The 10 Memphis, Tennessee Italian Restaurants Where Red Sauce And Family Recipes Still Rule
A pizza topped with barbecue sauce became a favorite of Elvis Presley, and the family behind it is now celebrating 100 years in business. I love that detail.
It sounds like a Memphis legend, but it’s real.
Another spot on this list serves its sauce in a building that opened in 1927 as Piggly Wiggly store number 54. A third has been making its ravioli from the same family recipe since 1948.
That’s a lot of simmering.
Memphis gets plenty of credit for barbecue and blues. I think its Italian kitchens deserve a bigger spotlight.
Sicilian mothers, Tuscan villages, and great-grandparents from Italy shaped these menus long before food trends showed up in Tennessee.
The ten places ahead still lean on red sauce, meatballs, and recipes passed down at the stove. I can’t wait to see if you agree.
1. Coletta’s Italian Restaurant
Elvis Presley had his pick of Memphis restaurants, and he kept coming back for barbecue on a pizza. The family still serves that Original Barbeque Pizza on South Parkway East.
The restaurant is celebrating 100 years in business, which is a staggering run for any kitchen. Fourth-generation owners run the place, and members of the fifth generation work there too.
Those roots go back to great-grandparents and grandparents who moved to Memphis from Italy. Many recipes have passed down through the generations, so the menu reads like a family scrapbook.
The style leans traditional and Americanized, the kind of Italian food Memphis grew up eating. Red-checked tablecloths and candlelight set the scene, and honestly, what else could you want?
Beyond the famous pie, you can order the Round the World Pizza or the All Meat Pizza. Pasta fans can stick with lasagna, spaghetti with meatballs, or chicken parmesan.
Toasted ravioli makes a smart starter, since it shows up on so many Memphis Italian menus. Meatball sandwiches come with homemade meat sauce, which feels like a lunch upgrade.
Speaking of lunch, the doors open at 11 AM on weekdays, so a midday pizza break is fair game. Sundays start later, at 1 PM, if you’re planning an after-church craving.
Families will find a kids’ menu and high chairs, and the restaurant accepts reservations. Bring a group, split a barbecue pizza, and see what the King was so excited about.
Address: 1063 S Pkwy E, Memphis, TN 38106
2. Pete and Sam’s
Stuffed celery doesn’t sound like a headliner, yet it’s been a signature here for about 70 years. That’s the kind of quirky loyalty you get from a place that opened in 1948.
The founder’s mother had immigrated from Sicily, and many of the recipes came from her. That Sicilian influence still shows up in the sauces today.
Now the founder’s sons co-own the restaurant, keeping it firmly in the family. The kitchen makes most of its food in-house, which matters when the menu is this sauce-heavy.
The house ravioli is a family recipe made in-house since 1948. Get it with meat sauce, or go for spaghetti with the famous Pete and Sam’s meat sauce.
Lasagna a la forno en casserole is another classic worth your attention. Meatballs with meat sauce double down on the red, and nobody’s going to judge you.
Starters include toasted ravioli with meat sauce and fried mozzarella with marinara. Feeling adventurous, you can try the broiled livers wrapped in smoked bacon.
Old-school decor fills the dining room, matching the menu’s long memory. This Tennessee landmark opens at 4 PM daily, so plan on dinner rather than lunch.
Weekend evenings get busy, and a wait is common, so reservations are a smart move. Order the celery at least once, just to taste 70 years of stubborn tradition.
Address: 3886 Park Ave, Memphis, TN 38111
3. Dino’s Grill
Your spaghetti here comes served inside a 1927 building that once housed Piggly Wiggly store number 54. Groceries out, meatballs in, and Memphis is better for the trade.
Dino’s Grill has served Italian food since 1973, continuing a legacy started by its founder. He retired in 1983, and his son took over the business.
The family story stretches even further back. Elvis Presley was known to eat at the family’s earlier spot, the State Cafe on Beale Street, during the 1950s.
Now about the meat sauce, often called gravy around here. It’s a house favorite, and the meatballs and sauce are made from scratch.
Start with the famous toasted ravioli with meat sauce or the crispy cheese sticks. Then pick from stuffed jumbo shells with ricotta and spinach, eggplant parmesan, or homemade lasagna.
Veal parmesan, chicken parmesan, Italian sausage, and spaghetti and meatballs round out the red-sauce lineup. There’s also a New Orleans style muffaletta if you want a sandwich detour.
Save room for the homemade tiramisu, because skipping it feels like leaving a story unfinished. Special plate lunches run Tuesday through Friday and on Sundays.
