50 Best Italian Restaurants in Charlotte

“The beautiful lady at the hostess desk welcomed me and I immediately fell in love with this restaurant. We were a group of eight people, celebrating my son's graduation, and it was fabulous. The service was excellent and so was the food, with a diverse menu, and everyone found a dish that was unique to their tastes. I had the grilled octopus as an appetizer, something rarely found on the menu, and it was absolutely delicious. I cannot say enough good things about The Fig and staff!“

“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.“

“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!!!“

“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.“

“Unbelievable quality, service and atmosphere…must place to be“

“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.“

“Visiting from Lexington it had been a while since having anything resembling Greek food. It was difficult deciding what to eat and we decided to order several appetizers in order to get a good sampling. Spinach Pie, Zucchini and Eggplant Chips with Tzatziki Dill, Dolmades, Grilled Octopus and a ZPita Sandwich. All of the above were very good and I look forward to returning on my return to Charlotte.“

“Great food and wonderful service!“

“Great service and good food.“

“For my birthday, my fiancé and friends brought me here for a surprise dinner. The fine dining and romantic ambiance were perfect for the occasion. We were seated quickly, immediately provided refreshments, and had the absolute pleasure of having Tyler cater to us that evening.Tyler was truly marvelous throughout the entire experience. He gave us detailed explanations of drinks and entrees, and answered any of our questions. He has such a welcoming and hospitable demeanor, and it truly uplifted the overall dining experience.The food was phenomenal, and Tyler's recommendations were spot on for our palette preferences. I had the Truffled Bucatini and it was sublime. Tyler also brought out some Tiramisu for my birthday, and it was one of the best recipes I've ever had. The chef cooked fantastic food and it paired beautifully with our drinks.Lastly, unbeknownst to Tyler, this was my first night out since recovering from some health issues, and he made me feel extremely welcomed. I was able to ask for a box without feeling judged for not finishing a delicious meal. I never needed to ask for new utensils or additional water. His timing was impeccable and it felt as if he could read our minds.I would absolutely dine here again and recommend it to others!“

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

“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“

“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.“

“I love the pizza! In fact, I order it every time I visit my daughter in Wilmington! Crust is just perfect!“

“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.“

“Fantastic food and service, as always! I had the bolognese with fresh fettuccine and my wife had the penne vodka. Both were excellent and we also had the meatball appetizer, which is one of my favorites. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu and the service is always great.“

“I'm in Charlotte on holiday, I was looking for an Italian restaurant and I found the top, welcoming and very particular place, I ate porchetta, pasta, and many traditional Italian dishes and all done by hand as tradition dictates, if you find yourself in those parts it is an experience worth having.Parking: Large and free parkingWheelchair accessibility: Yes“

“Never been here before. Wish we had these back home! Delicious food with a super friendly staff. Kids loved their pasta bowls and m salad and piada were amazing! The avocado salad with grilled chicken was legit and the dressing was bright and flavorful. The crispy chicken piada was a delicious sammie!“

“Sweet potato Ravioli and broccolini were excellent!“

“Food was wonderful great place to enjoy a great dinner with family & friends! The waiters was phenomenal & the environment was luxury! 10/10“

“My wife and I had lunch there today and were absolutely please with everything. She had the lunch salad, and I had the Linguini del Mare, which was outstanding! Already thinking about our next trip here.“

“I have had a pleasant experience each time I have been there. Food is delicious. The staff is great.“

“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“

“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!❤️“

“Staff was super friendly and helpful. The margarita pizza was fast and tasty. Love the buffalo mozzarella ! Open table seating / order up front. Little fixens over by the beverage machines. Also had to sip on the side of marinara (so good ). It’s definitely a family friendly happening spot.“

“It’s the best restaurant in Charlotte.“

“Hidden gem !!! Was looking for somewhere new and saw the high ratings. It is worth EVERY SINGLE high rating. 5 out of 5. Fresh Bolognese sauce which you cannot find around here. Wife had stuffed shells. Couple pizzas to take home to the kids. Got to know Romeo and Katrina - so nice. This place deserves to be known. PS - Try the meatballs.“

“Garlic knots and mozzarella sticks were absolutely phenomenal. Alfredo and chicken Marsala were delicious, the Alfredo was the best we’ve ever had. Wasn’t too busy, great stop for a Thursday. Service was friendly and attentive. We were happy we stopped while out of town :)“

“OMG let me tell you. I am originally from NJ where we have the best Italian food. Lived in Nashville where Italian food and pizza was laughably bad. Moved here recently and I’m so glad I found Portofino’s. I got a pepperoni pizza for my husband and he thought it was very good. I ordered eggplant parm made with vodka sauce and it was just like my cousin used it make. Amazing. Worth every carb and calorie. Large portion, it was 3 meals for me because I ordered a side of pasta as well. Will definitely be back wherever I have a craving. This is my ultimate comfort food. Thank you!“

“Had never been here before, and went into it completely blind based entirely off of atmosphere. The food.was.incredible. Definitely recommend.“

