48 Best Italian Restaurants in Charlotte

“I want to be as objective as possible. Im trying to play nice. Especially for a restaurant that charges your card for a reservation hold. Our reservation didn't get booked, so we sat at the bar. The service was good. My card got declined because it was locked. The bartender was patient while I figured it out. However, the food which is always my main focus. Let's talk about the food. It was rather disappointing. We opted for a small Salad, Chicken Parm, and Nutella pie. The only thing decent was the pie. It was huge, light and fluffy, and covered in caramel. The chicken Parm was a great size (2 big) breasts heavily breaded and covered in sauce and cheese, completely lacking flavor. The breading did have herbs. Additionally, it was completely greasey. You could squeeze the cutlet and the oil oozed. They definitely needed salt, too. The side of spaghetti was no different. The sauce was the same and lacked flavor. I did add fresh shaved parmesan, so the salt in that should have enhanced the flavor, but it was still lacking . The whole meal was void of flavor but looked esthetically palatable. I asked her opinion and she felt the same. Gave it a 2 out of 10. In fairness, she's Indian so she likes heavy flavor and spice, and I love strong seasoning, so this may not have been our cup of tea. So, take my review with a pinch of salt.“

“I want to be as objective as possible. Im trying to play nice. Especially for a restaurant that charges your card for a reservation hold. Our reservation didn't get booked, so we sat at the bar. The service was good. My card got declined because it was locked. The bartender was patient while I figured it out. However, the food which is always my main focus. Let's talk about the food. It was rather disappointing. We opted for a small Salad, Chicken Parm, and Nutella pie. The only thing decent was the pie. It was huge, light and fluffy, and covered in caramel. The chicken Parm was a great size (2 big) breasts heavily breaded and covered in sauce and cheese, completely lacking flavor. The breading did have herbs. Additionally, it was completely greasey. You could squeeze the cutlet and the oil oozed. They definitely needed salt, too. The side of spaghetti was no different. The sauce was the same and lacked flavor. I did add fresh shaved parmesan, so the salt in that should have enhanced the flavor, but it was still lacking . The whole meal was void of flavor but looked esthetically palatable. I asked her opinion and she felt the same. Gave it a 2 out of 10. In fairness, she's Indian so she likes heavy flavor and spice, and I love strong seasoning, so this may not have been our cup of tea. So, take my review with a pinch of salt.“

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

“Very good food, and great service“

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

“We had the most amazing evening at Volo. From the perfectly prepared cocktails to the decadent tiramisu. The tagliatelle was outstanding!!! We will be back for another exceptional evening.“

“Phenomenal dinner and outstanding customer service. I had the apple beggar's purse appetizer, and it was as good as dessert. Just amazing. I had the Seabass entree, again very impressed. The flavor profile for both of these dishes was unreal. Paired with Oban 14 neat. I am so glad I went in!!“

“My wife and I took our daughter there this past Wednesday. They split a Dolce Salato flatbread pizza and I had bucatini amatriciana and for dessert pistachio semifreddo. Oh it was delizioso, and an excellent choice! We will return there!! Our waitress Alina took great care of us!!!“

“First visit. Food was excellent and service was on top of things. Would love to give this 5 stars and come back often.

Only complaint was the acoustics. The crowd really grew after we got there at 6, and the noise grew steadily. It was mostly professionals and couples. I found myself talking louder and louder to be heard - even asking my friend to repeat themselves. The voices carried and echoed, so just general conversation was hard.

For reference, we were seated in the front corner, to the far left after entering from the door. Our whole side seemed louder than the other side, where the bar was. By the end, I couldn’t wait to leave.“

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

“Great food and wonderful service!“

“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“

“Great Italian restaurant feel and taste of NYC.“

“My Italian dad always told us to start with the best ingredients to make the best food. This is exactly what Mano Bella is doing in South Park. The space is charming. The service is warm and welcoming. The food is exceptionally good. You'll never want to leave!“

“Delicious authentic Italian in a great atmosphere.“

“I visited this location on Saturday evening and hunny I was so pleased!!! I got the lemon kale caesar salad w/chicken and it was absolutely delicious (go now, I mean right neeeooowwww)!!! Chef Alex, Aviana, and Emilie were so kind, patient and prepared my food EXACTLY how I asked! The environment from the time I entered, the customer service, friendliness, and cleanliness of the establishment were all top tier!!! I'd go here again, again, and again, for their food!!!! Thank you, you guys are absolutely amazing!!!!“

“Thank you for an amazing evening …. Thank YOU James for remembering us ( and where we sat ) 2 years ago. Thank you for your attention to detail …. James is the BEST in Charlotte!!!!!“

“Sweet potato Ravioli and broccolini were excellent!“

“The service and atmosphere were top notch. We were well attended and the restaurant is beautiful. Our server was quick and attentive.

