s due to its fine selection of ingredients, sustainable cooking practices, and divine foods. Here you can dine on delectable soups, salads, Italian pasta, pizzas, and a wide assortment of desserts and drinks.
The restaurant features an open-style kitchen with wood-burning ovens that give its ambiance a subtle Italian touch. They also offer private dining facilities with a built-in fireplace and all the warmth you need.
Little Mamas
Little Mama’s is a classic Italian-American joint serving heartwarming foods inspired by the cooking of 1960-70s Italian restaurants. The restaurant features a full bar, a sunroom, and a dining room. As a result, there’s ample space to settle down and enjoy your meal.
What’s on the menu? You will find classic starters such as beans & greens and baked meatballs, fresh salads, pasta, parmesan-covered spaghetti, and tempting side dishes to balance the palate.
Stagioni
Located on Providence Road in Myers Park, Charlotte, is Stagioni, an upscale restaurant serving classic Italian dishes. Stagioni is popularly referred to as the “Four Seasons of Food.” This is due to the fact that their foods and cocktail menus change with every season according to the availability of ingredients. All in all, it is considered one of the best places to go if you are craving classic Italian cooking or authentic, flavorful pizzas. Stagioni pizza selections, in particular, have always been a fan favorite! It is one of the best Italian restaurants in Charlotte NC.
Osteria LuCa
Osteria LuCa offers a delightful dining experience where you can feast on Artisan pizza, hot and cold antipasti, housemade pasta, wood-fired meats, fresh seafood, specialty cocktails, craft beer, and a fine selection of Italian wines.
This Italian restaurant in Charlotte NC boasts expansive floor-to-ceiling length windows to let in plenty of natural light. Additionally, there are large communal tables for you to sit at and indulge in its high-quality cuisine.
Portofino’s Italian Restaurant
Portofino’s Italian Restaurant is a popular eatery located at the eastern end of Charlotte. The restaurant has a pleasant casual dining interior and a warm outdoor patio. Here you can dine on a wide assortment of classic Italian dishes, including warm pasta, chewy and crispy New York Style pizza, fresh seafood, filling meat dishes, and simply divine desserts.
Caruso’s Fine Italian Restaurant
Caruso is an upscale fine-dining restaurant that specializes in serving classic Italian foods. Featuring an elegant and sophisticated interior adorned with comfortable seating and warm lighting, it is the perfect spot to spend the evening.
Caruso features a diverse menu of classic Italian dishes, including an assortment of appetizers, fresh salads, classic pasta, meaty entrees, desserts, and an expert selection of red and white wines and champagne. It is simply the spot for the best Italian in Charlotte.
Luce Ristorante & Bar
Luce Ristorante & Bar is an authentic Italian restaurant in northern Charlotte, NC. As a matter of fact, visitors can’t help but feel they have stepped into a slice of Italy right at home. Here they serve a wide assortment of pasta, salads, cooked vegetable-style side dishes, spaghetti, ravioli, potato dumplings, fresh seafood meals, and a mix of refreshing cocktails.
The atmosphere is incredibly welcoming and lively without being too loud. All in all, it is an ideal spot to take your friends for the night.
Fiamma
Fiamma is an authentic Italian Restaurant in Dilworth, Charlotte serving award-winning northern Italian-style foods. It is best known for serving steaming homemade pasta, rustic meat dishes, fresh salads, fresh fish, and homemade desserts. One of their must-tries is their traditional Bolognese with homemade pappardelle pasta. To top it off, they have a great selection of Italian wine to pair with your meals.
Aria Tuscan Grill
Aria Tuscan Grill is an urban neighborhood restaurant and lounge in the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina. They serve mouthwatering comfort foods sourced from classic Italian cooking served in an upscale modern setting restaurant. Here, you can immerse yourself in the colors and flavors of Tuscany.
