Diners' Choice: Italian restaurants in Charlotte

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2026

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Italian cuisine in Charlotte? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Mama Ricotta's

4.9

4.9 (3343)

$30 and under

Italian

Dilworth

About the restaurant

From the Wine Spectator Award to "Best Italian Restaurant" from Zagat, Mama Ricotta's Italian Restaurant brings to life the award-winning vision of owner Frank Scibelli. With a long, proud reputation built on authentic recipes, made from the freshest of ingredients and prepared by the finest culinary minds in the South, Mama Ricotta's restaurant is the premier Italian dining destination in Charlotte. "Upscale homestyle" is our style, and we love to bring it to you, again and again. Begin your adventure with a warm Goat Cheese and Mascarpone Dip served with grilled crostini, and then move into the warm freshness of our Penne Alla Vodka, tossed in a spicy cream tomato sauce. Or, let the subtle flavors of our Pollo Carciofi delight even your most discriminating of tastes. Our commitment to freshness is one of our most valued traditions - we even house-make our mozzarella! With over three decades of success, we've made it our goal to bring you only the best, with our best.

Top review

MarisaGold

Dined 4 days ago

Always love mama ricottas food- any dish is great!

Toscana Ristorante Italiano

4.8

4.8 (2650)

$31 to $50

Italian

SouthPark

About the restaurant

TOSCANA Ristorante is located in the specialty shops across from South Park Mall, and is South Charlotte’s premiere upscale Italian restaurant. Since 1998 we have offered guests impeccable service and authentic Tuscan cuisine. Toscana is the perfect setting for an intimate meal or group dinners. Our romantic ambience feels just like a tranquil European courtyard that will enclose you with it's old world elegance. Our seasonal menu of Northern Italian favorites is crafted with passion and offers only the freshest ingredients including local produce and herbs, as well as the finest, poultry, prime meats and seafood to bring the true flavors of Tuscany to your table. In addition all pastas and desserts are made fresh in-house daily. You'll also find an extensive list of fine wines featuring all regions of Italy. Come experience the flavors and ambience of Europe right here in the “Queen City."

Top review

James

Dined on Jun 18, 2026

Best Italian restaurant in Southpark. Best patio anywhere

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Novanta Pizzeria Napoletana

4.8

4.8 (329)

$30 and under

Italian

Mooresville

About the restaurant

The owners of Brooklyn South and Brooklyn Boys Pizzeria's are venturing again to bring you truly Authentic pizza. Pizza cooked by wood fire in 90 seconds. Among pizza stay tuned for the finest, truly authentic, rustic Italian dishes from different regions of Italy. Enjoy our extensive wine and beer indoor/outdoor bar and private dining area for your most exclusive intimate celebrations.

Top review

ChrisGold

Dined 6 days ago

Exceptional service. Fresh pasta and fresh handmade pizzas! Everything was delicious. They're always accommodating of large groups. Julian, our server, was fantastic and so friendly.

Dolce Ristorante

4.9

4.9 (2127)

$30 and under

Italian

Dilworth

About the restaurant

Dolce Ristorante in Charlotte is a classic Italian restaurant serving up family friendly favorites. The atmosphere at Dolce Ristorante is airy and bright with a deep Mediterranean feel complete with Italian style artwork. The restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner with special cooking classes offered regularly.

Whether you are looking for a pleasant lunch or a lively dinner, Dolce Ristorante has something on the menu to please every palate. Try the ravioli in a parmigiana cheese pink sauce, the Milanese breaded chicken with lemon dressing or the salmone fresh Atlantic salmon in a white wine sauce. Be sure to save room for the Italian cheese cake dessert.

Top review

BillyGold

Dined 2 days ago

We had an incredible first dinner at Dolce Osteria. Guido took such great care of us and made the evening memorable with his genuine love for the cuisine and his thoughtful wine recommendations. We tried both red and white wines, a handful of appetizers, and several entrées — every single dish was outstanding. This is the kind of place that reminds you why dining out can be such a joy. Highly recommend.

