Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to Main Content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill
  4. Raleigh
  5. Wake Forest
Amalia's Authentic Italian Restaurant, Wake Forest, NC

Amalia's Authentic Italian Restaurant

4.8
4.8
508 Reviews
$50 and over
Italian
Amalia Fumelli is the inspiration behind Amalia’s Authentic Italian Restaurant. She was born in Italy in 1932, and grew up on a farm. As she grew up, she took an interest in cooking and learned everything about the Italian kitchen from her mother and grandmother. For countless hours each day, Amalia began making hand-made pasta with her rolling pin on an old, wooden table. After many years, she had mastered her pasta creations through her skilled handiwork, precise cutting skills, and the amount of love she put into her work.

Over time, Amalia has passed all of her secrets and knowledge about food along to her children and grandchildren. One grandchild in particular, Filippo Fanfani, gained a passion for the art of cooking through her guidance. As a child, he spent all his days at his grandmother’s house preparing meals for his family. The two have a strong bond, that began with their conjoining love of creating meals that are enjoyable for everyone.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 17 times today

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Fine Dining

  • Cuisines

    Italian

  • Hours of operation

    Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (984) 237-0002

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Business Casual

  • Executive chef

    Filippo Fanfani

  • Neighborhood

    Wake Forest

  • Parking details

    Private Lot

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 508 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.9Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill

    Best Overall

  • Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill

    Best Food

  • Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill

    Best Service

  • Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill

    Best Ambiance

  • Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill

    Great for fine wines

  • Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill

    Romantic

  • Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill

    Good for special occasions

  • Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill

    Italian

  • Raleigh

    Best Overall

  • Raleigh

    Best Food

  • Raleigh

    Best Service

  • Raleigh

    Best Ambiance

  • Raleigh

    Great for fine wines

  • Raleigh

    Romantic

  • Raleigh

    Good for special occasions

  • Raleigh

    Italian

Sort by

Filters

  1. OpenTable Diner

    Raleigh

    25 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    25 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We love Amalia's. It is the restaurant we look forward to visiting the most. Chef Jason and Chef Filippo create visually beautiful and delicious meals. Every meal comes to the table so perfectly plated.The staff is friendly, and they work hard to make everyone's dining experience special. We loved Logan because he was so attentive, knowledgeable, and kind when he waited on us. In fact, the entire wait staff and hosting staff is outstanding. Amalia's is a wonderful place to dine. Thank you Amalia's for always making our experience special. Keep up the excellent job.
  2. FinnN

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food is delicious, service is excellent. Favorite Italian food in the area!
  3. TimS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent restaurant. Great Food, Great Service, Great atmosphere. Just expensive.
  4. JennieV

    Raleigh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent experience from start to finish. Phenomenal food and service. These folks are on their game: my faves from the evening.... Peach Bellini and Veal Chop was out of this world. Drink menu is bigger than food menu but I can't imagine any dish would disappoint. We were celebrating a birthday and they gave us a champagne toast on the house. Brian was our server and he knew the menu and the drinks inside and out and provided top notch service. Atmosphere is "fancy" and live piano player is a nice touch as it is quiet in there, so without it you are inclined to speak softly. Local gem in Wake Forest and can't wait to go back. Best local choice for a special night out!
  5. CEY3

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    The food was amazing especially the veal Marsala. Everything is fresh. Prices are a bit high. We didn’t actually enjoy the pasta dishes but everything else was superb. Service great. Music was a bit loud at times. Definitely dress nice.
  6. Steve

    Raleigh

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    An unbelievable experience, right here in town! Amazing food, atmosphere and staff.
  7. OpenTable Diner

    Raleigh

    25 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on March 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our dining experience at this special restaurant was outstanding. The service and food is fantastic. Truly the best restaurant in our area. It is our favorite in our restaurant rotation. Love it here.
  8. MichaelP

    Raleigh

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Best Italian food in North Carolina!!
  9. MarkP

    Philadelphia

    38 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    38 reviews

    Dined on March 11, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Service was excellent and the intimate ambiance set the tone for an insightful conversation. We always start with meatballs for the table because they never disappoint and the different salads were are fresh and delicately prepared. Everyone ordered a different entree and all were delicious.
  10. JasonM

    Raleigh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The service, food and overall atmosphere was great! We'll be back.
  11. VonAngel

    Raleigh

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    OMG...Amalia's was phenomenal! My husband and I were celebrating our anniversary, and Amalia's made sure it was memorable. The ambiance was soothing and inviting; the food was DELICIOUS (for my pescatarians, definitely get the Linguine Alla Pescatora - to DIE for); the service was impeccable; and the location is super easy to find (plenty of parking). It's a charming space for a special occasion or even for random date night. Highly recommend!
  12. MichaelP