Apart from serving tantalizing Italian foods, the grill offers live music every weekend, a late-night “Bar Bites’ menu, and a fantastic view of Charlotte City while dining. Accordingly, it is one of the best Italian restaurants in Charlotte.
Angelines
Are you looking for an eatery serving traditional Italian foods with a Southern twist? That’s the idea behind Angeline’s Italian-inspired Modern American Restaurant. This is the perfect palace to gather with friends and family and unwind for the day. Enjoy your meal prepared using seasonal southern ingredients cooked using traditional Italian culinary techniques. In order to make the most of your evening, pair with a classic Italian wine or a craft cocktail.
North Italia
North Italia in Charlotte is a lively Italian restaurant where you can enjoy fresh Italian cuisine prepared from scratch. Settle in and have a go at their handmade pasta and pizzas prepared using the freshest seasonal ingredients and jam-packed with classic Italian flavors.
They also house a lounge and bar section where you can enjoy a glass of your favorite Italian wines or try out their selection of cocktails.
Cicchetti
Cicchetti (“chee-KEH-tee”) is a popular wine bar and eatery in Uptown Charlotte. Visitors here can enjoy a glass of their favorite Italian wines as they feast on authentic Italian small dishes. Italian wines aren’t all they offer. In fact, you can also enjoy their international selection of bottled beers or unique craft cocktails.
The eatery is a casual get-together joint where locals can gather in the late afternoon for a drink and chat with their friends over lovely Italian pre-dinner bites and snacks.
Capishe
Capishe is an authentic Italian restaurant on East Morehead Street in Dilworth, Charlotte. Here you can experience the true beauty of classic eat-in Italian dining. On their menu, you will find an assortment of pizzas, housemade pasta, sandwiches served with small salads, small plates, and classic Italian desserts, including flaky Cannoli and gelato. Furthermore, Capishe also has a dedicated kids menu for those 12 or under.
Dean’s Italian Steakhouse
Dean’s Italian Steakhouse is a classic American steakhouse in Uptown, Charlotte serving prime cuts of beef with Italian expression. The eatery delivers a classic rustic steakhouse experience in a contemporary setting. They have an incredibly diverse menu serving breakfast, lunch, brunch, and dinner throughout the day.
Dean’s Italian Steakhouse is best known for its 100% American Wagyu, authentic homemade Italian pasta, and fresh seafood delights.
Vivace
Vivace is a famous Italian joint close to midtown Charlotte, where you can feast on authentic Italian cuisine in one of the best patio dining settings across the city. They serve an assortment of classic Italian dishes for lunch, brunch, and dinner all week round.
Apart from the splendid dine-in options, they offer private party facilities in upstairs dining rooms, with a terrace overlooking the stunning Charlotte skyline.
Volo Ristorante
Volo Restaurant in the heart of Myers Park on Providence Road, Charlotte, is an authentic Italian restaurant dedicated to serving the true flavors of Italy.
Visitors come here to feast on their assortment of classic Italian meals, including homemade cheesy pasta, fresh salads, seafood, and classic Italian desserts such as pannacotta, tiramisu, cannoli, creme brûlée and your choice of gelato. Owing to their rich wine menu, we recommend you pair your meal with a classic red.
Aqua E Vino
Aqua E Vino is a classic Italian-style bistro in Charlotte, serving authentic cuisine from Northern Italy with classic European and Mediterranean influences. In essence, you will enjoy a casual dining atmosphere with a cozy outdoor seating area here. Aqua E Vino’s menu changes daily according to the availability of fresh, locally sourced seasonal ingredients.
On the menu, you will find classic pasta served with an assortment of imported cheeses, fresh seafood, and a selection of fine meats.
OGGI
OGGI, originally from Miami, is a modern-day classic Italian restaurant serving authentic Italian cuisine and quite possibly the best lasagna in town. Everything on the menu is prepared from scratch using high-end, locally sourced ingredients. On their menu, you will find an assortment of salads, tantalizing appetizers, pasta, steaks, and a rich selection of desserts. The restaurant boasts a beautiful contemporary interior paired with a warm outdoor section.
