46 Best Italian Restaurants in Charlotte

“You have to try the Mozzarella presentation with the Roasted Sicilian Red Peppers and the Chicken Parm with a side of fettuccine. Large portions!“

“Was a delicious breakfast. Great service and pretty inside. Would be nice to try outside next time and the dinner.“

“Felt like i was in the village in NYC! Food was awesome! The best Italian I’ve had in a while! The homade pastas were to die for! Out of short rib but had chicken piccata and bronzino! So so good! The Burrata was awesome and the oysters, yellowtail and were so fresh and the sauces were key! Need to know how to make them! Tiramisu was yummy! Wine selection was great! Our server was so fun and loved the atmosphere! We will be back! Worth the car ride from the lake! Don’t forget the charcuterie! Lol“

“The staff is friendly and gave great recommendations. I would definitely recommend the parmesan alfredo with meatballs. The spinach and meatball pockets were also very tasty. Pasta was cooked well and seasoned. Love the touch of fresh parmesan added to each dish. Lots of vegetarian options as each item is customizable. Love the loads of fresh and clean ingredients that they offer. My only criticism is regarding their marinara sauce. For me, it was very acidic and harsh on the palate. I had it with meatballs and while the meatballs were wonderful and flavored great, it did not cut the acidity of the sauce. This aside, we are looking forward to trying the other items on the menu.“

“Nic made us the most amazing pasta in a cheese wheel! So much love and flavor in our meal! 1,000% recommend and can’t wait to go back!! 😋 Thanks Nic!“

“Sweet potato Ravioli and broccolini were excellent!“

“❤Brian is amazing. This place feels like family. Amazing food, wonderful server, Jodi, dessert to die for! Go and feel at home!“

“You have to try the Mozzarella presentation with the Roasted Sicilian Red Peppers and the Chicken Parm with a side of fettuccine. Large portions!“

“Simply amazing! We can’t wait to go back.“

“Went today and loved it!! The employees were SUPER nice and helpful!!!!“

“Good food, terrific service! It’s loud, but what place isn’t anymore?“

“This was some of the best Italian food we have had! Like many in Charlotte, we are transplants from the Northeast and have been disappointed with much of the Italian restaurants recommended to us in Charlotte. For food, we got the Eggplant Cannelloni, Cheese Pizza, and Grilled Romaine salad. All were amazing and the calamari on the salad was incredible. For drinks we had the seasonal “No Fig Deal” which is now in my top 5 of best cocktails I’ve ever had. The service was great, they split our salad for us and the server was attentive. We left talking about the dishes we couldn’t wait to try next, as many of the pasta dishes we saw on the tables next to us looked incredible too.
Make a reservation if you can! The salad, two entrées, a glass of wine, and a cocktail came out to $100.“

“Very good food, and great service“

“Love this place! Pasta is so delicious. A true Gem in Charlotte“

“It’s the best restaurant in Charlotte.“

“From the moment we sat down, the experience felt intimate and thoughtfully curated. The meal was beautifully paced, giving us time to truly enjoy each course and each other’s company, and the service was warm, friendly, and attentive without ever feeling intrusive.

Every dish arrived looking like a work of art and tasted even better! Authentic Italian flavors that felt comforting, nostalgic, and made with love. The calamari was a perfect start, followed by a dreamy pasta with clams in a delicate white wine sauce, a rich and satisfying eggplant Parmesan, and a seafood marinara that felt like a little taste of the coast.

I saved the tiramisu for later, and it ended up being one of the highlights! It was light, indulgent, and absolutely exceeded my expectations. It was the kind of meal that invites you to linger, savor, and plan your next visit before you’ve even left. A truly romantic dining experience we won’t forget!“

“Delicious authentic Italian in a great atmosphere.“

“I’ve been coming to this location for 5-6 years now, the food has been consistently high quality from day one. All the dishes taste exactly how you would expect the dish to taste, but even better. Thank you for all of the years of outstanding service 🙏🏻“

“We had a great meal and service tonight. Allison took excellent care of us. It was a birthday party and there was 10 of us. We were loud but we had a number of miserable people complaining. Didn't phase our group any. Happy New Year to all.“

“Enjoy fabulous food and be treated like FAMIGLIA by the wonderful staff at Luce... Warmth and charisma is also a particular specialty of Captain Cesar García! Bill Stevens, uptown Charlotte“

“The food, service and ambiance was excellent.“

“Excellent care and service from Annka and Micah. Annka has such a kind and helpful demeanor. Micah provided outstanding customer care. He's always a step ahead of your needs. The manager Curtis also stopped by to check in on how everything was going. It was such a great time and lunch. I will be back for sure!! ps Love the take home options and price as well :)“

“We had the pleasure of Dining at Dean’s on Father’s Day 6/15/25. Our Waiter “Q”was phenomenal. The food was a 10/10 and service far exceeded our expectation!“

