13 Under-The-Radar Italian Restaurants In Tennessee That Locals Can’t Get Enough Of

Italian food has a way of turning an ordinary evening into something you’ll want to savor a little longer. In towns and cities throughout Tennessee, independent Italian restaurants are turning out handmade pasta, slow-simmered sauces, and perfectly baked pizzas that regulars talk about all week.

Garlic bread arrives warm and fragrant, tiramisu is often made in-house, and familiar faces are greeted like old friends.

Big marketing campaigns and long tourist queues aren’t the focus here. Instead, you’ll step into welcoming dining rooms where family recipes shape the menu and consistency keeps people coming back.

Generous portions, rich flavors, and a relaxed atmosphere make these Italian restaurants easy to return to again and again.

1. Stevarinos Italian Eatery & Pub (Chattanooga)

Stevarinos Italian Eatery and Pub in Chattanooga has built a loyal following one honest plate of food at a time. The atmosphere feels like a neighborhood living room, with warm lighting, friendly staff, and the kind of comfortable buzz that only comes from a place people genuinely love returning to.

The menu leans into classic Italian-American comfort food with a pub twist, offering hearty pasta dishes, savory appetizers, and crowd-pleasing mains that never feel pretentious. Regulars rave about the generous portions and the way every dish tastes like someone actually cared about cooking it.

Sitting at 325 Cherokee Boulevard, this spot earns its 4.5 out of 5 Tripadvisor rating the old-fashioned way: through consistency and character. Whether you stop in for a casual weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering with friends, Stevarinos delivers the kind of experience that keeps Chattanooga residents coming back without ever needing a reservation app or a viral Instagram post to fill its tables.

2. Biba’s Italian Restaurant (Chattanooga/Hixson)

Most visitors to Chattanooga never make it up to Hixson, which is exactly why Biba’s Italian Restaurant has stayed such a treasured secret among locals. Sitting on Hixson Pike, this family-friendly spot carries the kind of old-world Italian warmth that bigger city restaurants often try to manufacture but rarely achieve naturally.

The dining room feels unhurried and welcoming, with an atmosphere that encourages long meals and good conversation. Biba’s earns its reputation through straightforward, soulful Italian cooking that prioritizes flavor over fuss.

From rich, slow-cooked sauces to beautifully prepared entrees, each dish reflects a genuine commitment to tradition.

What makes Biba’s especially endearing is how firmly it belongs to its community. You will not find it featured in trendy food magazines or splashed across travel blogs targeting out-of-towners.

Instead, you will find Hixson families celebrating birthdays here, couples enjoying quiet date nights, and neighbors catching up over a shared basket of bread. That local-first identity is what gives Biba’s its staying power and makes it absolutely worth the short drive north from downtown Chattanooga.

3. Louis’ Restaurant & Drive-In (Knoxville)

Few restaurants in Knoxville carry as much history as Louis’ Restaurant & Drive-In on Old Broadway. Family-owned and proudly old-school, this place has the kind of lived-in character that only decades of loyal customers can create.

Walking through the door feels like stepping back into a simpler era of Italian-American dining.

The menu sticks to the classics, and that is precisely the point. Guests come here for honest, satisfying food that does not try to reinvent itself every season.

The recipes feel rooted, familiar, and deeply satisfying in a way that trendy spots rarely manage to replicate. There is something genuinely special about a restaurant that knows exactly what it is and commits to delivering it every single night.

Located at 4661 Old Broadway, Louis’ remains a neighborhood anchor for North Knoxville residents who have been eating here for years, sometimes across multiple generations of the same family. New visitors are always warmly welcomed, but there is a clear sense that this place was built for the people who live nearby.

That dedication to community is what keeps this restaurant standing strong year after year.

4. Altruda’s Italian Restaurant (Knoxville)

West Knoxville has no shortage of dining options, but Altruda’s Italian Restaurant on North Peters Road holds a special place in the hearts of locals who have been regulars for years. This is the kind of restaurant that gets recommended by word of mouth rather than online algorithms, which says everything about the trust it has earned from its community.

The atmosphere strikes a satisfying balance between comfortable and refined. You can come dressed casually for a family dinner or dressed up for a special occasion and feel equally at home.

The kitchen turns out well-crafted Italian dishes that honor traditional techniques without feeling stuffy or overly formal about it.

Altruda’s has accumulated a wide base of loyal reviewers who consistently praise both the food quality and the attentive service. Regulars often describe it as their go-to spot for celebrating milestones, and that kind of repeat business is the highest compliment a restaurant can receive.

If you find yourself in West Knoxville and want a genuinely satisfying Italian meal in a welcoming environment, Altruda’s at 125 North Peters Road is a dependable and delicious choice.