Zinicola
Zinicola, a family-owned eatery, is considered one of the best spots in Charlotte for good conversation and fine foods. It is an authentic Italian restaurant offering classic Italian cuisine to the residents of South Park, Ballantyne, and Fort Mill in North Carolina.
The menu features soulful Italian foods, including salads, pasta, steaks, pizza and seafood, along with a fine selection of wines and classic Italian cocktails.
Via Roma
Via Rona is a small intimate eatery in Waverly at the Southern end of Charlotte that has been serving authentic Italian cuisine since 2017 and has become a favorite among locals. The restaurant boasts a mix of casual and upscale ambiance. As a result, it’s the perfect spot for any family event, celebration, or intimate evening with your partner.
The menu features specialty salads, fresh seafood, grilled meats, and classic chicken and veal dishes complimented with an extensive Italian wine collection.
Flour Shop
Flour Shop is considered one of Charlotte’s most unique eateries, where you can browse through their small yet inspired menu in a cozy, intimate setting. All the items on the menu (which constantly changes with the seasons) are prepared using locally sourced ingredients. Moreover, the menu is abundant in freshly baked bread, homemade pasta, and a selection of steaks and fresh seafood served with cold beers and cocktails.
The Jimmy
The Jimmy is a local restaurant in Charlotte that takes inspiration from the charming Mediterranean coasts of Italy and France, known for their sun-soaked sights and fine foods.
The restaurant serves freshly prepared fine Italian cuisine prepared using fresh, local ingredients. The menu features fresh seafood, homely bread, pasta, and a fine selection of beers, wine, and cocktails. They also have a dedicated kids’ menu serving simple pizzas, spaghetti, and seasonal vegetables.
Bernardin’s
Bernardin’s offers an upscale dining experience where you can dine on fresh Italian cuisine fresh out of the kitchen. All the items on the menu incorporate the best seasonal ingredients, earning it the title of “The Triad’s only five-star restaurant.”
Bernardin’s is renowned for its elegant upscale dining experience and succulent cuisine specializing in seafood, lamb, veal, beef, poultry, and pasta. Explore delectable entrees, specialty desserts, and an extensive selection of wines. All in all, it is one of the top Italian restaurants in Charlotte.
AVA
AVA is a popular pizzeria in Optimist Hall in Charlotte, NC. Here you can feast on authentic wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas every day from 11 am to 9 pm. Within their menu, you will find a mix of red and white pizzas ranging from classic cheese and pepperoni to those topped with sausage, prosciutto, and mozzarella. Additionally, you can request vegan pizzas.
Bird Pizzeria
No one is making pizzas like Bird Pizzeria, one of the most loved pizza places in Charlotte. Head to Optimist Park along 15th Street to get to their location. Once you arrive, expect a simple seating architecture and limited menu. Their menu includes simple, plain and white pizzas served with your choice of toppings, including pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, peppers, kale, and arugula.
By all means, you will also love their vegan varieties served with classic tomato sauce, your choice of vegetables, and basil.
Napa On Providence
Napa On Providence is a popular eatery with one of Charlotte’s best outdoor dining experiences, inspired by classic Italian cuisine. The menu includes a selection of small plates, including hearty roasted meatballs, crispy calamari, soups, wagyu beef, and flatbreads. Furthermore, they serve a mix of pasta, ravioli, seafood and steaks. They also offer a mix of sweet desserts, including house-churned sorbets, peach cobbler, cheesecake, and crème brulée, all served alongside your favorite wines or cocktails.
Peppervine
Peppervine, located in South Park Charlotte, is an independent eatery that serves a menu filled with locally sourced small plates and an inspired wine list. You can either dine in their warmly designed upscale interior or settle for the outdoor patio seating. Basically, they serve an assortment of house-made products from scratch, including bread, stocks, charcuterie, and ice cream.