My wife and I ordered the tomato bruschetta for a starter. One of the best bruschetta's I've every enjoyed. The plate is served with four large pieces and given the size I think it may be a bit much for two as a starter but that didn't stop us. For entrees I enjoyed the gnocchi and my wife ordered pappardelle with mushrooms and cream sauce. My gnocchi was good but my wife's pappardelle was excellent. The meatiness of the mushrooms and the pappardelle noodles were filling and the cream cause was very flavorful. My gnocchi was equally as flavorful with a pesto sauce but I enjoyed the meatiness of the mushrooms in my wife's dish much more.

The two disappointments were the tiramisu we ordered for desert and the price. My wife read where someone quoted that the restaurant claims this to be authentic and a recipe straight out of Italy. What we ordered was not (and I've been to Italy and eaten my fair share of tiramisu). Ours came out with a less than desirable presentation. The bottom have was a soggy mess. I feel like this was the last piece in a mass produced tray that was about to be thrown out. Given the price of the dish, and the rest of the food, this dish was unacceptable.

Lastly, the prices overall were a tad bit high. Given the area the restaurant is located, I get it. We ordered an app, two wines each, two entrees (both vegetarian) and the tiramisu and we were in for $180, a bit steep for Italian.“

“Mano Bello in SouthPark, is the real deal for authentic Italian cuisine. Owned by Rafaele Patrizi, a native of Italy, every dish has that fatto a mano (handmade) touch. You can even watch the magic happen at their pasta-making station—there’s something mesmerizing about seeing fresh tortellini come to life right before your eyes.

The restaurant has a cozy, caffè-style atmosphere with some charming outdoor seating, perfect for a casual meal with friends or family. The staff, including Thien, Daniel, and Paula, were not only friendly but also super knowledgeable—pronouncing the names of pasta dishes with that perfect Italian accent. Grazie mille to them for making the experience special.

One thing I was particularly excited about was their lasagna, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. This lasagna is layered with thick, fresh pasta sheets, a rich blend of beef and pork sausage, gooey mozzarella, and a tomato sauce that was so fresh and flavorful. You can absolutely tell the pasta is handmade—it had that perfect rustic texture, almost like Nonna made it right in her kitchen. The portion is generous too, enough to share between two for a hearty lunch. If you’re in SouthPark and in the mood for lasagna, this is where I’d go.

While they offer great 2-for-1 lunch salad and sandwich specials (pasta isn’t included, though), they have some fantastic seasonal pasta dishes that are worth trying. And if you’re dining with a group, I highly suggest ordering a variety of entrees and sharing them family style—you’ll get a true taste of Italy this way.

Just a heads up—the cell service isn’t great, and the WiFi is hit or miss, so it’s best to skip the QR code menu and just order at the counter. The staff will bring your meal right to you.

They also have a small Italian market inside, perfect for grabbing top-quality ingredients or take-and-bake entrees for when you want to recreate that Italian feast at home. While this location doesn’t have the famous ruota di pasta (pasta wheel), you can check that out at their 7th Street Market spot.

Overall, Mano Bello is a fantastic stop if you’re craving fresh, handmade Italian food. Buon appetito!“

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

“Eastway

L.O.V.E. this place!! We have NEVER had a bad meal or been disappointed. We believe it is solely because of the old school owner who does NOT accept poor service and who only delivers food to his standards and quality. Always consistent and delicious. ??

Parking: Free/Open Strip Plaza parking“

“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!❤️“

“The waiter was friendly and helpful. We discovered he also spoke a couple languages including some French and Italian so we chatted with him between amazing courses of fresh bruschetta and three out-of-this-world pasta dishes. Definitely try the rich and wonderful carbonara with the homemade noodles! The food and atmosphere was fancy even though we were dressed in T-shirts. No one seemed to mind, so good for a date night. Italian rosé wine was good, light. Not cheap though.“

“The food was great and the portions are absolutely worth the price. I ordered online and they had it ready for me asap when I got in the door. I highly recommend!“

“The food, service and ambiance was excellent.“

“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“

“Yesterday was my first time trying Nothing but Noodles and I was very much impressed, I went back for lunch again. Amazing food!!!“

