37 Best Italian Restaurants near Franklin

“We had an amazing meal a few weeks ago at Luca’s! We were greeted and seated and waited on promptly. We brought our own wine in which they had no problem opening for us. The food was out of this world. Their meatball appetizer is everything you’ve heard and then some. Incredible sauce, bread service, and our meals were excellent. My partner had the octopus for an appetizer and said it was incredible. Both of our meals were amazing and served timely and piping hot. I had the chicken marsala with mushroom risotto, delicious! And he had the veal saltimbocca. The service was prompt, pleasant and just perfect, and the atmosphere is lovely. I highly recommend this restaurant!“

“Love this place! Fast delivery always, and everything is delicious!“

“Simply the best ,I eat there everyday there open great food great service and trust me I'm a fuss pot when it comes to my food but they have never disappointed me in the years I have been going there“

“Cafe Alfredo catered a wedding for our family for 100 people with short notice on 8/14. The food was delicious!!!! It felt like that menu was planned months ago. The food was fresh and hot! Our family that came from near and far was very complimentary on the taste and quality of the food. We had penne and vodka, chicken and eggplant parm, pasta and garlic, chicken francaise and my favorite of the night shrimp linguine Alfredo! Thank you Giuseppe and team for saving the day with great food!“

“I have been here twice and each time the men/workers are friendly and attentive. The food taste fresh and looks more than appealing. I love how they fry the wings slightly hard so that the sauce doesn't make them too mushy. Each time the place was clean and I even saw the man wiping down in between services.“

“excellent food especially the pizza and deserts. Generous portions, and they give you extra items for FREE! Very friendly staff...an all-around great place to eat (reasonable prices too!).“

“While your food is delicious, your customer service need work. Some of the younger kids rush you off the phone and when you pick up your food its even worse. no thank you, no nothing. just sign here and they walk away. almost short of bring rude“

“Great food and workers are very friendly“

“Excellent food!!! Great service!“

“Had dinner there last night. Service was great with special notice to out server Denise. Tipped her accordingly. Other staff removed used dishes in a timely manner. Meals arrived hot and portion size was perfect. This was our 4 visit to them and always had great dinning,“

“4 of us went there last night not knowing reservations are recommended. We were able to be seated at 5:30 but told (not so nicely) that there was a reservation coming at 7 for this particular table! I almost walked out after that comment was made. Other than that, the food was delicious and our waitress was great!“

“On Friday 4/26/24 my husband and I had a rehearsal dinner for our son and daughter in law at Milano's. We had 32 people at the restaurant. The service was fantastic. The amount of food was crazy. The restaurant met all our needs. We would highly recommend Milano's. It was a great night before the wedding at Mountain Creek.“

“My wife and I loved our dinner. Looks like we’ll be regulars. Highly recommend eating here. Friendly staff too!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“Shout out to Brittany for the great service and the food was great.“

“Visited this restaurant with our friends, Eddie & Kathie, who live in the area and we had a marvelous time. Cocktails, wine, main meals and dessert were great as was the ambiance and the hospitality of Dina, who we met, her sister and the entire staff. We live about 50 minutes away but we will make it a point to return in the not so distant future.“

“Excellent food and service“

“Crystal Springs Bistro exceeded our expectations. Trent out server was amazing and offered the best service, he was able to give recommendations and was warm and welcoming. Brian the bartender made our tables drinks and made the best espresso martini I have ever had!! It was a great experience at Bistro!! We most definitely will be back!!!“

“I absolutely recommend Pizza1! Beat pizza I’ve had in YEARS! They also cover the ENTIRE pie with mozzarella and I never bite into dough and sauce! FINALLY a pizza place that is not a con or CHEAP and uses ENOUGH Mozzarella! Their pies are also 16 inches,but it’s the biggest 16 in pie I’ve eaten! At least you can fold a slice of pizza from this place. Definitely get your next pie from this place! Hopefully they stay consistent!!“

“I have had two bridal showers at Portofino in Oak Ridge, and not only did everyone love the food, but Nancy and the entire staff is outstanding. They go above and beyond to help you in any capacity that they can. I highly recommend Portofino either for lunch, dinner or any kind of event you have whether it is big or small. You can't go wrong with Portofino, I can't say enough great things about the staff and restaurant!“

“Excellent traditional Italian food. Salads and bread were fresh. Pasta was delicious. Meats were cooked perfectly. Very kind and attentive staff. If we were locals this would be our regular spot.

