50 Best Italian Restaurants in Raleigh

“We recently went to Brodeto to discover what all of the hype was about. From the minute we walked into the restaurant until the moment we walked out, I have nothing but great things to say about this restaurant. i honestly believe it was one of the best dining experiences I have ever had. The food is awesome and the staff was spot on in every aspect. I can only hope that everyone has the same experience that I was able to witness.“

“Established Italian restaurant, and an NC State centric place. We only sat in the restaurant but they also have a bar attached . Lots of photos and things. Our pizza was good as was the caprese salad. We'll have to come back and hit the bar, and try more of the menu.“

“We had a wedding rehearsal dinner there this past weekend. Delicious food, good sized portions, excellent service! Thank you so much for making it a wonderful occasion.“

“We drove all the way from Swansboro, Nc to eat their pizza and mozzarella cheese sticks! No joke! We take a mini trip just to eat their delicious foods! Highly recommend! Everyone is so kind! My son even loves playing the piano as we exit the building! We are already looking forward to be returning in the near future! The cheese pull on the mozz sticks is crazy! Thank you again!!!“

“I really love this restaurant and the Italian food is outstanding. Very nice management and staff too with outstanding service.“

“If you’re looking for great Italian food in Raleigh, Pierro’s Italian Bistro is definitely worth trying. The atmosphere is really nice and the service was excellent. I ordered the risotto and it was incredible. I’m very particular about tiramisu, and this one definitely passed the test. We also tried a chocolate dessert and the beignets and they were so good. Everything we had was delicious. It was a really great experience overall. It’s clear they really care about the food and the experience. We will definitely be back.“

“Hands down best Sea Bass ever! With shrimp mussels and clams! Got an early taste of the menu for tonight! Hands down John and his staff are 100%!“

“Great New York style pizza. Sandwiches and desserts are great too.“

“Anthony literally saved the night the other night from a horrible restaurant experience at another restaurant down the street to his prime location in Downtown Raleigh it was a night and day experience, 1000% recommend to anyone who wants a great dining and great food experience.“

“My partner and I decided to try Piada on Valentines Day while craving some pasta. When I tell you it DID NOT DISAPPOINT!

From the greeting, to the helpful tips from Precious and Tiffany, and the quality and consistency of the food. We even tried a Spinach Artichoke Piada Pocket with marinara sauce. 10/10 and will definitely be trying again.

This will now be our a favorite spot for quick but tasty meals. They have great recipes but can also create your own. Try it for yourself :)“

“Farm to Table Italian cuisine with Southern Twist, with the perfect combination of ingredients and Flavors I had the opportunity to dine at Figulina in Raleigh, NC, which offers freshly made pasta with strong Italian influences, bringing in new flavors, ingredients, and spices. The overall restaurant created an atmosphere that catered to a variety of patrons, including couples/dates, families, business colleagues, and small to large groups, with an equally spacious outside patio. The service was also a step above the rest, with curated descriptions of all the cuisines and attention to detail. They surely made the night one to remember and a reason to come back. Having traveled the globe to over 69 countries, including spending an extensive period in Italy, what really impressed me was how they took very Italian-inspired dishes but made them more elaborate and exciting for a one-of-a-kind tasting experience. We started with some appetizers and small plates, which included #1 Stuffed dates with Gorgonzola Dolce, Medjool dates, hazelnuts, hot honey, #2 Whipped ricotta with roasted muscadine, prosciutto, pickled celery, farro piccolo, and verjus, and #3 House Focaccia. The Stuff Dates was a combination of the deep sweetness of the dates, soft creaminess, and flavor from the gorgonzola, complemented by the crunchy hazelnut, and the sweetness of the honey, which produced an amazing one-bite, flavorful experience. The Whipped Ricotta goes beyond sophisticated with its rich ricotta at the bottom, farro for texture and traction, roasted muscadines that burst like little pockets of jam, and prosciutto bits for a slight salty-sweet flavor, leaving you with the desire for more. Finally, the focaccia wasn't really groundbreaking. In fact, I have had much better focaccia in other places – it wasn't exactly worth eating as it just fills up your stomach unnecessarily. We followed up with 3 entrees: #1 Rigatoni with red wine–braised eggplant, capers, oyster mushroom, and bottarga crumb, #2 Triangoli with braised guinea hen, sweet pepper tagine, charred okra, goat lady chèvre, preserved lemon, toasted pistachio, and #3 Mafaldine alla carbonara with guanciale and pecorino romano. The Rigatoni was an intricate pasta dish with a red wine braise that softened the eggplant to a silky, confit consistency, featuring subtle tannic complexity, capers that brought flashes of saltiness, and oyster mushrooms that introduced a satiny, woody texture that played off the eggplant. The bottarga crumb is the coup de grâce: sea salt salinity and sandy crunch that sticks to rigatoni ridges, salting each bite. The Triangoli was an excellent blend of Mediterranean and North African flavors, with the triangoli laminated and cooked just past al dente to accommodate the tangy chèvre's tanginess and creaminess inside. The guinea hen provides a juicy, savory, and spiced flavor profile, while the sweet pepper tagine adds warmth and sweetness. The charred okra brings smokiness and a faint grassy note, and the accompaniment of preserved lemon provides the perfect combination of sweet, savory, and citrus. There was a minor execution issue with the dish. It was too spicy. Unfortunately, when using fresh ingredients from local farms, there are always challenges in what you will receive. They believe that the peppers may have added too much spice to the dish, which made it a little overpowering. While the Mafaldine alla carbonara was a perfected classic, with the silkiness of the fresh pasta, the emulsion of the egg, and the pecorino romano, it also brought a feeling of refreshment with each rich bite. I found the dish to be a little lackluster in terms of complexity. I feel that this dish could have added dimension to make it more interesting with some different garnishes or added flavor elements, such as caramelized onions, wild mushrooms, peas, or even more impactful pancetta, which could elevate this dish to the next level. Overall, I would absolutely recommend this restaurant to anyone without reservations. The way this restaurant ad“