The restaurant closes Mondays and opens at 11 AM the rest of the week. The room is unfussy and old-fashioned, which suits a place where the sauce does the talking.
Address: 645 N McLean Blvd, Memphis, TN 38107
4. Ronnie Grisanti’s
A cooking tradition that dates to 1505 sounds like a typo, but the Grisanti family claims exactly that. Their roots run back to Valdottavo, a village near Lucca in northern Italy.
The family’s great-grandfather emigrated in 1909. He opened the first family restaurant in Memphis on South Main Street in the 1920s.
That makes the family a part of Memphis dining for more than 115 years. Ronnie Grisanti’s carries the story forward with la cucina Toscana, the cooking of Tuscany.
The mood leans upscale, quiet, and dimly lit, a good pick for a date night. Still, the menu keeps plenty of red-sauce comfort within reach.
Lasagna and manicotti hold down the pasta side, and toasted ravioli shows up as a Memphis-friendly starter. Tuna puttanesca brings a tomato-based option for seafood lovers.
Calamari fritti, burrata, and Italian spinach help you build a table of small bites. Handmade dishes and chef-prepared fish give the menu its fancier side.
Lunch and dinner are both served, with doors opening at 11 AM Monday through Saturday. The restaurant closes on Sundays, so plan your Tuscan cravings accordingly.
Dinner reservations are recommended, especially if you want a calm table. There’s also outdoor seating, and dogs are allowed outside.
Address: 6150 Poplar Ave #122, Memphis, TN 38119
5. Cocozza American Italian – East
Few restaurants call themselves the red sauce joint of your dreams, but Cocozza wears that title proudly. It also promises red sauce love, which is basically a mission statement in marinara.
The story started as a pandemic pop-up. The idea clicked, and it found a permanent home, now with locations in Harbor Town and East Memphis.
This East spot sits just off Poplar on South Yates in the Arlington Park neighborhood. The look leans toward a casual Italian diner, which fits the comfort-food menu.
American Italian is the style here, with generous portions and classic dishes. Lasagna is the headliner, and it deserves a spot on your first order.
Spaghetti and meatballs and signature pasta dishes keep the red flowing. Steaks show up too, for anyone at the table who wants something hearty.
Dinner runs from 4 to 9 PM daily, so it’s an evening-only affair. Friday and Saturday nights get the busiest, so book through online reservations if you can.
Families get a kids’ menu, high chairs, and changing tables, which makes a weeknight pasta run easier. Vegetarian dishes such as eggplant Parmesan and pasta with marinara give meat-free diners more choices than a side salad.
Patio seating is available when the Tennessee weather cooperates. Dogs are welcome outside, so your four-legged friend can watch you twirl spaghetti.
Address: 919 S Yates Rd, Memphis, TN 38120
6. Brooklyn Bridge Italian Restaurant
More than 37 years in business is a long time to keep a secret, yet this spot still flies a little under the radar. Brooklyn Bridge Italian Restaurant is an enduring, family-run place serving old-style Italian dinners.
The setting is low-key, which puts the focus right where it belongs. That means the pasta gets to take center stage.
Eggplant parmigiana and manicotti carry the meatless red-sauce flag with pride. Zuppa di pesce, a seafood stew, brings the ocean into the conversation.
Kids get their own spaghetti and meatballs, so the youngest diners can start their red-sauce education early. High chairs are on hand too.
Garlic bread and spinach artichoke dip make easy starters for the table. Steak and shrimp pasta dishes also show up for bigger appetites.
Dessert deserves real attention here, with cannoli and caramel pie both on the menu. Caramel pie at an Italian restaurant feels like a little Memphis wink, and that’s a fun twist.
Located on Kirby Parkway, it’s an easy stop for anyone in the eastern part of the city. The portions run generous, so a to-go box is a likely souvenir.
Dinner runs from 4:30 to 9 PM Monday through Saturday, and the restaurant closes Sundays. Reservations are recommended for dinner, so plan ahead before you go.
A private dining room is available for bigger gatherings. Birthday dinner for the whole crew, anyone?
Address: 1779 Kirby Pkwy Ste 5, Memphis, TN 38138
7. Ciao Bella Italian Grill
Lasagna and Greek specialties on the same menu? Ciao Bella Italian Grill makes that pairing feel perfectly natural.
The easygoing eatery serves Italian staples like pasta and pizza alongside Greek favorites. Chicken Santorini is the dish that hints at that Greek side.
For a red-sauce fix, the baked lasagna is a smart place to start. Manicotti con spinaci offers a meatless option with plenty of comfort.
Beef brisket gnocchi is a fun curveball, especially in a barbecue city like Memphis. Chicken marsala and chicken alfredo cover the classic Italian-American lineup.
