17 Top Italian Restaurants In Tennessee Worth Visiting In 2026

Craving twirlable noodles, blistered pizza crusts, and sauces that land like a perfect chorus? You are in the right place, because Tennessee’s Italian scene is enjoying a seriously tasty moment.

Sleek dining rooms sit alongside small-town kitchens where Nonna energy quietly runs the show, creating plenty of reasons to plan a road trip. I mapped out the spots worth the miles and a lingering meal, pairing each stop with insider tips and can’t-miss dishes.

Bring your appetite, and I will handle the playful detours along the way.

1. Luogo

First impressions matter, and Luogo glows with that golden, Tuscan warmth that makes you loosen your shoulders and scan the menu like a love letter. The kitchen leans refined, so expect silky pastas, pristine seafood, and wood-kissed meats that whisper of olive groves and good decisions.

Tuck the address into your notes: 211 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203, a polished pocket of downtown ease.

Servers guide you like friendly sommeliers of flavor, steering you toward a steak that hums with rosemary and a lemony pasta that brightens the whole evening. You feel looked after without any fuss, like an elegant dinner party where you did not have to do the dishes.

Order a negroni, then finish with the tiramisu that somehow floats.

Here is why it matters: consistency and care. In a city full of openings, Luogo keeps delivering food that feels composed yet generous.

When you want to celebrate or simply eat incredibly well, this is your dependable stunner.

2. Pelato

Something about Pelato makes you think of Sunday gravy and vinyl records spinning in the corner. The mood is Brooklyn-comfort meets Tennessee welcome, with handmade pastas that cling to sauce like best friends.

You will find it at 1300 3rd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208, tucked into Germantown’s inviting grid.

Order the meatballs first so you can snack while browsing pastas and seasonal specials. Sauces come layered and confident, tomatoes singing over a bassline of garlic and good olive oil.

There is a tenderness to the service that reads like family without the chaos.

Try a seasonal salad for crunch, then dive into a red-sauced rigatoni or a pillowy gnocchi that feels like clouds wearing parmesan snow. It is the sort of place where you mop plates with bread and grin at strangers.

Comfort food can be elegant, and Pelato proves it with every swipe of sauce.

3. V Modern Italian

Energy is the secret ingredient at V Modern Italian, where the wood-fired oven roars like a headliner and the bar shakes citrusy color into the room. Pizzas arrive with leopard-spotted crusts that crackle, while pastas keep things playful and polished.

Set your GPS for 820 Division St, Nashville, TN 37203, a lively strip that knows how to make a night out.

Start with a crisp salad and a spritz, then chase the aroma to a pie with smoky mushrooms or peppery soppressata. The dough has that perfect chew, a little blistered drama, and just enough char to make each bite sing.

Bowls of pasta lean modern without losing soul.

Service moves fast but never rushed, like a good playlist that understands pacing. For date nights, pre-concert bites, or group feasts, this place hits.

You will leave smelling like wood-fire and happiness, which is exactly the point.

4. PennePazze Nashville

Everyday Italian can still feel special, and PennePazze nails that sweet spot where value meets flavor. The pastas taste freshly made, sauces taste slow-cooked, and the whole experience tastes like a weeknight win or a weekend pit stop.

Find it at 3826 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37209, a stretch with serious food credentials.

Go for a classic penne with ragu or a creamy number that understands restraint. The seasoning is dialed, the portions generous, and the staff treats you like a regular on visit one.

Grab a seat, watch plates parade by, and let the aroma talk you into extra parmesan.

It is the kind of spot you keep in your back pocket for when cravings hit hard. Friendly, fast, and satisfyingly authentic, it turns quick dinners into small rituals.

Add a simple salad and a soda, and you are golden.

5. Salento Italia

Casual does not mean boring at Salento Italia, where the menu reads like a greatest hits album of Italian comfort. Pastas, paninis, and crowd-pleasers land hot and hearty, the kind of food you plan excuses to revisit.

The address is 329 Donelson Pike #303, Nashville, TN 37214, easy to reach and easier to love.

Expect bright marinara, herby aromas, and sauces that know when to step back and when to hug the pasta. Paninis crunch with satisfying sizzle, perfect for a lunch that carries you happily through the afternoon.

Service feels neighborly and quick, which suits weeknight cravings beautifully.

