Many think that the stomach is the portal to the heart. Italy is well aware of the situation. It explains why, keto diet or not, everyone craves these heart-warming, soul-satisfying bowls of spaghetti nirvana.
It is reasonable to conclude that Italians have cornered the market on widely appreciated comfort cuisine.
Nashville’s Italian cuisine scene is vibrant and expanding. There’s something here for everyone, whether you want a quick lunch or a night out with your pals. These are 10 of the top Italian restaurants in town, ranging from local mom-and-pop establishments to fashionable premium diners and beyond.
Contents
The Top 10 Italian Restaurants in Nashville
Italian Restaurant Amerigo
+161532017401920 West End Ave., Nashville, Tennessee 37203, USA
The atmosphere is relaxed and energetic. Amerigo, a Nashville staple, takes pride in serving some of the greatest and most innovative Italian dishes in town.
Make no mistake: despite the lighter and more modern environment than traditional Italian ristorantes, the premium food at this regional brand is definitely Italian.
The menu includes everything from traditional spaghetti and pizza meals to more modern grilled fish and vegetarian options.
Despite the increasing number of Italian restaurants in the region that compete with Amerigo, locals continue to return because it is warm and friendly, with polite but professional service.
Every bite was delicious. There was not a single piece of starter bread, calamari, or baked artichoke dip left. My companion selected the Gorgonzola steak, while I chose the fettucine with Imperial Alfredo. A Caesar salad was also included with the dinner.
We were raving about how delicious everything we had was. To finish, we shared a Tiramisu. The portions were large. We had some leftovers that we could eat later.
Since it was so crowded, we had to wait a little time between meals, but it gave us time to talk. The waiter managed everything while juggling many tables. That was a fantastic meeting. This restaurant is one of my favorites! It’s a one-of-a-kind gem among Nashville’s Italian eateries.
Il Mulino Restaurant
Rep. John Lewis Way S., Nashville, TN 37203, United States +16156203700144
With impeccable service and expertly cooked cuisine, this upscale Italian restaurant with outlets in New York and Nashville lives up to its reputation.
Start with the calamari picante, then go on to the goat cheese ravioli or the fettuccini with Parmesan cream sauce.
Another highlight for individuals who eschew pasta is the filet. Lastly, as your concluding meal, choose the warm brioche budino with grappa-soaked raisins.
The Trattoria is an excellent option for a celebration, a date, or just a drink or an appetizer at the bar.
We booked an internet reservation on a Tuesday night, and it looked that obtaining a table would be simple. If you have a certain day or time in mind, I recommend making a reservation to be safe.
Little Italy’s Maggiano’s Pizza
+161551402703106 West End Ave., Nashville, TN 37203, USA
This eatery was Nashville’s undiscovered treasure, hidden between several commercial facilities and huge trees. Some of the best Italian cuisine I’ve ever had is served here, and the prices are really reasonable. There is an endless family-style dinner available, as well as a superb selection of wines. The views from this building are also extremely nice.
As we arrived and were seated, there was no wait. The interior decor was gorgeous and luxurious, with pictures adorning the walls. Maggiano’s, unlike other Italian businesses, offers a real Italian ambience.
There were other dinner choices on the extensive menu, some of which I hadn’t seen since my one-way business move from the East Coast.
The menu’s speciality bruschetta appetizers in a variety of flavors struck out as especially unique. We started with a traditional bruschetta starter, which was delicious. It came with olives, tomatoes, and olive oil on bread slices.
They provide an extensive selection of foreign wines, Italian beer, and unique cocktails. When I tasted it, the Pinot Noir was fantastic.
The staff took pride in their job and was courteous and knowledgeable. My glasses were constantly replenished without prompting, and I had perfect command of the food and conversation.
In my view, the zucchini makes an excellent appetizer. The breading is excellent, and the Italian ranch dressing starts a disco in your mouth. I often use Eggplant Parmesan as a litmus test for Italian cuisine, so I was pleasantly delighted to find that theirs was the best I’d ever tasted.
My taste sensations were dancing because to the tiered pasta mixes, which were made from scratch with only fresh ingredients.
