These 11 Small Italian Restaurants In Tennessee Are Well Worth The Wait This Year
A house built around 1910, with three fireplaces, now serves lobster ravioli and crème brûlée to dinner guests in Tennessee. That one detail had me hooked right away.
Then I learned another spot on this list sells a calzone billed as the size of a football. A third serves butterscotch budino inside a brick-walled room on a busy downtown square.
I’d love to know who finishes that calzone in one sitting.
What ties these places together is size and demand. They’re small, they’re popular, and many of them recommend reservations or usually have a wait.
One doesn’t take reservations at all, so timing really matters there.
I think a line out the door says more than any ad ever could. When a small dining room stays packed night after night, the kitchen is clearly doing something right.
So which of these deserves a spot on your next road trip, and how early should you show up?
1. Pelato – Nashville
Ordering one big entree feels a little old-fashioned once you see how this place works. The menu leans into sharable small plates, so your table can try a little of several pastas instead of fighting over one.
That setup is great news for the indecisive eater. You can order Campanelle Shrimp Limone and Bucatini Cacio e Pepe without picking a single winner.
Speaking of cacio e pepe, it’s a famously simple dish built on cheese and pepper. Getting it right takes real skill, which makes it a smart test of any Italian kitchen.
Vegetable sides get serious attention here too. Burnt Broccolini is vegan, while Potato Croquettes and Stuffed Mushrooms are vegetarian picks that work well as starters.
Plant-based diners can find vegetarian options at Pelato, including several pasta dishes and vegetable-based starters, but anyone following a vegan diet should confirm suitable choices with the restaurant. Meat lovers can still grab the Chicken Parmigiana and feel perfectly happy about it.
Now for the practical part. There’s usually a wait, and dinner reservations are recommended, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Weekend mornings bring brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11 AM to 2 PM. Brunch reservations are recommended as well, so plan ahead if you want a late breakfast of pasta.
Outdoor seating is available, and dogs are welcome outside. That makes it an easy stop if your four-legged friend is tagging along around Nashville.
Address: 1300 3rd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208
2. Tony’s Pasta Shop & Trattoria
Few pasta shops come with a river view and an art district for neighbors. Tony’s sits in Chattanooga’s Bluff View Art District, overlooking the Tennessee River.
The kitchen focuses on traditional Italian and Sicilian meals. Garden ingredients play a role, which gives the food a fresh, homegrown angle.
Can’t decide what you want? The Make Your Own Pasta option lets you build a plate that matches your exact mood.
Prefer to let the kitchen choose? Traditional Lasagna, Seafood Ravioli, Chicken Tetrazzini, and Low Country Linguine are among the standout dishes.
Grilled Salmon Pasta and Chicken Fusilli round things out nicely. Save a little room, because Tiramisu is waiting at the finish line.
Families will find plenty to like here. There’s a kids’ menu, high chairs are available, and the place is considered good for kids.
The setting mixes casual comfort with a historic feel. Outdoor seating on the deck and patio, along with indoor seating in the loft and sunroom, gives you several options depending on the weather.
Timing makes a big difference at this one. There’s usually a wait, and the crowds peak on Sunday afternoons and evenings, Friday evenings, and Saturday afternoons into evenings.
Want a calmer meal? Tuesday and Thursday mornings tend to be the quietest, and the doors open at 11 AM daily.
After lunch, the art district makes a lovely spot for a stroll. Call it a walk with a view and a full stomach.
Address: 212 High St, Chattanooga, TN 37403
3. Giardino
Lasagna made with béchamel instead of ricotta tends to start friendly arguments. Giardino’s Lasagna Con Bechamel gives you a delicious reason to join the debate.
The name means garden in Italian, and that suits this neighborhood spot well. It sits on Westside Drive in Chattanooga, and the patio is a big part of the appeal.
Inside, a fireplace adds charm on chilly nights. Outside, the patio offers views, so you get two very different ways to enjoy dinner.