    Raleigh

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful food and atmosphere! Made another reservation while sitting at the table! My new favorite spot!
  13. OpenTable Diner

    Raleigh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amalia’s never disappoints! It is pricey but the quality of the food is awesome. We always leave here feeling satisfied! Highly recommend!
  14. OpenTable Diner

    Raleigh

    25 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on February 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Kudos to Amalia's for providing an authentic Italian dining experience here in North Carolina. A true Italian chef serving authentic Italian meals. It is among the best restaurants where I have eaten. I can't say enough about the charming atmosphere, food flavor profiles, and staff. An overall outstanding dining experience. Perfect for a weekly rotation restaurant or a special occasion. Glad to see this restaurant in our area.
  15. OpenTable Diner

    Raleigh

    39 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    39 reviews

    Dined on February 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The only disappointment was the tiramisu but everything else was superb.
  16. Muneca

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our server William was knowledgeable of the hi history of the restaurant. He was attentive and helped us with the menu. The bathroom was clean. The food was good and came out looking amazing . I would recommend this restaurant who wants a more intimate setting.
  17. ChrisB

    Raleigh

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 19, 2023

    overall4food5service3ambience5
    Food was delicious. Portions were perfectly sized. This restaurant is pricy but appropriate for very special occasions.
  18. Carl

    Western NC

    3 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 19, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    Beautiful spot . Campanelle pasta is amazing . Had the Halibut … wow wow wow. Very pleased . Will go again . One must book waaay ahead understandably
  19. MandizV

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had the halibut and risotto with scallops. Absolutely delicious.
  20. TeresaP

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amalia’s is perfect for a romantic date night. The menu is seasonal, making the dining experience unique. The dining areas are intimate with about ten tables per room, and the service is very personal. The food is decadent and the wine list is impressive.
  21. SteveL

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Staff friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. Delicious entrees and terrific tiramisu.
  22. WaltB

    Raleigh

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great review at least 50 characters. Twelve more.
  23. PaulaB

    Raleigh

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 14, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Logan was our server and gave us great service and the host assisted as well with ensuring beverages were full. We loved our selections; Tagiliere di formaggi, Liguine alla Pescatora, and the Brasato. The white chocolate creme brulee was "ok" the topping was too thick but the creme was decadent. I got the cocktail that was like a vodka martini with gorgonzola stuffed olives... the olives were amazing. My husband got one more similar to an old fashioned and enjoyed it as well. My husband and I split all the dishes and we both agree the Liguine alla Pescatora was the best!! It was rich and had so much lobster and shrimp in it, and was the perfect amount of kicked up spiciness. I would definitely go back for a special dinner out.
  24. OpenTable Diner

    Raleigh

    25 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on February 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I have been to many restaurants, and Amalia's is among the best. The atmosphere is relaxing and perfectly charming.The food is fantastic with outstanding flavor profiles. The servers are knowledgeable, kind, and attentive. The chef and kitchen staff is truly talented. Wonderful experience and perfect for a date night out. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone seeking a special place to dine.
  25. LucyG

    Raleigh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The service was excellent as was the food. We enjoyed meeting Giancarlo was our waiter and so knowledgeable about the products used in all their recipes. Enjoyable fine dining at its best! You won’t be disappointed. Thanks
  26. OpenTable Diner

    Raleigh

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great restaurant to celebrate my birthday at! The ambiance is so wonderful. The service is always the absolute best and they always make you feel so special during your visit. The food is by far the best in the Wake Forest area. Only thing that was a bummer was about half way through our dinner a larger table was sat near us and they were super loud so that took away from the quiet and romantic atmosphere and live piano music playing. But other than that it was perfect. They even brought complimentary champagne out for my birthday. Will always be my fav place to eat!
  27. MarkP

    Philadelphia

    39 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    39 reviews

    Dined on January 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    First time dining at Amalia’s since we recently moved here from Las Vegas. Excellent first impression and we are looking forward to dining here again. The risotto was perfect, as good it gets. This restaurant is a true gem.
  28. OpenTable Diner

    Raleigh

    25 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on January 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I have been to many restaurants, and Amalia's is among the best. The atmosphere is relaxing and perfectly charming. The food is fantastic with outstanding flavor profiles. The servers are knowledgeable, kind, and attentive. The chef and kitchen staff is truly talented. Wonderful experience and perfect for a date night out. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone seeking a special place to dine.
  29. JennaM

    Raleigh

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    As soon as we walked in the door of this charming and cozy historic home, I knew we were in for a treat. Fabulous service and incredible food! So fresh! Perfect portions. Delicious wine. So impressed. This was special.
  30. luv2dine

    Raleigh

    24 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    24 reviews

    Dined on January 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Perfect evening! Food was great and our service was outstanding!
  31. Shawna