Mezzanotte Ristorante

4.8

4.8 (75)

$30 and under

Italian

South Charlotte

About the restaurant

Welcome to Mezzanotte, a beloved neighborhood favorite in Charlotte, where authentic Italian flavors meet genuine hospitality. We’re proud to serve the finest Neapolitan-style pizza, crafted with time-honored techniques and the freshest ingredients.

Our kitchen is known for fresh-cut pasta, handmade meatballs, and the best gnocchi in town — all made from scratch with care. Beyond our signature dishes, we specialize in fresh seafood and classic veal and chicken entrées that bring a taste of Italy to every table.

Whether you’re joining us for a cozy dinner, a family celebration, or taking your favorites to go, our family-style options make it easy to share the Mezzanotte experience anywhere — from a quick meal before soccer practice to corporate catering or a night in with friends.

At Mezzanotte, every meal is made to be enjoyed with family, friends, and a touch of Italian warmth.

Top review

Paul

Dined 4 days ago

We each had a different meal. Short ribs ravioli pollo parm and seafood linguine and all were excellent

Via Roma

4.8

4.8 (1325)

$31 to $50

Italian

Waverly

About the restaurant

Via Roma offers authentic Italian fine dining featuring many of Toscana's popular menu items along with specials that touch on dishes that are traditional in Rome. An extensive Italian wine collection is available to compliment your meal. Via Roma is ideally situated in front of a wonderfully-designed outdoor gathering place with chairs, rocking benches and fountains across from the new Hilton Gardens.

Top review

Nancy

Dined 4 days ago

The salad special was awesome. 2 of our party had the shrimp risotto that was outstandking

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Popular dish

Tagliatelle

Little Mama’s Italian - Rea Farms

4.8

4.8 (109)

$30 and under

Italian

Provincetowne

About the restaurant

Little Mama’s is the place you come with friends, family, coworkers—anyone you care about. We feature heart warming foods inspired by classic Italian-American recipes. If you’ve never had a meal with us, try the fresh mozz bar and some scratch made pastas. A full bar, sun room and dining room give you a variety of spaces to enjoy yourself and have a leisurely time with a cold beverage and some food like your grandmother used to make. Inspired by the 1960s and 70s Italian restaurants of his youth, Frank Scibelli opened Little Mama’s in 2020 as a sister concept to Mama Ricotta’s, a Midtown fixture since 1992 known for its pizzas and comfort classics.

Top review

JohnGold

Dined 4 days ago

Another great time at Little Mama’s, always great..

Little Mama's Italian - SouthPark

4.8

4.8 (76)

$30 and under

Italian

SouthPark

About the restaurant

Top review

TerriGold

Dined 4 days ago

Consistently delicious food and great service. The homemade mozzarella is fantastic!

Primo Prime

4.9

4.9 (633)

$31 to $50

Italian

Myers Park

About the restaurant

We bring the best of Italy to the heart of Myers Park, offering classic Italian cuisine created from the freshest ingredients served in a warm, casually elegant atmosphere. Preview wines from our wine cellar and enjoy a cocktail before or after dinner in our cozy bar.
At Primo Prime, pride in our food, excellent service, and an inviting atmosphere never let us settle for being anything less than the best. We were featured in the South Charlotte Weekly Culinary Corner. Come on upstairs and see why they gave us five stars!

Top review

Suraj

Dined on Jun 14, 2026

Great experience and our waitress was amazing! Provided great recommendations and even a great cheesecake for my wife! Can’t thank her enough and recommend the restaurant and food enough as well

Arooji's Wine Room - Ballantyne

4.9

4.9 (324)

$30 and under

Italian

South Charlotte

About the restaurant

Casual Italian dining in an elegant atmosphere, reservations not required, however recommended for large groups. Please contact us to confirm reservations made after 5:00pm to confirm availability.

Top review

Mandy

Dined 6 days ago

We have eaten here many times & love the food, the staff & the ambiance! Highly recommend!

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