“The food, atmosphere, and service was all great! We got a couple of appetizers and various dishes. Everything was delicious! My lasagna had a white sauce instead of red. It was a bit unexpected but I was happy with the dish. I got the drip coffee after the meal and we also tried the donut dessert. I loved it all!“

“It’s the best restaurant in Charlotte.“

“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?“

“Delicious, fresh, high-quality food (the fish special is always a good choice) with professional waitstaff. On nice evenings you can sit outside, on cold and rainy nights our favorite place is at the pizza bar to enjoy the warmth the pizza oven puts off.“

“Great outing with my teenagers“

“I was pleasantly surprised at this hidden gem in South Charlotte! Almost embarrassed I have never been there before! Excellent ambiance and service. I can't wait to go back! Highly recommend!“

“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“

“I had the baked lasagna and it was just ok. And perhaps I don't know what lasagna is supposed to look like ... but I was thinking it was composed of several layers of pasta and meat. I don't think there was more than one layer ... so I'm a bit confused. Nonetheless ... I won't be ordering the baked lasagna again.

Service was excellent ... as it always is.“

“Had a very nice dinner at Angela's. Menu had plenty of inviting entree options, most accompanied by pasta or a veggie medley. Wait staff (Kayla) was great, attentive but not overbearing. Our food selections (appetizer and entrees) were very good. This is a go to restaurant for us going forward.“

“Went there for dinner with 6 adults. Two had chicken parm, one had veal saltonbuca, two had pizza and one had the short ribs on special. Appetizers were clams casino and wedding soup. First off..the short ribs were epic..and what a presentation! It was the best I have ever seen...and enormous. She LOVED it. A picky eater had the veal and the clams...both were excellent. Veal portions tend to be tiny...this was a good sized piece and he was very happy. The large pepperoni pizza was split for 2 and it was very well received..but couldn't finish. The 2 chicken parmesans were excellent...not very big but tasted great. The red sauce was excellent. The side salads were good...cold and good size. The hit of the night was the bread...it was plentiful and tasty with a rock hard crust. Best bread in a restaurant in a long time. Dipping oil would have been a nice choice...but butter was fine. Only one dessert..a cannoli covered in chocolate and a touch of cinnamon...she enjoyed it. For improvement...service was slow. We waited 15 minutes for a waiter...and then mid ordering drinks..the waiter was changed..for some reason. We had Bobby and he did a good job. When we first sat down a dour faced woman was dragging tables and chairs for about 10 minutes...totally unnecessary. I think she was actually acting out by making a racket. Seating was extremely tight...close tables, unbalanced tables rocking and very little room between us. Seating was just plain uncomfortable. We had been here years ago until Riccios was discovered. Riccios was a more elegant and upscale experience. Personally I LOVED Riccios...my favorite Charlotte dining...now closed. Portofinos was very good...not 5 stars but certainly 4...and they may have hit their target at 4 in a pizza place setup. We will DEFINITELY be back. If Riccios reopens and returns to their past quality...Italian dinner will be there always. Lunch would be fine at Portofinos. A very good experience...not great. We were all happy...and full.

Parking: It was 6pm and the entire strip mall was packed. It was difficult to maneuver. It's about what you expect in mall parking at dinnertime“

“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!“

“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!“

“We wanted a good pizza and man did they deliver! The staff was extremely helpful on a busy Saturday night with a very full house. We ate in the store and they had some cheese cake we took home. 5 stars“

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

“My experience was amazing. Our server, Madeline, was awesome, hands down. She was very, very polite while serving us. Checked on me and my wife to make sure we had everything we wanted & need. Kept a smile on her face. She definitely gave the atmosphere a great feeling. Plus, the food was very good. Thank you again, Madeline & Olive Garden ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“Friendly staff and an amazing food for the family“

“My first time there, it was amazingly tasty! Thank you so much! I recommend this restaurant to all!! Yolanda Gamboa-Hernández“

“Best Italian place in Charlotte!!! The food was fantastic, the atmosphere was charming and the service was quick and amazing!! We had the best server, Miranda. She was very sweet and accommodating:) I will definitely come back to Forchetta!

Dietary restrictions: Gluten free options available:)“

“The food is about what you expect from an olive garden, though some of the pasta was a bit oily. However, I wanted to right a review commending the absolutely fantastic service we received from our waitress/bartender Mesha. I felt well attended to and she provided a great and warm atmospheric to her section she waitrd on. I would come back again just for her service!“