Prices stay friendly, portions smile, and the vibe invites families as much as solo diners. If you like options, this menu delivers without overwhelming.

Order with confidence, and save space for something sweet on the way out.

6. IL Forno

Nothing beats the drum of a real wood-fired oven, and IL Forno plays that rhythm with gusto. Pizzas arrive blistered and fragrant, edges puffed, centers tender, toppings balanced like a good duet.

Make your way to 1414 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37210, where the glow of the hearth sets the tone.

Classics shine: margherita with a basil perfume, diavola with just enough kick, and a white pie that whispers garlic. Pastas back up the headliners, from al dente shells to buttery, peppery cacio e pepe.

Pair with a red that loves tomatoes and let the night unspool.

What you get is tradition without stiffness, a place that respects dough, heat, and patience. It is ideal for relaxed dates or pizza-with-friends therapy.

When the crust cracks and steam escapes, happiness follows fast.

7. Frankies 925 Spuntino

Neighborhood charm radiates from Frankies 925 Spuntino, the kind of spot where you settle in and forget time. Menus tilt classic, with red-sauce favorites that remind you why simple can be powerful.

Head to 925 Cherokee Ave Suite 104, Nashville, TN 37207, and bring your appetite for comfort.

Start with briny olives and crusty bread, then move to a pasta that swims in tomato richness or a cutlet crisped just right. Sauces feel patient, as if someone’s aunt tasted them every ten minutes.

The room stays warm, voices low and laughing, and the staff knows the menu like a playlist.

For rainy evenings or sunny celebrations, it works. Portions satisfy without knocking you out, and desserts bring happy endings.

Expect to leave plotting your next round of meatballs.

8. Yolan

Elegance meets conviction at Yolan, where pasta becomes an art project you actually want to eat. The sauces feel whispered into place, precise and generous at the same time.

You will find the calm glamour at 403 4th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201, right where downtown dresses up.

Let the team guide your wine, because the list is a playground of thoughtful bottles. Tasting menus showcase technique, while à la carte pastas still carry the room.

Service reads your mood and calibrates, which makes the whole experience relax into luxury.

Why this matters: special occasions deserve food that respects the moment. Yolan delivers finesse without losing warmth.

Splurge on the pasta course, then share dessert, and enjoy the long, delicious glide home.

9. Mangia Nashville

Joy is the first flavor at Mangia Nashville, a place that treats dinner like a celebration you accidentally joined. Plates arrive big-hearted and aromatic, built for passing, sharing, and unplanned toasts.

The address is 701 Craighead St, Berry Hill, TN 37204, easy to spot when laughter drifts outside.

Expect classics that lean full-flavored and honest: garlicky shrimp, rich pastas, and saucy chicken that begs for bread. Service moves with a grin, and the room hums like a good family reunion without the politics.

Bring friends or make them at the next table.

When you need a reset from fussy dining, this is your counterpoint. Order boldly, eat happily, and take leftovers that somehow taste even better next day.

Mangia is about delicious abundance, no apologies.

10. Pasta Galifi

Small-town sweetness pairs with serious pasta at Pasta Galifi, where comfort takes center stage. The noodles taste hand-loved, the sauces taste like time, and the welcome feels real.

Make the trip to 480 Long Hollow Pike Suite C, Goodlettsville, TN 37072, and come hungry.

Favorites include creamy fettuccine that balances richness and salt, plus a meaty ragu that knows how to cling. Portions land generous, prices stay kind, and the team moves with old-school hospitality.

You will likely chat with staff about their picks and leave with a new favorite.

It is a reminder that great Italian is more about care than trend. For weeknight dates, casual family dinners, or solo carb therapy, this spot delivers.

Save space for dessert, because sweet finishes are part of the ritual.

11. Sorelles Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria

Small-town Eagleville hides a lovely surprise in Sorelles Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, where the pies are honest and the pastas comforting. The kind of joint that remembers your order and keeps the oregano handy.

Set your course to 161 N Main St, Eagleville, TN 37060, and expect welcoming smiles.

Pizza brings that satisfying chew, while pastas stick the landing on classics like marinara, alfredo, and baked specialties. You can keep it simple or build a pie loaded with your favorites.

Service glides at a neighborly pace that feels just right.

When you crave unfussy goodness, this is the move. Bring a friend, split a pie, and chase it with something sweet.