“Absolutely thrilled to share our wonderful dining experience tonight, all thanks to our incredible waitress, Sharon! From the moment we sat down, Sharon was on the ball—taking our drink orders with a smile and swiftly bringing out our appetizers. Despite the busy evening, our dinner followed shortly with perfect timing, and Sharon ensured our experience was nothing short of perfect. I was especially impressed with how she kept our glasses filled and promptly replaced my napkin when I dropped it. Sharon truly sets the gold standard for customer service. Her attention to detail and proactive service made our dinner not just a meal, but a special event. Every restaurant should take note—this is how it's done! ? #ExceptionalService #DiningDelight“

“This is truly a family restaurant and the family that owns it is the best!! ♥️♥️♥️Delicious food and great prices. By far, my favorite place to dine- they have something for everyone!“

“The food, service and ambiance was excellent.“

“I celebrated my birthday in advance due to an evening show at Knight Theater. During my visit, G provided exceptional service as my server. The Peel nachos I ordered were superbly prepared. They were notably generous in portion size. The Godfather pizza I enjoyed was truly remarkable. For dessert, the Dulce Le Leche was exquisitely delightful. I extend my gratitude to G for ensuring a fantastic dining experience. It was a standout in terms of both cuisine and service, especially considering my frequent dining experiences, which have often been mediocre at best. Thank you once again!“

“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!“

“In the search of a venue for my Alumni Fraternity 74th Anniversary celebration we toured The Hamilton Event Space. Immediately sold on the space once seeing all of the different room locations where we not only provide our guests with an experience they wouldn't forget but also "Wow Factors". The event Manager Alyssa Corbin went above and beyond with providing details, suggestions and answering all questions throughout the planning process. She made the planning process for 400+ guests easier than ever. She was also accommodating with our vision for the space. Thank you for everything Alyssa.The evening of the event we were greeted by Ben who was our main contact for the night of the event. Another above and beyond service as he was everywhere throughout the entire night ensuring everything was flowing. At one point I saw him walking thru the crowd to handle something and he hit a few dance moves with the crowd, this type of energy by staff is always appreciated and enjoyable. The entire staff was GREAT from Maddie, Whitney, Franklin, Myriah, Eli and Mariah. Their service was top notch as all guests were able to be served in a timely manner but overall a fun experience.This was my first time meeting the owner Tom. He was extremely pleasant and at one point we were trying to figure out our additional sound we wanted in the front of the venue. Tom came to me and gave a suggestion, after his suggestion he said "but you don't have to do it that way". You don't meet many owners who will give you options and during what could have been a panic moment Tom gave the best suggestion but also was trusting of the decision we were going to make (we went with his suggestion by the way).The food...let's just say the leftover food I had the opportunity to take home and definitely enjoyed the next day. The food options seemed endless from review of the menu and with what we selected we were not only satisfied but highly impressed. (The food is GOOD).The Hamilton Event Space gets a 10, two thumbs up and standing ovation. It's rare, especially after the pandemic to patronize a venue where everything is TOP TIER! To the entire Hamilton Team The Sigmas of Charlotte thank you all for allowing us to create a memorable, enjoyable and most importantly unforgettable event.“

“Great place to eat at, food is the best !!“

“I absolutely love portofino. It is the only Italian restaurant that I go to. I have never had a bad meal there. This time I had the veal parmesan it was excellent I also got a large calzone to take home and even after reheating it it was excellent.“

“I have had a pleasant experience each time I have been there. Food is delicious. The staff is great.“

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

“Love DeSano Pizza! I have a garlic allergy and they always accommodate my custom order to make my pizza without garlic. They even change their gloves so there isn't any cross-contamination. Love this place!“

“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!“

“We had a great date night at Stagioni. The service was really good, friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. The food was unreal - my highlight was the charred octopus. It's a must try. I also enjoyed the truffle pasta and the mussels. The ambiance is really cute. You have the opportunity to dress it up or stay smart casual, it has a wonderful vibe. Will definitely be back!“

“Ordered a chicken parm lunch & asked to trade out the marinara sauce for vodka sauce. They charged $4 extra to SUBSTITUTE a sauce. That’s ridiculous. I wasn’t adding. I was substituting. How bad are y’all hurting?“

“My husband and I love Riccio's! On one of our first visits, the owner came over and introduced himself, which is always a nice gesture. We've had the same waitress every time, who is very knowledgeable and very helpful! I have to admit that I have never ordered anything other than the Manicotti (5+ times in a row)... because it's so good! My husband has ordered many other things and enjoyed them all, but I just love the Manicotti so much that I can't stray! Thanks for providing a great convenient place for us to eat! :)“

“Very LARGE portions seriously you get a lot of food for the price no matter what you order on the menu one thing is enough for one person even one pizza slice so it is well worth the money. Food is delicious very hot, fresh, tastes great and many options on the menu they serve basically any and everything like Mexican, Italian, American, and it’s all really good not bland. Friendly and comfortable atmosphere the staff are very kind and helpful if you get somebody who mostly speaks Spanish serving you just point to what you want on the menu it’s no big deal and didn’t effect mine and my husbands experience. I think this place deserves more recognition and traffic and if it wasn’t kind of hidden location wise I think it would be poppin.“