Dessert of excellent butter cake and strawberries with cream had my mouth watering. Given the fantastic eating experience, the price was quite reasonable. I heartily suggest this hidden treasure among Nashville’s Italian eateries. I’ve eaten in many other nations, but this one stands out.
Valentino’s Restaurant
+161532701481808 Hayes St., Nashville, Tennessee 37203, USA
Despite shifting from the West End to Hayes Street, this Midtown institution has been satisfying locals’ appetites with excellent Italian meals for more than 25 years. Consider making your own lasagna using bucatini, cioppino, and wild boar bolognese.
We had reservations on a Monday evening, so we came shortly after they opened at 5 p.m. There was no suffocation. We chose to eat inside rather than on their lovely patio since it had been pouring and threatened to storm again.
We split a Caprese salad with burrata on top. That was amazing. But, a little extra balsamic vinegar would have been good. I had the veal saltimbocca, which came with roasted potatoes and sautéed spinach. Excellent once again.
My companion chose the Osso Bucco, which arrived in a substantial portion and was pretty delicate. Finally, we washed it all down with a fantastic bottle of Barbera dAsti.
A lovely evening in a top-tier diner among Nashville’s Italian eateries. The location is excellent, it is easy to locate, and there is plenty of parking. Don’t pass up this opportunity!
City Hall
4th Ave. N., Nashville, TN 37208, United States +161573658381222
City House in Germantown is a gastronomic joy for Music City enthusiasts of gourmet cuisine, pizza, and pasta. City House will treat you well whether you have a seasoned palate or are searching for an amazing meal, with appetizers like octopus with eggplant, tomato, garlic, basil, chiles, peanuts, and raisins.
Because of James Beard nominated chef Tandy Wilson’s commitment to use local foods, it’s easy to feel good about walking through their doors.
A home was physically changed into the building. As a consequence, from the outside, it seems strange. We didn’t spend any time getting to our table on the screened-in porch after entering via the side door. The remainder of the facility is more traditional, with a large dining space and a sophisticated bar.
Both the ricotta pizza with fresh arugula and the broccoli rabe and white bean appetizer that we had were fantastic. The main dish of rigatoni and sour corn cake was similarly delicious.
Everything our server suggested, including the wine, was delicious. The most delicious cake with strawberry and masapan topping was the icing on the cake. The best cake I’ve ever had. You will not be disappointed if you choose to dine here! It is one of Nashville’s greatest Italian restaurants.
Nonna’s Coffee Shop
+161546301334427 Murphy Rd., Nashville, Tennessee 37209, USA
Chef Daniel Maggipinto has been delighting guests at this Sylvan Park restaurant for years with the classic recipes of his grandmother (named Nonna) and has been treasured by locals as one of the top Italian restaurants in Nashville.
Family-run Caf Nonna is a dining establishment. The owner is hurriedly scurrying about, making sure everything is in order.
This is not a large, chain restaurant in a strip mall. You can see what is going on in the kitchen while sitting in the dining room. That’s something I enjoy. I’d want to know who is making my food.
The bulk of the meals are prepared using his grandmother Nonna’s traditional family recipes, and just one visit will have you falling in love with the warm and exquisite foods that stream out of the little kitchen.
Arancini and a hearty Tuscan bean soup are served as appetizers, with mussels fra Diavolo or in Apulia style with a saffron-tomato broth as the main dish.
There is also a build-your-own pasta plate option, which includes rigatoni, gnocchi, and risotto with a range of sauces, meats, veggies, and cheeses to top.
Whether you are a visitor or a native in Nashville, plan a trip to the Sylvan Park area to taste traditional Italian food in a pleasant setting at Caf Nonna.
Moto
+161573653051120 McGavock St., Nashville, Tennessee 37203, USA
Any Nashville resident will tell you that this Gulch date night contender is one of their top three favorite Italian eateries.
The sleek midcentury modern design, sneaky wraparound booths, and comfortable lighting glow almost ensure its spot on such lists, so it’s no surprise.
Moto offers substance as well as flair, as seen by the Heritage pork chop and black pasta with lobster ragu on the menu.
Our waitress was knowledgeable about the wines and beverages and never mislead us. Each meal was proposed and explained by one of the chefs.
The team’s knowledge amazed us, and the octopus, mussels, meatballs, and black spaghetti were delicious.