5. Portobello’s Italian Bistro (Johnson City)

Johnson City might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think about great Italian food in Tennessee, but Portobello’s Italian Bistro is quietly changing that perception one satisfied customer at a time. Nestled on West State of Franklin Road, this bistro brings a polished yet relaxed dining experience to a city that absolutely deserves it.

The menu at Portobello’s reads like a love letter to Italian cooking, with thoughtfully prepared dishes that balance rustic comfort with a touch of elegance. The dining room has a bistro feel that makes it equally suited for a romantic evening or a casual lunch with coworkers.

Locals have clearly taken notice, and the restaurant has developed a strong following among Johnson City residents who appreciate quality food served without pretension.

What keeps people coming back is the consistency. Portobello’s does not chase food trends or overhaul its identity every few months.

Instead, it focuses on doing Italian food right, time and time again. For anyone traveling through Northeast Tennessee or living in the Tri-Cities area, this bistro at Suite 400 is a must-visit that rewards those willing to look beyond the obvious dining choices.

6. Italian Village Authentic Pizzeria (Kingsport)

Kingsport has its own deeply rooted food culture, and Italian Village Authentic Pizzeria on Fort Henry Drive is one of its most beloved institutions. This longtime staple has been feeding the community for years, building a reputation on the kind of honest, no-shortcuts Italian cooking that earns permanent loyalty rather than fleeting attention.

The pizzeria’s atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious, with a focus on the food rather than the decor. That said, the space has a warm, welcoming energy that makes every visit feel comfortable and familiar.

The pizzas are the obvious draw, crafted with quality ingredients and a clear respect for authentic Italian technique. But the broader menu offers plenty of options for those craving pasta or other Italian staples.

What truly sets Italian Village apart is how deeply embedded it is in the Kingsport community. Families have been bringing their kids here for years, and those kids are now bringing their own families.

That generational loyalty is the real measure of a great restaurant. Located at 2101 Fort Henry Drive, Italian Village Authentic Pizzeria is the kind of place that rarely makes statewide headlines but absolutely should be on every serious Tennessee food lover’s radar.

7. Mauricio’s Italian Restaurant (Cookeville)

Cookeville is a college town with a surprisingly vibrant food scene, and Mauricio’s Italian Restaurant on North Peachtree Avenue sits comfortably at the top of the local Italian dining conversation. Holding an impressive 4.6 out of 5 on Tripadvisor, this restaurant has clearly figured out something that others spend years trying to crack.

The food at Mauricio’s is the kind that makes you slow down and actually enjoy your meal. Rich, layered sauces, perfectly cooked pasta, and generous portions all contribute to a dining experience that feels genuinely rewarding.

The service matches the food in quality, with staff who treat regulars and first-timers with equal warmth and attentiveness.

Mauricio’s has the cozy, inviting energy of a place that was built to make people happy rather than to impress food critics. The dining room feels lived-in and comfortable, and the overall vibe encourages you to linger over your meal rather than rush through it.

Locals in Cookeville treat this spot as a reliable anchor for special dinners and casual midweek meals alike. For anyone passing through the Upper Cumberland region, Mauricio’s is an easy and very worthwhile stop.

8. Marina’s On The Square (Murfreesboro)

Right on the historic Murfreesboro square, Marina’s On The Square has carved out a reputation as one of the area’s most beloved Italian dining destinations. The location alone gives it a certain charm, with the energy of the surrounding square lending a lively backdrop to what is already a memorable meal experience.

The restaurant’s atmosphere leans toward the romantic and refined, making it a natural choice for date nights and special celebrations. But Marina’s never feels stuffy or exclusive.

The staff work hard to make every guest feel welcome, and the dining room has a warmth that balances its more polished aesthetic with genuine hospitality.

On the food side, Marina’s delivers Italian cooking that takes its craft seriously. The dishes are thoughtfully prepared and presented, reflecting a kitchen that understands both tradition and creativity.

Located at 125 North Maple Street, Marina’s has become a go-to spot for Murfreesboro residents who want a truly satisfying Italian meal without driving to Nashville. The fact that it sits right on the square makes it easy to combine with a stroll through one of Tennessee’s most charming downtown areas before or after dinner.

9. Domenico’s Italian Deli (Murfreesboro)

Just steps from Marina’s, Domenico’s Italian Deli on South Maple Street offers a completely different but equally satisfying Italian experience. Where Marina’s leans elegant, Domenico’s goes full comfort, embracing the relaxed, unpretentious spirit of a true Italian deli with no apologies and plenty of flavor.

The deli format means the food comes fast, fresh, and full of personality. Think house-made sandwiches stacked with quality ingredients, Italian staples prepared with care, and the kind of casual atmosphere where you can sit down with a satisfying meal and feel completely at ease.