Maggiano’s Little Italy
Maggiano’s Little Italy in Southpark Mall, Charlotte, offers an enticing menu filled with a delightful blend of traditional and contemporary Southern Italian recipes from the old and new world. Apart from their classic Italian foods, they offer a fine mix of irresistible desserts and an extensive selection of wines to enhance your dining experience.
All items on the menu are scratch-made. Moreover, they replicate menus that have been running in Italian families for years.
Pasta & Provisions
Pasta & Provisions, located around Myers Park on Providence Road, Charlotte, is a local favorite for its fulfilling pasta and fine Italian-inspired sauces. They have been serving the residents of Charlotte since the 1990s and have now expanded to 3 locations, including their original outlet on Providence Road. The menu includes fresh pasta, ravioli, pizza, bread, sauces, and more.
Inizio Pizza Napoletana
Inizio Pizza Napoletana is a classic pizzeria serving authentic Neapolitan-style pizza handmade using ingredients directly imported from Italy. In order to give you the true Neapolitan experience, they use naturally risen dough baked inside a wood-fired oven for their pizzas. You can visit any of their 4 locations across Charlotte, including Dilworth, Ballantyne, Huntersville, and Fort Mill and you will get the same authentic Italian experience.
The Bella Ciao
The Bella Ciao in uptown Charlotte is an upbeat, trendy casual restaurant serving high-quality Italian cuisine. The restaurant serves freshly made pasta noodles, sauces, pizza dough, and desserts every day. You can pair your meal with their in-house cocktails, cold beers, authentic Italian wines, and other drinks. They also have a dedicated kids menu for children aged 12 and under.
Ever Andalo
Ever Andalo, located along North Davidson Street in Noda, Charlotte, is among the best Italian restaurants. It’s in a cozy neighborhood spot with a colorful, welcoming space. Feast on their homemade burrata, antipasto, and fresh bread served with pure Italian olive oils that give you an authentic taste of Italy. You will love their list of fresh pasta and delicious desserts, all made from scratch in-house and served with their all-Italian wine list.
Figo36
Figo36 takes its name from “Figo,” which translates to “cool” in Italian slang. As the name suggests, this eatery does not hold back from sustaining a welcoming, bright, and lively vibe. Within their doors, you can feast on authentic Italian flavors paired with wines from the Old and New World and a selection of Italian-inspired cocktails. The menu includes a fresh mix of salads, pasta, pizzas, and desserts.
Indaco
Indaco is one of Charlotte’s popular Italian restaurants at Atherton Mill in South End. The restaurant offers an assortment of wood-fired pizzas, handcrafted pasta, housemade salami, and cured sausages. Indaco features an open kitchen and a comfortable atmosphere perfect for a day out with family or friends. Along with their fine foods, they have a selection of Italian wines and Gin and Tonic cocktails on tap.
Mezzanotte Brick Oven Pizzeria
Mezzanotte is a neighborhood favorite when it comes to pizza. They serve the finest and most authentic inspired Neapolitan style pizzas in Charlotte city. The pizzas aren’t all they are known for; the regulars also rave about their fresh-cut pasta, handmade meatballs, and simply divine gnocchi. Mezzanotte also offers an assortment of desserts and a dedicated kids’ menu if you want to take the entire family out for dinner!
Intermezzo Pizzeria & Cafe
The Intermezzo Pizzeria & Cafe, located between Plaza Midwood and Uptown Charlotte, is a distinctive eatery that has been serving fresh handmade pizzas since 2007. It is a cozy European-style cafe that serves pizza prepared using house-made dough and mozzarella, along with a selection of savory traditional Serbian dishes. You can further pair your meals with their selection of specialty cocktails and craft beers on tap.
Zio Casual Italian
Zio Casual Italian is a popular eatery serving authentic Italian food in a cozy, friendly and casual setting. Most recipes served at their restaurant were brought over from Italy through their family and passed down through the generations. Their menu includes a selection of appetizers, salads, spaghetti, lasagna, pasta, pizza, a dedicated kids’ menu, and an assortment of drinks.