Even the most basic combination of olive oil, black pepper, and bread was superior than the meal served at most places. The service was excellent! A fantastic adventure!
Pizza Bella Napoli
Villa Pl. #206, Nashville, TN 37212, USA +161555145971200
While Bella Napoli is well-known for its wonderfully blistered pies made with authentic Italian ingredients, its pasta menu is as appealing.
This true Italian treasure among Nashville’s Italian eateries delivers excellent levels of authenticity at reasonable prices in a simple but pleasant atmosphere.
The house salad was basic but delicious, and it came with a nice balsamic dressing. The pizza made in the wood-burning pizza oven was equally delicious. They also provide excellent beer on tap.
The service was kind and helpful, and the cuisine was authentic and honest. Definitely worth looking into.
The Forno
3rd Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37210, United States +161573967131414
Chef Egidio Franciosa and his business partner Jannah Franciosa’s popular mobile pizza has launched a permanent restaurant in Wedgewood-Houston.
It serves pies in the Neapolitan manner, such as the diavola, which is topped with Pomodoro, fior de latte, and Calabrese salami.
But pizza isn’t the only thing on the menu. They also provide delicious antipasto spreads, carpaccio, and pasta dishes such as bucatini with wild-caught octopus ragu and cherry tomatoes.
As an appetizer, we split the superb fresella. My companion and I ordered the fettuccine after our waitress recommended it. I can understand why he recommended them since they were both fantastic.
For dessert, we picked the torta della Zia. The waitress suggested two chocolate cupcakes with whipped icing. That was refreshing and rejuvenating.
The service was excellent. Our waitress was quite kind and helpful. Her ideas were also highly regarded. Our meal came on time, and the restaurant looked to run like a well-oiled machine. I recommend tasting this place first before moving on to the other Italian eateries in Nashville.
Yolan
+16152310405403 4th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37201, USA
When this husband-and-wife culinary power couple moved to Nashville, the city reaped the benefits. Tony Mantuano, a James Beard Award-winning chef, and Cathy Mantuano, a wine and hospitality specialist, brought a fine dining Italian cuisine, great service, and a delightful environment inside the new Joseph Hotel to Nashville.
The service was excellent. Each table was assigned two staff. They were kind, knowledgeable about the cuisine, and attentive without being intrusive.
My companion chose the five-course tasting menu. I chose tilefish, shrimp risotto, and foie gras as my main courses. His delectable meal included rabbit, pesto Genovese, tilefish, and shrimp risotto.
Everything was perfectly seasoned. Regrettably, the one item that did not impress was the pesto Genovese. Although the meal was wonderful, we were disappointed since we couldn’t detect any walnut overtones.
The shrimp risotto was delicious. The risotto and deep sea shrimp were both lighter than usual. The seafood was also outstanding. White, flaky, and well cooked. The balance of the maize and truffle allowed for the delicate taste.
Last but not least, the Blueberry Sweet Pea dessert was delicious. I was so taken with it that I looked up sweet peas and learned that the leaves are edible but the seeds are deadly.
We had no bad reactions and enjoyed it, therefore I believe the flower or leaves were utilized. I’m looking forward to returning to taste the future season’s menu. It’s a fantastic idea for you to do the same! A fantastic discovery amid the Italian eateries. Fine Italian eating is available in Nashville.
Final Thoughts on Nashville’s Top 10 Must-Try Italian Restaurants
Cooking is something that Italians are particularly good at. Italian cuisine is perfect for almost every eating occasion, particularly intimate date evenings and huge family feasts.
The majority of people connect Italian food with pizza and pasta restaurants. Nevertheless, although they are undeniably significant, Italian cuisine genuinely provides a vast variety of alternatives and an abundance of wonderful dishes, making it impossible to choose just a few.
These famous Italian restaurants in Nashville, Tennessee, on the other hand, give a taste of Italy in Nashville, Tennessee, and they can’t wait for you to sample them!
Visiting other places in Tennessee? Check out our other tasty guide:
- The Best BBQ In Memphis
- 8 Best Knoxville Restaurants
- 7 Must-Try Memphis Restaurants
- 15 Best Nashville Brunch Restaurants