“very nice experience on this diner because fast delivery and deliciouses food“

“I stopped by recently and was really impressed! The pizza was fresh and full of flavor, and the pastas were just amazing. You can tell the new owners truly care about the quality and the experience. Such a warm and welcoming place, I’ll definitely be coming back!“

“Great food, great service, but if you’re a larger party and are seated in the enclosed patio area, take heed that it will be extremely uncomfortable with the summer heat. They only have a couple of small portable fans that are absolutely inadequate for the total space, and the ceiling fans (supposedly set to the incorrect direction) didn’t help much. Even the dining room wasn’t much better. I know it’s been hot, but if the customer is uncomfortable I can only imagine the staff.“

“amazing food, cooked to order, quickly with great service!!“

“There were four in our party. We all enjoyed our meals. The Italian dishes were what one expects in a moderately priced Italian restaurant. Actually it was better than at some of the higher priced Italian restaurants. Service was excellent. We could converse easily. We recommend for families, couples' night out, birthdays etc. I might want something less brightly lit for a romantic evening, but if on a budget, the restaurant will serve that purpose also.“

“Great Food, Fair prices and good customer service“

“We arrived near closing but the waitstaff didn’t seem to mind. Excellent service, food and cocktails! Highly recommend for a romantic dinner for two!❤️“

“A mystery. Outstanding ambiance, looks and feels like nice casual cafes we ate at in Milan and Tuscany. Once inside can't believe it's in an outdoor mall in NC. Friendly service. Chicken marsala with mushrooms as good as it gets. Hearts of palm salad not on many menus but was delightful. The customers seemed to be enjoying a relaxed, quality dining experience without the pretense of a fancy place or buzz of a large busy place. The mystery-why was it only half full on a Friday night?“

“Buona Vita Restaurant and Bar is incredible! They are friendly and professional and their food is delicious! They have such a fun atmosphere and delicious drinks! A place wonderful for both parents and kids. My boys LOVE their pizza! Definitely recommend 1010!“

“Hey Amber & Andrew, just a guess, but were the two of you together at Aria and waited on by Jennifer? Seems like it! I have never had a bad experience at Aria. I went this past Saturday for The Queens Feast and once again I was not disappointed with service or the food. Did you talk to a manager while you were there about your issues? It takes a lot of humanity and courage to address issues in person & in real time. When you do, often a resolution can be found. Try it out the next time your disappointed. I understand reviewing a place for poor service, food, etc., but attacking a person by name is low class. Btw, who uses begrudgingly to write a review? Nice word but, seriously?“

“Friendly staff and an amazing food for the family“

“Tonight was my first time and when I say I will be back at least every two weeks I’m not exaggerating. It’s rare to find a place that’s not only been around as long as it has but also still be owned by the family that started it. I am the pickiest eater but when I say everything I had blew my mind and has me craving it not even an hour after leaving. Don’t be fooled by the plain exterior. When you walk in you automatically know you are about to eat food made with love. I can’t wait to go back. Highly recommend doesn’t even touch how I feel!“

“excellent job making a specialty pizza for my grandson...I happily recommend this place FYI their new York style pizza is out of this world“

“My husband and I attended a cooking class at Desarno’s tonight and had a fantastic experience! The atmosphere was welcoming, and Kit & Karen are both knowledgeable and engaging. We made delicious, authentic Italian dishes using fresh, high-quality ingredients. Guido Lombardi, owner of Impero Wine Distributors, was also present, suggesting and sharing wines that perfectly complemented the dishes we prepared. It added a wonderful touch to the evening. The market itself has an amazing selection of take and bake options, perfect for a gourmet meal at home. Whether you're looking to improve your cooking skills or just enjoy a fun evening, I highly recommend their classes. We’ll definitely be returning for more!“

“amazing food, cooked to order, quickly with great service!!“

“amazing food, cooked to order, quickly with great service!!“

“This restaurant was great. We were seated quickly, server was awesome, food was really good. One of the waiters even sung a Christmas song and received a round of applause. Staff is super friendly and professional, and you just don’t get that everywhere. If you’re not a big eater, I suggest sharing a dish with someone, portions are nicely sized.“

“buy 1 take 1 for half off“

“Overall wonderful experience. Our second visit. Food was plentiful and delicious. We had the chicken parm, braised short ribs, kale salad, a pizza, calamari, and some bread as an appetizer. Old-fashioned was delicious as well as the espresso and ice cream. The staff kindly celebrated son's birthday. They validate for parking at the parking garage next-door. Our waiter was friendly and helpful. Definitely recommend.“

“We always get their white pizza or their popeye pizza. Both are on point. Try their wings! �“

“My friends and I visited last week and instantly fell in love with the Romeo and Katrina as well as their food. They were so hospitable and accommodating. Everything is made fresh and with love, even the juice was superb. We will be visiting again. The food was delicious“

“Food is great! My favorite is the chicken Marsala and the pizza is delicious. Brick oven pizza“

“Amazing fresh pizza and pasta Quick service We drive all the way from Weddington for the food!“