Locals love Domenico’s precisely because it does not try to be anything other than what it is: a fantastic neighborhood deli serving great Italian food.

There is something deeply satisfying about a place that commits fully to its identity and executes it beautifully every day. Domenico’s has that quality in abundance.

Murfreesboro residents who discover it tend to become regulars quickly, drawn back by the quality, the convenience, and the genuine sense of community that the deli cultivates. At 106 South Maple Street, Domenico’s is proof that some of the best Italian food in Tennessee comes without a white tablecloth in sight.

10. Picasso Bistro & Pizzeria (Jackson)

In Jackson, Tennessee, Picasso Bistro and Pizzeria has earned a reputation that far exceeds what its modest profile might suggest. With a 4.6 out of 5 rating on Tripadvisor, this Stonebridge Boulevard spot consistently delivers the kind of Italian dining experience that has residents treating it as their personal secret rather than a place to share with the whole internet.

The bistro atmosphere is creative and welcoming, with an artistic sensibility that gives the space a distinct personality without feeling overdone. The menu balances classic Italian bistro fare with excellent pizzeria offerings, giving guests plenty of reasons to keep coming back and try something different each visit.

The kitchen clearly takes pride in its craft, and that shows in every dish that comes out.

Jackson is often overlooked on Tennessee’s culinary map, but Picasso Bistro is one very good reason to give it a second look. The combination of quality food, thoughtful service, and an enjoyable atmosphere makes this restaurant one of the city’s genuine highlights.

For food travelers making their way through West Tennessee, stopping at 10 Stonebridge Boulevard is the kind of decision you will be glad you made.

11. Old Town Spaghetti Store (Jackson)

The name alone tells you something wonderful about this place. Old Town Spaghetti Store on Carriage House Drive in Jackson has the kind of name that makes you smile before you even walk through the door, and the restaurant itself lives up to every expectation that name sets.

This is classic Italian-American comfort food at its most honest and satisfying. The menu centers on the kind of hearty, soul-warming dishes that have been crowd-pleasers for generations, served in an atmosphere that feels genuinely nostalgic without being kitschy about it.

Locals keep coming back because the food delivers exactly what they are craving, every single time.

Old Town Spaghetti Store has that rare quality of feeling like it belongs to the people who eat there regularly. It is not trying to attract a new demographic or chase a trend.

Instead, it focuses on doing what it does exceptionally well and trusting that loyal customers will keep showing up, which they absolutely do. At 550 Carriage House Drive, this Jackson institution is a perfect example of why the best restaurants are often the ones that have never needed to reinvent themselves to stay relevant and beloved.

12. Ciao Bella Italian Grill & Bar (Memphis)

East Memphis has a well-developed food scene, but Ciao Bella Italian Grill and Bar at Sanderlin Avenue quietly holds its own as one of the neighborhood’s most consistently excellent dining options. This is not a tourist circuit stop, and most visitors to Memphis will never stumble across it, which makes it all the more special for the locals who have made it their regular haunt.

The restaurant’s atmosphere combines the energy of a lively bar with the warmth of a proper Italian grill. The result is a space that works equally well for a casual evening drink and a full, leisurely dinner.

The menu brings together well-executed Italian classics with the kind of bar-friendly offerings that make the whole experience feel fluid and fun.

Service at Ciao Bella is consistently praised by regulars, who appreciate the attentive but relaxed approach that the staff brings to every visit. Located at 5101 Sanderlin Avenue Suite 100, this restaurant has built its loyal following through quality and consistency rather than hype.

For anyone exploring Memphis beyond Beale Street and the obvious tourist stops, Ciao Bella is a genuinely rewarding discovery that reflects the city’s quieter culinary strengths.

13. Little Italy (Memphis)

On Union Avenue in Memphis, Little Italy is exactly the kind of restaurant that a food-savvy local will point you toward with a knowing smile. Easy to miss if you are not already familiar with it, this spot thrives on the loyalty of the community surrounding it rather than any kind of outward fanfare or marketing push.

The restaurant embraces simplicity as a strength. The decor is straightforward, the menu is focused, and the food is the undisputed star of every visit.

There is a refreshing lack of pretension here that makes the experience feel genuinely welcoming, whether you are a longtime regular or walking in for the very first time after a tip from a local friend.

Little Italy at 1495 Union Avenue captures something that many restaurants spend enormous energy trying to fake: a genuine sense of belonging to its neighborhood. The surrounding Midtown Memphis area gives the restaurant a distinctive local energy, and the food honors that context with honest, satisfying Italian cooking that never oversells itself.

For anyone serious about eating well in Memphis, skipping the well-known spots and heading to Little Italy is one of the best decisions you can make on any given evening.