The experience is straightforward, warm, and happily repeatable.

12. Campione’s Taste Of Chicago

Cravings for Italian-American comfort meet their match at Campione’s Taste of Chicago. Think beef sandwiches dripping with jus, saucy pastas, and pies that eat like a hug.

You will find it at 179 Hancock St #208, Gallatin, TN 37066, where the mood is friendly and fast.

Order a beef with hot giardiniera for that tangy kick, then tack on a pasta to round things out. Portions are generous, flavors bold, and the whole place hums like a neighborhood favorite.

Grab extra napkins and do not fight the messy joy.

This stop is about satisfaction rather than ceremony. Perfect for game nights, takeout heroics, or carb-loading with a grin.

You will leave full, happy, and planning a rerun.

13. Carrabba’s Italian Grill

Reliability counts, and Carrabba’s Italian Grill delivers exactly that with a side of nostalgia. Grilled favorites, sauced pastas, and friendly service make it an easy choice when decisions feel hard.

This Hendersonville outpost sits at 202 N Anderson Ln, Hendersonville, TN 37075, handy for weeknights.

Chicken Bryan remains a star, tangy goat cheese melting into lemon-butter sauce like a magic trick. Pair it with a crisp salad or share a pasta that knows its way around garlic.

The kitchen keeps flavors bright without overcomplicating the plate.

Sometimes you just want dependable comfort and a glass of red. Carrabba’s gives you both without pretense.

Slide into a booth, exhale, and enjoy dinner done right.

14. Sapori di Napoli

Monterey’s Sapori di Napoli is a charming detour that rewards curiosity with genuine Italian comfort. Pizzas spin and land with that golden, airy edge, while pastas lean heartfelt and satisfying.

Point your wheels to 104 E Commercial Ave, Monterey, TN 38574, and settle into small-town ease.

Expect a menu that respects tradition: marinara with personality, creamy alfredo, and pies that balance cheese, sauce, and crust. The staff moves kindly, happy to steer you toward their favorites.

Order like you mean it and enjoy the relaxed rhythm.

It is the kind of spot that turns a road trip into a memory. Affordable, tasty, and welcoming, Sapori delivers the essentials with care.

If dessert calls, answer with something classic and sweet.

15. Antonucci’s Authentic Italian

Warm hospitality anchors Antonucci’s Authentic Italian, where plates arrive hearty and aromas linger happily. The cooking celebrates familiar favorites made with intention, not shortcuts.

Set your destination to 309 Hardin Alley, Spring Hill, TN 37174, and bring someone who appreciates leftovers.

Pizzas have that satisfying chew, while pastas land al dente with just enough sauce to keep bites balanced. Chicken and seafood specials rotate, keeping repeat visits interesting.

Servers chat like neighbors and remember details, which always feels good.

For date nights or family dinners, this spot strikes the right tone. The food comforts without coasting, and the value stays strong.

Finish with coffee and something chocolate, then call it a win.

16. Inman Social

Social energy drives Inman Social, where Italian-leaning bites meet a lively bar scene. Small plates and pizzas make sharing the sport of the evening, with flavors that punch above their weight.

Navigate to 201 Keith St SW, Ste 79, Cleveland, TN 37311, and plan to linger.

Cocktails come bright and balanced, setting up crispy calamari, garlicky knots, and saucy pastas. Pizzas wear blistered edges and playful toppings that still respect the classics.

Staff keep things breezy and attentive, perfect for conversation-forward nights.

When you want flexible, delicious, and fun, this place checks boxes. Bring friends, order a spread, and let the table evolve.

It is community with good dough as the glue.

17. Stevarinos Italian Eatery And Pub

Pub coziness and Italian comfort shake hands at Stevarinos Italian Eatery and Pub. Expect pizza, pasta, and pints in a space built for easy evenings and unhurried conversation.

Set your map to 238 S Cedar Ave, South Pittsburg, TN 37380, then settle in for carbs and camaraderie.

Pies come hot with bubbly cheese and a crust that means business. Pastas scratch that itch for red sauce, creamy sauce, or something baked and melty.

Service keeps things moving without losing the relaxed tempo.

It is a local standby that understands what weeknights need. Share a pie, split a pasta, and toast to simple pleasures.

Comfort is king here, and the crown fits.