    Richmond

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amalia’s is the real deal. We were there to celebrate my Dad’s birthday and everything that we were recommended or tried was top notch. Highly recommend.
  32. Anne

    Raleigh

    77 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    77 reviews

    Dined on January 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing dining experience! Everything was perfect—ambiance, service, live entertainment, and especially the food, the best Italian cuisine in the Raleigh area. We’ve been wanting to try Amalia’s for a long time, but it is difficult to book last minute. Now, I understand why. Plan a few weeks in advance and secure a reservation. You will not regret it!
  33. JoshInYoungsville

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    To start off, this was an amazing meal and experience unlike any I've had in the few times in my life I've been able to enjoy what I consider to be fine dining. Our server, Brian, was very accommodating and friendly from the very beginning, going over the menu in a way that was easy to follow and not at all pushy, and offered my wife a perfect wine recommendation. The order of the meal goes something like this: Bruschetta Focaccia bread Antipasti First course Second course To the un-initiated, you might think that you're supposed to each have your own antipasti/first/second courses... You don't have to go that route! Our server Brian graciously guided and informed us that it is quite common to share the antipasti and first course which is what we did. So.. the antipasti. My wife and I shared the caprese salad. It was excellent and was definitely enough for the each of us while we determined our first course. That first course was the risotto with scallops and butternut squash which again we shared and which again was the perfect amount. I quickly learned that the pacing of the meal was slower than I'm accustomed to with most American restaurants. It was probably the best scallops and risotto I've ever had. Scallops were cooked/seared/seasoned to perfection. This brings us to the second course. My wife had a dry aged bone-in NY strip topped with compound butter and grilled zucchini on the side while I had the dry aged bone-in veal chop with masala / spinach / mushrooms. Wow! Both again cooked perfectly, packed with flavor, and we're some of the best dishes I've ever had. By the end, we were very happy that we shared our first courses. Oh, dessert, we indulged. Tiramisu was a knockout. The mascarpone was way more flavorful than any we've ever had. Overall, it was a meal of many 'bests' and an experience I'd recommend to anyone who can fit into their budget because it was very pricey indeed, but we were both very happy with no regrets. Thanks!
  34. RonnieT

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on January 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I invited guest from Pittsburgh and we had a great business meeting there last night. The quality of food experienced staff, best wine selection hands down and the atmosphere was amazing. The salmon was out of this world. The menu changes with the seasons which is delightful. My colleagues ordered the veal chops and both said it was the best they had ever had too. I’ve been going to Amalia’s since they opened 4 years ago and I can honestly say that I’ve never had a bad experience. The chef’s there are perfectionist. You can tell when you taste the food! My favorite place in all my travels!!
  35. Kevins

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great authentic Italian restaurant, with a nice variety of options that play to many different interests. Great wait staff, that have great attention to detail. It can be a bit pricey but it is worth the value if you are after an outstanding meal
  36. MeredithM

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delicious food, lovely white table cloth atmosphere, fabulous service. Absolutely loved our first experience at this awesome local Italian restaurant. We will definitely be back! Thanks for a great evening. Shoutout to our sweet waitress who provided us with a wonderful birthday evening.
  37. MichaelB

    Raleigh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Logan our sever was wonderful. Natalie, our server the first time, and logan knew the menu very well. They both completed all the steps in serving such as getting appetizer, drinks and entree in an efficient manner. They both checked up on us after the each was served. They each brought us extra bread in a prompt manner. The atmosphere is wonderful. The food was scrumptious. One feels like upper class when dining at Amalia's. The evening was one of the top culinary experiences I have ever had, and I am 60 years old.
  38. JosephS

    Raleigh

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on January 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One one the most incredible authentic Italian restaurants ANYWHERE! Warm, inviting atmosphere; informed, efficient and friendly service; and delicious cuisine that is second to none! A gem!!!
  39. JaneW

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our visit did not disappoint. Drinks, food, service were all exceptional. Cheese sampler was divine. Salmon and Ziti entrees cooked perfectly. It was just lovely.
  40. Shampton

    Houston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic meal for two, will be back next opportunity we can when we’re craving authentic Italian!

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
    • Contactless payment available
  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables
  • Protective equipment

    • Waitstaff wear masks
    • Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

Amalia's Authentic Italian Restaurant offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (984) 237-0002.

Amalia's Authentic Italian Restaurant is rated 4.8 stars by 508 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 17 times today
Google Map for Amalia's Authentic Italian Restaurant

1248 S Main St, Wake Forest, NC 27587-9645

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Neighborhood

    Wake Forest

  • Hours of operation

    Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    Italian

  • Dining style

    Fine Dining

  • Dress code

    Business Casual

  • Parking details

    Private Lot

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Filippo Fanfani

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2023 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 700, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking LogoPriceline LogoKAYAK LogoAgoda LogoRentalcars LogoOpenTable Logo