A big thank you to the staff. We were very under dressed. Wife had just run a Spartan and we were at the tail end of a road trip. We picked the restaurant on the GPS assuming it was a pizza place. We almost left, but the young man who greeted us convinced us to stay. So glad we did. Thank you.“

“I like La Vita. It’s a nice option amongst a town full of franchise pizzeria restaurants.
We get sliced meats there and love the beet salad with hazelnuts. I hope this is taken constructively and not as harsh or overly critical:

When I get one arancini I’m always offered one very small side of marinara and never have been charged for it. It’s about a tablespoon of sauce in a small condiment cup. Now two weeks in a row I’ve gone in and asked for four arancini. Last week I was given two cups ( or tablespoons ) for four large risotto balls. Didn’t realize it till I got home. Today I asked for four arancini and was asked if I’d like marinara, said yes and was given one cup. I said I’d like one for each risotto ball and was told it would be extra.
That makes no sense. One condiment cup for four large arancini. Said I’d pay but explained my point.
Why not just increase the price 25-50 cents per ball and automatically include the sauce… and give a fuller cup of sauce ? It saves the unnecessary up charge which doesn’t make me feel good having to explain. Don’t know if I was charged because no receipt is ever given.

Also, the Caesar salad dressing has no flavor, it seems like no anchovy, lemon or garlic. Caesar dressing is a specific recipe and thought would be honored in such an establishment. Just offer authentic dressing and an “ lighter “ option.
Also, when I ask for it to go why is it dressing is on the side? It’s like romain lettuce from the supermarket in a box instead of a cellophane bag… just at a higher price.

And the porchetta meal I had recently-
while delicious was mostly fat and not much meat or fennel. Not a lot for the price.

Finally, I had asked for a caprese sandwich but said focaccia was too much bread and was offered a hero and said yes.
I know, I know… Hero’s are huge and I wasn’t thinking because I said focaccia is too much bread. But I said I didn’t want a lot of bread. So, a hero wasn’t a good alternative- and without olive oil or balsamic on the bread makes for a very dry sandwich even though the arugula was dressed nicely and the ingredients fresh and tasty. It’s too much bread for a tomato mozzarella and arugula sandwich. I ate everything except the bread. Was there a better option? Communication.“

“Finally had a chance to order. The food was phenomenal, but not for the price. I was really disappointed with the "lack" of food in the container for $22. There may have been 1 cup of that if rice in the container.“

“Just moved here from NH. Got it to go. My husband and I loved the food for such a reasonable price. We live in Sparta and this place is only 2.5 miles from our new home! Yea!!“

“i adore this place and the workers. everyone is so kind and the food is SO good. prices are totally reasonable! i frequent this place not only because it is local for me, but i am happy to eat it. come here if you have a chance, i’m sure you won’t be disappointed :D“

“we're new to the area and took a shot. It was the best decision and best pizza I've had. thin crust Sicilian...fantastic!“

“Absolutely love it here! We come very often and always enjoy.“

“Best pizza in the area! Incredible freshness!“

“We recently hosted a birthday part? W Franks pizza catering it .hoagies and sev platters everything came out perfect..very reasonably priced totally recommend for catering the chicken and padta dished..deluscious!(Thanks Franks for a great party!)“

“Best pizza around! I used to work at an award winning pizza place and since moving to Oak Ridge have not found pizza that I love until Pintos. (I'm picky) BUT not only is the pizza good but the guy (who I think is the owner) making the pizzas is SO friendly. Always has a smile and makes sure to say hello and goodbye to everyone.“

“We just had a wonderful experience with Anthony Franco in Sparta. From start to finish! They made everything so easy! That's huge! The Food and service was great! Our server Brooke was really great! They made our special gathering really nice and very easy!“

“Been a customer of Frank’s for a long time, close to 30 years, the food is always consistent, it never disappoints and never wavers. Nothing fancy just good quality American - Italian! Good portions at a fair price. IMO the best pie in the area, especially when I ask for pizza made the way I like it! They know! The staff is wonderful and the family of owners are all top notch people. We love Frank’s!“

“Muy buena comida me encanta la pizza y las alitas de pollo con picante“

“We were visiting our son on the Appalachian Trail and stopped by for 6 different pizzas to bring to him and his fellow hikers on the trail. All were absolutely delicious! We were happy and so were the hikers!“

“Our family had a Memorial Luncheon on July 2, 2022 and experienced world class service by our server, Suzie and the busboy, Ryan. The cod, chicken rollatini and tiramusi were absolutely delicious - rave reviews by all from our party of 30. Suzie and Ryan were courteous, friendly, efficient and very professional. Both are a credit to the restaurant - job well done! We will definitely be returning soon.“

“Always fresh great service and fast delivery“

“Normally order regular pizza which is great but yesterday I ordered the Tuscany Chicken Pizza. It was amazing and the best pizza I’ve ever had! Try it- you won’t be disappointed“

“Once again the hubs brought REAL pizza back home to PA! The selection of specialty pizza slices is absolutely insane, the garlic knots are the size of your head, and the rice balls are absolutely phenomenal. Love when he stops and today we FaceTime’d and I got to pick my own slices!!!“