“Just had one of the best Philly cheese steak subs ever! Definitely would recommend.“

“I went for lunch and ordered a pizza with sausage and pepperoni. The pizza was very good having a crisp crust and flavorful sausage. The servers were attentive and pleasant. The food came out hot and it was prepared in a reasonable amount of time.“

“Nothing beats the comfort and quality of Bella Monica food! I first dined here in college when I was looking for some eggplant parmesan - since that day 20 years later it’s still my favorite Italian restaurant in Raleigh! Btw their eggplant parmesan uses in house ROASTED eggplant not fried and I cannot explain how delicious it is. I’ve likely tried everything on the menu by this point and not once have I been disappointed.“

“Amazing ambience and food great location loved it“

“As always, it was excellent. We found this place during covid, now we drive 90 miles for Dr. appts. at Durham and make sure we get to eat here before we leave. Excellent! Excellant! Excellant!“

“Our entire family celebrated my daughter’s birthday on a busy Friday night, but we felt like we were the only ones in the restaurant! Personal service, great wine, and the food makes you want to go back every day for something new!!! Thanks to the Longp family for a spectacular and fun celebration! Will be back soon!!!!“

“Great authentic Italian cuisine! Great friendly staff!!“

“Such a great place. So yummy and friendly :)“

“I found a recommendation for Farina on a Reddit post about Italian restaurants in Raleigh and I am so glad I decided to try it! The food was beyond wonderful with amazing portions and our server, Rachel I. was just as splendid. I can’t say enough about how much we enjoyed our experience and I will definitely recommend Farina to everyone!“

“it was ,by far, one of the best restaurants for authentic Italian food that I for one grew up eating in New York. we came for dinner on 8/29/2024 to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. it looks like the restaurant has changed hands, as all of the staff with the exception of one of server has been replaced. and, the quality of the food has gone down quite a lot. there's no where near the consistency and portions, yet they have new menus with higher prices. we sure won't be going back. this is a shame, as we've been going there for quite a long time.“

“We discovered this restaurant during restaurant week and we are so glad that we did! We went in about an hour before closing and sometimes that can be a hit or miss, but not for this restaurant! Our food came out hot and perfectly prepared! Everything was delicious and I definitely did not expect these type of dishes at this restaurant! I’m so excited to come back in a try an array of different entrees. The ambience was also great in the restaurant and it definitely can accommodate any type of gathering or small birthday party as well.“

“Came in around 8p and ordered a small pepperoni (hand-tossed) with spinach (spinach recommended by cashier) and he told me 10 minutes. I sat in my car for 8 as I was walking in I was met at the door with a steaming hot pizza & may I add it was quite delicious. Don’t think I’ll be getting my pizza elsewhere!!“

“My wife and I walked down to Smokey Hollow for a late lunch /early dinner. We were quite impressed with La Cucina. We had the Bianca Pizza which was top notch (the crust was nice and crisp). They also had my favorite Raleigh Brewing IPA on tap. The pizza chef came out to ask us how it was, and also offered us to taste their marinara sauce which they offer on their pasta (next time). All in all, I recommend these guys highly.“

“This was a surprisingly good place! I always am picky about Italian food because I spent a month or so in southern Italy and it high key ruined my ability to enjoy normal American italian food.Anyway! My friend got a feta and some other type of cheese calzone and thought it was great! (It had real feta!) I got chicken parm. The sauce was super nice and it was a good amount of chicken and pasta. The salad was fresh too!It's in a little building, and I only found it because of reviews on Google. Make sure you park in the paved lot to the left~In short, give it a shot! You'll probably be pleasantly surprised!“

“Some of THE best pizza I've ever had! We drive an hour just to come eat this pizza. The cheese is my absolute favorite but the chicken bacon ranch is awesome too!! Can't go wrong with any choice!“