Before the entrees, the artichoke and spinach dip is a popular way to open. A caprese salad brings a lighter, fresher start if you’re pacing yourself.
Finish with tiramisu, because a meal like this deserves a proper ending. Coffee pairs nicely if you want to linger a little longer.
Lunch and dinner are both on the schedule, with a break in the afternoon. Weekend lunch runs a little later, until 3 PM on Saturday and Sunday.
The atmosphere can tilt quiet and even romantic, which makes it good for a date night. Groups can book the private dining room, and the restaurant accepts reservations.
Outdoor seating is available, and dogs are allowed outside. Sunday, Friday, and Saturday evenings tend to be the busiest, so plan accordingly.
Address: 5101 Sanderlin Ave #100, Memphis, TN 38117
8. Lucchesi’s Ravioli & Pasta Company
Ravioli is right there in the name, so you know where this place’s heart lives. Lucchesi’s Ravioli & Pasta Company works as an Italian market and deli-style cafe rolled into one.
You can grab sandwiches and salads to eat on-site. Or you can take home ready-to-heat entrees for a night when cooking sounds like too much work.
The shelves and cases offer a great selection of pasta and sauces. That makes it a handy stop for anyone trying to pull off a red-sauce dinner at home.
Lasagna comes in a few different types, which is excellent news for indecisive eaters. Tomato basil soup is another menu item that fits the comfort-food mood.
The meatball sandwich is a strong pick for lunch. Pair it with a Caesar salad for a meal that feels both hearty and balanced.
Seared tuna salad gives you a lighter option. Salads, vegetable sandwiches, and meatless pasta options give diners several choices beyond the usual Italian favorites.
The hours are generous, starting at 8 AM Monday through Saturday and running until 7 PM. Sunday hours run from 11 AM to 6 PM.
Reservations aren’t taken, so just show up when hunger hits. Catering is available too, which could make you the hero of the next office party.
Outdoor seating is available, and dogs are allowed outside. This Mendenhall Road spot makes a smart Tennessee pantry stop when you want family-style flavor without the effort.
Address: 540 S Mendenhall Rd Ste 3, Memphis, TN 38117
9. Little Italy Midtown
New York-style pizza in Memphis can be a tough promise to keep, and this family-owned spot takes the challenge seriously. Little Italy Midtown serves large pies with crispy crusts and rich tomato sauces.
The family recipes have passed down through generations. That history shows up in classics like spaghetti, ravioli, lasagna, and chicken parmesan.
The cheese pizza is a good way to test the place, with fresh dough, a slightly tart sauce, and a thin crust. Grandma’s Pizza and fresh mozzarella pizza give you more ways to explore.
Garlic knots and mozzarella sticks make easy add-ons. Toasted ravioli with marinara keeps the Memphis tradition alive.
Homemade beef meatballs come with marinara and ricotta, a combo that tastes like Sunday dinner energy. Oven-baked subs like meatball parmigiana and chicken parmigiana handle the sandwich side.
Pizza by the slice is a lifesaver when you need lunch fast. Calzones and cannoli are also on the menu, if you want to go big.
The space is small and casual, and it draws a college crowd. Counter service keeps things moving, and reservations aren’t accepted.
Little Italy Midtown opens at 11 AM Monday through Saturday, stays open until 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, and closes on Sundays. Outdoor seating, takeout, and delivery give you options when the tables fill up.
Address: 1495 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
10. Tamboli’s Pasta & Pizza
Spicy marinara or regular? At Tamboli’s Pasta & Pizza, the fun answer is to try both.
The Madison Avenue eatery is known for quality pizza and signature meatballs. House-made pasta and wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas give the menu its scratch-cooked backbone.
Bucatini and marinara is the red-sauce classic to order first.
Pizza fans can stick with pepperoni or go for the cacio e pepe pizza. Arancini, those crispy rice balls, make a great table starter.
Lemon pepper fettuccine offers a brighter twist away from tomato sauce. Pasta portions run big, so sharing is a reasonable strategy.
Plants give the space a charming look and a lively feel. Pistachio gelato and Italian sodas are sweet ways to wrap things up.
Vegetarian dishes and vegan-friendly options, including pasta that can be prepared without Parmesan, make this a good pick for mixed groups. Kids get their own menu, and high chairs are available.
Doors open at 4 PM Tuesday through Sunday, and the restaurant closes Mondays. Reservations are accepted, which helps on busy Friday and Saturday evenings.
Dogs are allowed, and outdoor seating is available. It’s a fitting final stop on a Midtown red-sauce tour, and your appetite will thank you.
Address: 1761 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38104