Italians know a thing or two about food.
In fact, it plays a big part in their everyday lifestyle and culture. Whether you want to enjoy a glass of wine with friends or socialize around a nice meal, there's something to be said about an unpretentious feast or a Sunday supper.
Here's 11 spots in and around Nashville that are attuned to delicious Italian fare:
Situated in the heart of downtown Nashville's SoBro neighborhood, Mimo blends Southern Italian cuisine with Southern influences. Starters include favorites like the Artisanal Sourdough Bread and the Burrata Salad, with entree options including the Radiatori Pasta made with Nonna's Southern Ragu, housemade radiatori pasta, and parmesan foam, plus the Benton's Bacon Cured Lobster and the Clams Conchiglie.
Culaccino Italian Restaurant and Bar
You know a meal is good when you go back for seconds and thirds. Sip a glass of red or white while snacking on warm, housemade bread paired with a scoop of ricotta cheese and olive oil. Then, order one of everything on the menu. No matter which you choose, the seventy-two-hour fermented pizzas or the handmade artisan pasta dishes, you'll leave feeling full and satisfied. Try the traditional Tonnarelli cacio e pepe or the L'agnello Sacro pie, topped with lamb sausage, smoked eggplant, goat cheese, scallions, and Fresno chilis.
New to Nashville's dining scene, Luogo is Anthony Scotto's fresh take on upscale Italian fare. The menu heavily focus on a Mediterranean coastal cuisine, including entrees like the Spaghetti with Manilla Clams, Pappardelle with Duck Ragu, and Pan Seared Salmon. That's amore!
The Focaccia Napolitana starter is a slab of thick yet soft and delicate bread, topped with oregano and a dash of salt. Keeping in theme, the delicious wood-fired pizzas, are offered in either Rosse (red) or Bianche (white) sauce, and are made the Neapolitan way using “00” Caputo flour. Each pizza is light with a slight chew, yet crisp with charring on the crust. House-made pasta is served in 4 different fashions like the rigatoni or the fettuccine verde.
Michelin-starred chef Tony Mantuano along with wine expert Cathy Mantuano, have brought authentic, fine Italian dining to Nashville. If you want to try a bite of everything, reserve a Tasting Experience. This season’s five-course and eight-course tasting menus are inspired by the region of Emilia-Romagna. Or, go the a la carte route, and order the Bucatini all’Amatriciana, a fresh pasta dish, made with tomatoes, pecorino Romano, guanciale, and basil.
Dishes range from lighter and fresh to savory and indulgent. Stand outs include the Hot Honey pizza, topped with Italian sausage, honey, and Calabrese, and the Black Spaghetti, a delightful combination of lobster ragu, Gulf shrimp, octopus, and Calabrian Chile, cooked to order.
It's easy to feel like you’ve found a hidden gem in Little Italy here. Tucked in the Edgehill's dining and shopping courtyard, this small but mighty pizzeria and restaurant serves up Napoletana-style pizzas, a variety of pasta dishes, and chicken parmigiano (finished in their wood fired brick oven). Obviously, no Italian meal is complete without a cannoli or tiramisu, so add one of each to your order.
Unassuming from its facade, this Franklin treasure is fun as it is modern on the inside. Here you can build-your-own antipasti board or go the more traditional route with a really good plate of pasta, like the Vodka Diavolo, Alfredo, or Saltimbocca.
A moody atmosphere, a sweet wine list, and delectable dishes... Giovanni's is as Italian as it gets. The restaurant serves homemade pastas, imported cheeses, salumi, veal, prime beef, fresh seafood, and homemade Italian bread, breadsticks, desserts, and gelato.
When you think of Italian cuisine, pasta might be the first thing to come to mind. But Italians specialize in meat and seafood, too. This upscale, Italian chophouse by chef Andrew Carmellini is known for its prime cuts of steaks and fine seafood. Dessert is just as high-class, with options like the 17 Layer Chocolate Cake topped with a gold-dipped cherry, or the Baked Spumoni For Two, which is flambéed table-side.
Come hungry, leave happy...and full! While the pasta and chicken parm entree may be hard to pass up, the pizzas are where it's at. Go for the traditional or something a bit more unique like the Pastaria Hawaiian topped with tomato, mozzarella, jalapeños, pineapple, and house-made Canadian bacon. Then, round out your meal with some Tiramisu or Maple Oat Cake.