“Went here last night and the service was great and the food was as well. Shannon is a great fit“

“Excellent pizza and food, great service with pleasant staff.“

“I love the pizza even after the next day. that cheese pull is everything and the shrimp fettuccine Alfredo is amazing!“

“Ate dinner here last night! Food was great and our waitress, Hannah, was the best!“

“Order a pepperoni and Italian sausage pizza just to give it a try. We used to go to Salvio’s when it was at the same location. I must say I’m very impressed solid NY pizza thin crispy crust fresh sauce and cheese. Will definitely be back!“

“First time here yesterday and wow Sherly absolutely made the whole experience. From the moment we sat down, she had incredible recommendations and knew exactly what to suggest. Every dish was amazing, and the service? Top tier. She was attentive, friendly, and just brought such a great vibe to our night. Honestly, 10/10 across the board. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was perfect, but Sherly is what will bring us back. We’ll definitely be coming again, and we’re 100% asking for her every time! 🩵“

“Love coming back to this place for our corporate parties. Delicious food, great service, beautiful design and warm atmosphere.“

“This place is a gem. Food was delicious. Service excellent. Atmosphere, warm and friendly. Can't wait to return“

“This place blew away my expectations! The food was delicious at a great value. The staff and manager (Joyella) are the best!“

“I hosted a celebration dinner with 18 people for a big occasion, and it was phenomenal on every level! They were very helpful within the reservation process, arranged a beautiful setup and table for us, and the food was fantastic! Everyone loved their food. The best part of it all was the service. They were extremely kind and generous, giving a complimentary drink and refunding our paid public parking. I recommend them for any occasion or just a nice night out! Thank you for making our occasion a night to remember Tuscan Blu team.“

“If you are looking for amazing authentic Italian food (especially the pasta) look no further. I also love the whole atmosphere - it was wonderful to sit outside in a place that doesn’t feel like it is in the city and genuinely has a beautiful view.“

“I had a great meal tonight consisting of veal parm and pasta, bread and salad. The veal and pasta were very flavorful. The rolls were very tasty.“

“La Piazza catered my daughter's wedding this past Saturday and OMG, it was the best EXPERIENCE ever!!!! The food was ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS, the amount of food was incredible. Guests were coming up to me all night and the next day asking who catered the wedding, because the food was so delicious. I HIGHLY recommend Anthony for all your catering needs. If you are looking for delicious authentic Italian food then he is your guy to go to. He was absolutely the best to work with. He stayed in constant communication with us the entire time. We also had him make 20 pizzas for the rehearsal dinner and EVERYONE loved the pizza's. He helped make our daughter's dream wedding come true. His staff was AMAZING. Anthony, WE APPRECIATE YOU!!!!THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!!!!“

“Great experience Food was GREAT. Leona and Hampton are the best.“

“Stopped in real quick to have the soup salad and bread sticks and the service was great. A little bit of a wait to get a table because I think they might be a little under staffed as there were a lot of open tables. But the service was great, we got refreshed on salad, soups and even bread sticks quickly. Our waiter came by regularly to check on us and see what we needed more of. We'll definitely be back next time when we have me room for pasta as well.“

“Kaitlyn did a great job. She checked on us often, the food was great and the music was a nice touch.“

“Staff is great and friendly. Location is clean. I have gotten take out here many times and every time the food was great. I have gotten subs, wings and today the deluxe pizza which is fantastic. The steak sub was very tasty and the deluxe pizza had a generous amount of items. I have had Marcos pizza a few times and it was ok but I much prefer Bella Roma. The crust is like traditional Italian crush and the sauce was very very good. Marcos sauce I found to have a bitter after taste and didn't agree with my belly. This location on New Hope is some of the best pizza in the general area. I highly suggest eating here or for take out.“

“This cheesesteak is fresh, flavorful, and definitely worth the money.“

“My family and I stopped in before our flight out of Raleigh this morning for a quick bite and a cocktail, and we’re so glad we did! From the moment we walked in, the manager, waiter, and even the chef greeted us and made us feel so welcome. Everyone was incredibly kind and friendly—it truly made the experience special. I wish I could remember their names, but thank you all for the amazing service and delicious food!“

“Phenomenal food at a family owned business. So glad my wife & I found this hidden gem today. We were very pleased with our tasty food, large portions, & great atmosphere. We will be back.“

“So delicious!!! Ravioli and chicken cacciatore.Yum!“

“The atmosphere was romantic and the food was absolutely amazing! My husband had one of the best filets that he has ever had and the homemade pasta was as close as I’ve found to true Italian pasta. Highly recommend for a romantic date night ❤️“

“Great experience Food was GREAT. Leona and Hampton are the best.“

“The Chicago pizza is AWESOME!!! Stopped in on a trip too get it to go. The manager (assuming he was) and/or at least bartender made great LIT’s and was a cool guy to talk to while waiting! I’ll be making the hour drive there often!“