50 Best Italian Restaurants near Matthews

“Nicole was fantastic. Awesome personality etc We look forward to seeing her again.“

“We had a surprise birthday party for a family member today!! What a great time. We had use of the Queens room, The food was great as usual but I need to bragg especially in our server Jeanette. She was amazing she handled us all with efficiency and grace!! I know we drove her crazy but she was amazing!!!! Thank you John’s place for a wonderful time and again kudos to Jeanette !!!“

“My husband and I have been going to Marios/John’s place for over 30 years and have never had a bad meal. John has done an excellent job from his managers to wait staff and to the wonderful tasting food. I recently had a private party there and every person raved about the food and the hospitality of the restaurant. I cannot thank John enough for making everything perfect. You are definitely missing out if you don’t go there and have a wonderful dinner.“

“My husband and I drove from a small town in South Carolina today and we were first timers to this place and loved it!! Very friendly people who talk to and you feel like family!!“

“Get the chicken Parm every time, plus a calzone to go. calzones are as big as my head!! get 4 meals out of this! plus the garlic knots are to die for!!“

“great pizza! 4 tvs, Labatts sold here.“

“We’ve been twice now and both times we had great food, great service and can’t wait to try more! We’ve had pizza and pasta, my mom tried the eggplant parm and dad tried the Mama’s Feast - all great portions and flavors were amazing! Will be back!“

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

“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“

“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!“

“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.“

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

“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!“

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

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

“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 🙏🏻“

“I love that so many things are freshly made. Salad dressing not being in a prepackaged container makes a big difference to me. Also, I love the pay it forward menu. I'd like to be able to just give $20 instead of ordering something specific but it's great nonetheless.“

“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.“

“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 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“

“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!“

“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!“

“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?“

“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!“

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

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

“I just stopped at Rossini’s for the first time and had their lunch Salmon Salad. Let me tell you I am a Salmon Snob and this salad was the absolute best!! The large portioned, very tasty, very well seasoned blacken Salomon was superb! I will be back!!!“

“Had the pleasure of dining at That's Amore for the first time today. The food was excellent and the service was outstanding. We were celebrating my sister's birthday and the chef brought out a number of appetizers; ,bruschetta. cold antipasto, rice balls, etc.. and everything was absolutely delicious. Our main courses were equally delicious. If you haven't tried That's Amore then please do. You will love their authentic and fresh italian food!“

“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.“

“I just happened on this place a couple of weeks ago. It's my new favorite restaurant! True authentic Italian food❤️ I've been looking for this place! I will be a regular😁“

“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!“

“Haven't been to plive garden since before covid. This location is on it! Very quick service and food. Was in and out in about 45 minutes. Food was hot and delicious. Service was fantastic. It's been a very long time since I have been this satisfied!“