Toscana Ristorante Italiano
Toscana Ristorante Italiano is a cozy neighborhood restaurant in Southpark, Charlotte. Settle in and enjoy their specialty salads, handmade pasta, fresh seafood, and flavorful grilled meats. They offer a fine selection of Italian wines and seasonally changing cocktails and local craft beer to complement the menu.
Dolce Ristorante
Dolce Ristorante is a classic Italian eatery serving family-friendly favorites from rich Italian cuisine. You will enjoy the bright and airy ambiance of the restaurant, complemented by Italian-style artwork. You can visit the restaurant for its lunch and dinner specialties. The menu features a rich mix of appetizers and fresh pasta made from scratch daily. Be sure to save room for their classic Italian cheesecake!
Primo Prime
Primo Prime brings the best of Italy to the heart of Myers Park, Charlotte. Head to the eatery, where you will be welcomed into a warm, casually elegant space. Here you can feast on classic Italian cuisine prepared from the freshest locally sourced ingredients. Pair your meal with a selection of your favorite wines or enjoy a cocktail from the cozy bar after dinner.
Pomodoro’s Italian-American Café
Pomodoro serves classic Italian American favorites, authentic stone heart pizza, and a mix of handmade baked goods. All pizzas here are made the traditional way in authentic stone heart ovens. They are then topped with the best locally brought ingredients and prepared from scratch daily.
Their sauces, dressings, and desserts are also made from scratch and honor classic Italian cuisine and flavors well.
500 Degrees Pizzeria
500 Degrees Pizzeria specializes in delivering authentic New York Style pizzas with homemade crusts covered in fresh tomato sauce and cheese and the freshest, locally sourced ingredients. Besides serving their specialty pizzas, they also allow you to choose your base and toppings to create a personal pizza. You will also find a mix of specialty salads, spicy chicken wings, calzones, and classic Italian pasta on their menu.
Luigi’s Pizza
Luigi’s Pizza is a popular restaurant to visit if you are up for a quick bite of pizza. Pizzas include classic plain cheesy pizzas topped with freshly sourced ingredients. Apart from their mouth-watering pizzas, they serve a mix of appetizers, including classic mozzarella sticks, cheesy garlic bread, and jalapeno poppers. Additionally, there are fresh salads, sub sandwiches, desserts, cold beers, and a mix of hot Italian specialties.
Riccio’s Italian Restaurant
Riccio’s Italian Restaurant is a second-generation family-owned Italian Restaurant that has been serving the residents of Charlotte since 1962.
They have positioned themselves as one of the city’s leading diners of Italian meals. Settle down into their relaxing, family-friendly atmosphere. Enjoy fresh NY-style pizzas made from homemade pizza dough and pizza sauce along with a careful selection of fresh toppings. Apart from pizzas, they serve salads, wings, pasta, lasagna, seafood, and flavorful meats.
Tony’s Pizza & Trattoria
Tony’s Pizza & Trattoria is a popular destination for handmade flavorful pizzas. Opt for their classic New York-style pizzas. Alternatively, get adventurous with their special variations topped with freshly sourced local ingredients and homemade tomato sauce. Pizza doughs at Tony’s are made fresh daily using premium ingredients.
Il Bosco Pizza
Il Bosco Pizza and Restaurant is an intimate Italian restaurant in historic downtown Davidson. At the venue, you can browse through their rich seasonal menus served with a variety of hand-selected Italian wines. The menu features regional antipasti, homemade pasta, flavorful meat dishes, daily seafood specials, and mouthwatering desserts, each well worth the try! It is one of the top-recommended Italian restaurants in Charlotte.
Final Thoughts
Charlotte, NC has an abundance of Italian specialty restaurants, cafes, and bars, each serving the most authentic Italian cuisine and Italian-inspired foods and drinks. If you are craving Italian for the night, you now know where to go!
