The Best Italian Restaurants in Nashville: A Comprehensive Guide
As a food enthusiast who appreciates the wide array of culinary delights in Nashville, it's exciting to explore the city's vibrant food scene. From southern comfort foods to exotic flavors from around the world, Nashville is a veritable feast for the senses. However, despite its diverse food landscape, Italian cuisine is not one of Nashville's strengths. You can find some decent Italian restaurants, but unfortunately, they don't quite match the authentic Italian delights you might find in Italy or even in other parts of the United States. Nevertheless, here are the top Italian restaurants in Nashville that might satisfy your Italian cravings.
Top Italian Restaurants in Nashville
When considering the best Italian restaurants in Nashville, it's essential to focus on places that offer more than just pizza. This guide includes a range of restaurants from authentic pasta-centric eateries to Italian-American fare. Each establishment has been rated based on a five-star scale, with the highest score representing the best Italian food calidad found abroad.
PennePazze
Rated 4.3 stars, PennePazze is the top choice in Nashville's Italian restaurant scene. It has two convenient locations, and the food is exceptionally authentic. One standout dish is the Pinsa Pazza, which is a must-try and a culinary highlight.
With a rating of 4.1 stars, Luogo is notable for its duck ragu, a dish that stands out on the menu. The restaurant's offerings are relatively authentic, making it a respectable choice for those seeking an authentic Italian dining experience.
Pastaria
A restaurant with two U.S. locations, including one in Nashville, Pastaria offers fresh pastas made on-site. This adds a delightful touch of authenticity, and the taste of these homemade noodles is truly delightful. It is rated at 4.1 stars, making it one of the top options for pasta lovers in Nashville.
Pelato
At Pelato, which is rated 4.0 stars, you can enjoy a mix of Italian and Italian-American cuisine. This restaurant, run by Brooklynites, shows promise with the Radiatori Vodka pasta, which is reasonably impressive.
Valentino's
With a rating of 3.9 stars, Valentino's holds a respectable position in Nashville's Italian restaurant scene. This restaurant has been serving up mediocre Italian American fare since its establishment in 1990, making it a long-standing but not particularly impressive choice.
Carrabba's
The Italian-American chain Carrabba's is rated at 3.8 stars. While it might not top the list, it outperforms most other Italian restaurants in Nashville with its addicting calamari and reasonably tasty chicken dishes.
Moto Cucina
Rated at 3.8 stars, Moto Cucina is run by the same company behind Kayne Prime. Despite the impressive background, Moto Cucina only meets a basic level of tolerability, making it a lower-tier choice.
The Worst Italian Restaurants in Nashville
While the top choices provide some reasonable Italian-American fare, there are also some particularly disappointing options that should be avoided. Here are some of the worst Italian restaurants in Nashville based on both personal experience and feedback from professional chefs.
Maggiano's
Rated at 3.2 stars, Maggiano's is a nationwide chain that is known for its inauthentic and unimpressive dishes.
Giovanni
With a rating of only 2.9 stars, Giovanni is a disastrous restaurant that is unfortunately way overpriced.
Coco's
Rated at 2.4 stars, Coco's offers Italian recipes that are twisted into unrecognizable Americanized dishes, despite being a local favorite for decades.
Salento
With a rating of 2.3 stars, Salento is a sad attempt at Italian-American food, with unappealing sauces and calamari that tastes more like fried chicken batter.
North Italia
Rated at 2.3 stars, North Italia has two locations in Nashville and is known for its deceptive interior that hides its poor food quality.
Amerigo
Rated at 2.1 stars, Amerigo is one of the worst chains in Nashville, and likely the entire U.S.
Olive Garden
Rated at 2.0 stars, Olive Garden is infamous as the ultimate failure of Italian American casual dining chains.
Fazoli's
Rated at 0.1 stars, Fazoli's is the nadir of Italian American cuisine, offering fast food style pasta that is barely comparable to anything other than fast food.
For those visiting Nashville, it's important to manage your expectations regarding Italian cuisine. While there are decent options available, authentic Italian dining experiences are better sought in more traditional Italian-speaking regions or in other parts of the United States.
Bottom line: Don't come to Nashville for its Italian food. Come for the southern and international cuisine that Nashville is known for. But, if you must, these options are worth checking out, albeit with caution.