Italian Restaurants in Nashville (2025)

James Beard Award winner Tony Mantuano and wine expert Cathy Mantuano anchor this refined ode to Italy, turning seasonal ingredients into elegant pastas, risotti, and dolci. Frequently cited by Eater Nashville and national critics for polished service, deep cellar, and a tasting menu that feels celebratory but not stuffy, it’s the city’s contemporary fine‑dining benchmark for Italian cuisine.

Tandy Wilson’s Germantown pioneer marries Southern ingredients with Italian sensibilities—think beloved belly ham pizza, house pastas, and Sunday suppers that locals plan around. Lauded by The New York Times and highlighted by Axios, it remains a cultural touchstone where Nashville’s modern restaurant scene found its stride.

Philip Krajeck’s Germantown mainstay doesn’t call itself Italian, but its soulful, handmade pastas and natural‑wine energy land it on essential lists year after year. A Bon Appétit Hot 10 alum and a frequent Eater Nashville pick, it channels Italy’s spirit through Middle Tennessee produce with precision and charm.

From the Rolf team, Folk leans into wood‑fired pizzas, Italian‑leaning small plates, and a stellar natural‑wine list in East Nashville’s McFerrin Park. Celebrated by Saveur and regularly praised by local critics, it’s an easygoing room where clam pies, apéro hour, and seasonal vegetables show real craft.

Chef Michael Hanna’s intimate spot celebrates Sicilian sfincione—airy, cheese‑studded pan pizza—alongside antipasti, pastas, and a sharp little wine list. A darling of Eater Nashville’s pizza coverage and local food writers, it channels family tradition and pop‑up roots into one of the city’s most distinctive Italian experiences.

Bella Napoli - Review - Edgehill - Nashville - The Infatuation

Bella Napoli has been churning out legit Neopolitan-style pizzas for almost 15 years, with the Italian owners earning everyone’s trust with crispy-yet-foldable crust, never-overcooked vegetables, and cheeses that you probably won’t find at any old slice shop. The creamy fettuccine boscaiola, tomato-rich chicken parmesan, and daily pasta specials hit the mark, too. Musicians strum a guitar in the corner, and if you’re lucky, folks will put down their wine glasses and spin out into the small spaces between tables to dance. Enjoy the scene and finish off with a shot of limoncello. photo credit: Casey Irwin photo credit: Casey Irwin photo credit: Casey Irwin Pause Unmute Food Rundown Bruschetta Some things are beautiful in their simplicity, and Bella Napoli’s bruschetta falls into this category. The tomatoes are juicy and fresh—never pale or styrofoamy—while the perfect amount of garlic plays with the sauce and toasted bread underneath. A classic. photo credit: Casey Irwin Penne a la Vodka Rich without being overwrought, the penne a la vodka manages to feel light while also creamy. The sauce has a nice bit of tomato zing and the pancetta peeks through without taking over the whole dish. photo credit: Casey Irwin Pizzas Let’s talk about the pizzas in depth. They’re baked in a pizzaiolo brought over from Italy, and the crusts on these bad boys are perfectly charred, crispy-but-soft in the straight-from-Naples way. A simple margherita pizza lets all the ingredients shine, but the rotating special pizzas (especially the ones with prosciutto and arugula) also make for great pre-pasta shareables. photo credit: Casey Irwin Tiramisu An obvious choice for dessert at an Italian restaurant, but one that will leave you craving a whole pan of the stuff. Airy, creamy, and devoid of distracting toppings and gritty freezer-texture, this tiramisu is like a little kiss on the forehead—simple, sweet, and you may fall in love. photo credit: Casey Irwin - Bailey Freeman

Family‑run and woven into Sylvan Park life, Coco’s pairs a bustling market with a broad Italian‑American menu—brick‑oven pizzas, house pasta, and cannoli—plus bocce out back and community events. Frequently praised by local publications for its neighborhood heartbeat, it’s the city’s casual Italian gathering place.

An elegant, Venetian‑styled stalwart where truffles, risotti, and handmade pastas meet a deep Italian wine list. After decades in Manhattan, Giovanni Pinato brought his classic touch to Nashville; Eater Nashville and local critics still point diners here for old‑world hospitality and white‑tablecloth charm.

In The Nations, Tony and Caroline Galzin’s neighborhood spot fires pies in Tennessee’s only coal oven and rolls out house‑made pastas with plenty of Italian‑American gusto. Recommended by Eater Nashville and The Infatuation, it’s equal parts lively hangout and serious craft.

Since 1999, this Sylvan Park favorite has served recipes inspired by the owner’s grandmother—arancini, lasagna Bolognese, build‑your‑own pasta, and a loyal local crowd. Eater Nashville and The Infatuation highlight its updated room and steady, comforting cooking that feels personal, not performative.

Anthony Scotto’s Germantown trattoria brings a joyful, old‑school spirit—crispy potatoes, arancini, polenta with ragù, and aperitivo‑leaning cocktails. Featured by Eater Nashville for approachable Italian comfort and a lively patio, it’s a convivial addition that has quickly woven itself into the neighborhood’s rhythm.

Born from a beloved mobile pizzeria, Il Forno’s Wedgewood‑Houston home turns out Neapolitan pies alongside carpaccio, risotto, and seasonal pastas. Eater Nashville spotlights its Naples‑born chef and balanced menu; locals love the patio, the tender crusts, and the sense of craft over flash.