Pappardelle Bolognese is a hearty pick for pasta fans. Chicken Piccata, Salmon, and Shrimp and Polenta give you solid choices beyond noodles.
Vegetarians aren’t stuck with a sad side salad. Penne Al Funghi and Rigatoni Al Gorgonzola are both meat-free, and Bruschetta makes a simple starter.
Here’s a scheduling tip worth remembering. The restaurant serves dinner only and is closed on Sundays.
Friday and Saturday evenings get the busiest, so dinner reservations are recommended. Monday and Tuesday evenings are typically quieter if you’d rather skip the rush.
Dogs are allowed, which is handy if your pup loves patio time. There’s also usually plenty of parking, one less thing to stress about.
Kids are welcome, with a kids’ menu and high chairs ready. It’s the kind of neighborhood place that works for date night and family night alike.
Address: 2503 Westside Dr, Chattanooga, TN 37404
4. Emilia
Market Square is one of Knoxville’s busiest gathering spots, and Emilia holds its own right in the middle of it. Expect regional Italian dishes and house-made pastas inside a brick-walled space.
Pasta is clearly the main event. Fusilli Carbonara and Gnocchi Amatriciana headline a menu that rewards curious eaters.
Campanelle Con Funghi E Pinoli brings mushrooms and pine nuts together. It’s a smart choice when you want something earthy and a little different.
Want more than pasta? Pollo Al Mattone, a classic chicken dish, gives the menu some extra heft.
Dessert deserves a real plan here. Tiramisu is the familiar choice, but the Butterscotch Budino might steal your heart instead.
Diners with dietary needs get options too. The restaurant offers several vegetarian dishes and some clearly labeled vegan options, including vegetable sides and select pasta dishes.
Now for the warning label. There’s usually a wait, and dinner reservations are recommended.
Note the schedule before you drive downtown. Emilia is closed on Mondays and serves dinner the rest of the week, starting at 5 PM.
Parking near Market Square comes in garage, lot, and street options, all paid. Leave a few extra minutes so you’re not racing your reservation time.
Families are welcome, with a kids’ menu, high chairs, and changing tables. That’s a nice surprise for a spot this romantic and polished.
Address: 16 Market Square, Knoxville, TN 37902
5. Mauricio’s Italian Restaurant
Dinner in a house built around 1910 already sounds like a story worth telling. Add three fireplaces, and Mauricio’s starts to feel like a special-occasion secret in Cookeville.
The restaurant serves traditional, upscale Italian fare. Its historic home setting keeps things intimate and quiet.
Seafood Mauricio is a natural first look on the menu. With a name like that, it’s practically the house signature.
Lobster Ravioli and Blackened Salmon please seafood fans. Meatball Supreme brings the comfort side of Italian cooking to the table.
Sweet tooth on high alert? Tiramisu and Crème Brûlée are both on the dessert list, so maybe bring a fork-sharing partner.
A private dining room is available for bigger gatherings. That makes it a good fit for birthdays, anniversaries, or family celebrations.
Plan carefully, because reservations are required. Saturday evening is the busiest time of the week.
The hours are a little particular too. Lunch runs Tuesday through Friday, dinner runs Tuesday through Saturday, and the restaurant closes on Sundays and Mondays.
Takeout isn’t offered, so this is a sit-down experience. Honestly, with fireplaces nearby, why would you want to leave early?
Parking is usually plentiful, with on-site and free street options. Outdoor seating is also available for pleasant Tennessee evenings.
Address: 232 N Peachtree Ave, Cookeville, TN 38501
6. Ristorante DellaSantina
Sevierville gets plenty of attention for mountain fun, but this riverside restaurant offers a calmer kind of reward. Ristorante DellaSantina keeps things unpretentious while serving a full spread of Italian classics.
Meat dishes, pasta, seafood, and desserts all appear on the menu. That range makes it easy to bring a picky crew.
Lobster Ravioli is one of the standout dishes. Frutti Di Mare and Shrimp Valentino give seafood lovers even more to consider.
Lasagna and Scaloppine Con Capellini lean into tradition. The bread earns its own spot among the highlights, which says a lot.
Bruschetta works well as a starter while you study the menu. Cannoli brings the meal home on a sweet, crunchy note.
Dietary needs are covered surprisingly well here. The restaurant offers vegetarian-friendly choices and some vegan options, while emphasizing fresh ingredients and using organic products whenever possible.
The mood is quiet and romantic, which makes it a solid date night pick. It’s also a nice break after a busy day around the Smoky Mountains area.
Doors open at 3 PM Tuesday through Saturday. The restaurant closes on Sundays and Mondays, so check your calendar first.
Weekend evenings get the busiest, and dinner reservations are recommended. Arrive earlier in the afternoon if you want a quieter table.
Outdoor seating is available, and dogs are allowed outside. Parking is usually plentiful too, a relief in this busy tourist region.
Address: 2004 Red Bank Rd, Sevierville, TN 37876
7. Best Italian on the Parkway
A calzone billed as the size of a football is a bold menu move. Best Italian on the Parkway puts that challenge right out in the open in downtown Gatlinburg.
The Size of a Football Calzone Classico is vegetarian. Bring a friend, or bring a serious appetite and a takeout plan.
Garlic lovers have plenty to celebrate here. Garlic Knots come with marinara sauce, and Garlic Rolls are on the menu too.
New York-style pies are a big part of the identity. Pepperoni Pizza is a classic pick when you want something simple and satisfying.
Prefer pasta? Lasagna and Chicken Alfredo bring the Italian comfort food this casual spot is known for.
Kids are clearly welcome, with a kids’ menu and high chairs available. It’s a family-friendly stop on one of the busiest streets in the Smokies.
Fridays and Saturday afternoons into evenings draw the biggest crowds. Weekday mornings and early afternoons tend to be much quieter.
Parking is usually difficult to find near the restaurant. Walking over from your hotel or a nearby lot might save you some circling.
The dining room is casual and relaxed. There’s also free Wi-Fi if you need to plan your next mountain adventure between bites.
Hours run from 11 AM daily, with later closing times on Friday and Saturday. That makes it handy after a long day of hiking.
Address: 710 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
8. Chrysalis Modern Italian
Modern Italian can mean many things, and Chrysalis gives the idea a fresh spin in Franklin. House-made pasta sits at the center of a menu that feels current without losing its roots.
Cioppino is one of the highlights. This seafood stew brings big flavor to a table built for sharing.
Bread for Two makes a smart opener, featuring focaccia and Italian bread served with extra-virgin olive oil and garlic-herb butter. It’s hard to resist when the name practically tells you to split it.
Melanzana, a vegetarian eggplant dish, offers a satisfying meat-free choice. The restaurant offers vegetarian-friendly dishes, including Melanzana and several meat-free starters, but vegan diners should confirm suitable options before ordering.
Dessert lovers face a tough decision. Tiramisu and Bread Pudding both sit on the menu, so maybe order both and call it research.
Lunch and dinner are served Monday through Saturday. The restaurant closes on Sundays, so plan your weekend accordingly.
Friday and Saturday evenings bring the biggest crowds. Dinner reservations are recommended if you want a table at prime time.
Families get thoughtful touches here. There’s a kids’ menu, high chairs, and changing tables available.
Happy hour food is offered, which is a nice bonus for an early bite. Weekday afternoons tend to be quiet if you prefer a relaxed meal.
Parking is usually plentiful, with a free lot and on-site spaces. Curbside pickup and delivery work well on busy nights at home.
Address: 9040 Carothers Pkwy Ste A201, Franklin, TN 37067
9. Marina’s on the Square
Big windows and old brick make a pretty good first impression. Marina’s on the Square fills a historic building in Murfreesboro, and its pastas and pizzas draw crowds.
Chicken Parmesan is one of the headliners. Eggplant Parmesan gives vegetarians an equally comforting option.
Chicken Marsala brings a classic Italian sauce to the table. Cajun Chicken Pasta adds a Southern kick for anyone wanting a little heat.
Starters are easy to love here. Stuffed Mushrooms and Garlic Bread set the tone, while a Caesar Salad keeps things fresh.
Finish with Tiramisu if you have room. Honestly, you should make room.
The mood leans quiet and romantic, a nice contrast to the busy square outside. It’s also casual enough for a weekday lunch with friends.
Hours run Tuesday through Saturday, with lunch and dinner served. The restaurant closes on Sundays and Mondays.
Closing time arrives earlier than you might expect. Doors shut at 8 PM midweek and 9 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest. Guests can call ahead 30 minutes to an hour before arriving to join the waiting list, which can help reduce the wait during busy periods.
Parking can be somewhat difficult to find nearby. Give yourself extra time and enjoy a short stroll around the historic downtown.
Kids are welcome, with a kids’ menu and high chairs. College students also find their way here, thanks to Murfreesboro’s busy campus scene.
Address: 125 N Maple St, Murfreesboro, TN 37130
10. Mama Mila’s
Shabby-chic decor and homestyle pasta sound like a winning combo. Mama Mila’s brings both to a charming Italian cafe in Columbia.
The menu sticks to comforting homestyle pasta dishes and sandwiches. Italian pasta plates come with fresh bread, which never hurts.
Lasagna Ala Dattilo is one of the signature dishes. Cheesy Focaccia makes an easy add-on when you want something warm and pull-apart.
Butter Noodles are perfect for picky kids or anyone who loves simple comfort food.
Gluten-free pasta is available, along with dairy-free, vegan, and vegetarian options. That flexibility makes group dinners a lot easier to plan.
Here’s the big catch. Mama Mila’s doesn’t accept reservations, so arriving early is your best strategy.
Hours are limited, so check before you go. The cafe opens Wednesday through Saturday, with lunch added on Fridays and Saturdays.
Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons into evenings get the busiest. Wednesday afternoons tend to be calmer if you like a slower pace.
Families have plenty of reasons to stop by. There’s a kids’ menu, high chairs, and changing tables.
Outdoor seating is available, and dogs are allowed outside. Free parking in a lot and on the street keeps the visit easy.
Address: 1200 S Garden St, Columbia, TN 38401
11. Grazie Italian Eatery
Gnocchi tossed in cacio e pepe style is a clever twist on a Roman favorite. Grazie Italian Eatery in Columbia offers that dish alongside a lineup of comforting Italian plates.
The restaurant is intimate, with a quiet and romantic feel. Authentic pasta and flatbreads anchor the menu.
Antipasti are a great place to start. Burrata Caprese and a stuffed meatball both make strong cases for an early order.
Chicken Parm is a familiar favorite here. The pasta comes with house-made sauce, which is exactly what you want from a small Italian kitchen.
Shrimp and Artichoke Mascarpone brings a richer option to the table. Grilled Salmon offers a lighter path for seafood fans.
Columbia now has two small Italian spots on this list. That’s a pretty impressive showing for one Tennessee town.
Reservations are accepted, which helps on busy dinner nights. Fridays and Saturdays stay open until 10 PM if you prefer a later meal.
Sunday hours run from 11 AM to 5 PM. Tuesday through Thursday, the restaurant opens at 11 AM and closes at 8 PM.
Mondays are closed, so don’t plan a start-of-the-week pasta night here. Takeout is available if you’d rather eat on your couch.
Parking is usually plentiful, with a free lot and free street parking. Dessert is on the menu too, so leave room for a sweet ending.
Address: 101 N James Campbell Blvd, Columbia, TN 38401